974

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

May 9, 1913.

Judgment has been given in the case where Mrs.
Painter claimed compensation from a colliery company
in respect of her husband’s death, he being the instructor
at the Swansea District Colliers’ Rescue Station. The
deceased was killed during rescue work at the colliery ;
and it has been held by the judge in the Llanelly County
Court that he was a “workman” there within the
meaning of the Compensation Act. He therefore
made award in favour of the plaintiff.

Considerable impetus will undoubtedly be given to
ambulance work in the coalfield by the action of Mr.
David Davies, M.P., of the Ocean Company. He has
always taken a keen interest in ambulance training, and
has now offered for competition a very fine shield, open
to squads in Monmouthshire, Glamorgan, and the
adjoining counties. The trophy will be named the
“ iilandinam shield,” and will be put up for competition
once a year.

The coaltrimmers of Cardiff met on Sunday (their
notices having expired), and decided they would return
to work on Monday morning; but that, in every case
where a non-unionist was found, no shute should be
lowered. It was stated that both Barry and Penarth
were clear—only Cardiff men being out of compliance ;
and it was also stated that the tippers had agreed to
co-operate. It turned out that no stoppage occurred,
union representatives making a round of the docks,
dealing individually with the few cases of non-unionism,
and stopping the men who were concerned.

At Newport on Sunday the coaltrimmers and
tippers met, and it was decided to take action at once
for bringing non-unionists within the organisation.
Instructions were given that all employers be notified
that on the first Monday in June all tipping and
trimming would cease wherever non-unionists were
employed.

A presentation of unusual character was that which
was made in Pontypridd on Saturday to Mr. William
James, colliery manager. Mr. James has completed
52 years’ continuous service in the Great Western
Collieries. He started as doorboy, and rose to be
manager—a position which he has held for more than
20 years. When he commenced work the output was
about 300 tons daily, but at present the total is between
2,000 and 3,000 tons per day.

Although some very conclusive evidence against
the Cardiff Bill was presented in the two concluding
days of the preliminary investigation by the House of
Lords Committee, it was decided that the Bill should
proceed. Mr. Joseph Davies, secretary of the
Freighters’ Association, gave evidence in opposition,
and said that the result of the increased charges which
the company sought power to levy would be to make
Cardiff Docks more costly than any other in the
kingdom.

The decision is very important, because of the
suspicion that behind the Cardiff Company (to take
advantage later on of any advance in rates which they
establish) are the other local dock companies, and that,
consequently, the coal trade of South Wales will be
subjected to very heavy additional imposts. Mr. Joseph
Davies estimated that the new charges, if imposed,
would mean £71,000 a year increase on the coal,
exclusive of extra wharfage, which would amount to
£25,000 per annum alone, He asserted that the Cardiff
Docks showed a profit of £30,000 on docks alone, and
gave evidence as to other docks in the Bristol Channel
to show that they are profitable undertakings.

Mr. Chenhalls, ex-president of the Shipowners’
Association, considered that the new imposts were
absolutely unnecessary and unwarranted; and Mr.
Talbot, counsel for the freighters, argued that the Bill,
put shortly, was a proposal to take power from Parlia-
ment to add more than £186,000 per annum, on the
basis of existing trade, to the income derived by
the shares of the company—or, to put it plainly, by
Lord Bute, because he held them all—offering for this
addition no consideration to the public of any sort or
kind. No precedent existed for such a proposal to add
to charges unless accompanied by increase of accom-
modation.

The company were asking Parliament, so he urged, for
facilities to make traders pay up to 7 per cent, on a rail-
way which was being kept idle. On the basis o± the
trade of the second half of 1912 (and the trade for 1913
would be considerably higher), it was obvious that Lord
Bute would pocket £113,770 per annum out of the
property.

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1 Mr. J. A. Jones, of Watts, Watts and Co., said the
proposed increases of the company were 100 per cent,
on tipping and 50 per cent, on wharfage, and on the
coal shipped by his firm last year that would mean an
addition of £9,000 per annum.

Mr. North Lewis, ex-president of the Chamber of
Commerce, said the proposed increase of 2d. would mean
a difference of £3,000 a year to the concerns with which
he was connected, and they could not take their traffic
elsewhere. The hydraulic power of the Queen’s Dock
was below what it should be, and delay and loss were
being experienced because there was considerable con-
gestion, and the despatch was bad. He named one
colliery as to which over a period of years the loss had
amounted to 8d. a ton.

For the Monmouthshire freighters, Mr. Raymond
Asquith said that one of the firms in that county would
have to pay an extra £3,000 a year in tipping charges
alone. He commented on the fact that, in addition to
dividends, Lord Bute was already receiving £40,000 a
year from royalties gained at the docks, and he
pointed out that the coal trade was subject to such
periods of fluctuations as affected no other industry.

Counsel for the Cardiff Company, on the other
hand, urged that the evidence had gone to show that
there was need for another dock. Consequently there
could be no restful period during which the dock owners
could enjoy full earning upon expended capital, as there
must always be a burden of unproductive capital
dependent on development. The chief contention was
that it must be obvious that the company would not
impose the new maximum, if by so doing they would
be affecting their own and the public interests—which
were their own interests. Coalowners and shipowners
had, he said, been the only ones to reap a harvest from
the prosperity of the coal trade, whilst the dockowners’
profits had been getting smaller and smaller.

A proposal has been made to establish in South
Wales a rest and convalescent home in memory of
the founders of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain
__the late Mr. Ben Pickard, the late Mr. Enoch Edwards,
and others.

A conflict arose because numbers of the surfacemen
have joined other organisations, the intention being that
all men working in and about the collieries must join
the Federation. A conference has taken place between
Federation representatives and those of the General
Labourers’ Union on this question, because some
hundreds of surfacemen have joined the latter, and—
whilst it is hoped that an amicable understanding will
be arrived at—it is not yet clear how a settlement can
be reached.

The circumstances of the tin-plate trade are of
unusual interest, because they bring into consideration
the practice of Canadian authorities with regard to
British manufactures; and an endeavour is being made
to secure for the tin-plate trade that preferential treat-
ment which already applies to certain manufactures—
such as galvanised sheets. Were the Canadian Customs
authorities to grant to the Welsh tin-plate the preference
of 5 per cent, which has been given upon galvanised
sheets, it is anticipated that the Welsh makers would be
able to regain their previous hold upon Canadian
markets as against American producers. Some time ago
a deputation waited upon the Canadian representatives
in London, and set forth this fact, pointing out how
during 1910 Great Britain held the bulk of the Canadian
trade, and the United States a relatively small share;
whereas, within a year later there had been a complete
change. Notwithstanding sympathetic expression from
the London representatives of Canada, nothing has yet
been done; and it is now suggested that the Home
Government should approach Canada in the interests of
the Welsh makers. From 100 to 130 mills are now
standing idle.

Hull Coal Exports,- The official return of the exports of
joalfrom Hull for the week ending Tuesday, April 29, 1913,
is as follows: — Antwerp, 727 tons ; Amsterdam, 199;
Alexandria, 5,451; Alderney, 130; Assens, 246; Barcelona,
2,266; Bilbao, 1,310; Buenos Ayres, 4,900; Bremen, 1.969 ;
Copenhagen, 478; Christiania, 1,258; Cronstadt, 7,708;
Drammen, 918; Danzig, 156 ; Genoa, 3,940 ; Guernsey, 224;
Gothenburg, 503 ; Harlingen, 1,262 ; Hamburg, 11,881;
Harburg, 10,484; Iggesund, 1,456; Jersey, 171; Kalmar,
423; Kobe, 283; Kotka, 450; Kampen, 275; Kiel, 2,842;
Leghorn, 585 ; Lintsaan, 2,144; Monte Video, 4,692 ; Mar-
seilles, 512; Narvik, 2,347; Orth, 216; Pernau, 1,448;
Rouen, 7,854; Rotterdam, 3,378 ; Riga, 9,276; Reval, 3,111;
Stettin, 409; Stockholm, 893; Venice, 822; total, 99,597
tons. Corresponding period last year, 13,419 tons.

GOKTRACTS 0PE1 FOR COAL ARD COKE.

For Contracts Advertised in this issue received too late for
inclusion in this column, see Leader and Last White
pages.

London, W.C., May 17.—Tenders are invited for the
supply of Nottingham hard steam coal (estate pit) and
house coal for University College Hospital, Gower-street,
W.C., and its Trained Nurses' Institution and Students’
House for twelve months, from July 1, 1913, and will be
received until Saturday, May 17. Full particulars upon appli-
cation with stamped addressed envelope, to the secretary.
The committee do not bind themselves to accept the lowest
or any tender.

Plymouth, May 13.—The Plymouth Corporation is
prepared to receive tenders for the supply of 8,500 tons of
clean, good quality steam coal, suitable for use without
breaking in coking mechanical stokers. Specification and
form of tender may be obtained from the unders’gned
before May 10 after a deposit of 20s. has been made for each
copy, which deposit will be returned after receipt of a
bona fide tender in accordance with, and on the form
provided. Sealed tenders duly endorsed must be delivered
to the undersigned not later than 9 a.m. on Tuesday,
May 13, 1913. The Corporation does not bind itself to
accept the lowest or any or the whole of any offer. E. G.
Okell, borough electrical engineer, Electricity Works,
Prince Rock, Plymouth.

Woolwich, May 21.—The Council of the Metropolitan
Borough of Woolwich invite tenders for the supply of steam
coal for their Public Baths for the year commencing
June 25, 1913. The amount required will be about 1,900
tons. The persons or firms whose tenders are accepted
will be required to enter into a formal contract, copy of
which can be seen on application. Full information and
forms of tender may be obtained on application to me at the
Town Hall, Woolwich. Sealed tenders properly filled in
must be delivered to me at the Town Hall, Woolwich, not
later than 12 noon on Wednesday, May 21,1913, in envelope
endorsed “ Tender for Steam Coal.” The Council do not
hind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. Arthur
B. Bryceson, town clerk, Town Hall, Woolwich.

Abstracts of Contracts Open.

Aberdeen, May 14—For (1) gas coal, 95,000 tons ; (2)
oil for gas-maktng, 300 tons; (3) English lime, 400 tons ;
(4) sea freights, 50,000 tons, for the Corporation.

Bangor (Wales), May 12.—For supply of 4,500 tons of
best screened gas coal, delivered free on rail, Bangor S ation
(London and North-Western Railway), between July 1,

1913,	and June 30, 1914, for the Gas Committee.

Barming and Chartham (Kent), June 3.—For supply
of aoout 4,0c0 tons of steam coal, l,2U0 tons of household
coal, 950 tons of gas coal, and 105 tons of baker’s coal to
the asylums at Barming Heath (near Maidstone) and
Chartham (near Canterbury), for the Kent County Asylums
Committee.

Barrow-in-Furness, May 20.—For the supply of
screened gas coal and cannel, for the year ending June 30,

1914,	for the Corporation.

Birkenhead, May 16.—For the supply of slack, for the
power and pumping stations at Birkenhead and Liverpool,
steam locomotive fuel, household coal, coke, &c., for the
directors of the Mersey Railway Company.

Birkenhead, May 19.—For the supply of washed slack
or washed t-mall c ;al, for the Corporation, delivered at the
Corporation’s electricity generating stations, situate in
Bentinck-street, Craven-street, and New Chester-road
respectively, for a period of 12 months commencing July 1
md ending June 30, 1914. Mr. W. W)ld, M.I.M.E.,
M.I.E.E., borough electrical engineer, Craven -’street,
Birkenhead.

Bridgnorth, May 17.—For the supply of screened gas
coal, or washed gas nuts, for the Corporation, including
carriage to the Bridgnorth railway station for one year
from, or soon after, the end of July next. Quantity lequired
about 2,500 tons.

Brighton, May 13.—For the supply and delivery at the
workhouse, Eim-grove, of 1,100 tons Apedale Wallsend
(nouse) coal, 800 tons Linby (steam) coal, and 40 fathoms
oest Baltic yellow deal ends for firewood; also for the
supply and delivery at the Warren Farm Schools, in the
parish of Rottingdean, of 120 tons Apedale Wallsend (house)
coal, for the Guardians.

Chelmsford, May 17.—For the supply of coal and coke
f or 12 calendar months, from June 1, for the Joint Hospital
Board.

Cheltenham, May 14.—For 12 months’ supply of rough
small steam coal, delivered on to the electricity works siding
on the Midland railway at Cheltenham, from July 1, 1913.
Walter J. Bache, borough electrical engineer, Electricity
Offices, Manchester-street, Cheltenham.

Clonmel (Ireland), May 13 —For the supply of 100
tons of coal, best Wigan, per ton, for the Joint Committee
of Management of the District Lunatic Asylum, delivered
free at the Coal Store Asylum.

Colchester, May 23.—For the supply and delivery of
steam coal at the Waterworks, Balkerne Hill, during one
year, commencing July 1, for the Corporation.

Colchester, May 27.—For the supply and delivery of
about 5.U00 tons steam coal at the Electricity Supply Works,
Osborne-street, for a period of 12 months from July 1, 1913,
to June 30, 1914, for the Corporation (Electricity Supply
Committee).

Dublin, May 26.—For the supply of 55,000 or 110,000
tons of locomotive coal, to be delivered over six months or
12 months, from July 1, for the directors of the Great
Northern Railway Company (Ireland).

Falkirk, May 12.—For supply of about 24,000 tons of
coking coal and coking nuts for delivery during year ending
May 31, 1914, for the Falkirk Town Council.

Greenock, May 23.—For the supply of coal required for
one year from July 1, for the Corporation.

Ips wich, May 13.—For 200 tons of B dsover hand-picked
hards or Stanton hand-picked hards, and 30 tons gas coke,
for the Stamford Guardians.

Johnstone (Scotland), June 3.—For supply of coal for
12 months from July 1, to be delivered at the gasworks,
Johnstone, for the Gas Committee.