June 6, 1913. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1205 ORE AND STONE MINING. By Sir C.Le Neve Foster, D.Sc.,F.R.S. Seventh Edition, Revised by Prof S. H. Cox, A.R.S.M. 28s. net. THE ELEMENIS OF MINING AND QUARRYING. By Sir C. Le Neve Foster, D.Sc. Revised by Prof. S. H. Cox. Second Edition. 7s. 6d. net. METHODS OF AIR ANALYSIS. By J. S. Haldane, M.D., LL.D. In Crown 8vo. 5s. net. THE AIR OF MINES. By Prof. J. Cadman and J. S. Haldane, M.D.,LL.D. A TEXT-BOOK OF COAL-MINING. By H. W. Hughes, F.G.S., Fifth Edition. Revised and Enlarged. 24s.net. ELEMENTARY COAL-MINING. By George L. Kerr, M.E. Third Edition, Revised. 3s. 6d. THEODOLITE SURVEYING AND LEVELLING. By Prof. James Park, F.G.S. Illustrated. Second Edition. 7s. 6d. net. THE EFFECTS OF ERRORS IN SURVEYING. By Hr. Briggs. 5s. net. MINING GEOLOGY. Uy James Park, F.G.S., M.Inst.M.M. Third Edition. 6s. net. MINING LAW OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. By Charles J. Alford, F.G.S. Cloth. 8s. 6d. net. LONDON: CHARLES GRIFFIN & CO. LTD., Exeter St., Strand. TUBES & FITTINGS, i»ou and steel Tubes for Gas, Water, Steam, and Compressed Air. Electric Tramway Poles, Pit Props, High Pressure Steam Mains, Ac. JOHN SPENCER LTD., Globe Tube Work®. Whdnbsbur’v J. W. BAIRD AND COMPANY, PITWOOD IMPORTERS, WEST HARTLEPOOL, YEARLY CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO WITH COLLIERIES* OSBECK & COMPANY LIMITED, PIT-TIMBER MERCHANTS, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE. SUPPLY ALL KINDS OP COLLIERY TIMBER Tilbgrams—“ Osbboks, Newoastlb-on-Tyhh.” %• For other Miscellaneous Advertisements see Last Whit* Page. Forthcoming Annual Meetings. International Geological Congress— August 21, 1913 (Toronto) North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers ... ... ... ... August 2,1913 Manchester Geological and Mining Society— October 14, 1913 Institution of Mining Engineers— June 5 & 6, 1913 (London) Sept. 24, 25 & 26, 1913 (Manchester) Midland Institute of Mining, Civil and Mechanical Engineers ......................... July 20, 1913 Midland Counties Institution of Engineers, Sept. 1913 South Staffordshire and Warwickshire Institute of Mining Engineers...................October 20, 1913 Colliery itardhm. LONDON, FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 1913. The Birthday Honours include a baronetage for Mr. Stephen Wilson Furness, M.P., the nephew and heir of the late Lord Furness, who is associated with a large number of coal and iron companies in the north of England ; knight- hoods for Mr. Frank Brain, the well-known mining engineer, who was president of the Mining Association in 1911-2 ; Mr. F. W. Black, director of naval contracts ; Professor Schafer, of Edinburgh, the inventor of the resuscitation system bearing his name, and last year’s president of the British Association ; Mr. G. H. Smith, head of the firm of Frederick Smith and Co. Limited, wire manufacturers, of Halifax and Salford; Mr. J. W. Stevens, chair- man of the Taff Vale Railway and the Bristol Wagon Company, and a director of Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds Limited. A case in Leeds under the Coal Mines (Minimum) Wage Act of 1912 was heard by his Honour Judge Greenhow this week. It was claimed the men had a statutory right to the minimum wage if no certificate as to exclusion or forfeiture was produced. This view was taken by the judge. Following their unsuccessful conference with the Coalowners’ Association last week, on the question of the abolition of the three-shift system, the Northumberland miners’ executive have called a consultative meeting of repre- sentatives of three-shift collieries for June 14, to discuss the next step to be taken, and a special council meeting representing the whole Associa- tion will be summoned subsequently. The annual conference of representatives of the Central Association of Permanent Relief ‘Societies was held on Tuesday in London. The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have issued an important memoir of the Geological Survey on “ The Concealed Coalfield of York- shire and Nottinghamshire.” This memoir is an outcome of explorations for coal, made for the most part since the publication of the Report of the Royal Commission on Coal Supplies in 1905. Much information has been obtained confirming or modifying the opinions held at the date of that report. The limits of the concealed coal- field are discussed, and the results obtained by shaft sinkings and borings analysed. The records of numerous shaft sections and borings form an appendix. A. map is included giving the position of the shafts and borings, and also showing by contours the depth to the coal- bearing strata. Mr. McKenna received at the Home Office on Tuesday and Wednesday deputations repre- senting mineowners and miners to urge the need for the adoption of certain amendments to the Home Office regulations governing coalmines upon which both sides had agreed. It is under- stood that Lord Mersey has been selected as referee to hold an enquiry on suggested amend- ments which have not been agreed upon by the parties. The enquiry will take place at Caxton Hall, Westminster, on June 17. The London meeting of the Institution of Mining Engineers was held yesterday under the presidency of Dr. W. E. Garforth, who also took the chair at the annual dinner in the evening. Authoritative details of the Stonedusting, early history of important dis- coveries are rarely forthcoming, and the exact share of the credit of origination due to the nominal pioneers is often a matter upon which opinion is divided. In order that this may not be the case in the present instance, Dr. W. E. Garforth has contributed a paper to the Transactions of the Institution of Mining Engineers, of which he is president, entitled a A Record of the Origin of the Principle of Stone- dusting for the Prevention of Colliery Explo- sions.” Dr. Garforth, who “ has been interested in the subject of the danger of coaldust in mines for nearly 30 years, ventures to think that particulars should be given, whilst others who have been prominently associated with the inves- tigation are still living, and can discuss the state- ments put forward.” The only names specially mentioned in the paper in this connection are those of Dr. W. N. Atkinson, Mr. J. B. Atkinson, and Prof. Galloway, but we have a notion that there are claimants to recognition whose names are not included in this short list. Of one thing there can be no doubt—namely, that the investigation in this country into the use of stonedust as a preventative against coaldust explosions had its origin in the evidence given by Dr. Garforth before the Royal Commission on Coaldust in 1891. This is all that is material, and the actual inception of the idea is a matter altogether apart. The usual difficulty in appor- tioning the merit of discovery is due not so much to a want of historical knowledge, but rather to the altered perspective which time gives to the share of the work contributed by different individuals, and this true perspective time alone can supply. The paper contains a short account of further experiments which have been conducted underground at Altofts Colliery during the past 12 months in connection with the application of stone- dust. With regard to Dr. Garforth’s condemnation of the use of flue dust as an inert material, we cannot help thinking that it was somewhat premature. Of course all flue dusts are not alike, and, as in the case of other dusts, they must be selected with discrimi- nation. At the close of the paper Dr. Garforth stated that“ the time had now arrived to apply in practice what had been successfully proved by experiment—the experience being that fine stonedust possesses those qualities which are essential in a preventative for a coaldust danger.” In view of the fact that the subject is still being investigated at the Government Experimental Station at Eskmeals, and that the Committee have not yet felt themselves in a position to give a definite pronouncement upon it, it might seem to be advisable to wait a little longer until the pronouncement is given. There is little doubt but that when this takes place, and if the con- clusions are favourable, the Government will take immediate action to render the use of stone- dust compulsory where other equally effective means are not available. The difficulty appears to be to decide upon the definite proportion of stone, or other incom- bustible dust, to coaldust required in order to secure safety without unduly clogging up the roadways of the mine and causing other hardships. Naturally, the greater the proportion of incombustible dust, the greater the safety, but the experiments at Eskmeals and observations made after colliery explosions tend to show that a considerable degree of safety, at any rate, may be obtained with only, say, 50 per cent, of stonedust. If colliery owners were to voluntarily adopt this view and introduce stonedusting into their mines upon this modest scale, benefit would assuredly accrue. Trade Summary. The London coal trade was exceedingly slow during the past week and the depot trade is very feeble. Prices are unaltered and collieries are doing their utmost to maintain the current prices. Manufacturing qualities are fairly strong, but all household coals are neglected. The shipping trade continues good and large quantities are finding their way to the various ports. Coke is weak, but heavy enquiries are in hand for gas coal and other large contracts. The prompt market at Newcastle is deadly dull and tonnage continues short. The market for Durham coal is weak, all descriptions being easier. The Lancashire house coal trade is less animated, and steam coal is also easier. Business in West Yorkshire is quiet, especially as regards house coal. Steam coal values in South Yorkshire are rather easier, except on forward account. Small steams are firm. House coal is quieter. There is an appreciable falling off in the demand for Derbyshire coal. The manufacturing demand continues strong. There is a slightly easier tendency at Cardiff. Small coal is distinctly weaker. Monmouthshire coals are also quieter. The Scottish coal trade varies considerably. Splint coal is more plentiful. Manchester Geological and Mining Society.—A meeting will be held at Queen’s Chambers, 5, John Dalton-street, Manchester, on Tuesday, June 10,1913, at 4 p.m. Several papers will be open for discussion. Some interesting facts were disclosed in a public examination in bankruptcy held in London last week. The bankrupt stated that in 1903 he started a society called the Workmen’s Legal Friendly Society, for the purpose of recovering compensation for workmen who had sustained personal injuries. He was to receive a commission of 10 per cent, on the amount of compensation recovered, but this was a purely voluntary payment, and could not be enforced, He came to an arrangement that workmen’s claims should be considered on their merits by a firm of solicitors, and if the solicitors believed the claims to be honest they would proceed to finance them. He advertised the society widely, offering it- members, who were to pay Id. a year, legal advice and assistance. He did not undertake to pay the costs of the other side. About two years ago a miner named Wilbourne filled up one of the society’s forms. The form was passed on to a firm of solicitors, and an action was brought on behalf of the miner against the Grassmoor Company Limited, which resulted in judgment for the defendants. The defendants afterwards sued him for the costs of the proceedings, and recovered judgment for the costs (^676) and damages for champerty (JJ52). Hence the bankruptcy.