February 27, 1914.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

473

Notes from the Coalfields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire

Important Conference upon Colliery Rating—The Remand
for More Rods — University College Grants for
Mining Instruction—Coal Supplies and the Navy
Manoeuvres.

Representatives of 13 collieries in the Merthyr Union
met the Assessment Committee on Friday, in pursuance
of an invitation to a discussion upon the rating baffis for
coal. The Assessment Committee seeks to put the
Merthyr Union upon a sliding-scale system, such as that
which prevails in the Pontypridd Union, wherein for
every shilling of the f.o.b. price at Cardiff above 12s.
there is a 5 per cent, increase in the assessment of the
coal, this automatic increase ceasing when it reaches
15 per cent, above the standard. For some years this
maximum value has prevailed in the Pontypridd Union,
and the average ratable value per ton is 8jd. In the
Merthyr Union, it is said, the average assessment per
ton of large coal is 6^d., and that, were the Pontypridd
Union agreement enforced, 15 per cent, additional
valuation would at once take effect. Some of the com-
panies represented in the conference on Friday are
already subject to the Pontypridd agreement in respect
of their undertakings in that union.

Among the coalowners’ representatives were Mr. E.M.
Hann and Mr. W. Kenshole, solicitor (for the Powell-
Duffryn Company), Mr. H. Jones and Mr. Martin (for
Guest-Keen and Crawshay Brothers), Mr. A. P. Jones
(for Lord Bute), Mr. Rees Harris (for the Rhymney
Iron Company), Mr. E. Adams (Cwmaman), Mr. H. E.
Gray (Nixon’s), Mr. Maddocks and Mr. Morgan (Aber-
dare Graig), Mr. E. Edwards and Mr. F. J. Charles,
solicitor (Ocean), Mr. Gomer Thomas (Thomas Merthyr),
Mr. Rees Lewis (Bwllfa), and Mr. Hankey (Hill’s
Plymouth). Having received a statement from the
chairman of the Assessment Committee as to the object
that body had in view, the coalowners’ representatives
retired; and on their return Mr. Kenshole stated that,
having considered the proposal in its relation to the
circumstances wherein the Pontypridd agreement was
established, and having regard also to legislation which
has since taken place, resulting in increased costs, they
feared that the coal trade could not stand any increase
in rating; and, therefore, they could not assent to the
principle put forward by the committee. Subsequently
the committee met separately, and decided to recom-
mend the Board of Guardians to sanction the engage-
ment of a valuer, so that certain colliery properties in
the union might be revalued. It is stated that the
Assessment Committee will now re-value each colliery
in the union separately, and leave the owners to appeal
to Quarter Sessions if dissatisfied.

Mr. J. A. Jones, ex-president of the Cardiff Chamber
of Commerce, re-opened an old subject at the Tyne-
siders’ dinner in that city, on Saturday evening. He
said that although efforts were being made to increase
dock service, their need was for additional docks.
Delays existed, notwithstanding the reduced quantities
that were now coming from the collieries. A much
larger quantity of coal could be put out; and he did not
know what would happen if they had the full maximum
to deal with. He should like to see all the docks at
Cardiff and Barry in the hands of a great trust whose
only work would be to increase the dock accommodation
and. advance the whole interests of the port. This
idea has been advanced from time to time for 30 years
past, and one difficulty is that some dock owners have
railways, and that there are railways which do not own
docks; so that whether the trust did or did not take
over railways there would arise peculiar complications.

The Court of Governors of South Wales University
College, in Cardiff, discussed, on Thursday, the position
of grants for mining and commercial courses. Principal
Griffiths explained that the grant for technology was
only small, and that as three-quarters of their students
came from the primary schools, it was in the interest of
the poorer people that their degree should be maintained
at a high level; but the high level would not be attained
unless there were the best teachers and the best equip-
ment. The college at Cardiff has to provide both an
engineering department and a mining department, and
it was pointed out in the meeting that whilst England,
with 5,500 students in the University colleges, received
about £25 per head, Wales received only £22, and even
on this (as between the three constituent colleges of the
Welsh University) Cardiff received £5 less than the
average. Principal Griffiths announced that the long
standing difficulties between the Coalowners’ Association
and the college had now reached settlement, a scheme
having been arrived at in regard to mining education.
He hoped this would be satisfactory, and beneficial to
the mining industry.

Because of the announcement that the usual naval
manoeuvres will not take place this year, Cardiff
Exchange has been perturbed, inasmuch as it means
probably as much as 200,000 tons of coal being left for
free sale instead of being taken by the Admiralty.
Contracts have been made in the usual form, the special
requirements for manoeuvres having to be met “ if called
upon ” only; and there is a specially good price attached
as compensation for inconvenience of delivery, &c. To
lose this, and have also to find a market for so large a
quantity left on hand, will be a disturbing factor—if the
manoeuvres are abandoned, as to which doubt is permis-
sible. There are manoeuvres and manoeuvres; and
special exercises of the fleet, though called by another
name, may require just as much of the “ best
smokeless.”

At the meeting of Cardiff Chamber of Commerce, on
Wednesday, Mr. J. T. Duncan (president) explained his
recent speech, which has provo*ked so much comment.

He had not entertained any thought of collusion, agree-
ment, or understanding between coalowners and their
employees. Speaking without preparation, having been
unexpectedly called upon, he employed a figure of speech
which had rendered him liable to criticism. He had
since written to the foreign consuls, and had received
assurance that none of them had communicated with
their Government anything unfavourable as to condi-
tions of the Cardiff coal trade. This explanation closes
the affair.

It is stated that an order for several thousands of
miners’ electric lamps has been placed by the Powell
Duffryn Company.

At a meeting of Tredegar school managers, a proposal
was discussed as to erection of a new school at Holly-
bush ; and Mr. Onions, treasurer of the Miners’ Federa-
tion, said the seams at Markham Colliery were now
ready for immediate development. Work would
progress as quickly as suitable men could be found.
Five hundred houses are to be erected.

Mr. D. A. Thomas, chief of the Cambrian Combine,
is credited with participation in a project of mining
enterprise in British Columbia. A charter of the
Dominion Government is being sought to construct a
railway in the Peace River and Athabasca Lake area,
opening out a rich mineral area, tapping valuable coal
deposits; there being also copper and oil.

Meiros Colliery and Cwm have been taken over by a
Durham company; and developments are said to be
contemplated which will raise the output to 200,000 tons
per annum, the Pentre seam to be worked as well as
the No. 3 Rhondda. The properties were formerly
owned by Mr. Solomon Andrews and Mr. Masters, of
Cardiff.

Northumberland and Durham.

“ What is Coking Coal'? ”—A Charter-Party Breach—
Wingate Relief Fund—Amendment of the Truck
Acts—New Treatment for Coaldust.

“ What’s in a name ? ” was the principal question in a
case heard at Newcastle County Court last week. The
parties were the Frachtcontor Gesellschaft (Newcastle
branch) and the Shipping and Coal Company, Newcastle.
Plaintiffs claimed damages on the grounds that
defendants had refused to accept 708 tons of Walbottle
small coking coal, after contracting for the same. On
the other hand, defendants put in a counter claim for
damages on the allegation that the coal supplied and
refused contained too high a percentage of ash, and was
not coking coal at all. Plaintiffs contended - that
Walbottle coal was ordered and supplied. They were
not concerned, and did not know, for what purpose it
was to be used. Evidence was given to show that the
coal was useless for coking, as it had too great a per-
centage of ash—15*3 to 20 36. Judge Greenwell said he
was driven to the conclusion that the sample analysed
was not representative of the coal, but that he was not
entitled to find that the coal was not marketable for
coking purposes, and, therefore, found for plaintiffs.

The breach by a northern shipowner of the Chamber
of Shipping coast coal charter-party, which was generally
adopted by the shipowners of the kingdom in April
last, has brought about swift retribution. The docu-
ment, which is known as the “ Coastcon” charter, was
drawn up to rectify difficulties with reference to the
charterer’s agent at the port of discharge, the evils of
“ address commission,” the counting of time taken in
loading and discharging, and the abolition of the
injustices arising from what are described as “ the
customs of the port.” The charter covers from the
east and north-west coast of England to Scottish,
Dutch, German and Belgian ports to ports between the
Elbe and Brest and in the United Kingdom, London
and Hamburg excepted. Yielding, however, to the
solicitations of a certain firm of south-country mer-
chants, who have all along been opposed to the new
form of charter, the shipowner referred to has con-
tracted, on an unauthorised charter, for a period of
12 months. The general body of the shipowners, how-
ever, has secured his exclusion from all protecting,
indemnity, freight and demurrage associations in the -
country, which means that he will have to run his
ships practically uninsured as far as many risks are
concerned.

The members of the Wingate Disaster Fund Com-
mittee held their annual meeting in the Wingate
Literary Institute last week. Mr. John Parkhouse
presided. The total expenditure was £237 12s. 6d.
This leaves a balance of £1,276 19s. 9d. The number on
the books at the end of the year was:—Widows, 13 ;
orphans, 10.

Strong opposition is being shown in several districts
in the north of England to the Truck Acts Amendment
Bill promoted by Lord Henry Cavendish Bentinck and
Mr. Noel Buxton, especially to the clause which pro-
poses to prohibit all deductions from wages on account of
charitable objects or medical benefits. It is pointed out
that if the Bill is passed in its present form it will
practically put an end to many of the largest medical
organisations in the north, as these are for the most
part maintained by subscriptions deducted by consent
from the wages of the workmen. In the case of the
Newcastle Royal Infirmary, the income from workmen’s
subscriptions, the whole of which is obtained in this
way, is over £20,000 per annum, but the provisions of
this Bill will render this form of collection illegal. On
the other hand, the experience of many institutes and
benefit funds since the introduction of the Minimum
Wage Act, at collieries where such deductions were dis-
continued, shows that the volume of popular support to
philanthropic institutions is likely to suffer very
material reduction if the Bill be passed. In view of
this conviction, it is not surprising to learn that the
Bill is being widely petitioned against.

Mr. J. G. Weeks, of the Bedlington Coal Company,
who retired last Saturday from the joint committee of
the Northumberland Coal Trade, has been a member of
that committee ever since its formation in January
41 years ago, and has been one of the most regular
attendants at board meetings. A tribute to his assiduity
and useful services was paid on Saturday by Mr. T. E.
Jobling, of the Northumberland Coalowners’ Associa-
tion, and endorsed by Mr. W m. Straker, corresponding
secretary of the Northumberland Miners’ Association.

Mr. Herman Belger, of Armstrong College, New-
castle, considers that the only preventative of coaldust
explosions is to cut off the coaldust from the atmospheric
air. This could be done by spraying the roof, sides and
floor of the mine with a viscous liquid into which the
dust particles will sink, and once seized will never be
able to float away again. He has found two substances
which form a colloidal solution. This mixture is viscous,
and does not dry or alter at 113 degs. Fahr, in an
atmosphere dried by a bath of concentrated sulphuric
acid, and at red heat it cakes. The addition of some
chalk gives the substance more body, and indicates at a
glance the extent to which it is taking up the dust.
A mining and mechanical engineer, working in
conjunction with Mr. Belger. is stated to have developed
a sprayer which is very effective in distributing the
viscous mixture. From the standpoint of laying the
coaldust, the mixture is possibly quite effective. How,
however, miners will like to have added to the already
considerable difficulties of their work that of making
their way to their working places over a surface which
will be somewhat reminiscent of that on flypapers, is
quite another question.

Cumberland.

We . have been asked to state that Mr. George
McDonald, of Brayton Knowe Colliery, has been
appointed to succeed Mr. Gilchrist, as manager of the
Clifton Colliery, and not Mr. Wilson, as reported in last
week’s Colliery Guardian. Mr. McDonald, who has
been manager at Brayton Knowe for some years, was
formerly manager at the Ellenboro Colliery, near Mary-
port.

The Cumberland Colliery Officials’ Association has
now been recognised by the Cumberland coalowners as
representing the colliery officials of the district.

Lancashire and Cheshire.

Revelopments at the Pendlebury Collieries.

Speaking at the annual meeting of Andrew Knowles
and Sons Limited last week, Mr. Robert Knowles
referred to the work of electrification of some of the
collieries which he said was nearly completed. At
Pendlebury and Clifton Hall collieries the haulage
system was almost ready, as was the work in connection
with the pumping. When completed they would be able
to dispense with the steam boilers underground, and
make a considerable saving in the cost of fuel, besides
improving the condition of the shafts. A sum of £7,800
had been added to the capital on account of this
expenditure. At No. 2 pit, Clifton Hall Victoria mine,
a number of coal-cutters had been installed, and the
work of electrifying the haulage at Agecroft was pro-
ceeding. The result of these further developments had
been to increase the output.

Yorkshire.

Progress at Barmboro Colliery.

Rapid progress is being made with the sinking of
both shafts of the new colliery at Barmboro, near
Doncaster, by the Manvers Main Colliery Company.
Another two months, or three at the most, is expected
to witness the reaching of the Barnsley bed at a depth
of about 520 yards. Both shafts have now reached a
depth of over 300 yards. The smaller shaft, the upcast,
16 ft. in diameter, will terminate at the Barnsley bed, and
will be used for raising coal from that seam, and for
ventilation purposes. The larger shaft, 18 ft. in diameter,
is to be carried down to the Parkgate seam, which is
expected to be reached at the depth of 770 or 780 yards.
Both seams will be worked together, so that the output
is expected to be considerable. The company have sunk
a well down to the Shafton coalseam, a depth of 86 yards,
and by installing a pump driven by exhaust steam,
collected all the water, and brought it to the surface
without further interference with sinking operations.
This will be a permanent part of the colliery equip-
ment, and will, in due course, be worked by
electricity. The flow of water into the bottom
of the well as at present between 500 and 600 gallons
per minute, and finds its way into the rivers Don and
Dearne. The Dearne Valley Railway runs close to the
pit, and it is rumoured that a connection may be made
with the Midland line near Bolton-on-Dearne station.
The principal lessors are Lord Fitzwilliam and Mr. F,
J. O. Montagu, and it is one of the conditions under
which the colliery has been established that there shall
be no building of miners’ dwellings within a mile of
Barmboro Church on the west side and none at all
on the north, south and east sides of the colliery works.
This will keep the district free from colliers’, dwellings,
and will mean that the miners will be practically com-
pelled to live at Bolton-on-Dearne. Thurnscoe and
Goldthorpe. The sinking is proceeding under the direc-
tion of Mr. W. Bunting, who has now in hand the third
colliery sinking in the South Yorkshire district, with
which he has been connected since he came from
Chesterfield to take charge of Brodsworth Colliery now
several years ago. From Brodsworth he went to the
Yorkshire Main at Edlington, Doncaster.

Two Eckington pits, belonging to J. and G. Wells
Limited, have been flooded out. One stopped working
on Tuesday morning and the other on Monday
night. Forty-eight men and boys are affected at No. 3