530

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

March 6, 1914.

Yorkshire.

IJnrrwlaimed Timber at Rrodsworth—Mining and the
Allied Sciences—Cleat age Questions—Doncaster and
a Coal Exchange—Railway Developments.

Before General Be wicke-Copley and Viscount Chet-
wynd, at Doncaster, on Saturday, four miners, employed
at Brodsworth, were summoned for endangering the
safety of the mine by failing to take out back props in
the coal workings. Mr. John Griddle, manager, stated
that in the section of the mine in which defendants had
been working there was discovered a heat of 104 degs.
Fahr. The headway had to be scoured, and it was
found that 16 props and several bars bad been left in
the workings within a distance of 22 yards. Where the
props were found the temperalure was 176 degs. Such
heat was, of course, running a great risk. The scouring
occupied seven days, and the cost would not be less than
£100. Defendants were fined 40s. and costs each.

The third annual dinner of past and present mining
student^ of the Leeds University was held on Saturday
night at the Hotel Metropole, Leeds. Sir W. E. Garforth
presided, and among those present were the Pro-
Chancellor of the Universitv (Mr. A. G. Lupton),
Prof. P. F. Kendall, Prof. E. L. Hummel, Prof. G. D. A.
Parr, and Prof. J. W. Cobb. In proposing the toast of
“ The University of Leeds: Mining and Allied Depart-
ments,” the Chairman said that those who were connected
with mining had been doing something during the last
50 years to help those present to deal in the future with
the natural difficulties of increased temperature, super-
incumbent weight, and, of matter that had latterly come
to the front—namely, spontaneous combustion. For
some time past they had been able to work seams of
coal at a depth of 3,000 ft. To do these things many
improvements had been necessary. The method of
ventilation had been improved, and he believed those
who were now studying would perfect in years to come
a small fan for the coal face in order that they might
get increased velocity of air—utilising the fan in the
way that a lady used a fan or as a punkah was used in
hot climates. Improvements had also been made in
regard to explosives and haulage, and they had now
better methods of working the coal. Formerly they
could only advance a coal face 6 or 7 feet per week, but
now it could be advanced at the rate of 20 ft., and he
could mention one instance of 30 ft. All this showed
that they were able to hand to the students something to
help them in overcoming natural difficulties. Fie felt,
however, that he expressed the opinion of many of the
older men connected with mining when he said they must
have character as well as knowledge. The toast was
responded to by Profs. Hummel, Kendall, Park and Cobb.
Prof. Hummel said that what he had found most
useful in his own practical experience was the purely
scientific part of his training. At a colliery everything
went with a rush. The output had to be kept up at all
costs, and there was little time to devote to the inter-
esting questions which arose, and very little time for the
young man to become further acquainted with chemistry
and geology. Yet questions concerning these subjects
were always cropping up. He was glad to note that
during the last few years there had been established a
rapprochement between scientific and practical men,
and that there was now more co-operation among mining
engineers themselves. Prof. Kendall urged the impor-
tance of a thorough training in the allied sciences for
the mining engineer. The speaker said he was studying
one particular subject, namely, the cleavage in the coal-
field, and he was seeking information the world over.
So far, in response to appeals from the Yorkshire coal-
field, he had obtained some 35 records of the direction
and compass bearing of the cleavage. He wanted the
compass-bearing from every colliery in this great coal-
field. Prof. Parr said that the connection between
electrical engineering and mining engineering was being
drawn closer year by year. He had had some connec-
tion with a colliery in which electrical work was largely
to the fore, and he would say to managers who were
intending to instal costly electrical plant that they could
not be too careful in the selection. Prof. Cobb also
referred to the importance of thorough study by mining,
students of the allied sciences.

Now that Doncaster is recognised by all concerned as
the seat and centre of the new coalfield in South York-
shire, the question is frequently asked When will a coal
exchange be established in the town ? It will be recalled
that the establishment of an exchange was mooted two
or three years ago. when a meeting was held in the
Doncaster Mansion House to consider the suggestion.
It was felt just then, however, that the time was perhaps
scarcely ripe to set up an exchange, and as the meeting
was not handled in a very masterly manner the idea fell
through, and has since been allowed to drop. Now it is
felt that further steps should be taken. Everybody
seems agreed that an exchange for Doncaster is bound
to come, and it is pointed out that to many engaged in
the trade it would be a matter of great convenience. It
is stated that it will be a subject for surprise if some
practical steps are not taken shortly. Extensive, addi-
tions are now being made to the Danum Hotel, at
Doncaster, and it is hinted that when these are completed
a coal exchange might possibly find its home in the
building.

Considerable expansions and extensions in the net-
work of railway lines around Doncaster are following in
the wake of colliery development. On the Great Central
Kailway, steady progress is being made with the
widening of the line between Bentley Junction and
Thorne Junction. The section between Barnby Dun
and Stain forth stations is now practically complete, and
the two additional pairs of metals will be ready for use
in the course of another month or two. On the
Doncaster side of Barnby Dun there is about three-
quarters of a mile of cutting to be widened, embank-

ment to be built up, and bridges to be widened over the,
Bi ver Don and the canal, so as to carry the additional
metals. Two road bridges will have to be lengthened.

Hotts and Derbyshire.

Mechanical Equipment of Collieries—North Country
Men at Dinner—Mansfield Railway—Developments
at Sleetmoor.

Some of the remarkable advances made in the world
of coalmining in recent years were illustrated on
Wednesday evening, February 25, by Mr. W. Bardill,
who lectured on “ The Mechanical Engineering of
Modern Coalmining ” before a large gathering of the
Nottingham Society of Engineers, at the Welbeck
Hotel. Mr. W. Eaton Walker, general manager of the
Clifton Colliery (president elect) was in the chair.

The annual meeting of the Derbyshire and Notts
Branch of the Coal Trade Benevolent Association was
held at the Victoria Station Hotel, Nottingham, on
Wednesday, February 25, when Mr. J. M. Goodrich
(chairman of the committee) presided. The annual
dinner was subsequently partaken of, Mr. F. E. Seely,
of the Babbington Coal Company (president of the
branch), being in the chair, and supporting him were the
Mayor of Nottingham (Mr. F. Ball), Mr. H. C. Kolfe,
London (chairman of the Central Board), Mr. T. K.
Fox, Sheffield (vice-chairman of the Board), Mr. W. J.
Collins, the general secretary, Mr. T. Boam, a member
of the central executive, and Mr. W. J. Potter (branch
hon. secretary).

There was a large attendance at the seventeenth
annual dinner of Durham and Northumberland men
who are engaged in official positions at collieries in the
Midlands, at the Albert Hall, Nottingham, on Friday
evening, February 27. Mr. J. T. Todd, general manager
of the Blackwell collieries, was in the chair.

Mr. L. G. F. Routledge, of Eastwood (president), was
in the chair at the monthly meeting of the Notts and
Derbyshire branch of the Association of Mining Elec-
trical Engineers, held at the University College,
Nottingham, on Saturday, February 28. Mr. E. E.
Beadsmoore, of Tibshelf (vice-president), read a paper
on “ Notes on Fault Finding,” which was followed by
a discussion, in which the president, Mr. E. R. Hudson
(Ilkeston), Mr. F. W. Rowley (Eastwood), Mr. F. Church
(Tibshelf), Mr. J. Higton (Ilkeston), Mr. J. T. Taylor
(Swanwick), Mr. Trevor Roper (Nottingham), and Mr.
N. Bamford (South Normanton) took part.

After a lapse of a few months, the Nottingham and
District Mining Students’ Association was resuscitated
at a meeting at the Nottingham University College on
Saturday evening, February 28. Students were present
from mining centres in Notts and Derbyshire. The
chair was taken by Mr. C. Chandley, Nottingham
(mining lecturer under the Notts County Council (who
was supported by Mr. Willis Beckett (Ilkeston) and Mr.
L. Kelsall (Nottingham).

At the half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors
of the Mansfield Railway Company, Mr. J. P. Houfton,
J.P., presiding, said that new mineral developments in
the neighbourhood of Mansfield had rendered the exten-
sion of the line necessary. It was expected that the
whole of the traffic from the new colliery at Clipstone
would be run over the company’s line. A Six-foot Top
Hard seam had been reached at a depth of 553 yards at
the Rufford Colliery, and it was essential that a branch
line should be constructed.

Mr. R. C. A. Palmer-Morewood, of Alfreton Park,
the owner of the Swanwick Collieries, has, it is stated,
decided upon an important and enterprising scheme of
extension at his collieries. This includes the sinking of
a new shaft in the Sleetmoor district, a short distance
away from the existing shafts. All the existing seams
will be worked from the proposed new shaft and this
will enable the management to dispense with the old
plant and old workings. The most up-to-date plant and
machinery will be put down, and the question of con-
tracts is now under consideration. Incorporated in
this scheme is a proposal to carry the railway forward
from the Lea Brooks crossing to the site of the new
shaft.

Strong complaints as to the loss sustained by farmers
owing to the contamination of water supplies by effluents
from colliery by-product ovens were made at the annual
meeting of the Derbyshire Farmers’ Union at Chester-
field on Saturday. It was resolved to ask the National
Farmers’ Union to make representations to the Govern-
ment with a view to stopping the contamination of
streams; and an instance of a farmer who had lost
many cattle through poisoning was discussed and
referred to the committee, with power to make it the
subject of a test case in the courts.

The Midlands.

JIamstead Relief Fund—The Whitwick Relief Fund.

The balance of the Ham stead Colliery Disaster Relief
Fund, raised in connection with the fire in 1908, now
stands at £7,686 7s. 2d. The trustees have not thought
it necessary to print accounts since July 1910, when the
balance was £7,903 2s. 8d. The sums originally paid
into court by the insurance company are becoming
exhausted, and the whole of the dependants will shortly
have to be maintained from the trust fund. Already
the court funds have been absorbed in the cases of 16 of
the dependent families. The payments by the trustees
amount at present to £61 Ils. 4d. per month. The
provisions of the trust deed are of interest in view of the
recent proposals for the establishment of a central fund,
and they authorise the trustees to invest the balance of
the relief fund remaining in their hands, in the usual trust
securities in such manner as they may think expedient;

and from time to time, in their discretion, to apply the
principal and interest thereof for the relief of the
dependants. They are also empowered to pay such
expenses as may be necessary in the administration of
the fund.

Mr. T. H. Heward, the hon. secretary of the
Whit wick Colliery Disaster Relief Fund, states
that the period of 15 years during which his
committee were authorised by trust deed to administer
this fund has expired, and it is now, he says,
the duty of the committee, under the deed, to authorise
the trustees to provide annuities for the surviving
beneficiaries, the children having passed the age up to
which the committee were to contribute to their main-
tenance. The capital sum of £6,500 originally con-
tributed has been reduced to about £2,400. At the
present time there are 13 widows dependent on the
fund, and two young persons, male and female respec-
tively, who are incapable of earning their own living.
The full amount required to provide 5s. weekly for life
in each of these 15 cases is in round figures £2,650.
Under these circumstances, the directors of the Whit-
wick Colliery Company Limited have generously voted
an additional sum of £250 to enable the committee to
fulfil to the fullest extent every obligation resting upon
them.

In the monthly report to the South Staffordshire
Mines Drainage Commission, Mr. E. Howl (engineer)
states that in the Tipton district the rainfall has been
2*67 in. The pumping has been 9,871,200 gallons per
24 hours, compared with 10,056,800 the previous month,
and 13,347,000 in the corresponding period last year.

Scotland.

A new shaft to be sunk at the Prestongrange Colliery
of the Summerlee and Mossend Coal, Iron and Steel
Company Limited. The coal is worked under the sea,
and this shaft goes down 140 fathoms. It is to be
equipped with electrical power, and will serve as a
ventilating and passenger shaft.

Messrs. Baird and Company, colliery proprietors, have
acquired the mineral rights of the estate of Fawside,
Bathgate. The land extends to about 300 acres.

Mr. John Strain, chairman of the company, speaking,
in Glasgow, at the annual meeting of John Watson
Limited, coalmasters, said that increased costs in the
coalmining industry made it clear that wages could not
in future bear the same relation to fuel prices that they
had done in the past, and that the workmen’s union
must be prepared to consider this matter in a reasonable
manner if peace was to be maintained.

Mr. Patrick Hogan, who at one time was overs man at
Struther Colliery, Larkhall, and latterly at Broomhill
Colliery, Dal serf, has topped the list in a competitive
examination for the appointment of State mines
inspectors in America. Mr. Hogan has now been
assigned an appointment in which he has five assistant
inspectors under his supervision. His district com-
prises six counties, with Peoria, Illinois, as the centre.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS.

The Editors are not responsible either for thestatements
made, or the opinions expressed by correspondents.

All communications must be authenticated by the name
and address of the sender, whether for publication or
not. No notice can be taken of anonymous communi-
cations.

As replies to questions are only given by way of published
answers to correspondents, and not by letter, stamped
addressed envelopes are not required to be sent.

FLAME v. ELECTRIC SAFETY LAMPS.

Sir,—With further reference to the candle-power of
various safety lamps, and in reply to Mr. Cremer’s
letter contained in your last issue, I acknowledge that
my previous letter should have been amplified,
particularly as regards my statement that the candle-
power of each of the lamps quoted by Mr. Cremer is
less than unity. I should have stated that under the
conditions in which those lamps were tested by me, the
candle-power of each is less than unity. My results do
not in any way controvert the results attained by Mr.
Saint, referred to by Mr. Cremer. It is important to
remark that in Mr. Saint’s tests the lamp-flames were as
large as possible, without causing the gauzes to be
smoked. That condition did not obtain in my tests.
As a matter of fact, the lamp-flames in the tests con-
ducted by me were smallei’ than those in the tests
conducted by Mr. Saint. This doubtless explains how
the Cremer lamp in Mr. Saint’s tests gives a candle-
power slightly more than unity.

Every investigator in connection with the illuminating
efficiencies of lamps knows that the efficiency in any one
case depends on several factors, among which may be
noted the illuminant used, the shape and size of the
wick tube, the nature of the wick itself, the size and
nature of the flame, the clearness of the surrounding
glass, and undoubtedly the means of ingress and egress
of air and other gases—that is to say, the nature,
position, &c., of the gauzes.

My friend Mr. Cremer will doubtless be quite satisfied
with this explanation, since my previous statement as
to the efficiency of his lamp with the explanation given
above do not in any way either controvert the results
of Mr. Saint’s tests or detract from the value of
Mr. Cremer’s lamp as compared with other types.

I have no doubt that had the flames in my tests been
as large as Mr. Saint’s, the results would have been to
all practical purposes identical. David Bowen.

68, Prudential Buildings, Leeds,

February 23, 1914.