March 20, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 639 CONTINENTAL MINING NOTES Austria. Official Wholesale Coal Prices, Vienna Exchange.—Pilsen large coal, 33 90 kronen per ton, in truck loads, ex Franz- Josefs Bahnhof. Ostrau - Dombrau - K ar win coals: Large 30-31 kr., cubes 29’60-30 60 kr., nuts 29-30 kr., smalls 23-23’20 kr., washed smithy coals 30-30 50 kr., coke 38-40 kr. per ton net cash, ex shutes Nordbahnhof. Rossitz- Zbeschau-Oslawan coals : Washed smithy coals, coarse or fine grain, 30’50-31’50 kr. per ton, ex shutcs Nord- bahnhof or Staqtsbahnhof. Upper Silesian coals : Best large or cubes 32’90-33 70 kr, intermediate large or cubes 32’10-32 90 kr., seconds large or cubes 27’30-28’40 kr., best nuts I. 33’30-3410 kr., II. 29’60-30’10 kr., best small 23 50-24 kr., seconds 22 50-23 kr. per ton net cash, ex shutes Nordbahnhcf. In truck loads : Best large or cubes 31’30-32 10 kr., nuts 31C0-32 30 kr. per ton, ex Nordbahnhof. Gas coke from the Vienna Gasworks, 33’60- 35’40 kr. per ton, ex works. Lignites : Dux large 22’10- 23’60 kr., Biiix or Dux cubes 22 10 23 60 kr , nuts 21’60- 23 10 kr., Mariaschein cubes 24 10-25 60 kr , nuts 23 60- 25 10 kr. per ton, ex shutes Franz-Josefs or Nord west Bahnhof. Austrian Fuel Imports and Exports in 1913 —Total imports of coal, 13,689,149 tons (11,848,535 tons in 1912), including 12,748,021 tons (11,135,693 tons) from Germany, 797,751 tons (619,124 tons) from Great Britain, 47,695 tons (12,626 tons) from Holland, 45,968 tons (53,355 tons) from Russia, and 37,688 tons (111 tons), from the United Spates. Lignite, total imports, 33,097 tons (34,871 tons), of which 30 998 tons (30,241 tons) were from Germ ny. Coke, total imports, 933,669 tons (915,547 tons), 890 612 tons (887,938 tons) being from Germany, 25 535 tons (12,719 tons) from Great Britain, and 13,435 tons (8,707 tons) from Holland. Briquettes, total imports, 263,241 tons (188,884 tons), in- cluding 149,349 tons (137,017 tons) from Germany, 103,613 tons (51,551 tons) from Great Britain, and 9,900 tons (nil) from Holland. Exports:—Coal, 708,975 tons (655,106 tons), including 452,725 tons (423,901 tons) to Germany, 88,402 tons (67,747 tons) to Russia, 82,969 tons (77,602 tons) to Servia, 46,274 tons (35,938 tons) to Roumania, and 23,402 tons (36,726 tons) to Italy. Lignite, 7,016,606 tons (7,442,392 tons), 6,936,928 tons (7,319,355 tons) being to Germany and 72,424 tons (114,905 tons) to Italy. Coke, 369,802 tons (349,384 tons), including 297,611 tons (267,802 tons) to Russia, 32,598 tons (34,943 tons) to Germany, 15,688 tons (17,345 tons) to Italy, 13,709 tons (13,949 tons) to Roumania, and 7,903 tons (11,437 tons) to Servia. Briquettes, 142,169 tons (150 336 tons), practically the whole—viz., 140,692 tons (148,187 tons) —of which went to Germany. Belgium. The following shows the imports and exports of fuel during the two first months of the year :— Imports. Exports. ^1914. 1917 ^1914. 1913? Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Coal ......... 1,454,386 ... 1,462,908 ... 867,671 ... 815,120 Coke......... 163,851 ... 222,362 ... 213,176 ... 173,123 Briquettes ... 80,127 ... 75,694 ... 121,053 ... 81,466 France Our Paris correspondent writes: — There is no change to report this week in the French colliery situation. On the one hand, there has been very little new business ; while, on the other hand, the mines are holding firm in the matter of price, and there is no pros- pect of any reduction at present. Of course, in a week or two the Belgian collieries will be in the midst of their annual contracting season for household descriptions, and a good deal will depend upon what prices they are able to get. At present in that country there is considerable hesitation on the subject. The Geiman competition in the Centre and South, which has now the assistance of the reduced railway rates, has had no influence on prices there, for the local collieries are as full up with orders as they can be. The labour question is still of pressing impoitance, for the output shows no signs of speeding up. This week, the Escarpelle Colliery in the North has made a fresh importa- tion of Spanish and Algerian labourers, at considerable cost, and has built a large number of new cottages, with a view to inducing further recruits. The improvement in the metal industries is maintained, although the promised revival in the iron-smelting section is not yet become very notable, and stocks of pig iron are becoming rather heavy. As regards the share markets, the only feature of note during the week has been a sharp decline in the Cuurrieres shares from 5,520 fr. to about 5,375 fr., in consequence, to a great extent, of the new share issue already announced in the .Colliery Guardian. Price of Coal and the Sale of Electric Current.—The Minister of Public Works has informed the mining engineers in charge of electric distribution stations that the average price of coals purchased in 1913, on the State railways, was 18 fr. 99 c., as compared with 20 fr. 47 c. in 1912. In certain cases this is taken as a basis in fixing the price of current. This system has been criticised, since the State railways employ a large variety of coals, and the fall in price, it is conjectured, can only be due to the use of inferior grades of fuel in 1913. Miners’ Nystagmus.—The Minister of Public Works has sent a circular letter to the Prefects, dated January 25, calling attention to the steps required to be taken to ameliorate miners’ nystagmus. He states that an exhaus- tive enquiry has been carried out on behalf of the Central Commission of Hygiene. The latter conclude that the prevalence of nystagmus is dependent upon the degree of illumination. The Minister here observes that whereas nystagmus is generally a “ benign ” affection, and only exceptionally assumes a grave form, upon the system of lighting the whole safety of the mine virtually depends. Nevertheless he holds out hopes that it will be possible to introduce improvements in the lighting of underground workings, notably by the employment of benzine lamps, portable electric lamps and acetylene lamps. In the mean- time all possible means should be taken to secure that the eyes of the workers are not subjected for long periods to the direct rays from too bright a light. On the other hand, other causes that have been considered favourable to the production of nystagmus, such as the posture of the workman, should not be ignored. The Com- mission are of opinion that (1) no measures can be usefully prescribed by law in mines where nystagmus manifests itself; and (2) the special attention of mining engineers and owners should be called to the desirability of ascer- taining the means of improving the conditions of lighting in the underground workings. Germany. Coal Market in Upper Silesia.—Business is beginning to fall off, the daily deliveries no longer attaining the high level of a few weeks back, and the pits are laying in stocks. The traffic returns for February show a decline of about 7| per cent, in comparison with the corresponding period of last year. The situation is, however, not discouraging, since the decline in the gas coal and house coal trade is natural for the time of year, and all that is needed to send the consumption of coals up again is an improvement in the iron industry. For the present, coking coals are in less active demand, a circumstance pointing to a decline in the output of pig iron. In the export trade the prospects are less favourable than heretofore, Austria-Hungary not being such an urgent customer, whilst in the capital and the Baltic districts, English competition and that of the Ruhr coalfield is being keenly felt. In the coke market matters are still comparatively favourable, though here and there some falling-off is observable. Official Coal Prices, Dusseldorf Exchange.—Gas and flaming coals: Through-and-through, 12’25-13 marks per ton, ex pit. Bituminous coals: Through-and-through 12-12 75 marks, best mixed 13-13’50 marks, coking coal 12 25-13 marks. Lean coals: Through-and-through 11’25-12 75 marks, best mixed 13 25-14’75 marks, anthracite nuts II. 22-26 marks. Coke: Foundry coke 19-21 marks, blastfurnace coke 15-17 marks, broken coke I. and II. 21-24 marks. Briquettes 11*50-15 marks. . Ruhr Coal Market.—The decline in the distribution is becoming accentuated, partly owing to the warmer weather, which has lessened the consumption of house coal and certain grades of coke. In addition, the coming reductions in price are causing dealers and consumers to hold back as much as possible, and draw on their own stocks. Con- sequently, stocks at the pits are growing, and necessitate an extension of short time. Gas coal is in falling request, and the continued unsatisfactory state of the iron industry is keeping the consumption of industrial coals within narrow limits. Still worse is the state of the coke market. Exports are large, but prices poor. Shipments up the river are regular, but business is quieter in South Germany, and most of the oncoming cargoes have to be stocked. Electric Lamp Competition.—Some time ago, the Verein fur der Bergbaulichen Interessen in Oberbergamtsbezirk Dormund organised a competition of electric miners’ lamps and firedamp indicators. No less than 52 entries were received for the event. It is now announced that a number have been eliminated by the preliminary tests, and that, as regards the remainder, these will have to be submitted to practical trials in collieries ere the judges can make the awards. Hamburg Coal Trade.—Mr. H. W.Heidmann, of Hamburg, writes:—The imports of coal into Hamburg have been in February :— From 1914. Tons. 1913. Tons. N orthumberland an d Durham... 188,860 ... 167,539 Yorkshire, Derbyshire, &c 46,122 ... 53,b98 Scotland 74,817 97,370 Wales 4,658 3,289 Coke 246 — Total 314,643 ... 322,096 The Mirrlees Watson Company Limited have recently received orders for condensing plant for Haunchwood Colliery and Griff Colliery (per Messrs. Greenwood and Batley Limited), Millom and Askam Haematite Iron Com- pany Limited (per Messrs. Fraser and Chalmers Limited), the Lang with Colliery, the Frickley Colliery, the Swanwick Colliery, and the Hulton Colliery. BOOK NOTICES. Incandescent Electric Lamps and Their Application. By D. H. Ogley. 5 in. x 7J in. xi. fl- 107 pp. Price 2s. 6d. net. London: Longmans, Green and Co. This is one of Longmans’ Technical Handicraft Series, and its object is largely to assist the general reader in deciding upon the most suitable candle-power and distribution in his own particular case. A con- siderable portion of the book is therefore taken up with a simple description of the principles of light produc- tion, photometry, &c. One of the most suggestive chapters of a highly suggestive little work is that on “ indirect lighting.” The Russian Year-Book for 1914. Compiled and edited by H. P. Kennard, M.D., assisted by Netta Peacock, xx. + 754 pp. Price 10s. 6d. net. London : Eyre and Spottiswoode. The fourth issue of this useful year-book. A new feature is a map of waterways and canals. This is only one of numerous copyright maps and charts, whilst the letterpress ranges over the whole gamut of “ live ” topics from commercial law to peasant industries. At times, literal accuracy in translation might be sacrificed jn the interest of technical expression; thus: “ The geological formation of the coalseams does not march with the boundaries of the property above, the workings have to stop abruptly, the mine falls into decay, and stops access to the continuation of the coalseam ” is a quaint, if accurate, description of a pathetic circum- stance. There can be no question, however, as to the utility of the year-book as a true presentment of current affairs in the empire of the Tsar. The Mining Manual and Mining Year Book 1914. By Walter R. Skinner. 5J in. x 8| in.; xcvii. + 1240 pp. Price 15s. net. London: W. R. Skinner and the Financial Tinies. This is one of the few annuals that we “ cannot do without.” Particulars are supplied in the body of the book of 2,620 companies, whilst there are references to no less than 5,220 concerns. There are alphabetical lists of mining directors, secretaries, engineers and mine managers, and a dictionary of mining terms. The editor has brought the art of compilation to a high pitch of excellence, for it is impossible to conceive a form in which this vast mass of information could be rendered more readily accessible to the reader. The Sampling and Assay of the Precious Metals. By Ernest A. Smith, pp. xv. + 460. London: Charles Griffin and Co. 1913. Price 15s. net. There is no doubt that this book will be a useful work of reference to all those who are engaged in assay work* While written in such detail that even the inexperienced student may use it intelligently, it also contains a wealth of information, with numerous references; so that it will be a valuable addition to the library of any assay office. A feature of the book is the number of really practical hints both in respect of manipulation and other matters, such as methods of reporting results, degree of accuracy to be expected, &c., which will be of the greatest assistance to the young assayer, while even the experienced man may well find many points worthy of his attention. In addition to descriptions of methods of. assay, there are chapters on the design and equipment of assay offices, furnaces and furnace implements, balances, precious metal ores and their valuation, sampling, preparation of samples, fluxes and general assay operations. It is refreshing to find so much attention given to methods of sampling, for to obtain a small portion of a mass which accurately represents the average composi- tion of the whole of the mass is often a matter of the greatest difficulty. Too often the subject is dismissed in a few words, in spite of the fact that the value of an assay or analysis depends upon the care with which the sample is taken. In the chapter on furnaces we did not notice any reference to muffles fired by means of the Meker burner, although some of these which we have seen in operation seemed very efficient. The chapter on balances is admirable, though with reference to their care we must own to a preference for sulphuric acid, in place of calcium chloride or lime, as a desiccating agent. We heartily agree with the author that to place balances in windows so that the operator faces the light is a bad system, not only on account of the strain on the eyes, but because it provides the minimum light on those parts of the balance which it is important easily to see- It is strange that this most undesirable arrangement is so common. The book is illustrated by a number of clear diagram, and, in addition to a good index, there is an appendix which contains some useful tables. Mr. Smith is to be congratulated on having produced a most useful work.