Apbil 3, 1914.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

749

Notes from the Coalfields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The Demand for more Docks—Great Increase of Coal
Shipments—900,000 Tons Less, Due to Workmen’s
Failure—Preference at the Tips: Law Action Sug-
gested—Railways and Proposed Pits: Singular Case
—The Home Office Report on Senghenydd Explosion
—Colliery Manager’s Annual Meeting—Inspector’s
Tribute to South Wales—Test Cases in Court—
More Conveyor Belts at Port Talbot—Important
Statement as to Coalowners’ School of Mines—Miners’
Provident Society Report.

Mr. T. E. Watson, chairman of the Newport-Aber earn
Company, a director of Port Talbot Railway and Docks,
and holding other prominent positions in South Wales
was on Tuesday elected president of Cardiff Chamber of
Commerce. Mr. Watson is a West Hartlepool man and
came to Cardiff in 1871. He has been chairman of
Newport Harbour Trust and High Sheriff of Monmouth-
shire. In his address to the members, Mr. Watson
referred to the burning question of additional dock
accommodation, the need of which he fully recognises,
in respect of the heavy increase of coal shipments now
in sight.

In their annual report the council of the Chamber
show that 1913 was the best year for the coal trade
which has yet been experienced, there having been
increases of colliery output due to new developments,
also the employment of a larger number of miners, whilst
the wage rate for seven months of the year stood at the
maximum of 60 per cent, above the standard. Since
September 6 there has been, it is noted, difficulty occa-
sioned by the action of coaltrimmers and tippers who
refuse to work after one o’clock on Saturday afternoons,
with the result that a number of vessels have been
delayed in port over week-ends, and colliery work on
Mondays is hindered. The report states that the result
of this practice has been even worse than was antici-
pated, for the curtailment of shipments is estimated to
be no less than 900,000 tons per annum, due to this
stoppage, which also has added greatly to the conges-
tion existing at the docks, this having now assumed a
most serious aspect.

Including the coastwise, the patent fuel and the coke,
as well as bunkers, the report states that the total ship-
ments of the Welsh ports amounted to no less than
41£ millions of tons—an increase of 5 millions over the
preceding year. From Cardiff alone shipments during
the year were nearly 26J million tons, an increase of
3 millions. It was shown by the dock returns that the
trade of Cardiff port (which includes Barry and
Penarth), when the imports are reckoned, total 30
millions of tons, which far exceeds previous records.

The report dwells upon the necessity for increased
dock accommodation, and for improved facilities, and
states that a committee has been appointed to consider
this and make representations to the various companies.
The Barry Company, it is said, are erecting six new
tips, which they estimate will increase the shipping
power of their docks by nearly two million tons per
annum, and the Cardiff Company are completing the
equipment of the Queen Dock, whilst the Taff Vale
Company are providing large additional sidings at
Penarth.

The circumstances at Cardiff in regard to dock
accommodation formed the subject of discussion at the
Chamber of Commerce last week, also, the president
(Mr. J. T. Duncan) suggesting the appointment of a
committee to deal with the question. Mr. John Andrews
said that he had reason to believe that, provided the
necessary assurance of support was obtained, the money
required to construct additional dock would be forth-
coming. Mr. Lester Jones thought the committee
should send a deputation to the Barry Company and to
the Taff Vale Company (who own Penarth Docks).
Mr. Trevor S. Jones, an ex-president, approved of
approaching the Taff Company, and said that it would
be well to revive the project of the Windsor Dock, as to
which they promoted a Bill in Parliament some years
ago. Mr. T. E. Watson, the new president, stated that
on account of the apathy of Cardiff Corporation, traders
were to-day approaching a position similar to that of
30 years ago, when the Chamber initiated an agitation
which culminated in the construction of Barry Dock.

A committee was then constituted, consisting of the
president, Messrs. T. E. Watson, D. A. Thomas, Vivian
Rees, J. A. Jones, H. Radcliffe, W. J. Tatem, T. E.
Morel, Frank Fifoot, W. North Lewis, John Andrews,
E. Nicholl, Herbert Cory, F. H. Lambert, Reginald
Moxey, T. Evans and Trevor Jones. The committee is
to get to work at once, having special regard to further
dock accommodation rather than dealing with the
manner in which existing docks are worked.

The question of preferential allocation of tips also
came up at the meeting, protest being made that a few
large firms were in a privileged position at the docks,
having constant possession of many of the tips, whereas
the ordinary small trader frequently found himself
unable to get a tip in reasonable time, and therefore got
his vessel on demurrage.—Mr. Andrews proposed that
the council should obtain opinion from eminent counsel
in London as to whether this practice of preferential
tips for special firms was in accordance with the law.
If they found it to be illegal, those who suffered
demurrage or other loss would know what steps to take.
—Mr. North Lewis seconded, and Mr. T. E. Watson
supported, the latter observing that counsel should be
asked whether, in a case where a shipowner or shipper
suffered demurrage by delay, he had not a right of
action against a statutory company existing for the
benefit of the public.

Pontypridd Council have had to take Parliamentary
action—and have been successful—in a matter of direct
concern to colliery companies. They opposed the Bill
of the Taff Vale Railway Company, which sought exten-
sion of the time limit for constructing a line designed
to give access to an intended new pit. Originally it
was believed that the Universal Colliery shaft would be
sunk on the Pontypridd side of the mountain, but the
sinking was made at Senghenydd on the Aber Valley
side, and therefore the railway on the Pontypridd side
was not made, although the railway company had
purchased a good deal of land. Owing to the proba-
bility of the colliery owners sinking another shaft near
the place at first intended, the railway company have
kept their powers in existence for 24 years, and they
now desire further extension, it being stated that the
workings had been driven already about a mile in the
direction of Pontypridd.—Mr. James, secretary of the
Lewis-Merthyr Company (owners of the colliery), said
at the committee enquiry that up to the time of the
terrible explosion they were raising 2,000 tons a day,
and they were rapidly approaching the time when they
would be bound to decide as to sinking on the Ponty-
pridd side. He had been authorised to attend and
support the Bill.—The Council objected to extension of
the time limit because development of their district
was hindered, and the Parliamentary Committee refused
to sanction the extension desired.

Complaint of delay in issuing the Home Office report
upon the Senghenydd explosion was made on Monday
at the meeting of the South Wales Federation Executive.
The point chiefly urged was that if any prosecution is to
take place the report of the Commission of Enquiry
should be issued within the period provided for instituting
proceedings—this terminating on April 14. A resolution
was passed urging the Home Secretary to institute
prosecutions for alleged breaches of the Mines Act, and
appointing a deputation to wait upon the Home Secretary.
It was announced unofficially last week that the report
had been finished and was in the hands of the printers.
The Commissioners — Prof. Redmayne, Mr. Evan
Williams (chairman of the South Wales Coalowners’
Association), and Mr. R. Smillie, M.P.—held their final
meeting for its consideration on Thursday of last week.

With reference to new pits at Crynant, about six miles
from Neath, it is stated that the Llwynon Company
propose to sink two shafts and raise anthracite. When
in full operation it is expected that the output will be
from 800 to 1,000 tons per day.

Ebbw Vale Steelworks are, it is stated, to be closed
for three weeks, and opportunity will be taken to effect
repairs.

The annual meeting of the South Wales and Mon-
mouthshire Colliery Managers’ Association was held in
Cardiff on Saturday, and Mr. J. P. Gibbon delivered his
presidential address on quitting the chair. Inevitably,
it referred to the great event of the year—the Sen-
ghenydd explosion, and Mr. Gibbon spoke of the
remedies suggested for minimising coaldust peril. Mr.
Gibbon said that so long as a manager kept his colliery
safe and made it pay he was a first-class man, but as
soon as an accident occurred there was nothing too bad
to say about him. He had been a colliery manager for
35 years, and in the mine for 47 years, and had no
hesitation in saying that the life of a manager to-day
was far more difficult than it had ever been in the
South Wales coalfield. They were threatened with new
legislation, and if necessary for safety, let it come. But
he hoped that those responsible for legislation would
consult the people who could assist them; they must
come to the people who had to confront difficulties every
day in the week. He trusted there would be no wild
legislation because of Senghenydd, the most disastrous
accident that had ever occurred, and he would not be
doing his duty unless he expressed the opinion that that
mine was as well managed as any in the whole kingdom.

In the course of further proceedings, Col. Pearson
(H.M. inspector) said that the managers in South Wales
were faced with great difficulties and were overcoming
them remarkably well. As an inspector he could say
that less trouble was experienced with the managers in
South Wales than those of any other coalfield. What
was now being made compulsory in other coalfields had
been done voluntarily in South Wales for many years.

The annual dinner took place later in the day, Mr. J.
Evans (Abertysswg) presiding. In the course of a
speech, he said that in regard to legislation affecting
mines the principal mistake was in having the wrong
persons upon Parliamentary committees.

A test case came beforethe judge at Bridgend County
Court on Saturday, the collier plaintiff suing the Gellyhir
Colliery Company in respect of an alleged overcharge of
Is. 4d. per ton upon house coal supplied him. The
decision governs the question affecting all the men at
the colliery. The company took over the colliery a few
months ago and raised the price of house coal supplied
to the men from 6s. 8d. to 8s., their contention being
that there was no figure in the price list as to what the
charge should be, and that as to any general decision or
agreement, this would hot apply to them because they
were outside the Coalowners’ Association. Plaintiff
relied upon the old price as a custom regulating the
implied terms of employment, and also upon the award
of the independent chairman in 1903. Judgment was
given for the workman on the ground of custom. It was
stated during the hearing that not one-tenth of the
collieries had the house coal figure included in the price
list, but that the price was governed by custom or
agreement.

The same company was before the court as defendant
in a case where the collier claimed payment under the
price list for setting up road posts under rippings.
Expert evidence was called on the defendants’ behalf,
the witnesses stating that they did not know of any
other colliery where the price list contained an item for

payment on account of posts under rippings. The
contention was that posts under rippings were face
props for the protection of the collier at work, and that
for these no payment was made in any colliery. On
plaintiff’s behalf it was urged that the first line of posts
under the rippings and next to the road were road
posts, whilst it was admitted that posts nearer the face
of the coal were face props. Mr. Vernon Hartshorn
(miners’ leader) pointed out that payment had always
been made at this colliery for posts such as were now in
dispute. His Honour gave judgment for plaintiff,
stating that he had to decide upon the price list as it
stood—providing for payment in respect of road posts
under rippings.

Mr. W. H. Jones, who is brother of Mr. Edgar Jones,
M.P., removes from Abergorki to his new appointment
as commercial manager of the Nine Mile Point and
Risca collieries of the United National Company, and
on Saturday he was presented with a gold watch by the
workmen and officials of Abergorki, a gold ring being
presented to Mrs. Jones.

Speaking at the annual banquet of Port Talbot
Chamber of Commerce and Shipping, Mr. E. Lowther
said the history of the port was a short one, but it had
an assured future. At the back of it was a large partly-
developed coalfield, with an output of 10 million tons a
year, and they were going to get this for Port Talbot.
Steam and anthracite could be brought to them at a
cheaper rate than to any other port on the Bristol
Channel. Their trade had grown in a few years from
half-a-million to 2f millions, and they were securing
more. One conveyor belt had been put in for making
, shipments, and they were providing for the erection of
two more. The docks were being deepened to 33 ft., and
also the entrance channel, and the locks and breakwater
were- being lengthened.

It is notorious that, in certain parts of South Wales
difficulty is experienced in getting an adequate supply
of labour, this being due, in most instances, to the lack
of house accommodation. At the meeting of the Bedwas
Colliery Company on Friday, this subject came up, and
the chairman expressed his belief that if sufficient work-
men could be obtained, the undertaking would soon-be
placed upon a profit-earning basis.

The manager of the Glynea Colliery, where an
explosion occurred resulting in eight deaths, was fined
£10 at Llanelly for breach of regulations. There were
several allegations, the first being that he had failed to
provide sufficient ventilation and keep the airways and
workings free from inflammable gas. The defence was
that the usual examination was made by the fireman,
who found the particular heading free from gas; that
there had not been the slightest indication of gas
previously ; and that consequently there must have been
a sudden outburst, which was not unusual.

Wales is pre-eminent in coalmining examinations, for
the report of the Board of Education shows that during
1913 nearly one-fourth of the successes in the United
Kingdom were gained by students in the Principality,
but these were mainly in the lower grades. The need of
opportunities for higher education is demonstrated by
the results set forth.

Mr. Hugh M. Ingledew, secretary of the School of
Mines which the coalowners have established at Treforest,
has published a letter designed to remove misapprehension
as to the type of students attending that institution,
there having been statements circulated which suggested
the idea that working-men students and youths of the
wage-earning class were at a disadvantage in its
operations. Mr. Ingledew shows that, of the 29 whole-
time students, 14 are miners and of that class, while the
remainder are assistant surveyors, &c., of whom 11 are
students and mining pupils. Then, with regard to the
part-time student, he shows that of these there are 110,
and 48 are miners etc., whilst 26 others are junior
mechanical engineers, apprentices, clerks, &c., 26 are
overmen and surveyors and managers’ assistants, and
only seven mining pupils. Mr. Ingledew maintains, from
these figures affording description of the students, that
the managing board have given full effect to the
democratic principle upon which the school was founded
—namely, “that the facilities of the school should be
open to all classes of the community upon absolutely
equal terms.”

The Monmouthshire Council Labour Party have com-
municated with miners’ representatives, and suggested
that efforts should be made to keep mining education
under the control of public authorities alone. They hold
the opinion that there is probability of the employers
securing undue influence in this matter. A letter was
read to the delegates of the Rhymney district at their
monthly meeting, and one of the officials said it would
be a calamity if the coalowners were allowed to have full
control. As a matter of fact, nothing like “ full
control ” is either intended or possible. At one end of
the work the County Councils have their classes; at the
other end the University College does its part in certain
subjects, and these are under public control. The Coal-
owners’ School of Mines at Treforest comes in midway,
supplying deficiency and supplementing what the public
authorities undertake.

The proposed mining school at Crumlin was referred
to by Mr. A. S. Tallis, general manager of the Tredegar
Company, during a prize distribution at Tredegar on
Monday. He said he hoped that within a year. they
would have the mining school, the Tredegar Company
to be among the colliery owners who would contribute
annually towards its support. The idea was to convert
Crumlin Hall into a branch of the Treforest school, and
utilise it as a part-time school for students preparing to
enter Treforest. The proposal was that students would
be required to attend one day a week. Crumlin school
would be thoroughly equipped for teaching all branches
of mining—from a manager to a fireman.

Strong protest was made by Mr. T. Richards, M.P.,
secretary of the Miners’ Federation, during a conference