SOO

■THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

Apbil 9, 1914.

Notes from the Coalfields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Reply to Demand for More Docks—Senghenydd Report—
Proper Method of Distributing Compensation Money
— Monmouthshire Council’s Difficulty over Mining
Education—Royal Visitors to a Colliery—Singular
Accident at Pit Top—Rescue Work in Monmouth-
shire.

Making reply to criticism of Cardiff Docks, Col.
Denniss (manager) refers to statements made at the
Chamber of Commerce meeting. The new Queen
Alexandra Dock, he states, is not being used to anything
like its full capacity. Last year’s shipments at the
Cardiff docks totalled 10,570,000 tons, only 1,670,000
tons above the total of 1907 ; and yet the six years had
seen the greatest boom ever experienced in the trade—
a boom not generally expected to last much longer.
What justification, therefore, is there for the outcry
that heavy capital expenditure should be incurred on
new docks when existing facilities will deal with four or
five millions of tons beyond last year’s total ? As to
delays in shipments, Col. Denniss retorts upon critics
by showing how much of this is due to failure of shipping
and to failure of coal delivery at the docks. He asserts
that with present appliances the Cardiff docks can ship
fifteen to sixteen million tons of coal per annum if the
collieries can supply that quantity; and could ship
more by putting up additional appliances.

With regard to the issue of the Home Office report upon
Senghenydd, the representative of the Miners’ Federation
was informed on Friday by Mr. McKenna that it would
be published before expiry of the time limit for taking
proceedings (should there be necessity for such) on
account of any alleged irregularities. In a letter to
Mr. T. Richards, M.P., secretary of the South Wales
Federation, the Home Secretary states that he expects
to have the report in his hands within a few days.

The proper method of distributing compensation is
a question at issue between the Poor-law Guardians and
the county court judge at Aberdare. On Monday,
application was made to Judge Bryn Roberts to revise
an apportionment of compensation money in the case of
a widow and five children, there being £257 still in
court. The judge said that the widow should have
assistance from the Guardians; but it was stated that
relief had been refused so long as there was money in
court. His Honour said: “ The Guardians want the
whole of the money paid in order to relieve present-day
ratepayers of every farthing, so that the ratepayers of
five years hence might pay the lot. I am not going to
be driven into giving the money of the younger children
to the older ones.” He made an order for payment of
8s. a week.

The question of mining education has come up again
in exciting form at a meeting of the Monmouthshire
Education Committee, when special reference was made
to the statement of Mr. T. Richards. M.P., concerning
the County Council action in reference to the proposed
mining school at Crumlin. At a meeting of colliers’
delegates in Newport, as already reported, Mr. Richards
stated that, although the County Council had agreed to
erect a school of their own at Crumlin, with full equip-
ment, nothing had been done. He added that now they
were told the Crumlin Hall was to be taken as a mining
school, a branch of the coalowners’ school at Treforest.
He declared that the whole scheme was to get the
education in mining into the hands of the coalowners.
Another speaker at the same conference said that,
although there were 15 Labour representatives on the
County Council, £2,436 had been spent on agricultural
education in the county, but only £500 on, mining
education; and yet the miners of the county continued
to return colliery managers, grocers, tailors, and others
to represent them. The conference entered a strong
protest against the County Education Committee having
failed to carry into effect the resolution of September
1911. which provided that immediate steps be taken to
provide a building at Crumlin for a mining school; and
the resolution further protested against the Education
Committee’s resolution of February 10 of this year, by
which it was decided to co-operate with the coalowners
in the mining school.

As it happened, the education committee of the
county met on the same day, and a motion was made to
rescind the resolution of February, and that the
committee should proceed with their own scheme of
mining provision at Crumlin or elsewhere, as agreed in
1911. The mover of the resolution objected to handing
over mining education to any interest, whether cohl-
owners or miners. The motion was seconded by Mr. A.
Onions, treasurer of the Miners’ Federation. Mr.
Manning, of Blaina, expressed the objection of the
workmen to mining instruction being in the hands of
the coalowners, but other speakers said that independent
action would be duplicating the work, and would be
a tremendous waste of money. Aid. S. N. Jones,
however, declared that the miners’ representatives did
not always represent the miners. He had been blamed
for the delay in proceeding with the mining school,
whereas the minutes showed that he had moved the
resolution in favour of the mining school at Crumlin
long before some of the critics came on the Council. He
would not confine mining education to firemen and
managers. He would extend it to the colliers themselves
if they could get young colliers to attend classes.

The mining school which the coalowners had erected
at Treforest would, he continued, be the best-equipped
in the world; and he asked the committee to consider
seriously whether it was not best for them as a county
to decline spending money on bricks and mortar at
Crumlin, and to spend the money in granting mining
scholarships so that young men of the county should be

able to attend the school. He could not believe that any
official, because he had been trained at the coalowners’
school, would be influenced once he had taken up duty
at a colliery. Another speaker contended that a mining
diploma from a public authority’s institution would be
far more important than one from the coalowners’
school. When the voting took place the motion was
lost; and, therefore, the county will not proceed with
its independent scheme of instruction.

After 40 years’ service under the Ocean Company,
Mr. James Cadogan, nearing 80 years of age, has given
up work. He hails from Pembrokeshire, and was an
underground mason. Apart from stiffness of limbs, he
is as alert as ever, and quite active mentally.

The Meiros and Cwm Collieries, Llanharran, having
passed into new ownership, certain developments have
(it is reported) been decided upon, among them an
extension of the railway, as well as the sinking of a new
pit; also the building of a large number of workmen’s
dwellings.

During a visit to the Rhondda, which they will make
this month, it is expected that Prince and Princess
Alexander of Teck will make an inspection of the
Glamorgan Colliery, Llwynypia.

Judgment has been given by the Pontypridd stipen-
diary in the charge against Mr. Griffith James, colliery
manager, Penygraig, where an unauthorised person was
alleged to have been in possession of detonators in the
Adare level. The magistrate decided in favour of the
defendant, stating that he could not so construe the
clauses of the Act as to decide for the prosecution. He
considered that the proper course would have been to
proceed against the man who took the explosives into
the mine without permission.

A singular accident occurred on Thursday at Nixon’s
Colliery. About 100 men were waiting to descend, when
a journey of trams ran wild, dashed into them, and
several were hurt, two having their legs fractured. The
journey had been properly spragged, and was near a
rubbish heap about 250 yards away, but broke loose
owing to some cause not apparent. Its approach could
not be seen owing to a curve in the line not far from the
pithead.

In the ballot for a Labour candidate who shall at the
next election contest the Parliamentary seat for West
Monmouth (now held by Mr. T. Richards, secretary of
the Federation), Mr. Brace, M.P., polled 8,654 votes
against 3,163 for Mr. Onions, treasurer of the Federa-
tion ; two other candidates being also in the field. Mr.
Brace has previously notified his intention not to contest
South Glamorgan again.

A preliminary competition in ambulance work took
place at Pontypridd on Saturday for the Dewar shield;
and the winners in this preliminary competition were
presented with the Llandinam shield, given by Mr. D.
Davies, M.P., Ocean Collieries. Abertillery team came
first with 100 marks, Dowlais second with 93, and
Mardy and Ferndale tied for third place.

Mr. Leonard Llewellyn, when presenting ambulance
prizes and certificates at Blaenrhondda on Saturday,
said that district was the home of ambulance work in
Wales. He stated that in Westphalia the provision for
such work was far more adequate than in this country.

A collier, who said that he had worked 40 years
underground without any charge having previously
been laid against him, was fined 10s. at Aberdare Court
for not properly spragging his working place. It was
stated that there were clod and coal overhanging for a
distance of 16 ft.

Owing to the snapping of an electric cable and the
setting on fire of timber which produced a dense volume
of smoke, a miner at Blaenavon has lost his life. He
was not dead when rescued, but succumbed shortly
afterwards.

Being determined to put a stop to the practice of
carrying matches into the mine, the Tredegar magistrates
have fined a man £5 for having a box in his possession
underground.

The Blaina district of miners held a meeting on the
housing question, when Mr. Manning (one of the Federa-
tion agents) said there were about 300 houses in the
, district that ought to be done away with. The local
council were carrying through a scheme at Nantyglo,
and contemplated building also at Cwmcelyn and other
parts. Several similar meetings are being held in South
Wales, the housing difficulty being acute.

The fourth report of the Monmouthshire Collieries
Rescue Association states that there • were 90 men
trained last year, and that there are now 319 men in the
district served by the association duly qualified for
rescue work in mines; 41 men are now in course of
training. The previous year the number of men qualified
were 263, the increase between last year and the previous
year being 57. The principal collieries have had many
more men trained and made efficient than the Rescue
Order requires. The association now consists of 40
members. The question of providing an ambulance car
to serve the whole of the collieries has been further con-
sidered by the committee, and it has been decided that,
as so many of the collieries have already made provision
for complying with the Rescue Order in this respect, this
matter should be left in abeyance pending the enquiry
which is now being held by the Home Office as to the
working of the Mines Rescue Order, and which, no
doubt, after experience, some important modifications
will be agreed upon. Reviving apparatus and electric
lamps have been supplied to all the collieries in the
association to comply with the Rescue Order. Two calls
have been made upon the station for rescue apparatus
and trained men :—(1) A fire occurred at Blaenavon on
April 7, 1913, in the Big pit on the main intake haulage
road, and the instructor and a party of trained men were
in attendance up to August 21,1913. (2) The disastrous
explosion at Senghenydd also had the prompt use of

rescue apparatus and trained men, who rendered assis-
tance from October 14 to 30, 1913.

Northumberland and Durham.

Progress at Easington—Subsidence on the Coast—Jubilee
of the Consett Works—Lord Willoughby de Broke’s
Three-shift Abolition Bill.

White House Colliery, near Egglestone, was offered
for sale at Bishop Auckland on the 2nd inst., but, as the
reserve was not reached, the property was withdrawn.
The royalty consists of 305 acres, of which only a
portion has been proved.

The workmen at the Raby Moor Colliery, Coxhoe,
have received notice to terminate their employment
under Mr. Watson Morrell, the colliery having been
sold. It is expected that the men will be engaged by
the new owner.

The South Church Parish Council are appealing for
funds to extend the village institute, which was founded
by Messrs. Pease and Partners 50 years ago. Until
1895 the institute was maintained and financed by the
firm, but, during that year, the Adelaide Colliery was
closed and the institute was handed over to the parish
council at the nominal figure of £100.

Mr. John Harper, of Raby Gardens, Shildon, was a
very popular man with the district, and on his recent
departure to South Wales he received a handsome
present from his friends. For many years he was
surveyor and chief clerk under the Adelaide Coal
Company. He takes up a similar position in South
Wales.

An interesting character has passed away at Bolton
Colliery in the person of Mr. John Wilson. The-old
man was 80 years of age, and had been in receipt of
money from the permanent relief fund for some time.
He was a Crimean veteran and an Indian Mutiny cam-
paigner, and was presented with a medal by King
Edward (then Prince of Wales) on his visit to New-
castle. On that occasion Mr. Wilson formed one of the
guard of honour.

Over 100 attended the annual dinner of the Easington
Colliery officials last Saturday night. An excellent
dinner was provided by Mr. J. S. Barwick, managing
director, who acted as host. Mr. T. A. Lishman pre-
sided, and during the course of his remarks mentioned
that the colliery was drawing something like 2,000 tons
of coal from the one shaft. The north pit was under-
going a great transformation, and when it was ready,
probably in July, the pit would then have an output of
5,000 tons per day. The toast of the Easington Colliery,
coupled with the name of Mr. J. H. B. Foster, chief
agent, was a very popular one.

The beach at Roker is reported to have sunk consider-
ably of recent years owing to the mine workings of the
Wearmouth Colliery. The workings of that colliery
are carried out under the sea for a distance of about
two miles. Some time ago a curious phenomenon was
observed amongst the rocks at Roker at a spot where it
was proposed to build a sea water bath. From a crevice
in the rock, under water, air was seen to be coming up
in bubbles, and the theory was advanced that it came
from the workings a tremendous depth below the
surface.

Mr. W. B. Charlton, general secretary of the Durham
County Colliery Enginemen’s, Boilerminders and Fire-
men’s Association, has just completed 25 years’ service
for the association as general secretary. A movement is
on foot to present him with something that will be a
tangible recognition of his services.

It is stated that the South Tanfield Colliery, Oxhill, is
to be closed down at Easter. This pit has frequently
been reported as finished of recent months.

Thomas Hughes died in Bishop Auckland Workhouse
last week at the great age of 101 years. Hughes had
worked as a miner in Durham, Wales, France and the
United States.

The officials of the Dawdon Colliery were entertained
to dinner by the Marquis of Londonderry on Saturday
night. The occasion was the celebration of the drawing
of 3,000 tons of coal in one day, which took place
recently. Mr. J. Stanley Cowell (manager) presided,
and Mr. Malcolm Dillon represented his lordship. During
the same evening a presentation was made to Mr. J. W.
Shaw, late overman at the colliery, who is leaving to
manage a colliery in India. The presentation consisted
of a handsome marble timepiece and a purse of gold.

Last week the Trimdon Grange and Deaf Hill Aged
Miners’ Homes Association decided to ask for tenders
for the erection of 10 houses at Trimdon Grange.

Mr. Nichol Dunn, of Ryhope, has retired from the
service of the Ryhope Colliery, after 53 years’ continuous
service, and he was presented with a walking stick, cigar
holder and gold ring.

The Durham miners’ annual gala is to be held at
Durham on July 25, and the speakers will be:—Mr.
James Larkin, Dublin; Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, M.P.;
Mr. Robert Smillie, president of the Miners’ Federation;
and Mr. Tom Richardson, M.P.

A well-known deputy overman, Mr. James Tomlinson,
of Burradon Colliery, received fatal injuries whilst
walking outbye last week. Deceased was caught by a
full set of tubs which had got amain. He died on the
way to Newcastle Infirmary.

The Consett Iron Company Limited attained its
jubilee on Saturday last.

Considerable interest has been aroused in Northumber-
land by the announcement that Lord Willoughby de
Broke has introduced a Bill into the House of Lords
with the object of abolishing the three-shift system in
the mines of the county. So far as can be ascertained
neither coalowners nor representatives of the miners in
Northumberland know anything about the Bill. In an
interview, Mr. W. Straker, secretary of the Northumber-