May 29, 1914.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

1197

who have to pay 15s. 5d. per week from the time of the
accident.

Good progress is being made with the new colliery at
Rossington, near Doncaster. It is believed the work of
fighting the water has now been successfully overcome, and
now that the last stretch of tubbing has been fixed greater
progress will be made. The surface plant is being erected,
but it will be several months yet before coal is reached.
The model village is rapidly coming into being. Matters
are proceeding slowly at Armthorpe Colliery, which may
almost be called the “ racecourse pit,” seeing that it will
work the coal under Doncaster Common. It is estimated
the coal under this stretch of town’s land is worth .£450,000,
but this estimate would appear an erroneous one seeing that
it is based on the Barnsley seam, being 9 ft. thick, of which
only 6 ft. or 7 ft. of coal is marketable.

Bentley Urban District Council seem to be thoroughly
realising the importance of the better housing of the working
classes. They are setting an example to all other author-
ities in the Doncaster area. Having obtained from Messrs.
Barber Walker and Company, the owners of the Bentley
Colliery, six acres of land on Askern road, they have this
week embarked upon a housing and allotment scheme that
is to cost £23,000. They have decided to erect 99 miners’
houses, and provide 4,000 superficial yards for allotment.
The houses are to be erected in blocks of four or six, and
those tenants without gardens will have the option of an
allotment. The houses are to be of three types, the lowest
rentals being 4s. per week inclusive. The best type will
contain three bedrooms, bathroom, front sitting-room, large
living-room, scullery and offices.

Before the annual conference of the Surveyors’ Institution
at York on Friday, Mr. H. S. Childe, M.I.C.E., F.G.S., read
a paper on the South Yorkshire coalfield, in which he dealt
with the Top Hard seam of Nottinghamshire, the Barnsley
bed of South Yorkshire, and the Warren House seam of
West Yorkshire. This seam, beginning from a westerly
direction had been worked from the outcrop for more than a
hundred years, until now it'was being exploited so far to the
east as Mansfield, Manton, near Worksop, Bentley, near
Doncaster, Bullcroft, and Askern, to the east of Frickley, and
to the east of South Kirkby. The seam, however, had been
proved to exist over a still larger area lying to the east, and
at Newark it had been proved to lie at a depth of under 600
yards from the surface, and to have a section of six feet ir
thickness. At Southcar, eight miles south-east of Doncaster,
the same seam was proved at a depth of over 1,000 yards,
and at Thorne, 10 miles north-east of Doncaster, about the
same depth. The depth from the surface varied very con-
siderably in various parts of the district, owing to the action
of certain large faults which intersected the coalfield, notably
to the south and north of a line drawn from Botherham to
Doncaster. The opening out and development of this
important coalfield might fairly be described as one of
national interest, by reason of the employment of at least
50,000 men and boys in the new area, and a capital expendi-
ture of not less than between £5,000,000 and £6,000,000 of
money. So far as one could judge, as a minimum, there was
sufficient Barnsley bed coal to provide for an outturn of (say)
10,000,000 tons per year, for at least the next century, and,
in addition to this (the principal bed), there were four or five
other seams, which eventually would be worked, and would
produce coal for perhaps 200 years, after the Barnsley bed
was exhausted. Several of these seams lie above the
Barnsley bed and three below, so that the problem would
have to be solved how to work at a depth of 1,300 or 1,400
yards below the surface. The chief difficulty would be the
lifting of, say, four tons of coal from a depth of 1,200 yards,
because of the immense weight of the rope itself. To obviate
that it would be necessary to have two lifts, which would
be very expensive, but as during the last 50 years many
difficult mining problems had been solved, it was only fair
to assume that the future generation would get over this
difficulty. Discussing the effect on the surface, Mr. Childe
said a great deal of the land overlying the Doncaster coal-
field was only about 10 feet above sea level, and the water
collected in dykes and drains. The suggested method for
dealing with the question was to heighten the banks of the
dykes and drains in advance of the faces, so as to provide for
a subsidence of, say, five feet. By this means the water
would be kept in the dykes and drains, but, of course, the
surface on either side would subside and form swamps in
many cases, and in that case shallow sumps or pits would be
sunk, and by means of a motor pump the water would, be
lifted into the dykes, and as the lift would only be a few
feet the expense was not regarded as of much moment. The
average royalty that would be paid to the landlord for these
beds of coal was equal to about 4d. per ton, which did not
seem a very serious figure, when it was considered that the
average selling price of all classes of coal got out of the
mines would be about 8s. per ton. In reference to the_wages
question, Mr. Childe said he was quite satisfied that if they
could get a straight vote from the colliers of Yorkshire the
miners would knock the Minimum Wage Act on the head,
and would like to go back to the old time. They felt the
same about the eight hours question. He had from time
to time received deputations from the men requesting to go
back to the old state of affairs, but he had been compelled
to point to the impossibility of this course owing to the Act.
(Applause.) Mr. Edward Holmes (Sheffield) mentioned
that an aspect of the developments which specially affected
the Surveyors’ Institution was the enormous appreciation in
land values. He had known portions of land which 30 years
ago sold for £30 an acre fetch £1 a square yard since the
developments.

A colliery fire which resulted in two men being entombed
for 26 hours has occurred at the South Hiendley Colliery,
near Barnsley, owned by Messrs. Henry Musgrave Limited.
The fire started at 8 o’clock on Tuesday evening, when only
about a score of men were engaged in the pit, the majority
having left previously. The accident is stated to have been
due to the bursting of an oil lamp fixed near the hauling
engine. The fire quickly became of large dimensions, and,
proceeding along the intake, consumed large numbers of
props and other inflammable material. The engine man
raised an alarm, and 18 of the 20 men in the workings were
within call, and were soon able to reach safety, although
•they had to dash through dense smoke and flame. The other
men. were working a distance of about 200 yards in the line
of the fire. The local officials did what they could to rescue
the men, and subsequently rescue brigades from neighbour-
ing stations were called in, and the two men were rescued
late on Wednesday night.

Lancashire and Cheshire.

Messrs. Isaac Cryer and Son, coal merchants, of Little-
borough, have taken over the business lately carried on by
Mr. Edward Winterbottom, coal merchant.

The staff of the Tyldesley Coal Company Limited have
presented to Mr. William Harling, who has had 40 years’
service with the firm, an oak reclining chair and an adjust-
able desk table. Mr. Harling has retired, and is taking
up residence at Grange-over-Sands.

The session of the Department of Mining at the Univer-
sity of Manchester will commence on October 8. The
department of mining is designed to meet the full require-
ments of coal and metal mining students. In coal mining
practical work is taken at Lancashire collieries. In metal
mining arrangements are being made for a final year’s
training at the School of Metalliferous Mining, Camborne.
Special attention is also given to mineral economics to meet
the requirements of the students who intend to undertake
prospecting appointments abroad or under Colonial Govern-
ments. The three years’ course for the degree B.Sc.Tech, in
mining includes mathematics, physics, chemistry, metal-
lurgy, engineering, geology, mineralogy, and mining.

Notts and Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Education Scheme—Manholes and Ponies—
Home Office Prosecution against the Digby Colliery
Company.

A joiiiu excursion was made on Saturday afternoon to
Grassmore collieries by members of the Notts and Derby-
shire branch of the Association of Mining Electrical Engi-
neers and the Midland branch of the National Association
of Colliery Managers. The visit had been arranged princi-
pally to make an inspection of a large electric generating
plant driven by gas engines, operated from the by-product
coke ovens, and also an electric safety lamp charging and
cleaning station. Visitors were conducted over the works
by Mr. G. Dearie, electrical engineer at the colliery■, and
his staff, who gave a lurid explanation of the working of
the plant, while Mr. W. Maurice, of Sheffield, an ex-presi-
dent of the Association of Mining Electrical Engineers,
made an interesting statement in the lamp cabin with regard
to the construction of the electric safety lamp. Following
the inspection the members of the two associations assembled
at the Hotel Portland, Chesterfield, where they were enter-
tained to tea by Mr. Maurice.

A new scheme for giving mining instruction in Derby-
shire was approved by the County Education Committee at
Derby on Tuesday. Aiderman Johnson Pearson said it was
proposed to organise two kinds of classes. One would deal
with subjects the knowledge of which was necessary for all
people working in a mine, and the other with matters
required by persons qualifying to act in an official capacity.
The scheme provides for the establishment of various local
classes, and centres of advanced instruction at Chesterfield
and Heanor, and, if required, at Belper and Ilkeston. Exhi-
bitions are to be offered to students who have attended local
classes for two years and are qualified to take advanced
instruction, so that they could attend the proper centres.
The exhibitions of those students who had attended satisfac-
torily the first year course at Sheffield or Derby last session
will be continued at the Sheffield University and the Not-
tingham University College respectively, subject to the
latter submitting a suitable syllabus.

At the Nottingham Shire Hall on Wednesday, the
Digby Colliery Company, their managing director, Mr.
Henry Dennis Bayley, and their manager, Mr. Baymond
Nadin, were charged with certain breaches of the Coal Mines
Act at their Gedling pit. The charges were : For not
exercising supervision over horsekeepers and drivers regu-
lating the treatment of horses in mines; allowing an
unqualified man to act as deputy; providing insufficient
room to allow horses to pass without rubbing against the
bars supporting the roof; stables not being properly con-
structed; haulage road No. 81 worked by mechanical power
not provided with sufficient refuge holes at intervals of not
more than 10yds.; working horses in an unfit condition;
having haulage worked by animal power in gate No. 98 not
provided with sufficient refuge holes at intervals of not more
than 25 yds. Mr. W. M. Gichard, of Botherham, appeared
for the Public Prosecutor and the Home Office, and the defen-
dants were represented by Mr. F. Berryman. For the prose-
cution, it was stated with regard to one of the charges of not
providing sufficient manholes that in the mechanically worked
haulage road there was a length of 150 yds. without a man-
hole, whereas there should have been 14. Mr. Berryman
explained that the company were endeavouring to bring the
colliery to the standard required by the Mines Act, and
£3,500 had been spent with that object since the measure
came into force. The ordinary miner, he pointed out, was
not allowed on the road while it was being worked.

With regard to the charge of allowing an unqualified man
to act as deputy, Mr. Gichard said that for a considerable
period a man named Wheatley had taken the place of a
deputy who had either left or was away ill. Although he
might be in every way competent to do the work, it was
necessary for him to have obtained the proper qualification.
He did not press this case. Mr. Berryman, for the defence,
said that Wheatley was 49, and had worked in the pit since
he was 13. He was quite competent, but did not possess
the qualifications.

Coming to the charges concerning the horses in the col-
liery, Mr. Gichard said that early in March a large number
of horses were found in the pits in an unfit state, quite &
number having sores on their backs. The harness in some
cases was unsuitable, and in others insufficient, and several
ponies had to wear saddles which had been taken off other
animals. Some of the ponies were actually “ roofing,” and
in one instance particularly there were no less than 12 girders
where the pony “ roofed.” The height of one place where a
pony had to pass was 4 ft. 2 in., whereas the animal’s height
was 4 ft. 6 in. Several of the ponies were brought to the
attention of the under-manager, who ordered them to be
taken to the stables. Some of the sores on the ponies were
of long standing. The state of the stables was such as
showed a disregard by the owners and the management of
their obligations, and, as managing director as well as
agent, Mr. Bayley had the opportunity of observing, and
ought to have known. Mr. B. Baxter, a Government horse
inspector, detailed the condition of a number of the ponies
he saw when he visited the colliery. There were several
stables, which had not properly constructed floors, and the
drainage provision of which was very defective. He con-
sidered them unfit for housing the animals. Quite a number
of the ponies had suppurating sores, some of considerable
size, and were unfit for work.

Mr. Berryman, for the defence, said that every care was
exercised to see that the ponies in the pit were in a fit
condition, and the men in charge had the power of calling in

a veterinary surgeon without referring to either director or
manager. Referring to the charges of allowing “ roofing,”
Mr. Berryman said the floor of the pit in question had been
known to rise 2 ft. 3 in. during the week-end, and often
rose a foot. This was always worse after a week-end, for
the earth moved most between midnight and two in the
morning. Thomas Harrison, one of the horse-keepers at
the pit, said that the ponies to which his attention was
drawn had wounds, but they were not of long standing. He
frankly confessed that the report book had not been kept
properly. When he went to the pit some of the ponies were
sore through having such a lot of work to do, and it was
difficult to keep the animals right when the skin had once
been broken. There was no doubt, however, that some of
the sores must have been caused by the harness.

In evidence Mr. Nadin said he considered the ponies
belonging to the company were in excellent condition, and he
was very proud of them. There was bound to be a certain
number of them injured out of 171, and in each case he
found out the cause. The stables in the High Hazel seam
were being rebuilt. Fie was keenly interested in the
animals, and some of them had been shown last year at
Moorgreen. Witness admitted that he had had complaints
about the stables from the inspectors, but he had attended
to them.

Mr. Bayley said he had given instructions to the manager
that the ponies were to be kept in the healthiest possible
condition. Proper harness was to be used, and a sufficient
number of harness repairers employed, and he himself saw
that the best of fodder was provided.

After a protracted retirement the chairman announced
that for allowing an unqualified man to act as deputy Mr.
Nadin would be fined one guinea; for not providing sufficient
refuge holes each of the defendants would have £5 to pay in
each case. With regard to the stables the magistrates were
inclined to think there was a little doubt, and as new stables
were being provided, the charge would be dismissed. The
charge of working horses in an unfit condition would also be
dismissed. In the case of Mr. Nadin, who was charged with
not excercising supervision over the horsekepers and drivers,
there was evidence that the horses had sores, and the Bench
were bound to convict, although they were quite sure that
the company, Mr. Bayley, and Mr. Nadin were anxious for
the welfare of the ponies, and desired that they should be
properly treated. The fines in that case would be £10, while
for allowing “ roofing ” the company would have £15 to pay.
The costs amounted to £8 8s., making £64 9s. in all.

The Midlands.

Mines Drainage Rates—Miners' Nystagmus and Vomiting :
Important Compensation Case.

Messrs. J. R. V. Marchant, Henry S. Childe, and G. A.
Lewis, arbitrators under the Mines Drainage Act, sat last
week at Dudley, for the purpose of arranging the mines
drainage rates for the Tipton district. Mr. Edwards (Patent
Shaft Company) asked for a reduction of Id. per ton at
Millfield Colliery, in which the work would be extended if
they could get some consideration.—Mr. Underhill (law
clerk) pointed out that the colliery included Crookhay and
Millpool pits. Mr. I. Meachem presented the case of the
Empire Colliery, Princes End, which was drowned out last
year. They had put down a plant at a cost of £1,500, and
they asked for a reduction of 4d. per ton. The arbitrators
agreed in this case that there should be a reduction from
. 9d. to 7d. Messrs. J. and S. Hall, Wednesbury Oak, were
ordered to pay a rate of 7Jd. per ton. The owners of Moat
Hall Colliery said that the engines only relieved them so
far as the thick coal was concerned, and asked that the rate
on them should be 6d. per ton. Mr. Parker said the pit had
cost them £6,000 without any profit being returned. Mr.
Parker also asked for Park-lane Colliery to remain rated at
7|d. The arbitrators agreed to 8d. Bloomsmythies
Company asked for a reduction from 6d. to 4Jd. Mr.
Southan stated that they wTere raising 600 tons of water per
24 hours, and had paid no dividend lately, while there
remained still a large deficiency on the colliery account. It
was costing 5d. per ton to bring the water into the sump.
Mr. C. Raden, Farm Pits, Tipton, asked for reduction from
the full rate of 9d. to 4|d. A fault having been cut through,
a big inflow of water had been the result. Mr. E. Howl
said the level now being constructed would deal with the
water complained of. The matter was left in the hands of
the Commissioners. Mr. J. Edwards applied for the Rabble
Chain Colliery to be graduated. The pit had been drowned
out, and parts of two shafts had collapsed. They were now
driving roads with a view to tapping the hollows. Mr. Howl
pointed out that the firm were not drawing any water. Mr.
Marchant said allowance would be made according to the
amount withdrawn. Mr. J. Chambers, Willings worth, said
that after putting down his colliery plant he found that
there were 12 ft. of water in the workings? He suggested
that they should rate him at 4^d. and give him a chance.
He would pay the full rate if the Commissioners would get
the water out. This case was also left for future arrangement.
The Patent Shaft were assessed at 2d., Moat Hall at 7d., and
the Bloomsmythies were left as heretofore.

An important case under the Workmen’s Compensation
Act was heard by his Honour Judge Ruegg, K.C., at the
Hanley (Staffordshire) County Court on May 21. It was a
claim by the dependants of Patrick Thomas Cannon against
the Shelton Iron, Steel and Coal Company Limited for com-
pensation in respect of the death of the workman, which it
was alleged was caused by miners’ nystagmus, a disease
scheduled under section 8 of the Act. From the evidence it
appeared that in August, 1913, deceased was certified by the
certifying surgeon for the district to be disabled by miners’
nystagmus, and compensation at the rate of 18s. 2d. a week
was paid up to the time of the death on Monday, February
16, 1914. According to the evidence of the widow, deceased
had taken little exercise since his disablement, and had
frequently complained of giddiness and pains in the head.
On the day preceding his death he had taken no food except
a basin of broth at supper time : he lay in bed till mid-day
on February 16, and about 4.45 in the afternoon he went into
the yard to the water closet. On his return to the house
about 10 minutes afterwards he complained of pains in the
head, sat down in a chair, and then rolled on to the sofa.
He tried to vomit, and appeared to become very ill. Dr.
Read was sent for, but the man died directly the doctor
arrived at about 5.30 p.m. Mr. Milward, for the applicant,
stated that his case was that the attempted vomiting was
a symptom of nystagmus, and that this acting on a weak
heart caused the death. The medical evidence of Dr.
Thomas and Dr. R. Moody was to the effect that death was
caused by the attempt to vomit being too great a strain upon
the heart muscles, which post mortem examination showed