July 24, 1914. Supplement to THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. xxi undermanager of the Big Pit, and William Bond, a fire- man, were killed by fumes from a fire which had broken out on one of the main haulage and intake airways of the mine. The cause of the fire could not be definitely ascertained, but it was probably due to the fusing of an electric cable. The fire could not be extinguished, and after prolonged efforts it was shut in by stoppings on both sides, and still remains so. Connected with underground haulage there were • 91 fatal accidents with 92 deaths, and 258 reported non- fat al accidents with injuries to 268 persons. The figures show an increase over the preceding year of 13 deaths, but a decrease of seven persons injured. The increased number of fatal accidents by underground haulage is chiefly due to increases in the number of accidents by horse haulage and runaway trams. A number of accidents due to runaways were caused by the imperfect fixing of the shackles of the trams. Of the above, two persons were killed and two injured while illegally riding, and two persons were killed and ten injured by going in front instead of behind tubs while moving them by hand on inclined roads. There was one fatal accident with one death, and four non-fatal accidents with four persons injured by electricity underground. The fatal accident occurred at Gilwen Colliery and resulted in the death of a pump- man. There was found to be a fault in the circuit, which rendered the motor frame alive. The earthing of the motor frame was inefficient. Proceedings were taken for breaches of the electrical regulations and the electrician was fined. By machinery underground there were six fatal and 16 non-fatal accidents. One fatality was caused by a sudden outburst of small coal and dust from the side of a dip cross-measure drift at the Gleison Pit of Tareni Colliery, which buried and suffocated one of the three men working near the place. One fatal accident was due to carbon monoxide poisoning by the fumes from an oil engine. The fumes were piped into a return airway, and the man • who was killed was working between the engine and the end of the pipes. A fall had occurred on the end of the pipes which caused the fumes to accumulate where the man was working. His companion was also rendered unconscious, but was resuscitated by artificial respiration. Another fatal accident, causing two deaths, occurred at a very small colliery where a petrol engine was in use for pumping. The fumes were piped into the return airway through which a very small current of air passed, and two men working in the return were killed by the fumes. The use of the petrol engine has been disallowed. On the surface at mines, including railways, tram- ways and sidings, there were 35 fatal accidents and 35 deaths, 142 non-fatal accidents and 146 persons injured. By machinery there were six fatal accidents and six deaths; 21 non-fatal accidents and 21 persons injured. Three deaths were due to cleaning or oiling machinery in motion. By electricity on surface there were one fatal and three non-fatal accidents. Notices were received of dangerous occurrences from which no personal injury resulted as follows :—Igni- tions of gas or coal dust, eight; underground fires, 10; breakages of rope; chain or other gear, by which men are raised or lowered, 36. Of the above ignitions of gas or coal dust, three were ignitions of firedamp by the permitted explosives carbonite, stonax and rippite; the other five ignitions were by naked lights. Of the underground fires, four were due to spontaneous combus- tion, two to electricity, one to boiler ashes, one to an air compressor, and two from unknown causes. Of the breakages of ropes, etc., three were due to overwinding when men were not being raised or lowered. Prosecutions.—There were no prosecutions by direc- tion of the Secretary of State. Reports were received of the result of proceedings taken by owners against 585 workmen. These show an increase of 326 cases over the figures for the preceding year. Eight Hours Act.—With a few exceptions, no diffi- culty has been experienced in the working of this Act during the past year. Coal Mines Act, 1911.—There seems to be a gradual improvement going on in respect to the devotion of firemen to their statutory duties. In the examinations for firemen’s certificates, the number of candidates who , failed was 773, out of a total of 2,821. The systematic searching of workmen for matches, pipes, etc., has resulted in a very large increase in the number of prosecutions for being in possession of pro- hibited articles in the mines. The means for reversing the air current at mines ventilated by fans are now provided at the majority of such mines, but there are still some where the work is not yet completed. During the year 463 samples of mine air were taken for analysis, and in very few cases did the amount of contamination exceed the legal limits. The sampling of air in this way leads to greater attention being paid to questions of ventilation, and consequent improvements. So far as is known all the mine surveying is now done by certificated surveyors. Thirty-one surveyors’ certifi- cates were granted during the year, and 45 mine managers’ certificates were endorsed with surveyors’ certificates. A gradual improvement is taking place in the care and treatment of underground horses. Many stables have been improved as to structure, ventilation and cleanliness. Some complaints respecting horses were received and attended to. There is difficulty in securing the general use of eye guards. Some of the guards brought out to meet the requirements of the Act, formed of metal or wire, were found to be a danger rather than a safeguard. Leather seems to be the best material for making eye guards. The following are statistics res- pecting the horses employed underground :—Number used, 17,744. Number died (exclusive of those required to be destroyed) : from injury by accident, 646; from disease, 347. Number required to be destroyed : in con- sequence of injury,’337; in consequence of disease, 320. Number of cases of injury or ill-treatment reported to manager (exclusive of cases already included) : injury, 3,449; ill-treatment, 9. The number of reports received of inspections by workmen under section 16 of the Act has kept increasing during the year; 536 such reports were received. The majority of the shafts in which men are wound are now fitted with detaching hooks and overwind con- trollers ; but this work is not yet completed and pressure is being brought to bear in such cases. There has been much difficulty in obtaining delivery of hooks and con- trollers owing to the numerous demands for such appliances. The requirements of section 2, that every mine shall be under one manager, and that workings having a common system of ventilation, or any part of a system of ventilation in common, shall be deemed to form part of the same mine, will require modifications in the management of some mines, and this. question is receiving attention. After some friction, following the commencement of the Regulations on July 1, 1913, the requirements as to the hours of work of winding enginemen at shafts, appear now to be properly observed. Only one ballot of the workmen at any mine in the division, has yet been taken, with reference to the pro- vision of baths at the mine. In this case there was a majority in favour of baths, of two-thirds of the workmen who voted, but not of two-thinds of the workmen employed in the mine. The Ocean Coal Company Limited had under consideration the establishment of baths at one of their collieries, for some years before the passing of the Act, but as yet baths are not in use at any mine in the division. With the exception of those districts in which the Secretary of State is satisfied that they will be worked out within three years from the commenceent of the Act, the requirement as to the width of landings is generally fairly well observed; and in cases where it was found that the required space was not provided the attention of the owner or manager was called to the matter. Explosives Used.—In all 2,428,0761b. of explosives were used and 4,475,321 shots fired. The method of County. Coal. Fireclay. Ironstone. Other minerals. Total. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. £ £ £ £ £ Cheshire, part of 2,394 1.069 — — — — — — 2,394 1,069 Derby, Southern portion 1,241,108 554,594 18,750 4,002 — — 15,746 1,575 1,275,604 560,171 Devon — — 70 30 — — — — 70 30 Gloucester 1,712,080 880,852 — — — — — — 1,712,080 880,852 Kent 59,203 35,313 — — — — — — 59,203 35,313 Leicester 3,173,422 1,327,851 52,972 18,580 — — — — 3,226,394 1,346,431 Northampton — — — — 170,213 20,005 — — 170,213 20,005 Salop 845,727 360,441 29,168 7,979 2,489 2,080 20,917 3,279 898,291 373,779 Somerset 1,253,652 708,536 — — — — — — 1,253,652 708,536 c, pp (North ; 6,592,555 3.166,634 27,702 6,215 859,244 330,121 1,000 75 7,480,501 3,503,045 Stafford { South ! 7,757,190 3,228,640 251,826 49,951 30,441 16,790 97 44 8,039,554 3,295,425 Warwick i 5,070,239 2,361,061 25,966 6,625 7,038 4,306 5,783 2,488 5,109,026 2,374,480 Worcester 576,817 199,167 118,996 22,669 1,432 899 — — 697,245 222,735 Total in 1913 28,284,387 12,824,158 525,450 116,051 1,070,857 374,201 43,533 7,461 29,924,227 13,321,871 Total in 1912 26,071,862 10,965,493 470,990 106,526 943,085 318,133 50,410 9,499 27,536,347 11,399,651 firing was as follows :—By electricity, 3,045,507; by fuze, 1,272,107; by squibs, 157,707. The miss-fire shots numbered 5,482, and of these 3,554 were fired with electricity. Safety Lamps.—The following are statistics relating to the use of safety lamps :—Number in use, 188,495. Number of gauzes : one, 146,317; two, 39,462; shielded, 185,202; not shielded, 577. Method of locking-: lead rivet, 85,637; magnetic, 91,404; screw, 675; other, 10,779. Kind of illuminant : colza or colza and petroleum, 137,081; petroleum, 1,866; volatile spirit, 9,831; electricity, 2,716; other illuminant, 37,001. Method of lighting : by electricity, 109,174; by internal igniters, 75,360; by opening, 3,961. Electricity in Mines.—The following is a summary showing aggregate horse power :—Surface—Winding, 22,9514; ventilation, 17,5294; haulage, 13,3404; coal washing or screening, 8,3904; miscellaneous, 28,369|; tot.al, 90,581|. Underground—Haulage, 38,412; pump- ing, 50,948}; portable machinery, 764; miscellaneous, I, 111}; total, 91,2364- Electricity was in use at 294 mines. Rescue Stations and Ambulance Work.—There are now seven central rescue stations in working order in South Wales, and one other in course of formation. The stations in operation are as follows :—Aberaman : secretary, E. R. Evans; Crumlin : secretary, W. H. Routledge; Rhymney Valley (New Tredegar) : secretary, N. Phillips; Swansea: secretary, D. Ivor Evans; Rhondda : secretary, F. A. Gibson; Maesteg : secretary, J. N. Jones; Brynmenin: secretary, F. A. Gibson,. Another central rescue station is about to be put in operation at Abercynon. Ambulance classes and com- petitions were held as usual in various parts of the coal- field. VI.—Midland and Southern Division. Mr. Hugh Johnstone, in his report for 1913 states that the coming into operation of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, and of the General Regulations under this Act has neces- sitated a great deal of extra work. During the year 3,743 visits were paid to mines, 2,913 of these being underground inspections; 2,691 quarry inspections were made, and 186 inquests attended. A great deal of time was taken up in conferences with various parties in connection with the new Mines Act and the General Regulations, and in dealing with enquiries relating to these. The increase in the staff has afforded facilities for the making of a greatly increased number of mine and quarry inspections. With the exception of a very few small mines, which work intermittently, and which were not at work when the inspector visited them, every mine in the district has been visited and an underground inspection made of the whole or part of it, and most of the larger and more important mines have been visited repeatedly. Persons Employed.—The following table shows the number of persons employed :— Persons employed. County. Mines at work. Above g Below t Below round, and above gMXd' Fe- ground males. Cheshire, part of 5.. 33... 9... — ... 42 Derby, South portion 12.. . 3,918... 980... . — ... 4,898 Devon 1.. 2... — ... — ... 2 Gloucester 49.. . 7,216... 1,626.. 7 ... 8,849 Kent 7.. 620... 514... — ... 1,134 Leicester 29.. . 8,384... 2,073... 2 ... 10,459 Northampton 7.. 167... 41.. . — ... 208 Salop 56.. . 3,075... 634... 9 ... 3,718 Somerset 21.. . 5,648... 1,040... 3’... 6,691 :::::: 85.. . 25,058... 6,802... 13 ... 31,873 196.. . 21,360... 7,401... 57 ... 28,818 Warwick 29.. . 14,714... 4,490... 1 ... 19,205 Worcester 45.. . 1,778... 540... 32 ... 2,350 ■ ■ ' Totals in 1913 542.. . 91,973.. 26,150... 124 ...118,247 Totals in 1912 555... 87,673... 25,015... 153 .112,841 The increase was general over practically the whole division, but was most noticeable in North Staffordshire, where it amounted to nearly 5 per cent.; in Leicester- shire, where it amounted to 5-42 per cent.; and in Warwickshire, where it amounted to 9 per cent. In the number of mines at work during the year, there has been an increase of one in Worcestershire, two in Cheshire, four in Shropshire, and five in North Stafford- shire; and a decrease of two in Gloucestershire, and 23 in South Staffordshire. One mine was transferred to South Derbyshire from Leicestershire, in which county it had appeared erroneously on the List of Mines. The other mines which have been added to or taken off the List were chiefly very small mines. Output of Mineral.—The next table shows the quan- tity and value of mineral raised :— In the output of coal alone, South Derbyshire shows an increase of 142,061 tons, or 12-93 per cent.; Glouces- tershire of 144,379 tons, or 9-21 per cent.; Leicester- shire of 408,319 tons, or 14-77 per cent.; Salop of 73,522 tons, or 9-52 per cent.; Somerset of 181,296 tons, or 16-91 per cent.; North Staffordshire of 309,221 tons, or 4-91 per cent.; South Staffordshire of 343,638 tons, or 4-64 per cent.; Warwickshire of 492,481 tons, or 10-76 per cent.; and Worcestershire of 60,727 tons, or 11-77 per cent. Kent shows an increase of 58,104 tons. Some of the mines there are developing rapidly, and in the near future the output of coal from this county will doubtless be considerable. The quantity of mineral raised per person employed below ground was 326 tons, and per person employed above and below ground 254 tons. The averages for 1912 were 314 and 245 tons respectively. Comparing the output per person employed below ground during 1913 with that for 1911 and 1910, decreases are shown of 1-81 per cent, and 3 per cent, respectively. The decreases are most notable in North Staffordshire, War- wickshire, and Worcestershire, where they amount respectively to 7-72 per cent, 11-25 per cent., and 10*3 per cent., as compared with the figures for 1910. This is the more noteworthy as during 1913 trade was better, and the pits were worked more regularly than was the case in 1910 and 1911. Table A (next page) gives the number of various types of coal cutting machines in use, their description, distri- bution throughout the district, motive power, and output of mineral produced. The machines were used at 48 mines, namely, at six mines in South Derbyshire, at one mine in Glouces- tershire, five mines in Leicestershire, three mines in Shropshire, two mines in Somersetshire, 17 mines in North Staffordshire, 10 mines in South Staffordshire, and four mines in Warwickshire. There were two coal face conveyors in use. Accidents.—The total number of accidents reported during the year, including accidents on private branch railways, etc., was 784, an increase of 83, as compared with the preceding year. The fatal accidents show an increase of three, with an increase of nine in the number erf persons killed. The non-fatal accidents reported show an increase of 80, with an increase of 68 in the number of persons injured. These increases, it may be explained, however, are more apparent than real, as owing to the national strike of miners which took place in March 1912, the figures for that year really cover