September 4, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 535 BOOK NOTICES. Partnership. By H. C. Emery. 171 pp. London : Effingham Wilson. Price, 5s. net. This is a concise treatise on the law and practice relating to partnerships under the Partnership Act, 1890, and the Limited Partnership Act, 1907. In addition to the text of the Acts, model forms and pre- cedents under both are given, with references to leading cases, and there is a chapter on settlement of partner- ship disputes by arbitration. The book should be useful, not only to those proposing to enter into partner- ship agreements, but also to those having dealings with firms having the form of partnerships. Practical Well Sinking. By B. A. Harrison, B.Eng. 66 pp.; 28 fig. London : Technical ‘ Publishing Com- pany. Price Is. 6d. net. The author of this little book, which is one of the Practical Engineer Handbooks, outlines the salient points in connection with the sinking and boring of artesian wells and various systems of obtaining under- ground supplies of water. The subject is naturally of interest to those engaged in coal prospecting, for the arts are in many respects identical, and the mining borehole ofttimes may unintentionally be more useful as an indication of water sources than of coal. There is a short reference to the freezing process, but nothing is said of the Belgian cement-injecting process. As an elementary treatise, however, the book is excellent. Electrical Practical in Collieries. By Daniel Burns, M.Inst.M.E. 4th edition, revised and enlarged. 353 pp. London : Chas. Griffin and Company. Price, 7s. 6d. net. The first edition of Prof. Burns’ useful textbook appeared in 1903; consequently, so rapid has been the development of the application of electricity to mining, it is not surprising that three further editions have been necessitated. In keeping with prevailing ten- dencies, the additions made in the present edition chiefly refer to the use of alternating current. A few illustrations have been added, bringing the total up to 207; otherwise the general arrangement is unchanged. Succeeding chapters deal with units of measurement, conductors, etc.; theory of the dynamo; the dynamo; motors; lighting; pumping; haulage; coal cutting; underground conveyors; and miscellaneous appliances. It is very difficult to keep a textbook such as this scrupulously up-to-date, and in some cases it would have been better to excise more generously. For example, in the chapter on lighting, a good deal of the matter relating to carbon filament lamps could have been removed, and some reference made instead to “ half-watt ” lamps. We should have liked also to have seen more space allocated to the subject of switches, upon which the mining engineer is most greatly in need of guidance; and the subject of con- trollers might also have been more liberally dealt with. The book, as a whole, is stronger on the mechanical side than on the electrical side. The Black Diamond Reader : A Primer of Coal Mining for Schools and Continuation Classes. By Henry Briggs. M.Sc., A.R.S.M., M.I.M.E. London, etc. : Thomas Nelson and Sons. Price, Is. 8d. There have lately been published several excellent little manuals to fulfil the purpose set forth in the sub- title above, but we do not know of any that is to be preferred to this one. Mr. Briggs is the head of the mining department of the Heriot-Watt College, Edin- burgh, and an acknowledged expert. On their side Messrs. Nelson have had exceptional experience in the publication of educational works, and thoroughness marks all their enterprise. The consequence is that the printing and the illustrations in this little book are of the highest class. Mr. Briggs has adopted an old-fashioned method in presenting his matter through the mouths of imagi- nary characters, one of whom goes through the various experiences that go to equip the mine official. The method, however, is well calculated to engage the interest of the young idea. The Journal of the Institute of Metals. (Vol. XI.) Edited by G. Shaw Scott, M.Sc. (the Institute of Metals). Price, 21s. net. The latest volume of the Journal of the Institute of Metals, the 11th of a half-yearly series, is as replete with scientific and practical information regarding the non-ferrous metals as any of its predecessors. Within its green cloth bound covers there are 437 pp. and 16 plates, the bulk of the matter consisting of the papers read at the recent London meeting of the institute and the discussion on these papers. Amongst these valu- able communications may be mentioned the following : “Bronze,” by J. Dewrance; “Vanadium in Brass: the Effect of Vanadium on the Constitution of Brass containing 50 to 60 per cent, of Copper,” by R. J. Dunn, M.Sc., and O. F. Hudson, M.Sc.; “ The Quantitative Effect of Rapid Cooling on Binary Alloys ” (second paper), by G. H. Gulliver, B.Sc.; “ The Influence of Nickel on Some Copper-Aluminium Alloys,” by Prof. A. A. Read, M.Met., and R. H. Greaves, M.Sc.; “Muntz Metal: the Correlation of Composition, Structure, Heat Treatment, and Mechanical Properties, etc., etc.,” by J. E. Stead, D.Sc., D.Met., F.R.S., and H. G. A. Stedman; and “ The Micro-Chemistry of Corrosion ” (Part II.), by S. Whyte, B.Sc., and C. H. Desch, Ph.D., D.Sc. Admiral Sir Henry J. Oram, K.C.B., F.R.S., Engineer- in-Chief of the Fleet, delivered a remarkably informing presidential address at the London meeting, and this is reproduced in full in the present volume. Here we have a first hand account of how the Admiralty have tackled and successfully solved many complicated engi- neering problems. Important reports of two of the institute’s committees are reproduced in full, these being the first report to the Beilby Research Com- mittee (dealing with the solidification of metals from the liquid state), and the first report of the Nomen- clature Committee, which suggests a rational means of naming alloys. The volume concludes with a full summary of the world’s metallurgical literature of the past six months, in a study of which, as well as of the rest of the volume, the reader is greatly helped by an exceedingly complete index. GERMAN EXPORTS IN 1914. The following table showing the exports of certain German articles in the first six months of this year is compiled from the tables issued by the Board of Trade:— Principal articles exported. Quantities during the six months ended June. Values during the six months ended June. 1912. 1913. 1914. 1912. 1913. ! 1914. Alizarine and alizarine dyes Aniline and other tar dyes Carbolic acid Coal Coke Electro-technical products, Total of Electric cables Iron and Manufactures of, Total of Pig iron and non-malleable iron alloys Blooms, puddled bars, ingots, &c Malleable iron in bars, girders Ditto ditto other Plates and sheets, rough (not galvanised)... Wire, not polished, &c Wire, galvanised Rails Sleepers Railway wheels and parts, and axles Wares of malleable iron, Worked (milk cans, lamps, stoves, &c.) Structural malleable iron Wire nails Domestic utensils (sheet iron, enamelled,&c.) Fine cutlery Needles for sewing, embroidering and knitting machines Machinery, Total of Steam locomotives and locomobiles Steam engines, combined or not with dynamos, &c Machines for working metals Ore, Iron Tin, Raw, waste, and scrap Metric tons. 4,743 29,002 1,660 15,099,546 2,457,666 50,052 15,102 2,928,130 525,013 321,839 230,395 413,308 209,205 128,809 62,563 274,623 67,967 55,807 27,333 42,855 26,027 14,5o0 2,314 66 247,137 28,184 4,326 26,311 1,089,628 3,179 Metric tons. 5,819 32,357 1,876 16,368,690 3,430,795 60,604 21,231 3,269,230 478,387 331,209 257,941 540,749 295,894 141,578 73,908 254,757 49,370 59,621 41,059 51,921 32,843 15,815 2,775 82 277,353 30,609 5,913 31,848 1,374,982 3,443 Metric tons. 4,669 32,064 1,944 18,169,594 2,630,138 66,474 20,569 3,352,044 379,834 363,908 193,293 646,231 325,217 147,865 77,620 287,060 77,584 51,839 44,975 48,180 35,723 14,319 3,061 78 278,057 24,728 4,445 36,818 989,126 3,422 Marks. 10,011,000 66,075,000 1,753,000 212,578,000 49,533,000 102,389,000 10,843,000 562,132,000 37,977,000 27,410,000 23,630,000 53,064,000 30,599,000 17,489,000 12,890,000 30,304,000 7,344,000 13,706,000 42,196,000 11,899,000 4,897,000 16,622,000 14,427,000 2,061,000 286,581,000 28,118,000 4,886,000 29,705,000 3,475,000 10,355,000 Marks. 11,645,000 70,818,000 1,582,000 244,850,000 70,933,000 124,774,000 18,261,000 647,774,000 36,107,000 32,510,000 28,293,000 76,996,000 44,144,000 20,675,000 14,249,000 29,636,000 5,661,000 15,632,000 52,858,000 13,645,000 6,471,000 18,275,000 17,632,000 2,708 000 331,590,000 33,165,000 6,375,000 40,524,000 4,063,000 12,646,000 Marks. 10,254,000 71,175,000 1,404,000 262,989,000 55,188,000 146,229,000 16,897,000 659,950,000 26,221,000 30,092,000 20,864,000 77,485,000 42,428,000 18,909,000 14,513,000 33,139,000 8,653,000 13,609,000 51,379,000 12,654,000 6,187,000 16,232,000 20,969,000 2,410,000 322,724,000 26,181,000 4,859,000 40,797,000 3,092,000 11,012,000 COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES. REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS. Antrim Iron Ore Company Limited.—The directors announce an interim dividend of 5 per cent (Is. per share), free of income-tax, on the “A” and “ B ” shares. Astley and Tyldesley Collieries Limited.—The directors recommend dividends for the past year of 17s. 6d. on the fully paid £10 shares, and 14s. on the £8 paid shares, leaving £6,324 to carry forward. Consolidated Cambrian Limited.—The directors have declared a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum, less tax, on the preference shares for the six months ended June 30, 1914, but it has been decided that, in consequence of the situation created by the war, no dividend shall at present be paid upon the ordinary shares. Crossley Brothers Limited.—The directors report that the working results for the half-year ended June are satisfactory, but, owing to the abnormal monetary conditions, it has been decided to postpone the payment of the usual dividend on the preference shares due on the 1st inst. Warrants for this dividend will be posted as soon as the directors are satisfied that the financial situation has sufficiently improved. No interim dividend will be declared on the ordinary shares. Davis (D.) and Sons Limited.—The directors have decided to pay a dividend upon the 6 per cent, cumulative preference shares, and an interim dividend of 5 per cent, per annum upon the ordinary shares for the half-year ended June. On account of the grave crisis through which the country is passing they think it prudent to conserve the resources of the company, and, consequently, propose to retain for the present the surplus profits for the period named. Fife Coal Company Limited.—The directors, in paying the 10 per cent, interim dividend, state that the war will materially prejudice the company’s operations. Its trade, so largely a Continental one, has already been seriously restricted. Small outputs mean very huge costs, and as prices are comparatively low, the general effect upon the company’s position will be serious. The shareholders should, therefore, keep in view that the results at the end of the financial year may be found quite out of keeping with the decision upon which the directors have acted at present. Hardy Patent Pick Company Limited.—The report of the directors for the year ending June 30 states that the net profit is £12,214 Ils., and the profit brought forward from last year £8,668 4s. 6d., making a total of £20,882 15s. 6d. The board regret that they cannot recommend the payment of any dividend at present, as the trade of the company has been completely dislocated by the war, and Continental accounts to considerable amounts are rendered impossible of collection for the same reason. Further, during the past year it has been found necessary, for the safeguarding of the company’s future business, to spend larger sums than usual upon new plant and buildings, and to acquire more land in view of extensions that may shortly become neces- sary. The directors propose to deal with the profits as follows : Interest on debentures, £1.268 6s. 4d.; depreciation of tools and patterns, £1.000; depreciation of plant, etc., £5,000; carry forward, £13,614 9s. 2d. Lincoln Wagon and Engine Company Limited.—The directors have issued an interim dividend at the rate of 13- per cent, per annum, free of tax. Main Colliery Company Limited. — The directors state that at the general meeting held on August 6 it was resolved that the dividends of 3 per cent, on the ordinary and preference shares be payable at such time as the directors may determine. Manvers Main Collieries Limited.—A final dividend of 2s. 6d. per share, free of tax, has been declared, making,, with the interim dividend of Is. 6d., 20 per cent, for the year. Meiros Collieries Limited.—The directors have declared an interim dividend for the past half-year at the rate of 4 per cent, per annum, free of income-tax. New Monckton Collieries Limited.—The 13th annual meeting was held at Sheffield on 27th ult., Viscount Galway, C.B., presiding. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, Viscount Galway said that when the directors decided to recommend a final dividend of 6 per cent., making 10 per cent, for the year, on the ordinary shares, the European war had not broken out, but that having since happened, the directors decided to advise the shareholders to allow them to postpone the payment of the dividend until such time as the directors deem expedient. He thought that it would be advisable to postpone the payment of the ordinary dividend for two months, wThen the matter will be further considered. It was decided to pay the preference dividend on September 1 as usual. Scott (Walter) Limited.—The directors, in presenting the balance-sheet to June 30, 1914, state that the profits of the steel works, collieries, etc., for the 12 months amount to £57,694 16s. lid., to which must be added the balance of profit brought forward from last account, £1,622 14s. 10d., making £59,317 Ils. 9d. Out of this the following amounts have been provided :—Directors’ fees for year to June 30, 1914, £1,500; interest on 4 per cent, debenture stock for year to June 30, 1914, £12,000; dividend on 6 per cent, preference shares for half-year to December 31, 1913, £9,000; interim dividend on ordinary shares at 5 per cent, per annum for half-year to December 31, 1913, £6,875; amount carried to special reserve account under section 104 of Articles of Association, £7,531; additional amount carried to general reserve account for depreciation, £6,114 3s. 7d., leaving to be dealt with £16,297 8s. 2d. The directors recommend the following appropriation of this balance :— In payment of dividend on the 6 per cent, preference shares for the half-year to June 30, 1914, £9,000; in payment of a dividend of 2| per cent, on the ordinary shares for the half- year to June 30, 1914, making, with the interim dividend above stated, 5 per cent, for the year, £6,875; carrying for- ward to next year’s account the balance of £422 8s. 2d. Sheepbridge Coal and Iron Company Limited.—The directors recommend a final dividend of Is. each on the fully paid preference and old ordinary shares, and 4*8d. on the partly paid preference, less tax. Staveley Coal and Iron Company Limited.—The directors have decided to pay a final dividend of Is. per share on the fully paid shares, and 9d. per share on the part paid shares, making a total of 12| per cent., free of income-tax, for the year. The directors have considered it advisable to hold in suspense for the present accounts which it has been unable to obtain payment for because of the war. The total of this suspense account is £94,197, the greater part of which the directors hope will ultimately be collected. Summerlee Iron Company Limited.—The accounts for the year ended May 31 show an available sum, including the balance brought forward, and after deduction of interim dividends paid on the preference and ordinary shares of £49.281. from which the directors recommend further divi- dends of 2 per cent, on the preference shares and 5 per cent, on the ordinary shares, leaving £28.281 to be carried forward. In view of the present war crisis, the directors do not consider it advisable to pay, at this time, a dividend of more than 10s. per share on the ordinary shares. Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Limited.—The directors announce an interim dividend at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum (6d. per share), less income-tax, on the ordinary shares for the past half-year. Watson (John) Limited.—The directors have declared an interim dividend for the half-year to June 30 at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum, less tax.