6*76 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. September 25, 19141 of tin-plates last week were 58,791 boxes, receipts from works 15,923 boxes, whilst the stocks remaining in the dock warehouses and vans were 276,203 boxes. Llanelly. COAL. The coal market here has shown little, if any, improve- ment during the past week. Considering the state of affairs, a fair amount of shipping has been done, but not nearly sufficient coal has been sold to enable the collieries to work anything like full time. The depression on the Continent and the great lack of men to carry on the industries will prevent much being done for some time to come, and it looks as though poor time will be worked at the collieries during the coming months. Should the winter be a severe one, the inland trade may possibly be of much assistance, but collieries, generally speaking, are very pessimistic regarding the outlook. Nearly every department of the anthracite trade is doing badly. Large, cobbles, nuts, culm and duff are in poor demand. The only kinds doing at all well are beans and peas. Steam and bituminous kinds are moving slowly. Bunkers and smalls are difficult to place, but large has a good enquiry. Prices this week are:— Prices f.o.b. Anthracite:— Best malting large .. Secondary do. ....... Big Vein large....... Red Vein do.......... Machine-made cobbles... German nuts.......... French do............ Paris do............. Machine-made beans ... Do. peas......... Culm ................ Duff ................ Other sorts:— Large steam coal..... Thr ough-and-through... Small ............... Bituminous small coal... Current prices. 21/ -23/ 19/ -21/ 16/ -18/ 13/6-14/ 20/ -22/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 20/ -22/ 13/6-14/6 6/ - 6/3 3/9- 5/6 16/ -18/ 11/ -11/6 8/6- 9/6 11/ -11/6 L’st week’s prices. 21/ -23/ 19/ -21/ 16/ -18/ 13/6—14/ 20/ -22/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 20/ -22/ 13/6-14/6 6/ - 6/3 3/9- 5/6 16/ -18/ 11/ —11/6 8/6- 9/6 11/ -11/6 Last year’s prices. 20/6-22/6 19/ -20/ 17/6-18/6 13/6-14/6 19/6-20/6 23/ -25/ 23/ -25/ 24/ -25/ 20/ -22/ 13/ -13/6 6/6— 7/ 5/ - 7/ 17/ -18/ 11/6-12/ 9/6-10/ 10/6-11/6 LABOUR AND WAGES. South Wales and Monmouthshire. The special committee of the Conciliation Board which was appointed to deal with outstanding disputes, met on Friday last week, Mr. E. M. Hann presiding over the owners’ side and Mr. J. Winstone over the workmen’s. It was a meeting noteworthy for the good spirit which pre- vailed, and this found expression in an agreement to with- draw summonses that had been taken out against Newport- Abercarn workmen for alleged breach of contract. The com- pany had instituted proceedings, but were agreeable to with- draw upon condition that the miners’ agent took steps to prevent in future any stoppages without notice. On the other hand, summonses issued by hauliers against the Glamorgan Company are abandoned for conciliatory action through representatives of both sides; and in the event of failure to agree, the matter in dispute will come before the committee for settlement. As to a dispute at the Pwllbach Company’s Tirbach Colliery, it was arranged that the four representatives previously appointed to deal with it should have full power to settle. The Conciliation Board met on Monday last to consider disputes at individual collieries. Amongst the matters dealt with was the refusal of the men at the Graigola Merthyr Colliery to work underground during the holidays, except upon six-hour shifts. This and other matters were referred to representatives from each side. No action was taken in respect to a dispute at Bedwas, where the men have given notice, and the owners complain that the notice is a breach of agreement. Nor was any action taken because of the alleged refusal by the management of the Cwmbran to continue the custom of deductions from workmen’s wages. The workmen’s representatives made an appeal to the owners for generous treatment to the wives and families of men who had volunteered for active service, and sug- gested that they should have their rent and house coal free. It was explained that a number of owners had already made liberal allowances, and the request was that the Board would endeavour to make the practice general. From the owners’ side a reply was given that a committee of enquiry had been appointed, and that they hoped to meet the request as nearly as possible. The executive council of the South Wales Miners’ Federation was engaged on Saturday in drafting the claims of workmen who are unemployed in the coalfield, in order to bring them before the Distress Committee and the Presi- dent pf the Local Government Board. It is arranged that the lodge secretary at each colliery where unemployment exists shall send in each week to the local relief committee a complete list of the men unemployed, stating whether married or single, number of children or other dependants, and the cause and period of unemployment. Should relief be refused, report to be made to the miners’ agent, who will bring the matter before the council. A deputation is to wait upon the President of the Board of Trade, in conjunc- tion with the Glamorgan Relief Committee, so that a work- men’s train may be secured from the Neath Valley to the Aberdare Valley, for conveyance of men now unemployed, to the collieries where work awaits them in the Aberdare and Merthyr districts. At a meeting of the executive of the Federation, held on Monday last, it was reported that price lists settled at the Tareni, Blaencorrwg, and Wernos collieries, and these were agreed to by the council. From the Aberpergwm Colliery a deputation has approached the executive of the Federation in reference to the strike now prevalent, the men alleging non-compliance of the owners with the provisions of the Minimum Wage Act. The council appointed representatives charged with the duty of endeavouring to effect settlement. A dispute affecting 700 men under the Tredegar Company has been satisfactorily arranged. The Federation executive has had before it a deputation from the workmen on strike at the Brynlliw, Grovesend, and Morlais collieries, and representatives have been appointed to confer further with the men at a full meeting. North of England. The following decisions of the executive committee of the Northumberland Miners’ Association have just been reported to the branches :— “ That, for the purposes of Rule 40 (regulating unemploy- ment benefit), days on which any of our members are engaged by the War Office in digging trenches be counted as days at work. “ That we agree to allow the four-shift system to continue at Walbottle Colliery during the present national crisis, but that it must be clearly understood that it is not to be con- sidered the permanent system at this pit. “ That we agree to the request of the Armstrong College authorities to have the use of our hall and committee-room if necessary (when we are not using these ourselves) for classes and lectures, as the military authorities have taken possession of the college. “ That we inform Throckley branch that, in our opinion, an undated notice to terminate a hiring is not legal. x That, in answer to the branches which protest against the trustees and this committee arranging for a large bank overdraft, by which to pay out-of-work benefit, we desire to say that we, in doing so, acted in what we believed to be the best interests of our members. “ That, as our members who have joined the Territorial Force are not affected by the pit at which they previously worked working short time, they cannot be paid out-of-work benefit.” Dr. John Wilson, M.P., devotes the whole of his circular to the Durham miners this month to a comment on the war. He says : “ I am glad to see that our miners have occupied a foremost place, and, as I have seen them eagerly offering themselves, or marching in our streets, my old heart has warmed towards them, and my admiration has been greater than my words could express. I feel confident that all our country wants to maintain her honour will be forthcoming as it is required.” The Chopwell miners are very much aggrieved with the officials of the Durham Miners’ Association, who have declined to grant unemployed benefit to the men who only worked one day in the fortnight at the Nos. 1 and 2 pits and Whittonstall Drifts at the commencement of the war. They have resolved that, unless the pay is forthcoming, they will discontinue sending contributions to Durham, and will invite co-operation of the other colliery workmen of the Con- sett Iron Company in the formation of an independent union so that a reserve fund may be built up to meet such cases. The workmen at the Backworth collieries have held meet- ings to consider a proposal from the agent that the three- shift system .should be introduced at their pits, but have given no encouragement to the idea. The agent’s reasons are that, owing to the present crisis, the owners are com- pelled temporarily to close down the Maude Pit, for which they cannot get any work during the war, and would like to give the workmen at that pit a share of the work at the other pits. This could be done by the establishment of three shifts. The workmen at the other four pits have asked that the Maude pitmen should be drafted to the other pits on the present system, but do not desire to see the three-shift system introduced. For the fortnight ending last week the Eccles and Algernon pits of the Backworth group worked five days per week, but the Blue Bell, Maude, and Church pits worked only two days each week. MINING AND OTHER NOTES. The directors of the South Metropolitan Gas Company are issuing an intimation to consumers that the price of gas will be raised to 2s. 4d. per 1,000 cu. ft. from the date of the reading of the meters for the Michaelmas quarter, owing to the continued heavy charge made for coal, which, they state, is 271 per cent, higher than it was in 1909, when the price of gas was reduced by the company to 2s. 2d. The trade unionists in the United States are showing an active interest in mine rescue work. According to the United Mineworkers' Journal, the suggestion was made during the demonstration of the “ Proto ” apparatus, that each local union should buy a mine rescue apparatus and have their membership trained in its use. Messrs. Joseph Kaye and Sons Limited, of Leeds, inform us that in addition to 7,000 of their patent seamless oilcans recently delivered to t^e Navy, they have now received orders for immediate delivery of 3,000 from the War Department, making 10,000 in all. More than 10 per cent, of the employees of Sir W. H. Bailey and Company Limited, Albion Works, Salford, Manchester, have enlisted in the Army and the Territorials for active service. The firm is paying 10s. per week to the dependants of each married man and is also subscribing to a fund, which has been created for the benefit of the dependants of the unmarried men by the remaining employees, who are subscribing a percentage of their weekly wages. The Order, dated November 7, 1911, of the Board of Trade, under the Act of 1901, ordering a brake lever to be provided on each side of wagons, contained time limits varying with the number of wagons owned. For those companies or persons owning under 3,000 wagons, 10 years was given; for those with over 3,000 wagons and under 20,000, 15 years ; and for those over 20,000 wagons the limit was 20 years. It will therefore be seen that it is possible that not until the end of the year 1931 will every wagon be so fitted. The companies to whom the 20 years’ limit applies are the Caledonian, Great Central, Great Eastern, Great Northern, Great Western, Lancashire and Yorkshire, London and North-Western, Midland, North British and North-Eastern. The railway companies are, however, making good progress with their equipment, and it is most unlikely that they will take advantage of their powers. It is, says the Engineer, generally the private owner who is hindering progress, and he has until the end of the year 1921—seven years hence—to get his work finished. Mr. Robert Bewick Longridge, aged 92, of Yew Tree, Tabley, Cheshire, chairman of the British Engine Boiler and Electrical Insurance Company Limited, has left the sum of £89,960. The directors of Messrs. Irvine’s Shipbuilding and Dry Docks Company Limited have appointed Lord Furness chairman, in succession to the late Sir Stephen W. Furness, Bart. It was in connection with these shipyards that the ate Lord Furness initiated his co-partnership scheme. AMERICAN GOAL AND THE WAR. According to The Black Diamond (September 12) American shippers have sold all told about 500,000 tons of coal for export as a result of the European War, and approximately 125,000 tons have gone forward on these commitments. September loadings on these sales will be Jieavy, but some tonnage will be carried over for October or November, pro- vided there are no cancellations. Several coal men have sailed for South America during the past two weeks to look into the situation for their respective companies. The National City Bank of New York has been given per- mission by the Government to go ahead and establish its branches at Buenos Ayres and Rio de Janeiro, and it is said that the organisation to operate these banks, as well as other banks in South America, which are to be opened as soon as it appears they are required, is now ready to begin work. Existing coal freights to foreign ports are as follows :— Rio de Janeiro, 18s.; Para, 18s.; Buenos Ayres or La Plata, 18s.; Monte Video, 18s.; Trinidad, 9s. 6d. to 10s.; Deme- rara, 10s.; Cardenas, 8s. 6d. to 9s.; Havana, 7s. 6d. to 8s. 6d.; Cienfuegos, 8s. 6c’. to 9s. 6d.; St. Lucia, 9s. 6d.; St. Thomas, 8s. 6d. to 9s. 6d.; Jamaica, 9s. 6d. to 10s.; Barbados, 8s. 6d. to 9s.; Vera Cruz, 8s. 3d. to 9s. ; Tam- pico, 8s. 3d. to 9s.; Guantanamo, 9s. to 10s.; Algiers, 14s.; Alexandria, 15s.; Naples, 13s.; Marseilles, 13s. to 13s. 6d.; Genoa, 13s. to 13s. 6d.; Barcelona, 13s. to 14s. From Lambert’s Point, Sewall’s Point, and Newport News a total of 294,180 tons were exported for August 1914, as compared with 185,339 tons for August 1913. Exports to Italy show an increase of 21,071 tons over August 1913. The increase to South America was 41,967 tons. Shipments to countries not heretofore receiving coal from America, which are directly chargeable to the European War, reach 49,383 tons. These shipments were made to Portugal, Gibraltar, Canary Islands, France, Sweden, and Norway. For the first five days of September vessels were more plentiful, and a total of about 92,000 tons of export coal was cleared. The tonnage shipped during this period and desti- nation was as follows:—Greece, 26,750; Brazil, 16,884; Argentine, 10,257; Italy, 16,077; Philippine Islands, 7,006; Curacao, 4,801; Jamaica, 3,595; Barbados, 3,848; Panama, 5,950. With a view to aiding the coal operators of the United States to expand their markets at a time when the exporters of other coal producing nations are inactive, the United States Bureau of Mines has issued a bulletin describing the various coals of the country which are best available for foreign shipment. The bulletin, which is printed in Spanish, Portuguese, and English, will be given special distribution among the large coal users and importers of South and Central America. The bulletin lists as available for this promising export trade seven groups of coalfields. These are the Pocahontas and New River coals ,of West Virginia, with Norfolk and Newport News as shipping ports ; Maryland and Eastern Pennsylvania coals, to go through Baltimore or Philadelphia; the Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee coals, through Hampton Roads or Charleston; the Alabama coals, through Mobile or New Orleans; the Western Pennsylvania coals, through New Orleans; the Illinois and Indiana coals, through New Orleans; and the Washington coals, through Seattle. OBITUARY. The death is announced at Dean Bank, Ferryhill, of Mr. John Vickerstaff, J.P., after about a week’s illness. Mr. Vickerstaff was chairman of the Sedgefield Rural District Council, secretary to the Dean and Chapter Colliery branch of the Miners’ Permanent Relief Fund, and local secretary under the National Health Insurance Committee. He was 53 years of age. We regret to announce the death of Mr. Richard Cory, J.P., senior director of the great coal and shipping firm, Messrs. Cory Bros, and Company Limited, who died on Sunday last at Llandrindod Wells in his 85th year. Mr. Richard Cory was the second son of the late Captain R. Cory, of Bideford, and was born in 1830. In 1844 the deceased gentleman and his elder brother, Mr. John Cory, joined their father in business, which was carried on under the name of Richard Cory and Son. At that time it was confined almost entirely to shipbroking, but later the firm acted as agents for Messrs. Wayne and Company, colliery proprietors. After a short time, however, the agency terminated, and the firm of R. Cory and Sons began to ship coal on their own account. In the year 1888 the title of the firm was changed from Cory Bros, and Company to Cory Bros, and Company Limited, the capital of the com- pany being £1,000,000. From this time Mr. Richard Cory’s active co-operation in the business ceased. But he retained his seat on the board of directors. He was also a director of the Barry Railway Company, of the Penrikyber Colliery, of the Port Talbot Railway and Dock Company, and of the Field Line of steamers. Apart from his con- nection with the coal shipping industry, deceased was well known for his philanthropy. Mr. Thomas Bell, head of the firm of Messrs. Pyman, Bell, and Co., of Newcastle, died on Saturday at his residence, Hesleyside, near Bellingham. Mr. Bell, who was a native of Yorkshire, commenced his business career at West Hartlepool with Pyman and Scurr—afterwards George Pyman and Co. Mr. Bell, cousin to Mr. Scurr, went to Newcastle about 50 years ago, and opened a branch office of the firm mentioned. Subsequently he became a partner. The business rapidly extended until the company became the largest coal exporters in the North of England, besides being also timber merchants and shipowners, with an extensive connection with Scandinavia. The death is announced of Mr. John Jordan, of 17, Charlotte-square, Edinburgh. He was a director of the Fife Coal Company, the Scottish Waggon Company, and the Shotts Iron Company. Partnerships Dissolved.—The London Gazette announces the dissolution of the following partnerships :—H. M. Wilson and E. V. Haslam, marine surveyors, engineers, and patent agents, at Baltic-chanibers. Quayside. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, under the style of H. M. Wilson; W. Summerskill and P. Summerskill, machine tool makers, at the Holme Iron Works, Sowerby Bridge, near Halifax, Yorks, under the style of Summerskill Brothers.