October 23, 1914. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 883 and Somerset, took effect during the first nine months of the year. Towards the end of the year there was a fall in selling prices, which checked a further rise in wages, and led to an actual reduction in certain districts in the early months of 1914. The workpeople in the Federated districts, and in South Wales and Mon- mouthshire, reached the maximum percentage above standard allowed by their present agreements in April and June 1913 respectively, and maintained it to the end of the year. On the whole, wages were at a higher level at the end of 1913 than at the end of any of the last 20 years except 1900. _______________________ EMPLOYMENT IN SEPTEMBER. The current issue of the Board of Trade Labour Gazette states that employment in September was below the level of the months immediately preceding the war, but, on the whole, it showed a considerable recovery as compared with August. There was still a great deal of short time, but both this and the number of workpeople entirely unemployed were much less. Work on Government contracts caused great activity in.certain trades, and employment also improved in the coal mining, iron and steel, tin-plate, and cotton trades, and in the provincial districts of the building trades. There was some shortage of agricultural labourers, owing to the number of men joining the Army. Compared with a year ago, when employment was good, there was a general decline, which was most marked in the pig iron, tin-plate, textile, and pottery trades. Trade unions, with a net membership of 995,975, reported 55,778 (or 5'6 per cent.) of their members as unemployed at the end of September 1914, compared with 7T per cent, at the end of August 1914, and 2'3 per cent, at the end of September 1913. Among the 2,367,311 “ insured ” workpeople the percentage unemployed at the end of September 1914 was 5'4, com- pared with 6'2 at the end of August 1914, and 3'4 at the end of September 1913. Beturns relating to 1,233 pits, employing 655,964 work- people, show that the average number of days* worked per week by the collieries during the fortnight ended Sept. 26, 1914, was 5’01, as compared with 4’55 a month ago, and 5'60 a year ago. Of the 655,964 workpeople covered by the returns, 442,599 (or 67’5 per cent.) were employed at pits working 10 days or more during the fortnight ended September 27, 1914, while 271,592 (or 41’4 per cent.) were employed at pits working 11 days or more. The highest average per week was in North Wales (5'85 days), and the lowest average was in Northumberland (3'69 days). Average Increase (+) or number of days decrease (—•) in Sept. 19L on a Districts. worked , ' England and Wales— per week.f Month ago. Year ago. Days. Days. Days. Northumberland .. 5’47 ... + 0’97 .. . -1’78 Durham .. 5-47 ... + 0 79 ... . -0’88 Cumberland .. 5'60 ... + 0’14 ... . +0’16 South Yorkshire .. 5-85 ... + 0'76 ... . —0’61 West Yorkshire .. 5’58 ... + 0’45 ... -1’02 Lancashire and Cheshire. .. 5’34 ... -0’04 ... . —0’65 Derbyshire .. 5’50 ... +0’66 ... . ■ -0’18 Nottingham and Leicester 5’43 ... + 0’30 ... -0’64 Staffordshire .. 5’65 ... + 0T7 ... -0’21 Warwick, Worcester, and Salop . 5’46 .. . -0’15 .. . -0’32 Gloucester and Somerset... . 5’51 .. . -0’42 .. . -0’44 North Wales 5’91 .. . +0’31 .. . -006 South Wales and Mon . 5’93 .. . +0’09 .. . —0’15 England and Wales ... 5’62 .. . +0’44 .. . —0’59 Scotland— West Scotland 5’20 .. . +0’20 .. . —0’29 The Lothians 5’32 .. . +056 .. . -0’19 Fife 5’53 .. . +1’09 .. . -0’99 Scotland . 5’37 .. . +0’69 .. . -0’63 Ireland . 5’50 .. . +0’54 .. — United Kingdom 5’60 .. . +0 46 .. : —0’59 t In fortnight ended September 27, 1913. In Northumberland, in Durham, and in South Yorkshire employment showed a great improvement compared with a month ago, but was much worse than a year ago. In Cum- berland it continued good, and showed some improvement on both a month ago and a year ago. In West Yorkshire and in Lancashire and Cheshire it continued slack, owing to the continued depression in the cotton trade; in West Yorkshire, however, there was an improvement on a month ago. In Derbyshire it was good, and much better than a month ago. In Nottingham and Leicester it was fairly good on the whole, and much better than a month ago, but not so good as a year ago. In Staffordshire it was good, and showed some improvement on a month ago, but a decline on a year ago. In Warwick, Worcester, and Salop, and in Gloucester and Somerset it was fair, but showed a decline compared with either a month ago or a year ago. In North Wales it was very good, and better than a month ago. In South Wales and Monmouth it continued good. In West Scotland employment was fair, and better than a month ago. In the Lothians it was good, and in Fife it was slack, owing to shipping difficulties, but in both districts it was much better than a month ago. The following table shows the numbers employed and the average number of days worked, distributed according to the principal kind of coal raised at the pits at which the workpeople were engaged ’ Average Increase ( + ) or number decrease (- -) in Description of coal. of days worked Sept.1914 on a r per Month Year week.f ago. ago. Days. Days. Days. Anthracite 5’86 ... + 1’19 ... -0’82 Coking 5’59 ... tO’ll ... -0’70 Gas 5’49 ... -t-0’76 ... -0’84 House 5’46 ... + 0’28 ... -0’56 Steam .... 5’73 ... -*0’48 ... __________________________ -0’48 Mixed .... 5’53 ... + 0’47 ... -0’69 All descriptions .. .... 5’60 ... + 0’46 ... —0’59 f In fortnight ended September 27, 1913. * The figures in this article only show the number of days (allowance being made in all the calculations for short days) on which coal was hewn and wound at the collieries included in the returns received. It is not necessarily implied that all the persons employed at these collieries worked the whole number of days. INDIAN AND COLONIAL NOTES. _________________________________________________________ India. Indian Mining Association.—A meeting of the committee of the Indian Mining Association was held on August 15. In a letter of August 6, 1914, the Bailway Board expressed the understanding that the East Indian Bailway usually have a large number of wagons lying idle during part of the months of June, July, and August, and in October, November, and December. With a view to the more effi- cient use of the above railway’s stock, a proposal had been made that more coal for railways should be carried during the above-mentioned months than during the remaining portions of the year, instead of in equal monthly instal- ments as at present provided for in the coal contracts. The Bailway Board explained that this proposal lays the obli- gation on consuming railways to receive and store more coal than they require during the period of enhanced despatches, but considered that the result might tend towards a material increase in the efficiency of the arrange- ments for transporting coal. The committee’s view’s oh the proposal were accordingly invited. The committee con- sidered that the only satisfactory way out of the difficulty would be for wagons to be made available for despatching the coal as and when it is raised. In expressing this opinion, the committee agreed to inform the Bailway Board that, as a temporary measure, members would no doubt be pleased to give the proposal in question a trial. It was to be pointed out, however, that inasmuch as labour for raising coal is only available in certain months, coal would have to be stacked at the collieries on railway account for despatch in the slack season, while a further stacking by the railway would be necessitated, and this stacking and crushing is likely to affect the size and quality of the coal. A hope was also to be expressed, in the event of the proposed materialis- ing, that foreign wagons which are supplied to the East Indian Bailway will still be made available for the public, even although railway coal is not being carried in them, as the bulk of the public demand coincides with the heavy raisings months. Messrs. Macneill and Company suggested that owing to the scarcity of tonnage prevailing, due in a great measure to Government having chartered a large number of vessels for war purposes, Government might see its way in the existing circumstances to give such a rebate on coal freights to Bombay as would make it possible for seaborne coal contracts with that port to be implemented by railborne coal, without loss to the interested concerns, more , especially where urgent requirements are concerned, thus leaving the tonnage available free to serve ports which can only get their requirements by sea. The committee decided to ascertain whether the Government of India would be prepared to entertain the idea of giving a rebate on railway freights coal to Bombay for the above purposes. __________________ Africa. The following shows the exports of South African coal from various ports during the seven months ended with July .— From Short tons. Value (£). Cape Town 52,188 .. .. 60,539 Port Elizabeth 239 . 332 East London 2,567 . 2,207 1 )urban 887,189 .. .. 596,776 Other Union ports 200 .. 100 Delagoa Bay 296,623 .. 73,540 Beira, Feira and overland 29,922 .. .. 11,728 Total.......... 1,268,928 ... 745,222 The following shows the output of coal in British South Africa in August in tons of 2,000 lb. — No. of collieries producing. Total coal sold. Tons. Average value per ton at pit’s mouth. s. d. Transvaal ... 26 ... 464,490 . ... 4 6’43 (.’ape ... 9 ... 5,149 . .. 11 7’74 Orange Free State ...• 5 ... 61,965 . ... 5 4’07 Natal ... 20 ... 253,687 . .. 6 7’62 Total ... 60 ... 785,291 . The following shows the position of coal mining enter- prises in the Union as at December 31, 1913: :— . * Orange Transvaal. Cape. Free Natal. State. No. of companies ... 29 ... 2 ... 4 ... 18 Capital issued...... 4,034,301...243,395...1,102,680...2,335,789 Debentures ........ 3’1,937... — ... 350,000.. 265,125 Temporary advances 72,596 .. — ... 58,582... 162,795 Net premiums on shares............ 543,134... — ... — ... 8,063 Sundry creditors____ 122,015... 2,898... 15,368... 138,670 Outstanding credit balances.......... 1,047,248 .. 7,650 .. 42,358... 438,717 Total debit side Net book value of mining property... Estate property .. Net value of options Net value of shafts and mine develop- ment ....... Net value of equip- ment ....... Investments..... Sundry debtors .. Stores, materials, &c. Undistributed balances...... Consignment account Cash.......... Deficiency of assets... 6,141,231...253,943 1,568,988...3,349,159 2,822,816... 167,922... 309,303...1,099,179 193,765.. — ... 659,588... 37,661 5,298... 3,990... — ... 1,499 603,812... 3,917 . 32,255... 139,203 1,397,360... 48,666... 119,358 .. 953,122 75,177... 13,304... 151,622... 17,562 252,669... 6,200... 69,459... 128,459 121,150.. 5,261... 65,909... 93,767 216,156... — ... 23,565... 627,450 48... — 128... 7,805 355,138... 3,283... 4,<>80... 224,910 97,542... 1,397... 133,721... 18,536 Total credit side...... 6,141,231 ...253,943...1,568,988 3,349,159 Dividend declared... 265,212 — ... 5,525... 82,792 Australia. Our Sydney correspondent states that the Norwegian barque “ Ferm ” intended leaving Newcastle on August 5 for Caleta Colosa with 3,064 tons of coal, but was not allowed to take her departure. It is understood that the barque is chartered by a German firm, and that the ship- ment wTas consigned to a German company. Japanese Coal.—According to reports received in Sydney by the “ Nikko Maru,” which arrived from Yokohama, via ports, a big firm of Japanese coal merchants is looking for tramp vessels that can be chartered for the transportation of coal to Australian ports. Already, it is stated, several large shipments have been contracted for. The stocks on hand M the various Japanese yards are said to be very large, and a number, of mines have been partially closed. _____________________ Canada. Our Toronto correspondent says :—The adoption of more favourable railway rates and regulations in Western Canada (which went into force on September 1) will result in a large increase in the output of the Canadian Coal and Coke Company, which is now competing for the Winnipeg market and covering the field west to Prince Bupert, B.C. At the Pacific Pass Colliery, in Alberta, operated by this company, which is connected by a branch line with the Grand Trunk Pacific Bailway, development on a 12 ft. seam has reached a point where an output of at least 2,000 tons per day would be possible. The present production is 700 tons per day, but the force of 150 men will shortly be increased to 300. The coal is non-coking, but suitable for steam or domestic uses. The St. Albert Mine, Alberta, operated by the same company, has a 7^ ft. seam, which has been developed under considerable difficulties owing to the shaft becoming choked with quicksand, but the trouble has been overcome by the construction of a concrete shaft. The force of 25 men now employed will be increased during the winter as the demand warrants. The annual meeting of the Canadian Coal and Coke Com- pany Limited, the merger embracing the Pacific Pass, Lethbridge, Western, and St. Albert companies of Alberta, was held at Montreal on September 10. The report for seven months ending March 31 showed a loss of $72,225, of which $35,534 represented loss on operations, the balance being interest on a temporary loan. President H. A. Lovett reviewed the work accomplished at the mines and the difficulties experienced in financing operations, and expressed the hope that conditions would enable the business to be carried on without loss before the end of the year. The Pacific Pass, he stated, had shown a loss of $26,000, and the Western of $23,000, while the Lethbridge had realised a profit of $8,000. He pointed out that the permanent finances had yet to be arranged. A number of changes were made in the directorate, five of the old board dropping out, and seven new names being added. The new board consists of Messrs. H. A. Lovett, Hon. Bobert McKay, Hon. Nathaniel Curry, J. W. McConnell, T. H. Saunders, D. W. Campbell, B. M. Ballantyne, O. W. Donner, Wm. Dobell, John T. Boss, A. H. Cook, W. B. Boss, and H. Beverley Bobinson. __________________ New Zealand. An Auckland message says a disastrous explosion has occurred in Balph’s Coal Mine at Huntley. Twenty-one miners were rescued, some badly burned, and 21 bodies have been recovered. ____________________________ MINING AND OTHER NOTES. Information has been received from Panama that a land- slide on both sides of the Culebra Cut has interrupted all traffic in the Canal. The Simon-Carves Company Limited, Manchester, have received an order from Messrs. Bell Brothers Limited, Middlesbrough, for a complete “ British Baum” coal washing plant to deal with 50 tons of coal per hour. We understand that the whole of the apparatus in connection with the coal washing plant built by the Simon-Carves Company Limited is of British manufacture. The King’s Bench Division on the 14th inst. had before them the case of Lewis Heron and Co. against the Crown Preserved Coal Company, of Cardiff. The case, which arose out of an arbitration award, was one stated by the arbitrators, and arose out of a guarantee. The practical point was as to whether the terms of the guarantee entitled the Crown Fuel Company to sell during the coal strike to people with whom they were not under contract. For the defendants, Mr. Inskip contended that the Crown Preserved Fuel Company were entitled to conduct their business in the same way as before the strike and the stopping of the factory, and, therefore, that they acted reasonably in selling stock on the first day there was a customer for it. He submitted that they were entitled to the exceptions clause of the guarantee. The Court decided in favour of the appellants. Mr. Justice Bailhache had before him in the King’s Bench Division Commercial Court on the 15th inst. the action White v. B. Boye and Co., of West Hartlepool, in which the plaintiff, as the trustee of Carl Samuel Wahlstrand, chartered owner of the steamer “ Cairnloch,” proceeded against the defendants to recover a sum of <£240, representing eight days’ demurrage on a cargo of pit props that were carried from Uleaborg to Bo’ness. For the defendants, counsel intimated that the sole owner of their business was a Swede, who had gone to the war, and could not be called to give evidence. No evidence was called, and after a legal argument Mr. Justice Bailhache gave judgment for the plaintiff for the amount claimed, but without costs. Mr. R. W. Brock has resigned the Deputy Membership of the Federal Department of Mines, in Canada, to become Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science at the new British Columbia University. No doubt in taking this step Mr. Brock has been influenced by the consideration of the greater opportunities that will be afforded him of engaging in technical, rather than in strictly administrative work, by removal to British Columbia. His resignation is a great loss to the Department, and it will unquestionably be difficult to replace him. The United States Steel Corporation in its brief of defence in the Government dissolution suit, of which it has published a summary, shows that its proportion of the production of the country in 1901 amounted to 50'1 per cent, and that it has since been reduced to 45’7 per cent.: further, that since the formation of the corporation wages have been increased an average of 28’5 per cent, and have been reduced only once, during the depression of 1904, but were restored before the payment of dividends was resumed; also that the prices of products have been reduced an average of 8 dols. per ton since its formation : that its foreign trade in steel has increased from 290,000 tons in 1903 to 2,537,000 tons in 1912; and lastly that it controls but a small percentage of the ore resources of the country.