December il, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1223 Specifications Suggested, The following specifications for the minimum performance of portable electric mine lamps are offered by the Bureau for discussion and criticism. The specifications consist of a statment of a lower limit to the Value of each of 11 qualifications that the Bureau believes should be considered in selecting a portable electric mine lamp. The values stated are the least suggested for the items against which they are Written. As regards item 5, not more than 5 per cent, of the bulbs are to have less than 250 hours’ fife when used with primary batteries and acid storage batteries, nor less than 170 hours’life when used with alkaline storage batteries. Suggested Specifications for Miners* Portable Electric Lamp. 1. Safety................................ .pet cent. 100 2. Intensity of fight at all times.......canule power 0'4 3. Flux of light at all times : For hand lamps .......................lumens 3'0 For cap lamps ........................ do. 1*5 4. Time of burning per charge.................hours 12 5. Average life of bulbs : For primary batteries and acid storage batteries..............„............. hours 300 For al kaline storage batt er ie ;;... do. 200 6. Variation in current consumption of bulbs....... per cent, above average 10 7. Variation in candle power of bulbs.............. per cent, below average 15 8. Average life of batteries : For primary batteries and acid storage batteries ............................hours 3,6*0 For alkaline storage batteries........ do. 7,200 9. Distribution of light. (See below). 10. Angle of reflector .......................degrees 130 11. Mechanical and electrical construction....First class. Any requirement as to the distribution of light will of course apply only to lamps that use reflectors of some kind. In the table no value is given to this qualification because an intelligible statement requires considerable space. It is clearly desirable to have a uniform distribution of light, and yet perfect distribu- tion of fight, and yet perfect distribution would entail unwarranted expense. The following requirements are suggested as reasonable and sufficient to preclude annoyingly uneven or inefficient distribution : The distribution of fight shall be determined both by observation and by photometric measurement. The lamp shall be placed 20 in. away from a plane surface that is perpendicular to the axis of the light stream of the lamp. When so placed the lamp shall illuminate a circular area not less than 7 ft. in diameter. All observations and measurements of distribution shall be referred to this 7 ft. circle, regardless of how large an area the lamp may illuminate. As observed with the eye there shall be no “ black spots” within the 7 ft. circle nor any sharply con- trasting areas of bright and faint illumination any- where. As measured photometrically the distribution of fight diametrically across the circle shall fulfil the following requirements: The average illumination (in foot candles) on the best illuminated one-tenth of the diameter shall be not more than twice the average illumination through- out the diameter, and for at least 50 per cent, of the diameter the illumination shall be not less than the average. The term reflector angle refers, of course, to the solid angle of the stream of fight. A reflector whose cone of light has an angle of 130 degs. will illuminate a circle about 7 ft. in diameter placed 20 in. away from the lamp. It is not necessary to suggest to mining men that anything for use underground should be well made. Under the head of construction should be considered simplicity of design, strength of parts and fastenings, design of moving and removable parts, and design and construction of electrical circuits and contacts. Partnerships Dissolved.—The London Gazette announces the dissolution of the following partnerships :—T. Watkins, E. Leonard, and H. F. P. Watkins, carrying on business as coal merchants at Lawrence Hill Bailway Wharf, under the style of Watkins and Leonard; R. G. Old and J. T. Youngs, carrying on business as motor and general engineers at Stoncliffe Station, Cheriton-road, Folkestone, under the style of Youngs and Old; C. E. Westoby and G. P. Rawston, carrying on business as iron and steel merchants at 224, Corn Exchange-buildings, Manchester, under the style of Westoby and Rawston. Mining Institute of Scotland.—A general meeting of the Mining Institute of Scotland will be held in the rooms of the Institute, 39, Elmbank-crescent, Glasgow, to-morrow (Saturday), at 3 p.m. Mr. James Black’s paper on “ The Rosehall Signalling Indicator ” will be discussed, as will Mr. Thomas Bryson’s paper on “ Fan Testing, with Special Reference to the Measurement of Pressure,” and Mr. J. T. Wright’s paper on “ Tests on False Links for Cut Chain Braes.” A paper on “ Modern Developments in By-Product Coking ” will be read by Mr. G. S. Cooper. The Barclay, Chambers, Somerville and Guardian visual signalling indi- cators will be exhibited and explained. Hull Coal Imports.—According to the returns of the Hull Corporation’s coal inspector (Mr. W. H. Truman), the quan- tity of coal brought into Hull during the month of November amounted to 339,266 tons—313,163 tons by rail, and 26,103 tons by river. This shows a great decrease in comparison with November of last year, when the total was 614,926 tons. The aggregate imports for the period January to November was 5,254,216 tons, as against 7,398,376 tons in 1913. Coast- wise shipments from Hull in November were 46,070 tons, the quantity for the first 11 months of the year being 667,530 tons. Export figures, exclusive of coal shipped for Admiralty purposes or for the use of the Allies’ Govern- ments, show that 185,768 tons were sent out in November, as compared with 286,612 tons in November 1913. For the period January to November the totals were 2,777,541 tons this year, and 4,058,020 tons last. MINING ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN. A meeting of the executive council of this association was held at the Whitehall Rooms, London, on Friday last, December 4, at 1.45 p.m., when there were present : The Right Hon. the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres (president), in the chair, and the following members : Messrs. Arthur F. Pease, C. C. Leach, Ridley Warham, Reginald Guthrie, Tom P. Martin, F. J. Jones, F. Parker Rhodes, W. II. Chambers, George Blake Walker, J. H. Ashton, Sir W. E. Garforth, LL.D., Marshall Nicholson, W. Hay, E. B. Whalley, C. B. Crawshaw, Roslyn Holiday, Joseph Warrington, G. H. Ashwin, H. Eustace Mitton, J. W. Fryar, G. A. Longden, Henry Stevenson, Hubert 0. Bishop, J. Mein, P. Muschamp, Ernest D. Spencer, Sir William Scott Barrett, D.L., Sir Henry Hall, I.S.O., W. H. Hewlett, Jesse Wallwork, G. H. Peace, Vincent Bramall, Tom Stone, Henry Bouchier, Ernest Douglas, J. T. Browne, G. A. Mitcheson,- William Hill, W. North Lewis, B. Nicholas, Evan Williams, Charles Kenshole, W. Gascoyne Dalziel, J. T. Forgie, W. Russell, C.B., Robert Baird, Sir Francis W. T. Brain, George E. J. McMurtrie, Stuart C. Wardell, and Sir Thomas R. Ratcliffe-Ellis, law clerk and secretary. Letters of apology for non-attendance were announced as having been received from a number of members. The Late Lord Merthyr. A vote of sympathy and condolence with the family of the late Lord Merthyr, who wras president of the association in 1882-3, was passed. The undernamed business was then dealt with, viz., colliery timber supplies; Explosions in Mines, 6th Report; Health Insurance; Unemployment Insurance (pit tubs, and South Wales cases); Coal Mines Act, 1911 (visual indicator, inspection and report under sections 64 and 65, attendance at top of shaft, section 53 (2) signalling); storage of petroleum, etc. (Order in Council); colliery power houses and Factory Act (Elec- tricity Regulations); new taxation; income-tax (rescue stations and overwinding apparatus); income-tax (pay- ments to soldiers’ families); Institute of Industry and Commerce; British Engineers’ Association; trading with the enemy, etc. LABOUR AND WAGES. South Wales and Monmouthshire. Slow progress has been made with the settlement of the banksmen’s question; nevertheless, it is progress, and to that extent satisfactory. The special committee of the Con- ciliation Board which has the matter in hand met on Tuesday to deal further with the question of hours and wages, Mr. Evan Williams presiding over the employers’ side, and Mr. George Parker over the workmen’s repre- sentatives. At three collieries the banksmen are employed throughout 24 hours, and in regard to these an agreement was arrived at. The circumstances at other collieries where banksmen are not employed throughout the whole day also came under discussion, but no decision was reached, because the workmen’s representatives were not in a position to accept or reject the proposal made by the employers. There is also the class of men, chiefly in house coal pits, whose duties are not restricted to those of banksmen; and as to these, proposals are under consideration. At Blaina, 24 workmen at the Lower Deep pit of Messrs. J. Lancaster and Company were summoned for neglecting their work and causing damage to the extent of 14s. each on October 28. It was stated, for the prosecution, that the output from the district known as Wellington-place had been unsatisfactory, and with a view to improvement, an overman—Albert Evans—was appointed. On October 27 four men saw the manager as a deputation, protesting that the men would not work under Evans, and asking that he be removed, or the men would hold a meeting at the pit top. The manager replied that the matter should have been referred to the agent. On Wednesday the majority of the men attended a meeting, and afterwards presented them- selves for work, but they were then told it was too late. The overman deposed that there had been no .complaint against him previously. For the men, it was stated that whereas in ordinary circumstances they were allowed to go down after seven o’clock, on this occasion the guillotine was put down at once. The magistrates dismissed the cases, refusing to state their grounds for so doing; and when the prosecution asked for a copy of the notes of the case, the clerk replied that no notes had been taken. North of England. A conference of representatives of 32 Durham miners’ lodges, held at Fencehouses on Saturday afternoon last, to consider the reduction of the miners’ wages by 3f per cent., unanimously passed a resolution of protest. The resolution was moved by Mr. W. Pearson, of Whitburn, who stated he would like to see the Conciliation Board abolished, and affirmed that the miners’ representatives ought to have, walked out of the board room when the reduction was brought forward. Mr. J. Stokoe, of Urpeth, seconded, and said that as the miners had sent over 35 per cent, of their number to fight for King and country, it was a disgrace to the owners to have reduced wages at present. Mr. T. Rutherford, of Seaham, supporting, said that with the collieries working short time, and the rise in the cost of living, a strike was out of the question. The executive committee of the Durham Deputies’ Mutual Aid Association has agreed to grant 10s. a week each to those members of the association who mav be thrown idle the whole of a week through the war. Should they only work two davs in any week, owing to the same cause, they will receive Is. 8d. per day per head for the remaining four days. Federated Area. The question of the introduction of steel instead of timber props into collieries was again considered at a meeting of the executive of the Yorkshire Miners' Association at Barnsley on Monday. An application from the Altofts No. 1 branch to take a ballot on the question of giving notice relative to this matter was referred to the district for settlement. Mr. Jno. Wadsworth, M.P., said though the executive had done their best to endeavour to avoid trouble at the pits whilst the country was passing through the present crisis, some coal owners and managers appeared to be determined to take advantage of the position, and enforce the use of steel props and bars in the pit, without the sanction or consideration of the men. The only outcome, was that there would be a strike at the collieries in ques- tion. The executive had asked for a meeting of the Joint Board of South and West Yorkshire to discuss the matter and ascertain whether steel props might be used with safety or advantage in certain seams. A meeting on those lines had not been held. In South Yorkshire it appeared, in regard to Wath Main, that there was going to be a stoppage, and if that occurred the responsibility would rest on the management. He still hoped that an effort would be made to find a solution acceptable to both sides. The annual meeting was fixed for the 21st inst., and it was decided there should be no alteration of rules. A request from the Grange Moor branch to take a ballot on the ques- tion of giving notice owing to grievances was referred to the branches for decision. The men at Round Green Pit were allowed to ballot on the question of giving notice owing to alleged victimisation. OBITUARY. The death is announced, at the age of 45 years, of Dr. Ralph Norman Lishman, son of the late Mr. John Lishman, owner of Durham Main Colliery. Dr. Lishman, who died at the residence of his brother, Mr. Thos. A. Lishman, manager for the Easington Coal Company Limited, at Horden Dene, Easington Colliery, was formerly well known as a full-back for the Durham City Rugby Football Club. Whilst Mr. Geo. Lambton, traffic manager at Easington Colliery, was standing on the railway near the weigh cabin on Friday of last week, he was knocked down by an engine and sustained injuries which resulted in his death the same day. It is with regret that we announce the death of Mr. Charles William Chipchase Henderson, which took place on the 3rd inst. at The Riding, Hexham. The eldest son of the late Mr. John Henderson, who represented the City of Durham in Parliament from 1864 to 1874, Mr. Henderson was 66 years of age. He was educated at Winchester School. Mr. Henderson was one of the best known men on Newcastle ’Change, being very largely interested in both the coal and iron trades. He was chair- man of the Consett Iron Company, succeeding the late Sir David Dale in that position. He was connected with a number of collieries, being managing director of the Bedlington Coal Company, and also director of the following companies:—Heworth Coal Company, Cowpen Coal Company, Consett Spanish Ore Company, San Salvador Spanish Iron Company, and the Orconera Iron Ore Company. He was also a member of the Northumberland Coal Owners’ Association. Mr. Henderson was an all-round sportsman, and for 21 years was an officer of the Northumberland Hussars. He was married to Miss Florence Hunter, daughter of the late Aid. Hunter of Newcastle, who survives him, together with one son and two daughters. The death of Mr. Thomas Ellwood occurred suddenly at his residence, 74, Duke-street, Whitehaven, on Saturday. He was well known throughout the county as an expert in mining matters, and had a thorough knowledge of all the pits in Whitehaven and district. He held a mine manager’s certificate, and had filled appointments as mine manager at Dear ham, Wrexham (Wales), and at Workington. He was one of the jury at the Wellington pit disaster enquiry at Whitehaven. Deceased, who was 69 years of age, leaves a widow and a grown-up family. The death has occurred, suddenly, at his residence at Whickham, near Newcastle, of Mr. William Hall, secretary to Messrs. Smith, Patterson and Co. Limited, ironfounders and engineers, Blay don Haughs. The death took place on Saturday last, of Lady Armstrong, the wife of Lord Armstrong. The Housing of Engineering and Technological Societies in Manchester.—In connection with the proposal to establish in Manchester a common meeting place for all the local engineering and technological societies, the following letter was read by the president of the Manchester Geological and Mining Society (Mr. L. Fletcher) at the meeting held on Tuesday last :—“ Dear sir,—Pursuant to the resolution passed at the conference of representatives of the engineering and technological societies in Manchester, held at the invitation of Sir Thomas Holland on May 1, the provisional organising committee then appointed considered a scheme of co-opeiation between the societies for the purpose of providing a common meeting room and reference library, aud prepared a circular letter setting out their proposals. Owing to the country becoming involved in war, I was instructed to withhold this circular, and now having been able to consult Sir Thomas Holland and Dr. Edward Hopkinson (who acted as chairman in the former’s absence), I am requested to say that they consider a scheme of this sort cannot and ought_ not to be pursued at the present time, when the energies and efforts of so many of those interested are fully absorbed in more urgent work.” The letter was signed by Mr. W. T. Anderson, the hon. secretary of the provisional organising committee. At the conference held in the rooms of the Manchester Geological and Mining Society on May 1, the following societies were represented : The Institution of Electrical Engineers, Manchester Asso- ciation of Engineers, Manchester Association of Students of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Society of Chemical Industry, Association of Mining Electrical Engineers, Manchester District Engineering Employers’ Association, the Junior Institution of Engineers, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Manchester Geological and Mining Society, the Engineers' Club, the Textile Institute, and the Institution of Gas Engineers. At that meeting a provisional organising committee was formed, and at the time of the outbreak of hostilities on the Continent consider- able progress had been made with a scheme which it was intended to submit to the various societies interested. Under the circumstances, however, it was thought advisable to leave the matter over until after the conclusion of the war.