January 29, 1915. nnraanannatamntaMaawKnsKnKsnRxsnemnHmiMHMMm 234 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. ambition to rise to managerial rank, and it is still more pleasing that approximately one-third of these workmen were successful in their efforts. As has been already on more than one occasion pointed out, the working miner has to contend with serious obstacles in his preparation for these exami- nations, and of these the chief is the difficulty of obtaining practical experience in mine surveying. His opportunities of using surveying instruments in the mine are few, and the Board urges the educa- tional committees of county councils and other educational bodies in mining districts to take this matter up, and to provide the instruments necessary to enable the various mining classes to qualify in this subject. At the same time, the local associations of coal owners are urged to give facilities in the way of access to mines, so that students may obtain the necessary practical experience. In the meantime the Board has still further tightened the screw with regard to the qualifications for first-class certificates in respect to the production of a plan of a mine survey and levelling. The rules have hitherto been somewhat ambiguous in this particular. It has not been clearly understood that the levelling had to be performed underground, and moreover it was possible for the same plan to be submitted over and over again by an unsuccessful candidate. These points are now amended, and no plan may be submitted if it was made more than a year before the date of the examination. As for the examinations themselves, the examiners’ reports refer to certain unsatisfactory features. In some cases it is complained that the candidates show too plainly the evidence of having been coached. Of course this is inevitable under any examination system, but it is possible to eliminate its evil influence to some extent by a careful selection of examiners experienced in setting questions which are not susceptible to cramming. It is cram rather than coaching that is objectionable, and it is important to differentiate between these two methods of prepara- tion. Both coaching and cramming are arts capable of high development. Coaching in its true meaning is teaching in its narrower sense, viz., with a view to rapid and effective preparation for a particular examination; but cramming is the art of circum- venting the examiner and enabling superficial knowledge to pass as if it were thorough. If examiners are thus imposed upon, it is largely their own fault; and if this evil is too pronounced, as this report suggests in certain cases, the remedy is to be found in a more skilful framing of the questions. A more general complaint is the want of technical training, which leads to unsatisfactory results in such subjects as ventilation, surveying and machinery. Engineering drawing, even of a simple kind, is a particularly weak point, and the inability to make presentable hand sketches is pronounced. Yet it is difficult to conceive a more useful accomplishment, either from an educational or a professional stand- point, than drawing. Defects such as these are capable of gradual improvement by the simple device of increasing the number of marks allotted to these subjects. Students soon get to know what pays, and, as long as we are compelled to use examinations as tests of knowledge, they will bestow most trouble where the best return is assured. The Home Office has just issued the Accidents preliminary return of accidents under in 1914: the Mines and Quarries Acts during Highly 1914, and it may at once be said Satisfactory that they are highly satisfactory. In Figures. 1914, 1,210 men were killed by accidents below ground and on the surface at mines under the Coal Mines Act, whereas in 1913 1,753 workpeople met their death. Even when allowance is made for the abnormal loss of life in the previous year as a consequence of the disastrous explosion at Senghenydd, and the diminished employ- ment and production in mines during the latter half of 1914 are taken into consideration, the returns are still very favourable, for the deaths under every one of the main headings have declined, practically the only fly in the ointment being the returns under the head of haulage. It is a truly wonderful thing to state that (1) no deaths occurred from overwinding, and (2) only four deaths occurred from the use of electricity below ground. Our readers have only to visualise the conditions to appreciate this fact. Sir T. R. Ratcliffe- Ellis, in giving evidence before the Parliamentary Committee appointed to consider the Steam Engines and Boilers Bill in 1901, estimated that in 1900 156 million persons were lowered into and raised out of mines, and that this would involve 31 million separate windings ; to-day the figures must be much higher, for nearly a million men last year made the descent and ascent of shafts on an average of over four days per week, which, allowing 10 men per cage, would give a total of approximately 40 million journeys; that only 65 men lost their lives in the course of these operations is a remarkable testimony to the capacity of British engine-winders and to the excellence of material used in British mines, especially when we consider that not more than half the deaths can be attributed to failures of the plant or of the men operating it. The record has only been equalled once in the last 15 years—in 1905. Taking overwinds alone, the clean bill for 1914 is nothing new, for on several previous occasions the same result has been obtained, as will be seen from the following statement:— Separate fatal accidents. Deaths. 1901 3 4 1902 3 4 1903 1904 1905 3 8 1906 2 4 1907 4 6 1908 5 5 1909 3 11 1910 4 12 ' 1911 3 1912 3 4 1913 2 16 1914 .. In 10 years the total depth of shafts has increased perceptibly, many more men are employed, and probably the speed of winding has increased also. These figures for 1914 may be a reflex of the General Regulations; at any rate, we should like to think so. The low death-rate from electrical accidents is also very reassuring, in view of the alarms that are always being circulated in regard to the use of electricity below ground. Notwithstanding the rapid growth of electricity in this sphere, there is evidence that it is tending to make the mines safer rather than more dangerous. In Mr. Robert Nelson’s report for 1913, it is stated that the aggregate horse-power of electric motors in use below ground in that year amounted to no less than 371,42 If-horse power, an increase of 17-29 per cent, on the aggregate horse-power in use in 1912. In 1913, 13 fatalities occurred from electric shock below ground, a total that did not compare favourably with the figures for the two previous years, there being nine deaths from this cause in 1911 and seven in 1912. Last year only four deaths were recorded, and, assuming that only cases of shock are included —the Wharncliffe Silkstone accident is apparently entered under the head of “ explosions ”—this is considerably below the total for any previous year since 1907. In the eight years ended with *1914, 83 persons have lost their lives below ground from this cause, giving an average of nearly 8| per annum ; in the same period the use of electricity in mines has extended beyond all anticipations. In view of the high proportion of the total number of deaths that can be classified under the heading of “ falls of ground,” the decline in accidents of this nature is notable also; in 1914, 591 were killed by falls, as compared with 620 in 1913. In 1912, the total was only 567, or six less than the average for the 10 years 1903-12, but the general strike in that year may have affected the results, and in each of the three previous years the number of deaths exceeded six hundred. It is impossible to draw from the figures for a single year the desirable conclusion that the timbering rules are really proving effective, but the figures in recent years have been so disappointing that any amelioration must be welcomed. Amongst other disturbing’ factors, the Eight Hours Act has undoubtedly tended to increase the number of accidents from falls. The death-rate from accidents connected with haulage operations was less satisfactory last year, and for this the increased speed of haulage is probably responsible. Next to “ falls of ground,” this is the most prolific source of accident below the surface, accounting for about a fifth of the total number of deaths ; this year the proportion is more than a quarter, due chiefly to the low death-rate from accidents attributable to other causes. On the other hand, the increase in deaths from haulage accidents has not grown at an alarming rate, as will be seen from the following : — Number of Deaths from Haulage Accidents in Mines UNDER THE COAL MlNES ACT. Cause. o OS ; 1908. ; 1909. ■ . 1910. i 5 1912. 1913. o Average 1907-14. a. Dopes or chains breaking 9 14 14 16 21 23 8 10 14’3 b. Bun over or crushed by trams or tubs 212 183228 237 211 190 214 241 214’5 c. Other haulage acci- dents 24 26 32 33 32 26 29 34 29’5 Total 245 223274 1 I 1 286 264 239 251 285 258’3 THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, January 28. Dublin. The position is much the same as last week except that there is another advance of Is. per ton in best qualities of house coals, best Orrell now being 31s. per ton and second coal 29s., less Is. per ton discount. Quotations for other qualities are all withdrawn this week, but steam coals are about from 24s. per ton, being Is. per ton dearer ; coke, 22s. per ton delivered; house coal, retail, 2s. per sack. The demand for house coal has been exceptionally brisk owing to very wintry weather, and merchants’ stocks are con- siderably run down as the supplies coming in are totally inadequate for requirements. Irish coals at Wolfhill, Queen’s County, are :—Large coal, 21s. 8d. per ton, Is. Id. per cwt.; small coal, 20s. per ton, Is. per cwt.; nut coal, 16s. 8d. per ton, lOd. per cwt.; culm, up to 10s. per ton— all at the pit mouth; if delivered at Athy, the nearest railway connection with the mines, 4s. 3d. per ton is added to these prices in each case. The coaling vessels arriving in the port during the past week amounted to 47, as com- pared with 51 the week previously, chiefly from Garston, Partington, West Bank, Troon, Ayr, Liverpool, Ellesmere Port, Point of Aire, Whitehaven, Saundersfoot, Glasgow, Newport, Maryport, Irvine, Workington, Cardiff, Preston, Ardrossan and Swansea. The total quantity of coal dis- charged upon the quays was 18,500 tons, as against 22,650 tons the previous week. Belfast. Prices continue to rule very high, although there have been no further advances since last report, and freights are still much above the normal. There is a great scarcity of all qualities in this port, merchants’ stocks now being merely nominal. The following are current quotations:— Best Arley house coal, 32s. per ton ; Scotch house coal, 28s.; Orrell nuts, 31s.; Wigan, 30s.; Orrell slack, 28s.; best gas coke, 25s. per ton at the gasworks. Coal-laden vessels arriving during the week were chiefly from Garston, Neath Abbey, Maryport, Ardrossan, Glasgow, West Bank, Ayr, Manchester, Partington, Preston, Girvan, Troon, Silloth, Swansea, Workington and Whitehaven. Between January 1 and 16 the total number of colliers entering the harbour was 103. THE TO-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. The tone of the market is firm, and, although not a great deal of business has been placed, there is a decidedly better feeling all round. The advance in cost of production has compelled all makers to stand out for higher prices, and buyers have been desirous of covering their requirements as far as possible. Stock lots have changed hands at rather low figures, but for plates to make the following may be taken as present quotations:—Coke tins: I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 108 1b.), 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d. per box; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 lb.), 27s. 3d. to 27s. 6d. per box ; I C 28 x 20 (56 sh. 108 lb.), 14s. to 14s. 14d. per box; I C 14 x 19J (120 sh. 110 lb.), 13s. 9d. to 14s. per box ; I C 14 x 18f (124 sh. 110 lb.), 13s. 9d. to 14s. per box; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 19s. 3d. to 19s. 9d.* per box ; IC squares and odd sizes, 13s. 9d. to 14s. basis for approved specifica- tions. Charcoal tins rule firm at 16s. basis and upwards, according to tinning, and are in fair request for the cheaper grades. Coke wasters meet with a fair demand. Quota- tions firm:—C W 14 x 20, 12s. 6d. to 12s. 9d. per box; C W 28 x 20, 25s. 6d. to 25s. 9d. per box; C W 14 x 18|, 12s. 3d. to 12s. 6d. per box; C W20 x 10, 16s. to 16s. 3d. per box. Ternes are firm at round 24s. for I C 28 x 20 unassorted—all f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. With a view to husbanding the financial resources of the country, the Government now announce that no new issues of capital can be made without the approval of the Treasury. To obtain this approval, undertakings in the United Kingdom will have to be of national interest, those in the British Empire overseas will have to show urgent necessity and special circumstance. Undertakings outside the British Empire will not be approved.