438 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 26, 1915. harder mineral permanently, it is advisable to change the gear wheels. In working, the haulage chain is fixed by means of a jack, as clearly shown in fig. 5, or a prop, close to the face, which has the effect of keeping the machine close in without the use of guiding props or fenders, no matter how indented or “off the straight ” the face may be. This is certainly a great advantage, as, with a fairly good roof, a clear course is obtained for handling the machine, and throwing out the holings. Another great advantage of the chain haulage is the facility with which the machine itself may be moved about into any position, under its own power ; and for this purpose another set of gears is provided, giving a ratio several times as fast as the cutting speed. Very frequently “ Sylvesters” or other tackle has to be pro- vided for moving machines provided with rope haulage. This gear is changed by means of the handle 3. The starting switch and resistance frame is contained in the case 5. The machine is compact and very strongly built, and will stand very considerable rough usage, and the protective clutch certainly prevents any serious damage being done to the motor. To show the mobility of the machine, by the aid of the haulage chain working under its own power, the diagrams in fig. 7 are interesting. They show the various positions of the machine when cutting out, at the end of the cut; being brought back to the face after' the coal has been taken off, and commencing a new cut. O O. Fig. 6.—TOp View of Sullivan Ironclad D.C. Coal-cutter, with Three Top Covers Removed. 1, handle controlling friction clutch in haulage gear; 2, friction clutch ; 3, change gear lever ; 4, handle controlling clutch to diseopneet cutter chain ; 5, case containing staiting switch and resistance. Diagrams //» 6 inclusive show method oFcutting a corner with Sullivan Ironclad Longwall Coal Cutter ft Fig. 10.—Showing Cutter Chain Construction. 6 ■ . Fig. 7. ,;.... S ' ’ 8? Fig. 8.—A “ Spiro-Turbine ” Sullivan Air-driven Ironclad. The jib is shown in position for flitting. Fig. 9.—“ Spiro-Turbinb ” Machine, with 4.1ft. Jib. All these movements are carried out simply by moving the haulage chain into suitable positions and fixing it with a jack, so as to move the machine or the jib exactly where it is wanted. As previously mentioned, the Sullivan Machinery Company make either electric or compressed - air machines, and the motors, so far as the sections are concerned, are interchangeable. Figs. 8 and 9, for instance, show two views of a compressed-air driven machine. This particular machine is fitted with the new “ spiro turbine ” air motor, which the Sullivan Machinery Company have just introduced. This machine, which has been set to work within the past few weeks in South Wales, may result in the displace- ment of the reciprocating engine. The reciprocating air engine, however, occupies exactly the same space and may be exchanged for either the electric motor or the spiro-turbine. Fig. 10 shows the construction of the cutter chain, with Sheffield steel cutters. Both the cutter boxes and connecting links are drop forgings, and, as will be seen, formed with guide ribs, and the wearing surfaces are all case-hardened. Every part of the machine is numbered, and a stock of spare parts of every description is kept in the London warehouse, so that there need be no delay due to the lack of spares, and both alternating or direct-current motors may be employed. Partnerships Dissolved.—The London Gazite announces the dissolution of the following partnerships :—R. Laidlaw, F. Thomson, and H. Nichols, wholesale ironmongers, at Cannon-street, Manchester, under the style of Laidlaw and Thomson; H. 0. Thompson and J. T. Hughes-Jones, engi- neers, at Budge-row, Cannon-street, E.C., under the style of Thompson and Hughes-Jones; C. B. Duberly and G. Boswell, motor engineers, at Norwich, under the style of ■the Eagle Motor Company. Coal Mining and Enlistment : Government Enquiry.— The Home Secretary has appointed a Committee to enquire into the conditions prevailing in the coal mining industry, with a view to securing such organisation of work and such co-operation between employers and workmen as will set free for enlistment the largest possible number of men qualified for military service without interfering with the necessary production of coal during the war. The members of the Committee are :—Sir Richard Redmayne, K.C.B., Chief Inspector of Mines (chairman), the Earl of Crawford, Mr. Vernon Hartshorn, Mr. Arthur Francis Pease, Mr. Charles Edward Rhodes, Mr. Robert Sinillie, Mr. Stephen Walsh, M.P. The secretary to the Committee is Mr. W. E. T. Hartley, one of H.M. inspectors of mines, and any communications should be sent to him at the Home Office. Manchester Coal Exchange. — The annual meeting of members took place on Tuesday, Mr. J. Parry, J.P., pre- siding. The report submitted showed that notwithstanding the present state of the country and trade generally, owing “ to this lamentable war,” the result of the year’s work- ing was satisfactory. Great regret was expressed at the death of Mr. Ralph Peters, of Astley, one of the oldest members of the institution, who has twice filled the office of president, and for many years that of treasurer. Mr. John Tomlinson, of Darwen, had been elected in his stead. The vice-president was Mr. T. Bridge, of the Tyldesley Colliery Company. The president, Mr. E. Peck, of the Ackton Hall Colliery Company, near Pontefract, took the chair on elec- tion as president, and said it was generally predicted that there would be a good trade in coal during the war, and afterwards there would be a boom. Mr. Parry, in response to a vote of thanks for his past services, referred to some excellent arbitration cases between colliery owners, merchants, and shippers during the past year, and hoped that members would take more advantage of this excellent medium, and thus save costs of proceedings in London. Judges in the High Courts did not know what was necessary for the good of the coal trade, and often gave extraordinary judgments. The voting for four vacancies on the general committee resulted as follows :—Messrs. W. H. Heath, 183; John Parry, 182; A. E. Fricker, 147; E. F. Woodcock, 133.