February 26, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

455

disease. Per the year 1914 they had had none. What they
did was to keep several spare lamps, so that when they saw
a workman whom they were suspicious of suffering from or
developing nystagmus, they gave him an electric lamp. The
chief disadvantage was the impossibility of making tests
for gas, and should those responsible for doing this become
perfunctory in the discharge of their duties, serious circum-
stances might arise.

The North Staffordshire colliery workers have contributed
a total of £10,200 to the National War Relief Fund, and
the levies are still being made.

There is no relief yet in the difficulties with which coal
consumers are fenced round in the Midlands respecting
supplies of alike domestic and steam fuel. The sharp frosts,
accompanied by falls of snow, experienced in the middle of
this week, have made the position of householders previously
suffering from inability to secure deliveries increasingly
acute, while the ironworks are unable to report any addi-
tion to the previously much under-sized deliveries. House-
holders in the Cannock Chase district state that for some
small and very inferior kitchen coals before the war were
being delivered by the factors at 8s. 6d. per ton; the price
has now advanced to as much as 15s.; and on an average
prices since the outbreak of hostilities have been raised at
least 4s. per ton in the Cannock Chase district, while at
the Warwickshire collieries the advance has ’been more. As
an illustration of the difficulties in which some of the coal
masters find themselves at date with their contracts, it may
be mentioned that within the past few days some of the
public institutions in the Stourbridge district of East
Worcestershire have been approached by their contractors
asking for an addition on contract prices. In the case of
some institutions sanction is now being sought by manage-
ment committees from the Local Government Board to pay
an extra amount, while in other cases contractors’ applica-
tions have been deferred until the end of March. Some of
the large collieries on Cannock Chase, notwithstanding the
shortage of labour, are at present drawing 800 to 1,000 tons
per day, while prices are quoted 18s. to 20s. at the pits for
large house coal, 16s. for ironworks mill furnace coal,
14s. 6d. for ironworks forge coal, 9s. to 10s. for screenings,
and 9s. for rough slack. At a meeting of the Walsall
Chamber of Commerce this week, complaint was made that
unless something was done to check the increases some
of the factories might have to close.

Kent.

The Shakespeare Colliery (Kent Collieries Limited) at
Dover has now commenced coal getting from the Two-foot
seam, in which the two shafts have been connected. Sinkers
have also been engaged for carrying the shafts down to the
Four-foot seam.

Excellent prices are now being obtained for the coal from
the Beresford seam at Snowdown Colliery, which is fetching
as much as 22s. per ton at pit’s mouth. This colliery is
now raising about 3,000 tons weekly.

A presentation of a silver tea service and tray, the latter
suitably inscribed, has been made to Mr. J. W. Steele, who
for several years past had been manager at Snowdown
Colliery, and has severed his connection with the colliery to
go north again. He is succeeded at Snowdown by Mr. H.
j. Wroe, who managed Tilmanstone Colliery for some years.

In response to an invitation bv Mr. John Scott, J.P., and
Mr. Henry Hayward, J.P., shareholders in Dover and
district of the Kent Coal Concessions and allied companies,
met in good numbers at Dover Institute Hall to consider
the question of raising the further necessary funds, and
very satisfactory results accrued as a result of the meeting.

Scotland.

Mr. Adam Nimmo on the Work of Conciliation Boards—Coal
Trade Benevolent Fund—Gas Companies and the Eight
Hours Act — Explosion at a Bo'ness Pit

Mr. Adam Nimmo, chairman of the Scottish Coal Trade
Conciliation Board, lectured on Wednesday, the 10th inst.,
to the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow, on “ The
Working of Conciliation Boards in the Coal Trade, with
Special Reference to Scotland.” The lecturer said that
within the limits in which the Boards might be expected to
work with reasonable satisfaction, their history would show
that they had on the whole performed an important service
to the industry and to the whole community. They had had
an educative influence on the views held both by employers
and workmen; they had assisted in promoting a better
understanding between parties; they had prevented sudden
and serious dislocation of trade; they had afforded informa-
tion and data upon which a reasoned and equitable judg-
ment could be formed on both sides; and generally they
had had a steadying effect upon the whole industry. In the
Scottish Board a large proportion of the alterations in
wages had been arrived at by the decision of neutral
chairmen, and he was inclined to think that it was the
result of national characteristics that questions of wages
were fought with greater tenacity in Scotland than in any
other part of the United Kingdom. The recurring difficul-
ties that arose centred always round the minimum wage
and the equivalent selling price. These were by far the
two most important factors in the general wages question,
and as they represented essentially divergent interests, it
seemed impossible that any lasting reconciliation could take
place in dealing with them. In Mr. Nimmo’s view, the out-
look and policy of trades unionism in the coal trade was
inconsistent with any ultimate solution of labour disputes,
and as neither employers nor workmen had as yet agreed to
submit all the questions surrounding the minimum wage
and the corresponding basis price to arbitration, there was
no final authority as yet established by means of which
strikes could be arrested, and a statutory compulsory Arbi-
tration Act appeared to be a remote contingency. The
nationalisation of mines would not supply a solution, as this
appeared to be advocated more to secure higher wages and
better conditions of employment than to benefit the whole
industrial community. Attempts at conciliation by Govern-
ment intervention had done good in many cases, but on the
whole employers were shy of such intervention. It gener-
ally ended in compromises to their prejudice, as labour
generally stood solid against concession. While, in the
opinion of Mr. Nimmo, Conciliation Boards do not supply
any ultimate and permanent solution of the problems
arising between capital and labour, they still fill a most
important place and exercise a beneficial function in very
many of these problems, and ought to be used, as far as
they" will go, in furthering the cause of harmony between
interests so vital to the well-being of the country.

The annual general meeting of the Coal Trade Benevolent
Association of Scotland was held recently at Glasgow, Mr.
John Gemmell, the president, in the chair. The directors’
report shows that the income for the year amounted to £246,
and the expenditure to £42, leaving a surplus of £203,
which falls to be carried to capital account. The sum of
£40 was paid in grants. At the end of last year the mem-
bership numbered 311, an increase of 18. The total capital
of the association now amounts to £6,589. Mr. James
Moffat was appointed president, and Mr. G. K. Goalen and
Mr. John Bollock were re-elected bon. secretary and hon.
treasurer respectively.

At a private conference of representatives of the Corpora-
tions of Glasgow, Dundee, and Aberdeen, and of the
Edinburgh and Leith Gas Commissioners, held in Glasgow,
the question of the short delivery of coals to gas works
throughout Scotland was again under consideration last
week. The town clerk of Glasgow (Mr. John Lindsay)
reported that, as instructed at the previous conference on
January 20, he had written to the principal gas undertakings
in Scotland, and communicated to them the resolution passed
at that conference. The resolution proposed that section 4
of the Mines Regulation Act, 1908, be put in operation so
as to allow the miners to work more than eight hours per
day. Mr. Lindsay submitted replies which he had received
from 23 gas authorities approving of that resolution. These
authorities represent 650,000 consumers, and carbonise
1,530,000 tons of coal per annum. The following resolution
was adopted :—“ That this conference of gas authorities
in Scotland, having considered the replies received from the
various authorities, and the seriousness of the position
created by the inadequate supplies of coal, further resolve
to ask the Prime Minister to take immediate steps to provide
proper facilities for railway transport in any manner that
may be practicable.” Mr. Lindsay has communicated this
resolution to Mr. Asquith, with the request that he would
receive a deputation in support of it.

About 7.30 on Wednesday morning, the 17th inst., a
serious explosion occurred in No. 2 Pit, Grangepans, belong-
ing to the Bridgeness Coal Company Limited, Bo’ness, by
which five miners were injured, one of whom has since died.
The men were driving a stone mine from the pit bottom to
the smithy coal, and before commencing operations for the
day the pit was duly inspected by the official fireman,. Robt.
Smellie, who reported that the mine was free of noxious or
inflammable gases. Soon after the men had started a
violent explosion occurred. The place was plunged in
darkness, and the men crawled and groped their way to the
pit bottom.

Prof. McLean, of the Royal Technical College, Glasgow,
has consented to act as examiner in connection with the
examinations for certificates of proficiency to be held under
the auspices of the two Scottish branches of the. Association
of Mining Electrical Engineers. The examinations will be
held in the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, on Saturdays,
March 13 and 20.

It has been arranged to hold a joint meeting of the
Scottish branches of the National Association of Colliery
Managers and the Association of Mining Electrical Engi-
neers on Friday, March 19, when a paper will be read on
” The Use and Abuse of Oils.”

Mr. Matthew Brown, general manager of the Banknock
Coal Company, who has been appointed to a similar posi-
tion with the Shotts Iron Company, is well known in mining
and electrical circles throughout Scotland. For two years
he was president of the West of Scotland branch of the
Association of Mining Electrical Engineers.

Sheriff-Substitute Pitman has issued his interlocutor in
regard to an action raised under the Workmen’s Compen-
sation Act. Francis M‘Kenna, brusher, sued the Niddrie
and Benhar Coal Company Limited for compensation for
injuries sustained on August 7. Pursuer’s case was that
having placed two shots by his working place, he fired one,
and was returning, after the first shot had gone off, to
ignite the second shot, when it went off accidentally and
injured him. He did not know how 'the second shot became
ignited, but it might be explained in two ways, by a spark
from the first shot dropping on to the fuse of the second,
or by dislodged material exerting pressure on the cap of
the second shot. Defenders held that the injuries did not
arise out of the pursuer’s employment, but were the result
of the risk undertaken by him, which was not incidental to
his employment. After the first shot had been fired, pursuer
returned to his place within one hour after the first shot
had exploded, in breach of Rule 3 (a) of the Explosives in
Coal Mines Order. They contended that the injuries had
not resulted in permanent disablement, and were the result
of wilful misconduct. The Sheriff took this view, and
found that the pursuer was not entitled to compensation
under the Act.

St. Helens Colliery and Brickworks Company Limited.—
The directors have declared an interim dividend on the ordi-
nary shares at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum for the
half-year ended December 31 last.

North’s Navigation Collieries Company Limited. — The
directors recommend a final dividend at the rate of 6 per
cent, per annum on the ordinary shares, making 8 per cent,
for the past year.

Canadian Mining Institute.—The 17th annual meeting of
the institute will be held in Toronto on Wednesday, Thurs-
day, and Friday, March 3, 4, and 5, 1915. Among others
the following papers will be presented for discussion :—
“ Safety Engineering at the Canadian Copper Company’s
Works and Mines, Copper Cliff, Ontario,” by Mr. E. T.
Corkill, Copper Cliff, Ontario; “ The Economic Possibilities
of the Yukon,” by Mr. D. D. Cairnes, Ottawa, Ontario;
“ The Smelting of Titaniferous Ores in the Blastfurnace,”
by Mr. Bradley Stoughton, New York City; “ The Oxygen
Torch,” by Mr. David H. Browne, New York City;
“ Certain Canadian Minerals for which a Demand has been
Created as a Result of the War,” by Mr. R. A. A. Johnston,
Ottawa, Ontario; “ Some Notes on Modern Hoisting
Machinery,” by Mr. J. B. Porter, Montreal, Quebec;
“ Some Recent Developments in Metallurgy,” by Mr. A.
Stansfield, Montreal, Quebec; “The Conservation of our
Mineral Resources,” by Mr. F. D. Adams, Montreal,
Quebec; “ The Alberta Oil Fields,” by Mr. D. B. Dowling,
Ottawa, Ontario.

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

Now that the coal markets of the country are beginning
to show greater activity, and to seek to recover some of that
trade which has been withheld, and some of that profit which
has been a minus quantity in recent months, the shipowners,
with supreme indifference to the national interests when
these are at variance with their own opportunities for trade
exploitation, have “ taken the top off ” the freight market
once more, and, especially on the north-east coast, are
demanding higher rates than ever. The Tyne rate for
coasting ports is now up to 15s. 6d. to London, actually
done, with 17s. 6d. asked, as against from 13s. to 14s. last
week. Even a “ C.T.” vessel, one of the much-vaunted
fleet which, according to Mr. Asquith, was to pull down
coasting freights, has been chartered at 13s., an advance
of 2s. on the highest previous price for such a boat. North
France is advanced to fully 23s. to Rouen, as compared
with from 19s. 6d. to 21s. The Bay has Bordeaux at 30s.,
as against from 24s. to 30s. The Mediterranean is repre-
sented by from 40s. to 44s. to Genoa, as against a top rate
of 40s. The comparison of South Wales freights is by no
means so unfavourable, from the shippers’ point of view.
The North French and Bay ports are no dearer. Indeed,
rates in the latter direction are inclined to weaken. The
Mediterranean has advanced, but the increase is quite slight.
The River Plate is inclined to stiffen in quotation, but here
again the increase is nothing alarming. The volume of
business done from South Wales ports during the week has
been very considerable, and at the time of writing there
are said to be over 300 vessels awaiting cargoes at Cardiff,
Barry, and Penarth, and the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce
has passed a resolution asking the dock authorities to keep
the tips working at their utmost capacity.

Homewards, the rice ports are firm, at 70s. done for a large
vessel from Rangoon to United Kingdom. Eastern markets,
generally, are hardening. The North Pacific is dearer, at
fully 70s., and rates offered at Vladivostock are too low to
attract tonnage. The nitrate ports are firm at 70s. to
United Kingdom. The East Indies are dearer at 45s. net
paid from Kurrachee to p.p. United Kingdom for May-June
loading, whilst Bombay, too, indicates a material advance.
Mediterranean ports are steady, but Eastern business is
preferred by tonnage owners where possible. America is
rather quiet, but grain rates tend to harden. Cotton
freights are steady to Liverpool, and firm to Havre, but the
demand is not great. Some deal rates are stated to have
been arranged at rates favouring charterers. The River
Plate is rather quiet, but full rates are being paid for
summer loading.

Tyne to Algiers, 2,600, 32s. fid.; 4,000, 30s.; Bayonne,

1.500,	32s. fid.; 2,400, 32s.; Boucan, 3,000, 32s. 6d.; 1,500,
32s. fid.; 2,400, 32s.; 2,400, 24s. fid.; Barletta, 2,700, 45s.;
Bordeaux, 3,000, 30s.; 2,400, 30s.; 5,000, 25s., backward
position; Cannes, 2,500, 40s.; Genoa, 2,500, 40s.; 3,000,
40s.; 1,800, 43s., 42s. 6d.; 6,000, 41s. 6d.; 1,100, 43s.; 6,500,
41s. 6d.; 2,800, 42s. 6d.; 5,000, 44s.; Havre, 2,100, 21s.;
Las Palmas, 2,100, 25s.; 1,800, 26s.; 8,000, 23s.; London,
3,000, Ils., coasting trader; 2,600, 14s.; 2,600, 14s. 3d.,
from Dunston; 3,100, 15s. 6d.; 2,000, 13s., C.T.; Lisbon,

1.200,	25s.; Madeira, 2,400, 24s. 6d.; 2,100, 25s.; Naples,

5.300,	39s. 6d.; Oran, 2,000, 27s.; Porto Ferrajo, 6,300,
40s.; Rouen, 3,500, 21s. 6d.; 1,500, 23s.; Rochefort, 3,200,
30s.; Savona, 5,000, 44s.; Spezzia, 2,800, 40s.; 5,000, 44s.;
Solvesborg, 1,600, 19s.; St. Nazaire, 2,500, 30s.

Cardiff to Algiers, 1,900, 28 fr.; 3,000, 30 fr.; Aden, 8,000,
30s., March, German prize ship; 5,000, 30s., March; Brest,
1,800, 12s.; Bordeaux, 1,900, 19|fr., free brokerage, 1,350,
20Jfr.; Bayonne, 950, 22 fr.; 1,650, 22 fr.; Boucan, 1,600,
22 fr.; Barcelona, 1,500, 26s. 6d.; 1,200, 26s. 6d., 1896 tax
clause; 2,000, 27s., March 3; Campana, 3,300, 24s. 6d.;
Cadiz, 750, 20s. 6d.; Cape Verds, 2,100, 22s. 6d.; Colombo,
30s., German prize ship; Caen, 1,250, 15s.; 1,900, 14s. 9d.;
Civita Vecchia, 2,700, 33s.; Concepcion (Uruguay), sail,
25s.; Dieppe, 1,600, 14s. 3d.; Granville, 750, 13s.; Genoa,

4.400,	32s., 500; 5,000, 33s.; 3,400, 33s. ; 2,700, 33s.; 1,300,
32s. 6d.; 2,550, 32s. 6d.; 5,900, 33s.; 4,000, 33s.; 5,500,
32s.; 4,500, 33s.; Gibraltar, 2,000, 21s.; 2,700, 20s. 6d., 500;
Havre, 1,250, 14s. 3d.; 1,350, 14s. 6d.; Honfleur, 600, 15s.;

1.900,	14s. 9d.; Huelva, 1,300, 22s.; Leghorn, 4,400, 32s.,
500; 5,000, 31s. 6d., 800; 3,400, 33s.; 3,400, 31s.; 3,400,
30s. 6d., 800; 1,300, 32s. 6d.; 2,550, 32s. 6d.; 5,900, 31s. 6d.,
800; Lisbon, 800, 19s., 350; 1,850, 19s., 350; 2,600, 19s.,
400; Licata, 1,800, 34s. 6d.; Las Palmas, 1,450, 20s. 6d.;
Naples, 5,000, 31s. 6d., 800; 3,400, 30s. 6d., 800; 5,900,
31s. 6d., 800; Nantes, 1,600-2,000, 19| fr.; Oran, 2,000,
28 fr., 500; 1,300, 28J fr.; 1,300, 28 fr., 400; Port Said,

6.500,	30s.; River Plate, 4,600, 24s. 6d., end month; 4,000,
25s., early March; Rosario, 3,300, 25s.; Rouen, 1,200,
15s. lOJd.; 2,000, 16s.; 1,350, 16s.; St. Servan, 700, 12s.;
St. Paul de Loanda, sail, 2,000, 27s., March; Seville, 1,350,
21s.; Savona, 5,000, 33s.; 3,400, 33s.; 2,550, 32s. 6d.;

5.900,	33s.; Spezzia, 5,000, 33s.; 3,400, 33s.; 2,550,
32s. 6d.; 5,900, 33s.; St. Nazaire, 1,800, 19 fr., 500; 1,350,
19J fr.; Tarragona, 1,250, 26s.; Valencia, 1,100, 25s.;

2.200,	24s. fid.; 1,200, 25s. 6d., 189fi tax clause; Villa
Constitucion, 3,300, 24s. 6d.; Venice, 4,500, 41s. 3d., early
March.

Swansea to Rouen, 1,400, 16s.; 1,400, 16s. 6d.; 2,100,
16s.; 3,200, 16s. 3d.; Caen, 900, 15s.; Calais, 680, 17s. 3d.;
Bordeaux, 1,700, 20 fr.; 2,600, 21 fr., fuel; La Pallice,

1.900,	19| fr.; Licata, 1,800, 34s.; Naples, 3,000, 31s., 800,
lOd.; Torre Annunziata, 3,000, 31s., 800, lOd.; Huelva,

1.300,	22s.; Boulogne, 1,100, 16s. 9d., fuel; Nantes, 1,800,
20 fr.; St. Servan, 700, 12s.; Dieppe, 1,050, 15s.; St. Malo,
750, 12s. 6d.; 1,250, 12s. 6d.; Belfast, 450, 8s.; Guernsey,
580, 13s.; Havre, 1,200, 14s. 6d.; Civita Vecchia, 2,800,
33s. 9d., fuel; Tarragona, 1,250, 26s.; Venice, 3,700, 41s.,
coal, 41s. 9d. fuel; St. Nazaire, 3,200, 19| fr.; Marseilles,

2.400,	33 fr.

Newport to Gibraltar, 1,500, 20s. 6d.; 1,100, 21s.;
Valencia, 1,100, 25s.; Genoa, 3,200, 33s.; Spezzia, 3,200,
33s.; Savona, 3,200, 33s.; Leghorn, 3,200, 33s.; Rouen,
900, 16s.; Naples, 5,400, 30s. 6d.; 1,000, 31s., 800; Torre
Annunziata, 5,400, 30s. 6d.; 1,000, 31s., 800; Nantes,
1,600, 19 fr.

Hull to Rouen, 4,500, 20s.; 21s.; London, 1,350, 12s. 6d.;
Reykjavik, 1,150, 35s.; 1,500, 31s. 6d.; 1,000, 32s. 6d.

Immingham to London, 870, Ils. 9d.

Wales to Concepcion del Uruguay, sail, 25s.

Clyde to Valparaiso, sail, 31s. 6d., coke.

Port Talbot to St. Malo, 750, 12s. fid.; Bordeaux, 2,300,
20J fr.

Wear to Havre, 1,700, 20s. 6d. ; Bordeaux, 3,200, 30s.

Blyth to London, 3,000, 13s. 9d.

Goole to Torquay, 800, p.t.