1034 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 14, 1915. had called in Sir Henry Hall,;I.S.O., formerly inspector of mines for South Lancashire and North Wales, and Prof. J. Cadman, D.Sc., formerly one of H.M. inspectors of mines, now Professor of Mining at the University of Birmingham. These two gentlemen had made an inspection of the colliery, and their report concerning the safety of working the Beresford 5 ft. seam, and the colliery’s prospects, was of a very satisfactory character. They stated the production could be easily raised to 3,000 tons per week, and on this ratio a substantial profit would be earned, notwithstanding existing he'avy charges for pumping. The committee put for- ward a financial scheme, by which the interest on the present debentures would be reduced to 6 per cent., the accrued interest to December 31 next being cancelled. They propose to raise £150,000 second 6 per cent, debentures, of which only £75,000 would now be’called, and it was estimated that £12,000 would put the colliery into working order for an output of 3,000 to 4,000 tons a week. The scheme was unanimously adopted. Scotland. Fire at a Dysart Colliery — Ambulance Competition in the Lothians. The Erances and Lady Blanche pits at Dysart, belonging to the Earl of Rosslyn’s group of collieries, are still idle, owing, to the fire which is raging in the ‘ ‘ Old Thirteen ’ ’ seam, on a road practically midway between both pits. The burning seam is a large one, and has been blazing for over a month. The miners were face to face with a stiff problem when the conflagration commenced, but were successful last week in building round the seam and cutting off all air currents.. The task is a dangerous one, but although one or two of the men were overcome with the fumes and steam,' none were seriously affected. The presence of blackdamp makes it impossible for the miners to resume work in the Frances pit, and some 200 men are out of employment. Many, however, have been engaged in building off the fire, batches of 50 working for an hour or two at a time. A hole is presently being bored from the surface to the seat of the fire. Thereafter a hose pipe will be inserted and Water pumped on to the burning coal. By this means the management are confident they will be. able to subdue the fire in course of time. The employees of the Banknock Coal Company Limited, and a number of personal and business friends met at Bonnybridge recently to do honour to Mr. Matthew Brown, on the occasion of his leaving the Banknock Coal Company Limited to take up the duties of general manager to the Shotts Iron Company Limited. During the evening Mr. Brown was presented with a sectional bookcase, and Mrs. Brown with a diamond pendant. Mr. Brown took up his new duties on . the 1st inst. The annual competition for the shield presented to the Lothian Mine 'Workers’ Ambulance League by Lord Murray of Elibank took, place at Edinburgh on the 1st inst. The competition consisted of three parts :—(1) Practical demonstration of first-aid; (2) transport; and (3) oral examination. The teams competing were as follow :— Woodmuir Colliery, Blackrigg Colliery, Lady Victoria Mine No. 1 and No. 2 teams, Arniston Colliery, Beddochhill Mine, Bankton, Loganlea Colliery, and Preston Links Colliery. The arrangements for the competition were carried through by Mr. Alexander Morrison, C.A., secretary to the Edin- burgh Committee of the St. Andrew’s Ambulance Associa- tion, in conjunction with Mr. Robert Brown, secretary of the Lothian Mine Workers’ Ambulance League. The competi- tion was won by Arniston Colliery, with the following team : Hugh Cameron, George Milligan, Joseph Brown, William Duncan, and John Irvine. The number of marks scored was 212 put of a possible 300. Preston Links was second with 208 marks, and third and fourth places respectively were taken by Bankton with 200 marks, and Lady Victoria No. 1 with 196} marks. Lord Murray of Elibank was present, and handed over the shield to the successful team. His lordship, in the course of an address, said he was glad to hear, although not surprised, that so many miners of the Lothians had joined the Forces, and he was particularly gratified that so many had joined the R.A.M.C., following upon the instruction and experience which they obtained from their training in dealing with accidents in the mines. He understood 133 of the Lothians miners had joined the R.A.M.C. All present who had been interesting themselves in the competition were serving a double purpose. They were training themselves to help their comrades in the daily vocations, and they were also training themselves to help their country in the hour of need. _________________________ Exports and Imports of Mining Machinery.—The values of imports and exports of mining machinery during April were as follow :— April. Jan.-April. "1914. 1915? ?914. 1915? £ <£ £ £ Imports .......... 9,160 ... 9,037 ... 36,996 ... 28,260 Exports .......... 66,677 ... 47,304 .. 338,565 ...178,204 These figures are not inclusive of prime movers or electrical machinery. According to destination, the value of exports was as under April. Jan.-April. A A 1914. 1915. 1914. 1915. To— £ £ £ £ Countries in Europe 127,930... 14,575...340,375... 37,820 United States of America.. — — ... 122... 23 Countries in S. America ... 5,944... 3,425... 19,006... 8,020 British South Africa 2,700... 3,737... 15,780... 11,595 ,, East Indies 3,481... 2,851... 18,050 15,824 Australia , 514... 5,354... 7,880... 8,658 New Zealand 764... 182... 2,732... 916 Other countries 13,890... 5,460... 49,475... 14,791 The following shows the exports of prime movers other than electrical :— April. Jan.-April. _______ 1914. 1915. 1914. 1915. All prime movers (except £ £ £ £ electrical)— Rail locomotives...........;.221,154...146,830..!,445,826...905,843 Pumping ............... 48,520... 78,505 192,173...195,176 Winding................. 3,552... 40... 11,990... 2,537 THE FREIGHT MARKET. Business in the outward freight market was considerably •iinpeded during much of the week under review by the uncertainty which prevailed as to the outcome of the Government Order prohibiting the export of coal and coke to neutral countries on and after May 13, excepting under licence. However, very substantial assurances have been forthcoming that the trade shall be as little upset as is consistent with the authorities’ intention of conserving the coal supplies, under present circumstances, for the use of our Allies and ourselves, and, that being so, the market is a little brighter at the time of writing. On the north-east coast tonnage has been in large supply, relative to the demand, and the tone of the market is decidedly easier.. Coasting business is now based on about 7s. to London from the Tyne, a decrease of 6d. on the week. North France is represented by 15s. to Rouen, a decline of 2s. The Bay has gone back to 15s. to Bilbao, a very substantial fall. The Mediterranean is listed at 25s. to Genoa, a decrease of fully 5s. on last week’s figures. At South Wales a general decline is reported. The market is active, but owing to uncer- tainty with reference to exportation, chartering has been almost entirely confined during the last few days, to business for British Possessions and French ports. Tonnage is offering in large quantities. Other outward business is based on the conditions obtaining at these two shipping centres. Homeward business is rather slow, generally speaking. The North Pacific is very dull, and rates are nominal in the absence of enquiry. Nitrate ports are firm, and there is some demand for tonnage at about 90s. to United Kingdom. Java has paid 80s. to France for August, and 82s. 6d. to 85s. to Mediterranean or United Kingdom for June-July. The rice ports are very steady, at about 80s. from Burmah to United Kingdom. The East Indies are inactive, excepting from Kurrachee, which continues to book tonnage freely at 50s. net for wheat, Government terms. The Mediterranean ports are slow, with Alexandria quoted at 25s. for cotton seed to United Kingdom. America is very quiet, with little doing in any trade, excepting for coals for the Argentine and the Mediterranean. Cotton freights are at a standstill, with rates nominally unaltered. Coal pays 45s. to West Italy, and from 36s. 6d. to 37s. 6d. to the River Plate. Grain is dull, excepting for some enquiry from Montreal, at up to 8s. 4}d. heavy to West Britain. Lumber from the Gulf to United Kingdom is quoted at about 239s. Deals are slow, with shippers hesitating to pay owners’ ideas of current rates. The River Plate is inanimate for early loading, but with a fair demand for June-July at about 70s. up river. Tyne to Algiers, 2,700, 22s.; 3,000, 20s., reported; Bor- deaux, 4,200, 18s.; Boulogne, 600, 17s.;' Bilbao, 2,750, 15s..; Cherbourg, 850, 16s.; Cape Verdes, 2,200, 25s.; Civita Vecchia, 3,800, 30s.; 3,200, 30s.; Caen, 1,000, 17s.; Genoa, 2,800, 30s.; Gibraltar, 2,700, 18s.; 2,500, 17s. 9d.; 2,500, 19s.; Havre, 2,500, 15s.; 1,600, 15s.; 1,500, 14s. 6d.; Las Palmas, 4,200, 23s.; 1,900, 23s.; London, 1,650, 7s.; Leg- horn, 3,500, 25s.; Marseilles, 3,000, 24s.; Oran, 2,800, 18s.; Port Said, 4,600, 25s.; Rouen, 2,100, 16s. 6d.; 1,600, 16s. 9d.; 1,800, 16s.; 3,500, 15s.; 2,500, 15s. fid.; 1,900, 15 s.; Rochefort, 1,600, 19s. 3d.; St. Servan, 1,200, 16s.; 1,550, 16s. 6d.; Treport, 1,600, 19s. Cardiff to Algiers, 2,000, 26 fr.; 1,800, 25 fr.; 2,600, 22 fr.; 2.900, 21 fr.; Aden, 4,700, 30s., P. and O. terms, mid June- mid July; 5,250, 30s., May 25; Barcelona, 2,000, 27s. 6d.; Bordeaux, 20 fr.; 2,800, 20} fr.; 3,400, 19 fr.; 950, 20 fr.; Chantenay, 1,900, 18 fr.; Caen, 1,100, 10s.; Dartmouth, 400, 7s. 6d.; Genoa, 3,000, 26s. 3d.; Guernsey, 300, 9s.; Gibraltar, 1,800, 17 s., May 17; Granville, 520, 10s.; Havre, 1,050, 10s. 9d.; 1,100, 10s.; Honfleur, 750, 10s.; Marseilles, 3,300, 30 fr.; 3,,300, 22 fr.; Monte Video, 4,000, 26s.; Malta, 3.300, 20s., May 17; Naples, 3,500, 27s., 500, lOd.; Nantes, 1.900, 18 fr.; 950, 15 fr.; 2,300, 14} fr., free brokerage; 2.300, 14f fr.; Palermo, 3,500, 27s., 500, lOd.; Rouen, 1,000, 14s1.; 1,600, 14s.; 3,000, 13s.; 750, 12s.; Rio de Janeiro, 4,400, 28s., 300; River Plate, 5,000, 26s., May 24; 4,000, 26s.; Spezzia, 3,000, 26s. 3d.; St. Nazaire, 18} fr., free brokerage, May; 2,300, 18 fr.; 2,800, 14f fr.; 3,100, 14|fr., May 18; Santa Liberata, 33s., 600, May; Trouville, 680, 10s. Swansea to Bordeaux, 1,800, 21 fr.; 1,300, 21 fr. coal, 21} fr. fuel; Barcelona, 1,650, 28s.; Dieppe, 600, 14s. 6d., voyages; Havre, 1,000, 13s.; 480, 13s., free in and out; Rouen, 800, 12s. 9d., May 17; 1,200, 12s. 3d.; 1,350, 13s. 6d.; 1,800, 14s. 3d.; 1,250, 15s., consecutive voyages from mid May to end Dec. ; 780, 14s. 3d. : 1,450, 13s. 3d.; 1,600, 15s., June-Dec.; 850, 13s. 6d.; 1,350, 13s. l}d.; St. Nazaire, 1,850, 17s. . 6d.; 1,900, 17 fr.; Honfleur, 730, 12s. 9d.; Guernsey, 320, 9s.; St. Malo, 780, Ils. 6d.; Caen, 730, 12s. 9d.; St. Servan, 700, 11s.; Trouville, 700, 11s. 6d.; Boulogne, 1,400, 12s. 6d. coal, 13s. fuel. Wear to Havre, 1,500, 14s. 3d. Hartlepool to Marseilles, 2,600, 25s. Port Talbot to Calais, 1,300, 16s.; Bordeaux, 2,000, 201 fr.; 2,800, 20} fr.; 1,150, 20fr.; Nantes, 2,300, 18} fr. ; Rouen, 1,700, 12s. Blyth to Havre, 1,300, 14s. 6d.; 850, 14s. 3d.; Caen, 850, 15s. Burryport to St. Malo, 700, 12s.; Cork, 320, 6s. 6d. Llanelly to Dieppe, 900, 13s. Newport to Bordeaux, 20 fr.; St. Nazaire, 18} fr., free brokerage, May; Algiers, 3,400, 29 fr., fuel; Naples, 5,300, 27s., 500; Buenos Ayres, 5,300, 27 s; 6d.; Palermo, 5,300, 27s., 500; River Plate, 26s. 6d., May, reported; 27s. 6d.; St. Nazaire, 18ffr., May; Bahia Blanca, 6,000, 27s. 6d.; Seville, 700, 21s.; 1,000, 20s.; Rouen, 950, 12s.; Aguilas, 1.300, 28s. 6d., May 25. Methil to Sundswall, 2,300, 18s. 6d.; London, 1,250, 9s. Burntisland to Sundswall, 2,300, 18s. 6d. Barry to Rio de Janeiro, 23s., May. Hull to Brixham, 750, 8s. 6d.; 1,350, 7s. fid.; London, 1,500, 7s. 6d.; Rouen, 2,200, 16s. 6d.; 6,300, 15s. 6d., May 16-18; Calais, 800, 16s.; Dunkirk, 800, 16s.; Dieppe, 850, 14s. Goole to Boulogne, 650, 14s. 6d.; London, 950, 8s. 6d., next week. Immingham to London, 850, 6s. 9d. Forth to Algiers, 2,400, 22s. Falmouth to New York, 12s., 2,000 tons, chalk. Middlesbrough to Nantes, 20s. Birkenhead to Lisbon, 1,500, 17s. 6d., May. CONTRACTS OPEN FOR COAL AND COKE. For Contracts Advertised in this issue received too late for inclusion in this column, see Leader and Last White pages. Birkenhead, May 26.—The Corporation of Birkenhead are prepared to receive tenders for the supply of washed slack or washed small coal and screened coal, to be delivered at the pumping stations of the Spring Hill, Flaybrick Hill, Borough-road, Mount-road, and the Ford Waterworks, and the Hind-street Water Stores, for a period of six and/or 12 months, commencing on July 1, 1915, the period to be at the option of the Corporation. Forms of tender and speci- fication, together with any further information, may be obtained from Mr. J. W. M. Richardson, A.M.Inst.C.E., water engineer, 52, Balls-road, Birkenhead. Tenders, stating the price per ton delivered at the various pumping stations and the water stores, Hind-street, must be sent in to me, sealed and endorsed “ Tender for Coal and Slack, Water Committee,” not later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26, 1915. All deliveries to be made from time to time, according to the requirements of the water engineer. The parties whose tender may be accepted will be required to enter into a contract containing a clause as to the payment of the rate of wages and the observance of the hours of labour and conditions recognised and agreed upon between the trades unions and the employers in Birkenhead or in the locality in which the work for carrying out the contract is executed, as the case may be. The Corporation do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. By order, James Fearnley, town clerk, Town Hall, Birkenhead. Dublin, May 20. — The Corporation of Dublin invite tenders for the supply of coal for the purposes of their Electricity Works and Main Drainage Pumping Station, for a period of one, two, or three years, from June 30, 1915, a 12 months’ supply being approximately 40,000 tons. Tenderers may submit offers for one-half the above quantity of 40,000 tons, i.e., 20,000 tons, for delivery as required throughout the year, and at one-half the above rates per week, all the other conditions remaining the same. The coal is »to be of the best washed single nuts from Scotch collieries, delivered alongside the wharf at the Pigeon House, Dublin. Tenderers may, however, submit alterna- tive tenders for other classes of Scotch, English, Welsh, or Irish coal, which will comply with clause 6 of the specifica- tion. No tender will be considered unless it is furnished on the printed form, nor will any tender in which any alteration of the form has been made, and no tender can be withdrawn within three months from delivery. Copies of the specification (price 5s. each) can be obtained from the Town Clerk, City Hall, Dublin, and tenders must be sent in not later than Thursday, May 20, 1915, marked “ Tender for Coal for Electricity Works,” and addressed to “ The Chairman of the Supplies Committee, Town Clerk’s Office, City Hall, Dublin.” The Corporation does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender. By order, Henry Campbell, town clerk, Town Clerk’s Office, City Hall, Dublin. London, W.C., May 22. — Tenders are invited for the supply of Nottingham hard steam coal (state pit) and house coal for University College Hospital, Gower-street, W.C., and its Trained Nurses’ Institution and Students’ House, for 12 months from July 1, 1915, and will be received until Saturday, May 22. Full particulars upon application, with stamped addressed envelope, to the Secretary. The Com- mittee do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. London, June 1. — The London County Council invite tenders for the supply and delivery, as from July 1, 1915, of coal of various descriptions ' for offices, schools, fire stations, tramway depots, parks, etc. (Schedule No. 88.) Delivery will be required at intervals during the continuance of the contracts. Particulars as to the conditions of con- tract, etc., appear on the official form of tender, which may be obtained on personal application, or by sending a stamped addressed foolscap envelope to the Chief Officer of Stores, L.C.C. Stores No. 31, Clerkenwell-close, E.C. No tender received at the County Hall after 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1, 1915, will be considered. James Bird, clerk of the London County Council, County Hall, Spring- gardens, S.W. Stretford, May 20. — The Stretford Gas Company are prepared to receive tenders for the supply of screened coal, through and through, coal nuts, rough slack, and cannel, for gas making purposes, for a period of 12 months or more, commencing from July 1, 1915, or from August 1, 1915. Forms of tender, together with any further information, may be obtained from the undersigned. Tenders stating the price per ton delivered at Stretford Station, M. S. J. & A. Railway, or on the Bridgewater Canal alongside the Gas Works, to be sent sealed and endorsed, “ Tenders for gas coal,” addressed the Chairman of the Board, not later than 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 20, 1915. The directors do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. By order, H. Kendrick, engineer and manager, Gas Works, Stretford, near Manchester. Abstracts of Contracts Open. Ballyvaughan (Ireland), May 20. — 100 tons of best screened Wigan coal for the Guardians. Tenders to M. S. O’Loghlen, clerk. Barming Heath, June 18.—About 4,000 tons of steam coal, 1,200 tons of household coal, 1,000 tons of gas coal, and 105 tons of baker’s coal, for the Kent County Lunatic Asylums Committee. Forms from the Steward at either Barming Heath or Chatham Asylums. Bellshill (Scotland), May 19. — About 5,000 tons of cannel coal, Virtuewell splint, and nuts for the Bellshill Gas Company Limited. Tenders to G. Blackie, secretary, Registered Office, Bellshill. Cheltenham, May 25.—Household and small steam coal for the Council. Forms from J. S. Pickering, borough engineer, Municipal Offices, Cheltenham. Crewe, May 17.—Coal., coke, and slack.for the Corpora- tion. Forms from borough surveyor, Municipal Buildings, Crewe. Darwen, May 22.—Rough gas slack and nuts for the Corporation. Forms from A. H. Smith, gas engineer, Darwen. Glasgow, May 17.—Nuts and dross for the Corporation. Forms from J. Lindsay, town clerk, City Chambers, Glasgow. Glin (Ireland), May 24.—250 tons of best 4 ft. Wigan, Whitehaven, or Orrell coals, screened and free from slack, for the Glin District School Board of Management.