June 4, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

1181

Notes from the Coalfields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Loss of Labour from Mines and Works—An Important
Point in the Current Notices—A Good Return from
Swansea—Rescue Corps Volunteer—Home Office Com-
mittee's Report—Relaxation in Coal Licence Require-
ments— West Rhondda Colliery put to Auction—Tipping
Charges Increased at Swansea Docks.

The great question discussed in s South Wales during the
past few days has been the registration of men for industry
or military service. A conference has been held in Newport
at the instigation of the Lord-Lieutenant, another at Cardiff,
and the Chamber of Commerce at the latter place has passed
a' resolution in favour. Because of probable effect upon
colliery and railway work, the discussions have been followed
with deep interest, the earning power of many collieries
having been greatly affected by loss of labour, and the need
of maintaining outputs in coal, steel, etc., for war service-
being clearly recognised. One governing conviction is that
the wrong class of men are enlisting—skilled workers whose
places cannot be filled—whilst others who could be better
spared remain at home.

It has to be noted in connection with the Conciliation
Board discussion (and the point is important) that the three
months’ notice which is running out is only a notice to
terminate the agreement, and not to end the individual
contracts of workmen.

Although the Whitsun holidays took place, Swansea trade
last week was 10,000 tons higher than in the corresponding
week of last year, coal and patent fuel alone accounting for
over 89,000 tons. The increase is remarkable, seeing that
at Port Talbot there was a decrease.

The response of South Wales men to the call for volun-
teers to fight gas fumes has been very good. . Mr. G. W.
Blyth, of Rugby, who is raising a battalion of rescue’men,
lias received nearly 1,500 applications, and six South Wales
teams have applied for inclusion in the battalion. It is
proposed to use the apparatus made in this country, which
can be worn with ease after an hour’s training. The pro-
posal is to raise 4,000 men.

The special Home Office Committee appointed in February
last to enquire into the question of coal supplies, will not,
it is stated, have its report laid on the table of the House
of Commons; but that document will go at once into
Departmental consideration, and serve for guidance in
respect of the mobilisation of industry which is now in
progress. This procedure was indicated in the terms of
reference whereby Sir R. Redmayne, as chairman, with the
Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, Mr. Vernon Hartshorn,
Mr. Stephen Walsh, and others, were directed to enquire
into the conditions prevailing in the coal mining industry,
“ with a view to promoting such organisation of work and
such co-operation between employers and men as, having
regard to the large number of miners enlisted for military
service, would secure the necessary production of coal during
the war.”

Mr. Wm. Stewart, Caerleon, presided at a general
meeting of the South Wales Institute of Engineers last
week, when Mr. H. K. Jordan’s paper on ” The South
Wales Coalfield ” was again discussed. A resolution of
condolence with Mr. Stewart, on the death at the front of
his only son, Lieut. Victor Stewart, was passed. In the
course of the discussion it was stated that Mr. Jordan’s
papers on the geological structure of the South Wales
coalfield were of great value, especially in regard to the
correlation of seams.. Another subject considered was
mechanical stoking.

The year 1914, as compared with 1913, shows that coal
and patent fuel exports to Germany, Austria, and Turkey
decreased by over four million tons. During 1913 the
average monthly shipments were 865,000 tons; and the
whole of the decline in 1914 occurred during the five months
of war. It is noted that, in addition, exports to Russia
were three millions of tons less; to Italy, one million; and
that bunkers were two and a-half millions of tons down.
During the first seven months of 1914 Germany took more
British coal than during the whole of the preceding year.

The Morfa Colliery Relief Fund Committee held their
meeting on Monday at Aberavon. The accounts for the
year ending April 30, show that during the year the expendi-
ture had been £403, and that there was still in the general
fund account a credit of £3,659 invested in Consols. It was
agreed that a war bonus of Is. a week be allowed to each
of the widows and dependants, except those in receipt of
pensions.

Mr. D. T. Jenkins, who has been associated with the
Dowlais Steel Works for 30 years, has been appointed
manager of the Glasgow Iron and Steel' Works, Wishaw.
Mr. Jenkins, in former years, took a keen interest in the
Volunteer movement, and is a brigade superintendent in the
Dowlais St. John Ambulance Corps.

Mr. W. H. Beckingham, presiding at the last meeting of
the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce, said that the system in
regard to coal export licences was now working smoothly,
and the council of the Chamber did not propose to take any
action with regard to the suggestion from the Swansea
Chamber that representatives of traders should be appointed
to advise the Coal Export Committee. The council paid a
tribute to Mr. Donald Maclean, M.B., for doing so much for
the traders to avoid inconvenience and delay. Mr. Maclean,
it was said, had done all he could for the Cardiff traders, in
the absence of Lieut.-Col. Lord Ninian Stuart, the local
M.P., who is on active service with the Army.

On Thursday it was announced at Swansea that exporters
of anthracite coal need not specify the colliery supplying the
product for export, so long as that colliery was oh the list.
This fact, combined with the appearance of Italy as an ally,
is easing the anthracite situation somewhat; but the miners’
war bonus is proving a serious drain on some smaller under-
takings.

The West Rhondda Colliery, Cwm Cedfyw, Bridgend,
was offered for sale by auction at Swansea, on Thursday.
The colliery consists of the mining rights in seams 1 and’ 2,
underlying about 58| acres on the Capel Bach farm; Nos. 1
and 2 Rhondda seams, underlying some 60 acres on the
Cwm Cedfyw farm; and the No. 1 seam, underlying
45 acres of Tor-y-Vron farm. The property was offered
with plant, machinery, etc., as a going concern; and
bidding, starting at £500, reached £1,000, at which figure
the concern was withdrawn.

Dr. Rocyn Jones, presiding magistrate at Abertillery,
last week objected to the practice of colliers, who were
summoned for minor offences, sending their wives, mothers
and landladies to represent them because they were at
work. He stated that in future warrants would be issued.

The formal meeting of Messrs. Baldwins Limited to con-
firm the proposal of establishing new steel works at Port
Talbot was held at Swansea, and assent was given to the
necessary alterations in the articles of association. The
proposition involves an expenditure of about half a-million,
and a great extension of the company’s works at Port
Talbot. An increase of the directorate from nine to 12
was sanctioned.

Swansea Chamber of Commerce had before it, on Friday,
the question of increase in tipping charges at the docks,
this higher scale having been arranged in. order to cover the
war bonus. The secretary read a letter from the railway
companies giving notice that the coal tippers wTere to have
a bonus of 12^ per cent., and stating that it was therefore
necessary to make additions to the companies’ charges for
tipping and services incidental thereto. Mr. T. P. Cook,
who presided at the meeting, said that the companies were
already charging merchants 12| per cent, extra for waiting
time, screening, and tub-boys; and now merchants were
faced with extra tipping charges. The additional cost
would amount to ^d. per ton; and although this was not
large on a single ton, in the aggregate it became a material
item. He understood that no increase of charges had been
made in Cardiff for tipping, either against colliery owners
or merchants, although the tippers at Cardiff received the
bonus.—Mr. C. Cleeves said that the only remedy was to get
the Board of Trade to arbitrate; but another speaker pointed
out that the Board of Trade would act only as referee, not
furnishing any assistance in contesting.—It was remarked
that the proposed increase would amount to £1 for every
2,400 tons, and that therefore the merchants were asked to
pay more than the actual increase in cost. It was proposed
that the Chamber should enter a protest, and, if necessary,
carry the matter before the Board of Trade; but ultimately
it was decided to refer the matter to the council of the
Chamber, with instructions to ascertain whether the
increased charges were levied at any other of the Channel
ports; and that in the meantime merchants should not pay
the extra amount. The president pointed out that the
whole of the work of the port had been stopped for 3£ days
before the companies gave way on the question of the bonus ;
and seeing that they now looked to the shippers to make
up the amount of the bonus, why should the companies
have stopped the work?

Northumberland and Durham.

Reckless Shot-firing—Pit-boys' High	Wages—Drawing

Timber—Export Licences.

Mr. W. Jackson, who has just terminated his connec-
tion as under-manager with the Urpeth C Pit to take up a
•similar appointment at the Ravensworth Colliery of the
Birtley Iron Company, has been presented by the Urpeth
workmen and officials with a gold watch, chain and
pendant; with a gold brooch for Mrs. Jackson.

Sec.-Lieut. J. M. Hare, of the 6th Batt. Durham Light
Infantry, who is well known in Durham mining circles, is
officially reported “ missing.” Capt. Collingwood Wood,
of the 18th Hussars, son of Sir Lindsay Wood, Bart., has
been wounded in action.

The danger of the calamitous ignition of coal dust was
'mentioned to the Durham magistrates last week, when John
Clough, hewer, employed at Brancepeth A Pit, was charged
with having fired a shot without having previously prepared
a proper shot-hole. He had exploded 2oz. of powder under-
neath a stone without having drilled a proper hole. Mr.
Welsh, manager of the pit, stated that it was a well-known
fact that, although they might not have gas present in the
pit, there was coal dust to reckon with, and firing a shot
in such a way would cause a lot of flame and raise the coal
dust. Defendant was fined £2 10s.

Mr. Frank Graham, manager of Deaf Hill Colliery,
Trimdon, has been appointed resident manager of the
Ravensworth Collieries of the Birtley Iron and Coal Com-
pany. During his residence at Trimdon, he has taken an
active interest in the public life of the district, and his
departure is widely regretted. Mr. Graham was, earlier,
under-manager of the Dean and Chapter Colliery, manager
of Black Boy Colliery, and, at one time, manager of West
Hunwick Colliery. He was for six years teacher of mining
under the Durham County Council, and secured first-class
honours (Queen’s medallist) in mining from the Science
and Art Department at South Kensington.

When James Frayter, Joseph Warne and George
Berriman, three youths employed at Sacriston Colliery,
were charged at Durham with having attempted to obtain
money by false pretences from the Charlaw and Sacriston
Collieries Company, it was stated that the defendants were
capable of earning from 30s. to 40s. per wTeek. The chair-
man remarked that it was ridiculous that boys should be
allowed to make such enormous incomes and then try to
cheat their employers as they had done. It appeared that
the youths had been engaged in filling seggar in the pit,
and for this work they had special tokens. In consequence
of there being more tokens on the nail than tubs coming to
bank, however, a watch was kept and the accused were
detected.

Mr. Oliver, manager of Ravensworth Colliery, has been
appointed assistant manager at Murton Colliery, in succes-
sion to Mr. John Cockburn, recently appointed manager of
Trimdon Grange Colliery.

A fall of roof, resulting in the death of Wm. Dickinson,
deputy at Littleburn Colliery, evoked a long discussion, at
the inquest on the point as to the methods of drawing
timber. At the time of the fall, Dickinson had been
drawing props with a rnell ” about 6 ft. long. . Thos.
Robinson, who was helping him to draw the jud, said there
was a lot of timber—50 or 60 props, some a foot apart and
some not so much—under the stone that fell. Witness
stated that he had no knowledge of the Sylvester safety
appliance. He saw no punch or “pout” being used.
Another witness, however, stated that a 10-ft. punch, with
a spike in the end with which to pull the props out, was in
use. This witness-had heard of a Sylvester, but had never
seen one. The coroner remarked that it would appear that
the mell and punch were sufficient contrivances for the
operation which was in progress when the accident
happened. Mr. Wynne, II.M. inspector of mines, remarked
that if the Sylvester had been there, it was doubtful .
whether Dickinson would have used it, as the roof was hard

post. A verdict of “ Accidentally killed ” was returned.
Mr. Bell, representing the Deputy Overmen’s Association,
remarked that there should be an enquiry whether the
appliances used were safety contrivances under the section.
Mr. Wynne replied that he would make such an enquiry.

The Durham magistrates, last week, ordered William
Morris to pay 20s. for having indulged in the dangerous
practice of filling coal off the wall in Littleburn Colliery.
For the colliery company, it was stated that, as a result of
this practice, the ways in the mine had become much
broader than they should be, and, in the case under con-
sideration, there was great danger of the roof falling in,
and thus jeopardising men’s lives. The way should have
been only 9 ft. broad, but was, in fact, 12 ft. from wall to
wall, which meant that very much stronger supports were
required for the roof.

Mr. A. L. Scott-Owen, manager of the Houghton-le-
Spring colliery of the Lambton and Hetton Collieries
Limited, severed his connection with that company last
week, to become general manager for Messrs. Balmer,
Lawrie and Company, who have several collieries at
Asansol, India. Mr. Scott-Owen has been for four years
at Houghton-le-Spring, is a member of the local Urban
District .Council, and has made many friends in the district.
He served his time under his present employers, and, for a
while, he was manager at their George Bit at Lumley.
The Houghton officials and workmen have presented Mr.
Scott-Owen with a handsome half-hunter gold watch,
suitably inscribed, and a set of travelling trunks.

It is understood that developments are to be carried out at
West Beechburn Colliery, Howden -le - Wear, County
Durham, which has been acquired by the Harperley Col-
lieries Company.

Capt. T. O. Wood, manager of the Cramlington group of
collieries, Northumberland, and who has been serving at
the Front with the 7th Batt. Northumberland Fusiliers,
has been wounded.

As Mr. George Renwick remarked, at Wednesday’s
meeting of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce, the ser-
vices rendered by Mr. Herbert Shaw to the coal trade
since the outbreak of war have been exceptional, and worthy
of recognition. Ever since the restriction of fuel exportation
to neutral countries became an accomplished policy, Mr.
Shaw has been domiciled in London, smoothing over
shippers’ difficulties with the tact which makes him so
valuable a servant to the community. The latest con-
cession he has been able to induce the Coal Export Control
Committee to make is to consider applications for licences
without the name of either a definite steamer by which
coal is to be shipped or a substitute being mentioned upon
the application. Arrangements have been made to expedite
matters to such an extent, that certain applications will be
disposed of by 11 a.m., instead of 3 p.m., as hitherto. A
further boon granted has been in regard to the named
quantities of a cargo. Where it is necessary to increase
these quantities, the Committee will allow an increased
margin of 10 per cent., not to exceed 200 tons.

Continuing its series of articles on “ Local Workers,” to-
which reference has already been made in these columns,
a recent issue of the Durham Chronicle contains a long
and detailed account of the life and activities of Mr. Martin
Forster Holliday, agent and manager of the North Brance-
peth collieries at Littleburn, Boyne and Broompark. From
this account, we gather that Mr. Holliday was born, the
son of a miner, at Black Prince Colliery, on January 1,
1848. The biography tells how he has risen ” from the
ranks ” until he has attained his present position, and
relates the noteworthy fact that, during the 45 years he has
been in full charge no serious accident has ever taken place
at any colliery under his jurisdiction, and not a single com-
plaint has been made against his management by any
Government inspector. The sketch of Mr. Holliday’s career
will be read with great interest by all his friends.

Cumberland.

The inquest on the six men who died from injuries
received in the explosion at Brayton No. 4 Pit, which was
fixed for Tuesday last, has been postponed till Tuesday,
July 6.

There are now nearly 600 Belgians in Workington. Of
this number, 160 are men who are employed either at the
Lowca Colliery or at the iron and steel works of the
Workington Iron and Steel Company. Arrangements are
also being made for Belgians to be brought to other col-
lieries in the district.

Yorkshire.	■

Hatfield Main Sinkings : the Cost of Boring.

Now that coal has been found at the Rossington Main
Colliery, and the prospects of the pit are assured, interest
has been transferred to the sinkings at Hatfield Main,
which is the next newest pit in the Doncaster district; and
there, it is hoped, the Barnsley bed will be sunk down to
before the end of this eventful year expires. That matters
are moving pretty rapidly at Hatfield was conclusively
shown at last week’s meeting of the Thorne Rural District
Council. The clerk read a letter which had been addressed
to the Council by Mr. H. Berry, manager of Hatfield Main,
who wrote enquiring what was being done in connection
with the sewage scheme for Stainforth, and who pointed out
that the time had now arrived when the colliery company
intended commencing their village scheme. He thought
it would be better for all parties interested if the matter of
sewerage was taken in hand at an early date. In the dis-
cussion which followed the opinion was expressed that the
subject was a. very important one, and that the letter from
the colliery company was a friendly one, and showed a spirit
of forethought for the district. It was decided to invite Mr.
Berry to meet a small committee of the Council, with a view
to a full and free discussion of the matter.

Interesting references to the South Yorkshire coal field
were made at last week’s meeting of the Hatfield Chase
Commissioners, held at Doncaster. During some candid
criticism of the financial policy of the Commissioners, it
was jocularly remarked that the latter had been misled in
the belief they were going to have a most beautiful col-
liery, and that they had subscribed a small amount towards
the cost of boring for coal. Unfortunately, matters had
not gone on .as fast as they had> hoped. Mr. George
Dunston, C.C. of Thorne, agreed that he was responsible for
a small portion of the debt for which the Commissioners
were responsible, and he acknowledged that several years
ago they had subscribed £400 towards the cost of boring for
coal on his estate, which adjoined their own. But in regard
to what they had spent, nothing could have justified the