1292 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. June 18, 1915. MINING AND OTHER NOTES. Mr. John Nicholas Robert Schott (74), formerly a steel manufacturer in Sheffield, Consul-General for Belgium, and Vice-Consul for Sweden, left estate of the gross value of £302,873. After a hearing extending over two weeks, the action of Cory Brothers and Company Limited, of Cardiff, against Mather -and Platt Limited, of Manchester, has been settled. The case came before Mr. Justice Atkin in the King’s Bench Division of the High Court, and plaintiffs claimed £28,000, alleging that defendants had put in certain gas generating machinery, at their Penllwyngwent Colliery which would not perform the work required. During the proceedings on the 9th inst., Mr. Leslie Scott, K.C., for plaintiffs, intimated that the parties had adjusted their differences. His lordship said it had become apparent that there was room ifor a settlement between the people engaged in a business of the 'distinction of the parties in the case, and he agreed to the settlement. The terms of the settle- ment were not disclosed. Owing to increased coal prices, the London municipial electricity undertakings are considering linking-up schemes, with the idea of realising economies in the cost of production of current. Such a scheme has now been prepared between the municipal concerns of Battersea, Pulham, and Hammer- smith. When the scheme comes into operation it will be possible to shut down during certain times two out of the three centraLstations concerned, and supply the whole of the three areas from one station. The same advantage would apply to week-ends and bank-holiday periods, thereby ensuring a substantial saving in labour and fuel by the three authorities, as well as affording great advantages in the execution of repairs to the steam plant. The linking-up arrangements will involve a total expenditure of £24,000. The Hammersmith Municipal Electricity Committee has further considered the question oif maintaining an adequate reserve of coal at the electricity works. Up to the present time the Council has authorised the purchase and storage of coal up to a maximum of 6,000 tons, and, acting on this authority, the committee has authorised the placing of orders amounting to approximately 3,850 tons. It is, however, the committee reports, of the first importance that full advantage should be taken of the coal storage facilities now in working order at the generating station by' maintaining a more adequate reserve than the present authority permits, in order to avoid possible contingencies on the coal market. The committee, therefore, has invited and considered offers for further supplies, and the engineer reports that, having regard to the quality, the most favourable offers are those of Messrs. Cory Brothers Limited, for 2,000 tons of Gedling J in. High Hazel slack, at 17s. 9d. per ton; Messrs. Phillips and Company Limited, for 500 tons of Donisthorpe Jin. slack, at 17s. 6d. a ton; and Messrs. Harrison Limited, for 3,000 tons of coal at 18s. 7d. a ton. These offers have been accepted. The committee which has been dealing, on behalf of the creditors, with the affairs of Hugo Stinnes Limited, the British branch of the business of which Herr Hugo Stinnes, the German coal magnate, is the head, announces that it has arranged for a further—‘the fifth—distribution at the rate of 3s. in the £ on the respective claims. The distribu- tions, it is stated, now aggregate a total of 17s. 8d. in the £, and. the present distribution absorbs the whole of the British moneys available. There still remains £8,294— normally sufficient to complete 26s. in the £ — which is deposited in roubles in the names of the committee with the Russian Bank for Foreign Trade in London, to await a favourable rate of exchange, any variation in which is to be for account of the creditors. We . understand that the Gwalia Forge Company, Caergwrle, has been taken over by Mr. Robt. W. Lee, the general manager of Phoenix Colliery Company, near Mold, and previously on the engineering staff of the Horden Collieries, Durham, and the Clifton Colliery Company, Nottingham. Mr. Carl Ferdinand Henry Bolckow, who died at his residence, Kentisknowle, Torquay, on February 13 last, left estate valued at £6,071 2s. 3d., with net personalty £5,977 2s. 9d., Mr. Bolckow was one of the original directors of the iron and steel firm of Messrs. Bolckow, Vaughan and Company, of Middlesbrough. United States Imports and Exports of Fuel.—The follow- ing is a comparative statement of coal imports and exports of the United States for March 1914-15, and for the nine months ending March 1914-15, in long tons :— Imports : —From Nine months. March. * A 1914. 1915. 1914. 1915. United Kingdom... 9.691 29,950... 1,231.. 2,680 Canada 746,286.. . 842,440... 91,645.. . 99,940 Japan 83,208... 68,251 1,732.. 4,050 Australia and Tas- mania 197,925.. . 141,880... 25,798.. . 17,749 Other countries ... 3,430.. 1,507... 1,120.. 60 Total 1,010,540.. .1,084,028... 121,826.. . 124,479 Exports:— Anthracite: Canada 2,607,383... 2,411,403... 162,152... . 125,114 Argentina — 212 .. — 212 Brazil — 6... — — Uruguay 84” — — — Other countries ... 46,639... 41,710.’.’.’ 1,279.’’. 1,869 Total 2,654,106.. . 2,453,331... 163,431.. . 127,195 Bituminous: Italy — . 706,960... — . 72,371 Canada 9 577,352’.’. . 6,581,129... 620,366.’.’ . 273,395 Panama 281,394.. . 218,397... 23,690.. . 47.600 Mexico 235,122.. . 305,953... 29,978.. . 34,899 Cuba 902,437.. . 781,559... 115,303.. . 110,585 West Indies 425,071.. . 323,960... 44,614.. . 46,563 Argentina 99,388.. . 217,797 .. 22,978.. . 33,404 Brazil 196,837 . 273.015... 11,150.. . 42,827 Uruguay 40,492.. 40,767... 18,453.. . 10,273 Other countries ... 905,457.. . 513,103... 132,080.. . 20,937 Total .......... 12,663,550... 9,962,640...1,018,612... 692.854 Bunker coal........... 5,754,530... 5,031,390... 643,942... 579,027 Exports from the principal Atlantic ports in April amounted to the record total of 700,000 tons, being well ahead of the March aggregate. Shipments to some of the chief markets were as follow Italy, 254,287 tons; Egypt, 16,135 tons; France, 7,568 tons; Greece, 5,746 tons; Argentina, 79,808 tons; Brazil, 66,071 tons; Uruguay, 36,635 tons. COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES. REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS. Arniston Coal Company Limited. — The directors have declared an interim dividend of 8s. per share, or 5 per cent., free of tax. . - , British Electric Traction Company Limited.—Dividend on the 6 per cent, cumulative preference stock, and a divi- dend at the rate of 3J per cent, on the 7 per cent, non-' cumulative preference stock, the same as last year. Cooke (W.) and Company Limited.—The report for the year ended March states that after providing for deprecia- tion, the net profit is £20,305, to which is added the balance brought forward, £7,271. The directors recommend a divi- dend of 7J per cent., free of tax, for the year on the ordinary shares, absorbing £10,125, transfer to reserve fund, bringing it up to £50,000, £10,000, and carry forward £4,201. Davy Brothers Limited. — The directors report a gross profit of £40,186, . and the balance brought forward was £1,575. Interest, takes £2,218, land -and buildings £5,861, plant, etc., £1,624, and rolling mill demolition £2,598 net. To a reserve for commitments in respect of new buildings and plant now in course of construction £14,000 is placed, leaving a balance of £15,459. The directors recommend a dividend on the ordinary shares of 10 per cent. (£9,000), and carry forward £3,145. ‘ ' Fenton Collieries Limited. — The accounts for the year 1914 show a profit of £6,450, and aftqr providing for interest on debentures, etc., and setting aside £2,325 for deprecia- tion, the credit balance of £9,029 brought forward was reduced to £7,040. Great Western Colliery Company Limited.—Notices of a call, payable July 1 next, of £1 per share on the new shares, class “ B,” of the Great Western Colliery Company, have been posted. Howard and Bullough Limited. — The directors recom- mend a final quarterly dividend of 2J per cent, on the ordinary shares, making 10 per cent, for the past year. To enable this to be done, £75,000 has been transferred from the dividend reserve fund, which will now stand at £95,000. The sum of £37,666 will be carried forward. Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited. — Dividend of 3 per cent, on the preferred stock. Keith (James) and Blackman Company Limited.—After providing for debenture interest, and allowing for deprecia- tion, etc., there is a net profit of £13,302. The directors recommend a dividend of 10 per cent., free of income-tax, on the ordinary shares, write off patents and goodwill £377, and carry forward an increased balance of £5,468, which is more than sufficient to pay the debenture interest and preference dividend for the current year. King’s Norton Metal Company Limited.—The net profits for the year ended March 31 were £131,097, and £2,614 was brought forward. A dividend of 12J per cent, is proposed on the ordinary shares, adding £28,000 to the depreciation fund, £25,000 to the reserve account, and £50,000 to a reserve against special expenditure on buildings and plant for war purposes and for contingencies arising out of the war, and carrying forward £2,761. The death is recorded of Mr. T. R. Bayliss and Mr. T. A. Bayliss, who served as managing directors from the incorporation of the company. Mr. R. A. E. Payne has been appointed manager. Mr. E. P. Harvey has retired from the Board. New Transvaal Chemical Company Limited. — Interim dividends in respect of the year ending this month have been declared by the board as follow :—3 per cent, on the 200,000 6 per cent, cumulative first preference shares, and 4 per cent, on the 150,000 8 per cent, cumulative “A” preference shares. , . Niddrie and Benhar Coal Company Limited.—The report for the year ended April states that the gross profit, includ- ing £3,566 brought forward, amounts to £20,837, and after deducting £3,000 for debenture interest, and £11,025 for depreciation, there is £6,811. The directors recommend a dividend of 6d. per share of £1 5s., leaving £2,811 to be carried forward. The operations of the company have been much 'interfered with by the war, the output having been seriously reduced by the number of men who have left to join the Colours, and the market having been much hampered by the loss of shipping facilities. Redpath, Brown and Company Limited. — An interim dividend of 9|d. per share, free of tax, is announced on the ordinary shares. Rickett, Cockerell and Company Limited.—Dividend of 5 per cent, on the ordinary shares for the year, carrying forward £12,545. Tredegar Iron and Coal Company Limited.—The directors submit the report and balance-sheet for the year ended March 31, 1915. Prices during the year have been erratic. Small coal became practically unsaleable at the outbreak of war, and this market did not recover until December 1914. Since that date good prices have' 'been obtained. But (it was not until February 1915 that there was an appreciable, advance in the price of large coal, and the contracts entered into by the company showed at the end of the .financial year in March 1915, an increased price of 5d. per ton only, as compared with those on the books on April 1, 1914. The company, in common, it is believed, with other colliery firms iii South Wales and in the Midlands, has up to now obtained little advantage from the high prices quoted in the market lists. While the output of coal from the older Tredegar collieries showed a material decrease, the directors. have to report a satisfactory development of both the Oakdale . and Markham pits,, and the company has obtained a fair return on the capital invested in the,.two last-named collieries. The total output from all sources was 2,318,601 tons. The Tredegar collieries also produced 76,421 tons of coke. The regular output of the company, was maintained, owing to the large demands of the British Admiralty and of the French and Italian Governments, which relieved the position caused by the inability of numerous merchants and others to fulfil their contract obligations. The company has in all cases endeavoured to meet a difficult situation with consideration and liberality towards the customers on' its books. No less than 1,787 men, of whom 49 per cent, were married, had gone an active service by the end of March; from all departments of the company’s collieries, and more men have joined, the Army since. The company is contri- buting to the-support cf their dependants. A war bonus to. meet the increased cost of living is also being paid to , a number of the company’s staff not eligible for service. The directors have, in addition, felt it incumbent upon the com- pany to make substantial gifts to various war charities out of the profits of the year. Various economies in the work- ing of the pits have been introduced. Owing to the reduction in the number of workmen it was decided to stop Whitworth No. 2 Colliery, which had become unremunera- tive. Work was available at the new collieries for the men. A complete new duplicate ventilating plant has been put down at the McLaren Colliery, which is now equipped with both electrically- and steam-driven ventilating appliances. The use of the* steel arched rcof supports mentioned in the last report has been extended, with excellent results, and considerable saving in the pitwood cost, the price of which had advanced 100 per cent, before the end of the financial year. The profit for the past year was £157,253 3s. 8d.; add amount brought forward from previous year, £14,414 2s. 2d.—£171,667 5s. lOd.; deduct balance of interest on loans and debentures, £6,809 16s.; divisible profit remaining, £164,857 9s. lOd. This profit the directors recommend should be appropriated as follows :—Deprecia- tion, £10,000; reserve, £40,000; write off suspense account —Army service dependants, £6,192 10s. 7d, which sum is in addition to £3,234 10s. Id., contributed by the Oakdale and Markham companies; special war donations, £3,000— £9,192 10s. 7d.; dividend of 10 per cent., free of income- tax, on the “A” and “ B ” shares, of which 2J per cent, was paid in December last, £82,433 10s.; bonus of 2-J per cent/, £20,608 7s. 6d.; carry forward, £2,623 Is. 9d. Vulcan Boiler and General Insurance Company Limited. —Interim dividend at the rate of 18 per cent, per annum for the past half-year. NEW COMPANIES. Barraclough Brothers Limited.—Private company. To acquire and carry on the business of electrical engineers recently carried on by Reside and Company Limited, at Perseverance Mills, Brighouse Yorkshire, and to enter into an agreement. Nominal capital, £3,000 in 3,000 £1 shares. Directors and 'subscribers (one share each) :—W. Barra- clough, Eastcliffe, Lightcliffe, electrical engineer; W. Barraclough, Highfield-avepue, Bailiffe Bridge, electrical engineer. Qualification of directors, £100. Colonial Coal and Shipping Company Limited.—Private company. Registered June 11. To carry on business of shipowners in all its branches, carriers, repairers, coal mer- chants, timber and >ice merchants; to search for, sell, and deal in coal, iron, tin, clay, and other minerals. Nominal capital, £60,000 in 60,000 £1 shares. Directors and sub- scribers (one share each) :—F. R. Pelly and E. W. Mann, both of 23, Lime-street, E.C., merchants. Excelsior Foundry Company Limited.—Private company. Registered office, Lenton-street, Sandiacre, Derby. To acquire and carry on the business of ironfounders and engi- neers now carried on as the Excelsior Foundy Company, at Sandiacre, Derby, and to enter into an agreement. Nominal capital, £10,000 in 10,000 £1 shares. Directors :—J. J. Taylor, Sandiacre; W. Taylor, Broomfield, Derby-road, Sandiacre;. H. Taylor, Norrisdene, Derby-road, Sandiacre, ironfounders. Garstang (H.) Limited.—Private company. Registered office, Mincing-lane and St. Peter-street, Blackburn. Regis- tered June 7. To acquire and carry on the business of electrical and motor engineer now carried on as H. Garstang at Mincing-lane and St. Peter-street, Blackburn, and to enter into an agreement. To carry on business of brass founders, forge masters, builders’ merchants, brick setters, colliery and quarry owners, etc. Nominal capital, £2,000 in 2,000 £1 shares. Directors and subscribers (one share each) :—H. Garstang, Mincing-lane and St. Peter-street, Blackburn, electrical and motor engineer; M. E. Garstang, same address, married woman. Qualification of directors, £100. t Oxhydro Range Limited.—Private company. Registered June 9. To acquire and carry on the business of the Oxhydro. Fuel Economiser Company, carried on at 61, Holborn-viaduct, E.C. Also to carry on the business of manufacturers of cooking, heating, and other ranges, fire grates, stoves, etc. Nominal capital, £2,000 in 2,000 £1 shares. The first directors shall be appointed by the sub- scribers. Subscribers (one share each) :—H. W. McLaren, 68, Coleman-street, E.C., chartered accountant; V. L. Edwards, 53, Vartry-road, Stamford Hill, N., clerk. Pentrich Colliery Company Limited.—Private company. Registered June 7. To acquire and carry on the business of a colliery proprietor now carried on by Charles M. Haslam at Pentrich, Ripley, Derbyshire, and to enter into an agree- ment. Also to carry on business of miners, coal and coke merchants, manufacturers and dealers in bricks, tiles, pipes, earthenware, etc. Nominal capital, £30,000 in 30,000 £1 shares. Subscribers (one share each) :—R. T. Cooke, Annfield Plain, County Durham, explosives merchant; C. M. Harlow, The Elms, Ripley, Derbyshire, colliery proprietor. 1 This list of new, companies is taken from the Da*ly Register specially compiled by Messrs. Jordan and Sons Limited, company registration agents, Chancery-lane, E.C. Grimsby Coal . Exports. — The following is the official return of the quantities of coal exported from Grimsby during the week ending June 11 :—To Bergen, 1,503 tons; Christiansund, 633; Dieppe, 301; Gefle, 5,310; Malmo, 1,000; Norrkoping, 1,315; Odense, 316; Rotterdam, 1,066; and Stockholm, 2,255 — total, 13,699 tons, against 10,272 tons in the corresponding week of last year. North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers.—A general meeting will be held in the Wood Memorial Hall, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, at 2 o’clock to-morrow (Saturday), June 19. The following papers will be open for discussion :—“ The Killingworth Colliery (New South Wales) Explosion,” by Mr. James Ashworth; “Coal Mining in the State of Pennsylvania, United States of America,” by Mr. Samuel Dean; “ The Lateral Friction of Winding Ropes,” by Mr. H. W. G. Halbaum; “ Winding Engine Signals,” by Mr. Wilfrid H. Davis; “ The Preven- tion of Overwinding and Overspeeding in Shafts,” by Mr. G. G. T, Poole; “ Coal Mining in Mexico,” by Mr. E. O. Forster Brown. The following papers will be read or taken as,read :—“ The Winding Drums of Practice and of Theory, with Notes on Factors of Safety and Economy of Winding Ropes,” by Mr. H. W. G. Halbaum; “ Mining in Burma,” by Mr.-C. W. Chater.