32

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

July 2, 191S.

(1)	Surfacemen. — Increased standard rate of surface-
men below 3s. 4d. to 3s. 4d.; and altering the standard
rates by adding 50 per cent, to such rates.

(2)	Night men.—Six turns for five throughout the coal
field.

(3)	Hauliers employed on the afternoon and night shifts
shall be paid the same rate of wages as those employed
on day shift.

(4)	The standards 1877 to 1879 to be raised to the new
1915 standard, namely, 100 plus 36 per cent, on 1877, and
100 plus 50 per cent, on 1879. No maximum limit and
no minimum.

At the meeting of Tredegar Company shareholders, the
chairman (Lord Aberconway) made a remarkable statement;
that in August small coal fetched 4s. 6d. f.o.b., whereas at
the end of March 20s. could be obtained for exactly the same
quality. Some of their contractors did not take all their
quantities, but although the company had power to cancel
under the war clause, they did not do so, and at the present
time they were endeavouring to supply heavy arrears of
contracts at the old prices, which coal, under their strict
rights, the company might have sold at higher rates.
Between 1909 and. 1914 their working costs had gone up by
3s. 2d. a ton, and, in addition, there was the war bonus of
17| per cent, to the men, which added another Is. Id. per
ton to their large coal costs. There was a shortage of labour,
about 20 per cent, of their men—that is, over 3,000 in number
—having enlisted; with the consequence that there was
shortage of output, whilst standing charges did not fall. The
pitwood contracts had been cancelled, and they had to buy in
the open markets. Although they had been helped to some
extent by one contractor and by the Government, yet the
prices of pitwood in the market had doubled, whilst stores,
such as steel and machinery, had gone up materially. The
directors had decided to close Whitworth No. 2 Colliery,
which had become unremunerative, and probably would not
be opened again, the men from there having gone to work
at the Oakdale and other of their collieries. Owing to the
fact, probably, that the younger of their men had enlisted
and the older of them were left, the production per man was
not so high as it used to be; and, in addition to the loss of
men at the front, they had a daily shortage of from 10 to
20 per cent, due to absenteeism. Being older men, probably
some were away through illness; yet the*percentage of absence
was larger than it would have been in ordinary times. He
was sorry to say that the higher wages induced men to work
fewer days. As a result, the general output of the company
was less by 18 per cent. Notwithstanding the extra cost of
getting coal, their books showed the increase in the contract
price of their coal had been only 5d. per ton; so that instead
of making a great deal of money, there was a loss compared
with 12 months ago. The big prices for coal read about in
the newspapers were for only comparatively small quantities,
and did not represent the general course of trade.

Sir Arthur Markham, who also spoke, said that if a man
bought coal from them for 20s. when the market price was
30s., the greatei part of the profit went into the pockets of
the merchants; and he strongly held the view that limitation
of profits was advisable. Sir Arthur criticised the action of
the Government in sending recruiting officers to the collieries,
whilst, at the same time, they desired the output to be
increased.

Sir Charles Allen, speaking at the Ebbw Vale Company’s
meeting on Tuesday, gave an equally interesting statement.
He said that whilst the company had made a larger gross
profit than ever before, the net profits were considerably
lower because of the larger exceptional costs. Owing to loss
of labour the output of coal had been reduced from 1,976,000
tons in the previous year to 1,744,800 tons last year; and
the amount of iron and steel produced had also decreased.
Within 24 hours of the declaration of war 1,000 of their men
were summoned to join the Colours, and these were followed
shortly afterwards by 3,000 or 4,000 more, thus causing dis-
organisation of work. They were assisting the men’s
families, and had already paid over 1-22,000 in allowances;
and he was sure that shareholders would not grudge that
outlay, although it meant to them 2| per cent, less dividend.
Their new coke and by-product plant recently opened, which
cost 12200,000, was producing 4,000 tons of coke per week,
and working most satisfactorily, whilst they found the
by-products to be most valuable commercially. They were
appealing for powers to raise 12400,000 additional capital,
and had agreed to purchase 1,200 acres of iron bearing land
in Northamptonshire. One other point in his speech was
that stoppages of work during the war had entailed a loss
of £37,715.

Mr. J. W. Beynon, one of the directors, who also spoke,
referred to the question at issue with the miners as to
arranging a new agreement, and said that the coal owners
felt it imposible to enter into an agreement longer than the
duration of the war. After the war there would be huge
stocks of coal lying in steamers in all parts of the world.
It would not be necessary to retain these stocks; and the
Admiralty, instead of being buyers, would actually be sellers
in order to free the enormous tonnage of ships which were
held up with coal cargoes. Commenting upon the restriction
of exports, he said that one would have thought it most
desirable for the country to sell its exports at the highest
possible figure in order to get the greatest amount of imports
possible; but the Government had set up in the House of
Commons a Committee for limiting prices of coal, and had
done it in order to pander to a few political cranks, who
ought not to be allowed outside the confines of Bedlam.

Tipping charges at Swansea were again discussed in the
Chamber of Commerce meeting on Friday. Because of a
proposal by the railway companies to raise the rate owing to
increase of men’s wages, the council of the Chamber had
written to the companies; and a reply had been received.
Mr. H. Goldberg, who was in the chair, stated that, in the
opinion of the president, it was not advisable to discuss that
reply until it had been considered by the council, who
would report upon it; and in answer to questions as to what
members should do meanwhile, an opinion was expressed
that they should carry out the resolution of the last meeting—
refuse payment.

Another matter which came before Swansea Chamber was
the difficulty of ensuring despatch for coal from the Gwen-
draeth Valley for shipment at Swansea. Mr. Cann said that
vessels had been much delayed because coal did not come
forward promptly; and on investigation it was alleged there
was lack of understanding between the Gwendraeth Valley
and the Great Western Railway companies. A proposal was
made that the latter company should be approached on the
subject; and this was agreed to.

For the busy colliery area of the Amman Valley, with the
contiguous Gwauncaegurwen and Cwmgorse districts, the

question of water supply is urgent. It was suggested at the
latest meeting of the Council that the Cwmgorse Colliery
scheme, discussed three weeks ago, should be abandoned;
and an exhaustive report upon the practicability of sinking
artesian wells has been prepared by the engineer. To
Tairgwaith, where much distress has been occasioned by the
drought, pipes had been laid temporarily in order that a
supply of water should be furnished.

Tirpentwys Colliery, which was on stop for a day or two
owing to inability to clear coal from the wagons, has been
able to resume operations through the issue of licences for
export.

Messrs. D. Davis and Sons are paying their interim
dividend at an earlier date than usual, in order to facilitate
subscription to the War Loan; it being at the rate of 10 per
cent, per annum.

The directors of North’s Navigation Colliery have also
adopted this plan, declaring a distribution of Is. per share.

Mr. D. T. Jenkins, steelworks manager at Dowlais,
having accepted an appointment at Glasgow, was on Satur-
day the recipient of a presentation from the different
departments in the Dowlais Works—silver tea and coffee
service, oak clock, etc. Presentations were also made to
Mrs. Jenkins on behalf of the Women’s War Sewing
Guild.

Grave fears as to the future of the tin-plate trade are
created by the prohibitions of export that now prevail, for
the American manufacturers are taking the opportunity of
capturing markets hitherto supplied from Wales. Now
that Norway has been included in the ban, and terne plates
have been added to tin-plate—subject, of course, to licences
—it is not surprising to learn that Americans are increasing
their productive power. McKee’s Port undertaking and
that of the Standard Company are adding a total of
30 mills, thus doubling their power; and their action may
be regarded as typical. Norway’s demand for tin-plate is
for packing fish; and during the five months of this year
its imports nearly doubled, as compared with the corre-
sponding period of 1914.

Owing to Lord E. Talbot having joined the Ministry, the
Marquis of Bute has taken the chairmanship of Cardiff
Railway Company, owners of the docks at that port. His
lordship (it may be mentioned for readers outside the dis-
trict) has very extensive mineral interests, owning large
areas of land in the richest parts of the coal field.

Northumberland and Durham.

Presentations to Colliery Officials.

The present reserve list of applicants for cottage homes in
connection with the Northumberland Aged Mine Workers’
Homes Association being nearly exhausted, the governors
have decided to compile a new list; and miners’ lodges and
other institution's associated with the movement were
invited to forward applications on behalf of old men by
July 1.

Private Miles Walton, of the 1st Coldstream Guards, who
has been recommended for gallant and distinguished service
in the field by Sir John French, was, prior to enlistment at
the beginning of the war, employed as a miner at Wear-
mouth Colliery.

The new Durham Miners’ Hall at Red Hills is rapidly
approaching completion, and it has been provisionally
arranged that the opening ceremony shall take place on
Saturday, September 11. The buildings—which consist of
offices and four agents’ houses— are being erected at a
total cost of between £25,000 and £30,000, and will be
exceedingly imposing headquarters for the operatives.

Mr. W. Cummings, who has been under-manager at the
Mary and James pits, Beamish, for the past 12 years, has
just retired, at the age of 65 years, after spending the whole
of his working life in the service of Messrs. James Joicey
and Company Limited. He first became an employee of the
company at the age of 13, and it is probable that the com-
pany would have had the services of Mr. Cummings for
many more years but for a somewhat serious accident which
incapacitated him last October, as the result of some tubs
getting amain.

Mr. George Birtley, under-manager at Silksworth Col-
liery, last week presented to Mr. William Beaney, late
fore-overman at the Maudlin seam of the colliery, a
silver-mounted walking stick, a silver-mounted umbrella
and a purse of gold, subscribed for by the colliery
officials and friends, together with a gold signet ring,
from the wagonmen and boys who had been under
his charge. Mr. Beaney has just retired after serving
the Londonderry Collieries Limited, at Silksworth Colliery,
for over 40 years. Mrs. Beaney was presented with a gold
brooch.

After 33 years’ service at Trimdon Grange Colliery, Mr.
John Spence has left the village in order to serve the
Horden Collieries Limited at their Blackball Colliery. In
recognition of his services at Trimdon Grange, Mr. Spence
has been presented with a purse of gold, a silver-mounted
walking stick, and a case of briar pipes, together with a
gold brooch for Mrs. Spence.

Mr. John Cockburn, late assistant manager at Murton
Colliery, who has been appointed manager of the Trimdon
Grange Colliery, was presented, on Saturday last, at Murton
Colliery, with a bureau, and Mrs. Cockburn with a gold
brooch, the gift of the colliery officials and of personal
friends.

At the monthly meeting of the River Wear Commis-
sioners, held at Sunderland on Wednesday, it was decided
to take steps to fill the vacancies on the Commission caused
by the death of the Marquis of Londonderry and of Mr.
William Thackray, and by the absence on military service,
and consequent disqualification, of Mr. Hugh Morton
Stobart. The Marquis of Londonderry and Mr. Stobart
represented the coal owners on the Commission, and Mr.
Thackray the importers and exporters.

Yorkshire.

Progress at Hatfield—Doncaster's Rates—Sanitary Reforms
in the Coal Field—Testimonial to a Well-known
Salesman.

Sir Arthur Markham, M.P., visited the Doncaster district
on Saturday. During his stay he laid the foundation stone
of a new Primitive Methodist chapel at Carcroft, the new
village in the Doncaster coal field, which owes its existence
to the sinking of the Bullcroft Colliery. After laying the
stone, Sir Arthur Markham promised a donation of £100

towards the building. He also announced, amid applause,
that the Bullcroft Colliery Company, with which he is
intimately associated, would give a donation of £100, and
would supply the chapel with coal and light free of charge
as long as it was used. Further, that the colliery company
would be glad to contribute to any other places of worship
erected in the parish of Carcroft.

An interesting report, showing the progress made at the
new Hatfield colliery, came before the Thorne Rural District
Council last week. The Highways Committee, reporting
upon the necessity for a sewerage scheme for Stainforth,
the district in which the new pit is situated, stated that
their meeting was attended by Mr. Berry, the manager of
Hatfield Colliery, who explained that the Barnsley bed of
coal would be reached at the pit in a few months’ time, that
the colliery company were having plans prepared for a model
village on their land, and it was expected building would
shortly commence. The committee recommended the
Council to proceed with obtaining a scheme for the sewerage
of Stainforth, as, in their opinion, the time had now
arrived for such. There does not appear, however, to be
unanimity on the matter, for, at the same meeting, a letter
was read from a meeting of Stainforth ratepayers stating
that in their opinion the present time was inopportune for
the commencing of any sewerage scheme. On the other
hand, the West Riding County Council wrote pointing out
the pressing need for this, and also for a water supply
for the village. The Thorne Council adopted the recom-
mendation to proceed with a scheme, and authorised the
surveyor to obtain the names of suitable engineers. They
also decided to add the name of the manager of Hatfield
Colliery to the committee.

The granting of urban powers to various colliery districts
around Doncaster is making a big decrease in the ratable
value. At last week’s meeting of the Doncaster Urban
District Council, a committee was appointed to thoroughly
investigate the number of officials employed, in view of the
loss to the Council of Bentley-with Arksey, Adwick-le-Street,
and other colliery centres, and the consequent large decrease
in ratable value. It was pointed out the Council’s area
had decreased very considerably — Bolton-on-Dearne,
Thurnscoe, Wheatley, Bentley, and Adwick having seceded.
There was no building going on except in the colliery areas
of Rossington, Askern and Edlington, and although a town-
planning scheme might be laid out, building could not be
proceeded with, because the Local Government Board had
refused to sanction the borrowing of money. On the subject
of town-planning the colliery area, one member expressed
the opinion they had locked the stable door before they even
tried to do anything, as Askern, Adwick, Carcroft and
Skellow were built up. The number of officials employed
by the Council is to be investigated.

Authority was granted at last week’s meeting of the
Doncaster Board of Guardians to the Assessment Committee
to appear at Quarter Sessions as respondents to the appeals
made against their assessments by the Maltby Main Colliery
Company, in the parish of Stainton. The clerk stated there
was a prospect of the Maltby Colliery appeal being settled
out of court.

There are several references of interest to the South
Yorkshire coal field in the annual report of Dr. A. B.
Dunne, medical officer of health to the Doncaster Rural
District Council, just issued. The report deals with an
area of 85,000 acres, and a population of 47,000. There are
42 parishes in the district, and the increase in population
during the year is computed at 5,000. The doctor states
that the infantile mortality in the colliery villages of
Askern, Conisborough, Denaby and Edlington is very high,
the latter being the highest in the district. On the other
hand, infantile mortality is very low in the Carcroft dis-
trict.

A great shortage of houses is spoken of in the mining
town of Mexborough, in the 16th annual report which Dr.
J. J. Huey, medical officer of health for the district, has
just issued. In this connection, it is pointed out the town
does not differ from adjoining districts, but the circum-
stance, nevertheless, makes it very difficult to deal with the
overcrowding problem. Fifteen cases of overcrowding had
been dealt with, and in 12 instances the nuisance had been
abated. The population of Mexborough was 16,100, the
birth-rate 29’7, and the death-rate 14’8.

An interesting action is promised in the case of the
Wakefield Corporation against Lofthouse Colliery Limited,
for an injunction to restrain the defendant company from
working so as to undermine the plaintiffs’ reservoir. The
hearing has been fixed for early next month.

Few are permitted to accomplish the record of Mr. Jos.
Widdowson, of Penistone, a salesman connected with the
Houghton Main Colliery, near Barnsley, who has retired
at the age of 75. Mr. Widdowson has completed 51 years
of service in connection with the coal trade, and the absence
of his genial personality from the markets will be deeply
regretted. There are few men better known in the York-
shire, Lancashire and Derbyshire districts, and the con-
scientious and courteous discharge of his duties have gained
for him the general esteem of those in the trade. In the
early part of his career he was associated with collieries
in the Silkstone, Dodworth and Barnsley district, whilst he
has represented the Houghton Main Colliery for 34 years.
A committee of colliery representatives on the Manchester
Exchange are promoting a testimonial to Mr. Widdowson,
and already the response has been of a gratifying character.
The committee consists of Messrs. J. G. Freeman (Mitchell
Main Company), chairman, F. W. Hughes (Manvers Main),
Jos. Walsh (Staly bridge), J. Broadhurst (Ashton), H.
Johnson (Ashton), and W. Harrison (Glossop). The testi-
monial is to be presented at the Manchester Exchange on
the 13th inst.

Lancashire and Cheshire.

River Pollution at Atherton—Co-operators and Collieries—
The Earl of Ellesmere's Collieries.

At a meeting of the Atherton District Council, last
week, it was reported that strong protests had been made
respecting the pollution of the brook at North-road by the
Hulton Colliery Company, and that representatives of the
company had promised to report the matter to the managing
director with a view to remedial steps being taken.

Lieut.-Col. Charles Pilkington, of the 6th Manchester
Regiment, who was recently wounded in the operations at
the Dardanelles, expects to return to the Front shortly. A
cablegram received in St. Helens states that his wounds
were not serious.

The question of co-operative collieries again came forward
at the June meting of the Co-operative Wholesale Society,