636

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

September 24, 1915.

improbable that the ratepayers would be called upon to
undertake the burden of their guarantee. True, there was
a deficit, but this was met out of the reserve fund that the
Trustees had accumulated. A reduction of traffic since the
war and the proximity of an extinction of the Trustees’
reserve fund have now raised the question as to calling upon
the Town Council to levy a rate in aid. This would not
at first even approximate to the total amount of guarantee.
Nevertheless, it might be a substantial addition to the rates ;
and therefore it was suggested at the Council meeting that
before calling upon the ratepayers the Trustees should con-
sider the advisability of increasing the rates charged upon
coal shipments, upon tin-platers, and in other respects.

The present position of the matter now is that the special
committee is considering the exact position as to the
liability of the Corporation and the financial standing of
the Harbour Trust, the idea being, if possible, to stave
off any imposition upon the rates. Swansea has of recent
years incurred very heavy expenditure in public improve-
ments. The general condition of business is not regarded
as justifying any avoidable outlay, and inasmuch as trade
was increasing before the war to such an extent as to
warrant general expectation that the ratepayers would
entirely escape, it is hoped to realise this expectation by
deferring any action as long as possible. The liability of
■the Corporation is subject to a time limit which will expire
within the next four or five years; and therefore any delay
in making a levy would to that extent be an absolute saving
of the ratepayers’ pockets. To those engaged in the coal
trade the proposal to the Council that higher dock charges
■should be imposed is, of course, a serious matter. Once
increased, it would not be easy to obtain reduction, even
in more favourable times.

The Ebbw Vale Iron and Coal Company have shown con-
spicuous energy in repairing the damage wrought by the
recent fire at their electrical generating station, Victoria. The
fire was of all the more consequence because the company
supplied electric light to the town, and it was necessary to
exercise utmost effort in order to supply the public as well as
works requirements. The whole of the debris was cleared
within a day, and temporary repairs resulted in the town
lighting being resumed within 30 hours. It was to some
extent fortunate that the steel works and sheet mills had been
closed down for the week on account of the Bank Holiday,
but as the colliers were taking only two days’ holiday, there
was an urgent demand from that department which Mr.
Firth and his staff had to meet. By their energy steel works
and colliery were got into operation again at the end of a
week, and the sheet mills on the following Wednesday; so
that in 10 days practically the whole of the stoppage had
been overcome. Temporary electrical apparatus and switch-
boards were installed, and roofs of tarpaulin were put over
the power station buildings, these subsequently having frame
structures with corrugated sheets put beneath them until the
roofs could be rebuilt. It is stated that in all eight engines
for power and light, as well as four blowing engines for the
blastfurnaces, together with the turbo machinery for the
colliery, were dealt with. The staff have been much con-
gratulated locally upon the success of their efforts in remedy-
ing the destruction caused by the fire.

Mr. W. Abraham (“ Mabon ”), M.P., formerly president
of the South Wales Miners’ Federation, has had a long period
of illness, but he returned to the House of Commons last
week, where he was immediately welcomed by old friends
on both sides of politics. In the course of an interview, he
stated his hopes that all trade unions would, during the war,
readily withdraw all rules and regulations that would prevent
workers using their utmost powers to provide all needful war
material. He did not, however, make any specific announce-
ment with regard to the Eight Hours Act.

With regard to the authoritative action of trade union
executives, the suggestion has been made that an Act should
be passed whereby unions unable to enforce executive deci-
sions should not have the advantages of existing legislation
which has been passed in their interest; and the suggestion
is an indication of public opinion with regard to the weakness
displayed by the chief leaders in the unions.

It was stated in the House of Commons on Wednesday
that the Admiralty is now paying less for South Wales coal
than was paid at the beginning of the year.

Senghenydd explosion victims were not all identified; and
a memorial to these has now been erected in Penyrheol
Cemetery. It has been raised at the cost of the colliery
workmen and by public subscription, and the unveiling cere-
mony was performed by Mr. T. Hutchings, chairman of the
workmen’s committee.

Among the economies under consideration by Monmouth-
shire Council is a reduction of expenditure upon mining
instruction.

Cardiff City Council has discussed limitation in retail prices
of house coal. The Board of Trade sent a letter stating that
it was important to accumulate stocks of coal for undertak-
ings under the Council’s direction; and both matters were
referred to the Food and Fuel Committee. The Board sug-
gested that the Council should consider making an arrange-
ment with local merchants, as had been made in London;
and Coun. Thomas said that the London provision was that
dealers should not charge more than 7s. 6d. per ton above
what was paid at the depot, this to be inclusive of cartage;
also that, in the case of small quantities, 9s. 6d. was the
limit. The Board of Trade anticipate that, owing to the
number of miners who have joined the Colours, the supply
of coal for home consumption is likely to be less, than usual
during the coming winter.

About 55,000 workmen, chiefly miners, were represented
in a conference at Newport on Saturday, Mr. J. Winstone
(president of the South Wales Federation) in the chair. The
gathering was to protest against a recent county meeting
which favoured conscription; and Mr. Winstone declared
that the Welsh miners were against .tonscription—he being
also fully persuaded that the mass of the wage-earners of
the country were against it. The resolution of protest was
carried unanimously.

Mr. S. Gregory, who for the past 18 years has been
manager of the Llanbradach Colliery, is retiring from the
position, and at a meeting of the inhabitants last week, he
and his wife were the recipients of several valuable gifts,
the speaking making warm reference to Mr. Gregory’s work
in the district. Mr. Gregory was both manager and agent,
and these positions are now being taken by Mr. A. G. Brown,
who will be agent, and Mr. J. F. Gregory (son) will become
manager. Mr. H. Thompson, Bodringallt, has been pro-
moted to the managership.

Mr. Thomas Williams has undertaken the management
of Messrs. Cory’s house coal pits in the Upper Rhondda.

Northumberland and Durham.

The Housing Question at Birtley—Important Royalty
Decision.

Mr. Farrar Morson, who has joined the Motor Transport
Section of the A.S.C., spent some years as a mining surveyor
with Messrs. Pease and Partners Limited.

The officials and workmen at Murton Colliery have pre-
sented Mr. Ernest Chicken, under manager at the colliery,
with a gold watch, on the occasion of his leaving Murton
in order to take up the position of assistant manager at
Horden Collieries.

The question of colliery houses was debated at last week’s
meeting of the members of Birtley Parish Council, conse-
quent on a statement, made by Mr. B. Bolam, as to the
urgency of the housing problem in that parish. Mr. Bolam
stated that a certain firm was erecting works and that, if
the right steps were taken, Birtley would soon be twice its
present size. He was informed that provision was to be
made for 6,000 workpeople; 500 houses must be built, he
understood, within a reasonable period. He moved that the
Chester-le-Street Rural District Council should be written
to, asking them to take steps to erect the houses, and sug-
gesting they should insist on the necessity of Government
aid. This was agreed to. Mr. Neville said he thought
there was an obligation resting on the Birtley Iron Company
to provide houses for its men, and he moved that the com-
pany should be approached to make such provision. Mr.
Knox pointed out that there was very little chance of getting
the Iron Company to do anything just now, for the same
reason as told against the private builder. However, it
was decided to appoint Messrs. Bolam, Neville and Knox as
a deputation to the company on the question.

Mr. J. M. Clark, F.S.I., of Haltwhistle, an Official Referee
under the Finance (1909-10) Act, 1910, has given his decision
in the appeal of “ Boyne, Eldon and others v. Commissioners
of Inland Revenue,” which he heard at the Surveyors’
Institution, Westminster, on October 8 and 9, 1914. The
appeal was against the values placed in the provisional
valuation of a portion of Lord Eldon’s Chilton estate,
Durham, known as Great Chilton Farm, Lord Eldon being
tenant for life of the estate, and Viscount Boyne and others
the trustees in settlement. Both parties appealed on ques-
tions of principle, although on different grounds, and it
was stated in the appellants’ notice of appeal that ‘‘it is
impossible to value the land in question without at the same
time valuing such of the subjacent minerals as are being
treated as, or as part of, a separate parcel of land.” When
the case was argued, Mr. J. Austen Cartmell appeared for
Lord Eldon, Mr. E. M. Konstam for Viscount Boyne and
others; .and Mr. F. W. W. Kingdon represented the Com-
missioners. It was stated for Lord Eldon that the farm was
let on a yearly tenancy, and the coal and fireclay were
comprised in a mining lease, which took in the whole of the
land on the Chilton estate. There was limestone on the
farm, which was not at that time being worked, but Lord
Eldon held it was of considerable value. The farm had a
building value above its agricultural value, and as for the
meaning of “ minerals ” under the Act, Mr. Cartmell sub-
mitted that they should be held to mean all substances
in the earth apart from the ’surface soil, and treated for
all practical purposes as consisting of coal and fireclay, sand,
limestone, and any other substance, if any, capable of being
turned to commercial use. For the purposes of this case the
other parties agreed to this definition. Mr. Cartmell
explained that the first of Lord Eldon’s settlements was
made in 1869, when he was the owner of the fee simple
of the property, which he conveyed to trustees. Excepted
from the settlement was the whole of the mines and minerals,
retaining to himself the fullest possible powers for working
them without regard to the surface. A second settlement in
1898 left Lord Eldon in possession, during his life, of the
right to work out the minerals in any way he desired. The
Government valuers assumed that other surface property
than this was in the market on April 30, 1909, but Lord
Eldon contended that there was not, and therefore it was
not so valuable as the Commissioners made out. Mr.
Konstam submitted that his clients relied on a valuation
which was arrived at on the supposition that all the sur-
rounding surface property was in the market, that the upper
and underground minerals under or adjoining Great Chilton
Farm were in the market, and that the mineral owner had
the power now and would convey to his vendees the power
of working out the whole of the minerals with surface access,
paying no compensation. Counsel for the Crown agreed that
the minerals and the surface were two entities; they were, so
to speak, kept by the statute in water-tight compartments,
and the only one the Referee had to deal with was the fee
simple in possession of the land under Section 25 (1). The
Commissioners relied on the valuation which was made on
the basis that any adjoining property belonging to the owner
was in the market, that the upper and underground minerals
were in the market, and that the surface owner had a right
to support. The gross value was shown as 1-13,028; full
site value, £10,543; total value, £9,864; and assessable
site value, £7,379.

The Referee has decided that the gross value should be
£14,040, including in it £1,500, the value of a portion of the
land for building purposes; difference between gross value
and value of the fee simple divested of buildings, trees, etc.,
should be £4,956, instead of £2,485; full site value, £9,084,
instead of £10,543; total value, £10,909, instead of £9,864;
assessable site value, £5,724, instead of £7,379; and
agricultural value of the land, £9,229. He orders the costs
of the appeal to be borne by the Commissioners.

Mr. Clark’s decision took the form of a special case, and
he states he has acted on the following principles :—It is not
impossible to value the hereditament which is surface land
without at the same time valuing such of the subjacent
minerals as are being treated as, or .as part of, a separate
parcel of land. Even if (as contended by the respondents)
the person or persons who, on April 30, 1909, had power to
sell the surface land in question, had also power at the
same date to sell other surface land in the immediate
vicinity, he (the Referee) had not, for the purpose of ascer-
taining the values of the surface land the subject of appeal,
to treat the hypothetical purchaser thereof on the date
mentioned as having an opportunity of buying or contracting
to buy any such surface land, except such, if any, as was
in fact in the market on April 30, 1909; also, he had not,
in.arriving at the value, to treat any other surface land as
being in the market on April 30, 1909, except such, if any,
as was actually then in the market. The Referee added
that it was not suggested at the appeal that there was any
other surface land in the market which it was material
for him to consider. On another point, the Referee has
assumed that the owner of the surface land was entitled
to support from the subjacent and adjacent minerals, pro-
ceeding on the footing that, even if (as the Crown contended

was the fact) the person who had, on April 30, 1909, the
power to sell the surface land involved in the appeal had
also power to sell minerals underlying such surface land or
situate in the immediate vicinity, he had not to treat the
hypothetical purchaser as having an opportunity of buying
any adjacent minerals. In ascertaining the agricultural
value, the Referee deducted from gross value the capital
value of the title and of the fee farm rent, depreciation
due to footpaths or rights of way, the building value, and
the value for sporting purposes as distinguished from
agricultural purposes.

The ceremony of unveiling the bust of the Right Hon.
Thomas Burt, M.P., D.C.L., subscribed for by his numerous
friends in the North of England, was performed on Tuesday
in the Public Library, New Bridge-street, Newcastle, by the
Right Hon. Charles Fenwick, M.P., in the presence of a
large and representative gathering. Mr. Richard Welford
(chairman of the Testimonial Committee) presided. Mr.
Charles Fenwick paid a splendid tribute to Mr. Burt, and
said that, although a local man, his reputation was by no
means confined to the county of Northumberland. It was
not merely a national asset, but also an Imperial asset.
Wherever organised labour had formed a home the name of
Thomas Burt was known, and his character and work appre-
ciated. Mr. Fenwick spoke of his long acquaintance with
Mr. Burt, who, he said, had, by his broad sympathies and
unfailing tact, his rare sense of justice, and his fearless
independence, combined with complete and absolute unpre-
tentiousness, won the hall-mark of a great industrial leader.
Mr. Burt made a suitable response, and asked the Lord
Mayor to accept the bust on behalf of the city of Newcastle.

On Wednesday, Sir Thomas Wrightson unveiled a
memorial to the late Capt. Everard J. Lamb, of the 3rd
Batt. Northumberland Fusiliers, at the offices of the
Cramlington Coal Company, at East Cramlington. It took
the form of a brass tablet, surmounted by the coat of arms
and the crest of the Lamb family. Miss Dickson, demon-
strator at the King Edward VII. School of Art, Armstrong
College, Newcastle, designed the memorial, which bore the
following inscription :—” Captain Everard J. Lamb, 3rd
Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, killed in action while
serving with the 1st Battalion of that regiment at
Wytschaete, Belgium, on Nov. 1, 1914. This tablet was
placed here by the officials of the Cramlington Colliery,
of which Capt. Lamb was managing director before his
death, as a token of their admiration and regret.”

By 242 votes to 208—each vote being a proxy for 50
members—the Northumberland miners’ lodges have nega-
tived the proposal to pay a voluntary levy of 6d. per week
for 20 weeks, or of 3d. per week for 40 weeks, towards the
cost of fitting out an ambulance convoy for the front, in
accordance with the appeal of Mr. Bayley. Three reasons
are given for the adverse vote :—First, that it was a proxy
vote and not one of the miners individually; second, that
some men declined to support the proposal until the owners
concede the 11 per cent, advance in wages which has been
sought; and, third, that a number opposed the suggestion
on the ground that the Government should provide all the
ambulances necessary.

The Hetton Urban District Council has granted permis-
sion to the Lambton and Hetton Collieries Limited to erect
a high-tension electric cable between the Eppleton sub-
station in Houghton-road and the Dun Well pit, East
Rainton, to go under the highway in Hough ton-road and
overhead in Lane House-lane, subject to the company
accepting responsibility for any accident or damage that
may occur.

Cumberland.

On Monday evening, Mr. F. Watson, of Little Broughton,
who is retiring from the position of surface manager at
Bertha Colliery, was presented with a timepiece by the work-
men employed at that colliery. Mr. Watson was also
the recipient of two silver vases.

Yorkshire.

The “ Butty '' System in the Doncaster Area—The Use of
Iron Bars.

Mr. J. Ward, for the past 13 years under-manager at the
Langwith Colliery of the Sheepbridge Coal and Iron Com-
pany, has been appointed to a similar position at the Maltby
Main Colliery.

The Glass Houghton and Castleford Collieries Limited are
putting down at their Glass Houghton pits an “ Ideal ” stone
dust grinding mill, which we understand is being supplied
and fixed by Messrs. Scholefield, of Burley Vale Works,
Leeds. The mill is intended to deal with shale direct from
the pit, and has a capacity of about five tons of finished dust
per day.

At a miners’ meeting at Hemsworth last week, Mr. G.
Price, a checkweighman, employed at Frickley, roundly con-
demned the “ butty ” system of South Yorkshire collieries,
declaring that the miners around Doncaster were anxious to
turn out many more thousand tons of coal per week. If the
employers would only see eye to eye with the men, and give
every man the result of* his own labour, the output could,
he said, be largely increased. The Yorkshire Miners’ Asso-
ciation have all along been opposed to the butty system, but
as it is largely associated with the pits of Notts and Derby-
shire, and the new pits around Doncaster draw a big percen-
tage of their men from these counties, the system has now
obtained, to some extent, in South Yorkshire.

The Lord Mayor of Hull (Aid. J. H. Hargreaves, J.P.)
has been prevailed upon to retain office for the third succes-
sive year. Mr. R. H. Mungall, a partner in the firm of
M. Stevenson and Company, coal exporters, is putting him-
self forward as a candidate for municipal honours at Hull.
Sir Erik Ohlson, coal exporter, of Hull, has just retired
from the office of Sheriff of Hull, after holding the position
for two years.

Fines varying from £4 to £9 10s. "were imposed at the
Leeds West* Riding Police Court on Tuesday on several
miners employed by the Garforth Colliery Company Limited
for absenting themselves from work. Mr. William Wright,
for the complainant company, said that when the war broke
out the company did all they could to assist men to enlist
by offering generous terms to their employees who joined the
Army, and now a number of miners had lost sight of every-
thing done by absenting themselves from work. One defen-
dant had lost 43 per cent, of his work during the last six
months, and in the last six weeks had earned only £7, losing
£8 by staying away from work. The effect on the colliery
was that the output was reduced by 250 tons per week,
while the working expenses had remained the same. The
men were ordered to pay damages at the rate of 10s. per
day.