November 19, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1047 COAL, IROH AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES. REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS. Broomhill Collieries Limited. — The profit for the year ending June 30 last amounts to £52,746 7s. 2d., to which has to be added a balance brought forward of £20,140 8s. 10d., making a total of £72,886 16s. Out of this sum the follow- ing have been paid :—Interest on debenture stock for the year, £5,497 19s. 2d.; sinking fund instalment, £13,822; preference share dividends for one year to December 31, 1911 (paid June 15, 1915), £9,515 12s. 6d.; leaving a balance of £44,051 4s. 4d. The directors propose to appropriate this as follows :—To meeting preference dividends for 1| years to June 30, 1913, less income-tax (paid November 15, 1915), £14,109 7s. 6d.; to reserve fund, £10,000; to depreciation, £5,000; leaving a balance to be carried forward of £14,941 16s. lOd. Cory (William) and Son Limited. — The directors have declared an interim dividend on the ordinary and employees’ shares of 4 per cent.', less income-tax, on account of the year ending March 1916. County of Durham Electrical Power Distribution Company Limited.—In the Chancery Division on Tuesday, a petition to confirm a reduction of the capital of this company came before Mr. Justice Sargant. Counsel said the scheme was to reduce the capital from £500,000 in 100,000 shares of £5 each, to £300,000 in £1 shares, the reduction to be effected by cancelling capital, lost or unrepresented by available assets, to the extent of £2 per share, and by subdividing each £3 share in three £1 shares. The loss of assets amounted to £207,000, of which it was proposed to write off £200,000. There had been a depreciation of £98,000 in the value of the company’s investments, which were of the nominal value of £282,000. The chief reason advanced for the loss of assets was a change in the method of generating and distributing power since the company was incorporated in 1899. At that time it was the practice to use a number of small power stations, but now it was considered better to use one central station. The company had recognised this, and had entered into an arrangement with the Newcastle-on-Tyne Company, the result of which was to render a large proportion of its stations commercially useless. No dividend on the ordinary, shares had been paid since 1907. His lordship sanctioned the reduction. Dorman, Long and Company Limited.—The directors have decide^ to pay a dividend of 5 per cent., making, with the interim dividend, 8 per cent., and in addition a bonus of Is. per share, both free of income-tax, for the year ended September 30. Gwaun-cae-Curwen Colliery Company Limited. — The directors, in submitting the balance-sheet for the year ended September 30 last, state that the profit, after closing Brook Drift, and writing off the loss, is £29,424 13s., to which has to be added the amount brought forward from last year, viz., £14,469 12s. 8d. An interim dividend paid in June absorbed £4,519 13s. 10d., and it is now recommended that the balance be disposed of by the payment of a final dividend of Is. 6d. per share, free of tax, on the fully-paid ordinary shares of £1 each, and 9d. per share on the ordinary shares having 10s. paid up, also free of tax; £5,000 is placed to depreciation, and £7,000 to reserve, the carry forward being £14,243 11s. 6d. The directors regret the death during the year of Aid. George Senior. To fill the vacancy Mr. G. H. Aizlewood has been elected by the board. Hill (Richard) and Company (1899) Limited.—The profit on trading for 15 months amounts to £30,225, to which must be added transfer fees £8 10s., and the balance brought for- ward £794, making £31,058. This the directors propose should be applied as follows :—Directors’ remuneration, £962; travelling expenses, £178; depreciation, £2,090; excess profits duty, £7,252. Dividend on preference shares, £6,750; dividend on ordinary shares for the nine months to Sept. 30 (at 10 per cent, per annum, less tax), making 8 per cent, for the year, £6,375; carried forward for the equalisation of dividends and other purposes, £5,326. Hornsby (R.) and Sons Limited.—The directors recom- mend a dividend for the year ended September 30 of 6| per cent, out of a divisible balance of £52,963, carrying forward £27,547. Hyderabad (Deccan) Company Limited.—An interim divi- dend of Is. per share is recommended. Lloyds Navigation Steam Coal Company Limited.—Mr. Justice Astbury has made a compulsory order to wind up this company, on the petition of the trustees of the property of William Benjamin Lloyd, creditors for £6,500. Counsel said the company’s colliery was dismantled, and all work was stopped. Millom and Askam Iron Company Limited. — The net profits for the past year were £67,143, and £7,097 was brought forward. A final dividend of 6 per cent, is pro- posed on the ordinary shares, making 10 per cent, for the 12 months, adding £25,000 to the depreciation fund, and £25,000 to the reserve, and carrying forward £9,990. Rhymney Iron Company Limited. — The interim report shows that the output of coal from the company’s pits for the half-year ended September 25 was 490,894 tons, a decrease of 70,243 tons as compared with last year. This reduction was principally due to the number of the company’s men who have joined the Forces of the Crown, which number is being continually increased. The equipment of the Mardy pit has been completed, and a small quantity of coal is now being raised there. The total make of coke was 11,844 tons, as against 22,422 tons. The directors propose the distribution of an interim dividend for the half-year of 6 per cent, per annum on the £400,000 preference capital. Shotts Iron Company Limited. — Including £28,171 brought forward, the sum at credit of profit and loss account, after deduction of depreciation, allocation to reserve, and interim preference dividend, amounts to £54,399. The directors recommend a dividend on the ordinary shares at the rate of 5s. per share (25 per cent.), less tax, leaving £35,363 to be carried forward. Udston Colliery Company Limited. — The directors have declared a final dividend of 10 per cent., making 15 per cent., free of tax, for the year, that £3,500 be written off for depre- ciation of collieries, leases, and wagons, and that £7,429 be carried forward, subject to recent legislative financial provi- sions, increased income-tax, and other contingencies. Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company Limited. — The report states that the profit for the year, after providing for all accrued liabilities, is £97,138 9s. 2d. This sum, together with £35,438 10s. 2d. brought forward from last year, makes a total amount of £132,576 19s. 4d., which the directors recommend should be disposed of as follows :—Interest on 4 per cent, debenture stock for the year, £11,984 9s. 8d.; dividend of 6 per cent, per annum on the preferred ordinary shares for the year ended September 30, 1915, £30,000; divi- dend of 6 per cent, per annum on the deferred ordinary shares for the year ended September 30, 1915, £13,500; reserve for depreciation, £40,000; to carry forward to next year, £37,092 9s. 8d. The directors regret the loss of their chair- man, Sir John S. Barwick, Bart., whose death occurred on August 12, 1915. The vacancy thus caused has been filled by the election of Lord Furness as chairman of the board. Since the last annual meeting, Mr. J. H. B. Forster has been elected to a seat on the board, and has been appointed managing director. NEW COMPANIES. Film Cooling Towers Limited.—Private company. Regis- tered office, 125, High Holborn. Registered November 10. To purchase, acquire, and work any interests in any patents, concessions, etc., and use any information in relation to cool- ing towers and air filters, and to carry on the business of iron founders, mechanical engineers, timber merchants, iron and steel converters, etc. Nominal capital, £6,000 in 2,000 Is. ordinary shares, and 5,000 £1 preference shares. First directors :—W. W. White, 105, High Holborn, engineer; and Lynton Clemow (same address), merchant. Qualifica- tion of directors, £100. Itter Limited.—Private company. Registered office, 45, Priestgate, Peterborough, Northampton. Registered Nov. 5. To enter into an agreement, and to carry on business of a brick manufacturer, quarry masters, coal and coke merchants, miners, etc. Nominal capital, £35,000 in 35,000 £1 shares. First directors and subscribers (one share each) :—Bertha Itter, W. Mellows, G. H. Boden, and W. T. Mellows. Lockwood, Blagden and Crawshaw Limited.—Private com- pany. Registered November 11. To acquire, take over, and carry on business of lime burners, lime and stone merchants, vessel owners, colliery proprietors, etc., now carried on by A. Lockwood, C. W. Blagden, and R. Crawshaw, at Warmsworth Cliffs and Kiveton Park, Yorkshire. Nominal capital, £20,000 in 20,000 £1 shares. First directors and subscribers (one share each) :—A. Lockwood, C. W. Blagden, and R. Crawshaw. Melling Brothers Limited.—Private company. Registered office, 503, Stamforth-road, Sheffield., Registered Nov. 11. To carry on in all branches the business of coal, coke, and lime merchants, general contractors, and electrical, mechani- cal, hydraulic, and sanitary engineers, workers of steel, timber merchants, etc. Nominal capital, £2,000 in 2,000 £1 shares. First directors and subscribers (one share each) :— H. Melling and F. Melling. Sanders (W.) and Company (1915) Limited.—Private com- pany. Registered office, 7, Oxford-street, Digbeth, Birming- ham. Registered November 5. To purchase, acquire, take over, and carry on business of electricians, metal workers, mechanical engineers, and manufacturers now carried on by L. G. Russell at above address; to enter into an agreement, and to carry on said business, and also tool makers, iron founders, gas, water, and electrical engineers, etc. Nominal capital, £2,000 in 2,000 £1 ordinary shares. First directors : L. G. Russell (permanent chairman), The Cottage, Gravelly Hill North, Birmingham, brass founder; Lucy Russell; and W. Sanders. Scott Brothers (Halifax) Limited. — Private company. Registered office, West Mount Iron Works, Vellon-lane, Halifax. Registered November 11. To purchase or other- wise acquire land, works, and premises known as West Mount Works, Beech-hill, Halifax, Yorkshire; also business of machine tool makers at said works, etc., and carry on business of iron founders, mechanical and electrical engineers. Nominal capital, £40,000 in 40,000 £1 shares. First per- manent directors and subscribers (one share each) :—W. Scott, J. E. Baume, and J. Sunderland. Sheffield Alloys Limited.—Private company. Registered office, 45, Bank-street, Sheffield. Registered November 11. To carry on business of manufacturers, merchants of, and dealers in all kinds of iron and steel and ferro alloys, and all rare metals used in connection in manufacturing brass, copper, zinc, tin, and similar metals, and compounds thereof. And to carry on business of iron and steel founders, smelters, and engineers. Nominal capital, £30,000 in 30,000 £1 shares. Director : H. W. D. Fielding, Meeting House-lane, Shef- field, solicitor. This list of new companies is taken from the Daily Register specially compiled by Messrs. Jordan and Sons Limited, company registration agents, Chancery-lane, E.C. Coal Contracts and the War.—In the City of London Court on Tuesday, before his Honour Judge Rentoul, K.C., Thorpe Head and Company Limited, coal merchants, claimed £11 13s. lid. against the New Tabernacle Sick and Provi- dent Society, the Tabernacle and Central London Coal Society, and Mr. P. Rockliffe, City-road, for coal supplied. —The Court dismissed the provident society from the suit with costs.—Mr. Crawford, for defendants, said that the defendants admitted the claim, but they raised a set-off and counter-claim. Rockliffe sent out in May 1914 applications for tenders for coal to be supplied during the year. Plaintiffs sent a list of prices, and those were accepted in June. The obligation of the plaintiffs was to send the coal as soon as possible. Supplies began, and the war broke out. Prices rose substantially, and plaintiffs approached the defendants, who had a contract which they could have kept the plaintiffs to, and it ran to 6,000 tons. Defendants agreed to pay 2s. per ton more than the contract price upon the quantity which defendants wanted over the previous year’s supplies. Had there been no war, prices would have fallen, and the plaintiffs would have had the benefit of that. Plaintiffs had pointed out that the price of wagons had gone up 300 per cent., and they were paying 10s. per ton extra for coal, and under those circumstances they asked defendants to pay extra for all coal without any limit supplied during the month of March. Defendants met the plaintiffs fairly, but the orders were not carried out, and they had to buy elsewhere at increased prices, which they now counter-claimed for. Plaintiffs offered to renew the contract in June for another 12 months, at an increase of 5s. per ton over the previous original contract. Defendants were also counter-claiming for some of the extra price of 2s. per ton, which was part of the money claimed.— Judge Rentoul found for the defendants on the claim and counter-claim, with costs. ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS RECENTLY ACCEPTED. manufacturers, 7364 (1915). Improved Method of and Apparatus for Removing and Loading a Mass of Coke Located on a Quenching Bench. Firm of Carl Still, manufacturers, Recklinghausen, Westphalia, Germany. — Relates to an improved method of and apparatus for removing and loading a mass of coke located on a quenching bench, of the class in which the mass of coke is moved as a compact body by the operation of a scraping off member over the smooth bottom of the quenching bench to trucks or the like and simul- taneously and automatically separated by a screen from thd small coke or breeze. According to the invention the scraper consists of a beam, which is simply placed in position on an ordinary or existing quenching bench behind the heap of coke ejected from the oven, the expulsion of the coke from the oven being effected in the usual way, and being quite independent of the posi- tion of the scraper. The mass of coke forms an indefinitely shaped heap on the quenching bench, and is then moved by the scraper over the quench- ing bench in that form, as a compact mass by the scraper, which is mechani- cally moved for the pur- pose, and simultaneously with the removal of the coke separates from it the smaller sized material. The scraper may be drawn forwardly by ropes or the like attached to a shaft which runs the whole length of the dis- charge end of the quench- ing bench, while the screen is a fixed one, and also runs the length of the bench. By this arrangement a simple and effective method of working, and a convenient form of apparatus adapted to serve several ovens is provided, as it is an easier matter to move the ropes to different parts of the shaft (or drums carried by same) than to move a framework or shell carrying the scraper, and a screen as before proposed. The use of the beam-shaped scraper also brings about the unexpected result that the mass of coke lying free and unconfined on the ordinary quenching bench can be moved as a coherent and compact body over the quenching bench without the aforesaid shell being required. Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a part of a quenching bench pro- vided with the improved apparatus; and fig. 2 a vertical section thereof. (Two claims.) 11564 (1915). Improvements in Power Driven Rock Drills. M. Kellow, of the Park and Croesor Quarries, Penrhyn- deudraeth, North Wales.—Relates to rock drills of the type wherein a turbine or other suitable motor is employed for rotating the drill as, for example, is described in the specification to letters patent bearing date September 12, 1906, No. 20317. The present invention consists in certain improvements in power drills of this class, particularly in regard to the construction and arrangement of the means employed for advancing and withdrawing the drill, and in respect of the feed cock for controlling the supply of water under high pressure thereto. Fig. 1 is a part longitudinal section and part side elevation illustrating a rock drill embodying the present improvements; fig. 2 being a trans- verse vertical section taken on the line Y in fig. 1; and fig. 3 an end view'taken from the left-hand side of fig. 1. According to the invention, the piston a employed for advancing and withdrawing the drill rod b is so formed that it may be unscrewed from the end of the drill rod and removed as a complete unit. A recess in the central part of the piston contains packing a1 which is forced into position by the conical end of the drill rod b, and a water- tight joint is thus formed by merely screwing the piston upon the drill rod. Drawn tubing of uniform diameter is employed for the inner cylinder 3, as also for the outer cylinder c, without entailing the turning off of so much metal to waste; the flange e1 being now formed upon the interior of a sleeve e enclosing the forward extremities of both cylinders. The outer cylinder c screws into the sleeve e, and its forward extremities engages the flange e1, a suitable pack- ing c1 being interposed. The inner cylinder d is in like manner held up against its packing d1 by means of a nut /, which engages its rearward extremity and is applied to the corre- sponding extremity of the outer cylinder c. In constructing the feed cock g for controlling the admission of water to the cylinders c d and piston a, the passages g1 thereof are arranged more symmetrically, and the plug of the feed cock is of such a character as to admit of its being conveniently milled to the required form; the passages gl being formed upon the exterior of the plug. Two cheese-headed screws h h are provided in connection with passages k k, on either side; and, upon these being removed, a pressure gauge can be attached for testing purposes. When applied to the one side, and providing the feed cock is closed so as to