December 31, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

1351

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Swansea Harbour Coal Rates Increased—Colliery Stoppage
Due to Storm—Industrial Review of 1915—Glamorgan
Education Authority and Treforest School of Mines.

The difficulty in connection with the Swansea Harbour
Trust has at last developed, so that what the Trustees
endeavoured to avoid, viz., an increase of shipping rates, must
nevertheless be brought into force. A sub-committee has had
the matter under consideration, and this committee reports
that, inasmuch as, owing to the effect of the war, increase
in revenue is necessary, they have decided, after grave con-
sideration, to increase the harbour and dock dues on coal,
coke, and patent fuel, from 2d. to 2|d. per ton. These take
effect as from January 1, and will be only temporary, for the
duration of the war, or a few months afterwards. The expen-
diture of the Trustees has been advanced considerably because
of the increase in the price of coal, etc.; and this, coming
concurrently with the loss of revenue, has compelled them
to resort to an increase of rates. The Harbour Trustees will
submit a Bill to Parliament next session, deferring for three
years the repayment of mortgages which become due on
June 20 next; and raising the rate of interest for the added
period.

The very unusual circumstance of colliery stoppage being
due to a gale of wind, is reported from the Sirhowy Valley,
in Monmouthshire. Monday was a day of terrific storm,
lasting several hours; and during the height of its force, one
wall of the fan and power house at G-raham’s Colliery was
blown down, it having been only recently erected. Part of
the roof also collapsed, in consequence; and the debris fell
upon the machine, damaging it seriously. As a result,
operations had to cease; and over 500 men were rendered
temporarily idle.

Mr. William Blow, coal exporter, of Newport, in the course
of some remarks at a meeting in that town, referred to the
coal trade, and especially the tonnage question. In his
opinion, there will be a better supply of tonnage in the
coming year than in the past; and, as to the coal trade itself,
he stated that good contracts had been made, which wTould
mean good wages for workmen—and perhaps a little profit to
coal owners ! Mr. Blow also stated that a large number of
merchant ships now being built in this country would be com-
pleted within the next three months. If this proves to be
the case, an early relief of the difficulties of the coal trade
may be anticipated. In addition, if the Admiralty utilises its
tramp tonnage more economically, and, as has been virtually
promised, releases more vessels to the general trade, the out-
look would to that extent be still further improved.

Experiences during 1915 have been singularly different in
the separate interests. Industrial associations in this area are
very closely linked, coal trade conditions meaning not alone
those relating to collieries, but also- to the local mineral lines
and the tramp vessels, the South Wales investors being
interested in all three, and the whole being dependent upon
the coal trade. Dock investments do not count, because, in
respect of Swansea the Harbour Trust is a public authority;
at Barry the dock is part of the railway undertaking, as is
the case also at Cardiff and at Port Talbot; whilst at Newport
the Alexandra Dock Company is also railway owner. So far
as dock interests can be separated, the business conditions
have been adverse, Swansea Harbour Trust, for instance,
having come to such a pass that it had to call upon the Cor-
poration for realisation of its guarantee of interest on dock
capital, and also to raise the rates on coal; and dock stocks as
such showing marked depreciation in common with those of
the whole kingdom. On the other hand, the colliery share
values have risen very satisfactorily, and they are likely to
maintain their position, because the outlook for the coming
year is bright. Costs of production have increased, but the
market prices of coal more than cover those outlays, notwith-
standing the very high level to which wages have risen. The
result of past working, and the anticipation of future improve-
ment, are manifest in the share list, practically every share in
the market showing an appreciation, as compared with the
beginning of the year. In certain cases the advance has been
remarkable, as, for instance, the Cambrian ordinary advance
from 16s. 6d. to 27s. 3d., and the United National 51s. 6d.
to 59s. These are far above the general level; but, taking
the whole class of colliery shares, only one or two mark a
depreciation. Among the notable events of the year have
been the acquisition by the Powell Duffryn Company of Lord
Bute’s Abernant colliery property; the purchase of the Bute-
Merthyr Collieries at Treherbert by the United National Com-
pany; and the sale by D. Davis and Sons of their Monmouth-
shire interests (Lancaster and Company collieries) to the
Ebbw Vale Company, with Messrs. T. Beynon and Company,
as recently reported. The mineral railways show decline in
value. Taff stock, for instance, at 55s., is 10s. below its figure
at the commencement of the year; Rhymney Railway is 15
points down on its deferred ordinary; whilst Barry deferred
stock is 9 points down. As to these, however, it may be
pointed out that the decline is rather sympathetic with the
course of the general market for railway stocks; and although,
of course, traffic returns are not nearly so satisfactory, on
account of reduced outputs, the future of these companies is
assured.

It is stated that the foreign shipments from South Wales
during 1915 were over 18 millions of tons; and, nevertheless,
there is uneasiness as to the invasion of our markets by
American competitors, because it is impracticable for South
Wales to continue supply; impracticable not only for the
lack of the coal itself, but also because of the enormous rates
of freight operating very adversely. Six to eight times is an
increase which has been registered, and still the rise continues.
The demands of the Government, and also the demands of
our Allies, will necessitate for some time a continuance of
present conditions, these demands introducing uncertain
factors, and preventing that regular course of business which
enables forecast to be made with any thing like approxima-
tion to accuracy. Colliery costs are likely to be maintained at a
very high rate, both because of the higher prices of all neces-
saries, and the great advance in the wage rates, and because
shortage of labour has been bringing about a reduction of
output, which is estimated at anywhere from 15 to 25 per
cent., as compared with ordinary times. The wide and
violent fluctuations of the past year—due to labour problems,
shortage of tonnage, etc.—may continue, although it is hoped
that, by the improvement in respect of tonnage, one of the
disquieting influences may be eliminated. As an illustration

of the difficulty in marketing coals, it need only be mentioned
that smalls, which reached at one time 20s., have been sold
as low as 6s. 6d.

The new year will, it is expected, witness the combination
of the Raglan Engineering Works with those of the Briton
Ferry Steel Company, who acquired the Albion Steel Works
a few months ago, Mr. Herbert Eccles having carried through
the arrangements.

The miners of the Blaina district are summoning a special
meeting to consider a scheme for the provision of motor
ambulances, similar to the convoy of cars presented by the
Midland men; and they are being informed that the South
Wales owners have already announced the intention of doing
their share.

The question of the Treforest School of Mines, which wras
established by the Coal Owners’ Association, came up again
before the Glamorgan authority last week, when reference
was made to the objection which that authority had lodged
with the Board of Education as to the Board recognising the
Treforest School. A motion was made that the resolution be
referred back for further consideration; but Aid. Williams
stated that the Treforest School Committee had undertaken
not to apply for grant without further agreement with the
County authority, and, as no steps had been taken to arrive
at such an agreement, he maintained objection to the school’s
recognition by the Board of Education. The motion to refer
back was defeated.

Permanently adverse effect upon the tin-plate trade is feared
because of the abnormal conditions created by the war, high
prices aiding the American competition, which has become so
serious; and lack of necessary supplies—such as steel bars
and sulphuric acid—increasing very much the difficulties that
have to be faced. Treated as “ controlled ” establishments,
the greater part of the output being taken by the British and
Allied Governments, normal conditions of business are so
much deranged, that consumers are driven to America. Then,
there is the shortage of labour also operating adversely. So
that, whilst quotations of 24s. a box or over have an appear-
ance of prosperous conditions, the cost of material and labour,
as well as the reduced output, give quite a different reality.
But the fact is that many existing contracts are at lower
prices, and the day-to-day quotation does not show the average
of prices. Steel bars for tin-platers are in short supply, with
an expectation that prices, already from £10 to £11, may go
10 per cent, higher; and the demand for steel, by the French
Government, among others, is so keen that home consumers
will have to give higher rates in order to secure deliveries.

Considerable excitement was caused on Sunday last at
Pentrebach, a village about two miles from Merthyr, when an
outbreak of fire occurred at the Graig Pit, belonging to Hill’s
Plymouth Company. The outbreak originated in the lamp
room about half-past nine in the evening. The lamp room
was very soon a mass of flames, and it was apparent that
there was no hope of saving it. Precautions were taken with
regard to the ventilation of the pit in case of the fire spread-
ing. It was feared at one time that the flames would extend
to the engine room, but the fire brigade were successful in
confining the outbreak to the lamp room, which was com-
pletely gutted. Owing to the holidays, there was no work
at the colliery on Sunday night, and only officials and sur-
facemen were engaged on the premises at the time.

As from January 1, Mr. W. J. Holloway, who has been
in -the service of the Bute undertaking since 1880, and has
had much experience at the Cardiff Docks, will enter upon
duties as mineral and traffic manager of the docks of the
Cardiff Railway Company. As reported recently, Mr.
J. J. Rogers is retiring on that date from the position of
staith master; and the new office which Mr. Holloway will
take combines that of traffic superintendent (goods and
passenger) and also the control of the coal-shipping
department.

Northumberland and Durham.

Contravention of Explosives Order — Illegal Sale of
Workmen's Allowance Coal — Durham Miners and
Motor Ambulance Scheme.

Mr. Selby Riddle, formerly assistant-manager at West
Denton Colliery, Bell’s Close, and now manager of a new
mining enterprise near Shilbottle, was married at Easington
on Christmas Day to Miss S. Slater, of Low Moorsley.

Mr. John Cairns, financial secretary to the Northumber-
land Miners’ Association, states that up to the end of
November, 189 miners had been killed in action out of the
9,999 members of the Association who have enlisted. There
are, also, 784 half-members with -the Colours, making a total
of 10,783.

At a public enquiry, held last Monday, into the applica-
tion of the Stanley Urban District Council for the
amalgamation of the parishes of Stanley, South Moor, and
Oxhill into one parish to be called Stanley, it was intimated
on behalf of the South Moor Colliery Company Limited,
that, whilst the firm could very reasonably have objected to
the proposal, it was prepared to forego doing so, if the
scheme was to be for the public benefit. There was no
opposition.

Capt. W. H. Coulson, of the 8th (Territorial) Battalion
of the Durham Light Infantry, first reported killed, but
now known to be a prisoner of war in Germany, is the only
son of Lieut.-Col. Frank Coulson, of Shamrock House,
Durham, and was manager of the new colliery at Fishburn,
near Sedgefield, when called to the Colours. Capt. Coulson,
in a letter to his wife, states that he was wounded in the
lungs.

When Robert Piper and Robert Lewcick were each fined
10s. at Newcastle last week, for having contravened the
Explosives in Mines Order, they were warned that they had
rendered themselves liable to a fine of £5 each. They were
charged with having taken a detonator into North Walbottle
Colliery without the necessary authority, and with having
fired a charge which was not placed in a properly drilled
shot hole with stemming, as required by the Order.

When Wm. Ornsby, hewer, was sued by Messrs. U. A.
Ritson and Sons Limited, at North Shields last week, for
£3 15s. for breach of contract, through having absented
himself from work at Preston Colliery, he was stated to
have absented himself for 15 out of 33 working days. Order-
ing defendant to pay the amount claimed, with costs, the
chairman (Mr. W. Bird) made reference to the “ starring ”
of miners in connection with the Derby scheme, and
remarked that Ornsby’s appeared to be one of those cases
in which application should be made by the recruiting officer
that the man, single and “ starred,” should be regarded as
no longer necessary for mining and, therefore, no longer
exempt from military service.

At the unveiling of a beautiful oak reredos, in Christ
Church, New Seaham, as a memorial to the late Marquis of
Londonderry, reference was made by the Marquis of Zetland,
who performed the ceremony, to the terrible explosion at
Seaham Colliery in 1880. He said he would never forget
the manner in which the late Lord Londonderry and the
Marchioness did all in their power to alleviate the sufferings
and administer consolation to those injured and to those
bereaved by that disaster. His lordship also mentioned the
great development which had taken place in the collieries
and docks of the locality in recent years due to the fine
initiative of the late marquis.

John Hunter, a cartman employed by a firm who con-
tracted with the South Medomsley Coal Company to deliver
the workmen’s coal supplies to their houses, was smartly
punished by the Consett magistrates last week for having
stolen 15 cwts. of coal, the property of the colliery company.
The evidence at the earlier hearing, reported in these
columns on December 17, showed that a practice had arisen
under which private people, who ought to purchase their
coals in the ordinary way, had been in the habit of buying,
from certain of the workmen, coal, to which the latter were
entitled, at great reductions in price. In the present case
the coal had been purchased for 4s., whereas the actual
value of the delivered fuel was 16s. The chairman, in
imposing a fine of £3, said the Bench considered the case
a- very serious one.

Although the Durham miners, as a body, voted against
making a levy in aid of the provision of motor ambulances
for the front—basing their opposition on -the very plausible
argument that the State should provide such vehicles—a
large number of lodges have made voluntary contributions
which, to date, total about £1,500, besides which the council
meeting has sanctioned the proposal of the executive com-
mittee of the Durham Miners’ Association that £1,000
should be voted to the Red Cross Ambulance Associa-
tion. It may quicken subscriptions from the miners if a
fact which does not appear to be generally known is here
stated, viz., that the ambulances from the various counties
will bear the names of their counties, and of the
associations under whose auspices they are provided,
and that, if they are intact at the end of the war,
they will be returned to their “ home ” counties for use in
local cases. It is worthy of note that the Wheatley Hill
miners have accepted the proposal of the Weardale Steel,
Coal and Coke Company Limited, that the company shall
pay Id. per ton on all coal produced at the colliery provided
that the miners will levy themselves 10s. per man and 5s.
per boy to purchase such an ambulance.

Cleveland.

Redcar Iron Works Changes Hands.

The well-known Redcar Iron Works and Coatham Iron
Works of Messrs. Walker, Maynard and Company Limited,
Middlesbrough, as well as the firm’s ironstone mines at
Kilton, have been purchased by Sir Hugh Bell, Bart., and
Mr. A. J. Dorman. For some months past the works have
been standing idle, but the new owners intend to put them
into operation at an early date. The company had paid no
dividend for some years past, and recently the shareholders
appointed a committee to go into the firm’s affairs. The
result of the committee’s deliberations is the sale, which,
however, needs the formal sanction of the shareholders.
The works will probably form an integral portion of -the
great group comprising the undertakings of Messrs. Bell
Brothers Limited, Messrs. Dorman, Long and Company
Limited, and the North-Eastern Steel Company Th mi ted.
which for some years have been under unified control.
The share capital of Messrs. Walker, Maynard consists of
160,000 6 per cent, cumulative preference shares of £1 each,
and 80,000 fully-paid ordinary shares of £1 each, total
£240,000. The purchase price is stated to be in the neigh-
bourhood of £150,000. The works which have been taken
over are situated upon a site of considerable area, with good
access to the Tees, and very satisfactory railway accommoda-
tion. Their advantageous position will be improved in the
very near future by the fact that the North-Eastern Railway
Company has decided upon extensions in the neighbourhood.
In connection with this purchase, Mr. J. H. Linton,
secretary of Messrs. Walker, Maynard and Company
Limited, has sent a circular to the shareholders of the
company stating that they have entered into a contract for
the sale of these works, which, after paying off the deben-
tures and all liabilities, will admit of a payment of 10s.
per share to the preference shareholders. Completion of the
sale is fixed for March 1 next. When this has taken place,
and the other assets of the company have been collected and
the debts paid, a meeting will be called for the purpose of
winding up the company and arranging for the distribution
of assets.

Cumberland.

Mr. A. E. Lamb, general manager and secretary of the
Whitehaven Haematite Iron and Steel Company Limited,
Cleator Moor, has relinquished his appointment with the
iron company, after a period of 47 years’ service, and takes
a seat on the board of directors.

The coroner for West Cumberland held the adjourned
inquest at Whitehaven, last week, into the circumstances
connected with the death of Mark Milligan, a stone drifter,
who died from injuries received in Wellington pit, on
November 24. Nichol Nicholson, one of the -injured men,
said he and deceased commenced to bore in an old socket,
which they had previously examined and found to be quite
clear. An explosion occurred while they were drilling, and
witness did not remember what happened afterwards. In
his opinion an old charge had been left in the back of the
hole. Dr. Harris described the injuries to deceased, who
was more or less riddled on the upper part of the body.
The cause of death was septic pneumonia, occasioned by
septic wounds, which, in his opinion had been caused by
an explosion. The doctor added that he took a little piece of
bright wire out of the shoulder of Milligan, about the thick-
ness of a pin, and | in. long. Henry Preston, chargeman,
also gave evidence, and was asked if it was possible that
some of the cartridges put into the hole previously had been
left, and that the drill caused the explosion. Witness said
it was quite possible. He was sure all the 10 holes he and
another man had made had gone off. Robert Steel, manager
of the colliery, stated that about six or seven weeks ago,
James Jollow, contractor, brought out an unexploded
cartridge which had been found in a hole, while the other
cartridges had exploded. This cartridge wTas just like a
piece of marble or hard rock. In his opinion there must
have been an explosive left in the hole the men were boring.
Tn order to prevent a repetition of this kind of accident he