March 17, 1916.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

525

merit for disabled soldiers and sailors, lias now prepared a
statement of occupations which might be given to maimed
soldiers and sailors. Under the heading of “Collieries,”
the following occupations are suggested :—Checkweighing,
pointsman, wagon greaser, lamp cleaning, charge of lamp
room, charge of explosives, timber sawing, engine attendant,
onsetter or looker-on, charge of coal wharf, tarring coal
wagons, watchman, road cleaning and stone dusting under-
ground.

At a meeting of colliery agents and coal merchants in
business at Blackpool, held on the 9th inst., it was decided
to form a coal merchants’ association for Blackpool.

Tn order to replace men who have recently enlisted, more
pit brow lasses are being engaged at various collieries in
the Manchester, Leigh, Tyldesley, and Hindley localities.

A correspondent learns that, following the example of
Messrs. Burgess, Ledward and Company, who are linking
up their Wardley Mills, Walkden, with Lord Ellesmere's
Linnyshaw Colliery by means of a private railway, other
local manufacturers are seeking similar powders from the
District Council.

A trade correspondent understands that various leading
colliery firms in the Leigh, Tyldesley, Bolton and Man-
chester districts are about to introduce compressed air coal-
cutting machines on a somewhat extensive scale into some
of their mines.

Considerable progress is being made in the sinking of
the new mines at their Parsonage pits, Westleigh, Leigh, by
the Wigan Coal and Iron Company Limited.

North Wales.

Mr. J. Walker Steele, of Workington, Cumberland, has
succeeded the late Mr. John Edwards as manager of the
Wrexham and Acton Collieries Limited, Rhosddu, near
Wrexham.

Scotland.

Subsidence and System of Working—Legality of Deductions
for Foreign Material—The Glasgow Goal Famine.

Judgment has been given in a test action in the Outer
House of the Scottish Court of Session at the instance of
David Williamson, commission agent, against Mr. M’Neill
Hamilton and the Raploch Coal Company Limited. The
pursuer sought declarator that Hamilton, as proprietor, and
the other defenders as tenants,, of the coal lying adjacent
to and underneath the ground held by the pursuer on a
building lease in the village of Larkhall, were bound in
working the coal to leave sufficient support for the surface
and the buildings thereon; or otherwise that the defenders
in working the coal were bound to observe the usual pre-
cautions adopted in mining under houses. The pursuer
claimed £400 in respect of injury to his buildings. Under
the lease the minerals were reserved to the proprietors, who
were not to be liable to the tenant of the ground in any
damage caused in working the coal. They were bound only
to observe the usual precautions adopted in mining under
houses. The workings were on the longwall system, involv-
ing the complete extraction of the coal from the area
worked. The coal had been extracted in a regular and
systematic manner. An electric coal cutter has been
employed. The work has been executed in the same way
under houses as under the open fields, and, as a result of
the working, the surface had been lowered, and the pursuer’s
houses had been injured. For the defenders it was con-
tended that on a sound construction of the building lease the
pursuer was not entitled to any support. They claimed that
they had observed the usual precautions adopted in mining
under houses.—Lord Hunter decided in favour of the
pursuer, awarding him £250 damages and expenses. The
longwall system of working came in in the Lanarkshire
district about 1893, before this ‘it was usual to work minerals
under houses by stoop and room method, and his lordship
considered that the pursuer’s lease contemplated that the
reserved coal would be worked by stoop and room, so as to
leave support. His lordship was of opinion that the pursuer
was entitled to damages in respect that the defenders in
working coal under his property had not left stoops to support
the surface, and by failure to take the precaution had caused
damage to the buildings.

A fatal accident enquiry was held at Dunfermline Sheriff
Court, concerning the death of Alexander Clunie, who died
at Dean Colliery, by being crushed by the top of the cage
and plates at mid-working. The Sheriff, in addressing the
jury, said he thought it was their duty to add to their formal
verdict an expression of opinion that the accident was due
to neglect to use the gates upon the cage.

At Stirling Sheriff Court, a miner employed at Manor
Powis Colliery was fined £4 with the option of 30 days’
imprisonment, for refusing to obey a pit fireman’s order and
use a safety lamp instead of a naked light at accused’s
working place.

An action for interim interdict against the Coltness Iron
Company Limited was raised in Dunfermline Sheriff Court
last week, by Jas. Dobbie, a miner employed at Blairhall
Colliery, in connection with the making of deductions in
respect of foreign material in the coal sent up to the pit head
unless such deductions were 'determined by the weigher and
checkweigher, or by a third person. For the pursuer it
was stated that the checkweigher was appointed on behalf
of the men in 1914. No special mode for determining deduc-
tions had been agreed to. between the company and the
men, and no deductions had ever been determined by the
weigher and checkweigher. Deductions had been claimed
by the weigher without the consent of the checkweigher,
which made such deductions illegal. For the respondents
it was stated that if the application was granted the colliery
could not go on and pay the wages at the present rate on the
gross weight. The men at present received 2s. a week
above the standard for the county, and if paid on gross
weight without change of rates their wages would be twice
that of the other miners in Fifeshire. The present rate
was fixed on clean coal basis, as in this seam there was
a layer of stone. The Sheriff, in refusing interdict, said
he did not think any serious injury would be suffered by
his decision, because the general provisions upon which
these deductions had been made were apparently well
known, and the people from whom these deductions were
being made—if they were found to be in the right at the
end of the day—would have their remedy against the
employers to recover the deductions which were illegally
made.

It has been agreed to pay trained members of rescue
brigades in Fife a retaining fee of £2 per year provided they
undergo a test twice a year, to prove their efficiency.

In the Hamilton Sheriff Court, David Finlay, colliery
fireman, was charged with having on January 19 in No. 1
pit, Greenfield Colliery, knowingly made a false entry in
the report book to the effect that he had inspected every
part of the Whitehill district in the Pyotshaw seam beyond
the pit bottom lamp station in which workmen were to work
and pass. Defendant pleaded guilty. In view of
defendant’s good character, Sheriff Shennan imposed a
nominal penalty of .£1 or seven days’ imprisonment. James
Fleming, colliery fireman, employed in the same pit, was
fined 15s. or five days’ imprisonment for having on the
same date failed at the close of his shift to confer with
Finlay, who succeeded him, and give him such information
as might be necessary for the general safety.

The joint deputation, representing Glasgow Corporation,
coal merchants, and co-operative societies, was received on
Friday by Mr. W. F. Marwood, second secretary of the
Board of Trade, regarding the supply and price of coal in
the Glasgow district. Coun. P. J. Dolland, on behalf of the
deputation, outlined the grievances and the alleged inadequate
protection given to consumers under the Price of Coal
(Limitation) Act, and the increasing scarcity of supplies.
Mr. Marwood, in reply, said that the question of supplies
was a most difficult problem, owing to the demand for coal
by munition factories and other essential industries. A
Scottish committee, consisting solely of coal owners, had
been appointed to deal with the question, land he suggested
that a conference with them might lead to some amicable
settlement.

An authoritative statement on the position of the Scottish
coal owners in relation to the question of household supplies
has now been given to the Press. The statement suggests
that the grievance complained of by coal merchants—that the
coal owners are trying to deprive them of the benefits of the
Price of Coal (Limitation) Act by imposing contracts for
summer supplies at winter prices—has been greatly exag-
gerated. It is pointed out that the Board of Trade have
recommended that contracts should 'be entered into in order
to secure continuity and reliability of supply to the home
consumers, and that merchants themselves have approached
coal owners for contracts to ensure the replenishment of their
stocks. The statement implies also that the coal owner
requires to protect himself from the merchant who takes
advantage of the owner’s obligations under the Act, from
which he himself is immune, by buying from day to day
when prices are falling, and then when values have reached
their minimum, entering into contracts for a period ahead.
But while the contract system is so far defended, the belief
is expressed that, with .few exceptions, owners are continuing
to give regular customers the benefit of the Act by adhering
to the practice as to deliveries which has been followed
hitherto by the parties. The existing difficulties, it is main-
tained, arise from the shortage in output, and the view is
expressed that these will be largely removed when the control
of distribution exercised by the district coal and coke com-
mittee shows its effect. Mr. Douglas Mitchell, one of the
representative coal merchants in Glasgow,1 who has been inter-
viewed on the subject of the coal shortage, its cause, and
probable remedy, has declared that the solution of the diffi-
culty depends almost wholly on the attitude of the coal owners.
He maintained that if the coal owners were to be allowed to
exploit the public, then there was no limitation either on the
price the merchants could ask. The merchants did not make
a general charge against the owners., but there were some
individual instances of owners shipping practically all their
output in order to get high prices. Cases in which coal
owners were charging above the rates laid down in the Price
of Coal (Limitation) Act could be reported to the Board of
Trade, who had power to report them to the Fiscal. If that
were done, then the licences of the offending coal owners
might be withdrawn.

OBITUARY.

Mr. C. W. Fairweather, consulting engineer, Cathedral
Buildings, Newcastle, died on Tuesday. He had a large
connection among collieries.

The death is announced of Mr. James Couper, of
Craigforth, Stirling, a director of the Steel Company of
Scotland, and other companies.

The death occurred on the 8th inst. of Mr. Alf. E. Hale,
of Cinderford, Dean Forest. Deceased was the youngest son
of Mr. Jos. Hale, J.P., general manager of Lydney and
Crump Meadow Collieries Limited. The deceased gentleman
received his early colliery training at Crump Meadow Colliery,
Cinderford, when surveying was his speciality. He won the
county mining scholarship of £100 value, spent two years at
Messrs. John Knowles and Company’s collieries, and also
attended the Wigan School of Mines, where he obtained a
colliery manager’s first-class certificate. Returning to the
Forest coal field, the Crump Meadow Company gave him an
appointment as assistant manager at his father’s colliery,
and he took an active part in the development of the new
Bowson area, which contained the “No coal” and “Brazilly”
seams, and which property was purchased from Messrs.
Illingsworth. Later, the company purchased the Arthur and
Edward colliery gales at Lydbroo’k, an area which contained
the celebrated Coleford High Delf steam coal seam, and Mr.
Hale was appointed its manager.

Aid. George Thomas Grey, head of the Holborn Engineer-
ing Works, South Shields, died on Monday, as the result of
an accident received about two months ago.

Mr. R. 0. Heslop, iron and steel merchant, and Consul
for the Netherlands at Newcastle, died last week.

Mr. James Fletcher, of Ashley-road, Altrincham, who died
last week at the age of. 76 years, bad carried on business as
a coal merchant for more than 50 years.

The coal trade generally will learn with regret of the death
of Mr. C. M. Parker, London agent to the Wigan Coal and
Iron Company Limited. Deceased, who was born at Liver-
pool, died suddenly on Sunday last. He had not suffered from
illness, and, indeed, had been working at his office on the
day before his death. Mr. Parker had been connected with
the Wigan Company’s London office for over 40 years, and
succeeded his father as chief agent. He leaves a widow, a
daughter, and three sons. Of the latter, the eldest has
worked with his father for many years, a second holds a naval
commission, and the third is a captain in the Army. The
funeral took place yesterday (Thursday) at Elmers End
Cemetery.

The Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of
Trade states that mining -plant for output of 300 tons per
day of 15 per cent., is required by a home firm.

LABOUR ARD WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Deputations both of the coal owners and the South Wales
Miners’ Federation have been in communication with Sir
George Askwith, chief industrial commissioner of the Board
of Trade, and. the men submitted to him considerations
arising out of the non-unionist question. They have
approached the Board of Trade because the action of that
authority last year in regard to output was coupled with
the suggestion of co-operation between the employers and
the Federation in regard to the non-unionist difficulty; and
the position at the present time is that miners from
Somersetshire and the Forest of Dean have come into the
South Wales coal field, supplying the places of men who
have enlisted; also, of course, on account of the higher
wages earned. Sir George Askwith, after an interview with
the coal owners’ representatives, had <a second conference
with the Federation deputation. No definite result . was
reached, but it was arranged that a further consultation
should take place.

The same deputation from the Federation had other
matters to put before Sir George Askwith, and it is hoped
that they will be able also to see Mr. Runciman (President
of the Board of Trade). They wish to bring before him the
difficulties arising out of the new wage agreement, viz.,
Sunday night shift, bonus turn for ostlers, and the advanced
rates for skilled surface craftsmen, Government intervention
on these points being desired.

The Rhondda district of miners at their meeting on
Monday again made reference to the long continued dispute
at the Gelli Colliery; and Capt. D. Watts Morgan, miners’
agent, said that an attempt had been made to hold the men
to terms drawn up by the Peace Committee in August 1914,
on the ground that he had signed on the men’s behalf. But
he explained that the position, so far as he understood it, was
that the terms had first to be placed before the men them-
selves. This had been done ; but the men did not feel dis-
posed to accept; and on being referred to' the district they
were rejected. A delegate asked whether wounded soldiers
were being employed at the collieries on lower rates than
those specified in the minimum wage award; but the answer
was that there was no knowledge of any such employment.
The question, however, is to be raised as a matter of urgency
al the next miners’ conference.

East Glamorgan miners have received a report from their
agent that at the Llanbradach Colliery arrears due to
hauliers under the award of late Sir Laurence Gomme would
be paid, and that there would be also an adjustment of the
rates for masons.

Mr. Frank Hodges, miners’ agent, addressing the Garw
district of miners, referred to the award of Lord Muir
Mackenzie, and said that it did not put the workmen in so
good a position relatively under the present agreement as
they were under the old. Air. Hodges also referred to the
equivalent, and said that it might yet become necessary for
the w’orkmen to re-state their case.—On the same subject,
Air. G. Barker spoke at the monthly meeting of the Western
Valleys miners of Monmouthshire. In his opinion the
independent chairman had fixed an equivalent to the
minimum wage in his own mind, and undoubtedly had
allowed it to be very much higher than had been anticipated
by the workmen’s representatives. The average selling
price of large coal bad been £1 0s. lid., and this would
have given them 113^ upon the old sliding scale, or 88^ on
the standard of 1879 ; and the workmen were 25 per cent,
worse off to-day under the Conciliation Board so far as
selling price was concerned. A resolution was carried pro-
testing against the decision of Lord Mackenzie, and
requesting the executive council to call a conference of the
coal field in order that the matter might be dealt with.

The Tredegar Valley miners, at their monthly meeting,
were informed that a price list had been arranged for work-
ing the No. 5 seam at Nine Mile Point Colliery.

The Avon Valley miners at a meeting on Saturday had
before them the question of sub-contracting, stating that
this practice had been started at one of the collieries. The
meeting unanimously decided that unless it be stopped, steps
be promptly taken to tender notices. It was urged that
this system had been abolished in the district for years, and
the miners could not allow it to be revived.

The anthracite miners are concerned in a dispute as to
the Sunday night pay of craftsmen and ostlers, and also
over the ever-pressing question of non-unionism. It was
agreed that notices be presented at three of the collieries on
the different points specified.

Mr. Jas. Winstone, acting president of the Federation, has
advised the Dowlais miners to suspend their notices on the
non-unionist question and to await the result of a. conference
between the Government and the miners’ leaders. Upon
this recommendation the men decided to suspend notices for
one week. It is understood that there has been a considerable
reduction in the number of non-unionists during the currency
of the notices hitherto.

Lieut.-Gom. Underwood, the representative of the Port
and Transit Executive Committee recently appointed by the
Government, attended at Cardiff on Friday to enquire into
delays and congestion at the port; and he was met by
representatives of the coal trimmers and coal tippers. Lieut.
Underwood suggested to the men that with regard to general
commercial tonnage they should abandon their practice of
suspending work at one o’clock on Saturdays, just as they
had done in regard to Admiralty work. The representatives of
the trimmers and tippers submitted the contention that the
delays which have taken place were not due to insufficiency
of working hours, but to the wTant of co-ordination of working
on the part of employers. They expressed their willingness
to take any steps for expediting work, and will consult the
members of their unions upon the matter. The ship owners
were subsequently met by Com. Underwood, and the
question was again fully discussed; and it is hoped that
some favourable arrangement may be arrived at, and that
the men will vary their previous resolution not to work later
than one o’clock on Saturdays.

Federated Area.

It is announced that the executive council of the Lanca-
shire Miners’ Federation is approaching non-unionist workers,
with a view to getting them into the Federation.

The council of the Derbyshire Miners’ Association has
passed a resolution strongly deprecating the action of certain
coal owners in seeking to introduce women’s labour to the
mines. The secretary has been instructed to inform Mr.
Ashton, general manager of the Wales wood Colliery, that
unless the women employed there were withdrawn at once,
the men were to be balloted as to what steps should be taken
to enforce the withdrawal. Some of the women, it was
stated, were the wives of soldiers.