526 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. Mauch 17, 1916. A dispute has arisefi with respect to' wa’r bonus and price list items at the Southgate, and Whitwell (Shireoaks Com- pany) and Birchwood (Babbingtdn Company) Collieries, and Mr. F. Hall (agent) and the local committees have been empowered to approach the Industrial Commissioners with a view to arbitration. Scotland. As a result of a difference between the Canon Coal Com- pany and their employees, intimation has been made that No. 5 Canon Hall pit is to be closed meantime. The differ- ence had its origin in regard to. a question of rates of wages,. The closing will affect about 100 workers. Delegates from 21 colliery districts of Mid and Bast Lothian attended a meeting under the auspices of the Miners’ Federation at Dalkeith on Saturday. The report stated that over 90 per cent, of the, colliers were obtaining full-time employment of 11 days per fortnight. With reference to the non-union question at New Cumnock Collieries, the executive of. the National Union of Scottish Mine Workers has arranged that if the interview with the colliery manager proved abortive, the men should be empowered to stop work. Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades. Representatives of the iron and steel industries met at the headquarters, of the British Steel Smelters’ Union, London, last week, and approved of the sub-committee’s scheme for the amalgamation of' the various unions. It is proposed, however, that the draft shall be considered by the executive of' the different unions before the scheme becomes operative; and in order to embody amendments which, might be con- sidered necessary, a further general conference is to be held in London next month. The scheme, as amended, will also be submitted for the approval of the members. The award of Sir George Askwith, Sir .George Gibb, and Sir David Harrel on the application of the Sheffield , allied engineering trades for an advance in wages of 10s. per week on time rates, 2$ per cent, on piece rates, and 5s. for youths, holds that the claim for the further advance of wages has not been established. The refusal of the Government Committee on Production to concede an advance on wages to skilled workers on the Clyde has been adversely criticised at a meeting of the Federation of Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades. The Federation decided to request the various executives concerned to meet immediately to consider the situation. CONTRACTS OPEN FOR COAL AND COKE. For Contracts Advertised in this issue received too late for inclusion in this column, see Leader and Last White pages. Maidstone, March 22.—The directors of the Maidstone Gas Company invite tenders for the supply of 16,000 tons of unscreened Durham gas coals delivered in barge along- side their wharf on the Medway, Maidstone, over the 13 months commencing June 1, 1916. The directors also invite tenders for 10,000 tons of screened Yorkshire gas coals or washed Yorkshire nuts delivered iat Maidstone West Station over the same period. Any further particulars required can be obtained from the undersigned, to whom tenders should be delivered not later than March 22. The directors do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. Frank Livesey, engineer and manager. Abstracts of Contracts Open. Bordon.—1,200 tons of screened gas coal for the Bordon and District Gas Company. Particulars from I. K. Horder, secretary, 12, Henrietta-street, London, W.C. Bristol, March 24.—Unwashed .small coal (with alterna- tives for washed pea coal), for the Corporation. Forms from Mr. H. Faraday Proctor, chief engineer and general manager, Electricity Department, The Exchange, Corn- street, Bristol. Cork, March 21.—About 900 tons of Lancashire best double screened steam coal, for the Harbour Commissioners. Forms from the engineer, Commissioners’ Offices, Custom House-street, Cork. Darlington, March 23.—Freshly wrought gas coals, for the Corporation. Forms from Mr. Frank P. Tarratt, gas works engineer, Darlington. Dundee, March 20.—Gas coal, coking coal, and nuts, for the Dundee Gas Commissioners. Forms from ■ Mr. Alex. Yuill, engineer -and manager, Gas Works, Dundee. Exeter, March 20.—Steam (washed bean or pea) coal, to the Exeter Corporation electricity works. Forms from Mr. H. Lloyd Parry, town clerk. Fareham, March 22.—About 60 tons of best house coal, for the Fareham Rural District Council. Tenders>■■■. Liverpool, March 20.—50,000 tons of coal for the Gas Company. Forms from R. E. Gibson, Gas Office, Duke- street, Liverpool. London, N.E., March 20.—1,000 tqns small steam coal, for the Hackney Guardians. Forms from Mr. Frank R. Coles, clerk to the Guardians, Clerk’s Office, Hackney Union, 2, Sidney-road, Homerton, N.E. London, E., March 21.—200 tons of house coal for the Managers of the Poplar and Stepney Sick Asylum District. Forms from the Clerk, Devons-road, Bow, E. London, S.E., April 3.—Steam coal, for the Bermondsey Guardians. Forms from Mr. E. Pitts Fenton, clerk to the Guardians, 283, Tooley-street. Lytham (Lancs), March 27. — 8,000 tons of gas fuel (screened, unscreened, or nuts), for the Lytham Urban Dis- trict Council. Forms from Mr.- Halliwell, gas manager, Gas Works, Lytham. Portsmouth, March 20.—1,000 tons of good Welsh or inland steam coal, for the Committee of Visitors of the Ports- mouth Borough Mental Hospital. Tenders to the Chairman of the Visiting Committee, Borough Mental Hospital, Milton, Portsmouth. Rochdale, March 20.—Good clean steam coal for the Baths, etc., Committee. Particulars from the Manager at the Baths, Smith-street. Sheffield.—Coal, for the Guardians. Forms from Mr. Albert E. Booker, clerk to the Guardians, Union Offices, Westbar, Sheffield. Stirling, March 20.—Coal, gas coking coal and nuts, for the directors of the Stirling Gaslight Company. Particulars from Mr. John M. Smith, engineer and manager, Gas Works, Stirling. Warwick, March 23.—3,000 tons cobbles for engine purposes, to the Warwick County Lunatic Asylum. Forms from the Asylum. Wolverhampton, March 21.—Coal, slack,' and coke, for the Guardians. Forms from Mr. Frank Harrison, clerk to the Guardians, Poor Law Offices, Wolverhampton.' The date given is the latest upon which tenders can be received. CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON AND STEEL WORK, &c. . Skipton,. March 20.—Retort Work.—Carrying out of necessary retort work at the gas works of the Urban District Council. Specifications from Mr. Woodward, gas manager. Sydney (Australia), May 8.—Filtration Plant.—Supply and erection of a filtration plant capable of filtering one million gallons of water per 24 hours, at a minimum head.* * Specifications, particulars, etc., may be seen at the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade, 73, Basinghall-street, E.C. EXPLOSIVES IN COAL MINES. The following is a complete list of permitted explosives to present date :— Part 1.—Explosives which have Passed the Rotherham Test. Explosive. Permissible maximum charge in oz. Pendulum swing in inches.* Abbcite No. 2 ; IS 2-54 Abelite No. 1 14 2’85 Abelite No. 4 ■ 18 2’79 Ajax Powder 12 2’69 Ammonite No. 1 24 2’42 Ammonite No. 4 30 1’76 Anchorite 11 2’73 A. 1. Monobel 28 2’78 A. 2. Monobel ...; 22 2’44 Arkite No. 2 40 2’41 Bellite No. 1 20 2'74 Bellite No. 2 32 2’42 Bellite No. 4 18 .;. 2’92 Britonite No. 2 21 2’26 Britonite No. 3 ’......... 24 2’17 Cambrite 30 1’98 CambriteNo. 2 24 2’00 Denaby Powder 18 2’74 Dreadnought Powder 32 2’05 Duxite 12 2’45 Dynobel 22 2’6U Dynobel No. 2 24 2’46 Essex Powder • 38 2T7 Expedite 32 2’62 Faversham Powder No. 2 .... 24 2’61 Hay lite No. 1 10 2T8 Herculite 16 2’72 Kentite 18 2’64 Kent Powder 32 201 Kynarkite 20 2’21 Kynarkite No. 2 23 2’06 Melling Powder 12 2’62 Mersey Powder . ....... 18 260 Monarkite 26 2’67 Monobel No. 1 10 2’81 Nationalite No. 1 ...I.. ........ 12 2’92 Nationalite No. 2 20 2’63 Negro Powder No. 2 20 2’21 Neonal 16 2’56 Neonal No. 1 30 ' ... 2’51 New Fortex : 10 2’61 Nitro-Densite 28 1’47 Permon Powder 18 2’57 Pit-ite No. 2 32 2’15 Pitsea Powder No. 2 8 2’64 Rex Powder 20 2’61 Roburite No. 4 18 2’86 Stomonal No. 1 20 2’68 Sunderite 16 2’66 Super-Curtisite 16 2’71 Super-Excellite 10 2’74 Super-Excellite No. 2 14 2’72 Super-Excellite No. 3 36 2’73 Superite 10 2’53 Super-Kolax 30 2’10 Super-Kolax No. 2 32 2’21 Super-Rippite 18 2’53 Swale Powder 20 2’50 Syndite 40 2’22 Thames Powder 32 .... 2’78 Thames Powder No. 2 22 2’59 Tutol No. 2 22 2’11 Victor Powder 18 2’96 Victor Powder No. 2 16 2’63 Viking Powder No. 1 26 2’44 Viking Powder No. 2 18 2’59 Westfalite No. 3 12 2’55 Part 2. Bobbinite. (Permitted only for the purpose of bringing down coal in certain mines for a period of five years from 1st Jan., 1914.) * This is the swing given to the ballistic pendulum at the Home Office Testing Station by firing at it a shot of 4 oz. of the explosive. It may be compared with the swing of 3’27 in. given by a shot of 4 oz. of gelignite containing 60 per cent, of nitro-glycerine. The council of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy has addressed an appeal to the directorates of British mining companies for the re-employment after the war. of British mining engineers and metallurgists now engaged on war service. The appeal states that nearly. 700 members of the institution'are serving with H.M. Forces. . With reference to the new by-law requiring small dealers to exhibit prices of coal sold in small quantities, the London County Council has decided that the size recom- mended for th'e figures was too large, and it was accordingly reduced from'3 ifi. to lgin. The object of the by-law is to prevent dealers charging more than the agreed price. THE FREIGHT MARKET. Considering the multitude of difficulties under which opera- tions on the freight markets have to be carried on nowadays, a very fair volume of business has been transacted during the week under review. Conditions are still very largely governed by weather influences, and, in consequence, have been very unsettled< and erratic during the past week. The Tyne market has probably been most affected by this factor, and whilst at times >a -fairly adequate supply of tonnage has been available; the-prevailing state of affairs'is one of extreme shortage. , Irregular .arrivals continue to force numerous coal cargoes on the markets, and a heavy demand for boats is thus maintained. Fears of further and even more acute scarcity of tonnage has caused shippers, to . force matters, and rates have advanced rapidly for all destinations. Coastwise, London at 15s. is Is. dearer. Business with North France has practically returned to normal conditions, and. rates have risen by 3s. and. 2s. to Dunkirk and Rouen respectively.. The Bay has shown great strength, 55s. having been conceded'fd^ Bordeaux, as against 50s., the top rate paid during . the previous week. As in the case of North France and the Bay', further records have been established; in rates for the Mediter- ranean. Genoa has paid 97s. 6d., and is from 3s. 6d.! to 6s. 6d. dearer; Marseilles,'at 92s ‘ 6d., is from 10s. to 12s. 6d. higher; and Savona is from 6s. 3d. to 8s. 3d. mote. The Islands are represented by Las Palmas or Teneriffe at‘45s;, an increase of 2s; 6d. Boats are 'scarcer than ever at South Wales, and the increases in rates from Cardiff are even more remarkable than those just recited. Licence troubles have greatly interfered with business in this quarter, but here also new records have been set up. North France is represented by Rouen at 31s. 6d., an advance of 5s. on the highest rate recorded during the previous week. Figures for Bay ports are forging ahead, and Bordeaux is from 5J fr. to 8J fr. increased, whilst St. Nazaire is from 1 fr. to 7J fr. up. Mediterranean rates have risen in positively astounding fashion. Genoa is from 3s. 6d. to 10 s. 6d. dearer, Marseilles from 5 fr. to 12J fr. increased, and'Algiers’ actually 15 fr. advanced'. Port Said has paid 95s. for prompt, find 97s. 6d. for end-March loading. ■ The River Plate is from 2s. 6d. to 5s. higher. A good many merchants . arc again entertaining hopes that the reported negotiations between the Board of Trade and the ship owners will result in the limitation of coal freights to allied. countries, and some shippers arc even sufficiently optimistic as to be holding.over their business until such time as the limitation -may be enforced. Homewards, the River Plate is stronger than ever, and 165s. is the figure indicated from San Lorenzo to United Kingdom, whilst the Wheat Committee still considers 137s. 6d. the highest rate' possible. The States market is quiet, 'and rates for heavy grain are based on 16s. 6d, for the Bristol Channel, and 18s. 3d. from the Gulf.’ There is a steady demand for oats-carrying tonnage, and 18s. has been paid-for the French Atlantic, whilst 23s. is offering for Marseilles. Coals are offering 117s. 6d. for West Italy without response. Tonnage is wanted at Montreal for May- June business, and up to 17s. 6d. is offering for the Bristol Channel. The Eastern market is quiet and easy, with, rates represented by 120s. from Kurrachee to United Kingdom on scale terms, and 10s. more on cl.w. from Bombay. The rice ports are worth 190s. from Saigon to France, and a further 5s. from Kosichang to United Kingdom. Tyne to Bordeaux, 3,500, 51s. 9d.; 3,300, 53s. 9d.; 1,800, 53s. 9d.; 1,800, 54s.; 3,200, 54s.; 2,300, 55s.; 2,800, 55s.; Boulogne, 1,300, 32s. 6d.; 1,600, 34s.; Cette, 1,600, 91s. ; Caen, 1,500, . 36s.; 500, 47s., coke; Dunkirk, 1,000, 36s.; 1,900, 36s.; 500, 36s.; Genoa, 3,000, 95s.; 1,800, 95s.; 2,000; 94s.; 2,600, 94s.; 2,800, 97s. 6d.; 2,500, 96s.; 3,000, 96s.; 1,700, 96s.; 3,800, 96s.; 4,000, 96s.; Gibraltar, 2,500, 55s.; Havre, 2,800, 31s.; London, 1,500, 15s.; Las Palmas, 4,000, 45s.; Marseilles, 1,600, 92s. 6d. ; Naples, 5,000, 92s. 6d.; Porto Vecchio, 2,600, 95s.; Port Vendres, 2,000, 95s.; Rouen, 2,000, 34s.; 1,500, 34s.; 2,000, 33s.; 1,500, 34s.; 2,500, 34s.; 1,600, 35s.; 1,200, 36s.; 1,800, 36s.; Rochefort, 2,400, 50s., reported; Savona, 3,000, 95s.; 2,000, 97s.; 3,500, 95s.; 3,600, 96s.; Spezzia, 1,800, 95s.; St. Nazaire, 2,000, 47s. 6d.; Trouville, 500, 46s., coke; Teneriffe, 4,000, 45s. Cardiff to Alexandria, 1,500, 105s., March 20; Algiers, 1,400, 95 fr. ; Bordeaux, 2,400, 58 fr. ; 3,000, 58 fr.; 1,700, 59 fr.; 2,000, 58 fr.; 2,000, 60 fr.; 2,000, 62J fr.;' Brest, 1,600, 25s., six voyages commencing March 20; Chantenay, 2,200, 50 fr.; Calais, 1,100, 33s.; Dunkirk, 1,700, 34s.; Dakar, 1,900, 42s., 500; Dieppe, 1,600, 25s., six voyages commencing March 20; Gibraltar, 1,500, 52s. 6d., 500; 1,450, 52s. 6d.; 1,500, 55s., 500; 3,100, 52s. fid.; Genoa, 4,600, 92s. 6d.; 3,300, 92s. 6d.; 5,500, 92s. 6d.; 900, 93s. 6d.; Huelva, 1,600, 52s. 6d.; Honfleur, 1,800, 29s.; Lisbon, 1,600, 50s., 450; 1,100, 50s., 400; Las Palmas, 1,800, 43s. F Leghorn, 3,300, 92s. 6d.; 5,500, 92s. 6d. ; 5,800, 92s. 6d., 600, 6Jd.; Marseilles, 2,500, 110 fr.; 3,200, 110 fr.; Malaga, 1,400, 60s.; Monte Video, 57s. 6d., reported; Port Said 6,300, 95s.; 3,600, 97s. 6d., March 28;, River Plate, 55s.; 57s. 6d.; Rouen, 1,500, 30s.; 1,600, 30s.; 1,600, 31s. 6d. ; St. Nazaire, 2,000, 47| fr.; 2,400, 50 fr.; 2,000, 51 fr.; 2,000 52 fr.; 2,000, 55 fr.; 1,500, 55 fr., reported; St. Malo, 1,400, 24s. 6d.; 1,600, 25s.; Spezzia, 4,600, 92s. 6d.; 5,500, 92s. 6d.; 3,300, 92s. 6d.; Savona, 4,600, 92s. 6d.; 3,300, 92s. 6d.; 5,500, 92s. 6d.; Teneriffe,,1,800, 43s. ; Treport, 500, 33s.; 500, 32s., three voyages. Swansea to Bordeaux, 1,500, 57|fr., fuel, -400; Valencia, 850, 57s. 6d.; Grandia, 850, 57s. 6d.; Caen, 850, 27s. 6d.-; Guernsey, 450, 23s. 6d.; Dieppe, 820, 28s.; Havre, l,20o’, 27s.; 1,500, 28s.; Rouen, 1,600, 29s.; Algiers, 4,400, 95 fr.; Alexandria, 4,300; 107s. 6d., 500; Dakar, 850, 28s. 6d.; Dieppe, 1,100, 28s. 6d., coal, 29s. gd. fuel; Bordeaux, 1,600, 65J fr.; Valencia, 1,300, 65s.; Oporto, 750, 50s. Newport to Gibraltar, 1,500, 52s. 6d., 500; 1,500, 55s., 500; 3,000, 52s. -6d;, 500;-2,500, 55s., 500 ; Plymouth, 200, 16s.; Bordeaux, 1,700, 59 fr.; 2,200, 65 fr.' Port Talbot to: Nantes, 2,000, 50 fr.; Chantenay, 2,200, 50 fr.; Oporto, 1,300, 50s.; St. Nazaire, 1,650, 571 fr., 400; Tiordenta, 1,650, 66 fr.; Nantes, 1,650, 57J fr.,, 500. Hull to Rouen, 900, 46s., coke; Havre, 900, 33s.; Dieppe, 900, 33s.; Leghorn, 2,000, ,90s. Glasgow to Genoa,-Savona, or Leghorn, 90s. ; 95s.; Mar- seilles, 82s. 6d. Blyth to Havre, 2,000, 32s.; Hahnstad, 1,100, 25 kr. Wear to Bordeaux, 2,000, 53s. 9d.; Bayonne, 2,000, 55s.: St. Nazaire, 3,000, 47s.; Buenos Ayres, 5,300, 63s. 9d., 500’ Grimsby to Leghorn, 2,000, 90s. Immingham to Leghorn, 2,000, 90s. . Partington to Leghorn, 2,300, 94s., March.'