May 26, 1916.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

1005

SOUTH WALES INSTITUTE OF
ENGINEERS.

A special general meeting of the South Wales Institute
of Engineers was held at Cardiff on Thursday, the 18th
inst., the President (Mr. William Stewart) in the
chair.

The following were elected to the Institute :—Messrs.
E. Barrs, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; J. P. Beat, professor
of geology, Cardiff; 0. Walters, Durban, Natal; E.
Wautier, Llantrisant; and G. P. Williams, Crumlin, as
members; 'and Mr. G. V. Perry, Swansea, ais associate
member.

The President remarked that 102 members of the
institute had joined his Majesty’s Forces since the com-
mencement of the war, and seven, including Lieut.
Edwards, of the. Tunnelling Companies, had been killed.

Steam Plant Efficiency.

Discussion was opened on Mr. Vernon Smith’s paper
on “ Steam Plant Efficiency,” the author having pre-
viously displayed a series of lantern views illustrating
the paper.

Mr. T. Sugden (London) said there had been no
experiments, so far as he was aware, which had shown
there was a substantial difference in the amount of heat
which a certain number of cubic feet of gas would trans-
mit to a. given area of boiler plate when the gas was
moved slowly or moved rapidly over the surface. If
the gases moved slowly they were for a longer time in
contact with each square foot, and, of course, the
amount of heat transmitted would be proportionate to the
time each part of the gas was in contact with each part
of the plate. On the other hand, if the gas moved
rapidly along the side flues, there was no difference in
the total number of cubic feet which came in contact
with a given part of plate, and there was no reason to
expect there would be much difference in the amount of
heat transmitted to the water in the boiler. The
speaker went on to say that the author, in dealing with
grooving, had overlooked one important factor, namely,
the ” hogging ” of the tubes. The extent of the longi-
tudinal elongation of the flue had been found in a 30 ft.
boiler to be about g an. to I in., and was always most
where grooving, incrustation, and grease were present in
the boiler. , The hogging of the tube at a distance of about
12 ft. from the front end amounted to about £in. in a
30 ft. boiler. The action of this hogging has a tendency
to result; in grooving. The flat end-plate was more
elastic, and appeared to be the best arrangement to pre-
vent this action. The corrugated flue shown in the
paper was open to serious criticism. If constructed as
shown, the flue had no transverse flanged seams, and
was practically one long corrugated flue about 30 ft.
long. If so constructed it was very liable to go oval.
He did not think that collapsing tests of such corrugated
flues in 30 ft. lengths had ever been made, and the con-
structional design had apparently been based by the
makers on the assumption that flues 30 ft. long, as
shown, were of equal strength to the 8ft. or 10 ft.
lengths of the flue tube, which actually had been tested
to destruction. With 'regard to superheaters, the tubes
of the superheater illustrated on the diagram in the
paper were detachable, each tube being kept in position
by means of pressure exerted by a screwed joint. He
(Mr. Sugden) had made a good many experiments, and
had a good deal of experience of detachable tubes, and
had made superheaters on this principle, but there were
certain objections. In the first place, there were a large
number of joints, which the steam pressure was always
against. The joints must be faced, and if leakage
occurred it was difficult to remedy. From a long experi-
ence he had come to the conclusion that the best possible
way of attaching superheated tubes to headers was by
means of an expanded joint, with the ends of the tubes
projecting through to the extent of about J in.,
which should be bell-mouthed. This made a good solid
job, and was less likely to give trouble than any other
method of connecting the tubes. The author of the
paper had referred to diminution of efficiency in boilers
due to the accumulation of scale. Professor Rankin’s
statement, of which mention had been made, that scale
| in. thick would affect the coal bill by as much as 20
per cent., was altogether inaccurate. As a matter of
fact, a small thickness of scale in a boiler had little or
no effect upon economy. The scale, of course, was
undesirable for other reasons, and might lead to serious
consequences, but there was no very serious objection
from the point of view of economy. The author had
made the assertion that the present period was a critical
one for the Lancashire boiler, and that the next few
years would decide whether it retained the position
which it held to-day. In his (Mr. Sugden’s) opinion,
the Lancashire boiler was not doomed, nor was it likely
to be. There were more Lancashire boilers at work to-day
than at any period in this and other countries, and there
never was a time when more Lancashire boilers were
being made. The author had stated that the combus-
tion in a Lancashire boiler was deficient. Granted, but
the statement applied to practically all furnaces. Never-
theless, the internal furnace of a Lancashire boiler was
more efficient than the external furnace of water-tube
and similar boilers under like conditions of working.

A square foot of heating surface in a Lancashire boiler
was of about double the value of a square foot of heating
surface in a water-tube boiler. For example, one square
foot of heating surface in a Lancashire boiler would,
under normal conditions, evaporate between 8 lb. and
9 lb. of water. In a water-tube boiler only between
4 lb. and 4| lb. of water were evaporated under similar
conditions. Notwithstanding this difference in heating
surface, the amount of water evaporated per lb. of coal

was about the same in both types of boilers. Numerous
independent tests established this. Then, the residual
temperature of gases leaving a Lancashire boiler Under
normal conditions of working was between 500 degs. and
650 degs. Fahr; and in a water-tube boiler, under similar
working conditions, about 400 degs. or 500 degs. Fahr.
Thus, in a Lancashire boiler, while the economy was
about the same, there was a larger amount of heat avail-
able for raising the temperature of the feed water, which
was all to the good. Of course, each type of boiler had
its advantages. A Lancashire boiler had a large steam
and water reserve, but steam was raised more slowly;
it took up a large space, and was not suitable where
large units were required. A Lancashire boiler had
about 25 square ft. of heating surface to 1 square ft. of
grate surface. A water-tube boiler would get up steam
quickly, and a large unit occupied a comparatively small
space, and was more suitable for large units. A water-
tube boiler had about 50 square ft. of heating surface to
the square ft. of grate surface.

A vote of thanks was passed to the author of the paper,
on the proposition of the President, seconded by Mr.
J. Fox Tallis.

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Limiting Prices and Freights to France—Interviews with the
Board of Trade—Important Change Suggested—Limita-
tion Decided on, and Representative Committee
Appointed—Eight Hours Act—Developing Collieries.

The singular condition of things created by the Miners’
Federation objection to Lord Mackenzie’s suggestion is
dealt with under ” Labour and Wages.”

The complication attendant upon any attempt to interfere
with the ordinary course of trade has been exemplified in
striking fashion by the circumstance revealed in connection
with the proposal to limit freights and coal prices for the
French trade. We have already pointed out that the date
suggested for a basis is not fair to the coal trade, and,
indeed, it was nothing more than adoption of the date
chosen for shipping, whereas circumstances were widely
different. March 8 was a good date for the ship owner,-but
for the coal owner it is not. The coal trade was at that
time under a temporary depression; and as prices have
risen since then the trade would be damnified by the selec-
tion of an unfair date. Indeed, the proposal as originally
mooted was seen to mean that the current price of the
present time would be halved. But this is not tall. The
coal prices offered would alone leave a loss, apart from
contract obligations ; and the apparent intention seemed to
be that the French would appoint one buying agent and
thus oust the exporters from their business here. Repre-
sentations upon this point brought about an assurance that
the exporters would be retained, and there was a proposal
that they should be (allowed a commission upon shipments, 5
per cent, on the price being suggested. Then there was
the question of contracts already made; some French buyers
having made agreements for supply at rates differing widely
from those which the limitation would establish; and these
arrangements ran forward over some months, the sellers on
this side having chartered vessels, also at high rates, for
carriage of the consignments. Here were both high price
and high freight ; 'and what was the position of the French
purchaser and the British seller and charterer to- be when the
limitation became operative? Would the French Govern-
ment, as responsible for the change made in the national
interest, take over the contracts and meet the difference in
freight rates? Further, what would be the position of
neutral vessels, seeing that whilst the British Government
had control over British craft, no restriction would operate
against neutrals ; and that if the proposed refusal of bunkers
was to be adopted as a measure of compulsion it might
have the effect of keeping foreign vessels away and so
intensifying the shortage that is so detrimental.

The interview with Mr. Runcim-an last week made it
clear that existing contracts would be adhered to, and he
said that, so far from there being any wish to eliminate the
exporters, he desired their co-operation, believing that the
export trade could not be carried on without it. Lord
Rhondda was present with the deputation, whose names were
given in this column last week, and the interview lasted
two hours, all the points being brought under review.

The chairman of the committee which will be formed
to assist Mr. Runcim-an in carrying out the scheme
of limitation will be Sir D. M. Stevenson, with
Mr. T. J. Callaghan as vice-chairman; and Mr.
Stewart, of Glasgow, as secretary. One request made was
that >as the time for consideration was so limited the new
scheme should not come into operation on the 1st of June,
as originally intended, but should be postponed.

It is remarkable that in these deputations and in the
proceedings consequent upon the limitation proposals, New-
port was not directly represented. Heavy consignments of
Monmouthshire coal go from Newport to France, so that the
local exporters have direct concern in any matters that
relate to our Ally; and, notwithstanding the fact that so
Large a proportion of Monmouthshire business is transacted
on Cardiff Exchange,, there is a strong feeling that the
leading men in the trade at Newport should have taken care
that the interests of their town were in full evidence.
True, Mr. T. E. Watson, president of the Cardiff Chamber,
is a Newport resident, with full knowledge and appreciation
of requirements; but it is considered to be none the less
strange that Newport Chamber of Commerce should have
been quiescent when Swansea and Cardiff were alert.

Following upon the understanding arrived at, a special
meeting of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Coal
Owners’ Association took place in Cardiff on Tuesday, Mr.
W. H. Mewton in the chair. A letter from the President
of the Board of Trade in regard to limiting the price of coal
for France was read, and a committee was appointed with
plenary powers to act on behalf of the association, this com-
mittee to join in London on Wednesday the representatives
from other coalfields, prior to a further meeting with Mr.
Runciman

So far as opinion can be gauged, it is in favour of making
the new prices 10s. per ton above those existing immedi-
ately before the war, a figure materially higher than Mr.
Runciman’s suggestion of 20 per cent, below March 8 rates.

The time charterers have also applied to the Board of
Trade with reference to the proposed limitation of rates of
freight, and Mr. Hopwood, assistant secretary in the
Marine Department, met them on Tuesday. They urged
that the scale of freights proposed by Government would
constitute a serious injustice to them, and suggested (1) an
alteration of the scale or (2; an understanding that existing
contracts would stand.

The position of the time charterers under the new limita-
tion of freights is a serious one, especially for speculators
who have taken up steamers for a period at some of the
higher rates that have of late been ruling. As much as 60s.
per ton per month has been mentioned in certain cases ; and
if these charterers have to take cargoes to France at 20 per
cent, below the rate ruling in the early days of March, very
heavy loss will be occasioned. A meeting took place in
Cardiff on Friday of time charterers alone to consider their
position with a view to making special representations to
the Board of Trade, but no definite resolutions were sub-
mitted, the discussion making it clear that individual
circumstances varied widely, and that it was necessary to
arrive at a clear idea of personal position. Already some
of the north-country speculators in this direction have met
the Board’s officials in London, and they were desired to
submit proposals from their point of view. It was to this
that the Cardiff meeting gave attention. From the Bristol
Channel ports a deputation was appointed to join repre-
sentatives from other parts of the country with the purpose
of conjoint 'action being taken. It may be noted that time
charterers have very little sympathy from the trade, as it is
believed that to these largely the excessively high rates are
due, their taking up of the tonnage solely on speculative
account having accentuated the market competition and
increased heavily the rates against charterers requiring
vessels for their cargoes.

Swansea differs very much from that of any other coal
exporting place, the shippers at that South Wales port being
more direct representatives of the collieries. They render
special service to the foreign purchaser because of their
ability to make up just the mixture which the . buyer
requires. French and Italian customers for anthracite send
their orders, and it is necessary for the exporting agent on
this side to see that the cargo is made up in such a way as
to meet the particular requirements of the foreign purchaser.

The suggestion that the miners should agree -to a modifica-
tion of the Eight Hours Act during the period of the war has
evidently aroused suspicion, and created some resentment.

An important business transaction, which will in all
probability have far-reaching results, has been completed at
Llanelly, whereby the Glynea Colliery has been acquired by
the St. David’s Tinplate Company. This colliery has been
in existence for many years, and the new company have
announced their intention of carrying out large develop-
ments.

A new company at Burry Bort has been registered under
the title of the Ashburnham Collieries Limited, with a capi-
tal of £3'0,000 in £1 shares, as important developments are
pending. During the last fourteen years the pioneer of the
operations at Cwm Capel has been Mr. John Rowlands,
who, with the view of carrying on the work on a far more
extensive scale, has been joined by Mr. Crawshay (of the
celebrated Crawshay Bailey family) and Mr. George E.
Bowen, the three gentlemen being interested to the extent
of one-third each. A comprehensive scheme is already well
advanced for the full development of the Caerhedvn and the
Kenrhos seams. The necessary plant has been purchased,
and a portion has already been delivered. A new slant has
been driven down to the Gaerhedyn seam with the most
gratifying results, the average thickness of coal being
I ft. 3 in. The Kenrhos seam is also being proved with
equal success. The plant will be capable of dealing with
an output of 500 tons per day from each of the two seams,
making 1,000 tons a day. There are also several other
valuable seams in the taking, so that the possibilities of the
new company are great. It should be added that the coal
is of excellent quality and commands a ready market. In
fact, a well-known mining expert declared a few months ago
that the taking of this company was one of the finest in
South Wales.

Northumberland and Durham.

Motor Ambulance Protest—Runaway Tubs—Pit Assault—
Electrocuted—Relef Fund Report—Tyne Commissioners
—Cartridge Penalty.

After all, it would appear that the votes, adverse to levy-
ing themselves for the provision of motor ambulances for
the front, cast recently by the Northumberland and Durham
miners, meant very little more than a protest against the
State having left the provision of so important a palliative
of the horrors of war to individual initiative. The Durham
miners, who subsequently recalled their negative resolution,
have now provided eight such vehicles, and Northumberland,
too, has given its quota. The latest additions to the
Northumbrian contributions are a motor ambulance car from
the Ashington group of collieries and £660 in cash from
the two pits at Broomhill. The Ashington men have
handed over the car for the period of the war, and hope that
it may be used in times of peace to convey injured miners
to their homes or to hospital. The car has been placed in
the charge of the V.A. hospital -at Ashington, -and the
institution management proposes to run it for civil purposes
locally, subject to the exigencies of the military situation.
The miners promise to provide fully the means for its
upkeep.

At Tursdale Colliery last week, when the hewers in the
Brockwell seam were riding in to the night shift on -an
empty set of tubs, a rivet gave way near to the shackle in
the haulage rope attached to the rear of the set, with the
result that the tubs got out of control and ran rapidly down
a steep incline for about 100 yds., being then thrown off the
rails by overrunning the rope -attached to the front of the
set. The men escaped serious injury.

Judging by the frequency of recent prosecutions, the
practice of hewing off the wall sides in Durham collieries
-appears to be on the increase. If all the county magis-
trates will adopt the line which is to be taken by those at
Bishop Auckland, these offences will soon cease. At the
Auckland court, when William Warburton and William
Hodgson, employed at Leasingthorne Colliery, were fined
20s. each for malpractice, it was stated that that was the
sixth prosecution of the kind this year from the colliery. In
other courts the magistrates had dealt heavily with the
offenders, and at one court a defendant was sent to prison.
The owners’ solicitor asked the Bench to intimate that
future offenders would be severely dealt with. The magis-
trates made the statement desired.