1104

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

June 9, 1916.

Swansea miners’ tribunal reviewed on Monday the lists of
men at the collieries, including those who had been pre-
viously exempted, and Mr. Dyer Lewis, who presided,
pointed out to one colliery manager that no man of military
age .should be employed unless in possession of a certificate
of exemption.—At Gwauncaegurwen Colliery it was stated
the output was suffering. Boys of 14 and men of 70 were
employed. Men put to work on the screens did not stop ;
they took the first opportunity to get away to another
colliery.—Col. Pearson, military representative, suggested
that girls could be employed on the screens, and one colliery
representative answered, “We should be up against the
Miners’ Federation if we did that.” Col. Pearson replied,
‘1 * * * S. * Girls. worked the screens before the Mines Act was
passed.”

When application was made for exemption of a check-
weigher, Col. Pearson said be should make representations
to the War Office, for he did not think it right for men of
military age to be employed either as checkweighers or as
colliery weighers.—Exemption was granted.

The Harton Coal Company Limited, applying to the
South Shields tribunal for the exemption of 11 clerks, stated
that the men were necessary for the carrying on of the busi-
ness, especially as the Government was asking for a larger
output of coal. All the men were engaged on special work.
It was decided to adjourn the case, pending a visit to the
company’s offices, to see of what the clerical work consisted.

Three months’ conditional exemption was granted by the
Annfield Plain tribunal in the case of the head colliery clerk
to Messrs. Jas. Joicey and Company Limited, whose exemp-
tion was sought on the ground that he had charge and control
of the staff at the head office, Tanfield Lea, Beamish, and
West Pelton offices, and was responsible for all wage
accounts, making up of royalty accounts, colliery costs, etc.

The chief confidential clerk to the Durham Cokemen’s
Association has been exempted until August 31.

‘Conditional exemption has been granted to a confidential
clerk in the employ of the Londonderry Collieries Limited at
Silksworth Colliery, whose services were stated to be-indis-
pensable on account of his technical knowledge and intimacy
with his work.

At Chester-le-Street, a Portobello farmer, three of whose
horses are employed in leading 120 loads of coal per fort-
night for the miners, was exempted until December 31.

At Tanfield, conditional exemption has been granted to a
colliery clerk in the employ of Messrs. Joicey, the man’s work
being stated as complex. The military representative said
he did not claim the clerk who did the technical work, most
of the staff being now girls and boys.

A wood leader and pit timber haulier employed by the
South Hetton Coal Company has been granted conditional
exemption by the Willington tribunal. He was claimed as
indispensable in view of the colliery’s dependence on English
pit wood to keep the workings safe.

The Seaton Delaval colliery cashier has been granted total
exemption.

There was a marked difference of opinion at the Easington
tribunal as to the powers of the advisory committee. This
arose but of a letter from the military representative
(Lieut.-Col. Doughty) with reference to claims made by
certain colliery companies in respect to clerks at the last
meeting of the advisory committee. Mr. W. H. Wilkinson
said that some of the certificates of exemption were scan-
dalous. It was arranged to ask for, an official definition of
the committee’s powers.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE.

COURT OF APPEAL.—June 2.

Before the Master of the Bolls and Mr. Justice Neville.

A Charter Party Case.

S. Weigall and Company v. W. Runciman and Company.
—In an appeal from a judgment of Mr. Justice Rowlatt, the
plaintiffs, Messrs. S. Weigall and Company, coal exporters,
of Cardiff, sued the defendants, a firm of ship brokers, to
recover damages for the alleged breach of a charter party
under which they alleged they had, through the instrumen-
tality of the defendants, hired an Italian steamer to carry coal
from Newport to Palermo. The Italian owner of the vessel
sent to the defendants a telegram, which the defendants said
led them to believe that he had agreed to the contract they
had made on his behalf. The message was subsequently
repudiated by the ship owner, and Messrs. Weigall and Com-
pany had to charter another vessel to carry the coal at an
increased charge of £2,929, which amount they brought the
present action against the defendants to recover. Mr. Justice
Rowlatt held that the defendants were liable, and gave
judgment for Messrs. Weigall and Company, as against
Messrs. Runciman and Company, for that amount with costs.
Hence the present appeal of the defendants.

The appeal was dismissed.

HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE.
CHANCERY DIVISION.—June 2.

. Before Mr. Justice Paterson.

Durham Colliery Leases.

Durham University v. Bearpark Coal and Coke Company
Limited.—This was a summons as to the renewals of the
company’s leases from the university. The warden, masters,
and scholars of the university granted leases to the company,
one of which was Hill Top Farm and Moorsley Bank Farm,
at an annual rental of £200, and the other White House,
The Hall (Bearpark), at an annual rental of £500, with a
further rental of £100 per year for the lands upon which coke
ovens were erected and rails laid. The leases were in each
case for 21 years, and they terminate respectively on
September 29, 1916, and May 13, 1917. Both leases con-
tained similar conditions, including a proviso that if the
lessees should be desirous of taking a renewal of the lease
for a further term of 21 years, or any other period, “ the
lessors may have power to grant it.” The Bearpark Com-
pany had given notice that they desired renewals of the
leases, and the point was whether the university were bound
to accede to their application, which would give the leases the
effect of perpetuity.

Mr. St. John Clark, for the colliery company, said he
would not persist in the claim for a renewal of the leases as
a right. His clients were prepared to abandon the leases,
and to negotiate for a new contract.

His lordship made no order, but directed the plaintiffs to
pay costs.

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Chairman of the new Coal Trade Committee—Settlement of
Litigation respecting Police imported during strike—
Strike—Re-assessment of Collieries—Coal Trade Leaders
in the Honours List—Limitation of Prices and Freight
Rates, Local Committees to Act—Government and
Mine Ownership.

At Swansea County Court the owners of the steamer
“ Kingston,” of Dublin, claimed £13 from Messrs. E. Cook
and Company, shippers. The Swansea steamer loaded coal
at Swansea for Caen, and, according to plaintiffs’ case, the
charter-party provided for the work to be done in a specified
number of running hours. The vessel, however, was kept
on demurrage, as discharging in France did not take place
till after the time was to count, although notice of readiness
had been given. For the defence it was argued that the
charter-party provided that the steamer should be loaded and
discharged in 65 running hours, time not to count between
one on Saturday afternoon or the day previous to any holi-
day tail seven on Monday morning. In finding for the
plaintiffs, Judge Roberts said the case was very difficult, and
he granted leave to appeal.

Under the heading of “ Labour and Wages ” we give the
text of the protest made by coal owners against the action
of the Board of Trade in granting the workmen’s demand
for 15 per cent, increase of wages.

The appointment of Lord Rhondda as chairman of the
new Coal Trade Committee is cordially approved, for he has
had long practical experience in this the chief exporting
centre. His association as director with the leading colliery
undertakings of the district is manifest in the list of a dozen
to twenty companies with which he is connected; and his
directorship of shipowning companies, foreign depots, local
railways, etc., gives him that additional experience. More-
over, he has colliery commitments both in the United States
and Canada, has partnership with French houses, close con-
nection with the Italian .trade, and one at least of the firms
in his Cambrian Combine is for South American business.
It will be remembered that his pamphlet on the coal trade,
written in time of difficulty and crisis, outlined a scheme
of combination which, while enabling exporters to meet
organised foreign competition, would have reconciled the
interests both of capital and labour in respect of colliery
working.

A settlement has been arrived at by the Glamorgan
Council and the colliery companies, who sought payment for
maintenance of imported police during the strike in
Rhondda and Aberdare Valleys in 1910. It was reported to
the Standing Joint Committee on Monday that settlement
had been made with the Glamorgan Coal Company for a sum
of £10,000, the original claim having been £23,000, on the
understanding that neither side would appeal further. No
agreement had been made yet with the Powell Duffryn Com-
pany, whose claim was for a much smaller amount.—The
litigation sub-committee was authorised to deal with the
question of costs, and also the claim of the Powell Duffryn
Company.

A conference has been arranged between Merthyr Assess-
ment Committee and representatives of colliery companies
in the Union to consider a request by the committee that
the companies shall pay an increase of 7| per cent, on the
ratable value. One company has already consented to do
so. The request is based upon decline in ratable value, due
to lessened output.

Colliery developments in the Amman Valley, Carmarthen-
shire, necessitated an extensive joint sewerage scheme, and
this has been partly carried out, the war, however, inter-
posing a serious financial obstacle to its completion. The
Local Government Board has therefore held an enquiry
upon request for permission to borrow sufficient money to
pay for work already completed, and it was shown in the
course of the proceedings that the whole of the valley from
Brynamman to Pantyfynnon would be served by the new
works. Incidentally, it was mentioned that Lord Dynevor,
who has mineral Interests in other areas as well, owns three
miles of the land through which the main sewer passes.

Among the new baronets in the Honours list is Sir W. J.
Ta tern, a director of the Cardiff Railway and Docks, of the
Rhymney Railway Company, and of the Cardiff Coal and
Shipping Exchange. A shipowner, controlling 20 large
steamers, chiefly engaged in the coal trade, he represents the
shipping interest on the Cardiff Trimming Board; and is
associated with a number of South Wales .industrial under-
takings. Lady Tatem is a niece of the late Lord Merthyr.

Sir Edward Nicholl, who has received the honour of
knighthood, is also a Cardiff ship owner, closely connected
with the coal trade. He founded and is managing director
of the-Hall line, which owns about a dozen “ tramps ” of
the highest class. He is president of the Engineering
Technical Society, and holds other prominent positions.

The Cardiff Chamber of Commerce has discussed further
the limitation of prices of coal and rates, of freight to French
ports. It was pointed out by Mr. Beckingham, who was in
the chair, that the new rates represented a sacrifice, and he
said that in many cases it would be not only a sacrifice, but
probably a great loss. Upon his suggestion, further con-
sideration of the details of the new arrangement were post-
poned to a special meeting of the Chamber. The telegram
forwarded to the secretary of the Chamber from London,
signed by Mr. W. H. Mewton, chairman of the Coal Owners’
Association, stated that complete agreement had been
arrived at between the representatives of the various colliery
districts and exporters, although it had not been possible to
complete the organisation in France. The telegram added :—

Meanwhile business between buyers in France and
' exporters is to be conducted in the usual manner at prices,
freights, and remuneration set out in the printed scheme,
and subject to supervision and approval of district com-
mittees. Meantime, no forward contract to be made for
execution beyond June.

The council of the Cardiff Chamber met on Friday after-
noon, and received from its president (Mr. T. E. Watson)
a report of the proceedings in London. The suggestion of
the Board of Trade was that the local committee to be formed
under the scheme should be as small in number as possible—
three representatives of the coal owners, three of exporters,
and three of ship owners. The council, however, conisdered
that a larger committee would be necessary in order to
discharge the onerous duties which would fall upon them.
This opinion derives its force largely from the fact that it

is practically certain that the scheme now operating in
respect of France will be extended so that it shall apply to
cargoes destined for Italy. The local committee in each case
will take full control of the chartering of all tonnage—
British, Allied, and neutral, and there will be special endea-
vour to prevent diversion of neutral tonnage to any other
trade, bunkers being refused to vessels that do not fall in
with the arrangements.

Amended instructions from the Board of Trade in regard
to the supply of coal to France were submitted to Cardiff
Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, and they embodied points
which have been already stated. Mr. T. E. Watson (presi-
dent) stated that contracts existing on May 25 were to be
respected, and business would be conducted on present lines
as far as possible. An essential point insisted on was that
the French coal trade should be controlled by a Government
committee in Baris, to whom all buyers in France would
send their requirements, and would work through a com-
mittee in London. The French committee would allocate
these requirements among the various coal districts, and in
that way they could depend upon it that the sacrifices of
coal owners and ship owners would not be made use of to
enrich middlemen.

Mr. Watson added two important statements : first, that
schemes were being drafted to meet the needs of Italy,
Russia, and Egypt; and, secondly, that “ we have had a
hint that if the Government had much difficulty with the
coal owners they would take over the collieries and run
th e m themselves. ’ ’

Mr. W. North Lewis expressed the opinion that there
would be considerable opposition to the inclusion of bunkers
in the limitation of prices, for the ship owner was getting
300 to 400 per cent, on pre-war rates, while the colliery pro-
prietor got only 40 to 50 per cent. more.

Representatives on the Central Executive Committee,
chosen by the Coal Owners’ Association of this district, are :
Lord Rhondda, Sir Clifford Cory, Mr. T. Evans, Mr. Evan
Williams, and Mr. C. E. Cleeves.

Representatives of the association on the Coal Committee
will be : Messrs. W. H. Mewton, D. Nicholas, W. R. Hann,
J. ,L.' Herbert, T. Vivian Rees, J. W. Beynon, W. North
Lewis, R. L. Salles, J. Miles, J. Waddell, Davis (Evans
and Bevan), J. Glasbrook, Way (Main), Evans (Ponty-
mawr), P. C. Cooke, J. Andrews, R. Llewellyn, E. B.
Leyshon, and A. J. Griffiths.

The Swansea Chamber of Commerce met on Friday
afternoon, and Mr. Wynne, who was one of the deputation
that visited London, made special reference to freights. He
said that coal prices and remuneration to the exporter had
been fixed and come into operation; and that they had to
establish the organisation by which the new arrangement
would be worked. He read the instructions to local com-
mittees, which would be in touch with the Central Com-
mittee in London ; these instructions pointing out how the
local committees would deal with the coal and coke supply
in such a way as to ensure regular deliveries in France in
such order as those authorities might determine.—Mr.
Cook, another member of the deputation to London, said
that if the scheme now7 adopted had not been drawn up the
only alternative would have been a French buying com-
mission. The consumption of coal in France before the war
was 60 million .tons annually, of which she produced 20
millions, the remainder coming from Belgium, Germany,
and Great Britain. The requirements of France from this
country would be about 2,000,000 tons per month, and the
Central Committee in London, conjointly with that in Paris,
would regulate the supply shipped. So far as the distribu-
tion of shipments in South Wales was concerned, he had
been assured that the western ports—Swansea, with
Llanelly and Burry Port—would have a fair share.

The local committee for Swansea to deal with the supply
of coal to France will consist of representatives from the
following firms :—Graigola-Merthyr Company ; Gueret
Limited; Rose, Richards and Company; S. Stephens;
Napier and Company; and Cleeves and Company.

The French official gazette has published a decree of the
Government in Paris fixing the maximum prices for the
sale of coal by importers. This first measure of fixing prices
being of a provisional nature, it is stated to have been found
impossible to take into account the reduction of freights
and the sale price at the pit head in Great Britain as on
June 1; 'and it is pointed out that the coal in France having
been “ bought and transported under conditions which pre-
vailed prior to that date, it was impossible to apply to those
stocks the price corresponding with later reduction, without
inflicting unjustifiable losses on the trade.”

Northumberland and Durham.

N&w Magistrates—Distinction for Lieut.-Col. Ritson—
Cruelty to Pony—Hamsterley Colliery's Roll of Honour
—Relief Fund Outlook—Absenteeism and Holidays.

The annual report of the Northumberland Colliery Engine-
men’s and Firemen’s Association shows a membership of
1,155, and a credit balance of £2,447.

Capt. Philip Kirkup, who has been gazetted as adjutant
of the 8th Durham Light Infantry, at the early age of 22
years, is the second son of Mr. Philip Kirkup, agent to
Messrs. Charles Perkins and Partners.

The Order of St. Michael and St. George has been con-
ferred on Lieut.-Col. W. H. Ritson, a member of the firm
of Messrs. U. A. Ritson and Sons, Limited, Newcastle, the
owners of the colliery at Preston (North Shields).

For having left his pony unattended in the mine, whereby
the animal strayed into a part of the workings and was
killed by coming into collision with a set of tubs, Michael
Chaytor, 25, was fined 10s. by the Stanley magistrates.

Latest additions to the Commission of the Peace for
Northumberland include Mr. W. Cochran Carr, of the Ben-
well Colliery; Mr. J. Wight, of Dinnington Colliery; and
Mr. E. S. Dunford, managing director of Messrs. E. P.
Dunford and Company, Newcastle, coal exporters.

Mr. J. Severs has been appointed manager of the
Hebburn Colliery of the Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Com-
pany Limited. For the past 3J yeans he has been under-
manager at the Brockwell pit of the Dean and Chapter
Colliery of Messrs. Bolckow,e Vaughan and Company
Limited, prior to which he was engaged at one of the
Northumberl and collieries.

Regtl.-Qmr.-Sergt. Robert L. Booth, son of the late Mr.
R. L. Booth, for many years manager of Ashington Colliery,
a position now held by another son, Mr. Fred L. Booth, has
been awarded the D.C.M. for conspicuous gallantry and
resource during an action in France on November 2, 1914.
The Ashington and District Distinguished Service Recogni-
tion Society has presented him with a gold watch.