June 16, 1916.

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THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

1153

deceased was lasisdsting in trying to replace the tub, a massive
stone fell ^and fatally crushed him.—Whilst working at the
Ouston East Pit, Collingwood Smith, 60, stoneman, was
pinned by a fall of stone, and his spine was fatally injured.
At Axwell Park Colliery, James Robert Stephenson, 16, a
staple-bottom lad, was attempting to pass through the
bottom of the staple, when he was caught by a descending
cage containing a full tub and was crushed to death. In
each of these cases a verdict of “ Death from accident ” was
returned. In the case of George Carr, 56, hewer, who,
injured in Woodhorn pit in January of last year, died on
June 3, the doctor stated that the injury consisted of a
dislocation of the internal cartilage of the knee. He
recommended an operation, but deceased did not think he
was in a fit condition to undergo it. Lately he got worse,
developed a cough and general physical weakness, ultimately
succumbing. A post-mortem examination justified the
doctor in coming to the conclusion that Carr died from
heart failure, and that the accident, by reducing him to a
low state, indirectly contributed to his death. A verdict in
accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Cumberland.

An accident at Wellington Pit, Whitehaven, was the
subject of an inquest on Friday. Thos. Daley, coal hewer,
was riding to wofk in a riding set attached to an endless
haulage rope, when a tub got off the road, became uncoupled,
and went against the side of the road. Other tubs behind
were thrown off the line, and mounted one on the other.
Daley had his skull fractured, and was instantaneously
killed. His father was badly bruised, but had no bones
broken. A verdict of “ Accidental death ” was returned.

Yorkshire.

At the West Riding police court at Doncaster on Satur-
day, the Denaby and Cadeby Main Colliery Company prose-
cuted John Humphries, collier, for absenting himself from
work. The man had been several times fined by the
absentee board, who had now reached the limit of their
endurance. He had been before the board eight times. The
defendant was ordered to pay £6 14s.

Complaint has been made at a meeting of the Thorne
branch of the Yorkshire Farmers’ Union that men are being
drawn from the land to work at the pits in the Doncaster
district. One speaker said that men were going from the
land to s:ink the new colliery at Armthorpe, where coal
probably would not be found for another five years.

Lancashire and Cheshire.

Military Cross—Offences in Mines—A New Baron—
Co-operators and Coal.

The Military Cross has been awarded to Lieut. Geoffrey
Bolton, of the East Lancashire Regiment (T.F.), son of Mr.
H. H. Bolton, colliery proprietor, of Newchurch and
Accrington.

Pte. Thomas Seddon, of the Manchester Regiment (T.F.),
who has been discharged from, fh'e Army- after losing a limb,
and who is now on the office staff of Messrs. Fletcher,
Burrows and Company, colliery proprietors, Atherton, has
been awarded the D.C.M.

The Wigan magistrates last week fined Thomas Kay,
collier, 10s. for having a pipe in his possession while under-
ground at the Alexandria Colliery; and A. Simm, of Aspull,
£2 for doing damage to lamp machine at the Haigh Colliery
of the Wigan Coal and Iron Company Limited.

The barony conferred upon the Right Hon. Sir Saville
Crossley in the Birthday Honours was one of the few names
in the list associated with the coal, iron and engineering
industries. The new baron is a director of George Watkinson
and Sons, colliery proprietors, Buckley, Cheshire.

At a conference of co-operators in the North a few days
ago, one speaker said the Co-operative Wholesale Society
was asleep in regard to the coal supply question. Air. T.
Adams stated that the movement was nearer becoming the
owners of a colliery than those present supposed.

North Wales.

The men at Bromfield Colliery, Mold, are under 14 days’
notice preparatory to closing down the colliery, for the present
at any rate. This colliery is one of the best-equipped works
of its kind in the North Wales coal field. The machinery
and appliances are of the most modern type, and electric
light has been installed.

The Midlands.

At Sedgley (Staffordshire) police court on Monday, before
the stipendiary, a eager at Baggeridge Colliery was
summoned for neglect of work. According to the solicitor
for the prosecution, the man failed to carry out his duty of
controlling stop blocks and closing the gates at the pit bottom,
with the result that a tub ran on to the scaffold protecting
the sump and did at least £50 damage to the balance rope,
which recently cost £229.—Defendant was ordered to pay
£5 damages, at the rate of 7s. 6d. a week.

Kent.

The output from the Beresford seam -at Snowdown Colliery
is now about 2,500 tons weekly

During the week ended June 10, the w7ork in the deep
sinking at Snowdowm Colliery consisted mainly of bricking
the shaft from 2,260 ft. to 2,312 ft., by Saturday. Sinking
is still in the hard sandstone. A kerb bed wuas prepared on
Monday, and an oak bricking kerb laid at a depth of
2,375 ft., the 14 in. bricking having since been carried to a
point 52 ft. above that kerb. The new7 capstan engines have
been set to work.

Scotland.

Fire at Harburn—Gala Day—Danger of Disused Shafts—
Two Actions Settled.

On Sunday an outbreak of fire took place at Mid-Lothian
Limestone Company’s pit at Harburn, "West Calder, and did
considerable damage to the pithead buildings.

The members of the Fife and Kinross Miners’ Associa-
tion have voted in favour of contributing 6d. per week for
20 weeks towards the cost of providing the Scottish branch
of the Red Cross Society with an ambulance convoy for use
at the front.

Although the miners shortened their gala day celebration,
the effects of the holiday were reflected in the coal shipment

returns for the past week. Both at, Methil and Burntisland
the lack of supplies led to a greater detention of several
vessels than usual. The shipments for the two ports
amounted to 49,137 tons, as against 56,907 tons for the
corresponding week of last year.

Sheriff Sherman held an enquiry into the death of the five
workmen who lost their lives in Neilsiand Colliery, Hamilton,
on April 26 by the bursting of an old filled-in shaft. The
jury found that the men had met their death by the sludge
from the disused shaft bursting into the workings and over-
whelming them, but there was not sufficient evidence to
enable them to make a finding as to the precise cause of the
accident. A rider was added calling attention to the danger
which might arise when disused shafts were filled up with
liquid sludge, and on the approach thereto of mineral
workings.

Two actions directed against A. and G. Anderson, coal
masters, Blairmuckhill Colliery, Harthill, were down for
trial in the Court of Session (Outer House) last week, but
settlements were effected. Charles Stewu.rt, mining con-
tractor, in the first action, claimed payment of £300 for
personal injuries; while in the second action Mrs. A.'
Cameron or Sommerville, sued for £1,000 for herself and her
two children as damages for the death of her husband,
Richard Sommerville, mining contractor. On March 27,
1915, Stewart and Sommerville visited the defenders’
colliery with the intention of inspecting and examining a
part of the coal face, for which they proposed to make an
offer to work by contract. They were conducted by the
under manager, J. Mawson, who entered the dock first to
show the way. He was carrying a lighted safety lamp in
his hand, -and a naked lamp was burning in his cap. A
violent explosion of gas extinguished the lamps and so
severely injured the three men that Mawson and Sommer-
ville were fatally injured, while Stew7art was badly burned.
The defenders pleaded that the men knowingly undertook
the risk of gas being found, and also alleged that the men
contravened the Coal Mines Regulations. In the settlement
Airs. Sommerville receives £325 and Stewart £125, with
expenses.

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The great question before a special sub-committee of the
Conciliation Board on Friday w7a>s that of absenteeism.
Agreement was reached upon proposals designed to achieve
the object in view, these to be submitted to the local
miners’ federation.

The proposals decided on by the joint sub-committee are
that a committee of workmen should be appointed at each
pit to confer with three officials of the company to ascertain
the number of absentees from time to time and enquire into
the cause of their absence and, if necessary, -to recommend
to the joint -committee what -steps should be taken to remedy
absenteeism.

The employers’ representatives on the Conciliation Board
formally decided that, the 15 per cent, advance in wages
should be paid a-s from June 1.

A meeting of the Conciliation Board has been summoned
for an early day.

With regard to the wage rate of stokers at certain anthra-
cite mines, the Coal Owners’ Association appointed Mr.
H. T. Wales, of Swansea, to act on their behalf, and it is
now reported by the men’s union that a -settlement has been
arrived at for Ynyscedw7yn, Ystradfawr, New7 Diamond,
Pantyfynnon, Rh-os, and Gelliceidrym, the standard rate to
be 5s. 6d. per shift, and percentage to be added.

Despite the urgent need of shipment, the docks at New-
port w7ere idle on Whit Monday. It is stated that the men,
demanded overtime rates, as paid for Saturday afternoon
and Sunday,- and this being refused, abstained from work.

The miners gave heed to their leaders’ request to return
to w7-ork on Tuesday. In Glamorgan the most favourable
areas w7ere Merthyr and Maesteg, w7-here 15 to 20 per cent,
vrere absentees; hut in other districts the percentage wTas
much higher, ranging up to 45 per cent. In the eastern
valleys of Monmouthshire, howmver, the figure w7as little
above the normal in certain pits.

At a conference at Cardiff, on Tuesday, of the South Wales
Federation of Labour Members, the question of securing
payment for Labour members on public bodies w7as relegated
to the new7 executive.

The great question betwmen the Miners’ Federation and
engine men and stokers’ organisation came under dis-
cussion -at the annual conference of the National Federation
of Colliery Enginemen, Boil er minders, and Firemen. In
South Wales much feeling has been aroused by the determi-
nation -of the miners to bring all employees into their
Federation, the enginemen and stokers in certain areas
resisting strenuously: -and the decision of their national
union sustains this resistance.—Among other points dealt
with wws the demand that the Eight Hours Act should be
made applicable to enginemen and stokers, and a deputa-
tion wnadted upon Sir R. Redmayne at the Home Office, -to
urge this change, as w7ell as others affecting their w7ork.
Sir Richard promised to consider the request, but doubted
whether any reduction could be arranged during the wTar.

North of England.

Mr. Thomas Pearson, checkweighman at Waterhouses
Colliery, w7ho has been corresponding secretary of the local
miners’ lodge for 36 years, has resigned his position.

By -a majority of 54 votes,, the w7orkmen at Mickley
Colliery have decided to revert to fortnightly pays for the
period of the war. At the Prudhoe pit of the same company,
how7ever, a vote has resulted in the retention of wrnekly
pays by a majority of 50. At Bebside, w7hen -a similar vote
was taken, there w7-as not, on the votes recorded, a majority
for reversion to fortnightly pays, but, by adding the
number of abstentions, the coal company has made out the
required mandate.

Some difficulty w’as experienced in -inducing north-east
coast coal trimmers to fall into line w7ith the miners and
industrial workers generally so far as tbe suspension of the
Whitsuntide holiday wTas concerned. The trimmers
demanded what were regarded as exorbitant rates of over-
time for abandoning their holiday. How’ever, it w’as ulti-
mately agreed that they should wTork as usual, and that
the question of any extra- remuneration should be decided by
the Board of Trade.

The Daw7do-n branch of the Durham Aliners’ Association
has declined -to. accede to the request that miners’ lodges
-should form local committees to meet local committees of
coal owners’ representatives, for the purpose of investigating
cases of absenteeism. The refusal is based on the branch’s

opinion that the local owmers are entirely responsible for a
reduction of 800 tons in the output of the colliery per fort-
night by reason of the pit not wmrking on “ baff ” Saturday.
The wmrkmen have, so the lodge declares, repeatedly -offered
to w7ork on that day for the period of the war, on the same
conditions on which they w7orked previously.

Writing in his June circular to the Northumberland
miners, Mr. William Straker review's the proceedings of
the recent annual meeting of the council and says :—“ Half-
year after half-year, ‘ requests ’ are laid by our representa-
tives before the Colliery Owners’ Association, only to meet
with a refusal. These continual refusals have naturally
given rise -to a desire for some other and more ’ effective
method of dealing w7ith these requests. The executive
committee placed on the agenda a resolution proposing to
establish an arbitration board with an independent chair-
man for this purpose. Unfortunately, the resolution w’as
drafted too hurriedly, and did not fairly express w7hat the
committee desired; consequently, it wxas withdrawn!, but
will probably come up again, as it is strongly felt that the
present method of dealing with these questions is altogether
unsatisfactory. Should such a board ever be established, our
members will have to learn to send fewer requests and con-
centrate wi-th -more insistence on those they do send, instead
of changing them from time to time, as they do. If this is
not done, the whole thing will soon become a mere farce,
and lead to the disestablishment -of any such board.”

The Northumbrian coal owmers are to meet- representatives
of the miners in Newcastle to-morrow’ (Saturday) to confer
on the question of an increased war bonus to men w7ho are
being paid the minimum wage under the Minimum Wage
Act, and also on the question of the supply of fire coal to
w’orkmen.

Scotland.

Some time ago Lord Hunter interdicted Thos. Sullivan,
Ud dings ton, from going to View’park Colliery and exercising
the duties of time checker. Sullivan reclaimed to the First
Division, who hold that Sullivan had not been validly
appointed time checker. They granted interdict, but varied
it ’by adding the words, “ So long as Sullivan does not hold
any valid appointment as time checker.”

The strike is still proceeding at West Benhar Colliery.
It is expected that a joint meeting w7ill shortly take place
before a conciliator appointed by the Board of Trade.

Power has been given to bring the miners of View’park
Colliery out on strike ” to compel the owmers to meet any
representatives the workmen may select from the members
of the union to negotiate with the management regarding
grievances at the colliery, and that the strike be continued
until the Rosehall workmen employed by the same firm be.
given tbe same right of representation.”

Iron, Stel and Engineering Trades.

Representatives of the National Federation of Colliery
Enginemen and Boilermen conferred wTith Sir Richard
Redmayne, Chief Inspector of Alines, and the deputy chief
inspector, Mr. Walker, at the Home Office on Monday, w’ith
regard to the hours of winding engin-emen under the Coal
Alines Act, and reference w7as also made to the desire of non-
w’inding enginemen and boiler firemen for shorter wmrking
hours. The provision of visual signal indicators and of
sanitary arrangements at collieries were also discussed. The
deputation pointed out that the. hours of winding enginemen
g-enerallv wmre 10J, and the Federation sought to have an
-eight hours’ shift established. They also- drew attention to
the fact that non-winding enginemen and boiler firemen were
working as much as 12 hours daily. Replying t-o the deputa-
tion, Sir Richard Redmayne promised to give full considera-
tion to their requests, but indicated that it was improbable
any reduction in hours could take place meantime owing to
the exigencies brought about by the w7ar.

The monthly report of the Amalgamated Society of Engi-
neers states that out of a membership of 214,227, only 98
received unemployment benefit in the United Kingdom
during the past month. All districts report the engineering
trade working ah full pressure. The report for Scotland
states- trade is still good, and the demand for skilled men
as great as ever.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS.

The Editors are not responsible either for tbe statements
made, or the opinions expressed by correspondents.

All communications must be authenticated by the name and
address of the sender, w7hether for publication or not.
No notice can be taken of anonymous communications.

As replies to questions are only given by way of published
answers to correspondents, and not by letter, stamped
addressed envelopes are not required to be sent.

MINIMG SURVEYORS’ EXAMINATIONS,

Sirs,—I note the reply of ‘‘ North Point ” to my
recent question. It is not -an answ-er to the same, but
an expression of opinion, as to w7h-at should or should not
be- in the- profession, and on that point opinions vary.
Everyone cannot be articled, but that should not bar any
ambitious young man from “ getting on.”

I should like a definite opinion-on the matter; and if
a working collier should aspire to the profession leave it
to him as to w7hether or not ho will make it ridiculous.

Meridian.

Conservation of Coal.—Representatives of. London muni-
cipalities owning electricity undertakings conferred last wyeek
regarding the suggestion of the Board of Trade for the joint
w'orking of electricity undertakings-, in order to economise in
coal consumption. Mr. Hume, chairman of the London
County Council Electricity Committee, said the Council had
prepared a comprehensive scheme, and as a result of confer-
ences it was decided that the borough councils should work
out their own scheme, and the different sets of companies
should put forward their own proposals. The matter wTas
urgent now, and wrnuld be still more so after the war. If
no one else took action, the London County Council wrnuld
do so, and it would not do for the companies and the councils
to complain that they had not had time to put their views
forward. The conference passed a resolution affirming that
the authorities represented would do everything in their
power w7ithin the local areas to carry out the objects of the
Board of Trade,