June 23, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 1203 and that the installation of modern fireplaces and ranges would conduce to great economy in the use of coal. They promised to convey the owners’ point of view to their members. Mr. C. S. Carnes, agent to the Harton Coal Company, has hit upon a rather novel idea in the matter of granting war bonuses to workmen. The delegates of the National Amalgamated Union of Labour having approached the com- pany for a further advance of wages, in order to cover the increasing cost of subsistence,. Mr. Carnes intimated that he was prepared to grant a war bonus of 4s. per week per man, to be divided into a daily rate of 8d. By this means, Mr. Carnes hopes, the amount of time lost by the men will be materially reduced. An additional concession has been granted to the men by the fact that they are only being charged pre-war prices for explosives, which is equal to an average advance of 2s. ljd. per man per week. The men’s representatives have accepted Mr. Carnes’s offer. When 11 employees of the Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Company Limited wTere summoned, under the Employers’ and Workmen’s Act, for damages for breach of contract by ceasing work without notice, Mr. Charlesworth, for the prosecutors, stated that the men had acknowledged that they were in the wrong in stopping work, and had agreed to pay a certain sum as damages and costs. The cases were withdrawn. Federated Area. Employers in the pottery, coal, and iron trades of North Staffordshire have decided to arrange facilities for workpeople who are receiving compensation for injuries to take up any harvest work or other agricultural employment for which they feel fit. Such useful employment will not affect the amount of compensation paid. Scotland. The system of contracting coal getting is receiving the attention of the miners’ union, as complaints are being made from several collieries. Men employed producing coal in ordinary coal places desire to be paid direct by the company instead of by a contractor. The question of six days per week working policy amongst Scottish miners is being considered at present. The chief difficulty, it is reported, seems to be whether or not the various railway companies can give a sufficient supply of empty wagons. Lanarkshire miners have decided to increase their medical contributions per person to 2|d. per week. It is computed that this increase will amount to .£5,000 per annum. For some time the Fife miners have had a proposal before them for the 'appointment of a permanent inspector of mines whose duties would also include the visiting of places where accidents took place, and to attend public inquiries into fatal accidents. A majority have voted in favour of the proposal. The Kirkintilloch Miners’ Association being dissatisfied with the Daylight Saving Act, the agent was instructed to approach the management of the district collieries to alter the hours to run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The agent reported (1) the management were not in favour, because of the shunting arrangements with the railway company; (2) they were working according to the time sheet signed by H.M. inspector, and had to adhere to it; (3) they could not agree to the sectional demand for a change; (4) they did not believe there was any demand. If national action were taken they were prepared to fall in. Delegates from all the 20 branches of the Mid and East Lothian Miners’ Association met in conference in the Fede- ration offices at Dalkeith on Saturday. Mr. B. Brown, the miners’ secretary, reported that in view of the augmentation of women workers on the pit bank a committee of the National Union of Mine Workers and representatives of the coal masters throughout Scotland were to negotiate in regard to a standard wage for the women workers. Arrange- ments were also being made to provide a further proportion of workmen from the eight mining counties in Scotland to complete the number of men wanted for the tunnelling companies for service abroad. At a conference of delegates of the Scottish National Union of Mine Workers in Glasgow, under the chairmanship of Mr. Robert Smillie, the question of summer holidays was dis- cussed. It was decided to recommend the men to give up or postpone their holidays this year, in view of the claims of the nation. COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES. REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS. Brown (John) and Company Limited.—The directors state that owing to exceptional circumstances it is not possible to complete the accounts at the usual time. They have resolved to pay a final dividend of 10 per cent, on the ordinary shares, making 12J per cent, for the year, less tax (the same as a year ago). Cooke (William) and Company Limited.—The 18th annual report states that the net profit (including £4,200 brought forward) amounts to £37,861. The directors paid 5 per cent, on the cumulative preference shares, and recommend 10 per cent, on the ordinary, carrying forward £11,111. Coventry Chain Company Limited. — The directors have declared an interim dividend at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum. Denny, Mott and Dickson Limited.—The report shows a surplus of £71,378, including £2,988 brought forward. The directors recommend a final dividend for the half-year at the rate of 16 per cent, per annum on the preferred ordinary shares, 16 per cent, on the ordinary shares, provision for a discretionary bonus up to and not exceeding 10 per cent, on one year’s salary up to March 31, 1916, to such managers and members of staff as shall be decided upon by the board addition to the existing reserve fund of £200,000 of £25,000. and carried forward £6,378. Dinnington Main Coal Company Limited.—The accounts for the year to March 31 show an available sum of £62,962, including £8,881 brought in. A dividend off 10 per cent, is recommended, making 15 per cent, for year, against 10 per cent, for previous 12 months, carrying forward £10,045. Ebbw Vale Steel, Iron and Coal Company Limited.—The trading profits for the year were £296,075, and £9,299 was brought forward. After providing for debenture interest and other charges, the divisible balance is £198,565. It is pro- posed to appropriate £21,568 for expenditure .on new work, place £50,000 to the reserve, and pay a dividend on the ordi- nary shares of 12^ per cent., leaving to be carried forward, subject to income-tax and excess profits duty, £29,226. Lord Rhondda has resigned his seat on the board. The creation of £200,000 ordinary shares, and the increase of borrowing powers by £600,000 are recommended. Fountain and Burnley Limited.—An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders confirmed the resolution to increase the capitalisation to £200,000, and that undivided profits and surplus totalling £139,625 be divided as bonus. Haggie (R. Hood) and Son Limited.—The directors have decided to pay an interim dividend at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum on the preference shares, and 10 per cent, per annum on the ordinary shares. Howard and Bullough Limited.—The year’s trading profit was £136,152. The balance-sheet shows that investments outside the business, including Government, trustee, and real estate securities, and shares in the H. and B. American Machine Company, amount to £549,181. The total assets appear at £1,977,410. Monks, Hall and Company Limited. — The past year’s profits totalled £20,184 (£7,212 in the previous year), and the payment of the preference dividend has been brought up to date. The amount carried forward is" £8,888. The directors speak of difficulties growing in intensity. Newport-Abercarn Black Vein Steam Coal Company Limited.—The net profit, after deduction of debenture interest- and making provision for excess profits duty, was £25,961, add balance from last year, £9,427, making '£35,388; deduct interim dividends on pre-preference and preference shares £5,437, leaving available £29,951. The directors recom- mend a dividend of 3% per cent, on the pre-preference shares (less income-tax), making 7J per cent, for the year; dividend of 3J per cent, on the preference shares (less income- tax), making 7 per cent, for the year; dividend of 121 pei cent, on the ordinary shares (free of income-tax); and carry forward £15,138. North Kent Coal Field Limited.—The accounts for 1915 show a loss of £1,103, which increases the debit to revenue suspense account brought forward to £7,835. Petters Limited.—The report of this engineering company for the year ended March shows an available balance, includ- ing £3,510 brought forward, of £25,776. A dividend of 5 per cent, is declared, making 10 per cent, for the year; £5,000 is placed to reserve, and £5,000 transferred to the special fund to meet losses in connection wTith the war, £6,701 being carried forward. For 1914-15 5 per cent, was paid. Roberts (William) (Tipton) Limited.—The report states the accounts show a loss on the year’s trading of £3,357, after charging debenture interest and directors’ fees. Deducting this amount from the balance of profit brought forward from last account of £5,054, there is a surplus of £1,696, on which no dividend is paid. The adverse result is attributed to the war. Ruston, Proctor and Company Limited.—After paying 8 per cent, for several years, and then 7 per cent, for one year, the directors announce 10 per cent., including bonus and interim dividend. The addition to the reserve, which for each of the last two years was £25,000, is now increased to £70,000, making the fund £250,000, and the balance carried forward is raised from £13,353 to £16,300, which is very nearly the same as the amount two years ago. Summerscales Limited. — After providing for debenture interest, depreciation, and excess profits tax, the accounts show a disposable sum of £9,671, including £1,264 brought in. A dividend of 6 per cent, is recommended on the ordi- nary shares, and the transfer of £2,500 to reserve, carrying forward £2,394. Transvaal Coal Trust Limited.—Interim dividend (No. 33) of 12J per cent. (2s. 6d. per share) has been declared, pay- able to shareholders registered June 30 and to holders of coupon No. 33. Tredegar Iron and Coal Company Limited.—The report for year to March 31 states that the shortage of labour and the extremely high prices of pit wood and of other colliery supplies have largely increased the costs. The output of coal from all the company’s collieries, including Oakdale and Markham, was 2,186,285 tons—a decrease of 132,316 tons on the previous year. The output of coke from the Tredegar collieries was 67,984 tons. The amount paid to dependants of men on active service by the Tredegar, Oakdale, and Markham collieries during the year was £14,677, making a total since the war began of £24,104. The directors have continued their efforts to secure economy in working the collieries, and mechanical coal-cutting and conveying have been introduced with good results. The profit for year, after providing for excess profits duty, was £189,089, and £2,623 was brought in, making £191,712. Balance of interest on loans and debentures, £2,890; depreciation, £10,000; reserve, £40,000; write off suspense account (Army service dependants), £9,732; a dividend of 10 per cent., free of tax, on “A” and “ B ” shares (of which 5 per cent, was paid in December last) is recommended, with a bonus of 5 per cent., carrying forward £5,439. NEW COMPANIES. Dagnal Engineering Company Limited.—Private company. Registered office, Wellinigton-yard, Market-place, St. Albans, Herts. Registered June 12. . To carry on the business of engineers, smiths, founders, etc. Nominal capital, £2,000. Directors and subscribers (one “A” share each) : R. B. Peacock and J. Wilson. Horobin (Benjamin) Limited.—Private company. Regis- tered office, Garden Works, Raby-street, Wolverhampton. Registered June 16. To acquire the business of B. Horobin and W. Allday, iron and brass founders, mechanical engi- neers, tool and machinery makers, etc. Nominal capital, £1,700 in 1,700 £1 ordinary shares. Directors : B. Horobin, W. Allday, Albert Horobin, Alfred Horobin, and H. C. Aston. Qualification of directors, £100 ordinary shares. Midland Avidimax Limited. — Private company. Regis- tered June 12. To carry on business of gas producers, coal and coke merchants, combustion experts, mine and quarry owners, builders, merchants, etc. Nominal capital, £4,000 in 4,000 £1 ordinary shares. Directors : A. Rollason and other persons. Richards Thread Milling Machine Company Limited.— Private company. Registered office, 7, Outer Temple, 222, Strand, W.C. Registered June 15. To acquire the business of tool makers and thread milling machine makers carried on by G. Richards under the style of the George Richards Thread Milling Machine Company at 5, Grocers’ Hall-court, London, and at 103, Cornwall-road, South Tottenham. Nominal capital, £1,600 in 1,600 £1 shares. Directors : G. Richards, W. W. Beaumont, and L. N. Burt. This list of new companies is taken from the Daily Register specially compiled by Messrs. Jordan and Sons Limited, company registration agents, Chancery-lane, E.C, 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. Warrington, July 11.—The Electricity and Tramways Committee invite tenders either for part or whole of 7,000 tons of slack, to be delivered at the Electricity Works, Howley, Warrington, during six months commencing August 1, to be delivered in accordance with the conditions of specification. In the alternative, the Committee invite tenders either for part or the whole of 12,000 tons of slack, to be delivered during the 12 months commencing August 1. Tenders, addressed to the “ Chairman of the Electricity and Tramways Committee, Town Hall, Warrington,” must be sealed with wax, and endorsed ” Tender for slack,” and delivered not later than 12 noon on Tuesday, July 11. The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted. Speci- fications can be obtained from F. V. L. Mathias, borough electrical and tramways engineer, Howley, Warrington. Abstracts of Contracts Open. Ashford (Kent), June 27.—Coal for sewage works, etc. Forms from the Urban District Council surveyor, North- street, Ashford. Bakewell, June 30.-1,300-1,600 tons of coal for the Urban District Council. Forms from the clerk. Banbury, June 26.—Coal (12 months) for the Town Council. Forms from the town clerk. Bicester, June 29.—200 tons Birch Coppice or similar coal for the Guardians. Forms from A. Truman, clerk. Birkenhead, July 4.—Coal for the Guardians. Forms from S. R. Carter, clerk, Conway-street, Birkenhead. Chatham, June 27.—200 tons double screened house coal for the Guardians. Forms from the clerk, Workhouse. Chelmsford, July 3.—Portland steam coal and Derby brights or nuts for the Guardians. Forms from the clerk, 96, High-street, Chelmsford. Ghorley, June 27.—Coal (six or 12 months) for the Ghorley Joint Hospital Board. Forms from the clerk. Clayton (Yorkshire), June 26.—Coal for the Guardians of North Bierley Union. Forms from the clerk, 4, Town Hall-street, Bradford. Dumbarton, June 30. — 320 tons of coal for the Joint Hospital. Tenders to A. Roberts, clerk, Dumbarton. Ealing, July 3.—For coal, oil, etc., for the Corporation. Forms from the borough electrical engineer, Town Hall, Ealing. Ely (Cardiff), June 28.—Coal for the Isolation Hospital. Forms from M. Warren, 20, Park-place, Cardiff. Glasgow, June 28.—Fuel for institutions. Forms from J. R. Motion, clerk. Council Chambers, Glasgow. Guildford, June 30.—Coal for the Guardians’ receiving home. Forms from W. S. Cullerne, clerk, Guildford. Hastings, July 3.—180 tons of house coal for the cor- poration. Forms from P. II. Palmer, Town Hall. Haworth (Yorks), June 24.-3,000 tons of gas coal (screened or unscreened) and gas nuts, for the Haworth Urban District Council. No forms. Tenders to the clerk, North-street, Keighley. Hindley (Lancs)/June 26.—9,000-10,000 tons Arley gas nuts for the Urban District Council. Forms from the engi- neer, Gas Works. Isle of Thanet, June 29.—Coal and coke for the Guar- dians. Forms from C. Taylor, clerk, Minster. Killough (Ireland), July 10.—140 tons best White- haven coal to the Sheils’ Institution, Killough, for the local board of governors. Tenders to the chairman. London, N.W., June 29.—Coal and coke for the St. Pancras Board of Guardians. Forms from the clerk, Town Hall, Pancras-road, N.W. Loughton, July 1.—Coal and coke for the Epping District Sub-committee of the Essex Education Com- mittee. Forms from the Education Office, High-road, Loughton, Essex. ‘ Marple, June 27.—Gas coal, nuts, etc., for the Marple Urban District Council. Forms from the gas engineer, Marple Bridge. Melton Mowbray, June 28.—Coal for the Workhouse and the Children’s Home, for the Guardians. Forms from A. H. Marsh, clerk, Melton Mowbray. Middlewich, June 27.—Coal (suitable for household use and boilers) and coke required at isolation hospitals, for the Hospital Committee. Tenders to J. Holland, clerk, Lead- smithy-street , Middlewich. Motherwell.—250 tons coal suitable for steam raising, 80 tons washed doubles and 100 tons hard furnace coke for manufacture of water gas, per month. Particulars from the Vulcan Works, Flemington. Nottingham, July 3.—Coal for year ending July 31, 1917, for the Education Committee. Forms from J. B. Ward, Education Office. Powick (Worcester), June 30.—Coal for the County and City Asylum. Forms' from the storekeeper. Romford, June 28.—Coal and coke for the Romford District Sub-committee of the Essex Education Com- mittee. Forms from the clerk, 71, South-street, Romford. Salford, June 26.—Coal for the Electricity Department. Particulars, etc., from the borough electrical engineer, Frederick-road, Salford. Shoreham-by-Sea (Sussex), June 27.—Steam coal for the Guardians of Steyning Union. Forms from A. Flower, clerk. Shrewsbury, June 27.—Cobbles (12 months) for the Education Committee. No forms. Tenders to the acting clerk, Guild Hall. Southampton, June 26.—250 tons best house coal, screened; also 250-300 tons best Welsh smokeless steam coal, for the Royal South Hants and Southampton Hospital. Tenders to T. A. Fisher Hall, secretary. Southborough (Kent), June 26.—200 tons steam coal and 40 tons house coal for the Urban District Council. Forms from the clerk, Council Offices. Stratford-on-Avon, June 28.—7,000 tons of good screened gas coal or nuts, during 12 months, for the Gas Committee. Forms from the gas engineer. Strokestown (Ireland), June 30.—50 tons of best English, Irish, or Scotch coal, free from slack. Forms from the clerk to the Guardians.