July 14, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 79 An inquest was held at Wakefield on the body of Janies Francis Hauber, 15, Westgate, who died from injuries received at Wrenthorpe Colliery, where he was employed as a rope lad. He was lowering some tubs down a drift, when his clothes became entangled in the rope, and before it could be stopped he was carried along to a place where the roof was low, with the result that his skull was fractured in two places. A verdict of “ Accidental death ” was returned. Lancashire and Cheshire. Electricity Charges — New Works at Cadishead — Buying Coal “ Secretly ”—Widnes Council and By-Products. At a meeting of the Oldham Town Council last week it was reported that the new scale of charges for electricity would rise and fall according to the price of coal. At a meeting of the Middleton Town Council last week, Aid. Bentley, chairman of the Electricity Committee, in explaining a loss of £1,066 on the year’s working, said that the committee had had to spend £1,000 more on coal, and he suggested that the price of current ought to be increased. The Partington Steel and Iron Company Limited, with which is allied the Pearson and Knowles Coal Company Limited, is extending its new works on the banks of the Ship Canal at Cadishead, near Manchester. A Sheffield firm propose building new works, and 600 houses in the same neighbourhood. Last week, at a meeting of the Salford Town Council, Coun. Brotherton 'asked the chairman of the Electricity Committee whether he thought that body could do better by purchasing their coal secretly and withholding the price from the agenda. He noticed that the Gas Committee were purchas- ing for 16s. 4d. per ton what was apparently costing the Electricity Committee 17s. 6d. Coun. Billington sa>id the question of secrecy had not been discussed by the Electricity Committee. The latter purchased steam coal, and the other was purchased for gas making. An Ashton-in-Makerfield coroner’s jury last week enquired into the death of Patrick McLoughlin, 22, dataller at the No. 2 pit, Long-lane Collieries of the Garswood Coal and Iron Company, who was killed at the pit. It appeared from the evidence that a report was made on June 30 that the roof in the new motion district of the Pemberton Four-feet mine was not safe, and deceased iand other men were engaged in putting in the first of two girders to make the low roof safe, when about 14 tons of loose stone and dirt fell without warning, carry- ing two •large girders with it. Deceased was completely buried by the debris, and Mr. T. Ashton, colliery under- manager, had his right ankle broken. McLoughlin was dead when extricated. Mr. Siddall, inspector of mines, said he was satisfied that all necessary precautions had been taken and that the accident could not have been avoided. The manager spoke in high terms of praise of the men who went to the rescue of those involved in the accident, and said they faced the danger and risked their lives with great bravery. “ Accidental death ” was the verdict of the jury. At the meeting of the Widnes Town Council a letter was read from the Ministry of Munitions to the Gas and Water Committee expressing regret that the council had decided not to proceed with the installation of a benzol recovery plant, in spite of the urgent national necessity of securing the maximum quantity of raw materials for explo- sive purposes. The letter also explained that the council may not be aware that the French, whose coke oven district is in the hands of the enemy, look to this country for their main supplies of benzol, which forms the basis of the bulk of their explosives, and although the co-operation that has been extended to this department by the gas industry as a whole has rendered the application of compulsory measures unneces- sary, the council will appreciate that the existence of the slightest prospect at the present time that the French require- ments, quite apart from those of this country, might not be met, would require the taking of any action that might be considered necessary to remove apprehension in this respect. It expressed the hope that the council will recon- sider their decision as early as possible. A number of members expressed hostility to the proposed reduction in the quality, and one of them (Coun. G. Davis) argued that to reduce the gas 50 per cent, in illuminating power and 15 per cent, in calorific value would be simply playing into the hands of competitors. The Gas Committee’s recommenda- tion, to the effect that the engineer be instructed to obtain tenders for a toluol and benzol plant, was defeated by 10 votes to 8. Notts and Derbyshire. Generous gifts have just been made to the Mansfield Hos- pital by the Bolsover and the Sherwood colliery companies, each contributing the sum of .£1,000 towards the debt on the capital account of the hospital extension, which includes the King Edward memorial wing and the nurses’ home. The new extension cost £15,000, and the nurses’ home £4,000. Both companies have also doubled their annual subscriptions to the institution, the Bolsover company now giving £200 instead of £100, and Sherwood £100 instead of £50. The board of management have issued an appeal to colliery and royalty owners in the district, asking for their assistance in clearing off the debts on the hospital, and to increase their yearly subscriptions. Mr. William Hall, a Nottingham miner, has written a history of the Sherwobd Foresters, a copy of which has been sent to the King. General Sir H. Smith Dorrien (hon. col. of the regiment), the Duke of Portland, Col. Sir Lancelot Rolleston, and the Mayor of Nottingham (J. G. Small) are among those who have complimented Mr. Hall. The King, at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, conferred the Edward Medal for life saving on six miners, named Thomas Smith, Harold Gregory, C. B. Frankland, C. W. Harrison, Edward Nurse, and C. W. Hudson (all of the Staveley district), who at great risk rescued a number of fellow miners from the Island Colliery. The Midlands. Only one tender for the supply of coal was received by the Loughborough Guardians on Tuesday, the price being 21s. 6d. per ton. A member of the board mentioned that a local merchant .had offered slack at 16s. 9d. and large coal at 19s. 6d. for a month. His offer was accepted, the tender being declined, the supply of coke and breeze being referred to a committee. Kent. The report of the East Kent Contract and Financial Com- pany (one of the Kent Coal Concessions Group) says : The directors have deemed it necessary in the interests of the COAL AND COKE EXPORTED FROM PORTS IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND AND WALES. During the month of June 1916 compared with the corresponding month of 1915. Port. June 1916. June 1915. Coals. Coke. Coals Cote. Coals. | Coke. Increase. ! Decrease. Increase. Decrease. Tons. Tons. Tons. ! Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Newcastle ..................... 401,283 48,620 314,669 i 7,776 86,614 ' ; 40,844 North Shields 36,300 617 20,378 1 354 15,922 — 263 South Shields 358,565 37,892 289,345 4,240 69,220 i 33,652 — Sunderland 117,234 4,665 173,520 3,730 — 56,286 935 West Hartlepool 80,460 82,364 — 1,904 I — Goole 30,253 1,025 46,824 1,094 — 16,571 — 69 Blyth 165,772 11 170,576 800 4,804 — 789 Newport 311,474 — 289,224 802 22,250 — — 802 Liverpool 32,121 319 23,199 562 8,922 — 243 Methil 913,698 32 137,313 1,008 776,385 — 976 Glasgow 187,189 7,384 183,285 5,852 3,904 — 1,532 Kirkcaldy 8,109 19 10,601 — — 2,492 19 Burntisland 42,494 — 89,748 409 — 47,251 — 409 Cardiff 721,216 — 845,718 3,583 — 124,502 — 3,583 Borrowstoness — — — — — — Llanelly 11,381 — 12,637 1,256 Middlesbrough 7,385 3,310 1,156 — i 3,340 ! 6,229 — Seaham 57,323 — 44,749 411 12,574 ! — — 411 Swansea 274,074 — 273,528 j 5 0 546 | — — 550 Granton 4,709 — 14,384 1,952 9,675 • — 1,952 Port Talbot 213,069 1,230 167,166 2,363 ' 45,903 ; — — 1,133 Alloa i — ! — I I ; Grangemouth ! ! ' I ... Neath — — ! — — 1 — ; — i Hull 79,067 11,183 159,311 d 1 — 80,244 i 11,178 — Immingham 3,025 — 31,405 20 — 28,380 ■ — 20 Amble 27,033 — 23,796 — 3,237 ; — — Troon 8,368 — 10,080 — — i 1,712 : Grimsby 12,403 — 37.038 — — 21,635 , — Ayr 19,(64 15,965 — 3,099 , Greenock Leith 92,797 765 112,833 6,396 i — I 20,036 • — 5,631 Ar dross an 19,646 ! — 4,473 — 15,173 i — : — Irvine — i — — ■■— i i — -- COAL AND COKE SHIPPED FOR LONDON AND OTHER PORTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.* Port. June 1915 June 1916. Port. June 1915. i June 1916. Coals. | Coke. Coals. ■ Coke. Coals. | Coke. j Coals. Coke. Tons. i Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. 1 Tons. Tons. Tons. Newcastle 134,832 ; 155 106,855 — Ayr 74,240 20 64,84» North Shields ... 4,050 i — 850 i — Irvine 10,733 i j — 3,316 South Shields 209,160 350 217,810 i 2,000 , Alloa — 1 1 — Blyth 29,710 j — 15,190 ' — Whitehaven 16,418 ! 140 18,453 Amble 2,407 970 ' — | Liverpool 150,968 1,265 27’,152 1,585 Sunderland 117,719 j ! 90,015 ; — ! Grimsby 1,333 — 140 Seaham 100,950 62,170 ! i 69,830 i 39,603 i — , Granton 11,570 410 3,200 Hartlepool — i Borrowstoness Stockton — I _ 7 — — Burntisland 22,300 — 15,100 Middlesbrough... — — 1 — Kirkcaldy 825 — 705 — Hull 57,985 33,061 I — - Methil 19,538 — 13,460 Goole 91,166 — . 43,615 ; — Port Talbot ... 7,291 — 1,218 Swansea 23,932 — 16,080 ; — Glasgow 54,498 436 28,250 752 Cardiff 45,705 186 > 24,006 i 80 [Grangemouth ... — — — Llanelly 4,843 — 2,380 ; — Greenock 3,617 — 1,527 Newport 48,476 — ■ 42,777 { 30 Immingham 2,980 — 153 — Troon 16,365 — 15,723 j — I Leith 2,353 — 13,464 3 Ardrossan 16,270 — ! 41,763 j 4 Note.—The figures in the above tables do not include Admiralty and certain other shipments. * From Browne's Export List. shareholders to investigate the affairs of the company, entailing an immense amount of work on the part of the staff and auditors, especially with regard to the accounts relating to the construction of the light railway. The directors have only been able to present accounts up to June 30, 1914, but the preparation of the further accounts since that date is being proceeded with, and will be presented to the share- holders at the earliest possible date. Parts of the light rail- way have been handed over to the East Kent Light Railways Company, who are taking steps to obtain the sanction of the Board of Trade to the opening of certain portions for public traffic. The sanction of the court was obtained in April 1915 to a scheme under which payment of the company’s unsecured creditors of £100 each and over has been postponed until six months after the conclusion of the war. The directors retir- ing at this meeting are Mr. J. Dewrance and Mr. S. D. Greig, who, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election. In the report of the directors of the Ebbsfleet Coal Syndicate, presented at the general meeting of the syndicate, they state : When the war broke out negotiations were in progress for leasing or selling a portion of the syndicate’s minerals, and a profitable issue appeared to be both probable and imminent, but the war has suspended all activities of that kind, and the accounts consequently amount to no more than a statement of income and expenditure, in which the expen- diture is necessarily treated as an asset, since it represents the cost price of the property acquired. The long delay in realisation which the war has imposed has added, and is still adding, to -the cost, but the total remains far below any value it is reasonable to attach to the property if and when disposed of. Care has been taken to distinguish in the accounts between the direct cost of acquisition of the property and the expenditure in the nature of investments. As regards the cost of acquisition, every effort has been made since the beginning of the war to limit the immediate outlay by postponing the taking up of options, and especially by reducing the expenses of administration. A saving has also been effected by an arrangement with various lessors to suspend the payment of dead rents during the war and for a certain period beyond. Further receipts in respect of the Betteshanger shares sold last year, including £970 released from the deposit in the hands of the Betteshanger Company, have put the syndicate in a favourable financial position for the time, but, in considering the future, it is necessary to bear in mind the possible long postponement of any serious return for past outlay, owing to the prolongation of the war, and the consequent continuance of current expenditure, as well as other and heavier expenditure which cannot be indefi- nitely postponed, necessary for the confirmation of various uncompleted leases and other mineral rights of the syndicate. Forest of Dean. Mr. Robert Smillie was the chief speaker at the annual demonstration of the Forest of Dean miners, when nearly 3,000 men paraded. He said that, although the miners of the country had endeavoured to make up the leeway caused by giving to the Colours 250,000 of their men, and although they had done everything in their power to increase the out- put, the Government neglected the advice given them that the middlemen should not be allowed to raise prices to any point they desired. A 10 per cent, advance has been conceded to miners in the Dean Forest coal field. Somersetshire. A miner named John Brimble was fined £2 at Bedminster for setting props too widely apart in the Bedminster seam of the South Liberty Colliery. Evidence was given to the effect that Brimble had been warned, and the Bench held,that his plea of shortage of timber had not been proved. They con- sidered that it was negligence on his part and not wilfulness. Scotland. Glasgow Corporation s Dilemma—Epidemic of Accidents— A Miner Captain—No July Holidays !—Fire in Pit Shaft —Rain Stops Work. Unable to obtain tenders for all the coal required, the Gas Committee of the Glasgow Corporation recommended that power be given to three members to purchase the coal required during the year. In opposing this motion, Mr. Dollan contended that the corporation ought to be able to get all the coal it required for the public departments at an excess of 4s. over the 1914-15 price. If the committee stood firm the Government must come to their assistance, but if weakness was shown the coal owners would take advantage and raise the price. The recommendation was adopted. An extraordinary epidemic of accidents has been notice- able in the coal-producing districts of Lanarkshire during the past few months. Last week, accidents attended by death and serious injuries occurred at Bothwell Castle Colliery, Bothwell, Clyde Colliery, Hamilton, and Priory pit, Blan- tyre. Further afield, accidents have been proportionally numerous, although not so serious. Two reasons have been assigned for the unpleasant crop of casualties. One has refer- ence to the high pressure at which the men are working, while the other apprehends the large element of unskilled labour. Colliery managers are inclined to believe that both reasons may be accepted as contributing factors. The district of Falkirk can point with satisfaction to one miner who has risen to the rank of captain in the Army. Seventeen years ago William Drummond was a miner in one of the Carron Company's pits. He enlisted in the Gordons 16 years ago, and now he has been promoted to the rank of captain. Twice, since the present; war began he has been mentioned for gallantry. So far as the mind's in Scotland are concerned, it is now tolerably certain that there will be, during the course of the