August 11, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 271 INDIAN AND COLONIAL NOTES. Australia. Effect of Strikes on Trade.—The Commissioner for New South Wales in the East points out tha»t for the last year the coal markets in the East were worth £6,447,200, of which Newcastle only supplied <£366,000. The trade has been absolutely lost, and cannot be regained until the Australian exporters can convince Eastern consumers that contracts can be entered into without the insertion of a strike clause. Australia has acquired such a bad name all over Asia that it is difficult to get anybody to look to the Commonwealth during strikes. Last year and the year before hardly a month passed without agents receiving telegrams advising them that strikes were on. Mines have been opened in Japan, China, and Borneo which would not have been started if strikes had not occurred in Australia. The mines in the East have netted £10,000,000 sterling in six years that should have belonged to Australia. That was what strikes have cost Australia. Increased Trade in New South Wales.—The rapid exten- sion of smelting and industrial works in New South Wales has created a big demand for coke, and mine managers on the South Coast who in the past were at a loss as to the best method of getting rid of slack, are now sometimes compelled, owing to rush of orders, to crush best coal. In the Illawarra district there are at the present time many up-to-date plants, which are continually being enlarged. At Port Kembla, a busy place now that loading facilities enable vessels of large tonnage to take in cargo with despatch, the Mount Lyell Coke Works have an output of between 600 and 700 tons weekly. The Corrimal coking plant produces 560 tons weekly. At the Bellambi Coke Works, owned by the Broken Hill Proprietary Company, there are 100 retort ovens, with a weekly output of about 1,200 tons. At Mount Pleasant; Messrs. Figtree Brothers’ Coke Works have a capacity of 900 tons weekly. At Wollongong are the Federal Coke Works, with an average weekly output of between 700 and 750 tons. The Bulli Coal Company at Bulli have 45 retort ovens, giving an output of 500 tons weekly. The North Bulli Company’s coking plant at Coledale has 106 retort ovens. At Scarborough there are 45 ovens of the beehive type, and in this plant the charges are still drawn by hand. At Cpalcliff there are 50 retort ovens, 32 ft. by 9 ft., the largest on the coast. In addition to the numerous existing works, there is every probability of new plants being estab- lished. Messrs. Hoskins, of Lithgow, have purchased a coal mine at Dapto, and it is understood that when the mine is sufficiently developed coke ovens will be erected. Coal for State Railways.—Difficulty has been experienced by several of the State Governments in securing the coal necessary for the running of their railways. It is understood that the Victorian Government requires 300,000 tons and the South Australian Government about 280,000 tons, but neither State is able to induce the shipping companies to enter into a contract for the delivery of the coal. Represen- tations have therefore been made to the Federal Government on their behalf to take steps to secure delivery of the neces- sary coal. Power has already been taken under the War Precautions Act to fix the rates between Australian ports, and the proposal now is to empower the Admiralty to say to a ship owner where his ship shall go and what it shall carry. It is to be hoped that the Government will also take action with regard to the Coal Lumpers’ Union, the members of which now insist on knocking off work at 5 p.m. If the men could be induced to work hard and continuously while coal boats are in port every vessel in the trade could make three trips between Melbourne and Newcastle for every two that is now made. Canada. Nova Scotia Coal Production.—The coal production of Nova Scotia for the first half of 1916 was approximately 3,200,000 tons, or about 200,000 tons greater than the pro- duction of the first six months of 1915. The increase occurred to the first quarter of the year, as during the second quarter production decreased in a noticeable manner. The output of the Dominion Coal Company for May and June was 100,000 tons per month below the outputs of the corresponding months of 1915, and it is to be feared that during the remainder of the year a reduction from the monthly outputs of last year will be shown to the extent of not less than 125,000 tons per month. Indications are that the output of the province for the year will not exceed 6,000,000 tons, the smallest since 1911. The falling off in production is attribu- table to heavy enlistments among the miners. Recruiting in the colliery districts has been discouraged and practically discontinued for the past six months, but the loss of between 22 per cent, and 25 per cent, of the working force has had the inevitable effect. The men who have gone away cannot be replaced, as there is no source of fresh labour supply available. Many men have left the collieries for other employment, chiefly connected with the manufacture of munitions. Absenteeism is having a marked effect in the reduction of outputs, shortage of men and steady employ- ment at good wages having their usual effect in causing irregular attendance at work. Newfoundland Coal Supply.—The Government, anticipat- ing a coal shortage throughout the country, owing to the scarcity of tonnage for freight, unless steps were taken to forestall what was impending, took up the matter of coal importation from Nova Scotia early this year, and as a result the returns show the amount of coal imported to June to be 44,000 tons, which is considerably ahead of last year’s importations for the same period, and is sufficient to prevent any severe shortage in the near future.—The coal field in the region of St. Georges Bay, one of the most promising in the country, has been traced in a longitudinal line from W.S.M. to E.N.E. five miles, and is thought to extend a little further. Mr. Howley Head, of the Geological Survey, has reported that the best exposures of coal are near the western end of the trough, where it shows a width of about two miles. In the section exposed along the banks of the Barrisway river there are 12 coal seams, ranging from a few inches to over five ft. in thickness. On the Robin- son’s river two miles further east three seams were uncovered, one of which, the Howley seam, gave a thickness of 4 ft. 2 in. It is not unlikely that development work will be begun on some of these deposits this season, as, no matter what the initial cost of mining the coal may be, it is safe to say that the present prices prevailing will guarantee a safe margin of profit. Notes from the Coal Fields. [Local Correspondence.] South Wales and Monmouthshire. Combined Effort to Ensure Work—Dock and Harbour Dues— Summer School of Mining—Fluctuation of Colliery Profits—Winding up Hugo Stinnes’ Business—A “ pro- German Element" in the Coal Field—Iron and Steel Developments. The incidents of the holiday difficulty, especially the great reversal in the voting at the delegates’ conference on Satur- day, created renewed discussion of the relation between the members of the Federation and their leaders. Among miners the feeling grows that only by individual ballot can a trustworthy conclusion be reached. In large measure the result of Saturday’s conference is due to concerted action by the Government representatives and the men’s leaders. Mr. C. Edwards, M.P. for East Glamorgan, was present, also an Admiralty representative; the veteran Mabon had issued an appeal; articles by leaders had appeared in the local Press urging that work should continue on Monday; and the secretary of the Federation, with the officials of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain, had worked strenuously to secure a reversal of the mistaken decision. The subject is referred to in the “ Labour and Wages ” column. Upon the question of Government payment of dock and harbour dues another conference has been held at the Treasury, and official representatives of dock and harbour authorities have had a further interview in London with representatives of the Admiralty and other Government Departments concerning vessels in the national service. The offer of the Government was that, notwithstanding their statutory right to receive gratuitous service, they will pay 75 per cent, in the docks, but not in the harbours. The authorities, on the contrary, wish to have full dues paid in both cases. As a result of the renewed conference a fresh offer is being made by the Government, and this will be laid before a full meeting of the dock and harbour authorities. Newport Board of Guardians passed a resolution strongly disapproving of the Board of Trade’s authorisation to South Wales coal owners whereby they are allowed to charge 2s. lid. more per ton of coal, and the Abergavenny Council has also protested, one speaker expressing the hope that the Government will be “ inundated ” with protests from public authorities. The company owning the building of Cardiff Coal and Shipping Exchange has issued its 33rd annual report, show- ing that the balance to credit of revenue account is £2,525. A dividend of 3 per cent, for the second half of the year (making 6 per cent, for the year), free of income-tax, is recommended by the directors, a balance of £1,525 to be carried forward. Sinking fund investments, stated at cost, amount to <£10,741. Glamorgan Council’s annual summer school of mining and engineering opened at Swansea, on Monday, in the Technical College, and it is stated that the curriculum has been so drafted as to specially serve the aims of students preparing for the Home Office examinations for sub-inspectorships of mines and for mining certificates. Electrical as well as mechanical engineering is also taken. The issue this week of Windsor Coal Company’s report gives opportune reminder that coal-mining is not always the very profitable undertaking that present-day conditions lead w7age-earners and others to imagine. A distribution of 40 per cent, upon preference shares, if regarded alone, gives an idea of success which is very far from the truth. The com- pany’s taking is about 2,600 acres in the Aber Valley, near Caerphilly, and the annual output is about half a million tons. But until four years ago, practically no profit was realised, year after year a loss being recorded. The 40 per cent, now distributed is four years’ arrears of dividend on the 10 per cent, cumulative preference shares, 18 months’ arrears still remaining due; and, in addition, there are 6 per cent, preference shares upon which 13 years of dividends have accumulated, the ordinary shares never having received any dividend. Now that underground difficulties have been surmounted, there is fair prospect of successful operations; but the case of the Windsor is worth consideration at a time when popular ideas class collieries with the proverbial “ gold mine.” The Abercarn tribunal refused to grant exemption for the wages dletrk at Crumlin Valley Colliery, although notified that the number of men employed is now 560, as compared with 250 when wrar commenced. The clerk is a single man. Appeal will be permitted. Special interest attaches to the appointment of a sub- committee of Swansea Harbour Trustees, whose duty will be to consider and report as to the selection of a successor to Mr. Laws, general manager of the docks, who is retiring. One suggestion has been that the duties of the post should be divided, and that a traffic manager should be appointed, as well as a general manager—a proposition of peculiar impor- tance to the coal trade. The order of the Board of Trade as' to winding up the business of Hugo Stinnes, the German coal owner, described as ‘‘of Newcastle-on-Tyne,” is of special interest to South Wales, where he had an office. His transactions in Welsh coal, soon after he established himself here, a few years ago, were extensive, for he had evidently come with the determi- nation to cut out the older firms, and therefore resorted energetically to the usual trade devices. His great financial resources, combined with established foreign connections, enabled him to secure contracts, Italy being one favourite ground, one of his depots being at Messina. Constantinople was another scene of his operations. His ownership of steamers was a material aid to his schemes, and it will be remembered that quite recently he extended his interests in shipping by acquiring control of the Woermann line. Of later years, his interposition in the Welsh trade has not been so considerable as it formerly was, and when war broke out it was, of course, entirely suspended. Apparently the limi- tation of prices and freights has not yet removed difficulties in Italy, for one report this week states that coal costs over £9 a ton in Rome. One of the miners’ leaders—Coun. Davis, who is agent at Ebbw Vale—spoke very strongly on Friday at a meeting called to consider the question of working during the holidays. He said that the sacrifices of the miners had not been very great up to the present in comparison with the sacrifices made by other workmen, and declared, “ There is in the South Wales coal field at the present time a pro-German element, and this must be driven out.” He said he was not going to stand any more of it. If they wanted his job they could have it, for he was British to the backbone. The idea of taking holidays at this critical stage of the war was a national calamity, and that pro-German element must be crushed and stamped out before it became more dangerous. Rumours are once again persistent as to extensions in the steel trade of South Wales, but nothing definite has become known, although the form of reference just now involves allusion to some sort of Government incentive. It is well known that during quite recent years the production of iron and steel in this district has increased enormously, one esti- mate placing it at not less than 50 per cent., whilst the rela- tive productive capacity of the plant is second to none in the country. Further, the reports of local companies during the past three or four years have been one continuous statement of increase of capital—a quarter of a million by Guest-Keen, <£600,000 at Port Talbot, and hundreds of thousands by other concerns. In short, the position of South Wales in respect of ore, coal, export, facilities, and other advantages, notably the large amount of capital awaiting investment, tends to give all credence to statements indicating further develop- ments. The Town Clerk of Newport has been instructed to com- municate with the District Coal Supplies Committee, and inform them that the Corporation anticipates a shortage of coal for domestic purposes in the borough during the autumn and winter, and therefore desires that the committee will adopt measures of prevention. This communication is based upon .statements obtained from retailers who already expe- rience difficulty in getting supplies, and anticipate greater difficulty, because of alleged better prices gained by export. Northumberland and Durham. A story of heroism comes from West Wylam Colliery. Whilst Edward Liddle, deputy, was drawing timber from some old workings in the colliery, a heavy fall of stone occurred, pinning him down by the shoulders and legs. Thos. Henry Brabban, the only worker within half a mile, set to work to extricate Liddle, though stone was still falling and the roof threatened to collapse at any moment. He succeeded in releasing Liddle and removing him from danger just before the roof fell. He then placed Liddle on a train, and pushed him up an incline for half a mile to where another deputy was employed. Thanks to Brabban's prompt aid, Liddle has now completely recovered. The Deputies’ and Miners’ associations pro- pose to report the incident to the Home Secretary. Mr. Francis Coulson, J.P., the newly-elected president of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, has made a special study of the various methods of sinking and boring in connection with collieries, has executed contracts all over England, and is recognised as one of the foremost living authorities in such matters. He has now had a working life of 50 years, and seems good for a very long time yet. He had a long connection with the Volunteer movement in association wffth the Durham Light Infantry, and attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Yorkshire. At Doncaster police court on Saturday, the Denaby and Cadeby Colliery Company summoned a Denaby stonemason, named Patrick Hives, for neglecting his work. Defendant was stated to be the worst man the colliery company had to deal with. He had been before the Absentee Board, a joint committee of masters and men, who had suggested that he be brought before the magistrates. He was now charged with absenting himself from work for 13 days in June and July, and damages were claimed amounting to £6 Ils. 6d. through his failure to attend; other men had had to be with- drawn from the coal face, and the loss in output had been 60 tons of coal. The Bench ordered the damages claimed to be paid, with costs. At Aberford, near Leeds, honour has been done to Rifle- man Arthur Dodd, a miner, from Micklefield Colliery, who has gained the D.C.M., at the cost of injuries which have caused his discharge from the Army. Mrs. Gascoigne, of Locherton Hall, pinned the medal on Dodd’s breast in pre- sence of a large gathering of the institute, and also presented Dodd with a silver watch and War Loan bonds to the value of £20, which had been subscribed for by neighbours and friends. Albert Walton, a screen boy, was, at Sheffield county court, awarded compensation at the rate of 7s. 2d. a week for the loss of his right leg through an accident at the Stocks- bridge pit, the property of Messrs. Samuel Fox and Com- pany. It was stated that he was going along the stage in front of the wagon shoot in order to get some water, wdien he fell over the shoot. His right foot was caught between the shoot and the revolving belt, with the result that the leg was injured and had to be amputated. For the respon- dents it was contended that the boy was riding on the belt, which was strictly forbidden, and that therefore they were not liable. His Honour believed the boy’s story, and held that wThat he was doing was well within the nature of his employment. Lancashire and Cheshire. Labour Prospects—Repairs during Stoppage—Result of Petrol Shortage—A Dangerous Practice. It is estimated that when the supply of colliery labour is normal, the opening of the various new mines in the Leigh division of South Lancashire alone will provide employment for 3,000 men and youths. Owing to so many individual workers having asked for holidays, the Earl of Ellesmere closed all his collieries in Walkden and adjoining districts from Friday night of last week until Wednesday morning. Necessary repairs have been carried out at several pits during the stoppage. Up-to-date screening plants have been installed and other surface improvements effected at the Tyldesley Coal Com- pany Limited, Hulton Colliery Company Limited, Wigan Coal and Iron Company Limited, Astley and Tyldesley Collieries Limited, Lord Ellesmere, Clifton and Kersley Coal Company Limited, Messrs. J. Speakman and Sons, Abram Coal Company Limited, Messrs. Fletcher Burrows and Com- pany Limited, and the Pearson and Knowles Coal and Iron Company Limited. A number of colliery concerns in the Manchester, Bolton, and Wigan districts, in view of the petrol restrictions, are putting more horses into use in place of motor lorries. The majority have a supply of horses to draw upon, but in cases where these have to be bought, high prices are being asked.