322 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN August 18, 1916. called immediately to consider which will be the best steps to be taken to secure- the same.” The Urpeth Busty lodge has resolved, on this point : Seeing it is the intention of our executive committee to request an early meeting with the owners in regard to an advance on the present minimum rates, we move they ask for all percentages added to the county rates since the minimum wage for hewers was raised to 6s. 4d. be added to the minimum rates owing to the increased cost of living.” Because an error had been made in his pay note, William McKnight, putter at East Tanfield, complained to the pay clerk, and was told that it would be rectified next day. He went to his mates on the pit heap, however, and, in conse- quence of what he told them, many of them, in sympathy with him, refused to descend the mine, but, eventually, the under-manager succeeded in getting them all to work except- ing McKnight, who went home. McKnight’s unreasonable behaviour resulted in his being ordered, by the Lanchester magistrates, to pay 5s. damages to the colliery company for having absented himself from work without notice or reason- able excuse. Mr. William Straker, corresponding secretary to the Northumberland Miners’ Association, has issued the follow- ing circular to the lodges :— “ The Miners’ Federation Committee has asked for a return as to violations of the Eight Hours Act by Northum- berland colliery deputies. This is an important question, as the safety of every man working in the mine depends so ’ much on deputies. Therefore, deputies, in order to be able to discharge their duties efficiently, should not be under the necessity of working longer than the hours per shift they are allowed to do under the Eight Hours Act, which, in my opinion, is too long except in a case of great emergency. Our executive committee has decided that not only this matter, but also that of all other violations of the Act, should be enquired into and have, therefore, passed the following resolutions : ‘ That we ask our local officers to make enquiries as to whether or not deputies at their separate pits are violating the Mines (Eight Hours) Act and if so, towhat extent. Replies are to be sent in as early as possible, as this is a matter which may seriously endanger the safety of every man and lad in the mine’; ‘ that, as we have reason to believe violations of the Eight Hours Act in the mines of Northumberland are more general than is supposed, we request our local officer to inform this committee in what respect, if any, violations of the Act are taking place at their separate pits.’ Federated Area. It was reported at the beginning of this week that resolu- tions urging their leaders to take immediate action with a view to compelling all non-unionists employed in Lancashire collieries to join the union have been adopted by miners employed at coal pits owned and worked by Messrs. A. Knowles and Sons Limited, Ashton Moss Colliery Company Limited, Clifton and Kersley Coal Company Limited, Lord Ellesmere, Wigan Coal and Iron Company Limited, Abram Coal Company Limited, Pearson and Knowles Coal and Iron Company Limited, Hulton Colliery Company Limited, and other firms in the Manchester, Bolton and Wigan areas. The executive council of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners’ Federation have the grievance in hand. A strike of about 300 pit lads at the Radford .and Wollaton Collieries has thrown about 1,500 miners idle. The Wollaton Company, which owns both pits, decided to postpone the August Bank Holiday in response to the Government’s appeal, and proposed to pay the lads the usual rates. This was considered a breach of the understanding that Bank Holiday should be reckoned a day and a quarter, and as a protest" a number of lads refused to begin work on Monday. The trouble spread, until on Friday bath pits were idle. Mr. C. Bunfield (Notts miners’ secretary) secured the appoint- ment of a deputation to see the management on Saturday morning. A satisfactory arrangement was made, and the men returned to work on Monday morning. At the last council of the South Derbyshire Miners’ Asso- ciation, it was stated that the members had subscribed to the motor ambulance fund £2,294 5s., while other sums had been sent by local miners who were members of other asso- ciations. The agent (Mr. W. Buckley) said a number of complaints had been received concerning inconvenience caused to miners through exemption cards being withheld by colliery managers. These cards, he pointed out, should be in the men’s pockets—not at the colliery offices—and several men had been out of work for days because of inability speedily to obtain their cards from the colliery at which they had finished work. It seemed strange, added the agent, that some managers used every endeavour to get men into military service. In some cases men had had scarcely time to get away from their employment before they received their mili- tary papers. He advised every man to insist upon having personal possession of his exemption card. The agent pre- sented a report of a meeting with the owners with reference to several disputes in the district, and also to an application from the men for a bonus for work done in August Bank holiday week. The owners made an offer to wupe out the debt at the Burton-on-Trent Infirmary if the men would consider this a satisfactory wray of meeting them. Mr. Buckley pointed out that this was much more than the men were asking, and would greatly relieve the strain to the infirmary. A general meeting of members is to be held at each colliery to consider the matter. Scotland. Miners numbering 1,400, employed at the Earnock Colliery, Hamilton,‘were idle through a dispute over an alleged defec- tive safety lamp. The management suggested that the fire- men should see that the lamps were in proper working order when given out. The men resolved not to return to the colliery until new lamps were supplied. At the instance of Sir Thomas Moore, w’ho was appointed by the Board of Trade to act as conciliator in regard to the strike which has been going on for some months at the Summerlee Iron Company’s new colliery at West Bcnhar, a joint meeting has been convened to be held in Glasgow7. Nearly all the men who came out on strike obtained employ- ment in other pits in the district, and the coal owners’ asso- ciation did not interfere. The dispute at Lcadhills is still proceeding. Mr. Gilmour, of the Miners’ Union, brought the case before the Govern- ment Munitions of War Department, and has obtained their intervention. The workers are on day to day contracts, pend- ing further developments. The members of the Fife Miners’ Union have decided to delay until after the war the appointment of inspectors to examine the workings at the collieries on behalf of the workmen, and meantime to continue the present arrange- COAL AND COKE EXPORTED FROM PORTS IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND AND WALES. During the month of July 1916 compared with the corresponding month of 1915. Port July 1916. July 1915. Coals. Coke. 1 Coals Cffe. Coals. ( Coke. Increase. Decrease. Increase. Decrease. Tons. Tons. Tons. i Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Newcastle 424.340 46,737 377,990 1 16,202 46,350 — 30,535 — North Shields 22,388 351 20,606 ; 842 1,782 — — ! 491 314,243 34,867 344,472 ! 7,091 30,229 27,776 I — Sunderland 157,602 2,4i>7 163,386 2,078 — 5,784 329 West Hartlepool 62,694 364 68,346 455 — 5,652 — 91 Goole ! 35,206 732 78,184 849 — 42,978 — 117 Blyth ' 144,995 66 2C0,449 545 — 55,454 — 479 Newport 291,355 1,579 195,435 250 95,920 — 1,329 — Liverpool 43,258 949 30,848 185 12,410 — 764 — Methil 84,757 — j 124,116 1,038 — 39,359 — 1,038 Glasgow 157,606 10,945 i 182,116 2,558 — 24,510 8,387 Kirkcaldy 5,495 — | 11,268 — 5,773 — Burntisland 42,925 — : 72,875 514 — 29,950 514 • Cardiff 826,578 — ! 766,070 5,294 60,508 — 5,294 * Borrowstoness — — — — Llanelly 12,458 — ‘ 9,541 — 2,917 — Middlesbrough 628 : 150 . 1,446 — 150 — 818 Seaham ... 57,398 — j 57,662 153 — 264 153 i Swansea 225,298 488 265,966 292 — 40,668 196 Granton 7,858 — 12,455 4,401 — 4,597 — 4,401 ; Port Talbot 195,332 1,681 131,139 1,387 64,193 294 i Alloa ... . — — Grangemouth i — — — — — — — — ; Neath ’ — — — — — — — — Hull 101,298 5,608 252,048 1,635 150,750 3,973 Immingham 8,233 9,345 — 1,112 — Amble 21,483 — 29.591 — — 8,108 — — Troon 12,632 — 8,050 — 4,582 — — — i Grimsby • 7,359 94 46,776 1,065 — 29,417 — 971 Ayr 18,334 9,937 8,397 Gteenock’ .. : 1 -eith 125,589 1 495 145,296 7,440 — 19,707 — 6,945 Ardrossan 14,180 2,500 8,605 — 5, 75 2,500 Irvine I 2,558 , — 2,558 — — COAL AND COKE SHIPPED FOR LONDON AND OTHER PORTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM* Port. 1 July 1915 July 1916. Port. July 1915. July 1916. Coals. Coke. Coals. ; Coke. Coals. | Coke. Coals. Coke. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Newcastle i 152,551 29 117,586 i Ayr 74,244 65 61,223 North Shields ... 6,200 3,650 — Irvine 11,323 3,521 — South Shields 192,345 330 1 183,000 : 1,000 ( Alloa Blyth 21,890 27,730 i Whitehaven .... 20,946 245 18,292 Amble 2,613 — 2,942 ! — | Liverpool 135,897 550 126,627 160 ! Sunderland 114,550 81,370 ! — Grimsby 2,126 Seaham 89,014 i 1 — 84,550 : — , Granton 12,446 — 5,350 — Hartlepool 58,910 ( — 50,880 — Borrowstoness — — — — Stockton ; — j 80 ' — — Burntisland 10,245 — 9,700 — Middlesbrough .. j 550 1 146 1,500 : — Kirkcaldy — — 605 — Hull 1 55,34-7 . — 25,098 ! 894 Methil 11,960 — 27,620 — Goole j 91,580 ■ — 40,368 — |Port Talbot .... 5,869 1,371 99 Swansea j 10,134 ( — 9,038 i — (Glasgow 49,035 758 t 32,608 631 Cardiff j 40,789 : 240 33,645 — (Grangemouth ■ Llanelly j 2,7s8 i 1,695 . — Greenock 3,302 11 1,012 — Newport j 45,300 ; —- 36,176 : 95 Immingham 4,900 — — — Troon j 18,498 1 13,302 , — Leith 1.069 12 16,440 5 A rdrossan j 20,362 i — : 28,781 ■ — 1 Note.—The figures in the above tables do not include Admiralty and certain other shipments. * From Browne's Export List. ment of making a temporary appointment as the circum- stances demand. The question of increase in surface workers’ wages is engaging the attention of several of the district unions in Scotland, but at present the amount in demand is in the hands of local branches. In one colliery district a demand is being made for an increase of Is. per day for all male surface workers. 'the doctors of Scotland having modified their previous demand regarding the amount per week to be paid by each worker in and about the mines, the executive council of the National Union has put the new proposals before all the collieries. The scheme for attendance by doctors on the dependants of miners throughout Scotland was agreed to fully three years ago, after the inception of the State Insur- ance Act. In some districts the local scheme agreed upon worked very smoothly, and such a thing as friction between the doctors and the miners’ representative was absolutely unknown. In other districts the scheme was not so suc- cessful. The doctors have now asked for an increase in contributions, failing which they will charge the wives and children as private patients. After the proposals have been submitted to the miners and voted on,‘ a meeting will be held between the doctors and miners’ representatives, at which the question will likely be finally settled. An urgent circular letter, signed by Mr. Robert Smillie, president of the Scottish Miners’ Union, and the other officials, is being delivered to every mine worker in Scotland, urging them to agree to work six days per week during the continua- tion of the war, in consequence of national needs. The miners, the letter proceeds to state, had been kept outside the Munitions Act in an undertaking given by the executive of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain that every effort would be put forth to give as large a supply of coal as possible, and it was their duty to fulfil that promise. Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades. Iron and steel workers throughout South Wales and Monmouthshire on Saturday received a w7ages advance of 10| per cent., dating from July 1. On Saturday the moulders employed at Messrs. Wharton’s foundry at Maryport obtained an advance of 3s. per week, in accordance with the agreement in the trade by which they secure the increases granted on the north-east coast. 'rhe Tyne district committee of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers having considered the finding of the Committee on Production, namely, to award a war bonus of 3s. weekly on time rates only, in reply to the engineers’ application for an advance of 2d. per hour on time and ‘224 per cent, on piece rates, passed a resolution expressing great dissatis- faction. The Government Committee on Production granted an advance of 3s. a week to iron, steel, and brass dressers throughout Scotland. COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES. REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS. Antrim Iron Ore Company Limited.—A dividend of 2s. per share is declared. Cottonwood Collieries Limited.—A further interim dividend of per cent. (6d. per share), free of tax, has just been paid. Crossley Brothers Limited.—The directors have decided to pay interim dividends of 5 per cent, per annum on the cumu- lative preference shares, and 5 per cent, per annum on the ordinary shares for the half-year ended June. The ordinary dividend a year ago was 4 per cent, per annum. Fernhill Collieries Limited.—The directors have decided to recommend to the shareholders payment of a dividend of 20 per cent, on the ordinary shares for the year ended June 30. Fife Coal Company Limited.—An interim dividend at the rate of 20 per cent, per annum (2s. per share), free of tax, on the ordinary shares is payable on 31st inst. Last year the dividend wras at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum. Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds Limited. — The directors announce that at the annual meeting of shareholders, which is fixed to take place on August 31, they will recommend the payment of final dividends on the preference shares at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum for the half-year ended June 30, and on the ordinary shares at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum for the half-year ended June 30, together w7ith a bonus of Is. per share on the ordinary shares, all free of income- tax. Henley’s (W. T.) Telegraph Works Company Limited.— The directors have declared an interim dividend on the ordi- nary shares at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, less tax, for the half-year ended June 30, payable September 1. Waste Heat and Gas Electrical Generating Stations Limited.—An interim dividend of 24 per cent, on the issued capital has been declared in respect of the half-year ended July 31. Wigan Coal and Iron Company Limited.—The directors announce an interim dividend of 4 per cant., free of tax, on the ordinary shares, payable 23rd inst. Workington Iron and Steel Company Limited. — The directors have declared a final dividend on the ordinary shares of 7 per cent., less tax, making 10 per cent., less tax, for the year. NEW COMPANIES. Dening and Company Limited.—Private company. Regis- tered office, Chard, Somerset. Registered August 10. To carry on trade as engineers, metal workers, etc., now carried on by S. H. Dening at above address. Nominal capital, £20,000 in 2,000 £10 shares. Directors : S. H., W. U., A. J., H. E., and E. A. Dening. Qualification of directors, 10 shares.