September 22, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. S53 WIGAN AND DISTRICT MINING AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE. Formation of a Past and Present Mining ^indents’ Society. An inaugural meeting in connection with the forma- tion of a Past and Present Mining Students’ Society of the Wigan and District Mining and Technical College, was held in the Assembly Hall of the college on Saturday (September 9) in very encouraging circum- stances, both past and present students of the college turning up in considerable numbers. Mr. S. C. Laws, M.A., B.Sc. (principal of the college) presided, and amongst those present were Messrs. A. M. Lamb, J.P., W. H. Hewlett, J.P., W. S. Kinch, J.P., J. Phillips, J.P., A. M. Hart, J.P., H. J. Bouchier, F. Edmond, W. Lowe, Mrs. Annie Johnson (members of the govern- ing body); Mr. George Winstanley, M.Sc., of Sheffield, who, as an old student of the Wigan Mining School, delivered an -address; Messrs. W. J. Charlton, R. Corless, and F. N. Siddall, H.M. inspectors of mines; G. Hunter, M.I.M.E. (head of the department of mining and geology at the college); -and G. Lancaster (secretary of the pro- visional committee). Apologies for absence were read from the following members of the governing body :—Sir William Scott Barrett, Sir Thomas Ratcliffe-Ellis, Maj. Arthur Ratcliffe-Ellis, Sir Henry Hibbert, Dr. Snape, Messrs. T. Ashton, H. Farr, R. Gore, C. W. Healy, S. Graham, Alfred Hewlett, A. D. Nicholson, S. Park, T. M. Percy, and H. S. Woodcock; a-s well as from the following, among others : Messrs. M. Ashurst (West Leigh Collieries), R. F. Clark (Messrs. Ackers, Whitley and Company), F. H. Hollingworth (president of the Lanca- shire branch of the National Association of Colliery Managers), John Unsworth (president of the National Association of Colliery Managers), Sydney Rayner (Messrs. Crompton and Shawcross), J. Dean (Wigan Coal and Iron Company), W. H. Johnson (Bamfurlong Collienies), Tom Stone (The Park Collieries), A. J. A. Orchard (St. Helens Collieries), W. W. F. Pullen (H.M. divisional inspector of technical schools), G. H. Harrison (H.M. inspector of mines), D. H. F. Mathews (H.M. inspector of mines), and W. Roberts (H.M. sub- inspector of mines). The Proposed Society. The Chairman, in opening the meeting, said he would like to express the pleasure of those who had been respon- sible for the arrangements, .at the response which had been received from past and present students, so many of whom had already shown their appreciative interest in the proposal that a past and present mining students ’ society should be formed at the college. The proposal had emanated from that group of students known as “ Saturday students,” but, like many other ideas, this one, though original, was neither isolated nor new. Con- vergent views were being expressed quite independently from other quarters; whilst it was a fact that a society on similar lines was in existence at the college a few years ago—a society which, though it did splendid and even ambitious work while it lasted, was, however, unable to establish itself upon a permanent basis. He believed that history would signally fail to repeat itself on this occasion, that the presence of so many past and present mining students at that meeting was a guarantee that the proposed society would be formed, and that it would do an extremely useful work in connection with the college, both as regards present students, as well as those who had completed their course, providing the means for the latter to retain their connection with the institution to their mutual advantage. This was only what they would expect from the scale of operations at the college, which had now been in existence for two complete generations, practically sixty years, during which time it had been instrumental in training an enor- mous number of men for the mine. For the last decade they had had something like two hundred students always in attendance—last session the numbers were somewhat in excess of that, and he had reason to antici- pate they would be larger still during the session about to begin. They had had about fifty students coming into their classes each year, and about the same number going ou t. Particularly auspicious was the encouragement which the project had received from members of the college governing body, many of whom were able to show their interest and accord by their presence on that occasion. In other cases where they had themselves been unable to attend they had sent along their kind expressions of goodwill. Mr. Alfred Hewlett, who, as everybody present knew, might be described as the founder of the college, having first formed the idea that such an insti- tution would do invaluable work in -the coal field, and then given of his wealth, as well as of his services and ability to secure the erection of their present building, wrote regretting that he was unable to be present on that occasion, but wishing them an eminently satisfac- tory meeting. Sir William Scott Barrett had also written in favour of the project, and stating that if he could help in any way he would be very glad to do so. History of the College. Mr. A. M. Lamb, J.P. (chairman of the General Pur- poses Committee of the college governing body), said that, as an old mining student himself, he felt particu- larly pleased that the inaugural meeting was being held in that college, for he thought that societies such as they proposed -to promote were all to the good. They were fortunate in meeting under the auspices of the Wigan Mining College, with its modern and up-to-date and well-equipped premises. The college was one of the oldest mining institutions in the country. It was estab- lished,, he believed, so far back as 1857, and Mr. Alfred Hewlett, the late Mr. Maskell Peace, the late Canon Fergie, and numerous other gentlemen, all helped to get it going and to keep it going, in consequence of which it ran its course entirely under voluntary add for a great number of years. In the early days, of course, the instruction was all given by part-time teachers, full-time classes being then not thought of, and all students had to attend entirely in the evenings after their day’s work. But, in spite of all such disadvantages, a very great deal of useful work was accomplished, and many of the old students had done very well in the world owing to the education they received at the old Wigan Mining School. Air. Alfred Hewlett, wdio had always been a great friend aiid benefactor of the old school, seeing the great strides that technical-education was making, decided that in the Wigan district at any rate they would not be behind foreign countries if they could help it, and so he set about to get the present college built as a memorial to her late Majesty Queen Victoria. He did not know any other man in the district or in the county who could have done as well as Mr. Hewlett did in the matter. Mr. Hewlett got the funds together, and the college was opened free of debt by the Countess of Crawford in 1903. Since then it had enlarged its activities considerably. At the present time all sorts of subjects were taught, but mining was, as he hoped it always would be, right in the forefront of its curriculum. The college was recognised in 1903 by the Secretary of State for the purpose of the diploma under the Coal Mines Regulation Act, and full-time classes had been held continuously since -then. In. the new college prospectus there were advertised no fewer than eleven different types of courses in mining, includ- ing the day diploma and degree course, the part-time day classes, various evening courses, and the Saturday classes, so that they were endeavouring to provide a mining education suitable to all who wished to avail themselves of it, no matter what particular branch of mining they might be concerned in. The college was now giving as good a general mining education as could be had anywhere in the country, in conjunction, of course, with the practical work in the mines which went hand in hand with it. He hoped the proposed society would be formed, and that it would be -a great success. Formation of the Society. After Mr. G. H. Winstanley had given some interest- ing reminiscences of the old Wigan Mining School, speeches in favour of the formation of the proposed society were made by Mr. Thomas Pownall and Mr. Joseph Peters, as representing past students, and by Mr. Arthur Winstanley and Mr. John Grundy, as representing present students, detailing the various advantages which would accrue both to past and pre- sent students and to the college. Mr. Siddall, H.M. inspector of mines, who also spoke, said that if both past and present students of the college used their efforts unselfishly to help one another, then they would all derive great benefit and attain the desired object. The Chairman then formally moved the following resolution :—” That an association of past and present mining students of the Wigan and District Mining and Technical College be formed, and that the present provisional committee be invited to draft rules and to report to a future general meeting of past and present students.” Table I.—General Summary. Week. Week ending. No. of. collieries from which returns were jointly signed * Maximum possible No. of atten- dances for the week for all collieries, f No. of absentees. Owing to workmen failing to attend although able to d o so Percentage to maximum possible No. of atten- dances. Through causes over which the workmen have no control. Percentage to maximum possible No. of atten- dances. Total No. of absentees. § Percentage to maximum possible No. of atten- dances. 1 June 24, -1916 ... 95 802,141 47,991 5’98 20,5 W 2’56 69,669 8 68 2 July 1 ,, ... 93 803,“47 43,362 5’39 16,313 2’03 62,775 7’81 3 „ 8 „ ... 99 803,796 53,103 6 60 22,867 2*84 76,046 9’46 4 „ 15 „ ... 94 802,616 52,188 6’50 21,890 2’72 74,650 9’30 5 „ 22 „ ... 112 795,775 58,207 7’31 22,563 2’83 80,770 10’14 6 ,, 29 „ ... 103 802,715 59,519 7*41 23,051 2’87 82,570 10’28 7 Aug. 5 ,, 108 800,312 71,870 8 98 23,954 2’99 95,824 11’97 8 ,, 12 ,, 95 800,487 134,278J 16’77 27,177 | 3’39 161,455 20’16 * i.e., both company’s and workmen's representatives. The scheme was issued to all associated collieries, July 4, 1916. + Calculated upon number of men on company’s books. X Bank Holiday week. § Including a certain number not differentiated owing to company and workmen not agreeing. Note.—The Sunday right shift is not included in any summary. Table II.—Total Daily Number of Absentees. (Men failing to attend although able to do so.) Week. Week ending Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. | Friday. i Saturday. Weekly total. 1 June 24, 1916 11,642 9,078 7,701 7,008 5,609 i I 6,953 47,991 2 July 1, „ 9,954 7,593 6,908 6,305 5,370 7,232 43,362 3 „ 8, „ 13,828 9,453 7,732 ' 7,574 ! 7,133 7,383 53,103 4 „ 15, „ 12,310 9,511 8,800 I 1 7,508 ! 6,206 7,853 52,188 5 „ 22, „ 12,839 10,669 9,490 | ! 8,601 7,857 8,751 58,207 6 „ 29. ,, 12,982 11,26! 9,276 8,616 8,244 9,140 59,519 7 i I Aug. 5, ,, 14,845 12,727 10,840 1 9,724 8,932 14,802 71,870 8 I 12 >> >> 40,044 31,763 20,586 14,990 14,108 12,787 I 134,278 Table III.«—Number of Pits under Different Percentages of Absenteeism.* Week. Week ending 15% and over. 14% 13% 12% 11% 10% 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% and under. 1 June 24, 1916 5 2 3 3 4 14 17 18 29 44 44 88 2 July 1, „ 1 2 4 5 2 12 13 22 21 35 45 113 3 „ 8, 7 2 i 1 4 9 9 15 19 21 33 33 38 85 4 )) 15^ yy ,,, ... ... ... 5 1 4 10 11 12 14 30 32 39 26 91 5 ,, 22, „ 6 3 5 7 1 10 12 24 22 34 29 35 23 65 6 ., 29, ., 11 6 3 4 19 i 6 18 13 38 38 34 36 49 7 Aug. 5, ,, 12 7 9 16 8 20 29 28 22 36 35 23 30 8 „ 12, „ 159 11 20 10 1 u 8 11 3 8 7 7 5 12 * i.e., ratio of the number of men absent (failing to attend though able) to the maximum possible number of attendances The resolution, which was seconded in appropriate terms by Mr. N. Irving, was carried unanimously. The Chairman said they would instruct the provi- sional committee to act upon the resolution as speedily as possible, and stated that there would be a further general meeting as soon as that committee had arranged the details. WELSH MINERS’ WAGES AND ABSENTEEISM. To illustrate the employers’ argument, as put before the South Wales Conciliation Board recently (Colliery Guardian, September 1, p. 418), diagrams (figs. 1 2, and 27/- Mi- 25/- 24/- 23/- 22/- 21/- 20/- 1887 1882 1887 1902 1808 1808 1909 1814 1815 1818 j - 18/- IS/- 17/- 18/- 15/- 14/- 13/- 12/- 11/- 10/- •/- 8/* 7/- «/- 5/- 4/- 8/- V- I1 - Fig. 1. Average selling price of large coal, f.o.b.. and the difference between the total cost at the pit, of the items included in the audit and the selling price. . Average selling price of large coal, f.o.b. ---------- Difference between total cost of the items included in the audit and the selling pric >. 3) have been prepared by Mr. Finlay A. Gibson, secre- tary to the Monmouthshire and South Wales Coal Owners’ Association, showing respectively the average