562 September 22, 1916. ________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ COAL MINING IN NEW ZEALAND IN 1915. The mines statement drawn up by the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, Minister of Mines, gives the following particulars of coal mining in New Zealand for the year 1915 _______________________________________________ The output of coal during 1915 amounted to 2,208,624 tons, as compared with 2,275,593 tons during 1914, being a decrease of 66,969 tons. The principal activity ____________________________________________ in the coal mining industry occurred in the Westport, Greymouth, and Huntly districts. The following is a comparative statement of the coal and lignite raised during the years 1914 and 1915 :— Increase or Output for Output for decrease, Inspection 1914. 1915. 1915. district. Tons. Tons. Tons. Northern (North Island). . 440,453 . ... 460,415 _______________________ ... +19,962 West coast (South Island) 1,351,182 . ..1,278,994 ... -72,188 Southern (Canterbury Otago & Southland).. .’ 483,958 . ... 469,215 ... -14,743 Totals .2,275,593 . ..2,208.624 ... —66,969 The reduction of output has not been proportional to the shortage of labour owing to enlistment. Thus there has been a falling-off in the average number of persons employed at coal mines to the extent of 13 per cent, as compared with the previous year, whereas the reduc- tion in output has been only 3 per cent. The comparative tonnage of the various classes of coal for the years 1914 and 1915 is summarised as follows :— Output for Output for Increase or 1915. 1914. decrease, Class of coal. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bituminous and semi- bituminous .......1.267,940 ...1,492,315 ... —224,375 Pitch coal ............. 136,460 ... 1,998 ... +134,462 Brown coal ........... 725,001 ... 691,367 ... + 33,634 Lignite ............... 79,223 ... 89.913 ...- - 10,690 _________ Totals .......2,208,624 ...2,275,593 ... - 66,969 No new colliery commenced operations during the year, and no discoveries of additional coal-bearing areas to those already known were made, but developments at the Denniston and Millerton collieries, the property of the Westport Coal Company, and the most produc- tive collieries in the Dominion, have proved large areas of hard bituminous coal of the best quality, sufficient to supply all requirements for many years. The number of persons employed in and about the coal mines of the Dominion during 1915 was 4,156, a decrease of 578. In view of the considerable number of miners, especially of coal miners, who have enlisted for military service, the decrease is not great, but the shortage is felt at those collieries where there is con-, siderable demand for coal. Mining Accidents. The number of lives lost at collieries was nine, being ' at the rate of 2-16 per 1,000 persons employed. There were no accidents from firedamp explosions, but four fatal accidents (four’deaths) and six non-fatal accidents (six persons injured) from’ falls in mine; one fatal (one death) and one non-fatal (three injured) from explo- sives; two fatal (two deaths) and three non-fatal acci- dents (three injured) in haulage work; one fatal (one death) and one non-fatal accident (one injured) from miscellaneous causes below, ground; and one fatal (one death) and one non-fatal accident (one injured) on sur- face. With two exceptions, all the fatal accidents were due—so far as is known—either to inadvertence of the victims, or were unpreventable. State Collieries. The output from State collieries during 1915 was 238,200 tons, of which 129,627 tons was produced from Point Elizabeth Colliery, and 108,573 tons from Liver- pool Colliery. The total output from both mines exceeded that of the previous year by 38,012 tons. The Point Elizabeth Colliery will probably be worked out within two years, and as it is from this mine that the best class of State household coal is produced, some difficulty may be experienced in supplying the State coal depots with household coal in the near future, as a large proportion of the Liverpool coal, amounting to 65 per cent, during 1915, was slack or small coal. The State coal business during the year ended March 31, 1916, resulted in a profit of .£2,515, as com- pared with a loss of £14,152 13s. lid. during the previous year. Schools of Mines. The expenditure by the Department on schools of mines during the year ended March 31, 1916, amounted to £3,652 6s. 7d. The number of students attending one or more classes at the seven schools situated at mining centres was 284, but only 22 of these pre- sented themselves at the annual Government examina- tions for examination on any of the exclusively mining subjects, the majority of the students being schoolboys and some girls who attend the schools in the evening to improve themselves in mathematics, chemistry, or elec- tricity, subjects common to other industries, and usually taught at technical schools. Coal Miners’ Relief Fund. As required by the Coal Mines Act, 1908, the owner of every coal mine contributes 4d. per ton on all coal sold for the relief of coal miners who may be injured whilst working, and for the relief of families of coal miners who may be killed or injured. The following is a statement of the accounts of the fund :—During the last financial year the contributions amounted to £1,966 (£2,068 in 1914-15'): allowance on account of accidents, etc., £1,526 (£2,782 in 1914-15); balance, £7,303 (£6,320 in 1914-15). THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. Legislation. On June 26, new regulations under the Coal Mines Act were gazetted. These regulations embrace much of those already in force, and also incorporated a con- siderable proportion of the British regulations contained in an Order (No. 748), dated July 10, 1910, pertaining to the conduct of persons employed in mines; the use of stationary electric lamps; winding ropes; signalling; explosives, including permitted explosives; safety lamps; change house and bath houses; ambulance; mechanical ventilating appliances; prevention of the inflammation of coal dust; and electricity. The regu- lations have, at the time of writing, been in operation nearly a year, and it is believed that, while not increas- ing the cost of production of coal to any appreciable extent, they have tended to greater security of life and property, while greatly assisting the inspectors of mines in the performance of their duties. MINING INDUSTRY AND MILITARY SERVICE. At a sitting of the Wigan tribunal last week, Mr. H. Brierley, military representative, remarked that there appeared to be an enormous number of men in the town who were employed as coal carters, and the majority of them were very young men. It was a matter which he intended to look into very carefully. At Oldham, exemption was allowed last week to a coal wharf manager appealed for by Messrs. H. Winterbottom and Sons, of Lees. The Newcastle tribunal has granted conditional exemption to the manager of Redheugh Colliery, who is in Group 43, on the understanding that he joins the V.T.C. An assistant weighman at Murton Colliery, appealing to the Durham County tribunal, stated that he was 20 years of age and the sole support of his crippled mother, who was 64 years old. It was stated that the local tribunal had granted him three months’ exemption. The colliery company had since dismissed him, but he hoped the county tribunal would be more sympathetic. The appeal was dismissed, how- ever. When, last week, Col. Courtenay outlined the “ substitu- tion ” scheme to a meeting of South Shields employers, Mr. C. S. Carnes, general manager of the Harton Coal Company Limited, remarked that there were hundreds of single young men in the mines, and that the question of who should go and who should remain was a very difficult one to tackle. Col. Courtenay interposed that the whole colliery question was under very serious consideration. Mr Carnes added that inquiries at the collieries of the Harton Company elicited the fact that, during the past 18 months, only two men who were not previously miners had been set on. Col. Courtenay com- mented that "he had heard that all Durham collieries were exceptionally good in that respect. In connection with the calling up of miners for military service and of lads who had reached the age of 18 years, a consultation took place between H.M. inspector of mines and representatives of the Scottish miners in Glasgow on Saturday, when it was agreed that notice should be sent out to the district from the coal owners’ association asking managers to make applications for the exemption of all lads as they reached 18 years. At the same time, lads were advised when called up to immediately return the’ notice, stating that they had received exemption or that exemption was being claimed. The Rishton tribunal (Lancashire) heard an appeal on Wednesday of last week for the exemption of a colliery sec- retary and cashier. It was stated that 80 employees had gone into the Army, and over £600 had been paid in allow- ances to the dependants of men who had enlisted. The colliery secretary was the first man the employers had appealed for to the local tribunal. Mr. A. Read, the military representative, said the majority of the men employed by the colliery were dealt with by the colliery tribunal. He must claim this man for Army service, because, if exemption were granted, the man would pass out of his (Mr. Read’s) hands, as he would reach his 41st birthday in less than a week. The firm could not expect to retain the full office staff. It was decided to adjourn the case so that the man appealed for might go before the medical board and ascertain his degree of fitness for Army service. ____________________________ TRADE AMD THE WAR. According to a Maastricht newspaper, the whole of the Borinage (Belgian coal field) is on strike owing to the scar- city and dearness of food. The movement originated at the Strepy and Bracquegnies collieries, following upon a stormy interview between a workmen’s deputation and the manager. It spread rapidly to the collieries of Maurage Bray, Bois-le- Duc, and La Louvffire, and soon work was stopped every- where. The men are demanding an increase in wages, which they claim is essential owing to the dearness and lack of food. The miners are, in addition, demanding that assurances shall be given them regarding the question of bread and potatoes, which are their staple diet. Rumours are current to the effect that Nobel’s Explosives Company, Glasgow, is about to amalgamate with a similar concern. The British Consul-General at Tangier reports a call for tenders for a concession for the working of the railway from Nador to Zelu4n and Tiztuttin, Morocco, for a term not exceeding 30 years. Tenders will be received at the “ Seccion de Marruecos del Miinisterio de Estado,” Madrid, up to October 2. The delivery of 100,000 tons of coal, given by a number of collieries in the Witbank coal field (Transvaal) to the Imperial Government has been completed. The Admiralty has expressed great appreciation of the gift, saying that it will be of great service to ships engaged in the Government service. Members of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce, who met on Wednesday to discuss, at the instance of the Government Committee on Commercial and Industrial Policy, questions dealing with trade after the war, were somewhat nonplussed to find that the committee’s terms of reference excluded such industries as coal mining, iron and steel, shipbuilding and shipping, engineering, textiles, and electrical matters, these being dealt with by special com- mittees. Mr. Geo. Renwick remarked that the excepted industries were those in which the district was most inte- rested. and that it would be absurd to discuss trade after the war if the staple industries of the district were to be excluded from their purview. Eventually it was decided to appoint a committee to consider the matter and to draw up resolutions which should be submitted first to the Chamber, with a view to the subsequent calling of a larger meeting of the traders of the district. THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, September 21. Trade shows very little change. The situation as regards houses coal and large steam coal is getting more and more complicated, and the shortage of supplies is becoming more pronounced. Happily a fairly good tonnage has been dribbling forward, and the actual consumption has been small, so that to a certain extent a moderate accumulation has been growing. Best house coal is practically unobtain- able, and a far greater quantity of the loaded trucks arriving have contained unscreened coal or coal as raised. The pro- vincial demand has show>n a strong tone, and naturally reduced the quantity available for London very consider- ably. Buyers are still eagerly pressing for supplies, and unfortunately many of the monthly contracts are falling into arrears. Factors are hampered by the maximum prices charged by all the collieries, and find the Limitation Act a serious drawback to their re-selling at remunerative prices. The South Wales and Monmouthshire districts are reported to be adopting a policy approved by the Board of Trade that only those merchants should be supplied during the coming winter who had supplies during that of 1915. The near approach of the winter season is undoubtedly causing a con- siderable amount of stock. Householders are returning from their holidays, and public orders have increased. The depot trade is unusually brisk, but the shortage of carmen and loaders is very pronounced. Merchants report a consider- able amount of unexecuted orders still on their books, and speculative business is entirely ignored. The majority of the large institutions have been able to secure a fairly good stock of coal in hand, and on all sides a far more reasonable preparation is noticeable for the coming winter than at any other autumn season. Pit prices are unaltered, but owing to the scarcity of the supplies traders generally are ready to buy at the maximum rates. Quotations are freely given, but in the majority of cases iall further orders are declined until the pres nt heavy list of unexecuted orders is reduced, which at the present moment -appears very improbable. Silkstones are quoted at 18s. 6d.; best Barnsley softs, 19s.; hards, 18s. 6d.; Derby brights, 18s. 6d. to 19s. ; Derby- shire hards, 17s. Nuts are readily bought at the same prices, as the large coal and cobbles are very difficult to obtain. Leicester and Warwickshire coals are almost exclu- sively confined to contract deliveries. Welsh steam coals are going largely for Admiralty purposes, and exporters find increasing difficulties in obtaining their monthly quantities to satisfy their engagements. Reports show that many of the steamers are waiting indefinitely for their cargoes. Best Admiralties are not quoted, but seconds fetch 45s. per ton. f.o.b. Slacks have been very plentiful, and in some cases have been sold at 2s. to 3s. per ton low’er than last month. The revival in the cotton trade will undoubtedly benefit this particular market, but the brick makers and cement works along the river side are working very slowly. In every case the export prices at the various shipping ports are much higher than the ordinary current pit prices, so that very little prospect of an extra supply for London is contemplated, whilst the foreign trade is sobrisk. In the seaborne market the demand is very firm, but as the vessels arriving in the Thames are all contract cargoes there are none offering on the open market. Twenty-six vessels were reported as arriving for Monday's market, and eight for Wednesday. In the freight market chartering is very quiet. From Newcastle to London a 1,500 ton boat has been fixed at 12s. ____________________ From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Company’s Report. Friday, September 15.—The weather being slightly colder, a little improvement in the seaborne house coal market was noticeable to-day, but no sales were reported. Cargoes, 24. Monday, September 18.—There was no alteration in the seaborne house coal market to-day, which remained firm, with no cargoes on offer. Cargoes, 26. Wednesday, September 20.—The seaborne house coal market was again without supplies, but the general tone was steady, no sales being reported. Cargoes, 8. ________________________________________________________ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, September 21. ___________________ ___________________ Dublin. Business generally is more active than is usual at this season, and the import trade is fairly good, prices of all qualities being without further change. Quotations for house coal are as follow : Best Orrell. 44s. per ton net; Yorkshire brights, 43s. ; best Wigan, 42s. ; best slack, 36s.; retail prices, 2s. lOd. to 3s. per sack. Steam coal is about 40s. per ton, but in some instances there are no stacks of this class of fuel. Best coke commands 43s. per ton net, and is only obtainable in small quantities. Merchants anti- cipate increased difficulty in obtaining coal supplies during the coming winter, and it is not thought probable that freights will be any cheaper. The coaling vessels arriving during the past week amounted to 76, as compared with 56 the week previously, chiefly from Newport. Ellesmere Port, Workington, Troon, Saundersfoot, Ayr, Partington, Mary- port, Preston, Manchester, Campbeltown, Glasgow, Gar- ston, Irvine, and Point of Aire. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was 31,500 tons, as against 23,500 tons in the previous week. An extensive contract is open in connection with the North Dublin Union for various quantities and qualities from. English. Scotch, and Irish collieries; tenders are also invited by the Rathmines and Rathgar Urban District Council for a supply of coal for elec- tricity works. Belfast. Demand has considerably improved in the port, and prices at the moment are unchanged, although it is quite probable there will be an advance before long, as the markets are hardening. Current quotations for household coals are : Best Arley. 41s. per ton; second Orrell. 40s.; Orrell nuts. 40s. : Scotch, 37s. ; Orrell slack. 37s.; all less Is. per ton discount for cash. The supply has been more plentiful for the past week or two from cross-channel ports.