568 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. September 22, 1916. THE FREIGHT MARKET. There has been a fairly large enquiry for colliery tonnage from British ports this week-end, and the tale of chartering is about an average. At the north-east coast, tonnage supplies have been considerably better since this week commenced, and this coinciding with large enquiries of coal, especially on Admiralty account, business has been brisk. Rates, generally speaking, have been steady, with, however, rather more money paid for West Italian ports. At South Wales the surplus of tonnage wrnuld appear to have been cleared off, and rates are rather inclined to harden, especially for Italian ports. The change in cargo space prices has not been great, however. At all coal shipping centres, details are eagerly and impatiently awaited of the restriction scheme for Italy and other Mediterranean directions. It is stated on good authority that all the different parties to the arrangement for limitation of coal prices and freight rates have now come to an agreement, and it seems extraordinary that if, as is commonly believed, the scheme shall come into operation as from October 1, the Board of Trade should be so unreasonably tardy in making a public announcement as to the terms on which the business is to be done in future. Homewards, the Eastern markets are quiet but fully steady, with more tonnage to hand in some trades. The rice ports are very firm, with Saigon paying 175s. for Mar- seilles, whilst Burmah is quoted at from 165s. to 167s. 6d. to United Kingdom. The Indies are steady, with Bombay to one port United Kingdom, October loading, mentioned at 130s. on d.w., and Kurrachee quoted at from 107s. 6d. to 110s. scale. Madras Coast has paid 205s. for kernels, an advance of 15s. on last week’s rate. For nitrate to Vladi- vostok, 140s. has been paid. The Mediterranean ore ports ■are active at from 20s. to 22s. 6d. to United Kingdom. American ports are dull for all classes of cargo. Grain rates are nominal at about Ils. to Bristol Channel, whilst standard liners on the berth are booking small lots at from 9s. 3d. to 9s. 6d. For October-November loading, however, business promises to be better on Government account, and West Italian destinations have been fixed for at 16s. Gulf to Mersey has been done at 15s., early shipment. On the net form, business has been transacted at 125s. United King- dom, with proportionate rate for French Atlantic ports. Coal rates to the Plate are materially lower, and cotton freights are maintained with difficulty. There is little lumber and deal chartering being done. The Plate is dull, with neutral tonnage offering in excess of demand, and several charters have been arranged at 125s. to United Kingdom, with 5s. more for French Atlantic and 12s. 6d. more for Marseilles or Cette. The rate, although still outrageously high, is quite low by .comparison with recent figures. Tyne to Algiers, 2,000, 42s. fid.; Barcelona, 3,000, 60s. ; Bilbao, 2,000, 40s.; 2,800, 42s. 6d.; Brest, 400, 37s., coke; Cherbourg, 450, 36s., coke; Catania, 2,000, 72s. 6d.; Channel range, 600, 36s., coke; 360, 36s., coke; Dieppe, 500, 36s., coke; 800, 36s., coke; Dunkirk, 300, 36s., coke; 350, 36s., coke; Drammen, 500, 25 kr.; 300, 25 kr.; Genoa, 4,500, 70s.; 3,000, 72s.; 4,000, 71s. 3d.; 4,000, 72s. 6d.; 4.500, 72s. 6d.; 2,600, 72s. 6d.; Gothenburg, 1,500, 26 kr.; Gibraltar,5,000, 35s.; Halmstadt, 250,28kr.; Leghorn 2,600, 72s. fid.; London, 1,500, 12s.; Malmo, 1,500, 27 kr.; Mar- seilles, 1,200, 70s., d.w., 4,300, 70s.; 3,500, 70s.; Northern French range, 600, 36s., coke; North France, 800, 37s. 6d., coke, voyages October 1 to December 31; Oran, 2,500, 42s. 6d.; 4,500, 42s. 6d.; Port Said, 3,800, 70s.; Rouen, 1,700, 37s., coke; 500, 37s., coke; 800, 37s., coke; 450, 37s., coke; Savona, 3,000, 72s.; 4,000, 71s. 3d.; 4,200,. 72s. 6d.; 3,800, 72s. 6d. Cardiff to Bordeaux, 1,200, 1,500, 2,000, 34s. ; 295, 35s. ; 3,800, 33s.; Boulogne, 1,300, 23s. 6d.; Cape Verds, 5,300, 30s.; Chantenay, 1,200, 29s.; Caen, 660, 24s.; Dunkirk, 2.200, 27s. 6d.; Dakar, 4,850, 25s.; 500, or 22s. fid. if 750 delivery, or 20s. if 1,000; Djibouti, 65s.; Genoa, 3,600, 64s.; Gibraltar, 1,300, 27s., 500 ; 2,300, 27s., 500; 3,500, 26s., 500; Havre, 700, 23s. fid.; Lisbon, 1,800, 25s., 500; 1.500, 25s., 400; Leghorn, 3,600, 64s.; 7,200, 60s., 800; Malta, 2,200, 60s.; Marseilles, 5,800, 52s. 6d.; 5,400, 54s.; 3,000, 55s.; 3,300, 57s. 6d.; Nantes, 1,200, 29s. ; Naples, 7.200, 60s., 800; River Plate, 5,000, 30s., late September, with up river options; 30s., early October; Rouen, 950, 26s. 3d., fuel; 1,000, 1,400, 1,800, 24s. 6d.; 800, 450, 25s. 6d.; St. Nazaire, 1,750, 29s., September 18; St. Malo, 1.200, 21s.; Savonne, 3,600, 64s.; Spezzia, 3,600, 64s.; Treport, 400, 24s. fid.; Vigo, 1,800, 26s. Newport to Gibraltar, 3,500, 26s., 500; Rochefort, 1,750, 29s.; Nantes, 1,650, 29 s.; La Pallice, La Rochelle or Roche- fort, option Tonnay Charente, 2,200, 29s. Glasgow to Bordeaux, 37s.; 1,750, 35s.; Genoa, Savona, Spezzia or Leghorn, 65s. 6d., 65s.; Gibraltar, 27s. 6d.; Rouen, 1,850, 26s. 6d.; Nantes, 1,550, 32s. Hull to Iggesund, 1,600, 27J kr.; Malaga, 1,500, 57s. 6d.; 2.500, 55s.; Rouen, 1,500, 27s. 6d.; Dunkirk, 800 and 500, 30s. Llanelly to Dublin, 350, 12s. 6d.; Trouville, 700, 24s. 3d.; Guernsey, 380, 21s.; 350, 21s.; Cork, 400, 13s. 6d. Wear to Gothenburg, 1,500, 26 kr. Swansea to Caen, 750, 23s.; Dieppe, 520, 24s. 6d.; 1,900, 23s. 6d.; La Rochelle or Rochefort, 1,800, 29s.; St. Malo, 1,250, 20s., coal, 21s. 9d. fuel; Rouen, 1,400, 24s. 6d.; Bou- logne, 1,300, 25s. 6d Port Talbot to Bordeaux, 800, 35s.; Trouville, 650, 24s. Hartlepool to Naples, 3,000 , 68s., 800. Blyth to Drammen, 1,000, 25 kr. A meeting of delegates of the Scottish Colliery Engine and Boilermen’s Association was held in the Christian Insti- tute, Glasgow. Mr. Robt. Shirkie reported that the fund raised by the association for motor ■ambulances had been a great success. A surplus had been left, which they would would probably hand over to the Red Cross Society. The meeting also discussed the proposal that the association should be affiliated with the British Miners’ Federation. Various questions in dispute were discussed at a conference at Dunfermline of representatives of the Fife and Clack- mannan Mine Owners’ Association and the Fife and Kinross Miners’ Association. Mr. Charles Carlaw, of the Fife Coal Company Limited, presided. In regard to the question of the proportionate amount that should be given to female pithead workers when underground workers were granted an advance of wages, it was agreed to refer the matter to the first meet- ing of the Conciliation Board. On the question of the dispute between the miners and the doctors, whose contracts expired at the end of August, and who are at present charging private fees, it was reported that a meeting of representatives of the miners and the Fife colliery doctors would be held this week, at which it was expected a settlement of the dispute would be reached. ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS RECENTLY ACCEPTED. 9495 (1915). Improvements in Clamps for Hoisting Ropes. J. J. Koughan, of 2,920, Grove-street, South Berke- ley, California, U.S.A.—Relates to -an improved hook for clamping hoisting ropes, and comprises a slotted link and a hook pivoted therein, both the link and hook being provided with extensions adapted to clamp the rope when properly adjusted therewith. Fig. 1 is a side elevation; fig. 2 is a front elevation; and fig. 3 shows a slightly different form for the upper portion of the link, forming a part of the device. A slotted link 4 is provided with a downwardly extending arm 5, which is also slotted so that a rope chain or the like may be passed therethrough, and with an eye 6. A bolt 7 extends through the eye 6 and carries a clevis 8. The eye 6 is pro- vided with an extra hole 9 for enabling the hook to be used as indicated in fig. 3. A split pin 10 extends through the bolt 7 for holding the same in posi- tion. The portion 5 of the link 4 is provided with a horizontally extend- ing portion 11, for preventing the hook from closing too tightly, when ope- rated under certain working conditions, and to prevent the portion 5 of the link 4 from being unduly flattened when a load is on. A pivot pin 12 extends through the link 4, and carries a cotter pin 13 for holding this pivot pin in position. A rocking member 14 is supported by the pivot pin 12, and is bent outwardly and upwardly so as to form a bill 15. A nose or hover-like pro- jection 16 extends obliquely toward the bill 15; the bill 15 thus and portion 16 thus as a whole having approximately the form of a C. The member 14 is further provided with a straight extending portion 17, constituting practically a jaw. Two hoisting ropes or cords are shown at 18. These may be bent over the bill 15 and around the pendent arm 5 of the link 4, then upward and partially around the jaw 17. Then when a pull is made upon the lower portions of the cords 18, so as to swing the rocking member 14, the jaw 17 presses the adjacent portions of the cords tightly against the upper part of the link 4, as indicated in fig. 1. In some instances a pin 7a (fig. 3) is extended through the hole 9, and connected with a clevis 8a, which is a little smaller than the clevis 8. A cotter pin 10 a prevents the withdrawal of the pin 7a. (Three claims.) 11942 (1915). Improvements in Discharging Apparatus for Vertical Retorts. S. Glover, of Olive Mount, St. Annes, St. Helens, in the county of Lancs., and J. West, of Alton Lodge, Park-crescent, Southport, Lancs.—Relates to dis- charging apparatus for vertical retorts used in the continuous distillation of gas coal, shale, and the like, and has for its object to provide improved means for effecting the coke dis- charge whilst maintaining a water seal at the lower end of the retort. Fig. 1 is a sectional front elevation, and fig. 3 an end elevation. The trough or water receptacle a round the mouth b of the retort is supported on trunnions c, a pin being passed through the trough into the bracket d for lock- ing the trough in its service position. Within said trough is a tray e carried by trunnions f, and adapted to be oscillated. Arms g are fitted to the tray at the boss portion, having -slots 'h to receive adjustable stops i. Two further arms j freely supported one at each side of the trough upon the pins f pass between said stops, and are rocked or oscillated by rods k. The stroke of the tray e is regulated by adjusting one of the stops i relatively to the other in its slot h so as to vary the amount of lost motion between the arms / and g. The lower end of the retort preferably has one side only cut '/l/ V / away as at m, to provide an opening, the amount of which may be adjusted by the sliding door n, through which the coke from the retort can gain free access to the tray. To ensure the positive discharge of a portion of the coke from the retort mouth b the tray e has raised portion o, the for- ward end of which acts as a stop to ensure that the said tray shall carry coke with it when it is moving from its original position, whilst the upper or top surface of such raised portion (which extends behind the said forward end and is shaped as a segment of a cylinder having its axis coincident with the axis of rotation of the tray) serves to prevent coke falling behind the forward end. The raised portion o is pre- ferably detachable from the rest of the tray, to afford full access to the lower end of the retort. The portion o may extend the full width of the tray e. The discharge edge of the tray e has a turned-over ledge q, and extended sides for preventing coke from dropping into the water trough and for limiting the discharging area to the aforesaid discharge edge. As the tray returns, a portion of the coke is forced over its delivery edge. The side of the retort mouth opposite to the aperture m prevents the coke from following the movement of the tray as it returns to its original position in the water seal. The water trough ensures a constant level of water around the retort mouth. (Five claims.) is a sectional elevation of an patent reducing valve, in which a valve casing; b the inlet and c valve; d the diaphragm chamber; e 16839 (1915). Improvements in Pressure Reducing Valves for Steam and other Fluids. A. J. Bailey and F. M. Bailey, Albion Works, Salford, Lancashire.—This invention relates to improvements in pressure reducing valves for steam and other fluids, and has for its object to render such valves quieter and smoother in action by obviating concussion and ensuring a more gradual and uniform passage of the fluid from the high to the low pressure side of the valve. The drawing improved Fost a designates the outlet of 1 the diaphragm; f the valve stem ; f1 f2 the double beat valves; g the adjustable spring; h a nut on the screwed portion of the spring rod i for regulating the delivery pres- sure ; and j toggle levers acting in com- bination with links k. The valve f1 of the double beat valves f1 f2 is in the form of a sliding piston valve, as shown, whilst the other valve f2 of the pair is of the usual bevel edged lift type, by which means high pressure steam is enabled to pass first through the lift valve f2, whilst the piston valve f1 remains closed until the delivery pressure is reduced to such a point that the piston valve f1 is also opened and the steam or other fluid passes through both valves f1 f2 in a greater volume, whereby “ wire drawing ” and any cutting action of the fluid on the valve face and seats is prevented. (Two claims.) 13599 (1915). Improvements in Means for Separating Water from Air or Steam and the like. J. E. Mortimer, of 34, Victoria-street, Westminster. — Relates to separating means of the kind in which the gaseous stream from which liquid is to be separated has a whirling motion imparted to it by a twisted blade or screw extending from the centre line towards the wall of a chamber or passage, with the result that the liquid particles are thrown on to the wall of the chamber or passage. To effect this the upper part of the separating chamber or passage is formed or provided with a series of transversely disposed ribs formed on the sides with lips that extend longitudinally of the chamber or passage towards the inlet and constitute channels in which the water thrown on to the upper part of the chamber or passage collects and drains away to the bottom without falling back into the stream or On to the twisted blade or screw. Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal section, and fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section on to the line A, A of fig. 1. The chamber O\ /iy / 7. 6 a is formed by a substantially cylindrical casing b with inlet c at one end and outlet d at the other, and a drain pocket e beneath of increasing depth towards the outlet end where the drain f is located; the pocket e and the passage a communicate through a longitudinal slot in the bottom of the casing b. g is the twisted blade or screw fixed as by taper end ferrules h in the chamber a, and j indicate the ribs with which the upper part of the chamber or passage a is provided. Each rib j is formed on the side facing the inlet c with a lip k that forms a water channel. The casing b may be so constructed or arranged that the portions of the wall intermediate of the ribs j slope slightly downward in the direction of the outlet so that water tends to flow by gravity into the channels which are open on the side facing the inlet. The lower parts of the channelled ribs j may incline towards the drain outlet as indicated in fig. 3, when, as is preferable, the said outlet is near the exit end of the chamber or passage and the floor of the drainage chamber slopes downwardly towards the drain outlet. (Five claims.) 12003 (1915). Improvements in the Preparation of Peat for Fuel, or for Destructive Distillation and Carbonisation. E. A. Paterson, of Thorold, Ontario, Canada.—Relates to improvements in processes for the preparation of peat for fuel, or for destructive distillation and carbonisation in which an alkali is first added to the peat to neutralise its acidity and then a suitable silicate before it is dried for use, and consists in first treating the peat to remove about 20 per cent, of the superfluous water therefrom, by means of a press or other apparatus, or by heat, before the peat is pressed. The resulting material may be then disintegrated, and, for the purpose of neutralising the acids, if any, contained therein, a suitable amount (say, about 2 per cent.) of alkaline material may be added and mixed therewith, such as an alkaline earth compound, for instance, carbonate of lime. The next step is to add from 1 per cent, to 3 per cent, of an alkali-metal silicate such as silicate of soda either as a liquid which is of a gravity of about 80 degs. Twaddell or as a dry soluble powder. The material is then intimately mixed in