October 13, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 705 MANCHESTER GEOLOGICAL AND MINING SOCIETY. 78th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The 78th annual general meeting of the members of the Alan Chester Geological and Alining Society was held on Tuesday afternoon last, the President (Mr. Leonard R. Fletcher) being in the chair. Council's Annual Report. The council announced that 27 new members had been elected during the year, viz., 17 members, five associate members, and five associates (all classes federated). One student had been transferred to the members’ class, two students and two associates had been transferred to the associate members’ class, and two students had been transferred to the associates’ class (all classes federated). The total membership is now 404. During the year three members had died, namely— Mr. John Edwards (elected 1908), Air. Robert Winstanley (elected 1876), and Air. James Lord (elected 1887). The council extended to the relatives of the deceased members their most heartfelt sympathy and condolence. The council had also to mourn the loss of Lieut. John Laithwaite, killed in action during the present war. The report contained a list, described k‘ as by no means complete,” of 58 members who are serving with his Majesty’s Forces. The council offered their congratulations to Col. Lionel E. Pilkington, who had been created a C.AI.G.; to Maj. Harry La Trobe Campbell, who had been awarded the D.S.O.; and to their colleague on the council, Sir Thomas Holland, K.C.I.E., D.Sc., F.R.S., on having been appointed chairman of the Commission to investigate the industrial and economic conditions of India. The appeal made by the society for subscriptions on behalf of the British Red Cross Society had yielded .£257 6s. 6d., which had been augmented by a grant of £50 from the funds of the society, and handed over to the Institution of Alining Engineers towards the pur- chase of a car, known as “ The Institution of Alining Engineers ’ Ambulance. ’ ’ A committee dealing, with the subject of “ Lanca- . shire Coal Field Research ” had met on several occa- sions, and hoped to issue a report on the progress of the investigations. In consequence of the new rules of the Institution of Alining Engineers being adopted, the council had deemed it necessary to revise and amend the rules of the society, and the proposed new rules would be sub- mitted to the members for consideration at an early date. The society’s representatives on the council of the Institution of Alining Engineers for the year 1916-17 are as follow :—Air. John Ashworth, Air. Leonard R. Fletcher, Air. John Gerrard, Air. A. J. A. Orchard, Air. William Pickup, Air. Sydney A. Smith, Air. Tom Stone, and Air. Noah T. Williams (hon. secretary). The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Election of Officers. The President said it was the unanimous wish of the council that Air. William Pickup should be the president of the society for the coming year. Air. Pickup was an old and valued member of the society, and took an active interest in any movement that was initiated. He (the president) had been most agree- ably associated with him during the past two years, and no member had done more to help him (the president) in the course of his term of office. Air. Gerrard, in seconding, said that no member was more fitted to fill the position of president that Air. Pickup, who for many years had rendered valuable service to the society. The resolution was carried with acclamation. Air. Pickup, on taking the chair, briefly acknow- ledged the honour conferred on him by the society. The following other officers were appointed :—Vice- presidents : Air. Vincent Bramall, Air. A. Al. Lamb, Air. A. J. A. Orchard, and Air. Percy Lee Wood. Council : Messrs. W. T. Anderson, H. S. Atherton, C. F. Bouchier, Richard Landless, W. Ollerenshaw, J. D. Paton, F. A. Ross, W. Bolton Shaw, Frank N. Siddall, Sydney A. Smith, T. Stone, and T. H. Wordsworth. Hon. treasurer: Air. John Ashworth. Hon. secretary : Air. Noah T. Williams. Hon. auditors : Alessrs. H. S. Atherton and V. Bramall. Professional accountants : Alessrs. Jones, Crewdson and Youatt. The President moved a hearty vote of thanks to Air. Leonard R. Fletcher for his services in the chair during the past two years. That gentleman, he said, had devoted a large amount of his time to the work of the society, and in any debatable matters that came before them he had always held the balance equally. Seconded by Air. Stanley Atherton, and supported by Air. Orchard, the resolution was carried with acclamation. Air. Fletcher, in responding, said there were two schemes brought before them during the past two years which he would be very sorry to see dropped, though he did not think there was any danger of that happening. One was on the question of mining education in the ’ area covered by the society, and the other was on the subject of research in connection with the Lancashire i coal field and the correlation of the coal ‘measures. Both were subjects of great importance to the mining industry of Lancashire, and he hoped during the coming year the schemes now under consideration would mature. One of the duties of the society should be to encourage such work with all the influence at its disposal. The British Association Meetings : Delegate’s Report. Air. John Ashworth, who represented the society at the conference of delegates of corresponding societies of the British Association at Newcastle in September last, presented a report of the proceedings. Some Effects of the Master Folds upon the Structure of the Bristol and Somerset Coal Fields. Air. Ernest H. Staples read his paper on this subject. (See p. 699). Discussion. The President (Air. William Pickup), in moving a vote of thanks to the author, said the paper was a very valuable one, and the details contained in it repre- sented many years’ of careful research work. Air. Leonard R. Fletcher seconded. It was, he said, exceedingly kind of Mr. Staples to travel from Somerset for the purpose of reading the paper to them. The resolution was carried. Owing to the lateness of the hour, the discussion was adjourned to a future meeting. THE GERMAN COAL AND IRON TRADES. German Output of Medium Steel in August. According to the report of the German Iron and Steel Manufacturers’ Association, the production of medium steel in the German Customs Union in August amounted to 1,412,326 tons (1,356,641 tons in July), or 52,308 tons (52,524 tons) per working day. -Of this quantity, 656,366 tons (637,516 tons) were basic Bessemer, 14,247 tons (18,159 tons) acid Bessemer, 580,128 tons (560,165 tons) basic open hearth, 21,145 tons (19,581 tons) acid open hearth, 74,730 tons (69,216 tons) basic cast steel, 38,548 tons (36,968 tons) acid cast steel; 10,072 tons (9,612 tons) crucible steel, and 17,098 tons (14,424 tons) electro steel. Of the various centres, Rhenish West- phalia produced 799,317 tons (771,709" tons); Silesia, 123,529 tons (120,189 tons); Siegerland and Hesse- Nassau, 28,413 tons (27,981 tons); North, East and Mid Germany, 61,319 tons (59,582 tons); Saxony, 30,508 tons (27,760 tons); South Germany, 13,188 tons (12,690 tons); the Saar district and Bavarian Rhinepfalz, 117,587 tons (112,515 tons); Elsass-Lothringen, 120,073 tons (124,584 tons); and Luxemburg, 112,392 tons (108,721 tons). TRADE AND THE WAR. The North-East Association of Iron and Steel Merchants has just been formed. The objects of the association are to watch, through its committee, any proceedings affecting the interests of the trade, to protect its members against any frivolous, vexatious, or malicious prosecution, to retain to them the full and free exercise of their trade as iron and steel merchants, to oppose all innovations, exactions, and restrictions upon the trade which the committee may think calls for interference. The entrance fee is £50, and the annual subscription £2 2s. Messrs, the Mirrlees Watson Company Limited, Glasgow, have recently received orders for 34 sets of condensing plants, practically all for war service work, and of varying steam duties up to 130,0001b. steam per hour. The Newcastle Coal Exports Committee announces receipt of the following instructions from the Central Executive Committee :—“ It is desirable that, so far as possible, but subject to the control of the local committee, that trade to France should follow its normal channels, and that existing practices should be continued. An exporter is not intended to seek for, or accept, business from importers with whom he had no connection prior to the introduction of the French limitation scheme, unless with the approval of the local com- mittee. . The scheme is intended to apply to those interested in shipping coal to France prior to May 25, 1916, and any exporter finding that any of his regular business to France is being taken by other exporters, is requested to forward information of. same in writing to the local licensing committee. A Consolidated Statutory List (No. 9a) of persons or firms with whom trading is prohibited has been issued at the price of 2d. The Controller of the Foreign Trade Depart- ment points out that cases still come under his notice in which British firms are corresponding with persons named in the list. Frequently they give the excuse that they have never heard of the list, but the Controller intimates that it is their duty to familiarise themselves with it. Otherwise heavy penalties may be incurred. The list is published by Messrs. Wyman and Sons Limited, 29, Breams-buildings, Loudon, E.C. A Wellington firm desires to secure the sole representation in New Zealand of United Kingdom manufacturers of milling cutters and reamers and traction bogies for tramway and railway rolling stock. The name and address may be obtained at the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade, 73, Basinghall-street, London, E.C. The reference number (324) should be quoted. The Branch also intimates that a Milan firm of agents desires to obtain agencies for United Kingdom manufacturers of tools, saws, hoisting gear, oil cans, soldering lamps, bolts and nuts, belting, packing for valves, and electrical fittings (reference No. 332). A firm ’ of agents established at Milan and Florence desires to obtain agencies for United Kingdom manufacturers of tools and small metal wares (reference No. 333). Works are being established at Greaker, Sweden, for utilising the residue of sulphite wood pulp in the form of fuel. THE AMERICAN COAL TRADE. The bituminous market now hinges on the car supply. Supplies at the distributing centres Down East are at a minimum, and there are indications of real distress, if conditions are not improved (says Coal Age). In Boston, the Pocahontas and New River market con- tinues very strong. There is so little spot coal offering that it is difficult to say what the market is. Actual sales of small tonnages have been made at 4dols. f.o.b., though 3’50 dels, is the nominal price, but with no coal available at that figure. Demand for export is still strong, and the bunker trade very active. There is no improvement in the situation of the Georges Creek shippers. The shortage of labour at the mines, lack of cars, together with a diminished fleet of barges, has so far reduced receipts of this grade as to make them almost negligible. Pocahontas and New River are quoted 4 to 4’25 dels, f.o.b. Norfolk and Newport News. Baltimore prices tend upward. There is barely enough delivery at tide to meet export, bunker, and local requirements, and the mines have constantly stiffened quotations for quick shipments. Prices to the trade at the mines are as follow :—Georges Creek, Tyson, 2-35 dols.; Somerset, 2’25 dels.; South Fork, 2’35 dols.; Clearfield, 2’25 dels.; Quemahoning, 2-35 dols.; Latrobe, 1-85 dols.; Freeport, 2 dols.; Fairmont gas, three- quarters, 1-80 dols.; mine-run, 1-70 dols.; slack, 1’65 dols. The anthracite market apparently continues very strong, but is rather mixed, and there are some well- informed observers who take the position that fictitious values are ruling. It seems evident, however, that the tension is certainly increasing, while the demand is substantially in excess of production, and all present indications point to a tight market throughout the winter. The prices per gross ton f.o.b. cars at mines, for line shipment, and f.o.b. Port Richmond, for tide, are as follow:—Broken, 4’75 dols.; egg, 5-25 dols.; stove, 5’60 dols.; nut, 5’55 dels.; pea, 3-70 dols.; buck, 2’55 dols.; rice, 1-90 dols.; boiler, 1-80 dols.; barley, 1-65 dols. The spot furnace coke market in Connellsville has started to jump, and there have been several sales at 3’25 dels. There does not seem to be any spot coke offered at less, and there remains some unsatisfied enquiry from consuming interests. The sudden further stiffening in the coke market is attributed chiefly to the higher prices obtainable by coal supplies being restricted on account of the car shortage. Foundry coke has stiffened in harmony with furnace coke, and is now quoted spot furnace 3-25 dols.; contract, 3 dols.; spot foundry, 3’50 to 3-75 dels.; contract, 3’50 to 3’75 dols. The exports showed a slight decline, and foreign freight rates have touched a very low level at Hampton Roads. At present the ruling quotations are as follow :—Poca- hontas and New River, for cargo, 4 to 4-50 dols. per gross ton; for bunker delivery, 4-50 to 4* 75 dols. per gross ton, plus 10c. per ton trimming; on tracks for local consumption, 4 to 4-25 dols. per net ton. Anthracite still remains at the summer circular of 7’50 dols. per net ton delivered. High volatile follows the smokeless market, good prices being received for this grade. Recent charters include three cargoes of coke for Marseilles and Barcelona, each at 28 dols. Vessels which have cleared recently with coal include six for Italy, and one each for France, Spain, and the Azores. PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—October 12. Coal Supply (Ireland). Mr. Runciman, in replying to Sir J. Lonsdale and others, stated that shipments of coal to Ireland had been well main- tained. Indeed, the quantity shipped in August was unusually large. The question of supplies and prices would be carefully watched, and such action as appeared necessary would be taken. He could not say whether anything was likely to be done for the purpose of developing the native coal industry of Ireland. It appeared from cases brought before the Board of Trade that the application of the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act to coal shipped to Ireland was not always understood. Merchants and consumers who had reason to believe that they were being charged excessive prices at the pit, would be well advised to communicate in the first instance with the Coal and Coke Supplies Committee for the district from which their coal was drawn. Regarding a recent reso- lution of gas managers in Ireland, he said that the Board of Trade would endeavour to ensure for the smaller gas com- panies the full benefit of the Act Mr. P. Meehan asked whether the Government would grant a sum for the construction of a light railway in order to develop the Leinster coal fields. Mr. Duke replied that there was not such reasonable certainty with regard to the quantity and quality of the coal obtainable from the coal fields referred to as in the present circumstances would warrant the Government in granting assistance. Miners in Reserve. Mr. Forster, in reply to Mr. Stanton, stated that miners sent home on reserve, Class W, received a complete outfit on transfer. He was afraid that they could not be treated exceptionally by a second suit being given. Negotiations were in progress with the inspector of mines to secure that the collieries do not keep the men without pay for two weeks. Mr. Forster, in answer to Mr. Wing, explained that all miners not fit for general service are, if they are willing, to be returned at once to their civil employment, provided that the manager of the colliery in which" they formerly worked is willing to receive them.