870

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

November 3, 1916.

find considerable difficulty in increasing the output, from the
absence of accommodation for men with families. These
men, who come to work in the pits, and leave to go back
home again after a longer or shorter sojourn in Kent, would
be willing to remain if they could bring all their belongings
with them. This is a reason why an augmentation of the
amount, of capital at the board’s disposal is desirable in the
interests of all concerned.

Scotland.

The statement which has been made that an increase of
3d. per cwt. on the price of coal is imminent in Edinburgh
was considered by the Edinbumgh and Leith Coal Merchants’
Association at their monthly meeting. It was stated that
the question of prices had not been considered, as the mem-
bers of the association were satisfied with the returns they
are at present obtaining. Although no decision had been
taken with regard to raising the price per bag, it was pos-
sible that if circumstances changed in the near future, the
question of an increase would have to be considered. A
general demand for an increase of wages on the part of the
men in the bag trade, who are said to number over 1,000,
is expected. In view of possible changes in the present
conditions, it was pointed out that the association might
have to raise the price per bag, but that had not been dis-
cussed. The minimum and maximum prices per bag are
Is. 6d. and Is. 9d. respectively, according to quality. In
regard to coal prices, one of the largest coal merchants in the
city expressed the view that there would be no justification
for the dealers engaged in the bag trade adding 3d. to the
cwt. retail price.

Discussing the coal trade in their annual report, the
council of the Dunfermline Chamber of Commerce state :—
On the exports for the whole of Scotland for the year to
date, there has been a decrease of 1,111,704 tons, and the
decrease for Fife alone was 370,000 'tons. Unsteadiness con-
tinues to be the feature of the export trade in Fife. This is
due partly to shortage of tonnage and the detention of vessels
in the discharging ports, causing irregularity in the transit
of wagons. While the Fife exports show the decrease above
mentioned, it should be noted that Fife coal is being shipped
at western ports. The collieries supplying first-class coal
are busy at present, and have no lack of orders, but, on the
other hand, the third-class collieries are suffering for a lack
of demand. Navigation steam coal and washed stuffs are
readily disposed of. While little is going outside to neutrals,
the home market and the Admiralty account for a lot. The
demand for bunker coal leaves much to be desired.

A large number of the shallow and small collieries in Scot-
land have been seriously affected by the recent spell of wet
weather. No. 5 Woodend Colliery at Armadale has only now
recovered from a heavy inundation which took place several
weeks ago.

Earls Row Mine, in Fifeshire, has been idle for about
three months owing to the heavy rush of surface water.
Many other places, though not totally idle, have had their
outputs reduced owing to water trouble. In Fife great diffi-
culty is experienced in dealing with heavy water getting in
through crop workings. Near Dunfermline large tracts of
Dunfermline Splint coal are lying under water. This is a
very valuable seam, but the question of drainage presents
many difficulties. Co-operation of various owners seems the
only solution.

Before Sheriff Hannay, at Kirkcaldy, David Dewrar, ship
broker, Methil, was charged with exporting to Aarhuus
(Denmark) in May last 267 tons of screened steam coal in
excess of the quantity specified in the export licence. The
licence was granted to him as shipping agent for D. M.
Stevenson and Company, Glasgow, and the quantity he sent
abroad from Methil was 3,677 tons. He was further charged
with an excess shipment to Denmark in July. Accused
pleaded guilty. He was represented by Mr. Thomson, who
stated that there was 10 per cent, margin allowed above the
usual quantity up to 200 tons maximum. Unfortunately,
Mr. Dewar shipped more than the 200 tons, but the circular
limiting the maximum excess to 200 tons was not issued
till June, and this took place in May. He also pointed out
that the coal was sent to the dock in wagons, and no weights
were attached to the wagons, so that it was largely 'guess-
work. It was an error, and his client made no profit from
the over-shipment. Mr. Brander, the Procurator Fiscal,
said the Commissioners looked on this as a very serious
offence. As far back as March last Dewar had been warned
not to exceed the amount in the licence. His lordship
imposed a penalty of d£50 for each offence, or two months’
imprisonment.

Mr. A. Burt has resigned his appointment as mine
manager to the Banknock Coal Company, Stirlingshire. He
has done capital work for the company.

At the opening of the session of the West of Scotland
branch of the Association of Mining Electrical Engineers,
the new president, Mr. J. B. Thomson, Hamilton (mine
manager to Messrs. John Watson and Company Limited),
delivered an interesting inaugural address. He referred to
the fact that a Scotsman, and a former president of the
branch—Mr. Matthew Brown, general manager of the Shotts
Iron Company Limited—had been unanimously elected pre-
sident of the parent association for the ensuing year. This
was a distinct honour to Scotland and the West of Scotland
branch, and he felt sure that Mr. Brown would enhance his
reputation in this new sphere of usefulness. In view of the
importance of electricity to mining in Scotland, Mr.
Thomson gave some figures on the subject from the Home
Office reports. In the whole of Scotland there were 528
mines, and of that total -328 made use of electricity. In
Lanarkshire, the largest coal producing county in Scotland,
there were 213 mines, 141 of which made use of electricity.
In Fifeshire, 50 out of 57 mines employed electricity; in
Ayrshire, 46 out of 94; in Linlithgowshire, 36 out of 50; in
Stirlingshire, 29 out of 48; and in Edinburghshire, 22 out
of 26 gave scope to electricity. These figures represented
fairly accurately the importance of the electrical industry in
connection with mining throughout Scotland.

Dr.. W. F. Colclough has been appointed certifying
surgeon under the Factory and Workshop Acts for the Sid-
mouth district. Vacancies for certifying surgeons exist at
Valencia (Ireland) and Rathmore.

Immingham Coal Exports. — During the week ended
October 27, Immingham exported 1,800 tons of coal to
Bagnoli. For the corresponding period of last vear the
exports were nil.

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

The shortage of collier tonnage continues unabated this
week. Indeed, if there has been any change at all, it is
for the worse. British coal shippers, especially on the
north-east coast, are at their wTits’ end for cargo space.
Collieries are being laid idle, stocks of fuel are accumulating,
and, even where it has been found possible, thus far, to
keep it going, it is only a question of days until the time
of their suspension, unless, very promptly, measures are
taken to relieve the situation. The galling part of the whole
business is that, whilst, at best, there must be an inadequate
supply of collier vessels, much of the present shortage is the
outcome of (surely) avoidable detention of steamers awaiting
discharge at French ports. It ought not to pass the skill of
those .responsible for such wonderful military organisation to
devise ways and means whereby vessels arriving at Allied
ports with coal cargoes, intended, primarily, for the further-
ance of military activities, should be promptly discharged and
sent back for further supplies. However, we can do no more
than state the position, in the hope that our authorities and
those in France will take up the matter with the real inten-
tion of putting it right. So far as the chartering which it
has been possible to do is concerned, it is noteworthy that
much of it has been done for French Mediterranean and
Italian ports at the limitation rates which came into opera-
tion on Monday of this week. For other directions, the
Tyne freight list shows that Barcelona has advanced 2s., that
coke tonnage for North France has been taken up at an
advance of Is., and that coasting and Baltic figures are
unchanged on the week. At South Wales, where the volume
of business clone has been rather larger, Lisbon is 6d. higher,
but Barcelona and the Canary Islands are unaltered. The
River Plate, it is noteworthy, has been arranged for at from
30s. to 32s. fid.

. In the homeward market, tonnage supplies are short. The
River Plate is quiet and easier, at from 125s. to 130s. from
up-river ports, and from 115s. to 120s. from lower ports to
the United Kingdom. There is very little grain tonnage
being taken up at the United States. Northern Range to
North France is quoted at up to 92s. 6d. for net charter, with
125s. for West Italy, and with the Gulf at 125s. to Havre,
and 145s. to West Italy. Coal rates for South America are
easier, at lldols. to Pernambuco actually done. Cotton has
paid 260s. for Liverpool from the Gulf on Form 0. Eastern
rates are very firm. The Philippines to Marseilles are quoted
at 220s. Saigon to France, forward Loading, would pro-
bably pay 190s., with Java at about 195s. Burmah to
United Kingdom is quoted at up to 170s. on d.w., Jan.-Mar.
shipment, whilst Bombay is mentioned at 145s. on d.w., and
Kurrachce at 120s. on scale. Mediterranean rates are firm,
with 70s. done from Alexandria on 60 cubic to Liverpool.
The ore ports have an active demand for vessels, and are
prepared to pay fully late figures.

Tyne to Alicante, 2,000, 65s.; Buenos Ayres, 1,500, 35s.;
Boulogne, 300, 40s., coke; Barcelona, 3,000 , 62s.; 2,500,
62s.; 4,500, 62s.; Calais, 800, 40s., coke; Dunkirk, 750, 41s.,
coke; 250, 41s. 3d., coke; 400, 41s., coke; Drammen,
1,200, 24 kr.; Genoa, 2,000, 6,000, 64s. 6d.; Gibraltar,
2,000 , 40s.; Korsoer, 2,000, 27 kr.; Lisbon, 3,800, 40s.;
London, 1,750, 12s.; North French Range, 300, 41s., coke;
500, 41s., coke; 360 , 41s., coke; 900, 41s., coke; 750, 41s.,
coke; Oran, 2,500, 52s. 6d.; Port Said, 5,000, 62s. 6d.; 2,000,
62s. 6d., pitch; Rouen, 2,000, 41s., coke; Sicily, 2,000,
67s. fid.; 2,600, 67s. fid.; Treport, 300, 40s., coke.

Cardiff to Algiers, 3,900, 45s., 600; 3,300, 46s., 600; 2,700,
46s. fid., 500; 1,600, 48s. 6d., 500; 2,200, 49s. 3d., fuel;
Alicante, 1,800, 45s. ; 3,200, 50s.; Bilbao, 2,330, 31s.; Bar-
celona, 2,500, 50s.; 2,800, 50s.; 1,500, 50s.; Boulogne, 980,
26s. fid.; Caen, 700, 24s.; Chantenay, 1,550, 2,500, 29s.;
Cherbourg, 1,150, 23s. fid.; Dakar, 4,700, 30s., 500; Ferrol,
800, 32s.; Genoa, 2,200, 59s. 6d.; Granville, 540, 24s.;
Huelva, 3,400, 29s.; Honfleur, 700, 24s.; La Rochelle,

2.500,	29s.; La Palice, 2,500, 29s.; Las Palmas, 400, 25s.,
sail, November; 3,000, 27s.; Leghorn, 2,200, 59s. 6d.;
Lisbon, 1,800, 31s., 500; 1,700, 31s. fid., 500; Marseilles,
2,450 and 4,800, 58s. 6d.; Nantes, 2,500, 29s.; Palma, 1,500,
50s.; Rochefort, 2,500, 29s.; River Plate, 4,300, 32s. 6d.,
November; Rouen, 600, 25s. 6d., November 1-25; 950,
25s. fid.; Rosario, 3,200, 30s.; Savona, 2,200, 59s. 6d.;
Spezzia, 2,200, 59s. 6d.; St. Nazaire, 2,500, 29s.; St. Malo,
700, 21s.; Teneriffe, 3,000, 27s.; Tarragona, 4,000, 51s.

Newport to Seville, 1,200, 32s. 6d.; Chantenay, 1,550,
29s.; Calais, 1,550, 27s. 6d. coal, 28s. 3d. fuel; Gibraltar,

1.500,	32s. 6d., 500; Castletown, 165, 15s.; Aguillas, 47s. 6d.,
early November.

Port Talbot to Rouen, 1,600, 24s. fid.; Trouville, 650, 24s.

Ayr to Brest, 29s. 6d.

Glasgow to Bordeaux, 37s.; Gibraltar, 30s.

Swansea to Cherbourg, 700, 24s. 6d., option St. Malo,
22s. fid.; Treport, 700, 27s. 6d., tin-plates, free in and out;
Havre, 900, 23s. 6d., option Rouen, 25s. fid.; Nantes, 750,
30s.; Valencia, 2,000, 45s. coal, 45s. 9d. fuel.

Sunderland to River Plate, 4,500, 35s.; Laurvig, 300,
37 kr.

Wales to Valencia, 2,700, 45s., 400, November 3.

Goole to Guernsey, 500, 30s.

Hartlepool to Odense, 300, 30 kr.

Clyde to West Italy, 8,000, 62s. 6d.; 7,200, 62s. 6d.

Neath Abbey to Cork, 350, 14s.

Hull to Barcelona, 1,300, 62s. 6d.

Isaac Barlow, Wilfred Tray, and William Peacock, three
youths, employed at Leasingthorne Colliery, wore fined by
the Bishop Auckland magistrates for having ridden on a
tram in the mine, and, in the case of the two latter, for
having failed to deliver up the ponies in their change at
the end of tire shift. Barlow was penalised to the extent
of 20s., and each of the others was fined 30s.

Owing to the death of the late chairman of the Wagon
Finance Corporation Limited ( Sir Arthur B. Markham,
Bart., M.P.), the vacancy'has been filled by Mr. W. B. M.
Bird (Messrs. Bird and Bird, 5, Gray’s Inn-square), who
has been a director since the formation of the company, and
who also is one of the directors of William Deacon's Bank
Limited, London, E.C. The other vacancy has been filled
by Mr. W. Humble, of Doncaster. Owing to the death of
Col. Sir C. M. Royds (one of the trustecs'on behalf of the
debenture holders), the vacancy has been filled by the elec-
tion of Nir. C. S. Hoare, chairman of William Deacon’s
Tank Limited, London. E.C.

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR COAL AND COKE.

For Contracts Advertised in this issue received too late
for inclusion in this column, see Leader and Last
White pages.

Abstracts of Contracts Open.

Gibraltar, November 21.—Best Cardiff steam, South
Wales small, Newport large, best quality Durham
unscreened, anthracite large, and anthracite nuts (12
months). Forms from the Sanitary Commissioners’ Office,
Gibraltar.

Hull, November 8.—Steam coal (3, 6, or 9 months) for
the Sculcoats Guardians. Forms from the clerk, Union
Offices, Harley-street, Hull.

Kirkcaldy, November 13.—House coal, steam coal, treble
nuts, and churls (six months) for the District Joint Hospital.
Forms from A. Beveridge, solicitor Kirkcaldy.

Middleton (Lancs), November 11.—4,000 tons washed
or dry slack steam coal (about 4,100 tons) for the Corpora-
tion. Forms from the engineer, Electricity works, Middle-
ton.

New Monkland (Scotland), November 8.—Coal for the
Poor house Committee. Forms from the governor.

Peebles, November 8.—Coal (six months) for the Poor-
iionse. Forms from the Poorhouse.

Roscommon, November 11. — Forty tons best screened
house coal and 30 tons best screened Irish coal for the
Guardians. Tenders to M. Moran, clerk.

Stretford (Manchester), November 21.—Best Lanca-
shire rough slack or equal quality for Electricity Works (12
months). Tenders to the chairman, Electricity Committee,
Council Offices, Old Trafford.

Thurlaston (Rugby), November 7. — Eighty tons best
coal or cobbles (no slack) for the Poor Plot Charity, delivered
in 25 cwt. lots. Tenders to W. D. Barnwell, D unchurch.

The date given is the latest upon which tenders can be
received.

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON
AND STEEL WORK, &c.

Aberdeen, November 23.—Stores.—Steel castings, galva-
nised, single wire ropes, engine packing, iron castings, nails,
•steel boiler tubes, axles, telegraph material, etc. (six or 12
months), for the Great North of Scotland Railway Com-
pany. Tenders (Is. each) from the stores superintendent,
80. Guild-street, Aberdeen.

Bradford, November 11.—Stores.—Bolts, nuts, lamp
fittings, steel pinions, insulating material, etc. (12 months)
for the Tramways Department. Schedules (21s. each,
returnable) from the Tramways Office, 7, Hall Ings, Brad-
ford.

Dublin, November 14.—Stores.—Bolts, nuts, rivets, car-
riage fittings, forgings, rail fastenings, steel axles, copper
tubes, iron, etc., for the Midland Great Western Railway
of Ireland Company. Forms (6d. postal order) from the
storekeeper, Stores Department, Broadstone Station, Dublin.

Dublin, November 15.—Stores.—Brass fittings for lamps,
iron castings, files, tool steel, fish bolts, tubes, galvanised
sheets, signal wire pulleys, tin-plates, etc., for the Great
Southern and Western Railway. Forms (6d. each) from the
storekeeper, General Stores, Inchicore, Dublin.

Enniskillen, December 1. — Stores. — Copper plates,
tubes, iron castings, spelter, edge tools, galvanised sheets,
screws, pressure gauges, springs, etc., for the Sligo,
Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway. (Forms (Is.
pach) from the secretary, Enniskillen.

Manchester, November 8.—Valves, etc.—Valves, steam
and feed pines, etc., for the Electricity Committee. Forms
from the Electricity Department, Town Hall.

Sydney, December 16.—Turbines.—Two steam turbines
and two sets of condensing plant. Tenders to the Board of
Water Supply, 341, Pitt-street, Sydney, New South Wales.
Specifications may be seen at the Commercial Intelligence
Branch of the Board of Trade, 73, Basinghall-street,
London.

GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS.

Any of the following publications may be obtained
on application at this office at the price named post free.

Annual Statement of Trade of the United Kingdom with
Foreign Countries for 1915 (Vol. 2), 4s. 9d.

Report on the State of Brunei for 1915, 34d.

Report on the Federated Malay States for 1915, 9d.

Accounts re Trade and Commerce of Certain Foreign
Countries, October 23, 1916, 5d.

Trade Unions Acts : Annual Return, Form 21, for Regis-
tered Trade Union, 21d.

Bills, 1916 : Trading with the Enemy and Export of Pro-
hibited Goods, Id.

Russian Fuel Supply.—The Minister of Trade and Industry
has communicated to a correspondent of the Novoie Vremya
the present position of fuel supply in Russia. His chief task,
he said, was to supply fuel to factories working for the
national defence. Therefore, in the course of the year, as
president of the Special Fuel Committee, he made it his first
duty to encourage a greater production of coal in the country.
They had first to find sufficient workers for the mines, and
applied in the spring time for an extra number of prisoners of
war: and they foresee for the future the possibility of extend-
ing the use of both Chinese and Persian labour. Similar
measures were being taken for the mines of the Ural. Moscow
and Siberian districts. The programme, though new, was
'successful, and its success was due to proper and timely
Imperial interference in the sphere of private interests. He
had also paid particular attention to the improvement of the
financial condition of the various concerns. The prices pre-
viously arranged for coal to be supplied to the Treasury Rail-
ways were raised, the requisition prices were revised, and
producers’ accounts were settled more quickly. Then all
neeessa’rv measures were taken to supply the mines with the
material required for the production of coal—metal goods,
pitwood, explosives, etc.—and finally energetic measures
were taken to improve the conditions for desnatching coal. A
system.of branch lines was planned in the Dmrntz Basin for
immediate construction, which had been begun. Further,
the water transport of coal was extensively organised, and
thereby large districts that previously suffered from the defec-
tive railway transport had received the coal they wanted.