916

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

November 10, 1916.

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Difficulties of Shipments—Board of Trade and Stoppages—
Tip Slide in the Rhondda — Electric Flash Lamp in
Colliery — £50,000 Gift to Cardiff Hospital — Research
Work in By-Products—Taff Vale versus Cardiff Com-
pany.

The interference with business which arose through the
suspension of insurance by the Norwegian Club and
authorities was removed—a telegram from Christiania posted
on the Exchange during last Friday stating that it had been
decided to approve of voyages in the British-French coal
trade. This released vessels which had been temporarily
detained because of the insurance difficulty. On Monday,
however, fresh trouble arose, because Norwegian ship owners
required charterers to take responsibility for insurance of
war risk above the amount of 15s. per £100; and this demand
the charterers strenuously resisted, not alone on account of
the financial imposition, but also because of the new practice
introduced.

The position of affairs at the docks of South Wales has
been very unsatisfactory during the past few days — two
causes having brought about exceptionally serious shortage
of tonnage. There was first the difficulties in regard to
Norwegian vessels, above stated; and, in addition, the very
bad weather prevented vessels coming to the docks. The
result was that the sidings were blocked with loaded coal
wagons, and the working of the collieries was seriously inter-
fered with. In order to move the coal, special reductions
in price were made, as well as an appeal to householders to
secure supplies for domestic purposes. Swansea, in parti-
cular, suffered through lack of ships, last week being one
of the worst on record, coal and fuel shipments totalling less
than 35,000 tons.

The Board of Trade issued the suggestion to householding
consumers that they should take advantage of the present
opportunity for stocking coal. The adverse conditions of
the past few weeks, which have hindered export, are referred
to, and the fact that this has resulted in accumulation of
stocks of coal, both on sidings and at pitheads, leading, in
some cases, to colliery stoppage. The Board of Trade point
out that the situation can be promptly relieved to a large
extent by home consumers taking advantage and increasing
their stocks of coal; and it is added that at any moment
the conditions in the export trade may so improve as to
compel the resumption of export to the full extent. This
would, of course, extinguish the chance of the home con-
sumer getting his supplies.

The clause in the French Bay and coast charter, to which
shipners take such strong objection, provides not only that
the contracts should be subject to the terms of the French
scheme of May 25, with subsequent alterations and addi-
tions, but also that “ the present w7ar, or any consequences
thereof whatsoever, shall not exempt charterers from liability
to load and discharge within the times allowed”; or else
demurrage has to be paid in full. It provides also that if
the vessels named for the cargo are not released from
Admiralty restraint, the shippers shall have the option of
cancelling the charter or waiting until the release has been
obtained.

On Friday last, fresh negotiations took place in London
with regard to the supply of coal to Mediterranean ports, a
large number of South Wales representatives being present.
Amongst them were Lord Rhondda, Mr. T. E. Watson
(president of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce), Mr. T. J.
Callaghan, Mr. Percy Miles, Mr. T. P. Cook, Mr. F. le
Boulanger, Mr. A. Wynne, Mr. Dan Radcliffe, Mr. Henry
Radcliffe, Mr. S. Instone, Mr. Percy Barnett, Mr. E. Lewis,
Mr. W. T. Farr, and Mr. O. L. Harries. They were during
the morning in consultation with the representatives of the
French Committee. During the afternoon they met repre-
sentatives of the Italian Committee, and also the ship owners.
With the latter, the point raised was that of the terms of
charter to Italy, especially the question of demurrage at the
port of discharge. For the present, it was agreed, without
prejudice, that the terms of the charter as printed should be
acted on, but the matter is not settled. In the afternoon a
deputation of coal owners' and exporters visited the Admiralty,
Lord Rhondda introducing them to 'Sir Francis Hopwood.
The matter under discussion at that meeting was the requisi-
tioning of ships, and certain points relating to coal exports
for France and Italy.

The tip slide at Pentre has assumed more serious features,
and there has been interruption of traffic. The matter came
before the Chancery Court on Friday last, when the trustees
of the land owner sought an injunction against Messrs.
Cory Brothers and Company, colliery proprietors, restraining
them from depositing colliery refuse on the mountain in such
a manner as to constitute a danger to the district. It was
stated on behalf of the land owner that, without prejudice
to the question subsequently to be decided, plaintiffs were
willing to bear their proportionate share of the expense of
certain works which it was recognised as desirable to be done
at once in the public interest. Mr. Terrell, who appeared
for the Rhondda Council, informed the court that there would
be very serious results; and he, on behalf of the Council,
stated that he also desired to apply for an injunction, but
his evidence was not quite ready. For the defendants,
counsel stated that they were ready to agree that necessary
works should be carried out at the expense of the three
parties—land owner, colliery company, and Rhondda Council
—without prejudice; and Mr. Justice Younger said that, if
the parties could agree, this work should be at once taken in
hand. Further hearing of the application was adjourned
for a week. It is stated that Lloyds Bank, against which the
tip is moving, was regarded on Thursday last week to be in
such danger that all books and securities were removed, and
that houses are being gradually crushed in on one of the
streets. The tramcar traffic on the road, which is the main
highway of the district, is carried on only with difficulty,
police being in charge and directing both vehicles and
pedestrians.—On Wednesday the case of the Woodfield Hotel
came before the Pontypridd Bench, it being stated that the
condition of the premises was so dangerous that the owners
proposed to close the house for the time being, but wished to
keep the licence alive. The stipendiary magistrate assented
to this course, and said the licence should not be prejudiced.

The shareholders of North’s Navigation Company, at a
special meeting, have sanctioned the change in the nominal
amount of their shares from £1 to 5s., and have also approved
an agreement whereby Messrs. Lysberg become the selling

agents. This meeting was in connection with the transfer
of the property to Lord Rhondda and his associates; and his
lordship said that North’s would still remain a distinct entity.
There would be no connection with the Cambrian Combine,
except so far as he happened to be chairman of both. The
proposals submitted to the meeting were approved.

Lieut. Taylor, who has received the Military Cross at the
hands of the King for daring work in the course of a raid
upon German trenches, has represented Taylor’s Navigation
Collieries on Cardiff Exchange, and he has four brothers
serving in the Army. One of these is in Egypt, two of
them have been wounded. Visiting the Exchange last week,
Lieut. Taylor was accorded a most hearty welcome, and in
the course of some speech making the hope was expressed
that he would soon be once more “ on the floor ” with his
old friends in Cardiff.

A collier at Cwmcarn was fined 20s. for having in his
pocket whilst in the pit an electric flash lamp. He had
procured the lamp in order to guide him on his way to the
pit in the dark mornings; and it was stated that he flashed
his lamp on his way out of the colliery. The prosecuting
solicitor pointed out that it was distinctly provided in the
Act that no apparatus for producing a light should be
employed underground except a safety lamp of approved
pattern; and the management of the colliery took a serious
view of this offence, desiring to stop this sort of thing at
the beginning.

Mr. Hedley Clark, manager of the Cambrian Combine pits,
is president of the Rhondda War Savings Committee, and
encouragement has been given by the employers for the
officials to take up war savings certificates. Contributions of
6d. per week are to be made over a period of 31 weeks, and a
certificate has been offered on behalf of the directors to every
one of the lower-grade officials wrho takes up four shares.
Nearly the whole of the officials are taking part in the scheme,
and not far short of £5,000 is being subscribed for.

In different directions in South Wales large areas of timber
and coppice woods are being,cut down for pitwood. At New-
port on Saturday last a number of lots in Monmouthshire were
put up for auction. There was a keen competition, and a
sum of nearly £3,500 was realised.

At Newport, now that the control of the Mannesmann Tube
Company has been entirely acquired by British financial
interests, the undertaking which wTas planned before the war
will be proceeded with. The town clerk of Newport has
stated that it is hoped to complete the first section of the
work by midsummer next; and the Water Committee of the
Corporation has already in hand the question of providing
half a million gallons of water per day, according to
agreement.

In Swansea, in addition to the effort to establish a mining
school, large subscriptions are being made towards the fund
of £50,000 for the technical college; and among the latest
contributions are 2,000 gs. from Mr. T. J. Williams, M.P.,
and £2,000 from Messrs. Vivian and Sons.

By a fire which broke out in the engine house at the
United National Company’s colliery at Nine Mile Point,
the employment of 1,000 men has been interfered with.
Fortunately, there was no injury to any person, and the men
were all raised to the surface successfully. One estimate of
damage done is about £1,000.

A meeting of colliers in the Cribbwr Fawr area has passed
a resolution calling upon the Government to institute enquiry
into the shortage of coal wagons.

The colliers of New Tredegar have held a meeting and
carried a resolution calling on the Government to take over
the control of foodstuffs, and to arrange shipping freights,
so that precedence shall be given to necessities over luxuries,
and prevent undue profits being obtained by producers,
middlemen, and retailers.

It is significant of the huge profits made by ship owners
that Sir Edward Nicoll—who, it was announced on Friday
last, will give the magnificent sum of £50,000 to Cardiff
Hospital, this following a previous gift of £10,000—com-
menced business only about 20 years ago. Although at the
present time the excess profits tax is operating against ship
owners, nevertheless the available surplus must be very
large.

Mr. Edgar Evans, B.Sc., who has been appointed by Lord
Rhondda as coal research chemist, is a son of the late Mr. D.
Evans, who was manager of the Tylorstown Collieries. He
will have a well-equipped laboratory exclusively for investi-
gation of the question of utilising coal which is rich in high
volatile constituents. Mr. Evans has already taken a lead-
ing part in systematic analysis of mine air for the purpose of
controlling ventilation, and has worked in this sphere for
the Home Office. It was he who, at the time of the
Senghenydd explosion, when the fire underground was so
difficult to deal with, took charge of the erection of a car-
bonic acid gas plant in order to extinguish it. He is a Fellow
of the Institute of Chemistry, and has done work of material
value in regard to the question of the use of stone dust in
the collieries for preventing explosions. At one time he
was assistant chemist at Dowlais Iron Works, and later was
in the service of the Powell Duffryn Company, and subse-
quently of the Lewis-Merthyr Company before he joined the
staff of the Treforest School of Mines.

Mr. Riddiford, superintendent of the mines rescue station,
Swansea, has been presented with a walking stick by the
Ynisarwed team, in recognition of his care and assiduity in
training them. The story of the stick is interesting. Mr.
Jones, manager of the colliery, who made the presentation,
said that in re-opening some old workings he came across a
dam containing oak timbers which had been standing for
probably 150 years; and it was from one of these that the
stick had been made.

At the meeting of the shareholders in the Main Colliery,
which is situated near Neath, it was stated that the output
had been well maintained, bearing in mind the large number
of men who have gone away during the war. The period of
account would be made up for 18 months, instead of 12
months, and the total output for the 18 months would pro-
bably exceed 560,000 tons. It was decided to divide the
existing £10 shares into shares of £1 each.

It will have been noted that Mr. Acland, on behalf of the
Board of Agriculture, stated in Parliament on Tuesday that
the subject of pitwood supplies was receiving the constant
attention of the Department concerned, but that it is not at
present proposed to establish any limitation of prices.

The question of dock and harbour dues charged upon vessels
in the national service is still under discussion with the
Treasury, although practically settled on terms that were
stated a few weeks ago. These were that the Government
would pay full dues on cargoes, 75 per cent, of ship dues, but

nothing on craft owned by the Government. Outstanding
points came up for further consideration on Tuesday, when
a deputation waited upon Mr. McKinnon Wood, and it is
understood that these were satisfactorily disposed of. The
direct bearing of this matter upon vessels carrying coal
cargoes has been previously explained—the original idea that,
because these vessels were on Government service, they were
therefore exempt from dues, having been swept aside because
of its very serious effect upon dock earnings. A further meet-
ing of dock and harbour representatives is to be called.

The Coal Merchants’ Association of Aberavon and Port
Talbot and district protested, through the Coal and Coke
Committee, at Cardiff, against the high prices which have
been charged. A reduction of 3s. a ton has been arranged;
and it is stated that members of the association are giving
consumers the benefit of the reduction.

The case of the Taff Vale Company against the Cardiff
Company has been before the Court of Appeal this week. It
is of considerable importance, although the actual point at
issue appears at first sight to be little more than technical,
for it involves the utilisation of the Cardiff Company’s junc-
tion with the Taff Vale Railway at Treforest. The Cardiff
Railway has been in existence for several years, but no coal
traffic has run over it because of inability to make and use
this junction at Treforest. Should the traffic be diverted
at this point, the long run to the docks for some traffic would
be on the Cardiff Railway, instead of, as at present, on the
Taff Vale. Hence the importance of the action.

Northumberland and Durham.

New Batteries of Waste Heat Ovens—Housing Reform—
Ambulance Fund—Absenteeism in Northumberland—
Tyne Shipments—A Compensation Question.

Messrs. Simon-Carves Limited, of Manchester, have
received instructions to build an additional battery of their
large chamber horizontal-flued waste heat ovens at Bearpark
Colliery, and also a battery of their vertical-flued regenera-
tive ovens at Messrs. Pease and Partners’ St. Helen’s
Colliery, Bishop Auckland.

At Easington Rural District Council meeting, Mr. P. Lee
referred to the great revolution in recent years so far as
machinery and appliances for coal working were concerned,
and said it was just as essential that the workers and their
families should have decent houses'. Mr. Asquith had
stated that the miners were the most important workers in
the country. That being so, Mr. Lee contended that they
should have better housing accommodation. They could not
wonder at sanatoria being inadequate when they looked at
some of the houses. He did not believe in colliery houses.
He believed that the rent allowances were too low7, and
should be increased. Every man should be able to find
his owrn home, and the whole nest of old property in South-
East Durham should be swept away, and replaced by new7
property. Mr. Lee’s motion- was carried.

Whilst Christopher Fish wick, who had been a machine
oiler at Ryhope Colliery for about 13 years, was outside the
engine house of the colliery, the engine belt came off the
top pulley, caught Fish wick, and dragged him through the
fence. The engineman stopped the engine, and found Fish-
wick lying inside the fence with his back towards the clutch
and his arm through the clutch. The belting was wrapped
round his chest and shoulders, and the engineman had to cut
it with a knife to release the man, who was found dead. The
coroner’s jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” and
concurred in the statement of witnesses that the casualty was
a pure accident.

The Northumberland miners’ county fund for the provision
of motor ambulances at the front now amounts' to £3,921,
which does not include the subscriptions for motor ambu-
lances which have been “ earmarked ” as from individual
collieries or colliery groups.

Mr. Cecil A. Cochrane, M.P., has been elected as the late
Col. T. E. Jobling’s successor on the Blyth Harbour Com-
mission, representing me local coal owners.

Absenteeism is the topic reported upon and discussed by
Mr. Wm. Straker in his November letter to the members
of the Northumberland Miners’ Association. He states that
reports presented by the county group committees on
October 21 were very satisfactory in a few cases, but quite
the reverse in the other cases. At the same time, he adds,
had nothing been done, the percentage of absenteeism would
have been much higher, as, during their whole previous his-
tory, absenteeism had increased as wages had gone up. Mr.
Straker regards as a fallacy the idea that absenteeism can
be cured by calling up for the Army all miners of military
age who neglect their work. The main issue, he states, is
to increase the output of coal. If a man absents himself
from his employment one day in the week, and is taken away
from the mine altogether in consequence, that man’s output,
no! for one day per week, but for the whole week, is lost.
“ But I may be told that, for every such man, another who
would work regularly could be brought back from the Army
to the pits. That could be done, and many would like to be
released from the Army for this purpose; but would the
Army be strengthened by such means?” Mr. Straker states
that it has been suggested to him that all sports, etc., should
be prohibited, save on Saturdays. He has been told that
numbers of dog racing and rabbit coursing events are adver-
tised for Mondays and other days of the week, and that these
are largely attended by miners in the vicinity of Newcastle,
with the consequent loss of a good deal of working time.
If that be true, Mr. Straker thinks that such events should
be relegated to a day when little work would be lost.

Mr. Straker concludes : “ While I am writing, I have just
got word of a considerable number of pits being idle. 1
hope none of our members will think that the need for a
greater output of coal is any the less. We must not forget
that we are at war at sea as well as on land, and that the
coal trade of Northumberland, being largely an export trade,
must be subject to the circumstances of our naval warfare,
and may be from time to time badly interrupted. These
unavoidable interruptions to our overseas traffic only made it
the more necessary that not a single shift should be lost when
the coal can be got away.”

To Wednesday’s meeting of the Tyne Improvement Com-
missioners, the Docks Committee reported that during
October 1,109,908 tons of coal and 52,845 tons of coke were
shipped from the river, an increase of 17,141 tons of coal
and 3,310 tons of coke when compared with the shipments
in October of last year. During the 10 months now ended,
11,016,072 tons of coal and 729,577 tons of coke were shipped,
a decrease of 595,151 tons of coal and an increase of 426,965
tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the
corresponding period of last year.