968

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

November 17, 1916.

amendment in the Coal Mines Act and in the Regulations! as
might be found necessary.

Northumberland and Durham.

A Dudley Levy—Action Withdrawn—Miners and Insanitary
House—Monday Absenteeism.

Mr. Thomas Green has been re-elected checkweighman at
North Seaton Colliery for the 19th successive year.

The Dudley miners have decided to levy themselves 6d.
per fortnight to form a fund to assist the dependants of local
men who may fall in action.

During last month, the imports at Blyth included 874 loads
of mining timber. The exports included 281,388 tons of coal,
as against 256,690 tons during October of last year.

The ' action brought by the Butterknowle Marsfield
Collieries Limited against John Geo. Eliwood, for an injunc-
tion to restrain him from working coal leased to him by the
company, and in respect of which the company had given him
notice to cease working, has been withdrawn.

Mr. R. A. Howe has resumed his duties as manager of
Messrs. Strakers and Love’s Brancepeth and Oakenshaw
Collieries, after a long absence as a captain in the Durham
Light Infantry. Capt. Howe was wounded at the front last
March.

Fredk. Phillips, 38, hewer at Dawdon Colliery, charged at
Seaham Harbour with absenting himself from work on 21
days out of 80, was ordered to pay £5 5s. damages. It was
stated that the actual loss to the Londonderry Collieries
Limited was £24, and the chairman remarked that, if the
company had claimed full damages, he thought they would
have been awarded.

George Ludbrook, helper-up, has been fined 7s. 6d. by the
Durham county magistrates for having a lucifer match in
his possession while in Bearpark Colliery. It was stated that
it was quite possible that the match might have been over-
looked, but, at the same time, it was very important that
all care should be taken. Defendant had been in the Army,
and had only been employed at the colliery for a few weeks.

The appeals committee in connection with the Northum-
berland and Durham Miners’ Permanent Relief Fund has
been chosen asi follows :—Messrs. J. Local, G. McGuiness,
W. Shaw, J. Herriotts, E. Cooke, J. Lawson, J. Leonard,
J. Cassidy, R. Richardson, and R. Wren, representing
Durham; Messrs. J. Carr, P. McKay, F. Hogg, W. Bain-
bridge, and R. Allan, for Northumberland; Mr. J. Hodgson,
for Cumberland; and Mr. R. Tyson, for Cleveland.

Dr. T. Eustace Hill, county medical officer, reported to the
Durham County Council last week with reference to a large
number of insanitary collieiy houses in a certain part of the
county. He stated that the colliery owners had undertaken
to re-construct or repair a definite number of these hous.es
each year, but had failed to carry out the undertaking. A
large number of the houses were in a grossly insanitary
condition. The District Council, in his opinion, should take
immediate steps to arrange to obtain the land necessary for
housing schemes, so that, at the termination of the war,
immediate progress could be made.

J. Mackenzie, rolleywayman and lamp inspector at the
Lizzie pit, Burradon, was fined £5, with the option of one
month’s imprisonment, for omitting to keep locked up, when
not in use, an electrical apparatus for the re-lighting of
safety lamps. It was stated that he appeared to have been
in the habit of entrusting the key to anyone who wanted it.
It was important, in a fiery mine, that the apparatus should
be kept safe, and in the custody of a responsible person. The
manager stated that the danger lay in the fact that the lamps
were not examined, and a defective lamp might thus have
got down into the workings.

Pursuant to the provisions of the will of the late Mr. A. B.
Wilkin, Messrs. John Hudson and Company, coal exporters
and steamship brokers, Newcastle-on-Tyne, announce that a
limited company has been formed, under the name of John
Hudson and Company (Tyne and Wear) Limited, to acquire
the goodwill of the business of a coal exporter carried on by
him at Newcastle and Sunderland under the style of John
Hudson and Company, and to continue it as from May 10.
Mr. H. G. Paxton and Mr. H. Gay, who have been
associated with the business at Sunderland and Newcastle
respectively for many years past, together with the executors
of Mr. Wilkin’s will, constitute the board, Mr. H. G.
Paxton being the managing director.

At an inquest at Blyth on Tuesday, touching the death of
Alex. Gray, 44, who was killed by a fall of coal in the New
Delaval pit, Jas. Clough, a deputy, stated that he was in the
place with Gray and a man named Lawson. He considered
that the place was safe, and the men expressed themselves
as satisfied. There was as much timber as they could get,
and there was overhanging coal about 5 yds. long, with a
sprag at the loose end. Before he left, he told the men to
put another sprag in if necessary; 15 minutes later, between
three and four tons of coal fell on the men. Lawson was got
out alive, but Gray was dead. Mr. Poole, mines inspector,
remarked that he thought that Clough’s instruction as to the
sprag was not the sort of instruction that should be given to
men, and he asked Clough to be more careful in future. A
verdict of “Accidental death ’’ was returned.

When five hewers were charged, at Castle Eden on
Saturday, with having wrongfully absented themselves from
work at Easington Colliery, it was stated that the absences
on Mondays were very marked, averaging 18 per cent, of the
heweis. The average output was 4| tons per man per shift,
and, on one particular Monday a month ago, there were 180
hewers absent, so that, on this basis, the output was reduced
by between 800 and 850 tons per week. The absence of
defendants in four days represented a restriction of 22 tons of
coal. One man pleaded illnessi, and said also that he had 13
pigs to feed. The magistrates’ clerk remarked that he was
afraid that the defendant could not work in the mine and
keep pigs. Col. Burdon (chairman) said any restriction of
output was helping our enemies, and he was sure they did
not want to do that. Frederick Barber was ordered to pay
£2 10s.; Thomas Holcroft, £2; Matthew Morris, £1 10s.;
and William Parker, £2 10s., with costs in each case.

Charging four miners at Lumley New Winning Colliery
with absenteeism, Mr. Edward Bell informed the Houghton-
le-Spring magistrates that the men had consented to pay
agreed damages and costs, and he asked, therefore, that the
cases might be withdrawn on these terms, and on the dis-
tinct understanding that the men attended to their work. This
course was agreed to.—At the same court, William Bassett
and Fredk. Fenwick, putters, were charged with having
passed beyond a fence in the pit at Philadelphia. It was
stated that both were found hewing in the prohibited area.
Fenwick was fined 40s., and Bassett 20s.—A 15-year-old boy
was charged with having failed to observe the directions of

a deputy at Lumley New Winning Colliery. It was stated
that he was given charge of a pony, and ordered to take it
out-bye. He resented the order, used bad language, and,
after taking the animal a certain distance, allowed it to go
by itself. . It was struck by a set of tubs, and killed. Defen-
dant, who contended that another boy was told to take the
pony out, was fined 20s.

Cleveland.

A meeting of consumers of pig iron was held at Middles-
brough this week, at the instance of the National Light
Castings Association. It is understood that the allocation
of supplies of iron was discussed, with the view of devising
improved means of distribution. No definite decision was
arrived at, and the meeting wras adjourned for a fortnight.

Cumberland.

At Whitehaven County Court, the Moresby Coal Company
Limited applied for review of an arbitration award under the
Workmen’s Compensation Act between themselves and an
injured workman, Andrew Allan Marshall, coal hewer and
trailer. On September 10, 1910, the workman slipped and
fell whilst taking a tub off a sett, and was dragged about
6 yds. down a dip, and was awarded 18s. 4d. weekly from the
date of the accident. The present application was for termi-
nation or diminution as from September 13, 1916, on the
ground that the workman is not now suffering from the
effects of the accident. His Honour said he was of opinion
that, subject to this man working for a while to get accus-
tomed to it, he was fit to return to his ordinary work, and he
reduced the compensation to Id. a week, to keep the award
alive, so that if the man could not work, he could come back
to the court.

Yorkshire.

Mi. E. L. Bingham, of Bee, Bingham and Company, coal
factors, Doncaster, has been elevated to the magisterial bench
for the borough of Doncaster.

The financial statement of the Denaby and Cadeby
Collieries’ War Relief Fund shows that during two yeans
£10,877 has been raised, and £9,877 distributed. In regard
to the Brodsworth Colliery War Relief Fund, the committee
find it impossible to continue the original rate of allowance
to the soldiers’ dependants, and are appealing to the colliery
employees for an increase of their weekly contributions.

A meeting of the executive of the Yorkshire Miners’ Asso-
ciation was held at Barnsley, Mr. H. Smith in the chair.
The vote of the district was reported to be in favour of tend-
ing notices at the Rotherham Main No. 1 and Steetley
collieries, on account of alleged victimisation. The chair-
man said they were hopeful of amicably settling the matter.
At the Steetley Colliery a little pi ogress had been made. The
men at the Crigglestone Colliery sought permission to tender
notices owing to the non-union question. The chairman said
the executive were surprised to hear the agreement with the
coal owners on this question had not been carried out. A
deputation was appointed to request the employers to adhere
to the agreement, and failing their willingness to do so, that
notices would be tendered. The suggestion was made with
a view to avoiding similar disputes.

Lancashire and Cheshire.

A trade correspondent says a Liverpool syndicate, com-
prising several gentlemen interested in the Lancashire and
Cheshire coal trade, is about to commence boring operations
in the neighbourhood of Kenyon. According to mining and
geological experts, there are extensive coal measures in
Kenyon and surrounding localities, which are agricultural
areas so far.

At meetings of miners held on Monday in the Worsley
district, it was stated that considerably more candidates
would be put in the field in the miners’ interests at the next
General Election than had ever been the case before. Pro-
bably there would be 18 or 20 more candidates nominated,
and more seats would be contested in Lancashire, York-
shire, and the Midlands.

In his annual report, Mr. C. E. Stromeyer, chief engineer
of the Manchester Steam Users’ Association, points out that
the excellence of the quality of the majority of the coal seams
in this country is the prime cause of an enormous national
waste. Manufacturers have gradually drifted into the habit
of working with a minimum number of boilers, which have
to work at their maximum capacity, and that can only be
done if they are supplied with the very best coal. Inferior
coals are unsaleable, and, according to statements made by
mining experts, 25 per cent, of the coal in our worked seams,
and not counting thin unworked seams, if left underground,
and constitutes a colossal national waste of excellent coal
resources. As a remedy, it is suggested that manufacturers
should increase the number of boilers, and thus create a
market for the inferior coal which is not now brought to
bank.

Notts and Derbyshire.

Mark Wheatley, deputy, West Hallam Colliery, was fined
40s. and costs by the Ilkeston magistrates for using a cable
of insufficient length (17 yds., instead of 20 yds.) for shot-
firing, and for not taking proper shelter. He was seriously
injured in consequence of his own negligence.

The Military Cross has been awarded to Lieut. Reginald
Smart, of the Royal Engineers. At the outbreak of war he
was mining engineer at the Cannock and Rugeley Collieries,
and after receiving his commission, was put in charge of a
mines rescue station, and became a lecturer on tunnelling
work.

At the Dronfield Police Court, J. and J. Dyson, mine
owners, Dore, were summoned for keeping explosives without
a licence at a mine at Dore Moor. Supt. Andrew said he
called at the pit, and found 454 lb. of gelignite. In his 15
years’ experience as explosives inspector, this was the worst
case he had ever known. There was no licence, and the
gelignite, which was a high, explosive, was in a wooden box
in a cabin, which was not locked. The last licence expired
in July, and applied only to a very small quantity of explo-
sives. The firm’s explanation was that the neglect to apply
for the renewal of the licence was due to an oversight. They
were now going to build a proper magazine. A fine of £5
was imposed for the second offence, and in the first case
the magistrates ordered the payment of costs. All the
explosives were to be forfeited.

The Midlands.

Mr. William Johnson, M.P., has resigned the general
secretaryship of the Warwickshire Miners’ Association, but
he will continue to hold the position of agent. It is expected
that his son, Mr. W. Johnson, junr., will be elected general
secretary. Mr. Johnson, M.P., has held the general secre-
taryship and the position of agent since 1885.

The Upper Stour Valley Main Sewerage Board is experi-
encing great difficulty in the Old Hill district, in consequence
of mining operations. Notice has been given of further
operations. The engineer to the board (Mr. W. Fiddian)
reports that unless some provision is made to minimise the
extent of the subsidence, he anticipates much more trouble
in the future. The property has also been badly damaged,
and four houses have been taken down, whilst others are
becoming untenable.

The arbitrators to the South Staffordshire Mines Drainage
Commissioners prepared an award for the Old Hill district of
3d. per ton on fireclay or limestone, and 9d. for every ton of
ironstone, coal, slack, or other mineral. The only appeal
was made by Messrs. Maden and Sons, Blackheath, for
whom Mr. Isaac Meachem, mining engineer, appeared. He
stated that the colliery was on the top side of the Russell’s
Hall fault. It wras self-contained, and ever since it had
started had dealt with its own water. The cost of dealing
with the water was equal to 2s. 5d. a ton, and this did not
take into consideration the capital cost of putting down
pumps. At .the present time they were getting thick coal
remnants, and asked to be totally exempt from the drainage
rates. The colliery, he added, was 570 ft. above sea level,
and was, he believed, the highest colliery in England. The
appeal was granted.

Kent.

At Tilmanstone and Snowdown collieries last week, the
output of coal was over 2,500 tons for each colliery.

The deep sinking in No. 2 pit at Snowdown Colliery was
taken down last week from 2,687J ft. to 2,706 ft. The sink-
ing is now proceeding through sandstone bind.

Scotland.

Colliery Closed—Miner Soldiers—Doctors' Fees—Colliery
Managers and Mr. Smillie.

Under the auspices of the West of Scotland branch of the
Association of Mining Electrical Engineers, a series! of
practical tests and demonstrations were carried out in the
Royal Technical College, Glasgow, on Saturday afternoon.

A small colliery in the Airdrie district has been stopped by
the owners, the reason given being that it hasi not been
profitable for some time. The miners’ officials! have placed
the matter before the Ministry of Munitions, and demand an
enquiry.

It is now definitely announced that miners returned from
the Army to the collieries are free to work at any pit.
Changes of address have to be noted, so that such men can
be re-mobilised by the War Office, should the latter find it
necessary to do so.

The West of Scotland branch of the Association of Mining
Electrical Engineers have arranged to visit the new pits at
Baillieston, belonging to the Mount Vernon Coal Company
Limited, on Saturday, December 16. In the evening, a
social gathering of the members of the branch will be held
in Glasgow.

In Fife and Kinross friction has arisen between the
miners and the colliery doctors in regard .to the fees of the
latter. The doctors are treating the miners’ dependants as
private patients, and charging full fees. The miners have
referred the whole circumstances of the case to the General
Coal Organisation Committee.

In the Hamilton Sheriff Court, before Sheriff Shennan,
George Barr, colliery fireman, Larkhall, was charged with
having, on October 14, after reporting the presence of
gas in the Ell coal section of No. 1 pit, Allanton Colliery,
Ferniegair, failed to fence off all approaches to the section,
so that it could not be inadvertently entered, and to mark it
with a danger signa], with the result that two workmen
went into the section with naked lights, and were injured in
an explosion which occurred. The respondent was fined £2,
with the alternative of 10 days’ imprisonment.

A special meeting of the council of the National Associa-
tion of Colliery Managers was held on the 11th inst. in
Glasgow, Mr. Neil A. Wilkie, Bowhill (the branch presi-
dent), in the chair, to consider the reply of Mr. R. Smillie to
the protest at a general meeting held in Edinburgh on
November 4. The resolution emphatically protested against
statements alleged to have been made by Mr. Smillie at
the recent mining conference in London, to the effect that
there had been a considerable loss of output through lack
of facilities and carelessness on the part of colliery managers.
The following resolution was unanimously agreed to :—
“ The council of the Scottish branch of the National Associa-
tion of Colliery Managers notes with satisfaction that Mr.
R. Smillie has indicated that it was not his intention to
attack colliery managers generally in regard to the output of
coal, and, in (these circumstances, finds no good reason for
pursuing the matter further.’’

On September 30, 1915, Andrew Robertson, miner, Ken-
muirhill Colliery, belonging to the Glasgow Coal Company
Limited, caught a chill and, pneumonia supervening, died
on October 19. In a claim by his widow against his
employers for compensation, Sheriff-Substitute Lee, at
Airdrie, held that Robertson was injured by accident arising
out of and in the course of his employment, and awarded
£300 of compensation. On the morning of September 30,
Robertson, with his neighbour and a drawer, proceeded from
the pit bottom to their working place. Near it they were
informed by the mine fireman that they could not work in
their place owing to the presence of gas. The distance to
the pit bottom was great, and by the time ‘they arrived were
heavily sweating. An hour elapsed before they were able to
get up the shaft, and a heavy cold current of air blowing at
the nit bottom, Robertson complained of the cold. The
employers contended that these facts did not warrant the
Sheriff-Substitute's finding, and they appealed to the First
Division. The court upheld the Sheriff-Substitute’s decision,
and found respondents entitled to expenses. The Lord-
President said the incident which took place at the working
place precisely fulfilled Lord Macnaghten’s description of
an accident, that it was some unforeseen and untoward
event. The immediate and direct result of the men’s inability
to prosecute their work at the face was their return to the
pit bottom, and through the accident at the working face