December 8, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 1115 Company, 7,291; Oogies Colliery, 15,516; Transvaal and Delagoa Bay Colliery, 15,516; Tavistock Colliery, 3,185; Witbank Collieries, 22,956; Tweefontein, 1,077—total, 100,000 tons. __________________________ Australia. Newcastle Coal Exports.—During the first week in June the quantity of coal exported from Newcastle was 81,525 tons. The quantity sent to oversea countries was 22,650 tons, as follow :—Chile, 10,045; Guam, 6,750; Java, 2,100; Ocean Island, 1,450; and the balance was sent to three other countries as bunkers. The total coal exports for the month of June this year was 272,986 tons, as compared with 312,701 tons for May. Canada. Coal Mining in British Columbia in 1915. — The annual report of the Minister of Mines states that during the year 1915 there was mined in the various collieries of the province 1,972,580 tons (2,2401b.) of coal—a decrease from the preceding year of 193,848 tons—equivalent to nearly 9 per cent. The decreased coal output is undoubtedly entirely attributable to the war—not acting directly, but through the allied industries which serve as consumers for the colliery products, an illustration of the interlocking of the modern commercial businesses. The high market price of copper kept the copper smelting plants of the interior very busy, with a consequent increased demand for coke; while, on the coast, the copper -smelting plant of the Granby Com- pany at Anyox occasioned the restarting of the Canadian collieries coke ovens at Comox, where this past year 5,450 tons of coke were made. On the other hand, the market for the coast collieries was seriously affected by the diminished sales of bunker coal to ocean steamers as a result of war conditions on the Pacific Ocean steamer trade. The com- petition of fuel oil has been keenly felt, and the adoption of this fuel by the three transcontinental railways for use in British Columbia has removed a steady and growing market for coal. The following table shows the output and the per capita production of the various districts :— East Kootenay District .... Coast District..: WholePro vince District. 852,572... 1,748 ... 488 ... 1,183 ... 721 ,120,008 .. 3,230 ... 347 ... 2,512 ... 446 1,972,580... 4.978 ... 396 ... 3,695 ... 534 The production per capita increased more or less regularly up to the year 1912, but the years 1913 and 1914 snow a decrease, especially in the coast district. This decreased effectiveness, during the last few years, of the labour employed is largely due to the extension of the workings of the mines, causing a greater length of haulage and greater extent of old workings to be taken care of, but some of the increased labour is undoubtedly on account of the greater number of men employed in safeguarding the mine and work- men. In 1915 the per capita output of the East Kootenay collieries increased considerably, while that of the coast collieries showed -a further decline. The market of the East Kootenay field is provided primarily by the railways of the south-eastern part of the province and of the northern parts of the adjoining States of Montana and Washington, approxi- mately four-fifths of the coal, sold as such, being exported to those States, while the remainder went to supply the demands of the south-eastern part of the province—its domestic needs, its railways, steamboats, mines, and smelters. The competition of fuel-oil has already been referred to. Coke is sold in the same markets, with the difference that the local consumption—chiefly by the smelters of Trail and the Boundary district—took about 90 per cent, of the product, while 10 per cent, was exported to the States mentioned. As regards the marketing conditions in this field, the East Kootenay collieries are, however, brought into direct competition with the collieries of Alberta just over the provincial bound ary-line, all these collieries being in the same coal field, with practically the same grade of coal and working under similar conditions. This competition kept the price obtainable for coal at from 2-25 to 2-50 dols. a ton, with little probability of any material increase in price, owing to the facility with which new collieries can be opened up and the very large reserve areas of coal limits in that district. The coast district may be subdivided into two fields—the Nicola-Princeton field and the Vancouver Island field—in which the markets differ con- siderably. In the former field the consumption is chiefly by the local railways, while a small amount finds its way to Vancouver, even under the handicap of what seems to be an excessively high freight charge. The Vancouver Island coal market is provided by the domestic and manufacturing requirements of the coast cities, and of the ocean-going steamers calling at these ports. The demand for coal from the larger coasting steamers and from the railways has in past years diminished, as the Canadian Pacific Railway main line engines are nearly all burning California crude oil, and a large coasting steamer burning coal is now an exception. Owing to the existing conditions in the island collieries, prices have been maintained as high or higher than for preceding years; in fact, the high price of coal on the coast is one of the chief reasons for the marked increase in the use of California oil-fuel. It does not seem at all likely, either, that the present price of coal on the seaboard, of from 4 to 4-50 dols. a ton f.o.b. will decrease for some time. As in former years, the greater proportion of the coal production was made by three larger companies—the Crow’s Nest Pass Coal Company, with two collieries in East Kootenay; and by the Western Euel Company, of Nanaimo, and the Canadian Collieries (Dunsmuir) Limited (formerly the Wellington Colliery Company), these last two operating on Vancouver Island. In addition to these large collieries, shipments have been made by the Corbin Coal and Coke Company, in East Kootenay; by the Middlesbrough Collieries, the Inland Coal and Coke Company, and the Pacific Coast Coal Syndicate, all of the Nicola Valley; by the Princeton Coal and Land Company, of Princeton; and by the Pacific Coal Mines Limited, and Vancouver and Nanaimo Coal Mining Company, both operating on Van- couver Island, near Nanaimo. About half of the coal, sold as such by the collieries of the province, was consumed in British Columbia (665,244 tons), and the remaining half was exported to the United States, including Alaska (636,058 tons). Of the coke sold, about 90 per cent. (221,365 tons) was consumed in British Columbia, and the remaining 10 per cent. (24,597 tons) was exported to the United States. PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—December 4. State Control of Mines. Mr. King asked whether compensation would be paid to the owners of South Wales collieries; and whether State control would be extended to other coal fields. Mr. Pretyman said he could not add anything to the reply given by the President of the Board of Trade on November 30. Mr. Billing asked whether an audit of accounts and profits of the coal owners in South Wales would be introduced into the estimate of the Excess Profits Tax. Mr. McKenna said he must ask for notice of the question. MINING INDUSTRY AND MILITARY SERVICE. The Local Government Board has issued to the tribunals a memorandum, stating that the Government has concluded that every fit man under 26 is of more value to the country with the Forces than in civil employment, and that exemp- tions should be granted only when the man is engaged on work of high or essential national importance. An Order in Council inserts the following regulation after Regulation 45b in the Defence of the Realm Regulations :— “ The Army Council may require any person who holds, or in respect of whom an application has been made for, a certificate of exemption from military service under the Mili- tary Service Act, 1916, or otherwise, or any person who having held such a certificate is not for the time being liable to be called up for service with the Colours, to present him- self for medical examination, if such person has not already been examined by a medical board, and in accordance with the instructions of the Army Council for the time being in force, placed in a medical category.” In a circular to military tribunals, the Local Government Board, with regard to the retail and wholesale coal trade, says :—“ Mr. Long has been asked to point out that the reservation with regard to depot and wharf managers has been removed from the list of certified occupations, because it is considered that this reservation was open to abuse, and that each case can best be dealt with by the tribunals, who will be fully acquainted with the local circumstances and the importance of the business under the control of the depot and wharf manager. It is not intended that exemption should be refused to men of this kind whose services may be found to be essential.” The Durham County appeal tribunal was informed by the chief engineer of the Weardale and Consett Water Com- pany, when the military appealed against the exemption of an assistant engineer until April 26, that, unless the com- pany could keep up the supply of water, a large number of Collieries would be laid idle. Sir Frank Brown, presiding, said that if the supply of water depended upon one man, 28 years of age, and single, there was likely to be a cessation of work in the district. It was no use arguing there that, if. the man went away, the water would not be got, and collieries would be stopped. The chief engineer (Mr. Askwith) replied that things were in a most critical state. The exemption period was made terminable on January 26. The Bebside Coal Company appealed to the Blyth tribunal for the exemption of a colliery clerk, who had not been1 called up earlier because he did the military clerical work for the late Col. T. E. Jobling, who was Army representative at that court. Mr. J. Mouter, cashier to the company, explained that there were only two clerks in the office that kept the accounts and transacted the business for two collieries, at which there were 1,530 men and boys employed. The mili- tary representative asked if a woman could not do the work. Mr. Mouter said that women could not very well crawl about and under sets of coal trucks. A member of the tribunal remarked that that did not seem to be the work of a clerk. Mr. Mouter replied that that had to be done at Bebside. He added that* they could do with another clerk in the office. There was an enormous amount of work to do, and the wages bills now took much work and care. Two months’ exemp- tion was granted, and Mr. Mouter was advised to get some- one over military age, as young men such as the clerk referred to were wanted in the Army. The Chairman of the South Bank tribunal stated, at a meeting this week, that he had been requested to ask the military representative to take what steps he could to see that the persons of military age who were leading coal for the various firms engaged on war work were de-badged and not retained in any other department. It was not fair that companies should be permitted to employ these men when the tribunal was having to send master coal merchants away from the district. The military representative remarked that it would be extremely difficult. The chairman replied that, if necessary, the tribunal must petition the Ministry of Munitions. To the Durham County appeal tribunal, Messrs. Strakers and Love appealed on behalf of eight cokemen engaged at Brandon Colliery. Mr. R. L. Weeks, the colliery agent, stated that they were not unwilling for the men to go if substitutes could be found. They wanted all the cokemen they could get. The tribunal decided that two of the men who were under age would have to go, and Mr. Weeks said that, if these men were taken, it would mean that 115 tons of coke would be lost per week. Ultimately, the cases were dismissed on the understanding that none of the men would be taken until substitutes were found. A motor-’bus foreman, employed in the service between West Cornforth and Bishop Auckland, was granted condi- tional exemption by the Durham City tribunal, on the plea that, as the ’buses conveyed miners and generally met a great want on the part of the public in districts not served with railways, it was necessary to retain the man in civil employment. Exemption was refused by the Sunderland Rural tribunal to a colliery bill clerk, who was appealed for by his employers. Refusal was based on the argument that he was a single man classed for general service, and that girl clerks through- out the county were now taking up that cla?s of work. At the Swinton (Lancashire) tribunal last week, an impor- tant ruling by the Home Office and War Office in relation to colliery clerks was mentioned, when Messrs. Andrew Knowles and Sons Limited, colliery proprietors, appealed for the exemption of four clerks. It was stated that a circular had been received from the Home Office, in conjunction with the War Office, to say that the mines inspector might advise the military representative on certain cases of the clerical staff, and if it was agreed that the men were necessary, they might go before the local tribunal again. It was ultimately agreed to grant the four clerks conditional exemption. MINING AND OTHER NOTES. A new Order has been substituted for the one dated July 21 relating to aluminium and alloys of aluminium. The Order specifies the classes and descriptions of metal included as war material, and applications for a permit in connection with the same must be addressed to the Director of Materials at the Ministry of. Munitions. Messrs. Robert Warner and Company Limited, specialists in pumps for land and marine installations, notify that the business heretofore conducted in London has been trans- ferred to the company’s principal office at Walton-on-Naze, Essex. Mr. John T. Bellamy, who has been associated with the Ellistown Colliery, Leicestershire, for 24 years, has just been appointed commercial manager. Dr. J. V. Elsden, D.Sc., F.G.S., has been elected a member of the council of the Geological Society of London and also treasurer, in place of the late Mr. Bedford McNeill. A vacancy for a certifying surgeon under the Factory and Workshop Acts exists at Louth, Lincolnshire. At the annual meeting of the Engineering Employers’ Federation, Mr. A. P. Henderson, engineer and shipbuilder, Glasgow, was elected president. Mr. J. M‘Kie Bryce has been appointed secretary of the federation. The late Mr. F. D. Lambert, of Cobham, Berkshire, coal owner, left £421,528. Testator bequeathed £1,000 to the Coal Trade Benevolent Association. THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The chief feature of the week is the advance in the price of creosote. Tar also has again improved. Pitch is unaltered, and there is no further change in naphthas. Nearest values are :— Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. Benzols, 90’s ,, 90’s North .' 1/OJ ... /10F-/1U — ,, 50’s North Toluol 1/3—1/4 ... — 2/3 — Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.)... 3/4 ... — ,, crystals (40 per cent.) Solvent naphtha, south (90% at 160 1/3 ... — degs.), as in quality and package Solvent naphtha, north (90% at 160 degs.), as in quality and package 2/3 1/10—1/11 ... — Crude naphtha, north (in bulk) /6i—/6f ... — Creosote (for ordinary qualities) /3-/3i ... + H Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) 16/—17/ ... — ,, (f.a.s. west coast) Tar (per ton ex works) 15/—15/6 ... — 17/6—21/6 ... + /6 [Benzols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at maker's works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch f.o.b. net.] Sulphate of Ammonia. — The market is firm, and the demand for export so persistent, that £20 may very reason- ably be named for next month. Exports for the past week were about 2,800 tons. Dr. Sommerville’s idea of compelling farmers by law to use sulphate is a striking admission of the hopelessness of trying to educate them. When those who grow sugar and foodstuffs in Java, Spain, and France for our use willingly pay £20 per ton, and the farmer here will not use it when reserved for his use at £5 per ton less, why not let the State buy 100,000 tons (as it did nitrate of soda, which never got here) and give it to farmers on condition that it must be applied to two or three of the crops which experience has proved profit most by its use? Current prices are :— Rise (+) or fall (-) on the week. London (ordinary makes) ... £18 — Beckton (25 per cent.) £17/2/6 — Liverpool £18/2/6—£18/5 ... +2/6 Hull £17/17/6 — Middlesbrough £17/16/3 ... +1/3 Scotch ports £18/5—£18/10 ... +2/6 Wales £18—£18/5 ... +2/6 Nitrate of soda (ord) per cwt 18/3 — [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2| per cent, discount; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality: allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.] THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. Business has fallen off the last few days. Prices are firm, and as the restrictions in regard to supplies of raw materials and labour are becoming more drastic, it is difficult to see how lower quotations than those ruling to-day can be looked for. For class A work quotations may be called :—Coke tins : IC 14 x 20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 27s. per box and up; IC 28 x 20 (112 sh. 2161b.), 54s. per box and up. IC squares and odd sizes, 27s. 3d. basis and upwards. Stock plates are realising much higher prices. For example, as much as 66s. has been paid for I C 28 X 20. Coke wasters are firm, at the following rates : C W 14 x 20, 29s. 6d. per box and up; C W 28 x 20, 59s.; CW 14 x 18J, 30s. 6d. Charcoal tins are firm, at 30s. basis and upwards, according to finish. All f.o.b., less 4 per cent. South African Coal Export Trade.—H.M. Trade Com- missioner in South Africa reports (Board Of Trade Journal) that the recent expansion of the South African coal industry, in spite of increased railway rates, is noteworthy. During September, 895,014 tons of coal were mined in the Union, valued at £245,845. This constitutes a record, and repre- sents an increase in value of £4,700 over the August output. A new export trade in this commodity has sprung up as a result of war conditions, which have sent many vessels to South African ports for bunker and cargo coal. There is every prospect that if this temporary advantage be followed up, a thriving export trade on permanent lines will be built up.