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THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

December 22, 1916.

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.

Aldershot, January 2.—1,000 tons small pea or bean
coal. Forms from electrical engineer, Laburnum-road,
Aidershot.

Birkenhead, December 29. — Coal for the Guardians.
Forms from the clerk, Offices, Con way-street.

Grimsby, January 1.—Steam coal (12 months) for Corpor-
ation departments. Particulars from the borough surveyor,
170, Victoria-street.

Leith, January 3.—6,000 or 12,000 tons washed singles
(six or 12 months) for the Electricity Department. Forms
from the town clerk.

Oxford, December 27. — Good screened cobbles (six
months) for Corporation. Tenders to the town clerk.

Powick, December 28.—Coal for the Worcester Asylum.

Forms from the storekeeper.

York, January 1.—Coal for the Guardians. Forms from
the clerk, 1, Museum-street.

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

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, KRON
AND STEEL WORK, Ac.

Durban, January 3.—Steam Turbine, etc.—3,000kw.
steam turbine, alternator, and condensing plant, for the
Corporation. Forms from the borough electrical engineer,
Municipal Buildings, Durban.

London, December 29.—Fishplates.—5,000 pairs of fish-
plates for rails for the Trinidad Government Forms from
Gregory, Eyles and Waring, 12, Dean’s-yard, Westminster.
Tenders to 4, Millbank, Westminster.

Wigan, January 8.—Wagon.—For 30 horse-power motor
tower wagon. Particulars from the general manager, Cor-
poration Tramways, Market-place.

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

At the north-east coast, collier tonnage is in rather
improved supply this week, and collieries, although handi-
capped by very wintry weather, are being enabled to over-
take some of their arrears of shipment. Very little fresh
business is possible at present, coal stocks being mainly
“ mortgaged ” by past sales, with the result that outward
chartering is very limited. The main variation in freights is
found in the case of coke rates for North French ports, those
to Dieppe being from Is. to Is. 6d. higher on the week,
those to Rouen from Is. to 3s. advanced, those to Dunkirk
and Calais steady, whilst those to the North French Range
are weaker. Coasting business for coal cargoes is now being
done at an advance of Is. to London from the Tyne. The
“ unrestricted ” Mediterranean is unaltered. The River
Plate, too, is steady. The Baltic is based on about 32 kr.
to Gothenburg, with Copenhagen done at 35 kr. At South
Wales, the tonnage position is less satisfactory. Suitable
vessels are very scarce, and only a few fixtures are reported
on the week. Business done at Cardiff shows that Gibraltar
and Huelva are markedly dearer, that the River Plate has
declined to from 2s. fid. to 3s. 6d., that Djibouti and Lisbon
are steady, and that Barcelona is stronger.

The beggarly amount of tonnage available for “ limited ”
directions is giving shippers “ furiously to think.” Whilst
rates for other ports remain so unreasonably high, it is not
in human nature to expect ship owners, especially neutrals,
to forego their harvest by diverting boats into those trades
in which rates are fixed. At all events, boats are not forth-
coming in sufficient volume, and it is doubtful whether mere
” moral suasion ” will suffice to cause’ them to materialise.
The refusal of bunker supplies might assist, however. The
Cardiff Coal Exports Committee has had a conference, at
which, also, the secretary of the Central Executive Com-
mittee for the United Kingdom was present, along with
representatives from the Tyne and -Swansea, and has decided
to allocate all tonnage so as to deal more effectively with
the awkward situation by this shortage. The conference
decided also that the scheduled rates of freight ought to be
increased, so as to cover more adequately the war insurance
costs, “ which press very heavily upon all ship owners.”
Probably, the owners would also like an increase in the
limited freights, so as to cover all increases in their charges
for labour, bunkers, and so on, so as to leave their extor-
tionately high freights all profit! The Licensing Committee
has intimated that licences will not be required for vessels
of less than 500 tons gross.

Tonnage is scarce in most of the homeward markets. The
River Plate is based on from .140s. to 145s. from up-river
ports to United Kingdom, and from 135s. to 140s. from
down-river ports, a hardening of 2s. 6d. and 5s. respectively
on the week. At the United States, wheat tcnnage is being
taken up at the unchanged rate of 16s. 6d. to French ports
from Philadelphia or Baltimore, and 18s. 6d. to West Italy.
Net charter tonnage is being sought at 130s. from the same
two ports to French Atlantic destinations. The coal rate
from Virginia to the Plate is fully 75s., at which price,
indeed, there are few takers. Tonnage at Far Eastern ports
commands very high figures, owing to the paucity of shipping
facilities. Madras Coast to Mediterranean with kernels is
mentioned at from 300s. to 320s. Saigon-Haiphong to the
same destination with rice is quoted at from 265s. to 280s., a
considerable increase on the week. Bombay to United
Kingdom on d.w. basis is listed at from 230s. to 235s., a
fall of from 5s. to 10s. Similar business from Kurrachee is
stated at about 165s., which shows no alteration on the
week. Nitrate ports quote 125s. to Vladivostock, and 175s.
to Mediterranean. The Mediterranean ore ports are very
firm.

Tyne to Buenos Ayres, 2,000, 55s.; Barcelona, 3,000,
57s. 6d.; 4,000 , 60s.; 3,800, 60s.; Calais, 550 and 500,
45s. 6d., coke; 350, 45s. fid., coke, voyages over six months;
Copenhagen, 2,000, 35 kr.; Dieppe, 350, 49s. fid., coke; Dun-
kirk, 550 and 500, 45s. 6d., coke; 350, 45s. 6d., coke,
voyages over six months; 300, 45s., coke; Dakar, 2,000,
45s.; Gothenburg, 2,000, 32 kr.; Gibraltar, 3,500, 50s.;
4,800, 50s.; Lisbon, 2,900, 50s.; 2,000, 52s. 6d.; London,
1,200, 16s.; Malaga, 2,800, 57s. 6d.; North French Range,
400, 49s., coke; 500, 47s. 6d., coke; 750 and 700, 47s. 6d.,
coke; 650, 47s. 6d., coke; 750, 47s. 6d., coke; 400, 45s.,
coke; Rio de Janeiro, 5,000, 60s.; Rouen, 400, 49s., coke;

600, 49s., coke; River Plate, 5,500, 55s.; 3,000, 55s.; St.
Vincent, 2,500, 45s.

Cardiff to Buenos Ayres, 57s. 6d., January; Barcelona,
4,000, 60s.; 1,200, 60s. fid.; 4,800, 60s.; 2,000, 60s.:
Djibouti, 4,000, 85s.; Gibraltar, 2,000 , 50s., urgent
delivery; 1,250, 52s. 6d.; Huelva, 2,200, 42s. 6d., Dec. 30;
1,200, 47s. 6d., January; Kotonon, 2,400 , 60s., patent fuel;
Lisbon, 3,000, 50s., 500; 1,600, 50s., 500; 2,500, 50s., 500;
Malaga, 1,500, 52s. 6d.; Plymouth, 500, 17s. 6d.; River
Plate, 4,800 , 60s., 500; 1,285 , 52s. 6d.; Seville, 1,200, 50,
January.

Newport to Gibraltar, 1,000 , 52s 6d., 500; Lisbon, 1,500,
50s.; Huelva, 1,200 , 47s. 6d., option Seville, 50s., early
January.

Hull to Norikoping, 800, 35 kr.; Rouen, 1,400, 2fis. 6d.;
Cette, 1,700, 64s. 6d.; 65s.; Malaga, 2,300, 60s., 400, Is.;
Gothenburg, 2,000, 33 kr.

Humber to Norrkoping, 900, 35 kr.; Gothenburg, 1,500,
35 kr.

Wales to Caen, 310, 46s. 6d., bricks, two voyages.

Swansea to Dublin, 210, 15s.; Cette, 1,700, 64s. 6d.; Hon-
fleur, 900, 24s.

Grimsby to Malaga, 2,300, 60s., 400, Is.; Gothenburg,
2,000, 33 kr.

Port Talbot to Kotonon, 2,400, 60s., patent fuel.

COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES.

REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS.

Coventry Chain Company Limited.—The directors state
that they are unable to submit the accounts usually presented
to the annual meeting, but they are satisfied, upon the report
of the auditors, that the company has made sufficient profit
to justify them in recommending a dividend of 7 per cent.,
less income-tax, on the ordinary shares, making 10 per cent,
for the year, and a bonus of 5 per cent., less tax.

Desford Coal Company Limited.—The directors have
declared an interim dividend of 20 per cent, (actual), free
of tax, the same ais a year ago.

Haggie (R. Hood) and Son Limited.—The report for the
year ended October 31 last states that, including £15,192
brought forward, and after making provision for estimated
liabilities to the Government, there is an available profit of
£80,480. The directors recommend a dividend on ordinary
shares at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, free of tax, of
which 5 per cent, was paid in July last, and a bonus of 2s.
per share, free of tax: to transfer £10,000 to reserve; to
write off capital expenditure to the amount of £10,000; and
to carry forward £40,480.

Kayser, Ellison and Company Limited. — The directors
announce an interim dividend on the ordinary shares at the
rate of 5s. per share, free of tax, for the six months ending
31st inst., payable 1st proximo.

Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company Limited.—The directors
have declared a final dividend of 25s. per share, less tax, on
the ordinary shares.

Nantyglo and Blaina Iron Works Company Limited.—
The report for the year ended September 30 last states that
the net amount received from royalties and wayleaves is
£35,751, and from rent of land and houses and other sources
of income £5,096, making a total of £40,848. The directors
have paid since their last report two instalments of divi-
dend on account of arrears of dividends upon the preference
shares amounting to £35,000, namely, on April 13 £3 per
share, and on November 14 £4, making together £7 per
share, which is an increase of £1 per share over that paid
in the corresponding period of last year. The output of coal
and other minerals has been 1,367,283 tons. The amount
allowed for depreciation of the properties for the year is
£4,000, which, with the income from investments, £1.281,
has been added to reserve for depreciation account.

Wankie Colliery Company Limited.—The report for the
year ended August 31 last states that the operations for the
period under review, after allowing for depreciation, have
resulted in a profit of £57,730. The directors recommend
the declaration of a dividend of 12| per cent, for the year,
less income tax. The sales of coal and coke amounted to
304,628 tons and 45,964 tons respectively. The following
information has been extracted from the manager’s annual
report :—During the 12 months under review the amount of
work done underground has been as follows : Mine develop-
ment, main drives, 5,397 yds.; yardage cut in stalls.
8,669 yds.; yardage cut in stentonts, 3,891yds.—making a
total of 17,957 yds. From this work 459,957 tons have been
mined and raised to the surface.

NEW COMPANIES.

Nicholson (Richard) Limited.—Private company. Regis-
tered December 14. To acquire and take over the business
of a furnishing and general ironmonger, colliery factor, etc.,
carried on by Sarah Ann Brown at Castleford, Yorkshire.
Nominal capital, £2,500 in 2,500 £1 shares. Directors :
Sarah A. Brown and A. Brown.

This list of new companies is taken from the Daily
Register specially compiled by Messrs. Jordan and Sons
Limited, company registration agents, Chancery-lane, E.C.

Coal Supply from Ireland. — At a meeting of the Irish
Parliamentary Party on Monday,* it was decided to ask the
Government to provide light railway facilities at A thy,
co. Kildare, where there are considerable coal quarries, in
order to develop the coal trade in Ireland. It was stated
that if light railways were constructed there would be a
considerable supply of coal available for the Irish market.

Coal Mining in Siberia.—A description of coal mining work
in Siberia formed part of the speech of the chairman, Mr. L.
Urquhart, at the meeting of the shareholders of the Irtysh
Corporation in London. He said that the Ekibastens coal
basin presented great possibilities. The reserves consisted
of hundreds cf millions of high quality coal, which produced
a strong coke. The locality had a well!-equipped railway,
which ran to the mines. Coal mining and coke making
were being extended. The chairman’s remarks were con-
firmed by Mr. F. Moore, who said that the corporation had
28 square miles of a coal field—something like the coal field
in South Wales—with a seam 230 ft. thick. Taking three
seams with an aggregate thickness of 14 ft., they would have
a proved coal area containing 404 million tons of coal. They
knew, therefore, that they could expect the million tons a
year for 400 years.

ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS
RECENTLY ACCEPTED.

14657 (1915). Improvements in Steam Superheaters for
Tubular Boilers. J. G. Robinson, of Mere Bank, Fairfield,
Manchester.—Consists in an improvement in the superheater
of patent No. 24172/15, and has for its object to provide a
construction of superheater which may be employed with
boilers in which smoke tubes of small diameter are provided
to receive the U-loop pipes of the superheater. The draw-
ing shows a superheater in front elevation and partly in
section, with the majority of the superheater pipes omitted.
The header, to which the saturated steam inlet and super-
heated steam outlet or deliver ends of the superheater
elements or pipes are connected, consists of a box 1, divided
into two parallel longitudinal chambers by a suitable parti-
tion or wall, preferably integral with the header. Openings
5 are provided in the top of the header for giving access to
the saturated and superheated steam chambers therein on
removal of cover plates 6, provided on the top of the header,
which is so formed as to provide sloping faces with flanges

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and transverse bridge pieces, to which the cover plates are
secured by studs and nuts. The smoke tubes 50 are of
small diameter (3 in. or thereabouts), and arranged in six
horizontal rows, and in vertical alignment with each other.
Each superheater pipe comprises a plurality of U-loop por
tions, 11, 11a, and 11b, extending into two or more smoke
tubes of a vertical row, there being preferably two such
U-loop portions of each element extending one into each of
two adjacent smoke tubes in the respective vertical row, the
U-loop pipes of an element in adjacent smoke tubes being
connected in series by a U-bend or connection 12. The
saturated steam inlet end portion and the superheated steam
outlet end portion 14a of the element having the U-loop pipes
or portions 11 extending into adjacent smoke tubes, one in
the uppermost horizontal row, and the other in the next hori-
zontal row below, are preferably so formed and arranged as
to be situated one behind the other in the same transverse
vertical plane of the header. (Four claims.)

15084 (1915). Process and Apparatus for Converting
Heavy Petroleum Oils into Light Oils. M. J. Trumble, of
1918, Santee-street, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.—Relates
to the provision of a process and apparatus by which petro-
leum oils of high specific gravity may be converted into oils
of much lower specific gravity. The process is continuous,
a definite volume of heavy oil 'being maintained in rapid
motion at a cracking temperature through apparatus form-
ing a closed ring, light oil vapours being removed as fast
as formed, and fresh oil continually supplied to take the
place of the vapours withdrawn, so that the volume of oil
in the closed ring is maintained practically constant. The
apparatus consists of a heating coil, a vapour releaser, a
settling tank, dephlegmators, and a condenser. A circu-
lating pump delivers oil from the settling tank to the coil,
whilst crude oil is delivered to the coil from a tank by a
make-up pump, and heavy oil, with its included solids, is
drawn from the settling tank by a relief pump. The heat-
ing coil is placed in a furnace, and consists of a series of
pipes joined into a continuous coil by pipe fittings. An inlet
tee and an outlet elbow are secured on either end of the coil.
Oil burners extend into the furnace, being fed with fuel
from a fuel supply pipe. The vapour releaser consists of a
shell with a top and a conical bottom. A hot mixture pipe
discharges through the top, being connected to a pressure
control valve, which is connected to the outlet elbow. Deflect-
ing cones are secured on perforated pipe members, which are
connected by tees to vapour outlet pipes. These latter pass
through the shell, a tight joint being ensured by flanges.
The cones leave a small annular space between their outer
edge and the inner wall of the shell. The settling tank con-
sists of a shell having a tight top and a conical bottom. A
residuum outlet pipe connects the bottom of the releaser with
the top of the settling tank. An outlet is provided in the
side of the tank, a pipe connecting this outlet with a circu-
lating pump. A pipe connects the pump with the inlet tee,
to which is also connected the crude oil inlet pipe. A vapour
column connects the vapour outlet pipes to the lower portion
of the first of a series of dephlegmators, in which a series of
condensation plates are provided, having staggered openings
with a raised lip, so that condensates can collect on top of
each plate. (Eight claims.)

16076 (1915). Improvements in Means for Arresting
Vehicles on Inclined Railways. J. R. L. Allott, of Avenue
Villa, Kidsgrove; and E. Dean, of Mount Pleasant, Kids-
grove, Stoke-on-Trent.—Has reference to safety sustaining
gear for inclined rope railways and the like where the trams
or carriages are raised and lowered by ropes cr chains. The
object is to provide devices which are normally kept out of
action, but which, should the rope break, or the brakes on
the drum fail to act, or the engineman from any cause lose
control of his engine, shall fall into action automatically,
and prevent the vehicles running back. Fig. 1 is a side
elevation, and fig. 2 a plan view of the safety or brake
carriage. The carriage comprises a frame 1, having wheels
5 and axles 6 journalled in the bearings 7, the said frame
having a cradle member 8 at its rear end. The carriage is
provided with a pair of arms 3, 4, which are so pivoted
together scissors fashion by the horizontal spindle 2 that
normally they are closed towards one another, but when
operated they open outwards, the end of one of them
digging into the ground, and the end of the other digging