36

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

January 5, 1917.

shipping ports, with Methil (Fife) next, giving 1,682,670
tons:; and Leith (Lothians) third, with 1,363,931 tons. Ayr
is fourth, with Ayrshire coal to the extent of 1,013,244 tons.

A dividend of 10 per cent, is being paid on the ordinary
shares of the Manor-Powis Coal Company, Stirlingshire, for
the past year.

During the past year five companies were registered under
the limited liability laws in Scotland in Connection with the
coal trade, representing a capital of -£62,000, as compared
with eight in 1915, with an aggregate capital of £184,500.

No fewer than 150 colliery managers, all in possession of
first-class certificates of competency, and holding full mana-
gerial appointments throughout Scotland, have signified will-
ingness to enrol in the new union. The new organisation,
which is quite separate and distinct from the Scottish branch
of the National Association of Colliery Managers, is to be
run entirely on trade union lines. The promoters make no
‘ secret of their intention to prosecute their demand for
increased remuneration, even to the extent of declaring a
strike if that step is considered necessary. Already the
under-managers throughout Scotland have banded them-
selves in a strong union, with the avowed object of improv-
ing not only their status, but of increasing their emoluments.
A suggestion has been made that the under-managers and
managers might combine in an effort to enforce their demands
from the owners. That the managers are bent on pushing
their claim to the utmost limit is proved by the fact that at
a meeting in Glasgow a proposal was hailed with enthusiasm
that', if considered necessary, the managers would, as trade
unionists, call for the intervention on their side of Mr.
Robert! Smillie and the miners of the Country.

Sheriff Dron Leslie and a jury last week held a public
enquiry in Stirling Sheriff Court concerning the death of J.
McIntyre Steel, coal-cutting machineman, Longeroit. Thos.
Lucas, mining surveyor in the employment of the Banknock
Coal Company, produced a plan of Livingstone pit, Bank-
nock, in which the accident took place. The deceased, he
explained, was employed along with some other men cutting
a new ventilation road, when the machine cut into an old
working, in which’there was an accumulation of water. The
plans of this part of the mine were defective. Witness sub-
mitted the plan they were working from, and a correct plan
showing the actual state of the workings. The first plan
showed 50 ft. of coal between the working, party and the old
dock, whereas there was nothing at all. Wm. Barr, agent
of the company, said there had been a change of managers
lately at the colliery. All the plans had recently been care-
X fully compared with the workings, and this was the only
instance where there had been a mistake. J. Curragh,
ovefsman, deposed that on the day of the accident he thought
the men were 55 ft. from the old workings. Their, calcula-
tions in that connection were wrong. The dook they cut
into was last worked in 1913. Witness could only account
for a discrepancy between the plans and the workings by
saying that there must have been some error in the measure-
ment or in the survey. A formal verdict was returned.

In Hamilton Sheriff Court, Jonas Maluloitus, a Polish
miner, admitted that he had in his possession in Parkhead
' Colliery, Bellshill, nine cartridges of gelignite, which had
not been provided bv the management. The Fiscal said that
this was a bad case in respect that the accused had these
explosives in his possession for a considerable period, and
had kept them at home. In addition, the accused was an
alien. He was fined £3, or 15 days’ imprisonment. — J.
Hamilton, J. Forrest, and F. Carty, mnUrs, were charged
with having on December . 8 in the main haulage road of
No.- 2 pit, Stane Colliery, in which mechanical haulage was
being used, ridden on a train of tubs. , Each of the accused
admitted the offence, and was fined £1, or five days’
imprisonment. .

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The Federation executive, at its last meeting, had a depu-
tation from the Avon Valley and the Western District, who
asked that out-of-work allowances should be made to men
who’had been rendered idle because of ' the shortage of
wagons; and it was decided that consideration of the matter
should be deferred until the next meeting.—A complaint
from, the Risca workmen, who desired to tender notices
because they were not satisfied with the way in which house
coal was delivered, was remitted to the Conciliation Board.
Income-tax abatement in respect of train fares incurred by
men'living at a distance from the collieries came under dis-
cussion, and the miners’ agents in the various districts were
instructed to interview the surveyor of taxes on the subject.
—The general secretary, Mr. T. Richards, M.P., was
directed to communicate with the Inter-Departmental. Com-
mittee, with a view to secure information as to Government
control of mines.—From the Dowlais district a deputation
attended, and submitted particulars with regard to the’low
rate of wages which they stated are paid to banksmen and
some of the surface workers. It was decided that another
attempt should be made by approach to the employers to
secure some improvement in this respect.

The Rhymney Valley miners, at Bargoed, had before them
a report from their agent that three price-lists in the dis-
trict' had been unanimously accepted by the men, and had
been signed. With regard to the control of . the mines by
the Government, the aisfent (Mr. W. Lewis) said that,
although the full effect of the control order was -not yet
clearly defined, it was pretty evident that workmen would
not be subject to penal consequences, nor Would they come
under the provisions of the Munitions Act. The. anxiety
upon those two points might now be cleared away. A state-
ment was made that soldiers’ wives had had to pay 23s. per
• ton for coal, and that they “ had to go begging for food ” ;
and-.the meeting -resolved to take action in the matter—
favouring a suggestion that the Government, now that they
had control of the mines, should supply the soldiers’ wives
gratuitously, or at rates which the miners paid for it.

It is estimated that on the day for resuming work in the
South Wales collieries, namely, Wednesday of last week,
there was a fair attendance as compared with previous years
—the absentees ranging at about 25 per cent, in the Rhondda
and Merthyr areas, whilst on the Monmouthshire side
scarcely more than half the men started.

The veteran miners’ leader, Mr. W. Abraham, M.P.
(Mabon), has been laid aside for some time past, and at his
advanced age his illness has occasioned disquiet. He is,
however, stated to ha/ve shown improvement in health this
week, although not yet able to leave the house.

North of England.

At a special general meeting of the members of the North-
umberland Colliery Enginemen and Firemen’s Association,
held last Saturday, the county coal owners’ offer with refer-
ence to the hours and wages of colliery firemen and main
line locomomotive drivers was unanimously accepted, and
the undertaking, given by the association’s Wages Board to
the coal owners was ratified. The owners, it will be
recalled, conceded an eight-hour shift to colliery firemen,
with an increase in the basis wage from 3s. to. 3s. 2d. per
day, provided that satisfactory arrangements could be made
regarding the working conditions after the new shift came
into operation, so as to overcome the difficulties caused by
the alteration, of, shifts at the collieries. The locomotive
men on main lines were offered a 10-hour shift. This latter
offer was only accepted by the association conditional on
further consideration being given to the claims of the branch
line and miscellaneous workmen. The concession comes into
operation on January 15.

Returns received by the Northumberland Miners’ Associa-
tion show that during December the steam coal pits of the
county worked an average of 5-067 days per week, as against

4-	93 in November; and that the household coal collieries
worked an average of 5-38 days per week, as compared with

5-	21,wdays.	The total average was 5-17 days per week,

as against 5-035, an all-round improvement.

The wages committee of the Northumberland Miners’
Association has issued to the branches a circular stating its
views with reference to the present position of the coal
market, with especial regard to the reduction of 11 per cent,
in wages. . The substance of the circular appeared in our
last issue; In accordance with the arrangement with the
coal owners on November 4 last, the minimum, wages, as
■fixed by Lord Mersey,, will be raised by 35 per cent., instead
of 40^- per cent., as at present,, and will be as follow :—
Datal boys : 14 to 15 years of age, 2s., raised to 2s. 8-4d.;
15 to 16, 2s. 4d., raised to 3s. l-8d.; 16 to 17, 2s. 8d., raised
to 3s. 7’2d.; 17 to 18, 3s., raised to 4s. 0-6d.; 18 to 19,
3s. 4d., raised to 4s. 6d.; 19 to 20, 3s. 8d., raised to
4s. ll-4d.; and 20 to 21, 4s., raised to 5s. 4-8d. Boy piece-
workers : Those under 19 years, 4s., raised to 5s. 4-8d.;
from 19 to 20, 4s. 3d., raised to 5s. 8-85d.; and from 20 to
21 years, 4s. 6d., raised to 6s. 0-9d. Datal men, 4s. 9d.,
raised to 6s. 4-95d. Men pieceworkers : Where finding their
own. explosives, 5s.: 8d., raised to 7s.' 7-8d.;. and where not
finding explosives, -5s. 6d., raised to 7s. 5-ld. It should be
noted that these wages are only minimum wages, and pay-
able only when they are less than ordinary basis wages, plus
the county percentage.	■	_

" Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

The Iron and Steel Workers’. Wages Board for South
'Wales and Monmouthshire received the result of the joint
audit of accounts for the three months ended November 30,
and this showed that the selling price of tin 'bars and steel
rails had an increase of 4| per cent. Upon this the
employers offered an increase of wages of 2J per cent., but
the men’s representatives were not able to give a decision
until after the offer had been submitted to the workmen. In
November 1915, when the average selling price of tin bars
and steel rails had increased from £6 10s. per ton to
£7 2s. Id., the equivalent of 12 per cent, increase, the men.
were granted a war bonus of 2s... Later on, when the sell-
ing, price showed an increase of 27 per cent., they received
an.increase of 15 per cent. Subsequently, 10| per cent, was
awarded by Judge O’Connor, when the selling price was 24|
per cent, higher, and after the last audit ,the Committee on
Production awarded an increase of 7 per cent. It is. stated
that the employers now base their offer of 2| per cent, upon
thi-s latest award of the Committee, on Production. The
average selling price during the three months specified had
risen to £10 12s. 2d.

The Dowlais lodge of the steel workers, at their meeting,
decided against accepting the offer of 2J per cent, increase
of wages which has been made on behalf of the employers.
Other lodges ha/ve held their. meetings, . and if the majority
are against the acceptance, the question goes to arbitration.

THE AMERICAN COAL TRADE.

Golder weather caused a sharp -recovery in bituminous
quotations, and the general level is abnormally high. Car
shortage .is still a serious factor. : In the Boston market,
Clearfields is quoted 4-75 to 5-75 dols., and Cambridge and
Somerset 5-25 to 6-25 dols. f.o.b. mines. - Pocahontas and
New River are quoted at 7 to 7*50 dols. f.o.b. Norfolk, and
Newport News, Va., for spot coal, and 9-50 to lOdols. on
cars, Boston and Providence, for inland delivery.

Philadelphia, reports quote 6 to 6*25 dols. for Georges
Creek Big Vein and Fork Miller Vein. For Clearfield
(ordinarv) and Somerset (ordinary), the quotation .is 5*25
to 5-30 dols. Operating interests in Baltimore are holding
firm on quotations to the trade, which are about as follow :
Georges Creek, Tyson, 6dols.; Somerset, 5-50dols.; South
Fork, 5-25 to 5-50 dols.; Clearfield, 5-50 dols.; Quema-
honing, 5-50 dols.; Latrobe, 5 dols.; Freeport, 5 dols.; Fair-
mont gas, three-quarters, 5 dels.; mine-run, 4-75 dols.;
slack, 4-50 dols.

The anthracite market has stiffened owing to the cold snap
(says the Coal Age). The prices per gross ton f.o.b. car
mines for line shipments . are :—Broken, 3-60 dols.; egg,
4-15 dols.; stove, 4*10 dols.; nut, 4-50 dols.; pea, 2-80 dols. ;
buck, 2 dols.; rice, 1-25 dols.; boiler, 1-10 dols.; and barley,
Idol.

The situation is easier‘at Hampton Roads, and prices have
declined. Shipments are principally on contract account.

The freight market is firmer, and the “ peace talk,’’ con-
trary to expectations, has not had any influence on the market.
Export orders are accumulating, and very few steamers are
obtainable. Six clearances for Italy are reported.

Spot foundry coke was bought freely at 10 dols., and one
prominent seller opened by quoting 12 dols., expecting that
level to be reached very shortly. Coke movement is* not
interfered with by embargoes nearly as much as coal move-
ment. Many of the blast furnaces are short of coke.

Positions for certifying surgeons under the Factory and
Workshops Acts are vacant at Hull, Lydbrook (Gloucester-
shire), and Esher (Surrey).

Grimsby Coal Exports.—The exports of coal from Grimsby
during the week ended December 29 totalled 3,789 tons.
During the corresponding week of 1915 there were no exports
of coal.

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.

Leeds, January 6.—The Leeds Corporation invite tenders
for the supply of steam coal (small nuts, slack, or similar
material) to the Electricity Department during the half-year
ending September 30, 1917, or the year ending March 31,
1’918. Conditions of contract and forms of tender may be
had on application to the Electricity Department, 1, White-
hall-road, Leeds. Tenders, in sealed envelopes, endorsed
“ Electricity—Tender for coal,’’ must be delivered to Sir
Robert Fox, town clerk, at Pearl-buildings, East-parade,
Leeds, on or before Saturday, January 6. The Corporation
do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any of the
tenders sent in.

Abstracts of Contracts Open.

Framlingham (Suffolk), January 3.—Coal for Children’s
Homes. Forms from the Guardians’ clerk, A. Gard, 19,
St. Aubyn-street, Devonport.

Sligo, January 8.—400 tons, in one or two cargoes, of
best screened Scotch or other good steam coal, delivered
before February 12, for the Sligo District Lunatic Asylum.
Tender forms on application at the Office of the Asylum.

Staunton-on-Wye, January 10.—Coal for the Trustees
of Jarvis Charity. Tenders bo R. James, clerk, St aunton-
on-Wye.

Warrington, January 12. — Coal for the Warrington
Education Committee. Forms from Mr. J. M. Murray,
M.Sc., Education Office, Warrington.

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

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

Hornsey, January 8.—Stores.—Iron and steel, etc. (one
or three years) for the Town Council. Forms from the
borough engineer, Town Hall, South wood-lane, Highgate.

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

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

There has been exceedingly little doing in the outward coal
freight market this week so far, the influence of the holidays
being slow to depart — especially on the north-east coast,
Where the New Year holidays are celebrated quite as thor-
oughly as are those of Christmas. The few fixtures reported
done on the “ coast ’’ demonstrate that the market is sub-
stantial!” steady, the Baltic being a little stronger. Coast-
ing business is based on 16s. from Tyne to London. The
Baltic is represented by 33 kr. to Drammen, and 37 kr. to
Gothenburg. The Cape Verds Islands have been fixed for
at from 42s. to 45s., with the Canaries at 37s. 6d. The
Mediterranean direction is represented by id’s. 6d. to
Gibraltar, and the River Plate by 60s. North French coke
freights are based on from 43s. 6d. to 44s. to Rouen. At
South Wales, the market is somewhat variable. The
“ unrestricted ” Mediterranean has been done at a reduction
of 2s. 6d., Cardiff to Barcelona, whilst, on the other hand,
Gibraltar is 2s. 6d. cheaoer, and Lisbon is steady. South
American business is represented by a fixture to Rio de
Janeiro at 60s., and the Cape Verds by 42s. 6d. to St.
Vincent. '

The homeward markt is very dull just, now, mainly on
account of the tonnage dearth. The River Plate is quiet, at
the somewhat weaker quotation of from 140s. to 145s. to
United,Kingdom from.upper ports. At the States, a handy-
sized vessel has been chartered for Savannah loading to
Liverpool, at 265s., Jan.-Feb. Net form business is repre-
sented by from 165s. to 170s. from Northern Range to Medi-
terranean, with the Gulf quoted at 155s. to French ports,
and 165s. to West Italy. For grain -shipment, Philadelphia
or Baltimore to French Atlantic is mentioned at 16s. 6d.,
with from 18s. to 18s. 6d. for Mediterranean discharge. Coal
tannage from Virginia to the Plate/is quoted at 75s. The
Eastern market is fairly firm. Kurrachee to United Kingdom
is quoted at 165s., and Bombay to.United Kingdom at 230s.
.For kernels from Madras to France, 300s. is mentioned.
Saigon-Haiphong'to France with rice is steady, at 265s.

Tyne to Drammen, 650, 33 kr.;-Gibraltar, 2,500, 46s. 6d.;
Gothenburg, 1,250, 37 kr.; Las Palmas, 2,000 and 1,800,
37s._ 6d.; London, 2,000, 16s.; River Plate, 4,000, 60s.;
Rouen, 1,700, 44s.coke; 1,700, 43s. 6d., coke; St. Vincent,
Cape Verds, 4,700 , 42s. ; 2,000, 45s.; Teneriffe, 2,000 and
1,800, 37s.. 6d.

Cardiff, to Barcelona, 3,500, 62s. 6d.;, Corunna, 1,400,
47s. 6d.; Gibraltar, 1,500, 47s. 6d., 500 ; 3,500, 47s. 6d.,
500; 5,000, 45s.; Lisbon, 1,700, 50s., 500; 1,750, 50s.;
4,000, 50s., 500; Rio de Janeiro, 60s.; St. Vincent, 1,800,
42s. 6d.; Vigo, 2,000 , 46s.

Swansea to Quimper, 180, '55 fr., sail ; Dundalk, 300, 16s.

Hull to Genoa, 5,800, 64s. 6d.

Goole to London, 700, 15s.

Newport to Gibraltar, 1,400, 47s. 6d.; Vigo, 2,000 , 46s.

Wear to Gothenburg, 2,000, 37 kr.; 1,250, 37 kr.

Blyth to Gothenburg, 1,250 , 37.kr.

Capturing German Trade.—The British Ropeway Engi-
neering Company Limited, of 34, Fenchurch-street, London,
E.C., a few weeks ago bought from the Board of Trade the
enemy business of Bleichert’s aerial transporters, wire rope-
ways, etc., of Egypt House, London, and have already
secured from the War Office a large ropeway order, and from
a colliery in Cumberland a ropeway on the Bleiohert system.

Irkutsk Coal Production.—By the Law of August 19 (o.s.),
1915, the following mining districts—Amur, Zei, Burein,
Ussurisk and Prsinorsk, Saghalien, and Kamchatka;—passed
under the control of the newly-formed temporary Priamur
Mining Government from January 1, 1916; but the Irkutsk
Government and the Yakutsk and Transbaikal territories
were formed into the Irkutsk Mining Territory. The general
report for mining in the Irkutsk district in 1915 shows the
production of coal in that year to have been 65,479,000
poods, of which 7,627,900 poods was black coal, and
57,851,100 poods brown. The quantity of coke made was
only 5,704 poods. The number of workmen engaged in
1915 at the coal mines was 4,584.