398

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

February 23, 1917.

HartlepooL with having sold .short-weight bags of coal.. An
inspector stated that he found five sacks each about 2 lb.
short. The defence was..that the inspector, in making the
test, had used a sack which was wringing wet as the tare
sack.

The quarterly financial statement of the Northumberland
Miners’ Association states that the heavy overdraft at the
bank incurred during the strikes against the introduction
of the three-shift system of working under the Eight Hours
Act and participation in the national strike of 1912, has been
practically wiped out, the sum owing to the bank at the end
of the quarter being only £43 7s. 6d. The membership
comprises 24,954 full members and 4,450 half-members.
The total assets of the association are returned at
.£32,021 19s. 9Jd. The political fund shows a balance in
hand of £349. During the quarter death legacies, in
respect of 420 full members and 25 half-members, amounted
to £1,297 10s.

Addressing the shareholders at the annual meeting of the
Weardale and Consett Water Company, Mr. A. F. Pease
spoke of the difficulty of keeping up the water supply owing
to the withdrawal of men for military service. The district
supplied by the company was very scattered, and the eleva-
tions at which they had to supply water were considerable.
He believed they had to supply water at an altitude of
1,000 ft. The whole of the district was honeycombed with
mine workings, which were constantly breaking their pipes
and causing leakages. Their engineer estimated that they
were losing half a million gallons per day owing to the
impossibility of attending to repairs because of the shortened
staff.

That the new War Loan was handsomely supported in
this district may be gauged from the fact that Newcastle’s
'contributions amounted to £18,163,850; South Shields, to
over £1,300,000; Sunderland, to £5,258,875; West Hartle-
pool, £3,964,880 ; and so on. Besides these amounts invested
locally, very large sums were invested direct, as, for
instance, £250,000 by the Consett Iron Company Limited.
It is impossible to give anything in the nature of a full
list of colliery and iron works contributions, and the follow-
ing items must, therefore, be regarded in the light only of
“ samples ” :—The associated firms of Messrs. Dorman,
Long and Company Limited, Messrs. Bell Brothers Limited,
and the North-Eastern Steel Company Limited, £400,000;
the Broomhill Collieries Limited, £50,000; the Carlton Iron
Company Limited, £125,000; and the Seaton Carew Iron
Company Limited, £50,000, plus £2,285 on behalf of
employees.

One of the most noteworthy and praiseworthy features
of the campaign for funds was the great extent to which
employers offered and employees took advantage of “ easy
payment ” facilities for the purchase of War Loan stock.
Thus, the officials and workmen of the Horden Collieries
Limited were enabled to take up £9,030 of stock; Messrs.
Pease and Partners Limited, £55,820; the North Bitchburn
Coal Company Limited, £15,525; the Carlton Iron Company
Limited, £11,340; Messrs. John Bowes and Partners
Limited, £11,800; Owners of Pelton Colliery Limited,
£8,850; Messrs. U. A. Bitson and Sons Limited, £1,800;
the South Durham Steel and Iron Company Limited,
£30,000; Messrs. Bolckow, Vaughan and Company Limited,
£33,500; Messrs. Head, Wrightson and Company Limited,
£7,000; and so on. In addition, similar schemes at
Seghill, Ashington, Burnhope, and elsewhere, are stated to
have been productive of good results. The list is of interest
mainly as showing the widespread support of the Loan, and
the unprecedented extent to which masters and men worked
together to ensure its success.

The annual report of the Northern Colliery Officials’
Mutual Aid Association, to be presented to a general meet-
ing of members at the Crown Hotel, Newcastle, on the
afternoon of Saturday, March 3, shows a membership of
538. A statement, signed by Mr. W. Leebetter (president)
and Mr. Bobt. Nuttall (secretary), says :—“ Owing to the
persistent efforts of the association, and interviews given to
its representatives by some of the agents, we are gratified
to report that .25 collieries are now paying all their officials
a good standard wage and all increased percentages since
August 1914, and other companies’ hands have been moved
in the direction of weekly and other bonuses. If 80 per
cent, of the officials in the county had embraced unity, the
remuneration question and many others would have been
solved long ago.” The financial statement shows that 1916
commenced with a balance of £178, and that the income
comprised £3 11s. Id. for interest and £342 Ils. 6d. for
branch contributions. The expenditure amounted to £470,
leaving a balance of £54. Of the expenditure, however,
£100 was for 5 per cent. Exchequer Bonds. The election
of general officers and members of executive has resulted as
follows President, Mr. Leebetter, re-elected unopposed ;
treasurer, Mr. B. Taylor, re-elected unopposed; executive
elected, Mr. A. Shiiel (236 votes), Mr. G. B. Haile (228),
Mr. E. Bobson (213), Mr. G. Moore (199); not elected,
Messrs. Hermiston (185), Bagnall (181), J. Lee (179), and
G. H. Gibbin (178).

Before the Newcastle County Court recently, Geo. Bell,
hewer, sought continuance of compensation from the Throck-
ley Coal Company Limited. Mr. Meynell, on Bell’s behalf,
stated that applicant contracted nystagmus whilst in respon-
dents’ employ. He partially recovered to the extent of being
able to do light surface work. His compensation was reduced
to 8s. 9d. per week, at which rate he was paid from January
1916 until June 21, when he was called up for service in
the Army. The question was whether, by being called up,
he lost his right to compensation. A man convicted and
sentenced to imprisonment did not lose his right to com-
pensation for disability, and Mr. Meynell argued that a man
who joined the Army should not be in a worse position than
if he were in prison. He submitted, further, that the Army
was not “ suitable employment or business ” within the
meaning of the Act, and quoted a Scottish case (Thompson
v. Watson), in which it had been so held. Mr. Meynell sub-
mitted, also, that the payment received by a man in the
Army did not constitute “ earnings ” within the meaning of
the Act, and the judge agreed that the separation allowance
to the wife and maintenance allowances to the children could
not be considered as earnings on the part of the applicant,
although his Honour suggested rations might be so counted.
Mr. Mundahl, for the coal company, argued that the Scottish
case was not on all fours, and that there was no reason why
a man better off financially than when working should be
receiving compensation. Applicant was getting, in respect
of his military service, the equivalent of 39s. 6d. per week.
The Compensation Act was only intended to give compensa-
tion in respect of loss of earnings. The allowances men-
tioned wrere being paid in discharge of the man’s legal obli-
gations, and represented the presumed equivalent of the

charge upon the man’s resources when engaged in civil
employment. Judge Greenwell found for the applicant,
stating that the Scottish decision seemed to him to apply
to all the points in the case. He also ruled that allowances
to the wife and children were not ‘‘ earnings ” within the
meaning of the statute.

Cumberland.

Last week the North Lonsdale Iron Company commenced
to open out a disused iron level near the old ‘‘ Thirty ” pit
at Lindal Moor, commonly known as “ Horse Level.” Mr.
John Ullock is in charge.

Lancashire and Cheshire.

When firing shots at the .Earl of Ellesmere’s Bridgewater
Colliery, Walkden, Peter Ellison (43), tunneller, received
serious injuries, from which he died at the Bolton Infirmary.
At the inquest a witness said it was possible that the charge
fired owing to the heat in the hole from the previous shot.
A verdict; of ‘‘Accidental death ” was returned.

Notts and Derbyshire.-

Mr. Fraser, H.M. inspector, stated at the inquest on
Joseph Turton, a filler, who was killed by a fall in the
Shirebrook Colliery, that in consequence of the accident 807
colliers stayed away from work for one day, causing a loss
of 1,600 tons of coal.

The monthly meeting of the Midland branch of the Asso-
ciation of Mining Electrical Engineers was held on Saturday
at the Midland Hotel, Mansfield. Mr. E. E. Beadsmoore,
of Pinxton, occupied the chair. After the ordinary business
had been disposed of, a discussion took place on a paper on
‘‘ The Steam Turbine and its Industrial Application,” by
Mr. P. J. Plevin, A.M.I.E.E., the principal contributors to
which were Mr. W. Wynes (Clipstone), Mr. A. Lees (Bufford
Colliery), Mr. F. Cusworth (East Kirkby), Mr. S. Clarke
(Clipstone), and the chairman.

According to a published report, a movement is on foot to
acquire land for the purpose of working the minerals at
Betford. Some years ago boring was carried on to the east
of the town, and ultimately abandoned; now the contem-
plated sinking is to the west, and land owners and others
interested have been approached. A syndicate has been
formed for the purpose of working the coal at Idle Stop and
M'isson, and the Harworth Colliery, which was owned by a
Germany company before the war, is now to be proceeded
with by an English combination.

Kent.

Last week the No. 2 pit at Snowdown Colliery was sunk
from 2,874 ft. to 2,901ft.

The Kent Miners’ Association invested £1,000 of their
funds in the War Loan, after obtaining hearty approval at
meetings of the men held at the two local collieries.

Over £120,000 in wages was paid in connection with the
Tilmanstone and Snowdown collieries last year, and the
output of coal from the two mines was about 250,000 tons.

Enquiries made concerning the effect of the new Order by
which all collieries come under the control of the Govern-
ment, show that it is not anticipated that the Order will
have anything but a helpful effect upon the Kentish collieries.
The system, they anticipate, will work out on very similar
lines to the Government control of the railways, and the
requisite 'amount of labour for the very essential industry of
coal raising will undoubtedly be better guaranteed under
Government control. . It is hoped that it will very shortly
be possible to greatly increase the present output of about
6,000 tons weekly from the two working collieries.

The proposal for building a number of miners’ cottages
near Tilmanstone Colliery is being vigorously pushed for-
ward by Mr. G. Thomas and Mr. A. Wells, directors of the
East Kent Colliery Company, the financing of the scheme
being quite independent of the company. They point out
that increased output of coal is being impressed on colliery
owners, but this can only be assured by adequate labour,
and housing accommodation is necessary to retain labour in
the district. Our correspondent hears that the authorities
will put no difficulties in the way of building a certain
number of miners’ cottages. The colliery is situated in the
midst of an 'agricultural district, with very few houses,
and at present most of the miners live in Dover or Canter-
bury.

Scotland.

Combing Out ” — Colliery Baths — Lord Strathclyde's
Award — Stores Organisation — Responsibilities of
Managers.

The “ combing out ” in the Scottish mines is not proving
so advantageous to the military board as was generally
anticipated, the number of men as yet passed for general
service falling much short of general anticipations.

The question of colliery baths is again being considered in
Fifeshire, though the time (is inopportune. Kelty miners
have appointed a deputation to visit the baths in operation
at Wellesley Colliery, and to report at a later meeting. The
baths at Wellesley Colliery are the first in the county, and
were recently completed by the Wemyss Coal Company
Limited.

> The Scottish miners’ leaders are greatly disappointed at
the finding of Lord Strathclyde that the case for a general
increase in wages has not been proved. Since the date of
last 'award the figures accepted by both sides as to the
realised values of coal showed an increase of Is. 2Jd. per
ton. The miners further contend that the increased cost of
production as found by the audit amounted to 7d. per ton
only.

At Dunfermline Sheriff Court, Jas. Lewis, miner, Kelty,
was charged with neglecting to properly support the roof of
his working place in Aitken pit. One part of the roof was
unsupported to the extent of 9 ft., whereas 5 ft. was the
distance at which props must be set. A similar charge was
made against John Lonie, miner, in respect of a workin o-
place in another part of the pit. The fireman in charge of
the section was charged with failing to carry out his statu-
tory duties in seeing that the timber rules were observed
by the men. Lewis was fined £3, or 20 days; Lonie, £2,
or 14 days, and the fireman 15s., or five days.

At a largely-attended meeting of the West of Scotland
branch of the Association of Mining Electrical Engineers
(Mr. J. B. Thomson presiding), Mr. B. J. Sims, Glasgow
general manager in Scotland for the General Electric Com-
pany, read a paper on “ Stores Organisation at Collieries.”
Mr., Sims maintained that there never was a time when
British manufacturers needed more the support and assist-
ance of the user. British manufacturers were practically
debarred from quoting for railway electrification schemes,
because British railway companies had almost totally ignored

railway electrification. A similar state of things prevailed
in regard to heavy windings. Germany, America, and other
countries, had developed the electrical winder to a remark-
able extent, and that development had only been made
possible by the support mven by the colliery owners in those
countries. In Great Britain, heavy electric winders were
few and far between. Our manufacturers had not the
experience they ought to have had, and in pre-war days all
electric winding contracts of any size for abroad went to
those foreign manufacturers who could show winders actu-
ally at work. To quote a final instance, he would refer to
Britain’s position in regard to the steam turbo-generator.
The turbine was invented in Great Britain, and the finest
turbines to this day were still made in this country; but
owing to the extreme cautiousness—to use the most chari-
table expression—of British municipalities and other supply
authorities, we had been left far behind in the manufac-
ture of large machines. The manufacturers could only
advance sufficiently fast if they were given the support of
the users. The advantages were mutual, for the user
benefited by the reliability and efficiency of the plant. Deal-
ing with stores organisation, Mr. Sims said ft was strongly
to be desired that colliery owners should encourage and,
indeed, insist upon co-operation between the purchasing and
producing departments, particularly with regard to
materials, for which a departmental man was responsible.
The buyer should work in unison, and accept suggestions
and advice from the electrical engineer for any material for
the electrical plant and machinery, and the mechanical engi-
neer for the mechanical side of the works, and so on.—The
discussion which followed was taken part m by Messrs. H.
A. McGuffie (Glasgow), James McCann (Lcanend Colliery),
McPhail (Kilmarnock), Alex. Anderson (Wishaw), and
A. B. Muirhead (Glasgow).

A meeting of the Scottish branch of the National Associa-
tion of Colliery Managers was held on Saturday in the
Christian Institute, Bothwell, under the chairmanship of
Mr. N. A. Wilkie, Bowhill, one of the agents of the Fife
Coal Company. Mr. D. C. Gemmell, Westrigg Collieries,
read a paper on “ The Besident Colliery Manager and his
Besponsibilities.” In the course of his paper, the author said
that colliery managers were apt to forget that they viewed
the observance of the Mines Act from,a different angle than
the mines inspectors. The Act was there, however, and
it was the duty of the manager to give it reasonable obedi-
ence, while it was equally the duty of the mines inspector
to see that that obedience was forthcoming. The mines
inspector was not infallible, and his interpretation of the
Mines Act was not always the correct one. It seemed to
him (Mr. Gemmell) that if less attention was paid to what
at best were mere legal quibbles, and more to the things
that really mattered, the accident rate in the mines might
be considerably reduced. Discussing the salary question,
the author said that if colliery managers valued their posi-
tion more, it would naturally follow that the outside world,
including the coal masters, would do likewise. Sone trade
unionism was a legitimate means to a desirable end, but
he did not think it was a weapon which should be used by
colliery managers. To his mind, the relations between the
coal owner and his manager were too personal and too con-
fidential to allow the intervention of a trade union.

Mr. John Strain, chairman of Messrs. John Watson
Limited, Glasgow, announced at the annual general meet-
ing of shareholders on Monday, that the company had
acquired leases of the minerals in Bobroyston, Milton, and
other properties situated in the parish of Gadder and con-
tiguous to the north-eastern boundary of the city of Glasgow.
He explained that the results of boring operations which
had been carried out during the past three years were con-
sidered satisfactory. The bores disclosed that the coal field
contained both splint and coking coal. Although the seams
were thin, and lay .at a considerable depth, the 'analyses
showed several to be of excellent quality, whilst the near
proximity of the coal field to the large industrial area around
Glasgow and to the shipping ports there was an important
advantage. Having regard to the probable exhaustion
within a comparatively few years of certain of the firm’s
collieries, and to the great and increasing demand for splint
and coking coals for blast furnaces, steel and gas works, and
other important industries in the West of Scotland, the
directors had resolved to proceed at once with the sinking
and equipment of the colliery, notwithstanding the present
abnormally high cost of labour and plant, provided the
Government would grant the necessary sanction and
facilities.

English Coal for Norway. — The Norwegian Legation in
London, in a despatch to the Norwegian Government,
reports that the special restrictions imposed by Great
Britain on the export of coal to Norway have been with-
drawn. . Becent negotiations between the British and
Norwegian Governments have resulted in Norway not grant-
ing a licence for the export of pyrites to Germany, which
was the main point at issue. The two Governments will
lay the question before two eminent lawyers, one British
and one Norwegian. If these agree that the Norwegian
view is the better founded, the licence will again be granted.

Trade Openings Abroad.—A Johannesburg firm seeks the
representation of United Kingdom manufacturers of coal
cutters, mining material, and pumps. (Beference No.
90/124.) United Kingdom manufacturers of the goods
mentioned may obtain the name and address of the enquirer
on application to the Department of Commercial Intelli-
gence, 73, Basinghall-street, London, E.C. In making
application the reference number should be quoted.—
Another firm at Johannesburg wishes to represent United
Kingdom manufacturers of mining machinery, oils, and
greases. (Beference No. 82/116.)—An Australian business
man, who is at present in England, but is shortly return-
ing to the Commonwealth, desires to take up a few agencies
for United Kingdom manufacturers of electrical supplies
(especially metal filament lamps), tin-plates for canning,
etc. Communications should be addressed to the Official
Secretary, Office of the High Commissioner in London for
Australia, Australia House, Strand, London, W.C., quoting
the reference number /'2205/ll).—A firm at Milan is desirous
of obtaining the representation of United Kingdom manu-
facturers of all kinds of machinery, machine tools, and
engineering goods, for business after the war. Communica-
tions in this connection should be addressed to the secretarv,
British Chamber of Commerce for Italy, Via Silvio Pellico,
12, Milan,—A Ceylon firm desires an agency for the sale
of sulphate of ammonia. Enquiries should be sent to the
Director-General of Commercial Intelligence, 1, Council-
street, Calcutta. The reference number (F 231) should be
quoted.