954 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 18, 1917. SOUTH WALES MINING TIMBER TRADE. The Beard of Trade Order requiring pitwood importers to procure a special licence from the Department of Import Restrictions for permission to import mining timber caused a good deal of anxiety and confusion. Pitwood importers complain that there is an inequality in the Order, and that regulations have been thrust upon merchants without their being approached or without any regard to their businesses, which have taken years to develop. The merchants declare that they are quite prepared to do everything that can possibly be expected of them during the present crisis, but deplore the fact that they are not taken into the confidence of the authorities, whose object apparently is to curtail and ultimately stop the imports of foreign timber, and through the various organisations which have been set up for the purpose develop and utilise home-grown timber for mining purposes. The prime motive is the saving of shipping tonnage, but the great question is whether the organisation for the development of home-grown timber has reached such a stage as would facilitate without disturbance the automatic restriction of foreign imports. There is an exceptional demand for home-grown timber, and collieries who are members of the Monmouthshire and South Wales Colliery Owners’ Pitwood Association Limited are still clamouring for more speedy deliveries. In the present multiplicity of Orders in Council, committees and officials, both merchants and collieries are beginning to chafe at the complexity of overlapping organisations. Some time must elapse before co-ordination is possible. It appears to be the intention of the authorities to map the country into what might be termed zones. Local com- mittees have been formed in the chief colliery districts, and supplies will be assembled from points adjacent to collieries with the object of minimising haulage and transport Arrangements have been made by the Pitwood Association for the purchase of a large number of motor lorries, whereby wood will be quickly delivered to the associated collieries. The association state that the requisitioned quantities amount in the aggregate to 12,000 tons a week, which quantities will be supplemented by purchases from merchants. Prices have been arranged for standing timber, while up to 55s. f.o.r. is paid for larch, etc., cut to sizes. The association has to conform with the require- ments of the Priority Branch of the Ministry of Munitions in order to secure the machinery necessary. The association, however, has emerged from its initial difficulties, and hope to greatly increase the quantity of wood needed by the collieries of South Wales and Monmouthshire. Much interest is centred in the invention of Mr. E. Seward, of Cardiff, who claims to have discovered a most efficient and easily handled substitute for mining timber. The invention consists of the utilisation of slag and colliery cinders in making a reinforced concrete prop. Experiments are said to have been conducted in a few collieries with satisfactory results. For the week ending May 11 the total quantity of mining timber imported into South Wales from foreign ports amounted to 20,172 loads, which is very satisfactory, having regard to the submarine menace. Collieries are well supplied, and quotations for best French fir remain at round about 75s. per ton ex ship Cardiff. The actual cargoes or part cargoes imported during the past week were as follow:— Cardiff (Barry and Penarth):— To— - Loads. Lysberg Limited ........•....... 1,920 Vyvyan Kelly...................... 720 Italian State Railways Com......... 87 Marcesche and Company............. 360 Lysberg Limited ............... 2,520 Morgan and Cadogan ............. 1,125 Vyvyan Kelly...................... 264 Lysberg Limited ................ 3,600 Lysberg Limited ................ 1,680 Grant Hayward................... 180 Lysberg Limited ................ 1,320 Grant Hayward.................... 486 Budd and Company ................. 228 Total.....14,490 Newport:— Powell Duffryn Coal Company ....... 7j80 Marcesche and Company..............1,200 Not named .........................1,800 Total..... 3,780 Swansea:— E. W. Cook......................... 137 Lysberg Limited ................... 225 Grant Hayward ..................... 302 Stone and Rolfe................... 164 W. Davies ....................... 320 Total..... 1,148 Port Talbot:— . Marchesche and Company .............. 192 Lysberg Limited ..................... 562 Total...... 754 IISDIAM AHD COLONIAL NOTES. India. The Department of Statistics, Calcutta, has issued the following figures relating, to the production of coal in the chief producing centres of British India during 1915 :— Assam, 311,296 tons; Bihar and Orissa, 10,718,155 tons; Bengal, 4,975,460 tons ; Central Provinces, 253,118 tons; Hyderabad, 586,824 tons ; Central India (Rewah), 139,680 tons—total, 17,103,932 tons. The total estimated value of this output was Rs. 56,700,000, as against Rs. 58,600,000 in the previous year. The average value of coal per ton at the pit’s mouth was Rs. 2 15 a. in 1911, and Rs. 3 5 a. in 1915. Indian coal has a lower value at the pit’s mouth than the coal of any other country, but it should be borne in mind that in India the coal now being worked is com- paratively near the surface.; The growth of the coal mining industry may be roughly gauged by the number , of joint stock coal companies at work, and by their aggre- gate amount of paid-up capital. The total number of such companies in 1915-16 was 150, with a paid-up capital of Rs. 75,200,000, compared with 66 companies with a paid-up capital of Rs. 26,000,000 in 1906-7. Canada. Experiments with Oil Shale.—The shortage of coal, which has prevailed throughout Ontario and other parts of Canada for some weeks, causing much hardship and incon- venience, has given a stimulus to scientific investigation as to whether some substitute for the supply now imported from the United States can be found. At the Fuel Test- ing Bureau of the Department of Mines at Ottawa, experi- ments are being made with oil shale containing some 25 per cent, of crude oil from extensive deposits in Lambron, county Ontario, to ascertain whether it can be utilised for fuel. The recently-appointed Advisory Council for Scien- tific and Industrial Research is also considering the pro- blem of using economically the lignite deposits of Saskat- chewan to supply that province and Manitoba with fuel. The lignite as mined has only a low heating power, and will not stand storage and shipment, so that it has com- paratively little commercial value. Previous investigations have led to the belief that it could be manufactured into two grades of high-class briquette fuel, one of which would have the character of anthracite coal and the other of bituminous, and that the process would also yield by-pro- ducts of some value. Further experiments are being made, and should they prove satisfactory, the council will advise the establishment of an experimental plant to turn out briquetted fuel on a commercial scale. An abundant supply of fuel, at a price considerably lower than that at which American coal is now laid down in Manitoba and Saskat- chewan, would be an important factor in the development of the West. PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-May 10. Pyrites Sub-Committee. In reply to Sir J. Harmood-Banner, Sir W. Evans said the Pyrites Sub-Committee consisted of three members connected with large pyrites producers, viz., Mr. C. W. Fielding (Rio Tinto Company Limited), Mr. W. A. Tennant (Tharsis Sulphur and Copper Company Limited), and Mr. E. C. Barry (Messrs. Mason and Barry Limited). The Explosives Department had made purchases of pyrites on the recommendations of the Committee, and had so far been able to arrange the supplies of pyrites from the con- tracting companies, always at pre-war prices, at the ports of shipment. The endeavour had always been made that the supply of each acid factory in the kingdom should be taken from the mine which previously supplied the acid factory before the war. May 14. Coal Shortage. Mr. Rowlands asked whether the Government intended to promote legislation which would enable local authorities to obtain a stock of coal in order to supply the poor people in their areas next winter. Mr. Roberts replied that the Controller of Coal Mines proposed to discuss the matter with the Local Government Board. The whole question of the distribution of coal in the coming winter was under consideration. Cana! Transport. On the motion for adjournment, Mr. Peto, Mr. Hazleton, Col. Gretton, and Mr. McVeagh drew attention to the neglect of the means of transport afforded by the canals of England and Ireland. Mr. George Roberts said the Canal Control Committee had taken charge of three canals, and had furnished the labour for working them. He had every desire to develop the canal system so far as was possible in existing condi- tions. May 15. Miners and Petrograd Mission. Mr. Outhwaite asked why, in view of the fact that it was the policy of the Government to send to Petrograd those who represented labour in the widest sense, Mr. Robert Smillie, president of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain, the greatest trade union in the kingdom, was not appointed as a delegate. Lord R. Cecil said it would be invidious to discuss, by question and answer, the qualifications of any person. Mr. Will Thorne, who had been selected, appeared to be as representative a Labour man as it was possible to find. The miners had not asked for a representative of theirs to be sent. Coal Profits and Royalties. Mr. Bon ar Law, replying to several questions, said he could not add anything to previous replies concerning excess profits in coal mining being shown in recent returns. Owing to the labour involved, he could not' furnish parti- culars of the aggregate amount of mining royalties, etc., assessable to mineral rights duty for the past financial year. Coal Supplies for London. Mr. Roberts, replying to Mr. Gilbert, stated that the Coal Controller was considering steps for supplying coal to poor persons next winter, and proposed to communicate with local authorities. No time was being lost. May 16. Pit Timber. Mr. Forster intimated, in reply to questions, that the Home-Grown Timber Committee had been dissolved. The business which was done by that Committee had been transferred to the Director of Timber Supplies, a member of the War Office. The transport of pit props and mining timber was a matter of arrangement between the Timber Supplies Department and the other Departments con- cerned. . May 17. Coal Rations. The President of the Board of Trade, speaking with reference to Departmental work, said that since December all the coal mines in the United Kingdom had been taken over by his Department, as it had been thought that it would be to the advantage of the State if all the mines were brought under one control. It was necessary to warn the public that, in some districts, particularly iii London, it would be necessary to establish some system of rationing in regard to the consumption of coal next winter. It was desirable that the public should take advantage of the summer months to store coal for next winter within the limits of their rations. It was a question not so much of coal as of transport. It would not be possible next winter for the railways successfully to carry all the traffic they might be called on to deal with. A senarate department had been established by the Board to deal with problems arising out of the control of mines. The arrangement had worked exceedingly well, and everyone connected with the coal industry was working loyally to make it a success. He regretted that he was not in a position to give any infor- mation with respect to the financial arrangements which would probably be necessary to be made with mine owners as a result of the control. THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, May 17. The London trade, notwithstanding the warmer weather, still shows an active demand for all qualities of house coal, and the regular attendance of so many of the merchants proves the keen desire to buy up any available trucks in the open market which may from day to day be offering. The train service from the north renders the attendance of many of the colliery representatives very difficult, especially in the case of the usual visitors from Yorkshire. Depots report a brisk trade and a fair tonnage going out, but every merchant has an enormous list of back orders to pull up. The railway companies are bringing forward a larger number of loaded wagons with greater regularity and promptitude, but even now the supply is far below the demand. Steam coals especially are in strong demand, and also small nuts. Kitchener cobbles are in good request. Seaborne coals are coming forward in regular quantities. Thirty-four vessels were returned as arriving in the River Thames for Monday’s market and 24 for Wednesday. All were contract cargoes (principally gas coals). No free coals are offering on the market. Freights are high. Tonnage from the various shipping ports is scarce, and chartering is very quiet. 20s. is still quoted for London, but as the coals are offering very sparsely, the bookings are restricted and business very slow. South Yorkshire hards have reached 30s. per ton, f.o.b., gas coal 26s. and Derbyshire hards 28s. 6d. The renewal of many of the London contracts is now proceeding from week to week. The Controller’s request that contracts should not be arranged for longer periods than three months has to a large extent been abrogated, and a concession has been arranged by which all- contracts can be renewed for the usual period of 12 months, with the additional clause that the Controller can alter or revise them “ should necessity arise.” Collieries are also inserting a provision for a pro rata reduction in the monthly tonnages should a larger number of men be called up which would necessitate a further reduction in the output, or should a further tonnage be required for Government use. As these clauses were all in operation in last year’s contracts, there is no surprise at their insertion. The question of “ rationing ” the house coal deliveries for next winter is still a problem which is exercising a good deal of attention. The new regulations permitting railway companies to utilise private owners’ wagons when necessary, especially empties on the return journey, has been in force for the past few weeks, but has not, up to the present, caused any great inconvenience to the traders generally. Very few cases have so far been recorded, and the railway executive have agreed to a payment of Is. per wagon per day. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Company’s Report. Friday, May 11.—The seaborne house coal market was again without alteration; there was a good demand, but no sales were reported. Arrivals, 22. Monday, May 14.—Although the weather continued mild there was a good demand for seaborne house coal, but no fresh sales were notified. Cargoes, 34. Wednesday, May 16.—The seaborne house coal market was unaltered, the demand continuing good, with supplies scarce. Cargoes, 24. THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, May 17. Dublin. It has been very difficult to get supplies during the past week, as much of the cross-Channel traffic has been seri- ously affected, if not entirely suspended, owing to the labour disputes at present existing in the port. Stocks are barely sufficient for current requirements, and in some instances it is impossible to proceed with the fulfilment of large orders and contracts. There is no change in any of the prices, viz.: Best Orrell, 44s. per ton net; Yorkshire brights, 43s.; best Wigan, 42s.; best slack, 36s.; house coal, retail, 2s. lOd. to 3s. per sack of 10 st.; steam coal, from about 40s. per ton; best coke, 44s. per ton. Irish* coals from the Wolfhill Collieries, Queen’s County, are : Malting coal, 46s. per ton; house, gas, and steam coal, 40s.; lime culm, 16s.; fine culm, 12s. per ton—all f.o.r. Athy. A large staff is now working at the line from these collieries to Athy, under the Great Southern and Western Railway Company’s engineer. Temporary rails have already been laid, and the junction with Athy station has been effected. The annual report of the Dublin Port and Docks Board for 1916 shows that there were 1,146,916 tons of coal imported during that period, being a decrease of 90,074 tons as compared with 1915. The coal vessels arriving in the port during the past week amounted to 47, as compared with 76 the week previously, the total quan- tity of coal discharged upon the quays being only 15,180 tons, as against 29,000 tons in the previous week. Belfast. There has been a marked falling-off in the colliers arriving at the port during the week, owing, it is stated, to recent navigation restrictions. These now being moderated, it is expected that the usual supplies will be forthcoming from the other side, although it is still diffi- cult to procure English coal from the collieries. The trade is rather quiet, with prices unchanged, as follow: Best Arley, 43s. 6d. per ton; Orrell nuts, 42s. 6d.; English house, 41s. 6d.; Scotch, 39s. 6d.; Orrell slack, 39s. 6d. ; coke, from about 40s. to 48s. per ton. Irish coal at Craigahulliar, Portrush, co. Antrim, is 14s. per ton at the pithead, and 30s. per ton delivered in Belfast. At a recent meeting of the Donegal Board of Guardians, it was resolved to request the County Council to urge on the Government the advisability of opening and examining an extensive coal field in the district. It is stated that the member for East Tyrone will be requested to urge the necessity of developing the Tyrone coal fields. Imports of Pit Props.—In April, 97,300 loads of pit props, of the value of .<£354,168, were imported into the United Kingdom. The imports in April last year were 206,940 loads, value £649,839, and in April of the preced- ing year 217,492 loads, value £391,007. The total imports during.the four completed months of the year were 375,602 loads, valued at £1,269,958, compared with 695,397 loads, valued at £2,050,791, in the corresponding period of 1916.