1046 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. June 1, 1917. and deputations from the Cleveland ironstone mine owners and the Cleveland Ironstone Miners’ and Quarrymen’s Association, regarding the k schemes for substantially increasing the output of ironstone. The miners’ leaders urge that to achieve the object of the Government the men who have enlisted from Cleveland mines should be returned to the industry, and that if outsiders are to be introduced, they shall become members of the Miners’ Association, and be governed as to wrages and conditions by the agreements between the mine owners and the miners. Yorkshire. In view of the frequency with which men are brought before them by the various colliery companies in the Don- caster area for breaches of the Mines Act, the Doncaster West Riding magistrates have resolved to make the penalty, unless there are mitigating circumstances of an exceptional character, a full week’s wages. At the Don- caster Court on Saturday, the Brodsworth Colliery Com- pany, acting under instructions from the inspector of mines, prosecuted a young rope runner, named Elijah Moore, for failing to use a drag. The tubs ran away, and struck a man; fortunately he was not killed. The Bench ordered the lad to pay a full week’s wages (28s.). The Local Government Board has written the Blyth Dis- trict Council, asking for particulars of the proposed colliery developments at Firbeck and Harworth, with a view to making preliminary arrangements for loans required for sewage and water schemes. In the discus- sion, it was stated the colliery companies will deal with the sewage of the villages, but the Council would have to take it over at the outfalls. The Firbeck Colliery would require from 1,300 to 2,000 houses, and the original scheme at Harworth was for 1,950 houses. Whether the new owners would go to that extent remained to be seen. The sanitary inspector was instructed to prepare particulars and report. Lancashire and Cheshire. The Worsley Higher Education Committee are opening a mine surveying class for the summer months at the Walkden Technical School. Notts and Derbyshire. Mr. T. Elliott, the manager of the Lang with Colliery of the Sheepbridge Company, has been appointed manager of the Blackwell Colliery Company’s A and B Winning pits, in succession to Mr. N. D. Todd, who has been appointed to the Teversall group of collieries, belonging to the Stanton Coal and Iron Company. Mr. W. Carter, J.P., the assistant secretary of the Notts Miners’ Association, has been, selected to form one of a deputation from the Labour Party shortly to visit Petro- grad for the purpose of conveying direct.from the workers of this country their policy in reference to the war. Mr. , Carter is a member of the national executive of the Labour Party. Scotland. Charges for Medical Attendance — A Borehole Case in Court—Coal Shipments—Burntisland Exports. A dispute which arose seven months ago between the Colliery Surgeons’ Committee for Scotland and the Mid and East Lothian Miners’ Association regarding the charges for medical attendance upon families of colliery workers has now been amicably settled. Arrangements are completed whereby the doctors will give medical attendance at fixed charges of 2^d. per week, whilst those doctors who supply medicine will be remunerated at 3d. weekly. In Stirling Sheriff Court, Sheriff Dean Leslie disposed of the charge made against the agent, manager, and under- manager of Livingstone pit, belonging to the Banknock Coal Company, for alleged contravention of the Coal Mines Act, in having failed to keep boreholes in advance w.hen approaching old workings likely to contain water in dan- gerous quantities. The Sheriff found the whole of the accused guilty. Mr. Barr, who, in addition to being agent, was also manager for a short time, would be fined £5. Mr. Love, the manager, was new to the pit, and did not make a thorough examination of the old workings. He, too, would be fined £5. Mr. Curragh, the under- manager, who had also fallen short of his duties, was the man responsible, and the penalty in his case was £15. The shipments of Scotch coal last week totalled 163,682 tons, an increase of 31,298 tons as compared with the pre-' vious week, and a decrease of 73,622 tons as compared with the corresponding week last year. For the year the ship- ments aggregate 2,713,779 tons, a decrease of 1,259,Q12 tons as compared with the corresponding period of 1916. The Clyde ports head the list with 1,834,836 tons this year, Fife ports total 482,079 tons, and Forth shipments 396,864 tons. Improvements in the export trade was once more mani- fest during the week at Burntisland. The figures show the largest shipment since January. The coal shipped totalled 11,220 tons for the period, as against 22,820 tons in the same week last year. It is reported that the Lanarkshire colliery owners have completed arrangements for the cutting of wood for the mines, and that there is little likelihood of skilled miners being taken from the pits for this purpose. Many enquiries are being made at the headquarters of the Lanarkshire Miners’ Union by miners who are anxious to undertake this class of work. At the annual meeting of the East of Scotland branch of the Association of Mining Electrical Engineers, held in Buckhaven, office-bearers were appointed for the ensuing session as follow :—President, Mr. R. Kirkby (Wemyss Colliery); vice-president, Mr. D. Beveridge (Wemyss); secretary and treasurer, Mr. R. W. Peters (Lochgelly) ; auditor, Mr. Thomson Smith (Dunfermline); council, Messrs. C. A. Carlow, R. Devine, H. Gordon Fraser, J. Gillespie, Henry Rowan, R. G. M. Prichard (H.M. inspector of mines), A. Robinson, W. Webster, J. Mere- dith, and Thomas Gray. On the suggestion of the council, Mr. John Black (Wemyss Colliery) was appointed to assist Mr. Peters in his secretarial duties. The membership of the branch now stands at 95, being an increase of 45 as compared with a year ago. French Coal Stocks to be Notified.—In consequence of an intimation by M. Violette, Minister of Supplies, that many private consumers of coal have laid in and ordered large quantities of coal, so that numbers of poorer people are unable to obtain fuel, the President has issued a Decree that everyone who has more than one ton of coal on his premises on June 15 must notify the quantity to the local municipal offices by the 20th inst., any default in this respect rendering the coal liable to confiscation. 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. Cheltenham, June 8. — Tenders are invited for the supply of 800 tons, of rough small steam coal, 60 tons of house coal, 10 tons large steam coal, etc. Forms of tender and further particulars may be obtained from the borough engineer, Municipal Offices, Cheltenham, to whom sealed and endorsed tenders are to be delivered on or before June 8. London, June 12.—The Guardians of the Poor of the Parish of St. Mary, Islington, invite tenders for the supply of steam coal, house coal, and coke to the several institu- tions and offices of the Guardians in the parish for six or 12 months, from July 1, 1917. Forms (which alone will be received) must be obtained from the clerk personally, or a stamped addressed brief-size envelope may be sent. Sealed tenders must be delivered at the Guardians’ Offices, St. John’s-road, Upper Holloway, on or before June 12, addressed to the Guardians. Tenders will be opened at a meeting of the Guardians to be held on June 14 at the offices. The Guardians do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. Neath, June 19.—The Gas Committee invite tenders for the gas coal required at the works during the year com- mencing July 1 next. Estimated quantity, 8,000 tons, but subject to the requirements from time to time of the Com- mittee. The coal to be “ 60 per cent, through ” coal, and to be delivered into the Gas Works siding situate at the Millands, Neath, in sheeted wagons, in such weekly or monthly quantities as may be appointed by the manager. Payments to be made monthly, subject to 21, per cent, dis- count. Fuller particulars on application direct to the gas manager (W. Clark Jackson), Gas Works, Neath. No forms of tender are issued. Sealed tenders, endorsed “ Gas coal tender,” specifying the description of coal offered, and the pits and veins from which raised, to be received by Tuesday morning, June 19. No tender neces- sarily accepted. The company or person whose tender is accepted must enter into the contract usually required by the Neath Corporation in such cases. Stretford, June 12.—The Stretford Gas Company are prepared to receive tenders for the supply of screened coal, through-and-through coal, coal nuts, and cannel, for gas- making purposes, for a period of four months ending September 30. Any further information may be obtained from IL Kendrick, engineer, Gas Works, Stretford. Tenders, stating price per ton delivered on the Bridgewater Canal alongside the Gas Works, or to Stretford Station, M. S. J. & A. Railway, as the Controller of Coal Mines may direct, to be sent sealed and endorsed “ Tender for gas coal,” addressed to “The Chairman of the Board,” not later than June 12. The directors do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. Abstracts of Contracts Open. Adlington, June 4.—About 1,400 tons screened Arley nuts for Adlington Gas Company. Tenders to the chair- man. Ashton-under-Lyne, June 6. — Engine slack for the Electricity Committee. Forms from the borough elec- trical engineer, Wellington-road. Atherton (Lancashire), June 6.—7,000 tons screened gas coal or nuts for the Urban District Council. Forms from the town clerk. Bakewell, June 9.—Coal and coke for the Guardians. Forms from the clerk, Union Offices, Bakewell. Barming Heath (Kent), June 18.—3,900 tons steam coal, 1,200 tons household coal, 800 tons gas coal, and 105 tons bakers’ coal, for Asylums. Forms from the clerk, Barm- ing Heath Asylum. Cardiff, June 4.—Coal for schools. Forms from the clerks of the respective groups : Bridgend group, Mr. E. Preece, 61, Park-street, Bridgend; Caerphilly group, Mr. A. H. Bullock, 5, Queen-street, Cardiff; Gelligaer group, Mr. F. T. James, Council Offices, Hengoed; Gowerton group, Mr. P. J. Arnold, 7, Rutland-street, Swansea; Maesteg group, Mr. R. Scale, Maesteg; Neath group, Mr. E. Powell, solicitor, Neath; Ogmore group, Rev. Charles Williams, Ogmore Vale; Penarth group, Mr. J. E. Williams, Herbert Chambers, Cardiff; Pontardawe group, Mr. A. W. Samuel, King’s Chambers, Swansea; Ponty- clun group, Mr. W. T. Gwyn, Town Clerk’s Office, Cow- bridge ; Port Talbot group, Mr. A. H. Deer, Port Talbot; Swansea group, Mr. A. H. Thomas, Llansamlet. Colchester, June 13.—Best hard hand-picked steam coal fo’r Sewage Works and Hospital; also smokeless steam coal, house and kitchen coal, and smithy nuts (12 months), for the Roads and Drainage Committee. Forms from the borough engineer, Town Hall. Edmonton, June 5.—Coal and coke (12 months) for the Elementary Schools. Forms from the architect, Town Hall, Lower Edmonton. Gravesend, June 13.—Coal for the Guardians. Forms from the clerk, 13, Victoria-place, Gravesend. Hebden Bridge, June 12.—9,000 tons screened gas coal and nuts for the Gas Board. Forms from the gas engi- neer, Carlton-street. Hornsey, June 4.—Coal and coke for Offices, Hospital, and Depots (12 months). Forms from the town clerk, Hornsey Town Hall, Highgate. Kingston-upon-Thames, June 9.—Coal and coke (12 months) for the Corporation. Forms from the town clerk, Municipal Offices. Limerick, June 4.—3,000 tons best screened gas coal for the Gas Committee. Forms from the engineer, Gas Offices, William-street. London, June 6. — Coal for the Holborn Guardians. Forms from the clerk, 53, ClerkenwelLroad, E.C. London, June 9. — Nottingham hard steam coal (12 months) for the University College Hospital, Gower-street, W.C. Particulars from the secretary. London, N.W., June 11.—Coal for Electricity Works and Baths (12 months) for St. Pancras Council. Forms from the Electricity Department, 57, Pratt-street, Camden Town. Maidenhead, June 12.—200 tons of steam coal and 200 tons house coal for the Guardians. Particulars from the clerk, Park-street. Malmesbury, June 6. — 200 tons screened or partly- screened gas coal for the Gas and Coke Company. Quota- tions by June 6. Manchester, June 7.—70 tons of house coal and 70 tons gas coke for the Manchester Guardians. Tenders to the Union Offices, All Saints’, Manchester. Norwich, June 11.—Coal for the Guardians of St. Faith’s. Forms from the clerk, 1, Redwall-street, Norwich. Oakham, June 30.—Coal and coke for Schools. Parti- culars from the County Education Office, Oakham. Oban, June 9.—Coal for Argyll County Sanatorium (six months). Forms from the Sanatorium. Paddington, June 25.—Coal and coke (12 months) for the Borough Council. Forms from the town clerk. Penmaen (Glamorgan), June 4. — Coal for the Gower Guardians. Forms from the clerk, Central Buildings, Swansea. Romford, June 5.—Good hard steam coal (six months) for the Urban District Council. Tenders to the Council Offices, Romford. Salford, June 13.—About 6,300 tons best screened fur- nace coal and 25 tons best house coal for the Corporation. Particulars from the borough engineer, Town Hall. Salisbury, June 4.—About 25 tons house coal for Salis- bury Municipal Charities. Tenders to the clerk, 12, Rolle- stone-street, Salisbury. Salisbury, June 15.—220 tons Derby cobbles and 200 tons coke for Salisbury Infirmary. Forms from the secre- tary. Skelmersdale (Lancashire), June 7.—2,000 tons of gas coal or nuts for the Urban District Council. Tenders to the surveyor. Spilsby, June 13.—40 tons best Barrow Silkstone and 60 tons best Bolsover Top Hards for the Guardians. Forms from the clerk, Union Offices, Spilsby. Torquay, June 18.—5,500 tons rough slack, washed peas, or screenings for the Electric Lighting Committee. Forms from the town clerk, Town Hall. Wrexham, June 5.—Coal for the Joint Fever Hospital. Forms from G. V. Price, Midland Chambers, Wrexham. Yeovil, June 15.—Coal for the Guardians. Forms from the clerk, The Chantry, Yeovil. The date given is the latest upon ivhich tenders can be received. CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON AND STEEL WORK, &c. Belfast, June 7.—Stores.—Iron castings, malleable iron, and tin-plate, steam tubes, etc., for the Gas Committee. Forms from the manager, Gas Works. Manchester, June 12.—Stores.—Bolts, brass castings, iron, steel, lead, packing, pickshafts, pitch, creosote, etc., for the Gas Department. Forms from the superintendent, Gas Department, Town Hall. Trimdon Grange (Durham).—Stores.—Iron, firebricks, and general stores for Trimdon Coal Company Limited. Forms from I. Penney, Deaf Hill Colliery, Trimdon Grange. COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES. REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS. Anderston Foundry Company Limited.—The report for the year ended March 31 shows that the profit, after pro- viding for depreciation, excess profits duty, and income tax, was £32,767, against £30,329, before providing excess profits duty. Final dividend of 17s. 6d. per share (making a dividend of 22s. per share for the year), less tax (against 20s. per share for 1915-16); £5,000, against £2,500, is placed to reserve fund, leaving £8,720, against £7,417. Cynon Colliery Company Limited.—The directors have, with the consent of the Board of Trade, declared an interim dividend of 5 per cent., less tax, for the six months ended March 31. Niddrie and Benhar Coal Company Limited. — The accounts for 10 months to February 28, 1917, at which date the collieries were taken over by the Government, show a balance of profit, including £9,784 brought in, of £67,978. After providing for debenture interest and depreciation, writing £2,500 off lands and mineral rights, and transferring £15,000 to reserve, the directors recom- mend a final dividend of 10 per cent., free of tax, making 15 per cent, for year, payable June 2, carrying forward £9,915. NEW COMPANIES. Croft (A. J.) and Company Limited.—Private company. Registered office, Halley-lane, Perry Bar, near Birming- ham. Registered May 23. To carry on business of metal- lurgists, casters in all metals, etc. Capital, £10,000. Director, A. J. Croft. Cwm Duffryn Collieries Limited.—Private company. Registered May 22. To establish and carry on business of colliery and quarry proprietors, miners, manufacturers of bricks, patent fuel, coke, coal tar, etc. Capital, £10,000. Subscribers : C. Gregorie, D. Priharne, H. Harris. Instone Transport and Trading Company Limited.— Public company., Registered office, Baltic House, Mount Stuart-square, Cardiff. Registered May 21. To carry into effect an agreement between S. Instone and Company Limited, ship owners, ship brokers, and shipping agents, etc. Capital, £500,000 in 495,000 £1 ordinary shares, and 100,000 Is. shares. Founders’ minimum subscription, seven ordinary shares. Directors: S. Instone, T. Instone, M. P. Davis, S. Samuel, and C. Samuel. Qualification, 1,000 shares. Remuneration of directors, £500. Walker (Robert) and Son (Manchester) Limited.— Private company. Registered May 19. To acquire the business of mechanical engineers, iron and brass founders, etc. Capital, £5,000. Subscribers : R. B. Walker, Clara Walker, and G. T. Botright. Wilkinson and Company Limited. — Private company. Registered May 21. To carry on the business of mer- chants, factors, and manufacturers of anvils and vices, iron, steel, and tinned sheets, etc. Capital, £5,000. Director, W. Naylor. 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. French Peat Commission. — The Minister of Public Works, acting on the report of the Director of Mines, has appointed a Commission to collect information on the subject of peat, and study means for increasing the produc- tion. The Commission will consist of six members of Parliament, representing the districts concerned, the; Director of Mines, and representatives of the Ministries of the Interior, Agriculture, Armament, and Supplies.