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THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

June 22, 1917.

land in the borough was useless for town planning or
building purposes. The matter was eventually referred
back to the committee.

Kent.

A good deal of anxiety has been caused to the direc-
torates of the Tilmanstone and Snow down collieries by
the withdrawal of the exemptions of about 150 employees
at these two collieries.’’ The men will, of course, have a
right of appeal to the special colliery tribunal, but the
probability is that, under the existing conditions, they will
for the most part have to join the Colours. An adequate
supply of labour has been the great difficulty that the
local collieries have had to face for the last year or more,
and the shortage of men has kept the output of coal from
the two mines at the comparatively low level of 6,000 tons
a week. The present call is a very heavy drain on the
number of men the companies have in their employ, and
unless a satisfactory substitution scheme is evolved, the
position is very unpromising from the labour point of view.

Mr. Thos. Bowman, secretary of Kent Coal Concessions
and Allied Companies, has joined the Royal West Kent
Regiment. Mr. L. Hurrell, who was registrar of the
companies, and received a commission after an O.T.C.
course, has been posted to the Argyll and Sutherland
Highlanders.

Scotland.

Coal Cargo on Fire,—Conference at Dalkeith—Burntisland
Exports—Developments in Fife—Miners’ Disregard of
Safety.

A steamer laden with coal took fire in Methil Dock on
Saturday. The outbreak was subdued by the fire brigade,
but not before considerable damage was done to the cargo
of several thousand tons of coal. The steamer had been
loaded for several months, and it is surmised that the fire
was caused by spontaneous combustion.

At a miners’ conference at Dalkeith on Saturday, reports
showed that the Midlothian and Haddington mining
industry was depressed. Workmen in many districts were
only obtaining, on an average, three days per week, owing,
it was stated, to the absence of shipping facilities. There
was stated to have been an improvement in the output
during the last five days.

Burntisland coal exports for the week showed an increase
of nearly one-half on the previous week. The aggregate
was 9,744 tons, as compared with 16,260 tons in the same
week last year.

Mr. Neil Wilkie, who has been the Fife Coal Company’s
agent at Bowhill for seven years, is severing his connec-
tion with that company, having received an appointment
with the Townhill (Dunfermline) Coal Company Limited.

During the past two weeks four deaths and a number of
accidents have been caused in Fife pits due to falls of
roof and sides. An ignition of gas was responsible for
the death of a repairer and severe injuries to another
worker in No. 14 pit, Rosehall Colliery. The two men
had been engaged clearing away a fall at a coal face,
when one of them, on standing upright, ignited an accumu-
lation of gas in the roof by means of the naked light on
his cap.

Important developments are in prospect in the Fife coal
field. Several collieries near Dunfermline, previous to the
war, had changed over from steam to electric winding.
Being situated within reach of the Fife electric power
station at .Townhill, other collieries purpose making a
similar change over as soon as circumstances permit. In
the Dunfermline and immediate districts large tracts of
the lower coals have been for years lying under water,
and as there are so many different coal companies in the
district, the question of pumping is a complex one. It is
expected that with the large electric power available the
question of pumping the water from the flooded area will
be carried out jointly. Such a system of drainage will be
an immediate necessity, as the seams and parts above
water level are fast being exhausted. Oakley and Town-
hill collieries have again become amalgamated, and exten-
sive operations are expected as a consequence.

The Wemyss Coal Company, which during the past few
years made such great strides, are expected to make a
greater increase on their pre-war output. The Wellesley
Colliery is far from being fully manned ; in fact, arrange-
ments have been made whereby if labour were available
a large output could be got. The outputs of several other
collieries have, even in these trying times, been greatly
increased. Large tracks of the Dysart Main seam are yet
to be worked. This seam, varies from about 14 ft. to 20 ft.,
but during working the risk of fire has to be guarded
against. The undersea coal at Wemyss and the neighbour-
ing collieries at Dysart is being worked at present, but if
is expected much larger operations will be conducted on
these coals in the immediate future.

The Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company is reported to
have recently taken over estates to the east of their
present field.

The Fife Coal Company have recently taken an estate
to the west of their Low Valleyfield undertaking. One of
their pits in the Cowdenbeath district has been re-sunk,
the form of the shaft being converted from rectangular to
elliptical. In other parts of their field some subsidiary
sinkings, it is reported, will be undertaken, which will in
all probability call for a large increase in electric power.

For leaving his working place unsafe in respect that a
width of coal 14 ft. long was left unspragged in the
Gordon pit, Lochgelly, a miner was at Dunfermline Sheriff
Court fined the sum of £5. The Fiscal said it was not
only a case of breach of duty which devolved upon respon-
dent by the Statute, but a neglect to set wood in accord-
ance with the instructions given by the fireman. Having
failed to make the place safe before he left, accused had
exposed the inspection official to risk of accident.—At the
same court, a workman engaged at Bowhill Colliery was
fined 5s. for having a lucifer match in his possession in a
section of the pit where safety lamps were used.

Partnerships Dissolved.—The London Gazette announces
dissolution of the partnership of J. T. Snell and F. Part-
ridge, coal and wood merchants, Baker-street, Chelmsford ;
and of J. K. Catto, F. S. Vosper (both of whom continue
the business), and J. A. Mather, trading as Catto, Mather
and Company, iron and steel merchants, The Albany,
Liverpool, and 6, Lloyds-avenue, London, E.C.

Opening for British Trade. — II.M. Consul-General in
Paris reports that an agent in that city desires to get into
touch with United Kingdom manufacturers who are in a
position to supply material for French mines, works, rail-
ways, tramways, etc., with a view to making arrangements
to represent them in Paris, and in the Centre and East of
France, after the war. The enquirer states that he is con-
nected with several French companies. United Kingdom
manufacturers may obtain the name and address on appli-
cation to the Department of Commercial Intelligence, 73,
Basinghall-street, London, E.C. 2. The reference number
(212) should be quoted.

LAI INTELLIGENCE.

SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE.

COURT OF APPEAL.—June 19.

Before the Master of the Rolls and Lords Justices
Bankes and Warrington.

Redemption of Compensation Payments.

Carlton Main Colliery Company Limited and J. Clawley.
■—Reserved judgment was delivered in the appeal by the
Carlton Main Colliery Company Limited, of Grimethorpe,
near Barnsley, and the cross-appeal by Jos. Clawley from
a decision of Judge Fossett Locke, in an application by
the colliery company for the redemption of weekly pay-
ments under the Workmen’s Compensation Act. In 1910
Clawley met with an accident while working for the com-
pany, and was paid half-wages until October 1913, when
the company offered him light work at 27s. 6d. a week, and
8s. lOd. a week compensation. The county court judge
granted the company’s application to redeem the weekly
payments, but attached to it certain conditions against
which the employers appealed. The workman cross-
appealed on the ground that if the judge was wrong in
attaching the condition, the amount for which the pay-
ments were redeemed should be increased.

The Master of the Rolls said the county court judge
had allowed redemption, but had made a declaration of
liability to pay compensation in certain events. Such a
course was inconsistent with the Workmen’s Compensation
Act. The employers were entitled to redeem the 8s. 10d.,
but before an order for redemption was finally made, the
workman ought to have an opportunity to apply to review
the payments to be redeemed. The matter would, there-
fore, be remitted to the county court to hear an applica-
tion for redemption and an application to review at the
same time. The appeal would therefore be allowed, and
the cross-appeal dismissed.

Lord Justice Bankes said that, in his view, no order
should be made except that the case be remitted. to the
county court.

Lord Justice Warrington agreed with the Master of the
Rolls.

LABOUR MB WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

At the Blaina district monthly meeting, the agent
reported that the price-list had been arranged for a seam
in the North Blaina Colliery, inclusive payment being
6s. 6d. per ton until the road had reached 20 yds., and
afterwards 6s. lOd. per ton.

At a mass meeting of workmen held on the football
ground at Talywain, it was decided to extend the notices
now running out at Llanerch and other local collieries,
the subject of dispute being employment of men alleged
to be non-unionists, although they belong to some other
union than the Federation.

The South Wales miners’ executive meeting on Monday
received a deputation from the Rhondda Co-operative
Council, who complained of the employees of co-operative
societies having been taken away to the Army to such an
extent that the conduct of business was seriously impaired.
Full information on this subject, it was decided, should
be obtained, and legal advice sought as to whether any
action can be taken. The executive had also before it a
dispute from the Vochriw lodge and the Dowlais district,
the referees who had been deputed to make investigation
having found it impracticable to arrange a settlement.
The executive council, therefore, confirmed the decision of
the district, because it had been arrived at constitutionally,
and requested the lodge to forward at once to the district
the moneys which had been collected from members of the
lodge during the period of the dispute.

The coke fillers at Lewis Merthyr Collieries, Trehafod,
sent notices that they would give a fortnight’s notice ter-
minating their agreements, their reason being an alleged
reduction of wages; and the executive council resolved
that the matter should be brought before Sir George
Ask with.

North of England.

At a mass meeting of the Broomhill miners last week,
it was stated that during the last six months the local pits
had only worked 52 days, an average of two days per week.
It was agreed to appoint a deputation to wait upon the
directors of- the Broomhill 'Collieries Limited, “ to ascer-
tain why they were not getting a fair share of the trade
of the county, and if anything can be done to improve this
serious state of affairs.” Should the interview be unpro-
ductive, the matter is to be taken to the executive of the
Miners’ Federation, with a view to the Federation having
the case brought to the notice of the Coal Controller. The
trouble appears to be the scarcity of neutral vessels, especi-
ally those from Scandinavia, in which direction most of
the Broomhill coals are shipped from Warkworth Har-
bour. Unless, therefore, the local miners can devise ways
and means of attracting more cargo space, it is to be
feared that their representations will be in vain, for assur-
edly the directors have no desire to keep the pits lying
idle.

A hitch has occurred in the negotiations for the trans-
ference of Northumberland coal miners to ironstone mining
in cases in which collieries are working poorly. The hitch
is resultant on the fact, as mentioned in our issue of last
week, that the ironstone miners are pressing for guarantees
that those now working in the mines shall be assured
against any loss of wages resultant from the influx of coal
miners, and assured as to wages whilst training the new
men. The Northumberland miners’ representatives also
desire guarantees as to the wages of their men whilst learn-
ing the new work. Until this question is settled, the
recruiting of coal miners for this class of work will not
be carried further.

Mr. Wm. Weir, president of the Northumberland
Miners’ Association, has informed the railway authorities
at Newcastle that he does not regard it as likely that the
county miners will desire to participate in the Race Week
holiday this year—a holiday held over the last full week
in June, usually to enable the workers to visit the summer
race meeting at Gosforth Park. He adds that there may
be odd cases in which the pits will be laid idle for one or
at most two days.

Federated Area.

Meetings in connection with the Derbyshire, Notts, and
Midland Counties Colliery Enginemen and Firemen’s
Union were held on Saturday last at Mansfield, Notting-
ham, Chesterfield, and Langley Mill. They had been
convened as a result of the refusal of the colliery owners
to make any concession regarding the men’s application
for an advance in wages on account of the increased cost
of living, and their failure to grant to members in Derby-
shire the award obtained by the union of the Notts Miners’

Association for Notts enginemen and firemen. Air. S. W.
Rowarth, the general secretary, stated that the union was
still open to negotiate with the owners. The men had
made up their minds that something must be done, and
done quickly.

At meetings of firemen employed at Lord Ellesmere’s,
Clifton and Kersley Coal Company’s, Messrs. A. Knowles
and Sons’, Hulton Colliery Company’s., Tyldesley Coal
Company’s, and the Astley and Tyldesley Coal Company’s
collieries, held last week, it was reported that the trade
union colliery firemen of Lancashire and Cheshire were
prepared to adopt drastic measures in order to get the
whole of the firemen into the union. It was mentioned
that, as a result of the present propaganda work, many
new members had lately been enrolled.

More than 100 delegates attended a Sheffield conference
of the National Federation of Colliery Surface Workers,
presided over by Mr. W. H. Proudler. It had been speci-
ally convened to decide upon matters affecting the present
position of these workers, and the societies represented
were the National Amalgamated Union of Labour,
National Union of General Workers, National Amalga-
mated Union of Enginemen, Firemen, Alechanics, Motor-
men, and Electrical Workers, and the Winding and
General Engineers’ Associated Trades Union Society. The
following resolutions were unanimously carried:—(1) That
owing to the declaration of officials of the Yorkshire
Miners’ Association “ that all surfacemen and underground
enginemen must become members of the Yorkshire Miners’
Association, and that if they do not, the Yorkshire Miners’
Association may take drastic action by stopping the pits
to enforce and carry into effect their threats,” this con-
ference of organised surface workers from South Yorkshire
collieries instructs the officials of the Surface Workers’
Federation to immediately take a ballot of all members
employed at the collieries as to whether they will hand in
notices to enforce and secure freedom of action, civil
liberties, and to maintain their rights as trade unionists,
with full liberty, without interference or coercion, to
remain a member of the trade union of their choice.
Further, to maintain their power to deal with their own
labour, wage, and hour questions, by direct negotiations
with the coal owners, and in accordance with agreements
already in existence. (2) That we immediately apply for
an increase of the present war bonus from 18 per cent, to
43 per cent., to be calculated and paid on the gross wage
as is now the 18 per cent. It was agreed to forward these
resolutions to the Premier and Government departments
affected, and also to the South Yorkshire coal owners. It
was further agreed that the conference press for a maxi-
mum working day of eight hours for all men working at
collieries.

At a conference of colliery surface workers held at
Chesterfield on Saturday, Mr. J. T. Taylor presiding,
Conn. A. J. Bailey, iii/ his report, stated that the award
of Mr. Mackenzie, K.C., so far as it affected shop and yard
men, had been adopted and paid. At Shipley Colliery,
the men handed in 14 days’ notice, but before this expirecl
the management had been met and an agreement made to
.grant the increase. The question of cokemen had also
been settled at Pinxton and Holbrook, bringing the men
into line with those at Staveley and Clay Cross, the
increase of 5s. per week taking effect from April 1. The
conference also endorsed resolutions passed at the South
Yorkshire conference.

Scotland.

It has been decided that those miners in Fife who are on
short working time shall only be required to pay half
contribution to the association funds.

No. 2 pit, Grange, was idle for three days, owing to the
drawers declining to work until a better quality of grease
was supplied for the hutches. The company undertook to
satisfy the men’s requirements.

The miners at Hirst Colliery, Salsburgh, were idle for a
week, because of a proposal to introduce coal contracting
in the colliery. As the result of a conference between the
representatives of the employers and the workmen, it has
been agreed to revert to the status quo for a period of a
fortnight, during which time the whole question of work-
ing the anthracite seam in the colliery will be considered.

At Grayrigg Colliery, Caldercruix, the men employed
in a section have made application for increased tonnage
rates. As the management have refused any concessions,
the matter is being referred to the executive of the
National Union of Mine Workers.

The miners employed in Belhaven Colliery, Wishaw,
have been contending for the abolition of the day shift
wage, and the substitution of tonnage rates. Members of
the executive of the National Union, who have examined
the section, have reported that under existing conditions
it is impossible to fix an equitable tonnage rate, and the
men, meanwhile, are to continue on shift wages.

At the Edinburgh Collieries friction is threatened with
regard to deductions for dirt .found amongst the coal. Mr.
Young, the assistant agent, has the matter in hand, and it
is expected an amicable arrangement will be entered into
without loss of work.

The men employed in the stone coal section of Litch-
field pit, Hurlford, Ayrshire, have requested the agents
to put in a claim for an advance in wages on the ground
that earnings are not up to the standard.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

At the annual conference of the Blast Furnacemen’s
Federation, held at Harrogate last week, the secretary,
Mr. P. Walls, in his annual report, stated that the result
of the year’s working was very satisfactory. The mem-
bership had risen from 15,312 to 18,498, and the funds had
increased.

A few months ago certain iron ore winding enginemen
resolved to form an association, and when it increased in
size they decided to link up with an organisation of their
own class. To this end they made overtures to the
Cumberland Colliery Winding Enginemen’s Association,
and after Mr. Carlton, the secretary, had explained
matters, it was decided to join the latter body. The asso-
ciation and National Federation consequently accepted the'
iron . ore winding enginemen. Afterwards a notice was
published at the ore mines requiring the enginemen there
to join the Iron Miners’ Union. Naturally, a cessation of
work was the last thing wanted by the authorities
and others concerned, and conferences were arranged in
order to settle the matter. The upshot was the suggestion
that a ballot should be taken. This was accordingly done,
the figures showing a very close contest, 63 voting for the
miners and 58 for the enginemen.

Sir Evan Jones, a director of several Welsh colliery com-
panies, has been appointed Commissioner of Dyes, and will
have charge of a special temporary department of the
Board of Trade concerned with the development of the
British dye-making industry.