548 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 15, 1918. colliery managers. In some instances the payment of the bonus was being delayed, and in others the method in which it was being paid was tardy and unsatisfactory. The secretary was instructed to communicate with the Coal Con- troller. "Messrs. Walker, Wynne, and Masterton, of the Scottish mines inspectorate, were present, and discussed with the members the new voluntary regulations to prevent the leakage and miscarrying of detonators and explosives from the coal mines in Scotland. It transpired that the association, through their law agents, had communicated with the Home Office, suggesting certain modifications in the Explosives Order, 1915. No reply had been received. The conference between the mines inspectors and the managers proved most helpful, and Mr. Henry Walker, chief inspector for the Scotland division, in acknowledging a vote of thanks, said he believed that more frequent meet- ings of the kind would be beneficial, and would tend to clear away many points of difficulty. At a meeting of the West of Scotland branch of the Asso- ciation of Mining Electrical Engineers in the Royal Tech- nical College, Glasgow, on Saturday, a paper was read by Mr. J. Watson (London) on “ Conservation of Exhaust Steam and its Utilisation.” The author said that, as engi- neers, they should regard it as a national duty to see that fuel was utilised to the full limit of power. The by-pro- ducts from the carbonising of coal were now becoming increasingly valuable, and everywhere intelligent stoking should be insisted upon. The coal shipments from Burntisland last week aggre- gated 7,972 tons, an increase of 3,819 tons on the previous week last year. At Methil the coal exported, 37,173 tons, also shows an increase. This is the largest export for fully two years. The previous week’s total was only 28,137 tons. In pre-war time Methil Dock exported about 52,000 tons per week, and Burntisland about 40,000 tons. At Falkirk, for failing to produce an adequate amount of ventilation in a machine section in Easter Jaw pit, Andrew M’Knight, under-manager, was fined £20. The prosecu- tion was a sequel to a recent accident, whereby a workman was alleged to have been fatally gassed by carbon monoxide. Mr. G. L. Kerr, mining engineer, in giving evidence for the defence, stated that had “ bratticing ” been erected, it would not have prevented the accident. He was inclined to say «that the accident was due to the overcharging of shot-holes, resulting in a large quantity of poisonous gas being imprisoned in the debris, and being liberated when the workmen started to fill the material. The Sheriff said he had no hesitation in finding accused guilty. It had been put forward, in the defence, that M’Knight had been told by the firemen in their reports that the ventilation was correct, but the Sheriff said this did not take the responsi- bility away from accused, as it was his duty not only to take their reports, but to see that these reports were correct. It was quite clear that the current of air sent through the mine by the fan on the surface would not reach the run in question, or, at any rate, to that end of it. He could not accept the contention that the prosecution must fail because the percentage of oxygen and other gases in the air had hot proved. The overriding provision of all was that there should be a sufficient system of ventilation. LABOUR AND WAGES. South Wales and Monmouthshire. The Central Trimming Board for South Wales met in Cardiff on Monday, Mr. T. Evans (Ocean) in the chair. Discussion took place as to the tariff for the Llanover, Shandon, Southport and Exmouth type of steamers, and it was resolved that in future these should not be separate, but should come under the general tariff. This entails an increase from 2d. and 2|d. per ton to 3d. per ton, subject to war bonus. The Tredegar workmen, at a meeting of men from all parts of the valley on Monday, discussed the question of the comb-out, and gave instructions to their agent that if this were proceeded with before the men had been balloted, the executive should be asked to call a conference of the whole coal field. One of the representatives upon the Federa- tion executive laid stress upon the fact that the gain in the Federation funds for 1917 was only £34/'00 as compared with £s 0,000 for the previous year, and accounted for this by the out-of-work benefit required through depression of trade. He said that by the end of the year they must either increase the contributions or curtail benefits, otherwise they would drift into bankruptcy. In the Rhondda district meeting the question of visits to the Western Front came up, and a resolution was passed pro- testing against the action of the Government in conducting members of trade unions to France. The East Glamorgan miners, who met on Monday at Caerphilly, after a discussion on the question of the comb- out, passed a resolution desiring that the Federation execu- tive would give them a lead by recommending the men how to vote on the ballot of the comb-out. Complaint was made at the monthly meeting of the Avon Valley miners on Saturday as to the filling of coal on stop days, and a resolution was passed that this practice should not be carried on except where it was necessary for purposes of ventilation.—The agent reported in regard to transferring men under the National Service scheme that the whole of the arrangements had not been completed, but would be ready within a few days and that they would be carried out through the Federation. At the annual meeting of the Cardiff, Penarth, and Barry coal trimmers, held on Sunday, Mr. J. T. Clatworthy was re-elected president of their trade union ; and the other officers, with members of the committee, were re- elected. The South Wales and Monmouthshire Colliery Examiners’ Association met in Cardiff on Saturday, when the election of Mr. R. L. Williams as president for the coming year was confirmed, as also the election of other officers. The auditors reported upon the balance sheet, and this was accepted. Proposals were discussed in the memorandum of agreement for forming a joint board, and it was decided to send a copy to each of the lodges. Messrs. John Baker and Isaac George (past presidents of the association) were presented with an address of appreciation for their services during their period of office. Mr. W. L. Cook, miners’ deputy agent in the Monmouth- shire Eastern Valleys and a member of the South Wales Coal Conciliation Board and of the executive council of the South Wales Miners’ Federation, has accepted a permanent position under Sir Richard Redmayne, to settle industrial disputes, and will shortly proceed to London to commence his new duties. North of England. Durham coal owners and representatives of the Durham Miners’ Association met in conference at Newcastle to con- sider proposals submitted by the men for the amendment of the Conciliation Board at present existing for the regula- tion of wages and for an increase in the basis wage of 50 per cent. The men desire drastic alteration in the method of ascertainment and the power of the accountants in ascer- taining the selling price. The proposals would mean a very great change in the Conciliation Board, and would show to the workmen more fully the possibility of the industry to bear a larger proportion in wages than has been the case in the past, A long discussion took place on the question of establishing a new conciliation board, in which it will be possible to ascertain the cost of production, as well as the selling price of coal, and by this means ascertain the possi- bility of the industry paying the wages. No decision was come to, and the meeting was adjourned until March 18. Federated Area. The committee of the Lancashire and Cheshire Colliery Firemen’s Association met the committee of the Lancashire and Cheshire Coal Owners’ Association at the office of Sir T. Ratcliffe-Ellis, at Wigan, on Saturday, to consider matters connected with the claim of the organised colliery firemen for a definite annual holiday with pay, free coal and a suit of clothes each year. The representatives of the coal owners submitted that they could not deal with the questions raised without the sanction of the Coal Con- troller, and eventually it was agreed by both sides that the claim put forward by the men should be submitted to Mr. Guy Calthrop, the Coal Controller. Scotland. A point regarding war wage has been decided at one of the collieries in Fife. It appears that the company concerned had at the outbreak of war put one of their pits on single shift. As there were plenty of orders for this class of coal they asked the miners to oblige them by working 12 days per fortnight. This the men agreed to do temporarily, and this arrangement continued till recently, when the men decided to work only 11 days. The company resented this action, and deducted one day’s war wage per fortnight. The Miners’ Union reported the matter to the Coal Controller. Arrangements have been made for a meeting of the Miners’Union and representatives of the company con- cerned in the “ Billy Fairplay ” dispute in Fife. CONTRACTS OPEN FOR COAL AND COKE. Tor Contracts Advertised in this issue received too late to debenture redemption funds and transferring £20,000 to the reserve fund, a balance of £10,770 remains to carry forward to next year, subject to excess profits duty, the amount of which is not yet ascertained. The first mortgage debenture redemption fund will then stand at £45 50u, the second mortgage debenture fund at £44,724, and the reserve fund at £80,000, making a total of £170,224. For 1916 6 per cent, was paid on the ordinary shares, and for each of two years before that 5 per cent. Great Western Colliery Company Limited.—The report for the year states that the profit was £121,304, and there is a balance for disposal of £141,375. The directors recommend that £30,000 be devoted to reserve for develop- ments, and that a further dividend be paid on ordinary shares of 2s., making 15 per cent, for the year, and that £53,875 be carried forward. Hadfields Limited.—The directors recommend a further dividend on the ordinary shares of 4s. per share, together with a bonus of Is. per share, making 6s. for the year, all free of income tax. Hardy Patent Pick Company Limited. — The accounts for the two years ended June 30 last show an unappro- priated balance of £14,832, after providing for debenture interest, dividends on preference and ordinary shares, and depreciation. The directors now recommend a bonus of 5 per cent, on the ordinary shares, less tax, place £2,000 for further depreciation, and carry forward £9,332. Low Moor Company Limited.—The report for the year ended December 31 states that profit on trading, after making the usual provision for depreciation, is £63,572, to which must be added £75,608 brought in, making £139,180. After meeting prior charges there remains £114,510. The directors recommend a final dividend on the shares at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum (subject to income tax), payable April 15, leaving £107,010 to be carried forward, subject to excess profits duty for 1917 and munitions levy for 1915 and 1916. The directors believe that no payment in respect of munitions levy is due for 1915, but a final settlement has not yet been made either for that or the two subsequent years. North British Locomotive Company Limited.—The directors stat® that owing to the negotiations referred to in their circulars of March 8 and July 31, 1917, being still unsettled they ar® not yet in a position to submit a balance- sheet for 1916. For the same reason the accounts for 1917 cannot y®t b® presented. The directors, however, recom- mend the payment of the preference dividend for the half- year ended December 31 last and a dividend of 8 per cent, free of tax, on the ordinary capital for the year, payable 27th instant to holders registered 9th instant. Shelton Iron, Steel and Coal Company Limited.— The directors regret to state that, in view of the fact that no adjustment of figures has yet been arrived at with the Ministry of Munitions, they are again unable to submit a I alance-sheet at present. They are satisfied that the profits available will justify the payment of a further interim dividend of 5 per cent., making 7| per cent, (less tax) for the year, and they propose, therefore, as in the previous year, to make this distribution without waiting for the completion of the accounts. They do not con- template recommending any further distribution in respect of the year ended December 31, 1917. Stewarts and Lloyds Limited.—It has been decided, after setting aside £100,000 for depreciation and after making provision for estimated liability for excess profits duty, to recommend that (subject to audit) the following dividends be paid for the half-year ended December 31 last, viz.:—At the rate of 6 per cent, per annum on the pre- ference shares, and at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum on the preferred ordinary shares, and for the year ended December 31 last a dividend of 2s. per share and a bonus of 6d. per share on the deferred shares; placing £100,000 to general reserve, £20 000 to employees benefit reserve, and carrying forward £100,000. The directors have made