March 28, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 653 Tyson, 17, pony putter, had been paid seven weeks’ com- pensation for having got his foot crushed with a tub, the claim for further compensation was disallowed, the manager stating that Tyson was riding on the set when the accident happened. Jonathan Ashman, 15, bank lad at Hebburn, who fell over an embankment and broke his arm, had his claim disallowed, the manager alleging that Ashman was away from his employment when the accident happened. J. W. Hetherington, 43, stoneman at Wear- mouth, who scratched his right hand whilst lifting a stone and subsequently suffered from blood poisoning through dirty water getting into the scratch, was awarded com- pensation, as was also Thomas Tallentyre, hewer at Sacriston, who was off work a fortnight owing to an ulcer in his foot, caused by a piece of coal getting into his boot. In several other cases regarding men of between 60 and 70 years of age, who had been in receipt of full compen- sation, the amount was reduced on the owners’ plea that the men’s present incapacity was partly due to old age and only partly to accident. The need for better housing accommodation at Burnhope was laid before the Lanchester Rural District Council by a deputation from the Burnhope miners’ lodge. It was stated that, for a population of 2,047, there were only 328 dwellings, the majority of which were three-roomed, while quite a number consisted of but two rooms. As a result, young people who married had either to “ live in ” with their parents or had to reside some miles away from their work. Messrs. Ritson, owners of the local colliery, had offered to provide the land as cheaply as it could be provided in any place in the country, but would not build houses. Under the housing scheme proposed to be entered into after the war, Burnhope had been allo- cated 100 dwellings, but, in view of the great shortage and the overcrowding, the number should not be less than 150. The deputation desired that the council should make the necessary housing provision. A deputation had waited upon Messrs. Ritson, and had urged them to build 100 houses. The owners produced plans which had been passed for 25 semi-detached villas, and refused to build any more, contending that it was the duty of the council to build. There were 196 workmen at the colliery, receiving rent allowance, who had to walk from South Moor, Annfield Plain and Stanley. Coun. Curry said that before any houses were built at Burnhope they would have to con- sider the life of the colliery. They did not want to erect dwellings which would stand empty in a few years. Mr. Hobbs declared that the life of the colliery warranted the building of houses, and pointed out that Messrs. Ritson were making a park there. After further discus- sion, the deputation withdrew on the assurance that the matter would be considered. The council of the Durham Miners’ Association last Saturday decided to grant £150 to Sir Arthur Pearson’s fund to provide for the children of blinded soldiers. A resolution was adopted expressing the opinion that Chester - le-Street, Spennymoor, Blaydon, Houghton, Seaham, Sedgefield, South Shields, Jarrow and Durham, were suit- able constituencies for miners’ candidates, and pledging the council to do all in its power to recommend the adoption of such candidates and secure their election. It was decided to seek, through the Miners’ Federation, for State control and payment of “ the medical fraternity.” It was agreed that it should be an instruction to the agents and executive committee to meet the owners as soon as possible, with a view to obtaining their assistance in approaching the Match Controller to secure an adequate supply of matches for those working in naked-light collieries. What was undoubtedly a very hard case was brought before the Middlesbrough tribunal, when Mr. Punch appealed for exemption for a coal retailer, who, having previously been refused exemption, sold his business, and was then classified C3 by the military, and told he would be of no use in the Army. He was thrown back on the world without any business, said Mr. Punch, but gradually got it together again, and had now been classified Grade 2 and called up. He was married and had four children. The tribunal gave him conditional exemption, despite a protest from the National Service representative. The question whether death from heart rupture comes within the scope of the Workmen’s Compensation Act was discussed at Durham County Court when Margaret Isabella Stones, Leamside, sued the Lambton and Hetton Collieries, Limited, for £300 compensation in respect of the death of her husband, Thomas Stones, 33, hewer at the Hazard Pit. Mr. Heath, for the claimant, said that, on October 18 last, deceased went to work practically in perfect health and hewed five tnbs. When the putter went back for the sixth tub about ten minutes later he found the deceased lying dead, with his left hand over his heart and his right hand extended. Dr. C. R. Sutherland, deceased’s medical attendant, said he had only attended him once for some trifling illness. Deceased died from rupture of the heart, which was a very uncommon cause of death He would have a sudden agonising pain and then would die rapidly. The rupture, in his opinion, must have been caused by a sudden severe strain. Shovelling coal into the tub might have caused the strain. Mr. Meynell, for the defence, contended that the deceased died from natural causes, and that the death was not an accident for which compensation should be paid. Judgment was reserved. Mr. Bert Low, son of Mr. W. Low, chief engineer for the collieries of Messrs. Bolckow, Vaughan and Co. Limited, has been appointed chemist at the firm’s by-product coke ovens. He has “ done his bit” in the Army, having served for over three years, and having been discharged in con- sequence of wounds. The thriftlessness of young miners was commented upon at a meeting held in Durham City to make arrangements for a Tank visit to the county. Councillor T. F. Brass, of Sacriston, stated that thousands upon thousands of the population of the county—putters at the mines and other such workers—were making large sums of money and many were squandering their earnings in a most foolish way. That class of people was the worst to reach, and thus a mine of wealth was not being developed. Councillor Hendy, of Bishop Auckland, thought it would greatly assist matters if the union officials and members of miners’ unions could be induced to lend a hand in bringing the matter home to these men. Mr. Brass replied that most of the colliery lads were out of the control of the union officials. A conference of colliery workers was held at Bishop Auckland to consider the colliery doctors’ application for an increase of 33 per cent, in fees. Thus, the president, Mr. M. Clark, of the Westerton miners’ lodge, sought to deny that the doctors could be trade unionists “ because they were the offspring of parents who were directly opposed to trade unionism, and they had never been reared in a trade union atmosphere.” Another delegate is reported as saying that “in Scotland the doctors were content with 3d. per week, whilst in Durham county they were wanting 6d. per week, with drugs at the same price, and maternity cases were 7s. 6d., as against 15s. in Durham county.” A vote of the lodges of the Northumberland Miners’ Association on the proposal to send 24 representatives on a visit to the Western Front has resulted in its defeat by 352 votes to 89. Transfers of two small Northumbrian colli-ries are stated to have taken place recently, the Brinkburn Coal Company having sold the Raw Colliery to the Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Company Limited, and Mr. R. Wood, of Castle Wood, Morpeth, having disposed of the Healey Cote Colliery, at Pauperhaugh, Brinkburn, to Messrs. Haggie, who are stated to be the principal owners of the Pegswood, Walbottle and Redheugh Collieries. At the Raw Colliery, it is proposed to convey coal to the Rothbury and Morpeth branch of the North British Railway by means of an aerial ropeway. At Healey Cote, the construction of a private railway is under consideration. Developments on a large scale in the near future are forecasted. Lancashire and Cheshire. At the annual meeting of the Manchester Association of Engineers on Saturday, Mr. Joseph Butterworth, of Messrs. Lancaster and Tonge Limited, was elected president for the year. From the report of the council, read by the secretary, Mr. Frank Hazelton, it appeared that there are 706 members on the roll, with a cash balance to the credit of the associa- tion of £6,735. A cordial vote of thanks was passed to the retiring president, Mr. J. Phillips Bedson. A paper on “ Machine Forging ” was read by Mr. D. M. Caird. Strong opposition, it is expected, will be forthcoming against the proposed rationing of coal in Lancashire. Members of the Lancashire and Cheshire Coal Owners’ Association and the Lancashire Miners’ Federation agree in stating that there is no need for rationing as far as Lancashire is concerned. Yorkshire. The council of the Yorkshire Miners’ Association, meeting at Barnsley on Tuesday, agreed to recommend the branches to adopt the resolution of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain offering no resistance to the taking of 50,000 men from the mines for the Army, but expressed the opinion that the Government should at once adopt the war aims laid down by the Allied Labour movement. It was also decided to recommend the branches to assist in getting the men from the mines with the object of avoiding any favouritism being shown. From Total cargo. Total 1 bunker. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bristol Channel ports 97,357 85,746 7,880 6,278 North-western ports 194,223 142,444 40,467 33,816 North-eastern ports 399,888 370,190 19,350 20,387 Humber ports 56,612 28,651 7,266 3,519 Other ports on east coast 510 7,432 7,235 1,251 Other English ports 4,931 6,011 2,524 1,363 Total from England and Wales 753,521 640,474 84,722 66,614 Ports on east coast of Scotland 30,917 35,959 6,424 4,350 Ports on west coast of Scotland 143,839 162,529 22,747 19,349 Total from Scotland 174,756 198,488 ■ 29,171 23,699 Irish ports — — 3,814 1,746 Total from United Kingdom 928,277 838,962 117,737 92,059 The destination of cargo shipments was as follows :— At the 23rd annual meeting of the Sheffield and District Coal Merchants’ Association last week, Mr. J. A. Turner was elected president, and Mr. G. C. Brookes hon. secretary. In recognition of the latter’s services in the secretarial capacity for the past 15 years, he was presented with a handsome gold hunter watch and illuminated address. Mrs Brookes was presented with a gold wristlet watch. Kent. At Canterbury Corporation meeting this week there was received a resolution of thanks passed by the board of the Chislet Colliery Co. Limited, for the valuable assistance lent by the Corporation, which secured the sanction of the authorities to the restarting of the Chislet Colliery sinking. It is hoped at the present rate of sinking to reach the first workable seam in the colliery in about six weeks’ time. Scotland. Coal Distribution in Glasgow—Methil Shipments— Exemption Claims—Transfer of Miners—Danish Contract. The Glasgow Corporation Coal Supply Distribution Com- mittee, of which Coun. Welsh is chairman, have been considering the question of the coal supply for spme weeks. It is felt that some system of rationing is almost necessary, not only from the point of view of obtaining economy in coal, but in order to obtain the best use of the available man-power in the industry. The idea is that when a short- age comes the available coal supply will be distributed over the whole community, and thus secure that people in top flats or in inaccessible districts will be treated on the same basis as others more fortunately situated. A conference with representatives of the coal trade is to be held. The meeting will be attended by a representative of the Coal Controller, who will explain the working of the scheme which has been in force in London during the winter. The committee will afterwards consider what modifications are necessary for the application of the scheme to Glasgow. It is the opinion of the committee that the ration for Glasgow will require to be more than that allocated in London. The coal shipments from Methil for last week show an increase totalling 23,144 tons as against 20,323 tons previous week. From Burntisland the output was 10,820 tons, being an increase of 8,810 tons on the same week in 1917. Recently the claims of forty coal trimmers at the docks at Methil for exemption from the Army were dismissed by Sheriff Fleming at an appeal court held in Kirkcaldy. Since then the Port Labour Committee has been instituted, to which the cases have been remitted for adjudication. The men selected to be called up state that while not unwilling to serve in the Army, younger men with fewer respon- sibilities have been exempted or their cases delayed. When a number of men were at work last week in No. 2 pit, Nackerty Colliery, Lanarkshire, belonging to the United Collieries Limited, an explosion of gas occurred. James Lang, one of the miners, succumbed to his injuries two days later, while another workman, named Michael Duffy, was seriously injured. The Aberdeen Coal Company, Aberdeen, directors report an available balance for distribution of £8,048, and recommend a dividend of 10 per cent., free of tax, placing £3.500 to reserve, and carrying forward £2,298. The coal shipments from the Clyde during the past week total 126.104 tons, as compared with 101,912 tons during the previous week, and 70,337 tons for the corresponding period last year. From the Forth the ship- ments were 17,252 tons, against 19,605 tons for the previous week, and 22,780 tons twelve months ago; and from Fife 36,170 tons, against 34,831 tons for the previous week, and 11,6 <8 tons a year ago. At a meeting of the executive committee of the National Union of Scoteh Mine Workers, at Glasgow, the committee decided to take no action in connection with a request which had been received from the Coal Controller to the effect that if miners were idle in any district they might be transferred to the shipyards, where more labour is required. The committee also decided to leave the district unions free to make whatever arrangements they may think proper with regard to recruiting among miners. Consideration as to taking steps to abolish the contracting system in the Scottish coalfields was adjourned. The Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions states that there is not the slightest reason' why all the cannel coal raised in the country should not be treated by existing gas works during the next month or two. Notwithstanding labour shortage, the production of Scottish shale oil has increased since the beginning of the war. The Danish State railway authorities have, it is under- stood, accepted tenders for the supply of Scotch coals to the extent of 110,000 tons, as follows Aitken, 30,000 tons ; Lochgelly, 40,000; Bridgeness, 10,000; and Bannockburn, 10,000 tons. Owing to the termination of the lease, the plant at Lauchope Colliery, Chapelhall, belonging to Allan Dunsmuir, Esq., coal master, is exposed for sale. COASTWISE SHIPMENTS IN FEBRUARY. According to the returns issued by the Commissioners of H.M. Customs and Excise, the following quantities of coal were shipped from the United Kingdom during February:— To ports in England and Wales Scotland........... Ireland ........... Feb. 1917. Feb. 1918. Tons. Tons. 539,263 ... 493,767 40,815 ... 18,169 348,199 ... 327,026 MANOMETER FOR COKE OVEN WORK. At the meeting of the Newcastle Section of the Society of Chemical Industry, Mr. D. W. Jones exhibited a differential manometer of a design made exclusively in G-ermany before the war, but now manufactured by Messrs. Brady and Martin of Newcastle. He stated that the need of a manometer capable of recording accurately a very slight vacuum or pressure was one that the chemist or engineer was certain to experience sooner or later; indeed, the successful and efficient control of many processes depended upon the preserva- tion of the correct vacuum or pressure demanded by certain established factors. Among the many processes where these conditions obtained were coke oven practice; sulphuric acid concentration, mechanical roasting of sulphide ores and cblorodising roasting in furnaces of the multiple hearth type, where perfect ignition of com- bustible matter, prevention of mixture of valuable ncid gases (and consequent loss of acid) with waste fire gases, and conformity with the requirements of the Alkali Act were only assured by obtaining the correct vacuum on the various hearths. A feature of the manometer was that levelling and adjustment were dispensed with, much valuable time being thus economised. It might be used as a fixed instrument or, if not required in that capacity, was just as convenient when used as a portable piece of apparatus. The degree of sensitiveness must be taken as ten times greater than that recorded when water was used in a vertical U tube. Two liquids of different specific gravity were employed in the construc- tion—one colourless and the other a fast red. The pressure or vacuum under observation exerted upon these liquids an influence which caused the red liquid to rise when vacuum was being measured and to fall when dealing with pressure, where greater accuracy was ensured by reading off a coloured liquid contained in one straight limb against a white scale graduated in millimetres. Such ease of manipulation, combined with the general utility of the instrument, justified him in saying that that manometer only required to become more generally known to be more extensively used.