906

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

May 3, 1918.

When a soft coke is used, the waste gases are very
rich in CO, and the ratio of CO to CO2 by weight is con-
sequently low, whereas when a good, hard coke is being
used, the CO is less and the ratio consequently consider-
ably higher. This is, of course, explained by the greater
ease with which the CO2, in the ascending gases, attacks
the carbon of the coke when it is soft, and which action
the harder coke is able to resist in a much greater
decree.

If hard coke is sent to the furnaces from the coke
ovens, one gets the furnaces driving freely, a low coke
consumption, an even quality of iron, with plenty of gas
for stoves, boilers and gas engines, and to spare, but
with soft coke slow drivings, increased coke consump-
tion, variable quality of iron, shoitage of gas, and
general trouble and discontent.

Since the blastfurnace manager, in most cases, is
more or less in the hands of the manager of the coke
ovens, it behoves him to try and make the managers of
coke ovens produce and send him a hard coke. .Doubt-
less, it can be done by “ stamping; ” but there are not
very many plants in this country that are fitted with
that device, nor is it necessary to produce a coke of
greater hardness than, say, 76^ per cent, for normal
conditions, although greater hardness means a larger
margin of safety.

REGULATIONS FOR GANISTER
WORKING.

In pursuance of Part I. of the Second Schedule to
the Coal Mines Act, 1911, notice is given that the
Home Secretary proposes to make General Regulations
in substitution for the General Regulations made
under the said Act, and dated September 9, 1913, to
apply to all mines under that Act in which ganister
or other stone containing not less than 80 per cent,
of silica (SiO2) is worked. Any objection with respect
to the draft Regulations by or on behalf of any person
affected thereby must be sent to the Secretary of
State before May 26 next. Every such objection must
be in writing, and must -state : (a) the specific grounds
of objection; (5) the omissions, additions or modifica-
tions asked for. These Regulations shall come into
force on August 1, 1918. “Stone” means ganister
or other stone containing not less than 80 per cent,
of silica (SiO2). The wording of the draft appears
below.

1.	(a) No person shall use or cause or allow to be
used in the mine any rock drill worked by mechanical
power unless a jet of water is directed on to the
cutting edge of the drill during the whole time the
drill is at work, or unless other means equally efficient,
approved by the Chief Inspector of Mines, is provided
and used so as to prevent the escape of dust into the
air.

(b) If drilling is done by manual labour, a stream
of water shall be continually directed on to the cutting
edge of the* drill during the whole time drilling is
being done by means of a hose or syphon, or other
means equally efficient approved by the Chief Inspector
of Mines, so as to prevent the escape of dust into the
air.

2.	Except where an efficient waterblast is used to
the satisfaction of the Inspector of the Division for
allaying the dust after blasting ::—

(a)	No blasting shall be done during any shift
in which workmen are engaged in getting mineral
or within the four hours preceding the commence-
ment of any such shift;

(b)	No person shall work in any place in which
a shot has been fired, or in any place on the
return side thereof during the shift in which the
shot was fired, nor until at least four hours have
elapsed from the firing of the shot.

Where a waterblast is used, no person shall enter
the place in which the shot has been fired until at
least half an hour has elapsed from the firing of
the shot.

3.	No person shall take down any ganister stone
from the face by means of a wedge, lever, or similar
appliance, unless every part of the surface of the
stone, including every break therein, has been
effectively watered, naturally or otherwise, so as to
prevent the escape of dust into the air.

4.. Stone shall not be broken up below ground except
so far as may be necessary to allow it to be loaded
into the tub.

In the process of breaking up any stone below
ground, the part of the stone where the hammer or
other tool is to be applied shall be completely covered
with wet brattice cloth so as to prevent the escape of
dust into the air.

5.	No person shall, in any part of the mine below
ground, remove, or cause or allow to be removed, any
stone, if dry and dusty, unless it has-been effectively
watered so as to prevent the escape of dust into the
air during removal.

6.	Efficient mechanical or other means shall be'
installed to maintain a constant and adequate ven-
tilating current throughout the mine.

7.	In every case where a working place has advanced
more than 15 ft. in front of the air, and in every
other case where necessary, brattice, or air pipes of
non-inflammable material shall be carried up to within
such distance, in no case more than 15 ft. from the
face, as may be necessary to ensure an adequate
amount of air reaching the face.

8.	Efficient means of exhaust ventilation or an
efficient watering or other arrangement shall be pro-
vided and kept provided in connection with every
stone breaking machine used at the mine to prevent
the escape of dust into the air, and no person shall
work, or cause or allow to be worked, any such machine
unless such arrangement or means is provided and
effectively used.

9.	Notices calling attention to the danger arising
to the health of the workers from the practice of
spitting shall be kept affixed in conspicuous positions
at the mine where they may be easily read by persons
employed.

10.	It shall be the duty of the owner, agent or
manager to see that an ample supply of clean water
under such pressure as may be necessary for the pur-
pose of compliance with the foregoing Regulations is
available in every working place, and that all
appliances or other things necessary to enable the
above Regulations to be carried out, are provided and
used in accordance with these Regulations, and are
maintained in working order.

11.	It shall be the duty of all persons employed in
the mine to comply with the requirements of the
Regulations, and with such instructions as shall be
given to them by the officials with a view to such
requirements being carried out, and it shall be the
duty of all persons employed in the mine, whether
workmen or officials of the mine, to report any breach
of these Regulations to the manager.

Labour and wages.

North of England.

Dealing with the food question, in his latest circular
to the Durham miners, Mr. T. H. Cann says it frequently
happens, in the course of one’s duty as a miners agent,
when discussing disputes that arise in the mining’ industry
that one is confronted with the complaint that the produc-
tion per man is decreasing. The owners or managers
rarely make allowance for the fact that the human machine
is only capable of continuing at a certain standard of
production if properly attended to. Payment by piece
rates is a method which-keeps the individual striving at
a pitch which, although conducive to the expansion of
dividend, is inimical to the future physical well-being of
the worker, a pitch that can only be maintained by con-
sistently feeding the human frame with sound, wholesome
and sufficient food. How rarely, declares Mr. Cann, does
the management take this into consideration.

The East Hetton lodge of the Durham Miners’ Associa-
tion has forwarded the following motion to the agenda of
the association council meeting :—“ That, where men are
laid idle two or more days through want of tonnage or
through any cause over which the Coal Controller has
control, each man be made up to a wage equal to his
county average multiplied by 5£ days per week, hewers
and fillers 4| days; or, where it is necessary to make men’s
earnings up to this scale, the money required for such
be found out of excess profits collected by the Government,
or a levy of Id. per week per workman, the owners of
the colliery to subscribe the amount that the workmen
contribute, and, if a further sum be needed, it be found
by the Coal Controller out of the excess profits; or that
the National Insurance Act be amended for the period
of the war, so as to include miners to qualify for unemploy-
ment benefit.”

For the annual council meeting of the Northumberland
Miners’ Association, which is to be held on May 18,
45 motions, or double the usual number, have been sent in..

Silksworth miners have rejected by a large majority the
invitation to become affiliated with the Houghton-le-
Spring Labour Party.

Federated Area.

The grievances at the Silver Hill Colliery in reference
to a recent award were discussed at a meeting of the
Notts. Miners’ Association on Monday, and it was decided
to leave the matter in the hands of local officials, and fail-
ing a satisfactory settlement, that the men should be
allowed to take a ballot on the question of handing in
notices. It was announced that a temporary settlement
had been accepted in the case of the dispute concerning
surface workers employed by the Babbington Company.

Scotland.

At Kinneil Collieries, West Lothian, of the 70 young
miners coiping within the age limit for military service,
50 have already joined voluntarily.

The dispute in the Jewel coal section of Broomrigg No. 3
pit, Dennyloanhead, Stirlingshire, has now been satisfac-
torily adjusted. Pending arbitration, the miners are to
work under the old conditions for a fortnight.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

The Dockers’ Union section of the tinplaters met on
Saturday in Swansea to discuss matters for submission
to the Conciliation Board, and there was a very long
agenda—over 60 items coming up for consideration. The
packers and others seek to obtain an eight hours shift;
it is desired to merge the 50 per cent, bonus into the
permanent wage; that piece workers should have six turns
pay for five nights’ work, similar to the miners; that
double time should be paid for Sunday work; with many
other items increasing wages or adding to the favourable
conditions—amongst these being a proposition from
Cwmfelin that men in this industry should obtain an abate-
ment on the income tax, as the miners have done, in
respect of wear and tear of clothes, the abatement
suggested being £11 per annum.

The workmen employed in the enamelling and tinware
section of the Welsh Tinplate and Metal Stamping Com-
pany, Llanelly, have been awarded an increase of wages.
Their application was for a bonus of 12^ per cent., or
7^ per cent, on earnings, they not having shared in the
bonus of 12^ per cent, which was given to certain branches
in January. The Committee have granted the application:
time workers to have the 12| per cent., and piece workers
the 7i per cent.

The Minister of Munitions has made an Order, pro-
hibiting, except under licence, dealings in tin or the use
of tin for manufacture, except for Class A priority orders.

Allowances for Depreciation.—A Memorandum issued by
the Board of Trade indicates allowances by the Income Tax
Commissioners for wear and tear and obsolescence of plant
and machinery. Five per cent, is the written-down value
of all railway wagons owned by traders. Buildings and
wasting assets such as mines and leasehold interests do
not come within the scope of the allowance for depre-
ciation. The full cost, however, of maintaining trade
premises in proper working order is allowed in computing
profits for assessment.

Middlesbrough Iron and Steel Shipments.—Shipments of
pig iron from the port of Middlesbrough during April are
given at 35,851 tons, as compared with 25,950 tons for the
previous month, and 37,297 tons for April last year;
clearances of manufactured iron for the fourth month of
the year are returned at 518 tons, as compared with 642
tons for the previous month, and 2,577 tons for April last
year; and loadings of steel for the month just ended
are reported at 5,673 tons, as compared with 8,982 tons
for the previous month, and 17,655 tons for April last
year.

Notes from the Coal Fields. 4

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Coal Transport Directions—Allocation Scheme Postponed
—Sale of Colliery Plant—2,000 Men on Strike-
Swansea Trade.

Mr. Finlay Gibson, secretary of the District Coal and
Coke Supplies Committee, has circulated directions of the
Coal Controller regarding the transport of coal by rail
to dock from collieries in South Wales and Monmouthshire.
These provide that, except with the consent of the
Controller -(1) No person shall supply coal from any of
the collieries specified, whether as cargo or bunkers, at
any port between Newport and Burry Port, inclusive,
except in accordance with these directions. (2) Coal shall
not be supplied from any of the collieries specified, whether
as cargo or bunkers, at any port between Newport and
Burry Port, inclusive, other than the port or ports speci-
fied in the schedule for the colliery in question. (3) When
coals are mixed they are to be shipped at the port or
ports specified in the schedule for the colliery supplying
the largest portion of the cargo, provided that mixed
cargoes of small coal may, when necessary, be shipped at
the port most convenient in the circumstances. (4) Mon-
mouthshire coal for bunkers may be shipped at either
Cardiff, Penarth, or Barry, when the cargo of the steamer
taking the bunkers is ordered to be shipped at these ports.
(5) These directions shall not apply to coal forwarded for
shipment in accordance with instructions given by the
Admiralty. A provision is made for securing exemption
from the directions by an application to the District Coal
and Coke Supplies Committee. The schedule which accom-
panies the Order is very lengthy, running to seven pages,
and is clearly designed to minimise the use of wagons
by saving, as far as possible, the running to port for the
different collieries. The directions thus add to the wagon
power available.

Whilst the allocation of the output scheme still con-
tinues to be nominally in force, its operation has been
suspended until May 11, the Coal and Coke Supplies
Committee for South Wales and Monmouthshire having
found that, as was anticipated, local circumstances in
respect both to output and facilities of shipment, render
it inadvisable to enforce operation at present. For two or
three weeks past the arrivals of shipping at the local ports
have been ample to move off all the coal that could be
produced; indeed, there has been a pressure for supply,
and consequently it is in the highest degree desirable to
keep the output at the highest level. Concurrently, the
enlistment of so many hundreds of young men which has
been the feature of the past fortnight’s experience, has
materially reduced the labour power at the collieries, so
that the output has not overtaken the demand.

At a meeting of the Cardiff Shipbrokers’ Institute it
was resolved to change the name to that of the Bristol
Channel Institute.

Arthur Morris, an employee at the LlanhiUeth Colliery,
was on Saturday at Buckingham Palace invested by the
King with the Edward Medal for saving the life of a
timberman at that colliery last year. A fall of roof buried
the timberman up to his neck in rubbish, and Morris made
efforts to release the man, propping up a large stone
weighing two tons, and in about half an hour succeeded
in releasing him, all the while being in imminent danger
of a further fall upon himself. But for Morris’s action,
seeing they were a third of a mile away from other work-
men, the timberman would have been buried and lost his
life.

High prices were realised at a sale of colliery plant
and machinery at the Llandavel Colliery, Cwm, Monmouth-
shire, there being a large attendance of buyers from all
parts of the country. A pair of 14 in. cylinder hauling
engines were taken by Messrs. Partridge and Company, of
Llanelly, at £400; a .Lancashire boiler went to Mr.
Bythway, of the Blaendare Colliery, Pontypool, for £82.
Tram weighbridges were sold for £40 and £27, and T-head
rails (of which there were about 100 tons) averaged about
£16 per ton. The trams did not fetch more than £3 each.
Pit wood went at £3 5s. per ton. Among the purchasers
were quite a number of local colliery owners, and the
bidding was very spirited.

Miners in the Rhondda Valley held a meeting on Sunday
whereat they discussed the question of the conviction of a
local leader, A. J. Cook, who was sentenced to imprison-
ment for contravention of the Defence of the Realm Act,
and as a result of the meeting the men at the Lewis
Merthyr Collieries, Trehafod, were on strike during
Monday to the number of over 2,000.

The trade of Swansea last week was not at all brisk,
both coal and patent fuel being quiet, while shipments
of steel plate, iron, steel, etc., were rather above the
average. The total shipments of coal were 42,550 tons;
patent fuel 7,525 tons; and there were nearly 35,000 boxes
of tinplate exported.

The president of Swansea Chamber of Commerce, Mr.
A. W. Wynne, has reported to the Chamber the position
as to the action of the Coal Controller on the brokerage
question. He stated that counsel’s opinion had been
received, and that a certain course of action was recom-
mended, this to come up for consideration at a future
meeting of the coal exporters.

Northumberland and Durham.

Miners' Agent as Labour Candidate—50 years on Quayside
—Doctors' Fees—New Haulage Plant—By-Products
at Fishburn—Conference Regarding Electrical Power.

Mr. J. Wilson, of Edmondsley Colliery, has been elected
president of the North of England Branch of the National
Association of Colliery Managers.

Mr. Joseph Batey, agent of the Durham Miners’ Associa-
tion, has been selected as prospective Labour candidate
for the Spennymoor Parliamentary Division.

Mr. Matthew M. Mein, managing partner of Messrs.
Hall Brothers, shipowners, coal exporters and timber
merchants, Newcastle, was the recipient of many con-
gratulations on Wednesday, when he completed 50 years
of business life on Newcastle Quayside.

Lieut. Geoffry Brandon, R.E., recently reported missing,
is now stated to be a prisoner in German hands. He was
manager of the Algernon and Prosperous pits of the
Backworth Collieries Limited.

Mr. T. H. Cann, general secretary of the Durham
Miners’ Association, in his latest circular to the miners,
condemns the methods employed by the doctors to enforce
the payment of increased medical fees, demanded on the
ground of increased cost of living, dearer drugs, etc.

Dr. T. Franklin Sibly, who since 1913 has been Professor
of Geology at University College, Cardiff, has been
appointed in a similar capacity to Armstrong College,
Newcastle, in succession to the late Prof. G. A. Lebour.

It is announced that the Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke
Company Limited is about to introduce new plant at its