May 3, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 907 MEAN MAGNETIC DECLINATION at Kew Observatory, Richmond, in Degrees and Minutes, for each Two-hour Interval in the Week April 21 to 27, 1918. as 0h.-2h. 2h.-4h. 14° + Sun., April Mon., Tues., „ Wed., Thurs., „ Friday, „ Sat., ,, 21 22 23 • 24 25 26 27 1 1 1 0 2 2 0 Min. 51*5 50*0 4H-0 51*0 48*5 39*0* 51*0 Min. 50*5 50*0 46*0 51*0 46*5 48*0* 50*0 Intervals—Hours G.M.T. 4h.-6h. ! 14° + 6h.-8h. 14° + j 8h.-10h. 1 14°+ j 10h.-12h. U° + 12h.-14h. 14° + 14h .-16h. 14° + ! 16h.-18h. 14° + 18h.-20h. 14° + 20h.-22h. I i 14° + 22h.-24h. Mean for day. 14° + 14° + Min. Min. Min. Min. Min. Min. * Min. Min. ’ < Min. Min. Min. 50*5 48’5 47’0 51’5 57’5 57’0 54’5 52’5 I 48’5 47’5 51’5 48*5 47’5 48’5 55’5 59’5 57’5 54’0 51’5 50’0 47’5 51’5 46*5 46’0 49’0 ‘53’5 58’5 57’0 53’0 49’0 50’5 51’0 | 50’5 49*5 47’5 50’0 56’0 60’0 56’0 53’0 51’5 51’0 50’0 1 52’0 45’5 45’0 . 47:0 53’5 57’0 55’5 53’0 51’5 49’5 41’5* j 49’5 48'5 46’5 49’5 1 58’0 63’0 60’0 56’0 49’0 48’0 50’5 51’5 47’5 46’0 | 47’5 52’5 57’0 57’0 54’5 52’0 52’0 52’0 | 51’5 Diurnal ine- quality (i.e., departure from mean value for day) ! Ih. 2h. 3h. 4h. 5h. 6h. 7h. 8h. 9h. lOh. Uh. 12h. 13h. 14h. 15h. 16h. 17h. 18h. 19h. 20h. 21h. 22h. 23h. 24h. Apl. 1917 -0’3 -0’5 -0’7 -1’0 —1’7 -2’9 -4’3 -5’9 —5’7 -3’4 + 0’3 + 3’7 + 6’0 + 6’1 + 4’5 + 2’6 + 1’3 + < ’4 + 0’3 + 0’5 + 0 4 + 0’1 + 0’2 -0’1 Mar.l91S -1’0 -1’0 -1’1 -1’4 -1’6 -2’2 —3’7 —5’0 -4’6 —2’2 + 2’5 + 6’2 + 7’8 + 7’4 + 5’4 + 3’1 + 0’9 —0’2 -1’1 -1’8 -1’9 -1’9 -1’4 -1’2 Mar.1917 -1’1 -1’2 -1’1 -1’0 -1’2 -1’6 —3’2 -4’7 —4’7 -2’7 + 0’8 + 4’3 + 6’0 + 5’9 + 4’4 + 2’8 + 1’5 + 0’4 + 0’1 -0’3 -0’5 -0’6 -1’0 -1’2 month. 15° 1'* 3 April'17 14° 53'’6 Mar.'18 15° 3’2Mar.'17 * Large disturbance during this interval. The day is counted from Oh. (midnight) to 24h. (midnight) G.M.T. Character “0” means a day wholly free from any but small disturbances. Character “ 1" means a day part or all of which is moderately or considerably disturbed. Character “ 2'' means a day part or all of which is highly disturbed. The normal value for an hour is the mean declination for that hour in the month, derived from quiet days only, or from all days excluding those of character “2.'' On a day of character “ 0” declination at any hour will usually be within about 3' of the normal. On a day of character “ 1" the departure from the normal will usually not exceed 5', but it may occasionally be as much as 10', or even more. On a day of character “ 2 '' the departure from the normal will seldom exceed 20', but departures of 30' or even on extreme occasions of 1° or more may occur. The above values are obtained from measurements made after “ smoothing the curve. Meteorological Office, May 1. Stanhope and Weardale mines to facilitate the haulage of spar and ironstone. It is stated that the colliery company at Fishburn is erecting a new by-product plant, and that, when the new colliery is fully developed, a substantial increase is expected in the ratable value of the Sedgefield Union, which is at present over £265,000 gross. John Lucas, Reuben Carr, and John Thomas, each of whom was fined 40s. at Houghton-le-Spring for having attempted to defraud the Lamb ton and Hetton Collieries Limited of the sum of £1 5s. 8d. were told by the magistrates that their conduct was mean and despicable. It appeared that the men were fillers employed to load coal after the mechanical coal-cutter and were also engaged as hewers when there was no loose coal to fill. For the hewn coal they were paid a higher price and used a different set of tokens. They had put the hewing tokens on tubs of filled coal. A conference of representatives of north-east coast muni- cipalities, owning electrical plants for the public service, has been held in Newcastle Town Hall to consider the recom- mendations of the Coal Conservation Sub-committee. The Lord Mayor of Newcastle presided over the gathering, which included representatives of the fpllowing munici- palities : — Darlington, Stockton, West Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, South Shields, Tynemouth, Sunderland and Berwick. The conference decided that the manufacture of electrical energy for public utility purposes should be under public control, and the following resolution was agreed to:—“ That this conference^ whilst recognising that unification, production and distribution of electrical energy over areas sufficiently large and carefully defined are desirable, does not endorse the recommendations in the report of the Coal Conservation Sub-committee, and agrees to appoint a committee to consider that report and prepare a reasonable statement in relation thereto.” The final competition in connection with the Durham Mines Inspection District Ambulance League took place last Saturday, and resulted .as follows: 1, Upleatham, 216 (the Donald Bain shield and gold medals); 2, South Brancepeth, 193 (the committee’s cup for second place) ; 3, Shildon Lodge, 177 (the Heath cup for stretcher work— first and second debarred) ; 4, New Seaham, 139 (Dillon cup, awarded to the winners of the Seaham division)." Mr. R. Donald Bain, former chief inspector of mines in the county, to whose initiative the competition was due, pre- sided over the presentation of prizes. Col. W. H. Ritson, presenting the trophies, spoke of the great importance of ambulance work, especially in war time, and of the excel- lent reports that had been received from all fronts, as well as from the hospitals at home and abroad, of the good work done by men trained through that League. The prominent part taken by the mining community of Northumberland and Durham in local affairs may be gauged from the following list of newly-elected chairmen of urban and rural councils : Willington, Mr. J. W. Strick- land, deputy overman at Brancepeth Colliery; Spenny-. moor, Mr. White, deputy overman at Tudhoe Colliery; Bishop Auckland Rural District Council, Mr. Wm. Hodg- son, chairman of the Sunnybrow Lodge of the Durham Miners’ Association; Bishop Auckland Urban District Council, Mr. John Greenwood, for many years a worker at Newton Cap; and Annfield Plain Urban District Council, Mr. Geo. Elliott, manager of the East Castle and East Pontop Collieries. Mr. Jas. Robson, compensation agent to the Durham Miners’ Association, reports on 15 claims for compensa- tion in respect of fatalities and 25 regarding non-fatal cases. In several of the former claims, the owners and workmen failed to agree, and two of these cases at least are to be taken to court. In the case of Henry P. Poyzer, 17, incline lad at Blaydon Main, who was killed last January by coming into contact with a metallic conduit pipe enclosing electric lighting cables, the owners con- tended that deceased violated the General Rules of the Mines Act. applying to electricity, and had been swinging on the pipe. The committee failed to agree. There was no point of special interest in the other cases. Lancashire and Cheshire. Considerable damage by fire was done to the screens and timber work near the pit-head of the Hewlett Pit of the Wigan Coal and Iron Company Limited, West Houghton, on Monday. On Friday last the officials of the Wigan Coal and Iron Company Limited made a presentation to Mr. J. E. Christopher, who was the manager of the coke oven and by-product plant at Kirkless, under Mr. T. M. Percy, and who has taken up the position of manager of the Risehow Colliery^ Coking and By-product Company Limited, Flimby, near Maryport. The presentation con- sisted of a gold watch and chain, a clock, three tinted etchings, and a gold wristlet-watch for Mrs. Christopher. The gathering was very cordial in its character, Mr. Christopher being warmly congratulated on his new appointment. Notts, and Derbyshire. The Notts. Miners’ Council on Monday passed a reso- lution urging upon colliery owners of the county the necessity of providing better ambulance facilities for the transport of injured workmen to the hospitals. It was contended that the horsed vehicles now used were inade- quate and that much more expeditious means of transport should be provided. The quota of miners required from Nottinghamshire pits towards the 50,000 aimed at by the comb-out was practically completed by Saturday. Just over 2,000 were required, and, owing to the number who had voluntarily come forward without waiting for the ballot, this total was secured as fast as the medical boards could examine the men. Not since the early days of voluntary recruit- ing have such eager scenes been witnessed as those which were of daily occurrence at the Nottingham recruiting office. The Midlands. A rising death-rate and the depreciation in the value of securities are imposing an increasing strain on the resources of the Midland District Miners’ Fatal Accident Relief Society. Mr. R. Todhunter, the actuary, in his preliminary report on the quinquennial valuation, states that the depreciation of investments alone more than absorbed the surplus of £22,600 which existed on the benefit fund at the commencement of the quinquennium. On the other hand, the increase in the yield justified the adoption of a higher rate of interest in the valuation of liabilities, and therefore taking 4 instead of 2^ per cent, as the basis, he arrived at a surplus of £8,000 on the benefit fund after provision for all benefits payable under the rules. Provided the future experience was similar to the average for 1883-1917, the contributions should be sufficient to meet the benefits and to leave a margin of 3d. per member per annum. Kent. The output at Tilmanstone and Snowdown collieries con- tinues to be well over 5,000 tons weekly. By a fall of about 35 cwt. of rock at Snowdown Colliery a miner named James Russell, aged 32, was killed. Russell and another miner named Bradbury were in a part of the workings about half a mile from the shaft, Bradbury work- ing at the coal and Russell shifting debris, there being only room for one in the stall. Bradbury heard a noise, and, on looking round, found Russell crushed under the fallen rock. The inspector of mines’ closely questioned various witnesses as to the timbering, and their replies showed that the scene of the accident was properly tim- bered and had been examined the previous evening. The roof is sandstone and bind, and a prop is put in about every 4 ft. The roof is tested by sounding it. The inspector was of opinion that the timbering was adequate. Verdict, “Accidental death.” Scotland. At the annual meeting of the Scottish branch of the National Association of Colliery Managers in Glasgow on Saturday satisfactory ^reports as to membership and finance were submitted. Ml James Kirkpatrick (Bothwell) was appointed president for the ensuing year and Messrs. Wm. Ross (Glasgow) and Jas. Boyd (Kilsyth) were elected vice- presidents. Mr. James Gilchrist (Cambuslang) was re- elected secretary and treasurer. The new councillors are : Messrs. D. C. Gemmell (Hamilton), John George (Cambus- lang), J. Gray (Cowdenbeath), M. Gannis (Pollokshaws), Jos. Brown (Dunfermline), and C. B. Sneddon (Shettle- ston). At a conference of the Lanarkshire miners’ delegates held in Hamilton on Saturday—Mr. Robert Smillie presid- ing—strong dissent was expressed at the method taken by the military authorities in combing-out the men at the various pits. It was agreed to submit certain points to the Assistant Director of National Service. Official intimation has been given regarding the early introduction of a scheme of rationing, particularly in respect of domestic coal. Those concerned have lately been instructed by the Controller to see that only imme- diate and necessary deliveries of domestic coal are made in Scotland. Coalowners and coal merchants are requested to see that no coal is supplied to any of their customers for domestic use for the purpose of being stored. Deliveries of domestic coal should be below the normal requirements. Coal shipments during the past week from. the Clyde totalled 101,216 tons, compared with 103,727 tons for the corresponding period last year. From the Forth the ship- ments were 17,720 tons, and from Fife ports 44,310 tons. The coal shipments from Methil for the past week aggregated 27,771 tons, against. 30,368 tons in the previous week. From Burntisland the output was 15,900 tons, against 6,650 tons in the corresponding week of 1917. Of the total 11,227 tons went coastwise. Lord Cullen, in the Court of Session, awarded £1,240 and expenses in the case of Thomas Gibson, gardener, against the Farme Coal Company. Pursuer claimed the damages in respect of the destruction of glass-houses by defenders working coal under them. THE FREIGHT MARKET. The amount of outward chartering for neutral directions shows a diminution even on the small volumes of such business reported in recent weeks. On the north-east coast, such fixtures are confined to a couple for Christiania at 150 kr., and two for Gothenburg, one at 155 kr. and the other at 160 kr. The collieries in the district are taking no harm, being “ up to the eyes in the output of coal on Government, Allied and home accounts. Never- theless, merely to preserve the trade bond between the neutrals and ourselves, it would be well if more inter- traffic were possible. Orders for neutral destinations ar© plentiful, and the rates offered continue to be at the record level. The amount of business possible is exceedingly slight. The position at South Wales is very similar. A fair amount of cargo space has been booked for shipments to French Atlantic ports, but elsewhere transactions are confined to the taking-up of a boat for Barcelona at 400s., and another for the River Plate at 120s. Here, again, the paucity of fixtures is not due to the dearth of orders by any means, but to the scarcity of neutral steamers. Homewards, the River Plate is slow at225s. from Buenos Ayres—La Plata to the United Kingdom, and 250s. for French Atlantic discharge. At the United States, Virginia to the United Kingdom with coals is steady at 80s. On net form, Northern Range to United Kingdom is firm at 230s., with 260s. for French Atlantic, and 360s. for West Italy. Mediterranean ore and phosphate ports have a healthy demand for tonnage, and full rates are on offer. Tyne to Christiania, 1,200 and 2,000, 150 kr.; and Gothenburg, 1,300, 155 kr.x arid 1,900, 160 kr. Cardiff to Barcelona, 400s.; Caen, 900, 48s., neutral; 1,500, 46s. 6d., neutral; Havre, 700, 47s. 3d., neutral; Honfleur, 400 and 800, 48s., neutral; River Plate, 120s.; and Rouen, 1,400, 48s. 9d., neutral. Swansea to Havre, 700, 47s. 3d., neutral; Caen, 1,100, 1,450 and 1,500, 46s. 6d., neutral; 900, 48s., neutral; St. Valery de Somme, 80 and 120, 106s. 3d. coal, 107s. patent fuel, sail; Morlaix, 120 and 180, 106s. 3d. coal, 107s. patent fuel, sail; and Rouen, 1,300 and 1,400, 48s. 9d., neutral. Wales to Bordeaux, 5,200, 69s., neutral; and Caen, 500, 48s., neutral. Later.—The following additional fixtures have been arranged :— Tyne to Drontheim, 1,600, 150 kr.; and Stockholm, 2,200, 190 kr. Cardiff to Rouen, 1,500, 48s. 9d., neutral. Swansea to Rouen, 1,700, 1,850 and 1,900, 48s. 9d., neutral; and Caen, 950, 48s., neutral, and 1,030, 46s. 6d., neutral. Mersey to Huelva, 3,000, 420s. The late Mr. James Darlington, of The Hill, Lutter- worth, Leicester, an authority on coal mining in both Leicestershire and Warwickshire, connected with the Blainscough Colliery Company and High Sheriff of the county, left estate valued at £171,270 gross. Sulphate of Ammonia Association.—A circular letter announces that the association is now permitted to state the terms of the resolution which was carried with one dissentient at the meeting on April 10, at which makers representing an annual production of about 243,000 tons of sulphate were present That this meeting of makers of sulphate of ammonia authorises the makers’ sub- committee of the Sulphate of Ammonia Distribution Com- mittee to accept on their behalf the offer of the Food Production Department and the Ministry of Munitions in regard to the price to be paid to makers for the season June 1, 1918, to May 31, 1919, namely, to be the equivalent of £17 7s. 6d. per ton, basis 24^ per cent., in 2 cwt. single bags, free on rails at works, plus any rise on the present prices of acid, on the basis of lid. extra on sul- phate for every Is. extra on acid, and plus any ri^e in the price of bags over Is. 3^d. each. The makers to take the responsibility for all other rises in the cost of pro- duction which may occur before May 31, 1919. These prices to apply to sales for home munitions and home agriculture alike.” The chairman pointed out that this price represented an advance of £2 7s. 6d. per ton on the average agricultural price for the present season, but that it was open to any maker who felt that £17 7s. 6d. per ton did not leave him a sufficient margin to enable him to continue producing, to go before the Woodhouse Commission, and prefer a claim for compensation. With reference to the price to be paid by consumers, the War Cabinet decided that there is to be no alteration for next season, and the average price to the farmer will therefore remain at £16 per ton delivered, basis 24£ per cent. The Order fixing the price has been published this week. This decision will render it necessary for the Government departments concerned to make good to manufacturers the difference in price on all agricultural deliveries made in accordance with the new Order.