908

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

May 3, 1918.

COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES.
REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS.

Baldwins Limited.—The report for the year ended June
30 states that the profits, including balance of interest
and dividends, after charging management expenses and
providing for excess profits duty and writing off special
depreciation, amount to £312,859. Out of this has been
provided debenture interest, mines development £4,428,
depreciation £50,000, sinking fund premiums for the
redemption of leaseholds and debenture stock £11,357, and
dividend on preference shares £13,750, leaving £210,854;
£133,189 was brought forward, making £344,043. The
directors have appropriated to reserve £50,000, and to
investment reserve £25,000. On November 7 last a further
dividend was paid on the ordinary shares of 7^ per cent.,
making 10 per cent, for the year, and a bonus of 2^ per
cent., free of tax, on the old ordinary shares; also a
dividend on the newly issued ordinary shares proportionate
to the above dividend and bonus, in accordance with the
terms of the circular of February 2, 1917, leaving to be
carried forward £156,969. The demand for increasing
supplies necessitated very large developments in the com-
pany’s undertaking and business, involving an estimated-
outlay of approximately £3,500,000. To meet the financial
position the directors propose the capitalisation of £310,165
of the reserved and undistributed profits, and the distribu-
tion of 310,165 ordinary shares in respect of such capitalisa-
tion ranking for dividend from April 1, 1918. The board
have also arranged with shareholders of the Brymbo Steel
Company for a fusion of interests.

Bell’s United Asbestos Company Limited.—The directors,
after providing for excess profits duty, recommend a
balance dividend of Is. 6d. and a bonus of 6d. per share,
which, with the interim dividend paid in October, makes
a total distribution of 15 per cent, for the year, the same
as for 1916; to reserve £15,000,. against £20,000; forward
£8,984, against £8,214.

British Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Com-
pany Limi?2d.—The net profits for 1917 were £88,124, after
providing for debenture interest, and £89,735 was brought
forward. A dividend of 7-| per cent, is proposed on the
preference shares, writing £48,000 off plant, adding £10,000
to the reserve for employers’ liability, and carrying forward
£51,234. Mr. L. Chandler (one of the managing directors
of the Metropolitan Carriage, Wagon and Finance Com-
pany) has been appointed managing director. . Net profits
were £199,346 for 1916.

Carlton Main Colliery Company Limited.—The directors
have decided to recommend a final dividend of 15 per
cent., making 25 per cent, for the year.

Dixon (William) Limited.—The report for the year to
February 28 states that the net profit, after payment of
debenture interest and providing for depreciation, special
taxation and income tax, amount to £79,298; £35,845 was
brought forward, making £115,143. The directors recom-
mend a dividend of 5 per cent, on the ordinary shares, free
of tax (making 7^ per cent, for the year), to set aside
for annual payment to mortgage debenture stock trustees •
for redemption of stock £15,000, and to carry forward
£35,943.

Gulf States Steel Company Limited.—The report for 1917
states that gross sales were 11,763,476 dols., against
7,626,250 dols., and gross profits 4,199,925 dols., against
2,650,007 dols. Depreciation, taxes, etc., reserves, totalled
1,328,446 dols., against 197,496 dols.; first preferred
dividends (7 per cent.) 140,000 dols., against (7 per cent.)
140,000 dols.; second preferred dividends (6 per cent.)
64,543 dols., against (5| per edit.) 207,068 dols.; common
dividends (11 per cent.) 874,188 dols., against (2 per cent.)
141,660 dols.; balance, surplus, being 1,792,748 dols.,
against 1,963,783 dols.; previous surplus was 2,656,549
dols., against 692,766 dols., giving total surplus 4,449,297
dols., against 2,656,549 dols. The 11 per cent, dividends
on common stock include 2 per cent. April 2, 3 per cent.
July 2, 1 per cent. Red Cross July 2, 2^ per cent. January
2, 1918. President reports :—As there is recovered in coke
over one-fourth • of the coal carbonised more than was
formerly recovered in the beehive ovens, this is equivalent
to an increase of 25 per cent, in the lifetime of the Virginia
mines, which possess highest quality coking coal.

Horden Collieries Limited—Interim dividend of 4 per
cent., subject to the consent of the Coal Controller.

Lancashire Wagon Company Limited.—For the half-year
ended March 31, 1918, the revenue account shows a profit
of £3,710, making, with £1,173 brought forward, a total
of £4,884. The appropriation recommended is payment of
dividends for the half-year at the rate of 5 per cent, per
annum, less income tax, on the preference shares, and at
the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, free of income tax,
on the ordinary shares; £2,000 to the reserve fund, carry
forward £1,532.

National Explosives Company Limited.—The directors
have declared a second interim dividend for the year ended
October 31, 1917, of 9 per cent., free of income tax.

Parkgate Iron and Steel Company Limited. — The
directors have decided to recommend a final dividend of
Is. 9d. per share, free of income tax, making with the
interim dividend 3s. per share for the year ended March 31.

Sheffield Forge and Rolling Mills Company Limited.—
The directors announce that the liability for special
taxation and excess profits duty having been ascertained
for the year ended June 30, 1916, and estimated for the
year ended June 30, 1917, they are now in a position to
present their reports for those periods. The available
profit for the year ended June 30, 1916 (after paying
interest and all other charges and making provision for
special taxation and depreciation), amounted to £23,262;
£5,162 was brought forward (after meeting excess profits
duty), making £28,424. The directors have appropriated
to reserve fund £10,000, leaving £18,424, out of which a
dividend at the rate of 15 per cent, (free of tax) was paid
on September 2, 1916, £3,424 being carried forward. The
available profit for the year ended June 30 last (after
paying interest and all other charges and making provision
for special taxation and depreciation) amounted to £25,471,
which,. with the amount brought forward, makes £28,895*
The directors have appropriated to reserve fund £10,000,
leaving £18,895, out of which a dividend at the rate of
15 per cent, (free of tax) was paid on September 1, 1917.

Stephenson (Robert) and Company Limited.—The report
for 1917 states that the net profits were £34,158, and
£28,756 was brought forward. Dividend 5 per cent;
£10,000 to depreciation fund; £10,000 to reserve; £32,601
forward.

NEW COMPANIES.

Harvey and Mutlow Limited.—Private company. Regis-
tered office, 10, Union-passage, Birmingham. Registered
April 25, to carry on the business of general iron founders,
and casters in iron and other metals, etc. Nominal capital,
£100 in 100 £1 shares. Director: H. C. Harvey. Qualifi-
cation of director, 50 shares.

Jacob and Partners (Port Talbot) Limited.—Private
company. Registered April 20, to carry on the business
of ironfounders, mechanical engineers, etc. Nominal
capital, £40,000 in 40,000 £1 shares. Directors shall be
appointed by the subscribers. Subscribers (1 share) :
F. E. Jacob, and J. P. Jacob.

Johnson (T. H.) Limited.—Private company. Registered
office, 18, Concord-street, Leeds. Registered April 26, to
carry on the business of engineers, ironfounders, etc.
Nominal capital, £2,000 in 2,000 £1 shares. Directors :
T. H. Johnson, and Lizzie Johnson.

Slater (John) Limited.—Private company. Registered
office, 7, East India-avenue, London. Registered April 20,
to carry on the business of colliery owners. Nominal
capital, £500,000 in 200,000 7 per cent. £1 cumulative par-
ticipating preference shares, and 300,000 £1 ordinary
shares. Directors : J. Slater, and Elizabeth Ann Slater.

Time-Charterers’ Mutual Protection Association Limited.
—Private company. Registered office, 30, Great St.
Helens,. E.C. 3. Registered April 22, to aid members in
claims in respect of hire, freight, dead freight, demurrage,
etc. Every member of the association undertakes to con-
tribute to the assets of the association in the event of the
same being wound up, the sum not exceeding £10.
Directors shall be appointed by the subscribers. Sub-
scribers : J. Seatie, J. W. Thomas, E. W. J. Sutherland,
S. C. Oakley, and three others.

This list of new companies is taken from the Daily
Register specially compiled by Messrs. Jordan and Sons
Limited, company registration agents, Chancery-lane, E.C.

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR COAL AND COKE.

E or Contracts Advertised in this issue received too late
for inclusion in this column> see Leader and Last
White pages.

Abstracts of Contracts Open.

Brechin (Scotland), May 7.—Coals for the Parish
Council. Tenders to the clerk, Parish Council Chambers,
Brechin.

Edinburgh, May 10—Coal (12 months) for schools.
Forms from the clerk, School Board offices, Edinburgh.

Falkirk, May 6.—Coal and dross for the Poorhouse.
Forms from the Governor.

Glasgow, May 7.—Coal (6 months) for the Cleansing
Department Forms from the superintendent, 20, Trongate,
Glasgow.

Letterkenny, May 13.— House and steam coal (12
months), for the Donegal District Asylum. Forms from
the clerk.

Leith, May 6.—9,000 or 18,000 tons of washed singles
(six or twelve months). Forms from the burgh electrical
engineer, Great Junction-street, Leith.

Limerick, May 6.—10,000 or 12,000 best screened and
unscreened gas coal. Forms from the engineer, Gasworks,
Limerick.

Northwich, May 11.-9,000 tons screened gas coal for
the Gas Company. Forms from the secretary, Gas Office,
Northwich.

Port Talbot, May 11.—Coal for baths, offices, etc.
Forms from the clerk, Margam U.D. Council Offices, Port
Talbot.

Richmond (Surrey), May 7.—Steam coal, house coal
(12 months) for Richmond Main Sewerage Board. Forms
from the engineer, West Hall-road, Kew Gardens.

Thornton (Dysart), May 9. — Coal for the Dysart
Combination Union, Thornton. Tenders to the Governor.

Totnes, May 9.—Forty and 80 tons of steam coal, 60 or
120 tons house coal, and 100 tons coke, for the workhouse.
Tenders to the deputy clerk, Union Offices, 19, High-street,
Totnes.

.. . ------------ I

The date given is the latest upon which tenders can
be received.

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON
AND STEEL WORK, Ac.

Glasgow, May 7 —Materials.—Iron, bolts, nuts, castings,
fireclay goods, ropes, oils, etc., for the Cleansing Depart-
ment. Forms from the superintendent, 20, Trongate,
Glasgow.

Johannesburg, June 3.—Tar.—16,000 tons of coal tar
for Johannesburg Municipal Council. Specifications may
be seen at the Enquiry Office, Overseas Trade Department
(Development and Intelligence', 73, Basinghall-street,
London, E C. ‘

London, May 24. — Plant. — 5,000 kw. steam turbine,
water-tube boilers, coal conveyor, etc., for the Islington
Borough Council. Forms (£2 2s.) from the electrical
engineer, 50, Eden-grove, Holloway.

Sheerness, May 18.—Pipes.—Steel and wrought iron
pipes, two boiler-feed pumps, etc., for the Urban District
Council. Forms (21s.) from F. W. S. Stanton, 3, Victoria-
street, Westminster.

Stone Dusting;—We are informed that the Stafford Coal
and Iron Company Limited, Great Fenton, nr. Stoke-on-
Trent, are installing an “Ideal” stonedust grinding mill,
manufactured by Messrs. Richard Scholefield, of Burley
Vale Works, Leeds, with an approximate hourly capacity
of 10 cwt. of finished dust, of which about 65 per cent, is
fine enough to pass a test screen of 100 x 100 mesh. This
will be the third mill of this capacity supplied by Messrs.
Scholefield in the district, one having been recently erected
for the Sneyd Collieries Limited, of Cobridge, North
Staffs., and another is to be delivered shortly to the
Madeley Coal, Coke and Brick Company Limited, of
Leycett, nr. Stoke-on-Trent.

Wigan Mining College Summer Courses.—Mr. S. C.
Laws, M.A., B.Sc., the principal of the Wigan and District
Mining and Technical College, announces that short
summer courses of about ten weeks’ duration will be held
in connection with the Mining Department of the college,
the subjects being practical surveying, land surveying,
and mining geology. Practical surveying will be taken
on Thursdays, from 6 o’clock to 8.30 p.m.; land surveying
on Wednesdays from 6 o’clock to 8.30 p.m.; and mining
geology on Mondays from 6 o’clock to 8.30 p.m. The fee
for each of these three subjects is five shillings. A colliery
firemen’s course will be held on Tuesdays from 6 o’clock
to 8.30 p.m., and the fee for the course is ten shillings.
Each of the courses commenced this week. At the con-
clusion of the colliery firemen’s course an examination
for colliery firemen’s certificates will be held.

ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS
RECENTLY ACCEPTED.

108674.. Improved Transporting and Elevating
Apparatus.. C. Mascart, 40, Boulevard de Courcelles,
ParifiF.'—This invention relates to transporting and elevating
apparatus using two travelling bands, between which the
objects to be transported or elevated are carried. Such
bands have hitherto been both mechanically driven, but
the improvement according to this invention consists in
utilising friction between the bands themselves and between
the bands and the material to be transported, to drive
the covering band. To increase the friction of the material
to be transported between the carrying band and the
covering band, according to this invention pressing rollers
may be employed, whose function is to. press the one
band against the other, and also supporting and guiding
rollers serving to maintain the band laterally in the desired
position. These rollers are made of a suitable shape, or
are placed in such a manner as to give the* travelling band
the desired concavity in order to enable it to transport
bulky materials without running the risk that such
materials may fall off the band at the sides. (Nine
claims.)

109804. Mechanical Stokers. Westinghouse Electric
and Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburg, Penn-
sylvania, assignees of C. F. Miller, 7215, Kedron-avenue,
Pittburg, Pennsylvania. — The type of stoker to
which this invention particularly relates is that
ordinarily termed horizontal underfeed stokers, which are
provided with horizontal retorts and hollow inclined grate
bars perpendicular thereto through which air under pres-
sure supplied from a chamber under the grate bars is
passed into a second chamber under the bars and thence
between the bars to the fire. In the improved furnace
according to the present invention, at least two retorts
are provided, one adjacent each side wall of the furnace,
and the grate bars incline downwardly from the retorts
at right angles thereto to a dump grate by which ash
and clinkers can be discharged. The air for forced
draught is supplied to the bars at either the lower end
or the upper end of the same and passes through an
internal channel which extends to the other end of the
bar and back through a second internal channel to a
delivery port opening underneath the bar. Another feature
of the invention is that the ash pit under the dump grate
is divided by a partition from the space under the furnace
bars so that the forced draught will not pass out through
the dump grate. A damper may be provided for admitting
air under pressure below the dump grate when desired.
(Five claims.)

112274. Hauling or Winding Machinery. Siemens-
Schuckertwerke, G.m.b.H., Siemensstadt, near Berlin.—
This invention has reference to hauling or winding
machinery, and constitutes an improvement in, or
modification of the invention described in the Specification
of a previous Application for British Letters Patent* No.
101407. In the said specification a safety arrangement is
described for guarding the working of hauling or winding
machinery against danger from rope-slipping, wherein two
rheostats are altered in opposite directions by both the
driving pulley and by a rope pulley in such a manner that
if there be no slipping of the rope, the sum of the two
resistances remains constant. These rheostats are in series
with a measuring instrument and a source of current, and
form therewith an auxiliary safety curcuit. If the rope
slips, the strength of current in this auxiliary circuit
varies, causing the safety devices (such as the brake, for
instance) to act, or warning the operator through a current
indicator. According to the present invention, instead of
measuring the current in the said auxiliary or safety
circuit, it is the drop of potential obtained by connection
with the resistances which is measured, the said connec-
tion being effected by the rheostat or contact arms which
are operated by the driving pulley and the rope pulley.
The effect of this is that resistance variations between the
contact arm and the corresponding resistance of the
auxiliary circuit no longer have any disturbing influence
on the indications of the safety arrangement, as the
measuring instrument employed in the auxiliary circuit
is constructed as a potential indicator with high resistance.
(Five claims.)

113332.	Improvements in Controllers for Electric

Circuits.	The British	Thomson-Houston Company

Limited, 83, Cannon-street, London, E.C. (a communi-
cation from the General Electric Company, Schenectady,
New York).—This invention relates to devices for con-
trolling electric circuits, and has for its object the
provision of improved means whereby the master switch
which is ordinarily provided for controlling these circuits
may be made considerably smaller, lighter, and less
expensive than those heretofore used. The invention
relates more specifically to devices having a plurality of
contacts which successively control a circuit or circuits,
such, for instance, as a controller which is commonly used
for controlling an electric motor. Such controllers,
ordinarily called “ drum ” controllers, employ a rotatable
cylinder having a plurality of contact segments which
engage corresponding stationary contact fingers to which
the circuits to be controlled are connected. In the opera-
tion of controllers of this character, especially where the
circuit to be broken is of a highly inductive character,
dangerous arcing may occur at the circuit interrupting
contacts. This is true, for instance, in the case of a master
switch or controller which controls separate electro-
magnetically actuated switches. This arcing has neces-
sitated the use of a comparatively large controller in
which the spacing between the successive steps of the con-
troller and the spacing between the various circuit ‘
interrupting contacts are sufficiently large to take care
of the danger of the arc at one of the circuit interrupting
contacts being deflected over to the adjacent contacts and
thus causing a short-circuit within the controller itself,
and also to make sure that the controlled circuits will be
positively de-energised. Furthermore, because of the
heating effect of the arcs, the contact segments and fingers
had to be made comparatively large to provide a sufficient
cooling surface. The friction caused by the controller
fingers riding up and down over the edges of the contact
segments produced a further heating effect which had to
be provided for by constructing these parts larger than
would otherwise have been necessary. One of the objects
of the invention is to make possible the use of a small,
light and inexpensive controller in which the spacing
between the successive positions of the controller and the
spacing between the various contacts are materially less
than has heretofore been considered necessary. To
accomplish this object a circuit having capacity is con-
nected to each coil circuit so as to suppress by absorption
the arc at the circuit interrupting contacts and promptly
de-energise the controlled circuits. More specifically, the
invention provides a plurality of condensers, one for each •