May 10, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 953 SOUTH WALES MINING TIMBER TRADE. Advices from Bayonne state that the cutting of pitwood in France continues unabated. It is from France that South Wales draws the bulk of her foreign supplies. At this time of the year there is usually a reduction in the arrivals of pit wood at the stations, owing to the commence- ment of work in the fields. This year has been an exception. The assembling stations are too small to accommodate the enormous stocks. The wharves are still in a congested state. Shipping tonnage is as scarce as ever. Prices are unchanged at 43 fr f.o.t. Bordeaux, and 40 fr. to 42 fr. f.o.t. Boucau. The French collieries are paying higher figures, up to 45 fr. free on rail at departure station, but they mostly require special sizes. Imports into South Wales. The imports into South Wales for the past few days have been satisfactory. From abroad 11,274 loads have been received, of which 8,338 loads were taken by the Admiralty Pitwood Committee, while the balance, 5,936 tons, was divided amongst importers in proportion to their allotted percentages. Quotations were at the scheduled level— 65s. ex ship. Supplies went quickly into consumption, and few collieries have any good reserves—the operation of the Allocation Committee preventing any colliery suffering from shortage. It is recognised by the Government authorities here that the margin of profit leY for importers and merchants is excep- tionally small. The importers of South Wales have agreed amongst themselves not to purchase French timber above 63s. c.i.f. South Wales ports by steamers, and 62s. 6d. c.i.f. by sailing vessels. The margin of profit left is very small, having regard to the loss of weight, which is often sub- stantial. The French exporters are reported to be making large profits, and it has been suggested on this side that the French Government should be approached so as to control prices on their side and give the same. price reci- procity with respect to pitwood as is accorded our Allies in respect of British coal. Home Grown Pitwood. Cutting is proceeding heavily in all districts in South Wales and the counties adjoining. The cutting exceeds transport facilities. There is a great scarcity of hauliers, §md some thousands of loads of timber are lying in our forests and woods awaiting deliveries to collieries. The better weather now experienced may result in heavier supplies of home - grown wood being available. If the Government wis*h to stimulate the home-grown trade it is . suggested that help should be given to deliver the large quantity of wood now lying about the forests. Regarding reafforestation, our woodland areas are being rapidly depleted, and few landowners are replanting side by side with cutting. There is need of the immediate introduction of a scientific system of planting under the aegis of the Government. Such plans should utilise the waste areas by replanting, especially in view of the problem of demobilisa- tion and the necessity of finding work for discharged ,soldiers who desire outdoor employment. Imports of timber from Cornwall and from Ireland were comparatively good. Difficulty and delay have arisen with respect, to the intro- duction of a new clause in the charter party following upon the limitation freight scheme for vessels carrying timber between Ireland and South Wales. A large number of sailing vessels are in this trade, and the clause introduced is “ free in and free out?’ Consequently masters of sailing vessels look to the receiver or shipper for discharging the cargo, which hitherto it has been the custom of the crew to perform. Shore workers have had to be employed, and these men will not work without cranes. This causes great inconvenience to the dock companies, lessens labour efficiency—the crew being idle—while delays occur. It is suggested that the crews should do the discharging as hitherto and be paid a fair scale for their services. It is a case where available labour is being dissipated*. THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—Pitch values in the provinces took such a decided turn recently that there was some question as to how far the average would be lifted. This week the advance continues. Pitch is now 55s. in London, and all the pro- vincial quotations have moved upwards. East coast, for instance, is 30s. to 32s. f.o.b. This is easily understandable, because the demand has increased, and the position of holders is so good that the quotations easily stiffened. A mixture of pitch and creosote is now available. In the case of tar the question of permits governs the situation, but it is satisfactory to note that many of these have already been granted, even if the exact amount is not always adequate to needs. The heavy requirements for road surfacing are illustrated in the casei of the Bristol Corporation, which received permission to use 90,000 gals, of tar for spray- ing roads of national importance, and 50,000 gals, upon local roads. Even that quantity is not too much for the purpose. The Warwickshire County Council surveyor estimates that .£6,000 must be spent upon surface tar during the ensuing 12 months. The Eastbourne Rural District Council has received permission to use 8,500 gals, of prepared tar in spraying scheduled roads, and other localities are pressing for permits in order that spraying may be proceeded with at once. The continuous military traffic along many routes adds to the problem of roai maintenance. Benzol is steady. Solvent naphtha is rather easier in London this week, and northern quotations also incline to a lower figure. Yet the general market position of this by-product is a good one, and the price is not always a correct guide to the actual conditions of supply and demand. Creosote, carbolic acid, and cresylic— apart from the usual trade demands—do not present any particular feature this week. Large quantities are passing into use, but that is all that one can say. Current quotations :—Pitch : London, 55s.; east coast, 30s. to 32s. f.o.b. ; Liverpool, 26s. to 28s.; west coast. 28s. to 30s. f.a.s. Crude tar : London, 32s. 6d. to 35s.; Midlands, 27s. to 29s ; North, 28s. to 30s. per ton ex gas works. Benzol: London, 90 per cent. Is. 0|d. naked ; North, 10£d. to 11 Id., 50 per cent., Is. 4d. to Is. 5d., naked. Solvent naphtha: Naked, London, 90-190 per cent., 3s. 9d. to 4s.; North, 3s. 6d. to 3s. 9d. ; 95-160 per cent, naked, London, 4s. 3d. to 4s. 6d.; North, 3s. 9d. to 4s. Crude naphtha : Naked, London, 30 per cent., 8|d. to 8|d ; North, 6^d. to 6|d, Refined naphthalene, £30; salts, 80s. Toluol : Naked, London, 2s. 4d.; North, 2s. 3d. Creosote: Naked, London, 4-|d.; North, 4d. to 4|d. (Government price 75s. per ton, f.o.b.,equal to4|d. per gal.) ; heavy oil, 4|d., liquid, 4|d. Carbolic acid : Crude, 60 percent., east coast and west coast, 3s. 6d. (3s. 4d. naked); crystals, 39-40, Is. 3d. Cresylic: Casks, 95 per cent, 3s.; 97-99 per cent., 3s. 3d. to 3s. 6d. ex works London and f.o.b. other ports. -Anthracene : 40-45 A 4|d., 48-50 A 6d., B Ifd. to 2d. Aniline oil, Is. 2d., cask free ; salts, Is. 2d., drums free. Sulphate of Ammonia.—Since the new official figures were published nothing fresh has come to hand. The Sul- phate of Ammonia Association (as reported last week) indicated its views and passed a resolution. The market price remains as fixed at £16 7s. 6d. for the home trade in May, delivered net cash, or 10s. less at works. PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—May 2. Patents and Designs Bill, 1917. Sir A. Stanley, in answer to a question, stated that notice of motion to reintroduce the Patents and Designs Bill, 1917, had been given. The Bill would contain clauses relating to the extension of the life of patents, the work- ing of which had been affected by the war. May 6. Coal, Coke and Gas. Mr. Alden asked whether large stocks of coke were now accumulating in the yards of the gas companies owing to the fact that consumers preferred coal to coke for the ordinary purposes of fuel, and whether the Board of Trade would allow coke to go unrationed providing that a certain proportion of the fuel used by the consumer for household purposes was coke rather than coal. Sir A. Stanley, replying to this and another question, said that steps were being taken to ensure that all coke produced should be used, and corresponding economies effected throughout the country in the consumption of coal. He knew that in some cases householders who had gas appliances for heating and cooking had lately reverted to coal. In connection with the proposed new scheme of coal rationing he was considering whether it may not be practicable to take into account the consumption of gas for heating and cooking purposes, but he must warn householders that whether their fuel was in the form of coal or gas, a very material reduction in consumption was absolutely necessary. Home Produced Oil. Mr. Kellaway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions, replying to Captain Barnett as to the number of modified plants for the distillation of petroleum from cannel coal were now in operation at ’gasworks in Great Britain, and what production had been attained to date, .said it was not desirable in the public interest to give details of production, but it might be stated definitely that gasworks in Great Britain were either now modified or in process of modification, to enable all the cannel coal which was known to be available to be carbonised for the production of oil. It might, however, be stated that the process so far had been an unqualified success. Control of Coal Mines. Sir F. Hall asked whether the President of the Board of Trade was aware that claims had been made against the Controller of Coal Mines for sums due from him under his guarantee contained in the agreement scheduled to the Coal Mines Control Agreement (Confirmation) Act, 1918, and that such claims had not been met; whether, in view of the assurances which were made in Parliament by the Government on the passing of the Act that the Controller would act reasonably in dealing with applications for payments to the coalowners on account of moneys due to them under the guarantee, he would direct the Controller to make such payments accordingly; and whether the Controller had any moneys in hand out of which to make such payments. Sir A. Stanley stated that payments of claims under the Coal Mines Agreement had been dealt with as promptly as possible, though delays had occurred in certain cases owing to the failure of the claimants to furnish requisite information. In cases of urgency in which an immediate settlement was not possible, payments on account had been made. Sir F. Hall asked whether any saving had been effected in train mileage by the Controller’s scheme of redistribu- tion of output. Sir A. Stanley said that some of the railways had not yet found it practicable to compile precise details, but were satisfied as to the help which had been afforded by the scheme. The estimated saving in train mileage in connection with the scheme did not include any saving which might be due to reduced output. THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool The tone of the market is firm, and most makers of tin- plate are holding out for the official maximum. Only a moderate trade was done during the week, and almost entirely with those works in want of specifications, and willing to make concessions to secure the same. The figure paid averaged about 32s. 6d. basis net, for cokes f.o t. at works. A fair number of ration permits came along for home trade requ:rements, and merchants got their share of them. Wasters continue in good demand, full prices having to be paid for ordinary sizes ; 28 x 20 are exceedingly scarce. The enquiry for terneplates is very good. Dr. C. C. Messiter has been appointed certifying surgeon under the Factory and Workshop Acts for Dudley. A vacancy at Newbury is notified. Coal Production in Peru.—According to the Boletin del Cuerpo 'de Ingenieros de Minas, the -output of coal in Peru in the year 1916 was 319,063 tons, as compared with 290,743 tons in 1915, an increase of 28,320 tons. The bulk of the production—299,013 tons of coal and 12,080 tons of lignite—was from the department of Junia, that of Ancachs furnishing only 3,000 tons of coal, and 2,800 tons of anthracite (out of 4,470 tons of this latter). The Goyllarisquiszga group of mines, belonging to the Cerro de Pasco Mining Company, produced 217,384 tons of coal, with a mean ash content of 36-1 per cent., the average output being 1-324 ton per day for each underground worker, or 0-897 ton per head of the whole staff. The Quishaurcancha mine, belonging to the same concern, produced 61,745 tons—an increase of 12,381 tons— or 1-86 tons per head per day, a good deal of coal being got from the outcrops. The imports of coal and coke increased from 55,662 tons to 82,373 tons, of which 46,220 tons were from the United States, 28,692 tons from Great Britain, 3,689 tons from Chile, and 2,307 tons from Australia. 8 LETTERS TO THE EDITORS. The Editors are not responsible either for the statements made, or the opinions expressed by correspondents. All communications must be authenticated by the name and address of the sender, whether for publication or not. No notice can be taken of anonymous communications. As replies to questions are only given by way of published answers to correspondents, and not by letter, stamped addressed envelopes are not required to be sent. BRINGING INVENTIONS OUT OF THE PITS. Sirs,—In a recent meeting of mining engineers, one speaker expressed a hope that other useful things (besides the timber tub under discussion) would be brought out of the, pits and particulars given to the members. This is extremely desirable, especially from a professional point of view; but unless a deeper pro- fessional interest is taken in mining societies and members keep well in mind their duty to fulfil the societies’ essentials, the chances are that useful inven- tions, so common in many pits, are not likely to be brought much into the daylight. Our chief mining societies came into existence on their claim to get and spread facts and things which would tend to mining safety and business welfare generally. The idea was that members should lay on the table, as it were, any information or particulars of things they found good in practice for safety and economy, and let everyone share the benefit. Theore- tically a member had no right to keep back any facts or things of general interest or particular use. He was expected to be frankly informative of fresh things, and he could bring his troubles and difficulties with an expectation of a possible remedy being found. Personal acquaintance with engineers and managers shows they are Safety First men by nature, training, and experience, as well as by contract of service; that they are mostly inventive, and, when not possessed of power to get “ proper appliances for ensuring safety,” are often able to sit down and devise tools of special service, besides numerous makeshifts to get over local pit troubles. There is hardly a mechanical problem but is dealt with somewhere or other by the right tool and by someone who knows all the details. The trouble is that these things are kept from public utility, and the men are not doing their duty to the profession—the duty of giving us the facts necessary to get and use proper things. This selfish policy is particularly obnoxious in special danger questions. The list of mechanical accidents teems with cases where a man’s life at X pit might easily have been saved if the manager had fully known of the appliance used by his neighbour at Y pit. What professional right has the latter official to keep that appliance dark by not letting the officials at X pit know all about it? Somehow, we must persuade or compel these inven- tions out of the pit into general view and utilisation. Patents are granted for public utility, not merely for the profit of inventors and users. Granted we can get things at a price which is profitable to user and inventor, there seems no professional reason why these good things should be kept away. The usual formal invitation, on meeting call- papers “ for anyone desirous” of. reading a paper to do so, does not seem to bring sufficient results. We need reminding of the professional basis and duty, with special requests in particular cases. Then our meetings would be practical and enthusiastic, and gradually the use of best things would become more general, without the need for legislative stimulus. Sheffield. A. Hanley. THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, May 9. Dublin. The situation with regard to supplies daily becomes more serious, as the collieries at the other side are disposed to make still greater restrictions for the Irish trade. Last week bellmen delivering coal from carts had to wait several days for supplies. Some of the coal banks at the Custom House Docks and yards at the South Wall are completely exhausted. Small shopkeepers, selling coal by the stone, are much pressed, and substitutes—such as turf and wood blocks—are greatly used. Demand is still good for house coal, owing to changeable weather, and prices remain unchanged, viz:—Best Orrell, 51s. per ton; best Wigan, 49s.; standard coal, 46s. 6d. per ton, delivered; coke, 49s. per ton. Irish coals at Castlecomer pits (County Kil- kenny):—Best small coal, 30s. per ton; best large coal, 28s. 4d.; bottom coal, 25s.; breakage, 16s. 8d.; culm, 13s. 4d. per ton. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the Dublin quays from cross-Channel ports during the past week was 30,000 tons, as compared with about 24,000 tons the week previously. It is stated that the Slievpardagh coal fields are to be sold by auction next week. Belfast. Scarcity of supplies, more particularly of the better qualities of English coal, continue to hinder the carrying out of orders on hand, and stocks are very low. Prices in the port remain unaltered, as follow .- — Best English coal, 51s. per ton ; English nuts, 50s.; English kitchen coal, 50s.; best English slack, 47s.; Scotch house coal, 45s.; standard coal, 44s. per ton net. The Corporation have decided to close down the tramway services an hour earlier each evening, io reduce traffic on six routes to a 20-minutes service, and to suspend the service entirely on six routes on Sundays. The curtailment, it is stated, will save 40 tons of coal a week. Coal Rationing for Scotland.—The Coal Controller has been in consultation with the trade interests in Glasgow regarding the scale of rationing for coal which it is pro- posed to fix for Scotland. Questions have arisen as to. whether the scale for Scotland should be the same as that for London, or, in view of the somewhat different circumstances, of a more generous character. On Tuesday, the Edinburgh Coal Committee met in the City Chambers and discussed the general situation. No definite steps were taken, but it is understood that the trade interests in Edinburgh will place their viewTs before the Coal Con- troller when a suitable opportunity arrives.