1060

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

May 24, 1918.

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

Very little outward chartering is reported on the north-
east coast this week, the total number of fixtures, as a
matter of fact, being three—one for London at the fixed
rate of 17s., one for Stockholm at the easier rate (on the
week) of 185 kr., and one for Warberg at 175 kr. For
all other destinations there are lots of orders in circu-
lation, but no neutral tonnage is being provided; conse-
quently business is at a standstill. Full recent record
figures are on offer. Fortunately, collieries are able to
view the deadlock with equanimity, their activity not at
present depending upon foreign trade; official and home
demands suffice easily to absorb their output. At South
Wales business has been mainly confined to fixtures for
coasting and French Atlantic ports at scheduled rates.
Bilbao is again reported done at 300s. and Buenos Ayres
at 120s., but in the absence of details it may be that
these are the same fixtures as were announced a week
ago. Port Said is mentioned as having been fixed at 200s.

Homewards the River Plate is steady at 225s. from lower
ports to the United Kingdom, and 250s. to French
Atlantic. At the United States, Virginia to the Plate
with coal is quoted at 80s., with 84s. for Brazil discharge.
At the Far East the market is strong but slow. Mediter-
ranean ore and phosphate ports are taking up all avail-
able tonnage for Allied destinations at firm freights.

Tyne to London, 3,000, 17s.; Stockholm, 2,600, 185 kr.;
and Warberg, 1,500, 175 kr.

Cardiff to Bilbao, 300s., reported; Bordeaux, 2,000, 69s.,
neutral; Buenos Ayres, 120s., reported; Caen, 900, 48s.,
neutral; 1,100, 46s. 6d., neutral; Honfleur, 600, 48s.,
neutral; La Rochelle, 1,600, 61s. 6d., neutral; and Rouen,
1,800, 48s. 9d., neutral.

Swansea to Rouen, 1,300, 1,400 and 1,500, 48s. 9d.,
neutral; 3,000, 47s. 3d., neutral; Caen, 1,450, 1,500 and
2,000, 46s. 6d;, neutral; 700, 48s., neutral; Dublin, 300,
17s.; Sables d’Olonne, 1,100, 63s., neutral.

Neath Abbey to Trouville, 450 and 500, 48s., neutral.

Wales to Port Said, 9,000, 200s.

Barry to Bordeaux, 2,000, 69s., neutral.

Later.—The following additional fixtures have been
arranged :—

Tyne to Halmstad, 2,100, 160 kr.

Cardiff to Honfleur, 550, 48s., neutral; 320, 72s. 9d.,
sail; and Rouen, 2,600 and 2,700, 47s. 9d., neutral.

Swansea to Caen, 1,300, 46s. 6d., neutral.

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR COAL AND COKE.

Fur Contracts Advertised in this issue received too late
tor inclusion in this column, see Leader and Last
White pages.

Abstracts of Contracts Open.

Bracebridge.—Coal for the asylum, Bracebridge, Lancs.
Forms from the clerk.

Camberwell, June 5.—Steam, house, and bakers’ coal
and unbroken coke, for the St. Giles’ Guardians. Forms
from the offices, 29, Peckham-road.

Cardiff., May 27.—Coal for schools (session 1918-19).
Forms from the clerks of the respective groups, viz.:—
Bridgend group, Mr. E. Preece, 61, Park-street, Bridgend ;
Caerphilly group, Mr. A. H. Bullock, 5, Queen-street,
Cardiff ; Gelligaer group, Mr. F. T. James, Council Offices,
Hengoed ; Gowerton group, Mr. P. J. Arnold, 7, Rutland-
street, Swansea; Maesteg group, Mr. R. Scale, Maesteg;
Neath group, Mr. E. Powell, solicitor, Neath; Ogmore
group, Rev. Charles Williams, Ogmore Vale; Penarth
group, Mr. J. E. Williams, Herbert-chambers, Cardiff;
Pontardawe group, Mr. A. W. Samuel, King’s Chambers,
Swansea; Pontyclun group, Mr. W. T. Gwyn, Town Clerk’s
Office, Cowbridge; Port Talbot group, Mr. A. H. Deer, Port
Talbot; Swansea group, Mr. A. H. Thomas, Llansamlet.

Croydon, June 12.—Coal and coke (12 months) for the
Corporation. Forms from the borough engineers, Town
Hall, Croydon.

Dunmanway, May 28.—Sixty tons best house coal for
Guardians. Tenders to the clerk.

Dunmow, May 31.—Coal and coke for schools. Forms
from the clerk, Essex Education Committee, Chelmsford.

Glasgow, June 4.—319,000 tons of coal (singles and
pairs) for the electricity stations. Forms from the
engineer, 75, Waterloo-street.

Kingston, May 27.—The Guardians of the Kingston
Union invite tenders for house coal (approximate quantity
680 tons), for the year ending June 30,1919, to be delivered
on the workhouse and infirmary premises, Kingston, as and
when required. Dust not to exceed 10 per cent. Tenders
are also invited for the supply of 1,300 tons of best
Warwickshire Wyken slack, -J in., and 1,700 tons Pooley
Hall nuts, £ in. to 1| in., or similar coal of equal quality,
for the same period, delivered at the infirmary premises,
Kingston. Colliery certificate in each case to be forwarded
immediately a consignment leaves the pit. Samples to be
sent. Sealed tenders, endorsed “ Tenders for Coal,” which
should specify the quality to be supplied, not later than
Monday, May 27. The Guardians are not pledged to accept
any tender. The person whose tender is accepted will be
required to enter into a contract with two sureties. On
receipt of stamped addressed foolscap envelope, forms will
be sent by Chas. W. Dash, clerk to the Guardians, Union
Offices, Kingston-on-Thames.

Lisnaskea, June 1.—Fifty or 100 tons best Scotch coal
(screened) for Guardians. Forms from the clerk, Lis-
naskea.

London, S.W., June 5.—Coal and coke (12 months) for
the Metropolitan Police establishments. Forms from the
Receiver, New Scotland Yard.

London, June 8. —For Notts hard steam coal, for
University College Hospital, Gower-street, London, W.C.
Forms from the secretary.

Lytham, May 27. — 9,000 tons gas fuel (screened,
unscreened, or nuts), for the Urban District Council.
Forms from the manager, Gas Works, Lytham.

Maidstone, May 29.—15,000 tons gas coal for Gas Com-
pany. Forms from the engineer, gas works, Maidstone.

Marple, May 28.—Gas coal, nuts, etc., for Gas Com-
mittee. Forms from the gas engineer, Marple Bridge.

Omagh, May 30.-2,000 tons (or less) of gas coal, for the
Urban District Council. Forms from the gas manager.

Rathmines and Rathgar, May 29.—For 500 tons of coat
for the Urban District Council’s electricity works. Forms
from the works.

St Panoras, June 10. — The Borough Council of
St. Pancras are prepared to receive tenders for the supply
of steam coal for use at the Regent’s Park and King’s-road
electricity stations, and at the Prince of Wales-road, King-

street and Whitfield-street baths and washhouses, for
12 months, delivery to be made as required Forms to be
obtained at the Electricity Department Offices, No. 57,
Pratt-street, Camden Town, N.W., on payment of =£1, which
will only be returned on receipt of specification, accom-
panied by a bona fide tender. Tenders, in accordance with
specification, to be sent to the town clerk, endorsed “Tender
for Coal,” by June 10. The council do not bind themselves
to accept the lowest or any tender.

Torquay, May 27.—3,500 tons gas coal for the Town
Council. Forms from the manager, gas works.

Wishaw, May 28.—8,000 tons screened gas coal and
coking nuts for the Town Council. Forms from the
engineer, gas works, Wishaw.

Wombwell, May 29.—5,500 tons (more or less) best
screened gas coal, or 2 in. washed gas nuts for the Urban
District Council. Forms from the manager, gas works.

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

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON
AND STEEL WORK, &C.

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. 2.

Manchester, June 11.—Bolts.—Copper tubing, iron,
steel, pick shafts, spades, shovels, pitch, creosote, etc.
(12 months) for the Gas Committee. Forms from the
superintendent, Gas Department, Town Hall.

Melbourne, July 2.— IFire.— Galvanised iron wire, gal-
vanised steel standard wire, copper wire, etc., for the Post
Office. Copies of specifications may be seen at the Enquiry
Office of the Department of Overseas Trade (Development
and Intelligence), 73, Basinghall-street, London, E.C., 2.

South Hetton (Durham), June 1.— Stores.—Timber,
pils, grease, wire ropes, etc. (6 months). Forms from
J. R. Lambert, South Hetton.

Stroud Green, May 31.—Boiler.—New sectional boiler
for school. Forms from the secretary, Education Com-
mittee, 206, Stapleton Hall-road, Stroud Green.

Sunderland, May 29.—Boilers.—Two water-tube boilers,
etc., for the corporation. Forms from the manager, elec-
tricity offices, Dunning-street, Sunderland.

COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES.
REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS.

Alabama Coal, Iron, Land and Colonisation Company
Limited.—The report for the year ended December 31,
1917, gives the following particulars: The Alabama State
Land Company, after paying 29,052 dols. on account of
their expenses (including "11,942 dols. for taxes), remitted
to this company sums amounting to 442,277 dols., retaining
on December 31, 1917, a cash balance of 3,039 dols. The
land realisation account shows a credit balance of £85,798,
which, added.to £2,142 standing to the credit of profit and
loss account, makes a total of £87,940, out of which the
directors have paid (on January 7, 1918) a bonus distri-
bution of 2s. per share, free of income tax, on the 184,608
issued shares, and now recommend a further distribution
of 3s. per share, free of income tax, payable on or about
May 28. These distributions absorb £46,152, leaving
£41,788 to be carried forward, subject to excess profits
duty.

Bengal Coal (Calcutta) Limited.—The directors, after
setting aside 1,20,000 R. for depreciation, 3,50,000 R. mines
development, recommend a dividend at rate of 50 per
cent, per annum and to carry forward 3,00,000 R.

Bengal Iron and Steel Company Limited.—The report
for the year ended September 30, 1917, states that net
profit, including £26,570 brought forward, and after pay-
ment of excess profits duty, was £819,577. Portion of
Manharpur prospecting and development expenses written
off absorbs £712; transfer to depreciation and colliery
sinking funds £26,133, and debenture stock interest
£10,000. The directors recommend a dividend of 30 per
cent. for the year on the ordinary shares, leaving £76,277
to be carried forward, subject to excess profits duty.

Beyer, Peacock and Company Limited.—The directors of
Beyer Peacock and Company recommend a dividend .on
the ordinary shares for 1917 at 10 per cent, per annum,
less tax.

Blake Boiler, Wagon and Engineering Company
Limited.—According to the report, the profits for the year
ended March 31 last were £24,783, which, with the balance
of £3,651 brought forward, makes a total of £28,435 avail-
able. Out of this £162 has been paid as preference divi-
dend to December 31 last, and it is now proposed to
distribute the balance by placing £4,564 to depreciation,
£700 in payment of directors’ fees, £6,025 in payment of
a dividend of 10 per cent., free of tax, on the ordinary
shares, carrying to reserve account £10,000, and to next
year’s account the balance of £6,983. For the previous
year the profits were such as to permit of a dividend of
7J- per cent., less tax, on the ordinary shares.

Lothian Coal Company Limited.—Extra dividend of 2£
per cent, on preference shares, making 7| per cent, for
year,, and balance dividend on ordinary shares of 10 per
cent., tax free, making 15 per cent, for the year; £32,814
forward.

Parkgate Iron and Steel Company Limited.—The profit
for the year, after providing for war taxation and depre-
cation, is £100,810, which, with balance brought forward
from last year (£9,368), makes a total of £110,179. The
interim dividend of Is. 3d. per share, paid December 1,
1917, absorbed £31,250, and there was transferred to the
reserve fund £25,000, or £56,250 under the two heads.
Thus the balance for disposal is £53,929. It is proposed
to distribute this balance as follows: Further dividend
of Is. 9d. per share (making a total of 3s. per share, or
15 per cent, for the year), £43,750; balance carried forward
£10,179.

Pumpherston Oil Company Limited.—The report for the
year ended April 30 states that, after providing for main-
tenance of works and mines and allowing for special taxa-
tion and income tax, the balance at credit of profit and
loss, including £22,501 brought forward, is £218,708. The
directors propose to write off for depreciation £15,000,
place to improved plant suspense account £20,000, reserve
fund £30,000, pay a dividend of 40 per cent, on the ordi-
nary shares, less tax, and to carry forward £30,508. Divi-
dend will be payable in equal instalments on June 7 and
December 6. Negotiations have taken place between the
Boards of various Scottish oil companies for the formation
of an agency to deal with the sale and distribution of their

products, and a provisional agreement has now been
adjusted.

Rand Collieries Company Limited.—For 1917 £1,809
was received from rents, etc., while expenses totalled
£2,320, and interest on advances amounted to £14,850.

South Wales Electrical Power Distribution Company
Limited.—For the year ended December 31 last the busi-
ness shows an increase, the units sold amounting to
36,959,049, as compared with 30,058,461 in 1916,
an increase of 6,900,588 units, or nearly 23 per
cent. Negotiations have also been completed for a
further substantial increase of output. After payment
of all expenses, the credit balance on the past year’s work-
ing was £24,748. Deducting therefrom payment of interest
on prior lien debenture stock and the original debenture
stock of the company, and making provision for depre-
ciation of the new plant, there remains £64 to be carried
forward.

ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS
RECENTLY ACCEPTED.

114548. Aerial or Suspended Bailways. W. L.
Hamilton, 81, Mitchell-street, Glasgow.—According to this
invention the two tracks are caused to diverge, each from
the line of its respective anchorage and axis of the mast,
by means of a spreader introduced between the two tracks
at a position up to which the tracks extending from
their anchorages diverge from those lines, and from the
spreader converge to the mast at or near the axis of
which they are attached. The spreader may be formed
to produce various degrees of divergence, for instance,
the two tracks may extend parallel from their anchorages,
and from the parallel condition converge to the mast.
In one system for use in depositing material on a large
accumulation or bing, carriages containing the material
may be delivered to a station on the top of the bing
by surface haulage, and at that station be transferred to
either of the two tracks and carried out to the edge
of the bing and dumped, the empty carriage being returned
upon the track on which it travelled out, or by passing
on and crossing over at the spreader return by the other
track. Under these conditions the spreader may be placed
near the limit to which the dumping is intended to be
carried before the spreader and the station are advanced.
(Five claims.)

114640. Beinforced Concrete Pit Props. E. Seward,
12 Victoria-terrace, Weymouth.—This invention relates to
improvements in connection with reinforced concrete props
or struts, commonly known as pit props, for mine roofs,
excavations, and pits where a load has to be carried
and the pressure transmitted to a base or lower surface,
the object being to provide a simple and economical form
of strut or prop construction that will obviate the employ-
ment as pit props and supports, of timber or other material
liable to decay, and will be of more permanent utility,
especially in regard to mining and the like operations.
The present invention comprises a pit prop formed by a
reinforced concrete column or strut having metal reinforce-
ments constituted by vertical rods and sheet metal collars
rings or annuli. It is known to form (a) reinforced con-
crete columns for concrete buildings in which vertical rods
with bent ends are used as compression members, which
are encircled by rings or bands arranged upon the rods
at intervals and held there by clamps and nuts, so forming
a cage which is then covered with wire netting or expanded
metal, the rods being disposed internally to and around
the inner circumference of the encircling rings; (6)
concrete piles, the shaft of which embodies vertical rods,
around which is a spiral band, cylinder, or wrapping of
sheet steel, interlaced steel rods, and strands of wire in
a continuous and helical direction, and secured by wire
to the verticals to produce a helix of opposite sign to
the helix of the sinking screw; (c) to combine narrow
strips of sheet metal in overlapping, spaced, or abutting
relation, with lacings, or staples and wire netting, or
wire fabric to reinforce concrete structures ; (d) a circular
concrete column having vertical rods combined with
encircling hoops or bands secured thereto by clips and
wedges, the rods being arranged around the inner circum-
ference of the said hoops or bands ; (e) a concrete telegraph
pole, having rims of different dimensions with uprights
secured to the inner circumference of the rims, a principal
wire spiral wound in one direction, and a secondary one
wound in the opposite direction, both spirals being looped
around the uprights and the lower rim; (/) a pillar, column
or pile having vertical rods connected by lattice bars or
ties and wire wound in a helical manner with a supple-
mental encasement of bars, metal sheets or mesh work
in the form of grill-like plate. (Seven claims.)

114686. Doors of Fixed Overhead Bunkers for
Charging Coal, Coke, etc. C. E. G. Turner, 37, Wells-
road, Bath.—This invention relates to doors of fixed
overhead bunkers, both of the continuous and separate,
or local kinds, such as are employed in gas retort houses
for supplying coal to travelling hoppers for conveyance
thereby to retorts. For convenience in description, this
invention is hereinafter described in its application to
the said purpose of feeding coal to travelling hoppers.
It will be readily understood that the apparatus is equally
applicable to feeding hoppers with other substances, grain,
for example. According to this invention, two doors
which are adapted to slide are employed for each delivery
opening of the overhead supply bunker, and these said
doors are arranged at different levels and are coupled
by chains in such manner that, in moving to clear the
opening in the bunker for discharge of coal from the
bunker into the hopper, the doors recede from each other
simultaneously, and, in closing after discharge, the doors
approach each other simultaneously from opposite ends of
opening, and overlap. (Three claims.)

114693. Electric Switches for Cancelling Mining Visual
Signals. G. Saint, Vauxhall House, Ruabon, North Wales.
—This invention relates to a tilting or revolving closed
tube having metal cup-shaped ends with an insulating ring
or collar of smaller bore between, and containing a globule
of mercury. A number of such tubes are fitted in a
vertical or inclined revolving casing, driven by the winding
engine, and connected in parallel in the releasing circuit
of the signal indicator. When the casing is revolved
the tubes are tilted in turn, and in flowing from end
to end of a tube the mercury bridges the insulating ring
or collar, thus momentarily connecting the ends, and
sending a current through the releasing coil of the signal
indicator. (Two claims.)

114723. Apparatus for Pulling Out Mine Props.
S. Graham, 119, Woodhouse-lane, Wigan.—This invention
relates to that type of apparatus for pulling but props in
mines or other places which comprises a frame adapted
to be secured to a stationary part in the mine, a sprocket
wheel mounted within the said frame adapted to receive
one end of a chain secured to the prop to be pulled
out) a handle for rotating and a spring bolt for preventing