July 19, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 135 ROTARY UNDERGROUND TIPPLES * In opening up a new mine (the Docena mine) in the Pratt seam at a depth of 250 ft. from the surface, the average thickness of the coal being approximately 36 in., it was necessary—the standard Pratt car being too high—to design a new car with an over-all height of 26 in. above the rail and a capacity of 2 tons, the usual swing door at the front end of the car being replaced by a solid end to prevent spilling of fine coal along the haulage ways. This type of construction necessitated the use of a rotary tipple at the shaft bottom. The average output desired from the mine was 2,500 tons in ten hours, and after due considera- tion it was decided to sink a two-compartment shaft, equipped with 6-ton capacity skips running in balance, and to instal suitable dumping and loading arrangements at the bottom of the shaft. After the plant had been in operation for some time, a test was made of the capacity of the rotary tipples, with the following results : — No. of No. of Dumping time. Tons trip. cars. Min. sec. per hour. 1 16 5 30 ... 200 2 18 8 0 165 3 10 2 30 276 4 22 4 45 318 5 36 6 45 368 The whole arrangement worked out satisfactorily, and when it became necessary to sink and equip the Edgewater mine of the same company, it was decided to use a similar arrangement. The following descrip- tion relates to the Edgewater installation : — Referring to the illustration, the plan of the bottom shows the relative location of the car haul, car scales, revolving dump and hoisting shaft. Electric locomotives deliver trips on the loaded side- track. After being uncoupled and passed over the ■4 WAY VALVE \FEED 'RUN AROUND 1 ^1 LOWER ct GATE CYL/NDERW H- I & Ic |Measurinq ’Bin D J w •u fr: flfll Y'r, -I® & .CHECK VALVE ■BAFFLE PLATE & GATE VALVE SPRING BUFFERS LG .'V ER I CATE | CYLINDER scale by car haul, the cars acquire sufficient momentum by gravity to run into the rotary tipple, displacing the empties therein. The car stop used is of the re- volving type, and is automatically operated by a reach rod from the incoming end by the loaded cars. As shown at A, the rotary tipple has three compart- ments, each holding two cars, one-third of a revolu- tion being required for each dumping operation. As it operates wholly by gravity, the cost of operation and upkeep is low. The operation of the tipple is controlled by a band brake on one of the spiders. Originally a positive stop was used to bring the tipple to rest in the loading position, but it did not prove successful and was abandoned, the stop being now made wholly by careful operation of the brakes. The bin B, directly under the rotary tipple, has a capacity of approximately 40 tons. To prevent over- loading the skip and spilling coal around the bottom of the shaft, a measuring bin D with a capacity of a skip load (6 tons), is built between the bin B and the side of the shaft. This is operated as follows : The skip being loaded and the bin D empty, the gate E is lowered and the opening closed. The gate C is then opened and coal flows into the bin D. When the bin is full, the gate C is raised to the closed position. The arrangement of valves and cylinders is such that the undercut gate C cannot be operated while the gate E is open, neither can both gates be open at the same time; further, by means of the control valve at K, operated by the skip, the gate E cannot be opened until the skip is in position to receive the load. This eliminates any possible error by the operator. The whole cycle of operation is controlled by four- way valves J. The operator at this point also controls the movement of skips in the shaft by signals to the hoisting engineer. Hand-operated emergency lifts are provided in case of temporary failure of the hydraulic mechanism. * Coal Age. Notes from the Coal Fields. [Local Correspondence.] South Wales and Monmouthshire. Fire at Risca—Effect of Order in Anthracite District— Effects of Influenza—Question of Miners’ Contribu- tions—Technological Education in South Wales. Owing to a gob fire in the west portion of the Old Black Vein Colliery, Risca, the Risca Nos. I. and II., and the Old Black Vein collieries were idle on Monday, 2,000 workmen being affected. An effort was made to seal the fire. As the three pits are inter-dependent for ventilation, the men employed there decided to remain idle. The Ystradgynlais Council have had the Coal Con- troller’s Order under consideration, and because of its specially adverse application to their district will ask him whether it cannot be exempted. They point out that their area is purely one of anthracite collieries, and that the rates have decreased by <£4,000 owing to depleted output. The output of coal is still very seriously affected by the prevalence of influenza in the colliery districts. It is estimated that the average loss last week rose to as much as 18,000 tons per day, and although matters have been better during the current week—the loss ranging about 12,000 tons per day—matters are still very serious. In the Rhondda alone the number of deaths last week totalled 29, and there were 45 in the week previous. On the whole, it is stated by the Medical Officer of Health, the epidemic, in that area is now abating. It has, however, spread to other parts of the coalfield, and instructions have been given to close, not only day schools, but also . Sunday schools in certain areas. The heavy rain of the past few days have exercised very beneficial influence, and the outlook is altogether brighter. At Blaenavon, nearly half the men were affected. The suddenness with which the influenza epidemic is attacking the miners is a peculiar feature of the present conditions. Among those who have died this week is Mr. Henry Davies, of Aberavon, one of the chief spokes- men of the workmen in the Aberdare Valley, where over 60 deaths from influenza have already taken place. It has been decided to close the schools for five weeks and to approach the proprietors of places of amusement, as well as church members, with a view to excluding children from gatherings for a while. Hundreds of absentees are recorded at the different collieries in that valley. An important matter, wherein certain colliers seek a decision of the court as to the legality of the increase in contribution to the Miners’ Federation was mentioned in the Chancery Court on Tuesday; but, upon its being repre- sented that the hearing would be a lengthy one, postpone- ment was resolved upon. Eminent counsel have been briefed on both sides, and the action will be watched with particular interest because of its bearing upon the powers of the executive council as distinct from the general body of members. Few actions of recent years have so important a bearing upon the power and duty of trade union officials. At a meeting on Cardiff Exchange during Tuesday a scheme was discussed for developing technological educa- tion and research in South Wales, the business men’s com- mittee meeting representatives of the different authori- ties in the district. A suggestion was made that a sum of £50,000 per annum should be contributed by the col- liery, iron works, shipping, and other industries in the locality; and a committee was appointed, consisting of Mr. Joseph Shaw, K.C. (chairman of the Powell Duffryn Colliery Company), Mr. Howell Jones (general manager of Guest-Keen Collieries and Iron Works), Mr. T. J. Callaghan (president of the Chamber of Commerce), Sir William Seager (chairman of the Shipowners’ Association), Mr. F. W. Gilbertson (of Pontardawe), Mr. Charles H. Eden (Swansea), and Mr. F. Shearman. This committee will draft a scheme for raising funds and for carrying out an idea which has been mooted. Present at the meeting were Principal Griffiths, of the South Wales College, Prin- cipal Coles, of the Technical College, and other educa- tionists. It is intended that the workmen in the col- lieries, iron works, etc., shall be invited to co-operate. A striking confirmation of the fact that the United States is to a large extent capturing the export trade of tinplate is given by figures just to hand, which shows that whilst British exports in the year before the war reached nearly 500,000 tons, they were last year less than 200,000 tons ; whereas, on the contrary, the United States, which did not export 60,000 tons five years ago, raised its total to 233,000 tons in 1917. South Wales, being the great centre of tinplate manufacture, views with increasing con- cern this acquisition of oversea markets by the Americans. Largely the output on this side is governed by restriction as to supply of steel and shortage of labour; and it is held that in view of reconstruction necessities after the war, special attention should now be given to preserve the busi- ness of. the South Wales manufacturers. Northumberland and Durham. It was announced to the Tyne Improvement Commis- sioners at their July meeting in Newcastle that during June coal and coke shipments from the Tyne were as follow : Coal as cargo, 730,159 tons, a decrease of 167,675 tons when compared with the clearances in June last year and of 646,643 tons when compared with those in June 1913; coal as bunkers, 66,616 tons, decreases of, respectively, 8,283 tons and 120,078 tons; and coke, 39,686 tons, a decrease of 849 tons as compared with last year’s figures, but an increase of 8,936 tons when compared with the figures for 1913. The figures for the half-year just ended were : Coal as cargo, 4,364,849 tons, decreases Of, respec- tively, 823,993 tons and 4,228,724 tons when compared with the corresponding halves of 1917 and 1913; coal as bunkers, 422,767 tons, decreases of, respectively, 141,088 tons and 669,291 tons; and coke, 263,612 tons, a decrease of 61,374 tons when compared with the 1917 figures, but an increase of 114,943 tons when compared with those for 1913. Newcastle Fuel and Light Committee decided to point out to the Coal Controller that, apart from the indepen- dent members of the committee nominated by the City Council, no provision is made for the direct representa- tion of consumers on the committee. A conference of representatives of municipalities on the north-east coast will be held on July 24 to consider the supply of coal. The Tyne Improvement Commission has obtained sanction from the Board of Trade to increase the rates, tolls, dues and charges leviable by the Commission on vessels, goods, coal and coke by 100 per cent, beyond the statutory maxima. This increase came into operation on Thursday of this week, superseding the increase of 50 per cent., which came into force on November 1 last. This is the third increase to which the dues, etc have been subjected since war broke out. Woodhorn miners, who, to the number of about 1,500 were on strike throughout last week, resumed work on Monday. The strike appears to have originated through a trivial circumstance. A conference between representa- tives of the coalowners and the Northumberland Miners’ Association, held at Newcastle, resulted in a settlement being arrived at. Cumberland. In consequence of the reduction of output in the Cum- berland coalfield through miners being recruited for the Army, the Cumberland Coal and Coke Supplies Committee have decided to reduce the amount of coal available for household fuel by 15 per cent, on the tonnage supplied by the different pits month by month, taking the year 1917 as the standard. The local agents are consequently being instructed to minimise the effect of this withdrawal as far as possible by reducing the deliveries to their cus- tomers in proportion to the reduction of their own supplies from the pits. Lancashire and Cheshire. At Ashton-in-Makerfield, by a mutual arrangement between the Local Coal Retail Prices Committee and the coal retailers of the township, the retailers have agreed to differentiate between the general public and the widows of soldiers, soldiers’ wives, and widows whose only sur- viving son is serving in the Army, by charging such wives and widows a halfpenny per cwt. less for coal delivered’ to them for household purposes than the price charged to the general public. The Household Fuel and Lighting Order, 1918, was dis- cussed at a meeting of the Salford Borough Council. Aiderman Phillips, chairman of the Gas Committee and of the Coal Supplies Committee, said that if a miner could work three hours extra per week there would be no shortage of coal. Sir William Stephens said some protest should be made by the Council against slap-dash and panic legislation by amateurs who did not understand the ques- tion. The Mayor pointed out that the Order was put into force without notice to the trade beyond what was con- tained in paragraphs in the newspapers. In reply to a. question as to what would happen if people neglected the Order, Aiderman Phillips said they would get no coal. Sir William Stephens said they must not submit to being “ Prussianised.” A committee was appointed under the Order. It was resolved to advertise for a local fuel over- seer, at a salary of £300 a year. Sir William Stephens, proposed to move a resolution of protest against the: putting into force of the Order, but after discussion it, was agreed to leave the matter in the hands of the Parlia- mentary Committee. Kent. Shareholders in Wingham and Stour Valley collieries, Intermediate Equipments, Kent Coal Concessions, South Eastern Coalfield, and Extended Extension companies— all five companies having holdings in the area concerned— at meetings convened by the directors have approved the grant to Messrs. Schneider and Co., of the Creusot Arma- ment Works, France, of an option to purchase 7,000 to 8,500 acres of the Kent coalfields, including the Wingham and Stour Valley Collieries. The terms are £40 per acre freehold, and £21 leasehold. Messrs. Schneider are to pay a deposit of 20 per cent., another 40 per cent, to be paid one month after termination of the war, and the balance at the end of six months. There having been some criticism of the price per acre to be paid by Messrs. Schneider for this coalfield area, Mr. Moens, manager of Kent Coal Concessions and Allied Companies, gave some striking figures as to what would be the result of the sale of the whole property on similar terms. South Eastern Coalfield Company’s assets would work out, he showed, at £525,485 and the liabilities are £221,243, leaving a sur- plus of £304,242. Extended Extension Company’s assets would be £232,944, and the liabilities are £91,692 ; surplus £141,212. Kent Coal Concessions’ assets would be £513,183, liabilities are £444,150 ; surplus £69,033. It was pointed out by the manager that the East Kent light railways run to the Wingham and Guilford collieries. Last week 2,400 tons of coal were raised at Tilmanstone. colliery and the Snowdown colliery output was about 2,200j tons. The first block of miners’ cottages which are being- erected in the vicinity of Tilmanstone Colliery for the men employed there are now in course of erection. The cot- tages are being built of concrete blocks, which are manu- factured at the colliery from a mixture of hard clinker and cement. Scotland. Ross Colliery, Hamilton, one of the oldest pits in the Hamilton district, has been acquired by Messrs. Archi- bald Russell Limited, coalmasters.