554 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. September 13, 1918. his own national boundaries, he has invaded mining fields in all parts of the world, and it is largely to his activities that Germany owes that remarkable control of the world’s mines and metals which has been revealed by the war, and which is proving so difficult to destroy. In our own country, however, and in the British Empire generally, the services which the fully trained mining geologist is able to render to mining have not yet been sufficiently employed. They have not even been made available. It is not an exaggeration to say that practically no such men have been directly produced in British universitiesand schools of mining. The few mining geologists of British origin have almost without exception been trained miners or geologists who have been far-seeing enough to equip themselves with the combined training which their colleges had failed to supply. There is here need of educational reform. It is the duty, and should be the policy of our mining schools, to provide a training which, supplemented by practical experience, would enable students to go out into the world as qualified mining geologists. In this connection it will interest our readers to know that a comprehensive course of instruction, having this object in view, is now being organised in the Royal School of Mines branch of the Imperial College of Science and Technology at South Kensington. It may also interest them to learn some particulars as to the nature and scope of the proposed training. The Associateship of the Royal School of Mines is one of the oldest, best known, and most honoured of mining diplomas. For many years it was awarded in mining and metallurgy only, but of late years, in compliance with the demands of the modern petro- leum industry, it has been given in oil technology also; it is now to be available to qualified students in mining geology. The new course, which has been arranged by members of the staff of the geological and mining departments in consultation with a number of miners and mining geologists of wide experi- ence, is to extend, like those leading up to the diploma in mining, metallurgy/ or oil techno- logy, over a period of four years. The curri- culum of the first two, consisting of a pre- liminary training in fundamental science subjects and of an extensive introductory course in mineralogy and geology, will be identical with that for other Associateship candidates; but that of the last two years will be specialised to meet the particular requirements of the mining geologist. During these specialised years the subjects taken will be such as will ensure that the graduate, besides being thoroughly familiar with geological materials and processes and with the methods and results of modern geological investigation, will also possess a good knowledge of the principles and practice of mining, and at least a useful acquaintance with those of metallurgy. The geological training will include courses in mineralogy and petrology, structural geology and geological surveying, engineering geology, and mining geology. The last of these, dealing with the nature and origin of mineral deposits in general, and with the deposits of the metallic ores, useful non-metallic minerals, and chief varieties of fuels in particular, will be especially comprehensive. In order that the training may be as practical as possible, students, besides giving full time to labora- tory work, will spend a month in the field acquiring the art of geological mapping under tuition, and during a vacation, a second month, practising what they have learnt, in making an independent geo- logical survey of some appointed mining area. They will also devote several weeks to visiting, under guidance, a number of mining districts, selected to illustrate as much variety as possible, where the relations between the mineral deposits and geology may be favourably demonstrated. Under mining will be included courses on the principles of mining, the exploitation of mines, and mine sampling and valuation. Substantial parts of two summer vacations will be occupied, at approved mines, in obtaining as varied an experience as possible of actual mining operations. Very thorough training in topographical surveying and mine sur- veying will also be given, the latter supplemented by a period of six weeks at a mine, devoted to practice in underground surveying, in the corre- lation of surface and underground surveys, and in the collection of data for the subsequent construction of mine plans, sections and models. The training in geological surveying will permit of the incorporation of geological data in the latter—an accomplishment which mine surveyors and mining engineers, as ordinarily trained, too rarely possess. The metallurgical training will consist of an extensive course of lectures dealing with the general principles of metallurgy, and the materials and methods employed in modern metallurgical practice. This all-round training, by qualifying the graduate not only to prospect scientifically for mineral deposits and to determine their structure, character, and extent, but also to judge as to the methods by which they may best be exploited, and as to the conditions affecting the extraction, treatment, and utilisation of the raw materials won from them, should enable him to play a very important part in the discovery and development of our Imperial mineral resources. The opinion has often been expressed that no mining geologist can be completely successful who is not also a mining engineer. It might also be contended that no mining engineer can be entirely competent who is not also a qualified mining geolo- gist. There is much to be said for these views, and there is no doubt that wide qualifications of this kind are very desirable. In order to meet cases in which this more comprehensive training is desired, the courses of instruction have been so arranged that a student who has obtained his diploma in mining or in mining geology can obtain a double diploma in these subjects in one extra year. This will permit of the addition to the mining geologist’s equipment of a knowledge of such mining and metallurgical subjects as ore dress- ing, mining engineering and assaying, and to that of the miner of such geological subjects as mineralogy and petrology as applied to mineral deposits, structural geology and geological surveying, the field study of mineral deposits, and engineering and mining geology. The doubly qualified associate thus produced should prove a very high grade man of great service to the mining industry. He should be capable, with a few years of practical experience, of discharging the highest functions, whether administrative or consultative, of his profession. By establishing the courses outlined above, the authorities of the school believe that they will be making a contribution to the efficiency of the mining industry, while at the same time providing useful and profitable careers for young men of a scientific turn of mind. Now that an Imperial Bureau of Mineral Resources has been instituted for the purpose of fostering and promoting British mineral industries, the shortage of mining geologists and the urgent necessity of producing them can scarcely fail to be realised. It is hoped that the school may become a training centre to which the bureau and the mining profession generally may look for a supply pf such men. The co-operation of mining geologists with other classes of mining men is imperative if the great mineral potentialities of the Empire are to be correctly assessed, economically exploited, wisely distributed and advantageously utilised. SOUTH WALES MINING TIMBER TRADE. Owing to the decline in the production of coal and the larger supplies of home-grown timber, available stocks of foreign pitwood at the Cardiff wharves are very heavy. Some thousands of tons are lying at the dockside exposed to the weather. Efforts should be made to deliver these stocks, so that collieries could stack same under better conditions. Supplies of French pitwood are coming to hand fairly well, a large number of small sailing vessels being engaged in the trade. Quotations of all sizes remain at the maximum level—65s. per ton ex ship South Wales ports. Several importers are complaining of the heavy demurrage costs, and a movement is on foot to form a new charter-party for sailing vessels carrying pitwood cargoes. The pitwood dischargers at the ports of South Wales demand that the 5 per cent, additional bonus given to dock, wharf and riverside workers under the award of the Committee on Production should apply to them. This would make their war bonus 65 per cent, above the pre-war rates. The heavy demurrage and discharging costs leave a very small margin of profit to importers, and several have recently incurred losses. The actual quantity of foreign mining timber imported into South Wales ports for the week ended September 6 is as follows: — Cardiff (including Barry and Penarth) :— Date. Consignee. Loads. Aug. 31 E. Marcesche and Co......... 90 „ 31 Budd and Co.................. 75 „ 31 Lysberg Limited........ 2,400 „ 31 Lysberg Limited........ 1,800 „ 31 Lysberg Limited.......... 360 Sept. 2 Vyvyan Kelly .......... 1,920 „ 3 Bromage and Co ............ 48 „ 3 E. Marcesche and Co....... 120 „ 5 Lysberg Limited......... 3.000 „ 5 Lysberg Limited......... 1,440 „ 5 Lysberg Limited......... 1,200 „ 6 E. Marcesche and Co....... 214 „ 6 Morgan and Cadogan........ 420 Ne cport:— Sept. 4 E. Marcesche and Co. (four part cargoes) ..................... 150 Total .............13,237 Home Grown Mining* Timber. It is estimated that some tens of thousands of tons of home grown mining timber are awaiting haulage. Hauliers are scarce, and the shortage has been accentuated by the efforts made to gather in the harvest. When the hay and corn have been gathered in, deliveries to collieries will increase. At present no collieries are short of mining timber, and in most cases supplies are being taken up to an-eight weeks stock. In many woods the pitwood lengths have been lined along the hard roads awaiting the attention of the hauliers. There has been a better demand for cogwood, colliery stocks of this particular class having fallen low. Large quantities in the woods await delivery. The imports of Irish pitwood continue upon a good scale, and the shape and sizes are very satisfactory, the trade requirements having become more generally known. The late Mr. G. Hann, of the Powell Duffryn Company, left estate provisionally valued at £45,000. Second-Lieut. Stanley F. Simpson, R.F.A., youngest of the three soldier sons of Mr. J. W. Simpson, M.Inst.M.E. (late instructor in geology, mining and surveying, Somerset County Council), has been awarded the Military Cross for gallantry and devotion. On March 21 he was severely wounded in the head during a retreat and left behind, but managed to reach the British lines in a semi-conscious condition. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, September 12. Scotland. Western District. COAL. The general position in the Scotch coal trade is un- changed. Collieries in the west of Scotland are extremely busy, and outputs are absorbed on production. All large coals are in active demand for export and bunker purposes, and it is almost impossible to secure anything for prompt shipment Household supplies, too, continue particularly scarce. Shipments for the week amounted to 114,752 tons, compared with 121,638 in the preceding week, and 104,893 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current prices. : L’st week’s! Last year’s prices. prices. Steam coal 34/6 34/6 27/6 Ell 32/6-35/ - 32'6-35/ 26 6-28/ Splint 35/ -37; ' 35'/ —37/ 28/ -30' Treble nuts 30' ; 30/ 23/ Double do 29/ i 29/ 22/ Single do • 28/ 28/ 21/ IRON. There is nothing fresh to report regarding the Scotch iron trade. Energies are still chiefly directed towards the output of munitions, and ordinary busine-s is confined to very small dimensions. A firm tendency prevails for all classes of pig iron. Smelters have now practically nothing in hand in the way of stocks, and business is on the day-to-day principle. Haematite is in constant demand, but is only in moderate supply, while foundry and forge are far from be ng plentiful. Approximate prices: Monk- land and Carnbroe f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 140s., Nos. 3, 135s.; Govan, No. 1, 135s., No. 3, 130s.; Clyde, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 150s., Nos. 3, 145s.; Glen- garnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 140s , No. 3, 135s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, and Dalmellington, at Ayr, Nos. 1, 145s., Nos. 3, 135s. ; Shotts at Leith, No.l, 150s., No. 3, 145s. per ton. The production from the malleable iron works is falling behind, owing to the labour shortage and the scarcity of fuel. Government orders are pressing and practically nothing else can be tackled at present. The output of black sheets is well maintained, despite present conditions. Galvanised material is still'too expensive for ordinary consumption. Machine tool makers continue active, the demand for all descriptions being unabated. Boiler shops are also fully employed. The export depart- ment is lifeless at present. Scotland. "Eastern District. COAL. Collieries in the Lothians are well booked up for ship- ment. Local supplies appear to become more scarce as prices for neutral cargoes advance. Clearances were 17.460 tons, against 18,229 in the preceding week, and 18,066 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b Leith. Current L’st week’s L ast year’s prices. prices. prices Best screened steam coal... 33/6 33/6 26/6 Secondary qualities 32/6 32/6 25/6 Treble nuts 30/ 30/ 23/ Double do 29/ 29/ 22/ Single do .. 28/ 28/ 21/ Busy conditions prevail at the Fifeshire ports, and first and third class Fifeshire steams are moving off rapidly. Government demands are also very strong. Supplies for local consumption are difficult to arrange. Shipments were 41,193 tons, against 46,016 in the preceding week, and 31,771 tons in the same week last year. Prices f o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best screened navigation coal ... 36/ -38/ 36/ -38/ 29/ -31/ Unscreened do 31/ -32/ 31/ -32/ 24/ —25/ First-class steam coal 35/ 35/ 28/ Third-class do 31/ 31/ 24/ Treble nuts 30/ 29/ 30/ 23/ Double do i 29/ 22/ Single do 28/ j 28/ 21/ All prices quoted apply only to French and Italian busi ness. The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 173,4 )5 tons, compared with 185,883 in the preceding week and 154,730 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. The position of the prompt coal market has vastly im- proved since last report. When the latter was written, the the market was dull and easy because of the delays in arrivals1'of expected tonnage and the poorness ef the supply of neutral vessels. Neutral vessels are certainly no more plentiful, but the causes of detention of official tonnage at Allied discharging ports appear to have been overcome and the arrivals of such steamers at loading places in this district n >w leave nothing to be desired. Concurrently, there has been a perceptible improvement in the supply of railway trucks. These better arrivals of transport facilities have greatly strengthened the market and have resulted in the entire output of coal being once more diverted into Government, Allied and home directions, leaving the neu- tral would-be purchaser in the cold once more. There is a keen enquiry from metropolitan gas companies for supplies of gas coals, our Allies are willing to take all the smithies, coking coals, etc., that they can get, and there are very few descriptions of fuel which are at all plentifully offered to neutrals at present. Bunkers, which very recently were in excessive supply and weak for spot loading, are now rather scarce, and are listed at 45s. for early shipment and up to 50s. for forward The coke market is rather dull, and neutrals with tonnage at hand could obtain prompt supplies at 65s. per ton. There is a keen and persistent