666

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

September 27, 1918.

mittees was attributable to the employers who objected to
workmen having any voice or control in the management.
It was anticipated, however, that agreement would be
reached at an early date, inasmuch as a general sub-com-
mittee had been appointed by the Conciliation Board for
that purpose. With regard to the surface workers’
endeavour to secure an eight-hour day, it was stated that
the (’ontroller had been informed that a down-tools policy
would be adopted by October 1 if a concession had not been
made by that date —A resolution was passed desiring the
Federation executive to approach the Controller so that it
should be made compulsory to send all small coal to bank.

North of England.

The coalfield of Northumberland and Durham has been
plagued with a series of strikes during the last two or three
weeks, and the position at the beginning of this week,
although brighter than it was a few days earlier, was by
no means unclouded. At Byhope, where the colliery had
been laid idle for a week, the putters demanding more
money, work was resumed on Monday, the men deciding to
refer the whole case to the executive committee of the
Durham Miners’ Association. Work was resumed, also, at
the Dean and Chapter Colliery, Ferryhill, which had been
idle for a fortnight, owing to putters’ grievances. This
settlement was arranged by Messrs. Robson and Batey,
miners’ agents, who promised that the strikers’ case should
be reopened if they returned to work. The settlement at
the Dean and Chapter Colliery has induced the return to
work of the miners at several neighbouring pits where a
sympathetic strike had been declared. It is stated that
this dispute alone has resulted in the lying idle of about
14,000 men and youths, about 1,500 for a fortnight at the
Dean and Chapter, and the rest for two or three days at
the other pits. Although the questions in dispute at the
New Delaval, Belief, Seaton Delaval and New Hartley pits
of the Seaton Delaval Coal Company Limited are not
settled, at the time of writing, work there has been
resumed, the men having made what they regard as an
effective protest. The trouble started, according to a
miners’ official, over the question of cav Hing. That
question was satisfactorily arranged, but in order that
putters should not suffer from a similar circumstance in
future, they demanded a recognised individual minimum of
8s. 6d. per day. This was refused, and the men decided
upon a short strike. For the moment, the production of
coal has been resumed, despite the deadlock as to negotia-
tions, but the miners threaten a longer stoppage very
shortly unless the matter in dispute is promptly adjusted.
The hewers are stated to have intimated to the manage-
ment that they will no longer be prepared to do any putting
where the necessity of augmenting the efforts of the present
putters occurs. At Ellington Colliery, trouble has arisen
over the fore-shift. The men desire to descend at 3.30 a.m ,
as against 2 a.m. at present. The owners have offered to
compromise, but the men have declined and have handed
in their notices to cease work. Over 800 workmen are
affected.

District meetings are to be held under the auspices of the
Northumberland and Durham Miners’ Permanent Belief
Fund in Northumberland, Durham aud Cleveland to-morrow
(Saturday) to consider a motion protesting againt super-
annuation or any other benefits provided out of workmen’s
subscriptions being taken into account in determining the
amount of old-age pensions and calling upon the Govern-
ment to increase such pensions to lUs. per week and reduce
the qualifying age to 60 years.

Last week a dispute affecting the firemen at Camerton
Colliery was considered by a joint committee at Working-
ton. Mr. G. H. Askew, of Aspatria, presided. The
committee agreed i( that the firemen should receive 9d. per
day over and above the present rate, and that assistance be
given on morning shifts for the removal of the full tubs of
ashes of all shifts The management undertake to abandon
the use of the inferior fuel complained of, and to use a fuel
equal in quality to that used previously to August 2, 1918.”

A scheme of amalgamation is now being considered by
members of the Cumberland Colliery Enginemen and
the Cumberland Colliery Deputies’ associations. The
scheme provides for equal representation and equal privi-
leges in every respect. The executive is to consist of six
enginemen and six deputies. Each of the different grades
of workmen is to be represented on all bodies. To confer-
ences each colliery will send two delegates — one from each
of the two bodies. The president will be elected alternately
from the enginemen and deputies. The proposed title is
the General Mine Workers Association.

The deputation recently appointed in West Cumberland
a® the result of a conference at Workington, waited upon
the Coal Controller’s representative (Mr. Pick) at the
Holborn Viaduct Hotel, London, last week, and made
representations for a 20 per cent, increase The Controller
said that, owing to the shortage, he could not give a
general 20 per cent, increase; but he granted an additional
two tons of coal per annum to coal and iron ore miners,
and an extra ton to blastfurnacemen, iron and steel
workers, coke-oven and by-product workers, colliery and
iron ore surfacemen, and shipbuilders. The Coal Controller
further agreed to visit Workington in two or three weeks’
time, to look into conditions in Cumberland.

It has been agreed between the Durham Coalowners’ Asso-
ciation and the Durham Colliery Mechanics’ Association, that
the daily basis wage of those members of the latter association
who are between the ages of 22 and 66 years, shall be as
follows:—Fitters, 4s.; turners, 4s.; skilled mechanics at
tub-mending, 4s.; sawyers, 4s.; wagonwrights, 4s.; black-
smiths, 4s.; boilersmiths, 4s.; horseshoers, 4s.; plumbers,
4s.; masons at general colliery work, 4s.; masons at oven
work, 4s. 2d.; masons’ labourers, 3s. 3d.; saddlers, 4s.;
painters, 4s.; smiths’ strikers, 3s. 4d.; mechanics at shaft
work, 4s. 4d ; electricians, 4s.; and bellmen or wiremen,
3s. 8d. (surface), 3s. lOd. (underground). Generally
speaking, the new agreement means an advance of 2d. per
day on the basis rates. The present county rate of per-
centage (107|) added to the basis rate of 4s. comes to
8s. 3|d. To this is to be added the war wage of 3s per day.
The majority of the mechanics will, therefore, receive a
daily wage of Ils. 3|d. The agreement fixes the house
rent allowance at 6d. per day, with a maximum of 3s. per
week

Federated Area.

A protracted meeting of representatives of the Colliery
Owners’ Association and the Notts Miners’ Association was
held at Nottingham on Monday, to discuss prices affecting
men working in the Hucknall No. 1 Main Bright seam.
Eventually a mutual arrangement was arrived at, and the
details will be submitted to the men for their approval.

At the monthly meeting of miners employed at the New-
castle Colliery. Nottingham, a resolution was passed strongly
protesting against some of the statements in his presi-
dential address of Mr. G. Blake Walker, at the Institution

of Mining Engineers, to the effect that the men at the
collieries are not doing their best. It was stated that the
seams in this district are much thinner than 20 years ago,
and more difficult to work.

Scotland.

The miners employed in the collieries in the Coalburn
district of Lanarkshire were out on strike on Thursday of
last week Altogether there are something like eight
collieries in this district, employing fully 1,700 miners.
The dispute arose in connection with the wages paid to the
underground foremen, the claim being made that these
officials should be paid at the rate of Ils. 8d. per shift. A
satisfactory arrangement was speedily arrived at with the
men at Bellfield Colliery and work was resumed on Monday.
At the other collieries an amicable adjustment was also
reached, but in view of the shortage of coal in Scotland,
the loss of time and output was somewhat regrettable.

Several cases of dispute in connection with war wages in
the West Lothian coalfield have occurred recently With
two exceptions these were mutually arranged. In the two
instances where no agreement could be reached, particulars
of these were forwarded to the Coal Controller. The latter
has now decided in favour of surface oncost workers being
paid the war wage for idle Saturdays where it was customary
for them to observe such a holiday. In another instance
where permission was given to a surface workman to leave
work for a few hours before the shift was completed, and
where, further, no facilities were offered for making up the
time, the Coal Controller decided against the war wage
being paid.

The executive committee of the Lanarkshire Mineis’
Union have asked that the points in dispute at Hirstrigg
Colliery, Salsburgh, Lanarkshire, should be taken 'to
arbitration. It is understood that the local manager has
declined to accept this method of settlement, and, in the
circumstances, the secretary of the Scottish Coal Owners’
Association has been communicated with on the subject.

The miners employed in the ell and splint coal sections of
Banknock Colliery, Stirlingshire, recently put forward a claim
for a tonnage rate in preference to the old arrangement of
payment by day wage. It is understood that the manage-
ment are agreeable to the change, but the parties have not
been able so far to agree upon a mutually satisfactory rate.
There are confident anticipations that the whole question
will be adjusted without loss of time.

Trouble is threatened in the Fife coalfield through the
surface workers demanding an eight hours day, a sub-
stantial increase in wages, and extra payment for overtime.

COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES.
REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS.

British Insulated and Helsby Cables Limited—Owing
to the condition of his health, Dr. E. K. Muspratt has
resigned the chairmanship. Mr. James Taylor has been
elected chairman in his stead. Dr. Muspratt has con-
sented to remain on the board as an ordinary director, and
Sir Alexander Roger, of Dashwood House, New Broad-
street, E.C., has been elected a director.

Edinburgh Collieries Company Limited.—Interim divi-
dend on the ordinary shares of 7g per cent, per annum,
free of tax—the same as a year ago.

Glenboig Union Fireclay Company Limited.—Interim
dividend of 20 per cent. Owing to taxation questions,
year’s accounts not yet ready. For 1916-17 35 per cent,
was paid.

Kinnell Cannel and Coking Coal Company Limited.—
Dividend of 6^ per cent., less tax, making 10 per cent, for
year, subject to consent of Controller of Coal Mines.

Pearson and Knowles Coal and Iron Company Limited.
—The directors hope to be able next month to present
audited accounts for the last three years. They have not yet
arrived at a settlement of their excess profits liability for
those years, and the position is now further complicated
by the requirements of the Controller in regard to colliery
accounts. Subject to final audit, however, the accounts
show a profit which is considered to be sufficient to warrant
the payment of a dividend of 6^ per cent, less tax and a
bonus of 5 per cent, free of tax, for the half-year, making
15 per cent, for the year—the rate which was also paid
for 1916 and 1917. The profit in 1914-15 was £122,359, in
1913-14 £98,812, and in 1912-13 £118,870, the dividends for
these years 7^, 5, and 8 per cent, respectively, and the
additions to the reserve £47,500, £20,000, and £30,000.

NEW COMPANIES.

British Gauge Manufacturers’ Association Limited.
—Public company. Registered office: 44, Caxton House,
Westminster. Registered September 17, to promote and
protect the British gauge manufacturing industry.
Nominal capital limited by guarantee of £5 per member.
Directors : W. C. Fitter, D. J. Bassett-Lowke, J. H.
Jones, S. A. Horstmann, A. L. Pailthorpe, P. A. Bentley,
and L. S. Hornsfield (all gauge manufacturers).

Llangollen Mines Limited.—Private company. Regis-
tered September 18, to acquire mines and mining rights on
the lands known as Craigydduall, Llangollen, and
machinery, plant, stock, ore, implements and other
property in connection therewith. Nominal capital,
£5,000 in 5,000 shares of £1 each. Directors: B. J.
Pearce, J. Morris, and J. A. Kemp. Qualification of
directors, 750 shares.

Parkins Colliery Company Limited.—Private company.
Registered office : 33a, King-street, Wigan. Registered
September 17, to lease and work the Montreal and Keekle
Grove Estates, and to carry on generally the trades of
iron masters, steel makers, colliery proprietors and coke
manufacturers. Nominal capital, £15,000 in 15,000 shares
of £1 each. Directors: H. D. G. Parkin, I. U. Parkin,
and A. Foster. Qualification of directors, 200 ordinary
shares. Remuneration of directors to be determined by
the company in general meeting.

Westwood (Thomas) Limited.—Private company. Regis-
tered September 18, to acquire and take over the business
now carried on at Dudley, under the name of Thomas
Westwood, as coal dealers, coal merchants, and dealers
in scrap iron, etc. Nominal capital, £5,000 in 5,000 shares
of £1 each. Directors : T. Westwood, 32, Vicar-street,
Dudley; governing director has power to appoint other
directors. Qualification of directors, 1 share. Remunera-
tion of directors, £100 per annum governing director.

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.

The Coal Controller does not intend to ration coal for
schools. Each school authority, however, is urged to
exercise the utmost economy in both fuel and light.

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

Chartering on the north-east coast is held in check, so
far as unscheduled destinations are concerned, by the
congestion of prompt loading turns, by reason of the heavy
requirements of fuel for our Allies and ourselves, and
by the prospect that that congestion is not likely to be
relieved for quite a long time to come. Fixtures arranged
during the week include Gothenburg at from 150 kr. to
160 kr., a considerable fall as compared with the engage-
ments reported last week, and Stockholm at 210 kr., a
fall of 5 kr. Swedish ship owners are now less disposed
than ever to send their boats forward, in view of the
weakness of current rates. For no other direction has
any business been done, although the keen demand for
tonnage for Portuguese, Spanish and near Mediterranean
ports is unabated. Barcelona, for Tyne loading, is men-
tioned at 350s., Lisbon at 100s., and the coaling stations
at the old rates of 100s. to Gibraltar, and 200s. to Port
Said. At South Wales chartering has been confined to
scheduled ports. “ Free ” tonnage is very scarce, and the
demand, although appreciable, is not pressing.

Homewards, the River Plate is steady at 225s. for
Buenos Ayres to the United Kingdom, with 250s. for
French Atlantic discharge. North American rates are
firm at 230s. for Northern Range to the United Kingdom,
on net form, with 360s. to West Italy. At the Far East,
Kurrachee to the United Kingdom is worth about 265s.,
Calcutta to the United Kingdom 280s. on d.w., and
Saigon to France 500s. The Mediterranean and Bay ore
ports are taking up a fair amount of tonnage at about
18s., Bordeaux to Bristol Channel. Time charter tonnage
is in much larger demand than supply, and rates are
strongly maintained.

Tyne to Gothenburg, 2,400 and 3,000, 150 kr.; 2,000,
160 kr.; London, 500, 17s.; and Stockholm, 1,900, 210 kr.

Cardiff to Brest, 1,800, 45s., neutral; 600, 23s. 9d., plus
war risks insurance, Allied; Dublin, 300, 17s.; Granville,
700, 48s., neutral; River Plate, 7,000, 120s.; Rouen, 1,200
and 1,300, 48s. 9d., neutral; and Tonnay Charente, 1,600,
63s., neutral.

Cardiff or Swansea to Dublin, 350, 17s.

Neath Abbey to Trouville, 700-730, 48s., neutral.

Swansea to Caen, 500, 550, 600, 700, 750 and 800, 48s.,
neutral; Dublin, 380 and 400, 17s.; Dieppe, 700-760,
48s. 9d., neutral; Fecamp, 400, 48s. 9d., neutral; Havre,
1,200, 45s. 9d., neutral; and Rouen, 1,050, 1,200, 1,500
and 2,250-2,300, 48s. 9d., neutral.

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

Tyne to Christiania, 1,400, 180 kr. ; and Gothenburg,
1,900, 150 kr.

Cardiff to Morlaix, 160, 80s., sail; and Rouen, 1,900,
48s. 9d., neutral.

Swansea to Rouen, 1,200, 1,800, 1,850, and 2,000,
48s. 9d., neutral.

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR COAL AND COKE.

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

Abstracts of Contracts Open.

Burton-on-Trent, September 30.—Coal for the Guar-
dians. Forms from the clerk, Union offices, Burton-on-
Trent.

Enniskillen, October 1.—100 tons prime well-screened
English, Scotch, or Irish house coal for the Guardians.
Tenders to the Workhouse, Enniskillen.

Runcorn, September 30.—Fuel for the Guardians.

Forms from the acting clerk, 71, High-street, Runcorn.

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

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

Hythe, October 5.—690 lineal yards of 8 in. cast iron
socket pipes and specials. Tenders to the borough
engineer.

Sir Albert Stanley on the Coal Position.—Sir Albert
Stanley, President of the Board of Trade, on September 20
addressed a conference of local authorities at the London
Mansion House on the coal situation and steps to be taken
by municipalities to impress upon the people the necessity
of economising fuel and light. After explaining our obli-
gations to Allies and neutrals in the matter of coal sup-
plies and the necessities of the military situation last
March, Sir Albert said it was hopeless to expect it would
be possible to withdraw from the Army a sufficient number
of men to meet the whole of the coal shortage, and there
must be self-denial during the winter. The rationing
scheme was devised to provide sufficient coal to secure
a fair degree of comfort for everybody. Every possible
effort would be made to see that householders were sup-
plied with the amount of coal which the ration order pro-
vided. Asked why Ireland had not been rationed, he
said nothing like the same amount of coal was burnt in
Irish households as here, but it was proposed to limit
the import of coal into Ireland by 25 per cent.

“ Beama.”—“ Beama,” the organ of the British Elec-
trical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association, in its Sep-
tember (Spanish) issue, has a series of useful articles
calculated to arrest the attention of current consumers in
Spanish-speaking countries. The opening illustrated
article describes the electrical plant on the first merchant
ship (launched in England) to be driven by electricity—
the “ Wulsty Castle.” The Ljungstrom turbine as a
prominent feature of the installation is well described
and illustrated. Mr. Frank Broadbent deals in detail
with the automatic electric motor regulator, assisted by
many illustrations. An article by Mr. Frank Walter ex-
plains the importance of understanding the just relations
to be observed between electric motors and the work they
have to do, to which they should be adapted with dis-
criminating judgment. The remaining articles in the
issue deal more generally with the industry; and the
“ Manufacurers’ Letter Box ” closes the issue with special
descriptions of well-known makers’ productions. So far
as the get-up of the issue is concerned, however, this
hardly seems commensurate with the importance of the
Beama Association and of the market which it is desired
to serve, especially in view of the deep-seated influence
of Germany in South America and the consequent neces-
sity for extra special effort to interest consumers in British
and Allied products.