November 8, 1918.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

977

THE LONDON COAL TRADE.

London, November 7.

The general position of the London coal trade is un-
changed. All the wharves and depots are calling for a
bigger tonnage, although the railway companies are bring-
ing forward the regular daily supplies with far better
promptitude. The merchants’ order books are still very
heavily loaded with orders, but in many cases it is found
that householders have received their rationed quantity,
so that special attention can now be paid to the smaller
buyers and their weekly requirements. Contracts, un-
fortunately, are largely in arrear, and colliery repre-
sentatives are compelled to refuse all outside orders. The
average Yorkshire and North Derbyshire prices range from
23s. to 25s. per ton at . pit. Nuts are very scarce, and
maintain practically the same prices as the screened large
coal. Buyers have continued showing a strong demand
for all classes of screened coal, but the diminution in
available qualities has considerably checked the business
doing. House coals are limited, and on all sides merchants
are complaining that they are unable to fulfil all their
requirements. Steam coals are very difficult to obtain.
The influenza epidemic is on the wane, but during the
earlier part of the week it was found necessary to parcel
out the deliveries in very modified quantities. The Metro-
politan gas companies have recently shown a distinct
falling off in their returns of gas consumed, and the re-
ductions are largely arising from the economy in domestic
consumption. The saving is entirely due to the appeal to
save fuel and light. In some cases depots have been
obliged to close for want of coal, and others have had to
close their gates early in the day. Railway stocks of coal
are reported to be very low. Best steam coals and gas
coals are in full request, and all prices are now fixed under
the new schedule. A quantity of the best Tyne gas coal
has been fixed for delivery over the next three months at
55s. per ton f.o.b. Twenty-four vessels arrived in the
River Thames for Monday’s market, and 11 for Wednes-
day, but all the vessels carried contract cargoes. House
coals are very hard to buy. In the seaborne market there
is practically nothing offering on the open market. The
new deep water dock of 65 acres, which has been sanctioned
for the Port of London Authority, and which will form
part of the Royal Albert Dock extension, has lately re-
ceived a good deal of attention. The main work cannot
be undertaken until the war is finished, but it was stated
on the coal market that it is hoped by July next the work
will be so far advanced as to admit of water flowing into
the docks to a depth of 38 feet. The opening will be
at first from the Royal Albert Dock, but within the follow-
ing six months direct access from the Thames will be avail-
able. Greater facilities will be made for discharging
cargoes, and large transit sheds will also be built. The
last day for registering the coal supplies for householders
who consume more than 1 cwt. of coal per week, 22,500
cu. ft. of gas and 120 units of electricity expired on
November 4. Small consumers must register before the
end of November., Pink forms are obtainable from all the
London coal merchants and dealers. In the provinces it
is said that the rationing work is practically complete, but
in London, probably from the crowded population or from
the influenza epidemic, a considerable amount of registra-
tion has still to be done. From statistics published lately,
the fact is made clear that with higher wages the output
has gone down. In other countries the increase per man
is very marked, but in the United Kingdom the decrease
per man has been from 282 to 249 tons. The Controller
has stated that he is faced with extra demands of many
millions of tons of coal for the Allied Armies and the Navy
and Munitions, so that the outlook for the home trade
is most serious. The London Coal Exchange subscription
list for the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society, inaugu-
rated by Mr. Geo. Robey, already amounts to £396, in
addition to the proceeds of the auction sale.

From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Company's Report.

Friday, November 1.—There was no alteration in the
seaborne market. The arrivals since Wednesday were few,
and nothing came forward for sale. Arrivals, 10.

Monday, November 4.—The number of cargoes of sea-
borne coal on account of contracts was good, but no coal
was on offer. Cargoes, 24.

Wednesday, November 6.—Supplies of seaborne coal to-
day were all on account of contract, the arrival of cargoes
being small, and none on offer. Arrivals, 11.

THE IRISH COAL TRADE.

Thursday, November 7.

Dublin.

An increase in the imports last week somewhat relieved
the situation, even if only temporarily, and there is no
change in late prices. The Coal Controller has decided to
reduce the lighting allowance in hotels, restaurants, and
large shops. Messrs. Guinness have purchased large
quantities of turf in the Carrick-on-Shannon district
Limerick Coal Committee have fixed prices for standard
coal at 68s. per ton; second quality at 71s , and best 72s.
per ton; bell-men and hucksters’ coal at 7d. per ston - for
best quality, and 6gd. for standard. At recent meeting of
Limerick Corporation it was stated that there was practi-
cally no coal for the people, while in some cases 20 to 40
tons were hoarded. The Coal Controller, in a letter to the
Mayor of Limerick, says he notices that merchants there
have been supplying coal in 3-ton lots and upwards to
private consumers, and expresses the view that the poor
should have first attention. From January to August,
the district, as compared with the corresponding period
last year, received 8,159 tons more coal.

Belfast.

Supplies are still irregular and short of requirements,
consequently merchants’ stocks in the port show no
improvement. With an increasing demand the position is
likely to become more difficult, although further restric-
tions are in force with regard to lighting, etc., and steps are
being taken as far as possible to prevent hoarding on the
part of householders. Prices remain as fixed by the
Corporation Coal Committee, viz : Best Arley, 56s. 6d. per
ton ; Scotch house, 49s. 6d.; Orrell nuts, 54s. 6d.; all less Is.
per ton for cash ; standard coal, 48s. 6d. per ton net cash.

We should feel obliged if “ Another Perplexed Candi-
date,” whose letter on “ Examination Candidates’ Prac-
tical Experience ” appeared in our issue of October 25 last,
would communicate his present address, a letter forwarded
to him having been returned undelivered.

MINERS’ WAGES.

A special conference of the Miners’ Federation of
Great Britain was opened in the Central Hall, West-
minster, yesterday (Thursday), to consider the proposals
of the Coal Controller as to surface workers’ hours.
An unexpected outcome of the meeting was a decision
to reopen the wage question to a further demand for a
general increase of wages throughout the Federation
area. Mr. R. Smillie was in the chair, and 148 delegates
were present.

The first question under consideration was the
increase of soldiers and bailors’ pay to a minimum of 5s.
per day.

Regarding the proposed inciease of the compensation
to totally disabled workmen to meet the increased cost
of living, the piesident stated that Sir George Cave,
while expressing sympathy, said that the amending
legislation giving 25 per cent, increase was passed as
agreed legislation, on the understanding with the repre-
sentatives of Labour that the question should not be
again raised during the period of the war. The Home
Secretary therefoie suggested that they should meet
the employees in order to secure their consent to a
further increase.

Mr. W. Adamson, M.P., denied that the Labour
members bad given such a pledge.

Following a general discussion, it was agreed to ask
for a joint meeting of the Fedeiation with the Mining
Association of Great Biitain for the purpose of asking
coal owners to consent to agreed legislation.

The President reported that the Coal Controller was
anxious to ha ve machinery set up as early as possible
within the mining industry to deal with demobilisation.

It was agreed to co-opei ate with the Coal Controller
in this matter. ■

The President repo ted that the Coal Controller had
met them on the question of colliery surface workers’
hours.

The Controllers offcr regarding legislation after the
war was discussed for several hours, and ultimately was
adjourned until to-day (Friday), so that the executive
may draft a resolution.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE.
COURT OF APPEAL.—November 4.

Before the Master of the Rolls, Lord Justice Duke, and
Mr. Justice Eve.

Trade Union Delegate’s Earnings.

Wild v. John Brown and Company Limited.—The
Court allowed this appeal from an award of the judge of
the Rotherham County Court, sitting as arbitrator under
the Workmen’s Compensation Act. 1906. The appeal
raised a question whether, in computing “ average weekly
earnings ” of a miner under the Act for the purpose of
awarding compensation there ought to be taken into
account his earnings as branch delegate of the Yorkshire
Miners’ Association and as inspector under the Coal Mines
Act, 1911, and inspector of abnormal working places.

The Master of the Rolls said that no question arose
as to the workman’s being entitled to compensation at
the rate of 18s. 8d. a week. The question was whether
he was entitled to the larger sum of 25s., and that de-
pended on whether his earnings as delegate of his branch
of the Yorkshire Miners’ Association, inspector under the
Coal Mines Act, 1911, and inspector of abnormal working
places could be taken into account. The County Court
judge decided in favour of the workman, first, on the
ground that these additional amounts were received under
concurrent • contracts of service in accordance with
Schedule 1, paragraph 2 (6) of the Workmen’s Compensa-
tion Act; and, secondly, on the ground that these sums
were received by the applicant by reason of his employ-
ment as a collier, and that, though not received from the
employers, they were known of and sanctioned by them
so as to constitute his employment in these capacities an
implied term of the contract of service. There were also
certain indications that the learned judge thought that
the increased award might be supported under Schedule 1,
clause 2 (a) on the ground that it was impracticable to
compute the average weekly earnings of the workman.
That, however, was not a point on which the applicant
sought to support the award, as it was desired to obtain
a decision on the other two points. The first question,
therefore, was whether the judge was right in saying that
there were concurrent contracts of service. Could it be
said that a person elected to exercise independent judg-
ment in certain matters in this way as a delegate was
under a contract of service either with the branch or the
association. It was obvious that he was not, and it was
only employments under contracts of service that could
be taken into account for the purpose of assessing com-
pensation under the Workmen’s Compensation Act. As
to the item of 16s. 9d. earned as inspector under section 16
of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, could it be said that the
workman was acting as the servant of his fellow-workmen
in that matter ? It was clear that the workman appointed
by the employees for the purpose of inspection under
section 16, subsection 1, of the Act of 1911 was not a
person who could be said to be employed under a con-
tract of service with the other workmen. The third head
of receipt was for the inspecting of abnormal working
places. Could it be said that this was work done under
any contract of service constituting the relationship of
master and servant? His lordship was of opinion that
it could not. It followed that on the first head of there
being concurrent contracts the award could not be sup-
ported. There remained the second ground on which the
award was made by the County Court judge. In the cases
under notice the workman was not doing the work that
he was employed to do. He had leave of absence, that
was all.

The Court unanimously allowed the appeal.

November 7.
A Workman’s Compensation.

Jones v. International Anthracite Colliery Company.—
The applicant, Benjamin Jones, appealed from the award
of the deputy judge at the Neath County Court, under the
provisions of the Workmen’s Compensation Acts. It was
stated that the applicant, during his employment in the
respondent’s colliery, contracted miner’s nystagmus, and
the question raised by the appeal was whether, in the
calculation of the man’s average weekly earnings for the
purpose of assessing the compensation, it was proper to
deduct the amount of 6s. 6d. per week, which was the
net cost of the explosives supplied to him. The deputy

County Court judge held that the applicant’ average
weekly earnings were to be estimated at £3 2s. 2d., less
6s. 6d., and made his award for compensation accordingly.
The applicant contended that the deduction for the powder
ought not to be made. Their lordships adopted the view
of the deputy County Court judge, and dismissed the
appeal.

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—November 6.

Boring for British Oil.

On the motion to go into committee on the Petroleum
Production Bill,

Lord Elphinstone, on behalf of the Government, said
the charge that the Ministry of Munitions had not done
its best to encourage oil production had been investigated
by an impartial tribunal, which found the charge to be
totally baseless. The further charge that the Ministry
had been safeguarding the interests of a particular firm
was also entirely groundless; nor was it true that the
Department had squeezed out firms by a relentless refusal
of licences to other firms. There was no intention to
create a monopoly in favour of Messrs. Pearson or any-
body else.

The Duke of Northumberland reaffirmed his criticism
of the Ministry.

In the course of the discussion, noble lords argued that
as the Bill had ceased to be a practical war measure, it
might be postponed for further enquiry.

The Lord Chancellor said the object of the Bill was
simply to prevent indiscriminate boring for oil. Messrs.
Pearson were merely to act as agents for the Government.

The Bill passed through committee with certain amend-
ments relating to the rights of persons interested in land
from which oil is obtained, the inspection of plans, the
powers of the Director of the Geological Survey, and the
furnishing of records of all petroleum obtained.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—November 5.

Coal Boring in Ireland.

Dr. Addison, in answer to Mr. Dillon, said that he had
arranged* for boring for coal in the Loch Neagh district
in Ireland to be carried out under the supervision of the
Mineral Resources Branch of the Ministry of Munitions.
Operations would commence as soon as the requisite tubing
could be obtained.

Mr. O’Dowd asked whether a grant would be made
towards a line from Arigna coal fields to Collooney similar
to the grants for railway lines connecting Wolfhill and
Castlecomer collieries with the main system.

Mr. Shortt said that it was not considered practicable
to undertake the extension to Collooney. So far as could
be seen, the line at present under construction from
Arigna would be capable of carrying much more than any
output of coal immediately probable for some time to
come from the district served by it, which included the
chief mine, actually being worked.

November 6.

Irish Anthracite.

Mr. Field asked whether a quantity of anthracite was
available in Wales and Ireland, and whether transport
facilities would be provided.

Mr. Wardle said that questions regarding shipping ton-
nage should be referred to the Shipping Controller. There
would be no difficulty in conveying the coal from the
mine to the port. No supplies of Irish anthracite were
available. The question of improved transit on railways
in Ireland for timber and turf was one affecting the Irish
Railway Executive Committee, and he was communicating
with them. The construction of a new railway from the
Castlecomer collieries to join up with the Great Southern
and Western line near Kilkenny was being pushed on.
The new railway to the Wolfhill Collieries was completed,
and the construction of the two new sidings at Gradefield
and Modubeagh pits was being expedited.

Shrewsbury’s Coal Supply.

Mr. Wardle, replying to Mr. Butler Lloyd, said the
Shrewsbury Gas Company’s supplies had been receiving
special attention for some weeks past, and their stock had
recently been increased by 485 tons. Arrangements had
been made to maintain supplies at the present level in
order to meet as far as possible current consumption with-
out reducing the stock. The Minnie pit explosion cut
off coal from several undertakings, and as all coal raised
at the collieries in the Ruabon districts was consumed
at places in North Wales, it became necessary to obtain
supplies from Durham, the nearest point having available
gas coal.

Fuel and Lighting Order.

Mr. Shortt stated that the Light and Coal Saving Re-
strictions Order, as applied to Ireland, was being
amended.

THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE.

Pitch is firmly quoted, and no excessive supply is on
offer, either in London or the provinces. Peace prospects
are discussed in relationship to their bearing on pitch and
tar values, but the outlook in that respect can be better
discussed when an armistice is settled. All the pitch and
tar available will be wanted in the coming year, so that
quotations are likely to be kept up. Benzol producers
still feel aggrieved at the comparatively low price level
fixed by schedule, and the same feeling found expression
among manufacturers of carbolic acid, but the latter now
have the advantage of an increase to 3s. 6d. net per gal.
for 60’s, crude, ex works (October, November and
December). Solvent naphtha remains a steady proposi-
tion, and quantities are booked for exportation’. Heavy
naphtha has been in demand. Creosote oil is in fair
request, and aniline oil has been enquired for. No material
change in the quotations of other by-products is reported.

Dutch Fuel Possibilities.—According to the AUgewiei-ne
H(indehblud, the production of coal in Holland has so
increased since the war opened that the country (perhaps
with great difficulty) might supply herself without recourse
to foreign mines. Before the war Holland used about
7,000,000 tons of coal, of which the Limbourg mines
yielded about a third. During the war the production
has increased to 275,000 tons a month. The pro-
duction of brown coal reaches to about 140,000 tons
per month. The year’s production of peat has been equal
to the value of 350,000 tons of coal, and its production
is steadily growing. A total heat value of 4,100,000 tons
of hard coal is available, and there is still to be added a
large quantity of wood.