1088 ___________________________________________________________________ November 22, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. _______________________________ section as the main branches. Concerning experi- mental work with a view to proving geological theories, Parliament should empower the Mines Department to define any given area in which it is proposed to incur such expenditure with the object of recovering, in cases of success, not only the actual outlay involved with interest at current rates, but a larger sum, so that in this manner the fund might be replenished and the outlay upon abortive work be recouped. Generally speaking, broad justice would be done (u) by authorising the Mines Department to define a given area in which it decided to undertake operations and, in the event of values being demonstrated, to secure the return of the actual outlay incurred with interest from the sale or profits derived in working the specific property selected for the test, and (6) the levying of a small royalty upon the entire mineral produce of the area. The royalty should not be onerous, and the benefit of the resulting fund to the country would be incalculable. Coming to the question of under- taking boring operations before any legislation was passed, it would seem necessary either to undertake the work at the cost of the State without any specific arrangement for recovering the outlay (trusting to a general future development as a reward), or to make some arrangement with the person in possession of the ground. Royalties and Wayleaves. Numerous complaints, without very much definite evidence in support of them, had been received by the Department from persons wishing to extend opera- tions or open up new areas on the subject of exces- sive charge for royalties or wayleaves, and other obstacles put in their path by land owners. The Government should be in a position, when necessary, to give exploratory rights over mineralised areas m cases where personal antagonism of landlords stood in the path of development. Labour. The replies to a circular letter sent to all the pro- ducing mines showed that the most serious of the diffi- culties experienced were due to the shortage of labour. No additional labour could be obtained at home, and insuperable difficulties stood in the way of securing labour Jrom Italy, Spain, or 'Scandinavia. The employment. of German prisoners met with some success only when they were employed in large numbers for surface work. Regarding competition, new appliances and up-to-date methods (which must be adopted in the future) would not avail if those using them deliberately counteracted their capacity. ________________________________________ LAW INTELLIGENCE. ___________________________________________________ SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE. COURT OF APPEAL.—November 15. Before the Master of the Rolls, Lord Justice Duke and Mr. Justice Eve. A Lancashire Subsidence Case. District Council of Westhoughton v. Wigan Coal and Iron Company Limited.—The Court dismissed the appeal of the Wigan Coal and Iron Company Limited from a judgment of the Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancashire, holding that the appellant company were not entitled to cause damage by subsidence, through the working of coal, to the land, works and buildings of the District Council of Westhoughton (upon and in which the Council carried on its business as the sanitary authority of the district) without paying compensation. Both parties derived their titles from leases granted by the Lords of Ellesmere, and the question for determination involved the construction of the terms and conditions of the respec- tive leases and of an assignment which had been carried through from the Bridgewater trustees. ___________________________ OBITUARY. Mr. Richard 0. G. Ludke, who has died at Matlock at the age of 65 years, was for over 40 years closely con- nected with the coal exporting trade of Tyneside. Formerly he was associated with the firm of Messrs. John Hunter and Company, coal exporters, and for over 20 years was in business on Newcastle Quayside on his own account. The death took place last week of Mr. James Ray Eddy, aged 85, late of Carleton Grange, near Skipton. The late Mr. Eddy was for many years the district mining engineer for the estate of the Duke of Devonshire, and was also the manager of the Grassington lead mines. Mr. Thomas Henry Harwood died on November 6, in his 54th year. Deceased was a member of the firm of Messrs. Hewitt and Company, mining engineers, London- ____________________________ The consumption of fuel oil in the United States last year was 340,000,000 barrels. An official announcement states that 355,000,000 barrels are required this year, a quantity equal to 66 per cent, of the world’s production. Cargo Fleet Iron, Coal and Coke Company Limited.— The report for the year ended September 30, 1917, states that the balance of profit to September 30, 1916, was £176,097, less dividends paid on ordinary shares and £75,000 written off for depreciation, leaving £51,097; profits for year ended September 30, 1917 (after making provision for estimated liabilities to the Government) amounted to £239,897, together £290,994, and after de- ducting debenture interest there is left £247,317. The directors propose to appropriate this as follows: Divi- dend of 5 per cent., less income tax, paid December 31, 1917, £50,000; depreciation, £75,000; reserve, £50,000; carry forward, £72,317. During the year 4^ per cent, first debentures to the value of £10,600 have been cancelled in accordance with the provisions of the trust deed, thereby completing the annual redemption for 1918 and anticipating to the extent of £4,700 the annual redemption for 1919. Owing to the difficulties arising in determining the company’s liability for taxation, the directors are not in a position to present the accounts for the year ended September 30 last. They are satisfied, however, that profits allow of a declaration of a dividend of 5 per cent., less income tax, which they have decided to pay on December 31 to holders registered December 7. CURRENT SCIENCE Determination. of Total Carbon in Fuels. In a recent article in the Revue Metallurgique (abstracted in Cheap Steam), Messrs. E. Damour and M. de la Marmiere point out that in considering the heat economy of a fuel the total carbon content has an importance not generally recognised. Few laboratoiies are capable of estimating this content rapidly, and :n general a commercial analysis including ash, fixed carbon, volatile matter, and sometimes calorific power is considered sufficient. In making a balance-sheet of heat production and ccusumpt on in an industrial furnace, it is impossible to calculate the amount of heat lost outside the furnace without using a term of com- parison common to the fuel and to the gaseous waste products of combustion. From the content of total carbon in the fuel it is possible to calculate the volume or weight of gaseous products of combustion. The apparatus used by the authors for the determination of total carbon is a combination of the Mahler Goutal bomb (fit*ed with an additional < titlet) with the usual absorption tubes generally associated with the com- * bustion furnace in organic analysis; 0'5 grm. of the fuel, c- ntained in a silica capsule, is intioduced into the apparatus. After the explosion, and on opening the connection to the tarred absorption vessels, the gases circulate through sulphuric acid, soda • lime, potash, and pumice-stone moistened with sulphuric acid. A large Maquenne tube charged with 50 c.c. of de Nolly’s solution (alkaline solution containing about 4 grammes of soda per litre) indicates any less of carbon dioxide due to faihue to regulate the speed of gas flow. In this way it is possible to determine in 1J h< urs the total carbon of the fuel. Tests have shown that the losses due to the residue from combustion, and forma- tion of carbon monoxide or of hydrocarbons are negli- gible. A correction is made for the carbon dioxide remaining in the bomb. To ensure complete combustion and to reduce the error possible from the amount of space in the bomb, the authors recommend a smaller bomb of 250 c.c. capacity and adapted for a pressure of 25 atmospheres. From the results of tests conducted as above, the authors give elaborate calculations leading to a thermal balance-sheet of a battery of boilers and of an open-1.eai th furnace respectively. Recovery of Potash, from Furnaces and Kilns. Mr. Linn Bradley (Journal of Industrial and Engi- neering Chemistry) states that iron ores have been found in abundance in Alabama, which carry from 1 to as high as 3 per cent, in potash, and gives the following summary of the results obtained from a furnace charge containing 9,773 lb. of iion ore :— Total K2O charged into furnace per ton of iron produced................... Lost in slag per ton of iron produced ... Lost as fume from gas leaks per ton of iron produced (estimated) .......... Total potash recoverable from gases per ton of iron produced ............. Total potash in dust in gases as pet- analyses ......................... Water-soluble potash in dust in gases as per analyses ................... Portion of total potash in dust which is wat* r-soluble .................... Total water-soluble potash recoverable per ton of iron by collecting the dust i i the flue gases ................... Total water-soluble potash as above per 500 tons of iron per day _____..... 24,545'00 lb. Total water-soluble potash as above per year of 350 days .................. 4,295'37 tons. Portion of totel potash chaged into fur- nace which is recoverable from gases in water-soluble edndition__________ 75'62 per cent. Safe estimate of above amount recover- able in operating practice .......... 80'00 percent. Safe estimate of above amount recover- able as above per year of 3‘0 days... 3,436'29 tons. It is desirable to keep the potash content of the raw materials up to the highest point, and to keep the slag volume and potash content as low as possible. It is clear that if the slag volume remained constant, as well its analysis, if only 11'6 lb. of potash had been con- tained in the furnace charge there would have been nothing available for collection. With suitable slag volume and potash content and a rich potash charge the recovery of potash in quantities worth while is readily accomplished. Sodium chloride has been found helpful in liberating the potash in such way that it is recoverable in the dust in a water-soluble form. While working at a cupola furnace in which sash weights were made from old tin cans and other metal waste, it was found that the use of common salt greatly increased the fume volume and density, and this later was shown to be due to the fact that chlorides of lead, tin and zinc were formed and readily volatilised as such. The use of salt has been extended to cement kiln practice and to other uses in connection with the recovery of silver, lead and zinc from low grade ores and tailings, the values being recovered from the gases after volatilisa- tion as chlorides. Control Gear for Winding Motor. M. Graf (Zeitschrift des Vereines deutsches Ingenieure) gives defailed desci iption of control gear and safety devices which make possible the satisfactory use of 3-phase motors for winding service. Hitherto the violent starting and inflexible control of simple 3-phase induction motors has led to the use of more complex and costly equipment—such as the Leonard system, 3-phase commutator motors and double Deri motors. The 3-phase induction motor offers numerous advan- tages which are realised, without any of the usual disadvantages, in an installation of two 3-phase motors, each of 380 to 587 horse-power, at the Bernsdorf- Gewerkschaft. It is impossible to eliminate the heavy current demand characteristic of the induction motor during starting; also, a gear drive is necessary between motor and winding drum. In the present installation compressed air gear is used to hold the winding drum and to control the set. Electro-magnetic valves control the air supply, and it is arranged that a single control lever controls both running and braking; also, moving 64'92 lb. 1'60 lb. 1'16 lb. 52'16 lb. 34'11 per cent. 32'10 per cent. 94'11 per cent. 49'09 lb. AND TECHNOLOGY. this lever to one side permits full braking to be applied at any moment. An important feature of the equip- ment is a “contact manometer.” which secures a definite degree of braking for every position of the control lever. Rapid action is assured by the fact that the air valves are open fully, if at all. The b ake valves are actuated only whn the main control lever is in the braking quadrant. This is secured automatically for both direc- t:ons of motor rotation. This and other automatic devices are described fully in the original. A feature of the liquid starter is that the electrodes are stationary, whilst the electrolyte chamber i•< counterbalanced, and moved up and down as required. A metallic rheostat is used to secure low speed, winding for shaft inspec- tion. etc. ______________________________________ INDIAN AND COLONIAL NOTES. __________ ____________ ___________ Australia. Claim for Minimum Wage.—The Australasian Coal and Shale Employees’ Federation has submitted a claim to the employers for a minimum daily and weekly wage and preference of employment. The claims provide for a minimum daily wage of 16s. 6d., also payment of not less than 5^ days’ pay in any week to miners thrown idle through no cause of their own, and the same rate to other members of the Federation except where six days consti- tute a full week’s work. In the latter case the payment shall not be less than six times the daily wage. Output in New South Wales.—The complete figures showing the progress of the mineral industry of New South Wales for 1917 are now available. The output of coal last year was 8,292,887 tons, valued at £4,422,740. _________________ Canada. Coal Outlook in Ontario.—The coal situation in Ontario is becoming increasingly serious, as the indications now are that even the considerably reduced allowance of anthra- cite allotted to Canada from the American mines will not be forthcoming. The prevalence of influenza has caused a falling-off in the output at the Pennsylvania mines. Twelve thousand families in Toronto were recently reported as being entirely without fuel. These are being supplied with small quantities as rapidly as possible, but deliveries are much retarded by the epidemic. R. Home Smith, Provincial Fuel Administrator, is endeavouring to secure the equitable distribution of coal locally, and divert ship- ments to those places which are most in need. All anthra- cite in public buildings has been placed at the disposal of the local fuel commissioners and made available for domestic consumption. Coal dealers who are unable to procure anthracite are urged to lay in supplies of bitu- minous coal, which so far has been readily obtainable. Efforts are being made to secure a large quantity of coal of either kind for emergency stock at different points through- out Ontario. So far the weather has fortunately been mild, but the setting in of severe cold at the present time would entail much suffering. Coke Oven Installation.—The first half of the 120 new coke ovens being constructed by the Dominion Steel Cor- poration at their plant at Sydney, N.S., has been com- pleted and put in operation. The second block of 60 will be ready by the end of the year. When in full operation 1,500 tons of coal will be consumed daily, and the output will be about 1,200 tons of coke and several million feet of gas for use in the steel works in addition to other valuable by-products. The new ovens, which have entailed an outlay of several million dollars, will effect great economy in the cost of production, as they can be operated by 200 fewer labourers. British Columbia Coal Output.—In the first half of the present year the coal output of British Columbia amounted to 1,375,269 tons, or 247,922'more than in the correspond- ing period last year. If labour conditions do not present any new difficulty the year’s output will probably be a record one. The production during the six months in the three districts where coal is mined was as follows : Crow’s Nest Pass, 404,472 tons; Nicola-Princeton, 109,483 tons. Vancouver Island, 861,314 tons. The Vancouver Island tonnage shows an increase in July over that of the pre- vious month of 2,916 tons, the total for the month reach- ing 140,811 tons, the output of the different companies being as follows: Canadian Western Fuel Company, 61,563 tons; Canadian Collieries Limited, Comox, 46,698 tons; the mines of the same company at Extension, 18,650 tons, and at South Wellington, 2.122 tons; Pacific Coast Coal Mines, 6,775 tons; Nanoose Collieries Limited, 2.285 tons; Granby Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company, 2,718 tons. The Canadian Western Fuel Com- pany is sinking two more shafts. __________________________________ PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE. __________________________________ HOUSE OF COMMONS.—November 14. Electrical Power Depots. Sir A. Stanley, in answer to Sir J. D. Rees, said he realised the importance of the proposals regarding the establishment of electrical power depots in connection with coal conservation, and hoped to be able to bring forward legislative proposals with the least possible delay. November 18. Exporting Coal to Ireland. Mr. Brady asked whether the Coal Controller had issued an Order in Scotland stopping the exportation of coal to Ireland; whether, as a result, three steamers coaling at Ayr had been prevented from loading their cargoes of coal; and whether he would take steps to remove the embargo. Mr. Wardle said that no embargo had been placed upon the exportation of coal from Scotland to Ireland, but last week some difficulty was experienced in providing supplies owing to the holiday spirit which prevailed amongst the miners in common with other classes. ___________________________ Release of Miner Soldiers.—The Coal Controller has issued an announcement to the effect that on Saturday last a parade was held in all camps and military establish- ments in the United Kingdom, and all men claiming to be face workers—i.e., hewers, getters, putters, and under- ground haulage hands of high category (A 1 or B)—were directed to apply for release for return to work in the mines. The announcement asks for expedition in dealing with such applications.