1148 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. November 29, 1918. Sir John A. F. Aspinall’s Presidential Address to the Insti- tution of Civil Engineers. “ Rly. Gaz.,” Nov. 8, 1918, p. 487; “ Eng.,” Nov. 8, 1918, p. 519 (Size of Railway Wagons.) Ash and Clinker Plant. “ Elec. Rev.,” Nov. 15, 1918, p. 477; 7 fig. Locomotive Coaling Plant. “ Engineer,” Nov. 15, 1918, p. 414; 2 fig. Coal Transport. “ Colliery Guard.,” Oct. 25, 1918, p. 867. XXIX.—Sanitation, Diseases, etc. Miner’s Phthisis. “ Sc. and Art Min.,” Nov. 16, 1918, p. 117. (From “ Rand Daily Mail.”) The Psychology of Efficiency and Fatigue. “ Colliery Guard.,” Nov. 22, 1918, p. 1083. Methods, Old and New, for the Detection of Hookworm Infection. Lieut.-Col. Clayton Lane, M.D. “ Ind. JI. Med. Res.,” July 1918, Vol. 6, No. 1, p. 1, 1 plate. COASTWISE SHIPMENTS IN OCTOBER. According to the returns issued by the Commissioners of H.M. Customs and Excise, the following quantities of coal were shipped coastwise from the United Kingdom during October:— From Total cargo. Total bunker. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bristol Channel ports 97,110 108,596 8 497 8,321 North-western ports 128,963 122,179 35,197 37,686 North-eastern ports 450,394 217,128 14,696 16,556 Humber ports 32,198 21,606 3,497 3,162 Other ports on east coast 11,988 14,722 2,089 2,159 Other English ports 5,398 7,491 2,020 1,091 Total from England and Wales 726,051 491,722 65,996 68,975 Ports on east coast of Scotland 44,386 32,317 5,838 4,650 Ports on west coast of Scotland 162,387 176,912 18,022 17,511 Total from Scotland 206,773 209,229 23,860 22,161 T . , . I Irish ports | — — 2,631 851 Total from United Kingdom 1 932,824 700,951 92,487 91,987 The destination of cargo shipments was as follows To ports in England and Wales Scotland.......... Ireland ........... Oct. 1917. Oct. 1918. Tons. Tons. 600,785 ... 345,857 17,846 ... 16,786 314,193 ... 338,308 CONTRACTS OPEN FOR COAL AND COKE. Fot Contracts Advertised in this issue received too late tor inclusion in this column, see Leader and Last White pages. Abstracts of Contracts Open. Beccles, December 9.—House coal and gas coke (three months) for Army use. Forms from the Supply Office, Beccles Station. London, December 14.—Coal, coke and coke breeze for Lambeth Guardians. Forms from the clerk, Guardians’ Offices, Brook-street, Kennington. Middlesbrough, December 6.—Stores.—Steam coal (six or 12 months) for Tees Conservancy Commissioners. Forms from the Offices, Middlesbrough. rfhe date given is the latest upon which tenders can be received. CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON AND STEEL WORK, Ac. Dublin, December 9.—Principals, Etc.—Steel roof principals, stanchions and joists for wagon repair shops. Forms from the engineer, Great Northern Railway, Dublin. Middlesbrough, December 6.—Stores.—Castings, bolts, nuts, etc. (six months) for Tees Conservancy Commis- sioners. Forms from Offices, Middlesbrough. Melbourne, January 8.—Spring Washers.—500,000 spring washers for fish bolts for Victorian Government rail- ways. Specifications may be seen at the Inquiry Office, Department of Overseas Trade, 73, Basinghall-street, London, E.C. Southampton, December 10. — Pumps. — Two 10 in. centrifugal pumps and motors, with piping. Particulars from the borough engineer, Market Chambers, South- ampton. Iron and Steel Manufacturers Released.—The Minister announces that until further notice manufacturers of forgings, stampings and castings, in iron, steel or malle- able iron, are at liberty to accept orders for such forgings, stampings and castings for priority below Class B, subject only to the Order as to priority dated March 8, 1917. High Pressure Steam.—At a meeting of the Manchester Section of the Institute of Electrical Engineers at the Engineers’ Club on Tuesday, a paper on “ The Use of High Pressure and High Temperature Steam in Large Power Stations ” was read by Mr. J. H. Shaw. While pressures of 250 lb. per sq. in. have in recent years been regarded as the limit, cases of 300 lb., and even 450 lb., were mentioned as being in use and in contemplation, the steam being super-heated to 600 and 730 degs. Fahr. It was contended, that very considerable economy of coal con- sumption resulted from this. In the discussion doubts were thrown on the behaviour of the metals of boilers and engines or turbines under such conditions, and some speakers expressed a fear that the necessary extra cost, and possibly extra upkeep, would counterbalance the saving. On the whole, it was not questioned that boiler and turbine makers can turn out plants to work at much higher pressures than hitherto. COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES. REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS. Barrow Haematite Steel Company Limited.—Dividend of 5 per cent, on ordinary shares for 1917. Bengal Coal Company Limited.—Dividend at the rate of 60 per cent, per annum, for the half-year to October 31. British Westinghouse Electric Engineering and Manu- facturing Company Limited.—At special meetings of shareholders of the British Westinghouse Electric Engi- neering and Manufacturing Company held in London reso- lutions for the rearrangement of the capital were adopted, and the issue of £5,000,000 ordinary shares was authorised. Dorman, Long and Company Limited.—The report for the year ended September 30, 1917, states that profit, after providing for estimated liabilities to the Government, and including £62,487 dividends on shares in Bell Bros. Limited and North-Eastern Steel Company, amounted to £406,038; the balance brought forward was £143,694, giving £549,732. Interest on debenture stock and deben- tures for the year requires £39,769, dividends paid in 1917 (8 per cent.) £100,768, directors’ fees £4,000, redemption of 5 per cent, debentures £20,960, general reserve £100,000, and depreciation £50,000, leaving to be carried forward £234,235. The relations between the company and the Government at the date of the balance sheet were stated to be in much the same position as at September 30, 1916. Capital expenditure during the year was chiefly in respect of the purchase of Redcar coke ovens. The auditors in their certificate state that they understand that the directors intend to devote £50,000 from the balance at credit of profit and loss to depreciation of capital expenditure. The accounts are not completed, but the directors are satisfied that profits during the year ended September 30, 1918, will admit of a final dividend for that year of 4 per cent, (making 8 per cent.) and bonus of 6 per cent., both free of tax. Midland Iron Company Limited.—The directors an- nounce that questions relating to special taxation and excess profits duty for the years to September 30, 1916 and 1917, have now been settled with the authorities. Net profit for 1917, after providing for debenture interest, etc., war taxation and depreciation, is £6,083; £3,211 was brought in, making £9,295. After meeting interim divi- dends and final dividend on the ordinary shares at the rate of 10 per cent, .per annum, free of tax, paid in November 1917, making 10 per cent, for the year, there was a balance to be carried forward of £5,545. The balance sheet for the year to September 30 last is not yet completed, but the directors are satisfied that sufficient profit has been made to justify them in declaring a further dividend of 2g- per cent, on the preference shares, making, with the interim dividend paid in May, the full dividend of 5 per cent, for the year, less tax, and a final dividend of 5 per cent, on the ordinary shares, making 10 per cent, for the year, free of tax. Newport-Abercarn Black Vein Steam Coal Company Limited.—Dividends in respect of half-year to September 30 on pre-preference shares at rate of 7^ per cent, per annum, less tax, and preference shares at rate of 7 per cent, per annum, less tax. North Lonsdale Iron and Steel Company Limited.— Dividend 9 per cent., making 15 per cent, for the year, less income tax—the same as last year. Pease and Partners Limited.—Interim dividend of 10s. per share (5 per cent.), free of income tax, for the past half-year. Shotts Iron Company Limited.—The report for the year ended September 30 states that the amount at credit of profit and loss, after providing for depreciation, general reserve, interim dividends, and for contingencies due to the war, is £26,426; £46,961 was brought forward, making £73,387. The directors recommend a dividend on the ordinary shares at the rate of 5s. per share, free of tax, and to carry forward £46,363. The company, for the purpose of extending their Shotts mineral operations, acquired as from June 1 last the control of the under- taking of the Kepplehill Coal Company, Shotts. While it is still being carried on as a separate company, an early opportunity will be taken of combining the two companies. Udston Colliery Company Limited.—The directors an- nounce a dividend of 10 per cent, for the year after writing off £3,750 for depreciation on mines and leases. The previous year the accounts showed a loss on working of £1,449 and a credit balance of £1,628 was carried forward. NEW COMPANIES. Asbestos Association Limited—Company limited by guarantee. . Registered November 21, to protect and ad- vance the interests of asbestos manufacturers and traders in allied industries within the United Kingdom. Nominal capital : Every member to contribute the sum, not ex- ceeding £1, if necessary. Members of committee : J. A. Fisher (Bell’s United Asbestos Company Limited), H. Jones (Turner Bros. Asbestos Company Limited, J. B. Knight (British Uralite Company, 1908, Limited)’ and five others. ’ General Engineering Company (Hornsey) Limited.— Private company. Registered office: Campsbourne Works, High-street, Hornsey. Registered November 18, to acquire the business as engineers. Nominal capital, £12,000 in 12,000 shares of £1 each. Directors: G. Kamenicek, managing director; others to be appointed by subscribers. Qualification of directors, one share. Re- muneration of directors, £1 Is.; managing director, £7. 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 FREIGHT MARKET. The Transport Department of the Ministry of Shipping has announced that the following reductions in neutral limitation rates hitherto in force for the class of vessel shall be made to apply to all bills of lading for requisi- tioned neutral boats signed from and inclusive of November 18 : North French ports, coal 10s. and coke 15s.; and French Bay ports, coal 15s. and coke 22s. 6d. The Inter-Allied Chartering Committee announces a like reduction in rates of neutral steamers under control of the French Government and offering for voyages to France. These announcements explain apparent inconsistencies in some of the fixtures reported hereunder. Outward chartering at north-east coast ports moves along very slowly. Substantially speaking, the only business done during the past week has been for Gothen- burg at rates ranging from 50 kr. to 55 kr.- Only the urgency of shipments to this port has induced exporters to agree to these high rates, and for later' loading they are offering very much less, about 21 kr. There is reported, also, a fixture for Alexandria at 63s., but details are lacking. For the coaling stations, shippers’ ideas are that 120s. is a fair prompt rate for Port Said, but that by the end of December the price should be down to 75s. Similarly, shippers regard 50s. as a just figure for Barcelona. As ship owners show no disposition to agree to these drastic reductions, business for these directions is at a standstill. At South Wales a large amount of business has been done for scheduled destina- tions, but nothing much elsewhere. Oporto is mentioned at last week’s rate of 100s. and Valencia at 180s., Gibraltar at 60s., and Port Said at 120s. There is a brisk enquiry for tonnage for Spanish ports. Homewards, River Plate rates are unaltered. At the United States it is regarded as probable that there will soon be a considerable reduction in rates, reducing net form of charter figures to from 120s. to 150s., and heavy grain rates to from 20s. to 25s. per qr. Coal freights of South American ports are fairly active at unchanged figures. The Eastern markets are dull, and no reliable informa- tion as to rates is obtainable. The Mediterranean and Bay ore ports are quiet, with no change in rates. Numerous enquiries for time charter tonnage are in circu- lation, and there should be no lack of remunerative employment for tonnage released from requisition. For vessels delivered after the signature of peace terms, from 20s. to 25s. is mentioned for fairly long general trading engagements. Tyne to Alexandria, reported, 63s.; Gothenburg, 2,500, 524 kr.; 700, 1,700 and 2,100-2,200, 55 kr.; and 2,800, 50 kr.; and London, 470, 17s. Cardiff to Algiers, 5,500, revised rate, Allied; Bordeaux 1,700, 2,300-2,400, 2,600-2,700, 54s., neutral; Brest, 1,800 and 2,000, 35s., neutral; Caen, 1,100, 46s. 6d., neutral; 600 and 750-800, 38s., neutral; Honfleur, 550-600, 38s., neutral; 1,000, 19s., British; La Pallice, 3,900-4,000, 46s. 6d., neutral; Nantes, 1,700-1,800 and 2,900, 46s. 6d., neutral; Rochefort, 1,500-1,600, 61s. 6d., neutral; Rouen, 900 and 950, 50s. 3d., neutral; 1,800, 48s. 9d., neutral; 2.800, 47s. 9d., neutral; 900, 40s. 3d., neutral; 1,400 and 1.800, 38s. 9d., neutral; St. Malo, 500, 45s., neutral; 700-800 and 900-980, 19s. 3d., Allied; and St. Nazaire, 2,500 and 2,800. 46s. 6d., neutral; and 6,100, 61s. 6d., neutral. Swansea to Havre, 1,400, 45s. 9d., neutral; 800, 47s. 3d., neutral; 1,200 and 1,400, 35s. 9d., neutral; 800, 37s. 3d., neutral; La Rochelle, 2,300, 61s. 6d., neutral; Rouen, 1,400 and 1,800-1,850, 48s. 9d., neutral; 2,300 and 2,400, 38s. 9d., neutral; 720-800, 40s. 3d., neutral; and St. Brieux, 430-500, 39s. 6d., neutral. Swansea or Port Talbot to St. Malo, option St. Servan, 1,000, 33s. 6d., neutral. Newport to Bordeaux, 2,000, 54s., neutral. Cardiff or Swansea to Waterford, 450s, 18s. 6d., British. Later.—The following additional fixtures have been reported :— Tyne to Gothenburg, 800, 55 kr.; London, 470, 17s.; and North French port, 620 and 750, 51s., pitch. Cardiff to Brest, 950, 35s., neutral; Rouen, 600, 40s. 3d., neutral; and Trouville, 700, 38s., neutral. Swansea to Dieppe, 1,400, 37s. 3d., neutral; Rouen, 3,000, 17s., British; 1,400, 38s. 9d., neutral; and Treport, 880-900, 38s. 9d., neutral. German Coal Prices.—The prices of coal per ton in the first quarters of 1914 and 1918 in Germany appeared in a recent issue of Wirtschaftsdienst. According to these figures, bituminous rough coal in the first quarter of the present year was 24-30 mk., an increase of 116 per cent.; rough gas coal 24-90 mk., an increase of 103^ per cent.; forge coal nuts 29-40 mk., an increase of 89| per cent. ; household nuts 27-90 mk., an increase of 101^ per cent.; anthracite nuts 37-20 mk., an increase of 71 per cent.; blast furnace coke (first quality), 33-60 mk., an increase of 99 per cent.; foundry coke, 34-20 mk., an increase of 97| per cent.; crushed coke 37-20 mk., an increase of 86 per cent.; and briquettes (first quality), 28-60 mk., an increase of 10| per cent. Other increases have occurred since. In the period mentioned, the wages of under- ground miners increased by 99-7 per cent., and surface workers by 70-7 per cent. Spitzbergen Coal and Iron—According to a report in Bergverksnyt, the British Spitzbergen Expedition, which recently arrived at Tromso, inspected the enormous coal and iron deposits at Spitzbergen belonging to the Northern Exploration Co. Limited at Lowe Sound, Kings Bay, Re- cherche Bay, Van Keulens Bay, and Bell Sound. The ex- posed coal deposits at Lowe Sound can be traced along the mountain for over 30 miles on both sides of the Sound. The company has already commenced working a mine close to Davis City. Over 400 miners and workers were employed at Spitzbergen during the past winter of 1918, and about 800 more are expected. The Norwegian and Swedish companies are doing a large business, and their plant is being extended. Shipping to the extent of more than 120,000 tons has been engaged during the year in conveying coal to Norway and Russia, and the coal output exceeds 80,000 tons, with a prospect of reaching 100,000 tons in 1919.