December 13, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1251 SOUTH WALES MINING TIMBER TRADE. Collieries have been well supplied with timber, deliveries of home grown and foreign timber being good. The miners have not returned from the Army and Navy with that quickness which was anticipated, and demobilisation seems likely to be a slow process. It would be foolish to demobilise thousands of miners before railways and dock facilities are put in order to deal with the greatly increased coal output which would follow. Outputs have slightly increased, and a few concerns were inclined to increase their stocks recognising that maximum prices were likely to rule for some time hence. For deputations to the Con- troller of Mines, the Controller of Timber and the Controller of Import Restrictions have shown that it is the said intention of the authorities to continue a measure of control until such time as a release from the regulations will preclude the possibility of chaos and speculation being shown. Home grown timber is potentially in large supply, and several tracts of woodland area have been purchased for the purpose of supplying collieries. Merchants engaged in the trade are wondering as to their position when normal times again obtain, for large supplies of mining timber will probably be shipped from France, Spain and Portugal, and on the open market the competition, it is thought, might drive the value. tof home grown wood down- wards. On the other hand itjis just as well to remember that freight rates on imported, wood will never probably fall again to their old levels. :j A rate of 5s. 6d. per ton from Bayonne to Cardiff will,probably never rule again. Furthermore the general demapd for native wood in other directions during the reconstruction period might prevent any sharp decline in prices beii^g shown. Imports of Foreign Mining Timber. The imports of foreign mining timber into South Wales ports for the week ended December 6, were as follow: — Date. From To Loads. Dec. 2 .. . Bordeaux Morgan & Cadogan ... ... 2,100 „ 2.. .. L'Orient Marcesche & Co 24 „ 2 .. .. L'Orient Morgan & Cadogan ... ... 420 „ 2.. ,. Bordeaux Lysberg Ltd ... 960 „ 4.. .. L’Orient Marcesche & Co 24 ,, 4.. .. La Rochelle ...Budd & Co ... 188j „ 6.. ,. Bayonne Lysberg Ltd ... 1,620 „ 6- . L’Orient Marcesche & Co ... 264 Total .. 5,6001 Irish Pitwood. The imports of Irish pitwood were fairly satisfactory. The wood continues to be of excellent quality, and realises the maximum prices. Deliveries from neighbouring counties to the Welsh collieries were also excellent, but buyers were becoming more discriminate and require the larger sizes. Cogwood is most plentiful, and collieries are disinclined to take more. There is a large amount of this wood awaiting delivery, and it is feared deterioration will set in. A good amount has already been sold for firewood. State Control and Afforestation. Timber merchants have been assured that the Govern- ment departments are anxious to give a freedom from State control as early as possible. There is only one branch in which the State intends to control, and that is with respect to afforestation. Capitalists and land owners are not enamoured of afforestation schemes. It is generally thought to be a matter for the State, and having regard to the large number of war worn soldiers who desire an open air life, the opportunity is presented of creating employ- ment which in years to come, will benefit the country by limiting indebedtness to foreign nations. THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, December 12. The London market continues very short of coal, and merchants are eager in all directions to buy up what little coal is available. The East London depots are particularly busy with their weekly rounds, and the call for coal just now in the poorer neighbourhoods is exceedingly strong. Some emergency coal has been diverted from stations in the west and north of London, and transferred to depots in the eastern and south-eastern districts, otherwise many of the working class houses would have been without fires this week. The whole situation, especially in view of the proximity of the Christmas stoppage, is a critical one. The usual preparation for the winter's demand by having a certain amount of coal in stock at the various wharves and depots has been practically impossible this year, owing to the excessive demands for France and Italy, and the pressure for lhe munition centres. The men returning have not yet made any appreciable difference to the output, nor, indeed, can it be reasonably expected for a time, for it would be unreasonable to expect them to go straight back from the trenches to the coal face without a suitable break for proper “leave’' at home. Every day, however, is expected to make a slight difference as soon as the influenza epidemic slackens, and it is certain that the munition centres will soon show a great falling off. Steam coals and all manufacturing qualities are in very strong demand, and very difficult to obtain. The seaborne market continues good, and the supplies have slightly improved. Twenty- five contract cargoes arrived in the Thames for Monday's market and 18 for Wednesday, but as they were nearly all gas coals, the household trade was very little affected. The London gas companies are particularly urgent for larger supplies, and claim a big proportion of the railborne quantities as well as the seaborne. The stocks also of railway companies are far below the usual average, and as the factories generally are still keenly anxious to secure a fair quantity of fuel to maintain their regular working, there seems very little prospect of building up a satis factory store. Prices are still stationary at present, but as the export figures are regulated at a far higher rate than all inland prices, the proportion falling due to railway and factory purposes is much below the normal. The current maximum prices for inland sales are:—South Yorkshire Silkstones, 24s. per ton at pit ; hards, 23s. to 23s. 6d.; Derbyshire blackshales, 24s.; steam coal, 22s. to 23s.; cobbles, 21s. to 22s.; brights, 23s.; Leicester cobbles, 22s. 6d.; and Warwickshire, 22s to 23s, per ton at pit. Slacks are also moving freely at varying prices in accordance with the quality, and have a good demand. The “ cotton ” difficulty is expected to set at liberty a larger quantity of slack for inland use. A fresh notice has been issued by the railway companies relative to the number of days allowed for unloading coal and coke wagons at depots and in private sidings. In London, four days are allowed; elsewhere, three days are allowed ; and o r barging in London and River Thames depots, six days are allowed, exclusive of the "day on' which notice of arrival is given; and the Railway Executive give notice that any wagons delayed beyond the number of days allowed for unloading will. be charged, demurrage or siding rent. Freights to London are still quoted at 17s. per ton from the Tyne ports. • From Messrs. Dinham, Fa wens and Company’s Report. Friday, December 6.—There was a fair arrival of cargoes of seaborne coal on account of contracts reported at to-day's market, but no seaborne house coal arrived. No coal on offer. Arrivals, 11. Monday, December 9.—Steamers are improving time on their runs, and in consequence arrivals are showing a slight increase. Twenty-five cargoes with manufacturing coal were reported at to-day’s market. No coal on sale. Wednesday, December 11.—The report of the seaborne market is good, and arrivals of cargoes improving. Eighteen steamers of seaborne manufacturing coal were entered on to-day’s market list for gas companies, power stations, etc. Arrivals, 18. EXPORTS OF BY-PRODUCTS. The Board of Trade statistical returns, issued monthly, now show in detailed form the exports of by - products. We reproduce the particulars for November:— Quantities. . Value. Month ended November 30. 11 months ended November 30. Month ended November 30. 11 months ended November 30. Aniline oil and toluidine 1*'. Anthracene „ Benzol and toluol gals. Carbolic acid cwt. Coal tar, crude „ ,, r efined and varn i sh... gals. Naphtha „ Naphthalene cwt. Pitch ,, Tar oil, creosote, &c gals. Other sorts cwt. Total value £ Dye stuffs (products of coal tar)... cwt. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. 1917. 19:8. 166,151 22,640 931,824 8,1^7 1,015- 152,411 6?, 228 22,713 524,755 430,319 24,130 505,9S5 665,929 22,691 76,476 18,859 15,926 857,841 3,613 21,573 1,893,191 2,113,649 11,171,415 126,500 2,911 2,910,271 390,084 207,085 5,924,748 11,756,395 376,367 i 3,179,943 2,240 , 9,273,560 lil,930 i 251 1 ; 952,955 I I lu7,438 i 196,274 7,526,262 1,944,218 160,422 £ 9,260 1,313 75,478 11,358 258 3,819 5,628 24,533 38,376 19,424 28,597 £ 32,973 42,701 S6,757 2,647 2,680 23,050 97,867 536 24,708 123,694 8,136 882,688 390,073 617 69,951 36,244 245,698 376,335 378,653 372,307 £ 197,887 40 i 682,945 361,665 , 55 28,849 12,492 288,366 814,009 78,665 225,852 4,472 8,635 67,641 76,561 218,044 76,432 313,919 129,103 2,884,396 992,879 2,690,825 1,125,001 THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—A welcome step has been taken by the Board of Trade in resuming publication of specific details every month regarding the exports of by-products. The most prominent item is pitch, no less a quantity than 857,841 cwt. having been exported in November, a great increase on 524,755 cwt. a year ago. The total quantity for eleven months is 7,526,262 cwt.—a fine aggregate when the shortage of ships is taken into account. Benzol and toluol to the extent of 665,929 gals, and 22,691 cwt. of carbolic acid were exported in November. A substantial trade was done in naphthalene, as the export figures given above show. So far as the market is concerned the prospects are good, for cargo space is becoming less restricted. As the briquette industry is certain to remain busy for a long period, pitch sellers consider that prices will be well maintained, especially as other uses (many of them representing urgent arrears of work) have to be taken into account. The strength of the market evidences itself in the replies to numerous enquiries in the provinces con- cerning export business. At the present moment the posi- tion is unsettled, with the balance evidently favouring holders. Under the control system no crude tar was ex- ported last month, but 76,476 gals, of refined and varnish were shipped. Benzol is in request for motor engines, and toluol quotations are hardening. Solvent naphtha and crude carbolic represent a steady business. Creosote is in strong demand. The other by-products are benefiting by the improvement in the general outlook of the market. Sulphate of Ammonia.—Sulphate is readily sold, and the quantity available for export under .licence is compara- tively small. The shipments in November were only 2,697 tons, compared with 6,943 tons a year ago, and 24,060 tons two years ago. The price for December-February delivery is £16 5s. per ton for farmers, or £15 15s. per ton for dealers, on a basis of 24^ per cent ammonia, with increases for higher strengths in accordance with the Government order. Hull Coal Trade.—The quantity of coal brought into Hull during November amounted to 190,434 tons (179,885 tons by rail and 10,549 tons by river), a decrease on the 207,906 tons a year ago. The total for the eleven completed months of this year is 2,428,200 tons, a decrease of 211,802 tons compared with November 1917. Eight Hours Day in the Iron Trade.—With regard to the proposed eight hours day in the iron and steel trade, a conference has taken place at Newcastle between the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation, representing the men, and representatives of the North of England Steel Manufacturers’ Association, the Scottish Association of Steel and Bar Makers, the Steel Ingot Makers’ Associa- tion, and the Midland Iron and Steel Board, representing the employers. The employers’ representatives decided to recommend their association to concede the eight hours day asked for. Imports and Exports of Mining Machinery.—The value of imports and exports of mining machinery during November is given below. November. Jan.-Nov. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. £ <£ <£ £ Imports .................. 23,344... 5,581 .. 169,161 ...122,311 Exports ................ 30,804 ... 49,118 ...613,427 ...465,340 These figures are not inclusive of prime movers or elec- trical machinery. The following shows the value of ex- ports of prime movers other than electrical :— November. Jan.-Nov. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. All prime movers £ £ £ £ (except electrical)... 374,078 ...242,071...3,612,855.. 3.372 331 Rail locomotives .......... 133,866 ... 40.430... 1,540,025... 1,045,021 Pumping .................... 31,518 . 27,377... 362,876... 224,620 Winding ....................... 509 ... 575... 14,783... 17,303 LAW INTELLIGENCE. HOUSE OF LORDS.—December 6. Barnsley Coal Seam. W. A. Thomson and B. W. Peel v. Masters and Fellows of St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge, and others.—The appellants sought to have it determined that according to the true construction of an Act passed in 1814 for enclosing lands in the manors or townships of Compsail, Norton and Askern in the County of York, St. Catharine's College, Cambridge, who are the lords of the manor of Norton, and Mappin’s Masbro’ Old Brewery Company Limited, who are the lords of the manor of Askern, were not entitled to the mines and minerals under the lands allotted to the plaintiffs, and if so entitled had not any surface rights in connection with coal working over such of the plaintiffs’ lands as lay within and formerly formed part of the commons and wastes of the manors of Norton and Askern or any right to let down the surface in the course of working. Judgment was reserved. HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE. CHANCERY DI VISION.—December 6. Before Mr. Justice Astbury. Unworked Cannel. Moss Hall Coal Company v. Cross, Tetley and Com- pany.—This was a claim by the Moss Hall Company against Cross, Tetley and Company for alleged breach of an agreement for the working of certain mines at Wigan. Counsel for plaintiffs said they leased to defendants certain portions of the Wigan Four-feet mine, the Wigan Five-feet mine, and the Wigan Six-feet mine at £250 per annum, and in addition the defendants were to pay for all cannel where it was 4 in. and upwards in thick- ness, and where it was under 4 in. in thickness it was to be considered at Wigan Four-feet coal and paid for as such. Defendants were to supply to the Moss Hall Company not only all the cannel out of the Wigan Four- feet mine, but also all Wigan Four-feet cannel gotten out of the mines leased. His lordship held that the defence founded on the agree- ment of 1910 failed. There remained for him to assess the damages for non-payment of profit rent and to direct an enquiry as to what loss of profit had been incurred by plaintiffs By reason of the defendants’ breach of clause 5. Plaintiffs claimed for £7,500 by way of damages, but after the evidence had been given that figure had been altered and the amount of profit rental which the plaintiffs asked to be awarded .in respect of the un- worked cannel in the Wright and Whiteley areas was £5,691. He gave judgment for the plaintiffs in respect of profit rental for £5,100 by way of damages, with costs. He also directed an enquiry to be made as to damage sustained relative to working and supplying Wigan Four- feet cannel at a certain price. KING’S BENCH DI VISION.—December 6. Before Mr. Justice Bailhache. Steel Contract. P. Narrower and Company (Manchester) v. Wm. Oxley and Company Limited (Rotherham).—Plaintiffs claimed for damages for alleged breach of two contracts, dated December 22, 1915, by the defendants for the failure to supply to plaintiffs some eight to ten tons of this steel. Defendants denied liability, and said that about the time of the contract period they were instructed by a repre- sentative of the Ministry of Munitions to give preference to orders for Russia, and in view of this they were pro- tected by the Courts Emergency Powers Act, 1917. His lordship, giving judgment, said in his mind the defendants were not entitled to have committed themselves to this order for the plaintiffs for the eight to ten tons. It was an order wThich, if they had thought about it, as they ought to have done, that there was no reasonable probability of their fulfilling at within anything like business-like time. As a matter of fact, they were pre- cluded from dealing with it in anything like reasonable time, not in the least bit in the world by any direction from the Ministry of Munitions, but simply and solely because they had oversold their output. There must be judgment for the plaintiffs, but limited to the difference between the contract price and the market price on eight tons, because this contract would have been fulfilled if defendants had delivered eight tons. He left counsel on each side to work out the exact figures and hand them in. It is announced that the National Transport Workers’ Federation is making application for an increase of 10s. per week in the war wage at present paid to carters, motormen and kindred workers, also an eight hours day and 5^ days week, time and a half for overtime, and double pay for Sundays. Mons Coal Mines.—Further information has been re- ceived in official circles in London concerning the mines in the Mons-Charleroi coal fields. It appears that the Germans had made systematic preparations for destruction on an extensive scale. At many of the pits they had placed in position heavy charges of explosives ready for a great upheaval. But at the last moment, under fear of reprisal, their nerve failed them and they drew the charges and abstained from blowing up the mines. At the moment there is a serious coal shortage in Western Flanders, and from several towms, notably from Ghent, there is a large demand for supplies of British coal.