December 27, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1361 MEAN MAGNETIC DECLINATION at Kew Observatory, Richmond, in Degrees and Minutes, for each Two-hour Interval in the Week December 15 to 21, 1918. Intervals—Hours G.M.T. 2 o 0h.-2h. 14° + 2h.-4h. 14° + 4h.-6h. 14° + 6h.-8h. - 14° + 1 8h.-10h. 14° + 10h.-12h. 14° + i 12h.-14h. 14° + 14h.-16h. 14° + 1 16h.-18h. 14° + 18h.-20h. 14° + 20h.-22h. 14° + 22h.-24h. 14° + 1 Mean for day. 14° + Min. Min. Min. Min. Min. Min. Min. Min. Min. Min. i Min. Min. Min. Sun., Dec. 15 0 46’5 47*0 46*0 47*0 47'5 i 49*0 49*5 49*0 47 5 ; 46*5 45*5 46*0 : j7*o Mon., „ 16 0 47’5 47*0 45*5 45*5 ! 46*0 48*5 50*5 50*5 50’0 i 46*0 43*0 : 45*0 ' 47*0 Tues., „ 17 1 47’5 47*0 45*5 46*0 47*5 49*0 49*0 48*0 45*5 43'5 44*5 45*5 ' 46*5 Wed., „ 18 0 46’5 46*5 45*0 45*0 46 * 5 45*0 48*5 47*0 47*0 ! 46*0 44*5 42*5 46*0 Thurs., „ 19 1 41*5 41*0 42*0 45*5 48*0 50*5 53*0 t 50*5 ? 49*0 49*0 44*0 44*5 46*5 Friday, „ 2) 1 45*5 46*5 46*0 46*0 46*5 48*0 49*0 49*0 47*0 45*5 45*5 ? 42*5 46*5 Sat., » 21 1 45*0 46*0 46*0 46*5 | 47*0 ! 48*5 47*5 48*0 49*0 43*5 45'0 45*0 46’5 Diurnal ine- quality (i.e., departure from mean value for day) lh. ’ - ; 4h. 5h. 6h. 7h. 8h. 9h. lOh. llh. 12n. 13h. Uh. 15h. 16h. 17h. 18h. 19h. 20h. 21h. l 22h. 1 23h. 24h. Mean value for month. 2h. 3h. Dec. 1917 ->i*7 -0*8 -0*6 -0*3 -0*5 -0'7 -1'1 -1*8 -2*6 -1*3 + 0*5 + 2*2 + 3'6 + 3'6 + 3*0 + 2*0 + 0*8 + 0*3 0*0 - 0 * 5 -1*3 -1*8 — 1*2 -0'8 14° 55' *5 Dec. ’17 Nov. 1918 -0*9 -0*6 -0*3 -0*2 -0*9 -1*3 — 1’4 -1'6 -1*6 -0*1 + 2*4 + 4*3 + 4*4 + 3*8 + 2'0 + 2*1 + 1'0 -0*1 -0*9 - 1*6 -2*4 -2*6 [-2*6 -1 8 14° 46"9Nov.’18 Nov.1917 -0*9 -1'0 -0*6 -0*3 -0*7 -1*2 -1*9 -2*8 -2’9 — 1’5 + 1*4 + 3*1 + 3*3 4-3*2 + 2*8 + 2*0 + 0*8 + 0'3 0*0 -0*1 -0*7 -0*9 | — 0*8 -0*9 14° 56'*6 Nov.’17 The day is counted from Oh. (midnight) to 21 h. (mi Inight) G.M.T. Character” 0” means a day wholly free from any but small disturbances. Character “ 1 ” means a day part or all of which is moderately or considerably disturbed. Character ” 2” means a day part or all of which is highly disturbed. The normal value for an hour is the mean declination for that hour in the month, derived from quiet days only, or from all days excluding those of character ”2.”_ On a day of character “ 0 ” declination at any hour will usually be within about 3' of the normal. On a day of character *‘ 1” the departure from the normal will usually not exceed 5', but it may occasionally be as much as 10', or even more. On a. day of character “ 2” the departure from the normal will seldom exceed 20', but departures of 30' or even on extreme occasions of 1° or more may occur. The above values were obtained from measurements made after “ smoothing” the curves. Meteorological Office, December 25. of the labour grade in which they worked, notwithstanding any physical disability. The Ebbw Vale miners had before them at their last meeting a statement by the agent as to the large number of summonses that were to come before the local Bench, taken out against workmen for loss of time owing to disputes wherein the men refrained from work without giving notice. He stated that there were eleven batches of summonses already outstanding, and, inasmuch as there had been addi- tional stoppages, that number would be added to. The total amount of money involved represented a lump sum of .£3,800. He added that by arrangement the cases were being postponed. North of England. A meeting of the Cumberland Coal Trade Conciliation Board was held at Workington last week. With reference to an application which had been made by the men for a week’s holiday and pay in August, annually, and a fortnight’s holiday, with pay, on the declaration of peace, it was agreed that these matters were national questions for arrangement between the Coal Controller and the Miners’ Federation. The meeting decided to appoint a joint committee to draw up rules for the working of joint pit committees, and report to another mee:ing of the Board. An application was made for a shilling per shift extra for men and boys working on afternoon and night shifts, but no agreement was arrived at. Surface workers in the Ashington district held a meeting to consider the 49-hours week accepted by the Miners’ Federation, and passed a resolution demanding an 8-hours day, including 30 minutes for meal times, with a 6-hours pay Saturday, with half-an-hour for meals. Benwell surface workers have protested against the Federation accepting a 49-hours week, and are calling upon that body to demand a 44-hours week. Lintz Green workmen call for a 40-hours week. T he Cumberland Coke Conciliation Board recently made the following award for men employed at by-product coke ovens in Cumberland : — (1) The present base wages of all adult workmen shall be advanced 6d. per day, with a mini- mum base wage of 5s. per day. (2) The base wage of work- men who are recognised as being inefficient from any cause, and who are now being paid lower wages on that account, shall have their present base wages advanced 6d. per day. (3) The present base rate of youths shall be advanced 3d. per day. (4) The present base wages of female workers shall be advanced 3d. per day. (5) Coke fillers now in receipt of a base wage of 5'895d. per oven shall have their base rate advanced to 6 325d. per oven. The minimum daily base wages of this class shall be advanced 6d. per day. The revised base rate per oven to be paid to fillers on the Risehow plant shall be fixed by the management and the workmen’s representatives within the limits of this award. The provisions of this award shall come into operation as from Saturday, October 26, 1918. Federated Area. A largely attended executive councd meeting of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners’ Federation last Saturday voted in favour of the federation taking steps at once for a 50 per cent, advance in wages. Scotland. A central committee for Scotland is to be appointed, con- sisting of employers and workmen, to take up the question of demobilisation and finding suitable employment for miners as soon as they are discharged from the Army. At a meeting of the Scottish Coal Trade Conciliation Board the question of the increased cost of explosives was again under consideration. It has now been decided to have the whole subject discussed at a meeting of the Coal Controller’s Advisory Board. As from January 1, the Scottish Coal Trade Conciliation Board fixed the hours of surface workers at 49 per week. It is expected that the hours per day will be fixed by each county area throughout Scotland, and that the arrangement will be to leave Saturday a short working day. Arniston miners in the East Lothian district of Scotland have resolved to press for the elimination of coal contractors. Trouble is threatened in some of the mining districts in the West of Scotland over the question of Polish workers being returned to the mines. Tube Trade Conference.—The work of the Ministry of Reconstruction in the formation of interim industrial re- construction committees—or temporary Whitley Councils as they are sometimes called—will be resumed after the holiday period. The trade conferences which have been arranged include one for the tubes industry at the Grand Hotel, Birmingham, on January 8 at 2.30 p.m. Dross in Household Fuel.—The Glasgow Coal Dealers’ Association recently considered complaints which have been made with regard to the kind of coal supplied to the retail trade. It was stated that nearly all the coal avail- able for domestic purposes at present contained from 10 to 15 per cent, of dross. It was agreed that steps be taken with a view to have the matter remedied. Notes from the Coal Fields. [’Local Correspondence.] South Wales and Monmouthshire. Monopoly by Italian Government—Fall in Freight Rates Re-employment of Discharged Soldiers—Norwegian Bunkers. The action of the Italian Government in deciding to establish a State monopoly for the importation and distri- bution of coal has been brought before the Central Execu- tive for Supply of Coal to France and Italy, and they have also had an interview with the Coal Controller on the question. It was intended to approach the President of the Board of Trade on the subject, but this proved to be impracticable. The Coal Controller will, it is under- stood, take up die question with the Italian Government, one of the points to be raised being that the action decided upon in Italy runs contrary to the agreement which has entered in:o for supply of coal from Great Britain to Italy. The excessive amount of shipping in dock, coupled with the shortage of coal supply, has quickly made a vast difference in the rates of freight, and it will be very interesting to nonce how, during the next few days, quo- tations will, as is highly probable, fall considerably. The Inter-Allied Chartering Department has already taken action by reducing rates for controlled and requisitioned shipping, and, further, by a decrease in the rates for the smaller craft. This has been followed by an announce- ment upon Cardiff Exchange that free neutral steamers must not exceed the schedule rate of freight for British and Allied ships. As an example of the great difference which has arisen, iu may be noted that on Friday the Italian State Railways offered a rate of 15s. to West Italian ports, whereas ship owners were demanding four times that amount—namely, 60s. This one fact indicates ihe great difficulty experienced in fixing rates on the market. The Conciliation Board discussed on Friday the question of re-employing miners discharged from the Army and Navy, and a scheme was drafted which is to be put into operation forthwith. Its terms are: (1) That the work- man shall be found employment at the colliery where he was employed when he enlisted, to which colliery he must apply. (2) If it is not possible to provide employment at such colliery, he should report to his former lodge secre- tary, who, after communicating with the lodge committee and the management, will then, if necessary, ask the Monmouthshire and South Wales District Demobilisation Committee to endeavour to secure him employment at that colliery or at some other colliery in the same locality. (3) The district committee to have full power to give any instructions or take any steps necessary for providing and finding work for discharged soldiers and sailors and for men who may have to be given notice to enable work to be provided for such discharged soldiers and sailors. (4) If employment is not found for him, the case would be reported to the central authority, namely, the Con- troller’s Advisory Board at Holborn Viaduct Hotel, London, with a view to obtaining employment. (5) Every colliery company will be required to advise the local com- mittee and the district committee immediately a workman is discharged from the Navy or Army and is employed by them, stating whether he was previously in their employ. (6) Each colliery company will be required to make a return (at such intervals as the district committee may determine) to the district committee and branch or lodge secretary showing the names or occupations, and pit where employed, of the men who have made applica- tion for work at each pit, and of the men who have not been employed, with the reason why they have not been employed. (7) A central exchange to be set up at the Institute of Engineers, Cardiff, for dealing with all ques- tions under this scheme; the joint secretaries to be Messrs. Finlay Gibson and Thomas Richards. Comment has been prevalent upon the supply to Nor- wegian steamers of bunkers at the same price as to British steamers, the Coal Controller having issued a circular to this effect. It is now explained that about 18 months ago an agreement was made whereby the Allies secured the use of Norwegian steamers in the war zone on certain conditions, one of these being that the Nor- wegian boats were to receive their coal in all parts of the world at the same price as the British ship owner, although since that date the prices to neutrals have been raised considerably, and even — by mistake — have been charged to Norwegian vessels. The Coal Controller’s circular does not establish any new condition, but only the carrying out of the previous agreement. At the monthly meeting of Swansea Chamber of Com- merce Mr. Jenkins drew attention to the shortage in the number of trimmers at that port, stating that there was great difficulty at present in having the ships dealt with expeditiously, although in some instances the men worked 80 hours a week. He suggested the appointment of a committee to consult with the railway and harbour autho- rities in order to devise a remedy. The Chamber resolved to co-operate with the Railway Committee and press forward the demand. The Bedwas dispute came to an end on Monday. The workmen, at a mass meeting addressed by Mr. Brace and other leaders, agreed unanimously to accept proposals which were submitted, these being upon lines previously indicated. One matter which came before the Federation executive on Saturday was referred to at a meeting of the Avon Valley district of miners on Saturday. The allegation was that, owing to the action of certain royalty owners, one of the collieries in the Avon Valley had stopped work- ing a particular seam because of objection to the price list which had been made between the company and the workmen. The local miners’ agent was instructed by the men’s meeting to take such steps as were necessary to lead to the reopening of the seam. The Rhymney Valley miners met at Bargoed on Satur- day. It was reported that considerable unrest existed. This appears to be due to the development of seams of coal with new methods of working, such as the use of conveyors or other machinery. The demand on the part of the workmen is that they should be consulted, or their committee or the miners’ agent should be con- sulted ; and condemnation was expressed at the action of workmen engaged in developing the seams in question without having given the necessary information to the committee or the agent “ so that protective measures could be taken.” The men’s objection appears to be that the seams ar? worked without price lists. Northumberland and Durham. The secretary of the Consett Iron Company Limited denies the accuracy of certain statements which have obtained publicity as to proposed amalgamation of his firm with Messrs. Dorman, Long and Company Limited, or the absorption by the latter of the former. Stanley magistrates fined Messrs. C. A. Forslind and Sons Limited, timber merchants, West Hartlepool, £20, with five guineas costs, for having infringed the Pitwood Order by offering pit props for sale at a price exceeding that sepcified in the Order. It was stated that defend- ants offered to sell 4 in. props to the South Moor Colliery Company at 32s. per lineal ft., as against 32s. per 100 lineal ft., the price fixed by the Order. For the defend- ants the offence was admitted, but jt was pointed out that the props cost the firm 32s. 9d. per 75 lineal ft., so there could be no suggfestion of profiteering. Thirty-one putters in the employ of the Washington Coal Company Limited were charged before the Gateshead County magistrates with having absented themselves from work without notice, and 10s. damages was claimed from each. It was not found necessary to proceed with the case, the defendants all having agreed to have the damages deducted from their wages. Therefore the summonses were withdrawn, defendants being ordered to pay costs. Cleveland. The Middlesbrough Stipendiary last Friday fined Wm. Robson Blenkinsop and Company, iron and steel merchants, £20 and £12 12s. costs for having purchased heavy melting scrap, steel turnings, light scrap and, in two cases, mixed scrap at prices exceeding the fixed maxima. Mr. A. H. Parkin, prosecuting, stated that such offences were rife throughout the country, and the Ministry of Munitions had authorised accountants to inspect merchants’ books, by which means these offences had been discovered. In imposing the penalty, the stipendiary re- marked that by paying these higher prices defendants had obtained metal that firms carefully obeying the regu- lations might not have been able to obtain. Lancashire and Cheshire. After being manager of Messrs. T. and H. Scowcroft’s Tonge Colliery, Bolton, for over 30 years, Mr. Wm. Morris has retired. An accident occurred at the Clifton and Kersley Coal Company’s Wet Earth Colliery, Clifton, near Manchester, last Friday afternoon, resulting in the death of the manager, Mr. George Jones, Beech Cottage, Clifton, and injuries to Mr. J. Whitehead, under-manager, and to a pit carpenter named Platt. It appears that during the afternoon the cages became wedged in the shaft, and to ascertain the cause of the mishap the three men were being lowered in a kibble. Something went wrong with the brake of the engine, and the kibble got out of control. Whitehead and .Platt managed to cling to the conducting rods of the shaft, but Mr. Jones remained in the kibble and was dashed to the bottom of the shaft. When found he was quite dead. Notts, and Derbyshire. The North Wingfield Colliery Company Limited, were summoned at Chesterfield, on Saturday, under the Coal Mines Control Agreement (Confirmation) Act, 1918, for failing to furnish the Coal Controller with monthly reports from "September to December 1917, and quarterly reports for March and June last. For the prosecution it was stated that in August last the defendants were informed by letter that proceedings would be taken unless the accounts were furnished by September. Defendants