76 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 10, 1913. Glasgow Ayr Troon Ardrossan Greenock Irvine Bowling 1912. Tons. ... 3,477,683 .. 841,276 .. 358 557 .. 269,002 112,349 83,881 9,477 1911. Tons. ... 4,093.903 857,492 ... 394,957 ... 198,638 ... 101,319 ... 114,503 9,282 Increase or decrease. Tons. ... —616,220 ... - 16,216 ... - 36,400 ... + 70,364 ... + 11,030 ... - 30,622 ... + 195 5,152,225 ... 5,770,094 ... -617,869 Granton 442,330 ... 463,882 ... - 21,552 Bo’ness .. 753,944 . 796,044 ... - 42.100 Leith .. 2,015,515 . ... 1,922,942 ... + 92,573 Grangemouth . .. 2,088,482 . ... 2,054,796 ... + 33,686 5,300,271 . ... 5,237,664 ... + 62,607 Methil .. 2,528,545 . ... 3,010382 ... -481,837 Burntisland .... .. 2,305,560 . ... 2,430,718 ... -125,158 Alloa 100,939 . .. 133,734 ... - 32,795 Dysart 69 229 . 86,126 ... - 16,897 Wemyss 54,539 . 49,632 ... + 4,897 Tayport 28,742 . 22,186 ... + 6,556 Charleston 16,510 . 9,377 ... + 7,133 5,104.064 . .. 5,742,155 ... -638 091 Total .... .. 15,556,560 . .. 16,749,913 ... -1,193,353 The total shipments for 1912 are thus 15,556,560 tons, which shows the large decrease of 1,193,353 tons com- pared with the quantity despatched in the preceding year. It is noted above that the loss of shipments due to the national strike was 1,052,934 tons, so that, instead of any substantial headway having since been made, the falling away was increased to the extent of 140,419 tons. At most of the ports, where substantial decreases are noted, these may be for the most part traced to strikes of dock labourers, but it must be admitted that the failure of the railway companies to afford adequate haulage facilities has also operated to a very serious extent in repressing the amount of business done. The prospects of the trade seem to be quite en- couraging. Stocks of coal are small in all districts, and the output of the collieries is likely to be fully required, especially as the home consumption for manufacturing purposes is very large. Costs of production have risen materially, in consequence ’of the increase of wages and the extra charges imposed by new legislation, and it is generally believed that coal must remain dearer than in the past. An effort is now being made by representatives of the coalmasters and miners to arrange a new sliding scale, under which it is hoped that serious disputes may be avoided, and the steady working of the collieries secured. LONDON. The year just closed has been one of the busiest and most eventful known on the London Coal Exchange. Its varying colours of light and shade, and its impor- tant contests between capital and labour, together with the remarkable prices current at certain periods of tbe year, make it one of the most remarkable years the Metropolitan coal trade has ever known. Statistics show a marked increase in the volume of trade, and on all sides the tonnages have increased to an epoch- making extent. The year dawned with ominous shadows of great labour troubles. Dock strikes at Liverpool, Manchester, and London partially paralysed the Metropolitan trade, but the great national coal strike during the whole month of March eclipsed them all. Other industries were affected, and thousands of men along the riverside and in the great factories around London were com- pulsorily idle. Next to the coal strike the most serious labour upheaval of the year was the strike of the London transport workers, which began in the middle May and lasted till the end of July. Seventy-five thousand men were affected, and the dispute was characterised by serious rioting and violence, especially when it became known that the funds were totally exhausted and all hope of success had vanished. The memory of the year, however, will be inseparably connected with the great boom in trade, and, as far as can be seen, the flood of prosperity is increasing. The iron trade in every direction has had a remarkable run, and all the factories are busy; the only branch which has not responded to the boom is the building trade. Something akin to consternation was felt on the London market when it became known that the Thames Iron Works was closing down, and the hearts of many of the East End merchants stood still for a time. The Port of London Authority have sanctioned an expen- diture of over £2,350,000 for extensions and improve- ments in the London Docks area during the year. The total scheme is estimated to cost £14,000,000. The inland house coal market may fairly assume that the year 1912 may be placed amongst the record years in connection with the London trade, for during the whole of the summer months the wheels have been constantly turning and the volume of trade done has been phenomenal. The railway strike undoubtedly gave a wonderful impetus to the public orders from the very beginning of the year, and the scarcity caused by the great coal strike led every householder to ensure a full supply of fuel, ready for any emergency. Prices, however, were fairly normal at the commencement of the year. Best Wallsend were quoted at 29s. per ton, best Silkstone at 28s., and Derby brights at 27s. 6d. On January 12 a rise of 3s. per ton took place and 3s. 6d. per ton on kitchen coal, but by the end of the month the market was distinctly drooping. As, however, the uncertainty of the great coal strike began to take serious form, the public prices were again advanced 2s. per ton on February 20. On February 28 all advertised public quotations were withdrawn. Coke advanced 3s. per ton on March 1 and a further advance in public prices of 2s. per ton took place on March 5, making best Wallsend 36s., best Silkstone 35s., and Derby brights 34s. 6d., and the few remaining trucks of coal at the colliery sidings were sold at 25s. to 30s. per ton at pit. On March 19 public prices again advanced 4s. per ton and a further 5s. per ton on March 25. Dealers’ prices were advanced to 40s. per ton and trolley prices to 2s. 4d. per cwt. On Wednesday, March 27, it was decided that all qualities of coal should be quoted at one all-round price of 40s. per ton, so that Wallsend, Silkstone, Derby brights, kitchen coal, cobbles, nuts and stove coal were all selling at 46s. per ton. This proved the record price, although in some cases of urgency even more than this was known to have been given, and it was reported that one large Yorkshire colliery had disposed of its heap of stock coal at 45s. per ton at pit. On Tuesday, April 2, some of the Warwickshire pits partially resumed work, and the public prices were reduced to best Wallsend 45s., best Silkstone 44s., Derby brights 43s. 6d., and stove coal 40s. A further reduction of 10s. per ton took place on Saturday, April 13, to be followed by a further 5s. per ton reduction on Thursday, April 18, and another Is. on Saturday, April 20, bringing the whole of the advertised prices down to the normal—best Wallsend 29s., best Silkstone 28s., and Derby brights 27s.; and the lowest summer- prices were reached on May 15 at 2s. per ton lower than the above — viz., 27s., 26s. and 25s. respectively. An agreement was entered into by the colliery owners that an advance of 2s. 6d. per ton should be claimed on all renewals of contracts from July 1 to cover the increased cost of the Minimum Wage, the Coal Mines, and the Insurance Acts, and, although strongly resisted at first, the London merchants were glad to renew at from 2s. to 2s. 6d. advance. Some have held aloof from contracting, preferring to risk the open market, but up to the present there has been very little, if any, advantage, in such a course. The steam coal market was perhaps the most seriously affected by the great coal strike than any other depart- ment, for on all sides works had come to a standstill for want of fuel. At the commencement of the year South Yorkshire hards were quoted at 10s. to 10s. 3d. and Nottingham hards from 9s. to 9s. 6d.; but towards the middle of January an advance of 3s. per ton was announced, and the serious anticipation of the sudden stoppage of supplies led shippers to buy up eagerly anything that was offering. By the end of February prices had advanced 7s. to 8s. above the January price, and during the strike fabulous prices were recorded for the small stock available. During May, however, the market became normal, and contracts in June were all renewed at an advance of 2s. per ton above last year. Closing prices stand at about 2s. 6d. above the January prices, and railway contracts are being renewed at 2s. 6d. advance. Manufacturing fuels were exceptionally quiet during July and August; but when the heavy winter demand sprang up, the prices for slacks, peas and double-screened nuts became very buoyant, and the demand at times amounted to almost panic prices. Electric lighting stations and power centres are so absolutely dependent upon smalls that the pressure has been exceedingly keen at times. Gas coal contracts have all been renewed for the 12 months from July 1 at advances ranging from 2s. to 2s. 6d. per ton. An unusual demand for railway wagons has sprung up during the year, and the shortage of rolling stock is still making itself very keenly felt. The seaborne market has never known such a long period when cargoes have been so rigorously withheld from open competition on the London Exchange. Month after month has passed and no cargoes are offering for sale. Vessels are constantly arriving, but all are appropriated for either contract supplies or in anticipation of previous purchases. The export trade has been unusually strong ever since the resumption of work after the great strike, and freights have ruled much higher than for many years past. The recent developments in the Doncaster coalfield have had an appreciable influence upon the shipments from the Humber ports, and although very little of it has found its way into the London district, yet in the near future it is confidently anticipated that this area will be one of the chief sources of supply to the metropolitan market. The first trainload of Kent coals was reported to have left Dover on May 1 last, consisting of 200 tons labelled for the South-Eastern Railway Company. Trade along the Thames side at all the various factories has undoubtedly received a fair share in the success and prosperity of the country generally, and had it not been for the great coal strike in March and April, which practically closed up all the works and industries along the river side, the year would have proved a record one. The close of August was marked by an abnormal rainfall, and the mean temperature was the lowest on record for 70 years. Rain fell on 26 days in London during August, and large tracts of country on the Great Eastern Railway line were devastated. The London coal traffic was very seriously affected, the effects of which were scarcely realised at the time. The heavy floods which followed not only submerged the line, but bridges were swept away, culverts were broken, and the permanent way seriously damaged. East Anglia for a time was isolated, and for many weeks afterwards the huge coal traffic for London stations was completely disorganised. Motor omnibuses were early pressed into service and rendered invaluable aid in the emergency, but for weeks afterwards the serious damage to public roads and to the permanent way required the strictest caution. The sunniest month of the whole year, strange to say, was the month of April, immediately after the great coal strike. October had a record number of fogs in London, and during the whole year only 28 frosty nights are recorded so far as the Metropolis is concerned. The dense fogs enveloping the Thames and the Medway estuary seriously impeded the water traffic. A singular feature of the closing months of the year has been the remarkable increase in the values of the small coal, especially slacks, peas, and double-screened nuts, the price at times almost approximating the price of ordinary large steam coal. This is undoubtedly traceable to the universal introduction of the mechanical stoker and automatic feeding appliances so freely in use at all large factories. Obituary. An unusual list of well-known and familiar faces, many of whom leave a large gap on the floor of the London Coal Exchange, are amongst those who have passed away during the year:—Mr. Herbert G. Burr, of Messrs. Lambert Bros.; Mr. Joseph Newman, secretary of the Coal Meters Committee; Mr. William Allott, of Messrs. Newton, Chambers and Co.; Mr. Geo. Lea, of Messrs. Lea and Co.; Mr. D. Chambers, manager at Denaby Colliery ; Mr. Edward Lowther, of Messrs. Lowther and Cameron; Mr. Clement Macrow, of the Thames Ironworks; Mr. Hylton W. Dale, of Messrs. Charrington, Sells, Dale and Co.; Mr. Mitchell Hill, mineral traffic manager for the London and North- Western Railway. Letters to the Editor. The Editor is not responsible either for the statements made, nr the opinions expressed by correspondents. All communications must be authenticated by the name and address of the sender, whether for publication or not. No notice can be taken of anonymous comm uni- cations . As replies to questions are only given by way of published answers to correspondents, and not by letter, stamped addressed envelopes are not required to be sent. COLLIERY MANAGERS* EXAMINATIONS. Sir,—With reference to the Home Secretary’s replies to questions on the above subject, reported on page 32 of your issue of January 3, I beg leave to trespass on your space to point out bow unsatisfactory were these replies. Mr. McKenna stated that the rule requiring candidates for first-class certificates to have prepared a plan and section of a mine was previously “ in force in some of the districts under the old system.” This is admitted, but it should be borne in mind that in only two of the eleven districts was this rule to be found. It may be said that there was some excuse for the rule under the old regime, inasmuch as a person who had qualified in the examination was not prevented from carrying out his own surveys, and making the necessary plans. The law relating to mine plans, however, has