January 21, 1913.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

199

COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES.

Anglo-General Contracts Company Limited. — This
private company has been registered, with a capital of .£100
in £1 shares, to carry on the business of miners of coals, &c.
Qualification of first directors, who are to be appointed, £5.

Cargo Fleet Iron Company Limited.—Interim dividends
of 3 per cent, on the preference and 5 per cent, on the
ordinary shares for the half-year.

Con sett Iron Company Limited.—The directors declare
an interim dividend of 20s. per share on the ordinary shares
and 4s. on the 8 percent.preference shares; also an interim
dividend of 3s. 6d. per share on the Consett Spanish Ore
Company shares.

Ehlinger (E. A.) and Co. Limited.—This private company
has been registered, with a capital of £15,000 in £1 shares,
to carry on the business of dealers in machinery, &c.

Electric Construction Company Limited.—The directors
have resolved to pay an interim dividend at the rate of
7 per cent, per annum on the preference shares for the
half-year ended November 30, 1912.

Farrar Boilermakers Limited.—This private company
has been registered, with a capital of £10,000 in £1 shares
(4,000 preference), to acquire the business formerly carried
on by Ann E. F. Farrar, W. Farrar and A. H. Farrar, and
recently carried on by J. R. Hirst (trustee under deed of
assignment), at Newark-on-Trent, as Alfred Farrar. First
directors, M. R. Waldo-Sib thorp, G. H. Shipley and L. W.
Smith. Registered office, Coultham-street, Lincoln.

Ginzler (W. H.) Limited.—This private company has
been registered, with a capital of £3,000 in £1 shares, to
carry on the business of steel, &c., manufacturers, stampers,
&c., at Port Talbot. First directors, W. H. Ginzler
(manager), C. Gibbons and P. David. Registered office,
York-place, Port Talbot, Glam.

Goodman (C.) and Co. Limited.—This private company
has been registered, with a capital of £2,000 in £1 shares,
to carry on the business of founders, mechanical and
electrical engineers, manufacturers of machinery, tool-
makers, metal workers, &c., and to adopt an agreement
with C. W. Bailey and A. Weir. First directors, C. W.
Bailey, A. Weir and W. Stewart.

Grand Canary Coaling Company Limited.—This private
company has been registered, with a capital of £50,000 in
£1 shares, to carry on the business of coal merchants,
colliery proprietors, manufacturers of and dealers in any
substance, material, or product for the purpose of creating
fpower, light, or heat, &c.

Gregory Locomotive Patent (Africa) Limited.—This
private company has been registered, with a capital of £120
in £1 shares, to carry on the business of engineers, manu-
facturers of machinery, metal workers, boilermakers, iron
and steel converters, &c.

Lancashire and Yorkshire Wagon Company Limited.—
The directors state that the trade during the past six
months has shown an improvement, and that the working
of the hiring department has been such that the result
justifies them in paying an interim dividend of 6s. per
share, free from income-tax.

Lofthouse Colliery Company Limited.—The report for
1912 states that the colliery has been fully employed since
the settlement of the national coal strike. A ventilating
shaft between the Silkstone and Beeston seams is being
proceeded with, a depth of 50 yards out of 90 having been
reached. The accounts show a profit of £10,569, which,
added to the balance brought forward of £17,435, makes a
total of £28,004. Of this sum, £2.332 was paid on August 1
as interim dividend, leaving £25,672 at the disposal of the
shareholders. The directors recommend a dividend of 6s.
per share, free of income-tax, leaving a balance to be carried
■ f or ward of £20,075.

Machine Tool and Engineering Association Limited.—
The annual report states that, after meeting all current
liabilities, the balance in hand amounted to £3,954. It is
proposed to invest £3,000 of this at once, the remainder
being left either on deposit or current account at the bank.
The directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend,
as they consider it necessary that the association should
have ample funds at command for future requirements. It
has been decided to transfer the offices of the association to
Queen Anne’s-chambers, Broadway, Westminster, S.W.

Medina Engineering Company Limited.—This private
company has been registered, with a capital of £10,500
(10,000 preference shares of £1 each and 10,000 ordinary
shares of Is. each), to carry on the business of manufac-
turers of and dealers in engines, &c. First directors:
M. L. Mackenzie and F. B. Goodchild. Registered office,
16, Wigmore-street, W.

Smith and Co. Limited.-----This private company has

been registered, with a capital of £2,000 in £1 shares,
to take over the business of engineers, colliery furnishers,
manufacturers of valves for steam brakes, &c., carried on by
a company with a similar title at Victoria-street and
Portwall-lane, Bristol, and certain of the assets and liabilities,
and to adopt an agreement with J. J. Parker. First
directors: R. A. Bartlett, H. C. Smith, P. Stanley, G. Wyatt,
, J. J. Parker (chairman), and W. Smith.

Smith (James) (Dukinfield) Limited.—This private com-
pany has been registered, with a capital of £2,000 in £1
shares, to take over the business of a coal merchant, &c.,
carried on by J. Smith, at Rail way-street, Dukinfield, C heshire.
First directors, J. Smith, G. Axon, and W. Whitehead,
sen. Registered office, Railway-street, Dukinfield.

Teneriffe Coaling Company Limited.—This private com-
pany has been registered, with a capital of .£50,000 in £1
shares, to carry on in Teneriffe, the Canary Islands, or
elsewhere outside the United Kingdom, the business of coal
merchants, colliery owners, &c.

Yereeniging Estates Limited.— In the report for the
year ended September 30 last, it is stated that the deben-
tures, to the amount of £350,000, mentioned in the last
report, have been issued and taken up at a discount of
5 per cent. The saleable output of coal produced was
313,724 tons, as compared with 300,351 tons for the year
preceding. The equipment of the Cornelia Colliery has
been thoroughly overhauled and augmented. The intro-
duction of coal-cutters into the mine is being extended, and
their use is proving a most efficient adjunct for increasing
the output and reducing the cost of production. The profit
. on coal-winning is much less than for the previous year.

This is due principally to the cost of overhauling and other
non-recurring work, being paid for out of revenue, and to
the decreased selling price of coal disposed of by the
Transvaal Coalowners' Association. A new colliery on the
north bank of the Vaal River was started during the year.
The coal encountered is of a satisfactory quality. The
general manager was able to decide upon the site of the
downcast shaft, the sinking of which is being pressed on.
A large quantity of coal is available on the north bank of
the Vaal River, but eventually it is intended to drive under
the bed of the river, with the object of hauling coal from
the Orange River Colony side. The company has become a
member of the New Transvaal Coalowners' Association,
which commences operations on July 1 next. The power
station started work during the year, and is gradually
increasing its supplies of electric current to the Witwaters-
rand. The coal supplied to it how totals about 500 tons per
diem. During the year the agreement between the Govern-
ment and the Union Steel Corporation (of S.A.) Limited
was ratified. The coal used by this concern will further
increase the company's output. The profit and loss account
shows that during the year the estates department made a
profit of £9,788, as against £6,004 last year.

Wagon Finance Corporation Limited.—The report for
1912 states that the result of the operations, after providing
for interest on debentures and loans and brokerage, and
including the balance brought forward, shows a profit of
£11,414, which the directors recommend should be appro-
priated as follows:—In an interim dividend paid June 30,
1912, £5,000, a further dividend of 5 per cent., making a
total dividend of 10 per cent, for the year, free of income-
tax, £5,000, to reserve fund (making it £8,000) £1,000,
balance to be carried to next account £414.

West Beechburn Coal and Whinstone Company Limited.
—Tnis private company has been registered, with a capital
of £1,000 in £1 shares, to carry on the business of colliery
owners at Howden-le-Wear, Durham, and elsewhere, and to
adopt an agreement with C. Wilkinson.

Wolf (S ) and Co. Limited.—This private company has
been registered, with a capital of £26,000 (10,000 preference
shares of £1 each, 15,000 ordinary shares of £1 each, and
20,000 B shares of Is. each), to take over the business
carried on at 115, Southwark-street, S.E., as S. Wolf and
Co., and to carry on the business of ironfounders, engineers,
metal workers, smiths, boilermakers, &c., and to adopt an
agreement with S. Wolf and C. Krailscheimer. First
governing directors : S. Wolf and C. Krailscheimer.
Qualification, 2,500 ordinary shares. Registered office, 115,
Southwark-street, S.E.

Wright (A. G.) and Co. Limited.—This private company
has been registered, with a capital of £400 in £1 shares,
to take over the business of a metal worker and engineer
carried on by A. G. Wright at Melbourne Works, Leyton.
First directors, S. Barcham, S. T. Whaley, A. G. Wright and
E. G. Turner. Joint managing directors, A. G. Wright and
E. G. Turner. Registered office, Melbourne Works,
Melbourne-road, Lea Bridge-road, Leyton.

Yorkshire Main Colliery Limited.—This company has
been registered, with 100 members, each liable for £5 in the
event of winding up. In such event the Staveley Coal and
Iron Company Limited will add such sum to the contribu-
tions of all other members as will make the total sum
guaranteed amount in the aggregate to £50,000, to enter
into an agreement with the said company for the working,
managing and carrying on by this company of the Yorkshire
Main Colliery and certain beds or seams of coal (incldding
the Barnsley seam) under lands at or near Edlington,
Warmsworth, Balby, Wadworth, Loversail, Conisborough,
Doncaster and elsewhere in Yorkshire. First directors, J. B.
Barrow, W. H. S. Craven, C. Markham, Sir Chas. J. Stoddart,
H. Westlake and R. Whitehead.

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR GOAL AND COKE.

For Contracts Advertised in this issue received too late for
inclusion in this column, see Lsadbr and Last White
pages.

Abstracts of Contracts Open.

Barnsley.—For seconds house coal for the Lady Harriet
Wentworth and Barnsley Charity, 21, Pontefract-road.

Chatham, January 28.—For 150 tons of Welsh steam
coals (free from dust), delivered at the Workhouse, Chatham,
for the Medway Guardians.

Devonport, February 1.—For 1,000 tons of Welsh
washed bean or pea coal, for the Corporation.

Glin ( Ireland ), January 27. — For supplying the
District School with 50 tons of best 4 ft. Wigan, White-
haven or Orrell coals, screened and free from slack, for the
Board of Management.

Leeds, January 27.—For about 3,250 tons steam coal
(best screened nuts), delivered at the Knostrop Sewage
Works; about 10 tons coal (hand-picked seconds),delivered
at the Sewerage Depot, Black Bull-street; about 10 tons
hand-picked seconds coal, delivered at Newlay Station
(Midland Railway), for Rodley Sewage Works, for the
Corporation.

London, February 5.—For best steam coal and best gas
coke, for the Middlesex County Council.

Nenagh (Ireland), January 30.—For 50 tons of best
double-screened Scotch coal, for the Guardians.

The date given is the latest upon which tenders can be received.

mmtACTS OPEK FOR EMQIHEERIHC, IROB

ARD STEEL WORK. Ac.

Blackburn, February 5.—Gas Engine and Pump.—For
a gas engine and pump for the waterworks, for the Withnell
Urban District Council.

Clacton-on-Sea, February 5.—Steel Roof.—For a steel
roof, cast iron purifiers, and other work, at the Gasworks,
Old-road, Clacton-on-Sea, for the Urban District Council.

Dublin, February 17.—Tank Engines.—For five tank
engines, for the directors of the Great Northern Railway
Company (Ireland).

Edinburgh, January 27. — Cleaning Plant. — For a
complete vacuum cleaning installation, the plant to consist
of a stationary motor-driven rotary suction pump, for the
Corporation.

G lasgow. — Sinking. — For sinking at Manor - Powis
Colliery. Specification can be seen on application at the
registered office, 74, Bath-street, Glasgow.

Hendon, February 3.—Fire Engine.—For a petrol motor
(combination) fire engine, including pump and two-wheeled
(50 ft.) fire escape, first-aid engine, kemics, hose, and
accessories, to the Central Fire Station, Hendon, N.W., for
the Urban District Council.

Hoylake, January 31.—Switchgear.—For high-tension
single-phase switch gear, consisting of eight complete panels,
one 50-k.v.a. single-phase transformer, for the Hoylake and
West Kirby Urban District Council.

Hull, January 29.—Lancashire Boilers.—For two Lanca-
shire boilers, 30 ft. by 8 ft. 6 in., for the West District
Sewage Pumping Station, for the Corporation.

London, February 6.—Engines and Tenders.—For eight-
wheel coupled goods engines and tenders, 5 ft. 6in. gauge;
eight-wheel coupled goods engines and tenders, 2 ft. 6 in.
gauge, for the directors of the Bengal-Nagpur Railway
Company Limited.

London, February 11.—Steel Bars, tyc.—For 584 tons of
special section mild steel bars, for magnetic brake shoes,
for the London County Council.

Shanghai (China), January 30.—Cable.—For high and
low tension underground cable, for the Municipal Council.
Forms, &c., obtainable from Messrs. Preece, Cardew and
Snell, 8, Queen Anne's-gate, Westminster, S.W.,on payment
of a deposit of £1 (returnable).

A Tasmanian Mine Fire.—On October 12,1912, a fire in
the North Mount Lyell Mine, Tasmania, caused the death
of 42 of 102 men in the mine. The fire originated in the
pump house on the 700 ft. level, close to and on the east side
of the main shaft, where it is believed there was a break in
the electric motor that drives the pump, and which caused
the insulation to fire and ignite the timbers. The fire was
discovered at 10.45 a.m., but no special heed seems to have
been given to it till 12.10 p.m., when the men rushed to the
shaft, which was the only exit. The one other exit provided
was an engine winze that several days previous had become
blocked by a cave in, and which at the time of the fire had not
been opened. The fire was not expected to spread, as with
few exceptions the mine was wet, but in the incomplete
combustion of the timber carbon monoxide was generated,
and the men, not realising this danger, lost their lives. In
a metal mine such as the North Mount Lyell no special
system of ventilation is provided, natural ventilation being
depended upon. What direction the smoke took is not clear
but it rapidly filled all the workings both above and below
the 700 ft. level, while at the same time smoke poured forth
from the mouth of the shaft. The heat from the fire soon
made the main shaft an upcast through which a steady
volume of smoke poured to the surface, but there were
eddies which kept constantly changing. At one place the
smoke is said to have changed its direction of movement
about every two hours. The Marine Board, of Devonport,
supplied a diving outfit which arrived by special train, and
as there were several expert divers among the company
employees, it was of great service for penetrating the gases
in the inspection of the landings at the 500 and 700 feet
levels. The climax came by the shaft becoming damaged
by heat, steam or some other cause at about 500 ft. down, so
the cage could no longer pass this point. Meantime work
on the engine winze had progressed until a rough passage
had been forced to the 700 ft. level. There were 60 ft. of
chain ladders passing through a mass of timber debris to the
600 ft. level, and then 100 ft. of vertical ladders to the 700 ft.
level. There was a flow of water down the winze, and this
was caught by a penthouse or shaft sinker's roof and poured
down over the ladders to ensure a draught, but it made ladder
climbing difficult for the men weakened by gas. Explorers
proceeded to the 700 ft. level and along toward the main
shaft, but the fumes compelled them to retreat, and the
task of getting the weakened men up the ladders was very
great. Communication was established with the 50 men at
the 1,000 ft. level, and strenuous efforts were made to repair
the shaft. This was given up, as the movement of the cage
affected the ventilation of the mine elsewhere. Chickens were
lowered to the 1,000 ft. level for 5 minutes, and on hauling
them up they were found on their sides. Two men were
quickly sent down with Draeger helmets to explore the
850 ft. level and break through to the 1,000 ft. level if
possible. At the 850 ft. level the explorers could not
proceed far, but conversed with those on the 1,000 ft. level.
The exploring party then returned to the surface, and
other men went down to fix a canvas brattice at the 700 ft,
and 850 ft. levels in order to turn all the fresh air down to
the 1,000 ft. level, and finally the imprisoned men reached
the bottom of the engine winze and were drawn to the
surface. As soon as the 1,000 ft. level was clear of men, two
men with Draeger helmets were sent down with others to
the 850 ft. level, and reported 10 men dead in the stope.
The firemen were now able to reach the original source of
the fire, and found it almost burned out at the pump house,
but further examination showed the flames had extended to
a rise farther in. The men on the 1,000 ft. level owed their
lives to one man who had a knowledge of the flow of liquids.
The men directed the compressed air directly at the
approaching smoke, which advanced steadily. Men com-
menced to fall, when one of their leaders requested them to
come close to the wall of the stope and face it while he
directed the air against the wall. This gave a current of
good air that followed the wall, and resulted in saving the
lives of 50 men.