January 31, 1913, __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 240 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. ment engraved upon it with hydrofluoric acid— viz., a circle of 15 mm. diameter containing the two words : Baccarat, France (separated by a comma), a wine-glass, and a goblet. The tempering test (essais par trempe dans I’eau) was applied as in the case of the J6na glass, but the glasses were plunged into water at about 15 degs. Cent instead of from 12 to 15 degs. Cent. With 10 glasses tested, not one was cracked. The heating test (essais par chauffage brusque) was performed in accordance with the second (b) method described above. With 20 glasses tested, not one was cracked during an exposure to the flame of 5 minutes. Each glass was placed, after being tested, on a wooden board, and not one was broken, either during the process of cooling or after many weeks. The results of a great number of experiments with the Baccarat glasses, in series of at least 10 glasses taken from the same batch (coulee), proved that by employing the Berzelius burner a remarkably accurate classification of the glasses could be made by counting the number of seconds which elapsed between the lighting of the lamp and the rupture of the glass. In a report presented to the Commission by M. G, Chesneau, dated November 26,1908,*upon the Experiments with Glasses for Mine Lamps, the work done by the Commission was passed in review. Referring to the system adopted in Bel- gium of allowing only glasses bearing an approved mark to be used with safety lamps, M. Chesneau -considered that it was not opportune to take this course in France. He believed that the mark sometimes gave a false security on account of possible variations in the different deliveries, as had been actually noted in the case of Jena glasses placed upon the market. He thought a better plan would be for the mine workers to test each delivery, as was the custom in other cases of supply. Considering the delicacy of the heating test as already shown, and the identity of the results obtained in the labora- tory of the Commission, and at Baccarat, by •employing Berzelius burners of the same diameter, supplied with lighting gas at the same pressure and with the same delivery, it appeared possible to introduce this test into general practice. This could be achieved by inserting a clause into the contracts for the purchase of lamp glasses. M. Chesneau suggested the following system for adoption:—A certain proportion of glasses 4;o be taken from each lot and tested. These should give only a fixed percentage of ruptures in a trial of fixed duration. With glasses having a high resistance, such as the Baccarat glasses submitted to the Commission, the maximum should be 10 per cent, fractured in a trial lasting five minutes. The glass, after being kept in a dry place for at least 24 hours, to be placed cold above and exactly in the axis of a Berzelius annular burner (the ordinary model with three tubes), 45 mm. outer diameter, the annular outlet for the mixture of gas and air being 40 mm. mean diameter and 2 mm. wide. Access of air is given by three circular orifices, 14 mm. diameter, open to the full during the experiment. The glass rests—an asbestos ring being inter- posed—upon another cylinder of glass or metal, 50 mm. internal diameter, which again rests upon the support of the lamp. The position of the latter cylinder is so arranged that the base of the glass to be tested is 8 mm. above the mouth of the burner. On the glass to be tested another glass or metal cylinder is placed, of the same internal diameter and of * Annales des Mines (France), tome xv., lre liv. de 1909. the same height, with an asbestos ring inter- vening. The column formed by the three cylinders gives an energetic draught and a steady flame completely filling the glass under test. The lighting gas is supplied to the burner under a pressure of 50 mm. water-gauge, measured by a manometer attached to a small reservoir containing at the least 1 litre, com- municating with the burner by means of an indiarubber tube, 30 cm. long at the most. The delivery of the gas at this pressure to be adjusted by means of two taps, one above and the other below the reservoir, so that the height of the visible flame of the burner (coloured by means of a glass rod coated with sea salt) rises to between 25 and 30 centimetres above the uppermost cylinder. The apparatus having been adjusted so as to give the desired delivery under the indicated pres- sure and the cylinders being placed in position, the gas is turned on and lighted, the instant of lighting being noted by means of a seconds- counter. The period which elapses before the glass under test is fractured is noted, and in all cases the heating is arrested after 5 minutes from the commencement. If the glass is not broken, a prolonged heating would not alter the condition of the glass, the interior of which would be red-hot to begin with. M. Chesneau, in concluding his report, pointed out that this method of test “ au Berzelius” is almost rudimentary in its sim- plicity, whilst being very accurate, and proposed that it should be recommended to the workers of mines by means of a Ministerial circular, and that a notice should be issued by the Commis- sion to that effect. The Commission adopted M. Chesneau’s recommendation in its entirety, and a notice was accordingly issued under date January 21,1909. On the next occasion it is purposed to deal with the present position of the lamp-glass question in the United Kingdom. _________________________ Trade Summary. The London coal trade during the week has been very slow, and prices have in the majority of cases somewhat reduced; the slight improvement noticed during the earlier part of the week, when colder weather was experienced in the Midlands and local labour troubles were reported, soon evaporated with the return to milder conditions. The fog has also seriously interfered with the river traffic, although the gas companies and electric lighting companies are busy. The general public orders are very small, and merchants have had considerable diffioulty in keeping stocks down. Slacks and small nuts continue in good demand. Steam coals are fairly firm, but all household qualities are weak. Prices at Newcastle have declined materially, second-hand sellers having “ beared ” the market. There is still much congestion at the loading points. The Durham coal trade is quiet, but steady. Buyers, however, are becoming shy of the increased prices asked. The demand for Lancashire house coal is only moderate in character. Other sorts continue in good request, although bunkering requirements are on a somewhat lessened scale. Business in West Yorkshire has been brisk, especially as regards steam and manufacturing coals. The wagon supply is rather better. In South Yorkshire the ruling feature is the strong demand for steam coal on export account. Small hard coals for general manufacturing purposes likewise remain in consistent request. House coals are somewhat stronger, and the coke position shows no signs of weakening. Derbyshire house coal is in slightly better demand, and prices are firm. The call for manufacturing sorts continues very active. The market at Cardiff is healthy and promising. The small coal market continues strong. Monmouthshire coals , show some variability. Bituminous coals are slightly less. Patent fuel shipments have been heavy. Coke is rather easier. The Scottish coal trade shows little change, and prices continue firm. _______________________________ The Glasgow Chamber of Commerce have discussed the question of standard form of contracts forcoal shipments to ports in Italy. The Scottish Coal Exporters’ Association has the matter in hand; and it is understood that there will not be much difficulty in bringing about such terms as will be acceptable to both the Italian people and themselves after negotiation. COHTIHEHTAL HIRING ROTES. ' France. It is estimated that the production of coal in France last year was some two million tons in advance of that for 1912. The price of blastfurnace coke has been fixed at 26 19 fr. for the first quarter of 1913, as against 24*31 fr. in the preceding quarter. The provisional figures for the Nord and Pas-de-Calais show a total output of coal of 29,853,000 tons, or 1,744,500 tons more than in 1912. The principal increases have taken place at the pits owned by the Lens, Courriferes, Maries, Aniche, Dourges, Brouay. Bethune, and Noeux companies. There are now three companies producing over three million tons, viz.:—Anzin (3,411,000 tons), Lens (3,908,000 tons), and Courriferes (3,096,000 tons). Germany. Ruhr Coal Market.—The situation maintains its favour- able aspect, and now that the scarcity of railway wagons is practically over, traffic is resuming its normal dimensions, so that customers are obtaining their supplies with greater regularity. So far from diminishing, the demand has even increased, and the prospects for the immediate future are good. At the same time the production is being increased, the Syndicate taking over 5 per cent, in excess of the participation for the current month. Business in the South German market is developing satisfactorily. Although supplies are going forward in greater quantity the local stocks are small, and certain kinds of fuel are very scarce. The cold weather has brought house coal into better request. In North Germany business is very active, the falling off in the supplies of English coal having improved the demand for Ruhr coal and strengthened prices. Exports also main- tain a high level, Holland and Belgium being steady buyers of large quantities, and even able to take more than can be supplied in the present state of the demands of the home market. In the latter, the iron industry is still the chief consumer, and other industrial fuels, especially coking coals, are much sought after. House coal, after comparative neglect, is again coming to the fore; and the deliveries of gas coal are also on a very satisfactory scale. The coke market is as busy as heretofore, other kinds in addition to blast-furnace and foundry coke meeting a ready sale. Coal Market in Upper Silesia.—Up to the present there has been no interruption to the active state of business, and the demand frotn all sides is so large that it cannot be fully satisfied, and deliveries are falling in arrear. Industrial coals are in the greatest request, most of the ironworks having only very small stocks, and some of them being consequently in great difficulty. Even the pits have but comparatively small stocks. Business has become more brisk in house coal since the colder weather set in. Gas coals are receiving considerable attention, and coking coals cannot be raised in sufficient quantity to meet the demand. The needs of the export trade are extensive, but have to be neglected in favour of those of the home market. This applies especially to Russia, and even the consignments to Austria are far smaller than they ought to be. The state of the coke market is highly satisfactory, the whole output of blastfurnace and foundry coke being taken up at once. Hamburg Coal Trade.—Mr. H. W. Heidmann, of Hamburg, says the imports of coals into December:— From Northumberland and Durham... Yorkshire, Derbyshire, &c..... Scotland ................... Wales^ ..................... Coke................... _______ ________ Total............... Hamburg have been in 1912. 1911. Tons. Tons. 230,621 ... 178,821 57,231 ... 37,950 111,734 ... 105,648 7,215 7,423 — 456 406,801 ... 330,298 The total imports of coals during the year:— into Hamburg have been From 1912. Tons. 1911. Tons. Northumberland and Durham ...2,645,034 ... 2,351,998 Yorkshire, Derbyshire, &c. ... .... 609,536 ... 544,205 Scotland .... 1,308,676 ... 1,214,578 Wales ... 73.720 ... 63,002 Coke 1,559 ... 4,533 Total..... ... 4,638,525 ... 4,178,316 ________________________ THE TIH-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. There is no improvement to report on the week. Trans- actions are mainly of the hand-to-mouth description, and are being put through at very low figures. Works, however, will not sell ahead, unless at their own figures, which are much higher than those being accepted for prompt specification. For shipment over the first half of the year, following are about the general run of manufacturers’ quotations:—Coke tins : IC 14 x 20 (112 sh. 108 lb.), 15s. to 15a. Ifcd.per box ; IC 28 x 20 (112 sh. 2161b.), 30s. to 30s. 6d. per box; I C 28 x 20 (56 sh. 1081b.), 15s. 4fcd. to 15s. 6d. per box; IC 14 x 18$ (124 sh. 1101b.), 15s. 4|d. to 15s. 6d. per box; I C 14 x 19| (120 sh. 1101b.), 15s. 4|d. to 15s. 6d. per box; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 22s. 3d. to 22s. 6d. per box; IC squares and odd sizes, 15s. 6d. basis. Charcoal tins are quoted 17s. 6d. basis and upwards according to tinning, and terne plates in usual bright finish, 25s. 6d. to 25s. 9d. per box of I C 28 x 20, 112 sheets. Coke wasters are in moderate demand, and current rates may be called C W 14 x 20, 14s. per box; C W 28 x 20, 27s. 6d. per box; C W 14 x 18$, 13s. 9d. per box; C W 14 x 19$, 14s. per box; C W 20 x 10, 19s. 9d. per box—all f.o.b. Wades, less 4 per cent.