July 3, 1914.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

33

Notes from the Coalfields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Important Colliery Purchase : United National Company
Acquire Ynyshir—Marine Engineers' Strike Causes
Colliery Stoppage—Capital for New Neath Dock Scheme
—Pithead Baths Movement Extending—Tredegar Com-
pany's Enterprises.

The United National Collieries Company have purchased
the Standard Collieries, Ynyshir, thus bringing about one
of the most important combinations effected in the district
during recent years. The chief proprietors of the United
National are Messrs. Watts, and Sir W. J. Thomas is
sole proprietor of the Standard. The former undertaking
has a capital of £663,560, nearly £500,000 of this being in
ordinary shares, upon which dividends ranging from 10 to
30 per cent, have been paid during the past six years; and
the £1 shares are now quoted at 52s. 3d. The company has
a controlling interest in Burnyeat, Brown and Company, and
as against the nominal capital of £663,560, the balance-sheet
of the United National as on December 31, 1913, showed
assets £833,288. Bonus shares issued in 1913, made the
nominal 17| per cent, dividend really equal to 24| per cent.
Their output is a million tons per annum. Mr. F. S. Watts
is chairman of the directorate, which also includes Mr.
Edgar Watts, Mr. S. K. George, Col. A. K. Wyllie, Mr.
C. B. Sanders-Clark, Mr. J. Miles, and Mr. S. H. Burgess;
and the same gentlemen, with the exception that Mr. J. A.
Jones substitutes Mr. Burgess, form the directorate of Burn-
yeat Brown, which undertaking has an output of 1,250,000
tons, capital in shares and debentures totalling £360,000,
assets £642,762, and has paid dividends ranging from 30 to
5 per cent, during the past six years. Present price quoted
for Burnyeat Brown £1 shares is £3 12s. 6d.

The United National have collieries which in all employ
nearly 5,000 men in the Sirhowy Valley, also at Bisca, and
in the Bhondda (Wattstown). At the latter place, their
taking adjoins that of Sir W. J. Thomas. The Standard
Collieries being privately owned, no particulars as to capital
and earnings can be stated beyond the fact that the output
exceeds 400,000 tons per annum, and that about 1,500 men
are employed. They were opened out by the grandfather of
the late owner, who himself has a practical knowledge of
mining, resides among his workpeople, and is distinguished
for his philanthropy, in recognition of which the honour of
knighthood was recently conferred upon him. It is under-
stood that by their purchase of the Standard property the
United National Company will be able to work more econo-
mically, and also save the expense of sinking to the lower
seams. The combination will have a wage roll of 6,500 men
and an output of close upon 2| millions of tons per annum.

Sir W. J. Thomas does not sever his connection with
mining, for he is a partner in the new Bedwas Collieries,
near Caerphilly, with Mr. Joseph Shaw and Mr. E. M.
Hann (of the Powell-Duffryn); and Sir W. Thomas is a
landowner at Bedwas, where the new colliery village is
named Trethomas. He is also a director of the Barry Bail-
way Company, which was formed by colliery proprietors and
merchants specially to afford greater dock and railway facili-
ties for the coal trade.

It is understood that the purchase price of the Ynyshir
property is less than £200,000. Beside 500 acres of mineral
taking, there is a freehold farm of 80 acres, also 800 wagons
(nearly all 12-ton). Most of the Ynyshir staff will be taken
over; but Mr. J. Thomas, agent and manager, is said to be
wishful to retire.

The Cwmcapel Colliery, Burry Port, was put up to auction
in Swansea on Tuesday, and biddings from £5,000 to £9,000
were made. At the latter figure the property was with-
drawn.

The strike of marine engineers, coupled with that of the
fitters in ship repairing yards, has so far prevented coal
shipments that thousands of colliers have been idle through
lack of trucks. On Monday and Tuesday—reckoning colliers
who themselves were on strike and those who could not work
because there were no empty wagons—about 17,000 were
stopped; and the conditions of uncertainty have had the
gravest effect on the coal market. On Wednesday, however,
work had been resumed at some of the pits, and less diffi-
1 culty is anticipated henceforward. Among those districts
which were affected earlier by one or other of the causes
mentioned was Abercynon (Guest-Keen), 2,500 men; Tre-
hafod and Ynyshir, 5,000; Senghenydd, 1,200; and Garw
(strike against non-unionists), 5,000. According to ship
owners’ estimate, only 30 vessels have here come on their
indemnity list; but the evil influence upon the trade goes
much farther than the actual number reported to them as
stopped by the strike of engineers. Negotiations are pro-
ceeding for settlement; and a contributory influence is that
the end of the strike in Italian ports will release about 150
vessels now detained there.

With regard to the scheme for dockising the Biver Neath,
described last week, it is declared that there will be no diffi-
culty in raising the necessary capital, estimated at a million
sterling. From local landowners and colliery proprietors,
who would benefit by creation of this new coal port, there
is expected such financial support as would justify the har-
bour commissioners in proceeding. The scheme outlined
would provide a mile and a-half of deepened river,
approached by a lock 1,000 ft. long and 100 ft. wide, so that
the largest vessels would have ready access to 18,000 acres
of floating harbour; the most modern coal shipping appliance
to be erected upon wharves on the eastern bank, as
required. Coal owners in the Neath Valley and Dulais
Valley have accorded support to the project; and it is
expected that initial shipments of 1| millions of tons per
annum are ensured. At their next meeting the Neath Har-
bour Commissioners will have before them the report of the
engineers who have made investigation.

Upon the pithead baths question a deputation of miners’
wives has waited upon the federation executive, seeking aid
in the women’s campaign which has been organised, and
with them came Mr. H. Davies, director of mining instruc-
tion for Glamorgan, who has for many years been the chief
promoter of the movement. The deputation consisted
mainly of wives of the members of the federation council
itself. Mrs. Watts Morgan explained their request, stating
that they were trying to bring into operation section 77 of
the Act of 1911, which dealt with the question of providing
pithead bath accommodation, with facilities for drying the

men’s clothes at the mine. The federation, she said, had
brought about many reforms in conditions of employment
and wages, but as yet the women folk had not received any
great social amelioration from the heavy burdens of their
usual work in the cottages. Colliery owners could now be
called upon to bear a part of the cost of installing miners’
baths; and wherever the system had been given a sympa-
thetic reception, it was a great success. The miners’ wives
had come to the conclusion that it was their imperative duty
to enforce upon the coalfield the great necessity for adopt-
ing the system in South Wales; and if their work of propa-
ganda was to succeed, they must have full power in the
shape of finance, so that meetings might be held in every
town and village. Mr. David Davies, M.P., had materially
assisted the movement; but it was felt that members of the
federation must all be brought into close touch with it; must
finance what was being done. She appealed for a generous
donation. No. 1 district, she said, had undertaken to meet
the expenses of a series of meetings in its own area. Mrs.
Hartshorn endorsed what Mr. Watts Morgan had said; and
the council, having complimented the deputation on the
excellent way in which they had presented the case, passed a
resolution recommending the conference summoned for July
13 to vote a sum of £50 in aid of the movement.

Mr. William Bees, of Maesteg, has been appointed to a
South Wales vacancy as mines and quarry inspector.

The speech of Lord Aberconway at the meeting of share-
holders in Tredegar Company possesses an interest far
beyond the immediate circle to which it was addressed, for
he touched on several topics of general concern. Upon the
average of wages earned by their employees, he said that
this amounted to 36s. per week. They did not complain
about the high level of wages, he said, but that these were
not accompanied by steady work on the part of the men, who
absented themselves one or two days per week. The number
of shifts lost during 1913 was 12,506, and in 1914 the number
lost was 13,718; so that 10 per cent, in the former year and
13} per cent, in the latter were absent. A colliery must be
worked continuously if it were to be worked economically;
and it was not the fault of the managers if the cost of work-
ing had risen. The Tredegar Company holds the shares of
the Oakdale undertaking, and has made loans; and it has
also the entire interest in the Markham Company—both
these concerns adjoining the Tredegar property. Lord
Aberconway referred to the two other undertakings, and said
that Oakdale now had an output of 2,500 tons per day, and
Markham 900 tons. They had ordered special plant for all
the collieries for producing stone dust, which they would use
in the return airways, and so minimise the risk of explosion;
and in Markham they had electric lamps, and were con-
sidering their use in the other collieries. Housing of their
men received special consideration. They were building two
model villages—400 to 500 houses at Oakdale, and 500 at
Markham. The total of the outputs is nearly 2,300,000 tons
per annum.

By a fire, which burnt a shed at Bryncoch No. 1 pit, the
wire rope attached to the cage was destroyed, and the cage
fell to the pit bottom. Fortunately, no one was hurt; but
an alarming rumour spread, and persons hurried to the pit-
head. The manager ordered all the men out, and they were
safely brought to bank. The colliery is owned by the Main
Company.

The Haines Colliery has been closed, involving the idle-
ness of 400 men; but it is expected that the seams in the
Haines will be worked from the adjoining level.

Northumberland and Durham.

New Sinkings at Craghead—New Rescue Station at New-
biggin Opened—Claim for Wrongful Dismissal.

A group of collieries in north-west Durham, comprising
South Garesfield, Lintz, Bowlands Gill, Hobson, Dipton
Delight, South Medomsley, East Pontop, and White-le-
Head, has followed the example of the Ashington group, and
appointed a workmen’s inspector of mines. Mr. William
Cummings, a native of Gateshead, but for the last four
years residing at Burnopfield, has been appointed to the post
and will take up his duties in a week’s time. Arrange-
ments have been made whereby other colliery lodges may
subscribe to the fund and have the services of Mr.
Cummings.

Last week, the Westholme Colliery, near Winston, was
offered for sale at Darlington. Though the sale attracted
a good attendance, no bid was offered and the property was
withdrawn. It was stated that the colliery had direct access
to the North-Eastern Bailway and was equipped with plant
capable of dealing with an output of 1,000 tons per day.
Other properties including the Newsham drift were also
to be sold with the colliery. The colliery covers 1,700 acres,
and it is estimated that there are still 8,000,000 tons of coal
to be worked. All the plant, machinery, etc., has been put
down within the last three years and cost £86,000. The
auctioneer mentioned £50,000 as a start, but those present
were unresponsive.

For some time past boring operations have been going on
at Moorsley Old Pit, and it is stated that the coal seams
have almost reached the point of exhaustion, but it is
confidently expected to reach a lower seam as the result
of the boring operations.

A somewhat serious accident occurred at the A pit of the
Brandon Colliery last week. A set, containing about 80 men,
w’as going in-bye when it came into contact with some
obstruction with the result that about 40 of the men received
blows on the face and neck. On examination it was found
that the obstruction was a piece of inch iron pipe which
had become dislodged from its place. Fortunately, the
set was not going at its usual speed or the consequences
would have been very serious.

It is rumoured that Messrs. Hedley Brothers, propose
sinking two more pits at Craghead and that the work will
be put in hand in a short time. The growth of the Craghead
pits and the adjacent group of South Moor Collieries has
been remarkable and many remember when only a handful
of miners were employed in that now populous district.
Messrs. John Bowes and Partners have recently installed
new winding engines at their Hobson and Marley Hill
collieries.

The respect and esteem in which Mr. W. H. Welch,
late undermanager at Bewicke Main Colliery is held, was
seen at the gathering recently held at Birtley. Mr. Welch
leaves to take up the duties of manager at the Sunnybrow
Colliery, owned by Messrs. Strakers and Love. The pre-
sentation took the form of a handsome mahogany chiming
clock, three framed steel engravings and a special gift to
Mrs. Welch of a case of silver salts.

A new engine house is being erected at the old Dunwell
pit, near East Bainton. At present, the old shaft is being
used as an air upcast shaft for the Hazard pit. An electic
winder will be installed in the engine house and the shaft
will be used as an emergency drawing shaft.

A set of trucks was being drawn up the incline from
Stanley Colliery, near Crook, last week, when the rope broke.
The trucks had almost reached the top of the incline and
they dashed down at a terrific speed. The result was that
four trucks were smashed to splinters. Fortunately, no
one was injured by the mishap.

On Saturday last, a new rescue, ambulance and fire
station, which has been built and equipped by the Newbiggin
Colliery Company, was formally opened and advantage was
taken of the gathering to make the presentation of certifi-
cates, medals, etc., the prizes of the Newbiggin Colliery
Ambulance Classes. Mr. B. Kellett, undermanager, pre-
sided, and the presentations were made by Mrs. Kellett.

A somewhat unusual case was heard by Morpeth magis-
trates on Wednesday last, when Fred Parkins, secretary of
the East Chevington Lodge of the Northumberland Miners’
Association, claimed £4 13s. 8d. from the owners of the
Bullocks Hall Colliery for wrongful dismissal. The com-
pany counter-claimed an equal amount for breach of contract,
but Mr. Forster, solicitor for the company, amended,
with the permission of the magistrates, the counter-claim
to 5s. per day for two days. Mr. Shaw, for the plaintiff,
said the claim was for wages in lieu of 14 days’ notice. He
had been employed as a hewer at the colliery and on
March 31, was dismissed. On that day, he had occasion to
see the manager on lodge business and the manager then
said that, owing to plaintiff’s having been drinking and
having lost work through drink, he would not be started
any more. There had been no previous complaint about
plaintiff’s drinking and Mr. Shaw said he hoped to prove
that plaintiff had lost no work, excepting on March 30 and
31, for a year previously. On March 30, he went to
Gosforth, Newcastle, to visit a sick sister and had to absent
himself from work for that reason. Next morning he went
to the manager to arrange for a conference with the manager
and officials from the head office of the Northumberland
Miners’ Association. The manager said he had seen the
deputation and asked plaintiff where he had been on the
previous day. On being told the plaintiff had been on
business, the manager said that was not sufficient excuse
and that he wanted a doctor’s certificate. The manager then
alleged that plaintiff had been drunk and had kept some
valuable news from him. There had been a meeting of the
men to arrange prices a few days previously and it was in
connection with that meeting that the manager made his
complaint. Next day the manager told plaintiff he was to
be done at the colliery and refused to give him the usual
14 days’ notice. Plaintiff denied that he had ever been sum-
moned for or convicted of drunkenness. Beplying to Mr.
Forster, plaintiff held he was justified in lying idle if he had
reasonable excuse. He had never before been absent from
the pit on his own account. For the company, Mr. Forster
alleged that Parkins’s absence from work had been frequent
and persistent. Drunkenness was no part of the company’s
allegations, but, on the Tuesday morning, he smelt so
strongly of drink as would have justified his dismissal.
The colliery company had lost much more than the amount
claimed. The clerk ruled that the manager had no right
to dismiss plaintiff without customary notice and said that
the magistrates were quite satisfied that the manager had
no reason at all to dismiss plaintiff. The bench awarded
plaintiff £4 11s. 6d. on his claim, and £4 7s. 6d. costs, less
10s. awarded to company on the counter-claim.

Some discussion took place at the meeting of the Hexham
Bural Council, on Tuesday last, regarding two extensive
pitfalls on the main road near Whittonstall Hall Farm.
Mr. Walton, the surveyor, reported that he had interviewed
Mr. Kirkup, agent for the Consett Iron Company’s
collieries. Mr. Kirkup had two sets of men watching the
pitfalls night and day. The pitfalls were of considerable
dimensions and the roadway was still showing signs of a
further subsidence. Mr. Kirkup had suggested that these
pitfalls should be watched for another three months by
them and, at the end of that period, if the falls did not
show any further signs of subsidence, the council to have
the road repaired and charge the company with the cost.
This was agreed to.

A rather startling announcement was made by Mr. A.
F. Pease, chairman of the Weardale and Consett Water
Company, on Tuesday. The occasion was the conference
between the directors of the water company and representa-
tives of the various local bodies in north-west Durham, in
respect of the short water supply which has prevailed for
some months. Mr. Pease said he expected the water supply
would not be drawn upon so largely for industrial pur-
poses in the future, as he expected several large collieries
in the eastern portion of the area would close down in a
year or two. Collieries will certainly have to be closed down
in a year or two but whether the number will be so great
as to affect very materially the water supply is hardly
probable.

Cumberland.

Progress of Risehow Colliery Sinking.

The sinkers of the new colliery at Bisehow, near Maryport.
for the Flimby and Broughton Moor Coal and Firebrick
Company, have reached the stone head at a depth of about
60 ft. For some weeks progress has been somewhat impeded
by a strong feeder of water, but a new pump has been
installed and the difficulty overcome. It is expected that
coal will be reached in the course of a few weeks.

Last week, Mr. John Walker, of Fletchertown, who has
retired from active duties, w’as presented with a marble
clock and gold watch, at the Brayton Knowe Colliery. Mr.
Walker was underground manager at Allhallows Colliery
for some years, and later he was appointed to the same
position at Brayton Knowe Colliery.

Yorkshire.

Interruption of Colliery Sinking at Rossington — Housing
Scheme at Doncaster—Opening of King George Dock—
Progress of Dinnington and Maltby Enterprises.

An unexpected interruption occurred a few days ago in
connection with the sinking of the fine new colliery at
Bossington, a few miles from Doncaster. Trouble developed
in one of the shafts. The precise nature of this was some-
what difficult to ascertain, but Mr. Maurice Deacon,
managing director of the Bossington Main Colliery Com-
pany, on being appealed to for information, vouchsafed