212

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

July 24, 1914.

which allow a satisfactory connection or anchorage
directly to the old bulkhead.

In comparing the advantages of the various types of
bulkhead construction, the ease with which timber for
timber bulkheads can be transported over caved and
broken ground is an important factor favouring that
type, as is the comparatively low cost of timber con-
struction and its flexibility and advantageous application
under difficult conditions. In timber construction, how-
ever, it is impossible to anticipate the re-use of materials
employed. Masonry construction is necessarily expen-
sive. For extensive final or pillar mining the masonry
type of bulkhead possesses attractive advantages, and
may in future work be developed so as to present the
greatest ultimate economy. Heretofore such construc-
tions have been built primarily for ventilating purposes,
being later used advantageously in mine filling.

Bulkheads made by blasting the roof and floor are an
extension of the plan of supporting the roof in this way.
With a considerable quantity of small coal and fine dirt
available it may be possible to construct a barrier of
blasted rock across a comparatively flat working place
and, by placing a sufficient quantity of this fine material
at the inner face of the rock barrier, to form a filter that
will eventually retain the filler. Judging from the
apparent effectiveness of general roof falls as bulkheads,
this type of construction should be efficacious and
economical in sections considered inaccessible as regards
the construction of either timber or masonry bulkheads,
especially in places where the roof and bottom are softer
than the usual sandstone of the anthracite mines, and
where the opening is less than 6 ft. high. Air and water
cause newly broken-down shales and “ slates ” to slack
or disintegrate, consequently the voids or interstices in
such a bulkhead rapidly fill up and the barrier becomes
less pervious.

Brick, concrete and other masonry bulkheads are the
most expensive, but can be made to serve a double
use, as ventilation stoppings and subsequently as filler
bulkheads. In many mines where the workings are
extensive, it is necessary to construct stoppings of
masonry to ensure a sufficient quantity of air reaching
the working faces. Bulkheads of masonry are most
practical when filling is conducted on the panel or dis-
trict system. In such practice each panel or district is
separated by building bulkheads across openings in the
boundaries only; no bulkheads are constructed at the
foot of chambers or rooms. Timber bulkheads would be
impracticable, owing to the long interval between the
first mining and the time when filling can be safely
undertaken.

(To be concluded.)

Notes from the Coalfields.

[Local Correspondence. |

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Result of the Senghenydd Prosecutions—Preferential Treat-
ment at the Docks—Control of Mining Schools—Way-
leave “Right" : Singular Demands—Senghenydd Fund :
Allowances Reduced—Enormous Prospective Increase of
Coal Output—Coalowners' Claim for Police Mainten-
ance.

The second session of the joint diploma mining course,
of the South Wales and Monmouthshire School of Mines,
in association with the University College, Cardiff, will
commence on Tuesday, October 6, 1914. The entrance
examination for this course will be held on Tuesday,
September 22, 1914, at the School of Mines, Treforest.
Special part-time courses for colliery managers, surveyors,
chemists, mechanics, and electricians, will commence at
Treforest, on October 6, 1914, and at Crumlin on Novem-
ber 2, 1914. For particulars application should be made
to The Principal, School of Mines, Treforest.

Mr. Keir Hardie, M.P. for Merthyr, upon the result of
the prosecutions concerning Senghenydd explosion, decided
to question the Home Secretary as to the probable action
which his Department may take in the matter. These
decisions were reached on Saturday last, and out of the 21
summonses that were issued (17 being against the manager
and four against the company) it transpired that the original
17 were reduced to 10, and that fines were imposed in five
of them. All the summonses against the company were dis-
missed. The total amount of the fines imposed upon the
manager and agent was £24, with 25 guineas costs. The
prosecution had been instituted by the Home Office, and
was, in the main, for breaches of regulations. The cases
were heard at Caerphilly, and the magistrates found that
the defendant company had taken all necessary steps to
enforce the Act and the rules, having appointed a competent
certificated manager; the directors took no part, nor did
they interfere in the management.

With regard to the question as to clearing coaldust from
the roadways, the decision of the bench was entirely in
favour of the manager, the magistrates being of opinion
that he had done all that was reasonably practicable to
prevent accumulation of dust, and the information against
him under this head was, therefore, dismissed. Upon the
summons for not providing adequate means for reversing the
air current, a conviction was recorded, and the fine in
respect of it was £10. It was shown that the original date
was January 1913, that an extension was granted to
September 30 of that year, but that on October 14 the work
had not been carried out. One of the summonses alleged
that safety lamps of the approved type had not been pro-
vided, but the magistrates found to the contrary, it being
admitted even by the prosecution that the lamps were of
approved type, though they complained that the glasses in
use had not been approved. It was shown, however, that
defendant had done all he possibly could to procure glasses
of the approved type, the manufacturers being unable to
meet the demands; and the summons under this head was,
therefore, dismissed, as was also a summons for not causing
measurements to be made of the quantity of air in the mine
and every split at the points.

Cardiff Chamber of Commerce had before it on Wednesday
the question of alleged preferential treatment in respect of
coal shipment at the docks, and it was stated that a com-

mittee of the chamber hoped very shortly to meet repre-
sentatives of the three local dock companies upon the ques-
tion. By a communication from the Coal Trimmers’ Union
it was understood that these men would not be working on
Monday or Tuesday, August 3 and 4.

With regard to the effect of the engineers’ strike upon the
coal shipping trade, it was reported to the Cardiff executive
of the Shipping Federation on Wednesday that at that time
eighteen vessels were held up by the strike of fitters in the
ship repairing yards, and that seven loaded vessels were also
stopped. In this connection it has to be noted that the
committee of the central body, meeting in London on Thurs-
day, had under further consideration the question
of laying up tonnage, and that although this was originally
proposed because of the depression of rates of freight, it is
now being more generally favoured, because of the influence
it may have upon the engineers’ strike. The laying
up of vessels would make more engineers stand idle, and
thus a greater number would be available for engagements
on vessels affected by the strike.

It was reported to the Glamorgan Education Committee
on Monday that agreement had been reached as between that
authority and the coal owners with regard to control of the
schools of mines. A new board was suggested, to consist of
11 representatives of public authorities and 11 representatives
of the coal owners, the latter also appointing the chairman;
so that the full board would number 23. These would have
jurisdiction over the three mining schools of Treforest,
Crumlin, and Swansea; and in submitting the proposal to
the committee, Aiderman Williams said that, seeing the
coal owners bore the whole expense of these schools, it was
a very fair arrangement. The principle of the scheme was
approved by the committee, but a Labour member intimated
dissent.

The idea that wayleave payments constitute a “ right,”
and that alternative access ought not to be allowed to
extinguish that “ right,” found further expression
on Friday in the Parliamentary committee room, when the
Great Western Railway Company’s Bill for new colliery
lines in the Neath Valley was under discussion. The
managing director of the canal company gave evidence that
£120 a year now received from one colliery company in
respect of coal passing over the canal by a bridge would be
lost if the new Bill were passed, inasmuch as there would
be direct connection of the colliery with the new railway;
and, when the committee’s decision was announced, counsel
for the canal company asked if they had considered this
matter of the loss of wayleave income! Another opponent
of the Bill had (as previously reported in this column) lodged
objection because he would lose some hundreds of pounds
annually in respect of wayleave, and he had no other ground
of objection. The committee ignored both these cases of oppo-
sition, and found the preamble of the Bill proved. The
promoters showed that a large undeveloped coalfield exists
which would not be worked unless the new railway be con-
structed; and that upon the area being opened up employ-
ment would be found for thousands of men. Among those
who were called as witnesses in support of the Bill were
Mr. T. Jones, managing director of the Rock Colliery, Glyn
Neath; also Mr. W. J. Stephens, director of the Ynysarwed
Colliery; Mr. J. Roberts, mining engineer; and Mr. R. L.
Sails, colliery manager.

The actuary who was appointed to report upon the cir-
cumstances of the Senghenydd relief fund has presented a
statement to the committee which shows that it will be
necessary to reduce by Is. per week the allowances at
present being made to beneficiaries. Associated with the
Senghenydd fund is the Glynea Colliery fund. The actuary
is Mr. Neison, who states that on June 30 the total number
entitled to relief was 765, and of these 213 were widows
and 503 children. There were also other dependants. At
present widows received 10s. per week, children 5s. per
week until a specified age, and the different dependants
(mostly mothers) from 2s. to 10s. per week. Mr. Neison
had estimated an income from interest at the rate of 3 per
cent, per annum, and the capital standing to credit of the
fund on the date mentioned was £116,300. Upon the
existing basis of benefits paid, the actuarial “ liabilities ”
worked out to a total of £140,568, leaving, therefore, an
estimated ultimate deficiency of £24,268. He recommended,
therefore, that the allowances to widows be reduced from
10s. to 9s. per week, children from 5s. to 4s., with certain
other reductions. The report was accepted by the committee,
and it was decided that in future the payments made should
be those suggested by Mr. Neison.

The Status Investment Trust is a South Wales organisa-
tion associated directly with collieries and allied under-
takings ; and at the annual meeting on Friday, the chairman
(Mr. J. Davies) stated that among their operations during
the year they had assisted in providing new capital for
collieries, public utility companies, railways, and docks.
They confined their operations to South Wales; and every
one who knew the district had complete confidence in its
further prosperity. Collieries now being sunk in the
immediate neighbourhood of Cardiff would bring on the
market additional outputs totalling 7,000,000 tons annually;
and there must be consequent extensions of railways and
docks, provision for housing tens of thousands of workers,
with municipal and other developments. Uneasiness as to
labour probabilities was lessened by the more favourable
relations in the railway world, which must have good
influence towards amicable settlement of the new wage
agreement for the colliers.

The important action by coalowners against the Glamor-
gan County Council was mentioned in the High Court on
Tuesday. It relates to charges incurred by the coalowners
for board and lodging of police in the Rhondda during
the strike, when large reinforcements had to be brought in
because of the Tonypandy riots, and to safeguard property.
The issue raised as to liability for maintenance of the police
is of great public importance. Mr. Salter, K.C., for the
Glamorgan Coal Company, who claim £23,000 from the
County Council, stated to the court that questions of fact and
of law were involved, and the hearing would take some
time; and as the case had already stood over for a long
while, he hoped it would be taken before the vacation.
Other counsel preferred that the hearing should stand over;
and the judge, who said there were other lengthy cases to
be finished, made an order for the action to go over till
next sitting.

During the past six months there has been a heavy decline
in the imports of pit wood, the figures being 799,119 loads,
as against 854,676 loads in the first half of 1913; one reason
for the decline being that very large quantities were
imported at the end of last year. For the upward move-
ment in price—which has characterised the last 10 years—

many reasons are given, such as the working out of the
nearer forests, scarcity of labour, etc.; but whatever the
cause, the increase has been a serious matter to colliery
proprietors of South Wales. There have been complaints,
too, that the stipulated 50 per cent, of 9 ft. lengths has not
been maintained. This year’s prices ranged from 19s. 6d.
to 22s. 6d., as compared with 18s. 6d. to 23s. last year.

Mr. E. A. Creed, until recently agent for the Windsor
Colliery, Aber Valley, on Saturday received a presentation
from the officials and others. It took the form of a book
cabinet; and he was entertained at a banquet in the Panteg
Hotel.

Northumberland and Durham.

Hewing off the Side—Presentation to Mr. J. G. Weeks—
The New Pit at Backworth.

Considerable damage was done to the shaft at Twizell
Colliery last week, owing to a tub becoming loose in the
cage. The buntings and skids were so much damaged that
the nightshift men could not descend, and the pit was
idle next day.

When the chairman of the Seaham Petty Sessions fined
two miners for hewing off the side at the New Seaham
Colliery, he stated they had had quite a number of similar
cases recently and, if the £2 fines imposed on that occasion
did not prove effective in stopping such a dangerous prac-
tice, the punishment would have to be increased in future.

Mr. Coroner J. Graham, who is one of the best known
figures in Durham County, last week entered upon his
82nd year. Probably few men have taken part in so many
mining enquiries as has the aged coroner. Despite his age,
his summing up and quickness in seizing upon the salient
points at an inquest are still remarkably great. His know-
ledge of mining work has stood him in good stead, and at
the enquiry into the great West Stanley disaster some years
ago he displayed not only powers of endurance and patience,
but an amount of mining intelligence which surprised some
of the Home Office officials.

The members of the Hebburn Colliery Ambulance Class
hold Mr. R. G. Wilson, son of Mr. E. Wilson, the colliery
manager, in high esteem. Mr. Wilson has acted as
secretary, captain and instructor of the rescue class, and
he is now secretary and chief officer of the Hebburn Colliery
Ambulance Class. To mark their appreciation of his
services on behalf of the class, the students have presented
him with a suitably inscribed gold watch. The Wallsend
and Hebburn Coal Company has provided the rescue class
with a rescue station, equipped with observation corridor,
lecture room and complete rescue apparatus.

At the meeting of the Colliery Undermanagers’ Mutual
Aid Association, held at Washington last Saturday night,
an excellent paper on the “ Statutory Duties of Deputies,”
was given by Mr. Dawson.

The inquest on the men killed in the Crofton Pit explo-
sion at Bly th has been adjourned until August 13, as the
principal witnesses, injured men, are too ill to attend the
enquiries.

The grounds of Laird’s House, Bedlington, were the scene
of a pleasant gathering on Tuesday afternoon, when a
garden party was held at which a presentation was made
to Mr. John G. Weeks. Mr. Weeks is one of the best
known figures in the Northern coalfields, and his resignation
from the position of agent for the Bedlington Coal Com-
pany was the reason for the gathering on Tuesday after-
noon. It was felt that the occasion was a fitting one for
all who had come in contact with Mr. Weeks to express
their esteem and appreciation of him. The 50 guests who
assembled represented members of local bodies, miners’
lodges, colliery officials, and the Bedlington Coal Company.
After an excellent luncheon, Mr. C. W. C. Henderson, of
the Riding, Hexham, one of the owners of the Bedlington
Collieries, made the presentation to Mr. and Mrs. Weeks,
on behalf of the colliery officials, workmen and general
public. It consisted of an illuminated address, a grand-
father’s clock and a writing bureau. The writing bureau
is from a design drawn by Mr. Weeks himself. The two
Misses Weeks, young ladies who are deservedly popular
in the district, were presented with gold bracelet watches.
Col. Bates, of Hexham, supported Mr. Henderson, and
other guests made speeches which spoke volumes for the
esteem in which Mr. Weeks is held. Mr. Weeks is an
ex-president of the North of England Institute of Mining
and Mechanical Engineers.

The sinking operations at the Backworth Coal Company’s
Prosperous Pit, Benton Square, have been completed so far
at it is at present intended to proceed, the Bensham seam
having been reached. If necessary, a large field of high-
class coal can be tapped by the shaft. A large amount of
machinery is being erected at the pit-head, and the shaft
will soon be ready for use. The old “ C ” Pit, at Back-
worth, which was closed and dismantled some years ago,
is also to be re-opened.

Cumberland.

Sulphuric Acid Plant at Workington.

The steamer “ Artificer ” left the Senhouse Dock, Mary-
port, on Friday, for France, with 250 tons of benzol, the
first consignment that has been shipped from the new works
at the head of the Maryport dock.

The dull state of the Cumberland rail trade is reflected
in the reduction of the working week at Moss Bay Steel
Works by two days from this week. The furnaces are
unaffected. The number of furnaces in blast in West Cum-
berland is 14, and in North Lancashire eight.

The sulphuric acid plant which the Liverpool firm of
Carmichael and Guillaume have installed, under the
personal supervision of the latter, at Messrs. Brotherton and
Company’s chemical works, in Lonsdale Dock*, Workington,
in proximity to the tar distilling plant, which has been
working effectively since January 1, was put into operation
on Saturday, and is giving every satisfaction. It is known
as the vertical tower system, and represents the latest
methods of manufacture. Workington enjoys the distinction
of being the first place in this country and the third in the
world to have this improved type of patent plant. The
other two installations are in Germany and India. Sul-
phuric acid is produced from spent oxide, a product of the
gasmaker: also from pyrites, mined in Spain and elsewhere.
Spent oxide is the present source of the Workington
product.

Mr. Graham has resigned the secretaryship of the
Cumberland Colliery Officials’ Association, and Mr. W. R.
Cottier, Kells, has been appointed to the position pro tern.