4

August 21, 1914.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

435

COAL MINING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA IN 1913.

The annual report of the Minister of Mines for British
Columbia for 1913 has just been published. In that
year 2,137,483 tons of coal were produced, valued at
7,481,190 dols. In these figures the coal used in making
coke is not included, as such coal is accounted for in the
figures of output of coke. The amount of coal used in
making coke in 1913 was 433,277 tons, from which was
made 286,045 tons of coke, having a value of $1,716,270,
an increase over the preceding year of 21,712 tons, or
about 8*2 per cent, with an increase in value of $130,272.
The total value of the output of the collieries of the
province in 1913 was $9,197,460. The average selling
prices taken this year in the calculation of value of
product are the same as those used last year; that for
coal being $3’50 and for coke $6 a ton of 2,2401b. The
prices used in calculations prior to 1907 were $3 and
$5 respectively.

It must in fairness be stated that the output for 1912,
with which the comparison is made, was one of the
largest ever made in the province, and also that the
decrease in the production of the year is entirely attri-
butable to the labour troubles which have afflicted the
Vancouver Island collieries during the whole year,
causing a decrease in the gross output of this district of
584,747 tons. The other districts each show a material
increase; the Nicola-Princeton District of 59,285 tons,
and the Crow’s Nest of 70,513 tons, together equal to an
increase of 129,798 tons, which somewhat offsets the
decrease in the Vancouver Island field.

The greater part of this production is still mined by
three companies—The Crow’s Nest Pass Coal Company
of East Kootenay, the Canadian Collieries and the
’Western Fuel Company of Vancouver Island, which
mined, collectively, 71 per cent, of the gross output,
their respective production representing 40 per cent.,
22 per cent., and 9 per cent, of such total. Of the other
collieries : In the Coast District, on Vancouver Island,
the Pacific Coast Coal Mines Limited produced
79,646 tons, and the Vancouver-Nanaimo Coal Company
107,602 tons; and in the Nicola Valley section of the
district, the Nicola Valley Coal and Coke Company
mined 113,605 tons, the Inland Coal and Coke Com-
pany 114,003 tons, the Princeton Coal and Land
Company 29,206 tons, the Diamond Vale Coal Com-
pany 6,326 tons, while the United Empire Coal Company
produced some 1,752 tons of coal. In the East
Kootenay District, in addition to the Crow’s Nest Pass
Coal Company, which produced 1,041,409 tons, the
Hosmer Mines Limited produced 217,528 tons and the
Corbin Coal and Coke Company 72,788 tons. In
addition to those companies actually shipping, several
other companies have been installing plant and have
approached the shipping stage.

Of the gross amount disposed of, there was sold for
consumption in Canada, 1,169,605 tons; sold for con-
sumption in the United States, 627,515 tons; making
the total coal sales for the year 1,797,120 tons of
2,2401b. In addition to the coal sold, there was used
in the manufacture of coke 433,277 tons, all in the
East Kootenay field; and used under companies’ boilers,
etc., 192,402 tons; while 179,612 tons was lost in
washing and screening.

There were during the year 24 separate fatal accidents
in coal mines, which caused 27 deaths; this is an
increase in the number of fatal accidents of two over
the previous year, and a decrease of one in the number
of persons killed. There were 6,671 persons employed
in and around the coal mines, making the ratio of fatal
accidents to the 1,000 persons employed 4’05, the rate
for the previous year being 3*93. The average for the
10-year period is 4-43. The following were the
causes of the fatal accidents :—Falls of roof and rock,
11; falls of coal, 7; mine cars and haulage, 5; shaft
sinking, 2; surface, miscellaneous, 2. Falls of roof and
coal again account for the largest number of accidents,
being 66*66 per cent, of the whole, as against 32*14 per
cent, in 1912. Of the 18 fatalities from this cause,
six lives were lost by suffocation in fine coal. Early in
the year it was recognised that the fatalities from falls
of roof and coal were going to be very high, and on
June 9, 1913, a circular letter was sent to all mine
managers in the province, stating that the Minister of
Mines intended to propose a special rule covering
the question of systematic timbering and spragging at
the working face.

The following is the special rule finally adopted :—
“ (a) The manager of the mine shall cause to be
posted at a conspicuous place near the mouth of the
mine a notice stating the minimum size of the different
types of timber to be used in such mine, and the maxi-
mum distance between the timbers and between the
timbers and the face and sides of the working place.

“ (b) In the event of two or more methods of timber-
ing being used in one mine, then, in addition to the
notice posted at the mouth of the mine, a notice shall
be posted at the entrance to each section or district,
stating the method of timbering to be used in each
section or district of such mine.

“ (c) It shall be the duty of the miner in charge of
a working place—which shall include such working place
and for a distance of fifteen (15) ft. back from the face
—to keep the props, timbers, or other roof supports
erected as designated in the ‘ notice of systematic tim-
bering ’ governing the mine, division, or subdivision of
such mine in which he is employed.

“ (d) Nothing in this section shall prevent a miner
from setting supports, or an official from requiring the
miner to set supports, in his working place at more
frequent intervals than those specified in the notice
aforesaid, where necessary for safety.

“ (e) Every miner in charge of a working place shall
set sufficient sprags or other supports for the under-
mined coal; provided that before commencing to mine
he shall set one (1) sprag or other support, and not
less than one (1) for every six (6) ft. of such under-
mining.

“ (/) Temporary props shall only be withdrawn by
use of a dog and chain or other type of timber drawing
machine, unless permanent timber has been set before
such withdrawal, and no permanent prop, timber, or
other roof support shall be finally withdrawn without
the use of such timber drawing device.”

The Government now has two fully equipped mine
rescue stations in the province equipped with Drager
mouth-breathing type of apparatus. There were 102
Government certificates of competency in mine rescue
work issued during the year. The equipment main-
tained by the operating companies was supplemented
during the year by three two-hour Drager apparatus.
For the use of 5,500 underground employees there are
66 sets of two-hour and 26 sets of |-hour apparatus in
the province, or one for every 60 persons. First-aid
work around the coal mining centres has not made much
progress during the year 1913.

BOOK NOTICES.

Gas Poisoning in Mining and Other Industries. By J.
Glaister, M.D., D.P.H., F.R.S.E., etc., and D. D.
Logan, M.D., D.P.H. Edinburgh : E. and S. Living-
stone. Price, 10s. 6d. net.

This book is a very valuable contribution to our know-
ledge of the subject of gas poisoning generally. The
authors have spared no trouble in searching the litera-
ture thoroughly, as the very extensive bibliography
shows. They have probably quoted in their pages every
paper of value, and a large number of interesting cases
are described at length. The book and index contain
471 pages, but there is considerable overlapping as a
result of the detail with which the subject is treated.

The book is an indictment of carbon monoxide, and
the authors attribute most of the fatalities following-
gas poisoning to this gas alone. The symptoms of
carbon monoxide poisoning are given at great length,
but appear to vary greatly in individual cases. This is
probably due to the fact that it does not always act
alone, and the other symptoms may be due to the
presence of nitrous fumes, hydrogen bisulphide or traces
of sulphuric acid. If the symptoms were due to carbon
monoxide alone a more constant group of symptoms
would be found. The authors do not agree with the
views held by Irvine and other South African authori-
ties that the symptoms, often fatal, produced after
exposure to the fumes from blasting are due to nitrous
fumes. They admit, however, that pneumonia may
follow the inhalation of nitrous fumes. Very little
attention has been paid in this country to the symptoms
which follow exposure to these fumes. There is no
doubt that attacks of asthma, pneumonia and even
death are occasionally due to such exposure.

In the opening chapter very interesting medico-legal
cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, due to the percola-
tion of escaping gases through the soil into dwelling
houses, are described. In some of these cases charges
of murder were brought against innocent people, and
serious miscarriages of justice were the result. The
authors also pay in this opening chapter a handsome
but well deserved tribute to the work of Dr. Haldane,
whose investigations are constantly referred to in the
book. The ventilation of mines is briefly described, and
it is rightly laid down that the amount of air circulating
at the coal face should be alone taken as an indication
of sufficient ventilation. A full description of the com-
position and character of blackdamp, firedamp and after-
damp is given.

The various theories of spontaneous combustion are
reviewed, and the authors think that the oxidation of
coal in the finely divided state is the chief factor. The
friableness of the coal may have resulted from or been
hastened by the oxidation of the pyrites present in the
coal. The signs of spontaneous combustion and the
methods of dealing with gob fires are given.

In colliery explosions direct violence is said to account
for 11 to 18 per cent, of all deaths, the remainder being
due either to carbon monoxide alone or associated with
injury. Great stress is laid, and rightly laid, on the
danger of the after effects of carbon monoxide poisoning
and the importance of rest is insisted upon. The well
known case of Le Neve Foster is quoted as an example
of death following some time after exposure to this gas.

The book was published before the paper by Dr. Ivor
Davies on the Senghenydd explosion was printed. In
this paper Dr. Davies calls attention to changes in the
skin and to muscular palsies which were found in several
of the survivors. The authors, however, quote similar
cases occurring in gas poisoning in industrial concerns.
The authors think that the number of cases of
“ gassing ” from the escape of fumes from blast
furnaces and producer plants is greatly under-estimated.
These cases may be either acute and fatal or chronic.
The chronic cases suffer from anaemia and headache,
together with general unfitness for work. Nervous and
mental symptoms are common, and the difficulty of
proving the connection between the employment and
the man’s condition is difficult, and leads to complica-
tions in courts of law.

Treatment is fully described, and the authors insist
on the importance of long-continued efforts. In carbon
monoxide poisoning the haemoglobin or colouring matter
of the blood is fixed by the carbon monoxide, and the
interchange of oxygen necessary for life is prevented.
It takes time to break down this chemical combination
and hope should not be given up at once.

The methods of testing for carbon monoxide are
described at length, and the great value and reliability
of the spectroscopic test is pointed out. There is no
simple chemical method of determining the presence of
carbon monoxide in the air, and the live canary is still
the most delicate means of detecting the gas. A
description of the various forms of rescue apparatus is
given and the official rules are appended.

We repeat that this book is a very valuable one; it
is, however, too full, and the detailed account given of
individual cases tends to a little confusion and con-
siderable overlapping. The authors, in giving promin-
ence to the work of others, do not always make their
own views quite clear, and the book being largely a
compilation, does not possess an individuality of its own.

COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES.
REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS.

Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds Limited.—The report of the
directors for the 12 months ended June 30, 1914, states
that after making provision for bad and doubtful debts, the
accounts show a profit of £401,722 7s. lid., to which must
be added the amount brought forward from last year>
£239,016 2s. 3d., making an available balance of £640,738
10s. 2d. Deducting from this the amount paid for deben-
ture interest for the 12 months, and interim dividend on the
preference and ordinary shares, amounting altogether to
£160,797 19s. 2d. (as detailed in the balance-sheet) there
remains a sum of £479,940 Ils., which the directors recom-
mend should be appropriated as follows :—To pay a dividend
on the preference shares at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum,
free of income-tax, for the six months ended June 30, 1914,
£43,000; to pay a dividend on the ordinary shares at the
rate of 10 per cent, per annum, free of income-tax, for the
six months ended June 30, 1914 (making 10 per cent, for
the year), £48,250; to pay a bonus on the ordinary shares of
Is. per share, free of income-tax, £48,250; to place to the
accident and fire insurance fund, £20,000; to place to
reserve, £50,000; to carry forward, £270,440 Ils.

Hawthorn (R. and W.) Leslie and Company Limited.—
The report for the year ended June 30 last states that, after
making an allowance of £20,431 for depreciation and for
leasehold redemption fund, and paying all interest and other
charges, there remains an available balance of £101,477,
which the directors recommend should be disposed of as
follows :—To meet the interim dividend of 5s. per share,
less tax, paid in March last, £11,010; to pay a further
dividend of 10s. per share, less tax (making the total pay-
ment to the shareholders 7j.per cent, for the year), £21,972;
to add to the reserve fund account (making the balance
thereon £186,000, exclusive of leasehold sinking fund),.
£23,000; to set aside for future extensions and improve-
ments of plant, etc. (making, with the balance brought for-
ward from last year, a total of £25,000), £14,706; to carry
forward £30,788.

Henley’s (W. T.) Telegraph Works Company Limited.—
The directors have declared an interim dividend on the
preference shares at the rate of 4£ per cent, per annum,
less income-tax, and on the ordinary shares at the rate of
10 per cent, per annum, free of income-tax, for the half-year
ended June 30 last, both payable September 1.

Horbury Junction Iron Company Limited.—The accounts
for the year to June 30, including £2,371 brought down, show
a net profit of £4,273. After writing off £1,000 for depre-
ciation of plant, the directors recommend a dividend of 2£
per cent., leaving £2,088 to be carried forward.

Marbella Iron Ore Company Limited. — The directors
announce that the outbreak of war has rendered it quite
impossible to carry on the business in the ordinary manner,
and they have therefore decided that it would be most
unwise to pay the interim dividend of 3| per cent, which
was to have been distributed on August 8. Should matters
not take a more favourable turn in the near future, the
directors may find it necessary to curtail considerably the
expenses at the mine, and in an extreme case to close down
for a short time.

Roberts (Charles) and Company Limited.—The report
for the year ended June 30 last states that after paying
interest on debentures and maintaining the buildings,
machinery, and wagons out of revenue, the profit and loss
account stands as follows :—Amount brought forward £396,
add profit for this year £12,015, making £12,411, which the
directors recommend be appropriated as under :—Interim
dividend 4 per cent.. £1,440: dividend to be paid, 6 per
cent., £2,160; depreciation of buildings and machinery,
£3,506; depreciation of wagons, £3,000; reserve fund,
£2,000 ; carry forward, £305.

Transvaal Coal Trust Company Limited.—The directors
announce that it is expected that the dividend warrants will
be posted to shareholders (except those resident in Germany
and Austria) early this week.

Tyneside Electrical Development Company Limited.—
The directors have declared an interim dividend of 5 per
cent, on the amount of the share capital called and paid up
at July 31. 1914, less income-tax.

Workington Iron and Steel Company Limited. — The
annual report showed a profit on the fifth year's working
of £206,480, which, with £21.957 brought forward, gives
for disposal £228,438. The dividend on the ordinary shares
is at the rate of 6 per cent, for the year, and with the pre-
ference dividends absorbs £125,829; £50,000 is written off
property, £30.000 placed to reserve, and £22,611 is carried
forward. Their turbo generating plant has justified antici-
pations in reducing fuel consumption.

NEW COMPANIES.

Evans (E. M.) and Son Limited.—Private company.
Registered office. 1. Lever-street. Piccadilly, Manchester.
Registered August 12. To acquire and carry on business of
electrical engineers and contractors heretofore carried on at
above address and elsewhere by J. H. Evans. Nominal
capital. £‘3.000 in 1.000 preference shares and 2,000 ordinary
£1 shares. Director, J. H. Evans. Chetwynd, Wood-
ford. Cheshire, electrical engineer and contractor.

Davis (J.) and Company (Southampton) Limited.—
Private company. Registered office. 71, Bedford-place.
Southampton. Registered August 11. Electrical and
mechanical engineers and contractors, suppliers of elec-
tricity. machinery, and tool makers, etc. Nominal capital,
£2.000 in £1 ordinary shares. Governing director. T.
Davis. 71. Bedford-place. Southampton, electrical and
mechanical engineer.

Mackrell (James) and Company Limited.—Private com-
pany. Registered office. Union Foundry, Eiland. Yorks.
Registered August 11. To carry on business of millwrights,
engineers, iron and brass founders, etc. Nominal capital.
£12.090 in £1 shares. Directors :—L. Mackrell, Fern-place.
Eiland; H. Mackrell. Mayfield. Eiland; W. Crossland. 68.
Elland-lane. Eiland: D. Drake. 74. Beech-street. Eiland,
all engineers.