030 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. October 30, 1914. during the continuance of the war.” The reply to this pffer is being eagerly awaited. Five hundred miners (including the gang lads) employed in the Low Main seam of the A Winning Colliery, belonging to the Blackwell Company, refused to work on Wednesday because of the management’s alleged breach of an agree- ment arrived at three months ago, when there was a dispute concerning weighing machines. Reports are current in various parts of the South-East Lancashire coalfields of pending trouble over the minimum wage question. The miners’ section of the Coal Conciliation Board for England and North Wales met at the Westminster Palace Hotel, London, on Thursday to elect their representatives for the ensuing year. Mr. Stephen Walsh, M.P., was in the chair. The voting resulted in the election of the follow- ing :—President, Mr. Stephen Walsh, M.P. (Lancashire); secretary, Mr. Thomas Ashton (Lancashire); treasurer, Mr. J. Hoskin (Yorkshire); and Messrs. Herbert Smith and Fred Hall, M.P. (Yorkshire); H. Roughley and H. Twist (Lanca- shire); Frank Hall and F. Lee (Derbyshire); W. Johnson, M.P. (Warwickshire); W. Latham (Shropshire); W. Carter and C. Bunfield (Nottingham); E. Hughes (North Wales); and W. Buckley (South Derbyshire). In the afternoon the usual quarterly meeting of the Conciliation Board was held. The proceedings were of a formal character. Scotland. A special conference of the Scottish Miners’ Federation was held in Glasgow on the k22nd inst. Mr. Robert Smillie, president of the British and Scottish Miners’ Federations, who presided, explained that it had been thought advisable to adjourn indefinitely the annual conference of the Scottish Miners’ Federation, but it had been decided to hold this conference to adopt the annual balance-sheet, re-elect office bearers, and finally decide on the inauguration of the new National Union of Scottish Mine Workers. The balance- sheet was adopted, and Mr. Smillie was re-elected president, Mr. John Robertson vice-president, Mr. Robert Brown secre- tary, and Mr. William Adamson, M.P., treasurer. The president reported that the voting on the formation of the new union had resulted: For, 64,876; against, 8,614; majority for, 56,262. It was unanimously agreed to inaugu- rate the new union as from October 31. An executive com- mittee of 20 was appointed. Miners’ Federation of Great Britain. The annual conference of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain has been postponed on account of the war, but it was considered advisable to hold an interim conference.’ Before the' conference, which was held at the Westminster Palace Hotel, London, a meeting of the retiring executive was held on Tuesday, Mr. R. Smillie (president) occupying the chair. A long discussion took place on the question of the separation allowance which is being paid to the wives and dependants of men in the Army and Navy, and strong condemnation was expressed of the inadequacy of the amount presently being paid; and also of the inadequacy of the amount which is being paid to persons in distress through unemployment arising out of the war. Mr. Smillie also presided over the afternoon conference, at which the whole'of the districts in the Federation area were represented. The conference received reports of the amounts received by those of the civil population affected by the war. It was shown that in some parts of the Federa- tion area the workers at work are having deducted from their earnings (by agreement with their employers) varying sums, some of which is devoted to national and some to local purposes, the latter being augmented by moneys received from other sources. Several mines in the Federation area have been closed, but those that are working are working satisfactorily. Mr. Robert Smillie was unanimously re-elected president at the continuation of the conference on Wednesday. Aid. W. House (Durham) was elected vice-president, in succes- sion to the late Mr. Harvey. Mr. T. Ashton was again elected secretary, and the Right Hon. W. Abraham was re-elected treasurer. The following resolutions "were unani- mously carried :—“ That all war relief funds be merged together and taken over by the Government, to be adminis- tered by the Government, and that there be a general or uniform scale of relief, modifications or exemptions to be made to suit exceptional districts, the national revenue to be made responsible for raising the necessary funds.” “ That we accept the resolution of the War Emergency Workers’ National Committee, and demand that the follow- ing should be the minimum scale of relief : One adult, 12s. 6d.; two adults, 17s. 6d.; one adult and one child, 15s. 6d.; two adults and one’child, 20s.; two adults and two children, 22s. 6d.; 2s. 6d. to be paid for each child; 3s. 6d. to be j adopted in London boroughs.” ‘‘That the Govern- ment be called upon to find employment for all persons thrown out of work through the war.” The conference recommended that Mr. Herbert Smith (Yorkshire), and Mr. W. Brace, M.P. (Wales) be appointed to the War Emer- gency Workers’ National Committee. In addition to the awards announced in April for papers read at the meetings, the council of the Institution of Civil Engineers have made the following awards for papers published in the Proceedings without discussion during the session 1913-1914. A Telford gold medal to Mr. J. V. Davies (New York) ; Telford premiums to Messrs. W. C. Popplewell (Manchester), A. J. Knowles (Cairo), H. Gaskell, jun. (Widnes), P. Rothera (Trichinopoly) ; the Crampton prize to Mr. H. F. Carew-Gibson (London), and the Manby premium to Mr. W. M. Griffith (Bareilly, India). The Webb prize for the best paper on railway machinery published during the past three years has been awarded to Mr. Henry Fowler (Derby); and the Indian premium for 1914 to Mr. P. Rothera (Trichinopoly). The council have made the following awards in respect of students’ papers read during the session 1913-1914: The “ James Forrest ’’ medal and a Miller prize to Mr. J. E. Swindlehurst (Birmingham) ; and Miller prizes to Messrs. T. C. Grisenthwaite (Glasgow), H. J. C. Harper (Bristol), W. P. Nevett (Birmingham), J. M. L. Bogle (Manchester), E. A. Cross (Birmingham), S. Brassey-Edwards (Manchester), G. T. Cotterell (Bristol), D. D. Stanier (Newcastle), W. E. Gurry (London), H. Taylor (Birmingham), and R. C. Rattray (Manchester). THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, October 29. Nothing special can be reported in connection with the London coal trade during the past week. The Exchange has been well attended, and some little extra buying has taken place, but no change has been made in prices, and in the majority of cases the old quotations have been accepted The new price lists are to a very large extent nominal. New business has been very moderate, and the mild weather has had a deterrent effect upon the market. House coals have moved very slowly, and the demand has been weak. Some of the factors have bought for forward deliveries, but specially stipulated for only small quantities for immediate use. Fortunately the limited output has kept the market fairly even, so that no great drop has been experienced in prices, and the depots have not been congested. The seaborne market has been fairly supplied, and very little Durham coal has been offering lately, except contract coal. Sharlston Wallsend are still quoted at 21s. 6d., but all Durham prices are nominal. There were 22 cargoes reported for Monday’s market as arriving in the Thames. The export trade with France is said to be increasing, and some of the Belgian merchants have been visiting the London Exchange with a view to securing English coal for the Belgian markets as soon as the war is over, where hitherto only Westphalian coals have been used. Business on the whole has been very quiet, and smalls have suffered exceedingly in the reduction of prices. The steam coal trade is quiet, and enquiries for Yorkshire hards are very sloWi Tonnage is somewhat restricted, and the best qualities are only fetching 13s. 3d. f.o.b. at the Humber ports. Best Derbyshire hards are quoted at 13s. 6d. f.o.b. Gas coals are improving slowly, and with a better demand for France, and the longer nights, the demand is more hopeful. The iron trade is also very quiet, and very little prospects are held out for any early improvement. Con- sumers are declining to pay present prices for any forward deliveries, and only hand-to-mouth business has been done. Furnace coke and gas cokes are quoted lower in the face of the falling off of the demand. Tyne steams are quoted at 12s. 6d. and seconds at Ils. 3d. to Ils. 9d., best Blyth steams at 13s. 3d. The huge arrivals of slack and small nuts in the London market has tended to lower the price considerably, and the lessened consumption of gas light and electric light in and around London makes the demand far below the supply, and the ordinary merchant finds he has no possible outlet for the wharf smalls. Prices for this quality are much below what has been accepted for many years past. The depot trade is very slow. Kitchener cobbles have not had so strong a demand as usual, but bakers’ nuts are selling freely. The lowered lights of the City of London and practically the whole of the suburbs of the metropolis are to continue, according to the recent regulations issued by the War Office, and now the Secretary of the Admiralty has made further regulations in connection with the River Thames. Many of the usual channels are closed to shipping. No vessels are to remain under way inside the Sunk Head buoy, and all vessels at anchor within that limit must not show any lights at night between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. The Metal Exchange continues closed, but there are notices on the door that all letters, &c., may be addressed to members as usual at the Exchange, so evidently a certain amount of business is being transacted. The St. Pancras authorities claim that a saving of <£1,700 has been effected in their coal bill for the past year, as a result of working a turbine for generating electricity in the district. The Cardiff market for Admiralty coals is reported more steady in tone, especially for the Mediter- ranean ports, and exporters are still showing a preference for boats of British nationality, especially for long distance ports. Freights, however, rule high. The naval qualities are quoted at 21s. to 22s. per ton f.o.b. at Cardiff. Seconds at 20s. Market quotations (pit mouth) : Note.—Although every care is exercised to secure accuracy, we cannot hold ourselves responsible for these prices, which are, further, subject to fluctuations. Yorkshire. Current prices. Last week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Wath Main best coal 13/6 13/6 13/ Do. nuts 13/ 13/ 12/ Birley cube Silkstone 12/6 12/6 12/6 Do. branch coal 16/6 16/6 16/ Do. seconds 11/ 11/ 11/ Barnsley Bed Silkstone 13/6 13/6 13/6 West Riding Silkstone 12/6 12/6 13/ Kiveton Park Hazel ; 13/ — 13/ Do. cobbles.; 13/ — 13/ Do. nuts 12/6. — 12/ Do. hard steam 12/6 — 12/ New Sharlston Wallsend 15/6 — 15/ Wharncliffe Silkstone coal selected 15/6 15/6 16/ Do:. Flockton Main ... 14/ 14/ 15/6 Do. Athersley house coal 11/6 11/6 12/ Newton Chambers best Silks. cobbles 13/6 13/6 17/ Do. Grange best Silk. 15/6 15/6 15/6 Do. Hesley Silkstone... 14/6 14/6 14/ Do. Rockingham selec. 14/6 14/6 14/ Do. Rockingham Silk.. 14/ 14/ 13/6 Derbyshire. Wingfield Manor best 12/ 12/ 12/6 Do. large nuts... 11/9 11/9 12/3 Do. small nuts... 9/ 9/ 10/ Do. kitchen coal 9/ 9/ 10/6 West Hallam Kilburn brights 12/ 12/ 12/6 Do. do. nuts ... 11/9 11/9 12/3 Do. London brights 10/6 10/6 11/ Do. bright nuts 10/6 10/6 11/ Do. small nuts 9/ 9/ 10/ Manners Kilburn brights . 12/6 12/6 12/3 12/6 Do. do. nuts 12/3 12/ Shipley do. brights 12/6 12/6 13/ Do. do. nuts 12/3 12/3 12/6 12/6 Mapperley brights 12/ 12/ Do. hard steam 11/ 11/ 11/6 Cossall Kilburn brights 12/ 12/ 12/6 Current Last week’s Last year’s Derbyshire— (cont.) prices. prices. prices. Cossall Kilburn nuts 11/9 11/9 12/ Trowell Moor brights ■ 12/ 12/ 12/6 Do. do. nuts 11/9 11/9 12/ Grassmoor Main coal 12/6 12/6 13/ Do. Tupton 11/ 11 11/6 Do. do. nuts 10/6 10/6 11/6 Clay Cross Main coal 12/6 12/6 13/ ’ Do. do. cubes 12/6 12/6 13/ Do. special Derbys 11/6 11/6 12/ Do. house coal 11/ 11/ 11/6 Pilsley best blackshale J. J. 1 12/6 12/6 13/ Do. deep house coal 11/ 11/ 11 6 Do. hard screened cobbles 10/6 10/6 11/ Hardwick best Silkstone 12/6 12/6 13/ Do. Cavendish brights... 12/ 12/ 12/6 Do. cubes 12/ 12/ 12/6 Nottinghamshire. 1 Clifton picked hards 12/ 12/ 12/6 Do. small hards 12/ 12/ 12/6 Do. deep large steam ...... 9/ 9/ 12/ Annesley best hards 12/6 12/6 12/6 Do. bright cobbles 11/3 11/3 11/9 Linby best hards 12/6 12/6 12/6 Do. bright cobbles 11/3 11/3 11/9 Digby London brights 13/ 13/ 13/ Do. cobbles 13/ 13/ 13/ Do. top hards 13/ 13/ 13'/ Do. High Hazel coal 15/6 15/6 14/6 Bestwood hard steam coal 12/6 12 6 13/ Do. bright cobbles 11/3 11/3 11/9 Hucknall Torkard main hards ... 12/9 12/9 12/9 Do. do. cobbles 11/3 11/3 11/3 Do. do. nuts 10/6 10/6 11/ Do. do. High Hazel H.P. 15/3 15/3 14/9 Do. do. London brights 12/9 12/9 12/3 Do. do. large nuts... 12/9 12/9 12/3 Do. do. bright nuts 11/6 11/6 11/3 Sherwood H.P. hards 12/6 12/6 12/6 Do. hard steam 11/6 11/6 11/6 Do. brights ; 11/6 11/6 11/3 Do. cobbles 10/9 10/9 11/3 Do. large nuts 11/6 11/6 11/3 W ARWICKSHIRE. Griff large steam coal : 11/6 11/6 11/ Do. screened cobbles 11/6 11/6 11/6 Do. bakers’ nuts 11/ 111 11/3 Do. loco Two Yard hards...... 14/ 14/ 14/6 Do. Ryder nuts 11/6 11/6 11/9 Do. do. cobbles... 13/6 13/6 13/ Nuneaton steam coal 11/6 11/6 11/ Do. screened cobbles ... 12/6 12/6 11/6 Do. nuts 11/6 11/6 11/3 Haunchwood steam 11/6 11/6 11/ Do. screened cobbles 12/ 12/ 11/6 Do. nuts 11/6 11/6 11/3 Wyken steam coal 11/6 11/6 11/ Do. screened cobbles . 12/ 12/' 11/6 Do. nuts 11/6 11/6 11/3 Exhall Ell coal spires 12/6 12/6 14/3 Do. large steam coal 11/6 11/6 12/ Leicestershire. South Leicester steam 10/9 10/9 10/ Do. cobbles or small hards 11/3 11/3 10/6 Do. nuts 11/ 11/ 10/6 Whitwick steam 11/ X-L/ 11/ 10/ Do. roasters *. 1, 11/6 11/6 10/6 Do. cobbles 11/6 11/6 10/6 Do. nuts 11/6 11/6 10/6 Netherseal hards 18/ 18/ 18/ Do. Eureka • 13/ AO/ 13/ AO/ 12/6 Do.. kitchen 10/ 10/ 10/6 Ibstock kibbles 11/ I. 11/ 9/9 Do. large nuts 1. 11/ 11/ 9/6 Do. bakers’ nuts 10/6 10/6 9/ Do. Main nuts 10/6 10/6 9/6 Do. hards 9 6 9/6 9/3 Granville New Pit cobbles ... 12/ 11/ Do. Old Pit cobbles 12/ — 11/ North Staffordshire. Talk-o’-th’-Hill best 13/6 13/6 13/ Sneyd best, selected 15/ AW/ 14/6 Do. deeps 1, 14/6 — 14/ Silverdale best 15/ 14/ Do. cobbles 14/6 AT?/ 13/ Apedale best 13/6 13/6 AW/ 13/ Do. seconds 13/6 13/6 AW/ 12/9 Podmore Hall best 13/6 13/6 13/ Do. seconds 13/3 13/3 12/6 S. Staffs. (Cannock District). Walsall Wood steam coal, London brights 12/6 12/6 11/ Do. shallow one way 12/6 12/6 11/ Do. deep nuts 12/ 12/ 11/6 Cannock steam 10/ 10/ 10/9 Coppice deep coal 15/ 15/ 14/6 Do. cobbles 14/6 14/6 14/ Do. one way 13/ 13/ 12/ Do. shallow coa] 14/6 14/6 13/6 Cannock Chase deep main 16/ 16^ 16/ Do. Deep kitchen cob. 12/ 12/ 11/6 Do’ best shallow main 14/ 14/ 13/ Do. shallow kibbles... 13/9 13/9 13/6 Do. best brights 13/6 13/6 13/ Do. yard cobbles 12/9 12/9 13/6 Do. yard nuts 12/ 12/ 12/6 10/3 Do. bakers’ nuts a. a-/ 10/9 10/9 Do. screened hards... 12/ 12/ 11/9 From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Friday, October 23.—The seaborne house coal market was again quiet to-day, no seaborne house cargoes pressing for sale. Sharlston W.E., Yorks., 21s. 6d. Cargoes 16. > Monday, October 26.—The seaborne house coal market was very quiet to-day, no business reported done in any quarter, and nothing pressing for sale. Sharlston W.E., Yorks., 21s. 6d. Cargoes 22. Wednesday, October 28.—No seaborne house coal cargoes reported sold at to-day’s market, which remained very quiet. Sharlston W.E., Yorks., 21s. 6d. Cargoes 10.