November 27, 1914.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

1137

An Italian Decree has been issued prohibiting the export
of zinc, antimony, brass, bronze, timber, nitrate, potash,
turpentine oil, wood, vaseline, tar, scrap iron and steel,
manganese, and iron and steel galvanised plate.

It is announced in the Gazette that the President of the
French Republic has issued a Decree of identical effect
with his Majesty’s Order in Council and Proclamation of
October 29, setting forth the modifications subject to
which the Declaration of London will be adhered to by the
British Government, during the present hostilities and
revising the list of contraband.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1,435 were held in Germany and 385 were held by a
naturalised German living in this country. The plaintiffs
brought an action against the defendants to recover <£110s.

for goods supplied before the war, and there was no dispute
that the goods had been supplied and had not been paid
for. It was submitted, however, on behalf of the defen-
dants that as the plaintiff company consisted almost
entirely of German shareholders it was not entitled to
maintain an action in this country. The judge entered
judgment for the defendants on the ground that to allow
the plaintiffs to recover the debt would be against public
policy. Mr. Justice Horridge, in giving judgment, said

that when once a company was registered in this country	____________________________

according to English law, it became resident in this
country and did not become an alien enemy incapable of
suing because one of its members might be prevented from
doing so on the ground that he was an alien enemy. The
plaintiff company was entitled to sue and the appeal must
be allowed. Mr. Campbell said that the plaintiffs appreciated
the fact that the defendants only contested the case as a
question of principle, and that being so, he would not ask
for the costs of the appeal.

..........

General von Hindenburg, commander of the main German
armies in the eastern frontier, in an interview with a
German newspaper, is reported to have said in his remarks
that a coal famine prevails in Russian Poland because the
Germans hold and occupy the Russian coalfields. He
added “ I do not know whether Petrograd gets its coal
from Russian Poland, but when the harbours in the Baltic
are frozen how will they be able to import coal from
England ?” The Prussian general is evidently not an
expert on coal. The principal Russian basin in the
Donetz region is situated far from the seat of war, in the
centre of Russia. The Dombrowa basin in Poland is
relatively of less importance.

An application to manufacture under a German patent
during the war adjustable metal pit props, was made on
Tuesday at the Patents Office, by Mr. E. Mills, of
Willenhall. It was explained that Mr. Reinhard, a German,
was the proprietor of the Pitprop and Mining Outfit
Company, and Mr. Mills had already applied for a licence to
make this company's jig conveyor. The tubular pit prop,
with an adjustable central screw, was a necessary part of
the outfit. The patentee’s brother, who had been selling
agent in this country at Chester-road, Erdington, Birming-
ham, was interned as an alien enemy. Mr. Mills had been
treating with Mr. Reinhard to purchase his English busi-
ness. These pit props supported a transverse rail which
supported the roof. Mr. Mills hoped to sell props at 17s.
where the German had asked £1, and he would pay a
royalty of 5 per cent. Mr. Melhuish, for the patentee,
declared that the demand was small. Mr. Mills replied
that Mr. Reinhard held an unfulfilled order for 500, and
expected great things of this adjustable prop. The Con	______

troller said he should have thought there would have been
a great demand for appliances with such distinct advantages.
If Mr. Mills pushed it the patentee would be very fortunate.
The Patent Court was proving itself, by encouraging enter-
prise, a great benefactor of German patentees. He would
report to the Board of Trade, and a licence would probably
be granted.

On Tuesday the Court of Appeal, sitting as a special
court to deal with enemy trading cases, heard the case of
W. J. Jenkins and Company Limited v. Carl Still. Messrs.
W. J. Jenkins and Company Limited, contractors, of
Retford, sued Carl Still, of Recklinghausen, Germany, to
recover a balance of £2,234 alleged to be due. This was
an ex-parte appeal from an order made by Mr. Justice
Scrutton refusing to give directions as to a receiver’s
security and revoking the appointment of a receiver by
Mr. Justice Sankey. The action was commenced by writ
dated September 2 last claiming £2,234, balance of account
for goods sold and delivered and work and labour done.
The gross claim was =£3,985, and off that defendants had
paid =£1,750 extending over a year before the war. The
facts were that the Birchenwood Colliery made a contract
with defendant for the laying down of plant and machinery
at a cost of =£100,000. Defendant entered into a sub-contract
with the plaintiffs, Jenkins and Company, under which
machinery to the extent of =£4,000 was supplied in order to
enable defendant to complete his contract. Moneys were
payable from defendant to plaintiffs in monthly instalments.
The Lord Chief Justice held that Mr. Justice Sankey was
wrong in appointing a receiver, and that Mr. Justice
Scrutton was right in discharging the order appointing a
receiver. The other judges concurred, and the appeal of
the plaintiffs was dismissed accordingly.

Viennese manufacturers are unable to obtain coal
through ordinary channels, and the Minister of Public
Works has accordingly ordered colliery owners in the
Ostrau-Karwin district to furnish 70,000 tons forthwith.
Vienna’s daily consumption of coal in winter is 10,000
tons, and although cold weather is only just beginning, the
shortage of coal is already very perceptible. Stocks are
exhausted and difficult to replenish owing to the diminished
output of mines and the lack of transportation facilities.

Arising out of the prohibition of the export of Welsh
tin-plates to Denmark, Holland and Sweden, a scheme is
being prepared by Welsh manufacturers for submission to
the Government, whereby exports to the countries named
should be permitted on certain conditions. Special licence
forms have been prepared ensuring the destination and use
of tin-plates, and only by conforming to the strict conditions
laid down would plates be supplied. The Swansea trade to
the countries named last year amounted to nearly 55,000
tons, valued at =£725,000.

A judgment affecting the rights of the Crown in the
seizure of contraband cargoes was delivered by Sir Samuel
Evans in the Prize Court on Monday. The“ Miramichi ” left
Galveston, Texas, with a cargo of wheat before the war
began, and the cargo was seized at Eastham, Cheshire, on	____________________________

September 1. The ultimate destination was Colmar and
Mannheim, Germany, shipment being made on a c.i.f. basis.
His lordship found that the cargo at the time of seizure
had not passed to the buyer, and it followed, therefore, that
it still remained the property of the sellers, which in
regard to part of the cargo were a New York firm. The
cargo, therefore, was not subject to seizure, and the court
ordered the payment out of the proceeds of the sale of the
cargo to the New York firm. He made a similar order in
regard to the remainder. The Attorney-General said the
Crown would want an opportunity to consider the decision,
which was of considerable importance, and he asked for a
stay of execution. This was granted.

THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE.

Tar Products.—Benzols are steady but rather quiet.
Toluol keeps very firm. Carbolics, also, are dearer. Tar is
on the upward grade. Naphthas, however, are much about
the same and inclined to be sluggish. Creosote unchanged.

Nearest values are : —

Benzols.........................................	/10|

Do. North.................................. /8| to /9

Toluol ........................................ 2/1 to 2/3
Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) ........... 2/7 to 2/8

.........................

Do. crystals (40 per cent.) .........	. /11|

Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package)... /8| to /9
Crude ditto (in bulk) ................................. /5|

Creosote (for ordinary qualities) .............	/3t7q

Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ......................	—

Do. (f.a.s. west coast) ......................	—

Tar (liquids in 1 ton) ......................... 16/6 to 18/

[Benzols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids,
usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails
at maker's works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch
f.o.b. net.]

Sulphate of Ammonia.—Reports of prices are very
variable, and in the face of the satisfactory statistical
returns f = r October it is small wonder “ bears ” are doing
their best to depreciate prices. In the north, however, the
forward market records an advance to =£11 5s. For prompt
prices keep about on the level of last week, current values

being:—

London (ordinary makes) ..........	=£10/7/6

..........................

Beckton ........................... =£10

Liverpool ....................................... =£10/15

Hull..............................	=£10/12/6

Middlesbrough....................	=£10/10

Scotch ports ......................	£10/17/6 to =£11

Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ...	9/6

[Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2| per cent, dis-
count; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowance
for refraction, nothing for excess.]

Trade Notes.

If the report that the Government intend to make grants
to assist the growing of sugar beet in Great Britain proves
to be correct, the makers of sulphate of ammonia may con-
gratulate themselves, because this is one of the most useful
and popular fertilisers for this crop. It will also be as well
to be prepared to turn the occasion to profitable use the
moment it becomes a reality, as there is likely to be price-
cutting competition from nitrate of soda since the Chilian
Legation officially announce that a convention has been con-
cluded which will permit the re-opening of the nitrate trade
with Holland, which ceased entirely at the commencement
bf the war. For many reasons it wrould be interesting to
know the exact details of that convention, for it is not easy
to look unsuspiciously at the imports of such an important
agricultural product, 'which also is a raw material for the
manufacture of high explosives, into the one neutral country
that is closest to the German frontier.

It must be remembered that sulphate of ammonia has
for some weeks past been exported to Amsterdam and Rot-
terdam. Now the supply of nitrate of soda is to be re-estab-
lished, and the mind of the analyst instinctively turns to
thoughts of nitrate of ammonia which enters into almost
every high explosive and blasting agent. Furthermore, the
Germans have abundant supplies of potash salts in the
interior, and, with nitrate of soda once more available, it is
not a far cry to the production of saltpetre.

It is encouraging to find that the Ontario deposits of
felspar are receiving attention, with the object of replacing
the shortage of potash salts by extracting potash compound
suitable for fertilising uses from the ground spar.

More by-product plants are materialising — again in
Lancashire and on the Ellesmere estates, at those collieries
that have coke oven installations. At present the Brackley
Collieries, Walkden, and also collieries in the Manchester
and Bolton districts, have been named to go on with. Light
and also motor benzols will be produced as well as illumi-
nating gas; at all events as far as the Brackley Collieries
are concerned.

The position of carbolic acids calls for careful considera-
tion by tar distillers just now. Prices have advanced sub-
stantially during the last few weeks, but if the edict for-
bidding the export of this product is rigorously enforced,
this state of affairs is now likely to continue. The price
may not fall much, but it will most likely come to a stand-
still. America is very short, and a good market will be
lost if exports have to cease. Up to the middle of this
month fairly heavy shipments were being made from
London, Liverpool, and Manchester.

Since last report the exports of tar have been 34,475 galls.,
100 barrels, and £311 worth, apart from 13 tons of crude
tar to Algoa Bay. The figures for pitch are 2.687 tons, 261
barrels, and £294 worth. The exports of sulphate of
ammonia have been about 2,000 tons, of which the U.S.A,
has taken good shipments, as has also the Dutch East
Indies, while Spain and Italy have taken a share each.

The London County Council have now given notice of
their intention to introduce a Bill in the present session of
Parliament to establish an electrical authority with power
to carry into effect the supply of electricity to London and
the adjoining districts.

Col. Charles William Trotter, former vice-chairman of the
Hull and Barnsley Railway Company, has been appointed
chairman in the place of the late Sir Wm. S. Wright.
Mr. J. H. Fisher was elected deputy-chairman. Mr. Richard
Watkins, the general manager, succeeds the late Sir W. S.
Wright as representative of the company on the Humber
Conservancy Board.

COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES.

REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS.

Bradford Coal Merchants’ and Consumers’ Association
Limited.—The directors have decided to withhold payment
of an interim dividend on the ordinary shares. A year ago
a distribution of 4 per cent, per annum was made.

Brown (John) and Company Limited.—The directors have
resolved to pay an interim dividend at the rate of 5 per
cent, per annum on the ordinary shares of the company, less
tax, payable on December 22. The usual dividend on the
preference shares will be payable at the same time.

Canadian Car and Foundry Company Limited. — The
directors have issued a statement, in which they say that
the financial situation and business depression caused by
the war make it necessary to defer paying dividends until
conditions improve.

Electric Construction Company Limited.—The directors
announce an interim dividend at the rate of 7 per cent, per
annum on the preference shares for the half-year ended
September 30.

Great Northern Iron Ore Properties Limited.—A distri-
bution of 50c. per share has been declared on certificates of
beneficial interest.

Horden Collieries Limited.—After deducting £9,593 4s. 7d.
for depreciation, and £4,000 for income-tax, the profit for
the year ended September 30 amounts to £116,624 Is. 10d.,
and with £27,406 15s. Id. brought forward from last year,
makes a total of £144,030 16s. lid. Of this sum £15,695
14s. 6d. has been paid or provided as interest on debenture
stock and calls on shares paid in advance, and £30,326
Ils. 2d. has been paid as interim dividend, leaving
£98,008 Ils. 3d., which the directors recommend shall be
disposed of as follows :—In placing to reserve account,
£20,000; in payment of a final dividend of 4 per cent.,
making 8 per cent, for the year, to those shareholders regis-
tered in the books of the company on October 23, 1914, in
respect of share capital called up on or prior to October 1,
1913, £30,326 11s. 2d.; balance to be carried forward,
£47,682 0s. Id. As might be expected, the profits during
the last two months of the financial year have been seriously
affected by the war, chiefly owing to the reduction in output
caused by the very large number of workmen who have
joined the Army, and the consequent advance in the cost of
raising coal. About 760 out of a total of about 5,200
employees, or nearly 15 per cent., have joined the Colours.
This decreased output may be apparent during the present
year, and in some degree also until the termination of the
war. With the exception of the first half of August, and
occasional time lost through unexpected delay in shipping,
the collieries have been working nearly full time up to now,
but, of course, on a decreased output for the reasons already
named. The by-product ovens at Shotton Colliery are now
completed, and are being heated gradually. An average of
168 tons per day has been drawn from Blackhall during the
financial year. Hitherto the coal has been sold as
unscreened, but cleaning belts and screens are now being
erected. Altogether 2,005 houses have been built at the
three collieries, of wdiich number 1,667 have been either sold
or mortgaged. There are many more houses required, and
for this purpose extra capital can be employed most advan-
tageously. An extraordinary meeting of the company will
be held after the general meeting to-day (Friday) to increase
the capital by £200,000.

Hyderabad (Deccan) Company Limited. — The directors
have declared an interim dividend of 9d. per share, free of
income-tax.

Kynoch Limited.—Extraordinary general meetings of the
ordinary and preference shareholders were held at Birming-
ham on the 19th inst., in connection with the decision of the
directors to call up the unpaid ordinary capital, and to con-
vert the 50,000 preference shares of £10 into shares of £1
each. Both proposals were adopted.

Midland Iron Company Limited. — The report of the
directors says the state of the iron trade during the past year
has been most unsatisfactory. The demand has been very
poor and prices low, whereas the cost of fuel has been high,
and loss has been incurred owing to the stoppage of the
collieries in the early part of the year. Considerable inter-
ruption to the business has been caused by the outbreak of
war. Having regard to the uncertainty caused by the war,
the directors do not feel justified in paying a dividend on
the ordinary shares. The profit, after providing for deben-
ture stock interest and all other charges, is £1,826 3s., the
balance brought forward is £644 8s.. making an available
total of £2,470 Ils. This it is recommended should be
appropriated as follows : Interim dividend on preference
shares at the rate of 5 per cent., paid in May, £625; final
dividend on preference shares at 5 per cent, per annum,
£625; balance carried forward, £1,220 Ils.

North Lonsdale Iron and Steel Company Limited.—The
directors recommend a dividend of 10 per cent, for the year
ended October 31.

Pease and Partners Limited.—The directors have resolved
to pay interim dividend on fully-paid ordinary shares of 8s.
per share, being at the rate of 8 per cent, per annum.

Ruston, Proctor and Company Limited. — The directors
have decided that in consequence of the dislocation of the
export business and the disturbed financial situation caused
by the war, it is advisable not to pay an interim dividend on
the ordinary shares.

Skinner and Holford Limited. — The directors, in their
report for the year ended September 30, state' that the amount
of profit (including the balance brought forward) is
£32,111 5s., which it is proposed to deal with as follows :—
In confirmation of interim dividend paid in May, £7,349
18s. 6d.; payment of final dividend of 7s. per share on the
fully-paid shares, and 4s. per share on the £4 paid, making
12| per cent, for the year (free of tax), £4.900; writing off
expenditure on new plant and buildings, £10.187 5s. 4d.;
carrying forward £9.674 Is. 2d. The new coke ovens,
washery, and by-product plant have been at work since the
end of April. A heavy expense has been incurred this year,
both above, and below ground, due to the requirements of the
New Mines Act. The w’aste gas from the coke ovens is
being utilised for boiler firing, and this will considerably
reduce the fuel consumption.

United Collieries Limited. — The half-year’s interest on
first debentures, “ A.” which fell due on October 1*, 1914,
will be paid on and after November 30 to registered holders
on presentation of warrants, and to bearer debenture holders
on presentation of coupons. The directors hope early in 1915