December 4, 1914. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE OOLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1169 lamps, which, he must say, he was rather against in consequence of the increased cost. But at Monckton they had found that the electric lamps were very useful, and tended greatly to increase the safety of the drivers and the men employed in the roads and dealing with ponies, etc. The flame lamp was very easily extin- guished when it was knocked about, but the electric lamp stood a good deal of that sort of treatment. Other- wise they had found the flame lamp—more especial!” Mr. Hailwood’s—very much more satisfactory, on the whole, than the electric lamp. The President suggested that it might be fairer to the writers of the papers to adjourn their replies to the discussion till the next meeting. Mr. Hailwood assented to this course, and expressed his fear that Dr. Court had not had experience of his lamp, and he also overlooked the fact that the electric lamp had both a top and bottom. Dr. Court would see, if he inspected one, that the angle of light from a com- bustion tube lamp was considerably greater than that from the old oil lamp. Dr. Court said that in the electric lamp he saw there was nothing to prevent the whole of the candle power diffusing into the surroundings of the mine, whereas with the lamps that had a bonnet this was impossible when the miner hung up his lamp. Then, from the Regula- tions, he saw that in the new lamp there was an extra pillar, which also obstructed more of the light. Mr. Hailwood pointed out that the present regula- tions required the glass of the electric lamp to be pro- tected. He also pointed out that the Government did not insist on the five pillars in his lamp, and passed it with a sheath. The discussion was then adjourned till the next meeting. ______ The Annual Dinner. The annual dinner of the Midland Institute was held at the Grand Hotel, Sheffield, on Friday evening, November 27. About 80 gentlemen were present. The chair was occupied by the President (Mr. Walter Hargreaves), and among others present were the Master Cutler of Sheffield (Mr. W. H. Ellis), the Mayor of Rotherham (Mr. P. Bancroft Coward), Prof. Ripper, Prof. Arnold (Sheffield University), Col. T. W. H. Mitchell (Rotherham), Col. Hewitt (Barns- ley), Messrs. W. H. Chambers, J. E. Chambers, J. R. Wilkinson, H. C. Jenkins, W. D. Lloyd, and G. Blake Walker (secretary). Mr. J. E. Chambers, in proposing “ Our Brave Defenders on Land and Sea,” made a strong appeal to the manhood of the nation to do its duty in the present crisis. The Master Cutler, who is a director of the firm of John Brown and Company, replied on behalf of the Navy. He alluded with pleasure to the appointment of Mr. Maurice Deacon as a member of the council of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Since he (the speaker) was appointed on that council a few years ago, he had always been conscious that one great branch of the profession—that of mining engineering—had not been sufficiently represented. So many questions came before them affecting the training and pro- fessional status of the mining engineer that it was most important to have as one of the body someone fully qualified to represent mining engineering on these points. After speaking of the great work of the Army and Navy in the present war, he alluded to the great part the city of Shef- field had taken and was at present taking in providing those forces with their necessary equipment. Col. Hewitt further responded. Prof. Ripper, in proposing “ The Midland Institute,” said there was no branch of engineering which made greater calls upon the resourcefulness of its members than that of the mining engineer. There was no branch which was capable of receiving more advantage from association into societies such as that. The President, in response, said the Midland Institute would not be found to be behindhand in its contributions to the discussions of any of the topics connected with the profession. He often compared the papers of that institute with those of the others, and he never found any that ho liked better than those read by the Midland members. They had almost reached the high water mark in a good many of the subjects and departments which they had investigated, but there remained a very big field in front of them, a field which would afford to the young men now entering the pro- fession all the scope they were capable of requiring, and would absorb all the energies which they could put into their work. Everything seemed to go in the direction of the ton of coal costing more money now than ever before, so that it seemed to him that the great energy of the mining engi- neer of the future would be directed to quite a different phase of the subject—how best to apply coal, and how to apply it most economically. He thought the future gerera- tion would find, on looking back, that the year 1914 repre- sented a midway period. He thought the effect of the economical use of coal would be very wonderful. He should not be surprised to see, in the next 30 or 40 years, quit^ a different appearance given to the whole countryside. He thought we should stop all the great waste that now went on. We should certainly find that we could not afford to let 85 per cent, of the value of our coal go up the chimneys, remain- ing content with getting only about 15 per cent, of useful effect out of this valuable national treasure. When our future engineers gave the proper attention to the matter, he thought we should find the country very much pleasanter to live in. It was therefore encouraging to the younger members of the institute to know that there was such an important field of enquiry before them. The toast of “ Absent Friends ” was honoured on the call of Mr. W. D. Lloyd, and was replied to by Prof. Arnold. During the evening an excellent musical programme, including many items of a patriotic character, was carried out by the St. Cecilia Quartette Party. Copies of a stirring war poem, entitled, “ The Colliers’ March—1914,” by Mr. F. W. Gray, of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia (who is a member of the Midland Institute), were distributed amongst the guests. This is given elsewhere in this issue. Mr. Chas. S. Paul rendered the following song, which had been com- posed by the secretary of the institute :— COMRADES. By G. Blake Walker. 1 Here once more we’re met together, Comrades at this festive meal, We’ve encountered various weather, Hoped a lot and striven a deal; Sometimes we have felt discouraged; Sometimes we’ve been full of pluck, But to-night we come up smiling, Feeling sure we’re in for luck. Chorus (Verses 1, 2, and 4.) Come, then, comrades, hand in hand, Whether good or bad the weather, Firm and constant let us stand, By our calling linked together. Ours shall be a league of honour, We will help each other on. Shoulder we will stand to shoulder, Fearing God in union strong. 2 Every day presents fresh problems, Every week there’s something new, But that dear good fairy Science, Waves her hand and pulls us through. Labour troubles, legislation, We’re about fed up with these, We could spare with resignation, Agitators and M.P.’s. Come, then, comrades, &c. 3 Some old friends who used to meet us Have passed on beyond our sight, P’raps their silent spirits greet us : Let us keep their mem’ry bright. “ Auld lang syne ” we’ve sung in chorus, We have grasped their friendly hands, Let their influence hover o’er us, Forging with them sacred bands. Chorus. Come, then, comrades, hand in hand, Here to-day and gone to-morrow, While we form this friendly band, Let us banish care and sorrow. Gained our charter, hold it fast, Make it our most priz’d possession, And our object first and last To ennoble our profession. 1 Let our watchword be “ Take courage I Do the right and shame the de’il ” ! Youthful merit let’s encourage, Help on work and foster zeal, And when we are here no longer, Others then must work and plan. Each of us may they remember As a brave and honest man. Come, then, comrades, &c. Chorus as verse 1. __________________________ COAL MINING IN ALBERTA. The report of the Coal Mines Branch of the Albeita Department of Public Works for 1913 states that the output of the mines of the province has increased from 3,446,349 tons in 1912 to 4,306,346 tons in 1913; 45 new mines were opened and 72 abandoned during the year, the latter being in many instances only temporarily abandoned until such times as transportation facilities are secured. There is now a total of 289 mines in opera- tion in the province. A new Mines Act came into force on August 1, and appears to be working very satisfactorily, On Septem- ber 17, 1913, “Rules for the Installation and Use of Electricity in or about Mines” were passed by Order- in-Council and are now in force. The amount of coal produced per person employed during 1913 shows a still further increase over previous years. This is due to a great extent to the increased use of coal-cutting machinery in the lignite field. The number of tons of coal produced per pound of explosive used has inci eased considerably in the Crow's Nest Pass d>strict, although the number of tons of coal produced per pound of explosive used shows a decrease in the other districts. Owing to the presence of gas in the lignite mines, it has been found necessary to instal safety lamps in a a number of cases. In all cases the safety lamps installed are of the Wolf type, with the exception of the No. 6 mine, operated by the Department of Natural Resources of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, near Leth- bridge, where electric lamps nave been installed. There is a growing tendency to use gasoline locomotives for haulage purpo'es, paiticularly in the Crow’s Nest Pass mines, and in order that those locomotives can be operated under as safe conditions as possible, it is intended to prepare rules governing their use. Of the 28 fatal accidents which occurred in the p ovince. six occurred in mines which produced less than 50,000 tons during the year; seven in mines which produced from 50.000 to 100,000 tons; eight in mines which produced from 100,000 to 200 000 tons, and seven in mines which produced over 200,000 tons. This is no doubt due to the fact that the smaller mines are under the charge of men who do not hold first-class certificates. The inspectors again repoit that they find considerable difficulty in getting the provisions of the Mines Act complied with at the smaller mines. Considerable progress has been made during the past year with the installation of telephones in the larger mines. In the lignite field 54 35 per cent, of the total output was mined by machinery. No coal-cutting machinery is used in the bituminous or anthracite coalfields. The output of coal from the province for the year 1913 has increased approximately 500 per cent, during the last eight years. The output, however, during the year 1913 would have been considerably larger had it not been for the extremely mild weather which we had during the latter part of the year, and in consequence of which the consumption of domestic coal was consider- ably reduced. The steam coal market was also reduced, as the railway companies have laid off during the year a large number of train crews. The branch line from Edson, on the main line of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway into the mines operated by the Mountain Park Coal Company Limited, was completed and is now in operation, so that a much increased output will be obtained from those mines during the present year. '1 he coal obtained from this part of the country is a high grade steam coal, and compares favourably with any coal in Western Canada. The Pembina Coal Company Limited, which has connections with the main lines of both the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway and the Canadian Northern Railway, has completed a plant during the past year which is capable of producing from 1.000 to 1,200 tons of coal per day. The Gainford Collieries Limited, which is si«uated on the main line of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, is at present erecting a plant which is capable of producing 1,000 tons per day. These two last-mentioned mines are situated about 50 miles west of Edmonton, and produce a domestic coal of high quality. A considerable amount of coal mining has also been done in the neighbourhood of Edmonton by means of the stripping process. This process is removing the surface clay by means of a steam shovel, after which the coal is quarried and loaded direct into the railway cars. The line at present being built from Red Deer into the mines being developed by the Brazeau Collieries Limited, was to have been completed about March 1, 1914, so that another steam coal field with a large area will be opened up. A modern and up-to-date plant capable of handling 1,500 tons per day is being erected by this company. A large amount of development has also taken place during the past year in southern Alberta and a number of plants of modern design have been installed. The following is the classification of outputs during the year 1913 :—Lignite coal, 1,763,225 tons ; bituminous coal, 2,374,401; anthracite coal, 168,720; coal used in coke production, 104,012 ; coke produced, 65,167 ; and briquettes produced, 130,861 tons. There has been an increase in the output of lignite coal 31 44 per cent, over the year 1912, an increase of 23 25 per cent, in the output of bituminous coal, over the year 1912, and a decrease in the output of anthracite coal of 5'52 per cent under the year 1912. The following table indicates how the total output of coal from the Province was disposed of (in tons of 2,000 lb.): CNeS;S Calgary. Ed“°n’ Total. Pass. bridge. ton. 1.441.327.. .364,350.. .251,402.. .630,553.. 2,687,632 98.397.. . 58,778.. .533,820...101,333... 792,328 134,673... — ... 3,528... — ... 138,201 1.674.397.. 423,128.. .788,750.. .731,886.. .3,618,161 — ... 99,623... — ... — ... 104,012.. — ... — ... — ... 71.693.. . 50,909...112,528... 41,817... 4.729.. . 2,907... 10,700... 2,350 .. 3.887.. . 39,999... 2,203.. 2,129 .. 175... 16,709... 73,149... 89,948... Sold for consumption in Alberta ................ Sold for consumption in other provinces......... Sold for export to the United States......... Total sales ..... Used in making briquettes Used in making coke ... Used under colliery boilers Stock on hand at beginning of year ............... Stock on hand at end of year ................ Slack put on waste heap... 99,623 104,012 276,947 20,686 48,308 179,981 Total output ... 1,849,435...627, 61...966,020. .863,430...4,306,346 Of the total number of persons employed 2,231 were engaged above and 5,837 below ground. The per capita production in the bituminous coal mines was 897 short tons, in the anthracite collieries 641 short tons, and in the lignite coal mines 601 short tons. Electricity was used at 29 mines in 1913, of which 10 were situated in the Crow’s Nest Pass district. The horse-power of electrical apparatus in use was 4,228 above ground and 1,147 below ground. Fourelectrica 1 and 163 compressed air coal-cutting machines were in operation, producing 120,870 and 848,481 short tons respectively. There are now tbi ee mine rescue stations in operation, and arrangements have been made with the Canadian Pacific Railway Company to obtain another passenger coach, which will be equipped as a mine lescue car and will operate between Bankhead and Can more. All these stations are equipped with theFleuss and Salvator type of apparatus ; 201 persons have, so far. undergone training and 51 have received certificates. ___________________________ Grimsby Coal Exports.—Returns for the week ending November 27, show that the coal exported from Grimsby consisted of the following :—Foreign : To Copenhagen, 602; Gothenburg, 1,922; Horsens, 671; Landscrona, 1,760; Malmo, 194; Norrkoping, 1,331; and Svaneke, 525 tons. Coastwise: To Teignmouth, 360; Yarmouth (I.O.W.), 195 tons—a total of 7,005 tons foreign and 555 tons coastwise; against 10,991 tons foreign and 1,009 tons coastwise during the corresponding period of last year. Hull Coal Exports.—The official return of the experts of coal from Hull to foreign countries for the week ending Tuesday, November 24, 1914, is as follows :—Arendal, 2.118 tons; Bergen, 3; Copenhagen, 195; Dieppe, 1,495: Dun- kirk, 1,537: Gefle, 1,731: Gothenburg, 286; Honfleur, 678: Harlingen, 504; Helsingborg, 1,357; Leghorn, 1,401; Lands- crona, 1,697: Malmo, 1,365: Naples, 307; Oxelosund, 3,217: Oporto, 1,468; Rouen, 7,402: Rotterdam, 210: Stockholm, 1,680; Sundswall, 2,671—total, 31.322 tons. Corresponding period November 1913—total, 92,843 tons. The above figures do not include bunker supplies, coal shipped for the use of the British Admiralty, nor the Allied Governments.