December 18, 1914. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1272 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. Dimensions Chiefly in Demand in the Principal Coal and Iron Mining Districts in England and Wales. Diameter Length (inches). (feei). 3 3-4 2|-4 2-5> 6-9i ... 10-18 5j-9 6-15 • 4|-5> ... 3-6 2i-8 24-9 2-7 2-7 3-8 3-9 4-6 3|-6J 6 6-7 5-6 3|-6.i 5-6 . 6 5-6 5-7 4-8 5-6| 5-6 5-6£ 3-6 2|-6 3-6 3-7 4|-5 6-9 3-6 3|-61 2-10 ... . 11-10 District. North of England (Tyne district) Cumberland..................... *Yorkshire (Cleveland) - West Yorkshire ................. South Yorkshire __.............. Lancashire and Cheshire ......... Midland counties (Derby, Leicester and Notts) ____.................... , South Derbyshire................ Nottinghamshire & Ere wash Valley Leicestershire ___________________ North Staffordshire .............. , Cannock Chase .................. South Staffordshire and East Wor* cestershire____........................ W ar wickshire __......__......... Shropshire ...........__......... • North Wales ................ South Wales and Monmouthshire ... Forest of Dean .................. Somerset __.........__............ * Ironstone mining. The dimensions of the sleepers upon which the tram- lines for the “ tubs ” or trucks are laid vary greatly according to the width of the galleries or the particular use (e.g1., junctions) to which they are put. The minimum dimensions are approximately: length 3ft., width 5 in., thickness 2| in.; and the maximum dimen- sions are approximately: length 9 ft., width 9 in., thickness 3J in. Sleepers are frequently cut from old pit props; various kinds of timber are employed, e.g., larch, Scotch pine, spruce, oak and beech. s Apart from its use for pit props or baulks, the principal uses to which timber is put have been indicated above—namely, for “ cogs ” or “ chocks,” lor “lids,” for sleepers, and for “ tubs ” or trucks. For the last-named, rough boarding is used; for “ cogs,” “ lids,” and sleepers, sometimes old props are used, as above stated, and sometimes new, specially cut timber. For the purpose of holding tubs on steep places, “ sprags ”* or “ lockers ” of wood or iron are commonly used: there is a tendency now to use iron, but wood is still largely employed. A locker is generally cut from coppice oak or other hardwoods : it is about 3 in. in diameter and about 2 ft. long, being pointed at the ends like a tipcat. Probable Demand and Prices. It is not possible to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the demand for home-grown pit wood. Certain pit s have had to restrict or cease opera- tions as a result of the cessation of foreign demand, and others may have to do.the same if an enhanced price of pitwood is, not accompanied by an enhanced price of coal. Moreover, an increase in the price of coal would automatically .restrict the demand for coal, and conse- quently for pitwood. It may be expected, therefore, that the demand for pitwood will be considerably below the normal. On the other hand, the normal supplies will, as explained above, be very considerably cui tailed, . and new sources of supply are likely to be stimulated only if an increased price will compensate for the heavier freight and haulage charges. There is there- fore every prospect of a largely increased demand for hon e supplies at enhanced prices; but it is desirable to warn owners of woodlands that it would not be wise to expect famine prices. In certain districts (e.g., South Wales) the high prices which were realised in the early , days of the war have very sharply declined in conse- quence of large shipments from abroad, and elsewhere prices may be expected to follow a similar course. The value of standing timber naturally varies with the distance over which it has to be hauled by road or rail to the point of consumption, and it is extremely difficult to make any generalisations on this subject. At the date of writing the following prices (excluding extreme and isolated variations) have been noted :— Larch, 4d.-ls.; pine and spruce, 4d.-7d.; oak poles, 5d.- 1s. 3d., per cubic foot. Generally speaking, the cost of felling will run from Jd. to Jd. per cubic foot, or, at 30 cubic feet to the ton, Is. 3d. to Is. lOd. per ton. Haulage to rail will vary considerably with the distance, gradient and type of road. “ Getting out ” or “ snigging out ”—i.e., hauling from the wood to a hard road, will cost anything from Is. per ton upwards ; this, however, is usually included in the price quoted for haulage. Separately, haulage may cost from 9d. per ton-mile, this , cost being proportionately higher for short distances. The total cost of felling and haulage to rail, over an average distance of four miles, might, therefore, vary from 5s. 3d. per ton upwards Special Railway Rates. It has been a matter of continual objection on the part of owners of woods that railway rates have been ; too high to allow home-grown pitwood to compete with imported material. The railway companies have recently had this matter under consideration, and it is understood that on receipt of special applications they are prepared to quote special emergency rates for long distances. These rates will only apply to pit wood in lengths not exceeding 14 ft., consigned direct to a mine, at actual “ machine weight,” station to private siding, 4 tons per truck. When sending consignments of pitwood by rail it should be remembered that timber in the rough is difficult to handle and that pitwood should, therefore, as far as possible be cut into lengths required at the pits. If this is done there will be little need to employ special railway wagons, since coal wagons (which are unsuitable for carrying rough timber in long lengths) are quite suitable for loading up pit props cut into lengths most frequently used at the mines. Moreover, if woodland owners adopt this course they are likely to realise better prices than if the timber is sold standing. * Not to be confused with the “ sprags ” used in holing. For the convenience of timber merchants and owners of woodlands who desire to deal direct with colliery proprietors, the leaflet gives a list of local secretaiies of coal and iron mining associations in England and Wales who are willing to give either information as to the requirements of the members of their respective associations, or the names and addresses of colliery proprietors who are likely to require timber. A fuither section deals with “Sylvicultural Considera- tions.” It is pointed out that the most remunerative source of material for pitwood is from thinnings. The present rise in the price of pitwood affords an excellent opportunity for thinning woods which need treatment, but which under former conditions could not be treated at a profit. Especially is this the case with Scotch pine woods of 30 years of age and upwards, and with coppice. In addition to pit props the smaller coppice material of 2| in. and upwards can be wor ked up into “ cog ” wood and “ sprag” wood for mining purposes. The Boar d, it is stated, will be pleased to provide advice as to methods of treatment to such an extent as the calls on the services of their forestry inspectors and advisory officers will permit. In conclusion, the Board impresses upon owners and agents the importance of keeping wood-cutters and hauliers fully employed during the winter season. The amount of labour and haulage available for woodland operations is limited, and any possible shortage in pit- wood supplies that may arise will be due, not to any lack of material in the country to.make up the deficit in foreign supplies, but to the difficulty of getting the timber in good time to the pits. Copies of the leaflet may be obtained free of charge and post free on application to the secretary, Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 4, Whitehall-place, London, S.W. Letters of application so addressed need not be stamped. _______ REPORT OF CANADIAN COMMISSION. The Board of Trade has also issued reports upon the supply of imported pit timber, with special reference to the resources of Newfoundland and the maritime provinces of eastern Canada.* In his covering report Mr. C. F. Rey recalls that on the outbreak of the European War it was decided to take stock of the supplies of pitwood at present in the country, whether in the hands of dealers or at the coal mines, and to ascertain the normal requirements of the coal mines. The results of this enquiry showed that on September 1 there were approximately 1,000,000 tons of pit timber in the United Kingdom. Apart, therefore, from the imports which might normally be expected to come into the country, and the home supply which was likely to be forthcoming, there appeared to be a stock actually available which would be sufficient to last at least to the end of the year on the basis of the normal consumption of the mines. Steps were immediately taken by the Board of Trade to stimulate supplies from foreign sources. The maintenance of the normal supply from France was threatened, owing to difficulties of transport and lack of labour consequent on the general mobilisa- tion, but through the good offices of the French Government these difficulties were overcome, and the supply has not only been maintained but considerably increased during September and October. Increased supplies have also become available from Norway, Spain and Portugal, and as regards the last-named country the Portuguese Government have offered several Crown forests for exploitation for this purpose. The imports of props from all sources since the outbreak of war are as follow:— Imports of Pitwood and Pit Props into the United Kingdom for CERTAIN MONTHS IN EACH OF THE YEARS 1912, 1913 and 1914. Percentage 1,000 loads. of 1914 on Month. f the average 1912. 19)3. 191k of 1912 and 1913. August 426 ... 422 ... 184 ... 43’4 September ... 338 ... 479 ... 193 ... 47’2 October .... 341 ... 421 ... 239 ... 62’7 November .. .... 222 ... 216 ... 184 ... 84’0 The total imports since September 1, together with the amount of home timber estimated to have been put into the market, are roughly equivalent to the consumption of the mines during the same period, and consequently the stock in the country would appear not to have appreciably diminished. The question of home supplies is one primarily concerning the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the corresponding Departments for Scotland and Ireland, and enquiries in this connection have been dealt with by those Departments. It is understor d, as a result of these enquiries, that a considerably increased supply may be hoped for from this source. It was, however, considered desirable to make enquiries as to possible new sources from which pit props could be obtained, and after preliminary communication with the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland, and with the Timber Trade Federation of the United Kingdom and the Mining Association of Great Britain, it was decided to despatch a commission of enquiry to these Dominions with a view to ascertaining whether suitable supplies of timber were available there and how far they could be placed on the market on a commercial basis. Accordingly an officer representing the Board of Trade, together with two representatives of the Timber Trade Federation and a representative of the Mining Association, have visited Canada and New- foundland, and have obtained valuable information on the subject, which is contained in the reports. The general effect of these reports is to show that plentiful supplies of suitable timber are available in Canada and Newfoundland, and that they could be placed upon the *Cd. 7728. market in this country at a price which, having regard to present conditions, would probably not be regarded as unreasonable. It would also appear from the information at the disposal of the Board of Trade that the imports of pit- wood from France and Portugal (which have hitherto been used practically entirely in South Wales), could be still further increased to a large extent provided that arrangements could be made for the utilisation of this pit wood in the collieries in other parts of Great Britain, and it would appear desirable that coal owners should take into consideration the question of the utilisation of these sources of supply in order to supplement the supplies received from other quarters. Full information as to these possibilities has been communicated to the interests concerned And may be obtained by other persons interested on application to the Board of Trade. Newfoundland Timber. In the joint general report of the mission of enquiry, it is stated that small quantities of pit timber have already been shipped from Newfoundland to England at intervals during the past few years, but no successful establishment of the business has been accomplished. The industry is one which would be new to the inhabitants, and would require organisation by those who thoroughly understand it. Labour is available during the winter months, which is the period during which the timber would be cut and transported to shipping points. Limited supplies are procurable during the next three months if the necessary negotiations can be commenced forthwith, but no large supply can be obtained I efore next spring shipments. By a special Act passed since the outbreak of the war the Government have sanctioned the export of timber free of tax until December 1915, and possibly this con- cession might be extended if a pit timber industry is established. Newfoundland therefore affords a suitable field of operations. Cape Breton and Nova Scotia. Here, as in Newfoundland, large areas of suitable timber, fir and spruce, exist within easy reach of various shipping ports, most of them open nine months during the year. It is from this area that immediate supplies are available, although it is impossible at the moment to say accurately the amount of such supplies. The following average prices have been quoted :— For timber 3 to 7 inches top diameter, 5 to 9 feet lengths : Lc (fd.) per lineal foot alongside steamer. For timber 8 in. top diameter and upwards, 9 to 20 feet lengths: 5|c. (2|d.) per lineal foot alongside steamer. For future demands large supplies can be obtained from this area, and the Commission consider that Nova Scotia and Cape Breton offer a promising field, both for the present and future supplies. The timber from appearances compares favourably with that hitherto used in Bri>ish collieries, and the cutting of timber has been carried on for many years for the local collieries. New Brunswick and Quebec. There can be no doubt of the fact that immense areas of suitable timber, fir and spruce, exist. The lumber and pulp markets of Quebec and the United States afford at present a ready market for the timber which is being produced from these forests. One or two odd parcels of timber can be obtained at once, and for these quotations have been obtained. Offers have also been made of large quantities for next spring, provided the necessary camping arrangements can be made forthwith. Anticosti. The island is privately owned, and therefore any kind or quantity of timber can be cut without restrictions. We understand that large quantities of suitable timber for collieries are available during the spring and summer shipping season, but the prices quoted are higher than those from other areas. Conclusions. A separate report is made by Mr. W. Windham, Board of Trade representative, on the Mission of Enquiry. His conclusions are as follow :— (а) That there is an almost inexhaustible quantity of timber in large areas of Newfoundland and the maritime provinces of Eastern Canada. (б) That, if arrangements can be entered into immediately, a limited supply is now available for shipment, and that large quantities can be secured for shipment in the spring of next year. (c) That the quality of the required species of timber is suitable for mining operations. (d) That the real determining factor as to procurable quantities resolves itself simply into the question of cost. (e) That for props from 3 to 7 inches top diameter and 5 to 9 feet in length the following prices are quoted :— Newfoundland 49s. 2d. per fathom f.o.b. Nova Seotia ] 44s’ Od’ ” steamer‘ (f) That the Atlantic freight charges are about double those of the Baltic, being approximately 50s. per piled fathom, as compared with 25s. under normal conditions. (g) That ample labour is obtainable to cope with requirements during the winter in Newfoundland, and throughout the year in the eastern provinces of Canada. In order to secure supplies on reasonable terms it appears to be urgently necessary that negotiations should be entered into with those who have a controlling influence over practically the whole of the timber areas. In Mr. Windham’s opinion, this could be done most effectually by concerted action and co-operation.