December 24, 1914.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

1335

Mannesmann - Rohrenwerke A.G., Dusseldorf. — The
report presented to the general meeting on November 17
stated that the output of the works fell to about 25 per
cent, on the outbreak of war, but has since recovered to
40 per cent. A sum of 4 million mk. has been set aside
to cover probable losses on outstanding accounts, about
one-half of which are abroad.

Deutsch-Luxemburg ische Bergwerks und Hutten A.G.—
After deducting interest and taxes, the gross profits
amounted to 24,923,449 mk. (29,456,591 mk.), of which
16,000,000 mk. (16,113,222 mk.) have been written off,
leaving net profits 8,923,449 mk. (13,343,368 mk.)
Allocation : tax reserve fund 500,000 mk. (350,000 mk.),
directors’ remuneration 126,000 mk. (457,568 mk.), war
reserve fund 6| million mk. (0), loss on exchange and
expenses of 25 million mk. loan, 1,324,371 mk. (0),
carried forward 473,078 mk. The dividend last year was
10 per cent. A large portion of the works at Differ-
dingen, Ruemelingen and St. Ingbei t has been closed
down since the war began. The Saar and Mosel berg-
werksgesellschaft will not pay any dividend, but the
Ruemelingen Gesellschaft will distribute 16 per cent.
(20 per cent)

Gewerkschaft Barmen, Hiddinghausen—During the
third quarter of the year the diminished coal output
caused the receipts to drop from 399,517 mk. (1913) to
187,147 mk., but, at the same time, the outgoings
declined from 371,371 mk. to 233,836 mk., the quarter
therefore closing with a loss of 46,689 mk. (profit in
1913, 28,614 mk.).

Westfdlische-Anhaltische Sprengstoffe, A.G., Berlin.
—The general meeting decided to increase the capital
from 4,600,000 mk. to 6,000,000 mk. by the issue of new
1,000 mk. shares, which can be taken up by present
shareholders to an extent equal to 50 per cent, of their
bolding.

Rheinisch-Westfalisches Elektrizztdtswerk A.G., Essen.
—The total working profits and interest amounted
to 9,938,253 mk. (8,113,343 mk.), together with
642,143 mk. (1,168,538 mk.) of income from other
sources. Management expenses and interest absorbed
3,319,389 mk. (3,023,196 mk.). and writing off
3,078,257 mk. (2,877,455 mk.), leaving a net profit of
4,182,749 mk. (3,381,229 mk.). Out of this amount,
209,137 mk. (169,061 mk.) have been placed to reserve,
209.362 mk. (169,217 mk.) distributed as shares of profit,
and 3,760,000 mk. (3,040,000 mk.) devoted to paying an
8 per cent, dividend.

Hasper Eisen- und Stahlwerk, Haspe.—The dividend
has been reduced from 12 per cent, to 5 per cent.; and
the pig iron contingent has been lowered by the union
to 48 per cent, of its nominal participation.

Allgemeine Elektrizitdts-Gesellschaft, Berlin.—At the
general meeting a number of shareholders supported a
resolution for the payment of a 12 per cent, dividend,
instead of the 10 per cent, proposed (14 per cent, last
year), but this was opposed by the board, and rejected
by a large majority of votes. The report states that
about 1,400 employes of the company joined the Colours,
and that about 2 million marks have already been paid
out to their dependants and those of employes interned
abroa d.

OBITUARY.

The death has taken place at his residence, Newlands,
Mount Vernon, of Mr. Robert Dunsmuir Dunnachie, J.P.,
agent for Consett Iron Company Limited.

Mr. William Cash, who died at Halifax last week in his
72nd year, was widely known for his services to science and
research. In this sphere he had a career of no little
distinction, and on fossils of the coal measures was
recognised as an authority. °In 1911 the State recognised
his services by granting him a civil pension.

The death is announced of Mt. John Martin, coal
merchant, of 38, Hall-lane, Bradford.

Mr. Thomas Taylor, who passed away at Blackpool last
week at the age of 75 years, was a native of Darwen, and
was at one time manager of the old Heyford Colliery. Later
he held similar positions at Buckley, Eccleshill Colliery
(Darwen), and the Whitebirk Colliery (Blackburn). He
had lived in retirement for some years.

General regret was caused in the Wigan district on
December 16 by the announcement that Mr. Alfred Earlam
Johnson, managing director of the Abram Coal Company,
had passed away that morning at his residence, Bickershaw
Hall. He had not been in good health for some time, and
during the past six weeks had suffered from an internal
complaint. He was 51 years of age, widely known and
respected throughout Lancashire. Much sympathy is felt
for his widow and six children. Three of his five sons are
now serving the country. The deceased was the third son
of the late Mr. J. H. Johnson, who was chairman of the
Abram Coal Company, and who died in 1897. The late
Mr. Alfred Johnson had been connected with the Abram
Coal Company throughout his working life, and had taken
an active interest in public life locally. He was chairman
of the Abram District Council, a member of the Lancashire
County Council, a magistrate, and a member of the County
Standing Joint Committee. He was a governor of the
Wigan Mining and Technical College, a life vice-president
of the Wigan Infirmary, a governor of the Hindley and
Abram Grammar School and of the Ashton-in-Makerfield
Grammar School, a life trustee of the Abram United
Charities, a warden of Bickershaw Parish Church, one of
the trustees of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners’
Permanent Relief Society, a vice-president of the Wigan
Cricket Club, president of the Abram Cricket Club, a past-
president of the Lancashire and Cheshire Coal Association,
and hon. treasurer of the Lancashire and Cheshire Coal
Owners’ Defence Association. The interment took place on
Saturday at the Hindley Parish Church amid many
evidences of sincere regret at the passing of one who had
always been held in the highest esteem.

News of the death of Mr. Alfred Greener, late of Annfield
Plain, and former manager of the Netherton Colliery, has
been received by Mr. H. Greener, of Craghead. The late
Mr. Greener was seized with a sudden and fatal illness at
South Porcupine, Canada, where he had been staying for
some time.

Notes from the Coalfields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The Shortage of Ships : Cardiff Chamber Discuss Utilisation
of Enemy Craft : Address by Mr. Maclean, M.P.—
Supplies of Pitwood and the Present Need—Further
Suggestion as to Home Supplies — Earnings of Local
Mineral Lines and the Government Guarantee—Presen-
tation to Mr. J. P. Gibbon—Searching the Colliers : A
Magistrate's Opinion.

The discussion at Cardiff Chamber of Commerce on Friday
last concerning shortage of ships, with consequent extreme
rates of freight, was of peculiar interest. The president
had put this question of tonnage upon the agenda paper,
the idea being to utilise the enemy vessels interned in
British ports, so that the pressure upon ordinary freights
might be lessened. Mr. Donald Maclean, M.P., deputy
chairman of the House of Commons, was present, and was
invited to address the Chamber on the subject. He pointed
out that of prize vessels there was not a large number,
whilst, on the contrary, there were a great many vessels
detained. He stated that a committee had been appointed
to deal with the classes of cases where prize ships should be
sold or chartered for the purposes of trade, and he was
able to say that it was probable that some similar steps
would be taken with regard to the ships which were only
detained. It would be considered whether arrangements
could be made for the temporary requisition of these latter
class of ships, so that they might be chartered, and afford
some relief in the present shortage of tonnage. It was
stated during the discussion that altogether the prize and
detained vessels numbered 166, and that up to the present
scarcely any had been made use of.

At the same meeting a statement was submitted as to
the supply of colliery pitwood. Mr. Fifoot said that Cardiff
had been ahead of the Mining Association, which had sent
a deputation to Canada and Newfoundland; for, at the
present time, there was a cargo of timber in Cardiff docks
which had come from Newfoundland, and another one was
due within a few days. Mr. Stephen Reid (a member of
the firm which had undertaken this business) said that
before many years we would have to look out for fresh
sources for supplies of pitwood. One of their representa-
tives had been sent from Finland to investigate the resources
of Newfoundland and Canada; and from his reports there
was not the slightest doubt that any amount of wood was
procurable; the one thing against it was the price, for the
lowest price across the Atlantic was not so low as that at
which the wood could be got in Finland. In addition to
this, the rate of freight was higher.

Imports of pit wood during November fell heavily, but the
totals for South Wales during September and October were
well up to the average in quantity, and August was equal to
February or May. This result, due largely to the action of
the local syndicate, has been of immense benefit to the coal
trade as a whole. We have from time to time referred in
detail to the operations of this syndicate, and the work of
M. Plisson in this connection. But it is the future that
occasions most uneasiness.

When the question of mining timber is discussed in
South Wales, and reference is made to the desirability of
developing the home-grown trade, only the mountainous
land available for planting is usually dealt with. But there
is an example in France of what great benefit would accrue
if the coast land were utilised for the same purpose. In
the Department of the Landes, where fir and larch trees
were planted in order to prevent the sand drifting over the
cultivable land, a great trade has sprung up in mining
timber grown on those wastes; and attention is now being
directed to the fact that South Wales has a similar area
between the Ogmore and the Avon rivers; also further west,
and particularly on the wide spaces between Gower and
Ferryside.

A question much discussed locally has been the effect of
the war upon the earnings of the South Wales mineral
lines, having regard to the decline of exports and the serious
derangement of business that has taken place. What some
critics have overlooked in this connection is the fact that
special arrangements exist in regard to railway earnings;
so that, whatever the actual loss of income may be, the
shareholders—at any rate, for the current half-year—will
not suffer. It is understood that approximately 2 per cent,
represents the diminution of net income shown by the first
half of this year, and to that extent the shareholders will
suffer. As regards South Wales mineral railways, nearly
all of them showed an increase during the first half, but
they suffer in conjunction with the rest of the railways.
After making all allowances, there is, however, an antici-
pation that each of them will be able to pay a dividend equal
to that for the corresponding half of last year; and that
works out at 10 per cent, for Barry undivided stock, 4 per
cent, for Taff, 9 per cent, for Rhymney, and dividend as
far as second preference to Brecon and Merthyr. When
the market prices of the different stocks is considered, it
will be seen that a very high yield upon investment is given
by the bulk of these mineral lines.

Last week Mr. J. P. Gibbon, J.P., Maesteg, who has
been agent to Messrs. North’s Navigation Collieries, was
presented with a testimonial from the colliery officials and
the public. Mr. Gibbon rendered much public service to
the Maesteg district, having been a District and also County
Councillor, a Guardian, etc. He is also treasurer of the
Welsh Baptist Union, and at the gathering held his services
were warmly eulogised by all the speakers.

During the hearing of a case at Merthyr Police Court, the
Deputy-Stipendiary asked why colliers were not searched
before going down the pit rather than afterwards. He said
it looked as though the practice was a trap for the men,
and he could see no reason why the search was not conducted
on the surface. One of the solicitors in the case answered
that, with men going down a dozen at a time, the searchers
had a better chance than they would have with a large
crowd at the top. Under the Coal Mines Act, examination
was to be made either on the surface or below, and it was
upon the suggestion of H.M. inspector of mines that it was
carried out at the bottom.

Northumberland and Durham.

Mr. Burt's Retirement—Blay don Pit Closed.

It was with deep regret that all sections of the northern
mining community learnt, last week, of Mr. Thos. Burt’s
decision to retire from public life at the end of the present

Parliament. Mr. Burt is now 77 years of age, and has
been in the front of the battle on behalf of his class and his
party ever since early manhood. Born at Murton Row on
November 12, 1837, he descended the mine as a trapper boy
at Haswell Pit 10 years later. In 1865 he became general
secretary of the Northumberland Miners’ Association, which
he had had so large a part in founding. Nine years later
he was elected M.P. for Morpeth, a seat in the possession of
which he has never been shaken. His ability was recognised
by his appointment as Parliamentary Secretary to the Board
of Trade in 1892, and his subsequent choice as a Privy
Councillor.

Mr. R. A. Howe, manager of Brancepeth and Oakenshaw
collieries, having, as stated last week, accepted a commission
in the 6th Durhams, his post at the collieries will be filled
during his absence by Mr. Welsh, manager of Willington
Colliery. Mr. T. Mann, under-manager, will take charge of
the latter colliery.

Mr. J. E. Rogerson, the north country coal owner and
ironmaster, has presented the Border Regiment, many of the
recruits to which hail from Durham County, with a beautiful
foxhound as a mascot.

The question as to which local colliery has furnished the
largest number of men to the British Forces, appears, at
present, to be answered in favour of the claim of Daw7don
Colliery, where, out of 3,400 men employed, 1,400 have
joined various units.

The depression in the Tyne coal trade has caused the
owners of the Blaydon Main Colliery to close down the pit.
The working expenses have been considerably increased by
the fact that very short time has been w’orked since the out-
break of war. The majority of the 400 men who had been
employed have found work at the neighbouring pits, but
there is still a large number out of work.

The Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Advisory Com-
mittee, in announcing the success of their efforts at
recruiting 200 men, mainly miners, to proceed to Rouen to
unload vessels there, with a view to overcoming the present
detention of tonnage, express their thanks for the assistance
given by Messrs. Wm. Weir and Wm. Straker, of the
Northumberland Miners’ Association.

Counterbalancing the effect of the closing of the Walbottle
Colliery, two Northumbrian collieries are re-opening. The
Richard Pit at New Delaval, which has been closed since
August, restarted work on Monday last. The preliminary
operations in connection with the re-opening of the Gap-
shields Colliery, near Greenhead, are being performed. It
is stated that there is sufficient coal unworked to provide
work for many years.

The men and boys—between 400 and 500 in all—employed
at Walbottle Percy Pit, Lemington, have received notice to
terminate their'engagements at the end of this year. The
reason assigned is the termination of the lease of the colliery,
which is owned by the Duke of Northumberland as Lord
of the Manor. The shaft was sunk about 32 years ago by
Messrs. Michael Dodd, Wm. Kirton, and Edward Rowell,
who, previously, along with the late Mr. Tarelli, of New-
castle, worked the Union Pit. The Grove seam was first
worked, but, after about a year, other seams were exploited.
In course of time the original owners sold their interest in
the colliery to Messrs. Haggie and Company, the present
proprietors. The colliery houses are stated to have been
taken over by the Throckley Coal Company, and there is an
expectation amongst the Percy Pit workmen that some of
the married men, at least, will find employment in the
Throckley and Blucher pits of that company. Should the
pit be again leased, it will, it is said, be necessary to sink
another shaft to win coal from the deeper seams than are
now being worked.

Last Saturday 10 aged miners’ homes were opened at
Trimdon Grange. The houses were erected by the workmen
of Deaf Hill and Trimdon Grange collieries, on sites pro-
vided by Mr. John Wood, J.P., of Coxhoe Hall, one of the
owners of the Deaf Hill Colliery.

Cumberland.

New Colliery in the Gilsland District.

The collieries at Haltwhistle, which have been working
very irregularly since the war started, are now employed
nearly full time.

Operations have been commenced by Mr. John McDonald,
of Gilsland, to open Gapshields Colliery, which is practically
the Byron Pit, entered from the fan shaft on Lady Carlisle’s
estate. The Byron Pit was worked by a drift on Mr.
Joicey’s estate, but was closed down about 8| years ago in
consequence of the Roachburn disaster, W’hereby three lives
were lost owing to a subsidence taking place through the
coal being worked too near the surface, and causing an
inrush of water from the fell ponds. Mr. McDonald has
obtained permission from the Countess of Carlisle to work
it, and already 10 tons of coal have been drawn. There are
several acres of coal w’hich have not been touched, to say
nothing of the pillars of coal left, w7hich in themselves will
take years to w’ork out. There is a feeling in the district
that some of the landed proprietors might sell some land
so that houses could be built for the hundreds w’ho left the
district at the time of the Roachburn disaster, who would
gladly return if work and houses could be got.

Yorkshire.

Light Railways in South Yorkshire—Increment Value Duty
on Minerals : Decision in the Brodsworth Case.

Further details are now forthcoming concerning the
light railway which the South Yorkshire Joint Line Com-
mittee are promoting to serve the Firbeck Colliery. The
line is to be 4| miles long, starting by a junction with the
Joint Committee’s projected line to the German colliery at
Harworth, which was sanctioned in the North-Eastern
Railway Company’s Act of this year, but w’hich is not yet
under construction. By the Bill being promoted in Parlia-
ment in connection with the Worksop and Bawdry Railway,
pow’ers are sought for the incorporation of a new company,
with authority to construct a line traversing the district
between Worksop and Bawtry, and making junctions at
several points w7ith existing railways, including the Great
Northern, Great Central, and Midland, as w’ell as linking
up w7ith the Great Northern Raihvay Company’s line to
Harworth Colliery, and with the South Yorkshire projected
line to the same pit. Running pow’ers over the lines of
other companies are sought, including the authorised Great
Northern Raihvay Company's line serving the Harworth and
Firbeck collieries.