December 24, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 1337 THE “LIMPET” INSULATOR. An objection has been raised to the use of porcelain insulators below ground and in other quarters where cables are subject to rough usage, because of their fragility. At the same time it is necessary to have an insulator from which the wire can be removed with ease during repairs, otherwise workmen may be tempted to cut the wires. A new type of unbreakable insulator has now been placed on the market, in which these defects appear to be obviated. The “ Limpet ” insulator, an example of which is shown in the accompanying photograph, is made of malleable iron, and can be fixed in a moment by a blow or two from a hammer. A cam on the bolt gives the grip, and one insulator can be used as wrench for turning bolts of others. The illustration shows a piece of No. 8 gauge wire gripped between insulating blocks of vulcanised fibre. No. 8, 9 or 10 gauge wire can be used with the blocks supplied, but blocks for other size wires can be had if required, or the insulator can be adapted for insulated wires of any diameter. CONTRACTS OPEN FOR COAL AND COKE. For Contracts Advertised in this issue received too late for inclusion in this column, see Leader and Last White pages. Teddington, January 4.—The Urban District Council are desirous of receiving tenders for the supply of rough slack, about 800 tons, for the period ending June 30, 1915, delivered in quantities as required at the Sewerage Works, situate in Broom-road, Teddington. Sealed tenders, endorsed “ Tender for Rough Slack,” together with samples, must be sent to the undersigned at the Council Offices not later than Monday, January 4, 1915. The Council do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. By order. G. H. Salmons, clerk, Council Offices, Teddington. Abstracts of Contracts Open. Grimsby, January 4.—Steam coal for the Corporation. Particulars from H. Gilbert Whyatt, borough engineer and surveyor, 170, Victoria-street, Grimsby. Kildare (Ireland), December 31.—Anthracite coal for the Waterworks of the Naas Rural District Council. Tenders to F. Bergin, Beechgrove, Kildare. London, S.W., January 1. — Coal and coke for the Wandsworth Borough Council. Forms from Council House, East-hill, Wandsworth, S.W. Oxford, December 31.—Best Moira screened cobbles for the Corporation. Tenders to R. Bacon, town clerk, Town Hall, Oxford. Pontefract, December 29.—Best steam screened nuts, clean and free from dirt and smudge, for the Corporation. Particulars from J. E. Pickard, borough surveyor, Municipal Offices, Pontefract. Slough, December 31.—Best Tredegar large smokeless steam coal, aggregating about 300 tons for the Slough Urban District Council. Tenders to W. W. Cooper, manager, Council Offices, Slough. Warrington, January 11. — Good firing slack for the Sanitary Works Committee. Tenders to Chairman of Committee, Town Hall, Warrington. The date given is the latest upon which tenders can be received. CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON AND STEEL WORK, &c. Barbow-in-Fubnbss, December 29. — Gas Plant.— Erection of new branch gas works, including a coal gas carbonising plant (vertical retorts), condensers, washers, etc., for the Corporation. Specification from Borough Engineer. Birkenhead, January 12. — Electric Motors. — Electric motors and motor starters from J- to 15-horse power for the Corporation. Specification from G. P. Shallcross, Corpora- tion Electricity Works, Craven-street, Birkenhead, on deposit of one guinea (returnable). Faversham, January 7.— Waterworks Extension.—Laying of cast iron pumping mains, supply mains, and construction of new service reservoir, for the Rural District Council. Specification from H. H. Humphrey, 28, Victoria-street, Westminster, on payment of three guineas (returnable). Glasgow, January 4.—Boiler.—One Lancashire steam boiler and steel chimney for the Corporation. Specification from Office of Public Works, 64, Cochrane-street. Hull, January 9. — Mains. — About 16 miles of water mains for the Hull Water and Gas Department. Specifica- tion .from C. B. Newton, city water and gas engineer, on payment of £1 (returnable). Leeds, January 22.—Coal Conveying Plant, etc.—For the Corporation : An electric overhead travelling crane, also coal and ash conveying plant. Specifications from C. N. Pefford, 1, Whitehall-road, Leeds, on deposit of two guineas (returnable). London, E.C., January 6. — Transformers. — Six lOOk.v.a. single-phase transformers for the Melbourne City Council. Specification, on deposit of 5s., from Messrs. Mclllwraith, McEacharn and Company Proprietary Limited, Billiter-square-buildings, E.C. London, S.W., January 15.—Plant.—Two 1,500 k.w. (2,000k.v.a.) turbo-alternators, with condensing plant and switchboards; extra high-tension cable; and sub-station switchboards and transformers, for the North Point Generating Station, Hong Kong. Specification from Messrs. Preece, Cardew and Snell, 8, Queen Anne’s-gate, Westminster, S.W., on deposit of one guinea for each section (returnable). Manchester, January 7. — Plant Reconstruction.— Reconstruction of the horizontal retort carbonising plant for the Gas Committee. Specification from F. A. Price, superintendent of Gas Department, on deposit of one guinea (returnable). Melbourne, January 15.—Plant.—A 5,000 kw. turbo- alternator, with exciter and condensing plant, for the Melbourne City Council.* Sydney, March 15.—Testing Apparatus.—Transformer testing apparatus for the Sydney Municipal Council.* Wellington (Salop), January 11.—Plant.—Gas engine and double-barrelled well pump for the Guardians. Specifi- cation from R. Gwynne, clerk, Edgbaston House, Wellington. * Specifications, particulars, etc., may be seen at the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade, 73, Basinghall-street, E.C. COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES. REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS. Anglo-French (Transvaal) Navigation Coal Estates Limited.—The directors have declared an interim dividend of 6J per cent. (Is. 3d. per share) on account of the 7 per cent, cumulative preference shares. Apex Mines Limited.—The directors have declared an interim dividend of 7J per cent. (Is. 6d. per share) for the half-year ending December 31. Barrow Haematite Steel Company Limited.—The directors have convened a meeting of the 5 per cent, debenture stock- holders for the purpose of considering an extraordinary resolution postponing the redemption of the stock from July 1, 1915, to July 1, 1925. The directors announce that of the £364,865 stock authorised in October 1904, to replace that falling due in July 1905, £318,000 is now outstanding, and will mature for payment on July 1 next. They have come to the conclusion, however, that instead of issuing new stock to take the place of that maturing, it will be more convenient and less expensive to postpone the redemption of the existing stock for 10 years. They accordingly propose that this should be done. The trustees of the stockholders have consented, subject to the approval of a meeting of the stockholders, and the directors state that holders of stock to the amount of £100,000 have already signified their assent to the scheme. Breyten Collieries Limited.—The directors have declared an interim dividend of 2J per cent. (6d. per share), amount- ing to £2,250, for the period ending December 31, 1914, being at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum. Dunderland Iron Ore Company Limited.—The directors, in their report for the year ending September 30, state that the scheme of arrangement which was sanctioned by the High Court of Justice on September 10, 1913, became absolute in due course. In accordance therewith a supple- mental trust deed modifying the rights of the prior lien bondholders was executed, and the trustees for the first and second charge debenture stocks released the floating charges upon the property and assets of the company. The regis- tered holders of debenture stocks, funded interest certificates, and ordinary stock were duly allotted the profit sharing certificates in the New Dunderland Company Limited, to which they were entitled in the proportions named in the aforesaid scheme. The cancellation of the company’s indebtedness to its stockholders and creditors has enabled the directors to write off substantial amounts from the book values of properties, as well as expenditure not represented by, tangible assets. The loans secured by the deposit of certain prior lien bonds were called in on December 23, 1913, and. as the company was unable to repay the same, the bonds to which the lenders were proportionately entitled were transferred to them. The receiver was discharged on January 23, 1914, and the balance of cash in his hands was paid over to the company. The company also received from the New Dunderland Company Limited the necessary funds as provided for in the scheme of arrangement, which sums have been used for the discharge of liabilities and the general purposes of the company. Owing to the outbreak of hostilities, the directors think it undesirable to proceed further with the construction work at present. Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company Limited.—The directors announce an interim dividend at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum, less tax, on the ordinary shares. Pekin Syndicate Limited.—The report covering the 12 months ended June 30, 1914, states that the political and economical outlook of China, under the presidency of his Excellency Yuan Shi Kai, was more hopeful than it had been for many years when the present European War broke out, and there are no reasons to fear that the present crisis should to any serious extent affect the thriving population of the Far Eastern Commonwealth. The receipts during the year ended June 30, 1914, amount to £47,405, comprising interest on Chinese bonds, sundry investments, and profits on the working of the steam collier and sale of shares. The expenditure during the same period on salaries and expenses of management in London was £12,523, in Paris 4,407, and in China £9,687. French fiscal dues in respect of Shansi shares amounted to £904. The credit balance on profit and loss account carried to balance-sheet is £19,881. The directors, for the reasons given in the report for 1912-13, propose that this amount should be dealt with in the same manner as last year, and carried forward to the next account. Sheepbridge Coal and Iron Company Limited. — The directors have decided to pay an interim dividend of 6d. per share on the fully-paid shares, and pro rata on the partly - paid shares, less income-tax. Transvaal Coal Trust Company Limited.—Dividend of 8| per cent. (Is. 9d. per share). Tweefontein Colliery Limited. — The directors have declared a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum on the preference shares, and an interim dividend of 6 per cent, on the ordinary shares, on the amounts for the time being paid up, less tax. Witbank Colliery Limited.—The report for the year ended August 31, 1914, states that the output reached a total of 775,906 tons, being an increase of 19,274 tons upon that of the preceding year. The appropriation account for the 12 months under review may be summarised as follows :— Balance brought forward, £57,358; profit realised during the year, £79,030; rents, interests, and sundry revenue, £1,746; total, £138,135; audit fees for previous year, £262; Government tax on profits for previous year, £2,741; capital expenditure for past year, £4,368; sundry items, £104; dividends Nos. 18 and 19 of 12J per cent, each declared during the past year, £52,500; directors’ extra remunera- tion, £1,500; balance, £76,658 net. Capital expenditure during the past year has been £15,746. The Johannes- burg municipality brought an action for £14,070, as the company had not been able to obtain from the plant the quality and quantity of tar which it was anticipated it should produce, in consequence of which it was impossible for the company to carry but the terms of the contract. Since the close of the financial year a compromise has been arrived at, w’hereby the company agreed to pay to the municipality £10,000 in full settlement, each side to pay its own costs. NEW COMPANIES. Booth Brothers (Dial Foundry) Limited. — Private com- pany. Registered Dec. 14. To acquire business of malle- able ironfounders now carried on by H. Booth at Dial Works, near Stourbridge, and to carry on business of malleable iron founders, manufacturers of forgings and castings, and engineers. Nominal capital, £3,000 in £1 shares (2,000 ordinary and 1,000 deferred). Permanent directors :—H. Booth, The Limes, King William-street, Amblecote, Stourbridge, ironfounder; G. E. Booth, 40, Platts-crescent, Amblecote, ironfounder; H. H. Booth, Bridle-road, Wollaston, ironfounder; S. E. Booth, The Limes, King William-street, Amblecote, cashier. Economic Tin-plate and Tinning Company Limited.— Private company. Registered office, 32, Woodfield-street, Morriston, Swansea. Registered Dec. 15. To acquire an invention or patent No. 8826 of 1914, and to acquire, exploit, manufacture, use, make, sell, and dispose of any patent for the tinning or coating of metal plates, and to carry on business of iron founders, tin and terne plate and galvanised sheet manufacturers, mechanical engineers, etc. Nominal capital, £1,000 in £1 ordinary shares. Directors and subscribers (one share each) :—W. E. Evans, Ashleigh, Springfield-gardens, Morriston, Swansea, ironmonger; T. James, Vine House, Morriston, Swansea, engineer. Gapshields Colliery Company Limited.—Private company. Registered office, Gapshields Colliery, Gilsland, near Car- lisle. Registered Dec. 15. To acquire any mines, mining rights, and metalliferous land in Northumberland or else- where, and to work, explore, exercise, develop, and turn to account the same. Nominal capital, £1,000 in £1 shares. Directors :—A. Montgomery, 39, Heywood-street, Bury, secretary to limited company; J. Macdonald, Riversdale, Gilsland, near Carlisle, mining colliery manager; F. Read, 1 and 3, Bolton-street, Bury, commercial traveller; T. Macdonald, King-street, Bury, mining engineer. Qualifi- cation of directors, £150. Waldie Coal and Shipping Company Limited.—Private company. Registered office, 165, Fenchurch-street, E.C. Registered Dec. 15. To work, develop, and maintain mines, mineral and other rights, properties and works, and to carry on business of raising, crushing, smelting, reducing, amalgamating, and shipping ores, metals, and minerals. Nominal capital, £1,000 in £1 shares. Directors and subscribers (one share each) :—A. Markham, A.I.S.A., 165, Fenchurch-street, E.C., merchant ; T. W. Gimbert, A.I.S.A., 19, Okehampton-road, N.W., accountant. Qualification of directors (other than a first director), £5. This list of new companies is taken from the Daily Register specially . compiled by Messrs. Jordan and Sons Limited, company registration agents, Chancery-lane, E.C. The London Gazette announces that, at the expiration of three months, the names of the undermentioned com- panies will, unless cause is shown to the contrary, be struck off the register, and the companies will be dissolved :— Bevington Bush Galvanizing Company Limited; Blaydon Forge Company Limited; British Tungsten Metals Syndicate Limited; Brownlow Tin-plate and Brass Com- pany Limited; Coal Substitute Limited; Compagnie d’Exploitation de Brevets Metallurgiques Limited; Decar- bonisation Company Limited; Egmont Mining Company Limited; Humberside Brick and Tile Company (Hessle) Limited; North Lincolnshire Brick, Tile and Lime Works Limited; Quickfit Firebrick Company Limited; Standard Tin-plate Company Limited; Steel Trucks Limited; Swansea Townhill Colliery Company Limited. Coal and Oil as Naval Fuels. — The exploits of the “ Emden ” and other German cruisers, according to the Army and Navy Journal, have emphasised the fact that oil will never entirely displace coal as a fuel in a navy. At least, coal must be used in the cruisers and other ships that operate independently of the main fleet. The “ Emden ” would never have been able to make anything like the raids she did if she had been an oil burner. According to the accounts in the daily papers, the “ Emden ” depended largely upon the prizes which she captured for fuel. The success of the German cruisers in operating independently of a naval base suggest that even a large fleet on an expedition would be more independent if it was composed entirely of coal-burning ships.