640

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

September 24, 1915.

past half-year at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum on the
first and second preference shares, and a dividend on the
ordinary shares of 7J per cent, for the year, making, with the
interim dividend, a total distribution of £62,386 9s. 2d.
The directors further recommend that £47,500 to added to
the reserve fund, raising it to £450,000; that the sum of
£8,254 Is. 5d., which represents the expenditure on capital
account for the year, be written off, leaving a balance of
£26,060 16s. to be carried forward. The special reserve of
£10,000 set aside from last year’s profits for the purpose of
meeting contingencies, has been appropriated, as proposed
at the last meeting, to assisting the wives and families of
those of the company’s workmen who have joined the Army,
and to certain provisions to which the directors then referred.
A large proportion of the various works in which the com-
pany is interested have been devoted to war service, and the
, ordinary business of the company has been conducted with
difficulty, which has been much aggravated by shortage of
labour, both skilled and unskilled, in collieries, iron works,
and wire mills. A substantial contribution to the year’s
profits has been received from the company’s shares in the
Partington Steel and Iron Company Limited, the develop-
ment of whose business is now making satisfactory progress.
The present position of the iron and coal trades, in common
with the general business of the country, is precarious and
surrounded with difficulty, and the future it is impossible to
foresee.

Sheepbridge Coal and Iron Company Limited.—The report
and accounts for the year ended June 30, 1915, states that
the net profit amounts to £168,395 14s. 3d., making with
the balance brought forward from last year (£65,044 Ils. 8d.)
£233,440 5s. lid., less dividends paid on February 1 and
June 29, 1915, £39,790 4s. 8d., leaving a balance for dis-
posal of £193,650 Is. 3d. The directors recommend that
this sum be appropriated as follows :—For final dividend of
10 per cent., making 15 per cent, for the year, less income-
tax, payable October 1, absorbing £79,580 9s. 3d.; for
development of new properties, £70,000; leaving a balance
to be carried forward to next year of £44,069 12s. In accord-
ance with the terms upon which the new ordinary shares were
issued, a call of 6s. per share was made on February 15 last,
and a further call of 6s. per share on July 15. It is intended
to make a further call early in the year 1916, and the last
call later in the same year. The output of coal has been
seriously diminished owing to the large number of men who
have joined his Majesty’s Forces. This, together with the
war bonus paid to the workmen and the higher prices of
timber and stores, has caused a considerable increase in the
working cost. The iron works have been similarly affected,
and, in addition, the cost of pig iron has been greatly
increased by the rapid rise in the price of coke. Including
those of the subsidiary companies, the total number of men
who had joined his Majesty’s Forces up to the end of June
last was 2,178, and allowances in the shape of house rent and
coal have been made to their dependants. Contributions have
been made to various funds for the relief of distress caused
by the war. Norwood Colliery, which has been working for
47 years, was closed in September 1914, in consequence of
the exhaustion of the Top Hard seam. At Rossington, the
Barnsley Seam was reached in No. 1 pit on May 4, 1915, at
a depth of 872 yds., and it is anticipated that the same -seam
will be reached in No. 2 pit in November this year. The
erection of the necessary plant for coal winding is far
advanced. Some of the leases of the Firbeck coal field are
completed, and the remainder are practically settled. A Bill
for the construction of a railway was passed last session by
a Committee of the House of Commons, but arrangements
have since been completed for the provision of the necessary
railway accommodation by the railway companies concerned.

NEW COMPANIES.

Kincole Fuel Company Limited.—Private company. Regis-
tered office, 93 and 94, Chancery-lane, London, E.C.
Registered September 16. To carry on all or any of the
businesses of manufacturers, importers, exporters, and whole-
sale and retail dealers of and in fuel or combustible materials,
also businesses of colliers, proprietors and workers, coal and
coke merchants, miners, oil refiners, manufacturers and
vendors of pitch, tar, etc. Nominal capital, £5,000 in 5,000
£1 shares. Subscribers (one share each) : H. E. Pearce and
Marion Jobling.

Marsh Brothers (Electricians) Limited.—Private company.
Registered September 13. To acquire, take over, and carry
on business of electrical engineers and contractors and
dealers in electrical apparatus and appliances now carried on
as Marsh Brothers, at Orchard-place, Sheffield. To enter
into an agreement, and to carry on business of electrical,
mechanical, heating, and general engineers, gas fitters,
repairers of and dealers in electrical and other fittings, air-
ships, engines, bells, earthenware goods, etc. Nominal
capital, £4,000 in 4,000 £1 shares. Qualification of directors
£500. Subscribers (one share each) :—A. Liller, Oaklynn,
Dore, near Sheffield, cashier; F. C. Young, 45, Bank-street,
Sheffield, chartered accountant.

Shutt and Ganderton Limited.—Private company. Regis-
tered September 14. To acquire, take over, and carry on
business of malleable iron founders carried on as Shutt and
Ganderton at 138, Suffolk-street, Birmingham. To enter
into an agreement, and to carry on any of the following
businesses of iron founders, mechanical engineers, steel con-
verters, smiths, die sinkers, tool makers, painters, printers,
etc. Nominal capital, £3,000 in 3,000 £1 shares. Govern-
ing director : T. H. Ganderton, 138, Suffolk-street, Birming-
ham, malleable iron founder.

Staines Projectile Company Limited. — Private company.
Registered September 13. To acquire, take over from Percy
Jose Mitchell the benefit and obligation of contracts secured
by him from the War Office for the manufacture of shells.
To enter into an agreement, and to carry on business of
manufacturers of shells and other projectiles, general engi-
neers, iron founders, mechanical engineers, and manufac-
turers of implements and machinery of all kinds; builders,
painters, printers, etc. Nominal capital, £5,000 in 5,000 £1
shares. First directors : H. Clark; H. Shaw, Caxton House,
Westminster, S.W., engineer; P. J. Mitchell, Caxton House,
Westminster, S.W., consulting engineer; E. Cameron; Capt.
A. Simpson, R.E.

Stevens (Duncan) Limited. — Private company. Regis-
tered September 15. To carry on business of manufacturers
of all kinds of machines and machinery, tool makers, brass
founders, metal workers, 'boiler makers, glass makers, and
workers, water supply engineers, gas makers, etc. Nominal
capital, £500 in 500 £1 shares. Subscribers (one share each) :
Harriet Sheldrake, 47, Howitt-road, Hampstead, N.W.; A.
E. Cox, 28, Dundonald-road, Willesden, N.W., merchant.

Synthetic Gas Processes Limited. — Private company.
Registered office, 31, Station-street, Nottingham. Regis-

tered September 16. To purchase, take on licence, or other-
wise acquire any invention, patent, patent process, or right
to work any such invention for the treatment of coal before
or during carbonising. To improve the yield of volatile pro-
ducts. To carry on in the United Kingdom or elsewhere
business of extractors or recoverers of volatile products from
coal, cannel, shale, or other mineral products, gas producers,
colliery proprietors, coal merchants, chemical manufacturers,
chemists, etc. Nominal capital, £5,000 in 2,500 £1 partici-
pating preference, shares, and 50,000 ordinary shares of Is.
each. First directors :—J. K. Welch, Sopley, Hampshire,
gentleman; A. Rollason, Long Eaton, Derbyshire, engineer;
R. Doncaster, Sandiacre, Derbyshire, screw manufacturer.

Tool Makers and Light Machinery Limited.—Private com-
pany. Registered September 17. To enter into an agree-
ment, and to carry on business of mechanical engineers,
machine and engineering tool makers, boiler makers, iron
founders, brass founders, millwrights, etc., as indicated by
title. Nominal capital, £15,000 in 15,000 £1 ordinary shares.
Subscribers (one share each) : R. J. Coleman and P. J.
Alston.

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 FREIGHT MARKET.

Taken on the whole, there is a fairly satisfactory list of
fixtures for the week under review, but since the turn of
the week, chartering has been reduced to a minimum and
few fixtures are to be recorded. At the north-east coast, a
rather better supply of tonnage has been offered, but rates
show appreciable increases for all directions. For the
Eastern Mediterranean, indeed, the highest figure of the
present year, namely, 37s. 6d. for Port Said, has been
extracted. Coasting, this wreek less under the influence
of C.T. tonnage, has advanced to about 9s. 6d. to London,
Is. increase on last week’s rate. In the North French
market, Rouen was maintained for some days at 19s. 3d.,
but at the time of writing is worth no more than about
18s. Calais is Is. to Is. 6d. dearer on the week, however,
Caen Is. 9d. advanced, and Dunkirk from 6d. to 2s. 3d.
more. The Bay rose to 24s. to Bordeaux in the earlier part
of the week, but is now down to about 23s. 6d., Is. increase.
Rates for the Mediterranean advanced somewhat sensa-
tionally until the week-end, and 35s. was registered for
Genoa, but this market has not now anything like the
same strength as was displayed a week ago. Las Palmas
at 25s. records an increase of 3s. The South Wales market
opened strongly, with tonnage offering very sparingly, and
the demand heavy, but a decided slackness has set in during
the past few days, and rates in some directions show a
distinct weakness. North France is from 3d. to 9d. reduced
to Rouen, Havre from Is. to 2s. lower, and Honfleur from
6d. to Is. decreased. This fall is almost entirely due to
the lack of inquiry for steamers, rather than to any great’
abundance of tonnage. An easier tendency is apparent in
Bay rates, Bordeaux being barely steady, St. Nazaire
weaker, and L’Orient Is. reduced. There is no sign of
weakness in the Mediterranean, and Genoa is Is. dearer,
Savona Is. 6d. increased, and Marseilles about 5 fr. higher,
whilst Port Said is worth 2s. more than last week. Rates
for South America are fully maintained at recent levels,
without much business being done.

In the homeward market, tonnage is in fair demand at
the River Plate, on the unchanged basis of 57s. 6d. San
Lorenzo to United Kingdom for small steamers. America
is a busy market for all classes of freight, especially cotton,
which has paid 145s. Charleston to Liverpool, and 140s.
Wilmington to the same port. It is extremely doubtful
whether. shippers could repeat these figures. Grain rates
are moving upwards, and something more than Ils. 6d. to
West Italy is being offered, without, however, meeting
with any response from owners. Coal tonnage is scarce,
and worth 44s. 6d. to West Italy, and 50s. to Stockholm,
whither large quantities of coal are now being despatched.
Timber from the Gulf to West Italy has been fixed for at
265s. The East is quiet, but rates are well held. Bombay
is paying 52s. 6d. to United Kingdom, and Garston has
been fixed for at 51s. 3d. for manganese ore. Calcutta is
worth 67s. 6d. on d.w., and Madras pays 70s. for kernels.
Sugar tonnage is wanted at Java, but owners hold for
higher prices. There is little doing in other markets.

Tyne to Barcelona, 5,500, 30s.; Boulogne, Calais, or
Dieppe, 900, 18s. 3d.; Boulogne, 2,100, 18s. ; 1,200, 18s. 6d. ;
1,000, 18s.; Bordeaux, 1,600, 24s., from Dunston; 1,700,
24s.; 2,400, 23s. 6d.; Carthagena, 2,000, 28s.; 2,000, 30s.,
coal, 36s. half coke; Civita Vecchia, 3,300, 36s. 6d., 500;
Calais, 1,300, 18s. 6d.; 1,000, 18s.; 950, 18s. 3d.; Caen,
900, 18s.; Dunkirk, 1,600, 18s. 6d.; 500, 24s., coke; 900,
18s. 3d. ; 1,900, 18s. 3d.; Dieppe, 850, 17s. 6d. ; 1,700,
17s. 9d. ; Fecamp, 1,700, 17s. 9d.; Genoa, 3,300, 35s.;
6,000, 32s. 6d., reported; 4,700, 35s.; 5,200, 34s.; 4,600,
34s. ; 3,600, 34s.; Gibraltar, 1,400, 29s. ; Havre, 1,700,
17s. 9d.; 850, 17s. 6d.; 500, 23s., coke; Lisbon, 3,500,
23s. 6d.; 2,000, 24s. ; London, 1,400, 8s. 6d. ; 1,700, 9s. 6d. ;
Las Palmas, 2,500, 25s.; Oran, 2,200, 30s.; 4,000 , 30s.;

3.500,	30s. ; Port Said, 5,300, 37s. 6d.; Rouen, 2,000, 19s.;
2,100, 19s. 3d.; 3,000, 18s. 7|d. ; 1,250, 19s.; 1,000, 18s.;
2,000, 18s. 9d. ; 800, 18s.; 1,600, 18s. 6d.; 2,000, 18s.;

1,700,	18s. 3d.; Rochefort, 2,500, 23s. 6d.; Seville, 800,
40s., coke; Savona, 3,600, 34s.; Spezzia, 3,400, 35s.; Skien,
1,200, 12s. 3d.; St. Servan, 1,500, 18s. 6d.; Treport, 1,200,
18s. ; 1,000, 24s., coke.

Cardiff to Algiers, 3,300, 35 fr.; Aden, 7,000, 35s., Sept.;
Bordeaux, 3,200, 25 fr. ; 3,700, 25 fr. ; 3,500, 244 fr.; Brest,
1,450, 12s. 6d. ; Barcelona, 2,700, 28s. 6d. ; Caen, 500, 20s.,
coke; 800,, 14s. 6d.; 950, 15s., free brokerage; Charente,

1,700,	24 fr. ; Chantenay, 2,250, 23 fr.; 2,000, 21f fr.; 1,200,
22 fr. ; Dieppe, 800, 16s.; Dakar, 2,200, basis 18s., 500, end
September; Genoa, 3,600, 30s. 6d.; 4,700, 31s.; 3,300.
30s. ; 3,700, 31s. ; 3,600. 31s. 6d. ; 4,200, 32s. ; 3,500, 32s.;

5.500,	30s. 6d. ; 4,000, 32s. 6d.; Granville 680, 13s. 6d.;
Huelva, 1,800, 21s., 300; Havre, 900, 13s. 6d. ; Honfleur,

1,600,	14s. 6d. ; L’Orient, 1,000, 16s.; Lisbon, 2,800, 18s.,
500; 2,300, 18s., 500; La Rochelle, 1,600, 23 fr.; Las
Palmas, 1,000, 20s.; Leghorn, 3,700, 31s.; 3,500, 32s.;
4,000, 32s. 6d. ; Madeira, 1,000, 20s.; Malaga, 1,700, 23s.;
Marseilles, 3,200, 40 fr., coal and fuel, free brokerage;

3.500,	39 fr.; 5,300, 39 fr. ; Malta, 5,500, 25s.; Monte
Video, 6,400, 27s. 6d. ; Nantes, 2,250, 23 fr.; 2,100, 21| fr.;
2,000, 20fr.; Naples, 3,800, 30s., 500; Oporto, 900, 20s;

1,600,	20s.; Port Nolloth, sail, 1,650, 43s. 9d., coke; Palma,
2,000, 26s.; Port Said, 5,500, 32s. 6d. ; 27s. 6d., Sept. 25;
5,000, 32s. 6d.; Rochefort, 1.600, 23 fr. ; 2,250, 23 fr.; River
Plate, 27s. 6d.; Rouen, 1,700, 16s.; 1,050, 16s.; Savona,

3,600,	30s. 6d.; 4,700, 31s.; 3,700, 31s.; 3,500, 32s.; 4,000,
32s. 6d.; 5,500, 30s. 6d.; Spezzia, 3,700, 31s. ; 5,500,
30s. 6d.; 3,600, 30s. 6d.; St. Malo, 800, 13s. ; 700, 13s. 3d. ;
Salerno, 2,300, 32s.; St. Nazaire, 4,200, 21 fr.; 2,800,
22| fr.; 2,100, 21f fr.; 1,200, 22 fr.; 3,600, 21| fr. ;
Trouville, 500, 20s., coke; 1,600, 14s. 6d.

Swansea to Marans, 1,050, 23 fr. coal, 24 fr. fuel; Dieppe,
900, 16s.; 1,850, 14s. 6d.; Oran, 1,300, 35 fr.; Leghorn,
32s. 6d., coal; 33s. 3d., fuel; Alicante, 900, 27s.; Treport,
650, 16s. 6d.; Nantes, 1,900, 23J fr. ; Havre, 1,300, 13s. 9d.;
650, 15s. 3d.; Rouen, 900, 16s. 6d.; 1,200, 16s. 9d., fuel;
850, 16s.; Carloforte, 2,100, 32s. 6d.; Calais 650, 16s. 6d.;
850, 17s.; Dunkirk, 850, 17s.; Genoa, 3,300-3,600, 31s.;

3,500,	32s. 6d. ; 1,800, 31s.; 32s. 6d. coal, 33s. 3d. fuel;
Savona, 3,300-3,600,	31s.; 32s. 6d.	coal,	33s. 3d.	fuel;

Spezzia, 3,300-3,600,	31s.; 32s. 6d.	coal,	33s. 3d.	fuel;

Palermo, 3,000, 32s. ;	Messina, 3,000,	32s.;	Civita Vecchia,

1,900, 31s. 6d. coal,	32s. 3d. fuel, 400; St. Malo,	1,300,

13s.; 700, 13s. 6d.; Honfleur, 1,400, 14s. 6d.; 400, 16s.;
Barcelona, 1,700, 27s., Sept.; Chantenay, 2,200, 22 fr. ; St.
Brieux, 320, 13s. 6d., coal, 14s. 3d. fuel.

Newport to Huelva, 1,900, 21s.; 2,500, 20s. 6d.; Havre,
900, 13s. 6d.; St. Nazaire, 4,200, 31 fr., Sept.; 2,800,
22| fr.; Oporto, 900, 20s. ; Algiers, 3,300, 35 fr. ; Bordeaux,

1,700,	24 fr.; Gibraltar, 2,500, 22s., 500; Salerno, 2,200,
32s., 400; Havre Canal, 900, 14s. 6d.; Seville, 1,600, 21s.;
Gibraltar, 1,300, 22s.

Port Talbot to Rouen, 1,950, 16s.; 800, 16s. 6d.; 2,500,
14s. lOJd.; Honfleur, 900, 14s. 3d.; Sables, 1,400, 23 fr. ;
Marseilles, 3,200, 40 fr., coal and fuel, free brokerage;
Nantes, 2,300, 21f fr.; Calais, 650, 16s. 3d.; Dunkirk, 650,
16s. 9d. ; Caen, 1,050, 14s. 6d.; Bayonne, 2,100, 25 fr.;
Bordeaux, 2,400, 24 fr.

Hull to Rouen, 2,000, 18s.; 3,000, 18s. fid.; 3,000 , 20s.;
3,100, 18s. ; Bordeaux, 3,500, 23s.; Dieppe, 1,000, 17s. 6d.;
960, 16s.; Havre, 1,000, 17s. 6d.; Buenos Ayres, 4,500,
28s., Sept.; Brixham, 850, 10s.; 1,450, 10s.

Blyth to Havre, 1,200, 17s. 9d.; Caen, 800, 18s.; Carentan,
280, 20s. ; Dunkirk, 1,700, 18s. 3d.; 2,400, 19s. ; 1,500, 18s.;
Cherbourg, 800, 17s. 3d. ; Rouen, 2,400, 19s.

Goole to Dieppe, 550, 16s. 9d.; Calais, 550, 16s. 9d.

Immingham to Havre, 660, 16s. 6d.; Dieppe, 960, 16s.
Hartlepool to Leghorn, 4,800, 35s.; Naples, 6,500, 33s.
Wear to Marseilles, 2,000, 32s.; Rochefort, 2,000, 23s. fid.;
Bordeaux, 2,200, 24s.

Burntisland to Caen, 1,300, 19s.; Treport, 1,300, 19s.;
Dunkirk, 1,300, 19s.

Forth to Rouen, 1,100, 20s.; Havre, 1,050, 19s.

Seaham Harbour to Rouen, 2,000, 19s. 3d.

Wales to Brest or Boulogne, 14s. 4^d., option Rouen,
14s; 7Jd., 20 voyages, commencing Oct.

Glasgow to Bordeaux, 1,800, 28 fr.; Algiers, 2,400, 25 fr.
coal, 29 fr. fuel; Dunkirk, 19s. 3d.

Clyde to Rouen, 1,400, 18s. 3d.

OBITUARY.

Sir John Pound, Bart., who died recently at his residence,
The Homestead, Highbury New Park, N., was chairman
of the Mount Kembla Collieries Limited.

The death has taken place at Bude of Mr. Josiah Guest,
J.P., head of the firm of J. Guest and Son, iron founders,
West Bromw’ich.

The death is announced of Mr. John Waller, chief engineer
to the Woodland and Crake Scarr Collieries. Mr. Waller,
who was 67 years of age, had worked under three managers
—the late Mr. Metcalfe Gibson, the late Mr. Thos. Shipley,
and the present manager, Mr. J. J. C. Allison. He leaves a
widow, four sons, and seven daughters.

Second-Lieut. C. F. H. Calvert, Royal Engineers, formerly
in the 3rd South Staffordshire Regiment, who was killed in
Flanders on September 14, was the eldest son of Albert F.
Calvert, of Royston, Eton-avenue, N.W., and was 21 years
of age. He was educated at Elstree and Harrow, and on
leaving school he studied mining engineering at the Univer-
sity of London, King’s College, and the Schools of Mines of
London and Camborne, where he gained his first-class
diploma.

Mrs. Littlewood, of Shaw, Lancashire, who died on
Sunday, was the widow of the late Mr. Wm. Kay Scott, a
well-known coal merchant, and it is recalled that she used
to take an active part in the coal business for many years,
and continued to run it with success after her first husband’s
death. She was the only lady .member of the Manchester
Coal Exchange. It is stated that she secured coal contracts
for some of the large Lancashire cotton 'mills, and that it
was no uncommon sight to see her visiting her various
customers with samples of coal in cigar boxes. Deceased
was 59 years of age.

By the death of Mr. Robert Scott, iron and chain manu-
facturer, which occurred on Monday, a well-known resident
of Winlaton has been removed.

Much regret is felt at the death of Mr. Richard
Williamson, of the engineering staff of the Cambrian
Railways, Oswestry. Mr. Williamson was 80 years of age
at the time of his death. He was the son of a Staffordshire
colliery proprietor, and came to Oswestry some fifty years
ago, at the time of the construction of the Cambrian Rail-
way, to take up a position in the engineering department,
which position he retained until recently.

Amongst a long list of important orders for stokers received
by the Underfeed Stoker Company recently we note orders
for two A type stokers from the Royal Aircraft Factory,
Farnborough (from the War Office for the Royal Aircraft
Factory, Farnborough); Low Laithes Colliery Company,
for burning belt pickings. The coal is fed automatically
to stoker hopper in the usual way, but the ash is discharged
from the ash pits automatically.

The Contracts Committee of the Westminster City Council
report that in considering the tenders for steum coal, it
has had before it a presentment from the Baths Committee
referring to the Council’s acceptance on the last occasion
of a tender for Warwickshire Spire coal, instead of Bwllfa
coal, and after giving details of the relative advantages of
the two kinds of coal, asking for consideration as to the
advisability of accepting a tender for Bwllfa coal,’ which,
although dearer, is declared to be much more economical and
efficient in the long run. After comparing the prices and
qualities of these two classes of coal, the Contracts Com-
mittee has come to the conclusion that it would be in the
Council’s interest to use Bwllfa rather than the Warwick-
shire Spire coal.