740

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

October 8, 1915.

had been in relation to the high prices of house coal in this
country. The house coal in this country was a mere flea-bite
as compared with the rest of the production. Were they
going to stop and dislocate the whole of the trade of the
country by prohibiting exports, in order to put right a little
bit of trade that happened to be paying a very high price to
the country? It would pay the Government to give these
people their coal free, rather than dislocate the trade.

(To be continued.')

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

New Director of the Barry Railway and Docks—Scheme of
Education at the School of Mines—Important Case of
Colliery Custom.

During last week the difficulty of obtaining export licences
at Swansea led to considerable pit head trouble, and Mr.
John Wiliams, M.P. has been investigating the matter, and
has interviewed many leading shippers on the matter.
Small coal is chiefly affected.

Mr. T. J. Callaghan has been elected a director of the
Barry Railway Company, in the place of Mr. J. H. Thomas
(Cambrian) who has ■resigned. Mr. Callaghan is well
known in business circles at Cardiff, having been for some
time connected with many of the various enterprises forming
the Cambrian Combine. He is chairman of Messrs. L.
Gueret Limited, chairman of Messrs. Amaral Sutherland
and Company Limited, chairman of the Anglo-Argentine
Coal Company Limited, chairman of Gueret and Company
Limited, deputy chairman of the Naval Colliery Company
(1897) Limited, chairman of La Societa Britannico-Italiana
Gueret (Genoa), and a director of La Societe Generale de
Houilles and Agglomeres (Paris).

In connection with the South Wales and Monmouthshire
School of Mines at Treforest, a scheme has been drafted
for colliery apprentices; -and Mr. Hugh M. Ingledew,
secretary, has distributed it for consideration in several
directions. Pupils may be apprenticed to a colliery company
in mining engineering, colliery engineering (both mechaniacl
and electrical), and 'in chemical engineering; in every case
the period to be of five or six years. The apprentices would
have to attend the School of Mines during the winter season
for four years, and during the vacations they would be
employed -at the colliery, thus resulting in six months at the
School of Mines and six months at the colliery. No
premium would be charged, and apprenticeship wages would
be paid; the colliery office -in addition to wages, provide the
fees of the apprentices at the school. There will be
practical work in the engineering, and laboratory work in
the chemical department. The Mining Board have been
impressed by the fact that some of the brightest students
in the secondary and higher elementary schools do not as
a rule take up any branch of the mining work, and inasmuch
as this fact is said to be due to lack of a direct avenue, the
Board are providing facilities outlined in the scheme. They
combine the practical and technical training of lads so that
a type of official shall be produced who is capable of dealing
with the most modern practice and development in colliery
work, a definite system of training being adopted at the
collieries to supplement the course of technical training at
the school.

Touching the question of the extension of dock siding
facilities, a letter was read to the Chamber from the Cardiff
Railway Company, acknowledging the resolution which had
been passed, and promising due attention. The subject of
altering the credit for coal sales also came up at the Chamoer
meeting, reference being made to the decision of the colliery
owners that sales for shipment from January 1 next should
carry payment at net cash 14 days instead of 30 days as
hitherto. Mr. Trevor Jones submitted that it was a most
inopportune time to alter the practice which had been so
long in force; it was bound to affect seriously some of the
younger firms; and he proposed that a special meeting of the
Chamber be called to consider the matter. The proposition
was agreed to, and it is understood that the meeting will be
held in private.

The-workmen of the Glamorgan Colliery, Llwynypia, have
decided on a voluntary 3d. levy for comforts for the Welsh
Army Corps.

Llanelly Council apparently will follow other of the local
authorities in respect of the supply of coal by retail; for at
their meeting on Tuesday one councillor proposed that they
should take the subject into consideration; and another
speaker pointed out that whilst dealers charged 35s. per ton
to private consumers, a contractor had just agreed to supply
the Education Committee at 25s. There was consequently,
he argued, an enormous profit, and it would save the people
from being mulcted to at least 5s. a ton if the Corporation
sold coal by retail. It was decided that the Council members
of the local Rood Prices Committee should interview the
dealers with a view to arrange prices.

The question has also been raised at Swansea, where it is
alleged the price of house coal is 10s. per ton above the
normal. The local committee dealing with the matter is
credited with having already secured supplies needed for local
industries at rates which are in consonance with the Price
of Coal (Limitation) Act; but the dwelling house supplies
are apparently not yet under control, and the committee are
expected to take immediate action in this respect.

An open-air recruiting meeting was held at Tredegar on
Saturday, when Mr. G. E. Golding (colliery manager), Mr.
Alfred Onions (miners’ agent), Lieut. Morgan Thomas
(recruiting officer), and others spoke. Mr. Onions made a
stirring appeal for recruits, pointing out the cost of victory,
and stating that the voluntary system was being tested, and
this was the last test. Mr. G. E. Golding, colliery mapager,
said Tredegar had sent so many colliery workmen to the
Colours that it could not afford to lose any more. If 50 per
cent, of the other classes in the town enlisted, there would be
no more recruiting meetings held there.

At Cardiff County Court on Wednesday, the Ffaldau
Colliery Company were the defendants in an interesting
action brought by employees. The point at issue was the
right of the colliery company to vary a custom without the
consent of the workmen. Prior to the passing of the Eight
Hours Act. the time of going down had been six o’clock, lufl
subsequently this was altered to seven o’clock. In January a
notice was posted that no lamps could be given out after 10
minutes to seven ; and oi^e morning plaintiffs presented them-
selves at nine minutes to seven, but were refused lamps as
they were a minute late. The company said that the rule

was necessary to ensure efficient examination of the lamps at
the pit head, and that the men had acquiesced. His Honour,
giving his decision, said he had come to the conclusion that
clause 24 applied, and the Ffaldau Colliery as one of those
coming under the agreement. Evidence had shown that there
was a custom or condition in 1899 that up to the time of the
morning shift—seven o’clock—a man was entitled to have his
lamp so long as he presented himself not later than seven
o’clock. In consequence of the Eight Hours Act the time
, was altered back to six o’clock (being subsequently changed),
but a man was still entitled to have his lamp at the time of
the morning shift. Evidence showed that that custom pre-
vailed up to the time of the notice which sought to make a
new rule that men must get their lamps 10 minutes before the
morning shift. His Honour said it was not open for the com-
pany to do that, without going through the process laid down
through the Conciliation Board. The company had exceeded
their power in preventing a man earning his day’s wages,
and plaintiffs were entitled to succeed. Judgment would be
given for plaintiffs. Leave to appeal was given, with costs
on Scale B.

Rees Thomas and David 'John Miles, lampmon, employed
at the Abergorky Colliery, Treorky, were charged at Pentre
last week with a breach of section 34 of the Mines Act by
failing to examine a certain safety lamp on its return to the
lamproom. Evidence was called to show that the lamp in
(juestion was examined at the lamp station underground on
the morning of July 29 as the holder of it was proceeding
to his work. When the shield and cap were removed it was
found that the under gauze was dented, and that there was
a hole in it. The Stipendiarv, after hearing evidence, said
that the case must fail. He could not hold a lampman
responsible in such a case, where there were so many lamps
that it was impossible for him to examine every lamp person-
ally. Defendants must be given the benefit of the doubt.
Tiie lamp might have been examined and no entry made.
In that case proceedings might have been taken for failure
to make an entry.

Northumberland and Durham.

Employment in September—The Timber Question—Durham
Homes Movement in 1914.

The members of the West Wylam, Prudhoe, Mickley,
and Eltringham miners’ lodges have decided to supply the
occupants of the aged miners’ homes at Edgewell with
free coals in future.

Mr. M. Dixon has been appointed under-manager in the
Low Main seam at Murton Colliery, in succession to Mr.
Ernest Chicken, who is now assistant-manager at the
Horden Collieries. Mr. Dixon was under-manager at
Walker Colliery.

A return issued by the Northumberland Miners’ Associa-
tion with reference to the working of the county collieries
during last month shows that the average number of days
per week worked throughout the county was 5’36, only
0’14 day short of full time. The steam coal collieries
worked 5’33 days per week, as against an average of 5’2
days in August. The household coal pits were employed an
average of 5’43 days per week, as compared with an average
of 5*081 days worked in August. Three collieries, all
situated on the eastern side of Northumberland, were
responsible for the bulk of the lost time.

In the House of Commons last week, Mr. Fenwick asked
the Home Secretary whether he was aware that three or
four pits in Northumberland had been laid idle for want of
a proper supply of timber to secure the safe working of
such mines, and whether the failure to provide the necessary
timber was due to any neglect on the part of the managers
at the collieries or some other cause. Mr. Brace, in reply,
said that at the pits of one colliery company the men
recently stayed away for one or two days in consequence
of the shortage of timber. He was not yet in possession
of the facts as to the cause of the shortage, but had called
for a full report. The question of the supply of timber
generally was being carefully watched by the inspectors and
the Home Office, and he was in communication with the
Board of Trade on the subject. An enquiry would be made
without delay.

Capt. J. H. Cuthbert, D.S.O., son-in-law of Mr. J. C.
Straker, coal owner, of “ The Leazes,” Hexham, is
reported as “ wounded and missing.” He was in action
with his old regiment, the Scots Guards, when the casualty
occurred.

Second-Lieut. Frederick Bell, of the 173rd Tunnelling
Company of the Royal Engineers, who prior to joining the
Army was a mining engineer at Carlton Main, near
Barnsley, has been awarded the Military Cross for con-
spicuous gallantry at Cambrin, on September 6. He is the
son of the late Mr. W. Bell, formerly owner of the Wreath
Quay Engineering Works, Sunderland, -and a nephew of
Mr. R. Norton, Lloyd’s surveyor -at that town. Lieut. Bell
is 23 years of age.

The statues of Messrs. Alex. MacDonald, M.P., Wm.
Crawford, M.P., W. H. Patterson, and J. Forman, all, in
their day, prominent miners’ leaders, have been removed
from the niches they occupied in front of the Durham
Miners’ Hall in North-road, Durham, and are to be erected
in the gardens and grounds of the new Miners’ Hall at Red
Hills, which will be opened on October 23.

The Sedgefield Rural District Council has decided to write
to the directors of the Trimdon Coal Company strongly
protesting against the unsatisfactory supply of water pro-
vided by the colliery. The Council threatens to finish with
the colliery and to invite a water company to bring a supply
into the district. As, however, it is estimated that that
step would cost £12,000, it seems obvious that it would be
wiser to endeavour to obtain a satisfactory arrangement
with the colliery.

The Scremerston Coal Company’s flock of Border
Leicester sheep have been dispersed by sale at Heathery
Tops. The flock, which, founded in 1904, has been most
successful, as results at the Royal, Highland, Northumber-
land, and Border Union shows prove, attracted numerous
buyers, and high prices were obtained. On the same day
the entire herd of pure-bred Shorthorn cattle and the flock
of Border Leicester sheep, the property of the late Capt.
E. J. Lamb, coal owner, were dispersed by sale at How
Mill. The herd was founded by Capt. Lamb’s father, the
late Mr. R. O. Lamb. The 45 cattle sold for £2.056 19s.

The 16th annual report of the Durham Aged Mine
Workers’ Homes Association for the year ended December
1914 is largely devoted to an appreciation of the wrork
carried out by the late Dr. John Wilson, as president of the
association. The number of new homes opened during the
year was 38, and a further 50 were nearing completion at

the end of the year; 16 of the new cottages were at Bolden
and represented the first instalment of 64 homes which are
being initiated by the Harton Coal Company. The other
24 houses were divided equally between Deaf Hill and
Ebchester. The total cash income of the association since
its commencement amounts to over £80,000, of which
£46,000 has been contributed by the miners, and the bulk
of the remainder by colliery owners. The report showed an
increase of assets of about £20,000, and a net increase on
capital account of about £15,000, whilst the sum of £6,060
had been received from lodges, £1,243 18s. 9d. being con-
tributed by Seaham lodge.

Some people are never satisfied. If the fan at Bowburn
Colliery were not going, the pit would not be going—and
that would displease the miners. Now, however, that it is
in full and, indeed, accelerated operation, Mr. R. Griffiths,
checkweighman, has informed the Cassop Parish Council
that he has had complaints from Bowburn, Sherburn Hill,
Wheatley Hill, Pittington, and elsewhere, about the noise
and has stated that, if the Council cannot do anything about
it, someone else will. Mr. Ramsay, under-manager at the
colliery, questioned whether the complaint wa-s justified.
He lived as near the colliery as anyone, and it never hurt
him. Mr. Griffiths replied that he understood the miners
in the district were going to take the matter up. He con-
fessed that, although he lived near it, it never affected him.
The subject then dropped.

Hetton Hall, which has been tenantless for many years,
is to be demolished. The hall was formerly the residence
of the Hon. Archibald Hamilton Cochrane, one of the prime
movers in the sinking of the Hetton Collieries. When he
left the district and went to reside in the south, the hall
was taken on lease by the Hetton Coal Company, and was
occupied by Mr. Nicholas Wood, father of Sir Lindsay
Wood. It is stated that the immediate reason for the
decision to raze the building to the ground is the effect of
colliery workings underneath the foundations.

Yorkshire.

Miners and Enlistment—Geological Development in the
South—The Proposed Model Village at Stains forth.

Mr. John Henshaw, of Butterley Park, who has retired from
the under-managership of the Britain Colliery, Ripley, of the
Butterley Company, has just been the recipient of a handsome
presentation from officials and workmen in the shape of a
chiming timepiece and illuminated address. His successor
is Mr. W. Mellor.

The marriage took place at Goole on Saturday, of Mr.
Douglas Sherburn, representative at Hull and Goole of the
Glass Houghton Collieries Limited, to Miss Winifred
Jackson, of Goole. The bridegroom is well known on the
Hull and Leeds Coal Exchange, and he was the recipient of
several gifts from his colleagues on the Hull Exchange.

Yorkshire is now being appealed to by the military
authorities to supply miners for new companies of the Royal
Engineers. Increased activity on the part of the enemy in
sapping and mining has rendered it imperative that large
numbers of men should be enlisted capable of this work. The
coal owners of both West and South Yorkshrie are regarding
the appeal in spirited fashion, and the response that is being
made is distinctly good. In the large mining district between
Wakefield, Barnsley, and Doncaster, it is thought a good
corps of men can be raised. Volunteers are coming forward
daily.

Seven miners employed at Garforth Colliery were sum-
moned last week for absenting themselves from work. It
was stated that one man during the last six months had lost
43 per cent, of his work. He was ordered io nay £9 10s. to
the colliery company, and the magistrates told him. he had
proved himself a traitor to his country. Eleven workmen
were summoned by the Sheffield Coal Company at Rotherham
for absenting themselves from employment. In this case the
company had selected men who are habitual slackers.
Damages were awarded the prosecutors.

The extraordinary callous conduct of a jinnier employed
at the Manvers Main Colliery was outlined to the Doncaster
West Riding Bench last Saturday, when the magistrates
imposed the fine of £5 or one month’s imprisonment. The
defendant, Lawrence Holbook, of Adwick-on-Dearne, who did
not put in an appearance at court, committed a breach of the
mining regulations by neglecting to put lockers on 20 full
tubs of coal before sending them on the jinny. A workman
put in a stop block to throw them off the line, and so save
loss of life. The consequence of the defendant’s action was
that £10 worth of damage was done, the pit was stopped for
two hours, and 60 tons of coal were delayed from being
brought to the surface.

As a result of the circular from the Board of Trade on
coal prices, the Shipley District Council and the Shipley
coal merchants held a conference last week to consider coal
prices for domestic use during the wrinter. It was decided
that from November 1, coal for domestic use in the township
should be sold at prices not more than 5s. per ton advance
upon prices obtaining from September 1913 to June 1914,
plus one-third addition to the charges for carting, which were
in force at the same period.

Mr. T. H. Brierley, who has been manager of Messrs.
Critchley’s Batley and West End collieries for 12J years,
is now on his way to South Russia, where he is to take
charge of extensive collieries which are controlled by an
English syndicate. Before leaving Batley, Mr. Brierley was
presented by the officials and workmen of Messrs. Critchley’s
with a handsome gold hunter watch, suitably inscribed, and
a diamond brooch for his wife.

The Town Planning Committee of the Doncaster District
Council have decided to make application to the Local Govern-
ment Board for authority to prepare a scheme for Armthorpe
and Kirk Sandall, with a total area of 4,560 acres. There
was some little opposition, it being pointed out that it was
early days as regarded Armthorpe, and that the Cantley
Colliery would be some time before it started afresh, pro-
bably not till after the war, and that it would then probably
be five or six years before it got well under way. But the
resolution was passed, and the matter will proceed.

In a recent report concerning the Yorkshire coal field it was
stated the bulk of the trade lay to the south; there was a
general movement of everything south. This refers to the
Doncaster district, and to an area even further south than
that, and so on into Notts, where important developments
are proceeding, and are likely to be greatly accelerated
after the war. Although the Thorne Moorends, the
Harworth, and the Cantley collieries are hung up
as a result of the European conflict, other undertakings are
proceeding rapidly. The second shaft of the Rossington Main
Colliery is expected to be down to coal in November, and