October 22, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

841

result of which he was burned on the hands, arms, and
face. He was standing on the roadway when he knocked
his lamp against the roof. After the accident he ran to
the lye, where he met Adams and O’Connell, who assisted
him to the pit bottom. In cross-examination, witness
stated that it would be 300 yds. from where the explosion
occurred that he met Adams and O’Connell, and the miners
were working still further away.—Patrick O’Connell said it
was about 160 yds. from the lye to the face.—John
Masterton, H.M. inspector of mines, stated that he visited
Murdostoun Colliery on May 28 last. From the description
of the explosion and its results, he considered that the
quantity of gas which had been found in the place was
indicative of danger. If gas had been found in such
quantities on the date in question, then Part 2 of the
Explosives Order, 1913, became operative. He was aware
that in consequence of an explosion in October of last year
a portion of the mine further in-bye was worked with
safety lamps. In June, following on the explosion in May,
exemption was applied for and granted. When he went
down the pit on May 28 he was accompanied by the
officials, and in the right dook he found two chests. These
were locked, and he asked to be shown what was inside
them. None of the officials had a key, and the chests had
to be broken open. In one of them a number of tools
were found. The other contained canisters with gelignite
and detonators. Four of the canisters which were unlocked
had gelignite, and two also had detonators. Other four
canisters were locked, and these were taken to the surface.
He waited until three o’clock, when the brushers arrived
for the afternoon shift, and then the canisters were unlocked.
Five men each claimed a canister which contained gelignite
and cartridges. The men said they had left their canisters
there because explosives had gone amissirig. In conse-
quence of that statement, witness asked the manager if
he had had complaints on that point, and he replied that
he had, but not recently. On June 15, witness accompanied
by Mr. Rankine, a sub-inspector of mines, again visited
the pit, and found that a copy of the Explosives Order of
March 30, 1915, was not posted at the colliery. The
manager admitted that he had not posted a copy, and that
he had not supplied a copy to the fireman and shot-firer.
The fireman stated that he had not seen a copy until witness
showed him it. On that occasion in the Lower Drumgray
seam., one of the brushers was discovered carrying gelignite.
He quite agreed that a man who wras working in a pit
could, if he desired, hide explosives in such a way as to
prevent discovery by anybody. At the time of the offences
libelled, the under-manager was off ill, and the oversman
had been appointed under-manager. The duty of super-
vising the men in detail was, he admitted, not upon the
manager, but upon the under-manager and the men below
him.—Corroborative evidence with regard to the visit paid
to the colliery on June 15 was adduced by Mr. G. Rankine,
sub-inspector of mines.—John Lithgow, fireman, said that
on the morning of the explosion in which Meharry was
injured he examined the section and found no* gas there, nor
in the right dook. After the explosion he again examined
the place, and once more he found no gas. He was in
the pit on May 28 when Mr. Masterton visited it. He was
not aware what was in the boxes before Mr. Masterton
opened them. He expected that Hugh Devine, who was the
contractor brusher, had charge of the boxes. He recollected
Mr. Masterton visiting the colliery on June 15, and showing
him a copy of the Explosives Order of March 30. He had
never seen the Order before that date, and he knew nothing
about it. He did not know what kind pf explosive was
being used by the brushers between May 27 and June 16.
He was aware it was against the law to store gelignite or
detonators dowm below, and he was told that the powder
cans were brought up every night.—Thomas Simpson, sur-
face oversman, stated that prior to May 27 no register was
kept of the issue of the canisters of explosives. He recol-
lected Devine complaining on one occasion at the beginning
of the year of canisters going astray. Witness reported the
matter at that time to the manager. There was no altera-
tion made on the arrangements at the store, but instructions
were given that particular attention was to be paid to
the canisters. At the time of the .accident a regular note
was kept of the amount of explosives issued to each man.
When a brushing contractor had two or three men working
with him, as Devine had, he occasionally took explosives
for the whole lot. Under the present system, or that which
had prevailed previously, it was not possible always to be
sure that stuff was not being stored down the pit.—William
Dickson, pitheadman, said it was his practice to attend at
the magazine for the morning and afternoon shifts, when
explosives were given out. He also attended at the store
where the explosives v7ere put by the workmen when their
shift was finished. If witness was there, the men left their
cans in the store. On the day following the 'accident to
Meharry, he gave the brushers gelignite for the purpose
of their work down the pit. The magazine and the store
were only a few yards from one another, and he was always
available to take the cans from the men at the store. In
doing that he was acting as instructed. If he allowed a
man to get canisters from the store himself he was acting
contrary to his instructions.—Robert Jeffrey, labourer, who
took the canisters from, the men at the store, said he was
not always there, as he was sometimes working on the
hill. When he came back from the hill he occasionally
found canisters at the door, where they had been left by the
men. In cross-examination, witness admitted it was only
very occasionally that canisters were left at the door of the
store.—After a six hours’ hearing, the case was adjourned
for additional proof till Saturday, October 30.

In terms of the suggestion contained in the circular issued
recently by the Government, a conference was held in Dun-
fermline on Monday between the magistrates of the city and
the principal coal dealers, for the purpose of con-
sidering the question of fixing a standard price for
coal to the community. Mr. John L. Jack, town
clerk, was instructed to write to the North British Railway
Company, urging them to allow retail dealers to obtain their
supplies at Dunfermline Upper Station, instead of at White-
myre sidings, which are situated about a mile from the
heart of the city. The dealers contended that if such a change
were made the consumers would be saved from Is. to Is. 6d.
on the ton price. As regarded the fixing of a definite price
for the coal, it was stated that such a course was impossible
at present in view of the uncertain state of the coal trade
locally.

Following upon the request made by the Board of Trade
to municipalities to consider the limitation of coal prices for
the coming winter, a conference between representatives of
the town councils of Edinburgh and Leith and local coal
merchants was held in Edinburgh on the 14th inst. Some
difficulty has been encountered with regard to the adjust-

ment of the prices, mainly on account of the insufficiency of
information regarding the local conditions of the coal trade.
Various classes of dealers, including the ordinary bagmen
who sell in the streets, come into the consideration, and some
adequate representation of the bagmen is desired to assist the
negotiations. Some arrangement is aimed at under which
the coal sellers, taking into account the pit head cost and
cartage and other charges, will be able to arrive at a fixed
price for the coal'. The result of the proceedings, which were
in private, was that the coal merchants were asked to appoint
a committee to discuss the whole question and furnish full
information to a further meeting of the conference. A meet-
ing of the coal merchants in Edinburgh and Leith, includ-
ing those retailing bags from lorries, was held on Tuesday.
After discussion, the meeting agreed on a maximum figure
relative to the difficulties between the prices paid by the coal
’merchant at the depot and the prices paid by the consumers.
Their proposal will be submitted to a conference between the
Town Council representative and the coal merchants.

Ireland.

Meetings have been held recently in Mullingar to consider
the question of forming a company to establish and work a
general peat industry in County West Meath, and a resolu-
tion has been adopted to appoint a Peat Industries Committee
to make preliminary arrangements for the manufacture of
condensed peat, charcoal, and other commercial commodities
derivable from bogs.

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

Despite the many difficulties which confront shippers in
any attempt to do business in the outward freight market,
chartering has been heavy during the past wreek. Were it
not for the great urgency with which cargoes—particularly
of coal and coke—.are required in France and Italy, whence
most of our tramp steamers are being despatched, the list
of fixtures for the week would, in all probability, have a
very discouraging appearance indeed. Tonnage is very
scarce, and rates of freight remain so high as to be, in many
cases, prohibitive. At the North-East Coast business has
been brisk throughout the period under review, and, with
only a strictly limited supply of boats offering, rates have
continued to advance. Coastwise, rates from the Tyne have
been practically stationary for some time past, but London
at 10s. records an increase of from 3d. to 7|d. on last week’s
figures. Charterers are displaying considerable interest in
coke tonnage for North France, and a large number of
steamers have been fixed at from 24s. to 25s. for handy
sizes. For coal, Boulogne is Is. advance on the week,
Dunkirk or Calais from 6d. to Is. dearer, and Rouen from
6d.tto Is. 6d. increased. Whilst there is little enquiry for
the Bay ports, rates stand fully firm on the basis of 25s.
for St. Nazaire, an advance of Is., and 26s. for Bordeaux.
Very few boats have been chartered for Mediterranean
destinations, but rates are higher all round. Italian ports
are represented by from 44s. to 44s. 6d. to Genoa, with the
usual options, an advance of from 6d. to Is., and
Marseilles at 41s. 6d. Port Said is up to 46s. 3d., as against
37s. 6d. paid for the last steamer fixed. At the time of
writing, there is no sign of easiness in rates for any direc-
tion. At South Wales, the shortage of tonnage is very
acute, and shippers have held off in the hope of bringing
about some reduction in quotations but, up to the present,
the effort does not appear to have met with much success,
for rates till show great strength for most directions. Com-
paratively speaking, North France has been neglected and,
for the most part, rates are down on the week. Rouen is
from 9d. to Is. 6d. reduced, but is now tending to harden.
With only a poor enquiry, the Bay is from 2 fr. to 3 fr. down
on the week’s work, but here, too, there is now evidence of
a firmer tone. Mediterranean-wards, rates are more than
ever in owners’ favour, and advances of from Is. to 3s. 6d.
are to be recorded for Genoa, Savona, Spezzia, or Leghorn,
whilst Marseilles has been fixed for at increases of from
2 fr. to 3| fr. Port Said is about Is. 3d. dearer, and Algiers
from 1J fr. to 2 fr. advanced. The River Plate remains
steady on the basis of recent rates.

Homewards, the River Plate is firm at the advanced rate
of 70s. for early loading, and about 2s. 6d. less for forward
positions. Grain rates from America are somewhat
unsettled on account of the question of delay in discharg-
ing at Italian ports. For West Italy, 13s. 9d. has been
paid from the Northern Range, and Lisbon has realised
12s. 6d., w’hilst France is worth about 13s. 3d. There is
not much enquiry for oats tonnage, which can be had at from
10s. 6d. to 10s. 9d. for West Italy, and about 9s. 6d. for
London. Rates from the North Pacific stand high, and
fully 120s. would be required for November loading for
United Kingdom or, with the Panama Canal open to naviga-
tion, about 15s. less. Little is doing in the Eastern markets,
and shippers are able to coyer their requirements by the
small amount of tonnage released from Government employ-
ment. There is no surplus of steamers, however, and with
an improved enquiry expected, rates are likely to rise
slightly. India pays about 70s. from Calcutta on d.w., and
Bombay is worth 50s. to Barrow for ore, whilst Kurrachee
is worth from 42s. 6d. to 43s. 9d.

Tyne to Algiers, 5,500, 33s.; Barcelona, 1,500, 38s.;
Boulogne, 600, 18s.; 1,500, 18s. 3d.; Bagnoli, 6,300 , 43s.;
Bordeaux, 1,100, 33s., coke; 1,500, 26s., from Dunston;
Calais, 600, 18s.; 1,300, 18s.; Cape Verdes, 3,500, 35s. 6d.;
Cherbourg, 500, 16s.; Cette, 2,000, 41s. 6d.; Caen, 1,000,
17s. 6d. ; Dunkirk, 500, 24s., coke; 600 tons coal and 500 tons
coke, 24s. 6d.; 450, 25s., coke; 600, 18s.; 2,000, 19s.;
Fecamp, 400, 24s., coke; 1,500, 18s. 3d.; Genoa, 4,000, 44s.;
3,000, 44s. 6d.; Granville 400, 24s. coke; Havre 400, 24s. coke ;
London, 1,500, 9s. 6d., option Dunston loading, 9s. 7Jd.;
2,000, 8s., C.T.; 2,500, 8s., C.T.; 1,300, 9s. 3d.; 1,500,
9s. 6d.; 1,400, 10s.; 2,600, 10s.; Las Palmas, 2,500, 31s.;
Marseilles, 4,600, 41s. 6d.; Odense, 1,800, 13s. 9d.; Oran,
3,000, 33s. 6d.; Port Said, 5,000, 46s. 3d., reported; Port
Vendres, 2,600, 45s.; Porto Ferrajo, 6,300, 43s.; Rouen, 400,
25s., coke; 1,700, 18s. 6d.; 2,200, 18s. 9d.; 1,600, 19s.; St.
Nazaire, 3,000, 25s.; St. Vincent, 3,500, 35s. 6d.; Teneriffe,

2,500,	31s.; Treport, 1,400, 18s. 6d.; Trouville, 400, 24s.,
coke.

Cardiff to Alexandria, 5,300, 43s. 6d., 500; 4,000, 45s.,
500; Algiers, 2,600, 44 fr.; 4,500, 42 fr.; 4,000, 43J fr.; 5,000,
42 fr.; Buenos Avres, 40s., Nov.; Bordeaux, 1,400, 27J fr.
400, 27 fr. 500; Brest, 1,600, 13s.; 1,000, 13s.; Boulogne,
700, 17s.; Copenhagen, 1,650, 15s.; Cadiz, 350, 20s., sail;
Caen, 1,000, 15s.; Dunkirk, 750, 18s. 6d.; Genoa, 4,500,
39s.; 3,000, 39s., 500, clean charter; 4,700, 40s.; 3,300,
42s. 6d.; Gibraltar, 1,000, 28s., 500; Huelva, 2,800, 26s.;
Honfleur, 850, 15s.; Havre, 900, 14s.; 1,400, 14s. 3d.;
Lisbon, 2,800, 22s., 400; 1,550, 23s., 500; 1,100, 23s., 350;
Leghorn, 4,000, 40s.; 4,700, 40s.; 3,300, 42s. 6d.; Marseilles,

4,700, 47 fr., free brokerage; 4,300, 48 fr.; 6,000, 48 fr.;
5,000, 50 fr., 500; 2,000, 51 fr.; Monte Video, 39s., Nov. 1;
Palermo, 1,800, 41s., 300; Port Said, 2,500, 45s.; 5,300,
45s., 400; 4,400 , 46s. 3d.; 7,000, 42s. 6d.; River Plate, 40s. ;
37s. fid., end Nov.; Rouen, 1,500, 15s. 6d.; ’1,900, 15s. 3d.;

2.200,	15s. 6d.; Savona, 4,500, 39s.; 4,000, 40s.; 4,700, 40s.;

3.300,	42s. 6d.; Spezzia, 4,000, 40s.; 4,700, 40s.; Trouville,
500, 22s., coke; Tarragona, 1,100, 31s.

Swansea to Calais, 1,000, 16s. 6d.; Dunkirk, 1,900, 19s.,
fuel; 1,450, 18s. 6d.; 560, 18s. 6d.; Nantes, 950, 28 fr.;
1,800, 231 fr., 600: Calais, 1,000, 16s. 6d.; Genoa, 40s. ;
Sicily, 1,500, 40s.; Rouen, 1,300, 16s.; 900, 16s. 3d. ; 650,
16s. 6d.; Bordeaux, 1,100, 28 fr.; Algiers, 4,200, 42 fr. coal,
43 fr. fuel; Havre, 1,400, 13s. fid.; Dieppe, 650, 15s. 3d.;
950, 15s. 6d.; Palermo, 1,600, 40s.; Trapani, 1,600, 40s.;
London, 280, 11s.; St. Brieux, 520, 15s.; Marseilles, 1,650,
49 fr.; 2,000, 51 fr.; Brest, 800, 13s.; Granville, 650, 14s. 6d.;
St. Brieux, 650, 15s.; St. Malo, 700, 13s. 3d.

Blyth to Havre, 1,350, 16s. 9d.; 1,200, 16s. 6d.; Honfleur,
800, 18s.

Port Talbot to Bayonne, 1,400, 25 fr.; St. Servan, 530,
13s.; Nantes, 1,800, 23 fr., 600; Hommelvik, 1,500, 17s.;
Dunkirk, 600, 18s. fid.; Honfleur, 950, 15s.; Huelva, 2,800,
26s.; Rouen, 1,450, 15s. lOld.; 2,900, 15s. 6d.; Algiers,

4.500,	42 fr.

Newport to Nantes, 2,700, 23 fr.; 1,650, 24 fr.: Messina,

1.500,	40s.; Catania, 1,500, 40s.; Palermo, 1,500, 40s.: 1,800,
41s.; Syracuse, 1,500, 40s.; Algiers, 4,000, 43| fr.; Bilbao,

2.300,	18s., four vovages, commencing Nov.; Gibraltar,

1,500,	28s., 500.

Hull to Rouen, 2,100, 18s. 3d.; Christiania, 800, 14s. 6d.;
Calais, 650, 16s. 6d.; Dieppe, 650, 16s. 6d.; Havre, 650,
16s. 6d.; Marseilles, 3,100, 41s. 6d., end Oct.

Forth to Rouen, 19s. 6d.

Partington to Rouen, 2,000, 17s.; 1,750, 15s.

Wales to Brest or Dieppe, 900, 16s., option Rouen, 16s. 6d.,
15 consecutive voyages commencing Oct. 25; Rio de Janeiro,
31s. 3d., fuel; Bahia Blanca, sail, 27s. 6d., Nov.

Liverpool to Sydney and Newcastle, N.S.W., sail, 32s. 6d.,
reported.

Grimsby to London, 2,700, 8s. 6d.

Glasgow to Bagnoli, 40s.; Genoa, 3,300, 41s. ; Bayonne,

1.200,	35 fr.

Sunderland to Stockholm, 2,100, 14s. 6d.; Bayonne, 1,700,
30s. ; Honfleur, 800, 18s. ; Bordeaux, 2,000, 27s. 6d. ; Rouen,
2,000, 19s.; Havre, 1,500, 16s. 9d.; 1,300, 16s. 6d.

Methil to Dunkirk, 1,750, 19s. 9d.

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.

Hammersmith, October 26.—The Borough Council invito
tenders for the supply of about 150 tons per w’eek of through
and through free burning Welsh steam coal, for hand-fired
boilers at the electricity generating station. Forms of
tender and further particulars may be obtained on applica-
tion to Mr. G. G. Bell, borough electrical engineer,
electricity works, 85, Fulham Palace-road, W. Sealed
tenders, endorsed “ Tender for Steam Coal,” must be
delivered to me, at Town Hall, not later than 4 p.m. on
Tuesday, Octbber 26, 1915. The Council does not bind itself
to accept the lowest or any tender. Leslie Gordon, town
clerk, Town Hall, Hammersmith, W.

Islington, October 28.—The Guardians of the Poor of
the parish of St. Mary, Islington, invite tenders for the
supply of about 2,210 tons of steam coal, well screened, to
be delivered at the Infirmary, Highgate Hill, N., in the
said parish during the period from November 1, 1915, to
March 1916. Printed forms of tender (which alone will be
received), and which contain conditions of contract, must
be obtained from the clerk personally, or a stamped
addressed, brief size envelope may be sent. Sealed tenders
endorsed “ Tender for Coal,” and addressed to the
Guardians, must be delivered at the Guardians’
Offices, not later than 12 noon on Thursday,
October 28, 1915, and the tenders will be opened at the
meeting of the Guardians to be held there on the same
day. The Guardians do not bind themselves to accept the
lowrest or any tender. No contract will be given to firms
who do not ordinarily observe the recognised rate of wrages
and hours of labour. By order, Edwin Davey, clerk.
Guardians’ Offices, St. John’s-road, Upper HollowTay, N.

Abstracts of Contracts Open.

Andover, October 25.—60 tons (more or less) of Kirkby
cobbles, for the Andover Coal Fund. Particulars from Mr.
J. Oram, The Ivies, Adelaide-road, Andover.

Brighton, October 26.—200 tons of Apedale Wallsend
(house) coal and 100 tons of Linby screened bright cobbles,
for the Guardians. Forms from Mr. H. Burfield, clerk,
Parochial Offices, Prince’s-street, Brighton.

Chester, October 29.—House coal, steam coal and slack,
for H.M. Government. Forms from the district barrack
officer, Western Command, Headquarters Office, Watergate
House, Chester.

Hastings, October 29.—1,400 tons of Welsh smokeless
steam coal, and 500 tons of Welsh anthracite beans, for the
Corporation. Forms from Mr. P. H. Palmer, M.I.C.E.,
borough engineer, Towm Hall, Hastings.

Hull, October 25.—House, steam, and gas coal, for the
Committee of Visitors of the Hull City Asylum, Willerby,
near Hull. Forms from the Town Clerk, Guildhall, Hull.

Leyton stone, October 28.—House coal, for the Guardians
of West Ham Union. Forms from Mr. T. Smith, clerk,
Board Room, Union-road, Leytonstone.

Long Lawford, November 20.—£30 worth of good house
coal, named, free from slack, for the Trustees of the United
Charities .of Sir Edward Boughton and others, Long
Lawford. Tenders to Mr. E. Wright, clerk to the Trustees.

Neath, October 28.—Through and through or small steam
coal, for the Neath Rural District Council. Forms from
Mr. G. H. Thomson, electrical engineer and manager, 8,
New’-street, Neath.

Rochdale, October 27.—Engine slack at the sewage
works, for the Paving, etc., Committee. Forms from
borough surveyor, Towm Hall, Rochdale.

The date given is the latest upon which tenders can be
received.