October 29, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

891

BOOK NOTICES.

The Coals of South Wales, with Special Reference to the
Origin and Distribution of Anthracite. By A. Strahan
and W. Pollard, assisted by E. G. Radley. Second
Edition. 9J in. x 6 in.; 91 pp.; 10 pl. Memoirs of the
G-eological Survey of London. H.M. Stationery Office,
1915. Price, 2s.

The second edition of this Memoir contains a large
number of new analyses, 118 in all, which go to confirm
the conclusions arrived at by Dr. Strahan as to the
origin of the anthracite in the South Wales coal field.
In the first edition, published in 1908, the total number
of analyses available was 203; that number has been
increased in the present edition to 321. The sequence of
the seams and their correlation throughout the coal field
are dealt with in chapter 2, and a critical discussion of
methods and accuracy of coal analysis is given in
chapters 3 and 4. The variations in seams and in the
different parts of the same seam are illustrated in
chapters 5 and 6. Chapter 7 deals with the classification
of coals, and chapters 8 and 9 with the distribution of
the different classes and the origin of anthracite. The
volume is accompanied by 10 plates, on which the posi-
tions of the analyses, the sequence of the seams, the
distribution of various classes of coal, the varying per-
centages of ash, and the thicknesses of the coal measures
in different parts of the coal field are illustrated. The
fact that a new edition of this Memoir has been called for
is a sufficient proof of its appreciation by those to whom
it appeals. It is also a satisfaction to find that the addi-
tional evidence now available in no way diminishes the
strength of the view that the South Wales anthracite
owes its character more to its original composition than
to the processes of subsequent alteration to which it has
been subjected.

Specification and Design of Dynamo-Electric Machinery.

By Miles Walker, M.A., M.I.E.E. xix. + 648 pp.;
6 J in. x 10 in.; 533 fig. London: Longmans, Green
and Company. Price, 32s. net.

This is one of those works which, whilst apparently
of a highly technical character, has a sound commercial
motif. The author tells us, in his preface, that he has
been inspired >to a large extent by the famous “ Con-
veyancing Precedents,” so widely used by lawyers, it
having occurred to him that such a book would be of
use to those engineers who from time to time have to
draw up specifications for the purchase of electrical
machinery.

The analogy between the law and engineering is not
very close, and it is obvious that in the latter case, where
materials rather than concepts have to be dealt with,
a somewhat different treatment is called for. Thus, a
book of precedents alone, as the author observes, would
be incomplete unless it showed how the specifications
might be fulfilled in the factory. To each specification,
therefore, there has been added a worked-out design,
showing at least one method of meeting the prescribed
conditions; but to enable the engineer to follow his
original bent, the author has wisely laid down certain
simple rules for calculating dimensions and quantities.
A drawing to a specification may be detailed or merely
an outline—it depends upon the purpose for which it is
executed—but the designs given by the author are such
as to satisfy the most exacting requirements. The rules
referred to cover such points as the magnetic circuit, the
electric circuits, armature coils and formers, insulation,
ventilation, and temperature rise. The remainder of the
work deals with machinery under its different classifica-
tions, viz., alternating-current generators and motors,
continuous-current generators And motors, rotary con-
verters, phase advancers, etc.

The work is valuable not only to the manufacturer,
but to the user; indeed, it may be said to appeal more
especially to the latter, for the duties which electrical
machinery is called upon to perform may be modified
to such an extent by local circumstances—e.g., the use
of motors in hot mines—that the conditions can only be
formulated by the user or his consulting engineer; at
any rate, it is a distinct advantage that he should be able
to lay down his requirements clearly. It would be
hopeless, of course, to expect every possible condition of
working to be covered within the scope of a single
volume; much must be left to general principle. But
Mr. Walker has certainly gone far on the road towards
an exposition of practical necessities. Most of the
examples taken are of special interest to the mining
engineer. For instance, there is a specification for an
alternating-current high-speed generator, for supplying
power to a colliery, for driving coal cutters, haulage
motors, etc.; and one for a 350-horse power induction
motor for driving a centrifugal pump at a coal mine.
The author, however, has left for future consideration
specifications relating to the more special machinery
required in mills, rolling mills, and factories. It should
also be pointed out that Mr. Walker’s book forms the
second of Messrs. Longmans’ electrical engineering
series, of which the first was Sir John Snell’s book on
“ Power House Design.” Several other volumes are in
course of preparation,.including one on the “ Electrical
Equipment of Mines ” by Mr. C. P. Sparks, the
electrical engineer to the Powell-Duffryn Company. In
conclusion, we may say that this series, so far as it has
gone, is a very valuable contribution to the literature
on the subject.

The Annual Magazine of the Cambrian Correspondence
Mining and Engineering School, Porth, Glamorgan, con-
tains the questions set at the mine managers’, electrical
engineers’, and surveyors’ examinations during 1914-15.
The magazine, which gives a lot of useful information in
regard to mining instruction in general, and the admir-
able system adopted by Mr. Thomas at his well-known
correspondence school, is a very sensible method of
enlisting the interest of the potential mining student.

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The Exceptional Difficulties of Collieries—Swansea Harbour
and Increase of Coal Rates—Another Coal Trade M.P.—
New Seam Struck at Duffryn-Rhondda Pit—Chamber
of Commerce and Colliery Representatives Discuss
Altered Conditions of Business—Tredegar Company's
Model Village—Miners and the Provision of Motor
Ambulances

Never previously has the coal trade been faced with such
a combination of adverse circumstances, difficulties so
numerous and far-reaching that it is not surprising to find
colliery shares steadily decline in value, or that pessimists
prophesy practical extinction of profits. To the higher cost
of all requisites is added the shortage of labour, which makes
for greater proportion of cost per ton of output; and, as if
the expense of transport, rates of freight four or five times
the normal, were not bad enough, there is such a serious
shortage of vessels that coal cannot be shipped, even where
the exorbitant charges would willingly be paid. Then there
is trouble with the men in every direction, arising out of
the non-unionist objection, with strikes as an inevitable
accompaniment. At the moment no indication is given that
better conditions will speedily prevail. Yet the licensing
hindrances are piled on top of all the other troubles.

The financial difficulties of Swansea Harbour Trustees,
which led to a suggestion for increasing the rates on ship-
ment of coal, have formed the subject of discussion at a
private meeting of the Borough Finance Committee with the
Finance Committee of the Harbour Trust. There is a
certain liability upon the rates in respect of the new King’s
Dock, the town having undertaken, in consideration of the
construction of the dock, that for a period of 10 years they
would advance a sum, up to £150,000 in all, should the
income of the trustees not be sufficient to meet the interest
on capital expended. Only four years of the period of this
guarantee now remain, and there has been no need hitherto
for calling upon the Town Council, the income of the dock
up to the outbreak of war having been sufficient to meet all
requirements. Since the war, however, the falling off in
traffic has been such that a surplus of revenue, which at the
end of 1913 stood at nearly £70,000, has been nearly extin-
guished ; and the Trustees look to the Town Council to
honour their commitment according to the original agree-
ment. Certain members of the Council, in response, have
suggested that instead of coming upon the ratepayers at this
very inconvenient period, the Trustees should increase their
charges for shipment of coal, etc., and thus provide the
needed extra income. The whole matter was fully discussed
at the private meeting between the two Finance Committees
on Friday last; and the proceedings were largely in the
nature of a preliminary enquiry, so that the real financial
position should be presented to the Corporation representa-
tives, and a clear understanding be arrived at. There is
no immediate hurry, for the ordinary interest on the Harbour
Trust capital will be provided for in due course; but a large
sum will have to be raised within a few months subsequently.

The Conservatives of Cardiff are inviting Mr. J. Herbert
Cory, of the shipowning firm of that name, to become the
candidate for the vacancy created by the death of Lord
Ninian Stuart. There will be no party contest, the political
truce being observed. Mr. Cory (whose family must be
distinguished from the large coal owning firm of Cory
Brothers and Company) is a shipowner and a member of
Messrs. J. Cory and Sons, who are also coal exporters, etc.,
he having association -with other industrial enterprises in
South Wales. Mr. Cory has served as High Sheriff for the
county of Glamorgan.

Another incident connected with electoral matters came up
at a meeting of the West Monmouth Labour Party executive
on Saturday evening, when Mr. Brace’s candidature for
West Monmouth was discussed. Mr. Brace, formerly
president of the South Wales Miners’ Federation, and
now Under Secretary at the Home Office, holds at present
the seat for South Glamorgan; but it has been understood
that on the dissolution of Parliament, Mr. T. Richards,
secretary of the Federation, will retire from West Monmouth,
and his place be taken by Mr. Brace. On Saturday it was
decided to bring the matter before a special conference, after
it had been considered by the separate branches.

An indication of political importance has been furnished in
the local coal market by enquiries from Greek sources for
at least 50,000 tons of coal. The mineral would be shipped
in Greek vessels, which have all been commandeered by King
Constantine’s Government, one effect of their withdrawal
being the remarkable rise in the rates of freights. The
coal, of course, would be subject to permission for export,
all coal sellers having to obtain the usual licences. Owing
to the restriction of exports, the amount of coal which Greece
has received for some time past has not been more than
half the usual quantity.

The Swansea Chamber of Commerce, at their meeting on
Friday, dealt with a letter from the Coal Exports Committee,
which stated that a proposal from the Chamber could not
be entertained, being, in the opinion of the Committee,
unnecessary. That proposal was that arrangements might
be made by which vessels could be cleared after receiving
telegraphic instructions that a licence had been issued.

Aid. T. Merrells, J.P., the mayor-nominate for Swansea,
1915-16, worked for many years at the Graigola Fuel Works,
and came into public life through his identification with
the Labour movement. Since 1889 he has been a member
of Swansea Council, and is one of the Corporation repre-
sentatives on the Harbour Trust. He is district secretary
of the Dockers’ Union; and the executive of that body will,
it is expected, make the necessary arrangements to release
him for the larger demands of municipal duty.

At Duffryn-Rhondda Colliery the sinking has progressed
so far that during the past few days a seam has been won
which proves to be about ft. thick, and of good quality.
It is believed to be what is known elsewhere as the Seven-
foot.

Cardiff Coal Exchange went “ off duty ” on Monday,
indulged in a number of recruiting speeches (with good
effect), and followed these with war talk till lunch time;
leaving prices and rates of freight till some more convenient
season, later on

At an inquest held by the South Breconshire coroner,
evidence was given that the deceased, a colliery under-
manager, had met his death when riding on a journey of
trucks, being found fatally hurt, and the trams derailed.

The coroner closely questioned the chief witness, and on
learning that the deceased had been under-manager for
three or four years, expressed regret that an official should
have broken the regulations. He added that if officials
did not observe the regulations, it could not be expected that
the men would do so.

A singular case came before the Bridgend magistrates on
Saturday, when three colliers were summoned for a breach
of rules at the Aberbaiden Colliery, they having walked up
the main road when the haulage machinery was in motion.
Their defence was that, being without trams, and being
anxious to put in as much work as possible, on account of the
national crisis, they had gone to the surface to complain.
The cases were dismissed on payment of costs.

The conference at Cardiff between representatives of the
coal owners and a special committee of the Chamber of
Commerce upon the alteration in credit terms has not brought
about any change in the requirements of the colliery owners.
Their proposals are that, as from January 1, credit terms
shall be reduced from 30 to 14 days, and that the cash dis-
count of | per cent, should be reduced to | per cent. The
only indication of concession was that the coal owners may
not insist on the payment of cash at the end of 14 days being
entirely at their own option.

It is well known, that the response of colliers in South
Wales to the demand for recruits has been very good indeed.
Messrs. D. Davis and Sons, Ferndale, alone have consider-
ably over 2,000 men on service with the Colours. As these
men have been drafted to the Front a parcel of goods has
been forwarded to each, and, in response to an appeal to
their shareholders, at least 400 parcels have already been
sent, these containing writing materials, cigarettes, soap,
matches, etc. Very many cordial acknowledgments have
been received, and also recognition in the men’s letters of
the kindness of the firm in making a weekly allowance to the
families at home.

Mr. James Winstone is reported to have stated to the
Eastern Valleys (Monmouth) miners that he will take into
court about twenty cases wherein men on compensation claim
payment of the war bonus, the Federation central body bear-
ing the cost, on account of the general importance of the
point at issue.

Besides the difficulties at home, some of the South Wales
collieries suffer the effects of labour trouble abroad. One of
the anthracite pits has been working irregularly because its
trade with French ports is hampered by scarcity of men to
unload; and this although, in certain branches of ship work,
German prisoners are said to be utilised.

The Rhondda men will hold a special meeting a fortnight
hence to consider the result of “ show cards,” and decide
upon further action with regard to non-unionists.

Col. A. K. Wylie, one of the directors of the Tredegar
Company, performed on Monday the opening ceremony of
the cottage hospital at Oakdale, where the new pits are
situated. Mrs. A. S. Tallis, wife of the general manager,
presented a gold key for that purpose. The cost has been
close upon £5,000; provision is made for a dozen beds, with
room for additions; and the men contribute Id. in the £
towards the outlay. Mr. Tallis, in the course of a speech,
said that the Tredegar Company had laid out the model
village of Oakdale with the sole object of improving the
social condition of the men at the collieries, their main
object being to get a more settled class of workmen. A sum
of £2,300 has already been raised towards the cost, the
company subscribing £250.

Mr. W. Abraham, M.P. (“ Mabon ”), who was so long
absent from public life owing to illness, addressed a gathering
of colliers at Porth on Monday, and described his recovery
as “ something like a miracle.” He urged them to main-
tain their organisation as peaceably as possible, and with the
least loss of work, for coal was one of the essentials in prose-
cuting the war.

Mr. W. John, agent for the Rhondda, proposed that the
South Wales miners should follow the example of those in
the Midlands, and provide motor ambulances for use of the
troops; and he suggested the calling of a conference to deal
with the matter, which was under consideration of the
employers also. He never felt prouder in his life, so he
assured the meeting, than when he saw at Nottingham the
cars provided by the miners in that district. The district
will follow up the suggestion, with a view to giving it
practical effect.

Upon the subject of irregularity of work, the East
Glamorgan miners retort upon the managers’ complaints by
asserting that this is due to failure of the employers, who do
not deal with differences affecting wages. The men allege
that they have, in the early part of the week, to refrain from
work in order to get these differences adjusted.

Because a man sustained accident in two different grades
of employment, claim is made on his behalf by the East
Glamorgan agent for additional compensation for the periods
of total disablement, as well as for the time the man was
engaged on light employment, compensation to be based
upon possible earnings.

Northumberland and Durham.

Neto Miners' Hall at Durham—Some Compensation Points,
Mr. R. T. Waller, who has been assistant engineer to the
Woodland and Crake Scarr Collieries for four years, has
been appointed chief engineer, in succession to his father,
the late Mr. John Waller, who held the position for many
years.

Last Saturday, the Durham Miners’ Association council
met for the last time in the old Miners’ Hall, North-road,
Durham, which, since its opening in 1875, had been the
headquarters of the union. Mr. Hepple, of Harraton, a
delegate who attended the first meeting in the hall 40 years
ago, was present, and it was decided to present 1 im with
a suitable memento. At the conclusion of the business
agenda, the general secretary, Mr. T. H. Cann, delivered
an appropriate valedictory address. He stated that that
hall had been the headquarters from which often they had
fought for their existence as a society. Though at t’mes
they had almost succumbed, their loyalty and unity had
enabled them to weather the storm. That loyalty and unity
made them that day one of the most powerful single trade
unions in existence, and they would not leave that fine spirit
at the old nursery of the association. At the new hall at
Red Hills, Mr. Cann performed the opening ceremony, and
was presented with a suitably inscribed gold key. A letter
was read from Mr. Thomas Burt, M.P., wishing the associa-
tion—which, he said, was the largest county miners’ union
in the world and one of the very best—continued success.
Besides the miners’ representatives present, the audience