February 18, 1916. 331 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. ________________________________________________________________________________ before the Government the desirability of so amending the Bankruptcy Act that men permanently disabled shall be secured a greater amount of compensation than is recoverable under the present system. It was also urged that the ques- tion of medical referees in compensation cases required con- sidera'icn, and that these referees should not be permitted' to give evidence in court, but that the State should appoint a medical expert who received a substantial salary, who should sit with the judge as an assessor in compensation cases, or that ho himself should act as referee. A report was sub- mitted as to arbitation proceedings in connection with the dispute at the Aberpergwm Colliery, it being stated that the Ecard of Trade arbitrator had given an award which was chiefly in favour of the men’s demands. These had relation to payment of wages on Fridays, abolition of a system of issuing pay-tickets every six weeks, and certain other points. North of England. At a recent meeting of the executive committee of the Northumberland Miners’ Association, the following decisions were arrived at :—The application of the Blucher Colliery lodge to come out on strike, owing to a dispute as to what price should be paid in certain stone canches, cannot be granted, but the branch is to be asked to arrange an inter- view with the colliery manager, in order to have the dispute settled amicably at as early a date as possible ; with reference to the question of lost “ gear,” at Morpeth Colliery, now closed, the colliery manager is to be asked to meet a deputa- tion of the men who worked at the colliery, accompanied by some of the association’s agents, at Newcastle, in order to consider the workmen’s claim for payment of the value of “ gear ” lost in the pit owing to the influx of water, and the desirability of the agent being present at the meeting is also to be suggested to the colliery manager. The executive committee of the Northumberland Miners’ Association, having fully considered the suggestions made by the coal owners, at the joint meeting on January 15, -as to howT best to reduce the percentage of absenteeism in the pits, has decided to inform the coal owners’ association that it is proposed to issue a circular especially addressed to workmen who habitually absent themselves from work, and also to ask each branch to appoint a small committee to visit such absentees with a view to persuading them to attend work more regularly. The committee asks that the owners’ association will instruct colliery managers to supply these small committees with all the data necessary regarding absenteeism. A very pointed appeal which, judging by its length and wording, ought to “ get there,” and have the effect desired, has been issued to the members of the Northumberland Miners’ Association by the executive committee of that organisation. This circular is in addition to one sent out a few days ago in which it was suggested that branch com- mittees should interview7 men guilty of ’absenteeism. The latest appeal states that owing to the European struggle, the nation’s capital is being consumed at an enormous rate, so much so, that, unless everyone concerned recognises his own responsibilities, national bankruptcy may ensue. “ Should this, or anything like it, occur, our comrades, many thousands of whom were members of our .association and are now at the front, will be left helpless in front of the enemy.” The importance of production of Northumberland coal, for export purposes, is pointed out, and the circular concludes :—“ The cost will continue to rise unless we 'can produce in this country more of the goods, such as North- umberland coal, which other countries require, so as to get , from these countries the goods w7e require in exchange. As this is the duty of others, so it is your duty.” Federated Area. An adjourned meeting of the Coal Conciliation Board for England and North Wales was held in London on Thursday, to further consider the mien’s application for a 5 per cent, advance in wages. Mr. F. J. Jones (Yorkshire) chairman of the Board, presided. The application was made at a meet- ing of the Board on February 1, when the coal owners’ repre- sentatives asked for an adjournment for the purpose of con- sulting the general body of coal owners of the area. The men’s claim for an advance was based on the accountant’s figures of an average selling price of Ils. lOd. per ton, which was an advance of 9d. per ton on the figures when the last advance of 5 per cent, was given by Lord Coleridge, the independent chairman of the Board. At yesterday’s meeting the coal owners’ representatives intimated that the general body of coal owners in the area were unwilling to accede to the men’s application for an advance, which will now have to be submitted to Lord Coleridge for his decision. The objection of the owners to giving an advance is based on the all-round rise in prices of materials and cost of produc- tion as a result of the war. Under the rules of the Board, the adjourned meeting at w7hich Lord Coleridge will preside must be held within 21 days. A choice of several days was offered to his lordship. _____________________________ United States Imports and Exports of Coal.—The following is .a comparative statement of coal imports and exports of the United States for October 1914-15, and for the eight months ending October 1914-15, in long tons :— Septem A her. Eight months. ( Imports : 1914. 1915^ 1914. 1915. Anthracite, total ... 1,038... 279... 19,295.. 2,803 Bituminous, total... 98,324... 133,096...1,088,608.. . 1,210,895 United Kingdom. 262... 477... 8,672.. 16,587 Canada 69,289... 90,135... 840,447.. . 959,769 Japan 5,560... 16,100... 50,099.. 78,219 Australia 23,213... 26,177... 187,337.. . 153,533 Other countries... - — 207... 2,053.. 2,787 Coke 9,956... 4,443 .. 93,936.. 41,015 Exports: Anthracite, total ... 344,434... 361,264 . 3,406,491.. . 2,956,578 Canada 334,411... 339,658...8,351,569.. . 2,878,523 Other countries... 10,023... 21,606... 54,916.. 78,055 Bituminous, total...1,351,977...1,782,450..12,254,757...14,204,010 Italy ............. — ... 282,067... — ... 2,630,937 Canada........... 979,611...1,093,653...8,221,467... 6,776,108 Panama ......... 25,706... 49,036... 239,837... 438,455 Mexico __............... 31,879.. 12,799... 289,259... 250,832 Cuba ...... 114,426... 103,172... 908,324... 946,977 West Indies...... 30,272... 55,603... 510,167... 409,043 Argentina ...... 14,118... 12,802... 207,904... 731,821 Brazil .... 34,382... 9,120... 235,453... 553 314 Uruguay ......... 10,376... 17,029... 71,819... 152,094 Other countries... 111,207... 147,169...1,570,527... 1,314,429 Total coal......1,696,4U...2,143,714.15,661,248...17,160,588 Coke ....... 26,030... 85,856... 511,207... 658,940 Bunker coal ...... 573,822... 633,172...6,285,770... 6,311,957 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. Eastbourne, February 24.—The directors of the East- bourne Gas Company are prepared to receive tenders for the supply of 30,000 to 40,000 tons of clean, dry, unscreened, fresh-wrought gas coals, delivered at Eastbourne railway station during the year commencing July 1, 1916. or at such earlier date as may be- arranged. The deliveries to be in about equal monthly quantities. Payment, cash iponthly. The directors do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. They also reserve the right to accept the whole or a part of any tender received. Tenders, sealed and endorsed ” Tender for coals,” to be addressed to the' Chair- man of the Company, at the offices, 10, Sussex-gardens, East- bourne, on or before February 24. By order, James S. Garrard, secretary. Abstracts of Contracts Open. Accrington, February 24.—For the Accrington Corpmaf- tion. 5,000 tons of best quality, slack for gas making (producers of the Mond type), to the Electricity Works, Accrington. Limerick, February 21.-3,000 to 4,000 tons of coal, for the Gas Committee. Forms from Mr. H. Hawkins, engineer and manager, Gas Works, Limerick. Roscommon, February 26.—40 tons of best double- screened Irish coal, for the Guardians. Tenders to be addressed to the presiding chairman. York, February 24.—500 tons weekly of house coal to the coal yards at Richmond Camp, Yorkshire, for four months, for the Northern Command, York. Forms from the District Barrack Officer, 13, New Walk Terrace, York. The date given is the latest upon which tenders can be received. COWTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON AND STEEL WORK, &c. Faversham (Kent), March 20.—Oil Engine.—A. 25 b.h.p. oil engine and two sets of pumps, for the Rural District Council. Specifications from H. H. Humphreys, 28, Victoria-street. London, S.W., March 11. — Freight Cars. — 75 high- sided 30-ton steel bogie freight cars, and 75 low-sided ditto, for the Chinese Government Railways, Canton-Hankow Railway. Specifications from Messrs. C. P. Sandberg, Palace Chambers, 9, Bridge-street, S.W., on payment of 10s. Sydney (N.S.W.), May 1. — Turbo-Alternators. •— Two 300 kw. turbo- alternators, for the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage, at Sydney; and one 2,500 kw. turbo-alternator, for the N.S.W. Government Railways and Tramways Department.* * _________________________ * Specifications, particulars, etc., may be seen at the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade, 73, Basinghall-street, E.C. __________________________ THE FREIGHT MARKET. Business in all sections of the outward freight market is being carried on under very abnormal conditions, and, during the period under review, chartering has necessarily been of an intermittent and scrappy nature. The grea*t general shortage of- coal for exportation is the root of the whole trouble, and the difficulties w7hich have arisen as a result of this circumstance are multitudinous. The Govern- ment is requisitioning ships and their cargoes on a larger scale than ever, causing a very marked shortage of free coals on the markets at South Wales, and on the North-East Coast. Everywhere loading berths are hopelessly choked, principally with Government tonnage, and only occasional turns are to be had. A return of the heavy weather at sea has sometimes occasioned irregular arrivals of steamers, and opened things out slightly, but the position is highly unsatis- factory. The fixture list for the Tyne is short, and shippers in that district are now having to contend with the additional trouble of acute tonnage scarcity. Coal cargoes are few, and Government commandeering has sometimes tended to ease the market, but, in the near trades at least, rates are substantially advanced on the wrnek. Coasting is very dull, with quotations ruling at about 14s. 6d. to London. North France has been fairly heavily booked to Rouen and Dunkirk at increases of is. for the former and from Is. 6d. to 5s. for the latter on last week’s rates. The Bay market has stiffened 'appreciably, and merchants have had to concede advances of from Is. to 3s. for Bordeaux, whilst Bayonne is Is. 6d. dearer. Little business has been effected Mediterranean-wise, but the tone of the market is distinctly firmer, Genoa having paid 70s. several times. The Islands are 2s. up to Las Palmas. The conditions governing the markets in the Bristol Channel are almost identical with those prevailing on the North-East Coast, .and the results are similar, viz., an attenuated list of fixtures at appreciable increases in rates. Quotations for North France .are tending higher at the time of writing, but on the week, rates are a shade lower to Rouen. Havre, however, is from 9d. to Is. dearer. The Bay is very firm, and Bordeaux has paid 45 fr., an advance of l fr., whilst St. Nazaire is J fr. up. Cargo space for the Mediterranean is substantially dearer since last w’eek, and Genoa has been fixed for at 65s., an increase of 5s., and Alexandria is from 5s. to 7s. 6d. higher. The River Plate remains steady on the basis of 44s. for La Plata. The Islands are a turn weaker, and 2s. 6d. reduction has been conceded for Teneriffe or Las Palmas. In the homeward market, the River Plate is markedly stronger, and 155s. could be repeated from up-river or Bahia Blanca to United Kingdom. For Government account, however, 137s. 6d. is still the top rate bidding. Tonnage has been, taken up for June loading at 120s. to United Kingdom, and 145s. for Spanish or French Mediterranean. The States market is firmer, and ordinary agents indicate 23s. 6d. to 24s. for West Italy or French Mediterranean, and 16s. 6d. for the Bristol Channel, but the Wheat Committee’s ideas of rates for the latter destination -are based on 15s. 6d. for March-April. The Eastern market is quiet, and most shippers have covered their immediate requirements. Bombay would probably pay about 135s. one port basis on d.w., and Kurrachee is worth upwards of 125s. on scale terms. The rice ports are represented by 200s. from Kosichang or Saigon- Haiphong, and 175s. from Burmah. From the nitrate ports, 140s. for France discharge is indicated, and Java would probably pay 220s. for sugar to the French Mediterranean. Tyne to Aberdeen, 350, 9s. ; Algiers, 3,000, 47s. 6d.; 2,400, 47s. 6d.; Aarhus, 2,300, 22 kr.; Bordeaux, 1,700, 41s.; 1,100, 41s. ; Boulogne, 700, 27s. 6d. ; Bavonne, 2,500, 41s. 6d. ; Cherbourg, 900, 28s. 6d. ; 1,300, 28s.; Calais, 450, 42s. 6d., coke;- Dunkirk, 900, 30s.; 1,100, 41s., coke; 500, 42s. 6d., coke; 1,500, 42s. 6d., coke, voyages; 1,500, 31s.; 800, 42s. 6d., coke; 1,700, 30s.; Dieppe, 1,650, d.w., T2,350. lump sum; 900, 42s. 6d., coke; Genoa, 4,300, 70s.': 900, 70s.: 2,500, 70s.; 3,000, 70s.: Havre,' 800, 28s.; 1,000. 28s. 6d.; 1,000, 40s. 6d., coke; 400, 29s. 6d. : Honfleur, 900, 29s.; Las Palmas, 2,500,40s.: Lisbon, 2.000, 38s. 6d. : Nantes. 1,500, 40s.; Oporto, 1,500, 40s.: 1,200, 42s. 6d. : Oran, 2,600, 45s.; Rouen, 2,500, 29s. 6d. ; 1,700, 30s.; 400, 42s. 6d.. coke: 1,900, 28s.: 2.500, 28s. 6d.; 2,100, 30s.: 1,600, 30s.; 1,100, 30s.; St. Nazaire, 1,800, 40s. Cardiff to Alexandria, 4,200, 87s. ; Bordeaux, 1.700, 45 fr. : 2,800, 45 fr. ; Cape Verdes, 4,200, 42s. 6d. ; Chantenay, 1,800. 43 fr., 500; Civita Vecchia, 3,000, 65s.; Dakar, 5,000, 42s. 6d. ; 1,800, 45s. coal, 45s. 9d. fuel, Feb. ; Dunkirk, 600, 28s. 6d. ; 1,600, 28s. 6d.; Genoa, 3,000, 65s. ; Gibraltar, 1.500, 38s. 6d. ; 2,000, 40s. ; Havre Canal, 1,250, 23s.; Hon- fleur, 500, 24s.; Havre, 750, 23s.; 1,600, 23s.; 1,000, 23s.; 500, 24s. : 850, 23s. 9cl.; Las Palmas, 3,000, 40s. : 4.200, 40s.; La Plata, 44s.; Lisbon, 1,700, 35s.: 1,100, 35s., 500; 2.500, 35s., 500; 700, 35s., 350; Monte Video, 4,000, 43s.; Nantes, 1,800, 43 fr., 500; 1,000, 44fr., 350; Oporto, 850, 35s.: Palermo, 2,000, 67s., 300; 3,600, 66s.; Porto Vecchio, 2,800, 70s., 500; Port Said, 3,800, 80s.: 5,000, 80s.; Roche- fort, 1,700, 42 fr.; River Plate, 4,000, 44s.: Rouen, 1.100, 24s. 6d. : 1,800, 24s.; 2,300, 23s. 6d. ; 1,350, 24s.; Spezzia, 3.000, 65s.; St. Malo, 700, 19s. 6d. : 750, 28s. 6d., coke: St. Nazaire, 2,100, 42*-fr.; St. Servan, 1,000, 19s. 6d. ; Savona, 3,000, 65s.; Treport, 1,500, 25s.: Teneriffe, 3,000, 40s. Swansea to Guernsey, 200, 21s. 6d., two voyages; Hon- fleur, 950, 23s. ; .Fecamp, 950, 23s. 6d. : Havre, 950, 23s. ; St. Nazaire, 1,600, 43 fr. ; 1,700, 40 fr.; Havre, 950, 23s. 6d.: Rouen, 1,550, 24s.; 2,300, 23s. 6d.; Caen, 1,650, 23s.; 950, 23s. 6d. Port Talbot to Rouen, 1,500, 24s.; 1,500, 24s. 3d.; Dun- kirk, 1,100, 28s.; Bordeaux, 45 fr. Newport to Rouen, 1,600, 24s. 6d. : Gibraltar, 2,000,. 40s. : 1,600, 38s. 6d.; Nantes, 1,800, 43 fr. Wear to Bordeaux, 2,300, 41s. Hull to Rouen, 1,800, 27s. 6d.; 1,850, 29s.; 1,800, 30s. Sr ah am Harbour to Caen, 750, 30s. 6d. Blyth to Caen, 450, 30s.; Havre, 1,300, 28s. 6d.; Rouen, 2,200, 30s. Glasgow to Monte Video, 37s. 6d. Partington to Huelva, 37s. 6d., Feb. Troon to Genoa or Savona, 3,000, 65s. Forth to Rouen, 33s. Grimsby to Dunkirk, 250, 31s., pig iron, two voyages. _____________________________ OBITUARY. Mr. Wardle Steele, late of Sunnybrow Colliery, County Durham, died at High Shincliffe on January 31. Formerly manager of Sunnybrow- Colliery, he went to South Africa, where he became manager of the Village Main Reef Gold Mine, Johannesburg. He returned home, broken down in health, a few years ago, and never regained his former good health. The death has taken place of Mr. Alexander Rutherford, J.P., formerly chief goods manager of the North British Railway Company. The death has occurred of Mr. James Thomas. He had been engaged as traffic manager of the Glamorgan Collieries, Llwynypia, for over 20 years. The death is reported of Lieut. E. T. Morgan, 1st London Welsh Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, he having succumbed to wounds received in France. The deceased was the son cf the late Mr. D. Morgan, colliery manager, Maesy- gwastad, and a brother of Mr. p. F. Morgan, under-manager of Nixon Collieries, Mountain Ash. He joined ‘the London Welsh as a private, receiving his commission in May last. The death took place last week of Mr. Wm. Vyce, miners’ agent for the Ebbw Vale district, who passed away at his home in Ebbw Vale after some months’ illness. ________________________ Coal Cargoes in War Time.—Judgment was delivered in ths Appeal Court last week, in the appeal of Messrs. T. P. Rose, Richards and Company Limited, coal exporters, of Swansea, from an adverse judgment of Mr. Justice Rowdatt, in the interpretation of a charter-party governing the carriage of a cargo of South Wales coal to Rouen. Delivering judg- ment, Lord Justice Swinfen Eady explained that Messrs. Steel, Young and Company chartered the steamer “ Oakdale ” on December 10-14 to the Swansea firm, against whom they brought an action, under the charter-party, claiming demur- rage in respect of the time after the ship arrived in Havre Roads on her way to Rouen with a cargo of coal. The appeal raised a puzzle, because a typewritten war clause had been pasted on the printed charter-party, and the difficulty was to make the two documents read together. It was provided on the printed form that the discharging time should commence from the steamer’s arrival, and the captain’s notice of readi- ness to deliver, whether in berth or not. If congestion pre- vented the steamer entering port or arriving at her discharging place, she was to be regarded as ready in berth and time on her arrival off the port. The actual time occupied from receiving orders until arrival at the place of discharge was not to count for lay time. This meant that from the time when the ship was brought up there should be excluded for purposes of computed demurrage the time occupied by the vessel in completing her voyage. The voyage was paid for by the freight, and the charterers were not to be paid over again in demurrage for the period occupied by this part of the voyage. The typed slip added the words : “ Discharging time to count from steamer’s arrival at Havre Roads, not- withstanding the custom of the port to the contrary, or any- thing in the charter-party to1 the contrary.” The case for the appellants was that the passage of the vessel up the river at anchorage in Havre Roads was really a resumption of her voyage, but the typewritten clause was an absolute and uncon- ditional agreement, fixing the lay days to commence when the steamer was detained at Havre Roads. His lordship found that the judge in the court below7 was right; the time for this passage must be reckoned. The appeal failed, and would be dismissed with costs.