February 25, 1916.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

375

arisen -in connection with the Leadhills dispute. The men
had expressed their willingness to resume work, acting on
the advice of their union, but the manager said that the men
must resume work on his terms. These terms were that 17
of the miners who were married were to be employed, and
that the young men were to attest and claim exemption, then
come back to the district, and he would give them employ-
ment as employment opened up. In every case workmen
resuming work would have to do so as individuals, and sign
individual agreements. The men had decided that they could
not accept these conditions. The executive decided to advise
them to apply to the Parliamentary Committee of the Scottish
Trade Unions Congress, with a view to having negotiations
opened between their union and the employers.

At Larkhall on Monday, Air. Robert Smillie, president of
the Miners’ Federation, speaking of the question of wages,
said that the workers had no desire to make profit out of the
national crisis, and he ventured to say that they would not-
have sought higher wages if the cost of living had been
brought down to normal level. As regards prices, Mr.
Smillie said that the mining industry — mine owners and
miners —had agreed to ask the Government to fix the price
of coal. At that time they impressed on the Government
that if they fixed the price of coal, they should make sure that
no middleman should be allowed to sneak in between the
producer and the consumer, and exploit the situation in order
to make a fortune for himself. The Government had legis-
lated in the direction of fixing coal prices, but the Govern-
ment had not, up to the present, taken the. necessary steps
to make sure that the price should not- be inflated on the
way between the producer and the consumer. They had not
prevented the ship owner from coming in and putting up - the
freights. He felt that this was wrong, that it was unfair
not only to the consumer of coal, but to the miners and the
mine owners, who had agreed to the fixing of prices.

With reference to the dispute regarding the reductions
for dirt at the Blairhall Colliery, Culross, the Fife and
Kinross Miners’ Association has decided to approach the
National Scottish Miners’ Union for permission to bring
the men (numbering about 500) out on strike. The associa-
tion also decided that a ballot vote of the men should be
taken before striking.

Despite the enlistment of about 2,500 members, the annual
report of the Mid and East Lothian Miners’ Association
announces a record income of £8,822. Dues to the National
Union accounted for £2,375. On the general fund there is
a balance in hand of T9,580.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

The committee -appointed to consider a scheme for the
amalgamation of the trade unions in the iron and steel
industry will submit a draft of the proposals at a conference
of the societies concerned on March 3.

The voting returns of the Federation of Engineering and
Shipbuilding Trades show a large majority in favour of the
scheme for closer unity among affiliated trades on questions
of wages and working conditions. The scheme is expected
to come into operation at the annual meeting of the
Federation in May.

Coal Contract Awarded to a German Firm.—H.M. Minister
at Buenos Ayres reports the publication of a Decree approving
a contract between the Argentine Hydraulic Works Depart-
ment and the German Coal Company Limited, of Buenos
Ayres, for the supply of 6,000 tons of American coal, at the
price of 14-25 dols. gold (£2 16s. 6d.j per ton c.i.f. It is
stipulated that the fuel is to be either Pocahontas or New
River coal. Reference to the Boletin Oficial (Buenos Ayres)
of December 15, which publishes the text (in Spanish) of
the contract above referred to, shows that delivery of the
coal is to be effected at the port of Buenos Ayres within 30
days from the date of the approval of the contract. The
total estimated value of the contract is 194,318 pesos currency
(about £17,000). A separate contract for the -discharge of
the coal has been awarded to the firm of Josefa C. de Luongo,
at the price of 6,150 pesos currency (about £540). At least
500 tons must be discharged each day.

Foreign Enterprise in China.—The British Pro-Consul at
Hankow, in his report for 1914, has some interesting observa-
tions on the attitude of the Chinese Government to British
enterprise in relation to mines and other industries. He
says the Chinese Government has not changed its short-
sighted policy with regard to mines; every obstruction
possible is placed in the Avay of foreigners who desire to
work the many rich mineral deposits in the Hankow district.
The following regulations, culled from a recent set of rules
issued by the Hupei provincial government, will help to
give an idea of the extent of Chinese opposition to foreign
mining enterprises. One of these rules is that owners of
mining land are required, under pain of severe punishment,
to obtain official sanction before seeking to raise capital for
the development of their property, and no proposal for the
investment of foreign capital will be considered until the
authorities have satisfied themselves that the funds required
cannot be procured from the provincial government. Official
sanction is likewise required in the case of -all contracts for
the sale of the output of a mine to foreigners, even wuen
the working of the mine still remains in Chinese hands. The
attitude of the authorities in this matter has, however, not
been able to prevent the enterprising foreigner entering into
agreements with Chinese mine owners for the working of
their ores. Two British companies are now in the field, in
the Hankow district, and so far their undertakings have been
very successful. Both as regards mines and local industries,
Air. Flill says, it is very evident that were a more complete
control of the working of these enterprises given to foreigners
—even where they would be working for native owners and
not for themselves—there would be a far greater turnover.
Many an undertaking which has been carried on in an
unprofitable and frequently exasperatingly wasteful manner
might have been made to pay had competent foreign assist-
ance been invoked. There is, further, this to be considered :
that no Chinese capitalist will be desirous of investing
money in native undertakings' which never produce a cent
of profit. Since foreign capital is tabooed, and the Chinese
investor unwilling, stagnation must result. During the past
two years certain Chinese capitalists from the Straits Settle-
ments have visited China, more particularly the Ya-ngtse
Valley, with -a view to starting mines, mills, and works of
various kinds; they were, however, obliged to return to
Singapore, bitterly disappointed at the hostility displayed
by the Chinese to their well-meant plans.

Notes from the Coal. Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Vifales and Monmouthshire.

Admiralty Goal Shipments and Dock Dues—Payment for
“Ripping “ : Question of Custom—Final Stages of
Senghenydd Explosion Prosecutions — Railway and
Dock Developments to Meet Expanding Goal Trade.

At the last Mine Alanagers’ and Surveyors’ Examinations
the following results were recorded in favour of the Cambrian
(Correspondence) Mining School, Forth :—At the first-class
mine managers’ examinations (six centres), 16 students sat,
of these 12 were successful. Second-class, 33 students sat,
26 passed. Mine surveyors’ examinations, 19 students sat,
16 secured their certificates. Such a record speaks for itself.

Mr. Leonard Llewellyn, general manager of the Cambrian
Combine Collieries, who has been for several months engaged
aiding the Ministry of Munitions, will henceforth hold the
position of consulting engineer to the Combine, and retain his
seat on the board of directors. The acting general manager
for some time past has been, as previously announced in this
column, Mr. Hedley Clark. Air. Llewellyn is also a director
of the Cynon Colliery Company.

The deputation to the Prime Alinister on the subject of
payment of port dues by the Government had the advantage
of "the services of Sir Clifford J. Cory (of Cory Brothers,
Cardiff), who stated the case for the Bristol Channel Dock
Owners’ Association, the members of which are specially con-
cerned, because of the great quantities of coal shipped on
Admiralty account at the present time. He pointed out that
at the different docks of Bristol, Newport, Cardiff, Penarth,
Barry, Port Talbot, Swansea, Llanelly, etc., a capital expen-
diture of something like 30 millions sterling had been made
on the docks alone, and there was a trade of over 50 million
tons per annum. Five of the docks were railway-owned, and
five were not. Sir Clifford further showTed that the tariff
rates of the Bristol Channel were low as compared with those
of other districts, and the maintenance of the efficiency of the
great commercial docks was a national asset, the importance
of which could not be over-stated. The Admiralty require-
ments from the Bristol Channel ports in ordinary times
amounted roughly to about 2,000,000 tons per annum,
whereas during the present war the amount had been enor-
mously increased—probably seven to 10 times. Ever since
the Admiralty bought coal for naval purposes, the ordinary
tariff rates, both on the coal and on the ships, had been paid
in full; and it was not known what justification there was
for the sudden -decision to deprive the docks of 25 to 33 per
cent, of their revenue. Upon what public principle were the
docks singled out for this exceptional treatment? The miner
was paid full wages plus a war bonus; the colliery proprietor
had full value for the coal; and the railway that carried it to
the dock was paid full rates likewise. The ship receiving the
coal had its full freight; but the dock authority was singled
out as the sole party to the transaction that was not to be
paid reasonable remuneration for services and accommoda-
tion rendered in the national interest. The Government trade
was centred in coal, and a substantial part of the revenue
might be wiped out owing to the necessities of national
requirements. The port least able to bear additional burdens
financially might be the port upon which the gravest burden
for naval and military purposes was necessarily imposed. The
Newport Harbour Commissioners, who provided the access
between the Bristol Channel and the Newport docks, were
not to receive any payment from Admiralty vessels ; but the
dock authority, who could not get the vessel without the work
of the Harbour Commissioners, were to receive 75 per cent.
How was the waterway to be kept open if the Harbour Com-
missioners -did not get their customary revenue? So again at
Swansea. The Harbour Trust maintained the entrance
channel, but were to receive only 66|- per cent, of their total
harbour and dock receipts; whereas the Bute Dock owners at
Cardiff, who did the dredging and maintenance work at
Cardiff of precisely the same character, in ordei' to’provide
access to the Bute Docks, were to receive 75 per cent. Rail-
way-owned docks are to be paid in full,.but docks managed
by harbour trustees, or not owned by railways, will be
subject to the deduction.—The Prime Minister, in reply, said
he -would like to secure the co-operation of the harbour
authorities to go into the matter with the Government
Departments concerned: and steps are to be taken to appoint
a small committee to carry out Mr. Asquith’s suggestion.

The Pontypridd County Court had before it a claim made
by five colliers against Messrs. D. Davis and Sons, Ferndale.
They claimed payment for cutting “ clod ” above the coal
in the Bute seam, and also for standing road posts, their
contention being that, until August 1914, they had been paid
for this work, even if only 2 in..of clod came down. On the
part of the employers, it was deposed that there was no custom
to pay for posts which had been put up under the “ clod,”
and that the thin layer of “ bast ” above the coal was not
“ clod,” but was part of the seam.—The judge decided that
no custom had been proved as to paying for posts put up
where part of the “ clod ” proper had been brought -down.
As to the layer on top of the seam, the point was whether it
was adhesive to the coal or to the clod above. This particular
layer came down with the coal, and his view was that
“rippings” meant that part of the top had to be ripped
separately from the work done in cutting the coal. He gave
judgment for the plaintiffs on the claim in respect of road
posts, but for the company in regard to the claim based on
cutting “ clod.”

The final stage in prosecutions arising out of the
Senghenydd Colliery explosion in October 1913, was reached
on Tuesday, when the Caerphilly magistrates gave judgment
in the case remitted from the King’s Bench. No fewer than
21 informations were laid against the Lewis-Merthyr Com-
pany and the manager originally, mainly in respect of tech-
nical breaches of the Coal Mines Act, and most of them were
dismissed. In respect of the present case, the company were
charged with having failed to maintain proper provision for
reversing the air current, and this also had been dismissed by
the local Bench; but an appeal by the Home Office was
successful, and an order to convict was issued. The magis-
trates imposed a penalty of £10, with five guineas costs.

The continuous development of South Wales is demon-
strated in the annual report of the Great Western Railway
Company, which shows that during the 12 months additional
loop lines and refuge sidings in South Wales occasioned a
fresh capital expenditure of over £8,000. In addition, £5,444
has been spent in further accommodation at Newport and
Cardiff, and £8,703 in Swansea and district. Upon the Swansea
hump yard no less than £24,772 has been laid out. .In the
estimate of further expenditure on capital account during the

current year, additional station and siding accommodation
in South Wales shows a cost of £120,000, and £43,000 at
Swansea.

The half-yearly meeting of the Vale of Glamorgan
Railway Company, which carries coal from the L-ynvi and
Ogmore and adjacent valleys to the Barry Dock, Avas held
at Barry on Friday, and the statement of the chairman
(Mr. E. L. Evan Thomais) was in contrast to that of the
chairman of the other local mineral railways, for he said
that in the three half-years with which they had had to- deal
since the Avar began the tonnage carried by their railway
had steadily increased.

The Milford Docks Company report states that an order
has been obtained which authorises the construction of a
light railway between Milford and St. Brides Bay, to connect
the anthracite coal fields of West Pembroke with the docks.

Northumberland and Durham.

Progress of Motor Ambulance Movement.

Air. William Davies, who has been manager at New
Brancepeth Colliery for 4J years, has resigned from his
position in order to join the Tunnelling Section of the Royal
Engineers. As a token of their esteem, the officials and
workmen at the colliery have presented Mr. Davies with
a leather kit bag, and a solid silver tea service for Mrs.
Davies.

On the occasion of his leaving the Ouston and Urpeth
collieries, in order to take up the management of Messrs.
Bolckow, A7aughan and Company’s Binchester Colliery, Air.
George Hare was last week presented by the officials and
workmen of the former collieries, where he has been manager
for 4J years, with a gentleman’s camp dressing case, a
wrist watch, a silver tureen, entree dish, and a cheque,
together with a pair of silver vases, a silver hand mirror,
comb and brush for Mrs. Hare. Mr. E. Bowman, engineer-
to the Birtley Iron Company Limited, presided.

The movement for the provision of motor -ambulance
convoys for the front appears to be going well at
Northumbrian collieries, despite earlier indifference and
opposition, for Mr. William Hogg, treasurer to the
Northumberland Miners’ Association, who consented to
receive contributions from the colliery lodges, has now
received 21 subscriptions, amounting to £340 7s. 7d. These
are mostly from the smaller branches, for many of the
colliery groups in the county have decided to provide
■ambulances on their own account, and already several such
ambulances have been handed over to the authorities.

Most of the cases dealt with at the most recent meeting
of the representatives of the Durham coal owners’ and the
Durham miners’ compensation committee presented little
that was of special interest, and were generally settled to
the satisfaction of both parties. In one instance, however,
that of an Esh Winning shifter, who was alleged to have
died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to shctfiring, no
decision could be come to, the owners resisting the claim
on the ground that there had been no accident, and -the case
will have to be taken to court. The case of a Brandon
shifter, also, was of a rather uncommon nature. In
February 1910, his cheek bone was broken in two places by
a blow from a winch handle, and he lost the sight of his
right eye. He was paid full compensation at datal stone-
man’s rate up to July 1910, when he resumed the same work
as he had been doing when injured. He continued at this
work until July 1914, when, being a Territorial, he went
into camp with his regiment. He was in the Army for
12 months, but was then discharged on account of the effects
of his accident, and, in the following month, went to the
colliery manager and asked for light work. He got stone-
work to do, but was unable to continue at it, and asked for
lighter work, which was refused. He claimed compensation
at the full rate and asked for light work. He was now
working at 30s. weekly, and the committee awarded full
compensation from October 18 to November 22, 1915.

Cleveland.

It is understood -that provisional arrangements have been
completed for the purchase by Messrs. Pease and Partners
Limited, of Darlington, of the works and undertaking of
the Teesbridge Iron Company Limited, of Stockton-on-Tees.
The Teesbridge Iron Company Limited has a capital of
£44,175, and mortgages and charges amounting to £15,000,
and the plant comprises three blastfurnaces.

Cumberland.

Mr. Thos. Cape, of Workington, financial secretary of the
Cumberland Miners’ Association, has been appointed by the
Home Office as workmen’s assessor to the Colliery Recruiting
Court for Cumberland.

Mr. Altenhei-n has arrived in the United States, where
he has been appointed manager of a by-product coking plant
at Pittsburg, for Koppers. Mr. Altenhein was formerly
manager at the Flimby By-Product Coke Ovens, near
Maryport.

Yorkshire.

Brodsworth War Relief Fund Report—Increment Value
Duty on Minerals—The Consumer and Representation
on Board of Trade Supply Committees.

The action brought against the Lofthouse Colliery
Limited by the Mayor and Corporation of Wakefield for
the alleged endangering of a reservoir by mining operations,
stands over in consequence of an agreement having been
signed.

At last the trams to the Woodlands model mining village
from Doncaster are an accomplished fact. The extension
of the Doncaster Corporation Tramways’ system was
officially inspected on Monday, February 21, by Col. Druitt,
on behalf of the Board of Trade, who passed the section,
with the result that it was almost immediately opened to
the public.

No one can accuse the Brodswnrth Colliery -or its employees
of not having played their part in the war. The balance-
sheet of the Colliery War Relief Fund has just been issued
for the period from August 1914 to December 1915. The
total income was £7,379, including £4,145 from the colliery
company, balance for distribution . after payment by the
company of rents amounting to £5,169. The colliery work-
men and officials contributed £3,075. The expenditure
included £4,535 in relief, and also comprised grants to
widows, funeral expenses of soldiers’ children, and grants to
numerous societies and guilds. £1,000 of the balance in
hand has been set aside for the relief of disabled soldiers
and sailors after the war.