March 24, 1916.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

573

and By-Product Company, with reference to a debenture
holders’ action by Augustus George Mann and others against
the Flimby and Broughton Moor Coal and Firebrick Com-
pany Limited. The application was that the controller
might have liberty to enter into possession of certain pro-
perty comprised in an indenture of mortgage granted to the
Hoppers’ Coke Oven Company notwithstanding the Courts
Emergency Powers Act. Mr. Jenkins, K.C., for the
plaintiffs in the debenture holders’ action, suggested a com-
promise. An order for sale had, he said, been made in
February, but it would take some weeks to advertise the
sale properly. Meanwhile he would not object to an order
upon the company to pay the controller £200 a month. His
lordship suggested that the -application should stand over
until June 7, with liberty to the receiver to dispose of the
property as a whole for not less than £40,000, and to pay
the controller £200 a month. Eventually his lordship agreed
to allow the case to stand over for a week, but intimated
that if the Board of Trade did agree, the matter need not
be mentioned again, until June 7.

Yorkshire.

The Industrial Fuel Scarcity.

An official statement was made last week that coal is
likely to be reached at the Hatfield Main Colliery, the latest
of the new pits sinking in the Doncaster neighbourhood.

The secretary of the Wharncliffe Silkstone War Belief
Fund has issued a statement showing that since the fund
was commenced, 18 months ago, the workmen at the Wharn-
cliffe Silkstone Colliery, Tankersley, have subscribed £1,615,
and the colliery company have subscribed £1,320, making a
total of £2,935. The sum of £2,877 has been paid out in
relief.

Representatives of 14 West Riding Chambers of Commerce
held a conference in Bradford on Monday concerning the
difficulties experienced by textile manufacturers and others in
-obtaining supplies of coal. A deputation from the Leeds,
Bradford, and Huddersfield Chambers recently waited on Mr.
W. F. Marwood, the chairman of the Coal and Coke' Supplies
Committee of the Board of Trade, to press the claims of indus-
trial consumers for representation on the district coal and coke
supplies committees that have been formed. The conference
decided to ask Mr. W. Runciman to receive a deputation.

The Rossington Main Colliery Company Limited reports
that the sinkings have been completed, the Barnsley seam
having been reached at a depth of 872 yds. in the No. 1 shaft
on May 4, 1915, and in the No. 2 shaft on November 6. The
thickness and quality of the coal, so far as can at present be
judged, are stated to be entirely satisfactory. The shafts
have been sunk to the Dunsil seam, which lies 15 yds. below
the Barnsley, and heading out in the former seam is pro-
gressing rapidly. Workmen’s cottages to the number of 254
have been completed, and 84 more are in course of erection.

Fines and damages, amounting in each case to nearly £5,
were inflicted by 'the Pontefract Bench on two miners,
Thomas and Jack Lund, who left the Featherstone Main
Colliery without giving notice, in order to work at another
colliery seven miles away. The magistrates were asked to
try to stop the growth of such a habit by inflicting heavy
penalties.

Lancashire and Cheshire.

Local Colliery Developments—The Miners' Federation and
the ExhaU Colliery Disaster.

Nearly 30 firms were represented at the first meeting of the
recently formed coal trade section of the Liverpool Chamber
of Commerce last week. Steps were taken to form a com-
mittee, and, on a ballot, 15 firms were chosen to appoint
representatives to serve on the committee.

It is stated that additional seams are to be opened cut at
the Lostock Hall Colliery, near Bolton.

The Kearsley Moss Colliery, near Farnworth, belonging to
the Clifton and Kersley Coal Company, which has been
re-opened, after being closed for some time, is. being opened
out with a view to increasing the output.

A report, just issued, by the Lancashire and Cheshire
Miners’ Federation, shows that the miners of Lancashire and
Cheshire have contributed £18,000 or £20,000 to the British
Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John for the provision
of . motor ambulances. The report adds that the employers
have not contributed, up to the present, the same amount as
the workmen.

The Midlands.

Electric Coal Cutter Accident.

At ian inquest last week concerning the death of Thomas
Pritchard, who was killed while operating an electric drill
in the Binley Colliery, near Coventry, some considerable
time wa.s spent in hearing some interesting evidence as to
how the deceased received his fatal shock.—Ernest
Runciman, the electrician of the colliery, in his evidence
stated that the sense of security afforded by rubber gloves,
boots, or mats had often proved in itself a trap, by making
men less careful than they otherwise would be. Such
articles were liable to become torn up, .and thus lose their
efficacy, whilst leaving the user under the impression that
he was secure. Witness said it was very hard to account for
the accident. An investigation showTed that an “ inter-
mittent earth ” took place on the trailing cable, which was
about 70 yds. long, and fed the current to the coal-cutting
machine. The cable was provided with a special wire to
earth the current in event of anything going wrong, but
it appeared that this wire had broken, probably being caught
on something as the cable was dragged along. It was
possible that the man may have been standing on earth
which was a better conductor than the earth on which the
machine rested, which was very dry clay. Witness pro-
ceeded to expound another theory which might account for
the man’s death. He said that the man in charge of a
machine might move a switch in such a manner—too slowly,
for instance—as to cause an electric arc to form. This arc
passing across to another point of contact would make the
machine “ alive.” The handle of the controller upon which
the right hand of the man would be resting was insulated,
but if the fingers of the man happened to be spread out in
such a way as to touch adjacent exposed metal a circuit
would be completed, and the current would pass through
him. In this case the fact that he might be standing, on a
non-conductor would not help him. If he had had an india-
rubber glove, he would not have made a connection. But
the Home Office, although very stringent in their rules, did
not call for—and. he was sure they did not want—anything
in the nature of rubber gloves. The jury returned a verdict
of “ Accidental death.”

The executive of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain
received the report of Mr. G. H. Rowlinson, Forest of Dean,
who attended the enquiry into the disaster at the Exhall
Colliery, Warwickshire, as the representative of the Federa-

tion ; 14 men lost their lives through a fire which occurred
at the entrance to the downcast shaft at the colliery. Mr.
Rowlinson explained that there are three shafts, the down-
cast and upcast shafts, which are half a mile apart above
ground, but nearly a mile underground, and -a third shaft
near the downcast shaft,. wfliich serves as an outlet for the
men, and is sometimes used for water winding. The head-
gear is of steel, but the guides are of pitch pine wood, and
the haulage ropes run in wooden square boxes. The wheels
on which the ropes work are oiled once in every 24 hours.
On September 21, the workman, Chas. Garner, when
engaged in ailing the haulage pulley wheel set his lamp
down on the beam supporting the bearing, and it toppled
over, setting fire to the guides and boxes in which the ropes
worked. His (Mr. Rowlinson’s) own opinion was that a
different kind of lamp might have been used by the men
oiling these wheels. If there had been steel guides in the
shafts and steel boxes for the haulage ropes to run in down
the shaft for a distance to where the shaft is wet, no lives
Would have been lost. This, the manager assented to in
examination, in the light of the experience gained from
the accident. Or if the fan had been reversed instantly the
probability was that no lives would have been lost. If it
had been reversed later on the smoke would have been
carried on to a large number of men, lit might have been
on to the 240 men who got out safely. Thirdly, had the 14
men had the presence of mind to come by the return airway
they might have been saved. The men rode up and down
these dips, and it might be that they proceeded to where the
trams started from, and were overcome with the fumes.
Mr. Rowlinson then set out the verdict, which was published
at the time, to the effect that the jury considered it a pure
accident; that the management of the pit did all that was
possible to minimise the disaster; and suggested that it be
an instruction to all inspectors of mines that no naked lights
should be brought near to any pit shaft, whether upcast or
downcast, where men are employed. The report was
accepted.

Kent.

Progress in Colliery Development.

The output of coal from the Tilmanstcne Colliery last week
created another record since the re-opening of the pits, 1,772
tons being brought to bank. A fair amount of buying is
reported to have taken place recently in the shares of Kent
Coal Concessions and the East Kent Colliery Company.

The deep sinking in No. 2 pit at Snowdown Colliery is now
down to 2,249 ft., the distance sunk last week being 15 ft.
The pit is lined to 2,153 ft. The colliery’s output of-coal is
about 2,500 tons weekly.

Good progress continues to be made in the work in connec-
tion with the sinking at Chislct Colliery, near Canterbury,
and a quantity of the additional plant has been erected.

Scotland.

D.S.C. for Mining ' Director—Coal Prices Conference—
Electric Shaft Winding—Fencing of Colliery Machinery
-—Life of Bo’ness Coal Field.

Satisfaction was felt throughout the Lanarkshire coal field
when it became generally known that Lieut. Laurence H.
Strain, R.N.V.R., had been awarded the Distinguished
Service Cross for consistently good work as an observer* with
the Flying Corps since February 1915. Lieut. Strain, who
is an advocate by profession, joined the board of directors of
John Watson Limited three years ago. His father has been
the chairman of this important concern for many years.

A committee has been appointed in Stirlingshire to raise
funds for a testimonial to three of the miners in the county
who have distinguished themselves on active service. The
trio—Messrs. Turnbull, McChord, and McQuade—have each
been awarded the D.C.M. Turnbull has, in addition, received
the St. George Medal from the Czar of Russia. The directors
of the Gothenburg Trust, Polmaise, Stirlingshire, have voted
a donation of £20 to the fund, while Messrs. Archibald
Russell, coal masters, have forwarded a cheque for £15.

As the outcome of the conference between representatives of
the District Coal and Coke Supplies Committee, the Lanark-
shire Local Committee, the Glasgow Corporation, and the
local coal merchants, it was announced that the complaints
regarding prices appeared to relate to a very limited number
of cases, and did not affect the general practice of coal mer-
chants. The committee were assured that the coal owners
were not responsible for the high prices which were being
charged for coal in the streets at present. The committee
stated that they intended to do everything in their power to
ensure that the whole demand was met, and they believed
that if a sufficient supply was thrown on to the market the
difficulties would disappear.

Mr. John B. Thomson, Hamilton, general manager to
John Watson Limited, has been nominated president of the
West of Scotland branch of the Association of Mining
Electrical Engineers.

A largely attended meeting of those associated with the
mining and electrical interests in Scotland wyas held on
Saturday, at Glasgow’. The gathering was under the joint
auspices of the Mining Institute of Scotland and the Scottish
branches of the National Association of Colliery Managers
and the Association of Mining Electrical Engineers. A
paper supplementary to that recently delivered by Prof.
Burns, on “Electrical Shaft Winding,” was read by Mr.
Frank Anslow, on “Types of Modern Electric Winding.”
The author described the outstanding features of the Ward-
Leonard, Ilgner, and Thury systems. Concerning the
relative merits of steam and electric winding, those who had
considered the question during the past decade knew7 that
there was a useful field for each. The aggregate of electric
winding plant in this country .and on the Continent, said the
author, could not be less than one million horse-pow-er. An
interesting point arose in connection with electric winding,
especially where the supply of power was taken from an
outside source or. from a colliery company’s own generating
station situated at another colliery. Electric winders them-
selves were quite reliable, and not liable to breakdowns,
but if the source of supply failed, they were helpless.

At Haddington Sheriff Court on Monday, the sequel to a
recent fatal accident at Elphingstone Colliery, whereby a lad
named John M‘Neill, coal picker, met his death by being-
carried round shafting and crushed, took place in the trial of
William Leckie, manager, Fleets Pit. Elphingstone Colliery.
The charge against him w*as that, between January 1 and 5.
1916, both days inclusive, he, being manager of the Fleets
Pit, failed to keep securely fenced, exposed and dangerous
machinery used at the pit head, which, on January 5, had
caused the death of M‘Neill. Sheriff Macleod found accused
not guilty as regarded the dates January 1 to 4, both inclusive,
but found the charge proved as regarded January 5. Having

regard to the extenuating circumstances of the case, he found
it inexpedient to inflict any but a nominal punishment, and
he dismissed the charge under the Probation of Offenders
Act, 1907.

Progress is being made in the opening up of the new7 coal
field at Greenbank Camelon. There are two seams tapped,
the Mill and the Coxrod seams. There is a fairly large field,
and when fully developed employment will be given to a
considerable number of workers.

Mr. Cadell, owner of Bridgeness Colliery, has made a some-
what gloomy prediction regarding the life of Bo’ness coal
field. He has taken up a very strong attitude against the
Bo’ness Town Council in their asking permission to borrow
a considerable sum of money for the extension of the elec-
tricity works; and, in supporting his argument, said that
unless Mr. Allan’s colliery developed, Bo’ness was bound to
go back before long. The coal fields of Kinneil, Bridgeness,
and Grange were nearly exhausted, and last year Kinneil
Company only made 2| per cent, profit. He added that
Bridgeness coal field was also getting exhausted very quickly.
In a. matter of 10 years or so there would be no coal in
Bo’ness at all.

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR COAL AND COKE.

For Contracts Advertised m this issue received too late
for inclusion in this column, see Leader and Last
White pages.

Kingston, April 3. — The Guardians of the Kingston
Union invite tenders for the immediate supply of 500 tons of
Pooley Hall nuts, % in. to l^in., or other nuts of similar
quality and of same size, to be delivered at the Infirmary
premises, Kingston Hill. Sealed tenders should reach me
by Monday, April 3, marked “ Tender for coal.” Chas. W.
Dash, clerk to the Guardians, Union Offices, Kingston-on-
Thames.

Abstracts of Contracts Open.

Bridgend, March 28.—Steam coal, for the Urban Dis-
trict Council. Forms from the engineer and manager,
Electricity Works, Bridgend, Glamorganshire.

King’s Lynn, March 31.—Best Portland hards or other
good engine coal, for the Magdalen Drainage Commissioners.
Tenders to W. D. Ward, clerk to the Commissioners, King’s
Lynn.

Limavady (Ireland), March 27.—100 tons best double-
screened Cumberland coal, for the Guardians. Tenders to
Mr. S. H. Crawford, clerk, Beard Room, Workhouse,
Limavady.

London, S.E., April 3.—Steam coal, for the Bermondsey
Guardians. Forms from Mr. E. Pitts Fenton, clerk to the
Guardians, 283, Tooley-street.

London, W.—50 tons coal (Derby nuts preferred) to the
Hospital for Epilepsy 'and Paralysis, Maida Vale, W., for
the Committee. Tenders to Mr. H. W. Burleigh, secretary,
Hospital.

Lowtestoft, March 27.—Coal and coke, for the Urban
Sanitary Authority. Forms from G. H. Hamby, borough
surveyor, Town Hah.

Lytham (Lancs), March 27. — 8,000 tons of gas fuel
(screened, unscreened, or nuts), for the Lytham Urban Dis-
trict Council. Forms from Mr. Halliwell, gas manager, Gas
Works, Lytham.

Macclesfield, April 15.—15,000 tons of screened gas coal
and gas nuts, for the Gas Committee. Particulars from
Mr. J. E. Blundell, engineer and manager.

Manchester, March 20.—Best foundry gas coke, for the
Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. Particulars from Mr.
Waring, Stores Department, Osborne-street, Manchester.

Northwich. March 27. — Steam coal, for the Urban
District Council. Forms from J. A. Cowley, clerk, Council
House, Northwich.

Redditch, March 28.—125 tons of double-screened nuts
per week, for three iand six months, for the Urban District
Council. Tenders to Mr. R. N. Mayne, chief engineer,
Electricity Works, Redditch, Worcestershire.

Rochdale, March 29.—Steam coal, for the Electricity
Committee. Forms from Mr. C. C. Atchison, engineer and
manager, Dane-street, Rochdale.

Teddington, April 3.—Household coal and coke, for the
Urban District Council. Forms from M. Hainsworth,
surveyor, Council Offices, Teddington.

Torquay, March 28.—200 to 300 tons of coke, for the
Corporation. Ferms from Mr. Fredk. S. Hex, town clerk,
Town Hall, Torquay.

Selby, March 30.—Coal and coke, for the Governors of
the Selby Girls’ High School. Tenders to Mr. J. H. Bantoft,
clerk to the Governors, 9, Abbey-place, Selby.

Wigan, March 27.—50 tons of Pembroke Four-foot coal,
for the Corporation ; also for 200 tons of best engine slack.
Tenders to Mr. William Henry Tyrer, town clerk, Wigan.

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

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON
AND STEEL WORK, &c.

London, S.W., March 29. — Bogie Wagons. — 10 steel
covered goods bogie wagons ; 7 steel high-sided ditto; 5 steel
ballast wagons; laminated, volute, and helical springs, for
Gie South Indian Railway Company Limited. Specifications
from R. White, consulting engineer to the company, 3,
Victoria-street, London, S.W., on payment of £1.

Manchester, March 30. — Railway Stores. — For the
Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway : Bolts, nuts, coach
screws, etc.; copper nails, rivets, etc.; crucibles; iron and
steel chain ; iron, bar and hoop; steel cotters >and pins ; steel
cylinders; steel ferrules for boiler tubes; steel plates
(Siemens’); steel sheets, galvanised; steel sheets (Siemens’
and electrical); steel springs (spiral); steel tubes for boilers;
steel tubing (cold drawn weldless); steel (welding for tires) ;
tin and zinc sheets, etc.; wire; wire rope, way materials.
Particulars from Mr. Waring, Stores Department, Osborne-
street, Manchester.

Manchester, March 31.—Boiler Repair.—Repairing a
boiler for the Guardians. Particulars from the Master of the
Delaunay's-road Institution Crumpsail Manchester.

Manchester April 1.—Pipes etc.—Low-pressure water
and exhaust -steam pipes valves and supports for the Cor-
poration. Specifications from F. E. Hughes, secretary.
Electricity Department, Town Hall,