622 _____________________________________________ was £121,900, which, with £48,306 brought in, made a total of £170,205. Amounts appropriated : Government tax on profits and income-tax, £2,408; dividends Nos. 31 and 32 (21} per ,cent.), £115,974; total, £118,382, leaving unappro- priated balance at December 31. of £51,823. Profit derived from coal mining again shows a.decrease, the actual reduction as compared with previous year being £9,211. . Decrease accounted for primarily by reduced output, largely attri- butable to, shortage of trucks and narrow width of market- able coal mined. Capital expenditure, £8,582, of which sinking and equipment of new shaft at Oogies Colliery was responsible for a large proportion. The directors recommend that interim dividends, already paid, be declared the dividend for the year : No. 31, 8| per cent. (Is. 9d. per share), £47,754; No. 32, 12} per cent. (2s. 6d. per share), £68,220. Tweefontein Colliery Limited.—The report states that the gross profit for the year, including miscellaneous revenue, amounts to £34,349. After deducting London charges and allowances for depreciation, there remains £22,940, and £6,038 was brought in, making £28,978. The directors recommend a further dividend at rate of 4 per cent, on cumulative preference and participating shares, and a final dividend of 19 per cent, on ordinary, making the total divi- dends for the year 10 per cent, (the maximum) on cumula- tive, preference, and participating shares, and 25 per cent, on ordinary, leaving £14,681 to be carried forward, subject to provision'for excess profits duty. Vickers Limited. — The directors announce that, under existing circumstances, the accounts for the year 1915 must necessarily be delayed. In the meantime, it has been arranged that the final dividend of 2J per cent, on the pre- ferred 5 per cent, stock and on the 5 per cent, preference shares shall be paid on 30th inst. NEW COMPANIES. Averno Syndicate Limited. — Private company. Regis- tered office, 11, Southampton-row, W.C. Registered March 20. To carry on business of shipping agents, coal merchants, etc. Nominal capital, £1,000 in 1,000 £1 ordi- nary shares. First directors : A. Pereno, R. F. Pellatt, Sir Charles Follett, and G. Giradi. Brook (T.) and Crowther Limited. — Private company. Registered March 15. To carry on business for the manu- facture of machinery for their drying and preparation of gun- cotton and other explosives, mechanical engineers, iron founders, tool makers and brass founders, electrical engineers, etc. Nominal capital, £3,000 in 3,000 £1 shares. First directors and subscribers (one share each) : T. Brook, H. F. Brook, H. N. Brook, and H. Crowther. Cymograph Limited.—Private company. Registered office, Bush-lane House,. Cannon-street, E.C. Registered March 18. ■To carry on "business of mechanical. and electrical engineers. Nominal capital, £1,000 in 1,000 £1 shares. Subscribers (one share each) : R. C. Sharwell and E. H. Meville. Dronfield Coal Company Limited. — Private company. Registered March 24. Nature of business indicated by title. Nominal capital, £10,000 in 10,000 £1 shares... First directors : H. Broadbent, J. Haigh, J. Tetlow, and P. Brown. Qualification of directors, 100 shares. Marchbank, Bainbridge and Company (Middlesbrough) Limited.—Private company. Registered March 23. To acquire, take over, and carry on business of coal merchants and colliery owners carried on at Middlesbrough as March- bank, Bainbridge and Company, colliery and quarry pro- prietors, iron, steel, and general metal and mineral mer- chant, etc. -Nominal capital, £2,000 in 2,000 £1 shares. First permanent directors : J. D. Chipchase, W. Marchbank, E. M. Bainbridge, and D. Stonehouse. Qualification of directors, £75. Mason (Thomas), Pewtress and Company Limited.— Private company. Registered March 23. To carry on busi- ness of coal and general merchants. Nominal capital, £50,000 in 20,000 £1 preference shares and 30,000 £1 ordi- nary shares. First directors and subscribers (one share each) : T. Mason and P. L. Pewtress. Midland Spring Company Limited. — Private company. Registered office, 291, Summer-lane, Birmingham. Regis- tered March 22. To carry on business of manufacturers of springs of all kinds, engineers, iron founders, tcol makers, etc. Nominal capital, £3,000 in 3,000 £1 shares. Sub- scribers (one share each) : J. B. Brookes, Alice M. Brookes, and F. C. Brookes. Stockport Furnaces Limited.—Private company. Regis- tered office, 40, St. Peter’s-gate, Stockport. Registered March 22. Nature of business indicated by title. Nominal capital, £2,000 in 2,000 £1 shares. First directors : J. Lord (chairman), E. Duckworth, and J. Litherland. Trechamn, Carrick and Company Limited.—Private com- pany. Registered March 17. To acquire, take over, and carry on business of coal exporters carried on by A. F. Trechamn and others at Cardiff and elsewhere, colliery pro- prietors, miners, etc. Nominal capital, £15,000 in 6,000 8 per cent. £1 cumulative preference shares and 9,000 £1 ordinary shares. First directors and subscribers (one ordi- nary share each) : R. H. Carrick and W. P. Jones. Waincap Collieries Limited.—Private company. Regis- tered March 17. Nature of business indicated by title. Nominal capital, £1,000 in 200 £5 shares. Subscribers (one share each) : A. T. Foulds and V. A. Roberts. This list of new companies is taken from the Daily Register specially compiled by Messrs. Jordan and Sons Limited company registration agents, Chancery-lane, E.C _____________________________ Coal Prices in Various Countries.—Messrs. S. Bradford and Sons, coal and coke merchants, Eastbourne, have com- piled the following table of prices of house coal delivered into cellar in the cities mentioned during the present month : Per Paris...... Rome ..... Madrid ... Berne ..... Stockholm ... Athens..... Amsterdam.. London English ton £ s. d. 137'50 fr. per 1,000 kilogs..........or 4 15 0 160 lire per Italian ton of 2,204lb.... ,, 5 1 9 78 pesetas per 1,000 kilogs......... ,, 6 0 3 (Belgian coal) 70fr. per 1,000 kilogs. „ 2 10 0 (Anthracite) .................... 4 18 0 (Charcoal) 195 drachmas per 18 kan- tars, of 44 okes per kantar ..... ,,716 0 (Anthracite) ........... British ... 3 10 0 ........... ........... ........... ,, .......... Belgian ... 2 10 0 ,, .......... Dutch ... 2 4 0 ,, .......... German ... 2 4 0 .............:................................................. 1 14 0 Very little ordinary coal is burnt in Sweden, except in hotels and restaurants, anthracite being in general use. In Greece charcoal is the only fuel used for heating houses. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN THE FREIGHT MARKET. On the whole, a good deal more business has been effected on the outward freight market during the past week, but the great bulk of the chartering has been done at the Bristol Channel. At the Tyne, loading turns have generally been kept well filled, and only in certain sections of the coal market has the want of prompt boats been at all acutely felt. Tonnage ■arrivals have been fairly heavy during the greater part of the week, but most of the steamers are chartered before reaching port, .and the offering on the market has been scanty. A very firm tone has characterised business, and rates for most destinations are materially higher. Coastwise, a boat has been fixed at 17s., an increase of Is. on the week. Few boats have been chartered for North France, but owners have held for higher prices. Havre is from 2s. 6d. to 3s. advanced, and Rouen is firmer at 40s. In. the Bay section, Bordeaux has been fixed for at 56s. and 57s., an increase of from Is. to 2s., and St. Nazaire is stronger at 55s. The general tone of the Mediter- ranean market is very firm. Italian ports are represented by Genoa at from 97s. to 97s. 6d., the same figures as for the previous week, but the South Mediterranean is markedly dearer at 78s. for Oran. Port Said has paid the unpre- cedented rate of Ills. 6d. The fixture of a small vessel for Archangel at the comparatively low rate of 40s. is interesting as showing the current value of a voyage to the White Sea. The demand for steamers at Cardiff has continued unabated, and, during the greater part of the period under review, tonnage has been much more free than has been the case recently. For a few days, rates rose with extraordinary rapidity, and all previous records were broken, but towards the end of the week stemming difficulties have proved a stumbling block to business and, in the Mediterranean market especially, substantially lower figures have ruled. For North France, Rouen is from Is. 6d. to 3s. higher on the week, and Calais is Is. dearer. A large number of boats have been sent Bay wards, and rates .are from 2 to 4 fr. up to Bordeaux. Enquiries for Mediterranean tonnage have been much in evidence, and 100s. has been conceded for Genoa, an advance of 6s. on the top rate paid during the previous week. Since the beginning of the present week, however, something of a slump has set in, and the prevailing quotation has fallen to 90s. For Marseilles, 125 fr. has been often repeated, but lower figures are now quoted. The South Mediterranean is steady at 105 fr. to Oran. For the River Plate, rates rose quickly to 76s., but have now fallen to 65s. In the homeward market, the River Plate is extremely dull at about 13'5s. for neutral tonnage for May. Quotations for April are purely nominal, and business is lacking. Transactions in grain-carrying tonnage are slow to mature at North America, but 16s. 6d. has been secured for French Atlantic from the Northern States for April-May loading. For the Bristol Channel, 15s from the States and 16s. from Montreal for May are the figures indicated by the Wheat Committee. Colliers are worth 120s. to West Italy, and from 102s. 6d. to 105s. for the Plate. The Eastern market is very dull, with merchants holding off. From the rice ports, 165s. is the best obtainable from Burmah and Saigon- Haipong is represented by about 190s. Indian rates are nominal at the lower level of 100 s. from Bombay on d.w. Later.—It is reported that Rouen has been fixed for from the Tyne at 42s. 6d. for a 1,500-tonner. Tyne to Archangel, 1,500, 40s. ; Bordeaux, 1,700, 57s.; 2.800, 57s.; 1,300, 56s.; Boulogne, 1,800, 36s.; Civita Vecchia, 1,800, 95s.; 2,500, 95s., May; Genoa, 1,800, 97s.; 3,800, 97s. 6d.; 4,000, 97s. ; 2,500, 97s.; 97s., April; Havre; 1,000, 36s. 6d.; 1,600, 38s. ; Las Palmas, 4,000, 45s.; London, 1,300, 17s. ; North French ports, 350,.52s. 6d., coke; Oran, 2,000, 78s.; Port Said, 5,000, Ills. 6d., reported; 4,000, Ills. 6d.; Rochefort, 1,400, 54s.; Rouen, 2,500, 40s.; St. Nazaire, 2,700, 55s.; Savona, 1,800, 97s.; 3,200, 97s.; 97s., April; Teneriffe, 4,000, 45s. Cardiff to Alexandria, 5.200, 102s. 6d., 800; Bayonne, 1.800, 75s.; Bizerta, 2,000, 110 fr., 800; Bordeaux, 1,550, 72 fr. ; 2,500, 72 fr. ; 4,000, 72 fr.; 1,700, 70 fr.; 2,000, 71 fr.; 1,000, 72 fr.; Barcelona, 2,500, 75s.; Bahia Blanca, 4,500, 65s. ; Calais, 1,200, 36s.; 3,000, 37s.; Charente, 750, 57^ fr., fuel; Dunkirk, 3,000, 37s.; Gibraltar, 5,000, 55s., 500; 2,850, 57s. 6d., 500; 5,000, 53s. 6d.; 500, 55s.; 1,200, 60s., 400; 2,000, 60s., 500; 2,000, 60s.; Genoa, 3,200, 100s.; 4,000, 100s.; 4,000, 97s. 6d.; 5,200, 97s. 6d.; 2,800, 97s. 6d.; 2.800, 95s.; 3,400, 90s.; Honfleur, 500, 32s. 6d.; Islands, 2,000, 45s.; Las Palmas, 2,000, 45s.; Leghorn, 4,000, 97s. 6d.; 2,800, 97s. 6d.; 2,800, 95s.; 4,300, 93s. 6d., 600; Lisbon, 2,000, 52s. 6d., 500; 2,000, 55s.; 1,200, 56s.; Mar- seilles, 2,000, 125 fr.; 2,600, 125 fr.; 1,300, 125 fr.; 5,000, 125 fr.; Monte Video, 7,500, 75s., April; 4,000, 65., April; Madeira, 2,000, 45s.; Naples, 3,300, 95s., 800; 4,200, 92s. 6d., 800; 4,900, 92s. 6d., 800; 4,600, 93s. 6d.; Nantes, 1,600, 63} fr., 500; Oran, 1,400, 105 fr., 400; 1,200, 105 fr., 400, April; Plymouth, 200, 16s.; Ramsey, 300, 13s.; Rio de Janeiro, 2,500, 78s., April; 5,000, 70s.; Rouen, 1,700, 35s. 6d. ; 1,900, 36s.; 1,650, 37s.; 2,400, 36s.; River Plate, 4,000, 76s.; 72s. 6d., April; 4,000, 76s., April; 3,800, 70s.; 4,000, 65s..; Savona, 3,200, 100s.; 4,000, 100s. ; 4,000, 97s. 6d.; 2,800, 97s. 6d.; 5,200, 97s. 6d.; 2,800, 95s. ; 3,400, 90s.; Spezzia, 3,200, 100s.; 4,000, 97s. 6d. ; 2,800, 97s. 6d.; 5,200, 97s. 6d.; 2,800, 95s. ; St. Malo, 1,400, 27s. fid.; Trouville, 500, 32s. 6d. ; Treport, 1,100, 36s.; 750, 37s.; Teneriffe, 2,000, 45s. Swansea to Rouen, 1,300, 36s.; 2,000, 36s.; 3,100, 36 fr.; 1,500, 37s.: Alicante, 800 , 72s. fid.; Belfast, 300, 14 s.; Dieppe. 1,600, 33s.; Honfleur, 300, 32s. 6d.; St. Nazaire, 1,500, 62} fr.; 2,400, 62} fr. -; Genoa, 3,100, 97s. 6d.; Naples, 3,100, 95s., 500; Genoa, Savona, or Spezzia, 3,100, 97s. 6d.; Bordeaux, 1,550, 72 fr. coal, 73 fr. fuel; St. Brieux, 1,200, 27s. 6d. coal, 28s. 3d. fuel, six voyages; Lisbon, sail, 300, 50s.; Granville, 950, 31s. Newport to Gibraltar, 5,000, 55s., 500; 1,200, 60s., 400; 2,000, 60s.; Bordeaux, 1,700, 70 fr.; Bilbao, 1,200, 43s. 6d.; Genoa, Savona, or Spezzia, 2,200, 97s. 6d.; Naples, 4,000, 93s. 6d., 1,000; Bordeaux, 1,300, 72 fr.; 2,400, 70 fr.; Rouen, 2,300, 36s.; 1,350, 37s.; 2,500, 37s.; Rochefort, 1,600, 62 fr., 500; Oran, 1,400, 105 fr., 400; Marseilles, 5,000, 125 fr.; Charente, 750, 57} fr., fuel. Port Talbot to Bordeaux, 1,600, 70 fr.; 2,100, 72 fr.; 1,200, 72 fr. ; 1,100, 70 fr.; Brest, 1,900, 34s. ; Dunkirk, 1.900, 34s.; Oran, 1,400, 105 fr., 400; Marseilles, 5,000, 125 fr. Glasgow to Buenos Ayres, 70s., April; La Plata, 70s., Apr; Genoa. Savona, or Leghorn, 100s. ; Civita Vecchia, 100s. Blyth to Rouen, 2,300, 40s.; Fredrickshald, 900, 32s. Hull to Dunkirk, 1,100, 35s. Hartlepool to Leghorn, 3,000, 97s. 6d. Wales to Brest, 900, 27s. 6d., voyages; Dunkirk, 900, 27s. 6d., voyages. Liverpool to Buenos Ayres, 45s. Troon to Genoa or Savona, 100s. Wear to Havre. 1.600. 40s. Mauch 31, 1916. ____________________ ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS RECENTLY ACCEPTED. Improvements in or relating to Mine Props. 1448 (1915). E. Mills, of 9, Harper- street, The Manor, Willenhall, Staffordshire. —Comprises a telescopic mine prop adapted to con- tract under excessive stress. The two main telescopic partis are nor- mally maintained in rela- tionship to each other by a frictional effort, but the frictional effort is applied by spring means, by pro- viding means for applying a frictional pressure for the purpose of normally retaining the members of the prop in relationship to each other, and by actuat- ing such means for apply- ing frictional pressure by spring means, the desid- eratum of adaptability of the prop to withstand excessive stresses is attained in a particularly high and satisfactory degree. Fig. 1 is a part sectional elevation of one form of pit prop; fig. 2 is a plan of the member which rotatably rests upon the upper extremity of the outer member of the prop ; fig. 3 is a rear elevation of one of the jaws. (Seven claims.) 1738 (1915). Improved Tile and Method of Setting same to be employed in the Construction of that Portion known as the Regenerator Chamber in Gas Making or Carbonising Plants. H. E. Grove, of 114, Barkly-street, St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia; and F. G. Barker, of 14, Broadway, Camberwell, Victoria.—Relates to a specially shaped and fortified tile from which the lining or wall, • separating the exit for the spent fumes from the incoming air, is con- structed , the tiles lin their arrangement forming double keyed vertical joints and at the same time permitting a thin wall of a good heat conducting material to be employed. Fig. 1 is a front view in perspective of the front of the tile; and fig. 2 is a rear view of fig. 1; figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the method of setting the tile in the construction of chambers, channels or the like. The tile would be prefer- ably constructed from fire clay or other suitable fire resisting material, and would, in practice, be preferably, but not arbitrarily, about 17 in. in height by about If in. in thick- ness, across its vertical section, • the top to a width of about . approximately of about 12 in. in width. Along the upper portion b a part c (preferably about 2 in. in depth) is channelled out in which to enable the bottom of the next superimposing tile to fit and form a key. Two verti- cally placed webs or ribs d are formed in. the inner, or front, face of the tile, i.e., proceeding from the portion of 6 in. width at the top to within about 2} in. from, its bottom, so that the end of each web or rib terminates slightly above the top face of the next lower tile; the upper portion of such rib bends inwardly, at e to a central vertical line in order to- meet a web or rib of an opposite tile, of similar construction to the one hereinbefore described. The top flat faces / of the two meeting tiles form the floor of each particular flue through which the inlet air passes in a baffled travel to the producer vents. The inner top edge of each of the meeting tiles is slightly splayed off so that on the two splays meeting a downwardly pointing V shaped channel g is formed, and m this a filling of fire clay, putty or other suitable stopping is placed in order to hermetically close the meeting edges of the two oppositely arranged tiles as aforesaid. (Two claims.) and widening out towards 6 in., and having a face 1862 ‘(1915). Improvements in connection with Rock Drills and the like. M. T. Taylor and E. A. Loring, of Carn Brea, S.O., Cornwall. — Relates to improvements in connection with rock drilling and like machines of the hammer and telescopic type, in which a piston works freely within a cylinder, the rear part or rear extension of which fits fluid- tight within a stationary sleeve or cylinder, so that as the work progresses, the distance between the tool chuck and the rear end of the machine increases, and the machine- is kept up to its work by fluid pressure within the stationary sleeve or cylinder acting on the rear end of the hammer cylinder, or of the extension thereof. The invention consists in a machine in. which the stationary sleeve or cylinder is utilised for the conveyance of water to the hollow drill, so that the water conveying pipe may be attached to such stationary