1204 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. June 23, 1916. Tobercurry, June 26.—Best screened house coal, for the Guardians. Tenders to the clerk, Workhouse. Trim, July 3.—18 tons of best coal, f.o.r. Dublin, for the Urban District Council. Tenders to P. Healy, clerk, Town Hall, Trim. Tunbridge Wells, July 3.—Coal, coke, and firewood for nine or twelve months, for the Town Council and the Borough Education Committee. Forms from the borough surveyor. Uxbridge, June 26.—Hard steam Warwickshire coal and yard slack required for waterworks pumping plant. No forms. Tenders (for six months) to the clerk, 63', High- street, Uxbridge. West Malting, June 28.—Best steam, household, and gas coals for Workhouse, and household coal for Hospital. Forms from F. J. Allison, clerk to the Guardians, West Mailing. The date given is the latest upon which tenders can be received. CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON AND STEEL WORK, Ac. Shortlands (Kent), July 10.—Boilers, etc.—Two Lancashire boilers, economiser, superheaters, piping, etc., for the pumping station. Forms from the engineers’ depart- ment, Metropolitan Water Board, Savoy Court, W.C. Warrington, June 27.—Goul Elevator, etc.—Coal elevator and vertical steam feed pump. Forms from the borough electrical and tramways engineer, Howley, Warrington. THE FREIGHT MARKET. Acute tonnage shortage is still rendering business in . the outward freight market extremely difficult, and, so far as the Bristol Channel is concerned, operations have been prac- tically at a standstill on some days. The bulk of the busi- ness under negotiation is, of course, for French ports, but the delays to boats running regularly to these destinations are the cause of considerable anxiety to merchants, and at Cardiff there have been less than a dozen fixtures arranged for France during the past week. Tannage for the Mediter- ranean is not so much in demand, and loading turns are difficult to arrange. Consequently, after rising rapidly to the level of 90s. for Genoa range, rates fell again to 85s. for that port, representing an advance of 7s. 6d. to 10s. on the week. Oran, at 65s., is so much as 18s. 9d. higher, and Marseilles is stronger, at 80s. At the Tyne, despite tonnage shortage and licence difficulties, the volume of chartering is fully up to the recent average. A large number of boats has been despatched to North France, but steamers are still in keen demand, and every available vessel is the object of much competition. Where the maximum rates are not in force, therefore, quotations have’stiffened very con- siderably. Coasting is neglected, and nominally worth about Ils-. to London. For the Mediterranean, 100s. has been paid for Genoa, with options, an increase of 5s.; Algiers is from 10s. to 12s. fid. dearer, at from 70s. to 72s. 6d.; and Oran is from 10s. to 13s. more, at up to 73s. For the Spanish Atlantic, Bilbao- has- been fixed for at 55s., and Lisbon at 50s. In the homeward section, the Biver Plate is extremely dull, at round about 145s. for neutral tonnage to United Kingdom. The Wheat Committee could possibly be induced to operate at l'20s. for the same voyage. Little tonnage is offering for next month, and owners are reserved. There is little anima- tion in the States market, and rates continue to be weak. The demand for boats is exceedingly small, and the voyage to United Kingdom is now worth not more than about 7s. 6d. The views of the Wheat Committee are represented by 12s. to the French Atlantic, and 13s. for West Italy, whilst for account of the Swiss Government 26s. is obtainable for Mar- seilles or adjacent ports. Colliers are securable at about 125s. from Virginia to West Italy, and 80s. for the Plate. The Eastern markets are quiet, with rates generally steady. The rice ports have paid 16'2s. 6d. to a full range of French ports for July, and 160s. for Sept.-Oct. Indian rates are sagging, and Bombay has been done at 97s. 6d. on d.w. for United Kingdom or Mediterranean. Kurrachee is repre-. sented by about 80s. on scale terms to United Kingdom. Tyne to Algiers, 2,000, 70s.; 2,200, 72s. 6d.; Boucan, 2.300, 42s. fid. ; Boulogne, 1,000, 1,800, 1,500, 26s. 6d.; 600, 900, 27s. 6d.; Bilbao, 2,500, 55s.; Calais, 350, 43s. 6d., coke; 500, 45s., coke; 700, 28s. 6d.; Caen, 700, 45s., coke; Dunkirk, 3,800, 27s. 6d.; 1,000, 1,500, 28s. 6d.; 400, 42s. 6d., coke; 700, 42s. 6d., coke; 800, 43s. 6d., coke; 1,200, 42s. 6d., coke; 170, 43s., coke; 350, 45s., coke; Fecamp, 1,200, 42s. 6d., coke; 45s., coke; Genoa, 1,600, 95s.; 3,000, 97s. 6d., reported; 95s., part cargo; 3,500, 97s. fid.; 4,200, 97s. 6d. ; 2,300, 95s.; 3,000, 100s.; 1,600, 100s.; Havre, 1.200, 25s. 6d.; Lisbon, 3,000, 50s.; Leghorn, 2,300, 95s.; Marseilles, 2,300, 95s.; 2,200, 92s. 6d.; Oran, 3,000, 70s.; 1,800, 70s.: 2,000, 73s.; Porto Ferrajo, 2,800, 100s.; Bouen, 1,700, 1,200, 2,000, 27s. 6d.; 1,100, 43s. 6d., coke; Savona, 95s., part cargo ; 2,300, 95s. ; Spezzia, 1,600, 95s.; Santander, 1,500, 50s.; St. Nazaire, 1,500, 35s.; Treport, 45s., coke. Cardiff to Calais, 1,300, 26s. fid.; Civita Vecchia, 2,100, 90s., 400; Genoa, 1,300, 90s.; 4,800, 87s. 6d.; 4,000, 87s. 6d.; 2.200, 87s. 6d. ; 3,300, 87s. 6d.; 5,200, 85s.; Honfleur, 1,050, 23s.; Havre, 1,900, 1,400, 1,000, 22s. 6d.; Leghorn, 1,300, 90s.; 4,800, 87s. 6d.; 2,200, 87s. 6d.; 3,300, 87s. fid.; Lisbon, 1,300, 45s., 400; 900,'41s., 350; 2,000, 40s., 500; Marseilles, 3,800, 80s.; Nantes, 800, 30s.; Oran, 2,500, 65s., 500; Port Said, 4,000, 97s. 6d.; St. Malo, 660, 22s.; St. Servan, 660, 22s.; Savona, 1,300, 90s.; 4,800, 87s. 6d.; 3.300, 87s. fid.; St. Nazaire, 2,200, 29s.; Trouville, 420, 24s.; Torre Annunziata, 3,300, 87 s. 6d. Swansea to Genoa, Savona, Spezzia, or Leghorn, 3,200, 87s. 6d.; 3,300, 83s. fid.; 450, 87s. fid.; 3,600, 87s. 6d. coal, 88s. 3d. fuel; Bordeaux, 1,700, 34s.; Dieppe, 950, 24s. 6d. ; 600, 24s. 6d.; 1,600, 23s. 6d.; Bouen, 2,000, 24s. 6d.; 2,800, 23s. 6d.; Havre, 6-50, 23s. 6d.~; Civita Vecchia, Naples, or Leghorn, 1,300, 87s. fid. coal, 88s. 3d. fuel; Belfast, 520, 12s.; Honfleur, 550, 24s.; Tunis, 1,400, 80s.; Palermo or Trapani, 1,500, 87s. 6d.; Treport, 600, 32s. 6d., tin-plates, free in and out; West Italy, 2,400, 87s. 6d.; 4,600, 86s. 6d. coal, 87s. 3d. fuel. Newport to Genoa or Savona, 3,000, 86s. 6d.; Bouen, 1,700, 24s. 6d.; Seville, 1,300, 47s. 6d. Goole to Dunkirk, 700, 29s., option Calais, 28s. Glasgow to Bayonne, 39s. Wales to Biver Plate, 47s. fid., June. Seaham Harbour to Fecamp, 700, 27s. 6d. Hull to Gothenburg, 1,000, 34 kr. West Hartlepool to Helsingborg, 1,100, 33 kr. Methil to Korsoer, 1,100, 38 kr. ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS RECENTLY ACCEPTED. 5849 (1915). Improvements in Excavating Machinery. G. H. Dunlop, of Chinderah, Tweed Biver, New South Wales, Australia.—Belates to improvements in excavating machinery of the kind described in the prior specification No. 11622 of 1911, used for operating a scoop filled by means of -a drag rope and having two ropes for hoisting and lower- ing the scoop and for swinging the jib. The improvements consist. in spacing at considerable distance apart the pulleys over which the hoisting ropes pass towards the outer end of the jib ; in fitting brakes for controlling the swinging of the jib by means of guy lines extending out to points on the jib towards its outer end upon one or both sides -and fitting these guy lines with springs; means whereby the action of the lines swinging the jib and also those controlling it may be made more effective ; using one line of road rail in combina- tion with suitable side supports; of means whereby the jib can be placed out of the vertical plane; and in -arranging an improved device near the outer end of the jib for dumping the scoop in conjunction with the filling rope -as when both hoist ropes are arranged for hoisting the filled scoop, and neither rope is operable for dumping it. Fig. 1 is a side elevation; fig. 2 shows a guide roller or drum arranged centrally in front of the jib -and around which the brake and hoist lines of one side bend when the jib is in sideward position a way from -them, whereby better control is effected by the brake Lines, and incidentally by the hoist-conveying lines also. Fig. 3 is a front elevation showing the arrange- ment with central supporting single rail wheels in combina- tion with a side wheel for moving the -apparatus, -and side jacks for supporting and adjusting -the -apparatus for working. Fig. 4 shows gear towards the outer end of the jib for dumping the scoop in conjunction with the filling rope. The hoist pulleys are spaced a considerable distance apart on the jib 7, the pulley 8 for the dumping rope 9 being further out over where it is desired to drop the scoop on to the ground for filling, and the pulley 10 for the rope 11 for hoisting the filled scoop is nearer to the machine and more nearly over the place where the scoop has become filled. The jib brakes comprise drums 12 fitted with brake bands 13 -and operative mechanism of the usual kind with lines 14 respectively spaced apart at the sides of the machine, as are also* the hoisting lines, and extending out from the drums to con- venient points on the jib, said lines having springs 15, so that the jib may be checked without excessive shock ; the full length of these lines being so proportioned that the jib 7 cannot -swing so far as to allow it to strike the body of the machine. In order that the left hand hoisting line and brake line may act more effectively when the jib has been swung around to the right, and vice versa, there is a guide drum 16, or the like, rotatable upon -a -shaft 17 supported centrally of the machine in front of the usual swinging guide pulleys 18 at each side of the machine, so that there shall be a -sufficient leverage length from the said guide drum 16 to the centre of the jib pivot, the lower stay bars supporting the guide drum shaft being arranged to guide the ropes, if hanging slack, on to the roller. 21 is -an operable winding drum with a- hauling rope 22 extending back in the proposed direction of travel -and attached to a suitable -support in that direction for hauling the machine backward from time to time, said drum being fitted with -a pawl 23, so that the rope 22 may also serve to hold the whole machine against the pull on the scoop when excavating. For moving the machine, one line of rail wheels, as 24, may be used, pre- ferably under the centre line of the.machine (fig. 3) bearing most of the weight while the machine is being moved, together with one road wheel 25 or other suitable bearer, out to the side for -steadying the machine (if necessary the jib being swung over to that side so as to ensure this side wheel being brought into use), such wheel preferably not requiring rails, wffiile at the other side or at both sides there may be supporting j acks 26 for pinning up the machine while wmrking. ■ These jacks may be used also for putting the machine out of level. When the filled -scoop is to be swung either way at will, both hoist ropes will be attached to a bail ■in which the scoop is pivotably mounted. In this case the scoop may be dumped, as shown in fig. 4. There is a com- paratively long plain bar 27 under the jib, the scoop 28 is hoisted by either hoist rope 29 attached to the bail 30, so that a projecting part in front of the scoop such as the part 31 bears under the bar or projection 27 so as to overturn the scoop for dumping -as indicated, said projecting part at front of the scoop, being restrained from passing out and from under the.bar or projection 27 on the jib, by means o-f the filling rope controlled by the brake upon the drum on which this rope is wound. In -such case the hoist pulleys are not spaced -along the jib. (Seven claims.) 9091 (1915). Improved Valve Mechanism for Internal Combustion Engines. A. and E. Kruger, of 16, Colebrook- row, Islington, London, N.—Belates to an improved valve mechanism for internal combustion engines, and refers to rotary inlet valves of the type in which a hollow cylindrical valve is employed for regulating the admission of the charge to the crank case. A hollow cylindrical valve closed at one end and open at the other, is provided with a port in the valve, and the valve seating has an opening connected to the carburetter. The valve, together with its seating, is mounted upon 'the crank case, which i-s closed to the external atmosphere, so that it forms -a gas chamber. The rotation of the valve is effected by means of gearing driven from the engine shaft, the ratio of the said gearing being such that the inlet for the charge is opened at the desired moment when the charge is to be admitted to the crank case. Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an engine embodying the invention; fig. 2 is a sectional view through the valve and engine shaft on line A A of fig. 1; and fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line B B of fig. 2. a indicates the cylinder, a1 the piston, and a2 the crank shaft, mounted in liners as supported by the crank casing a1 a5. Secured to one member of a5 of the crank case is a chamber c, in which is a rotary valve c1’ closed at one end and provided with a port c3. d is the admission port through which the charge is led to the valve cl Secured to the inner end. of the valve c1 i-s a pinion e gearing with a second pinion e1 mounted upon the crank -shaft a2. The crank case is closed to the external atmosphere, and forms a gas chamber .into which the gas is drawn upon the upward movement -of the piston a1. Arranged in the wall of the cylinder a1 is a passage f communicating at its lower end with the crank casing and -at the upper end with the cylinder, the upper end of said pass-age being disposed at such a point that it is fully open when the piston reaches the lowermost point of its downward travel. (Two claims.) 9911 (1915). Improved Method and Apparatus for Effect- ing Removal of Solid or Liquid Matters from Hot or Gold Gras or Air. J. Fisher, of 65, Bounds Green-road, Wood Green, Middlesex, and W. J. Fiddes, of 602, High-road, Tottenham, Middlesex.—Belates to an improved method and apparatus for effecting removal of solid or liquid matters from hot or cold gases or -air, and is particularly designed for use in extracting dust from producer gas, water gas, and the effluent air from sand blasting -appliances and the like, and to dispense with the use of water or other liquid for that purpose, and to avoid diluting or impregnating the gas or air cleansed with -any foreign gas or air, or producing aii explosive mixture. The apparatus comprises an -airtight casing into and from which is passed the -stream of gas or air to be cleaned. Through the stream of gas or air is passed, at any desired angle, a jet or jets or film or films of previously cleanse dgas, in either the same direction or a different direction to the main stream and at a greater pressure than the main stream, whereby all dust or dirt and any watery or moist particles are deflected from the main stream which passes away thoroughly cleansed. The figure is a sectional side elevation of the apparatus, which comprises a gas-tight casing 1 of a shape suitable for deflecting the incoming gas or air -as may be desired and hereinafter described. The casing 1 is further provided with suitable chambers 4, 5, for receiving, and receptacles 13, 13, for removing, the dust or moist particles. The gas or air may enter the chamber from the top at 2, the side or the bottom according to circumstances. If it enters from the top or bottom it .is deflected by a plate 9 in a horizontal direction, •and if . entering horizontally it would be deflected upwards or downwards. While the gas or air is travelling in the required direction, a jet or film, or jets or films, of pre- viously cleaned gas or air, from nozzles or holes in the tubes 6, are caused to pass through the main stream of gas or air at a greater pressure, and in so doing will carry all dust or <9 4 /3 '<3?6 moist particles from the main stream, the orifice or orifices of the tubes 6, 6, 6, being preferably positioned at a point where the main stream of gas or air is being deflected. There is -a -division in the chamber 1 formed by a division plate 10 and a tube or filling 14 fitted across the chamber with an aperture 15 between the division plate 10 and tube or filling 14 at a -suitable height through which the dust or moist particles are projected by means of the -aforesaid jets or films. The space between this division plate 10 -and the end or wall of the chamber 1 is utilised for the reception of the dust or moist particles which fall into the chamber 4 and receptacle 13 attached thereto, and can be removed at intervals -according to the rate at which it collects the chamber 5 and receptacle 13 attached thereto being employed for collecting and retaining any surplus dirt or moist particles falling. There is a further connection between this dust chamber and the inlet by means of a