January 12, 1917.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

Weeks said he did not agree with the idea. How could
they expect workmen to follow their employment at the
collieries with allotments, when many of them would not
attend without them? There were as far as 18 per cent,
of the men idlle now, and, if there were allotments, there
would be still more.

Much adverse criticism is being caused by the announce-
ment of the City of Durham G-as Company that, as from
the December readings of meters, the price of gas to con-
sumers shall be increased by 6d. per l,OOOft., making it
3s. lOd. per 1,000 ft. in all. The directors seek to justify
the advance on the plea of additional heavy charges for coal,
stores, wages, and taxes, and the large decrease in con-
sumption 1 They are improvident buyers of coal if their
supplies are costing them much more now than a year ago,
in view of the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act, and it is
an odd thing if the national economy in gas consumption
resultant from the operation of the Daylight Saving Act is
to culminate in the penalisation of the more economical con-
sumers. Besides, how comes it that, in the centre of the
finest gas coal field in England, the price should ever have
been so high as 3s. 4d. per 1,000 ft., whilst the people of
Newcastle get their supplies at, even now, about 2s. 4d.?

The Northumberland Miners’ Association is circulating
to its members a series of questions issued by the Miners’
Federation at the request of the National Summer Time
Committee, as follow :—(1) What is the general opinion of
your members in regard to the effects of the Summer Time
Act, 1916?	(2) Have any particular difficulties, social,

domestic, industrial, etc., come to your notice in connection
with the working of the Act? If so, how were they dealt
with, and with what results? (3) Do you consider that
among your members advantage was taken to a large extent
of the extra hour of daylight for outdoor recreation and pur-
suits? Have you any evidence that it has produced an
appreciable improvement in the health or general welfare of
your members or of any section of your members and their
families? (4) In the case of the renewal of the Summer
Time Act in 1917 and subsequent years, would you suggest
any alteration (i.) in the length of the Summer Time period,
,(ii.) in the extent of the variation from normal time during
that period, (iii.) in any other respects?

In this column, on December 29, we mentioned that Mr.
Tom Wing, M.P. for Houghton-le-Spring, had requested
the Board of Trade to enquire into the circumstances attend-
ing the occasional stoppage of mines in Durham, especi-
ally those in his own constituency, and had asked whether
some means of avoiding such stoppage could not be found,
either by the commandeering of more wagons, the -securing
of more shipping, or by storing the coal pending transport
facilities being forthcoming. Mr. Stanley, of the Board of
Trade, has now replied, referring Mr. Wing to the reply to
a question put by Mr. Edgar Jones in the House of Commons
recently with reference to similar stoppages in South Wales,
and adding :—“ I am afraid that it is impossible to arrange
for the complete diversion inland of the output of pits which
normally depend on the export trade, when shipping facilities
fail them. The best we can do is to encourage stocking on
the part both of the colliery owners and inland consumers,
and we have done what we can with that object. Shortage
of wagons is, as a rule, a result of -shortage of tonnage.”
The reply is hardly relevant to the query; certainly it does
not cover the whole ground.

At Morpeth, on Wednesday, Jos. John Hall, manager of
Woodhorn Colliery, was charged with having failed to cause
an adequate amount of ventilation to be constantly pro-
duced in the pit to dilute and render harmless inflammable
and noxious gases to such an extent that the levels, etc.,
were kept in a fit state for working. Chas. Bennett Howe,
enginewright at the colliery, was charged with having
omitted to provide proper ventilation, thereby endangering
the safety of persons employed at the pit. The prosecution
was undertaken at the instance of Mr. J. B. B. Wilson,
chief inspector of mines for the Northern District. The
case against Mr. Hall was taken first. Mr. E. Clark,
representing the Public Prosecutor, stated that the case
arose out of the explosion in the main seam at the colliery,
whereby 13 men lost their lives. He did not ask the Bench
to judge the case by that circumstance, however. He sub-
mitted that the system of ventilation at the colliery on the
day .of the fatality, August 13, was not. practicable and
ample. Ventilation was effected by means of a fan, with
an air compressor as an auxiliary, although no one seemed
to know exactly what the functions of the compressor were.
The theory for the prosecution was that gas was ignited in
the left heading, and -then travelled the full length of the
seam, and ignited more gas in the right heading. The Act
provided that a constant ventilation must be maintained,
and this had not been done. Mr. Granville Poole, assistant
inspector of mines, gave evidence in support of this state-
ment, and added that he visited the colliery shortly after
the explosion, and that, in his opinion, an adequate system
of ventilation had not been provided. The Bench dismissed
both charges, the chairman stating that they took the view
that Mr. Hall was covered by the section of the Act to
which Mr. Lowenthal had referred. He expressed the
opinion, however, that something more should be done to
ventilate the mine, although it had never been regarded as
fiery, and there was no evidence to show that there was
likely to be a constant accumulation of gas.

Cumberland.

One of tifie new shafts in connection with Wellington pit,
which is being sunk for the Whitehaven Colliery Company,
has been completed, at -a depth of 400 yds. It is the largest
shaft in Cumberland, and has a diameter of 21ft., and
equipped with a pair of 40 in. horizontal winding engines,
with a 21 ft. drum and steel headgear, with 21 ft. pulley
wheels. The other new shaft, which is being sunk about
700 yds. from the Wellington pit, for the purpose of winning
new coal in the Saltoun area, is about 60 yds. down, and
has a diameter of 18 ft.

The Workington Iron and Steel Company are sinking a
new shaft at their Harrington Collieries, for the purpose of
winning the 4 ft. seam, the lowest seam in the pit. They
have also put a borehole down with a view to opening up
new collieries opposite the Moss Bay Works at Working-
ton. Boring operations are still in progress at Blaithwaite,
near Mealsgate, for a new local company. A new seam of
coal which was won sometime ago in the Allhallows Colliery
is now being opened out. The coal ^is about 2^ ft. in thick-
ness, and of good quality. The Flimby and Broughton
Moor Colliery Company’s new pit at Bisehow, which was
stopped a few months ago, has recently been re-started.

Lancashire and Cheshire.

A serious fire broke out on Saturday last in the stables
attached to the Pilkington Colliery Company’s Astley Green
Collieries, near Manchester. Much damage was done to
the 'buildings, and two horses, valued at £80 each, were
suffocated.

The Midlands.

Systems of bare wire signalling to comply with Dr.
Wheeler’s and Prof. Thornton’s Beport were discussed at
a meeting of the North Staffordshire branch of the National
Association of Colliery Managers, at the Mining School,
Stoke, on Monday, under the presidency of Mr. W. G.
Peasegood. Model installations had been constructed by
local colliery electrical engineers, Messrs. Tyson, Howard,
Vickers, Griffiths, and Aust, who.had expended consider-
able time and trouble, in order to demonstrate systems
devised for their respective collieries. Short descriptions of
the systems were read, the meeting proving highly instruc-
tive and interesting.

Kent.

In the deep sinking at Snowdown Coltiery a seam of coal
was entered last Friday at 2,813 ft. 9 in. In a communi-
cation to the bondholders of the Kent Coal Concessions,
South-Eastern Coal Field, Extended Extension, and Deal
and Walmer Coal Field, the information is given that “ this
seam is not considered satisfactory,. and sinking is being
continued with ail possible despatch through the coal
measures to the next seam.” Judged by the results in the
borehoie, a mile or so away, according to which the Snow-
down and Tilmanstone collieries were sunk, this seam
should have been the 6 ft. 9 in. seam, from Which much had
been hoped. Other seams reported as passed through in the
borehole were: At 2,850ft., 2 ft 5 in. seam; 2,950ft.,
4ft. 7 in. seam; 3,250ft., 4ft. seam; 3,300ft., 9ft. 6 in.
seam. The Snowdown Colliery is on ground 52 ft. higher
than where the bore was put down, consequently that depth
would have to be added in each case.

,	Scotland.

Trial bores at Muirhouse—Paper on Coal-Cutting—Miners
and Insurance Act.1

Mr. Bobert Sneddon, Falkirk, has been granted a lease (21
years, including a trial period of two years, with periodical
breaks) of the minerals at Muirhouse, situated between
Linlithgow and Bo’ness. Arrangements have been made to
put down a number of bores, and sinking operations may be
started in the spring. The rental is £150, with optional
royalties. In 1864 the minerals were proved by Messrs.
Bussel and Sons, of Blackbraes, but they were never worked.

Mr. Clarkson, under-manager at Kinneil Collieries, has
been presented with a gold watch on the occasion of his
leaving that company. Mr. Clafikson has been under-
manager at Kinneil for over 12 years.

Capt. G. Bowan, son of Mr. Henry. Bowan, mining agent,
Cowdenbeath, has been awarded the Military Cross. He
served as mining engineer with the Fife Coal Company, and
acted for some time as manager at Wellsgreen Colliery.

An interesting and practical paper on ” Conditions v. the
Coal Cutter, with a Beference to the Sullivan Machine,”
was read at the last meeting of ‘ the Scottish branch of
the National Association of Colliery Managers by Mr.' M.
Gunnis, Giffnock Colliery. At the outset, the author
claimed that the introduction of coal-cutting machinery was
on the increase, and likely to continue. In all parts of
Scotland, and especially in Lanarkshire, the thicker seams
were being worked out, and if the output of coal was to be
maintained, then the thinner seams and many of those
which had been abandoned as unworkable would require to
be tackled. On that account, 'therefore, it could be truth-
fully said that many problems in coal-cutting still awaited
solution. It was a source of satisfaction to know that it
was in their own immediate vicinity, and due to the resource-
fulness and enterprise of Messrs. Wm. Baird and Company,
that the experiment of obtaining coal by coal-cutting
machinery was first tried. Mr. Gunnis proceeded to explain
that some time ago it had been his -experience to come face
to face with a problem in working a particular coal seam,
the conditions in regard to which had proved extremely diffi-
cult to overcome. The seam in question varied in thickness
from 22 to 25 in., and lay 4 ft. underneath the position of a
coal seam already worked off. It seemed to him and those
associated with him in the enterprise that the only effective
means of working this seam with any degree of economy
was by coal-cutting machinery. The seam was of good
commercial value, and the success of the colliery largely
depended in overcoming the difficulties associated with the
seam. The demands were beyond the scope of any coal
cutter of which he (Mr. Gunnis) had previous experience of,
but they were ultimately met by the Sullivan Machinery
Company, who installed a Sullivan ironclad longwall coal
cutter. With all safety, it could be claimed that the
machine introduced was quite unique in its entire construc-
tion, being built on totally different lines from any other
coal cutter on the British market. It was designed to
permit of the use of either compressed air or electricity being
the motive power. At the colliery in question it met all the
conditions, and in regard to general efficiency it exceeded his
most -sanguine expectations.

It is evident that the Scottish Insurance Commissioners
are paying particular attention to miners and pit workers in
Fife who are guilty of ignoring their duties as insured
persons under the National Insurance Act. Becently,-three
miners were convicted at Dunfermline of failure to produce
insurance cards to their employers, and a fourth man—a
labourer employed by the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Com-
pany—was last week fined 30s., or 10 days’ imprisonment,
for a similar offence.

Mr. Thomas Arnot and Mr. Bobert Waddell Brown have
been appointed managing directors of the United Collieries
Limited, as from January 1.

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON
AND STEEL WORK, Ac.

Haiifax, January 22.—Benzol Recovery Plant.—65 per
cent, crude benzo! recovery plant for the Gas. Committee.
'Forms from the town clerk.

London, January 15.—Shovels.—6,000 “ copper hole ”
shovels, 2,000 Waterloo coal hods, 3,000 coal scuttles, etc.,
for the H.M. Office of Works. Forms from the Controller
of Supplies, King Charles-street, Westminster.

South Africa, February 12.—Cranes.—Six 4-ton electric
travelling portable jib cranes for Durban Harbour. Forms
'from and tenders to the High Commissioner for South Africa,
32, Victoria-street, Westminster.

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.

Abstracts of Contracts Open.

Battersea, January 24.—Coal and coke for the Borough
Council. Forms from the town clerk.

Bexhill, February 9.—4,000 gals, or less of distilled tar
or other compound for spraying roads. Tenders to the town
clerk, Town Hall.

Canterbury, January 15.—100 tons house coal, 100 tons
steam coal, and 15 tons coke, for the Blean Guardians.
Forms from W. T. Brooks, 39, Castle-street, Canterbury.

Chelsea, January 24.—Coal and coke (12 months) for the
Borough Council. Forms from the borough surveyor, Town
Hall.

Cork, January 17.—600 tons or less of Lancashire best
double-screened steam coal for the Harbour Commissioners.
Forms from the offices, Custom House-street.

Devonport, January 18—Coal (15 months) for the A.S.C.,
New Granby Barracks, Devonport. Forms from the Officer
Commanding.

Middlesbrough, February 1.—Coal (domestic use -only)
and coke for the Corporation. Forms from the borough
engineer.

Neston (Cheshire), January 31.—400 tons slack, burgie,
or coal for the Council Waterworks. Forms from the sur-
veyor,' Town Hall, Neston.

Surbiton, January 22.—Tar for roads (six months) for
the Council. Forms from the Council Offices, Ewell-road,
Surbiton.

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

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

Although tonnage is still very inadequate, there has been
rather more outward chartering done, especially for neutral
destinations. There is a distinct and regrettable hold-off so
far as boats offering for “ restricted ” ports are concerned,
and this in spite of the fact that ship owners have just been
conceded another addition to their “ pound of flesh.” That
addition takes the . form of the stipulation that, as from
Wednesday of this week, the limited rates of freight to
Mediterranean ports has been increased by 2s. 6d. per ton
for steamers up to 2,000 tons. This is stated to be by way
of ‘ a concession to small-sized vessels.” As most of the
vessels plying between this country and the Mediterranean
come under the category of not more than 2,000 tons, it is
plain to be seen how valuable a surrender has been made to
the ship owners, and it leads to the reflection that it does not
seem to matter what changes are made at the Board of Trade
or in the way of shipping “ Control,” for the ship owners
still get a very large share of their own way, to the detriment
of the coal trade. Another change, not so important is
'that, as regards Porto Vecchia, the terms of delivery have
been altered to “ running hours,” in place of “ weather
working days.”

It is hardly possible to make any comparison between the
fixtures now reported and those mentioned a .week ago.
Where comparison is possible, however, it is to be noted that
Tyne freights Baltic-wise are considerably stiffer, that the
Mediterranean is weaker for unrestricted directions, that
coasting rates are unaltered, and that North French coke
freights are in shippers’ favour. At Cardiff, the market
Mediterranean-wise is decidedly erratic. Thus, Barcelona is
from 2s. fid. to 5s. cheaper from Cardiff, whilst Gibraltar
is from 2s. 6d. to 5s. advanced. For nearer ports, Lisbon
has receded by 2s. 6d., whilst Corunna has advanced by
that amount. At the time of writing, there is a general
scarcity of outward tonnage, which the prohibition of coal
exports to Norway has tended to aggravate, by depriving us
of the use of Norwegian tonnage for other directions to a
large extent.

Homewards, Biver Plate business is very lethargic, owing
to the maize control development. A Spanish vessel has
been fixed for early loading at Buenos Ayres for discharge
at Marseilles or Cette at ,155s. ' From Australia, vessels
under Government control are quoted at the nominal figure
of 120s. At the East Indies, Calcutta is quoted at about
270s. on d.w., Madras at 320s. to 330s. with kernels,
Bombay at from 200s. to 210s. to United Kingdom, and
220s. to Mediterranean on d.w., and Kurrachee to United
Kingdom at from 145s. to 150s. on scale. Mediterranean ore
ports are steady, at about 21s. 6d. from Carthagena to
United Kingdom, East Coast. Alexandria is dull and
easier, at about 125s. per 60cu.ft. In the American
market, coal tonnage from Virginia to the Plate is indi-
cated at about 85s. 1 Net form business is represented by
140s. to Liverpool, and 150s. to France from Northern
Bange, with up to 175s. to West Italy. Wheat tonnage is
quoted at 16s. 6d., Northern Bange to France, with 2s.
more for West Italy.

Tyne to Algiers, 4,000 and-3,000, 53s. fid.; Alexandria,
3,000, 77s. 6d., reported; Barcelona, 2,500, 60s.; Dunkirk,
600, 42s. 6d., coke; 350 and 320, 40s., coke; Dakar, 2,500
and 2,100, 45s.; Gibraltar, 2,500, 42s. fid.; Gothenburg,
2,000, 45 kr.; Gravelines, 250, 45s., pig iron; Genoa, 1,100,
150s., coke; Huelva, 2,000, 42s. fid.; London, 2,300, 2,100,
and 1,500, lfis.; Marseilles, 3,000, 63s. 6d.; North French
Bange, 700, 400, 850, 420, and 320, 40s., coke; Oran, 3,000,
2,800, and 3,500, 53s. 6d.; Port Said, 3,000, 81s., reported;
Bonen, 500, 43s. fid., coke.

Cardiff to Bilbao, 2,500 and 4,500, 42s. 6d.; Barcelona,
2,000 and 1,900, 65s.; 3,500, 67s. fid.; Corunna, 1,400, 45s.;
Cape Verds, 2,000, 42s. 6d.; Caen, 700, 45s., coke; Gibraltar,
4,000, 42s. 6d., 500; Huelva, 1,600, 47s. ,6d.; 3,600, 42s.;
Lisbon, 3,500 and 1,200, 52s. 6d., 500; Monte Video, 5,000,
60s., 500; Oporto, 1,000, 55s.; Bouen, 600, 47s. 6d., coke;
Seville, 1,000 and 1,200, 47s/6d.; Valencia, 1,400, 62s. 6d.;
2,600, 63s.

Swansea to Dublin, 350 and 200, 15s. 9d.; 200, 15s. 6d.;
St; Brieux, 350, 25s. coal, 25s. 9d. fuel; St. Malo, 800, 22s.;
Caen, 800, 24s.

Hull to Bonen, 1,100, 27s. 6d.

Wales to St. Vincent, Cape Verds, 1,800, 42s. 6d.; Lisbon,
4,000, 50s., 500; Corunna, 1,500, 45s.; Barcelona, 3,100,
67s. fid.

Burryport to Belfast, 400, 16s.

Newport to Gibraltar, 800, 50s., 400.

Goole to London, 1,000, 15s. 6d.