January 19, 1917.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

127

business or quotations can be reported. There are still
stocks of bars to be found, but the variety is restricted.
The Steel Union has no surplus of girder iron to offer.

The Coal Market in South Germany.

At the end of December the hopes of a better supply
of railway wagons had not been realised to any impor-
tant extent, and the demand for fuel became increas-
ingly difficult to supply, and the resources of the distri-
buting organisations were severely taxed to prevent the
stoppage of works engaged on matters of national
importance. Industrial consumers have ceased to be
particular - what kind of coal thqy get, and are taking
whatever offers, even though the use of such fuel is
attended with inconvenience and expense. Small nuts
are very scarce, and the deficiency is being made up
with through and through coal, though' this entails
burning larger quantities. Coke is being more readily
used for steam raising, though the most suitable broken
grades are only obtainable with difficulty, the makers
having had to stop running the breaker plant owing to
shortage of wagons. Briquettes, which are the best
substitute for washed nuts, are unobtainable, in conse-
quence of the insufficient supply of smalls. The gas
works cannot obtain anything like their full quota of
coal, and reduced consumption of gas has become neces-
sary. Large nuts, the most popular kind of house coal,
are in very short supply; but conditions are somewhat
better ' in the case of waterborne anthracite from
Belgium, though even here the supply is not sufficient to
meet the demand, and the position is accentuated by
the lack of ovoid briquettes. Gas coke is being more
largely used up in the municipal gas works, and the
quantities available to the public are restricted in conse-
quence. The decline in the deliveries of brown coal
briquettes is also causing inconvenience to domestic
consumers. The Rhine traffic is being increased as far
as possible, and a large proportion of the railway coal for
the Frankfurt and Mainz districts is being conveyed by
water. The development of this traffic, however, is
impeded by low water, increased freight, and the con-
gestion at the ports of departure on the Ruhr.

The Saar Coal Mining Industry.

The administration of the State mines in the Saar
district recently announced that, from January 1,' the
settling prices for coal would be raised by 2 mk. per ton
all round, thus following the lead of the Westphalian
Syndicate. The greater portion of this coal' field is
worked by the State, which produced slightly over 13
million tons in the year 1913, whilst the pits belonging
to the Bavarian Government had an output of 462,000
tons. The corresponding figures for the privately-owned
mines were, approximately :—Klein-Rosseln, 2,210,000
tons; Saar- and Mosel Bergwerks Ges., 1,219,000 tons;
Huf A.G., 368,000 tons; Gewerkschaft Frankenholz,
341,000 tons; Gewerkschaft Hostenbach, 194,000 tons—
so that the normal peace output of the field is between
17 and 18 million tons per annum. This is small in
comparison with the production of the Ruhr coal field,
but is nevertheless- important for the special districts
served. Of the private concerns, Saar and Mosel Com-
pany belongs to the Peutsche-Luxemburgische Berg-
werks and Hutton A.G., which disposes of a participa-
tion of 3,635,500 tons in the Coal Syndicate; and the
De Wendel concern, which is entitled to 800,000 tons
under the Syndicate, also owns pits in this district. An
assimilation of prices is therefore to the interest of both
groups, the State and the private owners; but up to the
present the, negotiations for amalgamating the Saar pits
with the Westphalian Syndicate have not been carried
through.

Increased Coal Prices.

At the December meeting, the Westphalian Syndicate
decided to increase the price of coals by 2 mk. per ton,
coke by 3 mk., and briquettes by 3*25 mk., to come into
operation on January 1, and to apply to the first three
months of the year. The reasons assigned for this
course were the pressure- of circumstances and the
higher cost of production. The Upper Silesian Coal
Convention has also announced 'that the regular mini-
mum prices of■ coal are to be increased by 2 mk. per ton,
and that existing’ exceptional prices for industrial coals
are to be abolished. . So fair as the retail trade is con--
cerned, the Prussian Minister of Trade and Commerce
has issued a notification to the effect that, as the pit
price has only risen by 10 pf. per cwt., the committee
for the examination of prices should look carefully into
cases where the new prices charged by retailers exceed
this amount to any considerable extent, the examination
to be retrospective.

Mr. John Robinson, of The Gables, Newton-le-Willows,
.Lancashire, mining engineer for Messrs. Richard Evans atad
Company Limited, colliery proprietors, hats been placed on
the Commission of the Peace for the County Palatine of
Lancashire.

Excess Mineral Rights Duty.—At the Surveyors’ Institu-
tion, Westminster, on Wednesday, Mr. Thomas Jones, ate
referee, heard an appeal by the trustees of the settled estates
of the Right Hon. Hugh Cecil, Earl of Lonsdale, against two
assessments by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to
excess mineral rights duty for the years 1914 and 1915, in
the parish of Flimby, Cumberland. The matter in dispute
in this case was the method of calculation of the pre-war rent-
values for 1912 and 1913, and the only question at issue was
that of applying the rate of royalty Which obtained during
the joint auditing year, the Commissioners’ rate for 1912-13
being based on 7s. 6d., whereas the trustees based their
case on 6s. 6d. Mr. Kingdon, on behalf of the Commis-
sioners, agreed that the question involved practically the con-
struction of section 43 of the 1915 Act, although that had to
be read in conjunction with the mineral rights section of the
1910 Act. This was an exceptional case, Where the landlord
hlad reduced the rate of royalty. In 99 cases out of 100 the
rate of royalty would not vary. The Referee announced that
he would give his decision in due course.

BOOK NOTICES.

Oil Field Development and Petroleum Mining. By A.
Beeby Thompson, M.LMech.E., M.Inst.M.M., F.G.S.
648.pp.; 8g in. x 5fin.; 152 figs.; 8 maps. London:
Crosby Lock wood and Son; 1916. Price, 25s. net..

This book is written as a “ practical guide to the
exploration of petroleum lands, and a study of the engi-
neering problems connected with the winning of petro-
leum, including notes on petroleum legislation and
customs, and a discussion of the origin of petroleum.”
The author is a well-known petroleum expert of wide
experience, and his previously published work on
Petroleum Mining met with a well-deserved apprecia-
tion. The present volume has, in fact, been called for
by the rapid exhaustion of the former work, and* the
author has done wisely in resisting the temptation to
content himself with a simple revision of that book, in
which it would have been difficult to give full play to
■his added experience and wider knowledge acquired in
an active professional career.

Beginning with a survey of the geographical distri-
bution of petroleum throughout the world, one notices
with some disappointment the comparative poverty of
the greater part of the British Empire in this valuable
commodity. The world’s production of petroleum in
1914 is given approximately as 57,767,245 metric tons,
of which about two-thirds is derived from the United
States, while more than, half the remainder comes from
Russia. We see, therefore, that the bulk of the world’s
supply iis at present confined to these two countries, and
one is led to wonder whether this condition is fated to
endure, or whether there still remain to be discovered
supplies of such magnitude that this order of prece-
dence will ever be materially altered. In chapter ii. are
discussed questions of leasing and valuation of oil fields,
under which the subjects of depreciation and waste are
appropriately treated. Coming next to the natural
history of petroleum, to which three long chapters are
devoted, Mr. Thompson discusses the chemistry of
natural oil, the geology of oil fields, and the surface
indications of oil deposits. He traces the subterranean
movements of oil, the causes of pressure, and the yield
and life of oil wells. The art of prospecting is treated
in a logical manner, and typical oil field structures are
explained with the aid of numerous diagrams. All this
part of the book points to the supreme importance of
careful geological mapping in any kind of scientific
prospecting. This consideration raises a real difficulty
in the case of many foreign districts which have neither
been topographically mapped nor geologically surveyed.
Thus the prospector has often to rely almost salely upon
oil seepages and other surface indications. For this reason
the author is perfectly justified in his statement that
‘ ‘ wild catting ’ ’ is a commendable practice under cer-
tain circumstances. But even this method of prospect-
ing has its scientific aspect, and experience is -neces-
sary for the avoidance of many disappointments. It is
all the more praiseworthy, therefore, of the author to
give away, in the pages of this book the valuable know-
ledge that he has gained from his long acquaintance
with the practical search for petroleum in many lands.

■ With regard to the origin of petroleum, the inorganic
theories are examined and rejected, perhaps too sum-
marily for a certain school of theorists. It would
perhaps be more satisfactory if we could regard the
interior of the earth as a petroleum factory working on
synthetic principles. But the more that is known of the
natural history of petroleum, the more general is the
acceptance of the- view that supplies, when once
exhausted, cannot be replaced any more than our coal
fields can be renewed. That is a fact of fundamental
economic significance. The business in hand, there-
fore, is to locate and make the best use of these oil
deposits, knowing full well that there will come a time
when the supplies will be exhausted. It may be sur-
prising to some readers to note the important part which
geology plays in oil field development. It is not only
alone in the discovery of petroleum deposits that this
science assists. Even the methods of boring are deter-
mined by the geological formation. This factor also
influences the nature of the lining tubes, to prevent the
entrance of water or the falling in of the sides of the
borehole. There is, in this respect, a marked difference
between current practice in Russia and the United
States respectively. The author points out by many
excellent examples, how closely the methods of work-
ing must follow the stratigraphical character of the dis-
trict. Water troubles have led, in many cases, to the
abandonment of promising fields owing to the neglect of
suitable precautions; but under certain, but perhaps
rare, circumstances, flooding may prove a positive advan-
tage. The application of this method, however, is not
to be lightly undertaken. Mr. Thompson shows how
necessary it is for the petroleum miner to s'budy care-
fully the movements of underground water in the strata
traversed by an oil well. •

The technical discussion of oil well drilling occupies a
considerable portion of this book. The systems of
boring and the appliances in use for the extraction of the
oil are concisely treated, but no essential details appear
to have been passed over. Specifications for complete
outfit are given, and the various types of tools are illus- '
trated by excellent diagrams. A long chapter is devoted
to the selection of power, design of pipe lines, pumps,
the storage of petroleum, and kindred matters. Atten-
tion is also given to the collection and utilisation of
natural gas, while other sections deal with statistical
records, organisation, and accounts.

We notice the extreme caution of the author’s atti-
tude towards the use of the divining rod and other
instruments devised for the automatic detection of oil
underground. In view of the, fact that there is still
prevalent a certain amount of belief in these appliances,
and that large sums of money may be involved in the
selection of a suitable location for a well, it is to be
hoped that every operator contemplating the use of

such methods will first make himself familiar with the
scientific principles of prospecting before deciding to
put his trust in any obscure and mystical process.
Finally, we can thoroughly recommend this ample
volume as a valuable guide to the subject of oil exploita-
tion. , Perhaps in a future edition the author will find
it advantageous to alter the arrangement of the matter
to some extent, so as to escape a certain amount of
repetition here and there—not perhaps an easy matter,
in view of the wide field which is covered. But after
all, an ample index enables the reader to refer readily
to any subject he may require.

The book is finely got up, and a light weight paper
gives an-added pleasure to the handling of so thick a
volume, of the success of which there should be no sort
of doubt in these days when oil production is so flourish-
ing and important an industry.

INDIAN AND COLONIAL NOTES,

Africa.

South African Coal Trade.—The remarkable development
taking place in the South African coal trade is attracting
some attention, and there seems every probability of the
prosperity continuing for some time after the termination of
the war. It was only.with difficulty that South African coal
drove Welsh coal from the South African ports some years
ago, but the history of the local coal trade shows that, once
it succeeds in getting a footing, its displacement from the
market is not an easy matter. It is the request for bunker
and export coal that has led to the improved demand for
South African coal, and at Delagoa Bay, Durban, and Cape
Town it is. increasing. In the month of September 61,000
tons of coal were bunkered at Cape Town, which represents
a substantial increase; whilst at Delagoa Bay 69,000 tons
were sold, as against 49,000 tons for the corresponding month
a year ago. In .Natal the conieriesi are doing even better,
for not only have the sales increased, but higher prices are
being obtained. As many as 15 steamers have been counted
at Cape Town on one day waiting for bunker coail. In addi-.
tion to the regular shipping lines calling at the different porta
to be coaled, may be mentioned the Orient, Rotterdam Lloyd,
Shaw Savill, and Japanese Royal Mails, whilst there is also
a steady export trade to Bombay, Colombo, Perim, Loanda,
Port Sudan, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Aden. In October
the Transvaal output of coal was 542,498 tons, as compared
with 435,548 tons in January 1916, the average pit top price
being only 4s. 7d., as against 4s. 4d. per ton. The Natal
collieries in January 1916 produced 211,229 tons of saleable
coal, but in October the output had increased to 274,874 tons.
For the preceding three months the output of Transvaal and
Natal coal was fairly constant round about these figures.
It is quite expected that the output of saleable coal in South
Africa in 1916 will, for the first time in history, reach 10
million tons. In 1915 the output was 8,281,324 tons, and in
1913, which was the record year, the output was 8,801,216
tons. To carry this increased tonnage to the ports, the
railway resources are being taxed to their utmost. The
railway has 25,000 trucks that may be used for the transport
of coal, and it is estimated that in ordinary times 30,000
could be easily employed. Fortunately some portion of the
orders for new rolling stock have been supplied during the
war, and about 200 40-ton trucks have been put into the
service of the coal trade. That the best is being made of the
available rolling stock isi clear from the fact that over 3,000
tons of coal per day are being transported overland from the
Transvaal and Natal collieries, and with! the present enhanced
railway charges for the carriage of bunker coal, the railway
administration can be depended upon to avoid as many
unnecessary delays as possible.

Australia.

Brown Coal in Victoria.—A committee of the new Institute
of Victorian Industries is ascertaining what can be done
towards the profitable development of the Gippsland brown
coal deposits. One of the most recent reports states that the
brown coal beds of Victoria are the thickest yet recorded in .
the world. At Morwel'l 780 ft. of coal was passed through
in a bore 1,010 ft. deep. The strata include one of
227 ft. 10 in., and another of no less than 265 ft. 6 in. The
whole is of high commercial value, as shown by analyses
made at different periods. The total quantity of brown coal
in Victoria has been officially estimated at 30,000,000,000
tons. The greater part of it is found in four areas, of which
the largest and apparently the cheapest to work is that in the
Morwell district. This brown coal contains about 6,000
thermal units per lb. It could be delivered wholesale at
Melbourne .for about 6s. per bon, or less than one-third the
average, price of New South Wales coal in normal times.

MINING INDUSTRY AND MILITARY SERVICE.

At the Carlisle appeals tribunal, Wm. Blamire, 32, farmer
and coal agent at Burgh, applied for exemption. Mr. R. H.
Graham, who appeared on his behalf, said the coal business
was over 50 yeains old, and if Blamire was taken the business
would have to be closed. He delivered coals to places where
Carlisle coal agents never delivered. Maj. Hope Brown said
people must go and bring their own coals home now; but the
appeal was allowed.

At the Carlisle tribunal, Mr. G. A. Lightfoot appealed for
Thos. W. Curragh, engineman and foreman at the Green well
Lead Mine, against whose exemption the military representa-,
•tive appealed. Curragh’s age was 35, married, with one
child, and was a class A man. Mr. Lightfoot pointed out
that the mine had been working continuously for a great
many years. A few months ago they discovered a good vein,
and the work of getting the lead was being done with such
labour as they could get. This man had had the cate Of two
engines, and had charge of the work. Maj. Hope Brown
contended that Ourragh was not of great importance in the
mine. The military appeal was allowed.

At the Northumberland appeal tribunal, a plasterer, aged
29, who went to work in the pits last May, had his appeal
dismissed, and was bold that if the colliery wanted him,
his case would be heard by the colliery tribunal. He had,
he stated, worked in the pits in Canada, and was now the
sole support of his widowed mother, aged 73. He allowed
heir 36s. per week. The Newcastle local tribunal gave him
conditional exemption, but the military appealed.

Durham Rural tribunal granted a Sherburn Colliery wages
and pay clerk, 27, married, three months’ exemption. He
stated that be had tried twice to join the Army, and was only
passed for C3. He handled J>3,000 par week at the cohiery, .
and was helping with the local War Savings Association,