February 9, 1917. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 295 avoid stoppages which were threatened by the attempt on the parb of coal owners to force up prices. A representative meeting of the Lancashire and Cheshire Coal Wages Board was held on Friday of last week in Man- chester, for the purpose of considering the operations of the Daylight Saving Act, under which the miners contend that they are 'seriously inconvenienced, and that the output is to some extent restricted. Further consideration is to be given to the matter at a later meeting. It was suggested at the beginning of this weak that miners generally should start work an hour later in the morning, as is done at certain pits in the Atherton district. At branch meetings of miners en ployed at the Hulton Colliery Company’s, Tyldesley Coal Company’s, Lord Elles- mere’s, Messrs. A. Knowles and Sons’, Wigan Coal and Iron Company’s, and Messrs. Fletcher, Burrows and Company’s pits, held last week and the beginning of this week, in the neigh, Atherton, Bolton, and Manchester districts, resolu- tions asking their leaders to move in the matter of restoring the. basis of income-tax to ,£160 were adopted. Scotland. The new arrangement for the deduction of medical fees from the men’s wnges was brought into operation at the end of last wTeek at all the Fife colliery offices. The fees are to be paid over to the financial agent of the Miners’ Union, and all charges made by doctors for attendance on workmen’s wives or families are to be borne from the fund thus created. It is intimated by notices which have been posted up that the arrangement does not apply to managers, oversmen, enginemen, and boiler firemen. At many of the Fife collieries the exemption cards held by rhe minons have been withdrawn, and arrangements are being made to cause numbers of the eligible men to join the Army. At the instance of the Fife and Clackmannan Coal Owners’ Association, a notice has been posted at the Fife pits to the effect that the 8d. per day lately awarded to surface work- men has been paid to boiler firemen in error, and it is explained that for the future 6d. per shift will be withdrawn. The point in. question is being disputed by the boiler fire- men, and the matter is to be referred to an arbiter. A serious state of affairs was reported at. the collieries owned by Messrs. John Watson and Company in Lanark- shire. A joint committee, representing al] the collierieis, has been in existence for some time, and when, in their judg- ment, any accaision arises wdien joint action should be taken, a complete stoppage is decreed. Such a situation was created through dissatisfaction with the charge at one of the collieries for supplies of house coal, and am increase in the charge for cartage. The miners of Clackmannan have agreed that the county association should amalgamate with the Fifeshire Associa- tion. A meeting of the Scottish Coal Trade Conciliation Board wais held in Glasgow on Monday, for the purpose of con- sidering an application by the miners for an increase of 25 per cent, on the basis rates of 1888. The claim has already been before the Board at meetings held on November 27 and December 4, with Lord Strathclyde as independent chair- man on both occasions. On the latter date, the Board decided to investigate certain figures which had been sub- mitted by the owners, and the meeting wais adjourned to allow of the investigation being made. The auditor’s report on the matter has now been received, and was submitted to the meeting on Monday. The advance demanded is equiva- lent to Is. per day on present rate of wages, which is about 10s. per day. Lord Strathclyde intimated that he would issue his award in the course of a few' days. Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades. The iron workers of the Midlands, Lancashire, and South Wales received another advance of 2J per cent, in wages, which will make them higher than any previous record in the history of the iron trade. The new rate for puddling will be 17s. fid., which is 4s. 3d. per ton above the previous record, which was established in the boom following the Franco-German War. The average net selling price of all descriptions of iron for November and December has just been returned at £14 13s. 8d. per ton. A conference between Sir George Askwith, Chief Indus- trial Commissioner, and representatives of workmen engaged in the. engineering and allied trades, and also delegates from the Employers’ Federation, on the question of the method of procedure ’for dealing with wage applications, was held in London. The proposals provide for an automatic review every six months, when the. whole circumstances will be taken into consideration afresh, and any alteration made will apply to Federation firms in the trade throughout the country. National Service.—Mr. Neville Chamberlain launched his scheme of national service at a public meeting in the Central Hall, Westminster, on Tuesday. The Prime Minister, speaking in support of the call for volunteers, gave a clear warning that if the voluntary system failed, compulsion would be necessary. Mr. Chamberlain explained that his plan was to take men and women from non-essential occu- pations tb fill the places of those who had been withdrawn from national industries for military service. Volunteers would be summoned for personal examination, and would receive seven days’ notice before being required to commence their new employment. The pay would be appropriate to the job, subject to a minimum of 25s. No trade would be suppressed, but non-essential trades would be rationed in labour and materials. Recommendations regarding this laist- mentioned point are being prepared by a committee of experts. Switzerland’s Coal Agreement. — Difficulty is still experi- enced in Switzerland concerning supplies of coal obtained from Germany under the agreement of September 2, 1.916. The agreement provides that Germany shall furnish Switzer- land with 253,000 tons of coal a month, as well as with “ all the iron and steel of which Switzerland has need.” The pur- poses for which the coal (including coke and briquettes) is required are clearly set forth in the text of the agreement—as, 28,000 tons of coal and briquettes and 22,000 tons of coke for the Federal railways, 51,000 tons of coal for the produc- tion of gas, 75,000 tons a.s fuel for industrial establishments, and so forth. The whole amount is essential to the main- tenance of the ordinary machinery of life in Switzerland, and to the comfort of the people. Yet in no single month has Germany made any serious effort to live up to her agreement, and the results to Switzerland are serious. Transport arrange- ments in Germany are bad, but it is conjectured that some other reason, such as the renewal of the agreement on better terms, is a factor in the case. COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES. REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS. British Hydraulic Foundry Company Limited. — The directors have declared a dividend of 12s. 6d. per share, including bonus, free of tax, making 17s. fid. per share for year. Fife Coal Company Limited.—The directors have declared a final dividend of 25 per cent, on the ordinary shares, making 35 per cent., free of tax, for the past year. Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds Limited. — The directors declared an interim dividend for the six months ended December 31 at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum on the preference shares, and Is. per share on the ordinary shares, both free of tax. Lanarkshire Steel Company Limited.—Interim dividend of 10 per cent, on the ordinary shares. Scott (Walter) Limited.—The directors have declared an interim dividend of Is. per share. (5 per cent.) on the ordinary shares—the same as last year. Scottish Wagon Company Limited.—Final dividend of 3| per cent., making 7 per cent, for the past year. Watson (John) Limited.—After placing £10,000 to depre- ciation, and £10,000 to reserve, the directors recommend a dividend of Is. per share, making 10 per cent, for year, and a bonus of 4s. per share, both less tax, carrying forward £33,000. Western Dominion Collieries Limited.—The report states that the result of the year’s operations, after providing for debenture interest, etc., and the usual liberal depreciation, resulted in a loss of £117. This loss was largely the result of the increased operating expense and loss of sales during the severe storms and the cold weather of the first three months of 1916. The output for the year to April 30, 1916, w7as 87,262 tons, a decrease of 2,619 tons over the corre- sponding period for the previous year. The amount at the credit of profit and loss at the close, of the year is £9,240, thus showing that while the operations for the year resulted in a, slight loss the balance at the credit of the profit and loss account has been actually increased by £223. NEW COMPANIES. Fryston Collieries Workmen’s Motor Company Limited.— Private company. Registered January 27. Nature of busi- ness indicated by the title. Nominal capital, £2,000 in 2,000 £1 shares. Directors to be appointed by the sub- scribers. Qualification, £10. Subscribers (one share each) : A. J. Lunn, H. Hepworth, W. H. Fickling, G. Thompson, J. Bracewell, and others. International Utilities Company Limited. — Private com- pany. Registered January 31. To carry on the business of iron founders, timber merchants, and importers, etc. Nominal capital, £20,000 in 15,000 £1 ordinary shares, and 100,000 Is. deferred shares. Directors : H. Hamilton, J. R. Sofio, and G. M. McIntosh. Qualification, £100. Parsons and Dickinson Limited.—Private company. Regis- tered office, 1, High Town-road, Luton. Registered Jan. 26. To carry on the trades of mechanical and general engineers, founders, etc. Nominal capital, £1,000 in 1,000 £1 shares. Directors : C. Dickinson, S. G. Dickinson, B. Parsons, and C. Rainbow. Qualification, five shares. Risehow Colliery Coking and By-Product Company Limited. —Registered office, 23, West-street, Finsbury, E.C. Capital, £1.00,000 in 60,000 8 per cent, cumulative preference shares of £1 each, 35,000 10 per cent, participating preference ordi- nary shares of £1 each, and 50,000 deferred ordinary shares of 2s. each. To carry on the business of coal, iron, and other mine owners, etc., and to enter into agreements (a) with the receiver in the action re the Flimby and Broughton Moor Coal and Firebrick Company Limited, Mann v. the company, and (b) with W. H. Nockolds. Directors: S. R. Kay, R. Holiday, W. H. Nockolds, and W. C. Forrest. 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. 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. Bermondsey, February 22. —■ Coke for the Guardians. Forms from E. P. Fenton, 283, Tooley-street, S.E. Bethnal Green, February 19.—House coal and coke (six or 12 months) for the Council. Forms from the borough engineer, Town Hall. Burton-on-Trent, February 17.—Coal (six months) for the Town Council. Forms from the borough surveyor. Darlington, February 17.—Coal and gas coke (12 months) for the Rural District Council. Forms from the .surveyor, Union Offices. Dover, February 13.—Small steam coal (nob Welsh) for 12 months. Forms from the electrical engineer, Electricity Works, Dover. Frome, February 14.—Coal (12 months) for the Urban District Council. Forms from the. surveyor, Public Offices, Frome. Hendon, February 19.—Coal and coke (12 months) for the Urban District Council. Forms from the surveyor, Council Offices. Ilford, February 24.—Coal and coke (12 months) for the Urban District Council. Forms from the surveyor, Town Hall, Ilford. Keighley, February 24. — Coal for the Joint Hospital Board. Forms from J. N. Clarkson, 40, North-street, Keighley. Lambeth, February 27.—Coal for the Guardians. Forms from the Offices, Brook-street, Kennington. Leeds, February 12.—Coal f12 months) for Waterworks Committee. Forms from the waterworks engineer, Great George-street, Leeds. Leeds, February 13.—3,800 tons best screened nuts, 25 tons hand-picked seconds, for Sewerage Works. Forms from the sewerage engineer, Great George-street, Leeds. London, W., February 19.—Coal and coke (six or 12 months) for the Marylebone Borough Council. Forms from the town clerk, Town Hall, Marylebone-lane. Manchester, February 13.—Coal and furnace coke for the Tramways Committee. Forms from the general manager, Corporation Tramways, 55, Piccadilly, Man- chester. Manchester, February 17.—3,500 tons of slack, 650 tons locomotive steam coal, 45 tons house coal, and 25 tons burgie for the Bivers Committee. Forms from the secretary, Bivers Department, Town Hall. Mitcham, February 13.—House and steam coal and gas coke for the Urban District Council. Forms from the Council Offices, Mitcham. Bawtenstall, February 15.—Coal and coke for schools and depots. Forms from the borough surveyor, Town Hall. Southgate, February 13. — Coke (12 months) for the Urban District Council. Forms from the surveyor, Council’s Depot, Southgate. Stafford, February 17.—Coal (six months) for the Cor- poration. Forms from the engineer, Borough Hall. The date given is the latest upon which tenders can be received. CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON AND STEEL WORK, &c. Birkenhead, February 12.—Stores. — Cast iron tubes, pipes, castings, nuts, bolts, iron, steel, etc. (six or 12 months) for the Corporation. Forms from the engineer, Gas Works. Halifax, February 12.—Stores.—Insulating materials, iron, steel, overhead line materials, wires, cables, etc. (12 months) for the Corporation. Forms from the engineer, Tramways Office, Skircoat-road, Halifax. Hereford, February 17.—Materials.—Iron castings, etc., for the Committees. Forms from the city surveyor. Ilford, February 24.— Various.—Tools, nails, screws, pitch, creosote, etc. (12 months) for the Urban District Council. Forms from the surveyor, Town Hall, Ilford. Manchester, February 13.—Stores.—Cable (power and lighting), overhead equipment material, steel cable, copper and steel wire, lamps, emery wheels, iron and steel forgings, castings, etc., for the Tramways Committee. Forms from the general manager, 85, Piccadilly, Manchester. THE FREIGHT MARKET. Chartering operations in the outward freight market con- tinue to be transacted on very limited lines, by reason of the great shortage of tonnage. The advanced rates for neutral vessels have not yet had the effect of attracting many steamers to British coal shipping centres. The absence of adequate carrying 'facilities is seriously hampering coal ship- ments, and is leading, especially in the north country, to much laying idle of collieries. At the beginning of the pre- sent week it was officially intimated that clearance would now be, granted to neutral \esisels carrying cargoes to Allied ports and fixed back to, the United Kingdom, or in respect of which an undertaking was given and approved that they would return to the United Kingdom, as well ajs to neutral vessels engaged in the coastwise trade. This regulation should assist in releasing some quantity of neutral tonnage to the benefit of the coal trade. Already a, few sailings for neutral ports a.re reported as a result of this relaxation. Such few fixtures as have been made on the north-east coast have been done, speaking generally, at fully steady rates. Coasting business is just a shade weaker, at 16s. Tyne to London. North French coke business is rather stronger in tone. At South Wales, there has been a- very general increase in rates. Thus, figures for Barcelona are up by 10s., Gibraltar by 'from 12s. 6d. to 15s. 3d., and Lisbon by from 5s. to 10s. Very little, has been done in any other direction, although ai fixture for Bosario is to be noted at 85s. It will be observed from the list of fixtures which follows that several vessels have been arranged for for Allied destina- tions at the increased prices granted to neutrals. Homewards, the Biver Plate is steady, at 125s. from down- river and 130is. from up-river ports. At the United States, coal freights from Virginia to the Plate are indicated at last week’s quotation of from 90s. to 92s. 6d. Neutral tonnage on net charter basis can be hired at the old rate of 155s. from Philadelphia or Baltimore to French Atlantic ports. From the Gulf to French Atlantic, the rate is about 175s. As regards the Fair East, Madras Coaist to Marseilles with kernels is rather dearer, at about 340s. Calcutta to United Kingdou is quoted at 280s. on d.w.; Kurrachee, from 132s. 6d. to 135s. on scale; and Bombay on d.w., at about 180s., a drop, in the latter instance, of 10s. on the week. Mediterranean ore ports are active and firm, at 21s. from La Goulette to east coast, United Kingdom, and 18s. 6d. from Hornillo to Clyde. Tyne to, Boulogne, 500, 45s., coke; Calais, 500, 45s., coke; Copenhagen, 1,500, 70 kr.; Calais or Dunkirk, 320, 45s., coke; Dunkirk, 750 and 500, 45s., coke; Gibraltar, 2,000, 50s.; Las Palmas, 2,000, 37s. 6d.; London, 1,750, 16s.; North French Range, 400, 45s., coke; Bonen, 500, 47s., coke; Savona, 3,000, 96s. 9d., reported; Stockholm, 2,700, 58 kr.; Treport, 350, 45s., coke. Cardiff to Barcelona, 1,500, 90s.; Boulogne, 700, 30s. 7d.; Carthagena, 1,500, 88s.; Dakar, 2,500, 67s. 6d., 500; Gran- ville, 800, 23s. 7d. ; Gibraltar, 1.800, 72s. 6d., 500; 1,700 and 1,800, 75s., 500; 1,500, 75s.; 1.300, 76s. ; 1.200, 77s. 6d.; Lisbon, 1,700, 75s., 500; 2,000, 75s.; 2,700, 77s. 6d.; 3,000, 75s., 500, Feb.; 1,500, 77s. 6d., 400; 3,500, 80s., 500; Bonen, 700, 30s. 5d.; Bosario, 2,000, 85s.; and St. Michael, 2,500, 37is. 6d. Wales to Gibraltar, 61s. 3d.; 1,700, 75s., 500; Barcelona, 90s.; Lisbon, 4,800, 70s.; 3,000, 75s., 500; St. Michael, 2,500, 37s. 6d.; Bosario, 2,000, 85s. Hull or Grimsby to Malaga, 1,100, 55s. Glasgow to Marseilles, 1,400, 92s. 3d. Swansea to Guernsey, 200, 28s.; Bouen, 700, 30s. 7d.; Lisbon, 1,100, 77s. 6d., 400. Fowey to United States, northern port, 4,000,, 23s. 9d.. china clay. Neath Abbey to Cork, 320, 17s. 6d. Newport to Gibraltar, 3,500, 80s., 500.