394 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 23, 1917. ruling, and, as stocks are heavy, buyers, who require prompt shipments, have no difficulty in obtaining low quotations. The machine-made kinds are also unsteady, and concessions are obtainable for most qualities. Culm is also very easy, but duff is unchanged. In the steam coal section there is no improvement to report, with throughs and smalls in poor demand, and buyers able to obtain their requirements for fairly prompt loading at easier figures. Large coals are firm, owing to shortage of supplies caused by the many idle days at the collieries. There is a steady inland demand for large of the better grades, and orders at the moment are more plentiful than supplies. Bitu- minous coals are active, but there is not much free coal offering, as local works are taking heavy deliveries. House coals are in good demand, and collieries giving more satis- factory despatch owing to the “ slackness ” at the docks. THE IRISH COAL TRADE, Thursday, February 22. Dublin. With the disappearance of the severe frost, demand for house coal is not quite so keen, but merchants have as much business on hand as they are able to cope with in the various qualities. Prices are all unaltered, viz. :—Best Orrell, 44s. per ton net; Yorkshire brights, 43s. ; best wigan, 42s.; best slack, 36s.; retail prices, 2s. lOd. to 3s. per sack of 10 st. ; steam coal, from about 40s. per ton; best coke, 44s. per ton. Irish coals from Wolfhill Collieries, Queen’s County, are: Malting coal, 45s. per ton; house and gas coal, 40s. ; coarse culm, 15s. per ton—all f.o.r. Athy, the nearest railway connection. The coal vessels arriving during the past week amounted to 59, as compared with 75 the week previously, the total quantity, of coal discharged upon the quays being 22,000 tons, as against 28,000 tons in the previous week. A contract is open in connection with the Bathmines 'and Bathgar townships for the usual yearly supplies. At the last meeting of the Loughrea Board of Guardians, it was stated that a seam of coal had been dis- covered at Boxboro’, co. Galway, by some workmen, and it has been decided to ask the Department of Agriculture to investigate the matter. It is thought probable that the coal fields at Wolfhill, Castlecomer, and Arigna will be taken over by the Government, and developed to the mutual advan- tage of the owners and Irish coal consumers. Belfast. No new feature presents itself in this port. Good supplies are available, and business upon the whole is rather quiet for the time of year. There is no alteration in prices, viz. : 39s. 6d. to 43s. 6d. per ton for household coal; slack, 39s. 6d.; steam coal, from about 35s. to 40s. per ton; gas coke, from about 37s. 6d. to 40s. per ton; and foundry coke, from 60s. to 64s. per ton delivered. THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market is rather variable as regards solvent naphtha and pitch. Tar holds steady. Liverpool values for pitch remain unchanged. Nearest values are :— Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. Benzols, 90’s ........................ 1/0J ... — ,, 90’s North ................ /10J—/llJ ... — ,, 50’s North ................ Toluol ............................... Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.)... ,, crystals (40 per cent.) Solvent naphtha, south (90% at 160 2/3 3/4 1/3 degs.), as in quality and package... 2/—2/3 ... +/3 Solvent naphtha, north (90% at 160 degs.), as in quality and package... 1/8—1/9 ... — Crude naphtha, north (in bulk) .. /6|—/6i ... — Creosote (for ordinary qualities) . /3J—/3| ... — Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) .......... 16/—16/6 ... —/6 ,, (f.a.s. west coast) ......... 15/6—16/6 ... — /6 Tar (per ton ex works) ............. 20/—21/ ... — [Benzols, toluol creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at makers' works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch, f.o.b. net.’] Sulphate of Ammonia.—The chief interest lies in fore- casting the probable increase in the home consumption. If the export market were normal, there is every prospect of .£20 being current value. Special attention should be paid to ascertaining railway rates in the United Kingdom. Nitrate has again advanced to 23s. (+6d.). A New Board of Research.—It it officially announced that a Board of Fuel Besearch has been appointed by the Com- mittee of the Privy Council for Scientific and Industrial Besearch, on the recommendation of their Advisory Council. Sir George Beilby, F.B.S., has consented to iact as Director of the new organisation, and he will be assisted by the Hon. Sir Charles Parsons, K.C.B., F.B.S., Mr. Bichard Threlfall, F.B.S., and Sir Bichard Bedmayne, K.C.B., Chief Inspector of Mines, as members of the Board. The Advisory Council have for a long time past had under consideration the question of promoting research into fuel, land of co-ordi- nating the work already being undertaken in various direc- tions," but care has been needed in devising suitable machinery and in bringing the various important, interests into line. The Advisory Council conferred with Lord Haldane’s Committee and with the British Association Com- mittee for the purpose of co-ordinating all the research at present being undertaken or to be undertaken in future, and complete agreement has been reached. All proposals for research into fuel initiated by the Coal Conservation Sub- Committee will be referred to the Advisory Council for their consideration, and under the new arrangements will stand referred to the Board of Fuel Besearch, which, if the pro- posals are approved, will be responsible to the Council and to the Committee of the Privy Council for carrying them out. It will be the work of the Board to investigate the nature, preparation, and utilisation of fuel of all kinds, both in the laboratory and, where necessary, on an industrial scale. Sir George Beilby, with the assistance of his Board, will be responsible for drawing up schemes of research into these problems; and when the schemes have been approved by the Advisory Council and the Committee of the Privy Council, authority will be given him to carry them into effect. Prof. W. A, Bone will act as consultant to the Board. < LETTERS TO THE EDITORS. The Editors are not responsible either for the statements made, or the opinions expressed by correspondents. All communications must be authenticated by the name and address of the sender, whether for publication or not. No notice can be taken of anonymous communications. As replies to questions are only given by way of published answers to correspondents, and not by letter, stamped addressed envelopes are not required to be sent. VENTILATION. Sirs,—Can any of your readers give me any informa- tion with reference to ventilation under the following conditions :— Owing to the small area of the existing downcast and upcast shafts, the ventilation is not efficient, and it has been decided to sink a third (shaft of large diameter, the existing small downcast shaft to be equipped with a fan and used ws an upcast. ' What will be the effect of two fans operating on two upcast shafts situated about a quarter of a mile apart, using one large diameter downcast shaft? The underground roads can be so arranged that each fan has its own intake and return airways, commencing at the different levels or mouthings in the downcast shaft where the various seams (five in number) are inter- sected. Three seams to one upcast, and two seams to the other. Would an increased quantity of air be obtained by the two fans, as compared with one larger fan running at a high water gauge? I shall be glad to hear if any of your readers has similar conditions. Ventilation. PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—February 19. State Control of Coal Mines. Mr. Duncan Millar asked the Prime Minister whether he could state what financial and other arrangements had been made for the transfer of the coal mines in the United Kingdom to the State, and for their control by the new Controller of Mines; and what changes, if any, would be made in the position of the miners and in their present rates of pay under the new scheme. Mr. Boberts replied that he was not yet. in a position to make any statement on the arrangements which the Con- troller of Coal Mines will propose. Mr. Millar asked when the hon. gentleman expected to be ,in a position to make a statement on this very important matter. Was it not desirable a statement should be made in the House at as early a date as possible, seeing an announcement had already been made in the Press? Mr. Boberts said he recognised the desirability of an early statement, but, having regard to the recent appointment of the Controller, he did not think it was unreasonable to ask for further consideration. Mr. Butcher asked whether the reports of the inspectors of coal mines for 1915 and 1916 had yet been received; and when would the same be published. Sir G. Cave said the reports of the divisional inspectors for 1915 would be found in Part I. of the Chief Inspector’s General Beport for 1915, which was published last autumn. The reports for 1916 had not ‘yet been received, and he could not at present fix the date of publication. In ordi- nary circumstances they would be issued in the summer. February 20. Distribution of Coal. Mr. Boberts, answering Sir C. Kinloch-Cooke, who called attention to the delay in the delivery of coal caused by the refusal of coal porters to load or take out carts, and asked whether the Board of Trade had any means at its disposal to compel these men to work, said he believed that the men’s organisations were prepared to make a serious effort to deal with these cases, and he hoped that their efforts would be productive of good results. The supply of labour for work of national importance was dealt with by the Director-General of National Service. The whole sub- ject of distribution would receive the attention of the Con- troller of Coal Mines. Sir C. Kinloch-Cooke asked whether the hon. gentleman was aware that that morning at the North-Western Metro- politan coal depot, where the output of coal was 200 tons daily, no man turned up to wTork owing to the wet weather. Was he going to make these men work? Mr. Boberts said that perhaps he. had better ask the hon. gentleman to be placed in charge of them. February 22. Coal Supplies. Mr. Cory asked the Prime Minister whether, before setting up the Advisory Committee to assist the Coal Con- troller, it was proposed to consult the various coal owners’ associations; and who was to speak for this new department of the Board of Trade in the House of Commons. Mr. Bonar Law replied that the Advisory Committee would be representative so far as possible of the various dis- tricts. It was not considered necessary to consult the local associations of coal owners. The President and the Parlia- mentary Secretary of the Board of Trade would speak for the Controller in the House of Commons. Coal Prices. ■ In reply to Mr. Gilbert, as to the means the Board of Trade had for compelling retail coal merchants to sell at the prices issued by the Department, Mr. Boberts stated that the London coal prices were fixed by voluntary arrange- ment between the merchants and the Board of Trade, and it was part of the arrangement that the merchants would refuse to supply small dealers who charged more than the agreed prices. These dealers were required by by-laws of the London County Council to display their prices promi- nently, and to charge no more than the prices displayed; and the County Council had prosecuted in a number of cases of infringements under those by-laws'. The maximum penalty was a fine of £5. The London Coal Merchants’ Committee had received many complaints regarding prices, and were having them investigated. He would consider what further steps it might be necessary to take. OBITUARY. Mr. Cuthbert Foster (77), who died at Murton, was an official there for the South Hetton Coal Company for nearly 50 years. One of the best-known men on the London Coal Market, Mr. Hamilton Greig (of Messrs.,W. Cory and Son Limited) died suddenly on Wednesday last. Mr. J. A. Dixon (48), agent and manager of Shilbottle Colliery, Northumberland, died suddenly last Saturday morning. On the previous day, in his usual health, he had presided, over the meeting of the Alnwick rural military tribunal. The death of Aid. Joseph Brodie, of Blackpool, is evoking reminiscences of Mr. Brodie’s early life in Northumberland. He was born 56 years ago at Alnwick, and worked for some time on the pithead at Bebside. He left for Lancashire at the.age of 19, and became the first mayor of Blackpool'in 1904. The death is announced of Mr. B. Beaumont Thomas, managing director and chairman of Messrs. Bichard Thomas and Company, who have several tin-plate works in different parts of South Wales, in addition to extensive steel works and a colliery. Mr. Beaumont Thomas had been ill only for a few days. He was J.P. for the county of Gloucester, and was at one time active in politics. He was especially interested in the scheme for develoning technical education in South Wales, and had proposed the establishment of a college, at Llanelly, offering an initial donation of £5,000 on behalf of his firm. Mr. G. T. Shields (76), who has died at Stanley, was one of the founders of the Northumberland Colliery Enginemen and Firemen’s Association in 1864. He was president for eight years, and secretary for a like period afterwards. He was a member of the first deputation received by the North- umberland coal owners, in 1872, and played a prominent part later in bringing about the establishment of an eight-hour day for colliery enginemen and firemen. For 21 years engineman at South Tanfield Colliery, he retired six years ago, after a working life of 62 years, his debut as a colliery “ workman ” having been made at Shankhouse Colliery when he was eight years of age. Mr. J. Burn (90), who died at Blyth last week, was a remarkable instance of mining longevity. He commenced work at the Cowpen Collieries at the age of nine years as a water leader. Subsequently he became successively a driver, coal hewer, deputy overman, onsetter, and shaftsman, which latter position he held for 20 years. He retired from work 10 years ago, after 71 years in and about the Cowpen mines. He was one of those who sank the Straker pit at the Isabella Colliery in 1874. THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. The enquiry has been rather better, but it is exceedingly difficult to make business. Most works 'are fully booked for a few weeks ahead, and do not care to commit themselves further, owing to the uncertainty of obtaining steel. Those makers, however, who are in want of immediate specifica- tions, are willing to sell fairly cheaply to secure an order which suits them; 26s. 3d. to 26 s. 6d. has been taken for I C 14 x 20, and 27s. 6d. basis for squares and odd sizes. Generally, for Class A business, quotations at the moment range as follow :—Coke tins : I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 26s. 6d. to 27s. 6d. per box; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 2161b.), 53s. 6d. to 55s. I C squares and odd sizes, 27s. 6d. to 28s. basis. Oil sizes are quite nominal, at about 28s. for quarters, and 36s. for 20 X 10. Wasters have been sold at 51s. for C W 28 x 20, and 25s. 6d. for 14 x 20; but very little business in these nlates is reported, and the market -value is quite nominal at present. All prices are f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. National Service. — The Director-General of National Service states that on the form of offer to be used by volun- teers for national service 20 trades are mentioned for which male volunteers between the ages of 18 and 61 are specially wanted. For the further guidance of volunteers, the Director-General of National Service has issued a more detailed list of trades and occupations of primary import- ance. The list will be revised from time to time as the circumstances of the several trades require. Male national service volunteers will not as a rule be supplied as substi- tutes in any occupation which can be suitably performed by women. The list includes : Coal mining; patent fuel works; oil shale mining, including shale oil works; iron mining and quarrying; fireclay and silica stone mining and quarry- ing ; ganister mining and quarrying; all classes of workers engaged in the manufacture of the following metals or their constituent parts from the treatment of the ore to the pro- duction of the metal in standard forms, such as ingot, billet, bloom, bar, rod, sheet, or section—aluminium, copper, iron, steel, lead, nickel, tin (smelting only), spelter, zinc, and other metals (e.g., tungsten, vanadium, wolfram) needed for war purposes, and their alloys (e.g., brass, phosphor bronze) ; boiler making; railway locomotive construction; railway car- riage and wagon building; traction engines, manufacture of; internal combustion engines, manufacture of; motor wagon making and repairing; electrical engineering; mining plant and machinery, manufacture and repair of; iron foundries and steel smelting works and rolling mills; other engineering works engaged in repairing machinery or plant for use in industry; springs, volute and spiral, steel wire over 10 British wire gauge, manufacture of; slag wool making; blacksmiths and farriers, including blacksmiths’ strikers; wheelwrights; wire drawing, steel and copper; wire rope manufacture; dock and wharf labour; bargemen, lightermen, on rivers and canals; mercantile marine; rail- way service; coal trade (wholesale and retail distribution) ; carters, lorrymen, and draymen engaged in carrying heavy goods; coke, manufacture of.