May 18, 1917.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

959

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES.
REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS.

Anglo-French (Transvaal) Navigation Coal Estates
Limited.—The report for 1916 states that the sale of 374,559
tons of marketable coal shows an increase of 25,206 tons,
as compared with 1915. The net profit was <£22,412, in
which is included <£489 sundry revenue; <£10,000 has been
allocated for extension of plant, depreciation, etc.; interim
dividend No. 12 of 10 per cent., absorbing <£12,000, has
been paid to holders of preference shares, and <£10,631 is
carried forward. The company’s indebtedness in respect
of the cumulative preference dividend has now been dis-
charged up to and including August 16, 1916, the contin-
gent liability for the remaining portion of the year being
£3,129.

Blake Boiler, Wagon and Engineering Company Limited.
—Profits for the past year amounted to £12,408, and £1,851
was brought forward. Directors’ fees absorb £500, and
£2,427 has been placed to the depreciation account. A
dividend on the ordinary shares of 7-g per cent, is proposed,
adding £3,000 to reserve, and leaving to carry forward
£3,652.

Broxburn Oil Company Limited.—The net profit, after
allowing £16,200, as before, for depreciation, is £49,700,
as' against £30,500, and the ordinary dividend is doubled,
at 15 per cent., the highest return since 1908-9. The retort
renewal account gets £10,000, as compared with £10,000,
and, in addition this time, £4,000 is written off invest-
ments. The carry-over is £12,400, or within £300 of the
sum brought in.

Carlton Main Colliery Company Limited.—The directors
have resolved to recommend a final dividend for the year
ended March 31 of 15 per cent., free of tax, making 25 per
cent, for the year. The sanction of the Controller of Mines
has been obtained for the payment.

South Wales Electrical Power Distribution Company
Limited. — For 1916 the business of the company showed
an increase, the units sold amounting to 30,058,461, as
compared with 28,967,656 in 1915, an increase of 1,090,805
units. There was a surplus of £8,554, against £6,756 in
1915. This, with £3,999 in hand at end of 1915, enabled
payment to be made of the full year’s interest, £10,000, on
the old debenture stock, and left £2,553 to be carried
forward.

NEW COMPANIES.

Batchelor, Robinson and Company Limited.—Private
company. Registered office, Artillery-street Works, Bir-
mingham. Registered May 8. To carry on all or any of
the businesses, namely, exporters and importers of and
dealers in metals, ores, and metallic or metalliferous sub-
stances of all kinds. Capital, £37,000. Directors : C. T.
Batchelor, J. B. Batchelor, and H. W. Robinson.

Bower Colliery Company Limited.—Private company.
Registered office, The Bower Colliery, Hollinwood, Lanca-
shire. Registered May 10. Nature of business indicated
by the title. Capital, £45,000. Directors: C. Gregory,
G. C. Sandys, T. Heywood, N. Poelin, and R. Jackson.

Ghorley (John) and Son Limited. — Private company.
Registered office, 53, Conybere-street, Birmingham. Regis-
tered May 5. To carry on business of engineers, brass
founders, motor and cycle manufacturers in all its branches.
Capital, £1,300. Directors : J. Ghorley and J. Smith.

Robertson (J. H.) and Company Limited.—Private com-
pany. Registered office, 1, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly,
W. Registered May 5. To carry on business of mechani-
cal engineers, founders, etc. Capital, £1,000. Directors:
J. H. Robertson and W. Corrie.

Russell Brothers (Walsall) Limited.—Private company.
Registered May 11. To purchase and take over, and
develop, extend, and carry on the business of tube makers
and manufacturers carried on by Mr. J. B. Russell under
the style of Russell Brothers at Bradford. Capital,
£20,000. Director, J. B. Russell.

Sheffield Twist Drill and Steel Company (France)
Limited.—Private company. Registered May 8. To carry
on business as manufacturers and merchants of twist and
carbon steel, drills, tools, and steel in France and else-
where in Europe. Capital, £4,00.0. Directors : H. A.
Dormer and J. S. Robertson.

Silent Guides Limited. — Private company. Registered
office, 119, London-wall, London, E.C. Registered May 7.
To carry on business of electrical and mechanical engi-
neers, and contractors, etc. Capital, £10,000. Directors
shall be appointed by the subscribers. Subscribers:
J. W. P. Murrell and H. W. Rymer.

_______

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.

____________________________

Exports of Coal Products. — The exports of coal pro-
ducts, not dyes, in April were valued at £249,457, com-
pared with £222,471 in April 1916. The four months total
amounts to £973,642, compared with £1,018,871 in the first
four months of 1916.

Coal Exports. — A summary of British coal exports
during April and during the preceding three months
appears in the Board of Trade returns. The quantity of
coal, coke, and manufactured fuel exported last month
totalled 2,713,927 tons, valued at £3,598,291, compared with
3,200,069 tons, valued at £3,605,115 in the corresponding
month last year, and 3,985,846 tons, valued at £3,426,883,
in April 1915. The total for the four completed months of
the year was 12,130,480 tons, valued at £16,053,637, as
compared with 13,175,345 tons, valued at £13,760,724, in
the corresponding period of 1916.

Exports and Imports of Mining Machinery.—The value
of imports and exports of mining machinery during April
is given below:—

April.	Jan.-April.

1916.	1917.	1916.	1917.

£ £ £ £

Imports ..........	2,729 ... 18,377 .. 31,400 ... 57,093

Exports .......... 37,118 ... 51,826 .. 200,794 ...257,373

These figures are not inclusive of prime movers or elec-
trical machinery. The following shows the value of
exports of prime movers other than electrical:—

April.	Jan.-April.

_______

' 1916.	1917.	1916.	1917.

All prime movers £	£	£	£

(except electrical) ... 234,717...223,892...1,333,023...1,284,176
Rail locomotives ....	89,914...	66,309...	420,401...	472,512

Pumping ............	20,379 ..	23,843...	139,747...	159,506

Winding ...........................	556...	— ...	3,121...	3,551

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.

Army Contracts, May 23.—Sealed tenders for coal and
coke for Military Services at the Stations in the under-
mentioned Commands during a period of one year from
July 1, will he received until noon on Wednesday, May 23,
by the Officers Commanding, Army Service Corps, in the
undermentioned Commands of Districts :—Aidershot Com-
mand : Aidershot. Eastern Command : Bedford District,
Bedford ; Brighton District, Brighton; Chatham District,
Chatham; Colchester District, Colchester; Dover District,
Dover; Harwich District, Harwich; Woolwich District,
Woolwich. London District, Horse Guards, London, S.W.
Northern Command, York. Scottish Command, Edin-
burgh. Southern Command : Winchester District, Win-
chester ; Larkhill District, Larkhill; Portsmouth District,
Portsmouth; Salisbury Plain District, Bulford ; Plymouth
District, Devonport; Wilton District, Wilton; Southamp-
ton District, Southampton. Western Command, Chester.
Forms of tender, conditions of contract, and any further
information, may be obtained on application at the Head-
quarter Offices, by letter addressed to the Officer Com-
manding, Army Service Corps, or in person between the
hours of 10 and 4.

Army Contracts, May 23.—Tenders for the supply of
coal and coke for the period from July 1, 1917, to June 30,
1918, at all Military Stations in Cheshire, Cumberland,
Westmorland, Lancashire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mon-
mouthshire, and Wales, will be received until noon on
May 23, 1917. Forms of tender, with list of stations, can
be obtained on application to the District Barrack Officer,
22, Nicholas-street, Chester, to whom tenders should be
sent.

Ellesmere Port, May 29. — The Ellesmere Port and
Whitby Urban District Council invite tenders for the
supply of 2,000 to 2,500 tons of gas nuts during the 12
months from July 1, 1917, to June 30, 1918. Sealed
tenders, on forms to be obtained from the clerk, must be
sent to the Council Offices, Ellesmere Port, by May 29,
endorsed “ Coal.” The Council do not bind themselves to
accept the lowest or any tender.

London, May 30. — The Receiver for the Metropolitan
Police District is prepared to receive tenders for the supply
of coal and coke to the Police Offices, Police Courts, Police
Stations, etc., in the Metropolitan Police District for three
months from July 1. Printed forms of tender may be
obtained from the office of the Receiver, New Scotland
Yard, S.W. 1. No tender will be received after noon on
May 30, nor unless made on the printed form provided for
that purpose. The Receiver does not bind himself to
accept the lowest or any tender.

South Hetton, June 2.—Colliery Stores.—The South
Hetton Colliery Company Limited invite tenders for six
months supply, ending December 31, 1917, of timber
(English only), oils, iron, castings, wire rope, and other
colliery stores, except electrical. Forms of tender and
specification with full conditions may be obtained from
Mr. J. R. Lambert, South Hetton, near Sunderland, and
applicants for forms must state the kind of stores for
which they wish to tender. Tenders, addressed to the
South Hetton Coal Company Limited, South Hetton, near
Sunderland, will be received up to June 2.

Abstracts of Contracts Open.

Adlington, June 4.—About 1,400 tons screened Arley
nuts for Adlington Gas Company. Tenders to the chair-
man.

Andover, May 29.—200 Cwmaman, Dowlais, Merthyr,
or other hard best quality large steam coal. Tenders to
the town clerk.

Banbury, May 19. — Coal (12 months) for the Town
Council. Forms from, the town clerk.

Bristol.—Coal (12 months) for the University. Forms
from the registrar.

Chatham, May 22. — Thirty tons household coal for
Homes. Forms from A. R. Norman, Union Offices, 22,
High-street, Chatham.

Dublin, May 21.—55,000 or 110,000 tons locomotive coal
for the Great Northern Railway (Ireland). Forms from
the secretary, Amiens-street Terminus, Dublin.

Dundee, May 22.—Coal (six or 12 months) for the Har-
bour Trustees. Forms from the engineer, Harbour
Chambers.

Edmonton, June 5, — Coal and coke (12 months) for
Elementary Schools. Forms from the architect, Town
Hall, Lower Edmonton.

Felling-on-Tyne.—Coal and coke (six months) for the
Education Committee. Forms from the clerk of the com-
mittee, Council Buildings, Felling-on-Tyne.

Fleetwood (Lancashire), May 26.—About 2,000 tons of
moderately rough slack during 12 months. Forms from
the clerk, Urban District Council Offices.

Hammersmith, May 23.—About 150 tons (weekly) free
burning Welsh steam coal, and 250 tons (weekly) washed
slack or peas, for the Borough Council. Forms from the
electrical engineer, 85, Fulham Palace-road.

Hemel Hempstead, May 26.—400 tons double-screened
nuts and 400 tons Jin. slack for the Council. Forms from
the borough surveyor, Town Hall.

London, June 9. — Nottingham hard steam coal (12
months) for the University College Hospital, Gower-street,
W.C. Particulars from the secretary.

London, June 11.—Steam coal (12 months) for Baths
and Electricity Works. Forms from the Electricity
Department, 57, Pratt-street, Camden Town.

Manchester, May 21.—Coal for the Guardians. Forms
from the Offices, All. Saints, Manchester.

Paddington, June 25.—Coal and coke (12 months) for
the Borough Council. Forms from the town clerk.

Portmadoc, May 26.—Best gas and cannel coal for Gas
Works. Forms from the clerk to the Council, Town Hall.

Salisbury, June 4.—About 25 tons house coal for Salis-
bury Municipal Charities. Tenders to the clerk, 12, Rolle-
stone-street, Salisbury.

Shillelagh, May 25.—Sixty tons best screened White-
haven or Wigan coal for the Guardians. Tenders to the
clerk, Workhouse, Shillelagh.

Shipley, May 21.—15,000 tons best screened gas coal or
washed nuts for the Gas Committee. Forms from the engi-
neer, Gas Works.

Skipton.—Gas coal or nuts (12 months) for the Council
Gas Works. Forms from the manager.

Stretford, May 22. — Screened coal, through-and-
through, nuts, rough slack, and cannel (12 months) for
the Stretford Gas Company. ' Particulars from the
engineer.

Sutton Coldfield, May 26.—2,500 tons fine steam slack
for Electricity Committee. Forms from the engineer-,
Electricity Works.

Tiverton, June 2.—4,000 tons freshly wrought gas coal,
screened or unscreened, for the Town Council. Forms from
the gas manager.

Torquay, May 21.—2,500 tons approved gas coal or gas
slack for Gas Works. Forms from the town clerk.

Tyldesley (Lancashire), June 2.—5,000 tons gas coal,
nuts, and slack, for the Urban District Council. Forms
from the manager, Gas Works.

Wombwell, May 31. — 5,000 tons (more or less) best
screened gas coal or 2 in. washed gas nuts for the Urban
District Council. Forms from the manager, Gas Works.

________

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

CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON
AND STEEL WORK, &c.

Manchester, May 25.—Stores.—Stores (12 months) for
the Electricity Committee. Forms from the secretary,
Electricity Department, Town Hall.

Neavcastle, May 25.—Stores.—Chains, rails, wrought
iron, rivets, bolts, steel castings, asbestos goods, etc., for
the Tyne Improvement Commissioners. Forms from the
manager, Berwick-street, Newcastle.

___________________________

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

Business in the outward freight market continues to be
of very small dimensions, neutral ship owners still with-
holding, to a very large extent, their vessels from our
shores. Coal shipment proceeds on busy lines, however,
and collieries are so well employed with the despatch of
cargoes on official account that they are taking little harm
by the dearth of ordinary trade. At the Tyne, most of the
chartering done is of comparatively small steamers for the
carriage of coke to French Atlantic ports at 45s. per ton.
Gothenburg has been fixed for at the very high figure of
200 kr. Teneriffe has been done at' 75s. These are the only
long-distance fixtures recorded. Coasting business is
represented by several fixtures for London, at from 20s. to
20s. 6d. At South Wales, as at the Tyne, most of the
charters reported are for French Atlantic ports. Barcelona
has been done at an advance of 5s. on last week, Bilbao at
2s. 6d. lower, whilst Marseilles has been fixed for at 58s. 6d.
—all from Cardiff.

Homewards, the River Plate rules slow, with Committee
rates unaltered at 135s. from up-river and 130s. from down-
river ports to the United Kingdom. At the United States,
the coal rate from Virginia to the River Plate remains at
120s. Grain boats are wanted for prompt and forward
positions, at fully 40s. from the Northern Range to the
United Kingdom, with 42s. 6d. quoted to the same desti-
nation from the Gulf. From the Gulf to the Mediter-
ranean the rate is 45s. On net form of charter, steamers
are in large request at 200s. from the Northern Range to
the United Kingdom or North France, with 250s. men-
tioned for West Italy. At the Far East, tonnage is very
scarce, and shippers’ offers appear to be regarded as insuffi-
cient inducement. Burmah to French ports with rice is
steady, at 400s. Kurrachee to United Kingdom is quoted
at 250s., an advance of 15s. on the week. From Bombay
to United Kingdom, figures are increasing, from 300s. to
325s. being mentioned. Calcutta to Genoa with jute is
firm, at 280s. Madras Coast to Marseilles with kernels is
quoted at 500s. The Mediterranean ore ports are much in
need of tonnage, and Alexandria has paid 105s. for 60
cu. ft. to the East Coast of the United Kingdom.

Tyne to Calais, 400, 45s., coke; Calais, option Boulogne
or Dunkirk, 700 and 609, 45s., coke; Dunkirk, 400, 45s.,
coke; Gothenburg, 1,500, 200 kr.; London, 1,100, 1,200,
1,500, and 1,050, 20s.; 1,300, 20s. 6d.; Las Palmas, 1,500,
75s. ; North French Range, 1,200 and 600, 45s., coke; and
Teneriffe, 1,500, 75s.

Cardiff to Barcelona, 3,400, 165s.; Bordeaux, 1,600, 34s.;
Bilbao, 3,000, 87s. 6d.; Cherbourg, 1,200, 23s. 6d.; Caen,
1,100, 46s. 6d., neutral; Havre, 1,700, 45s. 9d., neutral;
La Rochelle, 2,400, 29s.; Marseilles, 4,000, 58s. 6d.;
Nantes, 1,100, 29s. ; Oran, 2,000, 48s. 6d.; Rouen, 1,300,
48s. 9d., neutral; 1,600, 24s. 6d.; and St. Malo, 700, 22s.

Swansea to Caen, 700, 48s., neutral; Trouville, 500, 48s.,
neutral; and Rouen, 600, 50s. 3d., neutral.

Newport to Bilbao, 2,600, 87s. 6d.; and Barcelona, 3,4003
165s.

Wales to Bilbao, 2,500, 87s. 6d.; and Cherbourg, 1,600,
47s. 3d., neutral.

Glasgow to Rouen, 1,700, 54s. 9d.

_________________________

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

“Works Organisation,” by A. D. C. Parsons, B.A.
(member), Edwin L. Orde (vice-president), and G. H.
Tweddell (member)—read before the North-East Coast
Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders, October 26
and 27, 1916; “ Mining Magazine” (Vol. 16, No. 5),
May, price Is.; “The Incorporated Chamber of Com-
merce of Liverpool Monthly Magazine” (Vol. 16, No. 4),
April, price 3d.; “Bulletin of the American Institute of
Mining Engineers,” published monthly (No. 125, May
1917); “University of Illinois Bulletin” (issued weekly),
“A Preliminary Study of the Alloys of Chromium,
Copper, and Nickel ” (Bulletin No. 93, November 6,
1916), by D. F. McFarland and O. E. Harder.

________________________

In answer to a question in the House of Commons, it
was stated that the Board of Invention and Research com-
prises a central committee consisting of Admiral of the
Fleet Lord Fisher (president), Sir Joseph Thompson (presi-
dent of the Royal Society), Sir Charles Parsons, F.R.S., Sir
George Beilby, F.R.S., and Vice-Admiral Sir Richard
Peirse, with the heads of the technical departments of the
Admiralty as ex-officio members, and a consulting panel of
14 members—namely, Prof. H. B. Baker, F.R.S., Prof.
Bragg, F.R.S., Prof. H. C. FI. Carpenter, Dr. Dugald
Clerk, F.R.S., Sir William Crookes, F.R.S., Mr, W.
Duddell, F.R.S., Prof. Frankland, F.R.S., Prof. Bertram
Hopkinson, F.R.S., Sir Oliver Lodge, F.R.S., Sir Ernest
Rutherford, F.R.S., Mr. Gerald Stoney, F.R.S., Prof.
R. J. Strutt, F.R.S., and Mr. Richard Threlfall, F.R.S.,
Twelve sub-committees work under the Board,