86 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN January 11, 1918. THE FREIGHT MARKET. There is only the latter-day usual meagre list of fixtures to report in the outward freight market this week, the shortage of tonnage preventing the transaction of much urgent business. On the north-east coast, Swedish busi- ness again commanded the special attention of the market. Gothenburg has been done, for Tyne loading, at from 180 kr. to 1824, kr., and Stockholm at 195 kr.—rates which show little change on the week, but indicate a slight softening for the former port and a slight hardening for the latter. In other unrestricted directions, there has been literally nothing doing. Coasting rates have unavailingly advanced to 21s. 6d. to London. The Portuguese ports remain at the increase of 15s. reported last week, making Lisbon 115s., and Oporto 125s. The Spanish Atlantic is firm, at 180s. to Bilbao or Santander. The coaling stations are steady, at 100s. to Gibraltar and 200s. to Port Said. The Spanish Mediterranean continues represented by 300s. to Barcelona. At South Wales, most of the business has been, as per recent usual, for French Atlantic ports at scheduled figures. Dakar has been twice done, however, once at 85s. and again at 90s. Gibraltar has been twice fixed for at the even century of shillings. A 2,000-ton steamer has been taken up for Huelva at a rate not divulged. Several small vessels have been taken up for Irish ports, at 22s. to Dublin and from 25s. to 27s. 6d. to Cork. Homewards, there is a revival of enquiry at the River Plate, but the rates on offer are too low to attract ship owners. Buenos Ayres to the United Kingdom is quoted at 220s. At the United States, coal'freights from Virginia to the River Plate are steady. On Committee account for heavy grain cargoes, the Northern Range to the United Kingdom or French Atlantic is steady, at 50s., with 75s. quoted for West Italian discharge. On net form, the Northern Range is quoted at 260s. to France, and 360s. to West Italy. At the Far East, Haiphong-Saigoli to France with rice is firm, at 500s., but business is dull by reason of failure to get boats in position. Madras Coast to Mar- seilles with kernels continues to be done at 550s. Bombay to West Italy on d.w. basis is unaltered, at 400s. Kurra- chee to the United Kingdom on scale is unchanged, at 250s. Mediterranean and Bay ore ports are steady. Tyne to Gothenburg, 2,500, 180 kr.; 2,100, 182^ kr., option Stockholm, 195 kr.; North French Range, 700, 46s., coke; Rouen, 1,200, 74s. 3d., coke, neutral; Stockholm, 1,850, 195 kr.; and Treport, 140, 65s., pitch. Cardiff to Bordeaux, 2,000 and 2,500, 69s., neutral; Caen, 950, 48s., neutral; Dakar, 1,250, 85s., Allied; 2,000, 90s., neutral; Gibraltar, 1,700 and 3,000, 100s.; Havre, 1,150, 1,200, 1,250, 1,300, and 1,500, 22s. 6d., Allied; 1,250 and 1,300, 45s. 9d., neutral; Huelva, 2,000, p.t., Allied; and Rouen, 1,300 and 1,400, 48s. 9d., neutral. Swansea to Caen, 1,200, 1,400, and 1,450, 46s. 6d., neutral; Dublin, 300 and 400, 22s.; Havre, 1,300, 45s. 9d., neutral; and Rouen, 1,500 and 1,450, 48s. 9d., neutral; and 2,150, 24s. 6d., Allied. Cardiff, Penarth, or Barry to Havre, 1,300, 22s. 6d., Allied. Neath Abbey to Cork, 550, 25s.; and 600, 27s.. 6d. Later,.—Since the above was written, the following addi- tional fixtures haye been reported :— Tyne to London, 1,100 and 1,600, 21s.; and Stockholm, 2,400, 195 kr. Cardiff to Caen, 600, 48s., neutral; Cherbourg, 1,835, 47s. 3d., neutral; and Rouen, 1,500, 48s. 9d., neutral. Swansea to Havre, 900, 47s. 3d., neutral; and Rouen, 1,500, 48s. 9d., neutral. OBITUARY. Mr. John Tate, of Backworth, whose death is announced, was for 58 years an employee of the Backworth Coal Com- pany Limited, and for 37 years a trustee of the Northum- berland Colliery Enginemen’s and Firemen’s Protection Association. The death is announced of Mr. Richard Cole, for many years manager of Walker Colliery, a position he relin- quished some considerable time ago. . The death is announced of Mr. W. A. Jones, who for many years was sales agent at Cardiff for the Bute Collieries. He had been 34 years in the service of the Marquis of Bute, and was w’ell known and much esteemed on the Coal Exchange. Beside representing the Bute Merthyr and other collieries, he had been in partnership with Mr. H. C. Jones as colliery agent. He was 57 years of age, and death was the result of pneumonia. Mr. T. E. Heath, who died at Tenby, aged 69, was a partner in the Star Patent Fuel Works at Cardiff, and held a seat on the directorate till his death, although of recent years he had not taken an active part in its management. CATALOGUES AND PRICE LISTS RECEIVED. W. A. Walber and Company (38, Victoria-street, West- minster).—A new catalogue illustrates and describes the Vilvalle heavy duty sawing machines, which are differen- tiated in some important particulars from the normal type of hack-sawing machines. The method employed on the Vilvalle consists of a brake band passing round a large drum on the saw grind. A constant tension is kept on the band by a horizontal lever (weighted), and the band tightened by a cam, which operates on the return stroke, and lifts the frame slightly. The manufacturers claim a great superiority in results. Broom and Wade Limited (High Wycombe).—A neat pamphlet, printed in green ink, recapitulates in readable form some of the main arguments derived from the success- ful use of anti-friction bearings. The substitution of roll- ing action for sliding action presents many points of differ- ence—degrees of adaptability, adjustability, flexibility, and alignment are only some of the instances—as to make a comparison interesting, no matter on which side one’s pre- ference may lie. The keynote of the matter may be found in the undoubted popularity of the Hyatt roller bearings, which form an important department of Messrs. Broom and Wade’s business. Swedish Association off Coal Importers.—The Journal of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the United Kingdom is informed that importers of British coals into Sweden have formed an association, under the name of ‘ ‘ Forejiingen Engelsk Koiimport,” for the purpose of protecting the interests of such importers, to exercise control in relation to such imports, and the re-sale of them in Sweden in con- formity with the statutes and regulations now in force. 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 off Contracts Open. Gosport, January 15. — 50 tons of Tredegar or equal steam coal for the Al verstoke Guardians. Forms from the clerk, High-street, Gosport. Plymouth, January 14.—Coal and coke (12 months) for the Corporation. Forms (£1) from the borough engineer, Municipal Offices. Sleaford, January 25.—250 tons of best hard steam coal (six months) for the Urban District Council. Particulars from the clerk, 27, Carre-street, Sleaford. The date given is the latest upon which tenders can be received. CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON AND STEEL WORK, Ac. Chelmsford, January 16. — Tar. — Refined tar (12 • months) in barrels, delivered free at station, for the Town Council. Price per gallon to Municipal Offices, Chelms- ford. Hampstead, January 17.—Pitch, tar, etc.—Pitch, tar, creosote oil, iron castings, etc., for the Hampstead Borough Council. Forms from the town clerk. » Madrid, March 22.—Railway.—Secondary railway from Villaodrid to Villafranca del Bierzo. Estimated cost, 51,165,079 pesetas. Tenders to Direccion-General de Obras Publicas, Ministerio de Fomento, Madrid. Plymouth, January 14.— Materials.—Iron, steel, car- bolic powder, lubricating oils, tar, pitch, creosote, etc. (12 months) for the Corporation. Forms from the borough engineer, Municipal Offices. COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES. REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS. Canadian Explosives Limited.— A dividend of .If per cent, has been declared on the 7 per cent, cumulative pre- ferred shares for the quarter ended December 31, 1917, payable January 15 to shareholders registered December 31 last. Underfeed Stoker Company Limited.—The directors have declared an interim dividend at the rate of 5 per cent., less tax, for the year ended 1917. NEW COMPANIES. American International Steel Corporation Limited.— Private company. Registered office, 26, Victoria-street, Westminster. Registered December 29. Nature of busi- ness indicated by title. Nominal capital, £10,000 in £1 shares. Subscribers: J. G. Forbes and H. Knin. Ashby (H. R.) and Company Limited. — Private com- pany. Registered office, Welton Chambers, Jameson-street, Kingston-upon-Hull. Registered January 1. To carry on the businesses of coal exporters, coal and colliery agents and merchants, etc. Nominal capital, £5,000 in £1 shares. Directors : H. R. Ashby and H. Ealand. Bentinck (A.) and Company Limited.—Private company. Registered December 27. To carry on all or any of the businesses of engineers, etc. Nominal capital, £2,100 in £1 shares. Director, B. Coathupe (West Kensington). Qualification, £100. British Expert Engineers and Precision Tool Manufac- turers Limited.—Private company. Registered office, 32, Cross-street, Islington. Registered December 21. Nature of business indicated by title. Nominal capital, £4,000 in I, 400 £1 preference shares, 390 £5 ordinary shares, and five £25 founders’ shares. Directors : E. A. Boynton and F. C. Dowsett. Qualification, £100. Coombs Wood Collieries Limited.—Private company. Registered December 31. Nature of business indicated by title. Nominal capital, £100,000 in £1 shares. Sub- scribers : W. H. Baker and R. A. Eaton. Hills Estate Limited. — Private company. Registered office, 5, Edmund-street, Birmingham. Registered December 28. To carry on business as miners for coal, storekeepers, mechanical engineers, builders, etc. Nominal capital, £7,000 in £1 shares. Directors : J. White and J. Ward. McLean (William) Limited.—Private company. Regis- tered office, 14, Stirling Chambers, Campo-lane, Sheffield. Registered December 31. To carry on all or any of the businesses of merchants and manufacturers of steel, steel alloys, iron, and other metals, etc. Nominal capital, £25,000 in £1 shares. Directors : W. McLean and Edith Winifred McLean. Qualification, 100 ordinary shares. Witchell and Company Limited. — Private company. Registered office, Endwell Works, Endwell-road, Brockley. Registered December 27. To acquire and take over as a going concern and carry on the business of engineers and metal workers. Nominal capital, £5,000 in £1 shares. Directors: A. E. Wall, J. T. Jenners, AV. E. Morum, and A. P. Witchell. Qualification, £300. 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. Institution off Petroleum Technologists. — A meeting of the institution will be held on Tuesday, January 15, com- mencing at 8 p.m., in the house of the Royal Society of Arts, John-street, Adelphi, London. A paper on “ The Petroleum Industry of Roumania,” by Capt. T. S. Masterson, will be read. Hull Coal Trade. — The imports of coal from various collieries into Hull during December amounted to 172,354 tons (157,153 tons by rail and 15,201 tons by river), com- pared with 219,913 tons in December 1916. The total for the nine months, 2,812,356 tons, showed a falling-off com- pared with the 3,290,281 tons a year ago. Coal Shortage in Canada.—Cabled messages this week state that the roal shortage in Canada is causing extra- ordinary conditions. Some of the country districts are absolutely without fuel, and stringent action has been taken by the Fuel Controller, who has ordered the seizure of stocks and their equal distribution at fixed prices. The railways are co-operating, and will facilitate the transport- ation of coal. In some places fruit and shade trees have been cut down by the thousands in order to supply fuel. The weather has now moderated somewhat. Conditions in Canada are worse this winter than ever before known. ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS RECENTLY ACCEPTED. 101962. Improvements in Pulverising Mills. The Ray- mond Brothers Impact Pulverizer Company, 1315, North Branch-street, Chicago, U.S.A.—This invention relates to pulverising apparatus of the type in which the material is reduced by means of an impact element revolving at a high rate of speed, and is discharged from the pulverising chamber while in suspension in the air. In the drawings, fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine, showing certain parts removed and others in section; fig. 3 is a side eleva- tion of the impact element, showing the shaft in section ; fig. 4 is a detail view, in perspective, illustrating a modified form of impact element. The material to be treated is placed in hopper 26, and is fed in regulated quantities by feeding device 27 into the feed passageway 28, and thence through opening 29 into the pulverising chamber. It is there acted upon by the beaters 38 of the impact element 10, and reduced to the desired degree of fineness. The revolution of the impact element creates a whirling move- ment in the air and suspended particles which thrusts the particles by impact and centrifugal force against the bounding surface 41 of the pulverising chamber. The fan exerts a constant pull on the material longitudinally of the chamber, and the combination of these two forces pro- duces a spiral movement of the particles which travel for- wardly through the pulverising chamber in a film or stratum close to the inner surface of the chamber and its discharge throat. As the longitudinal component of the force exerted against the material is greater in proportion to the radial component, in the case of smaller particles than in the case of larger particles, the smaller particles are drawn little by little from the peripheral stratum by the air current generated by the fan, and are discharged from the mill through the fan chamber. The regulator, by revolving at a high speed within the conical surface 43, which diminishes in diameter in the direction toward the discharge opening, produces a counterforce against the peripheral film of outflowing material which retards the outward movement of such material. The outflow of the .J7 x—Wj >4 x - material is also retarded by the wall 44 between the dis- charge throat and the fan chamber. The retardation of the peripheral film in the discharge throat results neces- sarily in a retardation of the material all the way along the wall of the chamber. Hence the particles are kept for a longer time in the region of the beaters than would be the case if the regulator were absent. The degree of fineness to which the pulverisation is carried may be varied by the adjustment of the regulator on shaft 12. When the regu- lator is moved toward the pulverising element, the distance between the ends of arms 47 and the conical surface 43 is increased so that a larger amount of air can escape through this portion of the discharge opening. By giving the regulator a position as near to the discharge opening as possible, in which case the extremities of the arms will work close to the wall of the discharge throat, the material will be reduced to an extreme degree of fineness. The inner ends of the arms 47 necessarily revolve at a low velo- city, so that the counterforce which is exerted in this region against the air and suspended particles is comparatively slight. What may be considered as the pulverising cham- ber proper, that is, the portion of the chamber adjacent the feed opening, is preferably bounded by two conical surfaces, as shown, the first one, surface 41, flaring toward the discharge end of the mill, and the second one, surface 42, converging in this direction. The flaring of surface 41 increases the rapidity of movement of the material which is desirable in order to keep the material feeding into the mill. The convergence of surface 42 has exactly the oppo- site effect, and operates to slow down the movement of the material, and hold the same within the region in which it is acted upon by the pulverising element. Therefore, where fineness and uniformity are not essentia], the desider- atum being maximum capacity, the regulator may be adjusted far enough in the direction toward the impact element, so that its effect will be reduced to a minimum. (Six claims.) 108306. Improvements in Doors for Coke Ovens. H. Koppers, 29, Moltkestrasse, Essen-Ruhr, Germany. — By the present invention the advantages of existing types of door are obtained, whilst removing their drawbacks. This is accomplished by shaping the border of the oven opening and the margin of the door is such manner that the borders at both sides and at the bottom of the opening lie in a front vertical plane, whilst the top border of the opening lies in a plane at the rear of the front plane. The door for closing the opening is shaped accordingly, having the side and bottom margins of its back (from which a fire- proof middle portion protrudes as in the case of the stopper door) arranged in a plane corresponding to that of the side and bottom borders of the oven opening, whilst its top margin is in a rear plane flush with the inner surface of the projecting middle portion, and abuts against the top border of the opening. With a door constructed according to this plan, the opening of the oven may be cleared by simply tearing the door from its place and pulling it upwards like a sliding shutter. Fig. 1 represents a vertical sectional view ; fig. 3, a cross section of the door with adjoining portions of the oven ; fig. 4 shows in elevation the peculiar shape of the gastight joint between the margin of