602

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

March 22, 1918.

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

At Ebbw Vale there was a one-day stoppage of several
thousands of wen last week arising out of a dispute as to
surface men at the Waunllwyd Colliery. The men had
been paid on tonnage, but, because the output has declined
since war broke out, they desired an increase in the rate. A
mass meeting decided upon resumption and that a deputa-
tion should be appointed to wait upon the management.

From March 14 the rates of payment for pitwood workers
at the “Bristol Channel ports have been fixed at 60 per cent,
above pre-war rates. This is the decision after inquiry by
a representative of the Ministry of Labour, and an agree-
ment on that basis has been arrived at—it being further
arranged that a Central Wages Conciliation Board shall be
established within the next month, so that all questions
arising in connection with casual dock labour, other than
coal, may be promptly disposed of.

The monthly meeting of the Rhymney Valley miners took
place at Bargoed on Saturday, and the men’s agent stated
that arbitrators have had several sittings, in order to deal
with the price list of the Britannia Colliery. Thus far the
progress is satisfactory, and, in his opinion, a settlement is
in sight. Investigation was also proceeding in order to fix
the price list for the Big vein at Bargoed. With regard to
the calling up of men from the mines, some hundreds in the
district had received their papers, and he suggested that
they should all be advised to bring them to the office, so
that he, with the sub-agent and the secretary, might decide
what was best to be done.

North of England.

The members of the Hamsterley Lodge of the Durham
Miners’ Association have handed in notices to cease work
from this week-end, because of dissatisfaction with the
class of house coal with which they are being supplied,

At a meeting of the Durham Coal Trade Conciliation
Board, held at Newcastle on Monday, a resolution was
adopted expressing the very deepest regret at the death
of Mr. Simon Tate, who had rendered valuable services to
the mining industry. The meeting proceeded further to
consider the miners’ proposals with reference to the
reorganisation of the Board and the increase in the basis
rate of wages by 50 per cent. Although the meeting
adjourned for a fortnight without any settlement having
been come to, it was stated that considerable, progress
towards an agreement was arrived at.

Scotland.

At Calderbank Colliery, Monkland, Lanarkshire, the men
have been on strike for the past two or three weeks owing
to alleged unfair treatment of one of their number. It has
now been agreed to have the matter decided by arbitration.

At Niddrie Colliery, in the Lothians, last Saturday, the
miners turned up to a man, although it was the idle day.
There was anxiety on the part of the management to
expedite the output of an urgent order for coal, and the
co-operation shown by the men was much appreciated.

At Banknock Colliery, Stirlingshire, a dispute has cropped
up in reference to the tonnage rates in one of the sections.
Arbitration has not yet been agreed upon.

At a meeting of the Fife, Kinross and Clackmannan
Miners’ Association, a request by the men employed at
Raith Colliery (Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company Limited)
for permission to lodge notices as a protest against the
method of weighing at the colliery was considered. The
board directed that unless the dispute was amicably settled
within a reasonable time, the men should be empowered to
lodge notices.

At a meeting of the Scottish Colliery Enginemen’s Asso-
ciation, it was agreed that federation with the National
Union of Mine Workers conld not take place on the basis
offered by that body.

At the monthly conference of Lothian miners it was
intimated that 90 per cent, of the mine workers were
obtaining 10 to 11 days per fortnight. There were large
orders on hand at most of the collieries for the requirements
of manufacturers.

COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES.

REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS.

Baldwins . Limited.—The directors have declared an
interim dividend of 2^ per cent., free of tax, on the
ordinary shares for the half year ended December 31 last.

British Insulated and Helsby Cables Limited.—Subject
to the sanction of the Treasury being obtained, and* to
the approval of the shareholders, the directors intend to
capitalise £500,000 of the reserve, now to be raised to
£600,000, in the proportion of one new fully-paid ordinary
share to the holder of each ordinary share. The ordinary
capital will thus be raised from £500,000 to £1,000,000.

Dunlop Rubber Company Limited.—The directors
announce the payment on April 8, 1918, of an interim
dividend of Is. 9d. per share on the ordinary shares for
the half-year ended February 28, 1918, being at the rate
of 171, per cent, per anum.

Fletcher, Russell and Company Limited.—The report for
the year ended December 31 last states that, including
£5,814 brought forward, profit amounted to £24,728.
The directors place £5,457 to reserve, and recommend a
dividend of 5 per cent., together with a bonus of 5 per
cent., on the ordinary shares for the year, carrying for-
ward £6,271.	'

Fraser and Chalmers Limited.—The directors announce
that negotiations have been practically completed for the
sale of the Erith Works to the General Electric Company.
The sale will include the goodwill of the manufacturing
business, including the construction of turbines, dry gas
cleaning plant, and plant for the storage and handling
of coal and ores. Fraser and Chalmers will retain the
goodwill of their business in mining, milling and metallur-
gical machinery, with the manufacturing rights. Negotia-
tions are in progress with the purchasers for the execution
of new orders for mining machinery.

Graham’s Navigation Collieries Company Limited.—
Profits for the past year were £20,755. A final dividend
of 10 per cent, is proposed, making 15 per cent, for the
12 months, and carrying forward £17,395.

Muntz’s Metal Company Limited.—The report for the
year 1917 states that the usual accounts and balance sheet
cannot be presented, as several points in connection with
excess profits levy are still unsettled. The directors
recommend a dividend of 10 per cent, on the ordinary
shares, less tax. The £5 shares, both preference and
ordinary, are to be split into £1 shares.

Powell Duffryn Steam Coal Company Limited.—The
directors recommend that the capital be increased from

£1,835,782 to £2,394,376 by the creation of 558,594 ordinary
shares of £1 each, and that a dividend of 6s. 8d. per share
on each of the ordinary shares be declared, to be satisfied
by allotting one £1 ordinary share for every three similar
shares now held.

Redpath Brown and Company Limited.—The directors
recommend for the year to October 31, 1916, a dividend
of 8 per cent, on the ordinary shares, free of tax (oi
which 5 per cent, was paid in June 1916), and a bonus
of 12 per cent., free of tax. It is further proposed to
capitalise £75,000, part of undivided profits, and distribute
it among ordinary shareholders as bonus, at the rate of
£3 for each seven ordinary shares of £1 each.

Rivet, Bolt and Nut Company Limited.—The directors
announce a dividend of 6 per cent., together with a bonus
of 8 per cent.

Robey and Company Limited.—The report for the year
ended December 31 last, states that trading account shows
a profit of £65,120, and after writing off £15.417 for
depreciation and other charges, there is a balance of
£41,507. This, with the amount brought forward, makes
£56,628 available for division. The directors recommend
dividends of 7 per cent., less tax. on the ordinary and
preference shares, and carry £35,943 forward.

Scottish Iron and Steel Company Limited.—The directors
announce a. dividend of 6 per cent, for the year.

Sir William Arrol and Company Limited.—The report
for 1917 states that the profit, with the amount brought
forward and transfer fees, less provision for excess profits
duty and special taxation for 1915, 1916 and 1917, is
£61,572. The directors propose to place to depreciation
fund £15,000, to fund for equalising dividends £10,000.
and to pay a dividend of 10 per cent, on ordinary shares,
free of tax, carrying forward £10,109.

Tweefontein Colliery Limited.—The report for the year
ended December 31 states that gross profit amounts to
£38,068, and after deducting London charges, excess
profits tax for 1915 and 1916, and South African income
and dividend taxes, amounting to £11,636, there remains
£26,431, plus £18,189 brought in. The directors recom-
mend a further dividend at the rate of 4 per cent, on
the cumulative preference and participating shares, and
a final dividend of 19 per cent, on the ordinary shares,
making for the year 10 per cent, (the maximum) and
25 per cent, respectively. This will leave £22,121 to be
carried forward, subject to excess profits duty for 1917.
During the year the sales of coal were 444,115 tons, against
436,898 tons. Capital expenditure during the year for
lidditional plant and building was £18,462.

United Collieries Limited.—Profit for year to December
31, £144,551. The directors appropriate £20,000 towards
capital expenditure. Debentures amounting to £185,250
have been redeemed, and the year’s interest on first
debentures “ A ” and “ B ” paid.

United National Collieries Company Limited___The net

profits for the past year were £170,821, and £64,140 was
brought forward. A final dividend of 2s. per share is
proposed on the ordinary shares, making 25 per cent,
for the 12 months, free of income tax, and carry-
ing forward £67,606. The net profits for 1916 were
£320,221, and for 1915, £299,520. The ordinary shares
received 25 per cent, for each period, and £100,000 was
reserved on both occasions.

Vulcan Foundry Company Limited.—A meeting has
been convened for March to consider a resolution that
£40,796 of the reserve fund be distributed as a bonus
among ordinary shareholders, by the issue of 40,796
ordinary shares fully paid.

Waste Heat and Gas Electrical Generating Stations
Limited.—The directors, submitting the balance sheet of
the company as at January 31, 1918, state that the profits
earned by the company during the year, after deducting
administration expenses, amount to £40,730, less an
amount which the directors have transferred to the credit
of reserve account, £12,000, leaving £28,730. The balance
brought forward from the previous year was £19,910, from
which must be deducted the amount voted to war relief
funds at the last annual meeting, £500, leaving £19,410.
The profits available are £48,141. The directors recom-
mend (a) that there be transferred to experimental expense
account an amount of £5,000; (6) that a dividend be
declared at the rate of 8 per cent, for the year (of this
an interim dividend of 24, per cent, was paid) leaving a
balance to be carried forward of £17,541.

Western Wagon and Property Company Limited.—The
report for 1917 shows an available balance of £18,318;
£426 was brought forward, making £18,734. The directors
recommend a final dividend at the rate of 10 per cent,
per annum (less tax), making 10 per cent, for the year,
and to carry forward £475. Warrants will be posted
26th instant.

Yorkshire Engine Company Limited.—The report for
the year ended December 31 last states that profit
amounted to £16,516. Debenture interest and bank
charges absorb £1,266. leaving £15,250, from which, after
deducting the deficit remaining at December 1916, £10,661.
there remains £4,589 (subject to any excess profits duty),
which the directors recommend should be carried forward.
The 1916 profit was £11,415. Debenture interest and bank
charges absorbed £1,646. and there remained in reduction
of the debit balance £9.769. The profit for 1915 was
£1,495.

NEW COMPANIES.

Bryngwyn Colliery Company Limited.—Private com
pany. Registered March 9. To carry on the business
of colliery and mine owners, etc. Nominal capital.
£15,000 in 15.000 £1 shares. Director: G. H. Cound.
Qualication of directors, £500.

East Barnsley Colliery Company Limited. -Private
company. Registered office. East Barnsley Colliery.
Smithies, Barnsley. Registered March 12. To carry on
the business of colliery proprietors, etc. Nominal capital.
£10,000 in 10,000 £1 shares. Directors : W. H. Bacon,
-I. F. Longbottom. H. Shaw. Qualification of directors,
100 shares.

James, Llewellyn and Merrett Limited.—Private com
pany. Registered March 11. To carry on the business
of colliery owners, coal and coke and fuel mediants and
factors, etc. Nominal capital, £100,000 in £] shares.
Directors: C. E. M. James. D. A. Llewellyn, H. H.
Merrett. Qualification of directors, one share.

Powdered Fuel Plant Company Limited. Private com
pany. Registered March 13. To carry on the business
of engineers, etc. Nominal capital. £8.000 in £1 shares.
Director: J. S. Atkinson. Qualification of directors, £1.

Redheugh Iron and Steel Company Limited.—Private
company. Registered March 11. To carry on the busi-
ness of iron masters, steel manufacturers and engineers,

etc. Nominal capital, £60,000 in £1 shares. Directors:
D. S. Davies, J. Gardner. Qualification of directors, £1.

This list of new companies is taken from the Daily
Register specially compiled by Messrs. Jordan and Sons
Limited, company registration agents, Chancery-]ane, E.C.

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

Exceedingly little business is to be recorded in the out-
ward freight market this week. At the north-east coast,
fortunately, the collieries are, comparatively speaking, well
employed, owing to the goodness of the official demand for
tonnage - a request accompanied by the provision of the
requisite cargo space. Apart from this happy circumstance,
however, shipping movements are deadly dull. Up to the
time of writing only four fixtures have been arranged—one
for Calais at the scheduled rate, two for Gothenburg and
one for Stockholm. Gothenburg has been fixed for at from
155 kr. to 160 kr„ as compared with 155 kr. last week.
Stockholm has been done at 175 kr. as against 162| kr.
Swedish rates are distinctly on the up-grade, because of
tonnage scarcity. Rates in all other directions are firmly
maintained at recent figures At South Wales the French
Atlantic has, as per usual, monopolised most of the business.
The only business for other destinations is the taking up of
tonnage for Gibraltar at the old rate of 100s. and the
fixture of a 9,000-ton vessel for Monte Video at 120s.—the
same rate as ruled last week. There is a considerable
enquiry for tonnage for all directions, French Atlantic
predominating, and maximum rates are readily obtainable,
but business is checked by shipping shortage. It is
interesting to note that a 3,000-ton steamer has been taken
up for Clyde loading to Barcelona at 420s., and that
Gothenburg has been done from Methil at 165 kr.

There is only a very small enquiry from the River Plate
for tonnage for United Kingdom discharge, and the rate
remains at about 200s. At the United States, coal freights
are steady at 125s. from Virginia to the Plate Rates for
heavy grain from Northern Range to European ports has
undergone no alteration. Net form tonnage is in good
demand for discharge at Allied ports in this hemisphere at
fully firm rates for Northern Range loading, with 30s. extra
quoted for Gulf despatch. The enquiry from the Far East
shows some shrinkage, but rates have not retrogressed.
Australia is quiet on the basis of 300s. t > United Kingdom
for neutral tonnage. Mediterranean and Bay ore ports
quote fully late rates of tonnage for United Kingdom
discharge.

Tyne to Calais, 300, 55s., coke; Gothenburg, 2,500,155 kr.;
2,700, 160 kr.; and Stockholm, 2,000, 175 kr.

Cardiff to Bordeaux, 2,000 and 2,500, 69s., neutral; Caen,
1,200 and 1,400, 46s. 6d, neutral; 700 and 900, 48s., neutral;
Gibraltar, 3,500 and 3,700,100s.; Monte Video, 9,0C0, 120s. ;
and Rouen, 1,300 and 1,600, 48s. 9d., neutral; and 1,600,
73s. 3d., coke.

Swansea to Rouen, 1,200, 1,400, 1,450 and 1,500, 48s. 9d.,
neutral.

Glasgow to Barcelona, 3,000, 420s.

Methil to Gothenburg, 1,500,165 kr.

Later.—The following additional fixtures have been
arranged: —

Tyne to Monte Video, 4,500, 120s.; and Stockholm
2,350, 175 kr.

Cardiff to Birkenhead, 300, 14s., f.d. ; 500, 13s., f.d.;
Granville, 1,100, 46s. 6d., neutral; Huelva, 5,000, 120s.;
La Rochelle 80 and 85, 130s., sail; and Nantes, 2,500,
6 Is. 6d., neutral.

Swansea to Havre, 1,500, 45s. 9d., neutral.

Middlesbrough to Bilbao, 2,800. 300s.

Hartlepool to Gibraltar, 2,400, 100s.

OBITUARY.

Mr. Hugh Latimer, manager of the West Beechburn
Colliery, of the West Beechburn Coal and Whinstone Co.,
Limited, Howden-le-Wear, died last week. Mr. Latimer, who
was the son of the late Mr. Joseph Latimer, was for many
years in the service of Messrs. Pease and Partners, Ltd.,
first at Eldon Colliery and afterwards as manager at St.
Helen’s Colliery, Bishop Auckland.

Mr. Simon Tate, mining engineer, who died on Sunday
last at his residence. The Grange, Trimdon Grange, in his
69th year, was agent for the Dunston Garesfield Collieries,
Ltd., the owners of Hamsteels Collieries, and Messrs. Walter
Scott Limited, and a director of the Cairn line of steamships,
Ltd. He was one of the best known-members of the North
of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers
and one of the most frequent contributors to the Tran^a -
tions of that organisation. He leaves a widow, two sons
and two daughters.

The death is announced of Mr. Edward Charlton, formerly
manager of the now closed-down Norwood Colliery in the
Evenwood district.

Mr. W. Cannon, who has been for many years past a most
regular attendant on the London Coal Exchange and the
representative of the West Cannock Colliery Co., died this
week at the ripe age of 92 years.

Workmen's Compensation; Industrial Diseases.—The
Home Secretary has issued an Order (287/1918) dated
February 26, 1918, extending the provisions of Section 8
of the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1906, to certain other
diseases, including dermatitis produced by dust or
liquids*; ulceration of the skin produced by dust or
liquids*; ulceration of the mucous membrane of the nose
or mouth produced by dust*; epitheliomatous cancer or
ulceration of the skin or of the corneal surface of the eye,
due to tar, pitch, bitumen, mineral oil or paraffin, or any
compound, product or residue of any of these substances ;
the disease known as miner’s nystagmus, whether occur-
ring in miners or others, and whether the symptom cf
oscillation of the eyeballs be present or not; subcutaneous
cellulitis of the hand (beat hand), or over the patella
(miner’s beat knee) ; acute bursitis over the elbow (miner's
beat elbow); inflammation of the synovial lining of the
wrist joint and tendon sheaths.

* A person suffering from any of these diseases shall
not be entitled to compensation under section 8 on account
of the said disease if he is disabled only for employment
in the particular process in which the disease has been
contracted.