April 26, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 857 METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE. Mean Magnetic Declination at Kew Observatory, Richmond, in Degrees and Minutes, for each Two-hour Interval in the Week April 14 to 20, 1918. Magnetic character. Intervals—Hours G.M.T. 0h.-2h. 14° + 2h.-4h. ' 14° + 4h.-6h. 14° + 6h.-8h. 14° + 8h.-10h 14° + 10h.-12h. 14° + 12h.-14h. h°+ 14h.-16h. 14° + ! 16h.-18h. 14° + 18h.-20h. 14° + 20h.-22h. 14° + ; 2211.-2Ih. 14° + Mean for day. 14° + Sun., April H 0 Min. 52’5 Min. 52*0 Min. 51*5 Miu. 50*0 Miu. 48*5 Min. 53*5 Min. 57*0 Min. 55*5 Min. 53*5 Min 52*5 Min. 52*5 Min. i 52*5 . Min 52*5 Mon., ,, 15 0 52’5 53*5 49*5 47*5 48*0 55*0 60*5 59’u .55*0 53*5 53*0 : 52*0 i 53*5 Tues., „ 16 0 51’5 51*0 50*5 i 48*5 47*5 52*0 57*5 5b*5 53*0 52*5 ! 51*5 52*0 ! 52*0 Wed., 17 1 52*0 51*5 50*0 ' 48*0 46*5 51*5 56*5 56*0 53*0 52*5 i 50*5 45*5 : 51*0 Thurs., „ 18 2 44*0 46*0 48*0 47*0 48*5 1 53*0 60*0 61*0 57*5 54* 5 50*0* 45*5* ; 51’5 Friday, „ 19 2 44*0* 47*5* 54*0* ‘ 53*0 51*0 I 57*5 60*5 56*5 53*0 50*0 51*0 52*0 52*5 Sat., ,, : 20 0 52*0 50*5 i 49*5 48*0 47*0 <52*0 55*5 54*5 i 53*0 i I 52*0 51*5 51*0 | 51*5 Diurnal ine- quality (i.e., Apl. 1917 Ih. 2h. -0*3 -0*5 3h. 4h. -0*7 -1*0 5h. 6h. -1*7 -2*9 7h. 8h. -4*3 -5*9 9h. lOh. -5*7 -V4 Uh. 12h. + 0*3 +3*7 13h. Uh. + 6*0 +6*1 15h. 16h. + 4*5 +2*6 17h. 18h. + 1*3 +U*4 19h. 20h. + 0*3 +0*5 21h. 22h. + 0 4 +0*1 23h. 24h. + 0*2 -0*1 Mean value for month. 15° 1'* 3 April ’17 departure from Mar. 1918 -1*0 -1*0 -1*1 -1*4 -1*6 -2*2 —3*7 -5*0 -4*6 -2*2 + 2*5 +6*2 + 7’8 +7*4 + 5*4 +3*1 + 0*9 -0*2 -1*1 -1*8 -1*9 -1*9 -1*4 -1*2 l4°53,*6Mar.’18 mean value for Mar. 1917 -1*1 -1*2 -1*1 -1*0 -1*2 -1*6 -3*2 -4*7 -4*7 -2*7 + 0*8 +4*3 + 6*0 +5*9 + 4*4 +2*8 + 1*5 +0*4 + 0*1 -0*3 -0*5 -0*6 -1*0 -1*2 15° 3'*2 Mar.’17 day) * Large disturbance during this interval. The day is counted from Oh. (midnight) to 24h. (midnight) G.M.T. Character “0” means a day wholly free from any but small disturbances. Character “ 1” means a day part or all of which is moderately or considerably disturbed. Character “2” means a day pirt or all of which is highly disturbed. The normal value for an hour is the mean declination for that hour in the month, derived from quiet days only, or from all days excluding those of character “2.” On a day of character “Q” declination at any hour will usually be within about b' of the normal. On a day of character “ 1” the departure from the normal will usually not exceed 5', but it may occasionally be as much as 10z, or even more. On a day of character (( 2” the departure from the normal will seldom exceed 20', but departures of 30' or even on extreme occasions of 1° or more may occur. The above values are obtained from measurements made after “ smoothing ” the curve. About 400 men engaged in two or three pits and levels of the Hills-Plymouth Colliery Company were given notice on Saturday last terminating contracts, these being about one-fifth of the workmen employed by the company. It has been understood for some time past that the results of the working were not financially satisfactory. A return of considerable interest has been issued by Mr. F. A. Gibson, secretary of the Coalowners’ Associa- tion. It sets forth the number of persons employed, shows the output of coal for five years (1913 to 1917 inclusive), and also gives a comparison between the pre-war and the more recent years, it covers the whole of the coalfields of the country. Whilst the production of the United Kingdom as a whole was in 19i7 as much as 13 per cent, lower than in 1913, the return shows that the differences in the separate coalfields are considerable, being especially heavy in those which, like South Wales, depend mainly upon export. In this district the reduction of output is 15 per cent., but in the north of England it is 26 per cent., and in Scotland, 19 per cent. Northumberland and Durham. Compensation Case—Shot-firer's Offence—Steamer Delays —Colliery Assessments — Miners' Presentation to Hospital. When John Kelly, miner, Auckland Park, applied to Judge Bonsey, for 5s. per week for three years compen- sation in respect of the death of his son John’, who was employed by Messrs. Pease and Partners Limited, at Eldon Colliery, it was stated that the lad had been engaged on the screens. On the day on which the fatality occurred the colliery was not drawing coal, but the moving screen was working as usual. The boy was employed at the belt, and was found dead, entangled amongst the machinery, on the platform of the shafting, where no one but the engine- man had any right to be. His Honour said it was not for him to hazard a suggestion as to how the boy got to the place where he was found. All the evidence showed that he had no duty to perform there. The judge found for the respondent company. Geo. Henderson, who was charged at Lanchester with an infringement of the Mines Act, was stated to have been engaged in shot-firing at the Hedley Pit, South Moor, when his pricker broke. Instead of drilling a new hole, he attempted to extract the broken pricker from the old hole, into which a charge of powder had been placed. A serious explosion resulted, and Henderson was badly burnt upon the’face and body. The magistrates opined that defendant had already been punished, and fined him only 10s. Notice has been given that, in order to avoid delays to steamers desiring discharge at Dieppe and the nearer Channel ports, shippers should submit names to the Exports Committee in the forenoon of each day, at least three days before readiness to load. Attention is also called to the necessity for using the prescribed forms and for duly filling in the names. The annual report of the Assessment Committee of the Bishop Auckland Board of Guardians shows that there has been an increase of ^d. per ton in the value of best coal drawn to bank. The amount of coal drawn during the year is not stated. There has been a reduction in the total ratable value of the district by <£1,642, the present ratable value being <£435,715. The workmen of Twizell Colliery and the officials of Twizell, Alma and Handon Hold collieries have presented Mr. Gilbert Holder with a roll-top desk, on the occasion of his leaving Twizell Colliery, where he has been manager for five years, on his appointment as manager of the Handon Hold and West Pelton collieries, owned by the same firm, Messrs. Jas. Joicey and Company Limited. Mr. Holden, who was formerly manager of Oxhill Colliery, is succeeded at Twizell by Mr. Thos. Adamson, late under- manager of Tanfield Lea Collieries. Judge Bonsey, on Monday, found in favour of Mrs. Stones, of Leamside, in her claim for compensation from the Lambton and Hetton Collieries Limited, in respect of the death of her husband, who was found dead on the ground at his work. A post-mortem examination revealed the fact that he died of a ruptured heart. The question at issue was whether death arose out of his employment. His Honour stated that, in his opinion, the condition of the man’s heart was not such that death would have ensued at that time unless he had been subjected to some considerable strain. He awarded applicant £300. The miners at the Ashington group of collieries have presented the local V.A.D. hospital with a complete X-ray installation and electro-medical apparatus, at a cost of £500, besides giving the commandant, Miss J. Galloway, an inkstand and each of the members of the nursing staff a wallet. Yorkshire. The ratable value of the collieries in the Doncaster area is increasing. At last Saturday’s meeting of the Doncaster Board of Guardians the Union Assessment Committee reported that there are 15 collieries within the Union area, and that the ratable value of these pits is £247,570, as against £243,677 last year, an increase of £3,893. Notts, and Derbyshire. During the last week or two the Nottingham recruiting offices have been besieged by young miners, who, without waiting to be balloted, were anxious to join up. By the end of the month it is expected that the whole of the 2,500 miners required from the pits in Nottinghamshire towards the 50,000 asked for nationally will have been secured. Mr. Charles Bunfield, secretary of the Notts Miners’ Association, has been appointed a Justice of the Peace for the city of Nottingham. Mr. J. P. Houfton, of the Bolsover Colliery Company, in moving the adoption of the report at the half-yearly meeting of the Mansfield Railway Company, stated that the branch railway to Rufford Colliery had been com- pleted, and as soon as the sidings were finished it was hoped to obtain a substantial volume of mineral traffic from that colliery. The necessity for closer co-operation with miners’ organi- sations was emphasised at a meeting of the Notts., Derby- shire, and Midland Counties Colliery Enginemen, Motor- men, and Firemen’s Union, held at Mansfield on Saturday. The principle of co-operation with the larger body met with acceptance, with the qualification that the indivi- duality of the Union is not to be entirely sunk in the process. An addition to the ranks is being rendered pos- sible by the contemplated inclusion of electricians as members of the Union. The Midlands. Birmingham now has before it the details of the scheme for rationing coal, which the Coal Controller proposes to apply to the West Midlands. The scheme includes fuels, gas, and electricity. With the view of sparing industrial consumers as much as possible, the major part of the reduction is placed upon householders. The original intention of a ration of 5| tons per annum for five or six-roomed tenements has been cut down to five tons, the nine tons at first proposed for a seven-roomed dwelling has been dropped to eight tons, and the 10^ tons allowance for a nine or ten-roomed house will be lessened to 10 tons bare. Tenements of only one or two rooms are rationed to 2| tons. Broadly speaking, the reduction on the normal consumption intended varies from a minimum of 25 per . cent, to a maximum of 33| per cent. Kent. From the Tilmanstone and Snowdown collieries last week about 5,500 tons of coal were raised. The amount of its coal area of which the Betteshanger Boring Company is disposing under the agreement men- tioned last week is 5,000 acres, and the company is retain- ing 5,000 acres. The Northern Coal and Iron Company, who have secured this option, have done so, it was stated at the annual meeting of the company by the Hon. Robt. James, on terms which include the payment down in cash of a sum which recoups the Betteshanger Company’s expenditure, and they are to decide within two months of the declaration of peace whether they will develop the colliery. The Betteshanger Company are to receive a ton- nage return on the output of the colliery, which Mr. James stated would be £6,000 a year on a million tons of coal yearly. It was also announced by Mr. James that a satisfactory agreement had been reached with the Ebbsfleet Coal Syndicate, by which the interests of the two com- panies will be entirely distinct, thus giving each a free hand regarding its area. The Betteshanger Company and the Ebbsfleet Company previously had one-third interest in each other’s sea coal area. In recognition of the directors’ services the shareholders voted them £1,000 special remuneration. The committee appointed at the recent adjourned annual meetings of two allied companies of Kent Coal Concessions to report upon financial matters in connection with those companies, has had several meetings, and will probably be making its report within the next few weeks. At Chislet Colliery, near Canterbury, good progress has been made with the sinking of the pits since the resump- tion of the work was sanctioned. Scotland. Scottish Mine Managers' Association—Cage Accident at Bellshill—Ayrshire Miners' Wages—Enlistment of Miners—Coal Rationing in Glasgow. The first annual meeting of the Scottish Mine Managers’ Association was held on Saturday evening in the Christian Institute, Glasgow, Mr. Wm Stevenson, colliery manager, Cleland, presiding. The secretary (Mr. James Black) sub- mitted an abstract of the accounts, which showed that the year closed with a substantial credit balance. The presi- dent maintained that the year’s results demonstrated that the organisation had justified its existence. Attention would have to be directed to the necessity for making provision for the superannuation of colliery managers. If a scheme of superannuation was not carried out, then State pensions similar to those which mines inspectors received ought to be paid. It seemed to him in this con- nection that the mine manager was equally as good an asset to his country as the mines inspector. Then managers ought to hold out for security of tenure, while they ought further to be released from responsibility for a part of the 24 hours of each day. With the advent of coal- cutting machinery most pits, he said, were really double- shifted, and in these advanced times it ought not to be difficult to relieve managers from the performance of what was practically an impossible duty. Satisfactory progress was reported in connection with the negotiations which are proceeding to ensure that every mine manager in Scot- land is paid the war bonus of £75 recommended by the Coal Controller. Mr. Wm. Stevenson was’ re-elected president. Mr. James Black, Shettleston, was reappointed secretary and treasurer, and Mr. Whiteside, of Holytown, vice-president. A cage accident occurred in the Summerlee Iron and Coal Company’s new Orbiston Colliery, Bellshill, last week. Eight men were being wound to the surface when the clutch slipped and the cage was released. Fortunately, it did not fall to the bottom, its descent being arrested by the sides of the shaft. The quick stop caused more or less serious injury to the men, two of whom were removed to the infirmary. A small section of the men in the 9 ft. seam, Grosshill Colliery, Glenbuck, Ayrshire, have been idle for a few days in consequence of failure in adjusting the tonnage rates. A satisfactory compromise has been arranged, and work has now been resumed. The Ayrshire miners have sent a demand to the execu- tive of the National Union of Mine Workers for a substantial increase of wages. Mr. James Tonner, of the Lanarkshire Miners* Union, has been asked to intervene on behalf of the Ayrshire miners iii a dispute which is pending at Galston Colliery. The men complain that the wages paid are below the standard when consideration is paid to the length of the drawing roads. The opinion is being expressed in Fife with regard to the calling to the Colours of young miners that more than the counties’ quota of the 50,000 men *were being called up. The matter is being enquired into. Steps are being taken by the municipal authorities in Glasgow and the local Coal Merchants’ Association with a view to preparing a scheme for the rationing of coal to domestic consumers. Arrangements have been made for holding a conference of parties interested in the ques- tion on April 30, and it is probable that at this meeting a scheme will be drafted which will afterwards be sub- mitted to the* Coal Controller for approval. The coal shipment from Methil for the week shows a heavy decrease, totalling 30,368 tons, as against 46,698 tons in the previous week. At Burntisland an increase was shown, 5,140 tons being shipped, against 3,112 tons in the previous week. Sir Richard Mackie, Leith, has been appointed chairman of the Scottish Coal Exporters’ Association Limited, and has also been appointed the association’s delegate on the Firth of Forth Coal Shipping Trade Joint Committee. Sir D. M. Stevenson, Bart., has been re-elected a director, and Mr. John Crawford is reappointed the representative to the directorate of the Chamber of Commerce. The representatives of the association on the Scottish Com- mittee for the supply of coal to France and Italy were also reappointed. The coal shipments during the past week from the Clyde amounted to 96,078 tons, compared with 94,053 tons for the corresponding period last year. From the Forth the shipments were 20,176 tons, against 19,873 tons a year ago; and from Fife 35,508 tons, against 20,801 tons a year ago. British Mineral Oil.—The Mining Association of Great Britain has appointed Mr. W. G. Phillips, of the Ansley Hall Collieries, to represent it upon the Committee set up by the Institution of Petroleum Technologists to deal with the question of obtaining Navy fuel oil and motor spirit by the distillation of cannel coal and allied mineral substances. English Miners’ Wages.—A meeting of the Workmen’s Section of the Coal Conciliation Board for England and North Wales was held at the Grafton Hotel, London, on Wednesday. Mr. Stephen Walsh, M.P., president, was in the chair. The meeting was occupied with the prepara- tion of the workmen’s proposals for a new wage agreement, and the continuation of the Conciliation Board for a further period of seven years. The new proposals comprise an increase in the present minimum wages which will include the existing war bonuses, the abolition of the maximum percentage and an improved method of ascertaining selling prices at the collieries. It was decided to submit these new proposals to the consideration of the workmen employed in the various districts of the area before open- ing up negotiations with the coalowners for the new agree- ment. The three months’ notice terminating the present agreement will be given as from April 30.