1158 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. June 7, 1918. A Short Note on Types of Induction Motors. J. W. Kirkland. “ JI. S. Afric. Instn. Engin.” XXVIII.—Surface Transport and Storage. Coal Handling Plant in a Limeworks. “ Cheap Steam,” May, p. 33; 4 fig. Aerial Tramway at a Coal Mine. “ Coal Age,” April 13, p. 674 ; 3 fig. Coaling Locomotives on the Norfolk and Western. “ Coal Age,” April 13, p. 678 ; 6 fig. Handling Coal and Ashes in the Boiler House. H. J. Edsall. “ Coal Age,” April 13, p. 694; 6 fig. Benefits of Coal Storage at the Mines. H. H. Stoek. “ Blk. Diamond,” May 4, p. 374; 3 fig. Trent Navigation Improvement. “ Times Eng. Suppt.,” April 26, p. 95 ; 1 fig. A System of Storing and Filling Small Coal, with Remarks upon the Prevention of Spontaneous Heating in Coal Heaps. J. Morison. “ Trans. Inst. Min. Engin.,” Vol. LV., part 1, p. 76 ; 3 fig. Coal Handling Plant at the Saltley Gas Works. G. F. Zimmer. “Eng.,” May 17, p. 541; 22 fig. Electricity in Mining : Cells Employed at Collieries. L. Fokes. “ Sc. and Art. Min.” Is. 6d.; p. 406; 5 fig. New Three-Cylinder Coal Engine, Great Northern Rail- way. “ Ry. Gaz.,” May 31, p. 631; 7 fig. Coal Transport Reorganisation Scheme. “ Colliery Guard.,” p. 1005. American Methods of Unloading Coal from Car and Barge. “Colliery Guard.,” May 24, p. 1045; 6 fig. The Safe Storage of Coal. W. D. Langtry and J. F. Kohout. “ Colliery Guard.,” May 24, p. 1049. (From “ Black Diamond.”) XXIX.—Sanitation, Diseases, etc. Recent Dwelling Construction in Pennsylvania. D. C. Ashmead. “ Coal Age,” April 20, p. 726 ; 12 fig. CONTRACTS OPEN FOR COAL AND COKE. For Contracts Advertised in this issue received too late tor inclusion in this column, see Leader and Last White pages. Abstracts of Contracts Open. Atherton (Lancs), June 12.—6,500 tons screened gas coal or nuts for the U.D. Council. Forms from the clerk, Town Hall. Athlone, June 12.—15,000 tons best screened gas coal for the Council. Forms from the clerk, Town Hall. Basford, June 24.—Coal for the Guardians. Forms from the clerk, Public Offices, Basford. Beccles, June 10.—House coal and gas coke (3 months) for Army use. Forms from the Supply Office, A.S.C., Beccles Station. Brighton, June 14.—Coal for schools. Forms from the Secretary, Education Committee, 54, Old Steyne, Brighton. Cleckheaton, June 15.’—14,000 tons screened gas coal or nuts for Spenborough U.D. Council. Forms from the engineer, gas works, Cleckheaton. Colchester, June 12.—Coal (3, 6 or 12 months) for the Guardians. Forms from the clerk, 57, North-hill, Col- chester. Croydon, June 12.—Coal and coke (12 months) for the Corporation. Forms from the borough engineers, Town Hall, Croydon. Croydon, June 19.—Coal for Guardians. Forms from the clerk, Union Offices, Thornton Heath, Surrey. Derby, June 12-24.—Coal and coke (12 months) for several committees. Forms from the borough surveyor, Babington-lane, Derby. Dungannon, June 13.—280 tons English or Scotch coal. Forms from the clerk, Workhouse. Epping, June 29.—Coal and coke for Epping schools. Forms from H. J. Goodwin, Education Office, High-road, Loughton. Fermoy, June 10.—200 tons best house coal. Tenders to the clerk, Workhouse, Fermoy. Gravesend, June 12.—Coal for the Guardians. Forms from the clerk, 13, Victoria-place, Gravesend. Hull, June 13.—Steam coal (3, 6 or 12 months’ supply) for Sculcoates Union. Forms from the clerk, 12, Harley- street, Hull. Kanturk, June 12.—200 tons best house coal. Forms (Is. each) from the clerk to the Guardians. Kingsclere, June 11.—Best house coal (screened) and hard steam coal (screened) for the Guardians. Forms from the clerk, Kingsclere. Lancaster, July 16.—Slack or nuts (6, 9, or 12 months) for Electricity Committee. Forms from the Electricity Works, Marton-street, Lancaster. London, June 12.—Coal and coke for Holborn Guar- dians Forms from the clerk, 53, Clerkenwell-road, E.C. London, June 24.—Coal and coke (12 months) for Pad- dington Borough Council. Forms from the town clerk. Melton.—Coal and coke for St. Andry’s Hospital. Forms from the clerk, St. Andry’s Hospital, Melton, Suffolk. Portsmouth, June 11.—Coal and coke for the Royal Sailors’ Home. Forms from' the manager. Sevenoaks, June 12.—Coal and coke for the North Iso- lation Hospital. Forms from F. H. Vibert, Bank Chambers, Sevenoaks. Southampton, June 13.—Welsh coal (6 or 12 months).— Forms from the engineer, Waterworks Office, French- street, Southampton. Staines, June 20.—Coal and coke for the Staines Guardians. Forms from the clerk, Ashford, Middlesex. St. Pancras, June 10. — The Borough Council of St. Pancras are prepared to receive tenders for the supply of steam coal for use at the Regent’s Park and King’s-road electricity stations, and at the Prince of Wales-road, King- street and Whitfield-street baths and washhouses, for 12 months, delivery to be made as required Forms to be obtained at the Electricity Department Offices, No. 57, Pratt-street, Camden Town, N.W , on payment of £1, which will only be returned on receipt of specification, accom- panied by a bona fide tender. Tenders, in accordance with specification, to be sent to the town clerk, endorsed “ Tender for Coal,” by June 10. The council do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. Wellingborough, June 17.—Anthracite stove nuts, best house cobbles, best hard steam coal, for the U.D. Council. Forms from the clerk, 29, Church-street, Wellingborough. West End (Hants), June 11.—Coal and coke for the South Stoneham Guardians. Forms from the clerk, West End, Hants. Westminster, June 19.—Coal for the Westminster Guardians. Forms from the clerk, Princes-row, West- minster. Woodbridge, June 19.—Coal and coke (2 months) for 3rd Cyclist Brigade. Forms from the Supply Officer, 42, Cumberland-street, Woodbridge. Woolwich, June 13.—Coal and coke for the Woolwich Guardians. Forms from the clerk, Workhouse, Plumstead. Wrexham, June 21 — Coal for the Croesnewydd Auxiliary Military Hospital, Wrexham. Forms from the matron. The date given is the latest upon which tenders can be received. CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON AND STEEL WORK, &C. Manchester, June 11.—Bolts.—Copper tubing, iron, steel, pick shafts, spades, shovels, pitch, creosote, etc. (12 months) for the Gas Committee. Forms from the superintendent, Gas Department, Town Hall. Melbourne, July 2.— Wire.—Galvanised iron wire, gal- vanised steel standard wire, copper wire, etc., for the Post Office. Copies of specifications may be seen at the Enquiry Office of the Department of Overseas Trade (Development and Intelligence), 73, Basinghall-street, London, E.C., 2. COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES. REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS. Blyth Shipbuilding and Iron Company Limited.—Interim dividend of Is. per share. Brunner, Mond and Company Limited.—The directors of Brunner, Mond and Company have declared on the ordinary shares a dividend for the half-year ended March 31 last at the rate of 12 per cent, per annum, less tax, making 11 per cent, on the new capital for the year. They place £250,000 to reserve and carry forward £119,000. Since the interim dividend was paid, shareholders have had three shares added to every two held. Dominion Steel Corporation Limited.—Dividend at rate of 1^ per cent, on common shares, payable July 1 to holders of record 5th instant. Ebbw Vale Iron and Steel Company Limited.—The directors are unable to present a balance sheet for the year ended March 31 last, but recommend a final dividend of 6 per , cent, per annum on the preference shares, to- gether with an interim dividend of 15 per cent, on the ordinary shares for the year, both less tax. It is not intended to recommend any further dividend on the ordi- nary shares in respect of the year just ended. Iron Trade Employers’ insurance Association.—Premium income for 1917 amounted to £564,674, and £24,703 was received for dividends and interest. Claims were £382,261, and the sum for appropriation is £204,287. It is pro- posed to add to the reserve £50,000, to write off furniture £1,123, and add to the staff benevolent fund £3,000, leaving £150,164, from which a bonus of 20 per cent, among the members will be distributed. Millom and Askam Hematite Iron Company Limited.— Interim dividend on ordinary shares of 6 per cent., free of tax, payable 30th instant. Newport Abercarn Black Vein Steam Coal Company Limited.—The report for the year ended March 31 states that the net profit, after deducting debenture interest, was £36,771; £49,594 was brought forward, making £86,365. The directors recommend a dividend of 20 per cent, on the ordinary shares, free of tax, and to carry forward £60,490. Provision has been made for excess profits duty, but no allowance has been made for special taxation, as certain matters are not yet settled. Nobel’s Explosives Company Limited.—The report states that liability under the Finance Acts is not yet adjusted either for 1916 or 1917, and the financial position cannot therefore yet be definitely ascertained. Net profit for the two years 1916 and 1917, after providing £103,282 for de- preciation, amounts to £1,319,173, and adding £83,074 brought forward from 1915, there is a total available profit of £1,402,247. Dividends on the preference and ordinary shares for 1916 absorbed £408,682; interim divi- dends on preference shares paid August 1, 1917, and on ordinary shares paid December 1, 1917, amounted to £114,671; and preference dividend paid February 1, 1918, absorbed £25,000, making a total of £544,353, which leaves available for appropriation £853,894. The directors recommend a dividend on the ordinary capital at the rate of 15 per cent., free of income tax (£269,012), carry to general reserve £400,000 (making it £1,000,000), to special reserve £100,000 (making it £656,118), and forward to next account £84,882. North Lonsdale Iron and Steel Company Limited.— Interim dividend of 6 per cent.; same as last year. NEW COMPANIES. Ormerod’s Tool Company Limited.—Private company. Registered May 30, to carry on the business of iron founders, merchants, engineers, tool makers, etc. Nominal capital, £30,000, in 30,000 £1 shares. Directors : H. Ormerod (Hebden Bridge), Harold Ormerod, and J. Ormerod. Qualification of directors, 250 ordinary shares. Rush Engineering Company.—Private company. To carry on the business of mechanical and general engineers, ironfounders, motor manufacturers, iron, steel, and general metal merchants. Nominal capital, £2,000, in 2,000 £1 shares. Subscribers (25 shares) : A. H. Coleman and N. Lewis Watts. Swannington Pumping Company Limited.—Private com- pany. Registered May 27, to carry on the business of water and general pumping for the benefit of or in con- junction with the Whitwick Colliery Companv, South Leicester Colliery Company Limited, and the Chaplains and Poor of the Hospital of William Wyggeston, in the town of Leicester. Nominal capital, £1,000, in 1,000 £1 shares. Directors: E. Breurs, G. A. Leurs, W. Hurst, W. Eame, and W. N. Turner. Victoria Metal Engineering Company Limited.—Private company. Registered May 29. Registered office, Imperial Buildings, Kingsway, London. To carry bn business as engineers and contractors. Nominal capital, £1,000, in I, 000 £1 shares. Director : A. C. V. Jenkins. 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. The new American regulations regarding imports permit of British coal tar distillates being shipped as back cargo if space is available. GOVERNMENT AND RE-AFFORESTATION. Presiding at a meeting of the council of the Central and Associated Chambers of Agriculture, held at the Surveyors’ Institution, Westminster, on Tuesday, the Earl of Selborne moved a resolution expressing the opinion that, pending the appointment of a perma- nent forestry authority, the forestry sub-committee of the Reconstruction Committee should be empowered to carry out the recommendations embodied in the Final Report. His lordship said that after the war there would be no coniferous timber left in the United Kingdom, and if it had not been for the fact that landowners in the past had planted timber, without any chance of ever getting a commercial return, we should have been in a most parlous condition during this war. A good deal more coniferous timber had been planted in this country than was known to exist, and all that the landowners had received from it at war prices represented only a bare commercial return on the outlay. If the prices had been pre- war prices, there would have been a perfectly dead loss. A very strong committee on afforestation was appointed two years ago, and its report, issued last year, had met with extraordinary general acceptance. The Government had not, so far, been able to find time to consider that report, but in the meantime the last opportunity was slipping by for securing the only seed with which the United Kingdom could be re- planted with Scotch fir and larch after the war. There would be no seedlings obtainable after the war, and no seed except what we could produce ourselves. After this next year there would be no trees left, and there- fore no seed. What we wanted, therefore, was an authority who could collect all the Scotch fir, larch, and Douglas fir seed that could be collected in the country, and produce seedlings by which the country could be re-afforested after the war. He asked the council to follow the lead of the Royal English Arboricultural Society and the English Forestry Asso- ciation, and press that, pending the time when a decision would be reached, the forestry sub-committee of the Reconstruction Committee should be authorised to take the necessary steps to safeguard the situation. Sir Charles Bathurst, M.P., in seconding the reso- lution, said the matter was one of great national importance and of the greatest possible urgency. Unless action were taken at once, the seed-producing trees would have been felled in very large numbers during this autumn and November. In his own part of the country, which was a mining district, they formerly obtained a very large quantity of pit timber from Normandy, Brittany, and Scandinavia. Those outside sources were now cut off, many of them perma- nently, because France, like ourselves, was eating up its timber, and we had the prospect of a very serious timber famine which would affect the country for at least a generation to come. He hoped, there- fore, they would press for immediate action on the lines Lord Selborne had sketched. The resolution was unanimously adopted. THE FREIGHT MARKET. The outward chartering market shows no increase in the volume of activity this week. On the north-east coast collieries are so fully engaged in the production and despatch of coals on official and home accounts that the fact that neutral shipping is scarce comes as rather a relief than otherwise. Even those foreign steamers that are arriving find it difficult to secure loading turns, and the coal on offer for despatch in neutral bottoms during the next two months is perilously small. As usual, fix- tures are mainly from Sweden. Gefle has been done at 205 kr., which shows some hardening on the week; Gothenburg at 180 kr., which also indicates additional firmness; and Stockholm at from 205 kr. to 207| kr., ex- ceptionally high rates. Chartering for other directions has been confined to the fixing of a small boat from North France at scheduled coke rate, the taking up of quite a tiny vessel (250 tons) from London at 17s., plus 10 per cent., and the engagement of a 6,000 tonner for Port Said at 200s. Rates for all other destinations are firmly quoted, but although orders are still in numerous circulation, no business is being done in the absence of neutral tonnage supplies. At South Wales, even if neutral tonnage were offering plentifully—which it is not—the strike at the Tredegar collieries and the unrest through- out the coal field would have held up the traffic. The fixtures arranged have been exclusively for British and northern French destinations. Homeward rates are all very strong, with little note- worthy variation. The coal freight from Virginia to the River Plate and Brazil is well maintained at 80s. and 84s. respectively. Mediterranean ore ports are freely booking tonnage for United Kingdom destinations at firm figures. The River Plate to the United Kingdom is strong at 225s., with 250s. for French Atlantic discharge. Tyne to Dieppe, option Honfleur or Caen, 500, 72s. 3d., coke, neutral; Gefle, 2,400, 205 kr.; Gothenburg, 2,500, 180 kr.; London, 250, 17s., plus 10 per cent.; Port Said, 6,400, 200s.; and Stockholm, 1,200, 207| kr., and 1,900 and 3,000, 205 kr. Cardiff to Bordeaux, 2,800, 3,300, 3,400 and 3,500, 69s., neutral; Gibraltar, 2,500, 100s., June; Rouen, 1,300, 48s. 9d., neutral, and 2,750, 47s. 9d., neutral; and St. Servan, 800, 16s., exclusive of war risks, Allied. Swansea to Rouen, 1,100, 1,200 and 1,400, 48s. 9d., neutral; Caen, 700, 900 and 950, 48s., neutral; 1,100, 1,450 and 1,950, 46s. 6d., neutral; and Trouville, 350 and 600, 48s., neutral. London to Dieppe, 200, scheduled rate, coke, sail. Later.—The following additional fixtures have been arranged :— Tyne to Gothenburg, 1,750, 205 kr. Cardiff to Buenos Ayres, 5,000, 120s.; and Caen, 1,300, 46s. 6d., neutral. Swansea to Caen, 1,030, 46s. 6d., neutral; Dublin, 230, 17s.; Granville, 300, 48s., neutral; and Rosslare, 300, 18s. Mexican Coal.—Steamers calling at the Gulf ports have recently had difficulty in securing coal sufficient for their voyages, and as a result the management of the National Railway lines has taken steps to ship large quantities from the coal fields of the State of Coahuila to all points where fuel is needed for foreign commerce. The supply in the northern portion of the Republic is said to be practically unlimited.