December 20, 1918.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

1309

Notes from the Coal Fields.

["Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Memorial to Lord Rhondda at School of Mines—Language
Scholarships for Coal Trade—Mines and State Control
—Serious Action of Italian Government, Establishing
Coal Monopoly—Freight Rates Reduced.

The amount subscribed towards the Lord Rhondda
Memorial Fund is £1,850, and the promoters intend now
to close the subscription list. The subscribers met at
Cardiff Exchange on Tuesday, and it was decided to estab-
lish under the Chamber of Commerce a scholarship of
£60 a year for a four years course at the School of Mines;
also that a portrait of the deceased peer should be painted
by Mr. Solomon J. Solomon, R.A., and be hung in the
hall of the chamber.

The close association of the South Wales coal trade with
France, Spain and South America, and especially the need
of excluding German clerks whose lingual attainments
had in pre-war days gained them positions in local offices,
lends special interest to the announcement made at the
Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. Sir Thomas Watson,
ex-president, purposes to establish a fund which will
provide three scholarships in foreign languages. Each will
be of the value of 1,500 fr. a year, to be tenable for
six months. The idea is that any young man who has
already received a proper grounding ' in any language.,
and is intending to take up a position in a mercantile
office, should receive 1,500 fr., enabling him to go to
France or Italy or Spain for six months, so that he may
perfect himself in the language and attain knowledge of
business conditions across the water.

Mr. Vernon Hartshorn, who by his unopposed return
on Saturday now becomes a member of Parliament, has
entered a protest against the general agitation for the
abolition of all vestiges of State control established during
the war. He considers this agitation to be engineered by
combinations of capitalists and by the Press, and asserts
that it contains within it the germs of serious indus-
trial and social unrest, because any attempt to obtain
hurried removal of State control would arouse grave un-
rest in the working class and precipitate a battle royal
between Labour and Capital. In his opinion, although
conditions are not sufficiently ripe for establishing even
an approach to universal State control and ownership, he
does not believe it possible for every industry to return
to pre-war conditions.

At Swansea, last week, although patent fuel exports
were considerably below the average, the shipments of coal
and patent fuel combined amounted to nearly 98,000 tons,
and of tinplates, iron, etc., 3,566 tons. Some of the
clearances of coal were to countries which have been
unable to obtain Welsh coal since the war commenced.

Nearly 300 summonses were down for hearing at Aber-
avon on Monday, the defendants being miners at the
Cynon Colliery, charged with breach of contract. Mr.
Kenshole, however, who appeared for the employers, stated
that since the case first come before the bench there
had been a conference, with the result that a satisfactory
arrangement had been arrived at. It had been agreed
that men who were absent from work for two days in
September had to make a payment of 20s. each, and that
150 others who were absent for one day had to pay 10s.
each, but that this decision was not to be enforced if the
men for six months did not commit any breaches of their
contract by absenting themselves from work. Each man
would pay 3s. 6d., the cost of the summons. Mr. Kenshole
said that the stoppages were due in a great measure to
the men holding pit head meetings after the time to
descend the,pit; and Mr. Nicholas, who appeared for
the defence, stated that this question of pit head meetings
was a matter to be arranged between the manager and
the men’s agent. Mr. Kenshole stated that the company
were always willing to facilitate meetings if a request
was made. The magistrates signified assent to the arrange-
ment which had been arrived at, and the cases were
adjourned sine die.

The serious action of the Italian Government came under
discussion at the meeting of the Cardiff Chamber of
Commerce on Tuesday, when the president (Mr. Callaghan)
directed attention to the proposal for establishing in Italy
a monopoly in the importation of coal and its distribution.
This measure, he said, had aroused very considerable
anxiety among coal exporters in this country, whose elimi-
nation is threatened. Unfortunately, he had had a letter
that morning stating that the decree of the Italian Govern-
ment had been confirmed, giving a monopoly to the State
railways. Replying to criticism levelled at the Chamber
as to alleged failure to watch the welfare of exporters,
he detailed the steps which had been taken immediately
after the armistice to protect their business interests. His
own suggestion was that endeavour should be made to
counter the action of the Italian Administration by getting
the British Government’s refusal to allow the Italian State
railways’ representatives in this country to exclude
exporters from the trade in Italy, although that country
was prepared to pay compensation. Trade with Italy
should be restored to pre-war conditions. The central
committee had had interviews to that end with the Coal
Controller, the Shipping Controller, and the President of
the Board of Trade. Exporters had not insisted on their
rights under the agreement previously entered into ; but
now that the war was over they were entitled to its terms
being carried out, and the President of the Board of Trade
upheld that view.

There has been a material reduction in the rates of
freight to France. French sailing vessels destined for
the Bay ports have now a rate of 55s, exclusive of war
risk, as compared with 95s. for ports between Brest and
L’Orient; 57s. against 100s. for Quimper; 62s. as against
112s. 6d. for Marans and 67s. against 122s. 6d. for certain
other ports. The rates quoted are typical, and not a com-
plete list.

The half-yearly meeting of the Morfa Relief Fund Com-
mittee was held at Aberavon. The account showed that
<£163 have been distributed during the half year; also thM
there were funds in hand valued at <£2,341.

The Conciliation Board met on Tuesday, and Mr. Howell
R. Jones, chairman of the Coal Owners’ Association,
announced that the employers’ representatives had unani-
mously appointed Mr. Evan Williams, of Llangennech, as
chairman of their side of the board in place of Mr. F. L.
Davis (resigned). The board decided that a two days holi-
day should be granted—namely, Christmas Day and Boxing
Day—the night men to be absent on Wednesday and
Thursday nights. The recent agreement between the
Mining Association of Great Britain and the Miners’
Federation of Great Britain was brought up, and the board
discussed the reduction of the hours of surface workmen,
which takes place as from the first making-up day in
January. The discussion was adjourned. On the ques-
tion of returned miners, the Pontypridd district of coL

liery operatives, at a meeting on Tuesday, passed a resolu-
tion recommending the lodges to form local committees
on lines suggested by the Coal Controller so as to facili-
tate the return of ex-soldiers to work.

The South Wales Coal Exporters’ Association held its
first general meeting in the Exchange building, Cardiff,
on Tuesday, Mr. T. J. Callaghan in the chair. It was
announced that the membership fee would be <£5 per
annum, and that each member’s liability by way of guaran-
tee would be limited to <£20. Should local action be taken
in support of any member, where a general principle was
involved, firms must pay 25 per cent, of the costs for any
case taken up, the association bearing the remainder.

At Mountain Ash County Court a collier sued the
Penrikyber Company, the issue being whether his working
place was a stall or a heading. He contended that for
33 yards he was entitled to be paid at the heading rate,
whereas the management contended that it should be
stall rate. Plaintiff urged that the road should be paid
for as a “ dip.’' In answer to the judge, plaintiff said
that he had not seen a heading turned off a stall, but
only stalls turned off a heading; and his Honour remarked
that it seemed to him that the issue turned upon the ques-
tion whether the colliery owner had a right to turn head-
ings off a stall. Mr. Kenshole, who appeared for the com-
pany, agreed with this remark. The man who had worked
on the roadway before the plaintiff stated that he had
been paid a higher rate when he turned a heading off
the place which plaintiff took from him. The claim was
dismissed, with costs.

Northumberland and Durham.

“ Short Cut ” Across Belt—Coal and Coke Shipments—
Four Men Suffocated in Fire—Scratch Causes Death.

Whilst crossing a belt at Axwell Park Colliery, Fredk.
Keeping, screen lad, fell, his right foot was caught in the
machinery, and he lost his foot. Claiming compensation,
the question arose whether he was entitled to cross the
belt instead of making a detour. The Newcastle county
court judge found that the short cut across the belt was
more or less used by the boys, and was a reasonable way
to go, because the belt was usually standing. Keeping
was awarded compensation at the rate of 10s. per week,
plus war bonus, as from March 28 last.

To the December meeting of the Tyne Improvement
Commissioners the docks committee reported that during
November the coal and coke shipments from the river were
as follows : Coal as cargo, 721,772 tons, as compared with
690,481 tons in November 1917, and 1,453,528 tons in
November 1913 (the last full pre-war year) ; coal as
bunkers, 73,115 tons, as against 73,436 tons and 163,490
tons respectively ; and coke, 40,149 tons, as against 49,269
tons and 25,291 tons respectively. Thus, the shipments
for the 11 months now ended have been as follow : Coal
as cargo, 8,035,135 tons, as against 9,310,819 tons for the
11 months of 1917 and 16,257,292 tons for the correspond-
ing period of 1913; coal as bunkers, 782,203 tons, as
against 992,530 tons and 2,026,059 tons respectively ; and
coke, 472,971 tons, as against 625,109 tons and 281,739 tons
respectively. So far this year, therefore, the coal and coke
shipments have been almost exactly half of those for
the corresponding period of 1913 — 9,290,309 tons, as
against 18,565,090 tons.

A fire broke out in the gin-way district of the Main
coal seam of Murton Pit last week, resulting in the suffo-
cation and death of Richard Trewicke, Isaac Orrell,
Samuel Hunt, and Jas. Duffy, the first three of whom were
married men. About a dozen hewers and six or seven
lads were working in the district at the time, but all but
those named were got out uninjured.

A scratch on the finger whilst moving a rail in the
Cornsay Drift of the Hedley Hill Colliery, on October 23,
resulted, according to the medical evidence given at the
inquest, in the death of Francis James Robson, 56, on
December 7. The doctor stated that the man died from
pneumonia and pericarditis following the accident. A
verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was
returned.

A meeting of the members of the Northern Section of
the Coke Oven Managers’ Association, which was to have
been held at Darlington last Saturday, was abandoned
owing to the illness of Mr. George Gibson, who was to
have read a paper on “ The Manufacture of Pure
Naphthalene.”

The Tyne Improvement Commission has deposited a
Bill for introduction into Parliament next session, mainly
for legalising the increases in dues, rates, tolls and
charges sanctioned by the Board of Trade during the war.
The Bill is to empower the Commission to charge 100 per
cent, more than is authorised by the Commissioners’
existing Acts.

Vacancies in the representation of coal owners on the
River Wear Commission have occurred through the death
of Mr. Frank Stobart and the disqualification, through
non-attendance, of Sir Lindsay Wood, Major Hugh
Streatfeild, and Mr. Arthur Nicholas Wood. Meetings of
those entitled to vote to fill the vacancies have been ordered
to be summoned.

Cleveland.

The Stokesley Rural District Council has been asked to
put into order a road from the Bilsdale side of Coldmoor
to Stokesley railway station, a distance of over three miles,
in order to allow iron ore to be conveyed to the railway
by steam tractors. A committee which has considered the
matter reports that an expenditure of from <£2,000 to
<£3,000 would be necessary. The Council has decided to
take no action, it being urged that, if the mining scheme
did not succeed or ceased to be profitable, it would be
dropped, leaving the ratepayers saddled with the expendi-
ture. The scheme is one first contemplated in Kirkby-in-
Cleveland some years ago, when a boring was made and
samples taken for analytical purposes. Nothing further
was done at that time, but the high price of iron ore has
given the notion a fillip in recent days, and operations
have been resumed.

Addressing the annual meeting of shareholders in Messrs.
Dorman, Long and Company Limited, Middlesbrough, Sir
Arthur Dorman stated that wthe purchase of the shares of
Sir B. Samuelson and Sons was completed. By that pur-
chase, the firm had acquired an interest in the Itabira
Iron Ore Company, which interest had since been
increased. The company’s iron ore properties were
situated in Brazil, and contained high grade ores of con-
siderable interest to the steel trade. As to Messrs.
Dorman, Long’s holdings in the Kent coal fields they had
acquired a further interest in another coal area of 5,000
acres in Kent.. The interest which was being evinced in
the Kent coal field by important French metallurgical firms
confirmed his view that that coal field was of great impor-
tance, and they would heed to come to a decision to estab-
lish their interest in that area on a sound and commercial
basis. They had also important colliery properties in
Durham, partly acquired by Messrs. Samuelson and partly
belonging to Messrs. Bell Brothers. In addition to the

royalties of which they became possessed by the purchase
of shares, there was the Hetton Colliery. To maintain
the output, they would need to find the funds needed
to develop these royalties. The same applied to iron-
stone supplies. Sir Arthur then detailed the great de-
velopments at the Redcar works, and stated that during
the war they had delivered upwards of 170,000 tons of
ingots from Redcar, which were rolled into plates and
sections. In order to provide for the developments he
had indicated, they proposed at an early date to seek
sanction to issue an additional 1^ million ordinary shares,
thus doubling their ordinary share capital. It was their
ide? to offer these new shares to the existing ordinary
shareholders share for share at par.

Mr. T. McKenna, secretary of the Cleveland and
Durham Furnacemen’s and Cokemen’s Association has
made representations to the Ministry of Food regarding
the urgent necessity of a supply, of good whisky for the
workmen engaged -in arduous occupations in the district,
in order to counteract the ravages of the prevailing
epidemic. Naturally, he lays special stress on the nature
-of the work of blastfurnacemen. He has received a reply
stating that the Food Controller is taking steps with a
view to obaining some relaxation in the existing restric-
tions.

Yorkshire.

Messrs. Swift and Netherwood, colliery proprietors, of
Lepton, Huddersfield, were summoned for failing to make
returns as to output, wages, profits, etc., from March 1917.
In defence it was stated that Mr. Netherwood had got
behind with his book-keeping, and the man to whom the
getting out of the figures was entrusted was unable to
do it because of his assistants being called up for military
service. There was a vigorous denial of the suggestion
that defendants had purposely delayed in order to conceal
abnormal profits. Defendants were fined £25, with 15
guineas costs.

At a meeting of the shareholders of the Barrow H?ema-
t’te Steel Company Limited, on Wednesday, Mr. G. Mure
Ritchie (chairman) referred to the great expansion which
had taken place in the company’s iron and steel works.
Regarding the company’s colliery near Barnsley, a very
careful investigation was made as to present condition and
prospects of the mine, which produced, he believed, the
very best class of gas coal anywhere in the country. They
were satisfied that they had remaining unworked a very
large tonnage of coal, and when labour became available
they hoped to increase the output from the highest pre-
war figure to 750,000 tons per annum, perhaps even nearer
1,000,000 tons, a rate of output which might continue for
40 or 50 years.

Notts, and Derbyshire.

Representatives of the Midland Counties Colliery
Owners’ Association and the Notts, and Derbyshire
Miners’ Associations met at Derby on Tuesday. In a letter
the Coal Controller urged that the Christmas holiday in
the collieries should be confined to the narrowest possible
limits. After considering the letter, the meeting arranged
that the holiday in the two counties should comprise
Christmas Day and the three following days.

Kent.

In the Kent Coal Concessions Company’s repoit pre-
sented at their meeting on Wednesday (L8th), reference
was made to the option granted in conjunction with several
of the allied compan es to Messrs Schneider and Co., of the
Creusot Armament Firm, for the purchase of a large
mineral area. The directors state they have every reason
to think that the purchase of this area will be carried out,
provided the modifications desired by Messrs. Schneider in
the leases comprised in the area can be arranged with the
various landlords. It also stated that negotiations are in
progress for the completion of the sale of the Chatillon
area. This refers to the purchase by the Forges de
Chatillon Company, France, of the Guilford Colliery with an
area of coal land adjoining. Other negotiations are spoken
of in the report

A special meeting of Deal Town Council was held to
further consider the application of the Betteshanger Coal
Boring Company for permission to tunnel under Corpora-
tion property in order to reach and work the under-sea coal.
It was decided to defer the question, in order to obtain from
the company the exact site of the shafts and the position of
the headings leading to the under-sea coal.

Scotland.

Dunfermline Corporation resumed consideration of the
application by the Townhill (Dunfermline) Colliery Limited
for a lease of the unworked coal in part of the Mairbeath
coal field lying to the north-east of their present leasehold.
It was resolved to recommend that a lease for ten years be
granted to the company at the fixed rent of <£55 per
annum, with lordship (in the option of the proprietors) at
4d. per ton on sales.

The coal shipped last week from Burntisland amounted
to 3,440 tons as against 8,120 tons last year.

By a fire at Kippsbyre Colliery, Airdrie, owned by
Messrs. Strain Bros., damage was done to the extent of
£1,500. The engine-house sustained damage, also the
joiner’s shop and the blacksmith’s shop.

Shipments of coal from the Clyde last week totalled
61,853 tons, as compared wiih 99,034 in the corresponding
week last year. From the Forth the shipments were
15,400 tons, compared with 17,759 tons for corresponding
week of 1917; and from the Fife ports, the totals
respectively are 18,736 tons, as against 22,926 tons.

In the Hamilton Sheriff Court, Peter Paterson,
colliery fireman, was charged with having, in No. 2 Pit,
Murdostoun Colliery, failed to inspect part of his place
and entered a false statement in the report book to the
effect that he had made the inspection. Accused admitted
the offence, and was fined £3, with the alternative of ten
days’ imprisonment.

The Lanarkshire Miners’ Union received intimation
from the Coal Controller that from the 9th inst. all miners
in the Home Forces are being released without the neces-
sity of any application being made for them. It is under-
stood that very few miners will be left in the Home Service
Army by the end of the present month.

Now that the war is over it is expected that the work
of fitting out and equipping the new colliery at Robroy-
ston, which Messrs. John Watson and Company Limited
are opening out, will be pushed forward as rapidly as
possible. Mr. James Cook, formerly manager of Neils-
land Colliery, Hamilton, is meanwhile in charge of such
operations as are being carried out at Robroyston.

On Saturday last the members of the West of Scot-
land branch of the Association of Mining Electrical Engi-
neers visited Dalmarnock Power Station, Glasgow, and
inspected the progress which is being made with the erec-
tion of the new buildings and the plant there.

Mr. Thomas Howitt, under-manager at Hyndshaw
Colliery, Carluke, has been transferred to No. 6 Colliery,
Castlehill, Carluke.