B.I.F. and Earl’s Court. — The Department of Overseas Trade announces that arrangements are being made for a portion of the British Industries Fair for 1937 to be housed in the new exhibition buildings which are to be erected at Earl’s Court. The remaining portion of the Fair in London will be held as usual at Olympia.

Butterworth Bros., Ltd., Newton Heath Glass Works, Manchester, inform us that they have placed a contract with Mr. T. Teisen, C.E., of Birmingham, for a small oil-fired glass-melting tank furnace of new design. The complete erection of the furnace will be under the supervision of Mr. Teisen’s furnace builder or engineer, and the tank will be used for founding at specially high temperatures.

The Co-operative Wholesale Society has purchased 4,830 square yards of land adjoining its glass-works at Worksop, for extensions. During the past quarter the supplies of glass bottles for its establishments at Worksop and Pendleton totalled £42,850, an increase of £11,651. — From the Windsor Pottery of the Co-operative Wholesale Society at Longton, the supplies for the first quarter of the year were £6,257, an increase of £1,284.

Lead Poisoning Statistics. — The total number of cases of lead poisoning in Great Britain and Northern Ireland reported during June, 1935, under the Factory and Workshop Act, or under the Lead Paint (Protection Against Poisoning) Act, was 10. The following is an analysis of cases: Among operatives engaged in smelting of metals, 1; plumbing and soldering, —; shipbreaking, 1; printing, —; tinning of metals, —; other contact with molten lead, 2; pottery, 1; electric accumulator works, 1; paint and colour works, 2; other industries, —; painting of buildings, 2. There were two deaths from lead poisoning during the month, one in connection with the pottery industry, and one in connection with the painting of buildings.

Company Notes

Australian Glass Manufacturers, Ltd. — The net profit was £175,520. There is a dividend of 13 per cent, per annum.

Twyfords, Ltd. — A final payment of 6 per cent. actual, making 10 per cent., less tax, for the year has been recommended.

English China Clays, Ltd. — The directors announce the payment of a dividend on the cumulative preference shares at the rate of 7 per cent, per annum for the year ended Dec. 31, 1934.

Webb’s Crystal Glass Co., Ltd. — The net loss for 1934 was £2,062. Credit brought in was £491, plus appreciation of investments realised during the year (being balance of depreciation previously debited to profit and loss) £650 and income-tax recovered £1,830. After deducting loss there is a credit £910 to go forward.

Lancegaye Safety Glass (1934), Ltd. — The report for the period March 23, 1934, to March 31 last, shows trading profit £6,832; after depreciation expenses, fees, etc., but before tax, balance is £4,027; there is a final dividend of 2œ per cent., making 5 per cent., taking £2,111; tax reserve receives £450, written off preliminary expenses £664, leaving £803 to go forward.

Taylor’s (Croydon), Ltd. — Reg. No. 303,325. — Private company. Registered capital, £100 in £1 shares. Objects: To carry on the business of agents for, merchants, importers, exporters and manufacturers of glass and china goods and all kinds of wrapping and packing materials, etc. The directors are : Fdk. W. Piddock, 25, Albert-rd., Mitcham, Surrey, and Leonard J. Taylor.

Owen’s (China Stores), Ltd. — Reg. No. 302,847. — Private company. Registered capital £100 in £1 shares. Objects: To carry on the business of merchants, exporters and importers of and dealers in china, porcelain, glass, pottery, earthenware, etc. The subscribers (each with one share) are:— Griffith J. Evans, clerk, and Thomas A. Powell, clerk. Registered office: 25-29, Morgan Arcade, Cardiff.

Bernard Wald (Vienna), Ltd. — Reg. No. 302,163. — Private company. Registered capital £500 in £1 shares. Objects: To carry on the business of importers and exporters of and dealers in glass, glassware and ceramic ware. The subscribers (each with 1 share) are:— Donald C. Cann, Eldon St. House, Eldon St., E.C.2., Chartered Acct. John J. Baker, Eldon St. House, Eldon St., E.C.2., Chartered Acct.

Industrial Glass Co., Ltd. — Reg. No. 302,195. — Private company. Registered capital £500 in £1 shares. Objects: To carry on the business of manufacturers and workers of and dealers in glass, bevellers; manufacturers of and dealers in glassware, etc. The first directors are:— Johannes Cleton, senr., and Johannes Cleton, junr., both of Van Helmonstraat, Rotterdam, Holland, glass workers. Registered office: 104, High Holborn, W.C.1.

Henry Harris & Sons (Islington), Ltd. — Reg. No. 302,768. — Private company. Registered capital £2,500 in £1 shares. Objects: To acquire the business of a glass bottle merchant, importer and exporter carried on by W. W. Harris as H. Harris & Sons, at 2, Mary St., Arlington Sq., Islington, N. The directors are:— William W. Harris and Frank H. Harris, both of “Inglewood,” 87, Etch-ingham Park Rd., Finchley, N.3., bottle merchants and wine coopers.

Rainfordware, Ltd. — Reg. No. 303,246 — Private company. Registered capital £56,000 in £1 shares. Objects: To acquire that part of the business relating to architectural terra-cotta ware carried on by Rainford Potteries, Ltd., and the whole or part of the shares of George Jennings (Lambeth), Ltd., and to carry on the business of brick and tile manufacturers, etc. The subscribers (each with 1 share) are:— A. D. Gardner, 140, Palace View, Bromley, Kent, solicitor's clerk, and G. T. Franks, solicitor's clerk.

Liens, Debentures, etc. — Barker Brothers, Ltd., Longton, earthenware mfrs. — Satisfaction reg. £500, part of amount reg. May 27, 1925. Bell Pottery Co., Ltd., Hanley. — Reg. £1,500 charge, to E. C. Creyke, Wood-view, Whitmore Rd., Newcastle-under-Lyme; charged on earthenware manufactory, Ranelagh St. & Bethesda St. & dwelling-ho. 48, Bethesda St., Hanley. - James Clark & Son, Ltd., London, S.E., glass factors. — Satisfaction reg. of mort. reg. April 11, 1935. - Thomas Dean & Sons, Ltd., Stoke-on-Trent, potters etc. — Reg. £400 deb., to Thomas Dean & Sons; general charge. S. Hancock & Sons (Potters),

Ltd., Hanley. — Reg. deb., to Barclays Bank, Ltd., securing all moneys due or to become due to the Bank, general charge. - Arthur Holt & Co., Ltd., Waterloo, glass mfrs. — Reg. £1,000 deb., to R. R. Sinnott, 14, Kimberley Drive, Gt. Crosby, general charge. - Syers (Brockley), Ltd., London, S.E., dealers in glass, etc. — Reg. £750 & £150 Land Registry charges, to Hawkins & Tipson, Ltd., 2, Billiter Sq., E.C., & F. A. & A. H. Wood, both 1, St. Andrews Hill, E.C., charged on 5, Abbotswell St., Brockley.

Lovering China Clays, Ltd. — The profit to March 31 was £9,924. To provision for debenture interest is placed £14,838, to sinking fund £2,662, income-tax £816, leaving loss of £8,392, which increases debit brought in to £49,469. It is proposed to make distribution of past year’s profits to debenture holders in form of an interest payment of 4 per cent. - In the course of his speech at the sixth annual general meeting held on July 15 at 7, Grace-church-st., London, E.C., Mr. John Lawson (the chairman of the company), who presided, said that it was estimated that a dividend of 3 per cent. on the company's holding of ordinary shares in English Clays Lovering Pochin & Co., Ltd., together with the preference dividend payable by that company and the revenue arising from their subsidiary, Mele-dor Estate, Ltd., would suffice to meet the full debenture service. That it was not unreasonable to expect this result might be gathered from the progress of English Clays Lovering Pochin & Co., Ltd., who, as stated in the report, paid an initial ordinary dividend of 1 per cent. for the year to Sept. 30, 1934, and had since paid an interim dividend of 1 per cent. for the current year to Sept. 30 next not included in the present accounts. Moreover, continued attention to economies in production costs and a modest increase in selling prices in certain markets had improved the company’s dividend prospects, and if nothing unforeseen occurred it was reasonable to anticipate that Lovering China Clays, Ltd., would in turn be able to resume payment of debenture interest in full before the expiry of the moratorium. Difficulties still beset the path of the Amalgamated Co., however, for although it had maintained its share of the industry's business both at home and abroad, world conditions, as for many other trades, continued unsatisfactory on the whole. When, for example, one reflected upon the recent inability of so small a community of interests as producers in the Cornish china clay area to form an association for the regulation of output and prices, with the consequent substantial annual loss to the industry generally, one could not but be pessimistic about the time it would take to achieve any great measure of world recovery involving the reduction of trade barriers, the stabilisation of currencies, and the restoration of gold, at present unprofitably hoarded, to its proper international functions.

Mr. A. McKellar, partner of Ross-Elliot & McKellar, the well-known manufacturers’ representatives of Mercantile Buildings, 63, Hout Street, Cape Town, is sailing for England on Aug. 13 per the s.s. “City of Simla” and is due to arrive in London on Sept. 1. Any firms desirous of corresponding with him should address letters care of Barclay’s Bank (D.C. & O.), 111, St. Martin’s Lane, Trafalgar Square, London, W.C.2.

In Parliament

Chipped Crockery

Mr. Hales asked the Minister of Health if he was aware that large quantities of chipped, crazed, and cracked earthenware are in general use in hotels and restaurants throughout the country and whether, having regard to the danger of infection by the use of this ware, he would take the necessary steps to prohibit the use of such defective pottery.

Sir Kingsley Wood replied that, apart from the fact that the legislative power which his Hon. friend apparently wished him to seek would be very drastic, he was advised that the danger of infection from damaged earthenware was negligible if it was properly washed, and he did not think it necessary, therefore, to take the action suggested in the last part of the question.

Mr. Hales asked if his Rt. Hon. friend was aware that the Australian Government long ago prohibited the use of this defective ware, and that the medical profession were unanimous as to its dangers and that washing was utterly useless when the glaze had gone. In order that his Rt. Hon. friend might be more conversant with the matter, would he examine a cup he had brought for his inspection?

There was no reply.

Stamping Bottles

The House of Lords took the Third Reading of the Weights and Measures Bill last month, and the measure has now to come before the House of Commons, although no date for its consideration by the Lower House has yet been fixed. The proceedings on the Third Reading were merely formal except for a drafting amendment, but a good deal of interesting and detailed discussion took place on the earlier stages of the Bill.

In the Committee Stage of the Weights and Measures Bill on July 9, Clause 8, which is the first clause in Part II of the Bill dealing with glass bottles, was passed as originally drafted, although amendments were moved both to leave out the word “licence” in section (b) and also to omit certain words from the end of the Clause and insert others so as to make the Clause read: “A bottle .... shall .... be deemed .... to be a measure and may be used or be in possession for use for trade for the purpose of gauging the quantity to be sold therein notwithstanding that it has not been verified and stamped in accordance with the provisions of section 29 of the principal Act.” Both these amendments, however, were withdrawn.

Clause 9 was considerably amended and the Government accepted amendments which caused section (1), (2) and (3) to read as follows:

9. — (1) The Board of Trade shall, on the application of any person possessing the prescribed qualifications and on compliance by the applicant with the prescribed conditions, grant to him and from time to time renew a licence authorising him to mark bottles for the purposes of this Part of this Act subject to such restrictions and conditions as may be prescribed, and in this Part of this Act the expression “licence” means a licence granted or renewed under this section.

(2) A licence shall, unless revoked or suspended, remain in force for such period as may be specified therein.

(3) Such fees may be charged in respect of the grant or renewal of licences as the Board of Trade, with the approval of the Treasury, may fix.

Viscount Bertie of Thame moved an amendment regarding sub-section (4), which he later withdrew. Lord Templemore, while rejecting the amendment, said that he himself would move an amendment to omit the words “it is shown to their satisfaction that” as drafted in the original Bill. This amendment was accepted.

A considerable discussion took place on the amendments to Clause 10, Lord Eltisley moving to omit all the words preceding “and the local authority for an area.” He said that the Bill provided that a bottle marked under a licence should not be removed from the premises at which it was marked until an inspector had authorised its removal. It also provided that the local authority should arrange for an inspector to attend at those premises as often as was reasonably necessary for the purpose of examining and verifying the bottles marked thereat. This amendment and also his other amendments to this Clause and to Clause 12, provided for an inspector to visit the premises on which bottles were being made for the purpose of inspecting bottles which had been marked there. His amendments did not remove the onus on the manufacturer of ensuring that the bottles contained proper measure. He held the view that the casual inspection and verification of a small percentage of bottles must not be held to exonerate the supplier from giving fair legal measure. It was understood that the Board of Trade proposed to make regulations to the effect that a small percentage, about two per cent., of the bottles in every batch should be verified. It was then assumed that the rest of the bottles were correct. He thought that this absolution should not be given in this way.

Lord Templemore dealt with proposed amendments to Clauses 10, 11 and 12 together, as, he said, they appeared to be part of a single plan for altering the basis of the scheme provided in the Bill for the marking of bottles.

The proposed amendments to Clause 11 took away the power of the Board of Trade to make regulations as to a sampling test and to fix the fees, and would have the effect that it would rest solely with local authorities to decide how often an inspector should visit works where bottles were being made, and how many bottles he should test. It was possible that in one district an inspector might insist on testing every bottle made, while in another district thousands or millions of milk bottles might be put into circulation without ever being seen by an inspector. Such lack of uniformity in practice would have most unsatisfactory results from every point of view, and particularly from the point of view of the manufacturers. The proposed amendments to Clause 12 (2) would have the effect of rendering every licensed manufacturer liable to a penalty if any bottle which he issued were found to be inaccurate. It was of course true that, by the use of proper machinery and by taking proper precautions, a manufacturer could be reasonably certain that all the bottles he issued would be accurate.

The Glass Manufacturers’ Federation were strongly opposed to these amendments and the manufacturers would find great difficulty in working the scheme if the amendments were adopted.

On the Report Stage of the measure, the following proviso was added to Clause 8:

“Provided that this section shall not affect the operation of the Weights and Measures Acts, 1878 to 1926, in relation to the use of any bottle as a measure otherwise than for the purpose of a transaction whereby some liquid is sold or supplied in the bottle, or in relation to the possession of any bottle for use as a measure otherwise than for that purpose.”

In moving it Lord Templemore said that the effect of the amendment would be that the use as measures of bottles marked in accordance with the provisions of the Bill should be legalised for the purpose of selling liquids in these bottles, but not for any other purpose. He added that the Bill would not, as some Members had feared, have the effect of depriving the consumer of some of the protection which the law now very properly gave to him. The Bill did not change the position in any way except that it placed the marked bottle on the same footing as a stamped measure.

A further amendment was accepted, to insert in Clause 9, sub-section (1):

“Provided that the qualifications, conditions, and restrictions which may be prescribed for the purposes of this subsection shall be limited to such as appear to the Board of Trade to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of giving effect to this Part of this Act.”

the purpose of which was to limit the conditions imposed by the Board of Trade. Lord Cozens-Hardy, who moved it, said he was grateful to the Government for accepting the amendment, but he still thought it gave the Board of Trade too wide and too absolute a discretion. He hoped before the Bill got further the Government would agree to omit the words “as appear to the Board of Trade necessary and expedient.” He could not accept this amendment.

Lord Phillimore, Lord Addington, and Lord Mar-ley put further points to Lord Templemore in this connection, Lord Marley asking that whichever decision was reached could it be arranged that, to protect the consumer, every bottle should be marked, not only with a mark showing the size and contents of the bottle, but with the manufacturer’s mark, so that it could be traced back either to the manufacturer, to the machine, to the local authority, or to the inspector of the particular bottle? Lord Templemore undertook to consider this point before the Report Stage, and Lord Eltisley accordingly withdrew his amendment.

An amendment was moved and accepted to subsection (1) (d) of Clause 12 so as to read: “If any person .... (d) knowingly uses, sells, utters, disposes of, exposes for sale, or has in his possession for sale — any bottle .... etc.”

An amendment by the Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair to insert the words “not earlier than the first day of January, 1936” after “day” in subsection (1) of Clause 13, was accepted.

Employment in Sheet-glass Works

A Bill entitled “Hours of Employment (Conventions)” has just been introduced into the House of Lords. The preamble to the Act states, “An Act to carry out certain draft International Conventions relating to the employment of women during the night, and to hours of work in automatic sheet-glass works, to amend the law relating to hours of employment of women holding responsible positions of management who are not ordinarily engaged in manual work, and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid.”

A Glassware and China Section will be attached to this year’s Prague International Fair, which opens on Aug. 30 and closes on Sept. 8.

Contract Notes

Contract Open

Sunderland R.D.C. invite tenders for their Isolation Hospital, Hylton-rd., for crockery. Particulars as to quantities may be obtained from the Clerk and samples of the various articles seen on application to the Matron of the Institution. Tenders to Mr. J. C. Wilson, clerk, 17, John-st., Sunderland, by noon on Aug. 12.

Tenders Accepted

Air Ministry. — Glasses, clear and orange: Chance Bros. & Co., Ltd., Smethwick.

Manchester Electricity Committee. — Gauge glasses: S. & C. Bishop & Co., Ltd., St. Helens.

Post Office. — Ducts: Albion Clay Co., Ltd., Bur-ton-on-Trent; Donnington Sanitary Pipe and Firebrick Co., Burton-on-Trent.

Salford T.C. — Crockery to various institutions: The Grindley Hotel Ware Co., Ltd., Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, £193 (recommended).

Central Purchasing Committee. — Glass: Baxen-dale and Co., Ltd., and S. Gratrix, Junr. and Bro., Ltd.; Pilkington Bros., Ltd., St. Helens.

Post Office. — Glass boxes: Pilkington Bros., Ltd., St. Helens. Insulators: Joseph Bourne & Sons, Ltd., Denby; Bullers, Ltd., Milton, Staffs; Thomas De La Rue & Co., Ltd., London, E.; Doulton & Co., Ltd., Stoke-on-Trent; Litholite Insulators & St. Albans Mouldings, Ltd., Watford. Jars, Leclanche: Forster’s Glass Co., Ltd., St. Helens.

New Trade Marks

Albanite. — 560,486. China clay. Class 4. English Clays. Lovering Pochin & Co., Ltd., 14, High Cross-st., St. Austell, Cornwall.

557,022. Porcelain and earthenware. Class 6. The Great Universal Stores, Ltd., Devonshire-st., Ardwick, Manchester. To be Associated with No. 557,021. (By Consent.)

Miroclare. — 560,144. Glass. Class 15. Glass & Glazing, Ltd., “Arundel House,” Liverpool-gdns., Worthing, Sussex.

560,044. Vacuum flasks made principally of glass. Class 15. The British Havacone Co., Ltd., River Plate-ho., 10-11, Finsbury-circus, E.C.2. Batco. — 559,197. Tiles (earthenware). Class 16. British Art Tile Co., Ltd., Market-pl., Whittlesey, nr. Peterborough.

Glasil. — 558,962. Spun glass. Class 15. Chance Brothers & Co., Ltd., Glass Works, West Smethwick, nr. Birmingham.

Transpero. — 560,948. Electrical lighting glassware. Class 15. The Wholesale Fittings Co., Ltd., 23, 25, 27 and 37, Commercial-st., E.1.

The Gazette

The Lists are taken from the Official Gazette information and we are not responsible for the mis-spelling of the names of any of the creditors — Eds. P.G. & G.T.R.

Limited Companies; Appointment of Receivers; Resolutions and Notices as to Winding Up; Petitions; Orders; and Official and Other Notices

Bamborough Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (old co.), London, W., mirror and glassware mfrs. — E. C. Collins ceased to act as recr. July 17.

British White Flint Glass, Ltd., London, N. — J. A. Plumpton, Tudor-chbrs., Station-rd., Wood Green, apptd. recr. June 26.

Glass Products, Ltd., Salford. — Miss J. Stockton, Round-ho., Adlington, apptd. recr. July 9.

Kilner Bros., Ltd., London, N., glass bottle mfrs. — P. C. Cooper Parry, 102, Friar Gate, Derby, apptd. recr. July 5.

Wheal Anna Clay Mining Co., Ltd. (Members’ Voluntary Winding-up). — Resolved, June 12: That the Company be wound up voluntarily. Mr. J. & W. Shaffery, St. Austell, liqr. Claims by Aug. 12 to liqr.

Extracts from the Registry of Deeds of Arrangement

The following Deeds of Arrangement with Creditors have been filed under the Deeds of Arrangement Act, 19.14. Under this Act, it is necessary that private arrangements other than those executed in pursuance of the Bankruptcy Act shall be registered within seven clear days after the first execution by any debtor or any creditor.

* These figures are taken from the affidavit filed with the Registered Deed, but may be subject to variation on realisation. In some cases the estimated assets are not stated.

Meigh, Harry Rembrandt, Caverswall-rd., Weston Coyney and Ernest Edwin Spanton Reid, Selwyn, Weston-rd., Meir, tdg. at High-st., Long-ton, as Doric China Co., china mfrs. (said E. E. S. Reid also carries on business at The Iron-market, Newcastle-under-Lvme, as Louis, glass and china dlr.). Tr., R, E. Clark, 17, Albion-st., Hanley. Date, June 13. Filed, June 18. Liabilities unsecured, £3,395. Assets less secured claims, £1,718. Separate estate of E. E. S. Reid. Liabilities unsecured, £567. Assets less secured claims, £212.

Mitchell, Wm. Alfd. Norman, tdg. as Liverpool China Stores, 67, Wavertree-rd., and 177, Smith-down-rd., Liverpool, and residing at 105, Dunbabin-rd., Wavertree, glass, china and gen. dlr. Tr., F. L. Williams, 11, Victoria-st., Liverpool. Date, July 3. Filed, July 10. Lialibities unsecured, £1,061. Assets less secured claims, £208. Secured crs., £1,817. The following are among the creds. : Barlows (Longton), Ltd., Longton, £50; Broadhurst James & Sons, Ltd., Fenton, £11; Barkers & Kent, Ltd., Fenton, £11; Colclough, Herbert J., Stoke-on-Trent, £40; Clough, Alfred, Ltd., Stoke-on-Trent, £13; Ellgreave Pottery Co., Ltd., Burslem, £10; Hughes, Thos. & Son. Ltd., Longport, £15; Johnsen & Jorgensen Flint Glass, Ltd., London, £63; Kensington Pottery,

Ltd., Hanley, £12; Morley Fox & Co., Ltd., Stoke-on-Trent, £40; Midland Pottery Co., St. Helens, £18; Myott, Son & Co., Stoke, £11; New Hall Pottery Co., Ltd., Hanley, £30; Price Bros. (Burslem), 1934, Ltd., Burslem, £11; Pearl Pottery Co., Ltd. (per liqr.), Hanley, £11; Rigby & Stevenson, Hanley, £10; Shufflebottom, Wm., Stoke, £17; Shaw, G., Hanley, £14; Williams, A. J., Stoke-on-Trent, £34; bankers, £21; preferential creditors, £76.

Private Meeting

These lists in some instances refer to Meetings of Creditors called by or on behalf of the Debtor, with a view of laying his affairs before his Creditors, or refer to Statements of Debtors’ Affairs, and do not in all cases refer to failures.

Mitchell, Wm. Alfd. Norman, tdg. as Liverpool China Stores, 67, Wavertree-rd., and 177, Smith -down-rd., Liverpool. Glass, china and general dlr.

A meeting of the creditors in this matter was held recently at the offices of E. M. Owen & Co., C.A., Victoria-st., Liverpool, when a statement of affairs was submitted showing liabilities of £985 6s. 6d., of which £827 16s. 4d. was due to the trade; there were unsecured creditors on debtor’s private account for £135 16s. 10d., and the bank’s claim amounted to £21 13s. 4d. There were also fully secured creditors for £1,817 who held securities valued at a like amount. The assets were estimated to realise £208 5s. l1d. and were subject to preferential claims of £76 9s., leaving net assets of £131 16s. l1d., or a deficiency of £853 9s. 7d. The principal item in the assets was property m Ireland, which the debtor estimated at £110.

It was stated that owing to pressure by creditors, a deed of assignment had been executed in favour of Mr. Williams, of E. M. Owen & Co., for the protection of the assets.

Debtor attributed his position chiefly to expenses incurred in the purchase and upkeep of premises in Wavertree and Liverpool, and to a recent expensive illness of his wife.

The matter was discussed and it was resolved to confirm the deed of assignment already executed to Mr. Williams. The committee of inspection consisting of the representatives of three of the largest creditors was also appointed.

Administration Order in Case of Deceased Debtor

Davies, Alfd., 6, Southam-rd., Hall Green, 309, Stratford-rd., Sparkbrook, and 256, High-st., Erd-ington, Birmingham. Glass and china dlr. (Died March 8, 1935.) June 15.

Bankruptcy Proceedings

Bennett, Percy, salesman of pottery, High Holborn, London, W.C.

In this bankruptcy the Official Receiver has issued a summary of the debtor's statement of affairs showing gross liabilities £27,935, of which £6,953 are expected to rank for dividend and net assets, £14 doubtful, and bad book debts of the nominal amount of £1,075 not being expected to realise anything.

The Official Receiver reports in his accompanying observations that it appears from the debtor’s statements that from 1907 until April, 1935, when he resigned, he acted as a director of an earthenware manufacturing company. For many years his salary

and fees as a director amounted to £1,450 per annum. Since 1924, his holding in the company has consisted of 325 shares of £10 each, which had been given to him by his father; and up to 1933 the dividends amounted to £812 10s. per annum.

For many years he has overdrawn the amounts due to him for salary, fees, and dividends and now returns the company as creditors for £21,300.

In 1921, he purchased, for about £2,000, the assets of a teapot manufacturing business being carried on at the “Crown Pottery,” Church Passage, Burslem. Between 1921 and 1925, he spent about £1,500 on extensions to the factory premises, but the business was unsuccessful from the commencement. In April, 1929, he formed a company to take over and continue the business; as consideration for the transfer he was allotted 1,904 £1 fully paid shares, £100 of which he transferred to his wife; and he acted as a director without remuneration until January, 1934, when a debenture holder's receiver was appointed. He is now employed as a salesman at £10 weekly.

He attributes his insolvency to loss of moneys invested between 1921 and 1928 in various unsuccessful companies and businesses, to losses by speculations, mainly in 1926, in stocks and shares, and to loss (about £4,000) on the sale of his former residence, in 1932.

The creditor treated as “fully secured” is stated to hold against £412 bank overdraft and £500 liability under a guarantee, three policies of insurance on the bankrupt’s life for £1,000 effected in 1914, -£1,000 effected in 1917, and £2,000 effected in 1925 respectively. The creditors treated as “partly secured” are stated to hold (i) against £3,000 cash advanced a policy of insurance (surrender value £128 5s.) on the bankrupt's life for £3,000 effected in 1932, and (ii) against £21,300 overdrawings from the company referred to a lien on the bankrupt’s 325 shares of £10 each (valued at £16,250), and a policy of insurance (treated as valueless) on the bankrupt’s life for £7,000 effected in 1934, and a fully paid up similar policy for £2,400 (estimated surrender value £1,750). The “contingent liability” is stated to represent the amount due under a guarantee given by the bankrupt on behalf of Staffs Teapot Co., Ltd., for moneys advanced on the security of its factory premises.

The bankrupt states that he now owns no household furniture; he sold his household furniture for between £400 and £500 in 1932, and certain furniture, now in store, belongs to his wife, having been given to her by him in 1928 or 1929.

Child, Thomas Barraclough, formerly residing at 527, Idle-rd., and formerly carrying on business at Manor Potteries, Eccleshill, as a glass and china merchant, later as estate agent, at 74, Great Hor-ton-rd., and 13, Hallfield-rd., respectively, all in the city of Bradford, now residing at 3, South View-drive, East Pierley, near Bradford. Estate agent. R.O., July 15, 1935. Adj., July 15, 1935. Exam., Aug. 2, 1935, 10.45 a.m., the County Court, Manor-row, Bradford.

Wilshaw, Hugh, lately tdg. as City Sanitary Co., Slippery-st., Hanley. Sanitary ware factor. R.O., July 3. Adj., July 6. Exam., Aug. 29 at 11, Town-hall, Hanley.

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Chief Commercial Manager, Euston House, Dept. B.A. 48, London, N.W.1.

The Potteries

As we commence to pen the present Notes everything around us seems to serve as a reminder that the Stoke Wakes holidays are once more in immediate prospect. For the time being, wherever one turns in the Stoke-on-Trent district there is activity; it may be somewhat artificial, but it is there. There is the usual seasonal rush at practically all the factories to complete as many orders as possible in time for despatch before the works close down for the one real holiday break of the year— the holiday to which the people of the Potteries, through sheer up-bringing and tradition, look forward with eager anticipation. We realise that within a few days of the time that these Notes are published the Potteries, to all outside appearances, will be as dead as a door nail, for in the Pottery trade, at all events, none but key men will have been left behind. Judging by past experiences and present prospects, one feels safe in predicting that fully a hundred thousand people of the Potteries will have temporarily abandoned, by or before August Bank Holiday, their native soil in favour of their accepted holiday haunts — Blackpool and the North Wales coast in particular. Retailers will know from the experience of previous years that it will be not much use corresponding with the Potteries during the first ten days of August; for if they do they will most likely receive a printed postcard in reply, informing them that the works are closed until at least August 12 or 13. You can argue until you are blue in the face as to the advantages and conveniences which might accrue from a taking of the holidays in the Potteries in relays during the summer months, but it will be of no avail. It has been discussed repeatedly without raising the slightest vestige of enthusiasm on the part of the workers. The fact is that the Potteries people like to take their joys together, and to them Stoke Wakes is, and always has been, the one period of the year which they look upon as their very own. Moreover, they expect that to be known and understood the wide world over, and if it is not that is not their worry; for a week or more they will not be available in any event. Let us hope that when work is resumed, everyone will be ready, refreshed and re-invigorated, to handle a good autumn trade; for which the prospects at the moment are good.

Earthenware Prices. — We shall be very much surprised if, before the August issue of The Pottery Gazette and Glass Trade Review comes into circulation, pottery distributors have not received a definite notice of the long-threatened advance in the price of earthenware.*(As we go to press we learn that advances in earthenware prices have been notified. — Eds.) We have been fully aware of negotiations which have been proceeding for months past to bring this matter to a head, and we can only suggest that pottery dealers will have themselves to blame if they have not taken advantage of the indecision on the part of the earthenware manufacturers ever since the workers’ wages were advanced at the end of March last and placed substantial orders for delivery before the advance matures. For some weeks now many of the earthenware manufacturers have been taking orders only on the condition that the goods shall be invoiced at the prices ruling at the time of despatch; which fact alone should have served as a reminder to buyers that something was on the move. In any case, the far-sighted dealer must have realised that as wages have been increased right through the pottery trade — earthenware as well as china — and that as china prices only were advanced a month or two ago, the prices of earthenware would be bound ere long to follow suit. The only further comment that we would offer on this matter at the moment is that there is no guarantee that when earthenware prices are advanced the increase will be in the same ratio as the increase on china; in fact, arguments could, no doubt, be adduced in justification of a higher plusage than a mere 5 per cent. But we shall have to wait and see as regards that matter.

Death of Mr. H. E. Wood. — Many people in the pottery trade will learn with deep regret of the death, at the age of 64, of Mr. Herbert Edward Wood, a member of one of the oldest families of Burslem, and one who for many years until the time of his death held the responsible position of general works manager of the Nile-st. Works of Doulton & Co., Ltd., Burslem. Mr. Wood had not

The

been enjoying good health for some time past, and he passed away on June 23 at his residence, “May-field,” First Avenue South, Porthill. Mr. Wood, who was affectionately known throughout the Potteries as Mr. "Bert" Wood, was in the long line of a family of potters. He was a great-grandnephew of Enoch Wood, the famous Burslem potter, whose busts and statues in Jasper and black basalt, produced during the latter part of the eighteenth century, are much treasured to-day by connoisseurs. (Enoch Wood, it will also be remembered, was reported to be the first of the Staffordshire potters to make use of bone in earthenware, this being at a time when he was in the employ of Palmer at Hanley Green.) Mr. Wood was an out-and-out pottery student — a student, one might say, to the very last — and the intimate knowledge that he amassed in regard to pottery practice and technique was certainly exceptional. He was one of the first to interest himself in the formation of the Ceramic Society, and became one of the founder members of that body. He was one of the little band that was present when, in the year 1900, the late Mr. W. Jackson called a meeting in a top room of the Victoria Institute, Tunstall, to consider the practicability of establishing such a body, and for many years he was one of the most regularly attending members at the Society’s meetings, which, in the early days, before the Society had a permanent home, were of a perambulatory kind. He was in due time honoured by being elected President of the Society, and his deep interest in its affairs was never allowed to wane. “What would the veterans of the old days have given for such facilities for technical education as now exist?” Mr. Wood often remarked in his latter years. The interment was at Burslem cemetery on June 25, following a service at the Hill Top Methodist Church. It would be true to record that Mr. Wood’s main interests, apart from his home life, were the Doulton Potteries and the Hill Top Methodist Church at Burslem, and his contribution to both was summed up admirably in a tribute that was paid to him in the course of the memorial address which preceded the funeral: He served both, with ungrudging and unselfish devotion, and with rare gifts of mind and soul.

Fire at a Pottery. — On July 3 there were exciting experiences at the Devon Pottery of S. Fielding & Co., Ltd., Sutherland-st., Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, in consequence of a fire which broke out there in the crate and straw shed. The first signs of the outbreak manifested themselves shortly after midday while the whole of the workers were at their normal tasks. Smoke was seen issuing from the crate yard, and on the alarm being given employees rushed to the scene to help with chemical extinguishers; unfortunately, however, they were unable to get near to the seat of the fire, which, within a few minutes was raging fiercely. A call was put through to the Fire Station and the whole of the city brigade were speedily in attendance, and prevented the flames from enveloping an adjoining cottage, as well as a nearby store which contained a very valuable stock of moulds. Within about an hour the outbreak was effectually quelled, but not before a new motor car which was parked in a shed in the crate yard, and belonging to the firm’s designer, was entirely burned out. Happily, the damage, con-

sidering the risk involved, was comparatively slight, and we understand that no dislocation of normal working at the factory will be occasioned as a result of the fire.

Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. — On July 9 the North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce entertained to luncheon Sir John Cadman, who, now Chairman of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, commenced his career as a North Staffordshire mining engineer. In introducing their guest of honour, and sketching some of the principal phases of his romantic business career, the President of the Chamber, Lt.-Col. W. J. Kent, T.D., remarked that the people of North Staffordshire, and particularly the business community, look upon Sir John’s achievements with interest and pride. From the position of Colliery Manager, Sir John was appointed a Government Inspector of Mines; he saw Government service in Trinidad, and later was appointed a member of the Royal Commission on the Persian Oil Fields. Whether he was directing the destinies of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, watching British interests on the Suez Canal, or helping in the management of the Gt. Western Railway, his work was an inspiration to the rising generation of the district and a continual reminder of what can be done by hard work and ability. They regarded Sir John as one of the most distinguished guests that the Chamber had ever entertained. Sir John Cadman then addressed the Chamber and gave a high-minded talk on the changeover in Britain from individualism to collectivism. The days of intense and unrestricted competition, he said, had gone, and in our steady march towards the re-attainment of prosperity, the text in front of us must be collaboration and collective work. In his closing remarks, Sir John Cadman paid a tribute to the North Staffordshire district, its industries and its people. The main industry, he said, which had given the region the name of “The Potteries,” has ample vigour and unique supplies of raw material. Moreover, the characteristics of the people — slow, perhaps, to change, but dogged in adversity and resolute to overcome all difficulties — were such that they must ultimately command success.

Death of Miss Hulme. — By the death of Miss Emily Gertrude Hulme, both the North Staffordshire Technical College and the Ceramic Society have experienced a sad and unexpected loss. Miss Hulme, who passed away on July 6 at her home in Porthill, had been identified with the staff of the Technical College, on the pottery side principally, for some 18 years. At the time of her death she was clerk to the Principal, Dr. Harry W. Webb, and had formerly been engaged for many years upon secretarial work for Dr. J. W. Mellor, Honorary Secretary to the Ceramic Society. In the peculiarly interesting capacity in which she served Miss Hulme was brought into touch, both by correspondence and otherwise, with leading personalities in all branches of the clay working industries, and gained experiences such as fall to the lot of few. For many years she had a good deal to do in her secretarial capacity with the administrative affairs of the Ceramic Society; and, as the amanuensis of Dr. Mellor she accompanied him as the leader of many overseas excursions. In this capacity she visited

quite a number of the Continental countries and shared in the notable trip to America some few years ago. For some years, also, she had acted as official reporter to the Ceramic Society. In her life, apart from the Pottery College, Miss Hulme had also been active, particularly in the British Bed Cross movement. As a member of the Stafford 86 detachment (Burslem Division) of that movement she soon became quartermaster and was later appointed assistant Commandant and Secretary. At the funeral, which took place at Burslem Cemetery on July 9, following a service in Swan Bank Methodist Church, there was a large following and numerous floral tributes from various branches of the community testified to the esteem in which she was held on all sides.

Electricity for Pottery Kilns. — In his annual report of the activities of the Stoke-on-Trent electricity undertaking, Mr. C. H. Yeaman, City Electrical Engineer, specially cites as one of the causes of a gratifying increase in current generation, the growing use of electricity in industry. It is gratifying, he reports, to be able to refer to additions in all classes, with power leading the way, thus evidencing the progress that is being made in the pottery and allied industries. One additional kiln was connected during the year, making a total of 13 electric kilns now in commercial use in the Potteries. Kilns take 6,734,259 units — almost exactly one-tenth of the total units sold. The increase under this head during the year was 513,419 units, or 8.25 per cent.

The Glass Trade

Business all round continues good in the flint glass trade, notably in the Midland district. At this season of the year orders tend to decrease. Thus far, however, employment has been maintained at a very good level. Since a year ago productive capacity has been increased. In Birmingham the flint glass trade has been reorganised on a new basis. Manufacture has been revolutionised in important particulars. Accordingly there are much larger resources at command and that these have been employed without cessation testified to a substantial augmentation of turnover. With all branches invigorated by the progressive diffusion of trade activity the industry is in a stronger position now than for a long time past. The demand for table glass has been stimulated by the intensified drive of the shipping lines and the railways for the patronage of the leisured classes and the occasional holiday makers on pleasure bent. Sea cruises and land excursions, with the catering associated therewith, have helped the trade in glasswares. There is now some reaction after the re-equipment of London clubs and hotels for the Royal Jubilee. It is expected, however, that when the summer holiday season is over and attention is turned to the autumn demand stocks in the distributive channels will not be so large as to defer the renewal of buying. Some very good contracts were placed at the half year by certain of the big shipping lines for current needs.

Inquiries for lighting glass are promising. Manufacturers are preparing new designs with which to exploit the opportunities created by improved purchasing power. The protection they have received in the home market is a strong incentive to redoubled efforts to show that British design and craftsmanship can more than hold their own in competition with the foreigner. There is some expansion of the export trade, but the renaissance of the flint glass industry must be credited almost entirely to the revival of the market at home and the energy with which the occasion as been improved. Australia has sent large orders this year. Just now few consignments are being shipped, but there are confident hopes that when Christmas draws nearer confirmatory evidence will be forthcoming that the Commonwealth, now that it has overcome the worst of its economic distress, will show that while much has changed its old delight in good British glass has survived. South Africa is a growing market. The growth is slow, but it is considered sure. Canada is showing more interest in flint glass sent out from this country in the hope of finding acceptance there on a commercial scale.

At the glassworks of Chance Brothers & Co., Ltd., Smethwick, one of the busiest departments is that concerned with the floodlighting of aerodromes and landing grounds for aircraft. The firm has some important contracts in hand and this bids to be an increasingly active branch as plans for the strengthening of the air arm develop. Glass for architectural appliances such as was shown at the recent British Industries Fair at Castle Bromwich also provides a considerable amount of employment. It is stated that at Chance’s Glasgow works, at present devoted very largely to the production of spun glass for insulation and sound deadening uses, there is steady activity.

Following the recent death of Mr. Reginald Delpech, the founder and sales director of Triplex Glass Co., Ltd., various changes in the board of directors have been made. Major A. E. Phillips, the chairman, having retired, Mr. Graham Cunningham assumes that position and will continue to hold office as managing director. Mr. W. R. Lyttleton remains on the board as technical director, and the new directors are Miss McDuell, the secretary, who has been with the company twenty years, Captain Victor Shepherd, general sales manager, and Mr. A. Cochrane, works manager of the King’s Norton factory. In reconstructing the Board the object has been to have only directors who are actively engaged in the business of the company.

A gratifying review of the past year's operations of Forster’s Glass Co. was given by Sir Sydney H. H. Henn at the annual meeting of the company. The profit for the year was £41,205 and £17,000 added to the reserve account, which now stands at £60,000. Sales did not quite reach the record total of last year, but by means of increased efficiency in the works it was possible to somewhat improve the profits. For the greater portion of the year the sales were ahead of the previous year, which, however, included two Easters. As Easter this year was late, it did not fall within the company's accounting period, and this made a considerable difference to sales, as an increased trade was always anticipated at Easter. The directors, he added, recommended a dividend of 5 per cent, and a cash bonus of 5 per cent., both less income tax. He had completed 20 years of service with the Board, and that long period had given him the opportunity of appreciating the excellent personal qualities and technical knowledge possessed by their two managing directors.

Goods consigned in “Ferry” Wagons are not transhipped, thus greatly reducing risk of damage and saving time. Specially suitable for fragile articles. Sailings in both directions 6 or 7 times per week.

Full particulars from Continental Traffic Manager, L-N-E-R, Liverpool Street Station, London, E.C.2.

It is of interest to note that the Government of India has refused to give effect to the recommendation of the Tariff Board to grant protection to the native glass industry, the ground of refusal being that no adequate source of Indian soda ash has been developed. Pending, however, an enquiry into the claim for protection the government will for the next three years give the industry a measure of relief. The revenue duty now imposed on soda ash of Empire origin will be refunded to the glass manufacturers of India who import it for their own use, or, alternatively, an excess over ten per cent. of the duty on foreign soda ash. The duty on foreign soda ash is at present 30 per cent., or 10 per cent. more than is levied on British soda ash.

A member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers complains that Japanese glass is being sold under circumstances calculated to mislead the purchaser as to its origin. “I had occasion lately,” he says, “to purchase an engraved medicine glass from a well-known chemist store. The carton was plainly marked with the firm’s name. Inside was a glass engraved in Japanese characters, some of which had been clumsily altered to approximate to Arabic numbers and English letters.”

Mr. W. Alexander, President of the National Union of Manufacturers, calls attention to the attitude of the Labour Opposition in voting against duties on eye-glasses and monocles. He writes, “On the recommendation of the Imports Duty Advisory Committee the Government has introduced increased tariffs for the help and protection of various small industries in face of cut-throat competition from abroad.” The Labour Opposition voted against these new and very necessary duties and their spokesman said they did so because of the sheer nonsense of these proposals and their pettiness. He sought to make fun of the idea of bothering to help the firms and the workpeople engaged in the production of such articles as spectacles and spectacle frames, eye-glasses and monocles. Eye-glasses and monocles may be fitting subjects for jokes in the right place, but the right place is rather the music hall than the House of Commons when it is discussing eye-glasses as the means of improvement for many skilled workers. He adds that obviously the articles do not affect a large number of workpeople, but they are all important to the people whose livelihood depends on them. These people and may others will welcome the new duties as evidence that the very practical policy pursued by the Government is directed to helping the small trades as well as the big industries.

Reference to spectacles recalls a curious incident related to the writer by a lady resident in Shropshire. After a thunderstorm some weeks ago a woman discovered that following a vivid flash of lightning her glass eye had splintered, but without injuring her in any way. A doctor was summoned from a neighbouring town, and he removed the fragments of glass from the socket. The mystery of how the accident occured without causing bodily harm has not been solved. Artificial eyes are being-provided for every blind baby in the sunshine homes of the National Institute for the Blind and these are being made by Miss Rose Millduro, a young expert, who works under the direction of her father, a medical man in London. The modern glass-eye is a thin hemispherical shell shaped to fit exactly into the eye socket and is as light as a feather. Its production is highly skilled work and the shaping and colouring of the eye needs not only great patience but imagination and artistry. Recently a visit has been paid this country by Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Graves Mathers, of America, who are carrying on a campaign in aid of the sightless and those suffering from defective vision. According to them seven per cent, of children of school age in the United States suffer from blindness which might have been prevented if proper steps had been taken in time. In older people 15 per cent. of those who are blind are stated to be in that unfortunate position as the result of industrial accidents. Germany is reported to send 20,000 glass eyes to the United States every year.

Glass plays by no means an unimportant part in the new Museum of Practical Geology at South Kensington, which was opened by the Duke of York. Rough and cut specimens of precious and semiprecious stones are arranged in twenty-two illuminated show cases, which are filled with non-reflecting glass. An illuminated glass pillar is a prominent feature among exhibits dealing with British geology as illustrated by the work of the Geological Survey. The pillar shows the main events in geological history divided into periods starting with the first Cambrian formations 500,000,000 years ago and ending with a gold line, a tenth of an inch thick on an 8 ft. pillar, to denote the span of man's habitation of this planet.

An important step has been taken by the Worcestershire Education Committee in the matter of providing special training at Stourbridge of pupils destined to enter the glass industry. It was reported at the meeting of the Committee that a junior art department would be established next month in connection with the local School of Art, two years' training being provided. About 15 to 20 pupils would be admitted each year, the age of admission being 13œ to 14 years. The estimated expenditure on staff was about £500 per annum, and on equipment about £250, which included a furnace costing £100. It was hoped to secure the co-operation of the Glass Manufacturers’ Federation with the idea that the industry would undertake to absorb into employment as far as possible boys and girls to be trained in the school. It was hoped that the Staffordshire Education authority would also send pupils. Alderman Albright said the scheme had been thought out and developed in conjunction with the Board of Education. Mr. J. E. Boyt stated they had made very good progress in Stourbridge in connection with the glass manufacturers, especially with regard to the apparatus that would be set up — furnaces and pots, their prices and the possibility of getting skilled instructors who had practical knowledge in the work. They had set up a glass committee, which included representatives of the glass manufacturers and they hoped to have great help from Professor Turner, of Sheffield University, who was a great authority in all matters connected with glass. After some further remarks the report of the Higher Education committee on the subject was adopted.

Those who have had an opportunity of inspecting the Elgar Memorial windows which Mr. Archibald

K. Nicholson has designed and executed for the Worcester Cathedral speak very highly of it alike for the design and its rich colouring. The design is based on Cardinal Newman’s “The Dream of Gerontius.” At the foot is the priest who is reciting the “Proficisere,” and the Guardian Angel supporting the Dematerialised spirit of Gerontius in its ascent. Among other figures depicted are St. Gregory, with a scroll of Gregorian music, and St. Oswald.

Mr. George Kilner, managing director of Kilner Bros., Ltd., glass bottle manufacturers, Conis-borough, South Yorkshire, referring to the fact that a receiver had been appointed for the firm, said “The firm is carrying on for the present.” Kilner Bros., Ltd., is a private company and was established about 90 years ago. Some years ago they gave up the manufacture of bottles at Thornhill Lees and concentrated the business at Conisborough, employment being found for a large number of men and boys. The famous glass posset bowl and cover, which is believed to have been designed to commemorate the coronation of James II, realised £145 when submitted for auction at Christies. The sum of £300 was paid for a goblet, with a drawn trumpet bowl, and inscribed with the Jacobite anthem of 28 lines, ending with “Amen.” The purchaser of this unique piece of glassware was Mr. Cecil Davis.

North-Eastern District. — Whilst there is no material reduction in the number of men on the unemployed lists in this district, it is gratifying to note that there is a steady decline in the laid-up vessels in the Tyne. A substantial order for several new ships has just been placed on the Tees and the machinery is to be turned out on the Tyne. The placing of these orders has given great satisfaction in shipbuilding and engineering centres on the North East Coast and when work on the vessels and the machinery gets thoroughly under way employment will be found for a considerable number of men and lads over a long period. Whilst this is good news for the industries immediately affected it is equally welcome to the glass and other trades which are bound to benefit in some degree. In the pressed glass branch of the trade here business is rather on the quiet side. “It is the calm before the storm,” observed the manager of a large factory to me a few days ago, adding that they expect to get into full swing again during the second half of the year. In the course of two or three weeks orders for Christmas goods are expected to come to hand and these will provide additional employment for the operatives. In the bulb and tube section of the trade business is improving. This is only to be expected, as work for the autumn and winter usually sets in about July or August. In view of the severe competition from the Continent orders for tumblers are fairly satisfactory. Luckily there are still some patriotic people prepared to give a little extra for home-made goods rather than buy foreign manufactures, and this is the experience of firms turning out tumblers.

The China Clay Industry

For the past few months the aggregate turnover in the china clay industry has not been quite so satisfactory as it was in the earlier part of the year, but, notwithstanding, there is a balance of

nearly 10,000 tons when compared with the first six months last year. Had it not been for the higher graded clays now produced by special plants for specialised trades, the monthly volume would be considerably less than it is.

With regard to the use of colloidal clay, it is interesting to note that the Laundry Research Institute of Russia has lately undertaken a considerable amount of research in connection with its use in the manufacture of soap, and the results seem to confirm similar investigations made in this country. Rehbinder and his colleagues, in their conclusions as to the colloidal nature and properties of soap and clay solutions or suspenoids, appear to be in agreement with the decisions established by McBain, Martin Fischer, and numerous other workers in the realm of research. Weston’s work on clay soap is well known, as well as the earlier results of Feld-heimer and other scientific experts. Searle did not consider china clay a suitable ingredient for toilet soaps, but such views must be materially modified in view of recent developments in the field of science.

Paper-makers do not require colloidal clay, but they like to use the finest clay, free from grit. Neither is it used to any great extent in pottery.

Colloidal clay, however, has a definite field in the manufacture of linoleum, paints, distempers, and wall-plasters. Also it is essential in quite a variety of tooth-powders and pastes, and other toilet preparations.

The very first public announcement testifying to the medicinal properties of colloidal clay was made during the famous Hearn trial at Launceston. Dr. Eric G. Saunders, in giving his evidence regarding the medical treatment of Mrs. Harris, said that powdered kaolin was as good as bismuth in such cases and very much cheaper. It is several years since china clay was discovered to contain valuable qualities for the treatment of stomach troubles.

With all these new and ever-increasing outlets surely great opportunities are opening out for the industry.

The general increasing trade is reflected in increasing demand for china clay in the home market, which has helped to make up for the loss of consumers on the Continent and in America.

China clay producers have great obstacles in their export trade to the Continent, and though they vary in character and degree they all hamper shipments. Fortunately, the British China Clay Producers’ Federation, of which most of the leading producers are members, have been concentrating on these matters, and have achieved considerable success; otherwise the industry would have suffered worse than it has done.

The shipments for June were about 10,000 tons down compared with May. Of this, over 6,000 tons were accounted for in the loss of shipping at Fowey. Shipping at the various ports was as follows :— Fowey, 31,619 tons china clay, 2,521 tons china stone, 2,405 tons ball clay; Par, 9,001 tons china clay, 578 tons china stone, 40 tons ball clay; Charlestown, 4,714 tons ball clay, 732 tons ball stone; Padstow, 549 tons ball clay; Plymouth, 212 tons ball clay; Newham, 68 tons ball clay; rail to Westmorton, 4,898 tons ball clay.

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The totals for the month are:51,961 tons of china clay, 3,831 tons of china stone, and 2,445 tons of ball clay.

There appears to be some friction between some employers and their employees in the clay area at Newton Abbot. It is understood that seven firms refused an application from employees at their clay pits for the restoration of the 10 per cent, cut in wages enforced in January, 1933. Further developments are expected.

The cut followed a 2s. reduction per week in 1931, which, states the district organiser of the National Union of General and Municipal Workers, made serious inroads into the wages of the workers. “They have since been working with a sense of injustice,” declared the Union official, “and are now definitely of the opinion that the time is opportune for a restoration of the cuts, having regard to the comparatively prosperous position of the industry and the fact that workers in other industries who suffered losses at about that time have since had such cuts restored.”

The employers, however, have given a blank refusal, but the men are adamant, and are to discuss the situation further. The men’s leader hopes that the employers will meet the men in a manner that will avoid any unnecessary friction.

At the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival at Bugle, held amid the china clay works, the famous St. Denis Clay Workers’ Band, which has won the championship on eleven occasions, was defeated by the Munn and Felton’s Works Band from Ket-teving, Northamptonshire. In Class B St. Austell Town Band gained the premier honours and a Jubilee medal for the Bandmaster, Mr. E. F. Woodhead. Three members of the band also secured individual distinction.

New British Patents

Specially abstracted, by permission of the Controller of H.M. Stationery Office, from the Official “Patents Journal.” Group abridgments can be obtained from the Patent Office, 25, Southampton-buildings, London, W.C.2, either sheet by sheet, as issued, on payment of a subscription of 5s. per group volume, or in bound volumes price 2s. each. The full specifications can be obtained from the same address price 1s. each.

Glass Bottles. — 415,630. Convention date, Dec. 17, 1932. C. Anaya, 137, Calle del Sabino, Mexico City. — Relates to the manufacture of glass bottles which have an annular groove around the interior of the mouth to provide a seating for a cover or lid. According to the invention, a blow-pipe used in making the bottles is provided with a number of elements each of which can be moved radially in a plane at right angles to the axis of the blow-pipe in order to form the required groove in the mouth of a parison. The device comprises a tube 1, Fig. 1, having a sleeve 2 provided with two projecting arms 3 by means of which it can be turned relatively to the tube. The lower end or face of the sleeve 2 is provided with four spiral grooves 4 which engage pins 9a projecting upwards from four arcuate elements 8, Figs. 1 and 3, that lie on top of a ring 7. This ring is secured to the upper side of an annular projection 6 on a short tubular extension 5 secured to the lower end of the pipe 1. Each of the elements 8 is also provided with a pin 9 which projects downwards into a radial slot 10 formed on the ring 7. In use, when the parison has been formed around the blow-pipe, the sleeve 2 is turned by the arms 3, either by hand or by suitable means when the device forms part of a machine.

The rotation of the sleeve causes the spiral grooves 4 to move the elements 8 outwards, and the elements form a groove around the inside of the neck of the parison. Rotation of the sleeve in the reverse direction causes the withdrawal of the elements to their original position.

Removing Bubbles from Glass. — 416,473. R. Haddan, 31, Bedford-st., Strand, W.C., on behalf of Corning Glass Works, Walnut-st., Corning, New York, U.S.A. — A method of fining, or removing bubbles from, borosilicate glasses consists in adding to the batch at least 1.0 per cent. of a chloride, the batch being free from other fining agents, and melting the batch under atmospheric pressure at a temperature, generally above 1,400° C., which will prevent the formation of droplets of alkali chloride in the finished glass.

Glass Manufacture. — 426,129. General Electric Co., Ltd., Magnet-hse., Kingsway, W.C., G. F. Adams, R. W. Douglas, and J. H. Partridge, c/o General Electric Co., Wembley, Mddx. — A refractory glass having high electrical resistance, particularly intended for making envelopes of high-pressure metal-vapour electric discharge tubes, contains not more than 60 per cent. of silica, not more than 2.5 per cent. of alkalis, not less than 12 per cent. of lime, and not less than 15 per cent. of alumina. Preferably the remainder comprises one or more of the following oxides, namely, magnesia, baryta, boric oxide, zinc oxide, phosphorus pentoxide. Specification 242,568 [Class 56] is referred to.

Glass Manufacture. — 425,007. Convention date, Oct. 23, 1933. Corning Glass Works, Walnut-st., Corning, New York, U.S.A., assignees of W. C. Taylor, 120, East 5th-st., Corning, New York, U.S.A. — Glasses which are particularly suitable for the stems and flares of electric lamps are made by using a small amount of lithia as one of the alkalis in a lead-potash-soda glass containing a small amount of alumina. The composition comprises 56 to 60 per cent. of silica, 19 to 30 per cent. of lead oxide, 8 to 10 per cent. of potassium oxide, 2.9 to 3.5 per cent. of sodium oxide, 0.1 to 1.2 of lithium oxide, and not more than 2 per cent. of aluminium oxide. The composition may also include 6.5 to 7.7 per cent. of barium oxide and a small amount of boric oxide. The glasses are of high electrical resistance and have low softening temperatures.