The following notes record some of the features of interest seen by visitors to collieries, works, etc., which were, by kind permission of the owners, open for inspection during the course of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne meeting on September 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th, 1902:—

The output of about 1,580 tons of coal per day is drawn from two shafts.

The colliery is ventilated by an open-running fan, 35 feet in diameter, driven by a Corliss engine with a cylinder 16 inches in diameter by 3 feet stroke, fitted with sugar-tong-clip valve-gear. The engine is controlled by a governor, which varies automatically the cut-oft and maintains a regular speed, even when the steam-pressure varies. The speed is readily altered by changing the weights placed on the governor, and this can be easily effected while the engine is running. The results of experiments, at speeds of 40 and 60 revolutions per minute, are recorded in the following table :—

No. of Revolutions of Fan per Minute. Volume of Air per Minute. Water-gauge. Indicated Power of Engine. Useful Effect.

Cubic Feet. Inches. Horsepower. Per cent.

40 133,952 1.00 42.93 49.17

60 205,932 2.15 133.94 52.09

A vertical engine, with a cylinder 94 inches in diameter and 9 inches stroke, running at 200 revolutions per minute, drives a dynamo of 15 horsepower. The current is conveyed to a motor of 10 horsepower placed in the Low Main seam, driving a three-throw ram-pump, delivering 100 gallons of water per minute against a vertical head of 120 feet.

The main-and-tail-rope haulage is worked by an horizontal engine, with a cylinder 134 inches in diameter by 30 inches stroke, fitted with valve-gear controlled by a governor, which automatically varies the cut-off and maintains a constant speed. The speed can be varied between 70 and 100 revolutions per minute by altering a spring attached to the governor, and this can be done while the engine is running. When not employed in hauling, the tail-rope drum can be put out of gear, and a clip-wheel put into gear; and the power is then transmitted by means of an endless wire-rope to the main differential ram-pump placed in the Low Main seam, and forces the water to the surface.

Two similar engines work the endless-rope haulage in the Blake and Yard seams, with 10½ and 7 1/3 miles of rope respectively. The shop-engine has a cylinder 10½ inches in diameter and 22 inches stroke.

An engine, with a cylinder 104 inches in diameter and 22 inches stroke, works the screens, including 4 shakers, 4 bar-belts for best coal, 45 feet long, with lowering arms; 2 belts for small coal; 1 duff-coal creeper; 3 tub-creepers; and 4 kick-ups. These are erected in an iron building with H girder steel legs.

All the engines are supplied with steam at a pressure of 100 pounds per square inch, except two old vertical condensing winding-engines, with cylinders 33 and 34 inches in diameter respectively, for which the pressure is reduced to 40 pounds per square inch. All steam is superheated. There is one range of 5 Lancashire boilers, 8 feet in diameter amid 30 feet long. The pit and shops are worked by 3 boilers, mechanically fired with small-coal, mixed with some rough nuts.

The gas-works comprise 9 fire-clay retorts and two gas-holders