TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11726, 29 October 1903, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

According to a cable mesBritish sage published yesterday, Coal Supply. Mr Markham, a British M.P., has predicted that if th% present consumption and the rate of export continue, the thick steam coal seams in Great Britain will be practically exhausted within the present generation. As Mr Markham is a director of several coal companies, he may be supposed to know something of what he is talking about. At the same time one would prefer, before pinning his faith to Mr Markham’s views, to await the findings of the Royal Commission on Coal Supplies, which has not yet dealt with the actual amount of coal still available for use in the British Isles. It is certain that there are large coalfields still untouched, and if the coal they contain is within practicable reach, the end of Britain’s coal supply, at the present rate of consumption, may not be reached for several centuries. A groat deal depends, however, upon whether this coal reserve can be brought to the surface at reasonable cost. The Commission’s first instalment of its report deals largely with toe questions of the lowest depth

reached in mining, and the minimum thickness of workable scams of coal. It appears that coal is profitably worked at several places at a depth of little less than 5000 feet, and in one place a depth of 3435 foot is readied. The miners have to work there in a constant temperature of degrees. In several mines the men are said to do a good day's work a-t a temperature of9odegrees; they wear very little clothing, and work under conditions resembling those of a Turkish bath, and naturally they find that a "dry mine” in which there is little moisture in the air, is less exhausting than a damp one. As to how much deeper it would be possible to go the experts were chary of expressing opinion, but they thought 4000 feet could be achieved, and possibly even a greater depth. But at that depth other matters besides temperature would come into the question, and might make the cost ot working prohibitive. With regard to the “thick coal seams” referred to hv Mr Markham, tho Commission found that fivesixths of the total output of the coalfields of Great Britain came from seams a yard or more in thickness. Thin seams are not worked, either because they would not pay at present prices, or because the thick seams are more tempting. Whether the thin seams would be payable when the other sources of supply are used up, remains to be learned. Unless they are near tho surface they cannot be taken into account- in estimating the future coal Supply.

Another scandal has come Regimental to light at Home, revealExtravagance. ing the way in which

even officers in command of a regiment are forced to contribute toward the extravagance of the officers. Lieutenant-Colonel P. F. Robertson, of the 92nd (Gordon) Highlanders,, after being absent from his regiment for five years on a staff appointment, and rejoining tho old 92nd as a major and second in command, was greeted by a note from a lieutenant of the regiment, who acted as secretary of the “Regimental Drag Fund,” drawing his attention to tho fact, that he was liable for back subscriptions amounting to £4l, and asking him what steps he desired the secretary to take in tho matter. “Most- unfortunately for me,” says the Colonel, who tells the story in' “The Times,” “I had the necessary moral courage to tell this young subaltern that, being a married officer with a large’family, and that, like most Highlanders, not being a rich man, I did not feel justified in paying a sum of over £4O for such a purpose, more particularly as this large sum had been suddenly sprung upon me without any previous notice of any kind at any time. However, I offered to pay my subscription fr-r the current year, and any monthly expenses in keeping up the drag." This offer was declined, and when the next annual regimental report went in, it was declared in it that Colonel Robertson “did not possess the esteem and confidence of his juniors.” It- should be added that this was the first unfavourable report of any kind that iuid been made of Colonel Robertson during his whole military, career of nearly thirty years. In due course lie was promoted and took command of tho regiment, and a little later received a peremptory order from Sir Redvers Duller, then Adjutant-General, to relinquish his command forthwith and take leave. Of this extraordinary conduct he has never received the smallest explanation, and has been unable to obtain any redress. It is naturally asked how this fits in with the following passage in Lord Roberts s Army Order of September 7th:—“General officers are directed to ensure .... thatofficers’ messes are so conducted that it is possible for those of moderate means to live ih the service. Should any commanding officer fail to carry out in their true spirit Jind intention the regulations of tho service . . tho Commander-in-chief will seriously consider the propriety of retaining him in his command.” It is also asked what Lord Roberts means to do in this scandalous case.