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60 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
PHILIPPINE COAL PRODUCTION.
Considerable interest is shown in the coal situation
of the Philippines by South China commercial
circles, writes Consul General George E. Anderson,
Hongkong, not only because of the great
incerase in the imports of fuel into the islands
during the past fiscal year, important in the volume
of business it represents and its effect upon
shipping, but also because of the fact that the
islands are commencing to produce a considerable
portion of their own coal supply.
It is announced that the mine at East Batan is
now turning out 100 tons of coal per day and that
as soon as a new chute system is completed it
will be able to turn out and handle economically
300 tons per day, or about 100,000 tons per year.
This mining enterprise, which was undertaken
several years ago, at first proved a financial failure,
and some time ago it was placed in charge of
Mr. William E. Nolting under an agreement between
the company and its creditors. This receiver
or manager, in connection with Mr. E. R.
Hix, a coal expert from the United States, has
reorganized the business, and it is now said to be
upon a paying basis.
The government of the Philippines has aided tht
enterprise by advancing funds against contracts
for coal. The contracts for coal are now being
carried out. The coal is of good quality and the
MINED AND SHIPPED BY
managers report that there is little or no doubt
that the entire output of the mine will be taken
by the government or by local consumers for the
next year or more. Already, however, possibilities
of a market for the fuel in near-by ports are
being canvassed and the government and managers
have full data carefully prepared as to the possibilities
of the export trade.
The import trade of the Philippines in coal has
greatly expanded in the last year or so. The imports
of coal into the islands in the fiscal year
ending June 30. 1911, amounted to 403,146 metric
tons, valued at $1,267,312, as compared with imports
of 303,117 ordinary tons, valued at $972,341,
in 1910, 171,088 tons, valued at $461,465, in 1909,
and 213,959 tons, valued at $567,220, in 1908. Up
to 19(19 Australia supplied most of these imports,
furnishing 169,151 tons out of the total of 171,088
tons imported that fiscal year. In 1910, however,
Japan commenced to enter the trade in earnest,
apparently largely because of labor troubles in
Australia. For the last two years it bas furnished
about half of the total imports into the
islands, though British North Borneo has commenced
to enter the trade.
The Alex. M. Gilchrist & Sons Coal Co., Wellsburg,
W. Va., has filed notice of dissolution.
THE LEHIGH COAL AND NAVIGATION COMPANY
SUMMIT
Registered U. S.
GREENWOOD
Patent Office
GENERAL OFFICES, 437 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA
W. A. LATHROP, President ROLLIN H. WILBUR, Vice President
RICHARD T. DAVIES, General Coal Agent
F. N. ULRICK, Assistant General Coal Agent
REPRESENTATIVES :
NEW YORK: CARROLL MOORE, SALES ACENT BOSTON: 0. B. JOHNSON. EASTERN SALES AGENT
143 LIBERTY STREET 141 MILK STREET