Clippens Oil Co. - full transcript of newspaper references

Glasgow Herald - Tuesday 28 May 1872

JOHNSTON.-Serious Accident.—Two labourers, named James M'Allan and Edward M'Glynn, both residing in Johnstone, were severely injured it yesterday afternoon at the Clippens Shale Works, near Linwood. They were employed carrying to bricklayers who were building a receiving house for holding gas, in connection with the works. The bricks were deposited on a scaffold about sixteen feet from the ground, on which there were some half-dozen workmen Le standing at the time, including bricklayers and labourers, when one of the planks supporting one of the sides gave way, precipitating M'Allan and M'Glynn to the ground. The others who were on the scaffold managed to hold on by the wall till assistance arrived, when they were rescued from their perilous position. M'Allan is much cut on the back of the head. He has also received severe cuts on the face from the falling bricks, and M'Glynn has received injuries on the lower part of the body and legs. Dr Henderson, from Johnstone, was promptly on the spot, and dressed their wounds.

Glasgow Herald - Monday 03 June 1872

JOHNSTONE.-Accident at a Shale Work. - On Saturday forenoon, an accident occurred at the Clippens Shale Works, which, though fortunately unattended by injury to any of the workmen, resulted in a considerable loss of property. The proprietors are erecting a large number of retorts for the manufacture of oil, and two rows of twenty each had been placed, when a retort, which was in the act of being hoisted into its position by a crane, swung round, and knocking against one of the retorts caused the entire row of twenty to fall with a crash. A number of the retorts were broken, and the damage is estimated at £700.

North British Daily Mail - Thursday 07 November 1872

(Extract from report of Great Storm)

It is reported that the Clippens Shale Company works, which are situated near Linwood, have suffered from the gale, and that a large chimney stalk in the vicinity has fallen.

North British Daily Mail - Friday 08 November 1872

PUBLIC WORKS BLOWN DOWN AT JOHNSTON – DAMAGE £2000. Yesterday morning the gale moderated, but it has left sad evidence behind it of its violence. The Clippens Shale-Oil Works, two refineries of considerable dimensions, were totally wrecked. The strong iron-arched roofs of other two buildings were likewise torn off, carried to a distance, and broken to pieces. These buildings were considerably damaged. Viewing the ruins a spectator might suppose that the district had been visited by a volcano. A contractor believes the aggregate damage cannot be less than £2000.

Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser - Saturday 09 November 1872

LINWOOD. In this village and neighbourhood the damage caused by the storm has been very extensive. At the Linwood Spinning Mill, where extensive improvements and additions are in progress, Messrs Grant & M'Farlane, of Johnstone, the contracting joiners, have suffered considerable loss. But by far the greatest amount of damage has been sustained by the Clippens Shale Company, at their works at Clippens. The roof of the presshouse was blown away 50 yards, and the refinery and the ammonia house were completely demolished. A chimney-stalk, just erected at Balaclava, the property of Messrs Merry & Cunninghame, 100 feet high, came to the ground. A pile of wood 8 feet high, and 21 feet long, was lifted and carried away with terrific violence, many of the boards being broken.

Glasgow Herald - Saturday 28 June 1873

Serious Accident -Yesterday morning, while a number of men in the employment of the Clippens Shale Oil Company were taking shelter from the rain under the arch of a brick kiln which had not been finished: and the props of which had been removed the previous evening, the arch gave way, the bricks and debris falling on the men, two of whom, named James Grant and John Gillespie, labourers, both residing in Johnstone, were so seriously injured that Dr Henderson, of Johnstone, who attended them, ordered their removal to the Paisley Infirmary. Other three of the men were injured, but not dangerously.

The Scotsman - Saturday 28 June 1873

JOHNSTONE —FALL OF A BUILDING. —Five men were somewhat seriously injured yesterday at the Clippens Shale Oil Works (Mr Bunning's), near Johnstone, by the falling of a large archway of brick built over a kiln. The building was scarcely completed. The men were seated at their meal inside when the catastrophe occurred . John Gillespie, Canal Street, Johnstone; and James Grant, High Street, Johnstone, are the most dangerously injured, and were removed by Dr Cunninghame to the Paisley Infirmary. It is feared Gillespie will not rally, being severely cut about the head, and seriously injured internally. The others were removed to their homes in a cab. The walls stand intact. The accident is attributed to the state of the weather and the softness of the lime.

Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser - Saturday 07 February 1874

ACCIDENT. – On Tuesday night, Michael Boyle, labourer, employed at the Clippens Oil Works, Linwood, had his collar bone broken. He fell in front of a waggon which was being moved along the rails, and before he could be extricated the wheels came into contact with his body.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 05 June 1875

LINWOOD. Fire.— On Saturday fire broke out in the extensive shale-oil manufactory at Clippens, owned by Messrs. John Binning & Co. The damage was trifling.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 25 September 1875

Pit Accidents.— On Wednesday, a man named Daniel Collins, employed at the Clippens Shale Works as a pitheadman, was injured by falling with a hutch over the gangway-face, having lost control the hutch. He was attended by Dr. Taylor, Johnstone.

Glasgow Herald - Friday 17 August 1877

FATAL ACCIDENT.-A lad named Neil Lynch was fatally injured at the Clippens Shale Oil Works yesterday afternoon. Deceased had been working at the brickwork when he was struck on the chest by a piece of coal. He was at once removed on a stretcher, but died on the way home to Linwood a couple of hours after the occurrence.

Greenock Advertiser - Wednesday 03 April 1878

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE NEAR PAISLEY

Yesterday afternoon, shortly after three o’clock, a fire of an alarming nature broke out the works of the Clippens Shale Oil Company (Limited), situated between Paisley and Johnstone. The works are of a very extensive character, covering altogether about 10 or 12 acres of ground, and embrace the manufacture of paraffin for candles, vitriol, saltpetre, &c. The portion of the works burned yesterday was the “scale-house,” where the oil was stored, and prepared, by pressing and freezing, for the candle-makers. When the fire broke out it was at once seen that any attempt to save the building attacked would fail, and the attention of the Johnstone fire-brigade—who were on the spot about 40 minutes after the fire was discovered—was directed to save the refining-house. The conflagration in the scale-house continued on unchecked till late in the evening; but ere that time all apprehensions had been removed by the isolation of the refining-houses. The Johnstone firemen deserve great credit for the alacrity with which they turned out. The loss in machinery and stock is estimated at about £6,000 and is altogether uninsured. One correspondent gives the total estimated loss at between £8,000 and £10,000.

Dundee Evening Telegraph - Wednesday 03 April 1878

DISASTROUS FIRE NEAR PAISLEY. A disastrous fire broke out the Clippens Oilworks, Linwood, near Paisley, yesterday afternoon. The fire originated in the “scaling" department, and for some time there was great dread lest it should extend to adjoining section of the works where the tanks and pipes were filled with paraffin in a highly explosive condition. At the outset measures were taken against such a possibility, and the pumps were incessantly worked for some hours to drain off the oil. In about half an hour's time the roof of the “scaling" building fell in. Fortunately the wind was blowing in a favourable direction, and for an hour and a half more the fire-engine worked to good effect, when the water supply failed, and a messenger galloped to Paisley and obtained increased pressure on the mains. Between six and seven o'clock the enginemen gave playing on the burning building, which continued to blaze for several hours. The Clippens Oil Works cover about 15 acres, and, with the exception of those of Young's Paraffin Company at Bathgate, are the largest in the kingdom. The limited company was only formed week or two ago, its previous designation being the Clippens Shale Company. The works were partially insured, and the damage is estimated at from £8,000 to £10,000.

The Scotsman - Wednesday 03 April 1878

PAISLEY — DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT CLIPPENS SHALE OIL WORKS. - Yesterday afternoon a serious fire occurred at the Clippens Shale Oil Works, near Linwood; about four miles from Paisley. The works have been in existence for about ten years, and during that period have been largely extended. About a month since they were transferred to a limited liability company. They occupy about fifteen acres of ground, and the manufacture carried on is that of paraffin oil. Each department of the works is detached from the others. The fire yesterday afternoon occurred in one of the main buildings of the works, known as the crude scale-house, the most south-easterly of four similar buildings, and detached by a roadway of about twenty feet from the adjoining building, the refining-house. The fire originated in the north-west comer of the crude scale-house, and, as may be supposed from the inflammable nature of the material, it rapidly spread. In the course of about half-an-hour the whole building was enveloped, the flames rising to a height of upwards of 100 feet in the air. The Johnstone fire brigade worked assiduously in protecting the adjoining buildings. About ten o'clock last night the fire had only partially burned out. It is estimated that machinery to the value of about £3000 has been destroyed, and the other damage done will not be under £7000. A portion of the property destroyed only is covered by insurance. The origin of the fire is unknown.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 13 April 1878

ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS SHALE OIL WORKS. – On Saturday, one of the gauge glasses of a locomotive at this work burst, and injured a man named Charles Caldwell so severely about the eyes that he had to be removed to the Infirmary.

Greenock Advertiser - Tuesday 30 July 1878

SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS.

Yesterday, about one o’clock, two men were seriously injured at these works through neglecting to warn the engineman of their intention to go down an incline up which trucks of blaze are drawn. On going down the engineman puts on a brake to regulate the speed of their descent. No brake being on, the trucks rushed at a tremendous speed down the hill into two railway waggons, and the men were thrown out with great violence. John M'Gorlic was picked up insensible, and much cut about the face and head, but through the judicious treatment of Dr Taylor, who was soon the spot, he has recovered a little; while his neighbour, Joseph Blair, has also received internal injuries of a serious nature.

Daily Review (Edinburgh) - Saturday 19 April 1879

SUPPOSED GAS POISONING. - While a man named Robert Cassells was engaged on Thursday in the refining stills of Clippens Oilworks he dropped to the ground in an insensible condition, having inhaled some of the gases amongst which he was working. He was at once removed to his residence in Macdowall Street , Johnstone, and was attended by Dr Taylor.

The Scotsman - Monday 25 August 1879

On Saturday one of the stills in the Clippens Oil Company’s Works exploded, very seriously injuring two men.

North British Daily Mail - Monday 25 August 1879

SHOCKING ACCIDENT NEAR JOHNSTONE.

ONE MAN KILLED AND ANOTHER SEVERELY INJURED.

A distressing fatality occurred near Johnstone on Saturday, at Clippens Oilworks, at half past two o'clock, by which a man named James Hodge, residing at Crosslee, was instantly killed, and one named John Gilchrist, living at Balaclava, was so seriously injured that it is feared he cannot survive. Both of the unfortunate men were foremen—one during the day and the other at night—and were engaged inspecting an oil still which was not working satisfactorily. The stills are about 12 feet high, and are made of strong cast-iron. While they were conducting the examination the still exploded with terrific force. James Hodge was thrown to the front of the still, and was found with his face downwards, his body being partly covered with the oil and fragments of bricks, &c. His head was laid open at the back by a deep gash, which seemingly caused his death. Mr Hodge was about 35 years of age, was married, and belonged to Ireland. John Gilchrist was found near his companion, with his head badly hurt and his body also injured. Mr Andrew Scott, of the firm, mounted a swift horse and rode to Johnstone, and immediately returned to Clippens with Dr Taylor's assistant. He attended Gilchrist at Balaclava, whither he had been removed, but on instructions he was immediately removed to the Infirmary. Gilchrist is also married. A messenger was despatched to Crosslee to break the news to the wife of Hodge, and immediately thereafter the body was taken home. This is the first accident of the kind that has taken place at this large work.

Greenock Advertiser - Monday 25 August 1879

FATAL EXPLOSION AT CLIPPENS OIL WORK.

Shortly after three o’clock on Saturday afternoon an explosion of a somewhat alarming nature occurred at the Clippens Shale Oil Works, near Paisley. The men duty, it seems, had “turned on” a stream of oil in its raw state into the still-house, when they discovered that the safety valve and dipping cock had got choked up with tar, and while trying to clear them, a fearful explosion took place, which lifted the still, containing about 1000 gallons of tar, right on to the hutchway, where it was smashed pieces. The two men were thrown a distance of about 12 feet, and when the confusion had subsided, it was discovered that James Hodge, residing at Crosslee, had been killed on the spot, and John Gilchrist was severely scalded and scorched all over the body. He was at once removed to the Paisley Infirmary, where he lies in critical state, Dr Frew, the house surgeon, however, considering him last night out of danger. Hodge leaves a widow and five children.

Glasgow Evening Post - Monday 25 August 1879

THE ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS OILWORKS

PAISLEY, Monday, 1 P.M.

Our Paisley correspondent telegraphs: - Gilchrist, who was injured at the accident at Clippens Oilworks, expired at the Paisley Infirmary today.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 06 October 1879

Explosion at Oil Work.—An explosion, which fortunately was not of a very serious nature, occurred at Clippens Oil Works, Paisley, on Saturday morning by the bursting of one of the oil stills. One of the stillmen, named Hugh Fox, went on to the top of the still and was in the act of closing the dipping cock, when it blew up. He was thrown to the ground. His leg was found to be broken at the knee, and one of his shoulders much injured.

Glasgow Herald - Thursday 16 October 1879

ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS. - Another accident- fortunately on this occasion unattended by any serious result—occurred yesterday at the Clippens Oil Works. While three men, named James Fergus, George Fleming, and John Sweeney, were working at the line stills, one of the stills exploded. Fergus was cut about the hands and arms, and slightly burned. Fleming and Sweeney escaped with slight burns about the face and arms. Dr Taylor was in prompt attendance from Johnstone, and after dressing the wounds of Fergus and Fleming, had them removed home; while Sweeney, after having his injuries attended to, was able to resume work. The cause of the explosion is quite unknown.

Renfrewshire Independent - Saturday 07 February 1880

JOHNSTONE.

SINGULAR ACCIDENT.—On Wednesday morning when a workman, named David Harrison, entered one of the departments in the Clippens Oil Works, he was overpowered with a strong gas off some of the ingredients used in the manufacture of oil. When removed he was quite unconscious. He was taken home to Johnstone in a perfectly insensible condition.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 15 January 1881

Accident at Clippens Shale Oil Works.— On Tuesday, while a man named William Edgar was at work at one of the machines, his hand was caught by a revolving roller, and before he could extricate it, two of his fingers were severely crushed. He was taken immediately to Paisley Infirmary, where Dr. Crawford, the house surgeon, found it necessary to amputate them.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 12 February 1881

LAD FALLING INTO A VAT OF OIL. - Yesterday, a lad was received into the Infirmary suffering from injuries received by falling into a vat of oil in Clippens Oil Works, near Johnstone. His sufferings are most excruciating, and it is not expected that he will recover. The poor lad is named Hugh M‘Kay, 19 years of age, and resides with his parents in Johnstone. He missed his foot somehow, and fell into the vat, which was at a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 18 July 1881

FATAL ACCIDENT AT LOANHEAD.

On Saturday, whilst two young men, named Thomas Connelly and Patrick Gordon, were at work in one of the pits belonging to the Clippens Oil Company, a large quantity of shale fell from the roof. Gordon escaped with his foot somewhat bruised but Connelly sustained such severe injuries that he died in the course of Saturday afternoon. The unfortunate young man was 24 years of age, and the sole support of his widowed mother.

North British Daily Mail - Tuesday 11 October 1881

EXPLOSION AT CLIPPENS OILWORKS.

At Clippens Oilworks, near Johnstone, on Sunday night, owing to the carelessness of one of the workmen, an explosion took place at one of the stills, blowing the cover of the still to a considerable distance. The foreman of the stills, named Wm. Stewart, together with his brother John Stewart, and two workmen, Dugald Campbell and Thomas Mooney, got another cover which they proceeded to place on the still, without first taking the precaution of blowing a jet of steam through it to rid it of air. The result was a second explosion, in which all the four men were burned more or less seriously, besides being bruised. William Stewart fared worst, as he was blown several feet into the air, and got severely cut about the head and face. The others escaped without any serious injury unless the scorching. Dr Taylor, of Johnstone, was in immediate attendance, and had all the men dressed and sent to their homes.

North British Daily Mail - Monday 09 January 1882

CLIPPENS OILWORKS PARTIALLY DESERTED

The violent gale of Friday has made considerable havoc on these works, which stand in a very exposed position. About twelve o’clock the gable was blown out of the building known as the cooperage. Several other of the buildings , which are of brick, had parts of them seriously damaged, and ultimately it was deemed advisable for the safety of the workmen to suspend work for the remainder of the day in those parts of the buildings which were most exposed. No serious accident, however, happened to any of the men.

North British Daily Mail - Friday 05 May 1882

At Clippens Oil Works yesterday a locomotive was passing over a siding under which were some oil tanks. The door of one of the tanks had been left open, and a hot cinder from the engine falling into the tank caused an explosion which threw the engine off the line, blew one of the iron doors to a distance of a hundred yards, and seriously injured the engineer.

North British Daily Mail - Friday 05 May 1882

ALARMING EXPLOSION AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS.

Yesterday, at Clippens Oil Works, between twelve and one o'clock, an engine with several large tanks of oil was being brought into the works on the company's branch, underneath which are large tanks or holds for storing the oil brought from the Pentland Collieries. These large underground tanks are covered by iron doors, which are only supposed to opened when oil is being run in. Yesterday, however, when the engine was passing along, one of these doors seems by some carelessness on the part of somebody to have been left open, thus allowing the cinders from the engine to fall in among the oil, which caused a terrific explosion, the force of which blew the engine off the line. The driver was lifted into the air. One of the iron doors was blown about 100 yards, and falling on another building went crashing through the roof. Charles Caldwell, the driver, who was blown into the air, was very seriously injured about the head and face, and after being examined by Dr Taylor was at once despatched to Paisley Infirmary. Several others were slightly injured, and the damage done to the plant is very considerable. This is the second time, we understand, that Caldwell has had the misfortune to meet with an accident in a similar way.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 14 August 1882

ACCIDENTS AT STRAITON. – John Paton and Walter Niven, residing at Loanhead, while examining an engine at Clippen’s Works, Straiton, yesterday, were scalded by a quantity of steam which escaped at a manhole. Paton was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. – By a slight explosion of firedamp which occurred in a shale pit at Straiton on Saturday, two miners, named Andrew M’Nicol and Henry Clark, residing at Loanhead, were scorched on the face and hands.

North British Daily Mail - Wednesday 30 August 1882

ALARMING FIRE AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS.

Yesterday afternoon, a fire which at one time threatened most serious consequences broke out in the white scale shed of the Clippens Oil Works. This shed is in close proximity to the spirit tanks, and had those taken fire it is probable that a large portion of the works would have been destroyed. The manager, with great presence of mind, turned on a full force of steam from the boiler into the shed, and by this means the fire was got under control before any serious damage was sustained.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 18 November 1882

FIRE AT CLIPPENS. – On Thursday, fire broke out in one of the oil-stills at Clippens Oil Works. Fortunately, the outbreak was got under before any great damage was done.

Glasgow Herald - Saturday 18 November 1882

CLIPPENS, - FIRE. – Yesterday morning fire broke out in one of the oil stills at the Clippens Oil Works, near Paisley, but fortunately, through the exertions of the workmen and the efficiency of the fire apparatus, the flames were extinguished before any extensive damage had been inflicted.

Glasgow Herald - Saturday 02 December 1882

CLIPPENS. – FIRE AT THE OIL WORKS. - Yesterday afternoon one of the sheds at the Clippens Oil Works, known as the scaling department, was discovered to be in flames. Immediately on the alarm being given the door and windows were promptly closed, and the building was filled with steam, which quickly smothered the flames, and in this way the building, as well as very valuable stock, was saved from destruction.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 07 June 1883

LOANHEAD.

PIT ACCIDENT. – Between twelve and one o'clock on Monday morning, James Affleck, a miner residing at New Pentland, was severely burned on the head, face and arms, by an explosion of fire-damp. Affleck was in the employment of the Clippens Oil Company, and on going to the coal face in one of the shale pits, the damp had accumulated to such an extent that, coming in contact with his lamp, an alarming explosion took place. Fortunately no other workmen were in that part of the pit at the time.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 02 February 1884

JOHNSTONE DISTRICT.

The burgh of Johnstone and district have also suffered severely from the ravages of the storm. The gale raged with extreme violence on Saturday and during the early hours of Sunday morning, and much damage was done to public and private property. Shopkeepers and others who entered their places of business on Monday morning in many cases found that the storm had done great havoc to their back premises, especially if these were in any way exposed to the fury of the gale. Mr. James Hunter, draper, Houstoun-square, had the glass roof of his dress and millinery saloon entirely destroyed by the fall from the adjoining house-tops of several chimney cans, which crashed through the roof of this portion of his establishment, and destroyed a quantity of his goods. Considerable damage was also done to the new engineering works of Messrs. Shanks, presently in course of erection at Leigh Cartside. At various works throughout the town, the storm effected no little damage. In the Skiff Wood, situated high above Howwood, thousands of trees have been laid level with the ground. Clippens Oil Works, which stand in a somewhat exposed position near the village of Linwood, have likewise suffered severely by the storm. The side of one of the petroleum houses was blown in by the violence of the gale, and much valuable materiel destroyed, while other portions of the works also suffered severely. ln the same district, a one-storey thatched house was completely demolished, the inmates having to take refuge in the houses of neighbours. The estates of Milliken and Castlesemple have also suffered considerable damage by the uprooting of trees. Altogether, the storm has been the fiercest and most destructive that has occurred within the memory of the "oldest inhabitant."

Peeblesshire Advertiser - Saturday 23 February 1884

(Extract from article entitled “THE GALE OF THURSDAY MORNING”)

At Loanhead the damage has been more extensive than was occasioned by the last storm. The road to Lasswade from Loanhead was completely blocked in four different places, the telegraph posts and wires being broken in several places. A building which a contractor had just finished at the Clippens Oilworks succumbed to the fury of the storm. The neighbouring woods are strewed with fallen trees, and the damage to house property is very heavy.

The Scotsman - Tuesday 11 March 1884

LOANHEAD – EXPLOSION. – An explosion occurred at Clippens Oil Works yesterday, by which three men were injured. The damage otherwise was unimportant.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 13 March 1884

EXPLOSION IN A MINE – On Friday an explosion of fire-damp occurred in the shale pit of the Clippens Oil Company. It appears one of the miners went to the face before it had been reported clear of damp, and in consequence a slight explosion occurred, and the man was burned on the hands and face.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 04 April 1884

CONTRAVENTION OF THE MINES REGULATION ACT. – At the Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court this afternoon, Henry Wilson, a young man, was charged with a contravention of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1872, by having, on the 17th March, gone into a working place in the Pentland Shale Pit, in the parish of Lasswade, occupied by the Clippens Oil Company, before to it was reported to him by the foreman, or other person in charge, that the working might safely be entered. Wilson pleaded guilty, and said he did not know much about the regulations, though he admitted there was a board up in the pit warning the men against the offence charged. There was an explosion of firedamp, by which he got severely burned, and had been off work since. The Sheriff remarked on the very serious nature the offence, and said these regulations were made, not for the safety of one individual alone, but for that of large bodies of men. An explosion might have occurred whereby a large number of men might have lost their lives. At the same time, taking into consideration that he had already been severely punished by being burned through the explosion, the fine imposed would be 5s, with the option of three days in jail.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 10 April 1884

MINE ACCIDENT. - On Friday afternoon, while a lad named John Bell, employed as a miners' drawer, was pushing a hutch of shale along No. 4 level in Clippens shale pit, he fell, and another hutch which was being pushed by a lad in his rear, struck him, crushing his head between his legs. The lad was taken to his home at Gilmerton, where he received medical attention. It is suspected that his spine has been injured, but hopes are entertained of his recovery.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 19 August 1884

FIRE AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS. – Yesterday morning fire broke out in the paraffin department of the above work, and for a time occasioned considerable alarm, but the flames were mastered before any extensive damage was done to either plant or stock.

Renfrewshire Independent - Saturday 23 August 1884

LINWOOD.

FIRE AT CLIPPENS OILWORKS. --On Monday morning, a fire broke out at Clippens Oilworks. It originated in what is known as the white scale paraffin department, a building which is about 100 feet long and 40 broad, but which is so constructed that on fire being discovered the shutters and doors are quickly closed, which makes the building airtight, when, from a number of jets specially fitted up for the purpose, steam is turned on, which in a short time completely stifles the flames, and so saturates both plant and stock that little damage is effected by the flames before being extinguished.

Renfrewshire Independent - Saturday 27 September 1884

ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS OIL - WORKS. —On Thursday morning, an accident of a painful nature occurred at these works to a young lad named Jamieson, residing at Balaclava. Jamieson, it seems, in the course of his duties in what is known as the freezing department, had mounted to the top of an oil tank, when somehow or other he missed his footing and fell into the tank of hot oil, and before he was extricated he was severely scalded about the lower parts of the body. Those at the works assisted to alleviate the agony of the unfortunate lad as much as possible until the arrival of Dr. Taylor, who, after dressing the burns, had him ordered to the Paisley Infirmary.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Saturday 15 November 1884

A labourer named Charles M’Glaghan thirty-five years of age, got his arm severely lacerated on Wednesday in consequence of a pulley in connection with one of the Clippens Oil Pits, with which he was working becoming disarranged. He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. A boy named Robert Prattes was also received at the Infirmary on Wednesday, suffering from the effects of a similar accident. He was assisting to put up a pit rope on a pulley at one of the Broxburn mines, when the rope slipped off and struck him so heavily on the right leg as to cause a compound fracture of the limb.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 09 January 1885

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT AN OIL WORKS.

A fire occurred last night in the Clippens Oil Works, near Paisley, which resulted in the destruction of a department of the works known the White Shale House. The fire originated in the drum through which the oil is passed in process of refining to the freezing machine. The building was burned down in the course of a very short time, and several alarming explosions took place, which, however, were unattended by injury to life. The destruction of the department, which was one of the most important in the works, will have the effect of throwing idle a considerable number of the employés. A quantity of machinery was destroyed, and the damage is believed to amount to over £5000. The fire continued to burn till a late hour this morning.

Aberdeen Press and Journal - Saturday 10 January 1885

DESTRUCTION ON AN OIL WORK.

An alarming and destructive fire broke out on Thursday afternoon in the Clippens Oil Works, situated near Johnstone. The fire blazed with terrific fury, and at midnight it was not extinguished, and the liveliest concern was manifested for the security of the large oil tanks clustering around in close proximity to the burning mass. The fire originated by ignition from knife in one of the hydraulic freezing machines, situated in the white scale shed, which is about 80 feet long by 30 feet high and some 50 feet wide. The moment the mill became ignited the roof was blown off, and in a few seconds the place was beyond salvation, although it was provided with the latest and most effective appliances for the extinguishing of fire. The building, which is composed of brick, was filled with very expensive machinery, and along the end of the building there was a large tank filled with oil; and there were, besides, other gigantic tanks near, all of which were filled. As the conflagration gathered strength tank after tank exploded, and as they collapsed the great tongues of fire shot upwards, illuminating the sky for miles round. The works are interwoven with pipes, and there being such a network of tanks containing pure spirit, paraffin, lubricating, green, and other oils, that the greatest excitement prevailed as the fire spread. The extent of the destruction is enormous, and cannot yet well be calculated. Fortunately no one was hurt, and the working of the concern will not be interfered with. The works are insured.

The Scotsman - Monday 19 January 1885

MINING ACCIDENT AT LOANHEAD. – Yesterday evening a miner named John Martin, employed in the Clippens Oil Company’s Works, Loanhead, was severely injured about the face, body, and arms, by the premature explosion of a charge which he was engaged in preparing. He was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Glasgow Evening Post - Monday 02 February 1885

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES ON SATURDAY.

EXPLOSION AT CLIPPENS OILWORKS.

MAN BURNED TO DEATH.

On Saturday at 7.25 p.m. fire broke out in the refinery shed at the Clippens Oilworks near Linwood. The shed is known as No. 4, and is used for the storage of wax and other oils. The fire was caused by the friction of the drums used in the refinery process, and, as usual when the drums get overheated, there was a loud explosion. Such fires caused by the friction of the drums, are a frequent occurrence but in this instance the flames took such quick hold of the oil that they could not be got under. At the time the explosion took place there were four men in the department, and seeing that they could not get the flames under, they immediately rushed for the door. One of the men, either from the force of the explosion or coming into contact with something, was seen to fall heavily to the ground. His companions thought he had only stumbled, and they did not stop in making their way to the open air. On finding that the man did not return, an attempt was made to enter the shed, but this could not be done, as the place was one mass of flame, and the poor fellow was burned to death. Yesterday morning one of the shoes that the man had worn was all that could be found. The deceased was named Thomas Stranachan, and resided at Quarry Street, Johnstone, and he was only married at New Year last. The fire burned all day yesterday, but did not extend to the other departments. Another report states:—On Saturday night, at 7.30, a fire broke out in the paraffin refinery of the Clippens Oilworks, near Johnstone, whereby man named Stranachan was fatally burned, and damage done to the extent of between £2,000 and £3,000. The fire, which was due to the same cause as the last, was entirely confined to the building to which it occurred, and will not interfere any way with the progress of the work. The apparatus tor extinguishing fire in this department is of the best and most effective kind, and has only recently been much increased and so arranged that in the event of fire breaking out it might be confined to one particular division of the building. Ln this case, fortunately, the precaution has proved effectual. But these fires are always preceded by an explosion caused by electric sparks produced in the process of manufacture, they spread with such instantaneous rapidity on account of the inflammable nature of the material used that even the best-devised appliances are sometimes unable to cope with them. This is now the only department of the works where such operations were being carried on, and when this fire occurred it was being rapidly supplanted by another process, which was almost completed, entailing no such risks.

Glasgow Evening Post - Tuesday 03 February 1885

THE FATAL FIRE AT CLIPPENS.

Yesterday afternoon, the remains of the young man Thomas Strannachmor, who lost his life at the Clippens fire on Saturday, were interred in the Johnstone Graveyard. The funeral was largely attended, conspicuous in the procession being a large number of workmen attired in their ordinary garb. Just a short time before the hour fixed for interment a further portion of the remains of the deceased, which had been found yesterday at the scene of the fire, were sent over from Clippens, and deposited in the coffin. Much sympathy is being expressed for the young widow.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 07 May 1885

TERRIBLE EXPLOSION AT CLIPPERS OIL WORKS. —On Friday morning, the 1st of May, about six o'clock, a terrible explosion occurred at the above mentioned place. At No. 136 of the cottages (lower fiat) attached to the Clippens Oil Works lived a miner named Patrick Clark, who, together with his three sons, worked in the Clippens Pit, and a daughter named Catherine, who worked in Springfield Paper Mill. It appears that on the morning of the explosion the family had overslept. The father, who was the first to get up, proceeded to an adjoining room where his sons and the young woman's lover were sleeping, to waken them. While he was thus engaged the daughter had awakened and risen. Seeing the fire was very low she seized a flask containing as she thought, sweet oil, but in reality blasting powder, which is used extensively by miners, and poured some of the contents on the fire. A loud explosion immediately followed, injuring the girl so severely that she died in a few minutes afterwards. The father hearing the explosion rushed from the room where the males slept to see the cause of it, but was met by the explosive material which inflicted an injury, somewhat severe, on his eyes. He is, however, progressing favourably, and the medical gentleman in attendance (Dr Dickie) is confident he will not lose his eyesight. Fortunately, no other persons of the family were hurt. Some idea may be obtained of the terrific force of the explosion when it is stated that the brick partition between that house and the adjoining one was utterly demolished, the lower half of the kitchen window was blown many yards away, and the surrounding houses were considerably shaken. What makes the sad and untimely fate of the young woman (who was only a little above 20 years old) more deplorable, is that she was engaged to be married in about three weeks. It appears that the flask of powder had been brought into the house and put beside the oil can unknown to the girl, who it is supposed took it for the oil.

Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette - Friday 29 May 1885

At Clippens Oil Works, near Johnstone, yesterday, a large iron tank which is being erected was damaged by one of its sides being blown down. It is said to be the largest tank in Scotland.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 08 February 1886

PIT ACCIDENT AT LOANHEAD. – A middle-aged miner named John Lumsden sustained severe internal injuries through being crushed between two wagons, in one of the Clippens Oil Company’s pits at Loanhead, on Saturday. He was taken to Edinburgh Infirmary.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 06 April 1886

EXPLOSION AT CLIPPENS OILWORKS. – A boy named John Cameron (15) was conveyed to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary to-day suffering from the effects of an explosion in one of the mines in the Clippens Oilworks last night. It appears that the boy was going through the mine with a light, which exploded some gas. He was severely burned on the face, body, and arms.

Glasgow Evening Post - Saturday 17 April 1886

FATAL RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT. – John Cameron aged 15, has died in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary from injuries he received a fortnight ago through an explosion of fire-damp in the Pentland Shale Pit of the Clippens Oil Company.

The Scotsman - Wednesday 23 February 1887

ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS. – Yesterday afternoon a lad, named John Cherry, fifteen years of age, employed as a pony driver in the mines at Clippens, was knocked down and run over by a wagon, the wheel passing over his right leg, which sustained a compound fracture. His head and shoulder were also badly injured. He was conveyed to Edinburgh Infirmary.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 31 March 1887

LOANHEAD.

FATAL ACCIDENT. – On Monday afternoon Peter Anderson, employed as a roadsman at Clippens Shale Mine, while engaged at his duty was caught by some hutches and so severely injured that he died almost immediately. Anderson must have heard the hutches coming, but apparently thought they were on the opposite line of rails from those where he was walking, as he could easily have stepped out of the way. Deceased was 33 years of age, and resided at Gilmerton.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 26 April 1887

CLIPPENS OIL WORKS FLOODED.

Yesterday another section the underground workings belonging the Clippens Oil Company was flooded with water, compelling the men to leave their work. This is the third section which is flooded thereby causing about 300 men to be idle.

Dundee Advertiser - Tuesday 03 May 1887

THE FLOODING OF THE CLIPPENS MINE. – It is stated that the flooding of the Clippens Mine is not serious, that there is only one level of the pit flooded, and that the water is now easily under control, as pumping arrangements are provided capable of throwing out 70 per cent. more water than is coming in.

Aberdeen Evening Express - Thursday 22 September 1887

Yesterday, one of the sections of the Pentlands pits at Loanhead, belonging to the Clippens Oil Company, was flooded. The company will give other places to the men, so that they will not suffer by the flooding.

Dundee Courier - Monday 08 October 1888

FIRE IN GLASGOW. – Fire occurred last night in the valuable block of buildings at the south-west corner of Exchange Square, Glasgow. It originated in the lumber room of the office of the Clippens Oil Company. The damage to stock and building is about £800.

Glasgow Evening Post - Wednesday 25 June 1890

ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS. – A miner named John Whelan, residing at Old Pentland, was killed at Clippens Pit yesterday, by being jammed with a hutch.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 08 September 1890

FATAL ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS.

At the Clippens Oilworks yesterday two men were injured, one fatally. James Mulholland, miner, Lees Place, Loanhead, is the name of the latter, who was so severely injured by the fall of a heavy stone that on admission to the Royal Infirmary this morning he died. By the same accident James M. Monagle, miner, residing at 67 Pentland Place, Loanhead, had his right leg fractured. He was also taken to the Royal Infirmary.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 24 April 1891

LOANHEAD.

ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS. - A miner named Thomas Cherry, residing in Clerk Street, Loanhead, and employed by the Clippens Oil Company, was admitted to the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, last Friday, suffering from a fractured leg, fractured ribs, and severe flesh wound. He was knocked down by a hutch which left the rails at the company's works.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 07 May 1891

ACCIDENT TO A CLIPPENS MINER. – On Monday morning, James M’Hainey, a miner employed by the Clippens Oil Company, fell off a hutch at the works of the Company at Loanhead, and the hutch, passing over him, inflicted severe bruises about the body and right leg. He was removed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 07 May 1891

PIT EXPLOSION AT LOANHEAD.

TWO MEN INJURED.

John Moran, miner, residing at Pentland Mains, Loanhead, and Thomas Kerr, miner, Pentland Row, Loanhead, both in the employment of the Clippens Oil Company, were brought to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary this forenoon suffering from burns about the face and other parts of the body, caused by an explosion of gas in a mine. It is surmised that the explosion was caused in some way by lamps which the men carried.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 21 August 1891

ACCIDENT AT THE CLIPPENS. - on Wednesday a miner named Thomas Thomson, residing in Loanhead, was going up the pipe tracks at the clippings, sitting on one of the “boggies,” but he unfortunately slipped and was thrown in front of a hutch coming down the incline at the time. The hutch passed over his right leg above the knee and broke it, and also caused him serious internal injuries.Dr Dickie's assistant attended him in the first instance, but the miner was removed to the Royal Edinburgh Infirmary afterwards.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 04 September 1891

PIT ACCIDENT. - An accident of rather a serious nature occurred on Tuesday morning at the Clippens Oil Works, Loanhead. A drawer named Charles Stewart (19 was working in No. 2 mine, about 40 feet from the “face,” when an explosion occurred. He was precipitated to the bottom, and had his left arm severely burned, the right one also being burned about the shoulder. His face, too, was much disfigured. He was conveyed home, but on Wednesday it was found necessary to take him to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. The police are investigating the cause of the explosion.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 28 March 1892

SERIOUS FIRE AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS.

Fire broke out shortly after ten o'clock this morning in the wax refinery at the works of the Clippens Oil Company, Loanhead. The amount of the damage cannot definitely stated, but il is believed to amount to several thousand pounds. The damage is, however, fully covered by insurance, and the fire will in no way interfere with the carrying on of the business. The fire occurred in what is variously known as the paraffin sheds, the sweating houses and the oil refining shops, where the work carried on is the extracting of the wax from the oil. There are night and day shifts, but only about two dozen men will be thrown out of work. The oil to be refined is run into iron trays, and the wax settles to the bottom. The wax is then placed in ovens with wooden doors, and it was at the back of one of these ovens that the fire originated. The ovens are heated with steam, and it is not known what caused combustion. The wood was very dry, and formed with the wax, with which the shelves were loaded, the very best material for flames. Soon, sheds Nos. 1 and 2 were in a blaze, but the brick partition separating Nos. 3 and 4 kept the fire from spreading to these. A quantity of the wax was saved, but several tons in various stages was destroyed. The iron roofs soon fell in, but the structural damage was comparatively small. At nine o'clock, before leaving for breakfast, the foreman saw that everything was right, and it was when the men were about to start work at a quarter to ten, that the alarm was raised. Eventually when it was seen that Nos. 3 and 4 sheds were not immediate danger, the fire was allowed to burn itself out; but so saturated was the floor with wax and oil that at two o'clock the flames were still burning.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 29 March 1892

ACCIDENT TO A SHALE MINER. – A shale miner, named Francis Sharkie, in the employment of the Clippens Oil Company, was admitted to Edinburgh Royal lnfirmary last night suffering from a burned face caused by an explosion of gas at the company's mine.

The Scotsman - Monday 11 April 1892

WHILE Martin Butler was on Friday, at the Pentland Shale Mine, belonging to the Clippens Oil Company, engaged taking out old props supporting the roof and putting in new ones, a prop broke and a quantity of rubbish fell on him from the roof, killing him instantly.

The Scotsman - Monday 11 April 1892

ACCIDENT TO A PITHEADMAN. – At the Clippens Oil Works on Saturday afternoon, Henry Taylor, a pitheadman, was accidentally crushed against some timber while sitting on a hutch which was in motion. He was removed to the Edinburgh Infirmary.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 21 May 1892

ACCIDENT TO CLIPPENS PIT SINKERS. - Two pit sinkers named Archibald Wilson and James Reilly, in the employment the Clippens Oil Company, were admitted to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary last evening, suffering from burns on the face, neck, and arms caused through an explosion in the above company's No. 8 mine. A naked light had been used.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 10 June 1892

MINER SEVERELY BURNT. – On Monday an explosion, caused by the exposure of a naked light in a dangerous part of the Clippens Oil Company’s mine, resulted in the severe burning of Richard Cornwall. The man was removed to the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh.

Glasgow Evening Post - Friday 12 August 1892

ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS. – A young man named Edward Manning, a labourer employed by the Clippens Oil Company, was yesterday admitted to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary suffering from wounds on the head and bruises on the body, the result of an explosion of gas which occurred at the works the previous evening.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 24 September 1892

MAN KILLED AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS.

About one o’clock this afternoon, a man named John Dolan, aged 55 years, was crossing the railway at Clippens Oil Works when the heel of one of his boots caught in the points. Before he could get free a pug engine came upon, knocked him down and severed his legs. Dolan died shortly after sustaining the injuries.

Glasgow Herald - Tuesday 20 December 1892

ACCIDENTS BY EXPLOSIONS -Two shale miners named James Gilhooly and Thomas Gilhooly, residing at Clippens Rows, Loanhead, were admitted to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary yesterday suffering from severe burns on the face, neck, arms, and hands, caused by an explosion which occurred while they were ready to start work in a mine of the Clippens Oil Company about seven o’clock yesterday morning.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 17 January 1893

PIT ACCIDENT. - Thomas Murphy and Stephen M'Patrlin, labourers, were this forenoon admitted to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, suffering from injuries to head and arms, caused by an explosion which occurred through their having entered one of the pits of the Clippens Oil Company at Loanhead with naked lights. The injuries are not serious.

Glasgow Evening Post - Saturday 15 July 1893

FATAL ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS. – An accident occurred at the Clippens Oil Company’s pits yesterday afternoon, whereby a young man named Alexander Kent lost his life. A fall of shale came down and buried him, and when he was got out it was found out that he was dead.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 20 July 1893

ACCIDENT TO A MINER. – On Thursday last Patrick Coyne, miner, residing at Pentland Rows, was burnt about the arms by an explosion of gas in the Clippens mine.

FATAL ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS.- On Friday afternoon last, an accident occurred in the Clippens shale mine whereby a young man named Alexander Kent lost his life. A heavy fall from the roof took place in that part of the mine where he was working, which took some hours to clear away before he could be extracted. At that time he was still alive, but a second fall took place, causing further injuries, from which he never recovered. The funeral took place on Monday.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 06 January 1894

A LAD named David Simpson, residing at Meadow Bank, Loanhead, and in the employment of the Clippens Oil Company, was brought to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary this morning, suffering from injuries to his left leg, caused being crushed while oiling an engine. The limb had to be amputated.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 18 January 1894

LOANHEAD.

ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS. - Early on Tuesday morning a young man named Myles, employed as a retortman in Clippens Oil Works, and residing at Pentland Rows, Loanhead, sustained rather serious injuries about the head and face by falling over gangway at the retorts into the “gully" beneath. His fall was said to have been broken by projecting pipes, otherwise his injuries would have been more serious.

Glasgow Herald - Thursday 19 April 1894

FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT. – James M’Culloch, boilermaker, was run over by some trucks at Clippens Oil Works, Loanhead, yesterday. He was conveyed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where his legs were amputated. He died shortly after the operation.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 25 May 1894

ACCIDENT. – A miner, residing at Meadowbank, named John Reid, and employed at No 8 Pit of the Clippens Oil Company, was seriously injured on Tuesday last. He was riding on what is known as a water hutch, and on being brought to the surface was crushed between the top of the vehicle and the crown bar. He was seriously hurt about the chest and back, and had to be conveyed home. Dr Dickie attended him.

Musselburgh News - Friday 29 June 1894

LOANHEAD.

ACCIDENT TO A MINER. — Gilbert Wilson, a miner employed by the Clippens Oil Company, residing at Burdiehouse, was removed to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on Wednesday forenoon, suffering from a compound fracture of the legs which he sustained while working in the Clippens Shale Pit. It appears that he was engaged firing a shot when the accident occurred. He is progressing favourably.

Glasgow Herald - Tuesday 16 April 1895

FATAL ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS OILWORKS. – Yesterday afternoon a labourer named Thomas Rae, in the employment of the Clippens Oil Company, was admitted to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary suffering from a compound fracture of the leg, caused by a loaded waggon running over the limb. Amputation was resorted to, but the unfortunate man succumbed to his injuries last night.

Dundee Advertiser - Thursday 01 August 1895

MINER KILLED. – On Tuesday night James Pennycook, miner, was killed at No. 8 incline of the Clippens Oil Company’s pit at Loanhead. It appears that on leaving work he came to the pit bottom and jump into a half-full hutch which was about to be drawn to the surface. While on the way up the incline his shoulder caught one of the beams, and he was crushed between the hutch and the beam. He only lived ten minutes afterwards.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 08 August 1895

ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS. – On Tuesday morning a lad named Stewart was slightly cut on the head by a piece of shale falling upon him in one of the Pentland mines.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 23 August 1895

FATAL RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT. —Robert Stenhouse, miner, Gouklymoss, died in the Royal Infirmary last Friday morning, from injuries received on Wednesday week by an explosion which occurred in No. 4 shale mine of the Clippens Oil Company at Straiton, and as a result of which he was severely burnt about the head, shoulders, arms, and hands.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 06 March 1896

ACCIDENTS. – James Allan, a lad, in charge of a pump in No. 4 Mine, Clippens, met with a serious accident on Friday. A string of hutches broke loose through a link of the hauling chain snapping, and these running back knocked him down and broke his leg. He was removed in an ambulance waggon to Edinburgh Infirmary. -On the same day a miner, named John Donoghue received slight injuries through an explosion in his place in No 8 Mine.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 20 March 1896

ACCIDENT. – On Saturday last a lad named James Hughes, residing at Oakbank, was injured while standing at the pithead of No. 8 mine, Clippens Oil Work. The wire rope used for haulage broke and twisting over the pithead struck Hughes with considerable force. Dr Dickie attended the lad, who is now recovering. When examined in the morning no flaw was detected in the rope. The breakage occurred near to the hook attached to the hutches.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 30 March 1896

GAS EXPLOSION AT STRAITON PIT.

John Bell, fireman, employed the Clippens Oil Company Pit at Straiton, was severely burned about the head and arms this morning by an explosion of gas in the pit. He was taken to Edinburgh Royal infirmary. It appears that while Bell was going his rounds an escape of gas came in contact with his lamp and an explosion resulted.

The Scotsman - Thursday 16 April 1896

EXPLOSION IN A LOANHEAD PIT. - A miner named William Benson, residing at Meadowbank Rows, Loanhead, was somewhat burned about the face and arms by an explosion which occurred yesterday morning in one of the pits of the Clippens Oil Company in the neighbourhood. He was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 10 September 1896

ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS. – On Friday night a brusher named James Dailly met with a serious accident in No. 4 mine, Straiton, belonging to the Clippens Oil Company, Limited. It appears that he was in the act of taking down a set of wood, when a large piece of stone fell from the rook and struck him on the leg. He was conveyed to the Royal Infirmary in the ambulance waggon, where it was found that the leg was broken in two places above the knee, besides being badly cut. Dailly is progressing very favourably.

The Scotsman - Friday 20 November 1896

ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS. – James Christie, a labourer, was yesterday afternoon accidentally run over by a waggon on a siding at the Clippens Oil Works, Lasswade, and sustained a compound fracture of the leg. He was removed to Edinburgh Infirmary.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 28 November 1896

ACCIDENT TO QUARRYMAN. – Jas. Hannah, quarryman, Straiton, in the employment of the Clippens Oil Company, Loanhead, early this morning sustained a fracture to his right leg in consequence of a large stone falling upon him.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 15 March 1897

EXPLOSION AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS.

A fireman named James Brown, employed by the Clippens Oil Company, was admitted to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary about half-past two o'clock this afternoon suffering from severe burns about the face and arms, and also a cut head, caused by an explosion of fire damp in the pit where he was working about 11 o'clock this morning. It appears that Brown was the only person in the part where the explosion occurred, or the result might have been more serious.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 10 June 1897

ACCIDENT AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS. - Yesterday afternoon, while Peter Liddell, residing at Gilmerton, was working in the limestone pit belonging to Clippens Oil Company, a shot exploded prematurely. Liddell was severely injured about the face and arms, and was conveyed to the Royal Infirmary in the Loanhead ambulance waggon.

Advertisements

Glasgow Herald - Monday 04 March 1872

RETORTS (25 Horizontal) for Sale, Charging about 8 cwt., in very good condition, - Apply to Clippens Shale Oil Co., 123 Hope Street.

Glasgow Herald - Thursday 10 October 1872

MAN (steady) WANTED, in the Country, to take Charge of a Horse, and to Work in the Garden. Must understand Horses. – Apply at the Clippens Shale Oil Co.’s Office, 16 Bothwell Street, Glasgow; or Clippens House by Linwood.

The Scotsman - Friday 26 September 1873

MANAGER (Retort) Wanted to Take Charge of a Large Number of Retorts and Men. As good encouragement will be given, only competent parties need apply to Clippens Shale Oil Company, 16 Bothwell Street, Glasgow.

Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette - Monday 27 October 1873

BRICKS for Sale; first-class quality. Apply to the Clippens Shale Oil Co., 16 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, or at their works, near Crosslee Station.

The Scotsman - Monday 22 December 1873

TABLE (Full-sized Railway Wagon Turning), with Mountings complete, Wanted. Apply to Clippens Shale Oil Company, 16 Bothwell Street.

Glasgow Herald - Friday 03 April 1874

WAGGONETTE for Sale; Large, and in excellent condition, having been only about a year in use. – Apply to Clippens Shale Oil Co., 16 Bothwell Street.

Glasgow Herald - Monday 10 May 1875

WANTED, Two Old Boilers or Tanks, each 3000 to 4000 gallons capacity. – Apply to Clippens Shale Oil Co., 16 Bothwell Street.

Glasgow Herald - Friday 05 November 1875

Clerk Wanted for the Clippens Shale Oil Works. Salary, £50 per annum. – Apply at 16 Bothwell Street, Glasgow.

Glasgow Herald - Saturday 16 June 1877

BRICKLAYERS. – Wanted, a few Bricklayers at Clippens Oil Works, Johnstone. – Apply at the works.

Glasgow Herald - Monday 30 December 1878

HYDRAULIC PRESSES (4) for Sale with drums, &c., complete, for pressing paraffin. – Can be seen. Clippens works, Johnstone.

Glasgow Herald - Monday 10 July 1882

TURNER Wanted, accustomed to General Engineer Work. One just out of his apprenticeship preferred. – Apply Clippens Oil Works, by Johnstone.

Shields Daily Gazette - Thursday 03 August 1882

WANTED, BRICKLAYERS for Retort and Cottage Building at Clippen’s Oilworks, Limited, Edinburgh. – Apply at Works or address JOHN DENNIS, Dalkeith.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 08 January 1883

Wanted, Labourers for Drainage and Assisting Bricklayers. – Apply Downie Brown, Foreman Bricklayer, Clippens Pentland Oil Works, near Loanhead.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 15 June 1883

BRASS Band Wanted to accompany the Clippens Employees from Pentland Oil Works to Perth on Saturday 21st July. – Apply P. Goldie, Loanhead.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 26 November 1883

WANTED, Two or Three Masons at Clippens Oil Works, Loanhead, for a short Job.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 31 May 1884

WANTED, Storekeeper for the Pentland Works of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited), Loanhead. – Apply personally at the Works.

Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser - Saturday 31 October 1885

MINERS WANTED for CLIPPENS SHALE WORKS, Loanhead, near Edinburgh. Constant Employment and Good Wages; also, Contractors who can take charge of Ten or Twelve Men.

Glasgow Herald - Friday 18 February 1887

The Clippens Oil Company, Limited, invite applications at par for the above £17,000 Debentures.

In virtue of arrangements recently approved by the Share-holders, and for the completion of which the present issue is made. the Debentures will be secured by the conveyance to the Trustees for the Debenture holders, for the special security of the Debenture debt of the Company, of

1. The Estate of Straiton, held by the Company Free of all Burdens, with the Whole Works, Houses, Railways, Pit thereon and Minerals therein, and valued at £110,000.
   
2. The Freehold Property of Mayshade House and Land, valued at £1650.
   
3. The refining Work, Railways, Workmen’s Houses, and other Heritable Property of the Company situate at Clippens. and held on a Lease of 31 Years from Whitsunday, 1886, and valued at £95,000.
   
4. The Works, Pits, Workmen’s Houses, and Railway situate at Pentland, Mid-Lothian, held Leasehold, and valued at £97,000.
   

In addition to the special security of the property above described, and valued at upwards of £300,000. these Debentures have the further security of the Stock, outstanding Book Debts and other Assets of the Company, which are at present valued at upwards of £50,000 in excess of all liabilities of the Company, other than the Debenture debt.

The amount required to cover Debenture interest on the completion of the present issue will be £5000 per annum. The profits of the Company for the last three years, during the greater part of which a large portion of the property now held was not owned, amounted to £74,325 (after writing off depreciation for that period to the extent of £36,998, or upwards of £24,000 per annum, nearly five times the sum required to meet the Debenture interest.

Further particulars and Forms of Application can be obtained from Messrs GRAHAMES, CRUM & SPENS, 101 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, or at the Office of the Company, 16 Bothweil Street, where also the Draft Deed of Conveyance to the Debenture Trustees ran be seen.

The Scotsman - Monday 21 February 1887

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED.)

CONTRACTS FOR STORES.

The DIRECTORS of above COMPANY are prepared to receive TENDERS for STORES required during Year ending 31st March 1888. Forms of Tender can be had on application to the undersigned.

Bo Order of the Board.

JAMES ARMOUR, Secretary.

16 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, 21st February 1887.

The Scotsman - Monday 09 May 1887

FIVE PER CENT. MORTGAGE DEBENTURES.

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED.)

CAPITAL SUBSCRIBED………………….£258,900
DEBENTURES AUTHORISED…………..110,000

Trustees for Debenture Holders.
WILLIAM HOULDSWORTH, Esq. of Mount Charles, Ayr.
ARCHIBALD GALBRAITH, Esq., of Messrs A.& A. Galbraith, Glasgow.
THOMAS MARR, Esq., Manager Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society, Glasgow.

To replace DEBENTURES falling due at Whitsunday, a limited number of £100 and upwards will be issued for 3, 4, or 5 Years at the rate of 5 per Cent. per Annum. These Debentures, limited to £110,000, are specially secured by the conveyance to the above Trustees of the Freehold and Leasehold Property. Works, Railways, and Workmen’s Houses belonging to the Company, valued at upwards of £300,000.

Full particulars may be obtained at the Office of the Company, 16 BOTHWELL STREET, GLASGOW.

JAMES ARMOUR, Secretary.

The Scotsman - Saturday 02 February 1889

LOANHEAD – MAYSHADE HOUSE to LET, nine apartments; stables and coach house; large garden; immediate entry. Apply Clippens Oil Coy., Ld., Pentland Works Office, Loanhead.

Glasgow Herald - Thursday 06 February 1890

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY, LIMITED

TENDER FOR STORES FOR YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH,1891.ompany invite TENDERS for the STORES required by them for the Year from 1st April, 1890, to 31st March, 1891. – Forms of Tender can be had on application to the undersigned.

By Order.

JAMES ARMOUR, Secretary.

27 Royal Exchange Square,

Glasgow, 4th February, 1890.

Dundee Advertiser - Friday 21 March 1890

MONEY, SHARES, INVESTMENTS.

The Subscription List will Open on WEDNESDAY, 26th, and Close on FRIDAY, 26th instant.

5 PER CENT. CONVERTIBLE MORTGAGE STOCK OF
THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED).

DIRECTORS
WILLIAM MACKINNON, Esq., Glasgow.
A. C. SCOTT, Esq. Hillhouse, Dundonald.
A. CRUM MACLAE, Esq., Writer, Glasgow.
T. I. SCOTT, Esq., Torr Hall. Bridge-of-Weir.
J. E. StODDART, Esq., Glasgow.

TRUSTEES FOR DEBENTURE-HOLDERS.
WILLIAM HOULDSWORTH, Esq., of Mount Charles, Ayr.
THOMAS MARR, Esq., Manager, Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society, Glasgow.
Bankers – NATIONAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, Scotland, Limited, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and branches.

BROKERS.
Messrs BELL, COWAN, & CO., Edinburgh.
Messrs GRAHAMES, CRUM & SPENS, Glasgow.

CAPITAL SUBSCRIBED. £258,900.
Issue of £140,000 Five per cent. Convertible Mortgage Debenture Stock at par for the purpose of the Conversion of the whole existing Terminable Debenture Bonds and other Debt of the Company, of which £53,650 has been already privately subscribed, and the balance of £86,350 is now offered for public subscription, payable as follows:- £5 on application, £95 on 15th May 1890

The Stock will be redeemable at 5 per cent. premium by annual drawings, beginning May 15, 1891, and is convertible into Shares of the Company both as hereinafter described.

PROSPECTUS.

THE Directors of the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, have determined follow the plan now generally adopted by Companies of freeing themselves from all terminable debt by the issue of a Debenture Stock. This Stock will form practically the sole debt of the Company, and under the proposed arrangements will, if not converted into Ordinary Stock, be redeemed by the operation of the Sinking Fund, hereafter referred to, within a period of 19 years.

Recognising that the debt of Companies of this description should be gradually liquidated, the Company, for the service of the interest on and gradual redemption of the proposed Debenture Debt, has specially charged its property with the payment of £12,000 a year. This sum will in 19 years provide for the extinction of the whole debt. In terms of the Deed of Trust this annual payment is applied (1) in meeting interest on the Debenture Stock outstanding and (2) in redeeming and cancelling Debenture Stock by Drawings, the Debenture-holder receiving £105 for each £100 of Stock held. The interest and principal of the Debenture Stock are secured by the conveyance to the Trustees for the Debenture-holders for the special security of the Debenture Debt of the Company of—
1. The lands and estate of Straiton and Mayshade, in the County of Midlothian, with all the minerals therein owned by the Company, free of all burdens, with the whole works, houses, railways and pits thereon, valued at £139,664.
2. The works, pits, workmen's houses, and railway situate at Pentland, Midlothian, held leasehold for 31 years from Martinmas 1886, and valued at £103,623.
3. The refining work, railways, workmen's houses, and other heritable property of the Company situate Clippens, in the County of Renfrew, and held on a lease of 31 years from Whitsunday 1886, and valued at £100,075.

In addition to the special security of the property above described, and valued at upwards of £343.000, this Stock will have the further security of the Stock-in-Trade, Outstanding Book Debts, and other Assets of the Company, amounting at present to about £50,000.

The annual amount required to meet the Debenture Stock Interest and Sinking Fund Charge is £12,000. The profits of the Company for the last seven years, during the greater part of which a large portion of the property now held was not owned, available for meeting interest and depreciation, amounted to £194,906, or £27,844 per annum.

In order to make the Debenture Stock, thus so well secured, still more attractive an investment, the Company has agreed to confer upon its holders the right of conversion into Ordinary Stock at any time during its currency at the rate of one Ordinary share for each £13 of Debenture Stock held. The rate fixed for conversion is £1 per Share below that at which the Company last made an issue of Shares, and whilst the present price is considerably below this price the improved outlook of the Oil Trade renders this right one of prospective value. In 1883 the Shares of the Clippens Oil Company commanded £19 per £10 Share, and were this price again realised the Debenture Stock Subscribers would by conversion make a gain in capital of upwards of 46 per cent.

The Stock will be registered in the Books of the Company, and interest warrants will be posted to the registered holders half-yearly, on 15th May and 11th November.

Arrangements have been made with the Brokers for the issue, whereby they, on their own behalf and that of others, have undertaken that the whole Stock now offered will be subscribed, and on the completion of the issue immediate application will made for the quotation of the Stock upon the Edinburgh and Glasgow Stock Exchanges.

A copy of the Trust Deed can be seen at the Office of the Company’s Solicitor-, Messrs MONCREIFF, BARR, PATERSON & CO., Glasgow.

Applications for Stock must be made on the accompanying form, and be sent, with the deposit of 5 per cent., to the Bankers for the issue. Forms of application can be obtained at the Office of the Company, or from its Bankers or Brokers.

In cases where no allotment is made the deposit will be returned in full.

27 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow.

20th March 1890.

Widnes Examiner - Saturday 18 October 1890

" SAPINE."

The principal feature of this simple preparation is that, by its use, Clothes can now be thoroughly washed and cleansed in about half-an-hour without any rubbing. Being absolutely free from smell, and guaranteed free from any chemicals, its use can in no way damage the most delicate fabrics, while they are washed beautifully white without the wear and tear of hard rubbing.

To be had of all Respectable Grocers and Oilmen.

Directions for Use will be found attached to Each Tablet.

SOLE MAKERS:- CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY, LIMITED. 27, ROYAL EXCHANGE SQUARE, GLASGOW.

E. MILLs, Sole Agent for Warrington, Glasgow House, Orford St.

Glasgow Herald - Wednesday 15 June 1892

TO LET.

CLIPPENS OIL WORKS, JOHNSTONE, NEAR GLASGOW.

Those Central, Commodious, and Well-Equipped WORKS (which have hitherto been used as an Oil Refinery), extending to about 43 Acres, which Area may be curtailed to suit Offerers.

The Buildings, which are of Brick, consist of Oil Refinery and Adjuncts, Mechanic’s, Blacksmith’s, and Cooperage Shops; and the Plant comprises Steam Boilers, Pipes throughout the Works, Hydraulic Presses and Pumps, Filter Presses, Tanks, Engines, &c. There is an excellent supply of Gravitation Water and a thorough system of Drainage.

The Manager’s House is large and substantial, and there are also Foremen’s and Workmen’s Houses capable of accommodating a large staff of men.

The Ground and Works are admirably adapted for an extensive Iron and Steel or Engineering Business, being within a few miles by road or rail of the Clyde shipbuilding yards and shipping ports, while both the Caledonian and Glasgow and South-Western Railway Companies have sidings into the Works.

For particulars and Orders to view the Works, apply to HOLMES, MACTAVISH & FULLERTON, Writers, Johnstone, and 128 St Vincent Street, Glasgow.

Glasgow Herald - Wednesday 28 December 1892

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY, LIMITED, IN LIQUIDATION.

NOTICE.

In a petition at the instance of THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY, LIMITED, having its Registered Office at No. 27 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, and JOHN SCOTT TAIT, Chartered Accountant, Edinburgh, and JAMES ARMOUR, No. 27 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, Li that the voluntaryquidators in the voluntary winding up of the said Company under the Companies Acts, presented to the Court of Session iin Scotland (First Division – Mr Couper, Clerk) praying for an Order directing that the voluntary winding up of the said Company be continued, but subject to the supervision of the Court, and further praying the Court to direct all subsequent proceedings in the winding up of the said Company to be taken before one of the permanent Lords-Ordinary, and to remit the winding up to him according to make such orders as may be necessary therein, accordingly the following Interlocutor has been pronounced by the Lord-Ordinary (Lord Rutherfurd Clark) officiating on the Bills in the Court of Session:-

“Edinburgh, 27th December, 1892. – The Lord-Ordinary officiating on the Bills appoints the Petition to be intimated on the walls and in the minute book in common form, and to be advertised once in the Edinburgh Gazette, Glasgow Herald, and Scotsman Newspapers, and allows all persons having interest to lodge answers within Six Days after such intimations and advertisement.
(Signed) “AND. R. CLARK.”
-Of all which Institution is hereby given.

WALLACE & GUTHRIE, W.S.., Agents.
1 North Charlotte Street, Edinburgh
27th December, 1892.

Glasgow Herald - Monday 01 January 1894

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY, LIMITED, IN LIQUIDATION.

NOTICE. - A NOTE has been presented in the above Liquidation to the LORDS of COUNCIL and SESSION (First Division - Lord STORMONTH-DARLING, Ordinary; Ordinary: Mr M’CAUL, Clerk). for JOHN SCOTT TAIT, Chartered Accountant, Edinburgh, and JAMES ARMOUR, Number Twenty-seven Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, Liquidators of the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, in Liquidation, praying their Lordships to pronounce an Order requiring the CREDITORS of the CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY, LIMITED, in Liquidation, to send their NAMES and ADDRESSES and the PARTICULARS of their DEBTS or CLAIMS, duly supported by their oath of verity, to the LIQUIDATORS at their Office. Number Sixty-seven George Street, Edinburgh, on or before the Twenty-second Day of January, Eighteen Hundred and Ninety-four, with certification that if they fail to do so they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution that may be made before such Debts are proved.

Upon which Note Lord STORMONTH-DARLING has been pleased to pronounce the following Interlocutor, viz.:- "23d December 1893.- Lord Stormonth-Darling, Act. Wilson.-The Lord Ordinary having considered the Note for the Liquidators. No. 294 of Process, grants the prayer of the said Note as amended, and decerms - MOTR T. STORMONTH-DARLING.”

Of all which intimation is hereby given.

WALLACE & GUTHRIE, W.S.,

Agents for the Liquidators
1 North Charlotte Street,
Edinburgh, 28th December, 1893.

Glasgow Herald - Wednesday 30 September 1896

SALE OF SURPLUS PLANT
AT CLIPPENS OILWORKS, LOANHEAD,
BY EDINBURGH,
ON THURSDAY, 15TH OCTOBER, AT ONE O’CLOCK.
SHIRLAW, ALLAN & CO. have been favoured with instructions from the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, to Sell, by Auction, as above. Particulars afterwards.
Hamilton, 29th September, 1896.

Glasgow Herald - Friday 09 October 1896

SALE OF SURPLUS PLANT AND MACHINERY at CLIPPENS OIL WORKS, LOANHEAD, MID-LOTHIAN, on THURSDAY, 15TH OCTOBER, 1896, at One o’clock.

SHIRLAW, ALLAN & CO. have been favoured with instructions from Messrs the Clippens Oil Coy., Ltd., to Sell, by Auction, as follows:--Coupled, Compound Condensing, Pumping, Overhead, and Beam Engines; Steam Westinghouse, Three Throw and Donkey Pumps, Pit Pump Pipes and Connections, Atmospheric Condensers, Set Baker’s Exhausters No. 17, Continuous Distillation Still, W.I.Gas-holder, M and C.I. Tanks, 2 Travelling Tank Waggons, 20-Ton Waggon Weighing Machine, 10-Ton Double Power Winch, Vertical Drilling Machine, Hydraulic Presses, M. and C.I. Scrap, &c, &c.

Brakes will await the arrival of the 11 o’clock train from Glasgow (Queen Street), at Waterloo Place, near G.P.O., Edinburgh, for the Sale.

Catalogues from Auctioneers.

Hamilton, 6th October, 1896.

The Scotsman - Saturday 17 April 1909

THE PENTLAND AND STRAITON OILWORKS and OTHER PROPERTIES belonging to THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY, LIMITED, in Liquidation, FOR SALE by PRIVATE TREATY.

OFFERS will be received for the following:--

(1) ALL and WHOLE the LANDS of STRAITON, situated in the Parish of Liberton and County of Mid-Lothian and consisting of 283 Acres or thereby, with the Shale and Minerals situated thereunder, and the Extensive Works, Houses, &c, known as The Straiton Oilworks, formerly worked in conjunction with the Pentland Oilworks of the above Company erected on adjoining leasehold subjects. The Rental of Straiton Estate, including £14, 7s. 2d . of Feu-duties and Ground Rent, is £1510, 6s 6d. The annual burdens in 1908 amounted to £171, 16s. 11d.

(2) The Small Property of MAYSHADE, lying to the South of Straiton Estate , purchased by the Company for £ 1850, with Dwellinghouse thereon, and containing 10 Acres or thereby. Rental, £66, 16s. Annual burdens in 1908, £7, 5s. 3d. Feu-duty, £10.

The subjects include various Works, Railways, &c.

The Estate contains valuable Seams of Shale formerly worked along with Shale leased in adjoining properties. Arrangements can be made by a purchaser for taking over the leases, and the whole would form a very valuable field for the establishment of a new Scottish Oil Company.

Tenders must be lodged not later than the sixth day of May 1909 with the Liquidators of the Company at No. 3 Albyn Place, Edinburgh, from whom Prints of the Conditions of Sale may be obtained.

Company Information

Glasgow Herald - Tuesday 23 April 1872

JOHNSTONE. – Water Supply to Clippens. – The Paisley Water Commissioners have agreed with the Clippens Shale Oil Company to continue their pipes from Linwood to their shale works, and to a village for the accommodation of the workers which is to be erected on adjacent ground. The Clippens Shale Works are situated to the north-west of Linwood, on the estate of Clippens, which belonged to the late Dr Cochrane, a native of Kilbarchan. Dr Cochrane amassed an immense fortune in India, and the succession to it has formed an important Chancery suit still unsettled. The Clippens Shale Works have been in operation only for a short time, but their present produce is very large. When completed they will be reckoned among the largest and the most productive in Scotland.

Glasgow Herald - Saturday 26 October 1872

JOHNSTONE. – Bricks without Mortar. – The Clippens Shale Oil Company have erected machinery at their oil works at Clippens, for the manufacture of bricks out of the shale after the oil is extracted from it. The shale is placed in a hopper, where it is ground down into a fine powder, after which it is mixed with water, and moulded into bricks. All this is done by machinery. The bricks are of a superior quality.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 17 May 1875

The extensive shale oil works at Clippens, belonging to Messrs Binning Co., Johnstone, have ceased operations, and a considerable number of workpeople have been thrown out of employment in consequence. The principal cause the stoppage is the want shale and coals.

Globe - Wednesday 05 January 1876

The Glasgow Herald understands that Mr. Scott, Glasgow, one the partners of the Clippens Shale Oil Company, has purchased the whole of the ironstone and coal mines at Clippens, from Messrs. Merry and Cuninghame. Mr. Scott has also become sole proprietor of the Clippens Shale Oil Company.

London Daily News - Saturday 17 June 1876

(Extract from list of Partnerships Dissolved)

Clippens Shale Oil Company, Glasgow, and Clippens, Renfrewshire, so far as regards R. Binning and J. Binning.

North British Daily Mail - Friday 23 June 1876

The Clippens Shale Oil Company has appointed Messrs Watt Bros. & Co., Glasgow, to represent the company for the sale of its products.

North British Daily Mail - Friday 04 August 1876

LINWOOD. – THE SHALE TRADE. – It is stated that Mr Scott, proprietor of Clippens Shale Oil Works, has purchased another mine in the vicinity of his present works, with a view to the extension of his business.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 15 June 1878

LINWOOD.

RESTORATION OF CLIPPEN’S OIL WORKS. – The building which was completely destroyed by the late destructive fire at Clippen’s works has again been restored, and the machinery which was lost has been re-introduced by Messrs. James Donald & Son, engineers, Johnstone, to whom the work was intrusted. It is expected that the new additions will be started immediately.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 10 June 1880

LOANHEAD.

ACTIVITY IN THE BUILDING TRADE. — At the present time, when the coal trade is so exceptionally dull, it is refreshing to mark the activity of the building trade in this village. Within the last ten years, the old thatched houses have been replaced by comfortable new ones, and several large tenements have lately been added. The building of the greatest importance at present in the course of election is an oil refinery in connection with the Straiton Oil Company Works, which with have a chimney-stack fully 200 feet in height. ln the Mayburn district two single villas and one double villa are being erected by A. Ketchen & Sons. ln the Penicuik Road a splendid house is being built, besides which there are three villas just finished and one in the course of erection, as well as a tenement of working men's houses. A large block of houses three storeys in height, is being built in the middle of the village by Mr James Glover, who has greatly added to the amenity of the locality by the substantial buildings he has reared. It may also be mentioned that the Clippens Co., Paisley, are boring in the Pentland estate for shale with the view of starting an oil work in the neighbourhood.

Glasgow Evening Citizen - Friday 24 March 1882

Prospectuses

CLPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED).

INCORPORATED UNDER THE COMPANIES ACTS, 1862-80.

CAPITAL, £250,000, in 25,000 SHARES of £0 Each.

CONSISTING OF

7,500 NEW SHARES, upon which only £8 is intended to be called up, and for which subscriptions is now invited.

13,500 FULLY PAID SHARES, of which Mr. Scott will hold 7000, and the remainder, 6500, are now offered to the public at par.

4,000 SHARES RESERVED for future issues.

25,000

DIRECTORS.

JAMES SCOTT, Esq., 1 Woodside Place, Glasgow.

WILLIAM MACKINNON, Esq, C.A., Glasgow.

A.CRUM MACLAE, Esq. of Cathkin, Writer, Glasgow

A.C.SCOTT, Esq., Clippens House, Johnstone.

J. ROBERTSON REID, Esq., Gallowflat

Solicitors

Messrs MONCRIEFF, BARR, PATERSON &CO., 45 West George Street, Glasgow.

Bankers

THE NATIONAL BANK OF SCOTLAND

Brokers

Messrs GRAHAMES, CRUM & SPENS, 12 St. Vincent Place, Glasgow

H.D. DICKIE, Esq., 63 Hanover Street, Edinburgh.

Auditors.

Messrs. CARSON & WATSON, C.A., Glasgow.

Secretary.

T.I.SCOTT, Esquire, 16 Bothwell Street, Glasgow.

PROSPECTUS

This Directors of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) offer for subscription 7500 Shares of the Company of £10 each, being part of the unissued Balance of 11,500 Shares held by the Company; and, for the reasons hereinafter given, 6500 of the fully paid Shares already Issued are, by arrangements with the present holders thereof, also offered to Public at par.

The Company was incorporated on 9th February, 1878, and then took over the Works, Pits, Railways, Houses, Leases, &c, together with the Stock-in-Trade of the unincorporated Company, called the Clippens Shale Oil Company, of which Mr. James Scott was the then sole partner, at the price of £150000, as per agreement hereinafter referred to.

The Company has, since its incorporation, expended upwards of £25,000 in additions and improvements to the works at Clippens, and the result is that it has already refined and now can refine upwards of 450,000 gallons of crude oil per month into Scale, Wax, Burning Oil, Lubricating Oil, &c, &c.

The Company has at present two Pit Leases at Clippens (copies of which can be seen at the Company's Office), for Shale, Ironstone, and Coal, which is at present working, but which, when the Pentland Property, hereafter referred to, is further developed, it is intended to discontinue working.

In 1879, the Company acquired under lease, and on favourable terms, the extensive field of minerals at Pentland, about 6 miles from Edinburgh. In this property are five seams of shale, the thickest being 7 feel, and the thinnest 18 inches. It is estimated by Mr. Wm. Robertson, M.E., to contain 5,900,000 tons of shale, after deduction of an ample allowance for loss in working &c., or sufficient to yield an output of 200,000 tons per annum for about 30 years. Then also in this property “The Burdiehouse” seam of Limestone, upwards of 20 feet thick. The Company has opened up the 7-feet Shale, and erected 192 retorts at Pentland (with recovery for Spirit and Ammonia House), capable of distilling 6000 tons of Shale per month. These works are connected with the North British Railway by a Wayleaved Siding. The outlay at Pentland has amounted to £32,544 13s.

The Pentland Works have been for the last four months in full operation with most satisfactory results: but in order to derive the full benefit of the acquisition this property, it is proposed to erect extra Retorts and appurtenances to enable the Company to distil 180,000 to 200,000 tons of Shale per annum.

The Company further desires to utilise valuable patents of Messrs. Young and Beilby, in which it has a share, and by arrangement it is entitled to use free of royalty, and which it is anticipated will enable it to obtain from 100 to 150 per cent more sulphate of ammonia from its products than is obtained under the best system now In use. For these purposes Directors find it necessary to make the further issue of capital now proposed; but they anticipate that they will only require to call up £8 per Share thereon. The Books of the Company are balanced annually at 31st March, and Mr. James Scott guarantees that, on these arrangements being completed, the assets of the Company, other than those hereafter specified, mainly consisting of Book Debts due to the Company, shall be sufficient to discharge all the Trade Debts and other liabilities, except those specified hereafter, and except the usual obligations under existing leases and contracts. The position of the Company will than stand as follows:-

LIABILITIES.

Capital

13,500

Shares of £10 each, fully paid

£135,000

7,500

Shares of £10 each, £8 paid

60,000

£195,000

Debenture Bonds (5 per cent)

40,000

£235,000

ASSETS

Works and other Assets as follows:-

1. Clippens Works, Tank Waggons, Storage Tanks, &c, all taken at cost price, less 15 per cent. depreciation, and exclusive of upwards of £30,000 expended in keeping the works in thorough repair and good working order
   

£104,619 7 0

1. Clippens Pits, Railways, Houses, &c. valued by Mr. Robertson, M.E., on 28th February, 1882, the Pits being at Removal value
   

11,136 0 0

1. Pentland Works, Pits, Railways, &c., taken at cost price
   

32,554 13 0

1. Patent rights, Shale Fields, Goodwill, &c.
   

15,000 0 0

Note. – This includes Beilby and Young’d New Ammonia Patent, which the Company have the rights of using free of royalty, and on which they also receive a share of the royalties.

1. Stock – in – Trade, subject to valuation, as at 31st March, 1882, say
   

30,000 0 0

Available for additional outlay and working Capital

41,700 0 0

£235,000

It is intended that the works at Pentland shall be devoted to raising the Shale and manufacturing it into Crude Oil, Ammonia, &c, and the works at Clippens to refining the Crude Oil into Wax, Burning Oil. Lubricating Oil, &c. The result of the last few months working of the Pentland Shale shows (according to the Company’s books, as audited and certified Messrs. Carson & Watson, C.A.), a profit of 4s per ton after providing for 7 ½ per cent. for depreciation of works on a basis of the proposed Capital and Output.

This on the 180,000 tons of Shale per annum would yield a profit of £36,000, or upwards of 17 per cent. on the proposed Capital of the Company. This is exclusive of further anticipated profit from working Messrs. Young & Beilby’s Patent, which, by returns on experimental retorts lately erected at Pentland, shows an increased yield of from 15 to 18 Ibs. of Ammonia per ton of Shale, equal, after deducting expenses, to about 1s 5d. per ton of Shale based present market price of Ammonia. This would yield 8 per cent. more on Capital.

The Company possesses in its Pentland lease Shale of the same description as that belonging to the Broxburn Oil Company (Limited), whose Shares, on which £8 10s have been paid, are selling for £28.

The Directors propose that the calls on the new 7500 Shares shall be -

£1 per share on Application

£1 10s per share on Allotment

and the balance in calls not exceeding £2 10s, and at intervals of not less than three months, but not more than £8 in all is expected to the at present required.

The Directors find that, in order to conform with the rules the Stock Exchange for obtaining an official quotation, two-thirds of the whole capital issued by any Company must offered for public subscription. It has consequently been arranged that of the shares already issued 6500 shall be offered to the public at par, but, as indicating his confidence in the stability of the Company, it may be stated that Mr. James Scott has agreed to hold, for period of two years, from 1st April next, 7000 Shares, being the greatest proportion of capital allowed by the Stock Exchange to be held by any one shareholder of Company applying for a quotation. Mr. Scott, however, reserves the right to transfer some of these shares to members of his own family, to be held under a like restriction. The payment for the 6500 Shares is to be as follows:-

£1 on application.

£9 on transfer being made, the expenses of which will be defrayed by the sellers.

The Company has secured as Consulting Chemist and Engineer the services of Mr. William Young, who has been in the Company's service tor eight years, and is the co-patentee with Mr. Beilby of the patents before referred to.

The Company has entered into the following agreements:- (1) Agreement between Mr. James Scott, sole partner of a then unincorporated Company as Vendor, and Thomas Inglis Scott, as on behalf of the present Limited Company, dated 25th January, 1878; (2) Agreement between Mr. William Young and the Company, dated 10th January, 1882; and (3) Agreement between Mr James Scott and the Company, dated 23d March, 1882. Copies of these Agreements can be seen at the Office of the Company.

The Companies Act. 1887. requires that every prospectus and notice Inviting persons to subscribe for Shares in Joint Stock Company shall specify the dates and names of the parties to any contracts entered into by the Company, or by the promoters, Directors, or Trustees thereof, before the issue of such prospectus or notice.

The Company and Directors have, of course, entered into many contracts in connection with the Company's property and business; but as it would be impracticable to specify them all, and the Directors are advised that the Act was not intended to apply to such contracts, they do not attempt to give any such particulars except as regards the agreements referred to above, which they believe are the only agreements requiring to be specified. To prevent any question on the subject a clause is inserted In the form of Application for Shares dispensing with the above-mentioned requirements of the Act.

Applications for Shares must be made on the accompanying form, and forwarded to the Company's Bankers, along with the necessary deposit. Forms of application may obtained from the Bankers, Brokers, or at the Office the Company.

If no allotment Is made, the deposit will be returned In full.

24th March,1882.

Daily Review (Edinburgh) - Thursday 06 April 1882

We understand the shares recently offered by the Clippens Oil Company for public subscription have been fully applied for, and that the letters of allotment were issued to-night.

Glasgow Herald - Wednesday 31 May 1882

A general ordinary meeting of the shareholders of the CLIPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED) was held yesterday in the Accountants’ Hall, West Nile Street, Glasgow. There was a good attendance. Mr James Scott, chairman of the company, presided, and among the other gentlemen present were Mr Wm. Mackinnon, C.A.; Mr A. Crum Maclae of Cathkin; Mr A. C. Scott, Clippens House; and Mr J. Robertson Reid of Gallowflat – the directors. Mr Geo. B. Young, the secretary of the company, read the directors' report, which was as follows: - The directors have convened this meeting in terms of the articles of association, which require a general ordinary meeting to be held annually within two calendar months from 31st March, for the purpose of laying before the shareholders the financial position of the company. The directors accordingly beg to lay before the shareholders an abstract account of the liabilities and assets taken over from by the old body of shareholders, and which is appended to this report, and certified by Messrs Carson & Watson, CA., the auditors of the company, and the new books will start from 1st April, 1882, with these figures. Referring to the abstract account, the directors have to explain (1) that the share capital issued has been all subscribed for, and is quoted on the Stock Exchange; (2) that the capital unissued, represented by 4,000 shares of £10 each, will not be issued without the consent of the shareholders being obtained at a general meeting, as per minute of directors held on 4th April, 1882; (3) that the bonds were all taken up, and are to be redeemable in 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887, l888; (4) that all the works, pits, railways, &c., at Clippens at Pentland are in good working order; (5) that the stocks are all taken at cost prices, and where such exceeded the market prices they have been written down. The estimates for new works to be erected this year are as follows:- 192 "Young & Beilby's” retorts, with ammonia and spirit recovery plant, with all appurtenances thereto, £15,000; new pit shaft at Pentland, £2000; 100 workmen's houses at Pentland, £9000 ; outlay on ,wax plant at Clippens, £2000; total, £28,000. Of the above estimates the directors have accepted a contract to supply and erect complete 192 "Young & Beilby’s" retorts. These are contracted to be completed by 16th September of this year, and are expected to distil about 300 tons of shale per day. The results from experimental retorts, similar to those about to be erected, have given every satisfaction, and show that a large saving will be made on the cost of crude oil as made from the present retorts, which turn out crude oil at a cost of 2.10d per gallon, exclusive of ammonia. The plant and machinery at Clippens are on the best principles for attaining economical results. They refine the crude oil for a cost of 1.22d per gallon, yielding close upon 70 per cent. of burning and lubricating oils and solid paraffin of high quality, besides 15 per cent. of bye-products. It is intended to carry on the Clippens Pits till the new retorts are ready at Pentland, when they will be abandoned. The whole crude oil will then be exclusively manufactured at Pentland and sent to Clippens Works to be refined. The Pentland Works will be able to distil yearly about 150,000 to 180,000 tons, which the Clippens Works can easily refine. The directors have to report that a considerable proportion of the company's products for the ensuing year have been sold at fair market values. The paraffin oil market continues low, but this is more than compensated by the rise and firm tone of the scale and wax and ammonia markets. The first call was promptly paid in full, and the directors propose to make their second call in September of this year, and their third call in February, 1883, each of £2 10s a share. But for the convenience of any shareholder, the directors are prepared to receive any payment in anticipation of calls, and allow 5 per cent. per annum, till the call is due. Mr T. Inglis Scott resigned his office as director on March 23. Upon the issue of the shares of the company to the public, the directors considered it advisable to increase their number to five, and appointed Mr Crum Maclae and Mr J. R. Reid, who now offer themselves for election by the shareholders. The Chairman moved the adoption of the report. The directors, he said, thought it very satisfactory. The company’s accounts for the last two months stood thus. At 1st April the company was due the National Bank £7758. It had now at its credit in the National Bank £1547, showing a difference of £9300. At 1st April the bills payable amounted to £17,208. Now the sum was only £6865, making a difference of £10,343. The sum due outstanding Creditors on 1st April was £13,200, while now it was only £9200 - a difference of £4000. These sums represented a total of £23,000, which accounted for the money received from the new shareholders. He might state that everything connected with the company had been going on most satisfactorily. New works had been contracted for at about £3000 less than was anticipated, and the 192 new retorts, mentioned in the report were to be ready by the 16th September. This would do very well for next year's trade. Then the directors were determined upon going on with a number of workmen’s houses at Pentland, and these and the other new works would require about £28,000. The directors anticipated a considerable increase in the output of wax from the new retorts when they were set agoing, which the directors anticipated would be about 1st October. The production at the company's works at present, the Chairman went on to say, was better than was supposed would be the case at the time the prospectus of the company was issued. By the end of the year he thought the directors would be able to give a very satisfactory report, and, in fact, by the month of October they anticipated that they might be in a position to pay a small interim dividend (Applause.) Mr Mackinnon seconded the adoption of the report. That was not quite the time, he said, to make a statement about the results, but so far as he bad been able to judge, the statements made in the prospectus of the company were being fully borne out, and by the meeting to be held about this time next year he trusted the chairman would be able to give the shareholders a very satisfactory report, with a fair return for their money. Mr Henry Cowan said he was one of those people who liked to get a good return for his money, but at the same time he would advise the directors not to be in too great a hurry with a dividend. Sometimes directors were too anxious to pay a dividend, and he hoped their directors would err on the safe side. The Chairman said they would take good care of that. Mr Mackinnon sympathised with Mr Cowan's remarks, and said it was possible the directors would reconsider their decision. Mr Henry W. Johnstone wished to know something about the cost of manufacturing crude oil. The estimated cost was down in the report at 2.10d. Did that include depreciation? The Chairman - No. It is the bare cost, including repair charges, but exclusive of depreciation. The depreciation is, however, covered by ¼d a gallon - that is the result of six months' working. The report was then unanimously adopted. Mr Archd. Galbraith proposed the election of Mr Crum Maclae and Mr J. Robertson Reid as directors of the company. Mr Towers-Clark seconded, and the motion was also unanimously agreed to. Mr Henry Cowan proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding, and this having been accorded, the meeting terminated.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 06 July 1882

We understand that the Clippens Oil Work Company contemplate enlarging the already extensive works at Loanhead to a very considerable extent. The erection of additional retorts is ready in progress, and when the additions are made, the work will probably be the best arranged place of the kind in Scotland. Nearly 300 men are at present employed in connection with the various departments, and this great influx of labour has created a demand for house accommodation which cannot be supplied. A sum is included, however, in the £20,000 to be expended on extension of the work, for the erection of workmen's houses. Some idea may be formed of the extent of the work, when we state that with the retorts already in use, the oil is extracted from 200 tons of shale daily. Wherever mechanical appliances can be utilised are brought into requisition, and great economy in labour is thereby effected. On visiting the place the stranger is at one struck with the great amount of motive power in use, engines of every conceivable shape and power, for pumping, driving, hoisting and hauling, being seen at work all over the place. It is calculated that a larger quantity of gas is produced here daily than consumed in Edinburgh and Leith combined, and the whole of this gas is utilised in smelting the shale in the retorts. At some future date we hope to lay before our readers a detailed description of this scene of great industrial activity, which scarcely three years ago was as one of the surrounding green fields.

The Scotsman - Thursday 03 May 1883

The Clippens Oil Company’s report for the twelve months ending 31st March was issued to-day, and it shows a balance at the credit of profit and loss account, after debiting revenue with £9675, 14s. 5d. for repairs and maintenance, of £17,574, 5s. 2d. From this there has to be deducted interest on debenture bonds, £1980, 4s. 1d., and depreciation on works, &c., equalt to 5 per cent., £7,000, leaving £8594, 1s. 1d., out of which a dividend of 5 per cent., less Income-tax, is recommended, carrying forward £667, 9s. 10d.

Dundee Advertiser - Friday 04 May 1883

The Clippens Oil Company’s report for the twelve months ending 31st March has just been issued. It shows a balance at the credit of profit and loss account, after debiting revenue with £9675 14s 5d for repairs and maintenance, of £17,574 5s 2d. From this there falls to be deducted interest on debenture bonds, £1980 4s 1d, and depreciation on works, &c., equal to 5 per cent., £7000, leaving £8594 1s 1d, out of which a dividend of 5 per cent., less Income Tax, is recommended, carrying forward £567 9s 10d. The anticipations which the Directors had formed at the commencement of last year of more favourable results have been disappointed owing to the delay the erection of the “Young & Beilby” retorts, which were not completed till the end of February last, instead of 1st October 1882, whereby five months’ benefit of working these retorts was lost, besides having to buy crude oil to supply the requirements of the refinery at greatly enhanced prices on the cost of producing at Pentland. The Directors report that the prices for paraffin products during the past year have been exceptionally low; but they consider that the outlook for the coming season is considerably better. They have also to report that a large quantity of the Company’s products have been sold for the ensuing year at advanced prices on the year that is past. The Directors think that it would be desirable to carry out the intention expressed in the prospectus of calling up £8 on the new shares. At present £7 10s is paid, and the Directors propose to call up 10s a share in the course of the current year. Referring to the decision against the Company in the House of Lords relative to the patent right of Norman Henderson, it is explained that the action was brought against the Company before the increase of capital and its reconstruction. It has been treated as a case in which the partners or shareholders prior to 31st March 1882 were alone involved, and, being now a liability of theirs, the shareholders who have joined the new or reconstructed Company since that date will not be called upon to bear any of the costs of the action.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 05 May 1883

LINWOOD.

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. — The report of the directors of this company, for the year ending 31st March last, has just been issued. The directors recommend that a dividend of 5 per cent. be paid in equal proportions on 4th June and on 4th December, 1883, less income-tax, absorbing £8026 11s. 3d., and leaving to be carried forward to next year £567 9s, 10d. The estimated capital outlay in last report was stated at £28,000, and there has been expended £30,215 13s. Sd. The estimated outlay for the current year is £19,800, which includes £1500 for the new vitriol house at Clippens, and other expenses for a new house at Pentland. When these extensions have been completed, the company will be in a position to distil 600 tons of shale daily at Pentland, through retorts of the newest construction, or about 180,000 tons a year, producing about 5,400,000 gallons of crude oil, which can easily be refined at Clippens, where one-fourth more can be refined if it is found advantageous to buy crude oil.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 12 May 1883

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. – At the annual general meeting of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited), held yesterday in Glasgow, the secretary submitted the directors’ report for the year ending 31st March, recommending a dividend of 5 per cent., payable in equal proportions on 4th June and 4th December.

North British Daily Mail - Saturday 12 May 1883

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. – The annual general meeting of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) was held In the Accountants' Hall, West Nile Street, Glasgow, yesterday — Mr William MacKinnon presiding. The report, which has already been published, was submitted by Mr T. Inglis Scott, the secretary. The Chairman said the report contained all the information that the directors could give in reference to the company's affairs. In some measure it was disappointing. They expected better results, but they had to contend with difficulties. When they met in May last they made contracts for 192 retorts, which it was expected would be completed early in the month of October, but which were delayed for several months. Now, however, the retorts were in working order, and the results obtained exceeded the expectation of the directors. The recovery of ammonia was equal to 3lbs for every 1lb got by means of the old retorts. In the manipulation of shale the saving was considerable, and the result of the experiments of two months showed 73 per cent of products in place of 69. In order to fulfil all their contracts with their customers the directors had been obliged to go into the market for crude oil, which they had bought at the best terms obtainable. But the price they had paid was just twice the cost at which the company could manufacture it for themselves at Clippens. With these explanations the report must he regarded as fairly satisfactory. He moved that the report by adopted, and that a dividend of 5 per cent. be paid to the shareholders. Mr A. Crum Maclae seconded, and the report was adopted. On the motion of Mr Pirrie, the sum of £500 was granted to the directors for their services during the past year. Mr James Scott was re-appointed a director of the company, and Messrs. Carson and Watson were re-elected auditors. A vote of thanks was then awarded to the chairman, and the meeting closed.

Glasgow Herald - Saturday 12 May 1883

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED).

The annual general meeting of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) was held yesterday in the Accountants' Hall, Glasgow. There was a good attendance of shareholders. Mr Wm. Mackinnon, in the absence of the chairman of the company (Mr James Scott) presided.

Mr T. Inglis Scott, the secretary, submitted the report for the year ending 31st March, which was as follows: - The balance at the credit of profit and loss account, after debiting revenue with £9875 14s 5d for repairs and maintenance, is £17,574 3s 2d, from which there falls to deducted interest on debenture bonds, £1980 4s 1d; depreciation on works, plant, houses, &c. (equal to about 5 per cent.), £7000, leaving £8594 1s 1d. And your directors recommend that a dividend of 5 per cent. be paid in equal proportions on 4th June and on 4th December, 1883,less Income-tax, absorbing £8026 11s 3d, and leaving to be carried forward to next year £567 9s 10d. The anticipations which the directors had formed at the commencement of last year of more favourable results have been disappointed, owing to the delay in the erection of the “Young and Beilby” retorts, which were not completed till the end of February last, instead of 1st October, 1882, whereby five months’ benefit of working these retorts was lost, beside having to buy crude oil to supply the requirements of the refinery at greatly enhanced prices on the cost of producing at Pentland. The company now have ½ of the “Young and Beilby” retorts in full working order, capable of distilling 300 tons of shale a day. The experience of the last two months’ workings has fully borne out the results obtained from the experimental retorts as regards the increased yield of ammonia and crude oil, and the latter is also of a richer quality than was obtained from the old retorts. These results have proved so important that the directors have entered into contracts for the erection of other 192 of “Young and Beilby's” retorts, consisting of three benches, which they expect will be completed in July, August, and September of this year. There new retorts will distil 300 tons daily, and supersede old retorts, which distilled 200 tons of shale daily. The directors recommend, therefore, that the cost of replacing what is broken up, which will be about £5000, be charged to revenue, spread over the three following years. Nothing has been written off "patent rights, &c. account” for the past year, as the company only began to derive benefits from these patents at the close of last year. It is proposed in future to write this account down at the rate of £1500 per annum, but it is anticipated that the profits derived from royalties alone will cover that amount, and that the company will have the use of the patents free of royalty. There have been already seven licenses granted under the "Young and Beilby" patent. The estimated capital outlay in last report was stated at £28,000, and there has been expended £30,225 13s 8d. The estimated outlay for the current year is – New mine at Pentland, £4000; workmen’s houses at Pentland, £2300; erection of 192 Y. & B. retorts, with condensers, &c, at Pentland, £550; vitriol house, &c. at Clippens, £1500 – total, £19,800. When the above extensions have been completed the company will be in a position to distil 600 tons of shale daily at Pentland, through retorts of the newest construction, or about 180,000 tons a year, producing about 5,400,000 gallons of crude oil, which can easily be refined at Clippens, where one-fourth more can be refined if it is found advantageous to buy crude oil. The directors have to report that the prices for paraffin products during the past year have been exceptionally low, but they consider that the outlook for the coming season is considerably better. They have also to report that a large quantity of the company's products have been sold for the ensuing year, at advanced prices on the year that is past. The directors think that it would be desirable to carry out the intention expressed in the prospectus of calling up £8 on the new shares. At present £7 10s is paid, and the directors propose to call up 10s a share in the course of the current year. As the shareholders have no doubt observed in the newspapers the report of a decision against the company in the House of Lords, relative to the patent right of Norman Henderson, it is right to explain that the action was brought against the company before the increase of capital and its reconstruction. It has been treated as a case in which the partners or shareholders prior to 31st March, 1882, were alone involved, and being now a liability of theirs, the shareholders who have joined the new or reconstructed company since that date will not be called upon to bear any of the costs of the action. The director who retires at this time is Mr James Scott. He is eligible for re-election, and if again appointed is willing to act. Messrs Carson & Watson, the company's auditors, retire, but offer themselves for re-election.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, admitted that in some measure it was disappointing. The directors had anticipated better results, but unfortunately they had to contend with two difficulties. At the meeting in May last year it was stared that contracts had been made for the erection of 192 retorts, and these, it was then expected, would be completed early in October. The directors were in the hands of the contractors - all good tradesmen. Unfortunately the work was considerably delayed, and towards the end of October the inclement weather kept the work further back, and the result was that the retorts were not in operation till the 1st of March this year. They were now in working order, and the results the directors had got from them quite exceeded the expectations and representations made to the shareholders in the prospectus of the company. The recovery of ammonia was equal to 3lb. for every 1lb got by means of the old retorts. In the manufacture of shale the saving was considerable, and the result of the experiments of two mouths showed 73 per cent. of refined products in place of 69. In order to fulfil all their contracts with the customers, the directors had been obliged to go into the market for crude oil, which they had bought at the best terms available. But the price they had paid was just twice the cost at which the company could manufacture for themselves at Clippens. With these explanations the report must be regarded as fairly satisfactory.

Mr A. CRUM MACLAE of Cathkin seconded the adoption of the report.

The CHAIRMAN, in reply to a shareholder, said the directors would not require to buy any more crude oil, s they were now turning out as much at their works as would meet their requirements. In reply to another question, he stated that the directors had contracted a month ago for new retorts, and they expected to have them finished and set to work in August, September, and October of this year.

The report was then unanimously adopted.

Mr PIRRIE proposed that the sum of £500 be granted to the directors for their services during the past year.

After some discussion, this was also agreed to.

The CHAIRMAN then proposed that Mr James Scott, the retiring director, be re-elected.

This was also agreed to.

Mr HENRY COWAN proposed that Messrs Carson and Watson, the auditors, he also re-elected.

This was likewise agreed to.

The CHAIRMAN afterwards explained, in supplement of his remarksin moving the adoption of the report, that the contracts the company had entered into for the current year were satisfactory. A very important item of their products was wax, and they had sold two-thirds of it at something like 10 to 15 per cent. better than last year’s prices. In ammonia they had made considerable sales, and at prices considerably over the market price. In burning oil they had also made sales for the summer months, and at an increase on the prices of the previous year. The only product for which they were not getting a better price was lubricating oil.

Mr HENRY COWAN moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding, and this having been accorded the proceedings terminated.

Glasgow Evening Post - Wednesday 30 April 1884

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. – The directors of the Clippens Oil Company recommend a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent. for the year ending 31st March.

North British Daily Mail - Friday 02 May 1884

CLPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED).

The directors report the balance at the credit of profit and loss account, after debiting revenue with £8395 1s 10d for repairs and maintenance, is £32,890 15s 9d; and balance brought forward from last year (less directors’ fees paid, £500), £67 9s 10d - £32,958 5s 7d: from which there falls to be deducted interest on £40,000 debenture bonds, £2000; depreciation, £8000; depreciation, extra on old retorts at Pentland, one-third of £5000, £1666; written off patent rights account, £1500 - £13,166; leaving £19,792 5s 7d. The directors recommend that a dividend of 10 per cent be paid in equal proportions on 4th June and on 4th December 1884 (less income tax), absorbing £18,726 11s 3d; and to be carried forward, £1063 14s 4d. The directors regret that considerable delay took place in getting into working order the three new benches of 192 “Young & Beilby” retorts. They anticipated these would be in full operation by the 1st of November,1883, but it was not till February, 1884, that full results were obtained from them. This necessitated the purchase of crude oil at a considerably enhanced cost, compared with the cost of production at Pentland, in order to supply the refinery. The company now have in working order at Pentland 384 “Young & Beilby” retorts, capable of distilling 3600 tons of shale weekly. The directors have to report that all pit workings at Clippens have been stopped since 31st August, 1883, as they proved unremunerative for the time they were worked during the past year. The expenditure on capital account during the year amounting to £39,386 12s, and consists of the following:- Mining department –Part expenditure at Pentland of driving present mine, opening up new mine pumping gear, and large additional winding engine, new boilers, &c., £5009 19s; workmen’s houses at Pentland, £6073 8s 9d; erection of 192 Y. & B. retorts, condensers, &c., at Pentland, £13,097 13s 10d; new ammonia plant at Pentland, £1000; coal retorts and condensers, extra exhauster, water ponds and pipes, spirit plant, tankage, &c., at Pentland, £7524; vitriol house at Clippens, £1500; additions to scale refinery at Clippens, new stills, boilers, tank, waggons, &c., £4281 10s 5d - £39,386 12s. The foregoing expenditure is in excess of that estimated in last year’s report, but the directors considered it advisable to proceed with the additions without delay, so that the benefit would be obtained from the extensions during the coming year. The capital expenditure for the current year is estimated at £8,000, consisting of:- Mining department (Pentland), £3000; Pentland oil works, new exhauster and engine, &c., £2000; Clippens works, refrigerating and refining plant, £3500; Pentland houses, £500 - £8000. The directors have to report since last meeting that they have acquired by lease the shale lying in the adjoining property of Penicuik, from the trustees of Sir George Clerk, and this forms a valuable addition to the existing shale field. The directors called up £1 per share on 31st March, instead of 10s as suggested in last year’s report. This was necessitated by the additional outlay, as before explained. The directors consider the prospects of the company for the coming year are favourable. A large quantity of the company’s products have been sold for the ensuing year at remunerative prices, and several important savings have been effected in the working expenses.

Glasgow Evening Post - Tuesday 13 May 1884

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY – To-Day

The annual meeting of the Clippens Oil Company was held to-day at noon in the Accountants' Hall, West Nile Street - Mr. William M’Kinnon presiding.

The Chairman said his colleagues had asked him to take the chair at the present meeting, and he had some hesitation in complying with that request, for this reason that on the 24th of April he had a special appointment with the late Mr. Scott to go over and adjust with him the report which had gone forth to the shareholders with Mr. Scott's signature. He spent an hour with Mr. Scott, found him in perfect health and excellent spirits, and the shock he experienced on hearing within an hour or so of Mr. Scott's death was a very trying one to him. Mr. Scott took a great interest in the affairs of the company, and devoted a great deal of his time to it, and his colleagues on the directorate derived great assistance from him in the management of its affairs. He was a man of very extensive commercial experience, and they had great pleasure in meeting with him in the directorate of the company. The profits for the year were £32,890, against £17,547 in the year before. They carried forward a small balance of £67: and from those sums there fell to be provided interest on debentures of the company £2,000, depreciation £8000. At the last meeting the directors announced that they were going to replace the retorts at Pentland with Young & Beilby's retorts, and that they proposed to write off the cost of £5,500 over three years; therefore they had this year provided £1666, being one-third of the price. They had also written off for three patent-right accounts, which stood in the balance-sheet at £15,438, a sum of £1500. Royalties were now coming in from that source, and as they increased—which no doubt they would do—the directors would very likely make more ample profits from that asset of the company. The directors recommended that from a balance of £19,192 a dividend of 10 per cent. should be paid. He felt satisfied that that had been fairly and honestly earned, and he approved of its being recommended to be paid to the shareholders. They had been somewhat disappointed at not getting into operation 192 Young & Beilby's retorts which they expected to be in working order on the 1st of November, but were not in that state until some time in February. The result was disappointing, but that was common to all enterprises of the kind where the shareholders had to spend a large sum in capital to make a good return. The company had stopped working the pits at Clippens. The lease expired in a year, and as the shale was somewhat expensive in working, the directors thought they would be consulting the best interests of the shareholders by stopping the work. They anticipated an expenditure last year of £20,000. They had estimated £4,000 for the development of the Pentland field. At that time they had not begun negotiations for the acquisition of an adjoining field belonging to Sir George Clerk's trustees. They carried on negotiations for the acquisition of that field by lease, and were fortunate in getting it. They had continued to develop that field, and consequently their expenditure had been increased. The expenditure upon Pentland and Penicuik had been £5,999, against the estimate of £4,000. They estimated an outlay of £2,500 on houses. That had been largely increased, and for this reason, in order fully to man the pit at Pentland they required to draw a large body of men to the place, and, in order to keep the men there, the company had to house them well. They had also to erect new offices for the proper conduct of business, and the expenditure had been increased on that account. There had also been an increase on the estimate for the erection of retorts. There had been new ammonia plant put down at Pentland costing £1,000, against £550 of estimate. Then they had spent £7,524 in connection with coal retorts for the recovery of ammonia, on tankage in connection therewith, on exhaust tanks, water ponds, pipes, and spirit plant. They had spent at Clippens £1,500 in connection with three vitriol-houses, and they had had additional expenses at Clippens in consequence of the large quantity of shale being got from the increased quantity of crude oil used from the Pentland works. That expenditure, with new stills, boilers, tanks, &c., had cost £4,281. The total expenditure had been £39,386, and the directors were of opinion that the money had been well spent, and was likely to produce satisfactory results. For the coming year they contemplated spending £8,000, £2,000 of which was for the further development of the Pentland and Penicuik field. They proposed to spend £2,000 upon new exhausters and engines at Pentland. They thought it would be a mistake to allow such a large crude oilwork as that at Pentland to be dependent on one exhauster, and further considered that by increasing the exhausting power they would very likely obtain more satisfactory results. At Clippens works, for refrigerating and refining plant, they proposed to expend £3,500, and on Pentland houses £500. The Penicuik field lay abutting on the Pentland field. The shale proved to be of a uniformally regular quality — quite equal to the shale they were at present working in the Pentland field. In the Pentland works 3,318,134 gallons had been manufactured at very much the same cost as the estimate—namely, 1½ d. They had to buy, in order to keep their refining plant in full operation at Clippens, 1,393647 gallons of crude oil, and they also made at the Clippers works 256,000 gallons — together, 1,650,000 - just about half the quantity they made at Pentland; and it, was right to say that that crude oil for the Clippens manufactory cost them two prices. With that explanation the shareholders should be satisfied that they had made a full and satisfactory result on the years trading, looking to the considerable drawback they had had to contend with. The stock-in-trade stood at £45,941. They had always valued their stock-in-trade at nett cost price, and that was 15 per cent. under the market value. In conclusion, he moved the approval of the report and the declaration of a dividend as recommended therein.

Mr. A. Crum Maclae seconded the motion, and it was agreed to unanimously.

Mr. J D. Hedderwick moved—"That the remuneration of the directors be fixed at £500 for the past year, and that they be authorised to take credit for remuneration at that rate in the years to come."

The motion having been duly seconded, was agreed to.

Mr. A. C. Scott moved the re-election of Mr. Wm. Mackinnon as a director of the company, and the motion was also agreed to.

On the motion of Mr. Cooper, seconded by Mr. Robertson, Messrs. Carson & \Watson, C.A., were re-elected auditors of the company, and thereafter the meeting adjourned.

Morning Post - Monday 17 November 1884

The Clippens Oil Company announce the payment of a dividend of 10s. per share, being the second moiety of the dividend of 10 per cent. declared in may last.

The Scotsman - Thursday 16 April 1885

The directors of Clippens Oil Company recommend a dividend at the rate of 12 per cent, less Income-tax, on the transactions for the year.

Glasgow Herald - Saturday 18 April 1885

We understand that the basis of an arrangement has been arrived at between the directors of the Clippens and the Mid-Lothian Oil Companies for the amalgamation of these two undertakings. Negotiations with this object have been on hand for the past month or so, but it was only yesterday afternoon that a reconciliation of interests was attained. The terms of agreement, we believe, are that the Clippens Company take over all the responsibilities of the Mid- Lothian Company, and that the shareholders of the latter get one share of the Clippens for every five shares of the Mid-Lothian, besides the prospect of an additional contingent payment in cash, should the stocks in hand when valued show a reversion after meeting certain stated liabilities. Apart from the contingent gain, the pecuniary result to the shareholders of the Mid-Lothian Company is that for their shares, which were selling yesterday at 50s, they get close upon 60s, an immediate profit of about 10s, with, of course, a proportionate advance in any enhancement in Clippens that may take place beyond the present market price. In all quarters qualified to express an opinion on such a subject the arrangement is regarded as a good one for both companies. On the one hand, the Mid-Lothian shareholders will be at once relieved of the financial oppression which has hampered their whole operations for a considerable time, and they will be incorporated with one of the best managed and most successful oil companies in the kingdom; and on the other hand, the Clippens Company will obtain at a reasonable figure possession of a refining work in the East (the want of which has long been felt), as well as a considerable accession to its shale territory. The properties of the two companies lie well in to each other at Straiton, near Edinburgh. The ordinary highway only separates the works, and in order to set railway connection the Clippens has to pay some £1500 or so annually of wayleave to the Mid-Lothian. The shale wrought is of the sauce rich quality in each, the Mid-Lothian lying to the dip of the Clippens field, and therefore easily workable from the same shafts. Besides the saving of way-leave charges there will be an annual saving, it is calculated, of several thousand pounds in the doing away with one management, the management to be retained being, of course, the Clippens, which, by means of the well-known Pentland retorts, has done so much to advance the position of the Scotch oil trade. That trade generally, it may be said, view the amalgamation with satisfaction, for a weak element of competition - weak in the sense that its impecuniosity was often used as an influence to depress values - will be removed by the absorption of the Mid-Lothian. The details of the agreement will be submitted in due course to the shareholders.

Glasgow Herald - Wednesday 29 April 1885

The report of the CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED) states :-Balance at the credit of profit and loss account, after debiting revenue with £12,259 13s Id for repairs and maintenance, is £41,352 10s 2d; and balance brought forward from last year (less directors' fees paid, £500), £565 14s 4d - total, £41,918 4s 6d. From which there falls to be deducted – Interest on £40,000 debenture bonds, £2000; depreciation, £12,000; do. extra on old retorts at Pentland, one-third of £5000, £1666; written off patent rights account, £1500 - leaving £24,752 4s 6d. The directors recommend that a dividend of 12 per cent. be paid in equal proportions on 4th June and on 4th December, 1885 (less income-tax), absorbing £23,253 15s, and to be carried forward, £1498 9s 6d. The directors consider the results of the year satisfactory, and they would have been more so but for two serious fires which occurred in January at the Clippens works, completely destroying the wax refineries, causing interruption to the manufacture, and stopping for three months, at the busiest season of the year, one of the most important departments in the works. The buildings, machinery, and stock were fully insured, but the indirect loss in consequence of the stoppage of the wax refining was serious, and materially affected the results of the year. The fires also account for the larger stocks held. These fires occurred in a particular process of the wax refining, which has now been discontinued, and is being replaced by another, which is considered safe. The directors have to report since last meeting that they have acquired by lease the shale lying in the neighbouring property of Macbiehill, presently being proved by boring, and if the shale is found in the property it will form a valuable addition to the shale fields at present held by the company. Negotiations are pending with the Mid-Lothian Oil Company (Limited) for the acquisition of their property by this company, and when these negotiations are completed a meeting of the shareholders will be convened and their approval asked.

Glasgow Evening Post - Thursday 14 May 1885

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY – TO-DAY

The annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) was held in the Accountants’ Hall, West Nile Street, this afternoon – Mr A. C. Scott, Clippens House, Johnstone, in the absence of the chairman, presiding.

The report, which has already been published, was held as read.

The Chairman, in moving its adoption, said that the nett profit of the company was £24,752, against £19,792 the previous year. There had been written off £4,000 more for depreciation; and the stocks, taken in the usual way, had been reduced in valuation £3,000, so that the year’s trading profit showed a marked improvement on that of last year. That had been obtained in the face of greatly reduced prices. There had been fall in paraffin of £4,500, in sulphate of ammonia of £5,200, in lubricating oils of £1,600 – in all a fall of £11,300; whereas the only gain had been £4,500 in burning oil, leaving a nett fall of £6,800 as compared with last year. The fall of prices, however, had been more than met by the increased quantity of crude oil used from Pentland, and the smaller quantity purchased, well as economies effected generally. The patent rights account had been written down to £13,009. The nett profit on that account for the two past years had been £1,900, being the company’s part of the profit, besides the right of using the retorts free of royalty, which saved over £l,000 a year to the company. The new waxhouses replacing those which were burned down, had been erected, and were giving complete satisfaction, besides being considered perfectly safe. They would effect considerable saving during the current year. The capital expenditure had been in excess of the estimate of last year, but he thought the results had justified that excess. During the year ended March, 1884, the company refined 5,192,000 gallons of crude material, while for the year just ended they refined 6,120,000 gallons, and the retorts at Clippens were capable of refining between seven and eight million gallons. In the earlier part of this year they had difficulty getting full supply of shale at Pentland, owing to the scarcity of mining labour. That difficulty had now been removed, and they were getting an ample supply of 4,000 tons a week — a supply which might be increased whenever desirable to so. To take advantage of this, and to avoid as far as possible the buying of crude oil, the director had ordered another bench of retorts to be ordered, and it was anticipated these would be started early in June. The expenditure for the past year had been in mining department, £4,200, which was principally represented in developing the Penicuik field of minerals. On the Pentland works the outlay had been £3,800, which consisted principally of the retorts previously referred to. At Clippens works £3,000 had been expended scale and wax refineries and storage tanks; and on the workmen’s houses at Pentlands, £2,500 — in all, a total expenditure of £13,500. These additions would add much to the efficiency of the works, and although prices during the current year would probably be lower for some of the important products, still the directors anticipated the reductions in price would be more than compensated for by the increased production at Pentlands and shale at Clippens. They looked at the prospects for the current year as favourable. The negotiations with the Mid-Lothian Oil Company were all but completed, and the agreement between the directors was expected to be signed that day. So soon as that was done a meeting of the shareholders would be called, and the matter would be laid before them for their approval. Considering the heavy losses caused by the fires and the short production at Pentlands during the earlier part of the year, he thought the report was a satisfactory one, and he had pleasure in moving its adoption, and that a dividend of 12 per cent. be declared.

Mr. A. Crum Maclae seconded.

The report was unanimously adopted.

Mr. A. C. Scott was reappointed director of the company, and the auditors were also reappointed.

Glasgow Herald - Wednesday 27 May 1885

JOHNSTONE. - STOPPAGE OF PITS. – The last of the pits of this district which belonged to the Clippens Oil Company have now been brought to a standstill on account of the lease having expired. This week workmen are employed making arrangements for removing all the gearing, pumps, &c., connected with all the pits. At one time as many as 500 men were employed in this district at this industry.

Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette - Saturday 30 May 1885

CLIPPENS AND MID-LOTHIAN OIL COMPANIES. – General meetings of the Clippens and Mid-Lothian Oil Companies were held yesterday, and at both the agreement between the directors of the two companies for the purchase by the former of the latter’s property was unanimously ratified.

Glasgow Herald - Saturday 30 May 1885

THE CLIPPENS AND MID-LOTHIAN OIL COMPANIES. CONTRACT OF SALE BETWEEN THE COMPANIES. An extraordinary general meeting of the members of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) was held in Glasgow yesterday, for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, passing certain resolutions dealing with the purchase of the Mid-Lothian Company's property on terms which have already been made public. Mr Wm. Mackinnon, the chairman of the company, presided, and there were only two or three shareholders present.

The CHAIRMAN said the object of the resolutions was to enable the directors to acquire the property of the Mid-Lothian Oil Company. The directors had given the matter anxious and careful thought, .and it was only after having looked at it very deliberately that they resolved to enter into the negotiations. They approved of the arrangement as one likely to be beneficial to the Clippens Company, and the meeting had been called for the purpose of giving effect to it. He might mention that out of 20,000 shares they had got proxies unsolicited from 13,900 approving of the arrangement. It was unnecessary that he should enter into any detailed statement of the advantages that were likely to accrue to them from the purchase of the Mid-Lothian works. In the first place they got a railway giving them access to their works, and without it they would have required to make one for themselves. In the second place, they got a large shale field adjoining their own, and considerable economies would be effected by the joint working of the two. Then, in the third place, they would be able to supply their east coast customers direct from the works of the Mid-Lothian, whereas hitherto they had been paying carriage on the crude oil for getting it transported to the Clippens works, and carried back again to the east coast. He concluded by moving the following resolutions:-

" 1. That the minute of sale between the Mid-Lothian Oil Company (Limited) of the first part, and this company of the second part, dated 14th May, 1885, whereby this company has purchased the lands and estate of Straiton, in the county of Edinburgh, with the buildings, works, erections, railways, and machinery and minerals therein; also tenants' interest in certain leases be, and the same is, hereby approved of, adopted, and confirmed; and the directors of this company are authorised forthwith to carry out and Implement the same. 2. That the company is authorised to borrow on the security of the said estate and minerals, and the property of Mayshade adjoining, a sum not exceeding £30,000. 3. That the memorandum of association be altered as follows:- The capital of the company shall be increased from £250,000 to £260,000 by the creation of 1000 shares of £10 each. 4. That the directors be authorised to issue and dispose of the said 1000 new shares, along with the 800 (?) shares, being balance of unissued capital remaining after implement of the arrangement with the Mid-Lothian Oil Company (Limited), to the present shareholders or other persons, and upon such terms and conditions as the directors shall consider most conducive to the interests of the company. S. That article 41 of the company's articles of association be repealed end rescinded, and the following article shall be and is hereby added to or substituted in the articles of association of the company- that is to say, 'The number of directors shall not be more than seven or less than three.”

Mr GALBRAITH seconded, and the resolutions were unanimously adopted.

This was all the business, and the meeting then separated.

An extraordinary general meeting of the Mid-Lothian Oil Company (Limited) was held yesterday in Dowell's Rooms, Edinburgh. There was a small attendance, and the chair was occupied by Mr J. Hope Finlay, W.S., chairman of the company.

The SECRETARY (Mr John M. Cook) said the, meeting had been called for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, passing the following special resolution:-

“That the provisional minute of sale between the Mid-Lothian Oil Company (Limited), of the first part, and the Clippens Oil Company (Limited), of the second part, dated 14th and 15th May, 1885, whereby the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) has purchased from the Mid-Lothian Oil Company (Limited) the lands and estate of Straiton, in the county of Edinburgh, with the buildings, works, erections, railways, and machinery thereon; and minerals therein; also, tenants' interest in certain leases: Be, and the same is hereby approved of, adopted, and confirmed; and the directors are authorised to carry out the same."

The CHAIRMAN said that as the sale had been already approved of unanimously by the board of directors it was his duty on their behalf to explain the reasons which had weighed with them in reaching that position. He did not need to say to them how sincerely he regretted that he had now to acknowledge the failure in the operations of the Company. He felt that all the more deeply because other companies had been successful whose properties did not possess the same intrinsic value as the Mid-Lothian. The failure was due to three causes. First, the Beilby retorts; second, the straitened finances; and third, the difficulties in the management of the works. He had no hesitation in saying that the ruin of the company had been the Beilby retorts. When the company was started these retorts were held in high public favour. They were known to be expensive, but it was expected that the increased production would more than meet the extra expense, and leave a large additional profit. But the results had turned out very differently. The retorts had cost much, but they had also increased the cost of working. Both the fuel and other expenses had increased, while their yield had at the same time decreased. The gases which ought to have formed marketable products were being burned by fire, or blown off and wasted. They did not substitute other retorts because their straitened finances prevented them doing so. In June, 1884, the directors had stated that to do that they would require additional capital, estimated at £50,000. The shareholders had desired an investigation into the state of the company's affairs, and the committee's report was most adverse. One of the results of that report was that three practical men from the west had joined the board, and during the past year the company had benefited very much by the services of these gentlemen. If anxiety, if spending any amount of time, or if giving them the benefit of their skill and experience could have saved the company it would have been saved by the untiring exertions of these three Glasgow gentlemen who joined the board. But, instead of progress, they had positively gone back. In the interim report circulated in December they got a little sunshine, and it was quite correct that they were working at a profit. But subsequent to that there was an enormous increase in both the cost and the production, and a decrease in the prices realised which not only ate up the profit they were making, but made a very substantial loss to the company, as disclosed in the accounts. He felt that the directors were to blame somewhat for the failure, but it was impossible for any board of directors to conduct successfully any manufacturing business unless they were supported sufficiently by the manager at the works. The result of the management at Straiton had been most disappointing, and was by no means free from blame in his opinion. He could not help remarking that the unsatisfactory state of affairs at the works induced them to release Mr Baxter from the position of manager. They appointed Mr Laing, the chemist, and Mr Smith, the engineer at the works, as joint managers, and they had exhibited much ability in the performance of their duties. The directors in addition to exhausting all the borrowing powers of the company had obtained £30,000 on their own personal security to try and carry on the business. In such a state of matters they could not ask the shareholders to subscribe £50,000 additional capital. They were positively driven to seek some other mode of treating the company, and they had entered into negotiations with the Clippens Company to amalgamate with them. They considered the terms agreed to were the best that could be expected. The universal opinion was that the amalgamation of the two companies would exceedingly strengthen the Clippens Company, and that the shares of that company would rise in value. If the meeting adopted the resolution the company would require to be wound up voluntarily under the 161st section of the Companies Act, He begged to move the above resolution.

Mr JOHN K. MILNE, Lasswade, seconded the motion. It did not require that company to condemn the Beilby retort, because the balance-sheet of the Oakbank Company, with which Mr Beilby was connected, showed what the retort was.

In reply to a question by Mr James Tait, Portobello,

The CHAIRMAN said that the Clippens shares which the Mid-Lothian Company would get for their own shares would be the old £10 fully paid-up shares.

A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 23 April 1886

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

The report of the Clippens Oil Company is issued today. The balance of profit is £19,512. The directors recommend a dividend of 7 ½ per cent., leaving £1577 to be carried forward. The prices of products, except burning oil, were extremely low last year. Had they been the same as in the previous year, the profits would have been increased by £30,000.

North British Daily Mail - Friday 23 April 1886

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (Limited).

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That the TRANSFER BOOKS of this Company will be CLOSED from the 27th April to the 10th May, both days inclusive.

By Order of the Directors.

JAMES ARMOUR, Secy.

Glasgow, 22d April, 1886

North British Daily Mail - Saturday 24 April 1886

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. - The abstract of profit and loss and dividend has already been published. The directors in their extended report say:- Immediately after the company obtained possession of the works at Straiton, they were steeped in order to be put into working oorder, and were only re-started in January. The company have, therefore, practically only received the benefit fora little more than two months of the additional capital on which they are paying dividend for the whole year. The capital expenditure contemplated during the past year was necessarily very much altered by the purchase of the Straiton property and works. The amount spent in remodelling and altering the Straiton works and in developing the pits and mines from a daily output of 650 tons to 1000 tons was £42,138 6s 5d, and there was spent at Clippens Works £5407 10s 7d – total capital expenditure £47,635 17s. The company have erected at Straiton 216 Young and Beilby retorts of the same description as those erected at the Pentland Works. The company now have 654 retorts of the newest type, capable of putting through 300,000 tons of shale per annum which will produce upwards of 10,000,000 gallons of crude oil and spirit. The expenditure in connection with the Straiton Work has been heavy, but your directors anticipated that this would be so, and now that the work is complete they consider it satisfactory to note that the producing powers of the company have been increased 50 per cent, with an addition of 25 per cent to the share capital. The directors regret to state that in November last a creep took place on the west side of their Pentland Pit. The creep has now ceased, but for a time it seriously interfered with their increasing the output of shale. After acquiring the Straiton property, the development of the other pits and mines were rapidly pushed forward, and by this means the company were able to maintain their previous output when the creep took place. They have now commenced to reopen the levels which were closed. In addition to the seams already known to exist in the company’s lands, a new seam of shale has been found 4 feet 10 inches thick below the present main seam, and your directors are sinking a trial shaft to it. If the shale proves satisfactory it is anticipated that it will prove a valuable addition to the minerals of the company, as it lies through the whole of their heritable property of Straiton, as well as their leaseholds of Pentland and Loanhead. Prices of products, with the exception of burning oil, have been extremely low, and had the same prices been obtained as in the previous year the profits would have been increased by upwards of £30,000. This difference was, to a great extent, met by improvements and economies. While the directors do not look forward to any improvement in the average value pf the products during the coming year, the company will derive the benefit of 12 months working from the Straiton works against two months in the past year, and the directors hope also to reduce the cost of products by improvements made in the works, and by some further economies in working expenses.

Glasgow Evening Post - Monday 10 May 1886

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED)

TO-DAY.

The annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) was held to-day in the Accountants’ Hall—Mr. William Mackinnon, C.A., presiding.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, which proposed a dividend of 7 ½ per cent., referred to the acquisition of the Mid-Lothian Company’s business at Straiton for £80,000, and £22,000 had been expended on the works to put them on a paying footing. To make preparation for tile increase in the retorting and refining power it was necessary to make arrangements for increasing the output of shale from 650 to 1,000 tons a day, which entailed an outlay of £8,000 in addition to the estimated capital expenditure of £13,000. The expenditure for the current year was estimated £14,000 for the erection of suitable machinery Straiton and for a new mine at Straiton and Pentland mineral fields. When these operations were completed the directors considered that the capital accounts regards retorting and refining plant, now raised to a consumpt of 300,000 tons of shale a year, should be closed unless some new discovery came into play for the treatment of crude oil and its products. As to the revenue earned, the products all round had realised 15 per cent. less than last year, but that had been almost met by saving in the cost of manufacturing of 12 per cent. The explanation of the revenue having been less than in previous years was the fall in values, and the fact that only two months’ full work had been obtained from the expenditure on Straiton works. The prospects for the current year were somewhat improved in respect that the production was increased by a third, while fixed charges would remain the same. Satisfactory results had been got from the Straiton refinery. At the start a different method of refining was adopted from that followed at Clippens, showing the cost of the process to be less, with a higher return of products, the yield at Straiton since it started being 73 per cent., against 69 ½ per cent, at Clippens; scale, 14.85, against 13.22. When the way was clear as regarded one of the products in some slight detail the new method would be introduced at Clippens without any alteration in plant and at a trifling cost.

The report was adopted, and Mr. J. E. Stoddart, Glasgow, was appointed director in room of Mr. J. Robertson Reid, retired.

The meeting then adjourned.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 03 June 1886

MID-LOTHIAN OIL COMPANY. – The liquidators having disposed of all the Clippens Oil Co. shares which they received in payment of the Mid-Lothian Co.’s properties, are now in a position to liquidate the company’s affairs without making any call upon the shareholders. The successful placing of the large number of Clippens Co. shares above referred to – some 3885 shares – is already affecting favourably the market price of the shares.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 13 November 1886

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

An extraordinary general meeting of this Company was held on Tuesday within the Accountants' Hall, Glasgow, for the purpose of increasing their borrowing powers. Mr. Andrew Scott presided. The Chairman, in submitting the resolutions, explained that when the Company acquired the property of Straiton there existed upon it a heritable bond for £28,000, and the directors always had in view the desirability of paying off this bond and consolidating the debt of the Company. In making the change, the directors considered it advisable to increase the borrowing powers of the Company from £90,000 to £110,000, though they did not expect making use of these powers in the meantime to their full extent, and at present it was intended only to offer for subscription £40,000, in addition to the existing £60,000, and with this amount to pay off the bond of £28,000, the balance of the £12,000 being required to work the increased business of the Company. The Chairman concluded by moving a series of resolutions increasing the borrowing powers to £110,000. Mr. A. C. M’Lay seconded the resolution, which was adopted.

Glasgow Herald - Thursday 25 November 1886

An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders Of the CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED) was held in the Accountants' Hall, West Nile Street, Glasgow, yesterday – Mr Wm. M’Kinnon C.A.., in the chair. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Houldsworth, the special resolutions passed at the meeting on 8th November were agreed to. These rescind the 50th article of the articles of association, and the second of the special resolutions confirmed on 15th June, 1885; and empower the directors to borrow on debenture bonds, including the amount already borrowed on debenture bonds, a sum not exceeding £110,000; and, to give security to the lenders, the directors were further empowered to convey to trustees, to be held by them as security to the debenture bond-holders, the property of the company. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.

The Scotsman - Saturday 30 April 1887

THE CLIPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED.) -The report by the directors of this Company for the year ending 31st March last states that the balance at the credit of profit and loss account after debiting revenue with £9951 for repairs and maintenance, is £ 11,129, 2s. 1d, from which there falls to be deducted for fall in value of stocks £8898, and for interest on bonds £4507, 18s. 2d . ; total, £13,405, 15s. 2d. ; leaving a balance to be carried forward to debit of profit and loss £2276, 13s. 1d. The directors regret that the report they have to submit is not so satisfactory as in former years. The results are largely due to a very serious strike of the miners, which closed the pits entirely during half of July, the whole of August and September, and half of October, and stopped the refineries both at Clippens and Straiton. Even after work was resumed the business of the Company was much interfered with for other three months owing to irregular supplies of raw material. The position of the Company in reference to the strike may be shown as follows: — The first quarter opened with a good profit: the second and third quarters, ending 31st December, during which the strike existed resulted in a very heavy loss. This has been reduced by the profit of the fourth and last quarter, amounting to a working profit of about £7000, alter providing for interest and other charges, but excluding depreciation. The directors look upon the results of the last quarter as satisfactory. They have been obtained while the prices of products were lower than has ever been known, and when Clippens refinery was partially stopped for alterations, which have now been completed. The products obtained at Straiton refinery, where the Company refine their own crude oil alone, prove the value of the shale, and show it to be exceptionally rich in refined products, yielding an average during the whole year of 70.38 per cent., including 15.05 per cent. of scale, and on the last three months’ working 73 per cent. of refined products, including 15.60 per cent. of scale, while the average yield of ammonia during the year was 22.90 lb per ton. The capital outlay during the year has been :- Mines – New pits, pumps, boilers, hutches, &c., £7737; crude works – condensers, water reservoir, retort hoppers, £1920; Straiton refinery - large washers, wax refineries, stock tanks, £6533; Clippens – stills and connections, railway siding, £1312; workmen's house, £249 - £17,751. This expenditure has considerably reduced manufacturing costs, and has added greatly to the efficiency of the works, the two refineries of Clippens and Straiton being able to put through 11,000 gallons of crude oil and spirit per annum.

Perthshire Advertiser - Wednesday 11 May 1887

AT the annual general meeting of the Clippens Oil Company yesterday in Glasgow, the report by the directors was unanimously adopted.

Aberdeen Press and Journal - Wednesday 11 May 1887

The ordinary general meeting of the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, was held in the Accountants Ball, Glasgow, yesterday - Mr Wm. Mackinnon, C.A. presiding. The report recommended no dividend, there being a balance of £2O,000 debit of profit and loss. The directors regretted that their report was not so satisfactory as in former years. The results were largely due to a very serious strike of the miners which closed the pits entirely during half of July, the whole of August and September, and half of October, and stopped the refineries at Clippens and Straiton. The report was unanimously adopted.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 11 May 1887

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY MEETING.

At the Clippens Oil Company annual meeting yesterday in Glasgow, the chairman said though the company paid 7½ per cent. last year, the company was unable to pay a dividend this year. They had been hampered by their miners striking. To ascertain the capability of the company they had to look only to the last three months’ results. The profits during that period were £8000, after providing for the interest on debentures. That was equal to a profit at the rate of £30,000 per annum. The alterations at Clippens were now completed, and there was no reason why equally good results should not be obtained there during the current year. Had such results been obtained, and the full quantity of oil put through, the profit for the three months would have been materially increased. Prices to-day were slightly lower than they were during the period under review; but against this there were savings in cost which in the year they had now entered upon should equalise this fall. The price of wax, which was their most valuable product, had fallen to a much lower point than had ever been known the history of the trade. The increase of production had now ceased, and it was hoped that this, together with an increase of consumption, would bring before long a return to better prices. The other products showed an important alteration, except in lubricating oil. For a long time it was almost unsaleable, but of late there had been a decided improvement. The stocks of it were all reduced to a low point, and the demand still continued, the present price being about 25 per cent. higher than it was six months ago. The price of ammonia should average during the current year about the same as last year, and though it was premature yet to estimate accurately what the price of burning oil would be in the coming season, they did not anticipate any very material change.

The Scotsman - Saturday 21 April 1888

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. —The report of the Clippens Oil Company ( Limited ) was issued yesterday. The balance at credit of profit and loss account, after deducting £8365, 3s. for repairs and maintenance, is £11,713, 10s. 9d., from which there falls to be deducted—on account of loss brought from last year, loss on realisation of old retorts, and interest on bonds — £9615. 4s. 10d., leaving a balance of £2098, 6s. 11d., which the directors recommend be carried forward to next year, the directors regretting that they are still unable to declare a dividend.

North British Daily Mail - Saturday 21 April 1888

THE CLIPPENS OIL CO. (LIMITED).

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That the TRANSFER BOOKS of the Company will be CLOSED from the 20th INST. to the 3d PROX., both days inclusive.

By Order of the Board.

JAMES ARMOUR, Secy.

Glasgow, 20th April 1888.

Pall Mall Gazette - Wednesday 25 April 1888

THE SCOTCH OIL TRADE.

In the report of the Clippens Oil Company, just published, some insight is gained into the working of the agreement entered into between the American and Scotch scale producers relative to the prices of scale and wax. "The arrangement," says the report, "is based on a moderate foundation, and will not act unreasonably against the consumer, but tends to remove the excessive competition of the past two years, and has the approval of the candlemakers in the United Kingdom, who are the largest consumers of wax. This arrangement is one of considerable importance to the company, whose shale is specially rich in scale (yielding about 15 per cent.), and as they are probably the second largest producers in the United Kingdom, the benefit that should accrue will be considerable. This is not the only improvement which there is to report after several years of steady depression. In July last the price of lubricating oils commenced to advance, and since then it has steadily improved. Burning and gas oils are also dearer, and all round an advance of about 15 per cent. has taken place on the prices of the company's products, which would, if sustained, amount to an increase of about £30,000 on the present throughout for the coming year. The prices, though better, are still low, and are much under those of. former years. To show the improvement in the position of the company which has been gradually taking place, with a return to a normal throughput of shale, and under the influence of slightly improved prices, it may be stated that the profits made during the last three months, after providing for all charges except depreciation, were respectively, in January, £1,706; in February, £2,267; and in March, £2,799. These results, which were obtained before much benefit was derived from improved prices, lead your directors to believe that a profit can reasonably be looked for in the coming year."

Glasgow Evening Post - Thursday 03 May 1888

MEETING OF CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY- To-DAY.

The annual meeting of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) was held in Glasgow to-day—Mr. William Mackinnon, C.A., in the chair.

The secretary submitted the report, which has already been published.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving its adoption, said that when the directors submitted their report last year they had come through a long and protracted strike, and they had then an inflow of water into the pits which had a very adverse influence on the year's operations. The output in March amounted to 25,000 tons, and had since been fully maintained, and when the water lying in the lower levels of the pit was removed, the capacity of the output could be raised much beyond requirements. A second adverse cause was the fall in prices. The difference in the value of paraffin wax alone amounted to £22,064, but against this there was a gain of £4,724 in lubricating oil, &c. There had been a considerable rise in prices from the lowest, and a decided improvement expected in the results at the end of the present year.

Mr. A. SCOTT seconded, and the report was adopted.

Mr. T. J. SCOTT, the retiring director, having been re-elected, the meeting separated.

The Scotsman - Friday 04 May 1888

THE CLIPPEN OIL COMPANY. – The annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) was held in the Company's office, 25 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, yesterday afternoon—Mr William Mackinnon, C.A., Glasgow, presiding. TheCHAIRMAN, in moving adoption of the report (already published), said that the works were now in full operation, with a fair outlook for the future. The output of shale in March, which amounted to 25,000 tons, had since been fully maintained; and when the water lying in the lower levels of the pit was removed, the capacity of output could be raised much beyond requirements. It was difficult to estimate accurately the loss arising from the water during the year, but it had been serious. A second adverse cause had been the fall in prices. The difference in the value of paraffin wax alone amounted to £22,064, but against this there was a gain of £4724 in lubricating oil, &c., leaving a net decrease, as compared with the previous year, of £17,340 in prices. Notwithstanding the difficulty arising from the water, it was satisfactory, he thought, that even with the drop of about £18,000 in the prices obtained for their products, the year's trading operations showed somewhat better results. The total cost of retorting at Pentland during the past year amounted to 19.364 pence per ton, while the cost during the past month had been reduced to 16.9d. per ton. At Clippens refinery the cost, owing to irregular supplies of crude oil, amounted to 1.398 pence per gallon; it was now reduced to a trifle over one penny, which included all refining charges, wax refining, and tar fuel used. The pit costs for shale had been high, and the anticipated savings during the current year should be considerable. The Straiton refinery continued to show a low rate and not much could be looked for in further economy - the cost being under one penny per gallon. Though the prices of products had fallen during the past four years about 31 per cent., the rate of wages remained about the same, and the economies to meet the fall had been almost entirely from other sources. The improvement still left the prices considerably below those of four years ago. The yield of crude oil and spirit at Pentland for the year was 30.50, against 30.30 gallons for the previous year. The yield of sulphate of ammonia was 23.14, against 22.90 the previous year. At Straiton refinery, where the Company refine only their own crude, the total refined products obtained was 71.28 per cent, scale including about 14.98 per cent., against a total for the previous year of 70.38 per cent., scale being seals being 15.05 per cent. The results at Clippens, where bought oil is mixed with the Company’s own crude, showed an improvement of 1.15 per cent. as compared with the previous year; and better results might still be obtained. Referring to the accounts, he observed that the directors regretted the large outlay it had been necessary to make during the year, owing to the water; but now that this had been amply provider for, very little capital outlay was anticipated, and it was their wish, by an ample depreciation in the future, to gradually reduce their heritable debenture bonds. He might mention that by all the oil companies consulting together during the year as to the general interests of the oil trade in Scotland, much good work had been and was still being done to improve the general condition of the trade. In closing, he said that the results for the first four weeks of the present financial year were satisfactory. (Applause.) Mr SCOTT seconded, and the report was unanimously adopted. The retiring director, Mr T. Inglis Scott, was re-elected, as were also the auditors, Messrs Carson & Watson, C.A.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 13 April 1889

CLIPPENS.

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.—The books of the Clippens Oil Company, after deducting £10,420 for repairs and maintenance, show a profit of £37,374. The directors recommend a dividend of 5 per cent., absorbing £12,072, the balance being carried forward to next year.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 26 April 1889

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

The report by the directors of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) states that the balance at the credit of profit and loss account, after deducting £10,420 for maintenance and repairs, is £37,347 leaving, after various deductions, a net sum of £13,978, from which the directors recommend a dividend of 5 per cent,. carrying forward £1905. The directors consider the results fairly satisfactory, considering the difficulties they had to contend with in removing the water from the pits which had been previously flooded, the cost of which was considerable, and had been charged against revenue. The works have been maintained during the year in a thorough state of efficiency, and a large addition has been made to the freezing power by the purchase of a 25 ton Pontiflex & Wood refrigerator. This more than doubles the freezing power at Straiton Refinery, and since it was started in January considerably better results have been obtained in the scale department. The agreement entered into a year ago between the American and Scottish scale producers, to conjunction with the candlemakers of the United Kingdom, has worked satisfactorily, and the low prices fixed have led to an increased consumption of scale and wax. The agreement has been renewed for another year on practically the same terms. The indication of a general improvement in the position of the oil trade, referred to in last port, is confirmed by the increased consumption of all the principal products made in Scotland, and prices of products have shown an upward tendency for the first time for several years. The company’s products are well sold forward, and, with an increasing consumption of both oils and wax, a steady trade may be looked for in the coming year.

Glasgow Evening Post - Thursday 09 May 1889

THE SCOTCH OIL TRADE.

CLIPPEN COMPANY LOOKS FORWARD HOPEFULLY.

There was a subdued air of jubilance about the proceedings of the annual general meeting of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited), in Glasgow, to-day. A dividend of 5 per cent. has been declared, and the prospects for the coming year are more hopeful than they have been for some time. Mr. Andrew C. Scott, who presided in the absence of the president, Mr. William Mackinnon, briefly described the operations of the company during the past twelvemonth. The inflow of water at the workings has been greatly reduced; £4,970 have been saved at Clippens by improvements effected, and at Straiten 9,000 more gallons of oil have been refined for £1,300 less. At both works the cost for the first month of the current year has been still lower than formerly, and certain improvements made lead the company to anticipate still further economy. There has been a great increase in the demand for gas oil and wax, and the consumption of products generally increased from 7 per cent. to 10 per cent., indicating

A MORE HEALTHY TRADE.

For the first time in several years an improvement in price has been experienced. This has been common all the products except naphtha. A steady trade may be looked for in the coming year. The directors of the company have considered the wish expressed the holders of the £8 10s. paid shares, and they intend to call up the £1 10s. shares during the course of the current year, so that after the present year there will only be one class of shares. Mr. Mackinnon was re-elected chairman of the company.

Glasgow Herald - Friday 10 May 1889

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED)

The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) was held in the office of the company, 27 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, yesterday, Mr A. C. Scott in the chair.

THE CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, which has been already published, said it might be of interest to the shareholders if a few points were referred to a little more in detail than in the report, both with regard to the conduct of the company's works and the general aspect of the oil trade. In the first place, as to the operations of the company. When they met there a year ago the company was emerging from the difficulties caused by the sudden inflow of water, and the directors were then able to state that with the means adopted the water was easily under control. Since then it had (?????) considerably, being little more than one-third of what it was; and less than might be reasonably expected in workings of the same extent. The taking out of the water from the lower sections of the pit, which had been flooded, had been a much more tedious and expensive operation than was anticipated; but was being steadily proceeded with. The first disappointment was in the delay in starting the large pumps, which were ready in July; but certain alterations had to be made which kept them from starting till the end of last year. Since then they had been giving complete satisfaction; and would prove in the future a most economical form of pump. The arrangements made for the output of shale were considerably interfered with owing to the delay referred to, which militated against the results of the year. Last year the directors referred to certain savings which they expected to see carried out at Clippens Refinery. These savings were estimated at £5000, and actually amounted to £4974. When referring to Straiton Refinery, the directors anticipated no saving, as the costs there were extremely low; but he was glad to say that 9000 gallons more had been refined for £1300 less than last year. At both works the costs for the first month of the current year were still lower, which, with improvements they hoped to introduce, led them to anticipate still further economy in refining. The percentages of refined products obtained at both refineries were also satisfactory. At Straiton the high yields of the previous year were fully maintained - the percentages being 71.61, including 14.84 per cent. of scale: and at Clippens the percentages showed an improvement over the previous year of 1.85 per cent. The report referred to the apparent improvement in the general position of the oil trade, as indicated by increased consumption of all the principal products. One of the largest of these increases had been in gas oil, which was largely used in the lighting of railway carriages. Another product, the most important of all to the Scottish oil trade, viz.:- wax, had also shown an increased consumption. And he might mention that all the products showed increases of from 7 per cent. to 16 per cent., and this, the directors consider, indicated a more healthy trade. Following on this improved demand they have experienced for the first time for several years an improvement in prices, which had been common to all the products except spirit. This was a change from the experience for many years past, when constantly falling prices had to be met by inventions and improvements, which helped to counter-balance the fall. It was still possible to carry improvements even further, and as the company’s products were very fully sold forward, and the demand for some of the more important manufactured good, which pointed to the improvement continuing, they were lead reasonably to hope for what was stated at the end of the report, namely, that a steady trade might be looked for in the coming year. With these remarks he begged to move formally the adoption of the report, and the payment of a dividend of 5 per cent. At last annual meeting reference was made to the uncalled portion of the £8 10s shares, and the directors then promised to consider the advisability of calling it up. Since then several holders of these shares had asked the board to call up the balance, and in deference to this generally expressed wish the directors had made up their minds to call up the balance during the current year, so that after 1st April, 1890, all the shares would be of one class.

The motion was unanimously agreed to.

Mr Wm. M'Kinnon was re-elected a director of the company, and the auditors were re-appointed.

Mr ARCHIBALD, in moving a vote of thanks to the chairman, expressed satisfaction, as a large holder, that the directors had called up the 30s due on the new shares.

After a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting separated.

Dundee Advertiser - Wednesday 26 February 1890

An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY, Limited, was held in the offices of the Company, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, yesterday—Mr William Mackinnon presiding. The meeting was called to authorise the Directors to alter the constitution of the debenture and other debt of the Company, by substituting for the present terminable debts a 5 per cent. convertible mortgage debenture stock quotable on the Stock Exchange. The liabilities of the Company amount to £131,520, and it was proposed to liquidate that amount by the issue of £140,000 convertible stock, bearing 5 per cent. interest, and redeemable by fixed annual payments. The Chairman moved the adoption of resolutions to this effect. At a meeting of debenture holders held earlier in the day, he said, they had the approval of the holders of 90 per cent. of the whole £110,000 of the debentures to the scheme. The Directors had fully considered the scheme and thought it a very advantageous one for the shareholders, and one that would place the Company in a very much stronger position financially than it had been. Mr Macrae seconded. After some discussion on the proposal a shareholder asked— Have you overcome the difficulty of keeping the mines clear of water? The Chairman—We expect at the annual meeting to say that our mines are entirely free of water. The result will be that in place of having an output of between 4000 and 4500 tons a week we expect to get the average output to 6000 tons a week. We will then be in full working order. The resolutions were then agreed to, and the meeting separated.

Glasgow Herald - Wednesday 26 February 1890

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY, LIMITED.

EXTRAORDINARY MEETING.

An extraordinary general meeting of the share-holders of the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, was held yesterday in the offices of the company, Royal Exchange Square - Mr William Mackinnon presiding. The meeting was called to authorise the directors to alter the constitution of the debenture and other debt of the company, by substituting for the present terminable debts a 5 five per cent. convertible mortgage debenture stock quotable on the Stock Exchange. The liabilities of the company amount to £131,520, and it was proposed to liquidate that amount by the issue of £140,000 convertible stock, bearing 5 per cent. interest and redeemable by fixed annual payments. The Chairman moved the adoption of resolutions to this effect. At a meeting of debenture-holders held earlier in the day, he said, they had the approval of the holders of 90 per cent. of the whole £110,000 of the debentures to the scheme. The directors had fully considered the scheme and thought it a very advantageous one for the shareholders, and one that would place the company in a very much stronger position financially than it had been.

Mr MACRAE seconded.

Mr MURRAY (a shareholder) – How many debenture-holders were at the meeting?

The CHAIRMAN – We had proxies amounting to 90 per cent. of the debentures approving of the scheme.

Mr MURRAY proceeded to say that it appeared to him that the whole matter had been sprung upon the shareholders. inasmuch as the circular was posted on the 18th and the meeting held on the 25th. In connection with such a great change they would expect a fuller explanation from the directors. He did not see how the shareholders were likely to be benefited, especially those who had invested their money with a view to receiving dividends from year to year. The profits last year were about £14,000. It tock £12,000 to pay a dividend of 5 per cent., and if they had to lay aside £12,000 to meet the percentage of the new scheme, he could not see that there was likely to be very much left to the shar-holders.

A SHAREHOLDER - You are receiving £9000 more than you require to pay off liabilities.

The CHAIRMAN said the directors thought it was necessary to have command of money to hold stocks. They were always very large stockholders. In carrying out that scheme they wanted to get a sufficient sum to make them comfortable. One of the chief reasons that had made them bring out the scheme was the fact that when they had debentures in a limited company, they fell due on an average of three years, and they had to be replaced often at considerable expense. They had adopted that scheme in order to prevent claims being mode upon them for £20,000 or £30,000 at a time The scheme had received very anxious and deliberate consideration for the last four or five months, and he was quite sure it was entirely in the interests of the shareholders.

A SHAREHOLDER – Is the 30s on the new shares to be called up.

The CHAIRMAN – It is. We promised to make the shares uniform, and we will call it up at the end of the financial year.

A SHAREHOLDER – Have you overcome the difficulty of keeping the mines clear of water?

The CHAIRMAN – We expect at the annual meeting to say than our mines are entirely free of water. The result will be that in place of having an output of between 4000 and 4500 tons a week, we expect to get up the average output to 6000 tons a week. We will then be in full working order.

The resolutions were then agreed to, and the meeting separated.

Dundee Advertiser - Friday 21 March 1890

The Directors of the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, having determined to free the Company from all terminable debt by the issue of a debenture stock, announce an issue of £140,000 5 per cent. convertible mortgage debenture stock at par. Of this issue £53,650 has been already privately subscribed, and the balance of £86,350 is offered for public subscription, payable £5 on application and £95 on 15th May next. The Company has agreed to confer upon the holders of the debenture stock the right of conversion into ordinary stock at any time during its currency at the rate of one ordinary share for each £13 of debenture stock held. The subscription list will close on Friday, 28th inst.

Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette - Wednesday 16 April 1890

The Clippens Oil Company, for the year to 31st March, have a balance to credit of profit and loss, after deliting revenue with £10,258 for repairs and maintenance, of £16,436.

Kirkcaldy Times - Wednesday 16 April 1890

The Clippens Oil Company declares no dividend this year.

Dundee Courier - Wednesday 16 April 1890

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. - The ordinary shareholders of the Clippens Oil Company can receive no dividend this year, although last year they got 5 per cent. The report states that the balance at the credit of the profit and loss account after debiting the revenue with £10,258 for repairs and maintenance is £16,436, which the Directors recommend should be applied as follows: - Interest on debentures £5492, written off £9845, leaving to be carried forward £1098.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 03 May 1890

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

At the half yearly meeting of the Clippens Oil Company, held yesterday in Glasgow, the chairman, Mr M'Kinnon, said that to give a steady output they had sank two new mines, and they had now four mines in working order in the main seam of shale and a fifth was being opened. Owing to pit difficulties, the output of shale was 70,000 tons, or about 30 per cent. less than the requirements of the Company. At Straiton refinery the results were most satisfactory. The sudden rise, however, in the price of coal, barrels, chemicals, &c., which amounted to £15,000 militated against the year's results. The report was adopted.

North British Daily Mail - Saturday 03 May 1890

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yesterday in Glasgow. Mr Mackinnon, who presided, in moving the adoption of the report, said that owing to pit difficulties the output of shale was 70,000 tons, or about 30 per cent less than the requirements of the company. This added materially to the cost of production at the crude oil works and at Clippens refinery, which for a large portion of the year was putting through little more than half of what it was capable of doing. At Straiton refinery, where the company refined only its own make of crude oil and a full supply was given, the results were most satisfactory, the percentages for the year were 71.96, which included 14.61 per cent of scale, and notwithstanding the increased cost of fuel and wages, the costs were only 0.29d per gallon, or about 2½ per cent higher than last year. The sudden rise in the prices of coal, barrels, chemicals, &c., which amounted to £15,000, militated against the year’s results. An important financial change had been effected in the position of the company’s debenture bonds. Previously it had consisted of debenture bonds that fell due at short dates, and the directors had substituted a debenture stock scheme gradually liquidating the debt, which would be completed on the 15th of this month. The general outlook of the trade appeared better than it had been for some years, and the directors were hopeful of getting at an early date an ample supply of shale so as to reap the full benefit from the increased prices.

Mr MACLAE seconded the motion, and it was adopted.

Mr A. C. Scott was re-elected a director, and the auditors were re-elected.

Glasgow Herald - Tuesday 28 April 1891

The report of the CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED) for last year is as follows:- The balance at credit of profit and loss account, after deducting £10,294 17s 4d for maintenance and repairs, is £8331 11s 9d, from which there falls to be deducted £6795 l7s 2d interest on debenture stock, leaving to be carried forward £1535 14s 7d. The directors regret that they are not in a position to declare a dividend or write off the usual depreciation, and recommend that the balance of £1535 14s 7d be carried forward to next year. The works have been maintained in thorough order. The result of the year's operations has been very disappointing. At the beginning of the year mining difficulties, with which the company had been contending for four years, appeared to have been practically overcome, and the directors hoped that in the course of the year the mineral field would again have been worked under normal conditions. During the earlier part of the year some difficulty was experienced in restoring the mines to the lowest level of the workings, but this was accomplished in August, and the third or lowest lift of the large pumps laid and started by the beginning of December. The pumps worked well until the end of the month, when a serious accident took place. All the bolts in one of the top couplings of the steel rods of the pumps appear to have given way together, and the engine, on being thus suddenly relieved of the weight of the pumps, broke down, the damage done being so extensive as to render the engine useless for three months, though the directors lost no time in having the necessary repairs proceeded with. The engine was repaired and the pumps again started on 2d April, and they have since been working most satisfactorily. The directors have had the couplings of the pumps strengthened to prevent the recurrence of such an accident, and, by way of precaution, are also erecting for use in an emergency, a set of hydraulic pumps capable of dealing with the usual flow of water. In addition to the expense of repairing the engine, the accident caused still heavier loss to the company by again closing for the time the access to the lower workings, and in consequence restricting the output, and forcing the company to continue mining from the old crushed working where the cost of mining the shale was necessarily high and the yield of oil low. In consequence of the accident to the pumps, and of the exceptional difficulty of dealing with the water, the water expenses suspense account has been considerably increased, and the profits have not allowed of anything being written of it this year. The directors propose that the sum at the debit of this account should lee spread over the next five years, and that the expense of constituting and issuing the 5 per Cent. Convertible Mortgage Debenture stock should be dealt with in the same manner. The railway strike which occurred in December and January, the two busiest months of the company’s business, caused a considerable amount of loss by interference with the manufacture, and also with the despatch of the products. The capital outlay during the year has been:- Nos. 2 £546 11s 7d; No. 9 Mine:- £2287 16s 11d; No. 10 Mine:- £1056 12s 8d; No. 7 Mine, engine and hydraulic pumps &c., £2384 8s 9d; cross-cut mines, £993 3s; total, £7268 12 11d; crude works and refineries, £1529 4s 4d; grand total, £8797 17s 3d. There are now five mines in the main seam of shale, from three of which fresh ground is about to be opened up to the dip of the present workings. The cross-cut mines from the main seam to the Broxburn and Fell seams have been pushed on. The former shale was opened up in October, and is now yielding an output. The Fell seam has not yet been reached, but this should be accomplished in the course of a few weeks. Under the arrangements for the Debenture stock of the company £5000 falls to be paid off in May. The drawing took place on the 7th of this month, and intimation has been sent to the holders who are to be paid off. The working results at Straiton and Clippens refineries have been satisfactory, though the inadequate supply of crude oil added materially to the cost at Clippens. At both refineries the high quality of the company’s products has been maintained, and they are capable of dealing with the increased quantity of crude oil that will be obtained from a larger output. The directors have to report that the general position of the trade is satisfactory, and the outlook for the coming year, as regards prices of the company’s products, is good. Though burning oil is low, lubricating oils and naphtha are practically the same as last year, and in wax a further advance of £4 8s per ton has been established, and the demand for this important product continues strong, the company having sold upwards of 3000 tons for delivery during the current year. Wages, cost of fuel, and other materials for consumpt, which had risen during the past two years, have now a lower tendency, and your directors hope that the increased prices of products in the coming year will be net gain. The most important point in the future will he to secure a full output of shale from fresh ground. A full output would have been attained before this had it not been for accident to the pumps which delayed mining operations for some months. Three of the mines in the main seam will in the coming year open up fresh ground, and this will also be done by the mines in the Broxburn and Fell seams, already referred to. With a full output of shale giving yields of crude oil approximately equal to those formerly obtained, your directors have no doubt that the company's business will again become remunerative. During the past year Mr T. I. Scott retired from the board, and the directors temporarily filled the vacancy by the appointment of Mr John Macpherson of Blantyreforme, who has a considerable interest in the company, and, if elected, is willing to act. The retiring director is Mr A. Crum Maclae, who, if re-elected, is also willing to act. Messrs Carson & Watson (now Messrs Moores, Carson & Watson), the company’s auditors retire, but offer themselves for re-election.

Glasgow Evening Post - Tuesday 12 May 1891

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

Mr A. C. Scott presided at the general meeting of the Clippens Oil Company, held to-day. In moving the adoption of the report, the Chairman alluded to the accident to the pumps last December, and went on to point out that the unsatisfactory results had been entirely due to the difficulty in lowering the small remaining quantity of water in the mine, and the situation was much aggravated by the accident which occurred after all the difficulties were over. The company was forced to obtain its supplies of shale from old workings, where the cost was abnormally high and the yield low. The loss in respect of the yield he would estimate £30,000, and the same causes acted prejudicially against the output. The remedy lay in a full output in fresh ground. The mining troubles of the past four years were practically over, and the output now should steadily increase to its full requirements. During the past five years the sales amounted to £1,198,820, and the bad debts during the period to £933 16s 3d — equal to .08. Last year the sales amounted to £285,951, and the bad debts to £222—also .08. In last year’s report the directors anticipated that the gains for increased prices of products would be upwards of £20,000. The actual gain was £20,083.

Glasgow Herald - Tuesday 12 May 1891

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED)

The annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) was held yesterday within the company's office Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow. Mr A. C. Scott presided. The report by the directors, which had already been published, was held as read.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said:- Before moving the adoption of the report, it may be of interest if I entered a little more fully into the details of the past year's working, and at the same time gave a short summary of the opening up of the Pentland mines and the difficulties that have been encountered since the mines were first flooded, which have been the sole cause of the disappointing results during the past few years. The main seam of Pentland shale, which, I believe, yields the richest value in products of any shale in Scotland, has peculiarities in roof and pavement that only experience could teach the best method of working. When the field was first opened up in 1882, in addition to the views expressed by the practical manager of the company and the mining engineers connected with the property, your directors called in a gentleman of very extensive and varied experience in practical mining, and a report was drawn out giving the lines on which the seam should be developed. The plan then adopted worked satisfactorily till 1886, when a crush took place. The experience thus gained led your directors to take further advice and the system was changed to long wall and stoop and room inn small sections. Prior to the long wall workings being opened up the mine was particularly free from water, and before long wall was started an hydraulic pump was erected capable of throwing 150 gallons per minute, which was three times the quantity of water in the mines at this date. The provision, however, proved inadequate to cope with the water that came when the first break in the strata took place, and the result was that the mines were flooded to a depth of 350 feet vertical. After the water had been controlled by means of temporary pumps, your directors had to consider the best form of pump suitable to the mins, capable of dealing with any quantity of water that might be got in the future. After considering carefully the various proposals put before them, on the advice of the company’s mining engineer and manager, they adopted a form of pumps proposed by Messrs Barclay & Son, of Kilmarnock, who have perhaps the largest and most successful experience of pumping machinery in the world. Owing to the mines having closed solid when flooded, it was a slow and expensive process opening them up and lowering the water; this however, was successfully accomplished to the lowest level towards the end of last year, and the bottom lift of pumps started early in December. These worked steadily till the 31st of that month, when the accident referred to in the report took place. The cause of the accident was the giving way of four bolts which formed the couplings of the steel rods. The effect on the engine when suddenly relieved of 100 tons of dead weight was to cause most severe damage. This damage has now been repaired; and before the engines were allowed to start the couplings were more than doubled in strength, and to avoid the possibility of losing ground in the event of any such accident in the future, it was deemed advisable to order a set of hydraulic pumps which would be capable of dealing with the present flow of water. This was an expense we would have liked to avoid, but, with the recent experience, it was considered best to make everything safe. Barclay’s engine and pumps have been working satisfactorily since they were re-started on the 2d of April. This brings us down to the present date, and I will now refer shortly to the working of the present year. The unsatisfactory results have been entirely due to the difficulty in lowering the small remaining quantity of water which was in the mines at the beginning of the financial year, and the situation was much aggravated by the accident, which occurred after all difficulties seemed overcome. The interference with development in the mines resulting from these causes forced the company to obtain its supplies of shale largely from old and crushed workings, where the cost of working was abnormally high and the yield of oil excessively low. The loss from these two sources I would estimate roughly at upwards of £30,000, and, in addition, the same causes acted prejudiciously against output, which was a source of further loss. The unsatisfactory yields of crude oil that were obtained from the shale while working under these circumstances is a point that has been most closely watched, and your directors have had a full and careful analysis made of the shale at various points, which proves that, if obtained in fresh ground and clean, it maintains its rich quality and has in no way deteriorated. The remedy therefore lies in a full output in fresh ground. This would have now been obtained but for the accident which has thrown back operations some months, but with the pumps going steadily and the preventative steps that have been taken against recurrence of accident, your directors consider that the mining troubles of the past four years are practically over, and the output should now steadily increase to the full requirements of the company. The manufacturing results at the refineries during the past year have been satisfactory. At Straiton 71.67 per cent. of refined products, including 15.23 per cent. of scale, was obtained, and the costs, including wax refining, notwithstanding the higher level of wages and the largely increased price of fuel, were 1.07d per gallon, or only fractionally higher than the previous year. At Clippens refinery the results in refined products are practically the same as obtained in the two previous years. The costs were, however, slightly lower, though they remain unavoidably high owing to the short supply of crude oil. The cost of fuel forms an important feature in the cost of production, and recent high prices have told heavily against manufacturing costs. Steps have already been taken to lessen the consumpt, and further improvements which should effect considerable saving are under consideration. Statistics have never been given to show volume of the company’s business, and I may mention that during the past five years the sales amounted to £1,198,820, and the bad debts during that period to £933 16s 3d, equal to .08 per cent. on the sales. Last year the sales amounted to £285,951, and the bad debts were £222, being .08 per cent. on the sales, the same as for the period of five years. In last year’s report your directors anticipated that the gain from increased prices of products would amount to upwards of £20,000. The actual gain was £20,033. Of this amount £17,500 was obtained from wax and the remainder from oil and naphtha. Against this gain there was an increased cost of purchase amounting to £12,985. Of this amount upwards of £6000 was due to the higher rice of coal. In the year we have just commenced there should be a further gain in prices of products. The recent advance in the price of wax should yield £16,000 to £17,000 more. Oils will probably be slightly lower, but it is difficult to gauge their position with any certainty. With regard to the cost of fuel and other consumpts, your directors do not expect they will be higher, but rather anticipate that their purchases on the whole will show a saving on last year. The general position of the trade is satisfactory, and with the mining difficulties, which have been the sole cause of trouble, on the eve of being overcome, your directors have every confidence in the future of the company, which possesses a valuable property. Before closing I would like to refer to the sad event that occurred a few days ago of the death of Mr William Mackinnon. For over 13 years he was a member of the board, and since the death of the late Mr Scott in 1884 he acted as chairman. Mr Mackinnon took a keen interest in the welfare of the company, and his advice always carried weight in the councils of the board. The members of the board who were associated with him for years in the management of the company will miss much from their midst one whose opinion they valued and for whom they had both liking and respect. In filling up the vacancy caused by Mr Mackinnon’s death your directors propose, with your approval, to consult with some of their leading shareholders with the view of filling up the vacancy in such a way as best to promote the interests of the company. I beg now to move the adoption of the report.

In reply to a shareholder,

The CHAIRMAN said that the management expenses remained practically about the same as in the previous two years, but he thought that the management expenses of the company would compare most favourably with those of any company in a similar line of business – in fact they were considerably less.

Councillor DICKSON asked that some more definite information should be given than was contained in the statement of the chairman with reference to filling the vacancy caused by the death of MrMackinnon. It seemed to him that the better course to adopt would be to appoint a committee of the principal shareholders for this year to consult with the directors. This might tend more to consolidate the company and raise it from its present position. It seemed to him that the first thing that was wanted was to give confidence to the public, and nothing would tend so much to that as a committee of shareholders associated with the directors.

The CHAIRMAN thought it would be very desirable if they could get the vacancy filled up. The way he had put it was that they should consult with the leading shareholders with the view of filling the vacancy so as to promote the interests of the company in the best way. If it was in that way it might be perfectly satisfactory.

Mr CRUM MACLAE seconded the adoption of the report.

The report was adopted.

Messrs Crum Maclae and John Macpherson were re-appointed directors of the company.

The auditors of the company, Messrs MOrres, Carson & Watson, were re-appointed.

The meeting then terminated.

Dundee Courier - Tuesday 26 January 1892

THE SCOTTISH OIL TRADE.

AGREEMENT BY THE COMPANIES.

Every effort was made yesterday to effect an amicable adjustment of the Scottish oil trade difficulty. The Oakbank Company's Directors were in consultation during the forenoon. Later it was announced that the representatives of all the oil companies in Scotland have concurred in the agreement which their delegates arranged in London, and are quite satisfied therewith. The Secretary of the Clippens Oil Company informs us that it is not true that the Company are going to call a meeting their creditors. The Directors resolved yesterday to reconstruct the Company and reduce the capital, and, further, to concentrate all their works at Pentland, and therefore close their refinery at Clippens, Johnstone. We also learn that the Oakbank Oil Company resolved yesterday to join the Scottish oil combination.

Glasgow Evening Post - Thursday 28 January 1892

The directors of the Clippens Oil Company have issued a circular to the shareholders expressing their regret that in consequence of the expenditure involved by the breakdown the company’s pumping engines at Pentland, and the subsequent mining losses incurred thereby, the company had to contract a considerable amount of floating debt, which has been increased by losses arising from further mining difficulties during the past nine months, but which are how thoroughly overcome. In order to restore the financial stability of the company the directors propose to reduce the share capital of the company by writing down the present ordinary shares from their nominal value of £10 per share to £3 per share, thus involving a reduction of capital to the extent of £181,230. Out of this sum so written off, to set aside a to a special reserve account for the purposes explained in connection with the second Debentures proposed to be issued, £30,000, and apply the balance of £151,230 in writing off the Suspense, Patent Rights, and balance at debit of profit and loss accounts, and writing down the works and properly the company. To authorise the issue of £60,000 Debentures by 30,000 Debentures of £2 each, bearing interest at the rate of 7½ per cent, and redeemable, with bonus of 50 per cent. in the event of the holders electing to exchange their Debentures for shares of the company. The directors propose to cease the refining of products at Clippens, and to concentrate the whole of the works at Straiton. This will render the company capable of dealing entirely and solely with its own products, without having to purchase, as it hitherto has had to do, crude oil for the full employment of the refinery at Clippens. The directors go into minute details of the working and the probable profit, and are satisfied that sufficient would be earned to pay upwards of 14 per cent. on the proposed reduced ordinary capital. With this result they say there can be little doubt that the shares of the company would be well worth the proposed reduced par value of £3. If the debentures, as may be anticipated, secured their 50 per cent. bonus and were converted into shares the total share capital will then amount to £167,670, and the company thus placed in an exceptionally strong financial position would be capable of earning dividends at the rate of upwards of 9 per cent. The debenture-holders will require to be consulted. The general meeting of the shareholders takes place on February 5th.

The Scotsman - Thursday 28 January 1892

THE directors of the Clippens Oil Company have called a special meeting of their shareholders with the view of submitting to them a scheme for the rearrangement of the Company’s capital, so as to favour more efficient and more economical working.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 28 January 1892

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.—The directors of the Clippens Oil Company, at a meeting held on Monday, resolved to reconstruct the Company, and reduce their capital. They have also decided to close their refinery at Johnstone, Linwood, so as to have all their works at Pentland. An official denial has been given to the statement that they are going to call a meeting of their creditors.

Glasgow Evening Post - Thursday 28 January 1892

The directors of the Clippens Oil Company have issued a circular to the shareholders expressing their regret that in consequence of the expenditure involved by the breakdown of the company’s pumping engines at Pentland, and the subsequent mining losses incurred thereby, the company had to contract a considerable amount of floating debt, which has been increased by losses arising from further mining difficulties during the past nine months, but which are now thoroughly overcome. In order to restore the financial stability of the company the directors propose to reduce the share capital of the company by writing down the present ordinary shares from their nominal value of £10 per share to £3 per share, thus involving a reduction of capital to the extent of £181,230. Out of this sum so written off, to set aside to a special reserve account for the purposes explained in connection with the second Debentures proposed to be issued, £30,000, and to apply the balance of £151,230 in writing off the Suspense, Patent Rights, and balance at debit of profit and loss accounts, and writing down the works and properly of the company. To authorise the issue of £60,000 Debentures by 30,000 Debentures of £2 each, bearing interest the rate of 7½ per cent. and redeemable, with a bonus of 50 per cent. in the event of the holders electing to exchange their Debentures for shares of the company. The directors propose to cease the refining of products at Clippens, and to concentrate the whole of the works at Straiton. This will render the company capable of dealing entirely and solely with its own products, without having to purchase, as it hitherto has had to do, crude oil for the full employment of the refinery at Clippens. The directors go into minute details of the working and the probable profit, and are satisfied that sufficient would be earned to pay upwards of 14 per cent. on the proposed reduced ordinary capital. With this result they say there can be little doubt that the shares of the company would be well worth the proposed reduced par value of £3. If the debentures, as may be anticipated, secured their 50 per cent. bonus and were converted into shares the total share capital will then amount to £167,670, and the company thus placed in an exceptionally strong financial position would be capable of earning dividends at the rate of upwards of 9 per cent. The debenture-holders will require to he consulted. The general meeting of the shareholders takes place on February 5th.

Dundee Advertiser - Friday 29 January 1892

As already intimated, the Directors of the CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY have resolved to call an extraordinary general meeting of their shareholders, and a report as to the affairs of the Company has been prepared for submission to that meeting. In this report the Directors say they “regret to have to inform you that, in consequence of the expenditure involved by the breakdown of the Company’s pumping engines at Pentland, and the subsequent mining losses incurred thereby, the Company had to contract a considerable amount of floating debt, which has been increased by losses arising from further mining difficulties during the past nine months, but which are now thoroughly overcome. It is necessary, therefore, to consider what steps should be taken to restore the financial stability of the Company. Under the agreement made two years ago with the holders of the Company’s Debenture stock, the Company is relieved of anxiety as to the replacement of these debentures so long as it can duly meet the interest and sinking fund charge therefor, amounting to £12,000 per annum. The floating liabilities are therefore all that now require to be dealt with. To meet them, to provide for certain alterations in the works, hereafter referred to, and a sufficient working margin, the Directors consider that a sum of from £50,000 to £60,000 should be raised. After carefully reviewing the whole position the Company, and taking professional advice, both as to the resources of its shale fields and the prospects of working these with satisfactory profit, and also as to the best mode of raising the requisite funds for the Company, they have decided to recommend the shareholders to agree to a scheme of rearrangement of the Company’s capital. In considering this scheme the shareholders must keep in view that the only mode by which the Company can increase its share capital is by the issue of ordinary shares, and that none of these shares can be issued at a discount. In the present position of the Company, and having regard to the market value of the shares, it is clearly impossible that any money could be raised as capital in the only form directly available to the Company. It is for this reason that the form of the scheme which the Directors now submit has been adopted. The Directors propose :— (1) To reduce the share capital of the Company by writing down the present ordinary shares from their nominal value of £10 per share to £3 per share, thus involving a reduction of capital to the extent of £181,230; (2) out of this sum so written off, to set aside to a special reserve account for the purposes hereafter explained in connection with the second debentures proposed to be issued, £30,000, and to apply the balance of £151,230 in writing off the suspense, patent rights, and balance at debit of profit and loss accounts, and writing down the works and property of the Company; (3) to authorise the issue of £60,000 debentures by 30,000 debentures of £2 each, bearing interest at the rate of 7½ per cent. and redeemable with bonus of 50 per cent. in the event of the holders electing to exchange their Debentures for shares of the Company. The directors propose to cease the refining of products at Clippens, and to concentrate the whole of the works at Straiton. This will render the Company capable of dealing entirely and solely with its own products, without having to purchase, as it hitherto has had to do, crude oil for the full employment of the refinery at Clippens. If this be carried out, the cost of management will be reduced considerably by the concentration of the works. With the new capital the Directors propose to enlarge the refining capacity of Straiton works, and to alter the construction of the crude oil retorts at Pentland, so as to secure, as they are advised they will, much more satisfactory results. The result of this change will otherwise be to the financial advantage of the Company. The position of the Company with this alteration in its working arrangements and in its reconstructed form will be practically as follows:-

CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES

1. Capital – 25,890 shares of £3 each £77,670 0 0
   
2. 5 per Cent. Mortgage Debenture stock at
   present outstanding 136,200 0 0
   
3. 30,000 Convertible Debentures of £2 each
   bearing interest at 7½ per cent. and
   ranking with other creditors on the
   general assets of the Company 60,000 0 0
   
4. Reserve account for the redemption of
   Convertible Debentures as previously
   explained 30,000 0 0
   
5. Monthly accounts, say 10,000 0 0
   

• £321,875 0 0

ASSETS

1. Works, pits, houses, railways, and patent
   rights presently standing in the books
   at the value of £362,935 9s 5d, reduced
   by £115,975 19s 2d, now written off £246,959 10 3
   
2. Stock-in-trade and sundry debtors 40,000 0 0
   
3. Cash in hand, of which about £12,000
   will be required for concentration of
   works and alteration of retorts 26,910 9 3
   

• £312,870 0 6

The report goes on discuss the prospects of the Company under the proposed financial rearrangement, and concludes:- it will be necessary to seek the approval of the present Debenture stockholders to the reduction proposed in the capital, as they at present have the right of conversion into shares at a premium of 30 per cent. The Directors propose that this right should be altered, so to permit of the Debenture stock being converted into shares at a premium of 30 per cent. on the reduced par value. By so doing, in place of taking payment for their Debentures in the shares taken at the value £13 per share, the holders of the Debenture stock will have the right to take payment in ad to

Glasgow Evening Post - Friday 05 February 1892

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY, LIMITED

MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS – TODAY.

The shareholders of the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, met with the directors to-day, in the company's offices, Exchange Square,—Mr A. C. Scott, presiding.

The report by the directors states that in consequence of the breaking down of the company's pumping engine and the subsequent mining losses, the company had to contract a considerably amount of floating debt and it was necessary to consider what steps should be taken to restore the financial position of the Company. The Directors propose as follows: - I. To reduce the share capital of the Company by writing down the present ordinary shares from their nominal value of £10 per share to £3 per share, thus involving a reduction of capital to the extent of £181,230. II. Out of this sum so written off, to set aside to a special reserve account for the purposes hereafter explained in connection with the second Debentures proposed to be issued, £30,000, and apply the balance of £151,230 in writing off the Suspense, Patent Rights, and balance at debit of profit and loss accounts, and writing down the works and property of the Company. III. To authorise the issue of £60,000 debentures 30,000 debentures of £2 each, bearing interest at the rate of 7½ per cent., and redeemable with a bonus of 50 per cent, in the event of the holders electing to exchange their debentures for shares of the Company.

The directors propose to cease the refining of products at Clippens, and concentrate the whole of the works at Straiton. This will render the company capable of dealing entirely and solely with its own products, without having to purchase, as it hitherto has had do, crude oil for the full employment of the refinery at Clippens. If this is carried out, the cost of management will be reduced considerably by the concentration of the works. With the new capital the directors propose to enlarge the refining capacity of Straiton Works, and to alter the construction of the crude oil retorts at Pentland, so as to secure, as they are advised they will, much more satisfactory results. The result of this change will otherwise be to the financial advantage of the Company.

The position of the company with this alteration in its working arrangements and in its reconstructed form will be as follows .—Capital—26,890 shares at £3, £77,670; 5 per cent. mortgage debenture stock at present outstanding, £135,200; 30,000 convertible debentures of £2 bearing interest at 7½ per cent., £60,000; reserve fund, £30,000; monthly account, say £10,000. with assets amounting to £312,870, composed of plant and £12,000 cash in hand. The directors calculate that with the concentration of work the company's accounts would show a profit of £35,000.

The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, said that, along with the other directors, he regretted the recent disasters which had happened in the mines, and the consequent loss sustained by the shareholders. The sole cause of all the heavy losses was the flooding of the mines which took place five years ago, and it was only in August last that the difficulty had been surmounted. Sinking was now being proceeded with in the three mines of solid shale. Looking back on the progress of the company since entering on the Pentland fields he would point out to them that in 1884 a dividend of 10 per cent. was declared, in 1885 a dividend of 12 per cent., and in 1886 of 7½ per cent. Previous to the six months ending September, 1887, with an extra output of 5,600 tons per week a gross profit of £26,000 was made, with during that period the lowest prices for oil produced. These facts showed the rich quality of the shale possessed by the company at Pentland. The company had also valuable assets upon which it was difficult to put a fixed value on the goodwill of the business. During the past five years the total sales of the company amounted to £1,198,280. and for the year ended 31st March last the sales were £285,000. For the current year the sales would amount to about a similar figure. He had brought before them two points of the profits made in the Pentland fields and the present commercial position of business, and he left it to the shareholders to judge whether they should not make a strong effort to preserve their interests in the company. During the past two years a complete change had come over the position of crude-oil supplies from outside sources, which had weighed heavily with the directors in the decision concentrate the refineries at Straiton, with a consequent abandonment of the works at Clippens. They felt that in reconstructing and asking fresh capital they must have scheme which they could depend on and carry out for years to come. This could only be done by concentrating the refineries at one spot and getting the whole supply from their own shale fields. The refinery at Straiton was capable of dealing with 100,000 gallons of oil weekly, and very little expense would bring it up to the required capacity. The company had now three mines sinking in solid shale and soon they hoped to have a quality the shale similar to that attained in former years. Regarding the new scheme the directors felt it imperative that money should be obtained and that the new bonds should be issued on terms which would insure their being taken by the existing shareholders or looked upon as a good speculative investment. Taking the lowest estimate of the yield it brought out a profit of £28,000, which was sufficient to pay a dividend of 9 per cent. in the event of all the bonds being converted, which would be equal to 13 per cent. on the investment. Should the profits be similar to the five years’ average quoted, the profit would be £47,000, or 2? per cent. on the reduced shares of £3. In conclusion, he said — Since the issue of the circular, proxies to the extent of 7,356 shares had been lodged, and the directors, along with several parties interested, were prepared to take 30,000 of the new issue of bonds. He hoped the bulk of the shareholders would give the new scheme their support.

The report along with the following resolution was adopted : —1. That the authorised and subscribed capital the company reduced from 25,890 shares of £10 each to 25,890 shares of £3 each, representing a reduced subscribed capital £77,670. 2. That the borrowing powers of the company be increased, and the directors are authorised to issue 30,000 convertible debentures of £2 each, bearing interest at 7½ per cent. per annum, such convertible debentures to be redeemable by the company at 50 per cent. premium, in the event of the holders of such convertible debentures at time of their electing to redeem, subscribing for shares in the company at the rate of one share of £3 for one debenture of £2 so redeemed. 3. That the Increased capital authorised under resolutions passed on 25th February be cancelled, and in lien thereof the capital the company, as reduced under the first special resolution, be further increased by the creation of reserve capital of £194,001 in 64,667 shares of £3 each fully paid, and that to enable the directors to hereafter issue such reserve shares to holders of mortgage debenture stock, and of convertible debentures. That the holders of convertible mortgage debenture stock shall have right at any time to convert or exchange the amount of their stock into paid-up shares of the company, at the rate of one £3 share for each £3 18s of debenture stock. 5. That the reserve capital be hereafter issued from time to time against (1) the amount of £135,200 existing of convertible mortgage debenture stock in exchange for such stock to be hereafter converted, and (2) the convertible debentures now authorised as when said debentures are redeemed and application made for shares. 6. That out the £181,230 to be written off the capital account there shall be set apart a sum of £30,000 to a reserve account for the purpose of meeting the premium on redemption to the holders of the 30,000 Convertible Debentures of £2 each, and that such reserve shall be used exclusively for this purpose.

Dundee Courier - Saturday 06 February 1892

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. - A special meeting of the Clippens Oil Company was held yesterday in Glasgow— Mr A. C. Scott presiding— when resolutions were adopted with a view to restoring the financial stability of the Company. The Chairman afterwards asked that a Committee of shareholders might be appointed to assist the Board in filling up the vacancy caused by the death of Mr Mackinnon. Mr Watson suggested that the entire Board should be reconstructed. There was no doubt, he said, they had lost 90 per cent. of their money, and a very little would take away the other 10 per cent. Mr Murray, another shareholder, said he had great fear of the success of that or any other Scottish oil company. The Chairman pointed out that under normal conditions the business of the Company was worked at a good profit. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

Dundee Courier - Monday 22 February 1892

CLIPPEN OIL COMPANY. - An extraordinary general meeting of this Company was held on Saturday in Glasgow. Mr A. C. Scott presided. The meeting confirmed the resolutions which were passed on 5th February. The Chairman stated that since the last meeting inquiries had been made as to the precise nature of the new bonds, and he might mention briefly that they carried interest of 7½ per cent. per annum, might be held the investor as long as he chose, and he had the right of converting them at any time into ordinary shares of £3. Messrs J. H. Dickson, H. W Johnston, and Arthur Hart were appointed a Shareholders' Committee to act with the Directors in carrying through the reconstruction scheme.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 24 February 1892

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY'S CAPITAL.

In the Second Division of the Court of Session to-day, their lordships ordered intimation of a petition by the Clippens Oil Company, asking authority to reduce the capital of the company from £10 to £3 shares. Of 26,000 shares all have been issued except 110, and the shares issued have been fully paid. The reduction will reduce the capital, which was £258,900, to £77,670. The company is about to abandon the refinery works at Clippens, and to concentrate the whole of the mining and working at Pentland and Straiton, where they have hitherto had large losses.

The Scotsman - Monday 23 May 1892

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED). - The report by the directors of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) for the twelve months ending 31st March last was issued to the shareholders on Saturday. It bears that In the balance sheet effect has been given to the special resolutions passed and approved of at the extraordinary general meetings held on the 5th and 20th of February last. The patent rights and suspense accounts and the balance at the debit of the profit and loss account have been written off, and the sum at which the works, pits, houses, lands, minerals, and railways stand in the Company's books has been written down to £262,489, 6s. 7d. The directors regret that the results of the past year's working showed, after allowing £9845, 2s. 6d. for maintenance and repairs, a balance at the debit of profit and loss account of £6971, 6s, 4d., to which there falls to be added the interest on debenture stock, £6803, 8s. 9d.; leaving a balance at the debit of profit and loss of £13,834, 14s. 1d., which as above mentioned has been written off. The reconstruction scheme authorised by the shareholders is (the report continues) being carried through, and £57,022 of the new debentures have been allotted. The full effect of the scheme on the financial position of the Company does not appear in the present balance-sheet in consequence of the short period which elapsed between the dates of the resolutions and the balance. The balance-sheet includes about £17,000 of stock at Clippens, which will be completely realised within the next few months. The additions and alterations at Straiton, consequent on the concentration of the refining works there, are being rapidly proceeded with, and will be finished before the 15th of July. They are being carried out without interfering with the regular working of the refinery. The rebuilding of the defective retorts has been commenced. Two benches are in the hands of the contractors; one will he ready by the end of June and the other a month later. The supply of shale is now more than equal to the Company's requirements, and there will be no difficulty in maintaining it. With the mines working under normal conditions, with increased crude oil yields from cleaner shale and improved retorts, and with the savings which will be effected by the concentration of the refineries at Straiton, together with cheaper costs in wages and fuel, which have already been partially obtained, the directors expect to be able to meet successfully the lower prices now ruling.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 30 May 1892

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

The ordinary meeting of the shareholders of the Clippens Oil Company was held in Glasgow today. Mr A. C. Scott, who presided, stated that it was expected that during the next few months the whole of the stock held at Clippens would be realised. He gave particulars of the concentration of the works, and said that, though prices were still low, the prospects were not unfavourable. The report, which declared no dividend, was adopted.

Glasgow Evening Post - Monday 30 May 1892

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED).

ANNUAL MEETING – TO-DAY

The annual general meeting of tba shareholders of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) was held within the office, 27 Exchange Square, at noon to-day—Mr A. C. Scott in the chair. The report, which has already been published, was held as read. In moving its adoption, the Chairman made a few remarks on the scheme of reconstruction and works concentration, which had been formerly approved of by the shareholders. Of the £60,000 debenture bonds that they created, application had been received for £57,022, and these were lodged. Another part the scheme that was calculated to benefit the financial position of the company was the stoppage of Clippens Works, and the realising of the stocks held there had amounted at the 31st March to about £17,000. It was obviously impossible to carry that out at once, as some time was required to work out the oils in process into definite products. This had now been done, and the works, excepting two departments, had been started, and it was expected that during the next few months the whole of the stocks held at Clippens should be realised. The concentration of the refineries at Straiton was being rapidly proceeded with, and would be practically completed before the 15th July. This work was being carried out without in any way interfering with the regular working of the refinery, and since the sending of crude oil to Clippens had ceased, the quantity put through Straiton was increased, and the result of this had been that for the past two months the refining costs had been the lowest ever achieved at Straiton— amounting to 8.5d per gallon. These costs could be still further reduced when the full benefits were got from the concentration. A moderate improvement had been effected in the yields of crude oil, which had been increased during the past three months by two gallons per ton. However, they were still unsatisfactory, and far below the average of former years. As more shale was obtained from the main seam, however, these yields should be further improved. The retort benches had now been started. In the mining departments, the output was considerably above the requirements of the company. The mining costs with a normal condition of working had been reduced, but were still higher than was warranted by the position of the oil industry and the extremely low prices ruling. In the general business of the company the reconstruction scheme made a radical change. The works, instead of being divided, would now be conducted at one centre, and the refinery would be supplied entirely with crude oil obtained from the company’s shale, whereas in recent years they had to obtain from 30 to 40 per cent. of bought crude oil to keep the refineries going. The effect of that would be to make the results from the works more steady and more easily controlled, besides cheaper costs from having the charge throughput through the one refinery. At the present time the general outlook of the trade was not very bright, but with the gains to be obtained, added to the economies arising from concentration of the refineries, the directors hoped to meet successfully the low prices that were now ruling.

Mr A. Crum Maclae seconded, and the report was adopted.

Mr Stoddart was re-elected a director, and auditor were also reappointed.

A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.

Dundee Courier - Wednesday 05 October 1892

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY – MEETING OF CREDITORS CALLED. – At a meeting of the larger creditors and £2 debenture holders of the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, held yesterday, it was resolved to summon a general meeting on Friday first to consider the position of the Company, and the advisability of avoiding liquidation if possible. Pending the result of this meeting, the Directors have delayed calling the shareholders together.

Dundee Advertiser - Wednesday 05 October 1892

At a meeting of the larger creditors and £2 debenture holders of the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, held yesterday, the opinion was expressed that, considering the reconstruction scheme had only recently been completed, and that the work can now be carried on without loss at the present low prices, it was inadvisable to throw the concern into liquidation at the present crisis, but that some arrangement should be come whereby the business could be carried on by the Directors in the meantime, with the assistance of a Committee of creditors, so as to allow time for the present position of the oil trade to develop itself. It was resolved to summon a general meeting on Friday to consider the position of the Company, and the advisability of avoiding liquidation if possible. Pending the result of this meeting the Directors have delayed calling the shareholders together.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 08 October 1892

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY'S POSITION. The shareholders of the Clippens Oil Company met in Glasgow yesterday privately to consider the financial position of the company owing to the serious fall in prices. After discussion, it was agreed that the business of the Clippens Oil Company be continued meantime in the interest of all concerned. The interests of creditors and debenture holders would, it was considered, be seriously imperilled by the appointment of a liquidator.

Dundee Courier - Saturday 08 October 1892

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.—At a meeting of the creditors of this Company, held yesterday, a statement of the position and prospects was submitted, and, after deliberation, it was unanimously agreed that liquidation should not be thought of, but that the Company should be carried on usual. A Committee of five creditors was appointed to co-operate with the Directors in carrying on the works.

The Scotsman - Monday 10 October 1892

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY

A MEETING of the creditors and £2 debenture-holders of the Clippens Oil Company was held in the Waterloo Rooms, Glasgow, on Friday. The directors of the Company and seventy-six creditors and debenture-holders were present. An official statement of what took place at the meeting has been furnished, and from it the following is taken: —Mr A., C . SCOTT occupied the chair and expressed his regret at having to meet under such unfortunate circumstances. The immediate cause of suspension of payment, he said, was the withdrawal of credit, certain firms demanding cash before the delivery of coal, vitriol, or caustic soda, and others threatening to raise actions for past due accounts. The exact financial position of the Company on the 30th ult. was: — Assets (exclusive of the Company's works and heritable propertys which were mortgaged to the first bondholders), £51,500. This included £15,600 of book debt and £21,500, the value of the stocks of oils. The Company owed £40,400, of which £18,000 was on open account and £11,800 on bills payable. Of the total, about one-half was now due, and the other half at the end of this month and in November and December. The assets were as low as they could be got. They must give credit to their customers. They could see how, with creditors for £20,000 urging for payment of overdue accounts and with their refusal to grant further credit, it became impossible to carry on. He was sorry that the Company was totally unable to pay them off now. Certain creditors threatened to proceed or were proceeding with actions which could only result in liquidation. He was strongly of opinion that liquidation would be a most unwise step in the interests of the creditors and £2 debenture-holders. That would at once wipe out £7000 of the Company's assets, as the margins on advances would vanish on forced realisation, and the royalties prepaid would be lost. Possibly, also, the stocks and stores would suffer shrinkage, although the directors believed these were on a very low basis. The most serious effect of liquidation would, however, appear on the liability side of the account. At present, so long as the interest was paid on the 5 per cent mortgage debenture bonds, and liquidation avoided, the lenders could not demand repayment of their principal, which amounted to £135,200. If liquidation was gone on with, these bondholders might take possession of the works and other heritable property, which, in the present depressed state of the trade, might not realise the full amount lent. In this case the mortgage-holders would rank for any deficiency along with the £53,592 of £2 debenture holders and the ordinary creditors on the free assets of the Company. It would, the directors considered, be most regrettable if the Company had to be thrown into liquidation on the very eve of the completion of the concentration of the works, and when the mines, after a struggle of many years, have been got into perfect order. They asked the creditors to consider whether they should not allow their claims to lie over for a time till it be seen how the business works. In the event of the creditors being of the opinion that the business should be carried on without liquidation, the directors would suggest that a committee of creditors should be appointed to advise with the directors.

Mr F.J. TINGLE, F.C.A, London (of Arthur Lowcook (Limited), Shrewsbury), thought some arrangement should be made to carry on the concern for say six months, unsecured creditors refraining from pressing their claims during that period

Mr JOHNS DENNIS, Dalkeith, said he thoroughly concurred with Mr Tingle that the £2 debenture-holders and ordinary creditors ought to agree, in their own interests, to some arrangement whereby the Company’s business could be carried on.

Mr JOHN DURIE, coalmaster, Tranent, said he had yesterday visited the Company’s works at Pentland, and had examined the mines. He was acquainted with these works and mines for some years back, and he could assure the meeting that he had never seen them in better condition. He thought the manager, Mr Gordon, deserved great credit for their efficient condition, and he had long held the opinion that if any oil company could prosper, the Clippens ought to do so with good management. The figures he had seen for costings seemed to him, as a practical man, moderately stated. He concurred with previous speakers in their opinion that the two classes of creditors present should postpone their claims and allow the Company to go on under the present management, assisted by a committee of the larger creditors and bondholders.

Mr WILLIAM SCOTT, Vogrie Colliery Company, expressed the same views.

Mr JOHN Y. KING (of Borland, King, & Shaw, writers, Glasgow) said he could assure unsecured creditors that their position would be most hurtfully affected it any steps were taken which would enable the secured mortgage debenture holders to enter into possession. He begged to move the undernoted resolution. If any one present held different views, he hoped they would express them now so that they might be thrashed out:-

"That in the opinion of this meeting it is expedient that the business of the Clippens Oil Company be continued meantime in the interest of all concerned; that the interests of the whole creditors and especially those of the general creditors and postponed debenture holders would be seriously imperilled by the appointment of a liquidator, and that the directors should continue to manage the business in co-operation with a committee representing the different classes of creditors, the said committee being directed to convene the creditors at any time they consider this necessary to the interests of the latter, and on this footing the creditors agree to allow their claims, prior to the 3d inst., to stand over for a period of six months or such shorter period as the committee may recommend; and this meeting recommends absent cfeditors to concur in the above arrangement.”

Mr JOHN DURIE seconded the resolution. Before putting the motion to the meeting, Mr Scott invited any creditors who had other views to express them. No one responded, and on the the resolution being put to the meeting it was unanimously passed.

The following gentlemen were appointed to act as the committee to co-operate with the directors in managing the business:- Mr W. S. Brown, Glasgow; Mr John Durie, Tranent; Mr Arthur Hart, Glasgow; Mr F. J. Tingle, London; Mr A. W. Turnbull, of Shotts Iron Company, Leith.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 16 December 1892

TO WIND UP THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY

An extraordinary meeting of the share holders of the Clippens Oil Company has been called for Saturday week for the purpose of considering resolutions to the effect that the company be wound up, as it has been proved that by reason of its liabilities it cannot continue business. It is proposed that Mr John Scott Tait, C.A.., Edinburgh, and Mr James Armour, secretary of the company, be appointed liquidators.

Dundee Courier - Saturday 17 December 1892

PROPOSED LIQUIDATION OF THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. – A meeting of the shareholders of the Clippens Oil Company has been called for the 24th inst., to consider a proposal to place the concern in liquidation. In a circular it is said that the position of the Company, having been carefully considered by the Directors, in conference with the Committees representing the creditors and the mortgage debenture-holders, and in view of the want of working capital to carry on its operations it has been found necessary to take the step already mentioned.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 22 December 1892

PROPOSED WINDING-UP OF THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

A meeting of the Clippens Oil Company has been called for the 24th inst., to adopt the following resolution:- “That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) that the Company cannot, by reason of its liabilities, continue its business, and that it advisable to wind up the same.” Accompanying the notice calling the meeting is a circular from the secretary in which it is explained— “Following upon the intimation contained in the circular issued to the shareholders on 4th October last, a meeting of the creditors was held on 7th October, at which a large number of the creditors of the Company and £2 debenture holders were present. A committee of creditors was there appointed with the view of co-operating with the directors, touching the management of the company's business, with power to deal with the trustees for the debenture stock holders and assume them as members of the committee if thought fit. At a meeting of the directors and committee, held immediately thereafter, I was instructed by the directors to issue circulars to the creditors and £2 debenture holders, asking them to postpone their respective claims. As a result the directors received a considerable amount of support from both classes of creditors. Following thereon the directors and the committee communicated with a committee representing debenture stock holders, and both committees have met in consultation with the directors, and have received the fullest information, not only with reference to the results of the company's working, but also as to the position of its affairs. The members of both committees considered very carefully the general lines upon which the business of the company was to be continued, keeping in view the relative interests of the debenture stock holders, the £2 debenture holders, and the ordinary creditors. A meeting of parties was held on Wednesday, 14th inst., with the object of adjusting the resolutions to be adopted by the debenture stock holders and the creditors. Before proceeding with the final adjustment of the resolutions, it was considered necessary to reconsider the position of matters, in the light of the results disclosed from a statement of the company's affairs, prepared as at 30th November, as contrasted with the position on 30th September last. The results of carrying the on the works since the meeting of 7th October have been unsatisfactory on account of successive falls in the prices of oil products. The position of the company having been carefully considered by the directors, in conference with the committees representing the creditors and the Mortgage debenture holders, and in view of the want of working capital to carry on its operations, it has been found necessary to propose the liquidation of the company. Under the procedure proposed the rights of the creditors and the whole parties interested will be preserved."

Dundee Courier - Monday 26 December 1892

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. – An extraordinary general meeting of the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, was held on Saturday – Mr E. D. Scott presiding – at which the resolutions passed at a recent meeting to go into liquidation were adopted. Mr J. S. Tait, C.A., Edinburgh, and Mr James Armour, Glasgow, were appointed liquidators. A petition will be at once presented to the Court of Session for authority to liquidate under the supervision of the Court.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 23 January 1893

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY LIQUIDATION.

The report of the liquidators of Clippens Oil Company just issued shows a balance of £24,604 to be identified as a direct loss on the operations of the company. They suggest that nothing should be done which would lead up to an immediate stoppage of the works, and desire the creditors to authorise them to carry on the works till the end of March for getting the benefit of improvements.

Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette - Tuesday 24 January 1893

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

LIQUIDATORS’ REPORT.

The shareholders of the Clippens Oil Company have been convened to attend a meeting of the company on Thursday to consider the report of the liquidators. The report states:— “It would seem desirable, in the interests of the creditors, that a committee of their number should be appointed to consult with the liquidators with the view of determining the procedure for the future. The liquidators feel it to be of the utmost importance that the present position of the company should be looked at carefully from every point of view before any final decision as future action is arrived at. They respectfully submit for the consideration of the creditors that nothing should done which would lead up to an immediate stoppage the works. A statement contrasting the position of the company as at 31st March, 1892, and the date of liquidation shows that the deficiency in the free available assets has been increased between the two points from £19,619 6s 7d to £60,406 19s 3d, a net increase of £40,787 12s 8d. Of this sum, however, £16,183 3s 4d was expended on capital outlay, leaving a balance of £24,604 9s 4d to be identified as direct loss on the operations of the company.”

Glasgow Herald - Tuesday 24 January 1893

The liquidators of the CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY have circulated a statement amongst the creditors, which will be considered at a meeting this week. The liquidators state that-
They have carefully revalued the stocks of shale products at present market prices, with the view of ascertaining the free assets available in the future for the carrying on of the works of the company in accordance with instructions to be given by the creditors. A statement contrasting the position of the company as at 31st March, 1892, and the date of liquidation, shows that the deficiency in the free available assets has been increased between the two points from £19,619 6s 7d to £60,406 19s 3d, a net increase of £40,787 12s 8d. Of this sum, however, £16,183 3s 4d was expended on capital outlay, leaving a balance of £24,604 9s 4d to be identified as direct loss on the operations of the company. In the opinion of the liquidators, this loss is not one which is likely to recur, unless in a very modified form; and from the examination they have made of the company’s books, they have satisfied themselves that the greater portion of it has arisen from the necessity of keeping the refinery works at Clippens going until the stocks of oil held there had been worked off. The works have now practically been abandoned, and although certain claims by the landlord have not yet been settled, there is sufficient value in the shape of buildings, plant, railways, &c., to meet any demand that can be put forward under this head. In October last the directors and committee of creditors instructed Mr John Durie, Elphinstone Colliery, Tranent, to make a careful and thorough examination of the mines at Straiton and Pentland. The result of Mr Durie's examination of all the mines, which was very minute, was on the whole very satisfactory, and completely confirmed the general opinion that the shale-field belonging to the company was a very valuable one, and capable of being worked to a profit under judicious management, even in the present depressed state of the market for oil products. Since the disasters at the mines, first by the crush and afterwards by floodings, great improvements have been made, and, considering what has happened, Mr Durie was of opinion that the mines were in a marvellously efficient state. In the circumstances it would seem desirable, in the interests of the creditors, that a committee of their number should be appointed to consult with the liquidators, with the view of determining the procedure for the future. The liquidators feel it to be of the utmost importance) that the present position of the company should be looked at carefully from every point of view before any final decision as to future action is arrived at. They would respectfully submit for the consideration of the creditors that nothing should be done which would lead up to an immediate stoppage of the works. The position is a difficult one, but the liquidators are satisfied that nothing is to be gained by hasty action at the instance of Clippens creditors, and conservation of the rights of parties can, in their opinion, only be attained by close and careful review of the whole facts leading up to the stoppage of the company, and by getting rid for the future of the causes which have brought about that result. Assuming that the works were brought to a stop, there can be no doubt that the Debenture stock-holders, after exhausting their security, would have to rank on the unpledged assets of the company for a very large sum, thus reducing the dividend to the whole unsecured creditors to a minimum. In putting the position before the creditors, the liquidators desire that the creditors should authorise them to carry on the works to the end of March, for the purpose of getting the benefit of certain improvements which have been suggested in various departments of the company's business. If the results of the working for the period are satisfactory, and defects at present apparent are successfully got rid of, the liquidators propose to submit forthwith a scheme of reconstruction, under which the rights of all parties would be preserved.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 26 January 1893

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

A meeting of the creditors of the Clippens Oil Company was held the Accountants' Hall, Glasgow, to-day, consider the liquidator's report that the works should be carried on. The report was adopted. Messrs R. A. Murray and Bennet Clarke, for the debenture holders and R. Durie Tranent and W. T. Brown, foe the creditors, were appointed to consult with the liquidators.

Glasgow Herald - Thursday 26 January 1893

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

Glasgow, January 23, 1893.

SIR,-The report of the Clippens Oil Company, which appears in your issue of to-day, shows that the present administration promises to be guided by the policy of the past, and that the liquidators are affected by the "sanguine fever." Year after year, for many years past, the directors' report has shown a glimpse into a land of promise, in which splendid dividends were conspicuous. But it has always been accompanied by the explanation that the destination has not been reached on account of breakdowns on the road, and by a request for money for repairs. Result-
25,850 shares at £10 (all lost)……………………£258,900
£132,000 debentures (say 50% lost)…………..£67,600
£326,500 loss.
Irrespective of this, 30,000 £2 preference which have no lien and simply rank as creditors, and the value of which depends entirely on how the unpledged assets are realised. The liquidators state that the position is a difficult one, and that nothing is to be attained by hasty action on the part of the creditors, as the debenture-holders' claim would be augmented by their so doing, and they suggest that the works should be carried on till the end of March. On the contrary, the debenture-holders' and the creditors' interests are identical, namely, to preserve as large an amount of the unpledged assets as possible. The liquidators will surely acknowledge that there is nothing to justify them in supposing that the works will be of more value on the 31st of March than they are to-day, and that they are working at a heavy loss. This simply means a reduction of the unpledged assets and a loss to both. The whole property, bar unpledged assets, is really now that of the bondholders, and any scheme of reconstruction lies with them. It is well known there is not a finer shalefield in Scotland, and, well handled, it would have made lots of money when prices were remunerative, and when others not nearly so well placed were doing so. The position is acute and should be treated accordingly. Let the business be closed as soon as possible, and the creditors' and debenture-holders' interests adjusted, and as any scheme of reconstruction lies with the debenture-holders, they will consult their best interests if they simply keep the works and mines in efficient order till better times come. This will cost them about £5000 to £7000 a year, instead of a loss at present prices of at least £20,000 to £25,000. If in a year or so the position of the trade justifies reconstruction, let it be under new auspices.-I am, &c.,

DEBENTURE_HOLDER AND CREDITOR.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 15 February 1893

PROPOSED SALE OF CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. In the Court of Session to-day, Lord Stormonth Darling ordered intimation, advertisement, and service of a petition John Scott Tait, C.A., Edinburgh, and Jas. Armour, 27 Royal Exchange, Square, Glasgow, the liquidators of the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, which the sanction the Court asked sell, or to concur with the mortgage debenture holders in selling the undertaking of the company as a going concern, and to sanction the carrying on of the work until the end of March. It is proposed to expose the undertaking for sale by private tender.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 25 February 1893

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY LIQUIDATION. - Lord Stormonth Darling, in the Court of Session to-day, approved of the appointment of a committee to watch the interests of certain creditors in the Clippens Oil Company liquidation, and granted leave to carry on the works till 31st March, in order that they might be exposed for sale as a going concern. It was stated that the committee of shareholders and creditors approved of this course.

Glasgow Evening Post - Wednesday 01 March 1893

The Pentland and Straiton Oil Works, &c., of the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, Exchange Square, are for sale by private treaty.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 22 March 1893

RE-CONSTRUCTION OF THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

The report of the liquidators of Clippens Oil Company (Limited) was issued to-day. A new company is proposed, with a capital of £125,800 in ordinary and deferred shares. Each ordinary creditor of the old company, including holders of £2 convertible debentures, will receive one fully paid up ordinary share of the new company for each full sum of £1.

North British Daily Mail - Thursday 23 March 1893

The Clippens Oil Co.’s business, it is reported, is to be transferred to a new company, to be termed Clippens (Limited). £126,800 will be the capital of the new concern.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 31 March 1893

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

Three meetings in connection with the Clippens Oil Company, now in liquidation, were held in the Religious Institution Rooms, Glasgow, to-day. At all the meetings the proceedings were private, but it was announced afterwards that resolutions were passed approving of the arrangements to make over the whole assets of the company to the new company.

Glasgow Evening Post - Thursday 20 April 1893

The respective managers at Clippens Oil Company’s mines and refinery have received formal intimation to dismiss officials, work up the mining stock, shut down the benches of retorts, and close the works. This intimation is, of course, only to be carried into effect If the men come out on strike today.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 03 May 1893

RECONSTRUCTION OF CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

Lord Stormonth Darling today, in the Bill Chamber of the Court of Session, granted the scheme proposed by creditors of the Clippens Oil Company for the reconstruction of the Company. His lordship suggested that in the scheme there should be a clause stating that the shares were to be fully paid up.

Dundee Advertiser - Thursday 04 May 1893

In the Bill Chamber of the Court of Session yesterday Lord Stormonth Darling had before him a note by creditors of the Clippens Oil Company, in which they stated that they were of opinion that it would be best for the interests of the creditors of the Company, both secured and unsecured, that the whole assets and liabilities of the Company should be sold or transferred to a new Company to be formed with the object of acquiring and carrying on the business, and so securing to the present creditors and shareholders the most favourable realisation of the assets of the Company now in liquidation. A proposed scheme of arrangements was submitted, and the petitioners desired the authority of the Court to summon and hold separate meetings of the creditors and shareholders of the Company for the purpose of ascertaining their wishes with regard to the scheme. This was granted.

Dundee Courier - Saturday 01 July 1893

THE CLIPPENS OIL CO. – This Company is to take over the undertaking the Clippens Oil Co. in liquidation. The capital is £126,800, in 500 A. shares, and 125,000 ordinary shares of £1 each, and 26,000 deferred shares of 1s each. The A shares are to have the same rights as 50,000 ordinary shares.

Musselburgh News - Friday 22 September 1893

THE CLIPPENS COMPANY show signs of awakening life. Several retorts are just now being taken down to make room for new ones to be built shortly.

Dundee Courier - Saturday 07 October 1893

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. – The first ordinary general meeting of the Clippens Oil Company was held yesterday in Glasgow. Mr W. S. Brown, who presided, stated that the meeting was called in compliance with the statute, and they had simply to report that the Company was duly registered on 28th June. Everything was going on satisfactorily.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 15 October 1894

WORKS AT STRAITON TO BE RE-OPENED.

It stated that the shale miners and other employees of the Clippens Oil Company's at Straiton and Pentland have been notified that it intended re-open the works on Wednesday. The works have been closed for the want of coal during the past 14 weeks, and all the men, with the exception of a few engineers and oncost men, who were employed keeping the machinery and workings in order, were thrown idle. The company are said to be getting coal from the west in sufficient quantity as to allow all the different departments of the works to be re-started.

Dundee Courier - Friday 21 December 1894

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. - The report by the Directors of the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, for the 15 months ending 30th September last, states the balance at the debit of profit and loss account, after deducting £5512 4s 2d for repairs and maintenance, is £5082 10s 5d, to which there falls to added debenture interest, £5589 10s, making £10,672 0s 5d.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 29 December 1894

CLIPPEN'S OIL COMPANY.

The ordinary meeting of the Clippens Oil Company was held yesterday in Glasgow. Mr W. S. Brown, who presided, in moving the adoption of the report, said that better results were beginning to be shown. As compared with this time last year, the costs were down 15 per cent., and they were lower now than at any time since 1886. They were in hopes that prices had now reached the bottom, and a very small improvement now would put the company on a paying basis. The report was adopted.

Dundee Courier - Saturday 29 December 1894

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. – The second ordinary meeting of the Clippens Oil Company was held yesterday in the offices of the Company, Glasgow. Mr W. S. Brown presided. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, said that unfortunately it was not very pleasant reading for the shareholders. The results were not quite what they had expected, although, when the Company was reconstructed, they were not very sanguine of being able to make very large profits owing to the difficulties which they foresaw. The works had now been got into a very creditable state of efficiency, and better results were beginning to be shown. They were in hopes that prices had now reached the bottom, and a very small improvement now would put the Company on a paying basis. Mr A. C. Scott seconded, and the motion was adopted.

Dundee Evening Telegraph - Friday 20 December 1895

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY ANNUAL REPORT.

The report of the Clippen's Oil Company for the year ending 30th September states that the result of the year's trading is a balance at the credit of the profit and loss account after charging £5612 for repairs and maintenance, of £2549 against which there falls to be charged interest on debentures and loans £5433 showing a net loss for the year of £2883, to which falls to added the loss brought forward from last year, £10,672, or a total of £13,555. Although increased prices for oils have ruled during the past few months, no substantial benefit therefore accrued on year's working.

Aberdeen Press and Journal - Saturday 28 December 1895

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.- The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Clippens Oil Company was held at Glasgow yesterday. Mr W. S. Brown, who presided, regretted that the report – which showed a net loss on the year of £2883, and a total sum at debit of £13,555 – was not a more satisfactory one. The loss was due to the coal strike. The report was adopted.

Dundee Courier - Saturday 28 December 1895

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. - The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Clippens Oil Company was held yesterday afternoon – Mr W. S. Brown presiding. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, said the result of the year's working was not at all satisfactory. As an indication of the effect of the stoppage of the works during the coal strike, he mentioned that the sales for the months of October, November, and December, 1894, were only £18,449, whereas for the same three months this year the amount was £47,000. The report was adopted, and the remuneration of the Directors for the past year was fixed at £400.

Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette - Monday 30 March 1896

The Clippens Oil Company, limited, Glasgow, have, through their general manager, given notice to the shale miners employed at their pits at Clippens and Straiton, Mid-Lothian, that in future a nine-hours’ day will be observed at the works in the Loanhead district.

Dundee Courier - Monday 06 April 1896

MIDLOTHIAN SHALE MINERS' HOURS.

In compliance with a notice issued by Mr Armour, the general manager of the Clippens Oil Company, Loanhead. the miners at the Straiton and Pentland pits have extended their working day to nine hours. A number of the miners are expressing their dissatisfaction at the change from eight hours, but on account of the want of proper organisation no objection will be raised.

Musselburgh News - Friday 05 June 1896

It is not frequently that a public body shows great consideration for a trading company, yet instances do occur where the governing body yields a little to the exigiences of the circumstances. Such appears to have been the case with the Suburban District Committee of the County Council. They have in their dealings with the Clippens Oil Company shown a very great spirit of forbearance. Frequent complaints have been raised by the farmers in the neighbourhood of the Niddrie Burn, regarding the pollution of the stream by the Oil Company. Analyses have shown that the complaints have been well founded, but the Committee have noted the present state of the oil industry, and have been loath to interfere with the company's operations. Now Mr Mackay, brewer, has taken up the cudgels; and he will most likely be a tougher customer to deal with than the farmers, whose complaints have been set aside, and, as it affects his trade, he may be left to look after his own interests. For ourselves, if it were a mere question of which industry should be retained, we would have no hesitation in making a choice, but the fact that pollution does exist, and that there had been complaints, certainly justifies the Committee in taking some action to get the matter remedied.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 19 November 1896

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

The annual report of the Clippens Oil Company for the year ended September 30 states that the year's trading shows, after debiting £5510 for repairs and maintenance of works above ground, a balance at credit of £12,334. The sum of £5438 has been expended in extending and developing the mines, &c., the whole of which has been charged to revenue. There are falls in the mines to be charged to profit and loss account; and the usual interest on debentures and loans amounting to £5453, leaving a credit balance for the year of £1443. The balance at debit last year was £13,555, and this has been reduced to £12,112. The directors consider the result of the year's working is not altogether unsatisfactory. Stocks have been retained at the low prices fixed three years ago, and are considerably below present values.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 29 January 1897

IT is stated that No. 8 Shale Mine at Clippens' Works will shortly be closed, and No. 2 re-opened. It is conjectured that fewer men will find employment through this arrangement.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 04 March 1897

CLOSE OF A MINE. – No. 8 mine, Straiton, belonging to the Clippens Oil Coy. Ltd., was closed yesterday. Most of the men will be put up at No. 2 mine, Pentland, which is being re-opened in the course of a few days.

Dundee Advertiser - Thursday 15 July 1897

CLIPPENS OIL WORKS TO BE CLOSED

700 MEN THROWN IDLE.

Clippens Oil Company yesterday posted notices at their works at Straiton intimating that they would be closed pending the decision of the Court of Session regarding the questions in dispute between them and the Edinburgh Water Trustees - The pits will close on Saturday, and the works so soon as the oil in process of treatment has been finished. Seven hundred men will be thrown idle.

Dundee Advertiser - Friday 16 July 1897

PENTLAND OIL WORKS TO BE CLOSED.

A notice has been posted by the Clippens Oil Company at their Pentland Works, Loanhead. It states that “the Directors regret that, owing to the action of the Edinburgh and District Water Trust, they find it necessary to close the works pending the decision of the Court. The pits will be closed on Saturday first, 17th inst. The crude works and refinery will be closed immediately the oils, &c., in process are worked up. Tradesmen will be paid off on Saturday first. The Directors very greatly regret that so many workmen should be thrown idle, but the responsibility rests with the Water Trust. Workmen will be allowed to sit rent free for a reasonable time to allow them to seek work elsewhere, 5s being retained till house quitted and left in good order.” This order is said to affect about 600 men, in addition to the 500 already thrown out of work.

Dundee Advertiser - Tuesday 20 July 1897

THE DISPUTE WITH THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

In consequence of the position of affairs which matters have assumed in the dispute between the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, Straiton, Midlothian, and the Edinburgh and District Water Trust, the former Company on Saturday carried out the resolution come to by their Directors to close the shale mines and oil works pending the decision of the Court as to the right of the Clippens Company to work the minerals in certain portions of the district at and near to the water track of the Trust. Until lately employment has been found for about 1000 or 1200 men altogether, who were housed in the Company’s property at Straiton and at Loanhead, Burdiehouse, and district. For the most part these workmen must forthwith quit the district, though, so far as the Clippens Company are concerned, they have, through their general manager, Mr James Armour, expressed a willingness to do all within their power to facilitate the convenience of the families. A considerable number of the men are being engaged by several of the Coal Companies in Edinburghshire and East Lothian, and many others are quitting the district to search for employment in Stirlingshire and the West of Scotland. The retort men are naturally going where there are similar works. The shopkeepers in Loanhead district are greatly disappointed at the course the Water Trust have adopted. Lately at public meeting of the inhabitants the Trust were called upon to modify their demands in the interest of the Company, but to no purpose.

Musselburgh News - Friday 23 July 1897

Loanhead folks have a very direct interest in a proof which has been going on for some days before Lord Pearson, and which, although the Court rose on Tuesday, his Lordship continued to work at on Wednesday. The Water Trust has been blamed, I notice, for the dismissal of the workmen at the Shale Works in the district. That is one of the points which hie Lordship will probably decide. Some of the evidence was very interesting. I heard one civil engineer aver that the Clippens Oil Company had gone to work in an unusual way, and he thought their object was to frighten the Water Trust into buying some of the minerals. Such allegations are denied by the company. Lord Pearson's opinion will be worth having.

Musselburgh News - Friday 30 July 1897

THERE is not a single shale miner at Clippens’ pits. This week the ponies were brought to the surface and it is stated that they will be sold shortly. Such a state of matters is convincing enough to the miners of the locality that there is little hope of a start at Straiton and hundreds of families have left the district. The effect of the stoppage of the work will be to withdraw £1000 weekly from circulation in Loanhead. The seriousness of the loss is already being felt by Loanhead shopkeepers, who are anxious with regard to the payments of debts contracted by Straiton customers.

Musselburgh News - Friday 06 August 1897

THE CLIPPENS. – Several retorts are being pulled down at Clippens, and as it is the company’s intention to re-erect them this would indicate clearly that the work is not yet played out – under whatever management or arrangement it may afterward be conducted.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 26 August 1897

I hear that the employees engaged at the Clippens have all terminated their engagement so far as the Pentland side of the workings is concerned; and only those on the Straiton portion are at work. These, as soon as the refining is completed, will also be paid off, and only a dozen or so men will be retained for the purpose of keeping the plant in order. It is not known definitely how long the workings will be shut down, but it is expected it will be for a year at any rate.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 03 September 1897

THE CLIPPENS. – At Clippens Works a few men are working at the refineries. There work will be over in a fortnight. The pumps are kept going, and four men are engaged below looking out for falls, etc. When the refineries are closed the pump men and the four inspectors will be the only persons employed by the company. The effect on trade locally is marked, and Loanhead shopkeepers are beginning to feel the effects of the change.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 24 December 1897

Clippens Oil Company Report.— The report by the Directors of the Clippens Oil Company states that the year's trading shows, after debiting £6036 for repairs and maintenance of works above ground, a balance at debit of profit and loss account of £8540. There also falls to be charged to profit and loss account, as usual— Interest on debentures, £4056; interest on loans, £1436; leaving a balance at the debit of profit and loss for the year of £14,032. The Directors regret this disastrous result, which is entirely due to the action of the Edinburgh and District Water Trust but as the questions in dispute are still sub judice, the directors regret that they cannot submit the full particulars until the Courts finally dispose of the matter. The gross profit for the previous year was £12,334, from which fell to be deducted £5438 capital expenditure charged against revenue, and £5453 debenture and other interest, leaving a net profit of £1443. Although the prices of certain products have been lower during the year under review, the directors had no hesitation in anticipating that any such shortage would have been more than met by lower costs, better yields, and the cessation of special expenditure on steel girders—an outlay which had represented many thousands of pounds, but which represented also a large saving in future costs. Any likelihood of obtaining the results so anticipated ceased to exist early in March, when the proceedings above referred to were commenced. Stocks have been retained at the low prices fixed three years ago.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 28 December 1897

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY AND THE WATER TRUST.

The annua! meeting of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) was held in Glasgow this afternoon. Mr W. S. Brown, chairman of the company, in moving the adoption of the report, said that when the company was formed in 1893 the directors were severely handicapped for want of capital. During those four years £30,000 had been spent out of the revenue in alterations and additions and new plant. The results of that extraordinary capital expenditure were most gratifying. The first six months of the present financial year showed a credit balance after providing for all charges, but all this was changed by the interdict at the instance of the Edinburgh Water Trust, which stopped some of the mines and so restricted the working as to cause the loss of £14,000, and eventually the entire stoppage of the works and the discharge of over 100 men. Mr Brown related at length the circumstances leading to the present unfortunate position. The directors had several meetings with the Water Trust Committee, and at the early stages an amicable settlement looked hopeful. However, that had been found impossible. The case was appealed by the Water Trust to the House of Lords. The works were stopped, and the retort benches and other portions of the works were going to ruin. The workmen and foremen were all scattered, and the company's splendid business connection was entirely gone. Nothing would be done till the interdict was removed, but the interests of the company were being carefully watched and safeguarded by the directors. The report was adopted.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 10 January 1898

THE WATER TRUST AND CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. A friendly conference took place in the Lord Provost's room, Edinburgh Council Chambers, today, between the directors of the Clippens Oil Company and the committee appointed the Edinburgh and District Water Trust, with the view of endeavouring to arrange a settlement of all questions outstanding between the Trustees and the company. There was a full attendance of members. The Lord Provost put the questions before the directors and the meeting, and after a free interchange of views the meeting was adjourned meet again on receiving a report from their respective engineers on the question.

Dundee Courier - Tuesday 15 February 1898

HEAVY CLAIM AGAINST EDINBURGH CORPORATION.

It is stated that the Clippens Oil Company, Glasgow and Edinburgh, will lodge a claim of £150,000 to £200,000 against Edinburgh Water Trust for damage done to the Company through the Water Trust having sought and obtained interdict preventing the Clippens Company from working their shale fields near Edinburgh. The Water Trust alleged that Edinburgh water main, which passed through the workings, would thereby be endangered, and the was carried to the Lords. The Clippens Company claim damage for enforced closing of works.

Aberdeen Press and Journal - Friday 08 April 1898

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.
A NEW DEPARTURE.

We learn from a fairly authentic source that the Clippens Oil Company have adopted a new source for deriving income. As is well known, this company’s shale pits have been shut down for months past on account of the action of the Edinburgh and District Water Trust having refused to come to terms by private agreement with regard to a strip of shale or limestone which covers the trust's water supply pipes into Edinburgh. The Clippens Company have gained their case in the Court of Session, and have secured the right to continue the mining and working of the portion of limestone and shale which underlies the trust's pipes, but, so far, the trust have not come forward with an offer to buy the shale and minerals which meets the ideas of the Clippens Company. The new departure we refer to is that it is stated that the Clippens Company have discovered that their Straiton estate contains valuable seams of free-stone, and that as there is a considerable demand in Edinburgh and district for this class of building material at present, they are meditating, or perhaps have begun, the quarrying of stone for building requirements.

Dundee Advertiser - Saturday 09 April 1898

REOPENING OF STRAITON QUARRIES. - The Clippens Oil Company, Limited, are reopening the Straiton Quarries, which were carried on so successfully for 40 years previous to 1885. The stone is freestone of excellent quality, the greater part of Newington, Edinburgh, and the whole of the Loanhead district having been built with it. The reopening will afford employment to a number of men, and will doubtless help to lessen the distress caused through the stoppage of the oilworks.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 23 April 1898

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY AND THE WATER TRUST.

The directors of the company have issued an interim report to the shareholders in which they state that by request they attended a meeting of a special committee of the Water Trust to see if an amicable settlement of the questions in dispute could not be effected. The Lord Provost at the meeting suggested that it should remitted to Mr Gemmell, M.E., on behalf of the Water Trustees, and Mr Rankine, M.E., on behalf of the Company, to ascertain the value and report, after which the Lord Provost thought, if there was any difference in their figures, it would be possible to adjust that difference. Trusting to the good faith of the committee, the directors agreed to this proposal. The Lord Provost then produced a plan of another area of the mineral field, and said that when the engineers were discussing the value for the area for which they were giving notice, they could make an estimate of the value of the mineral shown on this second plan, and if the price was suitable the Water Trustees might purchase it also. The Trustees came under no binding obligation to acquire this area of minerals, but pending negotiations they requested that no mining operations be carried on within it. The directors agreed to this proposal also. Mr Gemmell’s estimate was £9000 and Mr Rankine’s £10,560. At that meeting the engineers had not time to go further into the matter, the discussion of which was adjourned. Subsequently Mr Gemmell declined to attend a further meeting, apparently having had his instructions regarding it countermanded, although no advice had been sent to the Company. On 2d March the secretary of the Company wrote the clerk of the Water Trust referring to the findings of the two engineers, and stated that the directors proposed to halve the difference between the two estimates and accept £9780, and so close the matter in the amicable spirit in which it was entered into. After waiting three weeks the secretary of the Company wrote asking when Mr Gemmell was to meet Mr Rankine, and received a reply that the Trustees were of opinion that further negotiations should cease till the passing of the Trustees' bill. The directors considered the Water Trust were not acting in bona fides, so the Company withdrew their obligation net to work in the second area, and have taken steps to have the value of the first determined by arbitration. The directors regret that negotiations, opened in an apparently friendly manner, had ended as they have done. The result of the arbitration would be duly communicated to the shareholders, and meantime the directors were proceeding with the claim for loss occasioned by the illegal interdict and consequent stoppage of the works. The only part of the Company's extensive works presently in operation were the limestone workings, which were being vigorously extended, but the directors were reopening the valuable seam of sandstone, which had been successfully and profitably worked for many years prior to 1885.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 10 November 1898

EDINBURGH WATER TRUST AND THE CLIPPENS COMPANY.

The directors of the Clippens Oil Company have issued to the shareholders and bondholders of the company a report giving the history of the dispute with the Edinburgh Water Trust. The company state that notices of the company's intention to work the minerals were given from time to time to the Water Trust between 1877 and April, 1892, but the Trustees in each case elected not to compensate, but to take the risk of the pipe sinking. During all these years minerals which (but for the pipes) could have been easily and cheaply worked were left unworked, and the company was compelled to expend large sums in developing other parts of the mineral field which were more expensive to work. Falling to get the Trustees to recognise their responsibilities under the 1847 Act, an attempt was made to come to terms on another basis, the main feature being that the company would guarantee to upkeep the pipes without any money payment, the Trustees being required to provide valves and spare pipes, all at the company's expense, so that when pipes broke the company would immediately shut off the water. The Trustees, by minutes in 1890 and 1894, agreed to accept the company's offer, and instructed their law agent accordingly, but that gentlemen did not carry out his instructions. The Trust law agent did nothing till 3d December, 1895 (a delay of 20 months), when he spoke to the company's law agent, and attempted, without foundation, to make out that the delay lay with the company. So far from blackmailing the Trust, as was alleged by the Lord Provost, the directors of the old company and the directors of the present were then willing to make a considerable sacrifice of the company's interests in order to arrive at a settlement, and the responsibility of refusing an arrangement extremely favourable to the city of Edinburgh, or, at all events, of making its completion impossible, rested with the Water Trustees and their law agent.

COSTLY LITIGATION.

Referring to the recent law proceedings, the directors gave an approximate statement of the outlay of the ratepayers' funds made by the Trustees in their attempt to avoid acquiring minerals necessary for the support of the pipes. The Trustees have conducted two expensive litigations— interdict case, legal costs (both sides), about £5000; illegal pipe case, legal costs (both sides), about £2000; cost of illegal pipe, about £8000; promoted a bill, Parliamentary expenses of the Trust, and the cost of aqueduct No. 1, about £50,000; Crawley pipe cases will probably cost, if taken to the House of Lords, about £2000; reference, lasting eight days, at legal cost of about £3000; amount of arbiters' award in reference, payable to company, £10,329—£80,329. In addition, Trustees have yet to meet the cost of their unscrupulous and reckless conduct in shutting up the works by an illegal interdict, for which your directors, under skilled advice, are pursuing an action in the Court of Session for £137,000. And all to avoid what could have been settled for £15,000 at the first meeting of 12th February, 1897 (it might have been settled any time between 1890 and 1896 for nothing.) Again, in July 1897, three months after the interdict had been in force, from which, at that time, there had been considerable loss, your directors, in their anxiety to avoid closing the works, were willing to take £10,000 in full of all damages arising from interdict, and including the area of shale and lime, for which the Trustees must now pay £8079 (for mineral alone) under arbitration, the arbitration costing them about £3000 additional. Your directors have all along been willing to settle the matter by arbitration, provided under the Water Works Clauses Act, and have even gone beyond this in their desire to settle, but the overbearing and unreasonable tactics adopted by the Trustees left your directors option but to defend your interests to the best of their ability; and they will continue to do so. The completion of the Crawley pipe action, and the damages' action, should see matters pretty well decided by the end of this year, although, with opponents like the Water Trustees, employing public funds, there is no saying what fresh and vexatious litigation may be sprung on the company.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 17 November 1898

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY AND THE WATER TRUST.

The directors have issues a report to the shareholders and bondholders of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited), narrating fully the history of the dispute with the Edinburgh and District Water Trust and explaining the proceedings of that body, and the position in which they have left the Company. The charge of "blackmailing" made by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh renders it necessary, the report says, that the history of the Trust's actions should be narrated at length. Your directors have waited five months for the statement his Lordship promised to issue in a "short time" proving or justifying the serious aspersion he then cast upon your directors, but it has not yet been published. The Water Works Clauses Act of 1847 regulates the relations of water trustees and of mine owners possessing minerals under or adjacent to any pipe lines. Notices of intention to work the minerals were sent to the Edinburgh Water Trust at various dates from February 1877, to April 1892, but the Trustees in each case elected not to compensate, but, to quote their own words, "preferred to take the risk of the pipe sinking rather than buy such a large area of shale as would be necessary to secure perfect safety." The Crawley pipe was laid about the year 1821 over Straiton estate (of which the Company are now owners) for no payment whatever, and the Moorfoot pipe was laid in 1876, for a trifling payment of £34, and subsequently the Trustees have used the power of doing injury which these pipes gave them, practically to appropriate mineral., representing value for a very large sum indeed. The Board of the old Clippens Company in September 1886 (at which time the profits exceeded £40,000 per annum) tried to force the Trustees to recognise their responsibilities by raising an action of declarator to have it declared that (a) the Trustees should be forced to acquire support for their pipes, or (b) if not, and if drowning followed working, the Trustees should be declared to be liable. The Court of Session decided that the Trustees were within their rights in refusing to acquire support, and that the responsibility as to drowning could not be decided till it had happened. During all these years minerals which (but for the pipes) could have been easily and cheaply worked were left unworked, sad the Company was compelled to expend large sums in developing other parts of the mineral field which were more expensive to work. Failing to get the Trustees to recognise their responsibilities under the 1847 Act, an attempt was made to come to terms on another basis, the main feature being that the Company would guarantee to upkeep the pipes without any money payment, the Trustees being required to provide valves and spare pipes, all at the Company's expense, so that when pipes broke the Company would immediately shut off the water. That proposal was made on 11th February 1890, repeated on 4th November, 1890, and on 12th February, 1891, and the two latter proposals increased the obligation of the Company as to the length of pipe to be maintained as compared with the first offer. It is only fair to the Trustees to say that they decided by their minutes of 21st October 1890, and 27th July 1894, to accept the Company's offer, and instructed their law-agent accordingly. That gentleman did not carry out his instructions, for reasons which, no doubt, he has explained to his constituents. The original offer to give support without payment was made, as above stated, on 11th February 1890, and the negotiations thereanent were dragged on till 5th March 1894, when your present directors, accepting the policy of their predecessors, decided 'that the only thing to be done with the Edinburgh Water Trust was to accept their draft minute"—the new Company thus repeating the very favourable offer made to the Trustees by the old Company. Accordingly, the Company's law-agent sent back to the law-agent of the Trust on 9th April 1894 the draft minute of agreement for extension. He owned receipt on 10th, and said he would "submit our letter to the first meeting of the Works' Committee of the Water Trust." It was submitted to a meeting held on 10th May 1894 and referred to the mining adviser of the Trust, who wrote a letter on 17th May 1894 "approving generally of the revisals upon the draft minute sent him." That letter was submitted to a meeting of Trustees on 27th July 1894, and, "after careful consideration of the terms of the agreement, and receiving explanations from the law-agent, who expressed his satisfaction with the adjusted draft, the Committee approved of the terms thereof, and instructed the law-agent to have the deed executed without further delay." After returning the draft agreement, on 9th April 1894, the Company's law-agent wrote on 24th April and 28th May 1894, pushing for completion, but without avail. The Trust law-agent did nothing till 3rd December 1895 (a delay of twenty months), when he spoke to the Company's law-agent, and attempted, without foundation, to make out that the delay lay with the Company. On the 17th December 1895, the Trust law-agent writes "I have at last got the engineers to take up and dispose of the matter," and he encloses agreement "as adjusted between us extended in duplicate." It will be seen that (so far from blackmailing the Trust) the Directors were then willing to make a considerable sacrifice of the Company's interests in order to arrive at a settlement, and the responsibility of refusing an arrangement extremely favourable to the city of Edinburgh, or, at all events, of making its completion impossible, rests with the Water Trustees and their law-agent.

The report proceeds to give a history of the recent litigation, and the result to the Company. In their concluding paragraphs the directors say: —lt may be interesting to record an approximate statement of the outlay of the ratepayers' funds made by the Trustees in their attempt to avoid acquiring minerals necessary for the support of the pipes. The Trustees have :—Conducted two expensive litigations - interdict case, legal costs (both sides), about £5000; illegal pipe case, legal costs (both sides) about £2000; cost of illegal pipe, about £8000; promoted a bill, Parliamentary expenses of the Trust, and the cost of aqueduct No. 1, about £50,000; Crawley pipe cease will probably cost, if taken to House of Lords, about £2,000; references, lasting eight days, at a legal cost of about £3,000; amount of arbiters’ award in references, payable to Company, £10,320 - £80,320. In addition, the Trustees have yet to meet the cost of their unscrupulous and reckless conduct in shutting up the works by an illegal interdict for which your directors, under skilled advice, are pursuing an action in the Court of Session for £137,000. And all to avoid what could have been settled for £15,000 at the first meeting of 12th February 1897 (it might have been settled any time between 1890 and 1896 for nothing.) Again in July 1897, three months after the interdict had been in force, from which, at that time there had been considerable loss, your directors, in their anxiety to avoid closing the works, were willing to take £10,000 in full of all damages arising from interdict, and, including the area of shale and lime, for which the Trustees must now pay £8079 (for mineral alone) under arbitration, the arbitration costing them about £3000 additional. Your directors have all along been willing to settle the affair by arbitration, provided under the Water Works Clauses Act, and have even gone beyond this in their desire to settle, but the overbearing and unreasonable tactics adopted by the Trustees left your directors no option but to defend your interests to the best of their ability; and they will continue to do so. The completion of the Crawley pipe action, and the damages action, should see matters pretty well decided by the end of this year, although, with opponents like the Water Trustees, employing public funds, there is no saying what fresh and vexations litigation may be sprung on the Company.

Dundee Courier - Wednesday 28 December 1898

The Clippens and Water Litigation.—The annual meeting of Clippens Oil Company was held in the Company’s office yesterday—Mr W. S. Brown, chairman, presiding. The report stated that on the year's trading there was balance at debit of profit and loss account of £2883, and that, after paying interest on loans, debentures, and Water Trust litigation, there was a debit for the year of £10,955. The prices of oil products, the report stated, had considerably advanced, and the Company would now have been making good profits if the business had not been illegally stopped. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, referred to the position of the Company in the dispute with the Edinburgh Water Trust, and said they considered the special report they had issued on the matter was called for owing to the charge of blackmailing made by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, who had not yet substantiated his charge, and who, they presumed, had spoken without actual knowledge of the facts. They had all along felt that it was not the Trust as a body, but only two or three members of it who had created the present position. Although the result of the arbitration between parties had gone in favour of the Company, the Trust had not made payment yet, and the result was that the Company had to raise another action for the payment of the sum of £10,329. They were not satisfied with the award, but they were thankful it was not less. The expenses, amounting to fully £3000, were payable by the Trust. As they had been successful in all their actions, they had little doubt they would again be successful in proceeding against the Trust. The report was adopted.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 13 January 1899

Although the Clippens oil industry has not yet been resumed the Company are developing another side of their business – namely, extracting lime-stone and general quarry work. This at the present affords employment for 60 men, and is practically a new industry.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 10 February 1899

Sometime ago the Lord Provost of Edinburgh characterised certain proceedings of the Clippens Oil Company against the Edinburgh Water Trust as blackmailing. The imputation was denied at the time by the Chairman of the Oil Company. It is a curious commentary on his Lordship's observation that the Oil Company have, to a very considerable extent, succeeded in the action in which they were engaged with the Trustees as well as in two extra judicial arbitrations. On Saturday Lord Pearson delivered judgment in an action at the instance the Trustees against the Company, in which the former sought to have it declared that the latter were bound not to interfere with the strata supporting certain of their pipes. Lord Pearson's opinion, of which, as it was delivered, it was difficult to make head or tail, was of considerable length, and was substantially in favour of the Company.

Dundee Courier - Saturday 06 May 1899

(New Joint Stock Companies)

CLIPPENS LIME COMPANY.—To lease limestone, freestone, and other minerals from the Clippens Oil Company and to dispose of the same. Capital, £5000, in 5000 shares of £1 each.

Glasgow Herald - Tuesday 19 December 1899

The report of the directors of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) is as follows: --The directors beg to submit balance-sheet showing the position of the company at 30th September last. The balance at debit of profit and loss account for the year is £777 10s 8d. There also falls to be charged :- Interest on Debentures, £4055; interest on loans, £2163 5s 5d: law expenses incurred owing to Water Trust litigation, part of which will be recovered, £1391 16s 3d -- £7611 1s 8d -- leaving a balance at the debit of profit and loss for the year of £8388 12s 4d. The pumps have been kept going to keep the mines clear of water, and mineral leases have been maintained by paying fixed rents. These, along with the taxes and other fixed charges, form a very heavy burden on the company while the works remain closed. No progress has been made in the damages action raised by the company to recover damages arising out of the interdict case. That interdict case was decided in the company's favour so long ago as 4th February, 1898. The damages action was raised on 6th May, 1898, and has not yet been heard. Compared with the prices ruling when the company’s operations were illegally interdicted in 1 March, 1897, the present prices of oil products would give an annual increase to the company of £86,975. The company are powerless to benefit by this very marked improvement till the litigation is disposed of. Of course, this improvement, together with the delay in connection with the various litigations, will add very largely to the claim for damages. Your directors have disposed of the lime business, and have leased the works and plant to the purchasers at a fixed rent and the seam of lime-stone at a fair royalty. The freestone quarry has yielded a satisfactory profit during the year. The bondholders have consented to postpone meantime the payment of their interest.

Dundee Courier - Wednesday 27 December 1899

Clippens Oil Company and the Water Trust. —At the annual general meeting of Clippens Oil Company, Limited, in Glasgow yesterday, Mr W. S. Brown, who presided, moved the adoption of the report. Mr George Blair asked if it was worth while carrying on the business of the Company. Replying, the Chairman said there was really no business to carry on, except the freestone quarry. expected this had yielded a profit, but it seemed to have been swamped by the fixed rent charges and pumping operations. Various litigation cases were proceeding very slowly. They expected to have had a payment from the arbitration case with the Edinburgh and District Water Trust, amounting to £12,000 with interest and charges, but that was suspended pending the hearing of declarator action in February. The arbitration case was practically two years old, the Water Trust pursuing a policy of delaying the decision long as possible. In the end the Company were bound to win. The Trust were spending thousands for the Company's hundreds of pounds. The report was adopted.

Aberdeen Press and Journal - Tuesday 24 December 1901

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY LITIGATION EXPENSES.

The directors of the Clippens Oil Co., Limited, have issued their report for the year ended 30th September. It states that the balance at debit of profit and loss account for the year is £1825 1s 6d. There also falls to the charged:—lnterest on Debentures. £4056: interest on loans. £2726 0s 9d; law expenses in Water Trust litigation. £1631 17s 2d - £8413 17s 1d – making a total debit balance of £10,238 19s 5d. The position of the company, as shown in the accounts, is entirely due the action of the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees. The result of the course adopted by the trustees has been to involve the ratepayers in enormous and unnecessary costs and expenditure, which cannot now amount to less than £100,000. The bondholders have consented meantime to postpone the payment of their interest.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 22 December 1902

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY AND THE WATER TRUST.

The report of the directors of the Clippens Oil Company states that the balance at the credit of profit and loss for the year is £196, and law expenses in Water Trust litigation recovered from the Water Trustees £1047. Interest on debentures was £4056 and on loans £2576, leaving a debit balance of £5389. As the result of the judgment of the House Lords, the Edinburgh Water Trustees were ordered to implement the award of the oversman in the arbitration as to the value of the minerals scheduled under the Water Works Clauses Act, and the sum paid to the company by the Water Trust has been —arbitration award, 10,389; legal expenses, £1218; interest on sum awarded, £1396 – total, £12,943. It is believed that the action of the Water Trustees has already cost the ratepayers of Edinburgh and Leith about £150,000 and they have now to face the claim for loss and damage caused by the illegal interdict, which involved the shutting down of the works and the destruction of a business of 30 years' standing, in the development of which over £400,000 had been spent. On the 27th May, 1898, the then Lord Provost, Mr Mitchell Thomson (now Sir Mitchell Thomson, Bart.), is reported to have stated : '"The Company had, without doubt, endeavoured lo blackmail the Water Trust," and . . . "that in a short time a statement would made." He has never made his promised statement, nor has he had the courtesy to apologise for his unwarrantable language. Had he and the Water Trustees carried out the honourable understanding come to at a meeting with your directors specially held at his request, and not attempted avoid liability by permanently ruining the company, the four years' litigation expenses would have been obviated, and the citizens Edinburgh would not now have to meet such enormous claim for damages, the proceedings in regard to which will be pushed on with as little delay possible.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 30 December 1902

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY MEETING

The tenth annual meeting of the Clippens Oil Company was held in the offices of Messrs Brown, Fleming, & Murray, Glasgow, this afternoon—Mr Brown presiding. The proceedings were in private. The chairman explained the position regarding the litigation with Edinburgh Corporation, and the report and accounts were adopted. Mr R. A. J. Murray was re-elected a director. Messrs Chiene & Tait were re-appointed directors.

Dundee Courier - Wednesday 23 December 1903

Clippens Oil Company.—The report by the Directors for the twelve months ending 30th September, 1903, states that the balance at debit of profit and loss account for the year is £1337 16s 9d. There also falls to be charged—Interest on debentures, £4056; interest on loans, £2234 2s 2d; and law expenses, £1462 16s 6d; leaving at debit of profit and loss account for the year £9190 15s 5d. The Directors desire to record their thanks to the shareholders, debenture-holders, and others for the consideration granted to the Company in the unfortunate circumstances. The bondholders have consented meantime to postpone the payment of their interest.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 30 December 1903

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY MEETING.

The eleventh annual meeting of Clippens Oil Company was held in Glasgow to-day, Mr Brown, Glasgow, presiding. The chairman, referring to the dispute with the Edinburgh Water Trust, said House of Lords judgment was very disappointing, but final. They had, however, the right which was denied them under the interdict of watering the roads and levels under the Crawley pipe. The first interdict stopped their working in any way, thereby causing a huge loss by closing the works for which the Water Trust became bound to recompense. Had interdict been applied for and granted fixing the rights of both parties as now determined the works would never have been stopped. The company's claim for the amount of damage was almost ready, and they hoped to serve it at an early date. Mr Scott seconded, and the report was adopted. Mr Scott was re-elected a director and the auditors Messrs Chiene and Tait, C.A., Edinburgh, were appointed.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 28 April 1908

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

A circular has been issued to the shareholders by the secretary of the Company. It states that the shareholders will recollect that in the last annual report, issued in the beginning of January, the directors stated that they had been endeavouring to negotiate privately a sale of the property, works, and plant. They regret now to inform the shareholders that they have been unable to induce a purchaser to come forward. The period of delay granted to the Company by the Debenture stockholders will expire on 15th proximo, and it cannot be expected that the consideration which has been so generously afforded to the Company In the past will be further extended. In these circumstances the directors regret that there is no alternative but to call the shareholders together for the purpose of considering a resolution for the voluntary winding-up of the affairs of the Company. At the meeting, to be held in Edinburgh on May 15, the following. resolution will be submitted, viz.: That it has been proved to the satisfaction of this meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities, continue its business, and that it is advisable to wind up the same, and accordingly that the Company be wound up voluntarily. At the same meeting it will also be moved: (i) That John Scott Tait, C.A., Edinburgh, and Thomas Bennett Clark, C.A., Edinburgh, hereby are appointed joint liquidators for the purposes of the winding-up; (2), that the liquidators be instructed to take the necessary steps for having the liquidation placed under the supervision of the Court of Session.

The Scotsman - Tuesday 12 May 1908

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY, LIMITED ( IN LIQUIDATION . )

A PETITION having been presented to the Lords of Council and Session (First Division, Mr Adam, Clerk), at the instance of THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY, LIMITED , incorporated under the Companies Acts, 1862 to 1890 and JOHN SCOTT TAIT, Chartered Accountant, Edinburgh, and THOMAS BENNET CLARK, Chartered Accountant, Edinburgh, joint Liquidators thereof, praying their Lordships inter alia to order that the voluntary winding up of The Clippens Oil Company, Limited, resolved on at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company held on the fifth day of May 1908, be continued, but subject to the supervision of the Court in terms of and with the powers conferred by the Companies Acts, 1862 to 1900, and to direct all subsequent proceedings in the winding up to be taken before one of the permanent Lords Ordinary, and to remit the winding up to him accordingly, the following Interlocutor has been pronounced:- "Edinburgh, 8th May, 1908. The Lord Ordinary officiating on the Bills appoints the Petition to be intimated on the Walls and in the Minute Book in common form and to be advertised once in the Edinburgh Gazette and once in each on the Scotsman and Glasgow Herald newspapers; and allows all having interest to lodge answers within eight days after such intimation and advertisement ." (Signed) "C. KINCAID MACKENZIE."

Of all which Intimation is hereby given.

(Signed) WALLACE & GUTHRIE W.S.,
Petitioners' Agents.
1 North Charlotte Street,
Edinburgh. 11th May 1908.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 23 May 1908

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY'S AFFAIRS.

The First Division of the Court of Session today granted the petition of the Clippens Oil Company and the liquidators for an order, placing the voluntary liquidation of the Company under the supervision of the Court, resolved upon by a meeting of the Company on 5th May. The Company was incorporated in 1893, with a capital of £126,800, of which £91,000 was issued. In 1897 the Company was interdicted by the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees from working certain of their minerals. In consequence the mines had to be closed, and they have not been re-opened. The litigation in connection with the interdict has now been finished, but although the Company recovered substantial damages their capital is insufficient to enable their business to be carried on. No dividend on any of the shares has ever been paid, and the net balance at debit of profit and loss account for the year ending September, 1907, was £134,129. The accounts also show that debts amounting to £214,994 are due, including £135,200 of debentures.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 23 June 1910

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY: ASSETS NOT SOLD.

The undertaking of the Clippens Oil Company, including the lands and minerals of Straiton, Mid-Lothian, were put up for sale by auction at Edinburgh yesterday. The upset price was £30,000, but no bids were received, and the sale was adjourned.

Midlothian Advertiser - Friday 01 July 1910

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY'S LANDS.

The lands and minerals of Straiton, Midlothian, with the oilworks, buildings, railways, and fixed machinery, on these lands, belonging to the Clippens Oil Company (in liquidation), were exposed on Wednesday of last week in Dowell's Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh for sale for the upset price of £30,000. The properties consist of:—(1) The lands of Straiton, Liberton, consisting of 283 acres or thereby, with the shale and minerals situated thereunder (rent about £1500); and (2) the property of Mayshale, lying to the south of Straiton estate, with house, and containing 10 acres or thereby (rent, £86 16s). The subjects include the Straiton Oil Works, which comprise pits. buildings connected with works, workmen's houses, railways, tramways, and fixed machinery and plant. There were no offers made, and the sale was adjourned.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 21 October 1910

THE END OF THE CLIPPENS OILWORKS.

For some time past a considerable number of workmen have been engaged in dismantling these works and assorting the materials, for the sale of the company's effects, which takes place tomorrow. The works, it may be remembered, were shut down about a dozen years ago, after a litigation with the Edinburgh and District Water Trust. The verdict of the judges was appealed against several times, and the case was finally taken to the House of Lords. The total law costs of both sides amounted to more than £100,000, and when the works were offered for sale recently they found no buyers even at the small price of £15,000. The huge piles of spent shale from the retorts form a landmark visible for miles around. It is reported that Messrs. Brown & Polson, of "Paisley Flour" fame, are negotiating for part of the ground as a site for a factory for their specialities.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 20 January 1911

The Sabbath quiet was broken on January 15th by an explosion at the Clippens Oil Works, which felled one of the chimney stalks at the now desolate and deserted works. Other clearances and proceeding.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 02 February 1911

THE PASSING OF STRAITON OIL WORKS. – The portion of the Clippens Oil Works, lying to the Straiton side, were put to the hammer on Thursday last. Buyers were present in considerable numbers from Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the engines, sheds, old iron, and other accessories of the unfortunate works were disposed of at satisfactory prices.

Industrial Action

Greenock Advertiser - Tuesday 23 September 1873

STRIKE OF MINERS AT JOHNSTONE. —Yesterday morning the miners employed by Messrs Merry & Cunninghame in the coal and shale mine at Clippens, in which the explosion took place on Saturday, struck work in consequence of a refusal to concede an advance of fourpence per ton on their output. They have hitherto been paid three shillings and ninepence a ton, which from the state of the workings, they consider insufficient.

Glasgow Herald - Wednesday 24 September 1879

THE MINERS IN THE JOHNSTONE DISTRICT. - For three or four weeks the miners employed in the Clippens pits, numbering about 300, have been out on strike, and at present there not the slightest signs of the dispute being settled, and, as a consequence, about one-half of the Clippens oil workers have been thrown out of employment for want of shale, only the refining portion of these extensive works being now in operation; while the adjoining pits belonging Craig, Liddell & Dunlop are also stopped—in all about 15, some on strike, and others, such as Dunlop's, being suspended on account of the Clyde Iron-works being stopped.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 03 July 1882

(Late Advertisements)

STRIKE at CLIPPENS OIL WORKS, LOANHEAD, - against working on Sundays, and a rise of wages to the extent of 6d more per day.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 06 July 1882

ANTICIPATED DISTURBANCE BY LABOURERES ON STRIKE - The retort men at Clippens Oil Works having recently been granted an advance of wages, a similar claim was made on behalf of the labourers employed at the same work. This claim the manager did not accede to, and in consequence the labourers refused to resume work on Monday. Arrangements were made with other men to take the places of those on strike on Tuesday morning, and fearing the possibility of a disturbance between the two parties, precautious were taken to have a body of policemen at hand. A draft of about forty men was made from different parts of the county, but fortunately there was no occasion for their services. A large crowd of men assembled, principally Irishmen, but they quietly dipersed. Only a few of the men engaged started to work.

Carlisle Patriot - Friday 23 July 1886

The seven days’ notice given to the Clippens miners of a reduction on their wagesof from 12 to 20 per cent. having expired on Saturday, the men did not go to work on Monday, and gave their employers to understand that they did not intend to start again under the reduction.

Nottingham Evening Post - Wednesday 28 July 1886

STRIKE IN THE OIL TRADE.

Eight hundred men employed at Clippen’s oil company’s works, Loanhead, near Glasgow, struck work against a ten per cent. reduction in wages. A similar reduction had been accepted by the men in the Midlothian works.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 29 July 1886

THE STRIKE OF CLIPPENS MINERS.

A mass meeting of Clippens miners was held today in the Volunteer Hall, Loanhead, Mr William Bullock in the chair, when the men discussed their grievances, and resolved to hold out and accept no reduction. Mr Gillon, checkweighman, stated that the Clippens was the only oil work in Scotland where wages had been reduced. A deputation had been sent round most of the oilworks in Scotland, and it was found that, although Clippens men had to work under exceptional grievances, they received lower wages than the others. While the others only gave 20cwt. to the ton they gave 22. The full reduction would therefore be from 12 to 20 per cent. instead of 10 per cent. In addition to this, the men objected to the "crow-picking" system, which largely reduced their wages and caused the loss of from 8 to 10 tons a day to a company of men. They thought that nothing should be deducted until they had one cwt. of dirt in the tubs. The rents for the company's cottages were paid one month advance, and that was the reason of the managers not ejecting them. - Mr Bulloch said the Clippens was the "victimised oilwork." The men, unanimously resolved not to hold any meetings until the managers sent for them. This is understood to mean that they will hold out until their demands are granted.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 29 July 1886

LOANHEAD.

MINERS' STRIKE. – In consequence of the reduction of miners' wages the shale miners of the Clippens Oil Works have not been working since Monday. As the result from the stoppage of the supply of shale the retorts have had to be shut down and the workmen in this department have also been thrown idle. On Monday, 19th inst., a deputation waited on the Clippens Oil Company's manager, Mr Craig, and intimated that unless the notice of the reduction in the wages was withdrawn, the miners in the company's three shale pits would abstain from working. Mr Craig said he would consult the directors before giving a reply. The men, who had not been working during the interval, returned on Wednesday, and were informed by the manager that the directors were resolved to carry out the reductions. Since that time matters have been at a deadlock. No further communication has taken place between the parties, and the miners, of whom there were about 600 working in the company's pit, have continued on strike. The want of shale threw the men above ground out of work also, and in a few days retort men and labourers to the number of from 100 to 150 were idle. Altogether, close on 800 men—some estimates put it considerably higher—were thrown out of employment in connection with the strike. About 100 of the miners, and a considerable number of the retortmen and labourers, have already left for other places in search of work. The °oncost" men—that is, those employed in keeping roads, &c., in proper order in mines—are still employed, and so are a number of those about the works above ground. More than half of the retorts at the Oil Works, however, have been allowed to cool down, and unless some change in the situation occur very quickly, probably the same course will have to be followed with the other retorts. Should these be allowed to cool altogether, the loss to the company, already considerable, will be more serious. Meanwhile the loss to the men in wages is between £700 and £800 weekly. The miners hold that, considering the high dividends oil companies have been able to pay lately, there was no necessity for the present reduction of wages; while the position of the company is that the oil trade has been suffering from the general depression as other industries, and that the united action of the coalmasters in reducing the mens' wages left them no choice. The contest has so far been conducted with the greatest moderation on both sides. Since they struck work the men have been most quiet and orderly. About 300 of them occupy houses belonging to the company at rents varying from 1s 6d to 2s 6d per week. These men have no lease except the company’s pleasure, but there is no thought of ejecting them as has been done to men on strike in other parts of the country lately.

Lanarkshire Upper Ward Examiner - Saturday 04 September 1886

STRIKE AT CLIPPENS OILWORKS.

The strike, which has now lasted for six weeks, still continues without signs of either party giving way. As will be remembered, the masters wished to reduce the wages of the employès, and the men objected to it on the ground that the reduction was unjustifiable, as none of the other companies had reduced the wages of their men, and that in any case the reduction was so great (being from 12 ½ to 20 per cent.) that the men could not make a wage to support their families. The miners and their families are subsisting on subscriptions collected at the public works in the Lothians. It is calculated that the loss through circulation of money in the district has up till date been over £6000.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 11 September 1886

CLIPPENS OIL WORKS.

A notice has been posted up at the Clippens Oil Works, in which the directors of the company state that they regret very much the position they have to take up with the employés at Clippens, and that "during the continuance of the strike they will be unable to give employment to many of the workers in the various departments. The wages paid to miners at Pentland are higher than in most of their shale pits, and the recent reduction that was made amongst the Lothian miners, our miners were the only men who refused to accept that reduction."

The Scotsman - Tuesday 14 September 1886

THE WAGES OF MINERS IN THE LOTHIANS.

September 13, 1886.

SIR, —In reference to the paragraph which appeared in your issue of Saturday respecting the present relation subsisting between the masters and men at the Clippens Oil Works, Loanhead , I have been requested by a few of the men on strike to point out the erroneous tendency of its concluding sentence.

It seems to be a sufficient reason to the directors that, since the wages of the coal miners in the Lothians were being reduced 10 per cent, the shale miners should be reduced not only 10 per cent., but from 12 to 20 per cent. The following figures as to the proposed reduction of prices will speak for themselves. They have been supplied to me by six representative men belonging to Clippens mines:—

Levels at a £1 per fathom are proposed to be reduced 4s. per fathom. These levels are also paid 1s. 8d. per ton, to be reduced 2d. (twopence) per ton. Common places worked at 2s. per ton, to be reduced 3d. per ton. The miners deny there is any ground for these sweeping reductions at the present time, and are strongly of opinion that the present state of the oil trade justifies the categorical "No" implied in their recent action.

Again, the coal and oil trades arc not one, as it seems to be implied in the directors' notice; they are really distinct, and they had better not be assimilated, at least for the purposes of unwarrantable reductions. The crucial question is — Does the present state of the oil trade warrant so great a reduction of the present wages of the shale miner? The question is not — What is the present state of the coal trade in the Lothians, or anywhere else? The miners, as one of the contracting parties, want to know the grounds of the proposed reductions. They are right: and the director cannot much complain if they decline to accept the state of the coal trade in the Lothians as sufficient grounds for reductions, on the average, of about 16 per cent. – I am, &c. R.B.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 14 September 1886

THE CLIPPENS MINERS' DISPUTE.

MEETING LOANHEAD.

A meeting of the miners employed at Clippens Oil Works was held to-day in the Volunteer Hall, Loanhead - Mr William Bulloch in the chair. The chairman stated that a number of the men had received notices to leave their houses, and if not, there would be legal proceedings taken. The situation was desperate, but he hoped that it would have nothing to do with their object—to do what was right and just. — Mr Gibb stated that the manager had intimated to him that he was willing to withdraw half of the reduction, and that when the other collieries received the whole they would get it also. He (Mr Gibb) thought they had better accept of the half than lose the whole. He therefore moved that they should take one half at present, on the understanding that they should get the other half when the other miners get it. ("Never, never," and hisses.) —Mr Thomson moved, as an amendment, that a stand should be made until the whole of the reduction be withdrawn. (Applause.) — Mr Bowie, who spoke in support of the motion, said that the question to be settled was whether it was better just now to meet the company half way, or to stand out until the whole of the reduction be withdrawn. — Mr Gillon thought that the manager had shown himself wrong so far by offering to withdraw half of the reduction. The manager had at first refused arbitration and every possible way of settling the dispute, but now he tried to make a compromise when he was on his last "kick." (Laughter.) — After some discussion, the amendment was carried by a large majority. This was all the business. — We understand that the men have been in communication with two of the leading football clubs in Edinburgh in reference to the playing of a match for the benefit of the men on strike. The matter is to come before the committees of the clubs in a few days. The men are very grateful for the subscriptions which they have hitherto received. Relief was given to about 260 men last week, but every day some of the men are leaving the village. In consequence of this, business in Loanhead has suffered greatly. Since the commencement of the strike, nine weeks ago, about 300 men have left the district.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 20 September 1886

THE CLIPPENS MINERS. —The dispute between the employers and workmen at Clippens Oil Works continues, and there is no sign of settlement being come to. Last week the men took all their tools away from the works, and seem to be determined to hold out. No further action has been taken with reference to the notices which were received, warning the men to leave the company's houses.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 29 September 1886

THE STRIKE AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS.

The strike of shale miners at Clippens Oil Works still continues, an attempt at negotiation between the miners and the company's officials having fallen through. Some time ago the company intimated that they would give the miners 2s per fathom and 1d per ton on the original reduction, but the men declined, and, through deputation the other day, they made the counter-proposal that they would resume work for another penny per ton. This compromise was in turn declined by the directors. The original reduction proposed was 10 per cent., but the men assert that it amounted to considerably more than this. The strike has lasted over ten weeks, and nearly half of the men on strike have left the locality for other work. It is reported that the men are getting aliment from a relief fund, and also that there is a probability of the married men in the company's houses being ejected.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 30 September 1886

THE STRIKE at CLIPPENS OIL WORKS.

To-day, at 10 o'clock, the men strike at Clippens Oil Works met in the Volunteer Hall, Loanhead — Mr Thos. Bowie in the chair. Fully 300 men were present. After a good deal of discussion it was unanimously agreed, on the motion of Mr Gibb, that a written statement containing the following proposals be handed by a deputation to the managers to-day : "That the men will resume work if one half (viz. 1½d) of the reduction, be given back, and other grievance as to tonnage be settled, and that the men are willing to work five days per week instead of four, which is the number appointed by the miners’ board.”

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 01 October 1886

THE STRIKE AT CLIPPENS.

PROPOSED EJECTMENT.

The strike of miners at the Clippens Oil Works, which has lasted for more than ten week, still continues, neither employers nor employed showing any inclination to yield. It is understood, however, that the directors of the Oil Company have given orders for the ejectment of the miners from their houses. The strike as has already been stated, arose in consequence of an announcement that the Company had decided to make a reduction of 10 per cent. on the miner's wages. This course, the officials maintain, was rendered necessary, on account of the low prices which they were obtaining for products, and also because of the prevailing trade depression. They add that the rate of wages hitherto paid the Clippens miners has been higher than that of most of the other large oil companies in Scotland; and that the coalmasters of the surrounding district have made a similar reduction on wages, which had been accepted by the men. The reduction is resisted by the miners chiefly on the ground that their wages would be so small that they would be unable to maintain their wives and families, and that the reduction in reality amounts to more than 10 per cent. About three weeks ago the company offered the miners 2s per fathom and a penny per ton of the original reduction, but the men would not accept it. A few days ago a deputation of the miners waited on the officials of the company and represented to them that the men were willing to resume work for another penny per ton on the original reduction. This was laid before the directors, who refused to give any more than they had already offered. The proposed reduction will reduce the average wage, which was 24s weekly, by 2s per week. The number of men on strike is about 600 and of these 300 hare left the place, having secured employment in the harvest field or at other works. None of the men who came out on strike at first have returned to the works. The aliment given from the relief fund is 2s 6d for married men and 1s for single. There has as yet been no disturbance of any kind as the result of the strike.

PROPOSALS BY THE MEN.

A meeting of the miners was held at Loanhead yesterday. It was unanimously agreed that a written statement of the following proposals, be handed to the managers of the Company :—"That the men are willing to resume work if one half – three-halfpence — of the reduction be given back, and the grievances as to tonnage, &c.., remedied; also that they were willing to work five days per week." A deputation was appointed to wait on the managers later in the day. The effects of the strike are being pretty keenly felt in Loanhead and district and an amicable settlement is earnestly desired.

Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette - Monday 04 October 1886

The strike at Clippens Oil Works, which has lasted eleven weeks, has now come to an end, matters in dispute having been adjusted, and work is to be resumed to-day.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 07 October 1886

THE CLIPPENS MINERS DISPUTE. – A settlement between the managers and workmen at Clippens Oil Works has been come to, after a strike of 11 weeks. The men resumed work on Monday morning, and we understand that they get at present 1½d or one half of the reduction back, the other half to be forthcoming when the Lothian miners get it. A favourable settlement has also been come to with reference to the deductions for dirt. The men are to work five days a week and eight hours per day.

Fifeshire Advertiser - Friday 20 January 1888

MINERS’ MEETING AT LOANHEAD.

A meeting of the Clippens miners was held in the New Public Hall, Loanhead, on Friday night to send a deputation to the manager, asking back the 2d on the ton which was taken off them for taking a holiday on the occasion of the Jubilee in June last. A meeting is to be held next Thursday to hear the answer of the deputation.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 26 January 1888

THE CLIPPENS MINERS.

SUNDAY NIGHT WORKING.

A meeting of the Clippens miners was held in the New Public Hall, Loanhead, last Thursday night, to hear the answer of the deputation which was sent to Mr M’Gill, the manager, at the beginning of the week. The points submitted to the manager were two - the getting back of 2d a ton which was taken off them last summer; and, secondly, what he intended to take with regard to the Sunday night working whirl was lately begun at the Clippens, and which the majority of the men are said to be very much against. On the wage question, Mr M’Gill said for his own part he would be very glad to see the men get the rise, and if the other shale works in the country gave it the Clippens would certainly not be behind. The present time, however, was, he thought, rather premature for the men to ask it, but he would lay their request before the directors, and give their reply as soon as possible. Regarding Sunday night working he assured them it was a blank loss to the company, but he stated that a number of the men had come to him and asked leave to work on the Sunday night, so that if the men had their few against it he had his few for it. The deputation explained to him that the voice of the meeting held last Friday night was decidedly against the Sunday night work. In giving their answer to the meeting the deputation were of opinion that If the men combined together the rise of twopence on the ton would soon be forthcoming. On the question of Sunday night working it was carried that it be no longer continued.

Glasgow Herald - Saturday 28 December 1889

JOHNSTONE COOPERS – The Clippens Oil Company, near Johnstone, has agreed to increase the wages of their coopers ½d per hour, commencing with the new year.

Dundee Courier - Monday 12 May 1890

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

A dispute which threatens to end in a strike is at present pending between the Clippens Oil Company and their men. It appears that within the last fortnight four men have been dismissed, and, as Mr Archibald, lately appointed general manager, has, it is said, been heard to express the intention that he would clear the place of every man connected with the Union, it is thought that these dismissals are an inauguration of the threat. The miners have agreed that unless the dismissed men are reinstated they will cease work on the 17th inst.

Dundee Courier - Thursday 15 May 1890

The Clippens Oil Works.—An amicable settlement has been made in connection with the dispute between the winding enginemen at Clippens Oil Works and Mr Archibald, the manager. As the result of a conference between Mr Archibald and the District Secretary of the Enginemen's Union, the three men who were dismissed and one who was on his warning have been reinstated, and the men are to receive as wages 5s per day.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 16 March 1891

STRIKE AT THE CLIPPENS OIL WORKS.

About a fortnight ago it was rumoured that a man who had taken employment with one of the railway companies during the late strike in the Cambuslang district was to be brought to start an engine at Clippens Oil Works. He has been "imported," as the men term it, to the Clippens district, and the 18 engine-keepers employed by the company have given in notice of their intention to stop work consequence. During the railway strike the engine keepers assured the railway men they would assist them in any way they could, and they are carrying out their assurance, they say. The men are members of the Roslin Casle Engine-keepers’ Association, and will receive considerable allowances. They are determined to resist the action of the company in bringing in this man, and have therefore decided to strike.

Lanarkshire Upper Ward Examiner - Saturday 21 March 1891

ENGINE-KEEPERS RESIGN IN A BODY. - A “blackleg” engine-keeper having been engaged from the Cambuslang district by the Clippens Oil Company to take charge of the large compound pumping engine, a meeting of the winding-keepers belonging to the Roslin branch of the Lothians Association was held at Loanhead on Saturday, when the whole of the winding engine-keepers, eighteen in number, tendered their resignations, to take effect on Saturday next, unless the so-called blackleg is dismissed.

Glasgow Evening Post - Monday 23 March 1891

At the last moment the threatened strike at the Clippens Oil-Works was averted, the company and the engine-keepers agreeing to refer the dispute to arbitration.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 27 March 1891

The threatened strike at the Clippens has happily been averted by the wise decision on the part of the men and masters to submit the matter to arbitration. It is to be hoped that this manner of settling trade disputes may become more powerful than the last resort of a strike, and that the employers and the employés may see that their best interests are most fully served by recognising the fact that they are not mutually antagonistic but really helpful to one another.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 28 March 1891

CLIPPENS OIL WORKERS AND THE “BLACKLEG”.

The difficulty which has been experienced for some time over the appointment as an engineer at the Clippens Oilworks of a man who accepted employment with the railway companies during the recent strike, has this morning been removed. A week ago it was resolved to refer the question of whether the man should or should not be retained in the employment of the oil company to arbiters, and the men appointed Mr John Nisbet, of Buchanan's Hotel, Edinburgh. It is stated that the company did not show much alacrity in appointing their arbiter, and that when he was appointed he turned out to be the company’s law agent, with the result that Mr Nisbet refused to act along with him. There was thus danger of a deadlock between the parties, as the men declined to work any longer alongside a man who, they say, was a “blackleg” in the railway strike. Accordingly, they last night resolved that the notice which they gave to cease work this morning should take effect, and that they would come out on strike. This morning the men were prepared to carry this resolution into effect, and they refrained from working, but meanwhile, at six o’clock, Mr Walker, the secretary of the secretary of the Lothians’ Winding Engine-Keepers' Association, had an interview with Mr Gordon, the manager of the Oilworks, at which it was agreed that the man to whom objection was taken should be removed from the engine. This was done, and the engine-keepers at once resumed.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 12 February 1892

CLIPPENS MINERS AND THEIR WAGES. - A meeting of the shale miners in the employment of the Clippens Oil Company was held in Loanhead Public Hall on Wednesday evening. Mr A. Wilson was called to the chair, and there was a large attendance. Mr William Hyslop reported on behalf of himself and other six or seven men, that they had been called together by the manager, who laid before them that, in view of the present financial position of the company, the directors thought the men might consent to a reduction of 10 per cent., which would help the company to tide over its difficulties. He also mentioned that there was a possible 15 per cent. reduction looming in the distance, and he undertook that, if the men agreed to the present reduction, they would not suffer this 15 per cent. one. On the question being put to the meeting they decided by a large majority not to accept the reduction, and a deputation was instructed to carry this decision to the manager. A working committee of twelve was also appointed by the meeting to conduct whatever other negotiations may be found necessary between masters and men in the matter.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 25 February 1892

CLIPPENS MINERS AND THE PROPOSED REDUCTION. – Last Thursday evening a second meeting of the Clippens shale miners was held in the New Public Hall, Loanhead to further consider the proposed reduction of wages. The chairman said that the meeting was called to consider the reply of the manager to the deputation which conveyed the decision of the former meeting to him. When that decision was conveyed to him the manager said he thought the men might at least meet the Company half way, and agree to a five per cent. in place of a 10 per cent. reduction. One of the deputation confirmed this statement, adding that the manager said the Company had no desire to force the reduction, and that they left it to the goodwill of the men. A miner proposed that they submit to no reduction whatever, and this was seconded. The chairman asked if there was any amendment, and none being forthcoming, be put the motion to the meeting, and nearly every hand went held up in favour of it. He declared the motion unanimously carried.

The Scotsman - Monday 09 May 1892

CLIPPENS WINDING ENGINE-KEEPERS.

On Saturday a meeting of the night duty members of Roslin Castle branch of the United Engine-keepers' Mutual Protection Association was held at Bilston to consider the answer which had been given to a deputation appointed to inquire as to the extent of the proposed reduction of wages by the Clippens Oil Company at Straiton. The deputation had been informed that the engine-keepers would share in the reduction, as it was intended that all classes of the workmen should be included in it. At the meeting on Saturday, as also at a meeting of day duty men held the previous evening, it was agreed to support the Clippens engine-keepers in resisting the proposed reduction, it being considered that no sufficient reason had been shown for a deviation from the standard wages of 5s. per shift agreed to with the associated engine-keepers about two years ago.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 13 May 1892

LOANHEAD.

THE CLIPPENS MINERS AND THEIR WAGES. —

Yesterday afternoon a very largely attended meeting of the miners in the employment of the Clippens Oil Company was held in the Public Hall, Loanhead, for the purpose of considering the recent reduction of ten per cent. in the wages. Mr P. Welsh presided, and Mr Wilson, miners' agent, Broxburn, was present, and in the course of an interesting address gave some account of shale mining, and while he said the coal miners had had their wages advanced fifty per cent, one of the reasons given by the masters for refusing the last advance asked was that the raw material, because of the rises given to the coal miners, had so increased in value that they could not at the present time give the rise to their employees. If that was the reason for refusing the rise at that time it ought at the present time to furnish a reason for giving the shale miners a rise instead of a reduction. He concluded by making a motion to the effect that they go to work as usual and accept the reduction, meanwhile perfecting their organisation by joining the Mid and West Lothians Shale Miners Association. This was agreed to by the meeting, only some four hands being held up against it. It was further agreed to be idle on Saturday four weeks hence. Mr Wilson promised, if they were progressing favourably and held a meeting in a fortnight, he would attend.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 13 April 1893

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY AND THEIR WORKMEN.

The liquidators of the Clippens Oil Company Limited have to-day intimated a 10 per cent. reduction to their employees, and failing acceptance by the men, the works will be closed. This has been rendered necessary by the action of a certain section of the miners taking an idle day to compel the liquidators to dismiss a "crowpicker" who has recently been put on to check dirty shale. By their action the miners (says an official intimation) would seem to add to the great difficulties the liquidators have experienced in keeping the works going by taking idle days, and the possible result of such a policy on the part of the men will be that the Clippens Works will follow the West Lothian and Burntisland Works and become extinct.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 17 April 1893

THE CRISIS AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS.

At a meeting of the men engaged in the refinery at the Clippens Oil Works on Saturday, numbering upwards of 250, it was decided not to accept the reduction which has been given notice of by the liquidators, and if they maintain this position the works will close on Thursday, as it will be needless to work the mines if the refinery is not going. In Loanhead and district the opinion prevails that the men will not accept the reduction. These appear to consider that the alternative mentioned to accepting the reduction is merely a threat. A meeting of the men will be held this afternoon.

The Scotsman - Monday 17 April 1893

THE CLIPPENS SHALE MINES.

As mentioned on Saturday, the liquidators of the Clippens Oil Company have given notice to the manager at Straiton that if the miners go out on strike rather than accept the proposed reduction, be is immediately to close the mines. The reduction, if agreed to, will come into force on Thursday. On a rough estimate, the average wage all over at the mines is 5s, 6d per day , and the proposed reduction is 10 per cent. where the weekly wage is from 25s. upwards, and 5 per cent. where the wage is under 25s. a week. On Saturday the men engaged at the refinery, who number about 250, intimated that they would not accept the reduction, and if they do not give way their engagement will terminate on Thursday morning, when the night shift which goes on duty on Wednesday evening ceases work. Unless the refinery is kept going there will be no use in working the mines, so that as matters stand at present the outlook is not bright. Indeed, the prevailing opinion is that the men will not agree to the reduction, and they evidently regard the alternative of closing the mines as a mere threat. The notice by the liquidators of the reduction was forced, it is stated, by the action of certain of the men who took a holiday last Thursday to force the liquidators to dismiss a "crowpicker” who had been put on to check the output of dirty shale, and who, the men averred, was not fit for the work. The manager agreed to put away the “crowpicker”, and the section of the miners, numbering about 300, resumed work on Friday, but in compliance with the orders of the liquidators they drew their "graith" on Saturday, and will not be allowed to resume work till Thursday. As matters at present stand, there is therefore a reduction in the staff at Straiton, which usually numbers over 1100 men, of whom about 650 are underground workers, about 250 (mechanics and others) are employed on the surface, and about 250 are engaged in the refining process. A meeting of the men will be held this afternoon.

Glasgow Evening Post - Tuesday 18 April 1893

Clippens miners last night agreed to request the liquidators to withdraw the proposed 10 per cent. reduction, and to meet again on Thursday morning to hear the manager’s reply.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 18 April 1893

CLIPPENS OIL WORKERS AND THEIR WAGES.

A meeting of the men employed at Straiton, Mortonhall, Pentland, and No. 8 Mines, belonging to the Clippens Oil Company, now in liquidation, was held on Pentland Green last night for the purpose of considering what action should be taken in view of the threatened 10 per cent. reduction of wages. One of the workers from Straiton was elected chairman, and there was a large attendance. A strong feeling was manifested against the proposed reduction. One of the Straiton workers proposed that instead of having their wages reduced 10 per cent. the workers should ask to have them increased by that amount. Another motion was proposed to the effect that the liquidators should be requested to withdraw their proposals, and, in the event of a refusal, that all men should stop working that evening. In the course of the proceedings severe comment was made on the reductions which had been imposed during the past year. It was also maintained by some that the oil trade was in a better position than when the former reductions were made. One of the workers, referring to the statement that they were able to earn 5s 6d a day, denied this, and said that the utmost they could earn was 3s. In some cases, he said, after paying the drawer, the miner was out of pocket at the end of an eight hours shift. On a vote it was agreed, by 93 to 56, to request the liquidators to withdraw the proposed reduction. A deputation then waited on the manager at the works, communicating the resolution to him. The deputation, however, informed the meeting that the manager was unable to give them any answer till he had communicated with the liquidators to-day; but he offered put the men in communication with the liquidators. The Straiton men then discussed what course they should adopt, when, by a majority, they agreed to continue working till Thursday morning, so that the manager might have time to communicate with the liquidators, a motion to stop working this evening being lost by 47 votes. A deputation was appointed to wait on the liquidators. During the discussion it was unanimously agreed to carry through the struggle without any outside assistance, a suggestion that John Wilson, Broxburn, should called in, being met by adverse cries.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 18 April 1893

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE THREATENED STRIKE AT CLIPPENS OILWORKS.

"Commercial Traveller" writes: When at Loanhead the other day I learned that the liquidator of the Clippens Oil Company had given notice that 10 per cent. reduction all round (officials included) was about to enforced. I also learned that a majority the men intended to resent this by striking. Now, sir, let us look at the situation. The village of Loanhead and the surrounding districts are to a large extent dependent on this company continuing business. Owing to the deplorable state the oil trade for some time back, this company, like others, has been forced into liquidation, and in the natural course of events their works would be closed, unless the liquidator could show was possible to make the business pay. After three or four months' trial, the liquidator has evidently come to the conclusion that the rate of wages is too high, when compared with the prices he is getting for the products of the company. Surely, sir, it would not be to the best interests of the men to strike at such a critical time. If the men do not agree to the reduction (which may be only temporary), the liquidator, it would appear, has only one alternative left, namely, the final winding-up of the company. What then will be the position of the men? In the present depressed state of trade, I am afraid they will find it rather difficult to find work any sort elsewhere. Suppose the men accept the reduction. Undoubtedly they will earn a slightly smaller wage, but it will be vastly superior to strike pay, and will enable the liquidator to reconstruct and keep the company going. It is generally believed that the oil trade has touched its lowest point, and that an improvement is likely to set in soon. Now, would it not be better for the men in every way to accept the reduction, and thereby keep the company in existence, and when the improvement in prices comes, then will be the time for the men demand the 10 per cent. back. The men are not the only sufferers through the misfortunes of this company. The shareholders have received no dividend for years, and now they have lost the whole of their capital. I would advise the men to seriously consider those points before rushing into a strike, in which they cannot—in this case at present—gain their point; but which will only mean the permanent loss of their work in the district and the final closing of the works.

The Scotsman - Wednesday 19 April 1893

TRADE AFFAIRS.

THE DISPUTE AT THE CLIPPENS SHALE MINES

Another meeting of the men employed at the Straiton, Mortonhall, Pentland, and No. 8 mines of the Clippens Oil Company was held yesterday evening, for the purpose of considering their position in view of the dispute now pending between the liquidators of the Company and the miners owing to the threatened reduction of wages of 10 per cent. Pentland Green was the scene of the meeting, and, as on the previous evening, there was a large attendance of workers. One of the Straiton miners was called to the chair, and on his suggestion a member of the deputation appointed at the meeting the previous evening to wait upon the liquidators was asked to give a report. The report in question was to the effect that the deputation had that day had an interview with Mr Gordon, the manager, who had them of having received a communication from the liquidators, in which they said that no purpose could be served by an interview between them and the men’s representatives. Messrs Armour & Tait had, in effect, said that their attitude did not admit of any alteration. If the men did not accept the terms offered them, then the liquidators said, their decision to close the whole works on Thursday (to-morrow) would be carried out. The CHAIRMAN said, in regard to the average statement in question, he had a suggestion to make. It was that two miners should be appointed from each section of the pits to go over the books along with the “justice-men,” in order that they might take an average of the wages for the eight weeks ending with the last week in March. He did not hesitate to say that if this were done the average, instead of standing at the figure brought out in the statement in the manager’s hands, would be replaced by something like 1s. 6d. or 1s. 9d. a day. Another of the deputation supported the suggestion of the chairman on the ground that as the manager had confronted the representatives of the men with a wages statement, the men themselves should have something to say in the drawing up of an “average” which would express what they believed to be the real state of matters. The course suggested by the chairman was unanimously adopted, and a committee, consisting of two men from each section of the works, was appointed to draw up an average wages statement on behalf of the men. It was resolved that the committee appointed by the meeting should report to a general meeting to be held in Loanhead tomorrow (Thursday) forenoon. The men, before dispersing re-affirmed their resolution of the previous day, to the effect that if the proposed reduction of 10 per cent. was insisted upon, they should lift their “graith” and cease work at two o’clock this afternoon and at six o’clock tomorrow morning. Towards the close of the proceedings, Mr John Wilson, the Broxburn miners’ agent, came upon the ground. His presence was noticed by many of the men, but he was not asked by the chairman to take any part in the meeting. Inquiry at the manager’s office yesterday elicited the fact that the liquidators are resolved to close the works to-morrow if the reduction of 10 per cent. is not accepted by the miners, and in their communication advising Mr Gordon of this, Messrs Armour & Tait give instructions as to the course to be taken for having the works shut up in that contingency.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 20 April 1893

LOCK-OUT AT CLIPPENS OIL-WORKS.

The condition of affairs among the miners at the Clippens Oil-Works has now taken a serious turn. Last night the manager received instructions to dismiss the officials, work up the mining stock on hand, shut the benches of retorts, and close the works unless the men resumed work to - day. The men have not resumed work, and steps are being taken to practically close the works. Three benches of retorts are kept going to work out the stuff in hand. Gangs of men are hanging about the street corners discussing matters to-day. There are in all about 100 who will be locked out if work is not resumed.

Glasgow Evening Post - Friday 21 April 1893

Clippens Shale Miners Strike.

(From, Our Own Correspondent.)

DALKEITH, 12.30.— On inquiry at Clippens Oil Company to-day it was ascertained that it is possible the closing of Straiton, Pentland, Morton Hall, and Loanhead pits will be very temporary. The delegates appointed at a mass meeting yesterday have been allowed an interview this forenoon, in Edinburgh, with Mr Armour, of Glasgow, and Mr Tait. This is proceeding, the outcome being anxiously awaited. Few men are about the works, only one or two retorts being kept going. Nearly 1,200 men are idle.

How the Dispute Arose.

Concerning the Shale miners strike Fairplay describes the situation critically thus: - There seems to be no limit to the folly of working men nowadays when they fancy they can boss the show. The affairs of the Clippens Oil Company have been referred to here, and also the arrangement that the liquidators should carry on the works for a few months, to work up material and have a chance of realising as a going concern. The other day some of the shale-miners formulated a demand for the dismissal of a stranger, and the liquidators refusing to submit to the dictation of the employes, the men began a system of vexatious tactics and “idle days,” which has so complicated the estate and added to the difficulties of liquidation, that it has been decided to shut up the works altogether, after the example of the West Lothian and Burntisland Companies. An alternative course has been proposed of a reduction of 10 per cent. in wages all round.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 21 April 1893

There has, very unfortunately at this time, arisen a dispute at the Clippens Oil Works, which is terminating to-day in the shutting down of one of the important industries of the neighbourhood. Some time ago the manager, Mr Gordon, felt compelled in the interests of the Company to put on a crow picker to check the output of dirty shale. The man chosen was not a favourite with the miners and they took an idle day—the result of which was a large loss to the company. The liquidators at once imposed a reduction of 10 per cent., and at the same time the obnoxious crow picker was removed. On Saturday the men in the refinery department, numbering about 250, intimated that they would not accept the reduction. The alternative held out by the liquidators to the men accepting the reduction is the shutting down of the works and this would mean an immense loss to the district. The men have determined to adhere to their resolution to refuse the reduction and the liquidators have fulfilled their threat of stopping the concern altogether. This is a pity indeed, alike for both sides, and some means ought to have been found to prevent it.

The Scotsman - Friday 21 April 1893

TRADE AFFAIRS

STRIKE AT CLIPPENS SHALE MINES.

The men employed at Clippens Oilworks have refused to agree to the reduction of 10 per cent. proposed by the liquidators of the Company, and came out on strike yesterday. In accordance with the instructions issued by the liquidators to the manager, the works are, therefore, being closed . At noon yesterday a public meeting of the men was held in the new hall, Loanhead, and was largely attended. A Straiton miner presided, and in his opening statement expressed a hope that the men would adopt a policy that would become beneficial to the workmen and the Company . He defied the liquidators to say that the men were the parties who closed the works. One of the deputation to the manager as to the average wage of the miners narrated what occurred at the interviews with the manager on Monday and Tuesday, and stated that the manager brought out the average wage as something from 9s. 3d. to 4s. 6d. These were the highest and lowest figures. It was pointed out to the manager that there were some drawers who worked twelve hours every day, and that when the miners’ expenses were taken off the manager’s average the amount was brought down to a great deal less. Several reports were submitted regarding the average wage. These showed that taking an average of six days per week of eight hours per shift, the wage in some of the pits was during the last few weeks from 3s. 11d. to 5s. a day. A STRAITON MINER said that the matter as to the “crowpicker” had been put as a reason why 10 per cent. reduction should be imposed. It was now, however, alleged that the works could not be carried on if the reduction was not agreed to. Why, he asked, did the Company some short time ago go in for reconstruction if the works could not be carried on at a profit? The market was rising, sulphate of ammonia had gone up in price, so had oil, and the price of coal had not risen. Where, then, was the ground, in the face of a rising market, for imposing a 10 per cent. reduction? The Company averaged all the men at eleven shifts per fortnight, and did not take into account what the miner had to pay for powder, for justice men, and for other matters. If the liquidators intended to shut the works down if the men did not submit, why did they begin to boycott the men by preventing them from getting work elsewhere? Men had been refused work at another place because they belonged to Clippens. He was in favour of the appointment of an arbitration board for the purposes of considering the dispute. The men bad been driven to desperation and they were in favour of a reasonable method of settling the dispute. (Applause.) He suggested the names of several gentlemen who should be asked to approach the liquidators, and ask them to consent to the appointment of a board of arbitration, and made a motion to that effect. A PENTLAND MINER seconded the motion. Mr JOHN WILSON, Broxburn, said that to have a fair view of the case, two or three things must be considered. The first was that Clippens Company were like the miners, and had as little to gain by a strike as any person. Blood could not be taken out of a stone. There was not a shareholder of the Clippens Company twelve months ago who thought it would be in liquidation today. The scheme of probable reconstruction of the Company meant that the present assets were going practically into the hands of the creditors, and the poor shareholders were not even to have a vote unless by the special permission of those who held the nominal stock. That was to say, the old Clippens Company, which the miners were now trying to fight, was as dead for all practical purposes as Julius Caesar, and the present liquidator held the concern on behalf of the creditors. It did not matter to him (Mr Wilson) personally whether the men went on strike, but he did not wish the men to go upon the assumption that they could make a dead horse give them sovereigns. He pointed out the position of the Burntisland Oil Company, and stated that if the Clippens men would not agree to the reduction, the liquidator would have to bid good-bye to any scheme of reconstruction. The reduction in the price of scale was far and away too heavy to be put against the advance in sulphate of ammonia and oil. Besides, no benefit could be reaped from these advanced prices this season. This was the end of the mineral oil season, and if they intended to strike they write they could not have chosen a worse time. He moved as an amendment that the Clippens miners resume work, and observe that day fortnight as a general holiday to consider the present state of the oil trade, and devise means, if possible, to get back half the reduction, and adopt measures to prevent any further reduction in their wages, and secure an advance as soon as they considered the oil trade warranted it. A strike at the present moment was, he stated, the most foolish policy they could adopt. The amendment was seconded. Before a vote was taken, a considerable number of the men had left the meeting, and on a division, the motion was carried by 153 to 66. A deputation, consisting of four outsiders and a miner, were then appointed to wait on the liquidators

Glasgow Herald - Friday 21 April 1893

LABOUR AFFAIRS.

THE CRISIS AT THE CLIPPENS PITS _ 1100 MEN IDLE.

The dispute at the Clippens Oil Company’s works reached a crisis yesterday, when, in accordance with a resolution arrived at by the employers, a proposed reduction of 10 per cent. made by the liquidators – Mr Armour, Glasgow, and Mr Tait, Edinburgh, was rejected. The action of the men will be much felt in Loanhead and vicinity, as altogether there are over 1100 people employed by the company, and the weekly bill for wages amounts to about £2000. The liquidators in arriving at their determination to reduce the wages based their action of the ground that it would be impossible to continue the works except at a loss, and that a loss would othey do not get more than about 4s or 4s 6d. The men point out that the company in arriving at nly be obviated by the acceptance of the reduced wage scale. The men, on the other hand, contend that the acceptance of a reduction would almost amount to the receipt of a wage which could not maintain them. The officials of the mines state that on a general average the men earn 5s 6d a day, while the employes declare this is an overstatement, and that they do not get more than about 4s or 4s 6d. The men point out that the company in arriving at their statement of the average wage fail to take into account various items, including payments for drawers, &c. They also complain that during the past year they have been subjected to two reductions of wages. It was not expected that the miners would accept the company’s proposal, and indeed the men generally were believed to consider that the company’s intimation of closing the works was a mere threat.

Yesterday, however, the workmen and the trading community alike saw the carrying into effect of the orders of the manager. As the men still employed left their work this morning arrangements were at once set agoing to shut down the pits and bring the whole operations at the works to what, it is hoped, will be but a temporary standstill. Groups of idle workmen were assembled at various parts of Loanhead in the earlier parts of yesterday, the prospect before them being, of course, the one subject considered by the men.

A mass meeting of the men was held in the afternoon in the Public Hall, which was packed with some 600 men. A workman was called to the chair. The Chairman said the Clippens Oil Company did not seem to scruple to put a burden on their workmen which they were unable to bear. If they felt the company’s offer an unjust one, he said they should stand up together, and if they fell they would fall together (Cheers.) The eyes of the whole of the miners of Scotland were fixed upon them. They were not to blame for the shutting down of the pits. As a deputation had told the manager, the men could not accept of the 10 per cent. reduction, and were resolved to stoutly resist it. (Cheers.) Their manager had submitted some figures to show that the men were paid something like 9s 3d to 4s 6d on an average per day. But he (the chairman) had found that the average for the last six weeks was 3s 9d in one case; in another 3s 9d; in another 3s 11d; and in another 5s 11d. The average of the shale miners was 17s 4d per week. A miner near the front of the hall said there was a good deal of misunderstanding on the part of the public regarding the strike, because it was alleged that the part of the miners had taken was absolutely unjustifiable and would result in the destruction of the trade in the district. The manager himself said that the liquidator was responsible for the reduction, and went on to ask why the company went in for a scheme of reconstruction if they could not carry on the works at a profit. Had the directors,, he asked, deceived the debenture holders and creditors. (Cheers.) Since then the market had been rising – sulphate of ammonia and oil had increased in price. In closing the works the liquidators were absolutely destroying the assets of the company (Applause.) Mr John Wilson, Broxburn, who afterwards addressed the meeting, asked the men to consider seriously their position, and pointed out that there were absent in this case the essentials to success, inasmuch as they would be going on strike at the end of the shale season. He also instanced the case of the Burntisland Oil Company as one worthy of consideration, the men there, after reconstruction had been agreed upon, having accepted a 19 per cent. reduction, and yet with them matters had not progressed favourably. In the case of the Clippens the scheme of reconstruction had not yet been definitely settled, and the men were therefore going on strike at a disadvantage. But he was willing to give them all the support he could if they entered upon their struggle in a calm, deliberate manner. (Slight interruption.) A member of committee said he entirely and totally disagreed with what Mr Wilson had been saying. He seemed to desire them to submit; they were not inclined to that. (Cheers.) Another kiner declared that Mr Wilson had come on behalf of the masters. (Disorder.) After further discussion it was agreed by a large majority that the men should resolutely refuse to accept of the company’s proposed reduction of 10 per cent., but that a deputation be appointed to meet with the liquidators either in Edinburgh or Glasgow requesting that the whole matter of wages be referred to a board of arbitration. Meanwhile a committee was appointed to conduct affairs during the strike.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 22 April 1893

THE LOCK-OUT AT CLIPPENS.

A meeting of the men was held this forenoon in the New Hall, Loanhead, where a large company assembled to hear the report of the deputation appointed to wait upon the liquidators in Edinburgh to request arbitration, with view to the settlement of the present dispute. A miner presided, and, in introducing the proceedings, he argued that in the dispute the men had acted in a reasonable way, and not in a pig-headed manner. Imputations had been cast upon them. It was not unnatural that at the present time a kick should have been made by the men at the Clippens, for the present reduction was a reduction that meant 30 per cent. —they had been "broken" 20 per cent. before. Their wages had been reduced to an average of something like 4s 6d per day. They had been driven to desperation, yet they had appealed to reason.

The Rev. Mr Grant, the principal spokesman at yesterday's meeting with the liquidators, said they were met almost at once by the answer from the liquidators that it was impossible for them to agree to arbitration. The answer was final and the answer meant the closing of the Clippens if the men failed to go in. The deputation had not been sent to the directors of a powerful and prosperous company. If they had been he thought the deputation would have been put upon their mettle, and that answer would not have been accepted as final. But they went not to directors; as a matter of fact one company was dead and another was to come into being if the liquidators so decided. He had no doubt the Clippens would be closed if the men held out, and the deputation left with the impression that work ought to be resumed. One of the liquidators would be on the board of the new company, and the other would have an important relation to the company, and both gave their word of honour that it would be advantageous to them to advance the wages of the men as soon as results would enable them to do so. (Applause.) Mr Grant went on to show that the deputation had made it plain that certain matters of irritation were misunderstandings, especially in the case of the recent "holiday.” The deputation felt that something like a Conciliation Board should be in existence for the sake of both sides, and if this agitation resulted in the formation of such a board very considerable gain would accrue to the men at no distant date. It was their recommendation the men should go back. If there was a reduction of 10 per cent., there were some equivalents. While he had spoken of a Conciliation Board, he believed a strong union on the part of the men was a good thing for them. He did not know if they were fit to stand a siege for eleven weeks. He advised them to be temperate and thrifty, and those of them who were so should teach others in order that if the day of trial came they might have money, which means a great deal to-day.

Mr Wilson, Gowanlee, also reported at length. The liquidators said their position was—"Could they carry on the works at a loss simply for the sake of sympathy?" The deputation had elicited the information that if the reduction was given effect to it would probably clear the feet of the works. The reduction meant about £5000. If that was the case, there was hope of the men. (Applause.) The liquidator told them that they were determined to attack the "dirt escape." They said they could not have such a proportion of dirt as some men sent up, but the working men members of the deputation showed that provision was not made by the company to enable them to turn out clean stuff. The liquidators acknowledged the injustice of the matter - (applause) and had assured the deputation they would remedy the defect. (Applause.) If they did not go back there was no prospect of the Clippens opening again, because the action of the men would stop the negotiations going on for the reconstruction of the company. He cordially advised them to show sympathy with the liquidators, to work without an idle day, and to work only one shift each day till the reconstruction of the company took place. (Applause.) If a man was determined to work 14 shifts instead of, say, 11, he should remember he was taking three shifts from a fellow-workman.

Mr William Hislop expressed the opinion that had the deputation been composed of working-men entirely they would have left before being five minutes with the liquidators. On the motion of another speaker, the deputation were heartily thanked. A Pentland miner then moved a resolution to the effect that they agree to return to work, and that they appoint the deputation a conciliation board in case of future disputes. When the resolution was put to the meeting it was carried unanimously, and thereafter two men were delegated to acquaint the liquidators with the decision of the men, and to telegraph to the works to pay the men the wages due them. The proceedings then terminated.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 24 April 1893

CLIPPENS MEN RETURN TO WORK.

Inquiry at Clippens shews that most of the men returned this morning. It will be some days before the places are all ready to permit the whole of the workmen resuming. A number of the men, it appears, have left for other parts of the country. A deputation informed the manager after the Saturday afternoon meeting, of the acceptance of the 10 per cent. reduction. Thereupon it was agreed to re-open the works to-day. Notices have been posted intimating that the output of clean shale will be strictly enforced, and that the men must work regularly.

Dundee Courier - Monday 24 April 1893

The Shale Workers’ Strike

In resolving to resume work to-day the work-men employed at the Clippens shale mines have adopted the best possible course of action. When the deputation appointed by them waited on Thursday upon the liquidators of the Company to suggest arbitration it was plainly indicated that nothing could be done in that direction. The liquidators point blank refused to submit the question of the 10 per cent. reduction, on the ground that it was a matter of absolute necessity. On Saturday, therefore, the men were advised by their own deputationists to return to their employment, and to work only one shift in twenty-four hours until the reconstruction of the Company was completed. By this means, it was pointed out, over-production would be prevented, and, besides, the liquidators had definitely promised that wages would be advanced whenever the financial state of the Company had been improved. Sundry minor grievances, too, are to be removed. It is thus clear that the men have gained something by the dispute, though they cannot hope in the meantime to maintain their wages at their former level. One of their number stated on Saturday that the wages had now been reduced to the average of four shillings and sixpence per day, and that in one of the sections men were working for seventeen shillings and sixpence per week. Their condition is, indeed, one which calls for sympathy, but it has at the same time to be remembered that determined resistance would simply lead to the shutting down of the works. At a crisis such as the present in the oil trade sacrifices are required on the part of labour as well as capital; otherwise disaster will overtake both.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 05 August 1893

DEAD-LOCK AT CLIPPENS MINES.

A dead-lock has taken place the Clippens Oil Company's mines at Straiton, work yesterday at the pits being entirely suspended. The men believe that they have been locked out, while, on the other hand, their employers assert that the men have broken their engagement, and have brought dismissal upon themselves. It appears that last week the men observed a custom followed at the pits at this time of the year by taking a two-days’ holiday. Then they announced their intention of holding a general meeting at Loanhead on Thursday last. The men were remonstrated with by the manager of the works on this course of procedure, it being an alleged infringement of the conditions upon which the pits were opened in April. The men, however, persisted, and it was asked through the Union Committee that a meeting should be arranged between Mr Armour, the general manager, and their representatives. The manager could not see his way to grant this until after meeting of directors next week. Accordingly the manager had two notices posted at the works, one informing the men in the refining and other works that if any considerable number of miners took a holiday it would be necessary to wholly or partially shut down the works, and that all the workmen were put on a day’s notice. The other notice addressed the miners stated that the directors regretted that the committee had ordered the following day to be observed as a holiday soon after the annual holidays, which had been granted with great reluctance, as the company could not afford to have its costs increased by irregular working. The notice further ran: " All miners who intend to violate the arrangement made by the liquidators as to steady work by taking a holiday to-morrow (Thursday) will be dismissed from the company's service; and they can draw their 'graith' this (Wednesday) night, or tomorrow (Thursday) morning. If the miners consider they have a grievance, the directors can meet them if desired.” This intimation did not alter the purpose of the miners. They held their meeting on Thursday. On that day only some 10 out of 500 men employed were at work. The miners agreed, in consideration of the attitude taken up by the manager and directors, to draw up their “graith” forthwith. They say that whereas at other shale mines the men have for some time past been working only four and five days a week, they have since April been working full time.; that the question of wages is one now requiring consideration; and, further, that having matters to discuss, they had a perfect right to meet for the purpose, more particularly in view of the fact, as they maintain, that the general manager had not fallen in with the suggestion for a conference. Accordingly the men were engaged in removing their “graith” from the workings. Steps were taken for the closing down of the pits, the ponies being removed from underground. There is on hand at the present time enough shale to keep the works going partially for nine days. If before that time matters are not arranged the management state that it will necessitate the closing of all the departments, and work will be restricted to pumping operations to keep the mines from being flooded. To-day is pay-day, and the men have been informed that they will the get what money is due to them, this payment, so far as those occupying the company's houses are concerned, being contingent on their previously giving up the keys of their houses.

Dundee Courier - Monday 07 August 1893

THE STOPPAGE OF CLIPPENS PITS.

On inquiry at Clippens Oil Company's Works, Loanhead, on Saturday forenoon, it was ascertained that the miners living elsewhere than in the Company's houses are being paid their wages in full, the tenants having four weeks’ rent retained to guard against any risk. Besides 500 miners idle, some 300 surface workers have been thrown out of employment. Mr Armour, of Glasgow, who has now assumed management, is prepared to reopen the pits to-day if the men bind themselves to regular attendance.

Glasgow Herald - Monday 07 August 1893

THE CLIPPENS COMPLICATION- 800 MEN IDLE

There was an expectation that the dispute which has arisen at the Clippens 0il Company's works in Mid-Lothian county might have been arranged in such a way during Saturday that the men would be found prepared to return to their places this morning. The outcome of an interview on the part of a deputation of half a dozen of the workmen which took place on Saturday afternoon, however, seems only to have resulted in the embitterment of the situation. In answer to an intimation made to their acting secretary, the deputation met with Mr Armour, of Glasgow, at three o’clock. In regard to the men having taken a holiday on Thursday, some attempt was made to defend their action, but Mr Armour was resolute. Both parties were agreed that the contract had been broken, and that the men had, each of them, been dismissed. The management had nothing to suggest by way of a settlement, and the interview terminated without any understanding being come to.

A meeting of the men took place in the New Hall, Loanhead, at five o’clock. Members of the deputation presented their report of the brief interview with the manager. During a short discussion, the meeting considered they had acted properly, and that they had a perfect right to call meetings of their union either for the re-election of office bearers or to consider their position with a view to the general wages scale or otherwise. Since April, when the idea of a Board of Arbitration was mooted, they had laboured on regularly at the rate temporarily accepted at that time. There had indeed been as many as seven shifts a week, and during the last fortnight they had but followed the usual custom of observing a day or two as idle time by way of a holiday. Being agreed that they were entitled to the liberty of taking an occasional idle day, the men decided they should not return to their work to-day. The proceedings thereupon terminated without having in any way modified the prospect of a struggle.

During the day the tenants on the company's houses received part payment of their wages, amounts varying from 10s to £1 being retained for four weeks' rent, until the families, if so minded, had delivered up the keys of their dwellings.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 08 August 1893

THE CLIPPENS MINERS' DEADLOCK.to

The Clippens shale miners to-day maintain their previous attitude, declining resume work until sent for by Mr Armour, general manager. The company are found equally determined to maintain their position against insubordination. On inquiry today it was stated that the management are averse to forecasting their further intentions, but they report the situation to be unchanged. Some four or five hundred men, including firemen and labourers, are employed this forenoon.

Yesterday at the works 600 men were idle and 450 were employed.

Scottish Leader - Thursday 10 August 1893

THE CLIPPENS DISPUTE.

STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTORS.

Yesterday afternoon a meeting of the directors of the Clippens Oil Company was held at the offices at Pentland to consider the present deadlock. As a result, the following notice was posted up at the works:—"Nos. 4 and 8 mines will be re-opened to-morrow (Thursday) at 6 a.m. Nos. 1 and 2 mines have caused heavy loss to the company, and will not be re-opened. Meantime places will be given to the workmen in the order of application and on the following conditions:—Steady work; the mines to be kept going steadily for six days per week. This is imperative as long as the present unprofitable competition from America and Russia lasts, as was fully explained to the Miners' Committee in April last, and by the manager to the deputation last Saturday. Irregular work having a most hurtful effect on the costs, the directors feel that, if the workmen clearly understand that steady work is the only chance the company has, they will at once co-operate to that extent. Miners who wish to resume work can hand in their names to the mines’ manager. 9th August. 1893." In reference to the foregoing, the men intend holding a meeting today to consider what action they will take.

Dundee Advertiser - Friday 11 August 1893

Clippens workmen held a meeting yesterday afternoon at Loanhead, and resolved to remain out. They agreed that 6d per day of a rise must be granted before they resume. Not being members of the Lothians Federation, the usual strike aliment will not be shared in by the 500 Clippens men.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 11 August 1893

THE CLIPPENS DISPUTE.

On inquiry at the Clippens Oil Company’s offices at Straiton this afternoon our correspondent learned that it is thought likely the directors will to-morrow or Monday give orders to shut the whole works, owing to the refusal of the miners to return without additional wages. Five hundred men are idle. It is believed the company will concede nothing further. The immediate acceptance by the workmen of the conditions offered would save the dismissal of over 400 employees, comprising retortmen, refiners, and labourers.

Scottish Leader - Monday 14 August 1893

THE CLIPPENS DISPUTE.

On Saturday morning a meeting of the Clippens miners was held in Loanhead to I hear the report of a deputation which had another interview with Mr Armour, the general manager. The Chairman advised the men to act together. The Secretary said that in reply to the open letter which he was authorised to send to Mr Armour, he received an official communication enclosing a copy of the Company's reply to the effect that work can be resumed on the terms existing prior to the dispute. In reference to this reply the Secretary said he thought it necessary to call the Committee together and they waited upon Mr Armour. Mr Armour’s position seemed to this -- continuous regular work was absolutely necessary if the Company was to go on. If the men bound themselves down, the only way in which they could hold a meeting was by giving 24 hours' notice, and coming out on strike. Mr Armour asked the deputation how far the men would come to meet him on this point, and they replied that the men would agree not to hold a meeting oftener than once a month. After discussion upon the report of the deputation, a miner moved that the men agree to take no holiday for three months, on condition that Mr Armour acts honestly and just to the men during that time. This was seconded. The secretary moved an amendment that they cannot accept the conditions of the Company, as they involve the abolition of the men's right to meet to discuss their grievances. A miner seconded. On a show of hands being taken the whole meeting seemed to be unanimous for the amendment. The same deputation was appointed to convey the decision to Mr Armour.

An adjourned meeting was held at five o'clock on Saturday afternoon to hear Mr Armour's answer to the men’s decision. When the deputation left Mr Armour the situation was unaltered, but since then they learned that he was anxious for a settlement and that he was willing to allow the men to take one idle day in the three months. After discussion the following resolution was passed by the men :- “That the men shall have the power to take one idle day in the three months, and that the power of deciding when an idle day be taken be transferred from the committee to the men, who shall vote by ballot, and that all grievances be discussed meantime by the committee." The committee was empowered by the meeting to make a settlement on these lines. Yesterday forenoon our representative called upon Mr Armour at the Pentland office, and he stated that although he waited in the office till nearly ten o'clock on Saturday night, the deputation did not call upon him. On the resolution of the afternoon meeting being read over to him, he said he was quite agreeable that the men should start work on Monday morning on these terms. Further, that the impression some of the men seemed to have that they would be called upon to sign a written agreement was entirely erroneous. He also stated that there was only about 1000 tons of shale lying, and that as this would be used up in a day or two, the works would then require to be closed.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 14 August 1893

CLIPPENS DISPUTE SETTLED.

A conference took place on Saturday night between a deputation of the men and Mr Armour, the manager, but the situation remained unaltered. Mr Armour asked the deputation if they had made the men aware of what he intended to do if they did not submit. They said that they had said nothing about his future policy; that that was for himself to determine. He said he intended to shut down after all the shale was worked up. There was only a thousand tons of shale, which could be worked up, it was expected, by Monday night, and after that the works would be shut down. The men, too, the deputation added, were anxious for a settlement, and had been ready all along, but they were something like Lord Beaconsfield and wanted “peace with honour." The men are willing settle on that the men shall have power to take one “idle day" in three months; that the power of deciding when a holiday on any occasion between these three months be taken be transferred from the committee to the men, who shall decide the question by ballot; that all grievances be discussed meantime between Mr Armour and the committee.

It is now definitely decided that the Clippens men will go in to-morrow morning. The dispute is practically settled. The final settlement will be with Mr Armour at four o'clock to-day. The men have agreed to a resolution drawn up by Mr Armour himself.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 11 January 1894

STRIKE AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS. – On Sunday last nineteen of the retortmen at Clippens Oil Works struck work on account of a dispute with regard to Sunday labour. A charge has been preferred against them for leaving their work without notice, thereby endangering the property of the employers. Many of the men left the locality on n Monday to seek work elsewhere.

Musselburgh News - Friday 14 August 1896

STRAITON. - A SHORT STRIKE. – The miners in connection with Clippens had meeting on Thursday night of last week to consider the proposed reduction of 10 per cent., and resolved to go out on strike. This they did on Friday, but as the masters would not concede their demands, and stated that the had a good supply of coal and some tons of shale in bing they resumed work on Saturday.

Legal Action

Glasgow Herald - Thursday 11 November 1875

SCOTT v THE CLIPPENS SHALE OIL COMPANY.

The record was closed today in an action at the instance of Jas. Scott, merchant, Glasgow, against the Clippens Shale Oil Company, Glasgow, and Clippens, Renfrewshire, in which the pursuer concludes for recovery of £73,000, contained in various bills drawn by him upon and accepted by the defenders. IN defence, it is stated that no value was received for the bills; that Scott, who was really a partner of the company, though ostensibly acting for his son, got the bills to enable him to contribute their proceeds as his share of the capital, and to apply it in executing works in accordance with his own ideas, and solely to benefit the company. The defenders further say that a counter action has been brought to have it declared that Scott is a partner in the firm.

Counsel for the Pursuer – Mr Asher, Agents – Webster & Will, S.S.C

Counsel for the Defenders – Mr Mackintosh, Agents – Campbell & Smith, S.S.C.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 13 November 1875

COURT OF SESSION— Wednesday.

James Scott, merchant, Glasgow, sues the defenders, who carries on business in Glasgow and Clippens, Renfrewshire, for payment of a number of bills amounting in all to upwards of £73,000, chiefly drawn by the pursuer upon, and accepted the defenders. Robt. and John Binning, partners of the defenders’ company, lodged defences, and maintained that bills in question were granted by the defenders, and received by the pursuer for the sole purpose of enabling him contribute the proceeds thereof his share of capital in the company, and to apply the same in executing the works in accordance with his ideas; that said bills were drawn, accepted, and discounted solely for the financing purposes of the company in which the pursuer and defenders are co-partners, and that the pursuer is not entitled to enforce said bills against the defenders, they having received no value therefor, and separatim that he is barred from suing the defenders on said bills in respect the proceeds thereof were recklessly squandered in executing said works against the remonstrances of the defenders.

Thos. Inglis Scott, another partner of the defender’s company, lodged a minute stating that Messrs. Bining had lodged defences for themselves and in name of the company, without his authority, and he therefore protested against their using the name of the company, and disclaimed on behalf of the company and of himself as a partner and as an individual, the defence so lodged in the name of the company. The record in this case was closed today.

Glasgow Herald - Tuesday 16 November 1875

(Before Lord RUTHERFORD CLARK.)

PETITION-THOMAS INGLIS SMITH.

The petitioner here is an oil merchant in Glasgow, and on the ground that the Clippens Shale Oil Company are insolvent he seeks to have Mr M'Kinnon, C.A., Glasgow, appointed to judicially wind-up the affairs of the company. The principal debt is said to be £73,000 contained in certain bills granted by the company in favour of James Scott, the father of the petitioner. Defences have been Iodged by the Messrs Bennie (other of the Partners), in which it is alleged that this debt of £73,000 is not due, that James Scott is a real partner in the company, that the petitioner is merely a nominal partner, and that the company is not insolvent.

To-day the LORD ORDINARY sisted procedure in hoc statu, upon the ground that the matter was already sub judice in two other actions - one at the instance of James Scott against the company for payment of the £73,000, and the other by the company to have James Scott declared one of their partners.

Counsel for the Petitioner - Mr Balfour and Mr Lorimer. Agents - Hamilton, Kinnear & Beatson, W.S.

Counsel for the Company -Mr Asher and Mr Young. Agents -Campbell & Smith, S.S.C.

North British Daily Mail - Monday 31 January 1876

COURT OF SESSION – FIRST DIVISION.

SATURDAY, 29th JANUARY.

R.N. – THOMAS INGLIS SCOTT, IN PETITION, SCOTT V. BINNING, &c.

Mr Thomas Inglis Scott, oil merchant and manufacturer, Glasgow, a partner of the Clippens Shale Oil Company, presented a petition to the Court craving the appointment of a judicial factor upon the estates of the said company. He alleged that the balance of the company’s books at July, 1873, showed that a loss had been incurred of £6492, which was increased as at September, 1875, to £13,144. The first item of the liabilities of the company, as appearing in a balance-sheet framed as at 27th September, 1875, was £86,666 due to the petitioner’s father, James Scott, merchant in Glasgow, and for £73,300 of that sum, his father has raised an action in the Court of Session against the Clippens Shale Oil Company, which sum being truly due, no defence could be effectually stated to the action, and the company were altogether unable to pay any part of it. The second item in said balance is £16,764 being advances to Robert Binning, another of the partners of the company, for which the company accepted bills. The third item, £3435 being the amount of past due acceptances by the said company lying dishonoured in the hands of City of Glasgow Bank. The total amount brought out as owing by the said Robert Binning to the company is £28,898. The petitioner alleges that although items composing that sum are entered as assets in said balance sheet they are altogether worthless, the said Robert Binning having no capital and being hopelessly insolvent, that is addition to said sum of £28,898 the said Robert Binning owes £45,000 to other creditors, against which he has no assets whatever. The works and buildings of the company are stated to be of the value of £73,464, but they would not realise anything like that amount by a forced sale. Assuming the works to be of that value the company's liabilities exceed its assets by upwards of £30,000. The petitioner further alleges that not only has all mutual confidence ceased to exist between himself and his partners, the said Robert Binning and John Binning, and all possibility of their continuing to carry on business together come to an end, but it has further became manifest that the business cannot be carried on without incurring further great losses, and that the only way of saving any of the assets of the company for the purpose of paying its creditors is to have the company wound up, under the authority of the Court, by a judicial factor. The present application has, therefore, become necessary the petitioner suggests the said Wm. Mackinon, C.A.., Glasgow as a fit and proper person for that office. Answers were lodged to the petition for Alex. Stronach, lately manager of the City of Glasgow Bank, one of the trustees of the said Robert Binning, in which be alleged that the business of the company as a going concern, affords a valuable, if not a sufficient security, for payment of the creditors, and that the prospect of the business being successfully carried on has been, and still is, in the respondent’s opinion, favourable, and that if the business could be wound up and the works sold, the interests of the creditors would be seriously prejudiced, as in all probability the sale would not be effected except at a great sacrifice.

The Lord Ordinary (Rutherford Clark) sisted the procedure in hoc statu, in respect that the questions were now Sub judice in this action raised by Mr James Scott against the company, and in the counter action at the company’s instance against him. The petitioner reclaimed.

Councel were heard today, after which the Court refused the petition, and found the petitioner liable in expenses.

Counsel for Petitioner – Mr Balfour, Agents – Hamilton, Kinnear, & Beatson, W.S.

Counsel for Respondents – Mr Keir and Mr Macintosh. Agents – H. & A. Inglis, W.S.; Campbell & Smith, S.S.C.; Webster & Will, S.S.C.

North British Daily Mail - Tuesday 01 February 1876

PETITION – SCOTT RE CLIPPENS COMPANY.

In our yesterday’s report of the decision of the Court of Session, in the application by Mr T. L. Scott, for the appointment of a judicial factor upon the estate of the Clippens Oil Shale Company, ir was inadvertently stated that the petition had been refused, instead of that the reclaiming note against the Lord Ordinary’s interlocutor sisting consideration of the petition until the result of another action was seen had been refused.

North British Daily Mail - Saturday 05 February 1876

(Before Lord YOUNG.)

THE CLIPPENS SHALE OIL CO. V. SCOTTS.

The Clippens Shale Oil Co, carrying on business at Glasgow and at Clippens, in Renfrewshire, and Robert and John Binning, two of the partners thereof, sued James Scott, merchant, Glasgow, and also Thomas Inglis Scott, merchant there, for his interest, to have it declared that the defender, James Scott, is at present and has been since 22d July, 1871, a partner along with the pursuers in said company, and that he is bound to implement all the obligations of the company, along with the pursuers, and is entitled to participate in the profits, and is also liable in the losses of said company. The contract of copartnery was entered into on 22d July, 1871, between the said Robert Binning and John Binning and Thomas Inglis Scott, the latter of whom was then a minor and unacquainted with business, and the contract was entered into with the consent of his father the defender, James Scott, as his guardian. In April, 1874, the bankers of the company declined to advance any more money for further extension of the works; and it was ultimately arranged that the money required to pay for all the expenditure should be procured from the City of Glasgow Bank, under an arrangement with the defender whereby the acceptances of the company were granted to the defender, and were endorsed by him, and discounted by the bank. The pursuers allege that the original arrangement with the bank was that a sum of £15,000 should be expended, but the expenditure was increased to £73,300 by the defender without consulting the pursuers.

The defender James Scott pleaded inter alia that the pursuers’ averments were irrelevant and insufficient to support the conclusion of the action.

Today the Lord Ordinary gave effect to that plea and discussed the action, finding the pursuers liable in expenses to the defender, James Scott.

SCOTT V. THE CLIPPENS SHALE OIL CO.

In this action the said James Scott sued the defenders’ company for payment of the sum of £73,000 mentioned in the report of the foregoing case as being a debt to himself. The defence was that the said sum was not a company debt, but was incurred by the pursuer himself in his reckless extravagance in carrying on the business of the company, and for which he was liable as a partner.

Today the Lord Ordinary gave the pursuer decree as concluded for with expenses.

Counsel for the Company and Messrs Binning – Mr Asher and Mr Young. Agents – Campbell & Smith, S.S.C.

Counsel for Thomas J. Scott – Mr Lorimer. Agents – Hamilton, Kinnear, & Beatson, W.S.

The Scotsman - Saturday 05 February 1876

THE CLIPPENS SHALE OIL CO. v. JAMES SCOTT AND THOMAS INGLIS SCOTT; AND JAMES SCOTT v. THE CLIPPENS SHALE OIL CO.

These were actions previously reported. In the first action, the Clippens Shale Oil Company; Glasgow, asked the Court to declare that the defender James Scott, merchant, Glasgow, is, and since the 22d July 1871 has been, a partner of their company, under a contract of copartnery bearing that date. The contract, which was in the form of a probative deed, bore that the defender's son, Thomas Inglis Scott, then a minor, was a partner in the firm, and not his father; but the pursuers said that James Scott was really the party who became a partner of the undertaking, and implemented the obligations undertaken by the other—his son. This averment was accompanied with other averments, to the effect that the dealings and actings of James Scott as such partner had brought the affairs of the company into serious pecuniary difficulties. The defenders (Thos. Inglis Scott having also been called, and appeared as a defender for his interest), denied the alleged partnership of James Scott but maintained first, in answer to the pursuers' demand for a proof, the plea of irrelevancy to the effect that the deed of copartnery could not be contradicted by parole evidence as to the actings of the parties. In the second action, James Scott sued the Clippens Shale Oil Company for payment of bills to the amount of £73,000, which they said he had advanced in his capacity of partner in and manager of the concern.

His Lordship has to-day sustained the defenders’ plea of irrelevancy in the first action, and on that ground dismissed that action and found the defenders entitled to expenses; and in the second action, given decree in favour of the pursuer, and with expenses. His Lordship holds that, while the deed of copartnery may not be effectual as in a question with third parties relying on the alleged actings of James Scott, as partner and manager of the company in question, it is effectual, as in any question between the parties to the contract themselves, to the effect that the pursuers cannot be allowed to contradict its terms, on anything short of an averment that by a subsequent verbal agreement between the parties James Scott agreed that his son should go out of the copartnery, and that he should take his place.

Counsel for James Scott-The Dean of Faculty and Mr Mackintosh . Agents—Webster & Will, S.S.C

Counsel for Thomas Inglis Scott—Mr Balfour and Mr Lorimer. Agents—Hamilton, Kinnear, & Beatson, W.S.

Counsel for Clippens Shale Oil Company – Mr Asher Mr A. J. Young. Agents – Campbell & Smith, S.S.C.

North British Daily Mail - Wednesday 16 February 1876

(Before Lord RUTHERFURD CLARK.)

THE CLIPPENS SHALE OIL CO.

PETITION – SCOTT FOR JUDICIAL FACTOR.

After hearing Counsel today, the Lord Ordinary, in this case, refusefd to appoint a judicial factor on the company’s estate, and gave the petitioner leave to reclaim.

Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser - Saturday 20 May 1876

FIRST DIVISION – MAY 17.

R.N. – CLIPPENS SHALE OIL COMPANY V. JAMES SCOTT AND THOMAS INGLIS SCOTT.

R. N. – CLIPPENS SHALE OIL COMPANY V. JAMES SCOTT

The first of these actions was raised at the instance of R. Binning and John Binning, oil manufacturers, Glasgow, and Clippens, Renfrewshire, two of the partners of the Clippens Shale Oil Company, against James Scott, merchant, Glasgow, and Thomas Inglis Scott, his son, for his interest.

The summons concluded for declarator to the effect that the defender James Scott is, and has been, since 22d July, 1871, a partner of the Clippens Shale Oil Company, under a contract of copartnery, bearing to be between the pursuers and the said Thomas Scott; that he should ordained to implement and fulfil all the obligations of company, along with the pursuers. The Clippens Shale Oil Company was formed in August, 1870, the partners being stated as the pursuers and the said Thomas Inglis Scott, who was at that time a minor. The pursuers alleged that although Thomas Inglis Scott was the ostensible partner the company, the defender James Scott was really the party who became the partner and implemented the obligations undertaken by his son, Thomas Inglis Scott. In support of this contention they averred that by the contract Thomas Inglis Scott was to contribute £10,000 as his share of the capital, and be nominally entitled to four-eighths of the profits, but the right to these profits really belonged to James Scott (who advanced the £10,000), and he was entitled to draw and receive them on their being realised. The defender, James Scott, denied that he was a partner in said company and explained that he advanced the £10,000 for the purpose of setting his son up in business. He averred that in terms of an agreement entered into between the Clippens Shale Oil Company and Robert Binning and Robert Binning & Son, and a relative trust assignation in favour of Mr Alex. Stronach, manager of the City of Glasgow Bank, and the defender, he took certain supervision of the company's business, and made advances amounting with interest upwards of £86,000, for £73,300 of which of which he has raised an action against the company.

The defence was irrelevancy and insufficiency; and that the averments of the pursuers being negatived by the contract of copartnery and other deeds to which the pursuers were parties, the said averments could only be proved by the defenders writ or oath.

After hearing counsel, the Lord Ordinary (Young) sustained the defence of irrelevancy and insufficiency, and therefore dismissed the action, and found the pursuers liable in expenses to the said defender, James Scott.

The second action was raised by the said James Scott against the Clippens Shale Oil Co. to recover payment of the £73,300 which he had advanced in carrying on the business.

The Lord Ordinary (Young) in that action repelled the defences, and decerned in terms of the conclusions of the summons with expenses.

The Oil Company reclaimed, and to-day the Court adhered with additional expenses.

Counsel for Reclaimers—Mr Asher and Mr Young. Agents—Campbell & Smith, S.S.C.

Counsel for Respondents—The Dean of Faculty, Mr Mackintosh, Mr Lorimer, and Mr Gibson. Agents— Webster & Will, W.S., and Hamilton, Kinnear, & Beatson, W.S.

The Scotsman - Wednesday 24 May 1876

THE CLIPPENS SHALE CO. v . MERRY & CUNINGHAME.

The record was to-day closed in this action, in which the Clippens Shale Co. sued for damages, estimated at upwards of £80,000, from the defenders' alleged failure to implement a contract for delivery, in certain specified quantities and at stated times, of Clippens or Clippens of Craigend shale. The defenders say that this action is concurred in by all the partners of the pursuers' company; that there was no completed contract such as is here founded on; and that, if there was, it depended on conditions which have not been fulfilled.

Counsel for the Pursuers—Mr A. J. Young. Agents — Campbell & Smith, S.S.C.

Counsel for the Defenders—Mr Mackintosh. Agents —Maclachlan & Rodger, W. S.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 27 May 1876

THE CLIPPERS SHALE COMPANY V. MERRY AND CUNNINGHAME.

ACTION FOR £80,000 DAMAGES.

The Clippens Shale Oil Coy., the pursuers in this case, conclude for £80,000 in name of damages because of the alleged failure of the defenders to supply them with 208 tons of shale per day according to contract, which was entered into in the month of May, 1871, by letters passing between the parties. Since then, although the pursuers have from time to time called upon the defenders to implement their obligations under the contract, they have failed to do so, and the deliveries of shale have fallen far short of the quantity contracted to be supplied. It is for these short deliveries the damages are claimed. On the other hand, the defenders say that all the partners of the company are not pursuers and do not concur in the action, that there was no concluded contract such as that libelled in the summons, and that if there was a contract it depended on conditions which have not been fulfilled. On Tuesday, the case came up, and it was sent to the procedure roll.

Counsel for the Pursuers—Mr. A. J. Young. Agents—Campbell A Smith, S.S.C.

Counsel for the Defenders —Mr. Mackintosh. Agents —M‘Lauchlan & Roger, W.S.

The Scotsman - Monday 03 July 1876

OUTER HOUSE

THE CLIPPENS SHALE OIL CO. v. MERRY & CUNINGHAME.

This action, as already stated, was brought at the instance of the Clippens Shale Co. for payment of damages, estimated at upwards of £80,000, from the defenders' alleged failure to implement a contract for delivery, in certain specified quantities and at stated times, of Clippens or Clippens of Craigend shale. The defenders said that this action was concurred in by all the partners of the pursuers' company; that there was no completed contract such as was here founded on and that, if there was, it depended on conditions which have not been fulfilled.

To-day, his Lordship gave decree of absolvitor in the case, and found neither party liable in or entitled to expenses, in terms of a joint-minute for the parties.

Counsel for the Pursuers—Mr A. J. Young. Agents—Campbell & Smith, S.S.C.

Counsel for the Defenders—Mr Mackintosh. Agents —Maclachlan & Rodger, W.S.

Glasgow Herald - Saturday 12 March 1881

GLASGOW TRADE-MARK CASE.

In the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice, yesterday, Mr Lawson moved, before the Master of the Rolls, in the matter of Clippens Trade - Marks v. the Trade - Marks Acts, to compel the Registrar to register two devices, consisting of a triangle within two circles, together with the words “Sunlight Paraffin" on one and "Sun Bleached Paraffin" on the second, as the trade-marks of Messrs Clippens, Glasgow. The Registrar had declined to register them on the ground that the marks were calculated to deceive, as they closely resembled marks already registered.

The MASTER OF THE ROLLS said that the application was really one to register the words and not the device, and thus defeat the whole object of the Act of Parliament. The. Court, however, was quite powerless to prevent it, as the Act said that words might he registered in connection with a device He could not, )however, think that it was the intention of the Act to call a circle or three lines in the form of a triangle a device. Mr LAWSON said the device itself was different to those referred to by the Registrar of Trade-Marks.

The MASTER OF THE ROLLS said if the words "Clippens Oil Company, Glasgow," were added there could be no objection to the mark.

Mr LAWSON was quite ready to add those words.

Mr RIGBY, for the Registrar, said there would be no objection to register the marks if the words suggested by his Lordship were included.

The MASTER OF THE ROLLS accordingly made an order, directing the Registrar to register the marks, with the addition of the words “Clippens Oil Company, Glasgow." to be printed within the triangle.

Glasgow Herald - Thursday 07 July 1881

OUTER HOUSE-WEDNESDAY, July 6.

(Before Lord RUTHERFURD CLARK.)

ALLEGED INFRINGEMENT OF PATENT.

HENDERSON & KENNEDY v THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY AND YOUNG.

Evidence was led to-day before the Lord Ordinary in an action brought by Norman M’Farlane Henderson, Broxburn, and William Kennedy, Pollokshields, Glasgow, against the Clippens Oil Company (Limited), 16 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, and William Young, manager of the company, who at present resides at Seafield House, Roslin. The complainers seek to interdict the respondents from infringing letters patent granted to the complainer Henderson for “improvements in the destructive distillation of shale or other oil-yielding minerals and in apparatus therefor,” dated April and October, 1873. Complainers say that the respondents have acquired certain rights in the minerals of the estate of Pentland, Mid-Lothian, and that they have erected works there for the distillation of the shale, consisting of three benches of 64 retorts each. Without the leave or license of the patentees they are said to be using the invention of the complainers, and as they refuse to desist from infringing, this action has been brought. On the other hand, the respondents maintain that Henderson is not the first and true inventor of the alleged invention, and they give a list of patents which had anticipated it, including two in which the respondent, Mr Young, had interest himself. It is averred by the respondents that the alleged invention does not constitute any manner of improvement in the distillation or production of shale oil, and that it is not useful or beneficial to the public.

The printed record does not specify in what respect the retorts in use at the Pentland Works are an infringement of Henderson's patent; but from the evidence it appears that the complainers found their invention, first, upon a casement between the combustion chamber and the bottom of the retort; second, upon the arrangement of the door immediately below the retort and the valve on the upper part of the combustion chamber; and third, the common fire chamber for the four retorts, for utilising the spent shale from the retort as fuel. By Mr Henderson's arrangement, at least so far as could be gathered from the witnesses, the valve in the combustion chamber is opened; then, by touching a lever, the door at the bottom of the retort opens, and the shale, which has been deprived of its oils and gases, is allowed to drop down into the combustion chamber, the incline of the valve giving direction to the falling mass. The shale falls by its specific gravity, but in the event of any impediment the man in charge, with an iron rod, can set the mass in motion. In this way the shale from which the oils have been distilled is used to maintain the necessary heats for distilling the oils for the subsequent charge of shale in the same set of retorts. It is maintained that by this process the heats are easier maintained, and that the result is a yield of oil in greater quantity and of better quality than was obtained by former modes of distillation. On the other hand, it was sought to be brought out in the cross-examination that in a former patent by Mr Young the purpose sought to be attained by the valve and the retort-door had been accomplished with a "gas lute." In the space between the fire-chamber and the grating of the retort Mr Young introduced gas, which had the effect of forming a gaseous line, described by Dr Stevenson Macadam, in cross-examination for the respondents, as a “mythical region,” which kept the vapours or fumes from the furnace below mingling with the valuable vapours in the retort above. An endeavour was also made to show that the idea of using the spent products of distillation as fuel was not new. In the retorts, which are alleged to be an infringement of Henderson's patent, the valve upon the combustion chamber and the door at the bottom of the retort are connected, and by one movement both are lifted from their positions in an outward direction. Then, in order to protect the workmen engaged in attending to the retorts, an iron screen is put up in front of the casement, and this screen the complainers maintain acts the part of the upturned valve in the Henderson patent, in directing the course of the spent shale from the retort to the combustion chamber.

Evidence was led at great length to-day for the complainers, but they had not finished their case when the Court adjourned.

Counsel for Complainers-The Solicitor-General, Q.C., Mr J. P. B. Robertson, and Mr C. J. Guthrie. Agents-Philip Laing & Co., S.S.C.., and Stewart & Philip, Glasgow.

Counsel for Respondents--The Dean of Faculty, Mr Trayner, and Mr Mackintosh. Agents- Webster, Will & Ritchie, S.S.C.

Glasgow Evening Post - Friday 15 July 1881

THE ACTION AGAINST THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

In the Court of Session this afternoon Lord Rutherfurd Clark gave judgement in the action by Norman Henderson, manager of Broxburn Oil Works, to have the Clippens Oil Company interdicted from infringing letters-patent granted to the complainer for improvements in destructive distillation of shale, &c. His Lordship assoilzied the respondents, with expenses.

Daily Review (Edinburgh) - Saturday 16 July 1881

OUTER HOUSE.

(Before Lord RUTHFURD CLARK.)

IN THE SHALE OIL PATENT CASE.

SUSPENSION AND INTERDICT - HENDERSON AND ANOTHER v. THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

As previously reported, this was an action of suspension and interdict, at the instance of Norman Macfarlane Henderson, manager of the Broxburn Oil works, against the Clippens Oil Company (Limited), whose offices are at 16 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, with works in Renfrewshire and Straiton, Mid-Lothian. The purpose of the action was to have the respondents interdicted from infringing letters patent granted to the complainer for improvements in the destructive distillation of shale or other oil-yielding minerals and an apparatus therefor, dated April and October 1873. The respondents averred that Henderson was not the first and true inventor of the patent, and gave a list of others who were said to have anticipated him, and maintained that the invention was publicly used within the United Kingdom prior to the letters patent.

Proof was recently led, and in the disposal of the case to-day,

Lord RUTHERFURD CLARK said the first question to be solved is this—What is the invention claimed by the patentee? The respondent contends that he claims the use of the hot residuum of the retorts as fuel. If this be so, it is not disputed that the patent is void. The title to the patent is for "improvements in the destructive distillation of shale or other oil-yielding minerals and in apparatus therefor." Here there are two separate matters—(1) improvements in the distillation; and (2), in the apparatus. To justify the title, it would follow that in both respects there is invention, for if there be not improvement in the distillation as well as in the apparatus, the patent would be granted for an invention which is not disclosed in the specification. When reference is made to the specification the distinction is preserved. To use the words of that document, the invention has for its object the recovering and satisfactory obtainment and application of the heat required for the destructive distillation of shale, and it comprises improved arrangements for the utilisation of the spent shale as fuel. Here there is a novelty announced in the obtainment of the heat, in the application of it, and in the arrangement for the utilisation of the spent shale. The important matter is that there is novelty in the obtainment of heat as distinguished from the mode of its application, and from the arrangement of apparatus. On referring to the claiming clauses, I find the first to be thus expressed—the conducting of the destructive distillation of shale, or other oil-yielding minerals substantially, "according to the system, and by means of arrangements of apparatus hereinbefore described." Here there is a claim for an improved system, as well as an improved arrangement of apparatus. They are to be distinct. There can be no question what is meant by apparatus. The arrangements consist in the combination of two or more retorts, and in the discharge of the spent shale in regular rotation or in alternation. But there is something more claimed in the claiming clause under the word "system," and in the introductory clause, under the words "obtainment of heat." I can see no improved system, and no improved source of heat other than that of using the heated residuum of the retorts as fuel. If this be a just construction of the specification, there is an end of the case. (2.) Assuming that a less comprehensive construction should be put on the specification, another question arose as to the meaning of the words "common fire chamber" in the second and third clauses. if they mean a fire chamber in which the fuel obtained from each of various retorts is received and consumed, then there is no infringement ; but the complainers contend that they must be construed as including separate places of combustion, in which the resulting heat or products of combustion became mingled, and are directed to common end. I cannot adopt the complainers' contention. It appears to me to be very clear that in this specification the word "fire chamber" signifies a place where fuel is burned. This is the natural meaning of the word, and the directions given make it plain to me that this is the meaning in which it is used in this specification. (3.) The patentee claims that his invention may be used with horizontal retorts. It is not specified, either in the letterpress, or in the drawings, the manner of so using it, but I see no other mode of using it in such retorts other than the mode of use which was publicly practised at Fulham Gasworks in I854—at least, that mode is, in my opinion, comprehended in the specification. Hence the patent is void through prior use. (4) Other questions were raised, but I do not think it necessary to go into them. I shall, therefore, repel the reasons of suspension, and find respondents entitled to expenses.

Counsel for Complainers—The Solicitor-General, Q.C., Mr J. P. B. Robertson, and Mr C. J. Guthrie. Agents—Philip, Laing, & Co., S.S.C.

Counsel for Respondents—The Dean of Faculty, Q.C., Mr Traynor, and Mr Mackintosh. Agents —Webster, Will, & Ritchie, S.S.C.

The Scotsman - Wednesday 30 November 1881

BILL CHAMBER.

(Before Lord M'Laren.)

S. AND I. – GEORGE WARD RICHARDSON v THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED)

The Lord Ordinary to-day passed the note refusing interdict in hoc statu in this process, of which the purpose is to prevent alleged pollution by the Clippens 0il Company of the water of the Black Cart. The complainer, who Is a cotton-spinner, Linwood, parish of Kilbarchan, says that the respondents' operations have made the water unfit for use in the boilers of his works. This is denied by the respondents, who, at the same time, maintain several pleas in bar of the complainer’s action.

Agents for the Complainer—H . B . & F. J. Dewar, W.S.

Agents for the Respondents—Webster, Will, Ritcbie , S.S.C.

Daily Review (Edinburgh) - Thursday 01 December 1881

BILL CHAMBER.

(Before Lord M’LAREN.)

RICHARDSON v. CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

In the Bill Chamber to-day parties were heard a note of suspension and interdict for Geo. White Richardson, cotton spinner, Linwood, parish of Kilbarchan, against the Clippens Oil Company (Limited). A mill lade, which is taken from the Black Cart, runs past the property of the respondents and then through the complainer's works, and he alleges that the respondents have been putting into this lade polluted matter such as tar, vitriol, and other noxious impurities, which have rendered the waters of the lade unfit for primary uses, and unfit to be used in steam boilers. The respondents deny that they pollute the stream, and say that the liquids are all treated in filtering ponds in their works, that any surplus water runs into a ditch first and then into the lade, and that the water thus running into the lade is purer than the water in the ditch. They also aver that polluting matter is thrown into the stream at a point higher up than their works, and that if any pollution has proceeded from Clippens it must have been the result of an accident which cannot recur.

The Lord Ordinary passed the note for the trial of the cause without caution, and refused interdict in hoc statu.

Agents for Complainer—H. B. & F. J. Dewar, W.S.

Agents for Respondents—Webster, Will, and Ritchie, S.S.C.

Glasgow Herald - Monday 05 December 1881

The Second Division of the Court of Session gave judgment on Saturday in the action brought by Norman M'Farlane Henderson, Broxburn, against the Clippens Oil Company. The purpose of the action originally was to have the defenders interdicted from infringing a patent said to have been granted to Henderson for improvements in the destructive distillation of shale and other oil-yielding minerals and apparatus. The defenders resisted the action, alleging that Henderson was not the first and true inventor, and further that it had been anticipated. Proof was led in July last, when Lord Rutherfurd Clark gave decision in favour of defenders on all points, with expenses. On Saturday the Court unanimously reversed this judgment, and held that the main feature of the invention consisted in the arrangement of the doors at the bottom of the chamber and the manner in which the exhausted shale was transferred from the retort to the combustion chamber to be used as fuel, and that the manner in which the defenders had erected their retorts, was a direct infringement of the patent. This judgment is to be appealed to the House of Lords.

Glasgow Herald - Thursday 27 July 1882

COURT OF SESSION.

OUTER HOUSE – WEDNESDAY, JULY 26.

(Before Lord ADAM.)

BMUNRO v. THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

Alexander Munro, accountant, Edinburgh, as trustee on the sequestered estate of Woods & Hutchison, builders and bricklayers at Rosewell, near Edinburgh, sought in this action to recover from the Clippens Oil Company a sum of £172 16s 11d, said to be due to the bankrupts on the contract price for the erection of a brick chimney stalk, &c., in connection with the Pentland Oil Works. The defenders averred that the work done by the builders was untradesmanlike, that they had to take it out of their hands, incurring expenses which reduced the alleged balance to £44 6s 9d. Against this sum they had claims which they waived to avoid litigation, and offered to credit the bankrupt estate with the amount.

The LORD ORDINARY heard evidence, and today issued an interlocutor denpe, ard to- day issud au interlocutor decerning in favour of the pursuer for £44 6s 9d, quoad ultra, assoilzied defenders, and found them entitled to expenses. His Lordship said it appeared from the evidence that the chimney stalk which Messrs Woods & Hutchison contracted to build for the defenders was about three feet off the perpendicular. Whether or not it was absolutely unsafe was a matter of opinion; but at any rate it appeared to the Lord Ordinary that it could not be affirmed to be a tradesmanlike or satisfactory job, or such as defenders were bound to accept as such from the contractors.

Counsel for Pursuer-Mr Rhind and Mr Baxter. Agent-Arch. Menzies, S.S.C.

Counsel for Defenders-Mr Goudie. Agents- Webster, Will & Ritchie , S.S.C.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 16 January 1883

AN UNSAFE CHIMNEY STALK IN MID-LOTHIAN.

Judgment was given by their lordships of the Second Division of the Court Session to-day in an action at the instance of Alexander Munro, accountant, Edinburgh, trustee on the sequestrated estate Messrs Woods & Hutchison, builders, Rosewell, against the Clippen's Oil Company. Decree was sought for £172 as balance said to be due for the construction of a chimney stalk at Pentland Oil Works, near Straiton. In defence, it was alleged that the construction of the chimney was defective, and that it would require £110 to put it right. The defenders offered £44, and decree was given by Lord Adam for that amount. — ln affirming his judgment to day, the Lord Justice-Clerk said that as decree proceeded upon the assumption that the chimney was not safe, it would be expected that the defenders would use the £110 for the purpose for which the court allowed it. Probably the authorities in the parish, looking to events which had recently happened elsewhere, would exercise vigilance and see that the chimney was not allowed to remain its present state after the allowance which they had made.

Glasgow Evening Citizen - Tuesday 20 February 1883

SCOTCH APPEALS.

An appeal (says our London reporter) by the Clippens Oil Company, against a decision of the Court of Session for granting interdict and missuspension against their using a patent for the distillation of shale, came before the judicial members of the House of Lords today. Sir Farrer Herschell opened the case for the appellents, and the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General appeared for the respondents, Messrs. Norman Henderson, of Broxburn, and William Kennedy, Braemar Villa, Pollokshields, the managing directors of the Broxburn Oil Company. The allegation is that the Clippens Company have appropriated a valuable invention of the respondents, by which the cost of distillation has been greatly reduced; but the appellants contended that the patent is not new, and that there has been no infringement. The Lord Ordinary and the Second Division of the Court of Session took a different view of the case. The hearing in London is expected to last three days.

Glasgow Herald - Wednesday 21 February 1883

THE CLIPPENS OIL OIL COMPANY'S APPEAL CASE.

HOUSE OF LORDS, Tuesday.

(Before the LORD CHANCELLOR, Lords O’HAGAN,WATSON, BRAMWELL, and FITZGERALD.)

The first meeting of the House of Lords sitting for judicial business was held to-day, when the appeal of the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) against Henderson & Kennedy, of Broxburn and Glasgow, was proceeded with.

The appeal was from the Second Division of the Court of Session, Edinburgh. The original action was at the instance of Messrs Henderson & Kennedy (now the respondents), and concluded for interdict against the Clippens Oil Company from infringing the patent rights of the pursuers. These letters patent were set forth as "granted to the complainer Norman M'Farlane Henderson for improvements in the distillation of shale or other oil-yielding minerals, and in apparatus therefor, dated April 10, 1873, and the petition craved that the oil company might be prohibited from “making, using, exercising, or vending, in whole or in part, the invention forming the subject of the said letters patent, and from making, vending, or using retorts or other apparatus for the distillation of shale or other oil-yielding minerals constructed in the manner described in the said specification or in manner substantially the same."

The defenders in the original action (the oil company) denied that the complainer Henderson was "the first and true inventor of the alleged invention," and averred that it was a process publicly known prior to the date of the said letters patent.

The Lord Ordinary, after hearing proof, refused the interdict craved, but the Second Division reversed the interlocutor of the Lord Ordinary and granted the interdict as craved.

Against that judgement the present appeal was taken.

For the appellants the counsel were the Solicitor-General for England (Sir Farrar Herschell), Mr Webster, Q.C., and Mr Macrony; and for the respondents there were the Lord-Advocate for Scotland (Mr Balfour) and Mr Aston, Q.C.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for ENGLAND, in opening the case for the appellants, explained at length, with the aid of models, the leading features of the invention patented in 1872 by the respondent Henderson, and which comprised improved arrangements for the utilisation of the spent shale and for making it serve the purpose of combustion. If, he said, the invention claimed by Henderson extended to the utilisation of shale from the retort to the combustion chamber, then the invention really was not new; and if that was not so -- that is, if it did not so extend - the House would have to consider to what the invention was limited. The learned gentleman went on to maintain that there was in the use of the apparatus in question no infringement of the pursuers' patent, if the patent be so constructed as to make it good but his (the learned Solicitor-General's) contention was that in respect of the door at the bottom of the retort and the door at the fire chamber, the appellants used a different arrangement from that of the respondents. He disputed that the respondents' patent covered such an arrangement as that used by the appellants, but if their patent was held good, and if it was held to cover any arrangement for serving the same purpose which tile respondents' served, namely, the having a door on the bottom of the retort and a valve on the fire chamber, so that when the one closed the other was opened, then be would not dispute their case. The Solicitor-General then proceeded with the reading of the evidence led before the Lord Ordinary, and had not concluded when the House adjourned till Thursday.

Dundee Advertiser - Friday 23 February 1883

IMPORTANT LITIGATION AS TO PATENT RIGHTS. - A case from Scotland involving an important question as to patent rights came on for hearing in the House of Lords on Tuesday. It came up by way of an appeal from a decision of the Second Division of the Court of Session, and was at the instance of the Clippens Oil Company against Messrs Henderson & Kennedy, two gentlemen intimately connected with the management of that successful undertaking, the Broxburn Oil Company. Mr Henderson claims to having invented a retort by which shale can be reduced at much less cost than formerly, while the production is largely increased. The invention was patented by Messrs. Henderson and Kennedy, and a number very heavy royalties have been paid to them for the right to use it. The Clippens Company, however, have commenced using a retort very similar in construction, but they deny that it is an infringement of the patent in question. In this view were supported by the Lord-Ordinary, but the Second Division reversed his judgment and granted interdict. The question now awaits final decision at the hands of the judicial members of the Lords, but it will take at least two days for Sir Farrar Herschel and the Lord-Advocate to state their view on behalf of the appellants and respondents. The question is one exciting great interest in the oil trade.

Glasgow Evening Citizen - Friday 23 February 1883

SCOTCH APPEAL.

(From our own Reporter.)

LONDON, Friday, 2 p.m.

The Solicitor-General for England has this forenoon concluded his opening address on behalf of the Clippens Oil Co. against the decision of the Second Division, who held that they had infringed the patent retort, the property of Mr. Henderson, of Broxburn, and Mr. Kennedy, of Pollokshields. He maintained that the view of the Lord Ordinary ought to be upheld, that the patent was not good. Mr. Webster, Q.C., who also appeared for the appellants, has commenced dealing with the Lord Justice-Clerk's decision, arguing that in point of law it cannot be confirmed as it overlooked the important fact that the patent in question was old, and that the appellants have adopted structural details which even, if it were valid, would free them from any responsibility.

The Lord-Chancellor, without hearing the Lord-Advocate for the respondents, said their Lordships were satisfied that the judgement of the Lord Justice-Clerk in the Second Division was sound, that the Clippens Oil Company had infringed the patent retort of Mr. Henderson, and therefore, they dismissed the appeal with costs.

Lord Watson, Lord Bramwell, and Lord Fitzgerald concurred.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 08 January 1884

ACTION AGAINST THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

Lord Kinnear gave judgment, in the Court of Session to-day, in an action at the instance of Norman Macfarlane Henderson, Broxburn, and William Kennedy, Newark Drive, Glasgow, in which decree was sought against the Clippens Oil Company for payment of £23,000. The pursuers are the holders of a patent for distilling mineral oil, and they alleged that the defenders had illegally made use of the patent. The sum sued for was in respect of royalties at the rate of per ton for the quantity which they alleged the defenders distilled by means of the patent. Defenders offered to pay £2000 to avoid litigation. His lordship held that the remedy ought to have been by an action for damages instead accounting, and dismissed the case, without prejudice, however, to the pursuers to raise in another form.

Glasgow Herald - Wednesday 14 May 1884

SECOND DIVISION – TUESDAY, MAY 13.

R.N. – NORMAN M’FARLANE HENDERSON AND ANOTHER v THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

This was a re claiming note against the decision of Lord Kinnear, who rejected the claim of the pursuer for payment of a sum in name of royalties upon his patent oil distilling retort. The case was partly debated last session, and to-day when it was called it was stated that the matter in dispute had been compromised, but the terms of the settlement have not been divulged.

Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser - Saturday 17 May 1884

THE BROXBURN PATENT CASE—WITHDRAWAL OF THE RECLAIMING NOTE.—This was a reclaiming note for Norman M 'Farlane Henderson, Broxburn and Wm. Kennedy, Pollokshields Road, Glasgow, the holders of certain letters patent for an invention for improvements in the distinctive distillation of shale or oil-yielding minerals, and with apparatus therefore, against Lord Kinnear's interlocutor dismissing the action raised by them to have the Clippens Oil Company ordained to count and reckon for the profits derived by them from a large quantity of shale distilled through retorts erected in infringement of said patent. The sum of £23,000 was concluded for as the balance alleged to be due to the pursuers. On the case being called on Tuesday, a joint minute was lodged whereby the reclaiming note was withdrawn, neither party being found entitled to expenses.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Saturday 09 August 1884

THEFT OF AMMONIA AT LASSWADE.

A young man named James Gargan pleaded guilty before Sheriff Hamilton in Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court on Monday, to stealing 14lbs. of ammonia from Pentland Oil Works, Lasswade, the property of Clippens Oil Company. Sentence of three days' imprisonment was imposed.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Saturday 20 September 1884

ACTION AGAINST THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

Four workmen raised actions against this Company in the Mid-Lothian Justice of Peace Small-Debt Court on Monday seeking to recover 18s 6d, each for work done, and 24s 6d, in lieu of a week's wages. It was agreed to take one case as a test for the whole. The evidence showed that the pursuers refused to perform a certain piece of work, on the ground that it was dangerous to their lives, and as the result they were dismissed. The rules of the Company provide that if orders are disobeyed, dismissal follows; and as the Bench held that the men were not exposed to danger, decree was given only for the sums which had been worked for, with no expenses.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 05 November 1884

ACTION for the LOSS of a SON.

In the Court of Session to-day, Lord Fraser closed the record and ordered issues for trial by jury of an action brought by Michael Quinn, residing in Mayo, against the Clippens Oil Company. Pursuer sues for £500 as damages for the loss of his son Owen, a young man of 20 years of age, upon whose earnings he was dependent. Owen was in the employment of defenders a labourer. On 14th August last, in obedience to the orders of a blacksmith engineer, he entered an iron tank which had been charged with vitriol and ammonia, for the purpose of cleaning it out. Having entered by man hole near the top, which was so small that he could scarcely pass through it, he was at once overpowered the fumes. A fellow workman entered the tank to his assistance, and also was affected, and was taken out unconscious. Quinn was dead when taken out. Pursuer maintains that defenders ought to have known of the danger to which deceased was exposed and to have adopted means to secure the safety of their workmen. Defenders say that the cleaning out of this tank was one the ordinary occupations in their works, and that persons accepting employment in such places undertake any risk that may arise in the performance of their duties. All the usual precautions had been taken on this occasion, the blacksmith engineer having himself entered the tank before deceased, to see that it was safe. Such an occurrence had never happened in their works before, and they can only attribute it to some abnormal and accidental cause, of which they have no knowledge, and for which they maintain that they are not responsible. —Pursuer's counsel, Mr Nevay: agent, J. Watson Johns, L.A. Defenders' counsel, Mr Jameson; agents, Auld & Macdonald, W.S.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Saturday 17 January 1885

THE ACTION FOR THE LOSS OF A SON.

Lord Fraser and a jury in the Court of Session on Wednesday concluded the trial of the action of which they began on Tuesday at the instance of Michael Quinn, Mayo, against the Clippens Oil Company. Pursuer sued for £500 as damages for the loss of his son Owen, who was killed by deadly gases contained in a tank which he was cleaning out in defenders' works on 14th August last. For the defenders, it was maintained that they provided, as far as it was possible, for the safety of the workman who had to go into the tank, the foreman having himself entered it that morning to ascertain its condition. Lord Fraser, in summing up, said that pursuer might as well have scheduled the National Debt as ask £500 but it would rest with them to fix the amount of damages if they were satisfied there had been fault. The jury were absent from court 35 minutes, and on returning gave a unanimous verdict in favour of the company, holding that fault on their part had not been established.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 31 January 1885

THE ACTION FOR THE LOSS OF A SON.

In the Second Division of the Court Session to-day, counsel were heard in connection with new trial of the action recently tried by Lord Fraser and a jury, which Michael Quinn, Mayo, sued the Clippens Oil Company for £500 as damages for the loss of his son Owen. The son was killed by deadly gases contained in a tank which he was cleaning out in defenders' work on 14th August last. For the defenders, it was maintained that they provided, as far it was possible, for the safety of the workmen who had to go into the tank, the foreman having himself entered that morning to ascertain its condition. The jury gave unanimous verdict in favour of defenders, holding that fault bad not been established. Pursuer was dissatisfied with the verdict, and wished it set aside on the grounds that it was against the weight of evidence, and that was produced by evidence which came upon them as a surprise.—Lord Young said the evidence was that the machinery was all right. The tank was a suitable one, and the master sent in a suitable man to examine it at a suitable time before the unskilled workman was allowed to enter it. He had great sympathy with people who suffered without any fault of their own in the course of a trade the profit which went to another, but, it not having been proved that the master was responsible in law, the kindest thing they could do to pursuer was to refuse to grant a new trial.—The motion was accordingly refused, and on the motion of Mr Laing, for defenders, the verdict of the jury was applied. Defenders did not ask for expenses.

Glasgow Herald - Monday 02 February 1885

SECOND DIVISION-SATURDAY, January 31.

(Before Lords YOUNG, CRAIGHILL, RUTHERFURD CLARK, and FRASER.)

MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL. – MICHAEL QUINN v. THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

Counsel were heard to-day in at application for a new trial in the action for damages brought by Michael Quinn against the Clippens Oil Company on the ground that the verdict was not in accordance with the evidence. Quinn's son lost his life a by being suffocated in an acid tank belonging to the defenders, and the pursuer brought an action for damages against the oil company which was decided by a jury last week in favour of the defenders.

Their Lordships to-day refused the application. Lord Young remarked that it was quite settled law now that everyone who was employed along with others must take upon himself the risks that follow from negligence on the part of fellow-workmen. That law had recently been modified by statute, but this action was not brought under the Employers' Liability Act. It was upon the old law, and therefore the ground of action was necessarily some failure of duty on the part of the master, which had not been proved in this case. At the same time, he must express his sympathy with those who suffered without any -fault of their own in a trade the profit of which went to other people.

Counsel for Pursuer and Appellant-Mr Campbell Smith and Mr Nevay.

Counsel for Defenders and Respondents-Mr Lang and Mr W. C. Smith.

Dundee Evening Telegraph - Wednesday 11 March 1885

HOW COLLIERY EXPLOSIONS ARE CAUSED.

David Haddon, fireman employed by the Clippens Oil Company, was charged before Sheriff Rutherfurd, in the Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday, with having, on 9th inst., at Pentland shale pit, Lasswade, failed to inspect the different working-places in the pit and to mark the day of the month upon the face of each, so to indicate that they had been inspected, and to report to the workmen about to descend as to the ventilation in the different workings, in breach of his duty and the rules prescribed by the Act. Accused pleaded guilty. It appears that, in consequence of the neglect of the rules, an explosion had taken place in the pit on the day in question, whereby a man was injured. It was admitted by the Procurator-Fiscal that the workmen had no right to descend into the pit until the inspector had reported at the pithead that the workings were clear. The Sheriff, taking that circumstance into consideration, imposed a fine of £l, with the alternative of five days' imprisonment.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 15 October 1885

ACTION BY MINERS AGAINST THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. – At the Edinburgh Small Debt Court on Wednesday last - Sheriff Hamilton presiding -Thomas Bourhill and James Docherty, miners, sued the Clippens Oil Company, Loanhead, for wages amounting, in Bourhill's case to £2, 14s 6d, and in Docherty's to £1, 19s 9d. The company's solicitor stated that payment was withheld because the pursuers had first refused to repair their schutes and thereafter on being told they could not be allowed to continue working till the schutes were repaired, leaving the mine without working out their seven days' warning. He explained also that the company were ready, and had offered to pay the men their full wages provided they returned to their work, repaired the schutes, and wrought out their warning; but that the men had not accepted this offer and the company felt it necessary, for the discipline of their works to ask the court to award them, by way of deduction from the wages sued for, a sum, the amount of which they would leave to his Lordship, in name of damages for breach of contract. After proof the Sheriff held the company's defence fully established, and gave decree for the sums sued for under deduction in Bourhill's case of £1 5s, and in Docherty's case of 15s.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 09 November 1885

THE STRIKE AT CLIPPENS OIL WORKS.

TRIAL OF THE WORKMEN TO-DAY.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court this afternoon—Sheriff Rutherfurd presiding—John Wheelan (21), Patrick Daily (26), Bernard Flynn (30) and Philip Boyle (26) were charged with contravening Section 5 of the Conspiracy and Protection Act, 1875, in so far as on Tuesday last, at the Pentland Oil Works, Loanhead, occupied by the Clippens Oil Company, they being with others under a contract of service to the company as retortmen, maliciously broke the same by failing to proceed to their work, knowing that the probable consequence of their doing so would be to expose to destruction or serious injury 500 retorts containing shale in process of distillation and in full heat. The court was crowded, many of the workmen on strike being present. Prisoners pleaded not guilty, and were defended by M A. Urquhart, S.S.C. – Alexander Bell, manager to the company, said all the accused were retortmen. The retorts required constant attention, and were worked by two shifts of men – night and day. The retorts required to be drawn every four hours or so, and if this was not attended to, much damage might be done. About a fortnight ago the company resolved to ask the men to look after nine ovens instead of eight, as before. Each oven contained eight retorts. This change was to come into operation on Monday last. On Monday the day men demurred to the change, though they worked that day, but on Monday evening the night shift refused. Some of the men said they had not been told by the foreman individually, and witness on hearing this told the men to go on in the old way for eight days, but that as the company required the new system to be adopted, any man who was not prepared to accept it then could give in his notice. The company’s regulations were that the men should give seven days’ notice. The men said that was fair, and work went on in the old way until Tuesday evening, when the men struck work because witness would not agree to continue on the old system. We warned them as to the danger of leaving the retorts in the condition in which they were, and told the men he would prosecute them. A voice from the crown replied, “What damages could ye get off retortmen?” There were 576 retorts full at the time, and it was with great difficulty, and by pressing every hand into the work that the shale in the retorts was prevented from “fluxing.” There was a great loss to the company in the contents of the retorts being spoiled. He thought the loss would be several hundreds of pounds, but had he not managed to get the help he did, the loss would have been at least £2000 or £3000. Cross-examined: No notice of the change was posted up in the works. The men objected that they would have too much work under the new system, but he did not think that. The company had men elsewhere doing the same amount of work as they were to be asked to o, and they wanted to make them all alike. – Thomas Ryder, a retort foreman, said he warned the night men on Monday of the change. Three of the accused were on the night shift, and when he told them they said they would not do it, and gave in their notice. When some of the men objected he told them “If a man would not work he was no use there.” Witness did not mean by that that the men were to leave immediately. By the Court: It was customary for the Clippens Oil Company to give the men notice before asking them to do extra work. In this case that notice was given on Monday. Other corroborative evidence was led, after which five witnesses were examined for the defence. The essence of their statement was that the men did not get proper notice, and on declining to accept the company’s new regulations were told to “go upstairs,” which they took to mean summary dismissal. It was admitted, however, that they went on working for a time after that. The Sheriff found the accused guilty, and, remarking on the great damage that might have happened and that actually did happen through their conduct, ordered each of them to pay a fine of £5, or suffer a month’s imprisonment.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 08 February 1886

A WORKMAN'S ACTION FOR WAGES.

In the Mid-Lothian Justice of Peace Small- Debt Court to-day, a workman named Thomas Tober sued the Clippens Oil Company for 15s, the amount of wages for work on the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th December. Pursuer said that on Saturday, 12th December, when he stopped work, he was told by defenders' assistant manager that if he did not turn out to work on Sunday, he did not need to come back on Monday. He over-slept himself on Sunday. He contended that he was still in the employment of the company, but had not been paid for the four days he sued for. In defence, it was contended by Mr P. Douglas, S.S.C., that Tober worked for the company only on the 10th, 11th, and 12th December, and that, not having given seven days' notice to leave, he forfeited his pay. In the cross-examination of Tober it transpired that now works along with his brother-in-law, who is a contractor for digging shale one of the company's pits. The assistant manager said Tober did not work for the company after the 12th. On that day he asked pursuer to turn out on the Sunday, because repairs were necessary for the safety of the pit. Tober did not turn out. The contractors for digging shale were not servants of the company. The bench held that Tober had not yet left the employment of the company, and they gave decree for three days' wages.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 06 April 1886

CONTRAVENTION OF THE COAL MINES REGULATION ACT.

In Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court this afternoon—Sheriff Hamilton presiding—a fireman named James M'Aulay was charged with contravening the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1872, in so far as on the 5th inst., being employed as a fireman at Pentland Shale Pit, Lasswade, occupied by the Clippens Oil Company, he failed to inspect the different working places in the pit, and mark with a piece of chalk the day of the month, so to indicate to any miner that the place had been duly inspected, and also failing to report truly at the pithead as to the ventilation of the different working places, and failing to cause one particular part of the pit to be fenced off. In consequence of the latter neglect, it appeared that a drawer named John Cameron inadvertently entered a "place," and an explosion of firedamp occurred, whereby Cameron was injured. Sheriff Hamilton imposed a fine of £1, or in default, ten days' imprisonment.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 30 June 1886

ACTION AGAINST THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Small-Debt Court today—Sheriff Hamilton on the bench —John Mulholland, residing at Lees Buildings, Loanhead, sued the Clippens Oil Company, Loanhead, for £1 16s as eight days' wages in lieu of notice, pursuer having been dismissed without notice on Thursday 17th June, whereas he held that in terms of the rules he could only be dismissed on a week's notice. Pursuer said he was dismissed on the date in question without notice. He went to the manager, who told him that it was in the hands of the contractor, and that he would have to look out elsewhere. Pursuer held the contractor had nothing to do with him. The manager said that between the 16th and 17th of June there was a change at the works, some parts being taken over by contractors. There were frequently changes of this kind. Altogether about 700 men were employed, and changes were also made by the men from the company's employment to the contractor's. In these cases no notice was insisted upon. Pursuer said nothing about notice to him, and if he had insisted on it he (the manager) would have given the contractor orders accordingly. Afterwards, when he heard from pursuer's agent, he wrote saying he would be allowed work his notice, but he did not come. When he told him to go elsewhere, he meant to some other part of the works. The Sheriff held there was no real claim. He did not think pursuer had made the thing clear to the manager, and he granted absolvitor.

Glasgow Herald - Monday 15 November 1886

(Before Lord KINNEAR.)

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY v. EDINBURGH AND DISTRICT WATER TRUST.

Lord Kinnear to-day closed the record in an action at the instance of the Clippens Oil Company against the Edinburgh and District Water Trust. Pursuers seek declarator that the minerals on the estates of Straiton and Pentland, leased or owned by the pursuers, lying under or within 40 yards of the main water pipe belonging to the defenders, cannot be wrought by reason of apprehended injury to the defenders' works, and that the Water Trust should be required to compensate them for any loss sustained by pursuers in respect that the minerals cannot be wrought. Pursuers have already worked out a portion of the shale below the pipe track, but they have left stoops, and no injury to the pipe has resulted. They now, however, intend to work out these stoops, but they are advised that that might have the effect of causing a subsidence of the ground, with the result that the water pipe would be injured and the pursuers' workings would be inundated. They are willing to refrain from working out the minerals on receiving compensation. Last year they offered to accept £2000 for sandstone below the pipe track, but their offer was not acknowledged by the Trust. Defenders say they are proprietors of the ground through which their pipe passes in virtue of a disposition granted to the Edinburgh Water Company in 1825, and that disposition, they aver, included all the minerals below the track. The working of shale below the track is, therefore, they say, illegal, and they reserve their claim against the pursuers for damages in respect of what they have done. They apprehend no injury from any lawful operations which the defenders may undertake, as these, in their opinion, could have no injurious effect upon their workings. So far as subsidence may be caused by workings they are prepared to take such measures as would prevent injury to them or their neighbours.

Counsel for Pursuers - Mr Ure. Agents - Webster, Will & Ritchie, S.S.C.

Counsel for Defenders - Mr Murray. Agents - Millar, Robson & Innes, S.S.C.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 10 December 1886

ACTION AGAINST CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

Lord Trayner, in the Court of Session to day, closed the record in an action at the instance of John Ainslie, jun., Hillend, Mid-Lothian, against the Clippens Oil Company, in which pursuer sues for £120. He states that in April, 1885, he entered into agreement with defenders, who had taken a turnip field from him, that they were to pay £9 per acre compensation for unexhausted manures, and £8 per acre rent, beginning at Whitsunday, 1885. Defenders paid the compensation and one year's rent, but have not yet made any other payment, and are now a year's rent in arrear. The field extended to 15 acres. The defenders say that shortly after the agreement, Mr Ainslie retook from them 10 acres of the turnip field, and other two large fields extending to 30 acres, and small field of eight acres. The fields of 30 acres he took possession of. They allege he has not paid the agreed upon rent of 35s per acre, and he is now owing them £141 13s 8d, for which they have raised a counter action. They maintain that they are entitled to set off their own claim against pursuer's. — Pursuer's counsel, Mr A. S. Paterson; agents, Paterson, Cameron, & Company. Defenders' counsel, Mr Ure; agents, Webster, Will, & Ritchie, S.S.C.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 23 December 1886

CONTRAVENTION OF THE MINES ACT IN MID-LOTHIAN.

To-day at the Edinburgh Summary Court, before Sheriff Rutherfurd, William Smith, a fireman in the employment of the Pentland Shale Company, Limited, was charged with having, on the 22d December, in the pit occupied by the Clippens Oil Company, failed, before the time for commencing work, to make an inspection of the different workings, and to report to the miners and others as to the ventilation of the pit, and prevent them from entering, in consequence which Robert Waldie, a miner, went down the pit, and an explosion of fire-damp took place. He pleaded guilty. — The Fiscal said the man was not seriously injured. —Mr M'Donald, for the accused, said that he had been three years in the employment of the company, and he was looked upon as a most cautious man. — Sheriff Rutherfurd said he was quite willing admit that the accused had been a very careful man hitherto, but at the same time it was obvious that a man in his position must be very careful. He imposed a fine of £1, or five days imprisonment.

Glasgow Herald - Monday 10 January 1887

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY v. EDINBURGH AND DISTRICT WATER TRUST.

This was an action at the instance of the Clippens Oil Company against the Edinburgh and District Water Trust. Pursuers sought declarator that the minerals on the estates of Straiton and Pentland, leased or owned by the pursuers, lying under or within 40 yards of the main water pipe belonging to the defenders, could not be wrought by reason of apprehended injury to the defenders' works, and that the Water Trust should be required to compensate them for any loss sustained by pursuers in respect that the minerals cannot be wrought. Pursuers had already worked out a portion of the shale below the pipe track, but they had left stoops, and no injury to the pipe had resulted. They now, however, intended to work out these stoops, but they were advised that that might have the effect of causing a subsidence of the ground, with the result that the water pipe would be injured, and the pursuers' workings would be inundated. They were willing to refrain from working out the minerals on receiving compensation. Last year they offered to accept £2000 for sandstone below the pipe track, but their offer was not acknowledged by the Trust. Defenders said they were proprietors of the ground through which their pipe passed in virtue of a disposition granted to the Edinburgh Water Company in 1825, I and that disposition, they averred, included all the minerals below the track. The working of shale below the track was, therefore, they said, illegal, and they reserved their claim against the pursuers for damages in respect of what they had done. They apprehended no injury from any lawful operations which the defenders might undertake, as these, in their opinion, could have no injurious effect upon their workings. So far as subsidence might be caused by workings they were prepared to take such measures as would prevent injury to them or their neighbours.

Lord KINNEAR, in giving judgment to-day, said it appeared to him that there was no relevant statement in support of the pursuers' claims for compensation under any of the clauses of the Act founded upon. The question remained whether the pursuers were entitled to decree under the alternative conclusion for damages; that was, that they should be entitled to compensation in respect of injury done to their property if the defenders should work out the minerals. It might be that such a claim for damage should arise. ft was very possible that in the course of the pursuers' working of these minerals their workings might be damaged by causes for which the defenders might be responsible, but he thought it quite impossible to give a general decree of declarator to that effect. It might be that the refusal on the part of the defenders to protect their pipes might under certain circumstances amount to fault, which would render them responsible for the consequences, but he gave no opinion on that subject. He therefore sustained the defenders’ plea to the effect that the statements of the pursuers were irrelevant and insufficient to support the conclusions of the action, which he dismissed with expenses. The decree, however, would not in any way foreclose any question which might arise in the event of the pursuers working out the minerals.

Counsel for Pursuers - Mr Ure. Agents – Webster, Will & Ritchie, S.S.C.

Counsel for Defenders - Mr Murray, Agents- Millar, Robson & Innes, S.S.C.

Dunfermline Saturday Press - Saturday 09 July 1887

NEGLECTING EXAMINE A COAL MINE.

James Kirkpatrick, a fireman employed at the Straiton shale mine of the Clippens Oil Company, was convicted on evidence on Monday, at the Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court, of having neglected to examine the workings of the mine before the workmen descended the 1st inst. It was stated in evidence that he "slept in" that morning, and made a false entry in the book to the effect that he had examined the workings, but blotted out the entry when spoken to on the subject by the oversman. Mr William M'Donald, speaking in mitigation of penalty, argued that the manager and oversman should not have allowed the workmen to descend, as they did, when the examination had not been made.

Sheriff Rutherfurd said he was not prepared to say that there might not have been some blame on the part of others as well the accused, but that was not a sufficient justification or exoneration of the accused for what he had done. He ought to have been down the pit in order to inspect and report as to the ventilation of all the working places. He was to blame, perhaps, for not confessing his fault at once to the oversman; and the worst feature was his making a false entry in the book. A penalty of £1, or five days' imprisonment, was inflicted.

South Wales Echo - Wednesday 13 July 1887

A MINERS' ACTION OF DAMAGES

In the Court of Session, Edinburgh, yesterday, their lordships ordered issues for trial by jury of an action at the instance of John Beck, miner, Loanhead, against the Clippens Oil Company, in which pursuer sues for £100. He states that he was hurt by an explosion of fire-damp in one of defendants' pits on the evening of the 21st of April last. He was thrown to the ground, his back was sprained, and his face and hands burnt. There was, he says, no ventilation in the mine, and no inspection. Defendants deny this, and say that the pit was regularly and duly inspected, and that the ventilation was good. Plaintiff, they say, was so slightly injured that he wished to resume work the same evening. They have already paid him £2, and offer him £3 10s as a balance of wages due for the time he was off work.

The Scotsman - Saturday 21 January 1888

OUTER HOUSE
(Before Lord Lee.)

JOHN BECK v. THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

The pursuer here, John Beck, miner, High Street, Loanhead, sued the Clippens Oil Company for £100 as compensation for personal injuries sustained by him on the 21st April last. The pursuer, who was in defenders' employment, had descended a shaft in order to resume work, and was proceeding along a level to the working when an explosion of fire-damp took place, by which he was thrown on his face and severely injured. He attributed the accident to imperfect ventilation, and maintained that the defenders were responsible for the consequences. The defenders resisted the action on the ground that the mine had been duly and regularly inspected in terms of the statute, and that the ventilation had been found to be good. Counsel appeared to-day, and lodged a joint minute in terms of which the action has been settled. The terms of settlement are that the defenders have agreed to pay the pursuer £38 and expenses.

Counsel for the Pursuer—Mr Gunn. Agent—C. B. Hogg. L.A.

Agent for the Defenders—Webster, Will, & Ritchie, S. S. C.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 13 April 1888

THE PIT EXPLOSION AT LOANHEAD.

At the Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court today—before Sheriff Rutherfurd —the Clippens Oil Company (Limited), Glasgow, as owners, and Allan Craig, agent, and James M’Gill, manager of No. 2 Pit, Pentland shale mines, Lasswade, were charged with allowing, on 2d March, lamps or lights other than locked safety lamps in the working place No. 97, in section three of that mine, in which place there was likely to be such a quantity of gas as to render the use of naked lights dangerous. James Byrne said he went down the pit, and went to his own working, after parting with the brothers Clark, when he heard an explosion. He ran to the Clarks’ working, and got Patrick lying. He helped him and his brother to get away. Sneddon, fireman, stated that he “carried a lamp" for 28 years. He visited working place 97 on Thursday night, about eight o'clock, when he examined the place minutely and found no gas.—William Binnie, fireman, deponed that on two occasions in February he found a quantity of gas accumulated in the workings. The men were accordingly kept out the pit on both occasions for the whole day. The following days he reported “all clear”. Mr Moore, Government Inspector of Mines, said that he visited the pit the day after the explosion, which occurred on 2d March. From what he knew of the character of the mine and from the evidence adduced, he thought it quite likely that the accumulation of gas, spoken of as gathering between four o'clock when Sneddon found the place clear and the time when the accident happened, would take place. Gas issued out of the seam. The system of ventilation in the workings was liable to be interfered with in many cases. According to the new Act, he thought it was a place where safety lamps should be used. He considered the use of naked lamps in such a place as dangerous, and had informed the company, some time before the explosion occurred, that they should use safety lamps. One of the witnesses for the defence stated that several hundreds of the men had signed a petition against the use of the safety lamp because of the greater light afforded by the open lamps. This was of especial benefit in their pit, because of the nature of the workings. Several miners also gave evidence to the effect that they considered it most unlikely that there should have been an explosion in the place, and they had no hesitation in working. Mr Dickson, advocate, for the company said it was one of the unforeseen accidents that could not be prevented, as the place was properly examined four times daily. The Sheriff held that on the day of the explosion the place was examined, and found all right, and therefore it could not be predicted that the place was one in which gas was likely to accumulate to a dangerous extent, and in such quantity as to make the use of naked lamps dangerous. In the event of any future explosion the case would be different, as the parties would have before them this experience. It might be the duty of the company in future to safety lights, but that was not a matter for them to dispose of. With reference to the petition, the Sheriff said that one of the reasons of the Coal Mines Regulation Acts was to save the men from their own carelessness and rashness. It was notorious that in some mines the men preferred to use naked lights because it gave a better light, and left them with their hands free. – The charge was accordingly abandoned.

Glasgow Herald - Tuesday 12 March 1889

PAISLEY.-THEFT OF LEAD.-At the Sheriff Court yesterday – Sheriff Cowan on the bench - Thomas Robertson, alias Murphy, was convicted of having stolen on Saturday 1cwt. of lead from the Clippens Oil Works, Linwood. He was sent to prison for 30 days.

Dundee Advertiser - Wednesday 06 November 1889

COURT OF SESSION.

ACTION BY EDINBURGH WATER TRUST.

Yesterday Lord Kinnear closed the record in an action at the instance of the Edinburgh and District Water Trust against the Clippens Oil Company. Declarator is asked that the pursuers are proprietors of a piece of ground on the estate of Pentland, through which the aqueduct pipe for conveying the water of Crawley springs to Edinburgh is laid. There also claim for £500 damages on the ground that the defenders have worked the shale from below the land in an improper manner. The defenders resist the action, and state that they are lessees of the Pentland shale in virtue of a lease granted by General Gibson of Pentland, which does not except the minerals claimed by the pursuers. They also maintain that their works have been carried out with care and skill.

Counsel for the pursuers—Mr Boyd. Agent— Mr White Miller, S.S.C.

Counsel for the defenders—Mr Ure. Agents— Smith & Mason, S.S.C.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 13 March 1890

A LOANHEAD MINER'S ACTION. In the Court of Session, Lord Kincairney today closed the record in an action at the instance of Charles Sherry, 115 Clippens Row, against the Clippens Oil Company, 27 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow. Decree is asked for £600 as damages for injuries. Defenders are lessees of the Pentland Mines and Crude Oil Works at Straiton, and pursuer was employed as under-roadman in their mines. On the morning of 7th August last he was working with the head-roadsman in getting out a fall of stone which had taken place in the air course in No. 1 pit. The air course is very irregular in width, and it is averred is not protected by timbers on its roof and sides. A quantity of shale fell from the roof and nearly buried the pursuer, severely injuring him, and rendering him unconscious. The fault attributed is want of protection for the roof and sides. Defenders state that the air course had been abandoned for some time and the props bad been removed, which was well known to the pursuer. They therefore maintain that he was working in the face of known and seen danger, and that in any view the damages are excessive. - Counsel for pursuer, Mr M'Lennan; agent, Wm. Donaldson, S.S.C. Defenders' counsel, Mr Ure; agents. Smith & Mason, S.S.C.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 02 April 1890

A LOANHEAD MINERS ACTION.

Lord Kincairney having issued an interlocutor allowing an issue for trial of an action at the instance of Charles Sherry, 115 Clippens Row, against the Clippens Oil Company, 27 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, the company have reclaimed against his lordship's judgment. The action is brought to recover damages for injuries sustained by a fall from the roof of a passage in a pit in which pursuer was working. Pursuer avers that the passage having been discontinued a working, defenders removed the timbering from it, and left it in an unsafe condition.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 17 November 1890

ACTION OVER A LOST FINGER.

In the Edinburgh Sheriff Court to-day, Sheriff Rutherfurd heard proof in an action raised by Michael Nugent, 89 Giles Street, Leith, against the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, Straiton, for £250 damages, or alternately £148 under the Employers' Liability Act. Pursuer stated he was employed by defenders as a labourer, and on 29th February while working in a sawmill his hand was severely lacerated, and one of his fingers cut off by a circular saw. He maintained that he should not have been sent there, and that it was skilled work. Defenders stated that pursuer's duties did not necessitate his touching the saw with his hands, and the accident was due to his own carelessness.

The Scotsman - Thursday 05 February 1891

SECOND DIVISION

(Before the Lord Justice-Clerk, and Lords Young and Rutherfurd Clark.)

APPEAL – WM. MULHOLLAND v. THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED.)

Issues were ordered to-day for the trial of an action by William Mulholland, 27 Lees Buildings, Station Road, Loanhead, against the Clippens Oil Company for £500 at common law, or £286 under the statute, damages for the loss of his son James, who, while in the employment of the defenders as a miner at the Clippens mine, was killed by a fall of stone from the roof. The pursuer avers that the roof was insecure; but the defenders allege that it was the duty of the deceased to put up props for the support of the roof and sides where necessary.

Counsel for the Pursuer—Mr William Campbell. Agent—William Considine. S. S. C.

Agents for the Defenders—Reid & Guild, W. S.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 20 March 1891

In the Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court today - before Sheriff Rutherfurd – Hugh Landels was charged that on 28th February at Pentland Oil Works, while under a contract of service or hiring with the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, as a retortman, he wilfully and maliciously broke said contract by refusing or failing to proceed to his work, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the probably consequence of doing so would be to endanger human life, or to expose to destruction or serious injury valuable property of the company contrary to the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act, 1875. Two other retortmen were to have been charged in the same complaint, but as they did not appear, Landels’ plea of not guilty was taken, and the trial of all three men was arranged for Wednesday next.

The Scotsman - Friday 05 June 1891

(Before Lord Kyllachy and a jury.)

WM. MULHOLLAND V. THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED.)

The hearing of evidence was begun to-day in an action by William Mulholland, 27 Lees Buildings, Station Road, Loanhead, against the Clippens Oil Company for £500 at common law, or £286 under the statute, damages for the loss of his son James, who, while in the employment of the defenders as a miner at the Clippens mine, was killed by a fall of stone from the roof. The pursuer avers that the roof was insecure; but the defenders allege that it was the duty of the deceased to put up props for the support of the roof and sides where necessary. The case was continued until to-morrow.

Counsel for the Pursuer – Mr William Campbell and Mr W. E. Fraser. Agent – William Considine, S.S.C.

Counsel for the Defenders – Mr Jameson and Mr Ure. Agents – Reid & Guild, W.S.

Coatbridge Express - Wednesday 10 June 1891

INTERESTING DECISION TO COALMASTERS AND MINERS. – On Friday, before Lord Kyllachy and a jury, a verdict was returned for the defenders in the action raised by William Mulholland, Loanhead, against the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, concluding for payment of £500 at common law, or otherwise £280 16s under the Employers’ Liability Act, as compensation for the death of his som, who on 9th September, 1890, while in the employment of the defenders as a miner at the Clippens Mine, near Loanhead, was killed by the fall of stone from the roof.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 11 June 1891

RECKLESS MINERS. — Two miners named Thomas Kerr and John Mowat pleaded not guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court yesterday of having, in contravention of the Mines Regulation Act, gone into a portion of the workings of the Clippens Oil Company’s pits at Loanhead which they were told was not in a safe condition. The evidence showed that the accused were told they might go into No. 9 pit with a safety lamp light, but not to go into No. 8, as there was gas in the workings. They seemed to have done so, however, as an explosion occurred, and both men were injured, and obtained compensation from the Company to the extent of £15 and £10 respectively. Sheriff Rutherfurd remarked that while that might be taken as an admission of liability on the part of the Company, he thought the charge was proved, but, looking to the punishment the men had already undergone, he would merely order them to come up for judgement when called upon.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 11 June 1891

ACION AGAINST THE CLIPPEN OIL COMPANY. - In the Outer House of the Court of Session on Thursday before Lord Kylachy and a jury the hearing of evidence was begun in an action by William Mulholland, 27 Lees Buildings, Station Road, Loanhead, against the Clippens Oil Company for £500 at common law or £286 under the statute, damages for the loss of his son James, who, while in the employment of the defenders as a miner at the Clippens Mine, was killed by a fall of stone from the roof. The pursuer avers that the roof was insecure; but the defenders allege that it was the duty of the deceased to put up props for the support of the roof and sides where necessary. The case was continued until Friday, when the jury, after half an hour's absence, returned a unanimous verdict for the defenders.

The Scotsman - Saturday 24 October 1891

SEQUEL TO AN EXPLOSION IN A MINE. - William Smith was charged yesterday in the Edinburgh Sheriff Court with having, on the 1st inst., while employed as a fireman by the Clippens Oil Company at No. 2 Pentland Shale Mine, failed to inspect the working places, falsely recorded in the report- book that he had examined and found them clear of gas, and allowed men to enter the workings without reporting to them that these were safe. He pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr D. Howard Smith, solicitor. After hearing the evidence - from which it appeared that a slight explosion occurred on the morning in question - Sheriff Rutherfurd found the first and second charges not proven. In doing so he remarked that apparently the General Regulation No. 4, in terms of which the entry in the book by the fireman was made, only required an entry to be made when gas or something else dangerous was found. If a report had to be made at all, his Lordship did not think the practice at the mine, by which it might be made long after the men had descended into the pit, was a good one. If there was not any warning conveyed in the report it would be altogether useless. It had been stated, he added, that that was the practice not only there, but in other places. As to the third charge, his Lordship quoted the 38th Special Regulation, and stated that it did not say the firemen had to make written report to the men. It might be that all he was bound to make was a verbal report. It was his duty certainly, according to the law of that rule, to make a verbal report, and not allow men to go to their working places until he had communicated with them and told them what state the mind was in, and they might proceed with safety. According to the evidence the accused neglected that part of his duty. It might have been that, finding the mine safe, he did not think it necessary to say anything to the men on the subject. At the same time his Lordship was not disposed to think the offence in this case was a very serious one, because the accused said - and there was no evidence to the contrary, except a slight explosion occurring shortly afterwards - that when he examined the mine it was safe. Although it would have been according to the letter of that special rule for him not to have allowed the men to go to work until he had communicated with them, the case was not of so grave a character as to render it necessary for his Lordship to impose the statutory penalty, and it was enough for him to admonish the accused. Smith was therefore found guilty of the third charge only, and liberated.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 29 October 1891

MINERS’ALLEGED DEFAULTS. - At the Edinburgh Sheriff Court last Friday, Evans Powell, underground manager, No. 2 mine, was charged under the Mines Regulation Act with failing to attend to a report given to him by William Pringle, a miner in said mine, on the 31st day of August, that gas had been felt in the place, and requesting him to make provision at Fleming's End for sufficient ventilation to clear the gas. In consequence of this not being done, an explosion occurred there on the 1st September whereby Charles Stewart, a drawer to Pringle, was severely burned. After Pringle had been examined, other two witnesses were brought forward. One of these, named Wilson, stated that he heard Pringle give the order to Powell but added that he did not think Powell heard what was said, as there was a good deal of noise at the place when the order was given. In consequence of the contradictory statements of the witnesses the Fiscal deserted the charge against Powell. Afterwards, three men named Stewart, Fleming, and Wilson were charged at the instance of the Clippens Company with having passed a fire-station in contravention of special rules at the mine, but the Fiscal did not proceed with the case against them.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 25 February 1892

ACTION AGAINST THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. – In the Outer House of the Court of Session on Saturday, Lord Stormonth Darling closed the record and ordered proof in an action by John Proctor, tenant of the farm of Burdiehouse Mains, against the Clippens Oil Company, 27 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, in which an order is asked upon defenders to restore dairy premises on the farm to their former condition, or to pay £65 as damages, and a separate sum of £20 as damages is sued for. Pursuer and defenders are tenants of Colonel Trotter of Mortonhall, and it is averred that in consequence of defenders' underground workings the dairy premises were so damaged that the sub-tenant who held from the pursuer, quitted the premised in October, 1890, and it has been found impossible to find a tenant for them. The damage to the building is estimated at £65. The £20 which is sued for made up of a half-year's rent of the dairy premises which pursuer lost, and £10 which he says he lost in being deprived of the manure made in connection with the dairy. Defenders say they obtained an estimate of the damage to the buildings, which showed that £7 would repair them, and that they have done the work. They plead that in these circumstances they are not liable.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 18 March 1892

SURFACE DAMAGE BY MINING.—In the Court of Session on Saturday, before Lord Stormonth- Darling, it was intimated that the action had been settled in which John Proctor, tenant of the farm of Burdiehouse Mains, asked that the Clippens Oil Company should be ordained to restore the dairy premises of Burdiehouse Mains to the condition in which they were prior to the autumn of 1890, when they were injured by the underground workings of the defenders. Damages to the extent of £85 were also claimed. A payment has been made by the defenders of £10 in full of loss in respect of rent and damages, and of £30 for expenses, quoad ultra in terms of the settlement, the defenders being assoilzied.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 13 June 1892

MINE VENTILATION AT THE CLIPPENS.

In the Edinburgh Sheriff Court to-day, before Sheriff Substitute Rutherfurd, Mr R. Armstrong, manager of the Clippens Oil Works at Straiton, was indicted for having contravened Rule 1 of the Mines Regulation Act, through failing to provide sufficient ventilation in some of the workings in No. 8 Mine at Clippens. George Baxter, a miner at Straiton, said there was sometimes a good deal of gas in the “heading" in which he was, and he was sometimes prevented from going down because of gas. On 29th March an accident occurred, one of the drawers named Sharkie being injured in a explosion. A hand-fan supplied the ventilation. It was worked by the drawers as they went out and in with their hutch. Sometimes half an hour and sometimes an hour elapsed between these ventilating operations, and he had sometimes go and turn the fan himself when the air became close. Cross-examined by Mr Ure, advocate, witness said he had been about 20 years a miner. He supposed that the passage he was driving was to improve the ventilation of the mine. At the time of the accident the main fan which ventilated the whole mine had been about a day under repair. It took them about two hours to get the place properly clear by working the hand fan after the accident. It took so long, because the main fan was under repair. On other occasions it took about five or ten minutes to make the air quite safe for working. Sharkie knew that he should not have gone down until the miners had preceded him, and they had wait until they got permission from the foreman to go. —Mr G. H. Geddes, mining engineer, Edinburgh, said it would have been unnecessary to have the hand-fan going continually.—Samuel Wood, fireman at the pit, said he had warned Sharkie the day before not to go into the mine before the miners.—Mr M'Laren, assistant Government inspector of mines, said that if the hand-fan bad been constantly going, it would not have been sufficient to ventilate the heading where it was placed.—Mr Johnston, assistant inspector of mines, and Mr Atkinson, Government Inspector of Mines for the East of Scotland gave similar testimony.—Evan Powell, underground manager at Straiton, said Baxter contracted with him to drive the upset at 8s per fathom, and bratticing was put up. This mode of ventilation was unsatisfactory, and the hand fan was put up, while Baxter received 2s more per fathom to work it. Mr Robt. Clark, manager of Arniston Coal Company, said had never seen the man who would grind a hand fan without stopping when the men were not at the face, unless the general manager sat down beside him. (Laughter).

The Scotsman - Tuesday 25 October 1892

CLAIM AGAINST CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. – An action has been raised in the Edinburgh Sheriff Court by Patrick M'Donald, Lamb's Buildings, Clerk Street, Loanhead, against the Clippens Oil Co., Limited, for £500 damages for the loss of his son, John M'Donald, who died from the result of injuries received in one of the defenders’ shale mines at Pentland Oil Works on 29th October 1891. The deceased was a miner’s drawer, and twenty-two years of age, and the pursuer says that as he was passing the foot of an incline known as No. 1 Crane Brae, he was suddenly knocked down and fatally injured by a hutch loaded with shale running from No. 1 Crane Head. The defenders, who deny liability, say that M'Donald knew the place was dangerous, and that the accident could not have taken place if he had continued pushing his hutch after he had passed the foot of the incline, instead of carelessly and recklessly turning back in the way of the other hutch. Sheriff Rutherfurd heard proof in the case yesterday.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 07 November 1892

HOW MINE ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSED.

In Edinburgh Sheriff this forenoon, William Downie, Pentland Rows, was charged with having, on the 4th October, in No. 5 West Level, No. 1 Mine, Pentland, occupied by the Clippens Oil Company, when acting as fireman, falsely recorded in the report book that he had examined that place and found it clear of gas, and permitted workers to enter. Accused pleaded not guilty, but was convicted on evidence, and fined £2 with the option of 30 days in prison.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 28 November 1892

FATHER GETS DAMAGES FOR THE DEATH OF HIS SON.

In Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Rutherfurd recently heard proof in an action by Patrick M'Donald, Lamb's Buildings, Loanhead, against the Clippens Oil Company for £500 damages for the death of John M’Donald, his son. Pursuer stated that the son was suddenly knocked down by a loaded hutch in one of defenders' mines, and received injuries from which he died in November 1891. Defenders denied liability for the accident, and considered that M'Donald materially contributed to it by his own negligence. The Sheriff, in his interlocutor, found for the pursuer, and assessed the damages at £25, defenders being held liable for the expenses. He held that the accident was caused through the negligence of the company's crane headman.

Glasgow Herald - Saturday 17 December 1892

(Before Lord Low.)

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED) v. HERMAND OIL COMPANY (LIMITED).

Judgment was given by Lord Low in an action by the Clippens Oil Company (Limited), 27 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, against the Hermand Oil Company (Limited), 43 West Regent Street, Glasgow, to interdict the defenders from protesting a promissory note, dated 5th January, 1892, and payable on 1st February, 1892, for the sum of £2405 9s 10d, granted by the complainers in favour of the respondents. The complainers stated that in January, 1891, they entered into a contract with the respondents, under which the respondents undertook to deliver to the complainers 175,000 gallons of crude oil per month, commencing upon the expiry of a then current contract between the parties, and to continue to the end of March, 1892, at which date deliveries were to terminate. The price was to be 3 1/8d per gallon delivered at the works, and payment to be made in net cash for each month's supply at the end of the month following the month of delivery, or, in the option of the respondents, in two payments during the month of delivery. Deliveries of oil under the contract were duly made by the respondents from time to time, and in the month of March, 1892, the complainers were due to the respondents the sum of £2405 9s 10d for deliveries in January and £2260 2s 8d for deliveries in February. These two sums amounted together to £4665 13s 6d, and in payment thereof the complainers granted to the respondents two promissory notes, the one for £2405 9s 10d, payable on 1st February, 1892, and the other for £2260 2s 8d, payable on 15th March, 1892. In February last the complainers found it necessary to enter into a scheme for the reconstruction of the company, and arranged on 16th March with the respondents that they should take debentures for £2332 for the £2405 9s 10d promissory note. It was agreed, with the view of inducing the respondents to agree to this settlement, that the complainers should take delivery of 30,000 to 40,000 gallons of crude oil after the completion of the contract on 31st March, 1892, at the contract price, which was from ½d to ¾d in excess of the current market price of the day. On 25th March the respondents wrote a letter to the complainers withdrawing their application for the debentures, to which the complainers replied that the arrangement was a definite one, and that it was not then possible for them to alter it. The respondents now refused to fulfil their part of the agreement. The respondents replied that their memorandum of association does not authorise their funds to be applied to such debentures, and that their application for them was withdrawn previous to any acceptance by the complainers. The letter of application was also not authorised by the board of directors. They pleaded that the agreement was not concluded.

Lord Low said he had arrived at the opinion that there was no agreement for the complainers to take delivery of from 30,000 to 40,000 gallons of crude oil after the completion of the old contract on 31st March, 1892. The complainers' averment to that effect was not proved. But the complainers contended that the deliveries of oil after 31st March constituted rei interventus to the effect of making binding upon the respondents the agreement from which they had resiled before anything had been done upon it. The complainers to succeed would require to prove that the deliveries after 31st March were referable to the agreement of 17th March, but he was of opinion that they had failed to do so. The old contract ended on 31st March, when there were arrears of deliveries under it. But if after that date the complainers were willing to take delivery of the arrears, the respondents, although they could not be forced to give delivery, were under no obligation not to give delivery. He was therefore of opinion that these deliveries after 31st March were not plainly and unquestionably referable to the agreement of 17th March, but were referable only to the agreement of 27th January, and that the complainers, not having established their case, could not prevail. He refused the note, with expenses.

Counsel for Complainers- Mr Ure and Mr Chisholm. Agents- Smith & Mason, S.S.C.

Counsel for Respondents- Mr Vary Campbell and Mr Clyde. Agents- Drummond & Reid, S.S.C.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 09 January 1893

MINE CONTRAVENTION. - At the Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court to-day, Hugh Henry, foreman, was charged with having, at No. 8 Straiton shale mine, occupied by the Clippens Oil Company, failed to inspect the working place in the inside upset within two hours before the commencement of the day shift, and failed to mark with chalk the day of the month upon the face of the working place, and did afterwards falsely record in the report book that he examined the said working place and found it clear of gas. Accused said he had been in the employment of the company for 11 years. He was fined £1, with the option of 30 days in jail.

Glasgow Herald - Thursday 12 January 1893

PETITION – THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED) AND LIQUIDATOR.

Mr Wilson presented a petition asking the Court to direct the liquidation of the Clippens Oil Company. He stated that the Lord-Ordinary on the bills during the recess granted a supervision order, but under the Companies Act, 1886, he had not power to remit to one of the Lords-Ordinary to supervise the liquidation. Their Lordships remitted to Lord Stormonth-Darling to carry on the liquidation.

Counsel for Petitioners-Mr Wilson. Agents- Wallace & Guthrie, W.S.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 05 April 1893

FAILING TO INSPECT A MINE.

In the Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court - Sheriff Rutherfurd on the bench - a man named John Trian was charged with having, on 30th March, in No. 8 Straiton shale mine, belonging to the Clippens Oil Company (Limited), when acting as fireman of the mine, failed to inspect the working places in the inside upsets leading to No. 7 and 8 levels east of the mine within two hours immediately before the commencement of the night shift, and did afterwards falsely record in the report book that he had examined the working places and found them clear of gas. He pleaded not guilty, but was convicted and fined £2 with the option of 14 days' imprisonment.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 14 April 1893

THE ACTIONS AGAINST THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

In the Edinburgh Sheriff Court to-day, Sheriff Orphoot was informed of the settlement of three actions against the Clippens Oil Company and its liquidators. James Kerr, miner, 18 Clippens Cottages, Loanhead, sued for £150; John Gilhooly, miner, Pentland Rows, Loanhead, and Thomas Gilhooly, miner, Meadowbank Rows, Clippens, for £100; Thomas Murphy and Stephen M'Partlane for £100 – all for burns caused by explosions of gas at different in defenders' mines. The Sheriff, in accordance with the request of the agent, assoilzied the defenders and found neither of the parties entitled to expenses.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 17 October 1893

LOANHEAD ACTION FOR DAMAGES.

In the Second Division of the Court of Session to-day, issues were ordered in an action by James Moir, 52 Pentland Cottages, Loanhead, against the Clippens Oil Co. Pursuer sues for £150 for injuries at Old Pentland on the night of Sunday 12th March last through an explosion of gas. He avers that there was no proper ventilation, and that the place was not inspected in terms of the statute. Defenders state that they were not responsible for the accident.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 22 November 1893

LOANHEAD WOMAN'S CLAIM FOR DAMAGES.

In the Second Division of the Court of Session to-day, their lordships ordered issues for trial by jury of an action by Janet Steven or Kent, Foundry Lane, Loanhead, against the Clippens Oil Company, in which decree is asked for £500, or £234 as damages for the death of her son, Alexander, who was a miner in the employment of the defenders. On 14th July last Alexander and three of his brothers were working beside each other in one of defender's pits, when a fall from the roof inflicted injuries upon him, of which he died the same day. Defenders deny that they failed to take reasonable precautions for their workmen's safety, and say that the night fireman reported to Jas. Kent that a part of the roof was unsafe, and would require additional timbering. It was while the timber was being put up that the fall occurred which caused the death of pursuer's son. Defenders maintain that deceased was culpable in remaining at work in a place which was not safe.

Dundee Advertiser - Wednesday 10 January 1894

ACTIONS FOR PERSONAL INJURIES.

Lord Stormonth Darling was informed of a settlement in the action by James Moir, 52 Pentland Cottages, Loanhead, against the Clippens Oil Company. Pursuer sued for £l50 for injuries at Old Pentland on the night of Sunday, 12th March last, through an explosion of gas. He averred that there was no proper ventilation, and that the place was not inspected in terms of the statute. Defenders stated that they were not responsible for the accident. Pursuer has accepted £65 in full of all claims.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 01 June 1894

CONTRAVENTION OF THE MINES REGULATION ACT — ln Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court on Monday, Thomas Mash, a fireman, residing at Mid- Straiton, was convicted on evidence of having on the 8th May 1894, at No. 8 mine at Straiton, occupied by the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, made an inspection of an upset otherwise than with a locked safety lamp, and of having allowed workers to enter the upset without having examined and reported it as safe, contrary to the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887. Sheriff Rutherfurd imposed a fine of £2, with the alternative of fourteen days' imprisonment.

Glasgow Herald - Saturday 10 August 1895

DANGEROUS PRACTICE IN A MINE. – Yesterday, in Edinburgh Sheriff Criminal Court, Patrick Reynolds, residing at New Pentland, was tried on a charge of having on 30th July ridden on a hutch in the old incline in No. 8 shale mine at Straiton, Mid-Lothian, occupied by the Clippens Oil Company (Limited), without the permission of the manager, and contrary to the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887. It came out in evidence that the accused was employed as a "drawer" in the mine, and that he and two others were riding on a train of hutches going up an incline. On coming to a low portion of the roof, one of the men was jammed and received such injuries that he died, and his death was shortly to form the subject of an inquiry. The charge was found proved, and a fine of 10s with the alternative of four days' imprisonment imposed.

Dundee Courier - Thursday 15 August 1895

A MINER'S RIDE TO DEATH. Acting-Sheriff-Substitute Sym on Tuesday held an inquiry in the Midlothian Sheriff Court into the circumstances attending the death of James Pennycook, miner, New Pentland, in the employment of the Clippens Oil Company, who was killed on 30th July while he was ascending the old incline in No. 8 shale mine at Straiton. Pennycook was coming up in a hutch partially filled with shale. He was crushed between the hutch and the woodwork supporting the roof of the incline, and death took place almost immediately. John Wilson, pumper, gave evidence to the effect that he had telegraphed to the engineman to send down the bogey. It was sent down No. 16 old incline. Just as it started on the way up, Pennycook and other two men jumped on. Pennycook was in one hutch, and the other two men in another. While going up the incline Pennycook's shoulder struck the crown of the incline and turned him over. At the next crown tree he was again struck and so severely crushed that he was thrown out of the hutch down the incline. In cross-examination witness said it was against the rules for any of them to travel on the hutches. J. Whitson, one of the men who came up with Pennycook, said he had meant to walk up the incline. He did not know it was against the rules. Carriages were usually sent to take up the men from their work by the new incline, but sometimes when the men had long to wait they walked up. The rules were hung up at the pithead, but he had never read them. Mr Mackenzie, mine manager, said it was the rule that miners should not travel on the hutches, and he had never seen them do it. After hearing further evidence the jury brought in a verdict to the effect that the cause of Pennycook's death was that he had been caught between the hutch and the woodwork supporting the roof of the incline.

Edinburgh Evening Dispatch - Thursday 29 August 1895

FATAL ACCIDENT INQUIRY IN EDINBURGH.

An inquiry was held yesterday by Acting Sheriff Substitute Sym and a jury, in Edinburgh Sheriff Court, into the death of Robert Stenhouse, a miner, which occurred at No. 4 shale mine of the Clippens Oil Company at Straiton on 14th August. Mr Atkinson, Inspector of Mines, also took part in the inquiry, and Mr Wilton, advocate (instructed by Gray & Handyside, S.S.C.) represented Stenhouse’s widow. The first witness examined was John Holt, miner. He said that on the morning of Wednesday, 14th August, a few minutes after Stenhouse had left him with an open light to begin work, he heard an explosion and consequently went along the road to the foot of a spout that led to spout where Stenhouse was employed. He saw Stenhouse lying there, severely burned and, with others helped to convey him to Edinburgh Infirmary. Stenhouse told him that when he was going to the “face” the gas kindled. There was no one working with Stenhouse and witness was the first to see him after thee xplosion occurred. Evidence was also given by William Lennie, oncostman; William M’Kenzie, manager at No. 4 mine; and others. Mary Grey, nurse, stated that Stenhouse died in Edinburgh Infirmary on the morning of the 16th inst. Mr Wilton, in making a few remarks to the jury, contended that there had been laxity in the inspection of the place where the explosion occurred: but the sheriff advised the jury not, in the present procedure and with the somewhat incomplete evidence as to the circumstances, to impute blame. The jury followed that advice, and returned a verdict to the effect that the cause of death was an explosion of inflammable gas. Mr L. A. Guthrie, W.S., represented the Clippens Oil Company during the inquiry.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 10 October 1895

THEFT FROM THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY. – At the Sheriff Summary Court on Monday, Donald Crookshanks, storekeeper in the employment of the Clippens Oil Company at Straiton, was charged with stealing a hand saw, a hatchet, seven pounds of glass, a whitewash brush, and a cooper’s scribber from Straiton Store. He pled guilty, and this being his first offence he was put under the First Offenders’ Act.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 05 December 1895

BURIED UNDER TWO TONS OF SHALE.

A public inquiry was held to-day in the Edinburgh Sheriff Court House respecting the death of a miner named George Bertram Forsyth, employed at Clippens Oil Works. Forsyth was working in Number 8 shale mine on 22d November. A fall of the roof took place, and he was buried under two tons of shale debris. He died three days afterwards. The jury returned a verdict according to the evidence. The jury asked if they were to pronounce any opinion whether the blame of the accident was referable to anyone. The Sheriff replied that they were required only to state the time and place of the accident and the cause of death.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 21 January 1896

WIDOW'S ACTION FOR DAMAGES. The record has been closed by Sheriff Rutherfurd in an action for £1000 damages, or otherwise £202 16s under the Employers' Liability Act, by Ann Hunter or Forsyth, Burdiehouse, against the Clippens Oil Company, Loanhead. Pursuer is the widow of a miner named George Bertram Forsyth, who was fatally injured by a fall of shale in No. 8 pit at Straiton. She avers that defenders disregarded the regulations of the Coal Mines Act, as there should have been special propping of the roof where deceased was working. Defenders say that the accident was the result a latent greasy joint in the shale, which was not discoverable on inspection. They also allege contributory negligence on the part of the deceased.

The Scotsman - Wednesday 11 November 1896

ACTION AGAINST THE CLIPPENS COMPANY. – In the Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday, Sheriff Maconachie closed the record and sent to the debate roll an action of damages for £75, raised by James Kissane, miner, 86 Beechwood Cottages, Uphall, against the Clippens Oil Company (Limited), Pentland Works, Straiton. The pursuer avers that on the night of 18th August last, while in the employment of the pursuers, he was ordered to commence work at what is known as No. 2 of the double heading at their pits at Old Pentland. In accordance with the custom adopted at that mine, the pursuer used a naked lamp, and had gone but a short distance into the heading when an explosion of inflammable gas took place. He was severely burned over the face and arms, and had to be medically attended for some weeks thereafter. The accident, he says, was caused by the fault of the defenders, or of those for whom they are responsible. Defenders do not admit that pursuer was ordered to commence work at the point stated. The pursuers injuries were very slight, and he had now completely recovered. They plead that the action is irrelevant, and not having occurred through their fault, or that of any person for whom they are responsible, they are entitled to absolvitor.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 24 November 1896

THE ACTION AGAINST THE CLIPPENS COMPANY.

In Edinburgh SHeriss Court to-day – before Sheriff-Substitute Maconochie – it was stated that the action raised by James Kissane, miner, 86 Beechwood Cottages, Uphall, against the Clippens Oil Company, Straiton, for £75 damages for injuries received by an explosion of gas in the company’s mine at Old Pentland was settled, and the case was taken out of court by a joint minute.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 29 December 1896

AN INTERESTING MINING DISPUTE.

Sheriff-Substitute Maconochie has issued his decision in an action raised by Thomas M’Kenting, Elm Grove, Loanhead, against the Clippens Oil Company, Pentland Oil Works, Loanhead, for £50 damages for the stopping of a contract entered into between the pursuer and the defenders to brush the portion of the Cran Brae in No. 8 Pentland Mine, and to drive the remainder of the heading. He brushed the driven portion when defenders refused to allow him to proceed with the rest of the contract. The Sheriff finds for the pursuer, and assesses the damages at £30 along with expenses. ln a note the Sheriff reviews the evidence, and says that the pursuer contracted to brush the "brae" and convert it from a "spout brae" into a strait road for hutches. The walls were not straight when pursuer commenced work, and three of the “props” were bulged owing to the weight of earth and shale. On pursuer refusing to set back these the defenders maintained that he broke his contract. The question was whether the pursuer was bound by his contract to alter the position of these pillars. The question seemed a narrow one and the contract was not so expressed as to entitle the defenders to say that unless the walls were straightened pursuer would not be allowed to continue work. He thought therefore that the defenders were wrong. The form of the action was curious, as the defenders did not break their contract but prevented pursuer from fulfilling his. He thought the damages were not excessive looking at the loss of part of the contract, wages paid to the men, and loss of time when he assessed them at £30.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 08 March 1897

IMPORTANT MINING TEST CASE.

In the Edinburgh Sheriff Court, James Keating, Loanhead, sued the Clippens Oil Company for damages for breach of contract, in respect that they ejected him from their work because he refused to make straight a part of a cran brae in their mine and which by his contract he was to brush. The question raised by the case, which is one of great importance, was whether the prisoner was bound under such contract (which the usual one Scotland) to do what the defenders asked him – viz., to make the cran brae straight. Sheriff-Substitute Maconochie held the pursuer was not bound to do so, and therefore decided in pursuer’s favour, and awarded him £30 damages and expenses. The defenders appealed to the Sheriff, who has issued his judgement, in which he adheres to the judgement appealed against, and now gives pursuer decree for £30 damages and expenses. Counsel for pursuer—Mr Trotter; agent—William Balfour, L.A. Counsel for defenders—Mr Cullen; agents—White & Nicolson, S.S.C.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 16 March 1897

EDINBURGH WATER TRUST OPERATIONS.

Lord Pearson as Lord Ordinary on the Bills yesterday heard counsel on counter-applications for interdict by the Clippens Oil Company and the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees. In the first application the Clippens Company sought to interdict the Trustees from constructing or laying down any aqueduct, conduit, or line of pipes in or upon any part of the lands and estate of Pentland or Straiton, or interfering with certain works and pipes belonging to the complainers connecting their works of Straiton and Pentland. For the complainers, it was maintained that the respondents were illegally and unwarrantably commencing the formation of new aqueduct concurrently with the existing one. No notice was given to the complainers, and no pipe track or way leave had been acquired by the respondents. The respondents had no power to form the new aqueduct. The respondents said they had obtained the consent of the County Council for the work. In passing the note for the trial of the cause, his lordship said that while there might be a question to try, he did not think he would be entitled to interdict a public body carrying on what they said was a work of public necessity. On the second part of the interdict he thought it was absolutely necessary that the Trustees should submit to some regulation of their operations, and it lay upon the respondents to say how far they were willing to go in the way of submitting to interim regulation of their operations, with the view securing the continuance to the complainers of the use of the hutchway and other works at their oil works until the main question was decided. Mr Johnston, for respondents, said his clients were prepared to carry on the work at the sight of man of skill.

INTERDICT AGAIN CLIPPENS COMPANY.

The Water Trust asked interdict against the Clippens Oil Company working the minerals under the strip of ground acquired by them, and in which they had laid their pipes, and from working and winning of the seams of shale and other minerals in their lands of Straiton and in the lands of Pentland leased to them at any point within 40 yards of the complainers' pipe tracks. It was stated that the effect of interdict would be to throw 300 men in the employment of the company idle. Lord Pearson said he came to the conclusion that interdict ought to be granted, not because he threw doubt on the legality of the workings outside the strip of which the Trustees were proprietors, but because, upon a balance of disadvantages, he thought the greatest disadvantage would result from possible subsidence and bursting of pipes by the removal of the stoops.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 31 May 1897

WORKMEN'S BREACH OF CONTRACT.

In Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court to-day, nine retort men in the employment of the Clippens Oilworks, Loanhead, named James Johnstone, Charles Hill, Adam Bell, Thomas M'Nulty, Patrick Cassidy, John Carr, James M'Hale, Terance Dolan, and James Joyce, were charged with having, on the 22d May last, while in the employment of the Clippens Oil Company, wilfully committed a breach of contract by failing to proceed with their work, knowing that the consequence of doing so would be to expose to destruction or serious injury three benches of retorts. Accused were charged under the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act, 1879. They all pleaded guilty. The Procurator-Fiscal said the men took offence because the foreman considered it necessary to regulate their pace of working. The manager gave them five minutes to go back, but they refused to do so, apparently thinking they would be required to work late, and if men had not been found to take their places the results might have been serious. The accused apparently repented of their folly next morning, and went back to work again. The object of the prosecution was not so much to punish, but to vindicate the law, and to give them and others who might be tempted to do the same thing a warning. Mr David Murray, who appeared for the accused, said the manager did not wish them to be severely dealt with. They were thoroughly good workmen, and were still in the employment of the company. The Sheriff said that at the worst it only seemed a sudden idea that they were going to called upon to work more than usual that caused them to commit the offence, but with nothing of the nature of conspiracy. The element of any serious injury to property was also absent, and he thought it was a case for admonition. He put them under the First Offenders' Act.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 09 June 1897

THE ACTION AGAINST EDINBURGH WATER TRUSTEES.

Lord Pearson, in the Court of Session to-day, gave judgment in the action by the Clippens Oil Company to have the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees interdicted from constructing or laying down any aqueduct, conduit, or line of pipes on any part of the lands of Pentland or Straiton, or under or along any public road crossing the estates, excepting the portion of the estate of Pentland, now the property of the Trustees, either (1) in substitution for the whole or any part of the existing aqueduct or line of pipes belonging to the respondents which crosses the estates in a direction towards the Alnwick Hill Reservoir; or (2) for use as auxiliary or alternative means of carrying the water at present carried by the existing pipes. Interdict was also asked against the respondents interfering with certain works and pipes belonging to the complainers. His Lordship expressed the opinion that under the Waterworks Clauses Act, 1847, the trustees were entitled to carry out their operations, the speciality of which his Lordship thought consisted of the proposal to lay a loop line of pipes along the public road. That appeared to him to come in under the 28th Section of the Act. It followed that he refused the suspension so far as regarded the first part of the note. As regarded the complainers' special means of communication over and under the road which they alleged were being interfered with, there was a standing remit to Mr Charles Stevenson, C.E., to superintend the respondents' operations, and in respect of this part of the case his Lordship continued it until he had had a final report from Mr Stevenson. Mr Boyd, for the trustees, stated that the pipe had been completed.

The Scotsman - Friday 16 July 1897

(Before Lord Pearson .)

EDINBURGH AND DISTRICT WATER TRUSTEES v. CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED.)

Proof was begun to-day in the action by the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees to have the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) interdicted from encroaching upon and working the minerals under the strip of ground at Pentland belonging to them, and in which they had laid their pipes, and from working and winning the seams of shale and other minerals in their lands of Straiton and in the lands of Pentland, leased to them, at any point within forty yards of the complainers’ pipe tracks. The case for the complainers is that the Oil Company, or their predecessors, had already worked out the minerals under and within forty yards of the Trust's pipe track, leaving only small pillars or stoops for its support, and that the Company is not entitled to follow up a notice by removing these stoops, or to require the Trust to purchase them. In answer, the Clippens Oil Company state that unintentionally and to a slight extent they encroached on the minerals under the strip of ground, but they have no intention to work it, and undertake not to work any minerals under that strip. They further state -that the Trust having refused after notice, to purchase the minerals under and adjacent to the way-leave pipe track, or even to make an agreement with the Company for the support of the pipe track, and the removal of the stoops being the natural, proper, and usual course of working the mineral field, the complainers are not entitled to the interdict craved. It is expected that the, case will last several days.

Counsel for the Trustees - The Dean of Faculty, Q.C., and Mr Boyd. Agents — Millar, Robson, & M'Lean, W.S.

Counsel for the Oil Company – The Solicitor-General, Q.C., and Mr Clyde. Agent – J. Gordon Mason, S.S.C.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 21 September 1897

THE WATER TRUST AND CLIPPENS MINING.

LORD PEARSON'S JUDGMENT.

Lord Pearson, in the Court of Session to-day, issued judgment in conjoined actions, the first the instance of the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees against the Clippens Oil Company. The complainers sought to interdict the Company from working the minerals under the strip of ground acquired the Trust, and in which they had laid their pipes, and from working and winning the seams of shale and other minerals in their lands of Straiton and in the lands of Pentland leased to them at any point within forty yards of the complainers' pipe tracks. The case for the Water Trust was that the Oil Company, or their predecessors, had already worked out the minerals under and within forty yards of the Trust's pipe track, leaving only small pillars or stoops for its support, and that the Company was not entitled to follow up a notice by removing these stoops, or to require the Trust to purchase them. In answer the Clippens Oil Company denied that they were working, or intended to work, the minerals underneath the area or strip of ground belonging to the Trust, but they said that the Trust having refused, after notice, to purchase the minerals under and adjacent to the way-leave pipe track, or even to make an agreement with the Company for the support of the pipe track, and the removal of the stoops being the material, proper, and usual course of working the mineral field, the complainers were not entitled to interdict. A long proof took place during the summer vacation, it being stated that the effect of the interdict would throw three hundred men out of the employment of the respondents. His lordship to-day issued an interlocutor interdicting the respondents (the Clippens Oil Company), and all others acting for them from interfering or encroaching upon the strip of ground and the minerals upon the land of the Water Trust, and from working, winning, and taking, or in any way interfering with the pillars or stoops or removing the lime store left in the workings on the estate of Straiton, so far as these pillars and stoops are in the line of the complainers' pipe track and line of pipes within forty yards therefrom, and to that effect his lordship sustained the reasons of suspension, but quoad ultra repelled the other reasons of suspension, and gave the complainers expenses down to 8th June, 1897.

Musselburgh News - Friday 24 September 1897

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY AND THE EDINBURGH WATER TRUST.

In the Outer House of the Court of Session cm Wednesday, Lord Pearson gave judgment in the action of suspension and interdict at the instance of the Edinburgh and District Water Trust against the Clippens Oil Company.

The case for the complainers was that the Oil Company, or their predecessors, had already worked out the minerals under and within forty yards of the Trust's pipe track, leaving only small pillars or stoops for its support, and that the Company was not entitled to follow up a notice by removing these stoops, or to require the Trust to purchase them. In answer, the Clippens Oil Company stated that unintentionally and to a slight extent they encroached on the minerals under the strip of ground, but they had no intention to work it, and undertook not to work any minerals under that strip. They further stated that the Trust, having refused, after notice, to purchase the minerals under and adjacent to the wayleave pipe track, or even to make an agreement with the Company for the support of the pipe track, and the removal of the stoops being the natural, proper, and usual course of working the mineral field, the complainers were not entitled to the interdict craved.

Lord Pearson has granted interdict against the Oil Company, and the following is an abstract of his opinion:—

Lord Pearson stated that the complainers’ main pipe track on its way to Edinburgh passed in a north-easterly direction through the estates of Pentland and Straiton. The track contained two pipes —(1) the Crawley pipe, laid in 1895; and (2) the Moorfoot pipe, laid in October 1876. In the south-west part of Pentland the pipe track ran in a narrow strip of ground, held in feu, inclusive of the minerals, under a disposition dated 3d March 1825 by Mrs Gibsone of Pentland in favour of the Edinburgh Water Company. Both Pentland and Straiton were valuable mineral estates. The respondent Company were owners of the estate of Straiton, including the minerals. They were also tenants of the minerals in Pentland, so far as these were not owned by the complainers as proprietors of the feu before-mentioned. The minerals consisted of three seams of shale and an important seam of limestone lying at a depth of about 23 fathoms below the main shale. The first part of the prayer of the note applied solely to the minerals which lay within the strip of ground held in feu by the complainers, and asked for interdict against the respondents encroaching upon that strip or working any of the minerals therein. The parties were not substantially at variance as to the facts in this part of the case, and the question ultimately came to be whether it was a case for interdict, or whether the complainers were to rest satisfied with the respondents undertaking "not to work further any of the minerals under said strip of ground." There had been three distinct periods of encroachment in the feu—the first prior to 1889; the second in 1893; the third in 1896. For the first of these encroachments the respondents had no responsibility. The next encroachment was recorded as having taken place in 1893, near the north-east of the strip. It was said that neither party knew of this encroachment until July 1897. It certainly appeared that the Trustees were ignorant of it until it was discovered by their engineers in the course of the present inquiry. But the Company either knew of it or had the means of knowledge long before. Again, in 1896, there was an undoubted and considerable encroachment at the other end of the strip. His Lordship did not hold with the complainers that their charge of bad faith against the Company was made out. But the previous encroachments ought to have put the Company specially on their guard at this point; and the Trustees were, in his opinion, entitled to have interdict on this part of the case. The next and more important part of the case was set forth in the second paragraph of the prayer. The Trustees sought to have the respondents interdicted (1) from working the shale and limestone on either estate at any point within forty yards of the pipe track; or, at least (2) from working or in any way interfering with the pillars or stoops of shale and limestone left in the workings, so far as within that area. It was explained that the interdict sought was intended to apply to the whole length of pipe in both estates, including the portion of land in the strip of ground held in feu. The complainers founded their contention on the Waterworks Clauses Act, 1847, and in particular on the group of clauses "with respect to mines," being sections (16?) to 27 of the Act, which were incorporated in the Edinburgh Water Trust Acts. The statute had in view two parties with conflicting interests, each engaged in underground operations, which, if not duly regulated, would become mutually destructive. It provided means by which each party could fully inform himself from time to time of the position of the other party's works. But it laid on the mine owner the duty of making the first move. The undertakers were entitled to assume that the minerals underneath the pipe, and within what had been called in this case " the protected area" of forty yards on each side of it, would remain as they were when the pipe was laid, unless and until notice was given under section 22. When this vote was presented the mineral workings had proceeded in and through the protected area and under the pipe track itself, both in the shale and also (though to a smaller extent) in the limestone. The respondents justified this by referring to a series of notices given by them and their predecessors from 1877 to 1897, which were considered by the Trustees in consultation with their skilled advisers, and to none of which did the Trustees ever reply by counter-notice expressing their willingness to compensate, and inhibiting the Company from working. The Trustees, admitting that they gave no counter-notices, maintained that the notices themselves were inept. In their view the statute itself inhibited all working within the protected area unless and until a valid notice of intention to work was served under section 22; and it was essential to the validity of any notice that the minerals within the area to which it applied should be intact, or at least that there should have been no working within that area since the pipe was laid. They contended that the statute practically offered that block of minerals to the Trustees on certain terms, as it stood when the pipe was laid, and that if part of those minerals had been worked in the meantime without notice, the mine owner was no longer in a position to make the statutory offer. By his own act he had disabled himself from giving an effectual notice under the statute; and he could never again bring himself within it as to any part of the protected area. The result was that the statutory inhibition became absolute, and the minerals must be left as they stood without compensation. An examination of these notices led his Lordship to the opinion that they were all sufficient to justify the statutory requirements. They were in every case so dealt with by the Trustees, except the last two, which were served when parties were at arm's-length. Further, the Trustees not only gave no counternotices, but reiterated their decision not to take any of the minerals; and the workings proceeded on that footing. Even assuming the facts, as to prior working, to be all in favour of the Trustees, he did not think their extreme position on the interpretation of the statute was tenable. The aim of the statute was to put the Trustees in a position to stop the mineral workings so as to secure the safety of the pipe. He could not hold that an encroachment on the protected area had of itself, irrespective of its locality and of the extent to which the pipe was endangered by it, the effect of excluding the mineral owner from availing himself of the statute in all time coming as regarded any part of the protected area, while it did not exclude the Trustees from founding on the statute as inhibiting all working within that area.

His Lordship next dealt with the Trustees' second ground for interdict. They urged that, assuming the notices to be good, the Company must still, under section 23, work the mines "so that no wilful damage be done to the said works, and so that the said mines be not worked in an unusual manner;" and it was said that they were disregarding both these conditions. As to the first objection, it was not said that any actual damage had been occasioned to the works; but it was said that when the note was presented there was reasonable apprehension of such damage, and that the circumstances pointed to its being wilful in the sense of the statute. It was suggested that in the Straiton limestone workings, in particular, the Company's recent operations bad been so arranged, both in point of time and place, as to lead to the conclusion that they were not in the course of bona-fide trade, but had a collateral purpose. On the Truetees' evidence the Company had a formidable case to meet on this head; but they had met it successfully, and, on the whole, his Lordship acquitted them of the intention to cause wilful damage to the Trustees' works within the meaning of section 23. It remained to consider, both as to the limestone and the shale, whether the Company were failing to observe the second statutory condition—namely, "so that the said mines be not worked in an unusual manner." So far as the workings consisted of the driving of levels, the working out of rooms and the leaving of stoops, no objection was taken by the Trustees on this head. It was the removal of the stoops that they objected to. With regard to the limestone, the objection was, in his opinion, well founded. He thought the removal of limestone stoops was not a usual operation. But with regard to the shale the practice was quite different. It was clearly proved that both in this mine and in others the removal of shale stoops was a usual operation. Here their removal had for long been contemplated, and it had been the subject of negotiations with the Trustees and of special investigation by them with a view to considering whether they should purchase the stoops. His Lordship was not aware that until the present proceedings were raised anyone connected with either of the parties ever suggested that it would be an unusual thing to work them out. Indeed, the real controversy between the parties on this head assumed the usualness of such an operation in the ordinary case, and turned upon the question whether it was not unusual to remove the shale stoops where so small a percentage had been left. The question thus came to be a question of degree, and that seemed an unsafe basis for an interdict against working in an unusual manner, The fact seemed to be that in the ports to the north-west, where the removal was threatened, about 73 per cent of the shale seam had been taken out, leaving about 23 per cent. in pillars. Even taking it as a question of the usualness of working out such small pillars, the respondents had succeeded in proving a sufficient number of instances in the district (at Broxburn, Uphall, Hopetoun, and Dalmeny) where shale pillars containing not more than 27 per cent. of the seam had been worked out over considerable areas. His Lordship, therefore, granted interdict as regards the minerals within the feu and the limestone pillars, but refused it as to the shale stoops. As to the limestone it might be here and there a pillar had been left so large that it might safely be cut into two or even four, or be diminished by enlarging the rooms. But there were not materials in the case to enable him to qualify the interdict by allowing the Company a free hand to that limited extent. He thought the limestone pillars would not, in the usual course of working, be further interfered with. With regard to the third head of the prayer, it was not proved that there had been any such removal of material in the limestone pillars as to necessitate a special order for strengthening or supporting the roof.

Counsel for the Trustees – The Dean of Faculty, Q.C.; Mr Johnston, Q.C.; and Mr Boyd. Agents – Millar, Robson, & M’Lean, W.S. Counsel for the Oil Company – The Solicitor-General, Q.C., and Mr Clyde. Agent – J. Gordon Mason, S.S.C.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 18 November 1897

THE INTERDICT AGAINST EDINBURGH WATER TRUST

In the action at the instance of the Clippens Oil Company to interdict the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees from laying a pipe along the public road in Lasswade parish on the Straiton estate, counsel for the complainers in the First Division of the Court of Session to-day lodged a supplementary note. It states that some of the complainers' works, and particularly a tunnel, were cut through and interfered with by the conduit, and if the conduit were to remain permanently they would continue so to be interfered with. The completion of the conduit was carried out by the respondents at their own hands, in the face of the proceedings for interdict. Respondents, notwithstanding the interdict granted, now refused to remove the conduit which was the subject of the interdict, and which they constructed in face of the interdict proceedings. The parties should be ordained to remove the aqueduct, conduit, or line of pipes complained of, and to fill up all excavations and trenches made them, and to level and restore the surface and ground. The court oidered the respondents to lodge answers in seven days.

Musselburgh News - Friday 19 November 1897

THE WATER TRUST AND THE CLIPPENS COMPANY.

Yesterday, in the First Division of the Court of Session, a supplementary note was presented by the Clippens Oil Company against the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees for interdict with regard to the construction of the new Moorfoots water conduit, in which the Company pray the Court to ordain the Trustees to remove the conduit and to restore the ground. The complainers say that the respondents, notwithstanding the judgment of the Division, finding the laying down of the conduit illegal, now refuse to remove the conduit which, it is said, they constructed in face of the interdict proceedings. The respondents were ordered to lodge answers within seven days.

Dundee Advertiser - Saturday 18 December 1897

THE EDINBURGH WATER PIPE.

Yesterday the Judges of the First Division disposed of the supplementary note presented by the Clippens Oil Company, asking the Court to ordain the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees to lift the pipe which the Water Trust had laid down on roads running through the Straiton Estate as a substitute for part of the existing Moorfoot conduit, and which by a recent decision the Court declared to have been illegally laid. The Court unanimously granted the prayer of the note. This means that the Water Trustees will require to remove the pipe, which cost about £5000, and restore the ground to its former condition. Lord Adam, who gave the leading opinion, said that the cost of the works was, doubt, a large sum of money, but the respondents knew before that expenditure was incurred that the right to execute the works was challenged by the complainers. They took the risk with their eyes open, and his Lordship did not see how the decision of the complainers as regarded vindicating their right should be prejudiced by the respondents choosing to have incurred that expense. The respondents said further that they feared the existing pipes might at any time be broken, and that the water supply to the city might be prejudicially affected by the subsidence caused by the workings of the complainers under the pipe. That was a state of matters which the Water Trust had it in their power themselves to remedy, because if they desired to have their old pipe kept safety all they had was to acquire the minerals below in order give subjacent support.

The other Judges concurred, and judgment was given accordingly.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 20 December 1897

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY AND THE WATER TRUST. – At a meeting of the Works and Law Committee to-day, it was unanimously resolved to appeal the case of the Clippens Oil Company against the Trust to the House of Lords.

Edinburgh Evening News - Monday 21 February 1898

The Clippens Oil Company (Limited) have deposited a petition in the Private Bill Office of the House of Lords praying to be heard against the Edinburgh District Water Bill. The measure in question is down for second leading to-night, as are also the Edinburgh and Leith Corporations Gas Bill and the Mid-Lothian and Peebles District Board of Lunacy (Water) Bill.

Musselburgh News - Friday 25 February 1898

THE CLIPPENS COMPANY AND THE EDINBURGH AND DISTRICT WATER BILL.

The Clippens Oil Company have lodged a petition in the Private Bill Office of the House of Lords against the bill in which the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees crave authority to construct additional works, to make deviations of authorised works, and for other purposes. The bill proceeds on the preamble, inter alia, that the main pipes for bringing in the water supply from Gladhouse reservoir are insufficient, and that it is expedient that the Trustees should be authorised to make and maintain (1) a line of pipes commencing at Gillygubdean Well, in the parish of Temple, and terminating in the existing Alnwick reservoir; and (2) a line of pipes commencing by a junction with the pipe on the south side of the cross road leading from the Edinburgh and Penicuik public road at New Pentland to West End Cottages, Loanhead, and terminating by a junction with the same pipe a little north of Burdiehouse Burn. Clippens Oil Company (the petitioners) are owners of the estate of Straiton, in the parish of Liberton, and lessees of the mineral field of Pentland, in the parish of Lasswade. They are also lessees, under a trial lease, of minerals in the estate of Mortonhall, in the parishes of Liberton and Colinton.

Under the powers of the bill lands belonging to the petitioners are sought to be compulsorily taken from them, and their property, rights, and interests will be, it is said, otherwise injuriously affected by the bill. They state that in March 1897 the Trustees, without authority, began to lay an aqueduct in all respects identical with the aqueduct No. 2 proposed to be authorised by the bill. This aqueduct forms a loop on the Moorfoot aqueduct, and traverses along almost its whole length the petitioners’ mineral field. It was so arranged by means of valves as to enable the Trustees to use either it or the Moorfoot aqueduct at will, to carry the water across the petitioners’ field, and thus on the one hand to avoid the immediate risk of an interruption of the water supply from local subsidence, and on the other to constitute a further obstacle in the way of the petitioners' operations by doubling the area within which they were liable to interruption, and by exposing them to flooding at any point along two lines of pipes instead of only one. The construction of the aqueduct is said to have been an illegal device to defeat the petitioners' just rights in and to the minerals under and within forty yards of the Moorfoot aqueduct.

In these circumstances the petitioners applied to the Court of Session for interdict against the construction of this aqueduct, with the result that the First Division found that the Trustees had no right to lay the pipes, and ordered them to lift them. This judgment has been appealed to the House of Lords. Between the date of the hearing and the date of the judgment the Trustees are said to have proceeded at their own hands, and without any right or authority, statutory or otherwise, to lay portions of an aqueduct, similar in all respects as regards route and otherwise, with aqueduct No. 1, authority to construct which is asked in the present bill. This aqueduct carries water from and to precisely the same points as the Moorfoot aqueduct, and differs from it only in the circuitous course which it follows. That course is so contrived as to avoid the mineral fields of Pentland and Straiton, belonging to the petitioners. For a considerable part of its course, however, it traverses the minerals in the Mortonhall estate, held by the petitioners under a trial lease, and already partly worked and proved by them. The Trustees' attempt to construct this aqueduct was stopped by the interference of the County Council of Midlothian, who objected to the public roads, in part of which the Trustees' operations were going forward, being unlawfully opened and interfered with. These proceedings on the part of the Trustees constituted, petitioners say, an illegal attempt to defeat their just rights under the Water-works Clauses Act, 1847, either to be paid compensation for minerals under and within forty yards of the Moorfoot aqueduct requiring to be left unworked for its support, or to be allowed, without further interference, and without regard to the safety of the Moorfoot aqueduct, to work those minerals out in the usual course of mining operations. If the Trustees had succeeded in completing the aqueduct, and getting it sanctioned by Parliament ex post facto (as they now propose to do by the present bill), before the litigations referred to were finally concluded in the House of Lords, they would have been in a position to maintain the water supply independently of the Moorfoot aqueduct, and would thus have avoided their duty of maintaining it, and of compensating the petitioners for the minerals requiring to be left unworked for its support. But, while a much larger expenditure of public money would be incurred in making aqueduct No. 1 than need be incurred in enlarging or adding to the pipes of the Moorfoot aqueduct, the whole expenditure already made on aqueduct No. 2 would either be lost (in the event of the Trustees deciding to let it be broken by subsidence, consequent on the removal of the subjacent minerals by the petitioners), or would require to be supplemented by compensating the petitioners for the minerals requiring to be left unworked in order to support it, in which event the whole of the expenditure on aqueduct No. 1 would be rendered useless. As showing the purpose of the Trustees in promoting the parts of the present bill, which the petitioners oppose, it may be mentioned that, in their argument before the First Division of the Court of Session in the application by your petitioners for interdict against the Trustees offered and undertook, if the Court would in the meantime refuse to order the aqueduct to be lifted, to promote the present bill (the notices of which had appeared only a few days previously) authorising the aqueduct Nos. 1 and 2, and not to take an appeal in that action to the House of Lords.

In these circumstances, the petitioners submit that it would be highly prejudicial to their interests to authorise the construction of aqueducts Nos. 1 and 2, and thereby to sanction the actions of the Trustees which have been declared illegal, and thus enable them to obtain, under cover of statutory authority, an advantage in dealing with the petitioners and their mineral rights which they could not legally obtain. The petitioners further submit that in matters which are the subject of still pending litigation, and which, unless the judgments already pronounced by the Court of Session should be reversed, will result in heavy claims of damages against the Trustees, it would be most expedient that the portions of the bill to which they object should be allowed to pass. They therefore crave that the bill may not pass into law, and that they may be heard against its preamble and clauses.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 04 March 1898

EDINBURGH WATER TRUST AND THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

A meeting of the Law and Works Committee of Edinburgh and District Water Trust was held this afternoon to consider letters from the secretary of the Clippens Oil Company and Mr Gemmill, mining engineer, regarding the value of the minerals be left in their mines for the support of the trustees' main pipes. As it appeared there was slight difference between the valuation of Mr Rankine, the engineer of the Clippens Oil Company, and the engineer appointed by the Water Trust, it was remitted to the sub-committee on the settlement of the Clippens Oil Company to endeavour to arrange a settlement and avoid arbitration.

Musselburgh News - Friday 06 May 1898

THE WATER TRUST AND CLIPPENS.

Yesterday the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees’ Bill came before the Court of Referees of the House of Commons, on the petition presented by Major Gibson and the Clippens Company, against it passing into law. The "locus standi" of the pursuers was objected to, and upon that point Mr Coward was heard for them, and maintained that there was a substantial case. Mr Pember, for the Trustees, did not object to the Major appearing as a landlord, but the Company, he urged, had no right to be heard in respect of a trial lease, which would expire on the 15th inst. After private deliberation the Chairman announced that the Court had decided to give a general locus to Major Gibson but to disallow locus to the Clippens Oil Company, excepts, as regarded clause 19, and so much of the preamble as related thereto. This clause is the one which extends the limits of the water supply by the Edinburgh Water Trustees to the parishes of Lasswade and Cockpen.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 13 May 1898

THE WATER TRUST BILL AND CLIPPENS.

The preamble of the Edinburgh and District Water Trust Bill for Aqueduct No. 1. was found proved by the Select Committee of the House of Commons yesterday. Thereafter, application was made for the insertion of a new clause by Counsel for Major Gibsone of Pentland and for the Clippens Oil Company, but the insertion of such a clause was refused. The bill has thus passed through all its stages, except the formality of report and third reading, so that the Trust have been successful in their application.

Glasgow Herald - Friday 13 May 1898

EDINBURGH AND DISTRICT WATER.

The Select Committee of the House of Commons, presided over by Sir Henry Fletcher, to-day resumed the consideration of this bill, and heard further evidence in support of the opposition of Major Gibsone of Pentland and the Clippens Oil Company, his tenants. The promoters were represented by Mr Littler, Q.C., Mr Pember, QC., Mr Balfour Browne, Q.C., and Mr Frank T: Cooper.

The counsel for the petitioners were Mr Pope, Q.C., and Mr Lewis Coward, Q.C.

Mr H. A. Hill, C.E., president of the British Association of Water Engineers, said he had carefully considered the proposals in the bill, and he considered there would be no difficulty in laying another pipe alongside of the existing pipe. It was a perfectly safe route, but it would involve the purchase of the minerals underneath. Aqueduct No. 1 was in some physical respects a preferable route. There would be no difficulty in shifting the present Moorfoot and Crawley pipe to the route of aqueduct No. 1 in the bill, but it would cost about £27,000. That additional cost, however, would relieve the Water Trustees of the necessity of purchasing the minerals, and at the same time the mining operations would be un-hampered. He thought it was grossly unfair that the mining operations should be hampered as at present.

In cross-examination by Mr Balfour Browne, the witness said they could take aqueduct No. 1 of the bill to the Crawley and Moorfoot pipes if they made arrangements for the minerals. It would involve a cutting of a maximum depth of about 50ft. below the surface.

What benefit would that be to the Clippens Oil Company if we go to the expense of £27,000? - It would remove the present pipe from above their mineral workings, where it was causing them a great injury.

Mr Archibald H. Crichton, C.E., said that for the last 16 years he had been closely connected with the mines of West Lothian. He was well acquainted with the Clippens mines, and knew that the getting of minerals was impeded if a water-pipe was laid above them. The existence, therefore, of the Edin- burgh pipe hampered not only the mineral tenant, but the landowner who had a royalty on the minerals on his estate. If the new pipe was taken by the proposed new route and the old pipes left where they were at present the mining tenant would be left hampered as at present. The route of the existing pipe was perfectly safe, but the pipe being there was an absolute bar to the working of the minerals under it. No one, would work the minerals there with the risk of drowning the miners.

Cross-examined – The pipe was laid there 70 years ago, and was therefore there before the Clippens Oil Company: but the minerals were there before either the pipe or the company, and to work the minerals under the pipe would endanger both the pipe and the mine.

Mr David Rankine, civil and mining engineer, Glasgow, gave similar evidence.

In cross-examination by Mr Cooper, he said that the Clippens Oil Company took the lease with the knowledge that the pipes were there. He saw no objection to a new pipe being laid to the existing ones except that it would be an additional menace to the working of the minerals.

By the Chairman - Edinburgh could get all the water she needed by aqueduct No. 1. That aqueduct could be a substitute for the present Moorfoot and Crawley pipes.

This closed the evidence, and Mr Pope was heard for the petitioners and Mr Littler for the promoters.

The Committee found the preamble proved, and adjusted clauses.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 07 June 1898

CLIPPERS COMPANY AND THE WATER TRUST.

THE CLAIM FOR £137,000.

Lord Pearson closed the record in the Court of Session to-day in the action by the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, against the Edinburgh and District Water Trust for payment of £137,000 damages in respect of loss sustained in consequence of the interdict wrongously and illegally obtained at the defenders' instance against the pursuers. The latter state that the pipe track of the defenders ran through their estate at Pentland and Straiton, and the situation of the pipes has been a source of much embarrassment to the pursuers in the working of the minerals. In March, 1897, the defenders obtained interim interdict against the pursuers, and by obtaining it defenders caused loss and damage the pursuers. The whole available mining developments were closed. Defenders say that the loss which pursuers allege they have sustained has been caused through the pursuers' voluntary action, and not owing to the interdict, and they ask to be assoilzied, in respect that the pursuers were not entitled deprive the pipe of support, or to lower its level. The case was sent to the procedure roll for discussion.

Daily Record - Saturday 23 July 1898

CLIPPENS OIL CASE APPEAL.

The House of Lords yesterday afternoon began the hearing of an appeal by the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees against a decision of the Court of Session in the action raised against the appellants by the Clippens Oil Company, who are now the respondents. The question to be decided is, whether the respondents are entitled to prevent the appellants from laying a water-pipe in the public roads in the parishes of Lasswade and Liberton.

The First Division decided for the respondents, and hence the appeal.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 27 July 1898

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY AND EDINBURGH WATER TRUSTR. - The hearing of reference between the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) and the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees to assess the value of minerals which the Trustees seek to prevent the Clippens Company from working commenced yesterday in the S.S.C. Library. The Clippens Company claim £16,730 for shale and limestone to be left unworked, and £20,000 for freestone to be left unworked in the quarry. The arbiters are Messrs David Rankin, M.E., Glasgow, and John Gemmell, ME, Edinburgh, and Sheriff Jameson, Q.C., is acting as oversman.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 10 August 1898

EDINBURGH WATER TRUST AND CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

THE ARBITERS’ AWARD.

The arbitration to settle and determine certain claims by the Clippens Oil Company against the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees as to the value of the minerals ordered the Court to be left by the company to support Trustees' main pipes through the lands of Straiton has been concluded. A meeting of the arbiters was held on Thursday last, when matters were considered, but it appears that the arbiters failed to agree upon the sums which should paid, and it therefore devolved upon the oversman, Sheriff Jameson, to settle the questions. On Monday he issued a provisional award proposing to find that the value of the shale and limestone should be fixed at £9000, and that the freestone lock at the quarry recently opened at Straiten whereby the Trustees' main pipes — the Moorfoot and Crawley—were laid bare, and the quarry workings proceeded with. The Trustees applied to Lord Ordinary Pearson in the Bill Chamber after the quarry workings was started for interdict against the company working the freestone under the Crawley main, on the ground that such main had been laid under the Act of 1819 for the bringing in of Crawley water from Glencorse to the Castlehill Reservoir, Edinburgh, and that the Trustees claimed the right of servitude and aqueductus, under which the Clippens Oil Company were bound to support the Crawley main. The Lord Ordinary granted interim interdict, and the Trust were therefore not held to be bound to purchase any rock for the support of the Crawley main. The Moorfoot main, which lies alongside the Crawley, was in different position, having been laid under the Water Works Clauses Act, 1847. By virtue of a decision of the Court Session last year, the Trustees felt that they were bound in order to support the Moorfoot main to give notice to the Company to leave certain of the rock unworked. This they did, and the rock now left unworked is 100 feet in length, 15 feet breadth, and about 200 feet deep. For this the Clippens Company claimed the sum of £20,000. Of the claim of £18,000 for the shale and limestone, the oversman has now allowed £9000, and of that claim of £20,000 for the freestone he has allowed £2250; or, in other words, of the two claims, which amount altogether to £38,000, he finds that the Trustees should pay £11,250. This provisional award does not become final until after ten days, within which time any of the parties may lodge representation against the findings.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 05 November 1898

CLIPPENS COMPANY AND EDINBURGH WATER TRUST.

SHERIFF JAMESON’S DECISION.

Sheriff Jameson has issued his award in the references between the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees and the Clippens Oil Company (Limited). In the first reference he finds that the claimants are entitled to the sum of £8079 as compensation in respect of the minerals to be left unworked on the lands of Straiton in respect of loss and damage occasioned them by the non-working thereof, including all severance damage of whatever kind, future as well as past and present. In a note the Sheriff says the question was whether the compensation be allowed for limestone and other minerals fell to be arrived at by ascertaining the value of unworked minerals, and then deferring the value over such a period as it would have taken the claimants to work out the minerals and realise that value, or whether the claimants were entitled to the full value of the minerals as a present payment. He thought it would be out of the question to hold that in a case like the present the Trustees were bound to take the block piecemeal, and pay present value to the mine owner for each piece. As to how the limestone was to be valued, the 22d section of the Water Works Clauses Act, 1847, provided that the undertakers were "to make compensation for such mines," and section 71 of the Railway Clauses Act provided that "the company shall make compensation for the same for all loss and damage caused by the non-working thereof." He thought all that the claimants were entitled to was compensation for the loss and damage caused to them by the minerals being left unworked, and the measure of that was what they would have made out of the minerals if they had gone on working them in the usual way, plus severance and other damage caused to their mineral field a whole. He was of opinion that it was both competent and equitable that the value of the minerals in question should be held as deferred over such number of years as it might be held it would have taken to realise it had the claimants' workings been allowed to go in the ordinary course. The next question was over what period and at what rate ought the value of the limestone to be deferred. Perhaps the most important and trustworthy piece of evidence was to be found in the claimants' statement spoken to by Mr Armour, from which it appeared that for the last three years the claimants' output of limestone had been 8598 tons, 8716 tons, and 9246 tons respectively. On the evidence before him he had come to the conclusion that substantial justice would done by holding that the profits of the limestone would require eight years from the date of the claimants' notice of realisation. In the second reference the oversman, having considered the representations for the parties, has found that the claimants are entitled to the sum as compensation in respect of the freestone to be left unworked in their lands in Straiton in terms of notices served by the respondents, and in respect of all loss and damage occasioned to them by nonworking thereof, including all severance, damage of whatever kind, future as well past and present.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 11 November 1898

EDINBURGH WATER TRUST AND CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

AN AGREEMENT SANCTIONED.

In the House of Lords this afternoon the Lord Advocate asked their lordships to sanction an arrangement in this case, which the parties had agreed to by consent. The arrangement was of consent to recall the interlocutors complained of, except in so far as the respondents were found entitled to expenses in the Court below, and, further, find the respondents entitled to the costs of this appeal, and remit the cause to the Court of Session with a direction to find that in the circumstances it is unnecessary to proceed further. Their lordships assented the arrangement.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 26 January 1899

CLIPPENS COMPANY AND an EDINBURGH WATER TRUST. —The record was closed in action of implement and payment instituted by the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) against the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees. On November 11th last Mr Jameson, Q.C., overman in a reference between the parties, found the pursuers entitled to £8079 compensation for minerals to be left unworked in the lands of Stratton, under or adjacent to the defenders' pipe track, as well as a further sum of £2250, in respect of the unworked freestone. The pursuers now ask that the defenders should be ordained to obtemper Mr Jameson’s order by paying the sums mentioned and expenses. The defenders explain that the Crawley pipe was laid in 1821 under the authority of an act passed in 1819, which contained no provisions similar to those in the Water Works Clauses Act, 1847, by which the owners of minerals are entitled to work these after giving statutory notice of their intention to do so. On the contrary, it was held in an action between the defenders and Mrs Gibsone of Pentland that when the Water Company acquired ground in which to lay their pipe they did so under the common law rule that a disposition of land without reservation gave the disponee everything a caelo ad centrum. The Moorfoot pipe was laid in 1877, and it said that the notices preceding the reference were given under the Waterworks Clauses Act, and were applicable only to the case of the Moorfoot pipe. The defenders maintain that the pursuers not being entitled to work out the greater part of the minerals included to the references, they are not entitled to compensation for not working them, and are, therefore, not entitled to the sums awarded in the decreets arbitral. The case was sent to the Procedure Roll.

The Scotsman - Monday 06 February 1899

(Before Lord Pearson.)

THE EDINBURGH AND DISTRICT WATER TRUSTEES V. THE CLIPPENS OIL CO. (LIMITED) AND ANOTHER.

Lord Pearson to-day indicated his judgement in the action of declarator at the instance of the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees against the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) and Major Gibson, of Pentland. The declarator which was asked, he said, in the first instance with the statutory powers which had been transmitted under a series of statutes from the old Edinburgh Water Company to the Trustees, and then declarator was asked that the Trustees, as proprietors of Castlehill reservoir, have a right to a continuous and uninterrupted supply of water by means of a pipe or aqueduct. Then followed the clause that the pursuers have right to have the ground through which the pipe runs in the lands of Pentland and Straiton, supported so that it may serve continuously as a conduit for the water passing from the Crawley spring to Castlehill reservoir. The second conclusion was that the Clippens Company were not entitled to work the shale, limestone, and other minerals adjacent to or under the pipe in such a manner as to injure it or bring down the surface. There was also a conclusion for interdict. The pursuers were met by a plea of res judicata. That plea referred to proceedings which commenced in the Bill Chamber at the instance of the Trustees, and in which they asked interdict against the Company working the minerals in the strip of ground. Stated in its most general terms, the question submitted for decision in the first case was whether the Oil Company were entitled to work their minerals so as to bring down the Trustees’ pipes. It was quite true that in this action there were declaratory conclusions which preceded the conclusion for interdict, but he thought the test of the present action was to be found in the second conclusion for declarator and conclusion for the interdict, and these seemed to him to raise the very question which was previously determined. New arguments had been used, new clauses of statutes had been founded upon, and a new doctrine of the common law as applicable to the rights of parties had also been invoked and founded upon. But he did not consider, although he had found the question one of some difficulty, that in any one of these respects the pursuers had shown that there was in the present proceedings any new medium concludendi in the proper sense. That being so, he was prepared to sustain the plea of res judicata in so far as applicable, and would issue an interlocutor on Monday in which he would define the extent to which he held the plea to apply.

Counsel for the Pursuers- The Dean of Faculty, Q.C., and Mr F. T. Cooper. Agents – Millar, Robson, & M’Lean, W. S.

Counsel for the Defenders – The Solicitor General, Q.C., and Mr Clyde. Agent – J. Gordon Mason, S.S.C.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 07 June 1899

THE WATER TRUST AND CLIPPENS COMPANY.

JUDGMENT OF THE COURT.

Judgment was given by their lordships in the First Division of the Court of Session to-day, in the reclaiming note by the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees against Lord Pearson's finding in their action against the Clippens Oil Company and Major Gibson of Pentland for declarator and interdict. The Water Trust sought to have it declared that they, as successors of the Water Company, were entitled to receive from Glencorse a continuous supply of water in Castlehill reservoir by means of a pipe laid through the lands of Pentland and Straiton, which lands belonged to the defenders; and that they, the first defenders, were not entitled to work the minerals in the strip of ground supported the pipe at Pentland. They also sought to interdict defenders' workings. Lord Pearson was of the opinion that so far as regarded the compearing defenders the action was res judicata, in respect of another note and suspension presented by the pursuers on 16th March, 1897. He appointed the case to be enrolled so that parties might be heard on further procedure, and granted leave to reclaim. The Division to-day recalled the Lord Ordinary's interlocutor, so far as it referred to res judicata, and remitted the case to the Lord Ordinary to proceed on the ground that this was a totally different case from the one previously considered.

Glasgow Herald - Thursday 08 June 1899

R.N.--Edinburgh and District Water Trustees v. Clippens Oil Company.

Judgment was given in a reclaiming note by the pursuers in an action in which the Edinburgh and District Water Trust sues the Clippens Oil Company for declarator and interdict - for declarator that the Water Trust have the right to have the Crawley water pipe so far as laid in a strip of ground in the lands of Pentland and Straiton supported, and interdict prohibiting the defenders from working the shale limestone and other minerals adjacent to and under the pipes within limits to be fixed by the Court. It was said that the defenders proceeded to work, and have threatened to continue to work, the minerals adjacent to the strip of ground, and under and adjacent to the pipe or aqueduct in the lands of Pentland and Straiton, against the remonstrances of the pursuers, and the interdict should be granted as craved in respect that the working would remove the support of the strip of ground and pipe or aqueduct, and would interrupt the continuous supply of water from the Crawley Spring to the Castlehill Reservoir. The defenders say that they are entitled to work the minerals in question as proprietors and lessors thereof, and that the pursuers have no right of support either under the statute or at common law.

In the Outer House Lord Pearson held that the main point of the action, as contended by the Clippens Oil Company, was decided in a previous case, and he allowed the pursuers time to consider whether they wished to discuss the remaining pleas. He indicated the view that this decision settled the whole case.

The Lord-President said he was unable to agree with the Lord-Ordinary. If it were enough to support the plea of res judicata that the demand of the pursuer made in the previous action covered his demand in the present action, then the plea must be allowed, for an interdict against working within 40 yards necessarily prevented working within 45 yards and 145 yards. But then, plus identity of subject matter, there must be identity of medium concludendi. There might be difficulty in laying down a definition of this abstract expression which would satisfactorily draw the line between grounds of action and arguments so as to solve doubtful cases. No such subtlety arose on the present occasion. It was enough to consider whether the question submitted for decision and decided in the previous cause was the same as that now submitted. To his Lordship's thinking it was quite different. Fairly read the record in the last action submitted a perfectly definite question – Were the defenders precluded by the Water-Works Clauses Act from working within 40 vards as they were then doing? That question assumed that they were subject to no other limitation than those of the statute, and confined the question to the statute. The present action proceeded on a totally different theory - it represented the Pursuers as having what, for shortness, he would call a common law right to support. The wayleave, said the pursuers in the present action, implied an obligation on the part of the granter of that right and his successors in the minerals to support the track. Now, this was a right entirely different in substance and in quality from that given by the statute. The two things were not only different, but inconsistent. The defenders endeavoured to represent that the pursuers' new ground of attack was merely a legal inference deducible from the statements made in the previous action, although on that occasion not actually deduced in argument. Now, it was quite true that the word wayleave was used, but beyond this there was no vestige of the present theory. The present theory was founded upon rights existing prior to the date of the Water-Works Clauses Act, and arising from the acquisition of the wayleave by that water company which was formed by statute in 1819. There was in the previous record, he did not say no deduction, but no hint of any right to support arising from any other source than the Act of 1847. The view which he took of the plea under consideration was so materially different from that of the Lord-Ordinary that it hardly admitted of the alternative view Indicated in the Lord-Ordinary's opinion. He (the Lord-President) did not consider the pursuer's present theory of a common-law right of support to have been a plea omitted in the former action. He thought it was a different ground of action. And he had not been able to reconcile himself to the theory that by reason of the notices given under the Act of 1847 the Clippens Company was substantially the pursuer of the issue in the former action and the Water Trustees the defenders. The true view of the mines clauses in the Act of 1847 was not that they conferred a right on the mineowner to work his minerals, but that, they affirmed his original right of property, and merely limited and conditioned its exercise. Accordingly when the mineowner gave notice that he was going to work within the 40 yards he was not making a claim or demand, but was merely certifying a person having a conditional veto that he was going to exercise his right of property. The mineowner had not got to prove anything in support of his notice; his title was all that he required. In the former action, accordingly, the Water Trustees were the affirming and asserting litigants on every question raised - first, they asserted the fact of prior workings by the mineowner, and they maintained the legal proposition that those workings had for all time deprived the Clippens Company of their right to work the minerals: second, they asserted that the workings of the Clippens Company were such that wilful damage was being done to the undertaking; and third, they asserted that the mine was worked in an unusual manner. Throughout the litigation, therefore, it seemed to his Lordship that the Water Trustees were in no sense of the term defenders of the issues tried, any more than they were formerly defenders of the action sued. He was for recalling the Lord-Ordinary's interlocutor, repelling the plea of “res judicata,” and remitting to the Lord-Ordinary to proceed.

Lords Adam and M’Laren concurred.

Lord Kinnear said he agreed, and only desired to add that he was unable to assent to the views stated by the Lord-Ordinary, that the complainer in a process of interdict which was brought for any other purpose than for regulating possession was really defender and the respondent pursuer upon the question raised in such process, so as to deprive the complainer of the right which it was settled every pursuer of an action had to bring a new action for the same practical result as the former action which had failed to attain that result, provided he brought the new summons on different grounds of action. He saw no reason to doubt that the pursuers in this action were, to all intents and purposes, pursuers in process of interdict. There might, no doubt, be cases in which the complainer in a suspension was, to all intents and purposes, the defender in the action instituted by such suspension, and the best illustration of such cases was the old practice, which was now disused, of turning a charge which might be suspended into a libel, because that merely meant that the Court held the charge complained of to be equivalent to a citation in a summons, so that the complainer was required to proffer to his defences against the debt in the same manner as if he had been cited in an ordinary action. It was quite intelligible, it should be said, that in such a case the complainer was substantially the pursuer, but it was totally impossible to apply that doctrine or practice in the case of an interdict against a trespass or encroachment upon property. The complainer in such a case alleged that he had reason to apprehend his property would be interfered with either by the conduct or express intentions of his opponent, but they could not turn either the threats or conduct of an opponent into libel so as to make him pursuer of an action he had not raised. He had no doubt, therefore, that the complainers and pursuers in the present case really stood in the position of pursuers in the former case also, and were entitled to the benefit of the doctrine by which they might bring a new action upon different grounds. That the grounds were in fact different the Lord-President had conclusively shown. The question which was raised in the present action was not raised, and therefore could not be decided in the previous interdict. The validity of a plea of "res judicata" must necessarily depend upon the pleadings and decision in the previous action, and not upon any rights or equities which might have arisen antecedent to the pleadings, or upon any extra-judicial communications between the parties. The question always was what was litigated and what was decided. Now, he thought the defenders themselves had in this case stated perfectly distinctly and quite accurately the reason why the judgment in the previous case could not be pleaded as "res judicata" in this, because they said in the sixth statement of fact- "After setting out the questions that were raised in the previous interdict, the pursuers did not either aver or plead in said action that they had any right of support for either of their lines of pipes, such as now put forward for the Crawley pipe." That meant that they neither averred facts nor pleaded law which would enable the Court to entertain the question whether they were entitled to the support pleaded in the present action. That appeared to his Lordship quite a sufficient ground for holding, and he thought it was a quite accurate statement of the result of a comparison between the two cases.

Counsel for Complainers and Reclaimers - The Dean of Faculty, Q.C.. and Mr Cooper. Agents - Millar, Robson & M'Lean, W.S.

Counsel for Respondents - The Solicitor-General, Q.C., and Mr Clyde. Agent-Mr .J Gordon Mason, S.S.C.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 20 July 1899

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY, LIMITED, AND THE WATER TRUST.

Mr W. S. Brown, chairman of the Directors of the Clippers Oil Company, writes as follows: --

23 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, 12th July 1899.
Sir,— I send you copy of a correspondence which I have had with the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and which I shall feel obliged by your publishing in your next issue.

You will keep clearly in view that this correspondence does not deal with the merits of the case (at present sub judice), but with the methods adopted by the Edinburgh and District Water Trust in conducting their litigations with this Company.

I have felt unwilling to make any further statements in regard to the differences between this Company and the Water Trust until matters were finally settled, but what is set forth in the correspondence is so much at variance with the proper and straightforward way of conducting business that I consider it right that the ratepayers of Edinburgh should be made acquainted with the facts.—l am, your obedient servant,
W. S. BROWN, Chairman.
To the Editor of the Dalkeith Advertiser.

23 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, 22nd June 1899.
To the Honourable Lord Provost Mitchell Thomson, Edinburgh.

My Lord Provost,—At the hearing of the Arbitration Award case before Lord Pearson on the 16th inst., Mr Cooper, counsel for the Water Trust, stated that the notice served on my Company to acquire mineral for support of water pipes was not intended for a good notice, but was only used as a convenient mode of getting interim interdict against the Company working the minerals.

At the meeting of my Directors with your Committee on 17th February 1898, your Lordship intimated that it had been decided to purchase the area of minerals shown on the plan produced, and you verbally gave notice of such purchase, stating that formal statutory notice would be served next day, and you urged that our operations should be stopped at once.

Accepting your word in good faith as that of an honourable gentleman, binding as well on the other members of your Committee then present, I agreed to send a special messenger to the mines, and work was stopped within a couple of hours after your request was made.

Notice was duly served, and I need not remind you of the later negotiations to arrive at a price amicably, all tending, as I thought, to confirm your Lordship's statement.

The statement of Mr Cooper in open Court implies such conduct on the part of yourself and your Committee that I think it well to give you as opportunity of repudiating it. —Yours faithfully,
W. S. BROWN,
Chairman, Clippens Oil Coy., Ltd.

Edinburgh and District Water Trust,
11 Royal Exchange, Edinburgh,
27th June 1899.
Dear Sir,—l have yours of the 22nd inst. I have no doubt you are accurate when you may that, at a meeting between your Directors and my Committee of the Water Trust on 17th February 1898, I intimated that the Trust would serve a statutory notice on your Company with regard to the minerals under and adjacent to the pipe of the Water Trustees. This was carried into effect by the notice which was dated 17th February 1898 and served on your Company. In that notice the Water Trustees intimated that the Trust were willing to do what the Act provides for their doing, namely, compensating your Company for being prevented from working the minerals. The notice further states that the Trust were prepared to make compensation to your Company "so far as you are entitled thereto." and it concluded by declaring that it was given without prejudice to, and under reservation of, all our answers and objections to the said notices served on us by, or on behalf of, you or your predecessors, and of all objections to your working out the said minerals competent to us, and our right of support of the Crawley pipes passing through said mineral field. The other notices served on your Company were in similar terms. I have not heard from the 17th February 1898 till the 22nd June 1898 that your Company did not consider these good notices, nor in conformity with what you state I said at the meeting on 17th February.

Now when, on the strength of the terms of their notices, the Water Trustees are pleading that they are not liable to pay the awards in the arbitrations entered into by the Trust, under the reservations I have referred to, you seek to bring up against me a statement made by the Water Trust Counsel. I was not present at the debate when Mr Cooper is said by you to have made the statement you complain of. I do not know whether your report of what he said is correct. If it is, your Counsel had better ask Mr Cooper what he means. So far as I am concerned I would just ask you two questions. Surely you do not mean to ask the Trustees to pay for what they are not legally liable for; and if your Company did not consider the notices served on them as implement of what I stated at the meeting of 17th February 1989, why have they never raised any objection from that day to this?

As the matter is now being litigated it would be better if any further correspondence on this matter were directed by you to the Trustees Agent. Mr White Miller.- Yours truly,
MITCHELL THOMSON.

Wm. S. BROWN, Esq.,
Chairman, Clippens Oil Coy., Ltd., Glasgow.

23 Royal Exchange Square,
Glasgow, 30th June 1899.
To the Honourable Lord Provost Mitchell Thomson, Edinburgh.

My Lord Provost, I am in receipt of letter dated 27th inst., and much regret that your Lordship should put your signature to such a document. You entirely avoid the question which I raised.

On the 17th February 1989, on your personal and urgent request. my Directors met you in Committee, when your Lordship put plans before us and intimated that it had been decided to purchase the minerals under the area shown, you asked us there and then to accept and act on the notice which you gave verbally, pledging yourself that it would be followed by formal statutory notice, and that we should stop work in our mines at once.

Mr Auldjo Jamieson emphasised your Lordship's statement by saying. "it is understood that we acquire these minerals from now." I assented and at once sent a messenger to the mines, and work was stopped within two hours of time of meeting. There was no hint of any reservation or counter claim of any kind.

Two days after our workings were stopped, formal notice was received, with the clause which you quote added. We presumed the addition was made without your authority, and we objected to it, although we did not, and do not now, attach any importance to it, beyond the fact that it has served as an excuse to involve us in a new law suit.

I do not raise the question whether the notice was good or bad. It is statement made by your counsel in open court that It was not intended as a good notice, but was used a means of getting us to stop work, instead of applying for interdict, which might have led to serious consequences for the Trust.

In other words that you and your committee deliberately conspired to mislead us, and induced us to stop operations under false representations, that all the pretended friendly negotiations towards agreeing on a price, the appointment of a Committee to meet my directors and arrange the price, the sum claimed above £9000, named by your own engineer "being so small" (which Committee never approached us), and finally the statements under oath by prominent members of the Water Trust before the Parliamentary Committees that the Water Trust had bought the minerals referred to—all this was a continuance of the conspiracy. This is what it appears to me is imputed to you by your own Counsel.

I must decline your Lordship's invitation to correspond with the Trust'a agent. As you are aware we had declined to have any verbal negotiations with the Water Trust Committee, and it was your Lordship personally who induced us to attend the meeting referred to. - Yours faithfully,
W. S. BROWN,
Chairman, Clippens Oil Coy., Ltd.

Edinburgh and District Water Trust,
11 Royal Exchange, Edinburgh,
7th July 1899.

Dear Sir. - I have received your letter of 30th June, and am surprised that you should make a charge against my Committee and me of attempting to mislead you and your Directors. I can only repudiate the improper insinuation.—Yours truly,
MITCHELL THOMSON.

W.S.BROWN, Esq.,
Chairman, Clippens Oil Coy., Ltd., Glasgow.

23 Royal Exchange Square,
Glasgow, 10th July 1899.

To the Honourable
Lord Provost Mitchell Thomson,
Edinburgh

My Lord Provost, - I am in receipt of your letter of 7th inst., contents of which I read with regret.

The legal proceedings referred to fully confirm the statement made by your counsel, Mr Cooper, but I was hopeful that your Lordship would disclaim responsibility. Such tactics would not have been available had we not trusted to your honour and good faith.

In order that the circumstances should be fully known, I send the correspondence to the Press. – Yours failthfully,
W. S. BROWN,
Chairman, Clippens Oil Coy., Ltd.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 17 November 1899

THE CLIPPENS COMPANY AND THEIR MINERAL RIGHTS.

In First Division of the Court of Session today, their lordships gave judgment in a reclaiming note by the pursuers in the two actions raised by the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, against the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees. Sheriff Jameson, as arbiter in two arbitrations between the parties, issued an award to the Clippens Company for £8079 compensation for minerals to be left unworked in the lands of Straiton, under or adjacent to the defenders' pipe track, and the same arbiter awarded the pursuers £2250 in respect of unworked minerals. The company raised actions for the recovery of these sums, and the Trustees thereupon intimated an action for the reduction of the awards, which were made under the Acts of 1845. The defenders thereupon asked Lord Pearson in the Outer House to sist the company's actions till the one of reduction came on so that the actions could be heard together. This his lordship did, and the pursuers reclaimed. The Inner House to-day held that the Lord Ordinary did quite right. They adhered to his interlocutor sisting the actions, and gave the Trustees their expenses.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 27 June 1900

EDINBURGH WATER TRUST AND CLIPPENS COMPANY.

The Court of Session to-day, Lord Pearson gave judgment in an action by the Edinburgh Water Trustees against the Clippens Oil Company, Limited. The question at issue was whether the Water Trust were entitled have the Clippens Company restrained from working the minerals under and adjacent to a strip of ground supporting the pipe which conveys the water from Crawley spring to the Castlehill Reservoir. It was maintained that the Water Trustees were entitled to object to the operation of the company under the statutes in virtue of which the pipe was laid, and that at common law they were entitled to adequate support for the pipe where it passes through the lands of Pentland and Straiton. The case for the company was that they were entitled to work the minerals in question as lessees and proprietors, and also in terms of statute, and that their right to do so was established in an action raised by the present pursuers in March 1897. His lordship was of opinion that the pursuers were entitled to decree substantially as concluded for, found that the limits of safety were perpendicular to the rise of 1 in 5 to the dip, and granted interdict against the defenders’ working within these limits. The Solicitor-General for the company asked that his lordship should hear the action for implement of decree which had been sisted pending the above case, in order that they might take the two cases to the Inner House together. The pursuers were allowed expenses.

Glasgow Herald - Thursday 28 June 1900

EDINBURGH AND DISTRICT WATER TRUSTEES V. CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY.

Judgement was given in an action in which the Edinburgh and District Water Trust sues the Clippens Oil Company for declarator and interdict - for declarator that the Water Trust have the right to have the Crawley water pipe so far as laid in a strip of ground in the lands of Pentland and Straiton supported, and interdict prohibiting the defenders from working the shale, limestone, and minerals adjacent to and under the pipes within limits to be fixed by the Court. It was said that the defenders proceeded to work, and have threatened to continue to work, the minerals adjacent to the strip of ground, and under and adjacent to the pipe or aqueduct in the lands of Pentland and Straiton, against the remonstrances of the pursuers, and the interdict should be granted as craved in respect that the working would remove the support of the strip of ground and pipe or aqueduct, and would interrupt the continuous supply of water from the Crawley Spring to the Castlehill Reservoir. The defenders say that they are entitled to work the minerals in question as proprietors and lessors thereof, and that the pursuers have no right of support either under the statute or at common law. The pursuers of this action have two main water pipes which on their way to Edinburgh traverse the lands of Pentland and Straiton. In this part of their course these two pipes lie side by side a few feet apart in what was practically the same pipe track. One pipe which carries the Crawley springs was laid in or shortly after the year 1820. The other, which was laid in or about 1876, carries the Moorfoot water. The main purpose of the present action was to have the Crawley pipe protected from being brought down or injured by the defenders' mineral workings. The action did not relate to the Moorfoot pipe. The pursuers brought this action to have the right of support for the Crawley pipe declared, and to have the defenders interdicted from infringing it. So far as regarded that pipe they claimed an absolute and unqualified right of support; and if they insisted on the defenders leaving the subjacent and adjacent minerals unworked in order to secure it, the pursuers would be in a position to contend that the Moorfoot pipe, which lies beside it, would incidentally get the benefit of that support without payment. They also sought to have it declared that the defenders were not entitled to work the minerals adjacent to a strip of ground feued by them in such a manner as to injure the said strip or bring down the surface thereof. After examining the clauses of the Edinburgh Water Company’s act of 1819, his Lordship said he was of opinion that they clearly imported the right of anyone through whose lands the pipe passed to make a claim in respect thereof. It could not be suggested, his Lordship said, that the pipe was laid behind the backs of the proprietors. They must have been quite well aware of what was going on, and the inference his Lordship drew was that the payment or satisfaction in respect of the laying of the pipe was either adjusted or was deliberately waived. It was true that the Act of 1819 made no reference to minerals, and it might be that no one then had sufficient foresight to claim, or at all events to claim adequately, for the loss of valuable minerals which was involved in the right of absolute support to the pipe. But if such claim was open under the statute, and was either waived or assessed and paid, he did not see how the singular successors of the then owners could take the objection that the claim might have been for a larger amount. As his Lordship read the Act of 1843, its mineral clauses did not apply except to the new works thereby authorised, which, it was to be observed, were almost entirely situated in the parishes of Penicuik, Colinton. and Currie, and not at all in the parish of Lasswade, in which Straiton and Pentland lay. He could not hold that the expression "the works of the company," contained in the mineral clauses of that Act applied to the works then in existence the rights in which had been acquired more than 20 years before. The next question was whether, assuming the right of support to exist, the defenders' operations if continued would substantially interfere with that right. He thought it was clearly established that a continuance of the defenders' threatened operation would result in substantially lowering the pipe and imminent risk to the water supply, and the pursuers' criticism of the position taken up by the defenders as to substituted support seemed to his Lordship perfectly sound, namely that it contemplated not the prevention of subsidences but their cure. The result was that recourse must be had to the only possible alternative, namely, to leave a certain area of the minerals unworked for the support of the pipe. The question was how was that area to be defined. All the witnesses agreed that some of the mineral near the outcrop should remain as it was, the limit being variously stated at from 100 to 200 yards, and that the line of safety was to be found by dropping a perpendicular line from the surface point to be protected to the strata. His Lordship was prepared to apply the English rule that the slope or batter left to the dip should be one in five. His Lordship thought it was clearly proved that there was reasonable apprehension of subsidence in the surface of the pursuers' feu if the defenders worked out the adjacent minerals in their own ground, and he did not see how the remedy of interdict was not appropriate and competent to safeguard the pursuers' right. He did not see his way to sustain the defenders' plea that the pursuers were barred by their actings from insisting in the action. It was said that the defenders had in the knowledge of the pursuers spent upwards of £5000 over a period of about twenty years in developing and working the mineral field in such a way that a large part of the expenditure would be rendered useless if the pursuers succeeded. His Lordship saw nothing to suggest that the pursuers were aware of the defenders being in course of incurring expenditure for a specific purpose and wrongfully failed to let them know that the purpose was regarded by the trustees as contrary to their right. In the result, his Lordship's opinion was that the pursuers were entitled to decree substantially as concluded for. The defenders got expenses.

Counsel for Pursuers-The Dean of Faculty, QC.; Mr Guthrie, Q.C.; and Mr Cooper. Agents - Millar, Robson & M'Lean, W.S.

Counsel for Defenders-The Solicitor-General, Q.C., and Mr Clyde. Agent-Mr J. Gordon Mason, S.S.C.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 14 July 1900

CLIPPENS COMPANY AND THE WATER TRUST.

Lord Pearson in the Court Session gave judgment In the action by the Clippens Oil Company against the Edinburgh and District Water Trust for £10,329, found due by the Water Trust to the Oil Company, under a reference in regard to the value of minerals and free stone to be unworked under and adjacent to the defenders' Moorfoot pipe in the lands of Straiton. The Water Trust contended that the Company were not entitled to work out the greater part the minerals included in the references, and they were not entitled to compensation, nor to sums awarded in the decreets arbitral. His lordship was of the same opinion, and granted absolvitor, with expenses.

Dundee Evening Telegraph - Saturday 14 July 1900

The legal fight between the Clippens Oil Company and the Edinburgh Water Trust is to be continued. The Clippens have been fighting the Water Trust for over four years, and it was thought that the Court of Session interdict against the Company passed a week ago would have settled the matter, but such is not the case, as a reclaiming note has just been lodged. A little give and take on both sides long ere this might have settled the dispute.

Glasgow Herald - Monday 16 July 1900

(Before Lord Pearson.)

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED) V. EDINBURGH AND DISTRICT WATER TRUSTEES.

This was an action of implement and payment instituted by the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) against the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees. On 11th November last Mr Jameson, Q.C., oversman, in a reference between the parties, found the pursuers entitled to £8079 compensation for minerals to be left unworked in the lands of Straiton under or adjacent to the defenders' pipe-track, as well as a further sum of £2250 in respect of the un-worked freestone. The pursuers now ask that the defenders should be ordained to obtemper Mr Jameson's order by paying the sums mentioned and expenses. The defenders explain that the Crawley pipe was laid in 1821 under the authority of an Act passed in 1819, which contained no provision similar to those in the Water-Works Clauses Act, 1847, by which the owners of minerals are entitled to work these after giving statutory notice of their intention to do so. On the contrary, it was held in an action between the defenders and Mrs Gibsone of Pentland that when the Water Company acquired ground in which to lay their pipe they did so under the common law rule that a disposition of land without reservation gave the disponee everything "cœlo ad centrum." The Moorfoot pipe was laid in 1877, and it is said that the notices preceding the reference were given under the Water-Works Clauses Act, and were applicable only to the case of the Moorfoot pipe. The defenders maintain that the pursuers not being entitled to work out the greater part of the minerals included in the references, they are not entitled to compensation for not working them, and are therefore not entitled to the sums awarded in the decreets arbitral.

Lord Pearson, in disposing of the case to-day, said the whole proceedings in the arbitration must be held to have taken place under the reservation of the question of law as to the Crawley pipe. In the action by the trustees against the company decided the other day it had been held that the company were not entitled to work the minerals under the pipe, which had to he left unworked without payment of compensation. He was therefore of opinion that the awards were not enforceable, and that the defenders were entitled to absolvitor, with expenses.

Counsel for Pursuers - The Solicitor-General, Q.C., and Mr Clyde. Agents – J. Gordon Mason, S.S.C.

Counsel for Defenders--The Dean of Faculty, Q.C., and Mr Cooper. Agents - Millar, Robson & M'Lean, W.S.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 06 August 1902

THE CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY LITIGATION.

The House of Lords gave judgment yesterday in the appeal by the Edinburgh Water Trust v. the Clippens Oil Company, the question being whether the respondents were entitled be paid compensation for the minerals left in to support the water pipes of the Trustees, which pass through the Clippens mineral field. The contention of the Water Trustees was that they were entitled to support for their pipes, and that no compensation for unworked minerals ought to be allowed. The question arose out of an attempt on the part of the appellants to stop the erection of certain buildings within the limits of the royalty until the plans had been duly passed by them under the bye-laws. It was contended for the appellants that the Lord Ordinary was right in treating the question as primarily depending on the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1889, because that Act created the jurisdiction of the appellants, and defined its extent with reference to that the respondents. The function of a boundary was to include that which it bounds, and no more. If the royalty had been meant what would have been simpler than to say so? The appellants said their predecessors had all along exercised jurisdiction over the disputed area to the exclusion of the respondents. Lord Macnaghten, Lord Robertson, Lord Shand, Lord Brampton, and Lord Lindley were of opinion that the judgment of the Court of Session must be upheld, and the appeal of the Edinburgh Water Trust dismissed with costs, the respondents being entitled under decree arbitral to payment for the unworked minerals. The Lord Chancellor, although he did not dissent, was not quite sure of the decision, but he did not desire say anything to create a doubt as to the law of Scotland with regard a decree arbitral.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 08 August 1902

The Water Trust of Edinburgh have been worsted in their encounter with the Clippens Oil Company, and it will be a pleasurable surprise for some folks in the City if the latter are now prepared to remain content with the victory they have gained. All along the litigation that has been engaged in has been most unfortunate. It has worried the Edinburgh Trustees not a little, but above that it has led to the cessation of one of the county industries. It is even said that now the House of Lords has given its decision so pronouncedly and so unanimously in favour of the company’s claim for compensation there may be another action raised to settle the damages, that the stoppage of work may be said to have occasioned. It does seem strange that the Trustees should have refused the claim to compensation, and now that they are compelled as it were at the point of the bayonet of legal necessity to pay it, it is no comforting reflection for the citizens to think that in addition to their having to find the money for the compensation they will also have to pay the costs of the law suit. These are likely to amount to a good deal more money than the original claim, and it would be well if some of the Trustees or those sending the members to represent them on the Trust insisted on getting a note of how much has actually been spent upon the action from first to last.

It is of course a rather difficult matter to control the action of the Trust. Its composition renders it practically independent of the citizens, for men may be elected to it who have no direct mandate from the ratepayers, and who do not require to appeal to the constituencies in the same way as other Councillors do. It is a semi-independent body which may scoff for a time at public opinion. Members are elected to it for three years, and it sometimes happens that a Councillor on retiring from office as member of Town Council may retain office in the Trust for a period of other two years. In that way and for that period he is practically beyond the reach of influences that used to make him careful when as a direct representative of the people on a public Board he had to appeal to them for a renewal of their suffrages. Still, notwithstanding the difficulty which may surround the obtaining of an account of the money spent in this particular litigation, I trust some member of the Corporation will manage to get it, not alone in the interest of the citizens but in that of the Trustees themselves. There are absurd stories going about as to the amount spent, and in view of these it would be well to have some authoratitive announcement, regarding the cost.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 08 August 1902

THE WATER TRUSTEES AND THE CLIPPENS.

END OF A LONG STRUGGLE.

In the House of Lords on Tuesday judgment was given in the action between the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees and the Clippens Oil Company, by which it has been determined that the latter shall receive the compensation fixed upon by the overman on account of their being prevented from working the minerals under the Crawley and Moorfoot water mains passing through the estates of Straiton and Pentland. The sum awarded by the arbiter was £8079 for shale and limestone and £2250 for freestone. The litigator began in the Court of Session before Lord Pearson, the Clippens Oil Company asking for the payment of the sum. The Lord Ordinary on that occasion assoilzied the Trustees from the conclusion of the action with expenses. The Company took the case to the First Division, who recalled the interlocutor of the Lower Court, and gave decree in favour of the Oil Company with expenses. The Trustees then carried the case to the House of Lords, where their lordships, the Lord Chancellor expressing, doubts, but not entering his dissent, confirmed the first Division's decision, and decreed for the payment of the sum fixed by the arbiter, and gave the Company expenses. Lord Macnaughton, who was not present in Court, gave the leading opinion, which was read by Lord Davy. It was to the following effect:-

Two conduits or pipes belonging to the appellants—the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees—to bring water to Edinburgh from the Crawley springs and the Gladhouse reservoir. One is known as the Crawley pipe, the other as the Moorfoot pipe. They both cross the lands of Straiton and Pentland. Straiton and Pentland are mineral properties in which the respondents are interested as owners of Straiton and lessees of the minerals in Pentland. In crossing these lands the pipes are laid side by side and less than two feet apart, so that if the one were exposed to injury by subsidence, it could hardly be expected that the other would escape. The two pipes were laid at different times and under different conditions. The Moorfoot pipe was laid in 1874 by the Water Trustees under the powers of an Act, which incorporates the provisions of the Water Works Clauses Act, 1847. The Crawley pipe was laid by their predecessors in title so far back as 1821 under the authority of an Act that does not contain provisions similar to those by which the Moorfoot pipe is or may be safeguarded. The security of the Crawley pipe (as the First Division has declared in another action between the same parties) depends, and depends only, on the well established principle that where Parliament has authorised the construction and maintenance of works for purpose of a public nature in lands not acquired by the undertakers, subject to provisions for making satisfaction to the owners and occupiers of those lands there follows as a necessary consequence the right to subjacent and adjacent support for the authorised works. That was the case as regards the Crawley pipe. It is clear that when that pipe was laid satisfaction was made to the occupiers. It is not clear that the owners received satisfaction. But this is now immaterial. There can be no doubt that they were aware of what was going on. At this distance of time it must be taken either that they received satisfaction or that they knowingly waived their rights, which may well have been the case if the minerals were not considered valuable at that time. It seems that for some years past the oil company have been working their minerals in the lands of Straiton and Pentland. From time to time as they approached the line of the pipe track they gave the notices required by the Waterworks Clauses Act, but up to February 1898 the Water Trustees did not think it necessary to interfere. However, on the 17th of that month they served a counter notice as to certain mines of shale and limestone, stating that it appeared to them that the working of those mines was likely to damage their pipe track, and that they were willing to make compensation for the same in so far as the oil company were entitled thereto, and requiring the oil company to leave the said mines unworked. They concluded by declaring that the counter notice was given without prejudice to, and under reservation of, all their answers and objections to the notices served on them by the oil company and their predecessors, and of all objections to the oil company working out the said minerals competent to them, and of their 'right of support of the pipes passing through the said mineral fields.' A similar counter notice was afterwards given in respect of certain freestone which the oil company proposed to work. Ultimately the parties went to arbitration, with the result that the arbitrators differed, and the oversman made two decrees arbitral assessing the amounts payable in respect of the minerals required to be left unworked at £8079 for shale and limestone and £2250 for freestone: and this action has been brought to endorse payment of those sums. My Lords, I have much difficulty in understanding the grounds on which payment is resisted. Perhaps there is some little obscurity as to the precise scope and meaning of the declaration at the end of the appellants’ counter notice. Rightly understood that declaration seems to come to no more than this, that the appellants were not to be taken as abandoning, for the purpose of the arbitration or for any other purpose the right of support which they claimed for the Crawley pipe, or any other objections which it might seem competent for them to raise. It seems to me absurd to suppose that they meant to withdraw from the consideration of the arbitrator the rights claimed in respect of the Crawley pipe whatever these rights might turn out to be. If that was their meaning they have failed to express it. If they had expressed such a meaning and effect had been given to it the proposed proceedings would have been altogether idle and the arbitration entirely futile. The appellants might have relied on their rights in regard to the Crawley pipe for the protection of their pipe track, but they deliberately chose to serve a counter notice under the Water Works Clauses Act offering to pay compensation to the respondents. By taking this course they were enabled to stop the respondents working, and to obtain a larger and more definite measure of security. On the other hand, what was the position of the respondents? The minerals belonged to them. They could not, indeed, work so as to injure the Crawley pipe, but if they could avoid doing injury to it they were free to work out every particle of the minerals lying under the pipe track. There was a restriction on their working, but the minerals were theirs. There was no adverse claim. There was no question of title. It was for the arbitrators or the oversman to determine what amount of compensation was payable to the mineral owners for the loss to them occasioned by their being prevented from working the minerals specified in the appellants’ counter notices. It may be that the overman gave the respondents too much, as the appellants contend, or too little, as the respondents seem to think. It may be that he did not give due weight to the restriction which the presence of the Crawley pipe had the effect of imposing on the working of subjacent minerals. It may be that, though the matter was presented to him, he disregarded the restriction altogether. It may be that the appellants put their case far too high, as they did in the action before the Lord Ordinary, and suffered in consequence. But the award on the face of it is not open to objection. In it the overman declares that he had considered the matters submitted to him by the deeds of nomination, and in particular the claims lodged in the submission, and the answers thereto, and the whole proofs adduced by each party, and productions, and proofs, and heard both parties thereon, and thereafter issued notes of his proposed findings, and considered the representations lodged for the parties, and heard parties thereon. What more could any arbitrator do? If the appellants failed to place their whole case before him, and he came to a wrong conclusion, the result is exactly the same. It was for him to decide, and the parties were bound by his decision. Much reliance was placed by the appelants on the overman’s note of the 3rd of November 1898, in which he states that he was asked whether he had or had not, in giving his award, taken into consideration the rights claimed by the Water Trustees in an action then pending against the oil company, as to the right of support claimed in respect of the Crawley pipe, and the possibility or probability of their being successful therein. He declined, he said, to state anything on the subject, adding as a reason, 'I consider that the proceedings in the said action have nothing to do with my duties in this reference.' Speaking for myself, I think he was right; and I do not think that this statement goes to show that he rejected any claim put forward by the appellants without considering it. I am of opinion that the appeal must be dismissed with costs."

Lords Robertson, Brampton. and Lindley concurred in the judgment of Lord Macnaghton, which entered accordingly.

Counsel for the Appellants—The Dean of Faculty and Mr F. T. Cooper. Agents—Mr W. A. Robertson M’Lean, W.S.., Edinburgh, and Messrs A. and W. Beveridge, Westminster.

Counsel for the Respondents—The Solicitor General for Scotland and Mr J. A. Clyde. K.C. Agents—Mr I. Gordon Mason, S.S.C., Edinburgh, and Mr John Kennedy, W.S., Westminster.

Dundee Evening Telegraph - Saturday 16 August 1902

OIL v. WATER.

The decision of the House of Lords in the encounter between the Edinburgh and District Water Trust and the Clippens Oil Company has caused quite a sensation. The Water Trust have two pipes running beside each other, viz., the "Crawley" and the “Moorfoot." The former was laid in 1821, and for it the Trustees had a right of servitude which involved support of the pipe. The Moorfoot pipe was laid in 1874, and for it it was held the Trustees were liable to pay compensation for minerals underneath. The matter went to arbitration, and a sum of nearly £11,000 was given as compensation to the Clippens Oil Company, but this sum the Water Trust refused to pay, and thus the legal fight, which was continued, has now ended in the defeat of the Water Trustees. Not only will they have to pay the compensation amount named, but all the legal expenses from the beginning to the end of the fight, and no-one can tell what these will amount to. The difficulty, however, in dealing with the Trustees, so far as the citizens and ratepayers are concerned, is the constitution of the Trust. It is practically independent the ratepayers, as men may be elected who are not amenable to the ratepayers, who are not responsible to constituencies, and who may be indifferent to public opinion. Members are elected for three years, and it often happens that a Councillor in retiring from the Town Council remains for some time on the Trust, and during such period he is not under the influences that make a direct representative careful. Strong feeling prevails on the subject, and a lot of strange stories are afloat as to amount that has been spent on litigation. There is no doubt some difficulty reaching this, but it to be hoped some member will be bold enough to get an authoritative statement for the public. If not, I understand an effort will be made through the Town Council.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 04 September 1902

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY AND EDINBURGH WATER TRUST.

The Clippens Oil Company, Limited, have appealed to the House Lords against the interlocutor of the First Division of the Court of Session, dated 27th November, 1900, in the case in which the Edinburgh Water Trustees were pursuers. The Court of Session held that within certain limits the Clippens Oil Company were not entitled to work the minerals on the lands of Straiton, under or on each side of the strip of ground belonging to the Water Trustees, in such manner as to injure the pipe or aqueduct from the Crawley spring to the Castle Hill Reservoir, and interdicted them accordingly. The company also seek to have reduced an interlocutor in connection with same case, finding them bound to pay as expenses to the Water Trust £931 16s 4d.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 12 January 1904

CLIPPENS COMPANY AND EDINBURGH WATER TRUST.

£137,000 DAMAGES CLAIMED.

Another stage in the prolonged litigation between the Clippens Oil Company and the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees was reached to-day, when the action of damages raised by the Oil Company as far back June, 1898, was, to use the legal term, "awakened,' and will now proceed. The pursuers conclude for payment of £137,000 in respect of loss and damage alleged to have been sustained in consequence of the interdict obtained in March, 1897, by the Water Trustees against the pursuers encroaching upon the strip of ground bearing the water pipes and against working the minerals in the lands Straiton and Pentland at any point within 40 yards of the pipe tracks. The pursuers state that the Water Trustees were well aware how disastrously such interdict would affect the pursuers' undertaking at the point of development at which it was then, and they aver that the proceedings in question were instituted, and interim interdict was obtained by the defenders oppressively, recklessly, and without any regard to the sufficiency of the grounds on which the application was based in the belief that they would be enabled to force the pursuers to come to easy terms regarding their claims for mineral compensation. After a proof in September, 1897, Lord Pearson found the pursuers entitled to work all their minerals in Straiton and Pentland except certain limestone pillars, and on appeal the First Division found them entitled to work all their minerals without exception. By the obtaining of the interim interdict the pursuers state that the whole available mining developments were ceased, the pits and retorts were closed, and about 1000 workmen had to dismissed. Heavy expense had been incurred in keeping the pits free of water, and a large expenditure would be necessary to bring them into the working condition in which they were when the interdict was obtained. The damage sustained they estimate at the amount sued for. The Water Trustees, in their defences, deny the pursuers' averments, and state that there was no necessity whatever for the pursuers to stop their workings between the granting of the interdict on 16th March, 1897, and its recall on 3d February, 1898. The pursuers closed their works voluntarily, and not owing to the action of the defenders, and the interdicts caused them no loss whatever.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 18 March 1905

CLIPPENS COMPANY AND EDINBURGH WATER TRUST.

DAMAGES FOR WRONGFUL INTERDICT.

Judgment was delivered by Lord Pearson in the Court of Session to-day in the action by the Clippens Oil Company (Limited) against Edinburgh and District Water Trustees for payment of £137,000 for loss and damage alleged to have been sustained through the operation of interim interdict obtained in March, 1897, by the Water Trustees against the company encroaching on the strip of ground running through the mineral field bearing the Trust's water pipes with the water supply of Edinburgh, and against working the minerals in the lands of Straiton and Pentland at any point within 40 yards of the pipe tracks. After a proof in 1897, Lord Pearson found the pursuers entitled to work all their minerals in Straiton and Pentland, except certain limestone pillars, and on appeal the First Division found them entitled to work all their minerals without exception. The Clippens Company alleged that in consequence of the interdict, which, they maintained, was oppressively and recklessly obtained, the whole available mining developments were closed, about 1000 workmen had to be dismissed, and loss and damage were sustained to amount concluded for. The Water Trustees stated that there was no necessity whatever for the pursuers to stop their workings between the granting of the interdict on 16th March, 1897, and its recall on 3d February, 1898. company, they declared, closed their works voluntarily and not owing to the defenders' action, and the interdict caused no loss whatever. His lordship held that it was not a sound argument to say, as the Water Trustees said, that, because interdict was intended for the purpose of maintaining possession of a pipe, no damages were due, and thought that the Trustees had not substantiated their plea that the subsequent proceedings in court with reference to the Crawley pipe justified the interdict. Then it was said that the interdict was justified by a careful examination of the circumstances in which it was applied for and obtained, but he could not sustain the argument based upon that proposition. He could not accept the explanation offered by the trustees that the interdict was not intended to prevent the company from driving levals through the old waste, and attacking the shale on the other side. That would have involved a breach of interdict. His opinion, therefore, was that the Trustees were not well founded in their plea that they were entitled to absolvitor, or that alternatively the Company were only entitled to nominal damages. He thought it was an ordinary case of wrongful interdict obtained which led to the conclusion that damages were due.

DAMAGES ASSESSED AT £15,000.

His Lordship said a very large allowance must be made in respect of what the Clippens Company had failed to do, seeing that the interdict lasted only from 16th March, 1897, until 18th September, 1897. If certain things bad been done, if the company had been willing to look forward to the interdict coming to an end in September he thought they could easily have tided over the crisis. The conclusion at which he arrived was that he should award the pursuers £15,000. The pursuers were awarded expenses.

Edinburgh Evening News - Friday 12 May 1905

EDINBURGH WATER TRUST AND THE CLIPPENS COMPANY.

The Edinburgh Water Trust have appealed to the First Division of the Court of Session against Lord Pearson's decision awarding the Oil Company £15,000 damages the action by the latter against the Water Trust in respect of loss sustained in consequence of the interdict taken out against the Company in March, 1897.

Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 06 July 1905

CLIPPENS V. WATER TRUST LITIGATION.

The First Division of the Court of Session had again before it to-day the reclaiming note for the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees against Lord Pearson's decision awarding the Clippens Oil Company £15,000 damages in the action which they brought against the reclaimers for alleged wrongful interdict. The Water Trustees asked leave before the discussion on the reclaiming note to amend the record by adding a plea that the action by the Clippens Company was excluded by the Public Authorities Protection Act. Counsel for the Clippens Company objected to the proposal on the ground that it would have the effect practically making a new case, and maintained that the motion should be granted only on condition that the reclaimers paid full expenses to date. The Court to-day decided to allow the amendment as proposed by the Water Trustees and to reserve all questions of expenses. The Lord President observed that if Legislature had wished that such amendments should only made upon condition of all expenses being paid it would have said so. It seemed to his lordship that the circumstances in each case must be taken into account. If the result of the amendment being allowed was that the Water Trustees succeeded on the plea now introduced, he conceived that the Clippens Company would be entitled to the full expense of the proof that had been led. But, on the other hand, if the plea was not successful, the case must go on with the merits, and if in that event they came to a different conclusion from that of the Lord Ordinary position of circumstances would be altered. Lords Adam and Kinnear concurred.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 20 March 1906

CLIPPENS COMPANY V. WATER TRUST.

DECISION OF APPEAL COURT.

WATER TRUSTEES LOSE THEIR CASE.

Judgment was given by the First Division of the Court of Session to-day in the reclaiming note for the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees, against Lord Pearson's decision in the action brought against them by the Clippens Oil Company (Ltd.), which sued for £137,000 in name of damages said to have been sustained by the Company in consequence of the interim interdict obtained by the Trustees against the Company encroaching upon the strip of ground running through the mineral field bearing the Trust's water pipes, and also against working the minerals in the lands of Straiton and Pentland at any point within 40 yards of the pipe tracks. In 1897 Lord Pearson found that the Clippens Company were entitled to work all their minerals in Straiton and Pentland, except certain limestone pillars, and on appeal the First Division found that they were entitled to work all their minerals without exception. The interdict complained of was granted on 16th March, 1897, and recalled on 3rd February, 1898, and the Company stated that it had the effect of closing their pits and retorts, causing 1000 workmen to go idle, and otherwise entailing a heavy expenditure. They alleged that the Water Trustees were aware how such interdict would affect the Company, and that the proceedings were instituted without any regard for the sufficiency of the grounds on which the application was based, in the belief that the Company would be forced to come to easy terms regarding their claims for mineral compensation. The Water Trustees stated that the Clippens Company voluntarily closed their works, and denied that the interdict caused them any loss. In the Outer House Lord Pearson found the Clippens Company entitled to damages and awarded them £15,000.

INCREASED DAMAGES.

The Court adhered to the Lord Ordinary's interlocutor, and increased the damages to £27,000. The Lord President, after narrating the progress of the prolonged litigation between the Company and the Trustees, stated that when the reclaiming note was brought by the Trustees they asked and were allowed to add a new plea, based on the Public Authorities Protection Act, and insisted that inasmuch as the summons was not raised within six months of the Lord Ordinary's interlocutor dated September, 1897, the whole action was excluded. As in the case of the Crawley pipe, the defenders' wisdom came late in the day, as it was obvious that if the new plea was a good one no proof need have been taken, and all those costly proceedings might have been avoided. The question was one of the duration of the interdict, and as the judges who heard were of opinion that the interim interdict subsisted until February, 1898, it followed that in their view the action was timeously raised. That plea being disposed of, they now came to the pleas dealt with by the Lord Ordinary. He entirely agreed with the views of his lordship on that matter. The first was that the interdict having been granted to maintain the status quo was not wrongous, but his lordship did not think it could be said truly that the interdict was to maintain the status quo. The next point made by the defenders was that the pursuers could not get damages for being interdicted from doing what they had no right to do. But the defenders argued that the interdict was against only working the stoops, and not against going within the forty feet territory. His lordship was not satisfied that that was so.

WATER TRUST'S TACTICS CONDEMNED.

The pursuers had urged the Court to consider the conduct of the defenders for various reasons. Some of these reasons, he thought, were irrelevant. But he thought it was permissible to consider what the view of the defenders was when they framed the Interim interdict. He had no doubt whatever that the defenders wished to cripple and stop the pursuers. There was an account given by Mr Armour of a meeting with the representatives of the Water Trust, which was not attempted to be contradicted, and which showed quite clearly that the defenders, relying on their unlimited means, meant to force the pursuers into submission. It was not for his lordship to judge, even if he could, as to whose unreasonableness made former attempts at settlement collapse. If further confirmation were needed that what they meant was a war a I'outrance, it was to be found in the terms of the report produced in the Inner House which the defenders made, and which convinced his lordship that for the practical purposes of the safety of the pipe the interdict need not have been applied to Pentland; and (2) the tactics displayed regarding the dates on which the applications were made and the reclaiming notes taken. On the question of damages, his lordship pointed out that the case had been altered by the decision that the wrongous interdict continued until February 1898. A calculation was not easily made, and must be more or less a rough estimate, but he was of opinion that the damages be the sum of £27,000. Lords M’Laren and Kinnear concurred. The Clippens Company were awarded expenses.

Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 11 June 1907

CLIPPENS COMPANY V. WATER TRUST.

HOUSE OF LORDS' DECISION.

BOTH APPEALS DISMISSED.

The House of Lords gave judgment to-day in the Clippens Water Trust appeal. The appeal was against an interlocutor of Lord Pearson in the action in which the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, sued the Edinburgh and District Water Trustees for £137,000 damages for the loss sustained by the stoppage of their works, as they alleged, by interdict in 1897. In March, 1897, the Water Trust obtained interim interdict against the Clippens Company working the minerals in the lands of Straiton and Pentland at any point within forty yards of the Water Trustees' pipe tracks. When the case came into the Court of Session from the Bill Chamber. Lord Pearson found that the pursuers were entitled to work all their minerals in Straiton and Pentland, except certain limestone pillars, but on appeal the First Division found that they were entitled to work their minerals without exception, so long as they did not injure the pipes. The pursuers, averring that their works were closed compulsorily from March, 1897, when the interim interdict was granted, until February, 1898, when it was recalled by the Division, claimed in this action damages to the extent of £137,000. In defence, it was stated that the works were closed voluntarily and that the interdict caused no loss. Lord Pearson awarded the pursuers £15,000 and expenses, on the footing that the works were closed because of the interdict from March, 1897, to September following, when the interdict was recalled by the Lord Ordinary. On a previous reclaiming note, the Division allowed an amendment of the record to the effect that the action was barred by the Public Authorities Protection Act, the action not having been brought within six months of the injury.

Both parties reclaimed against Lord Pearson's judgement. The Court adhered to the interlocutor of the Lord Ordinary, but increased the damages to £27,000, and found the defenders liable in expenses.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S VIEW.

The Lord Chancellor, in giving judgment, said this interdict was granted in March, 1897. In September, 1897, the Lord Ordinary recalled it, so far as the points now in issue were concerned, but the defenders appealed against this recall, and here, unfortunately, another error arose. It was held by the Lord Ordinary, erroneously as was now admitted, that the interdict did not continue operative until the appeal was heard in the Inner House. In the Scottish Law, this interdict did in fact check the pursuers’ mining actions from March, 1897, till February, 1898, when it was finally recalled by the Inner House. When pursuers first brought their action, they thought that the interdict was wrong from beginning to end, and claimed that they had suffered damages to the extent of £137,000 by reason of being prevented from working the mines under the track of the pipes for a space of 80 yards in width. When they learned from the decision of this House in 1903 that the interdict was only in part wrong, they adapted their claim to the altered legal conditions, and said that the interdict wrongously prohibited them from driving levels through the 80 yards strip, so as to get at and work shale lying outside of that strip. The claim for damages remained as before, £137,000. It was not disputed that the interdict did prohibit driving such levels, and was to that extent wrongous, for such levels might have been driven without letting down the surface, and the real controversy in this case was narrowed down to the question—What damages had pursuers suffered by reason of the interdict stopping them from driving such levels and getting at the shale beyond during the 11 months from March, 1897, to February, 1898? He did not think any useful purpose would be served by a minute examination of the claim. It was based upon the theory that the pursuers had a prosperous future before them, and that they incurred ruin because of this interdict. He must say that the particulars of the claim seemed to him most unsatisfactory, and the foundation on which it rested was highly speculative. He found it very difficult to believe that this company had any but the most remote prospects of success and it seemed at least doubtful whether it was to any considerable extent affected by so much of the interdict of March, 1897 as was wrongous. There was a great deal to be said for the view that the company would in no case have succeeded, and that the grievance of not being able to drive levels was a mere afterthought, conjured up to sustain a claim of damages when the original claim had broken down. But he did not feel himself at liberty to depart on such points from the opinion of the learned judge, who saw and heard the witnesses, and though he did not in detail deal with the evidence which had awakened his misgivings, he did find that a wrong was done, and that substantial damage had ensued. Their lordships, as at seemed to him, were in this case practically bound to accept that conclusion. In assessing the damage, Lord Pearson arrived at the figure of £15,000 upon the footing, which was not now sustained, that the interdict was operative only till September of 1897. No materials were given that enabled him to discover how this figure was arrived at. The First Division found that the interdict was operative till February, 1898, and fixed the damages at £27,000. So far as could be surmised, for here again materials were wanting for a definite opinion, the First Division adopted Lord Pearson's basis, and merely gave an additional sum for the additional months during which the interdict continued in force. Where everything, or nearly everything, rested In conjecture, there was room for infinite diversity of view . This was like the common case where a jury was asked to assess damages with no fixed rule and few ascertained facts to guide them. In such cases very strong ground must be had for disturbing the verdict. He thought their lordships could only apply the same principle here. I have not been satisfied, his lordship continued, that the sum of £27,000 did not fully represent the damages. For these reasons he was of opinion that both the appeal and the cross appeal should be dismissed with costs.

Lords Macnaghten, Ashbourne, James, Robertson, Collins, and Atkinson concurred. The judgment of the First Division has accordingly been upheld.

Miscellaneous

Glasgow Herald - Friday 25 April 1873

PAISLEY. INFIRMARY. – The Treasurer has much pleasure in announcing receipt of £7 4s 9d contributed in aid of charity by workers in the employ of the Clippens Shale Oil Company, Clippens, by Johnstone.

Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser - Saturday 03 May 1873

LINWOOD. TRADE PROSPECTS.— The trade prospects of this district are excellent.. The extensive Clippens Shale Oil Company promises to become one of the largest manufacturing and export concerns in Scotland. This mineral from which the oil is extracted forms a very extensive and rich substratum in the vicinity, and will afford ample employment for long series of years before its wealth is exhausted. A comfortable row of new houses has been built near the manufactory, but the trade is extending so rapidly that now workers have to seek houses for the present in Elderslie, Johnstone, and Crosslee. The nearest station is Crosslee, but it is believed a passenger station will, at an early date, erected at the village of Linwood.

North British Daily Mail - Wednesday 07 May 1873

LINWOOD. SOAP MADE FROM SHALE — We learn that the Clippens Shale Oil Company are about to commence the manufacture of soap, &c., from the refuse of the shale. Amongst other novelties, the company have been making bricks from a kind of sediment of this mineral.

North British Daily Mail - Saturday 11 April 1874

INFIRMARY. – The Treasurer has much pleasure in announcing receipt of the following sums in aid of the institution, viz.: Workers of the Clippens Shale Oil Co., per Mr John M’Donald, £5; workers of Messrs Peter Kerr & Son, New Street, £4.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 13 June 1874

(extract from longer article headed “Today’s Excursions”)

The employees of the Clippens Shale Oil Works, from Paisley, have come to Edinburgh to spend their annual holiday. They number about 500, and another excursion train has arrived from Muirkirk with about 600 passengers. In consequence of these excursions the streets are more thronged than usual, and have a lively aspect.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 10 April 1875

INFIRMARY. – The treasurer thankfully acknowledges receipt of the undernoted sums, viz.: -

Workers of the Clippens Shale Oil Company, per Mr Wm. Young, Manager… £7 3s 0d

Workers of Mr James Wood, coal merchant… £1 6s 0d

Glasgow Herald - Thursday 21 December 1876

KILBARCHAN. – The Unemployed. - A meeting of the committee appointed to organise relief for the unemployed was held on Tuesday evening in the Parochial Board-Room-the Rev. Dr Graham in the chair. The treasurer, Mr James Miller, intimated that the subscriptions now amounted to £220. Of this sum £50 was given by the Messrs Coats, and £40 by the Messrs Clark, of Paisley. It was reported that Mr James Scott, of Clippens Shale Oil Works, had given employment at good wage to a number of the idle weavers, and that Sir Robert Napier had agreed to employ some at light out-door work. The question of manufacturing a number of webs was again considered, and a sub-committee was appointed to bring up a report at next meeting. A considerable amount in money and food was distributed among the more needful cases. The reports from the various districts showed that a good deal of destitution existed.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald - Saturday 27 January 1877

CERTIFICATE.-Mr William Archibald, a native of this place, and who, for the last eighteen months or so, has been employed at Clippens work near Johnston, has successfully passed his examination, as a manager of mines, and obtained a Government certificate of competency for the same.

Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser - Saturday 12 May 1877

The Treasurer of the Infirmary gratefully acknowledges receipt of the following sums, viz.:- From workers in Abercorn Shipbuilding Company’s Yard, £1 10s: from workers in the employment of the Clippens Shale Oil Company, £8.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 12 January 1878

Seasonable Liberality in Linwood.— Thanks to the liberality of R. T. N. Speir, Esq., Culdees Castle, Perthshire ; the Clippens Shale and Oil Co., Linwood ; and few gentlemen in the district —about fifty tons of coal have been distributed to the poor in the village of Linwood during the past week, thus giving an average of a couple of tons to each family. This seasonable gift has been duly appreciated by the poor people in this inclement weather.

Glasgow Herald - Saturday 21 December 1878

LINWOOD. – In consequence of the continued cold weather, Mr James Scott, of Clippens Oil Works, has placed at the disposal of the Rev. Mr Milne 200 tons of coals, to be distributed among the deserving poor of Linwood and surrounding district. Captain Speirs of Burnbrae has also given 40 tons for the same purpose.

North British Daily Mail - Monday 23 December 1878

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY (LIMITED).

Sir, I have just read your article on British mineral oils imported into France. You are quite right in stating the French Government have agreed to charge only 5 per cent ad valorem on all lubricating oils of 865 gravity, this is, as it should be by treaty, after deducting barrels, &c., about £5 per ton, so in fact it is a protection of 240 per cent. The writer has been a Free Trader all his life, but if this is carried out as free trade or reciprocity, he must abandon his old opinions. At present our lubricating oils sell about £12 per ton, which will pay 12s duty. Our schist oil cost £7 10s per ton, and pay a duty now of 3s 6d, and after March the French Government have placed a bill before the Chambers raising the duty to £12. I am, &c., James Scott, Chairman of the Clippens Oil Co.. Limited. 16 Bothwell Street, Dec. 21.

Glasgow Evening Post - Friday 04 June 1880

MARRIAGE OF MR. SCOTT OF CLIPPENS. - Yesterday the marriage of Mr. Thomas Inglis Scott, a partner of the Clippens Oil Company, to Miss Reid, daughter of Mr. Reid, coalmaster, Gallowflat, Rutherglen, was celebrated with great rejoicing at Clippens. The extensive works were stopped, amd after refreshments were served the employees danced in a field near the works, the Balaclava Band being in attendance. Mr. Scott is deservedly popular the district.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 20 November 1880

JOHNSTONE

COMPLIMENTARY SUPPER AND PRESENTATION

On Saturday night last, a number of gentlemen assembled in the Black Bull to celebrate the occasion of Mr. Neilson’s leaving the Clippens Oil Works to become manager to the Walkinshaw Oil Company. The chair was occupied Bailie Love, supported by Mr. M'Phie as croupier. Among those present were, Provost Donald, Mr. Liddell, secretary of the Walkinshaw Oil Company; Messrs. Allan and John Craig, of Allan Craig & Son; Mr. M'Bean, of Glasgow; &c, &c.

After an excellent supper had been partaken of, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed and duly honoured. In presenting to Ur. Neilson a testimonial, consisting of magnificent marble and bronze timepiece, with inscriptions, and a purse of sovereigns, together with a splendid gold watch and chain for Mrs. Neilson, -

The Chairman expressed the great pleasure it afforded him in having been selected to present these gifts to a gentleman whom he had known so long, and who was so eminently deserving of them. After passing high eulogium on the character of Mr. Neilson, the chairman said their guest was at present undergoing what might term a “transformation” in his life. In him the Clippens Oil Company were losing valuable servant, and the Walkinshaw Company was gaining an efficient and experienced manager. He (the speaker) was sure that all present hoped Mr. Neilson would have before him many long years of useful labour in connection with the company whose services he was about to enter. The chairman than presented Mr. Neilson with the gifts referred to and concluded by expressing the good wishes of the company for the health and prosperity of himself, his wife, and family.

Mr. Neilson, in acknowledging the gifts, said that he could not sufficiently express to them in words his deep sense of the honour they had done him that night. He could only thank them with a grateful heart for their kindness, which was only another instance of the great regard and consideration which had always met with at their hands while at Clippens. After referring to his work at Clippens and the relations existing between himself and the employed, he thanked them most heartily on behalf of Mrs. Neilson for the handsome gifts.

The Croupier (Mr. M’Phie) delivered an address during the course of the evening.

A number of toasts followed, and songs were sung at intervals during the meeting, which greatly enlivened the enjoyment of the proceedings. The singing of “Auld Langsyne” brought a most pleasant evening to a close.

Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette - Monday 06 February 1882

IMPROVEMENTS IN SHALE DISTILLATION.

An invention which promises to be of great importance to the mineral oil trade of Scotland is just being experimented on in an elaborate and careful scale at the works of the Oakbank Oil Company, near Mid-Calder. The patent is a new retort—known the Young and Beilby - and the object intended by the inventors is to secure the largest possible yield of oil and ammonia from the distillation of shale. Test experiments with the view determining the value the patent were lately made at the Oakbank works by Mr J. F. King, F.C.S., Edinburgh, and by Dr Stevenson Macadam. Edinburgh, and Dr Wallace, Glasgow, and the results are regarded as completely proving the great superiority of the new retort over these hitherto in use. The yield and quality of the oil is said to be exceptionally good, and as regards the product of ammonia it exceeds all expectations. It is not necessary here to enter into detailed reference to the results brought out by the experiments; suffice it to state that the commercial yield of sulphate of ammonia to the ton shale was from 36.43 lb. to 39.387 lb. Under the systems generally in use the yield has been about 18 lb. The vast importance of the invention is apparent at a glance; but it may be mentioned that an authority in the oil trade calculates that the annual gain to the Scotch oil companies alone—supposing the patent is generally adopted—will foot up close on £100,000. It should be added that Mr Beilby is manager and chemist at the Oakbank Company, and that Mr Young is of the Clippens Oil Company, and it so happened both gentlemen were engaged simultaneously working out the same problem—hence the joint patent.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 16 June 1883

LINWOOD.

CLIPPENS OIL COMPANY'S EMPLOYÉS' EXCURSION. – On Saturday, the employés at Clippens Oil Works had their annual excursion to Rothesay. The workers, to the number of about 500, marched to Linwood, where the Caledonian Company had made arrangements for running a special passenger train over their goods line for the accommodation of the excursionists. On arriving at Greenock, the steamer Athole was awaiting them to convey them to Rothesay, where a very pleasant day was spent. The firm, with their usual liberality, put the trip within the means of all.

Dundee Courier - Monday 23 July 1883

EXCURSIONISTS. - On Saturday the workers of Clippens Oil Works, Loanhead, to the number of about 400, visited Perth. The excursionist, arrived about ten o'clock, and marched through the principal streets, headed by the Gilmerton Reed Band, to the Exchange Hall. Rain fell in the forenoon, but the sun broke out during the day, and the party marched to the North Inch, where dancing was engaged in. The visitors left in the evening.

Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser - Saturday 19 January 1884

UPHALL.

PRESENTATION TO MR W. D. DUNLOP, - Mr Dunlop, who for a long period has had charge of the engineer department of the Clippens Oil Company at Pentland, having accepted a similar position at the Uphall Oil Works, was, on the 5th inst, presented by the men who had worked under him with a silver mounted walking cane, and at the same time a silver salver and tea service was presented to Mrs Dunlop. The inscription was —" Presented to Mr W. D. Dunlop by the workmen of the Clippens Oil Company on the occasion of his leaving the Pentland Works."

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 19 April 1884

PRESENTATION.— On Saturday evening, an interesting meeting took place in the Masonic Hall, Cross Keys Hotel, presided over by ex-Bailie Love, there being also present—Councillor Simpson, Mr. George Smith, Mr. Macphie, and others. The Chairman, on behalf of a numerous company of employees of Clippens Oil Works, presented to Mr. Alex. Young, on the occasion of his leaving the employment of the company, a marble timepiece and vase, and a purse of sovereigns. Mr. Young feelingly returned thanks for the gift. The evening was pleasantly spent in song and sentiment.

North British Daily Mail - Friday 25 April 1884

SUDDEN DEATH OF MR JAMES SCOTT.

We regret to have to announce the death of Mr James Scott, of the Clippens Oil Company, which took place yesterday afternoon. In the morning Mr Scott came to the office of the Clippens Oil Company, and during the forenoon be was engaged in transacting business as usual. Between one and two o'clock he was suddenly seized with illness, and died in the course of a few minutes. Medical aid was at once summoned, but it was of no avail. Apoplexy is supposed to have been the cause of death. Mr Scott was for a number of years a member of the Town Council and of the Clyde Trust, a magistrate of the city, and the occupant of many other positions of public confidence, in each and all of which he did excellent service to this community. It was, we believe, mainly through his exertions that the lands of Kelvingrove were acquired for the West-end Park; and along with other gentlemen who purchased the estate of Stobcross, which he afterwards disposed of to the Clyde Trustee., who subsequently utilised the ground in the formation of the Stobcross Docks. A gentleman of great energy and conspicuous public spirit, he exerted, himself for the public advantage in many directions. Mr Scott's business connections were also numerous and important. He was at time a prominent member of the firm of James Black & Co., calico printers, Dalmonach, Vale of Leven. Retiring from that business many years ago, be erected, in company with his brother William, a large spinning factory in Bridgeton. He erected the extensive block of buildings in Bothwell Street, extending on the north side from Hope Street to Wellington Street, and in which his own office was latterly situated. Mr Scott also acquired the estate of Kelly from the late Mr Wallace, M.P. for Greenock, and subsequently disposed of it to the late Dr James Young. He was, in consequence of this purchase, long known as Mr Scott of Kelly. Some time ago he acquired the Clippens Mineral Oil Works, the business of which he more recently converted into a limited liability company, he and two of his sons retaining the management of the concern, in which, of course, their interest was extensive. Mr Scott, who was of a most kindly and genial disposition, greatly and widely respected, was about 75 years of age. He married a daughter of ex-Lord Proyost Galbraith, and is survived by her and a grown-up family of sons and daughters.

The Scotsman - Friday 25 April 1884

MR JAMS SCOTT, the managing partner of the Clippens Oil Company, died suddenly in the office of the Company in Glasgow yesterday. Heart disease is stated as the cause of death.

Glasgow Herald - Friday 25 April 1884

DEATH OF MR JAMES SCOTT.

We regret to have to intimate the sudden death of Mr James Scott, formerly of Kelly, and one of the number of old Glasgow merchants who in their day have so largely contributed to the commercial prosperity of the city. The sad event took place in the office of the Clippens Oil Company, Bothwell Street. Mr Scott, who resided at No. 1 Woodside Place, attended at the office of the company as usual yesterday morning, but in the course of the forenoon he was suddenly seized with illness, and shortly afterwards expired. He had reached the age of 74 years, and his life had been one of unbroken activity.

James Scott was a native of Glasgow. He went into business at an early age, and his industry and intelligence were such that in his nineteenth year he became a partner in the firm of James Black & Co., calico printers. The senior partner of the firm, by the way, was the father of Lady Alison. It was an extremely successful business that of James Black & Co. Mr Scott went into it with characteristic energy, and in the opinion of experts did more at that time to develop calico printing than any one of his contemporaries. After a good many years devoted to this special industry, he went into another. In company with his brother, William Scott, he acquired a spinning and weaving mill in the eastern district of the city and here again commercial enterprise resulted in the concern becoming the largest of the kind in Scotland. But his career was not wholly without its shadows. During the troubles incident to the American War he became involved in the failure of Messrs Collie, and was obliged to compound with his creditors. Nothing daunted, he set to work again, and, on a Christmas morning some years afterwards, his creditors received from Mr Scott a cheque for the full amount due. About 10 years ago he originated the Clippens Shale Oil Company; and two years since, probably feeling that his life was nearing its close, he turned the business into a Limited Liability Company. Besides carrying through these various undertakings, Mr Scott was a large holder of heritable property. About 1850 he purchased the estate of Kelly, Wemyss Bay, and took a prominent part in promoting the Wemyss Bay Railway.

His public career was very much briefer, but not less notable, than his mercantile life. Many years ago he became a member of the Town Council of Glasgow, carrying into the conduct of public affairs the far-seeing shrewdness and decision which characterised his action in private matters. He was not long a member of Council, yet he achieved a great deal in a short time. Glasgow was then in a transition state - emerging from the modest commercial town into the colossal city which it has since become. There were members of Council who failed to see that this significant change was going on, and who still preserved, in respect to local legislation, the narrow spirit of the town. Their faltering timidity was, however, counterbalanced by the decision of Mr Scott, who in clearness and breadth of outlook was far in advance of his time. As deputy-chairman of the Clyde Trust, he helped forward several of the most important undertakings of that day. ln his capacity as a Town Councillor, he strongly advised the purchase of the ground since known as the West-End Park for the use of the citizens. The project was regarded as too daring even for the community. In these circumstances Mr Scott bought it himself and held it until the authorities came to see what was for the public advantage. Similarly, for the general good, he built at his own expense the bridge connecting Bothwell Street with the west end of St Vincent Street, and thus forming the easiest line of access between Gordon Street and the west. As we have said, Mr Scott did not long remain in public life. He was an influential man, and did important work in his day, but the Town Council, we can readily believe, had few attractions for him. Essentially a man who decided promptly and executed vigorously, and who was rather impatient of speechmaking, he probably felt himself out of his element in the Town Council of Glasgow, and so he left it, and again devoted himself to his private concerns. He was vice-chairman of the Vale of Clyde Tramways Company, but in strictly public matters he had taken no active part for many years. We have indicated, in what has been said, some of the distinguishing qualities of Mr Scott, to which it may only be added that he was a man of singularly generous disposition. His death is mourned by his widow and a grown-up family.

Renfrewshire Independent - Saturday 17 May 1884

PRESENTATION TO LATE CLIPPENS COLLIERY MANAGER.— On the evening of Friday week, at a social meeting, Mr. Archibald, colliery manager, late of Clippens and now of Haywood, was, in name of a few friends, presented by Mr. Crawford, who presided, with a beautiful mounted writing-desk and gold pencil for himself, and a silver tea-set for Mrs. Archibald. Mr. Archibald made a feeling reply.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 17 July 1884

SUPPER AND PRESENTATION. – On Wednesday last Mr John Young, under manager of the Clippens Oil Company's work at Pentland, was intertained to supper in Lasswade Hotel, on the occasion of his leaving to assume the managership of the Boson Company's works in the south of France. About thirty gentlemen were present. Mr Bell, manager at the Pentland Works, presided, and Mr Martin discharged the duties of croupier. The loyal toasts having been proposed the chairman, in the name of the officials and employés, presented Mr Young with a gold watch and chain, a pocket book, accompanied with a purse of sovereigns, and a gold watch and chain for Mrs Young. A sealed envelope, containing £20, from a gentleman who did not wish his name to be made known, was also presented to Mr Young. Mr Bell, in making the presentation, spoke in highly flattering terms of Mr Young as a faithful and energetic servant, and as one intimately acquainted with all the latest improvements in the various branches of the oil industry. Mr Young replied in suitable terms, thanking the donors for their unexpected and extreme kindness, and acknowledged the assistance he had received in his work from Mr Bell and the foremen over the different departments, as well as the hearty co-operation of the men. Among the toasts which followed were—" Success to the Clippens Oil Company," by Mr John Young, Bonnyrigg, responded to by Mr Bell; "The health of the guest and his wife and family," by Mr Robertson. The happiness of the evening was much enhanced by songs from Messrs Duthie, Gray, Goldie, Ruthven, and Lindsey, while the excellency of the supper and the arrangements for the comfort of the company reflected much credit on the purveyor, Mr Smith, and left nothing to be desired.

Glasgow Herald - Wednesday 03 June 1885

(Extract from “The Scotch Oil Trade” column):

The Clippens Oil Company has experienced the benefit of removing from a poor and costly shale district to one where the seam is thick and the quality good. It is generally understood that the working of the old Clippens shale was latterly unprofitable, notwithstanding the higher prices for products which then prevailed; and it is therefore satisfactory to learn from the report that the prudent transition to Pentland has resulted in a 12 per cent. dividend to the shareholders. In acquiring the Mid-Lothian Company, one of those concerns begotten of the foolish inflation of recent years, the Clippens benefits both itself and the trade generally by the absorption of a weak competitor.

Paisley & Renfrewshire Gazette - Saturday 20 June 1885

PRESENTATION TO THE MANAGER OF CLIPPENS OIL WORKS. – The Clippens Oil Company, having acquired the Midlothian Oil Works, Mr. Nigel M’Phie, the esteemed manager at Clippens, has been promoted to the post of overseer of the newly acquired works. Before leaving the district in which he has for many years resided, Mr. M’Phie was presented with a solid silver tea-service, and his daughter, with a silver bracelet. The presentation took place in the Cross Keys Hotel, Johnstone, on Saturday evening. Mr.Allison, of the Clippens Company, occupied the chair, and made the presentation, which Mr. Mc’Phie suitably acknowledged. Mr. M’Phie’s health was cordially pledged.

Renfrewshire Independent - Saturday 25 September 1886

LINWOOD.

THE TELEPHONE. – The National Telephone Exchange Company had Linwood connected to their system on Saturday. Several of the public works in that district, including the Clippens Oil Company, have been connected by wire.

Fife Free Press, & Kirkcaldy Guardian - Saturday 16 February 1889

THE CLIPPENS SHALE MINERS.

The miners employed by the Clippens Oil Company at Pentland Mines, Loanhead, have received an advance of 10 per cent. to their wages.

Renfrewshire Independent - Friday 21 June 1889

CLIPPENS.

A VISIT BY GLASGOW STUDENTS - The members of the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College Chemical and Metallurgical Society visited the works of the Clipper's Oil Company, last Saturday, where they were received by Mr. Craig, manager, and Mr. Gray, chemist. The members then divided into two parties, one going under the leadership of Mr. Craig, the other under that of Mr. Gray. After having seen the various stages of relining the crude oil, and received a most interesting description from their respective leaders, the members were served in a most handsome manner with refreshments. A vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. Duff, brought a most interesting and enjoyable visit to a close.

Glasgow Herald - Friday 26 June 1891

BIRTHS, DEATHS, MARRIAGES and OBITUARIES.

NEILSON. - At 30 Elmbank Crescent, Glasgow, on the 24th inst., aged 50 years, Alexander Neilson, ironmonger, late manager of Clippens Oil Works, Edinburgh.

Musselburgh News - Friday 31 July 1891

MINING APPOINTMENT – Mr Robert Armstrong, Newbattle Collieries, has been appointed underground manager at the Clippens shale mine.

Mid-Lothian Journal - Friday 22 January 1892

LOANHEAD.

MR WM. JOHNSTON of the Clippens Oil Company has obtained a first-class mining certificate – the result of an examination held in November last.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 08 August 1895

BATHS FOR WORKMEN. – The Clippens Oil Company have erected three new baths at Straiton works for the convenience of their workmen. The baths are provided with both hot and cold water, and there is also a spray bath. There is also a comfortable dressing room. The workers seem highly to appreciate the boon, and to take advantage of it greatly.

Dalkeith Advertiser - Thursday 14 November 1895

PRESENTATION.—A number of the employees of the Clippens Oil Company, Limited, met at Bilston Inn on Saturday night for the purpose of presenting Mr John Wilson, late foreman engineer, with a tangible token of respect and esteem. Mr Turnbull occupied the chair, while Mr Christie acted as croupier. After the usual toasts had been drank, including "Success to the Clippens Oil Company," "The Queen and Royal Family," and to "The Guest of the Evening," &c., Mr Turnbull, in making the presentation, which consisted of a handsome gold pendant with suitable inscription, a briar pipe, and purse of sovereigns, also a gold brooch to Mrs Wilson, alluded in feeling terms to Mr Wilson's removal from amongst them, and said his heart's desire was that he and his spouse might long live to enjoy them as a memento of past friendship. Mr Wilson then replied, and said the presents which he now received would be long cherished both by himself and his better half as a reminder of past joys and associations. The vocalists were Messrs Watson, Garvie, Heggie, Faulds, Aitkinson, Paton, and Wilson; and Mr John Christie gave a splendid rendering of the recitation, titled "Bothwell." All praise is due to Mr Walker, Bilston Inn, for his tasteful decorations and purveying. The company broke up by singing "Auld Lang Syne," all seeming well satisfied with the night’s enjoyment.

Edinburgh Evening News - Wednesday 22 January 1896

To-day the Clippens Oil Company intimated to the Scottish Mineral Oil Trade Association their resignation as a member of the combination for the maintenance of the price of wax. Others are expected to resort to a free hand in selling their production.