294 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 7, 1913. _______________ installed. The colliery will be linked up with the Great Northern Railway by means of a branch line, and it is probable future connections may be made with the South Yorkshire Railway, the Hull and Barnsley and Great Central. It is estimated the company will have sufficient coal to keep them running for 100 to 300 years. Much interest has been aroused in the South Yorkshire coalfield by the announcement that the Bullcroft Main Collieries Limited had been registered as a private company, and that they contemplate a new pit in the Doncaster district. Enquiries by our local correspondent show the statement to be perfectly accurate. The site of the new shafts will be upon land belonging to Mr. Jas. Milnthorp at Barnsley Dun, about a mile to the east of the present village and three or four miles east of the present pit at Carcroft. The company are reported to have leased the mineral rights under about 14 acres of land, and will sink to the Barnsley bed, which, it is estimated, will be reached at a depth of 750 yards, against 660 at Bullcroft, as the seam dips as it goes eastward. An early start is to be made, and it is hoped this spring will see sinking operations begun. The new pit will be served by the Great Central line, which runs through Barnsley Dun on its way to Grimsby, and will thus be splendidly situated for seaborne and export trade. It will be recalled the company experienced con- siderable water difficulty at Bullcroft, where freezing operations had ultimately to be resorted to. To guard against any like repetition, it is stated, freezing operations will probably be adopted at the very commencement of the new pit. The new colliery will only be a very few miles removed from that which is now being successfully sunk at Hatfield, and will add yet another to the belt of pits which now completely encircle Doncaster. It is reported land has been secured for the purpose of a model colliery village. The advent of the pit will transform another of the old-world villages in the vicinity of Doncaster, in which town the news has created the liveliest interest. At the Thurcroft pit of the Rother Vale Coal Company Limited, the Barnsley bed has been reached. Sinking operations have been proceeding since 1909, and it was thought coal would be reached a year ago, but these calculations were upset by a fault in the strata. The seam has been found from the south pit, on the rise side of a very large fault which passes through the shafts. The coal is of good quality. __________________________________________________ THE TKH-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. Business is still in a very unsatisfactory state, and for prompt specifications all sorts of exceedingly low prices are being accepted by manufacturers, who are short of orders and anxious to keep their mills going even at some loss to themselves. It is reported to-day that makers have decided to curtail their output to bring it more in accordance with the demand, and so probably raise prices to, at least, the cost of manufacture, below which they are at present. Following are about current rates:—Coke tins : IC 14 x 20 (112 sh. 108 lb.), 14s. 9d. to 15s. per box ; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 lb.), 29s. 9d. to 30s. per box ; I C 28 x 20 (56sh. 1081b.), 15s. 3d. to 15s. 6d. per box; I C 14 x 18f (124 sh. 110 lb.), 15s. 3d. to 15s. 6d. per box ; I C 14 x 19| (120 sh. 110 lb.), 15s. 3d. to 15s. 6d. per box; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 22s. per box; I C squares and odd sizes, 15s. 6d. basis. Terms are easy at 25s. 6d. to 25s. 9d. for I C 28 x 20, and charcoals rule quiet at 17s. 6d. basis and upwards according to finish. Coke wasters are quoted :— C W 14; x 20, 13s. 9d. to 13s. 10|d. per box ; C W 28 x 20, 27s. 3d. per box; C W 14 x 18|, 13s. 9d. per box; C W 20 x 10, 19s. 9d. per box—all f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. ___________________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE, Tar Products.—The market is firm, and prices in some cases are favouring sellers. Pitch very firm, while the same applies to benzols. Crude carbolic also is the turn better. Naphthas, while strong, are unchanged. Creosote steady. Nearest values are:— Benzols, 90’s .............................. /10| Do. 50’s.............................. /10 Toluol.................................... /10| Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) .......... 2/1 to 2/2 .................. Do. crystals (40 per cent.).............. /6| Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package) ... 1/1 Crude ditto (in bulk) ...................... /5£ Creosote (ordinary qualities)................ /3| Pitch (f.o.b. east coast ) .................... 47/6 to 48/ ...................... Do. (f.a.s. west coast) .................... 46/6 to 47/6 Do. (gas companies)...................... 50/ [Benzols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at makers* works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch f.o.b. net.] Sulphate of Ammonia.—The position is strong, and there is a prospect of a good spring demand. For forward, there is naturally not very much doing, until buyers are forced to realise that they are not battledores and the sulphate market of to-day a shuttlecock. American advices are satisfactory at 3*25 dols. per 100 lb., while even nitrate of soda has advanced. Closing prompt prices are:— London (ordinary makes)...... ............ £13/13/9 ............................. Beckton............................. £14/ Liverpool_____.......................... £14/10 Hull __________.............................. £14/9/6 Scotch ports......................... £14/10 to £14/12/6 Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ... 12/ [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2| per cent, dis- count ; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.] ________________________________ Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds Limited.—At their meeting yesterday, the directors declared an interim dividend for the six months ended December 31 last at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum on the preference shares, and 10 per cent, per annum on the ordinary shares, both free of income-tax the same to be paid on February 26. THE LOKDOB COAL TRADE. Thursday, February 6. _________________________ The London coal trade for the past week has been strangely interwoven with a fair volume of trade, and yet comparatively few wholesale orders have been given. The market has busied itself largely with the desire on the part of both factors and merchants to dispose of the loaded wagons in stock, but although comparatively few orders have been received by the colliery representatives, yet a fair number of trucks have arrived at the colliery sidings, and throughout the week the wheels have been kept steadily turning. The depression during the last few days in January has to a large extent evaporated, and coal has been coming forward with great regularity. The ^mild weather, however, still keeps the actual consumption abnor- mally low, and many of the merchants find their stocks at the various depots are beginning to accumulate. Happily, however, the persistent refusal during a good part of January to purchase any fresh stock, but rather to pick up what was on the ground, is now beginning to bear fruit. In the manufacturing department all best steam hard coal continues very firm. The cheaper qualities of steam coal can be bought at a slightly reduced figure, but as a whole manufacturing qualities maintain a steady, firm tone. Small nuts and slacks continue at phenomenal prices, and apparently the pressure seems destined to last, for buyers are prepared to fix up at the present quotations during the next twelve months or even longer. The seaborne qualities continue to arrive in very steady quantities, but as so little of this is available for open competition on the market, the old quotations of 21s. 6d best Wallsend and 20s. 6d. for seconds is still in force. The market returns show that 44 vessels arrived in the River Thames for Monday's market and seven on Wednesday's market. The shipping trade continues brisk, and as long as this lasts it will undoubtedly prevent any great accumula- tion of Yorkshire or Lancashire house coals from being offered freely on the London market. Some considerable amount of attention has been given during the week to the development of the Kent coal, and many of the merchants are anticipating its early arrival in the Metropolis to be sold on the open market. Undoubtedly, at present, the output is fully absorbed locally. The presentation of the freedom of the Borough of Dover to Mr. Arthur Burr has brought the matter once more very prominently to the front and the advent of this new coal is now awaited with some considerable interest. Both on Monday and also on Wednesday a small parcel of the Yorkshire seaborne house was offered and soon found purchasers, and it was reported that a small cargo of Durham Wallsend was also sold late on Monday's market. The demand for kitchen coal, and especially for bakers’ nuts, is fairly maintained but prices are weakening. The mild weather not only affects the prices quoted on the market, but apparently accounts for the limited attendance just now on the mid-weekly market day. On the other hand, the ample stocks at all the coal wharves and centres prove that very little coal is wanted at present. Market quotations (pit mouth) : Note.—Although every care is exercised to secure accuracy, we cannot hold ourselves responsible for these prices, which are, further, subject to fluctuations. Current Last week's Yorkshire. prices. prices. Wath Main best coal 13/ 13/ Do. nuts 12/ 12/ Birley cube Silkstone 11/6 11/6 Do. branch coal 15/ 15/ Do. seconds 11/ 11/ Barnsley Bed Silkstone 12/6 12/6 West Riding Silkstone 12/ 12/ Kiveton Park Hazel 13/ 13/ Do. cobbles 13/ 13/ Do. nuts 12/ 12/ Do. hard steam 11/ 11/ New Sharlston Wallsend 14/ 14/ Wharncliffe Silkstone coal 14/ 14/ Do. Flockton Main 13/6 13/6 Do. Athersley house coal 11/6 11/6 Newton Chambers best Silk stone 15/ 15/ Do. Grange best Silkstone 14/ 14/ Do. Hesley Silkstone 13/ 13/ Do. Rockingham selected 13/6 13/6 Do. Rockingham Silkstone 13/ 13/ Derbyshire. Wingfield Manor best 12/ 12/ Do. large nuts 11/9 11/9 Do. small nuts 9/6 9/6 Do. kitchen coal 10/ 10/ West Hallam Kilburn brights 12/ 12/ Do. do. nuts 11/9 11/9 Do. London brights 11/ 11/ Do. bright nuts 10/9 10/9 Do. small nuts 9/6 9/6 Manners Kilburn brights 12/ 12/ Do. do. nuts i 11/9 11/9 Shipley do. brights i 12/ 12/ Do. do. nuts 11/9 11/9 Mapperley brights ! 12/ 12/ Do hard steam : 11/9 11/9 Cossall Kilburn brights : 12/ 12/ Do. do. nuts : 11/9 11/9 Trowell Moor brights 11/6 11/6 Do. do. nuts 11/ 11/ Grassmoor Main coal 12/6 12/6 Do. Tupton 11/ 11/ Do. do. nuts 12/ 12/ Current Last week's Derbyshire—(cont). prices. prices. Clay Cross Main coal 12/6 12/6 Do. do. cubes 12/ 12/ Do. special Derbys 11/9 11/9 Do. house coal 11/ 11/ Pilsley best blackshale 12/6 12/6 Do. deep house coal 10/6 10/6 Do. hard screened cobbles 10/ 10/ Hardwick best Silk stone 12/6 12/6 Do. Cavendish brights.. 11/6 11/6 Do. cubes 11/6 11/6 Nottinghamshire. Clifton picked hards 12/ 12/ Do. small hards 11/ 11/ Do. deep large steam 1 12/ 12/ Annesley best hards 12/ 12/ Do. bright cobbles 11/3 11/3 Linby best hards 12/ 12/ Do. bright cobbles 11/3 11/3 Digby London brights 12/ 12/ Do. cobbles 12/ 12/ Do. top hards 13/ 13/ Do. High Hazel coal 14/ 14/ Best wood hard steam coal 12/ 12/ Do. bright cobbles ....; 11/3 11/3 Hucknall Torkard main hards 12/3 12/3 Do. do. cobbles 11/3 11/3 Do. do. nuts 11/ 11/ Do. do. High Hazel H P. ... 14/9 14/9 Do. do. London brights 12/3 12/3 Do. do. large nuts 12/3 12/3 Do. do. bright nuts 11/3 11/3 Sherwood H.P. hards 12/ 12/ Do. hard steam 10/6 10/6 Do. brights ... 11/3 11/3 Do. cobbles 11/3 11/3 Do. large nuts 11/9 11/9 Warwickshire. Griff large steam coal 10/9 10/9 Do. screened cobbles 11/ 11/ Do. bakers' nuts 11/ 11/ Do. loco Two Yard hards 13/6 13/6 Do. Ryder nuts I 11/6 11/6 Do. do. cobbles 12/6 12/6 Nuneaton steam coal 10/9 10/9 Do. screened cobbles 11/ 11/ Do. nuts 11/ 11/ Haunchwood steam 10/9 10/9 Do. screened cobbles 11/ 11/ Do. nuts 11/ 11/ Wyken steam coal 10/9 10/9 Do. screened cobbles 11/ 11/ Do. nuts 11/ 11/ Exhall Ell coal spires 12/6 12/6 Do. large steam coal 10/9 10/9 Leicestershire. Snibston steam 10/6 10/6 Do. cobbles 10/3 10/3 Do. nuts 10/6 10/6 South Leicester steam 1°/ 10/ Do. cobbles or small hard? 10/6 10/6 Do. nuts 10/6 10/6 Whitwick steam 10/6 10/6 Do. roasters 10/6 10/6 Do. cobbles 10/6 10/6 Do. nuts 10/6 10/6 Nether seal hards 17/ 17/ Do. Eureka 12/6 12/6 Do. kitchen 10/6 10/6 Ibstock kibbles 10/ 10/ Do. large nuts , 1°/ 10/ Do. bakers' nuts 9/6 9/6 Do. Main nuts 10/ 10/ Do. hards 9/6 9/6 Granville New Pit cobbles 11/6 11/6 . Do. Old Pit cobbles 10/6 10/6 North Staffordshire. Talk-o'-th'-Hill best 13/6 13/6 Sneyd best, selected 14/6 14/6 Do. deeps 14/ 14/ Silverdale best 15/ 15/ Do. cobbles 14/ 14/ Apedale best 13/6 13/6 Do. seconds 13/ 13/ Podmore Hall best / 13/6 13/6 Do. seconds 13/ 13/ South Staffordshire [Cannock District). Walsall Wood steam coal, Londor brights 13/ 13/ Do. shallow one way 12/ 12/ Do. deep nuts 11/6 11/6 Cannock steam 11/ 11/ Coppice deep coal 13/ 13/ Do. cobbles 12/ 12/ Do. one way 12/ 12/ Do. shallow coal 12/ 12/ Cannock Chase deep main 17 17/ Do. Deep kitchen cobbles ... 12/ 12/ Do. best shallow main 14/ 14/ Do. shallow kibbles 13/6 13/6 Do. best brights 13/ 13/ Do. yard cobbles 13/6 13/6 Do. yard nuts 12/6 12/6 Do. bakers' nuts 10/3 10/3 Do. screened hards 11/ 11/ From Moors. Dlnh&m, Favcai and Co.’s Report. Friday, January 31.—Although the weather was slightly colder there was no alteration in the seaborne house coal market to-day. No sales reported. Monday, February 3.—The seaborne house coal market was quiet again to-day. A cargo of Durham was sold, but prices not obtainable. Wednesday, February 5.—There was no alteration in the seaborne house coal market to-day. No cargoes on offer. Prices:— Jan. 31. Feb. 3. Feb. 5. Best (Durham) — — — Seconds do. - Sharlston W.E. York .... — — — No. of cargoes 19 .. 44 . 7