March 7, 1913. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 497 merits for the next two weeks. Although the demand for house coals has diminished, present values show no diminution. Pitwood sellers have found difficulty in obtaining wagons, and good French fir can now be had around 18s. 3d. to 18s. 6d. ex ship. The freight market is affected by the congested state of colliery stems. There is plenty of tonnage offering now, with owners willing to accept easy terms for early positions, while inclined to hold out for their own figures for dates farther off. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days, less 2£ per cent. Steam coals:— Best Black Vein large ... Wes tern-valley s, ordinary Best Eastern-valleys .. Secondary do. ......... Best small coals ...... Secondary do........... Inferior do............ Screenings ............ Through coals ......... Best washed nuts ...... Other sorts:— Best house coal ....... Secondary do........... Patent fuel ........... Furnace coke .......... Foundry coke........... Current prices. 17/6 to 18/ 17/ to 17/3 16/3 to 16/6 16/ to 16/3 14/3 to 14/9 13/6 to 13/9 12/9 to 13/ 14/6 to 14/9 15/3 to 15/9 14/3 to 14/9 18/6 to 19/ 17/6 to 18/6 22/ to 23/ 27/6 to 28/6 29/6 to 32/ Last week's prices. 17/3 to 17/6 16/6 to 17/ 16/ to 16/6 15/9 to 16/ 14/3 to 14/9 13/6 to 13/9 12/9 to 13/ 14/6 to 14/9 15/ to 15/6 14/3 to 14/6 18/6 to 19/ 17/6 to 18/6 22/ to 23/ 27/6 to 28/6 29/ to 32/ IRON. The conditions governing the local iron and steel trades seem growing gradually less satisfactory, buyers showing a disposition to hold aloof from placing orders. Manufacturers so far are showing a steady determination to maintain values, so far as they possibly can, and refuse to make any considerable concessions. There is little fresh business moving at bar mills, where specifications are slow in coming to hand, and there is a dearth of tinplate sizes. Quotations are now £5 15s. for Bessemer and £5 15s. to £5 17s. 6d. • Siemens, having come down 2s. 6d. on the week. Continental arrivals are again exceedingly heavy and prices for these, too, are easier. At rail mills the situation is unchanged, work continues good, the output is fairly normal, and values are unchanged. In the pig iron trade values are easier for Welsh hsematite by Is. to Is. 6d., with little forward selling. For the present the output continues satisfactory. The tin-plate market is most irregular. Some works have closed down, while others, despite the continued high price of raw materia], are cutting their quotations freely to secure enough business to keep mills going. Nominally prices of tin-plates are based upon 14s. 3d. for Bessemer and 14s. 3d. to 14s. 4£d. for Siemens primes 14 x 20, but these figures have not generally been adhered to. Cardiff. COAL. The feature of the week has been the total inability of the dock cempanies to cope with the traffic. Tips are still at a premium, and those firms who were not fortunate enough to obtain possession of any after the five days' fog lifted, when there was such a rush of tonnage to the port, are experiencing the utmost difficulty now in procuring one. It is currently reported that some of the large collieries, with a number of ready vessels in port, have not been able to get more than a single tip allotted to them. In the majority of cases wagons have only been obtained by having recourse very freely to the hiring of what is known as foreign wagons; that is, wagons which are owned by firms who make it a practice to let them out on hire to meet emergencies of this description. It is true that ♦special efforts were made by the dock and railway companies to cope with the traffic, and the shipments last week ; amounted to over 400,000 tons, but, as has been pointed out before, their efforts were quite inadequate to the occasion. The complaints which have been made against the companies have been refuted by some of the railway shareholders, who have pointed out that whilst there are 129 tips in the port, the average number in daily use last year was only 67, or, excluding the strike period 73, or . 50 per cent. This it is contended is a liberal margin for contingencies. Storage sidings, either in being or in course of construction in and around the port, are sufficient to hold nearly 40,000 wagons. The remarkable fact, too, is mentioned that when the fog lifted there was nearly 25 per cent, more coal at the door of the docks than when it began, thus showing that with all their difficulties the railways brought down more coal during the fog than all the vessels in port could take. Satisfaction has been expressed by some shippers that at the Barry dock a blow has been dealt at the system of nursing tips, which is bound to have a marked effect on future operations. Hitherto it has ' been customary to order a ship beneath a tip on the sidings of which the necessary coal is standing for loading. Sometimes, however, the coal placed has been insufficient to complete the loading, and tips have been rendered idle for several hours. Within the last few days, therefore, the dock authorities have declined to wait, and ships have been removed from the tips to make way for others. Notwithstanding all the explanations given, how- ever, it cannot be denied that, in consequence of the great • difficulty in obtaining stbms, the freight market has become very weak. Genoa, for instance, has been done at as low a figure as 9s., as compared with Ils. and more within the previous fortnight. From present appearances easier • freights are likely to prevail until the greater portion of the tonnage at present in port, which is equivalent to at least a fortnight's work, even making no allowance for further arrivals, has been disposed of. As pointed out on many occasions, with the decline in freights there is invariably a rise in the price of coal. At the time of writing, best steam large was firmly held for 19s. 6d., and in some cases even for 20s. per ton, and there does not appear to be the slightest indication of any decline of prices this side the Easter holidays. Even for April loading, when the tonnage in port will probably be of normal quantity, the best collieries are quoting 19s. 6d. Second-class Admiralties are equally firm. There is no doubt that the trade is in a very healthy condition, and provided it is not disorganised by railway or non-unionist strikes, there is every reason to expect that there will be a continuance of the present prosperity for a considerable time to come. There is k undoubtedly a large amount of coal yet to be bought, as those firms who neglected to make contracts during the autumn of last year have been for the most part pursuing a hand-to-mouth policy. It is currently reported that the Italian States Railways are in the market for 20,000 to 30,000 tons of best steam large for this month’s delivery. This, coming as it does on an already tight market, is not likely to be a “ bear " factor. The Russian, Austrian, and Greek Governments are also nibbling for supplies, and the general opinion is that as soon as the war is ended there will be a big demand for coal from those countries. At present very few cargoes, if any, are passing through the Dardanelles for the Danubian and Russian ports. As regards small coal the demand is still at an abnormal rate, although owing to the difficulty of obtaining tips and so clearing wagons a lower figure than the quoted price is here and there accepted. Best bunkerings are selling at 16s., ordinaries at 3d. less, and cargo qualities at 15s. to 15s. 3d., though in the case of the latter a few sales have been made even as low as 14s. 9d. The threatened political strike in Belgium still hangs like a cloud over that country. A strong deputation has waited upon the Government urging it to take some steps to avoid a stoppage, but it was not successful. That even the Government itself takes the matter seriously is evident from the fact that they have bought large quantities of steam smalls at Cardiff—one report puts the total at 150,000 tons—for the State railways for delivery by the middle of April. There continues to be a steady demand for Monmouthshire coals, and prices keep firm, Black Vein qualities still realising 17s. 9d., and other descriptions 16s. 3d. to 17s. 6d., in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. There is no material change in house coals nor in Rhondda bituminous coals, the top price for the former being 19s. 6d. net at the pit's mouth, and for the latter 18s. f.o.b., or at pithead about Is. 3d. less. The quantity of coal shipped coastwise during January amounted to 290,304 tons, as against 444,001 tons in the corresponding month of last year, being a decrease of 153,697 tons. From Cardiff there were shipped 150,442 tons, of which London took 50,950, Southampton 38,100, Liverpool 18,200, and Bristol 11,900 tons. From Newport the quantity shipped was 56,378, Port Talbot 16,903, and Swansea 30,027 tons. Patent fuel ranges from 22b. 6d. to 25s. The shipments for the week amounted to nearly 40,000 tons, of which the Crown Company were credited with 8,658 tons, other local makers 6,050, Swansea 23,755, and Newport 1,500 tons. Special foundry coke is firm at 33s., with 3s. less for ordinary qualities. For best furnace the price is 27s. to 28s., and cheaper kinds Is. to Is. 6d. less. Pitwood is 19s. per ton, or 6d. per ton above last week. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Current Last week’s Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam prices. prices. coals 19/6 18/9 to 19/ Superior seconds 18/9 to 19/ 18/6 Ordinary do 17/6 to 18/ 18/ Best bunker smalls 16/ 16/6 Best ordinaries 15/9 15/9 to 16/ Cargo qualities 15/ to 15/3 15/6 Inferior smalls 14/6 15/ Best dry coals 18/6 to 19/ 18/ to 18/6 Ordinary drys 17/- to 17/6 16/6 to 17/ Best washed nuts 16/6 to 17/ 17/ Seconds 15/6 to 16/ 15/6 to 15/9 Best washed peas 16/3 15/6 Seconds 14/9 to 15/ 14/9 Dock screenings Monmouthshire— 16/ 15/6 Black Veins 17/9 17/9 Western-valleys 17/6 17/3 to 17/6 Eastern-valleys 16/3 to 16/6 16/9 Inferior do Bituminous coals:— 15/9 to 16/ 16/3 Best house coals (at pit) 19/6 19/6 Second qualities (at pit) No. 3 Rhondda— 17/6 17/6 Bituminous large 18/ 18/ Th rou gh-and-through... 17/ 17/ Small No. 2 Rhondda— 16/ 16/ Large 16/ to 16/3 16/3 to 16/6 Through-and-through... 15/3 to 15/6 15/6 Small 14/6 14/9 Best patent fuel 24/6 to 25/ 24/6 to 25/ Seconds 23/ to 23/6 23/6 Special foundry coke 33/ 32/ to 33/ Ordinary do. 30/ 30/ Furnace coke 25/6 to 28/ 25/ to 28/ Pit wood (ex-ship) 19/ 18/6 Coal and patent fuel quotations are for cash in 30 days less 2£- per cent. Rhondda bituminous coals at pithead are roughly Is. 3d. per ton less. All pithead prices are usually net. Coke is net f.o.b. IRON. The tin-plate trade is completely disorganised by the failure of the attempt to bring about a curtailment of production. Mills are now stopping independently, and on Tuesday it was reported that no less than 60 were idle, whilst at other works arrangements are being made to go on from day to day. Notwithstanding that the block tin market has somewhat recovered from the depression of last week, and that there has been a rise of £4i a ton, it has had no effect on the tin-plate trade. Prices generally are much under cost of production, not more than 14s. to 14s. 3d. being obtainable for 14 by 20 cokes, whilst some owners in order to reduce their stocks have made sales even under 14s. Not more than 14s. 6d. can be got for oil sizes, whilst finished blackplate is selling at .£10 10s. per ton. The reports of the steelworks are also very unsatisfactory, there having been a heavy drop in prices, both Siemens and Bessemer tin bars being now quoted at £5 12s. 6d. to £5 15s. Imports of steel for the week amounted to between 8,000 and 9,000 tons. There is not much improvement in the galvanised sheet trade and 24-gauge corrugateds are being freely offered at £11 15s. to £11 17s. 6d. per ton. The new sheet mills were started at Ebbw Vale Works on Monday. This puts the company in the unique position of being able to manufacture sheets throughout, from the smelting of the ore, steel conversion, bar rolling and sheet rolling and the corrugating and galvanising of the finished sheets. The plant is capable of producing 500 tons of sheets a week, and when in full working order will employ about 600 hands. Many rail orders are being executed by the Dowlais Works, nearly 13,000 tons having been shipped during the week to Fremantle and Calcutta. It is reported that the Mannes- mann Tube Company have definitely decided to build new works for the manufacture of the type of tube in special demand in the colonies and India, either in the neighbour- hood of Liverpool or Manchester. Two reasons seem to have influenced the directors—one the high cost of labour in Swansea, and the other the difficulty of procuring the necessary facilities for the expeditious and economical export of small parcels as well as large consignments of tubes proposed to be manufactured. Welsh pig iron remains steady at 8s. 6d. f.o.t. Scrap metals are easier, new steel crop ends offering now at 73s. 6d. f.o.t. Swansea. COAL. During the past week the returns of the exports of coal and patent fuel were very satisfactory. The patent fuel trade was particularly active. Together the shipments amounted to 104,478 tons. There was a capital attendance on 'Change this morning, and the undertone of the anthracite coal market was fairly steady. There was a better demand for Swansea Valley large, and slightly increased prices were obtained for prompt delivery. Red Vein large was without any movement. Machine-made nuts and cobbles were quiet, and values were a little lower. Rubbly culm and duff were very strong markets, and prices were again advanced. There was a very strong feeling in evidence in steam coals, and prices for all descriptions were harder. Bunkers were exceptionally firm. The following were approximately the closing quotations:— Prices f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Current Last week’s Anthracite:— Best malting large (hand prices. prices. picked) (net) 22/6 to 24/6 22/6 to 24/6 Secondary do Big Vein large (less 2| 20/ to 21/6 20/ to 21/6 per cent.) 16/9 to 18/3 16/6 to 18/ Red Vein large do Machine - made cobbles 14/6 to 15/ 14/9 to 15/ (net) 21/9 to 23/9 21/9 to 23/9 Paris nuts (net) 23/6 to 26/ 23/6 to 26/ French do. do 23/6 to 26/ 23/6 to 26/ German do. do 23/6 to 26/ 23/6 to 26/ Beans (net) Machine-made large peas 18/ to 20/ 18/ to 20/ (net) 11/3 to 13/ 11/3 to 13/ Do. fine peas (net) — — Rubbly culm (less 2| p.c.) 8/3 to 8/9 8/ to 8/3 Duff (net) Steam coals:— 5/6 to 6/ '5/6 to 5/9 Best large (less 2| p.c.) ... 18/6 to 19/ 17/6 to 19/ Seconds do. 15/9 to 16/6 14/9 to 16/ Bunkers do. 14/6 to 16/ 13/6 to 15/6 Small do. Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— 12/6 to 14/ 12/6 to 14/ Large (less 2| p.c.) Through - and - through 18/ to 19/ 18/ to 19/ (less 2| p.c.) 16/ to 17/ 15/ to 16/ Small (less 2| per cent.) 14/3 to 15/6 14/ to 15/ Patent fuel do 20/ to 20/6 20/ to 20/6 IRON. On the whole the iron and steel trades last week com- pared favourably with that of the preceding weeks of the month. There was a good yield of pig iron, and the steel- smelting departments were registering satisfactory results; the bar-rolling mills were also fully occupied. The con- dition of the tin-plate trade is causing anxiety, at many of the works short time being adopted. The shipments of tin-plates last week were 106,463 boxes, receipts from works 98,833 boxes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 418,129 boxes. Regular work was registered at the Mannesmann Tube Works, and the usual activity was observed at the engineering works and foundries. Llanelly. GOAL. The position of the coal trade in this district is very unsatisfactory. The demand for some kinds is not nearly sufficient to keep collieries going full time, and for other sorts the demand is such that not near enough coal can be got to keep customers going. The position is very difficult. Anthracite of nearly all kinds is moving very slowly, and big reductions have been made in prices to have wagons released, whilst for bituminous and steams the demand has not been so great for very many years. The manufacturing works are awkwardly placed, and experience great difficulty in keeping going. So many of the collieries have their out- puts reduced through accidents and water that the quantity usually available has been reduced quite 50 per cent. There is every appearance of this state of things continuing for some time to come. For anthracite machine-made sorts the enquiry has fallen off, but for rubbly culm and duff there is still a big demand. Prices f.o.b. Current Last week's Anthracite:— prices. prices. Best malting large 23/ to 24/ 23/ to 24/ Secondary do 20/ to 22/ 20/ to 22/ Big Vein large 18/ to 20/ 18/ to 20/ Red Vein do 14/6 to 15/ 14/6 to 15/6 M achine- made cobble 3 ... 20/ to 21/ 20/ to 21/ German nuts 23/ to 25/ 23/ to 25/ French do 23/ to 25/ 23/ to 25/ Paris do 23/ to 26/ 24/ to 26/ Machine-made beans 20/ to 21/ 20/ to 22/ Do peas 12/ to 13/ 12/6 to 13/6 Rubbly culm 7/ to 8/3 8/ to 8/6 Duff 5/ to 6/ 5/ to 6/ Other sorts:— Large steam coal 18/ to 18/6 17/ to 18/6 Through-and-through ... 14/6 to 15/6 14/ to 15/6 Small 13/6 to 14/6 12/6 to 13/ Bituminous small coal ... 12/ to 12/6 13/ to 14/