June 13, 1913. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1283 Prices in the corresponding month of last year were:— Cardiff. Newport, q^ibot Swansea, s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Large steam........17 1 ... 16 5 ... 15 11 ... 18 7 Through-and-through — ... 10 10 ... 11 2 ... 9 10 Small.............. 9 7 ... 11 8 ... 9 5 ... 7 10 Large anthracite.... — ... — ... 16 10 ... 18 6 Household.......... — ... — ... — ... — Shipments of patent fuel last week amounted to 32,632 tons, of which the Crown Company at Cardiff exported 11,102 tons, and other local makers 7,515 tons, Swansea 13,985 tons, and Newport 30 tons. Best brands are for the moment unobtainable for prompt shipment, and for delivery ahead 24s. net is firmly quoted. In coke there is not much change. Selected foundry is still held for 32s., and furnace coke 25s. per ton. Pitwood is steady at 22s. 6d. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Current Last week’s Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam prices. prices. coals 21/3 to 21/9 22/ to 22/3 Superior seconds 20/6 to 20/9 21/ Ordinary do 19/ 19/6 to 20/ Best bunker smalls 10/9 to 11/ 13/ Best ordinaries 10/ to 10/6 12/6 Cargo qualities 8/6 to 9/ 11/ to 11/6 Inferior smalls 7/ to 7/6 10/ Best dry coals 19/6 to 20/ 20/6 to 21/ Ordinary drys 17/ to 18/ 18/ to 19/ Best washed nuts 16/ 17/6 Seconds 15/ 16/6 Best washed peas 14/6 15/6 Seconds 13/6 14/6 Dock screenings Monmouthshire— 10/ 14/3 to 14/9 Black Veins 18/6 to 18/9 19/6 to 19/9 Western-valleys ......... 18/ to 18/3 19/ Eastern-valleys 17/6 to 17/9 18/6 to 18/9 Inferior do Bituminous coals:— 16/9 to 17/ 17/9 Best house coals (at pit) 20/ 20/ Second qualities (at pit) No. 3 Rhondda— 18/ 18/ Bituminous large 17/6 17/9 to 18/ Through-and-through... 16/ 16/9 Small No. 2 Rhondda— 14/ 15/6 Large 16/3 to 16/6 17/ Through-and-through... 14/6 15/ Small 9/6 11/ to 11/3 Best patent fuel 24/ 25/ Seconds 22/ 23/ to 24/ Special foundry coke 32/ 32/ Ordinary do. 29/ to 30/ 29/ Furnace coke 25/ 25/ Pitwood (ex-ship) 22/6 22/6 Coal and patent fuel quotations are for net cash in 30 days. 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 market continues in a very unsatisfactory state. It is true that employment at the various mills is better than it was a month ago, and that shipments for the week amounted 167,434 boxes, bringing stocks in the warehouses and vans down to 401,034 boxes, as compared with 456,307 boxes at the corresponding date of last year, but prices in many instances are barely sufficient to cover the cost of production. Not more than 13s. 10£d. to 14s. is obtainable for standard cokes, but employers, choosing the lesser of two evils, prefer taking orders without hope of making a profit, rather than shut down their mills. However, prospects for the future are more cheering, and with the reduced price of tin-plate bars and tin, many owners have reopened their works. In the steel trade, the principal feature is the almost utter collapse of imports from abroad. Very little more than 2,000 tons of steel bars and plates have been received during the week, a smaller quantity than has been recorded for several years. Welsh bars, however, are without the slightest improvement. The official price of the Siemens Tin-bar Association is £5 5s., and the same price is quoted for Bessemer bars. It is said that in some cases even less than these figures have been accepted. The galvanised sheet trade is in a very depressed condition. A fair enquiry has come forward from India, but the prices offered by buyers are much below what makers are disposed to accept; 24-gaugecorrugatedsare now offering at .£11 to .£11 2s. 6d., or 2s. 6d. lower than last week. These figures do not allow of any profit, and manu- facturers are carrying on from hand to mouth. Welsh pig iron is 80s. to 81s. 6d. For best rubio, not more than 20s. is obtainable, and seconds are 18s. 6d. to 19s. Best Almeria ore is about 19s. 6d. Nearly all scrap metals have fallen, new steel crop ends being 67s. 6d., ordinary steel scrap 57s. 6d., steel rails (mixed sections) 55s., double headed 65s., heavy wrought 55s., light ditto 37s. 6d., and cast 57s. 6d. per ton. Swansea. COAL The returns of the trade of the port were again satis- factory during the past week. The coal trade was quiet, owing to the shortage of ready tonnage, but the patent fuel trade was exceptionally brisk. The shipments of coal and patent fuel were 99,674 tons. There was a good attendance on ’Change this morning, but there was no material improvement in the general condition prevailing on the anthracite coal market. All descriptions were . freely offered for immediate delivery, but very little new business was transacted owing to the scarcity of tonnage, and several collieries are on stop in consequence. The steam coal market was also affected through the same cause, and an all-round reduction in prices was noted, especially bunker coals. Llanelly. GOAL. The coal market in this district is now very much quieter, and nearly all qualities are easy. Contracts for steam and bituminous sorts over the next six months will be booked at figures quite 2s. per ton less than last prices, but Prices f.o.b. Swansea (cash in 30 days). Current Last week’s Anthracite:— prices. prices. Best malting large (hand picked) (net) 22/ to 24/ 22/ to 24/ Secondary do 19/ to 20/ 19/ to 20/ Big Vein large (less 2| per cent.) 16/6 to 18/6 17/6 to 19/ Red Vein large do 12/ to 13/ 12/ to 13/6 Machine - made cobbles (net) 22/ to 23/6 22/ to 23/6 Paris nuts (net) 23/ to 24/6 23/ to 24/6 French do. do 23/ to 24/6 23/ to 24/6 German do. do 23/ to 24/6 23/ to 24/6 Beans (net) 16/6 to 19/ 16/6 to 19/6 Machine-made large peas (net) 11/6 to 13/6 11/6 to 13/6 Do. fine peas (net) — — Rubbly culm (less 2| p.c.) 8/6 to 9/ 9/6 to 9/9 Duff (net) 5/6 to 6/ 6/3 to 6/6 Steam coals:— Best large (less 2 j p.c.) ... 19/6 to 21/ 19/6 to 21/ Seconds do. 16/ to 17/ 16/3 to 17/ Bunkers do. 10/ to 15/ 15/6 to 16/ Small do. 9/ to 12/ 13/6 to 15/6 Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— Large (less 2|p.c.) 19/ to 20/ 19/ to 20/ Through - and - through (less 2| p.c.) 16/6 to 17/6 16/6 to 17/6 Small (less 2| per cent.) 14/9 to 16/ 14/9 to 16/ Patent fuel do 21/6 to 22/6 21/6 to 22/6 several of the works are holding off in the hope that they will get better terms still. Unfortunately a number of the tinplate works are closing down through shortage of orders, and this will cause a lot of additional coal to be placed on the market. There is no improvement for any of the anthracite kinds, and with the exception of culm and duff the position is very unsatisfactory. All the large sorts, cobbles, nuts, beans and peas are difficult to dispose of even at reduced prices. The future of the trade is anything but promising, and for contracts to the end of the year, low figures are being quoted. This week’s quotations are:— Prices f.o.b. Current Last week’s Anthracite:— prices. prices. Best malting large 21/ to 23/ 22/ to 23/ Secondary do 20/ to21/ 20/ to 21/ Big Vein large 17/ to 18/ 17/ to 18/ Red Vein do 12/6 to 13/6 13/6 to 14/ Machine-made cobbles ... 18/6 to 20/6 18/6 to 20/ German nuts 22/ to 24/ 22/ to 24/6 French do 22/ to 24/ 22/ to 24/6 Paris do 22/ to 24/ 22/ to 24/6 Machine-made beans 19/ to 21/ 19/ to 21/ Do peas 11/6 tc 13/ 11/3 to 13/ Rubbly culm 9/ to 9/3 9/ to 9/6 Duff 6/ to 8/ 6/ to 6/6 Other sorts:— Large steam coal 16/ to 17/ 18/ to 18/6 Through-and-through ... 14/6 to 15/6 15/ to 16/ Small 10/ toll/ 10/6 to 11/6 Bituminous small coal ... 12/ to 13/ 13/6 to 14/6 CONTINENTAL MINING NOTES. France. The tax of 50 c. per ton, proposed by M. Thomas to be levied on all coal produced, has been negatived by the Senatorial Commission, but the G-overnment now propose a tax of 20 per cent, on the net profits realised by conces- sionaires of coalmines above 1*50 fr. per ton, which will, it is estimated, produce 9 million francs per annum, or equiva- lent to 0*225 c. per ton produced. The Echo des Mines points out, however, that the impost will fall solely upon the collieries in the Pas-de-Calais and the Nord, with a few others, including Blanzy, Ronchamp, four collieries in the Loire coalfield, and two or three in the Gard coalfield. ______________________ Hamburg have been 1913. 1912. Tons. Tons. 260,566 ... 274,632 55,971 ... 67,058 137,302 ... 128,107 8,566 ... 7,900 — 75 462,405 ... 477,772 Germany. Hamburg Coal Trade.—Mr. H. W. Heidmann, of Hamburg, writes: The import of coal into in May:— From Northumberland and Durham... Yorkshire, Derbyshire, &c.... Scotland ............................... Wales .................................... Coke................... _______ _______ Total............... Ruhr Coal Market.—Business may still be regarded as satisfactory, and the circumstance that the Syndicate left the participation at its previous level indicates confidence in the situation. The iron industry is needing large supplies of fuel, though its situation has changed since the beginning of the Balkan war troubles. Coking coals are in specially good request, and orders are being filled without difficulty. Gas coals are being placed into stock, and there is less enquiry for house coals. Blastfurnace and foundry cokes continue to go off satisfactorily, but not so rapidly as to absorb the increased production completely. There is little demand for English coals, although dealers are inclined to make concessions. In the export trade the requirements of Holland, France and Northern Germany are on the increase, and in some cases higher prices can be obtained. Belgium, after a period of stagnation during the strike, is also in the market again. There is no ground for any change of opinion on the prospects of this market. Although the iron industry js less active, the demand for coals and coke remains brisk, apart from the alterations due to the time of year Thus, at present, no great amount of business can be expected in house coa], and gas coal is naturally in smaller request; but, on the other hand, industrial coals are being taken in very large quantities and the export trade has attained a level which may well be regarded as satisfactory. The coal trade is also good, since the require- ments of the blastfurnaces and foundries are high, and in some cases cannot be satisfied promptly. In these circum- stances coking coals are naturally in keen demand. Business in South Germany is comparatively favourable, and though the supplies coming forward are large not much has to be put into stock. Offers of English coal are small, and the high prices asked prevent much business being done. In northern Germany, too, the competition of English coals is not much felt. Holland and northern France have again been taking in extensive supplies, but business with Belgium is quieter, although the shipments are still considerable. Coal Market in Upper Silesia.—The strike has come to an end without the slightest success for the miners. Of course, the injury to trade was enormous, the traffic returns for the first half of May showing a decrease of 66 per cent, as compared with last year. To get supplies off as quickly as possible, the resources of the railways are being strained, the cheapness of water freight being disregarded. The Coal Convention has displayed its confidence in the situation by removing all restrictions on output for the current quarter. Work is going on as usual since the strike, though the pits are being hard put to it to supply current requirements and try to make up arrears. Stocks at the pits are only small, and owing to the lack of skilled labour it is difficult to make any great increase in the output. In these circum- stances it is difficult to see how the arrears caused by the strike are going to be made good. In the urgency of their need, consumers are not very particular about getting any special kind of fuel, but are glad to take what they can have promptly; and as cost of transport is unimportant as compared with speed, water traffic is being neglected, to the profit of railways. The needs of the home market are receiving earliest attention, but foreign customers are becoming so clamorous that larger consignments will have to be despatched. Austria-Hungary is an important taker, and Russian buyers are wanting more than can be supplied them. The conditions in the coke market are also satisfactory, it being impossible for the cokeries to turn out blastfurnace coke fast enough, especially since coking coals are scarce. Coal Market in South Germany.—In general, the volume of business is satisfactory, industrial consumers taking their normal supplies, except that the building industry is somewhat behindhand in this respect. For the time of year the demand for house coal is also good, and also that for bituminous nuts. There is an unmistakable tendency on the part of middlemen to take over the full amounts coming to them on contracts, so that their quota for the autumn and winter months may not be cut down. This tendency is increased by recollection of the difficulties experienced in getting delivery last autumn. Ovoid briquettes and anthracite nuts have been latterly in great request owing to their low price. Lignite briquettes and gas coke are also going off well, but broken coke is quieter. Supplies to the up-river ports are about normal, and up to the present there is little chance of increasing stocks. Production of Coal in April.—The following table shows the production of coal and other fuel in April and the first four months of 1913 :— April. Jan.-April. 1912. 1913? ^1912. 1913. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Coal........... 14,061,701... 15,821,006... 56,083,434... 63,379,455 Lignite ...... 6,356,025... 7,258,044...26,769,972...28,176,021 Coke ........ 2,318,771... 2,668,455... 9,061,330... 10,660,315 Coal briquettes 407,075... 501,286... 1,629,265... 1,937,511 Lignite do.... 1,606,737... 1,818,192... 6,226,447... 6,866,452 Exports and Imports of Fuel in April.—The following table shows the exports and imports of fuel in April;— Imports. Exports. t i 1912. 1913. 1912. 1913. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Coal 215,867 ... 940,716 ... 2,947,025 ... 2,938,850 Lignite 558,583 ... 650,074 ... 5,022 3,250 Coke 39,673 ... 42,118 ... 391,762 ... 573,667 Coal briquettes 3,410 ... 1,089 ... 169,405 ... 207,788 Lignite ditto 10,833 ... 8,556 ... 32,593 51,654 Taking the four months ended with April, the imports were as follows :—Coal, , 3,118,559 tons (• <■ 1,003,648) Lignite, 2,382,593 tons (—47,894 tons; Goke, 182,114 tons ( +10,179 tons) ; coal briquettes,',7,320 tons (—11,455 tons); Lignite briquettes, 44,249tons (—1,586tons). In April831,848 tons of British coal were imported, as against 106,255 tons in the same month last year, and, in the four months, 2,694,628 tons (an increase of 1,040,453 tons—accounted for by the British strike, of course). Exports in the four months were as under:—Coal, 11,399,064 tons ( + 856,739 tons); lignite, 22,980 tons ( + 4,028 tons); coke, 2,272,414 tons ( + 575,638 tons); coal briquettes, 821,409 tons ( +146,249 tons) ; lignite briquettes, 313,626 tons ( + 122,997 tons). The main increases in exports of coal in April were to Belgium and Switzerland. In the four months 214,639 tons more were sent to Belgium, 407;936 tons to Austria-Hungary and 157,773 tons to Holland; in April, however, the shipments to the two latter countries fell off. The heavy increase in coke exports is mainly contributed by Belgium ( + 213,548 tons) and France ( + 220,960 tons).