January 9, 1914 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 91 '5,023,897 tons (4,548,287 tons), or 217,250 tons (188,530 tons) per working day; coke 1,508,402 tons (1,688,986 tons), or 50,280 tons (56,300 tons) per working day; briquettes 340,908 tons (333,863 tons), or 14,742 tons (13,899 tons) per working day. Coal Syndicate Renewal.—According to the Rheinisch- Westfalische Zeitung good progress is being made in the negotiations for the renewal of the Syndicate, the draft of the agreement having been settled by the committee. This draft will be placed before a meeting of owners; and as the committee represents a majority of these latter, it is not anticipated that any hitch will occur. After acceptance of the terms there will still be a period, up to May 15 next, for arranging with the “outsiders,” including the State colliery administration, and with the Saar pits. Coal Market in South Germany.—The placing of contracts for industrial grades of Ruhr coals is now in full swing; but in spite of the reduction in prices, business is not so brisk as last year. The State collieries and outsiders, who are endeavouring to increase their output, are entering into keen competition with the Syndicate, and thereby lowering the tone of the market. Offers of Belgian coals are also being made at low prices in Elsass-Lothringen and Switzer- land ; but, on the other hand, the prices asked for English coals offer no advantage to the buyer. The actual consump- tion of house coals leaves much to be desired, but this will, no doubt, improve if the recent cold weather continues. ' There are large stocks of broken coke I. and II., but No. III. is scarce. Gas coke is also selling very slowly, and business is quiet in large house nuts, dealers hanging back with their delivery specifications. Output of Fuel.—The following table shows the production of various classes of fuel during the first eleven months of .1913 N ovember. J anuary-N ovember. ^1912. 1913."^ ^1912. 1913.”"^ Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Coal ........... 14,805,443... 15,329,610... 162,209,627.. .175,945,462 Lignite .......... 7,558.561... 7,417,859... 75,218,408... 79,741,825 ■Coke........... 2,598,768... 2,608,370... 26,435,461... 29,470,168 C o a 1 b r i - quettes..... 448,329... 463,573... 4,870,954... 5,382,167 Lignite do.... 1,671,265... 1,729,283... 17,420,149... 19,648,359 Imports and Exports of Coal, fyc.—The following shows the imports and exports of fuel during November:— Imports. Exports. 1912. 1913. ' 1912. 1913. ' Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Coal ..1,002,271 ... 910,433 . ...2,551,839 . ... 2,879,752 Lignite .. 676,065 ... 508,817 . 5,629 5,550 Coke .. 50,130 ... 35,203 . ... 505,844 ... 402,090 Coal briquettes. 5,167 1,759 ... 168,123 ... 116,041 Lignite do. .. 16,276 . 9,483 . ... 73,885 , 61,140 Imports during the 11 months ended with November were as follow.— Coal, 9,749,773 tons (+ 268,775 tons); lignite, 6,458,160 tons (- 246,777 tons) ; coke, 549,351 tons ( + 5,047 tons); coal briquettes, 24,225 tons (—22,213 tons) ; lignite briquettes, 108,124 tons (—13,147 tons). Exports in the same period were:—Coal, 31,551,019 tons ( + 3,275,397 tons); lignite, 55,078 tons ( + 4,683 tons); coke, 5,945,636 tons (+ 623,649 tons) ; coal briquettes, 2,100,314 tons ( + 171,055 tons) ; lignite briquettes, 758,733 tons ( + 209,312 tons). The imports of British coal during November amounted to 797,792 tons, as against 886,883 tons in November 1912; the total for the eleven months is 8,521,825 tons (an increase of 322,402 tons. In November exports of coal increased to Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, European Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland; there was a slight decrease in consignments to Austria-Hungary. Russia. Owing to internal friction, it is stated, the Prodougol Syndicate is in danger of disruption. TOE mi TBMDE Thursday, January 8. Dnblta. Local coal merchants are well engaged, although deliveries are still somewhat restricted in the case of firms who have to await their turn for the use of the motor lorries. Cargoes are arriving regularly, and the consignees are finding no difficulty in getting them discharged by free labour. The county trade continues to be slow, as there are few oppor- tunities of dealing with it at present. House coals maintain the recent high rates, viz.:—Orrell coal, 30s. per ton; household, 28s.; Orrell slack, 24s.; steam coals are about from 25s. per ton; best coke, 24s. per ton delivered. The coaling vessels arriving during the past week amounted to 55 as compared with 28 the week previously, chiefly from Whitehaven, Cardiff, West Bank, Garston, Ayr, Preston, Troon, Point of Aire, Manchester, Swansea and Mary port. The quantity discharged upon the quays was over 21,000 tons. Belfast The tendency is towards improvement in point of demand generally, but the trouble looming at the docks may probably have a disturbing influence upon the coal trade before long. The scarcity of railway wagons is causing great inconvenience, and this has been more acutely felt since the commencement of the Dublin strike. The insuffi- cient berthing accommodation at the Queen’s Quay is also a great drawback to the carrying on of the coal trade. Prices of all qualities remain unaltered, house coals in the city ranging from 23s. 6d. to 27s. 6d. per ton; Orrell slack, 23s. 6d. Steam coals ex-quay: Scotch, 16s. 6d. to 17s. 6d. per ton; Navigation steam, 17s. to 18s. per ton; Welsh steam coal, 18s. 6d. to 20s. per ton delivered. The New Year holidays have had the effect of restricting supplies from the Scottish districts for the past week. Cargoes arriving were chiefly from Garston, Swansea, Ayr, Lydney, Troon, Campbeltown, West Bank, Neath Abbey, Newport, Elles- mere Port, Partington, Girvan, Glasgow and Ardrossan. The total quantity of coal imported for the past year amounted to 1,226,916 tons, this being an increase of 30,411 tons as compared with the year previously. The quantity exported was 19,823 tons for last year. m OTHER 10TES. Messrs. Ackroyd and Best Limited point out, with reference to the official return of the numbers of lamps in use in Great Britain in 1912, that the total of 128,929 of their lamps, although about 100 per cent, above that of the highest other class of lamps in use, does not even then cover the total of the firm’s lamps in use in this country, considerably more than this quantity being on hire alone. Probably some of these lamps have been included under the general headings such as “ordinary” or “bonneted” or “ deflector ” lamps. Further almanacks and diaries have been received from Charles H. Blume (Sheffield); Simon-Carves Limited (Manchester) ; David Bridge and Co. Limited (Castleton) ; Royal Bank of Canada; United States Metallic Packing Company Limited (Bradford); E. A. Braddick (Gough- square, Fleet-street, E.C.); C. G. Edwards and Son Limited (32-34, Great Sutton-street, Clerkenwell, E.C.). Sir Archibald Geikie, K.C.B., D.Sc., LL.D., president of the Royal Society, has been awarded the Order of Merit by the King. The recipient of the honour was from 1882 to 1901 Director-General of the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom, and has for more than half a century contributed to the literature of geology. In 1892 he was president of the British Association, and he has more than once been president of the Geological Society. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and a member of many foreign scientific associations. Last year he became a trustee of the British Museum. Messrs. John H. Austin and Co., of 61 and 62, Gracechurch- street, E.C., advise that in consequence of continued ill- health Mr. Edward B. Leader has decided to retire from business as from December 31, and the firm will cease to exist except for the winding up of its affairs. The goodwill of the business and the London agencies of N. Hingley and Sons Limited, and the Wigan Coal and Iron Company Limited (steel and metal department), which have been held by the firm for 28 and 20 years respectively, have been taken over by Mr. W. I. Firth, of 98, Great Tower-street. Mr. W. Stowell, coal exporter, Cathedral-buildings, Newcastle-on-Tyne, has taken into partnership Mr. Wm. B. Deane and his son Mr. W. Rayner Stowell, and has formed his business into a private limited liability company. Messrs. Ludke and Steel, coal exporters, Newcastle, have taken into partnership Mr. Alfred Raynes, who has been with the firm for 12 years, and Mr. Robert Kingsley Steel, who has been connected with the business for some time. Mr. Frederick Philip Down, Penarth, coal exporter, who died November 10 last, aged 65 years, left estate of the gross value of .£1,361, with net personalty nil. The New Fear’s list of honours includes the name of Sir William Beard more, chairman of Messrs. William Beard- more and Co. Limited, who has been created a baronet. Sir William is also a director of the Harvey United Steel Com- pany. Among the new knights will be found the name of Mr. Robert Murray, partner in the firm of Messrs. Love and Stewart, coal exporters, of Glasgow and Bo’ness. We learn that Messrs. David Brown and Sons (Hudders- field) Limited, Huddersfield, have acquired the business and patents of John Sunderland, wheel cutter, Keighley. The patents for the production of double helical gears are, we understand, the only ones that generate the teeth from the basic principle, viz , a rack; the teeth are continuous, thus adding to the strength, and being generated from affiardened and ground cutter, are more accurate, and consequently give better running results than any other. The railway general managers have arranged to receive a deputation at the Railway Clearing House, Seymour-street, Euston, on February 14, from the council of the Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom, on the subject of railway rates and demurrage charges. The deputation will consist of Sir Algernon F. Firth (president) ; Mr. M. N. W. Baird (Glasgow), Mr. Thomas Bell (Newcastle), Lord Giantawe (Swansea). Mr. A. J. Hobson (Sheffield), Mr. Stanley Machan (London), Mr. L. A. Martin (London), Sir W. E. B. Priestley, M.P., (Bradford), Mr. W. T. Stubbs (Manchester) and Mr. Taylor (Birmingham). Mr. John Edwin Place, of High Lawn, Blackburn-road, Darwen, a director of Messrs. Joseph Place and Sons Limited, colliery proprietors and sanitary pipe makers, a J.P. for Lancashire, who died on October 25 last, aged 70 years, left estate of the gross value of .£27,785 9s. with net personalty .£26,110 8s. lid. The opening meeting of the session of the Staffordshire Iron and Steel Institute will be held at the Institute, Wolverhampton-street, Dudley, to-morrow (Saturday), when the president (Mr. Frank East Nurse) will deliver his presidential address. The following have promised papers, which will be read on or about the dates following.—Mr. H. I. Coe, M.Sc. (January 17), Mr. Frank Anslow, M.I.C.E. (January 31), Mr. Samuel Lamb, A.R.S.M. (February 14), Dr. J. Newton Friend (February 21). Mr. Arthur Ross (February 28 or March 7), Mr. J. Ernst Fletcher (March 21), Mr. C. E. Stromeyer, M.I.C.E. (March 28 or April 4). Mr. Arthur Collins, scrap metal merchant, has changed his address from St. Alban’s-road, Birmingham, to White House, New-street, Birmingham. Shipment of Bunker Goals.—The quantity of coal, &c., shipped foe the use of steamers engaged in the foreign trade during the month of December was 1,842,006 tons, as com- pared with 1,556,784 tons in December 1912 and 1,567,432 tons in December 1911. The aggregate so shipped during the year just closed was 21,031,507 tons, as against 18,291,370 tons and 19,264,189 tons in the years 1912 and 1911 respectively. THE WELSH COAL M IR01 TRADES. Thursday, January 8. Sorth Wales. Wrexham. The new year has opened well, both as regards output and prices obtained for the fuel in this locality. After New Year’s Day being observed as a holiday, the men returned to work in good numbers, and by Monday last all the collieries were able to work full time. The short time worked during the holidays caused an accumulation of orders, especially for house coal, which has had the effect of making the demand exceptionally heavy in this depart- ment during the past week. A few contracts are now being settled, and from what one can gather the prices at which a settlement has been made are very little varied from those which obtained last year. Like the collieries the manufacturing concerns are now picking up again after the holiday break, and are taking a fairly large tonnage of coal for use at their works. The usual quantities of locomotive coal have, of course, been taken by the different companies, and the Mersey side trade in coal for shipment at Ellesmere Port, Birkenhead and Liverpool, has been quite up to the average. The market for slack has been fairly good, and full contract quantities of gas coal have been asked for and supplied. The average prices in the open markets at the time of writing are as below. Prices at pit. Prices at pit f.o.r.:— Best house coal ...... Secondary do.......... Steam coal............ Gas coal ............. Bunkers .............. Nuts ................. Slack ................ Gas coke (at works) ... Prices landsale:— Best house coal ...... Seconds .............. Slack ................ Current prices. 15/6—16/6 14/6-15/3 12/6-13/6 13/ -13/9 12/3-12/9 11/3-12/ 6/9- 8/ 13/4-15/ 17/6-19/2 16/8-17/6 10/ -12/6 L’st week’s prices. 15/6-16/9 14/6-15/6 12/6-13/6 13/ -13/9 12/3-12/6 11/ -11/9 6/6— 8/6 13/4-15/ Last year’s prices. 15/ -17/ 14/6-15/6 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/6 11/3-12/ 11/ -12/ 7/ - 9/ 15/10-18/ 17/6-19/2 17/6-20/ 16/8-17/6 16/8-17/6 10/ -12/6 10/ -11/8 ' Elonmouthshlroj South ¥#alss, Newport. COAL. Business throughout the week has been of a slack character, the demand prevailing being of but an easy description, while delayed arrivals of tonnage, combined with steadily increasing outputs at the collieries, tend to make the position of sellers very difficult just at present. Conse- quently considerable irregularity is noticeable in quotations, to the advantage of those buyers who have prompt tonnage at their command. For the latter portion of this month more firmness is displayed on the part of collieries, quotations for dates ahead showing no alteration from previous figures, but there is very little actual business being done, at these prices. Tonnage this week is undoubtedly scarce, but chartering is brisker, while the better freights offering should induce an influx of steamers, so that prospects are not altogether distasteful to sellers. Smalls, alike with better grades, show the disposition of the market, but patent fuel, house coals and coke have suffered no decrease in values. Pitwood supplies being rather larger, to-day’s values are about 6d. easier at 19s. 6d. to 20s. ex-ship. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days, less 2| per cent. Steam coals :— Best Black Vein large... Wes tern-valleys, ordin’y 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. 18/ -18/3 16/9-17/ 16/6—16/9 15/9-16/ 8/ - 8/3 7/6- 7/9 7/3- 7/6 8/3 13/3-13/6 13/9-14/3 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 23/ -25/ L’st week’h prices. 17/9-18/3 16/9-17/3 16/3-16/9 15/6-16/ 8/6- 9/ 8/ - 8/6 7/6- 8/ 8/9- 9/ 13/3-13/6 13/9-14/3 18/ -19/ 16/6—17/6 19/6-20/6 19/-20/ 23/ -25/ Last year’s prices. 16/9-17/ 16/3-16/9 15/9-16/ 15/3-15/9 12/9-13/3 11/9-12/ 11/ -11/6 13/ -13/3 14/3-14/6 14/6-14/9 18/6-19/ 17/ -18/ 20/6-21/ 22/ -24/ 27/ -30/ IRON. As usual, when quarter day approaches, fresh business being transacted is only of a meagre description, important matters being held over pending the Birmingham meeting. Nominally values are steady, although some opinions are dogmatic that the trend of prices is upwards. At bar mills work is good, and output well up to the average. Most mills are well booked up to the end of March, values being firm at last quoted figures. Work at rail mills is steady, with a rather better enquiry now on the market. Blast- furnaces are well employed, most being well booked up until April. Iron ore is steady at last figures. The tin- plate trade shows a better tone all round. Works are fairly well booked up and prices are firm. It is hoped that from now on this market will steadily improve. GardlfZ. OAL. A holiday feeling has prevailed during the whole of the week, and very little business has been done. Buyers are not in the mood for entering into fresh transactions, and are hoping, by keeping off the market, to be able to contract at lower figures than the colliery people are asking at the present time. Tonnage has been scarce owing to the bad weather and the long delays of vessels abroad, with the result that shippers who have had ready boats have been able to obtain appreciable concessions below current quotations. At the time of writing, the tonnage actually in the port was sufficient to ensure good ship- ments for the remainder of the week, but the slackness in chartering operations during the past month has been the cause of some anxiety, and the amount of tonnage taken up the last six days only represented a total of 231,310 tons. In these circumstances it is not