354 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 13, 1914. Mr. Georg© Barker, another miners’ agent, said he was of opinion—considering that there was 124 yards of arching on the main west level—if the ventilation had been reversed immediately after the explosion it was highly probable that the men in the West York and in the Bottanic would have had a chance of being rescued. He thought a member of the rescue brigade with apparatus should have accompanied each exploring party. Mr. D. Watts Morgan (miners’ agent) put in a plan showing the indication of forces which, he said, agreed in main with what Mr. Winstone had spoken to, but he did not agree that it would be wise to reverse the air. His theory was that the explosion originated near the Klondyke stables in the Lancaster level. He disagreed entirely with the lamp-room theory. Yesterday (Thursday), Mr. T. A. Southern advanced the theory that earth tremors may have borne a relation to the explosion. He stated that a seismograph record taken by Mr. J. Shaw, of West Bromwich, showed that several disturbances culminated exactly at the time of the Senghenydd explosion. TOE TIMLim TOME Liverpool, The tone of the market is firm. Enquiries are numerous, and where makers are disposed to accept reasonable figures a fair amount of business is being placed. Some works, however, are asking quite prohibitive figures, while others decline to quote at all. All works seem to be well booked up for some weeks ahead. Quotations for delivery to suit makers over, say, the next three months or so range as follow:—Coke tins: IC 14 x 20 (112 sh. 108 1b.), 13s. 4|d. to 13s. 9d. per box; IC 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 lb ), 26s. 9d. to. 27s. 3d. per box; I C 28 x 20 (56 sh. 108 lb.), 14s. to 14s. 3d. per box; I C 14 x 18J (124 sh. 110 lb.), 13s. 7|d. to 14s. per box; IC 14 x 19£ (120 sh. 110 lb.), 13s. 7id. to 14s. per box ; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 19s. 6d. to 20s. per box; I C squares and odd sizes, 13 ^.9d. to 14s. basis. Ternes rule firm at round 23s. 6d. for IC 28 x 20. Charcoal tins meet with a fair demand, and rates are firm at 16s. basis and upwards according to tinning. Coke wasters are in steady demand, and prices rule firm with an upward tendency. Quotations at present run :—C W 14 x 20, 12s. 6d. to 12s, 9d. per box; C W 28 x 20, 25s. 3d. to 25s 61. per box; C W 14 x 18f, Ils. 7|d. to Ils. 9i. per box; C W 20 x 10, 15s. 9d. to 16s. per box—all f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. Finance Act and Mineral Rights Duty.—Mr. Thos. Jones, C.E., of 5, Little George-street, Westminster, has issued his decision, as an official Referee under the Finance Act, 1910, in the appeal, “Llewellyn v. the Commissioners of Inland Revenue,” which he heard at the Surveyors’ Institution, London, on January 16. It was an appeal by Mr. W. H. C. Llewellyn against two assessments to mineral rights duty upon coalmines at Miskin and Ogmore, Glamorgan.—Mr. W. Allen, who appeared for the appellant, said the matter was somewhat complicated by the fact that the owner of the royalties, Mr. R. W. Llewellyn (father of the appellant) died on February 10, 1910. Duty for the year 1909-10 became due on January 2, 1910, and if the Act had been in force the late Mr. Llewellyn would have been liable. Counsel contended that the form of the first assessment, referring to 49 days on first year (the period between the date of his father’s death and the close of the financial year), was invalid. With regard to 1910-11, the appellant was assessed upon £4,562, which he received at Is. in the £1, and upon <£15,900 which he did not receive, and taxed upon money he never would have, and for which he could not recoup himself. The Crown put their con- tention very clearly upon that point in “ Duke of Beaufort v. the Commissioners.”—Mr. Shaw, for the Commissioners, sub- mitted that this was a case of rental value, which was taken to be, where the right to work the minerals was the subject of a mining lease, the amount of rent paid by the working lessee in the last working year in respect of that right. The Commissioners held that the duty was recoverable from the immediate lessor of the working lessee, and at the time of the assessment the immediate lessor was Mr. W. H. C. Llewellyn. The decision is in the following terms:—“ Having regard to the judgment of the Court of Appeal in ‘Duke of Beaufort v. th© Commissioners of Inland Revenue,’ that the total amount of royalty or mineral rents received by the immediate lessor during the last working year, whether including arrears or not, is the amount on which mineral rights duty is assessable for the succeeding year, after deducting any property tax thereon, my decision is: (1.) That as no returns are available for the last working year 1908-9, as defined by the Finance (1909-10) Act, 1910, the appellant is properly assessable at 49/365ths of the revenue for the working year 1909-10, being £2,747, less such a sum as may be payable for income-tax thereon. (2 ) That the assessment notices served upon the appellant in respect of 49/365ths of the financial year 1909-10 should be withdrawn, and amended notices served upon him on the basis of £2,747 rental value. (3.) That under section 20, sub- section 2 (a), the appellant is properly assessed for the financial year 1910-11 upon tne basis of the total amounts received for the working year 1909-10, as returned by him at £20,462 Ils. 4d., less whatever sum has been paid thereon for income t&x, and that the assessment notices are subject to correction only for the latter deduction.” THE COAL AHD IROH TRADES. Thursday, February 12. Scotland.—Western District. cou. There is practically no alteration in the West of Scotland coal trade since last report. The demand both for local consumption and shipment continues strong, while house- hold coal is also in a comparatively good position. The best brands of ell coal are steady at firm prices, but secondary qualities are plentiful, and are tending easier. Splint is fairly active, but are not now so heavily booked ahead, and ordinary qualities are engaging more attention. Treble nuts have been in greater request, and have been moving off in large quantities. Doubles and singles are somewhat scarce, and prices show an upward tendency. Shipments during the week amounted to 113,466 tons, compared with 78,568 in the preceding week, and 108,267 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal............ Ell .................. Splint................ Treble nuts .......... Double do. ........... Single do............. Current prices. 12/6-14/ 13/3 IB/ -16/ 12/ -12/3 11/3-11/6 11/ -11/3 L’st week’h prices. 12/9-13/9 13/3 13/—16/ 12/ -12/6 11/6-11/9 11/3 Last year’s prices. 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 15/ -15/6 14/ -14/6 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/ IRON. There has been a decided improvement in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market during the week. Owing to the better position of the iron and steel trades, and also to more encouraging reports from abroad, business has shown a substantial increase. Buyers have been operating more freely, and the turnover, which amounted to 23 000 tons, was the largest for some considerable time. Cleveland iron rose during the week to 51s. 9^ d. cash, and while there was a moderate reaction the closing price of 51s. 4d. cash buyers shows an increase of 6d. per ton. The number of furnaces in blast in Scotland is 66, the same number as last week, and 26 fewer than at this time last year. Owing to the reduced output makers are having little difficuhy in disposing of their production. Business in the ordinary qualities of iron is comparatively good, and there is a slight increase in enquiries for future delivery. The out- standing feature of the trade is the strong position of hsematite iron. A larger amount of business has been booked recently than has been the case for a number of weeks, and as a remit prices, which have been low, have been advanced considerably. Makers in some instances have quoted 85s. per ton, and it is reported that business has bden done at 83s. per ton. Monkland is quoted f.a.s. at Glasg >w, No. 1, 62s. 6d., No. 3, 61s.; Govan, No. 1, 61s. 6d., No 3, 60s.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 67s. 6d., No. 3, 63s. 6d.; Clyde, No. 1, 69s., No. 3, 64s. 6d.; Gartsherrie, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 69s. 6d., Nos. 3, 64s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1,71s., No. 3,66s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 63s., No. 3, 62 s.; DUmellington, at Ayr, No. 1,64s., No. 3, 62s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1,69s. 6d., No. 3, 64s. 6d.; Carron, at Grangemouth, No. 1, 70s., No. 3, 65s. per ton. The imports of pig iron into Grangemouth from Middlesbrough and district during the week amounted to 10,153 tons. Scotland.-— Eastern District. COAL. The present position of the coal trade in the Lothians is causing the coalmasters considerable anxiety. There has been a large falling off in the demand for all sorts of round coal and a consequent further decrease in prices. Smalls are a little more active, but the outlook is most unsatis- factory. The shipments for the week totalled 74,410 tons, compared with 83,907 in the preceding week and 103,051 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Best screened steam coal prices. prices. prices. 11/3-11/6 11/9 13/3-13/6 Secondary qualities 10/6 10/9 12/3-12/9 Treble nuts 12/6 12/6 13/6-14/ Double do 11/3 11/6 12/9-13/ Single do 10/3-10/6 10/6 12/3-12/6 Business in the Fifeshire district continues fairly brisk, but is not quite so good as in the preceding week. There is a sufficient quantity of steamers at the various ports, but the inland demand is less active. First-class steams are somewhat weaker, but third-class qualities are in strong request and are moving off in large quantities at firm prices. Smalls, with the exception of double nuts, are steady. The clearances for the week were, at Burntisland 46,570 tons, Methil 60,135, Tayport 409, Dysart 1,417, Wemyss 833 tons —total 109.364 tons, compared with 99,570 in the previous week and 120,349 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened naviga- tion coal Current prices. 16/6-16/9 15/ 12/6 10/6 12/ -12/6 10/9-11/3 10/3-10/6 L’st week’b prices. 16/6-16/9 15/ 12/6 10/9 12/6-12/9 11/3 10/6 Last year’s prices. 16/3-17/ 14/6-15/ 13/ -13/6 12/ 13/3-13/9 13/ -13/3 12/6-13/ Unscreened do First-class steam coal... Third-class do. Treble nuts Double do Single do The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the week amounted to 297,240 tons, compared with 262,225 in the preceding week and 331,667 tons in the same week last year. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. O0AL. ■ During last week 167,825 tons of coal and 2,231 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 27,860 tons of coal and a decrease of 714 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 57,996 tons of coal and 3,155 tons of coke, a decrease of 523 tons of coal and an increase of 1,811 tons of coke. The Bly th shipments totalled 84,412 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 5,986 tons. The Kiel Gasworks have contracted for 40,000 tons of Durham gas seconds at a price estimated to leave from Ils. 9d. to 12s. per ton f.o.b., delivery over the season. The Memel Gasworks are stated to have arranged with a foreign firm for 16,000 tons of Durham gas bests for shipment over the Baltic season, at what is reported to be a low price. The Helsingborg Gasworks have purchased 11,000 tons of similar fuel for shipment from April next te February 1915. The price has not transpired. The Gefle Gasworks have contracted for 5,600 tons of Londonderry, option Wear- mouth, coal for delivery over the season, price not divulged. The Esbjerg Gasworks want tenders, by February 17, of Wear gas specials for delivery over this year. The Malmo Gasworks are enquiring for 35,000 tons of Durham gas bests or specials for delivery over 12 months, tenders wanted by February 18. The Thisted Gasworks want offers, by February 12, of 2,400 tons of Durham gas bests for shipment over this year. The Italian Gasworks, Turin, are stated to have'contracted for their gas coal requirements with two local merchant firms. One firm has received an order for 15,000 tons of Durham seconds, and the other a eommission for 50 000 tons of Durham bests. Delivery is to be at Savona, and the c.i f. prices are stated to be 18s. 6d. per ton for seconds and 19s. 9d. for bests. There is no further news with reference to the negotiations of the metropolitan gas companies for their annual supplies of gas coal. Considerable enquiries for Northumbrian large and small steam coals for delivery over the year are stated to be in circulation, emanating mainly from merchants. A quantity of best Blyth steams has been sold by second hands for shipment from April to December, in quantities of 1,500 tons per month, at 13s. per ton f.o.b. A consider- able quantity of Broomhill bests is stated to have been sold by the colliery for shipment over the same period at the same price. A quantity of Durham gas bests for March- December loading is stated to have been sold by second hands at 12s. 3d. per ton f.o.b. The L’Orient Gasworks are reported to have contracted for 8,000 tons of Durham gas coal for shipment during this year. The purchase price is not stated. It is reported that, in consequence of the reduced activity of shipping, some of the coaling stations are requesting collieries not to over-exert themselves in the delivery of contract quantities, and in one or two cases are offering these contract quantities for re-sale. The prompt coal market has been very quiet during the past week. Colliery positions for early loading are strong, aud ship- ments are well maintained. Forward business is rather small. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as follow during the week:—Best steams,Tynes, are weaker on the week; unscreened, 6d. reduced; Blyth smalls, 3d. cheaper; gas bests, ditto; specials, 6d. increased; un- screened bunkers, Durhams, weaker ; coking coal, stronger. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. Blyth collieries are reported to have booked up orders for best steams for March, April and May delivery at 13s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. A quantity of beehive blastfurnace coke has been sold for delivery over the ensuing six months at 17s. 6d. per ton at Middlesbrough. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’st week’t Last year’s Steam coals- prices. prices. prices. Beat,Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 14/ 14/ 14/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 13/6-14/ 14/ 14/9-15/ Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 11/9-12/ 11/9-12/ 13/6-14/ or West Hartleys) ... 11/9-12/ 11/9-12/ 14/ Unscreened 11/ -11/6 11/ -12/ 18/ SmalL Blyths 6/9 6/9-7/ 10/3 Do. Tynes 6/3 6/3 10/ Do. specials Other sorts:— 7/6 7/6 ' 11/ Smithies Best gas coals (New 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 14/6 Felton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 13/6 13/6-13/9 14/6 (Pelaw Main or similar) 12/ -12/6 12/ -12/6 13/6 Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, 13/6-14/ 13/6 15/ Durhams Do. do. 11/9-13/ 12/ -13/ 14/ -14/6 Northumbrians 10/ -11/ 10/ -11/ 13/ Coking coals 12/3-12/6 12/ -12/6 14/6-15/ Do. smalls 12/ 12/ 13/6-14/ House coals 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 15/6-16/ Coke, foundry 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 28/ Do. blast-furnace 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 25/ Do. gas 13/ -13/6 13/ -13/6 18/ Sunderland. OOAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 102,135 tons of coal and 2,180 tons of coke, as compared with 99,980 tons of coal and 1,320 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1913, being an increase of 2,155 tons of coal and 860 tons of coke. There is very little change to report in the local coal market. Best steams are firmly held for February, but beyond that month there is practi- cally no buying. Coking qualities are easier, best gas coals are more freely quoted, and seconds are on the easy side. Bunkers are obtainable at cheaper prices, and households are without change. Coke is irregular in price. Common qualities are obtainable at low rates, but sellers of the better kinds are not disposed to lower quotations. The Helsingfors Gasworks have contracted for 30,000 tons of special Wear gas coal for shipment September to November on the basis of about 13s. 6d. f.o.b. Italian Gasworks are reported to have contracted for 15,000 tons of second Durham gas, delivery over the year, on the basis of 18s. 6d. c.i.f., also for 50,000 tons best Durham, delivery over two years, at 19s. 9d. c.i.f. The Kiel gasworks have contracted for 40,000 tons of best secondary Durham qualities, delivery over the season, but particulars have not yet transpired.