February 13, 1911. THE COLLIERY. GUARDIAN. 357 which does not tempt buyers in anyway to abandon their aloof attitude. For the remainder of this month collieries appear to be well situated for the disposal of their outputs, but beyond that little booking seems to have been done. While best qualities of large, and all grades of smalls have maintained their values fully on the week, the lower grades of large coals have firmed up, and to-day are quoted 3d. to 6d. more. Pitwood has relaxed a trifle on some heavy accretions, and now rules about 20s. 9d. ex ship for good wood. House coals, patent fuel, and coke show little variation on the week. In the freight market outward chartering has not been excessive. Rates for the Plate are maintained, while rather weaker for Mediterranean destinations. IRON. The improvement in the iron and steel trades is being well maintained, and more activity is reported. At bar mills work continues good and output well up to the average. There has been a good demand for tin-plate bars during the past two weeks, and mills are now well employed and with sufficient to carry them well into next quarter. Over 4,000 tons of foreign bars arrived here last week, but both for these and Welsh bars values remain unchanged. Rail mills keep well employed. There has not been a great deal of fresh business during the past week, but it is anticipated that several large enquiries will be placed on the market at an early date. Officially there is no alteration to report in quotations. Blastfurnaces are busy, most being well booked forward. Quotations rule firm, and the present trend of values is upwards. The tin-plate department shows a great improvement, most works being well employed for some time forward. Quotations now are decidedly stronger. Steel rails: Heavy sections, .£6 10s. to .£6 15s.; light sections, •£6 15s. to £7. Tin-plate bars: Bessemer steel £4 10s. to £4 11s. 3d.; Siemens steel, £4 11s. 3d. Tinplates : Bessemer primes, 20 x 14 x 112, 13s. 4|d. to 13s. 6d.; Siemens ditto, 13s. 6d. to 13s. 7|d. Finished blackplate, .£9 10s. to «£9 15s. per ton. Fig iron: Welsh haematite, 68s. 6d. to 69s., delivered locally. Cardiff. GOAL. The market is decidedly firmer than it was a week ago, and numerous sales of best Admiralties have been reported at 19s.—both for prompt shipment and later in the month— although, in consequence of the total inability of the dock companies to cope with the large amount of tonnage now in the various docks, the difficulties of obtaining tips are greater than ever. In fact, complaints are made that vessels are actually on demurrage before a loading berth is assigned to them and, as an example of this, one instance may be recorded. At Barry last Monday week, a steamer gave notice of readiness, and on Monday of this week there was still no sign of a tip being allotted, although demurrage had commenced to run on the previous Saturday. This state of affairs is likely to continue and will undoubtedly prove very detrimental to the trade of the port. The fact of the matter is that Cardiff is a dock behind. The trade has more than overtaken the shipping capacity and with the large number of pits which are now being developed, and which, in the near future will be turning out considerable quantities of coal, this state of congestion will be greatly intensified. The question of dock accommodation is a burning one, yet there does not appear to be the slightest indication of powers being acquired for the formation of a new dock. In consequence of the tipping difficulty, merchants have, in certain cases, been obliged to accept comparatively low prices from those parties who are in the fortunate position of having a tip, so as to clear their wagons, and provide work at the collieries. After the very heavy chartering of the last few weeks, there is no likelihood of any relaxation of the existing pressure. The amount of tonnage taken up last week represented 363,300 tons, or a decrease of 78,530 tons as compared with the previous six days. There is, however, ample tonnage available for all present requirements, and the number of vessels in the various docks at the commencement of the week was no less than 240. Freights are all in favour of shippers, and the most recent charterings for Genoa have been as low as 6s. 6d.—a price that has not been touched for over two years—and even at this figure the market is weak. This no doubt reacts on coal prices,’and there is every indication that for some time to come, tonnage will be very plentiful. Buyers are still only meeting their immediate requirements, but sellers are as confident as ever that large quantities of coal are still to be bought, and good prices will be realised. There is no doubt that numbers of middlemen who have sold without having covered themselves, are beginning to get a trifle nervous at the strength of the market, as their hopes and anticipations were that with the turn of the year, prices would crumble away considerably, instead of which, at the time of writing, they are firmer than they were at any time during January. Shipments from Cardiff last week amounted to the large total of 431,351 tons, or an increase of 23,261 tons over the corresponding week of last year, and one has to go back as far as July of last year to obtain similar figures. At Newport, the shipments were 109,070 tons or an increase of 38,255 tons, and Swansea also showed an increase of 17,868 tons. At Port Talbot there was a falling off of over 16,000 tons. All this means that the coal trade is in a very healthy condition, and were proper facilities granted, it would be still better. Best Admiralties are quoted at 18s. 6d. to 19s., and the market is strong at the latter figure. Superior seconds maintain their quotation at 18s. 3d., and ordinary qualities are 17s. 9d. to 17s. 10|d. Monmouthshire coals are very firm, and .there is a scarcity of the best grades. Black Veins are 17s. 9d., western valleys 17s. 3d. to 17s. 6d., and the best of the eastern valley coals 16s. 9d. to 17s , in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. The firmness recently manifested in the small coal market still continues, and best bunkerings command Ils. 3d. to Ils. 6d., or 3d. more than last week; ordinaries Ils., and cargo qualities 8s. 6d., or an advance of 6d. on the prices obtained a week ago. In Rhondda bitu- minous coals there is practically no alteration, No. 3 large being still sold at 17s. 6d., through-and-through at 15s. 6d., and small at 12s. 3d. to 12s. 6d. No. 2 qualities are slightly higher, large being quoted at 15s. to 15s. 3d., through-and- through 12s. 9d. to 13s., and small at 9s. The Cardiff Journal of Commerce publishes the following return, from the statistical office of the London Custom House, of the average declared price per ton of coal exported from the chief South Wales ports during the month of December : Cardiff. Newport. Port Talbot. Swansea. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Large steam .. 17 7 ., .. 16 2 .. . 17 1 . .. 15 11 Through-and-throug h 13 7 .. ,. 14 3 ... . 11 7 . .. 10 11 Small .. 9 5 .. ,. 11 4 ... , 8 3 . .. 9 2 Large anthracite .... ..27 7 .. .. 23 0 ... . 16 10 . .. 18 0 Household .. 9 0 .. . 15 2 . In December 1912 the figures were as follow:— Cardiff. Newport. Port Talbot. Swansea. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Large steam ... 16 2 . .. 14 11 .. . 15 6 . ... 14 8 Through-and-through 12 6 . .. 11 11 .. . 10 9 . ... 10 5 Small ... 9 9 . .. 11 3 .. . 9 7 . ... 8 2 Large anthracite ... ... 23 11 . — . 15 8 . ... 17 10 Household ... 12 3 . .. 15 10 .. . 15 0 . The coke market seems to have gone to pieces, and there is little demand. Nominally the quotation of special foundry is 27s. to 28s., but one cannot hear of business being done at these figures. Ordinary foundry has been sold at as low as 20s., and furnace is offering at 19s. Patent fuel shipments last week showed a considerable falling off, and only amounted to 22,934 tons, of which the Crown Company despatched 12,852 tons, other local makers 100 tons, Swansea 7,322 tons, and Newport 2,650 tons. The exports of patent fuel during the month of January show a decrease all round, the total at Cardiff being 48,967 tons, or a decrease of 15,580 tons, Newport 1,034 tons, or a decrease of 124 tons, Swansea 82,834 tons, or a falling off of 8,236 tons, and Port Talbot 17,629 tons, or a decline of 2,802 tons compared with the corresponding month of last year. The price of first grade fuel still continues about 22s., with second qualities at 20s. to 21s. The pit wood market is rather weaker, and best French fir is obtainable at 20s. 6d. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current prices. 18/6-19/ 18/3 17/9-17/10i 11/3-11/6 11/ 8/6 7/ - 7/6 18/ -18/6 16/6-17/ 16/6 15/3-15/6 14/6 13/3-13/6 11/6-12/ 17/9 17/3-17/6 16/9-17/ 15/9-16/3 21/ 18/ 17/6 15/6 12/3-12/6 15/ -15/3 12/9-13/ 8/9- 9/ 22/ 20/ -21/ 27/ -28/ 20/ -23/ 19/ 20/6 L’st week’s prices. 18/6-19/ 18/3 17/9-18/ 11/ -11/3 10/9-11/ 7/9- 8/3 7/ - 7/6 18/ -18/6 16/9-17/3 16/6 15/6 14/3-14/6 13/3 11/6-11/9 17/9 17/3 16/9 15/9-16/ 21/ 18/ 17/6-17/9 15/ 12/ -12/6 14/9-15/ 11/9 8/9- 9/ 22/ -22/6 20/ -21/ 27/ -28/ 22/ -25/ 19/ 21/ -21/6 Last year’s prices. 18/3-18/9 17/6-17/9 16/9-17/ 15/ 14/6 13/3-13/9 12/6 17/3-17/9 16/ -16/3 16/6 15/ -15/9 15/6 14/9-15/ 15/ -15/3 17/3 17/ 16/6 16/ 19/6 18/ 17/6 16/6 15/6 15/9-16/ 15/3 13/9 24/ 23/ 33/ 31/ 28/ 20/ -20/6 Superior seconds Ordinary do Best bunker smalls Best ordinaries Cargo qualities Inferior smalls Best dry coals Ordinary drys Best washed nuts Seconds Best washed peas Seconds Dock screenings Monmouthshire— Black Veins Western-valleys Eastern-valleys Inferior do Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) Second qualities (at pit) No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large Through-and-through Small No. 2 Rhondda— Large Through-and-through Small Best patent fuel Seconds Special foundry coke Ordinary do. Furnace coke Pitwood (ex-ship) 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 ar© usually net. Coke is net f.o.b. IRON. The improvement recorded in the tin-plate trade last week has been.fully maintained, and the shipments amounted to 157,286 boxes, or nearly 25,000 in excess of receipts from works, thus leaving 313,014 boxes in stock in the dock warehouses and vans, as compared with 337,888 boxes the previous week and 423,901 boxes in the corresponding week of last year. Orders are coming in more freely and some substantial business has been done, especially for option contracts up to the end of the half year. Bessemer standard cokes are strongly held for 13s. 4|d. to 13s. 6d., 18| x 14 sizes 13s. 6d. to 13s. 7|d., and 10 x 20 sheets at 19s. The strike which has been in existence at the big sheet mills of Messrs. Gilbertson, at Pontardawe, still continues and 1,000 men are involved. Efforts are now being made to bring the question in dispute before the tin-plate Conciliation Board. In the galvanised sheet trade there is not much change to report, and only a moderate business is being done. The buying from India, which was a feature a week or two ago, has dropped off, and other markets are also on the quiet side. Prices are still firm at «£11 5s. to .£11 10s. for 24-gauge corrugateds, but this quotation is stated to have been shaded in one or two instances. Imports of foreign steel have not been so heavy during the last week or two, and local tin bars are firmly quoted at £4 Ils. 3d. both for prompt and forward delivery. The rail mills have not been quite so busy during the last few days, and in several instances were only employed about four days during the week. Pig iron is firm at 65s. f.o.t. In iron ore there is a slightly better tone, best rubio being quoted at 18s. to 18s. 6d., second grades 16s. 9d. to 17s. 6d., and Almeria 17s. 6d. Scrap metals are practically unaltered. Swansea. SO AL. During the past week the returns of the trade of the port were not up to last year’s average, but there was an increase compared with the corresponding week last year. The coal trade was brisk, but there was a further decline in the exports of patent fuel. The shipments of coal and patent fuel amounted to 100,025 tons. A capital attendance assembled on ’Change this morning, and a very strong undertone characterised the anthracite coal market. Both Swansea Valley and Red Vein large were exceptionally good markets. Machine-made nuts and cobbles were very firm ; beans, however, were rather slow. Rubbly culm and duff were without alteration. In the steam coal market there was no material alteration. Prices of coal f.o.b. Swansea (cash in 30 days). Anthracite:— Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best malting large (hand picked) (net) 21/6-24/ 21/6-24/ 22/6-24/6 Secondary do. 19/6-21/ 19/6-21/ 20/ -21/6 Big Vein large (less 2 <4 per cent.) 19/ -20/6 19/ -20/6 17/ -19/ Red Vein large do. ... 15/9-16/9 15/9-16/9 15/9-16/6 Machine - made cobbles (net) 21/6-24/6 21/6-24/6 21/9-23/9 Paris nuts (net) 23/6-26/ 23/6-26/ 23/6-26/6 French do. do 23/6-26/6 23/6-26/ 24/6-27/6 German do. do 23/6-25/6 23/6-25/6 24/ -27/6- Beans (net) 16/9-18/9 16/9-18/9 18/ -20/ Machine - made large peas (net) 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 11/3-13/ Do. fine peas (net) — — — Rubbly culm (less 21 p.c.) 5/6- 6/ 5/9- 6/3 7/9- 8/ Duff (net) 4/3- 4/9 4/3- 4/9 5/3- 5/9 Steam coals:— Best large (less 2£ p.c.) 19/ -20/ 19/6-21/ 17/9-19/ Seconds do. 14/9-15/9 14/9-15/9 15/6-17/ Bunkers do. 11/ -12/3 11/ -12/ 13/6-15/6 12/6-14/ Small do. 7/ - 8/3 6/9- 8/ Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— Large (less 2|p.c.) ... 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ Through-and-through (less 2| p.c.) 14/ -14/9 14/ -14/9 15/ -16/ Small (less21 p.c.) ... 10/3—11/3 10/3-11/3 14/ -15/ Patent fuel do 17/3-17/9 17/3-17/9 20/ -20/6 IRON. The tin-plate trade showed decided improvement ; enquiries were increasing, and manufacturers were looking forward to new business at better prices. Unfortunately, the dispute at the works of Messrs. Gilbertsons has not been settled, and 1,000 men are still idle. The steel smelters were the only men working, but even these have threatened a stoppage unless the dispute concerning the other depart- ments is settled. The yield of steel ingots at the various establishments in the district reached a high standard, and the pig iron trade was in an equally satisfactory condition. The shipments of tin-plates last week were 157,286 boxes, receipts from works 132,412 boxes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 313,014 boxes. Llanelly. OO&L. The coal market of the district is keeping fairly busy, although there is not the firmness noticeable which was experienced two or three weeks ago. The period when the trade is at its busiest is possibly over, and unless we get another spell of cold weather again it is more than likely there will be a falling off for most kinds. The anthracite sorts are largely influenced by weather conditions, and as our winters of late have not been exactly Arctic-like in their severity, the household kinds have not been reaching the figures which the colliery people would like. Large sorts which have been going well during the past months are slightly easier, and it is expected prices will not be so firm within the next few weeks. Stove kinds of the best' qualities are fairly steady, but other coals are easily procurable. Bituminous coals have an excellent demand, and collieries are able to get good prices. Small steams are easy, whilst bunkers are in good demand. This week’s figures are:— Prices f.o.b. Anthracite:— Best malting large .. Secondary do......... Big Vein large....... Red Vein do.......... Machine-made cobbles German nuts.......... French do............ Paris do............. Machine- made beans ... Do peas......... Rubbly culm.......... Duff ................ Other sorts:— Large steam coal..... Through-and-through... Small................ Bituminous small coal... Current prices. 21/ -23/6 19/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 14/6—15/ 20/ -23/ 23/ -25/ 23/ -25/ 23/ -25/ 18/ -22/ 12/6-13/6 5/9- 6/3 4/ - 6/ 16/ -17/ 12/ -12/6 9/ -10/ 11/ -11/6 L’st week’s prices. 22/ -24/ 19/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 14/6-15/6 20/ -22/ 23/ -25/ 24/ -26/ 23/ -25/6 18/ -22/ 12/6-13/6 5/9- 6/ 4/- 6/ 16/ -17/ 12/6-13/6 9/ -10/ 11/ -11/6 Last year’s prices. 23/ -24/ 20/ -22/ 18/ -20/ 14/6-15/6- 20/ -21/ 23/ -25/ 23/ -25/ 24/ -26/ 20/ -22/ 12/6-13/6 8/ - 8/6 5/ - 6/ 17/ -18/6 14/ -15/6 12/6-13/ 13/ -14/ Partnerships Dissolved.—The London Gazette announces the dissolution of the following partnerships:—E. M. Holme, B. Thomas, E. Thomas, and G. Simpson, carrying on business in crane control gear, at Worsley-street, Hulme, under the style of Holme’s Crane Patents; S. Cocksedge, A. Phillips, and C. Balcomb, carrying on business as coal merchants, carters, and contractors, at West Moors, Dorset, under the style of Cocksedge and Co.; A. P. I. Cotterell and H. R. Carr, carrying on business as civil engineers and surveyors, at Bald win-street, Bristol, under the style of A. P. I. Cotterell and Carr; J. R. Cleworth and T. W. Howell, carrying on business as electrical edgineers, at Pear-street, Halifax, under the style of J. R. Cleworth and Co.; L. S. Taylor and P. Hutchinson, consulting engineers, Royal Liver Building, Water-street, Liverpool, under the style of Taylor and Hutchinson; A. A. Horn and B. H. Pottior, engineers and machinists, Brearley-street, Birmingham, under the style of Horn, Pottier and Co. ; A. L. Pearse, C. B. Kingston, and G. M. Browne, Worcester House, Walbrook, E.C., civil and mining engineers, under the style of Pearse, Kingston, and Browne ; M. McC. Paterson and J. N. Nicholson, civil engineers and surveyors. Manor-row, Bradford, under the style of Paterson and Nicholson; R. Duxbury, V. Sharpies, and F. S. Cook, engineers and machinery and metal merchants, Grimshaw-street, Preston^ under the style of Duxbury and Sharpies.