416 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. Eebruary 20, 1914. __________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ incidents likely to cause uncertainty in delivery, the experiment was tried of obtaining coals from America. This apparently was not successful, and last year some of the orders went north, probably on account of the high prices ruling in South Wales. In the autumn of last year tenders were wanted for about 385,000 metric tons of Welsh coal, 75,000 tons of north conn ry, and 5,000 tons of Scotch coal, but so far as can be ascertained, the total quantity placed in South Wales at the period only amounted to about 120,000 tons instead of 385,000 tons asked for, the reason again given being that Welsh prices were too high. It is, however, doubtful whether any material concessions can be obtained even now, as prices for best Monmouthshire and second grade Admiralties vary very little from the quotations of October and November last. The period of delivery extends from April to September, in quantities varying from 25,000 to 50,000 tons per month, and as the business is of a steady and reliable character, there is likely to be keen competi- tion. With the present enquiry, the Egyptian railway requirements are about 460,000 tons for the year, or a substantial increase over the quantities obtained in previous years. Tenders are also invited by the Argentine Govern- ment for 80,000 to 100,000 tons of steam coal, to be shipped from March 1 to the end of the year, and the Government of Mauritius are also in the market for a small order of about 21,000 tons. In addition to these enquiries, the Baltic season is now rapidly approaching, and this again invariably creates a considerable demand. Sellers maintain that there is a large number of orders still to be placed on the market, as in consequence of what buyers considered high prices during the usual contractual period the quantities arranged for at that time were in many cases much below the normal, and to this position must also be added the fact that middlemen in important instances have accepted contracts without having covered themselves. So far as the latter are concerned freights have turned out unexpectedly favourable, and although in many cases they may have to pay more than they anticipated for the coal, they will be able to more than recoup themselves by the difference in freights. For instance, Genoa has been done as low as 5s. 9d., a figure not touched for several years, and other Mediterranean rates are in the same proportion. So far as can be seen at present, these quotations are likely to prevail for some time to come. With regard to prices, best Admiralties command from 18l 9d. to 19s. 3d., with superior seconds at 18s. 3d. to 18s. 6d. Ordinaries are a shade easier at 17s. 6d. to 17s. 9d. Monmouthshires continue steady, Black Veins being 17s. 6d. to 17s. 9d., western-valleys 17s. 3d., and best easterns 16s. 9d., in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. Nuts and peas are unchanged. The small coal market has more than maintained the firm tendency of a week ago, and prices all round are appreciably better. Best bunkerings are Ils. 6d., ordinaries Ils., and cargo sorts 8s. 6d. to 8s. 9d. per ton. In bituminous coals fancy house varieties continue at a high level, best qualities being 20s. net at pit head, and second grades 17s. 6d. to 19s. No. 3 Rhondda large is firmly held from 17s. 6d. to 18s., and an advance is expected to take place. Through-and-through varieties are a little lower, and smalls unaltered. In No. 2 large 15s. to 15s. 3d. is still quoted, but the through-and- through grades are also easier, and small is unchanged. According to the Custom House returns for January, which are just to hand, the total exports from the chief Bristol Channel ports amounted to 2,538,836 tons, compared with 2,693,268 tons in the corresponding month of last year, or a decrease of 154,432 tons. The following table shows the quantity of coal exported from the Bristol Channel ports to the principal foreign countries and British possessions during the month of January, as compared with the corresponding month of 1913:— Jan. 1914. Jan. 1913. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current prices. 18/9-19/3 18/3-18/6 17/6-17/9 11/6 11/ 8/6- 8/9 7/ - 7/9 18/ -18/6 16/6-17/3 16/6 15/6 14/6 13/3-13/6 12/ 17/6-17/9 17/3 16/9 15/9-16/3 20/ 17/6-19/ 17/6-18/ 14/9-15/ 12/3-12/6 15/ -15/3 11/9-12/ 8/9- 9/ 21/ -22/6 20/ -21/ 27/ -28/ 22/ -25/ 19/ -20/ 20/ L’st week"? prices. 18/6-19/ 18/3 17/9-17/IC4 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 Last year’s prices. 19/ -19/3 18/ -18/3 17/6 15/3-15/6 14/9-15/ 13/3-13/9 13/ 17/6-18/ 16/ -16/9 16/6 15/6 15/ -15/3 14/6-14/9 15/ -15/3 17/ -17/3 16/9 16/3 16/ 19'6 18/ 17/6 16/3 15/ -15/3 15/6 14/6 13/6 24/6-25/ 23 ?6 33/ 3>/ 25/ 19/6 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) Swanseac SOIL. The trade of the port last week was highly satisfactory,, despite the bad weather that prevailed. The coal trade was brisk, and there was an improvement in the patent fuel exports. The shipments of coal and patent fuel were 118,113 tons. There was a good attendance on "Change this morning, whilst a very strong undertone characterised the anthracite coal market. There continued a good demand for Swansea Valley and Bed Vein large, with prices as strong as last. Machine-made nuts and cobbles continued firm. Rubbly culm and duff were without material altera- tion. In the steam coal department a slightly better feeling was in evidence, large coal being firm, whilst bunkers were without alteration. Prices of coal f.o.b. Swansea (cash in 30 days). Russia .................. Sweden.................. Norway.................. Denmark ................ Germany ................ Netherlands.............. Java .................... Othe Dutch Possessions in the Indian Seas ........ Belgium ................ France ............................ Algeria.................................... French Somaliland........ Portugal ................ Madeira ................ Spain.................... Canary Islands .......... Italy .............................. Austria-Hungary ........ Greece .................. Bulgaria ................ Turkey (European) ...... „ (Asiatic) .......__ Egypt .................. Tunis_____................... China (inclusive of Hong Kong, Macao, and leased territories) ............ Chili __................... Brazil .................. Uruguay _______................ Argentine Republic ...... Gibraltar ................ Malta and Gozo ____......... Cape of Good Hope........ Anglo-Egyptian Sudan.... Aden and Dependencies.... Ceylon and Dependencies... Wei-hei-Wei ............ West Africa (British) .... „ (French) .... „ (Portuguese) Tons. Tons. 12,269 ... 23,735 18,928 ... 33,654 6,480 ... 12,446 3,120 ... 6,174 12,996 ... 21,582 8,384 ... 13,111 — ... 6,466 5,023 ... 23 29,119 ... 42,127 692,611 ... 693,279 72,798 ... 74,124 5,207 ... 6,241 70,274 ... 76,315 9,392 ... 22,129 115,107 ... 125,227 63,626 ... 84,356 476,531 ... 448,413 7,041 ... 46,461 34,039 ... 26,482 6,364 ... — 9,136 ... 10,259 9,993 ... 6,513 209,311 ... 178,372 7,631 ... 9,960 4,953 ... 5,765 26,064 ... 62,370 105,636 ... 123,212 48,073 ... 73,005 297,438 ... 273,521 25,858 ... 19,646 26,584 ... 56,468 5,295 ... 743 5,934 ... — 12,079 ... 11,153 38,539 ... 24,376 — ... 5,807 11,489 ... 9,708 10,522 ... 17,001 10,110 ... 23,775 IRON. There is a better tone in the tin-plate market than has characterised the industry for many months, and prices again show a hardening tendency. The demand is steadily increasing, and some good orders have been booked during the week, especially in option contracts. Bessemer cokes, 20 x 14, command 13s. 6d.; 18| x 14, 13?. 61. to 13s. 7-|d.; and 10 x 20 sheets, 19s., and even 19s. 3d. Shipments last week amounted to 89,327 boxes, and receipts from works were 118,050 boxes, thus increasing stocks in the docks warehouses and vans to 341,737 boxes, as compared with 313,014 boxes the previous week, and 406,555 boxes at the corresponding date of last year. A representative meeting of manufacturers was held at Swansea to further consider the proposed pooling arrangement, and details were sub- mitted of the suggested scheme, as a result of which it was decided that a combination should be formed for the regulation of output of tin, terne and black plates, and that the scheme should be put into operation at the earliest possible date. The new association will be quite apart from the Welsh Tin Plate Makers" Association, and it is not intended to operate in any way upon prices, but simply to provide the full output required without undue competition amongst makers. In the galvanised sheet trade it has been announced that the new combination shall control the output as from March 1. Very little new business is coming forward at present, and although .£11 5s. to JHl 10s. is still quoted for 24 gauge corrugateds, it is reported that good orders have been booked at prices slightly lower than these figures. Tin bars are in good demand, and the association price of .£4 Ils. 3d. is fully maintained. Welsh pig iron is 65s. f.o.t. notwithstanding the fact that over 70,000 tons of German basic iron are reported to have been landed in the channel during the last three months. The rail mills are again fairly well occupied, the price quoted being .£6 10s. per ton. The iron ore market is weak, and there is little demand. Best rubio is offering at 17s. 6d. to 18s., seconds 16s. to 16s. 6d., and Almeria 17s. 6d. Scrap metals show little change, new steel crop ends being 58s. 6d. to 59s. 6d., steel scrap 52s. 6d., heavy wrought 50s. to 51s., light wrought 35s., cast scrap 52s. 6d., double headed iron rails 65s., steel ditto 60s., and mixed sections 54s. LlaiiaRy. There is nothing new to record in the coal market this week and the position remains unchanged. All collieries manage to keep going full time, but several of them are working a good quantity to stock. There is not nearly the demand which was experienced a few weeks ago and prices are difficult to maintain. This is partly due to the mildness of the weather when horticultural and stove kinds are not so much needed. It seems to be the opinion that the boom is now over and we may possibly be in for a lean time. This will probably apply to stove kinds. The weakness continues for beans and prices are being quoted very low. This kind. is more difficult to place than any other. The bituminous sorts are going well. Smalls are a very good market and there is every'possibility of prices keeping up for a good while. Bunkers are moving fairly well, though prices are easy. Steams are not strong and smalls are difficult to place. Prices f.o.b. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Anthracite:— Best malting large prices. prices. prices. (hand picked) (net) 21/6-24/ 21/6-24/ 22/6-24/6 Secondary do. Big Vein large (less 2| 19/6-21/ 19/6-21/ 20/ -21/6 per cent.) 19/ -20/6 19/ -20/6 16/6-18/ Red Vein large do. ... Machine - made cobbles 15/9-16/9 15/9-16/9 14/9-15/ (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/ French do. do 23/6-26/ 23/6-26/6 23/6-26/ German do. do 23/6-25/6 23/6-25/6 23/6-26/ Beans (net) Machine - made large 16/9-18/9 16/9-18/9 18/ -20/ peas (net) 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 11/3-13/ Do. fine peas (net) — — If,.! Rubbly culm (less 2| p.c.) 5/6- 6/ 5/9- 6/ 8/ - 8/3 Duff (net) Steam coals:— 4/3- 4/9 4/3- 4/9 5/3- 5/9' Best large (less 2| p.c.) 19/ -20/ 19/6-20/ 17/9-19/ Seconds do. 14/9-15/9 14/9-15/9 14/9-16/ Bunkers do. 11/ -12/3 11/ -12/3 13/6-15/6- Small do. Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— 7/ - 8/3 7/ - 8/3 12/6-14/ Large (less 2|p.c.) ... Through-and-through 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ (less 2| p.c.) 14/ -14/9 14/ -14/9 15/ -16/ Small (less 21 p.c.) ... 10/3-11/3 10/3-11/3 14/ -16/ Patent fuel do 17/3-17/9 17/3-17/9 20/ -20/6 IRON. A bright outlook was evident last week in the trade of the district. There was a better tone about the tin-plate market than has been noticed for some time past, and prices are hardening. Although 1,000 men are still idle at Messrs. Gilbertson"s works the notices tendered by the steel smelters were withdrawn. All the remaining tin-plate mills available were in active operation. The steel- producing establishments collectively registered splendid outputs, having a good supply of steel ingots and big orders for steel bars. There was also an increase in the output of pig iron. Great activity prevailed at the Mannesman Tube Works, and orders appeared plentiful; work at the iron foundries and engineering shops also showed improvement.. The shipments of tin-plates last week were 89,327 boxes, receipts from works 118,050 boxes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 341,737 boxes. The coke market continues weak, and quotations are purely nominal. Shipments of patent fuel have been heavy, the total being 38,048 tons. Of this quantity the Crown Company despatched 11,302 tons, other local makers 5,830 tons, Newport 3,350 tons, and Swansea 17,566 tons. For the little quantity of free fuel offering on the market 22s. 6d. is still demanded. For April shipment 21s. is being accepted, and 20s. over the whole year. Pitwood is weak at 20s., or Is. lower than a week ago. Anthracite:— Best malting large ... Secondary do.......... Big Vein large....... Red Vein do_______......... Machine-made cobble? G-erman 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/ 19/ -21/ 18/ -20/ 14/6-15/ 19/ -22/ 22/ -25/ 23/ -25/6 22/ -25/ 18/ -22/ 12/6-13/6 5/9- 6/3 3/9- 5/6 16/ -17/ 12/ -12/6 9/ -10/ 11/ -11/6 L’st week’s prices. 21/ -23/6 19/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 14/6-15/6 20/ -23/ 23/ -25/ 23/ -25/ 23/ -25/ 18/ -22/ 12/6-13/6 5/9- 6/3 4,[- 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/ _______________________________________________________ THE mira W.U Thursday, February 19. Dubliia.. Business in the local coal trade is once more proceeding smoothly, and merchants are very busily engaged in most departments, although earlier in the month there had been, rather a quieter tone in the household branch owing to the very mild weather prevailing. The recent drop of 2s. per ton in prices all round is much appreciated, but even the present figures are very high considering that, with the exception of some classes of English coal, there is a fairly plentiful supply available for most purposes, and no difficulty is now experienced in effecting deliveries in any direction. The following are the present quotations in the city:—Best Orrell, 28s. per ton; Abram, 27s.; best Wigan, 26s.; best Whitehaven, 26s.; best kitchen, 24s.; steam coals from about 22s. per ton; best coke, 24s. per ton delivered—all less Is. per ton discount for cash. There is a good import trade, the collier vessels arriving during, the past week amounting to 60, as compared with 50 the week previously, chiefly from Garston, Swansea, Troon, Workington, Liver- pool, Preston, Glasgow, Newport, Ayr, Maryport, Llanelly, Whitehaven, Point of Aire, Partington, West Bank,. Campbeltown, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Saundersfoot and Elles- mere Port. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was 23,722 tons. Difficulty is still experienced in procuring adequate* supplies of best English house coal, and stocks are much below the average, although the demand had eased some- what for household qualities. With a change of temperature there is again a return of activity, and business is good generally in all classes, prices remaining unchanged. Quotations are as follow :—Best Arley house coal, 27s. 6d. per ton; Hartley, 26s. 6d.; Wigan, 25s. 6d.; Orrell nuts,, 26s. 6d. ; Scotch house, 23s. 6d.; Orrell slack, 23s. 6d. Scotch steam coal, 16s. 6d. to 17s. 6d. per ton; Navigation steam, 17s. to 18s. per ton; Welsh steam coal, 18s. 6d. to 20s. per ton delivered. Cargoes arriving during the week were chiefly from Glasgow, Ayr, Garston, Troon, Ardrossan, Girvan, Ellesmere Port, Partington, Cardiff, Manchester, Preston, Swansea, Neath Abbey, Maryport and Workington 16/ -17/ 12/ -12/6 9/ -10/ 11/ -11/6 17/ -18/6 14/ -15/6 12/6-13/ 13/ -14/ __________________________ Partnerships Dissolved.—The London Gazette announces the dissolution of the following partnerships :—H. Robinson and B. Robinson, coal, corn, cake and reed merchants,, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, under the style of Robinson Brothers ; F. Thompson and H. Ochsenbein, electrical and mechanical engineers, Garlick Hill, London, under the style of Thompson and Co.; G. Heslop and A. McDonald and E. McDonald (executors of I. B. McDonald,, deceased), and J. K. Herbert, W. Fleming and W. H. Cook (executors of W. H. Herbert, deceased), and C. W. Moore and T. Marshall, coal merchants, East India-road^ Poplar, London, under the style of the Whitwell Coal Company.