746 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. April 3, 1914. 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. 15/9-16/6 14/3-15/6 13/ -14/ 13/ -13/9 12/6-13/6 11/6-12/ 6/9- 8/9 13/4-15/ 17/6-19/2 16/8-17/6 10/ -12/6 L’st week’s prices. 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/6 13/ -13/6 13/ -13/9 12/3-12/6 11/3-12/3 6/9- 8/6 13/4-15/ Last year’s prices. 14/9-16/ 13/9-14/9 12/ -13/6 13/ -14/ 12/ -13/ 11/ -12/ 6/9- 9/6 15/10-16/8 17/9-19/2 18/4-20/ 16/8-17/6 16/8-17/6 10/ -12/6 10/ -12/6 Newport. COAL. The steam coal market shows to-day little alteration in values from those quoted last week, yet the tone is distinctly firmer, and a stronger feeling is evidenced all round. The tonnage position is much improved, and stocks have been reduced within workable dimensions, although chartering has not been sufficiently brisk to ensure keeping shipments up to their present level for any lengthy period. Colliery salesmen are now more inclined to increase their prices for forward bookings rather than relax them. The position in the Yorkshire coalfield is being very closely watched, and even now enquiries are coming on the market from quarters where supplies have been obtained from the troubled area, but while no orders can be traced to this source, there is an undoubted effect upon opinion here, During the week, secondary grade coals have rather improved their values, while other qualities, also house coals and patent fuel, have remained stationary. Pitwood likewise has shown practically no fluctuation, a poor enquiry coinciding with a slack delivery from abroad. In the freight market a moderate enquiry prevails, with rates stationary for the Mediterranean and River Plate, while rather weaker for Bay ports and the Islands. 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. 16/9-17/3 16/3-16/9 15/9-16/3 15/ -15/6 8/6- 9/0 8/ - 8/3 7/3- 7/6 8/9- 9/ 12/6-12/9 13/3-13/6 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 19/9-20/ 19/6-20/6 23/ -25/ L’st week’s prices. 16/9-17/3 16/3-16/6 15/9-16/ 15/ -15/3 8/6- 8/9 7/9- 8/ 7/ - 7/6 8/9 12/3-12/9 13/ -13/6 Last year’s prices. 17/6-18/ 17/3-17/6 16/6-16/9 16/ -16/6 14/6-15/ 13/9-14/ 13/ -13/3 14/9-15/ 15/6-16/ 14/6-15/ Mercantile Marine has had a detrimental effect on the Cardiff market. The present rate of freights for Genoa is from 7s. 3d. to 7s. 6d., or from 6d. to 9d. more than it was a month ago. With regard to current quotations, best Admiralties command 18s. 6d., although in several instances 18s. has been accepted in cases where colliery owners were anxious to release wagons. Superior seconds and ordinary qualities have both had a stronger tendency and a considerable amount of business in the latter has been done on the basis of 17s. 3d. to 17s. 6d. The small coal market is distinctly firmer, best bunkerings realising Ils. to Ils. 3d., ordinary qualities 10s. 6d. to 10s. 9d., and cargo sorts as much as 8s. 6d. to 8s. 9d. per ton. The improve- ment in best steam coals is also reflected in Monmouthshire qualities, which are appreciably higher than they were a week ago. Best Black Veins command 17s. 3d., western- valleys 16s. 9d. to 17s., and the best of the easterns 16s. 3d. per ton, in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. In Rhondda bituminous coals there is a steadier tone, and No. 3 qualities are about 6d. dearer than last week. There is very little free coak of this description on the market, and an improved demand from the clay mining districts of Cornwall has had a stiffening effect on quotations, which are now 17s. 9d. to 18s. There has also been an improvement in No. 2 qualities, large being 13s. 6d. to 14s., through Ils. 6d., and small 9s. Coke is no better as regards prices, but most of the produc- tion appears to be contracted for, and there is very little surplus coming on to the market. Shipments of patent fuel last week amounted to 39,156 tons, of which the Crown Company despatched 13,006 tons, Newport 3,810 tons, and Swansea 22,340. According to the official returns supplied by the statistical office of the London Custom House, the amount of coal shipped coastwise from Cardiff during the month of February was 26,957 tons, of which Southampton took 33,400 tons, London 28,127 tons, Liverpool 26,630 tons, and Bristol 16,360 tons. From Newport the shipments were 44,405 tons, of which 10,636 tons were despatched to Dublin. The Swansea shipments came to 34,809 tons, of which London took no less than 21,850 tons. From Llanelly the shipments were 5,466 tons, Port Talbot 7,521 tons, and Briton Ferry 9,490 tons. The Cardiff Journal of Commerce publishes a table showing the average declared price per ton of coal shipped from the principal Bristol Channel ports during the month of February, from which we extract the following Port Talbot. Cardiff. Newport. Swansea. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Large steam 17 9 . .. 16 7 .. . 16 10 . ... 15 11 Through-and-through 14 1 . .. 13 1 .. . 12 1 . ... 10 10 Small 9 7 . .. 10 8 .. . 8 4 . ... 10 1 Large anthracite 23 2 . .. 21 5 .. . 20 6 . ... 18 8 Household 18 8 . — . 13 7 . In February last year the figures were:— 18/ -19/ 17/ —18/ 19/9-20/ 19/6-20/6 23/ -25/ 18/6-19/ 17/6-18/ 22/6-23/ 28/ -28/6 29/ -31/ IRON. As usual, on the eve of the Birmingham quarterly meeting, matters have been quiet for a few days. Only small orders are being put through, pending the Midland discussion, while, generally speaking, values remain as last quoted with perhaps a slightly better outlook. At bar mills work is again reported good with quotations well maintained. Most mills are well engaged with current orders, while more inclination is shown by buyers to bock for require- ments further ahead. Imports of foreign bars last week totalled 9,500 tons, quotations from the Continent remaining firm. At rail mills orders are quiet, although present out- puts are large. Quotations show no alteration. Blast- furnaces are hardly so well booked as managers would like. The tin-plate trade remains unchanged so far as present values are concerned. Several large enquiries are panding which makers are hoping will stimulate the market. Cardiff. Newport, Swansea. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Large steam 17 0 .. . 15 7 .. .. 16 3 .. .. 15 2 Through-and-through 14 10 .. .. 12 0 .. .. 11 2 .. .. 10 11 Small 11 0 -.. . 11 7 .. .. 10 0 .. .. 10 0 Large anthracite 31 3 .. .. 15 5 .. .. 17 0 Household 12 6 .. — . 15 6 .. . 16 11 it is reported that works in need of orders have accepted business at as low as 12s. 10|d. For 18|xl4 sizes, the quotation stands at 13s. 3d., and for 10 x 20 19s. is asked, although business has been done in several instances at 18s. 9d. Welsh tin bars are firmly held at £4< Ils. 3d. The depression in the galvanised sheet trade still continues, and there is very little new business about. Quotations for 24 gauge corrugateds are on the basis of .£11 to .£11 5s. In steel rails there is very little business, and complaints are made of lack of orders. It is reported that the Ebbw Vale works are to be closed down for three weeks. In some quarters this is attributed to the heavy importations of foreign bars, but in other quarters it is stated that the. stoppage is being made in order to carry out necessary repairs. About 1,000 men will be affected. After a period of several months’ idleness, the Garnant Tin-plate Works will be re-started after Easter. In scrap metals the market is dull, and prices are purely nominal. The iron ore trade is very weak, best rubio being 17s. 3d. to 17s. 91., seconds 16s. and Almeria 16s. 9d. Swansea. COAL. Last week the anthracite coal trade displayed no improvement, consequently the shipments were greatly reduced. The patent fuel trade, however, was very brisk, and an exceptionally large quantity was exported. The shipments together amounted to 81,835 tons. There was a capital attendance on ’Change, but there was no improve- ment to report in the general condition of the anthracite coal market. Swansea Valley and Red Vein large were in poor demand, and sellers were prepared to accept very low figures for prompt delivery in order to keep their collieries working. Machine-made nuts and cobbles were also a poor market. Rubbly culm and duff were strong. In the steam coal market there was no outstanding feature, and this department closed easy. Prices of coal f.o.b. Swansea (cash in 30 days). Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Cardiff. COAL. Since last weak there has been a decided change for the better in the position of shippers, as the great pressure for ready tonnage has been considerably ameliorated, with the result that although even now a reduction from quoted prices may in some instances be obtained, speaking generally, collieries are quoting firmly. Many transactions have been concluded at 18s. 6d. for prompt shipment, but even at this figure salesmen are not specially anxious to accept orders. In one case at least it is reported that 19s. has been firmly quoted for the second half of April and also for May loading. The labour trouble in Yorkshire is cer- tainly disquieting, and there is no doubt that the unsettled state of affairs in the north will have a stiffening tendency in this district. There are quite a number of enquiries on the market at the present time. The Russian Government are inviting tenders for 112,000 tons of steam coals to be supplied between May and September, and a further quantity of 20,000 tons between October and November. Tenders were due on March 31, and the Russian authorities will take a week to consider them. Tenders have also been sent in for 30,000 tons for the Swedish State Railways, and the Bulgarian Government are also enquiring for 12,000 metric tons of Cardiff coal for locomotive purposes. The British Admiralty are in the market for about 90,000 tons for dockyard purposes, but it is not anticipated that this order will come to South Wales. For several years this particular business has gone to the North-country and Scotland, and there is every probability that the same course will be followed this year. With regard to the French Naval enquiry for 116,000 tons, for which tenders were sent in on March 30, it is interesting to note that this is the first occasion on which the French authorities have asked for prices only on a f.o.b. basis. In previous years tenders were both for a f.o.b. and a c.i.f. price, and in the past the c.i.f. price has been accepted. Shipments from Cardiff last week were rather below the average, amounting to 310,692 tons, but this was an increase over the corres- ponding week of last year of no less than 91,789 tons. At Newport and Swansea there were decreases of 8,089 and 13,658 tons respectively, but at Port Talbot there was an improvement of 4,017 tons. Charterings for the week were not satisfactory, amounting to only 351,000 tons, and there is no doubt that the lock-out of seamen by the Italian Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals 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) Current prices. 18/6 18/ -18/3 17/3-17/6 11/ -11/3 10/6-10/9 8/6- 8/9 6/6- 8/ 17/ -17/6 15/3-15/9 16/ -16/3 15/ -15/3 14/3-14/6 13/3 11/6-11/9 17/3 16/9-17/ 16/3 15/ -15/9 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/9-18/ 15/ -15/6 12/3-12/6 13/6-14/ 11/6 9/ 21/ 19/ -20/ 27/ -28/ 22/ -25/ 19/ -20/ 20/ L’st week’s prices. 18/ -18/3 17/9-18/ 17/3-17/6 11/ 10/6-10/9 8/3- 8/6 6/6- 7/3 17/ -17/6 .14/9-15/6 16/ '15/ 14/6 13/6-13/9 11/9-12/ 17/ 16/6 16/ -16/3 15/ -15/6 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6-17/9 14/9-15/ 12/ -12/3 14/ -14/3 11/6-12/ 8/9 21/ 19/ -20/ 25/ -27/ 21/ -23/ 18/ -20/ 19/6-20/ Last year’s prices. 20/ 19/3-19/6 18/9-19/ 15/6-16/ 15/3-15/6 14/9 14/ -14/6 18/6-19/3 17/3-17/9 17/ . 15/6-16/ 15/6-15/9 15/ 15/6-16/ 18/ 17/9 17/3 16/6-16/9 19/6 17/6 17/6 16/6-16/9 15/9 16/3-16/6 15/3-15/6 14/6 25/ 23/ 32/ -33/ 29/ -30/ 25/ 19/6-20/ Anthracite:— Best malting large (hand picked) (net) Secondary do. Big Vein large (less 2J percent.) .'........ Red Vein large do. ... Machine - made cobbles (net) ............... Paris nuts (net) .... French do. do........ German do. do........ Beans (net) ......... Machine - made large peas (net)........... Do. fine peas (net) Rubbly culm (less 2| p.c.) Duff (net).......... Steam coals:— Best large (less 2| p.c.) Seconds do. Bunkers do. Small do. Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— Large (less 2|p.c.) ... Through-and-t hrough (less 2| p.c.) ... Small (less2| p.c.) ... Patent fuel do......... Current prices. L’stweek’s prices. Last year’s prices. 21/6-23/ 18/ -19/ 21/6-24/ 19/ -20/ 22/6-24/6 20/ -21/ 14/6-15/6 14/ -15/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/6 16/6-18/3 14/3-14/9 22/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 16/ -17/6 22/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 16/ -17/6 22/ -23/9 23/6-26/ 23/6-25/6 23/6-25/6 1S/3-21/6 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 11 3-13/ 6/6- 7/ 4/6- 4/9 6/6- 7/ 4/ - 4/6 8/6- 9/ 6/ - 7/'] 18/6-19/ 14/9-15/9 10/9-12/ 7/ - 8/3 18/6-19/ 14/9-15/9 10/6-11/6 7/ - 8/3 19/ -20/ 16/3-17/ 16/ -17/ 13/ -15/6 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 14/ -15/9 10/3-11/3 16/9-17/3 14/ -15/9 10/3-11/3 17/ -17/6 16/ -17/ 14/9-16/ 20/ -20/6 IRON. During the past week the tin-plate trade was not so brisk as it was a month ago. Most of the works in the district were going full time, but two at Morriston only did six hours per day. The shipments totalled 89,673 boxes,, receipts from works 128,395 b^xes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 392,785 boxes. The blastfurnaces showed the largest production of pig iron for the month, and a splendid month was registered in the yield of steel.. All furnaces were working. The bar-rolling mills were- actively engaged, and showed a steady improvement on the previous week. The engineering and fitting shops experienced brisk times, and the iron and brass foundries were doing well. Llanelly. GOAL. There is no improvement to report in the coal market this week, and the position can only be described as dull. With the exception of t-malls, no quality is in demand and stocks are accumulating. Not for many years has the market been so difficult and prices been badly cut. Best qualities have during the past few days sold at shillings per ton down. It is hoped that the holidays shortly will, cause an improvement. Pits will be idle for at least three days, and possibly some of them may shut down for the week. The better class large kinds have been sold at sub- stantial reductions, sellers being glad to sell spot lots shillings down to have wagons released. There is no improvement in orders received for the machine-made kinds, although prices are so favourable. Culm and duff are both being much sought after, and prices have a tendency to advance. Steam and bituminous kinds are about the same, although there will be a better demand during the coming week, owing to the works taking in larger stocks to last them over the holidays. Prices this week are:— 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 position in the tinplate trade has not been so satis- factory during the past week, but makers are still optimistic as to the future, and firmly decline to make any material modification in their quotations. Shipments last week only amounted to 89,673 boxes, as against 128,395 boxes received from works, and stocks have again been increased to 392,785 boxes. The scheme for the regulation of output came into operation on the 1st inst., and it may be just as well to recapitulate the three main principles of operation, which are (1) that a period be taken over which the maximum output at the various works should be ascertained (2) a proportionate amount of the whole output of the trade be allotted to each individual works, and (3) those exceeding the agreed output to pay into a pool, and those turning out a lesser quantity to receive payment from the pool, Bessemer standard cokes are quoted at 13s. to 13s. 3d., but Current Anthracite:— prices. Best malting large 19/ -21/ Secondary do 17/ -19/ Big Vein large 15/ -17/ Red Vein do 14/6-15/ Machine-made cobble? 20/ -21/ German nuts 20/ -22/ French do 20/ -22/ Paris do 20/ -22/ Machine-made beans ... 15/ -20/ Do peas 11/6-12/6 Rubbly culm 6/ - 6/6 Duff 4/ - 6/ Other sorts:— Large steam coal 16/ -17/ Through-and-through... 11/ -11/6 Small 9/ -10/ Bituminous small coal... 11/ -11/6 L’st week’s prices. 21/6-22/6 19/ -21/ 16/ -17/ 14/6-15/6 19/ -21/ 21/ -23/' 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 15/ -20/ 12/ -13/ 6/ - 6/6 4/ - 6/ Last year’s prices. 22/ -23/ 20/ -21/ 17/6-19/6 14/ -15/ 20/ -21/ 22/ -24/6 22/ -24/6 23/ -25/ 19/ -21/ 12/ -12/6 8/ - 8/6 5/ - 6/ 16/ -17/ 11/ -11/6 9/ -10/ 11/ -11/6 18/ -18/6 14/6-15/6 13/ -14/6 12/6-13/