846 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN, April 17, 1914. THE WELSH GOAL UD IROT TRMES. Thursday, April 16. lorth Wales. Wrexham. S@AL0 There has not been a great output during the past week., owing of course to the break for the Easter holidays. Most collieries were closed down from Thursday until Tuesday; and on the latter day the men turned up very badly, with the result that the tonnage in some cases was very small. However, by Wednesday the pits were working in the ordinary way, and the general demand for fuel is good. There is still some doubt as to the eventual end of the dispute with the men in respect to the wages of fillers. Owing to this unrest, buyers are taking all they can get, and prices for house coal and steam coal remain at high figures, the prices quoted last week representing current market rates for the various grades of fuel. Newport, COIL There is little being done as yet in the way of real business in the coal market, buyers having filled their requirements for this week, and being content to await the course of events for a day or two. Colliery salesmen profess to quote their top prices, and very firmly, assuming that the fine weather will delay the return of miners under- ground. This week’s shipments will do a great deal to clear away all stocks, and a lessened output will certainly affect the market, whilst the progress of negotiations in the Yorkshire coalfield is still being very closely watched. So far these quotations are nominal, and do not represent orders actually placed. The freight market reopened with plenty of tonnage offering, with rates generally on the easy side. Business seemed unsettled, but a day or two may disclose a firmer trend, enquiry not being lacking. 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. 17/ -17/3 16/3-16/9 15/9-16/3 15/ -15/6 8/9- 9/3 8/ - 8/6 7/6- 7/9 9/ - 9/3 12/9-13/ 13/3-13/6 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 19/9-20/ 19/6-20/6 23/ -25/ L’st week’s prices. 17’/ -17/3 16/3-16/9 15/9—16/3 15/ -15/6 8/9- 9/3 8/ - 8/6 7/6- 7/9 9/ - 9/3 12/9-13/ 13/3-13/6 Last year’s prices. 18/6-18/9 18/- 18/3 17/3-17/9 16/9-17/ 15/ -15/6 14/3-14/9 13/3—13/9 15/ -15/3 16/3-16/9 15/3-15/9 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 19/9-20/ 19/6-20/6 23/ -25/ 18/9-19/ 17/6-18/ 23/ -26/ 27/ -28/ 29/ -32/ Cardiff, The Easter holidays have greatly affected the course of business, and matters remain very much the same as they were a week ago. As usual immediately before the holiday, the miners worked exceptionally well, and outputs were larger than at any previous period during this year. Fortunately, there was ample tonnage in the various docks, and although there was a great amount of congestion, with the usual complaints of lack of sufficient tipping accommoda- tion, the shipments from the port of Cardiff alone ran up to the large total of 503,927 tons, or 53,616 tons in excess of the exports in the corresponding period of 1913. Stocks are still heavy on the railway sidings, but the greater portion of these are expected to be shipped during the present week, and it is not improbable that coal will be at a premium before many days have passed. The colliers took a three days’ holiday and, as a matter of fact, this stoppage afforded a much-needed relief owing to the large accumulation of wagons under load, but there is another factor that must be reckoned with. Throughout the holidays, glorious spring- like weather has prevailed, and at the time of writing there was every prospect of its continuance. There was a proba- bility therefore that the miners might be induced to extend their holidays, and this would mean a considerable curtail- ment of the output during the next few days. At Newport there was a decrease of 967 tons in the shipments last week and at Port Talbot a decrease of 3,655 tons, but at Swansea there was an improvement of 7,141 tons compared with the corresponding week of last year. Chartering has not been on a satisfactory basis, the total amount of tonnage taken up being only 217,920 tons, compared with 347,550 tons a year ago. Of course Good Friday was a dies non so far as business was concerned, but even eliminating this factor, the decrease compared with last year of 129,630 tons is much too large to be looked upon with equanimity. At the moment there is no lack of tonnage, and now that the equinoctial gales have passed it is anticipated that the supply will be more regular than has been the case during the past few weeks. Quotations show practically no change from those which ruled a week ago, although in some quarters as much as 20s. was being talked about for best Admiralty coals, for shipment at the end of the month. It is not expected, however, that such a high figure will be reached, even though there may be a shortage of supplies owing to restriction of output. At present the quotation stands at 18s. 6d. to 19s., and the latter may be taken as representing the state of the market. Superior seconds command from 17s. 9d. to 18s. 3d., and ordinaries 17s. 6d. to 17s. 9d. There have been several enquiries in the market for large quantities of steam coals, but in these cases no actual tenders have been invited, and it is con- sidered probable that foreign buyers are anxious to pro- tect themselves in the spring of next year, when there is a possibility that the labour outlook may not be so satisfac- tory as it is to-day. For instance, the Argentine Naval contract, to which reference was made last week, is for 150,000 tons spread over 18 months, and there have been other enquiries of a like nature for smaller quantities. Sellers, however, are not eager to secure business on these terms, and in some instances have refused to quote for supplies more than 12 months ahead. The Swedish State Railways contract for 30,000 tons has been secured by Locket’s Merthyr Colliery Company. No definite information as to the price obtained is available, but it is currently reported that the figure approximates 17s. 3d. to 17s. 6d. f.o.b. With regard to the Royal Mail contract, for which tenders were invited some time ago, it is announced that this business has been secured by Nixon’s Navigation Company at about 18s. f.o.b. The result of the Santa Fe Railways contract for 45,000 tons of large steams is expected within the next few days. Some surprise was caused by the announcement that a larger portion of the Finnish Railways contract has gone to Westphalia. The regret- table feature of this diversion of trade is that it has a tendency to influence prices, owing to the larger quantity of free coal on the market, and the competition between the north of England and South Wales, particularly for second-class steams, becomes accentuated. Russian buyers have been in the market for some time, but no contract of any magnitude appears to have been entered into, and the policy which has been adopted apparently is to take advantage of market fluctuations and secure cargoes as and where obtainable at figures which prove acceptable to the buyers. In Monmouthshire coals there are no new features of interest. The output has been well maintained and quotations are firm. Best Black Veins are offering at 17s. 3d. to 17s. 9d., western-valleys 17s. to 17s. 3d., and the best of the easterns 16s. 6d. to 16s. 9d., in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. The small coal market has continued strong, and supplies are scarce. Owing to the holidays a large quantity of coal has been taken off the market for the purpose of consumption at the various collieries, and prices for such quantities as have been obtainable are high. Best bunkerings realise Ils. 6d. to Ils. 9d., ordinaries 10s. 9d. to Ils., and cargo sorts 8s. 9d. to 9s. Rhondda bituminous coals are without change, the only feature being a slightly firmer tendency in No. 2 qualities. No. 3 large commands 17s. 6d. to 18s., and No. 2 14s. to 14s. 3d. Coke continues dull, although there have been seveial enquiries on the market owing to the Yorkshire strike. Quotations, how- ever, are practically unaltered. Patent fuel is steady at 21s. for best brands, and pitwood realises 19s. 6d. to 20s., the same as last week. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current prices. 18/6-19/ 17/9-18/3 17/6-17/9 11/6-11/9 10/9-11/3 8/9- 9/ 7/ - 8/ 17/ -18/ 15/6-16/ 16/ 15/ 14/3-14/6 13/3 11/9-12/ 17/6 17/ -17/3 16/6-16/9 15/3-15/9 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6-18/ 14/9-15/ 12/3-12/6 14/ -14/3 11/6 8/9- 9/ 21/ 19/ -20/ 27/ -28/ 22/ -25/ 19/ 19/6-20/ L’st week’s prices. 18/6-19/ 18/ -18/6 17/9-18/ 11/6-11/9 11/3-11/6 8/9- 9/ 7/ - 8/ 17/6-18/ 15/6-16/ 16/ 15/ 14/3-14/6 13/3 11/9-12/ 17/6 17/ -17/3 16/6-16/9 15/ -15/6 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6-18/ 14/9-15/ 12/3-12/6 14/ -14/3 11/6 8/9- 9/ 21/ 19/6-20/ 28/ -29/ 22/ -25/ 19/ 19/6-20/ Last year’s prices. 21/ -22/ 20/6 19/6 15/6-16/ 15/ -15/3 14/9-15/ 14/3 19/6-20/ 18 /-18/9 17/ 16/ -16/6 15/6-15/9 14/9-15/ 16/ 19/ -19/3 '18/9 18/3 17/9 19/6 17/6 17/6-17/9 17/ 16/3 17/ 16/ 14/9-15/ 26/ 24/6-25/ 32/ 29/ -30/ 24/ 21/6 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 E as t er n- valley s ...... 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 are usually net. Coke is net f.o.b. The output of tinplates last week amounted to 131,518 boxes, and the shipments totalled 144,646 boxes, leaving 356,195 boxes in stock in the docks warehouses and vans, compared with 467,852 boxes at the corresponding period of last year. There is a lack of new business, and prices are weak. Bessemer 20 x 14 standard cokes are nominally quoted at 13s. to 13s. 3d., but buyers are not offering more than 12s. 10^d. Oil sizes are neglected, and do not command more than 13s. 1H- to 13s. 3d., and 18s. 6d. to 19s. respec- tively. As the majority of the works, embracing some 200 mills, closed down for the week, a considerable reduction in output will be effected, and it is anticipated that when operations restart next week, prices will have a firmer tendency. The galvanised sheet trade is in a depressed condition, and scarcely any new business is being placed. Prices of 24 gauge corrugateds are nominally •81-1 to .£11 5s., in some cases makers are shading these quotations. Leading producers, however, refuse to accept less than £11. Welsh tin bars are maintained at .£4 Ils. 3d. for Siemens and £4 10s. for Bessemer qualities. The Ebbw Vale Steelworks, which have been idle for about a fortnight, are again restarting, and the Garnant tinplate ^mills will also recommence operations next week. Imports of foreign bars continue heavy, and at Newport alone during the last three months the increase in this direction has been from 28,331 tons to 64,501 tons. Pig iron is still quoted at 64s., f.o.t. The actual building of the new Mannesmann works at Newport is about to be commenced within a few days, and it is anticipated that some of the buildings will be ready for occupation in six months’ time. Scrap metals are dull and prices unaltered. The iron ore trade is weak and quotations are unchanged. Swansea. GOAL. The trade of the port last week was quiet, the shipments of coal and patent fuel together only amounting to 72,525 tons. A very quiet tone prevailed on the anthracite and steam coal market this morning, and until the collieries recommence work no new business is anticipated. Prices of coal f.o.b. Swansea (cash in 30 days). Current L’st week’s Last year’s Anthracite:— prices. prices. prices. Best malting large (hand picked) (net) 21/6-23/ 21/6-23/ 22/ -24/ Secondary do. 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 19/ -20/ Big Vein large (less 2| per cent.) 14/6-15/6 14/6-15/6 16/ -18/ Red Vein large do. ... 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 13/9-14/6 Machine - made cobbles (net) 22/ -24/6 22/ -24/6 22/ -23/6 Paris nuts (net) 23/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 French do. do 23/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 German do. do 23/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 Beans (net) ... 16/ -17/6 16/ -17/6 16/6-20/6 Machine - made large peas (net) 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 11 3-13/ Do. fine peas (net) — — Bubbly culm (less 2| p.c.) 6/ - 6/6 6/ - 6/6 9/3-10/ Duff (net) 4/6 4/9 4/6- 4/9 <3/ - 7/ Steam coals:— Best large (less 2j p.c.) 18/6-19/ 18/6-19/ 19/ -20/ Seconds do. 14/9-15/9 14/9-15/9 16/3-17/ Bunkers do. 10/9-12/ 10/9-12/ 15/9-16/ Small do. 7/ - 8/3 7/ - 8/3 13/6-15/6 Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— Large (less 2£ p.c.) ... 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ Through-and-tmrough (less 2| p.c.) 14/ -15/6 14/ -15/9 16/ -17/ Small (less 2 j p.c.) ... 10/3-11/3 10/3-11/3 14/9-16/ Patent fuel do 16/9-17/3 16/9-17/3 20/ -22/6 IRON. The conditions of trade have shown very little change during the week. Most of the tin-plate works in the locality have stopped for a week, as a slight decrease is reported in the tin-plate market. The tin-plate manufac- turers are following the example of the galvanising trade by arranging a scheme for controlling production. An exceptionally busy time is reported in all centres of the iron and steel industry, and in many places there is quite a congestion of orders. Employment was brisk at the Mannesmann Tube Works, and present prospects indicate a busy time ahead. The shipments of tin-plates last week were 144,646 boxes, receipts from works 131,518 boxes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 356,195 boxes. Llanelly. TOIL. The market for this week is entirely influenced by the holidays, and there is very little doing at both the collieries and docks. Collieries were all closed for three days, but outputs were down for the latter part of the week. The stoppages will greatly assist the stocks being reduced ; but it would have been for the good of the trade if pits were shut for the whole of the week. Daring the’past week the make has been greatly in excess of the demand, with the result that a very large number of wagons are under load. All the anthracite kinds are in poor demand except culm and duff. Bunkers are a little firmer, and have been slightly increased in price. Bituminous smalls are also going well. This week’s prices are ;— Anthracite:— Best malting large ...... Secondary do......... Big Vein large....... Red Vein do.......... Machine-made cobble? German nuts.......... French do............ Paris do............. Machine-made beans ... Do peas......... Bubbly culm.......... Duff ................ Other sorts:— Large steam coal..... Through-and-through,.. Small ............... Bituminous small coal... Current ■ prices. 19/ -21/ 17/6-19/ 15/ -17/ 14/ -14/6 20/ -21/6 20/ -21/ 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 15/ -20/ 11/6-12/6 6/ - 6/6 4/ - 6/ 17/ -17/6 11/6-12/,; 9/ - 9/6 11/ -11/6 L’st week’t- prices. 19/6-21/ 17/6-19/ 15/ -17/ 14/ -14/6 20/ -21/6 21/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 22/ -23/ 15/ -20/ 11/6-12/6 6/ - 6/6 4/ - 6/ 16/ -17/ 11/ -11/6 9/ -9/6 11/ -11/6 Last year’s, prices. 22/ -23/ 19/ -21/ 17/ -19/ 13/9-14/6 19/ -21/ 22/ -24/6 22/ -24/6 ■ 24/ -25/ 19/ -21/ 11/6-12/6 8/6- 9/ 6/3- 7/ 18/ -18/6 14/6-15/6 11/6-12/6 14/6-15/ TOE TIi-niOT TM’HE. Liverpool. The tone of the market is not good. Buyers are holding off all they can in anticipation of lower prides, and while some makers are in a position to stand to their quotations, others are willing to take very low figures for early specifi- cations. Cokes in I C 14 x 20 have been done down to 12s. 7|d. to 12s. 9d., and odd sizes at 13s. basis. Current quotations may be called:—Coke tin-plates : I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 108 lb.), 12s. 10|d. per box; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 lb.), 25s. 9d. to 26s. per box ; I C 28 x 20 (56 sh. 108 ib.), 13s. 3d. to 13s. 4|d. per box; I C 14 x 18| (124 sh. 110 lb.), 13s. l^d. to 13s. 3d. per box ; I C 14 x 19| (120 sh. 110 lb.), 13s. l|d. to 13s. 3d. per box; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 18s. 9d.per box; I C squares and odd sizes, 13s. 3d. basis for usual specifications. Charcoals, owing to the weakness in block tin, are easy at 15s. basis and upwards, according to tinning. Coke wasters are in but moderate request, and are now quoted as follow:—C W 14 x 20, 12s. 4|d. per box; C W 28 x 20, 24s. 6d. per box ; C W 14 x 18|, Ils. 3d. per box; C W 20 x 10, 14s. 9d. per box. All f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent.