June 5, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1247 IRON. Holiday influences prevailed, the attendance being thin, and only a very small amount of business being put through. Transactions related chiefly to raw material. Consumers’ stocks are generally low, and apart from the necessity of securing supplies for immediate requirements, there seems a disposition in some quarters to look a little further forward. A reduction of 21 per cent, in ironworkers’ wages, which takes effect from Monday next, had been anticipated by the market, and producers resisted demands to further depress prices on the ground that they are working on the barest margin of profit. The heavy fall in the output of iron throughout the Midlands is shown by the fact that the selected firms made only 28,101 tons during the period ended April, as compared with 32,881 tons in the two previous months. The retrogression has since been arrested to some extent, but there is a big balance of unemployed plant. In the same period the average price fell from £7 4s. lOd. to <£7 Os. lid. There is a fairly good enquiry for foundry iron, but business is only negotiated by a considerable sacrifice of price. The outlook is no worse, however. Prices of forge iron sIioav no essential variation, Northamptonshire being quoted 47s. 6d. to 49s., Derbyshire 51s. and upwards, South Staffordshire 48s. to 49s. for common, and 50s. to 51s. for part-mine. The finished iron trade was for the most part idle. The Whitsuntide holiday is being prolonged, and practically all the works have been closed down till next -week. Marked bar makers have sufficient Avork on hand to give them steady employment for a week or two. The enquiry for merchant qualities is almost at a standstill for the time being. The price for good second-class bars remains nominally at <£6 12s. 6d. delivered, but customers cannot be persuaded, as a rule, to consider more than <£'6 10s. Nut and bolt iron remains at <£6 2s. 6d. to <£6 5s., less 21 per cent. Galvanised sheets are still somewhat inactive, and there is no change to record in steel. Hednesford. COAL. Very little business has been done this week in connec- tion with the coal trade of the Cannock Chase district. The collieries are having a fairly long stand ; some of them will attempt to recommence drawing coal on Thursday morning, and others on Friday morning. The demand continues quiet for most qualities, and stocks have not been materially reduced during the holidays. The house coal trade is quiet, and will probably continue so during the present month, and there is no improvement in the demand for fuel for manufacturing purposes. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The pits in this coalfield closed down on Saturday for the holiday, but the majority of them resumed operations on Wednesday and managed three or four days’ Avork. Quietness still rules in the house coal department, and unless something unforeseen occurs the demand for the next couple of months Avill probably be a very moderate one. Orders from the inland merchants are getting less, but cargo orders are still satisfactory and basin stocks are kept Avell in hand. Slack coal and small steams are meeting with a good enquiry. Large and through are also going Avell, and the steam coal pits are kept at full Avork. Prices at pithead. House coals:— Block Current prices. 16/6 15/6 15/9 14/ 6/6 12/6-13/ 8/ - 8/6 L’st Aveek’s prices. 16/6 ’ 15/6 15/9 14/ 6/6 12/6-13/ 8/ - 8/6 Last year’s prices. 16/6 15/6 15/9 14/ 10/ 13/6-14/ 10/6-11/ Forest Rubble Nuts Rough slack Steam coal Large Small Prices Is. 9d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that the Avholesale demand for house and steam coal has reached its loAvest point for the year, and many importers are expecting to receive still loAver quotations for coal and freight before purchasing for fomvard delivery. Some contracts have already been entered into as the result of concessions in price of freight Avhich in iparticular cases have exceeded those of the last contracting season. A good deal of attention is being paid by steam users to the Ioav prices of rough small, AAfliich in most cases can be used by skilful stokers in place of larger grades. Mine Surveyors.—The following schedule sIioavs the sub- jects which have been included in the new mining subdivision of the examinations of the Surveyors’ Institution. Both the subjects, and their scope as indicated in the syllabus which has been drawn up, have been approved as satisfactory by the Home Office. Intermediate. 1. Principles of mine survey- ing (typical). 2. Surveying, levelling, and elements of trigonometry. 3. Mensuration. 4. Geology. 5. (a) Acts and Orders for the regulation of mines. (6) Common laAAr as to ownership of minerals, and rights of support. 6. Mine rents and royalties. 7. Application and use of valuation tables. 8. Support and subsidence. Final. 1. Advanced surface and mine surveving (tvpi- cal). 2. Valuation of mineral properties and the damage caused by mining operations. 3. Leases, covenants, as- signment, &c. 4. LaAA* of mines and minerals. 5. Imperial taxation. 6. Local taxation. 7. LaAv of arbitrations. 8. Report. Candidates for election as professional associates of the institution are required to have passed both the intermediate and final examinations. THE LOMDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, June 4. The London coal market for the whole of the past AA’eek has been more or less of a holiday character. The demand is small, and merchants have plenty of stock. Collieries have scarcely resumed work yet for this week, and so far the trade views the stoppage as an agreeable respite, for the daily contract quantities are becoming an increasing anxiety. Nothing will be done until the lowest summer prices are agreed upon. The tone of the market is decidedly depressed, and the buying is very slow’. The holidays and consequent stoppage of the collieries for the past feiv days has made little impression on the market, and the effect has been that the resumption of Avork has tended rather to overdo the supply and weaken the demand. The iron market reports also are very discouraging, and pits are work- ing short time in every direction. The depot trade is also slow, and stocks at all the London centres are accumu- lating. Loaded wagons are standing in every direction, so that fears are beginning to be entertained that empty wagons will soon be scarce. The question of the renewal of con- tracts has been indefinitely postponed. Merchants are very firm in their determination not to contract at last year’s prices, and colliery representatives are equally firm in regard to the smallest reduction, so the matter stands at a deadlock. The gas coals are now at their loAvest demand, but enquiries are becoming more noticeable, and already fairly large quan- tities ha\’e been placed at a reduction in price, as compared AA’ith last year. The export trade for large steam coal is reported to be more active, but prices are still ruling low. The extra requirements for shipment prior to the holidays w’ere quickly satisfied, and since then the shipping trade has been much quieter. Now that the shipping strike amongst Spanish vessels is settled, and the vessels from the Baltic are returning for re-loading, there is a reasonable prospect of a fair summer and autumn demand. Slacks and small nuts are still well to the front, and with the restricted output at nearly all the collieries, there is likely to be a more limited supply as the weeks advance. Domestic fuel of all kinds have not been wanted, and the supply, limited as it is, is far away ahead of the demand, but the manufacturing quali- ties have also been difficult to sell recently. The Fort of London Authority are in the market for about 400,000 tons of coal. The attendance on the market was very thin on Wednesday, and very little buying was done. The sea- borne market continues stationary; 19 vessels were reported in the Thames for Wednesday’s market. Prices are nomi- nally the same, viz., 21s. 6d. for best Wallsend, and 20s. 6d. for seconds. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Friday, May 29.—The seaborne house coal market was quiet to-day; a cargo of Yorkshire w’as sold at a slight reduc- tion. Sharlston W.E., 21s.; do., main, 19s. Cargoes, 21. Wednesday, June 3. — Although there was a holiday appearance in the seaborne coal market to-day, a slight improvement was in some quarters noticeable. Sharlston W.E., Yorks., 21s.; do., main, 19s. Cargoes, 19. THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, June 4. Dublin. Business is rather quiet following the holidays, and demand for household qualities shoAvs a further falling off as the season advances, prices generally remaining unchanged at recently reduced quotations, viz.:—Best Orrell, 26s. to 27s. per ton; Abram, 25s. to 26s.; best Wigan, 24s; best Whitehaven, 24s.; Pemberton Wigan, 22s.; kitchen nuts, 21s.; Orrell slack, 20s.; steam coals, from about 22s. per ton; best coke, 20s. per ton delivered. Irish coals at Wolfhill, Queen’s County, are :—Large coal, 20s. per ton ; small coal, 18s. 4d.; nuts, 16s. 8d.; beans, 15s.; peas, 12s. 6d.; culm (coarse), 10s.; culm (in pond), 3s. 4d.; culm (fine), 5s. Reduced retail prices are:— Culm (fine), 5d. per hundredweight; culm (in pond), 2d. ; culm (coarse), 6d.; peas, 7ld.; beans, 9d.; nuts, lOd.; small coal, lid.; large coal, Is.—all at the pit mouth. The collier vessels arriving in this port during the past Aveek amounted to 52, as compared with 62 the week previously, chiefly from Troon, Garston, Point of Aire, West Bank, Swansea, Ayr, Workington, Whitehaven, Newport, Birkenhead, Liverpool, Preston, Ardrossan, GlasgOAv, Manchester, Cardiff, Ellesmere Port and Partington. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays Avas 22,484 tons. Belfast. There is no change in the local trade, business generally being quiet, although prices of English coal remain steady. Scotch coals are very plentiful, and prices easy, quotations for all qualities remaining unaltered, viz.:—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, 15s. 6d. to 16s. 6d. per ton; Scotch slack, 11s. 6d. to 12s. 6d.; navigation steam, 17s. to 18s.; Welsh steam coal, 17s. to 18s. per ton delivered. Cargoes arriving during the Aveek Avere chiefly from Girvan, Partington, Workington, Garston, Glasgoiv, Silloth, Ayr, Neath Abbey, Cardiff, Ardrossan, Point of Aire, Ellesmere Port, Manchester, Preston, Troon, Maryport, Irvine, Sharp- ness, SAvansea and Whitehaven. Some large contracts are open in connection Avith public institutions for yearly supplies. THE TIM-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. The “ bears ” are very active, although there is really no business of any volume in the market just iioav. Things are just about as bad as they can be, and the outlook is most unpromising. Many Avorks are short of orders, and are taking the best price obtainable for quick specifications to keep going. FolloAving may be taken as makers’ present quotations :—Coke tins, I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 108 lb.), 12s. 41d. per box; IC 28 x 20 (112 sh. 2161b.), 24s. 10|d. to 25s. per box; I C 28 x 20 (56 sh. 108 lb.), 12s. 9d. to 12s. 10-ld. per box; I C 14 x 18J (124 sh. 110 lb.), 12s. 9d. per box ; I C 14 x 19| (120 sh. 110 lb.), 12s. 9d. per box; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 18s. per box; IC squares and odd sizes, 12s. 9d. basis. Charcoal tins are easy at 14s. 3d. per box (I C 14 x 20) and upwards according to tinning. There is a moderate demand for coke wasters, which are quoted :—C W 14 x 20 Ils. 10^d. per box ; C W 28 x 20, 23s. 9d. per box; CW 14 x 18^ 10s. lOld. per box; C W 20 x 10 14s. 3d. per box. All f.o.b. Wales. IMSTITUTIOM OF fflMIMG ENGINEERS. London Meeting. The 60th general meeting of the members of the Institution of Mining Engineers Avas held yesterday in the rooms of the Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W., Sir William E. Garforth, LL.D., M.Inst.C.E., president, in the chair. There was a very large attendance of members from all parts of the country. At the commencement of the proceedings, the President announced thataresolution had been passed by the Council tendering their condolence to the relatives of those Avho had lost their lives in the Wharncliffe Silk- stone Colliery explosion, and their sympathy Avith Mr.. G. Blake Walker, the colliery company, and their employees. The members stood up as a sign of sympathy with the resolution. The President further announced that, largely through the help of Dr. Simpson, the Duke of Northumberland had been nominated as president for the ensuing year.. The sum of £15,000, Avhich it had been decided to raise last year, had been received, and £13,000 had already been invested in trustee stock. The next meeting Avould be held at Stoke-on-Trent on September 9th, 10th and 11th, on the invitation of the North Staffordshire Institute. Mr. Percy Strzelecki, who had acted as secretary pro tern, from the death of Mr. M. Walton BroAvn in 1907 until September 1, 1908, and Avho from that time had acted as assistant secretary with charge of the London office, Avould, in future, owing to his valuable services, be known not as the assistant secretary, but as. the secretary of the institution. The paper by Messrs. J. J. Prest and J. Leggat, “ Sinking and Equipment of Blackhall Colliery for the Horden Collieries Limited,” was then read. Mr. Peake announced, amidst applause, that the first medal of the institution had been presented to the president, Sir William Garforth, for his eminent services to the mining industry. The President, in expressing his appreciation of the honour Avhich had been conferred upon him, said that whatever services he had been privileged to render had been more than repaid. After some discussion, Mr. John Davidson read a resume of his paper entitled, “ Development of the Internal-Combustion Engine for PoAver Generation at Collieries.” In the afternoon, Dr. E. A. Neavell Arber gaA’e a resume of his paper, illustrated by lantern- slides, on “ The Geology of the Kent Coalfield.” There Avas a lengthy discussion, and the proceedings terminated Avith votes of thanks to the council of the Geological Society for the use of their rooms, and to the president for his conduct in the chair. In the evening a dinner Avas held at the Hotel Ceci! in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the institution. The president, Sir William E. Garforth, Avas in the chair, and he Avas supported by a distinguished company, Avhich included the Rt. Hon. Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, Sir Hugh Bell, Sir T. R. Ratcliffe-Ellis, Sir Henry Cunynghame, Mr. W. Duddell, F.R.S., Dr. Hatch, Mr. R. A. S. Redmayne,. Dr. J. S. Haldane, F.R.S., Sir Thomas Holland,. F.R.S., Col. Blackett, Mr. F. G. Ogilvie, Sir Lees KnoAvles, Mr. Arthur Sopwith, Dr. R. T. Moore, Dr. Thorpe, F.R.S., Dr. A. S. Woodward, F.R.S., Mr. HoAvard C. Clarke, Sir Bo vert on RedAvood, Dr. Messelr Sir Thomas Wrightson, Mr. T. W. Ward, Dr. J. B. Simpson, Dr. Cadman, Dr. Arber, Prof. Henry Louis, Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Oram, etc. The toast of the guests was given by Sir Hugh Bell, and responded to by the Earl of Crawford. The health of the “ Kindred Societies ” Avas proposed by Prof.. Henry Louis, and responded to by Mr. Duddell, avIio as president of the Institution of Electrical Engineers,, assured the institution of their cordial support in the petition for a charter. The toast of the “ Institution of Mining Engineers Avas proposed by Sir Henry Cunynghame in an interest- ing speech, in the course of Avhich he stated that another report by the Explosions in Mines Committee might shortly be expected. He claimed that it had iioaat been established that stone dust might be regarded as effi- cacious under all circumstances likely to be encountered in the mine. With regard to fears that had been expressed as to the dangers of silicosis, he stated that the Home Office had asked Dr. Haldane to make a complete- investigation of the subject.—The President, in his response, stated that they iioaa’ had a capital fund of close upon £20,000. In regard to their application for a charter, they Avere acting in co-operation Avith the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, who Avere also petitioning for a charter. After alluding to the fact that the application was being opposed by the Institu- tion of Civil Engineers, Sir William thought they should look upon that action in the most friendly spirit, and regard it as an obstacle, the removal of Avhich Avould elucidate their true claim to recognition. They could rely upon the fairness and justice of the Privy Council, and he hoped that Avithin a feAv Aveeks or months they Avould be in possession of their charter. Referring to the nomination of the Duke of Northumberland as pre- sident for the ensuing year, Sir William Garforth stated that his Grace had consented to act as one of the vice- presidents of the Engineering Congress to be held next year at South Kensington, the other vice-president being the Duke of Devonshire. The guarantee fund in con- nection Avith the congress now amounted to nearly £7,000. A complete report of the discussions Avill appear next week.