264 THE OOLLIEBY GUARDIAN July 31, 1914. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ shire coals have exhibited a slightly firmer tendency, and with ample tonnage at command, there is no reason why any weakness should prevail, especially as the holiday season is approaching, and the miners will be taking their annual vacation. Best Black Veins are quoted at 17s. 3d. to 17s. 6d.. western-valleys at 16s. 6d. to 16s. 9d. and easterns 16s. to 16s. 3d., in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. In the small coal market there has been a slight relaxation in values, chiefly owing to a slackening in the demand, and an accumulation of stocks. Best bunkers do not command more than 10s. 6d., ordinaries 9s. 6d. to 10s., and cargo qualities round about 8s. In bituminous coals the principal feature has been the acceptance of tenders for 20,000 tons for the Belgian State Railways. It was thought a week ago that this business had probably been secured by Belgian producers, but information has since been received that the contract has be’en divided between Messrs. Tabb and Burletson, of Cardiff and Newcastle, Messrs. Pyman and Watson and Mr. Hugo Stinnes, at prices varying from 14’37i fr. to 14’57 fr. No. 3 Rhondda large remains at 17s. 6d. to 18s., and No. 2 at 13s. to 13s. 6d. with other grades in proportion. The coke market is inclined to be on the easy side, so. far as the demand is concerned, but quotations are practically unchanged. In patent fuel, the quotations remain at about 21s. for best grades, with a reduction of Is. to 2s. for secondary qualities. Shipments continue very heavy, and there is an enquiry on the market for 20,000 tons for the Spanish railways. It is stated that the Atlas Coke and Fuel Company have now completed negotiations for leasing a site at Port Talbot upon which they contemplate casting an up-to-date plant at a cost of about <£300,000. Pitwood is rather easier, present values being about 20s. 9d. to 21s. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current prices. 21/ -23/ 20/6-21/ 17/9-18/ 10/3-10/6 9/6—10/ 8/ 6/6- 7/3 18/ -18/6 15/6-15/9 15/6 14/6 14/6 13/6-13/9 10/6-10/9 17/3-17/6 16/6-16/9 16/ -16/3 15/ -15/6 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6-18/ 15/6 12/3-12/6 13/ -13/6 11/ 8/6 21/ 19/ -20/ 26/ -29/ 22/ -25/ 17/ -19/ 20/6-20/9 L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ 19/6-20/ 17/3-17/9 10/6 10/ 7/9- 8/ 7/ - 7/6 18/ -18/6 16/6-17/ 15/6 14/3-14/6 14/6 13/3-13/6 10/6 17/3 16/6 16/ 15/3-15/6 20/' 17/6-19/6 17/6 15/ 12/3 12/6-13/ 10/6 8/9 21/ 19/ -20/ 26/ -29/6 21/ -25/ ' 16/ -19/ 20/6-20/9 Last year’s prices. 20/ -21/ 19/9-20/ 18/3-18/6 10/6-10/9 10/ -10/3 8/3- 8/6 7/6 18/ -18/6 15/9-16/3 16/ 15 14/ 13/3 10/ -10/6 17/3-17/6 17/ -17/3 16/6 15/3 20/ 18/ 17/ 15 12/6 12/6-12/9 11/3-11/6 8/6- 8/9 22/ -22/6 20/ 31/ -32/ 26/ -28/ 20/ -22/ 22/6 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) IRON. Shipments of tinplates last week amounted to 143,830 boxes, compared with 115,872 boxes received from works. Stocks have now been reduced to 182,321 boxes, and with the 10 days stoppage now contemplated, commencing on Saturday, it is anticipated that the trade will once more be placed on a healthy footing. The advance in prices recorded last week has been maintained, and with block tin down again to between <£136 and <£137, makers are adopting an optimistic attitude, and refusing to make the concessions which buyers are endeavouring to obtain. Bessemer standard cokes are 12s. 3d., and oil sizes 12s. 4|d. to 12s. 6d. and 17s. 9d. to 17s. 10|d. respectively. The galvanised sheet trade shows signs of improvement, although new business is coming to hand slowly, and fresh work is needed. Quotations for 24-gauge corrugateds are main- tained at <£10 17s. 6d. to 311, although slightly below these figures are reported as having been accepted in several instances for prompt shipment. Welsh steel bars are <£4 11s. 3d. for Siemens and <£4 10s. for Bessemer qualities, and Welsh pig iron is still quoted at 61s. 6d. to 62s. per ton f.o.t. Rail mills are only moderately employed, but there is no change in prices. Iron ore is still neglected at 15s. 6d. to 16s. for best rubio, and other qualities in proportion. There is no change in scrap metals, for which there is little demand. Llanelly. COAL. Although new business is not very plentiful this week owing to the approaching holidays, there is a far better feeling in the market. Orders for some of the anthracite kinds are far more numerous and shipments of late have shown a big improvement. From present appearances it looks as though the market will be much busier after the holidays, and prices should go higher. Collieries will be idle for the first three days of next week, and the quantity raised during the remaining three days will be far below the average. For anthracite large of the best classes there has been a splendid demand, and prices are better than they have been for some time. A few of the collieries have already sold the make of large for the next few months. There is also an improvement in the enquiry for beans and peas, and prices are far more satisfactory. For the other sorts there is very little alteration noticeable. The steam coal and anthracite markets are still very unsatisfactory, and the prospects for the next few weeks are not promising. In the latter quality there will be very little doing for the next fortnight, as all tinplate works will be idle for 10 to 14 days from Saturday next, which will throw several thousands of tons on the market. Prices this week 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........ Culm ................ Duff ................ Other sorts:— Large steam coal..... Through-and-through... Small ............... Bituminous small coal... Current prices. 21/ -23/ 17/ -19/6 16/ -17/6 12/3-13/3 19/ -21/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 17/ -20/ 12/6-13/6 6/ - 6/3 3/9- 5/6 16/ -17/ 10/6-11/3 8/6 - 9/6 11/ -11/6 L’st week's prices. 21/ -21/6 18/ -19/ 16/ -17/ 12/9-13/6 21/ —22/ 21/6-23/ 21/ -23/6 21/ -23/ 16/ -18/ 12/6—13/6 5/9- 6/3 3/6- 5/3 Last year’s prices. 20/ -22/6 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 12/6—13/6 18/ -20/ 20/ -22/6 22/ -24/ 22/ -24/ 19/ -21/ 12/ -13/ 7/ - 7/3 5/ - 6/ 16/ -17/ 10/9-11/3 8/6- 9/6 10/6-11/ 16/ -17/ 11/6-12/ 9/6-10/6 11/ -12/ Swansea. COAL. The trade of .the port continued to display steadiness last week, both the coal and patent fuel trades showing activity. The shipments of coal and patent fuel amounted to 117,944 tons. Acapital attendance assembled on’Change, but there was no material alteration in the general condition of the anthracite coal market. Swansea Valley large was moving off satisfactorily, and last figures were well main- tained. Red Vein large was still weak. Machine-made nuts and cobbles were steady, and beans a shade harder. There was a slightly better demand for rubbly culm, with values a shade harder. Duff was also in better request. In the steam coal market, smalls were in good demand, and higher prices were obtained. The other varieties were weak. Prices of coal f.o.b. Swansea (cash in 30 days). Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Anthracite:— prices. prices. prices. Best malting large (hand picked) (net)... 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ Secondary do. 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 18/6-20/ Big Vein large (less 2| per cent.) 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/6 Red Vein large do. ... 12/6—13/6 12/6-13/6 12/ -13/ Machine-made cobbles (net) 21/ -22/6 21/ -22/6 21/ -22/ Paris nuts (net) — — 22/6-24/ French do. do. 21/9-23/9 21/9-23/9 22/6-24/ German do. do 21/9-23/9 21/9-23/9 22/6-24/ Beans (net) 16/6-17/9 16/6-17/9 16/6—19/ Machine - made large peas (net) 11/^12/ ii/ 212/ 11/6-13/6 Do. fine peas (net) —• Rubbly culm (less 2| p.c.) 6/ - 6/3 5/9- 6/3 6/ - 6/6 Duff (net) 3/ - 4/ 3/ - 3/9 5/9- 6/3 Steam coals:—' Best large (less 2| p.c.) 18/6-20/ 18/6-20/ 19/ -20/ Seconds do. 13/6-15/6 13/6-15/6 16/ -17/ Bunkers do. 10/6-11/6 10/6-11/6 11/ -12/ Small do. 8/6- 9/6 8/6- 9/6 8/ - 9/6 Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— Large (less 2| p.c.) ... 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ Through-and-through (less 2| p.c.) — — 13/6-14/6 Small (less 2| p.c.) ... 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 10/6-11/6 Patent fuel do 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 18/ -19/ IRON. During the past week the production of pig iron at the blast furnaces was in excess of that of a month ago. The tin plate industry, however, was still quiet. At the Morriston group the output was only about half the usual quantity, and the men were working shifts of four and six hours respectively. Some tin house sets which had been at a standstill were busy again, and the full complement of mills were working at Clydach, Ynysmendwy, and Ystalyfera. The sheet mills were fully employed. Conditions were again normal at the Mannesmann tube works. The shipments of tin plates last week were 143,830 boxes, receipts from works 115,872 boxes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 182,321 boxes. _______________________________________________________ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, July 30. ________ ________________ ________________ Dublin. There is very little life or movement in the coal trade at present, but a few of the better class consumers here and there are laying in stocks of house coal for winter this month, as prices are now probably at their lowest. Quota- tions for all qualities remain unchanged, as follow :—Orrell, 26s. to 27s. per ton; Abram, 26s.; best Wigan, 24s.; best Whitehaven, 24s.; Pemberton Wigan, 22s. ; kitchen nuts, 21s.; Orrell slack, 20s.; steam coals from 22s. per ton; best coke, 20s. per ton delivered. Pit mouth prices of Irish coals at Wolfhill, Queen’s Co.,- 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. Prices f.o.r. Athy are :—Large coal for malting and kiln-drying, 23s. per ton; best small round household, 21s. 6d.; nuts (washed), 20s.; beans (washed), 17s.; peas (washed), 14s. 6d. ; lime burning culm, 12s.; fine culm, 9s. 6d. The collier vessels arriving in the port during the past week amounted to 53, as compared with 59 the week previously, chiefly from Garston, Preston, Point of Aire, Workington, Ellesmere Port, Whitehaven, Ayr, Partington, Girvan, Swansea, Manchester, Neath Abbey, Newport, Fleetwood, and Cardiff. The total quantity of coal dis- charged upon the quays was 22,500 tons. A contract is open in connection with one of the principal railways, repre- senting over 7,000 tons. Belfast. Business in the household department continues to be quiet locally, and demand from inland districts has fallen off some- what for the past week or two. Holiday and other influences in Scotland have interfered with supplies from some of those districts, and the Liverpool dock strike has displaced matters in the cross-Channel trade. There is no change in the prices, viz., Best Arley house coal, 27s. 6d. per ton; Hartley, 26s. 6d.; Wigan, 25s. 6d.; Orrell nuts, 26s. 6d.; Orrell slack, 23s. 6d.; Scotch house coal, 23s. 6d.; Scotch steam, 15s. 6d. to 16s. 6d. per ton; Scotch slack, 11s. 6d. to 12s. 6d.; Navigation steam and Welsh steam coal, 17s. to 18s. per ton delivered. Coal laden vessels arriving during the week were chiefly from Glasgow, Garston, Silloth, Partington, Workington, Troon, Ayr, Whitehaven, and Ardrossan. From July 5 to 18, the total number of colliers entering the harbour was 109. __________________________ OBITUARY. It may be of interest to recall that the late Mr. Reginald Stanley, to whose death we referred in the Colliery Guardian last week, was not only a colliery owner, but an inventor. The well-known rotary heading machine made by the Nuneaton firm was designed by him. One of West Cumberland’s former captains of industry, an iron master and metallurgist of note, passed away at Carlisle last week, in the person of Mr. Henry Kirk, at the age of 84. He and his brothers, Thomas and Peter, having run a small iron works at Stockport, bought a new yard forge in Workington in 1860 and developed it into a first- class works. They acquired the Marsh Rolling Mills, and as Kirk Brothers, gained a wide reputation as makers of iron in bar and other forms. Seven years ago the firm, which had become a limited company, failed, and the works closed down and dismantled. Deceased was a member the Iron and Steel Institute, and of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Of his business he was intimate with every part? in his relations with his workmen and staff he had nothing to regret. The death took place at his residence, Belmont, North- field, on the 24th inst., at the age of 76, of Mr. Thomas Richard Bayliss. Early in his teens deceased devoted himself to the study of theoretical and practical engineering and metallurgy. He held the position of managing director at the Adderley Park Mills, of the Birmingham Small Arms and Metal Company till 1889, when, in conjunction with his son, Mr. Thomas Abraham Bayliss, he founded the well-known King’s Norton Metal Company. Within a few months of the establishment of the works the business was converted into a limited company. Mr. Bayliss was the recipient of many professional honours. He was an associate member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He was also a member of the French “ Societe des Ingenieurs Civiles,” and of the British Iron and Steel Institute. __________________________ THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. LiTerpool. Business has been rather quiet the last few days. There- was a fair enquiry, but buyers are not disposed to book forward to any extent at the figures makers are asking. All the mills close down for the annual holidays this week- end, and it is reported that several will not restart under a fortnight. Current quotations may be called :—Coke tins : IC 14 x 20 (112 sh. 108 lb.), 12s. l|d. to 12s. 3d. per box ;. I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 lb.), 24s. 3d. to 24s. 6d. per box; IC 28 x 20 (56 sh. 1081b.), 12s. 6d. to 12s. 9d. per box IC 14 x 18} (124 sh. 1101b.), 12s. 41d. per box; IC 14 x 191 (120 sh. 110 lb.), 12s. 4|d. per box ; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 17s. 6d. per box; IC squares and odd sizes,. 12s. 3d. to 12s. 4|d. basis for approved specifications^ Charcoals, owing to the weakness in block tin, are easy at 14s. 3d. basis and upwards, according to finish. Blackplate rules quiet at <£8 15s. per ton for pickled and close annealed rectangles. Coke wasters- are in fair demand, and are quoted :—C W 14 x 20, Ils. 3d. to Ils. 4|d. per box; C W 28 x 20, 23s. 3d. per box; C W 14 x 18}, Ils. 7|d. per box; C W 20 x 10, 14s. 6d. per box. All f.o.b. Wales,, less 4 per cent. _____________________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market in general is steady, and prices |for the most part well sustain their former level. Benzols are a little erratic. For instance, 90’s are easier in the south and unchanged in the north, while 50/90’s are dearer in the south, but unaltered in the north. Pitch keeps about the same, though a shade easier on the east coast. Crude carbolic is fractionally lower, but crystals have again enjoyed an advance. Nearest values are :— Benzols, 90’s ................................ /10 Do. 50’s ................................ /10 Do. 90’s North ......................... /8| to /9 Do. 50’s North ......................... /10 to /10A ...................................... Toluol ...................................... /10| Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) .......... 1/1 to 1/li Do. crystals (40 per cent.) ........ /3| Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package)... /91 Crude ditto (in bulk) ___i..................... /4| Creosote (for ordinary qualities) ............ /3T5K Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) _________................... 33/6 Do. (f.a.s. west coast) .....................32/6 to 33/6 Tar (ex-works, London) ..................... 24/6 to 28/6 [Benzols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rail& at maker's works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch f.o.b. net.] Sulphate of Ammonia.—The advance in prices still con- tinues, and the outlook for prompt and forward is satis- factory. In the north <£11 10s. is asked for future delivery, while, on the west coast, forward quotations range from <£11 7s. 6d. to £11 12s. 6d., between now and November- December. The demand generally is improving, and prices should rise proportionately in response thereto until they reach their former normal level. Closing prompt prices are:— London (ordinary makes) .......... .£11 Beckton (certain terms)............ £10/12/6 Liverpool ......................... £11 to £11/2/6 Hull................................................ £10/17/6 to £11 Middlesbrough..................... £11 to £11/1/3 Scotch ports ....................... £11/5 to £11/7/6 Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ... 9/10| [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2| per cent, dis- count; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowance- for refraction, nothing for excess.}