September 4, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 521 THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, September 3. North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. The general conditions of the local coal industry are as yet normal, though the output has been reduced consider- ably at some collieries, partly due to the number of men who have joined the ranks, and partly to the lack of empties. There is a fairly good number of orders for house coal on the books ; the demand for gas coal is about normal, and average contract quantities have been delivered. The demand for steam coal continues to be weak, owing to a number of manufacturing concerns having been either closed or placed on short time. The demand for coal for shipment is still weak, though several lots have shipped from the local collieries during the past few days. Prices at present ruling are, on an average, as follow:— Prices at pit f.o.r. Best house coal s. ... 14 d. s. 6 to 15 d. 6 Seconds do ... 13 6 to 14 6 Steam coal ... 12 0 to 12 6 Gas coal ... 12 3 to 12 6 Nuts ... 11 Oto 11 6 Bunkers ... 12 0 to 12 3 Slack ... 6 6 to 7 6 Gas coke (at works) .... andsales— ... 11 8 to 13 4 Best house coal ... 18 4 to 20 0 Seconds do ... 16 8 to 17 6 Slack ... 10 Oto 12 6 Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COAL. The position in the steam coal market to-day shows colliery agents in a very strong position. Stems are full, and will give plenty of room for present outputs, which are below the average owing to the drain upon labour occasioned by recruiting. This can be seen, when it is said that at Newport alone on one day, yesterday, 915 men were accepted at the recruiting office, these being mostly drawn from the town itself and from the mining districts of Monmouthshire. Sellers are conse- quently asking full prices, and firmly, and while at the moment buyers are showing little activity, there is not the slightest sign of weakening values. Large coals of all grades are equally firm, while smalls relatively have not advanced to the same extent, likewise through and nuts. In the freight market owners are keenly watching the course of events in Northern France, and for ports in that district ask for guaranteed discharge. Rates generally are a shade easier. Pitwood supplies have come to hand in larger quantities, very welcome to collieries, a shortage of wagons aiding the downward movement of values, which receded about 3s. yesterday to 29s. for good wood ex-ship. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days, less 2| per cent. Collieries alone it is estimated that work can be offered for a thousand men, and it is understood that in every case preference will be given to married men. In addition to the large quantity of coal taken on Admiralty account, about 180,000 tons of other grades were shipped to various destinations, and, although definite figures are not available, it is believed that the exports from Newport also averaged 60,000 tons, the chief demand coming from France, Italy, Egypt and Ireland. At Swansea shipments of coal and patent fuel were just under 46,0-0 tons, the latter being represented by 9,403 tons. The Board of Customs reports for the month of July show that the total shipments of coal coastwise from the chief Bristol Channel ports amounted to 258,966 tons, compared with 260,535 tons in the corresponding month of last year. Of this quantity Cardiff despatched 156,255 tons, of which Southampton took 37,689 tons, Liverpool 33,140 tons, London 27,550 tons, and Bristol 15,001 tons. From Newport there were shipped 76,716 tons, of which 12,085 tons went to Dublin, and over 11,000 tons to Bristol and Monmouth. From Swansea there were despatched 41,494 tons, of which London took 19,600 tons. From Port Talbot there were sent 13,376 tons, Briton Ferry 10,280 tons, and Llanelly 6,853 tons. As indicated above, owing to the extreme scarcity of the better class coals, which are unobtainable for private purposes, second grades have appreciated in price, and are now quoted at 20s. to 21s., with ordinaries at 19s. to 19s. 6d. Best Black Veins command 18s. 9d., western valleys 17s. 9d. to 18s., and the best of the eastern valleys 17s. 3d., in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. Nuts and peas are rather cheaper on account of the falling off in the demand for small coal, which is plentiful and only in moderate request. Best bunkers do not realise more than 8s., ordinaries 7s. to 7s. 6d., and cargo sorts 6s. 3d. to 6s. 9d. In bituminous coals the market is extremely dull, and quotations are distinctly on the easy side. For No. 3 Rhondda large 17s. 6d. is being asked, but the more probable value would be about 17s., with through coal at 14s. 6d., and small at Ils., and for No. 2 qualities 13s. 9d. and 14s. is asked, and other grades in proportion. Coke is firmer, and rather scarce, but prices do not show much variation compared with those given a week ago. With regard to pitwood, upwards of 20,000 tons have been imported during the week, and prices are rather lower, being now in the neighbourhood of 32s. 6d. to 33s. per ton. The Cardiff Journd of Commerce publishes a table compiled from official sources giving the average declared price of coal shipped from Bristol Channel ports during the month of July, from which we extract the following particulars:— Steelworks havejbeen rather busier in some instances, but the difficulty of obtaining raw material is being felt, and in several cases works were only partially employed towards the end of the week. Welsh tin-bars are again inclined to be dearer, and Siemens qualities have been advanced to <£5 5s. per ton, whilst Bessemer makes are quoted at about 2s. 6d. less. In the galvanised sheet trade shipments, except on Government account, have been prohibited, and some works are almost idle. Spelter is still very scarce and dear, although it is reported that heavy arrivals will soon be here from America. At the present moment 24-gauge corrugateds realise <£14 per ton. Welsh pig iron shows a further advance, and now commands 72s. 6d. to 73s. 6d. f.o.t. There is little doing in rails. In scrap metals there is an improvement, and 67s. is now being paid for new steel crop ends. Other descriptions are about the same as last week, but with a tendency to go higher. Iron ore is rather easier, owing to the reduction in freights, the rate from Bilbao now being only 3s. 10-|d. Best rubio is offering at 20s., seconds 18s. to 18s. 6d., and Almeria 19s. Swansea. COAL. The trade of the port last week displayed further improve- ment, compared with the preceding period. The shipments of coal and patent fuel were 45,989 tons. There was an excellent attendance on ’Change, but there was little or no material alteration in the general state of the anthracite coal market. There was a fair enquiry for Swansea Valley large, but the demand for Red Vein large was very poor. Beans and peas were in fairly good request, but other machine-made varieties showed no signs of improvement. There was little enquiry for rubbly culm, or duff. In the steam coal market large was receiving more attention, but there was no movement noted in any other commodities. Prices of coal f.o.b. Swansea (cash in 30 days). Steam coals:— Best Black Vein large... Western-valleys, ordin’y Best Eastern-valleys ... Secondary do. Best small coals ..... Secondary do......... Inferior do........... Screenings........... Through coals ........ Best washed nuts...... Other sorts:— Best bouse coal....... Secondary do.......... Patent fuel .......... Furnace coke.......... Foundry coke ......... Current prices. 18/6-19/ 18/ —18/3 17/3-17/6 16/3-16/6 8/ - 8 3 7/ - 7/6 6/9- 7/3 8/3 11/9-12/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/6 17/ -18/ 19/ -19/6 17/6-19/ 20/ -22/6 L’st quot’d prices. 17/3-17/6 16/ -16/3 15/6—16/ 15/ —15/6 8/3- 8/6 7/6- 7/9 7/ - 7/6 8/6 11/9-12/3 11/6-12/6 Last year’s prices. 17/3-17/6 16/9-17/ 16/ -16/6 15/9-16/ 8/3- 8/6 7/3- 7/9 6/9- 7/ 8/6 13/ -13/6 14/3-14/6 Large steam Cardiff. Newport. s. d. .. 16 6 .. Port Talbot. Swansea. s. .. 17 d. 11 . s. . 16 d. 7 s. ... 15 d. 5 Through-and-throug •h 13 4 . .. 13 0 .. . 11 9 . ... 10 10 Small .. 9 7 . .. 11 0 .. . 8 11 ... 10 0 Large anthracite .... .. 25 4 . — . 13 7 ... 15 0 Household .. 16 3 . .. ■ — . 16 9 ... 18 3 In July 1913 the figures were as follow :— Cardiff. Newport. Port Talbot. Swansea. Large steam .. 17 6 . .. 16 4 .. . 15 2 ... 15 3 Through-and-throug h 13 10 . .. 15 2 .. . 11 6 . ... 11 3 Small .. 9 4 . .. 11 2 ... . 9 6 . ... 9 5 Large anthracite .... .. 26 2 . .. 29 0 ... . 15 8 . ... 17 4 Household — ... Current L’stquoted Last year’s Anthracite:— Best malting large prices. prices. prices. (hand picked) (net)... 20/ -22/ 21/ -23/. 17/ -18/ 21/6-24/6 Secondary do. Big Vein large (less 2| 17/ -18/ 19/6-20/6 per cent.) 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 17/6-18/9 Red Vein large do. ... Machine - made cobbles 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 12/6-14/6 (net) 19/6-21/6 21/ -22/6 21/6-23/ Paris nuts (net) — — 23/6-26/ French do. do 21/ -23/ 21/9-23/9 23/6-26/ German do. do 21/ -23/ 21/9-23/9 23/6-26/ Beans (net) Machine - made large 18/6-19/6 16/6-17/9 16/6-19/ peas (net) 12/6-13/6 ll/_-12/ 12/ -13/6 Do. fine peas (net) — — Rubbly culm (less 2| p.c.) 5/9- 6/3 6/ - 6/3 6/9- 7/ Duff (net) Steam coals:— 3/ - 3/6 3/ - 4/ 5/6- 6/ Best large (less 2| p.c.) 18/ -20/ 18/6-20/ 19/ -20/ Seconds do. 13/6-15/6 13/6-15/6 16/ -17/ Bunkers do. 10/3-11/ 10/6-11/6 11/6-12/6 Small do. Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— 8/ - 9/6 8/6- 9/6 8/6- 9/6 Large (less 2| p.c.) ... Through-and-through 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ (less 21 p.c.) — — 13/6-14/6 Small (less 2$ p.c.) ... 10/3-10/9 11/ -12/ 10/6-11/6 Patent fuel do 16/6-18/ 17/ -18/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/6 17/ -18/ 19/6-20/ 17/6-18/6 20/ -23/ 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 19/6-20/6 22/ -23/ 26/ -27/6 IRON. The recent improvement in values adumbrated in this market is fully maintained, although the new business being put through is disappointingly small as yet. Both sellers and buyers are exercising the greatest caution, and are evidently reluctant to commit themselves very far, and do only enough business to carry on for the present. Many home orders are being held off until the last moment because of the prevailing uncertainty engendered by the war, but as stocks are used up fresh orders will have to be placed, and there is no prospect of any Continental iron coming in here for very many months yet. Local iron- works are getting busier in every direction, and making preparation for attaining full outputs. Blastfurnaces are busy, with values inclining upwards. Tin-plates are being largely put in stock at present, exports being at a low ebb, but makers are confident of- a brisk foreign demand ere long. Iron ore continues a strong market, best rubio being quoted 17s. 6d. to 18s. c.i.f. Newport. Cardiff. COAL. There has been a still further improvement in the conditions prevailing in the coal district during the past week, and from reports which are coming to hand it is not believed that many collieries are idle at the present moment and all best Admiralty coals are still reserved for navy purposes and they are not quoted on the market. The demand for secondary and ordinary qualities has been much stimulated by the renewal of shipments to neutral and friendly countries, and, as a matter of fact, very large quantities have been despatched both to France and Italy. More especially does this apply to Monmouthshire coals, for which Italy is the principal market. Some collieries are reported to be very heavily stemmed and the quotation has advanced quite Is. a ton during the past few days. A week ago it was stated that over 10,000 colliers were idle. In the interval a great deal of recruiting has been going on throughout the district and some thousands of men have offered their services. At the Powell Duffryn Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -19/6 8/ 7/ - 7/6 6/3- 6/9 4/6- 5/6 19/ -20/ 17/6-18/6 15/ -15/6 14/ -14/6 14/ 13/ 10/6 18/9 17/9-18/ 17/3 16/ -16/6 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/ -17/6 14/6 11/ 13/9-14/ 10/6-11/ 7/ - 7/6 21/ 19/ -20/ 27/ -30/ 21/ -25/ -18/ -20/ 32/6-33/ L’st week’s prices. 19/ -20/ 18/6-19/ 8/6- 9/ 8/ - 8/6 6/ - 7/ 4/6- 5/6 18/6-19/ 16/ -16/9 15/6-16/ 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 13/6 9/6-10/6 17/3-17/6 16/9-17/ 16/ -16/3 15/ -15/3 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6-18/ 14/6-15/ 11/ 14/ 11/6-12/ 8/ - 8/6 21/ 19/ -20/ 30/ 26/ 19/ 34/ -35/ Last year’s prices. 20/6-21/ 19/6-20/ 18/6-19/ 10/6-10/9 10/ 7/9- 8/3 7/6- 18/6-19/ 16/3-16/9 16/ 15 14/ 13/ 11/9 17/6-17/9 17/ -17/3 16/6-16/9 15/9-16/ 20/6 17/9-18/ 17/6 15/ 12/3-12/6 12/6-13/ U/ 8/3- 8/6 22/6 20/ -21/ 30/ 25/ -26/ 17/6-18/ 22/3 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) Llanelly. COAL. The coal market of the district is characterised by a great deal of weakness and the position is not so satisfactory as it was a week ago. The demand from inland has fallen away considerably, and as shipping has improved very slowly, collieries have all their work cut out to keep pits going even half time. Most companies are now insisting upon cash with order, and as buyers have so many amounts outstanding, this is not always possible, and business is therefore seriously handicapped in this respect. The Continental buyers are anxious to get in stocks, but as they are unable to send cheque in advance owing to their bankers having practically suspended payment, collieries are not prepared to take any more risks. Prices are being quoted the same, but for spot lots lower quotations are given. The position is also very dull in the steam and bituminous markets, as the works of the district in some cases are still idle, whilst others are only working half time. There is very little doing in bunkers, but prices are being maintained. This weeks quotations are:— Prices f.o.b. j Current prices. i 21/ -23/ ! 19/ -21/ 16/ -18/ 13/6-14/ 20/ -22/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 20/ -22/ 13/6-14/6 6/ - 6/3 3/9- 5/6 L’st week’s prices. 21/ -23/ 19/ -21/ 16/ -18/ 13/6-14/6 20/ -22/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 20/ -22/ 13/6-14/6 6/ - 6/3 3/9- 5/6 IRON. Although a number of tin-plate mills have resumed operations, the trade generally has been so disorganised by the war that production is quite on a small scale. A certain amount of business has been on the market on Government account, but these orders have now been practically com- pleted, and there is nothing coming forward to take their place. Trade with the colonies has practically ceased, and shipments to many other countries are almost a dead letter. Receipts from works last week only amounted to 11,747 boxes, and there were despatched 22,242 boxes, leaving stocks in the docks, warehouses and vans amounting, to 229,173 boxes. Prices, although nominally unaltered, have once more a tendency to easiness, and Bessemer standard cokes are now offering at 13s. 3d. to 13s. 6d., 18| x 14 sheets 13s, 6d. to 13s. 9d., and 20 x 10 sizes at 18s. 9d. to 19s. Anthracite:— Best malting large Secondary do. Big Vein large.. Red Vein do.......... Machine-made cobbles. .J German nuts........| French do............ Paris do............. Machine-made beans ... Do. peas......... Culm ................ Duff ................ Other sorts:— Large steam coal..... Through-and-through... Small .............I Bituminous small coal...1 11/ -11/6 | 11/ -11/6 16/ -18/ 11/ -11/6 8/6- 9/6 16/ -18/ 11/ -11/6 8/6- 9/6 Last year’s prices. 20/ -22/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 12/6-13/ 19/6-20/ 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 19/ -21/ 12/6-13/6 7/ - 7/3 5/6- 7/ 17/ -18/ 11/6-12/ 9/ -10/ 11/ -12/ The Board of Trade has recently confirmed the following orders made by the Light Railway Commissioners :—North Devon and Cornwall Junction Light Railway Order. 1914, authorising the construction of a light railway in Devon from Torrington to Halwill, including the reconstruction of part of the mineral line known as the Torrington and Marland Railway; Swansea Corporation Light Railways (Extensions) Order, 1914, authorising the construction by the Mayor, aidermen and burgesses of the borough of Swansea of further light railways in that borough.