September 18, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 621 Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COAL. The quiet enquiry which has been put forward by buyers for the past week is now reflected in the easier terms offered by colliery salesmen. Evidently there is great difficulty in disposing of cargoes, and in spite of the fact that outputs are still far from high-water mark there is an abundance of coal on the market which sellers are wishful to get rid of. There is some irregularity inside the quotations shown, concessions being obtainable where collieries are not so well placed as their more fortunate confre es. Smalls are even weaker in proportion, best qualities ruling around 6s. 6d. in abundance. This is hardly explainable, except by the weak bunkering demand, as for coking smalls and also patent fuel varieties there is a good consumption. Throughs, nuts, &c., are also rather weaker. Patent fuel holds its position, while coke values are improving steadily. Pitwood, although still relatively expensive, is 2s. easier around 26s. to 26s. 6d. for good French fir, with a wide demand. The outward freight market remains quiet; although fixtures have not been unsatisfactory, chartering rules slow, at rates practically unchanged. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days, less 2| per cent. small coals of this description, and merchants are asking 7s. 6d. per ton. In the coke market there is a distinctly better enquiry, owing to the boom in the iron and steel trade which is about to take place in the Midlands. Prospects there are very rosy, and these reflect themselves upon the trade of South Wales, where large quantities of high-class coke are manufactured for consumption in Staf- fordshire and other great metallurgical centres. Special foundry commands from 27s. to 30s., ordinary 22s. to 26s., and furnace 18s. to 19s. The low price now prevailing for small coal, coupled with the fact that shipment is dangerous, has had the effect of materially reducing the quotations for patent fuel. Best qualities are now offering at 17s. to 18s., and other grades at about 16s. During the last month no official returns have been available, but it is known that exports have only been on a very moderate scale, and most manufacturers have kept their works going in order to increase their stocks. There was a little more activity last week, but the actual figures are not accessible. The Crown Company, however, despatched 9,297 tons, and further heavy shipments are anticipated within the next few days. Supplies of pitwood have been rather more plentiful, and the current quotation is from 28s. to 28s. 6d. per ton. , Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). 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 house coal....... Secondary do.......... Patent fuel .......... Furnace coke......... Foundry coke ......... Current prices. 18/ -18/3 17/3-17/9 16/6-16/9 15/ -15/6 6/ - 6/9 5/6- 5/9 5/3- 5/6 6/6- 6/9 11/9-12/ 12/6-13/ 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 21/ -23/ L’st week’s Last year's prices. 18/6-19/ 18/ -18/3 17/ -17/6 15/6-16/ 7/6- 7/9 6/9- 7/ 6/ - 6/3 7/9 11/9-12/ 12/6-13/ I prices, i 17/ -17/6 16/ -16/6 15/9-16/ 15/3-15/6 7/9- 8/ 7/3- 7/6 6/9- 7/ 8/ 13/ -13/3 14/ -14/6 ! 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 j 18/ -19/ l 17/6-19/ j 20/ -23/ 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 19/6-20/ 21/ -21/6 24/ -26/ IRON. There has been little alteration of importance in the iron and steel trades for the past week. A few fair-sized orders have been secured with quite an average amount of small parcels. Specifications are coming along more freely than of late, and encourage hopes of a busier time before long. Values generally show but little alteration. Welsh tin-plate bars are quoted on a basis of <£5 5s. for Bessemer or Siemens. Rail mills are not nearly so well employed as makers wish, while the pig iron market also is not encouragingly active, although furnaces continue at full pressure. Iron ore quotations are dearer at 18s. 6d. to 19s. for best rubio, with Almeria about 17s. 6d. to 17s. 9d. In the tin-plate trade there are signs of increasing movement in the export trade, and although at the moment stocks are not lessening, makers are quite firm in their quotations for forward delivery. Cardiff. COAL. There is very little difference in the position of affairs in this market as compared with last week. The Government are still taking practically the whole of the best qualities of steam coals, although in exceptional cases they have given permission to ship for some of the liners. Each case, however, has to be submitted for approval to the authorities before shipment is allowed, and the consequence is that it is extremely difficult to give any price, except on a purely nominal basis. There is really no current business, and the coal that is being exported is invoiced under contract. For business a little ahead, and subject to permission being obtained from the Admiralty for shipment to neutral and friendly countries, 22s. 6d. to 23s. is being quoted. But up to the present no actual dealings on this basis have been reported. In fact, it is extremely difficult for any business at all to be arranged just now, as colliery proprietors are not in a position to state definitely whether the coal can be supplied. A short time ago several cargoes had been actually shipped, but they were afterwards taken over by the Government. A large number of men have joined the Forces, and this is having a very appreciable effect upon outputs. In every direction they are con- siderably less than they were a few weeks ago, although the extra hour. is still being worked in the majority of cases. Freights are still very low, Genoa having been done at as small a figure as 6s. 6d. for prompt shipment. These unremunerative quotations are mainly due to the difficulty in arranging finance. In numbers of cases firms have taken advantage of the moratorium to which they are legally entitled ; but collieries are naturally reluctant to add to the large amounts which are already outstanding, and for that reason, unless in exceptional cases, they stipulate for cash payment in this country against documents. So far as can be seen at present, this difficulty is likely to continue, although local banking houses are doing their best to facilitate foreign exchange. With regard to prices, as stated above, the quotation for best Admiralty steam is purely nominal, but several parcels for prompt shipment have been done at 21s. to 22s. Forward business, however, is on a different plane, and colliery proprietors are inclined to hold out for considerably higher figures. The best of the second grades are about 20s. to 20s. 6d. and ordinary qualities command from 18s. 6d. to 19s. . Monmouthshires are rather easier. A week ago there was a tremendous rush and most of the collieries were very heavily stemmed. The pressure, however, has since been relieved, and best Black Veins do not now command more than about 18s. 9d., western valleys 17s. 9d. to 18s., and easterns 17s. 3d.—in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. There has been no improvement in the position of small coal. Best bunkers are offering at 7s. to 7s. 6d., ordinaries at 6s. 9d. to 7s., and cargo sorts 5s. to 5s. 6d., with inferior qualities even down to 4s. 6d. In bituminous coals there is a slightly easier tendency, No. 3 Rhondda large being done at 17s. to 17s 6d., through at 14s. to 14s. 6d., and small at 10s. 6d. No. 2 large commands 13s. 6d. to 14s„ with other grades in proportion. There is a scarcity of Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ -20/6 18/6-19/ 7/ - 7/6 6/9- 7/ 5/ — 5/6 4/3- 4/6 18/6-19/6 17/ -18/ 15/ 14/ 14/ 13/ 9/6-10/ 18/9 17/9-18/ 17/3 16/ -16/6 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/ -17/6 14/ -14/6 10/6 13/6-14/ 10/6 7/ - 7/6 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 27/ -30/ 22/ -26/ 18/ -19/ 28/ -28/6 L’st week’s prices. 22/ -22/6 20/ -21/ 19/3-19/6 7/6 6/9- 7/ 5/ 4/ - 4/6 18/6-19/ 17/6-18/ 15/6 14/6 14/ 13/ 10/ 19/ 18/6 17/9-18/ 15/ -15/6 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6 14/6 10/6 13/9-14/ 10/6-10/9 7/ - 7/6 17/ -17/6 16/ 27/ -30/ 22/ -25/ 18/ -19/ 28/6 Last year’s prices. 20/ -20/6 19/6-19/9 18/ -18/6 10/ -10/3 9/9-10/ 7/ - 7/6 6/3- 6/9 18/ -18/6 15/6-16/ 15/9-16/ 14/9-15/ 13/9-14/ 12/9-13/ 11/6-11/9 17/ -17/3 16/6-16/9 16/ -16/3 15/3-15/6 20/6 18/ 16/6-17/ 14/6 12/3-12/6 12/9-13/3 10/6-11/ V ~ 7/6 22/ 19/6-20/6 29/ -30/ 23/ -25/ 20/ -21/ 22/ 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-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— a Large Through-and-through Small Best patent fuel Seconds Special foundry coke Ordinary do. Furnace coke Pitwood (ex-ship) IRON. The returns from local works show that trade is more nearly reaching normal conditions than has been the case for many months past. Although a number of tin-plate mills still remain idle, there was a fairly general resumption last week, and receipts from works amounted to 104,149 boxes. The shipments were only 32,263 boxes, so that a large quantity was added to stock; and although the amount is not so great as the corresponding figures for last year, there are now 319,071 boxes either in stock at the warehouses or in vans. Prices have not undergone any material change, but it is anticipated that with the opening up of certain trade routes there will be considerable improvement in business. Bessemer standard cokes are still quoted at 13s. 6d., but it is understood that these prices have been slightly shaded for prompt business. Oil sizes, 18| x |4, are 13s. 9d., and 20 x 10, 19s. to 19s. 3d. In the galvanised sheet trade there is a distinctly better tone, and substantial orders have been received on Govern- ment account for plates which may be used for shelters and cowering trenches. The price of spelter is now on a more moderate basis, and there is reason to believe that this industry will be greatly extended in the Swansea district in the near future. Twenty-four-gauge corru- gateds are quoted nominally at <£15, but lower figures are being accepted for prompt specifications. There is more activity in the production of Welsh steel bars, and the Ebbw Vale Works which had been shut down for nearly six months have again been re-started. Quotations for Siemens qualities are £5 5s., and for Bessemer bars £5 2s. 6d. per ton. Although some of the steel works are still only partly employed, it is anticipated that large orders will be received in the near future, not only for rails, but for girders and angle iron of all descriptions. Welsh pig iron is 72s. 6d. per ton f.o.t. The financial difficulty is affecting the iron ore market, and it is difficult to do business. Best rubio does not command more than 17s. to 18s., and Almeria about 16s. 9d. per ton. In scrap metals there is a distinctly better tone, and although the volume of business done is not great, prices show an upward tendency. Heavy wrought is 52s. 6d., steel 57s. 6d., cast 55s., double-headed steel rails 60s., ditto, iron 65s., mixed sections 55s., and new steel crop ends 62s. 6d. per ton. Swansea. COAL. The trade of the port last week was not so good as the preceding week, both the coal and patent fuel trades being quiet. The shipments together amounted to 59,171 tons. An excellent attendance assembled on ’Change, and a better tone was in evidence, but quotations generally were unaltered. The demand for nearly all varieties of large coals was poor. Machine-made nuts and cobbles showed little movement, but beans and peas were again a steady market. Rubbly culm and duff continued weak. In the steam coal market there was no material alteration ; large coals remained steady at last prices, and other varieties were unaltered. 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)... 20/ -22/ 18/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 21/6-24/ Secondary do. 17/ -18/ 19/ -20/ Big Vein large (less 2% per cent.) 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 17/ -18/ Red Vein large do. ... 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 12/9-14/6 Machine - made cobbles (net) 19/3—21/3 19/3-21/3 21/6-23/ Paris nuts (net) — — 23/6-26/ French do. do 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 23/6—26/ German do. do 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 23/6-26/ Beans (net) 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 16/6-18/6 Machine - made large peas (net) 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 12/ -13/6 Do. fine peas (net) — — — Rubbly culm (less 2 g p.c.) 4/6- 5/ 5/6- 6/ 6/6- 7/ Duff (net) 3/ - 3/6 3/ - 3/6 4/9- 5/3 Steam coals:— Best large (less 2| p.c.) 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 19/ -20/ Seconds do. 13/6-15/6 13/6-15/6 14/ -16/ Bunkers do. 10/3-11/ 10/3-11/ 11/3-12/3 Small do. 7/6- 9/ 8/ - 9/6 7/9- 8/6 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.) ... 10/3-10/9 10/3-10/9 10/6-11/6 Patent fuel do. 16/6-17/9 16/6-17/6 18/ -19/ IRON. During last week regular employment was noted at the blastfurnaces, and the production of pig iron was heavier than a month ago. There was improvement shown in the tin-plate trade, and a lot of mills have resumed operations. The sheet mills, however, have been stopped since the declaration of war, and at present there is no sign of a restart. There was an increase, although not large, in the demand for bars at the steel works, and the production was a little over that of the preceding week. The shipments of tin-plates last week were 32,263 boxes ; receipts from works 104,149 boxes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 319,071 boxes. Llanelly. COAL. The position of the coal market continues to be most unsatisfactory, and the trade done is less than it was a few weeks ago. There has been very little improvement in shipping, and stocks which have accumulated to a large extent show no sign of decreasing. Some of the collieries have been idle for the past fortnight, to give an opportunity of stocks being cleared, but unless an alteration takes place they will again have to stop work as wagons become full. A few of the larger collieries have been stocking big quantities on the pit bank, but, at a time when money is scarce and difficult to secure, this is rather an expensive mode of working, and can only be done by those who are very strong financially. There is a big weakness in cobbles and nuts, and this market is likely to keep dull for some time. Large qualities are also slow in moving, but beans and peas are in fairly good request. Large steam is in excellent demand and prices are firm, but smalls are most difficult to place, at low figures. This week’s prices nominally are:— Prices f.o.b. Current prices. 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/ 20/ -22/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 20/ -22/ 13/6-14/6 6/ - 6/3 3/9- 5/6 16/ -18/. : 11/ -11/6 i 8/6- 9/6 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........ cuim.....:........... Duff ................ Other sorts:— Large steam coal..... Through-and-through... Small ............... Bituminous small coal... 11/ —11/6 j 11/ -11/6 16/ -18/ 11/ -11/6 8/6- 9/6 Last year’s prices. 20/6-22/6 19/ -20/ 17/6-18/6 13/6-14/6 19/6-20/6 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/6 24/ -25/ 20/ -21/ 12/6-13/ 7/ - 7/3 5/6- 7/ 17/ -18/6 11/6-12/ 9/6-10/6 10/6-11/6 Coal for Flushing.—The British Vice-Consul at Flushing (Mr. P. de Bruyne) reports that firms in that town have notified him that they are desirous of purchasing coal to the total amount of over 2,000 tons, and also 100 tons of briquettes. United Kingdom coal merchants may obtain the names and addresses of the enquirers on application to the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade, 73, Basinghall-street, London, E.C., but they should address any further communications regarding the enquiries direct to the British Vice-Consulate, Flushing. Coaling of German Ships.—The Coal Age states :—“ At San Francisco, the German steamer ‘ Mazatlan ’ was held up by the collector of the port just as she was about to sail with 500 tons of coal. The coal was contained in sacks, and it was believed that it was destined for the German cruisers ‘ Leipzig ’ or ‘ Nurnburg.’ At Philadelphia, the North German Lloyd steamship ‘ Brandenburg,’ said to be loaded with 10,000 tons of coal, took out clearance papers for Bergen, Norway, on August 21. The Hamburg-American steamer ‘ Gra?cia ’ cleared from New York on the night of August 27 with 3,000 tons of coal for Cadiz, Spain. It is rumoured that the coal is destined for the ‘ Kronprinz Wil- helm,’ which left New York Harbour on the night of August 3, and was last reported in West Indian waters. On the afternoon of August 29, the steamer ‘ Macedonia,’ of the same line, sailed from New Orleans with 5.000 tons-of coal, in addition to other large supplies. This is the first German vessel to sail from this port since the war was declared. Although ostensibly destined for Cadiz, Spain, it is believed that these supplies are intended for the German cruiser ‘ Dresden.’ ”