October 23, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 875 THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, October 22. North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. The present outlook of the coal trade in this district, generally speaking, is of satisfactory character, and all the collieries are able to work fairly good time, though the daily output is not so great as it was, owing to the increasing number of men who have joined the Colours. There is a regular demand for house coal of best and second quality, as although the spell of fine weather still continues, house- holders, as well as the various public institutions, are laying in their winter stocks. In regard to gas coal, normal contract quantities have been despatched to the various works, the contracts for which are held by the local collieries, and this trade accounts for a goodly tonnage from each of the pits where good gas coal is raised. The railway companies account for the major portion of the steam fuel sold, as several collieries hold railway contracts. There is a moderate sale of coal for manufacturing purposes, though short time continues to be worked at several large works. A fair amount of business has been transacted at Liverpool, Birkenhead, and Ellesmere Port in the shipping coal trade, and all things considered, the prices obtained have been satisfactory. The demand for slack is by no means keen, and spot lots can be bought on advantageous terms to buyers at practically every colliery. Current prices are as below:— Prices at pit f.o.r.: — Best house coal ...... Secondary do.......... Steam coal............ Gas coal.............. Bunkers............... Nuts ................. Slack ................ Gas coke (at works)... Prices landsale:— Best house coal ...... Seconds .............. Slack ................ Current prices. 14/9-15/9 13/9-14/9 12/3-13/ 12/ -12/6 12/ -12/3 11/ -11/9 5/6- 7/ 11/8-13/4 18/4-20/ 16/8-18/4 10/ -11/8 L'st quot'd tast year's prices. 14/6-15/6 13/6-14/3 12/ -12/6 12/ -12/9 11/9-12/3 11/3-11/9 6/ - 7/ 11/8-13/4 prices. 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/ 13/ —13/9 12/ -12/6 11/ -11/9 6/ - 7/3 13/4-15/ 18/4-20/ 17/6-18/4 16/8-17/6 16/8-17/6 10/ -12/6 10/ -12/6 Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. Much the same conditions prevail in the steam coal market as when last writing. There is a fair amount of business doing for large coals, but buyers seem shy of placing their orders for more than immediate requirements, showing great inclination to hold off as long as possible, hoping for the opportunity of making better terms. There has been an enquiry on the market for Western Valleys coals for delivery over the first half of 1915, but as yet no immediate prospect of definite business. It is generally understood that the number of tenders for the Egyptian State Railways, which were handed in yesterday, were nothing like so numerous as usual, but as yet there is no indication as to the acceptation of these. However, it is quite plain that both buyers and sellers regard the future trend of business as of great uncertainty, and are proceeding with great caution. At the moment smalls are rather weaker, the enquiry being limited. House coals yet remain unchanged, likewise coke, patent fuel, nuts and throughs. Pitwood is again a shade easier at about 19s. 6d. for good wood ex-ship. In the freight market there is a good enquiry for Mediterranean ports, also for South American, while the nearer Continental ports are also quite steady. The coasting trade rules easier. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days, less 2| per cent. firms who have taken advantage of the moratorium, which’ as everybody is now aware, will expire on November 4. Shipments last week from the principal Bristol Channel ports amounted to 380,000 tons, or 165,000 tons less than in the corresponding week of last year. Nearly the whole of this decrease was accounted for by the shipments from Cardiff, which were only 230,000 tons, or 150,000 tons lower than in the corresponding week of 1913. From Swansea the shipments were 63,000 tons, or a falling off of 2,700 tons, and the exports from Port Talbot were under 11,000 tons. From Newport the shipments were nearly 71,000 tons, or nearly 4,000 tons in excess of the shipments in the corresponding week of last year. As indicated above, some of the best collieries are unwilling to do business at less than 22s., but some middlemen who made satisfactory contracts at the close of last year are slightly shading these figures, and the market may be said to range between 21s. and 22s. Superior second Admiralties at 20s. are slightly easier, and ordinary qualities are being done at 18s. to 18s. 6d. The heavy shipments from Newport have had a steadying effect on Monmouthshire coals, and recent quotations have been maintained. Best Black Veins are 17s. 3d., Western Valleys 16s. 9d., and Eastern Valleys 16s. 3d.—in each case f.o.t. Cardiff. The fall of Antwerp has exercised a depressing effect on the small coal trade, as this was considered an important market for the disposal of Welsh small coal, large quantities of which were usually sent to Belgium through Antwerp and Ghent, and so long as the Germans are in occupation of the famous Belgian seaport, this market is of course closed. Current prices for best bunkers are in the neighbourhood of 8s. to 8s. 3d., best ordinaries 7s. 9d., and cargo qualities from 6s. to 6s. 6d. per ton. There has been an improvement in the demand for dry coals, and quotations are slightly firmer. The Egyptian railways contract is now being considered, but it is not thought likely that best Admiralty coal will be taken. For several years preference has been given to Monmouth- shire descriptions, and this course will probably be taken on the present occasion, and there is practically no change in bituminous qualities, although the demand is very slow, and No. 3 Rhondda large is still quoted at 17s. 6d., No. 2 at 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d., and other grades in proportion. In patent fuel there has for some time past been a lack of orders, and prices have had a sagging tendency. Best descriptions are now quoted at 16s. 6d. to 18s. with secondary brands at 15s. to 16s. There is an enquiry on the market for 102,000 tons for the Algerian State Railways for delivery between November and the end of June next. Last year a considerable proportion of this contract was secured by Germany, but under existing conditions it is thought probable that the business may again be captured by South Wales, and the North of Spain railways are also likely to be in the market shortly for their requirements over next year, and in this case also a portion of the contract last year was secured by Belgium, and there is every possibility of the business being secured by local firms. Pitwood has been rather more plentiful, and the price has again receded slightly, current quotations being 19s. 9d. to 20s. per ton. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). seconds 14s. 6d. to 15s., and Almeria 16s. per ton. In scrap metals there is a firm tendency, heavy wrought being 52s., steel scrap 53s., casts 53s., donble-headed iron rails 65s., steel 62s. 6d., mixed sections 55s., and new steel crop ends 59s. to 60s. Swansea. COAL. Under the conditions at present prevailing the trade of the port during the past week was fairly good. The coal trade was active, but the' patent fuel exports were very low. The shipments of coal and patent fuel together totalled 75,333 tons. There was a good attendance on ’Change, and the undertone of the anthracite coal market continued to display a strong feeling. Swansea Valley large was firmly quoted at advanced figures, whilst the better qualities were also harder. Red Vein large, however, was still easy. There was an excellent demand for machine-made nuts and cobbles, with values moving in an upward direction. Rubbly culm and duff continued in very poor demand, and were freely offered for immediate delivery at low figures. In the steam coal market large continued very firm, but smalls were freely offered at reduced prices. Prices f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Anthracite:— Best malting large (hand picked) (net)... Secondary do. Big Vein large (less 2| per cent.) Red Vein large do. ... Machine-made cobbles (net) Paris nuts (net) French do. do German do. do Beans (net) Machine - made large peas (net) Do. fine peas (net) Rubbly culm (less 21 p.c.) Duff (net) Steam coals:— Best large (less 2| p.c.) Seconds do. Bunkers do. Small do. Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— Large (less 2| p.c.) ... Through-and-through (less 2| p.c.) Small (less 2| p.c.) ... Patent fuel do Current prices. 21/6-24/6 19/6-20/6 18/6-20/6 12/6-14/6 20/ -23/ 21/6-24/6 22/ -23/6 18/6-19/6 12/ -13/ 4/ - 4/6 3/ - 3/6 18/9-21/6 14/9-15/6 10/3—11/ 5/6- 8/6 17/6-18/6 10/ -10/9 16/ -16/6 L'st week’s prices. 21/6-24/6 17/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 12/6-14/6 20/ -23/ 21/6-24/6 22/ -23/6 18/6-19/6 12/ -13/ 4/ - 4/6 3/ - 3/6 18/9-21/6 14/9-15/6 10/3-11/ 5/6- 8/6 17/6-18/6 10/6-10/9 16/ -16/6 Last year’s prices. 21/6-24/ 19/6-20/6 17/6-18/6 14/6—16/ 21/6-23/ 23/6-25/6 23/6-25/6 23/6-25/6 16/6-18/6 12/6-13/6 5/9- 6/3 4/ - 5/3 19/ -20/ 14/ -15/ 10/6-12/ 7/9- 8/6 17/ -18/ 13/6-14/6 10/6-11/6 18/ -19/ 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. 16/9-17/ 16/ -16/6 15/6—16/ 15/ -15/6 6/9- 7/ 6/ - 6/9 5/6- 6/ 7/ 11/9-12/ 12/6-13/* 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -16/6 18/ -19/ 21/ -23/ L'st week’s Last year's prices. 16/9-17/ 16/ —16/6 15/6-16/ 15/ -15/6 7/ - 7/6 6/ - 6/9 5/ - 6/ 7/3- 7/6 11/9-12/ 12/3-12/6 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -16/6 18/ -19/ 21/ -23/ prices. 16/9-17/3 15/6-15/9 15/3—15/6 15/ -15/3 8/ - 8/3 7/3- 7/6 6/9- 7/ 8/3 11/6-11/9 13/ —13/3 18/ -19/ 17/ —18/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 23/ -25/ Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ 18/ -18/6 8/ - 8/3 7/9 6/ - 6/6 5/ 21/ -21/6 19/ -20/ 16/ 15/ 15/ 14/ 9/ 17/3 16/9 16/3 15/ -15/3 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6 . 14/ 11/ 13/6-13/9 10/6 7/ - 7/6 16/6-18/ 15/ -16/ 27/ -30/ 22/ -26/ 18/ -19/ 19/9-20/ L'st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ 20/6 17/9 8/ - 8/3 7/9- 8/ 6/6- 7/ 5/ -6/ 20/ -21/ 18/ -18/9 !6/ 15/ 14/6 13/6 ■ 9/ 17/6 17/3 16/6 15/ -15/6 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6 14/ -14/6 10/6 13/6-13/9 10/6-11/ 7/ - 7/3 18/ 16/6-17/6 27/ -30/ 22/ -26/ 19/ 20/6-21/ Last year’s prices. 19/9-20/3 19/ -19/3 17/6-17/9 10/6 10/ 7/ - 7/6 6/ - 6/6 18/3-18/6 15/6-16/ 16/ 15 14/ 13/ 11/9 16/9-17/ 16/3-16/6 15/9-16/ 15/ -15/3 20/6 17/6-18/ 17/ 15/ 12/ -12/6 13/ 10 6-11/ 8/ 22/6-23/ 20/ -21/6 28/ -30/ 23/ -26/ 20/ -21/ 21/3 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) IRON. Last week the blast furnaces made full time, the previous outputs of pig iron for home destinations being maintained. In the tin-plate trade stoppages were constantly occurring at several works, but employers were doing their utmost to keep as many mills going as possible, and in several cases men were sharing shifts in the various departments. Every- thing was very slack in the corrugated sheet industry, and there was still nothing doing at the sheet mills in the Morriston group. The production was stationary at the bar-rolling mills. There was a heavier supply of ingots, and an increase in the output of tin-bars. The shipments of tin-plates last week were 35,006 boxes, receipts from works 62,258 boxes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 244,406 boxes. Llanelly. COAL. There is very little to complain of in the present condition of the coal market, especially with regard to anthracite. The improvement in the demand for nearly all kinds has been surprisingly good. Two or three weeks ago a number of collieries were scarcely able to put in half-time, and stocks had accumulated very largely, but just now pits are working at full pressure, and most of the coals are practically sold. There has been a big improvement in the demand from the Continental market, and France and Italy especially are taking very heavy shipments. Shipping is improving almost daily, and compared with the corre- sponding period of last year the position is almost similar. The horticultural qualities are not going so well as collieries would like, owing to the present mild weather, but it is expected that as soon as a change takes place orders will be fairly plentiful. Inland orders still keep quiet, and is not so busy as it was a month ago. Culm and duff are most difficult to dispose of, and stocks are heavy. Large steams are in big demand at high prices, but smalls and bunkers do not show the least improvement. This week's quotations are:— Prices f.o.b. Cardiff. COAL. The Government continues to take practically the whole of the best Admiralty coal, with the result that there is none available for disposal to private consumers. For that reason prices are merely nominal, but if there were any coal available 22s. would be accepted. The general impression is that so long as the German fleet continues in harbour the demand for best Admiralty coal will continue, as our men-of-war must at all times have their steam full up. This, of course, necessitates a huge consumption of coal. Charterings for the past week have been very satisfactory, the amount of tonnage taken up being 214,000 tons, or an increase of practically 9,000 tons over the preceding six days. These figures, of course, do not include Admiralty fixtures, which are not disclosed. A considerable amount of chartering has taken place for Genoa, South America, and the northern ports of France, and, speaking generally, there is a more hopeful tone on ’Change than there has been for some time past. No doubt the very favourable news from land and sea has contributed in a great measure to this. The financial difficulty is being gradually overcome, although there is a certain amount of uneasiness as to the position of many IRON. There is rather a healthier tone in the tin-plate trades so far as demand is concerned, but prices are considered to be on an unremunerative basis. Enquiries are rather more plentiful, but up to the present no substantial amount of business has been reported as completed. Shipments last week only amounted to 35,000 boxes, whereas receipts from works totalled 62,258 boxes, leaving 244,406 boxes in stock in the docks warehouses and vans. Bessemer standard cokes are officially quoted at 12s. 9d., but business has been done at 12s. 6d., and even at 12s. 4|d. for prompt loading. Oil sizes are not in much demand, but with the reopening of the Roumanian market, which is anticipated shortly, a good business is likely to result; 18| x 14 sheets are 13s. 3d., and 20 x 10 sizes 18s. 6d. The galvanised ^heet trade is still very dull, and many mills are not fully occupied, with the result that a considerable amount of distress prevails in some districts; 24-gauge corrugateds are offering at <£13 10s., and even lower figures are being accepted by makers outside the Association. Welsh steel bars are slightly easier, <£5 2s. 6d. being accepted for Siemens and <£5 for Bessemer qualities. Welsh pig iron is 70s. per ton f.o.t. The iron ore market is still very dull and best rubio does not command more than 16s. to 16s. 3d., 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/ 19/ -21/ 17/ -19/ 13/6-14/ 20/ -22/ 22/ -23/ 22/ -24/ 22/ -24/ 20/6-22/6 13/6-14/6 5/ - 5/6 3/9- 5/6 L'st week's prices. 21/ -23/ 19/ -21/ 16/ —18/ 13/6-14/ 20/ -22/ 22/ -23/ 22/ -24/ 22/ -24/ 20/6-22/6 13/6-14/6 5/ - 5/6 3/9- 5/6 16/ -18/ s 16/ -18/ 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 8/6- 9/6 ! 8/6- 9/6 11/ -11/6 : 11/ -11/6 Last year's prices. 22/ -23/ 19/ -21/ 18/ -19/ 14/6-15/6 20/ -21/ 23/ -25/ 23/ -25/ 23/ -25/ 18/ -20/ 12/6-13/6 5/3- 5/6 4/6- 5/6 16/ -17/ 11/ -11/6 9/ -10/ 11/ -12/ Partnerships Dissolved.—The London Gazette announces the dissolution of the following partnerships :—T. B. Roger- son, I. Urwin. and W. Cracknell, iron and steel founders, at Tow Law, Durham, under the style of Bond Rogerson and Company; L. M. Harris and A. T. Hood, carrying on business as ship chandlers and ironmongers at 16, Alex- andra-road, Newport, under the style of Harris and Hood.