November 6, 1914. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 975 deterrent effect on trade. The export demand for gal" vanised sheets has shown a little liveliness since last week; but here, too, freightage is a considerable difficulty, par- ticularly in coastwise traffic. About this season the Scandinavian trade begins to develop, but the North Sea restrictions will be a serious hindrance. Prices range from <£12 up to £12 10s., the latter figure being the minimum for some leading houses for the home trade. Black sheets are quoted £7 15s. to £8 for hard doubles. Marked bars are steady at £9. One or two houses may be said to be really busy, and generally the position may be described as regular. Makers of common iron vary in their experiences ; some are busy, others report a state of quietude. Merchant qualities range from £7 5s. to £7 10s., nut iron is £7 2s. 6d., and bolt iron £7 5s. The puddled bar branch is in a state approaching stagnation. Rather than accept business at the proffered price of £4 10s. a number of makers are allowing their forges to stand. They will accept nothing under £4 17s. 6d. to £5, figures which, they say, allow no margin. Strip prices are maintained at recent levels—£7 10s. to £7 15s. according to size of order. Pig iron has moved continuously downward during the past five weeks, and another fall has to be recorded. For forge qualities the top price is 54s., and few makers get that. For Derbyshire iron 55s. is considered a good price. The demand is poor. For foundry iron sales are of moderate weight. Steel makers have added favour- able orders to their Books for angles, tees, and sections, and they are receiving enquiries from people who have hitherto obtained supplies from German sources. Sheet bars and billets are quoted £5 to £5 2s. 6d. for Bessemer qualities, and 2s. 6d. extra for Siemens. The bulk of the work is going to South Wales. Spiegel has been reduced by 5s. a ton. _____________________________________________________ THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, November 5. _______________________________ The London coal trade for the past week has been very slow. The impetus given to the trade by the colder weather has to a very large extent died down, and the buying has been confined to very small dimensions. The best qualities of hard steam coals are selling freely, but all the other qualities are very difficult to sell, and the abun- dant supply keeps the price very low. Bakers’ nuts, also, are well maintained, and the volume of trade doing is satisfactory, but second steam, kitchener cobbles, and all soft house coals are very dull. There has been a better attendance on the Exchange, and a considerable amount of activity in certain branches of the trade, but it has arisen largely from the keen competition on the part of the sellers to rid themselves of stock coal, and in many cases both merchants and factors have turned sellers instead of buyers. The turn of the month usually brings a certain amount of activity, but this month so far the demand is not strong. A fairly goad tonnage has been done in household qualities, and prices have remained stationary. The slight tendency downward toward the close of October has been checked since the beginning of November, but the market is still overstocked, and the cheaper qualities of house coal are increasingly difficult to sell. The natural market for all these qualities—viz., the shipping market—has been to a large extent closed to them. The seaborne arrivals in the River Thames for Monday’s market are shown in the returns as 13 vessels, all, however, contract cargoes, and 11 for Wednesday’s. Sharlston Wallsends are still quoted at 21s. per ton. No official quotations are given for the Tyne qualities. South York- shire best hards are quoted at Ils. to Ils. 6d. pit, or 12s. 9d. to 13s. f.o.b. The South Wales qualities are without change. The depot trade is not strong. More orders, however, have been received from the general public, and as so many of the London houses, especially flats, cannot take any large quantity of fuel for storage, the delivery trade has felt the benefit of the colder weather. The diminution of export coal from the Humber ports is becoming more marked as the war develops, and with the recent notice of the closing of the North Sea, the tonnage leaving the ports is likely to be still further curtailed. This, unfortunately, brings a very heavy quantity available for the London market, and as the supply is already far beyond the actual demand, there is every likelihood of a glut of all kinds of coals in the Metropolis and in other home markets. Mines appear to have been laid by merchant vessels flying a neutral flag as if for peaceful commerce, and recklessly endangering the lives of all who travel by sea. The Customs returns for iron .and steel shipments for October have been increasingly satisfactory, and in every case a considerable advance has been made as compared with the past two months. The London County Council have made a report through their financial committee with reference to the consolidation scheme for the London electric companies, and estimate that the capital required for the proposed new works, &c., would be five million pounds sterling for the first five years, and one million pounds sterling per annum after- wards. Germany has exported about one million of these annually hitherto, and they have 40 factories for making them. Official market quotations (pit mouth) are unchanged from those quoted in our last issue. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Friday, October 30.—The seaborne house coal market was inactive to-day, no cargo sales reported. Sharlston W.E., Yorks., 21s. 6d. Cargoes 22. Monday, November 2.—The seaborne house coal market was again inactive to-day, with no sales reported of either Durham or Yorkshire cargoes. Sharlston W.E., Yorks., 21s. 6d. Cargoes 13. Wednesday, November 4.—There was nothing fresh to report in the seaborne house coal market to-day, which remained very quiet, with no supplies coming forward at present. Sharlston W.E., Yorks., 21s. 6d. Cargoes 11. ___________________________ The council of the University of Sheffield has made the following appointments .- Mr. H. J. Davies, to the post of demonstrator in engineering ; Mr. F. Orme, B.Met., to the post of demonstrator in non-ferrous metallurgy. INDIAN AND COLONIAL NOTES. Africa. Mineral Traffic on the South African Railways.—Accord- ing to the report of the general manager, 6,985,832 tons of coal were hauled over the South African railways during 1913, an increase of 461,997 tons as compared with 1912; nevertheless the revenue fell from £1,969,182 to £1,890,799, the free hauled tonnage rising from 2,111,320 tons to 2,313,167 tons. The following table indicates the comparative tonnage of public and railway coal forwarded from the colliery dis- tricts of the several provinces :— 1913. 1912. Per cent. Per cent. Increase Tons. of total. Tons. of total. or decrease. Transvaal 5,063,418 59-0 4,600,191 57*9 + 463,227 Orange Free State 606,014 7T 510,639 6’4 + 95,375 Natal 2,850,253 33*2 2,764,837 34’8 + 85,416 Cape 59,221 •7 66,676 •9 - 7,455 Australasia. New Zealand State Coal Mines.—According to the annual statement of the Minister of Finance, the labour troubles during last year seriously affected the coal mining industry, for the output of coal shows a decrease of 289,610 tons as compared with the output for the previous year. Opera- tions in the State coal mines were carried on as usual during the year, except that for about three months work was at a standstill on account of the industrial unrest then prevalent throughout the Dominion. A statement of the financial position shows a debit balance in profit and loss account of £23,307, with a sinking fund of £13,200, and a reserve fund of £5,884. The actual deficiency is therefore £4,223. The Seddonville Colliery has been closed. The account shows a loss of £27,143, against which there are assets valued at £4,037. The briquette account shows a loss of £10,756, with assets valued at £2,003. The proposals submitted by various persons interested in the development of the Dominion’s iron resources, after examination by a committee of experts, were carefully considered during ths recess. As a result, it is intended to submit a measure for the consideration of honourable members, which, if passed into law, will encourage the establishment of this important industry in the Dominion. _____________________________ LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE COAL ASSOCIATION. Sir Henry Hall Elected President. The 71st annual meeting of this association was held at the Queen’s Hotel, Manchester, on Tuesday, November 3. The President (Mr. Vincent Bramall) was in the chair, and the members present were representative of the various districts covered by the association. The President’s report for 1913-14 (advance copies of which had been forwarded to members, together with the audited balance-sheet and statement of accounts) were taken as read. — The report of the Finance Committee on the accounts was read, and the whole were unanimously approved and adopted. New President. Mr. W. H. Hewlett, in rising to propose the president for the ensuing year, said—addressing Mr. Bramall—that in vacating the chair he would take with him the approval and warmest thanks of the association for the excellent manner in which he had discharged his duties as president, and for the valuable services he had rendered to the associa- tion during his year of office. It devolved upon them to appoint a successor to the chairman. As they all knew, it was the custom for each district comprising the association to nominate a president in turn. On that occasion it was the turn of the Wigan district to name a president for the ensuing year. They had in the past had a long roll of gentlemen of position and attainments who had filled the office of president of that association, but he felt sure that when he submitted the name of Sir Henry Hall as president for the coming year they would none of them feel they were departing from the good traditions of the past. Sir Henry Hall was well known to them all. He referred to the fact that for many years Sir Henry represented the Government as inspector of mines for the Liverpool and North Wales district, and he was sure they all appreciated the excellent and impartial manner in which he had carried out the duties of that important office, the honours conferred upon him on his retirement attesting the appreciation with which his services were regarded. (Hear, hear.) He had been looking through the list of past-presidents of the association, but he had not found that any of them had been honoured with a knighthood. Their secretary had been so honoured, and it was a great pleasure to him to propose that Sir Henry Hall be elected president of the Association for the ensuing year. Mr. Charles Pilkington said it afforded him the greatest pleasure to second the proposal. He referred to the fact that Sir Henry Hall was one of the first to call attention to the coal dust question, and said he had worked very hard, not only in connection with that question, but in many other ways in the interests of safety in mining. He felt sure that if Sir Henry would accept the office he would justify their selection in every way. (Hear, hear.) The resolution, on being put to the meeting, was carried by acclamation. The new President, in taking the chair, said that whilst acknowledging the kind remarks of the proposer and seconder, he felt bound to say that he had experienced con- stant and universal kindness from colliery owners during his inspectorship, which had extended over rather a long period. He felt very much honoured in being elected presi- dent of the Lancashire and Cheshire Coal Association. He did not suppose the duties would be very onerous, but in any event he knew he could always fall back upon their worthy secretary, who always seemed to be able to make crooked things straight. He expressed the hope that what- ever difference of opinion might arise in their deliberations from time to time, they would always hang together as an association, and in that way make it effective. He thanked them very much for the honour they had done him. On the motion of Mr. J. S. Burrows, seconded by Mr. Harry Speakman, the best thanks of the association were given to the retiring president for his valuable services during the past year. Mr. Bramall having acknowledged the resolution, the call for the ensuing year was fixed, and the thanks of the asso- ciation were accorded to Sir William Scott Barrett for his services as honorary auditor of the accounts, coupled with a request that he would favour the association by continuing to act in that capacity. The Parliamentary, Railway, and Finance Committees having been appointed, the meeting proceeded with the ordinary business on the agenda, after the discussion of which, on the motion of Mr. Wallwork, seconded by Mr. Bramall, a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Sir Thomas Ratcliffe-Ellis for his services as solicitor and secretary during the past year. The resolution having been acknowledged, the proceed- ings terminated. _______________________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market is healthy, and prices for the most part advancing. A.t all events there is no reduction in price to be noted with the one exception of benzols, which are easier. Carbolics, tar, toluol, crude naphtha and creosote are all dearer. Nearest values are:— Benzols......................................... /Il Do. North.................................. /9 to /9| Toluol ........................................ 1/8 to 1/9 Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) ........... 2/6 Do. crystals (40 per cent.) ......... /10 Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package)... /9| Crude ditto (in bulk) ......................... /5| Creosote (for ordinary qualities) ............. /3T7K Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ....................... — Do. (f.a.s. west coast) ....................... — Tar (liquids in 1 ton) ______:______....................... 16/ to 17/6 [Benzols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at maker's works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch f.o.b. net.’] Sulphate of Ammonia.—The market is very firm, and prices at most ports are on the rise. In the north the position is well held, but in the absence of enquiries for forward, this side of the market is nominally easy. Closing prompt prices are — London (ordinary makes) .......... £10/8/9 Beckton .......................... £10 Liverpool ........................ £10/17/6 .............................. Hull..................................... £10/15/ Middlesbrough.................... £10/15 Scotch ports ...................... £11 to £11/2/6 Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ... 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.} _______ Trade Notes. It is satisfactory to see there has been considerable move- ment in the exports of sulphate of ammonia during the past 10 days or so. A number of moderate shipments have been made to the U.S.A. Spain also has taken some substantial parcels, but the bulk of the exports have gone to Javan dis- tricts ; while Japan has taken her share. War or no war, 350 tons have gone to Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Concerning our technical abilities, as referred to last week, it is reassuring to learn that a Danish chemist, who is competent to form an opinion, states his belief that the British chemist is the finest in the world, and that he can make anything that was erstwhile made in Germany. He certainly has not been treated quite fairly by the manufac- turer in the past. Even when he is paid fairly, he is only treated as a kind of necessary expense, or even luxurious adjunct; he is not treated as an equal in the conduct of a business. Yet it is just this coalition of brains and busi- ness ability that goes to make success in most businesses, and absolutely so in the chemical and by-product trades. The writer can testify from personal experience that where instances of striking industrial development and the build- ing up of a profitable business have arisen, the chemist and the expert technician have been either on the board of directors or in close touch with the business side of the firm. To relegate such men to the oblivion of their laboratory, or to look “ sideways ” at all their proposals, is to court failure and positive waste of money. If you buy blankets, put them on the bed to give you warmith; don’t pay for them and put them away in a chest of drawers, and then complain that they are very expensive things, and, after all, do not really keep your bed (or business) warm. It may seem looking a long way ahead, but it is the clear and far-sighted who prosper in most things, and so the question may be asked : What will be the first things to be put back into normal working order in Belgium and France when the fighting is finished ? Surely it will be the drainage and general sanitation, and also public lighting of the streets in the towns; and the restoration of agriculture and the general cultivation of foodstuffs in the country. What will that means to the by-products trade? Why, an increased* call for disinfectants of all sorts, and the accumulation of gas liquor and tar products at the gas works. Even sup- posing electric light supplants many of the old gas works, there will certainly be many who will produce gas but have no plant ready to treat the by-products. It is a thing worth looking into by British producers of by-products from tar and gas liquor, because they can produce the sulphate of ammonia for the country needs of the agriculturist quite near at hand, and the disinfectants on the very spot. Now is the time to think out the plan of campaign for providing compact and fairly portable plant, and also selecting the most convenient points for erecting such plant with a view to the cheap and quick collection of raw material from the gas works, iron works, and coke ovens. Moreover, it will then be well to have ascertained or noted the most advan- tageous methods and people by which, and with whom, to open up negotiations for making sliding scale contracts for these raw materials. As regards sulphate of ammonia, there will also be German agricultural needs to supply, and what a saving of carriage and freight there will be for those located in Belgium and on the present Franco-German frontier. It is never too soon to prepare, and those who get there first usually get the lion's share of trade — at all events, in European countries. So let’s get! During the past week there have been considerable ship- ments of disinfectants, including small quantities to Antwerp and Bordeaux. In sulphate of ammonia, the exports totalled to something a little short of 7,000 tons. In pitch, the shipments comprised 3,013 tons and £26 worth. Tar, 33,695 galls., 17 tons, and £22 worth.