November 6, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 979 THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday bf^ Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COAL. The past week’s trade has been quiet to the verge of slackness. Only a very moderate enquiry has been experienced, this also being hampered by the present lack of tonnage, and the harder freights being now demanded by shipowners. Hopes are freely expressed that the present easiness is only temporary, and so most collieries continue to quote unabated prices, but outside the leading firms whose stems are not so empty, concessions are to be easily obtained, and of a fairly substantial nature. The easiest values to-day are the lower grade coals, for which there is the least demand, while the better kinds are aided by some large enquiries for Admiralty sorts, the demand for which soon permeates into the next quality coals. Smalls continue quiet, there being a considerable amount of tonnage over- due, which has interfered with the shipment of bunker coals. Patent fuel, coke and house coals remain unaltered, and with little fresh in the way of enquiry. Pitwood is in better request, quotations ruling firmer at 20s. 6d. to 21s. 6d. ex-ship for best French fir. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days, less 2| per cent. Current Steam coals :— I prices. Best Black Vein large../ 16/9-17/3 Western-vaileys, ordin’y 16/ -16/6 Best Eastern-valleys ... 15/ -15/6 Secondary do. i 14/6-15/ Best small coals ..... 6/3- 6/9 Secondary do..........: 5/9- 6/ Inferior do........... 5/3- 5/6 Screenings............ 6/6- 7/ Through coals ........ 11/9-12/ Best washed nuts...... 13/ -13/6 Other sorts:— L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 16/9-17/ 16/ -16/6 15/6-16/ 15/ -15/6 6/9- 7/ 6/ - 6/6 5/6— 6/ 7/ 11/9-12/ 12/9-13/3 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -16/6 18/ -19/ 21/ -23/ prices. 17/ -17/3 15/9-16/ 15/6-15/9 15/3-15/6 8/3- 8/6 7/9- 8/ 7/ - 7/6 8/3- 8/6 11/9-12/ 13/ —13/6 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 23/ -25/ Best house coal....... 18/ -19/ Secondary do........ 16/6-17/6 Patent fuel .......... 16/ —16/6 Furnace coke..........; 18/ -19/ Foundry coke ......... 21/ -23/ IRON. The conditions of the iron and steel trades throughout the district remain very much the same as for the past few weeks. Whilst orders in hand are keeping works reason- ably well engaged, only a small amount of forward business is being concluded. Prices are still in favour of buyers, who are, however, only placing orders for immediate requirements in the hope of further concessions. Work at bar mills is much as last week, and rumours which have been floating respecting the possible restart of other works in the western valleys district lack confirmation, and probably untrue. Prices, while officially unaltered on the basis of £4 15s. to <£417s. 6d. for both Siemens and Bessemer qualities, are inclined to be easier. There is a better busi- ness passing in rails, for which quotations are steady, work ha\ ing been decidedly better on the week. At blast furnaces there is rather less doing, with prices down on the week, and enquiry not now satisfactory. Tin-plates continue disappointing. New business for the approaching year, which is generally being negotiated at this period, is wholly wanting. Stocks continue to increase steadily, and makers are offering concessions, and regard the outlook with concern. Cardiff. COAL. The position of the market shows little alteration from last week. There is practically no Admiralty coal obtain- able owing to Government requirements, and it is difficult to get a price. For the few parcels that can be spared for private consumers, round about 22s. is being demanded by the colliery salesmen, but several middlemen who happen to be fortunately circumstanced are willing to take a trifle less. Complications in the Eastern situation will, of course, have a detrimental effect on the market, and this is already being reflected in freights, which have advanced from 2s. to 3s. per ton during the last fortnight, especially for Upper Mediterranean and Eastern ports. A week ago 8s. was readily accepted for Genoa, but now 10s. 6d. is demanded, and as much as 13s. 6d. to 14s. for Venice and Port Said. This is due to two causes—first of all the action of Turkey ; and, secondly, the high rates now obtainable for homeward cargoes from South America. The latter are so remunera- tive that vessels are taking out cargoes of coal to the Mediterranean, and are then proceeding in ballast to South American ports. The outlook for outward tonnage, there- fore, is anything but promising, and charterings last week only amounted to 163,15q tons compared with 165,503 tons in the preceding six da^s, or a decrease of 2,380 tons. This is, of course, outside the tonnage engaged by the Admiralty on time charter; but it is, nevertheless, very much lower than the average of the corresponding period of last year, and prospects are anything but reassuring for the imme- diate future. Shipments last week amounted to just under 373,000 tons, compared with 479,489 tons in the corresponding week of last year. This shows a decrease of over 106,000 tons, but if the Admiralty shipments were added there is no doubt that last year’s total would be easily exceeded. From Cardiff alone the exports were 200,000 tons, or nearly 127,000 tons less than last year ; from Newport 74,288 tons, or an increase of 16,399 tons; Swansea shipments were 61,320 tons, or 3,066 tons lower than a year ago. Port Talbot this week also showed an increase of 6,905 tons, the total being nearly 37,000 tons. There are a good many orders on the market, but owing to the difficulty of supply it is almost impossible to do business. Although nothing definite has yet been heard of the Egyptian State Railways contract for 360,000 metrical tons, it is reported that a substantial portion of the business has been placed with Messrs. AV atts, Watts and Co., and that a large slice has been secured by America This departure was not altogether unexpected, because when the trade was in an unsettled condition in this district, in order to protect themselves the Egyptian authorities have in previous years placed a portion of their requirements writh American firms. The French State Railways are in the market for 95,000 tons of small and 20,000 tons of large for delivery within the next three months, and tenders have to be in by the 13th inst. Nothing has yet been heard of the Algerian State Railways contract for 102,000 tons of fuel and 9,500 tons of smalls, but a rumour is current that a substantial quantity of that fuel contract will be awarded to Spanish makers. The Chilian Government are asking for quotations for 3< 0,000 tons of American coal. In former years the bulk of this business has come to South Wales and Monmouthshire, but owing to the war it is probable that this order will be diverted to the American market. The Brazilian Govern- ment are also said to be asking for tenders for 150,000 tons of American coal. The North of Spain Railways contract, to which reference was made a fortnight ago, is reported to have been settled, but no details are yet obtainable, and the firms concerned decline to confirm or otherwise the rumours which have been floating about on ’Change during the present week. It is reported that Spanish makers of fuel have secured part of the contract, and that the remainder has been placed with Messrs. Morgan, Wakley and Company of Cardiff. The total quantity asked for was 62,500 tons, and Messrs. Morgan, Wakley and Company are reported to have secured 25,000 tons. Superior second Admiralties continue to be in good request and the price ranges about 20s. to 20s. 6d., with ordinary qualities down to 18s. 6d. and 18s. 9d. There has been a limited demand for Monmouth- shire coals, and owing to accumulation of stocks in some instances prices have been rather easier. Best Black Veins are 17s. 3d. to 17s. 6d., Western Valleys 16s. 9d., and Eastern Valleys 16s. 3d., in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. The advance in the price of first quality nuts has been maintained, but second grades are cheaper. The falling off in the demand for smalls has influenced prices and stocks are stated to be accumulating largely. Best bunkers are 7s. 9d. to 8s., ordinaries 7s. 3d. to 7s. 6d., and cargo qualities anything between 5s. 6d. and 6s. 3d. Bituminous coals are dull, and prices are rather inclined to sag. No. 3 Rhondda large still command 17s. to 17s. 6d., but other grades are slightly weaker, through being 14s. 6d. to 15s., and small Ils. to Ils. 6d. No. 2 Rhondda large is cheaper at 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d., with other qualities in proportion. Coke is unaltered. In pit wood there is rather a firmer tendency, and the price ranges between 20s. and 21s. The official returns for the eight months of the present year show in most cases a large decrease compared with the corresponding period of last year. There is a falling off in the exports to no fewer than 36 countries, while small increases are reported only in the case of 20 countries. The following table compiled from the official Custom House returns shows the amount of coal exported from the principal Bristol Channel ports to the chief foreign countries of the world and British Possessions during the nine months ending September last, and the increase or decrease respectively compared with the corresponding period of last year:— Nine months, ended Sept. 1914. Increase. Decrease. Tons. Tons. Tons. Russia 359,535 ... — . 127,996 Sweden 139,494 ... — . 36,076 Norway 104,772 ... 28,720 " — Denmark 36,439 ... 7,000 .. — Germany 174,423 ... — , 61,685 Netherlands 64,776 ... — . 28,095 Java Other Dutch posses- 13,612 ... — . 6,799 sions in Indian Seas 23,327 ... 10,879 .. — Belgium *. 230,390 ... — . 139,074 France 5,006,542 ... — . 478,600 Algeria 425,269 ... ■ . 141,929 French Somaliland .. 36,558 ... — . 7,138 Madagascar 19,814 ... 9,163 — Reunion ... 5,498 ... 688 ... — Portugal 543,626 ... — 69,457 Azores 21,200 ... 8,808 ... — Madeira 58,288 ... — 43,085 Spain 976,060 ... 515 ... — Canary Islands 336,383 ... — 199,073 Italy 3,828,793 ... — 234,811 Italian East Africa 11,523 ... 6,222 ... — Austria-Hungary ... 127,749 ... — 119,976 Greece 263,061 ... — 650 Bulgaria 63,238 ... 63,238 ... — Roumania 183,535 ... 63,214 ... — Turkey — European 107,765 ... 35,437 ... — ,, Asiatic ... 162,595 ... 86,139 ... — Egypt 1,345,356 ... — 94,524 Tripoli 8,035 ... 5,025 ... — China 4,935 ... — 20,644 Cuba 4,276 ... — 4,891 Mexico 1,326 ... — 17,742 Peru 12,718 ... 4,021 ... — Chile 229,281 ... — 127,058 Brazil 793,628 ... — 453,350 Uruguay 395,046 ... — 89,675 Argentine Republic 2,063,631 ... — 291,575 Channel Islands 52,148 ... 6,807 ... — Gibraltar 155,977 ... — 8,623 Malta and Gozo 240,881 ... — 171,463 Cape of Good Hope Anglo - Egyptian 25,839 ... — 5,106 Sudan Mauritius and De- 36,589 ... 36,589 ... — pendencies Aden and Dependen- 12,454 ... — 14,624 cies 113,664 ... — 14,014 British India 95,029 ... 13,363 ... — Straits Settlements Ceylon and Depen- 16,715 ... — 1,296 dencies 206,547 ... 38,542 ... — Wei-hai-Wei — — 6,909 Hong Kong 10,366 ... — 28,863 Canada 10,060 ... — 4,488 Bermudas British West India 10,530 ... 5,400 ... — Islands 13,366 ... 6,706 ... — Falkland Islands ... 4,712 ... — 6,428 West Africa (British) 76,369 ... — 2,927 „ (French) 64,964 ... — 62,589 „ (Portuguese) 99,946 ... — 77,645 The patent fuel trade is exceptionally quiet, and the output is only about one-fourth of the normal quantity. The ship- ments during the past week were exceptionally low, and detailed returns are not available. The Crown Company exported 4,841 tons, and the Swansea shipments are esti- mated at less than 3,000 tons. Best brands are offering at 17s. to 17s. 6d., and ordinary grades at 16s. to 16s. 6d. per ton. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals 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— Large Through-and-through Small Best patent fuel Seconds Special foundry coke Ordinary do. Furnace coke Pitwood (ex-ship) Current prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ -20/6 18/6-18/9 7/9- 8/ 7/3- 7/6 5/6- 6/3 4/6- 5/ 20/6-21/6 18/6-20/ 17/6 15/ 15/ 13/6-13/9 9/ 17/3-17/6 16/9 16/3 15/ —15/6 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/ -17/6 14/6-15/ 11/ -11/6 13/6-13/9 10/6-11/ 7/ - 7/6 17/ -17/6 16/ -16/6 27/ -30/ 22/ -26/ 19/ 20/ -21/ L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ 18/6 7/9- 8/ 7/6- 7/9 5/6- 6/3 4/6-5/ 21/6-22/ 19)6-20/6 17/6 16/ 15/ 14/ 9/ 17/6 16/9 16/3 15/ -15/3 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6 14/6 11/6 13/6-13/9 10/6-11/ 7/6 17/ -18/ 15/6-16/6 27/ -30/ 22/ -26/ 18/ -19/ 19/ -19/6 Last year’s prices. 20/3-20/6 19/6 18/3 10/9-10/101 10/ -10/6 7/9- 8/ 7/ - 7/3 18/9-19/ 16/ —16/6 16/ 15/ 14/ 13/ 11/9-12/ 16/9-17/ 16/ -16/3 15/6 15/ 20/6 17/6-18/ 16/6-17/ 14/6-15/ 11/6-12/6 13/6 11/ 8/3- 8/6 22/6 19/6-21/6 28/ 23/ -26/ 20/ -21/ 22/3 IRON. There is very little change in the tin-plate trade, except that production last week considerably exceeded the ship- ments. Receipts from works amounted to 63,319 boxes, com- pared with 58,276 boxes in the previous week and 119,279 boxes in the corresponding week of last year. Shipments were 44,378 boxes, against 68,305 boxes the previous week and 80,068 boxes in the corresponding week of last year. Stocks remaining in the docks warehouses and vans amount to 252,818 boxes, compared with 330,787 boxes a year ago. Prices are inclined to be lower, and Bessemer standard cokes are now quoted at 12s. 6d. to 12s. 7id., and oil sizes at 12s. 9d. to 13s. and 18s. respectively. In the galvanised sheet trade the greatest depression still prevails, and many works are on short time. Beyond the few orders recently placed on Government account, there seems to be little doing, and quotations for 24-gauge corru- gateds are little more than .£12 per ton. A further reduc- tion has taken place in Welsh steel bars, and the official quotation now remains at £1 15s. for both Siemens and Bessemer qualities. Welsh pig iron is weak at 69s. to 70s. per ton f.o.t. The iron ore market is practically lifeless, and best rubio is offering at 16s. to 16s. 3d., seconds at 14s. 6d. to 15s., and Almeria at 15s. 6d. per ton. In scrap metals the market is very quiet, the demand having fallen off considerably during the last two or three weeks. Prices generally are from 2s. to 3s. easier. Swansea. COAL. The returns of the trade of the port showed further progress during the past week. The coal trade was very much more active, shipments being only little short of last year’s figures; there was, however, no improvement in the patent fuel trade. The shipments of coal and patent fuel amounted to 95,118 tons. A capital attendance assembled on ’Change, and the anthracite coal market continued to exhibit a strong tone. Swansea Valley large was very firm, especially the Genoa option brands, with recent high figures well maintained, whilst Red Vein large continued to improve. Machine-made nuts and cobbles were firm at recent prices. There was practically no demand for rubbly culm and duff, these commodities being very weak. In the steam coal market there was an excellent demand for large, but small coal was weak, with very few enquiries. Prices f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Current L’st week’s Last year’s Anthracite:— prices. prices. 1 prices. Best malting large (hand picked) (net)... 22/6-24/6 22/6-24/6 ! 21/6-24/ Secondary do. 20/6-22/6 20/6-22/6 i 19/6-21/6 Big Vein large (less 2| per cent.) 19/6-20/6 19/6-22/6 ‘ 17/6-18/6 Red Vein large do. ... 13/6-15/6 13/6-15/6 . 14/6-16/ Machine - made cobbles (net) 21/ -23/6 20/ -23/ ; 21/ -24/6 Paris nuts (net) — — l 23 /6-26/ French do. do 23/ -25/6 22/ -24/ 23/6-26/ German do. do 23/ -24/6 22/ -23/6'23/6-26/ Beans (net) 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 17/ -18/9 Machine - made large peas (net) 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/ 13/ -13/9 Do. fine peas (net) — — — Rubbly culm (less 21 p.c.); 3/9- 4/6 3/9- 4/6 5/ - 5/6 Duff (net) 2/9- 3/6 2/9- 3/6 4/3- 4/6 Steam coals:— Best large (less 2| p.c.) 18/9-22/6 18/9-22/6 19/ -20/ Seconds do. 15/9-16/6 15/9-16/6 i 14/3-15/ Bunkers do. 10/3—11/ 10/3-11/ 10/6-11/6 Small do. i 5/6— 8/6 5/6— 8/6 7/ - 7/6 Bituminous coals :— | No. 3 Rhondda— j Large (less 2£ p.c.) ... 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 17/ -18/ Through-and-through j (less 2g p.c.) — — 13/6-14/6 Small (less 2? p.c.) ...; 10/ -10/9 10/ -10/9 10/ -11/ Patent fuel do j 16/ -16/6 16/ -16/6 17/6-18/