December 11, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1229 IRON. A distinctly improved tone pervades the iron and steel industries. An expansion in demand is noticeable all round—raw material, finished iron, and galvanised sheets all participating—and |if prices are not quotably higher, they are very firm at recent rates. The state to which the galvanised sheet industry had fallen will be gathered from the fact that the exports for November amounted to only 25,495 tons, of a value of <£351,214, compared with a tonnage in November last year of 69,456, of the value of <£859,106. During the last week sales have materially increased, both on home and foreign account. Scandinavia remains the principal export market, but quantities are on order for the West Indies. Generally speaking, however, the Indian and Australian markets are quiet. Current quotations are <£11 to <£11 5s. Liverpool, and <£11 7s. 6d. to <£11 15s. for the home trade, according to character of order. The unexpected advance of £2 a ton in spelter has had a disturbing effect, and prices will have to be revised. Bar iron is in better request. Makers of branded bars still occupy the strongest position, and find a ready sale for their output at the basis price of £9, with the usual 12s. 6d. extra for the Earl of Dudley’s brand. The production of second-class bars is improving, and one result is that makers are asking <£7 7s. 6d. for three months’ contracts. Immediate sales in not too large quantities are made at, in some cases, <£7 2s. 6d., but by leading houses at <£7 5s. Nut and bolt iron is sold at <£6 17s. 6d. to £7 delivered Darlaston, and there is a considerable demand for it. Increased sales in these departments are to some extent attribu- table to the desire of consumers to secure supplies before .the upward movement sets in. The advance of 5 per cent, in wages under the Wages Board ascertainment took effect on Monday. Small rounds, squares, and flats remain at <£7 10s. to a maximum of <£7 15s. for three-eighths rounds, delivered Birmingham. Sales have recently grown in number and in bulk. Steel rounds are something like 7s. 6d. a ton higher, the disparity being due to the high price of billets, which are somewhat out of pro- portion to sheet bars. For this reason, too, steel strip tends to harden. The current quotation is in the neighbourhood of <£8. Makers of pig iron continue to book good orders, and quotations are slightly higher. Northamptonshire is 51s. 6d. to 53s., Derbyshire 55s. 6d. net at .works, Staffordshire part-mine 53s. Much activity prevails in the steel trade, and quite a number of orders have been given out provisionally for material for the north of France and Belgium for the reconstruction of railway and other bridges. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The house coal trade of this district is steadily main- tained as recently reported, but the demand falls far short of what is usual in the winter season. Some of the .collieries are managing five days work occasionally, but the average for the district would be nearer four days. Stocks, too, are fairly substantial, and the position, generally, is not very encouraging. Good orders are being received from the inland merchants, but shipments are again poor, chiefly owing to a continuance of rough weather down channel. Slacks are not in much request for the home market, and surplus lots are consigned for foreign trade. The steam coal pits are doing better this week, contract buyers taking bigger quantities, and the pits are making better time. Prices at pithead. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Block 17/6 17/6 17/6 Forest 16/6 16/6 16/6 Rubble 16/9 16/9 16/9 Nuts 15/ 15/ 15/ Rough slack Steam coal:— 6/6 6/6 6/6 Large 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 12/ -13/ Small 7/9- 8/3 7/9- 8/3 8/ - 9/ Prices Is. 9d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that the high freights now ruling for steam tonnage has caused a great deal of business to be diverted to railborne coal, which seems likely to be increased until the Government is able to release a number of coasting boats now employed for war service. At present sea freights are as high as rail rates direct from inland collieries. The present difficulty has been accentuated by the heavy gales which have occurred during the past fortnight. It is expected that the present return to milder weather will help to equalise freight rates for the coaating trade. THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. Prices are a shade easier for early deliveries, several makers competing keenly for prompt specifications in order to keep their mills employed, but even at the low figures quoted the volume of business done was only small, and of a “hand-to-mouth” character. For delivery ahead works are asking more money, but, so far, the transactions reported for shipment over a few months forward are almost nil. Current quotations for early deliveries may be called Coke tins: IC 14 x 20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 12s. 6d.to 12s. 9d. per box ; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 lb.), 25s. 3d. to 25s. 6d. per box; IC 28 x 20 (56 sh. 1081b.), 12s. 10£d. to 13s. per box ; I C 14 x 18f (124 sh. 110 lb.), 12s. 10R1. to 13s. per box ; I C 14 x 19| (120 sh. 110 lb.), 12s. 10.Id. to 13s. per box ; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 17s. 9d. to 17s. lO^d. per box ; I C squares and odd sizes, 12s. 9d. I C basis for approved specifications. Charcoal tins are quietly steady at 14s. 9d. basis and upwards, according to tinning, f.o.b. Wales. Coke wasters are in moderate request. Quota- tions run C W 14 x 20, Ils. 6d. per box; C W 28 x 20, 23s. 6d. per box; C W 14 x I8-4-, Ils. 4»d. per box; C W 20 x 10, 14s. 3d. per box. All f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, December 10. North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. The coal trade in this locality during the week that has passed has not been in a very animated state, taking things all round. Collieries have experienced considerable diffi- culty in getting sufficient tonnage in which to load their output, and, as a consequence, in some cases collieries have had to stop working temporarily. There is, however, con- siderable activity in the house coal trade, orders are coming in quickly, all the merchants are pressing for deliveries, and those who are able to send in their own wagons are getting good supplies, and prompt despatch of their orders. All the landsale depots have as many orders as they can undertake, owing to householders now pressing for Christmas supplies. There is a fair amount of business moving in gas coal supplies, as, in addition to the ordinary contract quantities, gas companies are asking for extra supplies in view of the Christmas stoppage of the pits, and, as in the merchant trade, the gas companies who have rolling stock of their own are able to get what they require in the way of supplies. It is in the steam coal trade that things are worse. There is no apparent revival in the demand for fuel for industrial purposes, nor is there likely to be this year nowT. It is to be hoped, however, that things will greatly improve as scon as the new’ year conies in, or the outlook is bad indeed. The greater portion of the steam coal which is disposed of just now’ is that which is taken against railway contracts. In regard to the shipping coal trade, there has nothing much been doing during the past week, but at the time of writing things are looking a little brighter. At the Mersey ports boats have-arrived with cargoes in goodly numbers, and as these vessels wfill have to coal when they leave the ports, there should be a marked improvement in the demand for shipping coal w’ithin the next w’eek or so. There is a slight hardening in the ‘house coal prices. Gas coal is unaltered in price, and there is little at the present time of year on the open market. Steam coal has a falling tendency, which is only to be expected; and slack only realises low figures. The ruling prices are as follow :— 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 14/ -14/9 11/8-12/6 12/ -13/ 11/6-11/9 11/—11/9 5/6- 6/ 11/8-13/4 18/4-20/ 17/6-18/4 10/ -12/6 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 14/6-15/6 13/9-14/6 11/9-12/6 12/ -13/ 11/6-12/3 11/3-11/9 5/9- 7/ 11/8-13/4 18/4-20/ 17/6-18/4 10/ -12/6 prices. 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/3 12/6-13/ 13/ -14/ 12/3-12/6 11/ -11/9 6/ - 8/9 13/4-15/ 17/6-19/2 16/8-17/6 10/ -12/6 Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COAL. For some days now tonnage has been arriving in more satisfactory quantities, quite a fair number of steamers nowT being berthed at the docks, and a few others waiting their turn to load. The situation thus relieved, sellers are now quoting more firmly for end of the month deliveries; and, indeed, speak confidently of maintaining exports at a high level well into the new year. For the moment, how- ever, the stocks accumulated are so heavy, and burden collieries to such an extent, that those buyers who are able to clear wagons at once can still get concessions well worth having, and without difficulty. So although there is little difference in figures quoted, the present tone of the market is undoubtedly stronger. Smalls continue of scanty supply and enhanced values. Other grades show but little change. Pitwood, with lessened supplies, is again stronger, and would undoubtedly command still higher figures were it not for the extreme difficulty of receivers in finding wagons to accommodate the ships discharging. It is too early yet to perceive any effect upon the freight market of the destruction of the German cruisers in the Southern Atlantic, but the considerable business with Brazil and the Argentine, to say nothing of the trade done w’ith the east coast ports of*the southern peninsular, must be greatly relieved by the removal of this menace to traders. For Mediterranean ports and also Channel and Bay ports freights are inclined to be firmer. Tonnage continues scarce, while the action of the Admiralty in requisitioning steamers in South Wales ports hardens the situation. Prices f.o.b. cash 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 :— I Best house coal....... Secondary do........1 Patent fuel ........1 Furnace coke.......... Foundry coke .......1 Current prices. 16/6—16/9 16/ -16/3 15/6-15/9 15/ -15/6 8/ - 9/ 6/6— 7/6 6/ - 6/6 8/6- 9/ 11/6-12/ 13/9—14/3 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -16/6 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 16/6-16/9 18/6-18/9 15/9-16/3 17/6-17/9 15/6-15/9 16/6-16/9 15/ -15/6 15/9-16/3 7/ - 7/6 8/9- 9/ 6/ - 6/9 8/3- 8/6 5/6— 6/ 7/6- 8/ 7/3- 7/6 9/ 11/3-11/9 13'6-13/9 13/6-14/ 14/ -14/3 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 17/ -18/ 17/ -17/6 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 19/ -20/ 21/ -23/ 23/ -25/ IRON. Local conditions of the iron and steel trades show little alteration on the week. A certain amount of enquiry is still coming along, and some fresh business is being" put through, but buyers seem to have covered their immediate requirements, and prefer to await the future before further committing themselves. In fact, they show disinclination to arrange for forward delivery at present prices. Tin-plate and sheet bars remain steady at £4 15s. for either Siemens or Bessemer, the unsatisfactory position of the tin-plate trade making buyers of bars resist any inclination to higher figures. Steel rails are steady on the basis of £6 5s. to £6 7s. 6d. for heavy sections. A very large Indian order has recently been placed with the Dowlais Mills, which w’ill keep them busy for some time, but otherwise local rolls are having an easy time. The improvement in the pig iron market is being well maintained, and fair forward enquiry is coming forward, and values are firmer at 73s. to 74s. for Welsh haematite delivered locally. Iron ore is also a shade better at 19s. 3d. to 19s. 9d. for best Rubio c.i.f. Newport. The tin-plate trade rules very quiet; nominally prices are based upon 12s. 9d. for 20 by 14 by 112 for either Siemens or Bessemer primes. Cardiff. COAL. The position is no better than it w’as a week ago, although chartering has been on a heavier scale than in any week since the commencement of the war. In consequence of the gales and heavy weather generally, tonnage has been very much delayed, and in some instances a fortnight and even three weeks has been taken for comparatively short voyages. The consequence is that shippers—even those producing the best coal—have been short of tonnage, and have had the greatest difficulty in providing full work at the collieries. As a matter of fact, stoppages have taken place at the best Admiralty collieries, and in other instances only half-time, and even less, has been worked. There is a large quantity of tonnage overdue, and when this conies up it is expected that collieries will again be very busy. Charterings last week amounted to 279,340 tons, compared with 255,210 tons in the preceding six days, or an increase of 24,130 tons. This of course is altogether outside Admiralty business, on which some 1,300 vessels are stated to be engaged. Best collieries are very disinclined to quote except to merchants who are in the happy position of having a prompt boat at their disposal, and in these cases concessions have been made in the prices. As has already been pointed out in this column, however, shipments of best coal are all subject to the per- mission of the Admiralty. The result of this is that it is extremely difficult for salesmen to do any business at all, as the only terms on which they can offer c.i.f. cargoes to foreign buyers are subject to the Admiralty permission to ship. The buyer naturally wishes to know whether he can get the coal or not, and unless the merchant can guarantee delivery, the purchaser is unwilling to enter into any con- tract except under special circumstances. How long this state of affairs is likely to continue is problematical, but as long as the German fleet remains behind the guns of Heligo- land. It is difficult to learn of any transactions in best coal, but the quotation nominally remains at 21s. to 22s., seconds being 20s., and ordinaries 17s. 6d. Official infor- mation has just been received respecting the Egyptian State Railways contract. Originally tenders were invited for 360,000 metric tons, and, according to reports now received, tenders have been accepted for 190,000 only. Of this quantity, 120,000 metric tons has been secured by Messrs. Watts, Watts and Company at 16s. 6d. f.o.b., which, of course, means about 16s. 9d. per standard ton. The remaining 70,000 tons has been placed with several firms for American coal. The remaining quantity is expected to be dealt with in the early months of next year, and it is not improbable that the whole amount will come to South Wales, unless there should be a substantial rise in prices in the meantime. There is an enquiry on the market by the French State Railways for 100.000 tons of Welsh smalls, 50,000 tons of through coal, 50,000 tons of large steam, and 50,000 tons of patent fuel. Offers are wanted immediately, and delivery is to take place within the next two months. As already indicated, there is no sign of any depreciation in value of coal, and the scarcity of tonnage is exercising a detrimental effect on the market. In the small coal market there has again been an advance, ow’ing to the restricted output, and prices for best bunkers have gone up to 10s. 6d. and Ils., whilst 7s. 9d. is now being asked for cargo qualities. In Monmouthshire coals there has been the same difficulty of shipment as in other varieties, and prices have sagged in consequence. Black Veins do not command more than 16s. 9d. to 17s., western valleys 16s. 6d., and eastern 15s. 9d. to 16s., in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. The demand for washed coals for French consumption still continues, and prices are high, as much as 19s. being obtained for first quality nuts. Bituminous coals are practically unaltered, No. 3 Rhondda large being 17s. 6d., and No. 2 14s. to 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 small J 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. 20/ -22/ 20/ 17/6 10/9-11/ 10/3-10/6 7/6- 7/9 6/ 18/6-19/6 17/ -17/6 19/ 17/ -17/6 15'6 14/ 10/ 17/ 16/6 15/9-16' 14/6-14/9 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6-18/ 15/ 12/ -12/6 14/ -14'6 11/6 ' 7/6 17/ -17/6 16/ -16 6 28/ -31 23/ -27' 19/ -20' j 23/ -24/ j L’st week’s prices. 20/ -22/ 19/ -19/6 17/ -17/6 10'6 10/ -10/3 6/6- 7/6 5'6 18/6-19'6 17/ -17'6 18/ -18/6 16/ 15/ 13/6 10/ 16/9 16/3 15/9-16/ 14/6-14/9 20/ 17/6-19/6 17’6-18/ 15/ ! 11/6-12/ 14/ -14'6 11'6 7/6- 8' 16 6 15/ -15 '6 27/ -30' 23' -26' 19' -20/ 22/6-23/ 1 Last year’s prices. 21/3-21/6 i 20/3-20/9 j 19/6-20/ 11/3-11/6 I 11/ -11/3 ;7/101- 8/ ! 6/6— 7/6 ’ 18/6-19/ : 17/3-17/9 16'6-16/9 15 6-15/9 14 9 ' 13/9-14/ 12/ 18'6-18/9 17/3-17/9 16 6-16 '9 1 16/ —16/3 1 20/6 17/6-18/ 1 17/ 14 6-15/ 12/ 14'6-14/9 12' 8/6 22 6 20/ -21'6 27' -28/ 22' -24/ 19/ -20/ 221