January 15, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 135 direction, either by Government intervention or otherwise, the trade cannot develop on normal lines. Some of the interned alien steamers at Hull are to be commandeered by the Government for the coastwise shipments, and this may indirectly afford slight relief, but not to any great extent. Under the circumstances little export business has been done this week, and there have been only small requirements for prompt shipment. Best South Yorkshire steam coal is, however, firm in values ,owing to the smaller output, and has ranged round 15s. and 15s. 3d., while secondary sorts, for which there is a good home demand, have advanced, 13s. to 14s. 6d. being paid for washed sorts. Derbyshire steams are steady at about 15s. Grimsby or Immingham. There is a fair demand for house and gas coal for abroad, and all available supplies over the next six weeks find a ready market for export at enhanced values. Shipments at the docks under contract are moderate, and several berths have been idle throughout the week. The extent to which the Humber coal trade has been affected by the war and other causes (notably the Yorkshire miners strike earlier in the year) is shown in the following table of foreign exports and London and coastwise shipments (exclusive of bunkers) from each of the Humber ports in 1914 as compared with 1913, which, by the way, was a record year for the Humber:— Per ton at pit. Best household coal ............... Second, hand picked ............... Deep screened cobbles ............. Deep large nuts ................... Bakers' nuts....................... Small nuts ........................ Deep breeze ....................... Peas .............................. Small dust ........................ Main nuts for London kitcheners ... Steams, best hand picked .......... Steams, seconds ................... Main cobbles for kitcheners........ Main breeze........................ Current prices. 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/6 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/6 12/6-13/6 11/ -11/6 10/ -10/6 8/9- 9/6 1/9- 2/3 12/3-12/9 11/6—12/6 10/ -11/6 12/3-12/9 9/6-10/ L'st week's | prices. 1 15/6-16/6 s 14/6-15/6 I 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/6 i 12/6-13/6 11/- 11/6 ! 10/ -10/6 8/9- 9/6 I 1/9- 2/3 I 12/3-12/9 1 11/6-12/6 10/ -11/6 I 12/3-12/9 j 9/6-10/ but will not compare with the 13s. 6d. paid for a boat from the Tyne. Small and large coals alike rule about 6d. easier- on the week, but only for prompt delivery. All future busi- ness shows sellers very firm indeed. Patent fuel and coke show a slight advance in values. House coals are also very firm, and in good request. Pitwood maintains its position at 28s. to 29s. for good wood ex ship Newport. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. 1914’. 1913. Foreign:— Tons. Tons. Hull ... 2,968,801 . .. 4,519,289 Grimsby ... 866,723 . .. 1,160,073 J nimingham ... 1,346,570 . .. 1,735,294 Goole ... 869,443 . .. 1,306,462 Total foreign .. 6,051,537 . .. 8,721,118 Coastwise:— Hull ... 736,713 . .. 932,764 Grimsby 26,112 . 36,548 Immingham .. 140,709 . .. 137,808 Goole ... 1,347,724 . ... 1,466,896 Total coastwise.... ... 2,251,258 . . 2,574,016 Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. There is still a strong demand in force for all the better qualities of house coals, and all the pits are working full time. All stocks have disappeared, and there is a little delay in despatching orders for some descriptions. The rough weather has been much against the shipping business, and several vessels have been held up for some days. Orders from the inland merchants are very plentiful, and consignments along the line are remarkably good. Slacks are going well. All the pits producing steam and manufacturing fuel are kept working at full pressure, and it is difficult to cope with the demand. Prices at pithead. Steam coals: — Best Black Vein large... Wes tern-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. 17/3-17/9 17/ -17/3 16/3-16/9 16/ -16/3 11/9-12/3 11/ —11/3 10/ —10/3 12/ -12/3 13/3—13/9 15/9-16/ 18/6-19/ 17/ -17/6 19/ -20/ 20/ -21/ | 23/ -25/6 L’stweek’s prices. 18/ -18/3 17/6-18/ 16/9-17/3 16/3-16/6 12/ -12/9 11/ -11/6 10/6-10/9 12/6-12/9 13/3-13/9 j 15/9-16/ 18/6-19/ 17/ —18/ 18/ -19/ 20/ -21/ 23/ -25/ Last year's prices. 17/9-18/3 16/9-17/ 16/3-16/6 15/9-16/ 8/3- 8/6 7/9- 8/ 7/3- 7/6 8/3- 8/6 13/3-13/6 13/9-14/3 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 19/6-20/ 19/ -20/ 23/ -25/ Nottingham. COAL. There is an active tone throughout the whole of the coal trade in Nottinghamshire, and given an ample supply of railway wagons, most collieries have sufficient orders on hand to keep them going practically full time. In every branch prices are firm, and for certain classes of fuel slight advances are being asked in special cases. For best quality households the demand is such that some pits are unable to execute orders as required, the output being insufficient to meet immediate requirements, and second grade house coal too is in brisk request, while common qualities are having a better sale than a week ago. In the steam coal branch, apart from shipments, which are keeping up to the satis- factory level of the past month, there is a good deal of business passing. Better class fuel is in brisk request, and other qualities are moving with a little more freedom. Industrials continue to be very active. Of locomotive fuel, railway companies are taking fair supplies. In regard to slacks, best sorts are just now in keen demand, while seconds are having a good sale, and other descriptions show an improvement. Prices at pithead. At Hull the decrease in foreign exports was equal to 34'3 per cent, as compared with 1913, but only 10’9 per cent, as com- pared with 1912. The arrivals from colliery at Hull in 1914 were 5,692,633 tons as against 7,945,765 tons in the previous year, and just over 7 million tons in 1912. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Block 18/6 18/6 17/6 Forest 17/6 17/6 16/6 Bubble 17/9 17/9 16/9 Nuts 16/ 16/ 15/ Bough slack Steam coal:— 7/6 7/6 6/6 Large 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/ 12/6-13/ Small 8/6- 8/9 8/ -9/ 8/ ~ 9/ Prices Is. 9d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, January 14. Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals......... Secondary do............. Best hard coals.......... Secondary do............. Slacks (best hards) ..... Do. (second) .......... Do. (soft)............. Current prices. 14/ -15/ 13/ -13/6 12/6-13/ 10/9—11/3 10/ -10/6 7/6- 8/ 6/6- 7/ 6/6- 7/ L'st week’s prices. 14/ -15/ 13/ -13/6 12/6—13/ 10/6-11/ 9/6-10/ ri - 8/ 6/ - 6/6 6/ - 6/6 Last year’s prices. 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 11/6-12/ 11/6-11/9 10/ -11/ 7/9- 8/ 6/6- 7/3 6/6- 7/6. North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. During the week past the collieries in this coalfield have been able to work fairly regularly, although .on all hands one can hear the cry of reduced output. It is found quite impossible to cope with the demand for house coal, owing to the scarcity of men and continual shortage of empty wagons (which is becoming a serious matter), and it is feared that things in this respect may .soon be rather worse than better. It is also freely stated that the recent advance of Is. may yet be further increased at an early date. There is a pressing demand by the gas companies for consignments on account of contracts, and for extra supplies in view of the possible difficulty in getting deliveries in the near future, owing to the monopolising of the railways by the Govern- ment for the conveyance of troops. There is no improve- ment to report in regard to the state of the industrial con- cerns of the locality. The iron works and brick works are working short time, and consequently the demand for steam coal, for manufacturing purposes is of a limited character, though railway companies are taking good deliveries, and as they send in their own wagons, this trade is welcome just now. There is not much doing in regard to shipment coal at the Mersey ports, though several lots have been disposed of in this trade during the past week. The demand for slack remains unaltered, and appears difficult to get rid of except at low prices. Gas coke remains the same as regards demand and price. The current prices quoted are as below : Leicestershire. COAL. The position of affairs in this coalfield requires the greatest skill in handling. The influx of orders continues, and the greater the difficulties are the more business seems to come to hand, while coal merchants are clamouring for deliveries. The troubles are developing in two main directions, namely the supply of empty wagons inwards and the movement of full wagons outwards. These dual diffi- culties are certainly becoming more and more acute, and it is believed that they will reach their climax in the course of a few days. It is hoped that after the abnormal require- ments of the military authorities, of which collieries have been advised, the pressure will gradually become less severe, and that deliveries will be effected with much greater certainty and regularity. Some remarkable instances are given of railway stock not having been seen for a month, while other full wagons have taken as many days as they would hours in normal times to reach their destination. At some collieries there are scores of train loads of full wagons which cannot be moved from the sidings, all the available locomotives being engaged. A considerable number of engines are always kept in steam at certain points in readi- ness to proceed at a moment's notice to execute any Government requirements. This precautionary measure is devised in order that any emergency may be met with the utmost speed. Under the existing circumstances the output is very intermittent, and a hand-to-mouth policy has to be adopted all round. The demand for manufacturing fuel is particularly urgent, and is likely to continue, when so many firms are engaged on Government contracts of the most important character. In some instances the demand for best screened nuts for mechanical stokers is so urgent that merchants are offering as much as Is. 6d. per ton above the contract price in order to secure preference in deliveries, and that night and day working to supply the British armies may be continued. Prices all round are extremely firm, with a further upward tendency. The following are the quotations now generally current at the collieries in this district:— 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. 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 12/9-13/9 12/ -13/ 12/ -12/3 11/ -12/6 5/ - 6/3 11/8-13/4 18/4-20/ 17/6-18/4 10/ -12/6 L'stweek's prices. 15/ -16/6 14/ -15/ 11/6-12/6 12/ -13/ 11/4-11/8 11/ -11/6 5/6- 6/6 11/8-13/4 Last year’s prices. 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/3 12/6-13/6 13/ -13/9 12/6—12/9 11/6-12/6 7/ - 8/6 13/4-15/ 19/2-20/ 17/6-18/9 17/6-18/4 16/8-17/6 10/ —12/6 10/ —11/8 Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COAL. A close survey of the situation in the steam coal market to-day shows that the position at collieries has become one of difficulty. Here they are still greatly in need of men, both above and below ground, and especially of skilled labour; while they are also troubled by a congestion of stocks which, although apparently only of a temporary nature, is greatly hampering the working of the pits. Thus it is that those whose need is greatest are prepared on the market to accept lower values than were recently ruling, and for buyers who can accept delivery at once, terms now are not unfavourable. The freight question is one of great import. Tonnage has been scarce, but the unprecedented rises in every quarter of the chartering market has attracted con- siderable tonnage, which was immediately taken up, and doubtless these high rates will continue to attract. Although the nearer ports are now sharing the great increase with farther destinations, which a week or two ago seemed to be getting by far the greater portion of the bigger prices, London was done yesterday at 9s. 6d. for 2,300 tons, which might be considered an extraordinary rate in ordinary times, IRON. A quiet week has passed,'showing a firm tone maintained in all branches of the industry, the trend of values being upwards. Deports from bar mills are satisfactory. Outputs are up to the recent average, but labour is so scarce that there is little probability of other mills being restarted. Quotations again rule at £5 2s. 6d. to £5 5s. for either Siemens or Bessemer. A little more is doing in the rail department, with enquiry rather better, and prices stronger at £6 5s. to £6 10s. for heavy sections, with the usual extra charge for light ditto. Matters are strong at blastfurnaces, where values have increased 2s. 6d., Welsh haematite being now quoted 80s. 6d. to 81s. fid. delivered to works locally. Iron ore is now quoted 21s. 6d. to 22s. 6d. best Bubio c.i.f. Newport, with other qualities accordingly. Tin-plates have improved again, and are now quoted 13s. for Bessemer or Siemens prime 20 by 14. Fresh business in this line remains limited. The ss. “ Heathcote,” chartered by the Canadian Government, arrived at Newport yesterday with a cargo of 3,000 tons of steel bars, billets, and ingots from Canada. This is the first cargo of Canadian iron to arrive in South Wales, and it is expected that, as Belgian and German bars are not now available, this will be the fore- runner of many other cargoes. The imported steel will be immediately distributed to works around the district. Cardiff. COAL. So far as the present condition of things is concerned, the all-absorbing topic is the exorbitant and abnormal rate of freights, which, in the majority of instances, are record rates, and leave those paid during the boom year of 1912 far behind. As much as 27 s. has been paid freely for Port Said, and the same rate for Alexandria, 16s. for Gibraltar, as high as 25s. for Genoa, 30s. for Savona, 29 fr. for Marseilles, 15s. for Lisbon, 25s. for Bio, 24s. for Biver Plate, and 30s. for Piraeus. From the Tyne even higher rates than these have been paid, and as much as Ils. 6d. has been given for London, and 17s. 6d. for Bouen. In one instance 20s. was paid for Bouen with .£70 a day demurrage, and the extra- ordinary part of the situation is that even these rates are likely to be enhanced. The causes are many. First, the large number of vessels employed by the Admiralty on time charter; secondly, the great delay in obtaining berths at all the discharging ports, especially London, all French ports, and Genoa; thirdly, the fact that German and Austrian tonnage is off the market, and the number of English boats sunk by the Germans; fourthly, the Bussian and English tonnage locked up in the Baltic and Black Sea; and fifthly, the very high rates now offering from the United States and South America. As a matter of fact, within the last fort- night, steamers have actually left this country in ballast for South America and the States, in order to bring back American cargo. All these factors render it extremely diffi- cult to obtain boats at even these prohibitive figures, with the result that the coal trade will undoubtedly, unless relief is granted, suffer in the near future through want of tonnage. At the present time the greatest difficulty exists in providing sufficient tonnage for full work at the collieries, arid in some instances there have been stoppages, though not on a large scale up to the present. The abnormality of the freight market is causing considerable anxiety to those who have entered into c.i.f. contracts, but fortunately these have not been so prevalent during the past year as in former years. For the first time on record the large French Bailway con- tracts last season were based on a f.o.b. basis, instead of c.i.f., otherwise the consequences might have been most serious. As a matter of fact, some firms at the present moment are losing from 10s. to 15s. per ton on every ton of coal shipped, and even greater losses are reported than this. Not very long ago the Egyptian State Bailways con- cluded a contract for 100,000 tons of American coal at a price about 30s. c.i.f. This was considered a satisfactory price at the time, but it has since transpired that the shippers have been called upon to pay no less than 45s. per ton freight alone. This is only a single instance of the difficulty of doing business under existing conditions. With regard to prices, there is not much variation. For best Admiralties the quotation still remains about 21s., and several transac- tions in the open market have taken place at that fig ore. The Admiralty demand is not quite so pressing as it was a month ago, with the result that permission is more freely granted to ships to neutral countries, although certain for- malities have to be gone through at the Customs before the coal is allowed to be put on board. Seconds are still 19s. 6d. to 20s., but ordinaries are a trifle easier at about 18s. fid. Monmouthshires are practically unchanged, Black Veins being 18s. 6d. to 18s. 9d., western valleys 18s. 3d., and easterns 17s. 9d. to 18s., in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. In washed coals, the French demand continues, and prices are high. The small coal market has been affected by the shortage of tonnage, and prices are inclined to be lower, although this is not apparent to any marked extent. Best bunkers are 13s. 6d., ordinaries 12s. 9d. to 13s., and cargo qualities still command Ils. 6d. to 12s. per ton. In Bhondda bituminous coals, there is no alteration. The demand is steady, and the firmness in smalls which was noted last week has been fully maintained. Cokes are firm, and there is a constant stream of small orders, which has