THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 15, 1915.. 136 _________________ ___________________________________________________________________ the effect of keeping up the price. In patent fuel there is a distinctly firmer tendency. A week ago 19s. was firmly quoted. At the time of writing an advance of 2s. had been recorded, and even at 21s. some makers were reluctant to undertake new business. The British Admiralty have been in the market for 50,000 tons, and the contracts have been secured by the Crown, Arrow, and Star companies, at a price approximating 19s. 6d. per ton. The Paris, Lyons, and Mediterranean Bailways have also accepted a tender for between 30,000 and 40,000 tons for delivery over the next three months. The price has not been disclosed, but is reported to be between 19s. and 20s. per ton. Some makers report full order books up to the end of the half-year, and, owing to the uncertain state of the freight market, they are not disposed to enter into any new contract business. According to the official returns, the shipments of coal from the four principal ports of South Wales last week amounted to 425,821 tons, compared with 515,881 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year, or a decrease of 90,060 tons. From Cardiff alone there were exported 280,652 tons, com- pared with 357,668 tons, Or a decrease of 77,016 tons; from Newport, 66,341 tons, or a decrease of 5,600 tons; from Swansea, 55,906 tons, or a decline of 8,794 tons; and from Port Talbot, 22,922 tons, or an increase of 1,350 tons. Ship- ments of patent fuel amounted to 18,189 tons from the four ports, Cardiff being represented by 10,516 tons. Chartering was fairly satisfactory last week, amounting to 202,330 tons, compared with 96,100 tons in the first six days of the year, but even this total does not nearly provide sufficient tonnage for the requirements of the port, and the future is regarded with a great deal of anxiety. Among the coal enquiries on the market during the past week was one on behalf of the Greek Government for 50,000 to 75,000 tons of Admiralty coal for early shipment, and there were other demands from the French and Italian Governments. With regard to the French State Bailway requirements, it is reported that arrangements have been made for about 100,000 to 150,000 tons of smalls for delivery over the next three months, at 10s. to 13s. per ton, according to quality. Orders for about 70,000 tons of large coals have also been placed at 17s. 6d. to 18s. per ton f.o.b. Pitwood is still very dear, and is quoted nominally at 28s. 6d. to 29s. 6d. per ton. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). ment was shown in the patent fuel trade; the shipments together amounted to 97,799 tons. A capital attendance assembled on ’Change, and the undertone of the anthracite coal market was steady. Swansea Valley large was not quite so firm, owing to shortage of ready tonnage. Bed Vein large, however, was very strong. Machine-made nuts and cobbles continued in excellent demand, and were difficult to obtain at the high prices now ruling. Bubbly culm and duff were weak, with little demand. There was no material alteration in the steam coal market, prices ruling around last week’s level. Prices f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Anthracite :— Best malting large (hand picked) (net)... Secondary do. Big Vein large (less 2^- per cent.) Bed 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) Bubbly culm (less 2ip.c.) Duff (net) Steam coals:— Best large (less 2j p.c.) Seconds do. Bunkers (net) Small (less 2| p.c.) Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Bhondda— Large (less 2| p.c.) ... Through-and-through (less 2| p.c.) Small (less 2| p.c.) ... Patent fuel do Current prices. 22/6-24/6 20/6-22/6 19/6-22/ 17/ -17/9 25/6-30/ 29/6-35/ 29/6-33/6 18/6-22/ 13/6-15/ 3/9- 4/6 2/9- 3/6 18/9-21/6 16/6-17/6 13/ -14/6 6/6- 8/9 17/6-18/6 10/ -10/9 15/6-16/6 L’stweek’s prices. 22/6-24/6 20/6-22/6 19/6-22/ 17/ -18/ 25/6-30/ 29/6-35/ 29/6-33/6 18/6-22/ 13/6-15/ 3/9- 4/6 2/9- 3/6 18/9-21/6 16/6-17/6 13/ -14/6 6/6- 8/9 17/6-18/6 10/ -10/9 15/6-16/6 Last year’s prices. 21/6-24/ 19/6-21/ 18/ -19/ 14/6-16/ 21/6-24/6 23/6-26/ 23/6-26/ 23/6-25/6 16/9-18/9 13/6-14/6 6/8- 6/6 4/3- 4/6 19/6-21/ 14/9-15/9 12/ -13/6 7/ -8/ 17/6-18/ 13/9-14/6 10/3-11/3 17/3-17/9 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-valleys Inferior do Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) Second qualities (at pit) No. 3 Bhondda— Bituminous la^ge Through-and-through Small No. 2 Bhondda— Large Through-and-through Small Best patent fuel Seconds Special foundry coke Ordinary do. Furnace coke Fitwood (ex-ship) Current prices. 21/ 19/6-20/ 18/6 13/6 12/9-13/ 11/6-12/ 10/ -10/6 19/ -19/6 17/6-18/ 19/ -20/ 16/6-17/ 15/6 14/ 12/ 18/6-18/9 18/3 17/9-18/ 15/9-16/3 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6 16/ 15/ 15/6-16/ 14/6-15/ 11/ -11/6 21/ 19/—20/ 28/ -32/ 25/ -28/ 19/ -22/ 28/6-29/6 L’st week’s prices. 21/ 19/6-20/ 18/6-18/9 13/6-14/ 12/9-13/ 11/6-12/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -18/6 19/ -20/ 16/6-17/ 15/6 14/ 12/ 18/6-18/9 18/3 17/9-18/ 17/ 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6 16/ 15/ 15/6-16/ 14/6-15/ 11/ -11/6 19/ 18/ -18/6 28/ -32/ 25/ -28/ 20/ -22/ 28/ -29/ Last year’s prices. 19/ -19/6 18/6-18/9 17/ -17/9 11/ 10/6-10/9’ 7/6- 8/ " 6/9- 7/3 18/6-19/ 16/6-17/ 16/6 15/6 14/6 13/9 12/ 18/ 17/3-17/6 17/ -17/3 15/9-16/3 21/ 18/ 17/6-18/ 15/6 12/ -12/6 14/6-15/ 11/9-12/ 8/6 22/6 21/ 28/ 22/ -25/ 19/ —20/ 19/9 IRON. During the past week the average daily output of pig iron was reached at the blast furnaces in this district, and most of this was delivered to 'the local steel works. Messrs. Baldwins’ steel works at Landore, and the Duffryn Works at Morriston were again in full swing. There was no improvement in the tin-plate trade, and the sheet mills are still idle, and likely to remain so for some considerable time. Trade at the Mannesmann Tube Works continues brisk, and the whole of the engineering and fitting shops were busy. Last week the shipments of tin-plates totalled 83,713 boxes, receipts from works 80,607 boxes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 291,414 boxes. Llanelly. COAL. The strong tone which has governed the market for the past few weeks is still being maintained, whilst for some classes the dei - md is much stronger. The anthracite collieries especially must be doing better than they have been for years, and very high prices are being received by them. For anthracite cobbles and nuts the demand has been far greater than the make, and prices have reached figures which have not been paid for years. The position has been further strengthened this week owing to the Government buying 10,000 tons of the best sorts, for which, in some cases,- they have paid as much as 37s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. For all the large kinds the demand is good, and if tonnage would only come along a little faster, the position of all the collieries would be very satisfactory. There is no change in the position of culm and duff. The steam and bituminous markets continue to exhibit a strong tone for most kinds. The dry smalls could be in better demand, bilt all the other sorts, large, through, and bituminous smalls, are quickly bought up. Prices this week approximately are : Prices f.o.b. THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, January 14. _____________________________________________________ Dublin. The demand for all qualities of coal continues to be very brisk, and household sorts have been further advanced Is. per ton all round this week, the supplies still being con- siderably short of requirements. The resumption of sailings on two of the large steamship companies* lines, which had been suspended owing to the seamen’s strike, has improved the position slightly, and it is hoped there will be further improvement in the cross-Channel trade during the next few weeks. The following are the present quotations in the city:—Best Orrell, 30s. per ton ; best Abram, 29s.; best Wigan, 28s.; best Whitehaven, 28s.; Pemberton Wigan, 26s.; kitchen nuts, 25s.; best Orrell slack, 24s.—all less Is. per ton discount for cash; best coke, 22s. per ton delivered; steam coal, about 23s. per ton. Pit mouth prices of Irish coals at Wolfhill, Queen’s County, are:— Large coal, 21s. 8d. per ton, Is. Id. per cwt.; small coal, 20s. per ton, Is. per cwt.; nut coal, 16s. 8d. per ton, lOd. per cwt.; culm, up to 10s. per ton. Wholesale prices f.o.r. at Athy, the nearest railway connection, are:—Fine culm, 9s. 6d. per ton; lime-burning culm, 12s.; through-and- through, 15s.; nut coal, 20s.; best small round house coal, hand-picked and double-screened, 22s.; best large coal for kiln-drying, malting, &c., 24s. 3d. per ton. Coaling vessels arriving in this port during the past week were chiefly from Workington, Glasgow, Swansea, Point of Aire, Garston, Liverpool, Cardiff, Preston, Widnes, Ayr, Partington, Newport, Troon, Maryport, and Neath Abbey. Belfast. The scarcity of coal both from English and Scotch districts continues to hinder and hamper business in the coal trade here, and local merchants find it difficult to fill large contracts. It is stated that owing to the shortage contractors have been obliged to seek concessions from their clientele in regard to their deliveries and other matters, and firms and public boards are now paying the additional cost to cover the insurance on war risks. There has been a further advance of Is. 6d. per ton in house coals since last report. The following are the current quotations:— Best Arley house coal, 32s. per ton; Scotch house coal, 28s. per ton; Orrell nuts, 31s.; Orrell slack, 28s.; Wigan, 30s. Quotations for steam coals are withdrawn for the present, being now subject to alteration from day to day. Best gas coke is about 25s. per ton at the gasworks. Between December 13 and 31 the total number of colliers entering the harbour amounted to 134. Coal-laden vessels arriving during the week were chiefly from Maryport, Preston, Birkenhead, Liverpool, Partington, Ayr, Silloth, Swansea, Glasgow, Point of Aire, Garston, West Bank, Girvan, and Ardrossan. __________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—Generally the market is steady. Pitch and benzols keep about the same. Carbolic crystals are a shade easier. Tar is, if anything, on the advance. Naphthas and toluol are unchanged. Nearest values are :— IRON. Although the prospects of the tin-plate trade a week ago were brighter than they had been for some time past, no advantage can be taken of the trend of events, owing to the exceedingly high prices prevailing in the freight market, and, unless there is some modification in the near future, it is probable that some works will have to shut down. The present high rates of freight make foreign business almost impossible, and buyers are naturally hanging back, in the hope of more favourable conditions being obtained in the future. Shipments last week were very satisfactory, and amounted to 83,713 boxes, as against 80,607 boxes received from works. Stocks have now been reduced to 291,414 boxes, compared with 294,520 boxes in the preceding week, and 386,460 boxes in the corresponding week of last year. Bessemer standard cokes are 12s. 9d. to 13s., and oil sizes 13s. 3d. to 13s. 4Jd. and 18s. 3d. to 18s. 6d. respectively. In the galvanised sheet trade there is still no improvement, and 24-gauge corrugateds are offering at Til 5s. to Til 10s. per ton. Welsh steel bars are in good demand, Siemens qualities being T5 2s. 6d. to T5 5s., and Bessemer makes T5 2s. 6d. per ton. Welsh pig iron has again advanced, and quotations are now on the basis of 78s. f.o.t. Bail mills are fairly well occupied, but new specifications would be gladly welcomed. After a strike lasting several nonths, a start is again being made at the Blaenavon Works, and prospects for the future are good. There is, however, a great shortage of labour. In the iron ore trade there has been a substantial advance, chiefly owing to the rise in freights, and 22s. is now asked for best Bubio, seconds 19s. to 19s. 6d., and Almeria about 21s. 6d. per ton. In scrap metals a big appreciation has taken place in quota- tions, and business is brisk. Steel scrap is 64s., heavy wrought 65s., double-headed iron rails 70s., steel ditto 72s. 6d., mixed sections 65s., light wrought 40s., cast 57s. 6d., and new steel crop ends 70s. per ton. Swansea. COAL. There was a continuation of bad weather throughout the past week, which adversely affected rhe trade of the port. The coal trade, however, was fairly brisk, and some improve- Anthracite:— Best malting large .. Secondary do. ...... Big Vein large....... Bed Vein do.......... Machine-made cobbles... j German nuts........1 French do..........I Paris do.......... ............... Machine-made beans ...! Do. peas... ................. Culm ..............; Duff................. Other sorts:— Large steam coal..... Through-and-through... Small ... ............. Bituminous small coal... Current L’st week’s prices. 21/ -24/ 20/6-21/ 19/ -21/ 16/ -17/ 27/ -29/ 31/ -34/ 31/ -35/ 31/ -35/ 19/ -21/ 13/ -13/6 3/6- 4/ 2/9- 3/ 18/ -20/ 13/6-14/6 8/ - 9/ 10/ -11/ prices. 21/ -24/ 20/6-21/ I 19/ -21/ ! 16/ -17/ 27/ -29/ i 30/ -33/ 30/ -34/ 30/ -34/ IS/ -21/ 13/ -13/6 3/6- 4/ 2/9- 8/ 18/ -20/ 13/6-14/6 / 8/ -9/ 10/ -11/ Last year’s prices. 21/ -23/ 19/ -21/ 19/ -21/ 14/6-15/6 18/ -20/ 23/ -25/ 23/ -25/ 23/ -25/ 20/ -22/ 12/6-13/6 6/ - 6/6 3/9- 5/ 16/6-17/6 12/ -12/6 9/ -10/ 11/ -12/ Benzols, 90’s ............................... Do. 90’s North ........................... Do. 50’s do............................... Toluol ...................................... Carbolic acid, crude (60 per. cent.) ......... Do. Crystals (40 per cent.) ...... Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package)... Crude ditto (in bulk) ........................ Creosote (for ordinary qualities) ............. Pitch (f.o.b.) ............................... Tar (liquid in 1 ton) ...................... /W /84 to /9 T/3 2/3 to 2/4 2/11 to 3/ 1/3 /104 to /Il “/5| /3A 23/ to 23/6 16/9 to 18/3 [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. — Prices are steadily hardening. Considerable business has been carried through at good prices, and holders are firm in their ideas both for prompt and forward. Sales have been made of usual qualities at £12 12s. 6d. for February-April delivery, and quite 4112 15s. is now required for further supplies. There would be nothing surprising about sulphate of ammonia reaching .£13 by the end of this month. Closing prompt prices are :— ___________________________ THE TIM-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. The advance in steel is forcing makers of tin-plates to stand firmly to their quotations. The enquiry, however, is only moderate, and where orders are wanted some low figures are being taken for prompt specification. Very little forward business is reported. Quotations for shipment over first quarter of the year may now be called :—Coke tins: I C 14 X 20 (112 sh. 108 lb.), 13s. per box; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 lb.), 26s. 3d. to 26s. 6d. per box; I C 28 x 20 (56 sh. 108 lb.), 13s. 4|d. to 13s. 6d. per box; I C 14 x 18f- (124 sh. 110 lb.), 13s. 3d. per box; I C 14 x 19| (120 sh. 110 lb.), 13s. 3d. per box ; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 19s. per box; IC squares and odd sizes, 13s. 3d. basis for approved specifications. Charcoal tins are in moderate demand; quotations run 15s. 6d. basis and upwards, according to tinning. Coke wasters meet with a better enquiry; prices are firm, as follow:—C W 14 x 20, Ils. 9d. per box; C W 28 x 20, 23s. 9d. per box; C W 14 x 18|, Ils. 7id. per box; CW20 x 10, 14s. 6d. per box. All f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. London (ordinary makes) .......... £12/3/9 Beckton .......................... 4112 Liverpool ........................ £12/6/3 to £12/8/9 ............................... Hull ..................................... £12/2/6 Middlesbrough .................... £12/2/6 to £12/3/9 Scotch ports ...................... £12/5 to £12/7/6 Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ... 10/1J [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2J per cent, discount; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.] _______ Trade Notes. In some countries they are fearing, if not actually suffer- ing, from a shortage of nitrogen for agricultural purposes. The, unusual quickening of the Yorkshire woollen trade at least promises to afford us a greatly increased supply of wool waste and shoddy, which means about 14 per cent, nitrogen in gun-wad waste and cloth clippings, 5 to 10 per cent, in flock dust and wool combings, and even 3 per cent, in textile factory sweepings. Though benzol was made contraband by Decree on December 23, 1914, it appears that £100 worth was shipped from London in January 1915. As it went to Bio Gallegos and to Treport, presumably it went to the aid of an ally. Sulphate of ammonia continues to be exported to Botterdam. The recent exports of pitch amounted to 3,523 tons. Of tar, the returns are 109,462 galls, and £88 worth. The exports of sulphate of ammonia were 3,620 tons; in these the U.S.A, figures as a good customer, and also the Dutch East Indies.