186 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 22, 1915. supreme la.w is the safety of the State.” Freights are still up in the clouds, although there appeared on Monday on the Cardiff Exchange a very small indication of owners being willing to accept a slight reduction on the prices last quoted. For instance, Genoa was fixed at 29s., as compared with 30s. a few days ago, but, as opposed to this, South American rates are still on the up grade, as much as 29s. 6d. being fixed for Rio, and 27s. for River Plate. From the Tyne, too, 20s. is being paid for Rouen, and.30s. for Algiers; while homeward rates for grain and cotton are still very firm, with an advancing tendency. Should Government action take place, as has been suggested, there is every reason to expect that rates will be somewhat reduced, but the question is a very difficult one, and will probably take time. One feature, however, that will possibly cause the Government to intervene is the bad effect these high freights have upon food prices. Shipments last week from the Bristol Channel amounted to 401,425 tons, compared with 642,136 tons in the corresponding week of last year, or a decrease of 240,711 tons, but, of course, these figures do not include Admiralty business. From Cardiff alone, the exports were 246,989 tons, against 416,978 tons, or a decrease of 169,989 tons; from Newport, 72,285 tons, or a decrease of 33,803 tons; from Swansea, 58,840 tons, or a decline of 14,866 tons; and from Port Talbot, 23,311 tons, or a falling off of 22,053 tons. The Custom House returns for December, which are now to hand, show that the exports to the chief foreign countries are much below those of the corresponding month of 1913. The following table shows the Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current prices. 20/6-21/ 19/6 18/3-18/6 13/6-14/ 13/ 11/-12/ ■ 10/ 19/ -19/6 17/6-18/3 19/ 17/6 16/ 14/ 12/ 18/3 17/9-18/ 17/6 15/9-16/3 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6 16/3 15/ 16/ 14/6 12/ -12/6 20/ -21/ 18/ -19/ 28/ -32/ 25/ -28/ 20/ -22/ 28/ L’st week’s 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 Last year’s prices. 19/ -19/6 18/3-18/9 17/6-17/9 11/ -11/3 10/6-10/9 7/6- 8/ 6/3- 7/ 17/9-18/3 16/6-16/9 15/ -15/6 14/ -14/6 14/ 13/ 11/6-12/ 17/3-17/9 17/ —17/3 16/3-16/6 15/6-15/9 2i/ 18/ 17/ -17/6 15/ 12/ 14/6-15/ 11/9-12/ 8/6 22/6 20/ -21/ 28/ 22/ -25/ 19/ -20/ 19/9 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 Rhondda— Bituminous la^ge 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) With regard to prices generally, there is very little change. Best Admiralties' are still quoted at about 21s., though merchants who are in a position to offer prompt tonnage are doubtless able to purchase at a slight reduction below this figure. The small coal market continues firm, and as much as 12s. has been paid for good cargo, qualities. There is no doubt that the diminished output arising from the large number of men who have joined the Army, in addition to the irregular work in consequence of shortage of wagons, has limited the supply, and so far as present appearances go, quotations are expected to remain firm until at least the end of March, when the French railway contracts recently entered into will have been completed. During the last few days a Liverpool firm is reported to have entered into a contract for the supply of about 80,000 tons of ordinary steam coals at a price of 18s. per ton f.o.b., which compares very favourably with the rate obtained a year ago. There is also an enquiry on the market for 175,000 tons of steam coals for the Swedish State Railways, for delivery between February and June. Tenders have to be in by Monday next, but it is not expected that any of this business will come to South Wales, in consequence of the high prices now pre- vailing. Monmouthshire coals are steady, and there con- tinues to be a good demand for all grades, in consequence of the difficulty experienced in obtaining the Admiralty per- mission for the shipment of Cardiff steams. Black Veins are 18s. 3d., western valleys 17s. 9d. to 18s., and easterns 17s. 6d. There is still a brisk enquiry for washed coals, and prices are high. Rhondda bituminous coals are practically unchanged, No. 3 large being 17s. 6d., No. 2 16s., and other grades in proportion. Coke is rather firmer, special foundry being 28s. to 32s., ordinary 25s. to 28s., and furnace 20s. to 22s. Pitwood is in rather better supply, and is quoted at 28s. In patent fuel, there has been a very substantial enquiry during the last two or three weeks, and local makers have made all the contracts they intend to do this side of June. Other business will have to be transacted according to market quotations. Best grades are 20s. to 21s., and seconds 18s. to 19s. Most firms report full order books for the next six months. . IRON. There has been a considerably better enquiry for tin-plates, but the demand is still far below the limit of production, and many firms are only partially employed. Last week the shipments amounted to 55,786 boxes, compared with 64,286 boxes received from works, which left 299,914 boxes in stock in the docks warehouses and vans, compared with 390,034 boxes in the corresponding w’eek of last year. Although licences have been granted to ship tin-plates to Holland, Denmark, and Sweden, the concession has not been of very great advantage, and it is stated that the Welsh market is being captured by American makers, who are exporting to these countries without restriction. It is felt that the restrictions imposed are inflicting a considerable hardship on local manufacturers, who have been supplying these countries for years, although it is conceded that the Government policy, if severe, is a wise one, in order to prevent the plates getting into enemy hands. Prices are inclined to be firmer. Bessemer standard cokes are 13s. 3d., and oil sizes 13s. 7Jd. and 19s. 3d. respectively. There has been a further improve- ment in Welsh steel bars, which are now quoted at £5 7s. 6d. to £5 10s. per ton, and even at these rates there is a very strong demand. A shipment of - 3,000 tons of Ganadian blooms, billets, and bars has been received at Newport during the past week. In the galvanised steel trade there is still a great lack of colonial business, and many mills are idle. Prices, however, are moving upward in consequence of the advance in raw material, and 24 gauge corrugateds are now quoted at £12 per ton, although slightly less would be accepted .for prompt specifications. The heavy steel trade is busy, and there are prospects of a prosperous time in the near future. Welsh pig iron is still rising, and quotations are now’ on the basis of 80s. to 82s. 6d. on truck, Swansea. COAL. The‘trade of the port last -week was adversely affected by the exceptionally bad weather which prevailed; many vessels which were due did not come to hand. The shipments of coal and patent fuel were 75,011 tons. There was a capital attendance on ’Change, and there was no material alteration to report in the general conditions prevailing on the anthra- cite coal market. Swansea Valley large was still being freely offered for immediate delivery at reduced prices, owing to the shortage of tonnage, whilst Red Vein large was strongly held at last prices. Machine-made nuts and cobbles fully maintained their firm position. Rubbly culm and duff were weak, with little enquiry. There was very little change in the steam coal market; large continued steady, but smalls were slightly easier. Prices f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Anthracite:— Best malting large (hand picked) (net)... Secondary do. Big Vein large (less per cent.) Red 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) Rubbly culm (less 2| p.c.) Duff (net) Steam coals:— Best large (less 2| p.c.) Seconds do. Bunkers (net) Small (less 2| p.c.) Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— Large (less 2| p.c.) ... Through-and-through (less 21 p.c.) Small (less 2% p.c.) ... Patent fuel do Current prices. 22/6-24/6 20/6-22/6 18/6-22/ 17/3-17/9 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 13/6-14/6 6/6- 8/9 18/6-19/6 10/ -10/9 19/6-20/6 L’st week’s 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 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 6/3- 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 IRON. During the past week trade in the district was, on the whole, satisfactory. Orders were increasing daily in the demand for pig iron at Landore, and all departments were fully employed. The steel trade continued satisfactory in the lower part of the Valley, especially at Landore and Morriston, and things appeared to look hopeful for the near future. No improvement was observed in the tin-plate trade, and the same number of tin-plate mills were in operation at the Morriston group of works as in the previous week. At some of the works the output was considerably lower, owing to the mills undergoing renovations. None of the sheet mills had restarted. The shipments of tin-plates last week were 55,786 boxes, receipts from works 64,286 boxes, and stocks in the dock waiehouses and vans 299,914 boxes. Llanelly. COAL. The coal trade this week is still very firm, but the market is most difficult. The shortage of tonnage, together with the excessive freights, is upsetting the general condition of things, and is much affecting future business. Orders are mostly on a hand-to-mouth basis, as buyers are not prepared to book ahead when rates are so huge. Unless there is a substantial reduction soon, collieries will be short of orders, and pits will have many idle days. When the reduced freights come, it is expected there will be an unprecedented demand for all kinds, and with such a market in view many collieries are refusing to book ahead for supplies to any extent. The anthracite market is keeping very firm, although some large sorts are easier than they have been. The Red Vein qualities could not be in stronger demand, with prices any firmer. Collieries have more orders on the books than they can execute. Cobbles, nuts, beans, and peas are all in big request. Steam large and throughs show no falling off in the demand, and prices are very firm. Smalls, however, do not show much improvement. Prices f.o.b. Current Anthracite:— prices. Best malting large... 21/ -24/ Secondary do.........20/6-21/ Big Vein large.......| 19/ -21/ Red Vein do.......... 16/ -17/ Machine-made cobbles... 27/ -29/ German nuts.......... 31/ -34/ French do............ 31/ -35/ Paris do............. 31/ -35/ Machine-made beans ... 19/ -21/ Do. peas......... 13/ -13/6 Culm ................ 3/6- 4/ Duff................. 2/9- 3/ Other sorts:— Large steam coal..... 18/ -20/ Through-and-through... 13/6-14/6 Small ............... 8/ - 9/ Bituminous small coal... 10/ -11/ L'st week's prices. 21/ -24/ 20/6-21/ 19/ -21/ 16/ -17/ 27/ -29/ 31/ -34/ ; 31/ -35/ ■ 31/ -35/ . IS/ -21/ i 13/ -13/6 1 3/6- 4/ 2/9- 3/ 18/ -20/ : 13/6-14/6 ■ 8lr9i, 10/ -11/ Last year’s prices. 21/ -23/ 19/ -21/ 19/ -21/ 14/ -15/6 19/ -20/ 23/ -26/ 23/ -26/ 23/ -26/ 19/ -22/ 12/6-13/6 5/6- 6/ 4/ - 6/ 17/ -18/ 12/ -13/ 9/6-10/ 11/ -12/ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, January 21. Dublin. There has been no change in the condition of the local trade, and no further advance has been made in prices, although it is quite probable that house coals will be still dearer. Merchants’ stocks continue to be very low, in spite of the fact that cross-Channel sailings have been fully resumed owing to the difficulties in this connection having been removed, but supplies now coming in change hands very quickly, as there is a very active demand. Present quotations in the city are as follow:—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 the usual Is. per ton discount; best coke, 22s. per ton delivered; steam coal, about 23s. per ton; house coal, retail, 2s. per sack. 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. The coaling vessels arriving in the port during the past week amounted to 51, chiefly from Garston, West Bank, Preston, Newport, Liverpool, Troon, Glasgow, Partington, Saundersfoot, Ayr,. Point of Aire, Whitehaven, Liverpool, and Maryport. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was 22,650 tons. It is stated that the Slieveardagh Collieries, County Tipperary, are about to be sold by auction, the mining rights of which extend to upwards of 8,000 acres. Belfast. The scarcity of coal in this port still causes inconvenience and delay in the fulfilment of orders, and prices continue- to rule very high. There is no further change during the week in house coals, but prices of steam coals are subject to alteration from day to day. The following are the current quotations:—Best Arley house coal, 32s. per ton ; Scotch house coal, 28s.; Orrell nuts, 31s.; Orrell slack, 28s.; Wigan, 30s.; best gas coke, 25s. per ton at the gasworks. Coal-laden vessels arriving during the week were chiefly from Glasgow, Ayr, Ardrossan, Garston, Workington, Ellesmere Port, Cardiff, Neath Abbey, Partington, Silloth, Maryport, Point of Aire, Troon, and Lydney. Recent returns show that for the last three months of the past year there has been a considerable falling-off in the imports of coal, as compared with similar periods, the total quantity arriving’ in the port being 297,371 tons, as against 347,540 tons in the 1913 quarter. THE TM-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. Makers’ ideas of prices have advanced all along the line, owing to the increased cost of both steel bars and tin. There is not much business going through, however, and several works are in want of orders ; 13s. has been paid for the standard size, and 13s. 6d. for odd sizes. Present quotations may be called :—Coke tins : I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 108 1b.), 13s. 3d. to 13s. 6d. per box; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 lb.), 26s. 9d. to 27s. per box; I C 28 x 20 (56 sh. 108 lb.), 13s. 9d. to 14s. per box; I C 14 x 18f- (124 sh. 110 lb.), 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d. per box; I C 14 x 191 (120 sh. 110 lb.), 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d. per box ; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 19s. 6d. to 19s. 9d. per box; IC squares and odd sizes, 13s. 7id. to 13s. 9d. basis for approved specifications. Charcoal tins are firm at 15s. 9d. basis and upwards,, according to tinning. Coke wasters are in fair demand and quotations are firm, as follow:—C W 14 x 20, 12s. 3d. to 12s. 6d. per box; C W 28 x 20, 24s. 3d. to 24s. 6d. per xbo ; C W 14 x 18|, 12s. 3d. per box; C W 20 x 10, 15s. 6d„ per box—all f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market is steady, and prices much about the same. Pitch is quiet, but tar is hardening in price. Carbolics moderate. Toluol is well maintained, con- sidering all things. Nearest values are :— Benzols, 90’s .............................. /10J Do. 90’s North .............................. /8-L to /9 Do. 50’s do................................... 1/3 to 1/4 Toluol ......................................... 2/3 to 2/4 Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) ................ 2/11 to 3/ Do. Crystals (40 per cent.) ................... 1/2 to 1/3 Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package)... /Il to 1/ Crude ditto (in bulk) .................................... /5f Creosote (for ordinary qualities) ...................... /3-L; Tar (liquid in 1 ton) .............................. 17/ to 18/6 Pitch (f.o.b.) ................................. 23/to 23/6 Sulphate of Ammonia.—The market is very firm, and prices are rising steadily. For forward business a premium of quite 2s. 6d. per ton is required for January/June delivery. The position is satisfactory all round, for prices are not unreasonably high, and the demand promises to increase. Closing prompt prices are :— London (ordinary makes) .............. £12 Beckton .............................. £11/15 to £11/17/6 Liverpool ................................ £12/17/6 Hull ................................. £12/10 Middlesbrough ............................ £12/12/6 Scotchn ports ................................ £13 Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ... 10/1| Trade Notes. It is encouraging to find that last year sulphate of ammonia exports reached 313,877 tons, less than 10,000 tons short of the total for 1913, and nearly 30,000 tons higher than 1912. Yet the monetary value shows how unneces- sarily low prices have been, as the grand total for 1914 was £3,773,870, against £4,390,547 in 1913. Our best customer of late years for sulphate of ammonia has been Japan, but she is being run close by the Dutch East Indies, who took about 18,000 tons more than in 1913. Of course, Japanese demand fell off owing to the war, whereby we lost 27,000 tons in 1914. Spain also took an additional 3,000 tons. German receipts declined by two- thirds, and the French by three-quarters, but the sum total of the tonnage lost in these two countries only amounted to 12,000 tons, out of a total of 18,000. The exports of sulphate of ammonia for the past week were low amounting to a little better than 1,700 tons.