396

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

February 19, 1915.

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:—

Best house coal.......

Secondary do..........

Patent fuel ..........

Furnace coke...........

Foundry coke .........

Current
prices.
20/ -20/6
19/6-19/9
19/ -19/6
18/3-18/9
15/6-16/
14/9-15/3
13/9-14/3
16/
14/9-15/6
17/6—17/9

20/ -21/
19/ -19/6
21/ -23/
23/ -25/
28/ -30/

L’st week's

prices.
19/6-20/
19/ -19/6
18/3-18/9
17/9-18/3
14/ -15/
13/6-14/
12/6-13/
14/6-15/
14/6-15/
17/ -17/6

21/
19/ -20/
20/6-21/6
22/ -24/
25/ -27/

Last year's

prices.
17/3-17/6
16/9-17/
16/3-16/6
15/9-16/

8/3- 8/9
7/9- 8/
7/3- 7/6
8/6- 8/9
12/9-13/3

13/6-13/9

18/ -19/
17/ -18/
19/9-20/

20/ -20/6
23/ -25/

IRON.

The iron and steel trades of the district remain very much
as a week ago, enquiry continuing good, with a fair amount
of new business being put through, which perhaps would
be larger but for the disinclination of sellers to accept
present prices. The trend of values in all departments is
upwards, and with the increasing difficulties in transport,
together with the fact that all works are well placed for
orders to occupy them for some weeks, and the advancing
price of .raw materials, there is little doubt but that higher
prices will be the rule before the expiration of the current
quarter. Welsh bars are firm, at £6 2s. 6d. to £6 5s.
Bessemer, and £6 . 5s. Siemens, some higher quotations
having been made. Bails are firm, on the basis of £7 for
heavy sections, while enquiry is good and output satis-
factory. There is a brisk enquiry for Welsh haematite,
values of which have advanced to 95s. to 96s., delivered to
works in the district. Iron ore is scarce and in demand
at 26 s. to 28s. for best Bub io c.i.f. Newport, with other
qualities approximating. The recent improvement in tin-
plates is fully maintained, and official quotations are 1^-d.
per box more on the week, now figuring on 15s. 3d. for both
Siemens and Bessemer for 20 x 14’s.

Cardiff.	COAL.

The strength of the market for all descriptions of coal
since last week has not only been maintained, but consider-
ably increased. Transactions in best Admiralties have taken
place .as high as 22s. 6d., 'and 23s. is being firmly demanded
in many quarters. Several contracts have been negotiated
over the remainder of the year <at 22s.. and even this figure
has been refused by some of the collieries producing the very
best coal. They are holding out for 23s., and it is highly
probable that this price will be obtained within the next
few days. Outputs are still low, and, in fact, diminishing,
in consequence of the number of men who are joining the
Army. In addition to this, the demand in all directions is
becoming more pressing, more especially from South
America, Italy, France, Spain, .and the usual coaling depots.
This fact, on the top of the continued large demand made
by the Admiralty, is likely to still further harden prices.
Second-rate coals of all descriptions have also further
advanced, and, as a matter of fact, there is a great difficulty
in obtaining supplies at any price, as most of the collieries
for some time to come are fully sold. A considerable
amount of coal, however, is still in the hands of middlemen,
and, knowing the actual position, they are able to obtain
very high prices. Charterings last week were not quite so
satisfactory, the amount of tonnage taken up being 173,520
tons, compared with 179,300 tons in the preceding six days,
or a decrease of 5,780 tons. The charterings up to date
amount to 1,544,500 tons, against 2,710,570 tons in the
corresponding period of last year, but, of course, these are
altogether outside Admiralty requirements, which are not
recorded. The shipments last week amounted to 457,307
tons, compared with 617,777 tons in the corresponding week
of 1914, or a decrease of 160,470 tons—again taking into
consideration the fact that Admiralty shipments are not
recorded. From Cardiff alone the exports were 282,341 tons,
compared with 392,443 tons, or a decrease of 110,102 tons.
From Newport there was a decrease of 46,838 tons; from
Swansea , an increase of 4,543 tons; and from Port Talbot
a decrease of 8,073 tons. The small coal market is still
booming, and not only have prices not relaxed, but they

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-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) 		Current prices.  22/ -22/6 21/6-22/  21/ 17/6-18/  17/6 15/ -16/ 14/ -14/6 20/ -21/ 18/6-19/6  19/  18/  17/6 16/ -16/6 15/6-16/  20/9-21/ 20/3-20/6 20/ -23/ 19/3-19/6  22/ 19/ -21/  20/  19/  ’ 18/  18/ -18/6  17/6  16/  23/ -25/ 21/ -22/ 33/ -35/ 28/ -31/ 23/ -25/  34/ -35/	L’st week’s prices.  21/ -22/ 20/6-20/9 19/3-19/6 17/ -17/3 16/6-16/9 13/6-14/6 12/ -13/ 20/ -21/ 18/ -19/  19/  17/  17/6 15/6-16/ 13/6-14/  19/9 19/3 18/9  17/6-18/  22/  19/ -21/  19/ 17/6  16/6-17/  16/9-17/6  16/  15/ -15/6  23/  20/-21/ 32/ -34/ 25/ -30/  21/ -23/  31/	Last year’s prices.  18/9-19/3 18/3-18/6 17/6-17/9  11/6  11/  8/6- 8/9 7/ - 7/9 18/ -18/6 16/6-17/3  16/6 15/6 14/6 13/3-13/6  12/  17/6-17/9 17/3 16/9  15/9-16/3  20/ 17/6-19/  17/6-18/ 14/9-15/ 12/3-12/6  15/ -15/3 11/9-12/  8/9- 9/ 21/ -22/6 20/ —21/ 27/ -28/ 22/ -25/ 19/ -20/  20/

still show an upward tendency. This is chiefly owing to
the great demand from France, where the railway traffic,
owing to the transport of troops and the munitions of war,
is almost incredible. Only within the last few days orders
for a further supply of 30,000 tons have been placed, but
the demand is so continuous that cargoes are being snapped
up in every direction as they become available. Best
bunkers command 17s. 6d. to 18s., Ordinaries 17s. 6d., and
cargo qualities anything between 15s. and 16s. per ton. In
fact, the scarcity of all descriptions seems to be so marked,
that there is little difference between best, seconds, ordi-
naries, and even small. This position of affairs has
naturally had a stimulating effect on the Monmouthshire
market, and prices are higher all round. Best Black Veins
command 20s. 9d., western valleys 20s. 3d. to 20s. fid., and
easterns 20s. to 20s. 3d. in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. The
high quotations for smalls have affected washed coals, which
are considerably dearer, and screenings are several shillings
more than they were a week ago. Bhondda bituminous coals
are also higher, No. 3 Bhondda large being 20s., through
19s., and small 18s. No. 2 qualities, likewise, are very
scarce, and the quotations have advanced accordingly, large
being 18s. to 18s. 6d., through 17s. 6d., and small as much
as 16s. Coke is again Is. dearer. In consequence of the
high rates for small, patent fuel is still rising, and makers
of best descriptions are now quoting 25s. for prompt
business. Forward dealing is discouraged. Secondary
grades are 22s. to 23s. per ton. Shipments last week showed
a considerable improvement, but they are still much below
what they were a year ago. From Cardiff and Port Talbot
they were 14,769 tons, of which the Crown Company
exported 9,839 tons; from Swansea 13,116 tons; and from
Newport 3,695 tons. Pitwood is dear, and advancing, the
nominal price being 34s. 6d. to 35s. 6d. per ton. The
Customs returns of the exports for January are just to
hand, from which it appears that from the chief Bristol
Channel ports there were shipped 1,697,777 tons, compared
with 2,538,836 tons in the corresponding month of last year.
The following table shows the exports to the chief foreign
countries of the world and British possessions compared with

January 1914 :—		
	January	January
	1915.	1914.
	Tons.	Tons.
Russia 		—	12,269
Sweden		19,409	...	18,928
Norway		5,099	...	6,480
Germany 			—	12,996
Netherlands		—	8,384
Other Dutch Possessions in		
the Indian Seas 		—	5,023
Belgium 		—	29,119
France 		729,230	...	692,611
Algeria 			71,173	...	72,798
French Somaliland		1,765	...	5,207
Portugal 		40,786	...	70,274
Madeira 		2,529	...	9,392
Spain 		60,651	115,107
Canary Islands 		10,920	...	63,626
Italy 		280,358	...	476,531
Austria-Hungary 		—	7,041
Greece 		19,032	...	34,039
Bulgaria 		—	6.364
Turkey (European) 		—	9,136
„ (Asiatic)		—	9,993
Tunis 		10,642	...	7,631
Chili 		5,152	...	26,064
Brazil 			52,220	...	105,636
Uruguay 		37,734	...	48,073
Argentine Republic 		153,357 ...	297,438
Gibraltar 			24,800	...	25,850
Malta and Gozo 		11,316	...	26,584
Egypt 		103,824	...	209,311
Cape of Good Hope 		3,105	...	5,295
Anglo-Egyptian Sudan		—	5,934
Aden and Dependencies		10,254	...	12,079
British India 		6,589	...		
Ceylon and Dependencies...	6,017	...	38,539
West Africa (British) ......	12,291	...	11,489
„	(French) 		11,935	...	10,522
„	(Portuguese)...	—	10,110

IRON.

Further restrictions having been removed with regard to
the export of tin-plates to the Netherlands, business has
assumed a healthier tone, and the mills are certainly busier
than they have 'been for some time past. Exports last week
were 37,278 boxes, compared with 71,322 boxes received from
works, and stocks have again increased to 342,083 boxes,
compared with 308,039 boxes the previous week, and 341,137
boxes in the corresponding week of last year. Prices, how-
ever, are firm, and there is a more optimistic tone prevailing
than for some time past. Bessemer standard cokes are
quoted at 15s. to 15s. 3d., and there is a difficulty in getting
in at anything under these figures. Oil sizes are 15s. 4Jd.
to 15s. 6d. and 21s. 6d. to 21s. 9d. respectively, but as these
lines are not much in demand, a concession is being made
here and there for prompt business. Welsh tin bars are
in good demand, and although the association price is offici-
ally £6 2s. 6d. to T6 5s. per ton for both Siemens and
Bessemer qualities, many makers are demanding from 2s. 6d.
to 5s. per ton more. The galvanised sheet trade is still
depressed, and spelter having advanced to <£39 10s. per
ton, there is not much prospect of any reduction in prices,
which are now .quoted at T13 to £14 for 24 gauge corrugateds.
Welsh pig iron is firm at 92s. to 95s. f.o.t., and there is a
considerable demand at these figures. Iron ore is dearer,
best Bubio being quoted at ,27s., seconds at 25s., and
Almeria at the same figure. In scrap metals there has been
a further advance, steel scrap being 71s.’, cast 57s. 6d.,
heavy wrought 65s., light ditto 42s. 6d., double-headed iron
rails 77s. 6d., steel ditto 72s. 6d., mixed sections 65s., and
new steel crop ends 81s. 6d.

Swansea.	COAL.

The trade of the port last week was fairly satisfactory,
the coal trade was quiet (with the exception of shipments
to France, which were about a record), whilst there was an
increase in patent fuel exports. The shipments together
amounted to 91,133 tons. A capital attendance assembled
on ’Change, and there was no material alteration in the
general conditions prevailing on the anthracite coal market.
Swansea Valley large was again freely offered for immediate
delivery at lower figures, while Bed Vein large was firmly
held, with a further advance in price noted. Machine-
made nuts and .cobbles were in excellent request, with prices
very firm. Bubbly culm and duff were still very weak. In
steam coals all descriptions were firm, smalls and bunkers
being exceptionally scarce.

Prices f.o.b. (cash in 30 days).

Anthracite:—  Best malting large (hand picked) (net)...  Secondary do.  Big Vein large (less 2| 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 (les s 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 2| p.c.) 	  Small (less 2| p.c.) ... Patent fuel do		Current prices.  22/6-24/6  20/6-21/6  16/6-18/6 17/9-18/6  26/6-30/6  31/ -34/ 31/ -33/6 19/6-21/6  12/9-13/3  3/9- 4/  2/9- 3/6  19/9-21/6  17/ -18/6  15/6-17/  9/6-15/  20/6-21/6  12/6-13/  16/9-19/	L’st week’s prices.  22/6-24/6 20/6-21/6  17/6-19/ 17/9-18/6  26/6-30/6  31/ -35/ 31/ -33/6 19/6-21/6  12/9-13/3  3/9- 4,1  2/9- 3/6  19/9-21/6 17/ -18/6 13/3-14/6 8/6-11/  20/6-21/6  12/6-13/ 16/9-19/	Last year’s prices.  21/6-24/ 19/6-21/  19/ -20/6 15/9-16/9  21/6-24/6 23/6-26/ 23/6-26/ 23/6-25/6 16/9-18/9  13/6-14/6  5/6- 6/ 4/3- 4/9  19/ -20/ 14/9-15/9 11/ -12/3  7/ - 8/3  18/ -19/  14/ -14/9 10/3-11/3 17/3-17/9

IRON.

Last week trade generally was as brisk as for some weeks
past. A substantial increase in the output of pig iron was
noticed at the blast furnaces. There was only a limited
yield of tin-plates at the works in the district, and prospects
did not appear very hopeful for the near future. There
seemed to be jio improvement in the steel industry. The
Mannesmann Tube Works continued to be actively engaged,
and the iron foundries worked full time. The shipments of
tin-plates were 37,278 boxes, receipts from works 71,322
boxes, and stocks remaining in the dock warehouses and
vans 342,083 boxes.

Llanelly.	COAL.

There is little that is new noticeable in the coal market,
and the difficulty in securing tonnage has not been in the
least lessened. The number of orders received, and the
enquiry for all classes of coal, could not be better, but the
means of getting the coal to the factor and consumer is
harder. Possibly never have the collieries had so worrying
a time. The number of boats offering is not nearly suffi-
cient, and large quanties of stocks are lying in the “ await
order siding ” detaining wagons, whilst the truck trade is
getting impossible. Owing to the serious delays in getting
wagons back to the collieries from inland, orders are now
being refused unless customers send in their own wagons.
Some of the anthracite kinds are suffering very much, and
Big Vein large is a lot easier, and price weak. Machine-
made kinds and Bed Vein qualities, however, are going
well. Culm and duff are still moving slowly. There is a
splendid demand for steam and bituminous kinds, and the
smaller outputs have caused quite a scarcity of the latter
sorts. Prices have advanced considerably, especially for
through and small kinds. Quotations this week approxi-
mately are

Prices f.o.b.

Anthracite:—

Best malting large..

Secondary do. ......

Big Vein large......

Red Vein do.........

Machine-made cobbles...
German nuts..........

French do............

Paris do.............

Machine-made beans ...

Do. peas........

Culm ................

Duff.................

Other sorts:—

Large steam coal....

Through-and-through...
Small ...............

Bituminous small coal...

Current
prices.
22/ -23/
19/6-21/
17/ -18/6
17/ -18/
26/ -29/
29/ -31/
30/ -33/
30/ -32/
20/ -22/
12/6-13/6
3/6- 4/
3/ - 3/6

20/ -21/6
15/6-16/6
8/6-10/
12/ -14/

L'st week's
prices.
22/ -23/6
19/ —21/6
17/ -18/6
17/ -18/
30/ -32/6
29/ -31/
30/ -33/
30/ -33/
20/ -22/
12/6-13/6
3/6- 4/
3/ - 3/6

20/ -21/6
14/6-15/6
8/6-10/

12/ -14/

Last year’s
prices.

21/ -23/
19/ -21/
18/ -20/
14/6-15/
19/ —22/
22/ -25/
23/ -25/6
22/ -25/
18/ -22/
12/6-13/6

5/9- 6/3
3/9- 5/6

16/ -17/
12/ -12/6

9/ -10/
11/ -11/6

A Coal Trade Dispute.—In the City of London Court on
Wednesday of last week, Judge Atherley-Jones, K.C., gave
a considered judgment in the case in which Messrs. Adam
Bromley and Son, Bolton, coal factors, claimed <£72 6s. for
coal supplied to the defendants, Messrs. Myers, Bose and
Company Limited, 38, Eastcheap, coal merchants. Defen-
dants counter-claimed £4 2s. 8d. Mr. Albert Parsons, K.C.,
and Mr. A. J. Shelley Thompson appeared for the plaintiffs,
and Mr. W. A. Jowitt for the defendants. The defendants,
it was stated had refused to take the coal because it did not
correspond with the contract, and 'they said the plaintiffs
sold one thing and sent another. Plaintiffs denied that, but
said if it were so defendants had accepted the.coal, and
were therefore compelled to take it and pay for it. Defen-
dants did not admit that they had accepted the coal.
Plaintiffs contracted to sell the defendants 50 wagons of
Pinxton 1 in. to 1J in. nuts, at 8s. 3d. pit, to be despatched
to Peterborough or Toton the same week. Plaintiffs bought
the coal at 8s. per ton, and they believed it corresponded
with the description given. Only 23 wagons were delivered,
or 164 tons. After the coal was delivered to Toton, Notts,
defendants sold it to a customer at Chelsea Basin, and seven
weeks after delivery defendants refused to pay for it because
their customer alleged that the nuts were J in. to 1J in. in
size. That was denied. One of the plaintiffs said that the
whole cause of the defendants’ complaint was because the
coal was described in a different way. It was tall, in fact,
the same quality of coal, although it was described variously
as Pinxton peas, Pinxton small nuts, double screened nuts,
and Longwood small nuts. Plaintiffs were most indignant
at defendants’ suggestion that there had been a substitu-
tion of one coal for another. Judge Atherley-Jones, K.C.,
found for the defendants with costs, and said no doubt the
case was an important one.