554 _____________________________________________ brisk as in the previous week; the shipments of coal and patent fuel amounted to 108,423 tons. A capital attendance assembled on 'Change on Wednesday, but the undertone of the anthracite coal trade underwent no material alteration. Swansea Valley large was still easily obtainable for prompt delivery, although for the better varieties there was a slightly brisker demand. Red Vein large was holding its own, whilst machine-made nuts and cobbles were steady, with the exception of German sizes, which were quoted slightly weaker. Rubbly culm continued to maintain its improved position, whilst duff was without alteration. In the steam coal market there was a brisk demand for all classes, and values were again marked up. IRON. Last week the blastfurnaces were busy, and the produc- tion of pig iron was high. There appeared little change in the tin-plate trade, and no great improvement can be expected for some time owing to the closing of the European markets. The shipments, however, were very good, totalling 97,825 boxes, the receipts from works were 66,911 boxes, whilst stocks remaining in the dock warehouses and vans were 294,705 boxes. The steelworks were briskly engaged, and there was a large output of steel bars. The Mannes- mann Tube Works were actively engaged. Llanelly. GOAL. A very strong tone is again noticeable in the coal trade, and for nearly all kinds the demand exceeds the make. For some of the sorts prices have reached higher figures than they have for many years, and it is expected that during the next few weeks there will be advances of several . shillings per ton. Collieries should be doing very well, but unfortunately several of them have still big quantities to deliver under contracts which were booked some months ago, and when prices were about half what they are to-day. The classes which are most in demand are steam and bituminous large, through, and small. Most of the anthra- cite qualities are also going well. Rubbly culm and duff, which for a long time have been obtainable at almost any price, have shown a big advance during the past week, and owing to the shorter outputs there is quite a scarcity. Machine-made kinds are all going well at good prices. Quotations this week approximately 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 L'st week's Last year’s prices. 21/6-23/ 18/ -19/6 17/ -18/6 17/ -17/6 28/6-29/6 29/ -31/ ? 30/ -31/ | 30/ -32/ | 21/ -22/6 > 13/ -14/ 9/ -10/6 ! 4/ -5/ ; 25/ -26/ 23/ -25/ I 13/6-17/6 I 19/ -21/ : prices. 21/6-23/ 19/6-21/ 17/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 28/6-29/6 29/ -31/ 30/ -33/ 30/ -32/ 21/ -22/ 13/ -14/ 3/6- 4/6 3/3- 3/9 21/6-23/6 17/ -20/ 10/ -12/ 13/ -17/ prices. 21/ -23/ 19/ -21/ 16/ -18/ 14/ -15/ 19/ -21/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 16/ -21/ 11/6-12/ 6/ - 6/3 3/ - 4/6 16/ -17/ 11/ -11/6 9/ -10/ 11/ -11/6 ________________________________________________ THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, March 11. ________________________________________________ The London coal trade for the past week has shown a good deal of apathy as regards buying. The demand has unquestionably fallen off very largely from the London general public, and for the most part the merchants have adopted a spirit of waiting, rather than ordering forward any more coals than are actually required. The arrears of orders on the depot order books are now being dealt with as the loaded wagons arrive, and as the public orders have been so light during the past few weeks the arrears are dwindling to very small proportions, and the supplies are once more closely approximating the demand. Colliery prices, however, remain high, and, in many cases, where a slightly lower figure has been marked on the order sheet, the orders have been returned refused. The freight market is now somewhat easier, and from Newcastle to London 12s. per ton was accepted during the week. Tonnages are reported more plentiful, with a drooping tendency. Buyers are very cautious at the present time. The weather during the week has been more wintry, and con- sequently has been better for the actual consumption of household qualities, but the new orders are for smaller qualities, evidently with a view to tiding over the inter- vening month or so prior to the warmer summer weather. The better working of the railway traffic has brought forward a fairly plentiful supply of loaded wagons, and the empties also at the colliery end has been far better than for the last few weeks, so that merchants refuse to purchase supplies which may be delayed until such times as the weather and market conditions may be very different from those ruling at the present moment. Only small quantities are bought now, and reports are current of a lower colliery price being accepted in a few instances. Some of the London merchants have also lowered their public prices Is. to 2s. per ton, and the reason given is that larger supplies of contract coal are now reaching the Metropolis. On Monday 31 con- tract cargoes were reported as having arrived in the Thames, and on Wednesday 14. Steam coals are still very firm and also the quotations for smalls, but the small quantity available is keeping the price high. South Yorkshire hards are quoted at 21s. 6d. f.o.b. in the Humber ports, and Derbyshire hards 20s. f.o.b. The Government enquiry is evidently on the way, for numbers of the London merchants have received forms to fill up asking for quantities of coal now on hand, and certain information relative to prices paid during the current week and also during the corresponding week of last year. Enquiries have also been made at many of the principal coal yards and depots in the north of London. One stack of coal untouched, amounting to 2,000 tons, is reported at the Somers Town coal depot. Carts and horses, too, are said to be plentiful, but no report has been made as to the Supply of loaders and carmen. The effect of the enquiry has, however, not yet affected the market prices, the growing feeling being that THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. no material change can take place until the sunny days of the early summer. The visit, however, of the Coal Com- mittee at the principal London depots, and the evidence given before the Committee leads to the firm conviction that their report will be issued before the close of the present month. Some little trouble lias arisen with the London dockers and their demand for an advance of 2d. per hour in the wages. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Go.’s Report. Friday, March 5.—The seaborne house coal market was steady to-day ; it was reported that a part cargo of York- shire was disposed of, but price not mentioned. Cargoes 23. Monday, March 8.—The seaborne house coal market was steady again to-day; a part cargo of Yorkshire was split up in small quantities, but prices not quotable. Cargoes 31. Wednesday, March 10.—There was no seaborne house coal cargoes on offer at to-day's market, which remained without alteration. Cargoes 14. _____________________________________________________ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, March 11. ___________________________________________________ Dublin^ There is no material change in the coal trade generally, demand still keeping brisk and prices remaining very high, although no further advances have been made during the week either in household or steam qualities. Merchants' price lists continue to be withdrawn, but 32s. and 34s. per ton about represent house coal rates at present obtaining, less Is. per ton discount, English coal being about 30s. per ton on the quays; retail prices, from 2s. 2d. to 2s. 3d. per sack of 10 stone. Steam coals are about from 29s. per ton upwards, best coke 34s. per ton delivered. The import trade is proceeding uninterruptedly, the coaling vessels arriving during the past week amounting to 63, as compared with 65 the week previously, chiefly from Saundersfoot, Ardrossan, Glasgow, Garston, Preston, Newport, Point of Aire, Ayr, Workington, Partington, Cardiff, Liverpool,. Clycle Bank and Troon. The total quantity of coal dis- charged upon the quays was 27,000 tons, as against 28,000 tons the previous week. A large number of the motor lorries which came so extensively into use at the time of the coal strike last year have now been requisitioned by the military authorities for transport purposes, and horse cartage has again become general. Belfast. There appears to be no immediate prospect of any easing off in the local market—in fact, prices of all qualities of steam coals are much firmer, and supplies still more difficult to obtain. House coal prices are at least no higher, and a few days of milder weather have brought about a slight falling off in demand. Quotations are as follow:—Best Arley house coal, 36s. per ton ; Orrell nuts, 35s.; Scotch house coal, 32s. per ton ; Orrell slack, 32s. per ton delivered. Coal-laden vessels arriving during the past week were chiefly from Ellesmere Port, Glasgow, Ayr, Maryport, Garston, Ardrossan, Partington, West Bank, Cardiff, Troon, Point of Aire, Girvan and Silloth. From February 14 to 27, the total number of colliers entering the harbour was 140. ___________________________ THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. The market is firm, and a fair amount of business is going through. Plates for quick delivery are now becoming difficult to obtain, most works being fully booked for the next couple of months ; 15s. 6d. has been paid for I C 14 x 20 April shipment, and squares and odd sizes have been done for the second quarter of the year at 15s. 7|d. and 15s. 9d. basis. Quotations may be called firm as follow:—-Cokes : I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 108 lb.), 15s. 9d. per box and upwards ; I C 28 x 20 (56 sh. 108 lb.), 16s. 3d. per box and upwards ; IC 28 x 20 (112 sh. 2161b.), 31s. 6d. per box and upwards; I C 14 x 18| (124 sh. 1101b.), 16s. per box and upwards ; I C 14 x 19£ (120 sh. 110 lb.), 16s. per box and upwards; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 22s. 6d. per box and upwards ; I C squares and odd sizes, 16s. basis and upward according to specification and delivery. Charcoals rule firm at 18s. basis and upwards. Coke wasters are in fair request, and are quoted :—C W 14 x 20, 13s. 9d. to 14s. 3d. per box; CW 28 x 20, 28s. to 28s. 3d. per box; C W 14 x 18|, 13s. 9d. to 14s. per box; CW 20 x 10, 17s. to 17s. 6d. per box—all f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. __________________________ Exports and Imports of Mining Machinery.—The values of imports and exports of mining machinery during February were as follow :— February. Jan.-Feb. ____________ 1914. 1915. 1914. 1915. £>£/£> £ Imports ...... 10,474 ... 6,664 ... 20,164 ... 15,857 Exports ...... 80,295 ... 34,625 ...176,111 ... 83,868 These figures are not inclusive of prime movers or electrical machinery. According to destination, the value of exports was as under :— February. Jan.-Feb. -i ( 'i 1914. 1915. 1914. 1915. To— £ £ £ £ Countries in Europe 27,077.. . 4,560... 47,632... , 8,198 United States of America.. — — 290... — Countries in S. America ... 1,865..’ : 424.’.'.' 6,262... 1,998 British South Africa 20,637.. . 17,636... 44,492... 38,407 ,, East Indies 9,115.. . 2,888... 20,953 .. 8,224 Australia 3,545.. . 3,370... 12,677... 6,884 New Zealand 693.. 518... 2,864... . 1,542 Other countries 17,363.. . 5,229... 40,941... 18,615 The following shows the than electrical :— exports of prime movers ; other February. Jan.-Feb. ( 1914. 1915. 1914. 1915. All prime movers (except £ £ £ £ electrical)— Rail locomotives 383,525.. .186,585...771,207... 511,475 Pumping 31,542.. . 43,144 .. 80,546... 71,782 Winding . 355.. . 2,175... 1,793... . 2,198 March 12, 1915. _____________________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market is fairly firm. Benzols are- on the upward grade, and carbolics also firm. Toluol unchanged so far. Solvent naphtha is of interest, and prices, are going in favour of sellers. Nearest values :— Benzols, 90’s ..................’.................................. /Il Do. 90’s North ........................... /9| to/10 Do. 50’s do_________................................... 1/3-i to 1/41 Toluol __............................................__ 2/4 Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) ......... 3/ to 3/2 Do. Crystals (40 per cent.) ...... 1/2 to 1/3 ............. Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package)... 1/2 to 1/5 Crude ditto (in bulk) ____.............................. /5| Creosote (for ordinary qualities) ................... /3J Pitch (f.o.b.) ............................................... 18/to 20/ Tar (liquid in 1 ton) ...................... 17/ to 18/ [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.—Things remain more or less in statu quo ante, but the general position is still quite satis- factory either for prompt or forward delivery, though in some quarters deferred is the turn easier, in the neighbour- hood of £13 5s. Closing prompt prices are :— London (ordinary makes) .......... £13/15 Beckton ........................... £13/5 Liverpool ........................................ £13/17/6 Hull .......................................________ £13/15 Middlesbrough .................... £14 Scotch ports ....................... £14 to £14/5 Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ... 11/ [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. Toluol is still to the front in coal tar matters. The increased activity is manifesting itself in the quarters which, were referred to as being most desirable last week in these notes, namely, gas works. At Manchester and Birming- ham experimental work is being carried out under Govern- ment advice. The value of the latter may be open to argument, but the wisdom of the proceeding itself is incon- trovertible. Gas works are mostly under civic control, which is a further assistance in carrying out such important work. Incidentally, it is to be hoped that this development will assuage the apparently injured feelings of a certain section of the gas making community, and also the gas journals, over the opposition of chemical manufacturers to their would-be excursions into the realms of the chemical industry per se; and, moreover, it is to be hoped undue advantage will not be taken of this departure by gas makers, in the future. The advocacy of advancement in things pertaining 'to nitrogenous manures that has been voiced periodically of' late, and a programme outlined for development in this direction, is once again confirmed by the sudden excrescence of activity in sleepy indolent Spain, who has always been a good customer for sulphate of ammonia. When these stirring times actually result in the positive formation of' a company in Spain—in the city of Barcelona, to be precise. —to manufacture calcium cyanamide, and also organise the sale thereof, it behoves the old-established vendors of “ one of the best,” viz., sulphate of ammonia, to bestir them- selves in the land of air castles. A capital of £400,000 or thereabouts looks like getting down to live business. What is even more significant is the further aim and object, expressed by this company, namely, the additional manu- facture of “ all classes of fertilisers.” . That is worth noting. It is helpful to even project ideas and urge advancement, but it is even more helpful to give actual information about possible channels of trade expansion. Reference was recently made to the increase in the total amount of sulphate of ammonia sent abroad last January under the heading of “ Other countries.” It is now possible to give the actual names of the countries that took this sulphate of ammonia, and it may be possible later to give the actual quantities that went to make up this sum of £107,550. The countries of chief interest, either on account of their importance or their purchase of sulphate of ammonia being significant, are as follow :—Canada, Sweden, Netherlands, Portugal, Brazils, New South Wales, Ceylon, and Mauritius. The other towns or countries, arranged alphabetically, comprised the Cape, Channel Islands, China, Cuba, French West Indies, Greece, Hong Kong, Madeira, and Peru. When the returns for the year 1914 -are looked into, “ Other countries ” also included (in addition to the foregoing), Algeria, Dutch Guiana, Egypt, Philippine Islands (which have lately been to the front also in connection with nipa palm cultivation), Porto Rico, San Salvador, the Argentine, Venezuela, Tunis, Mexico, Colombia, Bombay, Madras, Bengal Presidency (three districts), Straits Settlements, and New Zealand. This is a somewhat formidable list. According to the latest from Peru, the Government there argue that their new law will not injure the prospects or trade of the Peruvian Corporation .trade in guano. The Government seems to plead chiefly on the fact that the corporation will earn more on the railways they own, by increased internal traffic receipts. If that is so, it may leave the corporation in the same financial position; but that source of revenue would not impair the remarks of last week concerning the effect on the sulphate of ammonia' market. To all accounts the Welsh sulphuric acid trade is still depressed, and the output subject to curtailment. Potash is commanding attention almost all over the world. This is good news for the sulphate of ammonia manufac- turer, and, roughly speaking, wherever new sources of supply are likely to originate, it might be as well to give prominence to the advantages of sulphate of ammonia as the nitrogenous ingredient in the compounded manure. Alcohol production also is greatly under discussion, and in most cases where crops for this purpose are proposed, there will be an opening for the use of sulphate of ammonia, while where waste products are to be utilised, there is usually a final residual. containing potash that might be worked up into a good manure by the addition of sulphate of ammonia. There has been considerable curtailment in sulphate of ammonia exports, 3,000 tons being about the total this week. In pitch the figures are 5,036 tons, £3,312. For tar, 23,300 galls., 79 tons, 73 barrels, 12 drums, 20 casks, and £85. Tar oil, £20. Benzols, nil.