662 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. _____________________________________________________________ _________________________________________ March 26, 1915. ____________________ are continually obliged to close down their furnaces until supplies arrive. For contracts collieries are asking very high figures, almost double the value of contracts which are just expiring. Buyers are most undecided whether to contract or to remain in the open market in the hope that prices will come down later. Anthracite machine-made kinds, particularly beans and peas, are going well, whilst culm is in better demand than it has been for a long while at high figures. Swansea. COAL. The trade of the port last week continued satisfactory, both the coal and patent fuel trades displayed considerable activity, the shipments amounting to 96,321 tons. A capital attendance assembled .on 'Change,-and there was no material alteration in the general condition of the anthracite coal market. Swansea Valley large was freely offered, but the better quality was strongly held. Red Vein large maintained its strong position. Of the machine-made varieties, beans and peas were in active request, and a further increase in prices was noted, whilst nuts and cobbles were a shade easier. Bubbly culm was still strong, and duff was moving upward. In steam coals the situation was more difficult, as tonnage had arrived freely over the week-end, and the loading congestion at the docks was rather pronounced, sellers being fully stemmed for all qualities, and prices very firm. 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(less2|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 2f p.c.) ... Patent fuel do........ Current prices. 22/6-24/6 20/6-21/6 16/6-18/6 17/9-18/6 26/ -30/ 28/6-30/ 26/ -29/ 21/ '-23/ 13/6-14/6 10/6-11/6 3/6- 4/6 27/ -30/ 23/6-26/6 22/6-24/6 15/6-18/6 L'stweek’sLast year's prices. prices. 22/6-24/6 20/6-21/6 16/6-18/6 17/9-18/6 26/ -30/ 31/ -32/ 29/ -31/ 21/ -23/ 13/6-14/6 j 11/6-12/6 r 3/6- 4/6 | 26/6-29/6 i 22/6-25/6 ; 22/6-24/6 I 15/6-18/6 21/6-24/ 19/ -20/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/6 22/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 16/ -17/6 11/ -12/ 6/6- 7/ 4/ - 4/6 18/6-19/ 14/9-15/9 10/6-11/6 7/ - 8/3 21/6-30/ 19/6-22/6 25/ -27/6 26/6-29/ 19/6-22/6 25/ -27/6 18/ -19/ 14/ -15/9 10/3-11/3 17/ -17/6 IRON. Last week there was a, good yield of pig iron at the blast furnaces, but the demand proved a little quieter. The steel trade was active, most of the furnaces being in full operation. The tin-plate trade was not so brisk, and work was not started at some of the mills until Tuesday morning. The three sheet mills at the Upper Forest continued to operate from Monday to Saturday. The shipments of tin- plates were 72,480 boxes, receipts from works 83,987 boxes, whilst stocks remaining in the dock warehouses and vans were 303,795 boxes. At the iron foundries full time was worked, and the engineering shops were experiencing much pressure. ________________________________________ __________ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, March 25. _______________________________ _______________________ Dublin. The demand for house coal is easier, but steam qualities continue to be in good request, prices generally remaining unchanged, although Scotch coals have an advancing tendency. Best house coals in the city are from 32s. to 34s. per ton, less Is. per ton discount; retail prices, from 2s. 2d. to 2s. 3d. per sack of 10 st. Steam coals are about from 29s. per ton upwards; best coke, 34s. per ton delivered; best Irish coal at the Wolf hill Collieries, Queen’s County, 25s. per ton for any coal offering beyond contracts, which is very little. Large supplies have been coming into the port of late weeks, and considerable quantities are now being forwarded by rail and waterways to the country districts, in some of which stocks were completely run out. The coaling vessels arriving during the past week amounted to 45, rs compared with 68 the week previously, chieHy from Ayr, Garston, Swansea, Maryport, Partington, Glasgow, Newport, Liverpool, Preston, Neath Abbey, Ardrossan, Point of Aire, Briton Ferry, Workington, and Milford. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was 20,000 tons, as against 30,000 tons the previous v;eek. There is no change in freights, which continue very high. Belfast. The position remains about the same as last week, a slight falling off in consumption of house coal being notice- able, and prices generally remaining unchanged at late rates. Steam coals are rather more plentiful, and there is a good demand for these qualities, the prices still being subject to alteration from day to day-. Current quotations for house coals are as follow :—Best Arley house coal, 36s. per ton; Orrell nuts, 35s. per ton; Scotch house.coal, 32s. per ton; Orrell slack, 32s. per ton delivered. From February 28 to March 13 the total number of colliers enter- ing the harbour was 135. Coal-laden vessels arriving during the past week were chiefly from Glasgow, Garston, Ard- rossan, Ayr, Sillo.th, Irvine, Troon, Maryport, Workington, Newport, Point of Aire, Saundersfoot, Lydney, Whitehaven, Preston, Ellesmere Port, and Manchester. THE LOMDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, March 25. _______________ __________________________________ The London coal trade for the past week has varied very considerably. The house coal trade has shown a distinct falling off in demand, but the manufacturing qualities are still strongly in request. Small nuts, peas, and slacks generally are selling freely, and the higher prices of last week are fully maintained. A good deal of eagerness to buy for forward delivery is also manifested, but collieries are declining to book forward unless for the current three or four weeks. So much uncertainty is felt as to the future with this special class of fuel, for whilst factories and electric works are working at the utmost pressure (expecially for Government commodities), it is fully realised that collieries are still losing men by enlisting, and the household pits will soon be entering upon the summer season-, when the actual consumption is less. Fears are entertained that, with the shortage of smalls, the manufacturers will be com- pelled to fall back upon large coal to keep the works going. Bakers’ nuts have consistently kept to a steady strong demand, but the bulk of these are bought under fixed price contracts, made before the war broke out. Kitchen cobbles also have been well sustained, but are yielding slightly to the depression in the house coal market. Best hard steams are selling freely, 'and factories who are busy with Govern- ment contracts are laying in somewhat heavy stocks. House coals only are weak, and now that the railway companies are bringing forward the 'loaded wagons with greater despatch and regularity, the sidings .in the Metropolis are becoming somewhat congested, and Yorkshire Silksltone qualities are offering at much fewer prices. During the early part of the week many of the loaded wagons were kept in the colliery sidings ready labelled, but detained because of the troop trains. Later, however, these have all been brought for- ward, except to barging stations, where the block is still in existence. Empties are still very irregular, and the delays are in many cases serious. Many of the Midland collieries complain of terrible loss of time, owing to the non- arrival of the empties. Freights are considerably lower now that the 'interned boats are more freely used, and as few as 10s. for London has been accepted, although only a few weeks ago as high as 15s. 6d. to 16s. 6d. was quoted. The report of the House of Commons coal trade enquiry is only partially published at present, but the blame for the shortage is laid at the door of the railway companies and the scarcity of men in every direction. The reports from the. depots show that the ordinary delivery trade is very quiet, and, in fact, slow for the time of year, and particularly in view of the coming stoppage for the holidays. There is, however, a general impression that the holidays will be much shorter than usual this year. Some of the Derbyshire collieries have been offering at a reduction of Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. during the week, and in the seaborne market a cargo of Yorkshire Shariston Main was offering on Monday and sold on the open market, but the price realised was not divulged. Some Wallsend nuts and pea slack was also on offer, and sold readily, the recent reduction in the freight helping matters considerably. Twenty-five contract cargoes home entered the Thames in readiness for Monday’s market, and seven for Wednesday’s. Manufacturing coal and also gas coals are in good demand, and the firm tone for shipment is well maintained. Between 24s. and 25s. f.o.b. was quoted for South Yorkshire best hards in the Humber, and an advance upon that is contemplated for the month of April. The demand for France is reported as still strong. Current quotations are given as 20s. per ton at pit for Yorkshire best hards, and 18s. 6d. to 19s. for Derbyshire hard steam. The attendance on the market has not been so good lately, but this may be accounted for by the comparative plethora of stock at this end. Certainly only small parcels have been sold lately, and great caution is being exercised in all current transactions. ____________________________ A New Method of Supporting Roof.—Mr. William Griffith, who has made a special study of the underground conditions at Scranton, Fa., which town is honeycombed by workings, has introduced an artificial support to prevent mine caves, tests of which were recently made in the Government Laboratory in Pittsburg. Concrete is the basic material used in the new pillars, and it is reinforced with timber. The pillars are so constructed that it is impossible for the timbers to pull away and for the concrete to be crushed, no matter how severe the weight may be from overhead. It is also claimed by the inventor that the supports will yield to a certain and safe degree under heavy pressure. Analysis of Coke.—In the report of Committee on Standard Methods (Transactions of American Foundrymen’s Associa- tion), detailed description of methods of sampling are given. To determine moisture : Dry one hour at 104 to 107 degs. Cent. Volatile : The crucible containing the dried sample is supported inside of another, leaving about y in. space. Ignite 3J minutes over a burner and 3J minutes over a blast. Fixed carbon and ash : Burn off in the ordinary manner. Sulphur : Mix 0-7 gramme of sample (80 mesh) with 12 grammes Na202 and 0-5 gramme powdered KC103 in Ni crucible of 40 cu. cm. capacity. Support the crucible in a 600 cu. cm. beaker, containing H2O enough to immerse the fewer half. Put on the cover, which has a hole in the centre, through which is introduced a red-hot wire to fire the charge. After firing, dissolve in the H2O, remove sup- port and crucible. All HC1 to dissolve, then slight excess NH40H, and filter. Using methyl-orange, neutralise with HC1, and then add 0-5 HC1 in excess. Precipitate with 10 cu.cm. BaCl2 solution added slowly to the boiling solu- tion. Boil 15 minutes, stand two hours, and filter. Phosphorus : Burn 5 grammes to asb. Treat with 10 cu. cm. HC1 and 20 cu. cm. HF. Evaporate to dryness, and fuse with 1-5 grammes Na?CO3 and 2 grammes KN03. Dissolve, etc., precipitate with NHd0H, dissolve in HN03, and preci- pitate with Mo03 mixture. The acidimetric method is applied. Lancashire and Dynamo and Motor Company Limited.— The ordinary share dividend is brought up to 8 per cent, for the year, free of tax. THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market is firm, and there has been a sharp advance in the price of tar. Carbolics also are dearer. There is no change of note in benzols or toluol. Naphthas firm. Creosote unchanged. Nearest values are : Benzols, 90’s .......................;________ Do. 90’s North __............................... Do. 50’s do............................... Toluol ...................................... Carbolic asid, crude (60, per cent.) ......... ........................ Do. crystals (40 per cent.) ...... Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package)... Crude ditto (in bulk) .............i........... Creosote (for ordinary qualities) ............. Pitch (f.o.b.) ............................... Tar (liquid in 1 ton) ...................... /n /io 1/3-1-to l/4i 2/2 to 2/4 3/3 1/3 1/2 to 1/5 /3| 18/ to 20/ 22/ to 26/ [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.—According to stock quotations, the market is a little easier, but in reality there is no change other than in paper values. The statistical position is satisfactory, and both home and export demand is good, especially the former. Roughly speaking, it is the conflict between speculative buyers and manufacturers that is causing quotations to fluctuate, for dealers and makers are otherwise very firm in their ideas. Closing prompt prices are :— London (ordinary makes) .......... .=£13/13/9 ................ Beckton (net naked) ................. £13 Liverpool ......................... £13/12/6 Hull _____................................£13/11/3 to £13/12/6 Middlesbrough ..................... £13/17/6 Scotch ports ....................... £14/2/6 to £14/5 Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ... 11/6 [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. The restrictions on contraband goods are increasing, and though no one denies the absolute desirability of such restraint, it always seems to touch some item of interest to the by-product trade. We now not only have ammonia salts proclaimed contraband, but even the raw material, known as gas liquor, has been included, which makes the provisions concerning ammonia about as far-reaching as they well can be. Russian activity in connection with the supplies of agri- cultural nitrogen is once more manifest. This time in the North. The Donetz basin has gained a name for sulphate of ammonia, and the north-west provinces have been sug- gested as suitable for extending the sale of sulphate of ammonia in Russia. Now there is a movement to turn the water power of the North of Russia to account for the pro- duction of synthetic nitrates by means of the Gorboff- Mitkevich improved furnace, which, it is stated, has shown a considerable saving in cost of production on the experi- mental scale. The imports of products calculated to compete with sul- phate of ammonia, show for February that, so far, com- petition has not been checked either by freights or Peruvian regulations, for the imports of guano increased some 2,500 tons, and nitrate of soda by 4,000 tons. Some time back there was a prevailing idea that the falling off in Japanese imports of British sulphate of ammonia was due to the increased supply of soya beans in Japan. Yet in January our imports of these beans showed an advance, while in February we took £41,000 worth, compared with nil in 1914. That looks like faulty logic. ____________________________ THE TIM-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. The increase in cost of production has compelled makers of tin-plates to put up their prices considerably during the past week or so, and even at the figures now quoted they are not anxious to book ahead. A good deal of buying is reported. Quotations to-day are very firm, and run :— Coke tins : I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 108 lb.), 17s.; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 lb.), 34s.; I C 28 x 20 (56 sh. 108 lb.), 17s. 6d.; IC 14 x 18f (124 sh. 1101b.), 17s. 3d.; IC 14 x 19J (120 sh. 1101b.), 17s. 3d.; IC 20 x 10 (225 sh. 1561b.), 24s., all per box. IC squares and odd sizes, 17s. 6d. basis and upwards. Charcoals are in fair demand, and are quoted 19s. 6d. basis and upwards. Coke wasters meet with a good enquiry, and are becoming scarce for early delivery. Quotations at the moment are very strong, and advancing, viz. :—C W 14 x 20 16s. 6d.; C W 28 x 20, 31s.; CW 14 x 18|, 15s.; C W 20 x 10, 19s.; CW 30 x 21, 34s., all per box and upwards. All f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. ___________________________ Fleming and Ferguson Limited.—Interim dividend of 10s. per share, free of tax, on the ordinary shares. Coal Trade Benevolent Association. — The 22nd annual festival dinner of this association will be held on Monday, May 10, at 6.30 for 7* o’clock precisely, at the Hotel Cecil, under the presidency of his Grace the Duke of Norfolk, E.M., K.G. Tickets, 7s. 6d. each, may be obtained from the secretary, 46 and 47, Coal Exchange, E.C., or any of the branch honorary secretaries. Reddaway (F.) and Company Limited.—The report states that £10 989 has been carried forward, leaving the 6 per cent, preference dividend unmet. Immingham Coal Exports.—Returns for the week ending March 19, show that the coal exported from Immingham was as follows :—Foreign : To Dieppe, 1,252 tons; Oxelo- sund, 3,402; Reykjavik, 1,082; Rotterdam, 2,533; Rouen, 764; and Stockholm, 3,500 tons. Coastwise : To Greenwich, 180 tons—a total of 12,533 tons foreign and 180 tons coast- wise, against 31,906 tons foreign and 2,583 tons coastwise during the corresponding week last year.