759 ________________________ April 9, 1915. ____________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. ________________ resources and supply of labour will allow. In addition, constructional engineers and car builders are well occupied, and foreign buyers are sending in delivery specifications. German Tin-plate Export. The exisling facilities for exporting tin-plate have been removed, and special y emission to export is now necessary. German Coal Syndicate. In addition to the figures given last week, the report states that the collieries having a sales agreement with the Syndicate produced during February'354,271 tons (465,218 tons) of coal, and distributed 322,054 tons (432,951 tons), of which 114,624 tons (168,250 tons) were for account of the Syndicate. Their coke distribution amounted to 103,952 tons (126,860 tons), of which 65,838 tons (79,330 tons) were on Syndicate account; and the whole of the briquette output (3,315 tons) was sold through that body. During the first seven months of the war the total coal output of the Syndicate collieries was 39,179,020 tons, being a deficit of 18,489,830 tons, or 32 06 per cent, as compared with the preceding year ; the calculated distribution was 29,552,179 t ns, a deficit of 15,350,722 tons, or 34*19 per cent., and the total distribution 38,704,549 tons, a deficit of 18,162,177 tons, or 31*94 per cent. Company Reports. Steinkohlenbauverein Hohndorf.—Gross profits 252,863 mk., net profits 127,947 ink. (267,985 mk.), out of which the pieference shareholders are to receive a dividend of 25 mk. (45 mk.), and the ordinary shareholders one of 10 mk. (30 mk.) per share. Coal output 140,984 tons (160,203 tons) ; sales, 117,432 tons (133,717 tons). Leipziger Braunkohlenwerke A G., Kulkwitzf—The gross profit amounted to 211,483 mk. (243,415 mk.). and the net profit to 113,131 mk. (14*>,363 mk.), out of which a dividend of 10 i er cent. (12 per cent) is to be paid, and 2,627 mk. (5,802 mk.) carried forward. The coal output declined from 4*1 to 3*7 million hectolitres, and the sales from 3*6 Io 3*2 million hectolitres. The briquette works produced 8'17 million (8’38 million) briquettes, and the sales totalled 8'59 million (8*15 million) briquettes. Gelsenkirchen er Bergwerks A.G., Gelsenkirchen.—The gross i rofit on the year's working amounted to 48,245,664 mk. (66,605,945 mk.). Interest and dues, general expenses, compensation for subsidence, benevo- lent funds, &c., absorbed 7,941,618 mk. (8,433,006 mk.), taxes—including 150,000 mk. for coupon tax—9,340.238 mk. (10,723.573 mk.), and writing-off 15,901,481 mk. (23,308 527 mk.), leaving 15,062,327 mk. (24,140,839 mk.) as ner profit. Out of this it is proposed to place 500,000 mk. (450,000 mk.) to the staff assistance fund, distribute 10,800,000 mk. (19,800,000 mk.) as a 6 per- cent. (11 per cent.) dividend, and carry forward 2,972,852 mk. (2,627,680 mk.). Bergwerksgesellschaft Hibernia, Herne.— After deduct- ing current and extraordinary working expenses, as well as 707,740 mk. (726,840 mk.) for loan interest, there remains a profit of 4,102,314 mk. (5,010,526 mk.), out of which the preference shareholders will receive a 4J per- cent. (41 per cent.) dividend, and the original share- holders one of 8 per cent. (15 per cent.). Oberschlesische Kokswerke und Chemische Fabriken A.G., Berlin.—The board has decided to recommend the payment of a 17 per cent. (17 per cent.) dividend, placing 212,366 mk.-(O) to reserve, and increasing the balance in hand from 256,822 mk. to 610,376 mk. Geiverkschaft Dorstfeld.—The total coal raised amounted to 709,288 tons (859,619 tons), and the coke production to 177,797 tons (293,655 tons). The cost of producing coal rose from ll'93mk. to 12*11 mk. per ton. Profits fell from 1,911,631 mk. to 496,601 mk., so that only 200,000 mk. (400,000 mk? are available for distribution; and 500,000 mk. have been withdrawn from capital account, for depreciation. The Braunkohlen und Brikett A.G., Hoddergrube,Brilhl, announces a dividend of 14 per cent., as compared with 15 per cent, last year. Braunschweigische Kohlen-Bergwerke, Helmstedt.—Out of the net profit of 989,372 mk. (1,070,386 mk.), 56,115 mk. (62,070 mk.) are distributed, as share of profits, among the employees, . 67,996 mk. (79,191 mk.) as directors’ share, and 750,000 mk. (875,000 mk.) as a 12 per cent. (14 per cent.) dividend, leaving 115,262 mk. (54,126 mk.) to be carried forward. The coal output for the year was 23,729,8b6 hectolitres (23,380,808 hectolitres), and the production of briquettes 967,663 tons (938,755 tons), 8,060,205 hectolitres (7,778,907 hectolitres) of coal being sold. Stahlwerk Mannheim, Rheinau.—The gross profits receded from 357,629 mk. to 185,229 mk., so that, after writing off 62.216 mk. (74,099 mk.) and deducting 134,425 mk. (137,891. mk.) for general expenses, there was a net loss of 7,270 mk. (profit 206,072 mk. in 1913), which reduced the balance in hand to 48,148 mk. The dividend the previous year was 7 per cent. Westbohmische Bergbau Aktienverein.—The net profits amount to 2,783,032 kr. (3,479,725 kr.), out of which a dividend of 11 per cent. (13 per cent.) is to be paid. ____________________________ Mr. Daniel Coombe, secretary of the Parkside Mining Company, died at his residence in Whitehaven last week from cerebral haemorrhage. He started life as clerk for the Whitehaven Steam Packet Company, and afterwards became a clerk at the Parkside Mining Company, and when Mr. Wood Walker died Mr. Coombe succeeded him as secretary. Mr. Coombe, who was in his 70th year, leaves a widow and three sons, two of whom are in Canada. THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products. —■ The market is firm, and prices are advancing in many cases. Benzols are improving. Pitch is steady. Crystal carbolic is firmer, while solvent naphtha is also dearer. Nearest values are :— Benzols, 90’s ............................................... Do. 90’s North .......................... Do. 50’s do............................... Toluol ..................................... Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) ........ Do. crystals (10 per cent.) ______ Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package)... Crude -ditto (in bulk) ........................ Creosote (for ordinary qualities) ............. Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ....’................. do. (f.a.-s. west coast) .................... Tar (liquid in 1 ton) ........................ /II to /111 /9i to /10 1/3 to 1/4 2/2 to 2/4 3/5 to 3/6 1/4 1/5 to 1/7 /3J 17/ to 17/6 18/ to 19/ 21/ to 25/ [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.—The market is fairly steady, but there has not been a full recovery from the holiday• tone. There is a fairly -good enquiry for future delivery, which would quicken, were not the transport difficulties still so prominent a factor. Closing prompt prices are :— London (ordinary makes) .......... £13/15 Beckton ____‘................................. £12/17/6 Liverpool ......................... . £13/10 Hull ..................;..................................... £13/10 Middlesbrough .................... £13/12/6 ....................... Scotch -ports ........................ £14 Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ... 11/9 [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. Efforts are being made to remove, or, in any case, modify, the prohibition on sulphate of ammonia. As the bulk of the trade in this product is'for export, the Scottish oil trade, in particular, -feels the loss of trade greatly. The deputation to the Admiralty that was recently received by Admiral Slade'wa-s assured that everything that was possible would be done to alleviate the -serious position presented to him, but that is as far as the whole thing has gone up to now. The report on the trade with Italy recently issued by the P-ritish Chamber of Commerce for Italy -is very interesting, and, moreover, instructive, in so much that it indicates how Great Britain can secure a substantial share -of the trade Germany has recently lost. The report strongly urges the taking of immediate -steps to establish a firm footing prior to the cessation of hostilities. _____________________________________________________ THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. Works are all pretty full of orders, and quotations for all descriptions rule very firm, makers not -caring to bock ahead unless at an advance -on to-day’s prices, owing to. the uncertain outlook in regard to raw materials, values of which are steadily rising. There is a very fair all-round enquiry for tin-plates, and the following are about the figures being quoted at the moment for shipment over next two to three months. Coke tins : IC 14 x 20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 16s. 9d. to 17s. 3d. per box; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 1b.), 33s. fid. to 34s.; IC 28 x 20 (56 sh. 108 lb.), 17s. 3d. to 17s. 6d. ; I C 14 x 18| (124 sh. 1101b.), 17s. 3d. to 17s. 6d. ; IC 14 x 19i (120-sh. 1101b.), 17s. 3d. to 17s. fid. ; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 24s. to 24s. 6d. I C squares and odd sizes, 17-s. 3d. to 17s. 6d. basis. Charcoals are firm, at 19s. basis and upwards, according to finish. Coke wasters meet with a good demand, and prices stand firm, as follow :—C W 14 x 20, 15s. 3d. to 15s. 6d. pei’ box; C W 28 x 20, 30s. 3d. to 30s. 9d. ; CW 20 x 10, 19s. 3d. to 19s. 6d. ; CW 14 x 18f, 15s. 3d. to 15s. 6d. ; CW 30 x 21, 33s. 6d. to 34s. All f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. ____________________________________________ THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, April 8. __________________ __________________________________________ The London coal trade for the past week has been largely dependent upon the holiday traffic. So little coal has been brought forward during the few days immediately prior to the holidays, and the cold weather at the time somewhat stimulated the demand, but with the close of the holiday season,, and the return to milder .weather, the orders from the general public show a marked falling off. The sales, however, have been very slow, and of small dimensions, because the tonnage is so considerably reduced as compared with last year at this time. Colliery prices are fully main- tained, not, however, so high as they were prior to the holidays. Current quotations are largely dependent upon the question of wagons. If the merchant can provide wagons, a much lower figure is often secured than if the order is dependent upon railway or colliery wagons. The drop in prices, however, in Leicestershire, Warwickshire, and Derbyshire qualities is not followed by the Yorkshire collieries, and for these an advance has been -maintained. Current quotations for best South Yorkshire hards are now 23s. to 24s. per ton, and in some cases as high as 26s. to 27s. f.o.b. in the Humber ports. Buyers, however, are inclined to put off “ forward ” business, as the prevailing opinion is that, with the lessening of the freights on the interned vessels, a corresponding increase will be shown in -the tonnage available, and ait proportionately lower rates. In the freight market a considerable change has been made, and the high prices are now very much reduced. From the Humber to London 7s. has been -accepted, and from Glasgow to London as low as 6s. fid. Very few collieries are pre- pared to quote for forward traffic, because of the uncertainty of the coming .season, but in cases where contracts have been received, the extra price obtained is reported to be 4s. per ton above last year. On the London Exchange the only market was on Wednesday last, and this despite the holiday •season was well attended. Many collieries resumed work on Monday, so that supplies are coming through fairly well, but some of the loaded wagons are still subjected to very long and serious delays. This point has been somewhat lightly touched upon by the Coal Trade Committee’s report, and yet the trade generally feel that this has been the great difficulty, and the main factor in forcing prices up. The shortage of coal caused by the delays has been -severe. One of the most important items of the Board of Trade Com- mittee’s report is the suggestion that steps should be taken to consider the question of a storage of coal in or near London for the use of consumers during the next winter. This opens up a very wide and important-question, for it has long been in the mind of some of the far-sighted business men that whilst we have large granaries in Liverpool and means in many of the large centres, for storing articles of .com- merce, we have practically no means of storing the ordinary necessaries of life for London. Cold storage for meat and fish are known, but no accommodation for any great supply of corn or coal. The Deptford Market seemed at one time to offer an unusual opportunity for this, but it has been largely used by the Government for transport and other purposes. Now, however, that the subject has been named, the whole question will assuredly come to the front. During the week 52 vessels have entered the Biver Thames for the London market, but all were contract cargoes, and therefore net subject to the market demand. Steam coals and small nuts are selling freely, and the enquiries for forward business looks like a firm steady summer trade. _____________________________ From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Wednesday, April 7.—The seaborne house coal market was very quiet to-day, no business done, and no cargoes on offer. Cargoes, 55. _________________________________________________________ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, April 8. _________________________________________________________ Dublin. Business is much the -same as last reported, there being a fairly good demand upon the whole, although requirements for household use -begin to -show a slight falling off, and there is the usual decrease in consumption of gas coal as the days lengthen out. Prices all remain unchanged, house coals being from 32s. to 34s. per ton, less Is. per ton discount; retail, from 2s. 2d. to 2s. 3d. per sack of 10 st. ; steam coal, up to 32s. per ton; best coke, 34s. per ton delivered; best Irish coal at Wolf hill, Queen’s County, 25s. per ton outside of contracts. The import trade has suffered a slight inter- ruption from the holidays, the coaling vessels arriving during the past week amounting to 41, as compared with 69 the week previously, chiefly from Garston, Point of Aire, Glasgow, Birkenhead, Newport, Cardiff, Swansea, Working- ton, Irvine, Ayr, Saundersfo-ot, Maryport, Whitehaven, Preston, Troon, Partington, Llanelly, and Liverpool. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was only 17,190 tons, as compared with nearly. 30,000 tons the previous week. Belfast. Demand for house coal begins to fall off somewhat -both locally and in the inland districts, but there is no diminution of activity in the steam coal trade, the supplies being rather better than of late, and prices subject to alteration from day to day. Quotations for house coals are unchanged, as follow :—Best Arley house coal, 36-s. per ton; Orrell nuts, 35s.; Scotch house coal, 32s. ; Orrell slack, 32s. per ton delivered. Coal-laden vessels arriving during the past week were chiefly from Ardro-ssan, Glasgow, Briton Ferry, White- haven, Girv-an, Cardiff, Garston, Silloth, Ayr, Partington, Point of Aire, Ellesmere Port, West Bank, Troon, Irvine, and Campbeltown ________________________________ Spitsbergen Coal Mines. — Karl Bay, in the Teknisk Ukeblad, says coal mining at present is the principal basis of the commercial value of Spitzbergen. The coal occurs chiefly in the tertiary formation, but is also found in the carboniferous. It is calculated that in a comparatively small area at present examined between Green Harbour and Ice Fiord there are at least 1,000,000,000 tons in the two seams known to exist; the probability is that there -are at least three seams. The average thickness is about 40 in. Analyses show coke 54 to 60 per cent., volatile matter 37 to 44 per cent., water 1*5 per cent., and ashes 3-8 to 5-6 per cent. Calorific value, 28,000 to 31,000 B.Th.U. The coals are not particularly suitable for gas making, but are excellent for steamers, owing to their high calorific value and small quantity of ashes. They are of good appearance, free from dust, and break into cubes*. The working of the mines is cheap. As the ground is frozen, there is no trouble with water. Mining presents no difficulties at any time of the year; but as shipping can only take place during the short- summer, it is of importance to have the best possible facilities for loading. The mines can be reached from Norway in about two -days by an ordinary collier steamer. Interesting Checkweigher Action.-—Sheriff Mitchell, Stir- ling, recently issued his interlocutor in a case wfliich is regarded in the nature of a test. In a -small debt action, Alexander Hill, checkwrcigher at East Plean Colliery, sued Edward M‘Fadyen, who until June of last year worked as a mining contractor at the -colliery, for £4 odds, this sum being claimed as dues payable by M'Fadyen in respect of the services rendered by Hill in. checking the hutches sent up by the contractor and his men. Defender resisted the applica- tion on the ground that there was no jurisdiction against him in consequence of his having left Bannockburn permanently on June 19, the summons not having been served until July 14. He also contended that he was not liable to check- weighers’ dues in respect of the fact that he and his men were not paid by the weight of the minerals “ gotten ” by them, but by shift wages. The Sheriff assoilzies defender from the conclusions of the action, wTith expenses against pursuer. In a note, his lordship -says :—“ It seems to me proved here that defender was paid according to shift, and so is outside the statute; and I do not find actings or inaction of defender suggesting to pursuer that he wa-s paid by weight. Being paid by shift, defender had no occasion to use pursuer’s services, and from the first pay period, he did not pay the collector.”