1232 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN June 11, 1915. hat at least 35,000 miners have joined the new Army, in addition to over 20,000 who were called up from the Reserves. According to the Departmental Report, the total produc- tion of coal throughout the United Kingdom has been decreased by 13| per cent. In South Wales, however, it is believed that this figure has been greatly exceeded, and that the shortage of output compared with pre-war times is not less than 20 per cent. The prohibition of shipments to certain countries may have the effect of regulating the market so far as supplies to the Allied countries are concerned, but there is no doubt that much inconvenience and loss will be incurred owing to the prohibition of exports to South America. As a matter of fact, excluding ship- ments to French ports, Buenos Ayres took more coal than any other country during the month of May, the total being 50,334 tons. These figures were only exceeded by St. Nazaire and Bordeaux. In certain instances stocks accumulated, owing to the refusal of the authorities to grant licences, but wherever the coal desired to be shipped was found to be suitable for Government purposes, the Admiralty authorities took over the cargoes, and up to the time of writing no actual stoppages had been reported. Shipments last week amounted to 394,762 tons, compared with 437,798 tons in the corresponding week of last year, or a decrease of 43,036 tons. From Cardiff alone there were exported 209,198 tons, compared with 291,955 tons, or a decrease of 82,757 tons. From. Newport the shipments were 81,698 tons, or a decrease of 8,930 tons, from Swansea 70,315 tons, or an increase of 40,493 tons, and from Port Talbot 33,551 tons, or an improvement of 8,158 tons. The following table shows the exports to the principal foreign countries and British possessions during the first four months of the present year, with the increases or decreases respectively:— F € 'our months, mded April. Tons. Increase. Tons. Decrease. Tons. Russia 4,704 ... — . 39,273 Sweden 32,516 ... — . 11,169 Norway 39,648 ... — 2,713 Denmark 10,289 ... 605 — Germany — — .’ 80,878 Netherlands 11,005 ... — . 12,748 Java Other Dutch posses- — — . 6,251 sions — — . 16,320 Belgium — — . 125,605 Prance 2,933,462 ... 333,504 .. — Algeria 184,631 ... — ‘ 36,703 French Somaliland .. 13,630 ... — . 7,891 Madagascar 5,398 ... 1,246 — Reunion (Bourbon).. — — 5,498 Portugal 231,574 ... — . 29,878 Azores 14,098 ... 1,568 ... — Madeira 27,364 ... — . 19,298 Spain 271,050 ... — 191,069 Canary Islands 105,196 ... — 5,912 Italy ... 1,353,936 ... — 457,909 Italian East Africa 5,043 ... 967 ... — Austria-Hungary ... — — 66,257 Greece 104,345 ... — 23,086 Bulgaria — — 30,367 Roumania — — 61,225 Turkey — European 3,073 ... — 67,089 „ Asiatic ... — — 50,351 Tunis 36,317 ./ — 7,547 Peru — — 13,380 Chile 21,789 ... — 89,420 Brazil 214,114 ... — 199,736 Uruguay 121,781 ... — 82,501 Argentine Republic.. 598,531 ... — 554,413 Channel Islands 15,471 ... — 8,301 Gibraltar 83,967 ... — 23,365 Malta and Gozo 39,731 ... — 100,662 Egypt 310,414 ... — 408,341 Cape of Good Hope Anglo - Egyptian 3,617 ... — 15,275 Sudan Mauritius and De- 6,935 ... — 20,225 pendencies Aclen and Dependen- 7,823 ... 4,707 ... — cies 46,841 ... — 33,429 British India 8,106 ... — 36,016 Straits Settlements Ceylon and Depen- 474 ... — 15,698 dencies 15,039 ... — 98,172 Hong Kong — — 7,890 Bermudas British West India — — 5,525 Islands 2,573 ... — 5,117 West Africa—French 65,786 ... 25,547 ... — „ Portuguese 48,697 ... — 4,622 „ British ... 23,535 ... — 22,609 Charterings have been on a much more satisfactory basis, but there has been a considerable fall in rates owing to the restrictions which have been imposed by the Government. The tonnage taken up last week amounted to 169,060 tons, compared with 127,930 tons in the preceding six days, or an increase of 41,130 tons. In addition to the enquiry by the Egyptian State Railways for 360,000 metric tons of steam coals for delivery between September and May next, the Great Northern Railway of Ireland invite tenders for 50,000 to 100,000 tons of locomotive coals to be delivered at the rate of about 2,000 tons per week, commencing at the end of September next. These tenders have to be in by June 23, and as in former years, it is believed that the bulk of the business will be secured by Monmouthshire firms. With regard to prices there appears to be very little change. Best Admiralties and superior seconds are still retained by the Government, and are not available for ordinary purposes. The quotation, therefore, is purely nominal. Ordinary qualities realise from 34s. to 35s., but in some cases middlemen who have made good contracts are inclined to take advantage of prompt shipment offers at a little less. Monmouthshire coals continue firm, and there is a brisk competitive demand for all the free coal that comes on to the market. Best Black Veins are 33s. 3d. to 33s. 9d., Western Valleys 32s. 9d., and Easterns 31s. to 31s. 6d., in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. The small coal market is without material alteration, and practically the whole of the supplies are being absorbed for French and Italian requirements. Best Bunkers are 22s. to 22s. 6d., ordinaries 21s. to 21s. 6d., and cargo qualities 19s. to 20s. All descrip- tions of washed coal remain dear, but there is practically no alteration in quotations. In bituminous coals business is slow, with, if anything, a slightly firmer tendency with regard to quotations. No. 3 Rhondda large is 29s. to 30s., through-and-through 26s. 6d. to 27s., No. 2 large 27s. to 27s. 6d., through 22s. 6d. to 23s., and small 19s. 6d. to 20s. Coke is unaltered, and rather scarce, owing to the brisk demand for the coal for other purposes. Patent fuel makers have full order books, and very little new business is being done. For best qualities 37s. 6d. is being nominally quoted, with second grades at about 35s. Shipments last week were over 31,000 tons, of which no less than 23,000 tons was despatched from Swansea. Pitwood is steady at 31s. to 32s. per ton. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Admiralty steam coals * * 20/ -20/6 Superior seconds * * 19/9 Ordinary do 34/ -35/ 36/ -37/ 18/6 Best bunker smalls 22/ -22/6 22/ 10/9-11/ Best ordinaries 21/ -21/6 21/6 .10(6-10/9 Cargo qualities 19/ -20/ 19/ -19/6 ' 8/9 Inferior smalls 18/ -18/6 18/ -18/6 7/ - 8/ Best dry coals ; 34/ -36/ 36/ -37/ 18/ -18/9 Ordinary drys 32/ -33/ 34/ -35/ 16/ -17/ Best washed nuts ■29/ 29/ 16/ Seconds 27/ 27/ 15/ Best washed peas 26/ 26/ 15/ Seconds 24/ 24/ 14/ Dock screenings 20/6-21/ 20/ 11/6 Monmouthshire— Black Veins 33/3-33/9 33/9 17/3-17/6 Western-valleys 32/9 32/9 16/9 Eastern-valleys 31/ -31/6 32/3 16/3 Inferior do. 29/ -30/ 31/6 15/3-15/6 Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) 30/ 30/ ' 20/ Second qualities (at pit) 27/6-29/ 27/6-29/ 17/6-19/6 No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large 29/ -30/ 29/ 17/6 Through-and-through 26/6-27/ 26/6 15/ Small 24/ 24/ 12/3-12/6 No. 2 Rhondda— Large 27/ -27/6 27/ 13/6-13/9 Through-and-through 22/6-23/ 22/6-23/ 11/6-11/9 Small 19/6-20/ 19/6-20/ 9/6 Best patent fuel 37/6 37/6 21/ Seconds 35/ 33/ -35/ 19/ -20/ Special foundry coke 43/ -47/ 43/ -47/ 29/ -30/ Ordinary do. 38/ -42/6 38/ -42/6 22/ -25/ Furnace coke 32/ -35/ 32/ -35/ 17/ -19/ Pitwood (ex-ship) 31/ -32/ 31/ -32/ | 21/ * Nominal. IRON. Shipments of tin-plates again exceeded. receipts from works, and amounted last week to 86,834 boxes, compared with 74,000 boxes placed into stock, and reserves in the docks, warehouses and vans now amount to 295,358 boxes, compared with 308,185 boxes in the preceding week and 228,947 boxes in the corresponding week of last year. The prices are again inclined to be higher, Bessemer standard cokes being 18s. 9d. to 19s., and oil sizes 19s. 3d. and 27s. 3d. respectively. Welsh bars are quoted £7 10s. to <£7 15s. per ton, and business generally is being negotiated at about <£7 12s. 6d. The Board of Trade returns for the month of May show that the exports amounted to 33,727 tons, com- pared with 48,628 tons in the corresponding month of 1914. For the five months of the year the shipments were 164,349 tons, against 218,695 tons. The galvanised sheet trade shows no improvement, and apart from Government orders there is little business doing. Exports last month were only 31,527 tons, compared with 54,397 tons in the corre- sponding month of last year. The biggest falling off has been in the trade with Australia and India, and the only increase of any importance is represented by the improved business with Argentina. Spelter, which before the war was selling at about <£20 per ton, has now advanced to the extraordinary figure of £110 per ton, the result being that prices are almost prohibitive. Quotations for 24-gauge c irrugateds, which last week were about £17 per ton, have now advanced to £20, and some makers, rather than close their works, are confining their attention to the manufacture of black plate, and leaving the galva- nising alone. Steel works are all busy, and it is reported that the Ivor Works at Dowlais, which have been-idle for some years, are to be restarted. Many firms have made offers to the Government to assist in the manufacture of munitions, and it is not improbable that great quantities of shells and other war material will be produced in South Wales at an early date. Welsh pig iron is steady at 107s. 6d. to 110s. delivered. The iron ore market is practi- cally unchanged, best rubio being 27s. 6d. to 28s., seconds 25s. 6d. to 26s., and Almeria 26s. In scrap metals the market is a little less active. Steel scrap is quoted at 77s., heavy wrought 68s., double-headed iron and steel rails 82s. 6d., mixed sections 72s. 6d., light wrought 35s. to 40s., cast 60s. to 62s. 6d., and new steel crop ends 86s. Llanelly. COAL. Very little alteration is noticeable in the market this week, and the position is very similar to what it has been 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 iL’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. 21/6-22/6 1 21/6-22/6 21/ -22/ 18/6-19/6 i 18/ -19/6 19/ -21/ 16/ -17/ ! 16/ -17/ i 16/ -17/ 16/6-17/6 ; 16/ -17/ : 12/ -13/ 23/ -25/ ! 23/ -24/ 19/ -21/ 22/ -23/ : 22/ -23/ 20/ -22/ 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ ; 20/ -22/ 23/ -24/ i 23/ -24/ ; 20/ -22/ 23/ -25/ ' 22/ -25/ 16/ -20/ 15/ -15/6 i 15/ -15/6 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/ ! 10/6-11/ ; 6/3- 6/6 5/6- 6/6 5/6- 6/6 4/6- 6/ 30/ -32/ 30/ -32/ 16/ -17/ 20/ -23/6 20/ -22/ : 11/ -12/ 16/ -18/ 16/ -18/ 1 8/6- 9/6 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ ' 11/ -11/6 for the past fortnight. The delay in getting licences through is a source of much inconvenience to the colliery people, as large stocks of coal are continually being kept under load waiting tonnage arrangements. For some weeks pits have been idle a great deal, but since Italy has joined the Allies the position has improved and orders are more numerous. The anthracite market is certainly better than it has been for the past month. Red Vein sorts are in very strong demand, whilst for beans, peas and culm orders are in excess of the make. Prices are keeping firm, and are not likely to reduce just yet. Steam sorts are not going so well, and prices have been better. Large, through and smalls are all obtainable with little difficulty. Swansea. COAL. The trade of the port was satisfactory during the past week, and an increase was shown as compared with the week previous. The coal trade was good, but patent fuel exports were somewhat limited, the shipments of coal and patent fuel amounted to 94,401 tons. A good attendance assembled on ’Change, and there was a better enquiry for all descrip- tions on the anthracite coal market, the undertone was stronger all round. Swansea Valley large although still slow, was in brisker demand, whilst Red Vein was strongly held at last quotations. Machine-made nuts and cobbles were firm with a good demand, and stove nuts were also hardening. Bubbly culm and duff were firm. In steam coals there was a slight evidence of weakness. Prices f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Current L’st week’s'Last year’s Anthracite:— Best malting large prices. prices. prices. (hand picked) (net)... 22/ -24/' 22/ -24/ 21/ -23/ Secondary do. Big Vein large (less 2| 19/6-20/6 18/ -20/ 17/. -18/ per cent.) 16/6-18/ 16/ -17/6 15/ -16/ Red Vein large do. ... Machine - made cobbles 16/9-17/6 16/ -17/6 12/9-13/6 (net) 25/ -25/9 23/ -25/ 21/ -22/6 Paris nuts (net) — — — French do. do 24/ -28/ 23/6-27/ 21/9-23/9 Stove do. do 24/ -26/ 22/ -23/ 21/9-23/ Beans (net) Machine - made large 23/6-25/ 23/ -25/6 15/6-17/ peas (net) 16/ -17/6 16/6-17/6 ii/ 212/ Do. fine peas (net) — —. Rubbly culm (les s 2 £ p. c.) 10/6-11/6 6/ - 7/3 10/6-11/6 6/6- 6/9 Duff (net) Steam coals:— 6/9- 7/3 4/3- 4/6 Best large (less 2i p.c.) 28/ -30/ 28/ -30/ 18/6-20/ Seconds do. 24/ -26/6 24/6-26/ 13/6-15/6 Bunkers (net) 20/9-22/6 21/ -23/ 10/6-11/9 Small (less 2| p.c.) Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— 15/6-19/ 15/6-19/ 8/3- 9/ Large (less 2o p.c.) ... Through-and-through 28/ -30/ 28/6-31/ 17/ -18/ (less 2| p.c.) — — — Small (less 2| p.c.) ... 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 11/ -12/ Patent fuel do 32/ -35/ 32/ -35/ 17/ -17/6 IRON. The trade last week displayed activity throughout the district, with the exception of the tinplate industry. Great pressure was noted at the blast furnaces, and outputs exceeded expectations. The steelworks were so busy that arrangements were made with the men to put in twelve hours per day to cope with the production of material required by the Government. Owing to the shortage of labour the men willingly agreed to this. The tinplate industry showed slight improvement, but the sheet mills were quiet. The shipments of tinplates were 86,834 boxes, receipts from works 74,007 boxes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 295,358 boxes. THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, June 10. Dublin. Notwithstanding the fine weather prevailing, there has been no falling off in the trade, such as is usual at this .season, as the better class consumers are laying in supplies in view of a possible shortage of coal in the coming winter, and merchants are quite busily engaged. Supplies from the other side are still difficult to obtain, and there is very little opportunity of adding to the stocks under existing conditions. Prices of all qualities remain unchanged, as follow :—Best Orrell coal, 33s. per ton; ITulton Arley, 33s.; best Wigan, 32s.; best Whitehaven, 32s.; Pemberton Wigan, 31s.; kitchen nuts, 30s.; best slack, 26s.; all less Is. per ton discount. Best Scotch steam coal, from 28s. to 29s. per ton ; best coke, 34s. per ton delivered; best Irish coal at Wolfhill 'Collieries, Queen’s County, 25s. per ton outside of contracts; Kilkenny coal delivered at Athy, 3Qs. 2d. per ton by rail, or 28s. 6d. by cart. The coaling vessels arriving during the past week amounted to 42, as compared with 49 the week previously, chiefly from Liverpool, Garston, Ayr, Partington, Irvine, Preston, West Bank, Glasgow, Llanelly, Troon, Maryport, Ardrossan, Ellesmere Port, Neath Abbey, Whitehaven, Swansea, and Newport. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was 18,000 tops, as against 22,500 tons the previous week. Belfast Demand has, if anything, improved during the week both locally and inland, and some qualities of coal are showing a firmer tone, although there is no actual change in prices. It is improbable that any reductions will now be made in house coals. Current quotations are .as follow :—Best Arley, 36s. per ton; Orrell nuts, 35s.; Scotch house coal, 32s.; Orrell slack, 32s. per ton delivered. The Belfast District Asylum contract is open for a 12 months’ supply of house and steam coals. From May 16 to 29 the total number of coal Jaden vessels entering the harbour was ?114. Colliers arriving during the past week were chiefly from Glasgow, Point of Aire, Maryport, Irvine, Garston, West Bank, Preston, Troon, Ellesmere Port, Ardrossan, Partington, Silloth, Workington, Whitehaven, Manchester, and Swansea. A report of the Gas Committee of the Corporation states that there has been an increase of 7s. 6d. per ton in the prices of coal for contracts made on those previously paid.