THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN ________________________________________________________________________________ 282 August 6, 1915. Swansea. COAL. Considerable activity was displayed in the trade of the port during the past week; both the coal and patent fuel trades were exceptionally brisk, the shipments together amounting to 114,287 tons. There was a very poor atten- dance on "Change this morning, and very little business was transacted. Prices f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Anthracite:— Best malting large prices. prices. prices.* (hand picked) (net)... 24/ -26/ 24/ -26/6 — Secondary do. 23/9-26/ 22/6-23/6 — Big Vein large do 26/ -30/ 22/6-25/ — Red Vein large do. ... Machine-made cobbles 18/9-20/6 19/ -20/ — do. 32/6-34/9 31/ -34/ — Paris nuts do — — French do. do 38/ -40/ 35/ -37/6 — Stove do. do 35/ -37/6 33/ -36/ — Beans do Machine - made large 25/6-28/6 24/3-25/3 — peas do 18/6-19/6 18/ -18/9 — Do. fine peas do.... — —• — Bubbly culm do 11/6-12/ 11/ -11/6 — Duff do Steam coals:— 6/6- 7/ 6/ - 6/6 — Best large (net.) 24/6-26/ 25/ -26/6 — Seconds do 22/6-24/ 22/6-24/9 — Bunkers do 20/ -23/ 21/ -22/6 — Small do Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— 14/ -16/ 13/6-15/6 — Large (net) 25/6-28/ 25/6-26/6 — Thro’-and-thro’ do. ... — — — Small do 19/6-21/6 19/6-20/6 — Patent fuel do 30/ -32/ 30/ -32/6 — * Outbreak of war. IRON. Last week, employment and trade were brisk throughout the district. The manufacture of pig iron was in excess of the previous week, and the blastfurnaces were experiencing a brisk time. A full week’s work was done at the local steel works, but the demand for bars was not heavy, so there was a drop in the aggregate output for the week. The tin-plate trade was a little better, there being an increase in the production of tin-plates over several of the previous weeks. There was an increased demand for tin bars, outputs being above the usual quantity. All the tin- plate works closed down for the annual holiday, on Friday afternoon, and operations will not be resumed until the 9th. All hands were busily engaged at the Mannesmann Tube Works, and the iron foundries, and the engineering shops had ample work. The shipment of tin-plates last week were 110,810 boxes, receipts from works 72,748 boxes, stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 288,924 boxes. ___________________________________________ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, August 5. ___________________________________________ Dublin. The position is about the same as last week, and for the time of the year a fair number of household orders are being booked. There is no change in prices either of household or steam coals, nor lis iany expected during the present month. Quotations in the city are as follows :—Best Orrell, 34s. per ton; Hulton Arley, 33s.; best Wigan, 32s.; best Whitehaven, 32s.; Pemberton Wigan, 31s.; kitchen nuts, 30s.; best slack, 26s.; all less Is. per ton discount. Scotch steam coal, about 29s. per ton; large Welsh steam, about £2 2s. per ton; smaller ditto, for stacking, 36s.; coke, 34s. per ton delivered. Irish coal at Wolfhill Collieries, Queen’s County, is 25s. per ton for round coal at the pit; culm, all prices from 3s. 4d. to 10s. per ton. The coal vessels arriving during the past week amounted to 45, as compared with 55 the week previously, chiefly from Saundersfoot, Garston, Irvine, Troon, Ayr, Workington, Ellesmere Port, Glasgow, Llanelly, Newport, Swansea, Whitehaven, Neath, Ardrossan, Silloth, Partington, Manchester, Lydney, and Preston. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was 19,685 tons, as against 22,383 tons the previous week. Belfast. There is no change in this port, business generally having been quiet during the past week owing to' the waiting attitude on the part of consumers in anticipation of easier prices. It appears that no material change is now likely to take place in this respect, so it .is probable the course of trade will soon resume its normal aspect. Prices of house- hold coals stands as follows :—Best Arley, 36s. 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 Preston, Lydney, Ellesmere Port, Workington, Manchester, Silloth, Partington, Ardrossan, Glasgow, Ayr, Troon, Irvine, Saundersfoot, and Garston. There is a plentiful supply of all qualities at present. _______________________________ THE LONDON COAL TRADE. _______________ Thursday, August 5. __________ .. The London coal market has shown a distinct falling off in tonnages during the past week. The holiday season has made a vast difference in the volume of trade doing, and merchants have found themselves fairly supplied with coal in transit, and have therefore absented themselves from attending the Exchange. Very little new business has been done, and, whilst colliery owners have been loth to give any quotations for fresh business, the merchants and factors have been holding back all orders until the new Act has been more fully grasped and understood, and in many cases lower quotations are anticipated. Some of the factors con- sider themselves outside the pale of the new bill, and there- fore unaffected in regard to their selling price. Considerable pressure has been brought to bear upon back orders, and the monthly contract quantities are urgently pressed forward. Very little coal is in stock in the colliery sidings, and the ’ delivery trade continues fairly brisk, so that as the coal arrives at the London depots it is promptly dealt with and the wagons are cleared. Merchants report a fair number of orders still in hand from the general public in anticipation of any possible shortage in the winter months, but these back orders are gradually being overtaken. Collieries also, although clear of stock, are thinning the number of orders on the books. The steam coal market has been very irregular during the week, as so many of the barging stations in London have been closed for traffic, and the local markets has shown a somewhat keener desire to have extra supplies of fuel in hand. Freights have in some cases fallen slightly, and from Newcastle to London as low as 6s. 6d. has been accepted. The shipments from the Humber ports have not been so active, owing to the difficulty in obtaining the necessary licences for export to neutral ports. Gas coal, however, continues fairly progressive, and it is recognised that many of the principal works are keenly anxious to lay in a good reserve for the rapidly approaching busy season. Slacks and small nuts are selling freely, and the interval for the holidays has awakened fresh impetus for this class of fuel. Coke prices are easier, and furnace coke is reported to be falling in demand on account of the number of furnaces put out of blast. Best Derby brights are still quoted from 16s. to 17s. 6d. per ton at pit. Silkstone 17s. to 17s. 6d., South Yorkshire Barnsley qualities 17s. to 18s., South Yorkshire hard 17s. to 17s. 6d., Derbyshire hard steam coal 16s. 6d. to 17s. The holiday traffic has interfered with the due delivery of the mineral and goods traffic, and at many of the principal coal centres near London a good deal of delay has arisen over the con- gestion. The railway companies mention freely that the inadequate amount of labour and the limited engine power available for the heavy mineral traffic are alone responsible for the serious delays. There is a good demand still from tall French ports, and especially for gas coal, and the best qualities of Yorkshire hard steam coal are selling this week freely at a slightly increased price for prompt shipments at the Humber ports. In the seaborne market, 28 contract cargoes were entered for Wednesday’s market as arriving in the River Thames. The South Wales market has been very irregular, and some of the well known descriptions are quite unobtainable owing to the short outputs following the recent strike and the Government monopoly of all the leading steam coals. It is reported that extreme figures have been paid for some parcels. Best Monmouthshire 30s. per ton f.o.b. The new Price of Coal (Limitation) Act is still actively discussed on the London coal market, and many of the colliery representatives decline now to give any quota- tions for current sale, but confine themselves exclusively to executing the orders for contract coal. One of the most important points which has arisen is the question whether a colliery company is at liberty to cancel the contract in the event of the price being beyond the statutory minimum of 4s. per ton where they are able to sell the coal in other markets, and especially for export trade at the higher figure. The establishment of London depots for the sale of coal to the poor, particularly in the East End, has received very favourable consideration, and it is understood over 200 London merchants have already undertaken to open their depots for the sale of very small quantities at the daily advertised prices, in order to counteract the unwarrant- able increase in the prices charged by hawkers. Even the exportation of coal to the Allied countries will not be freely permitted on and after August 13, for by an order of Council from the Board of Trade prohibitions will be made to all destinations abroad other than British possessions and Protectorates. This further restriction is clearly a result of the Act limiting the price of coal. _________________________ From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Friday, July 30.—In view of the approaching holidays the seaborne house coal market was quiet to-day. No cargoes on offer. Cargoes, 25. Wednesday, August 4.—The seaborne house coal market was exceedingly quiet to-day, owing to the recent holidays. No business doing. Cargoes, 28. _____________________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market all round is firm, and prices steady. There is possibly a fractional easiness in the North for 90’s benzol, but otherwise prices are firm, and toluol stands still. Carbolics also keep unchanged. Nearest values are :— Benzols, 90’s .... ............................ 90’s North ............... ............... 50’s ,, steady. American Coal and Enemy Firms.—Notice was yesterday given to ship owners that a considerable amount of coal is finding its way from the United States to the Deutsches Kohlen Depot at Buenos Ayres, and there is reason to believe that some of it is being carried in British ships. The coal is shipped to agents, and ultimately delivered to the Deutsches Kohlen Depot or other concerns controlled by German interests. Owners are requested to take all measures possible to prevent their ships being used by charterers as a means for carrying coal to agents who will hand the coal on to German depots or companies, and it is suggested that special care should be taken to cover this point in all new charters. Coal consigned to well-known British firms established in neutral ports or to neutral Governments or municipalities can safely be carried, but owners should take measures to prevent coal being merely consigned to order or being consiged to the order of any consignee other than those specified above, unless he is known to be well affected or has been approved by the Board of Trade. The Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.O., has been appointed a director of the Hull and Barnsley Railway, vice the late Sir Arthur Charles Lucas, Bart. The Gas Light and Coke Company carbonised 736,696 tons of coal in the half-year ended June 1915, as compared with 938,104 tons in the corresponding half of 1914. On the other hand, 11,675,747 gals, of oil and spirit were used, as compared with 8,619,000 gals. There was a falling off in the sales of gas and coke and breeze, as- well as in the make of tar and ammoniacal liquor. Coal, oil, and coke cost 15-73d. per 1,000 ft. of gas sold, as against 15-71d. last year. On the revenue side we have the following items on the same basis : Gas, 33-09d. (29-43d.); coke, 4-55d. (5-31d.); breeze, 0-56d. (0-40d.); tar, l-27d. (l-73d.); ammonia, l-46d. (il’95d.). It appears that the coal returns which have been supplied to the Board of Trade by gas undertakings are not to be discontinued entirely, for, under date the 24th ult., the Railway Department of the Board of Trade have issued the following announcement to gas managers :—“ With reference to the circular letter from this Department of February 3, asking for weekly statements of the supply and consumption of coal at your works, I am directed by the Board of Trade to state that it will be‘sufficient for their purpose if you will be good enough to furnish them in future with monthly state- ments, showing the amounts of coal received and consumed during the month, and the amount in stock at the beginning and end of the month. Forms for the purpose are enclosed herewith.” Naphthas Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. 1/Oi-l/l /11| 1/4 2/2—2/4 3/6 1/4—1/6 -/0| Toluol Carbolic Solvent 190 degs.), as in quality and package Solvent naphtha, north (90% at 190 degs.), as in quality and package Crude naphtha, north (in bulk) .... Creosote (for ordinary qualities) .... Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) .......... ,, (f.a.s. west coast) .......... Tar (per ton ex works) ............ [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.—There is a fair amount of busi- ness passing, and the enquiry for forward brisk. In the North there has been more doing for shipment to the Far East, and makers’ ideas are very firm. What is more, in some cases* good premiums on current spot values are being acid, crude (60 per cent.)... crystals (40 per cent.) naphtha, south (90% at 2/-2/1 ... 2/—2/1 /6—/6f /3-/3t^ 22/—23/ 20/—23/6 21/6—25/6 paid for deferred delivery. Closing prompt prices are :— Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. London (ordinary makes) £14/17/6 — Beckton (25 per cent.) £14/5 — Liverpool £14/17/6—£15 ... +2/6 Hull £14/15 Middlesbrough £14/15 + 1/3 Scotch ports £15/5—£15/10 ... +5/ Wales £14/12/6 — Nitrate of soda (ord.) per cwt. 12/4-i + /1| [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2} per cent, discount; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.] Trade Notes. It is satisfactory to find that the Sulphate of Ammonia Association is pressing home the necessity of increasing the output of high grade sulphate of ammonia, -and there can be no doubt about the matter, since nearly half the world’s production is 25 per cent, sulphate, yet as regards British sulphate only about 10 per cent, attains to the modern standard. There is every prospect of a substantial increase in the output of the synthetic product which is of great purity. This is not merely a question of coping with increasing competition, but is also a case of actually capturing trade, because there are overseas buyers who have been in the habit of purchasing German sulphate, who now either cannot or will not buy from this source. Only they are used to 25 per cent, sulphate of amonia, and they will have it. They would give the preference to British sulphate of the right quality. It is remarkable how what may be called the ammonia instinct has been quickened all over the world during the last twelve months, and now Australia is stirring up her populace to the exploitation of her brown coal wealth. There are vast deposits of brown coal, rich in ammonia (as nitrogen), in Victoria. This coal only costs about eighteen pence per ton to win, and contains nitrogen, equivalent to three shillings and eight pence worth of ammonia per ton, so that the prospects of profitable recovery by destructive distillation are promising. This, of course, is quite apart from the tar, pitch, and creosote that would also result. Both the Victorian Government and the people of Victoria are urged to undertake distillation without delay. Japan also is at work on the production of carbolic acid. The Tokio Gas Company set a good example by producing benzol, naphthalene -and carbolics, their output now being about 2,660 lb. of carbolic acid per month. When the new semi-official works are completed (and that, it is expected, will be early in September) the production will reach 13,300 lb. per month. It is estimated that 190 short tons per annum could be produced if all the actual present output of coal tar an Japan were turned to account. America also keeps at it, and the Indianapolis Gas Company is installing recovery plant on the Otto principle for the production of benzol from their coke ovens. This decision was only arrived at quite recently, and it is expected that the benzol section will be in operation by the middle of October next. Lastly, the British Coalite Company are at work on the recovery of coal products, and the Government have con- tracted for the entire output of the by-products serviceable for explosive manufacture. A 50-tons of coal per day unit is to be in operation by November next. The Peruvian Guano Corporation, having procured their continued rights to export from their deposits, the Peruvian Government are now making a push to exploit other deposits, with which object they have appointed two commissions, to devote special attention to the island deposits, north and south of Callao respectively.. The raison d'etre is that the Government state the maintenance of supplies of this fertilizer is now more than ever important. The export returns for the week are Pitch, 6 tons, 100 barrels, at £25. Tar, 10,840 gals., 30 barrels. Tar oil, 240 gals. Toluene, 4 tons to Lisbon and toluol 176 drums to Genoa. Sulphate of ammonia, 1,916 tons. _______________________________ Coal Mining in Belgium.—The report of administration of the relief fund for the collieries in the Mons coal field con- tains some interesting particulars relating to the conduct of mining under German control. There are 20 companies affiliated to the association, and work was interrupted by the war from August 24 to September 14; since then the miners have only been able to work about three days per week, and earnings in consequence have been greatly reduced. Thus the wages paid by the 20 companies in the Borinage during 1914 amounted to just over 30,000,000 fr. for 8,173,391 days of work, against 47,748,624 fr. for 9,989,373 working days in 1913. Nevertheless pensions and benefits have been paid regularly, but the deficit against the fund, which amounted to 110,421 fr. in 1913, has risen to 439,125 fr.