September 17, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 581 There is a keen market for all kinds of light steel, but heavy plates are not much enquired for. Manufacturers who have taken Government contracts complain of the difficulty they experience in obtaining raw material, but this applies only to the smaller firms who have to depend upon the margin left after supplying the great controlled establish- ments. Prices generally are steady, and in most cases something above the official basis is required. Consign- ments of steel, both demi-products and finished material, are arriving from America with remarkable regularity, but the advance of prices is diverting new business into the hands of the home producer. The pig iron market is quiet, with little change. Business is limited by the disparity between producers’ and consumers’ ideas of value. South Staffordshire common forge fetches 65s. to 66s., and part mine 68s. and upwards. Derbyshire makes are quoted 69s. to 70s., and Northamptonshire, somewhat steadier, at 65s. and upwards. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. There is little that is new to report this week in connec- tion with the house coal trade of this neighbourhood. The collieries continue in full work, and all coal produced is placed without any going to stock. The shipping business is well maintained, though stems are not heavy, very good despatch being given to all arrivals with loading orders. The demand from the inland districts is well up to the average. Slack coals are hanging a bit, whilst the enquiry for steam throughs and smalls has shown a marked decrease during the past few days. Prices at pithead. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— i prices. prices. prices. Block ! 21/6 21/6 — Forest ; 20/6 20/6 — Rubble i 20/9 20/9 — Nuts ; 19/ 19/ — Rough slack Steam coal:— | 12/6 13/ — Large ; 18/ -19/ — — Small 14/ -15/ — — Prices extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that there- is a steady wholesale and retail demand for house coal in the southern counties, and the steam coal demand is also well sustained. Freights remain so firm on the east and west coasts that the bulk of the transport of coal continues to be by rail. The local Government contracts have been renewed, and stocks are generally being accumulated. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, September 16. North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. Things at present are somewhat slow in the coal trade of this locality, and there is not a pressing demand for any class of fuel excepting in the case of some contracts. In the house coal trade orders are very scarce, and landsale depots are doing very little. Committees of institutions and other public bodies are, however, being urged to arrange at an early date for the coming winter’s supplies of fuel, having regard to the possibility of a shortage of coal, and as a consequence, things should brighten in regard to the making of contracts within the next week or two. Many local authorities have received a circular from the Board of Trade drawing their attention to the possible shortage, and advising an accumulation of stocks, at the same time pointing out that the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act limits or regulates the prices to be charged at the pit, which, however, does not prevent the retail prices being fixed at a high figure. As a result, arrangements are being made by the authorities to confer with the local retailers with a view to agreeing upon prices. Among the tenders now required are those for the various schools in the area controlled by the Montgomeryshire Education Authority, and also for schools in different parts of Denbighshire. There is no diminution in the demand for coal against railway contracts, but steam coal in general is a little easier both for industrial and shipping orders. As regards the gas coal trade, contracts appear to be running fairly smoothly so far, and a goodly tonnage is being taken by the various companies having contracts in this coalfield. It is stated that owing to the increase in the price of coal there has been a large deficiency in the Wigan gas undertaking, as a result of which the council have decided to advance the price of gas (which is now 3s. 7d. per l,OOOft.) by 9d. per 1,000 ft. At Wallasey the Council have decided to extend their electric lighting works which will mean that their requirements in fuel are likely to be greater than in the past. Nuts as usual are readily sold, and slack finds a fairly ready market at average prices. On the whole prices remain steady at about the Current L’st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit f.e.r. prices. prices. prices. Best house coal 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 14/6-15/6 Secondary do. 17/ -17/9 17/ -17/9 13/6-14/6 Steam coal 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 12/ -12/6 Gas coal 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 12/3-12/9 Bunkers 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 12/ -12/3 Nuts 17/ -17/9 17/ -17/9 11/6-11/9 Slack 8/ - 9/6 8/ - 9/6 6/ -7/6 Gas coke (at works) Prices landsale:— 16/8-18/4 16/8-18/4 11/8-13/4 Best house coal 23/4-26/8 23/4-26/8 18/4-20/ Seconds 22/6-23/4 22/6-23/4 16/8—17/11 Slack 12/6-14/2 12/6—14/2 10/ -12/6 same figures as have ruled for some weeks past, and the general opinion seems to be that in many cases the prices now quoted will form a basis for any new contracts entered into in the near future. --------.o--------- Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. Local conditions of the steam coal trade just now are far from satisfactory, and result in values generally being a little lower than last week, while much irregularity and uncertainty trouble business circles. A deficient supply of tonnage is one of the causes, which also does not show much promise of improvement, as foreign enquiry is scarce and diffident, while ship owners are disposed to insist upon higher freights. For all home requirements there is now plenty of coal available, colliery salesmen easing off their quotations a little, as their stocks are now increasing to an uncom- fortable extent. Faced by a seriously higher wages bill, and which always tends to a lesser production per man with consequently an increased cost per ton in dead charges, they show very little inclination to make any forward bookings at more favourable rates to buyers than those now ruling. Those, on the other hand, with a wide field of selection, and knowing the position of stocks and tonnage, are holding off in the confident belief that still lower values will be seen in the near future. Coke and patent fuel are perhaps the steadiest features in the market. House coals also maintain their late positions to more advantage than steam coals. Pit wood supplies are still greatly deficient, values ruling high around 35s. 6d. for best French fir ex ship. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. Steam coals: — Best Black Vein large... Western-valleys, ordin’y Best Eastern-valleys ... Secondary do. Best small coals ..... Secondary d®.......... Inferior do........... Screenings ......:.... Through coals ........ Best washed nuts...... Other sorts:— Best house coal....... Secondary do.......... Patent fuel .......... Furnace coke.......... Foundry coke ......... Current prices. 23*/6-24/ 22/ -22/6 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 17/ —17/6 16/6-17/ 12/ -14/ 17/6 16‘/6-17/ 17/6-18/ L prices. 24/ -24/6 23/ -23/6 21/6-22/6 20/6-21/ 17/6-18/ 16/6-17/ 12/ -14/ 17/9-18/ 17/ -18/ 18/ -18/6 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 32/ -35/ | 30/ -32/ | 35/ -38/ ’st week’s Last year’s prices. 18/ -18/3 17/3-17/9 16/6-16/9 15/ -15/6 6/ - 6/9 5/6- 5/9 5/3- 5/6 6/6- 6/9 11/9—12/ 12/6-13/ 18/ -19/ 16/6—17/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 21/ -23/ IRON. Since last week only a small amount of fresh business has been reported, and that only of a hand-to-mouth nature. Enquiry is somewhat better, however, prices being main- tained at last quoted levels. Generally speaking, works have booked their outputs to the end of the year, and have also covered their own requirements, so for the present little change may be looked for in market conditions. Work is again fairly satisfactory at bar mills, with values as last week on the basis of c£7 2s. 6d. for either Siemens or Bessemer Welsh bars. At rail mills also there is no material change, quotations ruling as before on a basis of ~£9 to £9 5s. for heavy sections, with the usual 10s. extra for lighter varieties. In pig iron, Welsh haematite is steady at last week’s rates of 102s. 6d. delivered to works within the district. Iron ore is not a busy trade, values ruling unchanged at 24s. for best Rubio c.i.f. Newport. In the tinplate trade, works with order-books well filled ahead are firmly maintaining last quoted values of 18s. for 20 x 14 x 112 either Siemens or Bessemers, but for prompt deliveries ex stock merchants are conceding slightly better terms. Cardiff. COAL. Trade continues dull, chiefly through lack of tonnage, and also the difficulty in obtaining permission from the Coal Export Committee in connection with licences. In fact, it has been almost impossible to do any business at all unless the shipper was able to assure his customer that he would deliver the coal. During the last few days, licences have been granted more freely for export to France and Italy, and there is a general feeling abroad that the importance of keeping up the exports to the highest possible level will be emphasised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he makes his next Budget pronouncement, because coal at the present time is probably the greatest export of the country, and therefore one that must be care- fully considered in any measures that may be taken to safeguard the needs of the nation. The announcement that the miners are to receive an advance of 121 per cent, in wages, as the result of Lord St. Aldwyn’s award, has been received with equanimity. The market has not been affected in any way, because it was felt that the advance was almost inevitable, according to the results of the joint audit. The coal owners, however, complain that although the selling price has advanced, the extra cost of production and shipment is such that instead of reaping extra profits they have actually been losing money ; and this fact is borne out by the passing of the dividend of some of the most important collieries in the South Wales coal field. The men naturally are jubilant, and make use of the argument that the granting of the advance proves the justice of their claims. On the other hand, there is a feeling that capital is not being properly treated, and then the needs of the country are no longer the paramount interest, it is believed there will be a day of reckoning which will try the calibre of both sides to a degree that has never been tested before. At the present time, a strike is in progress at the Ynyshir Standard pits, which have been brought to a standstill owing to the fact that the enginemen, stokers and other craftsmen are not members of the Miners’ Federation. Best coals continue to be monopolised by the Government, and there is no quotation. For secondary grades, however, 24s. to 25s. is being quoted, and in some cases the Admiralty Authorities have released parcels for the supplying of contracts, although nothing has come on to the open market. Orrdinary qualities are about 22s. to 23s. In Monmouthshire coals there has been an easier tendency, chiefly owing to the lack of tonnage. Best Black Veins are 23s. to 24s., western valleys 22s. 6d. to 23s., and best easterns 21s. to 22s. It is reported that chartering has been more active during the last few days, and it is antici- pated that when these vessels arrive the rates will be higher than they are at present. Last week, the amount of tonnage taken up was 159,100 tons, compared with 210,430 tons in the preceding six days, or a decrease of 51,330 tons. During the time of the dispute much tonnage was diverted from the Channel, but it is now expected that there will be regular supplies, in which case the market is bound to improve. Stocks have accumulated in many instances, and in several cases collieries have had a difficulty in providing sufficient empty wagons to keep the pits going. The result has been that buyers in a position to fix prompt loading have been enabled to obtain material concessions from the quoted prices, and still leave a substantial margin of profit for themselves. There is considerable speculation at the moment as to the rates which are likely to prevail for contracts over the ensuing 12 months. The present market prices are considerably in advance of those prevailing a year ago, and now that the annual contractual period is approaching, there is much speculation as to the probable course of events. Whilst granting that prices will be materially higher, it is not expected that there will be much room for speculation on large profits during the next 12 months. The middleman will not take the risk, and the colliery proprietor will face the open market rather than commit himself to any important extent whilst the condi- tions are so rigidly circumscribed. The Paris, Lyons and Mediterranean Railway was recently in the market for about 400,000 tons of small coal and 200,000 tons of patent fuel. It is rumoured that the order has been placed with three or four Cardiff firms, but this has not yet been confirmed, and the particulars as to quantities allotted and the prices to be paid have not yet been allowed to leak out. There is no doubt, however, that this contract will have an important bearing on the market generally, and future contracts will not be far away from the terms which have been agreed upon for the P.L.M. business. The small coal market is easy. Best bunkers do not realise more than 17s. to 18s., with ordinaries at 16s. 6d. to 17s., and cargo qualities at 10s. to Ils. 6d. per ton. • In the bituminous section there is very little doing. House coals remain at 23s. to 24s. for best qualities, with about Is. less for secondary grades. No. 3 Rhondda large is 24s. to 25s., through 21s. to 22s., and small 19s. to 20s. For No. 2 large 18s. to 19s. is demanded, through 16s. 6d. to 17s. 6d., and small 12s. to 13s. Cokes are unaltered, but there is a slightly easier tendency in patent fuel, owing to the drop in the price of small coals. Current rates are 33s. to 34s. for best grades, with about 2s. less for secondary qualities. Exports last week showed a considerable falling off, the total for the Channel being only about 14,000 tons, of which the Crown Company despatched 3,100 tons, Swansea 5,224 tons, and Port Talbot 1,030 tons. Shipments of coal last week amounted to 395,711 tons compared with 348,824 tons in the corresponding week of last year, or an increase of 46,887 tons. From Cardiff alone there were exported 269,459 tons against 202,421 tons or an increase of 67,038 tons, from Newport 36,807 tons or a decrease of 58,278 tons, from Swansea 70,948 tons or an improvement of 44,874 tons, and from Port Talbot 18,497 tons or a decline of 6,747 tons. These figures, of course, do not include shipments on Admiralty account. The statistical returns of the Board of Trade for the month of August show that the exports from the Channel during the month amounted to 1,248,897 tons compared with 1,109,169 tons in the corresponding period of last year. From Cardiff there were exported 660,273 tons against 639,369 tons, from Newport 286,937 tons against 270,762 tons, from Swansea 179,730 tons against 130,775 tons, and from Port Talbot 102,568 tons compared with 62,094 tons. It must be remembered, however, that these figures are comparisons with the war figures of 1914, when all business was disorganised and almost at a standstill. Pitwood has been rather dearer in consequence of scarcity of supplies and French fir now commands 34s. to 35s. per ton. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals ............... Superior seconds ..... Ordinary do........... Best bunker smalls.... Best ordinaries....... Cargo qualities....... Inferior smalls....... Best dry coals ....... Ordinary drys ........ Best washed nuts ..... Seconds .............. Best washed peas...... Seconds .............. Dock screenings ...... Monmouthshire— Black Veins ........ Western-valleys .... Eastern-valleys .... Inferior do......... Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) Second qualities (at pit) No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large.... Through-and-through Small*.............. No. 2 Rhondda— Current prices. __* 24/ -25/ 22/ -23/ 17/ -18/ 16/6-17/ 10/ -11/6 9/6-10/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 26/ -28/ 23/6-25/6 24/ -24/6 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/ 23/ -24/ 22/6-23/ 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/ 23/ -24/ 21/ -22/ 24/ -25/ 21/ -22/ 19/ —20/ L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. __* 24/ -25/ 22/ -23/ 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 10/6-12/ 10/ -10/6 24/ -25/ 22/ -23/ 23/ -24/ 22/6-23/ 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/ 12/ —13/ 24/ -24/6 oo! 20/ -21/ 19/6-20/ 23/ 22/ ' 25/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 21/ -22/ 20/ -20/6 18/6-19/ 7/ - 7/6 6/9- 7/ 5/ - 5/6 4/3- 4/6 18/6-19/6 17/ -18/ 15/ 14/ 14/ 13/ 9/6-10/ 18/9 17/9-18/ 17/3 16/ -16/6 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/ -17/6 14/ -14/6 10/6 20/ 18/ 16/ 33/ -34/ 31/ -32/ 42/ -45/ 36/ -40/ 31/ -33/ 32/ -33/ i 13/6-14/ I 10/6 ! 7/ - 7/6 i 17/ -18/ I16/ -17/ | 27/ -30/ i 22/ -26/ i 18/ -19/ | 28/ -28/6 Large............... Through-and-through Small .............. Best patent fuel ....... Seconds ................ Special foundry coke ... Ordinary do. ........... Furnace coke ........... Pitwood (ex-ship) ...... 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 12/ —13/ 33/ -34/ ‘ 31/ -32/ 42/ -45/ 36/ -40/ 31/ -33/ 34/ -35/ * Nominal. IRON. The market is very dull this week, and business repre- sentatives report that there is practically nothing doing. Certainly orders are few And far between, and the district