632 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN September 24, 1915. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. Current Steam coals:— prices. Best Black Vein large... 23*/ -24/ Wes tern- valley s, ordin’y 22/ -22/6 Best Eastern-valleys ...i 20/ -21/ Secondary do. ...19/ -20/ Best small coals ......I 17/ -17/6 ...... Secondary do........ 16/6-16/9 Inferior do............__ 11/ -12/ Screenings ..........; 17/3-17/6 Through coals ........: 16/6-17/ ........ ........ ........ Best washed nuts..... : 17/6-18/ Other sorts:— Best house coal........ 22/ -23/ Secondary do........... 20/ -21/ Patent fuel ..........' 32/ -33/ Furnace coke......__.... 30/ -32/ Foundry coke .......... 36/ -38/ L’st week’s 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/ Last year’s prices. 18/ -18/3 17/ -17/3 16/3-16/6 15/ -15/6 6/ - 6/9 5/6- 5/9 5/3- 5/6 6/6- 6/9 11/9—12/ 12/6-13/ 21/ -22/ 18/ -19/ 20/ -21/ 16/6-17/ 32/ -33/ i 18/ -19/ 30/ -32/ | 18/ -19/ 36/ -38/ i 21/ -23/ IRON. Although there is very little alteration to report in the general condition of the iron and steel trades, there is more business passing for special requirements, and with most departments well engaged until the end of the year, values are being fully maintained. The tendency seems to be for users to hold off the market for early new year requirements, but makers are showing no inclination to ease quotations for forward delivery. At rail and bar mills no material change is reported. Mills are fully engaged on current orders for tin-plate bars, and values are again steady on the basis of <£7 2s. 6d. for either Siemens or Bessemers. Steel rails are in good demand with prices inclined to be firmer, heavy sections being named .£9 to .£9 5s. with the usual extras. Welsh haematite is also steady, no abatement being obtainable from works quota- tions of 102s. 6d. to 105s., delivered to works locally. Outputs are covered for some time ahead. In iron ore there is little fresh doing, values being firmly held on a basis of 23s. 6d. to 24s. 6d. for best rubio. Tin-plates are an uncertain market. With labour questions acutely involved works are holding off and quoting nominally at 18s. for Bessemer or Siemens primes 20 x 14 x 112, while middle- men are shading these figures. Cardiff. COAL. The supply of tonnage is still very inadequate, and a large number of-wagons are standing under load, with the result that buyers in a position to take prompt shipment have been able to obtain considerable concessions from nominal quotations. A great deal of uncertainty prevails as to the future on the tonnage question, the general opinion being that until vessels arrive in very much larger numbers than at present, no great improvement in prices is to be expected. The Government are still monopolising the best Admiralty qualities, but, so far as second grades are concerned, permission can in the majority of cases be obtained, especially in the case of contracts entered into last autumn and prior to the declaration of war. Prices for best descriptions are not quoted, but ordinaries are offered from 23s. to 25s. according to quality. There is a tendency towards easiness in Monmouthshires, chiefly owing to the difficulty of shipment, best Black Veins being 23s. 3d. to 23s. 9d., western valleys 22s. 9d. to 23s. 3d., and easterns 20s. 3d. to 21s. 3d., in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. Washed coals still remain on a high level, as much as 26s. being obtained for best nuts, and 25s. for peas. The small coal market is easy, best bunkers not realising more than 17s. to 17s. 6d., ordinary qualities 16s. 6d. to 17s., and cargo sorts 10s. to Ils. Bituminous coals are practi- cally unaltered, and the amount of business doing is inconsiderable. No. 3 Rhondda large is 25s., through 23s., and small 20s. to 21s. For No. 2 qualities, large is 17s. 6d. to 18s., through 14s. to 15s., and small not more than 12s. Coke is not quite so firm, special foundry being 40s. to 44s., ordinary 38s. to 42s., and furnace 31s. to 33s. Patent fuel shipments continue satisfactory, but here again the tonnage difficulty is causing much anxiety and worry. The Crown Company last week despatched 9,736 tons, and there were also substantial shipments from Swansea and Port Talbot. _________________________________________________________ Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current prices. * 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 17/ -17/6 16/6-17/ 10/ -11/ 9/ -10/ 24/ -25/ 22/ -23/ 26/ 24/ 25/ 23/ 19/ -20/ 23/3-23/9 22/9-23/3 20/3-21/3 19/ -20/ 23/ -24/ 21/ -22/ 25/ 23/ 20/ -21/ 17/6-18/ 14/ -15/ 12/ 33/ -33/6 30/6-31/ 40/ -44/ 38/ -42/ 31/ -33/ 36/ -37/ L’st week’s 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/ 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 12/ -13/ 33/ -34/ 31/ -32/ 42/ -45/ 36/ -40/ 31/ -33/ 34/ —35/ Last year’s prices. 21/ -22/ 20/6-21/ 18/3-18/6 7/3- 7/6 7/ - 7/3 5/ - 6/ 4/6- 5/ 19/ -19/6 17/ -17/6 15/ 14/ 13/6 12/6 8/ - 8/6 17/9-18/ 17/6-17/9 17/ 16/ -16/6 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6 14/6 10/6 13/9-14/ 10/6-10/9 7/ - 7/6 18/ 16/ -17/ 27/ -30/ 22/ -25/ 18/ -19/ 26/ -26/6 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— Large ... Through-and-through Small Best patent fuel ... Seconds Special foundry coke Ordinary do. Furnace coke Pitwood (ex-ship) * Nominal. Prices are a trifle lowerjowing to the decline in| small coal, best Jgrades Jbeing offered at 33s. 6d. to 34s., and seconds about 2s. to 2s. 6d. less. Pitwood is firm at 36s. to 37s. per ton. It is reported that the Paris, Lyons and Mediter- ranean contract for 400,000 tons of small coalt has been placed with Messrs. Pyman, Watson and Company, the Federated Coal and Shipping Company, Messrs. Tabb and Burletson, and Messrs. Franklen, Thomas and Com- pany in equal proportions, and Messrs. C. L. Clay and Company are reported to have received an order for 30,000 to 50,000 tons of through coal for shipment from Port Talbot. The prices have not been disclosed, but it is currently reported that they range from 16s. 6d. to 18s. f.o.b. In some respects the contract was rather peculiar, one of the conditions being that the coal should not contain a larger quantity of ash than 9 per cent., with an option to the company to refuse any cargo giving more than 12 per cent, of ash. There is also a penalty of | fr. per ton for every 1 per cent, of ash between 9 and 12. The result is that a considerable quantity of washed small and dock screenings must be shipped in order to comply with the coitditions. For the patent fuel business, it is stated that 45,000 tons has been placed with Swansea makers, a large quantity with French fuel works to replace that formerly obtained from Belgium and Germany, and 10,000 tons with the Arrow Company, and 50,000 tons with the Crown Company. The price is reported to be between 27s. and 29s. For 46,000 tons of fuel, for the Algerian State Railways, the contract has been divided between the Arrow Company and Messrs. L. Gueret and Company. IRON. There was a considerable improvement in the shipment of tinplates during the past week, the total amount being 100,715 boxes compared with 62,389 boxes received from works, thus leaving in stock 269,146 boxes. Makers, however, still complain that there is a great lack of new business, and American competition is being severely felt both in the Far East and in the South American markets. Prices are slightly easier, Bessemer standard cokes 20 x 14 being 17s. 9d., oil sizes 18| x 14 18s. 3d. to 18s. 6d., and 20 x 10 sheets 26s. 6d. per box. The men employed at the Associated Works have made a formal demand for a 15 per cent, advance in wages, and this will be considered at an early date. Welsh steel bars are without alteration, Bessemers being quoted at <£7, and Siemens qualities at <£7 2s. 6d. per ton. Further orders have been received for galvanised sheets on Government account, but the quantities are not large, and the trade generally continues in a very depressed condition. It is not expected that any material improvement will take place until the cost of spelter is reduced, and as the output of the latter increases it is anticipated that quotations will be lower. At the present time the current rate is <£67 per ton, or <£7 below that of last week, and 24-gauge corrugateds are offering at <£17 10s. per ton. Welsh pig iron is without alteration at <£5 2s. 6d. per ton delivered. In the iron ore trade there is a fair amount of business doing and prices are unaltered. Best rubio is 23s. to 24s., and second grades 20s. to 20s. 6d. per ton. Scrap metals are unchanged, and the enquiry is slow, Swansea. COAL. The returns of the trade of the port last week were again favourable, and coal and patent fuel displayed con- siderable activity. A capital attendance assembled on ’Change, and the anthracite coal market continues to dis- play a very strong tone, and the demand all round was very active. Sellers, however, have very little free coal, and at the moment are not inclined to quote ahead. Swansea Valley large is very difficult to obtain, whilst for machine-made nuts and cobbles higher prices are being asked, but owing to the shortage very little changed hands. Rubbly culm and duff are without improvement, and both these Commodities are being freely offered. In the steam coal market there was an easy tone in evidence, whilst prices were again, for immediate delivery, lowered. Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). i Current L’st week’s Last year’s Anthracite:— prices. prices. prices. Best malting large: (hand picked) i 32/6-32/9 30/ -32/9 20/ -22/ Secondary do. 29/ -32/6 29/ -31/ 17/ -18/ Big Vein large 31/6-33/6 30/ -33/ 16/6-17/6 Red Vein large 24/6-26/6 24/ -26/ 12/6-13/6 Machine - made cobbles 1 40/6-43/ 40/ -42/ 19/3-21/3 Paris nuts i — — French do ■ 42/ -45/ 42/ -45/ 21/ -23/ Stove do 1 41/ '-44/ 40/ -43/ 21/ -23/ Beans 30/ -32/6 30/ -32/6 18/6-19/6 Machine - made large peas 18/6-19/6 18/6—19/6 12/6-13/6 Do. fine peas ’ — — Rubbly culm 10/6-10/9 10/9-11/6 4/6- 5/ Duff 5/ - 5/9 5/3- 5/9 3/ - 3/6 Steam coals:— I Best large 25/ -27/6 25/ -27/6 18/ -20/ Seconds 22/ -25/ 22/ -25/ 13/6-15/6 Bunkers • 16/ -18/ 16/6-18/6 10/3-11/ Small 10/ -13/ 11/6-14/ 7/6- 9/ Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— Large 23/ -26/ 23/ -26/ 17/ -18/ Thro’-and-thro’ i — — Small ; 17/ -18/ 18/6-19/ ? 10/3-10/9 Patent fuel 29/ -30/ 30/ -32/ : 16/6-17/6 IRON. The blast furnaces were actively engaged, and regular employment was shown in all departments. The steel trade was brisk, and there was a good supply of ingots. The tin-plate works were going fairly well. Irregularity prevailed in the markets, and outputs were only fair. The shipments of tin-plates were 100,715 boxes, receipts from works 62,389 boxes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 269,146 boxes. Llanelly. COAL. In nearly every department of the coal market in this district the position is firm, and the demand far exceeds the outputs. The war has certainly been to the advantage of the anthracite collieries, as not for years has there been such a run on some of the sorts with prices so high. At the moment there is no sign of a falling-off, and, with outputs down far below normal, there should be a scarcity throughout the winter, unless of course the unexpected happens. Steam coals have been badly affected owing to the difficulty in getting licences through. There seems to be far more delay in getting permissions for the export of the latter qualities than for anthracite. Machine-made kinds show no falling off, and prices are being maintained. Best large and the horticultural kinds are going very well, and quotations now given are somewhat firmer. Rubbly culm and duff are not going so well. This week’s prices approximately are:— Prices f.o.b. Current Anthracite:— prices. Best malting large .... 30/ -32/ Secondary do........ 29/ —30/ Big Vein large........ 28/ -32/ Red Vein do.......... 24/ -26/ Machine-made cobbles... 40/ -42/6 German nuts.......... 40/ -42/ French do..........__ 42/6-45/ Paris do........... 40/ -42/6 Machine-made beans ... 30/ -32/ Do. peas.... 18/ -19/6 .................. Culm ................ 10/6-11/6 Duff................... 4/6- 5/ Other sorts :— > Large steam coal...... 26/ -28/ Through-and-through... 16/ -18/ Small ................ 10/6-12/6 Bituminous small coal... 18/ -20/ L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 30/ -32/ 21/ -23/ 29/ -30/ 19/ -21/ 28/ -32/ . 16/ -18/ 24/ -26/ 13/6-14/ 40/ -42/ 20/ -22/ 40/ -42/ 21/ -23/ 42/ -44/ 21/ -23/ 40/ -42/6 21/ -23/ 30/ -32/ 20/ -22/ 18/ -19/6 13/6-14/6 11/ -11/6 6/ - 6/3 5/3- 6/9 3/9- 5/6 26/ -28/ 16/ -18/ 16/ -18/ 11/ -11/6 12/ -14/ 8/6- 9/6 18/ -20/ 11/ -11/6 ___________________________________________________ THE LOHDOM COAL TRADE. Thursday, September 23. __________ ________ ...... The London coal trade for the past week has been quiet. The warm weather has materially checked the flow of orders. The opportunity, however, has been seized by a large number of the London merchants to lay in stocks as freely as possible, particularly with contract coals, in anticipation of the shortage during the winter months. The actual con- sumption of house coal has been very small during the week, and buyers have to face the higher contract prices on October 1, so that strenuous efforts have been made to clear off all back orders and to stock as much as possible before the winter prices begin. Derby brights are still the principal demand, but other qualities also show a fair amount of pressure. Towards the latter part of the week the volume of trade steadily increased, and wholesale orders became fairly abundant wherever any free coal was obtainable. Very little change is noticeable in the seaborne market. The Humber ports show a firm tone for hard steam coal, but weak for house coal. The demand for gas coal is strong, and the quotations range for South Yorkshire hard steam 19s. 6d. per ton f.o.b., and best Silkstone 22s. to 23s. per ton f.o.b. Derbyshire steams have suffered a good deal over the refusal to grant licences. South Yorkshire gas coals are quoted at 19s. 6d. to 20s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. Slacks are difficult to sell. The Newcastle trade is quiet, but during the past few days chartering has been a little more active. Tyne prime steams are quoted at 17s. 3d., and seconds at 16s. 6d. Durham gas coal 19s. to 20s. In some cases stocks are accumulating on account of the difficulty in obtaining licences. Very little forward business has been entered into, owing to the uncertainty of prices. Coal freights are excep- tionally strong; 8s. 6d. per ton was secured early in the week from the Tyne to London, and on Tuesday a steamer was fixed at 9s. 6d. for the Thames. The Humber ports also show an advance, 8s. per ton freight from Hull to London, and 9s. to 9s. 6d. from Goole to London. The railway companies are bringing the loaded coal wagons forward very slowly, and the delay also in the return of empties has become more marked. This is all the more noticeable, because the offerings of railborne qualities are considerably less than in former years. Prices are still uncertain owing to the new Bill, but in many cases mer- chants are leaving the price entirely in the hands of the colliery representatives, so long as they can get forward an adequate supply. Very little new business is reported and dealings are frequently restricted to either contract customers or regular buyers who have had the coal for years past. Prices are seldom published. The current quotations of South Yorkshire hards are 16s. to 16s. 6d. pit. Derby- shire hards 16s., seconds 15s. to 15s. 6d. The outlook for seaborne coal is regarded as somewhat uncertain, as the shipments for export are so restricted. France appears to have been the largest customer recently, and some of the French ports are so congested that unloading facilities are retarded and quite insufficient in many cases. Serious com- plaints are to hand of the delay to boats. On Monday’s market 25 contract cargoes were reported as arriving in the Thames, and 20 for Wednesday, all sold. The Admiralty are again in the market for the Tyne qualities of hard steam coal for renewal of expiring contracts. The Paris, Lyons, and Mediterranean Railways are also negotiating additional supplies. In the Welsh market, best Admiralty coals are still unobtainable except for Government use, but seconds qualities are offering at 23s. to 24s., f.o.b. Best Black Veins are 23s. 6d. f.o.b., Western Valleys 23s. f.o.b., Eastern Valleys 20s. 6d. f.o.b. Manufacturing coals are more plentiful, and a fairly large tonnage has been sold during the week. Prices are unaltered. Kitchen cobbles and bakers’ nuts are in good demand, but the quantity available is small. Slacks are quoted lower, and the fine qualities are difficult to sell. Small nuts are improving, and all the principal electric works and riverside factories are laying in heavy stocks. Barging stations are still congested, and the various railway companies are compelled to hold back con- siderable consignments in the colliery sidings on account of the difficulties of lighterage. ____________________________ From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Friday, September 17.—The seaborne house coal market was again quiet to-day, with no Durham or Yorkshire cargoes on offer. Cargoes, 29. Monday, September 20.—There was no alteration in the seaborne house coal market to-day, which remained quiet, with no cargoes on offer. Cargoes, 27. Wednesday. September 22.—The seaborne house coal market was very quiet to-day, no cargoes being on offer. Cargoes, 20.