684 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN October 1, 1915. Eight months, ended Aug. 8 Tons. Increase. Tons. Decrease. Tons. Reunion (Bourbon).. — — .. 5,498 Portugal 500,913 ... — .. 85,085 Azores 27,381 ... 12,585 . — Madeira 36,452 ... — J 14,176 Spain 551,767 ... — .. 320,106 Canary Islands 154,856 ... — .. 173,776 Italy 2,159,542 ... — .1,269,657 Italian East Africa 5,043 ... — .. 4,317 Austria-Hungary ... — — .. 127,749 Greece 162,419 ... — ,. 185,008 Bulgaria — — ,. 63,238 Roumania — — . 183,535 Turkey — European 6,557 ’’’ — ,. 101,208 „ Asiatic ... 3,767 ... — .. 159,828 Tripoli — — . 8,035 Tunis 69,180 ... — . 41,761 Peru — — . 12,718 Chile 36,229 ... . 185,754 Brazil 320,371 ... — . 422^750 Uruguay 176,526 ... — . 212,092 Argentine Republic.. 944,479 ... — . 10,596 Channel Islands 27,833 ... — . 16,254 Malta and Gozo — . . — . 147,567 Gibraltar 131,968 ... — . 16,016 Egypt 540,263 ... — . 719,642 Cape of Good Hope 5,545 ... — . 19,898 Anglo - Egyptian Sudan 20,753 ... -— . 11,436 Mauritius and De- pendencies 8,813 ... — . 4,641 Aden and Dependen- cies 99,052 ... 3,327 .. — British India 13,912 ... — . 75,213 Straits Settlements 1,561 ... — . 15,146 Ceylon and Depen- dencies 36,169 ... . 157,896 Hong Kong — . 10,366 Canada 394 — 756 Bermudas — — . 10,530 British West India Islands 2,573 ... — . 9,593 West Africa—British 36,294 ... — . 9,924 „ French 97,575 ... 36,158 .. — „ Portuguese 91,842 ... 21,250 .. — * IRON. The improvement noted in the tin-plate shipments last week has not been maintained, and receipts from works have been far in excess of exports. The latter amounted to only 35,015 boxes, whilst there were received into stock 71,909 boxes, making the* total in hand 306,040 boxes. Prices also are on a lower basis, Bessemer standard cokes being 17s. 6d., and oil sizes 18| x 14 18s., and 20 x 10 sheets 25s. 9d. to 26s. There are very few new orders, and in order to keep works going it is reported that in several instances the men are sharing their shifts. This state of affairs does not look very promising for the demand of the men for increased wages, but the whole position is to be discussed at a special meeting of the Conciliation Board on October 6. In the galvanised sheet trade there is no alteration. There is practically no new business on the market, and makers are living from hand to mouth, with a probability of having to close down at any time. Spelter is again a little cheaper, having receded to £66, but 24-gauge corrugateds are still quoted at <£17 10s. Welsh steel bars are £7 to <£7 2s. 6d. per ton for both qualities, but the demand is slow. There is also an easier tone in pig iron, which is now offering at <£5 per ton delivered. Rail mills are busily employed, and there is a heavy demand for constructional steel. Prices, however, are unchanged. In scrap metals there is little doing. Heavy wrought is 70s. to 72s. 6d., steel 74s. 6d., cast 60s., light wrought 40s., double-headed steel rails 80s., iron ditto 80s., mixed sections 67s. 6d., and new steel crop ends 80s. The iron ore market is quiet, best rubio being 23s. 6d. to 24s. 6d., seconds 21s. to 21s. 6d., and Almeria 21s. 6d. per ton. Swansea. COAL. The trade of the port displayed considerable dulness last week, but some briskness in the coal and patent fuel trades. There was a capital atendance on ’Change, the anthracite coals continued to display a very strong tone, the demand being still in excess of outputs. Swansea Valley large was firmly quoted at last figures, and Red Vein large was also very strong. Machine-made nuts and cobbles were holding their firm position, but rubbly culm and duff were eeasy. In steam coals there was no outstanding feature Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Current L’st week’s1 Last year’s Anthracite:— prices. prices. prices. Best malting large (hand picked) 34/6-35/ 32/6-32/9 20/ -22/ Secondary do. 32/ -34/ 29/ -32/6 17/ -18/ Big Vein large 33/6-35/ 31/6-33/6 16/6—17/6 Red Vein large 26/6-27/6 24/6-26/6 12/6-13/6 Machine-made cobbles 40/6-43/6 40/6-43/ 19/3-21/3 Paris nuts French do 42/6-45/6 42/ -45/ 21/ -23/ Stove do 41/ -44/ 41/ -44/ 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/ -10/6 10/6-10/9 4/ - 4/6 Duff 4/6- 5/ 5/ - 5/9 3/ - 3/6 Steam coals:— Best large 25/ -27/6 25/ -27/6 18/ -20/ Seconds 22/ -23/ 22/ -25/ 13/6-15/6 Bunkers 15/ -17/ 16/ -18/ 10/3-11/ Small 9/ -11/6 10/ -13/ 7/6- 9/ Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— 23/ -28/6 Large 23/ -26/ 17/ -18/ Thro’-and-thro’ 1 Small 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 10/3-10/9 Patent fuel 28/ -29/ 29/ -30/ 16/6-17/6 IRON. The various trades in this district were going briskly The blast furnaces were kept heavily engaged, and the steelworks were active. Orders for tin-plates were slowly increasing, and tin-plate and bar-rolling mills were in part operation ; shifts were shared by the men at several mills. The shipments of tin-plates were 35,015 boxes, receipts from works 71,909 boxes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 306,040 boxes. The Mannesmann Tube Works were kept busy as well as the Metal Extraction Works, and the foundries, engineering and fitting shops were working full time. Llanelly. COAL. There is no alteration in the position of the coal market of this district, and the many difficulties which are being experienced at the moment show no sign of decreasing. The scarcity of tonnage with the very high freights which are now beiiig asked are having a detrimental effect in the . position, and collieries, steam coal in particular, do not find it an easy matter to keep at full work. The tone of this particular market has fallen away very badly of late, and prices have decreased far below what anyone expected. Best qualities have during the past few months dropped as much as 10s. per ton, and even at the present low figures it is extremely difficult to keep going. Anthracite, on the other hand, is in very strong demand, and for nearly every kind not enough coal is being raised to keep pace with the orders received. Possibly collieries have not been in so strong a position for a considerable time, and prices should give every satisfaction. Large coals have further advanced, and, now that the weather is becoming colder, it is quite expected that things will be still firmer. The only kinds for which there is a weakness are culm and duff. For the machine-made kinds orders are now being refused for prompt delivery, as several pits have orders on hand which will take them well into November. This week’s quotations approximately are:— 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 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 1 prices. 32/ -34/ 30/ -32/ 21/ -23/ 30/ -32/6 29/ —30/ 19/ -21/ 30/ -32/ 28/ -32/ 16/ -18/ 24/ -26/ ; 24/ -26/ 13/6-14/ 40/ -42/ ‘ 401 -42/6 ! 20/ -22/ 40/ -42/ . 40/ -42/ 21/ -23/ 42/6-45/ : 42/6-45'/ 21/ -23/ 40/ -42/6.40/ -42/6.21/ -23/ 30/ -32/ ‘ 30/ -32/ ' 20/ -22/ 18/ -19/6 ! 18/ -19/6 ; 13/6-14/6 8/6-11/6 10/6-11/6 5/ - 5/6 4/6- 5/ 1 4/6- 5/ 3/9- 5/6 26/ -28/ ! 26/ -28/ : 16/ -18/ 16/ —18/ 16/ -18/ ■ 10/ -10/6 9/6-11/6 10/6-12/6 8/6- 9/6 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 11/ -11/6 THE TIM-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. The tone of the market continues dull. There has been a little more enquiry, but not much business was reported. Spot lots have been done at 17s. IJd. for I C 14 x 20 in ■second hands, makers asking IJd. to 3d. a box more. Cur- rent quotations for cokes may be called :—I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 17s. 3d. to 17s. 4|d. per box; I C 28 x 20 (112sh. 2161b.), 34s. 6d. to 35s.; IC 14 x 18f (124 sh. 1101b.), 17s. 6d. to 17s. 9d.; IC 14 x 19| (120 sh. 1101b.), 17s. 6d. to 17s. 9d.; IC 20 x 10 (225 sh. 1561b.), 25s. 3d. to 25s. 6d. IC squares and odd sizes, 17s. 6d. to 18s. basis. Charcoals are easy at 19s. 6d. basis and upwards, according to tinning. Temes were in a little better demand; quotations for IC 28 x 20 run 32s. to 32s. 6d. per box. Coke wasters are in quiet request. Quotations :—C W 14 x 20, 16s. 3d. to 16s. 6d. per box; C W 28 X 20, 33s. 3d. to 33s. 6d.; CW 14 x 18f, 17s. 3d.; C W 20 x 10, 24s. All f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. Iron and Steel Institute.—The autumn session of the Iron and Steel Institute was held on the 23rd and 24th ult. at the Institution of Civil Engineers, Westminster. In the absence of the president, Mr. Adolphe Greiner, of Seraing, Belgium, the past president, Dr. Arthur Cooper, of Middlesbrough, occupied the chair. Thirteen new members •were elected, and the council gave notice of an amendment in the by-law’s which would enable them to remove from the privileges of membership all members who are subjects of a country at war with Great Britain, but they may, if the council thinks fit, be reinstated after the termination of the war. Lost Shifts in North Staffordshire. — Some intesting figures are published by the Staffordshire Sentinel showing the number of shifts lost by underground workers at 21 associated collieries in North Staffordshire during the seven weeks ended August 28. In pay week for which wages were paid on Saturday, July 17 ... „ „ 24‘... „ 31 ... „ Aug. 7 ... „ „ 14 ... „ „ 21 ... „ 28 ... Shifts lost by underground workers. ..... 16,674 ..... 16,437 ..... 13,728 ..... 14,871 ..... 21,623 ..... 17,339 ..... 16,758 117,430 Average per week 16,775. This represents a loss to the district of the work of at least 2,800 men working full time. The above are aggregate figures only, but the Sentinel states that two-thirds of the shifts lost are lost by men actually engaged at the coal face, the balance consisting of all other underground workers. In ascertaining the figures, no count has been made where stoppages at collieries have occurred either by arrangements for holidays or through any dispute or accident. It is reported that the local miners’ leaders are co-operating with the coal owners and colliery managers in endeavouring to put an end to unnecessary short time, and that the subject will be brought before the lodge meetings. THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, September 30. The London coal trade for the past week has been brisk, and the demand for all qualities of household fuel has been strong. Unfortunately, very little coal beyond contract quantities is 'available for the open market, so that the competition for the little free coal has been very noticeable. The colder weather has also considerably influenced the market, in addition to the desire to buy before the winter prices commence. An advance of about Is. per ton has been decided upon by the merchants trading on the south side of the Thames, to meet the extra railway charges as compared with the stations and depots on the north side of the river. An extra charge of Is. 3d. and Is. 4d. per ton has been the customary payment for the additional railway rate to all stations in the south of London, and now that seaborne coals are seldom to be bought in the open market, these merchants are compelled to rely upon the railborne traffic, and are thus placed at a disadvantage as compared with all north and east London depots. Derbyshire brights are still the most eagerly sought after, and prices remain very firm, but very few of the recognised collieries can accept further orders just now. Nuts and cobbles also are scarce. Colliery representatives report that the outputs are still decreasing. The freight market continues fairly firm, and the higher rates are fully maintained. From the Humber ports to London, 8s. 6d. has been secured, and as high as 9s. 6d. from the Tyne to London; 38 contract cargoes entered the Port of London for Monday’s market, and six for Wednesday, but as all were previously sold, no prices are quoted. Yorkshire best hards are quoted at 16s. 6d. to 17s. per ton at pit, and best Silkstone are offering at about 20s. Barnsley qualities are 17s. to 18s. Furnace coke, 15s. 6d. to 16s. per ton at the ovens. Gas coals have slightly improved, and prices are now about 17s. 6d. to 18s. per ton for the best sorts, and 16s. 6d. to 17s. for seconds. The tonnage from the Tyne district is still very restricted, and as the freights are higher, the coal market has been very slow, but during the week there has been slight improvement. Bly th coals are nominally quoted at 11s. 3d. pit. Prime Tynes at 13s. 6d., and seconds at 11s. Durham best are 19s. to 19s. 6d., seconds 16s. to 16s. 6d. (gas coal qualities). The Norwegian State Railway are in the market for 70,000 tons of north country steam coal from October 1 to March. A new notice was exhibited on the Subscription Room doors of the London Coal Exchange on Monday, inviting sub- scriptions toward a motor ambulance. A list of over £350 has already been contributed. The ambulance is to be presented to the Red Cross Society. During the week the new Act has been prominently before the market, and in nearly every case merchants who have already fixed contracts with the colliery companies have sent in notice asking for reductions where the prices do not conform to the Act. The London Coal Merchants Society have also issued a pamphlet giving counsel’s opinion as to the various clauses in the Act, and also a form of notice for the use of members. For the most part, however, a friendly arrangement has been arrived at between the collieries and the merchants by which the con- tract prices are adjusted in conformity with the meaning of the Act, and the new prices will all take effect from November 1. Sliding scale arrangements are abolished, and in its place a summer and winter price has been established. At the first introduction of the new Price of Coal (Limitation) Act it appeared as if every clause would give rise to a whole- sale crop of litigation, but as the meaning of the Act is better understood and the differences are to be adjusted not by courts of law, but by the Board of Trade, the desire for an amicable understanding has been more clearly recognised. The chief difficulty, however, is in discriminating between what is usually sold as house coal and what is sent to manu- facterers, bakers, laundries, etc. Gas coal contracts also are somewhat puzzling, for although they come under the conditions of the Act, yet the extra price at which gas has been sold, and the upward tendency in the price of all the residuals, places all the gas companies in a favourable position. Steam coals are steady, but the demand is not so strong as formerly, the prevailing impression being that factories and large steam users are practically full up. The Welsh coal market is dull, but none of the best Admiralty varieties are available except for Government use. Stove coals are also selling freely. D.S. nuts and peas are urgently wanted, although many of the large.consumers are reported to be well supplied, but all qualities of slacks are very plenti- ful, and lower prices have been accepted. Ordinary Welsh steams are quoted at 22s. to 23s. per ton f.o.b. Best Black Veins, 22s. 6d. to 23s. Western Valley, 21s. 6d., and Easterns 20s. 6d. Patent fuel remains at 33s. to 34s. f.o.b. The shortage of coal in the English markets has led to a loss of nearly four million tons in the foreign fields, and it is reported that Italy has bought from the United States about a million and a-half tons of coal, Egypt and the Argentine about two and a-half millions tons, all of which formerly were supplied from the English market. It was reported on Wednesday that 373 of the London merchants had accepted an arrangement for limitation of profits as a result of the report of the Departmental Committee of the Board of Trade, who have enquired into the causes of the increased coal price during the past winter. All the principal firms have agreed. The withdrawal of Greek tonnages will have an effect upon the freight market, so many Greek vessels having been recalled for their home ports, which have hitherto been working in the coal export trade. It has been common for Greek steamers after dis- charging cargoes from North and South America at Continental ports to proceed to the Tyne or Cardiff, and to load coal. There are 433 Greek steamers, according to Lloyds Register. No change wall be made in the ordinary advertised prices on October 1, but an appointment has been made with the Board of Trade for the following week with reference to an all-round advance of Is. per ton, seeing the colliery contract rates all advance on October 1. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Friday, September 24.—There was a slight improvement in the seaborne house coal market to-day, and a cargo of Yorkshire house was disposed of, but price not quoted. Cargoes, 16. Monday, September 27.—There was no alteration in the seaborne house coal market to-day, no cargoes being on offer. Cargoes, 38. Wednesday, September 29.—The seaborne house coal market was quiet to-day, with no cargoes on offer. Cargoes, 6.