November 5, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 939 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ House coals:— Current prices. L’st week’s Last year3 prices. prices. Block 21/6 21/6 — ___________________________________ Forest 20/6 ; 20/6 — Rubble 20/9 21/9 1 I ■ —. Nuts 19/ 19/ ! — ■ Rough slack 11/6 11/6 — Steam coal:— Large 18/ -19/ : 18/ -19/ — Small 14/ -15/ i 14/ -15/ — Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, November 4. ________________ Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report an average demand for house and steam coal in the southern counties, and that supplies are coming chiefly by rail. Stocks are by no means heavy, but as the wagons under load are now being dealt with more readily by the railway companies, less hazard is considered to be run in this respect than during last winter. Prices are quoted slightly firmer from some districts, while in others collieries report that they are fully sold. Some steamer and sailer cargoes have been arranged at late rates of freight. ____________________________________________ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, November 4. _______________________ __________ Dublin. The demand for household coal which has been, rather quiet during the past week, shows an improvement with the opening month, and the steam coal trade is active, prices of all qualities being without further change at the following:—Best Orrell, 35s. per ton; Yorkshire brights, 34s.; best Wigan, 33s.; best Whitehaven, 33s.; best kitchen, 31s.; best Scotch steam coal, 30s.; all less Is. per ton dis- count for 4a,sh; coke, 35s. 6d. per ton net delivered. Pit mouth prices of Irish coal at Wolf hill Collieries, Queen’s County, are :—Best large coal, 30s. per ton; best household coal, 28s. 4d.; culm, all prices from 3s. 4d. per ton. Pit prices for Kilkenny (Castlecomer) coal, outside of contract prices, are as follow:—Best small coal, 23s. 4d. per ton; best large, 21s. 8d.; second quality, 20s.; bottom coal, 16s. 8d.; breakage, 11s. 8d.; culm, 5s. to 8s. 6d. The coal vessels arriving in this port during the past week amounted to 54, as compared with 52 the week previously, chiefly from Newport, Partington, Garston, Saundersfoot, Swansea, Liverpool, Point of Aire, Preston, Glasgow, Ayr, Ellesmere Port, Troon, and Whitehaven. The total quantity of co^l discharged upon the quays was 22,200 tons, as against 22,500 tons the previous week. The Lord Mayor has decided to call a meeting for the purpose of protesting against the present high prices of coal in the city. Belfast. Demand shows a further improvement, both locally and in the inland districts, and the trade generally is healthy. Prices of English coal are very firm, but there is no change so far in quotations for any of the qualities. Current prices of house coals are :—Best Arley, 36s. per ton; Orrell nuts, 35s.; Scotch house coal, 32s.; Orrell slack, 32s. per ton delivered. Steam coals are subject to alteration from day to day. Approximate prices of steam coals and coke are as follow :—Ordinary Scotch steam coal, 24s. to 25s. per ton; Scotch navigation, 26s. to 27s.; best Welsh steam, 38s. to 40s.; best gas coke, 30s. to 32s. per ton; best foundry coke, 40s. to 42s. 6d. per ton. Recently advanced freights are maintained, and stocks are fairly good. Coal laden vessels arriving during the week . were chiefly from Ardrossan, Ayr, Glasgow, Garston, Maryport, Troon, Partington, Campbeltown, Girvan, Swansea, Manchester, Cardiff, Preston, Irvine, Whitehaven, and Ellesmere Port. North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. During the past week the coal trade of this area has been normal, all the pits have worked full time, and have dis- posed of the output with ease, though difficulties have been experienced in some cases owing to the difficulty in obtaining a sufficient number of empty wagons. The output in some pits has also been further affected by reason of the recruiting efforts which have been made during the past few days. Orders for house coal come to hand in satisfactory numbers, and every effort is made to give prompt delivery, but owing to the shortage of colliery Empties the merchants who are able to send their own wagons get a preference in point of delivery. The demand for steam coal has been maintained. A goodly tonnage has been taken by the railway companies which have contracts in this district. There has also been a continued good demand by industrial firms having Government contracts, which necessitate their working full time. There has also been a slight improvement in the shipping coal business at Ellesmere Port, Birkenhead and Garston. There is little new to report as regards gas coal. The usual contract quantities have been supplied with due regularity, and it would .appear as though there will be little difficulty in regard to prices under the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act, as satisfactory arrangements have been made between buyers and sellers in many cases. Slack is well sold just now, as the output is very much reduced, and therefore better prices are obtainable for the tonnage which is available. The prices of house coal remain steady, and several meetings have been held between representatives of local authorities and local merchants and coal dealers to discuss the question of supplies and prices for the coming winter. At the pits the price of best large house coal is 19s. to 21s. per ton, with Is. per ton less for seconds quality, while at the local landsale depots the retail price is from Is. 2d. to Is. 4|d. per cwt., with rough slack at about 9d. per cwt. The gas companies have advanced the price of gas coke, which is now quoted at 18s. 4d. to 20s. per ton at the local works, and a good trade appears to be done at these figures. The steam coal during the past week has made from 18s. to 19s. per ton for large sorts, and for shipment 17s. 6d. to 18s. 6d. per ton. The Wallasey Ferries Committee require a price for about 2,000 tons of steam coal for early delivery. Gas coal is quoted at 18s. to 19s. per ton at pit for the large coal, and nuts at 17s. 6d. to 18s. 6d. according to tonnage. The Liverpool Gas Company require quotations for about 30,000 tons of cannel for their next twelve months’ con- tract. Rough slack is quoted at present at fs. 6d. to 9s. 6d. per ton at the pit according to quality and quantity required. Summarised, the week’s prices are as below:— ______________ Prices at pit f.o.r.: — Best house coal ...... Secondary do.......... Steam coal............ Gas coal.............. Bunkers........................ Nuts ................ Slack ................ Gas coke (at works).... Prices landsale:— Best house coal ...... Seconds .............. Slack __................ I Current I prices. 19/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 i 8/6— 9/6 : 18/4-20/ L’st week’sLast year’s prices. prices. 19/ -21/ 14/9-15/9 18/ -20/ 13/9-14/9 18/ -19/ • 12/3-13/ 18/ -19/ 12/ -12/6 17/6-18/6 12/ -12/3 17/6-18/6 11/ -11/9 8/6- 9/6 : 5/6- 7/ 16/8-18/4 11/8-13/4 : 25/ -27/6 23/4-27/6 , 18/4-20/ i 22/6-25/ 22/6-23/4 ; 16/8-18/4 14/2-15/ 14/2-15/ , 10/ -11/8 ______________ Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. Cardiff. COAL. Although the position has not improved up to the time of writing, prospects are distinctly brighter than they were a week ago, owing to the fact that a definite promise has been obtained from the Government that immediate steps shall be taken to relieve the congestion caused by the shortage of shipping tonnage. This announcement has had a beneficial effect on the market, and, although for prompt shipment substantial concessions are being made, quota- tions for the second half of the month are materially firmer. All business transactions, however, are really a matter of individual bargaining, and everything depends on the relative positions of the buyer and seller, and the prices quoted are more or less nominal. Shipments last week were very unsatisfactory, the total from the four principal ports of the Channel only amounting to 293,584 tons, compared with 372,892 tons in the corresponding week of last year, or a decrease of 79,308 tons. Towards this total Cardiff contributed 150,304 tons, against 200,352 tons in the corresponding week, or a decline of 50,048 tons. From Newport there were despatched 64,618 tons, or a decrease of 9,670 tons ; from Swansea 42,984 tons, or a falling off of 18,336 tons; and from Port Talbot 35,678 tons, or a decrease of 1,254 tons. Arrivals of tonnage over the week end were not up to expectations, but this was accounted for by the delays occasioned through the gales which prevailed for several days. On the other hand, chartering showed an improvement, the amount of tonnage taken up outside Admiralty fixtures being 173,620 tons, compared with 139,480 tons in the preceding six days, or an increase of 34,140 tons. There are very large accumula- tions of coal of all descriptions in the sidings, and numerous stoppages have taken place throughout the district owing to shortage of wagons. ‘On Monday, it was estimated that upwards of 5,000 men were idle through this cause alone. Advantage of this condition of affairs is being taken by the recruiting authorities, and it is believed that largenumbers of miners will be attracted to the Colours, especially from the collieries which are not engaged in the production of best Admiralty coal. A special tribunal has been set up to deal with doubtful cases of unstarred men engaged in starred occupations, and the onus of proof that the men cannot be spared falls on the owners. It is practically certain, however, that the existing output will be sub- stantially diminished in the near future, and with smaller stocks in the sidings and improved facilities for shipment there is-every probability that the market will recover from the depression which at present prevails. As a result of the joint audit of the coal owners’ books, the owners have applied for a decrease of 5 per cent in the wages standard. With regard to prices, as already indicated, quotations are really nominal. Best descriptions are retained by the Government, and the small quantities released are taken by contractors who made their arrangements in the early days of the war. Ordinary steams do not realise more than 17s. 6d. to 18s. 6d., with, perhaps, an addition of 6d. for certain better qualities. In the small coal market, there has been little doing. Seme collieries refuse to do business at current rates, and are banking the small coal as it comes out of the pit. Others are taking quite low rates in order to release wagons and keep the pits at full work. Best bunkers range between 10s. and Ils., but for other qualities the price varies between 5s. and 8s., according to circumstances. In Monmouthshire coals the same difficulty with regard to tonnage is being experienced, and prices are on a low nominal basis. Best Black Veins command 18s. to 19s., with a variation of about Is. per ton for western and eastern valleys. The highest prices are being obtained for washed coals, for which there is a steady demand, chiefly from France. In bituminous coals there is practically no change, No. 3 Rhondda large being quoted at 20s. to 21s., No. 2 ditto at 15s. to 16s., and other grades in proportion. Shipments of patent fuel last week only amounted to about 15,000 tons. Although works were well supplied with ordtrs to the end of the year, there has been a decline in prices due to the low cost of small coal, and best grades of fuel are now obtain- able at 27s. 6d., with second grades at 23s. to 25s. per ton. Coke is also slightly lower, but the demand is well up ____________________________ THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. There has been a good deal of enquiry for the home trade, and prices of all description are very firm. Bars are up to d£8 10s. per ton, so still higher figures for plates can be expected. Many makers are not keen on selling forward at all in the present uncertain state of affairs. Following may be taken as about current quotations for delivery over next three months :—Coke tin-plates : I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 19s. 9d. to 20s. per box; IC 28 X 20 (112 sh. 216 1b.), 39s. 6d. to 40s.; IC 14 x 18| (134 sh. 1101b.), 20s. to 20s. 3d.; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 1561b.), 28s. 6d. to 28s. 9d. IC squares and odd sizes, 20s. to 20s. 6d. basis for approved specifications. Charcoals are firm, at 22s. per basis box and upwards, according to tinning. Terne plates rule firm, at 35s. 6d. to 36s. per box of I C 28 X 20. Coke wasters are in good demand, and prices are very firm, as follow:—CW 14 x 20, 18s. 6d. and upwards per box; C W 28 X 20, 37s. and upwards; C W 14 x 18f, 18s. 6d. and upwards; C W 20 x 10, 25s. 6d. and upwards. All f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. The market for Monmouthshire coals shows no sign of improvement, but rather the reverse, the weakness of the past month being now even more pronounced. Stocks are heavier on all sides, the capacity of colliery sidings being taxed to the utmost, with dock storage equally full. There is a certain amount of enquiry about respecting new business, but of not sufficient volume to sustain quotations at last week’s level, while the figures given must not be taken too literally, as those fortunate buyers who can command ready tonnage are able to make much better terms. The disposition of business men all round now seems to be to wait upon the market, buyers and sellers alike seeming disinclined to book forward at to-day’s rates. Looking ahead, it is absolutely clear that relief can only come from a greatly increased tonnage supply, the pros- pects of which seem now to be very remote. The chartering market rules quiet from the deficiency of steamers, prevailing rates being tempting enough, as 45s. for Italian ports, 48s. for Egypt, and 17s. 6d. for Rouen 1,700 tons. Pitwood is still in very short supply, and with good enquiry, up to 45s. now being paid for good wood of suitable sizes. Coke rules a little dearer, also with an excellent enquiry. • Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. _________ ________________________ Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). ___________________________ Mr. Jensen, the Minister for the Australian Navy, announces that he has commandeered the coal supplies of Melbourne, Adelaide, Albany, and Fremantle. It is under- stood that this action is due to a strike of Sydney coal lumpers, which might result in the depletion of the coal supplies of other ports. The men have now resumed work, pending a conference with the employers. We are informed that the latest orders received by Simon- Carves Limited, Manchester, are for the 50 ton per hour British Baum coal washing plant for Messrs. J. and J. Charlesworth Limited, of Wakefield; one for 125 tons per hour for Messrs. Barber, Walker and Company, of Notting- ham, for their Bentley Colliery; and one for 80 tons per hour to be erected at Puertollano, in Spain. Steam coals: — Best Black Vein large... Western-valleys, ordin’y Best Eastern-valleys ... Secondary do. Best small coals ...... Secondary do......... Inferior do......... Screenings .......... Through coals ........ Best washed nuts..... Other sorts:— Best house coal....... Secondary do......... Patent fuel ......... Furnace coke......... Foundry coke ....... Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. 18/ -18,6 18/ -19/ 16/9-17/3 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ , 16/ -16/6 16'6-17/ 17/ -17/6 15/ -15/6 16/ -16'6 16/6-17/ , 14/6-15/ 117 -12/ 12/ -12/6 6/3- 6/9 9/ -10/ 11/6-12/ : 5/9- 6/ 6/6- 8/ . 8/ -10/ ■ 5/3- 5/6 11/6-12/ 121 -12/6 6/6-7/ 14/ -15/ 14’6-15/ 11/9-12/ 14/ -14/6 14/ -15/ < 13/ -13'3 Current Steam coals:— prices. Bes# Admiralty steam coals * Superior seconds * Ordinary do 17/6-19/ Best bunker smalls 10/ -11/ Best ordinaries 9/ -10/ Cargo qualities .y/ 6/ - 8/ Inferior smalls 5/ — 5/6 Best dry coals 23/ -24/ Ordinary drys : 20/ -22/ Best washed nuts 25/ -27/6 Seconds i 22/ -24/ Best washed peas 20/ -21/ Seconds 18/ -19/ Dock screenings 10/ -12/ Monmouthshire— Black Veins < 18/ -19/ Western-valleys 17/6-18/ Eastern-valleys ; 17/ -17/6 Inferior do 16/ -17/ Bituminous coals:— 22/ -24/ 21/ -22/ 26/ -28/ 30/ -32/ 36/ -38/ . 23/ -24/ ’ 21/ -22/ 26/ -28/ I 29/ -30/ 36/ -38/ 118/ -19/ I 16/6—17/6 16/ -16/6 18/ -19/ 21/ -23/ Best house coals (at pit)i 23/ -24/ Second qualities (at pit) 22/ -22/6 No. 3 Rhondda— : Bituminous large.... 20/ -21/ Through-and-through 17/ -18/ Small .............. 14/ -15/ No. 2 Rhondda— ! Large..............> 15/ -16/ Through-and-through 13/6—14/ Small ..............: 10/ -11/ Best patent fuel ........• 27/6 Seconds ................I 23/ -25/ Special foundry coke .... 40/ -42/ Ordinary do. .... 36/ -38/ Furnace coke ..........! 28/ -32/ Pitwood (ex-ship) ......| 44/ -45/ L’st week’s ' prices. Last year’s prices. * 21/ -22/ * 20/ -20/6 18/ -19/ 18/6-18/9 10/ -12/ 7/9- 8/ 9/ -10/ 7/3- 7/6 6/ - 8/ 5/6- 6/3 5/ - 6/ 4/6- 5/ 23/ -24/ 20 6-21/6 20/ -22/ 18/6—20/ 22/ -23/ 17/6 21/ -22/ 15 20/ -21/ 15/ 19/ -20/ 13/6-13/9 12/ -13/ 9/ 18/6-19/ : 17/3-17/6 17,6-18/ 16/9 17/ -17/6 | 16/3 16/ -17/ • 15/ -15/6 23/ -2’4/ 20/ 22/ -22/6 i 17/6-19/6 21/ -22/ i .17/ -17/6 18/ -197- : 14/6-15/ 15/ -16/ i 11/ -11/6 16/ -17/ 13/6-13/9 14/ -15/ ! 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ j 7/ -7/6 27/6 I 17/ -17,6 25/ I 16/ -16/6 42/ -45/ | 27/ -30/ 37/ -40/ 1 22/ -26/ 32/ -34/ : 19/ 43/6-45/ i 20/ -21/ ' * Nominal.