December 17, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.1247 THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, December 16. ___________________________________________ North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. All the collieries in this coalfield have been busily- employed during the past week, and hard pressed to execute the orders on hand. In the steam coal trade the railway companies are pressing for full supplies owing to the close proximity of the holidays, and so far as is possible the coal owners are endeavouring to meet their wishes. Firms under Government work are also taking a goodly tonnage, and a fair amount is being sent down to Mersey side ports for shipment. The gas companies are, like the railway companies, pressing’ for extra supplies on account of contract, and gas-making nuts are particularly scarce. There is a good demand for gas coke, and the price is advancing rapidly. The market for slack is fairly satis- factory, but the tonnage available is very limited. Prices are ruling firm for all grades. The following is the week’s list of prices : — 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 ............ | Current ! prices. ' 20/ -22/ ....... ' 19/ -21/ I 18/ -19/6 1 18/ -19/ 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 9/ -10/ 20/ -21/8 25/ -27/6 22/6-25/ 14/2-15/ L’st week’slLast year’s prices. | prices. 20/ -21/ | 15/ -16/ 19/ -20/ i' 14/ -15/ 18/ -19/ j 11/9-12/9 18/ -19/ ! 12/ -13/ 17/6-18/6 ; 11/6-11/9 17/6-18/6 | 11/ -11/9 8/6- 9/9 f 5/3- 6/9 20/ -21/8 | 11/8-13/4 25/ -27/6 j 19/2-20/ 23/4-25/ j 17/6-18/4 14/2-15/ 10/ -12/6 _________________ Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COaL. The steam coal market for some days now has shown a tendency of increasing firmness. The supply of available tonnage is good, while more arrivals are due, sufficient quite to prevent stocks from overloading the market this side of the holidays. Collieries are well sold forward, and, with a time of reduced outputs closely approaching, salesmen are maintaining their quotations very firmly. In the freight market outward' chartering has proceeded on moderate lines with no reduction of freights from the prevailing highwater level. The position of Greek tonnage presents a subject of much interest at the present time. The market all round is firm, with, perhaps, one exception of lower- grade smalls, for which there seems just now very little enquiry. Bunkering sorts, on the other hand, are being very well looked after. House coals maintain their values, likewise coke and patent fuel. The supply of pitwood continues to be quite insufficient to meet colliery require- ments, and the phenomenal prices recently quoted are being fully maintained. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. i Current Steam coals: — I prices. Best Black Vein large...' 22/ -23/ Western-valleys, ordin’y 21/6-22/ Best Eastern-valleys ...! 21/ -21/6 Secondary do. ...' 20/ -21/ Best small coals ......; 12/6-13/ ...... Secondary do.........' 10/6-11/ Inferior do...........1 8/ - 9/ Screenings ................. — Through coals ...•...... 15/3-15/6 Best washed nuts........ 15/9-16/3 Other sorts:— Best house coal.......22/ -24/ Secondary do.........! 21/ -22/ Patent fuel ..........j 24/ -24/6 Furnace coke..........J 32/ -34/ Foundry coke ........! 36/ -38/ L’st week’s prices. 2176-22/ 20/6-21/6 20/ -21/ 19/6-20/ 12/ -13/ 10/ -11/ 8/ - 9/ 15/3-15/6 15/9-16/3 22/ -24/ 21/ -22/ 24/ -24/6 32/ -34/ 36/ -38/ Last year’s prices. 17/ -17/3 16/6-16/9 15/9-16/3 15/ -15/6 9/ - 9/6 8/ - 8/9 7/6- 8/ 9/3- 9/6 12/6-13/3 14/9-15/3 18/ -18/6 16/6-17/6 17/6-18/ 18/ -19/ 21/ -23/ IRON. Further strength characterises the local iron and steel trades by pressure of increasing Government demands and greater cost of raw materials, which tend to force values still upwards. Quotations in all directions are moving higher with a strong tendency to continue in the same direction. Work remains consistently good at bar mills, where, despite the increasing difficulty of keeping up the proper number of workmen, outputs are being well main- tained. Values here are firmer at =£10 15s. to <£11 for Welsh bars, either Bessemer or Siemens. Steel rails have advanced to a basis of £10 10s. for heavy sections with the usual extras for lights. Pig iron is strong, with quotations increasingly difficult to obtain from makers. Welsh haematite is figured at £7, but manufacturers who find themselves faced with seriously increasing costs of production are not booking at this price, and await events with confidence of obtaining higher values. Iron ore has advanced also, best rubio now costing 34s. to 35s. c.i.f. Newport, with other qualities pro rata. Tinplates show a sharp rise of 2s. per box, the latest basis prices being 25s. 3d. for Bessemer or Siemens primes 20 x 14 x 112, but outputs are fully booked for some weeks, and mills are far more inclined to await January prices rather than commit themselves further ahead now. Cardiff. COAL. The position of the market has not improved since last week. The complicated situation in the East has had the effect of withdrawing Greek tonnage, and although there were seven or eight vessels in port, charterers were disin- clined to enter into contracts until the position was more clearly defined. The result generally has been that the shortage during the past few days has been as pronounced as at any period during the previous few months. Ship- ments last week amounted to 334,447 tons, compared with 351,185 tons in the corresponding week of last year, or a decrease of 16,738 tons. From Cardiff the exports were 219,181 tons, against 227,804 tons, or a decrease of 8,623 tons; from Newport 54,795 tons, or a falling-off of 18,841 tons; from Port Talbot 25,808 tons, or an improvement of 13,266 tons; and from Swansea 34,663 tons, or a decrease of 2,540 tons. Charterings during the week were rather better, amount of tonnage taken up being 183,850 tons, against 157,500 tons in the preceding six days, or an increase of 26,350 tons. It is reported that several annual contracts with various undertakings have now been fixed up at prices materially above last year’s quotations, but particulars have not been disclosed. As a matter of fact, the business was not advertised, and the old contracts have been continued on an amended basis. The only fresh feature is an enquiry from the Egyptian State Railways for 50,000 metric tons of steam coals for delivery between December and March next, tenders for which were to be in by Tuesday. It will be remembered that when this business was last adver- tised a very small quantity was secured locally, owing to the high prices and the uncertainty of delivery, and at that time many thousands of tons were placed with American merchants. Conditions are now more favourable, and it is considered certain that all the present contract will be placed in South Wales. The only difficulty is that of tonnage, and that applies with equal force to America as to South Wales. Freights, as a matter of fact, are higher than ever, and in some cases they have advanced more than 500 per cent, since the commencement of the war. Definite figures are not available, but it is computed that out of the 4,500 British-owned vessels engaged in the coal-carrying trade, together with general cargoes, no less than 2,000 have been commandeered by the Admiralty, and this, of course, is in the main responsible for the great shortage of free tonnage which now exists. So far as prices are con- cerned, there is little to be said. Fluctuations are wide, according to circumstances, but in the majority of cases, where stocks have been reduced, salesmen are firm in their demand, and quotations for business in the new year are very much higher than those ruling at present. Best Admiralties and superior seconds are almost entirely con- trolled by the Government, but in cases where cargoes are released they are taken by contractors who had made their arrangements a long time ago. Ordinary steams are 22s. up to 23s. 6d. Dry coals continue in good demand, best qualities being 25s. to 26s., and ordinaries 23s. to 24s. In Monmouthshire coals there is little change, best Black Veins being 22s. to 23s., western valleys 21s. to 22s., and easterns 20s. to 21s. The market in these coals is firm, and, with better facilities for shipment, there is no doubt that the quotations would be materially advanced. The small coal market is steady, best bunkers being 12s. 6d. to 13s., ordinaries Ils. to 12s., and cargo qualities 8s. to 9s. In some cases where stocks have accumulated, a concession of as much as Is. to Is. 6d. per ton is being made, but at the present time this is a matter of rare occur- rence. Patent fuel is steady, and shipments were rather heavier last week than for some time past. Best grades are 24s. to 25s., with seconds at about 22s. to 23s. per ton. In bituminous coals there is little alteration. House coals are unchanged. No. 3 Rhondda is 22s. 6d. to 23s. 6d., through-and-through 20s. to 21s., and small 18s. to 18s. 6d. No. 2 Rhondda large is 18s. to 18s. 6d., through 14s. to 15s., and small Ils. to Us. 6d. The tone generally is firm, and there is a probability of higher prices being reached in the near future. Pitwood is still a scarce commodity, and is selling at 52s. to 53s. per ton. Coke generally is extremely firm, best qualities realising as much as 45s. per ton. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Admiralty steam coals * * 20/ -21/ Superior seconds * * 19/ -19/6 Ordinary do 22/ -23/ 20/ -22/ i 17/6-18/6 Best bunker smalls 12/ -13/ 12/6-13/ 1 11/3-11/9 Best ordinaries 11/ -12/ u/6-12/ ; 10/6-11/ Cargo qualities -‘•x/ / 8/ - 9/ 8/6- 9/ j 9/6-10/ Inferior smalls 6/ - 71 7/ - 8/ i 7/6- 8/ Best dry coals 25/ -26/ 25/ -26/ i 18/6-19/ Ordinary drys 23/ -24/ 22/ -24/ 17/ -17/3 Best washed nuts 25/ -27/ 25/ -27/ | 19/ Seconds 22/ -24/ 22/ -24/ j 17/ Best washed peas 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 | 15/ -16/ Seconds 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 | 14/6 Dock screenings 10/6-12/6 10/6-12/6 10/6 Monmouthshire— Black Veins 22/ -23/ 21/6—22/ 17/ Western-valleys 21/ -22/ 21/ -21/6 16/6 Eastern-valleys 20/ -21/ 20/6-21/ 15/ -15/6 Inferior do. ‘ 19/ —20/ 20/ -20/6 15/ Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 20/ Second qualities (at pit) 21/ -22/ 22/ -22/6 17/6-19/6 No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large 22/6-23/6 23/ -24/ 17/6-18/ Through-and-through 20/ -21/ 21/6-22/6 15/ Small 18/ -18/6 19/6-20/6 . 12/6-13/6 No. 2 Rhondda— 1 Large 18/ -18/6 18/ -18/6 | 13/9-14/6 Through-and-through 14/ —15/ 14/ -15/ ! 11/ -11/6 Small 11/ -11/6 ‘11/ -11/6 i 8/ - 8/6 Best patent fuel 24/ —25/ A A / A A 1 V | 24/ -25/ j 18/ Seconds 22/ -23/ 22 / -23 / 1 16/ -17/ Special foundry coke 42/ -45/ 4&i —4o j . 28/ -32/ Ordinary do. 38/ -40/ 38/ -40/ : 23/ -27/ Furnace coke 32/ -35/ 31/ -33/ 1 19/ -20/ Pitwood (ex-ship) 52/ -53/ j 52/ -53/ 23/6—24/ * Nominal. IRON. There is certainly a boom in the tin-plate trade, and the shipments last week were higher than for some months past. They amounted to 114,601 boxes, compared with 64,336 boxes received from works, thus reducing stocks to 279,975 boxes. The position is at present entirely satis- factory, and the demand is largely either British or French. Formerly large quantities of tin-plates were sold by Germany to France. That trade has gone. America endeavoured to corner the market, and succeeded to some extent whilst freights were on a moderate basis, but at the present time they are not in a position to compete, and the Welsh markets are more than holding their own. The volume of business is not so great as it ought to. be, but this is chiefly owing to the high prices of raw materials. Bersemer standard cokes have advanced to 25s., and oil sizes to 25s. 6d. and 36s. respectively, the highest rates known since the introduction of the McKinley tariff. In the galvanised sheet trade there is no improvement, and the only business of any importance is on Government account. Spelter has receded from =£100 to £85 per ton, and 24 gauge corrugateds are now obtainable at £25 10s. per ton. Welsh steel bars have again advanced, and are now quoted at £10 10s. to £11 per ton for both Siemens and Bessemer qualities. Pig iron is still firmer, and is offered at £6 17s. 6d. to £7 per ton delivered. In the iron ore market business is slow: but new dealings are being entered into on the bases of 32s. to 33s. for rubio, with an advance of as much as 2s. for best qualities. Secondary grades are 31s. to 32s. With even a slight relapse in the freight market there is no doubt that a considerable business could be completed. Scrap metals are dear, and recent quotations have been well maintained. Swansea. COAL. The trade of the port during the past week was again quiet, both the coal and patent fuel trades, dependant on the supply of tonnage, which was scarce, were inactive; the shipments together amounted to 71,178 tons. There was a capital attendance on ’Change, and the undertone of the anthracite coal market was a shade weaker. Swansea Valley large was more freely offered for immediate delivery at reduced figures. Red Vein large w as firm at last prices. Machine-made nuts and cobbles were strong. Rubbly culm and duff continued weak. In the steam coal market there was not quite such a brisk de and, and prices were slightly easier. Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). I Current iL’st week’s Last year’s Anthracite:— I prices. | prices. prices. Best malting large | (hand picked) ...... 36/ -37/6 ; 36/ -37/ 22/6-24 6 Secondary do. ... 34/6-36/ j 34/ -36/ 20 6-22/6 Big Vein large ...... 35/6-36/6 ■ 35/6-36/6 19 6-22/ ............ Red Vein large ...... 32/ —35/ ; 32/ -35/ 16/6-17/6 Machine-made cobbles 43/ -45/ j 43/ —45/ 24 6-26/6 Paris nuts ........... — j — — French do............. 47/ -49/6 | 47/ -49-'6 26/6-30/ Stove do.............. 44/ -47/6 ; 44/ -47/6 26/6-29/ Beans ................ 32/ -34/6 i 32/ -34/6 18/6-19/ Machine - made large peas _____............. 18/6-19/6 Do. fine peas ....' — Rubbly culm..........1 7/ - 8/ Duff..................! 2/6- 3/ Steam coals:— 18/6—19/6 7/3- 8/ 2/6- 3/ 12/6-13/0 3/9- 4/6 2/9- 3/6 Best large __........__ Seconds ____............. Bunkers.............. ................ Small ...............; Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— i Large.............. Thro’-and-thro’...... Small ....................... Patent fuel ............ 21/ -24/ 17/ -20/ 14/ -16/6 6/ - 8/ 20/ -24/ 17/ -19/ 13/6-15/6 6/ - 8/ 18 9-21 6 16/6-17'6 12/ -13/ 6/6- 8/9 23/6-26/9 15/6-16,6 22/ -23/ 17/6-18,6 10/ -10/9 15/6-16/6 23/ -26/ 15/ -16/ j 22/ -23/ _______________________ IRON. The trade of the district showed more activity during the past week. '1 he blastfurnaces were in full operation, and progress was noted at all steel furnaces. The tin-plate trade was improving, although some of the works were still on short time, and the galvanised sheet industry was decidedly busier. Bar-rolling mills at Cwmfelin, Landore, Worcester and Duffryn were actively engaged. Outputs at the Mannesmann Tube Works were greater than ever, and a steady increase in the production was reported at the Metal Extraction Works. Exceptional briskness was observed at the iron and brass fo mdries, whilst the fitting and engineering shops found it very difficult to cope with the demands made upon them. The shipments of tin-plates were 114,601 boxes, receipts from works 64,335 boxes, stocks in dock warehouses and vans 277,975 boxes. Llanelly. COAL. There is very little alteration noticeable in the coal trade, and any change that has taken place has been on the firm side. There is a very heavy enquiry for most kinds of coal, and prices are inclined to advance. Tonnage arrivals have shown but little alteration, and nearly all collieries have a difficulty in keeping at full work, owing to the large number of wagons which they have under load with stock. From inland the demand is very heavy, and owing to the lower outputs collieries are now compelled to refuse orders from even their regular customers; in fact, it is difficult to get collieries to quote for deliveries this side of February. All kinds of anthracite, with the exception of culm and duff, have a big demand, but the latter qualities are very easy and prices weak. The position in the steam coal market is slightly better, and it is thought that prices will soon be advancing, This week’s quotations approximately are : — Prices f.o.b. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Anthracite:— prices. 35/ -37/ prices. prices. Best malting large 35/ -37/ 23/ -24/ Secondary do. 33/ -35/ 33/ -35/ 21/ -22 6 Big Vein large 35/ -37/ 35/ -37/ 19/ -21/ • Red Vein do 33/ -35/ 31/ -33' 15/ -17/ Machine-made cobbles... 43’6-45/ 42' -44/ 24/ -25/6 German nuts 446-47/ 44'6-47/ 26/6-29/ French do 47/6-49/ 47 6-49/ 26 6-29/ Paris do 46/6-47/ 44/6-47/ 26 6-29/ Machine-made beans .. 32/ -34' 31/ -32/ 19/ -21' Do. peas 19/ -20/ 19/ -20' 13/ -13 6 Culm 7/ - 7'6 7/ - 7 6 4/ - 4 6 Duff 2/ - 2/6 2/ - 2 6 2/9- 3/6 Other sorts:— Large steam coal 22' -24/ 22/ -24/ 18/ -20/ Through-and-through... 14/6-16/6 14/ -15 6 10 9-11 3 Small 6/ - 8/ 6/ - 8./ 8' - 9/ Bituminous small coal... 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 9/ -10/ . We understand that Messrs. Yeadon, Son and Company. Leeds, have received an order from the Cramlington Coal Company Limited, for one of their complete, briquette plants to produce briquettes at the rate of 100 tons per day, half this production being of the rectangular and half of the ovoid forms.