1346 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. December 31, 1915. Orders for household coal from the London district and for country stations are much in excess of the supplies avail- able, and some time must elapse before there can be a return to anything like normal conditions. Fortunately there has been a slight improvement in the supply of empty railway-owned wagons which makes the deliveries to coal merchants more general. There are no stocks of any kind at the pits. The following are the quotations, subject to special modifications, which are now generally in operation at the collieries in this district:— further in arrear, and merchants are complaining strongly of the delay in despatching coal. Order books are well filled for all descriptions of fuel. There continues a heavy demand from the railborne districts, whilst shipments are good when the weather permits the movement of tonnage. Small coals are in better request than was the case about a month since. Prices at pithead. Prices at pit. Current Best household coal ..... Second, hand picked ..... Deep screened cobbles ... Deep large nuts ......... Bakers’ nuts............ Small nuts............... Deep breeze ............. Peas ................... Small dust .............. Main nuts for London kitcheners............... Steams, best hand picked Steams, seconds ......... Main cobbles for kitcheners Main breeze...........=. prices. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-14/ 12/ -13/ 13/ -13/6 11/ -12/ 5/ - 6/ 13/9-14/9 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 13/9-14/9 12/6-13/6 L’st week’s prices. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-14/ 12/ -13/ 13/ -13/6 11/ -12/ 5/ - 6/ Last year’s prices. 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/6 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/6 12/6-13/6 11/ -11/6 9/6-10/ 8/9- 9/3 1/9- 2/3 Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Block 21/6 | 21/6 18/6 Forest 20/6 i 20/6 17/6 Rubble 20/9 20/9 17/9 Nuts 19/ 19/ 16/ Rough slack Steam coal:— 11/6 11/6 7/6 Large i , 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 12/6-13/ Small 1 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 8/ - 8/3 Prices Is. 9d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. ton is being demanded. Coke remains very firm, but the recent Government restrictions have not affected this market, where the highest rates are obtained both for foreign and home consumption. Pitwood still remains very dear, and is quoted at 52s. to 53s. per ton. The Govern- ment returns for the month of November afford instructive reading, and indicate how the South Wales coal trade is being affected by the war and the .existing restrictive legislation. The following table shows the exports to the principal foreign countries during November 1915, compared with the corresponding period of last year :— 13/9-14/9 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 13/9-14/9 12/6-13/6 11/3-12/9 11/ -12/ 9/6-10/6 12/3-12/9 8/6- 9/ THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, December 30. Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Cardiff. COAL. South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The market was quiet after the holiday, and the attendance on ’Change was but moderate. Most of the collieries restarted on Wednesday or Thursday, and deliveries are likely to become normal next week. There is still no free coal on offer, and prices are regulated by contracts. A maximum price has been fixed for coke at 24s. a ton at ovens in South Yorkshire. The Lord Mayor has also come to an agreement with the executive committee of the Coal Merchants’ Association, under which the members of that body agree to limit their margin to a maximum not exceeding 7s. 6d. a ton over the cost at depot, which will make current prices to householders from 24s. to 30s. per ton in the usual deli- very area. Members who supply the coal yards and bag wagon men will undertake to withhold supplies to any dealer charging more than Is. 5d. to Is. 7d. per cwt. as a maximum ex coal yards and bag wagons, under present circumstances. IRON. The market was to a large extent of a holiday character. With the exception of those where important repairs were necessary, the works resumed on Wednesday or Thursday at the latest, and there was an accumulation of orders to start upon. Manufacturers have been compelled to further load their books, and have fixed premium prices in a number of cases. Various topics were discussed in the course of the afternoon. From January 1 the whole of the blastfurnaces in the district come under Government control. Prices, it is understood, are to be regulated, and at a meeting of Staffordshire blastfurnace proprietors during the after- noon the matter was discussed and a sub-committee appointed to wait upon the authorities in London. The question of pooling wagons, for which a movement is on foot, was also canvassed. This means a big sacrifice on the part of some firms who are well supplied with wagons, but it is so important that manufacturers should obtain regular supplies at the present time that no insuperable difficulty is likely to present itself to the carrying out of the scheme. Meanwhile pig iron producers are naturally acting cautiously, short contracts only being agreed to. The lower grades of Northamptonshire forge were quoted at 75s., better qualities being 2s. 6d. dearer and upwards. Derbyshire iron ranged from 78s. to 80s., Staffordshire part-mine from 77s. 6d. to 80s., and common 73s. 6d. to 75s. The bar branches occupy a strong position, makers being unable to meet the needs of customers. Unmarked qualities remain at <£13 to .£13 5s. delivered Birmingham, and nut and bolt iron at £12 10s. to £12 15s., delivered Darlaston. Some American iron has recently been arriving at £12 a ton, but for the time being there is no more on offer. Marked bars are retained at £13 10s., but North Staffordshire bars are 5s. a ton above that figure. Gas strip quotations are variable, but the bulk of the business is done at £13 5s. to £13 10s. Steel strip ranges from £16 to £16 10s. The sheet branches have gathered further strength. Galvanised sheets range from £25 to £27, corrugated black sheets from £16 to £17, with£l extra for painting, and plain black sheets £15 10s. to £16. Considerable congestion exists in the steel trade, transport difficulties being a primary cause. There is a tremendous demand for all kinds of material, and Government require- ments are such that little escapes into ordinary channels. Quite a famine in “semis” exists. Prices are high all round, being determined largely by conditions prevailing at the moment. Although business was suspended over the holidays, which lasted from Friday afternoon until Tuesday, the market opened exceedingly firm on Tuesday morning, and there were many enquiries both for immediate delivery and forward business. The gales which raged over the week end materially affected the supply of tonnage, with the result that the vessels in the Cardiff, Penarth and Barry docks on Monday only numbered about 230, as against 300 and odd on normal occasions. Buyers with prompt tonnage are still able to obtain material concessions from quoted prices, but for business ahead colliery salesmen are asking much higher prices, and there are indications that quotations in the early part of the new year at all events will be on a much higher level than the rates at present indicated. The shortage of tonnage has not been so much felt over the holidays owing to the suspension of operations by the colliers. On Tuesday, it was estimated that not more than 50 per cent, of the miners had resumed work, but it was anticipated that the pits would be fully employed on the Wednesday. On this occasion there has not been any inclination as in previous years to take the full week, and the greatest credit is due to the men for the way in which they have accepted the situation. Chartering, last week, only amounted to 126,820 tons, compared with 162,850 tons in the preceding six days, or a decrease of 36,030 tons. This, of course, is exceedingly disappointing, as the amount of tonnage necessary for carrying on the business of the port is far in excess of the figures quoted. With regard to prices, there is little alteration except that quotations are rather on the firmer side. Best and second Admiralties are, as for many months past, practically off the market. Second qualities are 24s. 6d. to 25s. 6d., and ordinaries 24s. to 25s. The same firmness has prevailed in the Monmouthshire coalfield, where best Black Veins have realised 24s. to 25s., western valleys 23s. 6d. to 24s. 6d., and easterns 22s. to 23s. per ton. In the small coal market there has been a con- siderable degree of irregularity. Best bunkers are 12s. 6d. to 13s. 6d., ordinary qualities Ils. 6d. to 12s., and cargo sorts 7s. 6d. to 9s. In some cases even lower rates have been obtained, but the concessions in these instances have been made in order to release wagons. The bituminous coal market remains firm, 23s. to 24s. being offered for Rhondda No. 3 large, 20s. to 21s. for through, and 19s. to 20s. for small. For No. 2 qualities the quotations are 20s. to 21s. for large, 16s. 6d. to 17s. 6d. for through, and Ils. to 12s. for small. In the patent fuel trade makers are busy, but owing to the shortage of labour it is difficult to estimate prices ahead. The spot quotation is 24s. to 25s., but for next month 27s. is being asked, and over next year 29s. per Nov. 1915. Nov. 1914. Tons. Tons. Sweden 3,234 ... 26,874 Norway 7,096 ... 5,885 Java — 6,808 France 705,932 ... 560,303 Algeria 28,342 ... 23,778 French Somaliland 5,101 Portugal 40,617 ... 52,148 Madeira 2,732 6,201 Spain 111,273 ... 48,745 Canary Islands 4,446 18,733 Italy 241,333 ... 334,976 Greece 4,994 ... 16,022 Chili 7,196 ... 356 Brazil 21,790 ... 49,669 Uruguay 25,005 11,172 Argentine Republic 122,077 138,567 Gibraltar 25,700 ... 13,126 Egypt 49,158 ... 89,715 Mauritius & Dependencies — 6,871 Aden and Dependencies 15,006 ... — British India — 5,871 West Africa—Portuguese... 18,678 .’. 1,502 „ French 12,503 ... 7,361 The Custom House returns show that the exports from the Bristol Channel ports for the eleven months of the year amounted to 17,064,224 tons, compared with 22,719,734 tons in the corresponding period of 1914, or a decrease of 5,655,510 tons. Of course, these figures do not include Admiralty shipments. The following table shows the amount of coal exported to foreign countries and British Possessions during the 11 months of the year:— Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that the wholesale demand for coal in the south of England has been of an average kind for the season. Although the retail demand has not been an unusual one, merchants in some districts have felt no little anxiety in regard to their stocks, as the railway companies have given notice of curtailment of supplies during the holidays, and at some stations for a longer period. Steamers are as scarce as ever, and very few sailing vessels are offering at the coal ports. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. Very few of the colliers returned to work on Tuesday, but there was a satisfactory resumption on Wednesday. The loss of three days’ output has thrown orders still Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Current (L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals:— prices, j prices. prices. Best Admiralty steam coals * * 21/ -22/ Superior seconds * * 20/ Ordinary do 24/6-25/6 23/ -25/ 18/ -19/ Best bunker smalls 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/ 12/ -12/6 Best ordinaries. 11/6-12/ 11/ -12/ 11/6-12/ Cargo qualities 7/6- 9/ 7/6- 9/ 10/6-11/ Inf prior smalls 6/ - 7/ 6/ - 7/ 9/6-10/ Best dry coals 25/ -26/6 25/ -26/ 19/ -20/ Ordinary drys 23/6-24/ 23/ -24/ 18/ -18/6 Best washed nuts 25/ -27/ 25/ -27/ 19/ Seconds 22/ -24/ 22/ -24/ 18/ Best washed peas 20/ -22/6 18/ -19/ 16/ Seconds 18/ -20/ 16/6-17/6 15/ Dock screenings 10/ -12/6 12/ -13/ 10/6 Monmouthshire— Black Veins 24/ -25/ 24/ -25/ 18/ Western-valleys 24/ -24/6 24/ -24/6 17/ Eastern-valleys 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 16/ Inferior do 22/ -23/ 21/ -22/ 15/6-16/ Bituminous coals Best house coals (at pit) 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 20/ Second qualities (at pit) 21/6-22/6 22/ -22/6 17/6-19/6 No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 18/ Through-and-through 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 15/6-16/ Small 18/6-19/ 18/ -18/6 13/ No. 2 Rhondda— Large 20/ -21/ 18/ -18/6 15/ -15/6 Through-and-through 16/ -17/ 14/6-15/6 12/6-13/ Small 12/ -12/6 11/ -12/ 9/ -10/ Best patent fuel 24/ -25/‘ 24/ -25/ 18/ Seconds 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 17/ Special foundry coke 42/6-45/ 42/ -45/ 28/ -32/ Ordinary do. 40/ -42/6 38/ -40/ 25/ -27/ Furnace coke 33/ -35/ 32/ -35/ 19/ -21/ Pitwood (ex-ship) 52/ -53/ 52/ -53/ 28/ -80/ * Nominal. Eleven months, ended Nov. Tons. Increase. Tons. Decrease. Tons. Russia 5,707 — .. 353,728 Sweden 66,638 .. 123,240 Denmark 34,006 — .. 10,448 Germany — — .. 174,423 Netherlands 27,924 — .. 56,237 Java 6,550 — .. 14,870 Other Dutch posses- sions — — .. 28,128 Belgium — — .. 246,922 France 7,988,158 ...1,851,834 . — Algeria 382,727 — .. 168,147 French Somaliland .. 27,584 — .. 14,075 Madagascar 13,554 — .. 6,260 Reunion (Bourbon).. — — .. 16,647 Portugal 585,318 — .. 59,062 Azores 35,049 8,429 .. — Madeira 46,897 — .. 17,692 Spain 809,771 — .. 210,301 Canary Islands 188,827 — .. 2^0,069 Italy : 2,972,888 — .1,588,720 Italian East Africa 5,043 — .. 11,818 Austria-Hungary ... — — .. 127,749 Greece 185,813 — .. 199,587 Bulgaria — — .. 63,238 Roumania — -— .. 183,535 Turkey — European 6,557 — .. 101,208 „ Asiatic ... 3,767 — .. 147,953 Tripoli — — .. 8,035 Tunis 82,417 — .. 45,706 Siam — — 5,667 China — — .. 9,932 Japan — — 5,352 Cuba — — .. 7,785 Peru 138 — .. 12,829 Chile 43,632 .. 194,587 Brazil 369,823 — .. 523,640 Uruguay 230,789 — .. 217,624 Argentine Republic.. 1,201,782 — .1,154,023 Channel Islands 37,507 — .. 23,705 Gibraltar 193,375 11,598 ., — Malta and Gozo 99,751 — .. 49,687 Egypt 777,062 — .. 745,699 Cape of Good Hope 7,017 — .. 19,227 Anglo - Egyptian Sudan 22,378 — .. 14,211 Mauritius and De- pendencies 8,813 — .. 11,512 Aden and Dependen- cies 120,629 — ,. 10,002 British India 19,320 — 1,544 Straits Settlements 2,459 — .. 14,879 Ceylon and Depen- dencies 40,926 .. 187,262 Canada 394 — .. 12,765 Bermudas — — .. 10,530 British West India Islands 2,573 — .. 13,952 Falkland Islands ... 27,501 21,781 . — West Africa—British 53,694 — .. 34,634 „ French 112,220 35,992 . — „ Portuguese 116,634 11,020 . — IRON. The tin-plate industry is certainly enjoying a period of prosperity which has not been experienced for a great number of years ; but unfortunately the shortage of labour, and the high cost of raw material, is preventing the manu- facturer from taking the full advantage of the situation. Last week there were received from works 72,333 boxes, whilst only 45,689 boxes were exported, leaving 322,259 boxes in stock in the docks warehouses and vans. Prices are still on the upward grade, Bessemer standard cokes being 25s. to 26s., and oil sizes 25s. 6d. to 26s. 6d. and 36s. to 37s. respectively. Welsh steel bars are very scarce, and command £11 to £11 10s. for both Siemens and Bessemer qualities. In the galvanised sheet trade there is no change