February 25, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 371 with 30s. extra for marked qualities. Probably the official figures, when published, will not be far removed from those quoted, but be that as it may they certainly did not come into operation to-day, inasmuch as producers of merchant bars were quoting from <£13 10s. to £13 15s., and marked qualities were <£13 10s., plus a premium of £1 a ton. Works are kept going to their full capacity. Por 10 days-or so the call for small rounds for export has fallen, and quotations are easier at £15 a ton. The pig iron market was strong, as it has been recently, and sales are reported to be normal. Of course, output is considerably reduced from what it was in peace times, and no stocks are accumulating. Por Northamptonshire forge 84s. was the lowest quotation heard of. Derbyshire makers are getting 90s. net for forge iron and 2s. 6d. extra for foundry, delivered at consumers’ works, which is within Is. of the maximum. Staffordshire part-mine was obtainable at 85s. 6d. to 87s. 6d. Galvanisers are again in a position to quote for small lots. They have been off the market for a few weeks, and have utilised the interval to get what sheet bars they could, and also replenish supplies of spelter, which, by the way, has now reached £107 a ton, delivered in this district. The minimum quotation for galvanised sheets was £28 for 24-gauge, with 40s. on the top of that far 25^gauge, and 70s. extra for 26-gauge. Black sheets worked out at £18 a ton, and £19 if painted. Sheet makers are paying £12 to £12 10s. a ton for sheet bars. No American supplies are coming, and only odd lots of billets, the price of which is £12 10s c.i.f. Liverpool. The steel trade generally is pretty much as it was. The Government control is, if anything, tightening, and for anything avail- able outside there are no standard prices. Everything depends on the circumstances of the moment. At no time has there been less scrap iron on offer. Gas strip is in active demand at £13 15s. to £14. THE WELSH COAL AMD IRON TRADES. Thursday, February 24. Lydney. Forest of Dean. COAL. There continues a good general demand for coal of all qualities from this area, but the shortage of fuel remains pronounced though the pits are all fully engaged, and very little business is being done with other than regular customers. The demand for household coal, stimulated by the colder weather, is much in excess of supplies. Ship- ments are still quiet owing to lack of tonnage, but heavy loads are leaving for the inland districts. All classes of steam coal are in such active demand that the quantity produced is inadequate to meet the requirements of the market. Prices at pithead. North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. The coal trade of this locality remains in a steady and firm state; the collieries are working full time, and the demand for fuel is much greater than the available output. Orders for house coal come to hand freely, merchants are pressing for deliveries, and those who are able to send in their own wagons have a preference, as most of the colliery wagons are required for the despatch of steam coal. The landsale business, as well as the railborne, is of a brisk character, and there is no lack of orders in the retail trade. Gas companies are pressing for deliveries on account of expiring contracts, and while sellers are doing what they can to meet the requirements, it is quite evident that, when the time for completion of existing contract expires-- it will be found that most contracts are in arrear owing to the greatly reduced output in this class of fuel. The demand for gas coke continues to be well maintained. Steam coal is still greatly in demand. There is a distinct improvement in the shipping coal trade at the Mersey and Dee ports. As to small coal, nuts are particularly scarce, as only a limited tonnage is now made, the bulk of which has to be sent on account of gas coal contracts. There is also a great demand for slack, greater in fact than the supply. As regards general prices, there has been little change during the past week, but, if anything, there is a tendency for prices to stiffen somewhat. There have been but few gas coal quotations made during the week, though negotia- tions have been commenced in regard to the renewal contracts, but as there does not appear to have been any basis for quoting agreed upon, little has been done in reference to the settlement of any contracts, but the standard list price for large gas coal is 18s. to 19s. per ton, and gas nuts are offered at 17s. 6d. to 18s. at pit. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— i prices. prices. prices. Block I 21/6 21/6 21/6 Forest i 20/6 20/6 20/6 Rubble ! 20/9 20/9 20/9 ’ Nuts : 19/ ! 19/ 19/ Rough slack ....... Steam coal:— ..! 11/6 11/6 10/6 Large i 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 16/ -17/ Small 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/ 10/6-11/6 Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. 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. 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 10/ —11/6 21/8-25/ 25/ -27/6 22/6-25/ 15/ -16/8 L’st week’slLast year’s prices. | prices. 21/ -22/ { 17/ -19/ 20/ -21/ ; 16/ -17/ 18/ -19/ j 13/6-15/ 18/ -19/ ! 13/ -14/6 17/6-18/6 (: 13/ -15/ 17/ -18/ | 12/ -13/6 10/ -11/ ; 6/ - 8/ 21/8-23/4 | 13/4-16/8 25/ -27/6 | 23/4-26/8 22/6-25/ ; 20/ -22/6 15/ —16/8 10/ -13/4 THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, February 24. Dublin. Business in most of the qualities is fairly brisk, and there is no further change in any of the quotations recently ruling, viz.: Best Orrell, 37s. per ton; Hulton Arley, 36s.; best Wigan, 35s.; best Whitehaven, 35s.; best kitchen, 33s.; Orrell slack, 29s.; all less .Is. per ton discount for cash. House coal, retail, 2s. 4d. per sack. Welsh steam coal, from 36s. per ton; Scotch, 31s.; best coke, 38s. per ton delivered. Pit prices of Irish coals at Wolfhill Collieries, Queen’s County, ate Best large coal, 30s. per ton; best household coal, 28s. 4d.; culm, all prices from 3s. 4d. per ton upwards, f.o.r. Athy, the nearest railway connection with the mines, 5s. per ton extra. 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. Recent sea conditions have been unfavourable for the import trade, and many steamers have been out of position. The coal vessels arriving during the past week amounted to 44, chiefly from Garston, Campbel- town, Glasgow, Newport, Maryport, Preston, Birkenhead, Ayr, Partington, Ellesmere Port, Troon, Liverpool, and Workington. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was only 15,500 tons, as compared with 20,000 tons the week previously. Belfast. There is no change of any importance, except that the household trade has been rather more active, owing to wintry weather. In the matter of supplies, there is not much improvement, and stocks are still low. Prices are without change. Current quotations for household coals are :—Best Arley, 38s. 6d. per ton; best Wigan, 37s. 6d.; Scotch house- hold, 34s. 6d.; Orrell nuts, 37s. 6d.; Orrell slack, 34s. 6d. Coal-laden vessels arriving in the port during the week were from Troon, Glasgow, Preston, Ardrossan, Garston, Elles- mere Port, Maryport, Cardiff, Irvine, Ayr, Silloth, White- ' haven, Swansea, Point of Aire, and Workington. Recent returns of the Harbour Commissioners show that the imports of coal to this port for 1915 were 1,320,778 tons, as compared with 1,255,537 tons for 1914; the exports being 14,756 tons, as against 16,376 tons. The' imports of coke for 1915 amounted to 21,238 tons, as compared with 11,451 tons in 1914; the exports being 1 ton, as against 11 tons in 1914. Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COAL. For a day or two this week, conviction seized the market that values were going to break, and there were indications that for prompt delivery collieries would be looking for customers. While weakness has by no means vanished, the later aspect of the situation shows there has been actually little change from last week. Tonnage is now in fair supply, having come along beyond anticipations, and eased the position so far as stocks were concerned. Beyond the present month colliery salesmen continue optimistic, expressing great confidence in the steadiness of the market, to which view the more active tone of the outward chartering market lends material support. Difficulties in connection with obtaining export licences render tonnage more awkward to deal with, and it is to be hoped that these troubles can be eliminated to a great extent. Smalls are clearly the weakest feature in the trade to-day, but here, too, the falling away seems more apparent than real, for some collieries are even now refusing business, being well covered for the present, and with no inclination to grant inducements for any forward business. Throughs, nuts, and house coals maintain firmly their recent values. Pit- wood is now quoted 49s. 6d. to 50s. for good wood, but the supply continues far below what buyers would like. A good deal of local grown wood is now being used, one Western Valley colliery securing, at auction, a fine quantity of growing timber, one lot of which was knocked down to them at £2,500. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. their own prices for any free lots. At tin-plate and sheet- bar mills work continues uniformly good, full outputs being recorded. Little actual business is being put through; as makers are not inclined to add to their present commit- ments, but on the week official prices have advanced sharply, not less than 10s. per ton; £12 10s. or higher is to-day being named for both Bessemer and Siemens Welsh bars. Steel rails, too, show increased strength, with values harder at £11 10s. for heavy sections, with the usual extras for light sections. Welsh haematite shows little alteration. The demand for local use continues unabated, values remaining firm on the basis of £7 10s. for forward delivery. Iron ore remains steady around 40s. best rubio c.i.f. Newport. Tin- plates are higher on the week, advances of 6d. to Is. per box being general, with a trend towards further increases. Stocks are smaller, and with outputs restricted 26s. 6d. to 26s. 9d. is being asked for 20 x 14 Bessemer or Siemens.. Cardiff. COAL. Although the stormy weather of the last few days has greatly affected the arrival of shipping, the position has' been such that vessels in port have been sufficient to meet’ all requirements, and there has been no shortage of tonnage. At the time of writing, no difficulty was being experienced,' and there was the probability that as the storms subsided vessels would arrive in greater numbers. 'I here was there- fore no anxiety with regard to the immediate future, and: rates were fully maintained. Outputs are much below the. normal, and as the Admiralty authorities are taking increasing quantities of coal, there is a restrictive influence on licences for shipment to neutral countries. Collieries doing Government business are practically helpless so far the market is concerned, and fluctuations are a matter of indifference. As a matter of fact there is very little free coal available, and what quantity is saleable commands; high prices, principally for the purpose of completing’ cargoes which have received Admiralty sanction for export. Shipments last week were 312,033 tons, compared with 487,165 tons in the corresponding week of last year, or a decrease of 175,132 tons. From Cardiff alone there were exported 162,730 tons, against 317,728 tons in the corre-\ sponding period, or a decrease of 154,998 tons. From Newport the quantity was 77,981 tons, or a falling-/ off of 2,548 tons; from Swansea 50,529 tons, or an increase of % 2,131 tons; and from Port Talbot 20,793 tons, or a decline of 19,717 tons. Prices have been well maintained, and in some cases are higher than they were/ a week ago. Second Cardiff steams are 35s. 6d. to 36 s. 6d.,' an advance of fully Is., and ordinary qualities realise 3 Is., to 35s. Monmouthshires have risen in proportion, best Black Veins being 35s. to 36s., Western Valleys the same, and Easterns about Is. less. The Government is taking a much larger quantity of Monmouthshire coals, but it is believed that this is for the purpose of supplying the requirements of the Italian and Egyptian authorities. The only weak spot in the market is the demand for small coal. Large quantities are being shipped to France, : but for some reason or other the quotations are easy,, and in some cases almost nominal. Best bunkers have declined to 18s. to 18s. 6d., ordinaries 17s. to 18s., whilst cargo qualities are obtainable at anything between ' Ils. and 14s. 6d. per ton. In patent fuel the shipments have not been so heavy, but local makers are fully booked, and outputs are as great as they possibly can be unless efforts are made to increase the labour supply. Some firms are not working more than 75 per cent, of their usual, capacity, and nothing can be done without a release of the semi-skilled labour required to produce the briquettes. Coke is scarce and dear, and high prices are being realised. Pitwood is scarce owing to the storms, and an advance of several shillings has been recorded, the present rates being ' 50s. to 51s. per ton. According to the Government returns, the amount of coal exported from the Bristol Channel ports during January amounted to 1,524,993 tons, against 1,697,777 tons in the corresponding month of last year; From Cardiff there were shipped 855,363 tons, against 1,013,468 tons ; from Newport 276,087 tons, against 314,571 tons ; from Port Talbot 144,271 tons, against 87,210 tons ; and from Swansea 243,017 tons, compared with 271,759 tons. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Partnerships Dissolved.—The London Gazette announces dissolution of the following partnerships :—P. Baker, M. F. Jones, and. J. G. Dorotich, pit wood and timber merchants,- at 23a, Mount Stuart-square, Cardiff, as John G. Dorotich and Company; A. C. Markes and J. Mackintosh, carrying on business as coal merchants and shipping agents at Gibraltar and London, under the style of Crusoe Mackintosh and Company. 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 prices. 35/ -36/ 35/ -36/ 34/ -34/6 33/ -33/6 18/ -19/ 17/ -17/6 13/6-15/ 18/6-19/ 23/6-25/ 27/6-28/6 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 33/ -34/ 37/6-40/ 45/ -46/ L’st week’s Last year’s prices. I prices. 35*/ -36/ I 21/ -22/ 35/ -36/ | 20/6—22/ 34/ -34/6 [-20/ —21/ 33/ -33/6 1 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ , 15/9-16/3 16/6-17/6 I 15/3-15/6 13/6-15/ 14/6-15/ 18/6-19/ 16/ -16/3 23/ -24/ | 15/6-16/6 27/ -28/ 17/6-18/ 23/ -24/ 22/ —23/ 33/ -34/ 37/6-40/ 45/ -46/ 20/ -22/ 19/ -20/ 21/ -23/ 23/ -25/ 30/ —31/ IRON. • The recent strength of the local iron and steel trades is being well maintained, and since last week several advances are to be noted. Enquiry continues good, but with producers well booked for the present, buyers find it difficult to arrange for their further requirements, works demanding Steam coals:— ■ Best Admiralty steam coals ................ Superior seconds ..... 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) ......I Current prices. __* __* 35/6-36/6 34/ -35/ 18/ —18/6 17/ -18/ 11/ -14'6 10/ -11/ 36/ -37/ 35/ -36/ 26/ -28/6 23/ -25/6 25/ —26/6 22/6-23/ 14/ —15/ 35/ -36/ 35/ -36/ 34/ -35/ 33/ -34/ 23/ -24/ 21/6-22/6 33/ -34/ 27/ -28/ 24/ -25/ 30/6-31/6 25/ -26/ 17/ —18/ 35/ -37/6 32/ -33/ 50/ -55/ 47/ -60/ 42/ -45/ 50/ -51/ * Nominal. L’st week’s Last year’s . prices. prices. __* __* 34/ —36/ 33/ —34/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 13/ —14/6 12/ -13/ - 35/ -36/ 34/ -35/ 28/ -30/ 26/ -27/ 25/ -26/ 23/ -24/ 15/ -16/ 23/ -23/6 22/6. - 21/6-21/9 17/6-17/9 17/ -17/3 15/6-16/ 14/ -14/6 22/ -23/. 20/ -21/ 19/6 . 17/6-18/:. 17/6 16/ -16/6 15/6—16/ 34/6-35/ 22/ -22/6.- • 34/ -34/6 j - 21/6 '. 32/6-33/. i 20/9-21/ : 31/6-32/ 19/6-20/ 23/ -24/ 22/ '' 21/6—22/6 19/ —21/ 32/ -34/ 21/ -22/ 27/ -28/ j . 20/6 : 21/ -23/ j .. 20/ ;. ; 30/ -31/ i 19/ 22/ -24/ i 17/ 17/ -18/ I 15/6—16/ 35/ -37/6 i 23/ -25/ 32/ -33/ 1 21/ —22/ 45/ -47/6 33/ -35/ . 41/ -44/ 28/ -31/ 32/ -35/ 23/ -25/ | 48/ -50/ 36/6-37/6