March 3, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 419 rounds of thiee-eighths size were again quoted at £15 a ton, and larger sizes, to 11 in., ranged from <£13 15s. to £14 5s. Pig iron seems to have steadied since the maximum prices were fixed. Derbyshire makers now ask the maximum, and most of them get it, namely 91s. for forge qualities delivered in the district. Northampton- shire makers are content with more modest quotations, the lowest being 84s. for Northamptonshire forge, better grades being 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. higher. It is understood a price of 3s. 3d. a ton has been fixed for iron ore. In normal times the price was Is. lOd to 2s. a ton. Staffordshire pigs remained as last week, part-mine, the brand mostly used, fetching 87s. 6d. The quotation for galvanised sheets remained at <£28 a ton, despite dearer spelter ; black corrugated sheets were £18, and painted £19. The output in the sheet trade continues small. In the steel market the scarcity of billets is, where possible, being overcome to some extent by the use of shell discards—the ends of the bar which all Government specifi- cations provide must be cut off. These discards can be utilised for structural purposes, though there are many uses to which they cannot be put. The fact that consumers are willing to pay as much as £11 a ton for them indicates their anxiety to secure them. What American steel is coming is against old orders. New orders are not being accepted owing to shipment difficulties. anent the quoting for gas coal for current year’s contracts. The Portmadoc Gas Coal Committee are asking for tenders, but what the basis of the quotation will be has not yet apparently been decided upon. Tenders are also required for the supply of coal to the King Edward VII. West Wales Sanatorium for the coming year. The price of slack is rising rapidly, and it is impossible to buy good rough slack at less than Ils. per ton. --------------------- Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that the wholesale coal market in the south-western counties shows little animation. Supplies have been fairly well maintained, chiefly by rail from inland collieries. The policy of hand-to-mouth purchases is being generally pursued, and this is favoured by the fact that the railways are running more smoothly, and there is far less delay in dealing with the large amount of traffic passing over the various railway systems. Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COAL. During the earlier days of the week the steam coal trade showed considerable irregularity in conditions, the chief cause of which was the prevailing scarcity of tonnage. The best class collieries monopolised the greater portion of the tonnage in dock, leaving other pits to face an awkward deficiency. Later in the week tonnage arrivals were better, and tended to ease the situation, but another disturbing factor was the restriction of licences, which have not been granted with the freedom desired. There has been quite a fair enquiry for smalls, especially best bunkering sorts, and relatively these are the firmest spot in the market. House coals continue in good demand, with supplies not so plentiful as desired, labour difficulties still depressing outputs to a considerable extent. Patent fuel shows very little change. Pitwood supplies have come along in much improved quantities, latest values ruling upon 49s. to 50s. for good wood from any locality. In the freight market outward chartering has been confined by reason of the limited amount of tonnage offered and difficulties in arranging fixtures with leading collieries. Freights have been very firm, with a tendency to increase. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. Lydney. Forest of Dean. COAL. In view of the sharp spell of wintry weather conditions, all the collieries in this district report a heavier call from the house coal merchants. The difficulty of increasing the amount of supply, however, continues, and delay in despatching coal is inevitable. Order books which had become slightly easier are filling up again rapidly. Ship- ments are still comparatively low on account of delayed tonnage. Consignments along the line are heavy. All steam qualities are in heavy request, and there is no possibility of fully satisfying buyers. Prices at pithead. 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. 34/ -34/6 32/6-33/6 31/ -32/ 30/ -31/ 16/ -17/ 11/ -14/ 9/ -10/ 16/6-17/ 22/ -23/ 26/ -27/ 22/ -23/ 21/ -22/ 32/ -34/ 45/ —46/ 37/6-40/ L’st week’s Last year’s Drices. prices. 35*/ -36/ .25/ -26/ 35/ -36/ ' 24/6-25/ 34/ -34/6 ' 23/6-24/6 33/ -33/6 ! 22/6-23/ 18/ -19/ (17/6-18/ 17/ —17/6 | 17/ -17/6 13/6-15/ | 16/6-17/ 18/6-19/ 18/ -18,6 23/6-25/ | 17/6-18/6 27/6-28/6 19/ -20/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 33/ -34/ 37/6-40/ 45/ -46/ 22/ -24/ 20/ -22/ 25/ -28/ 25/ -27/ 30/ -33/ House coals:— Block Current prices. 21/6 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 21/6 prices. 21/6 Forest 20/6 20/6 20/6 Rubble 20/9 20/9 20/9 Nuts 19/ 19/ 19/ Rough slack 11/6 11/6 10/6 Steam coal:— Large 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 17/ -17/6 Small 13'6-14/ 13/6-14/ 11/ -12/ Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. THE WELSH COAL AKD IROH TRADES. Thursday, March 2. Horth Wales. Wrexham. COAL. The coal business in this locality still continues in a flourishing condition in all departments, the only trouble at the present time being that the output is so restricted. All the collieries are working normal time, except at the Bersham Colliery, where a dispute has arisen. During the past week a heavy snowstorm has materially quickened the demand for house coal. Merchants are pressing for supplies, and those sending their own wagons are getting preference, though as far as is possible coalowners are endeavouring to meet the demand of all buyers in this department as well as at the local retail depots. In the case of steam coal, the demand is as great as ever. Railway companies and manu- facturers are pressing greatly for supplies. There is also a quickened demand for coal for shipment from Ellesmere Port, Garston, and Birkenhead, as well as the Dee ports. Gas companies also press for supplies on account of their current contracts. The supply of large coal for this trade is being maintained as well as possible, but nuts are par- ticularly scarce. Gas coke continues in good demand. Slack, too, is getting more scarce every day, and it is very difficult to get an order of any magnitude fulfilled with promptitude. With reference to the prices ruling at the time of writing, of course the inclement weather has caused the price of house coal to harden slightly, to the extent of 6d. to Is. per ton. The price asked for steam coal has not altered appreciably. There is still an element of uncertainty Prices at pit. 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. 22/ -23/ 21/’ -22/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 17/6-18/ L’st week’slLast year’s prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/6 j 17/6-18/ 11/ -12/6 ! 10/ —11/6 21/8-25/ i -21/8-25/ prices. 17/ -19/ 16/ -17/ 13/ -15/ 13/ -15/ 12/ -14/ 12/6-13/6 6/6- 8/4 13/4-16/8 26/ -28/4 ; 25/ -27/6 25/ -26/8 : 22/6-25/ 15/10-17/6 15/ —16/8 23/4-26/8 20/ -22/6 10/ -13/4 IRON. The local iron and steel markets show no material altera- tion on the week; the tone is steady all round, and any alterations in values are inclined upwards The position of tin-plate and sheet bars continues firm, with no alteration in quotations, which are again at £12 10s. for both Bessemer and Siemens. Steel rails are steady at last week’s figures of £11 10s. for heavy sections with the usual extras for light. With blastfurnaces fully sold for some period ahead, very little is doing in the way of new busi- ness in Welsh hsematite, and values remain at last week’s figure of £7 10s. delivered locally. Iron ore continues steady on the basis of 40s. for best rubio c.i.f. Newport. Tin-plates have again advanced in sympathy with zthe increasing difficulties in the labour market, and there are buyers to-day at 27s. to 27s. 3d. I C. 20 x 14, and 54s. 6d. for 28 x 20, either Bessemer or Siemens, other sizes and grades pro rata. Cardiff. COAL. Tonnage has continued scarce, and new records have been reached in the freight market. For instance, 83s. has been paid for Genoa options, Marseilles 92 fr., Bordeaux 52 fr., Havre 25s., Nantes 46^ fr., St. Nazaire 46^ fr., River Plate 47s., and Rio de Janeiro 48s. With such high figures ruling it is not to be wondered at that the market during the past few days has been irregular. Owing to the recent storms Admiralty tonnage became considerably delayed, and the authorities immediately requisitioned a large number of vessels which had arrived for merchants. The result was that in order to fulfil their obligations the latter had to go into the open market and charter on the best terms possible. Had it not been for the storms and the action of the Admiralty, it is generally thought that these extravagant rates would not have been paid. The Admiralty have released a certain proportion of inferior qualities of coal, but practically some of the best, and middlemen, in order to avail themselves of the coal thus freed, have been prepared to accept considerable reductions from the quoted figures, provided that anything like prompt shipment could be given. Although prices are nominally in the neighbour- hood of 34s. to 36s. for second grade Admiralties, and also for best Monmouthshires, a number of transactions have taken place round about 30s. It is anticipated, however, that should tonnage arrive in greater quantities, the former level of prices will be again speedily reached. The demand for coal in neutral countries is as pressing as ever, and the general complaint is that although thoy are prepared to pay the price, the coal is not forthcoming. The small coal market has also been disorganised in great measure through the action of the Licensing Committee in checking exports, in order, as they state, to keep the coal in the country for home consumption and works requirements. The Committee, however, do not seem to be aware that so far as South Wales is concerned a comparatively limited quantity of small coal is taken by works, the great bulk of the output being for export business. This action, coupled with the recent bad weather, has resulted in the accumulation of a large tonnage of small coal in the wagons, with the usual result, that merchants who were in a position to accept prompt delivery were able to purchase at prices materially below the quoted figures. It is reported that cargo smalls have changed, hands at as low as Ils., although for com- mitments later on in the month, and also for suc- ceeding months, very much higher prices are demanded. Bunker coal has also suffered, and transactions, which a few weeks ago were difficult to negotiate at 19s. 6d. to 20s., have been done at 17s. 6d. The same observations apply in this case as to other descriptions, and as soon as what the market considers a temporary lull has passed away consider- ably higher rates will not only be asked, but obtained. It is freely mentioned on ’Change that the Admiralty have invited tenders for a large quantity of small coal, which in all probability is intended for our Allies. The total require- ments are not specified, but individual firms have been asked to quote for quantities of 20,000 tons. When these orders have been placed, respecting the shipment of which there will be no question as to the provision of tonnage, there is every reason for believing that the market will be favourably affected. With regard to prices generally the figures given are more or less nominal, and although lower rates are taken in individual cases, the general quotation remains unaltered. House coals, which are very scarce and not equal to the demand, remain on the same basis as was fixed last autumn. For bituminous coals there is a good demand, and some descriptions are almost unobtainable. Patent fuel makers are practically out of market so far as new business is concerned, and it is only an occasional parcel that can be purchased. Best qualities are firmly quoted at 37s. 6d., subject to stem, and second grades 34s. to 35s. Coke is very dear, and high prices are being obtained. Chartering last week showed a consider- able increase, and amounted to 133,450 tons, against 62,200 tons in the preceding six days, or an increase of 71,250 tons. This is the best week since January 10. Shipments during the week amounted to 307,181 tons, compared with 429,841 tons in the corresponding week of last year, or a decrease of 122,660 tons. From Cardiff there were exported 186,206 tons, or nearly 24,000 tons in excess of the previous week, but there is a decrease of 96,668 tons compared with the corresponding week of last year. From Newport there were shipped 64,615 tons, or a decrease of 16,364 tons ; from Swansea 32,923 tons, or a decline of 11,736 tons; and from Port Talbot 23,437 tons, or an increase of 2,108 tons. The returns of the . Statistical Office of the London Custom House show that the quantity of coal shipped coastwise from the Bristol Channel during the month of January amounted to 77,517 tom, compared with 108,711 tons in the corresponding month of 1915. The shipments from Cardiff were 45,326 tons, of which 15,767 tons went to Bristol, and 16,940 tons to London. From Newport there were despatched 37,720 tons, of which Dublin took 9,570 tons, Cork 6,985 tons, and Bristol and Avonmouth 7,204 tons. Briton Ferry shipped 4,771 tons, and Swansea 15,499 tons, of which, 6,900 tons went to Dagenham. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). 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— Larg’e.............. Through-and-through Small .............. Best patent fuel ....... Seconds ................ Special foundry coke ... Ordinary do. ........... Furnace coke .........: Pitwood (ex-ship) ....| Current prices. __* __* 34/ -35/ 33/ -34/ 17/6-18/6 16/ -17/ 12/ -14/ 10/ -11/ 35/ -36/ 33/ —34/ 28/ -30/ 25/ -27/ 27/ -28/ 24/6-25/6 14/ —15/6 33/ -35/ 33/ -34/ 32/ -33/ 30/6-31/6 23/ -24/ 21/6-22/6 33/ -34/ 27/ -28/ 24/ -25/ 29/ -30/ 24/ -25/ 16/ -17/ 37/6 33/ -35/ 50/ -55/ 47/6-50/ 42/6-45/ 50/ -51/ * Nominal. j L’st week’s Last year’s | prices. 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/ 26/6-27/6 26/6 25/6 ’ 18/6 I 18/ ■ 16/6-17/ 1 15/ -16/ 25/ -26/ 23/ -24/ 19/6-20/ 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 15/ -16/ 35/ -36/ 35/ -36/ 34/ -35/ 33/ -34/ 23/ -24/ 21/6-22/6 24/9 23/3-24/3 23/9 20/ -22/ 24/ -25/ 20/ —23/ 33/ -34/ 22/ -22/6 27/ -28/ ; 21/6 ' 24/ -25/ 20/ 30/6-31/6 21/6-22/ 25/ —26/ 19/ 17/ -18/ j 17/ -17/6 35/ -37/6 I 25/ -27/ 32/ -33/ 22/ -24/ 50/ -55/ j 34/ -37/ 47/ -50/ | 30/ -32/ 42/ -45/ 25/ -27/ ( 50/ -51/ | 40/ -41/ IRON. The position of the tin-plate trade is becoming more difficult week by week, not only on account of the shortage of materials but also the continual drain of men into the army. Shipments last week were much below the average, and only amounted to 42,558 boxes, against 72,285 boxes received from works, leaving in stock at the docks ware- houses and in vans 286,253 boxes. Prices have again advanced, Bessemer standard cokes 14 x 20 being 27s., oil sizes 181| x 14 27s. 6d. to 27s. 9d., and 20 x 10 sheets 38s. 9d. These figures are considerably in excess of previous records, and it is believed they will become materially higher in the near future. Spelter has advanced to £110, the highest quotation since the com- mencement of the war, and an increase of about 20s. per ton is announced in galvanised sheets. This is not the result of any abnormal demand, but in con- sequence of the rapid and continuous increase in the cost of material. Quotations for 24-gauge corrugateds are now on the basis of £29 to £30. Welsh pig iron is almost unobtainable except for the purpose of munition making, and the quotation is practically withdrawn. Siemens and Bessemer bars are quoted a,t £12 10s. and upwards. Recent business in iron ore has been on a f.o.b. basis, and every- thing depends on the freight market. Present rates work out at 38s. to 39s. per ton for best rubio, and 35s. 6d. for second grades. There is a good demand for scrap metals, but difficulty is experienced in obtaining supplies. Heavy wrought is 95s., light wrought 65s., cast 70s. to 72s. 6d., double-headed iron rails 100s., B.H. and D.H. steel ditto £6, mixed sections 105s., steel castings 100s., punchings and shearings 87s. 6d. per ton.