June 16, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.1147 __ ________________________ looked for with interest. This shortage and the general uncertainty regarding export business induce buyers to seek easier terms, and best qualities of both large and small are quoted 2s. to 2s. 6d. less than a week ago, while inferior qualities have fallen away to a greater extent. Chartering has been extremely quiet, tonnage being scarce, and rates very steady for the few steamers offered. Pitwood supplies are much more plentiful, but quickly absorbed, best French fir changing hands at 40s. to 41s. being a reduction of 5s. to 6s. on the week. IRON. There is no material alteration to report in the conditions of the local iron and steel trades. The shortage of labour is seriously hampering the industry. Generally speaking, values are exceedingly strong all round, any change being towards higher figures. Work at tin-plate bar mills con- tinues very brisk, last week’s quotations of <£1410s. for both Bessemer and Siemens bars being wed maintained, while fresh orders are most difficult to place. Bails, with few free parcels about, are unaltered at <£14. Makers of Welsh haematite are fully employed with Government orders, very little pig iron being free to offer outside these. Officially, quotations for Welsh haematite remain as a week ago. For iron ore there is a heavy demand, with prices steady. Imports are comparatively brisk, with more cargoes coming along. The tinplate market is very firm, with the demand more than makers like to accept. Last ruling quotations are based upon 37s. 3d. to 37s. 6d. for 20 x 14 Bessemer or Siemens primes. Cardiff. COAL. During the past week conditions have been irregular, partly owing to the Government restriction of coal prices and of freights to French ports. Efforts have been made unsuccessfully to obtain modifications, and the market has not yet settled down. Tonnage has not been coming forward so freely as of late, and there is a feeling that within the next fortnight there will be such a shortage that the supplies will overtake the demand. About a week ago there were nearly 350 steamers in the various docks awaiting cargoes. These have been reduced by about a hundred, and the curtailment of output owing to the Whitsuntide holiday has affected the situation, though the absenteeism was less than was expected, about 80 to 85 per cent, of the men having resumed work on the Tuesday, so that the output will be very little lower than usual. The tonnage difficulty is a question that now faces the colliery pro- prietors. Supplies of shipping are now getting below the normal, with the result that salesmen are becoming anxious as to the future, and shippers with vessels at their prompt disposal have been able to obtain concessions from the collieries. So far as the best and superior second Admiralty producing collieries are con- cerned, there is no change, as all their supplies are com- mandeered by the Government. The demand for other qualities, however, is not so keen, and the embargo which was placed on Greek boats a week ago has tended to an easier market, At the time of the restriction there were vessels aggregating 58,597 tons in the Bristol Channel ports, and there was a temporary lull, which caused quota- tions to fluctuate considerably. The regulations have been modified, and Greek vessels with cargoes to neutral ports allowed to proceed. There is such a demand for coal from other quarters that this restriction has had little effect on the market, and prices have not been materially affected. Chartering last week was not so satisfactory, the amount of tonnage taken up being only 72,585 tons, against 99,340 tons in the preceding six days, or a falling-off of 26,755 tons. Shipments last week were 443,519 tons, compared with 403,892 tons in the corresponding week of last year, or an increase of 39,627 tons. From Cardiff the exports were 274,773 tons, against 242,311 tons, or an increase of 32,422 tons ; from Newport 58,390 tons, or an increase of 3,865 tons ; from Swansea 69,428 tons, or a decrease of 8,801 tons; and from Port Talbot 40,968 tons, or an increase of 12,141 tons. So far as prices are concerned, there has been a general decline. First and second Admiralties, being monopolised by the Government, are not quoted. Second Admiralties are 49s. to 50s., ordinaries 48s. to 49s., Monmouthshire Black Veins 49s. to 50s., western valleys 48s. to 49s., and the best of the easterns 45s. to 47s. 6d. The small coal market is not quite so firm, although there is a big enquiry from France. Sellers are holding for higher rates, whilst buyers believe that prices will be lower in the near future. Stocks are accumulating. Best bunkers are 29s. to 30s., or Is. to 2s. less than last week; ordinaries 26s. to 28s., and cargo qualities 20s. to 22s. 6d. The demand for bituminous coals is unabated, but the price is rather lower. No. 3 Rhondda large is 49s. to 50s., through 37s. 6d. to 41s., small 32s. to 34s.; No. 2 large 38s. to 40s., through 32s. 6d. to 34s., and small 21s. to 25s. per ton. For these grades there is an active enquiry, and prices are well maintained. Patent fuel has fluctuated with the price of small coal, and quotations are slightly easier. Best makes are 50s. to 51s., and seconds 48s. to 50s. Cokes are still firm, and there is no appreciable alteration, special foundry being 62s. 6d. to 65s., ordinary 60s. to 62s. 6d,, and furnace 50s. to 55s. Pit- wood is rather easier at 39s. to 40s. per ton. IRON. There has been an increased demand for tin-plates, chiefly from France, Italy and Japan. Prices are, however, on the same basis, although shipments have been heavier than for some weeks past. Bessemer standard cokes are 37s., and oil sizes 37s. 6d. and 53s. respectively. Exports last week amounted to 107,910 boxes, against 82,846 boxes received from works, leaving in stock in the docks ' ware- houses and vans 227,245 boxes. Steel bars are scarce, and makers are glad to take anything available at <£14 per ton. In the galvanised sheet trade there is practically no alteration, but the mills are fairly well employed on black plates, which are being exported and painted on arrival. For 24-gauge corrugateds <£27 to <£28 per ton is being obtained, and there is likely to be a reduction owing to the decline in spelter which is now <£68 per ton, with a considerable discount for forward business. Rails are firm at associated prices, and substantial shipments continue to be made on colonial account. A considerable amount of French business has recently come on to the market, but details are not obtainable. In Welsh pig iron there is nothing’new to report, and prices are nominal. Iron ore is 14s. 6d. to 15s. 6d. f.o.b., and seconds about Is. less. Scrap metals are firm and unaltered. Swansea. COAL. The limitation of coal prices and rates of freight to France had a material effect on the trade of the port last week, but there was a fair export of coal and patent fuel, the ship- ments together amounting to 89,284 tons. The attendance on ’Change was below the average. After Monday's holi- day, work was restarted in much reduced numbers, and it is feared that outputs will be curtailed all through the week. There are still difficulties over exports to France, and not much effort is made to enter into fresh transactions, and the general tendency of prices was easy. Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Manufacturing fuels are also scarce, and works make full time on some occasions with difficulty. In the anthracite section there is no easing off in the demand, and orders for beans and peas in particular are difficult to place. Inland consumers still complain of short supplies, and have difficulty in keeping their plants working full time. ______________________________________________________ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, June 15. ______________________________________________________ Dublin. Business in the coal trade generally has been more active during the past week, the demand for household qualities being greater than is usual at this season owing to cold and wet weather. Prices of house and steam coals are advanced another Is. per ton, best Orrell house coal now being 40s. per ton, and Wigan 39s. per ton for cash; Welsh steam coal, 53s. and 54s. per. ton; coke, unchanged at 38s. per ton delivered in Dublin, Prices of Irish coals from the Wolfhill Collieries, Queen’s County, are :—Best coal, 35s. per ton f.o.r. Athy, the nearest railway connection with the mines; lime burning culm, 10s. to 15s. per ton f.o.r.. Although some qualities of coal are still difficult to obtain,, the import trade has increased for the past few weeks, and cargoes have arrived pretty frequently in the port, as the' large manufacturing concerns and railway systems are' endeavouring to lay in their winter supplies as early as possible this season. The coal vessels arriving amounted to 73, as compared with 60 the week previously, chiefly from Ayr, Garston, Point of Aire, Partington, Liverpool, Preston Whitehaven, Birkenhead, Ellesmere Port, Newport,. Swansea, and Maryport. The total quantity of coal dis- charged upon the quays was 31,000 tons, as against 25,000 tons in the previous week. A large contract is open in con- nection with the North Dublin Union for house and steam coals, and the tenders invited include a considerable quantity of best Irish house coal. Belfast. In this port also there has been an increased demand for household coal, owing to inclement weather, but there is no further advance in prices. Current quotations are :— Best Arley coal, 41s. per ton; English household, 39s.; Scotch house, 37s.; Orrell nuts, 40s.; Orrell slack, 37s.; all less Is. per ton discount. Supplies are still' considerably short of requirements, and freights remain high. Coal- laden vessels have arrived during the week from Ayr, Liver- pool, Port Talbot, Birkenhead, Troon, Swansea, Garston, Silloth, Partington, Glasgow, Ardrossan, Ellesmere Port, Lydney, Maryport, and Workington. From May 14 to June 3, the total number of colliers entering the harbour was 197. A contract is open in connection with the Donegal District Asylum, Letterkenny. __________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. 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 * * * Superior seconds * * — Seconds 49/ -50/ 50/ -55/ — Ordinary do 48/ -49/ 48/ -50/ 28/ -30/ Best bunker smalls 29/ -30/ 30/ —32/ 21/6—22/ Best ordinaries 26/ -28/ 27/ -29/ 21/ Cargo qualities 20/ -22/6 20/ -22/6 19/ -19/6 Inferior smalls 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -18/6 Best dry coals 46/ -48/ 4,7'1 -48/6 31/ -33/ Ordinary drys 44/ -46/ 45/ -47/ 28/ -30/ Best washed nuts 36/ -38/ 42/ -45/ 27/ Seconds 33/ -36/ 40/ -42/6 26/ Best washed peas 32/ -35/ 39/ -41/ 25/ Seconds 30/ -32/ 37/ -39/ 24/ Dock screenings — — 20/ Monmouthshire— Black Veins 49/ -50/ 51/ -52/ 30/ -31/ _________________________________________________________ Western-valleys 48/ -49/ 50/ —52/ 27/ -28/ Eastern-valleys 45/ -47/6 47/ -49/ 22/ -25/ Inferior do 44/ -46/ 45/ -47/ 20/ -21/ Bituminous coals :— Best house coals (at pit) 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 30/ Second qualities (at pit) 22/6-23/ ' 22/ -23/6 27/ -29/ No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large 49/ -50/ 50/ -55/ 28/ -29/ Through-and-through 37/6-41/ 40/ -44/ 25/ -26/ Small 32/ -34/ 36/ -40/ 23/ -24/ No. 2 Rhondda— Large 38/ -40/ I 46/ -48/ 26/ -27/ Through-and-through 32/6-34/ 34/ -37/ 22/ —22/6 Small 24/ -25/ 29/ -31/ 19/ -20/ Best patent fuel 50/ -51 50/ —55/ 37/6 Seconds 1, i. 48/ -50/ 48/ -50/ 34/ -35/ Special foundry coke 62/6-65/ 62/6-65/ 43/ -47/ Ordinary do. 60/ -62/6 60/ -62/6 38/ -42/6 Furnace coke 50/ -55/ 50/ -55/ 32/ -35/ Pitwood (ex-ship) ^39/ -40/ 47/ -49/ 30/ * Nominal. Current Anthracite:— prices. Best malting large (hand picked) 32/ -34/ Secondary do. 30/ -32/ Swansea Valley large ... 30/ -31/ Red Vein large 26/ -28/ Machine - made cobbles 38/ -40/ Paris nuts — French do 38/ -40/ Stove do 38/ -40/ Beans 32/ -34/ Machine - made large peas ■ 21/ -23/ Do. fine peas — Rubbly culm 13/6-14/6 Duff 5/3— 5/9 Steam coals:— Best large 40/ -42/ ____________________________________________________ Seconds 39/ -40/ Bunker throughs 36/ -38/ Small 20/ -22/6 Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— Large ______............ 46/ -50/ Thro'-and-thro’......! — Small ............ 29/ -31/6 Patent fuel ............j 50/ -60/ L'stweek’s-Last year's prices. | prices. 33/6-36/ ' 22/6-24/ 30/ -32/ i 19/ -20/6 30/ -34/ < 16/6-18/ 26/ —30/ ! 17/ -18/3 35/ -38/ | 25/6—28/ 36/ -40/ i 26/ -28/ 36/ -40/ 'j 25/6-28/ 33/ -36/ ! 24/6-25/6 23/6-24/3 ‘ 16/6-17/6 — | — 14/3-15/3 ‘ 11/9-12/6 48/ -50/ 28/ -30/ 44/ -46/ I 24/ —26/6 36/ -40/ 1 20/9-22/ 21/ -45/ j 15/6-19/ i 47/ -54/ ! 28/ -30/ 30/ -35/ '.211 —22/ 46/ -50/ | 32/ -35/ Llanelly. COAL. The market still continues very firm, and prices are easily maintained. The output of coal is still below the demand, and the present broken week at the collieries will further affect the position. Tonnage is, however, not at present in a satisfactory position, and it is hoped that there will be an improvement in the near future. Colliery order books are in a satisfactory position, and as Government and railway demands still continue heavy, it is difficult to obtain offers of many spot lots of coal. All qualities of steam coal are scarce, and many customers are complaining of delay. Prices f.o.b. Current Anthracite:— prices. Best malting large 33/ -36/ Secondary do 31/ -32/6 Big Vein large 32/6—34/6 Red Vein do 27/ -29/ Machine-made cobbles... 34/ -36/ Stove nuts 36/ -40/ French do 36/ -40/ Paris do 36/ -40/ Machine-made beans ... 33/6-36/6 Do. peas 24/ -26/ Culm 14/ -15/ Duff , 5/ - 5/3 Other sorts :— I Large steam coal......5 48/ -50/ Through-and-through...! 37/ -39/ Small ................| 21/ -30/ Bituminous small coal...! 30/6-35/6 L'st week's Last year’s prices. | prices. 33/ -36/ ( 22/ -24/ 31/ —32/6 ’ 19/6-20/6 32/6-34/6 ) 16/6-17/6 27/ -29/ 1 16/6-17/6 34/ -36/ > 24/ -25/ 36/ -40/ ; 25/ -27/6 36/ -40/ ! 25/ -27/6 36/ -40/ ; 25/ -27/6 33/6-36/6 j 23/ -25/ 24/ -26/ * 16/6-17/6 14/ -15/ ! 11/6-12/6 5/ - 5/3 6/6— 7/6 48/ -50/ ! 30/ -32/ 37/ -39/ s 20/ -23/ 21/ -30/ ’ 16/ -18/ 30/6-35/6 ; 20/ -21/ Tar Products.—The market continues dull, with prices fairly steady. The weather delays the chance of any improvement in carbolics. Nearest values are :— Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week, Benzols, 90’s ...................... ,, 90’s North ................. ,, 50’s North ................. Toluol .............................. Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.)... ,, crystals (40 per cent.) Solvent naphtha, south (90% at 190 degs.), as in quality and package... Solvent naphtha, north (90% at 190 degs.), as in quality and package... Crude naphtha, north (in bulk) .... Creosote (for ordinary qualities) .... Pitch . (f.o.b. east coast) ............. ,, (f.a.s. west coast) ............. Tar (per ton ex works) ............. 1/OJ ... - /101-/111 ... - 1/3—1/4 ... 2/3 ... — 3/4 ... - 1/3 ... - 2/3—2/4 ... — 2/1—2/2 ... — 10/—1O/D ... —' 14/—14/6 ... — 15/6—19/ .... — [Benzols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at maker's works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch f.o.b. net.'] Sulphate of Ammonia.—There is very little movement, as the interests of buyers and sellers seem so divergent. Freight difficulties still trouble the export side of the market. Closing prompt prices are :— London (ordinary makes) ... Beckton (25 per cent.) .... Liverpool ................ Hull .................... Middlesbrough .......... Scotch ports ............ Wales’ .................. Nitrate of soda (ord.) per cwt Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. £16/13/9—£16/1’5 ... — £15/15 .... — £16/15—£17 ... — £16/10 ... — £16/15—£16/17/6 ... — £16/15—£17 ... — £16/10—£16/12/6 ... — 18/71 j ... — [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2J per cent, discount; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.] ____________________________ THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. Business is quiet, and the tone of the market irregular. Second-hand lots of I C 14 x 20 have been done at 36s., and makers have also accepted this figure. Other works are asking 37s., and state they have sold at this. Prices will be very “ wide ” until makers know where they stand in regard to future supplies of steel and labour. Quotations range as follow’ :—Coke tins : IC 14 x 20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 36s.- to 37s. per box; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 lb.), 73s. to 74s.; I C 14x18} (124 sh. 1101b.), 36s. 6d. to 37s.; IC 20x10 (225 sh. 1561b.), 52s. fid. to 53s. I C squares and odd sizes, 37s. fid. basis and upwards, according to specification. Charcoals are quiet, at 39s. fid. to 40s. basis (for IC 14 X 20) and upwards, according to finish. Coke wasters are in moderate demand, and are quoted:—CW 14x20, 33s. fid. per box and upwards; CW 28 x 20, 69s.; CW 14 x 18}, 33s. 9d. All f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. ____________________________ The late Mr. J. L. Potter, coal merchant, Worsley, near Manchester, left £16,346,