August 4, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 219 South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The position remains much the same, though there is just a little more small stuff available, owing to some of the works easing off for stocktaking. Other classes of fuel are as short as ever. An effort is being made to work the collieries next week in accordance with the Government request, but there is bound to be considerable time lost, and consequently the scanty stocks, where they exist, will be cleared off. The spell of hot weather has reduced domestic demands to a minimum. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 22/ 22/ 23/ Do. seconds deep 20/ 20/ 21/ Do. best shallow 19/ 19/ 20/ Do. seconds do. 18/ 18/6 16/ 18/ 19/ Best hard 18/6 19/6 Forge coal 16/ 16/ 11/6 Slack Warwickshire:— 11/6 11/6 House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 19/ 19/ 21/ cobs 18/ 18/ 20/ 19/6 Best hard spires 20/ 20/ Forge (steam) 16/ 16/ 14/6 16/ D.S. nuts (steam) 14/6 16/ Small (do.) 14/6 14/6 15/ IRON. Business at Thursday’s market, which was not largely attended, was limited owing to the insufficiencies of supplies after satisfaction of Government requirements.' Finished iron advanced all round in correspondence with an addition of 10s. per ton to the price of marked bars, which has been made with the sanction of the Ministry of Munitions. The rate becomes <£15 10s., less 2| per cent., with »£16 2s. 6d. for the Earl of Dudley’s brand. This maintains something like an equitable relation- ship between the pig iron and the finished branches, the maximum for local brands of pig iron having been raised 5s. Unmarked bars remain unaltered at <£13 15s. maximum. Earlier in the week quotations had been conditional on any advance authorised by the Ministry taking immediate effect, and this applied to practically every branch of the trade. To-day, producers were not prepared to consider any business at less than the revised maximum rates. Bar makers have about three months’ work on the books, and such business as is now negotiated relates mainly to the last quarter of the year. There is some enquiry for galvanised sheets for export, but for the time being they cannot be entertained, the greatly reduced productive capacity being fully occupied with satisfaction of demands at home, the Government requiring practically all the output. Quotations on the open market are very firm at <£28 to <£28 10s. for 24-gauge corrugateds. Black corrugateds make <£18 10s., with <£1 extra for painting. An active demand for hoops is reported. In contracts lately entered into, makers have anticipated an advance in finished material. Strong gauges have not been obtainable under <£17 10s. to <£17 15s. Steel hoops rule at <£18 5s. to <£18 10s., having stiffened since quarter day. Makers of gas strip have matters all their • own way, American com- petitors being so busy on finished tubes that no supplies are obtainable from that source. American wire rods sell at <£19 5s. to <£20 c.i.f. Liverpool. American billets and sheet bars are coming through against contracts placed some time ago on easier terms than are now obtainable. Quotations run to about <£13 10s. c.i.f. Liverpool, making the price <£14 delivered in this district. Pig iron consumers are not inclined to buy far ahead, Staffordshire brands being fairly well taken up in small lots at the enhanced price. An addition to 5s. to the maximum for Northampton- shire and Derbyshire pig has been notified by smelters, but no amended order has been promulgated by the Ministry of Munitions. Ironworkers’ wages undergo a a further advance from Monday next. The rate for puddling becomes 16s. 6d. including bonus, and millmen’s wages are advanced 71 per cent, in accordance with the bi-monthly ascertain- ment, which showed an average net selling price of £13 13s. ll-63d. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL, The market for the house coals of this district continues on much the same lines. Generally, the demand is not so urgent, but merchants are wisely looking ahead, and placing their orders accordingly in preparation for autumn use. There are a good number of boats at the local docks and Newport awaiting their cargoes. Good consignments are leaving for the inland districts daily. Great pressure as regards deliveries still prevails in the steam coal depart- ment from all quarters. There appears to be a marked shortage of all classes of fuel required for manufacturing purposes. ___________________Prices at pithead._____ Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Block 21/6 ■ 20/6 21/6 ' 21/6 Forest 20/6 20/6 Rubble 20/9 20/9 20/9 Nuts 19/ 19/ 19/ Rough slack Steam cosd.:— 13/ ! 15/ 13/ Large 18/ -19/ i 18/ -19/ — Small 16/ -17/ ; 16/ -17/ — Prices Ui, extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report an average summer demand for house and steam coal by rail, but not a large uantity going into stock. Offers of coal of all kinds are more plentiful, and some further forward contracts have been made by large buyers. Shipments by sea are being imported at the outlying ports, chiefly by merchants who fortunately own steamers or sailing colliers. These have contracted in Lancashire for 12 months’ supplies. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, August 3. Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COAL. The decision of the colliers to take a two days’ holiday next week has had quite a perceptible influence upon the market. The reduction of output thus foreshadowed is taken seriously on all sides, and it has a steadying effect to values. Apart from this, there is no new feature to record. Tonnage arrivals continue scanty, with little promise for the next week or so, but chartering is now rather more active, and, if fixtures are kept up, will be bound to have a telling effect before the month ends. Colliery salesmen seem more hopeful, if not enthusiastic, and while quota- tions show little if any change, higher prices are discussed. Smalls have hardly held their position as well as large coals, but any improvement in chartering will help these considerably. Pitwood is again dearer, and quoted up to 50s. for good wood ex ship. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. 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. 37/ -39/ 37/ -38/ 35/ -36/ 30/ -32/ 25/ -26/ 23/ -24/ 19/ -20/ 25/ -26/ 24/ -26/ 28/ -30/ ’st week’s Last year’s I prices. prices. ‘ 37/ -39/ : 37/ -38/ i 35/ -36/ 1 33/ -35/ i 25/ -26/ ! 23/ -24/ 19/ -20/ ; 25/ -26/ : 24/ -26/ ; 28/ -30/ 24/ -26/6 ! 24/ -26/6 22/ -24/ I 22/ -24/ 47/6-50/ I 50/ -51/ 51/ -52/6 I 51/ -52/6 61/ -62/ 61/6-62/ 30/ -33/ 29/ -30/ ' 27/6-28/ , 24/ -26/ , 21/6-22/6 , 20/ -21/ ' 19/ -19/6 1 22/ -22,6 ! 22/ -23/ 21/6-22/ 34/ -35/ 32/ -34/ 38/ -40/ IRON. The local iron and steel trades remain very much as a week ago, and with most work booked well ahead there is not much actual new business maturing. Work at bar mills continues at full pressure, and officially quotations are unaltered on the basis of <£14 10s. for both Bessemer and Siemens Welsh bars. Rail makers are very busy, and, with good enquiries on the market, prices remain unaltered^it <£14 for both varieties. Blast furnaces continue fully" employed, Welsh haematite remaining at the nominal figure of <£7 2s. 6d. with a great scarcity of free pig iron. The tin-plate market continues irregular, and in some cases are induced to still further slightly modify their prices, while buyers are holding off in the expectation of obtaining concessions. Latest ruling values are based upon 31s. to 32s. for 20 x 14 x 112 and 63s. to 64s. for 28 x 20 either Bessemer or Siemens. Cardiff. COAL. The principal item of importance this week is the decision of the miners to take a two days’ holiday, notwith- standing the request of the Government and the advice of their own leaders. The majority was certainly a small one in favour of the holiday programme. In some quarters the stoppage will be welcomed, because stocks were increasing to such an extent as to almost bring about a suspension of work at certain collieries owing to the shortage of wagons. The general tendency has been to cause a firmer tone in the market, especially during the latter part of last month. The result of the joint audit produced no effect on the market. The owners are asking for a reduction of 15 per cent, owing to increased cost of working, and the men are demanding an advance of 12| per cent, based on the increase in the selling price of coal, which is Is. 11 .^d. per ton higher than at the last audit. On ’Change this situation is looked upon with equanimity, as being more a matter of domestic policy than a subject which concerns the buying and selling of the coal. It is satisfactory to note that arrangements have been made with regard to the licences for the export of coal, coke and manufactured fuel to France and its dependencies. Last week, the position was regarded with some apprehension, but, as the result of a conference with Col. Weiss, the French Minister of Mines, it has been conceded that all boats for July loading which may be stemmed previously to August 5 will be cleared without any extension of licence, although such vessels may not be completely loaded by the date mentioned. This has relieved the anxiety which prevailed with regard to French shipments, and tended to ease the pressure as to prompt shipment. Although vessels have been arriving more freely over the week-end, the tonnage position is one of considerable difficulty, and charterings last week were the lowest on record. The amount of tonnage taken up was only 45,400 tons, compared with 73,020 tons in the previous six days, or a decrease of 27,620 tons, and the position is not improving this week. During the seven months of the year charterings amounted to practically 4 million tons, against 6 million tons in the corresponding period of 1915, but, of course, these figures do not include Admiralty fixtures, no record of which is given. Shipments from the four principal ports of the Channel last week amounted to 325,235 tons, compared with 184,992 tons in the corre- sponding period, or an increase of 140,243 tons. From Cardiff alone the exports were 184,425 tons, against 95,374 tons, or an increase of 89,051 tons, the principal tonnage going to Rouen (25,691), St. Nazaire (14,289), Bordeaux (14,512), and Genoa (13,932 tons). From Newport the shipments were 68,459 tons, against 34,112 tons, or an improvement of 34,347 tons; from Swansea 35,488 tons, or an increase of 6,801 tons ; and from Port Talbot 36,863 tons, or an increase of 10,044 tons. So far as prices are concerned, there is little fresh to report. Best and superior second Admiralties are practically off the market, and are only nominally quoted. Ordinary seconds are 35s to 37s., and ordinary steams 33s. to 35s. These -figures are only for prompt shipment, and sellers are holding out for higher rates during the latter part of the month. Monmouthshire coals continue steady, Black Veins being 37s. to 39s., western valleys 36s. to 37s., and the best of the easterns 34s. to 35s. There is no qudtable alteration in the small coal market, and a strong demand exists for French and Italian shipment. • Best bunkers are 27s. to 28s., ordinaries 25s. to 27s., and cargo sorts 21s. to 22s. per ton. In bituminous coals, the only feature of interest is the high price of No. 3 Rhondda smalls, which command a better rate than the through coals. Large is obtainable at 35s. to 38s., through 29s. to 30s., but the limited quantity of small available readily realises 32s. to 33s. per ton. No. 2 large qualities are 30s. to 32s., wiQi other grades in proportion. Patent fuel is practically off the market, but the quotation remains nominal at 50s. to 52s. 6d. for best makes, and 48s. to 50s. for secondary brands. Coke is really unaltered. Pitwood is scarce owing to the Portuguese strike, and current rates are on the basis of 49s. to 51s. per ton. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best Admiralty steam coals • * * Superior seconds * 40/ -42/6 * Seconds 35/ -37/ 38/ -40/ — Ordinary do 33/ -35/ 36/ -38/ 30/ —32/ Best bunker smalls 27/ -28/ : 26/6-27/6 22/ -23/ Best ordinaries 25/ -27/ 25/ -27/ 21/ Cargo qualities 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 18/6-19/ Inferior smalls 19/ -21/ • 20/ -21/ 17/6-18/ Best dry coals 35/ -37/ 35/ -36/ 31/ -32/ Ordinary drys 32/ -34/ 33/ -35/ 28/ -30/ Best washed nuts 33/ -35/ 35/ -38/ , 30/ Seconds 31/ -33/ 33’ -36/ 28/ Best washed peas 30/ -32/ 31/ -34/ 28/ Seconds j 28/ -30/ ’ 30/ -32/ 26/ Dock screenings ( — 1 — 21/ Monmouthshire— Black Veins 1 37/ -39/ : 39/ -40/ 30/ -31/ Western-valleys 36/ -37/ , 37/ -38/ 29/ -30/ Eastern-valley s 34/ -35/ 33/ -35/ 28/ -29/ Inferior do 32/ -34/ ; 30/ -32/6 26/ -28/ Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit), 25/6-26/6 i 25/6-26/6 30/ Second qualities (at pit) 23/6-24/6 23/6-24/6 27/6-29,6 No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large 35/ -38/ ' 38/ -40/ ; 28/ —29/ Thr ough-and-through 1 29/ -30/ ' 33/ -35/ : .24/ —25/ ' Small 32/ -33/ 32/ -33/ 23/ No. 2 Rhondda— ! 1 Large ! 30/ -32/ ' 33/ -35/ 26/ -27/ Thr ough-and-through 26/ -28/ i 27/ —29/ 22/6-24/ Small 23/ -24/ ' 24/ -25/ 19/ Best patent fuel 50/ -52/6 ' 50/ -52/6 35/ Seconds 48/ -50/ 48/ -50/ 1 32/ -32/6 Special foundry coke 62/6-65/ 62/6—65/ 43/ -47/ Ordinary do. 60/ -62/6 : 60/ -62/6 40/ -43/ Furnace coke 50/ -52/6 ! 50/ -52/6 31/ -33/ Pitwood (ex-ship) 49/ -51/ | 44/ -47/ ' 25/ * Nominal, IRON. There is no change in the position of the tin-plate trade, except that stocks are being rapidly reduced, and for several weeks past shipments have exceeded the production from works. Last week, the exports were 80,695 boxes, whilst only 63,786 boxes were received from works, leaving in stock in the docks warehouses and vans 115,597 boxes, the lowest quantity since the outbreak of war. The mills are to be shut down next week for the annual holiday, so that the stocks will be still further reduced. On the other hand, the steel production will be continued as usual, and it is hoped that the pressure will be relieved as well as assisting the Government demand for munition purposes. Bessemer standard cokes are 31s. to 32s , and oil sizes 31s. 6d. to 32s. 6d. and 41s. to 45s. respectively. In the galvanised sheet trade there is no change, so that the recent Government regulation preventing exports has not had much effect. Many works are now engaged either on munitions or in the manufacture of black plate, and are thus kept going without difficulty. For 24-gauge corru- gateds the price averages from <£26 10s. to <£27 per ton. Spelter is up again to £55. It is stated that extensive developments are in contemplation at the steel works of Messrs. Baldwins Limited, at Port Talbot, and that further blastfurnaces and by-product ovens are to be erected. The Welsh steel works are busily employed, and there is a good demand for rails of light section at £14 upwards. Welsh steel bars are nominal at £14 10s. per ton, and haematite is also nominally quoted, with no practical supplies outside contract requirements. The iron ore market is dull, and there is no change in scrap metals. Swansea. COAL. A slight decrease in the trade of the port was shown against the preceding week, the coal and patent fuel trades were moderately active, the shipments together amounting to 87,894 tons. There was a good attendance on ’Change. Anthracite coals opened with a poor tone, the tonnage arrivals over the week-end having been disappointing. Large continued easy, but machine-made cobbles and nuts just held their own. Beans were freely offered, while peas are still firm. Rubbly culm was steady, and duff without change. Steam coals were easy and concessions could be obtained in many quarters.