November 17, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 965 firm appeal for coal for the use of his Majesty’s Forces numbering a good many thousand troops stationed in the district“ who demand coal to cook their food with.” The letter adds : “ Unless you and other collieries assist us we will be quite unable to meet the extra demand, and the local inhabitants, including young and old, will be deprived of their fires during the winter season.” The firm add : “ We trust the importance of this appeal will lead you to do your utmost.” Surely that appeal ought to awaken a practical response on the part of those who are “ holding up supplies of coal” by refusing to work an additional hour per day at a time of national peril. All the coal pro- duced in this coal field is quite inadequate to cover all demands. There is a very extensive demand for main and deep cobbles and nuts for London and district for special purposes, and it is essential that this should be covered as far as possible. There is a constant demand from country stations, where the coal yards are empty, and there is no sign of any improvement. There are no stocks of any kind at the collieries. Prices at pit. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The demand for all qualities of house coal remain excep- tionally large. The position becomes more perplexing every week, as the books are heavily filled with arrear orders, the delivery of which customers are clamouring for; in addition, numerous new bookings are being made daily, and there appears to be no possibility of an increase in the production, as all the collieries are fully employed. The inland department is absorbing most of the output just now. The heavy pressure for steam coals reported during the past few months is still in evidence. The first call is for factories and works under control of the Government, and there is comparatively little left for other purposes. Prices at pithead. 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.......... . Current prices. 17/ -19/ 15/6-17/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/ —16/ 14/6-15/6 12/9-13/6 12/ -12/3 6/-7/ L’st week’s prices. 17/ -19/ 15/6-17/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/6 12/9-13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ Last year’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/ House coals:— Block ............... Forest .............. Rubble .............. Nuts ................ Rough slack ......... Steam coal.— Large ............... Small ... .......... Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. 24/ 24/ 21/6 23/ 23/ 20/6 23/3 23/3 20/9 21/6 21/6 19/ 13/ 13/ 11/6 20/ 20/ 18/ -19/ 14/ -15/ 16/ -17/ 16/6-17/ Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. 14/ -15/ 14/6-15/6 13/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 14/ -15/ 14; 6-15/6 13/6-15/ 14/ —15/ 12/6-13/6 13/9-14/9 14/ -15/ 12/6-13 6 13/9-14/9 12/6-13,6 THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, November 16. South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. There was a good attendance at the weekly market; supplies were within narrow compass and nothing equal to the demand, which, in view of winter requirements, will grow. With this in mind, complaint was made that some collieries, tempted by high prices, were allowing quantities of coal to leave the district for expert, thereby depleting already limited local supplies. Something of the kind went on in the early part of the year, but was stopped. The call for all descriptions of manufacturing fuel continues unabated. The demand for domestic consumption is also maintained at a high standard, and is being fairly well met, urgent cases being dealt with first. Householders, however, seemed to have learned their lesson, and give repeat orders before stocks are entirely depleted. Prices are unchanged as under :— Prices at pit. Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COAL. The steam coal market has again experienced a quiet week, the close of which sees values even considerably easier than those prevailing when last writing. Tonnage has not arrived as expected, And the continual delay and disappointment interferes considerably with shipments. Colliery salesmen continue firm in quotations for December boats, and speak with confidence of a great accession of tonnage between now and the end of the month, which will clear them of a lot of their troubles, but at the moment stocks are excessive, congesting sidings in all directions, and with collieries working hand to mouth for wagons and daily reports of pit stoppages, there is great competition to secure any tonnage now available. Smalls and large alike show a weak market, substantial reductions being recorded in all quarters. Pitwood, as the result of reduced arrivals, rules firmer, even though through the scarcity of trucks a good deal has been placed upon the stacking grounds at the docks. In the freight market tonnage is as scarce as ever, with rates showing a rapid increase. Limitation business is at a standstill. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 22/ 22/ — Do. seconds deep 20/ 20/ — Do. best shallow 19/ 19/ — Do. seconds do. 18/ 18/ — Best hard 18/6 18/6 — Forge coal 16/ 16/ — Slack Warwickshire:— 11/6 11/6 — House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 19/ 19/ — cobs 18/ 18/ — Best hard spires 20/ 20/ — Forge (steam) 16/ 16/ — D.S. nuts (steam) 14/6 14/6 — Small (do.) 14/6 14/6 — 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 ..........I Furnace coke..........I Foundry coke ......... Current L’st week’s prices. I prices. 32/ -33/ . 34/ -35/ -31/ 1 33/ -34/ -30/ , 32/ -33/ .30/ -31/ i 23/ -24/ 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 23/6—24/ 24/ -25/ 28/ -30/ 30/ 29/ 25/ 20/ 19/ 17/ -27/6 -22/ -20/ , "19/ 21/ -22/ 23/ -25/ 26/ -28/ 24/ -26/6 22/ -24/ 37/6-40/ 50/ -52/6 57/6-60/ 24/ -26/6 22/ -24/ 40/ -42/6 50/ -52/6 57/6-60/ Last year’s prices. 18/ -18/6 17/ -17/6 16/ -16/6 15/6-16/ 11/ -11/6 9/ -10/ 6/6- 7/6 14/ -15/ 15/6-16/ 22/ -24/ 21/ -23/ 24/ -24/6 30/ -32/ 36/ -38/ only 13,686 tons to neutral countries. The Newport ship- ments were 61,021 tons against 56,187 tons in the corres- ponding period, of which 31,315 tons went to France, and 12,672 tons to Italy. Swansea exports were 30,532 tons, of which 20,694 tons went to France, and 5,513 tons to neutrals. Nearly the whole of the Port Talbot shipment went to France. So far as prices are concerned it is difficult to give a register. In some cases, where 30s. and even more is quoted, as low as 25s. has been accepted for prompt shipment, and all engagements are ruled by individual circumstances. Best Admiralties are off the market. Seconds are nominally 30s. to 32s., with ordinaries 29s. to 30s. Monmouthshires are on the same basis, and although it was possible to realise almost the same price for Eastern Valleys as for best Black Veins, it all depended on the facilities for shipment. Black Veins were 31s. to 32s., western valleys 30s. to 31s., and best easterns 29s. to 30s., with lower rates for inferior grades. In’ the small coal market there wag considerable depression, and quotations were practically nominal. Best bunkers did not realise more than 22s. to 23s., and cargo qualities, although quoted at 18s. to 20s., were done in some instances at 17s., in order to release wagons. Bituminous coals showed little change, No. 3 Rhondda large being 30s. to 31s., and No. 2 29s. to 30s. per ton. Other grades were in proportion. Fuel was steady at 40s. to 42s. 6d., and coke was unchanged. Pitwood remained difficult at 46s. to 47s. per ton. 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 30/ -31/ 32/ -34/ — Ordinary steams 29/ -30/ 30/ -31/ 17/6-19/ Best bunker smalls > , 20/ -22/ 23/ -24/ 11/ -12/ Best ordinaries 1 i 20/ -21/ 21/ -22/ 10/ -10/6 Cargo qualities 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 7,6 Inferior smalls ! 17/ -18/ 18/ -19/ 6/ - 7/ Best dry coals ! 30/ -31/ 32/ -33/ 23/ -24/ Ordinary drys < 28/ -30/ 30/ -31/ 20/ -22/ Best washed nuts | 30/ -32/ 30/ -32/ 25/ -27/ Seconds i 30/ -31/ 30/ -31/ 22/ -24/ Best washed peas ! 30/ -31/ 30/ -31/ 19/ -20/ Seconds | 29/ -30/ 29/ -30/ 17/ -18/ Dock screenings i — — 10/ -12/ Monmouthshire— Black Veins I 30/ -31/ 1 32/ -34/ 18/ -19/ Western-valleys 1 29/ -30/ 31/ -32/ 17/6-18/ Eastern-valleys j 28/ -29/ 30/ -31/ 17/ -17/6 Inferior do ! i 27/ -28/ 29/ -30/ 16/ -17/ Bituminous coals :— | Best house coals (at pit) j 25/6-26/6 25/6-26/6 23/ -24/ Second qualities (at pit)! 23/6-24/6 j 23/6-24/6 22/ -23/ No. 3 Rhondda— 1 Bituminous large 1 j 30/ -31/ ; 34/ -35/ 23/ -24/ Through-and-through 1 27/ -28/ ; 29/ -31/ 21/6-22/6 Small 25/ -26/ 27/ -29/ 19/6-20/6 No. 2 Rhondda— 29/ -30/ Large Through-and-through 22/ -24/6 Small .............. 19/ -20/ Best patent fuel .......j 41/ -42/6 Seconds.................j 40/ -41/ Special foundry coke ...i 64/6-67/6 Ordinary do. ...........j 55/ -60/ Furnace coke ...........’ 50/ -55/ Pitwood (ex-ship) ......j 46/ -47/ * Nominal. 30/ -31/ I 24/ —25/ . 20/ -21/ ; 41/ -42/6 I 40/ -41/ J 62/6-67/6 j 57/6-62/6 i 50/ -55/ ! 44/ -45/ j 15/ -16/ { 13/6-14/ ! 10/ -11/ 25/ -26/ I 23/ j 40/ -42/ ( 36/ -38/ I 30/ -32/ 47/6-49/ IRON. The market showed no important change in the position, though it continues firm. The increased rates for finished material, brought about by the abolition of discounts, seem to be easily enough obtained. Consumers in present circumstances have no option, and naturally they buy only what they must have to cover their necessities. Makers have as much on hand as they care to undertake, and are in a commanding position. For common bars outside con- trolled work the prices range up to <£14 15s., and nut and bolt iron commands £14 5s. to £14 10s. net delivered Darlaston district. An enormous export demand continues for small sizes, three-eighths and less, many of which makers cannot look at, so great is the home demand. The basis for three-eighths sizes stands at £16 10s. Marked bars are still outside the net scheme, but tube and steel strip are now quoted net—the former at £15, steel at £17 10s. to £17 15s. One outcome of the recent conference of ironmasters is the application of a uniform scale for extras to the bar trade generally throughout the country. In the sheet trade nothing is getting out except under class A certificates. For galvanised sheets the quotation remains at £28 10s. to £29, and for plain black sheets £19. Gas strip, which does not come within the scheme of control, is quoted at £15. Certain brands of pig-iron can still be obtained below the maxima, to the extent of from Is. to 2s., due to the somewhat excessive output, but production of foundry sorts and higher grade iron generally is quickly absorbed. More foundry iron, indeed, could be sold were it available, and in addition to home requirements a very substantial export enquiry exists for allied countries. Scrap of all kinds is in active demand. Heavy steel melting scrap is particularly wanted. The controlled price is £5 10s. delivered, and the best class of iron scrap ranges from £6 12s. 6d. to £6 15s. The steel trade shows no modification, deliveries being under strict control. Sales of American wire rods are being made at about £22 c.i.f. Liverpool, and a good enquiry exists for next year. Only odd lots of American billets are coming through. IRON. There is little fresh to report in the conditions of the iron and steel trades, all departments working at full pressure to fulfil the heavy demands for prompt deliveries. Works generally are well booked for some time ahead, and makers are not inclined to commit themselves very much farther. Tinplate and sheet bar mills continue with unabated activity, and the same remarks apply to the rail mills, quotations in both these departments being very firm. Blast furnaces continue fully employed, there being no alteration in the price of Welsh haematite. The tinplate trade continues in a somewhat uncertain condition, and just at the moment the outlook as regards any improve- ment is not very favourable. Prices are very irregular, and depend, of course, upon the various classifications. Cardiff. COAL. It is extremely difficult to write about the Cardiff coal market, because the conditions are so varied. Prices are what may be described as “ all over the shop.” In some instances, where 40s. has been quoted, 30s. has been accepted, and the same ratio has been the rule all round. The tonnage question has been at the bottom of the whole difficulty. Buyers in possession of prompt tonnage have been able to secure substantial concessions, and prices even below limitation rates have been frequently conceded in order to effect quick shipment, and the early release of wagons. The latter contingency has been an urgent one, and in some cases collieries have been actually brought to a standstill owing to shortages. Many thousands of tons of coal have been on the sidings, but, owing to the lack of shipping facilities, they have been delayed, and the miners, in consequence, have not been able to work full time. The market generally is irregular. Every effort is being made to supply the demands, and the coal is available in the sidings, but, owing to the shipping difficulties, the output is lower than the requirements, and there is a considerable congestion at the various docks. Shipments last week amounted to 238,439 tons against 332,283 tons in the corresponding week of last year, or a decrease of 93,984 tons From Cardiff there were exported 136,776 tons, of which 88,445 tons went to France, 20,332 tons to Italy, 14,310 tons to British and Allied depots, and IRON. There is little change to report. About half the mills are idle, and those that are working are only irregularly employed. The difficulty is to obtain materials, the whole of which are subject to Government demands. Shipments last week were only about 12,000 boxes against 24,000 re- ceived from works, but licensing restrictions are very rigid, and little is being done except for Government requirements. The evil of the whole thing is that the Welsh markets are being captured by the American trade, and from the figures available it appears that the output of American plates is more than double the quantity shipped prior to the war. For Class A and B certificates there is still considerable competition, and prices are 27s. to 27s. 6d. From stocks, however, rates are much higher, although the range is nominal. Pig iron is nominal, and galvanised sheets are the same. There is some demand for black plates for war work, but no prices are quoted, and the same remark applies to iron ore and bars. Scrap metals are unaltered. Llanelly. COAL. The market continues very irregular, and the tonnage position is unsatisfactory. Collieries are experiencing considerable difficulty in executing orders owing to the shortage in supplies of empty wagons. Idle days are being experienced at most pits, and there is no likelihood of any improvement until the tonnage position improves. Stocks are accumulating in the various sidings, and for prompt Prices f.o.b. Anthracite:— Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best malting large 31 6-32 6 31,6-32/6 35/ -37/ Secondary do. . 29/ -30/ 29/ -30/ 33/ -35/ Big Vein large . 26/ -28,6 28/ -30/ 35' -37/ Red Vein do . 24'6-27/ 26/6-27/6 32/ -34/ Machine-made cobbles.., . 39 6-42/ 39 6-42/ 42/ -44/ Stove nuts . 39 6-41/6 39 6 41/6 43/ -45/ French do .; 40/ -42/ 40/ -42/ 45/ -47/ Paris do 39/6-41/ 39/6-41/ ’ 43/ -45/ Machine-made beans ... . 28 6-29/6 30/ -31/ 31/ -32/ Do. peas 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 19/ -20/ Culm 13/ -13/6 14/ -14'6 7/6- 8 6 Duff . 6/ - 6/6 6/ - 6/6 ! i 2/6- 3/6 Other sorts:— Large steam coal ; 31/6-32/6 31/6-32 6 22/ -24/ Thr ough-and-through... , 24/6-28/ 26/ -29,6 13/ -13 6 Small . 18/ -20/ 18/ —20/ 6/ - 8/ Bituminous small coal... 18/6-21/ 18/6—21/ 15/6-16/6