December 15, 1916. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1173 shortage, and newijbusiness is practically at a standstill. In all the sidings heavy stocks are accumulating, with the result that there is a scarcity of wagons, and many collieries are finding it extremely difficult to keep the pits going. All these conditions tend to keep the market in a very unsettled condition, and whilst there is a fairly firm tendency for future loading, buyers who are able to arrange prompt shipment are in a position to obtain concessions. Colliery owners are reluctant to enter into business below the limitation rates, but middlemen are more ready to do so. Best and superior second Admiralty coals are still being exclusively retained for Government purposes, but ordinary seconds are obtainable at 26s. to 28s., and ordinary steams at 24s. to 25s. per ton. Monmouth- shires maintain the same relative value, Black Veins being 26s. to 27s., western valleys 25s. to 26s., and the best easterns 23s. to 25s. The small coal market also continues irregular and easy, best bunkers not com- manding more than 17s. to 19s., ordinaries 15s. to 17s., and cargo qualities 14s. to 15s., whilst inferior grades were on offer at even as low as 12s. per ton. Bituminous coals were fairly steady, the demand being chiefly for home consump- tion. For No. 3 Rhondda large 26s. to 27s. was quoted, No. 2 24s. to 25s., and other grades in proportion. Following the decline in small coal, patent fuel is also easier, best grades being 35s to 37s. 6d., and second qualities 34s. to 35s. Coke is without change. Pitwood has come forward rather more freely, and is offered on the basis of 49s. to 50s. per ton. For some considerable time difficulties have been experienced with regard to the shipment of coal to France and Italy, and, as recorded in these columns some weeks ago, the licences granted in the case of France were reported to be more than a million tons in excess of what could be shipped in a given period, even if the tonnage were available. The question of the cancella- tion of licences was a thorny one, and the local committee have been much exercised as to the best course to be adopted. Meetings have been held from time to time, and finally, at a meeting held on Tuesday, it was decided that there should be an allocation of tonnage as from January 1 next, and the secretary of the committee was requested in the meantime to ascertain particulars of the tonnage available. This will apply to all vessels, whether on time charter or otherwise, except those ships on British or Allied Government service. It may be a point of interest to record the fact that since the Government took control of the South Wales coalfield, there has been a heavy deprecia- tion in the value of colliery shares, and the fluctuations recorded on the Cardiff Stock Exchange list of local concerns show a decrease of <£2,091,399 up to the time of writing. The announcement that the Government also intend to control the shipping industry has had a similar effect, and the decline in local values up to date amounts to nearly a million and a-half sterling. Shipments from the principal ports in the Bristol Channel last week amounted to 273,317 tons compared with 390,929 tons in the corresponding period of last year, or a decrease of 117,612 tons. This is chiefly accounted for by the fact that tonnage is becoming increasingly scarce, and also to the holding up of Greek vessels owing to the uncertainty of the political situation in the East. From Cardiff alone there were exported 171,143 tons, against 220,643 tons, or a decrease of 49,500 tons. Of this quantity, 71,873 tons went to France, 20,707 tons to Italy, 50,788 tons to depots and 27,773 for neutrals. Newport shipments were 41,112 tons, against 65,303 tons, of which 29,576 tons went to France, and the remainder to Italy, depots and neutrals. Swansea shipments were 34,966 tons, against 68,509 tons, or a decrease of 33,543 tons, of which France took 28,114 tons. Port Talbot shipped 26,096 tons, against 36,474 tons in the corresponding week of last year, of which 20,402 tons were taken by France. The decrease amounted to 10,378 tons. Patent fuel exports amounted to only 5,583 tons, these figures, of course, being outside the shipments on Admiralty account. As in previous weeks, the great bulk of the shipments were in foreign owned vessels, the proportion being 73'47 per cent, against 26'53 per cent, in British owned. Chartering during the week showed a big decline, tonnage taken up being only 59,420 tons, against 74,990 tons in the preceding six days, or a decrease of 15,570 tons. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). IRON. The tin-plate industry is being carried on with the greatest difficulty owing to the increasing scarcity of steel bars and acid, which are required for munition purposes. It is reported that only about 35 per cent, of the mills are in operation, and at a joint conference of employers and work- men held on Tuesday, it was decided to appeal to the Government for a better supply of steel bars. Deliveries from America are scanty and dear, and in the meantime the Welsh manufacturers have to keep quiet and see their markets being absorbed by American makers. There is much dissatisfaction, and a feeling of pessimism with regard to the future. Prices have been increased in value, but there is still a considerable margin between the quotation for class A and B certificates and stock plates. The latter are nominal, but rule generally from 34s. upwards. Bars are not quoted, and are unobtainable except for war purposes. Welsh pig iron is also nominal, and, although outputs are at their maximum, there is a difficulty in working certain depart- ments owing to the lack of suitable labour. Rail mills are busy, especially for light sections. In the galvanised sheet trade there is little doing, and the licence restrictions have almost brought the industry to a standstill. There is a good demand, however, for blackplate, and it is in the production of this material that most of the works are now engaged. Spelter is steady at <£57. Shipments of tin-plates last week amounted to 22,059 boxes, against 41,286 boxes received from works, leaving 156,353 boxes in stock in the docks warehouses and vans. Scrap metals are firm, and a fair amount of business is being done. The iron ore market is steady, and 56 per cent ore is being offered at 40s. c.i.f. United Kingdom. A notice has been issued by the Minister of Munitions warning merchants in this country speculating in iron ore at the abnormal prices demanded by Bilbao shippers in the expectation that abnormal profits will be reaped out of such speculations. The Minister of Munitions has given notice that all these contracts for purchases will be carefully watched, and that abnormal profits will be commandeered by the Government. Swansea. COAL. There was no improvement in trade at the docks last week, and losses were shown in the total compared with the previous week. There were but few transactions in the coal and patent fuel trades, but the shipments, amounting to 54,958 tons, showed a slight increase on last week. There was a good attendance on ’Change, but conditions were still unimproved in the anthracite coal market. Large coals of all descriptions were freely offering, and machine-made cobbles, nuts and beans were weak on a very poor demand. Peas were steady, but rubbly culm was very slow and duff maintained its strong position. Steam coals were all unchanged. Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, December 14. __________________ Dublin. Business generally is brisk in all branches, and there are no complaints with regard to obtaining supplies from the other side, except that steamers are somewhat delayed owing to weather conditions. There is no change in prices since last week. Current quotations are as follow :—Best Orrell, 44s. per ton net; Yorkshire bright®, 43s.; best Wigan, 42s.; best slack, 36s.; retail price, 2s. lOd. to 3s. per sack of 10 st.; best coke, 44s. per ton; steam coal, from about 40s. per ton. Irish coals from the Wolfhill Collieries, Queen’s County, are : Malting, gas, and house coal, 45s. per ten; steam coal, 20s. to 40s.; culm, 12s. to 15s. per ton — all f.o.r. Athy, the nearest railway connection. The Newbridge Commissioners, at their monthly meeting, adopted unanimously a resolution of the Killarney District Council, joining in the appeal to have the line of railway to the above collieries made as soon as possible, so as to increase the output of Irish coal, in the interests of the people of Ireland. The coal vessels arriving in the port during the past week amounted to 71, the same number as the week previously, chief!v from Glasgow, Gars ton, Ayr, Ardrossan, Point of Aire, Liverpool, Silloth, Whitehaven, Troon, Ellesmere Port, Newport, Cardiff, Manchester, Preston, and Fleetwood. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was 27,000 tons. Belfast. No. further change has occurred in the local market since the advance of 2s. 6d. per ton in house coals, which was made last week, but the trade shows increased activity with the approach of Christmas. Current quotations for house- hold coals are : Best Arley, 43s. 6d. per ton; Orrell nuts, 42s. 6d.; English house, 41s. 6d.; Scotch llbuse, 39s. 6d.; Orrell slack, 39s. 6d. per ton. Coad-laden vessels arriving during the week were from Birkenhead, Barry, Glasgow, Ayr, Garston, Partington, Point of Aire, Troon, Ellesmere Port, Ardrossan, and Irvine. Current prices. Anthracite:— Best malting (hand picked) Secondary do. Big Vein Valley large. Red Vein large ........ Machine - made cobbles 37/6-40/ Paris nuts ............• — French do.............' 37/6-40/ - 36/6-39/ j 27/6-29/ 20/ -22/ large .....{30/ -32/ ... 27/ -29/ 24/ -27/ 22/ -25/ L’st week’slLast year’s prices. prices. 30/ -32/ 27/ -29/ 24/ -27/ 22/ -25/ 37/6-40/ Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Admiralty steam coals * * * Superior seconds * * — Seconds 26/ -28/ j27/ -30/ 22/* -23/ Ordinary steams 24/ -25/ 1 25/ -26/ 20/ —22/ Best bunker smalls 17/ -19/ I 19/ -20/ 12/ -13/ Best ordinaries 15/ -17/ 1 17/ -19/ 11/ -12/ Cargo qualities 14/ -15/ ' I 15/ -17/ 8/ - 9/ Inferior smalls 12/ —14/ 15/ -17/ 6/ - 7/ Best dry coals 25/ -26/ 1 26/ -27/6 25/ -26/ Ordinary drys 23/ -24/ 24/ -26/ 23/ -24/ Best washed nuts 25/ —26/ 27/6-30/ 25/ -27/ Seconds 24/ -25/ 27/ -28/ 22/ -24/ Best washed peas 23 6-24/6 26/ -27/6 17/6-18/6 15/6-16/6 Seconds 22/6-23,6 25/ -26/ Dock screenings — — 10/6-12/6 Monmouthshire— Black Veins 26/ -27/ 29/ -30/ 22/ -23/ Western-valleys 25/ -26/ 28/ -29/ 21/ -22/ Eastern-valleys 23/ -25/ • 27/ -28/ 20/ -21/ Inferior do 23/ -24/ 23/ -26/ 19/ -20/ Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) Second qualities (at pit)? 25/6-26/6 25/6-26/6 23/ -24/ 23/6-24/6 23/6-24/6 21/ —22/ No. 3 Rhondda— | Bituminous large 26/ -27/ 29/ -30/ ! 22/6-23/6 Through-and-through i Small j 22/ -23/ 24/ -25/ 1 20 -22/ { 20/ —21/ 18/ -20/ 18/ -18/6 No. 2 Rhondda— Large 24/ -25/ 18/ -20/ 1 28/ -30/ { 18/ -18/6 Thr ough-and-thr ough i 20/ -22/6 i 14/ -15/ Small 17/ -19/ 18/ -20/ 1 11/ -11/6 Best patent fuel 35/ -37/6 39/ -40/ : 24/ -25/ Seconds ' 34/ -35/ ( 37/6-39/ : 22/ -23/ Special foundry coke { 62/6-67/6 ( 62/6-67/6 { 42/ -45/ Ordinary do. ! 57/6-60/ ( 55/ -60/ \ 38/ -40/ Furnace coke 47/6-52/6 ! 50/ -55/ | 32/ -35/ Pitwood (ex-ship) { 49/ -50/ 49/ —50/ ' 52/ -53/ * : Nominal. Stove do...... Beans ........ Machine - made large’ peas ............ Do. fine peas Rubbly culm...... Duff............. Steam coals:— Best large ..... Seconds ......... Bunker throughs . .... Small ........... Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— Large.......... Thro’-and-thro’.. Small ......... Patent fuel ....... 37/6-40/ ; 36/6-39/ j 27/6-29/ 20/ -22/ 12/ -12/6 12/ -12/6 { 6/ - 6/6 6/ - 6/6 27/ -28/ i 25/ -26/ i 20/ -24/ | 12/ -18'1 27/ -28/ 25/ ~26j 20/ -24/ 12/ -18/ 28/ -30/ 18/ -20/ 34/ -35/ 29/ -30/ 18/ -20/ 36/ —38/ ( 36/ -37/6 ! 34/6-36/ ! 35/6-36/6 ' 32/ —35/ ' 43/ -45/ ' 47/ -49/6 ; 44/ -47/6 32/ -34/6 18/ -19/6 ■ 7/ -8/ ! 2/6-3/ . 21/ -24/ ) 17/ -20/ I 14/ -16/6 I 6/ - 8/ { 23/6-26/9 § 15/6-16/6 | 22/ -23/ Llanelly. COAL. There is no change to report in the state of the local coal market. The question of tonnage still holds the key to the position, and immediately sufficient tonnage arrives to meet the requirements business will become very brisk, and both buyers and sellers will have a chance to clear off the accumulation of unexecuted orders. Anthracite qualities are in moderate demand, with large qualities very weak. For prompt shipment substantial concessions are made in values, as collierios are unable to keep working anything like full time. Steam coals, with the exception of the better grades of large, are also weak; and smalls and through are obtainable for prompt clearance at easier figures. Manufacturing and house coals continue firm. This week’s quotations are approximately as follow:— Prices f.o.b. Anthracite:— Best malting large... Secondary do......... Big Vein large....... Red Vein do.......... Machine-made cobbles... Stove nuts........... French do.......... .. Paris do.............. Machine-made beans ... Do. peas......... Culm ................ Duff................. Other sorts:— Large steam coal..... Through-and-through... Small ............... Bituminous small coal... L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. 35/ -37/ 33/ -35/ 35/ -37/ 33/ -35/ Current prices. 29/6-32/ 29/6-32/ 27/6-30/ 27/6-30/ 25/6-28/ ; 25/6-28/ 24/ -25/ . 24/ -25/ 37/6-40/ 37/6-40/ 43/6-45/ 37/6-39/6 37/6-39/6 ! 44/6-47/ 38/ -40/ ! 38/ -40/ ! 47/6-49/ 37/ -39/ ' 37/ -39/ 46,6-47/ 28/6-29/6 28/6-29/6 I 32/ -34/ 20/ -22/ ; 20/ -22/ ! 19/ -20/ 10/6-11/6 10/6-11/6 7/ - 7/6 6/ - 6/6 6/ - 6/6 ■ 2/ - 2/6 27/ -28/6,27/ -28/6'22/ -24/ 19/6-22/6 19/6-22/6 : 14/6-16/6 13/6-17/ . 13/6-17/ j 6/ - 8/ 17/ -19/6 17/ -19/6 15/6-16/6 ____________________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market is firm, and pitch continues to improve, the West Coast values having now come into line with the East. Other products remain steady, especi- ally creosote. Nearest values are :— Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. Benzols, 90’s .................... 1/0J ••• — ........................... ,, 90’s North .............. /10i—/11| ... — „ 50’s North .............. 1/3—1/4 ... — Toluol ................................ 2/3 ... — Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.)... 3/4 ... — ,, crystals (40 per cent.) 1/3 ... — Solvent naphtha, south (90% at 160 degs.), as in quality and package 2/3 ... — Solvent naphtha, north (90% at 160 degs.), as in quality and package 1/10—1/11 ... — Crude naphtha, north (in bulk) ...... /6^—/6f ... — Creosote (for ordinary qualities) .... /3—/3| ... — Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ............ 16/—17/ ... — ,, (f.a.s. west coast) ........... 16/—16/6 ... 4-1/ Tar (per ton ex works) ........... 17/6—21/6 ... — [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.—Business is good, and the export demand so steady that prices continue to harden, and £19/2/6 is now required for Jan.-Mar. deliveries. Exports last week were about 6,670 tons. Current prices are :— London (ordinary makes) ... £18/7/6 Rise (+) or fall ( —) on the week. ... +7/6 Beckton (25 per cent.) £17/10 ... +7/6 Liverpool £18/10 ... +5/ Hull £18/2/6 ... +5/ Middlesbrough £18/1/3 ... +5/ Scotch ports £18/10 ... +5/ W ales £18/5 ... +5/ Nitrate of soda (ord) per cwt 18/3 [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2| per cent, discount; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality: allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.] ____________________________ THE TIM-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. Several works are now as full as they care to be, and are consequently asking top figures, but those who are in want of orders are inclined to “ cut ” for class A specifications. There has been rather more enquiry the last week, and prices have ranged from 27s. to 28s. basis for odd size orders. Stock lots, of course, realise high values: 66s. to 66s. 6d. has been paid for I C 28 x 20, and 58s. to 59s. for wasters. Follow- ing are about present quotations for class A or B work :— Coke tins: IC 14x20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 27s. to'28s. per box; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 1b.), 54s. 6d. to 56s. per box. IC squares and odd sizes, 27s. 6d. to 28s. 6d. basis for approved specifications. Prices for oil sizes are nominal : IC 14 x 18| (124 sh. 1101b.), 32s. 6d. per box and up; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 50s. Charcoals run 30s. basis and upwards, according to finish. Coke wasters are in better demand, and are fi^m, as follow : C W 14 x 20, 29s. 6d. per box and upwards; C W 28 x 20, 58s.: C W 14 x 18f, 30s.; C W 20 x 10, 42s. 6d.; C W 30 x 21, 66s. All f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. ____________________________ Dr. C. J. Cressy has been appointed certifying surgeon under the Factory and Workshop Acts for Kingwood, Hants. Vacancies for certifying surgeons exist at Harrogate and Lytham. Mr. H. V. Athron has been appointed agent for Messrs. D. Davis and Sons’ collieries at Ferndale and Tylorstown. A provisional agreement for amalgamation has been entered into between the Eagle Life Office and the British Dominions General Insurance Company. The late Mr. P. Lea, for over 30 years manager for the White Moss Colliery Company, Skelmersdale, left property valued at £5,316.