February 23, 1917. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 393 Prices at pithead. House coals:— Block Forest Bubble Nuts Bough slack Steam coal ■.— Large Small ... Current prices. 24/ 23/ 23/3 21/6 13/ 20/ -21/ 16/ L’st week’s prices. 24/ 23/ 23/3 21/6 13/ 20/ -21/ 16/ Last year’s prices. 21/6 20/6 20/9 19/ 11/6 18/ -19/ 13/6-14/ Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, February 22. Horth Wales. Wrexham. COAL. The demand for all classes of fuel continues to be abnormal, and colliery owners are unable to execute all the orders they receive. All the pits are fully employed. The result of the surfacemen’s application for an increase in war bonus has not been announced. There is trouble again in regard to wages questions among the Mersey-side dock workers, and Mr. Sexton, the secretary of the Dockers5 Union, has been deputed to interview Mr. Hodge, the Minister of Labour, and request a special arbitration during the next fortnight in respect of the men’s claims for Is. per day increase on day rates, Id. per hour increase on night rates, and double time on Sundays, Christmas Day and Good Friday, and time and half for all Bank holidays. The original demand was for 2s. a day. The position as regards house coal is more acute than it was last week. Even in the vicinity of collieries, schools have had to be closed for lack of fuel. With reference to steam coal, the position is little changed. Buyers for railway companies, Government firms and shippers are all pressing heavily for deliveries on account of contracts. A disastrous fire occurred this week at the shipyard of Messrs. Clover, Clayton and Company Limited, Birkenhead. The offices and workshops were totally destroyed and the damages are estimated at several thousands of pounds, but fortunately no lives were lost. The position of gas coal is on the whole fairly satisfactory. Gas companies would like larger deliveries accorded them than they are now getting, but apparently the position is not so desperate in this section of the trade as it is in respect of house and steam coals. The Liverpool Gas Company have advised their customers that the price of gas is to be advanced 2d. per 1,000 cubic feet, which brings the price to 2s. 4d. per 1,000 feet. The limited quantity of slack in the open market is easily disposed of at good prices. The prices of house coal at the pit have not altered very much during the past week. Best quality coal has been purchasable by merchants at 22s. to 23s. per ton, with seconds at 21s. to 22s. per ton at pit. The retail prices at local landsale depots have been from 27s. 6d. to 30s. per ton, but at coal wharves in some towns varied prices have been obtained ; while the average price has been about 32s. per ton, it is stated that in Liverpool dealers have recently been charging as much as 2s. 6d. per cwt., and even at this figure the demand has exceeded the supply. Prices quoted for steam and gas coal are from 19s. to 21s. per ton at pit and nuts about Is. per ton less, while slack has made from 12s. to 14s. 6d per ton according to quality. Gas coke continues to be scarce and readily obtains from 25s. to 27s. 6d. per ton at the gas works. Current L’st week’sjLast year’s Prices at pit f.o.r. prices. prices. prices. Best house coal 22/ -23/ 21/6-23/6 20/ -22/ Secondary do 21/ -22/ — 19/ -20/ Steam coal 19/ -21/ 20/ -21/ | 18/6-19/6 Gas coal 19/ —21/ 19/ -21/ 18/ -18/6 Bunkers 19/ -21/ 18/ -20/ — 17/9-18/3 Nuts 19/ -20/ 17/9-18/3 Slack 12/ -14/6 12/ -14/ 9/ -11/ Gas coke (at works) Prices landsale:— 25/ -27/6 25/ -27/6 21/8-25/ Best house coal 28/4-30/ 27/6-30/ 25/ -27/6 Seconds 27/6-28/4 26/8-28/4 22/6-25/ Slack 16/8-17/6 15/ -17/6 15/ -16/8 IRON. . The condition of things in the iron and steel trades of the district remains practically unchanged. All the works are engaged at high pressure, and are now turning out large supplies. The only exception is the tin-plate trade, which is handicapped by many restrictions. Prices in all departments are purely nominal. Pitwood values are rising, best fir being quoted at 70s. to 75s. Cardiff. COAL. Chartering last week was at a very low ebb, and it was only on one day that any fixtures were reported, the total being 13,900 tons, as compared with 8,250 tons in the preceding six days. Of course, Admiralty business is not disclosed at all, and for some time past the fixtures to the various ports of the Allies have not been published, and this accounts in great measure for the smallness of the figures given above. Whilst arrivals over the week-end were fairly satisfactory, the amount of free tonnage in the various docks is totally inadequate to meet the require- ments of shippers, and buyers are holding off the market in the hope that better conditions will prevail in the near future. At the time of writing there had been no new chartering, and although the increased limitation rates have now been in operation for a fortnight, they have not had the result which was anticipated. Neutral tonnage is being diverted in increased quantities, and, on the present scale of freights, there seems to be little prospect of improvement. Shipments from the Bristol Channel last week amounted to only 181,836 tons, compared with 312,033 tons in the corresponding week of last year, or a decrease of 130,197 tons. From Cardiff there were exported 110,295 tons, against 162,730 tons, or a decline of 52,435 tons; from Newport 31,165 tons, or a falling off of 46,816 tons, and from Swansea 18,850 tons, or a decrease of 31,679 tons. Port Talbot, with a total of 21,526 tons, showed an improvement of 733 tons. Patent fuel shipments amounted to 14,179 tons, against 20,396 tons last year. Of this quantity Cardiff contributed 2,807 tons, Swansea 9,901 tons, and Port Talbot 1,471 tons. Coke shipments were 5,346 tons, or an increase of 2,412 tons. In this connection it is interesting to note that maximum prices have been fixed by the authorities for ship- ments to limitation ports, the rate agreed upon being 47s. 6d. per ton. During the last few days temporary stoppages have occurred at a number of collieries owing to scarcity of wagons, and the sidings generally are heavily stocked with coal owing to the difficulty of obtaining tonnage for prompt shipment. Salesmen, however, are optimistic as to the future trend of the markets, and for mid-March business, and even earlier, they are firmly quoting figures materially in advance of those now ruling. Outputs are well maintained, and the reports presented to the shareholders at railway meetings which have been held during the last few days show that the falling off in tonnage carried to the docks is nothing like so great as might have been expected. In the case of one railway which carried over 5,000,000 tons during the year, the decrease does not amount to more than 10 or 12 per cent., and the same remark applies to two other companies chiefly engaged in the coal carrying traffic. No figures are authoritatively published, but there is little doubt that the total shipments are not much lower than they were in pre-war times. For a lengthy period after the commence- ment of the war, production was limited owing to the great rush of men into the Army. Since then the number of employees has steadily increased, and the men generally have been working more regularly, so that the net decrease is a gradually diminishing quantity. With regard to prices there is little alteration, and quotations are more or less nominal, according to the positions of the individual buyer and seller. Second Admiralties are obtainable at 24s. to 25s., and ordinary steams about Is. less. Although there is a steady demand for Monmouth- shires, the tonnage difficulty has a detrimental effect, and quotations are relatively lower in consequence. Best Black Veins are 24s. to 25s., western valleys 23s. to 24s., and the bestfof the easterns 22s. to 23s. The small coal market is slow and irregular, superior bunkers ranging from 15s. to 16s., ordinaries 14s. to 15s., and cargo descrip- tions 12s. to 14s. per ton. There is little demand for bituminous coals, and the tone is dull. No. 3 Bhondda large realises 24s. to 25s., No. 2 22s. to 23s., and other grades in proportion. In sympathy with the low rates prevailing for small coal, patent fuel is easier, best brands offering at 80s. to 32s. 6d., and other grades about 2s. 6d. less. Coke is unaltered. A further advance has taken place in pitwood, which is now commanding 74s. to 75s. per ton. IRON. There has been an increase in the shipments of tin-plates, and exports last week nearly approximated production— 31,968 boxes, against 31,699 shipped. Stocks in docks warehouses and vans now amount to 208,228 boxes, com- pared with 207,859 in the previous week, and 256,526 in the corresponding week of last year. The outlook is unsatis- factory, and it is anticipated that production will be materially decreased from the end of the month owing to the imposition of further restrictions as to the supply of acid. In the meantime local makers have to face the fact that American manufacturers are capturing the Welsh markets, and this competition, owing to extensive develop- ments in the States, is likely to become accentuated in the future. Bessemer standard cokes are nominally 27s. 6d. to 29s., with other grades in proportion. Welsh tin-plate bars are nominal, and subject to the allocation scheme adopted by the authorities. Pig iron is in great demand, and maximum outputs are being maintained. After being closed for a period of eight years, the Cyfarthfa Iron Works at Merthyr, which were acquired by Messrs. Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds, have been restarted, and the rolling mills were put into operation this week. New blastfurnaces are being erected, but several months must yet elapse before there will be any appreciable output. In the galvanised sheet trade there is no change, and there were no reports last week. Prices are nominal. Spelter has advanced to <£56 10s. per ton. The iron ore market is satisfactory, and imports well maintained, although slightly below those for the corresponding week of last year. In scrap metals there is no alteration. Swansea. COAL. The trade of the port was rather better last week, with coal continuing inactive, although there was a fair shipment of patent fuel. The shipments of coal and patent fuel amounted to 43,400 tons. There was a fairly good attendance on ’Change this morning, but conditions in the anthracite coal market showed no improvement. Large coals of all grades were freely offered for anything like early shipment. Machine-made cobbles and nuts were without any movement. Beans produced a good enquiry, and were firm. Peas remained steady. Bubbly culm was extremely slow, and duff did not meet with as good a demand as last week. Steam coals were very slow, parti- cularly in the case of smalls, these meeting with practically no call. Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Monmouthshire, South Wales, 4c. Newport. COAL. Dulness has still to be reported in the steam coal market, not only of Monmouthshire but the whole of South Wales. Stocks are increasing as the want of tonnage grows, and prices are weakening for prompt delivery. Still, sellers are far from despondent of the position after February is out, and they do not admit much weakness after that. Forward transactions are on the basis of better prices than are now quoted. House coal and patent fuel maintain recent values without much change. 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, at pit... Secondary do. do. ... Patent fuel .......... Furnace coke.......... Foundry coke ......... Current .L’stweek’s prices. prices. 24/ -25/ 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 20/6-21/6 21/ -22/ 15/ -16/ 9/6-13/6 7/6- 9/6 15/6-17/ 20/ -21/6 24/6-25/6 22/ -23/6 30/ -32/6 47/6-52/ 57/6-60/ 16/ -17/6 11/ -15/6 7/6- 9/6 17/ 20/ -21/ 24/6-25/6 21/ -22/6 30/ -32/6 47/6-52/6 57/6-60/ Last year’s prices. 34/6-35/ 34/ -35/ 33/ -34/ 32/ -33/ 17/6-18/ 16/ -17/ 12/ -14/ 18/ 19/6-21/ 26/ -28/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 32/6-34/6 36/ -37/6 44/ -45/ Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current prices. * ■ * 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 12/ -14/ 10/ —12/ 24/ -25/ 22/ -23/ 25/ -26/ 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 22/ -22/6 25/6-26/6 23/6-24/6 24/ -25/ 20/ -21/ 18/ -20/ 22/ -23/ 18/ -20/ 15/ -17/ 39/ -32/6 27/ -30/ 62/6-65/ 55/ -57/6 47/6-52/6 74/- 75/ L’st week’s prices. * 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 12/ -15/ 10/ -12/ 24/ -25/ 22/ —23/ 25/ -26/ 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 22/ —23/6 22/ —22/6 25/6-26/6 23/6-24/6 25/ -26/ 20/ -21/ 18/ -20/ ' 22/ -23/ 18/ -20/ 15/ -17/ 31/ -32/6 30/ -31/ 62/6-65/ 55/ -57/6 47/6-52/6 65/ -70/ Last year’s prices. * 33/ -35/ 32/ -33/ 19/ -19/6 17/ -18/ 13/ -15/ 10/ -12/ 34/ -35/ 32/ -33/ 27/ -28/ 25/ -26/ 23/ -24/ 20/ —21/ 12/ -14/ 34/ -35/ 33/ -34/ 32/ -33/ 31/ -32/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -22/6 32/ -35/ 27/ -28/ 24/ -25/ 27/ -30/ 23/ -24/ 15/ -16/ 33/ -35/ 28/ -30/ 42/ -45/ 41/ -44/ | 32/ -35/ 48/ -50/ Superior seconds Seconds Ordinary steams 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 Bhondda— Bituminous large Through-and-through Small No. 2 Bhondda— Large Through-and-through Small Best patent fuel Seconds Special foundry coke Ordinary do. Furnace coke Pitwood (ex-ship) ......... Nominal, Anthracite:— Best malting large (hand picked) ....... Secondary do. Big Vein Valley large... Bed Vein large ...... Machine-made cobbles Paris nuts .......... French do............ 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 Bhondda— Large................. Thr o’-and-thro’.... Small ............. Patent fuel ............ Current prices. L’stweek’s prices. Last year’s prices. 27/ -28/ 28/ -30/ 28/ -30/ 22/ -25/ 26/ -27/ 23/6-25/ 20/ -22/6 22/ -24/ 20/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 21/ -24/ 19/ -21/ 33/ -35/ 34/ -36/ 40/ -42/ 33/ -35/ 34/ -36/ 42/ -44/ 32/ -34/ 33/ -35/ 41/ -42, 23/6-24/6 23/6-24/6 32/ -34,1 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 19/6-21/ 9/ -9/6 9/6-10/6 6/6- 7/6 6/6- 7/ 6/6- 7/ 2/9- 3/3 25/ -26/ 26/ -27/ 26/6-32/6 24/ -25/ 25/ -26/ 24/ -27/6 18/ -20/ 18/ -22/ 19/6-24/ 10/ -15/ 11/ -15/ 12/6-14/ 28/ -30/ 28/ -30/ 26/6-31/ 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 18/ -21/ 32/ -34/ 32/ -34/ 26/ -27/6 Llanelly. COAL. The continued shortage of tonnage is interfering seriously with the position of the local market. Collieries are having many idle days, and there is no likelihood of an early improvement in the position. Colliery order books are well placed, but it is impossible to give clearance to orders under present conditions. Spot lots of practically all qualities are easily obtainable at reduced prices, but at the moment there is very little doing. The inland enquiry is active, but the shortage of wagons is interfering with supplies going forward. Buyers who have their own wagons experience little difficulty in getting their orders executed. For the anthracite large qualities there is a poor demand Prices f.o.b. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Anthracite:— prices. prices. | prices. Best malting large i 26/6-28/ 28/ -30/ 1 28/ -30/ Secondary do. 22/6-25/ 26/6-27/6 \ 23/ -25/ Big Vein large 20/ -22/6 22/6-24/6 1 20/ -22/ Bed Vein do 20/ -21/6 22/ -23/6 ! 19/ -21/ Machine-made cobbles... 33/ -35/ 34/ -36/ 40/ -43/ Stove nuts 33/ —35/ 33/ -35/ j 41/6-42/ French do 33/ -35/ 33/6-35/6 1 42/ -43/ Paris do 33/ -35/ 33/ -35/ ! 41/ -42/ Machine-made beans ... 23/6-24/6 23/6-24/6 32/ -34/ Do. peas 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 19/ -20/ Culm 9/ - 9/6 9/6-10/6 6/6- 1/- Duff 6/6 61-616 2/6- 3/ Other sorts:— Large steam coal 24/6-25/6 26/ -27/ 30/ -32/ Through-and-through... 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 20/ —23/ Small 10/6-14/6 11/6-15/ 12/ -14/ Bituminous small coal... 17/6-19/6 — 17/ —19/6 18/ —20/