1222 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. June 29, 191f. distribution is being gradually brought into operation. With the demand for current consumption having declined, country merchants are able to obtain better supplies than formerly. Steams generally are in active request. War requirements absorb a large proportion of the output, and what tonnage is available for ordinary industries finds a ready sale. As a matter of fact, there is a comparatively small amount of free coal to be found on the market. Slacks are selling well, but there is a continued scarcity of those grades used in coke making. Prices at pithead. Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals......... Secondary do. ........... Best hard coals.......... Secondary do ............ Slacks (best hards)...... Do. (second) ......... Do. (soft)............ Current prices. 18/6-19/6 18/ —18/6 17/ -18/ 16/9-17/6 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 11/ L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 18/6-19/6 18/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 16/9-17/6 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 11/ prices. 18/6-19/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -16/6 17/ -17/6 16/ -16/6 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 11/ Leicestershire. COAL. The changes which are taking place are all in the direction of even more strenuous conditions in administra- tion. The depletion of the clerical staffs presses with great severity, and at many collieries it is impracticable to intro- duce female clerks. At the same time the clerical work is increasing in consequence of elaborate weekly returns. The threatened cutting off of long distance traffic will be a serious loss to many collieries, the connection having been built up by years of effort. The users, too, will be placed at a disadvantage for technical reasons, the coal in the case of certain munition works having been found specially suitable in the treatment of certain metals. The very marked preference for London deliveries is fully maintained in order to build up heavy reserves of stocks. There are short supplies of railway owned wagons, but those owned privately are coming to hand with great freedom. There is a very heavy demand for all classes of household for London and district, while mainland deep cobbles and nuts are a very big turnover. Small nuts for mechanical stokers are cleared off as fast as they are available. The demand for country stations is far in excess of the supplies, and important public institutions are pressing strongly for deliveries to create reserves. All the country coal yards are quite clear of stocks, and there are no reserves of any kind at the collieries. Prices at pit. 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.......... 13/6-14/ Steams, best hand picked 14/ -14/6 Steams, seconds .......... 13/ —13/6 Main cobbles for kitcheners: 13/6-14/ Main breeze..............I 12/6-13/6 Current prices. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/6 16/ -17/ 16/ -16/6 15/ -15/6 14/6-15/ 12/9-13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ L’st week’s prices. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/6 16/ -17/ 16/ -16/6 15/ -15/6 14/6-15/ 12/9-13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ 13/6-14/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/6—14/ 12/6-13/6 Last year’s prices. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/ 16/6—17/ 16/ -16/6 15/ -15/6 14/6-15/ 12/9-13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ 13/ -13/6 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/6-14/ 12/6-13/6 South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The coal market is relatively quiet, for the reason that colliery representatives have little to offer. Contract deliveries, indeed, are greatly in arrear. Merchants find it impossible , to meet the public demands, which, although consumption must have recently been at a minimum, still continue on a big scale, so big that householders are clamouring for supplies in one week that will take months to overtake. In steam and all kinds of works fuel business shows little change. All grades are keenly sought after, the requirements being heavy. Munition works are not allowed to go short. Prices at pit. Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) - House coal, best deep ... Do. seconds deep Do. best shallow Do. seconds do. Best hard ............ Forge coal............. Slack ................. Warwickshire:— House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked cobs ............... Best hard spires ...... Forge (steam) ......... D.S. nuts (steam) .... Small (do.) ... Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. 22/ 22/ 22/ 20/ 20/ 20/ 19/ 19/ 19/ 18/ 18/ 18/ 18/6 18/6 18/6 16/ 16/ 16/ 11/6 11/6 11/6 19/ 19/ 19/ 18/ 18/ 18/ 20/ 20/ 20/ 16/ 16/ 16/ 14/6 14/6 14/6 14/6 14/6 14/6 IRON. Strength and confidence pervade nearly every branch of the iron and steel trades. The sheet branches are an exception, these being carried on with some difficulty owing to shortage of material, such as sheet bars and spelter for galvanising. A large proportion of the output of strip, hoops, etc, is commandeered, so that outside supplies are short and dear. Gas strip (uncontrolled) ranges up. to <£15 10s., and steel strip is fairly uniform at about <£18 a ton. It is reported that the bar iron houses are considering the situation created by the advance in South Staffordshire pig iron, but no definite decision seems to have been come to, and the hesitancy in making an application for an advance in the present maxima is easily understood, since any hope on the part of Derbyshire and Northamptonshire pig iron makers—whose iron forms the larger proportion of that used—of securing better terms seems to have been given up. The quotation for unmarked bars, <£13 15s. net at makers’ works, is the same as that for North Staffordshire bars. Nut and bolt iron, delivered in the Darlaston district, is quoted at <£14 5s. to <£14 Ils. 3d., a relatively high price in comparison with that of unmarked bars. A certain amount of irregularity exists in the scrap trade. The limitation of prices for wrought material did not make for increased activity on the part of dealers, but apart from this, business is hampered by shortage of trucks and delays at stations. Steel shell discards, particularly those of soft carbon quality, are in keen request, and a fair supply is available from South Wales. These are used as a substitute for ordinary mild steel billets. Steel melting scrap is offered at the limit of £5 5s., and cast scrap is obtainable in moderate quantities at from <£5 2s. 6d. to £5 5s. Open-hearth wire rods are reported to be coming from the States in rather larger quantities, but at the abnormal prices of £28 to £29 at Liverpool. Neither billets nor bars are among the cargoes. Supplies of wire rods are arranged over the next two months or so. Plate shearings are fetching £11 10s., which is the maximum price of the plates, and there is some talk of the shearings being brought under control. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. No change of importance in the position of the house coal market has occurred since last writing. There is no indication or prospect of any decline in the demand, and considerably more business .is offering than can possibly be accepted by the collieries. For every description of manu- facturing coal there is a pronounced scarcity. The collieries are all fully extended and working six days each week, but it is impossible to satisfy the needs of buyers. Prices at pithead. House coals:— Block Forest Rubble Nuts Rough slack Steam coal.— Large . Small ... Current prices. 24/ 23/ 23/3 21/6 13/ 20/ -21/ 16/ -17/ L’st week’s prices. 24/ 23/ 23/3 21/6 13/ ! 20/ -21/ 16/6 Last year’s prices. 21/6 20/6 20/9 19/ 15/ 18/ -19/ 16/ Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, June 28. Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COAL. The market for steam coal in this district still remains in a very inactive and uncertain condition There are many circumstances making for dulness. Tonnage arrivals have only been moderate, there has been considerable delay with wagons, and a great deal of uncertainty prevails as to the official information regarding prices to be fixed by Govern- ment orders. Superior Admiralty steam coals are still nominal, as there is no free market for them. Secondary qualities have drooped a little, and there is a distinct uneasiness in the market in favour of early shipments. Small coals have receded considerably in value. House coal and patent fuel were practically unchanged. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. Steam coals:— ) Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best Black Vein large... 27/- 29/ 27/ -29/6 49/ -51/ Western-valleys, ordin’y; 24/6-26/ 25/ -26/ 48/ -49/ Best Eastern-valleys ... •' 23/6-24/6 24/ -25/ 47/ -48/ Secondary do. 19/6-21/ 20/ -21/ 39/ —43/ Best small coals | 14/6-16/ 17/ -18/ 26/ -27/ Secondary do j 9/ -12/ 10/ -13/ 23/ -24/ Inferior do 6/ - 8/6 6/6- 9/ 20/ -21/ Screenings 15/ -17/6 17/9-18/6 26/ -27/ Through coals 19/ -21/ 20/ -21/6 25/ -30/ Best washed nuts 30/ -33/ Other sorts:— Best house coal, at pit... 25/ -26/ 25/ -26/ 23/ -24/ Secondary do. do. ... 22/ -23/6 22/ -23/6 22/ -23/ Patent fuel 27/6-30/ 27/6-30/ 55/ -60/ Furnace coke ■ * * 50/ -52/6 Foundry coke * * 61/ -62/ * Nominal. IRON. There is still a steady, continuous output in all classes of iron and steel goods to Government order. The tin plate trade, though it continues to be hampered to some extent by want of raw material, is steadily regaining a firm position. There has been a moderate arrival of pitwood, the price of which continues to be about 72s. 6d. to 75s. for best fir. Cardiff. COAL. There is little difference in the general position as com- pared with last week. Arrivals of tonnage have been fairly satisfactory, but there is nothing of an encouraging nature either to buyers or sellers, and the market is dull with a sagging tendency. Charterings last week amounted to 46,635 tons compared with 33,310 tons in the preceding six days, but this improvement had no effect on the market, and the position with regard to shipment is entirely problematical. Nothing has yet been definitely announced as to the profits under the Government control scheme, and no further announcement has yet been made with regard to the limitation prices which were supposed to have been increased some time ago. In the meantime there is a general disinclination to do business, and buyers are holding off the market. Sellers who are well placed are unwilling to entertain forward business, but for prompt shipment the rates which prevail are not in any way indica- tive of the prices ruling. Concessions are made in order to release wagons, and in many cases the quotations are shaded to an extent as to be almost unrecognisable. Admiralty requirements during the past few days have not been excessive, and shipments have been fairly nominal. Second grades realise 28s. to 29s., with ordinaries about Is. less, and the same proportion is maintained with regard to Monmouthshires. The tonnage position controls every- thing. Stocks are plentiful, and those in possession of shipping facilities can practically obtain their own terms. In small coals their is little doing, and the stocks on hand are approaching a glut. Easy figures are the rule, and producers are disinclined to hold, or resort to banking. For bituminous coals there is a steady enquiry, but this is from inland centres more than foreign markets, for which there is little shipping available. Quotations show little alteration. Cokes are easier, and although the limitation rate is still quoted, it is reported that several transactions have gone through at lower figures. Patent fuel is steady at 28s. to 30s., according to quality. For pitwood there is still a strong demand, but a break has taken place in the market this week, and there is a variation in prices of 2s. 6d. per ton. Current rates are 72s. 6d. to 75s. ex ship. 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 28/ -29/ 28/ -29/ 49/ -50/ Ordinary steams 27/ -28/ . 27/ -28/ 48/ -49/ Best bunker smalls 16/ -17/ , 16/ -17/ 29/ -30/ Best ordinaries 13/6-15/6 13/6-15/6 26/ -28/ Cargo qualities 10/ -12/ 10/ -13/ 20/ -25/ Inferior smalls 8/6-10/ 8/6-10/ 20/ -21/ Best dry coals 29/ -30/ , 29/ -30/ 47/6-48/6 Ordinary drys 27/ -27/6 >27/ —28/ 44/ -47/ Best washed nuts 29/ -30/ 29/ -30/ 36/ -38/ Seconds 28/ -29/ 28/ -29/ 33/ -36/ Best washed peas 27/6-28/6 27/ -28/ 32/ -35/ Seconds 26/6-27/6 26/ -27/ 30/ -32/ Dock screenings Monmouthshire— i Black Veins 28/ -29/ 1 28/ -29/ 49/ -50/ Western-valleys 27/ -28/ ! 27/ -28/ 48/ -50/ Eastern-valleys 26/ -27/ ! 26/ -27/ 46/ -48/ Inferior do 25/ -26/ 25/ -26/ 40/ -45/ Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) 25/6-26/6 25/6-26/6 23/ -24/ Second qualities (at pit) 23/6-24/6 23/6-24/6 21/ -22/ No. 3 Rhondda- Bituminous large 27/ -27/6 27/ -28/ •49/ -50/ Through-and-through 23/6-24/6 23/6-24/6 37/6-41/ Small 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 30/ -35/ No. 2 Rhondda— Large 23/6-24/6 23/6-24/6 38/ -40/ Through-and-through 18/ -19/ ! 18/ -19/ 29/ —31/ Small 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 24/ -25/ Best patent fuel 29/ -30/ 30/ 50/ -55/ Seconds 28/ -29/ 28/ -29/ 48/ -50/ Special foundry coke 47/6 47/6-50/ 62/6-65/ Ordinary do. 47/6 47/6-50/ 60/ -62/6 Furnace coke 47/6 47/6-50/ | 50/ -55/ Pitwood (ex-ship) 72/6-75/ 75/ 38/ -42/ * Nominal. Later.—On the Exchange yesterday business in the steam coal trade was practically at a standstill because of the new conditions created by the Coal Controller’s Order, which means an advance of about 2s. to 4s. 6d. a ton in the price of coal, and of from 7s. to 12s. per ton in the price of smalls over the figures ruling. This applies to all classes of coal for export or for bunkers. The chief difficulty in regard to new business was the fact that there was no definite classification of the respective coals on the market. In a number of cases the colliery owners declined to give quotations pending the decisions of the Coal Owners’ Committee, which for the last two or three weeks has been engaged in classifying the different coals. IRON. Work continues satisfactorily, although there are rumours of a dispute between employers and employed which is likely to cause considerable friction. At the time of writing nothing definite had been formulated, and there was a hope that the difficulty would be overcome. Outputs are well maintained, although the quantity of steel bars from the tin-plate works is becoming less week by week. Latest returns show that there are now only 233 mills at work, compared with 570 in normal times, and the position is becoming gradually worse. Last week receipts from works amounted to 25,976 boxes, against 44,357 shipped, leaving 74,277 boxes in stock, compared with 198,384 boxes a year ago. This is the lowest record for many years past, and makers are viewing the situation seriously. Prices are 36s. for standard sizes for class A work, and for free plates 40s. is easily obtainable. In the galvanised sheet trade there is no alteration. Spelter remains steady at £54. All quotations are nominal. For rails there is a steady demand, and all works are producing maximum outputs, which are strictly controlled. Scrap metals are scarce, and maximum prices are being realised. Swansea. COAL. The coal trade showed some slight improvement during the past week, and there was a good export of patent fuel. The shipments together were 81,187 tons. Business on ’Change to-day was quiet in all branches of the coal trade. Tonnage was available in slightly increased volume, but stocks in most classes of coal were plentiful, and values were unsteady. Anthracite machine-made sizes were firm. Llanelly. COAL. There is little change to report as to the conditions of the coal market locally. The scarcity of tonnage is still severely felt, and idle days at the collieries are plentful. This refers chiefly to the anthracite and the steam coals. Prices f.o.b. Anthracite:— Best malting large .. Secondary do. ....... Big Vein large....... Bed 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... Current prices. 24/ -25/6 21/6-23/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 32/6-35/6 32/6-35/ 34/ -36/ 34/ -36/ 28/6-30/ 20/6-22/ 10/6-11/6 5/3- 5/6 ; L’st week’s! ! prices. ! 24/ -25/6 21/6-23/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 32/6-35/6 32/6-35/ 34/ —36/ 34/ -36/ 28/6-30/ 20/6-22/ 10/6-11/6 5/3- 5/6 Last year’s prices. 31/ -33/ 29/6-30/6 28/6-30/ 26/ -28/ 35/ -38/ 35/6-37/ 35/6-37/6 34/6-36/6 31/6-34/6 22/ -23/ 13/6-14/ 5/ - 5/6 25/6-26/6 20/9-22/3 9/6-13/ 17/6-19/ 25/6-26/6 20/9-22/3 9/6-13/ 17/6-19/ 36/6-38/6 32/6-34/6 20/ -22/ 29/ —31/6