April 19, 1918.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

803

Nottingham.

COAL.

A more active tone has prevailed during the past week in
the house coal section. The colder weather accentuated
the public demand, in addition to which many householders
are beginning to lay in stocks, as they are running out of
the supplies obtained last summer. Consequently, local
merchants are busy, but the supplies are in most cases
insufficient to cover all the orders coming to hand. The
pressure on collieries is increasing, but taking all things
into consideration the output is being distributed in a manner
which avoids as much inconvenience or hardship as possible.
There is no decrease in the demand for steam coal, all the
available output being readily disposed of by the collieries.
So heavy are needs for war work and contracts that there
is practically no fuel for the open market. Slacks generally
are in increasing request, with the result that supplies are
more difficult to obtain than recently, more particularly nut
slacks and coking sorts. There is an active demand for
coke and gas coal. Prices at pithead are unaltered from
those appearing in our last issue.

Leicestershire.

*	COAL.

There is a very great increase in the consumption of
household at the great centres of population, and orders
are flowing in at a far greater rate than they can be met.
This sudden expansion in the demand is entirely due to the
weather. The shortage of supplies is intensified by the
quantities which are being used for steam raising. All
classes of steam and manufacturing fuel are in the keenest
request, and very little progress can be made with the
creating of reserves for Government works and the large
undertakings of national importance. At the same time
there is a very marked decrease in the output by the call
for men for the Army. The men are not waiting to be
combed out, but are volunteering for service in large
numbers. There is a strong demand for household for
London and the South of England, and it is now impossible
to keep up the minimum deliveries Cobbles, as well as
large and small nuts, are taken up as fast as they come to
hand, while peas for mechanical stokers are most urgently
required. Country merchants are unable to get full
supplies, and the orders to lay in stocks continue to grow
rapidly. Transport problems become more acute, but there
is an abundant supply of empty wagons at the colliery
sidings. There are no stocks at country stations or at the
collieries. Prices at pit are unchanged from those reported
last week.

South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire
and Warwickshire.

Birmingham.

COAL.

The strain on the collieries is on an ascending scale as
the comb-out proceeds During the week-end coal in the
city was very scarce, particularly among the smaller
dealers, and steps were taken to see that poor people did
not go without supplies. The proposed rationing scheme
is a topic of considerable discussion. No details are to
hand as to its application, and there is reason to believe
that the locd authorities of the district will have an
opportunity of considering any scheme before it is finally
adopted. Such a course will certainly be conducive to
smooth and efficient working. A very active demand is
reported for industrial purposes, and establishments
engaged on essential work have their supplies allocated, so
that operations will go on uninterruptedly. There is
practically nothing offering on the open market. Prices are
the same as those given last week.

IRON.

The quarterly meeting proved quite an uneventful
gathering, and since then the situation has undergone no
material change. Manufacturers are less concerned with
looking for business than they are with grappling with the
accumulation of orders which await execution. Supplies
of raw material are a subject of continual anxiety. Pig
iron houses do their best to make their output go round,
but the cry is still for more. Scrap is being mobilised, in
as large quantities as possible to supplement or take the
place of pigs. The best quality of marine engine cast
scrap readily fetches £6 15s., and heavy wrought iron
scrap, which is required for the mills and forges, is sold for
£6 5s., plus commission, carriage, and 7s. 6d. for selecting,
and 15s. additional if cut and ready for piling. Moderate
quantities of off-iron from the basic furnaces are reaching
the market. In order to reduce the high percentage of
silicon in this iron, some houses are having it cast in moulds
instead of in sand, thereby increasing its general utility.
In the finished branches output proceeds at pretty nearly
full capacity, and consumers are clamouring for deliveries.
A small export trade is passing in Lancashire bars at
<£15 10s. to £16. Shortcomings in the way of transport are,
however, an impediment. Puddled iron is offered most
sparingly owing to reduced output and heavy orders on
hand. Puddled billets fetch about .£13 10s. delivered
South Wales, under the direction of the Ministry. Semi-
finished steel is very scarce for merchant trade purposes.
Manufacturers have no supplies to fall back upon, and
fresh contracts for Transatlantic supplies seem in abey-
ance. Steel strip has rather a wide range. The minimum
quotation is £17 5s., and the highest, for special lots,
£18 10s. The average market level is, however, about £18.

Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast.

Plymouth.

COAL.

Messrs. Wade and Son report a good demand for all
classes of fuel except small. Stocks are by no means large,
and the present cold weather may cause a scarcity in the
country districts. Coal merchants in No. 13 area are
interested in a new Control Order which has been issued
forbidding any supplies by rail of free-burning coal with-
out one-third of Welsh coal being also supplied. The
object of this Order is to prevent large firms at a distance
sending trucks of free-burning house coal by retail to
housekeepers and farmers, thus opposing the country local
merchants who are compelled to buy one-third of Welsh,
and who are also saddled with heavy fixed store expenses,
while their innovating competitors are free from any
impediment of the kind. Moreover, these.competitors are
allowed 2s. per ton profit on “ direct supplies to consumers,”
as against the limitation of the merchant to Is. only The
innovators proclaimed that they could supply all free-
burning house coal while the local merchant could not.

Forest of Dean.

Lydney.

COAL.

The house coal trade of this coal field continues very
active, and there is every indication that the pits will be
kept at full work during the summer months. Outputs
have been much disturbed during the past two or three
weeks by the combing out of young men for the Army, and
many merchants have had to go short of their require-
ments. The same thing has applied to the steam coal pits,
and consumers are more than ever pressing for deliveries
to keep works engaged in business of national importance
going at full speed. There are no stocks of any description
to be noticed. Prices at pithead are unaltered from those
given in our last issue.

THE LONDON COAL TRADE.
Thursday, April 18.

The market has somewhat altered its tone from the
previous week, for the supplies coming forward have been
to a very large extent modified, and at the same time the
cold, wet weather has seriously increased the actual con-
sumption. The demand at all the depots has multiplied.
The inland collieries report that a great strain has been
placed upon them to earmark a weekly supply to the London
gas works,owing to the depletion of their seaborne supplies.
This, taken in conjunction with the reduced output, and
the combing-out of more pitmen, has awakened a consider-
able amount of anxiety as to the immediate future.
Happily the summer months are approaching, but the
matter is viewed with a deal of concern. * House coals are
fairly well in hand, but hard steam coals are very scarce.
Bakers’ nuts and hard screened cobbles are also very
difficult to obtain. The seaborne market has been well
supplied. Thirtv-four vessels were reported as arriving in
the Thames for Monday’s market and three for Wednesday,
but many of these boats were due to arrive last week.
They were held up on account of the weather. The
question of distribution in the London area is still
a problem, as the colder weather has started a bigger
demand for fuel, and the wet weather has tended to
hinder deliveries. Fortunately, the stocks in hand
have proved ample to supply all special demands, but, in
many cases, the reserves have been broken into to keep pace
with the pressure of orders. The rationing of house coal
in all the London houses has now been in force since
October last, in accordance with the number of rooms in
each house. Looking back on the winter supplies, it has
turned out far better than was at first anticipated. The
weather conditions have not been so seriously acute as
during the previous winter, and, so far, the general public
have been well supplied. The Controller is not satisfied
that the economies practised have been all that could
be desired, and supplies will be curtailed at least one-sixth
in the London area. Consumers are warned that drastic
steps are likely to be forthcoming during the summer,
but at the same time everyone is urged to put into
stock as much as possible in the summer months.
Considerable excitement was caused on the market on
Monday by reports of a coal famine in some of the districts
of Essex. The prices fixed by the Controller did not
permit of any margin of profit for the merchants, and
the urban district councils have failed to come to any
satisfactory arrangement. In the Colne Valley district the
distribution was brought to a standstill. Householders are
fetching supplies from the coal yards. Some of the urban
councils are in favour of establishing municipal coal
depots, but it is hoped that a compromise will be effected.
The latest Order for the saving of gas and electricity in
the London district has given rise to a very serious enquiry
as to what could be done to relieve the position of those
who, from patriotic motives, have already economised
during the year all that could possibly be done. The
Order provides that consumers may take as the basis the
corresponding quarters in either 1916 or 1917. The Board
of Trade is prepared to take into favourable consideration
every satisfactory explanation that may be given of any
apparent excessive consumption.

From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Company’s Report.

Friday, April 12.—Owing to the scarcity of supplies the
seaborne house coal market was very quiet, and no trans-
actions were reported. No cargoes.

Monday, April 15.—The cold weather caused a good
enquiry for seaborne house coal, which ruled firm, and the
cargoes on offer were soon disposed of, but no quotation
procurable. Cargoes, 34.

Wednesday, April 17.—There was no alteration in the
seaborne house coal market owing to the short supply. No
transactions are reported. Cargoes, 3.

THE TIN-PLATE TRADE.

Liverpool.

The tone of the market is not too good at the moment,
there being several sellers at 6d. to Is. a box below the
official maximum price, which at present stands at 32s. per
basis box, net cash, f.o.t. at works. The demand is
moderate for prime plates, but wasters meet with a good
enquiry and realise full prices ; 28 x 20 are exceedingly
scarce. Terne plates are very slow of sale.

Acting-Captain Arthur Walsh son of Mr. Stephen
Walsh, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Local
Government Board, has been killed in action. He enlisted
as a private shortly after the outbreak of war.

Coal Exports in March.—According to the Board of
Trade returns, the exports of coal, coke, and manufactured
fuel, in March totalled 2,638,828 tons, valued at £3,792,143,
compared with 3,025,442 tons, valued at £4,084,583, a
year ago, and 3,281,793 tons, valued at £3,565,210, two
years ago. The shipments in the three months ended
March 31, totalled 8,158,420 tons, valued at £11,671,017,
compared with 9,416,553 tons, valued at £12,455,346, in
the corresponding period last year, and 9,975,276 tons,
valued at £10,155,609, in the same period in 1916.

Limitation of Coal Contracts.—The Coal Controller
notifies that in view of the probable effect of the man
power proposals on the coal market, all contracts for the
sale of coal for export from the United Kingdom, or for
ships’ bunkers, made on or after April 18, must be limited
to a period not exceeding three months from the 1st of
the month following that of the date of the contract.
The Controller will be glad if collieries when temporarily
short of orders will stack coal so far as they are able to
do so, rather than lay the pits idle.

THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES.

Thursday, April 18.

Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac.
Newport.

COAL.

The general improvement in the coal trade of this
district reported last week has been fully maintained.
There has been a more brisk enquiry for all classes of coals
than for some weeks past, and with an improved arrival of
tonnage the collieries have been working with a degree of
regularity unknown for some months. A very large
percentage of the younger colliers have voluntarily joined
the Colours. Production has thereby slightly suffered.
All stocks are appreciably less, and the allocation scheme,
which came into operation on Monday, was felt to be
unnecessary. House and gas coals have been in strong
and steady request for inland uses. Coke and patent fuel
have been practically unchanged, though in some districts
gas coke for household consumption has been quoted rather
lower. Prices of coal at pit and f o b. are unaltered from
those given last week.

IRON.

The iron and steel works of the district are still employed
at full pressure almost entirely on Government account.
Prices are nominal. There is still a good supply of iron
ore. The tin plate trade continues to be hampered by the
high price of tin, but there is a fair demand for waster
plates.

Cardiff.

COAL.

The principal topic on ’Change is the allocation scheme,
which, according to a notice received from the Coal and
Coke Supplies Committee, became operative as from the
15th inst. Only on Saturday last the Admiralty authorities
suggested that the scheme should be deferred for another
week, in order to relieve the pressure which is now existent
for prompt shipment, and many of the representatives of
the collieries producing best descriptions of steam coals
expressed their intention of continuing full work until
present requirements had been satisfied, or until stocks
began to accumulate. As a matter of fact, tonnage has
been coming forward rather more freely since the Easter
holidays, and at the beginning of this week it was reported
that several vessels had been waiting for loading berths,
whilst another vessel had been diverted to another port in
consequence of not being able to obtain a prompt supply of
cargo. It was argued that it would be folly not to make
use to the fullest extent of the present favourable shipping
position, and that it was against everybody’s interest to
restrict production when the demand exceeds the supply.
This position of affairs, unfortunately, relates only to the
superior descriptions, and when the matter was discussed
generally amongst all grades, a resolution was arrived at to
bring the allocation scheme into operation as from Monday
last. The decision will not be felt severely, although the
pressure at the moment is undoubtedly heavy, and there
has been a tendency for some days for the inferior grades to
accumulate. The combing out of the eligible miners is
proceeding vigorously; but apparently there is a new wave
of enthusiasm passing through the younger element, and
they are volunteering by hundreds every day at the local
recruiting stations. The medical boards are sitting
morning, afternoon and evening, in order to cope with the
rush. Official business is taking precedence, and, as
requirements are unusually heavy, it may be some days
before there is any appreciable margin for the purpose of
satisfying ordinary commercial demands. Chartering last
week was also fairly satisfactory—nearly 17,000 tons being
fixed. Empty wagons are plentiful, and collieries generally
are working under more comfortable conditions than for
some time past. The application of the allocation scheme
will have the effect of reducing outputs nominally by 20 per
cent.; but this artificial restriction is looked upon as
infinitely preferable to the alternative put forward by the
miners’ leaders—that is, to adopt a working week of five
days only. This was the strongest argument made use of
at the meeting of the committee on Saturday, and the cir-
cular issued to the employers calls upon all concerned to
loyally abide by the decision arrived at. The same healthy
condition of affairs also prevails in the Monmouthshire
coalfield. Shipping is plentiful, and most of the collieries
are well stemmed for some days to come. There is a per-
sistent demand for house and gas coals, and supplies are
rather on the short side. Patent fuel is unchanged, and
there is little alteration in the position with regard to
pit wood, which is coming forward in satisfactory quantities.
Coal quotations are unchanged since last report.

IRON.

There is a firm tendency in the tin-plate trade, and, as
most makers have their order books well filled, there is a
prospect that the industry will remain steady for several
months to come Under the man-power scheme, about
1,000 men are being withdrawn, and so far about 800 men
have received their calling-up notices. This is bound to
affect production to some extent, but it is hoped that most
of the mills now in operation will be able to continue
working. Shipments last week amounted to 20,135 boxes,
as compared with 17,009 received from works, thus leaving
128,089 boxes in stock, as compared with 131,215 boxes the
previous week, and 200,828 boxes at the corresponding date
of last year. Prices are maintained at the official maximum
of 32s. per box, and considerable orders have recently been
placed on Government and Allied account. There is a good
demand for wasters and oil sizes at proportionate prices.
All the iron and steel works are well employed, and
maximum outputs are being produced. This applies
especially to the rail and bar mills, which have difficulty
in coping with requirements. In the galvanised sheet
trade there is no alteration, and all mills are busy on the
production of black plate and painted sheets, for which
there is rather a heavy demand on Government account.
All prices are nominal.

Llanelly.

COAL.

Little alteration can be reported in the state of the local
market. Collieries are not working regularly, owing to the
continued shortage of empties, and stocks are on the heavy
side. In anthracite coals, large kinds are not brisk, and for
any prompt business buyers have no difficulty in covering
their requirements for all grades. The machine-made
qualities also lack firmness, and cobbles and nuts are
offered freely. Beans and peas are also moving slowly, and
for prompt clearance of wagons quantities are available.
Culm and duff show no improvement, and all surplus
quantities are being stocked on the colliery banks. Steam
coals are also very easy and lacking enquiry. Smalls in
particular are very slow, and stocks on hand on the heavy