396 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. August 23, 1918. THE WELSH COAL AHD IRON TRADES.. Thursday, August 22. North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. The general condition of the coal trade in this area during the past week has been of a satisfactory character, but the demand exceeds supply. The distribution of the forms in connection with the rationing order for fuel is now having the attention of merchants, but in some localities the forms have not yet been received. Householders appear to be laying in stocks where possible, and there is a brisk retail trade being done at local landsale depots. The demand is likely to increase before the rationing order comes into operation. The demand for all classes of steam coal is very strong. The bulk of the tonnage is required by the railways, but there is a fair tonnage being sent to Birkenhead and Ellesmere Port for the shipping business. A conference was held at Liverpool this week, with a view to adjusting the claim of the Mersey-side coalheavers— that when they work until 10 p.m., they are unable to obtain reasonable refreshment. The question of payment for overtime was also considered. The result of' the deliberation has yet to be made known to the men. The gas coal trade is steady, and all the local gas companies appear to be obtaining their quota. The demand for gas coke is very keen just now, and prices are well maintained. The demand for slack is moderate, but the output is naturally very small in these times of limited production. On the whole, prices have not altered during the past week. Prices at pit. Current L'st week’s Last year’s Bailborne:— prices. prices. prices. Best house coal 27/6-30/ 27/6-30/ 21/ —23/ Secondary do 25/ -27/6 25/ —27/6 20/ —22/ Steam coal 27/ -30/ 27/ -30/. 19/ -22/ Gas coal 19/ —21/ Bunkers 19/ -22/ Nuts 20/ -22/6 20/ -22 '6 18/ -20/ Slack 17/6-19/6 17/6-19/6 12/ -14/6 Gas coke (at works) 25/ -26/8 25/ -26/8 21/8-23/4 Landsale:— Best house coal 32/6-35/ 32/6-35/ 27/6-30/ Seconds 30/ -32/6 30/ -32/6 25/ -27/6 Kitchen coal 26/8-31/8 26/8-31/8 22/6-25/ 22/6-25/ 15/ -16/8 Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. There is still a greater demand than supply of almost all classes of coal, and with the quantity of tonnage increasing, a good deal of delay of shipping is still occurring. All the best steam coal is still commandeered. Scarcely any through coal is available for the open market, notwithstanding the offer of high premiums. Smalls have been in great request for patent fuel making and for mixing with large coal in cargoes for overseas. There is practically no house coal being worked at present, all efforts being directed to getting the maximum of steam coal. A very large demand exists for gas coals for inland consumption. Coke is very firm. All prices remain on the new schedule. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. 1 I Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals:— 1 prices. prices. prices. Best Black Vein large...' 37/ 37/ 30/ Western-valleys, ordin’y 36/ 36/ 29/ Best Eastern-valleys ... 36/ 36/ 29/ Secondary do. 35/ 35/ 28/ Best small coals 28/ 28/ 21/6 Secondary do 27/ 27/ 20/ Inferior do 25/ 25/ 18/ Screenings 30/ 1 30/ 23/ Through coals 34/ 34/ 27/ Best washed nuts 37/ 37/ 30/ Other sorts:— Best house coal, at pit".. 40/ 40/ 33/ Secondary do. do. ... 38/ 38/ 30/9 Patent fuel 37/ 37/ 32/6 Furnace coke 52/ 52/ 47/6 Foundry coke 52/ 52/ 47/6 * Nominal. IRON. There is an enlarged output from nearly all the iron and steel works of this district, almost entirely on Government account. Prices are nominal. The tin-plate trade is busy on hand-to-mouth orders of an official character. None of the makers care to book orders for more than a month or six weeks ahead. There is a good demand for waste wasters. A considerable quantity of scrap iron and steel has been coming into this market of late from big shipbuilding yards. Good prices have been obtained for the better classes of scrap. Difficulty has been experienced in some instances in obtaining suitable tonnage for its import. Cardiff. COAL. Although outputs have improved considerably during the last few days they are still below normal, with the result that the loading pressure is unabated. From figures which have been prepared it appears there is a slight increase in production per man employed, compared with July 1917, but the average is materially below the pre-war standard, a fact which is accounted for by the withdrawal of the more vigorous workers for Army purposes. It is yet too early to say whether the appeals of the Prime Minister and others will bear fruit, bpt a strong local campaign is proceeding to induce the men to redouble their efforts. The position is undoubtedly serious, and supplies intended for home consumers are being extensively diverted in order to maintain shipments to France and Italy. To add to the ordinary difficulties labour troubles have arisen both at Cardiff and Swansea. The tippers ceased operations, and work was at a standstill pending the discussion of their grievances with, the authorities in London. This is all the more regrettable as tonnage is plentiful, and it is estimated that in the various docks in the port of Cardiff alone there are over a hundred vessels waiting for cargoes. With conditions such as these prevailing it is almost impossible for coal to be negotiated for the private trader, and neutral buyers are offering high premiums above the schedule rates for any coal that may be released. In some cases the amount offered is 10s. in excess of the Controller's figures, but the recorded transactions are few and far between. Occasional consignments are released in order to fulfil contract obligations. All business is extremely difficult, and there is little doing outside official orders for the Admiralty and the Allied Governments. The dock authorities have given notice of their intention to increase their statutory rates, dues and charges. The new rates will take effect as from midnight on August 31 at Barry, Cardiff, Penarth, Port Talbot, Swansea and Newport docks. The coal trimmers recently applied for an increase in the war bonus of 40 per cent., making an advance of 100 per cent, on pre-war rates. The matter came before the Joint Trimming Board this week, and after a long discussion it was eventually decided to increase the bonus by 20 per cent., making the rate 80 per cent, over the pre- war wages. The new scale comes into operation on all vessels loading after 6 a.m. on Monday next, and applies to all the Welsh ports in the Bristol Channel. There is a heavy demand for household coals, which are almost unobtainable, and also for coking coals which are urgently needed for munition purposes. Prices are unaltered. Cardiff prices f.o.b. (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Superior seconds Seconds Ordinary Steam smalls No. 1 Do. 2. Do. 3 Do. 4 Do. 5 Do. 6 Do. 7 Do. 8 Best dry coals Ordinary drys Best washed nuts Seconds Best washed peas Seconds Monmouthshire— Black Veins Western-valleys Eastern-valleys Inferior do Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) Second qualities (at pit) No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large Small No. 2 Rhondda— Large Thr ough-and-thr ough. Small Best patent fuel Seconds Special foundry coke Ordinary do. Furnace coke Pitwood (ex-ship) Current prices. 40/. 38'6 37/9 37/ 28/6 28/ 27/6 27/ 26/6 26/ 25,6 25/ 37/ 35/6 37/ 35/6 34/6 33/6 37/ 36/ 36/ 35/ 40/ 37/9 37/9 33/ 34/ 29/ -30/6 24/ -26/ 37/ 37/ 54/6 54/6 54/6 65/ L’st week’s prices. 40/ 38/6 37/9 37/ 28/6 ) 28/ i 27/6 } 27/ 5 26/6 ) 26/ 5 25/6 1 25/ j 37/ 35/6 37/ 35/6 34/6 33/6 37/ 36/ 36/ 35/ 40/ 37/9 37/9 33/ 34/ 29/ -30/6 24/ -26/ 37/ 37/ 54/6 54/6 54/6 65/ Last year’s prices. 33/ 31/6 30,9 30/ 23/ | 21/6 1 20/ 18/ 30/ 28/6 30/ 28/6 27/6 26/6 30/ 29/ 29/ 28/ 33/ 30/9 30/9 26/ 27/ 25/ 20/ 32/6 30/ 47/6 47/6 47/6 58/ -60/ IRON. All works are now fully employed, and outputs are main- tained at the maximum figure. Iron ore supplies continue satisfactory, and blastfurnaces are very busy. The same remark applies both to the rail and bar mills, which are operating at high pressure. Shipments of tin-plates last week amounted to 33,863 boxes, against 30,836 boxes the previous week, whilst receipts from works totalled 25,804 boxes, against 3,265 boxes in the holiday week. Stocks now amount to 96,480 boxes, compared with 103,539 boxes the previous week and 47,993 boxes at the corresponding date of last year. There has been a further decline in the price of block tin, which is now <£378 to £379 for cash and three months. Quotations for tin-plates are consequently a shade easier—Bessemer standard cokes 14 by 20 being 33s. 4|d. to 33s. 6d. per box, with other sizes in proportion. In the galvanising sheet trade there is no change, and most of the mills are confining their attention to the produc- tion of black plate, for which there is a steady demand. Scrap metals are scarce, and suitable material .is quickly absorbed at maximum rates. Llanelly. COAL. The local market maintains its firm position and practi- cally all grades are in demand, Tonnage arrivals are satisfactory, but the market is feeling the effects of the Prices f.o.b. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Anthracite;— prices. prices. prices. Best malting large 37/ 37/ 30/ Seconds 36/ 36/ 29/ Thirds 34/6 34/6 27/6 Red Vein large 32/6 32/6 25/6 Machine-made cobbles... 49/6 49/6 42/6 Seconds 48/ 48/ 41/ Thirds 46/ 46/ 39/ Red Vein cobbles 43/ 43/ 36/ Machine-made nuts 49/6 49/6 42/6 Seconds 48/ 48/ 41/ Thirds 46/ 46/ 39/ Red Vein nuts 43/ 43/ 36/ Machine - broken beans (best) 42/ 42/ 35/ Seconds 41/ 41/ 34/ Thirds 40/ 40/ 33/ Red Vein beans 38/ 38/ 31/ Peas (all qualities) 27/ 27/ 20/ Rubbly culm 20/ 20/ 13/ Red Vein culm 18/ 18/ 11/ Breaker duff 15/ 15/ 8/ Billy duff 13/6 13/6 6/6 Steam:— Best large steams 37/ 37/ 30/ Seconds 34/ 34/ 27/ Cargo through — 23/6 Seconds — —— 22/ Bunker through 30/6 30/6 23/6 Smalls 26/ 26/ 19/ Second smalls 17/ Bituminous:— Bituminous through ... 34/ 34/ 27/ Smalls 31/ 31/ 24/ Gas through 23/6 Gas smalls - ■ ■ 21/ (Coke-oven) coke 54/6 54/6 47/6 recent holidays, and buyers find it difficult to secure prompt quantities of several grades. Anthracite coals are in steady demand, and the better grades of large are particularly scarce. The other qualities are also moving freely. Cobbles are on the short side with all supplies offering easily disposed of. Nuts, beans and peas are also a strong enquiry, with not many spare lots available. Culm and duff are both on the easy side, and ample stocks are on hand to meet present requirements. Steam coals are firm, with a strong enquiry for large qualities. Throughs of both cargo and bunker qualities are also booked up ahead and small coals are in request. Manufacturing coals continue to be well booked up, and as local works are taking heavy quantities there is not much “free" coal offering. Gas coals are difficult to secure, as outputs are all marked for controlled establishments. Swansea. COAL. There was a good attendance on 'Change, but there was no material alteration to report in the general conditions prevailing on the anthracite and steam coal markets. Owing to a dispute at the docks there were very few boats loading. Very little free coal was offered. THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, August 22. There is practically no change in the general wholesale conditions of the trade. All prices are purely nominal, but the actual pit prices are regulated entirely on the basis of the pre-war standard, with 6s. 6d. per ton added, so that the price of coal does not enter largely into the question, the great point being to secure supplies wherever possible. The outlook for the coming winter is intensely serious, and has called forth a special warning from the Coal Controller. Prominent in the advice given is the urgent necessity of getting in the rationed allowance as early as possible during the warmer weather, wherever plenty of storage capacity is to be found. Coal is as important as food, and with less coal in stock and less coal being produced it is imperatively necessary that absolute economy must be practised in the household, in factories, and even in railway companies and gas works. The present warm months are a race against winter. The reports show that the miners are responding splendidly to the Controller’s appeal, and recent accounts indicate that absenteeism to-day does not amount to more than 1 per cent. One of the principal London gas companies has drawn special attention to the serious depletion of their ordinary stock of coal, although for many years past their custom has been to build up during the summer time a large quantity to enable them to draw upon it for their winter requirements. As the matter is now in the hands of the Coal Controller's department they are powerless in the matter, and any breakdown in the gas supply must bring the responsibility upon other heads than their own. Incidentally, also reference was made to the serious diminution of the carbonising quality of much of the coal they received lately. On Monday last 22 vessels were reported as arriving in the River Thames, and eight for Wednesday’s market. The subject of fuel consumption on the various railways is becoming more and more an important factor in relation to the present fuel economy. The actual con- sumption of coal on the British railways amounts to 15,000,000 tons per annum. The electrification of many of the suburban lines has undoubtedly effected a considerable saving of coal. A stimulus to economy, both of fuel as well as other materials, is unquestionably given by a system of bonuses on the quantity of coal remaining at the end of a run; but in its practical dealing, this is a somewhat dangerous expedient. The rationing of house- hold coal is inevitable, owing to the shortage of supply Wise householders are making as much use as possible of wood during the present summer months, and husbanding the coal supplies in anticipation of the coming winter. One point in the Controller’s recent appeal deserves special attention—viz, that the rationing scheme provides that deliveries to poorer customers who have no storage capacity and sometimes no money to buy in advance, must be supplied weekly, and all other deliveries must stop until their needs are met. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Company’s Report. Friday, August 16.—There was a fair supply of seaborne cargoes at to-day’s market. The enquiry for seaborne house coal continues good, but no fresh supplies were available. Cargoes 15. Monday, August 19.—There was a fair supply of sea- borne cargoes, but no seaborne house coal was on offer. Cargoes 22. Wednesday, August 21.—No seaborne house coal on offer. All cargoes arriving are for contracts (gas, etc.). Cargoes 8. THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. There is no change in the situation, but it is becoming very difficult to place new business, makers being so heavily booked over the next few months that they do not care to take on any fresh orders, especially in view of higher wages and shortage of both labour and raw materials. The full official maximum price has to be paid for every specifi- cation that may be entered. Wasters continue in good demand, top prices being realised on practically every lot, immediately it is put on the market Yorkshire Coal Strike Ended.—The deadlock created by the stoppage of work in the Yorkshire coal fields was removed yesterday (Thursday), when negotiations between the parties led to a settlement. The trouble arose over the interpretation of the recent award in regard to working conditions at the pits. The men claimed that they were entitled to take meal hours out of the 54 agreed upon as the working week, and the employers took an opposite view. One of the delegates stated that between 160,000 and 170,000 men had ceased work, and that practically all the pits in the Yorkshire Miners’ Associa- tion’s area were idle. As a result of a series of conferences a settlement was reached, the following official announce- ment being issued from the Coal Control office on Thurs- day evening : “A settlement having been reached with regard to the dispute in the Yorkshire coal fields, all .men and boys should return to work at once, including night- shift men to-night (Thursday).”