660 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. September 27, 1918. in this district, nor are great results anticipated unless other than low category men are sent home. The men’s leaders, too, claim that absenteeism has been reduced to a minimum, and that no further relief can be expected in that direction. The first touch of cold weather has sent up the demand for house coal, and merchants are much in arrear. IRON. Output in most branches is much short of demand and of capacity—a consequence of dearth of man-power and of irregular coal supplies. The pressure on the bar mills is extremely heavy, and the material is going into con- sumption as fast as it can be turned out. While the official maximum for unmarked bars is maintained at <£14 15s., a considerable tonnage of special qualities, inter- mediate between unmarked and marked, is being turned out at a premium upon that figure. Marked descriptions fetch the limit price of <£17 a ton, net, f.o.t. at makers’ works. For higher qualities of nut and bolt iron as much as <£15 10s. has been paid, delivered Darlaston district, but the market average for this metal, which is still unfettered by price control, is <£15 5s. An improvement in the pro- duction of puddled iron is recorded, and every ton is wanted. All business is done at <£11 10s., and in gas strip at <£15 5s. There is a larger enquiry for strip than can be entertained. The feature of the pig-iron market is the dearth of foundry sorts, and these are sold in small lots from 50 to 200 tons, the latter amount being rare. There is less consumption of forge iron owing to the inroads on man-power at the forges, and there is no stringency for these grades. The quest for scrap is pursued with unabated vigour. A certain amount of dissatisfaction has been occasioned among sellers by the recent regulations regarding cast scrap, but in this district it does not seem to have affected business as it has in the North. The work of collection and distribution is being facilitated by the authorities. Steel billets continue to be released in good quantity for other than munition work, and there is also a fair amount of business passing in plate shearings at £10 7s. 6d. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The pressure experienced in the house coal trade of this district during the past few months still obtains. The production at all of the pits is fair; but although the full six days are worked every week, double the output could easily be placed among the district’s regular buyers. The call for all qualities of steam and manufacturing fuel is still exceptionally strong, and the collieries have a heavy accumulation of orders awaiting attention. Prices at pithead. House coals:— Block Forest Rubble Nuts Rough slack Steam coal — Large Small ... Large ... Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. <24/ 30/ 30/ J 23/ 7 23/3 (.21/6 13/6 206 20,6 26/6-27/6 26/6-27/6 20/ -21/ 23/ 23/' 16/ Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. IRON. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that the supplies of house and steam coal are coming on very slowly, and many firms are either out of coal or subsisting from hand to mouth by supplying the needs of their customers from trucks occasionally arriving, on a ration plan established to meet the difficulty of the position. There are very few stocks of coal held by merchants, and those who are so fortunate as to hold any at all are in doubt as to the immediate future. The whole of the western part of Area No. 13 is in urgent need of fuel supplies. THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. The market keeps very firm—the official maximum price having now to be paid for all descriptions of plates. There is a steady enquiry for home trade requirements, but works are all so well booked up that December-January delivery is the earliest that can be given for plates to be made. Wasters are in good request—full prices being realised for all ordinary sizes, large and small. Terneplates are still enquired for—£30 basis f.o.t. works, net cash, being freely paid for January-February delivery. Mineral Resources of Great Britain.—The Board of Agri- culture and Fisheries notifies the publication of a second edition of Volume V. of the special reports prepared by the Director of the Geological Survey. In the main it is ;a reprint of the first edition, which deals with the occur- rences and workings, past and present, of potash-felspar, phosphate of lime, alum shales, graphite, etc. Some addi- tional information on potash-felspar, steatite and diatomite has been inserted. Price Is. Copies may be obtained through any bookseller from Messrs. T. Fisher Unwin Limited, 1, Adelphi-terrace, London, W.C. 1. Liverpool Coalheavers and Committee’s Award.—The Committee on Production has issued an award concerning the claim submitted on behalf of men engaged in coaling vessels in the port of Liverpool. The chief item in the application—which was that wages should be increased by 150 per cent, on pre-war rates—has not been granted, the Committee finding that the claim had not been estab- lished. Most of the other items in the list have not been granted, but in the case of Liverpool men working on the Birkenhead side of the Mersey, the decision of the Com- mittee is that men not required in the afternoon may cease work at 11.30 a.m. With regard to meals, the Com- mittee have decided that meals are to be provided for men when working in the river. Two tippers are to be allowed with each derrick. The question of double payment for work after 1 p.m. on Saturday was decided against the men.. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, September 26. North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. Last week-end most of the pits were able to work full time, and the output was well maintained and readily disposed of. On Tuesday, a number of the railway employees of the district ceased work, with the result that traffic was disorganised. Merchants find it most difficult to get an adequate supply of house coal. Steam coal has a ready sale, and every available ton is bespoke. The shipping business at the Mersey ports is again upset by the action of the dockside coalheavers. Tne supply of gas- producing coal has been moderately maintained, though nuts are somewhat scarce. All available slack finds a ready market, and there is a quick sale of gas coke. The following is a list of the week’s prices:— Prices at pit. Railborne:— Best house coal Secondary do Steam coal Gas coal Bunkers- Nuts Slack Gas coke (at works) Landsale:— Best house coal Seconds Kitchen coal Current prices. 27/6-30/ 25/ -27/6 27/6-30/ 25/ -27/6 27/6-30/ 20/ -22/6 17/6—19/6 25/ -26/8 32/6-35/ 30/ -32/6 22/6-25/ L’st week’s prices. 27/6-30/ 25/ -27/6 27/6-30/ 25/ -27/6 27/6-30/ 20/ -22,6 17/6—19/6 25/ -26/8 32/6-35/ 30/ -32/6 22/6-25/ Last year’s prices. Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Cardiff. COAL. The shipment of coal has been seriously interfered with at a critical period by the strike. The attendance on ’Change was very meagre both on Tuesday and Wednesday, for many of the business men who reside in the suburbs or some distance away from Cardiff, were unable to reach their offices owing to the suspension of the train service. Efforts were chiefly confined to despatching such coal as was available, and stocks in the immediate vicinity of the docks were practically depleted by Wednesday. With the resumption of operations it is hoped that the arrears will be speedily overcome, and that shipments will proceed as usual by the end of the week. There is no change in the general position. Best quality coals continue to be reserved for Admiralty purposes, and after supplying the needs of Allied consumers there is practically no margin left for neutrals or for private commercial purposes. Gas and household coals are still scarce, and the supply is not equal to the demand. All prices remain on the basis of the Controller’s schedule. Coastwise shipments of coal from the Bristol Channel ports during August amounted to 121,161 tons compared with 86,210 tons in the corresponding month of 1917. Bunker shipments were 7,552 tons against 6,690 tons in August last year. Cardiff prices f.o.b. (except where otherwise stated). Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Admiralty steam coals 40/ 40/ 33/ Superior seconds 38/6 38/6 31/6 Seconds 37/9 37/9 30/9 Ordinary 37/ 37/ 30/ Steam smalls No. 1 28/6 28/6 1 OQ / Do. 2 28/ 28/ J Zo/ Do. 3 27/6 27/6 I 9.1 /A Do. 4 27/ 27/ i Do. 5 26/6 26/6 1 onl Do. 6 26/ 26/ j ZvJI Do. 7 25/6 25/6 ) 1 e/ Do. 8 25/ 25/ j 18/ Best dry coals 37/ 37/ 30/ Ordinary drys 35/6 35/5 28/6 Best washed nuts 37/ 37/ 30/ Seconds 35/6 35/6 28/6 Best washed peas 34/6 34/6 27/6 Seconds 33/6 33/6 26/6 Monmouthshire— ! Black Veins 1 37/ 37/ 30/ Western-valleys 36/ 36/ 29/ Eastern-valleys 36/ 36/ 29/ Inferior do 35/ 35/ 28/ Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) 40/ 40/ 33/ Second qualities (at pit) 37/9 37/9 30/9 No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large 37/9 37/9 30,9 Small 33/ 33/. 26/ No. 2 Rhondda— Large , 34/ 34/ 27/ Through-and-through; 29/ -30/6 29/ -30/6 25/ Small 24/ -26/ i 24/ -26' 20/ Best patent fuel 37/ 37/ 30/ Seconds 37/ 37/ 30/ Special foundry coke 54/6 54/6 47/6 Ordinary do. 54/6 54/6 47/6 Furnace coke 54/6 54/6 47/6 Pitwood (ex-ship) 65/ 65/ 65/ -67/6 IRON. The tinplate trade continues strong, with most makers well supplied with orders up to January. Buyers are plentiful, but there is an unwillingness on the part of manufacturers to enter into further commitments on the present basis of profits. Block tin has declined several points, and current quotations are <£340 per ton for cash and three months. On this basis, Bessemer standard cokes command 32s. 6d. per box, with other sizes in pro- portion. Shipments last week were unusually heavy, and amounted to 59,161 boxes. Receipts from works were also above the average, totalling 51,880 boxes, thus leaving 110,888 boxes, compared with 118,169 boxes the previous week, and 64,669 boxes at the corresponding date of last year. Iron ore supplies continue satisfactory, and blast- furnaces are turning out maximum quantities. All the rail, bar, and sheet mills are hard pressed, and there is an insistent demand for all descriptions of iron and steel for munitions and shipbuilding purposes. In the galvanised sheet trade there are no new developments, and makers are actively engaged in the production of black plate and painted sheets, the demand for which shows no diminution. Scrap metals are unchanged, and there is a continued shortage in supplies which realise maximum rates. Newport. COAL. The railway strike entirely dislocated the coal trade of this district. There was a substantial arrival of tonnage in the early portion of the week, and with cutting off of coal supplies a great deal of delay was inevitable. Best steam coal has been in very str ng demand, and has been unobtainable on free markets. Up to the time of the railway stoppage there had been a substantial increase in the output. Smalls receded a little in demand. There has been an increased enquiry for house and gas coals. Coke has been very scarce. Patent fuel has been in great request. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. Steam coals:— I Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s 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 i 28/ 28/ 21/6 Secondary do 27/ 27/ i 20/ Inferior do ; 25/ 25/ 18/ Screenings ! 30/ 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 IRON. The railway strike has enormously interfered with the iron and steel industries of the district, though it has not been quite so disastrous to them as in the coal trade. Iron ore has been short since the stoppage began. All the output is now practically on official account. Prices are nominal. Tin-plate owners are full of orders for immediate delivery for Government requirements. Pitwood arrivals are moderate. Swansea. COAL. There was a very good attendance on ’Change; but, compared with last week, there was little alteration in the general conditions prevailing on the anthracite coal market. The arrivals of tonnage over the week-end were poor. Large was freely offered, but there was little demand. Cobbles were also easily obtainable, whilst French nuts were in more active demand. Rubbly culm and duff remained quiet. There was no improvement to report in steam coals, and all qualities were offering freely. Limiiy. COAL. * Owing to the easy tonnage position, no improvement has occurred in the state of the local market. Collieries are having idle days, owing to the shortage of wagons, and this is a very disappointing position to report in face of the heavy supplies which are necessary to meet the coal short- age. Stocks of many qualities are very heavy, and the present outlook is not very promising as to the clearance of wagons which are being held up under load Anthracite large kinds are irregular. The better grades are at present easy, but Red Vein large is enjoying a very active inland enquiry, and sellers are well booked up. The lower grades of large are slow, and heavy stocks are on hand. Machine- made qualities are also irregular. Cobbles are obtainable without any difficulty, and beans also are not quite so active. Nuts are in steady request and peas are very scarce, with few spare parcels offering. Rubbly culm and duff are unchanged, with heavy stocks on hand. Steam coals are not an active enquiry, owing to the tonnage position. Large kinds are much easier, and stocks of the lower grades are available for any prompt business. Throughs are lacking enquiry, and smalls are offering in heavy quantities. Manufacturing and house coals are very active, with a good demand for all grades. Prices f.o.b. Current L’st week’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) 37/ 27/ 20/ Bubbly 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 sma.lla 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