924 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. November 1, 1918. are inadequate and few sales are recorded above 200 tons, as smelters prefer to spread their output over as many customer^ as possible. Forge descriptions are offered more freely, and supply seems about equal to demand. There are openings for all kinds of scrap. Transactions in wrought material are more acceptable to dealers. Great efforts are being made to cope with the demand for finished iron and steel. Works employed on small rounds, squares and flats are strained to the utmost to satisfy the require- ments of our own and Allied Governments, and a good many orders of high priority have to be turned down. Prices are firm on the basis of =£17 10s. for iron and <£18 10s. for steel. The bar mills are hard pressed for deliveries. The maximum prices fixed in August remain effective, but these apply to a certain range of transactions only—a con- siderable proportion of the business being on special terms where the iron is peculiarly adapted to specified purposes. The make of puddled iron is not large relatively, and little business is passing on the open market, either for bars or billets. The latter command £12 10s., which is £1 above the price for bars, and they are offered for the accommoda- tion of regular customers. The sheet mills are as fully employed as of late, almost entirely on black corrugated descriptions. A very limited quantity of galvanised sheets is being turned out. Sheet bars are less plentiful than billets, and heavy plates are also offered in substantial quantities. Copper sheets command .£161 a ton. The bulk of the business is on Government account, though enquiries denote a coming demand for horticultural implements— particularly sprayers—for next season. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The general position of the house coal market of this neighbourhood, as regards the demand, shows little varia- tion on recent reports. All the collieries are hard pressed for deliveries, but the output (much reduced owing to the influenza epidemic) is inadequate. In the steam coal branch of the trade, also, there is a considerable shortage of supplies. The collieries are all fully occupied, but it is impossible to satisfy the needs of buyers. Prices at pithead. House coals:— Block Forest Bubble Nuts Bough slack Steam coal:— Large ... Small ... ... Large ... Current L'st week’s Last year 's prices. 30/ 20 6 prices. 30/ 20 6 prices. <26/6 \ 25/6 ) 25/9 (.24/ ! 16/ 26/6-27/6 23/ 26/6-27,6 s 23/ i 22/6-23,6 18/ -18/6 Prices 2s. l|d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, October 31. Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. The output of coal in this district has been curtailed of late by influenza. There was a good arrival of tonnage in the early part of the present week. All best steam coal continued to be commandeered for official purposes. There was some lower grade coal and a good deal of small on free markets. The schedule of prices which had been in operation for some months past has been varied in the case of buyers in neutral countries by a series of advances ranging from 10s per ton for best Admiralty steam coal to 4s. per ton for smalls and inferiors. The prices quoted below are those for Allied countries. House coals, gas coals, coke and patent fuel (all of which have been in large demand of late) are affected in the same way as steam coals. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. Current L’st week’s Last year's Steam coals:— j prices. prices. • prices. Best Black Vein large.... 37/ 37/ i 32/6 Western-valleys, ordin’y' 36/ 36/ : 31/6 Best Eastern-valleys ...! 36/ 1 36/ i 31/6 Secondary do. 35/ 35/ 7 30/6 Best small coals 28/ 28/ i 23/6 Secondary do 27/ 27/ ; 22/6 Tnfftrinr do. ... .. 25/ 30/ 25/ ; 20/6 Screenings 30/ ; 25/6 Through coals 34/ i 34/ i 29/6 Best washed nuts 37/ 1 37/ 32/6 Other sorts:— ! Best house coal,at pit... 40/ 40/ 35/6 Secondary do. do. ... 38/ 38/ ' 33/3 Patent fuel 37/ 37/ 32/6 Furnace coke 52/ 52/ 1 47/6 Foundry coke 52/ 52/ i 47/6 The above prices are in respect of home markets and those of Allied countries. Neutrals are much higher. IRON. Except for the effects of influenza, iron and steel works have maintained a good output. It is practically all on official account. Prices are nominal. Iron ore supplies are well maintained. There has been a fair arrival of scrap iron and steel from the shipyards of the North of England, Scotland and Ireland. Tin-plate works are busy with urgent orders. Cardiff. COAL. Since last week there has been a decided improvement in the general conditions, notwithstanding the fact that many collieries are seriously inconvenienced by a recurrence of the influenza epidemic, which is very prevalent throughout the district. Tonnage is arriving more freely, and outputs are well maintained. Supplies are ample for current needs, and the pressure for delivery has been much relaxed. The best qualities are still reserved for official requirements, but the lower grades are plentiful, and permits are more readily granted. This is looked upon as a hopeful sign, for it has been almost impossible for a long time past to get any coal liberated for neutral destinations, and consequently there is an active movement in the market, which will probably lead to a great increase of business in the near future. The minimum prices to neutrals vary from 10s. down to 4s. per ton in advance of the schedule figures for Allies. Best large descriptions for instance, which are now quoted at 40s. for the Allies, will be 50s. or over for neutrals, and the scale of advance is in proportion to the lowering qualities of the coal supplied being down to 4s. in the case of Bhondda bituminous through coals. In smalls there is no apparent difference pro- vided for by the new schedule, but in practice merchants are asking higher rates, and as the coals become liberated there is likely to be a big accession of business, especially as there is a great shortage at most of the foreign depots. The only other matter of importance to the market is the attitude of the miners with regard to the eight hours day for surfacemen. The Coal Controller last week visited the district with the object of facilitating matters, but nothing good has come of it. The miners have intimated to the owners that from November 18 the surfacemen will only work eight hours per day, and it is up to the owners to make such arrangements as will prevent a dislocation of traffic. The argument of the miners is that the collieries are now controlled by the Government, and the Govern- ment must provide for it. There the question ends, so far as the miners are concerned. On 'Change, no difficulties are anticipated. In the pitwood department there is no change. Supplies are ample, and prices remain the same. Cardiff prices f.o.b. (except where otherwise stated). 1 1 Current L’st week’s 'Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. j prices. Best Admiralty steam coals 40/ i 40/ | 33/ Superior seconds 38/6 i 38/6 31/6 Seconds 37/9 37/9 ' 30,9 Ordinary 37/ i 37/ i 30/ Steam smalls No. 1 28/6 j 28/6 ; 21/6 Do. 2 28/ 28' 21/ Do. 3 27/6 27/6. i 20/6 Do. 4 27/ , 27/ ! 20/ Do 5 26/6 ! 26/6 i 19,6 Do. 6 26/ i 26/ ! 19/ Do. 7 i 25 6 ' 25/6 18/6 Do. 8 25/ 25/ 18/ Best dry coals 37/ 37/ 30/ Ordinary drys 35/6 35/6 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 37/ 37/ 30/ Western-valleys 36/ . 1 36/ 29/ Eastern-valleys 36/ 1 36/ 29/ Inferior do. 35/ 1 35/ j 28/ Bituminous coals:— 1 1 Best house coals (at pit) 40/ j 40/ j 33/ Second qualities (at pit), 37,9 37/9 I 30,9 No. 3 Rhondda— 1 1 Bituminous large 37/9 37/9 ; 30,9 Small 33/ ! 33/ ! 26/ No. 2 Rhondda— 1 Large 34/ ' 34/ ' 27/ Through-and-through 29/ -30/6 29/ -30/6 i 22/ -23/6 Small j 24/ -26/ 24/ -26' 17/ -19/ Best patent fuel 37' 37/ ' 1 30/ Seconds 37/ 37/ j 30/ Special foundry coke 54/6 54/6 ! 47/6 Ordinary do. j 54/6 1 54/6 j 47/6 Furnace coke j 54/6 j 54/6 47/6 Pitwood (ex-ship) i 65/ 1 65/ i 70/ -75/ IRON. Great developments are taking place among the iron and steel trades, and Messrs. Baldwin's extensions are likely to make them independent of the collieries of South Wales for their fuel. They are developing their own resources, and a new colliery, with an area of 3,000 acres, is being sunk on the newly acquired Jersey estate, on which new iron and steel works are also contemplated. All concerns are working at high pressure, and outputs are being fully maintained. In the tinplate trade, business is very firm, and many makers are well booked up until the early months of next year, with the result that buyers find it difficult to place orders. Block tin is <£333 10s. to <£334 10s. for spot and three months, and Bessemer standard cokes, 14 x 20, are quoted at 33s. 3d per box, with other sizes in proportion. Shipments last week were somewhat lower, amounting to 17,227 boxes, whilst receipts from works were 34,561 boxes, leaving 152,107 boxes in stock in the docks warehouses and vans, compared with 134,783 boxes the previous week, and 53,521 boxes at the corresponding date of last year. In the galvanised sheet trade there is no change, and all makers are busy on black plate and painted sheets. Spelter works are well occupied. In scrap metals, the scarcity of suitable material continues, and maximum prices are readily paid. Swansea. COAL. An excellent attendance assembled on ’Change, and the condition of the anthracite coal market was more satis- factory. Best large was very firm. Machine-made descrip- tions were steady, especially French nuts, peas and cobbles. Bed Vein large were practically unobtainable for prompt delivery. There was no enquiry for rubbly culm and duff, and stocks on hand were plentiful. There was little altera- tion in the steam coal market; best grades of large and through were going off well. Other qualities inactive. There was a large demand for bituminous. Llanally. COAL. The position of the market shows little change, and collieries are unable to report full time at the pits owing to the difficulty in clearing wagons caused by the shortage of tonnage. Stocks of many grades are on the heavy side, and sellers find it difficult to negotiate business under present conditions. Anthracite coals are in a fairly satisfactory position, and there is a strong demand for the higher grades of large and many sellers have no coal for disposal during the coming week. Bed Vein large is also in good demand from inland buyers. Cobbles are firm, and there is a steady demand for nuts and beans. Peas are scarce and very firm, with few spare wagons available. Culm is slightly firmer, but duff is very slow. Large steams of the better grades are in demand, but the lower qualities of large are offering freely. Throughs and smalls are also lacking enquiry, and there is no reduction in the stocks standing of the lower qualities of these coals. Gas and manufacturing coals are a strong market, and no spare parcels are offering. 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 34/6 34/6 25/6 Machine-made cobbles... 49/6 i 49/6 42/6 Seconds 48/6 48 ,'6 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 24/ 24/ 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 THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, October 31. Dublin. The situation is practically unchanged, short supplies hampering the carrying out of orders coming in, as well as those already on hand. Prices (unchanged) : Best quality, 57s. 6d. per ton; second quality, 56s. 6d. ; stan- dard coal, 53s. 6d. ; Is. per ton to be added in the case of book orders. Retail prices are 3s. 4d. per cwt. and 3s. lOd. per bag of 1^ cwt. in the city ; coke 60s. per ton in the city. It is not thought necessary at present to arrange a system of coal rationing in Ireland, as every endeavour is being made to secure a fair distribution, the Coal Controller taking special steps to see that Dublin receives its fair share. The official Order restricting hours of evening trade or business in connection with coal economy has been issued by the Lords Justices,' on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant. The Order applies to all Ireland. At the weekly council meeting of the Dublin Industrial Development Association, the Irish Coal Mines Develop- ment sub-committee appointed by the association reported that it was now in a position to make specific recommenda- tions to the Coal Controller with regard to the develop- ment of coal mining in Ireland. Belfast. Stocks continue to be very low, any cargoes arriving being distributed immediately, so that there is no oppor- tunity for accumulation in the yards. No severe^cold having set in, demand for house coal for immediate use is only moderate. Prices remain as fixed by the Corpora- tion committee, viz. : Best Arley, 55s. 6d. per ton; Scotch house, 49s. 6d. ; Orrell nuts, 54s. 6d. ; all less Is. per ton for cash ; standard coal, 48s. 6d. per ton, net cash. At a meeting of Belfast workers in the Ulster Hall last week to protest against inequalities in connection with the dis- tribution of the available coal supply, it was stated that the unequal distribution was due to a “ coal ring ” com- posed of so-called patriots, and it was held that hoarding was calculated to create industrial unrest. The resolution adopted stated that drastic action would be taken by the workers failing a satisfactory response to their demand. It appears from a statement made at a recent meeting of Belfast coal vendors that the present shortage had so operated against the interests of the bell men that some of them had been compelled to seek employment in other industries. THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. There is no change at all in the situation. The official maximum price for cokes remains at 32s. 3d. per basis box, net cash, f.o.t. at works, but it is not easy to place orders for early delivery, all works being well booked up for several weeks to come. The enquiry, mainly for home trade requirement, continues good. ■ Output of Irish Miners.—The Scottish owners of the Ballycastle Colliery, County Antrim, in prosecuting their under-manager for failing to report that the pump bucket was drawing air, said that the firm had spent £8,000 in development work, and had struck a good seam; but the Irish miners looked upon the employers as aliens and enemies. The average output of a miner in Scotland was aver 2 tons per day, but these men would not put out more than 15 cwt. Several of them could put out the 2 tons, but they were not allowed by the others, and there were other influences at work in the country. One of the men had his life threatened by four men, and the firm was intimidated and boycotted. The under-manager was fined £1. Wages in Ironstone Mining.—The Board of Trade has issued an Order directing that the owner of every coal mine to which Regulation 9g of the Defence of the Realm Regulations apply shall pay to the Coal Controller 4s. per ton in respect of ironstone worked with coal, in addition to the payment mentioned in paragraph (1) of the Directions of July 5, 1918. In preparing and keeping the accounts of the mine these payments are to be treated as an expense of the business. In respect of all work performed at a colliery by workers in receipt of the war wage with the consent of the Controller of Coal Mines in or about the getting of limestone, ganister, silica and brick clay, or on or about the making of bricks, or any other work not in respect of coal or ironstone, the owners must pay such sum as will reimburse the Board of Trade for the amount of the war wage paid to such workers.