1030 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN November 15, 1918. Forest of Dean. Lydne>. COAL. Outputs this week at all the collieries show a considerable falling off owing to the intense excitement caused by the cessation of hostilities, and the consequent absenteeism of hundreds of men from the pits. Deliveries to merchants this week have been very thin. Steams are still in urgent request, but it is hoped the position will be easier shortly, when supplies for munition works are cut off. ___ Prices at pithead. i Current L’st week's I Last year s House coals:— prices. prices. I prices Block A <26 / 6 Forest fT Qn/ on/ J 25/6 Rubble 1 Barge.. S°l 3°! )25 9 Nuts J i (_24/ *.1 14. Lc y | : fcrfTcj Rough slack ............. 19 6 19 '6 i 16/ Steam coal — Large .................... 26 6-27 6 26 6-27 6 23/ -23 6 Small.................... ! 23/ 23 . 18/6-19.6 Trices 2s. l|d. extra f.n.h. Lydney or Sharpness THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, November 14. Dublin. The imports are again unsatisfactory, and supplies very difficult to obtain. Arrears of orders are being slowly overtaken, a large number still remaining unfulfilled. Prices remain as recently fixed. Retail prices are 3s. 4d. per cwt., and 3s. lOd per bag of cwt. in the city. At the quarterly meeting of the City Council a letter was read from the Irish Coal Controller, stating there was aquant ty of gooi coal lying inside the gates of the North Wall exten- sion, and he thought it would be possible to arrange with the Midland Area Coal Committee to allow the Corporation to have 1,000 tons of it at 42s. 6d. per ton for the poorer people in case of emergency. The letter also stated that very complete arrangements were made by the Control for the supply of coal to bellmen and hucksters. Regulations fix the price of turf at a figure which shall not exceed by m re than 125 per cent, the ordinary selling price in 1914. A reasonable charge may be made for delivery or credit. The local authority in each district shall prepare a list of prices and submit them to the Fuel Controller for approval. It is understood that arrangements have been made for a further consignment of coal to be sent to Limerick to relieve distress, but no further consignment can be forwarded before the end of the year. At a meeting of the Dublin Corporation last week a resolution was adopted declaring that the closing of shops, under Lighting Restrictions Order, at 5.30 p.m. on four days of the week was a grossly unjust and coercive measure, and calling for its withdrawal. Belfast. The situation with regard to supplies has not improved, recent storms having delayed all shipping. House coal prices Best Arley, 56s. 6d. per ton ; Scotch house, 49s. 6d.; Orrellnuts, 54s. 6d.; all less Is. per ton for cash; standard coal, 48s. 6d. per ton net cash. It is stated that the Coal Controller has intimated that instructions have been given to the coal merchants to give the bellmen 100 per cent, of their last year’s supplies in order to meet the requirements of the working classes. THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—Some impor tant changes may be looked for, especially in export arrangem nts, but the position at the moment is unsettled. One item of news is to the effect that the Associated Governments have placed 2,000 tons of coal tar oil at the disposal of the Dutch Government. Chartering business is a problem at present, but a great deal of Allied and neutral tonnage will soon be available, and one may expect that tar products will experience benefit. Prices are firm. Pitch is still in active demand, and holders appear to be satisfied that the market will keep up. Solvent and heavy naphthas are in request. Crude carbolic is wanted, and as there is not too much of it about the price has been maintained. Crystals are scarce. Creosote is steady, and cresylic acid has been in good demand. Sulphate of Ammonia.—The demand exceeds supply. Quotations are on the official basis, namely, for home trade:—November, .£15 15s., basis 24|, less 10l a ton to dealers and merchants Export £30 to £42. Coal Merchants’ Federation of Great Britain.—A meet- ing of the Provisional Committee of the Coal Merchants’ Federation of Great Britain was held at the London Chamber of Commerce on October 28, when upwards of 50 representatives attended. Mr. E^ Smallwood, M.P., was unanimously elected as chairman, and Mr. J. A. Fletcher as hon. treasurer. After a full discussion it was proposed by Mr. A. Taylor (Lancashire), seconded by Mr. T. Hargreaves, jun. (Yorkshire), and carried unanimously: “That the National Federation shall con- sist of local associations of coal merchants throughout Great Britain. The local associations shall be organised into regional federations, the areas to be agreed upon by the committee. The representatives of the regional federa- tions shall constitute the National Federation, sending their elected representatives as may be later decided upon.” After a discussion upon the question of finance it was proposed by Mr. A. W. Mills (Yorkshire), seconded, and carried unanimously: “That each regional federation undertake an equitable share of the expenses as an annual subscription, such share to be fixed by the executive, and not to be less than 5s. per annum per member.” With reference to the question of rules, it was decided to postpone the consideration of these until a later date, and the following sub-committee, with the executive, were elected to draw up the rules and submit same to the provisional committee : Messrs. A. W. Mills, A. Tebbutt, A. Taylor, F. W. Cooper, T. J. Mallonie, and H. Hall (Lancashire). It was decided to form an executive committee to deal with any question of emer- gency that may arise, and the following gentlemen were elected : Messrs. E. Brewis, F. W. Cooper, and A. F. Heath were elected for London; Messrs. C. Rickett, A. W. Mills, A. Taylor, J. Hall, T. J. Mallonie, G. T. Rapps, and Capt. B. C. Elwell were appointed for the rural districts. The chairman, secretary, and treasurer were to be ex officio members of all committees. It was agreed, for the present, to hold meetings, when neces- sary, on Mondays at some convenient place in the City, at or near the Coal Exchange. All communications should be addressed to the secretary, 8, Coal Exchange, London, E.C. 3. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, November 14. North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. The output has been materially reduced during the past week. At a conference in Wrexham last week, the Coal Controller stated the number of North Wales colliers who had joined the Colours was 5,6< 0 or about 30 | er cent., and that the output was materially reduced as a consequent, though on the question of absenteeism there was an improvement as regards the North Wales coal field. Local merchants are very much pressed with orders for household fuel, and find it impossible to cope with the demand. The gas coal demand also is very keen. Nuts are particularly scarce. There is a fair tonnage of gas coke available, which has a ready sale. Every ton of steam coal is bespoken for railways, Government works and shipment ex the Mersey ports, and there is none available for the open market. Slack is also scarce. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Railborne: — prices. prices. prices. Best house coal 27 6-30/ 27 6-30 — Secondary do 25/ -27 6 25 -:76 — Steam coal 27/6-30/ 27/6 30 — Gas coal 25/ -27 6 25' 27 6 — Bunkers 27 6 30' 27 6 30 — N uts 20/ -22/6 20/ -22 6 — Slack 17'6-19,6 17/6 19/6 — Gas coke (at works) Landsale: — 26/8-28.4 25 -26 8 — Best house coal 32'6-35/ 30/ -32/6 — Seconds 30/ -32/6 27/6-30/ — Kitchen coal — — — Slack 21 8 23'4 21/8- 3'4 — Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. C0AL The week has been a very broken one in consequence of the armistice announcement. The serious labour dispute in the Blaina district also had the effect of curtailing the output of coal. Tonnage arrivals have been heavy. In view of many possible changes in market conditions, consequent upon the turn affairs have taken on the Continent, new business has been very slow. Prices remain for the present upon the former schedule for home and Allied orders, with extra for neutrals. All best steam coal was still held for official purposes. Other sorts were in limited quantities on a free market. There has been a very large demand for house and gas coals. Coke and patent fuel have been quickly bought up. Small coal has greatly accumulated of late, and has been a drug in the market. Prices for home and Allied markets f.o.b. cash 30 days. Neutrals extra. ;eam coals: — Current 1 prices. JL’st week’s Last yeai prices. prices. Best Black Vein large... 37/ 37/ 33/6 Western-valleys, ordin’y 36/ 36/ 32/6 Best Eastern-valleys ... 36/ 36/ 31/6 Secondary do. 35/ 35/ ' 31/6 Best small coals 28/ 28/ 30 6 Secondary do 27/ I 27/ 24/ Inferior do. ... .. .. 25/ 1 25/ 22/6 Screenings 30/ 30/ 25 6 Through coals > 34/ 34/ ; 29/6 Best washed nuts 37/ ! 37/ 32/6 bher sorts:— ■ Best house coal, at pit .. | 40/ 40/ 35/6 Secondary do. do. ... 38/ 1 1 38/ 33/3 Patent fuel 37/ 37/ 35/ Furnace coke 52/ 52/ 47 6 Foundry cok« 52/ 52/ 47/6 IRON. There is no appreciable change in the iron and steel trades of the district. The output, maintained much in the same volume as hitherto (except for the broken time caused by peace celebrations) is almost entirely on Government account. Prices are nominal. A spurt has occurred in the tinplate trade, the makers being pressed with urgent orders. Scrap of various sorts is coming to hand in larger quantities. Cardiff. COAL. Business is practically at a standstill this week, and although an official holiday of one day was given to the miners, there is little doubt that many thousands of them will not resume operations until next week. Fortunately, tonnage is plentiful, and, but for a false peace alarm last week, there would have been ample coal to carry on with. There was a stoppage at many collieries at the end of the week, which resulted in a loss of output in Admiralty coals alone of about 70,OuO tons. With tonnage conditions favourable there is a tendency to absorb the inferior grades of large and small coal, stocks of which have been steadily accumu- lating for several weeks past This has had the effect of rendering the position less difficult, but it is anticipated that there w>ll be a heavy demand for all grades when normal conditions prevail. The authorities have made arrangements that miners serving with the Colours in this country shall return at once to their peace time avocations, and as soon as possible similar instructions are to be given with regard to miners overseas. This course will have the effect of improving outputs, but there is bound to be a big shortage for some time to come, even under the most favourable conditions. It is stated authoritatively that a big reduction in freights will come about almost imme- diately. This will have a stimulating effect on the export market, particularly with regard to the more distant destinations. The existing committees entrusted with the organisation of supplies to France and Italy will continue in office for some time to c^me, and it is not believed that they will be disbanded until demobilisation is well in hand. Everybody is discussing schemes of reorganisation, but it is yet too early to frame definite opinions as to results. For the moment the market is stagnant, and business on ’Change is limited to the completion of urgent orders which were in hand a few days ago. So far as prices are concerne 1 there is no alteration, but it is not improbable that announce- ments from the Coal Controller’s department will have a considerable influence on the course of trade in the near future. Cardiff prices f.o.b. (except where otherwise stated). ! Current | Allies’ | fixed Neutrals’ minimum Last year’s prices. Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam | prices. ; prices. 1 coals ! 40/ > 38'6 , 50/ 47/6 ; 33/ 31/6 Superior seconds Seconds ! 37/9 , 46/ 30 9 Ordinary - 37/ ' 45/ 30/ Steam smalls No. 1 ' 28'6 28/6 : 28/ 21 6 Do. 2 28/ ’ 21/ Do. 3 ; 27/6 , 27/6 20/6 Do. 4 .... j 27/ ! 27/ : 20 Do 5 26'6 1 26/6 19 6 Do. 6 26/ 26/ 19/ Do. 7 25 6 25'6 18 6 Do. 8 25/ 25/ 18/ Best dry coals 37/ 45/ 42/6 30/ Ordinary drys 35,6 28 6 Best washed nuts 37/ 45/ 30/ Seconds 35 6 42'6 28 6 Best washed peas 34'6 40' 27 6 Seconds ... Monmouthshire— 1 33,6 38 6 26,6 Black Veins j 37 45/ ; 30/ Western-valleys 36' 43 6 < 29/ Eastern-valleys 36' 43,6 i 29/ Inferior do Bituminous coals :— : 35/ ; 42/ ! 28/ Best house coals (at pit) 40/ 50/ 33/ Second qualities (at pit); No. 3 Rhondda— ! 37 9 ! 46/ 30 9 Bituminous large j 37/9 1 46/ 30 9 Small ! No. 2 Rhondda — 33/ ■ 38/ 26/ Large 34! ' 41/ 27/ Through-and-through 29/ -30 6 33, -35/6 22/ -23'6 Small 24/ -26/ ■ 21/ -26/ 17 -19/ Best patent fuel 37/ ' 45/ ' 30/ Seconds ! 37/ 45/ 30/ Special foundry coke ' 54'6 70/ 47 6 Ordinary do. 54 6 70/ 47 6 Furnace coke 54/6 | 70/ 47 6 Pitwood (ex-ship) ■ 65' — 72,6-75/ IRON. Owing to the peace jubilations there has been no metal market this week, and no official quotations were issued. As in the coal trade, a general holiday was indulged in for several days. Block tin has shown a heavy decline — current quotations being on the basis of £326 10s. to £327 10s. for cash, and £10 lower at three months. Enquiries for plates continue firm, but the decrease in the price of block tin has had the effect of producing lower figures—Bessemer standard cokes, 20 by 14, being done at 32s. Lid. per box, or 1 |d. lower than a week ago. Other sizes are in proportion. In all the iron and steel works a busy time is anticipated, owing to the immense quantity of arrears. Iron and steel will not now be required for munition purposes, but there will be a big demand for constructional steel for all purposes, both for home and export trade. There is no change in the galvanised sheet trade, although makers are now looking forward to a more prosperous era. Scrap metals are unaltered. SOUTH WALES MINING TIMBER TRADE. Imports of French timber were upon a good scale, and collieries were well supplied. There was little new busin-ss possible this week owing to the national jubilation. Discussion is now centring upon the advisability of State control of the trade ceasing as soon as is practicable. It is known that there are vast supplies of mining timber available in France, but the great question is still one of shipping tonnage. There is a general belief that restriction of foreign imported wood could well cease, inasmuch as many vessels are returning from the French ports in ballast. It is suggested that if import restrictions are stopped and scheduled prices abandoned, the quantity of pitwood arriving at the Welsh ports would be such that under natural competitive conditions collieries would receive heavier requirements. Home-grown supplies were fairly plentiful, but deliveries have naturally slacken ?d this week. Collieries had good stocks in the majority of cases. The following table shows the actual quantity imported for the week ended November 8 : Date. Consignee. Loads. Nov. 2 T. P. Thomas and Co......... 600 „ 5 Lysberg Limited ........... 600 „ 5 Lysberg Limited ........... 360 „ 6 Marcesche and Co........... 192 „ 6 Lysberg Limited ........... 360 „ 8 Lysberg Limited .......... 960 Prospects of the Pitwood Trade. Although there are very large supplies of pitwood in France-huge quantities having been cut not only for the British collieries but also for French collieries and the Allied armies—the prices of pitwood are expected to remain very high for some time after the war. There are large stocks of wood in Norway, Sweden and Finland, but the demand for wood in all directions will be very great, while the q estion of freight rates will have a most important bearing on prices. One cannot expect for many years that freight rates on pitwood from France to South Wales will be on the basis of 4s. 9d. from Bordeaux and 5s. 3d. from Bayonne It is questionable, in fact, whether shipowners will consent to carry pitwood again unless at a high remunerative rate, owing to the long delays experienced generally in loading abroad. In most quarters it is believed that pitwood prices on this side should be controlled for some time after the war, so that speculation should be avoided. French Pitwood Situation. A well-known South Wales pitw >od importer, who has just returned from France after being engaged in the trade there for many months, interviewed by our Cardiff correspondent, stated that the situation in France in respect to the pitwood trade was rather remarkable Huge fires had taken place in the Landes, the Gironde and espe- cially in the Lot-et-Garonne districts, the forest owners having been compelled to cut down large quantities, which otherwise would have been kept standing. Hundreds of thousands of acres had been burned and the disaster has never been so great. The consequence is that pitwood is abundant everywhere in France. All the stations and