April 4, 1913. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 705 IRON. | Whilst the approach of the quarterly meeting as usual j checks the flow of business, the general tone of the local iron and steel trades is perhaps slightly better than when i last reported, and forward prices in sympathy with the warrant market have a harder tendency. Despite the stoppage of so many tin-plate mills, work at the tin-plate bar mills continues busy, as there are still arrears of specifi- cations to be worked off. There is, however, not much fresh enquiry, and quotations rule unaltered. Imports of foreign bars during the week amounted to 10,000 tons. At rail mills there is rather less work, especially in smaller sections. Blast furnaces continue busily occupied, with a harder tendency to sellers’ quotations. There is no improvement in the tin-plate trade, which continues as bad almost as it is possible to be. Despite the abnormal restriction of output by so many mills having closed down, there has been no improvement in prices, but, on the other hand, concessions are being made to effect clearances. Buying only seems to be of a hand-to-mouth nature, and there seems no indication of improvement likely. Welsh hsematite, 88s. 6d. to 89s. delivered to local works. Steel rails, heavy sections .£6 10s. to .£6 15s., light sections .£6 15s. to <£7. Tin-plate bars : Bessemer £5 12s. 6d., Siemens £5 12s. 6d. to £5 15s. Tin-plates, 20 x 14 x 112, Bessemer primes 14s. 3d., Siemens primes 14s. 3d. to 14s. 4|d. Finished blackplate, .£10 7s. 6d. to .£10 10s.; iron ore, best rubio, 21s. 6d. to 22s. c.i.f. Newport. Cardiff. COAL. The coal trade just now is in a booming condition, and coalowners not only find a difficulty in getting sufficient coal to supply the orders that are coming forward, but many of them are so fully stemmed, not merely in the immediate future but well into the month* that they are quite unable to quote. Those who are in the happy position of being able to supply coal for prompt shipment are getting 20s. for best, and even for the remainder of April this price is being quoted, and in some cases obtained as far ahead as the second half of the month. For superior second Admiralties 19s. 3d. to 19s. 6d. is being paid, and for ordinary seconds 18s. 9d. to 19s. Unless the non-unionist trouble develops there seems every reason to expect good times in the coal trade for some considerable period. Unfortunately not only amongst the colliers is this question threatening to assume a very acute phase, but even amongst the coaltrimmers at Cardiff, Penar th and Barry a resolution has been passed instructing the officials to give a month’s notice to the employers of their intention to cease work unless by the end of April the men outside the union fall into line. Under such circumstances it would be surprising to find any sign of relaxation in prices, and it is to be hoped that the fears at present entertained will prove to be illusory. One thing is worth noting, and that is that buyers who during the early part of the year were convinced that prices had reached their maximum are now freely paying the enhanced figures. Naturally they are confining their purchases to the supply of immediate requirements, but anything to the contrary was hardly to be expected. As has been previously pointed out, firms who refused to enter into contracts during the autumn of last year at 18s., are not likely to show any eagerness to place contracts at the present high prices. The result is that a very large quantity of coal is still to be bought for delivery over the year. Shipments to foreign ports last week were not very satisfactory, as they only amounted to about 219,000 tons, but as collieries were, for the most part, at a standstill for three days, a large number of wagons were released. When the present week opened there were nearly 250 vessels in port, and the pressure for tips still continues, with the consequent demands for demurrage on all sides. The sums paid for demurrage for the first three months of this year have been quite phenomenal. Charterings for the week totalled 226,700 tons, and there is no doubt that if collieries had been in a position to arrange stems this total would have been greatly exceeded. In consequence of the difficulties experienced by shippers, freights are on the easy side. At the time of writing the quotation for Genoa was 9s., whilst for a fairly prompt boat there is no question that even this rate could have been slightly discounted. The small ' coal market continues very firm. The anticipated Belgian strike, which, there is now every reason to expect, will actually take place, has had a hardening effect on prices. At the time of writing, the price of good cargo small was about 14s. 9d., whilst best bunkerings were quoted at from 15s. 6d. to 16s. Until something definite is arranged with the Belgian miners, the probability is that prices will be main- tained at the present high level. Although the Belgians have made provision for their own supplies, particularly as regards the State Railways, when the interruption of work takes place, they will not be in a position to export to France, which usually takes a large quantity of their coal, and this will probably mean the diversion of a number of orders from France to the Welsh coalfield. The Danish Railway requirements for the supply of some 80,000 tons of steam coals have been placed, and it is significant to note that the bulk of the coal has been bought from the Westphalian coalowners. Not one of the tenders from Newcastle has been accepted, whilst of Scotch coal only some 17,000 tons have been bought. Formerly the Danish Railways were large purchasers of Welsh coals, but the high prices asked for these have entirely put them out of the market. Tenders have gone in from the Northumber- land collieries for the supply of about 100,000 tons of coal for the dockyards of the British Admiralty over the next financial year. Monmouthshire coals are very firm, both for prompt and forward delivery. Black Veins are held for 18s. f.o.b. Cardiff, and western valley coals are only 3d. to 6d. less. There is very little enquiry for house coals. Buyers expected that on April 1 there would be a drop, as there usually is at the commencement of the spring, but in view of the hardening tendency of steam coals, sellers were not disposed to modify their terms, and best qualities are therefore still quoted at 19s. 6d. net at the pit mouth. Bituminous coals, however, show a slightly weakening tendency, No. 3 Rhondda large offering freely at 17s. 6d. The quantity of coal shipped coastwise from the Bristol Channel during the month of February was only 256,646 tons, as against 472,948 tons in the corresponding month of last year, being a decrease of 216,302 tons. From Cardiff the shipments were 133,249 tons, of which London took 39,170 tons, Southampton 28.920, Liverpool 28,050, and Bristol 11,681 tons. From Newport the shipments were 48,759, Swansea 21,690, Port Talbot 9,682, and Briton Ferry 8,750 tons. The patent fuel market keeps very steady, 25s. still being obtained for best brands. Shipments from Cardiff during the week were very small, only amounting to 3,120 tons. Swansea shipped 14,495 tons. There is a lessened demand for coke. Prices, however, are pretty well maintained, special foundry being 32s. to 32s., and others in proportion. Pitwood is 19s. 9d. to 20s. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Current Last week’s Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals .... Superior seconds Ordinary do Best bunker smalls Best ordinaries Cargo qualities Inferior smalls Best dry coals Ordinary drys Best washed nuts Seconds Best washed peas Seconds Dock screenings 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 Through-and-through... Small No. 2 Rhondda— Large Through-and-through... Small Best patent fuel Seconds Special foundry coke Ordinary do. Furnace coke Pitwood (ex-ship) prices. 20/ 19/3 to 19/6 18/9 to 19/ 15/6 to 16/ 15/3 to 15/6 14/9 14/ to 14/6 18/6 to 19/3 17/3 to 17/9 17/ 15/6 to 16/ 15/6 to 15/9 15/ 15/6 to 16/ 18/ 17/9 17/3 16/6 to 16/9 19/6 17/6 17/6 16/6 to 16/9 15/9 16/3 to 16/6 15/3 to 15/6 14/6 25/ 23/ 32/ to 33/ 29/ to 30/ 25/ 19/9 to 20/ prices. 19/6 to 20/ 19/ to 19/3 18/6 to 18/9 15/3 to 15/6 14/9 to 15/ 14/ to 14/3 13/6 to 13/9 18/6 to 19/ 17/3 to 17/9 16/9 to 17/ 15/6 to 16/ 15/9 to 16/ 15/ to 15/3 15/6 to 16/ 17/9 to 18/ 17/3 to 17/6 16/6 to 16/9 16/3 to 16/6 19/6 17/6 17/6 to 18/ 16/6 to 16/9 15/9 16/ to 16/3 15/6 14/6 24/9 to 25/ 23/6 to 24/ 33/ 30/ 24/ to 27/ 20/ IRON. The tin-plate trade shows little or no improvement; but it is hoped that the early ending of the Balkan War will open up a market that has been closed since hostilities broke out. Shipments last week amounted to about 110,000 boxes, no ?less than 6,000 loads being despatched to China and Japan. Stocks at the docks warehouses, however, continue very heavy, being no less than 472,000 boxes. About a dozen mills were closed at the Beaufort Tin Plate Works, Morriston, on Saturday, and it is reported that 114 mills are now idle, or one-fifth of the total number throughout the trade. Prices keep steady, ordinary standard cokes being 14s. to 14s. l|d. and quarters 14s. 4|d. to 14^. 61. per box. Finished blackplate is .£10 5s. to £10 10s. per ton. Block tin has gone up £8 per ton, being now quoted at £219. This is greatly exercising the steel manufacturers, and a meeting of the South Wales Siemens StAel Bar Association was held the other day, at which the position was reviewed at con- siderable length. It was pointed out that notwith- standing the official quotation of £5 12s. 61., sales were being made for final delivery at £5 7s. 6d. to £5 10s. The meeting, however, in view of the high cost of materials, resolved to adhere to the official quotation of £5 12s. 6d. Some works are asking £5 15s. The galvanised sheet trade remains in a stagnant condition, and 24-gauge corrugateds are obtainable at £11 12s. 61. to £11 15s. Welsh pig iron is easier, mixed numbers of haematite being 84s. to 85s. f.o.t. Scrap is lower, new steel crop ends being 70s. to 71s. Owing to fall in freights iron ore is cheaper, best rubio offering at 21s. and secondary qualities at 19s. 6d. to 19s. 9d. There is, however, very little business doing. As a result of the audit of the employers’ books for the three months ending February 28, the wages of the iron and steel workers have been advanced 6| per cent. Swansea. COAL. Taking into consideration the dislocation caused by the holidays the trade of the port is satisfactory; the ship- ments of coal and patent fuel amounted to 66,116 tons. There was a good attendance on ’Change this morning, and Prices f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Anthracite:— Best malting large (hand picked) (net) ........ Secondary do.......... Big Vein large (less 2J per cent.) ........... Red Vein large do..... Machine - made cobbles (net) ................ Paris nuts (net) ..... French do. do.......... German do. do.......... Beans (net) ........... Machine-made large peas (net) ................ Do. fine peas (net) Rubbly culm (less 2| p.c.) Duff (net)............ Steam coals:— Best large (less 2| p.c.) ... Seconds do. Bunkers do. Small do. Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— Large (less 2| p.c.)___ Through - and - through (less 2| p.c.)_______ Small (less 2| per cent.) Patent fuel do........... Current prices. 22/6 to 24/6 20/ to 21/ 16/6 to 18/3 14/3 to 14/9 22/ to 23/9 23/6 to 26/ 23/6 to 25/6 23/6 to 25/6 18/3 to 21/6 11/3 to 13/ 8/6 to 9/ 6/ to 7/ 19/ to 20/ 16/3 to 17/ 16/ to 17/ 13/ to 15/6 Last week’s prices. 22/6 to 24/6 20/ to 21/ 16/6 to 18/3 14/3 to 14/9 22/ to 23/9 23/6 to 26/ 23/6 to 25/6 23/6 to 25/6 18/3 to 21/6 11/3 to 13/ 8/6 to 9/ 5/6 to 6/ 19/ to 20/ 16/3 to 17/ 16/ to 17/ 13/ to 15/6 18/ to 19/ 16/ to 17/ 14/9 to 16/ 20/ to 20/6 18/ to 19/ 16/ to 17/ 14/9 to 16/ 20/ to 20/6 there was no material alteration to report in the general conditions prevailing on the anthracite coal market; the undertone remained steady. Swansea Valley large was in good demand, but Red Vein large was rather slow. Machine- made nuts and cobbles hardly maintained their position. Both rubbly culm and duff were keenly sought after, but these commodities were scarce, and values moved in a upward direction. The condition of the steam coal market continued to exhibit a strong feeling, and prices for all descriptions were maintained. IRON. During the past week an average production of pig iron was registered at the blastfurnaces, and the same number of furnaces were operating in the steel trade as in the pre- ceding week. Steel bars were fairly active; the demand, however, was not so good, owing to the depressed state of the tin-plate works. Employment was rather slack in the tin-plate industry, and the market showed little or no sign of improvement. The shipment of tin-plates were 110,394 boxes, receipts from works 65,309 boxes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 472,216 boxes. Llanelly. COAL. The cessation of work at the collieries last week has had little effect on the market, and any extra demand has been easily met by drawing from stocks which have accumulated to a large extent. The anthracite market is still in a bad way, especially for the machine-made kinds, and orders from both the Continent and inland are very slow in coming in. Unfortunately, the immediate future does not promise much and prices now are down lower than they have been for some years and are likely to keep the same. This does not apply to culm and duff, which are very difficult to obtain. The bituminous market is exceedingly firm and the works have all their work cut out to keep going for want of supplies. Contracts which have been renewed over the next three and six months are at big advances in prices, so that for the next few months the position is likely to remain firm. Prices this week are : — Prices f.o.b. Current Last week’s Anthracite:— prices. prices. Best malting large 22/ to 23/ 22/ to 23/ Secondary do 20/ to 21/ 20/ to 21/ Big Vein large 17/6 to 19/6 17/6 to 19/6 Red Vein do 14/ to 15/ 14/ to 15/ Machine-made cobbles ... 20/ to 21/ 20/ to 21/ German nuts 22/ to 24/6 22/ to 24/6 French do 22/ to 24/6 22/ to 24/6 Paris do 23/ to 25/ 23/ to 25/ Machine-made beans 19/ to 21/ 19/ to 21/ Do peas 12/ to 12/6 12/ tc 12/6 Rubbly culm 8/ to 8/6 8/ to 8/6 Duff 5/ to 6/ 5/ to 6/ Other sorts:— Large steam coal 18/ to 18/6 18/ to 18/6 Through-and-through ... 14/6 to 15/6 14/6 to 15/6 Small ^... 13/ to 14/6 13/ to 14/6 Bituminous small coal ... 12/6 to 13/ 12/6 to 13/ ________________________ THE TBH-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. There is no real improvement in the tin-plate market. A fair amount of business has been placed for early delivery, but it has all been of the hand-to-mouth description, and some exceedingly low figures have been accepted. Forward buying is slow. Quotations vary a great deal, but the following will give some idea of the figures being quoted generally for plates over the next three months:—Coke tins: I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 108 1b.), 14s. per box; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 1b.), 28s. 3d. per box; I C 28 x 20 (56 sh. 108 lb.), 14s. 4|d. per box; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 20s. 6d. per box; I C 14 x 18$ (124 sh. 110 lb.), 14s. 6d. per box; I C 14 x 19$ (120 sh. 110 lb.), 14s. 6d. per box; I C squares and odd sizes, 14s. 4|d. to 14s. 6d. basis. Ternes rule quiet at 24s. 9d. for I C 28 x 20. Charcoal tins are in moderate request at 16s. 6d. per box basis and upwards according to tinning. Coke wasters are easy at the following rates:—C W 14 x 20, 13s. per box; C W 28 x 20, 25s. 9d. per box ; C W 14 x 18$, 12s. 10|d. per box; C W 20 x 10, 18s. 9d. per box—all f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. ________________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—There is very little change in the position of the market. Benzols are decidedly firm. Pitch also holds well. Naphthas are steady, and creosote in satisfac- tory request. There is no improvement in carbolics, both crude and crystals being slow. Closing prices are:— Benzols, 90’s ............................... 1/ Do. 50’s ............................... /10| Do. 90’s North......................... /Il to /11| ......................... Do. 50’s North............................ /10 Toluol..................................... 110$ Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) .......... 1/8 to 1/84 ................ Do. crystals (40 per cent.)............... /5$ Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package) ... 1/0 Crude ditto (in bulk) ....................... /5$ Creosote (for ordinary qualities) ............ /3$ Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) .................... 49/6 to 50/ Do. (f.a.s. west coast) .................... 48/ to 49/ Do. (f.o.b. gas companies) ................ 51/8 Sulphate of Ammonia.—The market is fairly steady, especially in the north. There is a tendency to"bear” the position, which is as natural as it may be said to be incon- sequent ; but of course buyers will try to make the most of every rumour in the hopes of loosening even small quantities at a slightly reduced figure. The U.S.A, price keeps steady at 3*25 dols. per 100 lb. Nearest prompt prices are:— London (ordinary makes).................. £13/5/ Beckton (March-April).............. £13/15/ Liverpool_____............................ £14/1/3 Hull .............................. £14/ Middlesbrough .................... £14/ Scotch ports_________...................... £14/2/6 to £14/5/ Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ... 12/ [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, loss 2$ per cent, dis- count ; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.]