964 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN May 9, 1913. Leicestershire. GOAL. The present state of business can only be said to be good. Not frequently is there so much doing at the beginning of the month of May as there is in this present year. The amount of business on hand suffices to maintain a very full output, and not much of it goes to stock. Some collieries-may have a little accumulation, but as a rule there is not much coal on hand. There is continuing a quite good all-round demand. Household coals are in request in all qualities, and, may be, the approaching holidays have somewhat stimulated the demand. Local merchants are fairly busy, and the retail trade is keeping up. Steam coals of all descriptions are in good request. Merchants are now rather actively employed in fixing up their season orders, and this class of business is being done at very firm rates, there is an advance on last yearns prices. Neighbouring coalfields are holding out for an advance, and concluding business at the higher price, and this coalfield is responsive. As much as a shilling advance over last year is obtained. The outlook is quite good, and a considerable run of good business is looked for. The current quotations are without change, and business is only done at full late rates. Prices at pithead. Current Last week’s House coals;— prices. prices. Block 16/6 16/6 Forest 15/6 15/6 Rubble 15/9 15/9 Nuts 14/ 14/ Rough slack Steam coal:— 10/ 10/ Large 13/6 to 14/ 13/ to 13/6 Small 10/ toll/ 10/ toll/ Prices Is. 9d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouh. South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Hednesford. GOAL The satisfactory condition of the coal trade of the Cannock Chase district experienced for some time past is well maintained. Orders for most qualities of fuel are fairly plentiful, and there is very little coal in stock at the collieries. The collieries throughout the district are very busy this week. There is no change of consequence to report in the demand for coal for manufacturing purposes, and slack is selling well. The house coal trade is much better than is usual at this time of the year. Railway and canal sales are satisfactory, and owing to the continued wet weather, and the proximity of the Whitsuntide holidays, the landsale depots are very busy this week. Birmingham. COAL. The coal trade is benefiting by the cold wet weather, and after Whitsuntide the pits will be kept going full time till the end of the month. Owners are insisting on the full shilling advance for next year's contracts, offers of sixpence having been refused. They also express their intention to maintain present house coal rates for a couple of months at least. Quotations: Prices at pit. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that there is a limited importation of house, steam and gas coal at the south coast ports, although stocks are by no means heavily held. There has been a good deal of enquiry for forward purchases, but these have mostly not resulted in business, owing to the very advanced quotations with which these enquiries have been met. Buyers generally express the opinion that in another month they will see colliery quotations at their lowest range. Freight quota- tions are somewhat easier. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. • Thursday, May 8. Wrexham. North Wales. Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase):— House coal, best deep..... Do. seconds deep Do. best shallow Do. seconds do. Best hard............... Forge coal.............. Slack .................. Warwickshire:— House coal, best Ryder ... Do. hand - picked cobs ................ Best hard spires ....... Forge (steam)........... D.S. nuts (steam) ...... Small (do.) ...... Current prices. Last week's prices. 18/ 18/ 16/6 16/6 14/6 14/6 13/ 13/ 14/ 14/ 11/ 11/ 8/6 8/6 16/ 16/ 13/9 13/9 14/6 14/6 10/ 10/ 10/ 10 0/ 9/ GOAL. The general demand for coal in this locality during the past week is satisfactory, and the majority of the collieries are able to wind the full time, and that without having to take any coal into stock, which is the usual custom at this time of the year. There is one exception, however, and I regret to have to report that Messrs. Watkinson and Sons Limited, of Buckley, have given notice that they are about to close down their pits. It is hoped, however, that the stoppage may not be a permanent one. As can only be expected at this time of the year, the demand for house coal has now become somewhat easier, but any of this fuel which may be to spare is easily disposed of with other classes of coal, although, of course, the price of the lower grades of coal has to be accepted. The gas coal trade is just as good as ever. The renewal of contracts is proceeding quickly, and a large number have now been settled at the advance previously referred to, and there appears to be no difficulty in getting the Is. to Is. 6d. With reference to the steam coal trade, the railway companies are all pressing for deliveries, and, where possible, an extra quantity during this week on account of the extra holiday traffic. Coal for manufacturing purposes finds a ready sale at good prices, and the shipping trade is also good. There has, however, been another dispute with the Liverpool dockers, but they were only out of work a couple of days. There is no lack of orders for nuts, both for gasmaking and merchants' trade, and, as usual, the supply of these is limited. Slack is, like steam coal, easily disposed of. the prices for which vary according to the quality. The market for gas coke is reported to be a little easier. Current prices are as below:— IRON. The proximity of Whitsuntide had a marked effect on the attendance, and the volume of business negotiated was correspondingly small. The chief complaint concerns prices, the margin of profit in practically every department being cut to a minimum. Manufacturers now express their inability to grant further concessions, and they declare with some show of confidence that in about a month's time values will begin to recover. In time a big volume of business will be done with the Balkan States, but some months must elapse before the necessary financial negotiations, which must precede any developments in that direction, can be com- pleted. Pig iron is sold in small parcels, but it is a satis- factory feature that it is all going into consumption. There were rumours that Northamptonshire had been sold at 63s., but no confirmation can be obtained, and the market level may be taken at 63s. and 64s., Derbyshire 66s. to 67s., South Staffordshire part-mine 67s. to 67s. 6d. Producers of marked bars continue well employed, and the mills engaged in the production of other qualities of iron are running about four days a week. Merchant qualities average about £8 2s. 6d. to .£8 5s., and common iron £7 15s. to £7 17s. 6d. delivered Darlaston. This branch suffers from Belgian competition. North Staffordshire and Lancashire crown bars are maintained at .£8 15s. For galvanised sheets a better enquiry is reported at recent low rates, and puddled bars can now be had at £5 7s. 6d. to £5 10s., compared with £5 17s. 6d. to £6 three months ago. There is no change to report in black sheets, which are quoted .- singles .£8 2s. 6d., doubles £8 10s., trebles £8 17s. 6d., or in gas strip, the basis of which remains at .£8 10b. for lots of 25 tons and upwards. Business keeps good in the steel trade, and Belgian competition is not felt here to the same extent as in the iron branches. With English billets ruling so low there is little chance for the foreigner. There has been an upward movement in copper sheets from £84 to £85 a ton. Prices at pit f.o.r. — Best house coal ..... Secondary do....... Steam coal- ...... Gas coal .......... Bunkers............ Nuts .............. Slack.............. Gas coke (at works) Prices landsale:— Best house coal ... Seconds............ Slack.............. Current prices. 15/ to 16/ 14/ to 15/ 12/3 to 13/6 13/6 to 14/6 12/ to 12/9 11/6 to 12/3 7/ to 9/3 15/ to 17/6 18/4 to 20/ 16/8 to 18/4 10/ to 12/6 Lydney. Forest of Doan. GOAL. During the week the house coal market here has main- tained its position, and all the collieries are employed full time. The weather continues much in favour for this class of fuel, and the prospects for the remainder of the month are good. Shipments are still very satisfactory, while railborne orders are a good average. All the steam coal pits are kept going at full pressure, and it is a difficult matter to give anything like good despatch to orders. Last week's prices. 15/ to 16/ 14/ to 15/ 12/3 to 13/6 13/3 to 14/3 11/9 to 12/6 11/3 to 12/3 6/6 to 9/ 15/ to 17/6 18/4 to 20/ 16/8 to 18/4 10/ to 12/6 Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. The steam coal market continues remarkably quiet, so far as actual new transactions are concerned, but the influence of the approaching holiday stoppage, the present difficulty of securing adequate supplies, and, to a small extent, the smouldering elements of the non-unionist troubles, are factors which sellers affect to influence them strongly. At present quotations, which are anything up to 20s. for best Black Veins, buyers are holding off in the expec- tation of making better terms after the holidays, but sellers regard the position as strongly in their favour, as next week's output will certainly be a light one. Smalls have advanced a little in value, but to no con- siderable extent, while all other varieties remain practi- Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days, less 2| per cent. Steam coals:— Best Black Vein large ... Wes tern-valleys, ordinary Best Eastern-valleys .. Secondary do. ......... Best small coals ...... Secondary do........... Inferior Screenings Through coals .... Best washed nuts Other sorts:— Best house coal . Secondary do. Patent fuel .... Furnace coke .... Foundry coke .... do. Current prices. 19/3 to 20/ 18/9 to 19/3 18/ to 18/6 17/3 to 17/9 14/ to 14/6 13/ to 13/3 12/3 to 12/9 14/3 to 14/6 16/ to 16/3 15/9 to 16/ 18/9 to 19/ 17/6 to 18/ 22/ to 23/ 27/ to 28/ 29/ to 31/ Last week's prices. 18/6 to 19/ 17/9 to 18/3 17/3 to 17/9 16/6 to 17/ 13/9 to 14/3 12/9 to 13/3 12/3 to 12/6 14/ to 14/3 16/ to 16/3 15/9 to 16/ 18/9 to 19/ 17/6 to 18/ 22/ to 23/ 27/ to 28/ 29/ to 31/ cally unaltered. In the freight market, a fair amount of outward chartering has taken place. Rather more tonnage has been offering, but stems are difficult to arrange just now, yet freights are fully upheld, and for the Plate are firm. Pit wood supplies have been rather scanty, and 21s. is being asked for good wood ex-ship. Cardiff. GOAL. Notwithstanding the cessation of work on Thursday of last week, when the miners held their annual Federation meetings, and the subsequent sectional stoppages on Friday and Saturday on the non-unionist question, in which some 50,000 persons were originally involved, the shipments for the week were very good, amounting from the port of Cardiff alone to close upon 400,000 tons. These stoppages gave a slight impetus to the market, and on the opening of 'Change on Monday, there were several enquiries for coal, not only for prompt shipment, but also for the second half of May, and in some cases even for June. But as prior to the stoppage on May 1 every colliery was fully contracted for the time being, and there was very little free coal to be had, the sales agents were very loth to enter into any fresh engagements. They seemed to be quite in the dark as to how long the stoppages in connection with the non-unionist question would last. Fortunately, in the majority of cases they only extended for two or three days, and by Monday morning the greater portion of the men had resumed work. The only important exceptions were at the Ferndale collieries belonging to Messrs. D. Davis and Sons, the Aberaman collieries belonging to the Powell Duffryn Coal Company, and at the Cyfarthfa pits belonging to Messrs. Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds, where the men had not returned to work at the time of writing. Prices continue very high, and for anything like prompt delivery 22s. to 22s. 6d. is being paid for best steam coals. These quotations are expected to rule over the second half of the month, and even for June. Indeed, one large colliery which had sold at 22s. 6d., refused to accept less than 23s. for any further supplies. As all the collieries will stop on the first three days of next week, and it is probable that there will be a great deal of broken time for the remainder of Whit week, sellers anticipate great pressure for coals in the near future, especially as the French and Austrian Admiralties were in the market, the former for 20,000 tons for delivery over June, and the latter for 20,000 to 30,000 tons for shipment within the next few weeks. It is true that chartering lately has been anything but active, the the quantity of tonnage taken up last week being less than 250,000 tons. Still, when the present week opened, there were no less than 228 vessels reported to be in dock, which was believed to be ample for present requirements. With regard to small coal, prices are very firm. Owing to the lesser supplies needed for works purposes, and the non- resumption of shipments to Belgium, the demand is con- siderably less than usual, but as collieries make it a point to withhold considerable quantities from the market in order to run their engines over the holidays, there was not only no great pressure to sell, but in many cases they refused to enter into any fresh contracts except at slightly enhanced prices. Best bunkerings are held for 15s., ordinary qualities for 14s. 6d., and cargo sorts at 13s. 9d. to 14s. 3d. There is a scarcity of Monmouthshire coals, and prices generally are 6d. higher than last week, Black Veins being 20s. 3d. and western-valleys 19s. 9d., in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. According to the Custom House returns the quantity£of coal exported from the Bristol Channel ports to foreign countries in the first three months of this year amounted to 7,442,958 tons, as against 5,584,748 tons in the corresponding period of last year, being an increase of 1,858,210 tons, but the increase was considerably larger than usual owing to the national coal strike that took place in the month of March. The following table shows the shipments to the principal countries of the world, with the increase or decrease as compared with the first three months of 1912.-— Russia Total Jan.-Mar. Tons. 36,539 Increase. Tons. ... 33,321 , Decrease. Tons. Sweden 73,248 ... 32,362 . ... — Norway 27,913 ... 2,608 . ... — Denmark £,059 ... 2,759 . ... — Germany 55,816 ... 6,889 . ... — Netherlands 38,160 ... 5,137 . ... — Java 6,466 ... — 121 Dutch possessions in Indian Seas 5,436 930 . ... — Belgium 148,985 ... 85,325 . — France 1,768,070 ... 499,113 . ... — Algeria 219,702 ... 82,758 . — French Somaliland... 22,183 ... 14,952 . — Portugal 210,068 ... 72,356 , ... — Azores 10,140 ... — 744- Madeira 33 644 ... 11,606 . ... — Spain 334,413 ... 84,391 . ... — Canary Islands 199,776 — ... 18,266 Italy 1,373,705 ... 259,272 . — Austria-Hungary ... 140,509 ... 131,247 . —— Greece 67,240 ... 2,010 . ... — Bulgaria nil ... — ... 16,251 Roumania 5,114 ... 2,086 . — Turkey (European) 14,455 — ... 19,706 „ (Asiatic)... 15,215 ... — ... 6,678 Egypt 448,461 ... 64,453 . ... — Tunis 38,506 ... 13,680 . ... — China 5,765 . — .. 4,918 Mexico 7,904 ... 5,544 , ... 21,958 . ... — Chile 122,745 ... — Brazil 428,950 ... 108,835 , ... — Uruguay 146,435 — ... 25,078 Argentine Republic 798,797 ... 292,876 . — Channel Islands 11,814 — ... 5,913 Gibraltar 65,300 — ... 6,052 Malta 213,863 ... 136,237 . ... — Cape of Good Hope 7,671 ... 2,725 . — Mauritius 7,861 ... 6,372 . — Aden 32,614 ... — ... 26,670 India 36,945 ... 21,170 , ... Straits Settlements 6,602 727 , — Ceylon 54.768 — ... 2,975 Wei-hai-Wei 5,807 ... 5,807 ... — Hong Kong 20,549 ... 5,949 — West Africa: French 42,618 ... 17,315 — „ Portuguese 77,526 — ... 1,554 „ British 28,995 ... — ... 2,424