1208 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. June 6, 1913. have been lowered to a marked degree at the various shipping ports. A corresponding drop in steam freights has generally followed. Some tempting contract offers are being put forward by the south coast factors for all the leading collieries, but a very small number of contracts have resulted from such offers owing to the prevailing belief, or hope, that prices and freights may be still further reduced in a week or two. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, June 5. North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. There has been no great change in the general condition of the coal trade of this locality during the past week. It would seem as if there is to be no end to the labour disputes at Liverpool and Birkenhead. Following on the recent repeated disputes with the dockers, the flatmen who ply across the Mersey have now struck, causing a temporary paralysis of the whole barge system there. It is anticipated that an amicable settlement will be come to and a serious stoppage averted. With regard to the sale of coal, the amount of business done is exceptionally good for this time of year, orders being fairly plentiful, and there are no stocks being held. House coal, of course (with the excep- tion of the sale of spot lots for summer delivery, and the making of forward contracts), is rather dull, but the surplus fuel in this department is easily disposed of in other markets. There is no slackening in the demand for steam coal. Good pricey are being obtained both for immediate and forward deliveries. Ruling prices are as below:— Current Last week’s Prices at pit f.o.r.:— prices. prices. Best house coal 15/ to 16/ 15/ to 16/ Secondary do 14/ to 15/ 14/ to 15/ Steam coal 12/9 to 13/6 12/ to 13/6 Gas coal 13/ to 14/ 13/ to 14/6 Bunkers 12/3 to 12/9 12/ to 12/6 Nuts 12/ to 12/6 11/6 to 12/6 Slack 6/ to 8/6 6/6 to 9/ Gas coke (at works) Prices landsale:— 15/ to 16/8 15/ to 17/6 Best house coal 18/4 to 20/ 18/4 to 20/ Seconds 16/8 to 18/4 16/8 to 18/4 Slack 10/ to 12/6 10/ to 12/6 Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. Since last week the steam coal market has developed pronounced weakness in all departments, but more particu- larly for smalls, the values* of which have receded considerably. Tonnage supplies are very scanty, chartering, too, has been inactive, all which tends to weaken the market. Smalls are down on the week nearly 2s. 6d., other grades participating in the reduction to a lesser degree. Quotations for large coals are unequal, some collieries being more favourably placed for disposal of their output than others; but, generally speaking, salesmen are willing to accept prices they would not have considered a week ago. House coals remain fairly steady, with an inclination to reduced values. Throughs and nuts are quiet, with quotations nominally unaltered, but unreliable. Pitwood values are fully maintained, although sellers find considerable difficulty in obtaining a sufficiency of empty wagons. 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 do............ Screenings ............ Through coals.......... Best washed nuts ...... Other sorts:— Best house coal ....... Secondary do........... Patent fuel ........... Furnace coke .......... Foundry coke........... Current prices. 19/ to 19/3 18/6 to 18/9 17/9 to 18/ 16/6 to 17/ 11/ to 11/6 10/3 to 10/6 9/3 to 9/6 11/3 to 11/6 14/6 to 15/ 15/ to 15/3 18/ to 19/ 17/ to 18/ 21/ to 22/6 27/ to 28/ 29/ to 31/ Last week’s prices. 19/6 to 19/9 19/ to 19/3 18/ to 18/3 17/ to 17/6 13/3 to 13/6 12/3 to 12/9 11/9 to 12/ 13/6 15/6 to 15/9 15/3 to 15/6 18/ to 19/ 17/ to 18/ 21/ to 23/ 27/ to 28/ 29/ to 31/ IRON. A rather better feeling is apparent locally in the iron and steel trades, and there is now more inclination for transacting forward business than during the last couple of months. Prices are easier, approximately l|d. to 3d. per box all round on the week, largely owing to the reduced value of block tin. Steel rails: Heavy sections, £6 10s. to £6 15s.; light ditto, .£6 15s. to £7. Tin-plate bars : Bessemer steel, £5 5s.; Siemens steel, £5 5s. to £5 7s. 6d. Tin-plates: Bessemer primes, 20 x 14, 14s. 3d. ; Siemens ditto, 14s. 3d. to 14s. 6d. Finished black plate, £10 15s. Welsh hematite, £4 5s. to £4 6s., delivered locally. Cardiff. COAL. Although collieries are still maintaining their quotations, there is a slightly easier tendency and buyers appear to be adopting a waiting policy. Pressing orders are being executed, but there is no new buying to any large extent. As indicated last week, the majority of the principal firms have decided in future to quote on a net basis, instead of making an allowance of 2£ per cent, for cash in 30 days, which has hitherto been the practice. In several cases, how- ever, sellers have not adopted the suggestion, their reason for declining being that any change in an old-established custom is likely to be viewed with suspicion by foreign buyers, and that the latter ought to be consulted before definite steps were taken to introduce new methods. No doubt the innovation will cause a little confusion for some time, but both buyers and sellers agree that ultimately it will facilitate business. As a matter of fact, in all c.i.f. quotations no discount has, in the past, been-allowed, and it is considered that tbe proposal will very soon be universally adopted, with beneficial results to the South Wales coal trade. Chartering transactions last week represented a carrying capacity of nearly 405,000 tons, or an increase over the previous six days of over 40,000 tons, so there is a prospect of a good demand for some little time to come. Collieries are quoting 22s. 3d. net for the best descriptions of Admiralty coal, though with named tonnage no doubt these prices will be a little shaded. A large demand from Genoa is expected in the near future, as during the last month the number of vessels chartered to this port was exceptionally low. The number of free berths available for discharging at Genoa during May on some days reached a total of 17. For the information of readers, it may be stated that the number of discharging berths at Genoa is 28, so that practically less than half the berths were occupied during the month. The shipments last week from the four principal Channel ports amounted to 509,304 tons, or an increase of 100,913 tons over the corresponding period of last year. This increase is, however, more apparent than real, as the Whitsuntide holidays last year occurred in the corresponding week. From Cardiff alone the exports amounted to about 320,000 tons which is a considerable falling off as compared with recent weeks. The small coal market is weaker, {notwithstanding that the French State Railways have placed orders for the bulk of their require- ments with South Wales firms. There is every reason for stating that the total quantity for which tenders were invited was between 120,000 and 130,000 tons and it is reported that the major portion has been secured by Messrs. Morgan, Wakley and Co., and smaller quantities by Messrs. Pyman, Watson and Co., and a Newcastle house. It is difficult to state the actual “ sum” realised for the coal, as the contracts have been made on a c.i.f. basis, but it is stated that the price for the coal after the allocation of a certain amount for freight and expenses will work out at something under current market quotations. It was expected that this large order, which has to be executed during the ensuing portions of the year, would have a beneficial effect on small coal prices, but at the time of writing the market was in a depressed condition mainly through the French railways not taking any supplies during the last few weeks. It is generally supposed that they laid in very large stocks prior to the Belgian strike, and these have not yet been worked off. It is not easy to state at present what is the current price, as there is a considerable variation, but roughly speaking, it would be anything between 10s. 6d. and Ils. 6d. for cargo sorts, with an appreciation of Is. for best ordinaries, and up to 13s. for best bunker qualities. There is little change to report in Monmouthshire coals, although eastern valley varieties show a weaker tendency as compared with last week. House coal collieries have fallen into line with the steam coal producers, and are quoting on a net basis, and best qualities are now being offered at 20?., with secondary grades at 18s. On the face of it, this would show an advance of 6d. per ton, and some dissatisfaction has been expressed that an attempt should be made to increase the price of bituminous coals at this period of the year. The explanation given, however, is that previous published prices have been on a net basis at pit’s mouth, and there- fore no alteration is now made in the quotations. Patent fuel shipments have been unusually heavy during the week, the quantity exported being no less than 40,951 tons, of which the Crown Company despatched 10,050 tons, other local makers 3,800 tons, Swansea 23,801 tons, and Newport 3,300 tons. Best brands are offering at 25s. net, which is Is. lower than recent quotations, but this price applies to July loading, no sales being reported for June shipment. Pit wood is in firm demand at 22s. 6d. per ton. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Current Last week’s Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam prices. prices. coals 22/ to 22/3 22/6 to 23/ Superior seconds 21/ 22/ to 22/3 Ordinary do 19/6 to 20/ 20/ to 21/ Best bunker smalls 13/ 14/3 to 14/6 Best ordinaries 12/6 13/9 to 14/ Cargo qualities 11/ to 11/6 13/ to 13/3 Inferior smalls 10/ 11/9 to 12/ Best dry coals 20/6 to 21/ 21/ to 21/6 Ordinary drys 18/ to 19/ 18/ to 18/6 Best washed nuts 17/6 17/6 Seconds 16/6 16/6 Best washed peas 15/6 16/ Seconds 14/6 15/ Dock screenings .....' Monmouthshire— 14/3 to 14/9 15/ Black Veins 19/6 to 19/9 20/ to 20/3 Western-valleys ,19/ , 19/9 to 20/ Eastern-valleys 18/6 to 18/9 19/6 to 19/9 Inferior do Bituminous coals:— 17/9 18/ to 18/3 Best house coals (at pit) 20/ 19/6 Second qualities (at pit) No. 3 Rhondda— 18/ 17/6 Bituminous large 17/9 to 18/ 18/ Through-and-through... 16/9 17/ Small No. 2 Rhondda— 15/6 15/9 to 16/ Large 17/ 17/ Through-and-through... 15/ 15/6 Small 11/ to 11/3 13/6 Best patent fuel 25/ 26/ Seconds 23/ to 24/ 24/ Special foundry coke 32/ 32/ Ordinary do. 29/ 29/ to 30/ Furnace coke 25/ 25/ Pitwood (ex-ship) 22/6 22/6 Coal and patent fuel quotations are for net cash in 30 days. Rhondda bituminous coals at pithead are roughly Is. 3d. per ton less. All pithead prices are usually net. Coke is net f.o.b. IRON. The tin-plate trade remains in a weak condition, and some manufacturers who are short of orders are pressing sales, with the result that prices show an easier tendency, and are once more below the cost of production. Nothing further has been done in the direction of restriction of output, but it is believed that unless there is an early improvement the number of idle mills will be largely increased. The shipments during the week amounted to 134,511 boxes, and the receipts from works 133,458 boxes, leaving at the docks, warehouses, and in vans 438,616 boxes. It is expected, however, that this quantity will be materially reduced during the current week, as at the time of writing cargoes of 4,500 tons and 2.000 tons were being loaded for New York and the Danube ports respectively. Latest quotations are as follow;—20 x 14 cokes 14s. l^d. to 14s. 3d.,. 18| x 14 14s. 6d., 28 x 20 20s. 6d. The galvanised sheet trade is still in a sluggish condition, and 24-gauge corru- gateds are offered at £11 2s. 6d. to £11 5s. per ton. Steel- works are busy in all departments, but prices generally are lower, both Siemens and Bessemer bars being quoted at £5 5s. Welsh pig iron is 82s. f.o.t. Imports of foreign steel during the week amounted to 8,500 tons. The iron ore market continues weak, and very little business is passing. Best rubio is held for 20s., and second grades at 18s. 6d. to 19s. per ton. In scrap metals prices are generally lower, cast scrap being quoted at 57s. 6d. to 60?., heavy wrought 56s. 6d., new steel crop ends 68s. to 68s. 6d., steel scrap 57s. 6d. to 60s., double-headed iron rails 70s., mixed sections 60s., and light iron 40s. per ton. Swansea. GOAL. The trade of the port during the past week was highly satisfactory, both the coal and patent fuel trades were very brisk, the shipments together totalled 125,444 tons. There was an average attendance on ’Change this morning, but very little movement was displayed in the general condition of the anthracite coal market, while the undertone had a slight tendency towards easiness. Owing to the scarcity of ready tonnage, tonnage, sellers were becoming anxious with regard to prompt shipments, and some were offering at reduced prices in order to get wagons cleared. Swansea Valley large was fairly steady at last prices, but Red Vein large continued weak. Machine-made nuts and cobbles barely held their own. Rubbly culm and duff were steady. In the steam coal market a steady tone was in evidence, and values were well maintained. Prices f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Current Last week’s Anthracite:— prices. prices. Best malting large (hand picked) (net) 22/ to 24/ 22/ to 24/ Secondary do Big Vein large (less 2| 19/ to 20/ 19/ to 20/ per cent.) 17/6 to 19/ 12/ to 13/6 17/6 to 19/ 12/ to 13/6 Red Vein large do Machine - made cobbles (net) 22/ to 23/6 23/ to 24/6 23/ to 24/6 23/ to 24/6 16/6 to 19/6 22/ to 23/6 23/ to 24/6 23/ to 24/6 23/ to 24/6 16/6 to 19/6 Paris nuts (net) French do. do German do. do Beans (net) Machine-made large peas (net) 11/6 to 13/6 11/6 to 13/6 • • . ... . • Do. fine peas (net) — — Rubbly culm (less 2| p.c.) 9/6 to 9/9 9/6 to 9/9 Duff (net) : Steam coals:— 6/3 to 6/6 6/3 to 6/6 Best large (less 2| p.c.) ... 19/6 to 21/ 19/6 to 21/ Seconds do. 16/3 to 17/ 16/3 to 17/ Bunkers do. 15/6 to 16/ 15/6 to 16/ Small do. Bituminous coals:— 13/6 to 15/6 13/6 to 15/6 No. 3 Rhondda— Large (less 2|p.c.) Through - and - through 19/ to20/ 16/6 to 17/6 19/ to 20/ 16/6 to 17/6 (less 2| p.c.) Small (less 2| per cent.) 14/9 to 16/ . 14/9 to 16/ Patent fuel do 21/6 to 22/6 21/6 to 22/6 IRON. Last week the pig iron trade was busy, large quantities of ore having arrived, and the yield of the furnaces was high. The steelworks, however, were slack, especially the Forest and Duffryn, Morriston. The Landore furnaces worked well, and regular outputs were registered. The tin-plate industry was quiet. The Mannesmann Tube Works were actively engaged, and foundries and engineering shops were busy. The shipments of tin-plates were 134,511 boxes, receipts from works 132,458 boxes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 438,616 boxes. Llanelly. COAL. There is an easy tone in the coal market this week, and though collieries are mostly at full work, there is but little life in the demand. Buyers are holding off somewhat owing to the approach of the end of the half-year, and for many kinds there is not the enquiry which was expected a little while back. Bituminous coals are still going very well, but reductions are expected within the next few weeks. Some sellers are trying to fix their contracts at the same price as last, but though they may succeed in some cases, the majority of the works realise that a change will soon take place and will hold off until things come down as they must shortly .do, unless, of course, the unexpected happens. Anthracite is keeping as last reported. The only kinds showing any degree of firmness are culm and dnff. This week’s quotations are:— Prices f.o.b. Anthracite:— Best malting large.... Secondary do.......... Big Vein large........ Red Vein do........... Machine-made cobbles ... German nuts .......... French do............. Paris do.............. Machine-made beans ... Do peas.......... Rubbly culm .......... Duff ................. Other sorts:— Large steam coal...... Through-and-through ...; Small................i Bituminous small coal ... Current prices. 22/ to 23/ 20/ to 21/ 17/ to 18/ 13/6 to 14/ 18/6 to 20/ 22/ to 24/6 22/ to 24/6 22/ to 24/6 19/ to 21/ 11/3 tc 13/ 9/ to 9/6 6/ to 6/6 18/ to 18/6 15/ to 16/ 10/6 to 11/6 13/6 to 14/6 Last week’s prices. 22/ to 23/ 20/ to 21/ 17/ to 18/ i 13/6 to 14/ I 18/6 to 20/ I 22/ to 24/6 22/ to 24/6 I 22/ to 24/6 * 19/ to 21/ i 11/3 to 13/ i 9/ to 9/6 i 6/ to 6/6 ! 18/ to 18/6 i 15/ to 16/ 10/6 to 11/6 I 13/6 to 14/6