780 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN Ogtobeb 9, 1914. THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, October 8. The London coal trade is not very brisk, and business on the Coal Exchange is only of moderate dimensions. The house coal market is fairly steady, but the buying is limited, and very few fresh orders are given except at the old rates. The new price list from October 1 is with difficulty maintained, and where prices are adhered to they are principally those collieries which have heavy contract arrangements to fall back upon, and merchants are obliged to take the regular monthly tonnages. In the cases of collieries which have the bulk of their coal to sell on the open market, the prices are in every case lower than the full list. The public also are ordering very moderately, so that the depot trade is very slow. The colder weather, however, has stimulated the trolley trade, as the bulk of the flats in London are dependent upon the weekly round of the trolley men. The collieries however, are making a firm stand, and all quotations are distinctly in advance of what they were last month, and the greatly reduced output at all the various collieries has had a material effect, upon the market. Enquiries are now for very small parcels. The seaborne market is reported firm and steady. The increasing export trade at the Humber ports is satisfactory, and on Monday last 26 vessels with contract cargoes arrived in the Thames, but no recognised quotations are given, all the coals having been sold, and no cargoes offering. On Wednesday, 11 vessels were reported as arriving in the Thames. Sharis ton Wallsend was quoted at 21s. 6d., but none on offer, so the quota- tions were more or less nominal. Steam coal is in better demand, and although many of the factories in London and the neighbourhood are working short, yet many of the others are working at very great pressure, and when in direct touch with the War Office for their requirements, they are working night and day. Some of the Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire collieries have still a large quantity of arrears to clear off, and consequently have very little for immediate disposal. Small nuts and slacks are moving very slowly, and prices have been reduced considerably during the past few weeks. The demand has been small, and the plentiful supply has been far more than could be dealt with, and, in conse- quence, the market is considerably congested with stock. The Austrian Ministry of Commerce has reported that the coal production for the month of August has dropped 30 per cent., and Germany is reported to be decreased by one-half. The Metal Exchange remains officially closed, but private transactions are still carried on to a limited extent. The north-country coals are coming forward more plentifully to London since the increasing risk to navigation abroad, and the closing of the Baltic ports. The war risk insurance rate has advanced from 12s. 6d. to 20s. per cent. Ship owners are hesitating about sending vessels, and, in conse- quence, higher freights are charged. Shipments of gas coal, however, for the large London gasworks are coming forward freely. Smalls continue to fetch from 8s. to 9s. 9d. in the north, according to the quantity, but even with the slightly higher freights, can easily be brought to London at a- price sufficient to hold the market against any Midland smalls which may be brought by rail, unless a very unremunerative price is taken. Coke is also quoted very low, both for furnace and gas cokes. The best Admiralty Welsh steam coals are again quoted 20s. to 22s. f.o.b. at Cardiff, but the demand has not been so strong as formerly. The attendance on the London coal market has not been very large lately, and the market conditions are not very brisk. The better qualities of house coal are moving fairly well, but the ordinary Derby brights and all the cheaper qualities are very dull. Market quotations (pit mouth) : Note.—Although every care is exercised to secure accuracy, we cannot hold ourselves responsible for these prices, which are, further, subject to fluctuations Yorkshire. Wath Main best coal Current prices. 13/6 13[ 13/6 12/6 15/6 14/ 11/6 12/ 11/9 9/ 9 12/ 11/9 10/6 10/6 Ql, 12/6 12/3 12/6 12/3 12/ 11/ 12/ 11/9 12/ 11/9 Last week's prices. Last year’s prices. 13/ 12/ 12/6 16/ 11 13/6 13/ 13 13 12 12 15 14/6 15/6 12/ 17/ 15/6 14/ 14/ 13/6 12/6 12/3 10/ 10/6 12/6 12/3 11/ H 10/ 12/6 12/ 13 12/6 12/6 11/6 12/6 12/ 12/6 12/ Do. nuts Birley cube Silkstone Do. branch coal . Do. seconds Barnsley Bed Silkstone West Riding Silkstone Kiveton Park Hazel Do. cobbles Do. nuts Do. hard steam New Sharlston Wallsend Wharncliffe Silkstone branch Do: Flockton Main ... Do. Athersley house coal Newton Chambers best Silks. Do. Grange best Silk. Do. Hesley Silkstone... Do. Rockingham selec. Do. Rockingham Silk.. Derbyshire. Wingfield Manor best Do. large nuts... Do. small nuts... Do. kitchen coal West Hallam Kilburn brights Do. do. nuts ... Do. London brights Do. bright nuts Do. small nuts Manners Kilburn brights Do. do. nuts Shipley do. brights Do. do. nuts Mapperley brights Do. hard steam Cossall Kilburn brights Do. do. nuts Trowell Moor brights Do. do. nuts Current prices. Last week’s Last year’s Derbyshire—(cont.) prices. prices. Grassmoor Main coal . 12/6 . 11/ 13/ Do. Tupton 11/6 Do. do. nuts . 10/6 11/6 Clay Cross Main coal . 12/6 . 12/6 . 11/6 13/ Do. do. cubes 13/ Do. special Derbys — 12/ Do. house coal • 11/ 11/6 13/ Pilsley best blackshale . 12/6 ■ 11/ Do. deep house coal 11/6 11/ Do. hard screened coal . 10/6 — Hardwick best Silkstone . 12/6 — 13/ Do. Cavendish brights.. . 12/ — 12/6 Do. cubes • 12/ 12/6 Nottinghamshire. Clifton picked hards 12/ 12/6 12/6 12/ Do. small hards 12/ Do. deep large steam 9/ — Annesley best hards 12 6 12/6 Do. bright cobbles 11/3 —' 11/9 Linby best hards 12/6 11/3 12/6 11/9 Do. bright cobbles — Digby London brights 13/ — 13/ Do. cobbles 13/ — 13/ Do. top hards 13/ — 13/ Do. High Hazel coal 15/6 — 14/6 Best wood hard steam coal 12/6 .— 13/ Do. bright cobbles 11/3 — 11/9 Hucknall Torkard main hards ... 12/9 — 12/9 Do. do. cobbles 11/3 — 11/3 Do. do. nuts 10/6 — 11/ Do. do. High Hazel H.P. 15/3 — 14/9 Do. do. London brights 12/9 — 12/3 Do. do. large nuts... 12/9 — 12/3 Do. do. bright nuts 11/6 — 11/3 Sherwood H.P. hards 12/6 — 12/6 Do. hard steam 11/6 — 11/6 11/3 Do. brights 11/6 — Do. cobbles 10/9 — 11/3 Do. large nuts 11/6 — 11/3 W ARWICKSHIRE. Griff large steam coal 11/ — 11/ Do. screened cobbles 11/6 — 11/6 Do. bakers’ nuts 11/ — 11/3 Do. loco Two Yard hards 14/ 11/6 — 14/6 Do. Ryder nuts — 11/9 Do. do. cobbles 13/6 — 13/ Nuneaton steam coal 11/6 ■ ■ — 11/ Do. screened cobbles ... 12/6 — 11/6 Do. nuts 11/6 . -r- 11/3 Haunchwood steam 11/6 — 11/ Do. screened cobbles 12/ — 11/6 Do. nuts 11/6 — 11/3 Wyken steam coal 11/6 -— 11/ Do. screened cobbles 12/ — 11/6 Do. nuts 11/6 — 11/3 Exhall Ell coal spires 12/6 — 14/3 Do. large steam coal 11/6 —— 12/6 Leicestershire. Snibston steam — — 12/ Do. cobbles — — 12/3 Do. nuts — — 12/3 South Leicester steam — — 10/ Do. cobbles or small hards — — 10/6 Do. nuts — — 10/6 Whitwick steam — — 10/ Do. roasters — — 10/6 Do. cobbles — — 10/6 Do. nuts — — 10/ Nether seal hards 18/ — 10/6 Do. Eureka 13/ — 10/6 Do. kitchen 10/ ■ — 10/6 Ibstock kibbles — 18/ Do. large nuts ... — — 12/6 Do. bakers’ nuts — — 10/6 Do. Main nuts — — 9/9 Do. hards — — 9/6 Granville New Pit cobbles ... — — 9/ Do. Old Pit cobbles — 9/6 North Staffordshire. Talk-o’-th’-Hill best 13/6 — 9/3 Sneyd best, selected — — 11/ Do. deeps — — 11/ Silverdale best — — 13/ Do. cobbles — — 14/6 Apedale best 13/6 — 14/ Do. seconds 13/6 — 14/ Podmore Hall best 13/6 — 13/ Do. seconds 13/3 — 13/ S. Staffs. (Cannock District). Walsall Wood steam coal, London brights 12/6 — 12/9 Do. shallow one way 12/6 — 13/ Do. deep nuts 12/ — 12/6 Cannock steam 10/ — 10/9 Coppice deep coal 15/ — 14/6 Do. cobbles 14/6 — 14/ Do. one way 13/ — 12/ Do. shallow coal 14/6 — 13/6 Cannock Chase deep main — — 16/ Do. Deep kitchen cob. — — 11/6 Do* best shallow main — — 13/ Do. shallow kibbles... — — 13/6 Do. best brights — — 13/ Do. yard cobbles — — 13/6 Do. yard nuts -— — 12/6 Do. bakers’ nuts — — 10/3 Do. screened hards... — — 11/9 From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Friday, October 2.—There was no alteration in the seaborne house coal market to-day, which continued quiet with no sales reported. Sharlston W.E., 21s. 6d. Cargoes 23. Monday, October 5.—The seaborne house coal market was again without supplies to-day, but the general tone of the market was slightly better. Sharlston W.E., Yorks., 21s. 6d. Cargoes 26. Wednesday, October 7.—The seaborne house coal market was quiet to-day, with no cargoes of either Durham or Yorkshire reported sold. Sharlston W.E., 21s. 6d. Cargoes 11. THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market remains very steady, and prices are well maintained. Pitch values are uncertain, and more or less nominal. Benzols and carbolics are unchanged. Creosote and toluol firm and well held. Nearest values are :— Benzols.................................... /11| to 1 / Do. North................................ /9|to/10 Toluol ....................................... 1/2| Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) ................ 2/1 to 2/2 Do. crystals (40 per cent.) ..................... /8 Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package)... 1/11 Crude ditto (in bulk) ................................ /5 Creosote (for ordinary qualities) ...................... /31 Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ........................ — Do. (f.a.s. west coast) ....................... — Tar ................................................... 29/3 [Benzols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at maker's works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch f.o.b. net.] Sulphate of Ammonia.—There is more activity about the market, and prices are not only well maintained but show a distinct tendency to advance. There has been more forward business passing, owing to better freight and exchange terms. Closing prompt prices are :— London (ordinary makes) ............ <£10/5 Beckton ............................ £9/12/6 Liverpool .......................... £10/7/6 Hull................................ <£10/6/3 Middlesbrough....................... £10/5 Scotch ports ........................... <£10/10 Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ... 10/11 [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2| per cent, dis- count; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.] Trade Notes. A phospho-nitrogenous fertiliser is an ideal. An attempt to produce it has been made in a Norwegian patent. Preci- pitated di-calcium phosphate is dried and coated with innate of calcium or nitrolim, which supplies the nitrogen, and also makes the finished product dustless and non- deliquescent. Coke oven developments in Russia promised for this year greatly increased output of sulphate of ammonia, at least five times as much as in the previous year. How far will the war check this? The sulphate of ammonia horizon has been cleared con- siderably by the cessation of the working of the Haber direct ammonia process by the Badische Anilin u. Soda Fabrik, who controlled the patents. Cannot British capital “ control ” these patents in future to the advantage of the sulphate industry? The German Benzol Association record that in 1913 the output of 90 s benzol increased 40 per cent., yet deliveries were in arrears. 36,700 tons were sold for dye making; 17,200 tons exported; 17,700 tons sold for motor spirit, against 6,200 the year before. In 1913 Great Britain exported nearly 6f million gallons of benzol and toluol (about 26,628 tons), an increase of over two million gallons on 1912. Also 168,840 cwt. of carbolic acid were exported. Germany took 9,400 tons of sulphate of ammonia from us in 1913, against 1,643 tons the year previous. The home market wants cultivating. In 1913 we exported nitrogenous manure as sulphate of ammonia to the extent of 325,000 tons, and imported 141,000 tons of nitrate of soda, the chief rival of sulphate of ammonia as a nitrogenous fertiliser. To help this home trade it has been suggested that makers sell the sulphate ready mixed with fine earth or sand. The British farmer is proverbially conservative, and strangely “ feckless ” about anything fresh. He does not see how to apply 1121b. of sulphate evenly to 4,840 sq. yds., and so fails to appreciate its full value. At home and locally why not supply 1 or 1| cwt. of sulphate, bulked with sufficient powdery diluent of any suitable kind, to “ drill ” in as easily per acre as superphosphate does? It will appear cheaper, and the percentage of nitrogen can be guaranteed. Manu- facturers can easily make such a mixture. It really is troublesome for the farmer. Last week we exported about 7,200 tons of sulphate of ammonia. Imports of Pit Props in September.—According to the tables published by the Board of Trade, 193,092 loads of pit props and pit wood were imported into the United Kingdom in September, the value being £276,705; in September 1913, 479,341 loads were imported, valued at £678,750. Exports and Imports of Mining Machinery.—The values of imports and exports in September were as follow :— September. Jan.-Sept. 1913. 1914. 1913. 1914. £ £ £ £ Imports .......... 13,450 ... 8,530 ... 83,707 ... 82,782 Exports..... 71,853 ... 60,953 ... 805,729 ... 646,361 It should be noted that these figures do not include prime movers or electrical machinery. According to destination, the value of exports was as under :— September. Jan.-Sept. To 1913. 1914. 1913. 1914. £ £ £ £ Countries in Europe. .. 7,841 . .. 1,964 ... 81,981 ... 120,077 U.S. of America 230 . — ... 2,556 840 CountriesinS. America 3,116 . L’ 10,152 ... 56,745 ... 49,454 British South Africa. .. 31,750 . ... 19,611 ... 342,596 ... 219,996 „ East Indies . .. 7,045 . .. 9,530 ... 75,659 ... 65,101 Australia .. 1,175 3,439 ... 28,189 ... 35,308 New Zealand .. 2,035 . .. 1,718 ... 22,260 ... 11,856 Other countries .. 18,661 . .. 14,539 ... 195,743 ... 143,729 The following shows exports of prime movers other than electrical :— September. A Jan.-Sept. A 1913. 1914. 1913. 1914. All prime movers £ £ £ £ (except electrical).. 794,354 .. .582 909 .. .7,549,411 . 8.171,320 Rail locomotives 279,1‘>5 .. .287.918 .. .2,067,316 . 2 929,502 Pumping 43,297 .. . 42,602 .. . 529,619 .. . 377,900 Winning 3,563 .. . 2,110 .. . 20,470 .. . 25,654