1180 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN December 4, 1914. are Showing more firmness for forward quotations. Condi, tions are unaltered as regards work at both bar and rail mills, quotations remaining officially as last reported. At blastfurnaces work is a little better, with rather more enquiry. Iron ore is again inclined to higher values, best Rubio being quoted 17s. 6d. to 18s. c.i.f. Newport. The tin-plate trade shows no material change, the market greatly lacking strength. Cardiff. COAL. The coal trade in this district just now is being carried on under very adverse conditions. The tonnage difficulty was bad enough in itself, but the severe weather of the last few days has greatly delayed arrivals, and the shortage of vessels is more pronounced than ever. Rates are abnormally high, and within the last week Genoa has been done at 16s. and Port Said as much as 20s. So far as middlemen are concerned, they are simply looking on, unless they have a definite order from a customer who is prepared to pay the high rates of freight, and, in addition, guarantee payment if same should be required. The Admiralty demand appears to be falling away, with the result that great difficulty is experienced in maintaining full work even at the collieries producing the best Admiralty description of coal. Numerous stoppages are reported, and in all probability this state of affairs is likely to continue. From present appearances there is little prospect of freights being materially reduced for some considerable time. Although the market has been so severely handicapped in the matter of tonnage, shipments last week were fairly satisfactory, and amounted to 398,000 tons. This was a great improvement over the preceding six days, but was 175,000 tons below the corresponding week of last year. It should be remembered, however, that Admiralty shipments are not included in this total, and no details whatever are obtainable as to Government transac- tions. From Cardiff alone the shipments were nearly 252,000 tons, or a decrease of 102,000 tons compared with a year ago. From Newport the shipments were 81,000 tons, or a decrease of 26,000 tons; from Swansea 45,000 tons, or a falling off of nearly 32,000 tons; at Port Talbot the returns only amounted to 9,00U tons, or a decrease of nearly 15,000 tons compared with the corresponding period of last year. Chartering showed an improvement of 23,710 tons, the amount of tonnage taken up, 255,210 tons, comparing W’ith 231,500 tons in the preceding six days. Although there is practically no general business being done in best Admiralty coal, the price remains nominally at 20s. to 22s. Superior seconds are rather easier, at 19s. to 19s. 6d.; and ordinary qualities have been obtainable at as low as 17s. to 17s. 6d. per ton. Monmouthshire descriptions have been correspond- ingly weaker, best Black Veins realising 16s. 9d., Western Valleys 16s. 3d., and Easterns 15s. 9d. to 16s.—in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. Nut coal again shows an advance in conse- quence of the increased demand from France, and the price is now round about 18s. to 18s. 6d. The decreased outputs have had a material effect on the small coal market, and prices have advanced considerably beyond the figures which have prevailed for some time past. Best bunkers are quoted at 10s. 6d., and in some quarters even Ils. is being talked about. Ordinary qualities are 10s. to 10s. 3d., and cargo sorts 6s. 6d. to 7s. 6d. In Rhondda bituminous coals there is practically no change, No. 3 large being offered at 17s. 6d. to 18s., No. 2 at 14s. to 14s. 6d., and other grades in pro- portion. The coke market remains steady, special foundry being 27s. to 30s., ordinary 23s. to 26s., and furnace 19s. to 20s. The patent fuel trade show’s no sign of improve- ment, and shipments last week were still on a very low basis. Complete returns are not available, but the Crown Company despatched 4,243 tons. Most of the works are now only partially employed. According to the London Customs statistical returns, the quantity of coal shipped coastwise from the principal Bristol Channel ports amounted in October to 152,498 tons, compared with 251,252 tons in the corresponding period of last year, or a decrease of 98,754 tons. From Cardiff there were despatched 69,469 tons, of which London took 18,254 tons, Birkenhead 15,410 tons, and Bristol 7,891 tons. The shipments from Newport were 58,012 tons, of which 10,802 tons went to Dublin, and 14,735 tons to Bristol and Avonmouth. Swansea sent out 23,536 tons, of which London received 6,930 tons. From Llanelly the shipments W’ere 6,700 tons, from Port Talbot 8,895 tons, and from Briton Ferry 8,744 tons. There has been a slight stiffening in the pitwood market, owing to decreased arrivals, and the quotation is now 22s. 6d. to 23s. per ton. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Superior seconds Ordinary do Best bunker smalls Best ordinaries Cargo qualities Inferior small 3 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) Current prices. 20/ -22/ 19/ —19/6 17/ -17/6 10/6 10/ -10/3 6/6— 7/6 5/6 18/6-19/6 17/ -17/6 18/ -18/6 !6/ 15/ 13/6 10/ 16/9 16/3 15/9-16/ 14/6-14/9 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6-18/ 15/ 11/6-12/ 14/ -14/6 11/6 7/6- 8/ 16/6 15/ -15/6 27/ -30/ 23/ -26/ 19/ -20/ 22/6—23/ L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ 17/6 9/ - 9/6 8/6- 8/9 6/ - 6/6 5/ - 6/ 18/6-19/6 16/ -17/ 18/ 16/6-17/ 15/ 13/6-14/ 9/6 ' 16/9 16/3 15/9 15/3-15/6 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6-18/ 14/6 11/6-12/ 13/6-14/ 10/6-11/ 7/6 16/ -16/6 15/ -15/6 26/ -30/ 22/ -27/ 19/ -20/ 21/6-22/ Last year’s prices. 21/6-22/ 20/3-20/6 18/6-19/6 11/ -11/3 10/9 8/ - 8/3 7/ - 7/6 19/6-20/ 17/6-18/ 16/ -16/6 15/ -15/6 14/6-14/9 13/6 11/6-12/ 18/6 17/9-18/ ■ 17/3 15/9-16/ 20/6 17/6-18/ 17/ 14/6-15/ !2/ 14/3-14/6 11/6-12/ 8/ - 8/6 22/6 20/ -21/6 27/ 22/ -25/ 20/ 22/ IRON. There was a big falling off in the shipment of tin-plates last week. The exports were only 10,663 boxes, compared with 63,363 boxes the previous week, and 112,581 boxes in the corresponding week of last year. Receipts from works on the other hand went up to 60,172 boxes, against 97,876 boxes last year, leaving stocks in the docks warehouses and vans at 271,287 boxes, compared with 221,778 boxes the previous week, and 189,936 boxes at the corresponding date of last year. Prices show little alteration. Bessemer standard cokes are being done at 12s. 7Jd. to 12s. 9d., and oil sizes at 13s. to 13s. 3d. and 18s. 3d. respectively. There has been no alteration in Welsh steel bars, both Siemens and Bessemer qualities being still quoted at £4 15s. per ton. Welsh pig iron is rather firmer, and is now quoted at 70s. f.o.t. It is reported that Mr. Herbert Eccles, the managing director of the Briton Ferry Steel Works Limited, has pur- chased the Albion Steel Works at Briton Ferry for 4-30,000. These works were erected in 1894, and employed nearly 300 hands. In the heavy steel trade work has been considerably better, and the mills generally have been kept fairly well employed. Scrap metals show practically no alteration in quotations, but the outlook is considerably brighter than it wras a few weeks ago. Swansea. COAL. Under the conditions at present existing, the trade of the port was again satisfactory during the past week. The coal and patent fuel trades were adversely affected by the high freights, owing to the restriction of shipments, and non-arrival of vessels. The shipments of coal and patent fuel were 80,592 tons. A very good attendance assembled on ’Change this morning, and the undertone of the anthra- cite coal market was strong in most cases, enquiries for most classes being good. There was an excellent demand for Swansea Valley large, with recent values fully main- tained. Red Vein large also continued strong. Machine- made nuts and cobbles were very firm, and difficult to secure, even at the high prices now ruling. Beans and peas were slightly weaker. Rubbly culm and duff were both weak. In the steam coal market large continued firm, whilst smalls maintained their improved position. Prices f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Anthracite:— Best malting large (hand picked) (net)... Secondary do. Big Vein large (less 2| 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| p.c.) ... Patent fuel do Current prices. 22/6-24/6 20/6-22/6 19/6-22/ 15/6-17/ 24/6-26/6 26/6-27/6 25/6-27/ 18/6-19/ 12/6-13/6 3/9- 4/6 2/9- 3/6 18/6-21/6 15/9-16/6 10/3-11/ 5/6- 8/6 17/6-18/6 10/ -10/9 15/6-16/6 L’stweek’s prices. 22/6-24/6 20/6-22/6 19/6-22/ 15/6-17/ 23/6-26/6 23/6-26/6 23/6-26/6 18/6-19/6 12/6-13/6 3/9- 4/6 2/9- 3/6 18/9-21/6 15/9-16/6 10/3-11/ 5/6- 8/6 17/6-18/6 10/ -10/9 15/6-16/6 Last year’s prices. 21/6-24/ 19/6-21/6 •18/ -19/ •14/6-16/ 22/ -24/6 23/6-26/ 23/6-26/ 23/ -25/6 16/ -18/6 13/3-13/9 5/3- 5/6 3/ - 4/ 19/ -20/ 14/6-15/6 11/6-12/6 7/ - 7/6 17/6-18/6 13/6-14/6 10/ -11/ 17/ -17/6 IRON. The trade of the district continued to be fairly good during the past week. There wTas a heavy yield of pig iron regis- tered at the blastfurnaces, and the tin-plate works were regularly employed. Orders were increasing daily for bars at all the local steel works, and especially at the Duffryn. Exceptional activity prevailed at the Mannesmanti Tube; Works, and the foundries and engineering works had ample work on hand. The shipments of tin-plates last week were 10,663 boxes, receipts from works 60,172 boxes, whilst stocks in the warehouses and vans were 271,287 boxes. Llanelly. COAL. The position of the local market is not all satisfactory. Orders are splendid, and more than enough to take the whole of the coal raised even if collieries were at full work, but unfortunately owing to the big scarcity of tonnage ship- ments have shown a considerable falling off. Stocks have again grown to big proportions. Sellers have their order books well placed, but find it most difficult to get vessels. Several of the buyers who contracted for supplies based on freights ruling a little while back have been badly knocked, and are naturally holding off as long as possible in the hope that reductions will take place. This is possibly rather remote at the moment. Most collieries are having idle days, and some in fact have to be idle more than half-time. Prices f.o.b. Current L'st week's Last year's Anthracite:— prices. prices. prices. Best malting large 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 21/ -22/6 Secondary do. 21/ -22/6 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ Big Vein large 19/ -21/ 19/ -21/ 18/ -19/ Red Vein do 15/ -17/ 14/ —15/6 14/ -15/ Machine-made cobbles... 24/ -25/6 22/ -23/ 20/ -21/6 German nuts 24/6-27/ 22/ -23/6 23/ -24/ French do 24'6-27/ 23/ -24/6 23/ -24/' Paris do 24/6-27/ 23/ -24/6 23/ -24/ Machine-made beans ... 19/ -21/ 19/ -22/ 18/ -20/ Do. peas 13/ -13/6 13/ -13/6 12/6—13/6 Culm 4/ - 4/6 4/ - 4/6 4/9- 5/6 Duff 1 1 2/9- 3/6 3/6- 4/ 4/ - 5/3 Other sorts:— Large steam coal 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 17/ -18/ Through-and-through... 10/9—11/3 10'9-11/3 11/ -11/6 Small 8/ - 9/ 8/ - 9/ 9/ —10/ Bituminous small coal... 9/ -10/ 9/ -10/ 10/ -11/ Anthracite large coals are in very good demand, and if boats could only be secured prices would be very firm. Red Vein large kinds are in a better position than they have been for some time, and prices most satisfactory. These coals are now’ doing better than they have for a very long time. The chief difficulty in this department is in disposing of culm, for which there appears to be very little market. The machine-made kinds, more especially nuts, are doing well, but there is not a strong enquiry from inland. There is a stronger feeling in steam sorts, and some collieries are very wTell situated for through and smalls. Large steam con- tinues to be in heavy demand, and collieries have more orders on hand than they can execute at prices not thought of a little while ago. THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products. — Prophesying is not the safest of ventures until after the event, but an intelligent anticipation of prospects is sometimes justified by actualities, and this seems to be the case with carbolics and toluol. Benzols remain quiet and much about the same in prices. Naphthas also are quiet. Pitch is once more not a quotable product. Nearest values are : — Benzols........................................... /10| Do. North...................................... /8|to9/ Toluol ........................................... 2/6 to 2/8 Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) ............... 3/ to 3/1 Do. crystals (40 per cent.) ............... 1/2 to 1/3 Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package)... /9 Crude ditto (in bulk) ................................. /5f Creosote (for ordinary qualities) ................... /3/g- Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ........................ 26/ to 28/ Do. (f.a.s. west coast) ........................ — Tar (liquids in 1 ton) ........................... 16/ to 18/ Sulphate of Ammonia.—Despite adverse conditions, the markets are really very satisfactory when considered collectively. Quotations are very variable according to source of origin. For example, 25 per cent, sulphate in buyers" bags at works, London, is quoted at anything from <£10 to £10 17s. 6d.—rather a wide margin for what is usually considered a standard quotation. The Tees market is quiet. For forward prices are hardening, even though the demand is somewhat erratic. In the north £11 5s. to £11 7s. 6d. is asked by sellers. Closing prompt prices are:— London (ordinary makes) ................. £10/7/6 Beckton ................................... £10 Liverpool ........................... £10/15 to £10/16/3 Hull.................................... £10/12/6 Middlesbrough....................... £10/10 to £10/11/3 Scotch ports .............................. £11 Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ... 9/6 Trade Notes. It is very 'encouraging to those who have made any endeavour to turn to account the chances of the present situ- ation in the sulphate of ammonia and tar product markets to learn that at last a good and serviceable policy has been evolved by the Sulphate of Ammonia Manufacturers’ Asso- ciation. The hope was expressed that the section devoted to the export trade would soon give a good account of itself, and now some very excellent advice has been proffered to manufacturers. Their detailed statement of the conditions controlling the British sulphate of ammonia export trade is of great value, and all those who are not members of the association should be able to see perfectly clearly that by not being members they are serious losers in several ways. It is true they will learn more or less of what the associa- tion is doing for its members, but the association could do a great deal more if all manufacturers were united in policy^ and propagandist methods. Many very important changes have come over the sulphate of ammonia export trade even during the last few years, and to those who remember the days of Croll, some of the changes are astounding. It is an indisputable fact that, while the principal changes have tended to raise the standard of quality and benefit the user, the manufacturer has had to cope with many alterations, which have added to the cost of production. Nevertheless, the appeal made by the Sulphate of Ammonia Manufacturers’ Association to all makers of .sulphate to strive to turn out only sulphate of ammonia of the highest strength and the best quality in regard to the content of free acid and moisture, is one which merits the most serious consideration of every maker. Practically speaking, if a successful effort is made we shall be able to hold our supremacy in the export markets of the world. In the case of Japan, it is virtually essential that the free acid is reduced to nil. For other countries, such as Java, the Dutch East Indies, the West Indies, and America, we could command trade if the free acid were kept below 0'5 per cent. This may seem a high standard to aim at, but with the improvements afforded by the refinements of chemical engi- neering and perfected plant, it does not really promise to be a counsel of perfection, but is reasonably feasible. The idea may occur to some that seeing “ driers ” are used to neutralise acid in finishing superphosphates, why cannot something be used to answer the same purpose with sulphate of ammonia? Anyone who has read the circular issued by the association cannot fail to see how highly beneficial the introduction of some neutraliser would be. One or two inexpensive' materials will undoubtedly at once come into the minds of those who give the idea a few minutes' thought, and surely there can be no harm in doing a little experimentalisation in this direction. Even if the addition adds slightly to the freight, such a slight increase would be negligible compared with the saving in bags, as well as the abvious disadvantages of a bagged cargo becoming a bulk cargo in transit owing to acid-rotted bags. Again, in another direction attention might be paid to obtaining a better and possibly acid-proof receptacle. Cost will, of course, be the determining factor. There are acid- proof linings on the market, and possibly, if a substantial demand such as supplying the needs of sulphate of ammonia exporters arose, there might be a reduction in price on even existing materials. Tar distillers also have evolved some interesting regula- tions affecting the sale of tar and pitch, which will be bind- ing as far as gas works' outputs are concerned. But of these more' anon. The exports of sulphate of ammonia have been close on 4,000 tons. In pitch exports have amounted to 53 tons, 200 barrels, 80 casks, and £153 worth; while tar has accounted for 49,756 galls., 40 drums, 129 barrels, and £89 worth exported.