1282 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. December 18, 1914. quoting higher figures for all new business, both for large and small coals, the latter in particular showing a marked advance. Contract business for next year is in a very uncertain position, collieries in some cases being extremely loth to heavy commitments. Nothing has been made public up to the present as to the decision regarding the tenders sent in a few days ago for the French State Railways supplies. For shipment this side of Christmas values are being fully maintained, although new business is difficult owing to the congestion of stems. The house coal tradq rules steady, with barely the expansion common to the season. Inland business is rather better than the export side. Coke and patent fuel remain quiet. The pitwood trade is rather better, the truck position being now consider- ably easier, and good wood is moving at prices around 24s. ex ship. In the freight market the tightness of stems is not without its effect, rendering it difficult to arrange more fixtures for any near dates, freights ruling slightly easier in consequence. Considerable business has been done for French northern ports. IRON. The improvement reported the last two weeks is being well maintained, and whilst the volume of business passing is not considerable as is usual this time of the year, taking all the circumstances into consideration, the position is as satis- factory as could be expected. Confidence is being expressed that the present improvement will be carried on into the new year. Enquiry is better for bars, but officially quotations remain as last few weeks, £4 15s. for either Siemens or Bessemer. Mills in operation are well engaged, and output is up to the average of recent months. Rail mills are doing fairly, with values firm on the basis of £& 7s. 6d. to £6 10s. for heavy sections, and the usual extras for light ditto. Pig iron is a firmer market, more business being put through in this department than for some time past. The heavy freights ruling from the North have influenced local markets, Welsh haematite advancing on the week, being now at 75s. to 76s. delivered to local works. It is reported that another local furnace is to be blown in early in the new year. Iron ore is an irregular market, best Rubio being quoted 17s. to 18s. c.i.f. Newport. Tin-plates continue unsatisfactory, and whilst for immediate delivery buyers continue to hold an advantage, quotations for forward business are decidedly firmer. Cardiff. COAL. Tonnage has been arriving much more freely during the past week, with the result that the docks are congested, and there is great difficulty in obtaining tips. There is still a large quantity of coal standing in the wagons, but notwith- standing this fact, prices are considerably firmer than they were a week ago. When the accumulation of wagons has been sensibly reduced, which is now a gradual process, there is every indication that prices will improve. The demand from French ports is increasing, and large shipments are being made, and will be made for the next few months, as there is no question that stocks have been greatly depleted, if not entirely exhausted. At present the great concern is the high rates of freight' which now prevail, records having been established in a number of trades during the past week. As high as 23 fr. has been paid for Marseilles, 17s. l|d. for Genoa, and 14s. 6d. to Rouen. Notwithstanding these high rates of freight, consumers are not only paying them, but exporters are also making a profit. This augurs well for the future, as in the past the invariable tendency has been for coal prices to decrease as freights increased. There have been a number of enquiries on the market for next year, but so far as collieries producing best Admiralty coal are concerned, they are only able to quote subject to the proviso that the Admiralty will give them permission to ship when the coal is required. This naturally tends to hamper business, because the colliery owners are patriotic enough to put up with this inconvenience rather than throw any obstacle in the way of the Navy .obtaining sufficient coal for the Fleet. Prices generally are a trifle easier than they were a week ago, the quotations now ranging from 20s. to 21s. for best Admiralties, although the latter figure seems to indicate the market price more than the inside quotation. Seconds are 19s. to 19s. 6d.; and ordinaries 17s. 6d. to 18s. 6d. Charterings last week were very satisfactory, and for the fourth time in succession over 230,000 tons per week has been taken up altogether outside Admiralty fixtures, which are not disclosed. In Monmouthshire coals there is Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -19/6 17/6-18/6 11/3-11/9 10/6-11/ 9/6-10/ 7/6- 8/ 18/6-19/ 17/ -17/3 19/ 17/ 15/ -16/ 14/6 10/6 17/ 16/6 15/ -15/6 15/ 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6-18/ 15/ 12/6-13/6 13/9-14/6 11/ -11/6 8/ - 8/6 18/ 16/ -17/ 28/ -32/ 23/ -27/ 19/ -20/ 23/6-24/ L’st week’s prices. 20/ -22/ 20/ 17/6 10/9-11/ 10/3-10/6 7/6- 7/9 6/ 18/6-19/6 17/ -17/6 19/ 17/ -17/6 15/6 14/ 10/ 17/ 16/6 15/9-16/ 14/6-14/9 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6-18/ 15/ 12/ -12/6 14/ -14/6 11/6 7/6 17/ -17/6 16/ -16/6 28/ -31/ 23/ -27/ 19/ -20/ 23/ -24/ Last year’s prices. 21/ -21/6 20/ 19/3-19/6 11/ -11/3 10/9-10/10i 7/9- 8/ 7/ - 7/6 19/ -20/ 18/ -18/6 16/6 15/6 14/3-14/6 13/9 12/ -12/6 19/ 18/3-18/6 17/9-18/ 15/9-16/3 21/ 18/ 17/ -17/6 15/ -15/6 12/ -12/6 16/6 13/6 8/6- 9/ 22/6 21/ 27/ -28/ 22/ -25/ 18/ -20/ 21/6 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-valley s 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) a steady feeling, although the depreciated price in Cardiff, ordinary steams has had a detrimental effect in Monmouth- shire. Best Black Veins are 17s., Western valleys 16s. 6d., and Easterns 15s. to 15s. 6d., in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. There is a continued demand for all descriptions of washed coals, nuts being 19s., seconds 17s., peas 15s. to 16s., and seconds 14s. 6d. In bituminous coals there is little altera- tion. No. 3 Rhondda large are 17s. 6d. to 18s., No. 2 13s. 9d. to 14s. 6d., and other grades in proportion. In coke there is a firmer tendency, best qualities being quite Is. up as compared with a week ago. Special foundries are 28s. to 32s., ordinaries 24s. to 27s., and furnace 19s. to 20s. The increased price of small coal has also affected the fuel market, and quotations have advanced, best grades being now 18s., and seconds 16s. to 17s. per ton. It is stated that contracts for good quality smalls have been made over next year at 7s. 6d. per ton. Although complete returns as to shipments are not available, it is satisfactory to note that exports were on a better basis last week, the Crown Company despatching no less than 8,949 tons. Pitwood is rather dearer, 23s. 6d. to 24s. being quoted for best French fir. IRON. The position of the tin-plate trade continues to improve, although the demand is chiefly for home and Colonial business. Shipments last week amounted to nearly 90,000 boxes, whilst receipts from works were only 65,578 boxes, leaving 271,278 boxes in stock in docks warehouses and vans, as compared with 286,687 boxes the previous week, and 155,715 boxes at the corresponding date of last year. New business is scarce, and prices are low, Bessemer standard cokes being done at 12s. 7|d. to 12s. 9d., and oil sizes at 13s. to 13s. 3d. and 18s. to 18s. 3d. respectively. There is a better demand for Welsh steel bars, but the asso- ciation price of £4 15s. has not been altered. Galvanised sheets are still a drug in the market, and there is very little doing. Government orders have been worked off, and there is at present nothing to take their place, with the result that many mills are idle, and £11 5s. to 4211 10s. is being accepted for 24 gauge corrugateds for prompt shipment. The steel works are better employed, and makers are optimistic as to the future. They consider that a boom will shortly set in, which will eclipse anything that has been known during the last generation. In the meantime Welsh pig iron is being done at 70s. to 71s. f.o.t. Rails are unaltered. Iron ore is a difficult business, as exporters are demanding considerably more than importers on this side will pay. On account of the increased freight, prices have advanced to 18s. for best Rubio, but there is nothing doing. Seconds are 16s. 6d. to 17s., and Almeria about 17s. 6d. Considerable stocks are held locally, or are being imported under contract, and new business on present quotations is extremely difficult. Scrap metals are steady, at last week’s prices. Swansea. COAL. A good supply of tonnage was available last week, follow- ing an improvement in the weather, and the trade of the port experienced a material change. There was considerably more activity in coal, but the patent fuel trade continued in a quiet condition, the shipments together amounting to 98,370 tons. A capital attendance assembled on ’Change, and strong conditions were in evidence on the anthracite coal market, enquiries all round being brisk. Swansea Valley large was very firm, whilst there was an excellent request for Red Vein large at high prices. Machine-made nuts and cobbles were strong, and a further advance in prices was noted. Rubbly culm and duff were without movement. There was no material change in the steam coal market; large continued firm, whilst smalls further improved. 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/ 16/6-17/6 24/6-26/6 26/6-30/ 26/6-29/ 18/6-19/ 12/6-13/6 3/9- 4/6 2/9- 3/6 18/9-21/6 16/6-17/6 12/ -13/ 6/6- 8/9 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/ 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 18/9-21/6 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/ 19/9-21/ 18/ -19/ 14/6-16/ 21/6-24/6 23/6-26/ 23/6-26/ 23/6-25/6 16/9-18/9 13/6-14/6 5/6- 5/9 3/ - 3/6 19/6-21/6 14/9-15/9 12/6-14/ 7/ -8/ 17/6-18/ 13/9-14/6 10/3-11/3 17/3-17/9 IRON. Business was fairly good in the district during the past week. Employment was irregular at the tin-plate establish- ments, although several mills resumed operations at the Morriston group of works. The sheet mills were still idle. There was a good yield of pig iron at the blastfurnaces, and at the steel works a brisker demand for bars was shown. All engineering and fitting shops were working exception- ally well, and the iron foundries had ample work on hand. The shipment of tin-plates last week were 80,987 boxes, receipts from works 65,578 boxes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 271,278 boxes. Llanelly. COAL. The strong position of the market is being fully main- tained, and collieries are as busy as they can very well be. The arrival of further tonnage has greatly helped the trade, and has cleared the large amount of stocks which had accumulated. Consequently, pits have practically all the wagons they wish for. The prospects for the coming weeks are excellent, and already order books have more bookings than can be delivered this month. Prices, too, are excep- tionally good for some sorts, and the margin should now be a good one. Anthracite large of all qualities is moving very well; the horticultural kinds are most difficult to secure. Cobbles and nuts are both oversold, at prices which have not been reached for the past few years. Culm and duff show no improvement. There is a good demand for cargo throughs and bunkers, and most pits are fully sold. Quotations this week approximately 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........ Culm ................ Duff ................ Other sorts:— Large steam coal..... Through-and-through... Small ............... Bituminous small coal... Current prices. 23/ -24/ 21/ -22/6 19/ -21/ 15/ -17/ 24/ -25/6 26/6-29/ 26/6-29/ 26/6-29/ 19/ -21/ 13/ -13/6 4/ - 4/6 2/9- 3/6 18/ -20/ 10/9-11/3 8/ - 9/ 9/ -10/ L’st week’s prices. 23/ -24/ 21/ -22/6 19/ -21/ 15/ -17/ 24/ -25/6 24/6-27/ 24/6-27/ 24/6-27/ 19/ -21/ 13/ -13/6 4/ - 4/6 2/9- 3/6 18/ -20/ 10/9-11/3 8'/ " 9/ 9/ -10/ . Last year’s prices. 21/ -22/6 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 14/ -15/ 20/ -21/6 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 18/ -22/ 12/6-13/6 5/ - 5/6 4/ - 5/ 17/ -18/ 13/ -13/6 9/ - 9/6 10/6-11/6 THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market all round is steady, and prices well maintained. Pitch is quiet. 50’s benzols very dear. Crude naphtha is dearer. Carbolics keep firm. Nearest values are: — Benzols......................................... Do. 90’s North................................ Do. 50’s do................................... Toluol ........................................ Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) ............ Do. crystals (40 per cent.) .............. Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package)... Crude ditto (in bulk) .......................... Creosote (for ordinary qualities) .............. Pitch (f.o.b.) ................................. Tar (liquids in 1 ton) ......................... /10i /8|to /9 1/4 2/6 to 2/8 31 to 3/2 1/2 to 1/3 /9 /6 25/ 16/6 to 18/ [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, n^et. Pitch f.o.b. net.] Sulphate of Ammonia.—The market is firm, and prices hardening. There is a better enquiry for forward, and makers will do well to hold for full values. Closing prompt prices are:— London (ordinary makes) .................. <£10/15 Beckton .................................. <£10/2/6 Liverpool ................................. <£11/5 Hull........................................ <£11 Middlesbrough............................ <£11/1/3 Scotch ports ........................ <£11/7/6 to <£11/10 Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ... 9/9 [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less per cent, dis- count; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.} Trade Notes. Many different views might be expressed concerning the trade returns for November, but in all cases it is essential that heed should be paid exclusively to opinions based on values only. The volume of trade done is not a trustworthy guide in the present state of affairs. Take the salt exports, for instance. The quantities show a decline of about 2f thousand tons. Yet the values total to over 3| thousand pounds sterling increase upon last year’s trade. Those who were disposed to disparage the - efforts of believers in the future opened to the chemical trade by the present war will find the answer to their pessimism in the figures for soda compounds. We exported £168,600 worth, against £127,000 last year over the corresponding period. The only two items showing a decrease were bicarbonate and salt cake (crude sulphate), which conjointly accounted for a loss of about £2,300; while, on the other hand, soda ash brought in over £30,000 increase, and caustic soda over £7,000 increase. When we come to coal tar products we see that while prices have been good, the contraband restrictions have seriously checked exports. Pitch has naturally suffered most, being about £80,000 down on the month of November, compared with November 1913. Benzols and toluol also are lower by £9,500. There is an instructive pointer in the returns for aniline oil and toluidine, which have increased from £1,711 to £6,120; and also in carbolic acids, which show an increase of almost £6,500, the total trade done being £20,576 in the month. Sulphate of ammonia has not done so badly, there being a gross decrease of about 2,000 tons, while there is a very striking lesson to be learned from the values, which show a falling off of about £84,000 compared with last November. Why should this be so? Nitrate of soda is not all that cheap, and per unit of nitrogen sulphate is not dear in comparison. Those who are inclined to sell forward at a small premium on prompt prices should keep these facts and figures constantly in mind, and “ feed ” the “ bears ” on them. The exports are down 2,000 tons only, and we estimate those 2,0(X) as being worth £25,000. How are we to account for the remaining £59,000 lost to this country last month? Practically speaking, the war did not interrupt the trade in sulphate of ammonia, yet we lose money. Until the price of sulphate per unit of nitrogen becomes unreason- able, turn a deaf ear to scaremongers and to pessimists, and hold for satisfactory prices. In some quarters difficulty has been experienced in getting adequate supplies of suitable vitriol for the saturators used in the manufacture of sulphate of ammonia, with the result that ammonia has been lost. It is pitiable to think of money having to be thus thrown away in time of war. If details were sent to this paper we might be able to put an end to this. At any rate, we should be pleased to assist any subscriber by placing at his disposal the experience of the last 25 years. The exports of sulphate of ammonia this week have been good, totalling over 10,000 tons.