August 13, 1915. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 331 At the same time the lowering of prices at the pits has had a sobering and steadying influence which it is expected will do all that is necessary. Owners generally feel perfectly satisfied that there will be quite sufficient coal supplies during the cold weather to meet all legitimate requirements if due and reasonable care and economy is exercised in the consumption. There is very little change in the supply of wagons owned by railway companies, and the working is limited to five days per week. There are no stocks of any kind at the pits. The following are the quotations, subject to special modifications, which are now generally in operation at the collieries in this district:— Prices at pit. __________________________ Best household coal ...... Second, hand picked ... Deep screened cobbles ... Deep large nuts ......... Bakers’ nuts........... Small nuts............... Deep breeze ............. Peas ...................__ Small dust ........__..... Main nuts for London kitcheners.............. Steams, best hand picked Steams, seconds ......... Main cobbles for kitcheners Main breeze.............. ____________ Current prices. 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/ 13/ -13/6 13/6-14/ 11/3-12/3 5/ - 5/6 14/9-15/9 14/6-15/6 13/6-14/ 14/9—15/9 13/ -14/ L’st week’s prices. 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/ 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 14/ -14/6 14/6-15/ 12/3-13/3 5/6— 6/6 Last year’s prices. 13/6-14/6 12/6-13/6 12/3—13/6 11/6-12/ 11/6—12/ 10/6-11/3 9/6-10/ 7/9- 8/3 2/ - 2/3' Forest of Dean. Lydney. CO AU The situation generally throughout the coal trade of this district is one of extreme firmness, and all the collieries continue in full work. Orders for house coal are coming in well, and for some qualities there are arrear orders of a couple of weeks standing on the books. Good shipments are made, but stems are not so heavy at the moment, conse- quently better despatch is given to vessels. Slack coals are meeting with a good enquiry, and all produced easily finds a market. All the steam coal pits are pressed for deliveries, and are kept fully at work. Prices at pithead. ■ Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Block 5 21/6 21/6 16/6 Forest : 20/6 20/6 15/6 Rubble 20/9 20 9 15/9 JjTuts 19/ 19/ 14/ Rough slack Steam coal:— •••• ' 13/ 13/ 6/6 Large , — — 12/6-13/ Small - 1 — 8/ - 8/6 Prices 2s. Od. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. 15/9-16/9 15/6—16/6 14/6-15/ 15/9-16/9 13/9-15/ 9/6-10/6 9/ - 9/6 8/3— 8/9 9/3- 9/6 _________________ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. Things are tending towards a readjustment of prices in accordance with recent legislation, but there is not likely to be any reduction in a general sense ; that is to say, reductions on some sorts will be counterbalanced by advances on others. Till the September price lists are published, however, it will be impossible to write definitely. The house trade has gone quiet, which, from the public point of view, is to be regretted, inasmuch as people will find troub’e in the winter in getting supplies. Output is still decreasing at many of the collieries. Some sorts of slack are a shade more free, but prices here tend upwards as a makeweight against small concessions in other directions. Quotations : Prices at pit. ________________ Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report a normal wholesale demand for house and steam coal. Some merchants and steam users are stocking for the autumn trade, but so far the public has not shown a general desire to take in stocks. Rail borne fuel largely prevails, but steam colliers and sailers are moving more freely and at lower rates, and steam colliers at 9s. and less have recently been chartered from the west coast to the south-west of England ports. This brings the seaborne coal again in line with the railborne qualities. ___________________________________________ THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, August 12. 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. L’st week’s prices. Last year’! prices. 23/ 23/ 17/6 21/ 21/ 15/ 20/ 20/ 13/6 19/ 19/ 12/9 19/6 19/6 14/6 16/ 16/ 10/6 11/6 11/6 H 21/ 21/ 15/6 20/ 20/ 13/ 19/6 19/6 14/6 16/ 16/ 10/6 < 16/ 16/ 9/6 15/ 15/ 8/ IRON. The attendance was larger than recently, though the market did not present any remarkable feature. There is not likely te be a spell of active buying during the present month. Manufacturers are provided for on a fairly extensive scale, and current contracts keep the mills and forges going at full pressure to meet the big demand for material for munitions of war, which naturally continues to form the backbone of the trade of the district. A continuous demand is experienced for all classes of bar iron, and makers of branded qualities have resisted the temptation to advance their basis beyond <£12—an attitude which has not been without its effect in steadying the market. The minimum for North Staffordshire crowfi bars is only 5s. below that figure, and in some cases it is the same; common bars are £11 10s., with some houses demanding £11 15s., while nut and bolt iron is £10 17s. 6d. and £11 respec- tively, delivered in the Darlas ton1 district. Makers are well occupied. Iron rounds, squares and flats cover the wide range of from £12 5s. to £12 15s., three-eighths basis, with 20s. to 30s. extra for steel rounds, and a movement is afoot to advance the extras for smaller sizes. There has recently been a considerable reduction in the production of pig iron, particularly in the Derbyshire district, and complaints are loud that prices have not been remunera- tive. At a recent meeting of creditors of a Derbyshire firm it was stated by the Official Receiver that the position had been brought about by the adverse effect of the war upon the market for foundry iron, prices of which had not advanced commensurate with the increased cost of fuel, materials and labour. Steelmaking irons had benefited, but ordinary irons had not. That is the cry all round, and smelters, while owing to the reduced production they are able to take up a slightly stronger attitude, are content to accept 68s. to 69s. for Northamptonshire forge, and 70s. net for Derbyshire. Staffordshire brands are somewhat firmer, common com- manding 67s. to 68s., and part-mine 71s. 6d. to 72s. 6d. The active conditions in the steel trade are reflected in firm quotations. Scarcity of billets is .causing some anxiety, and American supplies are diminishing. The substantial drop in spelter during the week has been followed by a corresponding fall in quotations for galvanised sheets. A few houses stand out for £20, but there is no difficulty in making sales at £18 10s. for export, which is equivalent to £19 for home trade. Lower prices have not induced much new business. Plain black sheets are about £11, and corrugated £11 10s. to £11 15s. _________________________________________________ North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. There has been a fair volume of trade done in the local coal field during the past week in all departments. All the collieries have worked full time, and have readily disposed of their output. During the past few weeks there has arisen some labour difficulties. The volume of trade in house coal which has been done has not been very large, but the average amount of summer trade has been transacted, but there has been no forward business of any note fixed up. There seems to be a considerable element of uncertainty as to the working of the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act in regard to the trade with merchants and retailers, and, until matters are put upon a working basis, both sellers and buyers appear to be somewhat diffident of fixing matters up for the future. The general opinion seems to be that there should be some safeguard whereby people who have to buy in small retail quantities should be able to reap the benefit of the Act, and buy at the lowest possible reasonable prices. Probably local committees will be set up, which will have the settlement of any local disputes which may arise in regard to the working of the Act. The Flintshire Education Authority require tenders for the supply of coal and coke to the various schools in their area during the ensuing year. The military authorities also require quota- tions for fuel for the various stations within the Western Command during the period ending June 30, 1916. With reference to the steam coal trade, the bulk of the business has been in connection with supplies on account of contracts to the railway companies, which has accounted for a goodly portion of the tonnage raised. There has also been a fair demand for fuel for works in Denbighshire and Flintshire^ and local works, such as brickmakers, Ac., but the continued depression in the building trade has caused the demand for coal for these works to be very limited. At the Mersey shipping ports the trade has been somewhat precarious of late owing to the difficulty still experienced by shippers in obtaining the necessary licences for export to allied countries ; but this, notwithstanding, there has been a fair amount of coal sold in this department. Contracts are now in full swing in regard to gas coal, but no new contracts of any note have been settled. Nuts as usual are very scarce, there being few for disposal apart from contracts with gas companies. The sale of slack is fairly good, and the local gas companies appear to have a fair demand for their gas coke. On the whole prices are well maintained. In the house coal trade few quotations have been made, but, generally speaking, there is a falling tendency to the extent of about 6d. per ton. Steam coal remains about the same figures as have been quoted for some weeks past, and there have been quotations given for gas coal or small coal for future business. The probability is that prices will not vary very much until things are definitely settled as to the local working of the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act. Present figures may be taken as follow:— Current Prices at pit f.o.r.:— ! prices. Besf house coal ...... 17/6-18/6 Secondary do..........! 16/6-17/6 Steam coal............ 17/6-18/6 Gas coal..............; 17/6-18/9 ................. Bunkers.............. 17/ -18/3 Nuts ................: 16/9-18/ Slack .................! 8/ - 9/6 Gas coke (at works)....i 16/8-18/4 Prices landsale:— < Best house coal ......! 23/4-25/ Seconds ..............j 22/6-23/4 Slack .................| 12/6-14/2 L’st week’siLast year’s prices. prices. 18/ -19/ : 14/4-15/3 17/ —18/ : 13/4—14/ 17/9-18/9 12/ -126 18/ —19/ , 12/ —12/6 17/3-18/3 11/6-12/3 17/ -is/ : n/ -ii/9 8/ - 9/6 6/9- 7/9 16/8-18/4 ; 11/8-13/4 23/4-26/8 18/4-19/2 22/6-23/4 ■ 16/8-18/4 12/6—14/2 , 10/ -12/6 Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. Business in the steam coal trade is now nearly at a complete standstill, awaiting alike the effect of the con- striction of business which will inevitably be produced by the new regulations now about to /be enforced, and the result of the efforts being unceasingly exercised to induce the Coal Exports Committee to modify the new restrictions and issue licences for export much more freely than they have as yet shown themselves disposed to do. To persuade them, proffers are being made to guarantee adequate supplies for home consumption at reasonable prices. So far the authorities concerned have shown no disposition whatever to relax their former attitude. For the next day or two there is a fair demand for coal, to get away all steamers possible, before the closure is applied, but for the remainder of the month buyers are seeking much easier prices, and no business is now being placed owing to the wide divergence of opinion regarding the trend of values. The house coal trade rules quiet, while pitwood at 24s. 6d. to 25s. ex ship is easier than for some time past. In the freight market enquiry is quite active, and with tonnage none too plentiful, rates have taken a sharp turn for the better. Genoa, for instance, has jumped to 22s. from 18s., which was the recent rate. Labour troubles continue to hamper the coal trade, the latest being a stoppage of the Celynen North Colliery, owned by the Newport-Abercarn Colliery Company Limited, the occasion being the reduction of a master haulier, whose re-instate- ment is demanded by the men. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. s Current Steam coals:— ! prices. Best Black Vein large... 29/ -30/ Wes tern-valleys, ordin’y 27/ -28/ Best Eastern-valleys ... 26/ -27/6 Secondary do. ... 22/ -24/ Best small coals __ 21 /6-221 Secondary do......... 20/ -21/ Inferior do......... 19/6-20/ Screenings .......... 22/ -22/6 Through coals .............. 21/6-22/6 Best washed nuts..... ; 22/ -23/ Other sorts:— j Best house coal........i 27/ -28/ .......... Secondary do.........! 25/ -26/ Patent fuel ..........' 34/ -35/ Furnace coke...........i 32/ -34/ Foundry coke ........| 38/ -40/ L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 30/ -33/ 29/ -30/ ! 27/6-28/ ; 24/ -26/ i 21/6-22/6 i 20/ -21/ ! 19/ -19/6 1-22/ -22/6 i 22'/ -23/ I 21/6-22/ 27/ -28/ 25/ -26/ 34/ -35/ 32/ -34/ 38/ -40/ prices.* * Outbreak of war. IRON. The tone of the local iron and steel trades is generally firmer, the present enquiry being greater, while customers are showing more disposition to come to makers’ ideas of values in all departments. Enquiry is better in the bar department, and although prices nominally remain at £7 5s. to £7 10s. for both Siemens and Bessemer Welsh Bars, works are in most instances naming the latter figure or even 2s. 6d. more. Welsh hematitite continues scarce around 107s. 6d. per ton, with a tendency towards dearer values. Iron ore remains steady at last quoted figures. Steel rails are again in good demand, with works quoting £9 to £9 5s. as the basis price. Deliveries are still greatly in arrear, while the forward tone is firmer. Tinplates with the extra restrictions on exports are inclined to be easier, and as stocks increase, buyers are able to get slight concessions for spot orders. Official figures are now based upon 18s. 9d. for 20 x 14 Bessemer or Siemens primes. Cardiff. COAL. The effect of the recent order by the Government with respect to obtaining permission for shipments to all desti- nations, with the exception of this country and its protec- torates, has been to considerably hamper business, as until the uncertainty which now prevails has been removed, buyers are naturally very disinclined to enter into any new commitments except on the hand to mouth principle. There is no question that business has been seriously interfered with, and a further opportunity has been given to American shippers to enter into markets with which, up to the present, they have been quite unable ta do business. For example, it is currently reported that a very large contract has been placed by Swedish merchants for American coal, and this, it is believed, is the first instance in which American coal has been bought for Sweden. Furthermore, it is reported that the Swedish State Rail- way authorities have placed orders for 600,000 tons of German coal, but at present this rumour lacks confirmation. As has been frequently pointed out, a large quantity of American coal has been purchased for the Italian market, and there is every reason to believe that a considerable portion of the Egyptian State Railway’s contract will also be placed with America. As was stated a week ago, a portion of this business has been secured by Messrs. Watts, Watts and Co., and it is now acknowledged that a further section has been secured by Messrs. Milbourn and Co., of Newcastle and Cardiff. What the quantities are, and the prices obtained, have not been disclosed, but it is believed that the contracts are of comparatively small proportions, and that the bulk of the trade has gone to America. As a matter of fact, the American coal is not liked, but buyers have the certainty, when orders are placed, that the coal will be supplied, whereas at the present juncture, if the coal is purchased from British sources, buyers are by no means confident, when the time comes for shipment, that the Government will allow the coal to be exported. The last freight paid from Ameiie 1 to West Italy was 37s., and there is every reason to think that American coal to its destination could be bought about 12s.. This would make the price delivered at c.i.f. in Italy between 51s. and 52s. per ton, or rather more than would be paid for South Wales coal. But, as abeady stated, the sole inducement for placing orders in America is the fact that after a contract has been entered into buyers can with confidence look for delivery. Best coals are still being monopolised by the British Admiralty for their own requirements and those of the allied fleets, but it is stated that permission has been more freely granted for shipping inferior Admiralties, the price of which ranges.