482 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. September 3, 1915. rather easier, best bunker small averaging 18s. to 19s., ordinary qualities 16s. to 17s., and cargo sorts Ils. to 12s. Best households are down to 24s., with second grades about 2s. less. Rhondda bituminous coals are a slow sale, No. 3 Rhondda large being 24s. to 25s., through 22s. to 23s., and smalls 20s. to 21s. No. 2 large is 19s. to 20s., through 17s. to 18s., and smalls 12s. to 13s. In sympathy with the decreased price of small coal, patent fuel is slightly easier, best brands being quoted at 34s. and second qualities 31s. to 32s. Cokes are fairly steady, with no appreciable alterations in quotations. Arrivals of pit- wood have not been so plentiful, and an advance has taken place up to 30s. per ton. The Custom House returns of the export of coal from the Bristol Channel to foreign countries and British possessions for the first seven months of the year only show increases in seven instances, namely, to Denmark, France, Madagascar, Azores, Aden, and French and Portuguese West Africa. To France there has been an increase of three-quarters of a million tons, but to Italy and the Argentine there have been decreases of a million and a-quarter and a million tons respectively. The following table shows the total exports to the various countries for the seven months of the year, and the increase or decrease respectively compared with the corresponding period of last year:— s< even months, ended July. Tons. Increase. Tons. Decrease. Tons. Russia 4,704 .. — .. 337,742 Sweden 50,266 ... 56,188 ... .. 59,352 .. 31,233 Norway — Denmark 26,679 ... . 5,278 . — Germany — — .. 170,921 Netherlands 19,426 ... — .. 33,852 Java 6,550 ... — .. 7,062 Other Dutch posses- sions — — .. 23,327 Belgium — — .. 213,960 France 5,112,994 ... 756,335 . — Algeria 267,842 • ... — .. 114,416 French Somaliland .. 21,741 ... — .. 11,494 Madagascar........... 10,548 ... 685 .’ Reunion (Bourbon).. — . . — .. 5,150 Portugal 388,082 ... — .. 73,315 Azores 24,659 ... 18,863 . — Madeira 36,452 ... — .. 14,166 Spain 497,114 ... — .. 301,164 Canary Islands 150,158 ■ ... — .. 168,638 Italy 1,939,254 ... — .1,244,379 Italian East Africa 5,043 ... — .. 4,317 Austria-Hungary ... — — .. 122,038 Greece 156,982 ... — . 78,891 Bulgaria — — . 63,238 Roumania — — . 169,098 Turkey — European 6,557 — . 5,827 „ Asiatic ... — — . 140,342 Tripoli — — 8,035 Tunis 67,090 ... — . 31,767 Peru — — . 12,718 Chile 35,042 ... 292,814 ... . 173,168 . 419,553 Brazil Uruguay 161,413 ... — . 196,871 Argentine Republic.. 839,342 ... — .1,045,604 • Channel Islands 24,240 ... — . 16,980 Gibraltar 118,863 ... — . 22,646 Malta and Gozo 79,668 ... — . 142,930 Egypt 471,058 ... — . 700,696 Cape of Good Hope Anglo - Egyptian 4,823 ... — . 19,376 Sudan Mauritius and De- 9,189 ... — . 13,000 pendencies Aden and Dependen- 8,813 ... — 4,641 cies 99,052 ... 2,327 .. — British India 13,912 ... — . 65,213 Straits Settlements Ceylon and Depen- 1,561 ... — . 15,146 dencies 36,169 ... . 153,656 . 10,366 Hong Kong — Canada — — . 8,218 Bermudas British West India — — . 10,530 Islands 2,573 ... — . 10,593 W est Africa—British 33,274 ... — . 30,519 „ French 97,575 ... 49,481 ./ — „ Portuguese 86,026 ... 22,257 ... — IRON. There is very little change to report in the tin-plate trade, except that conditions are, if anything, slightly easier than they were a week ago. Some works are reported to be very short of orders, and were it not for the fact that they are engaged on Government contracts, there is no doubt that many mills would have to close down. American competition is being keenly felt both in South America and the Far East, and it is reported that two contracts for 25,000 boxes have recently been placed with American firms by Argentine packers. The price is stated to be on the basis of 13s. 4d. per box of 100 lb. f.o.b., whereas the current quotation in South Wales is 18s. to 18s. 3d. per box of 108 lb. f.o.b. This difference is accounted for almost entirely by the extra cost of material, high freights, and extra war risk insurance. Bessemer standard cokes are still quoted at 18s. 3d., but business has been done both at 18s. and at 18s. l|d. For 18| x 14 oil sizes, manufacturers are asking 18s. 9d., but here again the quotation is being shaded and business is reported at 18s. 6d. For 20 x 10 sheets the quotation remains at 26s. 9d. Receipts from works last week were again in excess of shipments, the latter being 66,513 boxes against 74,360 boxes received into stock. The total quantity in the docks warehouses and vans is now 286,416 boxes. There has been a slight easing off in the demand for Welsh steel bars and quotations are 2s. 6d. lower, both Siemens and Bessemer qualities being offered at £7 2s. 6d. per ton. Welsh pig iron is slightly easier at 102s. 6d. to 103s. 6d. delivered. The galvanised sheet trade remains unaltered. The reduction in price has not had the expected result of stimulating buying, and very few new orders have been placed. Since last week spelter has gone up <£10 per ton, and is now quoted at .£74. Many works are hard up for orders, and there is the keenest competition for the small amount of new business which comes on to the market. Quotations for 24-gauge corrugateds are <£17 to <£17 5s. per ton. There is practically no change in scrap metals, and little business is passing. Rail mills are fairly well employed, and there is no change in quotations. The iron ore market is firm, best rubio being 24s. to 25s., and second qualities 21s. to 21s. 6d. per ton. Swansea. COAL. The trade of the port last week showed some improve- ment over the preceding week. The tippers’ strike had an adverse effect on the coal trade, and only a moderate export of patent fuel was made ; the shipments of coal and patent fuel were 84,743 tons. A capital attendance assembled on ’Change, and the firm tone of the anthracite coal market was maintained, particularly in Big Vein large qualities and machine-made sizes, French nuts and cobbles being in great demand. Rubbly culm was easier, but duff was best stemmed and there was no further reduction in price. Steam coal of all qualities remains easy for spot and forward shipment. Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Anthracite:— Best malting large (hand picked) Secondary do. Big Vein large Red Vein large Machine - made cobbles Paris nuts French do Stove do Beans Machine - made large peas Do. fine peas Rubbly culm Duff Steam coals:— ' Best large Seconds Bunkers ; Small • Bituminous coals :— i No. 3 Rhondda— ! Large Thro’-and-thro’ Small Patent fuel Current prices. 28/ -30/ 26/6-28/ 28/ -30/ 23/ -25/ 34/6—40/ ' 38/ -42/ 38/ -40/ 26/6-30/ 18/6-19/6 12/ -12/6 6/ - 6/6 26/6-28/ 23/6-25/6 19/ -19/6 13/6-14/6 26/6-30/ 20/ -22/ 31/ -32/ L’stweek’s prices. 28/ -30/ 26/ -28/ 28/ -30/ 23/ -25/ 34/6-40/ 38/ -42/ 38/ -40/ 26/6-30/ 18/6-19/6 12/ -12/6 6/6- 7/6 26/6-28/ 23/6-25/ 20/ -21/6 14/ -16/ 26/6-30/ 20/ -22/ 31/ -32/ Last year’s prices. 20/ -22/ 17/ -18/ 16/6-17/6 12/6-13/6 19/6-21/6 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 18/6-19/6 12/6-13/6 5/9- 6/3 3/ - 3/6 18/ -20/ 13/6-15/6 10/3-11/ 8/ - 9/6 17/ -18/ 10/3-10/9 16/6-18/ IRON. Exceptional activity was the feature of trade at the blast furnaces ; a very optimistic tone was noticeable at the various steel works, and a good demand prevailed for bars for the tin-plate works. The tin-plate trade has shown a much brighter aspect towards the end of the month, and there was a small increase in the production for last week. The shipments of tin-plates were 66,513 boxes, receipts from works 74,360 boxes, stocks in the docks warehouses and vans 286,416 boxes. Full swing was again the feature at the Mannesmann Tube Works, and things looked very busy at the Metal Extraction Works; six new furnaces are being built. Llanelly. COAL. The coal market of this district is rather peculiar. Whilst some coals are difficult to dispose of even at low prices, other kinds are very scarce, and quotations have jumped during the past two or three months as much as 14s. per ton. Unfortunately for the home consumer there seems to be no great ban on the export of anthracite, as the colliery people are able to obtain licences with far less delay than is the case with the steam coals, with the result that they have to wait a long time before they have their wants supplied. When sellers can obtain as much as 42s. and 43s. per ton f.o.b for nuts sent abroad, it is only natural that they should prefer doing this, than to supply home buyers at about 26s. or 28s. per ton C. and W. Every class of anthracite is doing well, and collieries are over sold for large and the machine-made kinds. Steam coals are not going at all well, and lower prices are being accepted so as to have wagons released. Bunkers are lower than they have been for some time, and the scarcity of boats is causing a little amount of delay for through kinds. Bitu- minous coals for the various manufacturing works are doing fairly well. This week’s quotations approximately are:— Prices f.o.b. Current Anthracite:— prices. Best malting large... 27/ -29/ Secondary do......... 26/ -28/ Big Vein large....... 28/ —32/ Red Vein do.......... 23/ -25/ Machine-made cobbles... 35/ -40/ German nuts.......... 38/ -40/ French do.......... . 39/ -41/ Paris do............. 38/ -40/ Machine-made beans ... 26/ -29/ Do. peas......... 18/ —19/6 Culm ................ 12/ -12/6 Duff................. 6/6- 7/6 Other sorts:— i Large steam coal..... 27/ -29/ Through-and-through... 18/ —20/ Small ............... 14/ -16/ Bituminous small coal... 19/ -21 / L st week’s Last year’s prices. 27/ -29/ 26/ -28/ 28/ —32/ 23/ -25/ 35/ -40/ 38/ -40/ 39/ -41/ 38/ -40/ 26/ -29/ 18/ -19/6 12/ -12/6 6/6- 7/6 27/ -29/ 17/6-18/6 14/ -16/ 19/ -21/ prices. 21/ -23/ 19/ -21/ 16/ -18/ 13/6-14/ ' 20/ -22/ . 21/ -23/ : 21/ -23/ j 21/ -23/ ! 20/ -22/ 13/6-14/6 6/ - 6/3 3/9- 5/6 16/ -18/ 11/ -11/6 8/6- 9/6 11/ -11/6 Partnerships Dissolved.—The London Gazette announces the dissolution of the following partnerships :—J. B. Guy and W. H. T. Hunter, engineers and ironfounders, at Tempest Hey and Fontenoy-street, Liverpool, under the style of Guy and Hunter; J. S. Critchley, J. W. H. Evans, and S. E. Barlow, engineers and agents, at Carlton House, Regent- street, London, S.W., under the style of Critchley, Evans and Company; D. Charles, T. Bowen, T. Evans, and J. Evans, carrying on business as colliery proprietors, as the Panthowell Colliery Company, Pwll, near Llanelly, Carmar- then; R. H. Willis and W. Hallowell, engineers’ agents, electrical engineers, and merchants, at Corn Exchange- buildings, Manchester, under the style of Willis and Hallowell; P. Burgess and C. Brownsell, coal, coke, wood, and manure merchants, at Burnham Green, Welwyn, Herts, under the style of P. Burgess and C. Brownsell. THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—Generally speaking, the market is steady, the only notable change being in pitch, which is certainly weaker. Benzols continue firm, while carbolics also hold their own. Creosote is sparingly offered and naphthas are unchanged. Nearest values are :— Bise(+)or fall(-) on the week. Benzols, 90’s 1/OH/1 .. — ,, 90’s North /Hi .. — „ 50’s ,, 1/4 Toluol 2/2—2/4 .. — Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.)... 3/6 — ,, crystals (40 per cent.) Solvent naphtha, south (90% at 1/4—1/6 ... — 190 degs.), as in quality and package Solvent naphtha, north (90% at 2/-2/1 ... — 190 degs.), as in quality and package Crude naphtha, north (in bulk) 2/-2/1 ... — /6-/6i ... — Creosote (for ordinary qualities) /^TS — Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) 22/ -1/ ,, (f.a.s. west coast) Tar (per ton ex works) 20/—22/ ... -2/ 21/6—25/6 ... Sulphate of Ammonia.—According to paper prices, the market is weaker, but there is little evidence of sufficient business to justify the quotations. Without doubt licences have caused a check in exports, and the forward market is reported easier. Yet in face of this there has been a sudden and apparently unwarrantable advance in the price of nitrate of soda, so that, as far as can be gathered, the wish is father to the statement that sulphate of ammonia is easier. It may be easier to quote, but it is apparently very little easier to buy. Nearest prompt prices are :— Rise (+) or fall(-) on the week. London (ordinary makes) £14/16/3 ... -1/3 Beckton (25 per cent.) £14 ... -2/6 Liverpool £14/12/6 ... -2/6 Hull £14/7/6 — Middlesbrough £14/15 — Scotch ports £15 ... —5/ W ales £14/12/6 — Nitrate of soda (ord.) per cwt. 13/9 ... +1/1} Trade Notes. It is a double hardship that, while the by-products trade has felt the pinch of contraband restrictions so severely, there should be such laxity and delay in granting export licences for the trade that can legitimately be done. For some time complaints and representations have been made to the powers that be, which, in conjunction wTith other suffering industries, have drawn an “ explanation ” from the Director of the War Trade Department, which, instead of being an explanation, is an absolute indictment of incapability (due to redundancy of overlapping and subdivided committees) that simply reveals a positive epidemic of rampant red-tapeism. Why the War Office in the time of peace should want such an amazing gradation of clerks (who, beyond being well-educated men, are otherwise commercially and administratively absolutely unfit) has long been one of the unsolved riddles of existence, especially when the work they seem conjointly incapable of carrying out is, after all, little better than that which would be relegated to a glorified office boy in any sound industrial concern. But in the presence of war, one would think such an effete organisation would welcome the aid of capable men, and, in any case, prefer to co-operate with business men in overcoming business obstacles, instead of multiplying the obsolete methods and machinery that even in peace time courted derision. Small crumbs of consolation are precious in these times, and it is something to know that with great developments in the manufacture of cyanamide in Germany and Norway (where a new works on the Bjolva Falls, to turn out 6,000 tons a year to start with, is being erected), the stability of cyanamide is far behind that of sulphate of ammonia. Recent experiments prove that when exposed to the open air cyanamide loses about a | per cent, of nitrogen per week. Manufacturers try the expedient of coating the particles with a film of oil, but this adds to the cost of production, and is quite conceivably objectionable in several agricultural aspects. And yet another indirect consolation is to be derived from the stout opposition that is being raised in Germany to the proposed nitrogen monopoly. Vested interests have voiced individual protests, but now the Associated German Chambers of Commerce have put forward no less than four cogent arguments against the monopoly, and passed an emphatic resolution in which the German Federal Council has been recommended not to attempt the introduction of this monopoly. This will not only fail to grease the wheels of State machinery, but actually throw some of them quite out of gear. Cornwall is pushing along with the sugar beet cultivation question, and half the required capital for a factory has been offered if outside capitalists (or Government aid) can be procured to find the rest. It appears that Cornwall is even more promising than the Eastern Counties as a field for operations, and that is saying something. The returns for the week have been :—Pitch, 90 tons and £247. Tar, 10,240 gals., 40 drums, 430 casks, and £23. Sulphate of ammonia, 2,390 tons. THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. The market is dull, and the tendency is tow’ards lower prices. No great reductions can take place, however, while steel remains at anything like to-day’s figures, and the labour question is so acute; 18s. has been taken for the basis size, and there are still sellers at this, although we should call makers’ current quotations as follow :—Coke tins : I C 14 x 20 (112s. 1081b.), 18s. 3d. per box; I C 28 X 20 (112s. 2161b.), 36s. 6d. to 36s. 9d.; I C 14*x 18f (124 sh. 1101b.), 18s. 6d.; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 26s. 3d. to 26s. 6d.; IC squares and odd sizes, 18s. 3d. to 18s. 6d. basis for approved specifications. Charcoal tins are easy, at 20s. 6d. basis and upwards, according to tinning. Ternes are weak, and in poor demand, although makers are generally holding out for 34s. to 34s. 6d. for I C 28 x 20 unassorted. Coke wasters are in moderate request. Quotations are easier, and range as follow :—C W 14 x 20, 17s. 3d. to 17s. 6d. per box: C W 28 x 20. 34s. 6d. to 35s.; CW 14 x 18$. 18s.; CW 20 x 10, 24s. 9d. to 25s.; C W 30 x 21, 39s. 3d. to 39s. 6d. ; all f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent.