September 10, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 531 are signs that very large numbers of small consumers who, under normal circumstances rely absolutely on periodic deliveries, are now making efforts to lay in some reserves so as to be able to tide over an unexpected emergency. This is to some extent due to a feeling of uncertainty regarding supplies rather than any question of prices. There is a very large demand for coal suitable for mechanical stokers, while the general demand for the London district is maintained at a very high level. There is a steady increase in orders for country stations. Last week, the miners only worked five days, although there were heavy •orders on hand and plenty of empty wagons available for the extra three-quarter day to make up a full time week, but the men preferred, in view of the high wages they are now earning, to make Saturday a full-day holiday instead. The supply of empty wagons continues to improve, and full wagons are cleared off more speedily. The following are the quotations, subject to special modifications, which are now generally in operation at the collieries in this district:— Prices at pit. are taking the bulk of the output, but the railborne demand is also a good one—though it cannot be said that there is any big rush for house coal just now. Later on, when stocktaking commences, the colliery owners will undoubtedly have to contend with a demand far in excess of the supply. Most of the collieries are finding the wagon problem a difficult one to solve. In consequence, no doubt of military transport, trucks take a much longer time to work to and from their destinations, and frequently it is from hand to mouth at the pits, barely sufficient empty trucks being available for the day’s work. Slacks are not in such heavy request now, but prices are still maintained. The enquiry for steam coals is not so good, particularly for the throughs, and for orders outside contracts lower prices have to be taken. There is a surplus of this class of coal on the market just now, and buyers know it. Prices at pithead. 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/ - 6/ 14/9-15/9 14/6—15/6 13/6-14/ 14/9-15/9 13/ -14/ L’st week’s 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/ - 6/ 14/9-15/9 14/6-15/6 13/6-14/ 14/9-15/9 13/ -14/ Last year’s prices. 13/6-14/6 . 12/6-13/6 12/3-13/3 11/6-12/ 11/6-12/6 10/6-11/3 9/6-10/ 7/9- 8/3 2/ - 2/3 10/ -10/6 9/6-10/6 8/6- 9/3 10/ -10/6 Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. ; prices. prices. Block ' 21/6 i 21/6 — Forest : 20/6 20/6 — Rubble * 20/9 1 20/9 — Nuts i 19/ ! 19/ — Rough slack Steam coal:— : 13/ j 13/ — Large — ! Small — 1 ' ~ — Prices 2s. Od. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. to get at actual facts. For the most part loading has gone on as usual, and therefore there has been no check on production at the collieries. The only adverse effect has been in the decline of chartering, owing to the unwilling- ness of shipowners to tie up their boats when there was . uncertainty as to whether they would be allowed to proceed. Owing to the scarcity of tonnage which prevailed a few days ago, prices have been more or less of a nominal character, and buyers with ships at their immediate dis- posal have been able to obtain substantial concessions from current quotations. Shipments last week amounted to 348,022 tons, compared with 204,809 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year, or an increase of 143,213 tons. From Cardiff alone there were shipped 176,069 tons, against 125,593 tons, or an increase of 50,476 tons. From Newport the exports were 67,116 tons, or an improvement of 13,243 tons. From Swansea 71,431 tons, compared with nothing in the corresponding period, and Port Talbot 33,406 tons, or an increase of 8,063 tons. The following table shows the average declared price of large steam coals during the seven months of the present year as reported to the Board of Customs:— Port Cardiff. Newport. Talbot. Swansea. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. January ... . 17 7 . .. 16 8 ... . 17 4 . .. 18 3 February.. . 18 0 . .. 17 2 .. . 18 6 . .. 18 7 March . 19 4 . .. 18 6 .. . 20 0 . .. 18 10 April . 22 3 . .. 19 10 .. . 21 8 . .. 21 0 May . 23 2 . .. 22 3 .. . 25 2 . .. 20 11 June 22 6 . .. 23 6 ... . 24 2 . .. 19 9 July . 20 2 . .. 21 1 ... . 21 0 . .. 20 10 The rates for small steam coals as reported by the London Custom House were as follow:— THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, September 9. Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COAL. South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. There has been no material change in the position com- pared with a week ago. Householders are complying fairly well with the request to stock now, and for all kinds of works fuel the demand is steadily active. Slacks are more plentiful than they were. The question of prices seems still to be under consideration, but they are well main- tained, and collieries will be helped by the near approach of the time when normal winter values will prevail. Present quotations are (prices at pit) :— Current L’st week’s Last year’i Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 23/ 23/ 17/6 Do. seconds deep 21/ 21/ 15/ Do. best shallow 20/ 20/ 13/6 Do. seconds do. 19/ 19/ 19/6 12/9 Best hard 19/6 14/6 Forge coal 16/ 16/ 10/6 Slack Warwickshire:— 11/6 11/6 7/ House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 21/ 21/ 15/6 cobs 20/ 20/ 13/ Best hard spires 19/6 19/6 14/6 Forge (steam) 16/ 16/ 10/6 D.S. nuts (steam) 16 16/ 15/ 9/6 Small (do-) 15/ 8/ s Difficult conditions still prevail in the steam coal market, where business continues quiet under the many restricting influences now affecting the position. The general tendency now is, however, better than it was, and if present anticipa- tions of a steady influx of tonnage in satisfactory quantities be fully realised, a distinct improvement may quickly become apparent. Still, present enquiry is not too brisk, while supplies are none too plentiful, and these are uncertainties which complicate the market. Small coals just now are relatively a good deal scarcer than large, and if bunkering requirements are increased there will be accretions to present prices. Throughs and nuts are in plentiful supply, coke being fully equal to present demands. Pitwood shows rather better values at 31s. to 32s. ex ship for best French fir, higher freights being offered to secure tonnage to bring forward further supplies. Port Cardiff. Newport. Talbot. Swansea. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. January .. . 10 0 . .. 11 4 ... 10 0 ... 15 5 February.. . 10 10 . .. 12 1 ... 9 11 ... 16 7 March . 12 7 . .. 15 1 ... 11 4 ... 15 0 April . 14 9 . .. 18 7 ... 14 6 ... 12 9 May . 15 10 . .. 18 6 ... 15 9 ... 16 7 June . 16 7 . .. 20 1 ... 16 6 ... 16 8 July . 15 4 . .. 19 10 ... 15 10 ... 17 9 Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. Steam coals:— Best Black Vein large... Western-valleys, ordin’y Best Eastern-valleys ... Secondary do. Best small coals ..... Secondary do. ...".... Inferior do........... Screenings ........... Through coals ........ Best washed nuts...... Other sorts:— Current iL’st week’s Last year’s prices, i prices, j prices. 24/ -24/6 i 24/ -24/6 ; 18/6-19/ 23/ -23/6 : 23/ -23/6 !. 18/ -18/3 21/6-22/6 . 21/6-22/6 ! 17/ -17/6 20/6-21/ 20/6-21/ | 15/6-16/ 17/6-18/ 18/ —18/6 ! 7/6- 7/9 16/6-17/ i 16/ -17/ ; 6/9- 7/ 12/ -14/ 12/ -14/ i 6/ - 6/3 17/9-18/ ; 18/ -18/6 j 7/9 17/ -18/ ' 17/ -18/ ! 11/9-12/ 18/ -18/6 18/ —18/6 12/6-13/ IRON. The market was but moderately attended, but all reports pointed to a continuance of active conditions, the outputs, of course, both of iron and steel, being mainly absorbed on Government contracts. Manufacturers of galvanised sheets take a slightly more hopeful view of the situation. The favourable harvest conditions have brought good enquiries from agricultural districts, and with spelter no dearer than it was a week ago <£17 10s. is a firm minimum, ranging up to <£18. The exports of sheets for August amounted to 19,580 tons, compared with 30,934 in August of last year. In other branches manufacturers report orders on the books to cover requirements for from three to six months. No advance has been declared for best bars, and it is stated that some difference of opinion exists among makers as to the expediency of such a step at the moment. As it is, however, for new business, makers can obtain a premium on the <£12 basis. A substantial demand continues for merchant bars, for which the quotation is <£11 10s. to <£11 15s., while North Staffordshire crown bars are not obtainable under <£12. With practically the whole of the home trade in their own hands, gas-strip makers find plenty to do, and, while the general price may be put at <£11 10s., there are quotations by those who are particularly well off up to <£11 15s. Pig iron, though somewhat steadier, remains the weak spot on the market. Sales are for small parcels, and there is a good deal of competition, as smelters would like to reduce their stocks. It is contended that the limit at which pig iron can profitably be made has been reached, therefore the cutting of price goes against the grain. The Staffordshire makes are fairly steady at 65s. to 66s. for common, and 68s. part-mine, Derbyshire is 69s. to 70s., and Northamptonshire 64s. 6d. to 66s. 6d. Steel works are run at high pressure, and in sections a 10s. premium is asked on the Association basis, making the price for angles under the new conditions <£10 5s. to <£10 7s. 6d., and joists Ji 10 10s. American angles, of which big supplies are not available, are quoted <£10 3s. c.i.f. Liverpool. American wire rod, which in March last could be obtained at <£7 15s. delivered Birmingham, now works out at <£9 10s. Liverpool. Best house coal...... Secondary do......... Patent fuel ......... Furnace coke......... Foundry coke ........ 21/ -22/ ; 21/ -22/ 18/ -19/ 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 16/6-17/6 32/ -35/ ; 32/ -33/ ! 18/ -19/ 30/ -32/ ’ 30/ -32/ ; 17/6-19/ 35/ -38/ 36/ -38/ ! 20/ -23/ Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. In spite of the very warm weather, orders are still coming to hand for house coals in sufficient numbers to keep the pits fully at work. This applies particularly to the larger sorts. Tonnage arrivals at the docks with loading orders IRON. Local conditions of the iron and steel trades remain much as last reported, values in all departments being much the same as last week, while there is not any great amount of new business passing. At bar mills work is consistently good, but with little fresh enquiry. Quota- tions remain unchanged on the basis of <£7 2s. 6d. to <£7 5s. for both Bessemer and Siemens. Steel rails, too, present no new feature, enquiry again being satisfactory, and values maintained at last quoted rates. At blast furnaces matters are perhaps somewhat easier, with a present tendency towards slightly lower prices. Welsh haematite is now being quoted 102s. 6d. to 105s., while iron ore is an idle trade at unaltered values. New business in tin-plates is somewhat slow, while quotations remain as last week, 18s. to 18s. 6d. for 20 x 14 Bessemer or Siemens primes. Works are well booked forward towards the end of the year, but stock lots can be obtained at slightly lesser prices. Cardiff. w COAL. Trade during the week has been greatly disorganised, as, owing to the uncertainty which prevailed, even until the last moment, as to whether a settlement would be effected with the men, tonnage was in a great measure diverted from the port. The result has been that supplies were totally inadequate to the requirements of the collieries. However, a large amount of tonnage has been chartered during the last week or 10 days, and when vessels begin to arrive in goodly numbers there is every prospect that prices will be favourably affected. As a matter of fact, charterings last week amounted to 210,430 tons, compared with 155,050 tons, or an increase on the preceding six days of 55,380 tons. The greater part of these fixtures were made towards the end of the week, and there was every prospect that a brisk forward move would take place in the near future. Unfortunately, however, at present, a further restriction, although it is believed only a temporary one, has been placed upon exports for the Channel. The Admiralty authorities issued an order prohibiting the sailing of British and Allied vessels for 48 hours, and this restriction, in the case of Cardiff at all events, was continued beyond that period. The reasons for prohibition have not been made public, but the order for the most part was cheerfully obeyed. Extra- ordinary rumours have been current on the market, but with the strict censorship which prevails it is very difficult As a result of the joint audit of the coalowners’ books for the three months ending June 30, the men have made an application for an increase of wages amounting to 12| per cent, on the new 1915 standard, or 18} per cent, on the 1879 standard, or a total of 96} per cent, on the latter standard. The masters, on the other hand, have offered 5 per cent, on the new standard, which they contend is more than sufficient to meet the higher selling price of coal during the period covered by the audit when the increased cost of production is taken into con- sideration. No agreement having been come to, Lord St. Aldwyn has been invited to adjudicate upon the point, and his decision is expected at the end of the present week. Whatever may be the result, the decision is likely to affect prices, for the coal owners will naturally place the increased cost, owing to the miners’ demands, upon the consumer. As indicated above, prices have been somewhat irregular. Best Admiralties have, for the most part, been retained by the Government, although in some instances cargoes have been freed for the purpose of supplying contracts. There are no reports, however, of any of the best qualities coming on to the open market. Superior seconds range from 24s. to 26s., and ordinaries 22s. to 24s. Monmouthshire coals have continued easy, best Black Veins being 24s. to 24s. 6d., Western Valleys 23s., and Easterns 20s. to 21s. Nuts are slightly lower, and the same remark applies to peas. Dry coals are practically unaltered. In the small coal market there has been a still further weakening, chiefly owing to the inade- quate supply of tonnage, and prices are substantially less than they were a week ago. Best bunkers do not command more than 18s. to 19s., ordinaries 16s. 6d. to 17s. 6d., and cargo qualities 10s. 6d. to 12s. per ton. Following the decision of the Government as to the limita- tion of prices, house coals have undergone a considerable reduction. Prior to August, for a very long period, the Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— L’st week’s Current Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best Admiralty steam coals * * 22/ -22/6 20/ —21/ 19/3-19/6 7/6' 6/9- 7/ 5/ 4/ - 4/6 ’ 18/6-19/ 17/6-18/ 15/6 ' 14 6 14/ 13/ 1°/ 19/ 18 6 17/9-18/ 15/ —15/6 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6 14/6 10/6 13/9-14/ 10/6-10/9 7/ - 7/6 17/ -17/6 16/ 27/ -30/ 22/ -25/ 18/ —19/ 28/6 Superior seconds 24/ -25/ 22/ -23/ 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 18/ -19/ 16/ -17/ 11/ -12/ 10/ -10/6 24/ -25/ 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 21/ -22/ 22/ 21/ 19/ -20/ 24/ -25/ i 22/ -23/ i 20/ -21/ : 19/6-20/ | * > 24/ -25/ | 24/ -25/ 22/ -23/ ( 20/ -21/ i 19/ -20/ i 17/ -19/ : 12/ -13/ : 34/ ' i 31/ -32/ ' 42/ -45? 1 36/ -40/ i 31/ -33? | 30/ ' 1 Ordinary do Best bunker smalls Best ordinaries 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 10/6-12/ 10/ -10/6 24/ -25/ }22/ -23/ !23/ -24/ I 22/6-23/ 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/ 12/ -13/ 24/ -24/6 i 23/ 1 20/ -21/ ; 19/6-20/ | 23/ ? 22/ i 25/ 1 23/ -24/ ; 22/ -23/ j 20/ i 18/ i 16/ i 33/ -34/ ; 31/ -31/ 42/ -45/ I 36/ -40' : 31/ -33/ i 32/ -33/ | Cargo qualities Inferior smalls Best dry coals Ordinary drys Best washed nuts Seconds Best washed peas Seconds I 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 1 Thr ough-and-t hrough 1 Small I No. 2 Rhondda— j Large Through-and-through j Small 1 Best patent fuel Seconds Special foundry coke ! Ordinary do. | Furnace coke ! Pitwood (ex-ship) | * Nominal.