THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 683 October 1, 1915. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report a good average whole- sale demand for house and steam coal in the southern counties. Considerable quantities are being brought on by • rail, and a good many sailing ships have been chartered for the various coast ports. There are, however, few steamers being chartered, owing to the very high freights still ruling, thus causing the bulk of supplies to be thrown upon the railways. ___________________________________________________ THE WELSH COAL AMD IRON TRADES. Thursday, September 30. ___________________________________________ Wrexham. North Wales. COAL. prevailing tendency being that of pronounced weakness, and although sellers profess to quote slightly higher figures for forward business, there is nothing pressing, as buyers are confident of obtaining easily better terms than now offering. The present tonnage position has given rise to great anxiety amongst shippers, and with freights still advancing and stocks of coal all round at an uncomfortably high level, collieries will be very fortunate if they can keep going without being stopped for empty wagons. Alone in the market house coals seem to hold their position, the demand for these opening up with the accession of colder weather. Otherwise values are very difficult to indicate in the absepce of reliable transactions, and probably figures quoted are well above what could be actually done. The new terms of business proposed to be adopted by collieries on January 1 are being much discussed by merchants, who show great dislike, but it is extremely doubtful whether their opposition can be crystallised into effective action. Pitwood supplies continue scarce, and values are main- tained firmly at 36s. to 37s. for good wood. 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.......I Inferior Smalls........[ Best dry coals ........| Ordinary drys ........I Best washed nuts ...... Current prices. __* 22/ -23/ 21/ -21/6 15/ -16/ 12/ -13/ 8/ - 9/ 24/ -25/ 21/ -22/ 24/ L’st week’s Last year’i , prices. prices. The general demand for fuel has been of a satisfactory character during the past week in this locality so far as sellers are concerned, and every colliery has been able to dispose of its output without much difficulty. In the house coal trade there is a distinct improvement. Orders and enquiries are coming to hand freely, and this class of coal is now much better sold than it has been for some time past. A large number of education committees are requiring tenders for the winter supplies to the schools under their supervision. The Atcham Rural District Council have convened a conference of the local coal merchants and dealers with the members of the Coal Prices Committee to discuss the question of prices and supplies during the winter, and similar arrangements are being made by other local bodies. In some cases the merchants have agreed not to advance prices, provided they do not have to day more at the pit head for the coal. The Hay Board of Guardians are also inviting tenders for coal for their work- house, and the same remark applies to the committee of the Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington. With reference to steam coal, the railway companies are pressing for deliveries, and a goodly tonnage has been supplied in respect of these contracts during the past week. As regards coal for manufacturing purposes the demand is fairly good, especially from firms engaged in Government work, and it is stated that further munition works are to be established in different parts of Wales which will probably further help matters. There is also a distinct improvement in the brick- making trade during the past few weeks, which has been the means of an improved demand for coal for the brick kilns. The amount of business transacted in coal for shipping purposes has not been large, though a few cargoes have been disposed of during the period under review. The tonnage of vessels coming to the Mersey ports of late is not so large as formerly, and the difficulties experienced with regard to the export trade do not appear to have diminished. Owing to the continued labour troubles in the shipping circles of Londonderry, the Belfast Steamship Company have intimated to the public that as from the 29th Septem- ber the sailings to Londonderry will be suspended until further notice. Supplies are steady as regards gas coal, the whole tonnage being sent away against contracts. Several public bodies, which include Portmadoc, Aberystwyth, Dolgelly, &c., have decided to abolish public lighting during the coming winter. This is partly with a view to economising, and partly as a result of the operations of the Defence of the Realm Act as regards lighting on the sea front. A number of gas companies have intimated to the colliery companies that it is their intention to take advantage of the provisions of the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act, so that adjustments will therefore have to be made in accordance therewith. In the case of small fuel, such as nuts and slack, a ready sale is the order of the day, and there does not appear to be any accumulation in the colliery sidings. On the question of prices there appears to be a tendency to advance somewhat, and during the past week prices of house coal have hardened a little, quotations being from 18s. 6d. to 20s. per ton at the pit for best large house coal. Seconds are quoted at 17s. 6d. to 18s. 6d. for immediate delivery. At the landsale depots the best house coal is still listed at 23s. 4d. to 26s. 8d. per ton, with seconds and cobbles at 22s. 6d. to 23s. 4d. per ton. The Hawarden Board of Guardians have fixed their contract at 21s. 6d. per ton for coal and 15s. 6d..per ton for slack, which represent advances of 4s. 6d. and 3s. per ton respectively. In the city of Liverpool the average price to householders is 25s. to 30s. per ton, which is about 5s. per ton more than was ruling at this time last year. Good steam coal is quoted at 18s. per ton and upwards. Gas coal makes pretty much the same figure, while nuts sell at an average of 17s. 6d. per ton, and are difficult to get. Slack realises 8s. 6d. to 9s. 6d. per ton at pit, and local gas companies are quoting 16s. 8d. to 18s. 4d. per ton for their gas coke. Summarised the week's prices have been as below :— .... Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. Steam coals: — Best Black Vein large. Wes tern-valleys, ordin’y 21/6-22/ Best Eastern-valley- Secondary do. Best small coals ... Secondary do..... .......... Inferior Screenings Through coals ... Best washed nuts ...... Other sorts:— do. ....... i Current IL’st week’s Last year’s prices. ! prices, j prices. ' 22/ -22/6 1 23/ -24/ J 17/ -17/6 ______ ! 22/ -22/6 ' 16/6-17/ 20/ -21/ ’ 15/9-16/3 19/ -20/ ' ' ’' ' • 17/ -17/6 16/6-16/9 11/ -12/ 17/3-17/6 16/6-17/ 17/6-18/ 20/6-21/ ' 19/6-20/ 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/ 10/ -11/ 16/ -16/6 16/ -16/6 16/6—16/9 15/ -15/6 7/ - 7/6 6/ - 6/9 5/ - 6/ 7/3- 7/6 11/9—12/ 12/3-13/ 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 .............. 22/6 23/ 21/ 18/ -19/ 22/9-23/3 21/9 20/9 19/ -20/ 23/ -24/ 21/ -22/ 22/ -23/ 19/ 17/ 17/ -18/ 15/ 11/6-12/ 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 111 -17/6 16/6-17/ 10/ -11/ 9/ -10/ 24/ -25/ 22/ -23/ 26/ 24/ 25/ 23/ 19/ -20/ 23/3-23/9 22/9—23/3 20/3-21/3 19/ -20/ Best house coal....... Secondary do......... Patent fuel ......... Furnace coke......... Foundry coke ........ • 22/ -23/ 20/ -21/ 32/ -33/ ■ 30/ -32/ ' 36/ -38/ ( 22/ -23/ | 20/ —21/ I 32/ -33/ I 30/ —32/ 36/ —38/ 18/ -19/ 16/6—17/6 16/ —16/6 18/ -19/ 21/ —23/ Best patent fuel ... ... 33/ -34/ Seconds ................! 31/ -32/ Special foundry coke ....j 41/ -44/ Ordinary do. ........... 38/ -42/ Furnace coke ......... 31/ -34/ Pitwood (ex-ship) ......... 36/ -37/ 21/ -22/ 20/ -20/6 17/6-18/ 7/9- 8/3- 7/3- 7/6 5/6- 6/6 4/6- 5/ 18/ -19/ 16/ -17/ 13/9 12/9-13/ 8/6- 9/ 17/3-17/6 16/9-17/3 16/3-16/6 i 15/ —15/6 23/ -24/ 20/ 21/ -22/ 17/6-19/6 25/ 17/6 23/ 14/ -14/6 20/ -21/ 10/6-11/ 17/6-18/ | 14/3 14/ —15/ I 11/ 12/ ; 7/ - 7/3 33/ -33/6 | 18/ 30/6—31/ j 16/ -17/ 40/ -44/ I 27/ —30/ 38/ -42/ | 22/ -25/ 31/ -33/ ’ 18/ -19/ 36/ -37/ | 21/ —22/ Prices at pit f.o.r.:— Best house coal ...... Secondary do.......... Steam coal............ Gas coal.............. Bunkers __..........__ Nuts ................. Slack ................ Gas coke (at works)... Prices landsale:— Best house coal ...... Seconds .............. Slack ................ Current prices. 18/6-20/ 17/6-18/6 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 8/6- 9/6 16/8-18/4 23/4-26/8 22/6-23/4 13/4-14/2 iL’st week’s'Last year’s ' prices. prices. ■ 18/ -20/ { 14/6-15/6 17/6-18/6 ! 13/6—14/6 17/6-18/6 i 12/3-12/9 18/ -19/ i 12/ -12/3 ; 17/ -18/ ! 12/ -12/3 ; 17/ -18/ ! 11/ -11/9 8/ - 9/6 j 6/3- 7/3 16/8-18/4,11/8-13/4 23/4-26/8 i 18/4-20/ 22/6-23/4 16/8-18/4 12/6-14/2 ! 10/ -12/6 _______ _______ Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. The effect of the Greek Government’s manifesto regarding tonnage has greatly upset the freight market, adding to the scarcity of steamers which had already existed, and although the latest information allows of the completion of voyages of those steamers which were already partly loaded, the upward tendency of freight rates, which were previously soaring above records, still continues. Busi- ness in the steam coal market is disorganised, the IRON. With the early approach of the quarterly meeting, business locally in the iron and steel trades is somewhat slow, the present uncertainty of markets inducing more than usual the tendency to hold over for discussion at the meeting contract renewals and new business contemplated. Works generally are well placed for orders until the end of the year. To judge by opinions now expressed, the trend of the markets for 1916 is uncertain, so varied are the views pronounced. Meanwhile, values all round are being main- tained. At bar mills there is no change of importance, values being a shade harder at «£7 2s. 6d. for both Siemens and Bessemer Welsh tin-plate and sheet bars. Steel rails continue firm at last prices of =£9 5s. for heavy sections, with the usual 10s. extra for light ditto. There is only small business passing in Welsh haematite, quotations for which remain unchanged at 102s. 6d. delivered locally. Iron ore rules quiet with nominal values. Tin-plates are again a weak market, with merchants undercutting works by offers from stock at less than the 17s. 9d., which works are asking for Bessemer or Siemens primes 20 x 14. Cardiff. COAL. The market is more difficult than ever, and the variations in prices are in some cases almost sensational. The scarcity of tonnage has been exercising a detrimental effect for several weeks past, but this has been accentuated in a large degree by the cancellation of all Greek charters, owing to the orders for mobilisation in that country. Instructions were received that all Greek boats were to return to Piraeus at once, and in ballast if necessary, and the result has been the withdrawal of a large number of steamers from the market. One prominent firm of exporters is reported to have cancelled no less than 29 fixtures for loading within the next few weeks, with the result that they had to go into the open market to seek fresh tonnage. The natural consequence is that freights have again materially advanced, and owners are demanding an extra 5s. per ton for Genoa, with a corresponding increase to other Mediterranean ports. Many collieries which were already stemmed have had their supplies held up pending other arrangements, and there has been a great scarcity of wagons. Up to the time of writing, no actual stoppages had been reported, but considerable sacrifices were being made in the matter of quotations in order to keep things going. To make matters worse, the Admiralty demands were not quite so persistent, and the authorities were in some cases releasing even superior Admiralty coals to private contractors. No quotations for best qualities are yet available, however, but with the accumulation of stocks which is now taking place it is probable that appreciable quantities of best steams will soon be on the market for private consumers. Ordinary qualities are offered at 22s. to 23s., and in case of ready boats, considerably less is being accepted in order to release wagons. Monmouthshire coals are experiencing the same difficulty owing to lack of tonnage, and prices are easier. Best Black Veins are 22s. 9d. to 23s. 3d., western- valleys* 21s. 9d. and easterns 20s. 9d. in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. There has been a better demand for dry coals, which are in some cases taking the place of anthracites, and the quotations remain at a comparatively high level. It is difficult to describe the small coal market. Nominally the quotation is 15s. to 16s. for best bunkers, but business in certain instances has been reported at Ils., 9s., and even 8s. The circumstances in these cases, however, are exceptional, and these prices are no indication of the actual state of the market. With better tonnage facilities, there is no doubt that improved figures would be obtained. In the meantime certain producers absolutely decline to sell at the rates now offering, and are banking the coal rather than run the risk of a shortage of trucks through storage on the sidings. Ordinary qualities have been freely dealt in at prices ranging from 10s. to 12s., and cargo sorts are anything in the neighbourhood of 8s. In bituminous coals there is a slow demand, and prices are slightly lower, No. 3 Rhondda large being 22s. to 23s., through 19s., and small 17s. For No. 2 qualities 17s. to 18s. is asked for large, 15s. for through, and Ils. 6d. to 12s. 6d. for small, but these are regarded as top figures. The coke market is steady, and prices are well maintained. Special foundry is 41s. to 41s., ordinary 38s. to 42s., and furnace 31s. to 34s. In patent fuel there is very little enquiry, but the * Nominal. ________________________________________________________ quotation remains steady at 33s. to 34s. for best grades, and second qualities about 31s. to 32s. Pitwood is still scarce, and commands 36s. to 37s. per ton. Ship- ments of coal last week amounted to 394,713 tons, compared with 321,850 tons in the- corresponding week of last year, or an increase of 72,863 'tons. From Cardiff there were shipped 218,443 tons against 212,883 tons, or an increase of 5,560 tons, from Newport 67,212 tons, or a decrease of 12,698 tons, from Swansea 58,788 tons, or an increase of 40,193 tons, and from Port Talbot 5C,270 tons, or an improvement of 39,808 tons. Patent fuel shipments amounted to nearly 35,> 00 tons, of which 10,121 tons went from Cardiff, 3,225 tons from Newport, 19,673 tons from Swansea, and 1,436 tons from Port Talbot. Chartering last week was on a small scale, only about 126,600 tons being taken up compared with 170,310 tons in the preceding six days, or a decrease of 43,710 tons. The Custom House returns of coastwise shipments has just come to hand. From the Bristol Channel they amount to 104,150 tons, compared with 122,960 tons in August of last year. From Cardiff alone there were shipped 46,751 tons, of which 19,480 tons went to London, and 10,613 tons to Bristol. From Newport there were despatched 49,535 tons, of which Bristol took 3,415 tons, Avonmouth 9,580 tons, Cork 8,070 tons, Dublin 6,710 tons, and Waterford 3,770 tons. From Swansea there were sent 14,980 tons, of which London received 6,780 tons, and from Port Talbot 2,676 tons, and Briton Ferry 7,505 tons. The returns published by the Board of Trade are now available, and the following table shows the amount of coal exported from the Bristol Channel to foreign countries and British possessions during August last compared with the corresponding month of last year : — August 1915. Tons. Russia .................. — Sweden.................. 7,100 Norway.................. 6,973 Denmark ................ 959 Belgium ................ — France __................ 604,291 Algeria.................. 25,705 Portugal ................ 37,746 Spain ................ 54,653 Canary Islands .......... 4,698 Italy .................... 220,288 Austria-Hungary ........ — Greece .................. 5,437 Roumania................ — Turkev (Asiatic)......___.... 3,767 Tunis' .................. 2,090 Chili .................... 1,187 Brazil .................. 27,557 Uruguay ................ 15,115 Argentine Republic ...... 105,137 ............... Gibraltar ............... 13,105 Malta and Gozo .......... 4,693 Egypt .................. 69,205 Anglo-Egyptian Sudan.... 11,564 Ceylon and Dependencies... — Tons. 17,089 7A84 11,695 8,832 11,043 296,678 20,086 39,516 73,595 8,836 254,466 5,711 11,554 5,381 22,253 12,086 13,773 30,654 20,234 81,129 6,477 9,330 88,151 5,232 The following table shows the total shipments for the eight months of the year, together with the increase or decrease as the case mav be, compared with the corresponding period of 1914:— Eight months, ended Aug. Increase. Decrease. Tons. Tons. Tons. Russia 4,704 .. — 355,831 Sweden 57,366 — 59,836 Norway 63,161 .. — 35,955 Denmark 27.63S — 2,595 Germany . . ... — — 174.423 Netherlands ... 22,720 .. — 34,854 Java 6,550 — 7,062 Other Dutch posses- 23,327 sions — — Belgium — — 225,003 France ... 5,717,285 ... .1,063,948 ... — Algeria ... 293,547 .. 108,797 French Somaliland 97,575 . 36,158 ... — Madagascar 13,554 .. 1,258