940 November 5, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. ________________________________________________________________________________ to the average. Pitwood continues dear, and is still quoted at 44s. to 45s. per ton. The statistical returns of the London Custom .House show that the quantity of coal shipped coastwise from the Bristol Channel during the month of September amounted to 101,360 tons, compared with 144,232 tons in the corresponding month of last year, or a decrease of 42,872 tons. From Cardiff alone there wore despatched 44,853 tons, of which 13,623 tons were sent to Bristol and 11,740 tons to London. From Newport there were shipped 33,899 tons, of which Dublin took 6,585 tons, Avonmouth 5,055 tons, Cork 4,570 tons, and Waterford 4,020 tons. Port Talbot shipped 10,675 tons, of which 9,620 tons went to London; Swansea sent 19,399 tons, of which London received 8,200 tons ; and Briton Ferry and Llanelly were responsible for 4,015 tons and 2,685 tons respectively. IRON. The improvement recently noted in the tin-plate trade has been fully maintained, and a further advance in prices has been recorded, chiefly owing to the increased cost of raw material. Bessemer standard cokes are now quoted at 20s., and oil sizes at 20s. 6d. and 28s. 9d. to29s. respectively. Shipments this week also show an increase compared with the previous week, the total being 60,302 boxes, against 75,458 boxes received from works. Stocks in the docks warehouses and vansnow amount to 340,160 boxes, compared with 325,004 the previous week and 252,818 boxes at the corresponding date of last year. There has been a little revival in the galvanised sheet trade, and the result has been that prices have again advanced. For 24-gauge corrugateds makers are now asking <£19 to <£19 10s. Spelter has again taken an upward turn, and is now held for <£80 per ton. Welsh steel bars are firmer, Siemens qualities commanding <£8 5s. to <£8 10s. and Bessemers about <£8 5s. Welsh pig iron is =£5 15s. to <£6 delivered, and still higher prices are expected to be realised owing to the demand for regular quantities of steel from France. The iron ore market is quiet, best rubio being 31s. and second qualities 28s. to 28s. 6d. In scrap metals there is practically no alteration. , Swansea. COAL. The returns in the trade of the port show a slight increase; the supply of tonnage continued extremely restricted, and consequently there was little doing in the coal and patent fuel trades, the shipment together amounting to 84,145 tons. An excellent attendance assembled on ’Change ; the anthracite coals continued very strong, and for all descriptions there was an active demand. Swansea Valley and Red Vein large were very keenly sought after, whilst machine-made nuts and cobbles fully maintained their tight position. Rubbly culm and duff were still on the slow side, with values easier. In steam coals there was little demand, and prices generally were less firm. Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). kinds and the machine-made sorts been so brisk, nor have prices been so high. Red Vein qualities are almost unob- tainable, and most of the colliery people now refuse to quote for any quantity. Cobbles, nuts, beans and peas are all fully booked for some time to come, with prices showing no signs of easing. Culm and duff are weak, and prices are easy. The position is quite the reverse in the steam coal market, and sellers are unable to dispose of the coal raised, even though pits have occasional idle days. This kind of thing was not the least expected a little while ago, and the prospects at the moment of prices improving are none too bright. Bunkers are very easy, whilst steams are being quoted at very low figures. __________________________________________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market is quiet, and for the most part prices are unchanged. Benzols keep firm, and there has been no further falling off in pitch. There is a frac- tional reduction in the price of creosote. Nearest values arc : Anthracite:— I 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 .......__ i Seconds ..........______: Bunkers.............' Small ............... Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— Large ............. Thro'-and-thro’.... Small ............. Patent fuel ........... Current ! L'st week’s Last year's prices. prices, i prices. 35/ -37/ ; 35/ -37/ ; 22,6-24,6 34/ -35/6 34/ -35/ ; 20,6-22/6 36/6-37/6,36/6-37/6 19,6-20,6 30/ -33/ 30/ -33/ ; 13/6-15/6 43/ -45/ ; 43/ -45/ ' 21/ -23/6 44/ -46/6 44/ -46/6 ’ 23/ -25,6 43/ -45/ ; 43/ -45/6 ; 23/ -24/6 31/ -33/6 31/ -33/6 . 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 . 8 9- 9/ ■ 2 6- 3/ 21,6-24/6 17/ -19/ 13/ -15/6 ; 6/6— 8/ ' 18/6-19/6 8/ -9/ 2/6- 3/ 12/ -13/ 3/9- 4/6 2/9- 3/6 21/6-24/6 18/9-22/6 17/ -19/ 15/9-16/6 13/ -15/6 I 10/3-11/ 6/6— 8/ 5/6- 8/6 23/ -26/ ; 23/ -26/ 17/6-18/6 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ | 10/ -10/9 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ < 16/ -16/6 IRON. The various trades in the district for the past week showed considerable improvement. The tin-plate trade was better; the shipments of tin-plates were 60,302 boxes, and receipts from works 75,458 boxes. The spelter trade, whilst good, was hampered owing to alterations of plant. Llanelly. COAL. There is no alteration to report of the coal market, and the position is very similar to that of last week. The shortage of tonnage is rather upsetting the position, as collieries have all their work cut out to keep pits going. The demand for the anthracite kinds is very plentiful, and far more orders are being received than can be executed. Possibly not for years has the enquiry for the various large _______________________________________________________ THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, November 4. _____________________________ _____________ The London coal trade for the past week has been very brisk. The bulk of the merchants, however, report -a falling off in the public demand on account of the large amount of “ filling-up ” orders which have been given during the previous weeks. The colder weather has given a good impetus to the dealers and trolley trade, and now that the majority of the cellars are full, the new business on the market is somewhat restricted. Every possible truck load coming forward into the metropolitan area has been put into stock wherever possible. The bulk of the pressure has been from those merchants who are eager to lay in further stocks, but the small quantities offering have kept the transactions very moderate. The tone of the market is very firm, and the scarcity Qf Supply makes buyers very eager to secure what little there is on offer. The serious delay in the delivery of coal already on order is .also the cause of a good deal of anxiety and complaints from the merchants, and the refusal of so many of the collieries to book any further is viewed with considerable apprehension. Pit prices are very irregular, for although everyone is guided by the new Price of Coal (Limitation) Act, yet the variety of colliery prices ruling during the year affected by the Act renders the actual selling prices very variable, and those who claim the hard and fast rendering of the clause and who had specially low contracts or spot lots purchased during the recognised periods are practically unable to get their full average requirements, and certainly not any of the excess quantities. Best coals are unusually scarce, and the shipping departments practically claim all there is on offer. A fair tonnage, however, has been done in kitchen coals and bakers’ nuts. Factories also have been buying freely in small nuts and slacks. Only 11 vessels were reported on Monday’s market as arriving in the Port of the Thames, and .11 for Wednesday, but these were all con- tract cargoes. Chartering has been fairly brisk in the freight market during the week, and fixtures have been arranged at 10s. 6d. from the Tyne to London. The decreasing coal output appears to be manifesting itself very seriously on the London Exchange, and numbers of the coal merchants have already received notices from the collieries urging them to limit the numbers of their orders and wagons, as it is impossible to send even the full quantities, without robbing some who are equally entitled to the coal under existing contracts. Delays to wagons sent in excess are inevitable, and only lead to confusion and complications at the pit mouth. Cardiff reports a very depressing market for Welsh steam coal, but all the north country ports show a considerable amount of activity. Collieries cannot cope with the extra orders for best house coal, gas coal, or bunker coal, and although freights are ruling high, the merchants have great difficulty in securing their supplies for this month’s shipments. Here and there factors are offering coal originally intended for shipment owing to want of boats, but the prices are firmly held. No quotations for the seaborne market on the London Coal Exchange has been published since October 1914, when the price was then returned at 21s. 6d. per ton, but ever since then no published price has been recorded. The arrange- ment made with the Board of Trade and the Coal Merchants’ Society of London will limit the coal prices for the Metropolitan area to :—Best Wallsend, 35s. per ton; best Silkstone, 24s. per ton; Derby brights, 32s. per ton; kitchen coal, 31s. per ton; stove coal, 29s. per ton. Several hundreds of the London merchants have entered into a compact not to exceed these prices for the winter, .and the working arrangement is based upon a maximum of 7s. 6d. per ton added to the actual cost of the coal, including the railway rate and wagon hire, and a further charge of 2s. per ton on trolley coal. At the present time trolley coal should not exceed Is. 9d. per cwt. South Yorkshire hards are quoted at 16s. 6d. pit; South Yorkshire best coal at 18s. to 19s. per ton at pit; Derbyshire hards, 16s. to 16s. 6d.; hard cobbles, 15s. to 15s. 6d.; Derby brights, 16s. to 17s. Benzols, 90’s ........................ ,, 90’s North ................. ,, 50’s „ ................. Toluol ................................ Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.)... ,, crystals (40 per cent.) Solvent naphtha, south (90% at 190 degs.), as in quality and package... Solvent naphtha, north (90% at 190 degs.), as in quality and package... Crude naphtha, north (in bulk) ..... ............ Creosote (for ordinary qualities) ..... Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ................ ,, (f.a.s. west coast) ............ Tar (per ton ex works) ______________ 1/Oi-l/l /llf-l/ 1/4 2/2—2/4 3/5—3/6 1/4 2/2—2/3 2/2—2/3 /6>—77 /2I-/3 19/—20/ 18/6—19/6 19/9—23/9 Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. _/0| [Benzols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated; free on rails at maker's icorks or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch f.o.b. net.] Sulphate of Ammonia.—The market is firm, and prices disposed to rise. Much is made of the comparatively small volume of business actually passing, but “ bears ” refrain from mentioning the important contracts, at substantial figures, that are in an advanced state of negotiation. There are practicallv no forward supplies to be had under £15s. 10s. Closing prompt prices are :— London (ordinary makes) Beckton (25 per cent.) ...... Liverpool ____*............... Hull ..................... Middlesbrough ............ Scotch ports .............. Wales ................... Nitrate of soda (ord.) per cwt. Rise ( + ) or fall (—) on the week. £15/2/6 ... — £14/2/6 ... — £15/5—£15/7/6 ... +2/6 £14/17/6 ... +2/6 £14/17/6 ... +2/6 £15—£15/5 ... — £14/17/6 ... — 14/4J ... - [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2| per cent, discount; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.] _______ From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Friday, October 29. — The demand for Durham and Yorkshire seaborne house coal was steady to-day, but no available cargoes obtainable. Cargoes, 19. Monday, November 1.—There was no alteration in the seaborne house coal market to-day, which continued steady, with no cargoes pressing for sale. Cargoes, 11. Wednesday, November 3. — Although the weather has come in exceedingly cold, the demand for seaborne house coal to-day was by no means brisk, and no sales of either Durham or» Yorkshire, beyond those cargoes already arranged for, took place. Cargoes, 11. Trade Notes. It is satisfactory to find the United States once more figuring somewhat prominently in the export returns for sulphate of ammonia. This product seems destined to feel to the full the brunt of trade restrictions imposed owing to the war. While the final report of the committee appointed to consider the increase of the home production of food advocates the open- ing up of pastures, and also suggests that the existing arable areas can be made more productive by the use of artificials (all of which tends to promote the use of sulphate of ammonia), the report goes on to advise the control of the production of sulphate of ammonia with a view to secure adequate supplies at pre-war prices, to which end neces- sity of restricting exports is promulgated. Anyone who knows .anything of the sulphate of ammonia industry is aware that there has always been an ample supply for home needs, and that the export trade in sulphate is its chief outlet. The licence difficulties have already seriously hampered this trade, and to hint at further restric- tion of exports is more than unkind to the industry. Doubtless the Sulphate of Ammonia Association, which, it is understood, is co-operating with the Government depart- ments in the matter, can make this quite clear to the apparently somewhat be-muddled powers that be. Benzol is coming in for special attention in Germany, with a view to preventing any marked advance in price. Its manufacture is now prohibited save by those chemical works that are actually working for the munition makers, or who undertake to turn over all the toluol obtained in the production of benzol to the German Government. All the benzol offered for motor fuel must have the toluol contents reduced to 1 per cent. Some idea of the check the war gave to the consumption of manures in Japan is afforded by the returns for 1913-14. In the former year their imports were valued at £7,225,800, and in 1914 at £6,404,000, when the price of sulphate of ammonia had advanced substantially. Roughly 10 per cent, of Japan’s total imports consist of fertilisers. The slump in rice prices greatly handicapped consumers of sulphate of ammonia, but early in 1915 things began to look up a little, and a more promising trade may result. The imports of sulphate of ammonia into Italy dropped seriously in 1914, this product being responsible (in con- junction with two or three other products) for the bulk of the decline in the imports of chemical products, which amounted to £1,293,282. The returns for the week show a somewhat increased activity in exports, the figures for pitch being :—4,150 tons and £503. Tar, 3,660 gals., 44 tons, 10 drums, and £160. Sulphate of ammonia also has shown marked improvement, the total reaching 10,866 tons. Prices f.o.b. ______________________________ _____________________________ Current Anthracite:— prices. Best malting large ... 35/ -37/ Secondary do. ... 33/ -35/ Big Vein large....__ 35/ -37/ Red Vein do......... 30/ -32/ Machine-made cobbles... 42/ -44/ (German nuts ......... 43/ —45/ French do........... 45/ -47/ Paris do........... 43/ -45/6 ............... Machine-made beans ... 31/ -32/ Do. peas.... 19/ -20/ Culm ..,............. 8/6- 9/ Duff................. 2/9- 3/6 Other sorts:— Large steam coal_____ 22/ —24/ Through-and-through... 13/ -14/6 Small ____i............. 6/ - 8/ Bituminous small coal... 15/6—16/6 L'st week's Last year’s prices. prices. 34/ -36/ 23/ -24/ 32/ -34/ 20/ -21/ 34/ -36/ 17/6-19/ 30/ -32/ 14/ —15/ 42/ -44/ 22/ -23/ 43/ -45/ 22/ -23/6 45/ -47/ 23/ -24,' 43/ -45/6 23/ -24/ 30/ -32/ 19/ -22/ 18/6-19/6 13/ -13/6 8/6- 9/ 4/6- 5/ 2/9- 3/6 3/6- 4/ 22/ -24/ 18/ -20/ 13/ -14/6 10/9-11/3 6/ - 8/ 8/ - 9/ 15/6—16/6 9/ -10/ The annual report of Lloyd's Register of Shipping shows that, notwithstanding the losses of merchantmen through the war, the tonnage of vessels classed at Lloyd’s on June 30 last totalled 300,000 tons more than on June 30, 1914. The number of vessels was 10.542, and the aggregate tonnage 24,174,877, of which 5,899 boats of a total of 13,299,948 tons were British, and 4,643 ships, together 10,874,929 tons, belonged to other countries. Besides the year’s losses, the war has made itself felt in the direction of construction. In the United Kingdom it has been greatly delayed, and in some cases stopped. During the year under review, plans were passed by the committee of 733 vessels, representing 1,715,500 tons of shipping. The vessels actually completed and classed in Lloyd's Register during the year numbered 571, of 1,295,623 tons, of which 536 were steamers, or motor vessels, of a tonnage of 1,289,827, and 35 were sailing vessels, of 5,796 tons. Of the total, 864,247 tons, or about 67 per cent., were built for the British Empire ('United Kingdom 844,184 tons, Colonies 20,063 tons), and 431,376 tons, or about 33 per cent., for other countries. ___________________________________ The opening meeting of the current session of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland was held last week at Glasgow. Mr. W. W. Lackie, Glasgow Corporation electrical engineer, the new president, was in the chair. In his presidential address he dealt with electrical progress during the past 18 years. During that period, he said, the electrical industry had shown rapid and consistent development. The war would bring a fresh realisation of the possibilities and the importance of engineering science in national service. And in order that these suggested developments might materialise at the earliest possible moment, he expressed the hope that a new national engineering committee might be formed. Mr. Lackie afterwards described the generation and distribution of electrical energy in the large industrial and residential area of Glasgow, and suggested that from the point of view of size of station there was no reason whatever why the whole of Scotland should not be supplied from two or, at the most, three central power stations. The present maximum demand on the 31 electricity supply concerns in Scotland was, he said, of the order of 120,000 k.w.