1248 December 17, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN ________________________________________________________________________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The only two features of importance are the slightly easier tendency of crystal carbolic acid and pitch, though the latter only applies to the East Coast. Other products are unchanged, as follows :— Bise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. 1/OJ-l/l ... - /lli-1/ ... - 1/4 ... - 2/3 ... — 3/5—3/6 ... — 1/4 ... —/2 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) .............. 2/2—2/3 ... 2/2—2/3 /6W7 /2j-/3 -1/ 17/ 16/—16/6 19/9—23/9 [Benzols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at maker's works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch f.o.b. net.] Sulphate of Ammonia.—A very firm tone prevails, and prices continue to rise at all ports. Considering the import- ance of sulphate of ammonia in food production, the cessation of Continental production and the reservations for home consumption, there is nothing abnormal in the prospect of prices rising up to the limit of profitable agricultural employ- ment. Closing prompt prices are :— Rise ( + ) or fall ( —) on the week. London (ordinary makes) £16/2/6 ... +2/6 Beckton (25 per cent.) £15/15 ... +5/ Liverpool £16/18/9 ... +6/3 Hull £16/15 ... +7/6 Middlesbrough £16/2/6 ... +2/6 Scotch ports £17 ... +5/ Vv7 ales £16 ... +7/6 Nitrate of soda (ord.) per cwt. 14/lOj ... +/3 [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.] _______ Trade Notes. There is a duty on sulphuric acid imported into the Dutch East Indies, but the Netherlands States General has intro- duced a Bill modifying the tariffs, so as to exempt this acid when admixed with guano or sulphate of ammonia, which is likely to be a help to this fertiliser. It is provided that the proportion and manner of mixing shall be regulated by the Governor-General, but presumably this applies more to guano than sulphate, which can only contain its chemical equivalent, every effort being made to keep the free acid down to half per cent. Japan shows a loss in sulphate of ammonia trade of £70,000 for the same periods, but the advance in prices has kept the United States’ returns just about constant. There has also been very little alteration in the demands of other countries, and that has been upward. It is noteworthy that Great Britain is the only country that shows decent returns in the movement of the Inter- national Fertiliser trade. There has been an almost com- plete stoppage of the heavy basic slag and potash exports, whereas in sulphate of ammonia we have done wonderfully well considering. Although the consumption of fertilisers in the United States was a record in 1914, it is estimated by the Bulletin of Agricultural Statistics that there will be a great diminu- tion this year, particularly in the sulphate of ammonia usually wanted for the cotton areas. Developments in the production of atmospheric nitrogen are in progress in Germany. The company that was formed to generate electricity from the lignite mines near Bitterfeld is stated to be prepared to supply current to the Electro- Saltpetre Works, of Zschosnewitz-Bitterfeld, which will operate patents and plant for the fixation of nitrogen from the air. The returns for the week have been :—Pitch, 4,649 tons, and £30. Tar, 9,351 gals., 348 barrels, and £7. The figures for sulphate of ammonia have been 2,078 tons. ____________________________________________ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, December 16. Dublin. There is no further change in any of the qualities, and business generally continues to be very brisk, both in whole- sale and retail branches, owing to the wintry weather. Quotations are as follow :—Best Orrell, 37s. per ton; Hulton Arley, 36s.; best Wigan, 35s.; best Whitehaven, 35s. ; best kitchen, 33s.; Orrell slack, 29s.; all less Is. per ton discount for cash. Welsh steam coal, from 36s. per ton ; Scotch 31s.; best coke, 36s. 6d. per ton delivered. Pit prices of Irish coal at Wolf hill Collieries, Queen’s County, are :—Best large coal, 30s. per ton; best household, 28s. 4d.; culm, all prices from 3s. 4d. per ton upwards. Pit prices for Kilkenny (Castlecomer) coal, outside of contract prices, are as follow : Best small coal, 23s. 4d. per ton; best large, 21s. 8d.; second quality, 20s.; bottom coal, 16s. 8d.; breakage, Ils. 8d.; culm, 5s. to 8s. 6d. The coal vessels arriving during the past week amounted to 57, as compared with 59 the week previously, chiefly from Preston, Glasgow, Garston, Liverpool, Newport, Harrington, Ellesmere Port, Partington, Troon, Manchester, Ayr, Cardiff, Saundersfoot, Whitehaven, Swansea, and Maryport. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was 24,000 tons, as against 24,500 tons the previous week. Belfast. The demand in all directions continues to be good, but local merchants’ stocks are only moderate, as the supply of all qualities has become scarce, and it is stated that the outlook for the next three months is not at all encouraging. There has been no further change in house coals since the advance of 2s. 6d. per ton made last week. Current prices are as follow:—Best Arley house coal, 38s. 6d. per ton; best Wigan, 37s. 6d.; Scotch household, 34s. 6d.; Orrell nuts, 37s. 6d.; Orrell slack, 34s. 6d. As most of the steam coal trade in this port is done on contract, it is somewhat difficult at the moment to quote any prices for these qualities, as they are continually fluctuating for any little quantity that is on the open market. Gas coke is now commanding 35s. per ton, and foundry coke, 42s. to 45s. These latter are also largely done on contract, consequently prices vary considerably. Coal laden vessels arriving during the week were from Troon, Ardrossan, Maryport, Glasgow, Ayr, Garston, Ellesmere Port, Partington, Point of Aire, Silloth, Swansea, Manchester, Glenarm, and Widnes. From November 14 to December 4, the total number of colliers entering the harbour was 165. __________________________ THE TIM-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. Prices are higher again all round. There is a good enquiry, but makers are not keen on selling forward, owing to the doubt about being able to obtain supplies of raw materials ; 24s. has been paid for the basis size, forward delivery, and squares and odd sizes have been done at 24s. 6d. To-day makers’ quotations range as follow :—Coke tins : I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 24s. 3d. to 25s. per box; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 2161b.), 48s. 6d. to 50s.; IC 14 x 18f (124 sh. 1101b.), 24s. 6d. to 25s.; IC 20 x 10 (225 sh. 1561b.), 34s. 3d. to 35s. IC squares and odd sizes, 25s. to 25s. 6d. basis. Charcoals are firm, at 27s. basis and upwards, accord- ing to tinning. Ternes are held at 40s. for IC 28 x 20 unassorted. Coke wasters are very firm, as follow:—CW 14 x 20 , 22s. per box and upwards; C W 28 x 20, 44s. 6d.; C W 14 x 18f, 2^s.; C W 20 x 10, 29s. All f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. ____________________________ TRADE AND THE WAR. The Board of Trade warn importers that goods which originated in an enemy country, even though they may have left enemy territory and become neutral property before the war, are liable to seizure under the Customs (War Powers) Act, 1915, if imported without the Board’s permission. Such permission is as a rule granted only upon production of incon- trovertible evidence that the identical goods which it is desired to import left enemy territory before the war. It is stated that a coal famine is seriously apprehended in Greece, and the Greek Government has called Great Britain’s attention to the grave consequences which the prohibition of the export of coal from Great Britain entails. The Dutch Minister of Agriculture has stated that, owing to agitation against the Dutch Coal Bureau, this trust would cease to exist. The Government would itself take charge of coal imports, but was as yet unable to publish any details. At the House of Commons on Tuesday, a conference of representatives of the dock and harbour authorities of the United Kingdom and members of Parliament representing dock and harbour constituencies, was held to consider ques- tions arising out of the action of the Government in regard to dock and harbour dues for vessels in the service of the Crown. It appears that the Government claim under the Harbour, Docks, and Piers Clauses Act. of 1847 that no Government-owned ship or vessel in the Government service is liable for dues at any of the ports of the country. The claims of the various authorities for dues now amount to a very considerable total. In many cases the Government has not paid any of the demands, although much of the dock accommodation has been taken over. In addition there has been loss on other traffic in consequence of the Government action. The meeting passed a resolution that a great hard- ship was being suffered. It was further decided to take steps for the members of Parliament present to bring to the notice of the Prime Minister the injustice of the position. He will be asked to receive a deputation. The President of the Board of Agriculture has appointed a Committee for the purpose of making such arrangements as are likely to ensure the fullest use being made of native timber in supplying existing demands. The Right. Hon. F. D. Acland, M.P., is chairman of the Committee. The other members are :—The Duke of Buccleuch, Lord Barnard, Lord Manners, Sir John Stirling-Maxwell, Sir E. Stafford Howard, Mr. D. Bain (Ministry of Munitions), Mr. Frank Baines (Office of Works), Mr. J. C. Clarke (Admiralty), Mr. H. R. Corner (War Office), Mr. William Dawson, Mr. A. C. Forbes (Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland), Mr. C. E. Howlett (Office of Woods and Forests), Mr. T. H. Middleton (Board of Agriculture), Mr. C. F. Rey (Board of Trade), Dr. W. Somerville (Board of Agriculture), and Mr. John Sutherland (Scottish Office). Replying to a question in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Mr. Runciman said he dad not think that at the present time it would be desirable to encourage any large expenditure of capital in the development of the peat industry, and in these circumstances he was not prepared to appoint a Committee to deal with this subject. Mr. Hogge asked the President of the Board of Trade on Thursday of last week whether there were 10,000 railway wagons out of commission on account of need of repairs ; whether the railway companies were experiencing difficulty in storing them; and whether it would be possible to release men temporarily from the ranks to make the adequate repairs? Mr. Runciman answered that he had been informed by the Railway Executive Committee that they were not aware that any unusually large number of wagons was at present out of commission. In the House of Commons, on Thursday the 9th inst., Mr. Gordon Harvey asked the President of the Board of Trade if he was aware of the danger to the textile and other allied trades in Lancashire caused by the restricted supplies of coal, and of the probability of a considerable stoppage of these industries in case of any prolongation of the Christmas holidays at the pits. Mr. Brace, replying, said the question of securing the maximum output of coal and providing industries with the necessary supplies was receiving the close attention of the Coal Mining Organisation Committee and the Coal Exports (Licensing) Committee, and all practicable steps would be taken in this direction. The increased demand in Lancashire was fully appreciated. During the second reading of the Trading with the Enemy (Extension) Bill on Tuesday, Sir A. Markham asked what the Government intended doing with the Netherlands Oversea Trust. He said that in connection with that trust, clause 1 of the Bill prohibited all business trading with any persons or bodies of persons not resident or carrying on business in enemy territory. What had happened with the Netherlands Oversea Trust in respect of coal? This trust, in conjunction with the Foreign Office, established an agency for sale of coaJ in Holland. That combination in Holland consisted, in the main, of the managers of the Westphalian Syndicate. They were German managers, and, in the main, had been carry- ing on trade with Germany in coal for many years past. All the leading members were, in fact, German managers of the Westphalian Syndicate, and this was the syndicate which his Majesty’s Government approved as a proper body to carry on the trade between this country and Holland. So soon as the war was over the German managers in question would transfer the trade in British coal to German coal, as they did before the war.—Sir G. Gave, the Solicitor-General, said the remarks of the hon. member with regard to the Coal Bureau in Holland were to him, who had dealt with the matter for a great many months, rather fantastic. He had seen a great deal of the Netherlands Oversea Trust and those who managed it, and he thought they could rely upon the directors of that body dealing loyally and fairly with this country. He believed that the agreement had been of great value to Holland, but it had also been of value to us.—Sir A. Markham asked whether the right hon. gentleman denied the fact that the coal trust worked by the Netherlands Oversea Trust was managed by the former managers of the German Westphalian Syndicate. He would send him the names of all these gentlemen who were in the employment of the West- phalian Syndicate before the commencement of the war.— Sir G. Cave, in reply, said he understood that the Coal Bureau consisted of the chief coal traders in Holland; whether upon it there were some who were formerly concerned in some German coal mines he was not prepared off-hand to say or deny that that might be so. The Government would be glad to receive whatever information the hon. member could bring to its notice. After a long and heated discussion the Austrian Society of Engineers and Architects has expunged the name of Sir William Ramsay from the list of its corresponding members. The London County Council has reported that owing to the increase in the price of coal, the amount provided for fuel in the maintenance rate for the current year at the main drainage stations will be exceeded, and it is anticipated that a further sum of £22,000 will be required. It is reported from America that the Pocahontas Naviga- tion Company Incorporated, has begun the construction of a fleet of general cargo freight steamships, primarily to facilitate the ocean transportation of coal from the Lambert Point piers of the Norfolk and Western Railway at Norfolk, Virginia, sold and produced by these companies, and to facilitate the extension of the markets for American coal along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in foreign countries. It is reported that the Danish Government has remedies in mind for relieving the coal shortage caused through the partial shutting off of imports from Great Britain. It is proposed to allow the cutting of wood from Government forest reserves. Steps are also being taken to increase the peat production, and it is suggested that the coal deposits of Greenland, which have been worked in an experimental way, may be developed on a much larger scale. This would involve the question of ocean transportation, and if it were not for that obstacle, plenty of coal could be obtained from the United States. It is reported that a modus vivendi has been arranged between the Swedish and British Governments whereby licences for goods on the British prohibited export list are granted by the British Government in favour of Sweden in return for licences granted by the Swedish Government for the transit of goods on the Swedish prohibited export list through Sweden for Russia or Great Britain. By this means it is hoped to re-establish the necessary exchange of goods between the respective countries. In order to establish that the goods in transit through Scandinavia actually arrive •at their destination, the British and Russian Legations have made arrangements with a Swedish firm, the Transito Com- pany, which will be responsible for seeing that these goods sent in transit are delivered in Russia or Great Britain. The British Legation emphatically deny any intention of establishing anything in the form of a monopoly, either as regards forwarding or shipping business, which would be to the detriment of Swedish interests. ______________________________ The President of the Board of Trade has appointed Mr. Louis James Kershaw, C.I.E., and Mr. James W. Murray, president of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, to be mem- bers of the Advisory Committee to the Department of Commercial Intelligence, in room of Mr. Francis C. Drake and Mr. Henry Brock, deceased. Notice is given that Messrs. Heenan and Froude Limited have made application for the restoration of the patent granted to them and Fred Harrison for an invention, entitled “ Improvements in dynamometers,” numbered 24949 of 1910. and bearing the date of October 27, 1910, which expired on October 27, 1914, owing to the non-payment of the prescribed renewal fee. A preliminary enquiry has been held into the circumstances of an explosion from a cast iron steam pipe at Williamthorpe Colliery, Heath, near Chesterfield, on July 9, 1915. The pipe was the property of the Hardwick Colliery Company Limited. The steam pipe which exploded was a right angled bend joining the vertical pipe from the boilers to the main horizontal range. It was made of cast iron, was 12 in. in the bore, and was designed to be of a nominal thickness of 1 in. Actually the pipe was of very unequal thickness. The branches of the pipe were 5 ft. 2| in. and 2 ft. 6 in. The flange at either end was 1 ft. 8 in. in diameter, and 14 in. in thickness, and was strengthened by 10 brackets, 1| in. in thickness. There were 10 bolt holes, 14 in. by 1| in., cast in each flange, the diameter of the pitch circle being about 171 in. The pipe was cast by Messrs. Appleby and Company Limited, Renishaw, near Chesterfield, on November 12, 1914, and was put to work on the 19th of the same month. It was, therefore, nearly eight months old at the time of the explosion. Before being despatched from the makers’ works it was tested by hydraulic pressure to 300 lb. per sq. in. The pipe was inspected by the enginewright at the colliery at the time of delivery. The explosion was caused by the pipe fracturing, without any warning, completely round in a circumferential direction, about 3 to 4 in. from the top flange. The master stop valve was shut off immediately after the explosion by the boiler chargeman. The pressure of steam in the boilers at the time is stated to have been 110 lb. per sq. in. The metal at the line of fracture was of unequal thickness, due to the core having been placed eccentrically in the mould, or to its having shifted. There was also what appears to have been an original flaw in the pipe at the line of fracture. Further, there was most likely a bending moment about the plane of fracture, due to expansion by heat. The explosion was due to the defective nature of the casting, and was no doubt accelerated by stresses due to the bending moment.