January 14, 1916.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

79

same size have soared to <£19 to <£19 5s. at works. In steel,
as in iron, the Government are stepping in and fixing prices.
For some time back sales have been made largely at makers*
own terms. Sheet bars have been unobtainable at almost
any price, and American supplies have dried up. Now it is
stated that a maximum of .£10 7s. 6d. a ton has been fixed,
but this is subject to confirmation. Angles and joists have
been fi ed at <£11 2s. 6d., and steel pla’es at <£11 Os. All
these prices are at makers* works, the purchasers having
to pay carriage. Even so, they are considerably below
present selling rates, and. they will cause a good
•deal of heart burning. B'llets, it is understood, have
Slot yet been dealt with. The present price for Welsh
billets is somewhere in the neighbourhood of <£14, and.
supplies are short.- Galvanised sheets ranged from <£25 to
<£27 for' 24-gauge, and 50s. extra for 26-gaUge, up to 8 ft.
Black corrugated sheets are <£16 a ton, 18 to 24 gauge, and
205. extra for painting. Staffordshire tinned sheets were
advanced by <£2 a ton, owing primarily to dearer steel.
Basis prices are now 34s. per cwt. for coke, 38s. for charcoal,
and 40s. for best charcoal.

Forest of Dean.

Lydney.

COAL.

The market for the house coals of this district has gained
further st length during the past week, the demand for
every quality being exceedingly keen. The collieries are
all running full time, and deliveries are heavy, but they are
far short of customers* requirements, consequently there is
delay in forwarding, and arrear orders are accumulating.
The inland buyers are oi dering very freely, whilst a good
portion of the production goes to the local docks and
Newport for shipment. The enquiry for all sizes of steam
fuel is very brisk, and the .collieries are doing- all possible
to meet the wants of buyers. There are no stocks of any
coal to be noticed.

Prices at pithead.

House coals:— Block 		Current L*st week*s prices.	prices.  21/6	21/6  20/6	20/6  20/9	20/9  19/	19/  11/6	11/6  18/ -19/	18/ -19/  13/ -14/ I 13/ -14/	Last year’s prices.  18/6 17/6 17/9 16/  7/6  13/6-14/ 8/6- 8/9
Forest 			
Rubble 								
Nuts 			
Rough slack 			
Steam coal:— Large			
Small 			
		

Prices Is. 9d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness.

--------o---------

Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast.

Plymouth.

Messrs. Wade and Son report that owing to the mild
weather and partial removal of restri9tions on the railways,
buyers are now being sufficiently supplied with house and
steam coal. The hope is expressed that the Board of Trade
will undertake the pooling of wagons. By this means many
leading industries in the West of England would be greatly
benefited. The Plymouth Chamber of Commerce is making
strong efforts to induce the Government to exercise the
superintendence over the whole of. the British-owned
steamers, with a view to reasonable freightage being
afforded to merchants, in the same way that colliery owners
have been regulated.

THE WELSH COAL AMD IROM TRADES.

Thursday, January 13.

Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac.

Newport.

COAL.

Since last writing, the steam coal trade has developed very
considerable firmness, reflected in all-round advances of
nearly 4s. per ton. Supplies of coal available for shipment
are not sufficient to meet the requirements of shippers, who
now have a big quantity of tonnage in dock. Stocks have
now been depleted, and the daily outputs of the collieries
scarcely avail to keep going the steamers under the loading
hoists, so any new business coming on the market with a
demand for prompt coal finds sellers in an exceedingly strong
position. For the remainder of the present month it is
quite clear that there will be great pressure for deliveries,
while for February loading it is more uncertain, as the supply
of tonnage as far ahead is difficult to correctly estimate. How-
ever, stems are full for two or three weeks to come, and
rapidly closing up beyond that time, so there appears no
likelihood of easier values for a month at least. In the
freight market tonnage is offering in quite a fair quantity,
with no cessation of the continuous expansion of rates that
has been going on. Tenders have just been sent in for the
supply of 260,000 tons of local coal for the Egyptian State
Bailways, and no anxiety exists that the order may be placed
in the United States, as the cost of American coal has been
found to be considerably above that of our own supplies.

Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days.

IRON.

The local iron and steel trades have developed further
strength during the week, prices in every department show-
ing fresh advances. New business is once again most diffi-
cult to negotiate, as makers show great disinclination to add
to their present commitments, bejng desirous of waiting until
they reduce the volume of business already on their books.
At bar mills work continues full, with values advanced to
£11 15s. to £12 per ton for Welsh bars, both Bessemer and
Siemens. Steel rails, too, are firmer, with quotations diffi-
cult, to obtain. Nominally, values rule to-day on the basis
of £11 15s. to £12 for heavy sections. The value of pig
iron has again advanced, and while official figures have
gone up to £7 5s. to £7 7s. 6d. for Welsh haematite, works
are asking some shillings more. Iron ore continues scarce
and strong. Tin-plates also show increased quotations, the
latest basis being 26s. to 26s. 3d. for Bessemer or Siemens
primes, 20 x 14 X 112.

Cardiff.

COAL.

Since the subsidence of the storms of last week tonnage
has been arriving more freely, with the result that there
are now at present sufficient vessels in the various docks
to accommodate the trade for the next few days. There is
again a complaint of lack of tipping facilities, and there is
no doubt that many steamers will be on demurrage before
they are able to get away. The present position is rather
curious. Usually it happens that when freights are low,
coal prices advance, and the reverse is the case when freights
are high. This week, we have the fact that the coal market
is still rising, whilst freights have touched a level never
before recorded. On Tuesday, ship owners were demanding
75s. per ton for Genoa options, as compared with 66s. per
ton in December, and it will be remembered that before the
outbreak of war the rate to Genoa sank as low as 6s. 6d.
The view is held in some quarters that this abnormal rise
has been brought about to compel the Government to adopt
stringent regulations. Italy is in want of coal, but when the
commodity costs upwards of £6 per ton at the port of destina-
tion, avlien it reaches the consumer, it is time to consider
the question in all its bearings. Outputs are heavy; so also
is the demand, but there does not seem to be any excuse for
the extraordinary prices which are now prevailing. As a
matter of fact, owing to Government requirements and the
necessity of supplying the needs of France and Italy, there
is little free coal on the market, but middlemen who are
in a position to take their-monthly contractual quantities
are able to reap a rich harvest. Since last week an advance
of several shillings per ton has taken place all round.
Ordinary second steams are 29s. to 30s., with ordinaries
about Is. less. Dry coals are also at - top level, between
27s. and 30s. per ton, -and the Monmouthshire market is
much firmer. Black Veins command 29s. 6d. to 30s.,
Western Valleys 29s. to 29s. 6d., and the best of the Easterns
27s. to 28s. Owing to the improved tonnage position, these
are being shipped freely, and there is likely to be <a scarcity
of supplies within the next fortnight. The small coal market
is distinctly firmer. Best bunkers are 17s. to 17s. 6d.,
ordinaries 15s. to 16s., and cargo qualities 10s. to 12s. 6d.
per ton, according to grade. In the bituminous coal market
there is not much alteration in the quotations for No. 3
Bhondda large, which remain about 24s. 6d. to 25s. 6d.,
but in No. 2 qualities there is a distinct firmness, and large
coal commands 24s. to 25s., with a corresponding reduction
for through and through, and small descriptions. In patent
fuel, the. principal firms are fully booked for a long time
ahead, and they .are disinclined to enter into forward con-
tracts. Spot prices are 27s. 6d. to 30s. per ton, but over
the year as much as 35s. per ton is being demanded by some
of the best-known concerns. With the improvement of the
tonnage position .it is realised that outputs will not be equal
to the demand, and therefore high rates will prevail. Coke
is firm at recent prices.. During the week an enquiry has
come on to the market for 260,000 metric tons of Welsh
steam coals for the Egyptian State Bailways, for delivery
over the next 11 months , at the rate of 25,000 tons per month
until October, and 10,000 tons in November. As on the last
occasion, tenders may be either f.o.b. Cardiff or c.i.f.
Alexandria. Tenders for American coals are also invited,
and January 12 was named as the last day for acceptance.
In the autumn some business was arranged on the basis of
47s. 6d. Alexandria, but freights are now 25s. to 30s. per

ton in advance of this rate, and it is probable that most of
the tenders now sent in will be on a f.o.b. basis. Shipments
last week amounted to 399,933 tons, compared with 425,821
tons on the corresponding week of last year, or a decrease
of 25,888 tons. From Cardiff alone there were shipped
267,618 tons, against 280,652 tons, or a decrease of 13,034
tons; from Newport, 59,986 tons, or a falling off of 6,355
tons; from Swansea, 72,329 tons, or an increase of 16,423
tons, and from Port Talbot, owing to the gales, the shipping-
return is nil, compared with 22,922 tons on the corresponding
week of last year. Chartering has been anything but brisk,
and only amounted to 89,500 tons, against 88,430 tons in
the preceding six days, or an increase of 1,070 tons. Such
quantities, of course, are totally inadequate to the require-
ments of the port, and unless there is a rapid improvement
there will again be a shortage which will probably demand
the serious attention of the Government authorities. There
have been several enquiries on the market for patent fuel,
and it is reported that the Eastern Bailways of France have
contracted for 50,000 tons of Crown fuel for delivery over the
year. The price obtained has not been disclosed, but it is
stated to be on a isatisfactory basis. Pit wood is -still very
dear, the nominal price being 52s. to 53s. per ton.

IRON.

In the tin-plate trade prices remain steady, but there is no
disguising the fact that the demand is great, and there is
little likelihood of any fall in values for some time to come.
Shipments last week reached the high figure of 103,645 boxes,
against 82,666 boxes- received ’from works, leaving 287,441
boxes in stock at the docks warehouses and vans. Bessemer
standard cokes are 26s. ; oil sizes, 18| X 14, 26s. 6d. ; and
20 x 10 sheets, 37s. per box. Welsh steel bars are scarce,
and it is stated that it pays the makers better to sell billets
for exports than to roll the bars. The nominal prices for
both Siemens and Bessemer qualities are £11 10s. to £12 per
ton. Welsh pig iron is fractionally easier, at £7 2s. 6d. to
£7 5s. per ton delivered. In the galvanised sheet trade there
is practically no business, except on Government account. The
quotation, however, remains at £25 10s. to £26 for 24-gauge
corrugateds; and spelter is steady, at about £89 per ton. In
the iron ore trade there, is little doing, but the tendency, if
anything, is rather easier. Best Rubio can be obtained at
33s. per ton, and second grades at about 30s. In scrap
metals there is no alteration.

Swansea.

COAL.

During the past week there was very little improvement in
the trade of the port. With the exception of shipments to
France, the coal and patent fuel trades wure very inactive,
owing to the absence of tonnage. The shipments togethe'
were 68,526 tons. There was a good attendance on ’Change
but the undertone of the anthracite coal market was rathex
easy. Swansea Valley large was being freely offered for
prompt loading at reduced figures, whilst Bed Vein large
was slightly weaker. Machine-made nuts and cobbles were
more easily obtainable,.but beans and peas were still firmly
held. Bubbly culm and duff were weak. In the steam coal
market there was a steady improvement noted in all classes,
and prices were fully up to last week’s level.

Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 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:—

Best house coal.......

Secondary do..........

Patent fuel ..........

Furnace coke..........

Foundry coke .........

I Current

prices.
29/ -30/
28/ -28/6
27/ -27/6
25/6-26/
15/ -15/6
14/ -14/6

9/6-10/6
15/6-16/
17/6-18/
18/ -18/6

22/ -24/
21/ -22/
27/ -27/6
32/ -35/
40/ -42/6

L’stweek*s
prices.

26‘/ -26/6
25/6-26/
24/6-25/
24/ -24/6
13/6-14/
12/ -12/6
9/ -10/
13/9-14/3
16/6-17/6
16/6-17/

Last year*s
prices.
17/3-17/9
17/ -17/3.
16/3—16/9
16/ -16/3
11/9-12/3
11/ -11/3
10/ -10/3
12/ -12/3
13/3-13/9
15/9-16/

22/ -24/

20/ -22/

24/ -24/6

32/ -35/

40/ -42/6

18/6-19/
17/ -17/6
19/ -20/
20/ -21/
23/ -25/6

Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated).

Steam coals:—  Best Admiralty steam coals 		Current prices.  	*  	*  29/ -30/ 28/ -29/ 17/ -17/6 15/ -15/6 10/ -12/6  8/ -10/ 28/ -30/ 27/ -28/ 25/ -27/ 22/ -24/ 22/ -24/ 19/ -21/ 10/ -12/6  29/6-30/ 29/ —29/6 27/ -28/ 26/ -27/  23/ -24/ 22/ -22/6  24/6-25/6 22/ -23/ 20/ -21/  24/ -25/ 20/ -21/ 14/6-15/6 27/6-30/ 25/ -26/ 42/ -45/ 38/ -42/ 32/ -35/ 52/ -53/	L’st week’s prices.  	*  	*  25/ -27/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 8/6-11/ 7/ -8/  25/ -26/ .  24/ -25/ 25/ -27/ 22/ -24/  20/ -22/6 18/ -20/ 10/ -12/6  26/ -26/6 25/ -26/  24/ -25/ 23/ -24/  23/ -24/ 21/6-22/6  24/ -25/ 21/ -22/ 19/6-20/6  20/ -21/ 16/ -17/ 13/6-14/6 24/ -25/ 22/ -23/  42/ -45/  38/ -40/ 32/ -35/ 52/ -53/	Last year’s prices.  21/ 19/6-20/  18/6  13/6 12/9-13/ 11/6-12/ 10/ -10/6 19/ -19/6 17/6-18/ 19/ -20/ 16/6-17/  15/6  14/  12/  18/6-18/9  18/3 17/9-18/ 15/9-16/3  20/ 17/6-19/6  17/6  16/  15/  15/6-16/ 14/6-15/ 11/ -11/6  21/  19/ -20/ 28/ -32/ 25/ -28/ 19/ -22/ 28/6—29/6
Superior seconds 				
Seconds 				
Ordinary do. 				
Best bunker smalls	  Best ordinaries				
Cargo qualities				
Inferior smalls				
Best dry coals 				
Ordinary drys 				
Best washed nuts 	  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 Sma.11 				
No. 2 Rhondda—  Large				
Through-and-through  Small 				
Best patent fuel 				
Seconds 				
Special foundry coke ......  Ordinary do.		  Furnace coke 					
Pitwood (ex-ship) 				

* Nominal.

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:—  No. 3 Rhondda—  Large 	  Thr o*-and-thr 0*	  Small 	  Patent fuel 		Current prices.  33/ -35/ 31/ -33/ 29/ -30/ 27/ -30/ 43/ -45/  47/ -49/6 44/ -47/6 32/ -34/6  18/6-19/6  6/ - 9/ 2/ - 2/6  21/ -24/ 17/6-20/ 14/ -16/6  6/ - 8/  23/6-26/  15/6-16/6 22/ -23/	L’stweek’s prices.  33/6-35/ 31/ -34/ 30/ -32/ 29/ -31/ 43/ -45/  47/ -49/6 44/ -47/6 32/ -34/6  18/6-19/6  6/ - 9/ 2/ - 2/6  21/ -24/ 17/6-20/ 14/ -16/6  6/ - 8/  23/6-26/  15/6-16/6 22/ -23/ i	Last year’s prices.  22/6-24/6 20/6-22/6 19/6-22/ 17/ -17/9 25/6-30/  29/6-35/ 29/6-33/6 18/6-22/  13/6-15/  3/9- 4/6 2/9- 3/6  18/9-21/6 16/6-17/6 13/ -14/6  6/6- 8/9  17/6-18/6  10/ -10/9 15/6-16/6

IRON.

The new year opened well for the iron and steel trades.
There was again pressure at the blastfurnaces last week,
whilst reports from the various steel works were equally satis-
factory, and some were quite unable to fulfil the large number
of orders placed. In the western district the tin-plate trade
was quiet, and several mills were idle in the Morriston group.
The bar rolling mills, however, were actively engaged. Full
time was worked at the tin-house sets, as men were engaged
in reducing stocks. The sheet mills were also actively
engaged. The shipments of tin-plates were 103,645 boxes,
receipts from works 82,666 boxes, and stocks in the dock
warehouses and vans 287,441 boxes.

Llanelly.

COAL.

There is very little alteration noticeable in the coal market,
but the position is not quite as firm as it has been. Owing
to various causes, chiefly because of the heavy gales which
have been experienced, tonnage has been coming along very
slowly, with the result that very large stocks are. held up
waiting shipment, which has had the effect of bringing down
prices. There is not quite the pressure in the enquiry from
the Continental ports, and it is quite possible that the demand
from this quarter just now is easing off. . Large anthracite
coals are not near as firm as they have been, and some of the
collieries are now advising customers that they are able to
despatch coal promptly. The machine-made kinds, however,
continue to be in very strong demand, and order books are
well filled. Many of the sellers are still refusing.to accept
orders, and can only promise delivery in about six weeks’
time for any odd wagons which may be required. There is
no improvement for culm and duff, and stocks of these kinds
are very heavy. There has been a decided improvement
during the past week or two for steam bituminous kinds, and