908 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 12, 1916. supplies of ore are coming to hand rather better, with prices very firm at last week figures. Iron ore at 39 s. to 40s. for best rubio shows no alteration. Tin-plates are inclined to higher values, and 28 x 20’s have increased on the week with rapidly diminishing stocks. Cardiff. COAL. There were again very heavy arrivals of tonnage over the week end, with the result that congestion at the various docks is as great as ever. As a matter of fact, there were over 330 vessels in the port -of Cardiff waiting cargo, which is quite equal to, if not in excess of, normal times. The demand for coal is so great from all parts of the world that the supply is entirely inadequate, and the shortage has every appearance of lasting for an indefinite period. The miners are working well, although there is a certain percentage of absenteeism, which varies more or less with the weather conditions. The older and more responsible men are working as they probably never worked in their lives, and it is conceded both amongst owners and managers that every effort is being made to keep the output up to the highest possible extent. In some of the best Admiralty collieries, over 40 per cent, of the men have enlisted, and in most cases the averages are between 20 and 30 per cent. This means a great difference in the weekly production, with the result that the bulk of the supplies, not only of best Admiralties, but also of superior seconds and certain other grades, are entirely absorbed by the Government for their own use and the needs of our Allies. All the collieries producing best steams are out of the market, and it is only a case of small oddments coming along now and again, where the present high prices are being realised. For instance, second grade Admiralties command anything from 52s. 6d. to 55s., and ordinaries 50s. to 52s. 6d. The same thing applies to Monmouthshires. The greatest pres- sure prevails, and yet the quantity coming down the valleys is totally insufficient to meet the demand. Best Black Veins command as much as superior Cardiff steams, a position almost unheard of in the pre-war days. Ordinary western valleys are practically the same, and easterns range from 50s. to 52s. 6d. for best qualities, with about a reduction of 2s. 6d. for second grades. The demand for small coal is as great as ever, and very large quantities are being shipped both to France and Italy. So heavy is the pressure from these quarters that licences are being sparingly granted for export to neutral countries, and prices for odd lots are correspondingly high. Best bunkers are 32s. to 32s. 6d., ordinaries 28s. to 30s., and cargo sorts 22s. to 26s. per ton. Dry coals have a wide range between 42s. 6d. and 50s., but a diffi- culty is experienced in obtaining Monmouthshires for mixing purposes. Owing to the heavy home demand for coke, very little bituminous coal is available for export, and prices realised are dearer than ever. No. 3 Bhondda large is 52s. 6d. to 55s., a price never even dreamed of prior to the war, whilst No. 2 Bhondda is 44s. to 46s., and other grades in proportion. A further advance has taken place in patent fuel owing to the increased cost of small, but these rates must be considered as purely nominal, as most of the local makers are well booked ahead, and the quantity of free fuel available is of meagre amount. Current quotations are on the basis of 50s. to 52s. 6d., with a slight reduction for secondary grades. Pitwood s firmer, and importers are now asking 38s. to 40s. per ton. As referred to above, the demand for coke is greater than ever, and special foundry is scarce even at 62s. 6d. to 65s., ordinary at 60s. to 62s. 6d., and furnace at 50s. to 52s. 6d. per ton. Shipments from Cardiff last week amounted to 363,329 tons, compared with 3*78,385 tons in the corresponding week of last year, or a decrease of 15,056 tons. From Cardiff alone there were exported 171,417 tons, against 252,350 tons, or a decrease of 80,933 tons compared with last year. From Newport the shipments were 69,849 tons, or an increase of 20,652 tons; from Swansea, 93,284 tons, or an increase of 49,030 tons ; and from Port Talbot 28,779 tons, or a falling- off of 3,805 tons. Patent fuel shipments during the week were heavy, the total being over 25,000 tons, of which the Crown Company despatched about 15,000 tons, chiefly from their Port Talbot works. Charterings showed a satisfactory improvement compared with the previous week, the amount of tonnage taken up being 97,150 tons against 45,320 tons in the preceding six days, or an increase of 51,830 tons. According to official returns just published, the average selling prices of the various grades of coal shipped from the Bristol Channel during the month of March were as follow :— Cardiff. Newport, Swansea. 1 Talbot. Per ton. Per ton. Per ton. Per ton. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Large steam ........ 24 8 ... 26 0 ... 24 10 ... 26 3 Through-and-through 22 1 ... 22 7 ... 20 I ... 17 0 Small steam ........ 15 9 ... 18 0 ... 16 2 ... 13 7 Large anthracite... 39 5 ... — ... 22 11 ... 25 5 Household.......__ — ... — ... — ... — IRON. There has been a considerable improvement both in the shipments and the production of tin-plates during the past week. The latter amounted to no less than 100,299 boxes, whilst the receipts from works were 67,048 boxes, leaving at the end of the week 285,851 boxes in stock in the docks warehouses and vans. Prices show no sign of diminution, and are as firm as ever, with slight advances in certain grades. Bessemer standard cokes are 36s., and oil sizes 36s. to 36s. 6d. and 51s. to 51s. 6d. respectively. Very little new business, however, is being done at these figures, and it is only in exceptional cases that consumers come into the market for odd lots, where these rates are realised. In the galvanised sheet trade there is no change. Spelter has receded to <£98, but whilst the cost of other raw- materials remains so high there is little prospect of any alteration. Current quotations for 24-gauge corrugateds are on the basis of .£28 per ton, although it is reported that certain makers are prepared to accept a shade less for prompt shipment. Welsh pig iron is almost unobtainable, but the quotation nominally remains about £6 2s. f d. per ton. The same observation applies to bars, which are nominally quoted at <£13 10s. to <£14 for both Siemens and Bessemer qualities. In the iron ore trade there is a little more business doing, best rubio being 17s. f.o.b., and second grades 15s. 3d., the basis of freight at present being 17s. 6d. per ton Bilbao. In scrap metals there is no alteration, prices being firm all round. Swansea,. COAL. The trade of the port was on the whole very favourable during the past week. The coal trade was active, but there was a reduced export of patent fuel. The shipments of coal and patent fuel amounted to 99,044 tons. A capital attendance assembled on ’Change, and the anthracite coal market displayed a very strong tone. Swansea Valley large was particularly strong, whilst Bed Vein large was steadily improving. Machine-made nuts and cobbles were unobtain- able even at the current prices. Bubbly culm, although firmly held, was a little more plentiful, and duff was steady. In steam coals there was an excellent demand, and last prices were maintained. delay is being experienced in having orders for these commodities executed. For beans and peas the demand is as great as ever, but now that the anthracite colliery proprietors are able to keep their pits at work on better time it is expected the make of these will be increased and that the supply will be nearer to the requirements. Bubbly culm and duff are as last reported. The heavy call on steam and bituminous coals shows not the least sign of easing and sufficient cannot be raised to keep pace with the demand. Large, throughs, and smalls are all quickly bought up at high values and it is expected that further advances will take place very shortly on prices now ruling. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best Admiralty steam coals * —* j Superior seconds * * j — Seconds 52/6-55/ 52/ -53/'1 50/ -51/ j 31/ -32/ 1 28/ -30/ | — Ordinary do. . 50/ -52/6 35/ -36/ Best bunker smalls 32/ -32/6 21/6-22/ Best ordinaries 28/ -30/ 21/ Cargo qualities 22/ -26/ 22/ -26/ 1 19/ Inferior smalls ... 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 17/6-18/6 Best dry coals ....... 47^6-50/ 48/ -50/ 35/ -37/ Ordinary drys 45/ -47/6 45/ -47/ 32/ -34/ Best washed nuts —i 36/ -40/ 28/ -29/ Seconds — 33/ -36/ 33/ -35/ 27/ Best washed peas * ( 26/ Seconds x ' 30/ -32/6 24/ Dock screenings — 25/ -27/ 20/ Monmouthshire— Black Veins 52/6-55/ 52/ -53/ 34/3 Western-valleys 52/6-55/ 52/ -52/6 32/9 Eastern-valleys 50/ -52/6 49/ -50/ 31/6 Inferior do 47/6-50/ 47/6-48/6 30/ -31/ Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 30/ Second qualities (at pit) 22/6-23/ 22/6-23/ 27/6-29/6 No. 3 Bhondda— Bituminous large 52/6-55/ 50/ -52/6 29/ -30/ Through-and-through 42/6-45/ 42/6-45/ 1 27/ Small 33/ -35/ 33/ -35/ 24/ No. 2 Bhondda— Large 44/ -46/ 42/6-45/ ! 27/ Through-and-through 35/ -37/6-1 i 35/ -37/6 23/ Small 26/6-27/6 26/ -27/6 19/6-20/ Best patent fuel 50/ -52/6 47/6-50/ 37/6 Seconds 47/6-50/ 45/ -47/6 35/ Special foundry coke 62/6-65/ 62/6-65/ 43/ -48/ Ordinary do. 60/ -62/6 60/ -62/6 39/ -43/ Furnace coke 50/ -52/6 50/ -52/6 35/ -38/ Pitwood (ex-ship) 38/ -40/ 32/ -33/ 33/ -34/ * Nominal. Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Anthracite:— Best malting large (hand picked) Current prices. 27/6-32/ 26/6-27/6 26/ -30/ 22/ -25/ 33/6-35/6 L'stweek’s prices. 27/ -30/ ' 24/ -26/ 20/6-23/6 20/ -25/ 31/6-34/ Last year's prices. 22/6-23/6 | 20/ -21/ j 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ ' 23/ -24/3 23/6-24/6 22/6-23/6 24/ -25/ 15/6-16/6 10/ -11/ 5/9- 6/6 28/ -30/ 24/ -27/ 22/ -24/ 16/ -20/ 28/ -34/ 19/ -21/ j 32/ -35/ Secondary do. Big Vein large Bed Vein large Machine - made cobbles Paris nuts . French do 32/8-25/8 ‘ 22/8-24/8 Stove do 22:8-25/8 22/ -24/ Beans 22/8-22/8 ' 21 / -22/8 Machine - made large peas 23/6-25/3 13/9-14/3 4/6- 4/9 40/ -44/ ! 22/6-23/6 | 12/6-14/ 4/3— 4/6 : 27/ -44/8 Do. fine peas Bubbly culm Duff... Steam coals:— Best large Seconds 20/ -24/ ; 30/ -34/ Bunkers 32/8-36/6 1 22/8-27/8 Small 19/ -20/6 ! 17/6-19/ 39/6-45/6 40/6-47/ ! Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Bhondda— Large Thro'-and-thro' Small 25/6-29/6 45/ -50/ , ~ / - - • / 23/6-29/ 38/ -41/ Patent fuel Llanelly. COAL. The extreme firmness which has lately characterised the position of the market of the district has increased during the past wfeek, and difficulty is being experienced in obtain- ing practically any kind of coal. The demand for the anthracite qualities especially has improved a great deal, and order books are in a better position than has been the case for many months. Orders for the large sorts are coming along briskly, and sellers are securing higher prices. The enquiry for nuts and cobbles too, is better, and some Prices f.o.b. Anthracite:— Best malting large .. Secondary do......... Big Vein large....... Bed Vein do.......... Machine-made cobbles... German nuts.......... French do............ Paris do............. Machine-made beans ... Do. peas......... Culm ................ Duff................. Other sorts:— Large steam coal..... Through-and-through... Small ............... Bituminous small coal... Current prices. 28/ -32/ 24/ -26/ 24/ -26/ 23/6-25/6 32/ -34/ 32/ -34/ 32/6-34/6 32/6-34/ 31/6—33/6 22/6-23/6 13/6—14/6 4/6- 5/ 38/6-44/6 32/6-38/6 18/6-20/6 25/6-29/6 L'st week's Last year’s I prices. ! prices. 28/ -30/ ' 21/6-22/6 24/ -26/ ! 18/ -19/6 21/6-24/6 I 16/ -17/ 22/ -25/ J 16/ -17/ 32/ -34/ j 23/ -24/ 32/ -34/ j 22/ -23/ 32/6-34/6 ! 23/ -24/ I 32/6-34/ I 23/ -24/ 31/6-33/6 ] 22/ -25/ ; 21/6-23/6 ; 15/ -15/6 . 13/6-14/6 10/6-11/ 4/ - 4/6 5/6- 6/6 I 38/6-44/6 30/ -32/ 32/6-38/6 22/ -23/ ■ 17/6-19/6 16/ -19/6 ! 25/6-29/6 ! 20/ -22/ _________________________________________________ THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, May 11. ________________________________________________ The demand in the London coal trade is still heavy, although the immediate pressure for supplies of house coal is somewhat relaxed. All offers are quickly snapped up, and merchants are eagerly on the lookout for opportunities to replenish stocks, but owing to the small quantities available very little can be arranged. Steam coals of all descriptions are in heavy demand, and there seems to be little prospect of any ease in this direction. . Small nuts are almost unobtainable, and in a large number of cases bakers’ nuts and even house nuts have been substituted, and given satis- factory results to some of the large manufacturers, etc. Considerable discussion has arisen over the question of the renewal of contracts, but collieries are not anxious to commit themselves at present, and in view of the application from the War Office for an additional 10,000 miners for tunnelling work, it is feared there may be further and con- siderable decreases in the outputs. In additions, some hopes are entertained of permission to increase the maximum prices, and it is understood applications have already been made to the Board of Trade on this subject. It seems pretty certain that only existing contracts will be negotiated, and all new enquiries will be immediately put aside. It is reported that in the case of contracts that have recently terminated, a continuation has been arranged on the terms of the old contract, but only for present supplies, with a promise that the contractor will be placed on similar-terms as others immediately on the position becoming more clear and definite. In some cases renewals have been arranged with a clause allowing the sellers to increase prices or decrease tonnages if such be possible or necessary. The seaborne market is strong, and the demand for all qualities heavy, but there is no free coal available, all the cargoes coming forward being under contract. On Monday, 30 boats were reported as having arrived in the Thames, and on Wednesday 10. Since the decision of the Great Eastern Bailway Company to close certain of their suburban stations for passenger and goods traffic, a big meeting of protest has been held -at the People’s Palace, and the date has been postponed until May 22. Further meetings have been held during the week in order to induce the railway authorities, if possible, to abandon their intention of closing the stations. On the arrival of the steam collier “ Wandle ” in the Biver Thames this week all the steamships at Gravesend greeted her with blasts on their sirens in acknowledgment of her heroic fight with a submarine during the past week. She carries only one little gun. Field-Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood made the presentation to the skipper of £25 and £100 for the crew. ___________________________ From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Friday, May 5.—There was a fair enquiry for seaborne house coal to-day, but no cargoes on offer. Cargoes, 21. Monday, May 8.—Seaborne house coal was again in good demand, but no spare cargoes were forthcoming. Cargoes, 30. Wednesday, May 10. — The demand for seaborne house coal continued good to-day, but no available cargoes on offer. Cargoes, 10. __________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—There is very little movement, and prices remain much about the same. . A slight disposition towards an easier footing for crystal carbolic is evident, but so far crude remains unchanged. Nearest values are :— Benzols, 90’s ......................, ,, 90’s North ................. ,, 50’s North ................. 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) ............. W /101-/111 Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. 1/3—1/4 2/3 3/4 1/3 2/3—2/4 2/1—2/2 /6i—/7 /2^-/2§ 15/—16/ 14/—15/ 16/—20/ Sulphate of Ammonia.—The situation is not very satis- factory, and prices very difficult to quote for two reasons, viz.—the feeble home demand is inducing slight reductions to home users; while the granting of licences tends to quicken export prices. For instance, Liverpool prompt prices range from £16 12s. 6d. to £17 7s. 6d., while up to the end of the year £18 is asked. The position is much the same in the North. Meanwhile, the price of nitrate of •soda continues to advance beyond all reasonable bounds. Closing prompt prices are :— London (ordinary makes) ... £16/13/9—£16/15 ....... Beckton (25 per cent.).... £15/15 Liverpool ................ £16/12/6—£17 .................... Hull ..................... £16/10 Middlesbrough .................... £16/15—£16/17/6 Scotch ports ............ £16/15—£17/10 Wales .................. £16/12/6—£16/15 Nitrate of soda (ord.) per cwt. 18/9 _________________________________ English Miners’ Wages.—The workmen’s section of the Coal Conciliation Board for England and North Wales made application for an advance of 3J per cent, on the present rate of wages. The advance, if conceded, will bring wages up to the maximum under the new agreement, which has a period of two years to run.