May 26, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1003 Prices at pit. Best household coal ..... Second, hand picked .... Deep screened cobbles ... Deep large nuts ......... Bakers’ nuts............ Small nuts............... Deep breeze ............. Peas ................... Small dust .............. Main nuts for London kitcheners...........,.... Steams, best hand picked Steams, seconds ......... Main cobbles for kitcheners Main breeze.............. Current prices. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/ 16/ —16/6 15/ —15/6 14/6-15/ 12/9-13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ 13/ -13/6 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/6-14/ 12/6-13/6 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/ 16/ -16/6 15/ —15/6 14/6-15/ 12/9—13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ prices. 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 14/ -14/6 14/ —14/6 11/9-12/6 5/ - 5/6 quantities are being caught up as soon as offered, but collieries are holding off as regards yearly contracts, as they cannot imagine what the future has in store for them. Contracts for military supplies are being tendered. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, May 25. 13/ -13/6 15/9-16/9 14/ -14/6 15/ —16/ 13/ -13/6 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/ ■ 15/9-16/9 12/6-13/6 13/6-14/6 South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The situation is much the same as a week ago. Shortage of supplies remains the supreme factor, and this despite the fact that the demands of householders have lessened. Other channels are open for disposing of all available fuel, the call for munitions works being very heavy. The question of contracts is likely to cause difficulty this year, owing to decreased output and increased costs. A good deal of uncertainty prevails, and it is possible some tentative arrangement will be substituted for contracts. Basis prices remain unaltered, as follow : — Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase):— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 22/ 22/ 20/ Do. seconds deep 20/ 20/ 19/ Do. best shallow 19/ 19/ 18/6 Do. seconds do. 18/ . 18/6 18/ 17/6 Best hard 18/6 16/6 Forge coal 16/ 16/ 14/ Slack Warwickshire:— 11/6 11/6 1°/ House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 19/ 19/ . 19/6 cobs 18/ 18/ 17/6 Best hard spires 20/ 20/ 18/ 13/6 Forge (steam) 16/ 16/ D.S. nuts (steam) 14/6 14/6 14/6 11/6 Small (do-) 14/6 14/6 IRON. The market was well attended, and reports indicated a sustained demand for all descriptions of material. The works of the district are as actively employed as the abnormal conditions will permit, but stocks of iron and steel available are not large. Galvanisers are in a quandary. Some of the mills of the district have not been rolling sheets for some months past, and unless some improvement takes place in the supply of material, particularly sheet bars, other mills will be compelled to work. Prices for galvanised corrugated sheets are firm at from £28 to <£30 for 24-gauge, and black sheets (painted) have jumped to <£20 a ton. Hot weather will tend to curtail consumption of pig iron. Already complaints have been heard of puddlers refusing to carry on. Foundry iron is in better request than forge qualities, and of the latter there is some little amount to spare. 'Maximum prices are easily maintained. For all classes of finished material the demand exceeds the supply. Maximum prices prevail — marked bars <£15, with <£15 12s. 6d. for the Earl of Dudley’s brand ; unmarked bars (delivered Birmingham) <£13 15s. f.o.t. and net. Nut and bolt iron is round about £13 15s. delivered Darlaston, gas strip <£14 5s., hoops (iron and steel) £17 5s. to £18 5s. A brisk demand is recorded for tin plates and tinned sheets. Steel prices show no variation from those of last week. North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. The result of the ballot of the Liverpool dockers, in respect of the offer of the ship owners of Is. per day advance and Is. per night shift, subject to the men giving a guarantee that they would not indulge in spasmodical strike, has come as a surprise. At the present time there are about 22,010 men employed at these docks, of whom only about 9| per cent, took part in the ballot; of these 1,402 voted for the agreement with the employers being entered into, whilst 1,695 voted against it, thus giving a majority of 293, which, having regard to the small vote, is a mere fiasco, and the fact that only 3,000 men took the trouble to vote at all, shows a peculiar lack of interest in their affairs. The result is unsatisfactory to the employers, and equally so to the men’s executive, who state that not only is the result unsatisfactory, but is inconclusive, and does not represent the opinion of the rank and file. For the time being, however, it leaves them powerless to enter into any further negotiations on the matter. For a very considerable time past, the Mersey side has been the continuous scene of labour disputes and congestion, and it is well that Mr. Runciman has this week received a deputation from the General Federation of Trade Unions and Transport Workers, to consider ways and means of dealing with the congestion. The demand for house coal has lessened, and the coal is sent to make up other orders, which are plentiful enough in the case of steam coal, of which sufficient cannot be raised to meet the present requirements of railway companies, Government orders and shipping companies. These orders take practically the whole of the tonnage raised, with the exception of gas coal, for which there is also a good demand. Gas com- panies are pressing for the old contracts to be completed to the full tonnage, and where possible this is being done, and a large number of the new contracts have now been fixed up. There is no abatement in the demand for nuts and slack, but only a small tonnage of the former is made, and the bulk of these go for gas-making purposes. The demand for gas coke is still very strong. As regards prices, there is every indication that quotations are hardening. There are very few contracts for house coal being fixed up, but current prices range from 20s. up to 24s. per ton for the best large qualities for current business, with the customary Is. per ton less for seconds grade. Steam coal is,making a good price at from 18s. to 19s. 6d. per ton, and the Crewe Town Council are asking for tenders for their requirements during the ensuing year. Gas companies are closing for. their new contracts at from 18s. 6d. to 20s. per ton for large gas coal according to quality and quantity, and are able to sell their coke freely at from 22s. to 25s. per ton. Nuts are still quoted in the open market, but the average price will be about 18s. to 19s. per ton, and slack is offered and purchased at Ils. to 13s. 6d. per ton. Prices at pit:— 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. 22/6-24/ 20/ -22/6 18/ -19/6 18/6-20/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 11/ -13/6 22/6-25/ 25/ -27/6 22/6-25/ 13/4-16/8 L’st week’si Last year’s prices. I prices. 22/ -23/ I 18/ -20/ 21/ -22/ ’ 17/ -19/ 18/ -19/ ! 16/ -18/ 18/ -19/ 1 16/6-18/6 17/9-18/9 J 15/6-16/6 17/6-18/6 ! 14/6-17/3 11/ —13/6 . 7/6- 9/6 25/ -27/6 ; 13/4-16/8 25/ -27/6 : 23/4-27/6 22/6-25/ ; 20/ -23/4 15/ —16/8 j 11/8-13/4 IRON. The general tone of the iron and steel trades throughout the district remains very much as when last writing, recent strength being well maintained, and the trend of values continuing upwards. Buyers are still experiencing con- siderable difficulty in placing their orders for any time ahead, as manufacturers continue very chary of adding more to their present undertaking. At rail and bar mills there is iio material alteration to report, works being con- gested, and having only a limited amount of labour available. Prices for tinplate bars are nominally around £14 for both Bessemer and Siemens qualities, but more than Illi's has been paid. Steel rails are strong at last quoted figures. New business is increasingly difficult in pig iron, Welsh haematite being practically unobtainable. Iron ore continues steady, with better supplies coming in. Tin-plates have again advanced, and are quoted strongly on the basis of 37s. 6d. for 20 x 14’s, and 75s. for 28 x 20’s, Bessemer or Siemens primes. Cardiff. COAL. There is little difference in the condition of the market as compared with a week ago. Everything is in an unsettled condition, and prices will remain irregular until a definite pronouncement has been made with regard to the limitation of prices. It was agreed on all sides that the original proposition to adopt March 1914 prices as a basis would be unfair, and these rates would result in the com- plete stoppage of a number of collieries. The alternative suggestions appear to be that the Government should adopt the prices ruling on June 30, 1914, plus 10s. per ton. This extra percentage would provide for the increased cost of production, and would also enable the Government to take advantage of the increased profits tax if there was any- thing’ to be obtained. The coal owner would not be in a worse position, and it is felt generally that taking into account the sacrifices already made, the colliery proprietor should not be placed on a more unsatisfactory plane than the shipowners, who admit they have been liberally treated. There has been much discussion about “ sanctity of contract,” and so on, but the chief grievance against the Government appears to be that sufficient discrimination has not been made between the different grades of coal, especially in the cases of those collieries which have suffered materially owing to decrease of production and increased expenses. In the case of Admiralty pits, the output has been more or less maintained, because the men have been refused permission to enlist. In the case of the mines producing lower-grade coals, no such restriction has been in force, with the result that outputs have been reduced to such a low ebb that establishment charges have sw-flowed the little profit that might have been made. There is practically no new business doing, as both buyers and sellers are unwilling to complete transactions while the position is unsettled. For the small parcels coming on to the market in order to complete contracts almost any price is obtainable, but quotations generally are more or less nominal. Best and superior second steams are monopolised by the Government, and are not quoted. Second Admiralties are 54s. to 55s., ordinary 52s. to 53s., drys 47s. 6d. to 55s. according to quality, Monmouthshire Black Veins and western-valleys 54s. to 55s., and eastern-valleys 52s. to 55s. In the small coal market a firm tone still prevails, although for June loading prices are inclined to be easier owing to the uncertain attitude of the Government. Best bunkers are 32s. to 33s., ordinaries 30s. to 32s., and cargo qualities 25s. to 28s. per ton. There is a great demand for all descriptions of bituminous coal, and prices are high. No. 3 Rhondda large is 57s. 6d. to 60s., through-and-through 45s. to 50s., and small 33s. to 35s. For No. 2 qualities 47s. to 49s. is obtainable for large, 38s. to 40s. for through, and 27s. to 28s. for small descriptions. Patent fuel is without alteration, and the small quantity that comes on to the open market readily realises 50s. to 55s. per ton. Coke continues at a high level, chiefly on home account, and prices are unaltered. Special foundry is 62s. 6d. to 65s., ordinary 60s. to 62s. 6d., and furnace 50s. to 52s. 6d. per ton. Pitwood is rather firmer and commands 48s. 6d. to 50s. per ton. Shipments from the Bristol Channel last Lydney. Forest of Dean. COAL. During the week the house coal market of this district has more than maintained its position. The heavy demand for all qualities of coal suitable for domestic purposes shows no sign of lessening, and all the collieries have a consider- able number of arrear orders still on the books. Sales are about equally divided between the inland and seaborne trades. Slacks a*e selling freely, whilst all qualities of steam and manufacturing fuel are in heavy request, the pits being hard pressed for overdue deliveries. Prices at pithead. House coals:— Block Current prices. 21/6 20/6 20/9 19/ 11/6 18/ -19/ 13/6-14/ L’st week’s prices. 21/6 20/6 20/9 19/ 11/6 18/ -19/ 13/6-14/ Last year’s prices. 21/6 20/6 20/9 19/ 14/ 21/ -22/ 15/6-16/6 Forest Rubble Nuts Rough slack Steam coal:— Large Small Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Nlonmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. • The steam coal market has during the past week settled down a little after the exciting rush up of the last month. For the remainder of May there is abundant demand and tonnage, many steamers having been now waiting cargo for some time, but business is really on very constricted lines. For June loading there is practically nothing doing, the uncertainty of the effect of the Government action respect- ing limitation of prices for France being so great that business men commonly agree to defer matters until the position is clearer. Quotations for coal show little more change than .an adjustment of values of the lower grades, but in the freight market outward rates are much weaker, especially for French ports, smart declines being noted for the Peninsula and Mediterranean. Pit wood, which at the opening of the month was at its lowest point since last September, has again ran away, and is well up towards high water mark at to-day’s quotation of 50s. for best French fir. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days : — Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that local buyers find it requires the utmost watchfulness to maintain enough stocks to keep their trade going from day to day, and the question of future supplies is one of extreme difficulty. All experience seems worthless for guidance to-day, and all previous rules have “ gone by the board.” Various small 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 .......... Current L’st week’s Last year’ prices. ‘' -55/ -55/ -53/6 -53/ -32/6 -30/ -27/ 31/6-32/6 35/ -37/ 37/ -39/ 54/ 53/ 53/ 52/ 31/ 29/ prices. 54/ -55/ 54/ -55/ 54/ -55/ 53/ -54/ prices. 33/6-34/6 32/ -32/6 31/ -32/ 29/ -30/ : 31/ -32/6 18/9-19/ I 29/ -30/ ’ ~ " j 25/ -27/ ‘ 31/6-32/6 | 38/ -40/ i 38/ -40/ ; 18/ -18/3 ; 17/ -17/3 19/ 22/ -22/6 s 22/ -23/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 50/ -55/ 50/ -52/6 60/ -62/ 23/ -24/ ’ 28/ -29/ 22/ -23/ | 26/ -27/ 50/ -55/ ; 33/ -35/ 50/ -52/6 i 33/ -34/ 60/ -62/6 | 37/ —39/ Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Current 'L’st week’s!Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Admiralty steam coals * * Superior seconds * * — Seconds 54/ -55/ 54/ -55/ — Ordinary do 52/ -53/ 52/ -53/ 35/ -36/ Best bunker smalls 32/ -33/ 32/6-33/6 21/6-22/ Best ordinaries 30/ -32/ 30/ -32/ 21/ Cargo qualities 25/ -28/ 24^ -28/ 18/ -19/ Inferior smalls 23/ -25/ 22/ -23/ 17/6-18/ Best dry coals 52/6-55/' 52/6-55/ 35/ -37/ Ordinary drys 47/6-52/6 47/6-52/6 34/ -35/ Best washed nuts 42/6-45/ — 29/ Seconds 40/ -42/6 I 27/ Best washed peas 39/ —41/ —* ; ! 26/ Seconds 37/ -39/ —* 24/ Dock screenings —%= 20/ Monmouthshire—■ Black Veins 54/ -55/ 54/6-55/ 34/3 Western-valleys 54/ -55/ 54/ -54/6 32/9 Eastern-valleys 1 52/ -55/ 50/ -52/6 30/3-31/3 Inferior do. ' 50/ -52/ 50/ -51/ 28/ -30/ Bituminous coals :— Best house coals (at pit)| 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 30/ Second qualities (at pit)/ 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ j 27/ -29/ No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large 57/6-60/ 57/6-60/ i 28/ Through-and-through 45/ -50/ 42/6-45/ 1 '26/6 Small 33/ -35/ 33/ -35/ 24/ No. 2 Rhondda— Large 47/ -49/ 48/ -49/ i 26/ -27/ Through-and-through, 38/ -40/ 38/ -40/ ( 22/6-23/ Small ; 27/ -28/ 27/ -28/ 1 19/ -20/ Best patent fuel 50/ -55/ : 50/ -55/ ’ 35/ -37/6 Seconds ; 48/ -50/ 47/6-50/ ! 33/6 Special foundry coke 62/6-65/ 62/6-65/ i 38/ -45/ Ordinary do. | 60/ -62/6 60/ -62/6 ! 38/ -42/ Furnace coke j 50/ -52/6 50/ -52/6 ■ 35/ -36/ Pitwood (ex-ship) I 48/6-50/ 42/ -44/ | 32/ -32/6 * Nominal.