THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. ______ ____________________________ 1195 D"une 23, 1916. ______________________________ Prices at pithead. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Block 21/6 21/6 21/6 Forest 20/6 20/6 20/6 Rubble 20/9 20/9 20/9 Nuts 19/ 19/ 19/ Rough slack > 11/6 11/6 15/ Steam coal LarW 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 21/ -22/ Small 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/ 16/ -17/ Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. ________ _______ Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. - Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that although small lots of coal are being offered more freely, there is still a Scarcity in the outlying districts of the South of England, 17/6-18/6 17/6-19/6; 17/ -18/ 11/ -13/6 , 10/ -12/6 23/4-26/8 | 13/4-16/8 27/6-30/ ! 26/8-30/ 25/ -27/6 i 22/6-26/8 14/2-16/8 13/4—14/2 _______ _______ Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. The st«am coal trade has continued very steady for the past week, with little perceptible change in values. Outputs have barely regained normal dimensions, 'while shipments are falling away for lack of steamers, tonnage now being scarce and a question of anxiety to shippers. Chartering has been quiet for at least a fortnight, until easier freights led to more fixtures for French and Mediterranean ports. The Admiralty continues to absorb a very large proportion of the local production of best coals, so that there is really no great amount of free coal to depress the market, but for the inferior grades a little unsteadiness now exists. Smalls really are firmer than last week, and have a good enquiry. Pitwood remains steady at Is. advance, best French fir being quoted 41s. to 42s. ex ship. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. Cardiff. COAL. Throughout the week the market has been rather unsettled and irregular, with a tendency to weakness in several instances. This has been due to several factors. The tonnage position has not been Satisfactory, although there has been no serious shortage Up to the time of writing. The number of arrivals fell off considerably, and the outlook was anything but favourable; With th'e result that some salesmen; in order to escape the anxiety of being caught with heavy stocks on their hands, have been willing to make slight concessions to shippers with prompt tonnage at their disposal. This position has been counterbalanced to some extent by the reduction in output last Week. As already reported, immediately after the Whitsuntide holiday the men returned to work in larger numbers than was anticipated., but a certain amount of absenteeism pre- vailed throughout the week, and the quantities of coal available for shipment were below the normal. Admiralty requirements were heavy, with the result that there was little free coal available for export to neutral countries, and licences were only sparingly granted. The local com- mittees dealing with the Limitation of Prices Order are working hard in order to expedite shipment and delivery, but there are many complaints of delays; Which appear to be a constant source of irritation; and it is not improbable that some relaxation of the regulations u ill have to be made before the new system of control is in proper working order. Shipments from the Channel last week amounted to 300,464 tons, compared with 302,167 tons in the corresponding Week of last year, or a decrease of 1,703 tons. From Cardiff there were exported 161,372 tons, against 169,981 tons, or a decrease of 5,609 tons. The heaviest quantities were 13,192 tons to Bordeaux, 16,484 tons to Messina, 13,589 tons to Marseilles, 15,509 tons to Naples, and 10,680 tons to Rouen. From Newport there were shipped 60,892 tons ; from Swansea 47,490 tons, of which 13,073 tons went to Rouen, against 72,983 tons, or a decrease of 25,493 tons ; and from Port Talbot 27,710 tons, or an improvement of 6,998 tons. Shipments of patent fuel amounted to about 28,000 tons, of which the Crown Company despatched about 10,000 tons and Swansea 18,000 tons. With regard to the limitation of fuel prices to France, the manufacturers agreed to a maximum of 30s. per ton subject to the provision that the small coal used in the briquettes should not exceed 20s. per ton. This proposal was submitted to the Board of Trade, and that authority has recommended the suggestion to the acceptance of the coal owners. As a matter of fact, however, there is little free fuel on the market, and makers are well booked several months ahead. Chartering last week was anything but satis- factory, and not nearly sufficient for the ordinary require- ments of the port. The total chartering up to date is 3,318,635, against 4,922,125 tons in the corresponding period of last year, or a decline of 1,603,490 tons. The statistical returns for May show that the total quantity of coal shipped from the Bristol Channel to foreign countries and British Possessions am muted to 1,640,865 tons, compared with 1,503,038 tons in May 1915, or an increase of 137,827 tons. From Cardiff the exports were 815,008 tons, against 873,550 tons ; from Newport 286,540 tons, against 277,096 tons ; from Port Talbot 193,358 tons, against 120,253 tons ; and from Swansea 334,652 tons, com- pared with 216,728 tons in the corresponding period. With regard to the market generally, prices show little quotable alteration. As has been the case now for njany months past, the whole output of best and superior second Admiralties have been retained by the Government, and there have also been heavy shipments of other descriptions to French and Italian ports. Ordinary seconds have remained fairly steady at 49s. to 50s., with an occasional transaction at 51s., and ordinary qualities about Is. less. Bunker coals are in good demand, and recent rates have been well maintained, best qualities being 29s. to 30s., ordinary 26s. to 28s., and cargo sorts 20s. to 22s. 6d. For Monmouthshire coals there has been a brisk enquiry, but prices have been somewhat affected owing to the adverse tonnage position. Quotations are not appreciably altered, Black Veins being 49s. to 50s., western valleys 48s. to 49s., and best easterns 46s. to 48s. Household coals are unchanged, but owners are hoping that the Government will allow an increase in the present rates so as to enable them to recoup themselves for the extra cost of production. In bituminous coals there has been little activity in the export department, although the demand continues heavy for home consumption. No. 8 Rhondda large is 47s. to 50s., No. 2 B8s. to 40s., and other grades in proportion. Patent fuel is nominally 50s. to 52s. &d., although some makers are asking much higher rates. Coke is steady and unaltered, with a brisk demand from all quarters. Pitwood imports have been rather heavy, and the market is irregular, 'current quotations being On the basis of 40s. to 41s. per ton. IRON. It is with a considerable amount of satisfaction that the Government granted exemption to men employed in tin- plate works, irrespective of their marital state, but the condition is laid down that after August 1 single men up to 35 will not be exempt. It is calculated that not more than two-thirds of the total number of mills are now working; and these are maintaining a, good output, as far as the scarcity of material and the shortage of labour will allow. Substantial orders have been received from France, Italy, and Japan; and shipments last week amounted to 91;536 boxes; compared With 71,436 bokes received from works; Stocks in the docks warehouses and vans amounted to 207,145 boxes, against 2>7,245 boxes in the preceding week, and 226,850 boxes at the corresponding date of last year. Prices are unchanged, Bessemer standard cokes being 37s., and oil sizes 37s. 6d. and 53s. respectively. Steel bars are scarce, and makers are reported to be occasionally hard pressed in order .to keep their works going. Both Siemens and Bessemer qualities are £14 per ton. Welsh pig iron is nominal, with nothing offering owing to the fact that practically the whole of the output has been contracted for. Rails are unaltered, and very little new business is in the market. In the galvanised sheet trade there has been little change. The works are mainly occupied in the production of black plates, for which there is an inci easing demand, but very little galvanising is being done. This is mainly due to the prohibitive figures which have been ruling for spelter, but with the price down to £68 there is a prospect of more activity in the near future. Current quotations for 24-gauge corrugateds are on the basis of £27 to £28 per ton. The iron ore and scrap metal markets are unaltered. Swansea. COAL. As compared with last week, the trade of the port showed some improvement. The fixing of coal prices and freights for France had the result of considerably reducing the number of vessels which entered this week. The coal trade was quiet, but there was a large export of patent fuel. The shipments of coal and patent fuel together amounted to 86,378 tons. There was a good attendance on ’Change, but conditions were again weak, and the anthra- cite coal market showed no improvement. All descriptions were inclined to be weak through lack of tonnage, though there were sufficient orders already in hand to stiffen prices if vessels were only available. The steam coal section, for the same reason, was flat. ________________________________________________________ Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals: — prices. prices. prices. Best Black Vein large... 49/ -51/ 50/ -52/ 28/ -29/ Western-valleys, ordin’y 48/ -49/ 49/ -50/ 24/ -26/ Best Eastern-valleys ... 47/ -48/ 46/ -48/ 23/ -24/ Secondary do. 39/ -43/ 39/ -43/ 21/ -23/ Best small coals 25/ -27/ 25/ -27/ 18/6-19/ Secondary do 23/ -24/ 22/ -24/ 17/ -18/ Inferior do 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 16/6-17/ Screenings 26/ -27/ 26/ -27/ 19/ Through coals 26/ -30/ 26/ -32/ 19/ -21/ Best washed nuts 30/ -33/ 30/ -35/ 20/ -20,6 Other sorts:— Best house coal 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 28/ -29/ Secondary do. 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 26/ -27/ Patent fuel 55/ -60/ 50/ -55/ 34/ -36/ Furnace coke 50/ -52/6 50/ -52/6 33/ -34/ Foundry coke 61/ -62/ 61/ -62/ 38/ -40/ IRON. The conditions of the local iron and steel trades remain very much as a week ago. The continued difficulties of maintaining outputs from want of labour and other causes makes new business very difficult to place. Values in all departments rule firm, there being hardly any alterations in price to record. Strong business is taking place at bar mills, where prices remain at <£14 10s. for both Siemens and Bessemer Welsh bars. Steel rails are unaltered on the week at £14 for heavy sections, with very few parcels being offered. Makers of Welsh haematite continue very busy with quotations difficult to obtain ; official prices remain at <£? 2s. 6d. delivered locally. Iron ore rules firm with a strong demand. Tin-plates are also unaltered on the week, latest quotations being based upon 37s. 3d. to 37s. 6d. for 20 x 14 Bessemer or Siemens primes, Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Admiralty steam coals * * * Superior seconds * * — Seconds 49/ -50/ 49/ -50/ — Ordinary do 48/ -49/ 48/ -49/ 28/ -30/ Best bunker smalls 29/ -30/ 29/ -30/ 21/ Best ordinaries 26/ -28/ 26/ -28/ 20/ -20/6 Cargo qualities 20/ -22/6 20/ -22/6 16/6-17/6 Inferior smalls .... 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 15/ -16/ Best dry coals 47/6-48/6 46/ -48/ 28/ -30/ Ordinary drys 44/ -47/ 44/ -46/ 26/ -28/ Best washed nuts 36/ -38/' 36/ -38/ 24/ -25/ Seconds 33/ -36/ 33/ -36/ 23/ -24/ Best washed peas 32/ -35/ 32/ -35/ 21/ -22/ Seconds 30/ -32/ 30/ -32/ 20/ -21/ Dock screenings 18/ -19/ Monmouthshire— Black Veins 49/ -50/ 49/ -50/ 28’ -30/ Western-valleys 48/ -49/ 48/ -49/ 26/ -27/ Eastern-valleys 46/ -48/ 45/ -47/6 23/ -25/ Inferior do 40/ -45/ 44/ -46/ 21/ -22/ Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 29/ -30/ Second qualities (at pit) 21/ -22/6 22/6-23/ 27/ -29/ No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large 47/ -50/ 49/ -50/ 27/ Through-and-through 37/6-41/ 37/6-41/ 25/ Small 30/ -35/ 32/ -34/ 23/ No. 2 Rhondda— Large 38/ -40/ 38/ -40/ 23/ Through-and-through 32/ -35/ ( 1 32/6-34/ 20/ -21/ Small 24/ -25/ 24/ -25/ 18/6 Best patent fuel 50/ -52/6 50/ -51/ 36/ -37/ Seconds 48/ -50/ 48/ -50/ 1 34/ -35/ Special foundry coke 62/6-65/ 62/6-65/ 42/ -43/ Ordinary do. 60/ -62/6 60/ —62/6 38/ -40/ Furnace coke 50/ -55/ 50/ -55/ 32/ -34/ Pitwood (ex-ship) 40/ —41/ 39/ -40/ 28'6-29/ * Nominal. Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Anthracite:— prices. prices. j prices. Best malting large (hand picked) 33/ -34/ 32/ -34/ i 22/6-24/ Secondary do. 30/ -32/ 30/ -32/ 19/ -20/6 Swansea Valley large ... 30/ -34/ 30/ -31/ 17/ -19/ Red Vein large 25/ -29/ 26/ -28/ 17/6-18/6 Machine - made cobbles 37/ -40/ 38/ -40/ 27/6-30/6 Paris nuts - • French do 38/ -40/ 38/ -40/ 28/6-31/ Stove do 38/ -40/ 38/ -40/ : 26/6-29/6 Beans 33/ -34/6 32/ -34/ ■ 24/6-25/6 Machine - made large 1 peas 21/ -22/6 21/ -23/ ' 16/6-17/6 Do. fine peas .../. — — 1 Rubbly culm 13/6—14/6 13/6-14/6 11/9-12/6 Duff ! 5/ - 5/6 5/3— 5/9 , 7/ - 7/3 Steam coals:— Best large 40/ -42/ 40/ -42/ : 27/ -29/ Seconds 38/ -40/ 39/ -40/ i 23/6-26/ Bunker throughs 32/6-36/ 36/ -38/ 20/9-22/6 Small ! 20/ -22/6 20/ -22/6 15/ -18/ Bituminous coals :— j No. 3 Rhondda— Large 47/6-49/ 46/ -50/ ' 28/ -30/ Thro’-and-thro’ - Small 28/ -30/6 29/ -31/6 21/ -22/ Patent fuel 50/ -52/ 50/ -60/ 32/ -35/ Llanelly. COAL. The shortage of tonnage is affecting the position, and until there is a distinct improvement in this respect the condition of the market is likely to continue uncertain. There is a satisfactory demand ruling for all qualities, and the collieries have sufficient orders on hand to keep them going well ahead, but the tonnage question rules the _________________________________________________________ Prices f.o.b. I Current Anthracite :— | prices. Best malting large .... 33/ -36/ Secondary do. ....: 31/ -32/6 Big Vein large........i 32/6-34/6 ............ Red Vein do..........i 26/ -30/ Machine-made cobbles... 35/ -38/ Stove nuts............ 37/ -40/ French do. .......... 37/6-40/6 Paris do.................. 36/6-39/6 Machine-made beans ... 33/6-34/6 Do. peas....; 22/ -23/ .................. Culm .................__ 14/ -15/ Duff.................. 4/6- 5/ Other sorts :— ! Large steam coal...... 41/ -43/ Through-and-through... 32/6-35/6 Small ..........................1 21/6-23/6 Bituminous small coal... 29/ -31/6 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. | prices. 33/ -36/ 1 21/ -22/6 31/ -32/6 19/ -20/6 32/6-34/6 18/ -19/ 27/ -29/ ' 17/ -18/6 34/ -36/ . 28/ -30/ 36/ -40/ 25/ -28/ 36/ -40/ 28/ -31/ 36/ -40/ 33/6—36/6 24/ -26/ 14/ -15/ 5/ - 5/3 28/ -31/ 23/ -25/ 16/6-17/6 11/6-12/6 6/6— 7/6 48/ -50/ 37/ -39/ 21/ -30/ 30/6-3 5/6 28/ -30/ 19/ -22/ 16/ -18/ 20/ -21/6