April 20, 1917. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. ________________________________________ ___________ THE WELSH COAL AHD IROM TRADES. Thursday, April 19. : 773 __________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Kortli Wales. Wrexham. COAL. The collieries of this district have now settled down after the Easter holiday break, and every possible effort is made to maintain the output. Some interest has been caused by the attitude of the local railway employees towards the settlement arrived at between the men’s executive committee and the railway executive on the question of wages. At a mass meeting in Wrexham on Sunday last a resolution was passed protesting against the settlement, and refusing to endorse same, and requesting the men’s executive committee to give six weeks notice to terminate the truce. Although the wintry weather has not entirely disappeared, there is a sign of improvement, and as a result the demand for house coal has not been so keen, but any surplus has easily been disposed of in the steam coal department. The demand for the latter is unchanged. Every buyer for railway companies and con- trolled works who has placed contracts in this area is urging deliveries, and tonnage available for other markets is very limited. Of this, the majority is disposed of for ship- ment ex Liverpool, Birkenhead and Ellesmere Port. The gas coal trade is fairly steady, but the demand slightly exceeds the available supply. The work of fixing up new contracts is now proceeding rapidly. From what can be ascertained, the basis as regards prices will be on the expiring contract figures, and the same remarks also apply to quantities. In respect to the latter, as last year’s quantities were much less than former years, some gas works appear to wish their original quantity restored ; but in view of the national requirements, this wish is not likely to be realised, this season at any rate. The tonnage of nuts available for gas making will be much less this year, owing to fewer nuts being made, and this will increase the demand for large gas coal. In proportion to the general output, the tonnage of slacks on the market has been fairly large, but there has been no difficulty in disposing of same at current prices. The demand for gas coke is also maintained, and there is very little stock at any local works. Prices, on the whole, have little changed, the prevailing figures being as follow:—Best large house coal, 21s. ts 23s. per ton, and seconds quality, 20s. to 22s. Landsale agents are quoting 27s. 6d. to 30s. per ton as the retail prices of best large coal, and seconds 25s. to 27s. 6d. per ton, while good rough house slack is quoted at 15s. to 16s. 8d. per ton. Steam coal and shipment coal prices average 19s. to 22s. at pit, and the same figures may be applied to large gas coal, with nuts at about Is. per ton less. Rough slack is listed at 12s. to 14s. 6d. per ton, while gas coke has a ready market at 23s. 4d. to 25s. per ton at the gas works. The following is a complete list of the week’s quotations : — Current L’st week’sjLast year’s Prices at pit f.o.r.:— ! prices. prices. ; prices. 1 21/ -22/ Best house coal 21/ -23/ ’ 21/ -23/ , Secondary do 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 19/ -21/ 20/ -21/ Steam coal 19/ -22/ 18/ -19/ Gas coal 19/ —21/ 19/ -21/ ! 18/ -19/ Bunkers 19/ -22/ 18/ -20/ 19/ -21/ ! 18/ -19/ Nuts 18/ -20/ [ 17/6-18/6 Slack 12/ -14/6 12/ -14/6 10/ -12/ Gas coke (at works) Prices landsale:— 21/8-25/ 22/6-25/ 21/8-25/ Best house coal 27/6-30/ 27/6-30/ 25/ -27/6 Seconds 25/ -27/6 25/ -27/6 22/6-25/ Slack 15/ -16/8 15/ -16/8 15/ -16/8 arrears of shipments to allied countries, and the ordinary salesman has not yet had time to feel the benefits of the new conditions. The only thing that has happened is a slight stiffening of the market, and there is a more buoyant and hopeful tone than has prevailed for many months past. Admiralty shipments and exports to France and Italy continue to be heavy, and these conditions must of necessity prevail until France is able to retake possession of her own coalfields, which now seems within the bounds of possibility. If this , takes place, a large amount of coal would be liberated for Italy, which is now dependent to a great extent on American supplies, and there should be a considerable revival in the Continental business of the Cardiff firms, who have spent many years in building up their connections. The appointment of district super- intendents, to facilitate transport, is also a move in the right direction, and the selection of Mr. T. J. Anthony, who was formerly at Cardiff, is hailed with satisfaction, for he knows the district, the people, and the places where diffi- culties have arisen and how to overcome them. '1 here is little that is new to report of market interest. The quotations generally are without appreciable alteration, but there is a good undertone, and a more optimistic feeling with regard to the future once the facilities for doing business can be extended. At present all efforts seem to be concen- trated in supplying the demands of the Admiralty and of the French and Italian Governments, which after all must be the predominant factor so long as the war continues. Private enterprise to a great extent has gone to the wall, and it is to the credit of the many firms who are engaged in the foreign industrial trade that they have been so quiescent and sunk their own individualism in order to promote the common cause. Best Admiralties and superior seconds are still nominal. Ordinary seconds are steady' at 24s. to 25s., ordinaries 23s. to 24s.; Monmouthshire Black Veins maintain the same figure—24s. to 25s., and other grades keep their relative values, with a slightly firmer tendency in best eastern valleys. The small coal market is rather better, and stocks are being largely cleared in order to liberate wagons for the better descriptions. This policy has averted the stoppages which have been frequent at many collieries, and a steady output is now being maintained throughout the coal field. It should be mentioned that the percentage of absenteeism after the Easter holiday was probably less than at any previous period in the history of the coal field, and by Thursday outputs were again quite normal. Although considerable stocks still exist, there is now practically no congestion, and shipping is proceeding smoothly and rapidly without the difficulties which have prevailed during the past few weeks. In bituminous coals there is little demand for export, but for inland purposes, there is a steady enquiry, and outputs are not much below the average. No. 3 Rhondda large remains abcut 24s. to 25s., No. 2 20s. 6d. to 21s., and other grades in proportion. There is no change in patent fuel or coke, the latter of which is in increasing demand for munition factories and other works which are under Government control. Pitwood remains scarce and dear, and quotations are steady at about 75s. per ton. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). furnaces and steel works are working at high pressure, and maximum outputs are being offered. Prices are nominal. Iron ore imports have been on a considerably larger scale, and conditions are satisfactory, prices being nominal. The same remark applies to the scrap metal market. Swansea. COAL. A small decrease was shown in the returns of the port last week compared with the preceding week, due in a measure to the Easter holidays. The coal trade continued very quiet. The patent fuel trade was satisfactory, the shipments together amounting to 57,362 tons. A good attendance was present on ’Change, and a few more enquiries resulted, the tonnage outlook being regarded as a little more promising. The market was not influenced. Machine-made French nuts, beans and peas were in good demand, but other qualities were steady. Steams and bunker coals were on the easy side. Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Current L’st week’s j’Last year’s Anthracite:— prices. prices. ! prices. Best malting large (hand picked) 25/ -27/ 26/.-28/ : 23,6-24 9 Secondary do. 22/ -24/ 22/ -25/ ! 18,6-20/ Big Vein Valley large... 20/ -21/ 20/ -22/ : 17.6-19/6 Red Vein large ! 18/ -19/6 19/ -20 6 16/6-17,6 Machine-made cobbles 33/ -35/ 33/ -35/ ' 27/6-30/ Paris nuts — — — French do ! 33/ -35/ 33/ -35/ 28 6 -30/6 Stove do 33/ -35/ 33/ -35/ 27'6-30/ Beans 27/ -28/6 25/ -27/ 31/ -32/6 Machine - made large peas 1 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 22 6-23 6 Do. fine peas ■ _ — — Rubbly culm ! 6/ - 6/6 8,6-9/ 10,6-11/ Duff ! 8/ - 9/ 6/ - 7/ 4/3- 4/6 Steam coals:— Best large 1 23/ -25/ 24/ -25/ 36/ -42 6 Seconds 22/ -22/6 22/ -24/ ' 29/6-33/ Bunker throughs 18/ -20/ 17/6-19/6 : 28/ -35/ Small 9/ -11/ .10/ -15/ ; 16/6-17 6 Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— Large 26/ -27/ 27/ -29/ ! 38/ -45/ Thro’-and-thro’ Small 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 23/6-29/ Patent fuel 28/ -30/ 28/ -30/ ; 38/ —/41 I Current Steam coals :— ' prices. Best Admiralty steam! coals ..............| —* Superior seconds ......j —* Seconds ..............j 24/ -25/ Ordinary steams ......j 23/ -24/ L’st week’s!Last year’s prices. prices. ________ _______ Monmouthshire, South Wales, Newport. COAL. A very steady output is maintained in this district. The men settled down after the holidays with exemplary effectiveness. On account of thd lack of tonnage the export is rather curtailed, and stocks have not been very appre- ciably reduced. Selling is still easy upon quoted rates. Practically there is little change in the market. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. 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— , 14/6-15/ 13/6-14/ 12/ -13/ 9/ -11/ 22/ -23/ 20/ -22/ 22/ -23/ 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ __ i 24/ -25/ I 23/ -24/ j 14/6—15/ I 13/ -14/ i 12/ -13/ 8/6-10/ 22/ -23/ 20/ -22/ 22/ -23/ 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ Llanelly. COAL. Collieries are not working full time owing to the lack of sufficient tonnage to give clearance to orders. The tone of the market is still far from satisfactory, and business under present circumstances difficult to negotiate. Anthracite large qualities are very easy, with more coal offering than buyers can accept, and prices are therefore not firm. Machine-made qualities are, however, strong and in good request, especially beans and peas. The inland demand is active, and a good number of orders passing. The steam coal section is also affected by the tonnage position, and throughs and smalls are weak Large kinds, especially those of the better grades, are strong, with a good inland demand ruling. Manufacturing coals are very firm with no spare supplies offering. This week’s quotations are approximately, as follow :— Prices f.o.b. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. 1 prices. 1 prices. Best Black Vein large... 24/ -25/ ■ 24/ -25/ i 45/ -50/ Western-valleys, ordin’y 24/ -24/6 23/ -24/ . 45/ -47/6 Best Eastern-valleys.... 23/ -24/ : 22/ -23/ i 42/6-45/ Secondary do. 21/ -22/ ; 21/ -22/ 1 41/ -42/6 Best small coals 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 22/ -24/ Secondary do 11/ -13/6 . 10/ —12/6 18/ -20/ Inferior do 9/ -10/6 8/6-9/ 15/ -18/ Screenings 14/6-16/ 16/ -17/ 23/ -24/ Through coals 20/ -21/6 20/ -21/ 26/ -28/ Best washed nuts — — 31/ -32/6 Other sorts:— Best house coal, at pit .. 25/ -26/ 24/6-25/6 23/ -24/ Secondary do. do. ... 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 221 -23/ Patent fuel 27/ -30/ 27/ -30/ 42/6-44/ Furnace coke * 45/ -47/6 Foundry coke 55/ -60/ Black Veins ........i 24/ -25/ Western-valleys ....! 23/ -24/ .... Eastern-valleys ...' 22/ -23/ Inferior do........! 20/6-22/ Bituminous coals :— | Best house coals (at pit) | 25/6-26/6 Second qualities (at pit)! 23/6-24/6 No. 3 Rhondda— i Bituminous large....; 24/ -25/ Through-and-through 21/6—22/ Small __.............! 19/ -20/ No. 2 Rhondda— ! 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 20/ -22/ 25/6-26/6 ' 23/6-24/6 24/ -25/ 21/6-22/ 19/ -20/ I 48/ -50/ I 45/ -47/6 I 27/ -28/ ! 23/ -25/ I 19/ -22/ I 17/ -18/ | 42/6-45/ ! 37/6-40/ 31/ -32/6 28/ -30/ 29/ -30/ 26/ -28/ 20/ -22/ 45/ -47/6 45/ -47/ 42/6-45/ 40/ -42/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/6 I 45/ -50/ i 36/ -38/ I 29/ -30/ Anthracite:— Best malting large .. Secondary do. ....... Big Vein large....... Red Vein do.......... Machine-made cobbles... Stove 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 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. ; prices. 24/6-26/6 , 24/6-26/6 24/6-26,6 22/6-23/6 22/6-23/6 20,6-22,6 19/9-21/ ! 19/9-21/ : 18/ -19/ 18/3-19/6 ! 18/3-19/6 / 16/6-17,6 33/ -35/ ! 33/ -35/ ! 30/ -32/ 32/6-34/6 I 32/6-34/6 30/ -32/ 33/ -35/ ; 33/ -35/ ; 30/ -32/ 33/ -35/ ! 33/ -35/ : 30/ -32/ 26/6-28/ ! 26/ -27/6 ! 30/ -32/ 20/ -22/ I 20/ —22/ I 21/ -23/ 8/6- 9/ ) 8/6- 9/ i 10/6-11/ 6/ - 6/6 ! 6/ - 6/6 > 4/ - 4/6 ! I 23/ -24/6 ! 23/ -24,6 ! 37/6-41,6 18/ -20/ I 18/ -20/ | 28/ -35/ 8/6-11/ j 8/6-11/ j 16/6-17/6 16/ -18/6 I 16/ -18/6 | 25/ -28/ Large_____.............J 20/6-21/ ! 20/ -21/ ! 38/ -40/ Through-and-through' 17/ -17/6 i 16/6-17/6 1 32/ —33/ Small ...........;...; 13/ -13/6 ; 12/6-13/6 [ 22/ —23/ Best patent fuel .....,...! 28/ -30/ ! 28/ -30/ ! 45/ -47/6 Seconds ................/ -27/ -28/ | 27/ -28/ | 43/ -45/ Special foundry coke ....! 62/6—65/ ; 62/6-65/ j 60/ —65/ Ordinary do. .........i 50/ -55/ ; 50/ —55/ ! 55/ -60/ Furnace coke ..........i 45/ —47/6 45/ -47/6 ( 42/6-4/ (6 Pitw.ood (ex-ship) ......| 75/ ; 75/ ! 36/ -38/ * Nominal. * Nominal. IRON. No change has occurred in the iron market. Everywhere the best terms are in evidence, with a very large output. The tin-plate trade is fluctuating rather, to the benefit of the market. Cardiff. COAL. During the last few days tonnage has been coming along more freely, but whether this is due to the fact that the rates for neutral vessels are unrestricted, is a moot point. Chartering has been on a more extensive scale than for some time past, and last week amounted to 42,350 tons, compared with 20,750 tons in the preceding six days. This has relieved the pressure to some extent, but it is yet early to predict what effect the lifting of the embargo will have on ordinary commercial business with neutral countries in the immediate future. Up to the present all available tonnage has been snapped up in order to make good the IRON. Owing to the holidays, production of tin-plates was on a very small basis, the quantity received from works being only 5,968 boxes, compared with 46,241 boxes in the corres- ponding week of last year. Shipments were 8,253 boxes, against 51,927 boxes last year, and existing stocks are now only 200,828 boxes, against 314,506 boxes a year ago. It is reported that a scheme has been prepared for a free trade in washers and oddments, and standard sizes of the former are now realising as much as the plates which are supplied in Class A and B, certificates, namely, 27s. 6d. per box. Other sizes are in proportion. The further restriction of tin- plate bars has not yet come into operation, but it is believed that a number of mills will have to close down when the new regulation is in force. The combing-out process is being gradually proceeded with, and employment is being found in the steel works for the men who are being displaced by the curtailment of the tin-plate trade. In the galvanised sheet trade the/e is no alteration, and prices continue nominal. All blast _________________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The tar market in London and the pro- vinces remains quiet, and prices are unaltered. Transac- tions in pitch in London are reported at 32s. 6d. per ton net at makers’ works. The controlled prices of carbolic acid 60’s, toluene, and benzene are unchanged, and solvent naphtha is quoted as before. For creosote, of which the stocks are small, makers quote 4yd. (average) net per gallon in bulk. Current quotations at gas works in the provinces are as follow : Coal tar, 20s. 3d. to 24s. 3d. Pitch, east coast, 16s. 6d. to 17s. 6d.; and west coast, 15s. 6d. to 17s. (Clyde, 17s. to 18s.). Benzol, 90 per cent., north, lO^d. to ll^d.; ditto, 50-90 per cent, naked, north, Is. 3d. to Is. 4d. Toluol, naked, north, 2s. 3d. Coal tar crude naphtha in bulk, north, is quoted 10^d. to ll^d.; and solvent naphtha, naked, north, Is. 8d. to Is. 9d. Heavy naphtha, north, is Is. 2d. to Is. 3d. For creosote in bulk, north, sellers ask 3^d. to 3|d. Carbolic acid, 60 per cent., east and west coasts, 3s. 4d. naked. Sulphate of Ammoma. — The demand is quieter among agriculturists, although considerable supplies are still required in some quarters. _________________________ The Low Moor Coal and Iron Company, it is reported, comes under the control of a new board of directors, of which Mr. R. W. Wickham is the chairman, and he will also continue in the position of managing director of the company. As co-directors, there are Sir J. S. Harmood- Banner, M.P. (chairman of Pearson and Knowles Coal and Iron Company Limited), Mr. H. E. Carter (director of the Darlington Forge Company Limited), Mr. R. Miller (Hoare, Miller and Company, merchants, London), and Mr. S. S. Somers (Walter Somers and Company Limited, Haywood Forge).