May 4, 1917. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 861 are disinclined to make any concession below limitation rates. In some cases, however, sellers have taken rather less in order to avail themselves of the opportunities offered for prompt shipment, but all bargains are more or less of an individual character according to the circum- stances of the parties. Monmouthshire coals have advanced in relative proportion, the principal feature of this section being the small difference between Black Veins and Eastern Valley coals. In normal times there is as much as 3s. difference, but at the present moment it seems to matter little what description is supplied so long as a cargo can be obtained, and the rates are almost equal. In the small coal market there has also been an increased demand, and many holders are pressing for the limitation rates of 20s. .per ton. Current quotations, however, are rather below these figures, and range between 18s. and 20s., with other grades in proportion. Whilst dealing with small coal it may be of interest to mention that the Miners’ Federation are urging the importance of raising all small coal to the surface instead of utilising it for stowing purposes in the workings, and this is a question which is bound to loom large in the near future. With prices approximating 20s. a ton it would appear to be an extravagant waste of material to use it for gobbing the worked-out seams, and there is little doubt that some method will be adopted whereby the cubic capacity extracted will be replaced by other materials at infinitely less cost. This problem becomes all the more important in view of the labour- saving devices now being employed for the utilisation of coal dust, and even sump “ slurry ” for the manufacture of coke. An experimental plant has already been erected at an important colliery, and the simple process of washing has resulted in the reclamation of many tons per day of material which produces the finest coke, which formerly went down the river as waste. In sympathy with the advance in Cardiff steam coals, there has been an improve- ment in the bituminous section, but little of this is being exported owing to the great demand for tonnage for other descriptions. No. 3 Rhondda large, however, is now 28s. to 30s., No. 2, 25s. to 26s., and other grades in proportion. Patent fuel is rather firmer, consequent on the higher prices realised for small coal, best grades being 30s. to 31s., and other qualities 28s. to 30s. Pitwood has been arriving rather more freely, but, in view of the existing shortage, it has come to a ready market, and merchants have had no difficulty in securing 75s. per ton. With regard to the supply of home-grown pitwood, to which reference has been made on a previous occasion, it is reported that middlemen have refused to supply at the Association price of 55s. per ton, and matters are at present at a deadlock. The only other matter of importance at the moment is the question of the miners* wages. The South Wales Federation have recommended the Miners* Federation of Great Britain to apply for a general advance owing to the increased cost of living, and this is a subject which will be considered in the future. On the other hand, the owners contemplated making application for a substantial reduction owing to the increased cost of labour, materials, and working. Before putting in a formal demand, however, they con- sulted the Coal Controller, who replied that it was not opportune to discuss reductions of wages at the present moment. There the matter rests, and in these circum- stances it is probable that the claims of the men for a further increase will not be proceeded with. There are no facts or figures available for the purpose of comparing existing outputs with those of the corresponding period of last year. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. prices. 1 Best Admiralty steam i coals * * Superior seconds * # * Seconds 29/ -30/ 26/6-27/6 52/ -53/ Ordinary steams 28/ -29/ 25/ -26/ 50/ -51/ Best bunker smalls 18/ -20/ 16/6-17/ 31/ -32/ Best ordinaries 17/ -18/ 15/ -16/ 28/ -30/ Cargo qualities 15/ -16/ 12/ -14/ 22/ -26/ Inferior smalls 10/ -14/ 9/ -11/ 20/ -22/ Best dry coals 28/6-29/6 26/ -28/ 48/ -50/ Ordinary drys 27/ -28/ 23/ -25/’ 45/ -47/ Best washed nuts 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 36/ -40/ Seconds 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 33/ -36/ Best washed peas 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 33/ —35/ Seconds 22/ -23/ 21/ -22/ 30/ -32/6 Dock screenings 25/ -27/ Monmouthshire— Black Veins 29/ -30/ 27/ -27/6 52/ -53/ Western-valleys 28/ -30/ 26/ -27/ 52/ -52/6 Eastern-valleys 27/ -28/ 25/ -26/ 49/ —50/ Inferior do 25/ -27/ 24/ -25/ 47/6-48/6 Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) 25/6-26/6 25/6-26/6 23/ -24/ Second qualities (at pit) 23/6-24/6 I 24/6-25/6 22/6-23/ No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large 28/ -30/ 24/6-25/6 50/ -52/6 Through-and-through 23/6-25/6 21/6-22/6 42/6-45/ Small 19/ -21/ 18/ -20/ 33/ -35/ No. 2 Rhondda— TiA.rP*e 25/ -26/ 22/6-23/6 42/6-45/ JJCV-L g V? Through-and-through 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 35/ -37/6 Small 17/ -18/ 13/ -14/ 26/ -27/6 Pact nntent fuel 29/ -31/ 28/ -30/ 47/6-50/ 28/ -30/ 27/ -28/ 45/ -47/6 Special foundry coke — 62/6-65/ 62/6-65/ Ordinary do. 47/6f;70/X 50/ -55/ 60/ -62/6 PnrnAPR Coke 65/ 45/ -47/6 50/ -52/6 jn LilL1CLVO vv/aw* ••• •«♦•••••••• Pitwood (ex-ship) 75/ 75/ 32/ -33/ * Nominal, t Allied. J Neutral. IRON. There is little change to report in the position of the tin- plate trade, the only item of interest being a resolution on the part of the men to apply for an increase of the war bonus of 30 per cent., and a provision for increased wages on a sliding scale following increases in the cost of living. Men are being combed-out, and transferred to various steel works throughout the country where labour is much required. The scheme is being worked by a joint committee, and is reported to be progressing satisfactorily, although the methods of doing business are slow. The advance m the price of tin has had a stimulating effect on quotations and makers are now demanding anything between 28s. and 30s per box for standard sizes, with other grades in pro- portion. Makers appear to be well supplied with orders, but they are reluctant to negotiate very far ahead, owing to the uncertainty of labour and raw material markets. Exports of tin-plates last month were only 16,881 tons, compared with 39,482 tons in the corresponding period of last year, but the value was .£501,000 against £847,858. In the galvanised sheet trade there was no improvement, the total exports during last month being less than 2,000 tons, compared with 13,866 tons a year ago, and 29,669 tons in April 1915. There has also been a big falling off in the manufacture of black plates, which only amounted to 1,394 tons, against 17,808 tons in the corresponding period. Prices are nominal. Spelter is rather easier at £54 down to £50 for future deliveries. All steel works and blast- furnaces are working at high pressure, and there is no alteration in the position. Prices are nominal. Swansea. COAL. The trade of the port last week showed an improvement on the previous week. The coal trade was in a state of suspension, but there was a good export of patent fuel, the shipments together amounting to 65,262 tons. A good attendance assembled on 'Change, and last week’s improve- ment in the anthracite market was maintained. Anthracite large and duff, however, was still in poor request. Steam coals were busier, and bunkers were in better demand. Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Current L'st week’stast year's Anthracite:— prices. prices. ! prices. Best malting large (hand picked) 25/ -26/ ■ 25/ -27/ i 27/ -30/ Secondary do. 22/6—24/ 22/ -24/ ' 24/ -26/ Big Vein Valley large... 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ ! 20'6-23/6 Red Vein large 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 i 20/ -25/ Machine-made cobbles 33/ —35/ 33/ —35/ i 31/6-34/ Paris nuts - French do 33/ -35/ 33/ -35/ : 32,6-34/6 Stove do 33/ -35/ 33/ -35/ -! 32/ -34/ Beans 26/6-28/6 27/ -28/6 ! 31/ -32/6 Machine - made large peas 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 22/6-23/6 Do. fine peas — — i — Rubbly culm S/6-9/6 8/ - 9/ i 12/6-14/ Duff 5/3- 5/9 6/ - 6/6 4/3- 4/6 Steam coals:— i Best large 25/ -28/ 25/ -26/ 37/ -44/6 Seconds 22/ -23/ 23/ -24/ 30/ -34/ Bunker throughs 18/6-21/ 18/ -20/ i 32/6-37/6 Small 9/ -11/ 9/ -11/ j 17/6-19/ Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— Large 26/ -28/ 26/ -27/ ! 40/6-47/ Thro'-and-thro' Small 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 1 23/6-29/ Patent fuel 28/ -30/ 28/ -30/ j 38/ —/41 Llanelly. COAL. The tone of the market was generally firmer, and for most qualities sellers were enabled to keep prices rigid. Anthracite large sorts were a weak spot, and enquiries were far from satisfactory. Prices inclined to be easy. Buyers of lots for prompt clearance of wagons were able to get reduced figures in many cases. The machine-made kinds were generally in good request, and prices fully main- tained. Culm was steady, but duff inclined to be irregular. The steam coal section of the market had a much improved tone, and large kinds were a good market with prices firm. Throughs and smalls were also steady, and the prices of the latter quality had an upward tendency. Manufacturing coals were unchanged, and as local works were practically taking all supplies offering, “ spare ” parcels were difficult to obtain. Prices f.o.b. Current Anthracite:— prices. Best malting large .. 24/ -25/6 Secondary do....... 22/ -23/ Big Vein large.....>19/9—21/ Red Vein do.......<18/3-19/6 Machine-made cobbles... 33/6-36/ Stove nuts........... 33/ —35/6 French do............i 33/ -36/ Paris do.............33/ -36/ Machine-made beans ..J 26/6-28/6 Do. peas.........i 20/ -22/ Culm ................■ 9/3- 9/9 Duff.................I 5/3- 5/6 Other sorts :— | Large steam coal.....! 25/ -26/6 Through-and-through...! 18/6—21/6 Small .............. j 9/ -12/ Bituminous small coal... J 18/6-20/6 L'st week's Last year’s prices. prices. 24/6-26/ 28/ -30/ 22/3-23/6.24/ -26/ 19/9-21/ 21/6-24/6 18/3-19/6 22/ -25/ 33/ -36/ 32/ —34/ 32/6-34/6 32/ -34/ 33/ —35/ ; 32/6—34/6 33/ -35/ . 32/6-34/ 26/6-28/ ; 31/6-33(6 20/ —22/ i 21/6-23/6 9/ - 9/6 j 13/6-14/6 5/3- 5/9 4/ - 4/6 23/ -24/6 18/ -21/ 8/6—11/ 16/ -18/6 38/6-44(6 32/6-38/6 17/6-19/6 25/6-29/6 Recruiting and Protected Occupations.—On May 1 a new schedule of protected occupations for men employed on Admiralty (including merchant shipping), War Office or munitions work, or in railway workshops, came into force, by which recruiting from the scheduled occupations will be controlled. All classes of coke oven men, of all ages, except unskilled men, are protected; and the same applies to shale mining and shale oil works; as also to the mining and working-up of refractory materials. The manufacture of tubes and tube fittings is in the same category. Carters, lorrymen and draymen (horse or power) in the- employ- ment of firms engaged in the industries dealt with in the schedule are protected at 27 years of age. Mining Examination Fees. — Under an Order of the Secretary of State, dated April 11, 1917, the Order made on December 22, 1914, fixing the fees to be paid by appli- cants for certificates of competency as manager or under- manager, or of qualification as a surveyor, has been revoked, and the fees to be paid by applicants for certi- ficates of competency as manager or under-manager will now be—in the case of a first-class certificate, 2 gs.; in the case of a second-class certificate, 1 g. Provided that, in the case of applicants who, in pursuance of No. 2 of the Rules made by the Board for Mining Examinations on January 24, 1917 (as to the qualifications of applicants for first- and second-class certificates of competency who have served in any of H.M. Forces for the purposes of the pi esent war for a period of at least one year, and who before such service had had practical experience in mining), take the subjects of examination in groups, the fees shall be as follow: For admission to examination or re-ex amination m any group, in the cast of a first-class certificate, 14s.; and in the case of a second-class certificate, 7s. The fee to be paid by an applicant for a certificate from the Board for Mining Examinations of qualification as a surveyor shall be one guinea. THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, May 3. Trade is gradually emerging from the extreme pressure for want of house coal, and the milder weather has con- siderably lessened the immediate need for the various qualities of household fuel. The attendance on the market continues good, and special attention is now given to back orders. . The supply of coal is much below the normal, but most of the collieries are well supplied with empties, and a steady output is the result. Very little free coal is on the market, and colliery representatives are compelled to decline all orders except contract quantities. The over-- plus of' empties blocking up the colliery sidings has come as a surprise to a number of the traders, for it was confi- dently asserted that the withdrawal of so many of the railway wagons for the war zone would necessitate a con- tinued scarcity of rolling stock, and fears were enter- tained that throughout the whole of the summer months the shortage would involve a considerable diminution in the output. Many of the London depots report a better tonnage coming forward, but the demand is still strong, owing to the mass of orders still remaining unexecuted. The domestic consumption is easier since the mild weather has set in, and urgent endeavours are now noticeable to build up the depleted stocks at the various wharves and depots. Steam coals are very firm, and small nuts for manufacturing purposes are in strong demand. Slacks also are moving freely. The freight market is still suffer- ing from scarcity of tonnage. Orders are numerous, and considerable pressure is noticeable both at the Tyne and Humber ports. Chartering is very quiet, and the rate to London is still quoted at 20s. per ton. Sixty-one cargoes were reported in the River Thames for Monday’s market, and five for Wednesday, but all were contract coals. The bulk of the arrivals were gas coals. South Yorkshire hards are quoted at 28s. to 29s. per ton f.o.b., and in more than one case even 30s. has been secured for prompt delivery. Derbyshire hards are quoted at 28s. An extra tonnage in gas coal is coming forward at contract rates. The new scheme for bringing coal to London by means of the canals has created a good deal of interest on the London market. The two barges loaded with Cannock coals which have been brought to Messrs. Thorpe, Head and Company’s wharf at King’s Cross were a great success. The journey of 140 miles was accomplished without a stop, and it is understood that a regular supply of barges will shortly be arranged. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Company’s Report. Friday, April 27.—There was no alteration in the sea- borne house coal market, which remained firm, but nothing on offer. Cargoes, 16. Monday, April 30.—The seaborne house coal market was again without alteration. Although there was a large arrival of colliers, no cargoes were offered for sale. Cargoes, 61. Wednesday, May 2. — The change to much milder weather caused an easier tone in the seaborne house coal market, but no cargoes were on offer. Cargoes, 5. . THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, May 3. Dublin. With the exception of a slight falling off on household account, business is good all round, and there is no change in prices of any of the qualities. At a meeting of the Transport Workers' Union last week a demand was made for an increase of 6s. in wages, which it is expected will end in another strike, and this will prevent any immediate downward movement in prices. Current quotations are as follow:-Best Orrell, 41s. per ton net; Yorkshire brights, 43s. ; best Wigan, 42s.; best slack, 36s.; house coal, retail, 2s. lOd. to 3s. per sack of 10 st.; steam coal, from about 40s. per ton; best coke, 44s. per ton. Irish coals from the Wolfhill Collieries, Queen’s County, are: Malting coal, 46s.; lime culm, 16s.; fine culm, 12s. per ton—all f.o.r. Athy, the nearest railway connection with the mines. The coal vessels arriving in the port during the past week amounted to 55, as compared with 81 the week previously, the total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays being 20,000 tons, as against 30,000 tons in the previous week. At a recent meeting of the Urlingford Board of Guardians, a resolution was adopted urging the necessity for a railway connection between the Castlecomer collieries and the main line. It is stated that a seam of coal has been discovered at Roxborough, near Loughrea. Belfast. Stocks of English house coal are still much below the average, and supplies difficult to obtain. Prices of house- hold coals are as follow:—Best Arley, 43s. 6d. per ton; Orrell nuts, 42s. 6d.; English house, 41s. 6d.; Scotch, 39s. 6d.; Orrell slack, 39s. 6d. Coke continues to be very scarce, and much firmer, approximate prices ranging from about 40s. to 48s. per ton. Irish coal at Craigahulliar, Portrush, co. Antrim, is 17s. per ton locally, and 30s. per ton delivered in Belfast, the price at the pithead being 14s. per ton. An advance in freights is expected at an early date. THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market is in a steady condition, and pitch shows particular firmness. London quotations average 35s. to 36s. net per ton f.o.b. makers’ works. The general range of prices is unaltered. In the provinces, gas works coal tar is quoted at 20s. 3d. to 24s. 3d.; pitch (east coast) 16s. 6d. to 17s. 6d. per ton, and Liverpool 16s. 6d. to 17s.; benzol, 90 per cent, north, 10J>d. to ll^d.; 50 to 90 per cent, naked, north, Is. 3d. to Is. 4d.; toluol, naked, north, 2s. 3d.; coal tar crude naphtha, in bulk, north, 6^d. to 6^d.; solvent naphtha, naked, north, Is. 8d. to Is. 9d.; heavy naphtha, north, Is. 2d. to Is. 3d.; creosote, in bulk, north, 3^d. to 3^d.; and heavy oils, in bulk, north, 3^d. to 4d. Carbolic acid, 60 per cent, naked, is 3s. 4d., east and west coasts; and naphthalene salts are offered at 80s., including bags. Sulphate of Ammonia.—Not much is being done in sulphate of ammonia for agricultural purposes, owing to the advance of the season. The official prices remain in force. Nitrate of soda has increased in price to 24s. 6d. per cwt. ordinary, and 24s. 9d. refined. Miners and Food Rationing. — The executive of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain, meeting at the Imperial Hotel, London, on Wednesday, under the presi- dency of Mr. R. Smillie, decided to call a national con- ference of the coal mining industry for May 17, to consider the compulsory rationing of food.