336 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 15, 1918. both men and horses. Some discharged soldiers may be available in connection with the local scheme for supplying the poorer people, and this is being considered in relation to horses and vehicles as well as men. All industrial fuels are going into prompt consumption, and preference is given to works engaged on national requirements. Good class slacks are difficult to get but there is not shortage to the extent of anybody being without supplies. There are, however, no stocks to speak of. IRON. The Wages Board returns for November and December, which were a week late in making their appearance, were awaited with considerable interest owing to their effect on wages. The average net selling price of .£15 10s. is an advance of 2s. lOd. a ton on the preceding two months, and is sufficient to carry a 21 per cent, on wages. In addition, the Minister of Munitions has sanctioned the addition of 25s. per ton to the ascertainment as the equivalent of the subsidies on pig iron and finished iron. This means 12 per cent, advance on the base rates to tonnage workers and others whose wages are regulated by the sliding scale, and brings the puddling rate, with the bonus of 6d. a ton agreed on some years ago, up to the phenomenal figure of 19s. 6d. The output of the 17 firms whose returns regulate wages was 31,034 tons, a drop of 429 tons compared with the preceding two months, and due almost entirely to the smaller production of bars. The total of 21,249 tons, however, represents fully 68 per cent, of the whole. The effect of the increased wages will probably be seen in enhanced prices for material unfettered by Government control. Makers of puddled bars say the recent quotation of £12 15s. leaves no margin of profit, and some advance on <£14 10s. for nut and bolt iron may be looked for. Small iron is sold, in the main, for Class A work only, and the price is maintained on the basis of .£17 10s. for three-eighths sizes. There is no change in the pig iron market. Sales are made at a steady rate, and a fair quantity of high silicon iron, known as off iron, is being sold. It is the produce of the basic furnace, and although not used for steel making, it fetches the same price as basic iron, namely, 97s. 6d. Sales of foundry iron, particularly Derbyshire, are restricted to relatively small lots, and there is a keen enquiry for the better classes of cast iron scrap to eke out supplies of pigs. The situation in the steel branches is unrelieved. Some American wire rods are coming against old contracts, but no new contracts seem to be entered into for near delivery. Ferro-manganese has risen by 30s. a ton, to £26 10s., a price never known before. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The house coal trade of this district is in much the same condition as reported for some time past. Orders are coming freely to hand, and outputs are disposed of without any difficulty. It is impossible to keep any stock at the pit banks or in truck at the local docks. Shipments have been less this week, owing to the vessels being delayed by bad weather. The usual quantities are going to the inland districts. All qualities of steam and manufacturing fuel continue in heavy request. Prices at pithead. House coals:— Block Forest Rubble Nuts Bough slack ........... Steam coal:— Li&rge .»................ Small ................. Large ... Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. <24/ 26/ 26/ >23/ 123/3 (.21/6 15/6 15/6 13/ 22/6-23/6 22/6-23/6 20/ -21/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 16/ Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. Messrs. Wade and Son report a normal demand for house and steam coal. The Midland supplies of house coal are still very short, but the slower burning qualities are obtainable. Plymouth business circles have lost from their ranks a very prominent member, through the regrettable death of Mr. George F. Treleaven, at the age of 68. THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products. — The market changes this week again favour sellers, but the alterations affect only two or three of the products. Pitch and tar are unaltered and firm. The requirements for shipping and railways are very exten- sive, a good many arrears supplementing the usual demand, and consequently it is a question how far licences for tar in other directions will be granted. No chartering business in pitch has come under notice. Liverpool and Man- chester quotations remain conspicuously low if transport charges and other incidental costs to be paid by the pro- ducer are omitted from consideration. The position for holders is an improving one. Last week’s creosote price in the North, 3|d. to 4d., is now firm at the higher figure. Heavy oil is stronger in the same way at I^d. Naphthalene is going well, and solvent naphtha could reach a higher figure if sellers desired. Aniline oil has advanced to Is. 4d. in the London market this week. No other salient move- ment is reported. Current quotations are appended :— Crude tar : London, 32s. 6d. to 35s. ; Midlands, 26s. to 28s. ; North, 28s. to 29s. per ton ex gas works. Pitch: London, 50s.; East Coast, 25s. to 30s. f.o.b.; Liverpool, 22s.; West Coast, 23s. to 24s. f.a.s. Solvent naphtha: Naked, London, 90-190 per cent., 3s. to 3s. 3d.; North, 2s. 9d. to 3s.; 90-160 per cent, naked, London, 4s. 3d. to 4s. 6d.; North, 4s. to 4s. 3d. Crude naphtha: Naked, 30 per cent., 8^d. to 8^d.; North, 7|d. to 8|d. Refined naphthalene, £32 10s. to £35; salts, 80s. Toluol : Naked, London, 2s. 4d.; North, 2s. 3d. Creosote: Naked, London, 4^d.; North, 4d. (Government price equal to 4fd. per gallon f.o.r.). Heavy oil, 4^d. ; liquid, 4^d. to 4|d. Carbolic acid : Crude, 60 per cent, east coast and west coast, 3s. 4d. ; crystals, 39-40, Is. 3d. Cresylic : Casks, 95 per cent., 2s. lOd. ; 97-99 per cent., 3s. ex works London, and f.o.b. other ports. Anthracene, 40-45 A, 4^d. ; 48-50 B, 2d. to 2^d. Aniline oil, Is. 4d., casks free; salts, Is. Id., drums free. Sulphate of Ammonia.—Home trade, February-May, <£16 7s. 6d., delivered net cash, or 10s. less at works. Export nominal. <£25. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, February 14. Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. Following rather heavier shipments in the previous week, the current week has been stagnant in the local coal trade. There was a disappointing arrival of tonnage in the first few days, with the result that stocks greatly accumulated and colliery stoppages became more frequent and of longer duration. Wagons w'ere held up in very large numbers. House coal has become a little easier in the market, mild- ness of weather having rather weakened the demand. There has been no change in the demand for gas coal, which has exceeded the supply. Small coal has again been very slug- gish with heavy stocks, and inferior large has dropped. There has been no change in the market position of cokes and patent fuel. The question of the proposed five days working week has received a good deal of attention during the week. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. 1 Current L’st week’s I Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Black Vein large... 32/6 32/6 | 24/ -25/ Western-valleys, ordin’y 31/6 31/6 1 23/ -24/ Best Eastern-valleys ... 31/6 31/6 ; 22/ -23/ Secondary do. 30/6 30/6 21/ -22/ Best small coals 23/6 23/6 1 16/ -17/6 Secondary do 22/6 22/6 ; 11/ -15/6 20/6 20/6 7/6- 9/6 Screenings ' 25/6 25/6 ! 17/ Through coals 29/6 29/6 | 20/ -21/ Best washed nuts 32/6 32/6 Other sorts:— Best house coal, at pit... 35/6 35/6 24/6-25/6 Secondary do. do. ... 33/3 33/3 ; 21/ -22/6 Patent fuel 32/6 32/6 30/ -32/6 Furnace coke 47/6 47/6 1 47/6-52/6 Foundry coke 47/6 47/6 ; 57/ -60/ IRON. All the iron and steel works of the district are working full time and are increasing their output, which is chiefly on Government account. Prices are purely nominal. The report which has received wide publicity that Messrs. John Lysaght Limited, are about to start a branch of their galvanising iron making in Australia, is declared by Mr. Lysaght, the head of the firm at Newport, to be altogether premature. Such a step, however, has about it all the elements of probability and of commercial prudence. The firm has saved enormous sums of money in railway freightage by the removal of their mills from the Midlands to Newport, and it seems quite likely that they have worked out the respective costs of the freight of their goods from this country to their markets in Australia on the one hand and of setting up works in the Antipodes on the other hand. Pitwood arrivals have been restricted. The price remains at 65s. for best French fir. Cardiff. COAL. The principal item of interest this week is the discussion on the proposed new allocation rules. Where a particular exporter has enjoyed the exclusive business of a particular importer, it is recommended that the relations should be undisturbed. Where the business has been divided between two or more firms, or between “groupments” as a combina- tion may be described, the local committee will be empowered to see that the business is equitably propor- tioned on the basis of past operations, and where it is a case of new business altogether, the committee shall decide the allocation. The attempt made several months ago for the pooling of the French business was defeated by an over- whelming majority, and it is considered that the present allocation proposals is an effort to obtain the same end by other means. It is complained in many quarters that the limitation scheme of the summer of 1916 had the effect of depriving some exporters of much business which had taken years to consolidate, and it is a fact that to-day there are many merchants who hold little or nothing of the French custom which they enjoyed in pre-war times. By the pro- visions of the new allocation scheme it is hoped that much Cardiff Prices f.o.b. (except where otherwise stated), plus 2s. 6d. per ton, except for shipments to France and Italy._________. Steam coals:— Current prices. Best Admiralty steam coals 35/6 Superior seconds 34/ Seconds 33/3 Ordinary 32/6 Steam smalls No. 1 24/ Do. 2 23/6 Do. 3 23/ Do. 4 22/6 . Do. 5 22/ Do. 6 21/6 Do. 7 21/ Do. 8 20/6 Best dry coals 32/6 Ordinary drys 31/ Best washed nuts 32/6 Seconds 31/ Best washed peas 30/ Seconds 29/ Monmouthshire— jL’st week’s j prices. Last year’s prices. 35/6 34/ | * 33/3 ! 24/ -25/ 32/6 j 23/ -24/ 24/ 1 23/6 j j 16/ -17/ 23/ j 22/6 j j 15/ -16/ ' 22/ 5 21/6 j i 12/ -15/ j 21/ > 20/6 ] 10/ -12/ 32/6 24/ -25/ 31/ 22/ -23/ 32/6 25/ -26/ 31/ 24/ -25/ 30/ 23/ -24/ 29/ 22/ -23/ 32/6 24/ -25/ 31/6 23/ -24/ 31/6 22/ -23/6 30/6 22/ -22/6 35/6 25/6-26/6 33/3 23/6-24/6 1 33/3 25/ -26/ 18/ -20/ | 28/6 29/6 22/ -23/ 1 24/6-26/ 18/ -20/ 1 19/6-21/6 15/ -17/ 32/6 ’ 31/ -32/6 ' 32/6 30/ -31/ 50/ 62/6-65/ ' 50/ 55/ -57/6 i 50/ 47/6-52/6 65/ 65/ -70/ Black Veins ........; 32/6 Western-valleys ....! 31/6 Eastern-valleys ....’ 31/6 Inferior do......... 30/6 Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) 35/6 Second qualities (at pit) 33/3 No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large 33/3 Small 28/6 No. 2 Rhondda— Large ■ 29/6 Through-and-through' 24/6-26/ Small j 19/6-21/6 Best patent fuel 32/6 Seconds • 32/6 Special foundry coke 50/ Ordinary do. 50/ Furnace coke ; 50/ Pitwood (ex-ship) j 65/ Nominal. of this business, which has drifted into other quarters, will be regained, and that all firms will have an equal oppor- tunity. So far as the general market position is concerned, there is little change in the conditions. Over the week-end boisterous weather prevailed, and tonnage arrivals were interfered with. As a result numerous stoppages were reported. By Wednesday morning the position had improved, and though stocks continued excessive, and there was a great scarcity of wagons, work at the collieries was proceeding with more or less regularity. Chartering showed a better tendency, but this week business is again slow. Ample supplies of all descriptions are available, with the exception of gas producing qualities, for which the demand continues very strong. For household kinds there has been a falling off, due probably to the mild weather, and coke is rather easier, owing to the diversion of French orders to other districts. Fuel makers continue busy. In pitwood there is no appreciable change in the position. IRON. Shipments of tin-plates have been well maintained, and are nearly 9,000 boxes in excess of production. Export last week amounted to 29,367 boxes, whereas receipts from works only totalled 20,124 boxes, against 30,849 boxes a week before, and 33,149 boxes at the corresponding period of last year. Stocks, therefore, had been reduced to 166,476 boxes, against 175,719 boxes the previous week, and 207,859 boxes a year ago. During the past week a considerable advance has taken place in the price of tin, and another record figure has been established, Current quotations are now on the basis of £311 10s. to £312 for cash, and £307 10s. for three months. This means a further rise in the price of Bessemer standard cokes on the sliding scale basis, with other sizes in proportion. Whilst maximum prices are the general rule, in some instances where makers had not been so favourably situated with regard to orders, slightly lower rates have been accepted. The deliveries of steel bars were interfered with by the strike of bricklayers, but this has I now been settled, and it is hoped that no further complica- tions will ensue. An application by blastfurnacemen throughout South Wales for an increased war bonus has been referred to the Committee on Production, and the award is expected shortly. Iron ore imports continue satisfactory, and the blastfurnaces are now again working at high pressure. The same remark applies to the rolling mills, and other departments where constructional steel is in great demand. All quotations are nominal. In the galvanised sheet trade there is no change, and the same condition prevails in scrap metals. Swansea. COAL. The trade of the port during the past week was not quite so favourable compared with the previous period, both the coal and patent fuel trades being dependent on the tonnage available ; the shipments together amounted to 66,866 tons. There was a good attendance on ’Change, but no material alteration in the general conditions of the anthracite coal market. Large was freely offered for immediate delivery, but little business was done. Of the machine-made sizes beans were steady. There were no enquiries for rubbly culm and duff. Steam coal conditions were stationary. Llanelly. COAL. The position of the local market is not satisfactory, and through the shortage of facilities for clearance collieries are still having many idle days. Wagons are very scarce, and this is also interfering with deliveries, and consumers are much inconvenienced by the delay in getting forward some qualities. Stocks of several grades are excessive, and the outlook for clearing same is not promising. In anthra- cite kinds large is offering freely, and buyers for anything like prompt shipment have no difficulty in placing their orders. There is a steady inland demand for Red Vein qualities. Cobbles are also available for early business, and nuts are not very active. Peas are still slow, and stocks'are not lower than last reported. Culm and duff both lack enquiry, and there are heavy stocks standing in trucks and on colliery banks. Steam coals show no improvement, and the demand is still much below the requirements of the market. Large kinds are in steady demand for inland business, but shipment orders are not active. Throughs are irregular, and buyers have no difficulty in securing ready supplies. Smalls are very easy, and offering freely. The lower grades are in poor demand, with excessive stocks standing. There is a steady demand for both bituminous and gas coals. Prices f.o.b. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Best malting anthracite... prices. 30/ prices. 30/ prices. 28/ -30/ 26/6-27/6 Seconds 29/ 29/ Thirds 27/6 27/6 25/6 — Red Vein large 25/6 22/ -23/6 Machine-made cobbles 42/6 42/6 34/ —36/ Seconds 41/ 41/ — Thirds 39/ 39/ — Red Vein cobbles 36/ 36/ — Machine-made nuts 42/6 42/6 — Seconds 41/ 41/ — Thirds 39/ 39/ — Red Vein nuts 36/ 36/ — Machine - broken beans (best) 35/ 35/ 23/6-24/6 Seconds 34/ 34/ — Thirds 33/ 33/ — Red Vein beans 31/ 31/ .— Peas (all qualities) 20/ 20/ 20/ -22/ Rubbly culm 13/ 13/ 9/6-10/6 Red Vein culm 11/ 11/ — Breakers duff 8/ 8/ — Billy duff 6/6 6/6 6/ - 6/6 Steam:— Best large steam 30/ 30/ 26/ -27/ Seconds 27/ 27/ — Cargo through 23/6 23/6 18/ -20/ Seconds 22/ 22/ — Bunkers through 23/6 23/6 — Smalls 19/ 19/ 11/6-15/ Second smalls 17/ 17/ — Bituminous:— Bituminous through ... 27/ 27/ Smalls 24/ 24/ 17/ -19/6 Gas through 23/6 23/6 — Gas smalls 21/ 21/ — Newcastle (New South Wales) Colliery Employees’ Federation has decided to acquire the ownership of a coal mine.