March 1, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 443 THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, February 28. Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. The coal trade of this district continues quiet and feature- less. Tonnage arrivals have been only moderate, and with a large number of wagons held up there has been great irregularity in the working of the collieries. There has been a good demand for large steam coal, also for house and gas coals at the controlled prices. Inferior sorts of large and small coals are very heavily stocked, and have been drag- ging in the market of late. The Monmouthshire Colliery Tribunal held another sitting and decided to “comb out ” a good many men for National Service. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. Current 1 L’st week’s 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 23/ —24/ Best Eastern-valleys ... 31'6 ! 31/6 22/ -23/ Secondary do. 30/6 30'6 2U/6-21/6 Best small coals 23/6 23/6 15/ -16/ Secondary do 22 6 22 6 . 12/ -14/6 Inferior do. 20 6 ! 20/6 8 6-10/ Screenings 25,6 25'6 16/ -17/ Through coals 29 6 29/6 20/ -21/ Best washed nuts 32/6 32 6 — Other sorts:— Best house coal, at pit .. 3o i 6 35 6 25/ -26/ Secondary do. do. ... 33,3 33 3 23'6-25/ Patent fuel ... 32 6 32/6 27/6-30/ Furnace coke .. 47 6 47'6 47/ -51/ Foundry coke 47 /6 47/6 61/ -65/ IRON. Many of the works in the district (both company-owned and of direct Government establishment) recently had new plant installed and are producing a much larger output of goods—almost all on Government account. Prices are purely nominal. There is a very fair output of tinplate from the works in the district, considering the restrictions. Besides better class of plates there is a fair output of waste. Cardiff. COAL. The question of the allocation of orders with a view to the more equal distribution of work throughout the South Wales coal field is the principal item of interest. It is stated that arrangements have been made to obtain from the colliery companies the information required for the pur- pose of carrying the scheme into effect without loss of time. The circular which has been issued asks for the name of the company, and the number of collieries included in the return ; the total number of morning shifts worked by all the collieries in the three months ending March 31, 1917, and the gross output classified as large, small, through and washed coal. The next part of the return deals with the disposal of the output, and this also applies not only to the first three months of 1917, but also to the last quarter of 1916, and colliery companies are asked to state the quantity of coal supplied to the Admiralty, to France, foreign destinations, bunkers and home consumption. The returns, which are to be sent in by March 5, will also include the number of persons employed underground and on the surface for both the periods named. The arbitrary selection of the periods mentioned may result in unequal treatment. It is pointed out that whilst some companies were able to maintain outputs during the months referred to, others suffered seriously owing to the increasing scarcity of the supply of tonnage. The scheme has also been approved by the South Wales Coal and Coke Supplies Committee, subject to the criticisms above referred to. The Commissioners have forwarded to the Coal Controller a unanimous report approving its principles, and expressing the view that it will probably bring about a more equal distribution of trade, and consequently more regular employment through- out the coalfield. The market generally is stagnant, and the shortage of tonnage is extreme. Stormy weather has Cardiff Prices f.o.b. (except where otherwise stated), plus 2s. 6d. per ton, except for shipments to France and Italy. Current Steam coals:— 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 i 22/ Do. 6 ! 21/6 Do. 7 i 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— Black Veins 32,6 Wes tern-valleys : 31/6 Eastern-valleys ; 31/6 Inferior do. 30/6 Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) 35/6 Second qualities (at pit) , 333 No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large ■ 33/3 Small 28/6 No. 2 Rhondda— Large 29/6 24/6-26/ 19/6-21/6 Through-and-through Small : Best patent fuel 32/6 Seconds 1 32/6 Special foundry coke 50/ Ordinary do. ■ 50/ Furnace coke 50/ Pitwood (ex-ship) 65/ L’st week’s iLast year’s prices. ! prices. 35/6 34/ 33/3 32/6 24/ 23'6 2'/ 22/6 22/ 21/6 21/ 20/6 32/6 31/ 32/6 31/ 30/ 29/ ; 24/ -25/ i 23/ -24/ 1 I 15/ -16/ ? i ] i 14/ -15/ j 12/ -13/ ] 8/ -10/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 24/ -25/ 23/6-24/ 22/6-23/ 22/ —23/ 32/6 f 24/ -25/ 31/6 : 23/ -24/ 31/6 ' 22/ -23/ i 30/6 i 21/ —22/ ’ 35/6 * 25/6-26/6 i 33/3 : 23,6-24/6 33/3 i 24/ -25/’ | 28/6 ’ 18/ -20/ I i. 1 29/6 i 21/ -22/ i 24/6-26/ I 17/ -19/ s 19/6-21'6 I 14/ -15/ ! 32/6 ' ! 28/ —30/ 32/6 j 27/ -28/ , 50/ j 62/6-65/ ! 50/ ! 52.6-55/ j 50/ i 45/ -50/ I 65/ | 74/ -75/ Nominal. aggravated the position, and in the early days of the week it was reported that even in the case of Admiralty collieries it was impossible to arrange for the shipment of a single wagon. In other cases it was stated that collieries were struggling on with restricted supplies of trucks, or were stopped. Prospects are anything but hopeful; and last week’s charterings only amounted to 7,235 tons. Monday produced a fixture of 1,600 tons, but Tuesday again was a blank day. The brokerage question continues to be a topic of interest, and it is not unlikely that the question will be raised in Parliament within the next few days. A deputa- tion waited upon the Coal Controller in reference to the prices of patent fuel, but at the time of writing the result was not known. All transactions are on the basis of the fixed schedule. W7ith the exception of gas coals, all descrip- tions are plentiful, and stocks are excessive in every depart- ment. Pitwood supplies are moderate, scheduled prices being maintained. IRON. The tinplate trade continues steady, and most makers are quoting full official prices. Occasionally lower figures are accepted in the case of manufacturers not well situated with regard to new specifications. Shipments last week were rather lower, being only 18,629 boxes, compared with 25,270 boxes, the previous week Production was fairly well maintained,al though there were complaints that the delivery of steel bars was somewhat irregular. The total received from works was 20,613 boxes, leaving 165,039 boxes in stock in dock warehouses and vans, compared with 163,055 boxes the previous week, and 226,095 boxes a year ago. There has been a further rise in the price of block tin, which is now quoted at £317 10s. for cash, or .£314 at three months, and the price of Bessemer standard cokes has been adjusted accordingly, with other sizes in proportion. Wasters are in strong demand, and as fast as permits can be secured, there is no difficulty in effecting sales. Rail mills are busily employed, but exports are slow. In other departments of the steel works the maximum pressure is maintained, and outputs are increasing week by week. In the galvanised sheet trade there is no change. Shipments last month only amounted to 1,352 tons, or a decrease of 2,149 tons com- pared with the corresponding month of last year. Mills, however, are fairly well occupied in the manufacture of black and painted sheets, for which there is a good demand. All prices are nominal. Scrap metals are unchanged. Swansea. COAL. There was a very good attendance on ’Change, but no improvement occurred in the general conditions prevailing on the anthracite and steam coal markets. Supplies, with a few exceptions, were freely offered, but owing to the shortage of tonnage, very little business was transacted. Values remained on the scheduled basis. Llanelly. COAL. Conditions are unchanged in the local market, and as tonnage arrivals continue below market requirements there is not much business doing. Collieries are working very irregularly, and losing time each week through scarcity of empty wagons. There is a steady inland demand for most qualities, but collieries find it impossible to give anything like prompt delivery. Anthracite large kinds are easy, and stocks are sufficient to meet any prompt business which may arise. Cobbles are also inactive, and nuts and peas are not in good demand. Beans are fairly steady, and no heavy stocks standing. Culm and duff are very slow. Steam coals are accumulating. There is a steady inland demand for large kinds, but th roughs and smalls are sluggish, the lower grades in particular doing badly. House and manufacturing coals are both in steady demand. Prices f.o.b. Current ' L’st week’ s Last year’: prices. ; prices. prices. Best malting anthracite... 30/ 30/ 27/ -28/ Seconds ' 29/ 29/ 22/ -25/ Thirds ! 27/6 , 27/6 ! Red Vein large j 25/6 25/6 ' 20/ -216 Machine-made cobbles ! 42/6 42/6 33/ -35/ Seconds 417 41/ — Thirds 39/ 39/ — Red Vein cobbles 1 36/ 36/ 1 — Machine-made nuts , 42/6 ! 42/6 — Seconds I 41/ 41/ I Thirds i 39/ ! 39/ — Red Vein nuts 36/ 36/ — Machine - broken beans (best) 35/ 35/ i 24/6-25/6 Seconds 34/ : 34/ Thirds 33/ 33/ j Red Vein beans 31/ 31/ Peas (all qualities) 20/ 20/ : 20/ -22/ Rubbly culm 13/ 13/ 1 8/6- 9/ Red Vein culm 11/ 11/ Breakers duff ; 8/ ! 3/ Billy duff 6/6 ’ 6/6 ! 6/6 Steam:— Best large steam 30/ 30/ ) 24/ -25/ Seconds 27/ ■ 27/. Cargo through ! 23/6 23/6 ! 18/ -20/ Seconds ' 22/ 22/ i — Bunkers through 23/6 23/6 — Smalls ' 19/ 19/ , 10/6-14/6 Second smalls j 17/ 17/ Bituminous:— Bituminous through ... 27/ 27/ — Smalls 24/ 24/ 18/6-19/6 Gas through 23/6 ; 23 /6 Gas smalls 21/ ) 21/ . — The registered offices of the Superheat Furnace Company Limited have been removed from 70, Harris-street, to 21. Morley-street, Bradford. Mr. E. Kilburn Scott, A.M.I.C.E., A.M.E.E., has been appointed consulting engineer to the British American Nitrates Company, of New York. The annual meeting of the Coal Trade Benevolent Asso- ciation was held on Friday of last week at the London Coal Merchants’ Subscription Room. Mr. H. Cecil Rickett presided over a large attendance. Compensation amounting to over £18,000 was awarded by agreement at a special sitting of the Newcastle (Staf- fordshire) County Court on Tuesday to the dependants of 62 victims of the Minnie pit disaster. The judge ordered most of the money to be invested in War Loan. THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, February 28. Dublin. The coal trade continues active generally, and the Coal Committee of the Corporation decided, after consultation with the coal merchants of the city, to charge 46s. 6d. per ton for standard coal delivered, the bellmen to sell at 3s 2d. per 10 st. bag. The standard coal is to consist of fuel from different districts. There may be a lower price for middling or inferior coal, and a higher for better class quality. Prices have also been fixed for the sale of small quantities in shops. The present price of best Orrell coal is 5 Is. per ton, and best Wigan 49s. Coke is unchanged at 49s. per ton delivered. Pit head prices at Castlecomer Collieries, co. Kilkenny, are:—Best small coal, 30s. per ton; best large coal, 28s. 4d.; bottom coal, 25s.; breakage, 16s. 8d. ; culm, 13s. 4d. The total quantity of coal arriving during the past week was 26,400 tons, compared with 25,000 tons the week previously. The workmen engaged on the con- struction of the Athy-Wolfhill Railway, numbering about 400, who have been on strike for an advance of 12s. per week in wages, have agreed to return to work temporarily, pending the decision of the Board of Trade. Belfast. There is about an average demand for the time of year, and local merchants hold fairly good stocks, supplies arriving as usual. The inland trade is active, but hampered to a considerable extent by the continued shortage of railway wagons. Current prices for house coals in the city, as arranged by the Coal Committee of the Corporation, are :—Best English coal, 51s. per ton ; English nuts, 50s.; English kitchen coil, 50s.; best English slack, 47s. ; Scotch house coal, 45s.—all less Is. per ton discount for cash. Ata mass meeting held last week in the Engineers’ Hall, a resolu- tion was passed protesting against the recent increase in the price of coal to consumers, which, it was stated, was due to excessive freights, 80 per cent, of which went to the Government. The Corporation and workers were called on to take action to compel the Government to control ship- ping and fix freights in the interest of the people, not the shipowners. From February 3 to 16 the total number of coal-laden vessels entering the harbour was 129. SOUTH WALES MINING TIMBER TRADE. Imports Heavier. The imports of foreign mining timber have been upon a heavier scale during the past few days. For the week ended February 22 the quantity of mining timber imported into South Wales amounted to 16,446 loads, of which 12,480 loads were taken by the Admiralty Pitwood Committee. No supplies have been received from sources other than France, although imports are allowed from Scandinavia under licences. No fresh news is to hand with regard to supplies from Spain. Prices were at the scheduled levels, and supplies went quickly into consumption. The total imports for the week ending February 22 were as follow:— Cardiff (Barry and Penarth):— Date. Consignee. Loads. Feb. 18 Lysberg Limited............ 3,120 „ 18 E. Marcesche and Co........ 132 „ 18 Grant Hayward and Co....... 54 „ 18 Lysberg Limited.......... 1,920 „ 18 A. Bromage and Co......... 240 „ 18 Morgan and Cadogan....... 420 „ 18 Mathew Thompson........ 312 „ 18 Lysberg Limited.......... 810 „ 19 Grant Hayward and Co.... 42 „ 19 Budd and Co............. 504 „ 19 Lysberg Limited....... 2,160 „ 21 Lysberg Limited....... 2,040 „ 21 Vyvyan Kelly and Co... 2,070 „ 21 Budd and Co............. 144 „ 21 Grant Hayward and Co..... 48 „ 21 Lysberg Limited........ 2,040 „ 21 Lysberg Limited.......... 180 „ 21 Lysberg Limited.......... 180 Total......16,446 Newport, Swansea and Port Talbot:—Nil. Fixed Contract Prices. Negotiations are still proceeding with the object of securing uniform c.i.f. prices of foreign mining timber, so as to secure a guaranteed gross profit per ton as remunera- tion for importers. French wood has now to be sold to the collieries at 65s. per ton ex ship Cardiff, and it is suggested that the c.i.f. price should be 63s. for steamers, which would leave a gross profit of 2s. per ton. The Cardiff and Bristol Channel Pitwood Importers’ Association and the Admiralty Pitwood Committee (composed of Messrs. Lysberg Limited and T. P. Thomas) have combined, with the object of securing a uniform c.i.f. contract price. The Future of the Importer. The question is now asked as to whether the colliery companies after the war will seek to secure their supplies of French, Spanish and Portuguese mining timber direct, rather than through the medium of the importer. Already two co-operative associations are in existence. The Pit- wood Consumers’ Syndicate was primarily established to supply certain collieries with mining timber, and to prevent any undue inflation in the prices. The syndicate has greatly increased its scope, and, in combination with Messrs. T. P. Thomas and Company, secure five-eighths of the total quantity of foreign mining timber allowed to be imported. Then the co-operative effort of the South Wales coal owners by the formation of their association for felling and transporting home-grown timber to its members has greatly increased its scope and efficiency, and (it is suggested) might be made use of in connection with post-war schemes. There is just one drawback to the scheme for the elimination of the importer or merchant. The French grower is very astute, and arranges his contract prices in normal times according to the market prices ruling on the Cardiff Exchange. Combined efforts on the part of French growers would result in the establishing of contracts, which would render ineffectual the anticipated saving by the sweeping aside of importing merchants. Allocation of Orders. The Central Executive Committee for the Supply of Coal tc’France and Italy have recommended rules for a system of allocation of orders amongst the coal exporters to France and Italy. The rules (which await official sanction) declare that where an individual importer is the exclusive client of a particular exporter (as defined in the scheme) from the district in question, the authorisations to that particular