952 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 10, 1918. open market, and considerable apprehension exists as to the meeting of future requirements. Certain it is that the utmost economy will hive to be exercised, and especially by domestic consumers. Nuts and good quality slacks are in great demand, and the collieries are much in arrears with contract orders. Prices at pit. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, May 9. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 24/6 22/6 24/6 22/ Do. seconds deep 22/6 20/ Do. best shallow 21/6 21/6 19/ Do. seconds do. 20/6 20/6 18' Best hard 21/ 21/ 18/6 Forge coal 18/6 18/6 16/ Slack Warwickshire:— 13/6 13/6 11/6 House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 21/6 21,6 19/ cobs 20/6 20,6 22/6 18/ Best hard spires 22/6 20/ Forge (steam) 18/6 18,6 16/ D.S. nuts (steam) ' 17/ 17/ 14/6 Small (do-) 17/ 17/ 14/6 Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. The coal market of this district is keeping strong for almost all classes of output. Stocks have been greatly reduced, and there has been an increasing enquiry for all sorts, except the lower classes of smalls. The collieries have been in many cases so full of orders that fresh busi- ness has been difficult of negotiation for all large steam coals Much the same conditions apply to through coals and house and gas descriptions for inland trades. Coke and patent fuel have been firm. All prices remain at the controlled rates. With a satisfactory arrival of tonnage prospects are now bright for some weeks ahead. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. IRON. Pressure of activity is unrelaxed, and with the exten- sion of the control system business is moving on a fairly even keel, being firm and stable in all depart- ments. There has not been much new business in gas strip since the price was fixed at <£15 5s., makers being content to work off arrears of contracts, but new bookings are being made at that figure, and puddled iron is being sold at the agreed price of <£11 10s. Some of the furnace owners were very reluctant to come down to this figure, which they claim is unremunerative. In the bar trade there is a continuous stream of orders, but business is extremely limited under the restrictions in force. Makers of best iron have important demands to meet for the chain and cable industry and for agricultural implements, and in addition there is a constant call for chain iron of a lower grade, which commands <£15 a ton. In the small sizes demand for the time being runs more largely on steel than on iron, in the form of sections and small rounds, squares and flats. Firmness prevails all round, steel rounds, etc., being on the basis of <£18 10s. a ton. Steel strip, which so far is outside the list of controlled materials, commands <£17 15s. to <£18 5s., according to specification. Sheet makers are still unable to entertain orders for other than Government work, the supply of sheet bars and plate shearings being barely sufficient for essential needs. No business is being done in galvanised sheets. The steel situation is dominated by the huge quantities of material appropriated for war and shipbuilding purposes. Pig iron remains extremely scarce, but the position is no worse than it has been in recent weeks. The shortage is most accentu- ated for foundry numbers. Maximum prices rule for all grades. i 1 Current L’st week’s Last year’s steam coals: — prices. prices. ! prices. Best Black Vein large...! 32/6 32/6 , 29/ —30/ Western-valleys, ordin’y 1 31/6 31/6 ! 28/ -29/ Best Eastern-valleys ...1 31/6 31/6 26/6-28/ Secondary do. ' 30/6 30/6 . 24/ -25/ Best small coals 1 23/6 23/6 ! 18/ -19/ Secondary do i 22/6 22/6 ; 15/6-16/6 Inferior do. 1 20'6 20/6 i 7 6-12/ Screenings j 25/6 25/6 19/ -20/ Through coals 29,6 29/6 22/ -23/ Best washed nuts 32/6 32/6 Other sorts:— Best house coal, at pit .. 35/6 35/6 i 2’>/ -26/6 Secondary do. do. ... 33/3 33/3 22'6-24/’ Patent fuel •32/6 32/6 ! 27/6-30/ Furnace coke.. 47/6 47/6 ! * Foundry coke | 47/6 47/6 ' * * Nominal. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. Generally no relief has been experienced by the house coal collieries in so far as the despatch of coal is concerned. Much delay is experienced in executing orders, and owing to the lessened production merchants are unable to obtain the full quantities allocated to them. The position as regards supplies is, if anything, more serious now than at any time since the war commenced. All the steam coal pits are fully occupied, but it is impossible to satisfy the needs of buyers. Prices at pithead. House coals:— , Block Forest Rubble Nuts Rough slack Steam coal:— Large ..... Small ... Large . Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. ( 24/ 26/ 26/ \ 23/ J 23/3 121/6 15/6 15/6 13/ 22/6-23/6 22/6-23/6 20/ -21/ 18/ -19/ 18/ —19/ 16/ IRON. There is no reportable change in the iron and steel’ trades of the district. A large output continues to be maintained at the works, and as this is mostly on Govern- ment account prices are nominal. Pitwood arrivals have been moderate, the price remaining at the controlled figure —viz., 65s. for best fir. Cardiff. COAL. The week-end arrivals of tonnage were up to the average, and in some cases there was a waiting list owing to stems being so full. The requirements of the authorities show no relaxation, and there is difficulty in obtaining the release of superior qualities of coal for private shipment. The pressure is greatest in the case of Admiralty collieries, but there is a hardening tendency all round, and even inferior grades, which were a drug on the market a few weeks ago, are now being readily absorbed to meet the demands. There is a spasmodic eagerness to secure any- thing rather than go without. With such conditions prevailing, business is not of a satisfactory character. The market generally is very unsettled, and all transactions are more or less of a hand-to-mouth description. Outputs have never reached the totals obtained prior to the Easter holidays, and the shortage which followed immediately afterwards has not been overtaken. The aggregate pro- duction is being diminished week by week owing to the new recruiting regulations, and some of the colliery managers complain that they are being deprived of the services of some of their best workmen. Reference was made a week ago to the spirit of enthusiasm prevailing amongst the men, but an official announcement has since been made that the South Wales quota of recruits for April was below the minimum expected. Further regulations have since been issued, and now a calling up notice has been issued whereby all workmen, including officials, but not the clerical staff, between the ages of 18 and 8 months and 32 years on May 1 are to be combed out. This will, of course, further reduce the number of workmen employed, and a considerable amount of adjustment will be necessary Cardiff prices f.o.b. (except where otherwise stated), plus 2s. 6d. per ton, except for shipments to France and Italy. Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that there is a consider- able scarcity of house coal in various parts of Devon and Cornwall, while steam and gas coals are not coming forward as freely as desired. Coal merchants in some districts report that they have run short of house coal owing to contractors being seriously behind in their deliveries. A scheme has been proposed for delivery of coal by sea, but the freights indicated would make the coal very much dearer than by rail, and it is not seen from whence the tonnage could be obtained. The Petroleum Executive have removed from 8, Northumberland-avenue, London, W.C. 2, to 12, Berkeley- street, London, W. 1. Yorkshire Deputies Association.—At a meeting of the Yorkshire Deputies Association, held at the White Horse Hotel, Wakefield, on Saturday last, Mr. H. K. Lee, of Middlestown, read ‘ a paper on “ The Progress artd Importance of the Mining Industry.” With reference to the development of the mining industry, he said that coal must be looked upon as a compound which must be split up; and besides providing us with fuel, provide us also with Chemical elements necessary to carry on our national and commercial life. The following are a few of the suggestions :—(1) The establishment of a central Fuel and Control Board; (2) A satisfactory process whereby many of the essential by-products might be extracted before it was distributed as a fuel; (.3) The establishment of a system whereby the different grades and qualities of coal could be distributed for the purpose they are best suited for. (4) The manufacture and compulsory use of a smoke- less fuel for domestic purposes. Whether the nationalisa- tion of mines would tend to bring about the required result, he could not prophesy, but he thought it an interesting point for consideration. The paper caused an interesting discussion. 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 CF A / 30/ Seconds 29/ Monmouthshire— Black Veins 32,6 Western-valleys 1 31/6 Eastern-valley s ; 31,6 Inferior do. ...... I 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-throughi 24 '6-26/ Small 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) 65/ L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 32/6 24/ 23/6 35/6 34/ 33/3 2 1/ j 22/6 j 22/ 5 21/6 ) 21/ 1 20/6 ) 32/6 31/ 32/6 31/ 30/ 29/ 32/6 31/6 31)6 30/6 __* __* 30/ -32/6 j 29/ -30/ | 21/ -22/ | 18/6-19/6 ! 15/6-17/6 12/6-15/ 29/6-30/6 27/6-28,6 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 29/ -30/ 28/ -29/ 27/ -28/ 25/ -26/ 35/6 25/6-26/6 33/3 23/6-24/6 i 33/3 28/6-27 6 28/6 16/6-17,6 29/6 26/6-27/6 24/6-26/ 20/ -22/6 ! 19/6-21'6 16/6-17/6 32/6 ' 30/ 32/6 28/ 50/ — 50/ 47/6+-7o/i: I 50/ 47/6f-65/I 65/ ■ '75/ * Nominal. f Allied. X Neutral • in most districts in order to make the most of the labour that is left. It is largely a matter of organisation and co-ordination, but it is felt that even after present efforts have been exhausted outputs will be maintained at a satisfactory level. The disorganisation caused by men being called up at short notice is producing temporary difficulties. There is a relative scarcity of bituminous coals, and it is reported that stocks are being accumulated in view of a possible shortage in the winter months for household and inland consumption, and also to make provision for any rationing of house coals. Superior bunker coals are in brisk demand, and inferior grades are going more freely into consumption. For coking purposes there is a decided shortage, although this is attributed more or less to the military comb-out. Patent fuel continues in good request, and makers report full order books for some time ahead. The difficulty in recent times has been to obtain the necessary tonnage, but this seems to be more plentiful, and shipments are heavier than for a long peri d. Supplies of pitwood are satisfactory, and prices remain stationary at the Controller’s fixed rate. In all other departments quotations are unaltered and maximum prices are being obtained. IRON. The tin-plate trade is without change, except that ship- ments last week were at a much lower rate than for several weeks past. They amounted to 11,440 boxes, compared with 29,553 boxes the previous week, whilst receipts from works were 12,249 boxes, against 7,682 in the preceding week. This has had the effect of sli-htly increasing stocks, which now amount to 77,007 boxes, against 76,198 in the preceding week, and 188,337 boxes at the corresponding date of last year. Block tin continues to advance, notwith- standing that the metal is now fully controlled, even including the requirements of tin-plate manufacturers. Latest quotations indicate £380 per ton for cash and at three months, and very little business is passing at these figures. All sizes of tin-plates are being dealt in at maximum rates. In the iron and steel trades there is no alteration. Production is being maintained at high pres- sure, and there is no limit to the demands of the authorities, with the result that there is no appreciable margin for ordinary commercial consumption. Rail mills and bar mills are extremely busy, and every effort is being made to produce as much as possible. Iron ore supplies are satis- factory, and blast-furnace outputs increasing. Prices in every department are nominal. In the galvanised sheet trade there is practically nothing doing beyond the manu- facture of black plate and painted sheets for Government purposes, and on this class of work the various mills are busily employed. Scrap metals are scarce, and maximum figures are being obtained. The quarterly audit of the books of the iron and steel workers of South Wales and Monmouthshire for the period ending March, show that the rates of wages will now be advanced from 93 per cent, to 99| per cent, above the standard rate. Swansea. COAL. Owing to a greatly increased supply of tonnage, the trade of the port during the past week displayed increased activity and very favourable returns. The shipments of 'coal and patent fuel together amounted to 100,738 tons. A good attendance assembled on ’Change, but the anthra- cite coal market continued quiet. Large was freely offered, but there were few enquiries. Nuts were in better demand, but rubbly culm and duff were still idle. In the steam coal market last week’s improvement was maintained, and sellers had very little free coal to offer. Bituminous coals were active. Llanelly. COAL. There is not much change to report in the state of the local market. The steam coal collieries are working better time, owing to the more active enquiry ruling, but anthra- cite qualities are still on the quiet side, and stocks of many grades are getting heavier. Anthracite large coals are lacking enquiry, and for prompt business good supplies of all grades are available. Cobbles and nuts are also still easy. Beans and peas are fairly well booked up, and stocks standing are not heavy. Culm and duff continue very slow, and there is no reduction to report in the heavy stocks which have accumulated. Large steam coals are brisk, and practically all supplies available are booked. Through coals are also an active market. The better grades"of small are moving better, but the lower grades are not active, and there are still good supplies available under load. Bituminous coals are strong, and the higher qualities moving well. Prices f.o.b. Current prices. Best malting anthracite... 30/ Seconds 29/ Thirds 27/6 Red Vein large 25/6 Machine-made cobbles 42/6 Seconds 41/ Thirds 39/ Red Vein cobbles 36/ Machine-made nuts 42/6 Seconds 41/ Thirds 39/ Red Vein nuts 36/ Machine - broken beans (best) 35/ Seconds 34/ Thirds 33/ Red Vein beans 31/ Peas (all qualities) ......... 20/ Rubbly culm 13/ Red Vein culm 11/ Breakers duff 8/ Billy duff 6/6 Steam:— Best large steam 30/ Seconds 27/ Cargo through 23/6 Seconds 22/ Bunkers through 23/6 Smalls 19/ Second smalls 17/ Bituminous:— Bituminous through ... 27/ Smalls 24/ Gas through 23/6 Gas smalls 21/ L’st week’s prices. 30/ 29/ 27/6 25/6 42/6 41/ 39/ 36) 42/6 41/- 39/ 36/ Last year’s prices. 24'6-26/6 22/3-23/6 18/3-19'6 33/ -36/ 35/ 34/ 33/ 31/ 20/ 13/ 11/ 8/ 6/6 30/ 27/ 23/6 22/ 23/6 19/ 17/ 27/ 24/ 23/6 21/ 26/6-28/ 20/ -22/ 9/ - 9/6 5/3- 5/9 23/ -24,6 18/ -21/ 8/6-11/ 17/ -19/