28 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. July 5, 1918. ments. but it is quite impossible to satisfy buyers, with outputs in every case so much reduced. For all steam qualities the enormous pressure of the past few months is still in evidence, and collieries are unable to accept all orders sent in. THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, July 4. The London trade still continues in a very difficult position owing to the paucity of the arrivals. The demand on all sides is exceptionally strong, and all the merchants are ready buyers notwithstanding the advance of 2s. 6d. per ton on all colliery prices. The bulk of the yearly k contracts expired on June 30, but, so far, very few have been renewed at the old monthly quantities. Colliery owners are adopting the plan of renewing contracts as far as possible without any pledge as to the recognised monthly quantity, but stipulate that customers must be content with supplies in accordance with the reduced output. The preferential demands of munition works and the increasing quantities commandeered by the Controller must in all cases take priority, and traders generally are looking forward to a very much reduced tonnage. Meanwhile, strenuous efforts are being made at all the various wharves and depots to fulfil the public demands as promptly as possible. Householders generally are laying in their winter stocks much earlier than usual during the summer months. Inland coal is coming forward with much greater regularity, and at all the principal marshalling stations a goodly number of loaded wagons may generally be seen. The seaborne market also has been fairly maintained" during the week; 21 vessels were reported as having arrived in the Bi ver Thames for Monday’s market and 11 for Wednesday, and these were nearly all loaded with gas coal. None were offered for sale on the open market. Steam coals are exceedingly scarce, and all manufacturing qualities are difficult to obtain. The Coal Porters’ Union have given notice to cancel all their agreements with the London Coal Merchants’ Society as and from June 28 last, but it is hoped that satisfactory arrangements will be made which will minimise the interference with coal distribution. The London County Council have issued their report of the acceptance of the various tenders for steam coal and coke, for the ensuing twelve months com- mencing July 1. The London County Council have • agreed to provide a sum of over <£18,000 for the purpose of supplying coal in the working class neighbourhoods during the winter, the amount to be recouped from the sales during the time of pressure. Storage accommodation is now in process of arrangement. Some 700,000 privately-owned rail- way wagons are affected by the recent circular issued by the Ministry of Munitions, and as Government departments have previously found it difficult to obtain a sufficiency of- wagons for their purpose, the rates for hiring have been settled at 8s. 3d. per week for 12-ton wagons, 7s. 3d. per week for 10-ton wagons, and 6s. 6d. per week for 8-ton wagons. The owners of the wagons are, however, required to keep them in repair during the period for which they are in use. Both buying, selling and hiring agreements for all railway wagons are now under the control of the Ministry. The necessity for this step has arisen from the fact of so many hundreds of locomotives and thousands of railway wagons having been sent out of the country for use at the various seats of war. The increase of both colliery prices and the delivery prices to the public of 2s. 6d. per ton has been accepted without demur by all the traders on the London market. Trolley prices are advanced 2d. per cwt. and coke is also advanced 2s. 6d. per ton. The new order for rationing coal, gas and electricity contains two schedules : one for London and one for the provinces. The allowances for London for the year are—for two rooms, three tons ; for six rooms, five tons; ten rooms, nine tons. Fifteen thousand cubic feet of gas or 800 B T. units of electricity will be considered equivalent to one ton of coal. The question of building a deep water wharf at Canvey Island, in the estuary of the Thames, came before a Com- mittee of the House of Lords during the past week. The total cost of it will be <£1,133,000. It is hoped by this new dock and wharf to capture a large proportion of the New Zealand and Colonial trade for the Port of London. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Company’s Report. Friday, June 29.—The seaborne house coal market was very quiet to-day, with a small attendance and no cargoes offering for sale. Cargoes, 18. Monday, July 1.—There was a good enquiry for seaborne house coal at to-day’s market, but the supply of ready cargoes was very short, with nothing on offer. Cargoes, 21. Wednesday, July 3.—There was no alteration in the seaborne house coal market to-day—no cargoes being on offer. Arrivals, 11. THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. There is no change to report on the week. The official maximum price of coke tin-plates stands at found 32s. 3d. per basic box, net cash, f.o.t. at works, and as makers gener- ally have as much on their books as they care about for the next couple of months, this price is firmly adhered to. The demand is fair and is mainly on Allied account—home trade requirements being satisfied for the moment. Wasters are in good request so far as 28 x 20 and large sizes are con- cerned ; but small sizes continue rather slow of sale, and can be bought at a slight discount. The London Gazette announces dissolution of the part- nership of F. Lambert, H. Burnley and E. Smethurst, trading as Lambert, Burnley and Company, ironfounders, 12, Lower Ernest-street, Bradford. Middlesbrough Iron Shipments.—During last month 60,375 tons of pig iron, manufactured iron and manu- factured steel were shipped from the Port of Middles- brought, an increase of 21,032 tons when compared with the figures for May, and 8,657 tons more than the total for January (the previous highest total of the year). The aggregate was the best since October last. Pig iron shipped amounted to 44,047 tons, as against 31,599 tons in May and 31,022 in January. Of this quantity 37,841 tons were sent overseas, as against 26,277 tons in May, and 6,206 tons coastwise, as against 5,322 tons in May. Of manufactured iron, 3,231 tons were exported, as against 788 tons, and of manufactured steel 13,097 tons, as against 6,976 tons. The manufactured iron and steel exports thus totalled 16,328 tons, as against 7,744 tons in May and 20,696 tons in January. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, July 4. Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. There has been severe pressure in the coal market of this district during the week, especially for the supply of large steam qualities. The output has been adversely affected by a variety of causes, and ships have been kept waiting. More tonnage has arrived of late than had been the case for some weeks. House and gas coals remained in strong demand for inland consumption Smalls were not so eagerly enquired for. Patent fuel and coke have been scarce. The new schedule of prices prevails. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. 1 Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals: — prices. prices. prices. Best Black Vein large... i 35/ 35/ 27/ -29/ Western-valleys, ordin’y 34/ 34/ 24/6-26/ Best Eastern-valleys ... 34/ 34/ 23/6-24/6 Secondary do. ! 33/ 33/ 19 6-21/ Best small coals 26/ 26/ 14/6-16/ Secondary do 25/ i 25/ 9/ -12/ Inferior do ... 23/ 23/ 6/ - 8/6 Screenings 28/ 28/ 15/ —17/6 Through coals - 32/ 32/ 19/ -21/ Best washed nuts 35/ 35/ Other sorts:— Best house coal, at pit .. 38/ 38/ 25/ -26/ Secondary do. do. ... 36/ 35/9 22/ -23/6 Patent fuel 35/ 35/ 27/6-30/ Furnace coke 50/ 50/ * Foundry coke 50/ 50/ * * Nominal. IRON. Great activity prevails in the iron and steel industries of the district, and a very large output is maintained. Prices, generally speaking, are nominal, as most of the work is on Government account. The tin-plate trade, handi- capped by still further additions to the price of block tin, is struggling along bravely under many disadvantages. There are numerous orders, especially from the French Government. A good enquiry is maintained for waste wasters. Pitwood has arrived in fair quantities. The price remains at 65s. Cardiff. COAL. The coal trade has lost one of its most prominent members in the death of Lord Rhondda, who latterly had occupied a great public position as Food Controller, and one of the first things to be done on ’Change on Wednesday was to pass a vote of condolence with Viscountess Rhondda and her daughter, Lady Mackworth. Business was tem- porarily suspended whilst this was done, and the vote was proposed with commendable brevity and solemnity. Few men were more popular on ’Chang©, and amongst the miners he was much respected for his fighting qualities and his shrewd knowledge of the trade. The delegates at the Miners’ Conference, representing over 200,000 men, authorised a telegram of condolence to be sent to the relatives. Much might be said about Lord Rhondda’s influence on the South Wales coal trade, and his fearless attitude on the many questions that have arisen from time to time during the long period he was associated with it. At times he had been much at variance with the owners as at other times he had been with the men, but in all cases he pressed his points with the most cheerful optimism, and in most instances carried his conviction to a successful issue. He was for years in advance of the times, and it is only in quite recent days that in his efforts for consolidating and advancing the trade his theories have been understood and appreciated. Cardiff has lost a brilliant business man, and the nation one of her best commercial assets. From a market point of view, matters are not so satisfactory as was anticipated. Shipping has been arriving in larger volume, but outputs have fallen short of Cardiff prices f.o.b. (except where otherwise stated) plus 2s. 6d. per ton, except for shipments to France and Italy. Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current prices. 38/ 36/6 35/9 35/ 26/6 26/ . 25/6 25/ 24/6 24/ 23/6 23/ 35/ 33/6 35/ 33/6 32/6 31/6 35/ 34/ 34/ 33/ 38/ 35/9 35/9 31/ 32/ 27/ -28/6 22/ -24/ 35/ 35/ 52/6 52/6 52/6 65/ L’st week’s prices. 38/ 36/6 35/9 35/ 26/6 1 26/ ] 25/6 5 25/ j 24/6 ( 24/ J 23/6 1 23/ j 35/ 33/6 35/ 33/6 32/6 31/6 35/ 34/ 34/ 33/ 38/ 35/9 35/9 31/ 32/ . 27/ -28/6 22/ -24' 35/ 35/ 52/6 52/6 52/6 65/ Last year’s prices. 33/ 31/6 30/9 30/ 23/ 21/6 20/ 18/ 30/ 28/6 30/ 28/6 27/6 26/6 30/ 29/ 29/ 28/ 33/ 30/9 30,9 26/ 27/ 25/ 20/ 30/ -32/6 47/6 47/6 47/6 70/ -72/ Superior seconds Seconds Ordinary Steam smalls No. 1 Do. 2 Do. 3 Do. 4 Do. <5 Do. 6 Do. 7 Do. 8 Best dry coals Ordinary drys Best washed nuts Seconds Best washed peas Seconds Monmouthshire— Black Veins ... /. Western-valleys Eastern-valleys Inferior do Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) i Second qualities (at pit) No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large Small No. 2 Rhondda— Large ! Through-and-through. Small I Best patent fuel I Seconds i Special foundry coke Ordinary do. Furnace coke Pitwood (ex-ship) * Nomina], requirements, and delays are more or less frequent. This is largely attributable to the influenza epidemic in the mining valleys. At some of the collieries not more than half the normal number of men are at work. The result has been a big decline in production for the time being. The Government authorities are keeping a tight hand on supplies of best coals, and, in order to maintain shipments for Admiralty and Allied official purposes, considerable quantities destined for inland consumption have been diverted for export. Whilst there is not actually a short- age of the better descriptions, collieries are hard pressed to fulfil obligations, but inferior gt ades are more easily obtain- able. This applies more particularly to smalls and second grade semi-bituminous coals. Much dissatisfaction is felt at the action of the Government in granting the further increase of Is. 6d. per day to miners and 9d. to boys, and it is stated that the advantage hoped for by the advance of 2s. 6d per ton recently made will be nullified, and it is now contended that a further addition will have to be made to the selling price in order to place the collieries on a remunerative basis. The annual con- ference of the South Wales Miners’ Federation is taking place this week, and the programme is a pious resolution that colliers should have a six hours day for five days a week, and that they should be paid a minimum wage of <£1 per day. The rationing of coal for household purposes has not provoked much comment, but, generally speaking, the proposals are looked upon as fair and reasonable. Patent fuel makers are busy, and outputs are Wrll maintained. There is no change in pitwood, supplies of which are arriving freely. IRON. The heavy demand on the steel works shows no signs of relaxation, and high pressure is being maintained in all departments. Deliveries of bars to the tin-plate works are fairly satisfactory and production is about normal, receipts from works last week amounting to 28,830 boxes. Ship- ments on the other hand were lower, and only totalled 10,118 boxes, compared with 28,121 a week ago. Stocks on hand now amount to 155,142 boxes, against 136,430 boxes the previous week, and 111,550 boxes at the corre- sponding date of last year. Block tin is steady at <£33 L for cash and three months, and quotations for plates are unaltered, Bessemer standard cokes, 14 x 20, being 32s. 6d. to 33s. per box f.o.t. at works. There is a good demand for wasters of all sizes. There is no change in the galvanised sheet trade, and business is reported to be quiet. Supplies of ore for the spelter works are rather irregular, and several furnaces are idle. All quotations are at controlled maximum rates. Scrap metals are scarce. Swansea. COAL. A capital attendance assembled on ’Change, but there was little activity in anthracite coal. The better qualities of large were well booked, whilst Red Vein large was at the moment practically unobtainable. Machine-made descrip- tions continued to hold their improved position. Steam coals of all kinds were well stemmed, and there was very little free coal offering. Llanelly. COAL. There is very little alteration to report in the condition of the local market. Tonnage has not been quite so plentiful, and in consequence, anthracite coals are moving very slowly. Collieries are now getting hard up for sufficient orders to keep pits at full work, and after a few- weeks regular working most pits are having occasional “ play days.” The machine-made kinds, nuts, beans and peas are all in splendid demand, especially from inland, and collieries are refusing for the most part to accept any orders for prompt delivery. It is very probable that these kinds will be firm for some time to come. Rubhly culm and duff are an easy market, and stocks are accumulating. The demand for the better class steam coals continues, and it is most difficult to get any spot lots of large. Dry steams are easily obtained, but bituminous smalls are difficult to secure. This week’s ^quotations are approxi- mately as follow:— Prices f.o.b. Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best malting anthracite... 32/6 32/6 24/ -25/6 Seconds 31/6 31/6 21/6-23/ Thirds V 1 VF 30/ 30/ Red Vein large 28/ 28/ 18/ -19/ Machine-made cobbles 45/ 45/ 32/6-35/6 Seconds 43/6 43/6 Thirds 41/6 41/6 Red Vein cobbles 38/6 38/6 Machine-made nuts 45/ 45/ Seconds 43/6 43/6 Thirds 41/6 41/6 Red Vein nuts 38/6 38/6 Machine - broken beans (best) 37/6 37/6 28/6-30/ Seconds 36/6 36/6 Thirds 33/6 33/6 Red Vein beans 33/6 33/6 Peas (all qualities) 22/6 22/6 20/6-22/ Rubbly culm 15/6 15/6 10/6-11/6 Red Vein culm 13/6 13/6 Breakers duff 10/6 10/6 Billy duff 9/ 9/ 5/3- 5/6 Steam:— Best large steam 32/6 32/6 25/6-26/6 Seconds 29/6 29/6 — Cargo through — — 20/9-22/3 Seconds .' Bunkers through 26/ 26/ — Smalls 21/6 21/6 9/6-13/ Second smalls Bituminous:— Bituminous through ... 29/6 29/6 — Smalls 26/6 26/6 17/6-19/ Gas through 26/ 26/ Gas smalls 23/6 23/6 — The above prices are subject to an advance of 2s. 6d. per ton on all shipments to France and Italy. Messrs. Thos. Oxley Limited, Sheffield, wish us to say that they have no connection with any other firm of the same name. A Civil List pension of £75 per year has been granted to Mrs. Judd, widow of Prof. J. W. Judd, the geologist, and £40 to Mrs. Vaughan, widow of Dr. A. Vaughan, geologist.