1250 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. December 13, 1918. Military demands are declining rapidly, but this is more than counterbalanced by the expanding needs for great and important public concerns for steam-raising purposes. Household is totally inadequate to cover the urgent needs, and there is no sign of relief in sight. The big call for London and district are met as far as possible day by day, but transport is hindered by fogs. Country coal merchants are working under a severe handicap of irregular and insufficient deliveries, and sub-division is most strictly enforced in every direction. There are plenty of wagons available at the collieries. The complete absence of re- serves is the cause of anxiety. Prices at pit. ___________________________________ THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, December 12. __________________________________________ Best household coal .... Second, hand picked ...... Deep screened cobbles ... Deep large nuts ........ Bakers’ nuts........ ... .. Small nuts.............. Deep breeze ........ .... Peas ...........___ .. .. Small dust ............. Main nuts for London Current L’st week’s prices. prices. 24/ -25/6 24/ -25/6 23/ -24/ ! 23/ -24/ 22/6-23/6 i 22/6-23/6 22/6-23/6 { 22/6-23/6 21/6-22/6 | 21/6-22/6 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 19/6-19/9 13'6-14/6 20/ -21/ 19/6-19,9 13 ’6 -14 6 kitcheners.............. 20/ -21/6 Steams, best hand picked 20/6-21/6 Steams, seconds .......... 19/6-21/ Main cobbles for kitcheners. 20/ -21/6 Main breeze........... J 19/9-20'6 20/ -21/6 20/6-21/6 19/6-21/ 20/ -21/6 19 9 -20/6 Last year’s prices. 20/ -21/6 19/ -20/ 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 17/ -18/ 15/3-16/ 14/6 -14 9 8/6- 9/6 16/ -17/6 16,6-17/6 15/6-17/ 16/ -17/6 14 9-15/6 Honmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. There is no change in the market. Supply is far short of the demand in many directions. A large arrival of tonnage served again to bring about delay at the docks, as there was not enough coal for cargoes. All the best large steam coal is still requisitioned. Through coals have been very scarce, and hardly any have gone upon a free market. Smalls have met with a ready sale There has been a heavy demand for house and gas coals. Coke. and patent fuel have been in strong request. Prices for home and Allied markets f.o.b. cash 30 days. Neutrals extra. South Staffordshire. North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. Output and supply remain unsatisfactory. There has been no appreciable increase in production from the return of the miners. Influenza has taken hundreds of men from the pits. Stocks of house coal are meagre in the extreme, yet there is great complaint of these being made up by the diversion of industrial coal. Manufacturers say they are thereby placed in a very difficult position, and in some instances they have not been able to carry on, with the result that men are thrown idle. Everybody is in a tight place, and there are indications of scarcity during the next few weeks. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last ye it’s Steam coals: — prices. prices. prices. Best Black Vein large... 37/ 37/ 32/6 Western-valleys, ordin’y ; 36/ 36/ 31/6 Best Eastern-valleys ... j 36/ 36/ 31/6 Secondary do. J 35/ 35/ 30/6 Best small coals ’ 28/ , 28/ i 23,6 Secondary do 27/ 27/ 22,6 Inferior do 25/ 25/ , 20/6 Screenings 1 30/ 30/ f 25/6 Through coals 34/ 34/ ■ 29/6 Best washed nuts 37/ 37/ ! 32/6 Other sorts:— 1 __________________ Best house coal, at pit .. I 40/ 1 40/ ' i 35/6 Secondary do. do. ... 1 38/ 38/ ‘ 33/3 Patent fuel ' 37/ 37/ 32/6 Furnace coke ... .. 52/ 52/ : 47/6 Foundry coke ' 52/ 52/ 47/6 IRON. It is expected that there will not be much change in the position of the iron and steel works of the district for a few wee \s. In those cases where the output is on much the same lines as during the past few years, prices are still nominal. There is a good deal of activity in the tin-plate trade—wasters being in great request. Other grades of plates are being made to pressing official orders. Iron ore arrivals are satisfactory. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... • 24/6 24 6 24 6 Do. seconds deep 22 6 22/6 22 6 Do. best shallow Do. seconds do. 21/6 21/6 • 2L/6 20/6 ' 20/6 20 6 Best hard 21/ j 21/ 21/ Forge coal 18/6 < ! 18/6 18 6 Slack .. Warwickshire:— 13/6 | 13/6 13/6 House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 21/6 ■ 21/6 216 cobs 21/6 20/6 20/6 Best hard spires 22/6 i 22/6 • 22 6 Forge (steam) 1 i 18/6 ! 18/6 18/6 D.S. nuts (steam) I 17/ 17/ 17/ Small (do.) ...... ’ 17/ - ■ i 17/ 17/ IRON. The process of industrial organisation is going on steadily. Rolling mills are beginning to issue their pro- grammes in respect to the rolling of angles and tees, small rounds, &c. Export prices, too, have been fixed for pig iron and steel, so that while subsidies continue it will be impossible for anyone to take advantage of these to push export trade at reduced prices. In the case of Northampton- shire No. 3 foundry iron the price is £6, Derbyshire <£7 2s. 6d., and forge £7, South Staffordshire part-mine, £1 17s. 6d. foundry and £7 10s. forge, basic <£7 7s. 6d., with the exception of Cleveland, which is <£7 10s. Bar iron has been fixed for export at .£20, small rounds, squares and hexagons .£20, boiler plates .£17 10s., angles and joists ,£16 2s. 6d., billets (a) ,£13 10s., (b) and (c) ,£15. Some little business is being done for overseas, and this branch may be expected to develop gradually, if slowly, pending financial readjustment abroad. Sellers of plate shearings find great difficulty in placing material, as sheet bars are available in increasing quantities. The bulk of the output of the sheet mills continues to go into Government contracts, though quantities are being supplied for the light hollow-ware trade. Producers of best iron have heavy contracts with the makers of best chains, anchors and cables. Marked bars, which are maintained at £17 a ton, are going into consumption for the manufacture of agricultural implements, for which they are specially suited by reason of their superior rolling and make. Pig iron continues to be sold in small lots at maximum prices. The conditions all round are such that there is no specu- lative buying in any department. Cardiff. COAL. Conditions with regard to transport are even worse than they were a week ago. On Tuesday over 320 vessels were in the docks at Cardiff, Barry and Penar th waiting for cargoes. Such a rush of tonnage has not been experienced since 1913, and the shipping authorities are at their wit’s end to know what to do with it. Some firms are facing the situation by sending their vessels in ballast to other ports, but others are taking their chance. It is almost a certainty that some of the steamers now in the port will not succeed in getting their cargoes until after the holidays. To make matters worse, outputs do not show any improvement, but are actually diminishing. This is due to stoppages at a number of pits owing to minor disputes and the absenteeism caused by the electioneering campaign. The miners announced their intention of observing polling day as a general holiday, but on the Coal Controller pointing out the seriousness of the situation, the Rt Hon. T. Richards, the general secretary, issued a request that in con- stituencies where there was no election, owing to unopposed returns, the men would continue work on the Saturday. How far this request will be complied with remains to be seen. The Government authorities in the meantime are keeping a tight hand on supplies, and the Controller has made a request that home requirements from now to the end of the year shall receive preference. This means, of course, that whilst the Admiralty and Allied Governments will be well provided for, there is practically nothing left for shipment on private account to neutrals, and that is a position which is likely to continue until there is a marked increase in outputs. Some hundreds of men during the week have returned to the mining districts on being released from the Army, but it is not probable that there will be any substantial work until after Christmas. The market generally is dominant, and although there are many enquiries new business is .difficult to negotiate. It is reported on ’Change that Admiralty prices have been fixed with the Salesmen’s Com- mittee, the general rate being on the basis of a reduction of 2s. per ton on the present scheduled prices to Allies., These figures, it is understood, will remain in operation until the end of January, after which date they will be subject to alteration on three months’ notice being given by either side. Private contracts will remain on the basis of the Controller’s schedule as long as the restrictions with regard to shipment remain in force. Patent fuel is scarce, and the supply of coke is barely sufficient to meet current needs. Quotations are unaltered. IRON. All the works of the district continue busy, and the high outputs of the past few months are being maintained. With an enhanced supply of ore the blastfurnaces are producing greater quantities, and the rail and bar mills are turning out a heavier tonnage. This is evidenced in the production of the tin-plate works, receipts last week amounting to 34,569 boxes, or nearly 10,000 more than in the previous week. Shipments were also heavier, and totalled 38,312 boxes, leaving in stock in the docks ware- houses and vans 128,926 boxes, compared with 132,679 boxes the previous week and 94,346 boxes at the corre- sponding date of last year. The market for block tin con- tinues steady, quotations b6ing .£274 10s. to £275 10s. for cash, and £269 10s. to £270 10s. at three months. There is a good enquiry for plates, but makers are inclined to hold off the market, and are confining themselves to the completion of orders already'fin hand. Bessemer standard cokes, 20 by 14, are 30s. lO.ld per box, with other sizes in proportion. The automatic scale regulating prices in accordance with the rate ruling for block tin has been withdrawn, but maximum ipgures are being obtained for any parcel offering. In the galvanised sheet trade there is a slightly increased production, but no great improvement is expected before the early part of the new year. Prices are nominal. Spelter works are becoming busier, and, with larger quantities of ore available, extra furnaces will be put into operation. Quotations are £56 to £52 per ton. There is no change in scrap metals. Swansea. COAL. The firm conditions which characterised the anthracite coal market during the past few weeks are fully main- tained. Best large and machine-made sizes are in great request, and with the heavy arrival of tonnage over the week-end, buyers have had much difficulty in getting cargoes together. Red Vein large is scarce, but rubbly culm and duff continue slow. Steam coals are firm, especially the better classes of large and through. There is also a large demand for works coal. Llanelly. COAL. The tone of the local market continues very firm. The tonnage position has very much improved during the past few weeks, and this has resulted in a sweeping away of any accumulation. Buyers are now dependent upon the daily outputs of the collieries for their supplies. Collieries are working full time owing to the more abundant supply of empty wagons, but the position of the inland consumer continues rather difficult, owing to the heavy shipping demands. Anthracite coals are very firm, and the only weakness is that of rubbly culm and duff, for which the demand continues slow. Large kinds are all very firm, and in many cases buyers are unable to secure all their requirements. Cobbles are also well supported, and there is no falling-off in the enquiry for nuts, beans and peas. Spare parcels of these are very rare at the moment, and are soon disposed of. Steam coals are also a strong market. Outputs of large and through are well booked up, and no “free” quantities are offering. Smalls are also stronger and stocks much reduced. Gas coals are scarce, and consumers are pressing for heavier deliveries. Manufacturing coals are also going well, with local works consuming heavy quantities. There is a strong inland demand for practically all qualities on the market. Prices f.o.b. Lydney. Forest of Dean. COAL. Now that there is less reason to divert house coal to other purposes, supplies are somewhat more liberal, but not sufficient to affect the critical situation. Merchants are clamouring by every post for deliveries. A fair quantity of steam and manufacturing fuel is freed by the closing down of munition establishments, but collieries are still unable immediately to satisfy the calls upon them. Prices at pithead. House coals:— Current Block Forest Rubble Nuts Rough slack Steam coal:— Large ... .. Small_____ Large ... prices. 30/ 19/6 26/6-27/6 23/ L’st week’s prices. 30/ 19/6 Last year’s prices. <26/6 X 25/6 j 25/9 <24/ 15/6 26/6-27/6 23/ 22/6-23/6 18/ -19/ Prices 2s. l£d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Cardiff prices f.o.b. (except where otherwise stated). Current Steam coals:— Allies’ fixed prices. i Neutrals’ minimum ; prices. 'Last year s 1 prices. Best Admiralty steam coals 40/ 50/ 33/ Superior seconds 38/6 ; 47/6 i 31/6 Seconds 37/9 46/ 30,9 Ordinary 37/ 45/ ; 28/6 30/ ! 21'6 Steam smalls No. 1 28/6 Do. 2 28/ : 28/ 1 21/ Do. 3 27/6 27/6 j 20/6 1 20/ Do. 4 27/ 27/ Do. 5 26/6 26/6 19,6 Do. 6 26/ 26/ 19/ Do. 7 25 6 25/6 18/6 18/ Do. 8 25/ 25/ Best dry coals 37/ 45/ 30/ ________ Ordinary drys ________ 35/6 42/6 28,'6 30/ Best washed nuts 37/ 45/ Seconds 35/6 42/6 28/6 Best washed peas 34/6 40/ 27/6 Seconds 33/6 38/6 26/6 Monmouthshire— Black Veins 37/ 45/ 30/ Western-valleys 36/ 43/6 j 29/ Eastern-valleys 36/ 43/6 29/ Inferior do 35/ 42/ 28/ Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) 40/ 50/ i 33/ Second qualities (at pit) ; 37/9 46/ ! 30/9 No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large ' 1 ; 37/9 46/ . 30/9 Small 33/ 38/ 1 26/ No. 2 Rhondda— Large 34/ 41/ 33/ -35/6 ! ?7/ Through-and-through . 29/ -30/6 ! 22/ -23/6 Small 24/ -26/ 24/ -26' ' 17/ -19/ Best patent fuel 37' 45/ : 30/ Seconds 1 37/ 45/ 1 32' Special foundry coke 54/6 54/6 70/ 1 47/6 Ordinary do. ' 70/ ! 47/6 Furnace coke 54/6 i 70/ 47/6 Pitwood (ex-ship) 65/ I ' — i 75/ Current L’st week’s Last year’s Anthracite;— prices. prices. prices. Best malting large 37/ 37/ 30/ Seconds 36/ 36/ 29/ Thirds 34/6 34/6 "^Z 27/6 Red Vein large 32/6 34/6 25/6 Machine-made cobbles... 49/6 49/6 42/6 Seconds 48/ 48'6 41/ Thirds 46/ 46/ 39/ Red Vein cobbles 43/ 43/ 36/ Machine-made nuts 49/6 49/6 42/6 Seconds 48/ 48/ 41/ Thirds 46/ 46/ 39/ Red Vein nuts 43/ 43/ 36/ Machine - broken beans (best) 42/ 42/ 35/ Seconds 41/ 41/ 34/ Thirds 40/ 40/ 33/ Red Vein beans 38/ 38/ 31/ Peas (all qualities) 27/ 27/ 20/ Rubbly culm 20/ 20/ 13/ Red Vein culm 18/ vz 18/ 11/ Breaker duff 15/ '-'i 15/ 8/ Billy duff 13/6 13/6 6/6 Steam:— Best large steams 37/ 37/ 30/ Seconds 34/ 34/ 27/ Cargo through 23/6 Seconds ■ 22/ Bunker through 30/6 30/6 23/6 Smalls 26/ 24/ 19/ Second smalls I 17/ Bituminous:— Bituminous through ... 34/ 34/ 27/ Smalls 31/ 31/ 24/ Gas through 23/6 Gas smalls — — 21/ (Coke-oven) coke 54/6 54/6 _____________________________ Imports of Pit Props.—The table below shows the quan- tity and value of pit props or pit wood imported in November :— November. Jan.-Nov. _______________ ______ ^1917. 1918? 1917. 1918. Loads... 73,864... 47,329... 941,590... 674,814 Value... £405,080...£121,165... £3,967,984... £2,867,840