INDEX. vii. Rice, Barton & Fale's Machine & Iron Co., Richmond, J. & Co., 959 River Pollution, 133, 200, 238, 279, 307, 341, Roach Bridge Paper Co., 761 Rock City Falls Paper Co., U.S.A., 577 Rotary Steam Engine, Wallace & Bump's, Roumania, 915, 979 Rubber Hoses, 738 Rumford Falls Paper Mill, 361, 381, 645, 887 St. Lawrence Paper Co., 856 St. Lawrence Power Co., U.S.A., 96, 758 St. Mary Cray Paper Mills, 482, 647 Salmon, William, 127 Salt Shipments from the Mersey, 121 Sandes, A., 573, 744, 902 Sandtraps & Pulp Heating, 724 Saxon Association of Ground Pulp Makers, Scandinavia, American Machinery for, 612, Scandinavian Cellulose Association, 967 Schmidt & Seybold's Oscillating Strainer, 15 Sembritzski, W., 803, 816 Shorrock, J. & R., 341, 384, 460 Skutskars Cellulosefabrik, 312, 462 South India Rhea Syndicate, 10 Spicer, H. & Co., 239, 242, 539 Springfield Mill, Maidstone, 93 Squier, F., 883 Starch, Quality of, 866 Star Paper Mill Co., 686, 761 Stationers' Mutual Benefit Society, 366 Stationers' Social Society, 238, 281, 883, 928 S.O. Contracts, 10, 176, 200, 341, 634, 768, 806 Steiger, Alph., 917 Stevens, W., 311 Stockholm, Guide to, 250 Storviks Sulfit Aktiebolag, 768, 844 Strainers, 15, 159, 335, 346, 352, 643, 956, 966 Strawboard Manufacture in U.S.A., 925 Straw Pulp Manufacture in Russia, 312 Technical Education, 478, 522, 799, 904 Tharsis Sulphur & Copper Co., 611 "The Industrial Uses of Cellulose," 271, 341 Thiry & Co., 386 Timber Resources of U.S.A., 729 Tokio Strawboard Co., Japan, 500 "Trade & Industry," 229 Trade Marks, 34, 70, 168, 630 Tramp Machineman, Views of a, 516 Turkey Mill, Maidstone, 92, 761, 799 Unfair Competition in Germany, 723, 724 United Alkali Co., 96, 238, 311, 424, 459, 535 Vafos Wood Pulp Mill, Norway, 432 Via Gellia Paint & Colour Co., 238 Waern, William, 538 Waldhof Sulphite Fibre Co., 191 Walleer & Billington, 522 Wall Paper Decorations, 662 Warren Bros., Re, 573 Warwick, Isaac & Co., 242 Waste Liquors, Treating, 161, 877 Waste Paper, Prices of, 132 "LANCASHIRE" BELTING CO., MANCHESTER. market has slightly advanced during the last few months for delivery over 1897, as the consumption seems to keep pace pretty well with the production, and, as the timber for wood pulp has been somewhat advanced, prices are about 2s. per ton dearer for moist pulp, and 5s. per ton for dry pulp, although new pulp mills, whose make is not yet known on the English market, are prepared to sell at the prices ranging during the whole of 1896, viz., 38s. 6d. to 39s. for moist, and £3 18s. to £3 19s. 6d. for dry. Considerable developments have been made of late by the Canadian pulp mills, but trans-Atlantic pulp has not been imported, comparatively speaking, in any great quantity. No doubt the low prices ruling militate against extensive business, and as long as the Scandinavians keep to about £2 per ton for moist and £4 for dry, there is apparently very little chance of trans-Atlantic pulp taking a firm footing in the English market, although some papermakers think that the fibre is longer and stronger than the Scandinavian, and are inclined to give it preference. The following prices were current at the end of the years given: At the beginning of the year the market for sulphite was quiet, and prices steady. A feature was the low value of soda. In February several German mills were reported to have contracted their output for some time ahead, but the buyers evidently were not British papermakers, the prices quoted being rather too high for this market, where low priced qualities are favoured. Any effort on the part of manufacturers to put up prices immediately caused papermakers to hold aloof. For several months the market was without any noteworthy feature, but in July makers of sulphite stood out for higher prices. Their views not being entertained by buyers, a deadlock in business followed. There was more activity in August and September, but manufacturers of sulphite were unable to obtain higher prices. Soda pulp mills loudly complained of the low prices ruling, and one or two contemplated shutting down unless £7 15s. per ton could be obtained. Sulphite advanced from 5s. to 10s. in October, and soda pulps were also firmer. The reason prices advanced was dearer timber, and in consequence of the formation of the Anglo-Sicilian Sulphur Co., the price of sulphur also advanced – about 15s. per ton-so that the advance of 10s. per ton for sulphite which has to be recorded is scarcely corresponding with the advance in sulphur, and probably both for sulphite and soda pulps the price may advance still another 10s. per ton. We give Mr. The Scandinavian Wood Pulp Association cannot look upon the year 1896 as one of marked activity, although under its auspices -principally at the instigation of a few individual members-developments have been proposed which may have an important bearing on the industry. The chief departure is in relation to the formation of a Wood Pulp Export Co. The proposal was discussed in a preliminary manner in May last, when manufacturers or at least some of them were bitterly complaining of the hurtful operations of speculators. A provisional committee was appointed, and after a lapse of some six months it was reported that the scheme would be proceeded with. The object is to prevent the market becoming demoralised by weak sellers accepting the offers of speculators, the company arranging to take the production, to sell same, and arrange freights, &c. The proposed company is receiving the warm support of Haaken Mathiesen, and at the Gothenburg meetings, in December, of the Scandinavian Wood Pulp Association adhesion was given to the scheme by those present. The support of two-thirds of the entire production is required before the company will be started, and it is questionable whether it will be forthcoming. Many are inclined to think that the interests involved are too conflicting that there is very little chance of such a company carrying out the ideas promulgated. Another departure during the year has been the establishment of the Norwegian Cellulose Association's Protection Society. It is stated that the Society is simply a court of arbitration in order to speedily smooth matters when trouble Occurs. Mr. Wihl. Melhuus, of the Vestfos Cellulose Mill, introduced the statutes, and Mr. F. Melhus acts as secretary and legal adviser. British Wood Pulp Association. This Association was formed early in the year, the wood pulp importers feeling that the trade had developed into one of large extent, and that there were several matters which could be more satisfactorily adjusted EXPERIENCED PAPERMAKERS SAY "LANCASHIRE" BELTS ARE BEST AND CHEAPEST. are by an association than by individual action. Mr. E. Partington was elected president, but the proceedings of the association given very little publicity. The objects are said to be: (1) To further the interest of the wood pulp trade by friendly intercourse, and the interchange of information and views; (2) to establish relations with kindred associations at home and abroad; (3) to recommend and adopt a uniform contract note and system of drawing and testing samples; (4) by combined action to bring pressure to bear on railway and dock companies, steamship owners, wharfingers, lightermen, and others in order to secure advantageous terms, rates, and charges; (5) to assist in any litigation by which the general interest of the wood pulp importers were, in the opinion of the committee, affected. Speculators v. Bona Fide Agents. At the time of alleged drought in Scandinavia efforts were made to force prices up, and this is referred to by Messrs. Aug. Zumbeck and Co. (London), in a report on the year's trade, as the action of speculators. They write:-"It shows again that wood pulp manufacturers would do much better by appointing reliable respectable agents to sell their production direct to the consumers, instead of selling their production, or the greater portion of it, to speculators and merchants, both in Christiania and Gothenburg, who induce the pulp manufacturers to accept lower prices, and after that try every means possible to drive prices up without considering the interest of the papermaker or the pulp manufacturer; and the inducement held out for cash payment by these speculators can also nearly in all cases be complied with by respectable agents in this country, who are quite ready to advance the necessary cash to the manufacturers for each successive monthly delivery." Messrs. Zumbeck and Co. doubt whether the proposed export company will be successfully formed, remarking that "wood pulp manufacturers serve their own interest far better by selling through reliable respectable agents, whose standing amongst the papermakers is such as to always ensure a fair market price being paid." ESPARTO. Esparto is a fibre appreciated only by the British papermaker, and although during recent years there has been a tendency in certain quarters to decry its value, compared with special brands of chemical wood pulp, yet it still finds favour amongst makers, who support their preference in a practical way by showing profitable returns on their output of paper. The demand during 1896 was in excess of 1895, the respective quantities being (from January to end of November) 174,782 tons and 169,128 tons. The Year's Movements. Business was fairly active at the beginning of the year, and prices had a hardening tendency. The moderate arrivals in January were largely augmented during the following month, the increased supply being welcomed by consumers who had run somewhat short. It may be noted that at this period there were no stocks at Tyne Dock, which occasioned some inconvenience, as formerly there were from 5,000 to 10,000 tons to draw upon by Lancashire and Scottish mills. Heavy receipts followed, and sales were pressed, buyers having an advantage in prices. The condition of the freight market enabled charterers to engage tonnage at moderate rates. There was an expansion in the demand during April, and enquiries for contracts showed that several users were inclined to take larger quantities. There were, however, some mills which had given up the use of esparto entirely. The arrivals in May showed a decline compared with the corresponding month of the previous year, many mills no doubt being well stocked. Spanish was particularly firm. The freight market showed very little variation. A considerable advance in imports was recorded in June and July, and a period of dulless was then experienced. In August there was a mild enquiry. Steamers were plentiful, and rates of freight receded. In September, however, freight rates showed a rapid advance-15 to 20 per cent.-and anxiety was caused to shippers, as some mills relied upon punctual deliveries, and steamers were difficult to secure, even at top rates. Esparto prices were well maintained, except the lower grades of Africa, which were rather weak. During October and November imports were only moderate, necessitating judicious distribution on the part of sellers. A large extent of business during the past month or two has been transacted for fulfilment down to the autumn of 1897. |