78 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 10, 1913, THE COAL AID IROI TRADES, Thursday, January 9 Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The coal shipments at Scotch ports in the past week were large for a holiday week, amounting to 223,399 tons, and 102,191 more than in the corresponding week of the preceding year. Many vessels got away whose loading was practically completed before the holidays began, and hence the comparatively good clearances. At Glasgow the quantity despatched was 58,226 tons, against 69,659 in the preceding week and 26,938 in the corresponding week of last year. The shipments at Bowling were 114 tons, Irvine 874, Greenock 3,531, Ardrossan 3,793, Troon 5,143, and Ayr 8,960, these added to the Glasgow figures making up a total for the Western district of 80,641 tons, against 105,797 in the preceding week and 39,089 in the opening week of 1912. The colliers have made a good start after the holidays, if we except the case of the men connected with the Summerlee Coal Company's pits at Bellshill, Lanark- shire, who have remained out to the number of 1,000, owing to a question of non-union labour. There has been a good demand this week for coal, prices being generally well maintained. In some instances, the supplies laid in before the holidays, rendered purchasers somewhat independent, but the market as a whole has been active, and the prospects appear to be quits favourable. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Cu r* nt Last week’s Steam coal pnc.s. 13/6 to 14/ prices. 13/6 to 14/ Ell 13/6 to 13/9 13/6 to 13/9 Splint 14/ to 14/6 14/ to 14/6 Treble nuts 13/6 to 14/ 13/3 to 13/6 Double do 13/ to 13/6 12/9 to 13/ Single do 12/ to 13/ 12/ to 12/6 The inland business also promises well. Household demand is active at steady prices. Supplies for manufac- turers’ use are likely to be very heavy for a considerable time to come. Small hard coal and dross are in strong request at very good prices. IRON. The business in pig iron has been fair in amount, and while prices have fluctuated in accord with the trade and political outlook day by day, their general tendency has been steady. Business has been done in Cleveland warrants since last report from 67s. 7|d. to 68s. Id. cash, 68s. 2d. to 68s. 7d. one month, and 68s. 101d. to 69s. l|d. three months, 69s. being also paid for delivery on March 24 Scotch pig iron has been steady to firm. Govan and Monkland, Nos. 1, are quoted at Glasgow, 77s., Nos. 3, 75s. 6d.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 81s., No. 3, 77s.; Clyde, No. 1,82s., No. 3,77s. ; Calder, No. 1, 82s. 6d., No. 3, 77s. fid.; Summerlee, No. 1, 82s. 6d , No. 3, 77s. 6d.; Gartsherrie, No. 1, 83s., No. 3, 78s.; Langloan, No. l,83s.6d., No. 3, 78s. 6d.; Coltness, No. 1, 99s., No. 3, 81s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1,77s., No. 3, 76s.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 83s. 6d., No. 3, 78s. 6d.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, N x 1, 79s., No. 3, 77s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 82s., No. 3, 77s.; Carton at Grangemouth, No. 1, 83s., No. 3, 78s. Scotland.—Eastern District. GOAL. The coal shipments at Firth of Forth ports in the pist week made a better appearance than was expected, owing to the New Year holidays. From Granton 10,105 tons were despatched, Bo’ness 11,061, Grangemouth 30,403, Leith 40,938—total 92,507 tons, compared with 125,377 in the preceding week, and 58,375 in the corresponding week of last year. There is a fair enquiry, and the tone of the market is steady. -Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal Secondary qualities .... Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 13/3 to 13/6 12/3 to 12/6 13/6 to 14/ 12/9 to 13/ 12/3 to 12/6 Last week’s prices. 13/ to 13/6 12/ to 12/3 13/6 to 14/ 12/9 to 13/ 11/9 to 12/ The inland demand has been good, and both house and furnace coals are in demand at steady rates. Business in the Fife coal trade has been resumed with encouraging prospects. Shipments were good for the holiday week. At Methil 25,133 tons were cleared, Burnt- island 22,896, Alloa 519, Wemyss 500, Tayport 429, Charleston 395, and Dysart 379—total 50,251 tons, compared with 102,497 in the preceding week and 23,744 in the holiday week of the preceding year. There has since last report been hardly any variation in values. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. Last week’s prices. Best screened navigation coal 16/6 to 17/ 17/ to 18/ Unscreened do 14/ to 15/ 15/ to 16/ First-class steam coal 13/9 to 14/ 13/9 to 14/ Third-class do 12/3 to 12/6 12/ Treble nuts 13/ to 14/ 13/6 to 14/ Double do 12/6 to 13/ 12/6 to 13/ Single do 12/ to 12/3 12/ to 12/3 The year has begun in a promising manner, the outlook both as regards home and export business being of an encouraging nature. ^orthumborlandB Durham and Cleveland. levoastle-upon-Tyne. GOAL. During last week 111,202 tons of coal and 638 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 2,601 tons of coal and a decrease of 488 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week 12 months previous y. The Dunston clearances amounted to 34,763 tons of coal and 3,005 tons of coke, a decrease of 8,131 tons of coal and 217 tons of coke. The Bly th ship- ments totalled 57,097 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 10,222 tons. During last yesir 6,498,229 tons of coal and 70,208 tons of coke were sent from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 759,586 tons of coal and 22204 tons of coke. The Bly th shipments during 1912 amounted to 4,186,004 tons of coal and 12,675 tons of coke, decreases of 224,337 tons of coal and 2,091 tons of coke. The falling off, as compared with 1911, was almost entirely attributable to the miners’ strike in the spring, and the railwaymen’s stoppage in December. A quantity of Broomhill steams have been sold for shipment over the year at 14s. per ton, f.o.b. Wark worth. Some 40,000 tons of best Durham unscreened coking coal have been sold at 15s. per ton, f.o.b. for similar shipment. A large quantity of best Durham unscreened bunkers has been sold for 1913 delivery at 15s. The Portuguese railways contract for 13,600 tons of coals has been secured locally for half Whorlton coal and half Beaumont, delivery over January- February at prices estimated to leave fully current selling values. The Russian naval authorities are considering tenders of 87,000 tons of Welsh steams and 86,000 tons of local steam bests. Delivery is to be mainly from April to July, with a portion for shipment up to the end of the year. This enquiry is in addition to the large requirements of the Russian State Railways. An enquiry is in circulation for 140,000 tons of steams for delivery to the Chilian Railways over the first half of this year. Tenders of native coal, Welsh, Japanese, Australian and local coals have been asked for, but it is not thought likely that any portion of the order will come to this district, Australia and Japan having too big an advantage in point of freights. New works at Belgium are negotiating for 1,000,000 tons of best Durham coking coals for delivery over the next five years. One colliery is stated to have undertaken the contract to supply 125,000 tons of the total at Ils. 7d. per ton f.o.b. shipment over the period stated. The balance of the order is still in negotiation. There is not a very large volume of prompt business being done in the local coal market at present, for loading turns are still heavily filled, and arrangements for early loading are difficult to make. There is, too, a disposition on the part of merchants to hold off, in view of the tendency of prices towards ease. The following changes in prices have occurred over the week:—Best Bly th steams are from 6d. to 9d. cheaper; unscreened, easier; Blyth smalls, 9d. to Is. 6d. down; Tynes, 6d. down; smithies, 6d. lower; gas bests, similarly reduced; specials, 3d. fallen; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 3d. to 9d. lower; Northumbrians, Is. less; coking coal, 6d. down; and foundry coke, stronger. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current Last week’s Steam coals ■.— Best, Biyths (D.C.B.) Do. Tynes (Bowers, &c.) Secondary, Biyths D>. Tynes (Hasting* or West Hartleys) Unscreened Small, Biyths Do. Tynes Do. specials Other sorts:— Smithies Best gas coals (Nev Pelton or Holmside Secondary gas coak (Pelaw Main or similar) Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, Durham* Do. do. Northumbrian^ Coking coals Do. smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas prices. 14/9 to 15/ 15/6 14/ 14/ 12/6 to 13/6 11/3 to 11/6 : 11/ 13/ ’ 15/6 15/6 15/ 15/9 14/9 to 15/3 13/ 15/6 15/ 15/6 to 16/ 32/ 27/ 22/ prices. 15/6 15/6 14/ 14/ 13/6 12/ to 13/ 11/ to 11/6 13/ 16/ 16/ 15/ 16/ 15/ to 16/ 14/ !6/ 15/ 15/6 to 16/ 30/ to 32/ 27/ 22/ Sunderland. GOAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 67,975 tons of coal and no coke, as compared with 63,110 tons of coal and 2,375 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1912, being an increase of 4.865 tons of coal, and a decrease of 2,375 tons of coke. The coal market, though firm, is much handicapped by reason of the congested stems, there is more coal on offer for the second half Of Janu ry, and second-hand sellers are more in evidence, hencu prices are inclined to ease a little. The new Belgian works are inviting offers of 1,000,000 tons of Durham coking unscreened coal for delivery over five years. It is reported that they have already contracted for 125,000 tons, being part of the above at Ils. 7d. free on board, over the five years. Tenders have been sent in to the Copenhagen gas works for 200,000 tons of gas coal, and a quantity of steam smalls. There is still a good demand for coke and bunker coals. Quotations may be put down as follow : — Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current [ Last week’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals ... 16/6 16/6 to 17/ Secondary do. House coals:— 15/ 15/ Best house coals 17/ 17/ Ordinary do Other sorts :— 16/ 16/ Coking coals unscreened .. 16/ ; 16/ Unscreened smalls 15/6 15/6 Smithies 15/ to 16/ 15/ to 16/ Peas and nuts 16/ to 17/ 16/ to 17/ Best bunkers 16/ ' 16/3 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 15/ 15/ to 15/6 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (dlvrd 32/6 32/6 Teesside furnaces) 27/ to 28/ 30/ Gas coke 21/ to 22/ 21/6 to 22/ The freight market continues strong, especially for the Mediterranean ports, Genoa-Savona being Ils., Naples Ils., Malta 10s. For the Bay 6s. 6d. has been paid for Bayonne, and Bordeaux 5s. 6d., St. Nazaire 5s. 3d. Coasting rates are on the weak side, with London at 3s. 3d., Antwerp 3s. 9d., Calais 4s., Rotterdam 3s. 3d. Baltic is firmer, with Riga at 6s. 9d. and 7s.; Lubeck 6s. 6d. Other directions unchanged. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. There is more coal on offer in second hands, and some merchants are offering rather freely. This is easing values somewhat. Best gas coal is 15s. 6d. to 15s. 9d., and seconds 15s. 3d. Bunker coal is in good request, and ordinary Durhams are 14s. 9d. f.o.b., whilst best sorts are 15s. to 15s. 6d., and specials 16s. 6d. Household coal is steady, with ordinary Durhams at 16s. and bests at 17s. Coking coal is in good demand, and is steady and firm. Smalls are 14s. 9d. to 15s. 6d., as are also unscreened sorts. Values of coke are coming down, but they are still too high to suit ideas of buyers. Foundry coke is about 32s. 6d. f.o.b.; blast-furnace kinds are in the neighbourhood of 27s. delivered at Teesside works, and gas coke is about 21s. 6d. IRON. The iron trade is in a most healthy state. Prospects are very bright and encouraging, and if labour troubles do not arise to disturb the situation the year just commencing promises to be one of exceptional prosperity. The supply of iron is inadequate, and practically the only stock in existence is the 240,304 tons of Cleveland pig in the public warrant stores. Notwithstanding these favourable con- ditions, values of Cleveland iron are rather easy. No. 3 g.m.b. is on sale at 68*. f.o.b., at which figure a few prompt lots have been disposed of. No. 1 is 70s. 6d.; No. 4 foundry and No. 4 forge each 67s. 9d., and mottled and white iron each 67s. 3d. There is still no east coast haematite pig available for anything like early delivery, and the forward quotation of mixed numbers is fully 83s. There is no business passing in foreign ore, and prices are, if anything, a little easier. Rubio of 50 per cent, quality is 22s. 6d. to 22s. 9d. ex-ship Tees. Very excellent accounts are given of all branches of the manufactured iron and steel industries. Values all round show a marked upward tendency, but the only actual advances to record are 5s. in iron bars and angles. Principal market quotations now stand :—Common iron bars, .£8 15s.; best bars, £9 2s. 6d.; best best bars £9 10s. ; packing iron, £6 5s.; iron ship-plates, <£8; iron ship rivets, <£9 15s.; iron ship angles, .£8 15s.; iron girder plates, .£8 2s. 6d.; iron boiler plates, .£8 17s. 6d.; steel ship-plates, £8 5s.; steel ship angles, £7 17s. 6d.; steel boiler plates, £9; steel joists, £7 7s. 6d. to £7 10s.; cast iron railway chairs £4 10s. ; light iron rails, £7 to £7 5s. • heavy steel rails £6 15s.; and steel railway sleepers, £7 to £7 2s. 6d.—railway material net, and all other descriptions less 2| per cent. South-West Lancashire. COAL The household trade in this vicinity lags considerably and the continuance of the mild weather makes it a more negligible quantity than usual at this time of the year. Forges and users of round screened coal for forge and manufacturing purposes continue to draw full supplies. With regard to shipping, bunkering requirements under contract keep well up to the recent high level, though outside enquiry is hardly as brisk as it was. Since work was resumed at the pits, supplies have come along fairly well, and, on the whole, are fully equal to requirements. The shipments of house fuel for coastwise and cross-channel trade, in sympathy with the inland demand, are not at all up to the average winter delivery. A large quantity of slack continues to be drawn from the collieries, as almost every class of user is at his busiest, and prices for this class of fuel continue very firm.