286 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 7, 1913. THE COAL 19D BROS TRADES. Thursday, February 6. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The business of coal shipment is well maintained, and indeed has been making progress week by week. The past week’s aggregate clearances at Scotch ports reached 319,599 tons, being 22,977 tons more than in the preceding week, an increase of 40,320 tons compared with the corresponding week of last year. At Glasgow 32,944 tons were sent abroad and 32,339 coastwise, the total of 65,283 tons comparing with 59,550 in the preceding week, and 13,407 in the corresponding week of 1912, when work was almost completely suspended at the harbour, owing to a strike of dock labourers. At the lower Clyde ports there was a fair business, the shipments being 244 at Bowling, Irvine 325, Greenock 1,772, Ardrossan 5,238, Troon 7,487, and Ayr 12,164—total 27,230 tons, against 28,263 in the preceding week, and 48,556 in the corresponding week of last year. The last-named figures were greatly increased in con- sequence of loading being diverted to these ports by the strike at Glasgow. The demand for coal has been active since last report, and prices are in most instances 6d. higher. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal Current prices. 13/6 to 14/6 Last week’s prices. 13/6 to 14/ Ell 13/6 to 14/6 13/6 to 14/ Splint 15/ to 15/6 14/6 to 15/ Treble nuts . 14/ to 14/6 13/6 to 14/ Double do 13/6 to 14/ 13/ to 13/6 Single do 13/6 to 14/ 13/ to 13/6 The enquiry for shipment is such as to indicate that a good business is likely to be done in succeeding weeks. Home demand is good in all directions. House coal has been passing very freely into consumption at steady rates. The better sorts of coal and nuts meet with a ready sale. Coal for manufacturing purposes was raised 6d. per ton as from the beginning of the month. IRON. The Glasgow pig iron market has been comparatively quiet, and prices of warrants, which gained somewhat last week, were depressed to the lowest point early in the present week. Since last report Cleveland warrants have sold from 65s. 9d. to 65s. 3d. cash, 66s. to 66s. Id. one month, and 66s. 6d. to 65s. 7d. three months, transactions being also noted at 65s. 8|d. and 65s. 71d. for delivery in eleven days. There is a strong call for Cleveland iron in Scotland, and the arrivals in the past week reached 9,835 tons. Total imports since the beginning of the year amount to 47,359 tons, being 11,560 tons more than in the corresponding period of last year. A decrease in stock will not unlikely bring renewed strength into the market. There are 92 furnaces blowing in Scotland compared with 85 at this time last year, and large quantities of pig iron are going into use, prices being maintained. Govan and Monkland are quoted f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 77s., Nos. 3, 75s. 6d.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 80s. 6d., No. 3, 76s. 6d.; Clyde, No. 1, 82s., No. 3,77s.; Calder, Summerlee and Gartsherrie, Nos. 1, 82s. 6d., Nos. 3, 77s. 6d.; Langloan, No. 1, 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, No. 1, 78s., No. 3, 76s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 82s., No. 3, 77s.; Carron at Grangemouth, No. 1, 83s., No. 3, 78s. per ton. The shipments of Scotch pig iron in the past week amounted to 5,793 tons, being 3,190 tons more than in the corresponding week of last year. There is great activity in the steel trade, and deliveries have been obstructed by the Glasgow carters’ strike. A fair enquiry is experienced from abroad, but the home business as regards new orders is quiet. The bar iron trade is not quite so brisk as it was towards the end of the year, but on the whole matters have not much occasion for complaint. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. There has been an active business in the coal trade of the Lothians and adjacent districts, and the Firth of Forth shipments have shown a considerable increase. At Granton 12,331 tons were cleared, Bo’ness 13,621, Leith 42,830, and Grangemouth 44,866—total 113,648 tons, comparing with 96,980 in the preceding week, and 99,171 in the corresponding week of 1912. The collieries are very fully employed, with orders for several weeks ahead; but it is stated that merchants have, in some cases, been making sales somewhat below the colliery rates. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coa'i 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/ to 12/6 Labt week’s prices. 13/3 to 13/6 12/3 to 12/6 13/6 to 14/ 12/9 to 13/: 12/ to 12/6 The inland demand for house coal and nuts has been active, owing to the prevalence of cold weather, and prices are well maintained. The number of steamers available for loading coal at the principal Fife ports has been larger than usual, and the despatch has only been moderately good. Supplies have not been so full as could be desired, but an improvement in this respect is anticipated. The past week’s shipments were at Methil 57,144 tons, Burntisland 50,230, Alloa 2,468, Dysart 1,918, Wemyss 1,017, Tayport 432, Charleston 229— total 113,438 tons, compared with 111,829 in the preceding week and 118,145 in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current Last week’s Best screened navigation prices. prices. coal 16/6 to 17/ 16/6 to 17/ Unscreened do 14/6 to 15/ 14/6 to 15/ First-class steam coal 13/6 to 14/ 13/9 to 14/ Third-class do. 12/3 to 12/6 12/3 to 12/6 Treble nuts 13/ to 14/ 13/ to 14/ Double do 13/ to 13/3 13/ to 13/3 Single do 12/ to 12/3 12/ to 12/3 Home consumers have been taking good supplies at firm prices and the outlook is altogether of a promising character. lorthumberland, Durham and Sleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. GOAL. During last week 153,823 tons of coal and 1,130 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 10,241 tons of coal and a decrease of 3,387 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 49,668 tons of coal and 3,115 tons of coke, a decrease of 2,115 tons of coal and an increase of 204 tons of coke. The Bly th shipments totalled precisely 100,000 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 18,674 tons. Further advices with reference to the 20,000 tons of Durham unscreened coking coal taken by the Paris, Lyons and Marseilles Railways for February- August delivery indicate that the contract price was 30’90 fr. per ton delivered at the company’s depot via Rouen; it is stated also that 30,000 tons of German gas coal have been taken by the company at 6|d. per ton less than the price just mentioned. The Russian State Railways will, it is said, require from 500,000 to 700,000 tons of steams for delivery from March up to the close of Baltic navigation. It is stated that they have already contracted for 50,000 tons of Blyth bests on the basis of 15s. per ton f.o.b. After all, a portion of the order for steam coals for the Chilian railways has come to this district, some 30,000 tons of Tyne seconds having been contracted for at a price not stated; another 30,000 tons are stated to be in negotiation. The Russian Marine authorities are stated to have contracted for 80,000 tons of best Blyth steams for delivery over the ensuing Baltic season. The order has been given through their agents in this country, and the price has not been divulged. Tenders of the 470,000 tons of steams required by the Swedish State Railways for delivery up to the end of the year have been forwarded, and are stated to have been based on about 15s. per ton f.o.b* for bests and 14s. for seconds—figures which are regarded as rather high in comparison with those sent in from other districts. Scottish quotations, for example, are said to be considerably lower than 15s. Some 50,000 tons of good second-class Durham unscreened bunkers are stated to have been arranged for for shipment over the next two years at Ils. 10|d. per ton f.o.b. Information from Genoa is to the effect that Durham gas bests for prompt shipment are offering at 27s. 6d. per ton c.i.f., with 24s. 9d. quoted for over-year delivery. Business in the local coal market is rather quiet, there being a tendency to hold off pending the settlement of the Swedish State Railways’ contracts. Prices generally are easier. The variations in f.o.b. quota- tions for prompt shipment are as follow on the week :—Best steams, Blyths, easier; Tynes, 3d. advanced; unscreened, 6d. down; Blyth smalls, 3d. to 6d. reduced; specials, 6d. to Is. advanced; smithies, weaker; gas specials, 3d. decreased; coking coal, in buyer’s favour; coke, foundry, inclined to fall; blastfurnace, 2s. lower ; and gas coke, 6d. to Is. reduced. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. For forward loading most sorts of coals are fairly well maintained, however. Best Blyth steams, for shipment over the month, are quoted at 15s. l|d. For over-season loading they are offered at 20s. 9d. c.i.f. Cronstadt, but without finding customers thus far, it is said. Later.—Telegraphic advices from Stockholm are to the effect that the Swedish State Railways have allotted con- tracts for 530,000 tons of steam coals—north country, -Is. 6d., Rouen 5s. 6d. Yorkshire and Scottish product. At the time of writing Middlesbrough-on-Tees. the following are the only details to hand:—20,000 tons COAL. Lambton at 21s. 7d. per ton c.i.f., option Randolph or South Hetton at 21s. 5d., option D.C.B. at 21s. 3d., option Hastings or West Hartleys at 20s. 3d., have been ordered for delivery at Norrkoping from April to November ; 10,COO tons D.C.B., option Newbiggin at 21s., April-November delivery at Norrkoping ; 10,000 tons D.C.B. at 20s. 6d., delivery April- November at Helsingborg; 5,000 tons D.C.B. at 20s. 6d., April-December delivery at Malmo; 40,000 tons D.C.B. at 20s. 7|d., April-December delivery at Stockholm; 20,000 tons Broomhill at 19s. 9d., April-December delivery at Stockholm; 19,000 tons Lochgelly or Cowdenbeath at 20s. 4d., April-December delivery at Sundsvall; and 16,000 tons ditto at 20s. 2d., June-October delivery at Lulea. These details only account, of course, for a comparatively small fraction of the total allotment. Fuller details show that about 232,000 tons of Northumberland and Durham, 256,000 tons of Scottish, and 5,000 tons of Westphalian coals have been ordered. Yorkshire appears to have been omitted from the allotments. Contract prices are repre- sented by from 20s. 7|d. to 21s. 2d. per ton delivered at Stockholm for Blyth bests. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals:— Current prices. Last week’s prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) 14/9 to 15/ 15/ Do. Tynes (Bowers, &c.) 15/ to 15/3 15/ to 15/6 Secondary, Blyths 14/ 14/ Do. Tynes (Hasting! or West Hartleys) 14/3 14/3 Unscreened 13/ 13/ to 13/6 Small, Blyths , 10/ to 10/3 10/6 Do. Tynes 10/ 10/ Do. specials 10/6 to 11/ 10/6 Other sorts:— Smithies 14/6 to 15/ 15/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) ... 15/ 15/ Secondary gas coak (Pelaw Main or similar) 14/3 14/3 Special gas coals 15/ 15/3 Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 14/ to 15/ 14/ to 15/ Do. do. Northumbrians 13/ to 13/6 ' 13/ to 13/6 Coking coals 14/6 to 15/ 15/ Do. smalls 14/6 14/6 House coals 15/6 to 16/ 15/6 to 16/ Coke, foundry 28/ to 30/ 30/ Do. blast-furnace 25/ I 27/ Do. gas 18/ to 18/6 19/ Sunderland. GOAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 108,110 tons of coal, and 1,085 tons of coke, as compared with 95,245 tons of coal, and 2,185 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1912, being an increase of 12,865 tons of coal, and a decrease of 1,100 tons of coke. The coal market is steady, and practically all descriptions remain about as last quoted. Tonnage is more in evidence, and some collieries report full bookings for the remainder of the month. There is a good demand for best gas coals. Bunker coals are also in good request. Coking coals find a ready sale. Foundry and gas coke are both somewhat easier. Household trade is slow ; there is not much trade passing, the disposition being to wait and see the result of the Swedish railway contracts. On the whole supplies are fuller and turns less congested, which is having a tendency to easier prices. It is reported that the Horsens, also the Fredericia Gasworks, have contracted for 5,000 and 7,000 tons respectively of Wearmouth gas coal, but the price so far is not known. The sale of 10,000 tons of bunkers for delivery over the year is also reported at 13s. free on board. Quotations are as follow :— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current Last week’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals ... 16/ 16/ Secondary do. 14/3 to 14/6 14/6 to 14/9 House coals :— Best house coals 17/ 17/ Ordinary do 16/ 16/ Other sorts:— Coking coals unscreened... 14/9 to 15/3 15/ Unscreened smalls 14/6 14/6 to 15/ Smithies 15/6 15/ Peas and nuts 16/ 16/ to 17/ Best bunkers 15/ 15/ Ordinary bunkers 14/3 1 14/3 Coke:— Foundry coke 28/ to 29/ 31/ Blast-furnace coke (dlvrd Teesside furnaces) 25/ 26/ Gas coke j 18/ 19/ The freight market is steady. Recent fixtures include— Mediterranean: Genoa Ils., Marseilles 9s. 9d., Oran 9s. 3d., Algiers 9s. 3d., Civita Veochia Ils. 6d., Nice 10s. 3d., Leghorn 10s. 9d. The Bay is steady : Bilbao 7s., St. Nazaire 6s. 6d., La Rochelle 6s. 3d., Bayonne 7s. 9d., Bordeaux 5s. 9d. Baltic is easy .* Stettin 6s., Kiel 6s., Reval 7s. 3d., Cronstadt 6s. 3d. It is reported that a freight contract of 25,000 to 30,000 tons from Tyne to Reval has been done at 7s. 3d. over the season. Coasting turns have been rather difficult to arrange, consequently rates have been lower, London paying 3s. 6d., Antwerp 4s. 6d., Calais The fuel trade is steady, with a moderate business passing. Gas coal is in fairly good request, and deliveries are still heavy. Best gas kinds run from 15s. to 15s. 3d., and second classes 14s. 3d. to 14s. 6d. Large quantities of bunker coal are being taken up, and ordinary Durhams are quoted from 14s. 3d. f.o.b., with best sorts at 15s. and special kinds 15s. 6d. to 16s. Household coal is in fairly good request and