494 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 7, 1913. THE COAL AHO 1ROB TODB. Thursday, March 6. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Business has been active since last report in the Scotch coal trade, but the shipments have not been quite so good as had been anticipated. The aggregate clearances at the Scotch ports reached 305,616 tons, being 8,947 tons less than in the preceding week, and 21,229 behind the quantity despatched in the corresponding week of 1912. At Glasgow 38,070 went abroad and 39,456 coastwise, the total of 77,526 tons comparing with 69,188 in the preceding week, and 90,942 tons in the corresponding week of last year. The carters’ strike being now at an end, the obstructions of goods at Glasgow docks are being rapidly cleared away, so that loading will proceed more fully and regularly than in the past five weeks, during which the strike lasted. Coal- masters have generally good orders in hand, which keep the collieries well employed. The demand for steam coal, which had been comparatively quiet for some time, is now increasing, and prices are firm. House coal, both for ship- ment and inland consumption, is in active request, and for splint coal there is also a good market, while nuts have been selling briskly at comparatively high prices. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. 111,631 in the corresponding week of last year. There has been no lack of orders at the collieries, but the colliers are reported to have been working somewhat indifferently. There has been a falling away of about 12,000 tons in the coal shipments at Fife ports, chiefly due to coals not being got forward in sufficient quantity at Burntisland for expeditious loading. The clearances were at Methil 61,560, Burntisland 45,400, Wemyss 1,244, Tayport 864, Dysart 869, Charleston 225—total 110,162 tons, compared with 122,203 in the preceding week, and 84,800 in the corresponding week of last year. The volume of trade at Fife ports in the past two months has been quite encouraging, the ship- ments exceeding those of the corresponding period of last year by about 56,000 tons. The outlook in the district is also satisfactory, and the amount of business has every appearance of extension. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current Last week’s Best screened navigation prices. prices. coal 16/3 to 17/ 16/3 to 17/ Unscreened do 14/ to 14/6 14/ to 14/6 First-class steam coal 13/ to 13/6 13/ to 13/6 Third-class do. 12/ 12/ Treble nuts 13/3 to 13/9 13/3 to 13/9 Double do 13/ to 13/3 13/ to 13/3 Single do 12/6 to 13/ 11/6 to 12/ seconds and specials, firmer; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, from 6d. to 9d. increased; Northumbrians, coking coal, stronger. Sunderland. 6d. up; and amounted to as compared coke for the GOAL. The exports from Sunderland last week 101,460 tons of coal and 2,860 tons of coke, with 91,630 tons of coal and 1,680 tons of corresponding period of 1912, being an increase of 9,830 tons of coal and 1,180 tons of coke. The coal trade is firmer all round. A fairly large business is in progress for both prompt and forward shipment. There is a strong desire by merchants to get coal away before the Easter holidays, more particularly in view of the lower freights now ruling in all trades of which they wish to* take full advantage, but turns are getting very full and difficult to arrange, besides collieries are having a difficulty in keeping their outputs up to normal owing to the miners working somewhat badly. Beet gas coals are firmer and difficult to secure. Bunkers are dearer. Coking coals are also scarce and dearer. Coke is dull, but will no doubt improve with the recent rise in price of pig iron. The following are about the current market quotations:— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current Last week’s Steam coal prices. prices. 13/6 to 14/6 13/6 to 14/6 Ell 13/9 to 14/6 13/9 to 14/6 Splint 15/ to 15/6 15/ to 15/6 Treble nuts 14/ to 14/6 14/ to 14/6 Double do 13/9 to 14/3 13/9 to 14/3 Single do 13/6 to 14/ 13/6 to 14/ House coal is in excellent demand owing to cold weather, and there are very large quantities going into consumption at iron and steel works and other manufactories. Shipping business at the lower Clyde ports has been somewhat restricted. At Bowling 234 tons were cleared, Greenock 2,632, Irvine 1,200, Ardrossan 2,424, Troon 5,364, and Ayr 11,586—total 23,440 tons, against 32,316 in the preceding week, and 39,391 in the corresponding week of last year. IRON. The Glasgow iron market has continued irregular, but the reduced prices have attracted a considerable amount of buying, “ bears” having come forward to cover oversales, while a good proportion of iron has been purchased for delivery at fixed dates. The better prospect of an early settlement of the Balkan War has also had a favourable influence on the market. Since last report business has been done in Cleveland warrants from 61s. to 64s. cash, 61s. 3d. to 64s. 3d. one month, and 61s. 3|d. to 64s. 6d. three months. Transactions have also been noted in the same class of iron at 62s. 4|d. April 25,62s. for delivery in 19 days, 63s. 18 days, 63s. 6d. 28 days, 62s. 6d. May 7, and 63s. for May 26. There has been little enquiry for haematite warrants. Large deliveries of Scotch haematite are being made, but for future delivery the demand has been quiet, with the quotation 87s. for delivery at the steelworks. The prices of Scotch makers’ pig iron are generally 6d. lower than last week, although they have receded very little compared with the drop in warrants. Govan and Monkland are quoted f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 76e., Nos. 3, 74s. 6d ; Carnbroe, No. 1, 80s., No. 3, 76s.; Clyde, No. 1, 81s., No. 3, 76s.; Calder, Summerlee and Gartsherrie, Nos. 1, 81s. 6d., Nos. 3, 76s. 6d.; Langloan, No. 1, 82s. 6d., No. 3, 77s. 6d.; Coltness, No. 1, 99s., No. 3, 81s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 76s. 6d., No. 3, 75s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 83s., No. 3, 78s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 77s. 6d., No. 3, 75s. 6d.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 81s., No. 3, 76s.; Carron, at Grangemouth, No. 1, 83s., No. 3, 78s. per ton. The shipments of Scotch pig iron have been small, amounting to 1,317 tons foreign and 2,390 coastwise, the total of 3,707 tons comparing with 7,172 in the corresponding week of last year. Considerably less than the usual weekly supply of pig iron was received from the north-east coast of England—3,237 tons against 8,051 in the same week of 1912. The steel trade continues very busy, but there is a quiet feeling in the finished iron industry, with only a small amount of fresh business being done. The demand for house coal for home use is active, and prices are steady. ■orthumbBrland, Durham and Cleveland. ffevcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week, 129,693 tons of coal, and 718 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 8,250 tons of coal, and a decrease of 889 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 46,484 tons of coal, and 2,624 tons of coke, an increase of 3,565 tons of coal, and a decrease of 236 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 98,288 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 23,415 tons. The Russian State Railways are once more enquiring for tenders of 80,000 tons of steams for April-May delivery, but merchants are getting somewhat sceptical of these constant enquiries, which never, latterly, have resulted in business. Advices received from St. Petersburg by local merchants the other day were to the effect that merchants across there do not believe that the department intends to purchase any large supplies of coal this season. The following coal sales of magnitude are announced this week:— 20,000 tons Durham gas bests for delivery over the Baltic season to the Old Petersburg Gasworks at a price not divulged, but believed to be fully up to the level of recent similar business, and 12,000 tons good North-West Durham unsereened bunkers for fairly early delivery at 15s. per ton f.o.b. The St. Petersburg Municipal Gasworks are reported to be enquiring for 82.000 tons of gas coals for over-season delivery. The Danish State Railways want tenders, by March 11, of about 80,000 tons of steam coals. Latterly, Westphalia has been a very keen competitor for this business. The Finnish State Railways, which are in the market for 120,000 tons of steams, are stated to have extended their enquiries to South Yorkshire, This district, however, is expected to secure a fair share of the business. The coal market here is improving in activity and in firm- ness of quotation. There are numerous enquiries from many quarters and supplies of coal for loading prior to Easter are being fast depleted. There is a strong pressure for both steam and gas qualities for early loading, and colliery turns are fast booking up. A sharp rise in the price of pig iron is having a stimulating effect on Durham coal prices. FjO.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied very little this week, the following being the only changes :—Best steams, Blyths, are a shade stronger; smithies, 3d. down; gas bests, from 3d. to 6d. advanced; Current Last week’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals ... 15/ to 15/3 15/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 14/ to 14/3 13/6 Best house coals 17/ 17/ Ordinary do Other sorts:— 16/ 15/6 Lambton screened 15/3 15/ to 15/3 South Hetton do 15/ 14/6 15/ to 15/3 Lambton unscreened 14/ South Hetton do 14/6 14/ Do. treble nuts 17/ 16/6 Coking coals unscreened... 14/9 13/6 to 14/ Unscreened smalls 14/3 13/9 Smithies 14/9 14/ to 14/6 Peas and nuts 17/ to 17/6 16/ Best bunkers 14/9 14/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 14/ to 14/3 13/6 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (dlvrd. 26/6 27/6 Teesside furnaces) 27/6 24/6 Gas coke 17/ 17/6 Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The shipments of coal in Firth of Forth ports are some 4,000 tons better than in the preceding week, but the quantity despatched for the year to date are 24,000 tons behind the aggregate for the corresponding period of last year. The week’s clearances were, at Granton 8,545 tons, Bo’ness 15,526, Grangemouth 28,390, and Leith 42,027— total 94,488, compared with 90,885 in the preceding week and 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 12/9 13/6 to 14/ 12/9 to 13/ 12/3 to 12/6 Last week's prices. 13/3 to 13/6 12/3 to 12/9 13/6 to 14/ 12/9 to 13/ 12/3 to 12/6 Steam coals:— Beat, Blyths (D.C.B.)..... Do. Tynes (Bowers, &c.) Secondary, Blyths ...... Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... Unscreened ............. Small, Blyths .......... Do. Tynes ............. Do. specials .......... Other sorts:— Smithies ............... Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) ... Secondary gas coah (Pelaw Main or similar) Special gas coals....... Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. Northumbrians Coking coals............ Do. smalls ......... House coals ............ Coke, foundry ............ Do. blast-furnace........ Do. gas ................. Current prices. 14/9 14/6 to 14/9 13/6 13/6 to 13/9 12/6 to 13/ 10/6 10/ 11/ to 11/6 14/ 14/6 to 14/9 13/9 15/ 14/3 to 15/ 13/ to 13/6 ' 14/3 13/6 15/6 to 16/ 27/6 24/6 17/6 Last week’s prices. 14/6 to 14/9 14/6 to 14/9 13/6 13/6 to 13/9 12/6 to 13/ 10/6 10/ 11/ to 11/6 14/ to 14/3 14/3 13/6 to 13/9 14/6 to 15/ 13/6 to 14/6 13/ 14/ to 14/3 13/6 15/6 to 16/ 27/6 24/6 17/6 The freight market is quieter. There is a plentiful supply of tonnage. Recent fixtures are:—Mediterranean-Genoa 9a. 9d., Nice 9s. 6d., Naples 9s. 9d., Venice Ils. 9d., Malta 8s. 6d., Port Said Ils., Bombay 13a. 6d. The Bay is about steady with Bordeaux at 5s 9d. and Bayonne 6s. 3d. Baltic is on the basis of Swinemunde 5s. 3d., Fair water 5s. 6d., Memel 5a. l|d., Malta 6s., Christiania 6s., Abo 6s. 10|d, Cronstadt 6a. A freight contract is reported for the carriage of 18,000 tons Wear to Stockholm at 6s., with option loading at Blyth at same rate, The coasting market is quiet—London 3s. 3d., Hamburg 4s., Calais 4s. 3d. Mlddleibrough-on-TeeB. COAL. The fuel trade shows firmness all round, and for the time being merchants are upholding the full colliery quotations. The strength of the market is attributed chiefly to the rush for fuel before the Easter holidays, but a good many enquiries for delivery further ahead are reported. With the lengthening days, deliveries of gas coal are smaller, but quotations keep steady. Best Durham gas coal is 14s. 6d. to 14s. 9d., seconds 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d., and Wear specials 15?. Bunkers were strong with large quantities being taken up. Ordinary Durham bunkers are 14s. 3d. f.o.b., better kinds 14s. 6d., and specials 15s. Household coal is steady, though demand is not so heavy as it has been. Ordinary Durhams are 15s. 6d., and best household 17s. Coking coal is in good request at prices ranging from 13s. 9d. to 14s. 9d. Local consumption of coke is heavy, and with supply of furnace kinds none too plentiful, prices are very strong. Average blastfurnace kinds are now selling at 25s. delivered at Teesside works. A contract has been made at 21s. 6d. for medium furnace coke delivered in 1914. Good foundry coke is in the neighbourhood of 27s. 6d., f.o.b., and gaahouse coke ranges from 17s. to 17s. 6d. IRON. Shipments of iron and steel from the Tees last month were up to expectations. Those of pig iron totalled 92,851 tons, 82,731 tons going from Middlesbrough and 10,120 tons from Skinningrove. For the first month of the year, the total loadings of pig amounted to 92,257 tons, and the despatches for February a year ago reached 106,542 tons Last month’s shipments from Skinningrove were mostly for Scotland, 9,060 tons going to customers north of the Tweed, whilst the remaining 1,060 tons went to Holland. Of the pig depatched from Middlesbrough during the second month of the year, 52,037 tons went abroad and 30,694 tons to coastwise customers. Once more Scotland was the largest receiver, taking 21,820 tons, whilst France received 7,815 tons, Japan 7,701 tons, Belgium 7,357 tons, Italy 6,584 tons, and Holland 6,550 tons. Of the 19,490 tons of manufactured iron shipped from the Tees in February, 12,128 tons went to foreign ports and 7,362 tons coastwise and of the 43,516 tons of steel despatched, 39,668 tons went abroad and 3,848 tons coastwise. The Argentine, with an