650 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 28, 1913. THE COAL AID IRO® TRADES. Thursday, March 27. *■■•*.“* ’*• x. -.--x. . •• -X .-.. ----- -S».,-w, Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The amount of coal shipped at the Clyde ports in the past week was larger than might have been anticipated owing to the holiday, which was observed in the district to a more general extent than usual. At Glasgow 35,679 tons were sent abroad and 38,767 coastwise, the total of 74,446 tons comparing with 80,537 in the preceding week. The comparison with the corresponding week of last year is of little or no value, as the national strike of colliers was then in existence, and the shipments were exceptionally small. The aggregate coal shipments at the Scotch ports in the past week amounted to 281,679 tons, showing a decrease of 52,468 tons as compared with the preceding week. There is a fair supply of orders at the collieries in the western district, but the pressure is for the most part for home supplies. Still the amount of the shipments is far from unsatisfactory, taking all the circumstances into account. The demand for steam coal has been more elastic than of late, and the better qualities of house coal are passing away in a satisfactory manner at firmer rates. Splint coal has met with a full demand at steady prices, and the moderate supply of nuts, together with a continuance of active demand, serves to keep up the values of these at a higher level than in some other districts. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current prices. Last week's prices. Steam coal 13/6 to 14/ 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/ The coastwise trade has been fair in amount, notwith- standing that rough weather at sea has caused considerable detention in vessels, and irregularity in their arrival for cargoes. At Bowling the shipments were 226 tons, Greenock 310, Irvine 812, Ardrossan 4,088, Troon 7,374, and Ayr 14,750—total 27,569 tons, against 30,359 in the preceding week. The holidays have not had much effect on the inland consumption, which is everywhere on an extensive scale, and prices are maintained. IRON. The Glasgow pig iron market was closed from Thursday till Tuesday for the holidays, and there has not been a very active demand for supplies, although prices have on the whole a somewhat firmer tendency. Business has been done in Cleveland warrants at 64s. 7|d. to 64s. lid. cash, 64s. ll|d. one month, and 62s. Id. to 62s. 6d. three months, 62a. being also done for early June delivery. Cumberland haematite is comparatively neglected. The current con- sumption of Scotch haematite is large, but purchases for future delivery may be made at reduced rates—85s. to 86s. being quoted by merchants as probable for fair orders. Makers of Scotch ordinary and special brands continue well supplied with orders, and prices are accordingly com- paratively steady. Free at ship at Glasgow, Govan and Monkland Nos. 1 are quoted 75s. 6d , Nos. 3, 74s.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 78s. 6d., No. 3, 74s. 6d.; Clyde and Calder, Nos. 1, 80s. 6d., Nos. 3,75s. 6d.; Summerlee and Gartsherrie, Nos. 1, 81s., Nos. 3,76s.; Langloan, No. 1,82s., No. 3, 77s.; Coltness, No.'l, 99s., No. 3, 81s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 75s. 6d., No. 3, 74s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 82s., No. 3, 77s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 76s. 6d., No. 3, 74s. 6d.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 80s. 6d., No. 3, 75s. 6d.; Carron, at Grangemouth, No. 1, 82s., No. 3, 77s. per ton. The shipments of pig iron from Scotch ports were 3,367 tons foreign and 2,086 coastwise, the total of 5,453 tons comparing with 7,987 in the corresponding week of 1912. The arrivals at Grangemouth of pig iron from Middlesbrough and district amounted to 8,179 tons, showing an increase of 5,203 compared with the quantity received in the corresponding week of last year. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Business in coal at Firth of Forth ports was compara- tively quiet. Vessels were detained by bad weather at sea. Had it not been that the coastwise trade, especially to the Thames, turned out fairly well, the shipments must have been very unsatisfactory. The clearances were at Granton 8,431, Bo'ness 15,848, Grangemouth 21,433, and Leith 34,419 —total 80,131 tons, compared with 104,543 in the preceding week. There has been comparatively little alteration in prices. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current prices. Last week's prices. Best screened steam coal 13/3 to 13/6 13/3 to 13/6 Secondary qualities 12/3 to 12/9 12/3 to 12/9 Treble nuts 13/3 to 13/9 13/6 to 14/ Double do 13/ to 13/3 12/9 to 13/ Single do 12/6 to 13/ 12/3 to 12/6 The inland business in coal in the Lothians has been very active, and in some districts advances have been made in prices under contract for delivery to merchants and con- sumers for delivery over a period. The Scottish Mineral Oil Association has advanced the wages of shale miners 6d. and those of the oilworkers 3d. per day. The shipments of coal from Fife ports in the past week show a decrease of 22,000 tons. At the larger ports the reduced clearances have been somewhat marked. There is now a prospect, however, of a large and increasing business being done at the new Methil dock which was recently opened, and to load at which vessels have now been admitted. The week's clearances were at Burntisland 48,440 tons, Methil 45,259, Wemyss 809, Dysart 604, Tayport 825, Alloa 513, and Charleston 192—total 96,642 tons, com- pared with 118,708 tons in the preceding week. Prices have been steady. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation coal Unscreened do. First-class steam coal Third-class do Treble nuts Double do Single do Current prices. 16/3 to 17/ 14/ to 14/6 13/ to 13/6 12/ 13/3 to 13/9 13/ to 13/3 12/6 to 13/ Last week's prices. 16/3 to 17/ 14/ to 14/6 13/ to 13/6 12/ 13/3 to 13/9 13/ to 13/3 12/6 to 13/ The outlook for early shipments is regarded as quite encouraging both for northern and Mediterranean ports, and the moderate prices are in favour of an extended business. Inland demand is strong, and quotations well maintained. lorthumlierland. Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. GOAL. The incidence of the Easter holidays drove a wedge into business during the past week, and the market is only just beginning to fully recover from the suspension of operations With repairs being executed to the berths at Dunston and Tyne Dock closed against arriving steamers from Friday until Tuesday, inclusive, it will be readily understood that coal shipments from the river would be very much restricted. Further news with reference to the Russian State Railways' contracts for 128,000 tons of steams indicates that delivery is to be up to the end of April (old style), or, according to our reckoning, until May 12. The reason for the large contract is said to be that the Russian Government has decided that the railways which have termini in Baltic and Black Sea ports shall be supplied with foreign coal so that the available supplies of home fuel may go to the industries which are, at present, being very much crippled for want of this useful commodity. Purchases in connection with the railways' requirements are stated to have been made by the St. Petersburg merchants who have secured the con- tracts, but details are not to hand as yet. Pessimists prophesy that, in consequence of the lower prices at which the contract was accepted, not much of the coal required will be drawn from this district, and that Scotland will secure the preference. We can but “ wait and see." Whilst the metropolitan gas companies have—as was indicated last week—completed their purchases for the time being, it is reported that they have by no means contracted for their full requirements over the ensuing 12 months, the quantities of coal offered being far short of what is needed in all* There may, therefore, be further buying by these companies later in the year. As usually happens, a number of the South country gas companies have followed the metropolitan firms into the market with enquiries for their annual supplies. Plymouth and Devonport gasworks each want 80,000 tons, Chatham 50,000 tons, and Southampton 60,000 tons. They are said to be offering an advance of Is. 6d. per ton on the expiring contract prices. The Riga gasworks, which recently enquired for 20,000 tons of gas coal for Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current Last week’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) 15/6 15/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers, &c.) 15/6 15/ Secondary, Blyths 14/ 14/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) 14/3 to 14/6 14/ to 14/6 Unscreened 13/ to 13/6 13/ to 13/6 Small, Blyths 11/ 10/9 to 11/ Do. Tynes 10/6 10/6 Do. specials 12/ 11/6 to 12/ Other sorts:— Smithies 15/6 15/6 Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) ... 15/6 15/3 to 15/6 Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 14/9 14/9 Special gas coals 15/6 15/6 Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 14/9 to 15/6 15/ to 15/6 Do. do. Northumbrians 18/ to 13/6 13/6 Coking coals 15/6 15/6 Do. smalls 14/6 14/6 House coals 15/6 to 16/ 15/6 to 16/ Coke, foundry 27/ 27/ Do. blast-furnace 23/ to 24/ 23/ Do. gas 17/ 17/ over-season shipment, are stated to have arranged for 5,000 tons of Wear primes, and 7,000 tons of prime seconds at about current prices, and to have postponed arranging for the balance of 8,000 tons. An enquiry for from 5,000 to 6,000 tons of steams for prompt shipment to Alexandria is in circulation. During last week, 97,936 tons of coal, and 725 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne dock, an increase of 97,936 tons of coal, and 698 tons of coke, when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year, when the miners' strike was paralysing the industry. The Dunston clearances amounted to 37,793 tons of coal, and 293 tons of coke; there were no shipments a year before. The Bly th shipments aggregated 73,574 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 73,476 tons. With miners slowly resuming operations after the holidays, and collieries with arrears of shipments to make up consequent on the Easter stoppage, there is very little coal available for purchase for this or next week's shipment, and prices are, generally, very firmly maintained. The only changes in f.o.b. quotations for prompt* shipment are as follow:—Tyne steam seconds, weaker; unscreened steams, easier; Durham unscreened bunkers, inclined to fall; Northumbrians, in buyer's favour; and blastfurnace coke, Is. advanced. Sunderland. GOAL. Exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 72,780 tons of coal and 590 tons of coke, as compared with no coal and 1,445 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1912 (coal strike), being an increase of 72,780 tons of coal and a decrease of 855 tons of coke. There has been very little business passing, owing to the holidays. The prospects, however, are exceedingly bright, and there is every likeli- hood of good trade in coal when once the colliers are settled down to work. There is no material change in prices from last week, prompt supplies being difficult to obtain, and buyers for forward delivery, still adhering to a policy of reserve, the near opening of the Baltic will call for heavy shipments, and, with the all-round general enquiry, prices should be well maintained. The Plymouth Gas Company invite offers of 80,000 tons of gas coal, Devonport Gas Company 80,000 tons, Southampton Gas Company 60,000 tons, and the Chatham Gas Company 40,000 tons for delivery over 12 months. Current quotations are as follows :— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current Last week's Gas coals:— prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals ... 16/ 15/6 to 15/9 Secondary do. 15/ 14/9 House coals:— Best house coals 16/6 17/ Ordinary do 15/6 16/ Other sorts:— Lambton screened 16/ 15/9 South Hetton do 16/ 15/9 Lambton unscreened 15/3 1, 15/ South Hetton do 15/3 15/ Do. treble nuts 17/6 17/6 Coking coals unscreened... 15/3 15/3 D ). smalls 15/ 15/ Smithies 15/ 14/9 Peas and nuts 17/9 18/ Best bunkers 16/ 15/6 to 15/9 Ordinary bunkers 15/ 15/ Coke:— Foundry coke 27/6 27/6 Blast-furnace coke (dlvrd. Teesside furnaces) 25/ 25/ Gas coke 16/6 17/ The outward freight market is better. Recent fixtures are coasting—London 3s. l^d., and small boat 3s. 6d.; Baltic— Ystadt 5s. 9d., Reval 6s., Libau 5s. 9d., Lubeck 5s. 7|d., Gefle (a contract for voyages, April to November, is reported for the carriage of 20,000 tons at 6s. l£d.). Bay—St. Nazaire 5s., Bordeaux 5s. l|d., Siston 6s. 9d. Mediterranean is represented by Genoa 9s. 3d., Palermo 10s. 3d., Galatz and Braila 17s. coke. Middleibrough-on-Teei. GOAL. The fuel market is featureless, holiday-making having altogether upset business this week. Prospects, however, are bright, and there is reason to believe that the second quarter of the year will be characterised by much briskness. The opening of the Baltic will, as usual, absorb heavy ship- ments, and extensive business with other quarters is anticipated. Deliveries of gas coal are falling away with the lengthening days, but they are still on a fairly good scale. Best Durham gas coals are 15s. 9d., and seconds 15s., whilst up to 16s. 6d. is named for Wear specials. Bunker coals are in good request, with ordinary Durhams at 15s., bests 15s. 6d. to 15s. 9d., and specials 16s. 6d. Durham household coal is rather quieter at 15s. 6d. to 16s. 6d. Coking coals run from 15s. to 15s. 9d. Coke keeps steady. Demand for local consumption is still heavy, and average blastfurnace kinds remain at 25s. delivered at Teesside works. Foundry coke is in the neighbourhood of 27s. 6d. f.o.b., and gashouse coke 16s. 6d. to 17s. IRON. The iron market opens strongly after the holidays, but with business on only a limited scale. Prospects of peace in the Near East have had a favourable influence on the market, and Cleveland pig iron quotations are higher than they have been for the past six weeks. No. 3 g.m.b. is now 65s. 9d. f.o.b., and that price is also asked for No. 4 foundry,