858 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. April 25, 1913. THE COAL AHO I ROH TRADES. Thursday, April 24. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The coal trade has been very active since last report in almost every department. The aggregate shipments at Scottish ports in the past week amounted to 346,755 tons being 21,502 tons more than in the preceding week and 3,668 tons increase over the corresponding week last year. At Glasgow the clearances were 86,342 tons, compared with 81,032 in the preceding week. The foreign shipments at Glasgow reached 44,822 tons, while 31,520 were despatched coastwise. The clearances at the lower Clyde ports were at Bowling 406 tons, Greenock 1,034, Ardrossan 1,870, Irvine 2,287, Troon 5,099, Ayr 18,061—total 28,667, against 22,330 in the preceding week. The Clyde shipments altogether amounted to 115,009 tons, compared with 103,362—an increase on the week of 11,647 tons. The better qualities of house coal have been in very brisk demand for shipment, and prices are rather firmer. Steam coal has sold freely at former rates. Single nuts have been in strong demand at firm rates, but the supply of treble and double nuts being rather larger, prices have had a slightly easier tendency, although the figures are nominally unchanged. Good business has been done in splint coal at steady quotations. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current Last week’s Steam coal prices. 13/6 to 14/ prices. 13/6 to 14/ Ell 13/9 to 14/3 13/6 to 14/ Splint 14/9 to 15/3 14/9 to 15/3 Treble nuts 13/3 to 13/9 13/9 to 14/3 Double do 13/3 to 13/9 13/6 to 14/ Single do 13/3 to 13/9 13/3 to 13/9 There has been scarcely any relaxation in the demand for house coal for home use, and prices are well maintained. A very heavy consumption is proceeding in small hard coal and dross for manufacturing purposes. IRON. A considerable increase has taken place in the amount of business doing in the Glasgow iron market since last report. There is still, however, a large oversold account, which is being reduced and on which heavy backwardations have been paid. Business has been done in Cleveland warrants at 67s. and 68s. per ton cash, 67s. 9d. to 68s. one month, and 62s. 8d. to 62s. 9d. three months. There is a large demand for Cleveland iron in Scotland. The arrivals at Grangemouth from Middlesbrough and district in the past week were 12,968 tons, being 6,391 tons more than in the corresponding week of last year. A fair business is reported in Scotch pig iron, and one or two brands are 6d. higher. Govan and Monkland are quoted at Glasgow, Nos. 1 75s., Nos. 3, 73s. 6d.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 78s., No. 3, 74s.; Clyde, No. 1, 80s., No. 3, 75s.; Calder and Summerlee, Nos. 1, 80s. 6d., Nos. 3, 75s. 6d.; Gartsherrie and Langloan, Nos. 1, 81s. 6d., Nos. 3, 76s. 6d.; Coltness, No. 1, 98s^, No. 3, 80s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 76s., No. 3, 73s.; 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., No. 3, 75s.; Carron, at Grangemouth, No. 1, 82s., No. 3, 77s. 6d. per ton. Scotch haematite is going largly into consumption, and the quota- tion for new business is 85s. 6d. per ton. The shipments of Scotch pig iron in the past week were 5,510 foreign and 1,766 coastwise, the total of 7,276 tons showing an increase of 58 over the quantity despatched in the corresponding week of last year. There is little change to report in the finished iron and steel branches. Makers of malleable iron have difficulty in obtaining orders sufficient to keep their works in steady operation, although enquiries are understood to have been somewhat more encouraging in the last few days, probably owing to the Belgian strike. The steel- works are busy. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Business in the coal trade of the Lothians has been very active since the last report. Steam coal has been strong, and best screened qualities have made some advance in price, while secondary sorts are firm. The shipments have bulked well. At Leith 43,483 tons were despatched, Grangemouth 30,894, Bo’ness 20,834, Granton 12,193—total 107,404 tons, compared with 109,927 in the preceding week, and 92,340 in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current Last week’s prices. prices. Best screened steam coal 13/6 to 14/ 13/3 to 13/6 Secondary qualities 12/3 to 12/9 12/3 to 12/9 Treble nuts 13/ to 13/3 13/ to 13/6 Double do 12/6 to 12/9 12/6 to 13/ Single do 12/3 to 12/6 12/6 to 13/ The collieries in this district have all good orders in hand, and while nuts are scarcely so strong there is a fair business in household coal for home use at steady prices. There has been a brisk demand for whole coal in Fife, and the shipping trade has been very fully occupied. Naviga- tion coal is up 6d. per ton, and other qualities are well maintained in price, with the exception of nuts, which have suffered a little. The shipments have been: at Methil 64,959 tons, Burntisland 55,505, Alloa 1,145, Wemyss 1,071, Dysart 774, Tayport 871, Charleston 474—total 124,342 tons, compared with 111,964 in the preceding week and 99,804 in the corresponding week of last year. The enquiry for coming weeks in the shipment branch is very encouraging. Home trade is slightly quieter, but not more so than is justified by the state of the weather. 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. 17/ to 17/6 15/ to 15/6 15/3 to 16/ 12/9 13/3 to 12/9 13/ to 13/3 12/6 to 12/9 Last week’s prices. 16/9 to 17/6 14/9 to 15/6 15/3 to 15/6 12/3 to 12/9 12/6 to 13/ 13/ to 13/3 12/9 to 13/ ■orthumborland. Durham and Cleveland. ffevcastle-upon-Tyne. GOAL. During last week, 149,133 tons of coal and 1,866 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne dock, an increase of 29,551 tons of coal and 1,802 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 61,119 tons of coal and 2,846 tons of coke, an increase of 10,302 tons of coal and 2,464 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments aggregated 92,474 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 4,297 tons. Best Blyth steams have been sold for May-June loading at 15s. 71d. per ton, f.o.b., and, for loading this month, at from 15s. 9d. to 15s. 10|d. These are second-hand sales. Collieries are reported to be refusing 16s. for all May delivery. Special Durham bunkers for May loading have realised 16s., f.o.b. Some 50,000 tons of Durham gas specials for delivery over 1914 have been sold at 14s., f.o.b. Wear. The Magona works, Porto Vecchio, have contracted for 11,000 tons of best Durham coking coal for May-June delivery at 27s. 6d. per ton, ci.f., it is said, although, in some quarters, the price is doubted as being too high. Some of the Mediterranean gasworks are said to be in urgent need of fuel, and to be enquiring pressingly for supplies. Several Swedish orders for steam coals for which local merchants tendered are stated to have been secured by the W estphalian Syndicate at lower figures for over-season delivery. The orders are said to amount to a considerable total. Coking coals are in good demand for loading over the second half of the year, the collieries quoting from 15s. 6d. to 16s., f.o.b. The Russian State Railways are expected to be on the market shortly for 80,000 tons of steam coals for May-June delivery, in addition the large quantity—128,000 tons—already contracted for for delivery up to May 12. Tenders of 150,000 tons of steam and gas coals have been forwarded to the St. Peters- burg municipality for delivery over the ensuing season for use at the gas and electric works. The Norresundby Gasworks are inviting tenders of 5,000 tons of gas bests for over-season delivery. It is stated that the Dublin Gasworks have decided to contract for only six months’ supplies— about 40,000 tons—at present, and are negotiating for these supplies. The Nevsk shipyard, near Cronstadt, which has been enquiring for best Blyth steams, is stated to have postponed ordering until early next month. At the time or writing there appears a likelihood of an early termination of the Belgian franchise strike. This news is regarded with satisfaction here, as shipments to Antwerp have, of course, been suspended during the operation of the stoppage, and as a resumption of industry is considered likely to result in a considerable demand for coking and steam smalls for Belgium. The coking coal market has, curiously enough, lost very little, apparently, through the dispute, the increased enquiry from countries which usually take Belgian coal having compensated for the falling-off in the shipments to that country. Speaking generally, the prompt coal market here is again on the up-grade, a circumstance which is assisted by the opening of Cronstadt navigation, just announced. Prompt supplies are becoming scarce once more, and May positions are strong. The variations of f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have been as follow during the week:—Best Blyth steams are from Is. to Is. 3d. advanced; Tynes, stronger; Blyth seconds, 31. more ; Tynes, similarly increased ; unscreened, firmer; smalls, Bly ths, 6d. cheaper; specials, 3d. to 6d. reduced ; coking smalls, 3d. advanced ; blastfurnace coke, 6d. dearer; and gas coke, Is. improved. Fuel not specifically mentioned is unaltered. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals:— Best, 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 coals (Pelaw Main or similar) Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. N orthumbrians Coking coals Do. smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Current prices. 16/6 16/ 14/ 14/3 13/6 12/ 11/ to 11/3 12/3 to 12/6 15/6 15/9 15/ 15/9 15/ to 15/9 13/6 15/ 14/9 16/ to 17/ 27/6 24/6 18/ Last week’s prices. 15/3 to 15/6 15/6 to 16/ 13/9 14/ 13/ to 13/6 12/ to 12/6 11/ to 11/3 12/6 to 13/ 15/6 15/9 15/ 15/9 15/ to 15/9 13/6 15/ 14/6 16/ to 17/ 27/6 24/ 17/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 96,030 tons of coal, and 1,165 tons of coke, as compared with 75,980 tons of coal and 60 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1912, being an increase of 20,050 tons of coal, and 1,105 tons of coke. The coal market is firm in tone, there is a good all-round enquiry, loading turns for the remainder of this month are full, most of the business put through is for May shipment, for which current prices are firmly quoted and easily obtainable. The Belgian strike has had very little effect on the market except to curtail shipments of coking descriptions to a small extent, and in consequence prices are a little easier, but this class of coal is in good enquiry for the second half of the year. Best gas coals are slightly easier, there is a steady trade for bunkers, and a good demand for coke at late figures. There is a good forward demand for Baltic and Continental account. The gas and electric authorities of St. Petersburg are in the market for 150,000 tons of steam and gas coals, delivery during the season. The Magona works at Porto Vecchio have contracted for 11,000 tons of best Durham gas at about 27s. 6d. for delivery May and June. It is reported that about 50,000 tons of special Durham gas have been sold for delivery over next year at 14s. per ton, other contracts have been postponed in the hopes of getting on cheaper later on. Current quotations are as follow :— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current Last week’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals ... 15/9 15/9 Secondary do. House coals:— 15/ 15/ Best house coals 18/ 18/ Ordinary do Ofcher sorts:— 17/ 17/ Lambton screened 16/6 16/6 South Hetton do 16/6 16/6 15/6 Lambton unscreened 15/3 South Hetton do 15/3 15/6 Do. treble nuts 17/3 17/6 Coking coals unscreened... 15/6 15/6 D j. smalls 15/ 15/ Smithies 15/6 15/ Peas and nuts 17/6 18/ to 18/6 Best bunkers .16/ 16/3 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 15/ 15/6 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (dlvrd. 27/3 27/ Teesside furnaces) 25/ 25/ Gas coke 17/ 16/6 to 17/ The outward freight market continues fairly steady, business is somewhat checked by the lack of loading turns. Recent fixtures include Mediterranean : Genoa 10s., Oran 7s. 9d, Palermo 10s. 9d., Venice 10s. 7|d., and Las Palmas 9s. The Bay is dull with St. Nszaire at 4s. 9d. Coasting is also quiet: London 2*. 10|d., Hamburg 3s. 6d. Baltic is the turn better with Riga at 5s. 6d., Memel 5s. 6d., Stockholm 5s., Reval 6s., Cronstadt 5s. 9d., and St. Petersburg 6s. Middleibroatfh-on-Teei. COAL. The fuel market is firm, with a good deal of business passing. General enquiry for coal for May is on an extensive scale, and consumers and shippers are pressing for delivery over the remainder of this month. Gas coal is rather more tightly held, and best Durhams range from 15s. 6d. to 16s. 6d., with seconds at 15s. to 15s. 3d. Bunker coals are steadier. Ordinaries are 15s. 3d. to 15s. 6d., f.o.b., best 16s. 3d., and specials 17s. As a partial set off to the loss of coking coal shipments from northern rivers to Antwerp in consequence of the strike in Belgium, odd sales to France are reported. Coking coal runs from 15s. to 16s. Household coal is rather quiet, and is quoted 18s. to 19s. Coke is strong and in good request, both for home use and for shipment. Local consumption is very heavy, and average blastfurnace qualities remain in the neighbourhood of 25s. delivered at Teeside works. Best foundry coke for shipment is 27s. to 28s., f.o.b. Gas house coke runs from 17s. to 18s. IRON. The iron market is very unsteady so far as Cleveland pig is concerned, erratic movements of warrants being the cause. This week 69s. cash buyers has been named for Cleveland warrants—the highest quotation for the past 13 years—and the price is,now 68s. 6d., which is also the current quotation for early f.o.b. delivery of No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig, whilst No. 1 is 70s.; No. 4 foundry 68s. 3d., No. 4 forge 67s. 91., and mottled and white iron each 67s.—all for early delivery. No inclination to do forward business is shown, buyers and sellers alike preferring to hold off for the present. East coast haematite pig continues very scarce and there are many complaints of difficulty in purchasing for early delivery, offers to pay 81s. 6d, for Nos. 1, 2 and 3 meeting with little success. There is some enquiry for haematite for forward delivery, and there are sellers over May-June at 80s. 6d. to 81s., and over the second half of the year at 80s. There is little or nothing passing in foreign ore. Market rates remain nominally on the basis of 21s. ex-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality—with the understanding, however, that contracts could be made on lower terms. Freights Bilbao- Middlesbrough are 4s. 9d. to 5s. Producers of all kinds of manufactured iron and steel are very busily employed on contracts entered into some little time ago, and they report specifications coming freely to hand. Several firms have work secured sufficient to keep them going into next year, but new orders are now very scarce. Quotations all round are stationary. South-West Lancashire. COAL. The inland household coal trade keeps in a very satisfac- tory condition as regards demand. There is no change to report in prices. Forges and manufactories vary very little in their takings of screened coal, as a rule full quantities being required. Bunker requirements continue heavy, both on contract and open sale account, and there is little or no falling-off in the volume of business. Supplies are, perhaps, coming forward a little more readily, now that work is getting on to normal lines again at Garston, but there is not very much coal to spare. Prices of screened Lancashire steam coals are much as before, ranging from 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d. f.o.b. for cheaper qualities up to 14s. 3d. and 14s. 6d. f.o.b. for the best. There is a considerable amount of pressure for shipments of household coal for the coastwise and cross- Channel trade—no doubt, in consequence of the arrears accumulated during the Garston trouble, and there is rather a difficulty in keeping pace with the charters that are being