1014 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 16, 1913. THE COAL AID IROB TRADES. Thursday, May 15. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The export business in coal showed a considerable decrease in the past week, as a consequence of stormy weather at sea interrupting the movements of vessels. Aggregate shipments at the Scotch ports amounted to 337,073 tons, a decrease of 15,182 tons compared with the preceding week, and 23,574 less than in the corresponding week of 1912. At Glasgow the exports reached 41,834 tons and the coastwise shipments 28,765, the total of 70,597 tons comparing with 88,061 in the preceding week, and 78,441 in the corresponding week of last year. At the lower Clyde ports the shipments were considerably reduced as a result of unfavourable weather. At Bowling 403 tons were despatched, Greenock 236, Irvine 974, Ardrossan 1,515, Troon 7,428, and Ayr 19,269—total 29,825 tons, against 36,565 in the preceding week, and 36,862 in the correspond- ing week of 1912. There has been a fair demand for most kinds of coal, and the prices show comparatively little change. Steam coal has been fairly active at steady rates. The better qualities of house coal have commanded full prices for shipment, but in the home department of the trade merchants have been inclined to make a slight con- cession to consumers as regards prices. The simultaneous demand on the part of municipalities for gas coal contracts has tended to keep up the price of splint coal at a time when the call for general consumption of this quality is inclined to fall off to some extent. Treble and double nuts are in fair demand, and the prices remain practically equal. Single nuts are to be had about 3d. per ton below last week's figures. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current Last week’s prices. prices. Steam coal 13/6 to 14/ 13/6 to 14/ Eli 13/9 to 14/3 13/9 to 14/3 Splint 14/9 to 15/3 14/9 to 15/3 Treble nuts 13/3 to 14/9 13/3 to 13/9 Double do 13/3 to 14/9 13/3 to 13/9 Single do 13/ to 13/3 13/3 to 13/6 Coal for manufacturing purposes is in strong demand, and the consumption of small hard coal and dross is large, and prices well maintained. IRON. The Glasgow pig iron market was closed on Whit Monday, and the business on succeeding days has been restricted by the state of the “ bear ” account. Since last report the price of Cleveland warrants for cash has advanced, and the charge for settlement of oversold warrants has been higher. Of regular business there has been scarcely anything doing. The makers’ prices of Cleveland iron are well maintained, but consumers are purchasing only for immediate wants. The imports into Scotland have therefore fallen off to a considerable extent. Arrivals at Grangemouth from Middlesbrough and district were 5,930 tons, being 3,016 tons less than in the corre- sponding week of last year. There are 92 furnaces in blast in Scotland, compared with 93 in the preceding week and 59 at this time last year. The Scotch makers are reported to be making good and steady deliveries under existing contracts, but making comparatively few fresh sales, and the prices of Scotch iron are again in a number of instances reduced 6d. per ton. Govan and Monkland are quoted f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1,74s. 6d., Nos. 3, 73s.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 77s. 6d., No. 3, 73s. 6d.; Clyde, No. 1, 79s. 6d., No. 3, 74s. 6d.; Calder, Summerlee and Langloan, Nos. 1, 80s., Nos. 3, 75s. 6d.; Gartsherrie, No. 1, 80s. 6d., No. 3, 75s. 6d.; Coltness, No. 1, 98s., No. 3, 80s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 75s., No. 3,74s.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 81s., No. 3, 76s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 75s., No. 3, 73s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 80s., No. 3, 75s.; Carton, at Grangemouth, No. 1, 81s., No. 3, 76s. per ton. The shipments of pig iron at Scotch ports in the past week were 3,605 tons foreign and 1,514 coastwise, the total of 5,119 tons comparing with 5,599 in the corre- sponding week. The total shipments from the beginning of the year to date are 93,482 tons, being 10,657 tons less than at this time last year. In the finished iron depart- ment orders are difficult to obtain, and foreign competition keen, so that works are in a number of cases indifferently employed. The steelworks have better employment, but the new orders coming to hand are of small proportions, and all the indications appear to point towards a shrinkage of business unless an improvement should soon be experienced. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The pits in the Lothians have been actively employed, and the shipments are fully 2,000 tons larger than in the preceding week. The clearances have been at Granton 8,120 tons, Bo’ness 16,338, Grangemouth 49,921, and Leith 52,541 tons—total 126,920 tons, compared with 109,962 in the preceding week, and 127,235 in the corresponding week of 1912. Stormy weather interfered with the movements of the shipping, else it is believed that the volume of the shipment would have been considerably larger, both as regards exports and the coastwise traffic—the latter especially being curtailed by the storms. The outlook for the next few weeks is favourable, as the collieries have good orders in hand. Prices show hardly any change. Prines f.n b. Laith. Current Last week’s prices. prices. Best screened steam coal 14/ 13/9 to 14/ Secondary qualities 12/6 to 12/9 12/3 to 12/9 Treble nuts 12/9 to 13/ 12/9 to 13/ Double do 12/6 to 12/9 12/6 to 12/9 Single do 12/3 to 12/6 12/3 to 12/6 The demand for small coal and dross has been good, and pearls are at 12s., while dross is quoted f.o.b. from 9s. 6d. to 10s. per ton. Coal shipments were reduced at Fife ports by adverse gales, which detained vessels in harbour which were ready to sail, and prevented others arriving for cargoes. Never- altogether about 100,000 tons. The quality is mainly Durham theless, the trade was fairly good. The shipments were at steams, such as Lambton and Hetton sorts. The f.o.b. price Methil 50,022 tons, Burntisland 55,060, Dysart 1,759, Wemyss is said to be 16s. to 16s. 6d., which is considered satisfactory, 1,127, Alloa 780, Tayport 712, and Charleston 469—total delivery to be made at Helsingfors, Wyburg, Abo, and 109,929 tons, compared with 117,667 in the preceding week, Kotka over the season. Quotations are about as follow:— and 118,109 in the corresponding week of last year. There | Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. has been little alteration in prices. Treble nuts are comparatively cheap. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current Last week’s Best screened navigation prices. prices. coal 17/ to 17/6 17/ to 17/6 Unscreened do 15/ to 15/6 15/ to 15/6 First-class steam coal 15/3 to 15/9 15/3 to 15/9 Third-class do 12/9 12/9 Treble nuts 12/6 to 12/9 12/6 to 12/9 Double do 13/ to 13/6 13/ to 13/3 Single do 12/3 to 12/9 12/3 to 12/9 Dross is in request, and quoted 10s. to 10s. 6d. per ton. House coal for home use is selling well for the season, and prices are generally little altered. Current Last week’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals ... 16/3 16/6 Secondary do. 15/ to 15/3 15/3 House coals:— Best house coals 17/6 17/6 to 18/ Ordinary do 16/6 16/ to 16/6 Other sorts:— Lambton screened 16/9 17/ South Hetton do 16/6 16/9 Lambton unscreened 15/3 15/6 South Hetton do 15/3 15/6 Do. treble nuts 17/ 17/ Coking coals unscreened... 15/6 15/9 D >. smalls 15/3 15/6 Smithies 15/6 15/3 Peas and nuts 17/6 18/ Best bunkers 16/ 16/3 Ordinary bunkers 15/ 15/6 Coke:— Foundry coke 27/ 27/ Blast-furnace coke (dlvrd. Teesside furnaces) 25/ 25/ Gas coke 17/ to 18/ 17/ to 18/ Northumberland. Durham and Cleveland. ffevcastle-upon-Tyne. GOAL. During last week 137,225 tons of coal and 2,199 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 6,035 tons of coal and an increase of 978 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 58 788 tons of coal and 2 568 tons of coke, a decrease of 10,367 tons of coal and an increase of 1,444 tons of coke. The Biyth shipments totalled 92,099 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 14,277 tons. With reference to the contracts for 160,000 tons of steam and gas coals, &c. mentioned last week as naving been arranged by the St. Petersburg Municipality with Russian merchants for delivery over the Baltic season, later details are to the effect that the steam coals are chiefly D.C.B. and smalls, but include 20,000 tons of Welsh, whilst the gas coals include options of Thornley, Holmside, Mickley and Londonderry, and several secondary brands. The Finnish S ate Railways have contracted for from 100,000 to 120,000 tons of steams for shipment over the season to Helsingfors, Abo, Wyborg and Kotka. With the exception of about 15,000 tons to be drawn from Scotland— Lochgelly-Cowdenbeath at about 15s. 6d. f.o.b.—the bulk of the order has come to Newcastle merchants for D.C.B., Hastings, West Hartley and Hetton sorts. The local bests are to be taken at about 16s. 6d. per ton f.o.b., and the seconds at about 13s. 6d. The Newcastle and Gateshead Gas Company is stated to have arranged for its supplies of 300000 tons of Durham gas coals over the ensuing 12 months at an average price of about 13s. 3d. per ton, or about Is. 6d. above expiring contract rates. A considerable quantity of Hastings-Hartley steams is stated to have been sold for early shipment at 14s. 6d. f.o.b. “ Floating parcels ” of New Pelton-Holmside gas coals are stated to have changed hands at Genoa at 26s. 6d. per ton c.i.f., or about 16$. 9d. f.o.b. A quantity of inferior Northumberland and Durham mixed bunkers is reported to have been sold for delivery over the rest of the year for steamers’ requirements at 13s. f.o.b. Owing to the Whitsuntide holidays, the market has been very dull during the last few days. Loading turns are extremely full, and most descriptions of fuel are well maintained. The changes which have occurred in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment during the week are as follow:—Best Biyth steams are 3d. cheaper on the week; Biyth smalls, 6d. reduced ; smithies, 6d. dearer; unscreened bunkers (Durhams), 3d. lower; Northumbrian, 6d. fallen; coking coals, 3d. cheaper. All other descriptions of fuel are steady. The settlement of the Silesian miners’ strike has removed a disturbing factor from the market. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current Last week’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. Beat, Blyths (D.C.B.) 16/6 ,16/9 Do. Tynes (Bowers, &c.) 16/ to 16/6 16/ to 16/6 Secondary, Blyths 14/ 14/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) 14/3 14/3 Unscreened 13/6 13/6 Small, Blyths 11/6 11/6 to 12/ Do. Tynes 11/ H/ Do. specials 12/ 12/ Other sorts:— Smithies 15/6 to 16/ 15/6 Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) ... 16/ 16/ Secondary gas coah (Pelaw Main or similar) 15/3 15/3 Special gas coals 16/ 16/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 14/9to,15/6 15/ to 15/9 Do. do. Northumbrians 13/6 13/6 to 14/ Coking coals 15/3 to 15/9 15/6 to 16/ Do. smalls 15/ 16/ House coals 16/ to 17/ 16/ to 17/ Coke, foundry 27/6 27/6 Do. blast-furnace 24/6 24/6 Do. gas 18/ 18/ Sunderland. GOAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 108,520 tons of coal and 360 tons of coke, as compared with 114,015 tons of coal and 495 tons of coke for the corres- ponding period of 1912, being a decrease of 5,495 tons of coal, and 135 tons of coke. The coal market for the past few days has been completely under holiday condition®, and very few transactions have been recorded. Gas qualities are steady. Coking coals are somewhat more plentiful at about recent figures. Ordinary bunkers have been obtainable at slightly under recent prices, both buyers and sellers still adopting the waiting policy. The immediate future of the market is uncertain, but it is felt that we shall shortly see a drop in price. The Finnish State Railways have allotted their contract, and they have taken Owing to the holidays very little chartering has been done, the market, however, is steady. Recent fixtures include coasting: London 3s. ljd., Havre 4s. l|d. Bay: Bordeaux 5s. 6d., Rochefort 5s. 9d., Lisbon 6s. 9d., Oporto 9$. 3d. Mediterranean : Genoa 9s. 6d., Barcelona 9s. 9d., Spezzia 9s. 9d. Baltic; Fairwater 5s. 3d., Memel 4s. 6d., Helsingfors 4s. 6d., Riga 5s. 3d., and Cronstadt 5s. 3d. Middleibrough-on-Teea GOAL. Holidays have this week altogether upset business. In all departments of the fuel trade the tone is quiet, and the unaltered quotations are all but nominal. The waiting policy adopted by both buyers and sellers indicates that no movement may be expected for a little while. Deliveries of gas coal continue fairly heavy for this season of the year. Best Durham gas coals run from 16s. to 16s. 3d., and seconds stand at 15s. 3d. Large quantities of bunker coals are being taken up. Ordinary Durham bunkers are 14s. 9d. to 15i. f.o.b., best sorts 16s. 3d., and specials 17s. Coking coal ranges from 15s. to 16s. Average blastfurnace coke is 24s. 6d. to 25s. delivered at Teesside works, foundry coke ranges from 27s. to 30s. f.o.b., and gas-house coke runs from 17s. to 18s. IRON. There has been little or nothing doing in makers’ pig iron this week. The struggle between the “ bulls ” and the “ bears ” in the warrant market has altogether upset genuine business. Middlesbrough warrants have been forced up to 69s. 3d. cash buyers, but there are second-hand sellers of No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig at 68s. f.o.b., and some producers would not refuse that price, whilst No. 1 is 70s., No. 4 foundry 67s., No. 4 forge 65s. 9d., and mottled and white iron each 65s.—all for early delivery, and forward contracts could be made at considerably below the rates named, but there appears to be no inclination to enter into forward business. As much difficulty as ever is experienced in buying east coast haematite pig for early delivery, and offers of 81s. 3d. for mixed numbers this month meet with little success, but June business can be done at 81s., and for delivery further ahead 80s. 6d. is the general market quotation. Foreign ore prices are based on 20s. 6d. ex-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality, but business might be done on rather lower terms. As a matter of fact, a few small odd lots of best rubio have been sold at below 20s. 6d. Quotations for some descriptions of finished iron and steel are rather easier, and some rail orders are said to have been booked at below rates that have ruled for some time past. Values of most kinds, however, are not quotably changed. For some descriptions there is more enquiry. South-West Lancashire. COAL. Although the pits were expected to resume yesterday, in many cases there was only a half hearted attempt, the absentee list being exceptionally high. There is considerable pressure for coal, even in the household trade, although no doubt this will be quickly met when the usual out-turn is forthcoming. With regard to shipping, arrangements made before the holidays generally suffice for customers’ require- ments, although here and there there is a scarcity. Quotations for what little bunker coal there is for prompt shipment are somewhat higher than the prices quoted last week. In slacks filling up has had to be resorted to to see many of the customers through the stoppage. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current Last week’s House coal:— prices. prices. Best ... 16/3 , 16/3 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 16/9 to 17/ 16/9 to 17/ Medium 14/6 14/6 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 15/3 to 15/6 15/3 to 15/6 Kitchen 12/3 12/3 Common (f.o.b. Garston, net) 13/9 to 14/6 13/9 to 14/6 Screened forge coal Best screened steam coal 12/6 to 13/ 12/6 to 13/ (f.o.b.) 14/ to 14/9 14/ to 14/6 Best slack 10/6 10/6 Secondary slack 9/9 9/9 Common do 9/3 9/3 South Lancashire and Cheshire. GOAL. There was a meagre attendance on the Coal Exchange on Tuesday last, the cause being the holidays; and this will be prevalent at the pits most of the week. The few transac- tions that took place did not show any change in prices, which are as follows :—