January 9, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 85 THE COML AHD IROH TRADES. Thursday, January 8. Scotland,—Western District, COAL Owing to the New Year holidays the coal trade of the west of Scotland has been at a complete standstill. Enquiries are, however, numerous, and, combined with a large amount cf tonnage at the various ports, give promise of a good start for the year. Under the circumstances quotations are unchanged. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal............ Ell .................. Splint................ Treble nuts .......... Double do............. Single do............. Current prices. 13/ -14/6 13/9-14/ 13/9-17/ 12/9-13/ 12/6 11/ L’st week's Last year's prices. prices. 13/ -14/6 13/6-14/ 13/9-14/ ’ 13/6-13/9 13/9-17/ > 14/ -14/6 12/9-13/ 13/6-14/ 12/6 i 13/ -13/6 11/ j 12/ -13/ IRON. Following the recent firmness, a reaction occurred during the week in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market, which met on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday only. The opening on Monday was steady, business being done at 50s. 6|d. cash, but on a fair amount of iron being pressed for sale sellers were reduced, at the close on Wednesday, to 50s. 0|d. per ton cash. The weakness is in a measure due to the reduction in American northern iron of 50 cents, thereby rendering the shipment of Cleveland iron to the United States and Canada more remote. The turnover for the three days amounted to about 10,000 tons. The market for Cleveland warrants fluctuated to a large extent throughout the year 1913, owing to various causes. In the first place, during the last six months of 1912 a considerable amount of speculative business had been done, and, owing chiefly to the unsettled conditions in the Balkan States in the beginning of 1913, and the consequent high rate of money, holders became rather nervous. Nothing, however, of any great moment occurred until the end of May, when the corner in warrants came to an end. In one week Cleveland was dropped from 70s. 6d. to 58s. 6d. per ton cash, so that the charge extracted from the “ bears" was as high as 10s. per ton. The second circumstance which strongly affected the market was the announcement in the third week in June of the failure of one of the older and most influential firms of ironbrokers in Scotland. Thirdly, in the beginning of July it was proposed by the Cleveland ironmasters that they should cease delivering iron into warrant stores, but to commit it to stores of their own. This proposal met with strong opposition from the Glasgow merchants, and consequently fell through. The market has never really recovered from the various set-backs it sustained at this period, and business in the latter half of the year has for the most part been of the hand-to-mcuth order, the closing price of Cleveland warrants being 50s. 6|d. per ton cash. The fluctuations in the prices of makers* iron from January 1913 to December 1913 are as follow:—Monkland, f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 77s. to 63s. 6d., No. 3, 75s. 6d. to 62s.; Govan, No. 1, 77s. to 62s. 6d., No. 3, 75s. 6d. to 61s.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 81s. to 68s. 6ds, No. 3, 77s. to 64s. 6d.; Clyde, No. 1, 82s. to 69s. 6d., No. 3, 77s. to 64s. 6d.; Gartsherrie, No. 1, 83s. to 70s., No. 3, 78s. to 65s.; Summerlee and Calder, Nos. 1, 82s. 6d. to 70s., Nos. 3, 77s. 6d. to 65s.; Langloan, No. 1, 83s. 6d. to 70s., No. 3, 78s. 6d. to 65s.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 83s. 6d. to 71s., No. 3, 78s. 6d. to 66s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 77s. to 64s., No. 3.76s. to 63s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 79s. to 65s. 6d., No. 3, 77s. to 63s. 6d.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 82s. to 70s., No. 3, 77s. to 65s.; Carron, at Grangemouth, No. 1, 83s. to 71s., No. 3, 78s. to 66s. per ton. The total import into Grangemouth of pig iron from Middlesbrough and district for the year 1913 was 468,612 tons. A heavy depreciation has been evidenced in raw material; in January 1913 consumers were paying 87s. 6d. per ton for Scotch haematite, while to-day producers would do business at 62s. 6d. For the first half of the year the manufacturing branches of the trade were very busy, but thereafter a complete change came over the position of affairs. The general demand fell off to a large extent, and makers had great difficulty in keeping plants employed. The price of Crown bars fell from .£8 10s. to <£6 17s. 6d. per ton, and black sheets (13/16 gauge) from J>9 10s. to £1 7s. 6d., both less 5 per cent, for local delivery. At the end of 1913 there were 73 furnaces in blast in Scotland, compared with 90 in the same period of 1912^ Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The coal trade of this district is still under the influence of the holidays. Practically nothing was done during the week, and consequently prices are unaltered. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal Secondary qualities... Treble nuts .......... Double do............. Single do............. Current prices. 12/ -12/6 11/3-11/6 13/ -13/3 12/ -12/3 10/6-10/9 L’st week's prices. 12/ -12/6 11/3-11/6 13/ -13/3 12/ -12/3 10/6-10/9 Last year's prices. 13/3-13/6 12/3-12/6 13/6-14/ 12/9-13/ 12/3-12/6 Collieries in the Fifeshire district were also closed during last week, but a full restart is expected to take place this week. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. loHtasboFtaiC Owta® QEudl Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 00 AL. During last week 108,015 tons of coal and 1,074 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 3,187 tons of coal and an increase of 436 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 36,324 tons of coal and 1,812 tons of coke, an increase of 1,561 tons of coal and a decrease of 1,193 tons of coke. The Blyth ship- ments aggregated 52,416 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 4,681 tons. The year's shipments from Tyne Dock included 7,054,176 tons of coal and 94,939 tons of coke, an increase of 555,947 tons of coal and 24,731 tons of coke when compared with those of 1912. The Blyth shipments for the year aggregated 4,731,948 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 535,175 tons. Newcastle merchants have secured the order to supply the Stettin Gasworks with 10,000 tons of good Durham gas seconds for shipment from April to June at 17s. per ton delivered at Stettin above bridges. Some 15,000 tons of best Blyth steams have been sold for shipment over the Baltic season at 13s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b. The Russian Marine has allotted its contract for 70,00Q tons of steams for delivery over the Baltic season to three collieries for best Blyths at about 13s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b. Tyne prime steams have been sold direct for end February and early March loading at 14s., f.o.b. Two thousand tons of Harton bunkers have been sold for early loading at 14s. 6d., f.o.b. It is reported from Genoa that, for new Pelton-Holmside coal, sellers are asking 24s. per ton, c i.f. for coal on passage, 22s. 6d. for January shipment, 22s. for January-March loading and 20s. 3d. for loading over the year. Horden Coal on passage and loading is being sold at 20s., whilst Hebburn quality is offered at 20s. 3d. without finding purchasers. The Stockholm Municipality is reported to be enquiring for its annual supplies of fuel for the gasworks and electric lighting department. The Copenhagen Gasworks received tenders on Tuesday of 250,000 tons of Durham gas coal for March-December delivery. Several small Danish and Scandinavian gasworks are enquiring for tenders of their annual supplies of Tyne prime and Wear special gas coals. There is some ease in the prompt coal market and exceedingly little business is being done. Loading turns are very much congested and some of the collieries are still dealing with business which has been hung up over the holidays. There is a very con- siderable amount of shipping awaiting an opportunity of taking cargoes. Steam coal turns are about 10 days long arid those of gas coals extend to from 12 to 14 days. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as follow on the week:—Steam seconds, Blyths, 6d. to 9d. cheaper; Tynes, 6d. reduced; gas bests, weaker; seconds, 3d. to 9d. lower; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 3d. to 6d. increased; households, 6d. more ; coke, foundry, Is. lower; blast- furnace, ditto; and gas coke 6d. to 9d. fallen. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. 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 coals (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/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 11/9-12/ 12/ 11/ -12/ 6/9 6/ -6/3 7/ -7/6 13/6-14/ 14/9-15/ 12/9-13/3 15/6 12/6-14/ 11/ -12/ 13/ -14/ 12/6-13/ 15/6-16/6 21/ -22/ 18/ -19/ 14/ L'st week't prices. 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 12/6 12/6 11/ -12/ 6/9 6/ -6/3 7/ -7/6 13/6-14/ 15/ 13/6 15/6 12/3-13/6 11/ -12/ 13/ -14/ 12/6-13/ 15/6-16/6 21/ -23/ 19/ -20/ 14/6-14/9 Last year's prices. 14/9-15/ 15/6 14/ 14/ 12/6-13/6 11/3-11/6 11/ 13/ 15/6 15/6 15/ 15/9 14/9-15/3 13/ 15/6 15/ 15/6-16/ 32/ 27/ 22/ Sunderland. 0ML. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 63,455 tons of coal and 515 tons of coke, as compared with 78,675 tons of coal and no coke for the corresponding period of 1913, being a decrease of 15,220 tons of coal and an increase of 515 tons of coke. The coal market is gradually settling down to normal conditions, but as spot supplies are scarce, high prices are demanded for next week and later. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year's Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 15/6 15/9-16/ 16/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 13/9 14/3 15/ Best house coals 18/ 18/ -18/6 17/ Ordinary do Other sorts;— 17/ 17/ 16/ Lambton screened 15/6 15/6 — South Hetton do 15/3 15/6 14/ — Lambton unscreened ... 14/ — South Hetton do. 13/9 14/ — Do. treble nuts 16/6 16/6 — Coking coals unscreened 13/6 13/6 16/ Do. smalls 13/ 13/ 15/6 Smithies . 16/ 16/6 15/ -16/ Peas and nuts 17/ 16/9 16/ -17/ Best bunkers 14/ ; 15/ -15/6 16/ Ordinary bunkers ... Coke:— 13/6 14/6 15/ Foundry coke Blas t-f urnaCe coke (did. 22/6 22/ 32/6 Teesside furnaces) ... 20/ 19/6 27/ -28/ Gas coke..- 18/ 17/6 21/ -22/ However, the position is easier and the difference between buyers' and sellers' views is very wide. As soon as present bookings are worked off, buyers expect to secure coal much cheaper than prompt shipment quotations. The Stettin Gasworks have contracted for 10,000 tons of good Durham gas at 17s. c.i.f. Stettin (above bridges), shipment April to June. The Stockholm Gasworks are in the market for their usual requirements over the year. The Copenhagen Gas- works are inviting tenders for 250,000 tons of special Wear gas—option best Durham—shipment March to December. It is also said that Belgian buyers are negotiating for the purchase of 200,000 tons of best Durham coking coals, delivery over the year via Rotterdam. Outward charter- ing is fairly brisk, merchants seizing the opportunity to pick up cheap tonnage. Rates are very low for the coast ports. Bay is about unchanged, but Mediter- ranean rates are firmer. Baltic is dull. Recent fixtures include:—London 3s., Rotterdam 2s. 9d., Havre 4s., Calais 3s. 3d., Antwerp 3s. 7|d., Hamburg 3s. 3d., Bordeaux 4s. 6d.5 Oporto 7s. 9d., Lisbon 5s. 6d., Windau 4s. 9d., Aarhus 4s. 3d., Reval 5s. 3d., Genoa 7s. 4|d., Civita Vecchia 8s., Marseilles 7s., Oran 6s. 3d.. Alexandria 8s., Port Said 8s., Constantinople 7s. 8d., and Las Palmas 7s. Middleabffough-oa-Teea. SO AL. The fuel market shows little movement. Deliveries already arranged for will take a week or two to work off, and buyers have thus time to consider the situation. There seems little likelihood of fuel being obtained in the near future at prices below what have been recently named. Gas coal is well booked up. The Stockholm gasworks contracts are expected to be allotted about the middle of the month, and it is probably that, as usual, they will be divided between two collieries. The contract for the supply of smalls to the electricity station at Stockholm is subject to an analysis of the coal with a premium or penalty according to the guarantees given. Best gas coal is 15s. 6d.; seconds vary from 13s. 6d. to 14s. 6d.; and specials are quoted up to 16s. Bunker coal is in good request, and ordinary Durhams run from 13s. to 13s. 6d. f.o.b.; bests are 14s. 6d.; and specials 15s. 6d. to 16s. Coking coal is steady and firm. Unscreened kinds are 12s. 9cL to 14s.; and smalls 12s. 6d. to 13s. Coke, though still dear, is inclined to be rather easier. Average blastfurnace kinds are in the neighbour- hood of 18s. 6d. delivered at Teesside works ; foundry sorts for shipment are round about 22s. 6d. to 23s. f.o.b., and gashouse coke is 16s. IRON. Business has been resumed after the holidays, and the position of the iron and steel trades may be described as satisfactory. Transactions just now are on only a limited scale, but prospects are fairly bright. As yet Continental customers are not coming forward to arrange for their spring requirements—some of them, it is reported, believing that they may do better by waiting. Traders here, how- ever, appear to be convinced that values of pig iron are more likely to advance than fall, and they are not pressing sales. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is 50s. 9d. f.o.b., and some sellers are inclined to hold out for 51s., whilst No. 1 is 53s. 3d., No. 4 foundry 50s. 3d., No. 4 forge 49s. 9d., and mottled and white iron each 49s. 6d.—all for early delivery, 6d. above these rates being named on forward account. East coast haematite pig shows a marked upward tendency. Sales of Nos. 1, 2, and 3 have occurred at 61s. 6d. for early delivery, but it is now difficult to buy at that figure, and the market rate may be put at 62s. At the latter price contracts have been made over the first half of the year. Forward sales of mixed numbers have also been recorded at about 62s. 3d. and 62?. 6d. Foreign ore is easier, but so far as can be ascertained there is no business passing. Rubio of 50 per cent, quality is quoted 18s. 6d. to 18s. 9d. ex-ship Tees, and other foreign ores are in proportion. Freights Bilbao-Middlesbrough are 4s. 3d. Better accounts are given of the manufactured iron and steel industries. Considerable contracts for shipbuilding material are under- stood to have been entered into, and there are good enquiries for steel rails. The North Eastern Railway Company are in the market for some 200,000 tons of rails, and a large portion of the order is expected to be placed with Teesside firms. Quotations all round are unaltered. The average net selling price of No. 3 Cleveland pig iron for the last quarter of last year has this week been certified at 55s. 3’79d. per ton as compared with 57s. 8 08d. per ton for the previous quarter, and in accordance with sliding scale arrangements wages are reduced 3 per cent, the reduction taking effect from the 3rd inst. This brings wages from 32 per cent, above the standard to 29 per cent, above the standard. South-West Lancashire. COAL. Work in this district was generally resumed on Monday morning this week, although at some collieries with a fair percentage of absentees. The holidays, together with the much colder weather experienced during the last week, have had the effect of strengthening the demand for household coals, and there is considerable pressure for practically all qualities. Bunker fuel on contract account is on the quiet side, but for outside orders there is at the moment a fair amount of enquiry, coal, owing to the recent holidays, ’being none too plentiful. Prices range from 13s. 3d. to 13s. 6d. for ordinary sorts up to 13s. 9d. to 14s. for best Lancashire screened steam coal, all f.o.b. There is no change to report in the coastwise and cross-Channel trade,, buyers continually pressing for more than can be supplied Current prices. L'st week's prices. Last year's prices. Best screened naviga- tion coal. 17/ 17/ 16/6-17/ Unscreened do 15/ 15/ 14/ -15/ First-class steam coal... 13/ 13/ 13/9-14/ Third-class do. ,11/ 11/ , 12/3-12/6 Treble nuts 13/ -13/3 13/ -13/3 13/ -14/ Double do 12/ -12/3 12/ -12/3 12/6-13/ Single do 10/9-11/ 10/9-11/ 12/ —12/3 Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best Do. (f.o.b. Garston,net) Medium Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen Common (f.o.b. Grstn.,net) Screened forge coal Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Beat slack < Secondary slack Common do Current prices. 17/ 16/9-17/3 15/3 15/ -15/6 13/ 13/9-14/6 12/6-13/ 13/3-14/ 10/ -10/3 9/3- 9/6 8/9- 9/ L’st week’s prices. 17/ 16/9-17/3 15/3 15/ -15/6 13/ 13/9-14/6 12/6-13/ 13/3-14/ 10/ -10/3 9/3- 9/6 8/9- 9/ Last year’s prices. 16/3 16/6 14/6 15/ 12/3 13/6-13/9 12/6-13/ 14/6 10/3 9/6 9/