February 20, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 409 THE] COAL MD IROE TRADES. Thursday, February 19. Scotland.—Wostara District. GOAL. Th© feature of the West of Scotland coal trade is the strong demand for the be?t qualities of ell coal, while secondary qualities, even with concessions in price, show little improvement. First class splints are in good demand for immediate loading, but forward bookings are not so heavy as they have been recently. Business in navigation coal continues steady, but steams are somewhat weaker. In smalls, treble nuts are not so active as they might be, while doubles are plentiful. Singles, on the other hand, are comparatively well placed both for local and shipping orders. The total shipments amounted to 114,216 tons, compared with 113,466 in the preceding week, and 96,106 tons in the corresponding week in 1913. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal............ Ell .................. Splint................ Treble nuts .......... Double do............. Single do............. Current prices. 12/6-14/ 13/3 13/ -16/ 12/ -12/6 11/3-11/6 10/9-11/3 prices. 13/6-14/6 13/9-14/6 15/ -15/6 L’st week's Last year's prices. 12/6-14/ 13/3 13/—16/ 12/ -12/3 14'/ -14/6 11/3-11/6 j 13/6-14/3 11/ -11/3 ! 13/6-14/ IRON. The volume of business transacted in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market during the week amounted to 27,000 tons. Owing to encouraging advices from abroad, the price of Cleveland advanced in the beginning of the week to 51s. 9^d., but thereafter a reaction occurred, due in part to the prospect of additional furnaces being put in blast, and with various fluctuations Cleveland closed at 51s. 0|d. per ton cash, showing a net decline of 3|d. per ton on the week. The number of furnaces in blast still stands at 66, being 26 fewer than in the same period of 1913. The imports of pig iron into Grangemouth from Middlesbrough and district amounted, during the week to 11,689 tons. Monkland is quoted f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 62s. 6d., No. 3, 61s.; Govan, No 1, 61s. 6d., No 3, 60s.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 67s. 6d., No. 3, 63s. 6d; Clyde, No. 1,69s., No. 3,64s.; Gartsherrie, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 69s. 6d., Nos. 3, 64s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 71s., No. 3,66s.; Eglinton at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 63s., No. 3, 62s.; Dalmellington at Ayr, No. 1,64s., No. 3,62s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1,69s. 6d., No. 3, 64s. 6d.; Carron, at Grangemouth, No. 1, 70s., No. 3, 65s. per ton. Scotch haematite is quoted 63s. per ton for West of Scotland delivery. The manufacturing branches of the trade are improving their position gradually. The volume is slowly increasing, and prospects are much brighter. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. There has been little improvement in the coal trade of the Lothians. The position is unchanged so far as round coal is concerned, but treble, double and single nuts are in strong demand at firm prices. Shipments are decidedly better than -in the preceding week and are well up to the average. At Grangemouth 34,359 tons were despatched, Granton 11,854, Leith 35,273, and Bo’ness 16,459—total, 97,945 tons compared with 74,410 last week, and 84,772 tons in the corresponding week of 1913. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’et week’s Last year's prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal 11/3 11/3-11/6 13/3-13/6 Secondary qualities : 10/6 10/6 12/3-12/9 Treble nuts 12/6 12/6 13/6-14/ Double do 11/3 11/3 12/9-13/ Single do 10/3-10/6 10/3-10/6 12/3-12/6 Collieries in the Fifeshire district are fairly well supplied with orders for prompt delivery, but prospects of future business are not so convincing as formerly. Treble nuts remain comparatively steady, but doubles are very dull and are becoming more plentiful than ever. Singles are moving off in good quantities at steady prices. The clearances for the week amounted to 117,156 tons, compared with 109,364 in the preceding week, and 118,115 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened naviga- Current prices. L'st week's prices. Last year's prices. tion coal 16/6-16/9 16/6-16/9 16/3-17/ Unscreened do 15/ 15/ 14/ -14/6 First-class steam coal... 12/6 12/6 13/ -13/6 Third-class do. ... 10/6 10/6 12/ Treble nuts 12/3-12/6 12/ -12/6 13/3-13/9 Double do 10/9 10/9-11/3 13/ -13/3 Single do 10/ -10/3 10/3-10/6 12/6-13/ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports amounted to 329,317 tons, compared with 297,240 in the preceding week and 298,943 tons in the same week of 1913. --------o—------- Newcastle-upon-Tyne. During last week 162,892 tons of coal and 487 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 21,822 tons of coal and a decrease of 438 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 57,922 tons of coal and 3,887 tons of coke, a decrease of 840 tons of coal and an increase of 1,206 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 94,779 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 5,349 tons. The main item of interest in the local coal market this week has been the rumoured large purchase by London gas companies of Westphalian coal. Very circumstantial rumours have been in circulation. The purchases are stated at anything up to 1,000,000 tons, and the price is mentioned at 13s. per ton c.i.f., which, after allowing 3s. for freight, would leave only 10s. per ton f.o.b. for the coal at Rotterdam. Confirmation of the reports, however, is still lacking, and much incredulity on the matter is expressed on Newcastle Exchange. Probably what will be found to have happened will be that the usual small quantity of special coal for special purposes has been taken from West- phalia, and that the companies are using the purchase as a depressent of British coal prices. Meanwhile it is stated that the metropolitan gas companies are gradually con- tracting for their annual requirements of Durham coal at about 16s. 3d. per ton c.i.f. London, or about 13s. f.o.b. From 31 million to 4 million tons in all are required. The Egyptian State Railways are inviting tenders of 250,000 tons of Welsh steams, with options of Northumbrian, Durham and South Yorkshires as alternatives to second Welsh Admiralty large or best Monmouthshire. Until three years ago this department invariably took its supplies from South Wales. Last autumn tenders of 385,000 tons of Welsh steams and some north country coal were invited, and owing to the highness of the prices of the. Welsh product only 120,000 tons of Welsh coal were taken, and the order for 80,000 tons of north country descriptions was added. Under these circumstances there is a possibility that local coal has driven a permanent wedge into the Welsh monopoly of this particular custom. It is reported that 10,000 tons of ordinary Durham bunkers have been sold for delivery in regular monthly quantities from March to December at 10s. 9d. per ton f.o.b. The Malmo Gasworks are stated to have contracted through Swedish merchants for 73,000 tons of Wear gas specials for shipment over the season at 17s. 3d. per ton c.i.f., or about 13s. f.o.b. The Danish Sugar Works are stated to have contracted for 45,000 tons of South Yorkshire hards for this season's ship- ment, but confirmation is lacking. Danish Gasworks are stated to have arranged for 10,000 tons of Wearmouth gas coal for over-season delivery at 13s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. With reference to the Memel Gasworks reported contract for 16,000 tons of Durham gas bests, it is now stated that only one cargo of Londonderry or Thornley coal has been taken, through a Hamburg firm, at 16s. per ton c.i.f., and that the balance of the order has been hung up for the present. Several of the smaller Continental gasworks are enquiring for their annual supplies of Durham special gas coal, for delivery, in most instances, over the Baltic season. These include—Neustadt 6,000 tons, Esbjerg 17,000 tons, Veile 4,000 tons, Fredericia 10,000 tons, and Ronne 4,000 tons. The War Office invites tenders of 120,000 tons of best steams for the annual requirements of Woolwich and Enfield arsenals, &c. Offers are due in early in March. Prompt business has been somewhat scanty during the past week, and the tendency of prices is downward. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as follow:— Best steams, Blyths, 6d. to 9d. cheaper; Tynes, 9d. to Is. reduced; unscreened, weaker; smithies, 6d. down; gas bests, easier; seconds, 3d. lower; specials, 6d. reduced; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, l|d. to 3d. less; coking smalls, in buyers' favour; and foundry coke, Is. decreased. Collieries continue to report fairly full turns, but forward business is quiet, buyers being inclined to hold off. There is an ample supply of coal tonnage at low rates of freight, despite delays caused by recent strong westerly winds. A contract has been arranged for 5,0G0 tons of good ordinary Durham unscreened bunker coals, for shipment March to December, at Ils. 3d. f.o.b., and for another parcel of ordinary Durham unscreened bunkers at 10s. 9d., also for March-December shipment. 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. 13/3-13/6 13/ 11/9-12/ 11/9-12/ 10/6-11/6 6/9 6/3 7/6 12/ -12/6 13/3-13/6 11/9-12/3 13/6 11/73—12/9 10/ -11/ 12/3-12/6 11/6-12/ 15/ -16/ 19/ -21/ 18/ -19/ 13/ -13/6 L’st week’s prices. 14/ 13/6-14/ 11/9-12/ 11/9-12/ 11/ -11/6 6/9 6/3 7/6 12/6-13/ 13/6 12/ -12/6 - 13/6-14/ 11/9-13/ 10/ -11/ 12/3-12/6 12/ 15/ -16/ 20/ -22/ 18/ -19/ 13/ -13/6 Last year’s prices. 14/3-14/6 14/6 13/6 13/9 12/6-13/ 10/3-10/6 9/6-10/ 10/6 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/3 13/3-14/ 14/6 13/3-14/ 12/6-13/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 15/6 27/6 24/6 17/6 Sundepiand. 0GAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 99.525 tons of coal and 695 tons of coke, as compared with 105.525 tons of coal and 1,585 tons of coke for tho corre- sponding period of 1913, being a decrease of 6,000 tons of coal and 890 tons of coke. The coal market is quiet and a trifle easier, otherwise there is little change to report. Buyers continue to hold cff and are only operating from the end of the month, for which turns are easier. For later delivery supplies are freely offered with concessions, but notwithstanding this inducement buyers are adopting a reserved attitude. Gas qualities are a slow market and are quoted 3d. lower, best steams can also be had on easier terms. Bunker qualities are more liberally offered. Coke values are practically unaltered, but, if anything, on the easy side. Coking coals are readily obtainable at from Ils. 9d. to 12s. 9d. The sale of 10,000 tons of ordinary Durham unscreened bunkers shipment March to December is reported at 10s. 9d. f.o.b. It is also stated that a Danish gasworks has contracted for 10,000 tons of Wearmouth gas coals at 13s. 6d. f.o.b., and the following gas companies are asking for tenders of special Wear gas coals—Esbjerg 17,000 tons, Neustadt 6,000 tons, Veile 4,000 tons, Fredericia 10,000 tons, and Ronne 4,000 tons, while the Egyptian State Railways invite immediate offers of 250,000 tons of best Durham steams, delivery over 12 months. Current quota- tions are as follow:—Freights to the Mediterranean still keep steady, Genoa having paid 7s. 3d. Other fixtures are: —Naples 7s., Oran 6s., Nice 7s. 6d., Pirseus 7s. 3d., and Port Said 7s. The Baltic is represented by Fairwater 4s. 6d., Libau 5s. 3d.. Esbjerg 4s., Swinemunde 4s., Aalborg 4s., Kiel 4s. 3d. To the Bay Bordeaux has paid 5s., St. Nazaire 4s. 6d., and Nantes 5s. The coast is again at 3s. London, 4s. 3d. Havre, and 3s. 6d. Hamburg. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Gas coals:— Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Special Wear gas coals 14/ 14/ 15/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 12/3 13/ 13/6 Best house coals 16/ 17/ 17/ Ordinary do Other sorts:— 15/ 16/ 15/6 Lambton screened 14/6 14/6 15/3 South Hetton do 14/3 14/ 15/3 Lambton unscreened ... 12/3-12/6 12/9 14/3 South Hetton do. 12/6 13/ 14/3 Do. treble nuts 16/ 15/9 16/6-17/ Coking coals unscreened 12/6 12/9 14/3 Do. smalls 12/ -12/3 12/6 14/ -14/6. Smithies 15/ 15/9 14/ -14/9 Peas and nuts 15/6 16/ 16/ -17/ Best bunkers 13/3 13/6 14/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 12/3 13/ 13/9 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 20/ 20/ 28/ -30/ Teesside furnaces) ... 19/ 18/6 24/6-25/ Gas coke 13/9-14/ 14/ 17/6 Middlegbi’ough-oa-ToeB. COAL. Fuel is quiet and easy. As is usual at this season of the year, deliveries of gas coal are showing a falling off. Best Durham gas coal runs from 13s. d^d. to 13s. 9d., and second kinds from Ils. 9d. to 12s. 6d. The demand for household coal is only moderate, and the price of best sorts is 18s., ordinary kinds standing at 17s. There is a plentiful supply of bunker coal, and ordinary Durhams run from 11s. 7|d. to Ils. 9d. f.o.b., better kinds up to 12s. 3d., bests 12s. 10|d., and specials 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d. There is a good deal of coking coal on the market at prices ranging from Ils. 9d. to 12s. 9d. Coke is decidedly easier. Some hand-to-mouth business is passing but traders are slow to make forward arrangements. Prices vary very considerably and are difficult to fix. Foundry coke for shipment runs from 20s. to 22s. f.o.b. Gashouse coke is quoted 13s. 6d. to 14s. All sorts of prices have been paid for blastfurnace coke and the quotation for medium kinds may now be given at 16s. 9d. delivered at Teesside works. IRON The pig iron market is flat. Very little business has been recorded this week, but producers are now fairly well placed and they no longer press sales. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is obtainable from second hands at 51s. 3d. f.o.b., and that is .now recognised as the general market quotation, but a few sales have occurred this week at 51s. l^d. No. 1 Cleve- land is 53s. 9d.; No. 4 foundry, 50s. 9d.; No. 4forge, 50s. 6d.; and mottled and white iron 50s. 3d. All the foregoing prices are for early delivery, 3d. to 6d. above these rates being named for forward business. East coast hgematite pig is dull. For early delivery of mixed numbers the price is 62s. 9d., whilst the forward quotation is from 63s. upward. Foreign ore prices are upheld. Sales have occurred this week on the basis of 18s. cx-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality, and in the ordinary way sellers will not quote less, but an odd cargo has been on offer at 17s. 9d. The manufactured iron and steel trades are steady. In nearly all branches production is heavy, and not only are specifi- cations being freely given out, but substantial orders are in the market. Good enquiries for shipbuilding material and also for rails are reported. Messrs. Bolckow, Vaughan and Co. have booked an order for 6,000 tons of tram rails for the London County Council. SoKtii-West Lancashire. COAL. The inland household trade is quieter—mild weather the cause—and with the exception of some of the better qualities orders are promptly met. Forges and other users of screened round coal are only taking moderate deliveries. Bunker fuel is rather on the quiet side, the demand on contract account being about normal. There is not much enquiry on outside account, and for what business is offering prices asked are somewhat easier. Screened Lancashire steam coal, 13s. to 13s. 3d. for ordinary qualities up to 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d. f.o.b. for best grades represent present quotations. The shipments of household coal for the cross channel and coastwise trades keep on a satisfactory level requirements being quite equal to available supplies. There is nothing new to report with regard to slacks. Supplies rather exceed demand, and a small quantity is being put down to stock. Prices at nit (except wh«r« otherwise stated). Current L’st week's^ Last year's House coal:— prices. prices. prices. Best 17/ 17/ 16/3 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 16/9-17/3 16/9-17/3 16/6-16/9 Medium 15/3 15/3 14/6 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 15/ -15/6 15/ -15/6 15/ -15/3. Kitchen 13/ 13/ 12/3 Common (f.o.b. Grstn.,net) 13/9-14/6 13/9-14/6 13/6 Screened forge coal 12/3-12/6 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ Best scrnd. steam coalf.o.b. 13/ -13./9 13/3-14/ 13/3-14/3 Best slack ... 9/9-10/ 9/9-10/ 10/6 Secondary slack 9/ - 9/3 9/ -9/3 9/9 Common do 8/6- 8/9 8/6—8/9 9/3 South Lancashire and Cheshire. goal. There was a good attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. There is no improvement in the demand for house coal, as is not unnatural from the open weather. Prices remain unchanged. Furnace coal is only