March 6, 1914-. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 519 THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, March 5. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There is an easier tendency in the west of Scotland coal •trade, and with the exception of ells and splints the volume - of business done in the various grades has fallen off con- siderably. Bsst ells continue firm for prompt loading, but orders for large quantities can be arranged at slightly easier rates round about 13s. per ton. The position of best splints is. unchanged, and supplies for immediate shipment are difficult to secure. Navigation coals are in good demand, but steams are most unsatisfactory. Treble and double nuts are plentiful, but the latter are moving off com- paratively well, and prices are practically the same as last week. Singles are very scarce in some parts of the district, and consumers can hardly arrange adequate supplies. • Shipments are not so heavy as in the previous week, and amount to 90,136 tons, compared with 104,262 in the preceding week and 100,966 in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal............ Ell .................. Splint................ Treble nuts .......... Double do............. Single do............. Current prices. 12/ -14/ 13/3 13/ -15/6 12/ -12/3 11/ -11/3 11/ —11/3 L’st week's* Last year's prices. ■ prices. 12/3-14/ 13/6-14/6 13/3 ; 13/9-14/6 13/3-15/6 | 15/ -15/6 12/ -12/3 ' 14/ -14/6 11/ -11/6 i 13/9-14/3 11/ -11/3 i 13/6-14/ IRON. The amount of business done in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market during the week was not so large as has been the case for the last month or so, the total turnover being only 15,000 tons. An easier tendency has prevailed throughout, and prices of Cleveland iron closed 6a. per ton below the preceding week at 50s. 5|d. cash buyers. The < consumers of the ordinary qualities of pig iron are only purchasing against their immediate requirements, and are not inclined to anticipate their future requirements. Makers are, however, getting rid of their outputs remarkably well, and stocks at the works are not increasing to any great extent. Four of the furnaces at Glengarnock which were .put out of blast in December last have been restarted, and the total number of furnaces in operation is now 70, com- pared with 64 in the preceding week and 92 in the same period of last year. Tne import of pig iron into Grange- mouth from Middlesbrough and district during the week amounted to 10,768 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, ZNo. 1, 69s., No. 3, 64?.; Gartsherrie, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 69s. 6d., Nos. 3, 64s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at .Ar dr os san, No. 1, 71s., No. 3, 66s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 63s., No. 3, 62?.; 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 hsematite is quoted 65s. per ton for west of ;Scotland delivery. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Trade in the LDthians continues dull, orders for all round coal being scarce. In smalls, trebles and doubles are plentiful, but singles are in good request at firm prices. Shipments show an increase over the returns of the preceding week. At Grangemouth 25,921 tons were despatched, Granton 14,785, Leith 29,498, and Bo’ness 14,638—total 84,842 tons, compared with 70,511 in the previous week and 94,488 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week's Last year's prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal 11/3 11/3 13/3-13/6 Secondary qualities 10/3-10/9 10/3-10/9 12/3-12/9 Treble nuts 11/9-12/ 12/3-12/6 13/6-14/ Double do 10/9-11/ 11/3 12/9-13/ Single do 10/6—10/9 10/3-10/6 12/3-12/6 There has been a better feeling in the Fife coal trade throughout the week. Although the volume of business generally shows little increase, the shipping department has improved to some extent, owing to a larger supply of tonnage at Methil and Burntisland. The result of the contract for the Swedish State Railways has been eagerly awaited. The details of allotments, so far as Scotland is concerned, are as follow:—Stugsund, 40,000 tons Fifeshire, 15s. 10£d.; Hudiksvall, 10,000 tons Fifeshire, 16s. l|d.; Sundsvall, 30,000 tons Fifeshire, option Lassodie, 15s. 10|d.; Sundsvall, 15,000 tons Lochgelly-Cowdenbeath, 16s., option Glencraig, Bowhill, or Lissodie, 15s. 8d.; Storlien, 8,000 tons Loch- gelly-Cowdenbeath, 19s. 9d., option Bowhill, 19s. 6d., free •truck; Ornskoldvik, 10,000 tons Lochgelly or Cowdenbeath, 16s., option Lassodie-Bowhill, 15s. lOld.; Ornskoldvik, .25,000 tons Fife, option Lassodie, 16s. 04d.; Skelleftea, 6,000 tons Fife, option Lassodie, 16s. 0|d.; Riksgransen, 30,000 tons Fife, option Lissodie, 17s. 5d. ; Lulea, 39,000 tons Lochgelly-Cowdenbeath, 15s. 11^1., option Glencraig, Bowhill, Lassodie, 15s. 8^1.; Lulea, 30,000 tons Lochgelly-Cowdenbeath, 16s., with same options at 15s. 8d.; Trelleborg, 15,000 tons Aitken unscreened, 17s. 7|d. Thus 262,000 tons of Scottish coals have been taken in all; the prices are regarded as being inordinately low. The total shipments for the week amounted to 104,275 tons, compared with 97,316 in the preceding week and 110,162 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/ -12/3 12/3-12/6 13/3-13/9 Double do 10/6-11/ 10/9-11/ 13/ -13/3 Single do 10/ -10/3 10/ -10/3 12/6-13/ The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 102,375 tons of coal and 2,075 tons of coke, as compared with 103,770 tons of coal, and 3,030 tons of coke for the The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports reached the total of 279,253 tons, compared with 272,089 in the previous week and 305,616 tons in the corresponding week of last year. The total decrease for the year to date is 201,893 tons. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. GOAL. During last week 177,113 tons of coal and 2,431 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 47,420 tons of coal and 1,713 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. Last week's shipments constituted a record for the dock. The Dunston clearances amounted to 57,992 tons of coal and 2,393 tons of coke, an increase of 11.508 tons of coal and a decrease of 231 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments aggregated 95,933 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 1,632 tons. The news as to the allotment of the Swedish State Railways contracts for steam coals for delivery up to the end of the present year was received with a certain amount of disappointment locally. Of the total of 584,500 tons arranged for, Westphalia has secured the order for 144,000 tons, as against only 5,000 tons last year ; Scotland that for 258,000 tons, as against 256,000 tons last year; and Northumberland and Durham, that for 182,500 tons, as against 232,000 tons a year ago. The prices accepted for the local coal also are certainly very low, as will be seen from the following details of the orders:—For shipment to Stockholm, 40,000 tons of Limbton at 17s. 2d. per ton, c.i.f.; option D.C.B. at 16?. lid., option Broomhill at 15s. lid., option Hastings or Cramlington at 14s. lid.; Stockholm, 12,500 tons South Hetton at 17s. 3d.; Gothenburg, 91,000 tons Lambton at 16s. 9d.; Uddevalla, 4,000 tons Newbottle- Victoria at 15s. 9d.; Varberg, 6,000 tons D.C.B. at 17s. 6d.. free-truck; Malmo, 5,000 tons D.C.B., Lambton, Hetton or Newbiggin at 16s. 6d.; option Hastings-Cramlington at 15s. 3d., October-December delivery; Malmo, 5,000 tons D.C.B. at 16s. 8d, October-December; and Norrkoping, 20,000 tons Limbton at 17s. 5d., option D.C.B. at 17s. 2d., option Broomhill at 16s. 2d., option Hastings-CramliEgton at 15s. 21. It is reported that the order to supply the Libau steelworks with 30,000 tons of steams has gone to Westphalia, as also that for a moderate amount of steams for another Baltic firm. Producers of best Blyth steams have lowered their quotations for the Baltic season trade to 13s. 3d. per ton, f.o.b., for large and 7s. 3d. for smalls, a reduction of 3d. per ton in each instance. A trial cargo of Northumberland steam coal is being shipped to the Italian State Railways, a circumstance which leads to the hope that these railways, like the Egyptian State Railways, may in the future cease to rely exclusively on the Welsh product. The Magona steelworks are enquiring for 11,000 tons of best Durham gas coal for shipment in two, cargoes over March and April. Tenders of 260,000 tons of steam coals have been submitted to the Egyptian State Railways. The qualities offered include Northumbrian, Durham, Yorksnire and Welsh. The Northumberland coal is said to have been tendered at about 13s. per ton, f.o.b. It is expected that the bulk of the order will go to Wales as usual and a portion to Yorkshire, but local merchants are fairly confident of securing some portion of the business. A considerable amount of interest has been taken by coal producers in this district with regard to the minimum wage dispute at the Rotherham collieries. This having been settled, however, any possibility of the diversion of orders to this coalfield in consequence of the stoppage has faded away. The prompt market has been quiet this week, and prices are at least no worse. In some instances, indeed, there is a shade stronger feeling, as thefollowiog statement of the changes in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment will show :—Best steams, Blyths, are firmer on the week ; Tynes, 61. advanced; gas bests, stronger; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 3d. dearer; and coking smalls, in seller's favour. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. In view of the general lowness of prices now as compared with any portion of last year, the fact that the Northumberland coalowners could not accede last Saturday to the miners' requests for another wages advance cannot have surprised the operatives. The Norwegian State Railways invite offers, by March 14, of 160,000 tons of best Northumbrian, Durham or Scottish steams for delivery over the ensuing season. The Danish State Railways are enquiring for 90,000 tons of steams for the locomotive department and 30,000 tons for the marine department, tenders to be in by March 12. Usually the latter portion is drawn from this district, but the former is taken, not infrequently, from Westphalia. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L'st week's Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best,Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 13/6 13/3-13/6 14/9 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 13/3-13/6 13/ 14/6-14/9 Secondary, Blyths 11/6-11/9 11/6-11/9 13/6 Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 11/6-12/ 11/6-12/ 13/6-13/9 Unscreened 10/6-11/6 10/6-11/6 12/6-13/ Small, Blyths 6/9 6/9 10/6 Do. Tynes 6/3 6/3 10/ Do. specials 7/6- 7/9 7/6- 7/9 11/ -11/6 Other sorts:— Smithies 12/ -12/6 12/ -12/6 14/ Best gas coals. (New Pelton or Holmside) 13/6 13/3-13/6 14/6-14/9 Secondary gas coals (PelawMainor similar) 11/9-12/3 11/9-12/3 13/9 Special gas coals 13/6 13/6 15/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 12/ -13/ 11/9-12/9 14/3-15/ Do. do. Northumbrians 10/ -11/ 10/ -11/ 13/ -13/6 Coking coals 11/9-12/3 11/9-12/3 14/3 Do. smalls 11/6-11/9 11/3-11/9 13/6 House coals 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 15/6-16/ Coke, foundry 19/ -21/ 19/ -21/ 27/6 Do. blast-furnace 18/ 18/ 24/6 Do. gas 13/ -13/6 13/ -13/6 17/6 Sunderland. GOAL. corresponding period of 1913, being a decrease of 1,395 tons of coal and 955 tons of coke. The coal market is steady, the low prices accepted for the Swedish business not having seriously affected the ideas of collieries, some of whom, being well off for prompt trade, have little difficulty in maintaining full recent quotations. The local allotments of the Swedish contract are as follow :—For Stockholm, 40,000 tons of Lambton at 17s. 2d. c.i.f., option D.C.B. 16s. lid., option Broomhill 15s. lid., option Hastings 14s. lid., and 12,500 of South Hetton coal at 17s. 3d. For Gothenburg, 90,000 tons of Lambton coal at 16s. 9d. c.i.f. For Uddevalla, 4,000 tons of Newbottle coal at 15s. 9d. For Malmo, 5,000 tons of Lambton at 16s. 6d., and 5,000 tons of D.C.B.'s at 16s. 8d. For Norrkoping, 20,000 tons of Lambton at 17s. 5d., option D.C.B’s 17s. 2d., option Broomhill 16s. 2d., option Hastings 15s. 2d. The Horsens gas works are inviting tenders for 8,000 tons of Durham gas, and the Magona steelworks for 10,000 tons of Durham unscreened coal for March shipment. Gas coals, both best and second qualities, are steadily held, and bunkering qualities are firmer. Coking coals are also in good demand. Coke is about unchanged. Forward business continues to be in abeyance. As an attempt, how- ever, to break the deadlock which has prevailed for some time between the ideas of producers and buyers as to Baltic season values, the collieries are reported to have intimated their willingness to make small concessions for steams and small over the season. Current quotations are approximately as follows:—The outward freight market is practically unaltered. Genoa stands at 7s. 6d., and other fixtures are shown by Oran 6s. 3d., Marseilles 7s. l^d-j Naples 7s. 3d., Messina 7s., Piraeus 7s. 6d., Palermo 7s. 6d., Port Said 7s. 6d., Alexandria 7s. 4|d. The Bay is steady with Bordeaux at 5s. 3d., St. Naziire 5l, Bayonne 5s. 6d., Santander 6i. 3d., and Seville 7s. There is not much doing for the Baltic yet. Swinemunde is at 4s., Fairwater 4s. 4id., Memel 4s. 3d., Riga 5l, and Aalborg 4s. Tne coasting is quiet with London 3s., Rotterdam 3s. l|d., Hamburg 3s. 4|d., Boulogne 3s. 7id., Havre 4s. 3d., and Antwerp 3s. 6d. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year's Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 13/6 13/9 15/ -15/3 Secondary do. 12/ 12/3 14/ -14/3 House coals:— Best house coals 16/6 16/6 17/ Ordinary do. 15/ 16/ 16/ Other sorts:— Lambton screened 14/3 14/3 15/3 South Hetton do 14/ 14/ 15/ Lambton unscreened ... 12/6 12/9 14/6 South Hetton do. 12/6 12/6 14/6 Do. treble nuts 15/9 15/6 17/ Coking coals unscreened 12/6 12/6 14/9 Dj. smalls 12/3 12/3 14/3 Smithies 15/3 15/ 14/9 Peas and nuts 15/9 15/3-15/6 17/ -17/6 Best bunkers 13/3 13/ 14/9 Ordinary bunkers 12/6 12/6 14/ -14/3 Coke:— Foundry coke 20/ 21/ 26/6 Blast-furnace coke (did. Teesside furnaces) ... 19/ 19/6 27/6 Gas coke 14/ 14/ 17/ GOAL. The fuel market continues in a healthy state, prices are steady, and buyers are a good deal in evidence. As is usual at this season of the year, deliveries of gas coal are falling away somewhat, but they are on a satisfactory scale and a fair amount of business is passing. Best Durham gas coal is 13s. 4|d. to 13s. 6d., and second sorts Ils. 9d. to 12s. 6d. Household coal is rather quiet, but firm. Ordinary kinds are 17s., and best qualities 18s. The demand for bunker coal is rather good. Ordinary Durhams run from Ils. 9d. to 12s. f.o.b., better kinds stand at 12s. 3d., best range from 12s. 3d. to 12s. 6d., and up to 13s. 6d. is quoted for specials. Coking coal is fairly well taken up, but demand promises to shrink, as it is understood that more coke ovens are going out, coke manufacturers declaring that market rates are unremunerative. Unscreened coking coal is 12?. to 12s. 9d., and smalls Ils. 9d. to 12s. 3d. Coke is, if anything, rather stronger. Local consumption is somewhat heavy and average blastfurnace kinds are fully 17s., delivered at Teesside works. Foundry coke for shipment ranges from 20s. to 22s. f.o.b., and gashouse coke is in the neighbourhood of 14s. 3d. IROM, Iron and steel shipments for February exceeded expecta- tions. The Tees loadings of pig reached 95,651 tons, as compared with 89,451 tons for the previous month, and 106,542 tons for February last year. Of the pig shipped last month, 44,643 tons went to foreign ports and 51,008 tons to coastwise customers. As usual Scotland was the largest receiver, taking 29,902 tons, whilst Wales imported 11,009 tons, France 7,639 tons, Belgium 6,213 tons, Sweden 5,763 tons, Germany 5,120 tons, Italy 4,541 tone, and Holland 3,275 tons. Shipments of manufactured iron from the Tees last month were returned at 12,695 tons, and those of steel at 40,824 tons. Of the manufactured iron cleared, 6,109 tons went abroad and 6,586 tons coastwise, and of the steel despatched, 37,531 tons went to foreign ports and 3,293 tons coastwise. Once more India was the largest customer for both manufactured iron and steel, importing 3,831 tons of the former and 10,241 tons of the latter. Buyers and sellers of pig iron are agreeing more readily as to quotations. Little concessions of the latter have brought in buyers this week, and a fair amount of business has been recorded. No. 3 g.m.b., after realising 51s. f.o.b., eased to 50s. 10|d., and 50s. 9d. has also been named, whilst No. 1 is now 53s. 3d., No. 4 foundry 50s. 3d., No. 4 forge 50s., and mottled and white iron each 49s. 9d., all for early delivery. A fair amount of business in Nos. 1, 2, and 3 east coast hsematite pig has been put through at 62s. for early delivery, but some makers are not prepared to accept that figure. Foreign ore is rather easier, with very little business passing. Market rates are based on 17s. 93. to 18s. ex-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. Freights Bilbao- Middlesbrough are fixing at 4g. Producers of nearly all descriptions of manufactured iron and steel are busy, and they report a fair number of orders coming in. Quotations are upheld.