Apkil 3, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN, 739 THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, April 2. Scotland.—Western District. GOAL. The chief feature in the West of Scotland coal trade has been the further reduction in the price of best ells. Shippers have booked a few fair orders, but nevertheless quotations are easier, and supplies are plentiful. Splint coal is comparatively quiet, the shipping demand being confined to the best qualities, and ordinary brands are practically at a standstill. Navigation coals are in moderate demand, but ordinary steams are decidedly weak. Treble nuts are in better demand in some quarters, but doubles are easier, while singles are being well taken up, and prices are firm. The shipments for the week amounted to 92,837 tons compared with 99,845 in the preceding week, and 99,849 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal... 12/ -13/6 12/ -13/6 13/6-14/ Ell 11/9 12/ 13/9-14/3 Splint 12/3-14/ 12/3-14/ 14/9-15/3 Treble nuts 11/9-12/ 11/9-12/ 13/9-14/3 Double do 10/9-11/ 11/ -11/3 | 13/6-14/ Single do 11/ -11/3 11/ -11/3 | 13/3-13/9 IRON. There has been an improvement in the volume of business transacted in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market during the week, and the tone is firm. The total turnover amounted to 13,000 tons. Cleveland iron closed at 50s. 7d. per ton cash, which shows an advance of Id. per ton compared with the preceding week. Business was also done at 50s. 9d. one month, and 51s. Id. per ton three months. The number of furnaces in blast is still 73, being 18 fewer than in the same period of 1913. Consumers of pig iron continue to purchase only for immediate require- ments, but owing to the reduced production they are disposing of their outputs fairly well, and stocks are not accumulating to any great extent. The imports of pig iron into Grangemouth from Middlesbrough and district amounted during the week to 14,104 tons. Monkland is quoted f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 62s., No. 3, 60s. 6d.; Govan, No. 1, 61s., No. 3, 60s.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 66s. 6d., No. 3, 62s. 6d; Clyde, Nd. 1, 68s., No. 3, 63s.; Gartsherrie, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 68s. 6d., Nos. 3, 63s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan. No. 1, 71s., No. 3,66s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 62s., No. 3, 61s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr. No. 1, 63s., No. 3, 61s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 68s. 6d., No. 3, 63s. 6d.; Carron, at Grange- mouth, No. 1, 69s., No. 3, 64s. per ton. Scotland.—Eastern District. GOAL. The position of the trade in the Lothians has not altered to any extent, but an early improvement is expected by the collieries. In the meantime orders for all round coal are scarce, while smalls are unchanged from the preceding week. The shipments from the district during the week amounted to 85,242 tons compared with 82,883 in the preceding week, and 92,174 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/ -11/3 11/3 13/3-13/6 Secondary qualities 10/3-10/6 10/6 12/3-12/9 Treble nuts 11/9 11/9 13/ -13/6 Double do 10/9 1 10/9 12/6-13/ Single do 10/6 10/3-10/6 12/6-13/ Sunderland. The Fife coal trade shows a slight improvement, and there is a better supply of tonnage, but collieries are quite able to overtake the present demand. Navigation qualities have been a little delayed, but the despatch otherwise is satisfactory. Treble and double nuts are still weak, while singles maintain their position well. Shipments are considerably better than in the preceding week,and amount to 116,528 tons compared with 84,442 and 124,584 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened naviga- tion coal Unscreened do First-class steam coal... Third-class do. Treble nuts Double do Single do Current prices. 16/9 14/9 12/6 12/ 11/9-12/ 10/6-10/9 10/ -10/3 L’st week’s prices. 16/6-16/9 14/9 12/6 10/6 11/9-12/ 10/6-10/9 10/ -10/3 Last year’s prices. 16/3-17/ 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/ 12/ 13/3-13/9 13/ -13/3 12/6-13/ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports amounted to 294,607 tons compared with 267,170 last week, and 317,147 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Oorhaia and Cleveland Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 167,708 tons of coal and 1,484 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 66,748 tons of coal, and 1,129 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The shipments from the dock last Friday totalled 37,395 tons of coal, and constituted a record for any one day’s loading, beating the previous best by 801 tons. The Dunston clearances amounted to 56,332 tons of coal, and 1,724 tons of coke, an increase of 15,816 tons of coal, and 1,330 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 87,744 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 22,907 tons. The metropolitan gas companies, which require from 3.V to 4 million tons of gas coal per annum, have just about completed their arrange- ments for their supplies over 12 months commencing June. These are to be drawn, as usual, mainly from the Durham coalfield. The coal has been secured at about 10s. 7|d. per ton, f.o.b., for seconds, and 12s. for Wear qualities. These figures represent a fall of from 2s. to 2s. l|d. per ton compared with last year’s prices. With reference to the Danish State Railways’ contracts, it appears that 80,000 tons of German coal has been taken and about 30,000 tons of Scottish fuel. No portion of the order has come to this district. Further details regarding the Bremen Gasworks’ requirements are to the effect that 40,000 tons of Durham gas seconds have been arranged for at from Ils. to Ils. 3d. per ton, f.o.b., and that 40,000 tons of Yorkshire, and a like amount of Scottish coal have been purchased. A quantity of Blyth unscreened steams has been sold for shipment to Hamburg over the year at about 10s. 9d., f.o.b. Tenders of 80,000 tons of steam coal for the annual requirements of various departments of the St. Petersburg Municipality have been forwarded. About 40,000 tons of north-country coal, and quantities of Yorkshire and Welsh fuel have been offered. Other tenders include the following 140,000 tons of steams for the Finnish State Railways, delivery over the year; 150,000 tons of steams for the annual requirements of the Russian Admiralty, shipment over the season; 80,000 tons steams for the British Admiralty, delivery over 12 months; and 200,000 tons steams, for the annual requirements of the Chilian State Railways. The time for the presentation of tenders of 19,000 tons of locomotive coal for the Norwegian Main Railways was extended until April 3. Very little prompt business is being done in the local coal market this week. The situation in Yorkshire has resulted in a sharp advance in prices here, and buyers are holding off. In any event, however, there is little free coal for shipment before Easter, and loading turns are very much congested. The prices quoted this week, therefore, are largely nominal. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment show the following variations on the week:—Best steams, Blyths, are from 10|d. to Is. 3d. dearer; Tynes, Is. to Is. 3d. up; seconds, Blyths, 3d. advanced ; Tynes, 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. more; unscreened, 9d. to Is. 3d. higher; smalls, Blyths, Is. 3d. to 2s. up; Tynes, 6d. to Is. dearer; specials, Is. to Is. 6d. more; smithies, 3d. to Is. higher ■ gas bests, Is. to Is. 3d. up; seconds, Is. 6d. to 2s. up; specials, 2s. to 2s. 6d. more; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, Is. 3d. higher; Northumbrians, Is. up; households, unaltered; coking coal, Is. to Is. 6d. more; and coking smalls, ditto. Coke is unchanged. 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. Northumbrians Coking coals Do. smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Current prices. 14/6-15/ 14/6-15/ 14/ 14/. 11/9 9/ -10/ 7/6 9/ -10/ 13/ -14/ 14/6 14/ 16/ 13/6-14/6 11/6-12/ 14/ 13/6 15/ -16/ 19/ -20/6 18/ 12/ -12/9 L’st week’s prices. 13/7^-13/9 13/6-13/9 11/ 11/3-11/6 10/6—11/ 7/9- 8/ 6/6 -7/ 8/- 8/6 12/9-13/ 13/3-13/6 12/ -12/6 13/6-14/ 12/3-13/3 10/6-11/ 12/6-13/ 12/ -12/6 15/ -16/ 19/ -20/6 18/ 12/6-13/ Last year’s prices. 17/ -18/ 16/ 14/6 14/6-15/ 13/6 11/ 10/6 12/ 15/6 15/ -15/3 14/9 15/6 15/3-15/9 13/6 15/6 15/ 15/6-16/ 26/ -27/ 23/ 16/6 COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 96,700 tons of coal, as compared with 79,595 tons of coal for the corresponding period of last year, being an increase of 17,105 tons. No coke was shipped. The coal market is completely under the influence of the Yorkshire strike, collieries with any surplus coal now refusing to quote, and under the circumstances there is very little business passing. Meanwhile, prices are rising rapidly and only approximate figures can be given, as same are continually changing. Whilst producers are sitting tight, it is anticipated a good deal of coal will be liberated if the price advances high enough. It is reported that the Bremen Gasworks have booked 40,000 tons of secondary Durham at 11s. to Ils. 3d. f.o.b., and the London gas companies have closed further contracts on the basis of Ils. for seconds and 12s. to 12s. 3d. for special Wear gas. The Russian Naval authorities are inviting offers of 150,000 tons of steams, shipment over the season. Quotations are approximately as follow:— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 14/6 13/9 15/9 Secondary do. House coals:— 13/9 12/ 14/6 Best house coals 17/ 15/6 18/ Ordinary do Other sorts:— 16/ 14/6 17/ Lambton screened 15/6 14/3 16/6 South Hetton do 15/3 14/ 16/3 , Lambton unscreened ... 14/ 13/ 15/9 South Hetton do. 14/ 13/ 15/9 Do. treble nuts 16/ 15/ 17/3 Coking coals unscreened 13/3 12/6-12/9 15/9 Do. smalls 13/ 12/6 15/6 Smithies 16/ 15/ 15/3 Peas and nuts 16/6 15/6 16/9 Best bunkers 14/6 14/ 15/9 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 14/ 13/ 15/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 21/ 19/6 27/ Teesside furnaces) ... 19/6 19/ ■ 24/ Gas coke - 15/ 13/6 16/6 The outward freight market is quieter, the Coast paying for London 2s. 10|d. to 3s., with a contract reported for London of 200,000 tons over 12 months at 2s. 10£d.; Hamburg 3s. l|d., Antwerp 3s. 7od., Rotterdam 3s. lid., Boulogne 3s. 6d. The Bay is easier, St. Nazaire 4s. 7|d., Bordeaux 4s. 10|d., Rochefort 4s. 9d. The Baltic is : Cronstadt 4s., Copenhagen 4s., Swinemunde 4?. 3d., Reval 5s., Memel'4s. 3d., Gefle 4s. 3d., Pillau 3s. 10id., Windau 4s. Mediterranean is easy with Genoa at 7s. 6d., Salonica 8s., Pirseus 7s. 9d., Marseilles 7s., Nice 8s., Port Said 7s. lid., Alexandria 7s. lid., Las Palmas 7s., and Bombay Ils. 3d. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. GOAL. The strike of Yorkshire miners has altogether upset the Durham coal market, and in fact colliery representatives here with any surplus of coal are refusing to quote. With the exception of a few transactions in bunkers, business in coal is practically at a standstill. The general opinion here is that the strike will continue over the Easter holidays. The Gas Light and Coke Company and the South Metro- politan Gas Company are reported to have completed their contracts with the Durham coalowners for their supplies over the 12 months commencing June next on prices based on from 10s. 7|d. for second-class qualities to 12s. f.o.b. for best sorts. The figures represent a fall of about 2s. to 2s. l|d. per ton on the contract rates of last year. Ordinary Durham bunkers are in the neighbourhood of 13s. 9d. to 14s. f.o.b. for next week; whilst best kinds ranged from 14s. 6d. to 15s. Coke is scarce and very strong. Local consumers are anxious to lay in stocks to see them over the Easter holidays. Average blastfurnace kinds are fully 17s. 6d. delivered at Teesside works. Foundry coke for shipment is round about 21s. f.o.b. IRON. The iron and steel shipments from the Tees during March were up to expectations, those of pig iron averaging 4,446 tons per working day, the total despatches amounting to 115,557 tons, of which 105,218 tons went from Middles- brough and 10,339 tons from Skinningrove. For February the loadings were given at 96,202 tons, and for March last year the clearances reached 103,982 tons. Of* the iron cleared at Skinningrove last month 9,264 went to Scotland, and 1,075 tons to Holland, and of the pig iron despatched from Middlesbrough 61,618 tons went abroad, and 43,600 tons to home customers. Again Scotland was the largest receiver, taking 22,007 tons, whilst Germany imported 15,104 tons, Wales 13,150 tons, Sweden 8,327 tons, France 7,959 tons, Italy 7,417 tons, Belgium 5,411 tons, Holland 3,571 tons and Japan 3,392 tons. The loadings of manu- factured iron on the Tees during March were given at 14,682 tons, and those of steel at 43,660 tons. Once more India was the largest buyer of both, receiving 5,937 tons of manufactured iron and 17,234 tons of steel. Other principal receivers of steel were : South Australia 3,194 tons, Victoria 2,941 tons. Holland 2,449 tons, Japan 2,144 tons and West Australia 1,817 tons. There is a fair amount of business passing in pig iron, but makers complain that current quotations are unprofitable, and consequently they will not increase the output which is not fully equal to the demand. Stocks are being steadily drawn upon. At the end of March the quantity of Cleveland pig in the public warrant stores here stood at 119,667 tons, 12,415 tons having been withdrawn during the third month of the year. There are warrants in circulation for 111,000 tons of No. 3 Cleveland pig. Values of Cleveland iron are steadily advancing, but haematite prices show a downward tendency. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is 51f. 6d. f.o.b. ; No. 1 is about 54s. 3d. ; No. 4 foundry 51s.; No. 4 forge, 50s. 9d.; mottled and white iron each 50s. 6d.; and Nos. 1, 2 and 3 east coast haematite pig, 61s. 9d.—all for either early or forward delivery. Foreign ore is lifeless, and in the absence of transactions sellers keep market quotations nominally on the basis of 18s. cx-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. There are no new features of moment in the various branches of the manufactured iron and steel industries. South-West Lancashire. GOAL. The inland household trade continues in a very brisk condition, and, as foreshadowed, April has commenced without any alteration in prices. Round steam coal for forges is only in moderate request. The demand on contract account for steam coal is fairly heavy, with supplies hardly equal to requirements. There are a tew outside orders on the market, but not much fuel available for these. The trouble in Yorkshire and the forthcoming Easter holidays tend to harden prices, and for screened Lancashire steam coal 13s. 3d. to 13s. 6d. f.o.b. for ordinary qualities up to 13?. 9d. or 14s. for the best descriptions are the figures ruling. The coastwise and cross-Channel household trade is busy, more requests for shipments being made than can be promptly met. Prices for enquiries outside contracts have distinctly hardened, and it is difficult to say at the moment what is the f.o.b. price for the various grades in such circumstances, as they widely vary according to the ability or otherwise of the producer to conveniently supply. Slack also, in consequence of the Yorkshire stoppage, is in a state of rapid change. For open sale the prices quoted this week are more or less nominal. 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 sernd. steam coalf .o.b. Best slack.............. Secondary slack ........ Common do............... Current prices. 17/ 16/9-17/3 15/3 15/ -15/6 13/ 13/9-14/3 12/3-12/6 13/3-14/ 9/9-10/ 9/ - 9/3 8/6- 8/9 L’st week’t prices. 17/ 16/9-17/3 15/3 15/ -15/6 13/ 13/9-14/3 12/ -12/6 13/ -13/6 9/9-10/ 9/ -9/3 8/6—8/9 Last year’s prices. 16/3 16/6-16/9 14/6 15/ -15/3 12/3 13/6-14/3 12/6-13/ 13/9-14/9 10/6 9/9 ■ 9/3 South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester coal exchange was well attended on Tuesday, and the market was excited owing to the strike in Yorkshire. Colliery representatives had very little fuel