844 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. April 17, 1914. THE COAL AHD IROH TRADES. Thursday, April 16. Scotland.—Western District. GOAL. The coal trade of this district was affected to a considerable extent during the past week by the strike in Yorkshire, and although the market is steadier, prices still rule fairly high. It appears, however, that little of the actual strike business has found its way to this district, and the higher prices demanded by the collieries are only being paid when extra coal is necessary to complete contracts. All round coal is in good demand, and in smalls trebles are firmer though still plentiful, while doubles are firm and singles strong at steady rates. Shipments during the week amounted to 112,544 tons, compared with 108,929 in the preceding week, and 103,362 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal............ Ell .................. Splint................ Treble nuts .......... Double do............. Single do............. Current prices. 12/3-14/ 11/9-12/6 12/6-15/ 12/3-12/6 11/3-11/6 11/6-12/ L’st week's prices. 12/ -13/6 12/ -12/3 12/3-14/ 12/ 10/9-11/0 11/ -11/3 Last year's prices. 13/6-14/ 13/9—14/ 14/9-15/3 13/9-14/3 13/6—14/ 13/3-13/9 IROH. The Glasgow pig iron warrant market has been extremely quiet, due in a measure to the holidays and the total turn- over did not exceed 7,000 tons. Trade reports have been unsatisfactory and advices from abroad discouraging, but prices have been kept firm by the ceaseless withdrawals from Middlesbrough stores, which have decreased by 3,555 tons during the weak, and now stand at 110,945 tons, compared with 212,244 tons at this time last year. Cleve- land closed at 51s. 2|d. per ton cash buyers, 51s. 6d. one month, and 51s. 8d. three months, which shows practically no change from the preceding week. The import of pig iron into Grangemouth from Middlesbrough and district amounted during the week to 6,835 tons. There are 72 furnaces in blast in Scotland, compared with 73 in the previous week, and 90 in the same week last year. Business in the ordinary qualities of pig iron is fairly good, but transactions are not large, while Scotch haematite is comparatively inactive. 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.; 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 Grangemouth, No. 1, 69s., No. 3, 64s. per ton. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. There has been a decided improvement in the coal trade of the Lothians during the past week, and the collieries generally are active and all grades of coal are in good demand. The total clearances for the week amounted to 98,589 tons, compared with 90,663 in the preceding week and 109,927 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal Secondary qualities... Treble nuts .......... Double do............. Single do............. Current prices. 12/3-12/9 11/3-11/9 12/ -12/3 11/ -11/6 11/ —11/6 L'st week's prices. 11/6-11/9 10/9 11/9 10/9 10/3 Last year's prices. 13/3-13/6 12/3-12/9 13/ -13/6 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ Business in the Fifeshire district is very satisfactory, and the collieries are very active. A considerable amount of the strike business has come to this district, and prices are very firm, as much as 13s. 6d. having been paid for first- class steams. All classes of large coal are well taken up, and smalls also are busy and shipments are much better than in the previous week. The total shipments amounted during the week to 125,988 tons compared with 88,664 in the preceding week and 111,283 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best screened naviga- tion coal 16/6-17/ 16/6-16/9 16/6-17/6 Unscreened do 15/ 14/9 14/9-15/6 First-class steam coal... 13/3-13/6 12/6-13/ 15/3-15/6 Third-class do. 10/6 10/6 12/3-12/9 Treble nuts 11/6-12/ 11/9-12/ 12/6-13/ Double do 11/ -11/6 10/9-11/ 13/ -13/3 Single do. 11/ -11/6 10/ -10/3 12/9-13/ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports amounted to 337,121 tons for the week, compared with 288,256 in the preceding week and 324,572 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COH, During last week 127,852 tons of coal and 1,492 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 9,720 tons of coal and an increase of 140 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 42,944 tons of coal and 682 tons of coke, a decrease of 13,172 tons of coal and 273 tons of coke. The Bly th shipments totalled 70,743 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 27,779 tons. Further details with reference to the Finnish State Railway's allot- ments for steam coal show that the Scottish portion amounts to 62,000 tons. An order for 6,000 tons of coke for St. Petersburg is stated to have been diverted to Westphalia at a lower price than was submitted by local merchants. The Western Union of Gasworks, France, has arranged for the supply of 50,000 tons of Durham gas coal for shipment over 12 months, commencing June, to Rochefort, St. Nazaire and Bordeaux. The prices are stated to be based on 13s. per ton f.o.b. for bests. A small quantity of best Blyth steams has been sold for shipment over 12 months on Government account at 13s. per ton f.o.b., and it is stated that small quantities of similar fuel have been disposed of to the Admiralty for early loading at 13s. f.o.b. Blyth and 13s. 9d. f.o.b. Tyne. There have been some fairly large sales of Blyth coal for Humber trawler use at from 16s. 6d. to 17s. per ton f.o.b. Considerable quantities of local house coal have been sent off by rail to North Yorkshire at from 16s. 6d. to 17s. per ton at the pithead. Now that the York- shire strike is nearing an end, however, prices are being reduced very rapidly. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as follow:—Best steams, Blyths, are from 6d. to Is. cheaper on the week; Tynes, ditto; seconds, Blyths, Is. down; Tynes, ditto; smalls, Blyths, from Is. to 2s. lower; specials, ditto; smithies, 6d. cheaper; gas bests, ditto; seconds, ditto; specials, ditto; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, Is. fallen; Northumbrians, ditto; coking coal, 6d. less, and smalls, ditto. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. The market has been idle most of the week on account of the Easter holidays and the incertitude caused by the Yorkshire situation. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L'st week's Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. prices. Beat,Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 14/ 14/6-15/ 15/3-15/6 Do. Tynes ( Bowers,&c.) 14/ 14/6-15/ 15/6-16/ Secondary, Blyths 13/ 13/ -14/ 13/9 Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 13/ 14/ 14/ Unscreened 11/9 11/9 13/ -13/6 Small, Blyths .8. 8/ 9/ -10/ 12/ -12/6 Do. Tynes 7/6 7/6 11/ -11/3 Do. specials 8/ 9/ -10/ 12/6-13/ Other sorts:— Smithies 13/6 13/6-14/ 15/6 Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 14/ 14/6 15/9 Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 13/6 14/ 15/ Special gas coals 14/6 14/6-15/ 15/9 Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 13/ -14/ 14/ -15/ 15/ -15/9 Do. do. Northumbrians 12/ 13/ 13/6 Coking coals 13/6 13/6-14/ 15/ Do. smalls 13/ 13/6 14/6 House coals 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 16/ -17/ Coke, foundry 19/ -21/ 19/ -21/ 27/6 Do. blast-furnace 18/ 18/ 24/ Do. gas 11/6-12/6 11/6-12/6 17/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 73,240 tons of coal, no coke, as compared with 92,730 tons of coal and 1,120 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1913, being a decrease of 19,490 tons of coal and 1,120 tons of coke. Business is only now being resumed after the holidays and the coal market is gradually settling down to its regular routine. There is evidence, however, that the market is shaping towards quietude and easiness, the general idea being that the strike ballot in Yorkshire will result in a settlement being effected. Consequently, more second-hand coal for April shipment is on offer and even the collieries show more disposition to sell. Bunkers are offered more freely and best gas coals are also more plentiful, but all round there are very few sales, buyers preferring to wait in order to make quite certain about the position in the Yorkshire coalfield. Coke is firm and some producers are talking of still further advances. The Western Union Gas- works, of France, have placed a contract for 50,000 tons of Durham gas coal, shipment over 12 months commencing June, at Bordeaux, Rochefort and St. Nazaire at a basis stated to be 13s. f.o.b. for best qualities. Current 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 14/9 14/9 15/9 Secondary do. House coals:— 14/ 14/ 15/ Best house coals 17/6 18/6 18/ Ordinary do Other sorts:— 16/6 17/6 17/ Lambton screened 15/ 15/6 16/6 South Hetton do 14/9 15/ 16/6 Lambton unscreened ... 13/6 14/ 15/6 South Hetton do. 13/6 14/ 15/6 Do. treble nuts 15/6 16/6 17/6 Coking coals unscreened 13/6 13/6 15/6 Do. smalls 13/3 13/3 15/ Smithies 15/6 16/ 15/ Peas and nuts 16/6-17/ 16/6 18/ -18/6 Best bunkers 14/3 14/9-15/ 16/3 Ordinary bunkers ... Coke:— 13/6 14/ 15/6 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 20/6 21/ 27/ Teesside furnaces) ... 19/6 20/ 25/ Gas coke 14/ 14/6 16/6-17/ The outward freight market is weaker. This is specially so for the Bay and Coast. Chartering has been quiet and recent fixtures include:—Coast: London 2s.lO|d., Rotterdam 3s., Calais 3s. 6d., Dieppe 4s. 3d., Hamburg 3s. l|d. Bay : Bordeaux 4s. 6d., Bayonne 4s. 9d. Baltic: Fairwater 4s., Reval 4s., Wisby 4s. 3d., Sundswall 3s. 10|d. Mediterranean : Genoa 7s. Id., Marseilles 7s. 6d., Alexandria 7s. 3d. and Las Palmas 7s. Middleabrough-oK-TeeB. GOAL. The fuel trade is easier in all departments, and business is on only a very limited scale. Best Durham gas coal ranges from 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d.; second kinds from 12s. 6d. to 12s. 9d.; whilst for special sorts up to 15s. is named. High prices have been realised for spot lots of bunker coal, but the position is once more approaching the normal. Ordinary Durham bunkers are 12?. to 12s. 3d. f.o.b.; bests 12s. 6d. to 13s. 6d.; and specials 14s. 3d. to 14s. 6d. House- hold coal is very slow of sale and quotations run from 15s. 6d. to 17s. Coking coal is in moderate request at 12s. 6d. to 13s. 3d. Coke prices have returned to something like the rates ruling before the Yorkshire coal strike. There is no pressure to buy. There are sellers of average blastfurnace qualities at 17s. 6d. delivered at Teesside works. Foundry coke for shipment ranges from 20s. to 21s. 6d. f.o.b. The price of gas coke is round about 13s. 9d. IRON. As usual, the Easter holidays have altogether upset business in the iron trade. Many finished iron and steel works and foundries are idle this week. Few traders have returned to business yet, and transactions are very small. Pig iron prices show a downward movement, and the pro- duction has been further reduced by the North Eastern Steel Company putting a furnace out at their Acklam iron- works. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is obtainable from some second hands at 51s. 3d. f.o.b., but many merchants hold out for 51s. 4|d., at which figure a few makers are prepared to sell; whilst No. 1, which is scarce, is fully 54s.; No. 4 foundry is 50s. 9d.; No. 4 forge, 50s. 6d.; mottled and white iron each 50s. 3d.; and Nos. 1, 2 and 3 east coast hsematite pig, 61s. 9d.—all for either early or forward delivery. Foreign ore is lifeless. There are sellers who still base market rates on 18s. ex-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality, but the last business recorded was at 17s. 4|d., and consumers declare that they would have no difficulty in making contracts at 17s. 6d. There are no new features in the manufactured iron and steel industries. South-West Lancashire. COAL. A very poor complement of men turned up at most of the pits on Tuesday when work was resumed after the Easter stoppage. The inland household trade keeps much as reported the previous week. There is really more coal wanted at the moment than is available and urgent requests are made for delivery of overdue orders. At the forges the holidays have been quite as long, and in some cases longer, than those at the pits. With regard to shipping, bunker fuel under contract has been very active. In some cases difficulty has been experienced in obtaining supplies to meet requirements for extra holiday sailings. There is little or no fuel on offer for outside enquiry. One or two small parcels have changed hands at about 17s. f.ob., but these are isolated cases, and generally speaking, prices remain at about last week’s figures. The coastwise and cross-Channel household trade is in much the same condition as the inland trade, that is to say more is being asked for than can be got, and merchants' requirements have to be paced on; and it looks like being the end of the month before supply and demand come reasonably together. Between the extra quantities required to see works over the holidays and the extra slack that is finding its way into somewhat unusual quarters for the Lancashire production, small fuel is being cleared as rapidly as made, and in some cases stocks have had to be resorted to to get out sufficient for requirements. Prices are generally as below, with somewhat better figures being got in exceptional cases. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best Current prices. 17/ L'st week’s prices. 17/ Last year’s prices. 16/3 Do. (f.o.b. Garston,net) Medium 17/6* 15/3 17/6* 15/3 16/9-17/ 14/6 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen 16/* 13/ 16/* 13/ 15/3-15/6 12/3 Common (f.o.b. Grstn.,net) Screened forge coal 15/* 12/3-12/6 Up to 17/ 10/ 15/* 12/3-12/6 16/ -17/ 10/f 13/9-14/6 12/6-13/ 13/9-14/6 10/6 Best scrnd. steam coalf.o.b. Best slack Secondary slack 9/3 9/3f 8/9+ 9/9 Common do 8/9 1 V 9/3 * And upwards, f With higher figures in the strike area South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The holidays naturally had a due effect on the attendance of members on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. There is great variation in the prices asked for, and buyers are at present holding off as far as possible. Furnace coal is only meeting with moderate enquiry, and shipping coal is on the quiet side. The demand for slack is quieter. The following are the present nominal prices :—]’ Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best Current prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 L’st week’s prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 Last year’s prices. 16/6-17/ 15/3-16/ 12/6-13/ 12/6 1.4/ 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 Medium Common Furnace coal Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack Common slack IRON. There was a poor attendance on 'Change, people not having got back from their Easter holidays. Some of the steelworks and forges are stopped for this week, and there is nothing of much interest to report. Prices remain as last reported. YwtaMr© mi Leeds. COAL. This week's business has shown a vast difference from that of last week. The rush of consumers to purchase supplies of coal from outside districts has stopped with almost startling suddenness. For one thing, the Easter holidays have been considerably lengthened in all branches of the textile and woollen trades, while many iron and steel works, owing to the poor demand for pig iron, have damped down their furnaces. Another reason for the sudden check in the demand is to be found in the summer-like weather, which has reduced the sale of house coal to almost vanish- ing point. Then, again, it has been practically taken for