April 24, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 901 THE COAL AMD IROM TRADES. Thursday, April 23. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There has been practically no change of note in the west of , Scotland coal trade since last report, and with the exception of ell coals all brands are in a fairly satisfactory position. Ell coals are slightly easier, and while collieries were unwilling to contract for forward delivery, they are now glad to book any business which is going, but prices appear to be still too high to induce buyers to purchase to any great extent. Splint coal is active and the best brands are fully booked up for about two weeks ahead. The demand for navigation qualities continues keen, and collieries generally require fairly long notice of delivery Steam coals, while still plentiful, have been moving off in better quantities. In smalls, treble nuts are a trifle easier, but doubles remain as before, the enquiry for the latter both for home and export consumption being strong. Singles are busy, but are not quite so firm as a week ago. Shipments are comparatively heavy and amount to 118,538 tons, compared with 119,848 tons in the preceding week, and 115,009 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. 12/3-13/9 12/ --12/3 12/3-15/ 12/ -12/3 11/ -11/6 11/6-11/9 L’st week’s prices. 12/3-14/ 11/9-12/6 12/6-15/ 12/3-12/6 11/3-11/6 11/6-12/ Last year’s prices. 13/6-14/ 13/9-14/3 14/9-15/3 13/3-13/9 13/3-13/9 13/3-13/9 IRON. Business in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market has been very quiet during the past week, the total turnover only amounting to about 5,000 tons. There has been a further decline in the prices of Cleveland iron, which closed at 50s. 7d. per ton cash buyers, 50s. 9d. one month, and 50s. 10|d. three months, showing a loss of 7|d. per ton on the week. The reports from abroad show no improvement, and consumers continue to buy only for immediate require- ments. The stocks at Middlesbrough have been drawn on to the extent of 1,593 tons during the week, and now amount to 110,008 tons. The import of pig iron into Grangemouth from Middlesbrough amounted during the week to 7,275 tons. There are 72 furnaces in blast in Scotland, compared with the same number last week, and 90 in the same period of 1913. Makers of Scotch pig iron have been making some fair deliveries, and in some cases stocks have been reduced to a considerable extent. New business continues scarce in the meantime, but owing to the reduced production the greater proportion of the output is going into consumption. Scotch haematite is quoted 63s. 6d. per ton, but practically no business has been done at that figure. The prices of Scotch pig iron are as follow ;—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, No. 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.; Eglin ton, 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. The coal trade in the Lothians continues on brisk lines, and collieries are full for some time ahead and prices are firm. Tonnage has been fairly plentiful and shipments show a considerable improvement over the preceding week. At Grangemouth 43,479 tons were despatched, Granton 12,228, Leith 45,061 and Bo’ness 15,261—total 116,029 tons compared with 95,589 tons in the preceding week and 107,404 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. 12/6-12/9 11/6-11/9 12/ -12/6 11/3-11/9 10/9-11/3 L’st week’s prices. 12/3-12/9 11/3-13/9 12/ -12/3 11/ -11/6 11/ -11/6 Last year’s prices. 13/6-14/ 12/3-12/9 13/ -13/3 12/6-12/9 12/3-12/6 The collieries in Fifeshire are busy, the demand for large coal being heavy, while at Methil and Burntisland there is a large supply of tonnage. Navigation coals are in eager request and collieries are finding some difficulty in overtaking the demand. First-class steams are easier, but are still fairly active, while third-class are also in brisk demand. Treble nuts continue plentiful, but doubles are in a stronger position, while singles are difficult to obtain. The shipments for the week amounted to 128,575 tons against 125,988 in the preceding week and 124,342 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened naviga- tion coal Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. 16/6-17/ 16/6-17/ 17/ -17/6 Unscreened do 15/ 15/ 15/ -15/6 First-class steam coal... 13/ 13/3-13/6 15/3-16/ Third-class do. 10/3 10/6 12/9 Treble nuts 11/9-12/ 11/6-12/ 12/3-12/9 Double do 11/ -11/6 11/ -11/6 13/ -13/3 Single do. ■11/ -11/3 11/ -11/6 12/6-12/9 The aggregate shipments for the week amounted to 363,142 tons compared with 344,425 in the preceding week and 346,755 tons in the corresponding week of last year. ■ 5 Iwtam art Otawlart Newcastle-upon-Tyne. GOAL. During last week 131,167 tons of coal and 1,667 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a t decrease of 17,967 tons of coal and 198 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 44,845 tons of coal and 3,623 tons of coke, a decrease of 16,274 tons of coal and an increase of 777 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 74,523 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 19,751 tons. The large general decreases are, of course, mainly due to the incidence of the Easter holidays. Very little forward business of any magnitude has been recorded this week. It is reported that a quantity of first-class Durham coke has been sold by a local colliery firm to the British Admiralty for use in one of the south-coast dockyards. Shipment is to be over 12 months. The contract to supply the La Rochelle Gasworks with 60,000 tons of Tyne gas primes over two years, commencing from next October, has been allotted at about 21 60 fr. per ton, delivered into wagons at La Rochelle, a price estimated to leave about 11s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b. A. large quantity of Tyne gas primes is stated to have been sold for shipment to a London and Continental gas company over 12 months from July at about 12s. f.o.b. Later information with reference to the contract for gas coal for the Western Union of Gasworks, Franc?, is to the effect that orders have been placed for Holmside quality for delivery over two years at the rate of 30,000 tons per annum at 22 50 fr, delivered into wagons at St. Nazaire. It is reported that the Russian Admiralty has decided to make no allotment in respect of its steam coal requirements just at present. It is expected, however, that the department will shortly invite fresh tenders. The Konigsberg Gasworks are enquiring for 100,000 tons of gas coal for delivery over 12 months, and are stated to have invited tenders from Durham and Germany. A feature of the market is the heavy shipments of coal and coke that are being made from the Tyne to the west coast of South America. The prompt market has been very quiet during the past week, but is now displaying greater animation. Supplies for early loading are quite plentiful, and a good volume of such business is being done. For forward load- ing, however, buyers are holding off in the hope of depressing selling values. There has been an appreciable reduction in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment during the past week. The changes have been as follow:—Best steams, Blyths, are from 3d. to 6d. cheaper; Tynes, 3d. reduced; Blyths, seconds, 6d4 to Is. lower; Tynes, ditto; unscreened, 3d. to 9d. less ; smalls, Blyths, 3d. to 6d. cheaper; Tynes, 6d. to Is. down; smithies, weaker; gas bests, easier; seconds, 3d. to 6d. down; specials, 6d. lower; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, Is. decreased; Northumbrians, 3d. to Is. less; coking coal, easier; smalls, 6d. down; and gas coke, 3d. advanced. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. 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.) ... 13/6-13/9 14/ 16/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 13/9 14/ 16/ • Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 12/ -12/6 13/ 14/ or West Hartleys) ... 12/ -12/6 13/ 14/3 Unscreened 11/ -11/6 11/9 13/6 Small, Blyths 7/6- 7/9 8/ 12/ Do. Tynes 6/6- 7/ 7/6 11/ -11/3 Do. specials Other sorts:— 8/ 8/ 12/3-12/6 Smithies Best gas coals (New 13/ —13/6 13/6 15/6 Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 13/9-14/ 14/ 15/9 (Pelaw Main or similar) 13/ -13/3 13/6 15/ Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, 14/ 14/6 15/9 Durhams Do. do. 12/ -13/ 13/ -14/ 15/ -15/9 N orthumbrians 11/ -11/9 12/ • 13/6 Coking coals 13/ -13/6 13/6 15/ Do. smalls 12/6 13/ 14/9 House coals 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 16/ -17/ Coke, foundry 19/ -21/ 19/ -21/ 27/6 Do. blast-furnace 18/ 18/ ?4/6 Do. gas 11/9-12/9 11/6-12/6 18/ Sunderland. OOAL. . P|The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 68,900 tons of coal, and 1,150 tons of coke as compared with 91,970 tons of coal and 1,050 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1913, being a decrease of 23,070 tons of coal, and an increase of 100 tons of coke. There is very little fresh to report this week. The buying is of the same hand to mouth description which has characterised the market for some time, the general enquiry is fairly good, and as the Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 14/ 14/9 15/9 Secondary do. House coals:— 13/3 14/ 15/ Best house coals 16/6 17/6 18/ Ordinary do Other sorts:— 15/6 16/6 17/ Lambton screened 14/3 15/ 16/6 South Hetton do 14/3 14/9 16/6 Lambton unscreened ... 13/ 13/6 15/3 South Hetton do. 12/9 13/6 15/3 Do. treble nuts 15/9 15/6 17/3 Coking coals unscreened 12/6-12/9 13/6 15/6 Do. smalls 12/6 13/3 15/ Smithies 13/9-14/ 16/3 15/6 ■ 16/6-17/ 15/6 Peas and nuts 17/6 Best bunkers 14/ 14/3 16/ Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 13/ 13/6 15/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 20/6 20/6 27/3 Teesside furnaces) ... 19/6 19/6 25/ Gas coke 13/9 14/ 17/ production is about equal to the demand prices are steadily maintained, except that second hand sellers are discounting values somewhat for forward shipment. There is ample tonnage at the command of collieries, and loading turns are well filled for about a fortnight ahead. It is said that contracts have been made by the western gas companies of France for 60,000 tons of Tyne prime gas coals to be delivered over two years at 25'50 fr. delivered into wagons at St. Nazlire. The Konigsburg gasworks are asking for tenders for 100,000 tons of gas coal over next year; tenders have been invited from this district, and also from Germany. The outward freight market is better for the Mediterranean and Bay, but still sloppy for the coast and Baltic. Recent fixtures include:—Coast: London 2s. 10|d..Rotterdam 3s., Hamburg 3s. 3d., Antwerp 3s. 6d. Bay: La Rochelle 4s. 3d., St. Nazaire 4s. 6d., Bordeaux 5s. Baltic: Cronstadt 4s., St. Petersburg 4s., Memel 3s. 9d,, Windau 4s. l|d., Libau 4s. 4|d., Helsingborg 4s. Mediterranean: Genoa 7s. 6d., Leghorn 8s., Marseilles 7s. 3d., Algiers 6s. 4|d., Nice 7s. 6d., Naples 7s. 6d., Barletta 8s. 6d., Venice 8s. 3d., Port Said 7s. 3d., Constantinople 8s., Las Palmas 7s. MiddIs^b2?ough-oEi-TeQ®. OTAL. There is little new to report concerning the fuel trade. Buying is still of a hand to mouth description, and in fact there is little actual business passing. Deliveries of gas coal are, as is usual at this season of the year, falling away. Best gas coal ranges from 12s. 6d. to 14s. according to the source of supply, and second kinds run from 12s. 6d. to 13s. Bunker coal is in fairly good request, and ordinary Durhams are quoted at 12s. to 12s. 6d. f.o.b., whilst bests are 13s. to 13s. 3d., and specials 14s. to 14s. 6d. Household coal is easier with demand falling away. As low as 15s. 6d. is quoted for household, but on the other hand some sellers ask up to 17s. There are rather good enquiries for coking coal, prices of which are round about 13s. 3d. to 13s. 9d. Coke is steady. Demand for local consumption is fairly large, and users here are taking rather heavy deliveries against contracts. Average blastfurnace kinds are on sale at 17s. delivered at Teesside works. Foundry coke for shipment is quoted 19s. to 20s. f.o.b., and gashouse coke is in the neighbourhood of 13s. to 13s. 6d. IRON. The iron and steel industries present few new features of moment. Most branches keep busy, and many firms have contracts made that will keep them busy for months to come, but orders are scarce, though there are substantial enquiries in the market. Further sales of pig iron to Russia are reported, but it is stated that the orders booked are conditional to the Duma confirming the removal of the import duty. The very excellent, and still steadily improving statistical state of the pig iron trade, together with the rather heavy shipments, almost counteracts the detrimental influence of the political situation. Production of pig is inadequate to the needs, but makers declare current quotations unremunerative, and so long as this is the case they will not increase their output. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is 51s. l|d. f.o.b., No. 1, which is anything but plentiful,. 53s. 9d. to 54s., No. 4 foundry 50s. 7id., No. 4 forge 50s. 4|d., mottled and white iron, each 50s. l|d, and Nos. 1, 2, and 3,. east coast haematite pig 61s. 6d. to 61s. 9d.—all for either early or forward delivery. Haematite is stronger owing to the enquiry on Russian account. So far as can be ascertained, there is nothing at all passing in foreign ore. Sellers quote on the basis of 17s. 6d. ex-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality, but consumers consider that the rate should not be above 17s. Freights, Bilbao-Middlesbrough are 4s. In manufactured iron and steel, orders for ship- building material are very scarce, and in several other branches little disposition to buy is shown. There is most activity in joists. Quotations all round are stationary. South-West Lancashire. COAL. Supplies of house coal are not too plentiful yet, but the sudden advent of summer weather has undoubtedly quietened down the retail demand considerably. With regard to forges, all that can be said is that they are not using anything like maximum quantities. The require- ments on contract account for steam coal are about normal. There is rather a poor enquiry on outside account, and now that the Yorkshire strike is at an end, prices are fast getting back to what they were previous to the stoppage, and for ordinary screened Lancashire steam coal 13s. 3d. to 13s. 6d. f.o.b. up to 13s. 9d. or 14s. for the best descriptions are about present prices, although, at the moment, there is no great quantity of coal on offer. Shipments of household coals for the coastwise and cross channel trade proceed, briskly, but the rapidity of orders coming on to the books is diminishing somewhat. Slacks move away very much as produced, but the extra demand that has been current for the last three or four weeks has died away now that the Yorkshire pits have generally resumed work. Prices at nit (except where otherwise stated J. Carrent 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 17/6* 16/9-17/ Medium 15/3 15/3 14/6 Do. (f.o.b. Garston,net) 15/ -15/6 16/* 15/3-15/6 Kitchen 13/ 13/ 12/3 Common (f.o.b. Grstn., net) 13/9-14/6 15/* 13/9—14/6 Screened forge coal 12/3-12/6 12/3-12/6 12/6-13/ Best scrnd. steam coalf .o.b. 13/3-14/ Up to 17/ 13/6-14/6 Best slack 9/9-10/ 10/ 10/6 Secondary slack 9/ - 9/3 9/3 9/9 Common do 8/6- 8/9 8/9 9/3 * And upwards. . South Lancashire art Cheshire. ' . There was a good attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday, but not much business was done, as the warmer weather has taken possession of the field, and the house coal trade especially is very quiet. There is only a moderate enquiry for furnace coal and shipping coal like- wise is on the slow side. Slack is in good demand, but full supplies are offering. With the termination of the Yorkshire strike, prices generally have got to their normal position,, and they are as follow.—