May 15, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1071 THE COAL AMD IRON TRADES. Thursday, May 14. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Business in the coal trade of the west of Scotland continues on a quiet scale, and no features of note have emerged since last week. There is a fair demand for ell coal and best qualities are steady, and best splints are also firm. Navigation coals are in good request and prices are well maintained, but ordinary steams are plentiful at easy rates. In smalls, treble nuts are a trifle weaker, while doubles and singles remain firm. The shipments from the district are not so heavy as in the preceding week, but are well up to the average and amount to 106,960 tons, com- pared with 121,859 in the previous week and 100,224 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Steam coal 11/ -13/ 11/9-13/6 13/6-14/ Ell 12/ 12/ 13/9-14/3 Splint 11/3-13/9 12/ -14/ 14/9-15/3 Treble nuts 11/9-12/ 11/9-12/ ; 1 13/3-14/9 Double do 11/ -11/6 11/ -11/3 i 13/3-14/9 Single do 11/ -11/3 10/9-11/ i 13/ -13/3 IRON. ■The Glasgow pig iron warrant market has been quieter than ever throughout the past week, the total turnover amounting to only 4,500 tons. Owing to the absence of business, prices have not fluctuated to any extent, and the closing quotations are Id. per ton easier than in the preceding week. Cleveland iron closed at 51s. 2J,d. per ton cash buyers, 51s. 4|d. one month and 51s. 6d. three months. There-are 72 furnaces in blast in Scotland, the same number as last week, and 20 fewer than at the corre- sponding period of 1913. The position of the trade has not improved. Consumers continue to purchase only for immediate requirements, and fresh business is decidedly slow. Makers in one or two instances report moderate deliveries of ordinary qualities. The import of pig iron into Grangemouth from Middlesbrough and district amounted during the week to 6,275 tons. The prices of Scotch makers’ iron are unchanged, and 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.; 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. The collieries in the Lothians district are fairly active and with the exception of secondary steams and trebles, all qualities are in good demand. The total clearances from the ports during the week amounted to 103,077 tons, compared with 84,306 tons in the preceding week, and 126,920 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... 11/6 11/6-11/9 14/ Secondary qualities 10/6 10/6 12/6-12/9 Treble nuts 11/6 11/6 12/9—13/ Double do 10/6-10/9 10/9-11/ 12/6-12/9 Single do 10/6 10/6-10/9 12/3-12/6 Business in the Fifeshire district is proceeding* on a satis- factory basis, and the principal feature is the strong shipping demand. First-class steams are well employed, and third- class qualities are in fair demand. Treble and double nuts are easier and more plentiful, but singles continue strong. The shipments for the week amounted to 121,612 tons, compared with 132,823 tons in the preceding week, and 109,929 tons in the corresponding* week of last year. Prices f.o.b. .Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation coal Unscreened do First-class steam coal Third-class do Treble nuts Double do Single do Current prices. 16/ 14/ 12/9—13/ 10/ -10/3 11/ -11/6 10/6-10/9 10/3-10/6 L’st week’s prices. 16/ 14/ 12/9-13/ 10/ -10/3 11/ -11/6 10/6-10/9 10/3-10/6 Last year’s prices. 17/ -17/6 15/ -15/6 15/3-15/9 12/9 12/6-12/9 13/ -13/6 12/3-12/9 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during* the past week amounted to 331,649 tons, compared with 338,988 tons in the preceding week, and 337,073 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. GOAL. During last week, 159,278 tons of coal and 3,588 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 2,205 tons of coal, and 1,389 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 54,081 tons of coal and 5,171 tons of coke; a decrease of 4,707 tons of coal and an increase of 2,603 tons of coke. The Blyth clearances aggregated 97,816 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 5,717 tons. The War Office has asked for tenders, due on Wednesday last, of 80,000 tons of household coal for use at the depots and barracks over the year commencing July 1. The Russian naval authorities are stated to have con- tracted direct with the colliery for 75,000 tons of best Blyth steams, for shipment from now until November, at an f.o.b. price of between 13s. 3d. and 13s. 6d. per ton. It is expected that the St. Petersburg Municipality will arrange for its annual supplies of steam and gas coal within a few days, and hopes are expressed that the arrangement will be made direct instead of, as has been the case during the last few years, through Russian merchants. The Russian State Railways invite offers of 60,000 tons of steams for shipment to the Russian Baltic ports during the next two months. The London County Council is enquiring for 165,000 tons of steams for delivery over 12 months commencing July 1. Tenders are due Tuesday next. Business for early loading in the Tyne is seriously hampered just now by tonnage difficulties and by delays at Tyne Dock, consequent on repairs being carried out at certain of the shipping places. Tyne Dock is so congested with shipping* that no more is being admitted at present, and many vessels are awaiting their turns. The Spanish and Italian shipping stoppages are having a weakening effect on the market, for these stoppages mean the withdrawal of a good deal of custom for bunkers and other coals. It is estimated, for example, that 50 Spanish steamers normally visit the Tyne and neighbouring* ports every three weeks, and ship at least 100,000 tons of coking* coals and bunkers. The absence of this demand is sure to tell a tale in the Durham coal market. There has not, however, been a great deal of variation in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment during* the week. The changes have been as follow:—Best Blyth steams are from 3d. to 6d. cheaper on the week ; Tynes 6d. to 9d. reduced ; Blyth smalls 6d. advanced ; Tynes 3d. to 6d. dearer ; specials firmer : unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 3d. reduced; coking* coal 6d. down: and coking smalls 6d. cheaper. Other descriptions of fuel are steady. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’st week’s (Last year’s prices. prices. i prices. 13/9 14/ -14/3 ■ 16/6 13/6 14/ -14/3 16/ -16/6 12/ 12/ 14/ 12/ -12/6 12/ -12/6 14/3 11/3-11/6 11/3-11/6 13/6 8/6- 8/9 CO CD i I GCI- 11/6 7/6- 7/9 8/6 11/ 8/ - 8/6 12/ 13/ 13/ 15/6-16/ 13/6-13/9 13/6-13/9 16/ 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 15/3 14/ 14/ 16/ 11/6-13/ 11/9-13/3 14/9-15/6 11/3-11/9 11/3-11/9 13/6 12/ -12/6 12/6-13/ 15/3-15/9 12/ 12/ -12/6 15/ 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 16/ -17/ 27/6 19/ -21/ 19/ -21/ 18/ 18/ 24/6 13/ -13/9 13/ -13/9 18/ 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 g*as coals (New Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) Special gas coals .... Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. N orthumbrians Coking coals.......... Do. smalls........ House coals .......... Coke, foundry .......... Do. blast-furnace...... Do. gas ............... Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 93,775 tons of coal and 190 tons of coke, as compared with 101,270 tons of coal and 360 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1913, being a decrease of 7,495 tons of coal and 170 tons of coke. The coal market is quiet and prices barely maintained, owing to the large quantities of coal being* offered for early shipment in view of the strike on Spanish-owned vessels. It is roughly calculated that every three weeks some 50 Spanish steamers visit the Tyne and Wear, and ship at the least 100,000 tons of coking coals and bunkers. This accounts for the slack- ness in the Durham market. There is also a shortage of Baltic tonnage. Apart from these interruptions to the ordinary course of trade, there is a good undertone. Gas coals are plentiful and cheaper. Coking coals are cheaper. Bunker descriptions are freely offered and easier in price. Coke is fairly steady. It is reported that the Russian Marine authorities have brought 750,000 tons of best steams direct, for shipment over the period from April to November, at 13s. 41d. a ton f.o.b.; also that Russia is enquiring for about 750,000 tons of coal for the railways, delivery this year. The London County Council are also asking for tenders for 165,000 tons of steam coal. Current quotations are approximately as follows ;— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 13/9-14/ 15/ 16/3 Secondary do. House coals:— 13/ 12/9-13/ 15/ -15/3 Best house coals 16/6 16/9 17/6 Ordinary do Other sorts :— 16/ 15/6 16/6 Lambton screened 14/6 13/9-14/ 16/9 South Hetton do 14/3 13/9-14/ 16/6 Lambton unscreened ... 13/ 13/ 15/3 15/3 South Hetton do 12/9 13/ Do. treble nuts 15/6 15/6 17/ Coking coals unscreened 12/6 13/ 15/6 Do. smalls 12/3 12/ 15/3 Smithies 15/ -15/6 14/ 15/6 Peas and nuts 15/9 16/ 17/6 Best bunkers ... 13/6 13/6 16/ Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 12/6 12/ -12/6 15/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 20/ 20/ -21/ 27/ Teesside furnaces) ... 19/ 19/ 25/ Gas coke 13/6-13/9 13/9 17/ -18/ The outward freight market is better, steamers of handy size being in short supply, especially for the Baltic and near trades, while rates for the Mediterranean are also firmer. Recent fixtures include :—Coasting: London 3s. 3d., Antwerp 3s. 7|d., Hamburg 3s. 74d., Boulogne 4s. 14d., Nantes 5s. 6d. Bay : Bilbao 6s 3d., Bayonne 6s., St. Nazaire 5s. 4^d., Rochefort 5s. 6d. Baltic: Cronstadt 5s., Memel 4s. l^d., Fairwater 4s. 3d., Sundswall 4s. 44d. Mediterranean: Genoa 7s. 7£d., Algiers 6s., Marseilles 6s. 9d., Catania 7s. 6d., Venice 8s. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. On the whole the fuel trade is rather quiet, but in one or t