June 19, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1395 THE COAL AMD IROH TRADES. Thursday, June 18. Scotland—Western District. COAL. In the West of Scotland district the position, so far as regards best ells, is somewhat better, and fair quantities of this class have been bought during the week in anticipation of higher prices towards the end of the month. First- quality splints are busy at firm rates, but seconds are dull and prices easy. Navigations maintain their position well, but ordinary steams are weak. All classes of nuts are plentiful, and quotations are easier. Shipments from the district amounted to 109,924 tons, compared with 103,533 in the preceding week and 133,572 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 10/6-12/9 10/9-12/9 13/ -13/6 Ell 11/ -11/3 11/ -11/3 13/ -13/6 Splint 10/9-14/ 10/9-14/ 14/ -14/6 Treble nuts 11/3-11/6 11/3-11/6 12/9-13/ Double do 10/6-10/9 10/6-10/9 12/9-13/ Single do 9/6-10/ 10/ -10/6 12/3-12/9 IRON. The volume of business transacted in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market during the week has again been small, amounting in all to 6,000 tons, and prices have not fluctuated to any extent. Cleveland iron closed at 51s. 2d. per ton cash buyers, showing a decline of Id. per ton on the week. Business with consumers of pig iron is quiet, and makers are finding it difficult to dispose of their output. Owing to a decrease in shipments, stocks in store at Mid- dlesbrough have increased by over 1,000 tons, and now stand at 85,160 tons. There are 72 furnaces in blast in Scotland, the same number as last week, and 17 fewer than in the corresponding week of last year. Prices of Scotch makers’ iron have decreased by Is. per ton, and are quoted as follow:—Monkland, f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 61s. 6d., No. 3, 60s.; Govan, No. 1, 61s., No. 3, 60s.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 65s. 6d., No. 3, 61s. 6d. ; Clyde, No. 1, 67s., No. 3, 62s. ; Gartsherrie, Summerlee, Calder, and Langloan, Nos. 1, 67s. 6d., Nos. 3, 62s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 70s., No. 3, 65s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 61s., No. 3, 60s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 62s., No. 3, 60s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 67s. 6d., No. 3, 62s. 6d.; Carron at Grangemouth, No. 1, 68s., No. 3, 63s. per ton. The manu- facturing branches of the trade show no improvement, and the position generally is far from encouraging. ----------------- Scotland,—Eastern District. COAL. The coal trade in the Lothians district continues quiet, but there are signs of an improvement within the next week or two. Smalls are fairly busy, at the previous week’s quotations. Shipments from the district amounted to 108,083 tons, against 105,770 in the preceding week and 108,372 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L'st week’s Last year’s Best screened steam coal... prices. 11/3 prices. 11/3 prices. 13/6-14/ Secondary qualities 10/3 10/3 12/ -12/6 Treble nuts 11/ 11/ 12/9-13/ Double do. 10/9 10/6-10/9 12/3-12/6 Single do 10/6 10/3-10/6 12/ -12/3 Business with the Fifeshire collieries is quieter. There is .a fair number of vessels loading at the ports, most of them for first-class steam, but these are mostly small-sized steamers. Navigations are unobtainable in the meantime and considerable notice is required, and prices remain firm. Third-class steams are slow, and prospects for future business cannot be called bright. Smalls are busy, and collieries in some instances are booked to the end of the month. The clearances from the district amounted to 109,835 tons, compared with 70,673 in the preceding week . and 116,101 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. 15/9-16/ ’ 14/ 12/6-12/9 9/9-10/ 10/9-11/ 10/6-10/9 10/ -10/6 L'st week's prices. 15/9-16/ 14/ 12/6 9/9-10/ 10/6-11/ 10/6-10/9 10/ -10/6 Lastyear's prices. 16/9-17/3 14/6-15/ 14/3-14/9 11/9-12/9 13/ -13/6 12/6-13/ 12/ -12/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports reached the total of 327,902 tons during the week, compared with 279,976 in the preceding week and 358,045 tons in the same week of 1913. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. N e wcastle-upon-Ty ne. COAL. During last week, 148,262 tons of coal were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 10,217 tons when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year; there was no coke sent off, a decrease of 2,397 tons. The Dunston clearances amounted to 62,856 tons of coal and 947 tons of coke, an increase of 7,282 tons of coal and a decrease of 3,907 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments aggregated 100,062 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 3,743 tons. Chilian advices state that the raihvay authorities there have placed their annual contracts for 200,000 tons of steam coals with Australia, no portion of the order being given to this country. Some 10,000 tons of best Blyth steams have been sold for shipment from July to December at 13s. 6d. per ton f.o.b.; and another extensive sale of similar fuel, for like delivery, is stated to have been effected at the same price. Two of the large French railways—the Paris, Lyons and Marseilles and the Paris- Orleans—are stated to have concluded purchases of very considerable quantities of Westphalian coal at low prices, for delivery over next year. As both these companies usually draw a large portion of their supplies from this district, it is feared that the purchases represent so much business lost to us by the successful competition of Germany. The contracts to supply the Eastbourne Gas- works and the St. Gilles (Belgium) Gasworks each with about 20,000 tons of good Durham gas seconds have been closed at prices stated to be about Ils. 9d. per ton, f.o.b. The contract to supply the Landscrona Gasworks with from 4,000 to 6,000 tons of gas coal—option Wear specials or best seconds—is reported to have been secured by a foreign merchant at an undivulged price. London merchants are stated to have contracted for a large quantity of best Durham unscreened bunkers for shipment over 1915 at Ils. 6d. per ton f.o.b. The sale, however, is not generally credited, the colliery quotation over that period being 12s. per ton minimum. One of the small gasworks in the Brussels district is reported to be enquiring for 17,000 tons of Durham gas coal for delivery over 12 months. The prompt market is practically at a standstill at present, owing, partly, to the fear of a strike of marine engineers. The situation is decidedly abnormal, inasmuch as this is usually a time of year when there is considerable pressure for supplies of fuel for spot shipment. The northern race week holidays occur next week, and, during most of that time the collieries in Northumberland and North Durham will be laid idle. Other causes for the quietude of the market are to be found in the fact that buyers are holding off very resolutely, on the score of the present highness of prices, and that tonnage is in poor supply, the supply of shipping having not yet recovered from the labour disputes in Spain and Italy. Prices have receded somewhat during the week, f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment having varied as follow :—Best Blyth steams , are weaker; Tynes. 3d. reduced ; Tyne seconds, easier ; Blyth smalls, 6d. to 9d. dearer ; Tynes, stronger; specials, 6d. advanced ; gas bests, 3d. to 4|d. lower ; seconds, 3d. down; specials, 6d. cheaper ; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 3d. to 6d. fallen; coking coal, 6d. decreased; foundry coke, Is. down ; and gas coke, 9d. lower. 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.) ... 14/ -14/3 14/3-14/6 14/9 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 13/6 13/6-13/9 14/6 Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 12/ 12/ 13/ or West Hartleys) ... 12/ -12/6 12/3-12/6 13/ -13/6 Unscreened 10/6-11/6 10/6-11/6 11/6-12/ Small, Blyths 9/ 8/3- 8/6 8/ - 8/6 Do. Tynes 8/ 7/6- 8/ 7/6- 8/ Do. specials ...■ Other sorts:— 8/6- 9/ 8/6 10/ Smithies Best gas coals (New 12/6 12/6 13/6-14/ Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 13/ 13/3-13/4J 14/3 (Pelaw Main or similar) 12/ -12/3 12/3-12/6 13/ -13/3 Special gas c$als Unscreened bunkers, 13/6 13/6-14/ 14/6-15/ Durhams Do. do. 11/3-12/9 11/9-13/ 13/ -13/9 N orthumbr ians 10/9-11/9 10/9-11/9 11/6-12/6 Coking coals 12/ 12/ -12/6 13/3-13/6 Do. smalls 11/6-12/ 11/6-12/ 13/3 House coals 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 15/6 Coke, foundry 19/ -20/ 19/ -21/ 24/ Do. blast-furnace 18/ 18/ 20/ Do. gas 13/ 13/ -13/9 18/6 Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 82,840 tons of coal and 140 tons of coke, as compared with 98,415 tons of coal and 1,275 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1913, being a decrease of 15,575 tons of coal and 1,135 tons of coke. The threatened engineers* strike has dominated both the coal and freight markets. The outlook is very unsettled, and both coal buyers and charterers are operating cautiously and very much in the dark. Under the circumstances business is very much 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 14/9 Secondary do. House coals:— 12/6 12/6 13/9 Best house coals 16/ 16/6 18/ Ordinary do Other sorts :— 15/ 16/ 16/6 Lambton screened 14/6 14/6 15/6 South Hetton do 14/3 14/3 15/ Lambton unscreened ... 12/6 12/6 13/9 South Hetton do 12/3 12/3 13/9 Do. treble nuts 15/6 15/3 16/ -16/6 Coking coals unscreened 12/6 12/3 13/6 Do. smalls 12/3 12/ 13/3 Smithies 13/9 15/ 13/3 Peas and nuts 16/ 15/9 16/6 Best bunkers 13/ 12/9 14/3 Ordinary bunkers Coke :— 12/6 12/ 13/3 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 21/ 20/ 25/ Teesside furnaces) ... 20/ 19/6 20/ Gas coke 13/ 13/6 17/ restricted ; loading turns can now be more easily arranged, and coal is offering' more plentifully for prompt shipment. Steam coals are steady, but smalls are still somewhat scarce. Gas qualities are nominal. Bunker coals are easier, being affected by the probable stoppage of steamers. Foundry and blastfurnace coke remain steady, but gas coke is easier. It is reported that the contracts for supplying the Eastbourne Gasworks and the St. Gilles (Belgium) Gasworks each with about 20,000 tons of good second-class gas coals have been closed at prices which are believed to be about Ils. 9d. per ton f.o.b. The contract for supplying the Landscrona Gas- works with 4,000 to 6,000 tons of gas coal, Wear specials or best seconds, has been fixed up on the other side, but the price is not yet known. A large quantity of best Durham bunkers are reported sold at 11s. 6d. for delivery over next year. The Brussels Suburban Gasworks are inviting offers of 17,000 tons of Durham qualities, shipment over 12 months. The freight market is firm with a rising tendency. Recent fixtures include:—Coasting: London, 3s.; Havre, 4s.; Rotterdam, 3s. l|d.; Antwerp, 3s. 7Id.; Hamburg, 3s. 3d. Bay : Bordeaux, 5s. 4|d.; Rochefort, 5s. 3d.; Lisbon, 6s. 6d. Baltic : Cronstadt, 5s. 3d.; Petersburg, 5s. 4|d.; Fairwater, 4s. 6d.; Helsingfors, 5s.; Gefle, 4s. 6d. Mediterranean: Genoa, 7s. 6d.; Nice, 7s. 6d.; Marseilles, 7s.; Naples, 7s. 4|d.; Oran, 6s. 7|d.; Algiers, 6s. 9d.; Port Said, 7s. 9d. Middiesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel trade shows little change. Business is on a moderate scale, and there are fairly good enquiries on forward account. Deliveries of gas coal are, as is usual at this season of the year, small. Best Durham gas is 13s. to 13s. 3d.; seconds, 12s. 3d.; and Wear specials, 15s. There is a plentiful supply of bunker coal, and values show a tendency to ease. Ordinary Durham bunkers are obtainable at Ils. 4od. f.o.b.; best kinds are quoted up to 12s. 6d.; and specials range from 14s. to 14s. 6d. Though there is very little demand for household coal, sellers are not at all disposed to make concessions, and quotations run from 15s. 6d. to 16s. lO^d. according to quality. Coking coal is in fairly good request at Ils. 6d. to 12s. 3d. Supply of Durham coke is just about equal to requirements, and sellers still take a very firm stand. Local users are rather pressing for deliveries, and average blastfurnace kinds are round about 17s. 6d. delivered at Teesside w’orks. Foundry coke for shipment is in the neighbourhood of 20s. f.o.b.; and gas coke ranges from 13s. to 13s. 9d. IRON. Business in pig iron is extremely quiet, and prices are falling. Producers declare that they cannot manufacture at anything like current quotations, and as there seems little likelihood of relief in the near future, by the cheapening of raw material, more blastfurnaces may be put out of operation before long. The number of furnaces in blast on the North East coast at present is 74. Less unsatisfactory reports from America and from the Continent have failed to have any beneficial influence on this market. Nothing definite is yet known as to the rebate on iron imported to Russia. The concessions may bring a few more orders to the North of England, but it is fully realised that German producers will benefit most by the change. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is 51s. 4|d. f.o.b., whilst No. 1 is 53S.10R1.; No. 4 foundry, 51s. l|d., No. 4 forge 50s. 74d.; and mottled and white iron each 50s. l£d.—all for either early or forward delivery. Very discouraging accounts are given of the East coast haematite branch of the staple industry. Prices are weak, and both makers and merchants are pressing sales, though some producers hold out for 60s. for Nos. 1, 2 and 3, and declare that rather than break that price they will put out furnaces. Others are ready enough to sell at 59s. 6d., and, in fact, equal to a good deal less is understood to have been accepted for some Sheffield business. There is nothing at all passing in foreign ore, but values are nominally maintained on the basis of 17s. 6d. ex-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. Generally orders for manufactured iron and steel are scarce. The strongest branch is the rail department. Enquiries for steel rails are fairly good, and a few moderate contracts have been made. Steel boiler plates have been reduced, and are now <=£7. Quotations for other descriptions are unaltered. Sooth-West Lancashire. COAL. "With regard to the household trade, this is coincident to the weather. There is really nothing to say that is new. Forges and other users of steam coal are only using moderate quantities. There is little change to report with regard to bunkering business—shipping on contract account being on the quiet side, outside business being small in quantity, with a plentiful supply of fuel. Prices of screened Lancashire steam coal rule from 12s. 9d. to 13s. f.o.b. up to 13s. 6d. for the best qualities, although in some instances for spot lots a little less is taken. In slacks a certain amount of broken time is now’ commencing at the collieries, and this is relieving the slack position, bringing the output more in line with present consumption. 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 scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ........ Common do............... Current prices. 17/ 16/6-16/9 15/3 14/6-15/ 13/ 13/3-13/9 11/6-12/ 12/9-13/6 9/9 9/ 8/ - 8/6 L'st week's Lastyear’s prices. prices. 17/ 16/3 16/9-17/3 16/9-17/ '15/3 14/6 15/ -15/6 15/ -15/6 13/ 12/3 13/9-14/6 13/9-14/6 12/ -12/3 12/6-13/ 12/9-13/6 13/6-14/3 9/9-10/ 10/6 9/ - 9/3 9/9 8/6- 8/9 9/3 ---------------- South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday. The demand for all classes of house coal is on the minimum, without any alteration in prices. Furnace coke is quiet, and the call for shipping coal is poor.