Au GI ST 21, 1911. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 419 THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, August 20. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. While the coal trade of the West of Scotland has been less interfered with, on account of the war, than other districts so far, there are signs of slackening in the industrial demand consequent on the works in the district being put on short time. The export trade, however, has been well maintained, and although shipments are not so large as in the corresponding week of last year, they are slightly in advance of the preceding week. The clearances at the ports amounted to 89,303 tons, compared with 81,610 in the previous week and 111,056 tons in the corresponding week of last year. There are several good enquiries in the market for export business, but, with the Customs bond still in force, merchants are not inclined to enter into transactions until all restrictions are removed. Under the circumstances, prices are only nominal, but the general feeling is that when business recovers values will be, if any- thing, lower than before the crisis. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal 11/9-13/3 11/9-13/3 11/9-13/ Ell 12/ -12/3 11/9-12/3 13/ Splint 13/9-15/ 12/ -15/ 12/9-15/ Treble nuts 12/3 12/ 1 13/6 Double do 11/6-11/9 11/6-11/9 1 12/9 Single do 11/ -11/3 11/ -11/3 ! 11/3 IRON. There has been a decided improvement in several branches of the iron trade since the beginning of the crisis. Prices of iron products have been raised 10s. per ton, and, with the stoppage of the imports of competitive material from the Continent, it is anticipated that home makers will be in a better position than they have occupied for some time. Polling mills are very active, while iron and steel tube makers have more enquiries and more orders on hand than they have experienced for some considerable time. On the other hand, owing to the high price of spelter and to the limited quantity available, makers of galvanised sheets are much quieter, and in some cases only Government work is being accepted. The Glasgow pig iron warrant market has been more active throughout the past week than has been the case for over 12 months. The amount of business done reached the total of 20,000 tons. During the week prices touched 54s. per ton, but receded thereafter, but nevertheless Cleveland closed firm at 53s. Id. per ton cash, showing an advance of Is. 6d. per ton over the preceding week. Middlesbrough stores have increased by 2,000 tons, and now stand at 88,000 tons. There have been a number of enquiries in the pig iron trade, and consumers are inclined to cover their requirements, but makers are not disposed to commit themselves owing to the unsettled state of trade. Monkland is quoted f.a.s, at Glasgow, No. 1, 64s. 6d., No. 3, 63s.; Govan, No. 1, 64s., No. 3, 63s. ; Carnbroe, No. 1, 68s. 6d., No. 3, 64s.; Clyde, No. 1, 69s. 6d., No. 3, 64s. 6d.; Gartsherrie, Summerlee and Calder, Nos. 1, 70s., Nos. 3, 65s.; Langloan, No. 1, 72s., No. 3, 67s. ; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 71s., No. 3, 66s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 64s., No. 3, 63s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 65s., No. 3, 63s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 70s., No. 3, 65s. ; Carron at Grangemouth, No 1, 70s. 6d., No. 3, 65s. 6d. per ton. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. NewcMtle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week, 24,749 tons of coal were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 100,070 tons when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. There was no coke shipped, as against 2,157 tons. The Dunston clearances amounted to 36,317 tons of coal and 705 tons of coke, a decrease of 22,616 tons of coal and 953 tons of coke. The Blyth clearances amounted to 6,436 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 93,693 tons. On the whole, therefore, the shipments from the three centres named totalled 68,207 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 2,513 tons on those sent off during the preceding week. The position of the local collieries is substantially that recorded a week ago, although, as will be shown presently, prospects are decidedly better. Gradually, the local coal market is reopening more widely for business and, much sooner than many anticipated, things are getting into something resembling their former swing. Much of the comparative activity is due to the action of our Gallic allies. Very elaborate arrangements appear to have been made by the French Government for keeping their country supplied with fuel, much of which, of course, must be drawn from this country. Orders have been placed officially for steam, gas coking and household coals, and shipments of large quantities are now being made from north-east coast ports. As the cargoes are landed in France, they are taken charge of by Government officials and distributed to the railways, gas works, manufacturers, &c., in accordance with the needs of these consumers. The result is that firms engaged on Government contracts are able to secure fuel supplies at reasonable rates whilst the Government itself sees to the settlements of accounts in this country, having opened a credit account in London to facilitate the transactions. There is a considerable volume of enquiry for coal from other friendly or neutral Continental countries. Very considerable quantities of Durham gas and unscreened coals are stated to have been sold for delivery to Rotterdam and Amsterdam, whilst cargoes for Norwegian ports, Bergen particularly, are a feature* of the market. The Mediter- ranean coaling stations are enquiring for supplies of bunker coals. It is now ‘possible to resume the price-list, which was suspended by the chaos caused by the early stages of the war. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as follow, compared with those which ruled a fortnight ago :—Best steams, Blyths, are firm, Is. to Is. 3d. lower; Tynes, 6d. to Is. less ; seconds, Blyths, 6d. cheaper , Tynes, 6d. to 9d. lower; unscreened, firmer; smalls, Blyths’ 6d. to Is. up; Tynes, 2s. increased; specials, Is. 6d. to 2s. more; smithies, 6d. higher; gas bests, Is. 3d. to Is. 9d. reduced ; seconds, 3d. to 6d. less; specials, Is. 6d. to Is. 9d. fallen; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 9d. down ; Northum- brians, 3d. cheaper ; coking coal, 6d. down ; smalls, similarly reduced ; households, unaltered ; coke, foundry, Is. down ; blastfurnace, unchanged ; and gas coke, 6d. fallen. It will be noted that most descriptions of fuel are actually cheaper now than prior to the outbreak of hostilities, a circumstance due, in some degree, to the public-spirited manner in which colliery owners have kept the pits going in order to give employment to the miners, although thereby accumulating heavy stocks of coal. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. prices are being realised. Durham beehive blastfurnace coke of average quality is quoted up to 18s. 6d. delivered at Tees side works, but patent furnace coke is offered freely at 17s. 3d. Foundry coke is rather easy at 18s. 6d. to 19s. 6d. f.o.b. Gas coke is in the neighbourhood of 12s. IRON. Though the local races have been abandoned, the usual annual holidays are being taken, and with works closed down and offices open only in the forenoon there is little business passing. What sales are recorded are mostly to home customers, and are for early delivery, traders being disinclined to commit themselves ahead to any extent under existing conditions. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is 53s.; No. 1 is 55s. 6d.; and No. 4 foundry 52s. 6d. No. 4 forge is very scarce owing to exceptional demand for Scotland, and is round about the same price as No. 3. Mottled and white iron are each quoted 52s. There is some falling off in the demand for east coast haematite pig. This was to be expected after recent heavy buying, home consumers having apparently satisfied their requirements for the time being. Producers as a rule will not name below 70s. for Nos. 1, 2, and 3, but second hands are selling small odd lots at 68s. and 68s. 6d. There is not much passing in foreign ore. A cargo or two of best rubio have been disposed of at 20s. 6d. ex-ship Tees, and values of other foreign ores are on that basis. Ore boats are difficult to obtain. A fixture Bilbao-Middlesbrough is reported at 6s. 3d. Manufacturers of practically all descriptions of finished iron and steel are full of work, and they report orders still coming in. Values are very firm. Principal market quotations stand: Common iron bars, £8; best bars, <£8 7s. 6d.; best best bars, =£8 15s.; iron ship plates, £7 5s.; iron ship angles, <£7 10s.; iron ship rivets, £9 ; steel bars, <£6 15s.; steel ship plates, <£7; steel ship angles^ £6 15s.; steel joists, £7 2s. 6d.; heavy steel rails, <£6 15s.; and galvanised corrugated sheets, <£11 10s.—sheets less 4 per cent., rails net, and all other descriptions less 2| per cent. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. There has been no development of note in the Lothians coal trade since last week. Business is confined to contract work almost entirely, while, of course, the export trade is practically at a standstill, the total shipments from the district only amounting to 20,144 tons. Prices are only nominal. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities..... Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 11/6-11/9 10/9-11/ 11/9-12/ 10/9-11/ 10/6-10/9 L’st week's prices. 11/6-11/9 10/9-11/ 11/9-12/ 10/9-11/ 10/6-10/9 Last year’s prices. 12/9-13/ 11/9—12/ 13/6-14/ 12/3-12/6 11/6-12/ Business in Fifeshire is also extremely quiet. Practically no new business is being entered into, while the total ship- ments for the week were only 16,174 tons. So far as can be learned, employment has not been seriously interfered with so far, although one or two of the mines are practically idle. Work will be kept going as long as possible, but the position is becoming more problematical as time goes on. Under the circumstances, it is impossible to quote actual prices, and the following quotations are entirely nominal:— Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. 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 oals Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. N orthumbr ians Coking coals Do. smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Current prices. 14/ 14/ 11/6 11/6 11/6 10/ 10/ 11/ 13/ 11/6-12/ 11/6 12/ 11/6-12/ 11/6 11/6 11/ -11/6 15/ -16/ 18/ -20/ 18/ 12/ -12/6 L’st quot’d prices. 15/ -15/3 14/6-15/ 12/ 12/ -12/3 10/6-11/6 9/ - 9/6 8/ 9/3- 9/6 12/6 13/3 11/9-12/ 13/6-13/9 11/6-12/9 10/9-11/9 12/ 11/6-12/ 15/ -16/ 19/ -21/ 18/ 12/ -13/ Last year’s prices. 15/3 15/3-15/6 13/ 13/6 11/9-12/6 9/6—9/9 8/ 9/6-10/ 14/ 15/ 13/9-14/ 15/6 13/9-14/6 12/ -12/6 13/6-14/ 13/6 15/6 20/ -22/6 19/ -20/ 16/6-17/6 South-West Lancashire. COAL. The improved demand which has been in evidence in the household trade for the past two weeks is now showing signs of abating, customers no doubt having got fully supplied and summerlike weather also helping to this end. There is no change to report in regard to screened coal for forge and manufacturing' purposes. The influence of the war is a disturbing factor with regard to shipments of coal- The bond for three times value of coal required by Customs before shipment is having a deterrent effect with shippers who seem to be unwilling to take such risk, and efforts are being made to relax some of the onerous conditions when fuel is required for neutral ports. Most of the steamers in transport service have been got away from the Mersey, Fair quantities of South Yorkshire coals are being shipped here by the large liners. Business in Lancashire steam coal is at the moment rather quiet, but now steamers are resuming sailings there should soon be some improvement in demand. Prices of Lancashire screened steam coal are from 12s. 6d. f.o.b. for ordinary qualities up to about 13s. 3d. for better grades. With regard to the coastwise and cross channel trade, the demand for supplies is still very heavy with steamers generally making regular voyages. With regard to slacks a little surplus is beginning to accumulate here and there, but the short time which is coming in evidence at the pits will no doubt help to bring the supply somewhat nearer the demand. 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/ 12/6-13/3 9/9 9/ 8/ - 8/6 L’st week’s prices. 17/ 16/6-16/9 15/3 ■ 14/6-15/ j 13/ I 13/3-13/9 11/6-12/ 12/3-13/6 9/9 9/ 8/ - 8/6 Last year’s prices. 16/3 16/6-17/ 14/6 15/ -15/6 12/3 13/9-14/6 12/6-13/ 13/6-14/3 10/3 9/6 9/ Best screened navigation coal Unscreened do First-class steam coal Third-class do Treble nuts Double do Single do Current prices. 16/ -16/6 14/6 12/6-13/ 10/ -10/9 12/3-12/6 11/2-11/9 10/9 L’st week’s prices. 16/ -16/6 14/6 12/6-13/ 10/ -10/6 12/ -12/6 11/ -11/9 10/6-10/9 Lasty ear’s prices. 16/9-17/ 14/9-15/ 14/ -14/3 11/6 13/ -13/9 12/3-12/9 11/3-11/6 The aggregate clearances from Scottish ports amounted to 125,621 tons, compared with 146,672 in the preceding week and 324,349 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Middlesbrough-on-Tew. COAL. The fuel market is somewhat disorganised. There is a marked nervous tension due to the European position, and traders act with much caution. Many northern pits are closed. There is very little oversea business passing. Some sale of coal to the French Government is reported, and business negotiations are understood to be in progress with Italy and with Spain. Pre-war quotations form the basis of coal prices. Best Durham gas coal is in the neighbourhood of 13s., and second kinds run from Ils. 6d to 12s. Ordinary Durham bunker coal is round about Ils. 6d. f.o.b. Coking coal is quoted Ils. to 11s. 6d. Coke continues in good request for local consumption, and high South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday was good, but there was very little business passing. The extra demand last week for house coal has passed, and is now normal. There is no improvement to report in furnace and shipping coal. Slack is at present a drug in the market owing to the stoppage of mills in the various districts. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best .............. Medium............. Common............. Furnace coal......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) I Best slack .........| Common slack ........ Current prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 9/6-10/ 8/6- 9/ L’st week’s Last year s ! prices. i 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 ; 13/3-14/ i 12/6 ! 14/ ' 9/6-10/ ; 8/6- 9/ i prices. i 16/6-17/ i 15/3-16/ 12/6-13/ 12/6 14/ 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6