September 4, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 519 THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, September 3. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There has been a rather better feeling in the west of Scotland coal trade during the past week. Orders, however, are still difficult to obtain, and exporters are experiencing considerable difficulty in arranging satisfactory conditions of payment. The home demand is quiet, but the ironworks are taking fair quantities of splint coal. The best qualities of shipping splints are well booked for prompt loading at moderate rates. Best ells are plentiful, while steams are only moderately active. Shipments from the district amounted to 93,923 tons during the week, compared with 96,188 in the preceding week and 102,937 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal Current prices. 11/6 11/6 13/ -14/ 11/9 11/6 11/ -11/3 L’st week’s prices. 12/ -13/ 11/6-12/ 12/ -14/ 11/9-12/ 11/3-11/6 11/ -11/3 Last year’s prices. 12/6-14/ 12/6-13/ 12/6-15/6 13/ -13/6 12/6-12/9 11/ -11/3 Ell Splint Treble nuts Double do Single do IRON. A moderate business has been done in the Scotch pig iron trade during the week. Makers have still a fair amount of orders on their books, but the demand has slackened a trifle lately. There are 60 furnaces in blast in Scotland, com- pared with 55 in the preceding week and 88 in the same week last year. Outputs are still restricted, but the production is ample for consumers* requirements. Values are well maintained, and the following prices are quoted:— Monkland, 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. L 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. The import of pig iron from Middlesbrough into Grangemouth amounted to 8,111 tons for the week. There has been an easier tendency in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market throughout the past week. Prices receded daily until 50s. 10|d. per ton was touched. Towards the close, how- ever, there was an improvement, and quotations closed at 51s. 3d. per ton cash, buyers showing a loss of Is. 2d. per ton on the week. The total turnover amounted to 10,000 tons of Cleveland. Stocks in Middlesbrough stores have increased by 2,320 tons during the week, and now stand at 93,212 tons, compared with 185,291 tons at this time last year. There are signs of improvement in the manufacturing branches of the iron trade. Black sheet makers are very busy in the heavy department, but the thin gauges are not so much in demand on account of the poor position of the galvanised iron trade owing to the scarcity of spelter. Bar iron makers have a number of contracts on their books, and while specifications continue slow the works are much better employed than before the war. Home prices of iron bars are based on <£7 12s. 6d. per ton, less 5 per cent, for Crown quality. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The collieries in the Lothian district are reported to be very active, and with the exception of ordinary steam coal sorts the general demand is brisk. Shipments amounted to 74,320 tons, compared with 53,922 last week and 130,838 tons in the same week last year. Prices continue on a good level. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. N e weastle-upon-Ty nt. COAL. The improvement in the volume of the coal trade con- tinues in a very satisfactory ratio. During last week 213,310 tons of coal and coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, Dunston and Blyth, an increase of 44,276 tons on the shipments for the previous week, which, it will be remem- bered, itself showed an improvement to the extent of over 100,000 tons on the week before. As compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year, those of last week were as follow :—Tyne Dock, 99,934 tons of coal and 1,042 tons of coke, decreases of 44,214 tons of coal and 300 tons of coke; Dunston, 49,063 tons of coal and 3,242 tons of coke, a decrease of 4,512 tons of coal and an increase of 616 tons of coke; and Blyth, 60,029 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 36,523 tons. Several matters, all tending to the ease of mind of local coal exporters, have occurred during the week. The Government’s proposal to extend to bankers the benefit of State credit without the necessity of possessing themselves of Treasury notes is expected to aid in making the situation more normal, for it is now taken for granted that an ample supply of credit will be avail- able, both from direct loans and overdrafts to traders and the financing of international commerce. The Quayside Advisory Committee recently appointed a sub- committee, consisting of representative coalowners and merchants, to consider the question of coal contracts. The following report has been made:—“ A large number of contracts have been examined, the majority of which stipulate that in case of war contracts should be suspended and the deliveries carried forward, and the time of such suspension be added to the date of expiration of contract. Some had no war clause, and others had the right to cancel the quantities undelivered, and, in two cases the collieries had the right to cancel the contract without notice. It was agreed that no hard and fast rule could be laid down for general adoption, but that a recommendation be put forward by the general committee to the effect that, taking into consideration the exceptional conditions brought about by the war, which have inflicted so great haidships on the whole commercial community, all parties concerned should do their utmost to enter into each other’s difficulties and endeavour to introduce into the working of the said con- tracts as much equity and as little law as the exceptional circumstances demand.” The prospects in the prompt coal market are distinctly brighter than they have been at any previous time since the outbreak of war. A good deal of trade is being done with Holland, chiefly in Dutch steamers. Some of the local collieries, in order that there may be no suspicion that the coal supplied shall be trans- mitted to the Germans, are making their certificates more definite by adding the clause, “ For use in Holland only.” The clause has no positively binding effect, of course, but it makes the conditions of sale absolutely clear. There is a considerable enquiry from Russia for steam coals for ship- ment to Archangel, and a number of steamers has already been chartered for that nowadays-unfamiliar port. With the lower Baltic ports practically closed by the proximity of the German Fleet, the Russians had had no option but to make Archangel the port of discharge. It is hoped that it will be possible to send the steamers back with supplies of pit props, for mining timber hereabouts is becoming very scarce. Here, again, the Advisory Committee is doing good work by approaching the Swedish Government with a view to ascertaining whether arrangements had been made to cover war risks on Swedish steamers bringing mining timber to this country. The local collieries are producing a fair amount of coal for home consumption by manufacturers, railways, gasworks, &c. Some sales of steams for Norway are recorded, and Denmark has taken a few thousand tons of gas coal. Special Durham bunkers are in keen request for the coaling stations, and are being largely used as a substitute for best Admiralty Welsh steams, which are, of course, reserved for the Navy. The Huelva Gasworks are in the market for their pressing requirements of gas coal. All this business is having a good effect on the working of collieries. The pits are, unquestionably, working rather better than they did a week ago, although there is still plenty of room for improvement. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as follow : Best Blyth steams, stronger on the week; smalls, Blyths, 6d. reduced ; Tynes, 6d cheaper ; gas bests, 6d. dearer; specials, ditto; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, weaker; coking coal, 3d. advanced ; and foundry coke, Is. dearer. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. Durham bunkers, the purchases, it is understood, having been made as a substitute for best Admiralty coal which is reserved for the Navy. Quotations are largely a matter of individual bargaining. Best gas coal is round about 12s. 6d., and second kinds range from Ils. 3d. to Ils. 6d. Ordinary bunker coal is in the neighbourhood of Ils. f.o.b. Coke is anything but plentiful, and those necessitated to buy have to pay high rates. Sellers, however, show more disposition to meet the market, and offer average quality of Durham beehive blastfurnace coke at 18s. delivered at Tees side works. Foundry coke for shipment runs from 20s. to 22s. 6d. f.o.b., gas house coke varies considerably in price quotations ranging from Ils. 3d. to 12s. 6d. IRON. Shipments of iron and steel from the Tees during the month of August were on only a very moderate scale, this being due to the fact that exports have been cut off and coastwise despatches curtailed. Official returns show that during the month clearances of pig iron amounted to 31,870 tons, 20,310 tons of which went from Middlesbrough, and 11,560 tons from Skinningrove. The loadings for the previous month totalled 82,412 tons, and in the month of August a year ago they amounted to 111,254 tons. All the iron sent from Skinningrove went to Scotland. Of the pig loaded at Middlesbrough during August, 7,935 tons went abroad, and 12,375 tons coastwise. As usual, Scotland was the largest importer, receiving 7,560 tons, whilst Wales imported 2,690 tons, Italy 1,510 tons, Sweden 1,388 tons, Japan 1,304 tons, and Germany 780 tons. Clearances of manufactured iron amounted to 14,122 tons, and those of steel to 25,771 tons. The Argentine was the largest importer of manufac- tured iron, receiving 6,031 tons. India with an import of 5,130 tons was the largest customer for steel. Other principal importers were:—the Argentine, 4,924 tons ; South Australia, 4,205 ; New South Wales, 2,546 tons ; and West Australia, 1.001 tons. There is little business passing in pig iron, and what transactions are recorded are almost entirely for small lots delivered early to home customers. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is 51s. 6d. to 51s. 9d., whilst No. 1 is 54s. to 54s. 3d., No. 4 foundry and No. 4 forge each 51s. 3d., mottled 50s. 9d., white 50s. 6d., and Nos. 1, 2, and 3 east coast haematite pig 68s. to 70s. There are sellers of foreign ore on the basis of 19s. 6d. ex-ship Tees for best rubio. In almost all branches of the manufactured iron and steel industries a lot of work is being turned out, producers have good contracts made, and orders are still coming in. Manu- facturers of shipbuilding material are very busy, and steel plates are now £7 5s., and steel angles <£7. A substantial order for rails has been secured by a Teesside firm. South-West Lancashire. COAL. The inland household trade has steadied down to the business that is usually looked for at this time of the year, the extra demand which was noticeable at the beginning of the month having quietened. An increase is noticed in the demand for screened coal for forges. Evidently better time is being worked. In shipping there is very little fresh to report in the position as regards Lancashire steam coal. There is from time to time some little enquiry, but so far not much business has resulted. For what has been done rather low prices have been taken; 12s. 6d. f.o.b. for ordinary sorts up to 13s. 3d. for best qualities Lancashire screened steam coal about represents the market, with possibly a little shading where business has been done. There is very steady business going through for household coals both for coastwise and cross-Channel trade ; and, indeed, in some of the better qualities there is pressure for delivery. In consequence of the uneven work at the cotton mills a quantity of slack is being put upon the floor, but throughout the whole of the county this is not by any means as much as would have been thought in the dislocated state of the cotton trade. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. 'Best screened steam coal... 11/6-11/9 11/6 13/ -13/3 Secondary qualities 10/9 * 10/9 12/ -12/3 Treble nuts 11/6-11/9 11/6-11/9 13/ -13/6 Double do 10/9-11/ 10/9-11/ 12/6-12/9 Single do 10/6 10/3-10/6 11/3-11/6 Better conditions prevail in the Fifeshire coal trade, and a number of vessels are loading at the various ports. Navigation coals are busy at steady prices. There is a good demand for first-class steams, and about a week’s notice is necessary. Third-class qualities are more plentiful, and tending easier. Smalls generally are easier. The clearances from the ports amounted to 80,652 tons, compared with 50,121 in the preceding week and 124,965 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current L’st week’s Lastyear’s Best screened navigation prices. prices. prices. coal 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/ Unscreened do 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/ 14/6-15/ First-class steam coal 12/6 12/3-12/6 14/3-14/6 Third-class do 10/ 10/ 11/9-12/ Treble nuts 11/9-12/ 11/9-12/ 14/3-14/6 Double do 11/ -11/3 11/ -11/3 12/6-13/ Single do 10/3 10/3 11/ -11/6 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.) ... 13/3-13/6 13/ -13/6 14/6-14/71 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 13/6 13/6 11/ -11/6 15/ -15/3 Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 11/ -11/6 13/ or West Hartleys) ... 11/ -11/6 11/ -11/6 13/3 Unscreened 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 11/6-12/6 Small, Blyths 8/6- 9/ 9/ - 9/6 8/6- 9/ 8/6 Do. Tynes 8/6 7/6 Do. specials Other sorts:— 11/ 11/ 9/6- 9/9 Smithies Best gas coals (New 12/ 12/ 14/ Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 12/6-13/ 12/6 14/9-15/ (Pelaw Main or similar) 11/ -11/6 11/ -11/6 13/6-14/ Special gas cz>als Unscreened bunkers, 13/ 12/6 15/ -15/3 Durhams Do. do. 10/9-12/6 11/3-12/6 12/9-13/9 N orthumbr ians 11/6 11/6 12/ -13/ Coking coals 11/3-11/6 11/3 13/9-14/ Do. smalls 11/ 11/ 13/6 . House coals 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 15/6 Coke, foundry 19/ -21/ 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ Do. blast-furnace 18/ 18/ 17/6 Do. gas 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/ 16/6-17/6 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 Lastyear’s prices. prices. 17/ 16/3 16/6-16/9 16/6-17/ 15/3 14/6 14/6-15/ 15/ -15/6 13/ 12/3 13/3-13/9 13/9-14/6 11/6-12/ 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/3 13/6-14/3 9/9 10/3 9/ 9/6 8/ - 8/6 9/ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Coal Exchange at Manchester was fairly attended on Tuesday, but really very little business is being done. The house coal trade is as quiet as it could possibly be, and the same remark applies to engine fuel owing to works and mills either being closed or working short time. Furnace coal is only moderate. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ............... Medium.............. Common.............. Furnace coal.......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack ........... Common slack ......... Current L’st week’s prices. prices. 17/3-18/ 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 I 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 9/6-10/ 8/6- 9/ 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 9/6-10/ 8/6— 9/ Last year’s prices. 16/6-17/ 15/3-16/ 12/6-13/ 12/6 14/ 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports amounted to 248,895 tons, compared with 200,231 in the preceding week and 358,740 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Middles br*ufh-«!i-T«M. COAL. The fuel trade is quiet, and business in most departments is largely in abeyance. Pits are only moderately employed, and little inclination to do business is shown. Coal is being rather largely delivered to local consumers, but shipments are very limited. Some business has been done in special IRON. There is nothing very good to report about trade, there has been a fair amount of buying, but this is now falling off. It is rather curious to note that the price of warrant iron has not advanced, makers’ iron on the contrary has, and good No. 3 iron is now fetching as high as 61s. The forges are fairly busy still filling up warehouse orders at <£8 5s. Crown iron, £7 15s. second quality, £9 2s. 6d. hoops. Steelworks are very busy with billets at £5 17s. 6d. to £6