September 18, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 619 THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, September 17. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There is little alteration to report in the position of the West of Scotland coal trade, and business continues dull. A notable exception is best splints, which have been, and still are very busy. All the collieries have full order sheets for some time ahead, and fairly long notice must be given before steamers can be taken on. The demand for best ells is weak in the meantime and many collieries are working only two to three days per week, but, notwithstanding this, the stocks are accumulating, and at nearly all the pits there are large quantities of coal in trucks. It is difficult to account for the present position, because there are numerous enquiries in the market, but doubtless the extreme caution necessary in negotiating business, in view of telegraphic and postal delays, is having a more or less demoralising influence on the market generally. The household and industrial demand is much below normal. Both navigation qualities and ordinary steams are stagnant, and smalls of all sizes are very plentiful. The shipments from the district during the week amounted to 120,772 tons, against 104,781 in the preceding week and 125,605 tons in the corresponding week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal.............. Ell .................... Splint.................. Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 10/6-12/6 11/ -11/3 11/6-14/ 11/6-11/9 10/6-10/9 10/6 L'st week's Last year's prices. prices. 11/ -11/3 12/ -13/6 11/3-11/6 i 13/3 13/ -14/ I 12/9-15/6 11/6-11/9 ! 13/3-13/9 10/6-10/9 I 12/6-13/ 10/3-10/6 11/ —11/3 IRON. Business on the Glasgow pig iron warrant market was slow throughout the past week, and the total turnover was about 7,000 tons. Prices steadily declined and Cleveland iron closed at 51s. per ton cash buyers, compared with 51s. 3d. in the previous week. It is anticipated that business will continue quiet so long as uncertainty surrounds the progress of the European campaign. The Scotch pig iron trade is quiet, and stocks in makers' yards are showing a tendency to accumulate. There are 66 furnaces in blast in Scotland, compared with 64 in the preceding week and 86 in the corresponding week of last year. The import of pig iron into Grangemouth from Middlesbrough and district amounted to 8,956 tons for the week. The prices of makers' iron are unchanged, and are quoted as follows:—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. 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.; Shottsat Leith, No. 1, 70s., No. 3, 65s.; Carron at Grangemouth, No. 1, 70s. 6d., No. 3, 65s. 6d. per ton. Scotch haematite is quoted 75s. per ton delivered at the steel works. The general position of the manufacturing branches is unchanged. Black sheet makers continue busy in the heavy gauges, while the demand for thin gauges is still adversely affected by the poor position of the galvanised sheet trade. One or two of the malleable iron makers have booked a moderate amount of fresh business lately, but the others remain quiet. The business booked is wholly on home account, but there are signs of a revival of the over- seas trade in the near future. The position, generally, appears to be improving a little every week, but, at the present rate, it will be a considerable time before business on the whole would be on a satisfactory basis. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The collieries in the Lothians are far from busy. There is practically no market for the ordinary qualities of round coal, and the supply of smalls is far in advance of the demand. The clearances from the ports during the week reached the total of 76,513 tons, against 73,060 in the preceding week and 99,089 tons in the same week 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 13/ Secondary qualities 10/6 10/6-10/9 11/9-12/3 Treble nuts 11/6 11/6-11/9 13/9-14/ Double do 10/6 10/9-11/ 12/6-12/9 Single do 10/ -10/3 10/3-10/6 11/ -11/6 Business in the Fifeshire coal trade is quieter, and the number of steamers on turn at Methil and Burntisland has fallen away considerably. Business is largely confined to the best navigation qualities and first-class steams, which are fairly well booked. Third-class qualities are lifeless, and there does not appear to be any immediate prospect of an improvement. Nuts are slow, and collieries are prepared to make sacrifices in order to clear off their stocks. Ship- ments for the week amounted to 58,843 tons, compared with 93,064 in the preceding week and 115,795 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation Current prices. L'st week's prices. Las ty ear's prices. coal 15/6-15/9 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/ Unscreened do 14/ 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 11/6-12/ 11/9-12/ 14/3-14/6 Double do 10/6 11/ -11/3 12/6-13/ Single do 10/3-10/6 10/3 11/ -11/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 256,128 tons, compared with 270,905 in the preceding week and 340,489 tons in the corres- ponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. The slight check which the week before last was apparent in the previously steadily growing volume of coal and coke shipments from Tyne Dock, Dunston and Blyth was absent last week, when a total of 203,459 tons were despatched, as compared with 199,755 tons for the week before. The details of the shipments were as follow :—Tyne Dock, 80,771 tons of coal, but no coke, a decrease of 58,250 tons of coal and 1,344 t ms of coke, when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year; Dunston, 43,952 tons of coal and 2,996 tons of coke, a decrease of 24,024 tons of coal and an increase of 880 tons of coke ; and !Blyth, 75,740 tons of coal, a decrease of only 15,548 tons. It will be observed that the Blyth shipments were encouragingly large—a circumstance mainly due to the activity of the best steam coal group of collieries consequent chiefly on the demand on Russian account for loading for Archangel. With reference to the Egyptian State Railways enquiry for 360,000 metrical tons of screened Welsh coal for delivery from October 1 to July 31, and 40,000 tons of Lambtons for delivery from December next until March, it is interesting to note that no American coal is being enquired for despite the fact that on one previous occasion 100,000 tons of American steams were taken. These evidently were not a success. It should be added, also, that the quantity of North country coal sought on the present occasion is not as large as on some previous occasions, Welsh coal being, evidently, prime favourite. Tenders, by the way, are due on September 20, not October 2' >, as erroneously stated last week. An enquiry is in circulation for 20,000 tons of gas coal for delivery at Antwerp. The Danish State Railways are inviting tenders, to reach them by noon on Saturday first, of 100,000 tons of steam coal for shipment to stipulated ports from now up till early December. In recent years the bulk of this business has gone to Westphalia, but an excellent oppor- tunity of regaining it is now presented. During the week several cargoes of gas coal have been sold on a f.o.b. basis to Italian ports. The export of bunkers to the coaling stations in the Mediterranean is another source of activity. Shipments to Rouen have once again been authorised by th£ French Government. The position of foreign exchange is improving slightly. Money is said to be forthcoming more freely from Italy, and merchants, in a few cases, are now willing to send coal to certain foreign customers on the terms of cash against documents on the other side—a willingness which betokens an optimism which may do much to assist the financial problem to become elucidated. There is a brisk enquiry for steam coals from Archangel and Portugal, and from such unlikely places as Iceland and Brazil, whilst from France there comes a demand for household and coking coals. The collieries are working rather better this week, and the Miners' Association is congratulating itself on the lessened number of claims for unemployed benefit. It is pleasing to note that the Blyth trimmers and teemers have at last conceded a point with reference to the noon stop on Saturdays by agreeing to work until 8 p.m. if need be in order to get cargoes of steam coals away from Archangel. They have always been willing, of course, to work late on Admiralty account, but, hitherto, they have declined to so oblige private shippers. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have not undergone any considerable alteration this week, the only changes being the following:—Best Tyne steams, weaker ; Blyth seconds, 6d. reduced ; Blyth smalls, easier; specials, Is. dearer; smithies, 3d. to 6d. reduced; gas bests, 6d. lower; Northumbrian unscreened bunkers, 3d. down ; and foundry coke, Is. advanced. Merchants have exceeding great reason to complain of the telegraphic delays from abroad, A case is cited in which a telegram handed in at Naples on September 8 only reached Newcastle on September 14, whilst it is stated to be almost impossible to get into communication with the near French and Belgian ports. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. 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 c :>als Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. N orthumbr ians Coking coals Do. smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Current prices. 13/3 12/6-13/ 11/ 11/ -11/6 10/6-11/6 8/ - 8/3 8/ 9/ -10/ 11/3-11/6 12/6 11/ -11/6 12/6-13/ 11/ -12/6 11/ -11/3 11/3-11/6 11/ 15/ -16/ 20/ -22/ 18/ 12/ -12/6 L'stweek's prices. 13/3 13/ 11/ -11/6 11/ -11/6 10/6-11/6 8/3 8/ 9/ 11/6-12/ 12/6-13/ 11/ -11/6 12/6-13/ 11/ -12/6 11/ -11/6 11/3-11/6 11/ 15/ -16/ 19/ -21/ 18/ 12/ -12/6 Last year's prices. 14/6 15/ 12/ -12/6 11/6-12/6 10/ -11/ 8/3 7/ 9/3 14/ 15/ 13/9-14/ 15/3-15/6 12/9-13/6 10/6-11/6 13/6-14/ 13/6 15/6 18/ -20/ 17/6 17/ -17/9 Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel trade is quiet, but steady. Foreign business is greatly restricted, but it is gratifying to hear of fairly good enquiries from the north of France, and one or two sales of gas coal to Italy. The financial position is somewhat easier, and the undertone of the coal market may be described as somewhat better. Best gas coal is quoted 12s. 6d. f.o.b., and second kinds Ils. 3d. to Ils. 6d. Ordinary Durham bunkers are Ils. f.o.b., whilst best qualities are quoted up to 12s. 6d. Coking coal is in rather good request at 10s. to Ils. There is a little more coke offering, and prices show a tendency to ease. Local demand is less keen, and consumers are drawing some supplies from Yorkshire. At the same time, sellers of Durham coke are well placed, and they repor^ having made fairly good contracts with west coast users. Up to 18s. is still asked for Durham beehive blast - furnace coke of average quality. Best foundry coke for shipment runs from 21s. to 22s. f.o.b. Gas-house coke is in the neighbourhood of 12s. IRON. The iron market is very quiet and flat. Traders show little inclination to operate, buyers and sellers alike hesitating to commit themselves to any extent, and the business passing in pig iron is chiefly confined to transac- tions in small lots for early delivery. Difficulties to shipping as well as financial obstacles continue to cripple foreign trade, demand for cash in London before shipment checking business a good deal. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is 51s. 3d. f.o.b., No. 1 is 53s. 9d., No. 4 foundry 51s., No. 4 forge 50s. 9d., mottled 50s. 6d., and white 50s. 3d. Demand for east coast haematite pig has fallen away, home consumers having, apparently, satisfied their requirements. Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are now obtainable from both makers and merchants at 67s. The latter, in fact, are rather pressing sales at that figure. Values of foreign ore are decidedly easier. Dealers show anxiety to meet the views of users, and are prepared to make considerable concessions. Sellers quote on the basis of 18s. 9d. ex-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality, and would doubtless entertain offers on lower terms. Freights Bilbao-Middlesbrough are round about 4s. 7d. Fairly satisfactory accounts are given of the various branches of the manufactured iron and steel industries. Nearly all departments are well employed, and several firms have contracts made that will keep them busy up till the end of the year. At the same time, there are complaints that specifications are not being given out so freely as could be wished. Prices all round are well main- tained. Principal market quotations :—Common iron bars, <£8 ; packing iron, <£6 10s. ; iron ship plates, £7 5s.; iron ship angles, £8 ; iron ship rivets, £9; steel bars, £6 15s.; steel ship plates, £7 5s.; steel ship angles, £7 ; steel joists, £7 2s. 6d. to £7 5s.; steel strip, £6 10s.; steel hoops, £6 15s.; light iron rails, £7 15s.; heavy steel rails, £6 15s.; and steel railway sleepers, £7 15s.—railway material net, and other descriptions less 2| per cent. South-West Lancashire. COAL. In household coals there is nothing new to report. The trade is simply a summer one. Forges are making rather better time than was the case two or three months ago, and a little more screened coal is therefore going into this branch of the business. Shipping shows no improvement on recent reports. Bunkering requirements under con- tract are very poor, owing to the reduced number of sailings by regular liners, and there is only limited enquiry on open sale account. There is keen competition for what orders are going, and prices of Lancashire steam coals are easier, ranging from 12s. f.o.b. for cheaper qualities to about 13s. for best grades. A quieter time has set in with regard to the shipment of household coals for the coastwise and cross-channel trade, but in all probability between now and the end of the month there will be some improvement. Although many cotton mills are still on short time, on the whole there is more work -going on now than was the case two or three weeks ago, and between this little increase in consumption and the short time worked at the collieries there is no great surplus. What there is is being stocked at the collieries, as it is manifest with the serious drainage of men that is constantly going on from the mines to the Colours there will be very much less produced for months to come. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current L'st week’s Last year’s House coal:— prices. prices. prices. Best 17/ 17/ 16/3 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 16/6-16/9 16/6-16/9 16/6-17/ Medium 15/3 15/3 14/6 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 14/6-15/ 14/6-15/ 15/ -15/6 Kitchen 13/ 13/ 12/3 Common (f.o.b. Grstn., net) 13/3-13/9 13/3-13/9 13/9-14/6 Screened forge coal 11/6-12/ 11/6-12/ 12/6-13/ Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. 12/ -13/ 12/3-13/* 13/6-14/ Best slack 9/9 9/9 10/3 Secondary slack 9/ 9/ 9/6 Common do 8/ - 8/6 8/ - 8/6 9/ * Or 13/3. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was only moderately attended on Tuesday. The somewhat cooler weather has induced a rather better enquiry for house coal, but there is not much improvement in the demand for furnace coal or slack, and in the case of the latter prices are on the easier side. Shipping coal is quiet. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current House coal:— prices. Best .................i 17/3-18/ Medium................! 16/ -16/9 Common................ 13/3-14/ Furnace coal...........i 12/6 Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) 14/ Best slack ............: 9/6—10/ Common slack ..........I 8/6- 9/ L'st week's Last year's prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 9/6-10/ 8/6- 9/ | prices. j 16/6-17/ ! 15/3-16/ 12/6-13/ 12/6 14/ 10/ -10 /6 9/ - 9/6 IRON. The attendance on ’Change in Manchester on Tuesday last was fairly good, but there were not many buyers in evidence, and there is really no change to report. Pig iron remains much about the same as last week. The Associa- tion price of Crown bars is still £8 5s., second quality £7 15s., hoops £9 2s. 6d., and the forges are pretty busy. Steel works are also busy, and are asking £7 15s. to £8, less 2.} per cent, for bars, and £6 net for billets. As regards the other trades of this district, there is really nothing very good to report.