September 25, 1914. The colliery guardian. 660 THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, September 24. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There is no new feature in the west of Scotland coal market, and business continues on much the same lines as in the preceding week. Best splints are still very active, and the collieries are finding no difficulty in disposing of their outputs. Secondary qualities are practically idle, at least so far as regards shipping orders. Best ells are a trifle better than in the preceding week, but the price is still round about Ils. per ton. The demand for navigation qualities has fallen off, and steams are very plentiful and prices are tending easier. With the exception of treble nuts, smalls are very dull, and stocks are accumulating. Practically none of the collieries can be described as busy and in some cases it has been found necessary to resort to broken time. The shipments of coal from the district during the past week amounted to 124,864 tons, against 120,772 tons in the preceding week, and 103,894 tons in the corresponding week of 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/ 11/9-12/ 10/3-10/6 10/ -10/3 L'st week's 'Last year's prices. I prices. 10/6-12/6 : 12/6-14/ 11/ —11/3 | 13/3 11/6-14/ ' 13/ -15/6 11/6-11/9 13/9 10/6-10/9 13/ 10/6 11/6 IRON. Business in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market has been unusually dull during the past week, the total turn- over not exceeding 6,000 tons. Prices were practically stationary throughout, and Cleveland iron closed on the same level as in the previous week at 51s. per ton cash buyers. Although there has been almost an entire absence of support, values have been maintained by the better news from the seat of war. There has been a further increase in warrant stores, which now stand at over 98,000 tons. The pig iron trade generally has been quiet. Very few enquiries are in the market for ordinary qualities, but some fair deliveries of haematite have been made to the various steel works. 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. Black sheet makers continue well employed in the heavy departments, but the demand for thin gauges is extremely dull. Several of the malleable iron makers report* that works are busy, and though the others are only moderately employed, the position of the trade on the whole is better than before the outbreak of hostilities. The general outlook in the iron trade appears to be more promising, and if the overseas trade would commence to expand the position would be more satisfactory. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The coal trade in the Lothians district continues quiet, but although the volume of business is not heavy, the turnover has been fairly satisfactory. Shipments during the past week amounted to 63,845 tons compared with 76,513 in the preceding week, and 119,247 tons in the corre- sponding 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 13/ Secondary qualities 10/3-10/6 10/6 11/6-12/ Treble nuts 11/6-12/ 11/6 13/9-14/ Double do 10/3 10/6 12/6-12/9 Single do 10/3 10/ -10/3 11/ -11/6 Business in the Fifeshire coal shows little expansion, and the greater proportion is being done in navigations and best steams, and these qualities are well booked for some time. Trebles have been booking a number of orders recently, but collieries are refusing to take further businass unless part large coal is taken. Other sizes of smalls are plentiful, and collieries are willing to concede a little in price in order to secure business. Clearances from the various ports amounted to 90,653 tons, compared with 58,843 in the preceding week and 120,942 tons in the corre- sponding 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. 15/6-15/9 13/6 12/6 10/ 11/9-12/3 10/ -10/3 10/ L’st week’s prices. Lastyear's prices. 15/6-15/9 !7/ 14/ 15/ 12/6 14/ -14/3 10/ 11/6-12/ 11/6-12/ 13/9-14/3 10/6 12/6-13/ 10/3-10/6 11/ -11/3 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 279,362 tons, compared with 256,128 in the preceding week and 344,083 tons in the same week last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. There was a marked improvement in the volume of the local coal trade last week, 213,483 tons of coal and coke being despatched from Tyne dock, Dunston, and Bly th, an increase of 10,024 tons on the previous week, and of 173 tons on the previous best week since the outbreak of hostilities. Details of the shipments are as follow .-—Tyne Dock 93,200 tons of coal, and 1,357 tons of coke; decreases of 43,340 tons of coal, and 828 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year ; Dunston, 51,021 tons of coal and 2,789 tons of coke, a decrease of 5,868 tons of coal and an increase of 485 tons of coke; and Bly th, 65,116 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 28,429 tons. There has been a considerable amount of enquiry for fuel during the past week, but the business done has been severely limited by the financial stringency, and by war risks to shipping. The Italian Adriatic ports, for example, very badly need supplies, but shipowners are loth to send their vessels in so troubled a direction. From all the friendly and neutral countries on the Continent there is a growing demand, and on this side there is an increasing disposition to take risks, if need be, in order that that demand may be satisfied. Despite money troubles, there are larger shipments of gas coal for Italy going forward, whilst steam coal business for our North Sea neighbours is extending, That the Northumbrian collieries are working much better is demonstrated by the decrease in the amount of unemployed^ benefits which are being disbursed by the Miners' Association, the amount having dropped from <£6,000 in a fortnight to £1,600. There is a very good enquiry for most descriptions of fuel. Coking coal supplies, however, are excessive, and prices are down on the week. Supplies of bunkers, too, are plentiful, and concessions in quotations have had to be made. The household coal trade has improved with the advent of cooler weather. Tenders of 100,000 tons of best steams for shipment to stipulated Danish ports from now until early December, for the requirements of the Danish State Railways, have been sent in, based, it is understood, on about 13s. 3d. per ton, f.o.b. Merchants have submitted their offers, subject only to the usual terms, being disinclined to accept the onerous conditions attached to the contract. These conditions include the stipulation that, in case of strikes, the coals must be supplied from other districts, a promise which merchants are not disposed to bind themselves to make. There has been very little change in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment during the week, the only alterations being as follow :—Steam smalls, Blyths, are from 6d. to 9d. dearer ; Tynes, 6d. increased ; specials, firmer; gas seconds, 3d. reduced ; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 3d. to 6d. lower ; coking coal, 3d. cheaper; and smalls, 3d. to 6d. lower. The trade in coke is very limited, despite the restriction in output. The market is being considerably helped this week by the disappearance of those delays in the transmission of. correspondence and telegrams which were so marked a feature a week ago. Later.—News has just come to hand on Newcastle Exchange that the Portuguese Railways contract for steam coals, which was captured in the early part of this year by Westphalia, has been recovered by the North Walbottle Coal Company, which held it in previous years, owing to the Germans not being able to fulfil their contract. Whorlton coal is now stipulated for and the delivery is to extend over the remainder of the contract period entered into by Westphalia. This is the first noteworthy instance of the capture of German business by a north country colliery since the outbreak of hostilities. 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 oals 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/ H/ 11/ -11/6 10/6-11/6 8/6- 9/ 8/ - 8/6 10/ 11/3-11/6 12/6 11/ -11/3 12/6-13/ 10/9-12/ 11/ -11/3 11/ -11/3 10/6-10/9 15/ -16/ 20/ -22/ 18/ 12/ -12/6 L’stweek’s 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 Last year's prices. 14/3-14/6 15/ 12/ 12/6-13/ 11/6 8/3- 8/6 6/9- 7/ 9/ - 9/6 14/ 15/ 13/9-14/ 15/6-16/ 12/6-13/6 11/6 13/6-14/ 13/6 15/6 18/ -19/ 17/6 17/ -18/ Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel market is steady. A fair amount of business in gas coal for Italy has been put through, notwithstanding financial obstacles, and the fact indicates that Italy is anxious to obtain supplies. The orders have strengthened the situation so far as best Durham gas coal is concerned, the price of which stands at 12s. 6d. f.o.b. Second quality of gas coal, however, is easy at 11s. Bunker coal is in moderate request, and ordinary Durhams run from 10s. 9d. to Ils. f.o.b., whilst best kinds are Ils. 9d. to 12s. House- hold coal continues very quiet at 15s. to 16s. Coking coal is in hardly such good request as it has been, but fairly large quantities are still being taken up. Coking smalls are 10s. to 10s. 3d., and unscreened kinds 10s. 9d. to Ils. Demand for coke for local consumption shows some falling away, and values tend downward, but sellers are reluctant to admit actual reductions in quotations, and many of them still ask up to 18s. for average blastfurnace quality of Durham beehive coke delivered at Teesside works. Buyers, however, consider the price much too high, and are holding off. Foundry coke for shipment is quoted 20s. and upward. Gas coke ranges from 12s. to 12s. 6d. IRON. There are still 70 blast furnaces in operation on the north-east coast, but they are not now being run at full pressure, with the result that the output is lower, and demand for raw material less. Stocks of Cleveland pig are still accumulating, and makers’ stocks are believed to be rather heavy, but it is stated they have not increased to the extent that might have been expected. For the first time since April 27 last the quantity of Cleveland pig in the public warrant stores exceeds 100,000 tons, the quantity now held standing at 100,353 tons, or 5,649 tons more than at the beginning of the month. Deliveries of pig are on a fairly good scale. Scotland is taking a good deal of iron, and this week a substantial cargo is being loaded for Italy. Shipments of pig iron from the Tees are quite up to expectations. To date this month they amount to 39,159 tons, as compared with 13,824 tons to the same date last month and 77,320 tons for the corresponding part of September last year. Values of Cleveland pig are well maintained. No. 3 g.m.b. is 51s. 4|d. f.o.b., No. 1 is 53s. 10|d., No. 4 foundry 51s., No. 4 forge 50s. 9d., mottled 50s. 6d., and white 50s. 3d.—all for early delivery. East coast haematite pig is lifeless. Home consumers appear to have satisfied their needs, and prices, which are rather high in comparison with Cleveland pig quotations, show a decided downward tendency. Both makers and merchants offer Nos. 1, 2 and 3 rather freely at 67s., and it is under- stood that purchases could be made from the latter at a little lower figure. Business in foreign ore is at a stand- still. Buyers and sellers differ widely in their ideas as to values. There are reports of offers to purchase on the basis of round about 17s. 3d. ex-ship Tees for best rubio, but sellers will not entertain any such suggestion, and, as a rule, quote on the basis of 18s. 6d. Producers of practically all descriptions of manufactured iron and steel are busy, and have contracts made sufficient to keep them employed to the end of the year. A few enquiries are reported, and quotations are firmly upheld. South-West Lancashire. COAL. A lowered temperature and shorter days are bringing about the seasonal change in house coal, and deliveries are slightly on the increase. There is little or no change in regard to shipping. The reduced number of sailings of the regular liners continues very considerably to affect contract bunkering requirements, and though outside enquiry is perhaps a little better this is not sufficient to stiffen prices, as even the present reduced output is in excess of demand, and quotations for Lancashire steam coals are still 12s. to about 13s. f.o.b., according to quality. Coastwise and cross-Channel shipments in household coal proceed with regularity and are fairly satisfactory in number, and there is a tendency to stiffen a little on the summer prices in quoting for open sales. Work at the cotton mills is certainly not quite as bad as it was a few weeks ago, and generally speaking the surplus of slack between the little extra consumption and the lessened production is by no means what it was in the early part of this month and the latter part of August. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current L'st week's Lastyear’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/ -13/ 13/3-14/ Best slack 9/9 9/9 10/3 Secondary slack 9/ 9/ 9/6 Common do 8/ - 8/6 8/ - 8/6 9/ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday. House coal is in slightly better demand again this week. There is little doing in furnace coal, and the call for slack remains poor, owing to the short time and stoppages of mills and other consuming works. In shipping coal there is rather more moving. With the high wages and present extra cost of materials through the war, together with the reduction of labour, caused by so many persons going to the front and to preparation camps, it is becoming a very serious question at pits in some districts as to being able to continue to work, without serious loss to the owners. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best .............. Medium............. Common............. Furnace coal......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) 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 Lastyear’s prices. prices. 17/3-18/ 16/6-17/ 16/ -16/9 15/3-16/ 13/3-14/ 12/6-13/ 12/6 12/6 14/ 14/ 9/6-10/ 10/ -10/6 8/6- 9/ 9/ - 9/6 IRON. There is not much to report; the steel works and iron works are busy, and prices are without alteration. There is not much buying going on at the moment. Good No. 3 Middlesbrough can be bought at about 60s., with Lincoln at 62s., steel billets at £6 net, bars £7 15s. to £8, less 2.-, per cent., crown iron bars £8 5s., second quality £7 15s., hoops £9 2s. 6d., sheets £9 7s. 6d. Foundries are very slack, and the wagon builders are very short of work, and likely to be, as owing to enlistment of colliers the output of collieries will be curtailed very considerably. Some of the textile engineers are in better spirits now that more mills are getting to work ; the heavy engineers report more enquiry. Boiler- makers are not doing much.