October 2, a9U.. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. *721 THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, October 1. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There has been little alteration in the position of the West of Scotland coal trade during the past week, but the tone of the market shows, if anything, some slight improve- ment. The output from the collieries is still restricted, and in view of the large stocks of coal prices show no tendency to improve. The turnover in the shipping department is increasing gradually, but the industrial demand is slackening off somewhat. The demand for household coal is increasing owing to the colder weather. The best qualities of splints continue active, while the first-class brands of ell coal have improved considerably,- and it is felt that the worst is over unless there are further developments in connection with the war. Navigation coals are much quieter, and steams are very badly off for orders. Treble nuts are now more plentiful due in a measure to the discontinuance of Canadian business, and doubles and singles are also easy. Considerable delay and inconvenience is still experienced in negotiating new business, and exporters generally have to exercise great caution. Shipments for the week amounted to 114,524 tons against 124,864 in the preceding week, and 109,200 tons in the same 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/ 11/6-11/9 10/6-10/9 10/6 L'st week's Last year's prices. prices. 10/6-12/6 13/ -14/6 11/ -11/3 13/3 11/6-14/ I 13/ -15/3 11/9-12/ 13/9-14/ 10/3-10/6 I 12/6-13/ 10/ -10/3 i 11/6 IRON. The Glasgow pig iron Warrant market has been inactive throughout the past week, and the total turnover did not exceed 3,000 tons of Cleveland iron. Very little new business is passing, and advices from the United States are not satisfactory. Prices closed on the same level as in the preceding week, at 51s. per ton cash buyers. Stocks in Middlesbrough stores are increasing and now amount to 100,999 tons, compared with 172,493 tons at this period last year. The pig iron trade generally is quiet and makers are finding business slow, particularly in the case of foundry qualities, but, nevertheless, the consumption is fairly large, and steelmakers . are taking considerable quantities of haematite. There are 67 furnaces in blast in Scotland, compared with 66 in the preceding week and 85 in the corresponding week of last year. The prices of makers' iron remain steady, and are as follow :—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. The import of pig iron into Grangemouth from Middlesbrough and district amounted to 6,471 tons on the week. Scotland.-Eastern District. COAL. A moderate business is still being done in the Lothians districts, but in no department can trade be called brisk, and prospects are not improving. The supply of most qualities is much in excess of the demand. The clearances from the ports amounted to 57,773 tons for the week, com- pared with 68,551 in the preceding week and 127,603 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/ 10/3-10/6 11/6-12/ Treble nuts 11/6 11/6-12/ 13/9-14/ Double do. 10/ -10/6 10/3 12/6-12/9 Single do 10/ -10/3 10/3 11/ —11/6 The curtailment of the' trade with the Baltic continues to hamper the trade in the Fifeshire district, and, with the exception of navigations and first-class steams, all qualities of coal are plentiful and prices easier. The docks at Methil and Burntisland aie still fairly busy, and about 21 steamers are waiting cargoes. The shipments from the various ports during the week reached the total of 70,743 tons, compared with 90,653 in the preceding week and 121,719 tons in the corresponding week of 1913. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation Current prices. L'st week's prices. Lastyear's prices. coal 15/6 15/6-15/9 17/ Unscreened do 13/6 13/6 15/ First-class steam coal 12/6 12/6 14/ -14/3 Third-class do 10/ 10/ 11/6-12/ Treble nu.ts 11/6-11/9 11/9-12/3 13/9-14/3 Double do 10/6 10/ -10/3 12/6-13/ Single do 10/3-10/6 10/ 11/ -11/3 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 243,040 tons, compared with 281,068 in the preceding week and 358,522 tons in the corresponding week of last year. It is announced that the contracts for coal for the Danish State Kailways have been allotted between the Scottish and Northumberland mines. Contracts to the extent of 60,000 tons have been placed in Scotland, and in Northumberland to the extent of 40,000 tons. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. The local coal market seems to be in a rather stationary position at present. The demand for fuel is rather more slender than it has been at any time recently, and prices are maintained with difficulty. Shipments to the French Bay ports have been practically suspended owing to the blocks of tonnage there, and serious delay is reported, also, from Marseilles. Under these circumstances, shippers are not disposed to rush forward with business, which would only result in intensifying the congestion. Another disturbing factor is the fact that tonnage already stemmed is turning up much behindhand, in some instances, thereby causing serious inconvenience to collieries. Under all these circumstances, business, at the time of writing, is negligible in volume. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment do mt show much change on the week, the only alterations being as follow:—Best Blyth steams are easier; Tynes, 6d. reduced ; Blyth smalls, firmer; Tynes, stronger; specials, 6d. to Is. cheaper; gas seconds, 3d. advanced; coking coal, similarly dearer ; foundry coke, Is. lower; and gas coke, 3d. to 6d. less. The coal and coke shipments from Tyne Dock, Blyth and Dunston last week amounted to 184,631 tons, a decrease, when compared with those for the previous week, of 28,852 tons. The details of the clearances are as follow : Tyne Dock, 90,320 tons of coal and 1,337 tons of coke, a decrease of 58,572 tons of coal and 2,135 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year; Dunston, 37,371 tons of coal and 1,051 tons of coke, a decrease of 20,098 tons of coal and 222 tons of coke ; and Blyth, 54,552 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 30,328 tons. The decrease on the week's shipments is mainly attributable to the falling off in the demand for steam coals, especially on Russian State Railways account for delivery to Archangel. There is no retrograde movement so far as the working of the local collieries is concerned, fortunately, and the recent rate of production is fully main- tained. News is to hand that the Danish State Railways’ contracts for 100,000 tons of steam coals for shipment to stipulated’ ports from now to early December have been allotted, as to 40,000 tons, to this district, and as to the balance of 60,000 tons to Scotland. The local coal has been secured at about 21s. per ton, c.i.f., or about 13s. 3d., f.o.b. This represents business which, in the ordinary course, would probably have gone to Germany, and will now have its effect in stimulating the activities of British collieries. It is gratifying to be able to record that the arrivals of steamers at Tyne Dock last week included seven vessels with pit props, for mining timber was becoming alarmingly scarce. 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 mals Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. N orthumbrians Coking coals Do. smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Current prices. 13/ -13/3 12/6 11/ 11/ -11/6 10/6-11/6 8/9- 9/ 8/3- 8/6 9/ - 9/6 11/3-11/6 12/6 11/3-11/6 12/6-13/ 10/9-12/ 11/ -11/3 11/ -11/6 10/6-10/9 15/ -16/ 20/ -21/ 18/ 11/6-12/3 L’st week's prices. 13/3 12/6-13/ 11/ 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 Last year’s prices. 14/6-14/9 15/ 12/ 12/9-13/ 11/6-12/6 8/ - 8/3 6/9- 7/ 9/ - 9/6 14/ 15/ -15/6 14/ 15/6-16/ 12/6-13/9 12/6-13/ 13/6-14/ 13/6 15/6 18/ -19/ 17/6 17/ -18/ Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel market shows little change. On the whole a quiet tone prevails, though there is rather more demand for gas and coking coal for France and Italy. Special bunkers are also in fairly good request. Other departments are rather dull. Best gas coal is 12s. 6d., and second kinds Ils., and deliveries to home consumers are now on a fairly good scale. Ordinary Durham bunkers are in the neigh- bourhood of 10s. 6d. f.o.b., whilst best kinds are quoted up to Ils. 9d., and specials 12s. and upward. Household coal is, if anything, in rather better request, and quotations still range from 15s. to 16s. The supply of coking coal is fully absorbed. Coking small run from 10s. to 10s. 3d., and coking unscreened 11s. to 11s. 3d. Coke is reported in less demand for local consumption, and with supply more plentiful values are easier. Average kinds of beehive blastfurnace Durham coke are obtainable at 17s. 9d. delivered at Teesside works, though some sellers endeavour to keep the quotations at 18s. Foundry coke for shipment is quoted 20s. f.o.b. and upward. Gas coke is 12s. to 12s. 6d. IRON. Shipments of pig iron from the Tees during September* though small, were up to expectations. They totalled 58,923 tons, of which 51,438 tons from Middlesbrough and 7,485 tons from Skinningrove. For the previous month the total despatches were returned at 31,870 tons, and for September, a year ago, the clearances reached 117,914 tons. All the iron cleared at Skinningrove went to Scotland. Of the pig iron loaded at Middlesbrough, 29,350 tons went abroad and 22,088 tons coastwise. Scotland was the largest buyer, with an import of 14,155 tons, whilst the United States of America took 7,380 tons, Sweden 7,271 tons, Wales 4,690 tons, Denmark 4,220 tons, and Italy 3,100 tons. The loadings of manufactured iron on the Tees amounted to 17,002 tons, of which 7,827 tons went abroad and 9,175 tons coastwise ; and those of steel to 27,693 tons, 23,265 tons of which went to foreign countries and 4,428 tons coastwise. The Argentine took 5,376 tons of manufactured iron, whilst India was the largest buyer of steel, receiving 16,208 tons. The market continues to be quiet, and there is very little business passing. Though shipments are better, the output still exceeds demands, and the result is that stocks are accumulating. With the position uncertain, traders are disinclined to do business. Values of Cleve- land pig iron, however, move very little. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig iron is quoted at 51s. 3d. f.o.b., whilst No. 1 is 53s. 9d., No. 4 foundry 50s. 9d. to 51s., No, 4 forge 50s. 9d., mottled iron 50s. 6d., and white iron 50s. 3d. All the foregoing quotations are for early delivery. The east coast haematite pig iron trade is very quiet, and business is slack. Mixed numbers have been reduced to 66s. 6d. for early delivery, but even that figure could be shaded. Foreign ore is lifeless. With supplies of ore coming in freely against contracts, consumers show no disposition to do business. Sellers quote on the basis of 18s. 6d. ex ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. Satisfactory accounts are given of the manufactured iron and steel trades. Works are busily employed, and a good deal of work is being turned out. The Allied Governments have placed large orders for light rails. There is a falling off in the demand for shipbuilding material owing to men having joined the Colours, and others having found work in the Royal shipyards. Quotations are upheld. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The Cumberland coal trade is still in a very healthy condition. The shipments from the principal ports last week were not quite so heavy as they have been for some weeks, but this was probably due to the low tides. Generally speaking, however, trade is very brisk, an increased demand having set in for manufacturing and household purposes. Since the war began all the pits have been regularly employed in dealing with the heavy demand from Ireland. The cross-Channel trade has not been busier for some years. The shortage of labour at some of the pits is now so pronounced that it is becoming more difficult to supply the increasing requirements of the local industries, the by-product ovens and the Irish market. The local coke ovens are all regularly employed, and the whole of the output is being utilised by the local smelters. At one colliery shipping has been discontinued for the present, owing to the increased quantity required for the coke ovens. Best Cumberland coal is still quoted at from <£1 to <£1 Is. per ton at the pit. IRON. Although there has been no increase in production since last week, the outlook in the Cumberland haematite iron trade is most encouraging. There has been no spurt in business, it is true, but the situation is held to reveal further improvement. There is a brisk demand for the haematite iron which, Cumberland smelters produce and which only Cumberland smelters can supply. During the past week prices have not risen—if anything, they are easier—but it must be remembered that users are very well bought, and that the almost phenomenal advance in values could not go on indefinitely. At the same time it is not believed that the limit of expansion and production has yet been reached. Other upward changes are anticipated before the end of the year. The special haematite iron which Cumberland manufacturers produce is at present in firm demand among armament and ammunition makers, and, under present circumstances, it cannot very well abate. It is true there are no indications that the requirements will greatly increase in the near future, but who could have predicted at the commencement of the war that the production and prices would have been at the level at which they now stand. With regard to the steel trade, however, the prospects are not so promising, but there is a hopeful feeling that West Cumberland will obtain a large share of the orders for railway material which it is believed Russia is about to place upon the market. It may be mentioned that the stock in public stores, which at the corresponding period of last year stood at 17,720 tons, now amounts to 3,058 tons—a reduction of 14,662 tons. There are still 22 furnaces in blast, 14 in Cumberland and eight in North Lancashire. At Workington the Workington Iron and Steel Company have eight furnaces in operation, three at Derwent, three at Moss Bay, and two at Old Side, Millom, Distington, and Cleator Moor have each two in blast, while Barrow has five, North Lonsdale two, and Carnforth one on draught. Barrow, Moss Bay and the Derwent works are making chiefly for the steelworks, while the other nine furnaces are all manufacturing special iron, which is being consigned to the Midlands for the use of armament makers. At the Oldside there is a furnace employed on ferro-manganese and another on spiegel. The prices of Bessemer mixed numbers are still quoted at 75s. per ton f.o.b. at the usual ports, with warrants at cash at 66s. per ton. At Barrow, Bessemer mixed numbers are quoted at 75s f.o.b., with warrants at cash at 66s. per ton. Special iron is selling at 81s. per ton. The stocks of iron at Barrow are said to be exceedingly low. The market for ferro-manganese is firm, but the great increase in price appears to have been checked. It has been stated that some American users of British material have agreed to pay <£3 a ton more than the original contract price, or about <£12 per ton, to ensure delivery, while the Steel Corporation have been selling a little at <£17. At the same time, <£20 is still obtainable in the United States. The Cumberland iron ore trade is very brisk, and all the mines are in full operation. About 3,000 tons are going weekly to Scotland and the east coast, and the remainder of the increased output now being raised is being used up by the West Cumberland smelters. South-West Lancashire. COAL. The slight increase in the demand for household coals which was noted last week continues, and is perhaps a little more marked this week. Satisfactory quantities of screened coal are going into consumption for forge and manufac- turing purposes. There is a little more activity with outside orders for steam coal, and a fair quantity is being taken for bunkers and cargo by steamers in Danish and Belgian trade. Business, however, with the regular liners, both for the United States and Mediterranean trade is still very restricted, consequently very little steam coal is being taken on contract account. Summer sailings of excursion steamers have now been withdrawn, and this places more