December 4, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN llff Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current L’st week’s Lastyear’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened navigation coal 15/6-15/9 15/6-15/9 16/9 Unscreened do 13/6 13/6 14/9 First-class steam coal 11/6-11/9 11/9 12/6-13/3 Third-class do 10/ 10/ 10/9-11/3 Treble nuts 11/3-11/9 11/ -11/9 13/ -13/6 Double do 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 11/9-12/ Single do 10/ 10/ -10/3 10/3-10/9 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week reached the total of 231,601 tons compared with 224,285 in the preceding week and 335,767 tons in the corresponding week of 1913. The decrease in the shipments to date amounts to 1,994,527 tons compared with the same period last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 98,226 tons of coal and 1,952 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 38,226 tons of coal and 1,460 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 55,597 tons of coal and 3,415 tons of coke, an increase of 7,115 tons of coal and 138 tons of coke—a noteworthy fact. The Bly th clearances amounted to 38,419 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 52,007 tons. Thus, the total shipments from the three places amounted to 197,609 tons, an increase of 18,576 tons when compared with the quantity sent off during the previous week. Enquiries for bunker coal on coaling station account, delivery over next year, are beginning to circulate, but, as a rule, the collieries. are loth to sell for delivery over longer than the first half of the year, on the ground that, with the conclusion of the war, a boom in shipping is likely to ensue and bunker prices will rise accordingly. Forward business has been done, however, at about 11s. 7|d. per ton f.o.b. for good ordinary sorts. The new 1915 prices for coal at the coaling stations have now been issued. As a rule, they are very high, and show a marked advance on the present year’s figures. This advance is largely accounted for by the present high cost of ocean carriage. The contract to supply the Elba Ironworks with 80,000 tons of coking coal—which usually comes to Durham—has been diverted to America, on account, it is stated, of the prevalent highness of freights. The coal is for delivery over the early part of next year. In view of the large quantities of German coal stated to have been purchased by the metropolitan gas companies in the early part of the present year, some curiosity is expressed as to how the companies will seek to compensate for the shortage of supplies due to the non-delivery of this fuel. Some 10,000 tons of Durham gas seconds have been sold for delivery over next year at from 11s. 3d. to Ils. 7|d. per ton f.o.b., and about 40,000 tons of similar coal, for like ship- ment, at about Ils. f.o.b. It is reported that Germany is continuing to flood the Italian market with coal and coke by rail. The Fatherland has, nowadays, only a very limited outlet for its output, and, therefore, cannot be blamed if it takes advantage of the high freights ruling here to cut us out with our Italian customers. Some blame can justifiably be attached to those shipowners whose rapacity is making coal business here so difficult, however. The collieries of Northumberland and Durham appear to be working a little more regularly this week, although the rate of production is still very much short of normal. Collier vessels are still unprecedentedly scarce and dear, and the market is suffering in consequence. To add to the troubles resultant from the shortage of shipping is the fact that excessively windy weather during the last few days is delaying the arrival of expected tonnage. There is a good enquiry for coals—principally steams and gas coals—for France; mainly for other ports than Rouen, where con- siderable congestion of steamers still rules. Gas coals are wanted in considerable quantities by Italy. Enquiries are circulating for industrial fuel for local consumers, delivery over next year, and some contracts are stated to have been renewed at from l^d. to 3d. per ton reduction on the closing year’s rates. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have altered very little during the week, the only changes being that Tyne best steams are 3d. cheaper, household coals easier, and gas coke 6d. reduced. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. adversely affecting the gas coal trade with Italy. Best Durham gas coal is 12s. 6d., special Wear 13s. to 13s. 3d., and second-class gas sorts 10s. 9d. to Ils. according to quality. There is a report of business in second-class gas coal for delivery over next year at Ils. 3d. to Ils. 6d. Bunker coal is in only moderate request, and ordinary Durhams stand at 10s. 3d. to 10s. 4|d. f.o.b., with bests at Ils. 4|d., and specials up to 12s. 6d. Household coal is quiet but firm. Coking coal is rather unsteady. Unscreened kinds range from 10s. to Ils., and coking smalls run from 9s. 6d. to 10s. 3d. Coke is firm and in fairly good request. Some business for shipment is reported, and demand for local consumption is growing. Durham foundry coke for shipment is 20s. f.o.b. and upward, and gas-house coke is in the neighbourhood of 12s. 3d. Durham beehive blast- furnace coke of average quality is 17s. 6d. delivered at Teesside works. IRON. Iron and steel shipments from the Tees during November were on a fairly satisfactory scale. The total loadings of pig iron were officially returned at 66,013 tons, of which 60,098 tons went from Middlesbrough, and 5,915 tons from Skinningrove. In October the clearances reached 56,406 tons, and for the month of November a year ago the despatches were given at 93,413 tons. All the iron cleared at Skinningrove last month went to Scotland. Of the pig iron loaded at Middlesbrough 42,087 tons went foreign, and 18,011 tons to home customers. Italy was the largest buyer with 14,575 tons, and Sweden took 11,277 tons. Scotland, for some time past the best customer for Cleveland iron, received only 9,595 tons. The loadings of manufactured iron on the Tees during November amounted to 15,935 tons, of which 9,706 tons went abroad and 6,229 tons to home customers, and those of steel reached 39,974 tons, 34,004 tons of which went foreign and 5,970 tons coastwise. Of manufac- tured iron the Argentine was the largest buyer, importing 5,732 tons, whilst India was the best customer for steel, receiving 9,658 tons. A good deal of business in pig iron has been put through recently. Buying has been chiefly for home consumption, but a few sales to Continental customers have also been made. Values of Cleveland pig are higher than they have been for over three months. Some buyers now hesitate to fully follow the upward move- ment, but sellers take a very firm stand. The general market quotation for early f.o.b. delivery of No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is 52s. 3d., whilst for No. 1 it is 54s. 6d., No. 4 foundry 51s. 9d., No. 4 forge 51s. 3d., and mottled and white 50s. 9d. For delivery over periods next year 6d. above the foregoing rates was asked. At the end of last week, how- ever, considerable forward sales of No. 3 were made at 52s. East coast haematite pig shows rather marked improvement. For this year’s delivery there are buyers of Nos. 1, 2 and 3 at 65s., and possibly some merchants, and even makers, might still accept that figure, but most of the latter now ask a higher price, up to as much as 67s. 6d. being demanded. Foreign ore is almost unquotable. With freights very high and still advancing, dealers do not care to commit them- selves to any extent. Nominally 20s. ex-ship Tees for best rubio may be given as the minimum basis for imported ores. Up to 8s. 6d. is asked for steamers Bilbao-Middlesbrough. Satisfactory accounts are given of the manufactured iron and steel industries. Output is large, and enquiries are rather good. Fair orders are coming forward for steel ship plates and angles, joists, sections and rails. Specifications are being given out freely. Quotations all round are fully maintained. IRON. After a few weeks of dulness and depression there has been a welcome change in the Cleveland haematite iron trade, and an increase of business is reported in nearly every department. The period of brisk buying which followed the outbreak of war was succeeded a few weeks afterwards by a time of inactivity, when prices of Bessemer mixed numbers fell from 72s. per ton to 65s. per ton, while warrants depreciated to the extent of from 4s. to 5s. per ton. Within the last fortnight, however, there has been a marked improvement in business and prices of Bessemer mixed numbers have advanced to 66s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. at the usual ports, with warrants at cash at 62s. per ton. Special iron is quoted at from 75s. to 76s. per ton, and ferro- manganese from .£10 to <£10 5s. per ton. There is not only a steady demand for the special qualities of iron which Cleveland smelters produce, but there are more enquiries for other brands of iron. Of course, all the trade at present is for home consumption, but the increased demand for the better class of iron for Government orders more than compensates for the loss of the foreign trade. So far there has been no increase in production, but if the present improvement is maintained it is not improbable that more furnaces will have to be lighted, as the present output is not too large for the demand. The general opinion is that a further rise in prices may take place and it is fully expected that the iron trade will take another forward move before the end of the year. The stocks in the West Cumberland storing yard at present amount to 4,011 tons. The present output is being drawn from 22 furnaces, 13 in West Cumberland and nine in North-east Lancashire. In Cumberland the Workington Iron and Steel Company have eight furnaces in blast at Workington, three at Derwent, three at Moss Bay, and two at the Oldside works, while Cleator Moor have two each, and Distington one furnace in operation. In the Furness district, Barrow have five and Carnforth and North Lonsdale have two each in draught. At the Oldside works, one furnace is on spiegel, and the other is on ferro-manganese. The bulk of the output at Workington and Barrow is going into consumption at the steelworks, and the remaining furnaces are employed on special iron, which is being consigned to the Midlands. In the other branches of the industry the steel trade is steady and there is an increased demand for rails. The ore trade is quieter owing to the diminished demand from the east coast and Scotland. The whole of the mines, however, are still in full employment. The price of ore at the mine is from 13s. to 21s. per ton, according to quality. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. South-West Lancashire. COAL. The inland house coal demand is brisker, and more orders are on hand than, with the reduced get, can be properly dealt with. Forges are still short of full time, and they are on only partial consumption of fuel. As regards shipping, there is little change in the position, bunkering requirements as a whole being below average. A number of extra steamers are, of course, using the port just now, but these do not compensate for the absence of so many of the regular liners. The lessened output of coal is by no means readily absorbed, and Yorkshire is a keen competitor for orders. Lancashire qualities of steam coal range from Ils. 9d. to 12s. 9d. f.o.b., the tendency being rather to weaken, though in some cases where collieries are well off for orders quotations are steadily held. In the coastwise and cross-Channel trade for household coals a satisfactory business is in progress. In slacks the position seems to be changing. Sellers are in a stronger position than they have been for months, and slack as raised can be said to be all moving away. 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/ 12/ -12/3 10/9 11/ 10/ -10/6 8/ 7/6 9/6 10/6 12/6 10/9-11/ 13/ 10/44-11/6 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 14/ -15/ 19/ -20/ 18/ 10/6-11/3 | L’st week’s prices. 13/ 12/ -12/6 10/9 11/ 10/ -10/6 8/ 7/6 9/6 10/6 12/6 10/9-11/ 13/ 10/44-11/6 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 15/ 19/ -20/ 18/ 11/ -11/9 Last year’s prices. 14/9-15/ 14/9-15/ 12/6 12/6-13/ 11/ -12/ 7/6- 7/9 6/6 8/ - 8/6 13/6 15/6 13/6-14/ 15/6-16/ 13/3-14/3 10/6-11/6 13/3-13/9 12/ -12/3 15/6-16/ 21/ -23/ 19/ -20/ 16/ -17/3 The coal trade has not been in such a stagnant condition for many years as it is at the present time, and it cannot be said that there is much prospect of any immediate improvement taking place. Local manufacturing needs are considerable, and coal for household use is in fair demand, but the chief falling off is on export account. The ship- ments at Maryport and Workington last week both show marked decreases. The tonnage going to the Irish market is less than it was during the heat of summer. There have been fewer enquiries from Ireland for both household and works fuel, and it is not expected that there will be much improvement until work is brisker in the Irish mills. At present the only business passing seems to be for prompt shipment and simply to meet ordinary requirements. Of course, the stormy weather has interfered considerably with shipping during the past week. The war is now having some effect upon the coal market. Some of the vessels which were formerly in the coasting trade are now being employed by the Government, and this has had a. tendency to cause a scarcity of boats for the Irish trade. Apart from this, however, freights are still on a high level, and it is evident that Irish merchants are not disposed at present to buy in large quantities. Whether this state of things can last much longer is doubtful, as stocks are bound to be dwindling rapidly. So far the pits have been fairly well employed, the majority working on an average five days a week. Coke is still a firm trade, and smelters are using up all the available supply. The tonnage from Maryport to the Irish market last week was 3,390 tons, a decrease of 1,230 tons compared with the previous week. The cargoes were for Dublin, Limerick, Bangor, White Abbey, and Belfast. The shipments from the various collieries were as follow :—Brayton Domain 1,210 tons, St. Helens 1,180 tons, Allerdale 1,000 tons. The coals exported from Maryport to Ireland during November amounted to 22,620 tons. The shipments from Workington last week only amounted to 710 tons. Prices are unchanged, best house coal delivered being quoted at 23s. 4d. per ton, with washed nuts at 21s. 8d. per ton. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ................. Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium................ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen............... Do. (f.o.b. Garston, 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/ -13/6 11/6-12/ 12/ -12/9 9/3— 9/6 8/6- 8/9 8/ - 8/3 L’st week’s prices. 17/ 16/6-16/9 15/3 14/6-15/ 13/ 13/ -13/6 11/6-12/ 12/ -12/9 9/3- 9/6 8/6- 8/9 8/ - 8/3 Last year’s prices. 17/ 16/9-17/3 15/3 15/ -15/6 13/ 13/9-14/6 12/6-13/ 13/ -13/9 10/3 9/6 9/ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a full attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. The demand for house coal shows an improvement, and prices are firmer. There is a fairly steady enquiry for furnace coal, and a little more stirring in shipping coal. Slack is also in rather better request, but the quantities offering are in advance of the demand. Prices generally are as below. 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/ 13/ -14/ 9/6-10/ 8/ -9/ iL’st week’s ■ prices. ' 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 i 13/3-14/ 12/ ' 13/ -14/ i 9/6-10/ I 8/ - 9/ Last year’s prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ —16/9 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. High freights continue to restrict business. With 13s. ruling for Rouen and 12s. 3d. for Bordeaux, a considerable proportion of the business possible with France cannot be put through. The high Mediterranean rates are also Best Cumberland coal, at pit.... Flimby best coal „ ....... Washed nuts „ ........ Old St. Helens best coal „ ..... Best house nuts ,, ....... Oughterside best coal........... Washed nuts..................... Best Cumberland coal, f.o.b..... Bunkers „ ....... Coal for gasworks............... Current prices. 20/6-21/ 20/ 19/2 19/2 17/1 20/ 18/4 14/6 13/6 14/6 L’st week’s prices. 20/6-21/ 20/ 19/2 19/2 17/1 20/ 18/4 14/6 13/6 14/6 IRON. There was a better feeling in pig iron brought about by the increased price in warrants, and although the foundries are very slack they do not like to see the market for their raw material going up and there is a tendency to buy small quantities—but only small quantities, as they do not believe in it. Good foundry iron can be bought at about 56s. fid. to 57s. 6d. Forges are still on short time and the Association continues to quote <£8 5s. for Crown iron bars and <£7 15s. for second quality, and there is very little work going through. Steel bars have firmed up again and the price can now be taken at <£7 15s. to <£8. Steel works are very busy both on ordinary home trade and Govern-