January 15, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 133 THE COAL AMD IROH TRADES. Thursday, January 14. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The market in the West of Scotland is very firm, but business is not yet quite normal. Prior to the holidays the collieries had sold practically every pound of their outputs, and now there are indications of a scarcity in the supply, and values are likely to increase. Splints and ells are fully taken up for this month, while navigations are well stemmed and ordinary steams are fairly active. Smalls of all sizes are heavily booked, and the local demand continues strong. The shipments from the district during the past week amounted to 98,486 tons, compared with 123,194 in the preceding week and 60,194 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’stweek’s Last year"s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal 12/ -14/ 11/ -13/6 13/ -14/ Ell 14/ -14/3 13/9-14/ 13/6 Splint 13/6-17/ 13/ -16/6 13/6-16/ Treble nuts 14/ [ 13/ -13/6 13/ Double do 12/6-13/3 1 11/9-12/3 12/ -12/3 Single do 12/ -12/3 1 11/ -11/9 11/3 IRON. The Scotch pig iron trade was comparatively quiet throughout the past week, owing to the fact that con- sumers" works were still closed for the holidays. Both ordinary and haematite iron are very strong, and in the case of the latter business is reported to have been done at 80s. per ton. There are 73 furnaces in blast at present, com- pared with 66 in the corresponding week of last year. The prices of Scotch makers’ iron have been further advanced, and quotations are as follow :—Monkland f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 66s., No. 3, 64s. 6d.; Govan, No. 1, 65s. 6d., No. 3, 64s. 6d.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 69s. 6d., No. 3, 65s. 6d.; Clyde, No. 1, 71s. 6d., No. 3, 66s. 6d.; Gartsherrie and Calder, Nos. 1, 72s., Nos. 3, 67s.; Summerlee and Calder, Nos. 1, 72s. 6d., Nos. 3, 67s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1 72s., No. 3, 67s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 66s., No. 3, 65s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 67s., No. 3, 65s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 72s., No. 3, 67s. ; Carron at Leith, No. 1, 74s., No. 3, 69s. per ton. The Glasgow pig iron warrant market was very firm during the past week, and transactions were reported at 55s. 0|d. per ton cash. Prices reacted a little and Cleveland iron closed at 54s. 8d. per ton cash buyers, showing an advance of 3^d. per ton compared with the preceding week. The turnover amounted to 18,000 tons. The majority of the works in the manufactured iron trade reopened on Monday last, but business is not yet proceeding on ordinary lines. Prospects for 1915 are bright, and specifications have come to hand in sufficient quantity to enable the works to make a fair start for the year. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Collieries in the Lothians are fairly well placed, and in most cases are full up for January. A strong demand exists for all qualities of coal, and there is an ample supply of tonnage on hand. Clearances during the past week amounted to 19,645 tons, against 43,788 in the preceding week and 43,560 in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. x prices. Best screened steam coal... 12/ -12/3 12/ 12/ -12/6 Secondary qualities 11/3-11/6 11/ -11/3 11/ -11/3 Treble nuts 12/6-13/ 12/6 12/6 Double do 11/ -11 3 10/9-11/ 11/9-12/ Single do 10/3-10/6 10/6 10/6 The position of the trade in the Fifeshire district is satisfactory. Collieries have already disposed of the large proportion of their January outputs, and there is com- paratively little free coal to be had. Tonnage is fairly plentiful at the moment. The shipments for the past week amounted to 35,281 tons, compared with 45,672 in the pre- ceding week and 55,480 in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current Best screened navigation prices. coal 16/ -16/6 14/6 Unscreened do First-class steam coal 13/ Third-class do 10/3-10/9 Treble nuts 12/6-13/ Double do 11/ -11/6 Single do 10/6-10/9 L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. 16/ -16/6 17/ 14/6 15/ 13/ 12/9-13/ 10/6-10/9 10/9 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/ 11/3-11/9 11/6-12/ 11/ -11/3 10/6 The aggregate shipments for the week amounted to 153,412 tons, against 212,654 in the preceding week and 159,234 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 93,229 tons of coal and 304 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 38,859 tons of coal and 193 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 51,722 tons of coal and 3,522 tons of coke, a decrease of 1,223 tons of coal and an increase of 97 tons of coke. Thus, the total shipments of coal and coke from these two places amounted to 148,680 tons, an increase of 37,088 tons when compared with the clearances for the previous week. The increase was largely due to the greater amount of tonnage offering and the rather lower rates — circumstances which, unfortunately, do not obtain at the time of writing. A considerable amount of forward business is being discussed in the local market at present. It is stated that the French railways have now concluded the re-arrangement of their contracts for coking coal with a view to extending them over the present year, shipments for last year having fallen con- siderably into arrears owing to the war. About 300,000 tons of Durham coking coals are stated to have been arranged for at about 10s. per ton, f.o.b., for smalls and 10s. 9d. for unscreened. Several large local manufacturers have arranged for their supplies of manufacturing fuel over the present year at about 7s. 6d. per ton for Northumbrian smalls and 10s. 6d. for Durham unscreened —prices which correspond with those paid for last year’s requirements. The British Admiralty is inviting f.o.b. tenders of 39,000 tons of steams and from 4,000 to 5,000 tons of household coals for delivery to the dockyards before the end of March. A quantity of good Durham coking and bunker coal is stated to have been sold for shipment up to the end of June at 12s. per ton, f.o.b. Best Bly th steams for April-December shipment have been sold at 14s. 3d., f.o b., and Tyne bests at 13s. 3d. for delivery up to the end of June and 13s. 6d. for shipment over the second half of the year. A quantity of Durham gas seconds has been disposed of for shipment over the year at Ils. 6d. Generally speaking, collieries are inclined to look askance at proposals for the purchase of fuel over a considerable time ahead, preferring, in the present uncertain state of affairs internationally, contracts over short periods. The Christiania Gasworks have invited telegraphed offers of 15,000 tons of gas bests—New Pelton Holmside or Wear specials - for January-February delivery. Everything save tonnage supplies is favouring the prompt market at present, but the tonnage shortage is a most serious factor. Many collieries have their output sold up so far as shipment during the present month is concerned, but are unable to secure its despatch from the Tyne or Blyth. The result is that, whilst the market would literally boom were there a sufficiency of vessels, stagnation has set in and drastic intervention by the Government seems the only remedy to the present state of affairs. Coal freights have attained a height never even contemplated in the boom days of December, and the situation is such that it is absolutely impossible for the trade in coals to continue if ocean carriage is to be so costly an item. Merchants are at their wits" end to devise ways and means of getting their coals away without involving either their customers or them- selves in ruin in the process, and only State intervention, with the fixing of maximum rates or some such expedient, appears to be the solution. Apart from this most difficult question, the tone of the prompt market has been pro- gressively good, f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment having advanced during the week as follow :—Best Blyth steams, 3d.; Tynes, 3d.; Blyth seconds, 6d. to 9d.; Tynes, 3d. to 6d.; Blyth smalls, 6d. to 9d.; Tynes, 6d. to 9d.; specials, 3d. ; smithies, 6d. ; gas seconds, 3d. ; Durham unscreened bunkers, 3d. to 6d.; coking coal, 6d. to 9d. ; smalls, firmer; and gas coke, 3d. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Steam coals :— prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 13/6 13/3 13/9-14/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 12/6-12/9 12/3-12/6 14/6 Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 11/6 10/9-11/ 11/9 or West Hartleys) ... 11/6-12/ 11/3-11/6 12/ Unscreened 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 11/ -12/ Small, Blyths 8/9- 9/ 8/3 6/ - 7/ Do. Tynes 7/6- 8/ 7/ - 7/3 6/ Do. specials Other sorts:— 9/ - 9/3 9/ 7/6- 7/9 Smithies Best gas coals (New 10/6-11/ 10/ -10/6 13/6 Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 12/6 12/6 14/3-14/6 (Pelaw Main or similar) 10/9-11/3 10/9-11/ 12/9-13/ Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, 12/9-13/ 12/9-13/ 15/6 Durhams Do. do. 10/9-12/ 10/6-11/6 12/ -13/6 N orthumbrians 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 11/ -12/ Coking coals 10/6-11/3 10/ -10/6 12/6-13/ Do. smalls 10/ 9/6-10/ 12/ -12/6 House coals 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 15/6-16/ Coke, foundry 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 21/ -22/ Do. blast-furnace 18/ 18/ 18/ -19/ Do. gas 10/6-12/3 10/6-12/ 13/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 59,270 tons of coal, and 2,440 tons of coke, as compared with 100,560 tons of coal, and 515 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1914, being a decrease of 41,290 tons of coal, and an increase of 1,925 tons of coke. The increased scarcity of tonnage and still higher rates of freight have considerably handicapped business in the coal market. Some of the collieries are working very irregularly, and prices are barely maintained, and inclined to ease for some qualities for prompt shipment. For forward delivery, however, the enquiry is growing and prospects brightening, but sellers are not anxious to operate except at full prices, the tendency of which is to a higher level. Best steams are in good demand, and the same applies to coking sorts. Gas and bunker coals are freely offered; and are occasionally easier. Foundry coke is readily obtained, but gas coke is firm and somewhat scarce. A quantity of good coking and bunker coal is reported to have been sold for shipment from now to the end of June at 12s. a ton f.o.b. It is understood that a quantity of best second gas coal has been sold direct over the year at Ils. 6d. per ton. The Admiralty authorities are in the market for 39,000 tons of steams and 5,000 tons of households delivery up to the end of March, and tenders are invited on f.o.b. basis. A French firm is also reported as inviting offers of 200,000 tons of best Durham bunkers for shipment up till the end of the year. The Christiania gas works are asking for offers of 15,000 tons of best Durham gas coals for prompt shipment. Quotations are approxi- mately as follow: — Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. L’stweek’s 'Last year’s prices. prices. 13/ 15/ 11/3 14/ 15/ 17/6 14/ 16/6 13/6 15/3 13/6 15/ n/ 13/6 10/9 13/6 13/6 16/3 10/6 13/ 10/ 12/6 13/6 15/6 14/6 16/ 14/9 13/9 10/6-11/ 13/ 20/3 22/ 18/ 20/ 12/ 17/6 . Current Gas coals:— prices. Special Wear gas coals 13/ Secondary do. 11/ House coals:— Best house coals 15/ Ordinary do 14/ Other sorts :— Lambton screened 13/6 South Hetton do 13/6 Lambton unscreened ... 10/9 South Hetton do 10/9 Do. treble nuts 13/3 Coking coals unscreened 10/6-10/9 Do. smalls 9/9-10/3 Smithies 13/6 Peas and nuts 14/3 Best bunkers 12/6 Ordinary bunkers 10/3-10/9 Coke:— Foundry coke 19/ Blast-furnace coke (did. Teesside furnaces) ... 18/ Gas coke 12/ -12/6 Coal freights are extraordinarily firm, especially for the Mediterranean, as much as 35s. being paid for Genoa. Decent fixtures include : London Ils. 6d., Havre 17s. 6d., Rouen 18s., Caen 17s. 6d., La Pallice 16s. 6d., Rochefort 16s. 3d., St. Nazaire 22s., Gibraltar 19s. 6d., Barcelona 22s., Algiers 22s., Marseilles 36s., Genoa 35s., Palermo 30s., Torre Annunziata 33s., and Port Said 25s. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The coal market is dominated by the tonnage scarcity. Shipowners are asking rates shippers declare it is impos- sible to pay, and the suggestion is made that the Govern- ment should intervene to fix maximum freights. The Admiralty has been asked to liberate interned German steamers in the interests of traders and the public. Such a step would bring about much relief. As a result of the great scarcity of tonnage, a good deal of pressing business cannot be entertained. Best Durham gas coal is 12s. 6d., second kinds 10s. 9d. to Ils., and special Wear gas 13s. to 13s. 3d. Ordinary Durham bunker coal is 10s. 3d. to 10s. 6d. f.o.b.,, best sorts Ils. 3d. to Ils. 4-2-d., and specials 12s. 6d. Coking coal is fairly well taken up. Unscreened kinds range from 10s. to 10s. 9d., and coking smalls run from 9s. 6d. to 10s. 3d. There is a fair amount of business passing in coke, but demand for local consumption threatens to shrink with the damping down and blowing-out of blast- furnaces. Thus furnace coke is easier, and 17s. 6d. to 17s. 9d. is named for average qualities of Durham beehive. Foundry coke for shipment ranges from 20s. to 21s. f.o.b. Gashouse coke is in the neighbourhood of 12s. 3d. IRON. There is not a great deal passing in pig iron just now, but the market is steady, and an undertone of confidence prevails. At the same time the sales recorded are almost entirely confined to transactions for home consumption, demand from abroad having all but disappeared. Shipments as a consequence are practically at a standstill, and as the home requirements are not sufficient to fully absorb the output, stocks of pig iron both at makers" yards'and in the public warrant stores are accumulating. The circumstance occupying most attention just now is the great difficulty in obtaining adequate supplies of foreign ore. Imports fall far short of requirements, and several consumers have now such low stocks that unless substantial deliveries are made almost immediately a few hsematite furnaces will have to go out of operation. Complaints, however, are not confined to short supplies of foreign ore, the quantity of Cleveland iron- stone coming to hand falls a good deal short of what could be wished, and this is due to so many miners having joined the Colours. This week Messrs. Whitwell have blown out a furnace at their Thornaby works. This reduces the number blowing on the north-east coast from 73 to 72, of which 36 are running on Cleveland pig, 25 are making haematite, and 11 are producing special irons. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is 55s., No. 1 is 57s., No. 4 foundry 54s. 6d., No. 4 forge 54s., and mottled and white iron each 53s. 6d., and Nos. 1, 2, and 3 east coast haematite fully 80s. Amongst the visitors to the Middlesbrough market this week have been representatives of two of the largest Sheffield consumers of haematite, but whether or not they placed orders has not transpired. Foreign ore prices are hardly ascertainable, many dealers refusing to quote at all unless they have a steamer fixed. Nominally market rates are based on 27s. ex-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. Freights Bilbao-Middlesbrough are up to 13s. Manufac- turers of finished iron and steel are very busy and have good contracts made. Orders are still coming in. The North Eastern Steel Company and the Cargo Fleet Iron Company have secured parts of large orders for rails from the North Eastern Railway Company. Prices are advancing. Principal market quotations now stand : Common iron bars, <£8 ; best bars, <£8 7s. 6d.; best best bars, <£8 15s.; packing iron, £6 10s.; iron ship plates, <£8; iron ship angles, <£8 ; iron ship vivets, <£9 to £9 5s.; iron girder plates, <£8 ; steel bars (basic), £7 15s.; steel bars (Siemens), £7 15s.; steel ship plates, £8; steel ship angles, <£7 15s.; steel boiler plates, £8 15s.; steel strip, £7 10s.; steel hoops, £8 5s.; steel joists, £7 17s. 6d. to £8; cast iron columns, £7 7s. 6d.; cast iron railway chairs, £4 5s.; light iron rails, £7 15s.; heavy steel rails, £6 10s. ; steel railway sleepers, £7 ; galvanised corrugated sheets 24 gauge, in bundles, £14 f.o.b., sheets less 4 per cent., railway material net at works, and all other descriptions less 2| per cent, discount.