February 12, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 339 THE COAL AMD IRON TRADES. Thursday, February 11. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Business in the West of Scotland coal trade continues very active and values of all classes of coal are firming up considerably. While the export demand is much reduced, this is more than counterbalanced by the amount of enquiry on home account. All classes of coal are eagerly sought after, but the collieries are very full and there is very little free coal, and the little available is rapidly disposed of at greatly enhanced prices. Shipments from the district, although not so large as in the preceding week, are still above the average, and amounted to 132,287 tons, compared with 140,029 tons in the preceding week, and 113,466 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal.............. Ell .................... Splint.................. Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current L’stweek’s prices. prices. 13/9-15/ ' 12/6-14/6 15/9-16/ ! 14/9-15/ 15/ -20/ I 14/6-18/ 15/6-16/ ; 14/9-15/ 14/ -15/ | 13/6-13/9 13/6-14/ I 12/9-13/ Last year's prices. 12/6-14/ 13/3 13/ -16/ 12/ -12/3 11/3-11/6 11/ —11/3 IRON. The Scotch pig iron trade has not been quite so active during the past week or so. Makers report a falling off in enquiries, but they are not unduly concerned about this as they are well sold at present, and, in fact, are not at all anxious to do business at the current prices. Deliveries against contract continue large, particularly in the case of haematite, which is now quoted about 92s. 6d. to 95s. per ton. The export trade continues in a restricted condition. There are 73 furnaces in blast in Scotland, the same number as in the preceding week, and seven more than in the same week last year. The prices of makers’ iron continue on the same level as last week, and are quoted :—Monkland f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 69s., No. 3, 67s. 6d.; Govan, No. 1, 68s., No. 3, 66s. 6d.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 74s., No. 3, 69s.; Clyde, No. 1, 75s. 6d., No. 3,70s. 6d.; Gartsherrie and Calder, Nos. 1, 76s., Nos. 3, 71s.; Summerlee, No. 1, 77s. 6d., No. 3, 72s. 6d.; Langloan, No. 1,77s., No. 3,72s.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 75s., No. 3, 70s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 70s., No. 3, 69s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 71s., No. 3, 69s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 76s., No. 3, 71s. ; Carron at Leith, No. 1, 77s. 6d., No. 3, 72s. 6d. per ton. The manufacturing branches of the trade are still very active. Black sheet makers have increased their prices, and are now quoting <£9 7s. 6d. per ton less 5 per cent, for 7 to 11 b.g. for Glasgow delivery. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. A very brisk business is being done in the Lothians coal trade, and outside of contracts very little can be done in round coal, but in smalls some small lots can be picked up. Shipments for the week amounted to 27,882 tons compared with 29,214 in the preceding week, and 74,410 tons in the -corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/ 11/3-11/9 Secondary qualities 12/9-13/9 12/6-13/ 10/6 Treble nuts 14/ -14/6 13/3-14/ 12/6 Double do 13/ -13/6 12/3-12/9 11/3 Single do 12/ -12/6 11/9-12/ 10/3-10/6 Prospects in Fifeshire are bright. Collieries are extremely busy with contract work, and also with the steamers at present in dock. The clearances for the past week amounted to 55,669 tons compared with 53,936 in the preceding week, and 109,364 tons in the corresponding week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. coal 16/6-17/ 16/ -16/6 16/6-16/9 Unscreened do 14/6—15/ 14/ -15/ 15/ First-class steam coal 13/3—14/ J- J-J 1 12/9-13/ 12/6 Third-class do. 10/9-11/6 10/6-10/9 10/6 Treble nuts 14/6 13/9-14/3 12/ -12/6 Double do 13/6 12/6-13/ 10/9-11/3 Single do 11/9-12/9 10/6-11/6 10/3-10/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the week amounted to 215,838 tons, compared with 223,179 in the preceding week and 297,240 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. N ewcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 76,079 tons of coal and 63 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 91,746 tons of coal and 2,167 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 54,752 tons of coal and 3,729 tons of coke, a decrease of 3,244 tons of coal, and an increase of 574 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments aggre- gated 58,110 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 26,302 tons. Thus, the shipments from the three places mentioned amounted to 192,733 tons, a decrease of 18,781 tons when compared with those for the week before. Tenders of 50,000 tons of best steams required by the War Office for delivery to Woolwich during the spring have been sent in and are stated to have been based on about 14s. 6d. per ton f.o.b., for best Blyths. The War Office is now enquiring fdr 55,000 tons of similar coal for delivery to the powder works at Waltham and the Small Arms Factory at Enfield. Although collieries are not keen, under present conditions, on entering into contracts over prolonged periods, a considerable number of forward sales are reported. These include:—10,000 tons of Wear gas specials for delivery from April to August at 14s. per ton f.o.b., an advance of 6d. on the figure at which similar business was recently done ; considerable quantities of best Durham bunkers for delivery over the current year at from 12s. 6d. to 12s. 9d. f.o.b.; 100,000 tons of superior Durham bunkers for delivery over the current year at from 12s. 6d. to 13s. f.o.b.; best Blyth steams for April-December shipment at 16s. 6d. f.o.b.; best unscreened coking coal for delivery over 18 months at 13s. 6d. f.o.b.; and Durham special bunkers, delivery over the remainder of the year, at 14s. per ton f.o.b. Tees. It is stated that the North British and Caledonian railway companies have purchased supplies of Durham steam coals for delivery over the next two or three months. It is but rarely that Scottish railway companies come to this district for fuel, and the orders are only accounted for by the relative scarcity of the native fuel, which is said to be in strong demand for manufacturing purposes. The Russian Marine authorities are reported to have purchased about 30,000 tons of best Blyth steams for May-September ship- ment at 15s. f.o.b., and to be negotiating for further supplies for May-July delivery. Several home and foreign gas companies have been impelled, by the increasing strength of prices, to come into the market for their supplies over the rest of the current year, and business is said to have been done at 13s. for best Tynes to 14s. for Wear special gas coals. An enquiry is in circulation for 150,000 tons of best Durham unscreened coking coals for delivery to the Elba Ironworks over 12 months. The buyers have threatened, in view of the high prices ruling, merely to purchase for immediate requirements, and to postpone contracting for the bulk of their requirements. As, however, there is little likelihood of prices receding at at all within the next few months, this attitude is not taken seriously. Best Durham coking coal is stated to have been sold for March-June delivery at 12s. 6d. f.o.b. to the tune of 25,000 tons, and for April-June shipment at 12s. f.o.b. for a similar quantity. There is an idea that these quantities form part of the total requirements of the Elba Ironworks. The prompt coal market is very much more active, thanks largely to orders through and on behalf of our Government and the allied countries. The shortage of tonnage and highness of freights still continue, however, to exercise a restrictive influence. Despite this, though, production from those collieries which still are working is much more regular, and employment is very much steadier. There is a keen pressure for supplies from many quarters, and where it is possible to arrange for transport facilities business rules brisk. Most descriptions of fuel are advanced on the week. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment are now, by comparison with a week ago:—Best Blyth steams, 6d. to 9d. advanced; Blyth seconds, 3d. to 6d. dearer ; Tynes, 6d. more; unscreened, ditto ; smalls, Blyths, weaker; Tynes, firmer ; smithies, 6d. up; gas seconds, 3d. higher; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 6d. more; Northumbrians, ditto; coking coal, 9d. increased; smalls, from 6d. to Is. dearer; and households, firmer. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. The feature of the market at present is the demand for steam coals and coking sorts. b Later.—The Bergen Gasworks are stated to have con- tracted for 20,000 tons of Holmside gas coal for March- August delivery at 12s. 9d. per ton f.o.b. Some 6,000 tons of Broomhill large steams are stated to have been sold for April-December shipment at 16s. f.o.b. Several large coking coal contracts are stated to have been fixed up, shipment over one to two years, at prices based on from 12s. 6d. to 13s. per ton f.o.b. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals :— Current L’stweek’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 14/6-15/ 13/9-14/ 14/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 13/6 13/6 13/6-14/ Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 12/6-13/ 12/3-12/6 11/9-12/ or West Hartleys) ... 13/ -13/6 12/6-13/ 11/9-12/ Unscreened 11/ -12/ 11/ -11/6 11/ -11/6 Small, Blyths 8/9- 9/ 9/ 6/9 Do. Tynes 8/6 ’ 8/ - 8/6 6/3 Do. specials Other sorts:— 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 7/6 Smithies Best gas coals (New 11/6-12/ 11/ -11/6 12/6-13/ Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 13/6 (Pelaw Main or similar) 11/9-12/ 11/6-11/9 12/ -12/6 Special gas c?als Unscreened bunkers, 13/6 13/ 13/6-14/ Durhams Do. do. 11/3-12/6 10/9-12/ 11/9-13/ N orthumbr ians 11/ -12/ 11/ -11/6 IO/' -11/ Coking coals 11/6-12/ 10/9-11/3 12/3-12/6 Do. smalls 11/ -11/6 10/6 12/ House coals 15/ 14/ -15/ 15/ -16/ Coke, foundry 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 20/ -22/ 18/ -19/ Do. blast-furnace 17/ 17/ Do. gas 11/6-13/ 11/6-13/ 13/ -13/6 Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 68,925 tons of coal and 1,665 tons of coke as compared with 102,130 tons of coal and 2,180 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1914, being a decrease of 33,205 tons of coal and 515 tons of coke. The coal market is firm, the enquiry for all classes of fuel being good, and as the output is restricted there is no surplus offering for sale and prices are accordingly rising. Best gas coals are firm and bunkering qualities steadier. Coking coals have a firmer undertone on the improved enquiry. Gas coke is firm, but foundry sorts are dull on ample supplies and are weakly held. A large enquiry for about 150,000 tons of Durham coking unscreened coal is in the market, said to be for the Elba Ironworks, for delivery over 12 months, but owing to high prices it is believed they are presently inclined to buy only from hand to mouth. For forward delivery it is reported that best coking unscreened coal has been sold over 18 months ' from here at 13s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b. Prompt offers are being asked by Italian ironworks of 10,000 tons of best Durham coking coals, shipment over two months. The War Office authorities are inviting tenders for 50,000 tons of best steams delivery "at Woolwich. Twenty-five thousand tons of best Durham unscreened, March to June delivery, have been sold at 12s. 6d. and 25,000 tons of good Durham unscreened April to June at 12s. per ton, f.o.b. It is reported that several of the home and foreign gas companies have come into the market for supplies over the year and that considerable quantities of Tyne best and Wear specials have been sold at 13s. and 14s. respectively. The following are nominal market quotations :— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 13/3 13/ 14/ Secondary do. House coals:— 11/6 11/3 13/ Best house coals 16/ 16/ 17/ Ordinary do Other sorts :— 15/ 15/ 16/ Lambton screened 14/3 14/ ■ 14/6 South Hetton do 14/3 14/ 14/ Lambton unscreened ... 11/6 10/9 10/9 12/9 South Hetton do 11/6 13/ Do. treble nuts 13/9 13/6 15/9 Coking coals unscreened 11/ ■ 10/44 12/9 Do. smalls 10/3 10/ . 12/6 Smithies.... 13/3 13/ 15/9 Peas and nuts 13/6 13/6 16/ Best bunkers 12/9 12/ -12/3 13/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 11/6 10/6-10/9 13/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 19/ 19/6 20/ Teesside furnaces) ... 17/6 18/6 18/6 Gas coke 12/6-13/ 12/6 14/ The outward freight market is still 'firm and chartering is held in check owing to the scarcity of tonnage. Recent fixtures include; London, Ils.; Calais, 19s. 6d.; Rouen, 20s. ; Bordeaux, 23s. ; Bayonne, 25s. ; Lisbon, 25s. 6d. ; Orporto, 31s.; Genoa, 37s.; Leghorn, 37s.; Venice, 45s.; Marseilles, 30s.; Catania, 36s. 6d.; Civita Vecchia, 37s. 6d.; and River Plate, 25s. 6d. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel market is gaining strength. In all departments fuller enquiry for coal is reported, and prices of some descriptions have been advanced. Gas coal is in fairly good request, but deliveries show shrinkage. Best Durhams are put at 12s. 6d., second qualities at Ils. to Ils. 9d., and special Wears at 13s. to 13s. 6d. Household coal is in moderate demand at round about 16s. at the landsale collieries. Bunker coal is well taken up, and ordinary Durhams are in the neighbourhood of Ils. f.o.b., whilst best kinds are 12s., and specials 12s. 6d. to 13s. Rather good enquiries for coking coal are reported. Current quotations run Ils. to Us. 6d. for unscreened kinds, and 10s. to 10s. 6d. for smalls, but contracts have been made over the second half of the year at 13s. for unscreened and 12s. for smalls. The production of coke is little, if any, in excess of requirements, and sellers take a very firm stand. Local consumers declare that they experience no difficulty in placing orders for Durham beehive average blast-furnace kinds at 17s. 9d. delivered at Teesside works, and even at rather less, but most sellers quote round about 18s. Foundry coke for shipment is from 19s. f.o.b. upward. Gashouse coke is reported scarce, and is in the neighbourhood of 13s. IRON. Values of pig iron are easy. Demand for export is on a very limited scale, and home consumers, having satisfied their needs for the time being, are not buying to any extent. Producers of pig declare that stocks at maker s’ yards are not increasing much, pointing out that with a number of furnaces running slack blast, and with local steelworks consuming abnormally large quantities, the output is well taken up. Cleveland pig in the public warrant stores is steadily accumulating, and the quantity now held stands at 120,000 tons, all of which is No. 3 quality. In the early part of the week a few sales of No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig were put through at 56s. 6d., but no difficulty is now experienced in placing orders for the ruling quality at 56s. 3d. No. 1 Cleveland is 58s. 3d., No. 4 foundry 55s. 9d., No. 4 forge 55s. 3d., and mottled and white iron each 54s. 9d. Buyers of east coast haematite pig are not much in evidence just now. On the other hand, makers, most of whom are favourably placed, are not particularly pressing sales. The general market quotation for Nos. 1, 2 and 3 may be put at 90s. Some second hands are prepared to sell at a trifle less, but they have very little iron to dispose of. There are makers who hold out for more than the foregoing quotation. Foreign ore prices are falling, and it is not easy to definitely fix them. Adequate supplies are coming to hand now that the freight difficulty has, to some extent, been overcome. The release of interned vessels to convey fuel to France, and then proceed to Spain and other countries for ore for this district, has relieved the situation. Foreign ore prices are based on a maximum of 27s. ex-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. Freights, Bilbao-Middlesbrough, are 13s. Imports of foreign ore to the Tees to date this month amount to 41,382 tons. Manufacturers of finished iron and steel are working at full pressure, and there are further substantial enquiries in the market. Some firms are so busy that they hesitate to enter into further contracts. Quotations, all round, are fully maintained. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The Cumberland coal trade is now in a fairly brisk condition. Outputs, however, are still greatly reduced by the scarcity of suitable labour, but the whole of the coal raised is meeting with a ready sale. Best household fuel for the home market is in brisk request; works require- ments are steadily increasing, and the export tonnage for both Maryport and Workington has been slightly heavier this week. Household fuels for shipment to Ireland are in satisfactory demand; enquiries for all sorts from Belfast, Londonderry, Dublin* and Cork are more numerous, and the