February 19, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 393 THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, February 18. Scotland,—Western District. COAL. The position of the market in the West of Scotland continues' very strong. While values are still rising business is more subdued and the excitement caused by the initial heavy rise in prices has passed over. There is keen competition for any available coal, and the price is apparently of little importance so long as supplies are assured. All classes of coal are in heavy demand, and in some cases are full up for weeks ahead. Outputs are some- what curtailed at present owing to the fact that about 20 per cent, of the workers have joined the Colours, and this is restricting the export trade, as most of the production is being rapidly taken up for local consumption. The clearances from the district during the past week amounted to 121,999 tons, compared with 132,28*7 tons in the preceding week, and 114,216 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L'st week's Last year’s Steam coal prices. 14/ -16/ prices. 13/9-15/ prices. 12/6-14/ Ell 16/9-17/3 15/9-16/ 15/ -20/ 15/6-16/ 13/3 Splint 16/9-21/ 13/ -16/ Treble nuts j 17/6-18/ 12/ -12/6 Double do J 16/6-17/ 14/ -15/ 11/3-11/6 Single do 15/ -16/ 13/6-14/ 10/9-11/3 IRON. A quieter business is being done in the Scotch pig iron trade. Buyers are not very prominent in the meantime and seem to have their immediate requirements fairly well covered. The export trade is slow owing to the high cost of freights, but the local enquiry continues brisk, while deliveries, particularly in the case of haematite, are still heavy. There are *73 furnaces in blast, the same number as in the preceding week, and seven more than in the same week last year. The prices of Scotch makers'’iron are as followMonkland is quoted 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, 70s.; Clyde, No. 1, 75s. 6d., No. 3, 70s. 6d.; Gartsherrie and Calder, Nos. 1, 76s., Nos. 3, 71s.; Summerlee and Langloan, No. 1, 77s. 6d., No. 3, 72s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 77s., No. 3,72s.; 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. Business in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market was again uneven during the past week. After falling to 56s. for cash, the price of Cleveland warrants recovered to 56s. 6d., and then again reacted towards the end of the week when the closing quotation was 56s. Id. per ton cash buyers, showing a decrease of 4d. per ton on the week. The total turnover amounted to 21,000 tons. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. A brisk business is being done in the Lothians district. Round coals are practically unobtainable at first hand, and washed produce is also very scarce. Shipments for the week amounted to 20,178 tons compared with 27,882. in the preceding week, and 97,945 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... 15/ -16/6 14/ -15/ 11/3 Secondary qualities 14/6-15/ 12/9-13/9 10/6 Treble nuts 16/6—17/6 14/ -14/6 12/6 Double do. 15/ -16/ 13/ -13/6 11/3 Single do 14/ -15/ 12/ -12/6 10/3-10/6 Similar conditions rule in the Fifeshire trade. There is practically no available coal, and any supplies obtainable are securing greatly enhanced prices. The clearances from the ports amounted to 49,082 tons against 55,669 in the preceding week, and 117,156 tons in the same week in 1914. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current L'st week's Lastyear's Best screened navigation prices. prices. prices. coal 17/ -18/ 16/6-17/ 16/6-16/9 Unscreened do 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/ 15/ First-class steam coal 14/6-15/6 13/3—14/ 12/6 Third-class do 10/9-11/6 10/9-11/6 10/6 Treble nuts 15/6-16/6 14/6 12/3-12/6 Double do 14/6-15/6 13/6 10/9 Single do 14/6-15/ 11/9-12/9 10/ -10/3 The aggregate clearances from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 191,259 tons, compared with 215,838 in the preceding week and 329,317 tons in the corresponding week of last year. ----------------------------------- Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 94,149 tons of coal and 1,632 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 68,743 tons of coal and an increase of 1,145 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 47,755 tons of coal and 3,725 tons of coke, a decrease of 10,167 tons of coal, and 162 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 47,823 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 46,956 tons. Thus, the shipments from the three places amounted to- 195,084 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 2,351 tons when compared with those for the previous week. The forward market has shown considerable activity during the week, and is undiminished in briskness at the time of writing. Ordinary Durham bunkers, for delivery over the next four months, have been sold at Ils. 9d. per ton f.o.b.’ Marley Hill bunkers, for shipment over the current year, have been sold at 13s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. The Elba Iron- works are stated to have arranged for 80,000 tons of the total of 150,000 tons of coking coals for which they enquired. Delivery is to be over the year, and prices are based on current selling values. The works are said to be in close negotiation for the balance of their requirements. The Stockholm Gasworks are reported to have arranged for 150,000 tons of Durham gas seconds, delivery over the Baltic season, at about 12s. f.o.b. The Midland and London and North-Western railway companies are stated to have purchased considerable quantities of local steams at undivulged prices. The Russian Government is said to have bought large quantities of steams for April shipment to Archangel. The Naples Gasworks have contracted for from 40,000 to 60,000 tons of Tyne gas bests, for April- August delivery, at about 13s. f.o.b. It is reported that one of the Dutch gas companies has bought a considerable quantity of Durham gas coal, but details are lacking. Some 10,000 tons of best Blyth steams have been sold, for for March shipment, at 16s. 6d. f.o.b.; about 40,000 tons, for April-December loading, at 18s.; a quantity for May- December loading at 18s.; and about 30,000 tons of Tyne primes, for March-December despatch, at 18s. One of these sales is said to have been made to the Danish State Railways, which are, apparently, purchasing their quantities piecemeal. Fifteen thousand tons of Durham unscreened bunker specials, for April-December shipment, have been sold at 16s. 3d. f.o.b. A very considerable quantity of Priestman’s Consett-Burnhope bunkers has been sold, for delivery from April to the. end of the year, at 14s. f.o.b. The Gothenburg Gasworks are said . to have decided to postpone contracting for their annual requirements. The War Office is now definitely inviting tenders of 90,000 tons of steam coals, for delivery over 12 months, to Woolwich Arsenal. It is stated that those collieries which have recently sold best Blyth steams for delivery up to the end of the year at 18s. are now declining 19s. f.o.b. for similar business. The prompt coal market is very active, tonnage being in somewhat better supply, although rates of freight are again advancing. However, the pressure for supplies of fuel is so great from many Continental consumers that not even the extortionate prices still asked for cargo space appear to be sufficient to choke off the demand. There has consequently been a marked advance in prices, especially in the Northumbrian coal section. As compared with a week ago, f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment are as follow:—Best Blyth steams, Is. 6d. to 3s. dearer ; Tynes, 3s. to 3s. 6d. more ; seconds, Blyths, Is. advanced; Tynes, Is. to Is. 6d. increased; unscreened, Is. higher; smalls, Blyths, from 6d. to 9d. up ; Tynes, 6d. improved; specials, 6d. to Is. more; smithies, Is. to Is. 6d. improved; gas specials, 6d. more; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 9d. to Is. advanced; Northumbrians, 6d. increased; and coking coal, 6d. more. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L'st week's Last year's Steam coals :— prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 16/ -18/ 14/6-15/ 13/3-13/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 16/6-17/ 13/6 13/ Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 13/6—14/ 12/6-13/ 11/9-12/ or West Hartleys) ... 14/ -15/ 13/ -13/6 11/9-12/ Unscreened 12/ -13/ 11/ "12/ 10/ -11/6 Small, Blyths 9/6 8/9- 9/ 6/9 Do. Tynes 9/ 8/6 6/3 Do. specials Other sorts:— 11/ 10/ -10/6 7/6 Smithies Best gas coals (New 12/6-13/6 11/6-12/ 12/ -12/6 Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 13/3-13/6 (Pelaw Main or similar) 11/9-12/ 11/9-12/ 11/9-12/3 Special gas c?als Unscreened bunkers, 13/6 13/6 13/6 Durhams Do. do. 12/ -13/6 11/3-12/6 11/74-12/9 N orthumbr ians 11/6-12/6 11/ -12/ 10/ -11/ Coking coals 12/ -12/6 11/6-12/ 12/3-12/6 Do. smalls 11/ -11/6 11/ -11/6 11/6-12/ House coals , 15/ 15/ 15/ -16/ Coke, foundry 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 19/ -21/ Do. blast-furnace 17/ 17/ 18/ -19/ Do. gas 11/6-13/ 11/6-13/ 13/ -13/6 Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 62,020 tons of coal, no coke, as compared with 98,525 tons of coal and 695 tons of coke for the corresponding period of last year, being, a decrease of 36,505 tons of coal and 695 tons of coke. During the past week the coal market has been very strong, but at the time of writing is just a shade on the weak side for prompt loading, owing to the continued scarcity of tonnage. Some of the collieries are feeling the pinch owing to this cause, and are inclined to make con- cessions for prompt shipment. Otherwise the market remains very firm, with a full enquiry, a short supply of fuel, and advancing values for forward shipment. There is a growing indisposition to sell ahead, as it is quite expected there will be a shortage of coal, and as a result the strong probability of very.high prices. Steam qualities are in brisk demand, and are practically fully booked until the end of March. Steam smalls are also firm, and gas, coking and bunkering qualities are in good request for prompt and forward delivery. Foundry coke is. in fair demand, other sorts about unaltered. The Naples Gasworks are said to have contracted for 50,000 tons of best gas coal at 13s. f.o.b. shipment April to August. The Elba ironworks have accepted tenders for 80,000 tons of best Durham coking coals, delivery over the year at current prices, and are negotiating for a similar quantity. A quantity of Durham unscreened coking coal has been sold for shipment March to June at 12s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. The Stockholm Gasworks want offers of 150,000 tons of secondary qualities' over the Baltic season, and the Gothenburg gasworks are asking for immediate offers of 20,000 tons of special Wear gas, delivery over the season. Several contracts for ordinary bunkers over the year have matured at prices ranging from 12s. 6d. to 13s. 6d. per ton, according to quality. Quotations are nominally as follow :— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Gas coals:— Special Wear gas coals Secondary do. House coals:— Best house coals Ordinary do Other sorts :— Lambton screened South Hetton do Lamb ton unscreened ... South Hetton do Do. treble nuts Coking coals unscreened Do. smalls Smithies Peas and nuts Best bunkers Ordinary bunkers Coke:— Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. Teesside furnaces) ... Gas coke Current prices. 12/9 12/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -16/3 15/ 14/6 11/9-12/ 12/ 15/6 10/9-11/3 10/6 14/6 is/6 12/9 12/ 20/ 19/6 13/ L’st week’s prices. 13/3 11/6 16/ 15/ 14/3 14/3 11/6 11/6 13/9 11/ 10/3 13/3 13/6 12/9 11/6 19/ 17/6 12/6-13/ i Lastyear’s prices. 14/ 12/3 . 16/ 15/ 14/6 14/3 12/3-12/6 12/6 16/ 12/6 12/ -12/3 15/ 15/6 13/3 12/3 20/ 19/ 13/9-14/ All the above prices are for prompt shipment for definite tonnage.. Market for forward delivery is strong, and prices 2s. to 3s. over above figures. Freights remain firm, as shown by recent fixtures as follows :—London, 13s. 3d.; Havre, 19s.; Rouen, 20s. ; Caen, 20s.; Bordeaux, 30s. ; St. Nazaire, 24s.; Bayonne, 32s. 6d.; Genoa, 40s.; Naples, 40s.; Leghorn, 40s.; Venice, 45s.; Gibraltar, 24s.; Port Said, 32s. 6d.; Barcelona, 31s.; Piraeus, 37s. 6d.; Las Palmas, 24s. 6d. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel market continues strong and is very largely under the influence of the tonnage shortage. Business depends to a great extent on buyers being provided with vessels. Where much needed steamers are forthcoming, colliery owners do not cavil about 6d. per ton. Thus, though the recognised market quotation for best Durham gas coal is 13s. f.o.b., cargoes have been purchased at 12s. 4|d. Second class qualities of Durham gas coal range from Ils. to 12s. Special Wear gas is put at 14s. Bunker coal is in fairly good request. Ordinary Durhams stand at Ils. 6d. f.o.b., while best kinds are 12s., and specials 12s. 6d. to 13s. c.i.f. For forward business higher rates are asked, and a considerable contract for special Durham bunkers for shipment up to the end of the year is reported to have been made at 13s. 6d. Household coal is firm. Coking coal is well taken up. Unscreened sorts vary from Ils. 3d. to 12s. and smalls run from 10s. to 10s. 6d. Coke is steady and firm. For shipment foundry coke is in the neighbour- hood of 19s. f.o.b. Gashouse coke is quoted 13s. A fairly good demand for furnace coke for local consumption is reported. Users endeavour to buy at lower rates than have been ruling, but sellers report no superfluous supply and are reluctant to make any concessions. Durham beehive blastfurnace coke of average quality runs from 17s. 9d. to 18s. delivered at Teesside works. IRON. Quietness characterises the pig iron market just now. Buyers and sellers alike seem indisposed to operate, and this is not surprising, seeing that home consumers have made arrangements to meet their requirements for a little while. Middlesbrough warrants continue to fluctuate somewhat, due to slight outside speculative transactions, and this has an unsteadying influence on quotations for makers’ Cleveland pig. Deliveries of pig to home consumers are on a good scale, and they would be heavier if more wagons were available. There is practically no demand on foreign account. A satisfactory feature of the market is the unwillingness of pig iron producers to commit themselves to any extent on forward account except at prices above current rates. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is 56s. 6d., No. 1 is 58s. 6d., No. 4 foundry 56s., No. 4 forge 55s. 6d., and mottled and white iron each 55s. Values of east coast haematite pig show a slightly downward tendency. Pro- ducers report that they have this week sold small parcels of Nos. 1, 2 and 3 at 90s., and that is regarded as the general market quotation, though some second hands are prepared to entertain offers at rather less, as low as 87s. 6d. having been named. Merchants, however, are understood to have command of very little hsematite iron. Foreign ore is firmer owing to rather stiffer freights, but definite quota- tions are difficult to fix. Nominally, market rates are based upon 28s. 6d. ex ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. Freights Bilbao-Middlesbrough stand at 13s. 7|d. To date this month, imports of foreign ore to the Tees amount to 79,227 tons. Producers of practically all descriptions of manufactured iron and steel are full of work, and quotations all round are maintained. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The Cumberland coal trade continues to be characterised by great strength, and business in all departments is exceedingly brisk. Orders are plentiful for best house coal for home use; works requirements are on the increase, while the cross-channel trade is remarkably active. The export demand from Ireland, which is largely responsible for the great activity which is now being experienced, has not been busier during the last 12 months. The demand for all sorts for the Irish market is increasing, and merchants are shipping all the available supplies they can secure. At Maryport, on Tuesday, no les than five steamers were loading, and three of them left on the tide for Ireland. So far, however, there has been no increase on home prices, but best round coal for shipping has advanced Is. a ton, and best coal is now quoted at 15s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. at Maryport. The pits are all working full time but outputs are still very low, and the greatest difficulty is being experienced in meeting ordinary requirements. The demands of the coke ovens has now become so great that one or two of the collieries have very little surplus coal to ship. During the week 16 steamers sailed from Maryport to Irish ports, the coal shipments amounting to 4,580 tons, a decrease of 140 tons compared with the previous week. The export tonnage from Workington to Irish ports last