^5'50 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 12, 1915. MINING AND OTHER NOTES. Mr. Ralph Peters, of “ The Lingards,” Astley, South ; Lancashire, twice president and treasurer of the Manchester Coal Exchange from its formation in 1879, and of the ■ Astley and' Tyldesley Collieries Limited, left <£5,852 gross. The Bradley Pulverizer Company inform us that they ' have booked from Messrs. D. Davis and Sons Limited, an , order for a “ Griffin ” mill, to be used for stone-dusting in their Nos. 6 and 7 pits at Tylorstown. The council of the British Association, in consultation with the local executive committee at Manchester, has decided that the annual meeting of the association shall take place in that city, as arranged, in September next. The secretary of the Interior of the United States Government has announced that Dr. Walter F. Rittman, chemical engineer, of the Bureau of Mines, has made two very important discoveries, one of which may render the United States independent of Germany for supplies of the ‘ materials necessary for the production of dyestuffs and high explosives, while the other will increase the indepen- dent gasoline supply by 200 per cent. The former consists in obtaining the toluol and benzol necessary for the manufacture of efficient explosives from crude petroleum. Germany obtains these important products from coal tar, and as the United States lacks this commodity in sufficient quantities, she has been obliged, so far, to import her supplies of toluol and benzol. The invention for producing gasoline is calculated to deal a heavy blow to the Standard Oil monopoly, and will, it is claimed, enable independent refiners here, to increase their output from 12,000,000 barrels per year to 36,000,000, at a cheaper rate than the Standard Oil Company. Application has been made by Dr. Rittman, on behalf of the Federal Government, to patent these processes, and prevent any monopoly in their use, the patents being dedicated to the American people. The United States House of Representatives has just passed the sundry civil appropriation measure, which carries the provision for the annual expenses of the Bureau of Mines. For the various enquiries and technologic investigations pertinent to the mining industry the appropriation is 347,000 dols. ; and for investigation of mineral fuels and unfinished mineral products, 135,000 dols.; for enquiries and scientific and technologic investigations concerning the mining, preparation, treatment and utilisa- of ores and other mineral substances, 100,000 dols.; toward dismantling and removal of the plant of the Pittsburg Mining Experiment Station and installation in the new buildings in Pittsburg, 57,300 dols. The total sum appropriated is 757,300 dols. Messrs. Wm. Johnson and Sons (Leeds) Limited, of the Castleton Foundry, Armley, Leeds, inform us that during the past 12 months they have supplied about 30 special stone dust grinding mills. At the present time they have orders in hand for four of these mills, the most recent order being for the Houghton Main Colliery, near Barnsley. Several of the above are repeat orders. Mr. Richard Sharp, of Redcar, contributed a very able paper on “Notes on Modern Cleveland Blastfurnace Practice ” at a meeting of the Cleveland Institution of Engineers, held at Middlesbrough this week, in which he attributed the disproportion between the theoretical and practical results achieved in Cleveland pig iron blast- furnaces to two main causes, the first, and by far the most . important, being the too rapid driving of the furnaces— furnaces being deficient in capacity for the makes they were turning out—and to suit coke which broke up with handling, with the result that a portion of the carbon charged was ; easily dissolved by CO2, this action obviously being more marked on smaller pieces, resulting in a deficiency of carbon to be burnt at the tuyeres. OBITUARY. We regret to announce the death of Mr. John Nicholson, of the firm of Benjamin Nicholson and Sons, which occurred on Tuesday,the 23rd ult. The death occurred on Sunday, at Chapeltown, near Sheffield, of Mr. William Froggatt, chief engineer at the Thorncliffe Ironworks of Messrs. Newton, Chambers, and Company Limited. The death has occurred at Mowbray, Sunderland, of Mr« Wm. Thackray, a leading ironmaster of the north-east district, from heart failure. Mr. Thackray, who was in his 71st year, when 16 years of age joined his father, who was one of the firm of Messrs. Samuel Tyzack and Company Limited, iron and steel manufacturers. With this firm Mr. Thackray has since been continuously associated, and he had the position of managing director and was the principal shareholder. He was a chairman of the North of England Iron and Steel Conciliation Board. Mr. James Duffield, of Tallantire Hall, Cumberland, lord of the manor of Tallantire, died at Rossholm, Rotherham, on Sunday. Mr. Duffield, who was in his 83rd year, rose from the position of a puddler to that of general manager of Messrs. Cammell, Laird and Co.'s iron and steel works and iron ore mines in Cumberland, and was a director of the cpmpany until the acquisition of its interests in Cum- berland by the Workington Iron and Steel combine. At the age of seven he joined his father at work at one of the collieries of the Earl of Dudley, his wages being 3d. a day, and he continued in this employment until he was 17. His father and four brothers were killed at the colliery, and Mr Duffield left coalmining for puddling, and served for seven years at Messrs. Cammell's puddling forge at Parkgate, Rotherham. Prosecuting his studies at night classes, Mr. Duffield mastered the technique of his business, and was promoted to be night fore- man, and when in 18^2 the firm started the Dronfield Ironworks he was selected from 40 applicants as manager. Mr. Duffield was deputed to select the most suitable site for a removal of the works to the north-west coast, and the position of the heematite iron and coal mines determined him to choose Workington as the new scene of Messrs. Cammell’s activities. Immingham Coal Exports.—Returns for the week ending March 5 show that the coal exported from Immingham was as follows :—Foreign : To Dieppe, 1,268 tons ; Havre, 947; La Rochelle, 1,552; Panders, 1,499; Rotterdam, 530 tons. Coastwise.: To London, 1,380 tons—total, 5,796 tons foreign, and 1,380 tons coastwise;, against 24,522 tons foreign during the corresponding week of last year. THE COAL AMD IRON TRADES. Thursday, March 11. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There is no new feature in the West of Scotland coal trade. The abnormal demand continues despite the high level of prices. Premium prices are being paid for prompt despatch and it is stated that 30s. per ton has been paid for splint coal. The demand is still considerably in excess of the supply, and although exports have eased off to some extent, large orders are being being booked from day to day. It is thought that for some qualities the top prices have been reached, but in the case of washed produce the reverse is apparently the position. Shipments from the district during the past week reached the total of 132,111 tons compared with 133,596 in the preceding week and 110,636 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 18/6-20/ 16/9-18/ 12/6-13/9 Ell 21/ -21/6 ' 20/ -21/ 12/9 Splint 22/ -30/ 20/ -30/ 12/6-14/9 Treble nuts 21/ -22/ 20/ 11/9-12/ Double do. 19/ -20/6 18/ -19/ 11/ -11/3 Single do 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 11/ -11/3 IRON. Makers of Scotch pig iron continue to make large deliveries of ordinary qualities and haematite to consumers’ works. The amount of fresh business passing is light, but probably sales are as heavy as producers desire, in view of the increased costs of production, which they hold can only be recovered by a bigger advance in prices than buyers are inclined to concede, except in the case of their most urgent requirements. It has been stated that in the event of the costs of production rising much further, the question of the blowing out of furnaces will have to be considered. There are 73 furnaces in blast in Scotland at present, the same number as in the preceding week and at the corresponding period of 1914. The prices of Scotch makers’ iron are as followMonkland, f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 71s. 6d., No. 3, 70s.; Govan, No. 1, 70s.,No. 3, 68s. 6d.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 76s. 6d., No. 3, 72s. 6d.; Clyde, No. 1, 78s., No. 3, 73s.; Gartsherrie, Summerlee and Calder, Nos. 1, 78s. 6d., Nos. 3, 73s. 6d.; Langloan, No. 1, 80s., No. 3, 75s. ; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 79s. 6d., No. 3, 74s. 6d.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1,72s. 6d., No. 3,71s. 6d.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1,73s. 6d., No. 3, 71s. 6d.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 78s. 6d., No. 3, 73s. 6d.; Carron, at Leith, No. 1, 80s., No. 3, 75s. per ton. Scotch haematite is now quoted 97s. 6d. per ton. A quiet business was done in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market during the past week, in the course of which the turnover amounted to 13,000 tons. After a decline to 56s. 6d. per ton, cash prices recovered somewhat, and the closing price of Cleveland at 57s. 2d. per ton cash buyers was Id. in advance of the preceding week. The manufacturing branches of the trade are very active, and outputs are only restricted by the shortage of labour and inadequate supplies of raw material. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Collieries in the Lothians district have very little free coal, the bulk of the outputs being held under old contracts. Quotations are very firm, but holders have no difficulty in disposing of their quantities. The clearances from the ports during the past week amounted to 22,756 tons> compared with 27,091 tons in the preceding week, and 77,976 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Ship- ments are apparently very light, but considerable quantities are being despatched by rail to the west coast for shipment. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L'st week's Last year's prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 15/6-16/6 14/6-16/ 11/3 Secondary qualities 14/6-15/6 13/ -14/ 10/6 Treble nuts 17/6-18/6 16/ -17/ 11/9 Double do 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ 10/9 Single do 15/ -16/ 15/ 10/3 The position in Fifeshire is very similar to that in the Lothians. Tonnage is fairly plentiful, but there is still considerable delay at the loading ports. All classes of coal are firmly held. Shipments amounted to* 56,548 tons^ against 57,787 in the preceding week and 91,576 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current L’st week's Last year's Best screened navigation prices. prices. prices. coal 19/ -20/ 19/ ' 16/6-16/9 Unscreened do 17/ -18/ 17/ 14/9 12/6 10/6 First-class steam coal 15/ -16/ 13/ -14/6 Third-class do 11/9-12/9 11/ -12/ Treble nuts 17/ -18/ 16/6-17/6 11/9-12/ Double do 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 10/6-10/9 Single do. 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ 10/ -10/3 The aggregate clearances from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 211,415 tons, compared with 218,474 in the preceding week and 280,188 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. N e wcastle-upon-Tyne. GOAL. During last week 101,404 tons of coal and 774 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 65,143 tons of coal and 286 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 52,101 tons of coaland 1,221 tons of coke, a decrease of 7,129 tons of coal and an increase of 333 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 66,027 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 16,917 tons. The total shipments, therefore, amounted to 221,527 tons, setting up a new record of shipments since the outbreak of war and beating the previous record, established a week before, by 5,234 tons. Further purchases are stated to have been made by the London gas companies in respect of their annual requirements, and from 14s. to 15s. per ton, f.o.b., is stated to have been paid. It is reported, at the time of writing, that these companies have ceased buying for a while, owing to the inadequate quantities of coals offered. Several home and foreign gas companies are stated to have followed the metropolitan gas concerns into the market for their annual supplies of fuel, and tenders are now being prepared. The Admiralty is stated to have purchased considerable quantities of steam smalls on behalf of the French State Railways at prices ranging up to 20s. per ton, from March to July, and to have bought some large coals and patent fuel at very high figures. Durham unscreened coking coals have been sold at 16s. for June and for June-December delivery. Best Blyth steam smalls have realised 12s. 6d. for April and 13s. for May. It is stated as probable that the Egyptian Government will presently be enquiring for considerable supplies of steams for railway use. It is reported from Italy that German coke is going into that country in very considerable quantities at about 55 fr. per ton delivered by rail for foundry coke, as against from 100 to 110 francs for English foundry coke delivered by sea. There is an exceeding pressure for supplies in the prompt market, and, for the first time since war commenced, the quantity of available tonnage is adequate to requirements, a circumstance due, it is said, to the Government having released some 40 requisitioned British steamers for coal-carrying work. As a result of the excess of demand over supply, prices have advanced very considerably, especially in the steam coal section. Durham coal, however, is also benefiting from the improved enquiry. F.o.b. quotations for prompt ship- ment are now as follow, by comparison with those of a week ago::—Best Blyth steams, 5s. advanced on the week ; Tynes, 2s. 6d. dearer; seconds, Blyths, 3s. up; Tynes, 2s. 6d. to 3s. up; unscreened, Is. more; smalls, Blyths, Is. 6d. higher; Tynes, Is. to Is. 6d. increased; specials, Is. to Is. 6d. dearer; smithies, similarly increased ; gas bests, Is. 6d. to Is. 9d. higher ; seconds, Is. 3d. improved ; specials, Is. to Is. 6d. advanced; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, Is. 6d. to Is. 9d. increased; Northumbrians, Is. dearer; coking coal, 2s. to 2s. 6d. up ; smalls, 2s. 6d. to 3s. higher; households, 3s. to 4s. up; coke, foundry, Is. to 2s. more; blastfurnace, Is. higher; and gas coke, 6d. to Is. 3d. increased. It will be noted that every description of fuel is dearer, and that some have attained record levels. 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.) ... 25/ 21/ 13/6-13/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 22/6 21/ 13/ -13/6 Secondary, Blyths 21/ 18/6-20/ 11/3-11/6 Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 21/ 18/6-20/ 11/ -11/3 Unscreened 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 10/ -10/6 Small, Blyths 13/ —13/6 12/ -12/6 7/3- 7/6 Do. Tynes 12/ 11/ -12/ 6/3 Do. specials 13/ -13/6 12/ 7/6 Other sorts:— Smithies 13/6-14/6 13/ -13/6 12/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 14/6 13/ -13/6 13/6 Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 13/ -13/6 12 /-12/6 11/9-12/3 Special gas coals 14/6 13/ -14/ 13/6 Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 14/6-16/6 12/3-13/6 12/ -12/9 Do. do. N orthumbrians 15/ -16/ 14/3-15/9 10/ -10/6 Coking coals 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 11/9-12/3 Do. smalls 14/ 11/6-12/6 11/6-11/9 House coals 18/ -20/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ Coke, foundry ..... 20/ -22/ 19/6-20/ 19/ -21/ Do. blast-furnace 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/6 18/ Do. gas 12/ -13/ ‘ 11/6-12/9 13/ -13/6 Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 80,875 tons of coal and 275 tons of coke, as compared with 99,445 tons of coal and 645 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1914, being a decrease of 18,570 tons of coal and 370 tons of coke. The coal market continues firm. Owing to the rapid filling up of turns, business is difficult to conclude, for coal of all qualities is getting very scarce for this month’s shipment. Prices all round are firmly held, and there is a general disposition to hold for still higher prices. Bunker coals have advanced appreciably, and both gas and steam kinds are stronger. Blastfurnace coke is slightly firmer, but foundry coke is quiet and unchanged. Gas coke is steady. There is a fuller supply of tonnage; for the first time since the war boats offering for charter are equal are equal to, if not in excess of the orders. This, no doubt, is due to the longer loading turns, which make it difficult to take up all the boats offering, and there is no doubt that the recent rise in coal is largely due to this fuller supply of shipping. The forward market shows considerable activity, there being many enquiries, but sales are few owing to the hesitation on the part of producers to sell. Sales of special bunkers are reported from now to the end of June at 15s. per ton; this price could not now be repeated.