658 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 26, 1915. The second conclusion—namely, that the state of the walls of a gallery, as regards surface, has an influence upon the rapidity of an explosion—is of far greater importance. M. Taffanel’s experiments have already pointed to a similar and even more definite conclusion, for when the French tests were transferred to the disused mine at Commentry, results were obtained entirely contrary to the theoretical results already obtained in the surface gallery at Lievin, and M. Taffanel imputed these variations directly to the “ constrictions ” and irregularities of surface and alignment encountered under working conditions. Whatever the exigencies of the present situation may be, we hope that no one will assume that we yet know everything that is to be known about colliery, explosions ; otherwise, they will most certainly and cruelly be punished for their temerity. Therefore, the Eskmeals investigation must not be allowed to be regarded as un fait accompli; and, in addition to the ' pursuit of this elusive problem, there are plenty of other questions of national interest to occupy the minds of Dr. Wheeler and his collaborators, whenever an impasse is reached on the main question. THE COAL AMD IRON TRADES. Thursday, March 25. Scotland.—Western District. GOAL. Quieter conditions now rule in the coal trade in the West of Scotland district. Owing to the recent mild weather there was an appreciable drop in values of ell and household coals and unless there is a return to wintry conditions prices for these sorts are not likely to regain their former level. Splints, which have been in heavy demand all along, continue strong, and are practically unobtainable under two weeks. Navigations are also busily engaged while steams are booking a fair amount of business. Washed produce is now more plentiful, but so far prices have not been affected. Shipments from the district during the past week amounted to 97,702 tons compared with 113,157 in the preceding week and 99,845 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. 17/ -19/ ! 18/ -20/ 20/6-21/ 21/ 21/ -28/ . 22/ -30/ 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/6-20/ 17/ -18/ 18/ -19/ Last year’s prices. 12/ -13/6 12/ 12/3-14/ 11/9—12/ 11/ -11/3 11/ -11/3 IRON. There has been no change of note in the Scotch pig iron trade since last week, makers continue to make large deliveries, particularly of haematite, but the current high prices are restricting the flow of fresh business, which is somewhat slow at present, both for home delivery and export. The difficulties by which the Scottish pig iron makers find themselves confronted with regard to the profitable conduct of business have produced a serious state of affairs in the Coatbridge district where the following notice has been placed at some of the large works:—“We hereby intimate that all contracts with our workmen will terminate on Wednesday, March 31.” At the Summerlee Works short time was resorted to some weeks ago. Of their seven furnaces only four are in blast, and one is off every 24 hours. The number of furnaces in blast in Scotland at present is 72, the same as in the preceding week and one less than in the same week last year. Prices of Scotch makers’ iron have again been increased, and quotations are as follow:—Monkland, f.a.s. at Glasgow No. 1,74s., No. 3, 72s. 6d.; Govan, No. 1, 72s. 6d., No. 3, 71s.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 77s. 6d., No. 3, 73s. 6d.; Clyde, No. 1, 79s. 6d., No. 3, 74s. 6d.; Gartsherrie, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 80s., Nos. 3, 75s.; Summerlee, No. 1, 82s. 6d., No. 3, 77s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 80s., No. 3,75s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1 74s., No. 3, 73s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 75s., No. 3, 73s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 80s., No. 3, 75s.; Carron, at .Leith, No. 1, 82s., No. 3, 77s. per ton. Considerable activity was shown in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market during the past week, when 40,000 tons of Cleveland iron changed hands. Owing, doubtless, to better advices from America as well as from other centres, a stronger feeling has been created in connection with speculative markets. The stronger position of makers’ iron is also reflected in the firmer tone of the warrant market. The closing quotation of Cleveland iron at 61s. 9d. per ton cash buyers represents a gain of 2s. 6d. per ton on the week. The finished iron trade continues active, and the various branches are as fully employed as the supply of labour and raw materials will permit. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. A firm tone exists in the coal trade of the Lothians. Collieries, however, are unable to take full advantage of the high prices ruling, owing to the bulk of their outputs having been contracted for some time ago. Clearances from the ports amounted to 22,309 tons, compared with 22,765 in the preceding week and 82,883 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities..... Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 16/ -17/6 15/ -15/6 16/6-18/6 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/6 L’st week’s prices. 16/ -17/ 15/ -15/6 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ Last year’s prices. 11/3 10/6 11/9 10/9 10/3-10/6 An active business is being done in the Fifeshire district, and there is a large supply of tonnage available. First and third-class steamers are particularly busy, the former being only obtainable through middle hands. Other sorts and classes are in good demand, but collieries have not much in the way of available coal. Shipments for the week amounted to 53,939 tons, against 58,902 in the preceding week and 84,442 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 20/ -21/ 18/ -19/ 15/9-16/6. 19/ -20/ 16/6-16/9 Unscreened do 18/ -19/ 14/9 First-class steam coal 15/6-15/9 12/6 Third-class do 13/6-14/ 12/ -12/6 10/6 Treble nuts 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 11/9-12/ Double do 16/ -17/ 16/6-17/ . 10/6-10/9 Single do 14/ -15/6 15/6-16/6 10/ -10/3 The aggregate shipments from ScDttish ports during the past week amounted to 173,950 tons, compared with 194,824 in the preceding week and 267,170 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. GOAL. During last week 116,372 tons of coal and 563 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 39,077 tons of coal and 70 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 48,939 tons of coal and 2,210 tons of coke, a decrease of 11,179 tons of coal and an increase of 2,110 tons of coke. The Bly th clearances totalled 54,292 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 39,994 tons. Altogether, these shipments aggregated 222,376 tons, a decrease, when compared with those of the previous week, of 14,506 tons, but, still, indicating a degree of activity in the coal trade which, a few weeks ago, would have been regarded as very unlikely indeed. It is understood that the London Gas Light and Coke Company and the South Metropolitan Gas Company have now practically completed contracting for their annual supplies—amounting to between 3,000,000 and 4,000,000 tons—at from 14s. to 15s. 6d. per ton, according to brand. Italian newspapers to hand state that, after this week, no more German coal, coke or briquettes are to be sent from Germany into Italy. If this be true, it should mean a considerable improvement in the demand from Italy for such coal as is produced in this district, for there can be no doubt that German competition since the outbreak of war has somewhat minimised our shipments Mediterranean-wise. The British Admiralty is stated to have made arrangements for the regular supply of a large quantity of Durham bunker specials, which Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Steam coals :— prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 30/ 27/6-30/ 13/74-13/9 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 30/ 25/ -27/6 13/6-13/9 Secondary, Blyths 25/ 25/ n/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 25/ -27/6 25/ 11/3-11/6 Unscreened 20/ -21/ 16/ -18/ 10/6-11/ Small, Blyths 15/ 15/ 7/9- 8/ Do. Tynes 14/ 13/6-14/ 6/6- 7/ Do. specials 16/ 15/ -16/ 8/ - 8/6 Other sorts:— Smithies... 20/ 20/ 12/9-13/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 18/ -20/ 15/ -16/ 13/3-13/6 Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 17/ -18/ 14 /-15/ 12/ -12/6 Special gas cz>als 20/ 17/ -18/ 13/6-14/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 22/6-24/ 20/ -22/6 12/3-13/3 Do. do. N orthumbrians 20/ -21/ 16/ -18/ 10/6-11/ Coking coals 18/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 12/6-13/ Do. smalls 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 12/ -12/6 House coals 25/ 20/ ■ 15/ -16/ Coke, foundry 25/ -30/ 22/6-25/ 19/ -20/6 Do. blast-furnace 20/ -25/ 20/ 18/ ' Do. gas 14/ -15/ 12/ -13/ 12/6-13/ means that very little of that class of coal will be offering for sale on the local market for some time to come. There is a heavy pressure for fuel supplies—especially steam coals, and. gas sorts—from Scandinavia, Denmark, France, Spain, Portugal, and the coaling stations, but collieries are so much engrossed in fulfilling contract obligations that there is little coal available for fresh customers. The severe snowstorm of Thursday last greatly disorganised transit arangements between the collieries and the shipping places, but subsequent bright weather and warm winds minimised the duration of that impediment to business. The prompt market continues to be exceedingly firm. There is no sign of weakness anywhere, and only small chance lots of fuel are obtainable for loading until after Easter. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment show the following advances on the week :—Best Blyth steams, stronger ; Tynes, 2s. 6d. to 5s. dearer ; Tyne seconds, 2s. 6d. more; unscreened, 3s. to 4s.; Tyne smalls, firmer; specials, in seller’s favour ; gas bests, 3s. to 4s. ; seconds, 3s.; specials, 2s. to 3s.; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. ; Northumbrians, 3s. to 4s. ; coking coal, Is. to 2s.; smalls, Is.; households, 5s.; foundry coke, 2s. 6d. to 5s.; blast- furnace, 5s.; and gas coke, 2s. Sunderland. GOAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 65,880 tons of coal and 665 tons of coke, as compared with 91,015 tons of coal and 200 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1914, being a decrease of 25,135 tons of coal and an increase of 465 tons of coke. Without showing much change the coal market remains exceptionally strong, with all classes of coal Scarce for early loading. Indeed, turns are so full and so much tonnage is waiting to load, that few of the collieries are now in the position to sell for shipment before the middle of next month, and there is every prospect that business will be quiet u^til the Easter holidays are over. Special Wear gas is purely nominal in the absence of supplies at 20s. to 21s., while seconds are reported as being sold at 20s. for April. Unscreened are a special feature of the market, ordinary bunkers have been sold up to 24s. per ton f.o.b., and coking coals at anywhere from 20s. to 22s., according’ to quality. Coke is advancing steadily in view of the high prices of coking fuel, and blast- furnace kinds are reported to be up to 25s. delivered at Middlesbrough, and best foundry qualities 30s. There is nothing doing in the forward market, the collieries being apparently so much oversold that they are declining to entertain more business at present. Current quotations are approximately 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 Lambton 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. 20/ 16/6-17/ 30/ 25/ 27/6 26/6 20/ 20/ 20/ 22/ . 19/ 20/ • 19/ 25/ 22/6 30/ ’26/ 15/6 L’st week’s prices. 16/ 14/6 25/ 20/ 25/ 22/6 18/ -18/6 18/ -18/6 19/ 17/6 17/ 17/6-18/ 20/ 18/6 25/6 24/ 15/6 'Last year’s prices. 13/9 12/ 15/6 14/6 14/3 14/ 13/ 13/ 15/ 12/6-12/9 12/6 . 15/ 15/6 14/ 13/ 19/6 19/ 13/6 s Outward chartering continues weak for all destinations, owing to the dearth of loading turns. Recent fixtures includeLondon 8s., Dartmouth 14s. 3d., Calais 22s., Havre 16s., Rouen 14s. 6d., Bordeaux 22s. 6d., Rochefort 20s., Bayonne 20s., Gibraltar 24s. 6d., Algiers 21s. 6d., Oran 24s., Marseilles 32s., Leghorn 27s. 6d., Las Palmas 23s., and St. Vincent 26s. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel market is very .strong. Any spare coal or coke available is at once snapped up. Buyers do not hesitate to pay the high rates asked, and this is by no means surprising seeing that the prevailing opinion is that top prices have not yet been touched. Quotations are difficult to fix. Up to 20s. has been realised for best gas coal, and that may now be given as round about the general market quotation, whilst second kinds range from 18s. to 19s. Up to 21s. is named for best Wear gas coal. Bunker coal is in very good request. Ordinary Durhams have readily realised 22s. 6d f.o.b., and there are buyers at over that figure. Best bunkers are 23s. to 24s., specials 25s. to 26s., and unscreened kinds 18s. to 20s. Notwithstanding the arrival of the time of the year when household coal usually shows a falling off in demand, very high prices rule. Coking coal is very stiff, up to 22s. 6d. being quoted. Coke is somewhat scarce and threatens to become more so as production is likely to be further curtailed by putting out more ovens, manufacturers finding it much more profitable to sell their coal than to