764 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. April 9, 1915. quotably unchanged, have a steadier tone. Recent fixtures include:—London 7s., Havre 13s., Rouen 12s. 9d., Boulogne 16s., Bordeaux 15s., Rochefort 16s., Oporto 21s., Genoa 24s., Cette 23s., Porto Ferrajo 25s., and Las Palmas 20s. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The Easter holidays have interfered with business, but stoppages have been shorter than on ordinary occasions. Fuel supplies, however, have been short owing to suspension of operations. Quotations are high but very largely nominal. Best Durham gas coal ranges from 23s. to 24s., and there is none available until after next week. Second qualities run from 21s. to 23s., special Wear gas is in the neighbourhood of 24s., bunkers are in good request, and ordinary Durhams are 24s. to 25s. f.o.b., whilst bests are 25s. to 26s., and specials up to 27s. Coking coal is very strong, unscreened kinds are round about 23s., and smalls are 21s. to 22s. 6d. Coke is scarce, and is realising all kinds of prices. Manufacturers are making less, finding it more profitable to sell their coal than to convert it into coke. Local demand is heavy, and is met with difficulty. Con- tracts could be made at rather less than 30s. for Durham beehive blastfurnace coke of average quality, delivered over a period at Teesside works, but consumers necessitated to buy for prompt delivery are asked up to 33s. Best foundry coke for shipment is put at 40s. f.o.b., and gashouse coke is round about 17s. IRON. Iron and steel shipments from the Tees during the month of March were on only a very small scale. Those of pig iron amounted to but 12,486 tons, as compared with 16,888 tons in the previous month and 115,557 tons in March a year ago. There were no shipments from Skinningrove during March. Of the pig iron loaded at Middlesbrough 8,946 tons went abroad, and 3,540 tons coastwise. Norway, with an import of 3,520 tons, was the largest customer, whilst Sweden took 2,825 tons, Tyne 1,330 tons, and Japan 1,000 tons. The loading of manufactured iron on the Tees during the third month of the year amounted to 9,896 tons, of which 6,217 tons went abroad and 3,679 tons to home customers, and those of steel were given at 25,701 tons, 21,992 tons of which went foreign and 3,709 tons coastwise. The Argentine received 4,147 tons of manufactured iron, and India was the largest buyer of steel with an import of 8,036 tons. The market reopened on Wednesday after the holidays, but very few traders attended, and business was on a very limited scale. In the early part of the day No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig was sold at 68s. 6d., but by the close of the market second hands were quite prepared to accept 68s. for the ruling quality. No. 1 was 70s. 3d., No. 4 foundry 67s. 6d., No. 4 forge 67s., and mottled and white iron each 66s. 6d. East Tcoast haematite was very firm. Nothing below 105s. was named for Nos. 1, 2 and 3, and, in fact, that was rather a buyer’s than a seller’s price. Haematite is thus very dear as com- pared with Cleveland pig. The difference between mixed numbers of haematite and No. 3 Cleveland used to be 8s. to 10s., whereas at present it is no less than 37s. Foreign ore quotations remained on the basis of 30s. ex ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. Manufactured iron and steel producers reported that they were full of work, and values of all descriptions were very firm. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The coal trade is still in a most satisfactory condition, business in all departments being well maintained. Manu- facturing fuel is in strong request, and while the present number of furnaces remain in blast the demand is likely to grow, but, as things are, the greatest difficulty is still being experienced in meeting requirements. House coal is slightly easier than it was a week ago, due mainly to the milder weather conditions, but agents are well supplied with orders, and it is not expected there will be any falling-off in this branch before the beginning of next month. The export trade is very brisk, there is a firm demand for all sorts for the Irish market, and requirements are still much in excess of the supply. The shipments at Maryport are much lower than they were a week ago, but owing to the holidays very little coal was available, and two of the collieries were unable to supply any coal for shipping purposes. Export coal is still quoted at the advanced price of from 17s. to 18s. per ton free on board at Maryport, but so far no change has yet taken place in home prices. What may occur when the cost of production increases, it would be difficult to say, but at any rate no increase in quotations for the home market are at present anticipated. The collieries are all working regularly, but outputs are still much below normal, and most of the pits in the county were only idle one day during the Easter holidays. Last week 12 steamers sailed from Maryport for Ireland, and the shipments amounted to 2,880 tons, a decrease of 2,230 tons compared with last week. With the excep- tion of 600 tons from Flimby, the whole of the coal was shipped from the Brayton Domain Colliery. The imports at Maryport last week included a large cargo of pitwood from Cork for the collieries on the east coast. During the first three months of the year 193 steamers have left the Elizabeth Dock, Maryport, for Irish ports, and the total shipments (not including bunkers) have amounted to 56,955 tons. The tonnage from the various collieries is as follows:—Brayton Domain, 31,085 tons; St. Helens, 16,345 tons ; Allerdale, 5,845 tons ; Flimby 3,390 tons; while 300 tons were shipped at Maryport from the east coast. Coke makers are very busy, and the whole of the supply from the Cumberland ovens is being absorbed by the local smelters. Best Cumberland coals are quoted at from 19s. 2d. to 20s. per ton at the pit, with washed nuts from 17s. Id. to 18s. per ton. At Workington, Allerdale, best coals are quoted at Is. l^d. per cwt. delivered, or 21s. Old St. Helens best coal at pit ’.. Do. best house nuts ,, ....... St. Helens (Siddick) best coal at pit Do. washed nuts ... Best Cumberland coal, f.o.b....:..... B ankers „ ........ Coal for gasworks.................. Current prices. 19/2 17/1 19/2 17/1 17/ —18/ 15/6-16/ 14/6-15/ L’st week’s prices. u 19/2 17/1 19/2 17/1 17/ -18/ 15/6-16/ 14/6-15/ per ton, with washed nuts at 20s. per ton. At Maryport, Oughterside, Flimby and St. Helens, best coals are quoted at Is. 2^d. per cwt. delivered, or 23s. 4d. per ton, with washed nuts at 21s. 8d. per ton, and seconds at 20s. per ton. IRON. More than ordinary conditions now prevail in the Cumberland haematite iron trade, and the extraordinary appreciation of values which has taken place within the last three weeks is almost unprecedented in recent years. Requirements of both special and ordinary haematites have increased to such an extent that Bessemer mixed numbers have advanced to 109s. per ton f.o.b. at the usual ports, while special iron, which is in firm demand, is quoted as high as from 115s. to 118s. per ton. These are remarkable prices, and certainly constitute a record, but whether they will remain at that figure is somewhat doubtful. In fact, in view of the enormous amount of business that is passing it would not be at all surprising if values touched a much higher figure before many weeks are over. The present demand for both special and ordinary haematite iron is probably stronger than it has been for some years. Users are buying freely, and a great amount of forward business is being done, and makers have now sufficient orders in hand to keep the whole of the furnaces in full operation for some months to come. The reason of the extraordinary rise in values is due, of course, to the increased demand for metal, but while prices of iron are soaring, the cost of production is rising just as quickly. The wages of both iron ore miners and blastfurnacemen have been advanced, iron ore is dearer, and east coast coke, which a few weeks ago was quoted at 24s. per ton, is now as high as 35s. per ton. The prospects for both the iron and steel trades are very bright, and in the absence of any unforeseen happening, the present production can be fully maintained till well on in the summer. There are 22 furnaces in blast—14 in Cumberland and eight in the Furness district. Both Workington and Barrow are making for home consumption and the market, but fully nine of the furnaces are on special brands of iron, the bulk of which is being consigned to the high-class steel makers in the Midlands. The steel trade at Workington and Barrow is very brisk. At Workington, full time is being worked, and this year there was no stoppage for the Easter holidays. The iron ore industry in the Cleator Moor and Egremont district is enjoying a period of phenomenal prosperity. All the mines are regularly employed, but the amount raised is still far from being sufficient to meet requirements of home and east coast and Scotch smelters. Ore at the Cumberland mines is now quoted at from 23s. to 35s. per ton, according to quality. The exports from Workington last week consisted of 220 tons of ferro- manganese for Liverpool; 710 tons of pig iron for Llanelly ; 870 tons of pig iron for Port Talbot; 230 tons of spiegel for Heysham; and 661 tons of rails for the Continent. The imports at Maryport last week consisted of 2,500 tons of ore from Bilbao for the Workington Iron and Steel Company. South-West Lancashire. COAL. Work was resumed in this district in some cases on Monday, in others on Tuesday, but a large absentee list was registered. Although the household demand is naturally quietening, the production is still in arrear. With regard to bunkering, steam coal on contract account continues fairly brisk, with shortage for requirements. The working of collieries during portion of usual holidays, and the restricted sailings of excursion steamers, has in some degree tended to relieve pressure, and eased off demand somewhat. There is only a limited enquiry for outside orders, and prices of screened Lancashire steam coal are about as before reported—viz., 19s. 6d. for lower grades to 20s. 6d. f.o.b. for the best descriptions for what little business is being done. In fuel of small grades for manufacturing purposes, a pro- portion is still being lifted out of stock in order to bring up the output jrom the pits equal to immediate requirements. For forward contracts prices are very firm. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coal:— prices. prices. prices. Best 17/9 17/9 17/ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 17/6 Medium ■. 16/ 16/ 15/3 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 16/ Kitchen 13/9 13/9 13/ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) About 18/ About 18/ 15/ Screened forge coal 14/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 12/3-12/6 Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. 19/6-20/6 19/6-20/6 16/ -17/ Best slack 12/ -13/ 12/ 10/ Secondary slack 10/9-11/6 10/9 9/3 Common do 9/9-10/ 9/9 8/9 South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was moderately attended on Tuesday. The collieries have, as a rule, only played one day during the usual holiday period. The demand for house coal of all grades is good, and this applies also to furnace and shipping coal. The prices generally are very firm, and in many cases higher than the list rates, which are as follow :— Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coal:— prices. prices. prices. Best 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 17/3-18/ Medium 16/9-17/3 16/9-17/3 16/ -16/9 Common 14/ -14/3 14/ -14/3 13/3-14/ Furnace coal 14/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6 Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) 19/ -21/ 18 6-19/6 14/ Best slack 11/6-13/ 11/ . 10/ -10/6 Common slack 9/9-11/ 9/6-10/ 9/ - 9/6 IRON. In view of the Easter holidays there was only a moderate attendance in Manchester on Tuesday, and with the Birmingham quarterly meeting being held this week there was little business doing. The forges and steel works are extremely busy, and deliveries are very hard to get hold of. Crown iron bars remain at <£9 5s., with second quality =£9, and hoops <£10 12s. 6d. Steel bars are quoted at <£9 10s. to <£9 15s., less 2| per cent., and billets about <£7 15s. net. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. Tuesday being observed as a holiday, there was no formal market at the Hotel Metropole. The miners have responded satisfactorily to the request of the authorities for curtailed holidays, and on the average not more than two days have been taken in this district. A number of the pits stopped work last Thursday night and resumed on Monday morning, while others .observed. Monday and Tuesday as holidays. The demand for coal generally con- tinues very brisk, and the limited output of the collieries is quickly absorbed. The supply of empty trucks still causes considerable uneasiness, but loaded traffic is reported as being dealt with more expeditiously. Business with London in house coal shows very little change on the week. The best qualities are in comparatively the strongest demand, and are very firm in price. Some ease is reported with regard to secondary sorts. In the coastwise trade there is rather more business passing, but mainly with merchants who have their own craft. For decent quality Silkstone house coal up to 23s. f.o.b. Hull has been paid for prompt shipments, with lower grades at about 19s. In the local markets merchants report a fairly steady demand from the public, but supplies at the depots are meagre, and buyers are having to depend more and more on supplies in their own .districts. Pit prices are firm at about the following figures :—Haigh Moor selected, 19s. to 20s.; Silkstone best, 18s. to 19s.; Silkstone house, 17s. to 18s.; other qualities, 16s. to 17s. There is no weakness in the gas coal market. It is reported that a fairly large number of additional contracts have been booked during the week at prices which show a minimum advance of 6s. per ton on the figures quoted a year ago. In special cases this advance has been considerably exceeded. The principal demand seems to run on gas nuts, and so strong is the demand for coking smalls that very little unscreened gas coal is being offered this year. Manu- facturing fuel continues scarce, and this applies particu- larly to the best quality slacks, washed nuts and coking smalls. All pit prices have been withdrawn, and open market sales vary a good deal. The demand from the north noted last week is still a feature of the market, and a fair quantity of nuts is being sent to the Middlesbrough district for works engaged on Government contracts. Washed furnace coke is as scarce as ever, and for spot parcels fancy prices are being obtained. Up to 24s. per ton at the ovens is reported to have, been paid in several cases, while forward business to the end of June is quoted for on the basis of about <£1 per ton at the ovens. There is a particularly strong enquiry from works in the Midlands and the Frodingham district. Current pit prices may be roughly summarised as under: — House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ — Wallsend & London best 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ —- Silkstone best 19/ —20/ 19/ -20/ Do. house 17/ —18/ 17/6-18/6 — House nuts 16/ -17/ 16/6-17/6 — Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 22/ -24/ 22/ -24/ — Silkstone best 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ — Do. house 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ — Other qualities 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ — Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ — Gas nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ — Unscreened gas coal ... 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ ■ — Other sorts:— Prices at pit : Washed nuts 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ — Large double-screened engine nuts 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ — Small nuts 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ — Rough unscreened engine coal 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 Best rough slacks 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ — Small do. 9/6-10/6 9/6-10/6 Coking smalls 10/ -10/6 9/6-10/6 — Coke:— Price at ovens : Furnace coke 20/ -24/ 20/ -24/ — Barnsley. COAL. s Although the attendance at the local market on Wednes- day suggested that the holiday spirit still continued, there was a very keen enquiry for practically all classes of fuel. The colliery representatives reported that on the whole the arrangement restricting .the holiday to two days had been fairly well adhered to by the men, some pits working Good Friday and Saturday, others Saturday and Tuesday. Although in several cases the number of absentees was somewhat considerable, it was admitted that compared with other years the experience was more favourable, but operations were by no means in full swing on Wednesday. However, generally speaking, the need for strict attention to work had been fairly well recognised by the miners, having regard to all the circumstances. The stoppage has had the effect of enabling the railway companies to do a great deal towards the thorough clearance of the con- gestion which had prevailed in various parts, and the benefit of this should prove to be of a tangible character for some little time ahead. The stoppage, of course, has caused an even greater scarcity of coal, particularly the quality required for steam purposes, so that buyers were enquiring in a market which had very little of free coal to offer. In regard to export, there was a stronger attempt to secure tonnage to cover the month, but except at very substantial prices, colliery representatives were not inclined to commit themselves even for so short a period. There is a firm belief that, so far as the price of hards is concerned, there will be a decided jump, and of course, buyers prefer to wait developments. What little business was done for prompt delivery was on the basis of last week’s operations, up to 24s. per ton being paid. The great difficulty in