970 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 7, 1915. ' THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, May 6. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The coal market in the west of Scotland has been quieter during the past week, and although there has been little or no change in values the general conditions appear to be somewhat easier, and the tendency is towards easier quotations. It remains to be seen whether or not this is only a momentary change of position, but there is undoubtedly more coal being put. on the market than was the case four weeks ago. The household demand has fallen off tc a considerable extent owing to the milder weather, while the gasworks requirements are also diminishing, and it is not at all certain that the export demand, improving as it is, will account for the extra supply of coal. The better qualities of round coal continue to hold their own, but secondary sorts are somewhat easier. Washed nuts are more plentiful, and quotations are down in comparison with the preceding week. Shipments from the district amounted to 143,397 tons, compared with 140,643 in the preceding week and 121,859 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’stweek’s Last year's Steam coal prices. 17/6-19/ prices. 17/6-19/6 prices. 11/9-13/6 Ell 20/ -20/6 20/6-21/ 12/ Splint 19/ -26/6 18/9-19/6 20/ -27/6 12/ -14/ Treble nuts 19/6-20/ 11/9-12/ Double do 18/6-19/ 18/9-19/6 11/ -11/3 Single do 18/ -18/6 18/6-19/ 10/9-11/ IRON. There are 72 furnaces in blast in Scotland, compared with 71 in the preceding week and 72 in the corresponding period of 1914. The continued high prices of Scotch pig iron are still restricting sales, as makers are not inclined to sell under current quotations, and consumers are only purchasing against their immediate requirements. Haema- tite, however, is particularly strong, and large quantities are being consumed. The prices of Scotch makers’ iron are as follow :—Monkland is quoted f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 80s. 6d., No. 3, 79s.; Govan, No. 1, 79s., No. 3, 77s. 6d.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 83s., No. 3, 79s.; Clyde, No. 1, 85s. 6d., No. 3, 80s. 6d.; Gartsherrie, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 85s., Nos. 3, 80s.; Glengarnock, . at Ardrossan, No. 1, 86s., No. 3, 81s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 80s., No. 3, 79s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 81s., No. 3, 79s. ; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 85s., No. 3, 80s.; Carron, at Leith, No. 1, 86s., No. 3, 81s. per ton. Business in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market has again been irregular, but values have not fluctuated to the same extent as in the preceding week. Cleveland iron closed at 65s. 5^d. per ton cash buyers, compared with 65s. 8^d. in the preceding week. The total turnover amounted to 21,500 tons, The manufacturing branches of the trade continue as active . as the supply of labour and raw materials will permit, and large quantities of black sheet of the heavy gauges and iron and mild steel bars are being produced. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Collieries in the Lothians district, whi’e not so active as ' recently, have still a considerable amount of business on hand. Contracts are being gradually wiped off, and there is now more coal available. Prices all round are very firm. Shipments amounted to 34,919 tons, against 35,581 in the preceding week and 84,306 tons in the same week last year Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L'st weeks Last year's prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 18/6-19/ 18/ —19/ 11/6-11/9 Secondary qualities 17/6-18/ ■ 17/6-18/6 10/6 Treble nuts .. 17/6-18/. . 18/ -19/ 11/6 Double do. 17/ -17/6 17/6-18/6 10/9-11/ Single do. 16/9-17/ 16/ -17/ 10/6—10/9 A brisk business is being done in the Lothians in all qualities. A large number of steamers are bn the turn at the ports, and all available supplies of coal are quickly taken up. Steams are exceedingly busy, and navigations are fully sold for a considerable time ahead, while washed produce is also in active demand. The clearances from the ports reached the total of 66,325 tons during the past week, compared with 66,145 tons in the preceding week and 132,823 tons in the same period of 1914. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current L'st week's Last year's prices. prices. prices. Best screened navigation coal ....'. 25/ -26/ 24/ -26/ 16/ Unscreened do 22/ -24/ 20/ -23/6 14/ First-class steam coal. 21/ -23/ 19/ -22/ 12/9-13/ Third-class do 16/6-18/ 15/ -17/6 10/ -10/3 Treble nuts 17/ -18/ 18/ —19/ 11/ -11/6 Double do -i. fl i 16/6-17/ 17/6-18/6 10/6-10/9 Single do. ......... ... 16/ -16/6 16/6-17/6 10/3-10/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the. past week amounted to 244,641 tons, compared with 242,639 tons in the preceding week, and 338,988 tons in the corresponding week of last year. • Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. ' COAL.’ ' . ’ ’ - ' ■ During last week 127,983 tons of coal and 710 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 36,109 tons of coal and 710 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 37,188 tons of coal and 874 tons of coke, a decrease of 18,267 tons of coal and 2,743 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 65,564 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 34,273 tons. Thus, the total shipments amounted to 232,701 tons, a decrease of 382 tons when compared with those for the previous week. There has been a marked absence of business in the forward market during the past week, the only item of any importance being that good unscreened Durham coals have been sold for shipment over 1916 at 20s. per ton f.o.b.; quantities additional to those recorded to have been sold for similar loading last week. A number of small Scandinavian gas companies—including those at Gothenburg, Moss, Thisted and Nykjobing Falster—are in the market for small quantities of gas coal for forward delivery. In view of the shortage of the shortage of coal at home, and the difficulties attending such deliveries, how- ever, it is not' improbable that these works will have to wait for their supplies. The action of the Germans in seizing a number of Swedish steamers laden with British steam coals for the requirements of the Swedish State Bail- ways has evoked much criticism and caused some specula- tion. It now appears that these steamers have been—or are being—released, but that further vessels so laden are likely to be intercepted, so long as Teuton war vessels are able to do it. Considerable perturbation was expressed prior to the Chancellor’s enunciation of his Budget as to whether the old coal tax on exported fuel was likely to be re-imposed. Happily, however, no such barrier on exporta- tion is likely to be placed, although there is reason to believe that it is contemplated to restrict such outgoings to neutral countries at present to some extent. It is stated as likely that contracts will be licensed, and that all vessels shipping coal “ foreign ” will have to proceed under licence. Endeavours are being made by Mr. J. H. Beckingham and other members of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce to see that the inconvenience which is bound to be caused thereby shall be reduced to a minimum. It is of interest to note, also, that American competition with British coal- fields is increasing at present, as is demonstrated by the fact that, according to latest advices, no fewer than 58 steamers have sailed from the States bearing coals for Italy. This is a circumstance that will need to be reckoned with. The prompt market has been deadly dull the whole week, as there has been a general hold-off in view of the incertitude caused by the matters already mentioned, and in view3 also, of the still very high, though receding freights. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment are generally easier on the week. The changes noted are as follow:—Best Blyth steams, Is. cheaper ; Tynes, 2s. to 2s. 6d. reduced ; Blyth seconds Is. 6d. down; Tynes, Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. less; unscreened, 3s. cheaper ; special smalls, 6d. to Is. dearer; smithies, Is. fallen; gas bests, Is. down; seconds, Is. to Is. 6d. less ; specials, Is. decreased ; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, ditto; Northumbrians, 6d. to 3s. lower; coking coals, easier; smalls, weaker ; and households, 2s. to 3s. fallen. Coke is unaltered. Later.—The Swedish State railways invite immediate offers of 335,000 tons of best Northumbrian steams for shipment over the Baltic season to the usual ports. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals :— Current L’stweek's Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best, Bly ths (D.C.B.) ... 26/ -27/ 27/ -28/ 14/ -14/3 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 26/ -27/ 28/ 14/ -14/3 Secondary, Bly ths Do. Tynes (Hastings 24/ 26/6 12/ or West Hartleys) ... 25/ 26/6-27/6 12/ -12/6 Unscreened 20/ 23/ • 11/3-11/6 Small, Blyths 16/6-17/ 16/6-17/ 8/ - 8/3 Do. Tynes 14/6-15/ 14/6-15/ 7/ - 7/6 Do. specials Other sorts:— 17/6-18/ 16/6-17/6 8/ - 8/6 Smithies Best gas coals (New 23/ 23/ -24/ 13/ Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 23/6 23/6-24/6 13/6-13/9 (Pelaw Main or similar) 21/6-22/ ■ 23/ 12/6-13/ Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, 24/ 25/ 14/ Durhams Do. do. 22/ -24/ 23/ -25/ 11/9-13/3 Northumbrians 20/ -22/6 23/ 11/3-11/9 Coking coals 23/ -24/. 24/ 12/6-13/ Do. smalls 22/ -23/ . 23/ 12/ -12/6 House coals 27/ -28/ 30/ 15/ -16/ Coke, foundry 37/6-40/ 37/6-40/ 19/ -21/ Do. blast-furnace 32/6-35/ 32/6-35/ 18/ Do. gas 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 13/ -13/9 Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 70,240 tons of coal compared with 95,315 tons of coal and 3,115 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1914, being a decrease of 25,075 tons of coal, and 3,115 tons of coke. There is a somewhat unsettled feeling about the coal market, while the general enquiry is fairly good and shipments are again going forward to Holland. There are some fears of coming interruption of business by the proposal to restrict exports; at the same time, shipments to Sweden continue in a state of suspense and contribute to the easiness of the market. Otherwise, prices are tolerably held, though in some cases, especially for steam coals, second-hand sellers are more disposed to cut in. The output is fairly absorbed on contract account, and there is some enquiry for blastfurnace coke, believed to be for, shipment to France. Bunkers are in good request, but prices are somewhat easier ; gas coals are also on the easy side, whilst coking coals are the turn cheaper. Forward business is very quiet, but additional sales of good Durham unscreened brands have been effected over next year at 20s. per ton f.o.b., and it is understood that further business is now under negotiation at that figure. The market is inclined to ease, and the following are nominal quotations :— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals :— " ’ ‘ prices. : prices. ; prices. : Special Wear gas coals ' 25/ 'h 27/6 ■ .. 15/ Secondary do. ' ; House coals:— 23/6-24/ 24/ • 12/9-13/ Best house coals 27/6 27/6 ' 16/9' Ordinary do Other sorts :— 25/ 25/ 15/6: Lambton screened 27/6-28/ 27/6-30/ 13/9-14/ South Hetton do. 27/6 27/6 13/9-14/ Lambton unscreened ... 24/3 24/ -24/6 13/ South Hetton do. ...... 24/3 24/ -24/6 13/ ' Do. treble nuts 24/6 26/ 15/6 Coking coals unscreened 23/ 22/6 24/6 13/ Do. smalls 24/ 12/ ■ Smithies 24/ 26/ 14/ Peas and nuts 26/ 27/ 16/ Best bunkers 25/ 25/6 13/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke 23/ 24/ • • 12/ -12/6 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 40/ 40/ -41/ 20/ -21/ Teesside furnaces) ... 32/6-35/ 32/6-35/ 19/ Gas coke 28/ 27/6 13/9 Coal freights are easier, more tonnage having come forward. Decent fixtures includeLondon, 7s. 6d.; Havre, 16s.; Bonen, 17s.; Bordeaux, 19s. 3d.; St. Nazaire, 20s.; Bayonne, 21s.; Lisbon, 22s.; Algiers, 25s.; Oran, 23s.; Leghorn, 36s.; Genoa, 36s.; Naples, 35s. ; Marseilles, 30s.; Bari, 35s.; Civita Vecchia, 35s.; Barcelona, 30s.: and Las Palmas, 25s. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. There is little change to report concerning the fuel trade. Quietness rules. Buyers are holding back, and producers and shippers, having tonnage on hand and adequate bookings for next week, are equally willing to await events. Best Durham gas coal is 24s., and second kinds 22s., whilst special Wear sorts are quoted up to 27s. Bunker coal is in good request, and ordinary Durhams are realising 23s. 6d. f. o.b. For special bunkers as much as 27s. is demanded. Household coal is scarce and very firm. Coking coal fully maintains its value, and is being taken up freely for other purposes than coke making. Further orders from France are reported. For unscreened coking coal 24s. is generally named, and smalls are round about 23s. Coke is scarce and dear. There is some talk of putting ovens into operation, and such a step would be much welcomed by both shippers and local consumers. The latter complain very consider- ably of inadequate supplies, but many will not pay the high rates asked, and intimate that rather than do so blast- furnaces are likely to close down, as they cannot under present conditions be run at a profit. As much as 40s. f.o.b. is still asked for best foundry coke. Gashouse coke is in the neighbourhood of 22s. Durham beehive blastfurnace coke of average quality runs from 28s. to 30s. delivered at Teesside works, and for exceptionally good kinds above 30s. has been paid. IRON. Shipments of pig iron from the Tees last month showed improvement on March loadings, but fell considerably below those of April a year ago. They averaged 1,068 tons per working day, the total despatches amounting to 25,635 tons, all of which went from Middlesbrough. For the previous month the loadings were returned at only 12,486 tons, or a daily average of 480 tons, and for the month of April last year the clearances reached 127,943 tons, or an average of 4,920 tons per working day. Of the pig loaded last month 23,404 tons went to foreign ports,, and 1,961 tons to coast- wise customers. Japan was the largest buyer, receiving 4,655 tons, whilst France took 3,910 tons; Norway, 3,453 tons ; the United States, 3,000 tons ; Sweden, 2,261 tons ; Holland, 1,730 tons; Denmark, 1,595 tons; and Italy, 1,000 tons. Tees loadings of manufactured iron during April were given at 11,643 tons, 5,124 tons of which went abroad, and 6,519 tons coastwise. Steel shipments amounted to 26,351 tons, of which 23,913 went foreign and 2,438 tons coastwise^ The Argentine was the largest receiver of manufactured iron, taking 3,379 tons ; and India was the largest buyer of steel, importing 9,569 tons. Other principal customers for steel were : France, 7,482 tons; Natal, 2,770 tons ; and the Argentine, 1,412 tons. Extreme quietness characterises the pig iron market. Chief interest centres in the result of this week’s deputation of iron masters to the War Com- mittee of the Board of Trade with regard to the prohibition of shipment of pig iron to neutral countries except under licence. The embargo has crippled trade greatly. No. 3 g. m.b. Cleveland pig is 65s. 6d., No. 1 is 68s., No. 4 foundry 65s., No. 4 forge 64s. 6d., and mottled and white iron each' 64s. East coast haematite pig shows a downward tendency,: though producers are very reluctant to admit actual reduc- tions. Second hands are rather pressing sales of mixed numbers at 102s. 6d., and doubtless many makers would now accept that figure. Some of the latter, however, are still, very well placed and adhere to 105s., whilst one or two firms do not care to quote. Business in foreign ore is practically at a standstill. A couple of small odd transactions under exceptional circumstances, a good deal under recognised price, have been reported. The position is undoubtedly weaker, and sellers are prepared to make concessions. They base market rates on 29s. ex-ship Tees for best rubio, and probably contracts could be made on lower terms. Manu- factured iron and steel producers are very busy, chiefly on Government work. Messrs. Bolckow, Vaughan and Com- pany booked an order for rails for the Great Indian Penin- sula Bailway Company. Quotations all round are very strong, but the only advance announced is a 10s. rise in steel joists, making them £9 10s. Cumberland. Maryport. Great activity continues to characterise the operations in the Cumberland Coal trade, and business is exceptionally brisk in all departments. Orders for best house coal are not . so plentiful as they were, but a slight falling off on this' account is only to be expected at this time of the year. ■ The collieries are all employed on an average of six days a week, and with the more regular working of the hewers, outputs are gradually increasing, but the amount raised is