1024 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 14, 1915. ... the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce at each,of the . great coal ports giving the visible supply and stocks of coal at the various coaling depots such as Las Palmas, Cape Verdes, Port Said, The Plate, &c. 9. Any other information of a general character which the Government commercial experts abroad may deem to be of interest to the coal trade of South Wales. Some of the information asked for above is already accessible in reports issued by the Home Office and the Board of Trade, who are probably in a better position to supply it than the consular officers. The periodical dissemination of information relating to passing phases of the coal trade, however, would undoubtedly, be of the greatest use, if collected intelligently and with discrimination. At present our consuls are too prone to accept any ‘k cock-and- bull” story that is offered to them-it may be by anti-British informants—and they are accustomed to pad out their ill-digested reports with so much that is irrelevant and out-of-date,, that the busy man has no time to search for the priceless jewels of intelligence that they may harbour unawares. OBITUARY. Lieut. J. R. Brass, of the 8th Durhams, who, in the Colliery Guardian last week, was reported wounded, has died from his wounds. The fifth son of Mr. F. T. Brass, mining engineer and manager of the Primrose Main Colliery, Barnsley, he was trained as a mining engineer under Lieut.-Col. Blackett at Sacriston Colliery. . The death has occurred of Mr. Thomas Fletcher, of Ferryhill, after a somewhat short illness. The. deceased has for the past eight years been engineer to Messrs. Bolckow, Vaughan and Company’s Dean and Chapter Colliery, Ferry hill. The death occurred last week, at his residence, Ivy House, Wath-road, Elsecar, of Mr. Joseph Parrington Atkinson, manager of the Elsecar Main Colliery, in his 44th year. The deceased gentleman was the eldest son of Mr. Jno. Atkinson, of Barnsley, and received his training at the Hoyland Silkstone Colliery, under Messrs. J. and P. Higson,. the well-known mining engineers, of Manchester. Subsequently he held the position of manager at the Waterloo Colliery.. Mr. Atkinson was selected from a large number of applicants ,as manager of Earl Fitzwilliam’s new colliery at Elsecar, and took charge of the initial operations. Marked success in the developments at the colliery have taken place under his guidance An illness of only a few days preceded his death. He leaves a widow, two sons, and one daughter to mourn his loss. The death has occurred of Mr. Jesse Bailey, proprietor of the Abercarn Engineering Works and Foundry, while on a visit to PorthcawL It is reported that Col. Robinson, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion Monmouthshire (Territorial) Regiment, was killed last Sunday. In civil life he was chief mines inspector for the Scotland division. Col. Robinson, who succeeded Mr. W. Walker, was formerly senior inspector of the Yorkshire and North Midlands division. , Second Lieut. C. M. C. Sorby, 3rd Monmouthshire Regi- ment (T.F.) was killed at the front on May 8. He was the eldest son of the Rew and Mrs. A. E. Sorby, of Darfield Rectory, Yorkshire, and was in his 20th year. He was educated at Hurst Court and Cheltenham, where he was in the O.T.C., and at the time of the outbreak of war was studying mining engineering. Lieut. William Black Noble, 6th Northumberland Fusiliers (Territorials),1 previously reported missing, is now reported killed in action near St. Julien on April 26. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. ,W< J. Noble, West Denton Hall, Northumberland. He was a partner in the firm of Cairns, Noble and Company, and a director of the Cairn Line of Steamships Limited. THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, May 13. Dublin. There is no new feature .in connection with the coal trade this week, and prices remain without further change since the slight reductions made in household qualities at the begin- ning of the month. Steam coal keeps very firm, the reason being high freights and the small output at the collieries, the local merchants being unable to obtain supplies on a' scale sufficiently large to keep pace with their requirements. Quotations in. the city are as > follow .- Best Orrell coal, 33s. per ton; Hulton Arley, 33s. ; best Wigan, 32s.; best White- haven, 32s.; Pemberton Wigan, 31s.; kitchen nuts, 30s.; best slack, 26s.—all less. Is. per ton discount. Best Scotch steam coal, from 28s. to 29s. per ton; best coke, 34s. per ton delivered. At the Wolfhill collieries, Queen’s County, best Irish coal is selling at 25s. per ton outside of.contracts. The import trade is well maintained, coaling vesels arriving during the week being chiefly from Garston, Liverpool, Neath Abbey, Swansea, Ardrossan, Glasgow, Troon, Ayr, Preston, Partington, Maryport, Whitehaven, Irvine, and Point of Aire. . 1 Belfast. There have been no reductions, so far, in the prices of household coal, although there has been a considerable falling off in the local demand, and the inland trade is also very quiet. There is no change in steam qualities, prices of the better descriptions all being firm, and still subject to alteration from day to day. At present, house coals in this port are 3s. per ton higher than those ruling in Dublin, and Orrell slack 6s.-per ton higher. Current quotations are as ' follow Best Arley, 36s. per ton; Orrell nuts, 35s.; Scotch house coal, 32s.; Orrell slack, 32s. per ton delivered. Coal- laden vessels arriving during the past week were chiefly from 'Workington, Ayr, Garston, Ardrossan, Burryport, Silloth, Campbeltown, ■ Troon, Girvan, Sharpness,' Swansea, Neath Abbey; and Maryport. ' From April 18 to May 1 the total number of colliers entering the harbour was 117. THE COAL AMD IRON TRADES. Thursday, May 13. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The coal market in the west of Scotland has been quieter during the past week, due in a measure to a lack of fresh export business, and also to a falling off in household and gas coal. On the other hand, the demand from the works is as heavy as ever. Best splints are not so well booked, and ells are also doing less business and prices are a trifle easier. Navigations are still strong, and smalls are going away in large quantities at firm rates. Shipments from the district during the week amounted to 139,907 tons, com- pared with 143,397 tons in the preceding week and 106,960 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current prices. L’stweek’s Last year’s prices. prices. Steam coal 17/ -19/ 17/6-19/ 11/ -13/ Ell 19/ -19/6 20/ —20/6 12/ Splint 19/ -25/ 19/ -26/6 11/3-13/9 Treble nuts 18/9-19/3 1 18/9-19/6 11/9-12/ Double do 18/6-19/ I 18/6-19/ 11/ -11/6 Single do 18/3-18/6 18/ —18/6 11/ -11/3 IRON, No change of importance has taken place in the Scotch iron trade since last report. Makers of pig iron are still well employed in the home trade, but the export business is being limited by the restrictions placed on shipments to neutral countries. Very little fresh business is being placed owing to the high prices current at present, which are causing makers to cover only their urgent requirements. There is, however, no falling off in the demand for haematite iron. There are 72 furnaces in blast in Scotland at present, the same number as in the preceding week and at the corre- sponding period of 1914. Prices of Scotch makers* iron are unchanged, and are quoted as follow :—Monkland 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. The Glasgow pig iron warrant market has been very quiet during the past week, and quotations pursued a downward course throughout. Cleveland iron closed at 63s. 3d. per ton cash buyers, showing a decline of 2s. 2|d. per ton on the week. The total turnover amounted to about 13,00) tons. Warrant stores increased by 1,764 tons, and now amount to 143,971 tons, compared with 91,658 tons in the same period of 1914. The various branches of the manufactured iron trade are in a fairly satisfactory position. Black-sheet makers continue active, particularly in the production of heavy gauges, while malleable iron makers report that new business is good and prompt deliveries are difficult to arrange. Scotland.-Eastern District. COAL. Trade in the Lothians district shows no signs of falling off, and despite the fact that there is considerably more coal available for export, prices are keeping at a fairly high level. The position of the trade in this district may be judged from the fact that 90 per cent, of the miners are obtaining the full employment of 11 days per fortnight. Shipments amounted to 42,457 tons against 34,919 in the preceding week and 103,077 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. 18/ -19/ 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 16/6-17/3 16/6-16/9 L’st week’s prices. 18/6-19/ 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 17/ -17/6 16/9-17/ Last year’s prices. 11/6 10/6 11/6 10/6-10/9 10/6 The position in Fifeshire remains firm, and as tonnage is coming to hand in large volume, colliery outputs are quickly removed. The demand for all sorts is very keen and quotations show no signs of weakening. Clearances from the ports amounted to 78,091 tons against 66,325 in the preceding week and 121,612 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best screened navigation coal 24/ -26/ 25/ -26/ 22/ -24/ 21/ -23/ 16/ Unscreened do 22/ -24/ 14/ First-class steam coal...... 21/ -22/6 12/9-13/ Third-class do. ...... 16/6-17/6 16/6-18/ 10/ -10/3 Treble nuts 17/6-18/6 17/ -18/ 11/ -11/6 Double do 17/ -18/ 16/6—17/ 10/6-10/9 Single do. 16/ -17/ 16/ —16/6 10/3—10/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 260,455 tons compared with 244,641 in the preceding week and 331,649 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 105,245 tons of coal and 1,081 tons of ? coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 54,032 tons of coal and 2,507 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 46,740 tons of coal and 693 tons of coke, a decrease of 7,341 tons of coal and 4,478 tons of coke.’ The Blyth shipments' ' totalled 69,435 tons of coal and coke,, a decrease of >. 28,381 tons. The aggregate clearances from these three., places last week, therefore, were 223,194 tons, a decrease of -• 9,125 tons when compared with those for the previous week. The Swedish State Railways invite tenders of 335,000 tons of best steams, shipment over the Baltic season. Offers are due next week. The Danish State Railways want 10,000 tons of best steams for May or June shipment. These enquiries are now receiving attention, consideration having been delayed pending “ more light” regarding, the likely effect of the Government Order prohibiting, save under licence, the export of coal and coke to all destinations abroad other than British possessions and protectorates and Allied countries, as from May 13. However, the effect of this partial prohibition is not expected to be alarmingly restrictive of the coal trade locally, and the market, after several days of stagnation due to want of precise information on the point, is now much more cheerful and disposed for activity. Merchants are now offering coals subject to the export licences being granted, which, indeed, is the only rational way of doing ' business at the moment, for, whilst a large number of licences have already come to hand, instances are not lacking in which the necessary permits have been refused. It seems likely that there will be a considerable trade to .be done with “ British possessions and protectorates and Allied countries,” these not being “ out of bounds.” The effect of the Order, thus far, has been, as already indicated,, to cause a general holding-off in business, with the resultant accumulation of stocks of coals, the laying idle of a few collieries pro tem., and a very material fall in prices. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have shown the following variations on the week:—Best Blyth steams are 2s. cheaper; Tynes, ditto; Blyth seconds, 2s. reduced; Tynes, 2s. to 3s. less; unscreened, Is. advanced; smalls, Blyths, 6d. reduced; smithies, weaker; gas seconds, 6d. dearer; Northumbrian bunkers, Is. 6d. lower; coking coal, Is. cheaper ; smalls, ditto; and households, 2s. to 3s. fallen. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals :— Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... Unscreened Current prices. 24/ -25/ 24/ —25/ 22/ 22/ -23/ 20/ -21/ 16/ -16/6 14/6-15/ 17/6-18/ 22/ -23/ 23/6 21/6-22/6 24/ 22/ -24/ 20/ -21/ 23/ 22/ 25/ 37/6-40/ 32/6-35/ 19/ -20/ L’stweek’s prices. 26/ -27; 26/ -27/ 24/ 25/ 20/ - 16/6-17/ 14/6-15/- 17/6-18/ 23/ 23/6 21/6-22/ 24/ 22/ -24/ 20/ -22/6 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 27/ -28/ 37/6-40/ 32/6-35/ 19/ -20/ Last year’s prices. 13/9 ■ 13/6';, ' 12b 12/ -12/6 11/3-11/6 8/6— 8/9 7/6->7/9 8/6, .. 13/6-13/9 12/6-13/. 14/ ; 11/6-13? 11/3-11/9 12/ -12/6 12/ ; 15/ -16/ 19/ -21/ 18/ ' 13/ -13/9 Small, Blyths Do. Tynes Do. specials Other sorts:— Smithies Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) Special gas oals ■ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. Northumbrians Coking coals Do. • smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Lat r—The contract to supply the Norwegian State Railways with the balance of their annual requirements has now been allotted. Some 45,000 tons of best Blyths have been taken at 25s. per ton f.o.b., shipment from June to September. Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 66,610 tons of coal and 1,625 tons of coke, as compared with 92,480 tons of coal and 190 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1914, being a decrease of 25,870 tons of coal and an increase of 1,435 tons of coke. Business in the coal market has been considerably unsettled by the official order issued to the effect that shippers can now only export to neutral countries under special licence. For the past week merchants have ceased to quote orders until they Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 26/ 25/ 13/9-14/ Secondary do. House coals:— 23/6 23/6-24/ 13/ Best house coals 27/6 27/6 16/6 Ordinary do Other sorts :— 25/ 25/ . 16/ Lambton screened 27/6 27/6-28/ 14/6 South Hetton do 27/6 . 27/6 - 14/3 Lambton unscreened ... 23/9 23/9 ' 24/3 13/ South Hetton' do. 24/3 • 12/9 Do. treble nuts 24/ 24/6 15/6 Coking coals unscreened • 23/ 23/. 22/6 12/6 Do. smalls 22/6 , 12/3 . Smithies . 24/6 24/ 15/ -15/6 Peas and nuts 24/6 26/ 15/9 Best bunkers 24/ 25/ 13/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— - 22/6 • 23/ > 12/6’ ■ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 40/ 40/ 20/ T.eesside furnaces) ... 30/ .32/6-35/ 19/ Gas coke 24/ -25/ 28/ ' 13/6-13/9 8