1076 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 21, 1915. THE COAL AHD IRON TRADES. Thursday, May 20. Scotland.-—Western District. COAL. Quieter conditions prevail in the west of Scotland coal trade, and the tendency is easier. The demand for house- hold coal has fallen off to a large extent, but the industrial requirements are as pressing as ever. Exports are fairly satisfactory, and a good volume of tonnage is in port, but the foreign demand is not now so heavy as a week or two ago. Splint coal is weaker in price, and it is said that the collieries are prepared to make considerable concessions in order to induce new business. Ell coals, too, are easier. Navigations are still in good request, but in this depart- ment also prices have been modified in order to come into line with other competing markets. Smalls are only moderately active, and while the local demand is still fairly satisfactory stocks are accumulating, and values are conse- quently easier. The clearances from the ports during the past week amounted to 124,083 tons, compared with 139,907 in the preceding week and 102,837 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow :— Steam coal.............. Ell .................... Splint.................. Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 15/6-17/6 19/ -19/6 19/ -25/ 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/ 17/ -18/ L’stweek’s prices. 17/ -19/ 19/ -19/6 19/ -25/ 18/9-19/3 18/6-19/ 18/3-18/6 Last year’s prices. 11/ -13/ 12/ 11/ -14/ 11/6—11/9 10/9 10/6-10/9 IRON. Scotch pig iron makers continue to deliver large quanti- ties, especially of hsematite, to consumers’ works. Exports of ordinary iron have, up the present, been, greatly hampered by Government restrictions, and it is satisfactory to learn that arrangements have been made with the Board of Trade under which exports to neutral countries should be facili- tated in the future. Makers of haematite are quoting about 110s. per ton, but consumers of steel-making iron are only purchasing small quantities as a rule, and the same may be said in the case of users of ordinary iron. There are 72 furnaces in blast in Scotland at present, the same number as in the preceding week and at the same period in 1914. Prices of Scotch makers’ iron are unchanged and 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 Lang- loan, 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 Glasgow pig iron warrant market has again been somewhat irregular throughout the past week. Values rose to 65s. 9|d. per ton, but thereafter a reaction set in, and Cleveland iron closed at 63s. lOd. per ton cash buyers, com- pared with 63s. 3d. in the preceding week. The total turnover amounted to 20,500 tons. Warrant stores now amount to 146,479 tons, compared with 91,313 tons at the same time last year. The finished iron trade is still active. The home demand for the heavy sizes of black sheets is well maintained, and makers are quoting firm prices based on about <£10 15s. per ton, less 5 per cent, for 7 to 11 b.g., delivered Glasgow warehouse, but orders for the thin gauges are slow. The malleable iron makers are producing large quantities of iron and steel bars, particularly the latter. Fresh business, however, is quiet, and outputs are mainly against old contracts. Crown bars are quoted at about £9 10s., less 5 per cent, for home delivery, and mild steel bars £10, while the export prices are about £9 and <£9 10s. per ton net respectively. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The coal trade in the Lothians continues in a satisfactory position. Business is brisk, and the collieries are assured of steady work for some time to come. A large proportion of the output is going away against contract, but any coal available from time to time is realising big prices. Ship- ments amounted to 32,380 tons against 42,457 tons in the preceding week and 99,577 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith :— Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 18/ -19/6 18/ -19/ 11/6 Secondary qualities 17/6-18/ 17/6—18/ 10/3-10/6 Treble nuts 17/6—19/ 17/6-18/ 11/ —11/3 Double do 17/ -18/ 16/6-17/3 10/9 Single do. 16/6-17/6 16/6-16/9 10/6 Business in Fifeshire is of a more promising character, and the outlook is much brighter. Burntisland and Methil docks are still busy, and the collieries are steadily employed. The fact that Fifeshire is to receive preferential treatment in respect to export licences, several of which have already been granted, has given great satisfaction to those interested. Shipments for the past week amounted to 65,199 tons, against 78,091 in the preceding week and 106,607 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 23/ -25/ 24/ -26/ 16/ Unscreened do 21/ -23/ 22/ -24/- 14/ First-class steam coal 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/6 12/6-12/9 Third-class do 16/ -17/6 16/6-17/6 10/ Treble nuts 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 11/ -11/3 Double do 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 10/6-10/9 Single do . 16/9-17/9 16/ -17/ 10/ -10/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 221,662 tons, compared with 260,455 in the preceding week and 309,021 tons in the corresponding week last year. The Swedish State Pail ways authorities have invited tenders for the supply of their requirements of coal from 'May to October. It is understood that the quantity asked for is between 300,000 and 350,000 tons. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 114,936 tons of coal and 770 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 55,481 tons of coal and 3,849 tons of coke when compared with the . shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 41,209 tons of coal and 188 tons of coke, a decrease of 22,183 tons of coal and 1,304 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 55,218 tons of coal and coke, a decline of 37,216 tons. From the three shipping places, therefore, there were sent off 212,351 tons, a decrease of 10,843 tons when compared with the shipments for the previous week, and of 20,000 tons when compared with the “ high-water mark ” of the last week in March. This gradual decrease is due, in large part, to the renewed interference, Govern- mentally, with the coal industry, and shipments may sink much lower unless matters, which will be referred to in greater detail anon, are adjusted. The total quantity of best steam coals contracted for by the Norwegian State Railways within the last few days is 80,000 tons, of which 65,000 tons is to be D.C.B. quality at 25s. per ton, f.o.b., and 15,000 tons best South Yorkshires at rather over 25s., both lots for delivery from June to September., The contracts have been made, of course, subject to licences being granted by the Government—a circumstance by no means certain, nowadays. Tenders to supply the Swedish State Railways with 320,000 tons of best steam coals over the season have been forwarded, and are stated to have been based on about 25s., f.o.b., subject to Government licence. All efforts at business with neutral countries at present, as a matter of fact, are subject to the granting of these shipping permits, and the issue of licences is not. proceeding with that automatic smoothness which was hoped for. In point of fact, the War Trade Committee, which has the issue of these indispensable documents, appears to be dealing with applications in quite a capricious and haphazard fashion, refusing these “scraps of paper” on most insufficient grounds — grounds proved to be insufficient by the fact that Mr. Herbert Shaw, secretary of Newcastle Commercial Exchange, who is at present in London doing his best to help coal shippers, has succeeded in inducing the authorities to change their minds with reference to a large number of licences which had been refused. At the time of writing, the prompt coal market is much embarrassed by the licence difficulty and by a concurrent shortage of tonnage, and there is practi- cally nothing doing. Prices have slumped very materially, and it is said that buyers with licences and ready tonnage could secure substantial discounts on quoted figures. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipments have varied as follow on the week :—Best Blyth steams, 3s. to 4s. cheaper; Tynes, 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. less ; seconds, Blyths, 2s. to 4s. cheaper ; Tynes, 3s. lower; unscreened, 2s. to 3s. decreased; smithies, Is. fallen; gas bests, 6d. to Is. 6d. reduced; seconds, Is. 6d. down; specials, Is. dearer; Durham unscreened bunkers, 2s. to 4s. less ; Northumbrians, 2s. to 3s. lower ; coking coal, Is. down ; smalls, Is. to 2s. reduced ; and households, 2s. 6d. lower. Cokes and steam smalls are well maintained. Much interest is being taken in the huge volume of coal which at present is being imported into Italy from America. At present, about 62 steamers are now en route or chartered with coal cargoes from the States to Italian destinations. These vessels will account for, probably, 300,000 tons of coal, and, in normal times, such competition might well cause great uneasiness to this district. However, it is recognised that the circumstances under which this coal is being shipped to Italy are decidedly abnormal. All the same, it represents business which it will be desirable to get back to this country later. In the retrieval, shipowners will need to help by lowering their freights very considerably. 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 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 coals Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. N orthumbr ians Coking coals Do. smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Current prices. 20/ -22/ • 21/6 18/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 18/ 16/ -16/6 14/6-15/ 17/6-18/ 22/ 22/ -23/ 20/ -21/ 24/ -25/ 20/ 18/ 22/ 20/ -21/ 22/6 37/6-40/ 32/6-35/ 19/ -20/ L’stweek’s 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/ T9/ —20/ Last year’s prices. 15/ 13/6-13/9 12/ 12/ -12/6 11/ -11/6 8/3- 8/9 7/3- 7/9 8/6 13/ 13/6-13/9 12/6-13/ 14/ 11/9-13/3 11/3-11/9 12/ -12/6 12/ 15/ -16/ 19/ -21/ 18/ 13/ -13/9 Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 74,350 tons of coal and 500 tons of coke, as compared with 88,530 tons of coal and 55 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1914, being a decrease of 14,180 tons of coal and an increase of 445 tons of coke. The coal market is still considerably hampered by the irregularity in the issuing of licences, many collieries working only short time, and unless exports are speeded up by the more ready granting of licences, more idle time will be the result. In the circumstances the market is easier. Gas descriptions can be obtained at a reduction on last week’s prices. Smalls are somewhat scarce owing to the restricted output of large coal. Households are unaltered with good shipments going forward to London and the French ports. Bunkers are in good request, but prices are inclined to ease a little. The Norwegian State Railways have contracted for 65,000 tons of best Blyth steams on the basis of 25s. f.o.b., shipment June to September. The price may be taken as an indication of the firmness of the market for forward shipment. Tenders have been sent in- to the Swedish State Railways, the basis price of which is reported to be 25s. per ton f.o.b., and replies are expected towards the end of this week. Prices generally are as follow :— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 24/ 26/ 13/9 Secondary do. House coals:— 22/6 23/6 ■ 12/9 Best house coals .... 27/6 27/6 16/6 Ordinary do Other sorts :— 25/ 25/ 15/6 Lambton screened 27/6 27/6. 14/3 South Hetton do 27/6 27/6 14/3 Lambton unscreened ... 23/ 23/9 23/9 12/9 South Hetton do 23/ 12/9 Do. treble nuts 23/6 24/ 15/6 Coking coals unscreened 22/6 22/ 23/ 12/3 Do. smalls 22/6 12/ Smithies 25/ 24/6 15/ Peas and nuts 27/ 24/6 15/9 Best bunkers 24/6 24/ 13/ . Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 22/6 22/6 12/6 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 37/6 40/ 21/ Teesside furnaces) ... 30/ 30/ 19/6 Gas coke 20/ 24/ -25/ 13/ There are very few boats offering on the outward market, and freights, especially coasting and North French ports, are firmer. Mediterranean is also inclined to stiffen. Recent fixtures are :—London, 7s.; Havre, 14s.; Rouen, 16s. ; Caen, 14s. 6d.; Dieppe, 14s. 6d.; Calais, 16s.; Bor- deaux, 15s. 9d.; St. Nazaire, 16s.; Gibraltar, 19s.; Mar- seilles, 23s. 6d.; Genoa, 30s.; Port Said, 25s.; Cette, 24s. 9d.; Palermo, 27s. 6d. ; Las Palmas, 21s. 6d. Middlesbrough-on-Tees.. COAL. Licences to export coal to neutral countries are being issued more expeditiously than might have been expected, but unavoidable delays in granting permits has thrown the coal shipping trade out of gear. Notwithstanding the disturbing influence of the new export rules, however, there is undoubtedly a better feeling in the coal trade. Best Durham gas coal is 23s. to 23s. 6d., seconds round about 22s. to 22s. 6d., whilst special Wear gas is in the neighbour- hood of 27s. Bunker coal is well taken up. Ordinary Durhams are 21s. to 22s. f.o.b., bests 24s. 6d., and specials 27s. Household coal keeps steady and firm. Coking coal is none too plentiful, and is being disposed of for other than coke-making purposes. Smalls are 22s., and unscreened kinds 23s. All kinds of coke are in very good request, both for local use and for shipment, and supply is inadequate. Local consumers complain considerably of difficulty experienced in obtaining full supplies against contracts. With such scarcity prices are stiff. It is now difficult to make contracts below 30s. for Durham beehive blastfurnace coke of average quality delivered at Teesside works. Better kinds command a higher figure, and, in fact, up to as much as 35s. is asked for exceptionally good sorts. Foundry coke for shipment runs from 37s. 6d. to 40s. f.o.b. Gas- house coke is 20s. to 22s. IRON. Shipments of pig iron are on a very small scale, and, in fact, exports this month promise to be by far the lightest since the outbreak of war, notwithstanding the efforts made to expedite granting of licences for shipment to neutral countries. A number of licences have been issued recently, but shippers still complain that, owing to delay in obtaining them, they have not been able to take advantage of original charters. The local committee to deal in the first place with granting of licences is expected to come into being next week, and some improvement in shipments over the remainder of the month may be looked for. Owing to the continued very high cost of producing pig iron, some manu- facturers are seriously considering the question of putting furnaces out. A good many contracts expire next month, and just now little inclination is shown to renew them at round about market rates. At the same time a feeling prevails that values are not likely to fall much below their present level. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is 65s., No. 1 67s., No. 4 foundry 64s. 6d., No. 4 forge 64s., and mottled and white iron each 63s. 6d. The east coast haematite branch of the staple industry shows very little change. So far as is ascertainable, enquiries on Sheffield account have not led to sales, the rates offered falling below sellers’ idea of values. Second hands are rather pressing Nos. 1, 2 and 3 on the market at 102s. 6d., and some makers are quite prepared to make contracts at that figure, which is recog- nised as the general market quotation, but there are some producers who still ask up to 105s. Beyond the sale of a few odd cargoes at low prices under exceptional circum- stances, there is nothing passing in foreign ore. Such sales do not fix market rates, but sellers are prepared to make considerable concessions. Heavy imports have enabled consumers to accumulate stocks, with the result that they are not in the market. Quotations are based nominally on 28s. ex ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality, but it is quite understood that contracts could be made on a good deal lower terms. Imports of foreign ore to the Tees to date this month amount to 97,949 tons. Finished iron and steel manufacturers are very busy, mostly on Government work. Quotations all round are very strong, but the only actual changes this week are advances of 10s. in iron bars. Common iron bars thus become £10, best bars £10 7s. 6d., and best best bars £10 15s. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The Cumberland coal trade continues in a remarkably active condition, and business in all branches is well main- tained. Owing to the better weather there is a gradual falling-off on the landsale account, but the demand for steam coal for works, ironworks and coke ovens is as great as ever. There is an extraordinary demand for both best coal and manufacturing fuel for the Irish market; in fact, the export trade to Ireland is busier than it was a week ago, and Irish consumers are practically taking all the stocks they can secure. The shipments at Maryport last week were above the average for the time of the year, but the tonnage would have been much larger if coal had been