THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. June 25, 1915. 1334 THE COAL AMD IROM TRADES Thursday, June 24 Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Conditions in the west of Scotland coal trade continue quiet. The local demand has fallen oif considerably, and with a decreasing enquiry from abroad the position is far from satisfactory. The difficulty in regard to the licensing question is having an adverse effect on best splint, quota- tions of which are much easier. Business in best ells is slow, and prices continue to recede. Navigations, however, are still very busy, and are quoted round about 21s. 6d. to 23s., but ordinary steams are weak. Stocks of washed produce, with the exception of singles, are being cleared with great difficulty, and any demand there is is almost entirely for single nuts. Shipments amounted to 132,697 tons, com- pared with 134,513 in the preceding week and. 125,979 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Current L’st week's Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal 14/ -17/ 14/6-17/ 10/6-12/6 Ell 15/ -15/3 15/6-16/ 11/ -11/3 Splint 15/ -18/6 15/ -19/ 10/6-14/ Treble nuts 15/9—16/6 16/6-17/ j-v/yw J-o-y 11/3-11/6 Double do 15/9-16/6 16/6-17/ 10/6-10/9 Single do 16/3-16/6 16/6-17/ 9/6-10/3 IRON. No change is reported in the position of the Scotch iron trade. Makers of pig iron continue to make large deli- veries of ordinary and haematite iron, particularly the latter. New business, however, is very scarce, consumers for the most part only purchasing what they actually require for immediate consumption. The number of furnaces in blast is still 72, the same as in the preceding week .and, at the same period last year. The 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, Nov 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 pig iron warrant market opened strongly and transactions were recorded at 67s. 10|d. cash, but thereafter there was decided weakness and Cleve- land iron closed at 66s. l|d. per ton cash buyers, compared with 67s. Id. per ton in the preceding week. The total turnover amounted to 20,000 tons. Warrant stores are still on the increase and now stand at 153,184 tons, com- pared with 81,598 tons at this time last year. Black sheet makers report that they continue to be busily engaged in the production of the heavy gauges, principally for delivery in this country. Malleable iron makers are well employed in their steel as well as in their iron department, and conditions at present are very satisfactory. Wrought iron and steel tube makers are well off for orders on home account, but the export enquiries are very scarce. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Collieries in the Lothians district are likely to be hard hit owing to the latest move of the Government in refusing any licences for Swedish ports. Business has been seriously upset in consequence, and prices quoted are purely nominal. Shipments amounted to 37,966 tons, against 36,674 tons in the preceding week, and 108,078 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 16/ -18/ 16/ -18/ 11/3 Secondary qualities 15/6-16/6 15/6-17/ 10/ -10/3 Treble nuts 16/ -17/ 17/ -18/ 11/ Double do 15/6-17/ 15/ -16/6 10/9 Single do 17/ -18/ 17/ 10/6 The position in Fifeshire has also been seriously disturbed by the licence question. Large quantities of coal (principally first-class steams) were contracted for by the Swedish State railways, while numerous cargoes are despatched week by week on private account. Coalmasters are bound to suffer to a considerable extent under the new conditions, while business in the meantime is considerably handicapped. Clearances from the ports during the past week amounted to 62,699 tons, compared with 58,916 tons in the preceding week, and 111,091 tons in the same week in 1914. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation coal Unscreened do First-class steam coal Third-class do Treble nuts Double do Single do Current prices. 25/ -26/ 23/ -24/ 19/ -21/ 15/ -16/6 15/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/ L’st week’s prices. 25/ -26/ 23/ -24/ 19/. -22/ 15/ -17/ 17/ -18/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -16/9 Last year’s prices. 15/9-16/ 14/ 12/6-12/9 9/9-10/ 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 10/ -10/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 233,362 tons, compared with 230,103 in the preceding week, and 345,148 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. N ewcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 115,231 tons of coal and 810 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 32,094 tons of coal and 904 tons of coke when compared with the ship- ments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 53,010 tons of coal and 1,946 tons of coke, a decrease of 10,271 tons of coal, and 1,397 tons of coke. The Bly th shipments totalled 75,834 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 21,432 tons. Thus, the total shipments from the three places mentioned were 246,831 tons, an increase of no less than 32,303 tons when compared with the clearances for the week before, and nearly 10,000 tons excess of the previously heaviest shipments for any one week since the war commenced. The extraordinary activity in shipment is not to be attributed to any briskness in prompt coal business, for, indeed, the market has been as “ dull as ditchwater.” The reason is to be found rather in the fact that rates of freight have been favouring shippers to some extent recently, and that large drawings on supplies have been made on contract account. The forward market has been very quiet during the week. The Government is stated to have purchased a quantity of Durham gas coal at from 20s. to 21s. per ton f.o.b., on, it is believed, account of the Paris Gasworks. Excepting for occasional enquiries for gas coals for delivery over next year, this is the only new business of considerable interest mentioned. Merchants are now awaiting the result of tenders to supply the Egyptian State Railways with a quantity of North-country steams, and every hope is entertained that the offers will result in a large order. Blastfurnace coke is stated to have been sold for delivery in Middlesbrough over the second half of this year at from 31s. to 31s. 3d. per ton. The prompt market is very dull. Licence difficulties are not sensibly minimised. The local annual, race holidays—persisted in to some extent, although the race meeting is not being held this year—are preventing the market being swamped with supplies, inasmuch as comparatively little work is being done at local collieries this week. Some of the steam coal collieries report a slightly improved outlook, but others are being heavily hit by the restriction of exportation to neutral countries. Gas and coking coals are not quite so much affected, and one colliery at least reports a sufficiency of orders in hand to render it independent of present market fluctuations. Prices generally have fallen on the week, the exceptions being coking smalls, foundry coke and blast- furnace coke, which are steady, and gas coke, which is dearer. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment show the following variations on the week:—Best Blyth steams Is. down; Tynes, do.; Blyth seconds, 6d. to Is. cheaper; Tynes, 6d. lower ; unscreened, Is. to Is. 6d. decrease; Blyth smalls, 6d. fallen; Tynes, Is. lower; specials, Is. to 2s. down; smithies, do.; gas bests, do.; seconds, do.; specials, Is. 6d. lower; Durham unscreened bunkers, 6d. cheaper; Northumbrians, weaker; coking coals, Is. fallen; house- holds, 2s. 6d. less ; and gas coke, Is. to 2s. advanced. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Steam coals :— prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 20/ 20/ -21/ 14/ -14/3 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 20/ 20/ -21/ 13/6 Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 17/ 17/6-18/ 12/ or West Hartleys) ... 17/ -17/6 17/6-18/ 12/ -12/6 Unscreened 15/ -16/ 16/6-17/ 10/6-11/6 Small, Blyths 14/6-15/ 15/ -15/6 9/ Do. Tynes 14/ 14/ -15/ 8/ Do. specials Other sorts:— 15/ -16/ 17/ 8/9 Smithies Best gas coals (New 18/ -19/ 20/ 12/6 Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 20/ 21/ -22/ 13/ (Pelaw Main or similar) 18/ 19/ -20/ 12/ -12/3 13/6 Special gas oals Unscreened bunkers, 21/ 22/6 Durhams Do. do. 17/ -20/ 17/6-20/6 11/3-12/6 Northumbrians 16/ -17/ 17/ 10/9-11/9 Coking coals 18/ -19/ 18/ -20/ 12/ Do. smalls 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 11/6-12/ House coals 20/ 22/6 15/ -16/ Coke, foundry 37/6-40/ 37/6-40/ 19/ -20/ Do. blast-furnace 32/6 32/6 18/ Do. gas 23/ -25/ 22/ -23/ 12/6-13/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 63,350 tons of coal and 2,280 tons of coke, as compared with 104,420 tons of coal and 130 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1914, being a decrease of 41,070 tons of coal and an increase of 2,150 tons of coke. The coal market is very quiet, and, if anything, weaker. The same Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Gas coals:— Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 21/6 21/ 13/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 20/ 20/ 12/3 Best house coals 22/ 22/6 16/ Ordinary do Other sorts :— 20/ 20/ 15/ Lambton screened 22/6 23/ 14/3 . South Hetton do 22/6 23/ 14/ . Lambton unscreened ... 18/ 18/6-18/9 12/3 South Hetton do 18/ 18/6-18/9 12/3 Do. treble nuts 22/ 22/6 15/9 Coking coals unscreened 18/ 19/ 18/6 12/6 Do. smalls 17/6 12/3 Smithies..., 20/ 20/ 13/6 Peas and nuts 20/6 21/ ' 15/6 Best bunkers 19/ 19/6 13/3 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 17/6 18/ 12/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 36/ 35/ 21/ Teesside furnaces) ... 31/ - 30/ 20/ Gas coke 24/ 23/ -24/ 13/ difficulty continues regarding licences, although it may be noted that one or two have been granted for shipment to Sweden. At the same time supplies, especially steam coals, are excessive, and for this class of coal prices are distinctly lower. For gas descriptions, however, the market is rather better, there being a good enquiry and values steady. Bunker coals are offered freely at easier prices. Coking coal is also fairly plentiful at sagging figures. Coke is in moderate request, and the tendency is towards a further advance in prices. Shipments to London, France and Italy are satisfactorily large, and absorb a good deal of the very limited output. There is really nothing doing in the forward market beyond occasional enquiries over next year. The outward freight market is steady. Recent fixtures include:—London 7s. 6d., Havre 14s. 6d., Rouen 16s.; the Bay is represented by Bordeaux 19s. 6d., with Bayonne at 21s.; Mediterranean is firmer, Genoa having paid up to 30s., Porto Vecchio 30s., Cette 28s., Barcelona 25s., Algiers 22s. 6d., Leghorn 30s., Marseilles 28s., and Las Palmas 23s. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel trade presents few new features. Most descrip- tions of coal are easier. There is a fair amount of tonnage offering for prompt loading, and shipments to coastwise customers are brisk; but, with licences for export still coming to hand sparsely, business is impeded. The recent sale of gas coal to the Paris Gas Works is believed to have been made at 20s. to 21s. per ton, and the general market quotations for best Durham qualities are round about the prices stated to have been paid by French consumers. Second-class Durhams are offered freely at 18s. to 19s., special Wear gas is in the neighbourhood of 23s. Bunker coal is in moderate request, and ordinary Durhams are 17s. to 18s. f.o.b.; whilst best kinds are 20s. to 20s; 6d., and specials are quoted up to as much as 24s. Coking coal continues to be well taken up. Unscreened kinds are round about 18s. 6d., and coking smalls range from 17s. to 17s. 6d. Coke keeps scarce, and there are still complaints by some local consumers that deliveries on contract are not being fully made. Relief may come shortly, however, by reduction in local consumption, as one or two blastfurnaces may be put out of operation. From 31s. to 32s. 6d. rules for Durham beehive blastfurnace coke of average quality, delivered at Teesside works. Best foundry coke for shipment is quoted 37s. 6d. to 40s. f.o.b., and gas coke runs from 23s. to 25s. IRON. Deliveries of pig iron to home consumers are heavy, and there is improvement in demand for shipment, but exports are still on only a very limited scale. Fairly good enquiries on Scandinavian account are reported, and negotiations with Italy have resulted in further sales of haematite to the country. Licences for substantial shipments to Italy have been obtained. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig has this week rather readily realised 67s., at which figure a good deal of business has been put through, and several merchant sellers still hold out for that price, whilst many makers ask a higher figure, but some second hands are now accepting 66s. 9d., and that may be given as the general market quotation. No. 1 Cleveland pig is so scarce as to be almost unobtainable. This quality is usually about 2s. 6d. above No. 3, but it is at present commanding up to 71s., No. 4 foundry is on sale at 66s. 3d., No. 4 forge is 66s., and mottled and white iron are each 65s. 9d. If anything, east coast haematite pig is a little firmer, and there is rather more doing in it. Both makers and merchants have,' this week, sold Nos. 1, 2 and 3 at 100s., but some producers are inclined to hold out for a rather higher figure. As a matter of fact, business has been done at 101s. 6d., but the sale was under exceptional circumstances. Foreign ore shows no change. Sellers are not particularly pressing business just now, fully realising that consumers will not enter the market whilst their already rather large stocks are being steadily added to by the heavy supplies coming in against contracts. Nominally market rates are based on 26s. ex-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. Imports of foreign ore to the Tees to date this month amount to 100,356 tons. Producers of all descriptions of manufac- tured iron and steel continue very busy, mostly on Government work, and prices all round are very stiff. Steel joists have been advanced to <£9 17s. 6d. Messrs. Bolckow, Vaughan and Co. have booked an order for 1,000 tons of rails for the Metropolitan and Great Central Joint Railways, and there are rail orders in the market for • 2,000 tons for the Caledonian Railway and 10,000 tons for Russia. Cumberland. Maryport COAL. Conditions in the Cumberland coal industry are similar to what they have been for some weeks ,past, and the demand on two accounts is probably as strong as it has ever been during the year. The collieries are all well employed, and with the introduction of a number of Belgian miners into some of the pits, outputs are gradually on the increase in the western portion of the coalfield. The 50 by-product ovens at Lowca, belonging to the Workington Iron and Steel Company, have been completed for some time, but the company were unable to light them owing to the scarcity of coal. Production at the Lowca Colliery is now so satisfactory that the whole of the new ovens will probably be lighted in the course of a week br two. Trade in coal for household use is dull, but steam coal for manu- facturing purposes is in brisk request, and with an acceleration of production in the iron and kindred trades the demand is likely to grow stronger. The cross-Channel trade is exceptionally brisk, and the tonnage to Ireland is much above the average for Midsummer. The enquiries for all sorts for the Irish market are now so great that merchants are finding it extremely difficult to cope with the requirements of Irish consumers. Prices are firm but unchanged, best coal at the pit being quoted at from 22s. 6d. to 23s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at from 21s. to 21s. 3d. per ton. Best Cumberland coal free on board at Maryport is still quoted at the advanced price of 19s. 6d. per ton, with best washed nuts at 17s. 6d. per ton. Seventeen vessels left Maryport last week for Irish ports, and the shipments amounted to 4,010 tons, a decrease of 760 tons compared with the previous week. Trade is very brisk at the Cumberland coke ovens, and the whole of the production is being absorbed by local smelters. At Maryport, St. Helens, Flimby and Oughterside best coal