74 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. July 9, 1915. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Exports of Coal, Coke and Manufactured Fuel by Months. 1915. 1914. ___________________ < ( A v Month. Average Average Quantity, value Quantity, value per ton. per ton. Tons. s. d. Tons. s. d. January ........ 3,769,598... 13 8*2... 6,088,971... 14 1’3 February ...... 3,784,894... 14 2'3... 5,974,608... 14 0’4 March........... 4,143,756... 15 4T... 6,170,720... 13 9’2 First quarter ....11,698,248... 14 5’2...18,234,299... 13 11'7 April ............ 3,985,846... 17 2’3... 5,445,728... 13 9’03 May.............. 3,967,657... 17 10’3... 6,469,463... 13 8*7 June.............. 3,725,423... 17 10T... 5,999,417... 13 7*4 Second quarter ...11,678,926...17 7*5...17,914,608...13 8*5 First six months.. .23,377,174.. .16 0*4.. .36,148,907.. .13 10’05 July............... — ... — ... 6,917,853... 13 7*7 August ......... — ... — ... 3,209,399...13 3T September ....... — ... — ... 4,096,453... 13 2’3 Third quarter.... — ... — ...14,223,705..33 5’1 October ......... — ... — ... 4,151,381... 13 3*2 November ....... — ... — ... 3,427,099... 13 3*09 December ....... — ... — ... 3,879,393... 13 5’3 ___________ ________ Fourth quarter ... — ... — ...11,457,873... 13 3’9 Twelve months ... — ... — ...61,830,485... 13 7’8 Exports of Coal, Coke and Manufactured Fuel, According to Description. First six months. _________________________________ 1915. 1914. ____________________ ____________________ Average Average Quantity. value Quantity, value per ton. per ton. Coal:— Tons. s. d. Tons. s. d. Anthracite.... 1,014,668... 18 8'4... 1,360,242... 15 7’3 Steam __......... 16,372,730... 16 6’3...25,094,812... 13 11’4 Gas ........... 3,613,003... 12 10’8... 5,739,845... 12 6’7 Household .... 512,445...16 11’5... 742,440...13 1’3 Other sorts.... 819,744...13 0T... 1,649,599... 12 0’5 Total & avge. 22,332,590... 15 11’0...34,586,938... 13 8’1 Large 11,006,900... 18 2’3.. .19,068,223... 15 5’7 Thro’-and-thro* 5,198,176... 13 5’2.. . 7,359,534... 12 4'9 Small 6,127,514... 13 11’0.. . 8,159,181...10 7'3 Coke 419,709...18 6’5.. . 517,609.17 2'3 Manufactured fuel 624,875...18 6'6.. . 1,044,360... 17 4'9 Total exported and average.. 23,377,174... 16 0’4 ...36,148,907...13 10’05 Coal shipped in bunkers ....... 7,400,321... — ...10,182,157... — ______________________________________________ England, and, although it is possible that a certain amount of coal may have been thereby placed at the service of the home consumer, it is extremely doubtful if the game is worth the candle. The reticence exhibited in the granting of licences to Spain and Sweden may, of course, be due to fears lest cargoes for these destinations should fall into the hands of our enemies, and it is not unreasonable to suppose that, notwithstanding that Germany is able still to produce all the coal she needs, some of the Baltic towns might welcome the advent of British coal, as in the past. But the heavy reduction in ship- ments of coal to Sweden, Spain and South America, which normally supply us with timber, iron ore, and foodstuffs — necessities that we cannot produce in great large quantities ourselves—is a matter of serious moment to this country. On the other hand we have to recognise the paramount needs of our Italian and French allies, even if the spectacle of the United States cutting into our trade should prove distasteful. The table relating to wages is of special interest; the figures given include the war bonus, but it cannot be doubted that wages will go still higher, and that the rise in the cost of production may on some early date become disproportionate to such increase in prices as the public can support. We firmly believe that this is a question that the Government should even now be contemplating. At the present day, while the artisan is being required to work the clock round, a justification of the retention of legis- lative restrictions on labour in mines has not even been attempted. ____________________________ Mr. William Woodham Mann, of Ravenswood, Baxley, Kent, coal merchant and exporter, of Messrs. George Mann and Company, of 23, Lime-street, E.C., and of Exchange- buildings, Cardiff, who died on May 10, aged 67 years, left estate valued for probate at £238,595, with net personalty £237,060. Grimsby Coal Exports.—Returns for week ending July 2 show that the coal exported from Grimsby was as follows :— Foreign: To Aarhus, 1,417 tons; Dieppe, 862; Esbjerg, 1,039; Gefle, 3,582; Rotterdam, 512; and Tuborg, 821—total, 8,233 tons foreign, against 18,333 tons foreign and 453 tons coastwise during the corresponding week last year. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, July 8. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The coal trade in the west of Scotland continues on quieter and steadier levels, with sales in favour of buyers, while the outlook may be described as uncertain. There has been a little more buying of late, but this has apparently been in the nature of a speculation and the market has not been affected to any extent thereby. Splint coals are easy and ells are in much the same position. Navigation qualities are very firm, but ordinary steams are dull. There has been a better demand for washed nuts of late, and trebles in particular have firmed up appreciably. The shipments from the district for the past week amounted to 123,888 tons compared with 120,181 in the preceding week and 113,420 tons in the corresponding week of last yeai*. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L'st week's Last year's prices. prices. prices. Steam coal 13/6-16/6 13/6-16/6 10/6-12/6 Ell 15/ -15/3 ' ? 15/ 11/3-11/6 Splint 14/9-18/ ! : 15/ -18/ 10/9-14/6 Treble nuts 16/9-17/ i 16/3-16/6 11/ —11/6 Double do 15/9-16/3 i 15/9-16/3 10/9-11/ Single do 16/3-16/6 i 16/ -16/6 10/3-10/6 IRON. Nothing of particular note has occurred in the Scotch iron trade during the past week, and the various branches continue in much the same position as in the preceding week. Pig iron makers are still making large deliveries of haematite and ordinary qualities to home consumers, but new business is very slow in view of the fact that buyers are only purchasing against their immediate requirements. There are 72 furnaces in blast in Scotland, the same number as in the preceding week, and two more than in the same period in 1914. 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, 7$s., 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, 85s., No. 3, 80s. per ton. The Glasgow pig iron warrant market was quiet for the greater part of the week, but towards the close conditions were busier, and owing to withdrawals from stores the tone firmed up considerably. Cleveland iron closed at 67s. per ton cash buyers, compared with 66s. Id. in the preceding week. The total turn-over amounted to 13,000 tons. Stocks have decreased to the extent of 3,255 tons, and now total 149,204 tons, in com- parison with 78,945 tons at this time last year. The manufacturing branches of the trade continue very active. Black sheet makers are well employed in the heavy depart- ments, while malleable iron makers are turning out large quantities of iron and mild steel bars. Crown bars are realising as much as £10 10s. per ton less 5 per cent, for home delivery, and £11 less 5 per cent, for mild steel bars, while business is being done up to £10 and £10 10s. net for the respective descriptions for export. _______ _______ Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The question of licences is still causing disquietude in the Lothian coal trade. The collieries are heavily con- tracted for round coal, and it is likely that they will experience considerable difficulty in arranging matters with their contractors. In the meantime business is very much upset, and prices quoted are scarcely a true indication of the market. Shipments from the district amounted to 37,197 tons, compared with 46,819 in the preceding week and 99,825 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities..... Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 16/ -16/6 15/6-16/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -16/6 16/ -16/6 L’st week’s prices. 14/ -16/ 13/6-15/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ Last year’s prices. 11/ -11/3 10/ -10/3 11/3-11/6 10/9 10/6 The Fifeshire collieries are also suffering from the curtailment of licences. Most of the cheap contracts expired in June, however, and values are now expected to improve. The bulk of the business passing is for first- and third-class steams, which are well contracted for. Ship- ments are fairly well maintained and amount to 73,831 tons, against 75,534 in the preceding week and 126,602 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current L’st week’s Lastyear's Best screened navigation prices. prices. prices. coal 24/ -25/ 24/ -25/ 15/9-16/ Unscreened do 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 18/ -20/ 14/ First-class steam coal 18/6-20/ 12/6-13/ Third-class do 14/ -16/ 13/6-16/ 10/ Treble nuts 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 11/ -11/6 Double do 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 10/9-11/ Single do 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 10/ -10/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 234,916 tons, compared with 242,534 in the preceding week, and 339,847 tons in the same week in 1914. The total decrease in shipments for the half-year amounts to 2,225,146 tons, but this falling off is wholly confined to the east coast ports. Clearances from the west coast ports for the same period are over 300,000 tons in excess of the figures for 1914. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During las£ week 95,123 tons of coal and 2,295 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 43,122 tons of coal and 106 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 48,340 tons of coal and 2,861 tons of coke, a decrease of 5,660 tons of coal and 2,189 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 65,230 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 27,943 tons. Thus, the total shipments from these three places were 213,849 tons, a decrease, when compared with those for the previous week, of 9,080 tons. Much of this decrease is attributable to the delays which are taking place in the granting of licences for shipments to neutral countries. Merchants complain that applications have, in some instances, been under consideration for fully two weeks without evoking any pronouncement from the War Trade Committee. It would seem that all the fine promises that were made as to the expedition of business and the facilitation of consideration of these applications are so much “ east wind ” on which the coal trade is expected to thrive. Very little forward business of any magnitude has been reported during the week. The Malmo Gaswrorks have invited immediate tenders of 15,000 tons of gas bests for delivery over the ensuing six months, and the Christiania Gasworks have asked for telegraphed offers of 20,000 tons of similar coal for shipment up to the end of the year. It is stated that, owing to the disinclination of the collieries to sell subject to licencing, very few offers have been received by the Christiania Gasworks. Such tenders as have been submitted are mainly from merchants who already hold coal. Best Blyth steam smalls have been sold for delivery up to the end of the year at 13s. per ton f.o.b. For ordinary best bunkers for similar delivery, 17s. per ton is stated to have been offered, and to be likely of acceptance. With an ample supply of tonnage, there is a rather improved tone in the prompt steam coal market, although prices, generally speaking, are in buyers’ favour. Steamers have been stemmed to load for Archangel, and this business is expected to increase in volume. There is a large amount of trade in gas coals doing for the coasting and French ports in particular, although considerable congestion at the latter ports, especially at Rouen, is interfering with the full possibilities of business. So few licences are being granted for Scandinavian ports that the market for steam smalls is very much restricted, and several collieries are stocking much larger supplies of this class of fuel than they care for. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment show the following variations on the week:—Best Blyth steams are stronger ; Tynes, Is. cheaper; Blyth seconds, easier; Tynes, 6d. reduced; Blyth smalls, ditto; Tynes, ditto; specials, Is. down; smithies, ditto; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 6d. to Is. lower; Northumbrians, Is. less ; coking coal, ditto; smalls, ditto; households, Is. advanced ; and foundry coke, easier. 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 ........... 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. N orthumbr ians Coking coals.......... Do. smalls........ House coals __......... Coke, foundry .......... Do. blast-furnace..... Do. gas .............. Current jL’stweek's Last year's prices. I prices. prices. 21/ 120/ -21/ 14/9-15/ 19/ 20/ 13/9-14/ 16/6-17/ 17/ 12/ 16/6-17/ 15/ -16/ 13/6-14/ 13/6 14/ -15/ 17/ -18/ 20/ 17/ -17/6 12/ -12/6 15/ -16/ 10/6-11/6 14/ -14/6 I 8/6 14/ , 8/ 15/ -16/ I 8/6- 9/ 18/ -19/ 12/6 20/ 13/ -13/3 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ : 12/ -12/3 21/ I 21/ 13/6 ! , 15/6-17/ j 16/ -19/ 11/3-12/6 15/ -16/ I 16/ -17/ 10/9-11/9 16/6-17/ I 17/6-18/6 12/ 16/ ! 16/ -17/ 11/6-12/ 20/ -21/ j 20/ ; 15/ -16/ 35/ -37/6 | 37/6 ; 19/ -21/ 32/6 1 32/6 18/ 26/ -30/ | 26/ -30/ ■ 12/ -13/6 Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 77,805 tons of coal and 115 tons of coke, as compared with 90,970 tons of coal and 1,580 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1914, being a decrease of 13,165 tons of coal and 1,465 tons of coke. The coal market has a‘ quiet, but steady tone. Current business is slow, but the ____________________________________________________ Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Gas coals:— Current prices. L'st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Special Wear gas coals 22/6 22/ 13/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 19/ 19/ 12/ Best house coals 21/ 21/ 16/6 15/6 Ordinary do Other sorts:— 19/ 19/ Lambton screened 22/6 22/6 14/6 South Hetton do 22/6 22/6 19/6 14/3 Lambton unscreened ... 19/ 12/3 South Hetton do 18/3 18/6 12/3 Do. treble nuts 21/ 21/ 16/ Coking coals unscreened 18/ 18/6 18/ 12/3 Do. smalls 17/6 12/ ______ Smithies 19/6 19/6 13/6 Peas and nuts 20/6 21/ 15/6 Best bunkers 18/6 19/6 12/9 Ordinary bunkers Coke 16/ 17/ 12/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 36/6 36/ 21/ Teesside furnaces) ... | 32/6 30/ -32/6 20/ Gas coke | 27/ 25/ -26/ 13/