August 20, 19i5. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 379 •Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 108,239 tons of coal and 4,277 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 83,490 tons of coal and 4,277 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 48,528 tons of coal and 1,735 tons of coke, an increase of 12,211 tons of coal and 1,030 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 61,841 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 55,405 tons. Thus, the ship- ments from these places show an increase of 156,413 tons when compared with those of a year ago. They are also 44,746 tons in excess of the quantity shipped during the previous week. Good ordinary unscreened Durham bunkers are stated to have been sold for delivery over next year at from 17s. 3d. to 17s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b. An enquiry is in circulation for six cargoes of best steams—about 30,000 tons in all-for September-February shipment to Chili. The collieries, it is stated, are disposed to tender only for September-December delivery, and it is unlikely that this business will come to fruition. The Algerian State Railways are enquiring for 46,6C0 tons of steams for December-April delivery. The War Office is stated to be inviting tenders of 60,000 tons of coal for the supplying of barracks, &c., up to June of next year. Some 10,000 tons of best Blyth steams are stated to have been sold for delivery at Denmark from September to December at 20s. per ton, f.o.b. The new Order, providing that cargoes for shipment to even allied countries must be duly licensed has had the effect of severely restricting business and acting as a “ bear ” on the market. At the time of writing, tonnage is scarce, a circumstance which adds to shippers" difficulties. Licences are being issued, apparently, with very great caution. It is understood that facilities have been granted for the shipment of coals to the French State Railways, and that arrangements are almost completed which will facilitate the supply of fuel to French public utility con- cerns and will benefit the French coasting trade. The State Railways of Italy, also, are said to have been provided for. So far as can be ascertained, there is a complete dearth of licences for Sweden, whilst shipments to Denmark are being very much hampered. The position so far as Norway is concerned is that the licensers are not quite so stringent. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as follow on the week:—Best Blyth steams are from Is. to Is. 6d. cheaper; Tynes, 6d. to Is. reduced; Blyth smalls, 3d. down ; specials, 6d. lower; gas bests, ditto; specials, stronger; foundry coke, 2s. 6d. cheaper; blast- furnace, ditto. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. For the time being, orders are being held back, and the enquiry for fuel is very limited. Later.—Twenty thousand tons of best foundry coke are stated to have been contracted for at 25s. per ton, f.o.b., delivery in monthly quantities over the ensuing twelve months. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals :— Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 1 prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 20/ 21/ -21/6 19/6-20/ 14/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 19/ 14/ . Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 16/6 16/6 11/6 or West Hartleys) ... 16/6-17/ 16/6-17/ 15/ -16/ 11/6 Unscreened 15/ -16/ 11/6 Small, Blyths 13/6-13/9 13/6-14/ 10/ Do. Tynes 13/ 13/ 10/ Do. specials Other sorts:— 15/ 15/ -15/6 H/ Smithies Best gas coals (New 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 13/ Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 20/6 20/6-21/ 11/6-12/ (Pelaw Main or similar) 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 11/6 Special gas oals Unscreened bunkers, 23/ 22/ -23/ 12/ Durhams Do. do. 17/ -18/6 17/ -18/6 11/6-12/ N orthumbr ians 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 11/6 Coking coals 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 11/6 Do. smalls 17/ 21/ '17/ 11/ -11/6 House coals 21/ 15/ -16/ Coke, foundry 25/ -27/6 27/6-30/ 18/ -20/ Do. blast-furnace 25/ 27/6 18/ Do. gas 25/ -27/ 25/ -27/ 12/ -12/6 Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 66,535 tons of coal and 625 tons of coke, as compared with 33,990 tons of coal and 200 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1914, being an increase of 32,545 tons of coal and 425 tons of coke. The coal market is very quiet, as far as new business is concerned; buyers are adopting a waiting policy. The chief factor against business is still the licence question, together with rather a scarce supply of tonnage, with the result that owners are demanding higher freights. With regard to licences for France, it is understood that facilities have been granted for shipping coal to the French State Railways; the Italian State Railways have also been provided for. It appears no licences are being granted for Sweden. The position as regards Norway is slightly improved. The difficulty in securing suitable tonnage for Genoa has somewhat weakened the gas coal trade, and prices are easier. House- hold coals are unchanged: coking unscreened is steady. Bunkers are a steady feature, but foundry coke is on the easy side. It is reported that Chili is enquiring for 30,000 tons of best steams for delivery between September and February, whilst the War Office is in the market for about 60,000 tons of coal for barracks, etc. It is said that a con- tract has been placed for 10,000 tons of best Blyth steams for shipment to Denmark between September and December, and the price is understood to be 20s. f.o.b. Market quota- tions are as follow:— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’ Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 21/6 22/ — Secondary do. House coals:— 18/6 18/6 — Best house coals 22/ 21/ -21/6 — Ordinary do Other sorts :— 19/ 19/ — Lambton screened 23/ 22/6-23/ — South Hetton do 23/ 22/6-23/ — Lambton unscreened ... 17/6 18/ — South Hetton do 17/6 18/ — Do. treble nuts 20/ 20/ — Coking coals unscreened 18/ 18/ 17/6 — Do. smalls 17/6 — Smithies 20/ -20/6 21/ -21/6 — Peas and nuts 21/ 22/ — Best bunkers 19/ 19/ -20/ — Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 17/6 17/ — Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 32/6 32/ — Teesside furnaces) ... 27/6 27/6 — Gas coke 25/ 24/6-25/ — Tonnage is in ready request, especially for the near trade. The Mediterranean is firmer, with owners holding for an advance. Recent fixtures include:—London, 7s.; Havre, 12s.; Rouen, 13s. 9d.; Fecamp, 12s. 9d.; Caen, 13s.; Bordeaux, 17s.; St. Nazaire, 16s. 6d.; Rochefort, 16s. 3d.; Lisbon, 17s.; Oporto, 19s. 3d.; Genoa, 25s.; Catania, 24s.; Gibraltar, 17s. 6d.; Valencia, 25s. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. There is not a great deal new to report with regard to the fuel trade. Shipments are quiet, due to the withholding of licences, and to the scarcity of tonnage. An upward movement in Mediterranean freights has set in. The increasing difficulty of securing suitable tonnage for Genoa is telling on the gas coal branch. Best Durham gas coals are obtainable at 20s., and second qualities at 17s. 9d. to 18s., whilst special Wear kinds are 22s. to 23s. In spite of the falling off in boats, bunker coals do not give way. Ordinary Durhams are 17s. 6d. f.o.b., bests 18s. 6d. to 18s. 9d., and specials 22s. Household coal is quiet, but prices are fully maintained. Coking coal is steady, and in moderate request. Smalls run from 16s. to 16s. 6d., and unscreened sorts range from 17s. to 18s. Coke shows further downward movement. Several local consumers have arranged for their supplies for some little time to come, and report contracts made on lower terms than are given by sellers as the general market rates. Durham blastfurnace coke of average quality is now on sale at 27s., delivered at Teesside works. Best foundry coke for ship- ment is quoted 32s. to 35s., f.o.b. Gas coke ranges from 26s. 6d. to 28s. IRON. The recent relighting of a haematite blast furnace has increased the number of furnaces in operation on the north- east coast to 66. Of these 30 are running on Cleveland pig, 25 are manufacturing haematite, and 11 are producing special kinds of iron. Current requirements practically absorb the output of pig, and as a consequence the statis- tical situation changes very little. Shipments of pig iron this month are very disappointing, but they are better than the official returns represent, as considerable parcels that have been despatched among “ general ” cargo will not be included until the end of the month. Values of Cleveland pig are falling, and are now—with the exception of No. 1 quality—lower than they have been for the past three months. Merchants are rather pressing sales of No. 3 g.m.b. at 65s. 3d. for early delivery, and as low as 65s. would probably be accepted by some second-hand sellers. Makers are holding aloof, declaring that such rates are several shillings below cost of output. No. 4 foundry is selling at 64s. 9d., No. 4 forge is offered at 64s. 3d., and mottled and white iron, of which very little is being produced at present, are each quoted 63s. 9d. to 64s. Up to as much as 72s. is asked for what little No. 1 is available for sale. There is little passing in east coast haematite, and prices are easy. Merchants ask 97s. for early delivery of Nos. 1, 2 and 3, but purchases have been made at a little below that figure. Producers quote mixed numbers at 97s. to 98s. Inactivity continues to characterise the foreign ore trade. Consumers have large stocks, and heavy supplies are still being delivered, but there is danger of shortage before the end of the year, and buyers would willingly make contracts for forward delivery at current rates. Sellers, however, anticipating freight difficulties over the back end of the year, will not commit themselves beyond next month. Market rates are still nominally 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 118,978 tons. There is little new in the manu- factured iron and steel industries. A further fall in spelter has enabled galvanised sheet producers to lower their quotations another 10s. Iron and steel galvanised corru- gated sheets, 24-gauge, in bundles, now stand at <£19 10s. f.o.b., less the usual 4 per cent. Other descriptions of finished iron and steel show a marked upward tendency, and though quotations have not been actually advanced, some firms ask above the recognised fixed rates. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The Cumberland coal trade is this week firmer in tone, and business on export and industrial accounts is remarkably brisk. The collieries are all working on an average of six days a week, but outputs are much below normal owing to a number of men absenting themselves from work during the first two days of the week. Throughout the whole of the summer production has scarcely been equal to the demand, but during the last fortnight the shortage in some quarters has been very marked. The irregular working of some of the miners has become a serious factor in the situation, and every effort is being made, not only by the managers and officials, but by the miners’ leaders, in order to induce the men to work more regularly, so that production may be kept as high as possible. Household coal is still rather quiet^ but there is a very strong demand for slacks, smalls, and all kinds of manufacturing fuel. The cross-Channel trade is in a most active condition, and while there is so little com- petition from other districts the demand is likely to grow stronger. All sorts are in brisk request for the Irish market, and during the past week business has been so brisk that home merchants have found it almost impossible to cope with’the requirements of Irish consumers. Values are firm but unchanged, and while the present strong demand continues there is no prospect of any immediate fall in prices. Best Cumberland coal at the pit is quoted at 22s. 6d. to 23s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at from 21s. to 21s. 3d. per ton, and seconds at 20s. lOd. per ton. Best Cumberland coal free on board at Maryport is quoted at 19s. 6d..per ton, with best washed nuts at 17s. 6d. per ton. Bunkers are in strong demand at from 17s. to 17s. 6d. per ton. Last week, 15 vessels left Maryport for Irish ports, and the shipments amounted to 4,080 tons, a decrease of 1,480 tons compared with the previous week. The exports also included 200 tons of pitch for Port Talbot, from the West Cumberland By-product Works. Coke makers are fairly busy, but since the 50 new ovens were lighted at Lowca there has been a more plentiful supply of coke, and production is now more than equal to the requirements of West Cumberland smelters. Best house coal delivered in the Maryport district is quoted at from Is. 5d. to Is. 6d. per cwt., or from 27s. 6d. to 28s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at 25s. lOd. per ton, and seconds 24s. 2d. per ton. Best Buckhill coal delivered in the Workington district is quoted at Is. 4d. per cwt. or 25s. lOd. per ton, with best double- screened washed nuts at Is. 3d. per cwt., or 24s. 2d. per ton. Other current quotations are as follow :— Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit Current prices. 23/4 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 23/4 prices. 19/2 Best washed nuts at pit... 21/3 21/3 17/1 Buckhill best coal „ Do. double-scrned 22/6 22/6 18/4 washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at 21/ 21/ 16/10 Fit Oughterside best washed 22/6 22/6 18/4 nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best 21/ 21/ 16/10 coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts 22/6 22/6 18/4 at pit 21/ 21/ 16/10 Best dry small at pit 12/ ' 12/ 8/6 Best steam nuts at pit ... 19/ 19/ 15/ Best Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. 19/6 19/6 15/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 17/6 17/6 17/ -17/6 13/6 Bunkers 17/ -17/6 12/6 Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- 20/ 20/ 15/ works 19/ 19/ 14/ IRON. The Cumberland haematite iron trade is much quieter this week, and business is decidedly easier than it has been for some time. Prices have fallen slightly, and Bessemer mixed numbers are now quoted at from 106s. to 107s. 6d. per ton free on board at the usual ports, with warrants at cash at 95s. per ton. Special iron is quoted at from 120s. to 123s. per ton, while the quotation for ferro-manganese still stands at <£20 per ton. Special brands of iron are still in firm request, owing to the heavy consumption by high-class steel makers engaged on Government orders, but business in ordinary haematites is very dull, and the chances are that the demand for this metal is likely to grow less. Consumers are not purchasing so much ordinary haematites as formerly, and the present make is in excess of the demand, with the result that stocks in private stores are accumulating rather too quickly. At present, however, the position is not regarded with anxiety, as makers are fairly well sold forward, but if there was a further deprecia- tion of values, it is not at all improbable that one or two of the furnaces in the district may be put out of blast. There are 23 furnaces in operation, 15 in Cumberland and eight in the Furness district. The Workington Iron and Steel Com- pany have eight furnaces in blast, Millom has three, and Distington and Cleator Moor have two each in draught. In the Furness district, Barrow have five furnaces in blast, North Lonsdale two, and Carnforth has one in operation. Only a very small percentage of the make of ordinary iron is going out of the district, but the bulk of the special iron is being absorbed by users in Scotand, South Wales and the Midlands. In the steel trade business is fairly brisk, but the rail trade is dull. Barrow is well employed on shell steel, and at Workington the production includes shell steel, axles, rails, sleepers, &c. All the engineering shops are very busy on Government orders. Trade is very brisk in the iron ore industry, and all the mines in the district are working full time. Outputs are steadily on the increase, and local smelters are thus enabled to secure all the metal they require. The amount of iron ore going out of the district at present scarcely exceeds 2,000 tons weekly. The imports at Workington last week included 2,130 tons of manganese ore from Liverpool; and the exports consisted of 417 tons of steel rails for the Continent, 400 tons of ferro-manganese, and 628 tons of steel rails for Liverpool. At Maryport the imports consisted of 3,500 tons of iron ore from Lagoulette for the Workington Iron and Steel Company. South-West Lancashire. COAL. The household demand is almost down to what is generally expected in mid-summer, but the production having fallen off so materially, there is not the usual summer embarrassment. Forges and works of this descrip- tion continue to take full supplies of round coal. In shipping there is little or no change to report, and prices for screened Lancashire steam coals range as before from 18s. to 19s. f.o.b. Coastwise shipments of household coal keep up, and it is exceptional where every order can be promptly met particularly in the best grades. In slacks the consumption at first one town and then another has diminished by reason of the holidays, but it comes to most collieries more in the form of a relief than a trouble. In short, the output is disposed of as it comes.