946 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN November 5, 1915. of Smith’s coal, and 30 tons of small coal; also 620 tons of gas coke, for the Corporation. Forms from Town Clerk's Office, City Hall. London, N.E., November 8.—Small steam coal and coke, for the Hackney Guardians. Tenders to Mr. Frank R. Coles, clerk to the Guardians. Hackney Union, Homerton, N.E. London, S.W., November 15.—About 4,000 tons of steam coal, for H.M. Government, delivered at Gibraltar during 1916. Forms from the Crown Agents for the Colonies, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. Long Lawford, November 20.—£30 worth of good house coal, named, free from slack, for the Trustees of the United Charities of Sir Edward Boughton and others, Long Lawford. Tenders to Mr. E. Wright, clerk to the Trustees. Wallasey, November 16. — 2,000 tons large double - screened steam coal, especially suitable for storage over long periods in the open, for the Ferries Committee of the Corporation. Forms from the Ferries general manager, Seacombe Ferry, Wallasey. Whalley (near Blackburn).—1,200 tons of slack, for the County Asylum, Whalley. Forms from the clerk and steward, County Asylum, Whalley, near Blackburn. The date given is the latest upon which tenders can be received. CONTRACTS OPEN FOR ENGINEERING, IRON AND STEEL WORK, Ac. London, S.W., November 10.—Steel Rails, etc.—About 2,664 tons 41J lb. flat-bottom steel rails, and about 106 tons fishspikes for same; also screw spikes, steel bearing plates, and iron wire fencing, for the South Indian Railway Company Limited. Specifications from company’s office, 91, York-street, Westminster. Napier (New Zealand), November 9.—Gas Engines.— Two gas engines, two direct current electric generators, and other apparatus, for the Napier Borough Council’s electric supply station.* THE FREIGHT MARKET. There has been but little change in the position of tlie outward freight market during the past week, and tonnage shortage, the dominant factor in the coal trade for some weeks, is as acute as ever. According to a somewhat uninformative Press Bureau communication, the Govern- ment has at last decided to take action in the matter of British shipping and, though the rumours which have been current recently to the effect that the whole of the mer- cantile marine was to be requisitioned are without foundation, it is proposed to take over a sufficient number of vessels “ to deal wTith cases where an emergency of national importance exists in any particular market owing to absence of tonnage.” Shippers are anxiously awaiting further particulars, and it is confidently hoped that the coal trade will be included in matters “ of national importance.” As yet, however, it is too early to predict what will be the exact effect of the scheme, and meanwhile rates of freight continue to advance. At the North-East Coast, the upward tendency is almost general. Coastwise, business has been done from the Tyne at the advanced rate of 10s. 6d. to London. Quotations for North France are forging ahead, and. Dunkirk is from Is. 6d. to 2s. advanced on the week; Caen is Is. 9d. up; and Rouen has been frequently fixed for at Is. increase. There is a complete absence of business for the Bay, but quotations are fully up to recent levels. There would appear to be no limit to the advance of rates for Italian ports, and Genoa has been done at 49s., an increase of Is. 6d. on last week’s prices. Though fixtures have been fairly frequent, a singular fall in rates for the South Mediterranean is to be noted, and Algiers is as much as from 2s. 6d. to 4s. down, whilst Oran is 2s. lower. Chartering -at South Wales has been very heavy during the week, but shippers have been obliged to concede advances in most instances. With only a small enquiry for North France, rates are somewhat irregular at the time of writing, but Calais or Dunkirk is 6d. higher, and Rouen maintained at late rates. The Bay is easy, with St. Nazaire 1 fr. down, and Bordeaux done at weaker prices. The Mediterranean market has been very active, and numerous fixtures for Spanish ports are reported to have been arranged on the basis of 37s. 6d. for Barcelona. Genoa, with options, has paid 45s. with guaranteed demurrage, an advance of 2s. 6d. as compared with the last fixture on similar terms. Marseilles is from 2 fr. to 3| fr. advanced; Port Said from 6d. to Is. up; and Alexandria 2s. 6d. dearer. The River Plate has come under the influence of homeward rates, and is from 6d. to 2s. 6d. reduced. Homewards, the River Plate is firm on the basis of about . 85s. for prompt loading for United Kingdom, but boats for December-January shipment have been fixed at 80s., and for January-February at 77s. 6d. Tonnage is very scarce at the Northern States, and rates have advanced to 15s. 3d. to West Italy for heavy grain, and the Bristol Channel has been fixed for at 12s. lOJd. for November-December, and 13s. for December loading. The coal trade with West Italy appears to have been suspended for the time being, owing to the highness of freights. Cotton freights are firm, and 50s. on net charter is indicated for Manchester. Sugar has paid 75s. from New York to Havre. Australia is steady at about 95s. for January-February cancelling. There is little doing at India, but steamers cannot be obtained at less than 60s. from Kurrachee to United Kingdom on scale basis, and 67s. 6d. from Bombay on d.w., whilst Madras is worth 87s. 6d. to Marseilles for kernels. Saigon c