1140 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. December 3, 1915. face of odds that would have daunted a less courageous fighter, by the sole aid of a policy free from ambiguity, the only possible policy for a man and a Briton. THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, December 2. The London coal trade for the past week has been most difficult and perplexing. The bulk of the merchants have fairly good supplies of both house coal and manufacturing coal on hand, but the difficulty in obtaining carmen to deliver the coal has been most acute. Many of the merchants who have order books filled with orders waiting delivery have the mortification of seeing vans and horses idle, because of the defiant attitude of the carmen in refusing to take out loads when the weather has been bad. The demand for all qualities of fuel has been unusually good on the market, and on each market day the Exchange has been well attended. The colliery representatives have little or nothing to sell, and the quantities arriving at the various wharves and depots have been unusually small. The railway companies have during the week made extraordinary efforts to bring forward the heavy accumulations of loaded wagons scattered about on the lines leading to London and the South, but there are still vast numbers of wagons which are seriously delayed in transit. The barging stations, Poplar, Black wall, and Chelsea, are terribly congested, and numberless wagons are held up at the colliery sidings until barges are either in the docks or are guaranteed to be in readiness to receive the coal, before the railway companies will accept the tendered consignment notes. Very little of the best qualities of York- shire coal or the more popular qualities of Derby brights are obtainable now on the open market, and as the pit prices are largely regulated by the Board of Trade conditions, there is no question of outbidding each other to secure the small quantity available. Quite a large number of the prominent Nottingham and Derby collieries have for many weeks now declined any orders whatever for all qualities, so that these are, to all intents and purposes “ off the market.” Only a sparse quantity offered for re-sale by factors and speculative merchants have been dealt with, and often at prices beyond the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act. The severe weather brought in a rush of orders from the general public, and whilst the shortage of men at the depots has been so pro- nounced, the delivery has been unusually slow, • and many orders are still unexecuted. The return to warmer weather has relieved the tension somewhat, but many householders must have been seriously disappointed. Small quantities of J-ton and 1-ton lots have been delivered in order to partially tide over the difficulty, but the bulk of the public orders have perforce been obliged to be held up for a more convenient season. The seaborne market has been affected largely by the high freights quoted, and the tonnage arriving in the River Thames has not been so heavy as the week before; 27 contract cargoes were entered in the Thames for Monday’s market, and five for Wednesday. Freights are still advancing and chartering is in consequence quiet. The fixtures during the week have been 14s. fid. from the Tyne to London, and 14s. from the Humber to London, but steamers are scarce. The latest quotations are Ifis. for a 2,fi00 tons steamer and 1,000 tons steamer from Newcastle to London. During the past few days an entirely new notice has appeared in the bulk of the coal wharves and order offices, especially in the East End of London, announcing that merchants are prepared to sell small quantities of fuel to the poorer classes at the following prices : Is. lOd. per cwt. (1121b.), lid. cwt. (561b.), 5|d. 281b., 3d. 141b., l|d. 71b. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Friday, November 26.—There was a good demand for seaborne house coal at to-day’s market, but no fresh supplies of either Durham or Yorkshire on offer. Cargoes, 25. Monday, November 29.—The demand for seaborne house coal was still very good to-day, the change in the weather being of a consuming character, but no cargoes of either Durham or Yorkshire were available. Cargoes, 28. Wednesday, December 1.—There was no alteration in the seaborne house coal market to-day, the enquiry for which continued good, but no transaction reported. Cargoes, 5. THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, December 2. Dublin. Coal prices have been advanced Is. per ton all round this week, and the condition of the trade generally continues to be brisk, both in wholesale and retail directions. Quotations are as follow:—Best Orrell, 36 s. per ton; Hui ton Arley, 35s.; best Wigan, 34s.; best Whitehaven, 34s; best kitchen, 32s.; Orrell slack, 28s.; all less Is. per ton discount for cash. Best coke, 36s. per ton net delivered; culm, all prices from 3s. 4d. per ton upwards. Pit prices for Kilkenny (Castlecomer) coal, outside of contract prices, are as follow : Best small coal, 23s. 4d. per ton; best large, 21s. 8d.; second quality, 20s.; bottom coal, 16s. 8d.; breakage, Ils. 8d.; culm, 5s. to 8s. 6d. The import trade shows an improve- ment for the past week or two. The coal vessels arriving during the past week amounted to 57, as compared with 53 the week previously, chiefly from G-arston, Point of Aire, Newport, Cardiff, Ayr, Partington, Ardrossan, Liverpool, Preston, Whitehaven, Glasgow, Maryport, Irvine, Troon, Neath Abbey, and Fleet wood. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was 25,000 tons, as against 23,500 tons the previous week. Belfast. Business continues to improve both locally and in the inland districts, and prices have again been advanced in the latter, -as freights are abnormally high, with a further upward tendency. Locally, prices of house coals are unchanged at the time of writing, viz. :—Best Arley coal, 36s. per ton; Orrell nuts, 35s.; Scotch house coal, 32s.; Orrell slack, 32s. per ton delivered. Prices of steam coals are subject to alteration from day to day. Merchants’ stocks are only moderate. Coal laden vessels arriving during the week were from Ayr, Glasgow, Troon, Campbeltown, Ardrossan, Buriy port, Neath Abbey, Garston, Silloth, Manchester, Girvan, Partington, Swansea, Maryport, Irvine, Whitehaven, and Workington. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, December 2. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The recent firmness in the west of Scotland coal trade has been well maintained during the past week, and values show an upward tendency. The industrial demand is as strong as ever, and the household qualities are improving week by week. Best splints are a very strong market, and are now unobtainable under two weeks’ notice, and ell coal is also favourably placed. Navigations are firm round about 19s. 6d. to 21s. 6d., but ordinary steams seem stationary. Smalls of all sizes are moving off in good quantities at satisfactory prices. Shipments for the week amounted to 95,836 tons, against 87,276 in the preceding week and 121,733 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coal prices. 15/6-17/6 prices. 15/6-17/6 prices. 10/9-12/9 Ell 18/3-18/6 18/3-18/6 13/ —13/3 Splint 19/ -25/ ; 19/ -24/6 18/6-19/ 12/ -14/9 Treble nuts 18/6-18/9 : 11/3-11/6 Double do 18/3-18/6 18/3-18/6 10/3-10/6 Single do 17/3-17/6 ' 16/9-17/ 10/- 10/3 IRON. There are 71 furnaces in blast in Scotland, the same as in the preceding week and one less than in the corresponding period of last year. The strength of haematite still consti- tutes the principal feature of the pig iron trade. The home demand is unusually large, and additional furnaces producing ordinary qualities are being utilised for the manufacture of steelmaking iron. The price of haematite is now 125s. per ton. Ordinary brands are improving like- wise, and values all round are firm. The prices of Scotch makers’ iron are quoted as follow:—Monkland, f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 81s., No. 3, 80s.; Govan, No. 1, 81s. 6d., No. 3, 81s.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 84s. 6d., No. 3, 80s. 6d.; Clyde, No. 1, 86s., No. 3, 81s.; Gartsherrie, No. 1, 88s. 6d., No. 3, 82s. 6d.; Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 87s. 6d., Nos. 3, 82s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1,87s., No. 3, 82s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 82s., No. 3, 81s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 86s., No. 3, 84s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 87s. 6d., No. 3, 82s. 6d.; Carron, at Leith, No. 1, 88s. 6d., No. 3, 83s. 6d. per ton. The Glasgow pig iron warrant market was again active during the past week, a fair amount of speculative buying being indulged in, and the total turnover amounted to 25,000 tons. Prices advanced sharply, and Cleveland iron closing at 72s. 7|d. per ton cash. The various branches of the manufactured iron trade are as active as ever, and in view of the fact that the average selling price of iron is <£9 5s. llfd. per ton, the wages of the workmen are subject to an increase of 7| per cent. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The collieries in the Lothians are well booked up, and supplies are difficult to arrange. All qualities of coal are in brisk demand. The general position may be considered satisfactory. The shipment for the past week amounted to 37,226 tons, compared with 36,241 in the preceding week and 49,104 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities..... Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... prices. prices. prices. 18/3-18/9 17/9-18/6 11/ 17/9-18/3 17/ -17/6 I 10/ 19/ -19/6 I 19/ -20/ | 11/3-11/6 18/3-18/6 j 18/ -18/6 10/ -10/3 16/3-16/6 16/ -16/6 | 10/ The coal trade in Fifeshire continues on a strong basis. Navigations are very full, and first-class steams are heavily sold, while third-class qualities are in a better position Nuts of all sizes are moving off in large quantities, with trebles the chief feature. The clearances for the ’/week amounted to 60,897 tons, compared with 58,168 in the preceding week and 62,319 tons in the corresponding week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s'Last year’s prices. prices. Best screened navigation coal 23/ -24/6 20/ -21/ 23/ -24' 15/6-15/9 Unscreened do 21/ -22/ 13/6 . First-class steam coal 20/ -20/6 19/ -19/6 14/ -14/6 i 11/6-11/9 Third-class do 15/ i 10/ Treble nuts 19/ -20/ 18/6-20/ 1 11/3-11/9 Double do 17/6-17/9 16/6-17/6 : 10/ -10/6 Single do 16/3-16/6 15/9-16/ ; 10/ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 193,959 tons, compared with 181,685 in the preceding week and 233,156 tons in the same week last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week, 88,871 tons of coal and 3,938 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 9,355 tons of coal and an increase of 1,986 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 43,849 tons of coal and 6,647 tons of coke, a decrease of 11,749 tons of coal and an increase of 3,232 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 59,150 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 20,731 tons. Thus, the shipments from the three places mentioned amounted to 202,455 tons, a net increase of 4,845 tons. When compared with the clearances for the previous week, the shipments show an increase of 5,247 tons. So far as enquiries are concerned—but only so far— the prompt market has been very active during the week under review, and buyers at times have carried on a keen competition for supplies for early loading. The tonnage position, however, continues to be the all-important factor in the transaction of spot business, and operators on the market are seldom able to complete their intended purchases. Few boats are to be had, and, even with the great majority of buyers holding off, there is sufficient business of a very urgent nature to enable shipowners to quote and secure enormous prices for coal-space, thereby choking off a large amount of business which would, with reasonable freights, materialise. Coal shippers are com- plaining that, not content with rates which are up to nine times pre-war prices, shipowners are taking advantage of the tonnage scarcity to shelve certain terms of charters which have been established by custom. Shipowners, apparently, are determined to “ make hay while the sun shines”—despite the national necessities —and think little of the future. The effect of the present height of freights is likely to have a very far-reaching and lasting effect on the coal trade, for American merchants are offering tempting inducements to Continental buyers to arrange for contracts over three and even five years. The British ship- owner, therefore, looks like losing in the future a substantial slice of the trade by which he is now amassing fortunes. Supplies over and above what are required by contractors are small, and prices are appreciably advanced on the week. The following variations in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have occurred during the week:—Best steams, Blyths, firmer; Tynes, 6d. increased ; seconds, Tynes, 6d. dearer ; unscreened, firmer; smalls, Tynes, easier; smithies, 6d. to Is. higher; gas seconds,3d. to6d.advanced; specials, Is. up; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 9d. to Is. more; Northumbrians, 6d. to Is. increased; coking coal, Is. up; smalls, Is. to Is. 6d. advanced ; households, Is. higher; coke, foundry, Is. to Is. 6d. increased; blastfurnace, Is. 6d. more; and gas coke, Is. to 2s. more. The forward market has been moderately active, and prices continue to advance for supplies for delivery during next year. It is stated that, in addition to the recent heavy purchases of‘unscreened coals, the Paris, Lyons and Marseilles Railways have contracted for a quantity of Durham coking coal, for ship- ment over next year, at about 18s. per ton, f.o.b. Gas coals are much in demand, and a quantity of prime Tynes, for delivery over 1916, has been sold by second-hand dealers at 19s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b., a price which shows conclusively the strength of the forward market for that class of fuel. There is a heavy enquiry for bunkers, and further large quantities for next year’s shipment are said to have been disposed of. 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. j N orthumbr ians; Coking coals Do. smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Current prices. 20/ 19/6-20/ 17/ -17/6 15/6-16/ 10/6-11/ 10/ -10/6 12/6-13/ 17/ -18/ 19/6 17/ -17/6 21/ 16/9-18/ 16/6 17/6-18/6 17/6 21/ 34/ -36/ 34/ 27/ -30/ L’stweek’s 1 prices. : 19/6-20/ 19/ -19/6 ‘ 17/ i 17/ ; 15/ -16/ 10/6-11/ ; io/6 ! 12/6-13/ 16/6-17/ 19/6 16/9-17/ 1 20/ 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -16/6 20/ 1 32/6-35/ j 32/6 26/ -28/ Last year’s ! prices. ! 13/ i 12/ -12/3 j 10/9 ! nl 10/ -10/6 8/ 7/6 9/6 10/6 12/6 10/9-11/ 13/ 10/41-11/6 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 9/ -9/6 14/ -15/ 19/ -20/ 18/ 10/6-11/3 Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 60,505 tons of coal and 245 tons of coke, as compared with 51,310 tons of coal and 390 tons of coke for the corres- ponding period of 1914, being an increase of 9,195 tons of coal and a decrease of 145 tons of coke. The coal market is very steady, which is remarkable in view of the extraordinary high freights ruling. Prices for December loading are firm, and there is every pro- spect of difficulty in securing coal between now and Christmas, as the majority of the collieries are fully sold, and as secondhand holders have little to dispose of, higher rates are asked. The only weakness is in small steams, which can be had on easy terms by reason of the heavy pro- duction of large. Gas and coking qualities are steady, and bunkers are stronger. Coke is scarce, and prices have advanced. The contracts for supplies of the North-Eastern Railway Company with loco fuel over the year have been closed on the basis of 16s. 3d. to 17s. per ton into trucks at the colliery sidings, which is about 4s. a ton above the pre-war prices. It is reported that a quantity of best gas coal has been sold for delivery over next year at 19s. 6d. by second hands, and it is also reported that the Paris, Lyons and Mediterranean Railway have purchased a quantity of Durham coking coal for shipment over next year, the price