1344 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. December 31, 1915. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday. December 30. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The coal market in the west of Scotland continues to display considerable activity and the collieries are fully booked, and the finish for the year promises well for the opening of 1916. The outstanding feature is the position of splint coal, the best qualities of which are booked up to the end of February. Exports in this sort are of little account, as may be judged from the fact that 75 per cent, of the output is being taken up by home consumers. Ells are also very well placed. Smalls of all sizes are in heavy demand, and supplies are scarce. Shipments for the week amounted to 102,888 tons, against 117,753 in the preceding week and 111,181 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal j 18/ -20/ 17/6-19/6 11/3-13/3 Ell j 21/6 21/ -21/6 13/9-14/ Splint ' 22/ -26/ 21/6-26/ 13/3-15/9 Treble nuts i 21/ 20/ —21/ 12/9-13/3 Double do. j 19/6-20/ 18/6-19/6 11/9-12/ Single do i W 18/3-18/6 11/ -11/6 IRON. The activity in the Scotch iron trade is well maintained in all its branches. Prices of Scotch pig iron are still inclined to go higher, and though consumers are not buying large quantities, makers are booking as much new business as they consider advisable in the present circumstances, Scotch haematite is now quoted 132s. 6d. per ton. There are still 71 furnaces in Scotland, three more than in the same period in 1914. The prices of Scotch makers’ iron are quoted as follow:—Monkland and Govan f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1,91s., Nos. 3, 90s.; Carnbroe, No. 1,94s., No. 3, 90s.; Clyde, No. 1, 98s., No. 3, 92s.; Gartsherrie, No. 1, 98s. 6d., No. 3, 92s. 6d.; Summerlee, Calder, and Langloan, Nos. 1, 97s. 6d., Nos. 3, 92s. 6d.; Glengarnock at Ardrossan, No. 1, 97s. 6d., No. 3, 92s. 6d.; Eglinton at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 91s. 6d., No. 3, 90s. 6d.; Dalmellington at Ayr, No. 1, 94s., No. 3, 92s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 97s. 6d., No. 3, 92s. 6d. per ton. The Glasgow pig iron warrant market was moderately active during the past week, and the turnover amounted to 16,000 tons. After considerable fluctuation, Cleveland iron closed at 77s. 6d. per ton, cash buyers, a gain of Id. per ton on the week. The finished iron trade is particularly active. Black sheet makers are simply overwhelmed with orders, and arrears of deliveries are accumulating. Firm prices are being quoted, and 7 to 11 b.g. are now .£16 per ton, less 2| per cent. Glasgow warehouse. Malleable iron producers are similarly placed, and, though working at high pressure, are unable to satisfy the demand. Crown bars are quoted <£13 per ton, less 5 per cent., for home delivery, and <£12 10s. net for export, while mild steel bars are named £16 and £12 10s. per ton respectively. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Trade in the Lothians shows a satisfactory position from the coal master’s point of view. The collieries are full up at present, and bookings extend well into January. Clearances amounted to 31,017 tons, against 25,858 last week and 37,654 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 20/ -21/ ’ 20/ -21/ 11/9-12/ Secondary qualities 18/ -19/6 ■ 18/ -19/ 10/6-10/9 ’ Treble nuts 21/ -21/6 21/ -22/ 12/6-12/9 Double do 18/6-19/ 18/6-19/6 11/ -11/3 Single do 17/6 17/6-18/ 10/6—10/9 The collieries in the Fifeshire district are also well placed. Navigations and first-class steams are now practically unobtainable for anything like prompt delivery, while other qualities of round coal are taking a fair share of the busi- ness passing. Nuts of all sizes are very scarce, and values are firm and tending upward. Shipments amounted to 54,893 tons, compared with 52,200 in the preceding week and 57,081 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. coal 25/ 24/ -25/ 15/9-16/3 Unscreened do 21/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 14/ First-class steam coal 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 12/6-12/9 Third-class do 15/ -15/6 15/ -15/6 10/3-10/6 Treble nuts 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 12/6-13/ Double do. 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 11/ -11/3 Single do 17/6-18/6 17/ -18/ 10/9-11/3 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 188,798 tons, compared with 195,811 in the preceding week and 205,916 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week there were shipped from Tyne Dock 100,567 tons of coal and 3,026 tons of coke, an increase, when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year, of 46,246 tons of coal and 2,280 tons of coke. The Dunston clearances amounted to 30,344 tons of coal and 6,015 tons of coke, an increase of 12,449 tons of coal and 3,923 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 47,447 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 9,827 tons. Thus, the total shipments from the three places mentioned amounted to 187,399 tons, an increase of as much as 74,725 tons when compared with the shipments for the corre- sponding period of 1914, but a decrease of 44,423 tons as against the clearances for the previous week. Practically no business has been completed in the prompt market during the past week, partly owing to holiday influences but more to the absolute impossibility of securing spot supplies of most varieties of fuel. The authorities—in particular the Admiralty—continue to take up all available supplies, and a good many business men have, for the time being’, given up any attempt at doing prompt business. Loading turns are very full for a week or two ahead. F.o.b. quotations are, of course, nominal, and the following variations have occurred during the week:—Steam seconds, Bly ths, firmer ; Tynes, ditto; unscreened, ditto; smalls, Bly ths, Is. 6d. advanced ; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, stronger; Northumbrians, 2s. increased; coking coal, firmer; and blastfurnace coke, 2s. reduced. Other descrip- tions of fuel are unaltered. A few odd parcels of bunkers for prompt shipment have been disposed of at very high prices, and the buyers of these lots generally consider themselves lucky to obtain the fuel at all. The Coal Export Control Committee has issued a further notice, calling the attention of coal exporters to the necessity for more precision in the information given in applications for export licences. Exporters are instructed to be particular in stating the nature and quality of the coal, the name of the colliery from which it is drawn, and the description of the ultimate use or destination of the coal. It is also pointed out that the general character of the inward cargo of the vessel named may be of considerable importance in some cases, and it is requested that this should be described accurately. The tenders for steams for delivery to the Admiralty, from January to June next, are stated to have been based on from 19s. to 20s. per ton, f.o.b., for bests. Contrary to expectations, a number of large industrial concerns are stated to have covered their requirements of steam smalls at about current prices. The Manchester Corporation and a Lancashire chemical works are said to be included in these. Latest information from Genoa is to the effect that only 23 steamers are now awaiting discharge at that port. There has been an almost complete absence of forward business, and buyers feel that the outlook is too uncertain to operate at present. So far as January is con- cerned, there is little prospect of much improvement in the position. The Government is stated to have fixed maximum prices for coke for home consumption. For good blast- furnace coke, 28s. per ton at the ovens is said to be the figure, whilst for low - phosphorus coke for haematite manufacture 30s. 6d. per ton is the price named. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best, Bly ths (D.C.B.) ... 23/ i 22/ -25/ 13/3 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 22/ ; 22/ 12/3-12/6 Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 20/ ; 18/ -20/ 10/9-11/ or West Hartleys) ... 20/ i 19/ -20/ 11/3-11/6 Unscreened 18/6 17/6-18/6 10/ -10/6 Small, Blyths 12/6 11/ 7/9- 8/3 Do. Tynes 10/6 10/6 7/ - 7/3 Do. specials Other sorts:— 13/ 13/ 9/ Smithies Best gas coals (New 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 10/ -10/6 Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 12/6 (Pelaw Main or similar) 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 10/9 12/9-13/ Special gas oals Unscreened bunkers, 22/ -23/ 22/ —23/ Durhams Do. do. 21/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 10/6-11/6 N orthumbr ians 18/ -20/ 18/ 10/ -10/6 Coking coals ■ 21/ 19/ -21/ 10/ -10/6 Do. smalls 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 9/3- 9/6 14/ —15/ House coals 22/ 22/ Coke, foundry 36/ -38/ 36/ -38/ 19/ -20/ Do. blast-furnace 36/ 36/ -38/ 18/ Do. gas 28/ -30/ 28/ -30/ 10/6-12/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 55,700 tons of coal and 1,180 tons of coke, as compared with 36,565 tons of coal and 2,130 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1914, being an increase of 19,135 tons of coal and a decrease of 950 tons of coke. There is very little indeed being done in the coal market, owing to the scarcity of coal for early loading. Not only are turns full, chiefly with steamers loading on Government account, but other steamers are on demurrage, and only the smallest odd lots of any class of fuel are now obtainable for this year. In the circumstances, merchants find ordinary business out of the question until after the new year holidays. It is reported that maximum prices have now been fixed by the Govern- ment for coke for home consumption at 28s. per ton for good blastfurnace qualities at the ovens, and 30s. 6d. for low phosphorus coke for haematite making; these prices to continue in operation until the end of December 1916. Quotations are as follow:— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’sjLast year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 23/ 23/ 1 13/ Secondary do. House coals:— 21/ -21/6 . 20/ 11/3 Best house coals 27/ 25/ -26/ 14/6-15/ Ordinary do Other sorts :— 23/6 22/ 13/6-14/ Lambton screened 27/ 25/ 13/9 South Hetton do 26/6 25/ 13/6 Lambton unscreened ... ; 22/ -22/6 20/ 11/ South Hetton do ' 22/ -22/6 18/9 20/ 10/9 Do. treble nuts 17/9 13/6 Coking coals unscreened ! 21/ 21/ 10/6 Do. smalls 1 20/ 20/6 10/ 13/6 Smithies 1 22/6 20/ Peas and nuts 26/ 21/6-22/ 14/ -15/ Best bunkers ! 23/6-24/ 22/ 20/6 12/ Ordinary bunkers 1 Coke:— 1 20/ -20/6 11/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did.! 40/ 40/ 20/6 Teesside furnaces) ... 36/ 34/ 19/ Gas coke 27/ 26/6-27/ 12/ -12/6 Though there is no lack of orders, business in the freight market is at a standstill. Owing to the utter inability of merchants to buy coals or secure prompt terms for prompt loading, tonnage is accumulating for coast and French ports, and rates in consequence are weak. On the other hand, larger vessels for the Mediterranean are almost unobtainable, and owners are holding* for higher rates. Recent fixtures include London, 16s.; Rouen, 20s.; Calais, 23s.; Bordeaux, 31s.; St. Nazaire, 30s.; Genoa, 66s. 6d.; Girgenti, 62s. 6d.; Palermo, 62s. 6d. * Toulon, 54s. 6d.; Marseilles, 50s.; Algiers, 40s.; Las Palmas, 35s. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. As is usual during Christmas week, business is quiet. The market, however, is very firm, and any small parcels of fuel obtainable for prompt delivery are snapped up at high rates. There is general congestion. Best Durham gas coal is 21s. to 22s., whilst second kinds are in the neighbour- hood of 19s. 6d., and special Wears are quoted up to 23s. Bunker coal is in good request, and ordinary Durhams are round about 21s. 6d. f.o.b., and best sorts 22s. to 23s. Coking coal and all kinds of manufacturing coal vary from 20s. to 21s. As regards coke, the position is peculiar. Several contracts for good medium beehive blastfurnace kinds are understood to have been made at round about 33s. for delivery at Teesside works over periods next year, and best foundry coke for shipment is quoted 37s. 6d. f.o.b., but, though as yet definite information is not obtainable, there are persistent rumours that maximum prices have been fixed at several shillings below the foregoing quota- tions. IRON. There is very little passing in pig iron, but sellers are strongly of opinion that top prices of Cleveland kinds have not yet been touched. The statistical situation is very strong. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is 78s., No. 1 is 81s., No. 4 foundry 77s. 6d., No. 4 forge 77s., and mottled and white iron each 76s. 6d.—all for early delivery. There is no east coast haematite pig available for sale for supply before the second quarter of 1916. There are still very substantial enquiries in the market on both home and Continental account. Buyers are quite prepared to pay 130s. for mixed numbers delivered April next and onward, and that may be given as the general market quotation, though more is stated to have been paid. Foreign ore fully maintains its value on the basis of 38s. ex ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. Freights Bilbao-Middles- brough are firm at 21s. 6d. Consumers of foreign ore are well satisfied with the supplies coming to hand. Itaports to Middlesbrough for the month of August are in the neighbourhood of 180,000 tons. As regards finished iron and steel, manufacturers have a great deal of Government work to execute, and little indeed is heard, of ordinary commercial business. A number of establishments have, as usual at this season, closed down for repairs. Quota- tions all round are fully maintained. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The Cumberland coal trade continues to be characterised by very great strength. There is continued activity in every branch of the industry, and merchants are finding it extremely difficult to supply the needs of their customers. There has been the usual dislocation owing to the Christmas holidays, and it will probably be some days before things get into proper working order again. Production at the collieries has, therefore, been lower than usual. As far as landsale is concerned the demand for house coal is as strong as ever, and some of the merchants have quite as much on hand at present as will keep them busy till well on into the new year. The bulk of the house coal is, of course, going to the landsale depots in the district, but a large amount of best coal is still being consigned to the south of Scotland for landsale and other purposes. Works requirements are at present very large, and local manufacturers are practi- cally taking all the supplies they can secure. Pressure on this class of fuel during the past week or two has been so great that some of the collieries have had little or none to spare for shipment. Practically the whole of the works fuel is going to the local manufacturers in the district. The shipping trade has been rather quieter during the Christmas holidays. The demand, however, for all varieties for the Irish market is still very keen, and only those merchants who have boats of their own can at present secure anything like the supplies they need. In fact, there is any amount of business, if steamers could be got to convey the coal. Prices of all sorts are firm, but unchanged. Last week nine vessels left Maryport with coals all" for Irish ports, and the shipments amounted to 2,095 tons, a decrease of 2,010 tons compared with the previous week. There is great activity at the coke ovens, and the whole of the output at the local by-product ovens is being absorbed by West Cumberland smelters. Business is also brisk in the by-products trade, and all the works in the district are