January 14, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 77 the immediate outlook, is no clearer than was the case a week ago, for the bulk of the supplies which have found their way to the open market during the period under review have been freed only by the irregularity of tonnage arrivals, caused by the recent gales. Merchants have been willing'to pay high prices for these chance supplies, and up to 25s. has been paid for best Blyths for spot shipment. This class of coal is now practically unobtainable, and the price quoted below, therefoi*b, is nominal. Collieries are .still very uncertain as to what coals the- Admiralty will require, and it would facilitate business greatly if the authorities would close such contracts more quickly, thereby allowing producers to ascertain what coal they have available for sale elsewhere. The Durham coal market has suffered considerably from tonnage derange- ments, but, generally speaking, the firm tone which has recently characterised business is well maintained. The following variations in f.o.b. quotations for prompt ship- ment have occurred during the week:-Best steams, Blyths, firmer; Tynes, 2s. to 3s. advanced; seconds, Tynes, stronger; unscreened, 6d. to Is. dearer; smalls, Blyths, firmer ; Tynes, in sellers" favour; specials, Is. to Is. 6d. more; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, Is. reduced; Northumbrians, 2s. 6d. up; coking smalls, firmer; house- holds, Is. to 3s. higher ; coke, foundry, Is. to 2s. increased; blastfurnace, Is. to 3s. down; and gas coke, 2s. decreased. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. Forward business is still almost a dead-letter, owing to the very disturbed state of the prompt market, but there is one item of very considerable interest and importance to record. The South Metropolitan Gas Company, which generally comes into the market for its annual supplies about March or April, is enquiring for gas coals for delivery over 12 months. The quantity taken usually amounts to about l| million tons of various sorts of Durhams and Tynes. The prices paid for last year’s supplies varied from 13s. 6d. to 15s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b., according to quality. The prevailing feeling is that the company anticipates some difficulty in covering its requirements this year, particularly with regard to price, and is coming into the market thus early in'order to allow time for negotiations. The Crown Agents for the Colonies have invited tenders for about 4,000 tons of coal for delivery to Malta not later than March. Later.— It is stated that the South Metropolitan Gas Company is claiming renewals of last year’s contracts under the terms of the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act, which, of course, brings the price up to 17s. 6d. to 19s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals :— prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 25/ 23/ -25/ 13/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 25/ 22/ -23/ 12/6-12/9 Secondary, Blyths 21/ 20/ -22/ 11/6 Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 22/ 20/ -22/ 11/6-12/ Unscreened 19/ -20/ 18/6-19/ 10/ -10/6 Small, Blyths 13/6 12/6-13/6 8/9- 9/ Do. Tynes 11/6 10/6-11/6 7/6- 8/ Do. specials 14/6-15/ 13/ -14/ 9/ - 9/3 Other sorts:— Smithies 21/ 20/ -22/ 10/6-11/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 22/ -22/6 22/ -22/6 12/6 Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 10/9-11/3 Special gas c Dais 23/ -24/ 23/ —24/ 12/9-13/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 20/ -22/ 21/ -23/ 10/9-12/ Do. do. Northumbrians 20/ -22/6 20/ 10/ -10/6 Coking coals 21/ —22/ 21/ -22/ 10/6-11/3 Do. smalls 21/ 20/ -21/ 10/ House coals 23/ -25/ 22/ 14/ -15/ Coke, foundry 36/ -38/ 35/ -36/ 19/ -20/ Do. blast-furnace 33/.-35/ 36/ 18/ Do. gas 28/ 28/ —30/ 10/6-12/3 Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 57,285 tons of coal and 405 tons of coke, as compared with 65,630 tons of coal and 2,440 tons of coke, being a decrease of 8,345 tons of coal and 2,035 tons of coke. It is remarkable that, notwithstanding the exceedingly high freights, the coal market is as strong as ever, with coal of all classes very scarce for this month’s shipments. There is a keen enquiry for steam descriptions, and the pressure is acute. Best gas coal retains its steadiness, but, if anything, secondary are the turn easier. Coking and bunkering qualities are in active request; there is also a good enquiry for house coal.. The South Metropolitan Gas Company has come into the market, earlier than usual, for its annual supplies, amounting to round about 1| million tons. Other- wise there is very little of interest for forward shipment apart from the requirements on Admiralty account. Coke is unaltered. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 22/6 23/6 13/ Secondary do. House coals:— 21/6 . 22/ 11/ . Best house coals 25/ -26/ 27/6 ■ 15/ Ordinary do Other sorts 22/ —23/ 20/6-21/ 14/ Lambton screened 25/ 27/ 13/6 South Hetton do 25/ 27/ 13/6 Lambton unscreened ... 22/ 22/ 10/9 South Hetton do 22/ 21/3 10/9 Do. treble nuts 22/6 20/ 13/3 Coking coals unscreened 21/6 20/6 10/6-10/9 Do. smalls 20/ 20/ 9/9-10/3 • Smithies 21/6 21/6 13/6 Peas and nuts 23/ 22/ 14/3 Best bunkers 22/6 22/6 12/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 20/6 20/6 10/3-10/9 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 40/ 40/ 19/ . Teesside furnaces) ... 35/. 36/ is/ Gas coke 28/ 28/ 12/ -12/6 Outward freights are higher, with record rates paid for both Mediterranean and Bay ports, and it is quite possible, owing to the further requisitioning of tonnage by the Admiralty accentuating the scarcity of free boats, rates will even go higher. Recent fixings include: —Bilbao, 32s. 6d.; Bordeaux, 31s.; Nantes, 37s.; Bayonne, 42s. 6d.; London, 15s.; Havre, 22s.; Rouen, 27s.; Dunkirk, 28s.; Boulogne, 24s. ; Caen, 25s.; Treport, 27s.; Genoa, 77s. 6d.; Naples, 72s. 6d.; Algiers, 42s. 6d.; Oran, 42s. 6d.; and Las Palmas, 37s. 6d. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. Peculiar conditions prevail in the fuel trade. The con- tinued requisitioning of supplies by the Government makes the coal and coke available for ordinary distribution inadequate. There is a tightness in the position which has not been experienced for some time. Sellers are slow to fall in line with the suggested maximum rates. The only quiet branch is bunker coal, which is feeling the scarcity of prompt steamers, but sellers are not disposed to make concessions. Gas coal is firm. Best Durhams run from 22s. to 23s., whilst second kinds are 19s. 6d. to 21s., and special Wears 23s. to 24s. Ordinary Durham bunkers are 20s. to 21s., bests 21s. 9d., and specials 24s. Durham steam coal is round about 25s. Demand for coking coal is good. Smalls are put at 21s., and unscreened kinds are quoted up to 22s. Definite quotations for coke are not easily fixed. For best foundry kinds up to 37s. f.o.b. is named, 33s. is mentioned for average blastfurnace Durhams, and up to 30s. for gas house coke, but customers report that they can now purchase at the fixed maximum rates, w’hich are 28s. for medium furnace kinds, and 30s. 6d. for coke low in phosphorus or foundry sorts. These quotations are at the ovens, and 2s. to 2s. 6d. must be added for carriage to Middlesbrough. IRON. Demand for pig iron is good, and deliveries would be on a much heavier scale if facilities for despatch were better. The congested shipping in the wharves and at the docks is almost unprecedented. Production of pig iron is taken up as it is turned out, and the already low stocks are being steadily drawn upon to meet current needs. Pig iron manufacturers have little or no iron at their yards, and * practically the only stock in existence is the 100,000 tons odd of No. 3 Cleveland pig in the public warrant stores. Sales of No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig have been made this week at 79s. 6d. and 79s. 3d., but the ruling quality is now obtainable at 79s., which is regarded as the general market quotation, whilst No. 1 is 82s. 6d., No. 4 foundry 78s. 6d., No. 4 forge 78s., and mottled and white iron each 77s. 6d.—all for early delivery. There is no east coast haematite pig purchasable for supply before April next, and several makers report that they have dis- posed of the whole of their output to the end of June. Mixed numbers are no longer obtainable at 130s., nothing below 135s. now being named for delivery over the second quarter of the year. Foreign ore is steady and firm. So large are the supplies. coming to hand, however, that con- sumers are accumulating fairly good stocks. So far this month, imports amount to 92,049 tons. Market rates are still based on 38s. ex-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. Freights Bilbao-Middlesbrough are fully 21s. 6d., and are likely to be higher. Manu- facturers of finished iron and steel are still too busy on Government work to pay much attention to ordinary commercial business. Maximum quotations have been fixed at <£11 10s. for steel ship plates, at £11 2s. 6d. for steel ship angles, and at £11 2s. 6d. for steel joists net at works, the usual 2| per cent, discount be ng discontinued. Thus, in addition to the discontinuance of the customary discount, the maximums are up 10s. for plates, 7s. 6d. for angles, and 2s. 6d. for joists, compared with rates that have been ruling of late. Iron bars, iron angles, and iron rivets have been advanced by 10s. Common iron bars are now £13 10s., best bars £13 17s. 6d., best best bars £14 5s., iron ship angles £13 10s., and iron ship rivets £15 10s. So far as is ascertainable, quotations for other descriptions are unaltered. Cumberland. COAL. The Cumberland coal industry is at present in a most flourishing condition. Throughout the district there is the greatest activity; business is well maintained in all the branches, and the prospects for the new year, both on home and export accounts, are exceedingly bright. The pressure on coal for domestic use is perhaps not quite so great as it was a week or two ago, but orders are still coming into some of the depots more quickly than they can be executed. Gas coals are more active than they have been for some months, and larger quantities are now being sent away, on contract, both by rail and both. Slacks, smalls and all varieties of fuel for industrial requirements are in very strong demand, and at present manufacturers are making a heavy call on the local supplies of manu- Current quotations. Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit Best washed nuts at pit... Buckhill best coal „ Do. double-scrned . washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at Fit Oughterside best washed nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts at pit Best dry small at pit Best steam nuts at pit ... Best Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... Bunkers Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- works Current prices. 23/4 21/3 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 12/ 19/ 19/6 17/6 17/ -17/6 19/3 18/3 L’st week’s prices. 23/4 - 21/3 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 12/ 19/ 19/6 17/6 17/ -17/6 19/3 18/3 Last year’s prices. 19/2 17/1 18/4 16/10 18/4 16/10 18/4 16/10 8/6 15/ 15/6 13/6 12/6-13/ 15/ 14/ facturing fuel. Nearly all the fuel from pits in the west is being sent to the local blastfurnaces, steel works,, iron ore mines, and the by-product coke ovens. The export trade is very brisk, and the needs of Irish consumers are again on the increase. All varieties are in very strong demand for the Irish market. Prices of all sorts are firm, but unchanged. Last week, 15 vessels sailed from Maryport with coals, all for Irish ports, and the shipments amounted to 4,230 tons, an increase of 1,835 tons compared with the previous week. t Coke is in brisk demand, and all the Cumberland ovens are in full operation. At Maryport best house coal delivered is quoted at from Is. 5|d. 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. At Workington, best Bucfchill house coal delivered [is quoted at Is1. 4d. per cwt., or 25s. lOd. per ton ; with best double- screened washed nuts at Is. 3d. per cwt., or 24s. 2d. per ton. IRON. The situation in the Cumberland haematite iron trade is unchanged. There is continued activity in every depart- ment of the industry, and requirements, whether of ordinary or special iron, are very much in excess of the supply. Under the circumstances, therefore, there is practically no forward buying taking place. Up to the present, the maximum prices of iron have not yet been fixed by the Government, and in the meantime values are still rising. This week, Bessemer mixed numbers are quoted at 137s. 6d. per ton f.o.t., with warrants at cash at 115s. per ton. Special brands of iron are quoted at 150s. per ton f.o.t., and ferro-manganese is firm at £20 per ton. There are 25 furnaces in blast throughout the district, and the whole of the production is going into immediate consumption. The steel trade is in a very brisk condition. Iron ore is in very strong demand, and the bulk of the metal ‘ raised is going to the local blastfurnaces. Prices are unchanged, best sorts being quoted at 40s. per ton, with good average qualities at from 26s. to 30s. per ton. Foreign ores are quoted at from 26s. to 30s. per ton delivered. South-West Lancashire. COAL. Judging by usual winter conditions, the house coal demand cannot be said to be over the average. It is smply the small out-turn that causes orders to be so much in arrear, and the stocks at the various wharves are being rapidly depleted. Slow running of traffic upon the railways is monotonous in its regularity. It was rather hoped that after the holidays the trouble would cease or be ameliorated, but it scarcely seems to have reached that stage yet. The demand for screened round coal for forges and such like users continues unabated, and it is with difficulty that their needs are promptly met. Owing to general scarcity of tonnage, requirements for bunkering purposes are below average. Coal is, however, scarce, supplies all round being hardly equal to demand. In consequence of this, prices continue to harden. Lancashire steam coals are at present 22s. f.o.b., and in special cases higher rates are being asked and obtained. Household coal for the coastwise and cross-Channel trade continues to be shipped not quite as fast as the merchant across the water expects it, but in reasonably satisfactory quantities. The position respecting slack and all descriptions of small fuel keeps exceedingly firm, and many customers are receiving larger- grade fuel to make up their weekly quantities. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current prices. 20/9 House coal:— Best ................ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 23/ -24/ Medium............... 19/ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen.............. Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Screened forge coal.... Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............ Secondary slack ....... Common do.............. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 20/9 17/ 23/ ' 17/6 19/ 15/3 21/ 15/6-16/ 17/ 13/ 19/ -20/6 14/ -14/6 ' 17/ 11/6-12/ 21/ -22/ 13/6-14/ : 14/6-15/ 9/6-10/ 13/6 9/ - 9/3 12/6-13/ 8/6 21/ -22/ 17/ 20/6 17/. 22/ 15/ 14/ 13/ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday. There is little change to report in the general state of the coal trade. Fuel for house purposes is perhaps not quite in the same urgent demand as it was, owing to the milder weather. Furnace coal is in good call, and shipping coal continues brisk. Supplies of slack are still short of the demand. Prices generally are as below :— Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coal:— prices. prices. prices. Best 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 17/3-18/ Medium 19/ -20/3 19/ -20/3 16/ —16/9 Common 17/ -17/3 17/ -17/3 13/3-14/ Furnace coal 16/ -17/ 16/6-17/6 12/ Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) 19/ -21/ 19/ -21/ 13/ -14/ . Best slack 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 9/6-10/ Common slack 12/ upwds. 12/ upwds. 8/ -9/ . IRON. There was a fair attendance on ’Change in Manchester on Tuesday. Prices as quoted last remain very firm, but everybody seems to be waiting the result of the Birming- ham quarterly meeting, which takes place this week. In the meantime there is no change to report. Annual Tiade Report: Correction.—We regret that ah error crept into our report on the Lancashire coal trade of 1915: “Coastwise and Cross Channel Trade” section, page 17. The words “ 5 per cent, advance on expiring priced was readily obtained ” should read “ 5s. per ton advance,” etc.