July 7, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 25 Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 111,422 tons of coal and 14,482 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 16,299 tons of coal and 12,187 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 44,942 tons of coal and 8,856 tons of coke, a decrease of 3,398 tons of coal, and an increase of 5,995 tons of coke. The Blyth ship- ments totalled 60,221 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 5,031 tons. Thus, the total shipments from the three places mentioned amounted to 239,923 tons, as compared with 213,871 tons shipped in the corresponding week a year ago, an increase of 26,052 tons. When compared with the figures for the previous week, the shipments from Tyne Dock and Dunston show an increase of 26,393 tons. The coke shipments from Tyne Dock are by far the heaviest in any one week since war broke out. During the greater part of the week “ coalmen” have been labouring under the influence of the chronic tonnage scarcity, which has rendered operations very difficult. Most of the export business done on the local market nowadays is with French consumers, and it is in this section of the market that the shortage is most keenly felt. Neutral ship owners are fighting shy of orders under the limitation scheme, and prefer more distant destinations. The collieries have been and still are severely hampered by this action, and it is felt that the obvious method of dealing with the situation— viz., withholding bunkers from these vessels—should be taken forthwith. Generally speaking, there is an excellent demand for supplies both for prompt and forward shipment, but operators are able to complete their business only with difficulty, in consequence of the tonnage position. In a good many instances collieries have had to force matters, and offer special inducements in the way of reduced prices, in order to keep the pits going. Second-hand coals are still offered freely, and on the week prompt quotations are substantially lower for most descriptions. The following changes in f.o.b. prices have been recorded:—Best steams, Blyths, 2s. 6d. down; Tynes, 2s. 6d. reduced; seconds, Blyths, weaker ; Tynes, weaker; unscreened, 2s. 6d. lower ; gas seconds, Is. advanced ; specials, 2s. 6d. down; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 2s. decreased ; Northumbrians, 6d. to Is. cheaper; coking coals, easier; smalls, Is. decreased ; house- holds, 5s. down ; and blastfurnace coke, Is. decreased. Other sorts of fuel are steady. At the time of writing, prompt operations are being practically suspended, and interest centres in the expected extension of the limitation scheme. Some official pronouncement is eagerly awaited, and it is anticipated that Italy and the French Mediterranean will be included. Rumour has it, also, that all British or Allied possessions in the Mediterranean are to receive the benefit of the scheme. The result of this holding-off on the part of buyers has been a further weakness in quota- tions, which appear to be falling somewhat rapidly. Second- hand men are especially anxious to clear off their stocks, and quote severely cut prices. There is little response from buyers, however. It is stated, nevertheless, that a parcel of Tyne prime steams, for shipment early next week, has been disposed of at 47s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b., whilst a spot cargo of best Blyths has realised 50s. per ton. A quantity of good second Blyth steam smalls, with the option of best Blyths, is also stated to have been disposed of, for August delivery, at 31s. per ton, f.o.b. This latter sale constitutes almost the only item of forward business actually completed. For shipment during the present month, 15,000 tons of best Blyth steams have been sold to the Norwegian State Railways at prices based on about 55s. per ton, f.o.b. The Altos Hornos (Ironworks) of Bilbao are enquiring for their annual supplies of coking coal. The quantity usually taken is 400,000 tons, of which about 150,000 tons are smalls. Several tenders have already been submitted on the basis of from 35s. to 37s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b. Last October, the works purchased con- siderable quantities of coking fuel at from 18s. to 18s. 6d. per ton, and it looks, therefore, as though double prices will have to be paid for next year's requirements. As the limitation scheme dees not cover this business, it is of quite exceptional interest this year. A notice has been posted on Newcastle Commercial Exchange stating that licences for the export of fuel to France and French dependencies must henceforth be submitted to the local committee, which will then send them on to the War Trade Department, together with its view as to the desirability or otherwise of the proposed business. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals :— Current ;L'st week’s'Last year's prices. prices. l prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 50/ -52/6 52/6-50/ ! 21/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 50/ -52/6 , ' 50/ -55/ 19/ Secondary, Blyths 45/ -50/ 47/6-50/ 16/6-17/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 45/ -50/ ! 50/ 16/6-17/ Unscreened 35/ -37/6 37/6-40/ 15/ -16/ Small, Blyths 31/ -32/6 31/ -32/6 13/6-14/ 13/6 Do. Tynes 27/6 27/6 Do. specials 30/ -32/6 30/ -32/6 14/ -15/ Other sorts:— Smithies 35/ -37/6 35/ -37/6 17/ -18/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 36/ 36/ 20/ Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 34/ -35/ 33/ -34/ 17/ -18/ Special gas cz>als 37/6 37/6-40/ 21/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 33/ -35/ 33/ -37/ 15/6-17/ Do. do. Northumbrians 35/ -37/6 36/ -38/ 15/ -16/ Coking coals 33/ -35/ 35/ 16/6-17/ Do. smalls 32/ -33/ 33/ -34/ 16/ House coals 50/ 50/ -55/ 20/ -21/ Coke, foundry 43/6-47/6 43/6-47/6 35/ -37/6 32/6 Do. blast-furnace 42/6 43/6 Do. gas 32/6 32,6 26/ -30/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 63,020 tons of coal and 885 tons of coke, as compared with 75,815 tons of coal and 115 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1915, being a decrease- of 12,795 tons of coal and an increase of 770 tons of coke. The coal market is a trifle steadier in tone, owing to a slightly better supply of tonnage, but buyers generally are waiting the result of negotiations. Business, consequently, is confined to spot sales, and while values are unchanged concessions are still obtainable by holders of tonnage and licences. There is a good demand for special Wear gas coals, but bunkers do not show much change. Coking unscreened is in renewed request, and sellers are asking full prices. Steam descriptions are steady. Foundry coke is strong. The Altos Hornos Works, Bilbao, have invited offers for 400,000 tons Durham coking coals, for shipment over 12 months, and tenders are being forwarded on the basis of 35s. to 37s. 6d. f.o.b., subject to licences, etc. A local firm has secured the contract for the supply of 15,000 tons best Blyth large for the Norwegian State Railway on the basis of 55s. f.o.b. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Gas coals:— Current prices. L’st week’siLast year’s prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 40/ 37/6 22/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 34/ 33/ 19/ Best house coals 52/6 50/ 21/ Ordinary do Other sorts :— 45/ 45/ 19/ Lambton screened 50/ 50/ 50/ 22/6 22/6 South Hetton do 50/ Lambton unscreened ... 35/ 34/ 19/ South Hetton do 31/6 34/6 18/3 Do. treble nuts 35/6 37/ 21/ Coking coals unscreened 34/ • 34/6 18/6 17/6 Do. smalls 33/ 33/6 Smithies 35/ 35/ 19/6 Peas and nuts 37/6 37/6 20/6 Best bunkers 36/6 36/ 18/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 34/ 33/ 16/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 4,7ft 47/6 36/6 Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 28/ 32/6 27/ Gas coke 32/6-34/ 30/ Outward chartering is slow. In addition to the French limitation rates, other fixtures include:—Genoa, 90s.; Barcelona, 70s.; Oran, 57s. 6d.; Tunis, 90s.; Marseilles, 87s. 6d.; Las Palmas, 46s.; Lisbon, 50s.; Malmo, 34 to 50 kr.; Copenhagen, 35 kr.; and good Danish ports, 36 kr. Middles!) rough-on-Tees. COAL. The Order in Council with regard to export of coal to France and the French colonies which comes into operation this week, may cause further delay in securing licences, but it promises to have compensating advantage inasmuch as shipments will be under more systematic control. Business in coal is quiet, and quotations generally show little change. Best Durham gas coals are 35s. to 36s., and second qualities 32s. 6d., while up to 40s. is asked for Wear specials. Bunkers are in moderate request. Ordinary Durhams are plentiful, and are in the neighbourhood of 34s., and superior qualities make up to 38s. Fairly good enquiries for Durham steam coals are reported, and prices run from 50s. to 50s. 6d. Coking coals are well taken up at 33s. to 34s. All descriptions of coke are in good demand. Good foundry kinds are round about 47s. 6d., and gas-house sorts command 30s. to 32s. Local furnace requirements are heavy, and promise to increase. Average blastfurnace coke is firm at 28s. at the ovens, and up to 30s. 6d. at the ovens is named for furnace qualities low in phosphorus. IRON. Home consumers of pig iron bought fairly freely during June for delivery over the third quarter of the year, with the result that they are now pretty well placed, and are not anxious to make further contracts. A few sales, however, are reported from time to time at 87s. 6d. for No. 3, and that figure also rules for No. 4 foundry and No. 4 forge, whilst No. 1 is put at 4s. higher. Foreign business is very quiet, makers having little iron to spare, and licences for shipment abroad being difficult to obtain. Permits for delivery even to our Allies are sparingly granted, but the opinion is expressed that they may be more easily secured in the near future, and hope is enter- tained that limited quantities of iron may be released under certain conditions for shipment to Scandinavian customers who are pressing insistently for supplies. The export price of No. 3 Cleveland pig runs from 95s. to 97s. fid. f.o.b., and No. 1 is quoted round about 100s. With little east coast haematite free, stocks being practically nil, and producers well sold, business in this important branch is very limited. Market rates stand at 122s. 6d. for Nos. 1, 2 and 3 delivered to home consumers and to customers in France, and 140s. and upward for general export. Foreign ore values are moving upward notwithstanding the fact that consumers carry considerable stocks, and deliveries in discharge of running contracts continue very heavy. On the basis of the official Bilbao-Middlesbrough freight of 17s., the ex-ship Tees quotation for rubio of 50 per cent, quality runs from 37s. to 37s. 6d. In the open market, however, steamers Bilbao-Middlesbrough continue to be fixed at 19s., which makes the ex-ship Tees price of best rubio quite 39s., as the quotation f.o.b. at Bilbao is 20s. As regards manufactured iron and steel, producers report that they are as busily employed as ever on Government work, and, as a consequence, the rather large number of private enquiries in the market receive little attention. Quotations all round are very strong. Cumberland. Mary port. COAL. The shipments from Maryport to Irish ports from January 1 to June 30 have amounted to 101,787 tons, com- pared with 116,780 tons during the first six months of last year. The largest cargoes have been consigned to Belfast, Londonderry, and Carrickfergus, but owing to the shortage of coal and the lack of vessels, the shipments to these ports are much lower than they were a year ago. There has been a substantial increase of traffic to the northern ports, but the tonnage to Dublin is not quite so heavy as it was, and of late there has been a marked decrease in tonnage to the ports in the south and on the west coast of Ireland. The shipments for June have been 17,020 tons, compared with 16,907 tons for May and 18,690 tons at the corresponding period of last year. The coal trade in this district continues in a remarkably brisk condition. All the pits are working six days a week, and there is a strong and growing demand for fuel in both the home and coastwise markets. The collieries have considerable business on hand, and orders are still coming in more freely than they can be dealt with. Outputs are as satisfactory as they can be under the circumstances, but production is barely keeping pace with requirements. There is very little business doing in house coal, but gas coal is firm, and outside users are still finding some difficulty in placing their contracts in the Cumberland market. With the expansion in the iron and steel trades manufacturing needs are on the increase, and the requirements of local users have been so heavy this week that the surplus left for the docks has again been smaller than usual. Engine fuels for the local railways are a steady trade, and there is a strong enquiry for slacks, smalls and all kinds of coal for industrial purposes. Nearly the whole of the output of small coal is now required for the Cumberland by-product ovens, and the bulk of the works fuel is going to the iron and steel works and other manufacturers in the district. As far as the export trade is concerned, the demand for all sorts for the Irish market is keener than ever, but owing to the increased pressure on home account, stocks have again been scarce, and in some cases consumers have been unable to secure more than one-half of their usual supplies. It is stated that an important firm in Ireland, who have a fleet of steamers running regularly between Cumberland ports and Ireland, are the chief promoters in the proposed scheme for an extension in the north-eastern portion of the Cumberland coal field. In view of the continued scarcity for the cross-Channel trade, an increase in the production of coal at present would be extremely welcome to Irish con- sumers. The shipments for the week have amounted to 3,315 tons, compared with 2,720 tons this time last year, or a decrease of 1,710 tons compared with the previous week. With the exception of two small cargoes, the whole of the coal was shipped from the Brayton Domain Colliery. Coke is in brisk demand, and all the Cumberland by-product coke ovens are in full operation. The entire production is being freely absorbed by smelters in West Cumberland. Business is brisk in the local by-products trade, and all the works in the district are busily engaged. This week, a cargo of 2,000 tens of creosote oil has been shipped to a foreign port from the Maryport Benzol Works. Prices of all sorts are firm, but unaltered. Best coal at the pit is from 22s. 6d. to 23s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at from 20s. lOd. to 21s. 3d. per ton. Best Cumberland coal free on board at Maryport is 19s. 6d. per ton, with washed nuts at 17s. 6d. per ton. Bunkers, for both coastwise and foreign-going steamers, are in firm demand. Bunkers for foreign-going vessels are quoted at from 25s. to 30s. per ton, and for coastwise vessels at from 21s. 6d. to 25s. per ton. At Maryport, best house coal delivered is obtainable at from Is. 5|d. to Is. 6d. per cwt., or from 27s. 6d. to 28s. 4d. per ton. At Workington, best house coal delivered is quoted at from 24s 2d. to 25s. lOd. per ton Other current quotations are as follow :— Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit Best washed nuts at pit... Buckhill best coal „ Do. double-scrned Current prices. 23/4 21/3 22/6 L’st week’s prices. 23/4 21/3 22/6 Last year’s prices. 23/4 21/3 22/6 washed nuts at pit ...... Oughterside best coal at 21/ 21/ 21/ Fit Oughterside best washed 22/6 22/6 22/6 nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best 21/ 21/ 21/ coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts 22/6 22/6 22/6 at pit 21/ 21/ 21/ Best dry small at pit 12/6 12/6 19/ 12/ Best steam nuts „ 19/ 19/ Best Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. 19/6 19/6 19/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 17/6 17/6 17/6 Best bunkers (coastwise) Do. (for foreign-going 25/ 25/ 19/ steamers) Bunkers (mixed nuts and 30/ 30/ 19/ steam coal) (coastwise) 21/6 21/6 17/ -17/6 Do. (foreign) 25/ 25/ 17/ -17/6 Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- 20/ 20/ — works 19/ 19/ — IRON. Great activity continues to characterise operations in the Cumberland and North Lancashire hematite iron trade. Makers are still busy in every branch of the iron and steel industry, and active preparations are being made to increase the production in Cumberland and the Furness district. The demand for iron for local and outside users is keen, and requirements, whether of special, semi- special or Bessemer, are still much in excess of the supply. The whole of the production of both Bessemer and low phosphorous iron is going into immediate consumption. The local steel works absorb the bulk of the Bessemer iron made in the district, and nearly all the production of special and semi-special iron is being taken by high-class steel makers in the Midlands and Scotland. There is, however, a pressing need for an increase in the make of iron, but everything depends on what success is secured in getting the necessary labour, iron ore, coke and limestone, and if these are forthcoming, it may be possible to light at least four or five additional furnaces before the end of the third quarter of the year. With the demand for metal so much in excess of the supply, prices are easily maintained at the Government maximum, and Bessemer mixed numbers are again quoted at 127s. 6d. per ton f.o.t., while warrants at cash remain at 115s. per ton. Semi-special iron is quoted at 135s. per ton, and special iron 140s. per ton f.o.t. Ferro-manganese is in strong demand at «£25 per ton. There are still 28 furnaces in blast, 18 in Cumberland and 10 in the Furness area