120 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. July 21, 1916. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, July 20. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There has been a steadier tone in West of Scotland coal trade during the past week. Collieries report better bookings, and with tonnage in better supply, and licences granted with greater facility, the outlook is more favourable. Best ells are moderately placed and splints are strong. Navigations are steady round about 40s. per ton, but steams are more plentiful and tending easier. Smalls are practi- cally unchanged. Shipments for the week amounted to 132,004 tons, compared with 119,324 in the preceding week, and 119,151 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. 1 St p,am coal Current prices. 26/ -28/ 28/ -30/ L’st week’s prices. 25/ -28/ 27/ -30/ Last year’s prices. 14/ -17/6 15/9 Ell ..... Splint 35/ -40/ 33/ -42/6 ! 23/ \ 15/9-16/9 17/6-18/ 16/6-16/9 16/3-16'6 Treble nuts 23/ Double do 22/ 21/ ! 22/ ; Single do. 21/ ; 1 1 IRON. There is no change to report in the position of the Scotch iron trade. The activity in all branches is fully maintained, and a very large volume of material is being turned out. Pig iron makers are delivering more than they are producing, and stocks are being drawn upon to a considerable extent. The demand for haematite is still the chief feature, and practically the whole production is consumed at local steel works. Supplies of ordinary brands for home consumption are in better bulk, owing to the curtailment of licences. Shipments of pig iron for the past week amounted to 2,108 tons, compared with 3,609 tons in the same week last year, a decrease of 1,501 tons, while the total shipments for the year to date, at 52,636 tons, show a decrease of 34,830 tons compared with the same period in 1915. The prices of Scotch makers5 iron are quoted as follow.-—Monkland and Carnbroe, f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 125s., Nos. 3, 120s.; Govan, No. 1, 122s. 6d., No. 3, 120s.; Clyde, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 130s., Nos. 3, 125s.; Gart- sherrie, No. 1, 131s. 6d., No. 3, 126s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 130s., No. 3, 125s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, and Dalmellington, at Ayr, Nos. 1, 126s. 6d., Nos. 3,121s. 6d.; Shotts and Carron, at Leith, Nos. 1, 130s., Nos. 3, 125s. per ton. The pig iron warrant market is still suspended. Total stocks now amount to 28,942 tons, com- pared with 116,098 tons at the end of 1915. Malleable iron makers are overwhelmed with work both in the iron and steel departments, and find it quite impossible to over- take arrears of deliveries which continue to accumulate. Crown quality iron bars are quoted about <£14 12s. 6d., less 5 per cent, for home delivery, and £14 to £14 5s. per ton, net, for export, while the price for mild steel bars is about £17 10s. per ton f.o.b. Glasgow. Black sheet makers also are doing a very large business. The production of iron is restricted, in view of the demand for steel sheets. The price for 7 to 11 b.g. continues about £18 10s. per ton Glasgow delivery. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. It is reported that the collieries in the Lothians district are well supplied with orders for delivery this month. Unfortunately tonnage is scarce, and supplies have been thrown back on the home market. This applies chiefly to round coal, but nuts are also plentiful owing to the restricted supply of licences. Clearances for the week amounted to 36,073 tons, against 46,311 in the preceding week, and 52,970 tons in the same week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 37/6-40/ 37/6-40/ 15/ -15/6 Secondary qualities 37/ -38/ 36/ -38/ 14/3-14/9 Treble nuts 23/ -25/ 23/ -25/ i 17/6-18/8 Double do 22/ -24/ ' 22/ -24/ 16/6-17/6 Single do 21/ -22/ 21/ -23/ 16/6-17/ Similar conditions prevail in the Fifeshire district. It is anticipated that conditions will show an early improvement and values are consequently well maintained. Shipments amounted to 48,567 tons, against 52,507 in the preceding week, and 60,016 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. coal 45/ -50/ 45/ -50/ 24/ -25/ Unscreened do 40/ -42/6 43/ -45/ 22/ -23/ First-class steam coal 40/ -45/ 40/ -45/ j 18/ -20/ Third-class do 32/ -35/ 32/ -35/ !13 9-14/ Treble nuts 23/ -25/ 23/ -26/ 17/6-18/6 Double do 22/ -24/ 22/ -24/ 16/ -17/ Single do 21/ -22/ 21/ -23/ 16/ -16/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week reached the total of 216,644 tons, compared with 218,142 in the preceding week and 232,137 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. Last week 100,101 tons of coal and 10,771 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 9,500 tons of coal and an increase of 7,842 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 40,652 tons of coal and 7,407 tons of coke, a decrease of 7,751 tons of coal and an increase of 3,638 tons of coke. The Blyth ship- ments totalled 58,870 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 6,439 tons. Thus, the shipments from the three places mentioned aggregated 217,801 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 25,118 tons when compared with those of the previous week, and of 12,210 tons when compared with those of the corresponding week last year. The Altos Hornos Iron Works, Bilbao, are stated to have contracted for 120,000 tons of Durham coking coals for delivery over six months at from 35s. to 36s. per ton f.o.b. It is antici- pated that the iron works will defer contracting for the 280,000 tons still wanted until a more convenient season. The local coal export committee has issued a reminder to exporters that it is advisable that applications for licences should, if early consideration is desired, be in the com- mittee's hands before noon each day. The Government announcement that all vessels carrying coals to French ports at limitation freights may secure British bunkers at a maximum of 7s. 6d. per ton over limitation prices, is regarded as likely to influence favourably the services of neutral shipping for coal-carrying purposes for France. On the basis of present prices, the concession amounts to a rebate of about 2s. 6d. per ton. It is regrettable to learn that, by reason of large arrivals of grain-laden steamers at Bordeaux, the congestion of tonnage at that port is very considerable, and that many local steamers are amongst the ships whose discharge is thus impeded, to the great detriment of facile provision of our Allies with coals at reasonable delivered prices. The prompt market has been very weak and dull this week. Licences are being granted with a very sparing hand, and the bulk of present ship- ments are for Allied destinations. Northumbrian steams appear to have been especially hard hit, and at present are relatively plentiful for July shipment. The steam coal market is being “ beared” by the anxiety of second-hand holders to realise on their stocks at the prevailing high prices, and figuies have jumped very materially. There is just a little ease in gas coals, bunkers and coking sorts. Coke is in good demand and scarce supply, with heavy consignments taken by the State. Prices of coke tend to appreciate, therefore. F.o.b. quota- tions for prompt shipment have varied, as follow, on the week:—Best Blyth steams are from 2s. 6d. to 7s. 6d. per ton cheaper; Tynes, easier; Blyth seconds, 2s. 6d. to 5s. down ; Tynes, ditto ; unscreened, weaker ; Blyth smalls, Is. lower; specials, 2s. 6d. advanced; smithies, Is. decline; gas bests, ditto; Durham unscreened bunkers, ditto; coking coals, ditto ; smalls, ditto ; blastfurnace coke, 2s. 6d. increased; and gas coke, Is. 6d. dearer. It will be noted that the decrease in prices of Durham coals is really not grave. As a matter of fact, whilst steams are, compara- tively speaking, going a-begging, Durham coals are well stemmed for this month, a very satisfactory state of affairs in view of the limited quantity of tonnage offering for French ports and the paucity of orders for gas and coking coals from Italian consumers. The local exports com- mittee has requested exporters to notify it immediately their principals in France advise them of tonnage upon time charter or on voyages coming forward from that country. 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 coals Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. N orthumbrians Coking coals Do. smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Current prices. 42/6-47/6 1 45/ -50/ 40/ -45/ 40/ -45/ 30/ -37/6 30/ 27/6 30/ -32/6 35/ 35/ 33/ -34/ 37/6 33/ -35/ 32/6-35/ j 33/ -34/ j 32/ | . 47/6-50/ ; 42/6-47/6 ' 42/6-45/ ; 32/6-34/ j L’stweek’s prices. 50/ 50/ 45/ -47/6 45/ -47/6 32/6-37/6 30/ -31/ 27/6 30/ 35/ -36/ 35/ -36/ 33/ -34/ ! 37/6 33/ -36/ 32/6-35/ 33/ -35/ 32/ -33/ ! 50/ : 42/6-47/6 ■ 42/6 32/6-33/ 'Last year’s prices. | 21/ -21/6 119/ -19,6 16/6-17/ 17/ -17/6 15/ -16/ 13/6-14/ 13/ 14/ 15/ -16/ 20/ -20/6 16/ -17/ 21/ 15/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/6 14/6 20/ -21/ 32/6-35/ 30/ 27/ -28/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 65,245 tons of coal and 1,275 tons of coke, as compared with 81,760 tons of coal for the corresponding period of 1915, being a decrease of 16,515 tons of coal and an increase of 1,275 tons of coke. There is a steadier tone in steam coal, and holders are not so pressing. Steam smalls are also in better request, and share the improvement; other qualities remain fully steady. Gas coals, both best and secondary qualities, are sparingly offered, and quotations rule firm. With brighter tonnage prospects the tendency for forward delivery is against buyers. Coking unscreened and also smalls are in brisk demand for France, and late prices are readily obtainable where delivery could be arranged within the next week or two. Italian buyers are enquiring very sparingly, both for gas and manufacturing coals, evidently still hoping for some Government restriction of values being enforced. Sellers show no pronounced anxiety as to the forward position, and on the whole the undertone is encouraging. Foundry coke is firm on an insistent demand. Gas coke is scarce and strongly held. Bunker coals have stiffened on an improved demand for French account. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 40/ 40/ 20/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 33/6-34/ 32/6 ■ 17/ Best house coals 50/ 50/ 21/ Ordinary do Other sorts:— 40/ 40/ 19/ Lambton screened 47/6 45/ 22/6 South Hetton do 47/6 45/ 22/6 Lambton unscreened ... 34/ 35/ 15/6 South Hetton do 34/ 35/ 15/6 Do. treble nuts 35/6 34/6 19/6 Coking coals unscreened 34/ 32/6 34/6 16/ Do. smalls 33/6 15/6 Smithies 35/ 35/ 17/ Peas and nuts 37/6 37/6 19/6 Best bunkers 36/ 36/ 16/ Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 33/ ■ 33/ 14/ -15/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 47/6 47/6 30/ Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ , 28/ 30/ Gas coke 35/ 35/ 25/ -26/ A moderate supply of tonnage was offered for the French Atlantic and Bay ports, and a fair business has been put through. For Mediterranean ports, however, the tone has continued weak, Italian merchants having withdrawn orders, consequently boats are in excessive supply and Genoa has receded to 70s. Other fixtures outside of the limitation scale are Oran, 47s. 6d.; Civita Vecchia, 80s. ; Algiers, 50s.; Azores, 42s. 6d.; Philippeville, 80s.; Drammen, 34 kr. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel trade is steady and firm. Continued large official requirements, and better accounts as to tonnage are facilitating business. Deliveries of gas coal are on a fairly satisfactory scale, but New Pelton and Holmside kinds are scarce, and are realising 35s. 6d. to 36s. 6d. for early delivery. The general quotation for best Durham gas coal is 35s. and upwards, and seconds are quoted 33s. to 34s. Bunker coal is in good request at 34s. to 35s. for ordinary Durhams, and 36s. to 36s. 6d. for best kinds. Demand for coking coal is heavy. Supplies are being shipped to France to the fullest extent, and requisitions on home account are increasing. Unscreened kinds command 35s., and coking smalls are in the neighbourhood of 33s. Coke values are very strong. Patent coke is put at 40s. to 41s., but best foundry kinds are round about 47s. 6d. Gas- house coke is quoted 34s. to 35s., according to place of shipment. With the large and growing local requirements, fixed maximum rates are rather readily paid for blast- furnace coke. Average blast-furnace kinds are 28s. at the ovens, and low phosphorus qualities 30s. 6d. at the ovens. IRON. The fixing of merchants’ commission on sales of pig iron of 1| per cent, above maximum prices has created con- siderable discussion. In the case of credit extending beyond the 10th of the following month a charge of 6d. per ton per month may be added. Merchants consider that the terms are too low, especially with the Bank rate at 6 per cent. The promised increase of output of pig iron is likely to be fulfilled at a very early date. Obstacles to the restarting of idle plant are understood to have been overcome, and within the next week or two additional blastfurnaces will be in operation. In the meantime, the distributing committee are allocating supplies very fairly, and generally discharging their onerous duties satisfactorily. For home use, No. 3 Cleveland pig iron, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge all stand at 87s. 6d., and No. 1 is put at 91s. 6d. The export price of No. 3 runs from 95s. to 97s. 6d., and No. 1 is round about 100s. for shipment abroad. Licences for export are said to be rather less difficult to secure. The east coast haematite branch of the staple industry presents no new feature. For home consumption and for shipment to France, Nos. 1, 2 and 3 remain at 122s. 6d., and for general export 140s. and upward is named. Foreign ore very fully main- tains its value, notwithstanding the exceptionally heavy deliveries on running contracts, and the fact that consumers now have considerable stocks. Unloadings at the port of Middlesbrough so far this month reach no less than 168,606 tons. The f.o.b. price'at Bilbao of 50 per cent, rubio ore is stated to be quite 20s., up to as much as 21s. being asked, with the result that the ex-ship Tees quotation is not below 38s. on the basis of the official 17s. freight Bilbao- Middlesbrough rate at which controlled consumers are privileged to arrange conveyance of ore. In the open market the freight from Bilbao is 19s., and consequently up to 40s. ex-ship Tees is asked for best rubio. Government work continues to absorb the attention of manufacturers of finished iron and steel, and little notice is taken of the rather numerous ordinary commercial enquiries. Quota- tions are stationary. Fixing of maximum prices for scrap steel has released a good deal of material which has been held up, and resulted in considerable business. Heavy steel scrap has been fixed at £5 10s., and steel turnings at £2 15s. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. Great briskness continues to characterise the operations in the Cumberland coal and allied industries. Business is exceptionally well maintained in all the important branches, and the collieries have still sufficient orders on hand to keep them busy for some time. In the home, general and export markets, there is a demand for all classes of fuel, and production is barely keeping pace with requirements. Landsale is inactive, but in all the other branches the demand is still much in excess of the supply, and this is likely to be the case so long as the war lasts. All the pits in the county are working six days a week, and every effort is being made to keep the output as high as possible. Production at most of the collieries is now larger than it has been for some months, and this is an encouraging factor in the situation, but whether it can be further increased without more labour is doubtful. There is still a great shortage of suitable labour, more particularly in the