THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. _______________________________________________________________________________ September 8, 1916. 461 Northumberland. Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 83,932 tons of coal and 10,150 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 8,867 tons of coal and an increase of 9,094 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 39,269 tons of coal and 9,643 tons of coke, a decrease of 19,272 tons of coal and an increase of 7,193 tons of coke. Thus, the total shipments from these two places amounted to 142,994 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 20,410 tons when compared with those for the previous week and of 11,852 tons when compared with those for the corresponding week of last year. The forward market is very quiet at present, all parties being disposed to hold off pending the announcement as to the arrangement of the Italian scheme of freight of coal-price limitation. The latest information with reference to the negotiations on this matter is that the coalowners have agreed to a limitation of prices of coal for Italy, provided that the shipowners made certain variations in their freight charges and that this point has been practically conceded, so that it only now remains for the exporters to fall into line. The coal prices, it is reported, will be on a par with those now charged for France. The only forward business men- tioned is for Tyne prime steams and unscreened Durham coal. Tyne prime steams are stated to have been sold for delivery up to the end of the year at 40s. per ton, f.o.b. These are secondhand sales and compare with 45s. quoted by the collieries. It is stated that what is, in the aggregate, a considerable quantity of fair quality Durham unscreened coal has been sold for delivery to France over the next year at 25s. per ton f.o.b. A contract to supply the Danish State Railways with 10,000 tons of steams over September has gone to Scotland. The prompt market has been fairly steady throughout the week, but with the re-opening of business—the market was partially suspended during the first two days of this week, owing to local general holidays —the tone is weaker. Tonnage is once again in very short supply, and a good deal of growling is being indulged in over the fact that ship owners appear to be willing to allow their vessels to glut the South Wales freight market instead of diverting a considerable proportion of their tonnage to the north-east coast. Export licences are scarce. The fact that the munition works in this district have been closed for a few days in order that the operatives may recuperate and that the machinery in the works may be overhauled and repaired where necessary, has sensibly checked the demand for fuel for power raising purposes. All these factors have combined against the coal owner and, just at present, coaj supplies are in excess of requirements and substantial concessions in price are possible to those shippers who have spot vessels and licences ready. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as follow on the week :—Tyne best steams are easier; unscreened steams, weaker; Blyth smalls, favouring buyers ; Tynes, ditto; specials, 2s. 6d. reduced ; smithies, 2s. 6d. cheaper ; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, easier ; Northumbrians, 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. reduced ; and coking smalls, Is. lower. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. It is stated that local coalowners are approaching the Government authorities for higher prices for requisi- tioned coal and that the Admiralty had already agreed to pay 21s. per ton f.o.b., for best Blyth steams, as against 18s. 6d. paid up till now. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current Steam coals prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) .... 37/6-45/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,Ac.^ 35/ -40/ Secondary, Blyths ....j 30/ -35/ Do. Tynes (Hastings! or West Hartleys) ...30/ -35/ Unscreened ..........| 25/ -35/ Small, Blyths ........; 22/6-25/ ........ Do. Tynes.......... 21/ -22/6 Do. specials.........j 25/ Other sorts:— I Smithies..............j 25/ -27/6 ! Best gas coals (New! Pelton or Holmside), 34/ -35/ 1 Secondary gas coals! (Pelaw Main or similar), 30/ i Special gas coals ......: 37/6 | Unscreened bunkers, | i Durhams j 22/ -26/ i Do. do. I Northumbrians! 24/ -27/6 j Coking coals..........i 25/ -27/6 ! Do. smalls ....j 22/ -24/ | House coals ..........| 40/ -45/ i Coke, foundry ..........; 40/ -45/ Do. blast-furnace......j 37/6-40/ Do. gas ..............| 33/ —35/ IL’st week’s Last year’s 1 prices. prices. i 37/6-45/ 18/ -18/6 i 37/6—40/ ; 17/ -18/ 30/ -35/ 16/6 ' 30/ -40/ i 27/6-35/ i 24/ -25/ 22/6 i 25/ -27/6 16/6-17/ 15/ -16/ 12/6-13/ 12/ -12/6 14/ -14/6 25/ -30/ 17/ 34/ -35/ i 19/ -19/6 30/ ! 16/6 37/6 20/ -21/ 23/ -26/ 15/3-17/ 27/6-30/ 15/ -16/ 25/ -27/6 17/ 23/ -25/ i 15/6-16/ 40/ —/45 ' ____________________ 19/ -20/ 40/ -45/ 30/ -32/6 37/6-40/ 1 25/. 33/ -35/ 28/ -30/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 65,465 tons of coal and 180 tons of coke, as compared with 56,715 tons of coal and 1,020 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1915, being an increase of 8,750 tons of coal and a decrease of 840 tons of coke. For the past few days the markets have been under the influence of holidays, and business has therefore been dull and feature- less. There is only a small enquiry for coals, and sellers are competing for business, notably in unscreened classes, while the shortage of tonnage and the indifferently filled turns are all in buyers’ favour. Prices all round are nominal, with a downward tendency. Bunkers are slumpy, and can be obtained at substantial reductions. Coking coals are also weaker. 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 37/6 37/6 30/ J 20/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 28/ -30/ ! 17/6 Best house coals 1 37/ 38/ 20/ Ordinary do Other sorts :— ! 30/ 30/ ' 18/ Lambton screened i 35/ 35/ ! 21/ South Hetton do 35/ 35/ 20/ Lambton unscreened ... ; 26/ 26/6 16/6 South Hetton do 26/ 26/6 16/6 Do. treble nuts ' 26/ — 17/6 . Coking coals unscreened 24/ 25/ 17/ Do. smalls 23/ 24/ ! 16/ Smithies 24/ 26/ 25/ 26/ 1 16/6 18/6 Peas and nuts Best bunkers 24/ 25/ 17/ Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 22/ 23/ 15/6-15/9 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 45/ 45/ ; 28/6 Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 28/ i 25/ Gas coke 34/ 33/ 1 27/ On a shortage of tonnage the outward freight market keeps steady. Recent fixtures include: — London, 12s.; Lisbon, 36s.; Algiers, 36s. 6d.; Las Palmas, 32s. 6d.; Barcelona, 60s.; Porto Ferraio, 70s. ; Genoa, Savona, Spezzia, option Leghorn, 70s.; Drammen, 26 kr. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel trade is quieter. Nearly all descriptions of Durham coal are more plentiful, and are offered freely. Merchants are prepared to sell at lower prices than have been ruling. For early loading no difficulty is experienced in purchasing best Durham gas coal at 34s., and in fact business is understood to have occurred at below that figure; while secondary sorts are obtainable at 28s. Bunker coal is weak, and some South Durham descriptions are selling at 20s., but round about 22s to 22s. 6d. rule for good ordinary kinds, and best sorts are in the neighbour- hood of 25s. Household coal keeps steady. More coking coal is on offer, and smalls are down to 21s. to 22s. Unscreened coking coal of good quality is quoted 24s. The curtailment of shipments has left an ample supply of coke for home consumption, but quotations have not fallen. Local requirements are now more than fully met, but they are expected to increase, and additional home demand would quickly absorb what little surplus there is. Average blastfurnace kinds are 28s. at the ovens, and up to 30s. 6d. at the ovens is still asked for qualities low in phosphorus. Best foundry coke for shipment is 47s. 6d., and patent kinds 37s. 6d. Gas coke varies considerably in price for export. As low as 27s. 6d. is named, and up to 35s. is asked. IRON. The allocation of Cleveland pig iron by the Distributing Committee not only assures all legitimate home require- ments, but leaves a surplus for supplies to our Allies, and as a result home consumers are not, for the present, pressing their demands. Fairly substantial shipments to France are reported, and licences for export to Russia via Norway are being granted. Numerous enquiries on behalf of neutral countries, however, do not result in business. A few idle furnaces are practically ready to be put into operation, and the production of pig promises to be increased during the month by the blowing in of one or two. At present the number of furnaces in blast on the north-east coast is 71. Of these, 28 are making Cleveland pig, 30 are turning out haematite, and 13 are manufacturing special kinds of iron. The first detachment of the mobile Battalion of Transport Workers has arrived, and 48 members have been secured by a local iron and steel works. For home consumption, No. 3 Cleveland pig iron, No. 4 foundry and No. 4 forge all stand at 87s. 6d., and No. 1 is quoted 91s. 6d. ; whilst, for export, No. 3 is 97s. 6d., No. 4 foundry 96s. 6d., No. 4 forge 95s. 6d., and No. 1 round about 102s. 6d. It is reported, however, that No. 3 can be purchased from makers at below 97s. 6d. for shipment to France, and, on the other hand, any prompt warrant iron offered is stated to readily realise up to 100s. for export. Conditions continue unfavourable for the transaction of new business in east coast haematite iron, but deliveries against contracts are maintained. Producers are sold to the end of the year, and any prompt lots that come on to the market are eagerly taken up. For home use and for shipment to France Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are quoted 122s. 6d., and for general export the price is 140s. and upward. Business in foreign ore is inactive, owing to consumers being well bought and having large and increasing stocks, but sellers show no sign of weakness. On the basis of the official 17s. freight Bilbao- Middlesbrough—the rate at which controlled consumers are privileged to arrange conveyance of ore—rubio, of 50 per cent, quality, remains at 38s. ex ship Tees. As regards finished iron and steel, manufacturers are still so busily engaged on Government work that they pay little attention to ordinary private enquiries. Prices all round are strong, and packing iron and steel have been advanced 20s., making parallel <£11 and tapered £13 5s. Cumberland. Mary port. COAL. The Cumberland coal trade continues to be firm in tone. There is great activity in both the home and export branches, and trade during the autumn and winter promises to be busier than the two previous years. Supplies are inadequate. Local manufacturing needs which are a first consideration are being coped with, but when all home users have been supplied there is little surplus left. Home requirements have been rather heavier than usual this week, with the result that the amount sent to the docks has again diminished. There is also a better enquiry for house coal, and there has been a marked improvement in this branch during the last few days. It is not anticipated that there will be any serious shortage, but the demand for fuel is almost certain to increase as the year advances, and there is no doubt that requirements on all accounts will be much larger this season than they have been for some years. Business is coming in quickly from both local and outside consumers, and some of the pits have already booked sufficient orders to keep them busy till the beginning of next month. All the collieries are working at their fullest capacity, and there has been a fairly good output this week. Gas coal is steady, and some good consignments are being sent away in contract, both by rail and boat. Locomotive fuels are in strong request for local use, and there is a keen demand for slacks, smalls and all varieties of coal for industrial purposes. Local manufacturing require- ments, which are again on the increase, are now larger than they have been this year. The cross-Channel trade is still busy, but supplies of all sorts are again rather scarce. There is a phenomenal demand for all varieties of fuel for the Irish market, and some consumers could easily take more than double the amount of coal they are at present receiving. The collieries are doing all they possibly can to meet the needs of the Irish customers, but in the export branch, the demand is still much in excess of the supply. During the week 12 vessels have sailed with coals mostly for Irish ports, and the shipments have amounted to 2,990 tons compared with 7,145 tons at the corresponding period of last year, or a decrease of 1,215 tons compared with last week. The shipments for August have been 19,335 tons, compared with 20,010 for July, and 19,152 tons this time last year. Local coke is in firm demand, and all the Cumberland by-product ovens are in full operation. The bulk of the production is going to the blast furnaces in West Cumberland. There is great activity in the local by-products trade, and all the plants in the district are fully employed. Prices of all sorts are firm, but unaltered. Best coal at the pit is quoted at from 22s. 6d. to 23s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at from 20s. lOd. to 21s. 3d. per ton. Best Cumberland coal f.o.b. at Mary port is quoted at 19s. 6d. per ton, with best washed nuts at 17s, 6d. per ton. Best gas coal is 20s. per ton delivered in the district. All varieties of bunkers are in steady demand. Best sorts for foreign going vessels are from 25s. to 30s. per ton, and for coastwise vessels from 21s. 6d. to 25s. per ton. At Maryport best house coal delivered is Is. 5Id. per cwt., or from 27s. 6d. to 28s. 4d. per ton. At Workington, best house coal delivered is Is. 4d. per cwt., or 25s. lOd. per ton, with best washed nuts at Is. 3d. per cwt, or 24s. 2d. 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 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 „ Best Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... Best bunkers (coastwise) Do. (for foreign-going steamers) Bunkers (mixed nuts and steam coal) (coastwise) Do. (foreign) 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/ 12/6 19/ 19/6 17/6 25/ 30/ 21/6 • 25/ 20/ 19/ L’st week’s prices. 23/4 21/3 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 12/6 19/ 19/6 17/6 25/ 30/ 21/6 25/ 20/ 19/ ; Last year’s prices. 23/4 21’3 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 12/ 19/ 19/6 17/6 1 19/ 19/ 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 20/ 19/ IRON. The west coast hsematite iron trade is booming, and the staple industries of West Cumberland and North Lancashire are enjoying a period of remarkable prosperity. There is intense activity all along the coast, from Maryport to Carnforth, outputs are gradually expanding, and the pro- duction of both iron and steel in this district is now larger than it has been for some years. Requirements of ordinary Bessemer iron are still heayy, but the demand for special and semi-special iron is increasing in volume, and smelters are finding it more difficult than ever to meet the needs of all users. Makers have more orders on hand than can be coped with, and they are therefore unable to accept much of the business now offering. Another furnace has been lighted at Millom, and it is stated that two more may be put into operation in West Cumberland before the winter sets in. The pig iron in stock in west coast storing yards now only amounts to 450 tons, compared with 2,388 tons at the corresponding period of last year. With such a strong demand for iron, prices are easily maintained at the Government maximum, and Bessemer mixed numbers are again quoted at 127s. 6d. per ton f.o.t., with special iron at 140s. per ton, and semi-special iron at 135s. 6d. per ton f.o.t. Warrants at cash are idle at 115s. per ton. There are now 30 furnaces in blast on the west coast, 20 in Cumberland and 10 in the Furness district. With the exception of two at Workington, all the furnaces are engaged on Bessemer, special and semi-special iron. The whole of the production is now allocated and distributed by the Government. A large proportion of the low phosphorus iron is being con- signed to users in Scotland and the Midlands, but a substantial tonnage is also going to consumers in other districts who are engaged exclusively on Government work. All the make of ordinary Bessemer iron is going into consumption locally. The steel trade is tremendously brisk, and the mills at both Workington and Barrow are main- taining a large output. Engineers are busier than ever, and some of the shops are working overtime. The iron ore industry between Cleator Moor and Hodbarrow is tremendously brisk. All the mines are working regularly, but production is inadequate to meet the requirements of local smelters. Very little ore metal is now going out of the district. There has been no alteration in prices, and best sorts are quoted at 38s. per ton; ordinary grades are from 21s. to 30s. per ton, and better sorts are quoted at from 31s. to 36s. 6d. per ton net at the mines. Foreign iron ore is quoted at about 37s. 6d. per ton delivered at the works. The imports of iron ore at Maryport for August have amounted to 21,000 tons, compared with 21,300 tons