810 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. October 27, 1916. which a short prop is cushioned; and in South Wales the use of steel girder arching, and girders supported by side walls, is increasing, but in some districts there has been a difficulty in obtaining this material. Attention may here be given to the possibility of saving timber by withdrawing props from the waste to a larger extent than has hitherto been done. A highly satisfactory feature of these reports is the evidence which is forthcoming of practical attempts to deal with the coal dust danger. Increased atten- tion to stone dusting is reported, and the methodical removal of coal dust is practised to a growing extent. Progress has also been made in the direction of diminishing the dispersal of coal dust by the intro- duction of modern steel tubs and other means. The investigations of the Explosions in Mines Committee appear already to be having a good result, and Dr. Haldane’s condemnation of flue dust as a diluting agent has led in numerous cases to the abandonment of this material in favour of stone dust. There remains, of course, much to be done before the coal dust danger can be said to be satisfactorily dealt with throughout the country, but colliery managers are evidently alive to the urgency of adopting such remedial measures as the circumstances of individual pits appear to demand. It is encouraging to find that this question is in so thoroughly healthy a state, and undoubtedly this position is to be regarded as the practical outcome of the Eskmeals researches. Another direction in which the war has caused some amount of difficulty is in regard to rescue work. A large number of trained men from colliery rescue brigades have joined the Forces, many of them having joined the B.A.M.C., where their knowledge of ambulance is naturally of great value. Work has also been delayed in connection with the equipment of new rescue stations. Notwithstanding these drawbacks good progress has been made in nearly every district, and Mr. Nicholson is able to report that with the opening of the new station at Skelmers- dale, erected by the Lancashire and Cheshire Coal Owners’ Association, the full scheme for Lancashire, Cheshire and North Wales is now complete. Ou the whole it is gratifying to find that, in spite of the high pressure at which collieries have been working, and the many difficulties that have been encountered, both in regard to labour and materials, there weie no accidents of the nature of big disasters. It is true that there was a slight increase in the number of fatalities as compared with the previous year, and the death-rate per 1,000 persons employed rose from 1*08 to 1'36, but such small annual fluctuations seem to be almost inseparable from the various contingencies of coal mining, whether under the normal conditions of peace or during the stress of war. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, October 26. __________________________________________ Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Business in the west of Scotland coal trade continues on firm lines, and the tendency is in an upward direction. Landsales are expanding, and good shipments have been made, especially to Italy. There is still plenty of room for improvement. Both first and second quality ells are strong, and splints of every description are in steady demand for local consumption. Navigations are doing a good business round about 30s. to 32s. 6d. per ton, but steams are plentiful at recent prices. All sizes of smalls are well taken up, mostly on home account. Shipments for the week amounted to 107,033 tons, compared with 105,411 in the preceding week and 110,547 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal.............. Ell .................... Splint.................. Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... | Current I L’st week’s!Last year’s j prices. ( prices. prices. 1 22/ -27/6 1 21/ -27/6 i 15/ -17 6 j 27/ -28/ ! 25/ -27/ ! 17/6-18/ 25/ -35/ ! 24/ -35/ . 18/ -21/ 23/ ‘ 23/ 18/ -18/6 22/ ! 22/ . 17/9—18/ 21/ j 21/ ! 16/3-16/6 IRON. All departments of the Scotch iron trade continue to display extreme activity Nevertheless, there are instances of works where outputs could be increased if the necessary supplies of labour and materials were available. Conditions in the pig iron trade are steady. Haematite still provides the chief feature, and it is questionable if the output of this iron is sufficient to meet requirements. On the other hand, however, in view of the stringent licensing restrictions, ordinary descriptions are now more easily obtained. Total shipments for the past week amounted to 584 tons — 30 tons foreign and 554 tons coastwise —compared with 2,849 tons in the same week last year. Pig iron warrant stocks are now very much reduced, and only amount to 5,899 tons compared with 116,098 tons at the close of 1915. The prices of Scotch makers’ 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.; Gartsherrie, No. 1, 131s. 6d., No. 3, 126s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardros&an, 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. Malleable iron makers report a steady demand for both their iron and steel products, the latter chiefly on Government account, while in the iron department ordinary mercantile business is receiving more attention, and fair shipments are being made. The price is very firm on the basis of £14 10s. net per ton for crown quality iron bars for export, with mild steel bars about <£2 per ton extra. Black sheet makers are doing very little business outside of Government requirements, and permits for manufacture as well as licences for shipment are granted very sparingly The price is unchanged, about <£18 10s. per ton net f.o.b. Glasgow. During last week 78,702 tons of coal and 6,931 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 22,275 tons of coal and an increase of 1,918 tons of coke when com- pared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 37,272 tons of coal and 2,813 tons of coke, a decrease of 8,390 tons of coal and 672 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 63,697 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 3,682 tons. Thus, the shipments from the three places aggregated 189,415 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 21 tons when compared with the figures for the previous week and of 25,737 tons when compared with those for the corresponding week of last year. The prompt market has been very dull during the week, tonnage shortage paralysing efforts at business. The scarcity of steamers has been extraordinary, even in these days of chronic paucity, and a good many collieries have had to lie idle for want of cargo space. At the time of writing, there is no improvement in the tonnage position, and in view of the high rates which have been obtainable for such vessels as did happen to be available, it is doubtful whether the new restriction scheme will help matters, especially as in many instances the maximum rates allow- able to shipowners will be considerably below—and therefore less tempting than—those paid within the last few days, although still c nsiderably higher than is justified by any other circumstance than the power to demand them. The result of the business deadlock has been that, supplies accumulating, prices have come down with a run, Tuesday witnessing a complete, all-round slump in coal selling values. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have under- gone the following changes on the week:—Best Blyth steams are 5s. cheaper ; Tynes, 2s. 6d. down ; Blyth seconds, ditto; Tynes, ditto; unscreened, 2s. 6d. to 5s. lower; smalls, Blyths, Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. less; Tynes, easier; specials, 2s. 6d. fallen; smithies, weaker; gas bests, 2s. 6d. lower; seconds, 4s. 6d. down; specials, 4s. to 5s. reduced ; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, Is. to 2s. decreased ; North- umbrians, 2s. 6d. fallen; coking coal, in buyer’s favour; smalls, Is. to 2s. down; and household coals, 2s. 6d. to 5s. reduced. Cokes are unchanged. Purchasers with spot vessels are able to command discounts on even these lowered prices. Large quantities of best Blyth steams have been sold for delivery up to the end of next March at 35s. per ton f.o.b. These sales run into six figures. Thirty thousand tons of similar coal for delivery up to the end of next June have been sold at the same price. The Norwegian State Railways are stated to have fixed up for their requirements for 18,500 tons of best steams for delivery up to December 10 by taking 10,500 tons of Northumberland and Durham steams, at 35s. 9d. for D.C.B.’s, 33s. 6d. for Hordens, and 36s. 6d. for South Hettons, all f.o.b., and 8,0G0 tons of South Yorkshire hards at 31s. 6d. f.o.b. The contract to supply the Danish State Railways with 7,500 tons of best steams for delivery before the end of the year appears to have gone to Scotland. Nothing has yet been heard as to the allotment of the contract for 50.000 tons of steams for delivery this year to the Swedish State Railways. Apart from these items, forward business is very slow. ____________________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market is quiet, but steady. So far pitch remains unchanged, although there is greater activity in. the patent fuel trade. In the South the position of solvent naphtha has improved somewhat. Nearest values are :— Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. Benzols, 90’s .................... l/0| ... — ,, 90’s North .............. /10|—/11| ... — ........................... ,, 50’s North .............. 1/3—1/4 ... — Toluol ................................ 2/3 ... — Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.)... 3/4 ... — ,, crystals (40 per cent.) 1/3 ... — Solvent naphtha, south (90% at 160 degs.), as in quality and package 2/3—2/4 ... + /1 Solvent naphtha, north (90% at 160 degs.), as in quality and package 1/10—1/11 ... — Crude naphtha, north (in bulk) ...... /6j—/6f ... — Creosote (for ordinary qualities) .... /2—/2| ... — Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ............ 16/—16/6 ... — ,, (f.a.s. west coast) ____________ 15/—15/6 ... — Tar (per ton ex works) ........... 15/6—19/6 ... — [Benzols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at maker's works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch f.o.b. net.] Sulphate of Ammonia. — The market is variable. The home demand is good in places, generally speaking, but not as good as might be expected. The enquiry for export is satisfactory, with a promising outlook for Spanish orders. _______ _______ Scotland. Eastern District. COAL. Collieries in the Lothians district are working under a steady pressure, and prospects are distinctly better. All qualities of coal are in brisk demand, and values are improving. Clearances for the week amounted to 28,430 tons, against 37,063 in the preceding week and 47,564 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. 1 Current 1 L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. 1 prices. i prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 30/ -32'6 ! 35' -37/6 19/6-20/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 32 6-35/ 35/ -37/6 18 6-19/ Secondary, Blyths 27/6-30/ 30/ -32/6 16/6-17/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 30/ 30/ -32/6 17/ -17 6 Unscreened 22/6 , 25/ -27/6 15/ -16/ Small, Blyths 20’ -21/ 22/6 11/6 Do. Tynes 19/ -20/ : 20/ 11/ Do. specials..... 22/6 . 251 13 6-14/ Other sorts: — Smithies 22/6-25/ 25/ 16/6-17/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 30 6-32 '6 32/6-35/ 19/6-20/ Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 23/ 27/6 16/6-17/6 Special gas coals 30/ , 34/ -35/ 20/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 20/ -25/ ; 24/ -26/ 16/ -17/6 Do. do. I Current 1 prices. Best screened steam coal...1 30/ -32 /6 Secondary qualities......| 29/ -31/ Treble nuts ............I 23/ -26/ Double do...............I 22/ -23/ Single do...............| 21/ -21/6 L’st week’sjLast year’s prices. ! prices. 30/ -32/ ; 17/ -18/ 28/ -29/ •: 15/6-16/6 23/ -25/ 18'6-19/6 22/ : 17/3-18/3 21/ 16/3-16/6 N orthumbr ians Coking coals.......... Do. smalls .... House coals .......... Coke, foundry .......... Do. blast-furnace...... Do. gas .............. 20/ -22 6 22 6-25/ 15/6-16/6 22/6-25/ 24/ -25/ 16/ -17/ 20/ -21/ 217 -23/ 15/6-16/ 35/ 37/6-40/ 20/ 38/ -/45 ' 38/ -45./ 27/ -32/6 36/ -40/ . 36/ -40/ 25/ -27/ 33/ -35/ ' 33/ —35/ . 27/ -30/ The trade in Fifeshire is comparatively satisfactory in the meantime. First-class steams are very strong, and supplies hre fully taken up at present. Third-class sorts, however, are plentiful, and values easy. Shipments reached 47,420 tons, against 39,844 in the preceding week and 60,954 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. The difficulty is to execute them. Nominally, prices arc slightly firmer. Closing prices are :— Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. London (ordinary makes) ... £17/18/9 — Beckton (25 per cent.) £17 +2/6 Liverpool £17/17/6—£18/1/3 ... +2/6 Hull v £17/17/6 ... +2/6 Middlesbrough £17/15 ... +1/3 Scotch ports £18—£18/10 ... +2/6 Wales _______ £17/18/9 Nitrate of soda (ord.) per cwt 17/71 — [Sulphate of ammonia, f.u.b. in bags, less 2| per cent, discount; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality: allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.] Current prices. Best screened navigation coal.................... 35/ -40/ Unscreened do............ 30/ -35/ First-class steam coal.... 34/ —35/ Third-class do......... 22/ -25/ Treble nuts ............. 23/ —24/ Double do................22/ -23/ Single do................, 21/ -22/ L’st week’s Last year’s , prices. prices. ! 35/ -37/6 20' -22/ t 30/ -32/6 ■ 18' -20/ 33/ -35/ , 17/6-18/6 i 23/ -25/ i 14/ -15/ s 23/ —24/ ; 18/6-19/6 i 22/ i 16 9-17/3 j 21/ -21/6 j 15,6-16/3 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 182,883 tons, compared with 182,318 in the preceding week and 218,965 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 70,125 tons of coal, as compared with 56,535 tons of coal and 890 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1915, being an increase of 13,590 tons of coal and a decrease of 890 tons of coke. The scarcity of tonnage is more acute than ever, and the collieries are now seriously short of prompt boats and are consequently unable to get their shipments away sufficiently fast to keep them in full employment, and a few of the pits may be laid temporarily idle. Naturally, such a state of things is having a marked effect on prices. All classes of coal are freely offered for this and next week’s loading. All unscreened qualities are now below the limitation figures, and as prompt coal continues to accumulate it is offered for sale at competitive prices. Special Wear gas is about 32s. 6d., secondary at 27s. Sales of coking coals are taking place at from 23s. to 24s. Best bunkers are selling at about 26s. 6d., whilst ordinaries can be bought as low as 21s. There is an average enquiry on forward account circulating, but as sellers’ ideas are above spot prices, buyers are holding off. The limitation scheme has so far failed to induce Italian buyers to negotiate, and very little business is doing. It is reported that only a portion of the Norwegian State Railways contract has been arranged locally, viz, 33s. 6d for Horden and 36s. 6d. for South Hetton, both f.o.b.