December 8, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 1119 Railways are again in the market for best steam coals— this time for 14,000 tons to be delivered December 10- January 10. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Gas coals:— Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Special Wear gas coals 30/ 29/ 20/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 26/ 25/ 18/ Best house coals 30/ 30/ 23/ Ordinary do Other sorts :— 23/ 25/ 20/ Lambton screened 30/ 27/6 22/6 South Hetton do 30/ 27/6 22/ Lambton unscreened ... 18/ 19/ 17/6 South Hetton do 18/ 18/ 17/6 Do. treble nuts 21/ 22/ 18/6 17/ . 17/6 Coking coals unscreened 17/6 18/ Do. smalls 17/ 17/6 Smithies 18/ 19/ 18/6 Peas and nuts 20/ 24/ 20/6 Best bunkers 18/6 19/6 18/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 16/6 17/6-18/6 17/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 40/ 37/ 37/6 Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 28/ 33/6-34/ Gas coke 31/ 31/ 26/ -26/6 In the freight market there is still a great scarcity of tonnage for limitation ports orders are numerous, and full maximum rates are offered without attracting owners. There are active enquiries for Scandinavian destinations, and the tone is firm. For Spain rates had a downward tendency. Recent fixtures are :—London, 15s.; Christiania, 371 kr.; Gothenburg, 31 kr.; Stockholm, 35 kr.; Oran, 53s. 6d.; Port Said, 82s. 6d.; Barcelona, 65s.; Gibraltar, 50s.; Malaga, 57s. 6d.; Marseilles, 63. 6d.; St. Vincent, 42s. 6d. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. Very little new of moment can be reported concerning the fu<4 trade. Several sections are unsettled, and definite quotations are not easy to fix. As regards Durham gas coal, while the direct quotation for best kinds is 26s. to 27s. it is stated that cargoes are obtainable for prompt shipment at 24s. 6d. For good secondary sorts bargaining is reported at 18s. 6d. to i 9s. In the bunkering trade merchants are understood to be much in'need of prompt orders. Ordinary Durhams are quoted 17s. 6d. to 18s., and best bunkers 19s. to 19s. 6d. Further contracts for shipment over the first half of next year, however, have been concluded at limit- ation figures. Household coal keeps steady, and is in fairly good demand. Coking coal continues to be pretty well taken up. Smalls are quoted 18s. to 18s. 6d., and un- screened kinds range from 18s. to 20s. There is a good and growing demand for coke for local consumption, and values of the descriptions so needed are well maintained. Average blastfurnace kinds continue to realise 28s. at the ovens, and up to 30s. 6d. at the ovens is still asked for qualities low in phosphorus. For shipment best foundry kinds are quoted 40s. to 42s. 6d., patent coke runs from 35s. to 38s. 6d., and up to as much as 35s. is named for gas coke. IRON. The output of pig iron is now being steadily increased. Since our last report Messrs. Bolckow, Vaughan and Co. have re-started a furnace on Cleveland pig, and Messrs. Pease and Partners have blown one in on haematite. This brings the number of blastfurnaces in operation in this district up to 75, of which 29 are making Cleveland pig, 32 are producing haematite, and 14 are manufacturing special kinds of iron. Shipments of pig iron under running contracts show marked improvement, and exports for the last month of the year promise to be on a satisfactory scale. Forge iron, of which there is relatively a very plentiful supply, is being taken up more freely for mixture with better kinds, and some makers, it is stated, are prepared to shade the maximum price as they have considerable stock of force which they are desirous to reduce. In the east coast haematite branch makers show more and more disposi- tion to favourably entertain offers for forward delivery, and further negotiations for supplies over periods next year are reported. Demand for both Cleveland and haematite iron for export continues good. For home consumption No. 3 Cleveland pig iron is 87s. 6d., and that figure also rules for No. 4 foundry, and for No. 4 forge, whilst No. 1 is 91s. 6d. The general quotation of No. 3 for delivery to our Allies is 98s.; No. 1 is 102s. 6d.; No. 4 foundry, 96s. 6d.; and No. 4 forge, 95s. 6d.; and for shipment to neutral countries the minimum prices named are 105s. for No. 3 and 110s. for No. 1. Mixed numbers of east coast haematite are 122s. 6d. for home use, 137s. 6d. for shipment to France, and 142s. 6d. for export to Italy. Nothing new of moment is ascertain- able concerning finished iron and steel. Producers keep very busy, chiefly on Government work, but the output of shipbuilding material is large and increasing. Quotations all round are stationary. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The coal industry in this locality continues to be charac- terised by great activity. The weather conditions have improved considerably since last week, and the Irish coasting steamers are sailing more regularly, but the chief difficulty on all accounts is how to secure supplies. Business is remarkably brisk in all departments, and the collieries have now as much on hand on local account as they can comfortably deal with. The outstanding feature of interest is the extraordinary clamour for fuel in the home market. All branches are as busy as they can possibly be, and local requirements are so heavy that the shortage in the export trade is more pronounced than ever. Home needs are, of course, the first consideration, but after these have been fully met there is little surplus left either for outside or coastwise customers. Requirements on all accounts are still much in excess of the supply, and the collieries could easily dispose of twice as much as is at present being raised. Supplies for the docks are therefore smaller than ever, and as far as Maryport is concerned they are lower —than they have been since the outbreak of war. The pits are all working regularly, but production is scarcely as satisfactory, or as large, as it ought to be. The steps which have been taken to prevent absenteeism have so far met with little success, and unless there is a speedy change it is evident that other measures will have to be adopted in order to get the miners to work more regularly. There is more liveliness in the house coal trade, and some of the depots have more business on hand than they can cope with. Gas coal, both for shipment and home use, is a very steady trade, and engine fuels for the local railways are in very keen request. Slacks, smalls, and all kinds of fuel for industrial purposes are in strong demand all over the country, and a large proportion of the output is still going to consumers in the district. The needs of local users at the iron and steel works and the iron ore mines are at present very large, but they will be larger in the course of the next few weeks, when more furnaces are lighted, and when there is an increase in production in the Cumberland iron industry. The coastwise trade is busy enough, but of course every- thing depends upon the home market. While there is such a clamour for fuel on local account, Irish consumers stand a very poor chance of receiving anything like the amount of fuel they need. At present Irish customers are barely receiving more than one-half of what they require, and the position is likely to become more stringent as the needs of home users increase. There is, however, a very strong demand for both house and manufacturing fuel for the Irish market. During the week eight vessels have sailed with coals from Maryport, all for Irish ports, and the shipments have amounted to 2,020 tons, against 3,675 tons at the corresponding period of last year, or a decrease of 1,050 tons compared with last week. Three cargoes have been shipped to Belfast, two each to Coleraine and Carrick- fergus, and one to Londonderry. The shipments for November have been 10,880 tons, compared with 15,185 tons for October and 14,765 tons this time last year. Coke makers are busy, and while every effort is being made to secure as large an output as possible, the production of local coke is still much below requirements. The whole of the production is being absorbed at the West Cumberland blast furnaces. There is a great amount of activity in the by-products trade, and all the works in this district are busily engaged. During the week 1,800 tons of pitch have been shipped from Maryport to a Conti- nental port, from the West Cumberland By-Product Works. Prices are still unchanged and with the exception of bunkers and gas coal, -there has been no alteration in either home or export quotations since June of last year. Best Cumberland 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 export coal is 19s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b. at Maryport, with best washed nuts at 17s. 6d. per ton. With so much activity at the Senhouse docks there is, naturally, a very strong demand for all classes of bunkers. Best sorts for foreign going vessels are 30s. per ton, with mixed sorts at 25s. per ton. Best bunkers for coasting vessels are 25s. per ton, with mixed sorts at 21s. 6d. per ton. Best gas coal is 20s. per ton delivered in the district Best house coal delivered in Maryport is obtainable 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 house coal delivered is Is. 4d. per cwt., or 25s. lOd. per ton, with best double- screened 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 pit 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 „ BestCumberl'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 19/ 19/ 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 19/3 18/3 IRON. The Cumberland and North Lancashire haematite iron trade is in an exceedingly brisk condition. Unprecedented activity continues to prevail in both the iron and steel industries from Maryport to Carnforth, and although a large volume of metal is being produced, production is still inadequate to meet requirements. The demand for metal is enormous, and the needs of both local and outside con- sumers are still increasing. As far as this district is concerned there has probably never been such a phenomenal call for iron. Makers have sufficient orders on hand to keep them busy for months ahead, and they are, therefore, not in a position to accept much of the business now offering. There has been no increase in output since last week, but strenuous efforts are being made all over the district to put more furnaces into blast. The pig iron in west coast shipyards at present only amounts to 450 tons, compared with 2,082 tons at the corresponding period of last year. Prices remain at the Government maximum, and Bessemer mixed numbers are again quoted at 127s. 6d. per ton, f.o.t., with warrants at cash at 115s. per ton. Special iron is quoted at 140s. per ton, f.o.t., with semi- special at 135s. 6d. per ton. Business in ferro manganese is rather quiet. There has been a shipment of 500 tons this week from Maryport to a foreign port, but this is the only consignment that has been shipped from this district since August last. There are at’ present 29 furnaces blowing in the whole district, 20 in Cumberland and nine in the Furness area. In Cumberland, the Workington Iron and Steel Company have 12 furnaces blowing, four at the Derwent works, three at Moss Bay, two at Oldside, one at the Lowther works, and two at the Solway works at Mary- port. Millom have four furnaces in blast, and Cleator Moor and Distington have two each in draught, while in the Furness district Barrow have five, and Carnforth and North Lonsdale have two furnaces each in blast. All the furnaces, with the exception of two at the Oldside works, are engaged on Bessemer, special and semi-special iron. There is a great amount of activity in the steel industry, and the mills at both Barrow and Workington are main- taining a very large output. Nearly the whole of the production is for Government purposes, and the plants are now iii/ a position to take all the Bessemer iron that is available. Steel rails, light sections, are from <£12 to <£12 10s. per ton, heavy sections are quoted at from <£10 17s. 6d. to <£11 10s. per ton, and billets are in brisk demand at <£12 per ton. Engineers are very heavily engaged, and some of shops in this locality are working overtime on Government account. The Cumberland iron ore industry is in a prosperous condition. Native ore is in strong demand, and all the mines are briskly engaged. Production is gradually increasing, but the amount raised is still very much below requirements. Nearly the whole of the output is being absorbed at the blastfurnaces in the district. Prices of all sorts are firm but unaltered. Best Hodbarrow ore is quoted at 38s. per ton; good ordinary grades are from 21s. to 30s. per ton, and better sorts are from 31s. to 36s. 6d. per ton net at the mines. The shipping trade in connection with the importa- tion of foreign iron ore is brisk. During November 76 vessels arrived at the Senhouse dock at Maryport with large consignments of foreign ore, and the imports amounted to 40,800 tons. South-West Lancashire. COAL. In the household trade the demand is steadily maintained and rather in excess of what can be promptly met. With regard to shipping, the position generally is much as it was. The scarcity of tonnage is becoming more and more pronounced, and shipments in consequence hardly equal the curtailed supplies now available. Business in the open market is very quiet, and quotations for Lancashire steam coals probably rule about 22s. 6d. to 23s. f.o.b. There is a brisk demand for household fuels for the coastwise and cross-Channel trade, and considering the difficulty attendant upon securing charters, there is a fair tonnage leaving the tips. In slacks the consumption is now approxi- mating to the supply, and there is very little fuel that has not a ready outlet. Small nuts for steam purposes continue to be eagerly enquired after, and indeed there is nothing like the quantity available that is sought for, and other fuels have to be used in lieu. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ................. Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium................ 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............... Current prices. 21/ 25/6 19/ -20/ 24/6 18/ 24/ upwds. 18/ 22/6-23/ 16/ 15/6 14/6 L’st week's^ Last year’s prices, j prices. 21/ I 20/9 25/6 ! 22/6-23/ 19/ -20/ I 19/ 24/6 ’ 20/ 18/ j 16/9-17/ 24/ upwds. 19/ 18/ ! 17/ 22/9-23/6 19/6-20/ 16/ 14/6 15/6 13/ 14/6 12/ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a good attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. House coal continues in very good demand. Business in furnace coal is unchanged. The market for shipping coal has rather a better appearance. Slack is moving very freely, and, generally speaking, the requirements are more approximate to the supplies. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ............... Medium.............. Common.............. Furnace coal.......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack ........... Common slack ......... Current L’s t week’sLast year's prices. I prices. | prices. 22/ -23/ i 22/ -23/ i 21/ -22/ 19/6-21/ 19/6-21/ ! 19/ -20/3 18/ -18/6 ' 18/ -18/6 ) 17/ -17/3 17/6-18/ ' 17/6-18/ :• 16/ -17/ 25/ -26/ ' 25/ -26/ 19/ -21/ 16/upwds 16/ upwds. 14/6 14/6 upwdsj 14/6 upwds 12/ -12/6 IRON. There was a good attendance on 'Change. The prices fixed by the Ministry of Munitions are being strictly adhered to. All works are engaged on war material, and deliveries are arranged by the Ministry of Munitions. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The chief feature of the market on Tuesday was the all-round anxiety to secure supplies of coal of all qualities, with the exception of small slacks, and the very little, comparatively, which the collieries had to offer for open market business. Buyers were a majority in a large attendance, which contained many representatives from London and the Humber ports. The increasing scarcity of wagons is causing serious difficulty. In addition to transit delays, the holding up of a large number of wagons at the ports is a contributory cause of the scarcity, which in some cases has interfered with the full time working of the pits, and in others has led to ground stocking as a means of keeping the pits working. Railway wagons are being used for Government purposes to such an extent that not one- tenth of the number required by the collieries is available. The demand for house coal for London is much greater than the ability of the collieries to satisfy it; in fact, it is