1222 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. December 22, 1916. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, December 21. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Business in the west of Scotland coal trade continues very quiet, and prices are in most cases purely a matter of arrangement. The. scarcity of tonnage is the chief difficulty, particularly with regard to ell coals, which are in plentiful supply at easier prices. Splints are moderately steady, but navigations are well booked up at last week’s level of between 30s. and 32s. per ton. Small stuffs are inclined to firm up. Shipments for the week amounted to 98,532 tons, compared with 118,376 in the preceding week and 117,753 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal.............. Ell ....................i Splint..................! Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 18/ -25/ 21/ -24/ 25/ -30/ 23/ 22/ 21/ L’st week’s;Last year’s prices. ! prices. 20/ -25/ , 17/6-19/6 22/ -24/ ! 21/ -21/6 25/ —30/ 21/6-26/ 20/ -21/ 18 '6—19/6 18/3-18/6 IRON. Nothing fresh can be reported regarding the Scotch iron trade. All branches are extremely active, directly or in- directly, on Government account, and private business is receiving scant attention. In the pig iron trade the demand for haematite for home purposes continues to absorb the bulk of the output, while best qualities of ordinary brands are in much the same position at present. Consequently exports are curtailed to a large extent, and, in fact, practically confined to shipments to the Allies. While quotations are unchanged it is understood higher figures have been obtained in a few instances recently. 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. Shipments of Scotch pig iron during the past week reached the total of 797 tons— 537 tons foreign and 260 tons coastwise—compared with 3,994 tons in the same week last year. Pig iron warrant stocks now amount to 5,563 tons, against 116,098 tons at the end of 1915. In the malleable iron trade there is no abatement of the pressure for deliveries of both iron and steel products. Outputs of the latter are earmarked for war requirements, but a good general turnover in iron is reported. Crown quality iron bars are quoted from .£14 10s. to <£14 15s. per ton net for export, and mild steel bars about <£17 10s. per ton for basis sizes. Black sheet makers are producing big quantities of the heavier gauges, but nevertheless the demand is still considerably in excess of the output. The quotation is unchanged at about <£18 5s. to <£18 10s. per ton net f.o.b. Glasgow. Wrought iron and steel tube markers are also doing a large business, chiefly on home account. Scotland. -Eastern District. COAL. Conditions in the Lothian s coal trade are more satis- factory owing to a better supply of tonnage, and the outlook is more promising. Shipments amounted to 24,791 tons, against 16,766 in the preceding week and 25,858 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. L’st week’s Last year’s Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities..... Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current- prices. 26/ 23/ -24/ 23/ -26/ 22/ -23/ 21/ —21/6 prices. prices. 25/ 20/ -21/ 23/ i 18/ -19/ 23/ -25/ I 21/ -22/ 1 22/ ; 18/6-19/6 21/ j 17/6-18/ An improvement in the Fifeshire district is reported. Navigations and first-class steams maintain their position, while third-class steams are beginning to receive more attention, and, generally speaking, collieries are having some difficulty in overtaking the orders on hand. Ship- ments amounted to 51,131 tons, against 52,939 in the preceding week and 52,342 tons in the same week last year t Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best screened navigation coal 30/ -35/ 30/ -35/ 23' -24/ Unscreened do 28/ -30/ ! 28/ -30/ 22/ -23/ First-class steam coal 30/ -32/ l 28/ -30/ 21/ -22/ Third-class do 21/ -22/ ' 22/ ; ! 15/ -15/6 Treble nuts 23/ -25/ ■ 23/ -25/ ' 21/ -22/ Double do 22/ 1 22/ 18,6-19/6 Single do 21/ | ! 21/ 17/ -18/ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 174,455 tons, compared with 188,081 in the preceding week and 195,953 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 89,040 tons of coal and 5,362 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 25,301 tons of coal and an increase of 83 tons of coke when com- pared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 39,624 tons of coal and 6,698 tons of coke, a decrease of 4,589 tons of coal and an increase of 2,637 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments aggregated 35,067 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 28,810 tons. Although these shipments show an increase when compared with those of the previous week, they are over 23 per cent, below those of a year ago, a fact which in itself is testimony of the manner in which business is being hampered by tonnage shortage, for there has been no falling off in the demand for fuel during the last 12 months, and the quantity of coke despatched has positively increased. The enquiry for coke is one of the brightest features of the market. There is a very full demand for home consumption and for shipment to France, and with the turn of the year the lighting of additional blastfurnaces in the Cleveland district may be relied upon to increase the sales of this commodity. The contract to supply the Norwegian State Railways with 14,000 tons of steams for delivery up to January 10 is stated to have been postponed pending arrangements for the granting of licences. When these arrangements are completed, fresh tenders will probably be invited. The same course is said to have been taken in respect of recent enquiries for 20,000 tons of best steams for the Danish State Railways, shipment over January-February, and for 17,200 tons of best gas coal and 1,600 tons of best steams for January delivery to a Danish municipality. These reports lack full confirmation, but are probably quite correct. Until the end of last week the tonnage shortage continued unabated, but the week- end brought a perceptible improvement in arrivals, and now it would seem that most collieries are provided with shipping facilities which will suffice them for the rest of this month. Not a great deal of new business is reported, f<..r collieries will be quite adequately occupied in dealing with overdue shipments on account of sales previously made. This fact and the prospect of a considerable reduction in output over the holidays have resulted in a disappearance of that surplus of stocks which was noticeable earlier, and there is not now a great deal of “free” coal to dispose of. The consequence is that sellers have been emboldened to increase their quotations in a few instances, although, speaking generally, figures have undergone no alteration on the week. The only changes in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment are as follow:—Best Tyne steams are stronger; gas bests, Is. to Is. 6d. advanced; specials, 2s. 6d. to 5s. 6d. more; unscreened Durham bunkers firmer; blastfurnace coke, Is. increased; and gas coke, Is. cheaper. It will be observed that gas specials, which are very scarce, are markedly dearer. There is an active forward enquiry, but producers are holding very firmly for late quotations, and will look at no offer under limitation prices. There is stated to be practically no coke available until the new year. At the time of writing, the loading of vessels at the coal staiths and the movements of shipping are being considerably hampered by fog, frost and snow. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current I L’st week’s! Last year’: Steam coals :— prices. prices. prices. Best, Bly ths (D.C.B.) ... 30/ 1 30/ i 22/ -25/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 29/ -30/ ! 28/6-30/ 24/ -26/6 22/ . 18/ -20/ Secondary, Blyths 24/ -26/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 24/ -26/ 24/ -26/ 1 19/ -20/ Unscreened 20/ -22/6 20 -22/6 ' 17/6-18/6 Small, Blyths 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ ; 11/ Do. Tynes 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 i 10/6 Do. specials 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 13/ Other sorts: — Smithies 20/ 20/ 19/ -20/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 25/ -27/6 J 24/ -26/ 21/ -22/ Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 18 / -20/ ! 18' -20/ 19/ -20/ Special gas coals 30/ -33/ ; 27/6 1 22/ -23/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams! 17/6-19/ < 17/ -19/ j 20/ -22/ Do. do. | N orthumbrians j .18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ i 18/ Coking coals j 18/ -20/ . 18/ -20/ i 19/ -21/ Do. smalls | 17/ -18/ : 17/ -18/ ! 19/ -20/ House coals | 27/6-30/ 27 6-30/6 22/ Coke, foundry ! 40/ -45/ 40/ -45/ 36/ -38/ •36/ -38/ Do. blast-furnace j 37/ -39/ : 36/ -38/ i Do. gas j 32/ -34/ i 33/ -35/ ' 28/ -30/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 40,930 tons of coal and 125 tons of coke, as compared with 69,645 tons of coal and 2,305 tons of coke for the corres- ponding period of 1915, being a decrease of 28,715 tons of coal and 2,180 tons of coke. A fair arrival of shipping* over the week-end brought some relief to the collieries and tended to steady the market. Moreover, there is some little disposition to clear off pending orders before the Christmas stoppage. Prices are not materially changed, but are held with a little more steadiness for early loading. Both steams and gas are steadier, and bunker coals are the turn better Coke of all classes is scarce and strong, owing no doubt to the increasing home consumption as well as a large demand for shipment to France. It is understood that the contract for supplying the Norwegian State Railways has been postponed pending arrangements for the granting of licences. There is practically nothing doing in forward business. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. j Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals :— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals : 27/6 27/6 23/ Secondary do. | 18/ 19/- 20/ House coals:— Best house coals i 30/ 28/ 25/ -26/ Ordinary do j 24/ 24 6 22/ Other sorts :— ! Lamb ton screened ...... i 29/ 28 6 25/ South Hetton do j 29/ 28/6 25/ Lambton unscreened ... 17/6 17/' 20/ South Hetton do j 17/6 17/ 20/ Do. treble nuts; 32/ 20/ 17/9 Coking coals unsereenedj 18/ 16/6 21/ Do. smalls j 17/ 16/3 20/6 Smithies . 18/6 17/6 22/ Peas and nuts 1 23/6 18'6 22/ Best bunkers i 18/6 18/6 22/ Ordinary bunkers ; 16/6 16/ 20/6 Coke:— , j Foundry coke 40/ 41/ 40/ Blast-furnace coke (dld.! Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 1 28/ 34/ Gas coke 35/ ; 32/6 26/6-27/ The same difficulty exists in securing tonnage to load outwards, and the only fixtures, outside of limitation ports, are: —London, 15s. ; Gothenburg, 39 kr. ; Copenhagen, 35 kr.; Lisbon, 50s.; Barcelona, 60s.; St. Vincent, 45s. ; River Plate, 55s. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel trade does not show much change. The coal market is quiet, and this week business has been concen- trated on clearing up shipments as far as possible before Christmas. Deliveries of gas coal are on a fairly good scale. Best kinds are quoted 25s. and upward, and second qualities are in the neighbourhood of 20s. Bunker coal is in a little better demand. Ordinary Durhams may be put at 18s.. and best bunkers at 19s. Household coal keeps firm. Values of coking coal were maintained, though merchants’ unscreened kinds are plentiful, and are being rather pressed on the market. Smalls are 18s. to 18s. 6d., and unscreened kinds range from 18s. to 19s. There is a large and increasing* demand for coke. Local requirements are very heavy, and with supply barely adequate some apprehension is felt with regard to deliveries in the very near future being insufficient to fully meet needs. The maximum rate of 28s. at the ovens is readily paid for average blastfurnace kinds, and no difficulty is experienced in obtaining the limitation price of 30s. 6d. at the ovens for qualities low in phosphorus. Best foundry coke is in very good request at 40s. to 45s., and patent coke is round about 38s. 6d., whilst gas coke runs from 33s. to 34s. IRON. Quietness characterises the pig iron market. As is usual on the approach of Christmas, traders are disinclined to operate, and there is the customary complaint at this season of the year of inconvenience and delay of delivery suffered through shortage of trucks. Home consumers of pig iron are much less keen to enter into forward contracts than they have been, but the prevailing opinion is that after the holidays there will be a renewal of activity. Values of Cleveland pig are well maintained. No. 3, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge are all 87s. 6d., and No. 1 is 91s. 6d. for home consumption; whilst for despatch to our Allies No. 3 is 98s., No. 4 foundry 96s. 6d., No. 4 forge 95s. 6d., and No. 1 is 102s. 6d.; and for shipment to neutral countries the minimum quotations are 105s. for No 3 and 110s. for No. 1. Some sales of No. 3 to Italy are reported to have been made at 98s to 98s. 6d. Sales of east coast haematite iron for early delivery are not practicable, but a few more contracts over periods next year are understood to have been arranged. Mixed numbers are 122s. 6d. for home use, 137s. 6d. for shipment to France, and 142s. 6d. for export to Italy. Under existing conditions imports of foreign ore must be regarded as on a satisfactory scale. So far this month the unloadings at the port of Middlesbrough are officially returned at 60,50 > tons. Manufacturers of finished iron and steel keep very busily employed on Government work, and are turning out large and increasing supplies of mercantile shipbuilding material. Quotations all round are very firm. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The Cumberland coal industry is now brisker than it has been this year, and all branches are experiencing the greatest pressure. In West Cumberland, trade has probably never been busier, and nothing like it has been known for years. The demand for fuel is even keener than it was a week ago. In the home branches the clamour for all varieties of fuel is tremendous, and requirements on all accounts are expanding quicker than they can be coped with. The collieries are inundated with orders, and some of the pits have more business on hand on local account than they will be able to deal with before the middle of January. There is a phenomenal demand for fuel in both the home and export markets; the needs of all users are gradually increasing, and there is no reason to think that the maximum has yet been reached. The pressure of demand has been so keen this week that there has been a scarcity, not only on export account but in some of the home branches, and in some quarters arrears are accumu- lating rather too quickly. The collieries have so much pressing business on hand that at the moment they are finding it extremely difficult to cope even with their local customers. Consumers on Government work are, of course, receiving a fair share, but export and other users are still having to go short, and under the circumstances it is almost impossible to deal with much business outside of the county. House coal is remarkably active, and some of the depots have booked enough orders t » keep them busy till the middle of next month. Gas coal, both for shipment and local use, is very firm, and engine fuels, for the home railways, are in very strong request. Supplies are still rather scarce. It is stated that the train service in this district will be curtailed early in the new year. The