724 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. April 13, 1917. standard of cleanliness, and the existence of such secondary causes as gambling, intemperance and improvidence, all of which may contribute to a state of poverty even amongst a well-paid community. u The moral and the physical causes of poverty,” he says, “ act and interact.” This is also another factor which needs further investigation, i.e,, the question of the areal distribution of fertility, about which but little is known. The more obvious causes, such as maternal ignorance, and general sanitary conditions, can be more readily dealt with, and it is, perhaps, in regard to these matters that much of our modern progress in preserving infant life has been due. All these questions are discussed in the report before us, and a useful summary is given of various remedial measures suitable for the guidance of local autho- rities and maternity and child welfare workers. It is comforting to be assured that in every area a very high proportion of the present mortality can be obviated, and Sir Arthur Newsholme maintains that it is well within the range of administrative action to reduce child mortality within the next few years to one-half of its present amount. This would be equivalent to increasing the birth rate—a consum- mation which is most desirable for the replenishment of the man power of the nation. _________________________ OUTPUT OF COAL IN 1916. The advance proof of the Home Office report on the output of coal and other minerals, together with statistics of persons employed, both under the Coal Mines Act and the Metalliferous Mines Act, has just been published. The output of coal from mines under the Coal Mines Act, which from 287,411,869 tons in 1913, fell to 265,643,030 tons in 1914, and to 253,179,446 in 1915, amounted in 1916 to 256,348,351 tons, showing an increase of 3,168,905 tons on 1915. The output of 1916 and comparison with 1915 for each of the inspection divisions are as follow :— Outwit 1916 Comparison output, 191b. withl915. Tons. Scotland .................. Northern.................. York and North Midland... Lancashire, North Wales and Ireland .................. South Wales .............. Midland and Southern ..... Tons. 36,094,631 ... 4- 497,775 47,270,124 ... + 239,839 68,005,505 ... + 501,375 24,997,771 ... - 10,762 52,080,709 ... + 1,628,109 27,899,611 ... + 312,569 Total ..................... 256,348,351 ... +3,168,905 The number of persons employed at mines under the Coal Mines Act was 998,063. These figures show a decrease of 129,827 persons on the pre-war year of 1913, but an increase of 44,421 persons on the figures for the year 1915. The rate of the decrease on the pre-war figures in the output of coal is about 10’8 per cent., and in the number of persons employed at mines under the Coal Mines Act about 11'5 per cent. ____________________________________________________ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, April 12. __________________________________________________ Dublin. No new feature presents itself since business was resumed. Mid-winter conditions still prevail, and the house coal trade is active, prices of all qualities remain- ing unchanged at late rates, viz. :—Best Orrell, 44s. per ton net; Yorkshire brights, 43s.; best Wigan, 42s.; best slack, 36s. ; house coal, retail, 2s. lOd. to 3s. per sack of 10 st. ; steam coal, from about 40s. per ton; best coke, 44s. per ton in the city. Supplies are coming into the port slowly, but merchants’ stocks are fairly good, upon the whole. Belfast. The exceptional severity of the weather is keeping up sales of house coal fairly well, and prices remain unaltered. Freights are firm. Stocks are below the average, more particularly of English household coal. The carrying out of the inland trade is retarded by the shortage of railway wagons on the different railway systems. • Current quota- tions for house coals are :—Best Arley, 43s. 6d. per ton ; Orrell nuts, 42s. 6d. ; English house, 41s. 6d. ; Scotch, 39s. 6d. ; Orrell slack, 39s. 6d. Irish coal at the Craiga- hulliar Colliery, Portrush, co. Antrim, is 14s. per ton at the pithead. Considerable interest is now being taken in these mines in business and manufacturing circles, as the quality of the coal is good, and said to be still improving. The seam'is 12 ft. thick. The total number of coal-laden vessels entering Belfast Harbour from March 18 to 31 was 134. ____________________________ The only coal mine in Sweden, Hoeganesbolaget, in the south of Sweden, earned last year a net profit of four million kroner (about =£250,000). Engineering Standards Committee. — The chairman of the Engineering Standards Committee (Sir John Wolfe Barry) has accepted the invitation of the council of the Institution of Civil Engineers to give the “ James Forrest” lecture on Wednesday, May 2, taking as his subject “ The Standardisation of Engineering Materials and Its Influence on the Trade and Prosperity of the Country.” Mention will be made of the local standards committees which are being formed in some 12 countries abroad. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, April 12. .... ____ ______________________ Scotland.—Western District. COAL. General conditions in the Scotch coal trade are not improving, and a very indifferent tone prevails in the markets. In the West of Scotland the export departments are quieter. Local industrial and household requirements are fully maintained, and collieries are easily disposing of outputs. Shipments for the past week amounted to 73,036 tons, compared with 92,377 tons in the preceding week and 113,597 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Quotations are practically unchanged. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. | Current L’st week’s)Last year’s I prices. prices, i prices. oteam .................. xo/ .............. Ell .....................| 19,' -21/6 | 19/ -21/6 I 27/ Splint...................' 18/ -31/ ! 18/ -31/ 27/ -35/ Treble nuts ............J 23/6 ! 23/6 21/ -21/6 Double do...............| 22/ j 22/ j 20/6-20/9 Single do...............I 20/ 20/ 19/3-19/9 IRON. The pressure in all departments of the iron trade is unabated, but the accumulation of arrears will begin to diminish when the new additions and extensions to works and plants are in full working order. The demand for Scotch pig iron is very strong, and some grades are scarce owing to the depletion of stocks. Hsematite is particularly active. Shipments are restricted, and still confined, for the most part, to small consignments of third grade iron. Prices are firm and unaltered, though on occasions higher figures are obtained for prompt delivery. 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 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. In the malleable iron trade makers have an unlimited supply of orders. Ordinary mercantile consumers are getting very meagre supplies, owing to the increased out- put of steel at the works, and the consequent scarcity of iron products. “Crown” quality iron bars are quoted .£15 per ton and upwards f.o.b. Glasgow. Satisfactory progress is reported from the shipyards. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Collieries in the Lothian district still find difficulty in keeping things moving, even with the assistance of Admiralty orders. Shipments only amounted to 19,146 tons, against 21,501 in the preceding week and 27,430 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities Treble nuts Double do Single do prices. 23/ -23/6 . 21/ 23/ 21/ 19/6 prices. 23/ -23/6 21/ 23/ 21/ 19/6 Last year’s prices. 30/ 29/ 23/ -24/ 21/ -22/6 19/6-20/6 The situation in Fifeshire is similar to that in the Lothians, and considerable idle time is being experienced owing to the lack of adequate local outlet. Clearances were 16,640 tons, against 23,469 in the preceding week and 58,521 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Best screened navigation prices. prices. prices. coal 30/ 30/ 35/ ■ Unscreened do 25/ . 25/ 32/ First-class steam coal 25/ 25' , 32/6 Third-class do 20/ 20/ 39/ Treble nuts 24/ 24/ 22/6-23/6 Double do 22/ 22/ 21/6-22/ Single do 19/ 19/ 19/ -20/ ______ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 108,822 tons, compared with 137,347 in the preceding week and 199.548 tons in the corresponding week of last year _________________ Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. The Easter holidays came as an especially welcome respite from business worries this year, the obstacles to trade being, of course, very much more numerous than customary. These obstacles include a long and unseason- able supply of the most decided mid-winter weather, which still endures to some extent. This Arctic visitation greatly delayed the movements of shipping at sea and the pro- gress of colliery traffic ashore. Then, again, there has been that shortage of collier tonnage which is quite chronic nowadays. Another factor checking business is the con- sultations —which, as yet, do not appear to have yielded any result - on the question as to whether minimum prices of coal for neutrals should be fixed. It is certainly rather grotesque that, at present, it should be possible for neutral countries to secure fuel supplies at figures below those conceded to our Allies. There has been very little move- ment in the prompt market during the week. F.o.b. quotations for immediate shipment show absolutely no variation since last report. It is believed that, now that the holidays are at an end, the market will display more activity. The pits restarted work on Tuesday, and many are working indifferently. Consequently, with a small output and a fair accumulation of tonnage over the week- end, the tone of the market is steadier. There is, however, a more promising factor as to greater briskness in the market than this. That factor is to be found in the fact that the “ roof ” has been taken off the Mediterranean colliery freights altogether, with the result that ship owners are at liberty to charge as much as they can possibly get, subject to the sanction of the Coal Exports Committee. Concurrently, there has been quite a considerable addition made to the maximum rates of freights of neutral tonnage for the North French and Bay ports. These further “ concessions ”■—very much in the nature of robbing Peter, the coal consumer, further to enrich Paul, the ship owner— should surely have the effect of inducing all the tonnage that is employable in such trades to be offered. That would certainly be the case were it not that there appears to be no limit to the desire for gain on the part of ship owners. The only forward transactions of note that have taken place during the week is that quantities of Durham gas bests have been sold for forward delivery at from 25s. to 26s. per ton f.o.b. according to destination. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Steam coals :— prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ...j 30/ 30/ 40/ -45/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 27/ -28/ 27/ -28/ ! 40/ Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 40/ or West Hartleys) ... 22/6 22/6 40/ Unscreened 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 32/6-35/ Small, Blyths 18/ 18/ 22/6 Do. Tynes 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 21/ -22/ Do. specials Other sorts:— 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 22/6-25/ Smithies Best gas coals (New 20/ -21/ •20/ -21/ 27/ Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 26/ 26/ 30/ (Pelaw Main or similar) •17/ -19/ 30/ -31/ 17/ -19/ 30/ Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, 30/ -31/ 40/ Durhams Do. do. 16/6-20/ 16/6-20/ 30/ -35/ N orthumbrians 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 30/ -35/ 27/6-30/ Coking coals 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ Do. smalls 17/ -18/ j 17/ -18/ 26/ -28/ House coals 27/6-30/ 1 27/6-30/ 37/6-40/ Coke, foundry 37/6-42/6 1 37/6-40/ 44/ Do. blast-furnace 37/6 37/6 28/^ _____________________ Do. gas 30/ -32/ 30/ -32/ 26/ -27/ * Government price. Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 31,900 tons of coal, as compared with 66,945 tons of coal and 105 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1916, a decrease of 35,045 tons of coal and 105 tons of coke. Business has been affected by the holidays, and the coal market is extremely dull, and operations have been of very little account. Prices are nominal and unchanged. A brisk demand continues for coke. It is understood that parcels of Tyne prime gas coal have been sold for forward delivery at 25s and 26s. a ton f.o.b. according to destination. There are also several large lines of coke under enquiry for France. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’stweek’s'Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. 1 prices. 25/ 27/6 Special Wear gas coals 26/ Secondary do., 18/ 17/6 25/ House coals:— Best house coals 30/ 30/ 35/ Ordinary do 23/ 23/ 32/6 Other sorts :— Lambton screened 28/ 28/ 40/ ~ South Hetton do 28/ 28/ 37/6 Lambton unscreened ... 17/ 17/ 25/ South Hetton do 17/ 17/ 24/6 Do. treble nuts 21/ 21/ 28/ Coking coals unscreened ■ 18/ 18/ 25/ Do. smalls 17/ 17/ 23/ Smithies 20/ 20/ 24/6 Peas and nuts 22/ 22/ 28/6 Best bunkers 18/ 17/6 26/ 16/ ’ 24/ Ordinary bunkers 16/6 Coke:— Foundry coke 41/ 41/ -42/6 45/ Blast-furnace coke (did. Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 28/ 28/ Gas coke 31/ 31/ 26/ Business in the freight market has been completely at a standstill. There is plenty of enquiry for boats, but the supply is so short that chartering is practically out of the question. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. Holidays have interfered with business. A good tone prevails as to prospects for the remainder of the month, and proposals for mutual arrangement among collieries with a view to putting business on a more satisfactory basis are being considered. Durham steam coals keep at 29s. 6d. to 30s. A moderate business is passing in gas coal, and best Durhams run from 25s. to 26s., and seconds from 16s. 6d. to 18s. 6d., whilst special Wears are quite nominal. Trade in bunkers is very limited, and prices are easy. Ordinary unscreened Durhams are put at 16s. 6d. to I7s., and superior sorts at 17s. 6d. to 18s. Household coals show no change. Best kinds are 20s. 6d. to 21s. to home customers, and round about 30s. to exporters. Smithies range from 20s. to 23s. Coking coals are fairly well taken up at prices varying from 17s. 9d. to 19s. 6d. for unscreened kinds. All descrip- tions of coke continue in good demand, both for home use and for shipment abroad. Local needs keep heavy, and as a result full rates rule, average blastfurnace kinds com- manding the fixed maximum of 28s. at the ovens, and