770 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. April 20, 1917. authority to decide this point. From the standpoint of the colliery owner it is not likely that there would often be serious difficulties in obtaining facilities for wayleaves over colliery property. The advantages of cheap electrical power for colliery working are too obvious for any such supposition. The matter has, however, a wider aspect. It would be impossible to confine the principle of expropriation merely to electrical undertakings. It would be necessary to include also mineral developments. This would open a wide field for discussion, and might introduce no little difficulty in holding the balance evenly between public utility on the one hand and the amenities of private ownership on the other. The whole question, as we have said, is a fair matter for argument; and there is much to be said in favour of the author’s contention that no consideration of private interests should be permitted to hold up, or even to delay, an obvious public advantage. In the case of colliery developments it would certainly be highly desirable to simplify the existing procedure, especially in regard to the fact that the land is often split up. into a number of small holdings, involving a number of separate negotiations. Numerous cases have been recorded in which small land owners have shown some reluctance to give facilities, either for passing through their property, or for working underlying seams of coal. In other cases the question of wayleave rights have influenced the selection of a site for the shaft, which has been located not in accordance with stratigraphical con- ditions so much as in respect of surface rights. THE COAL TRADE. Thursday, April 19. Trade during the past week has shown very little change as compared with many weeks of the past. The demand is fully as strong and the shortage equally pronounced. The continuance of the colder weather has rendered the position if anything more acute, as the stocks at all the depots have been cleared up, and some of the London offices have been reduced to putting a notice in their windows, “No coals for sale to-day.” It is reported that the shortage has been more keenly felt in the south of London districts than in other parts, and some of the scenes in and around the coal wharves have been pitiable The Mayor of Southwark has had a special conference with all the coal merchants in the borough, and placed the whole of the horses and vans belonging to the Corporation at the disposal of the merchants to convey the coal to the consumers, if this would help matters. As it was plainly seen that the merchants and dealers were without stocks, he then com- municated with the headquarters of the London Coal Merchants’ Society, and for a time at least the want was to a certain extent relieved. He visited the Metropolitan coal yards, and convinced himself of the scarcity, and is now negotiating with the railway companies with reference to an improvement in the transit department. The attend- ance on the market has been, if anything, larger than usual since the holidays, and this is taken as a clear indication of the keenness on all sides to get a better quantity in hand. Both house and steam coals are in strong demand, and the actual consumption is as brisk as during any of the winter periods. Usually at this season of the year the household fires (apart from the kitchen) are lessened, but the weather continues to keep the demand unusually strong. Colliery representatives are pressed very keenly to keep up contract supplies, and new business is entirely put aside. No orders are entertained except for the monthly contract quantity, and the position of those merchants who have no contract arrangements with the collieries must be exceedingly perplexing. All the manufacturing qualities are absorbed by the local works and munition factories, and the quantity forwarded to London is unusually short. Fortunately the seaborne market has been well supplied; 47 contract cargoes arrived in the Biver Thames for Monday’s market and 14 for Wednesday, but as all of them were already booked and sold, none of them were offered on the open market. The shipping trade continues fairly steady, but the demand is far ahead of the supply. Vessels are scarce and freights are high. A slightly increased tonnage has been sent to the French Channel ports at limitation rates, and 20s. is quoted from the Humber for London for freights alone, and 28s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. for South Yorkshire hards. Both pit prices and f.o.b prices are unchanged, but in a few isolated cases the current quotations have been reduced Is. per ton from the beginning of April. As the colliery representa- tives are unable to accept further orders, the quotations are largely nominal. Small nuts are practically unobtain- able, but a good business has been done lately in the better qualities of nutty slacks. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Company’s Report. Friday, April 13.—Although the weather still keeps cold, a little easier tone prevailed in the seaborne house coal market, but no sales reported. Cargoes, 12. Monday, April 16.—There was a good demand for sea- borne house coal owing to the continuance of very cold weather, but no available supplies were on offer. Cargoes, 47. Wednesday, April 18.—There was no alteration in the seaborne house coal market. A good demand was notice- able, but no cargoes on offer. Cargoes, 14. The annual meeting- of the Iron and Steel Institute will be held on May 3 and 4 at the Institution of Civil Engineers, Great George St., Westminster. THE COAL AHD IROH TRADES. Thursday, ApriL 19. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There is practically nothing fresh to report with regard to the Scotch coal trade. Business generally is difficult to conduct, especially in the export branch, owing to lack of tonnage. In the west of Scotland the position is still fairly satisfactory, the local industrial and household demand accounting for the bulk of the output. Shipments for the week amounted to 89,331 tons, compared with 79,992 in the preceding week and 95,502 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Quotations are firm and unchanged. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. I Current L’st week’s Last year’s ■ prices. prices. prices. Steam coal i 18/ -24/ 18/ —24/ : : 26/ -28/ Ell 19/ -21/6 19/ -21/6 30/ Splint j I8/ -31/ 18/ -31/ 28/ -35/ Treble nuts 23/6 | 23/6 21/ -21/6 Double do 22/ 1 22/ 20/ -20/6 Single do. 20/ ! 20/ 19/3-19/9 BRON. Great activity still prevails in every branch of the iron trade. Pig iron makers are very busy. Nothing is being done in haematite apart from Government work, and the best qualities of foundry iron are also taken up. Exports are reduced to a minimum, and are still confined to small quantities of third grade iron. Pig iron stocks now amount to 3,558 tons, compared with 5,338 tons at the beginning of this year and 116,098 tons at the beginning of 1916. 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.; Glen- garnock, 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. The demand for finished iron far exceeds output. At the malleable iron works the production of steel bars is engaging principal attention. Consequently, though iron is uncontrolled, consumers have great difficulty in securing sufficient quantities to keep them going, and values are very firm. Crown iron bars are quoted at .£15 per ton net for export, but much higher figures are touched for immediate delivery. Black sheet makers have a large number of orders on hand for the heavier gauges, but outputs are somewhat hampered through a lack of raw materials. The price is still in the region of <£18 per ton net f.o.b. Glasgow. A large turnover is being done at present in cast iron pipes. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Collieries in the Lothians district are experiencing some difficulty in keeping things moving even with the aid of Admiralty business, and a certain amount of idle time is reported. Shipments for the past week reached the total of 18,026 tons, against 19,146 in the preceding week and 39,814 tons in the same week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Best screened steam coal... prices. 23/ -23/6 prices. 23/ -23/6 ! prices. 30/ Secondary qualities 21/ i 23/ 21/ 29/ Treble nuts i 23/ 22/6-23/6 Double do I ‘ 21/ 21/ 21/6-22/6 Single do 19/6 19/6 19/6-20/6 Conditions in Fifeshire are also unsatisfactory. Exports are very much restricted, and local requirements are not sufficient to keep the collieries fully occupied, broken time being frequent. Shipments were 17,652 tons, against 16,583 in the preceding week and 51,838 tons in the same week last year. . Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. coal 30/ 30/ 33/ -35/ Unscreened do....... 25/ 25/ 31/ -33/ First-class steam coal 25/ 25/ ' 32/6 Third-class do. ...... 20/ 20/ 30/ Treble nuts ; 24/ 24/ . 23/ —24/ Double do : 22/ 22/ 22/ -23/ Single do i 19/ 19/ 19/6-20/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 125,009 tons, compared with 115,721 in the preceding week and 187,154 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Morthiamberlands, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. The market has been very dull and featureless during the week. The continuance of wintry weather has militated against smooth and scheduled, running of collier steamers, and against the regular movement of colliery traffic ashore. The present week opened with better arrivals of requisi- tioned tonnage for the carriage of coal' on official account, to that extent steadying the colliery industry and providing greater regularity of teams. So far as other tonnage for open charter is concerned, this is very scarce, and private shippers of fuel are almost at their wits’ end to secure cargo space. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment show no change on the week, save that Durham unscreened bunkers are a trifle easier. All descriptions of coke are in strong demand and are scarce, but, despite the encroachments on working time made by the recent holidays, every quality of coal is abundant, at figures which are upheld with difficulty. For forward loading, coals are in brisk demand, but collieries will only sell where tonnage is assured, a stipulation which severely limits transactions. So far as May shipment is concerned, there is a disposition on the part of holders to refrain from business at present, pending a decision being come to as to minimum prices for neutral purchasers. Prices f.o.b., for prompt shipment. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals :— prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 30/ 30/ 40/ -45/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 27/ -28/ 27/ -28/ I, 40/ -50/ Secondary, Blyths 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ | 35/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 22/6 22/6 32/6-35/ Unscreened 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 32/6-35/ Small, Blyths 18/ ■ i 16/ -17/ 18/ 25/ -30/ Do. Tynes 16/ -17/ 25/. Do. specials 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 25/ -30/ Other sorts:— Smithies 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 35/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 26/ 26/ 1 i 30/ -35/ Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 17/ -19/ 17/ -19/ 30/ : Special gas coals 30/ -31/ 30/ -31/ ' 40/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 16/ -20/ 16/6-20/ ! 35/ -40/ Do. do. N orthumbrians, 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ ■ 32/6-35/ Coking coals | 18/ -20/ ’ 18/ -20/ / 30/ Do. smalls 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 28/ House coals 27/6-30/ i27/6-30/ 37/6-40/ Coke, foundry 37/6-4,2/6 1 37/6-42/6 44/ Do. blast-furnace 37/6 37/6 43/ Do. gas j 30/ -32/ 30/ -32/ , 26/ -27/ Sunderland. COAL. The export of coal from Sunderland last week was about 30,000 tons short of the quantity shipped in the correspond- ing period of last year. This was owing to the holidays and. the difficulty in securing tonnage. The coal market has a shade steadier tone. A fairly good enquiry is current for odd cargoes for neutral destinations, and licences are being granted a little more freely for some countries, but merchants still find their business hung up for want of tonnage, the supply of which does not improve. In the meanwhile the collieries are kept going with, requisition and contract shipments. For forward positions all qualities are sought after Ample supplies are offered, but sellers prefer to operate on a hand-to-mouth scale, in hopes that the minimum negotiations will be successful. The home demand for secondary grades is heavy, and stocking is thus prevented. Several sales of best steam are reported at 30s., while superior gas grades have maintained 26s. Coke continues in good demand and firm in price at late values—this also applies to the coal market generally. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Gas coals:— Special Wear gas coals Secondary do. House coals:— Best house coals Ordinary do Other sorts :— Lambton screened South Hetton do Lambton unscreened ... South Hetton do Do. treble nuts Coking coals unscreened Do. smalls Smithies Peas and nuts Best bunkers..... Ordinary bunkers Coke:— Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. Teesside furnaces) ... Gas coke Current prices. 26/ 18/ 30/ 23/ 28/ 28/ 17/ 17/ 21/ 18/ 17/ 20/ 22/ 18/ 16/ 41/ 28/ 31/ L’st week’s prices. 26/ 18/ 30/ . 23/ 28/ , 28/ 17/ 17/ 21/ 18/ 17/ 20/ 22/ 18/ 16/6 41/ 28/ 31/ (Last year’s prices. 35/ 30/ 45/ 37/6 42/6 42/6 35/ • 35/ 32/6 30/ 35/ 37/6 35/ -36/ 33/ 45/ ■ 28/ -29/ 26/ * Unobtainable. In the freight market there is a keen demand for Sweden and Denmark, while extreme rates are indicated for free Mediterranean ports. Recent fixtures include : London, 20s.; Gibraltar, 90s.; Lisbon, 82s.; Stavanger, 150 kr. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. Business is on a moderate scale, and values show very little change. Enquiries for coal are numerous and pressing, but they cannot be entertained. Durham steam coals are steady. The demand is mostly on home account, and the price runs from 29s. 6d. to 30s. In the gas section, second-class coals are very plentiful and easy, but the better qualities maintain their values. Best Durham gas coals are 25s. to 26s., and seconds 16s. 6d. to 18s. 6d. Demand for bunker coals is meagre. Ordinary unscreened Durhams vary from 10s. 7d. to 17s., and superior kinds are quoted 17s. 6d. to 18s. Smithies are in fairly good request at 2Qs. to 23s. Best house coal keeps in considerable demand at 20s. 6d. to 21s. for home use, and 30s. for export. Coking coal continues to be fairly well taken up, and unscreened kinds range from 17s. 9d. to 19s. 6d. Coke is still in all round heavy demand, though, under the con- ditions prevailing, the exports position is somewhat easier. Local requirements are large, and average blastfurnace kinds command the fixed maximum of 28s. at the ovens, whilst the limitation figure of 30s. 6d. at the ovens is named for qualities low in phosphorus. Best fouhdry coke is round about 42s. 6d. for shipment. Gas-house product firm, with supplies readily absorbed, and the export price 30s. to 32s. 6d. IRON. The iron market is steady and firm, and a fair amount, of business is passing. Enquiries for pig, both on home and Continental account, are rather numerous, and indications of continued steady trade are marked. For home con-