May 25, 1917. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 995 THE COAL AMD IROM TRADES. Thursday, May 24. exists, and prospects are good if the present satisfactory position as regards tonnage be maintained. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Conditions in the Scotch coal trade continue dull and featureless. The lack of railway facilities is proving very troublesome, and is now affecting business in the west of Scotland to a considerable extent. Industrial sales are well maintained, but here again deliveries are interfered with owing to transit difficulties. Domestic requirements have now fallen off to a large extent. Shipments for the week amounted to 92,741 tons, compared with 77,908 in the preceding week and 11,889 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices of round coals are somewhat easier this week. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Steam coal 18/ -23/ 18/ -24/ 28/ -33/ Ell 18/6-21/ 19/ -21/ 38/ -417 Splint 18/ -26/ 18/ -31/ 36/ -45/ Treble nuts 23/6 23/6 21/ -22/ Double do 22/ 22/ 20/6-21/ Single do 20/ 20/ 19/3-20/ iron. Apart from a further curtailment in ordinary commercial transactions there is no change in the position of the Scotch iron trade. Producers are realising very firm prices for any spare material. In the pig iron trade deliveries are some- what irregular, due to the scarcity of haematite and No. 1 foundry sorts. Shipments are now few and far between. Prices are unchanged. Monkland and Carnbroe are quoted 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. There is no relaxation at the malleable iron mills. Outputs of steel are very large, while more iron is now being produced on Government account. Despite the reaction in export, prices are maintained on the level of <£15 5s. per ton net for crown quality iron bars for shipment. All classes of engineers are exceptionally busy, and good progress in connection with new mercantile craft is reported. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Steam coals :— prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 30/ 30/ 60/ -61/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 28/ -30/ 28/ —30/ 60/ Secondary, Blyths 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 50/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 22/6-23/ 22/6-23/ 55/ Unscreened 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 40/ -50/ Small, Blyths 18/ 18/ 35/ Do. Tynes 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 30/ -32/6 Do. specials 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 35/ Other sorts:— Smithies 21/ 21/ . ; 35/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 25/ -26/ 26/ 37/6 Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 17/6-19/ 30/ -31/ 17/6-19/ 35/ Special gas coals 30/ —31/ 37/6-40/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 16/6-19/ 17/ -20/ 35/ -37/6 Do. do. N orthumbrians 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 40/ ‘ 35/ Coking coals 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ i 17/ -18/ ’ Do. smalls 16/ -18/ 33/ House coals 27/6-30/ 27/6-30/ : 50/ -60/ Coke, found.ry 40/ -42/6 40/ -42/6 47/6 Do. blastfurnace 40/ i 40/ ’ 44/ Do. gas 30/ -32/ 30/ -32/ 27/ -28/ Sunderland. COAL. A better arrival of shipping over the week end, and the prospect of a number of neutral boats due to arrive for cargoes, imparted a more cheerful tone to the coal market. New business is not much in evidence. The collieries are working fairly well, and the output is steadily absorbed, except in the case of steam smalls, which are still going largely into heap for want of export business. For late May and June shipments enquiries are circulating freely, but business is rendered difficult by the inability of buyers to guarantee tonnage and licence. Prices are nominally steady, and without particular change, beyond the fact that the tone is the turn better. Coke is steady, with prices unaltered. Eeports are circulating as to a. coming graded scale of coal prices according to class. Quotations are approximately as follow .— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The Cumberland coal trade is now much easier than it has been for some months. There is a fairly strong enquiry for fuel for shipping, outside and local consumption, and the collieries have still some good orders on hand, but the demand on home account is not quite so firm as it was. All sorts, with the exception of smalls, are more plentiful, with the result that local manufacturers, who have the first call on supplies, are receiving as much as they need, and some consumers, who up to a month ago were only existing from hand to mouth, are now obtaining sufficient to enable them to put in good stocks for the holidays. Business in nearly all the home branches is reported to be a shade easier. The efforts to check absenteeism are meeting with more success, and a large proportion of the men are now attending to their work more regularly. Gas coal is very firm, and some good consignments are being sent away both by rail and boat. Smalls are still rather scarce, and upwards of 2,000 tons of these kinds are being imported from the north-east coast for the local by-product, coke ovens. Landsale is dull, and the demand for house coal is probably quieter than it has been this year. Industrial fuel is in strong request. The shipments from Maryport during the week amounted to 2,855 tons, compared with 3,535 tons at the corresponding period of last year. Quota- tions for all varieties of fuel are firm but unaltered. Best sorts at the pit are obtainable at from 22s. 6d. to 23s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at from 20s. lOd. to 21s. 3d. per ton. Works fuel is 20s. per ton, best gas coal is 20s. per ton, with nuts at 19s. per ton,,delivered in the district. All classes of bunkers are in very firm request. Best sorts for foreign-going vessels are 30s. per ton, with mixed sorts at 25s. per ton, best bunkers for coastwise vessels are 25s. per ton, with mixed sorts at 21s. 6d. per ton. Best shipping coal is quoted at 19s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. at Maryport, with best washed nuts at 17s. 6d. per ton. Best house coal delivered in the Maryport district is quoted 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 at 24s. 2d. per ton. At Workington best house coal delivered is Is. 4d. per cwt., or 25s. lOd. per ton, with best washed nuts at Is. 3d. per cwt., or 24s. 2d. per ton. Other current quotations are as follow :— Current quotations. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Business in the Lothians coal trade is becoming more scarce. Shipments are practically off, and Admiralty orders are not so large meantime. Local demands, however, are fairly regular. Clearances were 19,990 tons, against 18,512 last week and 42,262 tons in the same week of 1916. Quota- tions are decidedly easier. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities..... Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 20/6 18/ -20/ 22/ 20/ 19/ L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 23/ -23/6 21/ 23/ 21/ 19/6 prices 42/ -45/ 40/ 25/ -26/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -22/9 The situation in Fifeshire is still most unsatisfactory. The accumulation of wagons is very detrimental to business, and a large number of the collieries are only getting two or three days full work in the week. Shipments amounted to 19,777 tons, against 13,850 in the preceding week and 61,513 tons in the same week last year. Prices are practically unaltered. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current Gas coals:— prices. Special Wear gas coals 28/6 Secondary do. 18/6 House coals:— Best house coals 30/ Ordinary do. 22/6 Other sorts :— Lambton screened 29/ -30/ South Hetton do 29/ Lambton unscreened ... 18/ South Hetton do. 18/ Do. treble nuts 20/ Coking coals unscreened 18/ -19/ Do. smalls 17/ Smithies 21/ Peas and nuts 22/6 Best bunkers 18/ Ordinary bunkers 16/ Coke:— Foundry coke 40/ -42/ Blast-furnace coke (did. Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ Gas coke 30/ -31/ L’stweek’s Lastyear’s prices. prices. 27/6 37/6-40/ 18/ 33/6-34/6 30/ 50/ 23/ 42/6 - 29/ 57/ -60/ 29/ 57/6 17/6 34/ 17/6 33/ 20/6 — 18/6 35/ 17/ 32/6 21/6 36/ 23/ 37/6-40/ 37/6 18/ 16/ -16/6 35/ 40/ -42/ 47/6 28/ 28/ 30/ -32/ 27/ 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 Fit 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 „ Best Cumberl’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/ 12/6 19/ 19/6 17/6 25/ 30/ 21/6 25/ 19/3 18/3 Current prices. L’st week’s Lastyear’s prices. prices. Best screened navigation coal < 30/ 30/ 46/- 50/ Unscreened do 24/ 25/ 36/ —40/ First-class steam coal 25/ 25/ 42/6-45/ Third-class do 20/ 20/ 37/6-40/ 24/ -26/ Treble nuts 24/ 24/ Double do 22/ 22/ 22/ -23/ Single do 19/ 19/ 21/ -22/ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 132,508 tons, compared with 110,270 in the preceding week and 215,664 tons in the corresponding week of last year. ------------------ Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. A remarkably large influx of tonnage into the river over the week-end has relieved those responsible for the mining industry of any fear of shortage of transport facilities this side of June. At the end of last week there was a doubt as to whether a sufficiency of shipping would be available, but that doubt is now dispelled. Practically all the collieries are working full time, and nearly the whole of their output is being taken up on official account, and is being despatched in requisitioned steamers almost as fast as the coal can be brought to the shipping places. Little is available for private purchasers, but as there are very few “ unattached ” steamers offering in the local coal freight market the circumstances that coal supplies are limited is not so material. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment are unaltered, excepting that gas bests are easier, Durham bunkers from 6d. to Is. cheaper and coking smalls weaker. These decreases came about at the close of last week, when tonnage shortage was feared, and have not yet been wiped out. Coke is very scarce and dear. The enquiry from the Norwegian State Eailways, mentioned last week, is for 18,000 tons of steams for June shipment. That from the Stockholm Gasworks is for an unspecified quantity of gas coals for loading over the summer months. There is a report in circulation locally as to a projected official grading of coal prices, but nothing definite has yet been heard. For June delivery a fair amount of enquiry middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. In the coal trade very little new business is passing, and there is continued scarcity of free tonnage, but a par- ticularly good arrival of boats (many of them overdue) has imparted a cheerful feeling to the market. Deliveries this week are on a large scale, as is generally the case just before the Whitsuntide holidays. Official absorption of fuel is large, and shipments now show a good average. Coal values all round are steady. Durham steams remained at 29s. to 30s., and were in fairly good demand. Gas coals are moderately active at 24s. to 26s. for bests, and 16s. 6d. to 18s. for seconds. There is a steadier feeling in bunker coals. Ordinary unscreened Durhams are about 16s. 6d., good ordinaries 17s. to 18s., and specials 20s. to 21s. 6d. Best household coals are in the neighbourhood of 21s. for home use, and 30s. for export. Smithies keep at 20s. to 23s. Coking coals continue steady and firm, and are fairly well taken up at prices ranging from 18s. to 19s. 6d. for unscreened kinds. The coke position shows no important variation. Demand is large generally, but shipments keep quiet. Best foundry coke runs from 41s. to 42s. 6d., patent oven 38s. to 40s., and gas-house product 30s. to 31s. The fixed maximum of 28s. at the ovens is still being realised for average qualities of blastfurnace coke, and low phosphorus sorts keep at the limitation figure of 30s. 6d. at the ovens. IRON. The market is steady and firm as far as Cleveland pig iron is concerned, but business is only quiet, traders having made all necessary home arrangements on early account, and being disinclined to commit themselves ahead to any extent. Forge iron continues to be taken up freely for use here and in Scotland. Shipments show improvement, but are below what could be wished. For home consumption No. 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge are all quoted 92s. 6d.,. and No. 1 is 96s. 6d.; and for shipment to France and to Italy No. 3 is 102s. 6d., No. 4 foundry 101s. 6d., No. 4 forge 100s. 6d., and No. 1, 107s. 6d. Much firmness characterises the haematite branch. All home requirements are understood to be receiving adequate attention, and negotiations for further home sales are proceeding, but the surplus of iron available for sale to the Continent is small, and export business is stagnant. Nos. 1, 2 and 3 east coast brands are 122s. 6d. for home use. Export rates are not quotably changed, but they are considerably below what sellers declare the position warrants, and are quite nominal. For shipment to France mixed numbers are put at 137s. 6d., and for export to Italy the figures are given at 142s. 6d. Finished iron and steel prices are very strong. Manufacturers are working at maximum pressure to satisfy Government demands and needs of the ship yards. IRON. The situation in the Cumberland and North Lancashire haematite pig iron trade has undergone no change since last week. The amount of pig iron in public storing yards in Cumberland still stands at 430 tons. Prices are firm at the Government maximum, and Bessemer mixed numbers are again quoted at 127s. 6d. per ton f.o.t., with warrants at cash at L15s. per ton. Special iron is 140s., and semi- special iron is 135s. per ton f.o.t. The position of ferro- manganese is unchanged, but prices are very firm. Steel billets are in strong demand at <£12 per ton. Heavy sections of steel rails are quoted at from <£10 17s. 6d. to <£11 10s.; light rails are from <£14 to £14 10s. per ton ; heavy tram rails are £14 per ton; ship plates are £11 10s. per ton and boiler plates are £12 10s. per ton. ----- ----------- South-West Lancashire. COAL. The inland household demand for actual consumption has eased considerably, and advantage is being taken of the advice given by those who have room to purchase for stocking purposes. There is not much variation in regard to shipping. In view of the scarcity of tonnage, require- ments for ordinary bunkering and export purposes are only on a moderate scale, but notwithstanding this, there is comparatively little surplus coal owing partly to increasing Government demands and to heavier requirements for munition purposes. Quotations for Lancashire steam coals range from 24s. to 25s. f.o.b., though little is doing in the open market. In the coastwise and cross-channel trade there is a fair business in progress, the tonnage being limited to the ability to get suitable freight. There is nothing new to report with regard to slacks and small fuel; they are moving away as raised. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ................ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium ............... Do. (f.o.b. G' rston, 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/ -22/ 25/6 19/ -20/ 24/6 18/ 23/ upwds. 18/ 24/ -25/ 16/ 15/ 14/ L’st week's prices. 21/ -22/ 25/6 19/ -20/ 24/6 18/ 23/ upwds. 18/ 24/6-25/6 16/ ■ 15/ 14/ Lastyear’s prices. 20/9 24/6-25/6 I 19/ 23/ -24/ ■ 17/ 23/ upwds 17/6-18/ 25/ -26/ 16/ 15/6 14/6 upwds