1174 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN June 22, 1917. account for the formation of blackdamp in some cases, but not in others. There still remains a certain amount of mystery as to the origin of much of the carbon dioxide present in the return air of the mine. There is evidently much work still to be done in clearing up problems connected with the properties of coal, and it is to be hoped that the excellent work already accomplished will be followed by further investigations. Dr. Haldane showed very clearly how greatly these researches have assisted mining engineers in the practical treatment of gob-fires, and in devising means for their prevention. In the first place, it is important that every seam should be investigated with regard to its liability to spontaneous heating. One of the outstanding results of the Ooncaster tests has been to show the wide difference that exists between individual seams in this respect. By the light of the knowledge that has been made available by these researches it is now possible to determine with reasonable accuracy what practical measures may be called for to diminish the risk of gob-fires. The Doncaster Coal Owners’ Research Committee is to be congratulated upon the important results already attained, and Dr. Haldane pays a touching tribute to the memory of the late Sir A. Markham and Mr. J. W. Fryar, respectively chairman and secretary of the original committee, to whose inspira- tion he attributes much of the success of the work of the Doncaster laboratory. We may, perhaps, be permitted to add that to Dr. Haldane himself belongs the credit of organising and superintending these researches, and he has been fortunate, as every successful director always is, in his selection of keen and competent coadjutors in the somewhat laborious task involved in carrying out these investigations. THE IRISH COIL TOME. Thursday, June 21. Dublin. A good demand prevails in the port, although the pur- chasing, as far as house coals are concerned, is not for immediate use. Supplies are somewhat more plentiful of some qualities, and stocks are about average. Prices generally are unchanged, as follow:—Best Orrell, 44s. per ton; Yorkshire brights, 43s.; best Wigan, 42s.; best slack, 36s.; steam coal, Welsh, 40s. per ton; Scotch, 38s.; house coal, retail, 2s. lOd. to 3s. per sack of 10 stone. Irish coals at the Castlecomer Collieries, Co. Kilkenny, are:—Best small coal, 28s. 4d. per ton; best large coal, 26s. 8d.; second quality coal, 25s.; bottom coal, 23s. 4d., all at the pithead. Coals from the Wolfhill collieries, Queen’s County, are as follow:— Malting coal, 46s. per ton; house, gas, and steam coal, 40s.; lime culm, 16s.; fine culm, 12s. per ton—all f.o.r. Athy, on the Great Southern and Western line. The dock labourers’ dispute was fortunately of short duration, and cargoes are being discharged as usual. The coal vessels arriving in the port during the past week amounted to 72, as compared with 48 the week previously, the total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays being 29,000 tons, as against 20,000 in the previous week. Belfast. Locally the trade is quiet, but increased enquiry from country districts shows the desire to lay in stocks. It is stated that supplies of English house coal are not likely to increase. Current quotations for household coals are as follow:—Best A.rley, 43s. 6d. per ton ; Orrell nuts, 42s. 6d.; English house, 41s. 6d.; Scotch, 39s. 6d.; Orrell slack, 39s. 6d. The price of coke is, approximately, from 40s. to 48s. per ton. Irish coal at Craigahulliar, Portrush, Co. Antrim, is 14s. per ton at the pithead, and 30s. per ton delivered in Belfast. Inspectors of Explosives: Report for 1916.—The report states that there has again been a large increase in the number of licensed factories, no less than 23 having been added during the year. This gives a total of 48 factories added since the outbreak of war; 384 visits were made to factories, and 600 visits to magazines, as compared with 207 and 464 respectively in 1915. Messrs. P. V. and F. H. Dupre, the chemical advisers to the department, report that the total number of samples examined during the year amounted to 306, about the same as in 1915. The total number (53) of rejections is fairly normal, but the number (35) of rejections for faulty composition is some- what high. This is, no doubt, partly due to the increased complexity of Permitted explosives as a whole, but also, possibly, to some extent because, owing to war work, the manufacturers have not the time for quite such careful supervision of blasting explosives as before. The number of new explosives examined (15) is the smallest for a good many, years, and consequently the number of samples examined in connection with the Home Office Testing Station is also very low. The total number of accidents with explosives reported during the year is 641, as compared With 485 for 1915. Of these, 363 occurred in manufacture, causing 195 deaths and injuries to 598 persons. The number of accidents under the heading of “ Use and miscellaneous ” is 274, as compared with 276 in 1915. By these accidents, 45 persons were killed, and 274 injured, as compared with 48 killed and 298 injured in the previous year. By far the larger number of these accidents occurred during blasting in mines and quarries. The test- ing station at Rotherham has not been very busy during the . year, only 11 explosives having been tested. It is obvious that at the present time there is little oppor- tunity for devising and introducing new Permitted explo- sives for coal mines. TOE COM AM IRM TOMES. Thursday, June 21. Scotland.—Western District. . COAL. Quietness continues in the coal trade, and little promise of an early improvement is perceptible. Stocks of all descriptions are accumulating, and collieries are finding difficulty in securing a full week’s work. In the west of Scotland district industrial consumers still take considerable quantities, but other classes of business are very much restricted owing to alack of facilities. Shipments amounted to 121,024 tons compared with 115,274 in the preceding week and 131,276 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal 17/6-19/6 17/6-20/ 28/—32/ Ell 18/6-20/ 18/6-20/ 28/ -32/6 Splint 21/ -26/ 21/ -26/ 34/ -35/ Treble nuts 23/6 23/6 21/ -23/ Double do 22/ 22/ 21/ -22/ Single do 20/ 20/ 19/6-20/6 BRON. The volume of business in the Scotch iron trade still increases. Demands continue in advance of outputs, despite all efforts, and the pressure on the works never slackens. Private business is practically crowded out, except where buyers are content with inferior material. Deliveries for ordinary consumption are for the most part out of the question, and few transactions are completed in the open market. In pig iron the local rate of production is as high as ever, and is quickly accounted for. Stocks are almost entirely cleared off, and users have to rely on the daily output. Exports, therefore, are practically discontinued, with the exception of small consignments to the Allies. Prices are firm and 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. At the malleable iron works, too, practically nothing is being done outside of Government orders. Shell discard steel is being substituted by some consumers, but otherwise ordinary business is flat. Prices remain on the basis of .£15 5s. for “ Crown” quality for export. Makers of machinery are exceptionally busy, a large turnover being done at present in machine tools, both for home and overseas customers. Generally speaking, however, the export department is lifeless. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. In the coal trade in the Lothians district local demands are moderately good, and are augmented to some extent by Admiralty requirements. Exports, on the other hand, are greatly curtailed, and collieries are experiencing a con- siderable amount of idle time. Clearances amounted to 18,964 tons, against 19,728 in the preceding week and 25,672 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices Best screened steam coal... 20/ 20/ 36/ -39/6 Secondary qualities 18/ 18/ 36/6 Treble nuts : 22/ ■22/ 23/ -25/ Double do 20/ 20/ 22/ -24/ Single do. 19/ 19/ 21/ -22/ Conditions in Fifeshire are also unchanged, and employ- ment is very irregular. Local requirements are easily satisfied, while exports are particularly light. Shipments were 28,445 tons against 20,964 in the preceding week and 53,658 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best screened navigation coal 27/6 28/ 45/ -50/ Unscreened do..;. 23/6 24/ 40/ -45/ First-class steam coal 23/ 23/ 45/ -50/ Third-class do 19/ 19/ 35/ -40/ 23/ -25/ Treble nuts 24/ 24/ Double do. 22/ 22/ 22/ -24/ Single do 20/ 20/ 21/ -22/ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 168,433 tons, compared with 155,966 in the preceding week and 210,606 tons in the corresponding week of last year. -wggfca- --- lorttamb®rlandg Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. The local coal market has been very quiet and featureless during the week. The shortage of prompt tonnage avail- able to meet the needs of the individual exporter has been the dominant factor. There has been some falling off also in the supply of requisitioned vessels wherein to take cargoes on official account, with the result that, at the time of writing, collieries are finding it difficult to keep going as smoothly and regularly as could be desired. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment are nominally unaltered on the. week, although steam seconds could probably be obtained at 21s. by merchants who were able to effect prompt clearances. Steam bests are well booked up, and are very firm. The gas and coking coal market is dull, but fairly steady. There is a good supply of bunkers at un- changed selling values. Best foundry coke is scarce and firm, but patent coke is easier and could be obtained a 37s. 6d. Gas coke is quietly steady. No news is yet to hand concerning the allotment of the contract to supply the Danish State Railways with 30,000 tons of best steams for loading over July, August and September. The Nor- wegian State Railways are now on the market enquiring for immediate offers of 18,500 tons of best steams for July-August shipment. Tenders are due in to-morrow (Friday). In each instance, it is understood that the coals are being offered at 30s. per ton for Bly ths, subject to any alteration which may be decided upon by the Coal Controller. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals :— Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... Unscreened Current prices. 30/ 28/ -30/ 22/ -23/ 22/6-23/ 18/ -20/ 18/ 16/ -17/ 19/ -20/ 21/ 25/ -26/ 17'6-19/ 30/ -31/ 16/6-19/ 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 16/ -18/ 27/6-30/ 40/ -42/6 40/ 30/ -32/ L’st week’s prices. 30/ 28/ -30/ 22/ -23/ i 22/6-23/ 18/ -20/ 18/ 16/ -17/ 19/ -20/ 21/ 25/ -26/ 17/6-19/ 30/ -31/ 16/6-19/ 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 16/ -18/ 27/6-30/ 40/ -42/6 40/ 30/ -32/ Last year’s prices. i 55/ i 50/ -60/ 50/ 50/ -55/ 38/ -45/ 35/ 27/6 35/ 37/6 36/ -37/ 34/ -36/ 37/6-40/ ’34/ -37/ 38/ -40/ 35/ -37/6 34/ -36/ 50/ -55/ 43/6-47/6 43/6 28/ -30/ Small, Blyths Do. Tynes Do. specials Other sorts:— Smithies Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. N orthumbr ians Coking coals Do. smalls Piouse coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Sunderland. GOAL. The coal market is dull and featureless. Tonnage is still extremely scarce, and shipments are largely confined to requisition and contract business. Prices are nominal and unchanged. Quotations are as follow:— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s:Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. | prices. Special Wear gas coals 30/ 30/ : 37/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 18/ 18/ 33/ Best house coals 30/ 30/ 50/ Ordinary do Other sorts :— 22/ 22/ 45/ Lambton screened 28/6 28/6 52/6 South Hetton do 28/ 28/6 52/6 Lambton unscreened ... 17/6 17/6-18/ 36/ South Hetton do. «. 17/6 17/6-18/ 36/ Do. treble nuts 20/ 20/ 37/6 Coking coals unscreened 18/ 18/6 35/ Do. smalls 17/ 17/6 32/6 Smithies 21/ 21/ 35/ Peas and nuts 22/ 22/ 37/6 Best bunkers......... 17/6 17/ -18/ 37/ Ordinary bunkers Coke:—■ 16/ 16/ 35/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 41/ 41/6 47/6 Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 28/ 28/ Gas coke 31/6 31/ 30/ -31/ The outward freight market is again idle, and little or no chartering is reported. London has been done at 18s.; Gothenburg small steams 180 kr., large steams, 150 kr.; and Lisbon, 85s. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. No change of moment presents itself in the fuel trade. The market is quiet, and quotations for many descriptions are largely nominal. Durham steam coals keep at 29s. to 30s. As is usual at this season of the year, gas coals are quiet. Best Durhams range from 24s. to 26s., and second qualities are 16s. 6d. to 17s. 6d. There is not much doing in bunkers, and prices are easy. Ordinary unscreened Durhams are 16s. 3d. to 16s. 6d.; good ordinaries, 17s. to 17s. 6d.; and specials, 21s. 6d. to 22s. 6d. Smithies remain at 20s. to 23s. There is not much passing in household kinds, but values are upheld at 20s. to 21s. for home use for best coals, and 30s. for export. Unscreened coking coals continue to be fairly well taken up at 18s. to 19s. 6d. There are no important alterations in coke. Enquiry is very considerable, but, generally, actual business is not heavy. Best foundry is 42s. 6d., and patent oven 37s. 6d. to 41s., whilst gas house product is 30s. to 31s. Descriptions needed for the blastfurnaces continue to realise fixed maximum rates, average qualities selling at 28s. at the ovens, and low phosphorus sorts at 30s. 6d. at the ovens. IRON. The pig iron market is steady and firm. So far as Cleve land pig is concerned, the business now passing on home account is only small, all sales under the June allocations having been made, and there is no likelihood of home buying to any extent until the July allotments are issued. Rather more foreign business is passing, and as supply of iron is fairly plentiful, exports would be heavy if the necessary tonnage were forthcoming. For home consump- tion No. 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge all remain at 92s. 6d., and No. 1 is 96s. 6d.; whilst for ship- ment 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. As to the east coast haematite branch, under strict official supervision, distribution to home consumers continues on a scale sufficient to meet current needs, and any surplus for export is shipped against contracts of some standing, as expeditiously as circumstances permit. Occasional sales for home use are reported, but new foreign business is practically at a standstill, sellers still displaying much unwillingness to accept orders for abroad on terms unobtainable. Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are 122s. €d. for home use, 137s. 6d. for shipment to France, and 142s. 6d. for export to Italy. In the finished iron and steel industries prices are very stiff, but there is very little ordinary commercial business doing, manufacturers still being kept going at full pressure to cope with the needs of the Government, and the demands of the shipyards.