342 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN August 16, 1918. ment. Great Britain was the birthplace of the refractory industry. Its products have always served as types for trade purposes throughout the world, and there is no reason why we should ever again relinquish the supremacy which has now, we trust, been regained. ________________ MINERAL STATISTICS FOR 1917.* Part I. of the Annual General Report on Mines and Quarries for the year ending December 31, 1917, con- tains the divisional statistics for the year and the reports of the divisional inspectors. It will be fol- lowed by other parts dealing respectively with labour and output. General remarks on other matters con- nected with the department will appear in Part II. During the present emergency the report and statistics will be limited to the consideration of the more im- portant questions arising during the year and the presentation of the more important figures. The fornl in which the statistics appear in this part of the work is governed by administrative arrangements. Persons Employed. The total number of persons employed under the Coal Mines Act under and above ground was 1,021,340, as compared with 998,063 in the preceding year, an increase of 23,277. Of this total 811,510 were em- ployed underground, and of the 209,830 employed above ground 11,047 were females, an increase of 1,275 over 1916. The number of young males employed under ground was 58,763, and above ground 29,781. The number of mines at work was 2,814, being a de- crease of 33 as compared with 1916. The number of persons employed at the 452 mines . under the Metalliferous Mines Act was 20,500, or an increase of 1,045 over 1916. Of these, 12,476 were underground workers, and 8,024 at the surface, of , whom 250 were females. At the 4,781 quarries under the Quarries Act there were 43,631 persons employed, of whom 28,447 were inside the quarries and 15,184 outside. Output of Minerals. The total output of minerals at mines under the Coal Mines Act was 260,120,059 tons, of which 248,473,119 tons were coal, 2,039,841 ton clays and shale, 6,280,194 tons iron ore, and 3,113,003 tons oil shale. Adding 26,121 tons from quarries, the total, output of coal was 248,499,240 tons, as compared with 256,375,366 tons in 1916, a decrease of 7,876,126 tons. This decrease was lessened by 6,950 tons of coal from workings, not included under the Mines or Quarries Acts, making the total coal output 248,506,190 tons. The production in the various inspection divisions was as follows : — Tons. Scotland ... ... ... ... 34,245,744 Northern _____________________ 43,228,230 York and North Midland ... ... 69,128,836 Lancashire and North Wales ... 25,204,560 Ireland _____________________ 95,646 South Wales ______________ 48,507,902 Midland and Southern ________ 28,062,201 The total output of minerals from mines under the Metalliferous Mines Act was 2,533,177| tons, of which 1,733,753 tons were iron ore. The total quantity of stone and other minerals obtained from quarries under the Quarries Act was 30,165,836 tons, including 6,177,000 tons of iron ore. Including 654,787 tons obtained from workings not included under the Mines or Quarries Acts, the total amount of iron ore raised was 6,831,787 tons. Fatal Accidents. Accidents at the mines under the Coal Mines Act caused 1,370 deaths, an increase of 57 compared with 1916. At the mines under the Metalliferous Mines Act there were 25 deaths from accidents. Compared with 1916, this is an increase of two. At the quarries under the Quarries Act the acci- dents resulted in 56 deaths, a decrease of two compared with the previous year. Death Rates from Accidents. The death rate of the underground workers at the mines under the Coal Mines Act was 1 50 per 1,000 persons employed, as against 1-47 in 1916. The death rate of the surface workers was 0-74 per 1,000 persons employed, as against 0’73 the previous year. The death rate of the underground and surface workers as a whole was 1-34, as against 132. The death rate from all accidents, per 1,000,000 tons of mineral raised, was 5-27, as against 4-92 in 1916. At mines under the Metalliferous Mines Act the death rate per 1,000 persons employed underground was 1*76, as against 1-60 in 1916; above ground 0-37, as against 0-53; and the total under and above ground 1-22, as compared with 1-18. At the quarries under the Quarries Act, the death rate per 1,000 persons employed inside the quarries was 1'58, as compared with 1-56 in 1916; outside the quarries 0-72, as against 0*57; and the total inside and outside 1-28, as against 1-20. * From Part I. (Divisional Statistics) Mines and Quarries : General Report. By the Chief Inspector of Mines. ____________________________ Colliery Company Fined £100.—At Wakefield, last week, the Law Laithes Colliery Company were fined £100 and £50 costs, and the managing director was fined £100 without costs, for offences under the Defence of the Realm Regulations by letting for hire railway wagons without having first obtained a permit from the Railway Licensing Department of the Ministry of Munitions. Clean Coal.—The Fuel Administration of the United States is enforcing its instructions regarding the proper preparation of coal. Six coal mines have been shut down for disregarding the clean coal regulations. Operators of many mines have been censured and warned to improve their methods. Good results are being obtained as a result of the regulations. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, August 15. __________________________________________ Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The conditions in the Scotch coal trade are unchanged. The demands for all classes of fuel are fully maintained, but the available supplies are far from adequate. In the West of Scotland industrial concerns are working on poor deliveries, while tonnage at the ports is suffering consider- able delay. The Admiralty, too, are requisitioning large quantities of all sorts of fuel. Shipments for the week amounted to 102,002 tons, against 94,751 in the previous week and 119,835 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coal prices. 34/6 prices. 34/6 prices. 27/6 Ell 32/6-35/ 32/6-35/ 26/6-28/ Splint 35/ -37/ 35/ -37/ 28/ -301 Treble nuts 30/ i 30/ 23/ Double do 29/ 28/ / 29/ 22/ Single do. i 28/ 21/ IRON. The active demand for pig iron supplies continues. Haematite is a little more plentiful, but the output is easily absorbed by home requirements. The request for foundry grades is keen, but only small quantities of this sort are available. Forge is in fair supply. Shipments are still practically off, but quotations show no sign of easing. Approximate values are:—Monkland and Carnbroe f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 140s., Nos. 3, 135s.; Govan, No. 1, 135s., No. 3, 130s.; Clyde, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 150s., Nos. 3, 145s.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 140s., No. 3, 135s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, and Dalmellington, at Ayr, Nos. 1, 145s., Nos. 3, 135s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 150s., No. 3, 145s. per ton. The production at the malleable iron works is on a high scale. Orders have accumulated during the holidays, and the capacity of th* plants is fully taxed. Forgings of every description are in large demand. Light rails and the heavier sorts absorb a fair tonnage of the rollings. ________ _______ Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Collieries in the Lothians district are fully booked up, and little tonnage is available for shipment. Clearances were 15,950 tons, against 20,217 tons in the preceding week and 19,822 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Best screened steam coal... prices. 33/6 prices. 33/6 prices 26/6 Secondary qualities 32/6 30/ 32/6 30/ 25/6 Treble nuts 23/ Double do 29/ 29/ 22/ Single do 28/ 28/ 21/ Outputs from the Fifeshire collieries are quickly taken up. Best qualities are heavily booked, and have little available for early shipment. Home consumers, too, find difficulty in securing supplies. Shipments were 32,279 tons, against 36,871 in the preceding week and 30,245 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best screened navigation coal 36/ -38/ 36/ -38/ 29/ -31/ Unscreened do 31/ -32/ 31/ -32/ 24/ -25/ First-class steam coal 35/ 35/ 28/ Third-class do. 31/ 31/ 30/ 24/ Treble nuts 30/ 29/ 23/ Double do 29/ 28/ 22/ Single do 28/ 21/ All prices quoted apply only to French and Italian business. The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 150,231 tons, compared with 151,839 tons in the preceding week and 169,902 tons in the corresponding week last year. _______ Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. N ewcastle-on-Ty ne. COAL. Right up to the turn of the week, the output of the collieries of Northumberland and Durham was absorbed, as quickly as produced, on Government, Allied and inland Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. 37' -75/ prices. 1 prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 37/ -75/ 1 30/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 36/6-70/ 36/6-70/ J 29/6 Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 32/6-65/ 32/6-65/ 25/6 or West Hartleys) ... 34/ -65/ 34/ -65' 27/ Unscreened 30'6-40/ 30/6-40/ 23/6-25/ Small, Blyths 27/ -45/ 25/6-40/ 27/ -45/ 20/ Do. Tynes 25/6-40/ 18 6 Do. specials Other sorts:— 27/6-45/ 27/6-45/ 20,6 Smithies Best gas coals (New 32/ -40/ 32/ -40/ 25/ -30/ Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 32/ -50/ 32/ -50/ 25/ (Pelaw Main or similar) 30/6-42/6 30/6-42/6 23/6 Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, 33/6-55/ 33/6-55/ 26/6-30/ Durhams Do. do. 31 1-501 31/ -50/ 24/ -25/ N orthumbr ians 31/ -45/ 31/ -45/ 24/ -25/ Coking coals 31/ -40/ 31/ —40/ 31/ -40/ i 24/ -25/ Do. smalls 31/ -40/ ; 24/ -25/ House coals 35/6-70/ 35/6-70/ 1 23/6-30/ Coke, foundry 49/6-65/ 49/6-65/ 42/6 Do. blast-furnace 49/6-65/ 49/6-65/ ’ 42,6 Do. gas 47/6 47,6 29/ -30/ accounts. The supply of requisitioned steamers left nothing to be desired. During the week-end, however, considerable delay ensued in the arrivals of stemmed tonnage, with the result that, at the time of writing, very much more coal is available for neutrals than has been the case for a considerable time past. Holders are asking full recent quotations, but merchants in a position to take prompt delivery can unquestionably secure some rebate. This state of affairs is likely to be temporary—indeed, it may have passed away by the time these lines appear in print—and prospects in the local market are as good as ever. There is a keen forward demand from neutrals, but the likelihood is that, for quite a long time to come, the production will be fully taken up on British and Allied accounts. Bunkers are offering plentifully for spot shipment, but are scarce forward. The coke market is very firm, with a heavy demand at top prices for foreign shipment. Supplies are small. Sunderland. COAL. A slight easiness has appeared in the coal market this week. This is due in part to the delayed arrival of expected steamers, and in part to a small improvement in the output. On the whole a little more coal is available for open market shipment, and neutral steamers which have been held up for cargoes are now receiving attention and fairly good despatch. Official requirements are still on a large scale, and the home demand is active. There is no change in prices. For neutral shipment quotations are based on 70s. to 75s. for best steams, smalls ranging from 40s. to 45s. according to brand. Good gas and manufacturing coals command 50s. to 55s., ordinary bunkers 47s. 6d. to 50s. and bests 55s. to 60s. Coke is still a scarce commodity, and the neutral enquiry is difficult to satisfy, though 65s. continues to be offered for best foundry brands. Gas coke is firm at 45s. to 47s. 6d. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. There is not much new of importance ascertainable concerning the fuel trade, but the general output is gradually improving somewhat. Official requirements continue on a large scale for home use and shipment. Enquiry on neutral account is as keen as ever, but it leads to practically no business, any available fuel being promptly taken up in other directions. Quotations for neutrals have not further advanced, and indeed there is less talk of higher prices. Gas and manufacturing coals are quoted 50s. and upward. Good ordinary Durham bunkers are about 48s.; and superiors range from 50s. to 55s. Coking coal supply is far from adequate. Delivery of coke shows no expansion. Production is vastly below what could be wished. Many expedients are resorted to in the endeavour to cope with absolute needs of blastfurnaces. Average furnace coke is 33s. at the ovens ; and low phosphorus kind, 35s. 6d. at the ovens. Pressure for supply to neutrals is unrelaxed, but little or no coke is available for that purpose, and offers to pay 65s. f.o.b. Middlesbrough dock for good foundry quality have to be refused. IRON. Distribution of pig iron is hampered by shortage of fuel and labour, but fortunately there is not the urgent need for supplies that there has been. The quality of Cleveland pig in greatest demand is foundry, and output of this description has been curtailed by a few furnaces having had to drop on to slack blast through insufficiency of coke, with the result that they are turning out abnormal quanti- ties of the lower qualities of iron. Arrangements for shipping iron to Scotland, thus relieving rail traffic, are proceeding. Exports to the Allies are upheld. For home consumption No. 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge are all quoted 95s ; and No. 1 is 99s.; and for ship- ment to France and Italy, No. 3 and the lower qualities are 119s. and No. 1 is 124s. As regards east coast haematite iron, home requirements still absorb the bulk of the output. Exports to France and Italy are going steadily forward, but in only moderate quantities. Outstanding licences for Italy, in the hands of merchants, are still being dealt with as heretofore, but no new licences are being issued, and future shipments will be arranged through official channels. Mixed numbers are 122s. 6d. for home use and 147s. 6d. for export to the Allies. The manufactured iron and steel industries are characterised by great activity. Prices are very strong, and iron ship rivets have been advanced 30s., making them £21. _________________ Cumberland. Mary port. COAL. It is stated that an effort will be made shortly to try to increase the production of coal in the county, but it is difficult to see how this can be done without additional labour. Business is exceedingly brisk, and there is a strong market for all classes of fuel. The more important users at the iron and steel and other works in the district are per- haps receiving sufficient to keep them going, but in all other branches the shortage is more pronounced, and _________________________________________________ Current quotations. Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 28/4 28'4 23/4 Best washed nuts at pit... 26/8 26'8 21/3 Seconds at pit 25/10 25'10 20/10 Washed nuts at pit 25/10 25'10 20/10 Dg. smalls „ 21/8 21/8 16/8 Do. peas „ 20/ 20/ 15/ Buckhill best coal at pit... Do. double-scrned 27/6 27/6 22/6 washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at 26/ 26/ . 21/ pit Oughterside best washed 27,6 27/6 22/6 nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best 26/ 26/ 21/ coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts 27,6 27/6 22/6 at pit 26/ 26/ 21/ Best Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. 23/ 23/ 19/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 21/ 21/ 17/6 Best bunkers (coastwise) Do. (for foreign-going 33/6 33/6 25/ steamers) 36/ 36/ 30/ Best works fuel 25/ 25/ 20/ Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- 25/ 25/ • 20/ works 24/ 24/ 19/