814 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. _________________________________________________________________________________ ____ October 18, 1918. THE COAL ANO IRON TRADES. Thursday, October 17. ________ __________________________ Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The demand for all classes of coal is fully maintained. Collieries and merchants are busy with the new allocation scheme. In the meantime outputs are quickly absorbed. Shipping is particularly strong, ells and splints and other screened qualities being in request for both Allies and neutrals. Government requirements are still of con- siderable bulk. Local supplies are very difficult to arrange. Shipments amounted to 101,422 . tons, against 115,555 in the preceding week, and 94,186 tons in the same week last year. Prices f*o.b. Glasgow. and 45s. for Blyth smalls. The aggregate of such sales is not great, sellers being chary of entering into large transactions just at present. It is now known that the Norwegian State Railways have contracted for their supply of 8,000 tons of Northumberland and/or Durham best steams for November-December delivery on the basis of 65s. per ton, f.o.b., for Blyth bests, a comparatively low price which has caused some comment on the market. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coal.............. Ell .................... Splint.................. Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do. . ........... Current | L’st week’s Last year’s prices. I prices. prices. 34/6 i 34/6 27/6 32/6-35/ | 32/6-35/ 26/6-28/ 35/ -37/ | 35/ -37/ 28/ -30/ 30/ 30/ 23/ 29/ i 29/ 22/ 28/ • 28/ 21/ I Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals:— I prices. ! prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ..J 37/ -70/ 37/ -70/ 30/ -32/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.); 36/6-70/ ; 36/6-70/ 29 6-32/ Secondary, Blyths ....i 32/6-65/ 32/6-65/ 25 6-28/ .......... .......... Do. Tynes (HastingsJ or West Hartleys) ... i Unscreened ..........j Small, Blyths ........j Do. Tynes...........i Do. specials........| Other sorts:— 34/ -67/6 34/ -67 6 27/ -29/6 30/6-40/ ! 30/6-40/ 23/6-27 6 27/ -45/ 27/ -45/ ■ 20/ -22 6 25/6-40/ : 25/6-40/’ : 18/6-21/ 27/6-45/ 27/6-45/ i 20/6-23/ - IRON. There is little fresh to report regarding the Scotch iron trade. In pig iron the shortness of foundry grades causes a considerable amount of inconvenience, and though the export trade has practically disappeared, there is an insufficiency for home requirements. Forge iron is rather more plentiful. Haematite is still reserved for war work. Approximate.quotations (firm): 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 call for manufactured iron is undiminished. Malleable iron mills have a constant demand for rivet and bolt iron, ship- building sections, concrete bars, and rolling stock sizes, and without a high priority certificate deliveries are practically impossible. Tube makers have plenty of orders, and business in small castings is brisk. Machine tool makers are constantly employed. Exports generally are of little account, Smithies........... ___; 32/ -40/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 32/ -50/ Secondary gas coais (Pelaw Main or similar) Special gas coals __... Unscreened bunkers, Durhams do. N orthumbr ians Coking coals.......... Do. smalls ....! 30/6-45/ 33/6-55/ Do. 31/ - 50/ 31/ -45/ 31/ -40/ 31/ -40/ House coals ...........j 35/6-70/ ............... Coke, foundry __............ 49/6-65/ Do. blast-furnace......‘ 49/6-65/ Do. gas .................j 47/6 , 32/ -40/ i 32/ -50/ i 30/6-45/ ; 33/6-55/ ; 31/ -50/ 31/ -4.5/ j 31/ -40/ I 31/ -40/ ; 35/6—70/ 1 49/6-65/ ! 49/6-65/ I 47/6 25/ -30/6 ; 25/ -27/6 23/6-26/ ! 26/6-32/6 ! 26,6-27,6 ! 26,6-27 6 ' 24/ -27,6 24/ -27/6 28/6-32/6 42/6 42/6 32/6-35/ ________ Current quotations. Current L’st week’s i Last year’s BestCumberl’nd coal at pit prices. 29/10 prices. 29/10 prices. 25/10 Best washed nuts at pit... 28/2 28/2 24/2 Seconds at pit 27/4 27/4 23/4 ♦ Washed nuts at pit 27/4 27/4 23/4 Dg. smalls „ 23>2 23/2 19/2 Do. peas „ 21'6 21/6 17/6 22/. 25/ Best dry small, at pit 26/ 26/ Buckhill best coal at pit... 29/ 29 Do. double-scrned washed nuts 27/6 27 6 23 6 O ughter side best coal ... 28 2 28/2 24,2 Oughterside best washed nuts... 26/6 26 6 22 6 St. Helens (Siddick) best coal at pit 29/ 29/ 25/ St. Helens (Siddick) best house nuts at pit 27/6 27/6 23 6 Best Cumberland coal, f.o.b 26/ 26/ 22/ Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 24' 24/ 20/ Best bunkers (coastwise) 35/ 35/ 31/ Do. (foreign)... 38/ 38/ 31/ Best works fuel 26/6 26 6 22/6 Best gas coal 26/6 26,6 22/6 Best washed nuts for gas- works 25/6 25/6 21,6 IRON. ________________ Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Conditions in the Lothians are a trifle easier, due to a slackening in neutral demands. This only affects certain grades, however, and most qualities are as firm as ever. Shipments amounted to 18,983 tons, against 17,034 in the preceding week and 18,800 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... 33/6 33/6 26/6 Secondary qualities 32/6 32/6 25/6 Treble nuts 30/ 30/ • 23/ Double do 29/ 29/ 22/ Single do 28/ 28/ 21/ Business in Fifeshire continues very brisk. Tonnage is plentiful, and Admiralty requirements are fully maintained. A quantity of navigations and steams is being despatched to the west coast for shipment. All sorts are fully booked. Clearances amounted to 36,050 tons, against 39,752 in the preceding week and 31,302 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Sunderland. COAL. The coal market opened this week with somewhat better prospects, due to a slight improvement in the arrival of tonnage. Of course there is still some scarcity of prompt boats, but things are on the mend in this respect, and none of the pits are idle, though many are waiting for boats to follow on. The general enquiry shows no diminution, and is very heavy on official account and for home trade deliveries. For neutral destinations licences are difficult to obtain, and business is quiet, with a disposition on the part of buyers to hold off at present. Quotations are well sustained at the usual 70s. for best steams, 60s. to 67s. 6d. for seconds, 40s. to 45s. for smalls, 48s. to 55s. for best gas coals, and 45s. to 47s. 6d. for seconds. Bunkers are irregular, owing to lack of boats at from 4Us. to 50s. according to brand. Coke prices are steady and unchanged. It is stated that the Norwegian State Railway has con- tracted with a local firm for 8,500 tons best steams at 65s. f.o.b. M iddlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel market may be described as quiet, with no particular movement. If anything, the tonnage situation is rather better. Neutral trade cannot be said to have increased in volume, but general enquiry keeps good At the same time some hesitation in closing bargains is noticeable, due to peace contingencies. There is no diminution in the official request for fuel on home or Allied account. Bunker coal is quiet, and rather plentiful in second hands, with the result that producers’ quotations are shaded. Coking coal continues to be well taken up Coke is in heavy demand, and supply is short. Deliveries to the blastfurnaces, though below what could be desired, are well maintained. Average furnace coke is 33s. at the ovens ; and low phosphorus quality 35s. 6d. at the ovens. Foundry coke for neutrals still realises 65s. f.o.b. Middlesbrough Docks, and gashouse coke for export makers 47s. 6d. to 50se IRON. There is increasing firmness in all departments of the hsematite pig iron industry in Cumberland and North Lancashire. Supplies of foreign and local ore are more plentiful, and the output of coke is improving, but there is still an acute shortage of labour for blastfurnaces and steel works. Prices are still at the official maximum, and Bessemer mixed numbers are again quoted at 127s. 6d. per ton f.o.t., with warran’s at cash at 115s. per ton. Special iron is 140s. per ton and semi-special iron is 135s 6d per ton f.o.t. The market for ferro-manganese is very firm and brisk. All the ordinary iron is being absorbed locally at the steel works, and practically the whole of the low phos- phorus iron is earmarked for important concerns in Scotland, the Midlands and other consuming areas. The wet weather of late has affected the output at the local iron ore mines, but all the mines are now working more regu- larly, and there has been a big improvement this week. ________ ________ South-West Lancashire. COAL. There is no diminution in the demand for household coal, and the merchant is certainly not in any better position to meet it. The pressure for supplies from the gas managers increases with the shortening of the days, and for the most part they are in a very uncomfortable position. With regard to shipping, the arrival of steamers, though some- what interfered with by weather conditions, is fairly satisfactory, and consequently there is good demand for bunkering purposes. Export is also more active again. Slightly better supplies of steam coal appear to be avail- able, not however in excess of requirements as a whole, though spot lots are to be had through delayed arrival of expected steamers, or in some cases through outward steamers having to go part loaded so as to be in time to join a convoy. The quantity shipped across the Channel continues to be insufficient to meet the requirements of the’ Irish merchant, and much pressure is being applied with a view to increasing the tonnage shipped in that direction. The consumption of all grades of manufacturing fuels has an upward tendency, but on either hand there is no< increase in the available supplies. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Best screened navigation coal Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. 36/ -38/ 36/ -38/ 31/ -32/ 29/ -31/ Unscreened do 31/ —32/ 24/ -25/ First-class steam coal 35/ 35/ 31/ 28/ Third-class do 31/ 24/ 23/ Treble nuts 30/ 30/ Double do 29/ 29/ 22/ Single do 28/ 28/ 21/ Prices quoted only apply to French, Italian, and Portuguese business. The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 156,455 tons, compared with 172,341 in the preceding week and 144,288 tons in the corresponding week of last year. ______ _________ Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. Stormy weather at sea last week caused considerable irregularity in the arrivals of official tonnage, and at the time of writing the market is still under the influence of the backwardness of expected vessels. Added to this, there is a marked shortage of railway trucks. These two factors are combining to throw loading turns out of gear and to liberate a good deal of coal for the open market. Neutral customers, especially those of Sweden, are doing their best to take advantage of the supplies thus offered, and a good deal of Swedish tonnage is being sent forward Difficulties in obtaining licences are considerable, however, and are responsible for the non-transaction of much business. Despite the comparative plentifulness of coal, late prices are adhered to, collieries believing that the embarrassment as to transport facilities will only be very temporary. Only in the cases of bunkers and coke is there any ease manifest. Bunkers are in poor demand, and are comparatively plentiful, with the result that spot shippers are in a posi- tion to command discounts, resulting in the net price of Durham ordinaries, for example, being about 40s. per ton, whilst for forward loading supplies are obtainable at from 42s. 6d. to 45s., although the quotation remains nominally higher. As for coke, it is still in large offer to neutrals, and spot shippers can obtain supplies of good foundry sorts at from 60s. to 62s. 6d., as against the nominal quotation of 65s. The forward coal market is strong. Quantities of steams have been sold for December-January loading for neutrals at 70s. for best Blyths; 67s. 6d. for Tyne primes, Though increased shipments to the Allies, and very heavy autumn demand on home account have accentuated the scarcity of Cleveland foundry iron, the position is being handled with commendable tact, and available iron is dis- tributed as equitably as circumstances permit. The truck situation is rather better, but supply is still variable, and the Ministry of Shipping having placed more steamer tonnage at the disposal of traders, difficulties of transport are much less acute. Supply of forge iron is ample, and sales of this quality are considerable, both for early and forward delivery. Wherever possible forge iron is mixed with the better qualities in order to eke out the limited supplies of the latter. 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 shipment to France and Italy, No. 3 and the lower qualities are 122s. 9d., and No. 1 is 127s. 9d. There is little new in the East Coast haematite branch; supply is apparently on a sufficient scale to meet urgent home and Allied needs. Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are 122s. 6d. for home use, and 147s. 6d. for export to France and Italy. The finished iron and steel trades are charac- terised by much firmness, and great activity. Pressure for delivery is unabated and production is on an enormous scale. House coal:— Best ................. Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium ............... Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen .............. Com. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Screened forge coal..... Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ........ Common do.............. _______________________ Current prices. 27/6-28/6 29/ -30/ 25/6-26/6 28/6-29/ 24,6 27/ -28/ 24/6 __* 22/6 21'6 20,6 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. I prices. 27/6-28/6 J 23/6-24/6 29/ -30/ ! 27/ upwds; 25'6-26/6 ; 21 6-22 6 28/6-29/ i 26/ upwds 24/6 • 20/6 27/ -28/ i 25/ upwds 24/6 ! 20 6 # i 30/ -30/6. 22/6 18/6 21/6 17/6 20/6 16/6 * New schedule. _______ _______ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a good attendance of members on the Man- chester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. There is no change in the position, and no improvement in the supplies of fuel for house and manufacturing purposes. The demand for shipping coal continues, and the supplies are below require- ments. Prices are as below :— Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). ________ ________ Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. Since last week this district has had a visit from the Coal Controller. On Friday afternoon he addressed a meeting of mine owners, managers, officials, and miners’ representatives at Workington on the urgent need for an increased production in the Cumberland coal field. Sir Guy was well received. Owing to the sudden stoppage in the iron trade at the beginning of last week, business in the Cumberland coal industry has been a shade easier. This has not been due to any lack of demand for fuel, but to the fact that with the majority of the furnaces off blast, local needs were very much lower than they have been for months. Coal is moving away more freely. There has been a glut of coke. The demand for coal in all branches is fairly steady. Home needs have been fairly well satisfied, but there is still a shortage for shipping. Landsale is livelier. Engine and gas fuels are in keen demand for local consumption, and there is a strong enquiry for slacks, smalls, and all varieties of coal for industrial purposes. All classes of bunkers are very firm. The cross-channel trade continues very brisk. The ship- ments for September amounted to 15,410 tons, compared with 12,920 tons for August and 14,035 tons at the corre- sponding period of last year. I Current !L’st week’s House coal:— i prices. ; prices. Best .................' 28/6 28'6 Medium...............| 26/ -27/ ; 26/ -27/ Common..............• 24/6—25/ 24/6-25/ Furnace coal............| 24/ -24 '6 ‘ 24/ -24/6 Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) i —* —* Best slack ________...........22/6 upwds 22 ,'6upwds Common slack ___ ..........|21/ upwds|21’/ upwds • Last year’s prices. 24/6 22/ -23/ 20/6-21/ 20/ -20/6 __* 18/6 upwds 17/ upwds * As per official list. IRON. Peace talk has not lessened the demand for steel or iron in the slightest, and works are all doing their best to work off their various allocations, which in all cases exceed their capacity. There is no change to report, except that the luck of coal is causing works managers a great deal of anxiety. ________ _______ Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. Conditions in West Yorkshire remains stationary. Not- withstanding the slight improvement in deliveries recorded in the last two or three weeks, the scarcity of supplies is still the predominant factor, and nothing in the way of