1140 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. November 29, 1918. it’ is certain that the bituminous bands of the Kimmeridge clay contain in the aggregate consider- able stores of oil, the utilisation of which has attracted commercial attention for upwards of 50 years. Dr. Strahan gives a summary of the history of the most important of these ventures, from 1848 to the present time. Recent experiments made in Glasgow on behalf of Sir George Beilby gave not very encouraging results, one of the chief drawbacks to the profitable distillation of the shale being the large amount of sulphur present. The revision of the Admiralty specification for oil fuel made in 1912, whereby the permissible sulphur content was raised from 0 75 to 3 per cent., led to fresh attempts to bring the Kimmeridge oil within the prescribed limit, but hitherto without commercial success. The Department for the Development of Mineral Resources (Ministry of Munitions) have quite recently re-investigated the whole question, and. the results of these researches, given by Dr. Strahan, are highly interesting. The “Blackstone” bed, when worked alone, appears to yield between 30 and 40 gallons of oil per ton, with a proportion of sulphate of ammonia varying between 22 and 30 lb. per ton, but the sulphur content of the oil distillate is at least double the limit laid down in the Admiralty specifica- tion. While, therefore, the further investigation of the Kimmeridge oil shales seems to be thoroughly warranted, the future prospects of this source of oil can scarcely yet be adequately foreshadowed. Upon the subject of petroleum deposits, Dr. Strahan remarks that nearly all the genuine occurrences of this substance hitherto discovered have been from carboniferous rocks, and chiefly from the coal measures. He gives a summary of these appear- ances, ranging from mere smells to real oil-springs of more or less ephemeral existence. Whether the operation now in progress in Derbyshire will prove more successful we will not venture to predict. Cannel coal being a possible source of oil, fresh attention has lately been directed to the occurrence of this material, and Dr. Strahan makes an interesting reference to the state of the cannel coal industry in 1865, when the’compilation of the Mineral Statistics was in the hands of the Geological Survey. By 1882, when this work was transferred to the Home Office, the production of cannel coal had greatly declined. The possibilities afforded by low temperature distil- lation have lately given a new interest to this subject; and the detailed account of known seams of cannel, given in the memoir, will be invaluable in this connection. There has been much misconception respecting the available cannel seams still existing in this country, and there must necessarily remain an element of uncertainty in all estimates of this kind, since cannel coal is notably impersistent and liable to thin away in all directions. Some variation in quality is also to be expected; but as cannel is now being sought after, any available information upon the subject cannot fail to be appreciated. This volume comes, therefore, at an appropriate time, and we shall look with great interest for the completion of the memoir. THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, November 28. Dublin. The shipments of coal to Dublin are gradually returning to the normal, and a fair proportion is being conveyed by rail to country districts. Prices remain unchanged at 53s. 6d. per ton for standard coal, and 56s. 6d. for best quality. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays during the past week was 17,363 tons, as compared with 21,200 tons the week previously, chiefly from Garston, Swansea, Ardrossan, Liverpool, Maryport, Silloth, White- haven, Cardiff, Newport, Point of Air, Glasgow, Preston and Saundersfoot. At the weekly council meeting of the Dublin Industrial Development Association an industrial programme for the coming General Election was unanimously approved. It includes a complete geological survey of Ireland in order to ascertain the fuel resources of the country in the way of coal, metals and minerals, and the development under Irish control of turf, coal, and other mineral deposits. The Coal Controller has informed Athlone Town Council that if turf supplies were held back in conse- quence of controlled price, he would take steps to compel the necessary supplies to be brought into the town. Belfast. It is stated that coal from Glasgow has been almost unobtainable since the recent stoppage of work by the miners, and fears are entertained that unless the Scotch Controller allows shipments to continue as before, a number of large local industries will have to go short of coal. Stocks in the port remain very low. House coal prices stand as follow:—Best Arley, 56s. 6d. per ton; Scotch house, 49s. 6d.; Orrell nuts, 54s. 6d ; all less Is. per ton for cash ; standard coal, 48s. per ton net cash. Newry Urban Council have recommended that the price of best English coal be fixed at 63s. per ton, and 4s. per bag delivered. Coal Cheaper in France.—M. Loucheur, the French Minister of Armaments, has issued regulations, the effect of which is to lower the price of coal for industrial pur- poses 30 to 40 per cent, from December 1. For English coal freights the Assessment Board’s price is reduced from an average price of 130 fr. (£5 4s.) per ton to an aver- age of about 75 fr. (£3) per ton at the port. Coal Trade Benevolent Association.—Funds are just now needed to carry on the increasing work of this asso- ciation, and the directors are hoping that the returns from the 21st annual Benevolent Day collection (Saturday, October 12 last) will exceed those of 1917. They will therefore feel obliged to collectors if they will kindly return all outstanding sheets or cards as soon as possible. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, November 28. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Conditions in the Scotch coal trade show little change so far. The shortage of supplies, due to the recent stoppage, has not been made good, and shipments have suffered con- siderably. Export in the West of Scotland has been practically idle, with the exception of bunkering business and a few cargoes of coal and coke, which the supplies committee granted permission to coasting steamers to load. One result of the embargo on shipments is the better supply of household fuel, merchants being now in a position to increase their stocks in many instances. Large quantities of screened coal lying at the various ports, have been redirected by the local committee in order to keep the gas companies in the country supplied with the necessary fuel. Shipments amounted to 67,457 tons against 44,055 in the preceding week and 120,051 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current [L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 1 prices. prices. Steam coal 34/6 i 34/6 27/6 Ell 32/6-35/ 1 32/6-35/ 26/6-28/ Splint 35/ -37/ ! 35 -37/ 28/ -30/ Treble nuts 30/ i 30/ 23/ Double do 29/ f 29/ 22/ Single do. .. 28/ ' 28/ 21/ IRON. There is little of fresh interest to report with regard to the iron trade. Business is undoubtedly plentiful, but in respect to the placing of new orders and the question of prices, buyers and sellers are proceeding with caution. Export values are of course unfixed, but it is not antici- pated that home prices will be freed for some time yet. In fact, the need for control is generally recognised as a necessary protection against an unlimited rise in quota- tions. No decrease in output of pig iron is apparent, and with the gradual withdrawal of war demands and the uninterrupted flow of inward ore supplies for general use should soon be plentiful. The malleable iron makers have full order books, and mills are not likely to be short of work for a considerable time to come. Agricultural demands are heavy, and the request for small sizes is incessant, while rivet and bolt bars are constantly wanted. Sheets and strips are very busy. Engineering works have plenty of work on hand, and machine tool makers are still unable to overtake current business. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Lothian collieries have plenty of orders on local accounts and are now able to give more attention to home consumers, owing to the reduction in shipments. All classes of fuel are easily disposed of. Clearances were 16,406 tons, against 17,010 in the preceding week and 17,422 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities Current prices. 33/6 32/6 30/ 29/ L’st week’s prices. 33/6 32/6 ‘30/ Last year’s prices 26/6 25/6 23/ 22/ 21/ Treble nuts Double do 29/ Single do. 28/ 28/ The output of Fifeshire coals is also easily disposed of, and in this district also, local users are receiving better supplies owing to the easing of demands from certain quarters. Shipments were 19,345 tons, against 13,296 in the preceding week and 28,219 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current Best screened navigation prices. coal 36/ -38/ 31/ -32/ Unscreened do First-class steam coal 35/ Third-class do 31/ Treble nuts 30/ 29/ Double do Single du 28/ L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 36/ -38/ 31/ -32/ 35; 31/ 30/ 29/ 28/ 29/ -31/ 24/ -25/ 28/ 24/ 23/ 22/ 21/ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted; to 103,2u8 tons, compared with 74,361 in the preceding we fa, and 165,692 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. Business in the local coal market has been on progressively active lines this week. Whilst inland transport has been handicapped by the inadequate supply of railway wagons, the transit of coal by sea has suffered no impediment in regard to supplies of official tonnage. Indeed, for practi- cally the first time since August 1914, the quantity of offi- cial tonnage actually in hand, not to mention the large volume in sight, has been more than sufficient to cope with the entire output of the colkeries, and considerable deten- tion of vessels is resulting from the inability to supply cargoes as quickly as the stocks of tonnage could take them. Some dissatisfaction is expressed on Newcastle Commercial Exchange regarding the preference for railway transport shown on the part of official requisitioners. It is pointed out that, with tonnage so abundant, it would be better to send coal by sea to London, for example, than by train-load. This is a comparatively small matter and one which is having no adverse effect upon the market. Despite influenza the production of coal is gratifyingly large, the miners having evidently taken to heart the Coal Con- troller’s appeal to make up by increased output the deficiency which resulted from the holidays taken in celebration of the armistice. With so large a demand on Government, Allied and home accounts, neutral customers obtain little satisfaction in respect of early delivery. For the first time since the coming into operation of the schedule of minimum pricas for neutrals, prices are showing signs of rising above those minima. At the time of writing, Scandinavian consumers are offering as much as 75s. per ton for best steams, as against the scheduled price of 70s., and small sales are said to have been done at the former figure. Similarly in the case of gas bests, which are scheduled at 55s., up to 60s. is being bi '. Even bunkers, which for long have been, comparatively speaking, a drug on the market, are participating in the present boom. They are in excellent demand for requisitioned tonnage, and are becoming scarce so far as neutral vessels are concerned. Neutral buyers are now offering up to 60s., as against the scheduled price of 55s. for best bunkers, but few supplies are obtainable after the official requirements are satisfied. The coke section alone shows much dulness. Coke is in ample stock, and (whilst in big request for neutrals) is prevented from moving off actively by reason of the dearth of neutral steamers. Prices are steady for prompt loading, and firm for forward. Viewing the market as a whole, it is safe to say that, unless something calamitous occurs to the supply of shipping, the output is likely to be practically fully taken up on official and home accounts for some months to come, and until many more miners are released from the Army, neutrals stand a poor chance of obtaining anything like the supplies they require. The Norwegian State Railways are once more on the market for 8,000 tons of Northumberland and/or Durham best steams for delivery over January-February. Later. —Neutral offers for prompt supplies continue to advance, although resulting in little actual business, the output being fully absorbed on home and official accounts. The present maximum offers for various descriptions of coal are as follow Best steams, Bly ths, 75s. per ton f.o.b.; Tynes, 75s. ; Tyne seconds, 67s. 6d.; smalls, Blyths, 50s.; Tynes, 42s 6d.; specials, 50s. ; gas coals, any quality, 60s ; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 60s.; and households, 75s. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered at the scheduled prices. 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.) ... 37/ -75/ 37/ -70/ 30 -32/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers,