1194 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. December 6, 1918. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, December 5. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There is not much change in the Scotch coal trade. Most descriptions of fuel are still very scarce, and little progress can be made in this respect until more miners are returned from the Army. The west of Scotland collieries have large demands for all sorts, and during the past few. days exports have shown more life, the District Coal and Coke Committee having allowed the loading of a few cargoes. Shipments for the week amounted to 74,961 tons, compared with 67,457 in the preceding week and 72,269 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal.............. Ell .................... Splint.................. Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current I 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/ i 23/ 29/ ' 29/ . i 22/ 28/ 28/ 21/ IRON. There is no slackening of activities in the Scotch iron trade; in fact, in some branches demands are more insistent than ever. Pig iron makers are very busy, and general enquiries are becoming more numerous. Outputs, however, are still restricted by the labour position and the scarcity of raw materials, but these difficulties are likely to disappear ere long. The suspension of many Government contracts at the malleable iron works has opened up the way to ordinary transactions, and with shipping restric- tions becoming easier, exports will once more be possible, though probably on a limited scale. The general situation with regard to exports is looking decidedly brighter, enquiries now being received from far and near. ________ _______ Scotland. -Eastern District. COAL. Little change is reported from the Lothians. Local consumers continue to receive better supplies, while exports appear to be reviving somewhat. Shipments were 16,778 tons, against 16,406 in the preceding week and 17,591 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/ 28/ L’st week’s prices. 33/6 32/6 30/ 29/ 28' Last year’s prices 26/6 25/6 23/ 22/ 21/ Treble nuts Double do Single do : Similar conditions characterise the trade in the Fife- shire district, though exports are perhaps still somewhat easier. Shipments amounted to 18,105 tons, against 19,345 in the preceding week and 34,223 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation coal Unscreened do First-class steam coal Third-class do. Treble nuts ... ..... Double do Single do Current prices. 36/ -38/ 31/ -32/ 35/ 31/ 30/ 29' 28' L’st week’s prices. 36/ -38/ 31/ -32/ 35/ 31/ 30/ 29/ 28/ Last year’s prices. 29/ -31/ 24/ -25/ 28/ 24/ 23/ 22/ 2!/ ______________________________ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 109,844 tons, compared with 103,208 in the preceding week, and 124,083 tons in the corresponding week of last year. ° _________________ Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL There are no signs of any abatement in the feverish activity of the local coal trade. Collieries are producing up to their possible maximum; but the output is far from suffi- cient to meet the requirements of Government, Allied and home consumers, and is a long way short of sufficient to reduce the plethora of waiting official tonnage, which latter, indeed, continues to accumulate. Under these circum- stances there is practically nothing doing so far as neutrals are concerned. Loading turns are full up for the whole of December, and are extending into January. Prices have been further advanced against neutrals in the cases of Blyth steam seconds, which are now listed at 67s. 6d.—an increase of 3s. 6d. on the week; Tyne seconds, quoted at 70s.—an advance of 2s. 6d., and Tyne smalls, for which 45s. is now asked, as against 42s. 6d. All the advances recorded last week are fully maintained. Only in the cases of foundry and blastfurnace coke are supplies offering in excess of demand—or, rather, of shipping facilities—for there is a healthy demand from neutrals. Licences are granted very sparingly, and an insufficient number of neutral boats is being provided. Gas coke is stronger, being now quoted at 47s. 6d. to 50s. Thus the only descriptions of fuel which have not yet advanced above the scheduled minimum prices fixed a little over a month ago are unscreened steams, smithies, Northumbrian bunkers, coking coals, and foundry and blastfurnace cokes. Tenders to supply the Swedish State Railways with 20,000 tons of steams over the first three months of next year have been forwarded by local merchants—based, it is said, on 75s. per ton f.o.b. for bests and 50s. per ton f.o.b. for smalls, plus the usual commission. Later. - Quotations for supplies to neutrals continue to advance. It having come to the knowledge of the Newcastle commercial community that a cargo of best steams, sold to Sweden at 75s. per ton f.o.b., has been re-sold in that country at 80s., although it has not yet even been shipped, the quotation for best steams has been promptly advanced to 80s. A small quantitly of Wear gas specials has changed owners at 65s., which is now the current quotation for this class of fuel. Similarly, neutrals would willingly pay 65s. for spot supplies of Durham bunkers; but these are virtually unobtainable, and 60s. is the firm quotation for forward supplies. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current iL’stweek’s Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 37/ -75/ 37/ -75/ 30 -32/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.); 36/6-75/ 37/ -75/ 29 6-32/ Secondary, Blyths ....; 32/0-67/6 32/6-64/ 25 6-28/ Do. Tynes (Hastings) or West Hartleys) ... 34/ -70/ 34/ -67 6 27/ -29 6 Unscreened ..........: 30 6-61/8 30/6-61'8 23/6-27 6 Small, Blyths ........ 27/ -50/ 27/ -50/ 20/ -22 6 Do. Tynes..........) 25/6-45/ 25/6-42/6 18'6-21/ Do. specials .......; 27/6-50/ 27/6-50/. 20/6-23/ Other sorts:— I I Smithies .. 32/ -60/ : 32/ -60/ 25/ -33/6 Best gas coals (New, Pelton or Holmside) 32/ -60/ Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) / 30/6-60/ 32/ -60/ 1 30/6-60/ ; 33/6-60/ ! 31/ -60/ i 31/ -55/ ' 31/ -55/ '31/ -55/ ' 35/6-75/ 49/6-65/ ; 49/6-65/ j 47,6 ; 25/ -27/6 23/6-26/ 26/6-29/ 26.6-27,6 ’ 26,6-27,6 . 24/ -27/6 j 24/ -27/6 28/6-32/ 42 6-45/ 42 6-45/ . 35/ -37/6 Unscreened bunkers, i Durhams 31/ -60/ Do. do. I Northumbrians 31/ -55/ Coking coals ) 31/ -55/ Do. smalls 31/ -55/ House coals j 35/6-75/ Coke, foundry 49/6-t 5/ Do. blast-furnace 49/6-65/ Do. gas • 47/6-50/ Sunderland. COAL. There is a very heavy pressure for coals. The supply of tonnage on hand is enormous, and collieries have very little prospect of dealing with it until the turn of the year. There is no sign of any relief before the middle of January. Neutral buyers, Allied consumers, and all Government and inland works departments are clamorous for supplies, and on the top of this producers are now receiving instruc- tions from the Controller that all home railways and the London gasworks must be supplied with full requirements in preference to any other demands. Quotations for the neutral markets are now confined to the first three months of next year, and sellers ask high prices. Best steams are at a minimum of 75s., second grade rule at 70s., and smalls 45s. to 50s. Any quality of gas coals asks 60s , although the prospects of shipment are remote. The coke trade is quiet and unchanged. Stocks are fairly considerable, but held at 65s. for either foundry or blastfurnace makes. Gas coke is also in good supply at 47s. 6d. to 50s. Bunkers are unobtainable for early delivery, and with a large amount of free neutral tonnage on the market enquiries are numerous and urgent, 60s. being readily obtainable for any good unscreened qualities. Tenders have been sent in to the Swedish State Railways at 75s f.o.b. for 20,000 tons best steam coals, for delivery over the first quarter of next year, with option of shipping one-third steam smalls at 50s. f.o.b., both plus the usual commissions. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL The fuel trade shows little change Supply of coal continues far short of demand. Some abatement of sick- ness amongst the. miners is reported, but absence front work through illness is still on a large scale. Official demand for coal is large, and there is wholesale com- mandeering of steam and gas coal. Very substantial enquiry on behalf of neutrals is reported, but the scarcity of fuel prohibits this class of trade to any extent. Bunker coal is in large request and difficult to buy. Coking coal continues to be well taken up. Supply of coke for use at the blastfurnaces keeps on a satisfactory scale, but there is much shortage for other purposes. Average furnace coke is 33s. at the ovens ; and low phosphorus quality, 35s. 6d. at the ovens. For export to neutrals foundry coke is 65s. and upward, f.o.b. Middlesbrough docks. IRON. Demand for all classes of Cleveland pig, both on home and foreign account, is large. Supply of foundry is not too ample, but forge is very plentiful. Sellers of the latter are not keen to commit themselves ahead, though buyers are quite prepared to make forward contracts. The east coast haematite department presents no new feature of moment. Deliveries continue under official control, and consumers are receiving adequate supplies, whilst ship- ments to France and Italy are going steadily forward. As regards manufactured iron and steel as much heavy work as ever is being turned out, but some of the establish- ments engaged on smaller work are feeling slackness. Producers of shipbuilding equipment, constructional steel and railway material are being pressed for deliveries. Home prices are unaltered. ________ ________ Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. Matters in the coal industry in West Cumberland are at the moment rather unsettled, and the situation at the beginning of the week was unsatisfactory. Owing to the irregular working of some of the pits, production has again diminished, and the shortage of all classes of fuel is more pronounced than ever. The output has dropped to such a low level that it is becoming increasingly difficult to supply even home consumers. House coal is very brisk. Manu- facturing sorts for the iron and steel works, and the iron ore mines are in sh%rp call, and requirements on this account have been rather bigger than usual during the last fortnight. Local coke makers have a very keen struggle to keep all their plants in full swing. Engine fuels are in steady demand, but consumers are mostly receiving their supplies from outside districts. Coal for gas-making purposes is very firm. At present the collieries are not in a position to deal with much Irish business. Prices of all varieties of coal are firm, but unchanged. Current quotations. Current prices. L’st week’s Last year prices. prices. BestCumberl’nd coal at pit 29/10 29/10 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 19/2 17/6 Do. smalls „ 23 2 23/2 Do. peas „ 21 6 21/6 Best dry small, at pit 26/ 29/ 26/ — Buckhill best coal at pit... 29/ 25/ Do. double-scrned washed nuts 27/6 27 6 23/6 Oughterside best coal 28 2 28/2 25/ Oughterside best washed nuts 26/6 26 6 23/6 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)... b8 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 ________ _______ South-West Lancashire. COAL. The economy which undoubtedly is being practised by the consumer, and the mildness of the weather, are keeping the trade within bounds, although only a bare supply of fuel is available, even after all the consumer’s efforts. Requirements this week of steam coal both for bunkering and export are well maintained, though in some cases orders for neutral countries are being held back for the time being, at any rate, on account of the high schedule prices. Supplies are by no means over-plent ful; in fact, they are hardly equal to the demand. In the coastwise and cross-Channel trade, the call continues much in exce.-s of the supply. In slacksand manufacturing fuel generally, notwithstanding the easing off in some of the Government departments, the strain continues severe, in order to find enough day by day for the general trade. In many cases the stocks at mills and manufactories have to be resorted to from time to time to eke out the short supplies. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best Do. (f.o.b. Garston, not) Medium Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen Com. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Screened forge coal Best sernd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack Secondary slack Common Jo Current prices. 27,6-28/6 29/ -30/ 25/6-26/6 28/6-29/ 24 6 27/ -28/ 24/6 f 34/6* I 65/t 22/6 21 6 20/6 L’st week’s prices. 27/6-28/6 29/ -30/ 25 6-26/6 28/6-29/ 24/6 27/ -28/ 24'6 34/6* ) 65/t j 22/6 21/6 20/6 Last year’s prices. 23/6 24 6 26/ 21 6-22/6 25/ 20/6» 24/ 20,6 30/6 18/6 17/6 16/6 * Allies. t Neutrals. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a good attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. There is really no change in the market, all qualities of house and manufacturing fuel being strongly in demand. Practically no free coal was offered. Shipping coal seems to be moving as usual, with fairly adequate supplies. Prices generally are as below. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current )L’st week’s Last year’s House coal:— Best ................ Medium............... Common............... Furnace coal........... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack ............. Common slack ............ prices, i prices. prices. 28 6 i 28 6 24/6 26/ -27/ 26/ -27/ 22/ -23/ 24/6-25/ 24'6-25/ | 20'6-21/ 24J -24 '6 24/ -24/6 i 20/ -20/6 __*' __# I __* 22 6 upwds’22/6upwds 18/6upwds '21/ upwds[21/ upwdsil7/ upwds * As per official list. IRON. Not many sales to report. Steffi is to be released from subsidy on February 1, and pig iron in April. It is t) be hoped that before this latter date the position will be clearer. Shortage of fuel is causing great anxiety. There is no doubt that works will have to go on short time, and in some cases close altogether. The miners already released from service will not work during the 28 days they are on pay from the Army. __________________ Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. Little or no improvement is manifest in the output of the pit^, as the influenza trouble continues. Miners have not returned from the army in any great numbers, or if returned have not got back to work, and it is so far general experience of mine managers that the men are some weeks before they regain their former coal-getting condition, in a physical sense. The question of output and supplies still dominates the situation, and the demand all round is extremely pressing, especially for house coal and gas coal. The special instructions of the Coal Controller that collieries must send 100 per cent., and in the case of some pits 150 per cent., of last year’s deliveries for a period of six weeks, has done something to allay the anxiety of merchants, but the general feeling is that few collieries will be able to comply with the instruction. Representa- tives of London factors and merchants on the market on Tuesday reported that the situation in the metropolis is still serious, but there is no free coal offering. There is a little more doing in the coastwise trade between Goole and the Thames wharves and the s mth coast. A few boats have been released by the authorities and have returned to their ordinary trade. The coal shipped is mostly ex