$98 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 20, 1913. THE COAL ABD 1ROR TRADES. Wednesday, March 19. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There has been a larger business in coal and the shipments show a considerable increase on those of the preceding week. The comparison with the corresponding week of 1912 is of little value, owing to the business being so greatly restricted then by the national strike of colliers. The aggregate clearances at the Scotch ports in the past week amounted to 334,147 tons, being 45,019 tons more than in the preceding week. At Glasgow, 80,537 tons were despatched, compared with 70,863 in the preceding week, the quantity shipped in the corresponding week of last year being only 15,910 tons. The foreign shipments were a good average, and they appear to be increasing week by week. Coastwise business is also showing considerable expansion. The demand for steam coal has been more active and the better qualities of house coal have been in active request. Splint is selling remark- ably well, the home consumption of this quality showing, so far, hardly any reduction with the lengthening of the day. The different grades of nuts are likewise in excellent demand, and bring higher prices in the Clyde district than elsewhere. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal Current prices. 13/6 to 14/ 13/9 to 14/6 15/ to 15/6 14/ to 14/6 13/9 to 14/3 13/6 to 14/ Last week’s prices. 13/6 to 14/6 13/9 to 14/6 15/ to 15/6 14/ to 14/6 13/9 to 14/3 13/6 to 14/ Ell Splint Treble nuts Double do Single do It is reported that'a considerable proportion of the contracts for 80,000 tons of coal for the Russian railways has bean secured by Scotch shippers. The inland business in coal is well maintained, the demand being quickened by very wintry weather and prices are firm. Best house coal is delivered in Glasgow at 23s. 9d., best parlour coal 22s. 6d., kitchen coal 21s. 9d., treble nuts 19s. 9d., anthracite doubles 35s., and anthracite singles 22s. 9d. per ton. The demand for hard furnace coal and dross for manufacturers’ use is on a very extensive scale. At the iron and steel works and at other factories the consumption is exceptionally great. There has been a fair business doing at the lower Clyde ports. At Bowling 282 tons were despatched, Greenock 441, Irvine 1,689, Ardrossan 2,992, Troon 8,942, and Ayr 16,013—total 30,359 tons, compared with 31,068 in the pre- ceding week and 15,493 in the corresponding week of 1912. IRON. There has been a moderate business in Glasgow pig iron market. The unsettled state of affairs in the Near East— where the difficulty of coming to an arrangement between Turkey and the Balkan States has again become of a serious character—prevents a renewal of confidence, and neither sellers nor buyers are inclined to enter into contracts of importance. There has been little doing, therefore, in Cleveland warrants. Scotch pig iron has also been quiet, while deliveries under contracts are steady. The amount of fresh business is restricted at the moment, and prices are lower. Govan and Monkland are quoted f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 75s. 6d., Nos. 3, 74s.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 78s. 6d., No. 3, 74s. 6d.; Clyde and Calder, Nos. 1, 80s. 6d., Nos. 3, 75s. 6d.; Summerlee and Gartsherrie, Nos. 1, 81s., Nos. 3, 76s.; Langloan, No. 1, 82s. 6d., No. 3, 77s. 6d.; Coltness, No. 1, 99s., No. 3, 81s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 75s. 6d., No. 3, 74s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, (82s.\6d., No. 3, 77s. 6d.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 77s., No. 3, 75s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 80s. 6d., No. 3, 75s. 6d.; Carron, at Grangemouth, No. 1, 82s., No. 3, 77s. per ton. The shipments of pig iron from Scotch ports in the past week were 2,478 tons foreign and 2,970 coastwise, the total of 5,448 tons comparing with 10,420 in the corresponding week of last year. There is now a decrease in the shipments for the present year to date amounting to 13,614 tons. In the ironfounding, engineering and steel trades] there is great activity, but the malleable iron department is not sojwell circumstanced. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The business in coal shipments from the Firth of Forth has been good at most of the ports. Grangemouth appears as an exception, deliveries and clearances being alike unsatisfactory. On the other hand, the trade in coals at Leith has been considerably larger than usual. The clearances have been at Granton 12,685 tons, Bo’ness 18,754, Grangemouth 29,803, Leith 43,301—total 104,543 tons, against 79 331 in the preceding week and 19,355 in the corresponding week of last year during the colliers’ strike. Most of the pits are well supplied with orders, and the outlook is fairly encouraging. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal Current prices. 13/3 to 13/6 Last week’s prices. 13/3 to 13/6 Secondary qualities 12/3 to 12/9 12/3 to 12/9 Treble nuts 13/6 to 14/ 13/6 to 14/ Double do 12/9 to 13/ 12/9 to 13/ Single do 12/3 to 12/6 12/3 to 12/6 There has been an active demand for house coal for home use, owing to the prevalence of cold weather, and prices are well maintained. The Fife coal trade is active, shipments keeping up very well, and indeed showing a considerable increase. The clearances were at Burntisland 53,550 tons, Methil 60,118, Alloa 1,407, Wemyss 1,208, Dysart 973, Charleston 859, and Tayport 593—total 118,708 tons, compared with 107,866 in the preceding week, and 16,847 in the corresponding week of 1912. There has not been much alteration in prices, but the rates are generally steady to firm. 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. 16/3 to 17/ 14/ to 14/6 13/ to 13/6 12/ 13/3 to 13/9 13/ to 13/3 12/6 to 13/ Last week’s prices. 16/3 to 17/ 14/ to 14/6 13/ to 13/6 12/ 13/3 to 13/9 13/ to 13/3 12/6 to 13/ Arrangements are already engaging attention for the coming Baltic trade, and indications as to its probable extent are regarded as favourable. Inland business in house coal is very active on account of the prevalence of extremely cold weather. ■orthmnl>0Flanda Durham and Cleveland. Kevcaitle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week, 139,376 tons of coal and 2,608 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 139,334 tons of coal, and 2,608 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year, when the national coal strike was in full swing. The Dunston clearances amounted to 58,922 tons of coal, and 808 tons of coke; there were no shipments at all during the corresponding week of last year. The Blyth shipments aggregated 86,971 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 86,907 tons. The London Gas Light and Coke Company and the South Metropolitan Gas Company have put in a busy week negotiating for their supplies of gas coal over the ensuing 12 months. They are now stated to have practically completed their arrangements for the 3,000,000 tons or thereabouts required. The bulk of the coal will be drawn from Durham, although Yorkshire and Derbyshire appear to have got slices of the business. The Durham coal is reported to have been purchased at from 12s. 9d. to 14s. per ton, f.o.b., according to quality. Com- paratively little coal has been obtained at the lower figure, most of the business having been done, it is said, at from 13s. to 13s. 3d. per ton for second-class sorts. The prices show an advance of from Is. 6d. to 2s. per ton in comparison with those realised for the like business last year. When the Russian State Railways have commenced to buy, after making the hearts of local merchants sick because of contracts deferred, they have bought handsomely. Messrs. Boeckel, of St. Petersburg, are stated to have received an order for 80,000 tons of steams for shipment before the end of April, and Messrs. Lessing, Messrs. Pundik and Messrs. Landau, all Russian merchants, orders for 16,000 tons each for similar delivery. The coals may, it is said, be drawn from Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Scotland' or Northum- berland, or, of course, some from each district at the option of the contractors, and the contract price is believed to be about 23s. per ton, c.i.f., or about 15s. 6d. per ton f.o.b., for bests. The news of the allotment has had a stimulating effect on the local market, although there is a strongly-held opinion that the contractors have already arranged for the coals required and that, therefore, the contract will have no further effect upon the market. It is believed that about half the quantity of coals required will be drawn from this district, and the balance from the two more southern coalfields. The following small Baltic gasworks are enquiring for supplies for over-season shipment;— Kalmar, 2,800 tons; Landscrona, 4,300 tons; and Karra- beksminde, 4,000 tons. The Norwegian State Railways want offers, by the end of the present month, of 87,000 tons of best steams for April-September shipment. Advices from Genoa indicate that merchants there are offering Tyne prime gas coals at 24s. 3d. per ton, c.i.f., for April-May delivery, without finding buyers, and are quoting 23s. 6d. for June-December shipment. Buyers’ ideas as to prices are about 6d. lower in each instance. Gas seconds have been sold for current loading at 23s., and parcels on passage have changed owners at from 24s. to 24s. lfd. For April and May, seconds are quoted at 23s., and parcels of options have been sold, f.o.b., at 12s. 3d. for current loading. For April-December delivery, sellers ask 22s., and buyers offer 21s. In the local coal market, business for shipment during the rest of the current month is practically negligible. Loading turns* are considerably congested, with an abundance of tonnage on offer. Supplies are exceedingly scarce. The outlook is very satisfactory, and most descriptions of fuel are rather dearer this week. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as followBest steams, Blyths, are fid. advanced on the week; Blyth seconds, stronger; Tynes, 3d. dearer; smalls, Blyths, 3d. increased; Tynes, 3d. more; specials, weaker; smithies, gas bests, seconds and specials, firmer; Durham unscreened bunkers, 3d. to 6d. improved; coking coal, 6d. down; and blastfurnace coke, Is. cheaper. Other descrip- tions of fuel are unaltered. 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 ............. 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. Northumbrians Coking coals........... Do. smalls ........ House coals ............ Coke, foundry ............ Do. blast-furnace....... Do. gas ................ Current prices. 15/6 15/ 14/ 14/ to 14/6 13/ to 13/6 10/9 to 11/ 10/6 11/6 to 12/ 15/6 15/3 to 15/6 14/9 15/6 15/ to 15/6 13/6 15/6 14/6 15/6 to 16/ 27/ 23/ 17/ Last week’s prices. 15/ 15/ 13/9 to 14/ 14/ to 14/3 13/ to 13/6 10/9 10/3 12/ 15/ to 15/6 15/3 14/6 to 14/9 15/ to 15/6 14/6 to 15/3 13/6 15/6 to 16/ 14/6 15/15 to 16/ 27/ 23/ to 24/ 17/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 95,110 tons of coal and 470 tons of coke, as compared with no coal and 1,125 tons of coke for the corresponding period of last year (miners’ strike) being an increase of 95,110 tons of coal, and a decrease of 655 tons of coke. The tone of the coal market is strong, which is accentuated by the prompt shipment required of the coal for the Russian State Railways, and also from the fact that the miners are still restricting the output by their irregular working. Pro- duction for the month is fully booked, and prices for all descriptions are on a firm basis. During the past few days strong gales have caused delays to tonnage, and in some cases slightly easier prices have been accepted for immediate shipment to clear wagons. The South Metropolitan Gas Company are said to have contracted for considerable quantities of Durham seconds at about Is. fid. per ton over last year’s prices. The Gas Light and Coke Company, of London, are also said to have purchased large supplies, but particulars have not yet transpired. Bunkers are in strong request. Coke is steady. Household trade is quiet. The following are market quotations:— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current Last week’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals ... 15/6 to 15/9 15/3 Secondary do. House coals:— 14/9 14/9 Best house coals 17/ 17/6 Ordinary do Other sorts:— 16/ 16/6 Lambton screened 15/9 15/6 South Hetton do 15/9 15/ 15/6 Lambton unscreened 15/ South Hetton do 15/ 15/ Do. treble nuts 17/6 17/3 Coking coals unscreened... 15/3 15/ D >. smalls 15/ 14/9 Smithies 14/9 15/ Peas and nuts 18/ 18/ Best bunkers 15/6 to 15/9 15/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 15/ 14/6 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (dlvrd. 27/6 28/ Teesside furnaces) 25/ 25/ to 26/ Gas coke 17/ 17/6 The outward freight market is steady, and inclined to improve, notwithstanding the difficulty to place tonnage owing to the limited number of available loading turns. Recent fixtures include coasting — London 3s. 7$d., Antwerp 4s. Bay—St. Nazaire 5s. 3d., Bayonne 6s. Baltic—Cronstadt 6s. l|d., Kiel 5s. 3d. Mediterranean— Savona 9s. l|d., Marseilles 8s. 9d., Malta 8s. fid., Port Said 9s. 6d., Las Palmas 9s., Bio de Janeiro 17s. 6d. Middleibrough-on-Teet. COAL. There is little free fuel available and there has been the pressure for delivery usual before the Easter holidays. For the time being quotations are nearly nominal, but high rates are realised for odd lots of coal and coke. There is a growing demand for next month. Best gas coal runs at 15s. 3d. to 15s. 6d., seconds 14s. to 14s. 6d., and Wear specials 15s. 6d. to 16s. Bunker coal is well taken up and ordinary Durhams are 15s. f.o.b., whilst best kinds are 15s. 6d. to 15s. 9d., and specials 16s. 6d. Household coal is in fairly good request at 15s. fid. to 16s. 6d. Coking coal continues in good demand at 15s. to 15s. 9d. Coke is in large request for local consumption and difficulty is experienced in fully meeting requirements. Average blastfurnace coke is fully 25s.