August 28, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIA^. 4^9 THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, August 27. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The announcement of the withdrawal of the Customs bond on coal cargoes to neutral ports has given great satisfaction to exporters here. Prices are lower than before the war, but there are signs that values will firm up very soon, as already there is a considerable amount of business in the market for foreign account, and as consumers abroad are likely to be short of supplies, coalmasters are antici- pating a period of activity. The home demand for fuel, particularly nuts, has fallen off to some extent, and the market is easier than a week ago. The shipments for the district were nearly normal, and amounted to 96,188 tons, compared with 89,303 in the preceding week and 108,277 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal.............. Ell ............,....... Splint.................. Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 12/ -13/ 11/6-12/ 12/ -14/ 11/9-12/ 11/3-11/6 11/ -11/3 L'st week's prices. 11/9-13/3 12/ -12/3 13/9-15/ 12/3 11/6-11/9 11/ -11/3 Last year's prices. 12/6-1/4 12/6-13/ ■ 12/6-15/6 13/ -13/6 12/3-12/6 11/ -11/3 IRON. The Glasgow pig iron warrant market was much quieter than in the preceding week, and the turnover only amounted to 9,500 tons. In view of the fact that stores continue to increase, holders of warrants have been more inclined to realise their iron as it fell due, with the result that prices are about 8d. down since last Friday. Cleveland iron closed at 52s. 5d. per ton cash buyers, compared with 53s. Id. in the previous Friday. Middlesbrough stores have increased by 2,579 tons during the week, and now stand at 91,321 tons. The number of furnaces in blast is now 55, compared with 56 in the preceding week and 88 in the corresponding week of last year. While the production is much reduced at present, outputs are sufficient to meet consumers’ requirements, and makers are well sold and are maintaining their advance in prices. Monkland is quoted f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 64s. 6d., No. 3, 63s.; Govan, No. 1, 64s., No. 3, 63s. ; Carnbroe, No. 1, 68s. 6d., No. 3, 64s.; Clyde, No. 1, 69s. 6d., No. 3, 64s. 6d.; Gartsherrie, Summerlee and Calder, Nos. 1, 70s., Nos. 3, 65s. ; Langloan, No. 1, 72s., No. 3, 67s. ; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 71s., No. 3, 66s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 64s., No. 3, 63s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 65s., No. 3, 63s. ; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 70s., No. 3, 65s.; Carron at Grange- mouth, No 1, 70s. 6d., No. 3, 65s. 6d. per ton. The import of pig iron into Grangemouth from Middlesbrough and district amounted to 2,699 tons for the week. An unexpected strike of dock labourers took place at Grangemouth on Saturday, and all works, including steamers discharging pig iron, were stopped. Among the manufacturing branches of the iron trade, sheet-makers are being kept moderately well employed, both in the black sheet and bar iron depart- ments. In the black sheet trade prices have advanced about £2 per ton, making the warehouse price in Glasgow .£8 10s. per ton, less 5 per cent., for 7 to 11 gauge. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. Slowly but surely—unless some untoward occurrence takes place—the local coal trade is regaining the position it occupied before the outbreak of war. Last week, the coal and coke shipments from Tyne Dock, Dunston and Blyth totalled 169,034 tons, an increase, when compared with the previous week, of 100,827 tons. The details are as follow:—Tyne Dock, 76,562 tons of coal but no coke— decreases, when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week.of last year, of 60,693 tons of coal and 2,438 tons of coke; Dunston, 45,308 tons of coal and 3,664 tons of coke, a decrease of 14,872 tons of coal and an increase of 2,488 tons of coke; and Blyth, 43,500 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 49,151 tons. Much of the shipments now being made is on contract account to neutral and friendly countries, and, unfortunately, does not represent new business. Still, there is an appreciable amount of trade being done with France, Norway, Sweden and Holland in particular, and, to some slighter extent, with Spain and Italy. The demand is certainly very healthy, and if it were only possible to get over the financial obstacle, there can be little doubt that transactions would be much more numerous. At present, the local collieries are only working about one-third time, but even this is an improvement on the recent slackness. Returns which have reached the head office of the Northumberland Miners' Association indicate that there are about 14,500 miners affected by short time out of a total of about 44,000. Both miners and masters are making the best of the situation, however, and a more cordial feeling of co-operation is being engendered. It is to be regretted that the trimmers and teemers at the Tyne and Blyth show no disposition to make a little concession which would materially help matters—viz., to give up the Saturday noon stop when urgently required to complete loading coal cargoes which, otherwise, would have to wait until the commencement of the next week. They had decided to do this where required by the Admiralty, but not when required by private persons. Steam coals have considerably cheapened during the week, and smithies, too, have eased; bunkers, however, are dearer. Gas coals are inclined to advance, and gas coke, which is in fair demand for home consumption and in heavy request for Scandinavian customers, is dearer. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as follow : Best Blyth steams are from 6d. to Is. cheaper; Tynes, 6d. reduced ; Blyth seconds, easier ; Tynes, weaker; unscreened, 6d. advanced ; smalls, Blyths, 6d. to Is. cheaper; Tynes, Is. to Is. 6d. down; smithies, Is. lower ; gas bests, 6d. to Is. increased ; seconds, weaker; specials, 6d. higher; unscreened bunkers^ Durhams, 6d. improved; coking coal, 3d. lower; smalls, 6d' decline; and gas coke, 6d. more. Other descriptions of fuel are unchanged. stores here now contain 93,009 tons of No. 3 Cleveland pig, or 10,757 tons more than at the beginning of the month. Cleveland pig iron prices are falling, but haematite quota- tions, though irregular, show a marked upward tendency. The make of haematite pig is this week reduced by a furnace going out at the works of Messrs. Whitwell and Company. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is 51s. 6d.; No. 1 is 54s.; No. 4 foundry and No. 4 forge each 51s. 3d.; mottled and white iron, each 50s. 9d.; and Nos. 1, 2, and 3 east coast haematite pig, 68s. 6d. to 72s. 6d., all for early delivery. Foreign ore is now inactive chiefly owing to difficulty in obtaining boats. Market rates are based on 20s. 6d. ex-ship Tees for best rubio. Producers of manufactured iron and steel are busy, and quotations are strong. Work will be resumed next week at the sheet department of Messrs. Dorman, Long and Company, where operations have been suspended owing to trouble in obtaining spelter, considerable supplies of which have been drawn from Austria. There is a 30,000 tons rail order for Australia in the market. Principal quotations stand:—Common iron bars, <£8; iron ship plates, £7 5s.; iron ship angles, £7 10s.; iron ship rivets, £9; steel bars, £6 15s.; steel ship plates, £7; steel ship angles, £6 15s.; heavy steel rails, £6 15s.; and iron and steel galvanised corrugated sheets, £13 10s. to £14 10s.—sheets less the customary 4 per cent, f.o.b., rails net, and all other descriptions less the usual 2£ per cent. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Business in the Lothian coal trade is still practically at a standstill, and several mines have been closed during the week. There is practically no demand for round coal, while smalls are in little request. Shipments for the week amounted to 53,922 tons, compared with 20,144 in the preceding week and 108,277 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals :— Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 13/ -13/6 14/ 15/ -15/3 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 13/6 11/ -11/6 14/ 15/3 Secondary, Blyths 11/6 13/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 11/ -11/6 11/6 13/3 Unscreened 11/ -12/ 11/6 11/9-12/9 Small, Blyths 9/ - 9/6 8/6- 9/ 10/ 9/ -9/3 Do. . Tynes 10/ 7/9 Do. specials 11/- 11/ 9/6 Other sorts:— Smithies 12/ 13/ 14/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 12/6 11/6-12/ 15/-15/14 Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 11/ -11/6 11/6 14/ Special gas oals 12/6 12/ 15/3-15/6 Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 11/3-12/6 11/6-12/ 13/3-14/6 Do. do. Northumbrians 11/6 11/6 12/ -13/ Coking coals 11/3 11/6 14/ -14/6 Do. smalls 11/ 11/ -11/6 13/6-14/ House coals 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 15/6 Coke, foundry 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 20/ -21/ Do. blast-furnace 18/ 18/ 19/ Do. gas 12/ -13/ 12/ -12/6 16/6-17/6 South-West Lancashire. COAL. The little rush that was noticeable in the early part of this month has abated and there is very little now in progress beyond the ordinary summer business. There is a little improvement in the demand for screened coal going into consumption for forge purposes. The position in regard to steam coal is somewhat peculiar. The removal of the triple bond by the Customs should help matters, but so far there is very little outside foreign business being done. There is some enquiry, but restricted credit with freight and insurance advances all tend to make business difficult, and so far very little has been done. Excursion steamers continue running, but sailings are reduced and this tends to limit the quantity of coal required. Prices of Lancashire screened steam coal range from 12s. 6d., f.o.b. up to about 13s. 3d. for the best qualities. The coastwise and cross channel trade for household qualities still keeps above the summer average, and - there is as much call at the moment as there is fuel of the class to supply. In slack there is a fair amount being put to stock, but generally speaking it is questionable whether the amount of slack that has not been produced owing to short time is not as great a diminution as the quantity of slack that has not been consumed owing to the partial stoppage of the mills. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ................. Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium................ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen............... Common (f.o.b. Grstn.,net) Screened forge coal..... Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ........ Common do............... Current prices. 17/ 16/6-16/9 15/3 14/6-15/ 13/ 13/3-13/9 11/6-12/ 12/6-13/3 9/9 9/ 8/ - 8/6 L’st week’s prices. 17/ 16/6-16/9 15/3 14/6-15/ 13/ 13/3-13/9 11/6-12/ 12/6-13/3 9/9 9/ 8/ - 8/6 Lastyear’s prices. 16/3 16/6-17/ 14/6 15/ -15/6 12/3 13/9-14/6 12/6-13/ 13/6-14/3 10/3 9/6 9/ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was only a small attendance of members on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. Business passing was almost nil. The demand for house coal is at its lowest. The position in furnace coal and slack is the same as last week owing to stoppages in the cotton and other industries Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities..... Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do. ..-..•....... prices. 11/6 10/9 11/6-11/9 10/9-11/ 10/3-10/6 L'st week's prices. 11/6-11/9 10/9-11/ 11/9-12/ 10/9-11/ 10/6-10/9 Last year’s prices. 13/ 12/ -12/3 13/ -13/6 12/6-12/9 11/3—11/6 No change has occurred in the position of the Fifeshire trade. In the opinion of some coalmasters the removal of the Customs bond may have some influence for the better, but this remains to be seen. In the meantime, business is stagnant, and employment at the collieries is seriously affected. Shipments are a trifle better than in the preceding week, but are still far short of normal. The clearances from the port during the week amounted to 50,121 tons against 16,174 in the preceding week and 130,806 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation coal Current prices. 15/6-16/ 13/6-14/ 12/3-12/6 10/ 11/9-12/ 11/ -11/3 10/3 L'st week's prices. 16/ -16/6 14/6 12/6-13/ 10/ -10/9 12/3-12/6 11/2-11/9 10/9 Unscreened do First-class steam coal Third-class do Treble nuts Double do Single do Lastyear's prices. 16/6-17/ 14/6-15/ 14/ -14/6 11/6-12/ 14/3-14/6 12/6-13/ 11/ -11/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports for the week reached the total of 200,231 tons, compared with 125,621 in the preceding week and 341,211 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. It is estimated that the total output of pits on the north- east coast is only about one-third of the normal quantity. In spite of the many financial obstacles, business with some foreign customers is being resumed, but the market is still disturbed by delay in arranging for cash payments, and the war has caused many disputes over old contracts which will take a good deal of adjusting. Sales of fuel are now reported to Norway, Sweden and Holland. Coal prices are a little easier. Best gas coal is quoted 12s. 9d., and second kinds Ils. 3d. Ordinary Durham bunkers are round about Ils. f.o.b. There is practically nothing passing in household coal. Coking coal is in good request. Unscreened kinds are realising Ils., and smalls are quoted up to 9s. 9d. Supply of coke for local use is none too plentiful, and con- sumers necessitated to purchase have to pay high rates. Durham beehive blastfurnace coke delivered at Teesside works is 18s. to 18s. 6d. Good foundry coke for shipment is in the neighbourhood of 22s. f.o.b. Gas coke is 12s. 6d. to 12s. 9d., and is in considerable demand for Scandinavian ports. IRON. An unsettled feeling prevails in iron trade circles. Financial difficulties with foreign traders, caused by the war, will take a good deal of adjusting. Settlement for pre- war contracts are in abeyance, but a little new business is being done with certain firms abroad. Shippers, however, are fully alive to the present dangers in the North Sea, and few cargoes are likely to be despatched until an assurance of safety from mines is given. Official returns show that to date this month only 15,510 tons of pig iron have been shipped from the Tees. To the same date last month the clearances amounted to 47,435 tons, and for the corres- ponding part of August a year ago the loadings reached 73,394 tons. Stocks of pig iron are accumulating. To what extent makers’ stores have grown is not ascertainable, but they must now hold large quantities. The public warrant House coal:— Best .............. Medium............. Common............. Furnace coal......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack .......... Common slack ........ Current prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 9/6-10/ 8/6- 9/ (L’st week’s | prices. ; 17/3-18/ i 16/ -16/9 ! 13/3-14/ i 12/6 i 14/ i 9/6-10/ j 8/6- 9/ Last year's prices. 16/6-17/ 15/3-16/ 12/6-13/ 12/6 14/ 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 IRON. There was a fairly good attendance on ’Change in Manchester on Tuesday last, and trade is still very uncertain. Both the forges and steelworks have pretty full order books at present, and the association price for Crown iron bars is still £8 5s., second quality £7 15s. Steel bars are quoted at about £7 15s., less 21 per cent., and billets £5 15s. to £6 net, but makers are not keen about selling for forward delivery. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. There was about an average muster of members of the Yorkshire Coal Exchange on Tuesday, all branches of the trade being represented. Business on the whole, however, was very quiet, but not more so than anticipated. There were a few enquiries, and orders for small parcels of house and gas coal, while several sales of washed furnace coke were reported. It was said that the pits in West Yorkshire had averaged a little more than three days’ work this week, but that considerable addition to ground stocks had been necessary. With regard to house coal for the London district, fairly full contract quantities are being taken, in addition to which there are a good many open market sales of the best qualities of Haigh Moor and Silkstone house coals at about 14s. pit. Merchants in Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, and other large centres report a quiet state of things in the retail trade, as consumers are practising strict economy in the use of house coal. There