October 9, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 773 Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week, 79,465 tons of coal and 134 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 59,100 tons of coal and 3,451 tons of coke, when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 53,250 tons of coal and 4,728 tons of coke, a decrease of only 799 tons of coal and 407 tons of coke. Unfortunately, the returns from Bly th have not come to hand, although it is known that the total shipments for the whole of last month amounted to 265,700 tons of coal and coke. Taking, however, the returns from Tyne Dock and Dunston, these aggregate 137,577 tons, as against 130,079 tons sent off during the preceding week, an appreciable increase. There is a continued improvement in the working of the local collieries, although, even now, the amount of employment leaves much t> be desired. The leading best gas coal collieries are stated to be working from four to five days per week, whilst the best steam coal pits average about four days. Other pits are working less steadily. The Admiralty’s decision to sow the southern portion of the North Sea with mines has had a rather deterrent effect upon business during the last few days. Insurance rates for war risks have risen, and, with them, freights, as, naturally, shipowners are somewhat chary about sending their ships into so dangerous an area unless they are to be adequately compensated for the risks taken. The result is a shortage of ready tonnage at what are regarded as reasonable rates, with the consequent impediment to shipments which that shortage involves. Shipments to France are slightly increased, there being less congestion at French ports. Italy is taking a fairly large quantity of gas coal. Scandinavia is still a fairly good customer for steams, its cargoes, however, going mainly in neutral steamers. All classes of inferior coals are offering super- abundantly, but a stand has been taken against the acceptance of lower prices, and figures, consequently, show extremely little alteration on the week. An enquiry is in circulation for 40,000 tons of steams for delivery to Norway over 12 months, but its genuineness is doubted, and it is stated that collieries are submitting tenders based on delivery up to the end of March only. The sale of 15,000 tons of Tyne primes steams is reported, delivery up to the end of the year, at 12s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. Although foreign exchange continues to be difficult and based on high rates, yet there is no doubt that it is considerably easier than it was a short time ago, and that, at the moment, shipping troubles are an even more important factor in the obstruc- tion of business operations than is the financial question. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as follow on the week:—Blyth steam smalls, 3d. to 6d. reduced ; Tynes, 6d. to 9d. cheaper; specials, stronger; smithies, easier; gas seconds, in buyers’ favour; Northumbrian unscreened bunkers, easier ; and gas coke, 9d. advanced. Other descriptions of fuel are unchanged. 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 oals Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. N orthumbr ians Coking coals Do. smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Current prices. 13/ -13/3 12/6 11/ 11/ -11/6 10/6-11/6 8/6 7/6- 8/ 9/6 11/ -11/6 12/6 11/ -11/6 12/6-13/ 10/9-12/ 10/9-11/3 11/ -11/6 10/6-10/9 15/ -16/ 20/ -21/ 18/ 11/6-13/ L’st week’s prices. 13/ -13/3 12/6 11/ 11/ -11/6 10/6-11/6 8/9- 9/ 8/3- 8/6 9/ - 9/6 11/3-11/6 12/6 11/3-11/6 12/6-13/ 10/9-12/ 11/ -11/3 11/ -11/6 10/6-10/9 15/ -16/ 20/ -21/ 18/ 11/6-12/3 Last year’s 1 prices. | 14/9-15/ 1 15/ —15/3 12/6 12/9-13/3 11/6-12/6 8/ - 8/3 6/9- 7/ 9/3- 9/6 14/ 15/3-15/6 14/ 15/6-16/ 12/9-13/9 12/6-13/ 13/3-13/9 13/3 15/6 19/ -20/ 17/6 17/ -18/ Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. There is an easier feeling in the fuel market. There is a shortage of suitable tonnage. The accession of ballast tonnage from the Mediterranean has not met requirements, these larger vessels not being so suitable as smaller boats. The heavy requirements of the Government have lessened the supply of colliers, while the mine dangers of the North Sea have diverted the trading of a good many vessels. Best gas coals are the strongest section of the coal market. Deliveries are now heavy. Best Durham gas coals stand at 12s. 6d.; and second kinds are 11s. to Ils. 3d. Bunker coals are in moderate request, and ordinary Durhams are round about 10s. 6d. f.o.b., with best kinds quoted up to Ils. 9d. Household coal is in improving demand at 15s. to 16s. Coking coal continues to be fairly well taken up. Unscreened kinds run from Ils. to Ils. 3d.; and coking smalls from 10s. to 10s. 3d. Coke is more plentiful, and local demand shows some falling off. Sellers are very reluctant to reduce quotations, but values are certainly falling. Durham beehive blastfurnace coke of average quality is now 17s. 6d. to 17s. 9d. delivered at Teesside works. The minimum quotation for good foundry coke for shipment appears to be 20s. f.o.b., and some sellers are asking up to eighteen pence above that figure. Gas coke is in the neighbourhood of 12s. IRON. The pig iron market is quiet, with little business passing. Values of Cleveland pig are lower than they have been for the past six months, and buyers are very backward. Merchants are now offering No. 3 g.m.b. at 50s. 9d. f.o.b., whilst No. 1 can be bought at 53s., No. 4 foundry is 50s. 6d., No. 4 forge 50s. 3d., and mottled and white iron each 50s.—all for early delivery. After a period of quiet- ness there has been some business recorded in East coast haematite pig. Makers are well sold, but customers are not taking out anything like full supplies, with the result that stocks are accumulating, and it appears likely that a few contracts will be cancelled. Under these circumstances makers have been rather pressing sales. So far as can be ascertained they have not succeeded in selling for early delivery, but they have made forward contracts. The sales recorded are for Nos. 1, 2, and 3 delivered over periods next year, and the price is understood to be in the neighbourhood of 64s. 6d., which is now regarded as the general market quotation for practically any delivery, which is a con- siderable drop on the rates that have ruled of late. The figure, however, is still a high one in comparison with values of Cleveland pig. The difference between No. 3 Cleveland and mixed numbers of haematite used to be 8s. to 10s., whereas to-day the price of the latter is 14s. above the value of the former. Foreign ore shows a decided downward tendency, but the concessions made by sellers have not tempted buyers into the market to any extent. Market rates are now based on 17s. 6d. ex-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality, at which price a small business has been done. Freights Bilbao-Middlesbrough remain at 4s. 6d. To date this month imports of foreign ore to the Tees are returned at 51,824 tons. In all branches of the manufactured iron and steel industries there is considerable activity, but orders are not now plentiful. A few enquiries for railway material lire reported. Manufacturers of ship plates and angles complain that specifications are being given out rather sparingly. Quotations all round are upheld. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The Cumberland coal trade continues to be fairly brisk, although it is stated that the outputs at some of the collieries have diminished somewhat, owing to the scarcity of labour, and some difficulty has been experienced in meeting requirements. Local manufacturing is steady, but landsale has undergone no change since last week. Shipping coal is in brisk demand, Irish merchants continuing to stock satisfactorily. The shipments from Workington, Whitehaven and Maryport last were above the average. The shipments from the Elizabeth dock, Maryport, amounted to 4,870 tons, the whole of the cargoes, being from Irish ports. The shortage of labour at some of the pits in the west is becoming more pronounced. There are sufficient men to work the pits in the eastern part of the county, but there is a great need for men at Lowca and Pica, and at one or two of the Whitehaven pits only two shifts can at present be worked. At the Wythemoor Colliery, near Distington, no less than 100 men were required last week-end. The coke trade is firm, and smelters are taking all the local supplies they can secure. The prices have undergone no change since the war commenced. Current quotations are as follow :— Per ton. Best Cumberland coal, at pit..... 20/6 to 21/ Flimby best coal „ ....... 20/ Washed nuts „ 19/2 Old St. Helens best coal „ 19/2 Best house nuts ,, 17/1 Oughterside best coal ........... 20/ Washed nuts ...................... 18/4 Best Cumberland coal, f.o.b.... 14/6 Bunkers „ 13/6 Coal for gasworks ................. 14/6 IRON. Since last week there has been a quieter tone in the Cumberland haematite iron trade, and prices of Bessemer mixed numbers have fallen to 72s. per ton f.o.b. at the usual ports, with warrants at cash at 66s. At the same time, there is still more activity in the staple industries than before the war started Of course, this change was only to be expected after the brisk business of a month ago, but the output at present is not by any means in excess of the demand. A continuance of the present number of furnaces in blast can confidently be anticipated. In West Cumberland^ there is a strong feeling that things may'brighten up again, •and there may not only be a still further appreciation of values, but an increase in production. At Barrow, on Monday, prices of haematite iron were much easier than they have been for a month. Bessemer mixed numbers were quoted at from 71s. to 72s. net, f.o.b. at the usual ports. Compared with last week this is a decrease of from 4s. to 5s. per ton. The stocks in hand at Barrow are very low, and in West Cumberland they amount to 3,048 tons. Altogether there are 22 furnaces in blast on the west coast, 14 in Cumberland, and eight in North Lancashire. In West Cumberland the Workington Iron and Steel Company have eight in draught, viz., three at Moss Bay, three at Derwent, and two at the Oldside works, whilst Distington, Cleator Moor, and Millom have two each in operation. In North Lancashire, Barrow has five furnaces, Carnforth one, and North Lonsdale two in blast. The furnaces at Oldside are employed in making spiegel and ferro-manganese, and the remaining furnaces are all on special iron, the bulk of which is being consigned to the Midlands for the ammuni- tion and armament makers. The steel trade at both Workington and Barrow is fairly brisk.. In the iron ore industry matters are in a most satisfactory condition. In addition to supplying local smelters, about 1,000 tons are going to the east coast and about 1,500 tons are being despatched to Scotland. All the mines are in full employ- ment. South-West Lancashire. COAL. The demand for household coal is slightly on the increase, but the fine open weather precludes any possibility of acuteness. In forges, all that can be said is that the consumption is a growing one. As regards shipment, owing to the restricted number of sailings of the regular liners, and to the substitution of South Wales coal for Lancashire in the case of steamers taken for transport work, requirements of steam coal on contract account continue much below the average; and although the improvement recently noted in open sale enquiry for Danish and other steamers transferred from Hull to this side is maintained, demand as a whole is not equal to supply, and quotations for Lancashire steam coal remain as last reported—viz., from 12s. f.o.b. for cheaper qualities up to about 12s. 9d. f.o.b. for best grades. In the coastwise and cross-Channel trade the demand improves, and satis- factory shipments are in progress. In small fuel the takings of the cotton mills are very erratic, and gloomy forebodings are still afoot with regard to this trade, but generally the quantity being put upon the floor at the pit mouth is not by any means as serious as would have been thought, this being brought about by the very much diminished output in consequence of the large number of enlistments. 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 L’st week’s prices. prices. 17/ 17/ 16/6-16/9 16/6-16/9 15/3 15/3 14/6-15/ 14/6-15/ 13/ 13/ , 13/3-13/9 13/3-13/9 11/6-12/ 11/6-12/ 12/ -12/9 12/ -12/9 9/9 9/9 9/ 9/ 8/ - 8/6 8/ - 8/6 Last year’s prices. 17/ 16/9-17/3 15/3 15/ -15/6 13/ 13/9-14/6 12/6-13/ 13/3—14/ 10/3 9/6 9/ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday. Generally, business in all classes of fuel is with- out change from last week, although there is no change in official price lists ; concessions are being given in cases to clear wagons. List prices are as follow:— Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ............... Medium.............j Common.............| Furnace coal.........i Bunker (f.o.b. Partington)' Best slack ..........! Common slack ........I Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. ! 17/3-18/ 17/3-18/ I 16/ -16/9 16/ -16/9 ; 13/3-14/ 13/3-14/ 12/6 12/6 ' 14/ 14/ 9/6-10/ 9/6-10/ 8/6- 9/ ! 8/6- 9/ prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-13/4 12/6 14/ 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 IRON. There was not much of an attendance on ’Change. Prices are perhaps a shade weaker in pig iron; this is accounted for, we think, largely from the fact that foundries are working so badly—in fact, most foundries, in order to keep working a few days a week, are taking prices below cost. In the meantime, good foundry iron can be bought at about 59s. to 60s. The forges are busy, and finished iron is in fair demand at <£8 5s. for crown, second quality £7 15s., hoops £9 2s. 6d., sheets £8 10s. to £9. Steelworks are also busy with billets at £5 17s. 6d. to £6 net, bars £7 15s., less 2?> per cent.; a lot of the latter is for Government work. Engineers and boiler makers report very little doing, but better prospects. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. There was an improvement in the attendance at the market on Tuesday, compared with recent weeks, and business on the whole was fairly good. There were a fair number of enquiries for prompt parcels of gas coal and coking smalls. Local merchants also gave orders more freely, as it was reported that there was some slight improvement in the retail trade. Colliery representatives reported fully four days’ work had been put in this week, but that the scarcity of wagons had been accentuated. With regard to house coal, there is a very full demand for the best qualities from the London market, and although prices have been advanced in common with other districts, the supplies are not adequate to meet the orders coming to hand. This applies especially to the best Haigh Moor and Silkstone qualities. One or two of the larger London merchants did not contract for the usual tonnage in the summer, but are now in the market and willing to contract, as it is considered very likely that there will be a scarcity of house coal this winter, and that prices may go up considerably. Very little indeed is being shipped coastwise, as, owing to the mine peril and the cost of insurance and the high freights, business is practically impossible. A House coal:— Prices at pit (London) : Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s I prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 14/6 i 14/6 15/ Wallsend & London best 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/ 14/ -14/6 Silkstone best 13/6-14/ 13/ -13/6 14/ -14/6 Do. house 12/6-13/ 1 12/ -12/6 12/6-13/6 House nuts 11/6-12/ 11/ -11/6 11/6-12/9 Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 17/ -18/ 15/6-16/6 ; 17/ -18/ 17/6-18/6 Silkstone best 15/6-16/6 16/6-17/6 Do. house 14/ -14/6 < 14/ -14/6 15/ -16/ Other qualities 13/ -13/6 13/ -13/6 14/6-15/ Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 12/ -12/6 Gas nuts 9/6-10/3 9/6-10/3 11/ -12/ Unscreened gas coal ... 9/3- 9/9 9/3- 9/9 10/ -10/6 Other sorts:— Prices at pit : Washed nuts 10/6-11/3 10/6-11/3 10/9-11/6 Large double-screened engine nuts 9/3- 9/9 9/ - 9/6 9/3- 9/9 10/ -10/6 Small nuts 9/ - 9/6 9/6-10/ Rough unscreened engine coal 9/3- 9/9 9/3- 9 /9 10/ -10/6 Best rough slacks 7/3- 8/3 7/3- 8/3 8/ - 8/6 Small do. 6/ - 7/3 6/ - 7/3 6i’9- 7/3 Coking smalls 6/3- 7/6 6/3— 7/6 6/9- 7/3 Coke:— Price at ovens: Furnace coke 12/ -12/6 j 12/6-13/6 12/ -12/6