December 24, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1329 THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Wednesday, December 23. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The coal trade in the West of Scotland continues to improve, and the market is gaining in strength, and values of all grades of coal are high. The demand is still heavy> and collieries are booked to the end of the year. Best splint is extremely active, and it is understood that collieries are booked well into January. Best ells are also particularly strong, and 13s. 6d. is the present price at Glasgow for any available supplies. Ordinary qualities are likewise well booked, and are commanding relatively good prices. Navi- gations are busy, but prices are practically unchanged, while ordinary steams have been fairly well cleared, some business having been placed locally on Admiralty account. All sizes of nuts are very active and, with the possible exception of singles, are unobtainable for a considerable time ahead. Shipments from the district have been very satisfactory, and amount to 118,865 tons, compared with 100,834 in the preceding week and 113,903 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal.............. Ell .................... Splint.................. Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current L’st week’s prices, i prices. 11/ -13/ ! 11/ -12/9 13/6 13/3-13/6 12/9-15/ 5 12/6-15/ 11/6-12/3 11/9-12/3 11/3-11/9 | 11/ -11/6 10/6-10/9 | 10/3-10/6 Last year’s prices. 13/ -14/6 13/9-14/ 13/9-17/ 12/9—13/ 12/3-12/6 10/9-11/ IRON. The position of the Scotch pig iron trade is still improving. Owing partly to the increased demand, the increased costs of production (consequent on the advance in the price of iron ore), and the strength of the warrant market, makers of pig iron have increased their quotations ■and in the case of haematite it is understood that business has been done at 74s. per ton for forward delivery. Ordinary qualities and haematite are going well into consumption, but foundry qualities are a trifle backward. There are 68 furnaces in blast, the same number as last week and five fewer than at this time last year. The prices of makers’ iron are as follow:—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, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 70s., Nos. 3, 65s.; 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 Leith, No. 1, 72s. 6d., No. 3, 67s. 6d. per ton. Business in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market has not been particularly active during the past week, but the tone was very firm and prices showed a substantial advance. Cleveland iron closed at 53s. 7|d. per ton cash buyers, representing a gain of Is. 3|d. per ton compared with the preceding week. The total turnover amounted to 9,000 tons. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Conditions in the Lothians are more active, and the collieries are reported to be all fully sold for this month. The clearances amounted to 34,481 tons, against 35,271 in the preceding week and 110,513 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 11/6-11/9 11/3-11/6 13/ -13/6 Secondary qualities 10/6-10/9 10/3 11/9-12/6 Treble nuts 12/6 12/3-12/6 13/3-13/9 Double do 10/6-11/ 10/6 12/3-12/6 Single do 10/3-10/6 10/3 10/9-11/ The trade in Fifeshire is in a strong position. Tonnage has arrived in good quantity, and practically all grades of coal are well booked. Collieries have been hampered recently owing to a shortage of wagons, and representations made to the railway headquarters have been of little avail so far. Shipments from the district amounted to 53,296 tons, compared with 47,875 in the preceding week and 117,001 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best screened navigation coal 15/6-15/9 15/6-15/9 17/ Unscreened do 13/6 13/6 15/ First-class steam coal 11/9-12/ 11/9 13/ Third-class do 10/ -10/3 10/ 11/ Treble nuts 11/6-12/6 11/3-12/3 13/ -13/3 Double do 10/9-11/ 10/ -10/6 12/ Single do 10/3-10/6 10/3-10/6 10/9 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports amounted to 206,642 tons for the past week, compared with 183,980 in the preceding week, and 341,417 tons in the corresponding week of 1913. The decrease for the year to date amounts to 2,406,920 tons. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 106,112 tons of coal and 457 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 46,304 tons of coal and 1,541 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 37,767 tons of coal and 2,912 tons of coke, a decrease of 19,359 tons of coal , and 196 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments aggregated 58,467 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 29,706 tons. Thus, the total clearances from the three shipping places mentioned were 205,715 tons last week, an increase of 35,804 tons when compared with those for the previous week. Satisfactory as this increase in shipping business is, however, it is to be feared that the present week’s clearances will show a heavy slump. Coal shipping business has been well-nigh impossible since the German naval raid on east coast ports and the consequent Admiralty restrictions on North Sea navigation. At the time of writing, business is absolutely tied up, and few spot transactions are even mentioned. Forward sales, however, are being made, and a good deal of enquiry for forward loading exists. In connection with the Swedish State Railways’ contracts for steam coals for delivery over the first three months of next year—detailed in last week’s report—it is now announced that 25,000 tons of Broomhill coals have been taken at 12s. per ton, f.o.b., an order which is looked upon as satisfactorily large. Of the 136,000 tons, of which tenders were originally asked, orders for 99,300 tons have been allotted, of which 83,300 tons are to be drawn from this district. Best Blyth steams are stated to have been sold for delivery over the ensuing three months at 13s. 3d. per ton, f.o.b. Several contracts for Durham bunkers, aggregating about 100,000 tons, have been arranged for delivery over next year at from Ils. 3d. to 11s. 4|d., f.o.b., for ordinary unscreened qualities. Two contracts, totalling 120,000 tons, of Durham gas seconds for similar delivery, have been arranged at Us. 3d., f.o.b. The War Office has allotted contracts for 25,000 tons of Northumbrian and 46,000 tons of Yorkshire steams, for delivery to Woolwich Arsenal during January-February. Prices have not transpired. Additional quantities are stated to be in negotiation. The North-Eastern Railway Company is stated to be well advanced with its contracts for the supply of 500,000 tons of steams to the Northern Division during next year, and to have renewed bargains with several of the local collieries at about 3d. under the contract rates for the present year. In a few instances, the company has been able to get its coal 6d. per ton cheaper. Despite the dearth of prompt business, the amount of forward transactions has resulted in a perceptible stiffening of prices in several instances, especially for steams. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment show the following changes on the week:—Best Blyth steams are 3d. dearer; Tynes, 3d. advanced; seconds, Blyths, ditto; Tynes, ditto; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, stronger; coking smalls, firmer; and gas coke, 6d. increased. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current Steam coals :— prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 13/ -13/3 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.);, 12/3-12/6 Secondary, Blyths .....! 10/9—11/ Do. Tynes (Hastings5 or West Hartleys) ...j 11/ -11/6 Unscreened ............. 10/ -10/6 Small, Blyths .........I 7/9- 8/3 Do. Tynes.............i 7/ - 7/3 Do. specials..........I 9/ Other sorts:— Smithies............... 10/ -10/6 Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 12/6 Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar); 10/9-11/ Special gas oals ......: 12/9—13/ Unscreened bunkers, ! Durhams 10/6—11/6 Do. do. | Northumbrians! 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 9/3- 9/6 14/ -15/ 19/ -20/ 18/ 10/6-12/ I L’st week’s prices. i 13/ 12/ -12/3 10/9 11/ -11/3 10/ -10/6 7/9- 8/3 7/ - 7/3 ' 9/ 10/ -10/6 12/6 10/9-11/ 12/9-13/ 10/44-10/6 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 14/ -15/ 19/ -20/ 18/ 10/6-11/ Last year’s prices. 14/6-15/ 14/6-15/ 12/6 12/6-13/ 11/ -12/ 6/9 6/ - 6/3 7/6 13/6-14/ 15/6 13/6-14/ 15/6-16/ 13/3-14/6 11/ -12/ 13/6—14/ 12/6-13/ 15/6-16/ 21/ -23/ 19/ -20/ 14/9-16/9 Coking coals...... Do. smalls House coals ...... Coke, foundry ...... Do. blast-furnace ... Do. gas ........... Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 61,260 tons of coal and no coke, as compared with 103,130 tons of coal and 1,680 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1913, being a decrease of 41,870 tons of coal and 1,680 tons of coke. The Admiralty, after having permitted navigation between the Tyne and Flam borough Head over Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 12/9-13/ 13/ 15/9 Secondary do. House coals:— 11/ 11/ 14/3 Best house coals 16/6 16/ 18/6 Ordinary do Other sorts :— 14/ 14/ 17/ Lambton screened 13/3 13/6 15/9 South Hetton do 13/ J3/3 15/6 Lambton unscreened ... 10/6 10/6 10/6 14/ South Hetton do 10/6 14/ Do. treble nuts 13/ 12/9-13/ 16/6 Coking coals unscreened 10/ 9/10J-10/ 13/6 Do. smalls 9/6 ■ 9/9 13/ Smithies 11/6 11/3-11/6 16/6 Peas and nuts 13/6 13/6 16/9 ' Best bunkers 11/9 11/9 14/9-15/ Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 10/3 10/3 14/3 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 20/ 20/ 22/ Teesside furnaces) ... 18/6-19/ 19/ 19/6 Gas coke 12/ 11/9-12/ 17/6 the week- end, have now deemed it necessary to announce the stoppage of traffic between the Tees and Flamborough until further notice, and in the circumstances business is at present almost at a complete standstill. Meanwhile sellers are asking full prices, and there is no change of note, except that gas coke has hardened somewhat. For delivery over next year the enquiry is brisk, and a number of contracts are in close negotiation. It is said contracts aggregating some 120,000 tons of second Durham gas coals have been effected at 11s. 3d., delivery over next year. Arrange- ments have also been made for 100,000 tons Durham ordinary bunkers at Ils. 3d. to Ils. 4|d., shipment over next year. The North-Eastern Railway Company are said to be receiving contracts for Durham coals at 6d. reduction below existing price. The local coal included in the Swedish State Railways’ contracts is for 22,000 tons of Lambton for Gothenburg at 24s. 8d. c.i.f., and 5,000 tons of South Hetton for Malmo at 25s. 7d. c.i.f. The outward freight market is exceptionally firm. A further advance has been paid to the Mediterranean and French ports, and the rate for the coast has also been raised to the almost unprecedented figure of 12s. London. Other fixtures include : Caen 15s., Havre 16s. 6d., Rouen 17s. 3d., Norresundby 12s., Genoa 20s., Marseilles 20s., Port Said 22s. 6d. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. Difficulty in securing steamers is interfering seriously with business. Collieries are depending upon vessels already in port, and when these have been loaded works will have to close down unless fresh tonnage arrives quickly. Prices are largely nominal. Record rates are being realised for freights between this district and the Thames. Best Durham gas coal is 12s. 6d., second kinds 10s. 9d. to Ils., and special Wear gas 13s. to 13s. 3d. Ordinary Durham bunkers run from 10s. to 10s. 3d. f.o.b., best sorts are round about Ils. 4|d., and specials are quoted up to 12s. 6d. Forward sales of good ordinary Durham bunkers are reported at Ils. 3d. to Us. 41d. f.o.b. Household coal is steady and firm. Coking coal is well taken up. Smalls range from 9s. 3d. to 10s., and un- screened kinds run from 9s. 6d. to 10s. 6d. Coke is in good request for local consumption, and medium beehive blast- furnace Durham kinds are fully 18s. delivered at Teesside works. Best foundry coke for shipments ranges from 20s. to 21s. f.o.b. Gashouse coke is in the neighbourhood of 12s. 3d. IRON. There is not much business passing in pig iron, but an undertone of confidence prevails, and traders take a cheerful view of the general situation. Shipments are practically at a standstill, but the whole of the output of pig is being absorbed, the home consumption being very heavy. At the Thornaby works of Messrs. Whitwell and Company an additional haematite furnace has been put into operation, and at the Jarrow works of Messrs. Palmer a furnace has been damped down. The total number of furnaces in blast on the north east coast stands at 73, of which 36 are running on Cleveland pig, 26 are manufacturing haematite, and 11 are producing special iron This week sales of No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig have occurred at 54s. 3d., the highest price realised since October 1913, and some sellers have asked up to 54s. 6d. The price has now settled to 54s., round about which figure a fair amount of business has been put through. No. 1 is 56s. ; No. 4 foundry 53s. 6d.; No. 4 forge 53s.; and mottled and white iron each 52s. 6d. East coast haematite pig shows further improvement. Sales are not heavy, but producers take a very firm stand, and are not particularly pressing iron on the market. Though some second hands might still accept 70s. for mixed numbers, 72s. 6d. is the price asked by makers, and is the generally recognised market quotation, though some business has been recorded at 71s. 6d. Foreign ore is very strong, and almost unobtainable owing to shortage of tonnage. Steamers are very difficult to fix, and 8s. 6d. Bilbao-Middlesbrough is very freely offered. Imported ore quotations are based on 23s. 6d. ex-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. All the manufactured iron and steel works are very busily employed, so much so that holidays this year are being curtailed. Whereas works usually close for a full week, they are shut down only from Thursday night to Monday morning. Prices of finished iron and steel have not been advanced, but they are very strong. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The coal trade is much stronger in tone than it has been since the beginning of November. There has been quite a brisk demand in household fuel for Christmas, and manufacturing requirements, which are considerable, are likely to increase at the beginning of the year. Of course, the difficulty as regards suitable vessels for the export trade has not yet been entirely overcome, but coal is getting away more freely to the Irish ports, and the dock sidings are not in such a congested state as they were three weeks ago. The export branch is decidedly better and shows signs of expansion, and while the tonnage from both Mary- port and Workington last week shows no increase, there is a much firmer demand for both steam coal and household fuel for the Irish market than there has been for some time. The collieries have been working fairly regularly during the week, although outputs generally are below the usual mark at this time of the year, but at the same time the supply is not much in excess of the demand. There is no doubt the turning point has been reached, and that the coal trade is slowly but surely improving in every depart- ment, and when the holidays are over, and work is again in full swing, there is every prospect of a period of brisk business, both for the home and Irish markets. Twelve steamers left Maryport last week for Irish ports, the export tonnage being exactly the same as the previous week, viz., 3,930 tons. The cargoes were for Drumore, Dublin, White Abbey, Belfast, Carnlough, Portaferry, Londonderry and Carrickfergus. The shipments from the various collieries were as follow:—Brayton Domain 2,170 tons, St. Helens 1,100 tons, Allerdale 560 tons. The shipments from Workington amounted to 530 tons. The imports at Maryport included a cargo of pit wood from Polmachie, for. the local collieries. The coke trade is exceedingly brisk, the Cumberland smelters absorbing all the local supplies they can secure. Prices of best coal remain unchanged. Best house coals in bags delivered are