July 23, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 175 Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. N e wcastle-upon-Ty ne. COAL. During last week 109,601 tons of coal and 2,928 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 45,378 tons of coal and an increase of 1,470 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 48,403 tons of coal and 3,769 tons of coke, a decrease of 12,820 tons of coal and an increase of 1,739 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 66,077 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 28,100 tons. Thus, whilst a total decrease of 83,089 tons is registered by comparison with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year, the shipments from these three places total 230,778 tons, an increase of 17,014 tons when compared with those for the previous week. It was reported, early in the week, that the Midi Railways of France had closed with local merchants for from 40,000 to 50,000 tons of Durham coking coal, for delivery at Bordeaux over three months, at about 16s. per ton, f.o.b. The report is unconfirmed, however. The Trignac Iron Works, Pauillac, are enquiring for 50,000 tons of Durham coking coal, for delivery over 12 months from September, in addition to a quantity of 50,000 tons of Welsh coals already taken. Quantities of best Blyth steams are stated to have been sold direct for delivery from September and October to the end of the year at 19s. per ton, f.o.b. Blyth. Northumberland unscreened steams are stated to have been sold for delivery over next year at 15s. per ton, f.o.b. For Durham coking coal, delivery over next year, 17s. per ton, f.o.b., is being offered and 18s. a,sked. The prompt market has been in a very tense condition during these last few days, by reason of the Welsh miners’ strike. This dispute appears, at the time of writing, to be settled, however, and not much diversion of business from South Wales to this district is to be expected. It is interesting to note that the Government is stated to be placing a considerable quantity of tonnage on turn locally for steam coals. All interested in coal shipments would be well advised to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the various notifications which have been sent out by the authorities during the last few days. Certain regulations as to the shipment of bunkers will be found elsewhere in this issue. Other notices deprecate speculative operations at present and warn firms that, if applications for licences are made in respect of these, shippers render themselves liable to be “ blacklisted ” so far as the issue of licences is concerned. Shippers are advised to keep a very sharp eye on these announcements. The volume of business done in the prompt market during the week has been very small, excepting for best steams and gas coals. The steam coal collieries are very heavily booked up, and little coal is on offer. British gas companies are stated to be stocking gas coal supplies for winter consumption at present. The readjustment of the bunkering regulations with reference to neutral vessels is reviving the enquiry for bunker coals. There is a good demand for coking coals for foreign rail- ways. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as follow, on the week :—Best Blyth steams are 6d. cheaper ; Tynes, 6d. advanced; Blyth seconds, 6d. dearer ; Tynes, 6d. more; unscreened, Is. increased ; Tyne smalls, 6d. reduced ; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, stronger; Northumbrians, Is. higher; and gas coke, weaker. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. News received on Newcastle Commercial Exchange tend to confirm the report that Germany has negotiated a huge sale of steam coal to Sweden. The quantity is stated at 600,000 tons. Danish firms state that the Germans have also offered large quantities of coal to them, but that no business has resulted from these tenders. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Steam coals :— prices. prices. I prices. 15/3-15/6 Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 21/ -21/6 21/ -22/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 19/ -19/6 19/ 14/6-15/ Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 16/6-17/ 16/6 ■ 12/ or West Hartleys) ... 17/ -17/6 16/6-17/ 1 51 13/6-14/ 12/ -12/3 Unscreened 15/ -16/ 10/6-11/6 Small, Blyths 13/6-14/ 8/9 Do. Tynes 13/ 13/ -13/6 8/ Do. specials Other sorts:— 14/ 14/ 9/ - 9/6 Smithies Best gas coals (New 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 12/6 Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 20/ -20/6 20/ -20/6 13/3 (Pelaw Main or similar) 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 11/9-12/ Special gas c z>als Unscreened bunkers, 21/ 21/ 13/6-13/9 Durhams Do. do. 15/ -17/ 14/6-17/ 11/6-12/9 Northumbrians 15/ -16/ 15/ 10/9-11/9 Coking coals 14/6-15/6 14/6-15/6 12/ Do. smalls 14/6 14/6 11/6-12/ House coals 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 15/ -16/ Coke, foundry 32/6-35/ 32/6-35/ 19/ -21/ Do. blast-furnace 30/ 30/ 18/ Do. gas 27/ -28/ 27/6-28/ 12/ -13/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 78,515 tons of coal and 420 tons of coke, as compared with 87,950 tons of coal and 120 tons of coke for the corres- ponding period of 1914, being a decrease of 9,435 tons of coal, and an increase of 300 tons of coke. There has been a better tone in the coal market during the past few days. This is, no doubt, partly the result of business arising out of the Welsh stoppage. Coaling stations are making enquiries here for supplies through fear of delayed ship- ments from South Wales. The London and other gas companies are stocking gas coal against the winter require- ments. Under these circumstances the collieries have had a fuller enquiry, but now that the Welsh strike is settled the market has assumed its former steady condition, especially for best steams, which are well booked for well into August. Best gas sorts are steady, but coking coals and bunkers are plentifully offered, and easier in prices. It is stated that the difficulties arising out of the new Customs regulations regarding bunkers have, to a larg extent, been solved, and it is expected that larger shipments will now take place. In the forward market it is said that 17s. a ton has been offered for Durham coking coal over next year, but producers are holding for 18s. and hope to get it. Coke is on the easy side, but there is very little business doing. Quotations are approximately as follow:— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 20/6 20/6 13/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 17/ 17/ 12/3 Best house coals 21/ 21/6 16/ Ordinary do. ...; Other sorts :— 19/ 19/ 15/ Lambton screened 22/6 23/ 14/6 South Hetton do 22/6 22/6 14/3 Lambton unscreened ... 15/6 16/ 12/ South Hetton do 15/6 • 16/ 12/ Do. treble nuts 19/6 20/ 15/6 Coking coals unscreened 16/ 16/6 16/ 12/3 Do. smalls 15/6 12/ Smithies 17/ 17/ 15/ Peas and nuts 19/6 20/ 15/6 Best bunkers 16/ 16/6 13/ Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 14/ -15/ 15/ 12/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 30/ 30/ 20/6 Teesside furnaces) ... 30/ 32/6 19/6 Gas coke 25/ -26/ 25/ 13/ Fairly active conditions have prevailed in the freight market, with a better enquiry in the near trades, while orders are more numerous for Mediterranean destinations, and the tone remains steady for all directions. Recent fixtures include:—London, 7s. 3d.; Rouen, 14s. 9d.; Brest, 13s. 6d.; Dunkirk, 13s.; Bayonne, 18s. 6d.; Bordeaux, 19s. 6d.; Rochefort, 18s.; Lisbon, 17s. 9d.; Oporto, 20s.; Archangel, 22s. 6d.; Genoa/Savona, 25s.; Algiers, 18s. 6d.; Gibraltar, 18s. 6d.; Malaga, 23s.; Barcelona, 25s.; Marseilles, 24s.; Civita Vecchia, 26s.; Port Said, 24s.; and Buenos Ayres, 28s. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel trade is fairly steady. Fixing the maximum prices of coal has been a good deal discussed, and it is generally agreed that there are many difficulties in the way. Before the war a number of northern collieries were working at a loss, and as it is estimated that since the outbreak of hostilities the increase in the cost of getting coal amounts to between 3s. and 4s. per ton, prospects of colliery owners making much profit under the restriction are not very bright. Moderately good enquiries for Durham gas coal are reported, and best kinds are 20s. to 21s., whilst seconds are 16s. 6d. to 18s., and best Wear 22s. to 23s. Bunker coal is in good request, and quotations are steadier. Ordinary Durhams are round about 15s. f.o.b., bests are 16s. 3d. to 16s. 6d., and specials range from 17s. to 18s. Quotations for household coal are firm. Coking coal shows weakness owing to lessened demand. Un- screened kinds and smalls both range from 15s. 6d. to 17s. It is difficult to definitely fix coke quotations ; local con- sumers are in the market to buy, but they differ somewhat widely in their views as to what rates should rule, and point to the increasingly smaller requirements for the west coast where users needs are being more and more met by local manufacturers, as emphasising reasons why prices should be further reduced. Sellers are now offering Durham blast- furnace coke of average quality rather freely at 29s. delivered at Teesside works, and some firms would probably accept a little less. There are consumers who declare that the price should be several shillings below the foregoing quotation. Foundry coke for shipment is in the neighbour- hood of 35s. f.o.b., and gas coke, which is reported very scarce, is quoted up to 28s. IRON. The pig iron market is firm. With some pressure for delivery against contracts, restricted output does not quite meet current needs. This is most marked so far as Cleve- land pig is concerned, with the result that makers’ stocks, as well as the public warrant stores, are being rather substantially drawn upon to satisfy requirements. The announcement this week of the Government intimating that licences were no longer necessary for shipment of haematite iron to Italy has already opened out more negotia- tions with that country, and is likely to lead to very consider- able exports if vessels can be fixed. Already several cargoes have been arranged. Substantial sales of haematite to France are also reported. A sale to the latter country of several thousand tons of Nos. 1, 2 and 3 has been made at 101s. 6d. f.o.b. Middlesbrough, but that is above the general market quotation which may now be put at 100s. No. 3 g.m.b, Cleveland pig is steady at 67s. 6d., at which figure merchants have sold fairly well. Makers, however, are not quoting below 68s., and declare that even that price is below cost of production. No. 1 Cleveland is as scarce as ever, and is readily realising up to 73s. 6d., whereas this quality is usually no more than half a crown above No. 3. Foundry No. 4 is not over plentiful and is fully 67s. No. 4 forge is 66s. 6d., and mottled and white iron each 66s. 3d. There is little or nothing passing in foreign ore, but sellers will not contract for delivery beyond September as they anticipate higher freights ruling in the autumn. Market quotations are based on 25s. 6d. to 26s. 6d. ex-ship Tees for best rubio. Consumers are carrying rather large stocks, which are being steadily added to by the somewhat heavy arrivals. Imports of foreign ore to the Tees to date this month amount to 105,644 tons. Manufacturers of finished iron and steel are working at high pressure on Government contracts with the result that many ordinary commercial orders have to be held up. Quotations all round are very firm. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. Conditions in the Cumberland coal industry are similar to what they have been during the last month. Business in household coal is quiet, but probably up to the average for the time of the year. As far as steam coal, slacks, Ac., for manufacturing purposes are concerned, the demand is probably as strong, if not stronger, than it has been at any time during the year. The export branch is doing well, and the tonnage to Ireland is now heavier than it was at Christmas. During the past week the cross-Channel trade has been remarkably brisk, and there has been an extra- ordinary demand, not only for best steam coal, but for household fuel and other sorts for the Irish market, and if the shipments are slightly lower than they were a week ago, it is because the home merchants can scarcely cope with the requirements of Irish consumers. Some idea of the present strength of the coastwise trade may be gathered from the fact that within the last fortnight over 11,000 tons of coal have been shipped to Irish ports, compared with about 7,500 tons during the first two weeks in July of last year. In fact, the demand on export and manufacturing accounts is now so great that even with the increased outputs at the pits, production is still slightly lower than requirements. All the collieries in the county are working full time, and every effort is being made to keep production as high as possible. It is fully anticipated that all the collieries will be maintained in full operation during the whole of the summer. Prices of all sorts are firm, but unchanged, best Cumberland coal at the pit being quoted at from 22s. 6d. to 23s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at from 21s. to 21s. 3d. per ton. Best Cumberland coal free on board at Maryport is quoted at 19s. 6d. per ton, with best washed nuts at 17s. 6d. per ton. Last week 17 vessels left Mary- port for Irish ports, and the shipments amounted to 5,020 tons, a decrease of 960 tons compared with the previous week. Coke is in strong demand, and all the Cumberland ovens are in full operation. With more coal available, pro- duction has increased during the past few weeks, and the whole of the output is being absorbed by local smelters. Trade is also very brisk at the by-product works at Mary- port, Flimby, and Workington. In Maryport and district, St. Helens, Flimby, and Oughterside, best coal delivered is quoted at from Is. 5d. to Is. 6d. per cwt., or from 27s. 6d. to 28s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at 25s lOd. per ton and seconds at 24s. 2d. per ton. At Workington, best Buckhill coal delivered is quoted at Is. 4d. per cwt., or 25s. lOd. per ton, with best double-screened washed nuts at Is. 3d. per cwt., or 24s. 2d. per ton. Other current quotations are as follow:— Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit Best washed nuts at pit... Buckhill best coal „ Do. double-scrned washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at Fit Oughterside best washed nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts at pit Best dry small at pit Best steam nuts at pit ... Best Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... Bunkers Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- works Current prices. 23/4 21/3 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 12/ 19/ 19/6 17/6 17/ -17/6 20/ 19/ L’stweek’s prices. 23/4 21/3 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 12/ 19/ 19/6 17/6 17/ -17/6 20/ 19/ Last year’s prices. 19/2 17/1 18/4 16/10 18/4 16/10 18/4 16/10 8/6 15/ 15/6 13/6 12/6 15/ 14/ IRON. The Cumberland haematite iron trade is rather stronger in tone this week, and although prices and production are unaffected, there are indications of a firmer demand for metal. Bessemer mixed numbers are quoted at from 107s. 6d. to 108s. 6d. per ton, free on board at the usual ports, with warrants at cash at 95s. per ton, while special low phosphorous iron is quoted at from 123s. to 125s. per ton. Ferro-manganese is firm at the advanced price of .£20 per ton, and while manganese ore continues to be scarce this figure will be easily maintained. There is a stronger demand for ordinary haematites, and there is a fair amount of business passing for immediate requirements, but the amount of buying for forward delivery at present does not represent a very large tonnage. Special iron is in brisk request, and it is stated that the output is scarcely equal to the demand. The iron in stock in public stores amounts to 2,588 tons, compared with 2,205 tons a week ago. There are 23 furnaces in blast, 15 in Cumberland and eight in the Furness district. More than one-half are employed on special brands of iron, the remainder are on ordinary haematites; and the Workington Iron and Steel Company have one furnace on ferro-manganese, and another on spiegel. A large percentage of the ordinary haematite iron is going into consumption in the district, while the bulk of special iron is being consigned to Sheffield, Birmingham, South Wales and Scotland. The steel trade is rather quiet. Barrow is employed mainly on shell steel, and at Workington the production includes railway material and shell steel. The iron ore industry is well employed, and with outputs increasing, smelters are now getting much larger consignments of metal. Ore at the Cumberland mines is still quoted at from 25s. to 36s. per ton according to grade. Trade is exceptionally brisk at the Senhouse Dock, Maryport, and the imports last week consisted of 8,500 tons of iron ore, from Layonlette, Castro and Bilbao, for the Workington Iron and Steel Company. South-West Lancashire. COAL. The inland household trade keeps above the average for the time of the year. Forges and manufacturers using screened coal continue to take full deliveries. In shipping there is very little fresh to report with regard to steam coal, the position remaining about the same as last reported, regular liners are taking fair quantities on contract account. There is only a moderate amount of bunker business with outside steamers, and for these, prices for best Lancashire screened steam coal, 18s. 6d. for cheaper sorts, up to 19s. 6d. for the best descriptions f.o.b. Mersey ports are being quoted, so far the trouble in South Wales not having affected the market here. The coastwise and cross-Channel house trade keeps as busy as ever, quite as much being enquired for as can be provided. There is nothing new to report with regard to slacks.