August 6, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 270 tending to make coals tight for prompt shipment, and contributes to stiffen prices. Steams are scarce, gas qualities continue firm. Households are cheaper. Coking unscreened and smalls are dearer. There is a good demand for bunker coal, and both best and ordinary kinds are dearer. Blastfurnace coke is on the weak side, and both foundry and gas coke are obtainable at a shade less money. It is reported that sales of blastfurnace coke have been made over the year at 28s. per ton. Several large contracts for best Durham gas are in close negotiation for delivery between September and March, but although 20s. is freely offering, the collieries are asking round about 21s. The Altos Hornos Works (Bilbao) are inviting immediate tenders for 50,000 tons best Durham coking unscreened, shipment over the next three or four weeks. The outward freight market is reported steady. Recent charters cover the following :—London, 6s. 6d.; Havre, 12s. 9d.; Rouen, 14s.; Calais, Dunkirk or Boulogne, 13s.; Caen, 13s. 3d.; Bordeaux, 17s.; Rochefort, 17s.; Bayonne, 17s. 6d.; Lisbon, 19s.; Genoa, 24s.; Barcelona, 24s.; Marseilles, 23s.; Algiers, 18s.; Las Palmas, 19s. 6d.; Port Said, 24s. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel market inclines to firmness, and there is a fair amount of business passing. Deliveries of gas coal are on a good scale, and best Durhams are quoted 20s. to 21s., and second qualities 16s. to 17s., whilst special Wear sorts command up to 22s. and 23s. Bunker coal is in good request. Ordinary Durhams run from 16s. 6d. to 17s. 6d. f.o.b., best kinds from 18s. to 18s. 6d., and specials are in the neighbourhood of 22s. Llousehold coal is steady and firm. Coking coal is well taken up, unscreened kinds are 15s. 6d. to 16s. 6d. Demand for coke both for home use and for export is rather heavy, and buyers show more disposition to entertain sellers" offers, with the result that more business is being put through. Best foundry coke for shipment is realising 35s. f.o.b., and some sellers hold out for rather more. Gas coke is quoted up to 27s. Several contracts are understood to have been arranged for supply of furnace coke to local consumers at varying rates. More than one sale has occurred at 26s. for Durham blastfurnace coke of average quality, delivered at Teesside works, but sellers do not regard that as the market quotation, and name as a rule 27s. 6d. to 28s. IRON. Though shipments of iron and steel from the port of Middlesbrough during July were hardly up to the total at one time looked for, they can be regarded as satisfactory. The pig iron despatched amounted to 55,933 tons, as com- pared with 36,806 tons for previous month, and 82,412 tons for July last year. No less than 52,241 tons of last month’s loadings went abroad, whilst only 3,692 tons went to coast- wise customers. Sweden was the largest purchaser, taking 20,046 tons, and other principal importers were: Italy, 8,800 tons; the United States, 6,380 tons ; Denmark, 6,035 tons; Japan, 3,529 tons; France, 3,371 tons ; and Norway, 2,755 tons. Clearances of manufactured iron last month were officially returned at 21,046 tons, 15,093 tons going to foreign ports, and 5,953 tons coastwise. The Argentine, with an import of 9,170 tons, was the largest customer, India being second with 3,279 tons, and Denmark third with 2,452 tons. Shipments of steel last month reached 35,715 tons, of which 32,249 tons went abroad, and 3,466 tons coastwise. France was the largest importer, taking 11,307 tons, whilst West Australia received 6,895 tons, India 5,568 tons, Japan 2,277 tons, Natal 1,851 tons, and Victoria 1,249 tons. There is little business passing in Cleveland pig iron. Producers are holding aloof, declaring that they cannot manufacture at the prices quoted by second hands. Merchants have sold No. 3 g.'m.b. at 66s. 9d., and are still prepared to accept that figure. Though the scarcity of No. 1 is not felt to the great extent that it has been, the quantity available for sale is still very small and commands up to as much as 72s., but many consumers will not pay such a price, and some regular customers report that they are taking deliveries of No. 3 instead of buying No. 1. Foundry No. 4 is steady at 66s. 3d., No. 4 forge is on sale at 65s. 9d., and both mottled and white iron are offered rather freely at 65s. 3d. Fairly good enquiries, both on home and foreign account, are reported for east coast haamatite pig. Further sales to Italy are anticipated, and clearances of some of the overdue deliveries to that country have been arranged for. Business with France is on a rather good scale. Makers do not name below 100s. for mixed numbers. They have sold fairly well at that figure, and in some cases at a little higher price. The foregoing is regarded as the general market quotation, but there are still merchants prepared to dispose of small odd lots at 98s. to 98s. 6d. The foreign ore trade presents no new features of moment. Consumers have now large stocks which are being added to by a steady inflow of more than ample supplies, and, consequently, beyond the pur- chase of spot cargoes at below what sellers would accept for contract over a period, there is nothing doing. Nominally market rates remain on the basis of 26s. ex ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. In all branches of the finished iron and steel industries manufacturers are working at high pressure almost entirely on Government orders. Prices are very strong, but not quotably advanced. Cumberland. Mary port. COAL. The Cumberland coal trade is rather quieter this week, but the collieries continue to be well employed, and pro- duction is not much in excess of requirements. Manu- facturing fuel is still in strong request, but business in house coal is dull, and no change may be expected in this branch while the fine weather continues. The export trade has not been so brisk during the past few days, and the shipments are below the average, but this is not unusual at holiday times. The Cumberland miners had their annual holiday on Saturday and Monday last, when all the pits in the county were idle, but work was resumed with the first shift on Tuesday morning. Quotations for all sorts are firm, but unchanged. Best Cumberland coal at the pit is quoted at from 22s. 6d. to 23s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at 21s. to 21s. 3d. per ton, with seconds at 20s. lOd. 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. Bunkers are in firm demand at from 17s. to 17s. 6d. per ton. Last week 13 vessels left Maryport for Irish ports, and the shipments amounted to 3,340 tons, a decrease of 2,200 tons compared with the previous week. The shipments for July amounted to 21,490 tons, compared with 18,690 tons for June. The exports from Maryport included 500 tons of pitch for Swansea, from the West Cumberland By-product Works. Coke makers are very busy, and all the Cumberland ovens are in full operation. There is now a more plentiful supply of coke, but the pro- duction is not by any means in excess of requirements of Cumberland smelters. At Maryport, 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 24s. 2d. per ton. At Workington best Buckhill coal delivered is quoted at Is. 4d. per cwt., or 25s. 10d- per ton, with best double-screened washed nuts at Is. 3d. per cwt., or 24s. 2d. per ton. Other current quotations are as follow :— BestCumberl’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 ... BestCumberl’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’st week’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. There has been a decided improvement in the condition of the Cumberland haematite iron trade since last week; prices are again rising, and there is every indication of a much stronger demand for metal. Bessemer mixed numbers are this week quoted at from 108s. 6d. to 110s. per ton free on board at the usual ports, with warrants at cash at 95s. per ton, while special iron is firm at about 125s. per ton. Ferro-manganese is a healthy trade at the advanced price of <£20 per ton. The demand for ordinary pig iron is now much stronger than it has been for some time. There is a greater volume of business passing for immediate require- ments, and consumers are now buying more freely for forward delivery. The demand for special iron is still very keen, and there are now more than half of the furnaces in the district on this metal. Makers are well sold forward, and practically the whole of the output is going into immediate consumption. The pig iron at present in stock in public stores amounts to 2,588 tons, compared with 41,624 tons at the corresponding period of last year. The output is at the same level as last week, Cumberland having 15 furnaces in blast and the Furness district eight. The Workington Iron and Steel Company have eight furnaces in blast at Workington, Millom has three, and Distington and Cleator Moor have two each in operation. In the Furness district, Barrow have five, North Lonsdale two, and Carnforth one furnace blowing. The Workington Iron and Steel Company have one furnace on ferro- manganese at the Oldside works. A large amount of ordinary haematite is going into consumption in the district, but a large percentage of both ordinary and special low phosphorus iron is going to Sheffield and Birmingham, while a fair amount is being consigned to Crewe, Derby, Leeds, South Wales and Scotland. The steel trade is in a fairly steady condition. At Barrow the production is practically confined to shell steel, &c., but Workington are well employed on rails, sleepers, axles and shell steel. All the engineering shops are very busy on Government orders. Trade is very brisk in the iron ore industry, and all the mines are working full time. The imports at Maryport last week included 4,500 tons of iron ore from Bilbao for the Workington Iron and Steel Com- pany. South-West Lancashire. COAL. Many of the pits in this district were set down to work on Tuesday after the Bank Holiday, but with very little success, and even where two days’ holiday was arranged the attendance on Wednesday morning was scarcely suffi- cient to start the pits, in many cases the absentee list climbing up to 40 per cent. The inland household demand is getting down to summer level. As regards shipping, there is little or no change since last report. Under ordinary circumstances, prices not infrequently harden a little during the holiday period, but such has not been the case this year, and quotations for Lancashire steam coals range from 18s. to 19s. f.o.b., with a tendency to shade a little for prompt shipment. A noticeable difference this year is in regard to excursion traffic, which normally is at its height at this time. Most of the steamers are engaged elsewhere on Government work, and the few left on the service here are very poorly patronised. There is nothing new in regard to the coastwise and cross-Channel trade. The new Price of Coal (Limitation) Act is now in being, and Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ................. Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium................ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen .............. Do. (f.o.b. Garston,net) Screened forge coal..... Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ........ Common do............... Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. 20/9 20/9 17/ 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 16/6-16/9 19/ 1.9/ 15/3 20/ 20/ 14/6-15/ 16/9-17/ 16/9-17/ 13/ 18/6-19/ 19/ 13/3-13/9 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 11/6-12/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 12/3-13/3 14/ 14/ 9/9 12/6 12/6 9/ 10/ 10/6 8/ - 8/6 sellers are bringing their usual practice under review so as to conform to the new conditions. In slacks there has been a considerable difficulty here and there to provide works with sufficient small fuel to cover them during the colliery stoppages, and a certain amount has had to be taken from stock in order to do this. Otherwise the trade is much as usual. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was naturally, owing to the holidays, a very poor attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday, and there is really very little to report. House coal seems to be more easily obtainable, and owing to the stoppage of mills for holidays, slack is hanging somewhat. Collieries have played two days as a rule. List prices are as below : — Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ............... Medium.............. Common.............. Furnace coal.......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack ........... Common slack ......... Current prices. 21/ -22/ 19/9-20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 14/ 11/ -12/ L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ 19/9-20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 14/ 11/ -12/ Last year’s prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 9/6-10/ 8/6- 9/ IRON. There was quite a holiday attendance on ’Change in Manchester on Tuesday. Pig iron generally favoured buyers, but very little buying is being done. Forges are well employed, and the associated price for Crown iron has been officially advanced to <£11 10s. per ton, but makers will not sell at this price. There is no change in the price of hoops, iron remaining at <£13 2s. 6d. and steel at <£12 17s. 6d. Steelworks are still exceptionally busy, and bars are quoted at <£11 15s. to <£12 5s. Heavy engineers are full of work, and the same remark applies to wagon works. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The attempt to restrict the holiday stoppage in West Yorkshire to Monday only proved less successful than had been hoped, as a disappointingly small number of men turned up on Tuesday morning, when the pits resumed work. With an average of about four days’ work this week, the output of the pits is correspondingly reduced. An ample supply of wagons—empty colliery trucks as well as private trucks from London having accumulated during the holiday—has enabled all the coal produced to be moved away promptly. There is still a good demand for house coal from London and the south. London merchants continue to add to their winter stocks at the depots, and the pit prices maintain their firmness. Coastwise, despite a scarcity of boats of suitable tonnage, say 300 to 500 tons, a good many cargoes have been shipped during the holidays from Goole to the south coast and the Thames wharves. These sales have been chiefly of medium qualities of Silk- stone house coal at about 18s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. Goole. Local merchants in the chief industrial centres of the West Riding are passing through a rather quiet time. There is no change in pit prices, which average as follow:—Haigh Moor selected, 21s. to 22s.; Silkstone best, 20s. to 21s.; Silkstone house, 19s. to 20s.; secondary sorts, 17s. to 18s. The call for gas coal continues to absorb the full output of the pits; in fact, gas nuts are very scarce. One or two contracts have been booked this week at the new prices as affected by the Coal Prices (Limitation) Act—namely, an advance of 4s. per ton over last year, plus the reduction of about 9d. per ton as between last year’s prices and those of 1913. Producers have considerably less to offer than was the case a year ago, probably not more than 80 per cent, of the quantity then available. A considerable quantity of gas coal has been shipped to France and Italy from the Humber ports, at 19s. to 19s. 6d. f.o.b. Hull for screened coal, and about 18s. f.o.b. for unscreened. The position in regard to manufacturing fuel shows little or no change. Some qualities, such as nuts, washed nuts and coking smalls, are offered very sparingly, and prices all round maintain their firmness. Producers of washed furnace coke continue busy, as there is an increase in the demand from Frodingham and Midlands, with the result that prices of best qualities have firmed up to the extent of about Is. per ton. A contract is reported to have been booked this week for 200 tons per week to the end of the year of a well- known washed furnace coke, at 22s. per ton at the ovens. Current pit prices. House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 14/ Wallsend & London best 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 13/ -13/9 Silkstone best 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 13/ -13/9 Do. house 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 12/ -12/6 House nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 11/ -11/6 Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 16/6-17/6 Silkstone best 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 15/6-16/6 Do. house 19/ -20/6 19/ -20/6 13/9-14/6 Other qualities 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 13/ -14/6 Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 15/6-16/6 16/ -17/ 11/ -11/6 Gas nuts 14/6-15/6 15/ -16/ 10/ -10/6 Unscreened gas coal ... 13/6-14/6 14/ -15/ 9/6-10/ Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 11/ -11/6 Large double-screened engine nuts 14/6-15/6 14/6-15/6 9/6-10/6 Small nuts 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 9/ - 9/9 Rough unscreened engine coal 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 9/6- 9/9 Best rough slacks 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 7/ - 8/3 Small do. 11/6-12/6 11/6-12/6 6/ - 6/9 Coking smalls 11/6-12/6 11/6-12/6 6/ - 7/ Coke:— Price at ovens: Furnace coke 21/ -23/ 21/ -22/ 10/ -10/6