August 27, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. •429 Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 95,889 tons of coal and 2,293 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 19,327 tons of coal and 2,293 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 59,492 tons of coal and 2,641 tons of coke, an increase of 14,184 tons of coal and a decrease of 1,023 tons of coke. The Blyth clearances totalled 67,247 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 23,747 tons. Thus, the total shipments amounted to 227,562 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 2,942 tons on those for the previous week and of 58,528 tons on those for the corresponding week of last year. The Paris, Lyons and Marseilles Rail- ways are enquiring for 250,000 tons of Durham coking coals for delivery from September up to June next at stipulated Drench Bay and Mediterranean ports. Immediate tenders are wanted. The War Office is inviting offers of 60,000 tons of Northumberland household coals for the Aidershot command. Coal exporters have been notified that, on and after September 1, applications made to the War Trade Department for licences to export coal to Holland must be accompanied by certificates from the Netherlands Oversea Trust that the Trust has agreed with the consignees to accept delivery of the coal on their behalf. Steam coal collieries are asking 19s. per ton f.o.b. for bests, shipment to the end of the year, and are declining to quote for shipment to neutral countries over next year. Licences for the national requirements of allied countries - State railways, public utility works and the like—appear to be coming forward in fairly satisfactory volume, but private concerns are not favoured to anything like the same extent. The prompt market is hampered also by the extreme shortage of tonnage and the resultant greatly increased strength of rates of freight. The shortage is particularly marked so far as handy vessels for the Mediterranean are concerned. Thus, although many enquiries for supplies are in circulation, shippers are between “ the devil33 of restricted licence issue and “ the deep sea33 of tonnage shortage, and are unable to respond in the ratio in which they would prefer to be able to deal with potential business. Most important grades of coal are distinctly weaker on the week, as will be seen from the following account of changes in f.o.b. quotations since last report: —Best Blyth steams are Is. reduced; Tynes, 6d. to Is. less ; Blyth smalls, 3d. cheaper; Tynes, 6d. down ; specials, ditto; smithies, Is. lower; gas bests, Is. 6d. cheaper; seconds, Is. decreased; specials, 2s. down; Durham unscreened bunkers, Is. 6d. less ; coking coal, Is. fallen; smalls, Is. to Is. 6d. down; house- holds, Is. reduced; foundry coke, 2s. 6d. more; and gas coke, 3s. advanced. Some 20,000 tons of Durham gas bests have been sold for shipment up to the end of the year at 20s. per ton f.o.b. Twenty thousand tons of best foundry coke have been sold for delivery over the ensuing 12 months at 25s. per ton f.o.b. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals :— prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... ' 19/ 20/ 13/ -13/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 18/ -18/6 19/ i 13/6 Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 16/6 16/6 11/ -11/6 or West Hartleys) ... 16/6-17/ 15/ -16/ 13/6 16/6-17/ 11/ -11/6 Unscreened 15/ -16/ 1 11/ -12/ Small, Blyths 13/6-13/9 1 9/ - 9/6 Do. Tynes 12/6 13/ 8/6- 9/ Do. specials Other sorts:— 14/6 15/ 11/ Smithies Best gas coals (New 17/ -17/6 17/6-18/6 12/ Pelton ox Holmside) Secondary gas coals 19/ 20/6 12/6 * (Pelaw Main or similar) 17/ 17/ -18/ 11/ -11/6 Special gas c?als Unscreened bunkers, 21/ 23/ 12/6 Durhams Do. do. 15/6-17/ 17/ -18/6 11/3-12/6 Northumbrians 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 11/6 Coking coals 17/ -17/6 17/6-18/6 11/3 Do. smalls 15/6-16/ 17/ 11/ House coals 20/ 21/ 15/ -16/ Coke, foundry 25/ -30/ 25/ -27/6 18/ -20/ Do. blast-furnace 25/ 25/ 18/ . Do. gas 28/ -30/ 25/ -27/ 12/ -13/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 69,290 tons of coal and 920 tons of coke, as compared with 52,510 tons of coal and 1,040 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1914, being an increase of 16,780 tons of coal and a decrease of 120 tons of coke. With steadily advancing rates of freight, coupled with the refusal of a considerable number of export licences, business in the coal market is of a negligible quantity. Tonnage offering is increasingly scarce, and buyers are of the opinion that, unless steamers come along more freely during the next week or so, prices will have to come down to a lower level, and are consequently inclined to adopt a waiting policy. Collieries are, in the majority of cases, suffering from shortage of trade, and are only kept employed with difficulty. Best gas coals are steady, but second qualities are cheaper. Households can also be bought on more favourable terms ; both best and unscreened steams are cheaper, and this also applies to coking unscreened and smalls. Smithies and peas are steady, with a slight decline from last prices. Bunker coals are decidedly cheaper. Foundry coke is quieter round about late figures, but gas coke is stronger, prompt parcels being practically unobtainable. It is reported that a contract has been placed for 20,000 tons of best foundry coke, delivery over 12 months, at 25s. f.o.b. The Paris, Lyons and Marseilles Railway are enquiring for about 250,000 tons of Durham coking unscreened, shipment to Bordeaux or Marseilles, from September to June next. The following are nominal market quotations :— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 21/6 21/6 — Secondary do. House coals:— 17/6-18/ 18/6 — Best house coals 20/ 22/ — Ordinary do Other sorts :— 18/ 19/ — Lambton screened 22/ 23/ — South Hetton do 22/ 23/ — Lambton unscreened ... 17/ 17/6 — South Hetton do 17/ 17/6 — Do. treble nuts 20/ — Coking coals unscreened 16/9 16/6 18/ — Do. smalls 17/6 — Smithies 20/ 20/ -20/6 — Peas and nuts 20/ 21/ — Best bunkers 17/6-17/9 19/ — Ordinary bunkers Coke.— 16/6 IV6 — Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 32/ 32/6 — Teesside furnaces) ... 27/ 27/6 — Gas coke 26/ -27/ 25/ — The outward freight market is strong and excited. Owing to the great scarcity of tonnage owners are asking enhanced rates for all descriptions. Recent fixtures include : London, 7s. 6d.; Rouen, 18s.; Nantes, 18s. 6d.; Dunkirk or Calais, 16s. 6d.; Dieppe, 16s.; Boulogne, 17s.; Bordeaux, 20s.; Rochefort, 19s. 6d.; St. Nazaire, 21s.; Lisbon, 17s.; Genoa, 30s.; Leghorn, 30s.; Piraeus, 30s.; Naples, 26s.; Marseilles, 28s.; Algiers, 24s.; Oran, 21s. 6d. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. A quieter demand, and a shortage of suitable tonnage, have checked sales of coal and coke. Several classes of coal show downward movement, and this is perhaps most marked in the case of bunkers and coking coal, but gas coal is also much easier. Best Durham gas coal is on sale at 19s., and second kinds run from 16s. 6d. to 17s., whilst special Wear qualities range from 20s. to 22s. No difficulty is experienced in obtaining ordinary Durham bunkers at 16s. f.o.b.; bests are put at 17s., and specials at 20s. Though there is very little passing in household coal just now, quotations are fairly well upheld. Quotations for coking coal are rather irregular. Unscreened kinds are in the neighbourhood of 16s. 6d., and smalls are round about 16s. Coke is cheapening considerably. Many buyers consider the reduced prices now named still too high. Best foundry coke for shipment is quoted 32s. to 32s. 6d. f.o.b. Many local consumers of coke have made what purchases they require, and conse- quently there are now few local users in the market. Durham blastfurnace coke of average quality is 25s. to 26s. delivered at Teesside works. Gas coke prices range up to 27s. IRON. A turn for the better can be reported, so far as Cleveland pig iron is concerned. The war news has assisted materially to strengthen the situation, and there are other contribu- tory causes to the improvement, not the least being the steady reductions in the stocks. The quantities lying at makers’ yards are not ascertainable, but they are stated to be lower than at any previous time this year. With- drawals from the public warrant stores are, this month, at the rate of 200 tons per working day, the stock now held standing at 140,609 tons. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is firm at 66s., at which figure second hands have disposed of considerable quantities. Makers are more disposed to meet the situation, reduction in cost of output having enabled them to lower their quotations. Several producers will now sell No. 3 at 66s. 6d., but some firms ask up to 67s. No. 1 continues very scarce, with the result that prohibitive rates rule, and, rather than pay the exorbitant prices demanded, consumers are using No. 3. Up to 72s. is named for No. 1. In normal times No. 1 commands 2s. 6d. above No. 3. Good business in No. 4 foundry has been put through at 65s. 6d. No. 4 forge is offered at 65s. So well are the furnaces working just now that very little mottled and white iron is thrown on the market. These qualities are each quoted round about 64s. 6d. Fairly good enquiries are in the market for haematite pig, both on home and foreign account. More business with Sheffield customers is anticipated, and further substantial sales to Italy are confidently looked for. Second hands have sold small parcels of Nos. 1, 2 and 3 east coast brands at 96s., but as a rule 96s. 6d. is quoted, at which figure both makers and merchants have sold. Inactivity continues to characterise the foreign ore trade. Consumers are rather anxious to arrange for supplies over the fall of the year, but sellers as a rule refuse to commit themselves to delivery beyond the end of next month, as they apprehend considerable freight trouble. Nominally market quotations are based on 25s. 6d. to 26s. ex-ship Tees for best rubio. Freights Bilbao- Middlesbrough are firm at Ils. To date this month 150,000 tons of foreign ore have been imported to the Tees. There is little change in finished iron and steel. Galvanised corrugated sheet makers have again lowered the price, the reduction this time being 30s., which makes the quotation <£18 f.o.b., less the usual 4 per cent. Manufacturers of practically all other descriptions are increasingly busily employed almost entirely on Government work, for which there is much pressure for delivery. Prices are very firm. Cumberland. Mary port. COAL. Conditions in the Cumberland coal industry have not materially altered since last week, and the demand in the industrial and export branches is probably as strong, if not stronger than it has been at any time during the year. During the last nine months there has not been a single day’s slackness at the pits, no banking has yet taken place, and the whole of the output is still meeting with a ready market. The No. 4 pit at Brayton was idle two days last week owing to a slight accident in the shaft, but, with that exception, all the collieries in the county are employed six days a week. It is pleasing to note that outputs are steadily increasing and production this week has perhaps been fuller than it has been for some time, but the amount raised is still insufficient to satisfy the strong demand on both export and home accounts. Business in house coals is only quiet, but gas fuels are now in much firmer request, and there is an increasing demand for slacks, smalls, and all kinds of manufacturing fuels. The coastwise trade is in a most healthy condition, and the demand is even stronger than it was a week ago. Coal for household use and best steam coal for industrial purposes are all in keen request for the Irish market, and Irish merchants are practically taking all the supplies they can secure. Values are firm but unchanged. Best Cumberland coal at the pit is quoted at from 22s. 6d. to 23s. 4d. per ton, with washed nuts at 21s. to 21s. 3d. per ton. Dry small is quoted at 12s. per ton, and best steam nuts 19s. per ton. Best Cumber- land coal free on board at Maryport is still quoted at the advanced price of 19s. 6d. per ton, with best washed nuts at 17s. 6d. per ton. Bunkers are in strong demand at from 17s. to 17s. 6d. per ton. Last week 17 vessels left Mary- port for Irish ports and the shipments amounted to 5,380 tons, an increase of 1,300 tons compared with the previous week. The largest cargoes were for Belfast, Londonderry, Carrickfergus and Cork. The exports also included 200 tons of pitch for Port Talbot from the West Cumberland By-product Works, and the imports consisted of a cargo of pitwood from Dumfries for the local collieries, and a cargo of round timber from Waterford for the east coast. All the coke ovens are in full operation, and there is now a more plentiful supply of coke, but the bulk of the make at the Cumberland ovens is being absorbed by local smelters. Trade is exceptionally brisk at the by-product works at Maryport, Flimby and Workington. 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 Buck- hill 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 :— Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit 23/4 23/4 19/2 Best washed nuts at pit... 21/3 21/3 17/1 Buckhill best coal „ Do. double-scrned 22/6 22/6 18/4 washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at 21/ 21/ 16/10 Fit Oughterside best washed 22/6 22/6 18/4 nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best 21/ 21/ 16/10 coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts 22/6 22/6 18/4 at pit 21/ 21/ 16/10 Best dry small at pit 12/ 12/ 8/6 Best steam nuts at pit ... 19/ 19/ 15/ Best Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. 19/6 19/6 15/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 17/6 17/6 13/6 Bunkers 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 12/6 Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- 20/ 20/ 15/ works 19/ 19/ 14/ IRON. The Cumberland haematite iron trade is in a quiet but steady condition, values and production are fairly well maintained, and the chances are that this state of affairs will continue for some weeks to come. Bessemer mixed numbers are quoted at from 106s. to 107s. 6d. per ton, free on board at the usual ports, with warrants at cash at 95s. per ton. Special iron is quoted at from 123s. to 125s. per ton, and ferro-manganese is firm at <£20 per ton. There is a brisk demand for special iron, and probably the bulk of the make of this metal is being absorbed by high-class steel makers engaged on Government orders. Business in ordinary pig iron is only dull, and users are merely purchasing in small lots to cover their more immediate requirements. Makers, however, are not disposed to press sales at the present prices, as they possess good order books, which will ensure the furnaces running for some considerable time to come, and more especially when stocks are low, and when such a large percentage of the, make is going into immediate consumption. While the position is not by any means as strong as could be desired, no immediate fall in prices is anticipated by either smelters or consumers. The stocks of pig iron in public stores amount to 1,938 tons, compared with 2,588 tons a fortnight ago. There are still 23 furnaces in blast, 15 in Cumberland and eight in the Furness district, and more than one-half of the number are now employed in making low phosphorus iron. A large proportion of the ordinary iron is being absorbed in the steelworks at Workington and Barrow, and the bulk of the special iron is being consigned to Sheffield and Birmingham, while a substantial tonnage is going to Scotland and South Wales. In the steel trade business is fairly brisk, but the rail trade is quiet. All the engineering shops in the district are busy on Government orders. The iron ore industry is well employed, and production at the mines is now sufficient to meet requirements. Cumberland ore at the mines is quoted at from 24s. to 36s. per ton according to grade. The imports at Maryport last week included 200 tons of tin-plates from Swansea for Messrs. Hudson, Scott and Sons, Carlisle, and 3,000 tons of iron ore from Castri for the Workington Iron and Steel Company. South-West Lancashire. COAL. A few wagons of household coal are to be seen standing here and there in the colliery sidings, but nothing of any serious quantity. Round coal continues to go very freely into consumption in forges and works of this description. With regard to shipping, requirements of steam coal for bunkering and general shipment are rather less than they were, contract deliveries showing a tendency to ease off, and there being comparatively little open sale enquiry. Prices of screened Lancashire steam coals now range from 17s. 6d. to 18s. 6d. f.o.b., according to quality. The trouble with regard to the coastwise and cross-Channel trade of household coal is not to get orders for the coal (which con- tinue to come in freely), but to get vessels to take it away promptly; otherwise this trade continues in a satisfactory