September 24, 19151. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 629 THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, September 23. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Business in the west of Scotland coal trade is still lagging, and while there are signs of an improvement, from an exporter's point of view the outlook can hardly be called favourable. There is a considerable amount of idleness a^ the collieries, and dislocation and delays at the shipping ports, due largely to the licensing difficulty. Splint coals are fairly active, but ells, navigations and steams are very slow to move. In smalls the chief feature is treble nuts, which are receiving a considerable amount of attention. The smaller sizes, however, are in poor demand. Ship- ments from the district during the past week amounted to 129,691 tons, compared with 115,505 in the preceding week and 124,864 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. 15/ -17/ . 15/ -17/ 17/6 . 17/ -17/6 17/ -22/ 17/6-22/ 18/ -19/ 17/9-18/3 16/6-17/ 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 16/ Last year's prices. 10/6-12/6 11/ -11/3 11/6-14/ 11/9-12/ 10/3-10/6 10/ -10/3 IRON. The Scotch pig iron trade continues quiet. The export business is still unsatisfactory, while home consumers are only purchasing against their immediate requirements, Deliveries, in the case of haematite iron, are heavy, but other qualities are not finding a ready outlet. The number of furnaces in blast in Scotland is 72, the same number as last week, and six more than at the corresponding date last year. Prices of Scotch makers' iron are unchanged, and are quoted as follow :—Monkland, f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 79s., No. 3, 78s.; Govan, No. 1, 79s., No. 3, 77s. 6d.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 83s., No. 3, 79s.; Clyde, No. 1, 84s. 6d., No. 3, 79s.; Gartsherrie, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 85s.> Nos. 3, 80s.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 86s., No. 3 81s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 80s., No. 3, 79s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 81s., No. 3, 79s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 85s., No. 3, 80s.; Carron, at Leith, No. 1, 86s., No. 3, 81s. per ton. The Glasgow pig iron warrant market was dull throughout the week, the total turnover not exceeding 5,000 tons. Cleveland iron closed at 64s. 6d. per ton cash buyers, a loss of 2d. per ton on the week. Warrant stores now stand at 140,951 tons, compared with 97,919 tons in the corresponding week of last year. The various finished iron works have no lack of orders both on Govern- ment and commercial account. Black sheet makers have more orders for the heavy gauges than they can over- take, and deliveries are considerably in arrears, while in the absence of a sufficient demand for the light gauges, due to the present dulness in the galvanised sheet trade, they are rolling light plates instead. Makers of malleable iron products are producing large quantities of iron and steel material, and orders are coming in in sufficient quantity to keep plants fully occupied. Structural engineers are very busy, and works are running night and day. Scotland. — Eastern District. COAL. The coal trade in the Lothians shows no improvement so far. Local sales are about up to the average, but the export business is very quiet in view of the refusal of licences. Clearances from the ports during the past week amounted to 38,588 tons, against 43,452 in the preceding week and 68,551 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities..... Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 15/6 14/6 19/ -20/ 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 L’st week’s prices. 15/6 14/6 19/ 17/6 16/ Last year’s prices. 11/6 10/3-10/6 11/6-12/ 10/3 10/3 In Fifeshire the coal market is a trifle firmer, but the position continues uncertain. Tonnage is more plentiful, and collieries are consequently more active. Shipments amounted to 70,668 tons, against 50,626 last week and 90,653 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation coal Current prices. 22/ -23/ 20/ -.21/ 17/6-18/6 14/ -15/ 20/ -21/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ L’st week’s prices. 21/ -23/ 19/ -21/ 17/ -18/ 14/ -15/ 20/ -21/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ Last year's prices. 15/6-15/9 13/6 12/6 10/ 11/9-12/3 10/ -10/3 10/ Unscreened do First-class steam coal Third-class do Treble nuts Double do Single do The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 238,947 tons, compared with 209,583 in the preceding week, and 284,068 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. N ewcastle-upon-Ty ne. COAL. During last week, the coal and coke shipments from Tyne Dock amounted to 98,584 tons, an increase of 10,367 tons on the clearances for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston shipments totalled 46,372 tons, a decrease of 7,438 tons when compared with the figures for the corresponding week of last year. The Blyth clearances amounted to 67,078 tons, a decrease of 8,662 tons. The total shipments from the three ports, therefore, amounted to 218,374 tons, a falling-off of 5,733 tons when compared with last year's shipments. When compared with the quantity despatched during the previous week, the ship- ments show a decline of 8,304 tons. There is little worthy of note regarding the prompt coal market, and matters have been exceeding quiet during the whole of the week. An occasional brisk day’s chartering has had the effect of pro- ducing some slight steadying of prices, but, generally speaking, supplies are fully equal to the demand, and quotations are on the wTeak side. The following changes in f.o.b. prices for prompt shipment have occurred during the week:—Best Blyth steams, 6d. advanced; seconds, Tynes, easier; smalls, Blyths, 6d. down; Tynes, Is. reduced; specials, 6d. lower; smithies, 6d. decreased ; coking coal, 6d. reduced ; and foundry coke, 6d. cheaper. Little anima- tion is displayed in forward transactions, but the outlook has been brightened by the closing of several large contracts. It is reported that 100,000 tons of Northumbrian and Durham coking coal have been sold for delivery over six months to the Northern Railways of France at about 18s. per ton f.o.b. for the Durham coal and about 16s. per ton for the Northumbrian fuel. Resulting from the recent enquiry for about 40,000 tons of steams, the British Admiralty is stated to have made heavy purchases— totalling about 150,000 tons—of best Blyths, Tyne primes and best seconds. The collieries were invited to state what further quantity they could supply, which accounts for the large over-purchase. The fuel is for delivery from October to March, and the prices are said to range from 17s. to 18s. per ton, f.o.b., according to quality. The highest price realised for best Durham coking coals for many years is stated to have been paid by the Altos Hornos Ironworks, of Bilbao, for their supplies for the first six months of next year. The quantity taken is from 125,000 to 150,000 tons—only half the amount asked for—and the price from 18s. to 18s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b. Following on the contract for 90,000 tons of fuel for the Northern stations, the Paris, Lyons and Marseilles Railways are said to be in negotiation for further quantities of large and small steams to meet the requirements of the Southern stations. By way of reply to numerous complaints with regard to delay in the granting of licences, it is officially stated that, while errors and mistakes are bound to take place at headquarters, 50 per cent, of the licences are issued within one day of authorisation, and the remainder within two days. This can hardly be regarded as a satisfactory reply, however, as the delay may take place in the process of authorisation. 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. 17/6-18/ 16/6-17/ 16/ 16/ -16/6 14/ -15/ 12/ 11/ 13/6-14/ 16/ -16/6 19/ 16/6 20/ 14/6-16/6 14/ -15/ 15/6-16/6 15/ 18/ -19/ 27/ -32/ 25/ 28/ -30/ L’stweek’s prices. 17/6 16/6-17/ 16/ 16/6 14/ -15/ 12/ -12/6 11/ -12/ 14/ -14/6 16/ -17/ 19/ 16/6 20/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 16/ -17/ 15/ 18/ -19/ 27/6-32/6 25/ 28/ -30/ ■Last year’s prices. 13/3 i 12/6-13/ i 111 ! 11/ -11/6 10/6-11/6 1 8/6- 9/ : 8/ - 8/6 1 10/ 11/3-11/6 12/6 i 11/ -11/3 12/6-13/ 10/9-12/ 11, -11/3 11/ -11/3 10/6-10/9 15/ -16/ 20/ -22/ 18/ 12/ -12/6 Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 60,955 tons of coal and 1,010 tons of coke, as compared with 64,900 tons of coal and 895 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1914, being a decrease of 3,945 tons of coal and an increase of 115 tons of coke. The general situation of the coal market is practically unchanged ; if anything, however, the market has taken a slight turn for the better, and although prices are so far unaltered, sellers’ ideas are towards a higher level. Licences are still issued with a sparing hand, and the supply of tonnage falls short of requirements, and orders are thus difficult to fill. For forward delivery business is slow in developing, and only comes along in a hand-to-mouth fashion. Gas qualities are steady at about last week’s prices. Households are cheaper. Best bunkering coals have met with rather more enquiry than of late, but ordinary kinds are plentiful and easier. Coking sorts are freely offered and easier ; this also applies to smalls. Foundry coke is slightly dearer, with no change for blast-furnace and gas qualities. The northern railways of France are said to have contracted for 100,000 tons of Durham coking unscreened and Northumberland unscreened on the basis of 18s. and 16s. f.o.b. respectively. The Altos- Hornos Works of Bilbao have contracted for 150,000 tons of best Durham coking unscreened, shipment from January to June, on the basis of 18s. 6d. f.o.b. Outward freights remain firm, as shown by the undermentioned recent fixtures .-—London, 9s. 6d.; Calais, 18s.; Dunkirk, 18s. 3d.; Boulogne, 18s. 6d.; Rouen, 19s.: Bordeaux, 24s.; Rochefort, 23s. 6d.; Lisbon, 24s.; Genoa, 35s.; Oran, 30s. ; Leghorn, 35s.; Barcelona, 30s.; Civita Vecchia, 36s. 6d.; Marseilles, 32s.; Naples, 33s.; Gibraltar, 29s.; Port Said, 37s. 6d.; and Las Palmas, 25s. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Gas coals:— Special Wear gas coals Secondary do. House coals:— Best house coals Ordinary do Other sorts :— Lambton screened South Hetton do Lambton unscreened ... South Hetton do Do. treble nuts Coking coals unscreened Do. smalls Smithies Peas and nuts Best bunkers Ordinary bunkers Coke:— Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. Teesside furnaces) ... Gas coke Current prices. 20/ 16/6-16/9 19/ 17/ 20/ 20/ 15/9 15/6 16/6 15/9 15/6 16/ -16/6 18/6 16/6 !5/ 28/6 25/ 26/6 L’st week’s prices. 20/ 16/6-16/9 20/ 18/ 22/ 22/ 16/ 16/ 17/ 16/ 15/6 16/ 18/ 16/9-17/ 15/6 28/ 25/ 27/ Last year’s prices. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel trade is quiet. Shortage of tonnage largely dominates the position, but over and above the difficulty of securing suitable steamers, demand is only limited, and fuel is offered rather freely. Best Durham gas coal is obtainable at 19s., and there is a good deal on offer at round about that figure, whilst second qualities are 16s. to 16s. 6d. and best Wears are quoted up to 22s. Bunker coal is in moderate request. The lower classes are offered rather freely at 14s. 9d. f.o.b., ordinary Durhams are put at 15s., and bests are in the neighbourhood of 16s. Household coal is steady, but rather easier. Coking coal is fairly well taken up. A sale of 100,000 tons of best Durham coking coal for shipment to June next has been made to the Altos Hornos Company, of Bilbao. The price paid is said to be 18s. to 18s. 6d. Current quotation for unscreened coking coal is 16s. 3d., and smalls are rather below that figure. Coke is in good request for shipment, but demand for home and local use is only moderate. Best foundry coke for export is 32s. 6d. to 35s. f.o.b. Gas house coke is 27s. 6d. to 30s. Durham blastfurnace coke of average quality is offered very freely at 24s. delivered at Teesside works, and doubtless contracts could be made at below that figure. IRON. Shipments of pig iron from the port of Middlesbrough are very disappointing. To date this month they are officially given at only 16,956 tons, as compared with 20,408 tons to the same date last month, and 32,134 tons for the corre- sponding part of September last year. The stock of Cleveland pig in the public warrant stores here alters very little. The quantity now held stands at 141,397 tons, or a net reduction since the beginning of the month of 672 tons. Buyers of Cleveland pig are holding off just now, and values are steadily falling. No difficulty is experienced in obtaining No. 3 g.m.b. at 64s. 7|d., and even this—the lowest quotation for a month past—might be shaded. No. 1 is less scarce than it has been, a little having accumulated in consequence of persistent abstention of buying, due to what are considered the oxorbitant rates demanded. The supply is still by no means plentiful, and sellers quote 69s. Usual consumers still refuse to buy, and intimate that rather than pay so comparatively high a figure, they are buying and using No. 3 in place of the superior quality. No. 4 foundry is 64s. l|d.; No. 4 forge, 63s. 6d.; and mottled and white iron, each 63s. 3d. Fairly good enquiries are in the market for east coast haematite, and further substantial sales to home consumers and to our allies are confidently anticipated. Since our last report business has been done with Sheffield consumers on the basis of 96s. 6d._ for Nos. 1, 2 and 3 at producers’ works, and most makers now ask 96s. to 96s. 6d., though there are buyers who state that they can still purchase at 95s. 6d. In foreign ore con- sumers are more anxious than ever to arrange for supplies to the end of the year, but sellers, in view of much freight trouble, will not commit themselves beyond a week or two ahead. Large quantities are coming in the imports to date this month, amounting to 129,536 tons, but shortage of tonnage may curtail supplies at any time. Freights Bilbao-Middlesbrough are up to fully 12s. 6d., and boats are difficult to fix at that price. Market quotations are now based on 27s. to 27s. 6d. ex ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. Manufactured iron and steel prices are firmly maintained. A great deal of work is being turned out, nearly all on Government account. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The Cumberland coal trade is a shade easier this week, and there has been a slight falling off on export account but collieries have as much business on hand as they can cope with, and the present supply is not by any means in excess of the demand. In the home market this has been a rather quiet week for landsale and there has been very little doing in house coal, and the chances are that there will be no improvement in this branch while the fine weather continues. Although street lighting in the Mary- port and surrounding district is still of a somewhat restricted nature, there is a firmer demand for gas coal, and in some cases users are pressing for immediate delivery in view of a possible shortage later on. Smalls, slacks, best steam coal and all kinds of manufacturing fuel are still in strong request, and, while the present activity in the iron and steel industries continues, no diminution on this account is anticipated. The cross-channel trade is rather quieter this week, and the tonnage to Irish ports is lower than it has been for some time. The demand for best house coal for the Irish market is not quite as strong as it has been, but business in fuel for manufacturing purposes is fairly steady. The whole of the collieries are employed six days a week, and outputs are being fairly well main- tained at a satisfactory level. An improvement in all