?32 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. October 8, 1915. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, October 7. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Business generally has been quiet during the past week and the market has been featureless and values unchanged. While the industrial demand is well maintained, round coal can hardly be called satisfactory and any noticeable improvement is in smalls. Household sorts, on the other hand, are busier owing to colder weather conditions, and in view of increased expenses at the pithead coupled with a 2s. rise in wages to carters and of 3s. to coal porters, prices have been raised 2s. per ton, making best qualities 31s., seconds 30s. and cheaper qualities about 28s. per ton. Shipments for the week amounted to 123,502 tons compared with 100,703 in the preceding week and 107,653 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal i 15/ -17/ 15/ -17/ 10/6-12/6 Ell I 17/3-17/6 17/3-17/6 11/3 Splint 17/ -22/ 17/ -22/ 11/ -14/6 Treble nuts i 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 11/6-12/ Double do ! 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 10/3-10/6 Single do I 16/ 16/ 10/3-10/6 IRON. Conditions in the Scotch iron trade are not materially changed. Pig-iron makers continue to report a scarcity of new business, and while deliveries of haematite qualities are well up to the average, other brands are slow to move* There are still 72 furnaces in blast in Scotland, five more than at the corresponding period in 1914. The 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. Business in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market continues quiet. During the past week there was more disposition to purchase than to sell, and values consequently advanced somewhat, and Cleveland iron closed at 64s. lid. per ton cash buyers, compared with 63s. lOd. per ton in the preceding week. The manufacturing branches of the trade are extremely active. Black sheet makers are heavily pressed for heavy gauges, and deliveries are falling into arrears, and now that spelter has fallen in price to a substantial extent from its highest level, there is a prospect of an improvement in the demand for light and corrugated sheets for galvanising. Makers of malleable iron products have sufficient specifications on hand to keep the works running fully for some weeks ahead. Crown bars are now selling at <£11 5s. per ton, less 5 per cent, for home delivery and <£11 net for export. Steel bars manufactured from American billets are quoted up to £12 per ton. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Business in the Lothians district has not improved, and continues in an unsatisfactory position from the coal masters’ point of view. Collieries report idle time, which is most unfortunate in view of the contracts held by collieries and exporters. Shipments amounted to 40,896 tons for the week, against 36,790 in the preceding week and 68,111 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities..... Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. 15/6 15/6 11/3 14/6 14/6 10/3 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 11/9 16/6—17/6 16/6-17/6 10/ -10/3 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6. 10/3-10/6 The outlook in Fifeshire is a little more favourable, but is still far from satisfactory. Collieries are not fully employed, but with the home trade showing signs of improvement better employment will be secured. The clearances from the ports amounted to 43,042 tons, com- pared with 57,011 in the preceding week and 71,033 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current L’st week’s Lastyear’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened navigation coal 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 15/6-15/9 Unscreened do 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 13/6 First-class steam coal 17/ -18/ 17/6-18/ 12/6 Third-class do 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 10/ Treble nuts 20/ 20/ 11/9-12/3 Double do 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 10/3-10/6 Single do J. fl 1 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 10/3-10/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 207,440 tons, compared with 194,504 in the preceding week, and 246,797 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. N ewcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week, 91,170 tons of coal and 4,565 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 11,705 tons of coal and 4,431 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 48,580 tons of coal and 3,570 tons of coke, a decrease of 4,670 tons of coal and 1,158 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 51,351 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 13,956 tons. Thus, the total shipments from the three places mentioned amounted to 199,236 tons, a decrease of 2,909 tons when compared with those for the previous week and an increase of 24,264 tons when compared with those for the corresponding week of last year. Best Blyth steams are stated to have been sold for delivery over the first three months of next year at 18s. per ton, f.o.b., but further business at that figure has been declined. Tyne prime steams for like shipment have attained a similar price, and a large quantity of this quality of fuel is stated to have been sold for shipment from October to March at 18s. also. The Paris Gas Works, which were stated last week to be throwing out “feelers ” with reference to their next year’s requirements, are now stated to have made purchases of Durham coal at from 17s* to 18s. per ton, f.o.b., according to quality, for shipment over 1916. Most of their requirements still remain to be arranged for, however. With reference to the Paris, Lyons and Marseilles Railway contracts for coking coal, it would appear that these are still, in the main, under negotiation. A quantity of best foundry coke has been sold for delivery over the next three months—October-December—at 31s. per ton, f.o.b. For delivery over the first half of next year, foundry coke has been sold at from 28s. to 30s. per ton, according to brand. During last week-end, business was considerably hampered by a Government prohibition of sailings of vessels from the United Kingdom to Scandinavia (including Denmark) and Holland, and by the imposition of 48 hours’ delay to telegrams for neutral countries in Europe and for Russia, vid the Great Northern lines, and Serbia. However, that prohibition has come to an end, and the tone of the market at the time of writing is distinctly good. There is a good all-round demand, and the general tendency is firmer. Tonnage is in good supply—although rates continue appallingly high—and the output is now fully taken up, speaking generally. The latest news with reference to the Norwegian State Railways’ enquiry for 70,000 tons of steam coals, for shipment over six months, is that considerable offers of coal have been made to the authorities, subject to licences being granted, but that no replies have been received. The authorities, however, are stated to be willing to operate for large quantities, subject to an agreement as to price being arrived at. F.o.b. quota- tions for prompt shipment have varied as follow, on the week Best Blyth steams are 6d. dearer ; Tynes stronger ; Tyne seconds firmer; unscreened favouring sellers; gas bests Is. advanced; seconds 6d. higher; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, firmer; Northumbrians 3d. more; coking coals stronger; smalls 6d. increased; households Is. advanced ; and blastfurnace coke stronger. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. 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 c )als Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. N orthumbr ians Coking coals Do. smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Current prices. 18/ -18/6 17/6 16/ 16/6 14/6-15/ 11/ —11/6 11/ 14/ 16/ -16/6 19/ -20/ 16/6-17/6 20/ 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/3 16/ -16/6 15/6-16/ 18/ -20/ 27/ -30/ 26/ 28/ -30/ L’st week’sLast year’s prices. ! prices. 18/ 13/ -13/3 17/ -17/6 ■ 12/6 16/ 11/ 16/ -16/6 ; 11/ -11/6 14/ -15/ ; 10/6-11/6 11/ —11/6 1 8/6 11/ 7/6- 8/ 14/ < 9/6 16/ -16/6 11/ -11/6 19/ 12/6 16/ -17/ 11/ -11/6 20/ 12/6-13/ 15/ -16/6 10/9-12/ 14/6-15/ 10/9-11/3 15/6-16/6 ' 11/ -11/6 15/ -15/6 j 10/6-10/9 18/ -19/ : 15/ -16/ 27/ -30/ ' 20/ -21/ 25/ -26/ ; 18/ 28/ —30/ 11/6-13/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 67,885 tons of coal and 815 tons of coke, as compared with 69,950 tons of coal and 2,505 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1914, being a decrease of 2,065 tons of coal and 1,690 tons of coke. The improveinent in the coal trade continues to make slow but steady progress ; there is a fairly sustained enquiry, and the outlook is generally more favourable. Coals are moving off more freely to London and the French ports, and the output at the collieries is well absorbed. There is less prompt coal offering for sale, consequently prices are steadier and inclined to rise. Steams are firmly quoted, gas coals are steadier, bunkers are scarcer and held for full values. There is a better demand for coking fuel. A contract has been arranged for 20,000 tons Tyne second steams, shipment from October to December, at 16s. 6d. f.o.b. Sales of good foundry coke have also been made for the first half of next year at 28s. to 30s. per ton, free on board, according to brand. It is reported that the Paris Gasworks have now effected further purchases for next year, at prices ranging from 17s. to 18s. a ton f.o.b., according to quality. News is expected daily of the Norwegian State Railways allotments. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Gas coals:— Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 19/ 19/6-19/9 — Secondary do. House coals:— 16/9-17/ 16/6 — Best house coals 20/ 20/ — Ordinary do Other sorts :— 18/ 17/6 — Lambton screened 20/ 20/ — South Hetton do 19/ 20/ — Lambton unscreened ... 15/6 16/ — South Hetton do 15/3 15/6 — Do. treble nuts 16/6 16/6 — Coking coals unscreened 15/6-15/9 15/9 — Do. smalls 15/ 15/6 — Smithies 16/ -16/3 18/ — Peas and nuts 17/ -17/3 19/ — Best bunkers 16/3-16/6 16/6 — Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 15/ 15/6 — Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke. (did. 27/ 27/6 — Teesside furnaces). ... 25/ 25/ — Gas coke 26/ 26/ — Freights : The coasting and near trades are just steady Bay is firm. The scarcity of tonnage for the Mediterranean is more pronounced, and rates are higher. Recent fixtures include :—London, 9s. 3d. ; Havre, 16s. 6d.; Rouen, 17s. 9d.; Dunkirk, 18s. 6d. ; Bordeaux, 25s. ; Rochefort, 25s. ; La Rochelle, 24s.; Nantes, 25s. ; Sables, 26s.; Genoa, 41s.; Cette, 40s.; Palermo, 37s. 6d.; Torre Annunziata, 43s. ; Oran, 35s.; Marseilles, 40s.; Malaga, 37s. 6d. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel trade is steady and firm, but export business is handicapped by the higher Mediterranean rates. Gas coal is in good demand. Best Durhams are in the neighbour- hood of 19s., seconds range from 16s. to 17s., and special Wear sorts are quoted up to 22s. The Paris Gas Works are understood to have bought further quantities of gas coal at prices ranging from 17s. to 18s There is a steadier feeling in bunker coal. Ordinary Durhams are quoted 15s. 3d. to 15s. 6d. f.o.b., bests 16s. 6d. to 16s. 9d., and specials 19s. to 20s. Household coal is very firm, and sales are not being pressed. Coking coal values vary very considerably. While some superior brands of unscreened kinds are selling at up to 18s., inferior sorts are offered rather freely at 15s. 6d. to 16s. Coke is somewhat firmer, notwithstanding the greater output coming on the market by the lighting of ovens at Thornaby and at Redcar. Local consumers show more disposition to buy, but as a rule they offer prices that sellers are not prepared to accept. Durham blastfurnace coke, of average quality, may be put at 25s. delivered at Teesside works. Demand for coke for export is excellent. As much as 37s. 6d. f.o.b. has this week been paid for best foundry coke, but the general market quota- tion is 32s. 6d. to 35s. Gas coke runs from 28s. to 30s. IRON. Shipments of pig iron from the port of Middlesbrough during September amounted to 39,736 tons, of which 33,724 tons went abroad and 6,012 tons coastwise. Italy was the largest receiver, taking 9,905 tons, France second with 6,304 tons, Sweden third with 5,940 tons, and Denmark fourth with 4,340 tons. Tees loadings of manufactured iron last month were returned at 12,398 tons, 5,813 tons going foreign and 6,586 tons coastwise, the largest customers being India 3,304 tons, and the Argentine 2,292 tons. Shipments of steel reached 38,495 tons, of which 31,849 tons went abroad and 6,646 tons to coastwise customers, France, with an import of 18,253 tons, being by far the largest buyer. Other principal customers for steel were India 5,643 tons, Natal 2,211 tons, and China 1,352 tons. There is very little business passing just now in Cleveland pig, quotations for -which are rather easy. No. 3 g.m.b. is on sale at 65s., and possibly some second hands would accept a trifle below that figure, but most makers do not quote below 65s. 6d. No. 4 foundry is 64s. 6d., No. 4 forge 64s., and mottled and white iron each 63s. 6d. Makers still ask 69s. for No. 1, but local consumers will not pay so high a price, and are still buying and using No. 3 in place of the superior quality. Great firmness characterises the haematite branch of the staple industry, and compared with Cleveland iron prices quotations are very high. Time was when the recognised difference between mixed numbers of east coast haematite and No. 3 Cleveland pig was 8s. to 10s., whereas to-day it is fully 35s. Nothing below 100s. is now named for Nos. 1, 2 and 3 haematite, and some producers are asking up to 102s. 6d. A sale to France is reported at 101s. 6d. Foreign ore con- tinues to advance, due to the rising freights. Market quotations are now based on quite 31s. ex ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality, and several sellers base prices on 32s. Consumers are very anxious to make forward contracts, so as to be assured of adequate supplies over the winter, but sellers will not commit themselves beyond a week or two ahead. Freights Bilbao-Middlesbrough are fully 16s. 6d., and importers would readily arrange further fixtures at that figure. Manufacturers of finished iron and steel are continuously engaged upon war material to the exclusion of ordinary commercial orders. Quotations are very strong. Maryport. Cumberland. COAL. The Cumberland coal trade is still in a most flourishing condition, shipping, local manufacturing requirements and landsale all being brisk and showing a tendency to expan- sion. The cold weather of the last few days has had a stimulating effect on house coal, orders are coming in more quickly, and home merchants have now as much business on hand as they can cope with. Steam coal for railway purposes is in keen request; gas coal is firm, and the demand for all kinds of manufacturing fuels is very strong from firms engaged on munitions of war. There has been a marked improvement in the cross-Channel trade during the past few weeks, and the chances are that business in this branch will be well maintained for some months to come. There is a very strong demand for manufacturing,