1192 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN December 10, 1915. THE COAL AMD IRON TRADES. Thursday, December 9. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The coal market in the west of Scotland continues firm in tone, and business is moving more smoothly in all branches. Collieries are still a little hampered by the insufficient supply of railway wagons and a scarcity of tonnage, but these difficulties are gradually being overcome, and the outlook is more promising. The industrial demand is well maintained, and the house coal trade is in a strong position. All classes of round coal are firmly held, and smalls of all sizes are very busy. Shipments have improved, and the clearances for the past week amounted to 126,238 tons, against 95,836 tons in the preceding week and 80,185 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal.............. Ell .................... Splint.................. Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 15/6-17/6 18/9-19/ 19/6-25/ 18/6-19/ 18/6 17/ -17/6 |L’st week’s j prices. S 15/6-17/6 ! 18/3-18/6 i 19/ -25/ / 18/6-18/9 ! 18/3-18/6 17/3-17/6 Last year’s prices. 10/9-12/6 13/3-13/6 12/6-14/9 I 11/9-12/ 10/9-11/3 10/3 IRON. The Scotch iron trade generally is in a very strong position. The pig iron department, which has been only fairly satisfactory for a considerable time past, has shown pronounced improvement within the past few days. Scotch haematite continues in strong demand, and ordinary qualities are now more favourably placed. There are 71 furnaces in blast in Scotland, the same number as in the preceding week, and three more than at this time last year. The prices of Scotch makers’ iron have been advanced an average of 2s. 6d. per ton all round, and are quoted as follow:—Monkland, and Govan, f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 84s., No. 3, 83s.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 87s., No. 3, 83s.; Clyde, No. 1, 90s., No. 3, 84s.; Gartsherrie, No. 1, 91s., No. 3, 85s.; Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 90s., Nos. 3, 85s.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 90s., No/3, 85s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 84s., No. 3, 83s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 87s., No. 3, 85s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 90s., No. 3, 85s. per ton. The Glasgow pig iron warrant market has not been so active during the past week as in the preceding week, the total turnover amounting to only 16,000 tons. In the absence of support values dropped somewhat, and business was done down to 71s. 9d. per ton cash buyers. Towards the close, however, the market recovered practically all the lost ground, and Cleveland iron closing at 72s. 5|d. per ton, cash buyers only showed a loss of 2d. per ton on the week. The various departments of the finished iron trade are extremely busy. Black-sheet makers have more work on hand than they can conveniently undertake. The heavy gauges are in particularly strong demand, while the light sorts are in better demand. The price of 7 to 11 b.g. is about <£14 per ton, less 2-2 per cent. Glasgow warehouse. Malleable iron makers are actively employed both in their iron and steel departments, and are turning out large quantities of bars, while specifications are coming to hand freely. Crown iron bars are quoted £12 10s. per ton, less 5 per cent, for home delivery, and £12 net for export, while steel bars made at the malleable works are quoted £15 for ordinary grades and £15 10s. for Siemens Martin quality. During last week there were despatched from Tyne Dock 101,207 tons of coal and 4,648 tons of coke, an increase when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year of 6,618 tons of coal and 2,226 tons of coke. The Dunston clearances amounted to 41,980 tons of coal and 6,076 tons of coke, an increase of 2,786 tons of coal and 1,501 tons of coke. Thus, the total shipments from the Tyne amounted to 153,911 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 13,131 tons when compared with the clearances for the corresponding period of 1914, and an increase of 10,606 as compared with the shipments for the previous week- Throughout the greater part of last week the prompt coal market has been inactive, and though the whole of the colliery output is being readily taken up, it cannot be said that spot business is at all brisk. Whether with the object of checking the strong upward movement of rates of freight or with a view to conserving coal supplies for home con- sumption it is not possible to state, but during the present week, export licences had been dealt out with an unusually sparing hand for allied and neutral countries alike. In several instances, permits for France and Italy have been refused. The week commenced with a very strong tone for all positions up to the end of the year, and prices were steadily inproving, despite increased tonnage difficulties. Since the restrictions of the granting of licences, however, new business has been brought practically to a standstill, and quotations have remained stationary. The following changes in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have occurred during the week:—Best steams, Blyths, 6d. to Is. advanced ; Tynes, stronger ; seconds, Blyths, 6d. increased ; Tynes, 6d. up ; unscreened, 6d. higher ; smalls, Tynes, firmer; smithies, 6d. advanced; gas bests, 6d. increased; seconds, stronger; and unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 3d. to 6d. advanced. All other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. In the forward market there is a continuance of the recent brisk enquiry for all classes of coal and coke for delivery over next year. The Swedish State Railways have invited tenders before the 13th instant for 120,000 tons of best steam coals for shipment to the lower ports from January to March. It will be remembered that about a month ago the railways were enquiring for 30,000 tons of fuel for immediate shipment, but it is stated that the business never came to anything, and doubtless, the quantity wanted is included in the present enquiry. Further sales of best Blyth steams for January-March shipment are reported to have been made at 20s. per ton f.o.b., but collieries are now quoting 21s. per ton for similar business. It is stated that a quantity of prime Tyne steams for delivery up to June next have been disposed of at 20s. per ton f.o.b., and that similar quality of smalls have realised 13s. per ton for loading during the first half of next year. There is a heavy demand from France, as well as from home consumers, for coking coals, and prices continue to advance. Up to 18s. per ton is said to have been paid for smalls, and that figure should be easy of repetition. Large quantities of bunkers are being sold for forward delivery, and sales of Tyne ordinary sorts are reported to have been made for shipment over 1916 at 18s. to 18s. 3d. per ton f.o.b., whilst bests have been done at 19s. per ton. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. 1 Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— ; prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 20/6 20/ -20/3 13/ Secondary do. House coals:— 18/ 18/ 11/ Best house coals 23/ 20/ 23/ 15/6 14/ Ordinary do. 20/ Other sorts :— Lambton screened 22/6 21/ -21/6 13/6 South Hetton do 22/ 20/6 13/3 Lambton unscreened ... 17/6 16/9-17/ 10/6 South Hetton do 17/6 16/9 10/6 Do. treble nuts 17/6 17/6 13/6 Coking coals unscreened 18/ 17/9 10/ Do. smalls I 17/6 17/6 9/9 Smithies j 18/6 18/6 11/3-11/6 Peas and nuts I 20/6 20/6 13/6 Best bunkers 1 18/6 17/9-18/ 11/9 Ordinary bunkers i Coke:— i 17/ 16/6 10/6 Foundry coke 1 Blast-furnace coke (dldJ 37/6 37/6 21/ Teesside furnaces) ... 33/6-34/ 33/ , i 19/ Gas coke ; 26/ -26/6 25/ -25/6 12/3-12/6 The outward freight market is inclined to ease a little, as rather more tonnage is offering; rates, however, are still very high. Recent fixtures include:—London, 16s. 6d.; Rouen, 27s. 6d.; Dunkirk, 27s. 6d.; Nantes, 38s.; Bordeaux, 37s.; St. Nazaire, 33s. 6d.; Rochefort, 39s.; Leghorn, 60s. ; Naples, 61s.; Malta, 50s.; Marseilles, 52s. 6d.; Algiers, 42s. 6d. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. A brisk business is being done in the Lothians coal trade, and supplies are very scarce. All qualities of coal are strongly held, and values are firming up. Shipments for the week amounted to 33,380 tons, against 37,226 in the preceding week, and 31,081 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 prices. 18/6-19/6 17/9-18/3 19/ -20/ 18/ -18/6 16/3-16/9 L’st week’s prices. 18/3-18/9 17/9-18/3 19/ -19/6 18/3-18/6 16/3-16/6 Last year’s prices. 11/ -11/3 10/ -10/3 11/9-12/3 10/3-10/6 10/ 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 coals .... Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. N or thumbr ians Coking coals.......... Do. smalls........ House coals .......... Coke, foundry .......... Do. blast-furnace...... Do. gas ............... Current \L’stweek’s prices. | prices. 20/6-21/ ! 20/ 20/ i 19/6-20/ 17/6-18/ 17/ -17/6 15/6-16/6'15/6-16/ 10/6-11/ i 10/6-11/ 10/3-10/6 i 10/ —10/6 12/6-13/ j 12/6-13/ 17/6-18/6 17/ -18/ 19/6-20/ | 19/6 17/6 ■ 17/ -17/6 21/ i 21/ 17/ -18/6 ; 16/9-18/ 16/6 ; 16/6 17/6-18/6 ; 17/6-18/6 17/6 | 17/6 21/ I 21/ 34/ -36/ I 34/ -36/ 34/ I 34/ 27/ -30/ j 27/ -30/ Last year’s prices. 13/ 12/ -12/3 10/9 11/ 10/ -10/6 7/9- 8/3 7/ - 7/3 9/3- 9/6 10/ -10/6 12/6 10/9-11/ 12/9-13/ 10/4|-ll/6 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 14/ -15/ 19/ -20/ 18/ 10/6-11/ Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel trade is firm, and business is brisk. Licences for shipment of certain classes of coal, however, are granted sparingly, and some collieries are consequently left with rather heavy quantities on their hands. Best Durham gas coal is obtainable at 19s. 6d. f.o.b., though most collieries ask 20s. Bunker coal is in very good request, and values are rising. Ordinary Durhams range from 16s. 3d. to 17s. f.o.b., bests run from 17s. 6d. to 18s., and specials are round about 19s. 6d. Coking coal is well taken up, and both smalls and unscreened command 17s. Supply of coke is very inadequate, with the result that sellers who have prompt parcels to dispose of are able to obtain very high figures. The new ovens at Warrenby will be in operation early in the new year, and will throw some 2,500 tons extra per week on the market, but even this additional supply is hardly likely to fully satisfy needs. The new ovens are to be worked by the Government for the by-products. Local consumers of coke are in the market to buy, but they are very unwilling to pay the rates demanded. Durham bee- hive blast-furnace coke of average quality is round about 34s. delivered at Teesside works. Good foundry coke for shipment is quoted up to 37s. 6d. f.o.b., and gashouse coke is in the neighbourhood of 30s. IRON. Excellent accounts are given of the pig iron traded Business is on a very satisfactory scale, and quotations continue to move upward. Prices of east coast hsematite pig are the best on record, and Cleveland pig quotations are higher than they have been since the boom year of 1900, when over 78s. was paid for No. 3. Under all the circumstances deliveries are good, and they would be much heavier but for shortage of labour, scarcity of trucks, and difficulty in arranging suitable tonnage. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is 74s. 6d., No. 1 is 77s. 6d., No. 4 foundry 74s., No. 4 forge 73s. 6d., and mottled and white iron each 73s.—all for early delivery. Scandinavian customers are pressing for deliveries of Cleveland pig, and are anxious to make further purchases for prompt delivery. Good enquiries are still in the market for east coast haematite for France and Italy, as well as for home consumption. There is no iron available for disposal before April next, and buyers are quite ready to pay 130s. for mixed numbers delivered that month and onward. Many sellers are now holding out for 135s. Foreign ore is still moving upward, due to advancing freights. Market quotations are now based on a minimum of 37s. ex ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. Freights Bilbao-Middlesbrough are firm at 20s. 6d. Very good supplies of foreign ore are coming to hand. To date this month imports to Middlesbrough amount to 32,580 tons. Manufacturers of finished iron and steel are kept busily employed, mostly on Government work, and quota- tions, all round, are very firm. Iron bars, packing iron, ship rivets, and iron angles have all been further substan- tially advanced, and • improvements in prices of other material are expected to follow. Common iron bars now £13 ; best bars, £13 7s. 6d.; best best bars, £13 15s.; best best best bars, £14 2s. 6d.; packing iron (parallel), £9; packing iron (tapered), £10 15s.; iron ship angles, £13 ; and iron ship rivets, £15—all less the customary 2£ per cent, discount. The coal trade in Fifeshire continues in a strong position. All classes of coal are in great request, with first-class steams the outstanding feature. The clearances amounted to 64,205 tons, compared with 60,897 in the previous week and 39,440 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. coal 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/6 15/6-15/9 Unscreened do 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 13/6 First-class steam coal 20/6-21/ 20/ -20/6 11/6-11/9 Third-chu s do. 14/9-15/ 15/ 10/ Treble nuts 18/9-20/ 19/ -20/ 11/ —12/ Double do 17/6-18/6 J. 17 < 4-V 1 17/6-17/9 X/ J-"/ 10/3-10/9 Single do 16/3-16/6 16/3-16/6 10/3 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 223,823 tons, compared with 193,959 in the preceding week and 150,706 tons in the corresponding week last year. Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 59,580 tons of coal and 1,040 tons of coke, as compared with 49,740 tons of coal and 580 tons of coke for the corres- ponding period of 1914, being an increase of 9,840 tons of coal and 460 tons of coke. The coal market is stronger, and the general demand tends to expand for shipment between now and the end of the year, and sellers appear to be confident as to the future. Unfortunately, the Govern- ment have been refusing licences for France and Italy for gas and coking coals. This, however, is only thought to be a temporary stoppage to relieve the great congestion at the discharging ports, but the effect has been to check business somewhat, pending developments. It is expected that the strict control of licences will also operate to reduce rates of freight. Meanwhile, prices are well maintained for most classes of coal. There is, however, a slight decline for gas and smalls ; with these exceptions, producers are able to command full market values, and only a better supply of tonnage is needed to support the market. Households are unchanged. Bunkers are firmer with a good demand, and prices are the turn higher, specially for shipment between now and the holidays. There is a good demand for all classes of coke. The Swedish State Railways are inviting immediate offers of 120,000 tons of best steams, January to March shipment to the lower Swedish ports. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The Cumberland coal industry continues in a remarkable state of activity; business is exceptionally brisk in all the branches, and requirements both on coastwise and home accounts are now very much in excess of the output. Since the thaw set in, the pressure on house coal is not so great as it was a week ago, but orders are still coming in quite freely at the depots, and merchants have probably as much business on hand as they can cope with before the holidays. Gas coal is inactive, and no improvement can be expected in this section while the present lighting restric- tions remain in force. Engine fuels are in very keen request, and there is a strong and increasing demand for slacks, smalls and all sorts of fuel for industrial purposes. A substantial tonnage is being consigned to Scotland for land sale and other purposes, and the bulk of the manu- facturing fuel is going to the public works and local blast- furnaces. More coal is now being required for the coke ovens and by-product works throughout the county, and this week a quantity of coking coal has been imported from outside districts in order to keep the Cumberland ovens in full operation. The shipping trade is as busy as it can be under the circumstances, but a much heavier tonnage could easily be disposed of if some of the larger vessels