564 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. _________________________ March 24, 1916. when Sir Humphry Davy lectured there upon geology and chemistry, and presented to the museum his fine collection of minerals and fossils. The Hoy al Institution, indeed, can fairly lay claim to have contributed a not unimportant share to the advance- ment of geological science, for these early courses of lectures were at the time almost the only attempt, so far as London was concerned, to popularise the study of geology, which, as a branch of applied science, could hardly then claim to have had any recognised existence. In the time at his disposal, Dr. Strahan was naturally compelled to limit his remarks to a few only of the numerous questions relating to the concealed coal fields of these islands, but those selected for discussion were well chosen, not only by reason of their practical importance at the present day, but also because the areas concerned have been more completely studied than others, and have thus been removed to a large extent from the region of mere speculative hypothesis. It is perhaps a little disappointing that the easterly extension of the Yorkshire coal field is gradually being whittled down from the apparently too optimistic enlargement advocated in 1905, by Prof. Kendall, and even from the more restricted estimate of the last Koyal Commission. But even the limit now suggested by the Geological Survey, extending as it does to the valley of the Diver Trent, offers a vast field for new developments which can scarcely be exhausted for some centuries to come. Much interest was aroused by Dr. Strahan’s account of the practical effect of faulting in the concealed area adjoining the Denbighshire coal field- It is not often that faults can be regarded as benefi- cent agents in their influence on coal mining. But here we have an example of large areas of coal- bearing strata which, by a succession of step faults, have been maintained within the limits of economic working. Otherwise their persistent dip would have speedily carried the coal seams to a depth from which they could not be expected to be won. With regard to the Kent coal field, it is interesting to note that Dr. Strahan finds reason for rejecting the view once advocated that this coal basin lies on a westerly extension of the axis of Artois. Those of our readers who have studied the articles recently published in the Colliery Guardian on the Campine coal field, will see in this conclusion a strong confirmation of the views of Dr. Krusch and those Continental workers who regard the Dover coal field as having been, like the Campine, sheltered from the great southerly thrust by the massif of Brabant and its westerly extension. Whatever may have been the cause, it seems to be clearly established that neither the Dover nor the Campine coal field has been affected by the great over-thrusts which characterise the line of the axis of Artois, a fact which is of incalculable advantage, from the practical standpoint, to the future development of these areas. Dr. Strahan did not neglect the opportunity for returning once again to the question of borehole records, and he lamented the fact that we are as far as ever from getting this matter upon a satisfactory footing. From the scientific and also from the national point of view, it must be admitted that the position is far from satisfactory. Nor does he advocate any unreasonable surrender of private owners’ rights when he pleads that borehole records should be deposited, in strict confidence if necessary, with the Geological Survey. There is much unreasonable prejudice in the preservation of so much secrecy in regard to the details of exploration borings. In many cases the publication of these records involves nothing that can be prejudicial to the rights of private owners. But in cases where any disadvantage might ensue, ample precautions against disclosure could be secured. If private owners continue to withhold this information the only alternative would seem to be a systematic exploration under Government authority, more particularly in critical positions where information is needed for the solution of important problems. It is certainly a pity that the progress of science should be hindered because information is withheld for private ends. All the more credit must, therefore, be given to those who have placed national interests above any other consideration. THE COAL AID IROI TRADES. Thursday, March 23. ________________________________________ _______ Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Business in the west of Scotland coal trade was without any special feature during the past week. There is a brisk all-round demand, and all sorts are moving off in good volume. Best ells are very busy, while splints and naviga- tions are fully sold to the end of the present month,, the latter sort being very firm at from 27s. 6d. to 28s. 6d. per ton. Nuts of all sizes are being quickly disposed of mostly to local consumers. Shipments from the district during the past week amounted to 110,590 tons, compared with 109,829 in the preceding week and 97,702 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. ___________ ____________________________________________ I Current I L’st week’s iLast year’s prices. | prices. prices. Steam coal.............. 19/9-22/6 1 19/9-22/ 17/ -19/ Ell .....................j 23/ -24/ ! 22/6-24/ 20/6-21/ Splint...................! 25/ -34/ 1 25/ -33/ : 21/ -28/ Treble nuts ...........21/ -21/6 21/ -21/6 ; 20/ -21/ Double do...............; 20/ -20/6 ' 20/ -20/6 ‘ 19/ -20/ Single do...............| 19/6-19/9 ’ 19/6-19/9 f 17/ -is/ IRON. An all-round activity continues to characterise the Scotch iron trade. Pig iron makers are very busy, and even although ordinary consumers are only purchasing against their immediate requirements, outputs are quickly taken up and values remain on a very high level. Haematite, particularly, is in heavy demand. The prices of Scotch makers’ iron are quoted as follow Monkland, f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 120s., No. 3, 119s.; Govan, No. 1, 116s., No. 3, 115s.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 120s., No. 3, 115s. ; Clyde, Gartsherrie and Calder, Nos. 1, 127s. 6d., Nos. 3, 120s. Summerlee and Langloan, No. 1, 125s., No. 3, 120s.; Glen- garnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1,125s., No. 3,120s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 120s., No. 3,118s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 122s., No. 3, 120s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 127s. 6d., No. 3, 120s. per ton. The pig iron warrant market has been practically at a standstill during the past week, the total turnover not exceeding 3,000 tons. The tone, however, has been very firm throughout, and, even though there were buyers at 87s. 6d. per ton cash, sellers were not disposed to negotiate under 89s. 9d. per ton. The total stocks now amount to 72,348 tons, compared with 116,098 tons at the end of 1915. The demand for finished iron is as keen as ever, and producers are finding it impossible Ao undertake the orders on hand owing partly to a shortage of labour and materials, including fuel, and arrears of deliveries continue to accumulate. Black sheet makers still quote <£18 per ton, less 2| per cent, for 7 to 11 b.g. Glasgow delivery, while malleable iron makers are asking <£14 per ton, less 5 per cent., for Crown bars for home delivery, and <£13 10s. to <£13 12s. 6d. net for export. The Minister of Munitions is endeavouring to fix maximum prices for iron bars on the basis of <£13 net f.o.t. works for Crown bars, but nothing has been settled so far. -------o--------_______ _______ Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The collieries in the Lothians district are fully booked up with orders for all qualities at present. There is very little free coal to be had, in fact; supplies are practically only available in cases where tonnage has failed to arrive to time, and collieries find it necessary to have the wagons emptied. Shipments for the week amounted to 24,745 tons, against 21,694 tons in the preceding week, and 22,671 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 iL’st week’s Last year’s prices. ! prices. | prices. 26/ -27/ ( 25/ -26/ } 16/ -17/6 25/ I 23/ -24/ { 15/ -15/6 23/ -23/9 ! 23/ -24/ 16/6-18/6 21/ -22/ I 21/6-22/6 j 15/ -16/ 19/6-20/6 19/6-20/6 | 14/6-15/6 The position in Fifeshire is not so satisfactory owing to congestion at the ports causing delays in shipping. The demand is as urgent as ever, and values are extremely firm. Clearances amounted to 40,349 tons, against 46,944 in the preceding week and 54,323 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation Current ) prices. ’ L’st week’s Lastyear’s prices. prices. coal 28/ -29/ ' 27/6-28/6 20/ -21/ Unscreened do. 26/ -27/ ' 25/6-27/ 18/ —19/ First-class steam coal 29/ -30/ ; 28/ ; 15/9-16/6 Third-class do. ...... 22/ -24/ 24/-25/ | 13/6-14/ Treble nuts 22/ -23/6 23/6-24/6 j 17-/ -18/ Double do. 20/6-22/ 21/6-22/6 16/ -17/ Single do 19/ -.20/ 20/ -20/9 1 / 9 1 j 14/ -15/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 175,684 tons, compared with 178,467 tons in the preceding week and 174,696 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 109,952 tons of coal and 6,003 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock—a decrease, when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year, of 6,420 tons of coal and an increase of 5,440 tons of coke. The Dunston clearances amounted to 39,501 tons of coal and 3,445 tons of coke, a decrease of 9,438 tons of coal and an increase of 1,236 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 60,096 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 5,804 tons. Thus, the total shipments from the three places mentioned amounted to 218,998 tons, a decrease of 3,378 tons when compared with the shipments for the corresponding period of 1915. When compared with the shipments for the previous week, the figures show an increase of 32,552 tons. On . the whole, a much more satisfactory state of things has prevailed on the coal market during the past week, and, at the time of writing, the immediate outlook is very much brighter than was the case a week ago. The change has been brought about almost wholly by the more regular and plentiful arrival of tonnage, which is now by far the most influential factor in spot transactions. Last week-end found the market in a very sagging condition, wholly owing to the extreme shortage of prompt boats, and prices were easing appreciably. This was especially