808 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. April 28, 1916. Failing an edict, on the German plan, to prohibit the open fire so dear to the British conception of home comfort, we should be compelled to rely upon purely patriotic motives to bring about so great a change in the national habit. But the suggestion does not appear to be altogether impracticable. As our contemporary points out, the present national emergency is infinitely more important than our predilection for flaming fires. To produce high explosives in sufficient quantity on our own soil and by our own labour is an ideal worth a large amount of sacrifice. The proposition is at least worth consideration, if only by reason of its apparent simplicity. It might also induce a habit which would be retained after the war, and would help to enable us more effectually to maintain the supply of aniline dyes when peace returns. We have considered only a small part of the wide question of war efficiency in its relation to fuel economy. The matter covers a far larger field which has been fully covered by Prof. Bone and others in recent papers. It is the very magnitude of this field that retards any appreciable effort in national fuel economy. The smaller question of household fires and the availability of gas companies’ retorts for coal distillation throughout the summer months is a practical problem capable of immediate solution. That is the reason why public attention should be directed to it. THE LOHDOM COAL TRADE. Thursday, April 27. The market lias scarcely recovered yet from the holiday season, but with the resumption of work on Tuesday and Wednesday last it was found that very few loaded wagons have been brought forward. The change from the colder weather to warm spring-like conditions slackened the pres- sure for all household qualities, but the market continues firm, and prices are unaltered. Business all through the week has been of a restricted character, and the holiday season is still making itself felt, but work at the depots is gradually assuming normal conditions. The order books are congested both from the colliery and the merchant’s point of view, as prior to the holidays only a small portion had been executed from each order—sufficient, as far as could be ascertained, to tide over the few days stoppage, so that the heavier amount of the orders on hand is still to be sent forward. The seaborne market reports show that a con- siderable number of steamers are waiting their turn to be loaded, and the tonnage is arriving very slowly. Here also the pressure to clear off arrears of shipping coal is very keenly felt, so that the prospects of an extra quantity coming forward to London are somewhat remote. The Government are still very large buyers, and the heavy requirements for munitions works seems unabated. The May quotations are unusually firm. The Government are not only taking the large coal, but recently heavy consignments have been made of unscreened coal and also nuts for shipment to France. Best Tyne steams are now 45s. f.o.b, and seconds 40s.; smalls are quoted at 26s. to 30s. per ton f.o.b. Durham steams at 42s. 6d.; gas coal, 32s. 6d.; seconds, 30s.; bunker specials, 40s.; best, 35s.; ordinary, 32s. 6d. Best Blyth steam coal, 46s. to 48s. per ton f.o.b. Foundry coke has been heavily appropriated for Government use, and ship- ments also have been sent to France, and as high as 45s. per ton has been quoted for best foundry coke f.o.b. Tyne. In the South Wales market all the best Admiralty coals are commandeered, but the second Admiralties are quoted at 50s., and ordinary steams at 48s. Monmouthshire Black Veins, 50s.; Western Valley, 49s.; and Easterns, 45s. Patent fuel, 45s. to 50s., according to standard. In the freight market business is only partially resumed. Vessels are waiting for their coal cargoes. Very little actual new chartering has been reported; 46 vessels were returned on. Wednesday’s market as arriving in the Thames, but all were contract cargoes, and the bulk of them left the North prior to the commencement of the holidays ; only three vessels are reported as arriving this week. The small retail coal merchants are evidently very hard hit by the scarcity of fuel, and the high prices ruling. Many of them are not owners of railway wagons, and are therefore entirely at the mercy of factors for their sparse supply, and in some cases their business is entirely at a standstill for want of coal. Even the large merchants have had the utmost difficulty in com- pleting orders on hand. The warmer weather in the house coal section is viewed with a good deal of satisfaction, and every opportunity will be taken to replenish the stocks at the depots. Small nuts are exceptionally strong. Slacks also are bought up freely. No report has yet been made of the meeting of the Midland and Yorkshire coal owners, but a report is current on. the London Exchange that overtures have been made to the Board of Trade for permission to increase the contract rates in order to cover the advance in miners’ wages. The bulk of the London coal offices were closed from Thursday evening until Tuesday last. Steam coals are still in strong demand, and buyers for Government works and railway companies are pressing for immediate deliveries ; 17s. to 18s. per ton at pit are the recognised pit prices, but the export trade is claiming frequently enhanced prices of 4s. 6d. to 5s. per ton on the limited quantity avail- able. Derby Brights range from 17s. 6d. to 18s.; and best Barnsley Silkstones from 19s. to 20s. per ton at pit. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Wednesday, April 26. —■ There were no sales reported to-day in the seaborne house coal market, which was very poorly attended. Cargoes', 46. A report from Berlin states that the demand for large supplies of coke is growing rapidly. The quantity of benzol available is plentiful, but other by-products of coke furnaces, such as ammonia and tar oils, are extremely scarce. THE COAL AMD IROM TRADES. Thursday, April 27. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Business in the west of Scotland coal trade continues on very firm lines, and values still show a tendency to advance. Ell coals are particularly strong, and collieries are averse to booking ahead in view of the ever-changing prices. Transactions in splints are practically confined to home demands owing to the Government’s refusal of licences. Navigations maintain their position and are quoted 31s. to 32s. per ton. Steams, also, are firmly placed. The bulk of the output of smalls is being consumed locally, but here and there a licence is being granted for this class. Ship- ments have been fairly heavy during the past week, and amounted to 117,277 tons, compared with 95,502 in the preceding week and 140,643 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coal prices. 28/ -30/ prices. 26/ -28/ prices. 17/6-19/6 Ell 32/ 30/ 20/6-21/ Splint 28/ -35/ 28/ -35/ 20/ -27/6 Treble nuts 21/ -21/6 21/ -21/6 19/6-20/ Double do 20/6-21/. 20/ -20/6 18/9-19/6 Single do 19/3-19/9 19/3-19/9 18/6-19/ IRON. There has been little change in the iron trade on the week. Outputs are largely confined to Government requirements, and ordinary home business is restricted. Scotch pig iron makers are actively employed, and outputs are going quickly into consumption. Great inconvenience has been caused to exporters by the regulation making the recent Order in Council operative on publication with regard to pig iron. Many are of the opinion that it will still be possible to ship ordinary iron under licence, but meanwhile the position is one of uncertainty. Export prices remain on a very high level, and are quoted as follow:—Monkland, f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 125s., No. 3, 120s.; Govan, No. 1, 122s. 6d., No. 3, 120s.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 125s., No. 3,120s.; Clyde, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 130s., Nos. 3, 125s.; Gartsherrie, No. 1, 131s. 6d., No. 3, 126s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 130s., No. 3, 125s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 126s. 6d., No. 3, 121s. 6d.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 125s., No. 3, 120s.; Shotts and Carron, at Leith, Nos. 1,130s., Nos. 3, 125s. per ton. The warrant market has been unusually inactive, even compared with recent weeks, and transactions were very few. Cleveland iron, at the close, was quoted 87s. 6d. per ton, compared with 96s. 6d. per ton in the preceding week. Total stocks now amount to 43,133 tons, compared with 116,098 tons at the end of 1915. Malleable iron has not been included under the Order in Council, and makers are extremely busy in their iron and steel departments, both on home and export account. The pressure on the works is increasing as, in many cases, iron will have to be utilised in place of steel. Prices are very firm, and crown quality bars are quoted .£13 15s. net per ton, f.o.b. Glasgow. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The collieries in the Lothians are busy in all branches. It is reported that a good deal of the output is being sent to the west of England either for shipment or for local requirements. Clearances for the week amounted to 27,370 tons, against 39,814 in the preceding week and 37,113 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 33/ 30/ 18/ -19/ Secondary qualities 30/ 29/ 17/6-18/6 Treble nuts 23/ -24/ 22/6-23/6 18/ -19/ Double do 22/ -23/ 21/6-22/6 17/6-18/6 Single do 20/ -21/ 19/6-20/6 16/ -17/ There is a plentiful supply of tonnage at the Fifeshire ports, and collieries are hard pressed to meet their engage- ments. The delay is considerable, ten days being required for first-class steams. The tone of the market is very strong, and coals such as navigations and steams are fully sold at the moment. Smalls, too, are fully taken up on production. Shipments for the week amounted to 60,172 tons, compared with 51,838 in the preceding week and 66,601 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best screened navigation coal 35/ 33/ -35/ 24/ -26/ Unscreened do 30/ -32/ 31/ -33/ 20/ -23/6 First-class steam coal 35/ 32/6 19/ -22/ Third-class do 30/ 30/ 15/ -17/6 Treble nuts 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 18/ -19/ Double do 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 17/6-18/6 Single do 19/6-21/ 19/6-20/6 16/6-17/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 204,819 tons, compared with 187,154 in the preceding week and 244,357 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland.’ Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 91,908 tons of coal and 4,010 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 27,396 tons of coal and an increase of 2,519 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 22,188 tons of coal and 6,301 tons of coke, a decrease of 23,224 tons of coal and an increase of 5,924 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 43,201 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 22,915 tons. Thus, the total shipments from the three places mentioned amounted to 167,608 tons, as compared with 216,392 tons shipped during the previous week, a falling off of 48,784 tons. When compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year, the figures record a decrease of 65,092 tons. In view of the fact that in most instances the collieries were not working at all between Good Friday and Easter Tuesday, the shipments can hardly be regarded as unsatisfactory, for the holidays on Friday and Saturday would seem to have justified a greater decline in shipments. Holiday conditions have prevailed on the local coal market during the greater part of the past week, and on Good Friday and Easter Monday, of course, operations were completely suspended. At the time of writing, operators are much more active and merchants are pressing for supplies of all descriptions of fuel. Only in a few instances, bunkers, for example, can prices be accurately recorded, and the figures given are, for the most part, merely collieries* ideas of what prices should be. In the case of bunkers, a few stray quantities are to be had occasionally and are keenly competed for. Several such oddments of good ordinary sorts are said to have been disposed of for early shipment a£ 38s. per ton f.o.b., a price which bears excellent testimony to the great strength of this section of the market. The following variations in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have occurred during the week: - Best steams, Blyths, 2s. 6d. to 5s, advanced; Tynes, 5s. dearer; seconds, Blyths, 5s. more; Tynes, 5s. higher ; unscreened, 5s. up ; smalls, specials, stronger ; gas bests, 5s. advanced ; seconds, easier ; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, easier ; coking coal, 2s. 6d. increased ; smalls, 2s. advanced ; households, 5s. to 7s. 6d. dearer. Other descriptions of fuel' are unaltered. With regard to the new regulation regarding the term of validity of licences, which came into force on Tuesday, a message has been received on Newcastle Com- mercial Exchange stating that the Coal Exports Committee will endeavour, in the case of urgent and important busi- ness, to mitigate the Order by showing indulgence in the matter of renewals, where such are shown to be really necessary. There is very little activity in the forward market, and buyers are generally holding off in the hope of matters becoming more settled. The outlook at present is interesting, if somewhat uncertain. The prevailing feeling is that the coming month will be a very tight one, with prices well maintained and supplies short. The tonnage question does not appear likely to cause much trouble for the first part of the month at least, so that loading turns will be kept well filled, thereby enabling the collieries to produce the maximum amount of coal po sible. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’stweek’slLast year’s Steam coals :— prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 45/ -47/6 40/ -45/ ! 27/ -28/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 45/ -50/ 40/ -45/ 28/ Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 35/ -40/ . 35/ 26/6 or West Hartleys) ... 35/ -40/ 35/ 26/6-27/6 Unscreened 32/6-40/ 32/6-35/ i 23/ Small, Blyths 27/6 25/ -30/ 16/6-17/6 Do. Tynes 25/ 25/ 14/6-15/ Do. specials Other sorts:— 30/ 25/ -30/ 16/6-17/6 Smithies Best gas coals (New 35/ 35/ 23/ -24/ Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 35/ -40/ 30/ -35/ 23/6-24/6 (Pelaw Main or similar) 27/6-30/ 30/ 23/ Special gas cz>als Unscreened bunkers,? 40/ 40/ 25/ Durhams Do. do. 30/ -40/ 35/ -40/ 23/ -25/ N orthumbr ians 32/6-35/ 32/6-35/ 23/ Coking coals 30/ -32/6 30/ 24/ Do. smalls 30/ . 28/ 23/ House coals , 45/ 37/6-40/ 30/ Coke, foundry 44/ 44/ 37/6-40/ Do. blast-furnace 43/ 43/ 32/6-35/ Do. gas 26/ -27/ 26/ -27/ 19/ -20/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 46,385 tons of coal and 85 tons of coke, as compared with 81,690 tons of coal for the corresponding period of 1915, a decrease of 35,305 tons of coal, and an increase of 85 tons of coke. The coal position precludes the trans- action of much business. There has been a considerable accumulation of tonnage over the holidays, and the collieries find themselves in the position of having as much tonnage on hand as they can conveniently cope with for the remainder of the week. Loading turns are even fuller than they were before Easter, and extremely little coal of any class is obtainable for April shipment. If anything, bunkers are scarcer, and firmer for prompt loading{ and are quoted nominally at from 35s. upwards. Best large steams are reported fully worked for April and May, and in view of the heavy Government requisitions only small quantities will be offered on the market for June. The general shortage of fuel supports the market opinion that matters cannot improve for a considerable time, and that exportation may have to be further restricted. There is a brisk all-round enquiry for May, but with holders’ ideas of value much above those of buyers, transactions are in abeyance.