June 23, 1916/ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1193 Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 37/6 40/ 21/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 33/ 35/ 20/ Best house coals 50/ 55/ 22/ Ordinary do Other sorts:— 45/ 45/ 20/ Lambton screened 52/6 55/ 22/6 South Hetton do 52 '6 55/ 22/6 Lambton unscreened ... 36/ 36/ 18/ South Hetton do 36/ 36/ 18/ Do. treble nuts 37/6 38/6 22/ Coking coals unscreened 35/ 32/6 36/ 18/ Do. smalls 35/ 17/6 Smithies.-. 35/ 37/6 20/ Peas and nuts 37/6 40/ 20/6 Best bunkers 37/ 40/ 19/ Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 35/ 35/ 17/6 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 47/6 47/ 36/ Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 28/ 31/ Gas coke 30/ -31/ 28/ -30/ 24/ In the freight market there is a very active demand for tonnage on French account and its scarcity causes keen competition, the tone for the Mediterranean is stronger and the rate for Genoa now registers 100s. In adition to the fixtures to French ports under the limitation scale, other charters concluded are Genoa, 100s. ; Marseilles, 95s.; Porto Ferraio, 100s.; Algiers, 72s. 6d.; Oran, 73s. ; Bilbao, 55s.; Lisbon, 50s.; Santander, 50s.; Boucau, 42s. 6d.; and Chris- tiania, 34 kr. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The position is dominated by the shortage of tonnage, and prices are slightly lower. Best Durham gas coal ranges from 35s. to 36s., and second qualities are in the neighbourhood of 32s. 6d., while special Wears are round about 37s. 6d. Durham steam coals are well taken up at 50s. to 52s. 6d. Some falling away in demand for bunker coal is noticeable, and prices are down a little. Ordinary .Durhams are put at 35s., and best kinds at 36s. 6d. Coking coal is rather more plentiful, and quotations show rather a downward tendency, notwithstanding prospects of increased requirements in the near future. Prices run from 33s. to 35s. Coke keeps in good request, and supply is none too plentiful. Local needs are heavy and are likely to be larger. Average blast-furnace Durham coke is 28s. at the ovens, and qualities low in phosphorus stand at 30s 6d. at the ovens. Foundry coke is anything from 42s. 6d. to 50s. Gashouse coke varies from 30s. to 32s. IRON. The situation in the iron and steel industries alters little. So far as pig iron is concerned, however, it is gratifying to learn that the promised increase of production is to be fulfilled at an early date. The obstacles to re-starting idle plant are understood to have been overcome, and additional furnaces will be in operation before long. At present the number in blast on the north-east coast is 69, of which 28 are making Cleveland pig, 30 are producing haematite, and 11 are manufacturing special kinds of iron. Shipments of pig iron, though falling short of what could be desired, are, under the conditions prevailing, up to expectation. Loading at this port to date this month amount to 24,860 tons, as compared with 38,389 tons to the same date last month, and 17,870 tons for the corresponding part of June last year. For home consumption the prompt price of No. 3 Cleveland pig iron is 82s. 6d., and the forward quota- tion 87s. 6d. As no iron is purchasable for this month, the former quotation is nominal, but quite a number of July-August contracts have been made at the latter figure, which buyers are keen to pay for delivery to the end of September. There is a rumour current that it is proposed to fix a maximum price for export—as low as 95s. has been mentioned as the likely figure. The export price of No. 3, however, is undoubtedly easier. There are sellers at 100s., and probably rather less would be readily accepted. Mixed numbers of east coast haematite pig remain at 122s. 6d. for home consumption, and 140s. and upward for export. As regards foreign ore, sellers quote rubio of 50 per cent, quality 36s. ex-ship Tees, on the basis of a 17s. freight Bilbao-Middlesbrough, the figure at which con- trolled consumers are privileged to have the ore conveyed. In the ordinary way in the open market, the freight is 19s. Imports of foreign ore to the Tees so far this month are officially given at 177,003 tons. Finished iron and steel producers continue very fully employed on Government work, with the result that little attention is paid to the numerous private enquiries in the market. Quotations all round are very strong, and there is some talk of further advance for certain descriptions of manufactured iron. ------------------ Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The Cumberland coal industry is as busy as it possibly can be. and, with the exception of landsale coal for domestic use, all branches are in a very flourishing condition. * The demand for fuel on both local and export accounts is keen, but supplies are still scarce, and nearly the whole of the present output could be easily absorbed in the home market. There is a very strong enquiry for works, gas and best steam coals for shipping, and consumers outside the county, but all the collieries are well supplied with orders and they have little to offer, after meeting the growing needs of local consumers. More attention is now being given to Irish customers, but business in both the home and export markets is cor mg in more quickly than it can be dealt with. All the p/s in the county are working six days a week, and although there has been a very satis- factory increase in production since Bank holiday, the amount raised is still far short of actual requirements. Owing to the holidays, supplies were scarcer than usual to the middle of last week, and a good many consumers, both local and export, had to go short. Gas coal is very firm, and several of the local councils and others are now coming into the market to renew their contracts for the ensuing 12 months. The change in the price of gas coal referred to in this column last week appears to be more in the nature of a bonus by the consumer than an advance on the part of the coal owners. When the prices were fixed a year ago, best gas coal was 20s. a ton, with nuts 19s. per ton, but with the introduction of the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act consumers were entitled to a reduction of 9d. per ton. Since then, however, consumers have agreed to give a bonus of 9d. per ton on all gas coal for this year’s contracts, and the price of the latter is therefore now quoted at the same figure as it was at the corresponding period of last year. Best house coal is inactive, but steam coals and engine fuels for local use are at present in strong request Coal for manufacturing requirements is in very keen demand, and the bulk of this class of fuel is still going to the West Cumberland iron and steel works, the iron ore mines, and the local by-product coke ovens. In the export branch the pressure is greater than ever, but owing to the decline in output during the Whitsuntide holidays the shortage at the docks has been more pronounced this week. About the beginning of the week supplies were so scarce that one or two of the larger vessels were delayed 36 hours, and several of the smaller ones had to wait two or three tides before the coals arrived to load. The demand for house coal for Ireland is not quite so keen, but requirements of best steam, gas, and works fuel are still much greater than can be satisfied. During the week 15 coasting vessels have sailed from Maryport for Irish ports, and the shipments amounted to 3,500 tons, compared with 4,010 at the corresponding period of last year, or a decrease of 50 tons compared with last week. The by- product coke trade is very brisk, and all the ovens in the county are working at their fullest capacity. There is now a more plentiful supply of small coal, and the whole of the production of local coke, which is on the increase, is going to the furnaces in West Cumberland. The by-products trade continues active, and all plants in the neighbourhood are very actively engaged. Pitch is in strong demand, and during the week another cargo of 700 tons has been shipped to a Continental port. Prices of all sorts are firm, and there has been no alteration since last week. Best coal at the pit is quoted at from 22s. 6d. to 23s. 4d. per ton, with ■best washed nuts at from 20s. lOd. to 21s. 3d. per ton. Best Cumberland coal, free on board at Maryport, is quoted at 19s. 6d. per ton, with best washed nuts at 17s. 6d. per ton. Bunkers are in very strong demand at from 21s. 6d. to 30s. per ton. At Maryport best house coal delivered is obtain- able at from Is. 5|d. to Is. 6d. per cwt., or from 27s. 6d. to 28s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at 25s. lOd. per ton and seconds at 24s. 2d. per ton. At Workington, best house coal delivered is quoted Is. 4d. per cwt., or 25s. lOd. per ton, with best double-screened washed nuts at Is. 3d. per cwt., or 24s. 2d. per ton. Other current quotations are as follow:— Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit Best washed nuts at pit... Buckhill best coal „ Do. double-scrned washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at pit Oughterside best washed nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts at pit Best dry small at pit Best steam nuts „ Best Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... Best bunkers (coastwise) Do. (for foreign-going steamers) Bunkers (mixed nuts and steam coal) (coastwise) Do. (foreign) Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- works Current prices. 23/4 21/3 22/6 ' 21/ 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 12/6 19/ 19/6 17/6 25/ 30/ 21/6 . 25/ 20/ 19/ L’st week’s* prices. 23/4 21/3 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 12/6 19/ 19/6 17/6 25/ 30/ 21/6 25/ 20/ 19/ Last year’s prices. 23/4 21/3 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 12/ ■ 19/ 19/6 17/6 19/ 19/ 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 IRON. The situation in the Cumberland haematite trade is unchanged. Makers are tremendously busy in every department, and the demand for metal, both special and ordinary, is keener than ever. Requirements are still greatly in excess of the supply, and unless more labour and raw materials are forthcoming, smelters cannot possibly increase their output. East coast coke is now almost as scarce as native ore, and the output of local coke cannot be increased until the Whitehaven by- product ovens have been lighted. The amount of iron ore raised at the local mines is now barely sufficient for all requirements. Sufficient high-grade ore is being mined to maintain all the furnaces on special iron in full operation, but at present some of the smelters in the Furness district have to rely on supplies of foreign ore to keep the furnaces in full blast on ordinary iron. It is probable that the Ministry of Munitions may be able to provide the labour and material needed to increase the output of iron ore and limestone, but unless.there is a more plentiful supply of raw materials it will be almost impossible for smelters to light more than two or three additional furnaces before the autumn. In the meantime makers are producing all the metal they possibly can from the present number of furnaces in blast. Prices are still at the maximum fixed by the Government, and Bessemer mixed numbers are again quoted at 127s. 6d. per ton f.o.t., with warrants at cash at 115s. per ton. Special brands of iron are quoted at 140s. per ton f.o.t., and ferro- manganese is firm at <£25 per ton. The whole of the production is going into prompt use. All the ordinary iron is being absorbed at the steelworks at Workington and Barrow, and local steel makers could do with considerably more iron than they are at present receiving. All special iron is going to consumers engaged exclusively on Government work in Scotland, the Midlands and South Wales. There are still 26 furnaces in blast, 17 in Cumberland and nine in the Furness district. There is intense activity in the steel trade, and the mills at both Barrow and Workington are at their full capacity. Engineers are very busy, and some of the shops in the district are working overtime on Government work. The Cumberland iron ore industry is in a brisk con- dition, and although all the mines in the district are regu- larly employed, requirements are greater than can be coped with. The contracts with east coast and Scottish smelters will expire shortly, and it is, stated that no new contracts are now being arranged for the sending of blastfurnace or picked ore out of the district. Prices are firm, best sorts being still quoted at 38s. per ton, with good average quali- ties at from 21s. to 30s. per ton net at the mines. Foreign iron ores are quoted at about 38s. per ton delivered. The imports of foreign ore at Maryport this week have amounted to 4,000 tons. South-West Lancashire. COAL. The household demand for immediate consumption, as is natural, is steadily easing, but even now supplies to depots of many grades are barely adequate to present needs, and little or nothing has been done yet in the way of putting stocks down at the country wharves where there is accom- modation. Forges and manufacturers using screened round coal continue to absorb full supplies. With regard to shipping, the market remains slightly easier, lessened enquiry having somewhat relieved the pressure. But while this is so, supplies generally are by no means too plentiful, and while reductions may be taken in special cases to release wagons, quotations for Lancashire steam coals may be still said to range from 26s. to 27s. f.o.b. There is little fresh to report with regard to the coastwise and cross-- channel trade for household coals. Between the difficulty of finding the cargo at the appointed time and that of fixing a vessel to suit, there is not enough tonnage being moved to satisfy the merchant. In slacks and small fuel generally whatever little easement is felt in the manufacturing* towns by the lessened summer use at mills, &c., is likely to be more than absorbed by the new works that are getting into stride for munitions and such like. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen ..| Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Screened forge coal Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack Secondary slack Common do Current prices. 21/ . 25/6 19/ -20/ 24/6 i8/ 24/ upwds 18/ 26/ -27/ 16/ 15/6 14/6 upwds L’st week’s prices. 20/9 24/6-25/6 19/ -20/ 23/6-24/ 17/ -18/ 23/ upwds 18/ 26/ -27/ 16/ 1 15/6 l4/6upwds Last year’s prices. 20/9 22/ . . 19/ 20/ 16/9-17/ 19/ 16/ -17/ 19/6-20/6 13/ -14/ 11/6-12/6 10/ -10/6 South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday. There is a somewhat lessened demand for house coal, but prices remain the same. Manufacturing fuel is rather more in evidence in spot lots. Shipping coal con- tinues brisk, and prices are hard. Prices generally are as below :— Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ............... Medium.............. Common.............. Furnace coal.......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack .......„... Common slack ......... Current prices. 21/ -22/ 19'/ -20/3 17/6-18/ 17/ -18/ about 22/ 15/6upwds 14/ upwds. L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 17/6-18/ 17/ -18/ about 22/ 15/6 upwds 14/ upwds. Last year’s prices. 21/ -22/ 19/9-20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/. 19/ —21/ 12/6-14/ 10/6-12/ IRON. There is really no change in the position, the Government monopolising the whole of the output, and considerable shortage of steel exists even now. Works are fully occupied, and taking it on the whole the request of the Government that Whit week should be a working week was well responded to. ----------------- Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. There was a good attendance at the weekly gathering of the Coal Exchange on Tuesday, including traders from London, Hull, and some of the Lancashire towns, as well as local merchants. If anything, the demand was more active than for many weeks, particularly for steam coal, but all descriptions were scarce and difficult to secure. While current business is thus at high pressure, the future remains very uncertain, and, speaking generally, little is being done in regard to renewing expiring contracts. The expectation that the Board of Trade would increase coal prices retards the making of fresh contracts, and leads to the insertion of a clause relating to this contingency. Colliery representatives report that the pits worked full time this week, and that the attendance of miners, who seem to be realising more keenly the importance of regu- larity, is very satisfactory. The supply of wagons is good also. Since the pooling arrangement got to work the railways have evidently been better able to deal with private trucks. The demand for house coal for London continues to absorb all the available tonnage. London merchants report a remarkably good trade at the depots for the time of the year, and they have been able to make very little progress in laying down stocks. There is a little more business passing in the coastwise trade, and some attempt is being made on the south coast to get coal into stock. Local merchants are employed fairly well, the chief demand being for the cheaper qualities. Pit prices for the West Riding—subject, like all other quotations, to the reservation that they are more or less nominal—continue as follow: — Haigh Moor selected 21s. to 22s., Silkstone best 20s. to 21s., Silkstone house 18s. to 19s., house nuts 17s. to 18s. The output of gas coal is fully absorbed. Any parcels free for the open market after satisfying contract requirements find a ready demand on the part of works in the London district and the south. As already explained, contracting is not