THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 5, 1917. loss account, and the nation would have to pay the bill; but the cost would be set off, to some extent, against the privilege of obtaining coal at prices, fixed by the limitation Act, which are already considerably below the economic value of fuel under existing conditions of demand and supply. The laws of economics are immutable. Governments can shift the burden and hide the incidence of cost under various guises; but neither State control, nor even nationalisation, can materially cheapen the cost of coal under the conditions now ruling. It is impossible in the space at our disposal to do even moderate justice to a review of such a remark- able epoch in the coal industry as that through which we have recently passed. Many characteristic features of the year must of necessity be passed by without comment. Amongst these may be mentioned the various committees that have been set up by the Government, both central and local, for regulating supply and distribution; the conferences, depart- mental and national, that have been held to stimulate production and deal with that form of slacking which is euphemistically termed absenteeism; questions of labour shortage, due mainly to the splendid patriotism of the miners who responded to the national call; and other matters too numerous to record. And what of the future ? An influential Committee has been formed to consider this question also. It has issued no report as yet; nor dare we presume to anticipate its conclusions. Owing to the need for economising Our paper supplies, which, as our readers Half-yearly are doubtless aware, have been Index. curtailed owing to circumstances arising from the war, we have decided not to insert the usual Supplementary Sheet, containing Title Page and Index to Vol. cxii., in the whole of this issue. This, however, has been printed, and will be forwarded, post free on applica- tion, to any subscriber desiring it, on receipt of a post card addressed to our publishing offices, 30 and 31, Purnival-street, Holborn, E.C. EARTHQUAKES AMD THE COAL MEASURES. Dr. Hickling, Professor of Geology at the Manchester University, addressing the members of the Wigan Education Society at their last meeting, dealt with the interesting subject of “Ancient Earthquakes in Lanca- shire,” and showed how such upheavals of nature had left their influence on the coal measures of the area. He exhibited lantern slides showing the destruction caused by the recent .severe. earth quakes of Messina, San Fran- cisco, and Kangra, in North India, and stated that careful observation showed that the amount of damage diminished, as the distance from the' origin of the earth- quake increased, but when lines were drawn on a map connecting these places which had suffered about the same amount of damage, it was found that they did not form circles, but elliptical figures, proving that the origin of the earthquake was not at one spot, but along a line. Slides were shown to illustra'te the nature of the damage, and it was pointed out that the surface of the ground was distorted, but sometimes there was a vertical displacement, the ground being raised or depressed on one side of the crack, whilst sometimes there was hori- zontal displacement. In the San Francisco earthquake, a crack extended 300 miles in length. These displace- ments were known as “ faults,” and there were many examples in our country, showing that there had been many earthquakes in former times. In the Wigan dis- trict the faults were on an extensive scale, and played a very .important part in the arrangements of the rocks. The limestone was originally deposited at the bottom of the sea, and at first lay horizontally, becoming covered with. extensive layers of mud and sand. The sea dis- appeared, and gave place' to the swamps and the plants which formed the coal forests, the whole area slowly sinking and rising alternately. At last came jungle 'and desert, forming the sands which were called the new red sandstone. We found limestone rock tilted in Derby- shire, and sunk in Cheshire. It would have formed grea/t mountains in Derbyshire' had it not been worn away by weathering, whilst it had sunk to a depth of three miles in Cheshire. Under the strain of these movements the rocks had cracked, and this was nowhere seen to a greater extent than in Lancashire where the coal field was divided into well-marked sections, as the Wigan coal field, the Tyldesley coal field, etc., these being separated by a sharp line which was never crossed. The reason for this was that the districts were divided by faults which had displaced the- coal seams. In some cases the break showed 500 yds. displacement. It was 700 yds. Vertically in the Haigh fault, and was much worse round Manchester, amounting to 1,000 yds.; and in the Bury coal field to a drop of 2,000 yds. Dr. Hickling pointed out that it would have been impos- sible for these faults to have been caused by one earth- quake. The amount of displacement at San Francisco was. only 5 ft. These faults, he added, were the result of very many earthquakes which had extended perhaps over millions of years. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, January 4. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Business in the west of Scotland continues quiet. The demand for industrial sorts is fully maintained, while household qualities are meeting with a ready sale, A con- siderable amount of idle time has been experienced through the shortage of empty wagons, and thousands of tons of coal are delayed. Export licences, too, are very difficult to obtain. Ell coals and steams show a tendency to ease a little, but other descriptions maintain their last week’s position. Shipments amounted to 91,000 tons, compared with 92,437 in the preceding week and 97,674 tons in the corresponding week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal 19/ -25/ 19/ -25/ 18/ -22/ Ell 19/6-24/ 19/6-24/ 21/6-22/ Splint 23/ -32/ 23/ -3/2 23/ -30/ Treble nuts 24/ 23/6 21/ -21/6 Double do 22/ 22/ 19/ -19/6 Single do 21/ 21/ 18/6-19/ IRON. No change has occurred in the position of the Scotch iron trade. In view of the holidays, extreme activity prevailed, and outputs were quite unprecedented. The majority of the works closed down on Saturday last, and operations will be resumed generally on Monday. Demand for pig iron, especially haematite, is strong, and outputs are almost entirely absorbed by home users. Shipments for the past week amounted to 719 tons—413 foreign and 316 coastwise— compared with 4,181 tons in the same week 12 months ago. Official export prices are unchanged, but it is under- stood that transactions have taken place at firmer prices. Monkland and Carnbroe f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 125s., Nos. 3, 120s.; Govan, No. 1, 122s. 6d., 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, and Dalmellington, at Ayr, Nos. 1, 126s. 6d., Nos. 3, 121s. 6d.; Shotts and Carron, at Leith, Nos. 1, 130s., Nos. 3, 125s. per ton. Makers of malleable iron are hard pressed for deliveries,’ and even with works at full capacity arrears are accumulating. Prices are unchanged at .£14 5s. to «£14 10s. per ton net for export. Scotland-—Eastern District. COAL. Collieries in the Lothians have also been severely handi- capped by the shortage of railway wagons, and have suffered a good deal of idle time. The demand, however, is good all round and values maintained. Shipments too show improvement, and amount to 36,633 tons, against 21,445 in the preceding week and 30,066 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. 26/ 24/6 25/ 22/ 19/6 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 26/ 24/6 25/ 22/ 19/6 prices. . 20/6-21/6 19/ -19/6 21/ -22/ 19/ -19/6 16/ -18/6 The position in Fifeshire is comparatively good. Third- class steams are a little easier, but third-class qualities are busy. Other sorts are well booked at about recent prices Clearances for the week reached 50,169 tons, against 46,875 in the preceding week and 52,941 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation coal Unscreened do........ First-class steam coal Third-class do. Treble nuts Double do. Single do Current prices. 30/ -33/6 25/ -27/ 27/6-29/ 22/ 23/ -25/6 22/ 21/ . L’st week’s prices. 30/ -34/ 27/ -29/ 29/ -30/ 22/ 23/ -25/6 22/ 21/ ' Last year’s prices. 25/ -26/' 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 16/6-17/6 21/ -22/ 18/6-19/6 17/ -17/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports amounted to 177,802 tons during the past week, compared with 160,757 tons in the preceding week and 180,681 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. The local market has commenced the new year very quietly indeed. So far as the present week is concerned, loading turns are well filled and collieries can take on little new business. Supplies are very scarce, and prices are fully maintained. The only change in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment is that Tyne steam smalls are the turn dearer. Tonnage arrivals are very short, and the outlook for the rest of the month is none too promising. There has been a recrudescence of Government “ awkwardness” so far as the granting of licences is concerned, which bodes badly for a continuance of any semblance of smooth running of industry in the near future. Apart from this, week, supplies for delivery over January are likely to be fairly ample, and with the obstacles to trade already referred to, prices may ease, if anything. Coke is very scarce and dear ; there is a vigorous demand from neutral countries, but home and Allied consumers are absorbing practically the entire output. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 30/ 30/ 23/ -25/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 29/ -30/ 29/ -30/ 22/ -23/ Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 24/ -26/ 24/ -26/ 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ or West Hartleys) ... 24/ -26/ 24/ -26/ 18/6-19/ Unscreened 20/ -22/6 20/ -22/6 Small, Blyths 18/ -19/ 18/ —19/ 12/6-13/6 Do. Tynes 17/ -18/ 17/ -17/6 10/6-11/6 Do. specials Other sorts:— 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 13/ -14/ Smithies. Best gas coals (New 20/ 20/ 20/ -22/ Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 25/ -27/6 25/ -27/6 22/ -22/6 (Pelaw Main or similar) 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 20/ -21/ Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, 30/ -33/ .30/ -33/ 23/ -24/ Durhams Do. do. 17/ -19/ 17/6-19/ 21/ -23/ N orthumbrians 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 20/ Coking coals 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 21/ -22/ Do. smalls 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 20/ -21/ House coals 27/6-30/ 27/6-30/ . 22/ Coke, foundry 40/ -45/ 40/ -45/ 35/ -36/ Do. blast-furnace 37/ -39/ 37/ -39/ 36/ 28/ -30/ Do. gas 32/ -34/ 32/ -34/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 49,870 tons of coal, as compared with 53,650 tons of coal and 1,250 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1916, being a decrease of 3,780 tons of coal and 1,250 tons of coke. Business has been resumed after the new year stoppage, but there is very little doing, and it is evident it will take the market a day or two to settle down into its regular stride. The general tone is hopeful, but there are many difficulties to export business of all kinds, owing to the impediment and delay in securing licences. Business is only from hand to mouth, coal exporters not knowing how they are going to be affected by the Government control of shipping. Best steams are nominal, second- class steams are also on the easy side. Smalls are plentiful and nominal. Gas is steady, coking fuel is firmer. The enquiry for bunker coal is fairly good, and prices are the turn stiffer ; all classes of coke remain firm. The gas works authorities at Bergen have contracted for 6,000 tons of Wearmouth gas coal at 31s. 3d. per ton f.o.b. Wear, and 6,000 tons of another quality at 28s. 6d. a ton f.o.b Wear, for delivery over the ensuing three months. The Danish Municipal Gas Works contract, which covers 17,200 tons, has been secured by Newcastle merchants for Wear special gas coals at about 30s. per ton, f.o.b , for this month’s ship- ment. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Gas coals:— Current prices. L’stweek’s prices. Last year’s prices. Special Wear gas coals 30/ 27/6 23/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 20/ 18/ 22/ Best house coals 30/ 30/ 27/6 Ordinary do. Other sorts:— 24/6 24/6 20/6-21/ Lambton screened 28/6 28/6 27/ South Hetton do 28/6 28/6 27/ Lambton unscreened ... 18/ 17/6 22/ South Hetton do. 18/ 17/6 21/3 Do. treble nuts 31/6 31/6 20/ Coking coals unscreened 18/6 18/ 20/6 Do. smalls 17/6 17/ 20/ Smithies 20/ 18/6 21/6 Peas and nuts 24/6 24/ 22/ Best bunkers... 19/ 18/6 22/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 18/ 16/6 20/6 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 40/ 40/ 40/ Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 28/ 36/ Gas coke 33/ 6 35/ 28/ Outward chartering is quiet, tonnage being firmly held Bates for all destinations are steady ; fixtures reported are: London, 16s. ; Gothenburg, 37 fr.; Drammen, 33 kr. ; Gibraltar, 46s. 6d.; St. Vincent, 45s.; Las Palmas or Teneriffe, 37s. 6d.; Bi ver Plate, 60s. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. Values of fuel show little change. Coal is unsettled, owing largely to licensing difficulties and the somewhat indifferent response of the miners after the holidays. A good deal of this week’s business had already been arranged, and for the present little disposition is shown to enter into further contracts. Best Durham gas coal ranges from 25s. to 27s. 6d., and second quality is in the neighbourhood of 20s. Ordinary Durham bunker coal is put at 18s., and best at 18s. 6d. Household coal keeps steady and firm. Coking coal is in fairly good request. Unscreened runs from 18s. to 20s., and small is round about 18s. Coke prices are well maintained. Though demand on local account is not so insistent as it has been, requirement keeps heavy. Average blastfurnace quality is 28s. at the ovens, and 30s. 6d. at the ovens is still named for low phosphorus coke. Best foundry is 40s. to 45s., and patent 38s. 6d.; whilst gas coke is put at 33s. IRON. There is not much new to report concerning the various branches of the iron and steel industries. As is usual at this holiday season, business has been very quiet, but great firmness continues to characterise the market, and renewal of activity in the immediate future is confidently anticipated. Production of pig iron is to be further increased by the re-lighting of more furnaces very shortly. For home con- sumption No. 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry and No. 4 forge are all put at 87s. 6d.; and No. 1 is quoted at 91s. 6d.; whilst for shipment to our Allies No. 3 is 98s., No. 4 foundry 96s. 6d., No. 4 forge 95s. 6d., and No. 1 102s. 6d.; and for export to neutral countries No. 3 is 105s. and upward, and No. 1 110s. and upward. Mixed numbers of east coast haematite iron are 122s. 6d. for home use, 137s. 6d. for