338 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 16, 1917. but it is scarcely necessary to do so. Without suggesting any invidious comparison between the relative importance of the dailies and the technical journals, we believe that to restrict the latter would be a national calamity of the first importance, and a retrograde step in the industrial development of the nation. THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, February 15. Dublin. No change in prices has occurred this week. Supplies are coming in with fair regularity, 'although some delay and inconvenience is caused oy the shortage of labour for load- ing cargoes at the other side. Current quotations are as follow:—Best Orrell, 44s. per ton net; "Yorkshire brights, 43s.; best Wigan, 42s.; best slack, 36s.; retail prices, 2s. lOd. to 3s. per sack of 10 st.; steam coal, from about 40s. per ton; best coke, 44s. per ton. Irish coals from the Wolfhill Collieries, Queen’s County, are : Malting coal, 45s. per ton; house and gas coal, 40s.; coarse culm, 15s. per ton—all f.o.r. Athy, the nearest railway connection with the mines. There is a good import trade, the coal vessels arriving during the past week amounting to 75, as compared with 47 the week previously, the total' quantity of coal dis- charged upon the quays being 28,000 tons, as against 19,000 tons in the previous week, it is stated that the scheme for the development of the Arigna coal mines is making satis- factory progress. A large staff of men are at work con- structing the railway to the coal fields, and it is hoped in a short time to have the undertaking in full working order. The promoters propose to construct about 100 miles of rail- way, and to turn out 100 tons a day. They will take over the Cavan and Leitrim Bailway, which is a narrow gauge, and construct a wide gauge on it from Belturbet to the mining district, and on to Collooney, and. when this is com- pleted they expect to supply a large quantity of coal. Belfast. Business generally continues to be quiet, except amongst retailers, and supplies in the port are at present plentiful. Prices are unchanged, as follow :—Best Arley house coal, 43s. 6d. per ton; Orrell nuts, 42s. 6d.; English house, 41s. 6d.; Scotch house, 39s. 6d.; Orrell slack, 39s. 6d. Approximate prices of steam coals are : Scotch, 35s. per ton; best English and Welsh steam coal, 40s. per ton. Gas coke runs from about 37s. 6d. to 40s. per ton; and foundry coke, from 60s. to 64s. per ton delivered. From January 14 to February 3 the total number of coal-laden vessels entering the harbour was 189. THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, February 15. The acute pressure on the market has somewhat subsided. The keen frost has gone, and although the weather continues bitterly cold, the roads in and around the Metropolis are workable, and horses and vans are able to move about with- out any serious fear of damage to the horses. In some of the hilly neighbourhoods of the northern suburbs, ;the vans have been absent for over a fortnight, and the want of fuel has been exceedingly distressing. Luring the frosty weather it was no uncommon thing for van loads of coal to be held up in the streets, particularly in East London, and the con- tents violently seized by householders and others, who for the most part paid for the coal. The carmen were obliged to return to load afresh for the orders originally intended. Coal in some of the districts has been really scarce, but, as a rule, merchants have a fair stock in hand, and now that the delivery question has been solved, the outlook is far more easy. The mayors in many cases bought a consider- able quantity of coal to retail to the poor at cost price, and in some districts the corporation officials anticipated the scarcity, and have a fair supply on hand. The attendance on ’Change has been very good, and all the London buyers are eagerly taking up all the coal obtainable. Some excite-; ment has been produced by the discovery of a large heap of coal, computed at about 2,500 or 3,000 tons, at-'Shepherd’s Bush coal wharf, stored apparently in the summer months and still remaining intact, although the neighbourhood has been so terribly short of coal. The freight market is still suffering from want of vessels; chartering is therefore stagnant. In the Humber, however, the tonnage is increas- ing. On Monday 19 vessels were returned as entering the Thames, and 20 on Wednesday, but all were contract cargoes. One fixture has been made from the Tyne to London at 18s. freight this week. Humber prices for coal are very much the same. South Yorkshire best hards are 28s. to 29s. per ton f.o.b., and Derbyshire hards 28s. House coals are very scarce. Coke has been selling very freely, and during the great frost the East London gas works have been literally besieged with buyers of small quantities, with every conceivable vehicle for carrying the coke home. From Messrs. Dinham Fawcus and Company’s Report. Friday, February 9.—The weather still continuing cold, caused a good enquiry for seaborne house coal, but no sales were reported. Cargoes, 18. Monday , February 12.—Although there was a slight change in the weather, the demand for seaborne house coal was somewhat excessive, but no supplies were forthcoming. Cargoes, 19. Wednesday, February 14.—There was no alteration in the seaborne house coal market. A good demand prevailed, but nothing on offer. Cargoes, 20. Centralising Steel Production.—Mr. John Hodge, M.P., Minister of Labour, at a dinner given by the Sales Managers’ Association last night, advocated the centralisa- tion of the manufacture and supply of steel. Some Labour men might doubt the wisdom of his approving a scheme of that character, but what was going to benefit capital must ultimately benefit labour, if labour was wise. He had always been a believer of payment by results. If we were going to have that system in those trades which in the past had been opposed to it, a feeling of confidence must be created in the minds of the workmen that they were not going to be robbed of their extra exertions. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, February 15. SGOtland.—Western District. COAL. There are no indications of an improvement in the Scotch coal trade. Conditions show little variation from day to day, and, generally speaking, business is very monotonous. The circumstances governing the export department are still all against an enlarged turnover, and though in ordinary times the increase in freights would have meant an increase in tonnage, that can hardly be looked for at present. In the west of Scotland district no new features have developed. The local industrial demand is large and increasing, and most classes of coal are in request, while the unusual demand for household sorts also helps to keep the collieries well occupied, and save the market from possible stagnation. Shipments for the past week amounted to 90,446 tons, against 95,901 in the preceding week and 101,830 tons in the same week last year. Prices are unchanged, and it is felt that, with such high wages and heavy oncost, the bedrock has been touched. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal Ell | Current ! prices. 18/ -24/ 19/ -23/6 22/ -31/ 24/ 22/ 20/ L’st week’s prices. 1 18/ -24/ ■ 19/ -23/6 ) 22/ -31/ ! 24/ 22/ 20/ Last year’s prices. , 19/ -23/ 22/ 25/ -34/ 21/3-21/6 20/6-21/ 19/3-19/6 Splint Treble nuts Double do Single do IRON. In all departments of the Scotch iron trade work is being carried on with unabated activity. Pig iron makers are working under strenuous conditions, and the demand keeps the furnaces working at full pressure. The call for haematite is still the chief feature, and outputs are quickly absorbed by local steel works. Ordinary brands are, however, more in evidence, and the production is largely taken up by iron works in the district. With home demands so insistent there is little material for shipment, and exports for the past week only amounted to 561 tons, compared with 2,076 tons in the same week last year, while the returns from January 1 of this year to date amounting to 3,356 tons compare with 15,852 tons in the same period last year. The prices of Scotch makers’iron are unchanged as followMonkland 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. Pig iron warrant stocks now amount to 4,033 tons against 5,338 tons at the end of 1916, and 116,098 tons in December 1915. In the malleable iron trade ordinary mercantile work is severely curtailed, war requirements accounting for practically all the production. “Crown” quality iron bars are quoted <£14 12s. 6d. to .£14 15s. per ton net for export, and mild steel bars about <£17 per ton net for basis sizes. In the shipbuilding yards good progress is being made with the new mercantile tonnage. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Conditions in the Lothians coal trade are remarkably good under present circumstances. Exports are fairly satisfactory, and with the local demand well maintained outputs are being fully disposed of. Shipments amounted to 19,234 tons against 17,154 in the preceding week and 36,299 tons in the same month of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 25/6-26/ 25/6-26/ i 23/ Secondary qualities 24/6 24/6 21/ -22/ Treble nuts 24/6-25/ 24/6-25/ 22/ -24/ Double do 22/6 22/6 21/ -22/ Single do 20/ 20/ 19/ —19/6 Trade in Fifeshire is only moderately good, but neverthe- less the collieries are kept fully engaged. Within the last few days the Swedish State railways have purchased a large quantity of first-class steams at, it is said, a figure favourable to the railways. At the same time it is question- able if shipping licences for the quantity purchased will be forthcoming even if the tonnage is available. Shipments for the week amounted to 25,335 tons, against 31,559 in the preceding week, and 58,472 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 , 30/ -33/ 30/ -33/ 26/ -27/ Unscreened do 24/6-26/6 24/6-26/6 24/ -251 First-class steam coal 27/ 27/ -27/6 26/ Third-class do. 20/ 20/ 18/ -20/ Treble nuts 24/ 24/ 22/ -23/ Double do 22/ 22/ 20/6-21/6 Single do 19/ !9/ 18/ -19/ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports amounted to 135,015 tons, compared with 144,614 in the preceding week and 196,601 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. The dulness which has characterised the prompt market in recent weeks has undergone no mitigation during the period under review. Indeed, the gloom has been even more settled this week, for there has not been even that promise of activity which was presaged by the allotment of the Swedish State Bail ways contracts. Practically speaking, there has been nothing doing. Collier tonnage supplies are at what must surely be their lowest ebb ; any movement of coal on an extensive scale from this country to neutral or Allied destinations has, therefore, been rendered impossible. There has been a considerable amount of time lost by the collieries of Northumberland and Durham in consequence of the large accumulations of stocks, for which no means of transport is, at the moment, available, and, altogether, there has been nothing for coal men to do but to hang on in the hope of better times in the near future. The lifelessness of the market is denoted by the fact that there has been absolutely no movement in f.o.b. quotations for coal for prompt shipment. Buyers who could take immediate delivery could, it is true, avail themselves of the stagnation of the market to the extent of securing rebates of from 2s. to 3s. per ton on nominal quotations, but, apart from the readiness to make such concessions, there has been no inducement to holders of coal to vary their prices in the slightest, for, however substantial the variation in buyers'’ favour, it could not help business one iota. The only changes noted in prices this week are in the coke section, foundry sorts having fallen by 2s. 6d. per ton, and blastfurnace qualities being 6d. lower. There has been no further change in gas coke figures. Coke was hard hit during the week by a falling- off in the enquiry, but, at the time of writing, the demand has again improved, and supplies are moving off more freely. It is devoutly to be hoped that the present is the last week when the coal trade will be quite as moribund as it now is, and that the latest concessions to neutral shipping (concessions extraordinarily generous, and such as no man in the trade would have dreamed of having to offer even a few months ago), plus the successful development of our Admiralty efforts to defeat the German schemes of submarine blockade will, in a few days, bring the needed measure of relief to the industry and enable business to be done on more normal lines. There is no lack of enquiry for fuel; all that is needed is the adequate supply of shipping Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals:— Current prices. L’stweek’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 30/ 30/ 30/ -32/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 28'/ 28/ 32/6 27/6-30/ Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 22/ -24/ 22/ -24/ or West Hartleys) ... 22/6-25/ 22/6-25/ 27^6-30/ Unscreened 20/ -22/6 20/ -22/6 25/ Small, Blyths 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ ! 15/ —16/ I 14/ -15/ Do. Tynes 17/ —18/ 17/ -18/ Do. specials Other sorts:— 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 16/6-17/6 Smithies Best gas coals (New 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 25/ Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 26/ -28/ 26/ -28/ 25/6-26/ (Pelaw Main or similar) 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 31/ -33/ 24/6-25/ Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, 31/ -33/ 26/ Durhams Do. do. 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ ■ 1 25/ -27/ Northumbrians 19/ -21/ 19/ -21/ i 25/ Coking coals 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ , 25/^ Do. smalls 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 24/ House coals 27/ -30/ 27/ -30/ i 30/ -32/6 Coke, foundry 40/ -42/6 42/6-45/ 40/ -42/6 Do. blast-furnace ! 40/ -42/ 40/ -42/6 i 30/ -33/ ! 40/ Do. gas 1 30/ -32/ 26/ -27/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 52,280 tons of coal, as compared with 57,540 tons for the corresponding period of 1916, being a decrease of 5,260 tons. Dull and nominal, with business extremely difficult to transact for want of prompt tonnage, the coal market remains without much change. A certain amount of time continues to be lost by not a few of the pits, and spot coal of all classes is readily obtainable at a fair discount. Special Wear gas coals are at about 26s., and there are good qualities of secondary gas sorts to be had at round about 18s. 6d. to 19s. Coking collieries have easy terms, and will take on tonnage at from 18s. to 19s. per ton. Some of the ordinary bunker class of coal has been done at about 17s., and boats are round about 19s. 6d. f.o.b. Best foundry coke may be put at 44s. to 45s., and gas coke at 31s., both classes feeling the need of prompt tonnage. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 26/ 27/ 27/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 19/ 20/ 25/ Best house coals 30/ 30/ 30/ Ordinary do Other sorts :— 23/ 24/ 27/6 Lambton screened 29/ 30/ 32/6 South Hetton do. 29; 30/ 32/6 Lambton unscreened ... 18/3 18/6 26/6 South Hetton do. 18/3 18/6 26/ Do. treble nuts 22/6 21/6-22/6 30/ Coking coals unscreened 19/ 19/6 27/6 Do. smalls 17/6 18/6 26/6 Smithies 19/6 20/ 25/ Peas and nuts 23/ 25/ 28/6 Best bunkers 19/6 21/ 27/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 17/ 18/ 25/6 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 45/ 45/ 42/6 Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 28/ i 30/ Gas coke 30/6-31/ 30/6-31/ ! 26/ -26/6