334 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 15, 1918. to take timber in exchange, there are other com- modities we should be glad to have; but if we were not only to stop timber imports but coal exports as well, it seems almost inevitable that the volume of trade at our ports would diminish, and our power of negotiation would be reduced in a corresponding degree. Upon the general question of the desirability of growing our own pit timber there can scarcely be any adverse opinion. The position in which the collieries were placed in 1916 was not one which can safely be ignored in future. There arose about that time a real apprehension respecting the provision of supplies of pitwood essential to the maintenance of the output of coal. We have heard much of the danger involved in the dependence of our key indus- tries upon foreign supplies of raw material. Pit timber is in the position of an essential raw material for the mining industry. In this matter, as in some others, we were caught sadly unprepared, and it is impossible to acquit colliery managers of some want of foresight in not recognising earlier the serious aspect of this question. Many clung too long to their preference for foreign wood, and when at last the situation was realised the timber industry of this country was wholly unorganised to meet it. The earlier attempts to meet the demand were hindered by the reluctance of coal owners to enter into long contracts. It was to some extent an excusable posi- tion, for this war has been one of many surprises in more than one direction. But undoubtedly the chief portion of the blame rests with those who were responsible for our general policy before the war. If our statesmen, 30 years ago, had shown sufficient foresight, most of the timber required for the Welsh mines could have been grown upon the hills of Wales. The war has at least shown that this policy of neglect cannot safely be continued. There imay still be some who believe that when peace returns the world will quietly slip back into its pre-war condition. There are perhaps others who think that owing to the slow growth of timber we cannot hope to be self-supporting soon enough to reap any appreciable advantage from the revival of British forestry. Neither of these views will, we think, appeal to those who take seriously the lessons which this war affords. It is certain that pre-war conditions will never be re-established in their entirety. As regards pit props, also, the thinnings available for this purpose do not require long to grow, and much of the pre-war prejudice against home-grown timber has been already overcome by the experience of the last few years. Whether a home industry can be permanently established with- out State assistance, however, is a question to be carefully considered. The Landowners’ Co-operative Forestry Society believe that it will be necessary to secure a permanent adjustment of railway rates for the transport of home-grown pit wood, unless the competition of foreign timber is met by a moderate tariff. Failing one or other of these remedies it is feared that after the war home-grown pitwood will again be ousted from the market. This, of course opens up a large question. Colliery owners have already suffered considerably from the high cost of pitwood. If these inflated prices are maintained, as the growers naturally desire, a permanent burden will be placed upon the production of coal. These conflicting interests of the land owners and the col- liery owners, however, should be capable of reason- able adjustment, so that every inducement may be given to planters without unduly penalising the consumers. The following appointments of certifying surgeons under the Factory and Workshop Acts are notified:—Dr. J. L. Watt, for Tavistock district; and Dr. J. A. Swindale, for Ramsgate district. There are vacancies at Farnborough (Hants) and Biggleswade. National Expenditure and Coal.—The Third Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure deals with shipping delays and shipyard work. Regarding the use of Scotch coal for naval purposes, the Committee observe:— “We have considered whether it might not be possible to make savings in several directions through the greater use of the coal obtained from the Scotch coal mines, having regard to the enormous strain on the railway resources of the country in supplying the Fleet with coal from the Welsh coal fields. We understand that, for auxiliary and other vessels employed on Naval Service, Scotch coal of certain grades is suitable, and that its further use is only limited by the extent to which such coal is available. In view of the necessity of reducing the strain on the rail- ways, we recommend that this matter be further considered by the Admiralty, in conjunction with the Coal Controller, with a view to determining whether the existing supplies are used to the fullest extent, or whether, in the alterna- tive, the output from the mines can be increased.” THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, February 14. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Conditions in the Scotch coal trade continue fairly satis- factory. In the west of Scotland outputs are somewhat below normal, and with demands strong difficulty in the execution of orders is being experienced. All classes of fuel are in eager request. The call for industrial supplies is larger than ever, while household requirements are fully maintained. The shipments from the district for the past week amounted to 133,799 tons, compared with 103,872 in the preceding week and 91,234 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coal prices. 27/6 prices. 27/6 prices. 18/ -24/ Ell 26/6-28/ 26/6-28/ 19/ -23/6 Splint 28/ —30/ 28/ -30/ 22/ -31/ Treble nuts 23/ 23/ 24/ Double do 22/ 22/ 22/ Single do 21/ 21/ 20/ IRON. There is no diminution in the demand for all descriptions of iron products, and the pressure in the various depart- ments of the trade is fully maintained. In pig iron all grades are eagerly sought after, and some brands are entirely off the market for general distribution. Home prices are still unchanged, while despite the absence of business, export prices seem to be on the increase. Approxi- mate values are as follow:—Monkland and Carnbroe f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 140s., Nos. 3, 135s ; Govan, No. 1, 135s., No. 3, 130s.; Clyde, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan No. 1, 150s., No. 3, 145s.; Glengarnock at Ardrossan, No. 1, 140s., No. 3, 135s.; Eglinton at Ardrossan or Troon and Dagmel- lington at Ayr, Nos. 1, 145s., Nos. 3, 135s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1,150s., No. 3, 145s. per ton. At the malleable iron works the chief demand is for the lighter sections. Malleable makers are devoting a large proportion of their efforts to the production of steel and the quantity now produced is a very large item. Black sheet makers are still head over ears in Government work, and galvanised goods, too, are still a Government luxury. Exports, generally, are of little account. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The prevailing tone in the Lothians is good. The Admir- alty continue to take fair quantities of both large and small coals, and with local demands accounting for a considerable portion of the output deliveries are falling into arrears. Shipments were 17,349 tons against 16,820 in the preceding week and 19,234 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Best screened steam coal... prices. 26/6 prices. 26/6 prices 25/6-26/ Secondary qualities 25/6 25/6 24/6 Treble nuts 23/ 23/ 24/6-25/ 22/6 20/ Double do 22/ 22/ Single do 21/ 21/ The collieries in Fifeshire are also fully employed. The output, too, is hardly sufficient for requirements, as local demands have improved and export tonnage has been a little more plentiful of late. Clearances amounted to 35,695 tons against 41,990 in the preceding week, and 25,335 in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best screened navigation coal 29/ -31/ 29/ -31/ 30/ -33/ Unscreened do 24/ -25/ 24/ -25/ 24/6-26/6 First-class steam coal 28/ 28/ 27/ Third-class do 24/ 24/ 20/ Treble nuts 23/ 23/ 24/ Double do. 22/ 22/ 22/ Single do 21/ 21/ 19/ The prices quoted only apply to French and Italian business ; for other orders 2s. 6s. per ton must be added. The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 186,843 tons compared with 162,682 in the preceding week, and 136,195 tons in the correspond- ing week of last year. Horthumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. During most of the period under review, business in the export coal market has been seriously restricted by reason of lack of tonnage, and collieries producing steams and gas sorts have only been able to work very irregularly. At the limp of writing, there has been an improvement in official requisitioning of coals, and more vessels have arrived wherein to transport the cargoes called for. The result is that many pits in the two counties are working very much better, although there are still several instances in which no accelerating of production is called for. Most descrip- tions of steams and gas sorts are still very plentifully offered at bare minimum figures, and much more tonnage would be required to impose any strain on the productive capacity of the collieries. Bunkers, which have for long been exceed- ingly inactive, are just a little brisker this week. The home enquiry for smithies, coking coals and households is fairly well maintained, and these descriptions of coals are moving off for inland consumption at a rate which leaves little surplus for export. There is a good export demand for these varieties, but tonnage shortage prevents the transaction of much overseas business. The same remarks are true of coke of all descriptions, the home market being mainly responsible for the present excellent absorption. There has been no forward business of any magnitude to report. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current prices. 30/ -32/6 29/6—32/ 25/6-28/ 27/ -29/6 23 6-27/6 20/ -22/6 18/6-21/ 20/6-23/ Steam coals.-— Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) Secondary, Blyths ..... Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... Unscreened ............ Small, Blyths ......... Do. Tynes..........j Do. specials......... Other sorts:— iL’st week’s Last year’s < prices. prices. 30/ -32/6 30/ 29/6-32/ ! 28/ 25/6-28/ ' 22/ -24/ 27/ -29 6 ; 22/6-25/ 23/6-27/6 20/ -22/6 ! 20/ -22/6 18/ -19/ 18/6-21/ i 17/ -18/ 20/6-23/ ! 19/ -20/ 25/ -33/6 25/ -33/6 i 20/ -22/ Do. Coking coals...... Do. smalls House coals ...... Coke, foundry ...... Do. blast-furnace ... Do. gas ........... Smithies............. Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) Special gas coals ... Unscreened bunkers, Durhams do. Northumbrians 26/6-27/6 . 24/ -27/6 . 24/ -27/6 28/6-32/6 . 42/6-45/ , 42/6-45/ . 35/ -40/ 25/ -27/6 ! 25/ -27/6: 26/ -28/ 23/6-26/ ! 23/6-26/ i 20/ -21/ 26/6-29/ 26/6—32/6 j 26/6-29/ 31/ -33/ 26/6-27/6 i 18/ -20/ I ; ! 26/6-32/6 i i 24/ -27/6 ’ 24/ -27/6 . ; 28/6-32/6 i 42/6-45/ j 42/6-45/ ’ i 35/ -40/ , 19/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 18/ -20/ 27/ -30/ 40/ -42,6 40/ -42/ 30/ —32/ Sunderland. COAL. The position is rather more encouraging in the sense that both steam and gas collieries hold more spot tonnage than usual, and the prospects for this week are considered promising. A few more licenses for export are heard of, and at the same time the collieries are indifferently employed. Requisition shipments are only moderate, and neutral business is still stagnant. For steam smalls there is no demand, and stocks are large and accumulating. Gas, coking, house and manufacturing fuel are all fairly steady, but bunkers are very flat. Coke of all qualities finds prompt buyers, and the full production is readily placed for home and export account. Shipments are still restricted by lack of tonnage. Prices throughout are nominal and unchanged. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. 1 Current L’st week’s’Last year’s Gas coals:— 1 prices. 29/ -32/6 prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 29/ -32/6 26/ Secondary do. House coals:— 25/ -27/6 25/ -27/6 19/ Best house coals 32/6 32/6 30/ Ordinary do Other sorts:— 30/6 30/6 23/ Lambton screened ; 31/ -32/6 31/ -32/6 29/ South Hetton do ! 31/ -32/6 31/ -32/6 29/ Lambton unscreened ... | 26/6 26/6 18/3 South Hetton do. 26/6 26/6 18/3 Do. treble nuts ; 22/6 22/6 27/6 22/6 Coking coals unscreened 1. 27/6 19/ Do. smalls 27/6 27/6 17/6 Smithies 27/6 27/6 19/6 Peas and nuts 27/ -28/6 27/ -28/6 23/ Best bunkers 27/6 27/6 19/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 26/6 26/6 17/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 42/6-45/ 42/6-45/ 45/ Teesside furnaces) ... 42/6-45/ 42/6-45/ 28/ Gas coke | 35/ -40/ 35/ -40/ 30/6-31/ M id d lesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The general state of the Durham coal trade is not satis- factory. Reports from the collieries still leave much room for improvement, working being very irregular, with much . loss of time in the aggregate. Best Durham gas coals are 27s. 6d., and seconds 26s. Business in bunkers is only very moderate, and is mostly confined to the better kinds. Unscreened Dnrhams range from 26s. 6d. to 27s. 6d. Coking coal continues to be fairly well taken up at round about 27s. 6d. There is a fairly active market in coke, a very ample supply meeting a large demand. For home con- sumption, foundry quality is 38s., average blastfurnace kinds 33s. at the ovens, and low phosphorus descriptions 35s. 6d. at the ovens. For shipment, foundry coke is 42s. 6d. f.o.b. for the Allies, and 45s. f.o.b. for neutrals; whilst gas-house product is 38s. to 40s. f.o.b. IRON. Current month’s supplies of Cleveland foundry pig iron have been practically all fixed up under the allocation system, but, unfortunately, difficulty as regards delivery is unrelieved, and though there is no dearth of iron, continued shortage of trucks and labour is such that in all proba- bility by the end of February it will be found necessary to cancel unfulfilled contracts. Rather heavy forward enquiries for forge iron are reported, but they do not appear to result in much business, makers being disinclined to commit themselves ahead to any extent. Foreign trade is very quiet. Forborne consumption No. 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge all stand at 95s., and No. 1 is 99s.; for shipment to France and Italy No. 3 of the lower qualities are all quoted 114s., and No. 1, 119s. In east coast haematite the situation is still stringent, and it is only by the most careful distribution that urgent home needs are dealt with, and a little iron left over for despatch to the Allies. Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are 122s. 6d. for home use, and 147s. 6d. for export to France and Italy. Substantial improvements in deliveries of foreign ore are reported. In manufactured iron and steel efforts are almost entirely confined to meet the needs of the Government and delivering adequate supplies of shipbuilding material. The output of ship plates and angles is now very heavy. Quotations are unaltered. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The home market is firmer, and the clamour for fuel for local manufacturing purposes is bigger than ever this week. Production is steadily rising again, but the whole of the output is readily disposed of. Since the weather moderated landsale has not been quite so pressing, but business is still coming in freely, and practically all the depots have enough to keep them busy till the beginning of next month. Gas and engine fuels are in very firm