26 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. July 5, 1918. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, July 4. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There has been little change in the Scotch coal trade during the past week. The pressure for deliveries is a little more intense, while the restriction in output is as great as ever. The- advance in prices caused no surprise; in fact, in some quarters it was thought the rise would have been greater. In the west of Scotland the home demand is undiminished and export turnover comparatively good. Shipments for the week amounted to 98,988 tons, against 105,513 tons in the preceding week, and 108,687 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coal prices. prices.* prices. 32/6 27/6 17/6-19'6 Ell 31/6-33/ 26/6-28/ 18 6-20/ Splint 33/ -35/ 28/ -30/ 21/ -26/ Treble nuts 28/ 23/ 23/6 Double do 27/ 22/ 22/ Single do 26/ 21/ 20/ IRON. All branches of the Scotch iron trade continue in a state of undiminished activity. In pig iron, haematite is under great pressure for national requirements, and every avail- able furnace is put on to the production of this quality. Foundry iron is particularly scarce, and during the past week or two the market has been very bare of stock. Export business is still of very limited proportions, practic- ally everything being wanted for home or Allied use. Quotations, however, are fully maintained and approximate values are round about the following prices:—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, Nos. 1, 150s., Nos. 3, 145s.; Glengarnock at Ardrossan, No. 1,140s., No. 3,135s.; Eglinton at Ardrossan or Troon and Dalmellington at Ayr, Nos 1, 145s., Nos. 3, 135s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 150s., No. 3, 145s. per ton. At the malleable iron works makers have a constant demand for the heavier sections. The steel departments, too, are working incessantly. Tube makers have large orders on hand for all kinds of tubes for Army purposes and for ship building and boiler works. Exports continue in a reduced condition. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Outputs from the Lothian collieries are quickly taken up, and orders are falling into arrears. Admiralty orders are considerable, and local demands are large, while any available fuel is being shipped to neutrals at prices advantageous to the collieries. Shipments amounted to 17,800 tons, against 16,667 tons in the preceding week, and 18,094 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b Leith. Current prices. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities 31/6 30/6 Treble nuts 28/ Double do. ..., 27/ Single do w 1 / 26/ L’st week’s prices.* 26/6 25/6 23/ 22/ 21/ . Last year’s prices 20/ 18/ 22/ 20/ 19/ In Fifeshire supplies are insufficient to meet deman ds, and orders are falling behind. A number of boats are available, but there is a loading turn of several days. Shipments were 32,636 tons, against 42,842 tons in the preceding week, and 23,880 tons in the same week last year. Prices f o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation coal Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices.* prices. 34/ -36/ 29/ -31/ 27/ Unscreened do 29/ -30/ 24/ -25/ 23/ First-class steam coal 33/ 28/ 23/ Third-class do 29/ 24/ 19/ Treble nuts 28/ 23/ 24/ Double do 27/ 22/ 22/ Single do 26/ 21/ 20/ All prices quoted only apply to shipments to France and Italy ; for all other business 2s. 6d. or more per ton must be added. The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 149,424 tons, compared with 165,022 tons in the preceding week, and 150,661 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. It is reported that up to 70 per cent, of the men of the men at some of the collieries are laid aside with influenza, and that several collieries are on the verge of being laid idle because of insufficiency of man-power. These state- ments are probably exaggerations, but the situation is undoubtedly bad. Meanwhile, there is absolutely no diminution in the pressure for supplies. Government, Allied and inland consumers are all demanding as much fuel as they can get, and neutral customers are endeavouring to secure considerable quantities. The three former classes of consumers take precedence, of course, and by the time their requirements have been partially filled, there is nothing left for Class No. 4. On official and home accounts collieries are fully sold for many weeks to come, and neutrals have to be content with very small and very occasional lots of coal. The supply of requisitioned tonnage and of railway trucks is still all that could be desired. The Norwegian State Railways have contracted with two Newcastle firms of exporters for the supply each of 7,000 tons of local steams for August-September delivery at 60s. per ton for large and 40s. for smalls, plus the usual 5 per cent, in each case. The balance of the * Advance not included. contract—which, as originally offering, was for 16,500 tons —is stated to have been allotted to a well-known Cardiff firm, presumably for Welsh coals No details with reference to this latter allotment has yet transpired. In the price list which follows, the quotations given range from the fixed and invariable figures which apply for France, Italy and their protectorates and possessions and to British protectorates and possessions and coaling stations therein, to the extreme prices now being asked for sales for neutrals. So far as these latter are concerned, it will be noted that Durham unscreened bunkers are now quoted at up to 50s., and households at up to 65s. Other figures are unaltered. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s Steam coals :— prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 35/ -65/ 35/ -65/ 30/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 34/6-60/ 34/6-60/ 29/6 Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 30/6-55/ 30/6-55/ 25/6 or West Hartleys) ... 32/ -55/ 32/ -55' 27/ Unscreened 28'6-40/ 28/6-40/ 23/6-25/ Small, Blyths 25/ -40/ 23/6-35/ 25/ —40/ 20' Do. Tynes 23/6-35/ 18 6 Do. specials Other sorts:— 25,6-40/ 25/6-40/ 20,6 Smithies Best gas coals (New 30/ -40/ 30/ -40/ 25/ Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 30/ -45/ 30/ -45/ 25/ (Pelaw Main or similar) 28/6-35/ 28/6-35/ 23/6 Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, 31/6-45/ 31/6-45/ 24/6-30/ Durhams Do. do. 29 1-501 29/ -50/ 24/ -25/ N or thumbr ians 29/ -40/ 29/ -40/ 24/ -25/ 24/ -25/ Coking coals 29/ -40/ 29/ -40/ 29/ -40/ Do. smalls 29/ -40/ 24/ -25/ House coals 33/6-65/ 33/6-60/ 28/6-30/ Coke, foundry 47/6-50/ 47/6-50/ 42 6 Do. blast-furnace | 47/6-50/ 47/6-50/ 42 6 Do. gas | 35/ -40/ 35/ -40/ 30/ -32/ Sunderland. COAL. With supplies very short, the coal market opened the week with a strong demand, and higher prices are again quoted for neutral shipment. The output appears to have been further reduced by the epidemic of Spanish influenza, which has laid off quite a number of the miners. Official and home trade requirements are heavy, and leave the smallest possible surplus available for export to neutrals, who, to a large extent, are enquiring in vain. Special Wear gas eoals are worth 50s., and manufacturing fuel 35s. to 45s. according to quality, while bunkers range from 40s. to 50s., the latter now being asked for the superior brands. Owing to absence of coal for sale, however, these prices are largely nominal. No coke is to be had for export to neutrals, owing to the heavy home demand, which, together with the requirements of France, is absorbing the entire production. Prices remain at the schedule figures. The contract to supply the Norwegian State Railways has been allotted to local firms for 14,000 tons of best steams at 60s., combined with a proportion of best smalls at 40s., August shipment. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. In the fuel trade official demands absorb the bulk of the output, so that it is exceedingly difficult to negotiate out- side business. Enquiry on behalf of neutrals is very substantial, but little business can be done, and any possible transac ions are for business well ahead Complaints are heard of vessels on turn having long waits before they can get cargoes, and the necessary arrangements for loading. Values of coal for home and for the Allies remain at the recently amended schedules, but for neutrals high prices are named. Scarcity of coal is enhanced by absence of workmen from the pits through indisposition In the colliery districts influenza is rampant, and stoppage of work is feared at some of the pits in consequence of so many colliers suffering from the disease. For neutral business gas and manufacturing coals range from 35s. to 45s.; whilst for special qualities up to 50s. is named, and bunkers are in good request at 45s. to 50s. Coking coal is eagerly taken up. There is no alteration to report with regard to coke. Supply is inadequate to the very heavy demand. Owing to the scarcity neutral trade is practically at a standstill. Home supplies are well maintained, and every effort is being made to deal adequately with the essential needs of the blastfurnaces. Average furnace coke is 33s. at the ovens; and low phosphorus sort, 35s. 6d. at the ovens. IRON. Business in Cleveland pig iron is rather quieter, but such was to be expected after last month’s very heavy deliveries, and the fact that this month’s needs will be cut down by holidays in Scotland. July allocations of foundry iron are being issued slowly, but they were sufficient to meet requirements. Production is passing promptly into con- sumption, and from month to month few of class B or C allocations can be met, class A certificates absorbing practically the whole of the make. Forge ironr is rather plentiful, both makers and users having some stock. Output of this quality has recently been above the normal, and producers are rather keen to negotiate on forward account. Shipments of Cleveland pig to our Allies are expanding. For home consumption, No. 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge are all quoted 95s.; and No. 1 is 99s.; whilst for shipment to France and Italy No. 3 and the lower qualities are 114s.; and No. 1 is 119s. Demand for east coast haematite both for home consumption and for export is particularly strong, but by careful dis- tribution all essential needs are being satisfactorily dealt with. With every likelihood of more basic iron and scrap being used for steel-making, conditions promise to improve. Mixed numbers of haematite were 122s. 6d for home use, and 147s. 6d. for export to France and Italy. There is great activity in finished iron and steel, and it is gratifying to have the assurance that the huge demands for shipbuilding, engineering, and constructional material are receiving adequate attention. Prices all round are firm. Cumberland. Mary port. COAL, The coal trade is still very brisk, but the situation is one of increasing difficulty. The output during the past fort- night has been smaller than ever, owing to mishaps to plant and local disputes, and there is very little hope of any improvement for some weeks to come. There is a marked shortage of fuel. There is some difficulty in dealing with home needs, and although landsale is not quite so pressing, local merchants can scarcely secure sufficient to satisfy their customers. No supplies of any description can be spared for outside consumers. Stocks of imported fuel from Durham and Northumberland for the coke ovens and export have dropped considerably during the last fort- night. Gas and engine fuels are in strong request. The shipping trade is busy. Irish merchants are clamouring for supplies of both local and imported fuel, but the Cumberland collieries are so heavily engaged locally that it is impossible to deal with more than 50 per cent, of the business that is being offered on export account. Ship- ments for the week have amounted to 4,070 tons, against 3,850 tons for the preceding week, and 3,000 tons at the corresponding period of last year. Prices are unchanged. Current quotations. Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit Best washed nuts at pit... Current prices. 28/4 26/8 L’stweek’s prices. 28/4 26 8 Last year’s prices. 23/4 21/3 Seconds at pit 25/10 25/10 20/10 Washed nuts at pit 25/10 25T0 20/10 Do. smalls „ 21/8 21/8 16/8 Do. peas „ 20/ 20/ 15/ Buckhill best coal at pit... Do. double-scrned 27/6 27/6 22/6 washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at 26/ 26/ 21/ pit Oughterside best washed 27 6 27/6 22/6 nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best 26/ 26/ 21/ coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts 27,6 27/6 22/6 at pit 26/ 26/ 21/ Best Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. 23/ 23/ 19/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 21/ 21/ 17/6 Best bunkers (coastwise) Do. (for foreign-going 33/6 33 6 25/ steamers) 36/ 36/ 30/ Best works fuel 25/ 25/ 20/ Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- 25/ 25/ 20/ works 24/ 24/ 19/ IRON. Conditions in the iron and steel industries in Cumberland and the Furness district have undergone no change since last week. Makers are still very busy, and production is as large as it can be until more furnaces are lighted. The market for haematite pig iron is very firm and brisk, and the demand for metal, whether for home use or outside consumption, is still heavier than can be coped with. Makers are so heavily booked that only the more important business can be accepted, and requirements are now on such an extensive scale that approved users, who are strictly rationed, are merely receiving sufficient to keep them going from hand to mouth. All the iron that can be smelted is required for home use, and no supplies can be spared for export. Smelters are doing their utmost to increase the output of pig iron, and it is expected that supplies will be fuller before the autumn. Prices are still at the maximum, and Bessemer mixed numbers are again quoted at 127s. 6d. per ton f.o.t., with warrants at cash at 115s. per ton. Special iron is 140s. per ton, and semi-special iron is 135s. 6d. per ton f.o.t. All the special and semi-special iron is earmarked for important consumers in Scotland and the Midlands, and some consignments of ordinary iron are passing out of the district for shipbuilding and other important purposes, but a big proportion is still reserved for consumption locally at the steelworks. The steel industry remains in a brisk condition, and there is intense activity both at Barrow and Workington. Billets and plates are in strong request, but rails and other commercial sorts are rather quiet. The iron ore industry is busy, and the mines, from Cleator Moor to Millom, are working full time. Outputs are fairly satisfactory, but still below the req irements of local furnaces. The imports of foreign iron ore for the week have amounted to 6,5c0 tons. South-West Lancashire. COAL. The activity in the demand for household coal does not decrease, and the consignments from the collieries are still further reduced by the exceptional shipping activity. As regards shipping, the conditions generally remain much as reported last week. Bunkering requirements are fully maintained, and exports are heavier owing to the special shipments to France. Supplies are short all round. There is nothing new in the coastwise and cross-channel trade for household coals. Shipments are less than usual, because of the difficulty in finding fuel. It is to be hoped that the holidays in the manufacturing towns, which have now commenced, will ease the situation with regard to slack and small-graded fuels, so that some little addition can be made to manufacturers’ stocks and the stocks at utility works, which have been sadly depleted of late. Prices as pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ................. Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium ............... Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen .............. Com. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Screened forge coal..... Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ........ Common do............... Current L’stweek’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. 26/ -27/ 26/ -27/ 21/ -22/ 27/6-28/6 27/6-28/6 25/6 24/ -25/ 24/ -27/ 19/ -20/ 27/ -27/6 27/ -27/6 24/6 23/ 23/ 18/ 25/6-26/6 25/6-26/6 23/ upwds 23/ 23/ 18/ * • * - 21/ 21/ 16/. 20/ 20/ 15/ 19/ 19/ 14/ * New schedule prices. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. “ Summer holidays ” are now commencing to have an effect on the attendance of members on the Manchester Coal Exchange. The recent advance of 2s. 6d. per ton in ruling fuel prices has not had the effect of bringing more fuel on to the market, and what is offered is below requirements. Shipments continue steady. Prices are as below.