April 25, 1913, THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 859 fixed. The slack trade proceeds with little to comment on. Notwithstanding the heavy output, it is absorbed as produced, and prices are firm, both for open sale and forward for contract. There seems to be every indication that buyers of gas fuel this year will be in the market much earlier than is usual; indeed, many of them are already enquiring. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current Last week’s House coal:— prices. prices. Best 16/3 16/3 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 16/9 to 17/ 16/9 to 17/ Medium 14/6 14/6 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 15/3 t<> 15/6 15/3 to 15/6 Kitchen 12/3 12/3 •Common (f.o.b. Garston, net) 13/9 to 14/6 13/9 to 14/6 Screened forge coal Best screened steam coal 12/6 to 13/ 12/6 to 13/ (f.o.b.) 13/6 to 14/6 13/9 to 14/6 Best slack 10/6 10/6 Secondary slack 9/9 9/9 Common do 9/3 9/3 South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a good attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. The demand for house coal is moderate, with prices unchanged. Furnace coal maintains its position, but there is only a moderate demand for shipping coal, although the price keeps steady. There continues to be a very good enquiry for slacks, and prices are firm. Gas fuel contracts are now coming on to the market. It is a little early yet to say what the advance is likely to be on last year, but Is. to Is. 6d. is talked of. Generally, prices are as foot. 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. 1B/6 to 17/ 15/3 to 16/ 12/6 to 13/ 12/6 14/ 10/ to 10/6 9/ to 9/6 Last week’s prices. 16/6 to 17/ 15/3 to 16/ 12/6 to 13/ 12/6 14/ 10/ to 10/6 9/ to 9/6 fROR There was a fair attendance on ’Change, with very little alteration in prices of pig iron. This keeps firm and good foundry iron can be secured at 71s. to 72s. Foundries are fairly busy but report an absence of enquiries. The forges would like to see more work coming in, but nobody seems to have any faith in the market, and would-be purchasers are only purchasing from hand to mouth. There have been some very cheap prices quoted for steel bars lately, although makers are fairly well-off for work. Engineers are busy, both on the heavy side and the textile side. Wagon works remain fully occupied, with plenty of work ahead. Yorkshire and Derbyshire* Leeds. COAL. The Yorkshire Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday and business all round was brisk. A good many orders for steam coal and house coal were given out, and there were also a large number of enquiries for prompt and forward parcels of gas coal. Slacks for export were also strongly enquired for. Prices all round were firm. The collieries are likely to work full time right up to the Whitsuntide holidays. Empty wagons are plentiful, and there are fewer complaints as to railway congestion. Stocks are practically non-existent and many of the pits are in arrears with deliveries of both house and gas coal. House Coal —It is many years since the demand for house coal was so brisk in April as it is at the present time. This applies to all qualities and to all markets served from this district. London merchants and factors are pressing strongly for extra deliveries of best coal, and the demand all round is more like what it usually is in December. Stocks at Peterborough, Whitemoor, Toton, W illesden and other re-labelling points are said to be lower than at any time since the beginning of the year. Reports from the London depots indicate a slight-falling-off in the retail trade. The important question of new contracts is reviving very close attention at the present time, and, although merchants generally are loth to pay the official shilling advance, we understand that a considerable amount of forward business has been put through this week We hear of sales of Silk- stone best made on the basis of 13*. 6d. per ton at the pit all the year round, while Haigh Moor best has been sold at 14*. summer and 15s. winter. In these circumstances, it is not .expected that lowest summer prices will show any reduction on to-day’s figures. South coast merchants are also in the market for supplies over the next twelve months, and several contracts have been booked during the past few days. Most of the business done is in the medium qualities of Sdkstone house coal, although one or two orders have been placed for best qualities. Freights continue easy and current ship- ments are far in excess of the average for this time of the year. In the West Riding, merchants are fairly well employed, and pit prices are firmly quoted as under:—Haigh Moor selected, 18s. to 19s.; Wallsend and London best, 17s to 18s.; Silkstone best, 16s. to 17s.; Silkstone house, 15s. to 16*.; other qualities, 13s. to 14s. 6i. Gas Coal—We understand that a number of contracts have been booked this week at the official advance of Is. per ton. There is an extraordinary demand for gas nuts and washed gas nuts. These are taking the place, to a very large extent, of unscreened gas coal, which is not being offered in anything like the usual tonnage. Several important works are placing their contracts in two sections —one for delivery ov-r the summer months, and the other for 12 months from July 1 In all cases the < fficial advance is being insisted upon. In spite of the Belgian strike, the exports of gas coal are heavy and current prices slightly higher on the week. Manufacturing Fuel.—Considerable difficulty is still being felt in keeping the big factories in the district fully supplied. This is specially noticeable with regard to small nuts and the rougher kinds of slacks. For prompt supply 9s. 9d. to 10s. per ton at the pit is readily obtained for best slacks. There is a brisk demand for washed coking smalls at about 9s. Washed Furnace Coke.—There is little change in this department. The ovens are being kept in full work and the output moves off readily. Current sales of washed patent oven coke realise 18s. to 18s. 6d. per ton at the ovens. Very little forward business is being done. House coal:— Prices at pit (London) : Haigh Moor selected ... Wallsend & London best Silkstone best ........ Do. house .......... House nuts .......... Prices f.o.b. Hull : Haigh Moor best...... SiUstone best ....... Do. house ........ Other qualities...... Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal ... Gas nuts ............ Unscreened gas coal ... Other sorts :— Prices at pit: Washed nuts ......... Large double-screeneo engine nuts ......... Small nuts .......... Rough unscreened engine coal ......... Best rough slacks ...:.. Small do. ........... Coking smalls ....... Coke:— Price at ovens: Furnace coke ........ Current prices. 14/ to 14/6 13/ to 13/6 13/ to 13/6 12/ to 12/6 11/6 to 12/ 17/ to 17/6 16/6 to 17/ 15/6 to 16/ 13/6 to 14/6 Last week’s prices. 14/ to 14/6 13/ to 13/6 13/ to 13/6 12/ to 12/6 11/ to 11/6 17/ to 17/6 16/6 to 17/ 15/6 to 16/ 13/6 to 14/6 12/3 to 12/9 11/6 to 12/3 11/ to 11/6 12/3 to 12/9 11/6 to 12/ 11/ to 11/6 12/ to 12/6 11/9 to 12/6 11/3 to 11/9 11/ to 11/6 11/ to 11/6 10/9 to 11/3 11/ to 11/6 9/3 to 10/ 8/3 to 9/ 8/6 to 9/ 11/ to 11/6 ----- 9/9 8/9 9/ 9/3 to 8/3 to 8/3 to 18/ to 18/6 18/ to 19/ Barnsley^ COAL. The more prominent feature of the remarkable active state of business is the demand for export, particularly for the Baltic ports. Cargoes left on the earliest possible day from Hui], and strong pressure has been since felt by the collieries for deliveries of all descriptions of steam coal. Unquestionably the output was never more short in meeting the requirements, although the collieries have made full working time, but there is a good deal of com- plaint with regard to the tonnage raised owing to the inattention of miners to their work. Under these circum- stances values continue to be of a more firm description, and in some respects prices are rather higher on the week, whilst buyers in the home markets are also still requiring an unusually large amount of tonnage. This may be due to the stoppage of the collieries which will occur in the case of the Whitsuntide holidays, and every effort is being made to lay in stocks, which have been rather depleted of late, and higher prices are offered to secure adequate deliveries. Generally speaking, business is entirely of a hand-to-mouth description, and buyers are unable to lay hands on much surplus fuel. Efforts to make contracts to cover any considerable period meet with little success, for sellers are showing remarkable optimism in regard to the range of prices. The best Barnsley hards are probably more scarce than any other kind of fuel at the present time, and in some cases from 3d. to 6d. per ton more is being pud than was the case a week ago. In a considerable degree the position is about the same with respect to good class secondary large steams. In regard to small steam coal, the remarkable situation remains unaltered, and all classes of this kind of fuel are very scarce. Such is the outlook that collieries continue to receive anxious enquiries as to the best terms that can be given for six months or even further ahead. Prices, although nominally not altered, vary somewhat according to the circumstances, and any sellers with spare fuel of this description are able to sell at higher prices than have ruled of late. The difficulty in regard to securing supplies of slacks appears to be even greater, and as stated last week there continues to be less disposition to utilise slacks for cokemaking owing to the very high commercial value of slacks for steam-raising purposes. Representatives of gas coal collieries continue to report success in the arrangement of new contracts on the basis of their demand, and it is expected,now that a further advance of wages has to be paid, that there will be no difficulty in fixing up arrangements on that basis. Although the recent warmer weather will necessarily affect the con- sumption of house coal, up to the present collieries have felt no slackening in the demand for all kinds of this class of coal. The general opinion is that stocks held by mer- chants and householders have been completely absorbed or remain very low, which is compelling new orders to be placed in such volume that it is now more difficult for collieries to meet customers’ wants than it was in January or February la«-t. Coalowners still adhere to their resolve to enforce an advance of Is. per ton on present contracts, which in the ordinary course will be renewed prior to June, and there is no thought at the present of reducing winter Prices at pit. Current Last week’s House coals:— prices. prices. Best Sdkstone 14/6 to 15/ 14/6 to 15/ Best Barnsley softs 14/ to 14/3 14/ to 14/3 Secondary do 11/6 to 13/ 11/6 to 13/ Best house nuts 11/6 to 12/6 11/6 to 12/6 Secondary do Steam coals:— 10/6 to 11/6 10/6 to 11/6 Best hard coals 13/ to 13/9 13/ to 13/9 Secondary do 12/6 to 12/9 12/ to 12/6 B *st washed nuts 12/3 to 12/9 12/ to 12/6 Secondary do. 11/6 11/6 Best slack 9/3 to 9/9 9/ to 9/6 Rough do Gas coals:— 8/6 to 8/9 8/ to 8/6 Screened gas coals 12/3 to 12/9 12/3 to 13/ Gas nuts 12/ 12/ Furnace coke 17/ to 18/ 17/ to 18/ prices. The position in regard to coke shows but little change, ironsmelters still holding off from contracting except at reduced figures. However, the output is fairly well cleared, but prices are not firm and stand at from 17s. to 18s. per ton. Hull. COAL. The Humber coal market retains its buoyancy, and with a strong demand for export, and at home prices are well maintained in nearly all departments. Especially is this so in the case of steam hards, which are in big request. South Yorkshires, Derbyshire^, and Nottinghams are now on about the same level, 16s. 9d. for prompt shipment being quoted for the first named at Hull, and for the latter at Grimsby and Immingham. Trade generally is brisk, and smalls, nuts and slacks maintain last week’s rates. The Baltic season has now opened several firms on the Humber, having received intimation of the arrival of the first coal laden steamers at Cronstadt. The outlook thus far has been very promising, and with several large contracts in the market from Russia and Finland. There is every prospect of a busy period ahead. In addition to the further requirements of 80,000 tons for the Russian State Railways for May and June delivery, the St. Petersburg Municipal Department are considering tenders for 150,000 tons, and to-day prices are being despatched to Helsingfors for 100,000 tons of steam coal required by the Finland State Railways, South Yorkshire and Derbyshire steam hards being offered. There is a feeling of relief that the Belgian strike is on the way to settlement, though it has not had a very serious effect on the Humber coal export trade. Most of the coal sent to Belgium is shipped at Goole, and shipments have been made during the past few days, shippers being assured that the position of affairs at Antwerp and other ports was not so bad as some reports would lead them to believe. It is quite likely that the strike, notwithstanding its short duration, will cause an increased demand for small coal in Yorkshire. Shipments generally at the docks on the Humber are on a large scale, and thanks to generous facilities, loading conditions are good and turns prompt. Coal is coming along from the collieries in fairly large volume, and exports to the Baltic are daily increasing. Tonnage is plentiful, and there is more activity in the freight market. Several vessels have been taken up at 5s. 9d. for early loading for Cronstadt. Mediterranean chartering is quiet, and shipowners are asking increased rates, on the basis of 9s. 6d. to 9s. 9d. Genoa, Alexandria and Port Said. Recent fixtures include:—From Hull: Cronstadt, 5s. 9d. (several times) ; Pernau •1,680 tons, 5*. 6d.; Rouen, 3,500 tons, 5s.; from Immingham: Riga, 24,000 tons 6s.; from Grimsby, Sundsvall 2,300 tons, 4s. 6d.; from Goole, Ghent 750 tons, 4s. 9d. The following are the approximate prices for prompt shipment f.o.b. Hull, etc.:— South Yorkshire:— Best steam hards Current prices. 16/9 15/ 14/3 to 14/6 14/6 to 14/9 14/ 12/6 11/9 14/3 11/9 10/6 to 11/ 15/ 13/ to 13/3 17/ 16/9 13/9 13/6 14/6 14/ 17/ 16/9 Last week’s prices. 16/6 to 16/9 15/ 14/3 to 14/6 14/6 to 14/9 14/ 12/6 11/9 14/3 11/9 10/6 to 11/ 15/ 13/to 13/3 16/9 16/6 13/9 13/6 14/6 14/ 16/9 16/6 Washed double - screened nuts Unwashed double- screened nuts Washed single - screened nuts Unwashed single-screened nuts Washed smalls Unwashed smalls West Yorkshire:— Hartleys Rough slack Pea slack Best Silkstone screened gas coal Best Silkstone unscreened gas coal Derbyshire and Notts:— Best steam hards Do. (Grimsby) Derbyshire nuts (doubles) Derbyshire nuts (doubles) (Grimsby) Derbyshire large nuts ... Do. do. (Grimsby) r Nottinghamshire hards ... Do. do. (Grimsby) Chesterfield. COAL. A satisfactory business continues to be done in house coal, for which the demand is remarkably good for the time of year. Prices are firm, no special quotations being now in operation. Stocks are low. Fuel for manufacturing purposes is in great request, and all qualities are as urgently needed as ever. Prices are very firm. Cobbles and nuts suitable for gas producers are scarce and dear. There is an active demand for all classes of slack, especially those possessing good steam-raising properties, and values remain on a high level. Steam coal for locomotive use is much wanted, ard railway companies are quite unable to obtain direct fr