Mat 9, 1913.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

963

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 to 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	  Seat screened steam coal	12/6 to 13/	12/6 to 13/
(f.o.b.) 		14/ to 14/6	13/9 to 14/6
Best slack		10/6	10/6
Secondary slack 		9/9	9/9
Oommon do		9/3	9/3

South Lansashlro and Cheshire.

COAL.

The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on
Tuesday. The approaching Whitsuntide holidays are
causing a little extra buying of house coal in anticipation,
but the actual consumption is as it was. There has been
no change in prices on May 1. Furnace coal has still a
-cheerful appearance, but there is only a moderate enquiry
for shipping coal. Slack is still brisk. There is a little
disturbing influence in the Oldham district owing to the
packers" dispute, which has caused a partial stoppage, and
which may possibly extend. Prices generally are as shown.
Gas fuel contracts are now being placed at Is. to Is. 6d.
advance on last year.

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.
16/6 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

IRON

Good foundry iron can now be bought in Manchester at
703. 6d. to 71s., forge iron in the neighbourhood of 69d. at
Warrington, but there are no buyers to test these prices.
Any purchases that are made are from hand-to-mouth
character. This applies to all our trade in this district.
The forges are moderately busy, and talk about going on
short time if specifications do not come forward better.
Their prices are without alteration, viz., .£8 15s. for Crown
bars, £8 5s. second quality, .£8 17s. 6d. hoops, £9 5s. to
£9 7s. 6d. for sheets. Steelworks are busy on bars at
£8 5s., and billets £5 17s. 6d. There is a good quantity of
soft steel billets being offered from abroad at low prices
Engineers busy both in foundries and shops. Wagon works
keep fairly well off for work.

Yorkshire and Derbyshire*
Leeds.

COAL.

The market on Tuesday well attended, and was charac-
terised by great firmness all round. Any prompt parcels
of steam or manufacturing fuel on offer were readily sold,
<and a fair number of orders for house coal were also given
out. There was some extra buying in view of the Whitsun-
tide holidays, as it is likely that the output next week will
be only about 50 per cent, of the average. Full time has
been the rule this week, and the output has been cleared.
Empty wagons are in good supply, and the railways are
dealing with the traffic with less delay.

House Coal.—Although reports from the various markets
show that the retail trade is quieter, merchants are taking
.good supplies. This applies especially to London and the
eastern and southern counties. For these districts there is
a steady demand for best qualities ex-contract and medium
sorts of Silkstone also sell fairly well. Further progress is
reported in the fixing up of new contracts. Many thousands
of tons have been sold forward this week at Is. per ton
advance, and it is reported that some of the larger firms of
London merchants have increased their purchases of local
best coals very considerably. Coastwise, the demand is
fairly satisfactory. The main demand runs on the Silkstone
house coals. Freights for river and south coast are about
as last week. Locally, merchants are fairly busy, and pit
prices are firm as under:—Haigh Moor selected, 18s. to 19s.;
Wallsend and London best, 17s. to 18s.; Silkstone best,
16s. to 17s.; Silkstone house, 15s. to 16s.; other sorts
13s. to 14s. 6d.

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.....

Silk stone best ....

Do. house .......

Other qualities.....

Gas coal:—

Prices at pit:

Screened gas coal ..

Gas nuts ...........

U nscreened gas coal ...

Other sorts :—

Prices at pit:

Washed nuts ........

Large double-screened
engine nuts ........

Small nuts .........

Bough unscreened
engine coal ........

Best rough slacks ..

Small do. ..........

Coking smalls ......

-Coke:—

Price at ovens :

Furnace coke .......

Current	Last week’s
prices.	prices.
14/ to 14/6	14/ to 14/6
13/ to 13/6	13/ to 13/6
13/ to 13/6	13/ to 13/6
12/ to 12/6	12/ to 12/6
11/6 to 12/	11/6 to 12/
17/ to 17/6	17/ to 17/6
16/6 to 17/	16/6 to 17/
15/6 to 16/	15/6 to 16/
13/6 to 14/6	13/6 to 14/6
12/3 to 12/9	12/3 to 12/9
11/6 to 12/6	11/6 to 12/6
11/ to 11/6	11/ to 11/6
12/ to 12/6	12/ to 12/6
11/3 to 12/	11/3 to 11/9
11/ to 11/6	11/ to 11/6
11/ to 11/6	11/ to 11/6
9/3 to 10/	9/3 to 10/
8/3 to 9/	8/3 to 9/
8/6 to 9/	8/6 to 9/
18/	18/ to 18/6

Gas Coal.—The market is very firm, both for prompt and position is weakening, though for the moment coalowners

forward business. In the latter department a very large
number of sales are reported to have been made this week
at Is. to Is. fid. per ton advance. Several collieries are said
to be already fully sold to the end of June 1914, and it
seems likely that works which come into the market latest
will fare worst. All round there is a market increase in the
tonnage of coal specified. Sellers are specifying that any
increase in railway rates shall be covered by a corresponding
increase in the contract prices.

Manufacturing Fuel.—No change of any particular interest
is shown on the week. The requirements of consumers are
barely met by the output, and very little success has
attended efforts to secure stocks for next week. A few large
concerns—possibly scared by the threatened trouble over the
non-union question—have sought to place further contracts.
Where these have been booked prices show Is. 6d. to 2s.
advance over the expiring contracts.

Washed Furnace Coke.—A little further weakness is felt in
the coke market, sales during the past few days having been
reported at 18s. per ton at the ovens, or even less. With
coking smalls up to 93. pit sellers are not seeking to sell far
forward at these figures. There are no stocks.

Hull.

COAL

There was a very good attendance at the Humber Coal
Exchange to-day. The market continues in a very active
state, both for home and foreign requirements, and prices
are well maintained all round, with slight advances where
prompt deliveries are desired, in order to cover the holiday
period. Business generally has a very healthy tone, and
all its indications go to confirm the belief that an excep-
tionally good season is iii store. The demand for steam
coal is unabated, and collieries have all their work
set to fulfil contract obligations, which leaves only
a small quantity of coal to find its way into the
open market. South Yorkshire steams more than maintain
the high level they have recently reached, and Derbyshire
and Nottinghams for shipment at Grimsby and Immingham
are fast approaching them in value. Secondary sorts, smalls
and slack are in good request, and in some instances are
dearer on the week. At the docks increasing quantities are
being shipped, especially to the Baltic, but loading turns
continue good—in, fact the appliances could deal with a
considerably greater volume were the collieries able to send
it. Cronstadt shipments are proceeding apace, besides
which good quantities are being loaded for other Baltic
ports. The freight market again favours shippers. With
plenty of tonnage on offer, Baltic rates have further declined,
Cronstadt having taken tonnage at 5s. and 5s. 3d., though
as much as 5s. 6d. has been paid for small vessels for Riga
and Pernau. Mediterranean chartering is quiet and Genoa
is worth about 9s. to 9s. 3d. to-day. Recently, however, a
steamer was taken to load at Immingham for the latter
port at 10s., but the value has since declined. The following
are the approximate prices for prompt shipment f.o.b.
Hull, &c.

Current prices.	Last week’s prices.
17/ to 17/3	17/
15/ to 15/3	15/
14/ to 14/6	14/3 to 14/6
14/6 to 14/9	14/6 to 14/9
14/	14/
12/6 to 13/	12,6
11/9 to 12/	11/9
14/3	14/3
11/9 to 12/	11/9 to 12/
10/6 to 11/	10/6 to 11/
14/6	14/6
13/3 to 13/6	13/ to 13/3
17/3	’ 17/3
16/9 to 17/	16/9 to 17/
13/9	13/9
13/6	13/6
14/6	14/6
14/3	14/
,17/	,	17/
16/9 to 17/	16/9 to 17/

South Yorkshire:—

Best steam hards.......

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)

Nottinghamshire hards ...
Do.	do. (Grimsby)

Barnsley*

COAL.

In view of the holidays next week, when it is expected
that the collieries will be idle for three days if not more,
the pressure for supplies for most qualities of coal has been
particularly great during the week. In regard to large
steams required for export the position is again improved
from the point of view of sellers, and shippers have been
found ready to pay an advance of 3d. to 6d per ton for the
best hards in order to procure quick deliveries to avoid
delay at the port. The stiffer prices more particularly
refer to the best quality of this class of hards, but despite
the large output, secondary qualities of this class of coal
have also proved to be somewhat scarce for the time being,
and quotations are also a trifle higher. The shipment at
Hull continues to be on a very large scale, and facilities
have been available to deal with the large amount of
business, whilst on home account the requirements have
also continued to be oF an extensive character. In regard
to small steam coal, the position from a buyer’s point of
view has become more serious than a week ago. The
scarcity of slacks and steam nuts continues, and a slight
increase in prices has to be paid for the best quality of this
fuel. This may be of a temporary nature, for in some dis-
tricts it is generally the case that the holidays cover a
longer period than at the collieries, though some coalowners
express the opinion that the increase in prices will be main-
tained for a considerable time ahead, and represents about
6d. per ton. Further reports come to hand with regard to
the arrangement of gas oal contracts having been entered
into at about the rates of advance demanded. With respect
to house coal, the quieter demand has not yet been
particularly manifested, but there are indications that the

are continuing to command late prices, and in regard to new
contracts a firm stand is being made for an advance of
about Is. per ton. In regard to coke, consumers continue to
hold off in renewing contracts, and are relying on current
purchases, with a view to bringing about lower prices, but
generally the position is unchanged on the week.

Prices at pit.

House coals:—
Best Silkstone.......

Best Barnsley softs.
Secondary do.
Best house nuts ....
Secondary do.

Steam coals:—
Best hard coals ...
Secondary do.
Best washed nuts
Secondary do.
Best slack.........

Rough do.........

Gas coals:—

Screened gas coals .
Gas nuts ........

Furnace coke ......

Current
prices.
14/6 to 15/
14/ to 14/3
11/6 to 13/
11/6 to 12/6
10/6 to 11/6

13/6 to 14/

12/9 to 13/3

12/3 to 12/9

11/6

9/3 to 9/9

8/6 to 8/9

12/3 to 12/9
12/
17/6 to 18/

Last week’s
prices.

14/6 to 15/
14/ to 14/3
11/6 to 13/
11/6 to 12/6
10/6 to 11/6

13/ to 13/9
12/9 to 13/
12/3 to 12/9
11/6

9/3 to 9/9

8/6 to 8/9

12/3 to 12/9
12/

17/ to 18/

Chesterfield.

COAL.

The coal trade of this district is in a very satisfactory
condition, and' the prospects are of a hopeful character.
We are now well into May, and prices of house coal are
maintained on what is, practically, the winter level, with
no sign of any reduction in values. With regard to
contracts for the ensuing 12 months, it is reported that
those now expiring are being renewed at an advance of le.
per ton. Contracts for gas coal are being renewed at
advances ranging from Is. to Is. 6d. per ton. The demand
for house coal is of a steady character, and heavy deliveries
of gas coal are being made. The demand for coal for
manufacturing purposes is exceptionally strong, and buyers
are still unable to obtain as large supplies as they would
like. Considerable pressure is put upon collieries to
increase deliveries of all qualities, but it is quite impossible
to do so, and as there are no reserve stocks, customers are
entirely dependent upon the daily output of the pits.
Much difficulty is experienced in keeping regularly at work
the large steel establishments, whose requirements of fuel
have never been so heavy as they are at present. Slack
for boiler firing is becoming increasingly scarce, and prices
are becoming dear. The best brands of Derbyshire slack
now command as much as 9s. per ton at the pit. Steam
c?al for locomotive use is much wanted, but supplies are
insufficient for the needs of the various railway companies,
and reserve stocks are still drawn upon. The export
section of the coal trade is in a very strong position. The
demand for steam coal is very active, but collieries are
unable to satisfy the requirements of the market, and for
this reason prices are sensibly advancing. The price of the
best brands of Derbyshire Top Hards is now practically as
high as that of the prime South Yorkshire brands, 17s. per
ton free alongside ship at Grimsby. Even at this figure,
however, collieries are unable to book any substantial
quantity owing to their heavy contract commitments.
Other qualities, such as cobbles and nuts, are in great
request for near Continental ports. Washed nuts and
washed slack find a ready sale at firm prices. The demand
for coke is quiet, and prices are unchanged. Coking fuel
continues scarce and dear.

Prices at pit.__________________

	Current	Last week’s
	prices.	prices.
Best house coals		14/6	14/6
Secondary do		12/6	12/6
Cobbles . 		12/	12/
N uts 		1  11/	11/
Slack		9/	9/

IRON.

There is not much new buying of pig iron going on at
present, but heavy deliveries continue to be made on
account of existing contract3. Buyers must, however,
come into the market again towards the close of the half
year. Manufactured iron is in steady demand, and makers
are well placed for orders. The whole of the works of the
district are actively employed.

Nottingham.

COAL.

In view of Whitsuntide holidays, the tone of the coal
trade in Nottinghamshire has been more active in the past
week, and collieries have been making practically full time.
With the absence of typical spring weather, the demand for
house coal has shown no material reduction, and business in
this section is, if anything, slightly better than is customary
at the commencement of May, the sales by local merchants
and at the landsale depots being well maintained. Not-
withstanding the recent increase in prices, secondary
qualities are in good request. In the expectation of a
reduction in quotations, however, merchants, are only
purchasing for immediate requirements. Buoyancy has
marked the section for steam fuel, all qualities being in
brisk demand. There has been a rush for industrials, owing
to the approach of the holiday, and railway companies have
been taking extra supplies. Values all round are very firm.
A fair business is being done in gas coal, late rates being
maintained. Slacks continue in strong request and some
qualities are making slightly higher prices for immediate
delivery.

Prices at pithead.

Hand-picked bnghts .......

Good house coals..........

Secondary do..............

Best hard coals ..........

Secondary do.............

Slacks (best hards).......

Do. (seconds)...........

Do. (soft)..............

Current
prices.
12/6 to 13/6
12/ to 13/
11/ to 12/
12/3 to 12/9
11/ to 12/
9/ to 10/
8/6 to 9/
8/ to 8/6

Last week’s
prices.

12/6 to 13/6
12/ to 13/
11/ to ] 2/
12/3 to 12/9
11/ to 12/
9/3 to 10/
8/6 to 9/
8/ to 8/6