June 6, 1913. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN, 1207 Gas Coal—Although full contract deliveries are being taken, there is an absence of open market buying for prompt delivery. Further progress is reported in the fixing-up of new contracts, and the official advance of Is. per ton is being generally paid. Manufacturing Fuel.—With the quieter state of the house coal trade supplies of slack are somewhat scarce. The demand, speaking generally, is still brisk, and prices are firmly maintained. A fairly large new contract for slack has been booked this week in the heavy woollen district at an advance of Is. 5d. per ton on the figure paid twelve months ago. Washed Furnace Coke.—Sales of washed patent-oven coke have been made this week at 16s. per ton at the ovens, and the best qualities have also been sold at 16s. 6d. There is scarcely any forward baying being done. The production of the ovens is moving away easily, and there are no stocks. The demand from Frodingham and the local furnaces in the Leeds district is brisk, but supplies to the Midlands have been for some reason curtailed. 'Barnsleyi COAL. The lull in the demand on export account has been 'Continued during the week, and apparently shippers are endeavouring to continue their policy and holding off with a view to weakening values. So far as collieries are concerned, this has not had any marked effect on prices, although coal in second hands is being offered at rather less prices. Generally, however, values are weaker, but in regard to forward business the firm tone still continues. With the demand on home account keeping up fairly satis- factorily, collieries are not troubled with stocks to any degree, and are endeavouring to maintain the prices which have ruled of late, though secondary classes of Barnsley hards are being disposed of at from 3d. to 6d. per ton less than the previous week. In respect of this class of coal also quotations for forward delivery show no weakness. The collieries are working full time and, so far as best hards are concerned, producers are able to resist the tendency of prices to fall in any material degree, and are making about 13s. 3d. per ton, -whilst secondary descriptions are now from 12s. 6d. to 12s. 9d. per ton. In regard to small steam coal there is practically no alteration, and although buyers again are not so pressing for deliveries, the collieries are able to maintain their prices. The business in house coal continues to be of a quieter description, and, although there has yet been no •decision to reduce prices, merchants are finding more coal on offer and secondary descriptions are being reduced in order to stimulate business. From 3d. to 6d. per ton is reported to be taken less than the nominal quotations. In Tegard to the demand of Is. per ton advance on new contracts, coalowners are still maintaining a firm stand, but there is not a great deal of progress being made in fixing these up, merchants feeling that a policy of waiting may be beneficial. The demand for coke continues to be of a fairly active character, but forward arrangements are still unsettled, whilst the price of slack is maintained by coal- owners. Though nothing has yet been done of a material •character by the association of cokemakera recently formed, it is contemplated that joint action may be entered upon in the direction of putting out some of the ovens until more remunerative values are obtainable. Prices at pit. Current Last week’s House coals:— prices. prices. Best Silkstone 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 13/3 Best house nuts 11/6 to 12/ 11/6 to 12/6 Secondary do Steam coals:— 10/6 to 11/ 10/6 to 11/6 Best hard coals 13/ to 13/3 13/6 Secondary do 12/ to 12/6 12/6 to 13/ Best washed nuts 12/ to 12/6 12/ to 12/6 Secondary do. 11/6 11/6 Best slack 9/3 to 9/6 9/3 to 9/6 Rough do •Gas coals:— 8/6 8/6 Screened gas coals 12/3 to 12/6 12/3 to 12/6 Gas nuts 12/ 12/ Furnace coke 17/ 17/ Hull. COAL. Business on the Humber Coal Exchange has been largely confined to immediate requirements; forward negotiations being conspicuously quiet. In the face of a lessened demand Approximate prices for prompt shipment f.o.b. Hull. •South Yorkshire:— Best steam hards Current prices. 16/ to 16/3 15/ 14/6 14/6 to 14/9 14/ 12/6 to 13/ 10/9 to 11/ 13/9 to 14/ 11/3 to 11/6 10/6 to 11/ 14/6 13/3 16/3 16/ 13/6 13/3 14/6 14/ 16/3 16/ Last week’s prices. 16/ to 16/3 15/ • 14/6 14/6 to 14/9 14/ 12/6 to 13/ 11/ 14/3 11/3 to 11/6 10/6 to 11/ . 14/6 13/3 16/6 to 17/ 16/9 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) Nottinghamshire hards ... Do. do. (Grimsby) best Yorkshire steam .hards suffered a further relapse at the beginning of the week, but have since recovered the level at which they were quoted in last report in view of the probability that Russia will soon be again a considerable buyer. Derbyshire and Nottingham steams are now at about the same level as Yorkshires—that is for shipment at Grimsby or Immipgham. Secondary steams are in fair request, and prices do not fluctuate much. Smalls, however, are slightly lower, while the hot weather has caused the demand for house coal to dwindle to microscopic proportions even with prices lower on the week. The export season is in full swing, and enormous quantities are being despatched chiefly under contract. All the appliances are very busy, and fortunately so far no ill-effect has been observable from the working of the new arrangement to abolish Sunday work. Every effort is noy put forth to finish load- ing, and to get the steamers out of dock by the Saturday night or Sunday morning tide. Coal is coming along from the collieries freely, and in good volume. The returns of export from the Humber ports in May are expected to reach a very big figure, though perhaps not a record one. The freight market has been moderately active and rates do not show much variation. A fair amount of tonnage has been taken up for the Baltic, as low as 5s. 31. being paid for a 5,000 ton steamer for Crons tad t. Smaller vessels have commanded more, rates paid varying from 53.4Jd. to 5s. 7|d. Genoa has been done at 9s. 3d., but 9s. 9d. is now demanded for handy-sized steamers. Coastwise freights are on^the basis of Hull to London 3s. 3d., Goole 6d. more. | Chesterfield. r#0AL. iJThere is this week an appreciable falling off in the demand for house coal, which is of course due to the present spell of warm weather. Prices, however, remain firm, and contracts for the ensuing 12 months are being arranged at an average advance of Is. 3d. per ton. For fuel for manufacturing purposes the demand continues steady, and prices remain on the high level which they have recently attained. Cobbles and nuts for steelworks are much wanted and the whole production is readily disposed of. Slack for boiler firing is in great request, and a slight reduction in the output of house coal has taken a pretty substantial quantity of small coal off the market during the past week. Prices are firm, and for renewal of contracts, advances averaging Is. 3d. per ton are paid. Locomotive coal is going forward in large quantities, and railway companies are pressing for full deliveries on account of contracts. The export trade is busy, but prices for prompt delivery are just a shade easier. An active period is looked forward to from July to October as large quantities of steam coal are still to be bought by several Continental countries. Washed fuel is in brisk demand without any change in prices. The coke market is slightly firmer on the week. Coking fuel continues scarce and dear. Prices at pit. Best house coals Secondary do Cobbles Nuts Current prices. 14/6 12/6 12/ 11 9/ Last week’s prices. 14/6 12/6 12/ . 11 9 Slack IRON. There is a slightly easier tone about the market at the moment, but the works of the district are well placed for orders, and are likely to be fully employed for several months to come. Nottingham. COAL. A less active tone characterises the coal trade in this county, a falling off in the demand being noticeable in nearly every section. It has, however, been most conspicuous in regard to house coals, the business in which branch has been materially affected by warmer climatic conditions. Orders from the southern and eastern counties, as well as the metropolis, are coming to hand slowly, and the trade at local landsale depots is beginning to assume a summer aspect. Merchants are reluctant to order at recent quotations, but owners do not feel disposed at present to make any substantial reductions. Prices are being well maintained under the circumstances. There is an easier demand in the steam coal section in consequence of the pressure on the home market having decreased. Neverthe- less, the hard coal pits are being fully employed. The position in respect to slacks is weakening, and after the rush of the winter season, collieries are now able to have a fair supply of this class of fuel, and to comfortably deal with orders. The gas coal market is satisfactory, Collieries having a fair number of orders in hand. Renewals of contracts, it is stated, have taken place at advances from Is. to Is. 6d. per ton. Prices at pithead. Hand-picked brights ...... Good house coals.......... Secondary do.............. Best hard coals .......... Secondary do.............. Slacks (best hards)....... Do. (seconds)........... Do. (soft).............. Current prices. 12/6 to 13/6 11/ to 12/ 10/6 toll/ 12/ to 12/6 11/ to 12/ 8/6 to 9/ 7/6 to 8/3 7/6 to 8/6 Last week’s prices. 12/6 to 13/6 11/6 to 12/ 10/6 toll/ 12/ to 13/ 11/ to 12/ 8/6 to 9/ 7/6 to 8/6 Leicestershire. COAL. Since last week the household coal market in this district has become very much less active. Merchants are not buying, but they are generally taking the season’s orders placed. The lessened demand has caused a further accumulation of stock at the collieries, though the pits which produce this coal are working much shorter time. The best qualities of households are in very small request, the demand being for the medium and lower qualities. Local merchants are very quiet and chiefly concerned with the retail trade. The steam coal market shows little variation. Business is brisk in this branch generally and all sorts are in request. Of these coals there is not much stock. The outlook is generally satisfactory. South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Hednesford. COAL. There has been a decided change for the worse during the past week in the condition of the coal trade of the Cannock Chase district, due, in some measure, to the warm weather and to the labour trouble in the Black Country. Probably the depression will not last very long. Birmingham. COAL. A slump has set in in the household trade, but Goalowners are glad of the break, as they have so much underground work to see to after the long psriod of activity. Prices are not quotably reduced, but concessions may be held by people who are inclined to stock. The labour trouble has brought a reduced demand for manufacturing fuel. Quota- tions :— Prices at pit. Staffordshire (including Current prices. Last week’s prices. Cannock Chase):— House coal, best deep 18/ 18/ Do. seconds deep 16/6 16/6 Do. best shallow 14/6 14/6 Do. seconds do. 13/ 13/ Best hard 14/ 14/ Forge coal 11/ 11/ Slack 8/6 8/6 House coal, best Ryder ... 16/ 16/ Do. hand - picked cobs 13/9 13/9 Best hard spires 14/6 14/6 Forge (steam) 1°/ 10/ D.S. nuts (steam) 10 10/ Small (do.) 9 9/ IRON. Naturally, the market is unsettled. Labour troubles are very acute in the district. The gas strip industry is practi- cally at a standstill, and the iron trade generally, although the works are going, is seriously affected. Buyers and sellers alike have for the time being lost confidence. The return for March and April of the Wages Board does not accurately reflect the state of trade at the moment. The figures show an increase of 4s. 2d. per ton in the average net price of iron produced, and in accordance with the sliding scale ironworkers’ wages are advanced 2| per cent. But at that time high-priced contracts were in operation ; now the lower rates apply for the bulk of the work, and the advance in wages will still further curtail the already narrow margin of profit. Pig iron is weaker than ever, and sales are of most modest quantities. Prices are irregular. For Northamp- tonshire forge, although some makers hold out for 60s. and 61s., business is being transacted in many quarters at 59s. and before the end of the week prices, it is stated, will sink still further. Derbyshire is easier at 61s. to 62s. net and South Staffordshire forge is obtainable at 59s. to 60s. In the standard bar branch the position remains fairly satis- factory, and no reduction from the £10 basis is anticipated this side of quarter-day, a month hence. Unmarked bars are in a different position. There is a shortage of specifica- tions, and prices are not above £8 to £8 2s. 6d. delivered Birmingham; while for nut and bolt iron, quotations range from £7 10s. to £7 15s., the higher figure being exceptional. Values are kept down by Belgian competition, lots of iron of corresponding quality coming in at £6 10s. and under. North Staffordshire and Lancashire crown bars are maintained at £8 15s. The galvanised sheet trade is distinctly weak. A fair amount of work is going, but prices are wretched. Shipping orders are taken at .£11 10s., a price at which the sheets cannot be made in this district, and for the home trade contracts run from £11 15s. to £12. Steelmakers have plenty to do, but there is a paucity of new orders, and prices are shaded to meet the market, although there has been no official declaration of a decrease. Demi- products vary from £5 5s. for Continental material to £5 10s. for British. Forest off Doan. Lydney. COAL. There is no new development to report in regard to the general position of the steam coal trade. The pits are as busy as possible, and there are a number of arrear orders still on the books. Contract supplies are absorbing most of the output, and new buyers have little chance of deliveries. There is less doing in house coals, but the pits are putting in five to six days in the week. Stocks are comparatively light. Railborne orders are not so plentiful. Shipments are easier. Prices at pithead. Current Last week’s House coals:— prices. prices. Block 16/6 16/6 Forest 16/6 16/6 Rubble 16/9 16/9 Nuts 14/ 14/ Rough slack Steam coal:— 10/ 10/ Large 13/6 to 14/ 13/6 to 14/ Small 10/6 to 11/ 10/ toll/ Prices Is. 9d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that the warmer weather of the past fortnight has caused a general flatness in the demand for house coal, and wholesale quotations