86 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 9, 1914. to them, and the partial resumption of deliveries to Dublin is also increasing the demand. Slacks continue to move away very freely, the supply at the moment scarcely being equal to the demand. Swto Lmraotilr® art GOAL. Things are now settling down after the Christmas and New Year holidays and there was a full attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. The harder weather is improving the demand for house coal and prices are steady. The call for furnace coal continues only moderate, but the enquiry for shipping coal is more satis- factory and prices are steady. Slack is still in good demand, but, at the same time, there is plenty offering and prices are cut for odd lots. The Wigan Coal and Iron Company commence sinking new pits in Leigh in about a fortnight's time. The following are present list prices :— 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. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3—14/ 12/6 14/ 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 L'st week's prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 Last year's prices. 16/6-17/ 15/3-16/ 12/6-13/ 12/6 14/ 9/6-10/ 8/6- 9/ IRON. There is really no improvement to report in the market here, and pig iron remains as previously quoted. There was little business doing in Manchester owing to Birmingham quarterly meeting this week. Forges are still asking £1 5s. for Crown bars and ,£6 15s. for second quality. Steel bars remain at about .£6 10s. and billets about <£5. Both the forges and steelworks are rather busier owing to holidays intervening. They would, however, like to see more orders coming through. Engineers, founders, and wagon works are moderately employed. 'Leech. COIL. The Yorkshire Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday, every branch of the trade being represented. In addition to a fair number of exporters and local merchants, one or two representatives of the London market were in attendance. It was reported that the pits had worked full time since New Year's Day, but that great difficulty had been experienced in moving the output on account of the pronounced scarcity of empty trucks. Siding stocks are (practically non-existent, with the exception of slacks. House Coal.—The continuance of severe weather has kept up the demand for all classes of house coal, and many of the pits are ten days behindhand with deliveries of best qualities. London merchants especially are pressing strongly for supplies, and pit prices for prompt delivery have been revised. Stocks at the relabelling junctions are also lower than has been the case since September, while supplies at the various London depots are reported to be on the low side. The coastwise trade is also a little brighter. Reports from the West Riding depots indicate considerable buying, ■chiefly of the cheaper sorts, on the part of the public. Pit prices are firm as under:—Haigh Moor selected, 18s. to 19s.; Wallsend and London best, 17s. to 18s.; Silkstone best, 17s. to 18s.; Silkstone house, 15s. 6d. to 16s. 6d.; secondary sorts, 14s. to 15s. 6d. Gas Coal.—While there is no difficulty in clearing the output, there is very little forward business about. From recent sales it is inferred that pit prices are about 6d. per ton below the average of the past three months. There are no stocks in colliery sidings, and it is said that contract supplies of gas nuts are considerably in arrear. Manufacturing Fuel.—Some qualities of slacks are a shade dearer, and there is a better feeling all round with regard to the demand. Stocks are lighter and more is going into consumption, probably owing to the colder weather. Prices show very little change with the above exception. Washed Furnace Coke.—All the output is moving away, and some of the ranges of ovens which have been on short blast are now working at full pressure. Average samples of patent oven coke for prompt delivery are quoted in the neighbourhood of 12s. 6d., with special sorts about 13s. One or two contracts to the end of March have been made at about these figures. Extra large supplies are being sent into the Frodingham district. House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 14/6-15/6 14/6-15/ 14/ -14/6 Wallsend & London best 14/ -15/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 Silkstone best 14/ -15/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 Do. house 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/ 12/ -12/6 House nuts Prices f.o.b. Hull: 11/6-12/6. 11/6-12/6 11/3-11/9 Haigh Moor best 17/3-18/6 17/ -18/ 16/6-17/3 Silkstone best 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/9-16/3 Do. house 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/ Other qualities Gas coal:— Prices at pit: 14/ -15/ 14/ -14/9 13/ -14/ Screened gas coal 11/6-12/ 12/ -12/6 12/6-13/6 Gas nuts 10/6-11/ 11/ -11/3 11/6-12/6 Unscreened gas coal ... Other sorts:— Prices at pit: 9/6-10/ 9/9-10/6 11/ -11/6 Washed nuts Large double-screened 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 12/ -12/6 engine nuts 9/9-10/6 9/9-10/6 11/ -11/9 Small nuts Rough unscreened 9/ - 9/6 9/ - 9/6 10/6-11/6 engine coal 9/3- 9/9 9/3- 9/9 11/ -11/6 Best rough slacks.... 7/ - 7/6 7/ - 7/6 9/6-10/ Small do 6/ - 6/6 6/ - 6/6 8/6- 9/ Coking'smalls •Coke:— Price at ovens : 6/3- 6/9 6/3- 6/9 8/3- 8/6 Furnace coke 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 21/ -22/ Hull. COAL. There is a decidedly quiet tone in the Humber coal market. Things do not seem to recover readily from the holiday, though, of course, the trade is now approaching the dull period. The export demand for prompt or nearly prompt shipment is of only moderate dimensions, and under this influence, and the fact that the North-Eastern Railway are placing their steam coal contracts in Durham, best Yorkshire steam hards have again dropped, and are quoted at 14s. 3d. to 14s. 6d. for immediate shipment. Derbyshire steams are also easier at about 14s. 6d. Grimsby or Immingham. Secondary sorts are in fair demand and about unchanged in value, while for smalls and manufacturing fuel there is a nice business doing. House coal is also in good request. At the docks things are quieter, shipments abroad, chiefly under contract, being on the light side. The freight market is lifeless and only one or two small prompt steamers have been fixed in the last few days. Baltic rates are on the basis of Reval 5s. 3d., while in the Mediterranean direction there is some little advance, shippers now being asked to pay 7s. 3d. Genoa. Forward charterin gs are offering about 4s. Cronstadt for tonnage over the season as compared with 4s. 6d. and 4s. 7v> cL paid some weeks ago. The following are the approximate prices for prompt shipment f.o.b. Hull, &G. South Yorkshire:— Best steam hards Washed double-scr’ned nuts... Unwashed double- screened nuts Washed single-screened nuts Unwashed single-scr'ned nuts Washed smalls Unwashed smalls West Yorkshire:— Hartleys Rough slack Pea slack Best Silkstone screened gas coal Best Silkstone unscr'ned gas coal Derbyshire and Notts:— Best steam hards (Hull) Do. (Grimsby) Derbyshire nuts (d'bles) Derbyshire nuts (d’bles) (Grimsby) Derbyshire large nuts... Do. do. (Grimsby) Nottinghamshire hards Do. do. (Grimsby) Current prices. 14/3-14/6 13/6-13/9 13/ 13/ -13/3 12/6 9/6- 9/9 9/ 13/6 9/ 8/3- 8/6 14/ 12/ 14/9-15/ 14/6 13/ 12/9 14/ 14/ -14/3 15/ -15/3 14/9 L'st week's prices. 15/ 13/6-13/9 13/ 13/ -13/3 12/6 9/3- 9/6 9/ 13/6 9/ 8/ - 8/3 14/ 12/ 15/ -15/3 14/9 13/ 12/9 14/ 13/9 15/ -15/3 14/9 Last year's prices. 16/ 15/ -15/3 13/9-14/ 14/6-14/9 13/9 14/ 12/6 13/6-13/9 12/ 10/6-10/9 14/6 13/6 15/6-16/ 15/6 14/ 13/9 14/ 13/9 15/6-15/9 15/ -15/3 The official returns of the Hull coal trade posted to-day show that in 1913 the total quantity received at Hull from the collieries was 7,945,965 tons as compared with 7,011,978 tons in 1912, an increase of 933,987 tons, the total being a record in the history of the port. The quantity (exclusive of bunkers) shipped to the order of foreign buyers was 4,519,289 tons, an increase of 835,113 tons over 1912— this also being a record, and the first time that the four- million line has been exceeded. The countries taking the largest quantities were—North Russia 1,289,463 tons, Germany 763,206 tons, Holland 395,936 tons, Sweden 383,290 tons, France 294,429 tons, South America 270,395 tons, and Egypt 229,549 tons. The London and coastwise shipments were 932,764 tons, as against 973,877 tons in 1912, a falling off of 41,113 tons. Barnsley« GOAL. Something approaching activity has now been resumed in connection with the business and generally the demand is fairly strong. In regard to the steam coal section operations are hanging fire, pending the outcome of the present apparent deadlock in respect to the railway and trawler companies' contracts for the present year. Until a settlement has been effected, it is not expected that there will be any real life in this section of the trade and arrangements will be more or less of a temporary character. The buyers have made no move in regard to the contracts, although it is probable, judging by the experience of previous years that counter offers will be made to the coalowners. The latter, who appear to be more solid in their organisation, not only in this district, but also in Notts and Derbyshire, have not taken any step as yet to reopen negotiations, but no doubt when the arrears of supplies which are now being delivered have become exhausted, some action will be taken on one side or the other. Enquiries show that the various companies are not buying in the open market up to the present and it seems very probable that the market for a short time ahead will be thoroughly tested. In regard to current business the demand is reported to be fairly good on export account, although the position has become affected owing to the shortage of shipping tonnage at Hull. A considerable quantity of fuel had been taken by merchants on the Humber, but expectations have not evidently been realised, with the result that the holders are cutting prices with a view to dispose of the tonnage on hand. This, for the time being, has weakened values to the extent of 3d. to 6d. per ton on the week, and probably the secondary descrip- tions of large steams have suffered to a greater extent. The enquiry for washed nuts keeps up very well and prices are firm, and the same may be said of good qualities of pea slack and ordinary slack, whilst rough slacks continue to be plentiful owing to the quieter demand from the cotton and textile districts and also on cokemaking account. The pressure for deliveries of gas coal on contract account is strong, and there is more enquiry for extra lots than was the case before the holidays, and this caused values to recover slightly. The business for all classes of house coal continues to be good and the rush of orders for the better grade of fuel has not yet been overtaken and quotations are strongly maintained. The coke section shows practically no alteration, although quotations for prompt deliveries are slightly improved, but on contract account there is no real improvement. In regard to steam coal, the figures for 1913 are to hand so far as Immingham business is concerned. The total, 2,314,644 tons, has exceeded expectations and when compared with the total for 1912, 983,933 tons, it is apparent what a remarkable extension of trade has been experienced. Prices at pit. House coals:— Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year's prices. Best Silkstone 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 15/ 14/ -14/6 Best Barnsley softs 15/ -15/3 15/ -15/3 Secondary do. 12/6-14/ 12/6-14/ 11/6-13/ Best house nuts 13/ -14/6 13/ -14/6 11/6-12/6 Secondary do Steam coals:— 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 10/6-11/6 Best hard coals 11/9-12/ 12/3 12/6 Secondary do 11/ 11/ -11/3 11/9-12/ Best washed nuts 11/ -11/3 11/3 12/6 Secondary do 10/ -10/3 10/ -10/3 11/6 Best slack 7/ 7/ 9/6 Rough do Gas coals:— 5/9- 6/ 5/9- 6/ 8/3 Screened gas coals 12/6 12/6 12/6-13/ Unscreened do 11/ -11/3 11/ -11/3 — Gas nuts 12/ 12/ 12/ -12/6 Furnace coke 12/ -12/6 12/ -12/6 21/ -22/ Ghestopfield. GOAL. Since the advent of cold weather business in house coal has improved to a considerable extent, and orders are now coming along with a rush. Stocks in colliery sidings have disappeared. All the pits of the district are now working at full pressure, and prices may advance. With the general resumption of work after the holidays, the demand for the various sorts of coal for manufacturing purposes has again become active, and heavy deliveries are going forward daily. Owing to the brisk state of things in connection with the heavy trades of Sheffield cobbles and nuts for gas- producers are in exceptionally good demand, and are likely to be in considerable request for some time to come. Prices of these qualities are unchanged but firm. Business in slack for boiler firing is better, and some good sales have been made recently for delivery over the present year. There is no doubt that the position in respect of this fuel is much more hopeful than it was during the closing months of last year, when the supply was much more than the market was able to deal with. For current delivery the price of the best kinds of slack is fully Is. per ton dearer than it was a few weeks ago. Gas coal is moving freely, the demand being very brisk. Steam coal for locomotive use is in steady request. Railway companies whose con- tracts expired at the end of last year have not yet accepted the coalowners' tenders for a renewal of these, but an early settlement is anticipated. As is usual at this time of the year, the export trade is very quiet. Shipments at present are on a small scale, and with regard to forward business it is reported that foreign buyers are still holding off—hoping and believing that prices will fall in the near future. In this, time alone will prove whether such a policy has been advantageous to them. In the meantime, the collieries adhere firmly to their quotations of 14s. 6d. to 14s. 9d. per ton, delivered free alongside steamer at Grimsby, for the best brands of Derbyshire Top Hards. Cobbles and large nuts continue to be ordered freely for near Continental ports, and a satisfactory business is passing in these qualities. Washed fuel is in steady request, prices being unchanged. There is no improvement in the coke market. The demand, however, is fairly steady, without any further weakening of prices. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Best house coals prices. 15/6 prices. 15/6 . prices. 14/6 Secondary do 13/6 13/6 12/6 Cobbles ., 12/6 12/6 12/ Nuts 11/6 11/6 11/ Slack 8/ 8/ 9/ IRON. A slight improvement is reported in the demand for pig iron, and prices which a few weeks ago buyers considered too high are now readily paid. A more hopeful view is now taken of the prospects for the year. GOAL. Now that the collieries have got into full swing following the Christmas holidays, the trade in Nottinghamshire generally is of a satisfactory character. The spell of frosty weather which prevailed a week ago gave a stimulus to the domestic fuel section, some of the local merchants having had quite a rush of orders during the past few days, and increased business has been done at the landsale depots. This improved demand has caused values to be firmer, and although slight advances have been obtained in a few cases since work was resumed, there has been no general increase enforced. With a continuance of more seasonable weather values are likely to remain at a remunerative figure. In the section for steam coal there is a fair tone, there having been a better demand subsequent to the holiday period. Industrial fuel has manifested an almost all round activity. Shipments are satisfactory considering the time of the year. The outlook for the new year in this branch is promising. In the slack market the recent improvement is being maintained, with the result that prices are keeping steady. Apart from contracts, orders are coming in more freely for gas coal, whilst coke is just now selling better. 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. 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 11/6-12/6 11/6-12/ 10/ -11/ 7/9- 8/ 6/6- 7/3 6/9- 7/6 L’st week’s prices. 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 11/6-12/6 11/6-12/ 10/ -11/ 7/9- 8/ 6/9- 7/3 6/9- 7/6 Last year's prices. 13/ -14/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-12/ 11/ -12/ 10/ -11/ 8/6- 9/ 7/6- 8/6