250 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 30, 1914. IRON. There is no material change in the markets here and pig iron remains as last reported. Forges continue on short time, but are still asking £7 5s. for Crown, £6 15s. second quality, hoops £7 17s. 6d., sheets .£8 12s. 6d.—less 2| per cent. Steelworks are also working short time on bars at .£6 10s. to .£6 12s. 6d.—-less 2| per cent.—and billets <£5 net, and foreign material is offered at considerably under these figures. Wagon builders are moderately employed. Foundries and boilermakers slack. Leeds. ML There was a full and representative attendance of traders at the Yorkshire Coal Exchange on Tuesday, and business in most departments was brisk. The weakness in steam coal for prompt delivery continues, but an early improvement is looked for. Empty wagons have again been very scarce, and many of the pits have had to work broken time on this account. House Coal.—The demand for all qualities of house coal continues good. Business with London and the immediate district is sadly interfered with through the strike of coal porters, but so far the effects on the collieries have not been seriously felt. Pit prices for London have been withdrawn, but sales booked during the past few days average quite as much as last week. Supplies at the wait-order junctions are accumulating and there is a scarcity of railway wagons, as so many are held up en route. In the coastwise trade there is rather more enquiry and prices are firmer. In the Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield and other industrial centres the retail trade is brisk, while pit prices are steadily maintained at about the following figures:—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. Gras Coal.—There is almost an entire absence of new business for forward delivery, but the pits continue to work full time and the output is cleared daily. Contract deliveries are very heavy and in some cases are in arrears. With regard to the export trade, the lower prices in the. North militate against business here, but screened gas coal is still being sold in the neighbourhood of 13s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. Hull, with unscreened about Ils. 9d. Manufacturing Fuel.—Fairly good deliveries are being taken by the large mills and factories in the Bradford and Huddersfield districts, and prices show little variation on the week. Stocks at the collieries are on the light side, while reserves at the depots are about the average. Washed Furnace Coke.—The position remains about the same as noted last week. The output of the ovens is moved with difficulty and open market sales are round about 12s. per ton at the ovens, with some qualities as low as Ils. 6d. The Frodingham district is taking rather better supplies, but the demand from the Leeds district is quieter. House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 14/6-15/6 14/6-15/6 14/ -14/6 Wallsend & London best 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ .13/ -13/6 Silkstone best 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/ Do. house 13/—14/ 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/ House nuts Prices f.o.b. Hull: 12/ -12/6 11/6-12/6 11/6-12/ Haigh Moor best 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 16/9-17/6 Silkstone best 16/9-17/6 16/9-17/6 16/3-16/9 Do. house 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/ 15/3-15/6 Other qualities Gas coal:— Prices at pit: 14/6-15/6 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/3 Screened gas coal 11/6-12/ 11/6-12/ 12/9-13/6 Gas nuts 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 11/9-12/6 Unscreened gas coal ... Other sorts:— Prices at pit: 9/6-10/ 9/6-10/ 11/ -11/6 Washed nuts Large double-screened 10/6-11/3 10/6-11/ 12/3-12/6 engine nuts 9/9-10/6 9/9-10/6 11/3-11/9 Small nuts Rough unscreened 9/ - 9/6 •9/ - 9/6 11/ -11/6 engine coal 9/3- 9/9 9/3- 9/9 11/ -11/6 Best rough slacks 7/3- 7/9 7/3- 7/9 9/9-10/3 Small do 6/3- 6/6 6/ - 6/6 8/6- 9/ Coking smalls Coke:— Price at ovens: 6/3- 6/9 6/3- 6/9 8/3- 8/9 Furnace coke 12/ 12/ 20/ -21/ Barnsley * COAL. There has been no improvement for the quieter state of the steam coal trade during the week. On export account the volume of business is considerably below the production which is on the market, and buyers continue to conduct operations in the belief that prices will show a still further decline. The,position is hardly likely to be weaker, owing to the fact that collieries are now adapting themselves to the circumstances which have been caused by the railway companies in the placing of their yearly contracts. The railway companies, in addition to being able to renew at last year’s rates, have taken the opportunity to buy a less tonnage than usual of some description of South Yorkshire hards, and amongst the districts which have benefited is that of Derbyshire, which has therefore a smaller surplus tonnage, which for the moment assists coalowners in that district to maintain prices on a more steady basis. It is only natural, with the large new collieries in South Yorkshire working full time, that a period of over-production has been reached, with the result that prices have quickly developed weakness. A large tonnage is available on the Humber, and holders in the quieter market have been realising the stocks. There is, however, some indication that the business is settling down to a regular course, and buyers this week are making arrangements of a more substantial character, which will have a steadying effect. Forward business is progressing more satis- factorily, but there is not a great deal done yet to cover the shipping season. In regard to manufacturing fuel, although the volume of trade is hardly as good as of late there continues to be a strong enquiry for washed nuts, and the best qualities of these are again making more than some grades of large steams. Buyers continue to make keen enquiry for best-grade slacks, which are well taken, and prices remain firm with every prospect of increasing, in view of the fact that some of the collieries will probably be compelled to work shorter time in the near future. The stocks of rough slacks are hardly so formidable, but prices are unchanged. There has been practically no alteration in regard to house coal, the trouble in L mdon not having materially affected the district. Prices are easily main- tained as a week ago, and best sorts are still somewhat scarce. The position in regard to coke shows no alteration, and the demand, which is of a varying description, just about absorbs the output. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 15/ Best Barnsley softs 15/ -15/3 15/ -15/3 14/ -14/6 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/ -11/3 11/6 12/9-13/ Secondary do 10/6-10/9 10/9-11/ 11/9-12/ Best washed nuts 11/ -11/3 11/ -11/3 12/6 Secondary do 10/ -10/3 10/ -10/3 11/6 Best slack 7/ - 7/3 ■ 7/ - 7/3 9/6 Rough do Gas coals:— 5/9- 6/ 5/9- 6/ 8/6 Screened gas coals 12/ -12/6 12 /-12/6 12/6-13/ Unscreened do 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 — Gas nuts 11/6-12/ 11/6-12/ 12/ -12/6 Furnace coke 12/ -12/6 12/6 21/ -22/ Hull. COAL. In the absence of demand best Yorkshire steam hards continue in a limp state, and though the official quotation is unchanged from last week they are generally weaker, and less has been taken by second holders in view of the monthly settlement. Of course, the Baltic demand is only slight at this time of the year, and with the supply of coal in excess of requirements prices are on a lower level, and will continue so until the prospective demand for export begins to show itself. Derbyshire and Nottingham steams are easier in sympathy, but are relatively worth more than Yorkshires, collieries being well booked up, and the demand being fully equal to the supply. Small coal is in fair request, and prices for this and other sorts are maintained at the level of a week ago. In regard to forward business there appears some signs of movement, but negotiations are proceeding on cautious lines, since it does not seem quite clear yet how the Russian demand (which forms such a large slice of the Humber export trade) is likely to develop. In the freight market there has not been a great amount of business and rates are practically unchanged, except for Riga and Reval, which have stiffened to 6s. on account of bad reports as to ice conditions. Libau is on offer at 4s. 9d., Swedish Sound ports at 4s. 6d., Danish ports at 4s. 3d. to 4s. 6d., while for Bordeaux and Rouen 4s. 9d. is quoted. Steamers for the last-named port have been chartered at 4i. 71d. and 4s. 10|d. In the Mediterranean direction rates are still on the basis of 7s. 6d. Genoa, a steamer having been taken at that figure under the Genoa-Savona charter, to load 3,600 tons of coal at Immingham. Further f over the season” business is reported, 4s. l|d. being named as the contract price for the shipment of 20,000 tons during the season to Cronstadt in handy-sized vessels. Shipments at the Hull Docks are about normal for the time of year. The following are the approximate prices for prompt shipment f.o.b. Hull, etc.:— 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. 13/6 13/3-13/9 13/ 13/3-13/6 12/6 9/6-10/ 9/ 13/6 9/ - 9/3 8/3- 8/6 14/ 12/ 14/6 14/ -14/3 12/6 12/3 14/3 ■ 14/ 14/6 14/ -14/3 L’st week’s prices. 13/6 13/3-13/6 13/ 13/3 12/6 9/6-10/ 9/ 13/6 9/ -9/3 8/3- 8/6 14/ 12/ 14/9 14/6 12/6 12/3 14/3 14/ 14/9 14/6 Last year’s prices. 15/9-16/ 15/ -15/6 14/ -14/3 14/6-15/ 13/6 14/ -14/6 11/ 13/6 11/6-11/9 10/ -10/6 14/9 13/6 15/9 15/6 13/6 13/ 15/ 14/6 15/6-15/9 15/3-15/6 Chesterfield. COAL. Orders for house coal are plentiful, and the demand from London does not appear to have suffered from the strike of coal porters. Stocks have disappeared from colliery sidings, and the execution of orders is now dependent upon the output of the pits from day to day. This branch of the trade is in a satisfactory position. There is also a good business passing in fuel for manufacturing purposes, the demand for which has taken a distinct turn for the better during the past fortnight; indeed, it may safely be said that cobbles and nuts are in as active request as they were at any period during the past year. This state of things is attributable to the heavy consumption of fuel in connection with the steel trades of Sheffield and district, where works are busily employed on orders that will keep the plant fully occupied for 12 or 18 months. Prices are very firm. Slack for boiler firing is also in greater demand, and prices are moving upwards from the recent low level. A steady demand exists for steam coal for locomotive purposes, and heavy deliveries of gas coal are going forward daily. The weak spot at present is the export department, where the demand for prompt shipment is poor, while practically no business for the coming shipping season has yet been concluded. Buyers are still holding back, as in the present condition of the market there is no inducement to exporters to make contracts for forward delivery. It is not improb- able that, as soon as it appears that the bottom is touched, foreign buyers will all come to the market simultaneously, and by so doing cause an upward movement in prices. Apart from the steam coal section of the trade every class of coal is in very satisfactory demand. Washed nuts are a strong feature, and supplies can only be obtained with difficulty. The coke market is unchanged, with a fairly steady demand for all qualities. IR0H. The outlook is steadily improving. There are more enquiries coming to hand for pig iron, and finished iron is in better demand. Engineers, ironfounders, and wagon builders are well placed for work. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’. 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 COAL. The tone of the coal trade in Nottinghamshire continues to be of a satisfactory character, although the dispute with the coalworkers in London may have had an adverse effect upon the deliveries to the Metropolis. In the house coal section the demand is brisk for nearly all qualities, some collieries being almost unable to meet current requirements for certain classes and, in a few cases, an advance of 6d. per ton is being asked. Prices all round are keeping firm. Local merchants are experiencing some difficulty in getting full supplies of good households on contract account. As regards steam fuel, this branch has manifested a little more activity in the last few days, but the tone generally is moderate and values are somewhat irregular. In the present state of the market buyers are purchasing sparingly in the hope that prices will decline, and there is not much doing in forward business. Coining to slacks, the demand may be described as fair, though best qualities are going out of hand more freely. For ordinary sorts there is a moderate demand and, in some cases, it is reported that slight reductions have been made. Practically no change has taken place in respect either to the quantity of business or prices so far as gas coal and coke are concerned. 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/ 11/3-11/6 10/ -10/9 7/9— 8/ 6/6— 7/ 6/9- 7/6 L’st week’s prices. 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 11/6—12/ 11/3-11/6 10/ -10/9 7/9- 8/ 6/6- 7/3 6/9- 7/6 Last year’s prices. 12/6-14/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 12/ —12/3 10/6-11/6 8/6- 9/ 7/9- 8/3 7/6- 8/ LBksstersMrB. COAL. The demand for household coals has markedly fallen off as may be anticipated. The higher temperature has checked the urgency of buyers’ demands, but there is yet a fairly full business on hand. Merchants generally are not at all fully stocked, hence there is a prospect of considerable activity in these coals for some time to come. All steam raising coal continues much wanted. Cobbles and special nut slacks are in great request, especially the latter. Local merchants continue busy. The collieries are making a full output, and deliveries are heavy. The outlook is quite encouraging. Quotations are quite firm, and are likely to continue at present level for some time to come. South Staffordshire., north Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The cold snap has spent itself, and householders having* stocked largely, a period of quietude may be expected. The London trouble did not stimulate demand here neither did it last long enough to cause an upheaval of the market. All kinds of works fuel are in fair demand. Prices have undergone no change and remain as follow :— Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase):— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 18/6 18/6 18/ Do. seconds deep 16/ 16/ 16/6 Do. best shallow . 14/9 14/9 14/6 Do. seconds do. 14/ 14/ 13/ Best hard 15/ 15/ 14/ Forge coal 11/ 11/ 11/ Slack Warwickshire:— 7/6 7/6 8/ House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 16/6 16/6 17/6 cobs 14/ 14/ 13/9 Best hard spires 15/ 15/ 14/6 Forge (steam) 11/ 11/ 10/ D.S. nuts (steam) 10/ 10 8/9 Small (do.) 8/3 8/3 7/9