304 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 6, 1914. South Lancashire and Cheshire. goal. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday. Owing, no doubt, to the milder weather, the demand for house coal is easier, but there is no change in prices. The demand for furnace coal continues to be only moderate, but the call for shipping coal is fairly good, prices, however, being a little uncertain. Slack moves away in good quantities with full supplies coming forward, and prices somewhat unsteady. Below are the general prices current:— Prices at pit (except whore 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 Last year’s prices. prices. 17/3-18/ 16/6-17/ 16/ -16/9 15/3-16/ 13/3-14/ 12/6-13/ 12/6 12/6 14/ 14/ 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 9/ - 9/6 IRON. Trade continues of a hand-to-mouth character. A week or fortnight ago there was a little more buying, which was only small, and it looked as if there was a turn, but we cannot say that this has continued. Things are very flat again here. Warrant iron has stiffened, and this will perhaps have the effect of stiffening the Derbyshire makers, who are now asking 59s., Lincolnshire 57s. 9d. There is nothing good to report in the finished and semi-finished goods. Forges are all on short time, and the Association is keeping the price of crown bars and second quality up to u£7 5s. and .£6 15s. respectively. In steel the foreigner is sending considerable quantities over both in billets and bars, while English makers continue to quote £5 to .£5 2s. 6d. for billets and J26 10s. for bars. The wagon builders are fairly busy. Engineers are also fairly brisk. Boilermakers slack. JLaefe MI. The market was fairly well attended on Tuesday, but there was no special feature. The demand was particularly for manufacturing fuel and small parcels of house coal. The pits have been able to work full time, and stocks are still very light. Empty v/agons have been scarce again during the week. House Coal.—The demand continues satisfactory, but not quite so full as last week. Business with London and the district has assumed normal proportions since the settle- ment of the strike. Pit prices for London are now more regular. In the coastwise trade there is not much fresh business offering, but prices remain without material alteration. In the Yorkshire industrial centres the retail trade is less brisk, but there is no alteration in prices, which average 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.—The heavy output of the pits is all being moved daily, chiefly to satisfy current contracts. New business is still quiet. A few spot parcels are being sold for export at special prices, bus apart from this business generally is quiet. Manufacturing Fuel.—Business generally in the Bradford and Huddersfield districts is reported to be a shade brighter, and more industrial fuel is being consumed. There is no alteration in official prices, but buyers find the rougher kinds of slack slightly in their favour. Stocks at the collieries are very light. Washed Furnace Coke.—Prices vary considerably, some makers offering spot lots at Ils. 6d. per ton at the ovens, while others quote as high as 12s. 6d. Business at the moment averages in the neighbourhood of 12-3. Only short term contracts are being entered into, as buyers prefer to risk the open market. 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 Silkstone 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-screened engine nuts Small nuts Rough unscreened engine coal Best rough slacks Small do Coking smalls Coke:— Price at ovens: Furnace coke Current prices. 14/6-15/6 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 13/—14/ 11/9-12/3 17/6-18/6 16/9-17/6 15/6-16/ 14/6-15/ 11/6-12/ 10/6-11/ 9/6-10/ 10/6-11/3 9/9-10/6 9/ - 9/6 9/3- 9/9 7/3- 7/9 6/3- 6/6 6/3- 6/9 11/6-12/6 L’st week’s prices. 14/6-15/6 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 13/ -14/ 12/ -12/6 17/6-18/6 16/9-17/6 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/6 11/6-12/ 10/6-11/ 9/6-10/ 10/6-11/3 9/9-10/6 9/ - 9/6 9/3- 9/9 7/3- 7/9 6/3- 6/6 6/3- 6/9 12/ Last year’s prices. 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/ -13/6 12/6-12/9 11/6-12/ 16/9-17/6 16/3-16/9 15/ -15/6 13/6-14/3 12/9-13/6 11/9-12/6 11/ -11/6 12/ -12/6 11/3-11/9 11/ -11/6 11/ -11/6 9/6-10/ . 8/6- 9/ 8/3- 8/9 19/ -20/6 Barnsley. COAL. The demand for large steam coal on export account continues to be of a rather quiet description, and values for prompt business, whilst being a little more steady, are yet scarcely firm. Although some of the collieries are finding the output is still considerably reduced, the production from the larger collieries in the Doncaster district is very heavy and exceeds the enquiry. Exporters are still adopting a fairly steady attitude, and for the present continue to be able to purchase district hards at less than official quotations, whereas, owing to larger tonnage placed by the railway companies in Derbyshire, the collieries in the latter area have less fuel to offer, and are thus able to maintain their quotations. The enquiries for shipping are, however, of a fairly strong description, and there is every expectation that the demand will become of a more substantial character within the next few weeks. The enquiry for all kinds of manufacturing coal continues to be strong, especially so in regard to steam nuts. The tonnage available of the best kinds is just about equal to the demand, and prices are readily maintained, whilst secondary descriptions are also fully disposed of. There continues to be a better tone with regard to slacks, best kinds of which are very easily dealt with, and the position of rougher varieties is a little improved. So far as house coal is concerned, the reduced output, owing to the frequent absence of the miners, is being felt, notably in regard to best classes of fuel. Orders continue to be substantial and deliveries are yet in arrear. There is no difficulty in maintaining official prices as reported a week ago. The demand for coke continues to be only of a moderate character, and the supply is adequate, though values are unaltered and forward business is of a quiet description. 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/ -11/3 12/6 Secondary do 10/6 10/6-10/9 11/9 Best washed nuts 11/ 11/ -11/3 12/3-12/6 Secondary do 10/ -10/3 10/ -10/3 11/3-11/6 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/ -12/6 20/ -21/ Hull. GOAL. On the whole there seems a better enquiry in the market, but it will take some little time before it really recovers itself and prices show any tangible improvement. For best Yorkshire steam hards there has been more request at the lower figure, but with plenty of stocks at hand and in sight the price remains very weak, about IBs. 3d. being the ruling figure where prompt lots were dealt in. Derbyshire hards are also slightly easier, but are still much higher in value than Yorkshire steams. Secondary sorts and manu- facturing fuel are in firm request, and prices are steady. Gas coal is in good demand, best screened making up to 14s. Interest in forward business has been quickened by the announcement that the Russian Govern- ment have placed orders in the hands of St. Petersburg merchants for 30,000 tons of Yorkshire and Northum- berland steams of certain brands for delivery at lower Baltic ports between February and April. The Swedish tenders are due in on the 21st, and Derbyshire coalowners are looking to getting a good share of the business as usual. Forward business, however, does not develop at any great rate. Coalowners are firmly holding out for about Ils. per ton at pit for best Yorkshire steams, but buyers’ ideas at present are about 6d. below this figure, or about 13s. 3d. to 13s. 6d. f.o.b. at Hull. Negotiations are heard of, but no great quantity has been taken up yet. The freight market is extremely dull and rates are in favour of shippers. Baltic ports on offer to-day are Reval 6s., Riga 5s. 9d. to 6s. (ice conditions still prevailing), Libau or Windau 4s. 9d., and Swedish Sound ports 4s. 6d. In the Mediterranean direction rates are easier again, Genoa being quoted at 7s. 3d. and Port Said the same figure, and Barcelona 7s. 3d. to 7s. 6d. Fixtures reported during the week are:—From Hull, Reval, 3,600 tons, 5s. 7|d.; Rouen, 1,700 tons, 4s. 6d.; London, 2,000 tons, 3s. 7|d.; from Grimsby, Nexo 1,000 tons, 5s. 3d.; and from Goole, 800 tons, 43. 3d. Shipments at the docks are on the light side. It is anticipated that the export figures for January will show a decline at Hull, Grimsby, and Goole, but that Immingham will be up” to the extent of 30,000 or 40,000 tons owing to the large shipments from that port to the Black Sea. The following are the approxi- mate prices for prompt shipment f.o.b. Hull, Grimsby, and Immingham : — South Yorkshire:— Best steam hards Washed double-scr’ned nuts Unwashed double- screened nuts Washed single-screened nuts Unwashed single-sci’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. 13/3 13/6 13/ 13/3-13/6 12/6 9/6-10/ 9/ -9/3 13/6 9/ -9/3 9/3- 9/6 13/9-14/ 12/ -12/6 14/3 14/ 12/6 12/3 14/3 14/ 14/3 14/ L’st week’s 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 Last year’s prices. 15/3-15/6 14/6-15/ 14/ 14/6-14/9 13/ -13/6 14/ -14/6 10/9 13/6 11/3-11/6 10/ -10/6 14/9 . 13/6 15/6 15/ 13/6 13/ 14/6 14/ 15/6 15/ GhcBterQeid. COAL. A very satisfactory volume of business is passing in house coal, and many orders that came to hand during the recent spell of cold weather are still unexecuted. All the pits of the district are working to their full capacity. There is a well-sustained demand for coal for manufacturing purposes, and much pressure is being put upon the collieries to send forward larger quantities, especially of cobbles and nuts. Considerable activity is apparent in this branch of the coal trade, and prices are very firm. Slack for steam-raising is also in satisfactory demand, prime brands of which are by no means plentiful. Prices are steady. Steam coal moves freely for locomotive use. All contracts for this class of coal for the ensuing 12 months have now been settled at practically the same prices as those which ruled a year ago. The export trade continues in a depressed condition. The demand for steam coal for prompt shipment is on a very small scale, while no new business for forward delivery has yet been transacted. Foreign buyers are still following a waiting policy, in the hope and belief that prices will be further reduced. In the meantime old orders are being rapidly worked off, and unless some fresh contracts are entered into very shortly it is not improbable that some steam coal pits will be compelled to work short time. Washed nuts are in strong demand, and prices are tending upwards. Supplies of this fuel are somewhat scarce at present. Cobbles and nuts for near Continental ports are also much wanted. Taking the coal trade of this district generally the position is a satisfactory one, the only weak spot being the export market. Even this branch of the trade will during the next few weeks show signs of a revival with the reopening of the Baltic ports. The coke market is depressed, without any promise of early improve- ment. Prices at pit. Best house coals Secondary do Cobbles Nuts Slack Current prices. 15/6 13/6 12/6 11/6 8/ L’st week’s prices. 15/6 13/6 12/6 11/6 8/ Last year’s prices. 14/6 12/6 12/ 11/ 9/ IRON. A slightly better enquiry for pig iron is perceptible, and there is a similar improvement in the demand for finished iron. Engineering works are well employed. GOAL. The coal trade in Nottingham, so far as the general position is concerned, has shown much activity during the past week. This remark applies more particularly to the domestic fuel branch, which has, if anything, manifested somewhat increased activity compared with the preceding week. Although the amount of fuel which has been despatched to London is not unusual for the time of the year, some good orders have come to hand from merchants in the country districts. Locally, too, a fairly brisk business has been done by merchants, and at the landsale depots prices are keeping firm. There is a rather quiet tone in the steam coal branch, the decline on export account being mainly responsible, and it is not anticipated that there will be much activity until the shipping seaton opens. Still, the trade done in industrial fuel is satisfactory, and the home demand generally is fair. With collieries making practically full time, there is a plentiful supply in the slack market, but the demand is not altogether satisfactory, and in regard to some qualities stocks are increasing. Coke and gas coal are in steady request. 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/ 10/9-11/3 10/ -10/6 7/6- 8/3 6/6— 7/3 6/9- 7/6 L’st week’s Last year’s 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 prices. 12/6-14/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-12/ 12/ -12/6 10/6-11/6 8/6- 9/ 7/9- 8/3 7/6- 8/ Leicestershire. GOAL. There is not a very great; falling-off in the amount of business being done in this district. Naturally the demands of merchants for household coals in this warmer weather are not so pressing as they have been recently, but there is a continuing fairly good demand for all descriptions. The steam-raising coal market is quite as active as for a long time past, and all kinds are in good request. The amount of business on hand and current is sufficient to keep the collieries well employed, and of the very considerable output most is delivered, stocks as yet not showing a tendency to accumulate. The outlook is cheerful. Local merchants are fairly busy, but not doing so much in house- hold coal as lately. The quotations lately current are unaltered, and there are no indications of any immediate alteration. ~ Srath Staffordshire, Sorth Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Hednesford. GOAL. There is little change to report this week in the condition of the coal trade of the Cannock Chase district. A good business is being done and the co Hi cries are well employed, most of them running full time. Tneru is not quite so much pressure in the demand for house coal, but a fair business is being done and the enquiry for fuel for manufacturing purposes is much the same as when last reported. There is very little change in prices. Business is not quite so brisk at the landsale depots.