April 9, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 791 South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on .Tuesday, but little business was transacted. Buyers of different kinds of fuel do not seem disposed to give the higher prices being asked, owing to the strike in Yorkshire, but are waiting the result of the Conciliation Board meeting. There is a little more doing in shipping coal at slightly increased prices. The following is the nominal list:— Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best 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 Medium '. Common .' Furnace coal Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack Common slack Last year’s prices. 16/6-17/ 15/3-16/ 12/6-13/ 12/6 14/ 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 IRON. There is nothing new to report as regards trade in this district, the markets being lifeless. The meeting at Birmingham last week was one of the worst meetings we have ever attended. Forges are slack, and the association price for Crown bars still remains at £7 5s., second quality Jj6 15s., but they have reduced the price of hoops 5s. per ton, making the price now £7 12s. 6d. Steelworks are also slack, and are askin g £5 net for billets, and £6 10s., less 21 per cent., for bars. The foreigner is still in evidence at much below these prices. Wagon builders and boilermakers are short of work. Heavy engineers are fairly busy. All would like t j see more work coming forward. Yorkshire and Darbyihlrat Ljeds. COAL. The first week of the Yorkshire strike has served to show how near supply and demand are to each other. The suddenness of the strike has taken most people unawares, and this is especially the case with regard to house coal. During the past few days the local collieries have practically cleared out all they dare to sell, in view of the possible prolongation of the strike, but odd parcels are offered here and there at pit prices ranging at anything from 20s. to 30s. per ton according to quality. A very large number of orders for house coal have been placed in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, and to a less extent in Lancashire. With the rate from most of these places averaging from 6s. to 7s. per ton, retailers have been compelled to advance their usual prices by at least 10s. per ton, with consequent suffering on the part of poorer consumers. Of course, no business is being done with London, and reports from that market indicate that the clearing of the stocks of the Midland counties for Yorkshire consumption has caused a material advance in prices for London. Practically all the manufacturing coal available has been cleared from the west Yorkshire pits, and although supplies have been hurried in from outside districts, some of the large works are in a bad way in regard to supplies. Here and there complete stoppage has had to be made, but generally speaking, manufacturers with good business in hand are keeping going even although they are having to pay anything from 17s. to 25s. per ton delivered for fuel. One or two offers of local double screened nuts are about at pit prices ranging from 17s. to 19s. per ton. With regard to gas coal the position is not quite so serious, as the local works such as Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Keighley and Wakefield are said to have supplies in hand sufficient to last for a further four weeks. One or two spot lots of Lancashire gas coal and also a few parcels from Durham have been bought to meet urgent necessities, and for these parcels of course very high prices have been paid. The scarcity of coking slacks has very materially affected the output of the coke ovens, and prices are appreciably higher, average samples being quoted at the time of writing at from 15s. to 16s. per ton at the ovens. It would be no use to attempt our usual summary of pit prices, as each individual transaction is dealt with on its merits. Barnsley« COAL. There appears to be a marked conflict of opinion amongst all sections of the trade as to when the strike is likely to be settled. With the outlook so uncertain both buyers and sailers are in the midst of doubt as to what step to take, and the same may be said with regard to manufacturers who are still undecided whether to set down or to try and buy fuel in view of the renewed negotiations for a settlement. In the immediate district there is very little business passing, and prices continue to be widely fluctuating. Practically all the stocks which have accumulated at the pits have been cleared away, and it has not been difficult to realise high prices for small lots to meet the convenience of shippers and manufacturers. Generally, however, buyers of steam coal Lave shown less panic than a week ago, but best hards have been disposed of at from 20s. to 25s. per ton. Washed fuel, too, has made something like the same figure, and slacks have advanced up to 16s. or 17s. per ton. House coal has been quoted from day to day from 25s. to 27s. per ton. Of course the situation has enabled the Derbyshire and Lancashire coalowners to benefit in a very considerable degree, and their representatives have been very busy in this district offering- lots at very much increased prices. The general public have no doubt become very much alarmdd, and with stocks light have been willing to pay something like 25s. per ton for a secondary class of house coal, and a large tonnage of slacks which ha? been accumu- lating at Derbyshire collieries have now found a ready market at from 12s. to 15s. per ton. Although the demand is now quieter than it was, large orders have been obtained, which has led to the transfer of a large number of engines and wagons from the South Yorkshire district to the other counties, so that some of the railway companies are for the time being finding some compensation for the. loss of traffic in the South Yorkshire area. It appears to be likely that almost in all industries a more lengthy Easter holiday will . be enforced, reducing the need for fuel, when no doubt more may be known as to the probable length of the stoppage. In regard to coke, prices have not increased much more than a week ago, when advances from 2s. to 3s. per ton were obtained. The output has become less, the beehive ovens being gradually extinguished, and the patent plants are being worked on as light a scale as possible. In the present state of the iron trade the smelters in the North Lincoln- shire district have decided to put out most of the furnaces, which of course will reduce the buying of coke. The following prices are appended for the sake of comparison, but are merely nominal:— Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 22/ -25/ 22/ 14/6-15/ 14/ -14/3 Best Barnsley softs 20/ -22/ 21/ Secondary do. 18/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 11/6-13/ Best house nuts 16/ -18/ 16/ 11/6-12/6 Secondary do Steam coals:— 15/ -16/ 15/ 10/6-11/6 Best hard coals 20/ -25/ 20/ -25/ 13/ -13/9 Secondary do 19/ -23/ 19/ -23/ 12/ -12/6 Best washed nuts 16/6-19/ 16/6 12/ -12/6 Secondary do 15/ -17/ 14/6 11/6 Best slack 15/ -16/ 12/6 9/ - 9/6 Rough do Gas coals:— 11/ -12/ 11/6 8/ - 8/6 Screened gas coals 20/ 20/ 12/3-13/ Unscreened do 18/ . 18/ — Gas nuts 19/ -20/ 18/6 12/ Furnace coke 13/ -14/ 12/6-13/ 18/ -19/ Hull. COAL. Owing to the strike of Yorkshire miners, business has been practically suspended on the Humber Coal Exchange. Forward business has been altogether “ hung up ” and the freight market has been in a similar position. Odd lots of manufacturing coal have changed hands at prices ranging about 22s. 6d. to 25s., according to quality. Most of the vessels that were loading when the strike began were able to complete and leave port by Saturday or Sunday, since when the appliances at the Hull docks have been idle and the stocks of Yorkshire coal about exhausted. A few train- loads of Derbyshire and Nottingham coal have arrived during the week. At Grimsby and Immingham these classes of coal have been shipped as usual but under contract. The exports of coal to foreign countries from the Humber ports in March and in the three months to date were as under:— March. January-March. / 1914. 1913. 1914. 1913. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Hull .. 280,743 .. . 377,760 . .. 765,954 ... 915,911 Grimsby .. 96,916 .. . 71,867 . .. 238,420 ... 231,317 Goole .. 101,031 .. . 80,525 . .. 294,006 ... 285,222 Immingham . . . 130,112 .. . 98,244 . .. 374,826 ... 308,555 608,802 .. . 628,396 . ..1,673,206 , ...1,741,005 Chesterfield. COAL All the pits of the district will be stopped from Thursday of the present week until Wednesday next. There has been a very much-increased demand for all classes of coal from this coalfield during the past fortnight, owing to the South Yorkshire strike, and stocks of some classes of small fuel that had accumulated previously to the stoppage have now completely disappeared. Nothing in the way of panic prices has been paid, although buyers have been willing to agree to any reasonable advance that was demanded. Many works in Sheffield and district will suspend operations for several days for the Easter holidays, but consumers are anxious to be in possession of a good supply of fuel when business is resumed next week. It is early to form anything like a reliable opinion as to the effect that the stoppage will have upon demand and prices when the Yorkshire dispute is settled. It is generally felt, however, that values will appreciate to some extent, owing to a diminished supply, just as the Baltic shipping season is opening and that prices will remain on a higher level during the remainder of the year. Coke is in better demand, in sympathy with other classes of fuel. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s' as t years prices. prices. prices. Best house coals .. 15/6 17/6 14/6 Secondary do 14/6 16/6 12/6 Cobbles 13/6 15/ 12/ Nuts 12/6 14/ 11/ Slack 10/ 10/ 9/ IRON. There is no change in the condition of the iron trade. Pig iron and manufactured bars are in very quiet demand. Buyers do not care to enter into contracts for forward delivery. Engineers and wagon builders are well employed. Efattlngham, COAL. The strike in the Yorkshire coalfield, although it has not at the time of writing made any material difference in the state of trade in Nottinghamshire, is certain to have a beneficial effect, particularly if the dispute is not ended by the close of the Easter holiday. It has had the effect of keeping most of the collieries in this county working full time in case there is a special demand. Apart from this factor, the trade is on the whole of a satisfactory character. In the domestic fuel section the tone shows an improve- ment compared with a week ago, and values are displaying a hardening tendency. No doubt the approach of Easter has had a stimulating effect, and with the labour.trouble in Yorkshire it is difficult to give accurate prices, as they are inclined to vary from day to day, but so far they have not assumed what might be termed unusually high rates. A similar state of affairs exists in the steam coal branch, the demand during the past week having considerably improved, and with owners not having a great deal of stocks on hand there is an anxiety to prepare for any rush that may come along. The slack market continues to improve and prices are firmer, best qualities in some cases selling at 10s. 6d. to Ils. 6d. per ton. Gas coal and coke are just now selling better. --------o--------- South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Hednesford. COAL There has been considerable activity during the past week in the coal trade throughout the Gannock Chase district, largely due to the strike in Yorkshire and to the proximity of the Easter holidays, when there will probably be several days’ stand. The collieries have been fully employed and stocks cleared away. Nearly all qualities of coal have been in good request, and slack has been moving away more freely. Railway sales have been brisk during the week, and there has been an improvement in business at the landsale depots. Birmingham COAL. As is usually the case, trade has been a little brisker approaching the Easter holidays, though, of course, the trouble in Yorkshire is being seriously felt. All the reserve coal is being used up, and it has had the effect of keeping values up, while special prices have been withdrawn. The pits closed down on Thursday, and the majority of them will recommence on Wednesday. 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 14/6 13/ Do. best shallow 14/9 14/9 Do. seconds do. 14/ 14/ Best hard 15/ 15/ 14/ Forge coal 11/ 11/ 11/ Slack 7/6 7/6 8/6 • Warwickshire:— House coal, best Ryder.. 16/6 16/6 16/ Do. hand-picked cobs 14/ 14/ 13/9 Best hard spires 15/ 15/ 14/6 Forge (steam) 11/ 11/ 10/ D.S. nuts (steam) 10/ 10/ 10/ Small (do.) 8/3 8/3 9 IRON The Easter holiday, which will last at practically all the works in the district for a week, comes opportunely, inasmuch as the Yorkshire coal strike is playing havoc with the pig iron industry in the districts which supply South Stafford- shire. Failure of a couple of weeks’ supply of coke would result in the closing of many furnaces, and it is hoped that between now and the resumption of work after Easter, settle- ment will be arrived at. It was not to be expected that any material change in the other industries would take place this week. The quarterly meeting did not yield any great amount of new business. Standard bar makers are doing fairly well on the .£8 10s. basis. Good second-class bar continues at £Q 12l 6d. delivered by team, common iron for bolts and nuts at £6 5s. at maker? works, Darlaston, and merchant bars of the same class £6 7s. 6d. a ton delivered in the district. While the Gas Strip Association retained the standard at .£6 10s. to .£6 15s., a margin of 2s. 6d. per ton is allowed for large quantities. Even then outside houses quote freely £6 7s. 6d. to .£6 10s. per ton delivered in lots of 25 tons and upwards. Strong gauges of steel hoops are sold at <£6 15s. to £6 17s. 6d. a ton, against Continental prices of £6 10s., and the finer gauges command £7. There is little change in galvanised sheets. The leading houses maintain quotations at J>11 2s. 6d. to ^811 5s. a ton, but there is a tendency among merchants to sell slightly under that figure. Black sheets are quiet at £7 7s. 6d. to <£7 12s. 6d. a ton delivered in the district. Demi-steel products range from .£4 12s. fid. to £4 17s. 6d. per ton, with 2s. 6d. extra for Siemens qualities. Continental quotations are about 5s. under those figures. Forest of Dsaa, Lydnay, COAL. No change of importance has occurred in the coal trade of this district during the past week. With regard to house coal, the demand is still only a moderate one, but the pits on the whole have been better employed since last writing. Stocks, however, show some increase. The weather is still squally, and shipping arrangements are somewhat disorganised. Railborne orders are steady. Slacks are well placed. Good sales are made in steam qualities, but the smalls are weak in values Prices at pithead. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals prices. prices. prices. Block 17/6 17/6 16/6 Forest 16/6 16/6 15/6 Rubble 16/9 16/9 15/9 Nuts 15/ 15/ 14/ ■ Rough slack Steam coal:— 6/6 6/6 10/ Large 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 13/6-14/ Small 8/6- 9/ 8/ - 9/ 10/6-11/ Prices Is. 9d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast, Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report a somewhat improved wholesale demand for house and steam coal during the past fortnight. Buyers have been more willing to entertain offers of well-known coals. The fact of the Yorkshire strike having cut off supplies from that quarter has caused more attention to be given to other districts. Importers are not quite satisfied with the quantities they hold, in view of the uncertainty of the duration of the strike. Quotations from Lancashire and Staffordshire and the Newcastle district are considerably advanced. Steam freights are rather lower.