1072 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 15, 1911. this time of the year, but the price is fairly steady. There is no scarcity in slack, and prices are somewhat uncertain^ concessions being made in cases. List prices are as below. IRON. The market continues lifeless, and no transactions large enough to test makers'’ idea of prices. In the meantime, good foundry iron is quoted at 56s. to 57s., and forge iron in the neighbourhood of 50s., with no buyers. The price for crown iron still remains at <£7 5s., second quality <£6 15s., hoops <£7 12s. 6d., sheets £8 12s. 6d., and forges are all on short time. Steelworks are also on reduced time and are suffering very heavily from foreign competition. Steel bars are quoted at <£6 15s., with billets at <£5. All the other trades, such as engineers, wagon builders, and boilermakers report things to be very slack, few enquiries, and no profits. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. There was a fairly good attendance of traders at the market on Tuesday, but business was again on the quiet side. Apart from a few spot lots of steam coal and nuts for export, very few orders indeed were given out. It was reported that the pits had worked something less than five days this week, as the wagon supply has been exceedingly poor. Stocks in colliery sidings are now pretty heavy, and are comprised chiefly of house qualities. House Coal.—There is no improvement in the demand from London and the eastern and southern counties, although in several cases special prices have been quoted in order to induce business. The position in London seems to be that buyers are holding off as much as possible with a view to bearing the market in face of the contracting season being so near. It is expected that lowest summer prices may be declared early next month. In view of the above, very few contracts are being entered into, as collieries generally decline to accept less than last year's figures. In the coastwise trade a fairly large tonnage is being dealt with, both for the Thames wharves and the south coast. In the local house coal trade, merchants find contract quantities quite sufficient to meet the limited public demand. So far there has been no reduction from the winter quotations except with regard to contracts, and merchants are complaining that prices are being kept unnecessarily high in view of the slow demand. Current pit prices: Haigh Moor selected, 18s. to 19s.; Silkstone best, 17s. to 18s.; Silkstone house, 16s. to 17s.; other qualities, 13s. to 14s. 6d. Gas Coal.—The pits are able to work about full time, but here and there stocks are accumulating in colliery sidings. Open market business is limited, although one or two of the bigger local works are buying small parcels of screened gas coal. With regard to forward business, the position is as yet very indefinite. A number of meetings of colliery owners interested in the gas coal trade have been held, and it has been unanimously decided not to accept any less figures than those of the expiring commit- ments. On the other hand, prominent gas engineers expect a reduction of from 6d. to Is. a ton, and say that they have offers to this extent. So far very little new business has been booked, but the tenders already sent out have been in each case at the old prices. Manufacturing Fuel.—There is a fairly ready call for washed fuel and better quality rough slacks, but coking smalls and unwashed nuts are very sluggish. Prices are quite equal to those quoted last week, but there is very little forward business being done. Coking smalls are more or less a drug', and large producers are offering' decent qualities at as low as 6s. per ton at the pit. Washed Furnace Coke.—Prices are -still sagging, and average samples of patent washed oven coke rarely realise in the open market more than 10s. per ton at the ovens. The production of coke is being carried on at the present time at a very serious loss, as by-products have depreciated considerably in value during the past few months. New contracts for coke are usually for small tonnage, and for not more than a three months' period. Prices at pit. House coal:— Current L'st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 Wallsend & London best 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/ 13/ -13/6 Silkstone best 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/ 13/ -13/6 Do. house 12/3-13/ 12/6-13/ 12/ -12/6 House nuts Prices f.o.b. Hull:— 11/6-12/ 11/6-12/ 11/6-12/ Haigh Moor best 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 16/6-17/ Silkstone best 16/ -16/6 16/ -16/6 Do. house 14/9-15/6 14/9-15/6 15/6-16/ Other qualities Gas coal:— Prices at pit: 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 13/6-14/6 Screened gas coal 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 12/3-12/9 Gas nuts 10/ -11/ 10/ -11/ 11/6-12/6 Unscreened gas coal ... Other sorts:— Prices at pit: 9/9-10/6 9/9-10/6 11/ -11/6 Washed nuts Large double-screened 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 12/-12/6 engine nuts 9/6-10/6 9/6-10/6 11/3-12/ Small nuts Bough unscreened 9/ -10/ 9/ -10/ 11/ -11/6 engine coal 9/9-10/ 9/9-10/ 11/ -11/6 Best rough slacks 7/6- 8/ 7/6- 8/ 9/6-10/ Small do. 6/6- 7/ 6/6- 7/ 8/6- 9/ Coking smalls Coke:— Price at ovens: 6/ - 7/ 6/6— 7/ 8/6-9/ Furnace coke 10/ -10/6 10/6-11/ 17/ -18/ Barnsley. COAL. Business was of a quieter description at the market this week. In regard to the export branch of the trade, the disturbed position following upon the strike does not appear to have been removed, and a large quantity of coal is in second hands at the port which is not being readily disposed of. To a large extent this is due to the irregular arrival of tonnage, yet, on the other hand, it is clearly indicated there is not that amount of pressure to secure supplies as was expected would be at this period of the year. The collieries on the whole are working full time, so that buyers, for the present at all events, have considerable advantage. Lower prices, however, are still expected, and business is being held up to a certain extent with the idea that coal owners will have to be content with lower prices than they are still asking for. Large steams were from 3d. to 6d. per ton lower on the week, and secondary sorts perhaps more so, whilst there was very little disposition shown to fix up arrangements which will cover any material portion of the shipping season. In regard to manufac- turing' coal, the experience of coal owners is very widely different, and evidently in certain districts business is not active, and a much less quantity of fuel is being taken than is usually the case. The position in regard to the best grade of coal is still satisfactory from the coal owners’ point of view, but any advantage they are obtaining from this kind of business is being sacrificed in having to deal with the secondary sorts. With respect to gas coal con- tracts, buyers are showing little anxiety in seeking the renewal of contracts over the coming year, the belief being held that the state of trade will justify a reduction at from 6d. to 9d. per ton on the prices being paid for expiring rates. A fair quantity of this class of coal was on offer on the market at reduced prices, and gas companies were inclined to take advantage of the situation to replete their reduced stocks. The spell of colder weather has again benefited the house coal trade, and quite a fair demand has been experienced for this class of coal, for which the full winter prices have had to be paid, but in regard to secondary descriptions the position is not so firm. There is no improvement in the coke industry, and although the output is materially reduced there is no firmness in the reduced prices which remain in operation. Prices at pit. Current L'st week’s Last year's House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 14/6-15/ Best Barnsley softs 15/ -15/3 15/ -15/3 .14/ -14/3 Secondary do. 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 11/6-13/ Best house nuts 13/ -13/3 13/ -13/6 11/6-12/6 Secondary do 11/ -12/ 11/ "/12 10/6-11/6 Steam coals:— Best hard coals 11/3 11/6-11/9 13/6-14/ Secondary do 10/6-10/9 10/9-11/ 12/9-13/3 Best washed nuts 10/9-11/ 10/9-11/3 12/3-12/9 Secondary do 10/ -10/6 10/6-11/ 11/6 Best slack 7/S-7/6 7/S-7/6 9/3- 9/9 Bough do 6/ - 6/3 6/ - 6/3 8/6— 8/9 Gas coals:— Screened gas coals 11/6-12/ 11/6-12/ 12/3-12/9 Unscreened do 10/6 10/6 ' — Gas nuts 11/6 11/6 10/ -10/6 12/ Furnace coke 10/ -10/6 17/6-18/ Hull. COAL. It is satisfactory to be able to report an improvement in the shipment of coal from the Humber ports, though the volume as yet does not come up to the average that one is accustomed to in the middle of May when shipments for the Baltic should be in full swing. A much larger tonnage has been dealt with, and at one time the appliances were kept busy and all berths occupied. Now, however, shippers are confronted with a scarcity of steamer tonnage, owing to the big demand at the Tyne and the congestion here, and freight values have advanced, 5s. 6d. to 5s. 71d. being asked for handy-sized steamers as compared with 4s. 3d. a week ago. Things will ease after a while no doubt, and except where contract and urgent supplies are concerned exporters are not keen on taking stray boats at the higher figures. Coal is coming’ over the rails freely, and in a few days we may expect to see stocks accumulating in the sidings. The market is firm taking it all round, though steam hards for prompt shipment have gone down a little, chiefly owing to the better supply available. The demand for manufacturing fuel is fair though nothing extra, and other sorts are only in moderate request, though quotations are maintained. The returns for all the Humber ports show that the foreign export of coal in April from Hull, Grimsby, Immingham and Goole aggregated but 200,800 tons, as compared with 710,800 tons in April last year. The aggregate for the four months, January- April, is 1,874,000 tons, as compared with 2,450,287 tons in the same period of 1913. As already indicated, the freight market has 'advanced prices, which are firmly held, quota- tions being, Cronstadt, Beval, Riga, Pernau and St. Petersburg 5s. 6d. to 5s. 7|d. each. Stockholm is on offer at 4s. 3d. In the Mediterranean direction rates show a less advance, Genoa being offered at 7s. 3d., Oporto 7s. 6d. and 7s. 9d., and Barcelona 8s. and 8s. 3d. The following are the approximate prices for prompt shipment f.o.b. Hull, &c.:— 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 Bough 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) Leicestershire hards (Hull and Grimsby)... Current i prices. 14/3 13/9 13/3 • 13/ 12/9 9/9 9/6 13/ 9/9-10/ 8/3- 8/6 14/ 12/3 1.4/ 13/9 12/6 12/3 14/6 14/ !4/ 13/9 L’st week’s prices. 14/6 13/6-13/9 13/3 13/ -13/3 12/9 9/9 9/6 13/ 9/9/—10/ 8/3- 8/6 14/ 12/3 14/3 14/ 12/6 12/3 14/6 14/ 14/3 14/ 13/6 Last year's prices. 17/ -17/3 15/ 14/3-14/6 14/6-14/9 14/ 12/6 11/9 14/3 11/9-12/ 10/6-11/ 14/6 13/ -13/3 17/ -17/3 16/6-17/ 13/9 13/6 14/6 14/ 17/ 16/9-17/ Chesterfield. COAL. Orders for house coal are coming to hand a little more freely, and the pits are able to work full time. Coal for manufacturing purposes is in good demand, the requirements of the heavy steel trades of Sheffield being on a large scale. A steady volume of business is passing in slack for boiler firing, prices of which remain steady. Gas coal is moving quietly, and deliveries of steam coal for locomotive purposes are going forward daily in substantial quantities. The export trade is quieter at the moment owing to the scarcity of shipping tonnage, and loaded wagons are held up in consequence at the Humber ports. Prices, for this reason, are a few pence easier on the week. The weakness is, however, only temporary, while a good demand for steam coal is looked for between now and Whitsuntide. There is a well sustained demand for washed nuts, and prices are very firm. The coke market continues dull and uninteresting. Prices and demand are poor. Prices at pit. Best house coals Current prices. 13/6 12/ 11/ 9/6 7/9 L'st week's prices. 13/6 12/ 11/6 10/ 7/9 Last year’s prices. 14/6 12/6 ' 12/ 11/ 9/ Secondary do Cobbles Nuts Slack IRON. The condition of the iron trade of the district is lifeless. Pig iron and finished bars are equally in poor demand. Wagon builders are less busy than they have been of late. Nottingham. COAL. No particular change has characterised the coal trade in Nottinghamshire compared with a week ago, and, on the whole, the tone is fairly satisfactory, despite a falling off in one or two sections. Orders are coming to hand slowly in the domestic fuel branch consequent on the advancing season, but the colder weather during the past week should help to make it a little more active. Merchants in the Metropolis and in the southern and eastern counties are taking small supplies and the same remark applies to those in the district surrounding Nottingham, while the sales at the local landsale depots do not show much improvement. Stocks at the collieries are increasing, but at present they are on a normal scale, while prices are relaxing their firmness. In the steam coal branch there is a fair amount of activity in regard to exports, but the amount which is being sent to the east coast ports is hardly up to expectation. Industrials in the home market are selling moderately well, and the railway companies are taking fair supplies to their locomotive depots. While the values of best hards are maintained, there is a tendency to forced selling on other sorts. The slack market has undergone very little alteration. Best qualities are in good demand, but common grades are selling somewhat irregularly. There is not much open selling of gas fuel, though a fair tonnage is leaving the collieries on contract account. Coke is in quiet request, special lots being obtainable at slightly reduced rates. Prices at pithead. Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals......... Secondary do............. Best hard coals.......... Secondary do............. Slacks (best hards) ..... Do. (second) ......... Do. (soft)............ Current prices. 14/ 12/ -13/ 11/3-12/ 10/9-12/ 9/9-10/3 7/ - 7/6 6/3- 6/9 6/3- 6/9 L'st week’s prices. 14/ -14/6 13'/ -13/6 11/9-12/3 11/ -12/ 10/ -10/6 7/ - 7/6 6/3- 6/9 6/3- 7/ Last year's prices. 12/6—13/6 12/ -13/ 11/ -12/ 12/3-13/ 11/ -12/ 9 -10/ 8/6- 9/ 8/ - 8/6 South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Hednesford. COAL. In connection with the coal trade of the Cannock Chase district, the slight falling off reported last week continues, but considering the time of the year a fair business is still being done. There is a weaker tendency in prices, and stocks are increasing. The collieries are not running quite so regularly—very few of them working full time. The house coal trade is much the same as when last reported, and there is not much change in the demand for fuel for manufacturing purposes. Bailway sales are not quite so brisk, and only a moderate business is being done at the landsale depots. Birmingham. COAL. The coal trade is now being carried on under summer conditions. The pits are making four to five days a week, and a fair amount of business is assured until Whitsuntide. There is only a moderate demand for manufacturing fuels. Prices at pit. Current L'st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including prices. prices. prices. Cannock Chase) :— House coal, best deep ... 17/6 18/6 18/ Do. seconds deep 15/ 16/ 16/6 Do. best shallow 13/6 14/9 14/6 Do. seconds do. 12/9 14/ • 13/ Best hard 14/6 15/ 14/ Forge coal 10/6 11/ 11/ Slack 7/ 7/6 8/6 Warwickshire:— House coal, best Byder.. Do. hand-picked 15/6 16/6 16/ . cobs . 13/ 14/ 13/9 Best hard spires 14/6 15/ 14/6 Forge (steam) 10/6 11/ 10/ D.S. nuts (steam) 9/6 10/ 10 Small (do-) 8/ 8/3 9/