1188 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 29, 1911. ===^=S=ST?™. The association price for Crown bars remains at £>1 5s., second quality .£6 15s., hoops £1 12s. 6d., sheets <£8 10s. to £8 12s. 6d. Steelworks are also on short time, with billets at £5 net, and bars £6 7s. 6d. less 2i per cent. Wagon- builders are very short of work. Foundries slack. In fact, the trade in this district is very depressed. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coal:— prices. prices. prices. Best 17/3-18/ 17/3-18/ 16/6-17/ Medium 16/ -16/9 16/ -16/9 15/3-16/ Common 13/3-14/ ‘ 13/3-14/ 12/6-13/ Furnace coal 12/6 12/6 ' 12/6 Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) 14/ 14/ 14/ Best slack 9/6-10/ 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 Common slack 8/6- 9/ 9/ - 9/6 9/ - 9/6 Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The market was moderately well attended on Tuesday, but business was quiet in most departments. It was reported that the pits in West Yorkshire had worked about four days on the average, but that siding stocks had been increased, especially in house coal. A number of sales of steam coal and washed fuel were recorded, but apart from this there was very little doing. Empty wagons are again very scarce, the reason being that so many are held up with stocks, both at the collieries and at the various junctions. House Coal.—The matter of the renewal of contracts with the London merchants is still under close considera- tion, but so far practically nothing has been booked. Sellers insist upon last year’s figures, which buyers say it is impos- sible to pay, and there the matter rests for the present. With regard to the current demand the very best qualities are fairly well sought after, but the other sorts are neglected. In the coastwise trade merchants are taking nothing beyond contract tonnage. There is a considerable scarcity of small sailing craft, and freights still show an upward tendency. In the local markets the retail trade is very quiet, and merchants are resorting to ground stocking in order to avoid siding rents. There is yet no change in official pit prices, which are practically at the same level as during last winter. Current quotations : 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 gas coal seams are still able to work nearly full time, although the demand for inland works is at its quietest. A fair quantity is being sold for shipment, and this helps to keep stocks down. Some progress is reported with regard to the renewal of inland contracts, and it is said that last year’s prices are being insisted upon in each case. A feature of the gas coal market is the offering of coal for gas making from the big new pits in South Yorkshire, and this may influence prices to some extent. Manufacturing Fuel.—There is very little to note in this branch of the trade. Both rough, slacks and washed nuts are very firm, but small slacks and rough engine coal are difficult to sell. There is no change in the position of coking smalls. Washed Furnace Coke.—The slight improvement noted last week has not been maintained, and the production of the ovens is moved with great difficulty. Average samples of washed patent oven coke are freely offered at 10s. per ton at the ovens, and this price is also accepted for short time contracts. 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/ Wallsend & London best 13/ -14/ 13/6-14/ 13/ -13/6 Silkstone best 13/ -14/ 13/6-14/ 13/ -13/6 Do. house 12/3-12/9 12/3-13/ 12/ -12/6 House nuts 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 11/3-11/9 Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 16/9-17/3 Silkstone best 16/ -16/6 16/ —16/6 16/3-16/9 Do. house 14/6-15/6 14/9-15/6 15/ -16/ Other qualities 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 13/6-14/6 Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 12/3-12/9 Gas nuts i 10/ -11/ 10/ -11/ 11/6-12/6 Unscreened gas coal ... 9/9-10/6 9/9-10/6 10/9-11/3 Other sorts:— Prices at pit: . Washed nuts 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 12/ -12/6 Large double-screened engine nuts 9/6-10/6 9/6-10/6 11/ -11/9 Small nuts 9/ -9/9 9/ -10/ 11/ —11/6 Rough unscreened engine coal 9/6-10/ 9/9-10/ 11/ -11/6 Best rough slacks 7/3- 8/ 7/6- 8/ 9/6-9/0 Small do. 6/3- 7/ 6/6- 7/ 8/3-S/9 Coking smalls 6/ - 7/ 6/ - 7/3 8/6-9/ Coke Price at ovens: Furnace coke 10/ 10/ -10/6 16/6-17/ Barnsley. COAL. In practically every respect there has been no improve- ment in the state of business during the week. Although the export trade for large steam coal is of a more active character, the demand is below expectation, and buyers are still able to find an easier market. The output continues to be of a heavy character, and collieries are easily able to deal with a larger amount of business than is passing at the present time. On inland account there has been little more doing during the week in view of the holidays, but in no sense of the word can the business be spoken of as of an active description. Prices of large steams have again fallen by about 3d. per ton on the week, and producers of secondary sorts are showing very keen competition for the trade available. In the present state of the market coal owners are not disposed to give way at the present moment to the demand of the consumers on forward account. In respect to small coal for manufacturing purposes a little more briskness has been experienced in the demand, but again the volume of trade is below anticipation. Best nuts and slacks are more freely met with, whilst secondary descriptions of this class of coal have fallen away to a considerable degree. In regard to the renewal of gas coal contracts there was little effort to push business, and negotiations probably will not be seriously entertained until after the holidays. The enquiry for house coal is rather stronger, but, generally speaking, there is a feeling of weakness which betokens a reduction in prices, though the variable weather is sufficient to give a little strength to the droopy business. Secondary sorts are again more freely offered than was the case a week ago. Coke shows little alteration, and stocks are heavy despite the reduced output. Prices, though unaltered, again show considerable weakness. Prices at pit. Current L’st w’eek’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 12/ -13/ 15/ -15/3 14/ -14/3 Secondary do. 12/ -13/ 11/6-13/3 Best house nuts 13/ 13/ 11/6-12/6 Secondary do 10/9-11/9 10/9-11/9 10/6-11/6 Steam coals:— Best hard coals n/ 11/3-11/6 13/6 Secondary do ! 10/6-10/9 10/6-10/9 12/6-13/ Best w’ashed nuts ; 10/9 10/9 12/ -12/6 Secondary do 10/ 11/6 Best slack 7/3 9/3- 9/6 Rough do 6/ 6/ 8/6 Gas coals:— Screened gas coals 11/6 11/6 10/6 12/3-12/6 Unscreened do 10/6 — Gas nuts 11/ 11/ -11/6 12/ Furnace coke 10/ 10/ 17/ Hull. COAL. Requirements, what few there have been, to meet the demand for shipment before Whitsuntide, having been satisfied, the Humber coal market has taken a quieter and holiday tone. In the face? of a plentiful supply and none too eager demand, prices of best South Yorkshire steam hards have declined, and are fully 3d. less on the week, less than this having been taken by second holders in view of the coming monthly settlement. Secondary sorts and smalls, however, about maintain late rates, though the demand for manufacturing fuel is not so strong. Derbyshire and Nottingham steam hards are firm, and owners are reported well booked. House coal has again declined. Shipments at the docks have been on a fairly large scale, but nothing abnormal. At the same time stocks in the sidings are rapidly accumulating, and reports speak of similar conditions at many of the collieries. Though much is not likely to happen this side of the holiday, the outlook for the season should improve soon, as there seems to be a better disposition on the part of colliery agents to meet exporters in the matter of price. The freight market has again been firm, with no great amount of tonnage offering at rates which shippers have rather demurred at paying. For the Baltic 4s. 9d. is the figure for Cronstadt, with a little more asking for neighbouring ports; and Swedish Sound ports steady at 4s. 6d. Little is doing in the Mediterranean direction, Genoa now being on offer at 7s. 3d. The following are the approximate prices for prompt shipment f.o.b. Hull.-— South Yorkshire :— Current prices. L’st w’eek’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best steam hards 14/ 14/3 16/ -16/3 Washed double-scr’ned nuts 13/9 13/9 15/ Unw’ashed double- screened nuts 13/3 . 13/3 14/6 Washed single-screened nuts 13/3 13/3 14/6-14/9 Unwashed single-scr’ned nuts 12/9 12/9 14/ Washed smalls 9/6 9/6 12/6-13/ Unwashed smalls 9/ 9/ 11/ West Yorkshire:— -1-/ Hartleys 12/9 13/ 14/3 Rough slack 9/9-10/ 9/9-10/ 11/3-11/6 Pea slack 8/3- 8/6 8/3- 8/6 10/6-11/ Best Silkstone screened gas coal 13/9 13/9 14/6 Best Silkstone unscr’ned gas coal 12/3 12/3 13/3 Derbyshire and Notts :— Best steam hards (Hull) 14/ 14/ 16/6-17/ Do. (Grimsby) 13/9 13/9 16/9 Derbyshire nuts (d’bles) 12/6 ; 12/6 13/9 Derbyshire nuts (d’bles) I (Grimsby) 12/3 12/3 13/6 Derbyshire large nuts... 14/6 14/6 . 14/6 Do. do. (Grimsby) 14/ 14/ 14/. Nottinghamshire hards 14/ 14/ 16/9 Do. do. (Grimsby) 13/9 13/9 16/6 Leicestershire hards (Hull and Grimsby)... 13/6 13/6 — Chesterfield. COAL. There is a fair demand at the moment for fuel for domestic use, and the pits of the district are enabled to work a little better. Prices are unchanged, while stocks remain stationary. Coal for manufacturing purposes con- tinues in satisfactory request, the demand for the heavy steel trades of Sheffield and district being particularly good. Business in slack for steam-raising is on the quiet side, with prices slightly weaker. Stocks, however, do not show any increase. Deliveries of gas coal are, as might be expected, steadily declining. Steam coal for locomotive purposes is in steady demand, and a substantial tonnage is going forward daily. The export trade is fairly brisk, and prices are steady. Now that the Spanish shipping strike is at an end, a larger supply of steamers will at once become avail- able, and an improved demand for steam coal is likely to be the result. Satisfactory shipments are already being made, and, with improving prospects for the season, prices should harden during the next few weeks. There is little or no change with regard to the smaller classes of fuel, and prices of nuts and cobbles are practically without change. Slack for shipment is in quiet demand. The coke market con- tinues in a depressed condition. The demand shows no signs of improvement. Prices are still weak, although the number of ovens in work has been further reduced. Prices at pit. Current L’st wreek’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best house coals 13/6 13/6 14/6 Secondary do 12/ 12/ 12/6 Cobbles 11/ 11/ 12/ Nuts 9/6 9/6 11/ Slack 7/6 7/9 0/ IRON. The market is lifeless, and consumers of pig iron still refrain from purchasing anything beyond their immediate requirements. Orders for finished iron are scarce, and the works of the district are compelled to limit their production to about one-half the capacity of their plant. Nottingham. COAL. Although the general position of the coal trade in Nottinghamshire has not undergone any marked improve- ment during the past week, still a somewhat better tone has prevailed in view of the Whitsuntide holiday. This has been noticeable in the section for domestic fuel. The change to cooler weather has also had a little stimulating effect. Apart from these two factors, the demand would have been on the slow’ side, but rather more orders are coming to hand although not sufficient to keep the pits working more than four days per w’eek. In the present state of trade stocks, in spite of the reduced working days, still show’ an inclination to increase. Merchants generally are buying sparingly in the hope of a reduction in prices after the holidays. The lack of increased activity in regard to exports is causing the steam coal branch to be only moderate in tone, and at some hard coal pits in the county some short time is being- resorted to. Nevertheless, there are signs that an improve- ment may set in shortly, and owners are doing their best to keep up prices, but in some cases slight concessions are reported to have been made. The slack market is somewhat irregular, common sorts selling very slowdy. Outside contracts, there is a small demand for gas fuel, while coke is quiet. 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. 13/6-14/ 12/ -12/6 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/6 9/6-10/ 6/6- 7/ 6/ - 6/6 6/ - 6/6 L’st w’eek’s prices. 13/6-14/ 12/ -12/6 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/6 9/6-10/3 6/6- 7/ 6/ - 6/6 6/3- 6/6 Last year’s prices. 12/6-13/6 11/6-12/ 10/6-11/ 12/ -13/ 11/ -12/ 8/6- 9/ 7/6- 8/6 Leicestershire. COAL. In the Leicestershire coalfield and in the Midlands generally, the house coal business is in a sluggish condi- tion as a w'hole. There has, however, been a little more movement recently as regards household cobbles and nuts, and this business seems to be of a very sound and healthy character. As far as manufacturing fuel is concerned the demand is w'ell up to the average for the season of the year, and prices are w’ell maintained. With a restricted output generally on account of practically the wdiole of the collieries in this district and w’orking three days per w’eek, e the fuel for manufacturing purposes is restricted in quantity, and this accounts for the firmness of prices. The demand for household coal from London is very restricted from this coalfield, and the view’ which seems to prevail here is that London merchants are bearing the market by waiting dowm prices. This is the period of the year when London merchants generally place new’ contracts w’ith the collieries, and hence the desire to push dowm rates. The colliery proprietors fail to see the future from the same point of view’ as the London merchants, and accordingly they are not only standing firm, but express a strong determination to decline all offers of business at anything less than last year’s prices. The owners contend that last year’s rates were very fair and reasonable considering the conditions, and they further declare that there has been no lessening in the cost of production since that time. The local coal merchants are doing a very quiet business for all kinds of house coal. South Staffordshires North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. GOAL. The pits are closing down till next Wednesday or Thursday, and the state of trade is such that the holiday w’ill not be umvelcome. The household demand is on the weak side. Manufacturing sorts are fair, and there is a good, if not superabundant, supply of slack. Recent quotations prevail as under :— Prices at pit._________________ Current L’st w’eek’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 17/6 17/6 18/ Do. seconds deep 15/ 1.5/ 16/6 Do. best shallow 13/6 13/6 14/6 Do. seconds do. 12/9 12/9 , 13/ Best hard 14/6 14/6 14/ Forge coal 10/6 10/6 11/ Slack Warw’ickshire:— 7/ ?/ 8/6 House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 15/6 15/6 16/ cobs 13/ !3/ 14/6 13/9 Best hard spires 14/6 14/6 Forge (steam) 10/6 10/6 10/ D.S. nuts (steam) 9/6 9/6 10/ . Small (do.) s'l 8/ 9/