1246 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. June 5, 1914. IRON. There is practically nothing to report as regards trade in this district owing to the holidays, everybody being' closed down for a few days. Prices remain as last reported. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. GOAL. There was no meeting of the members of the Yorkshire Coal Exchange on Tuesday, only a very few traders putting in an appearance at market time, there is naturally a holiday feeling with regard to the coal trade generally, and the pits have averaged three full days’ holiday for Whit- suntide. The limited output is quite likely to be sufficient for market needs, and trade generally is quiet. There is a fair accumulation of empty wagons to restart the pits. Stocks in colliery sidings are heavy, and are comprised of nearly all qualities raised. House Coal.—With regard to business with London, only the very best qualities are in demand. The question of the renewal of house coal contracts is still under close consideration, but there is quite Is. a ton difference in the idea of prices between buyers and sellers, and practically nothing has yet been booked. Reports from London indicate that the retail trade is exceptionally quiet. In the coastwise trade a fair tonnage of second-class Silkstone house coal is being shipped to the south coast, and also into the Thames, but prices on the whole are slightly in buyers’ favour. With regard to the retail trade in Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Halifax and other West Riding centres, merchants report a fair demand for the cheaper grades, with scarcely anything doing with regard to best coal. Pit prices are as yet unchanged, and are on the level of last winter’s quotations. 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 real testing time for the new gas coal contracts is being entered upon, as most of the commit- ments over next season are fixed up between now and August Bank Holiday. So far there has been little definite business reported. The collieries in the Gas Coal Associa- tion are unanimous in quoting last year’s figures, but one or two outside collieries are “ bearing ” the market to some •extent, and are offering supplies at a reduction of about 6d. per ton on the average. There is some little revival in the demand for gas coal for the nearer Continental ports. Manufacturing Ruel.—Nearly all the big factories and dye works have been standing' for three days for the Whitsuntide holidays, and very little factory fuel has gone into consumption this week. Stocks of this quality are in some cases becoming almost unmanageable, and concessions in price are frequently met with in order to clear the sidings. Washed fuel is relatively much the strongest market. Washed Furnace Coke.—The output of this quality, although the ovens are on short blast, is very little in excess of market needs, and there is keen competition on the part of makers to secure the few orders that are being placed. Buyers refuse to contract forward for more than two or three months. Some of the larger, indeed, are buying from week to week. It is reported that even less than 10s. at the ovens has been taken recently, but on the average this price is still being realised for washed patent oven coke. 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/ -14/ 13/ -13/6 .Silkstone best 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 13/ -13/6 Do. house 12/ -12/6 12/3-12/9 12/ -12/6 House nuts 11/ -11/6 11/ “12/ 11/ -11/9 Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 16/6-17/ 17/ -17/6 16/6-17/3 Silkstone best 16/ -16/6 16/ -16/6 16/ -16/9 Do. house 14/3-15/ 14/6-15/6 15/ -16/ Other qualities 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 13/6-14/6 ■Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened g’as coal 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 12/3-12/9 Gas nuts 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/ -9/9 11/ -11/6 Rough unscreened engine coal 9/3-10/ 9/6-10/ 11/ -11/6 Best rough slacks 7/ - 8/ 7/3- 8/ 9/S-9/9 Small do. 6/ - 6/9 6/3- 7/ S/3-8/9 Coking smalls 6/ - 7/ 6/ - 7/ 8/6-9/ •Coke:— Price at ovens: Furnace coke 10/ 10/ 16/ -16/6 Barnsley. COAL. In many cases the holidays have proved to be of extended -duration, with the result there has been little effort made to transact business during the week. The quieter demand experienced last w’eek has led to coalowners not pushing a restart of operations, for stocks are undoubtedly heavier than they have been for some time as indicated by the fact that an unusually large number of wagons are still held up loaded at the sidings or at the works'. So far as the export trade is concerned buyers continue to find the market easier with plenty of fuel on offer, but they are not flurrying matters, and still hope to secure greater concessions from the coalowners, who are refusing to fix up on forward coal at the present run of values. Best hards have not recovered from the slight fall of last week, and less money will now be taken for this grade of coal in second hands. The easier tone is more apparent in regard to secondary descriptions of large steams—in fact, it is a long while since the output so largely exceeded the demand. There has been no recovery in regard to small manufacturing fuel, which is still freely offered, though stocks are not large of best washed nuts, which until quite recently have caused little trouble to salesmen. Values have not developed further weakness as yet, though slacks are accumulating, particularly the rougher kinds, which are becoming less required on contract account. Coalowners are hoping that a more decided move in regard to the renewal of gas coal contracts may be taken after the holidays, but buyers’ representatives are still intimating that they must have some concessions from the expiring rates. There is a considerable bulk of fuel on offer on the market, and less prices are entertained to avoid stocks. The enquiry for all classes of house coal has dwindled away in a considerable degree, and it seems to be inevitable that official quotations will have to be reduced in accordance wfith the season of the year, though as yet nothing in that direction has been done. However, so far as secondary sorts are concerned offers at reduced rates are made, but business is little stimulated, and the question of the renewal of contracts will soon have to be dealt with. In the coke market there has been * no change to benefit producers. Values are still rather weak, reduced as they are, and smelters will not consider requests of renewing contracts far ahead, and only at low figures. 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/ -13/ 12/ -13/ 11/6-13/ Best house nuts 13/. 13/ 11/6-12/ Secondary do 10/9-11/9 10/9-11/9 10/6—11/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals 11/' 11/ 13/ -13/3 Secondary do 10/6-10/9 10/6-10/9 12/ —12/6 Best washed nuts 10/9 10/9 12/ -12/6 Secondary do 10/ 10/ 11/6 Best slack 7/ 7/ 9/3- 9/6 Rough do 6/ 6/ 8/6 Gas coals:— Screened gas coals 11/6 11/6 12/3-12/6 Unscreened do 10/6 10/6 Gas nuts 11'/ 11/ 12/ Furnace coke 10/ -U“L/ 10/ 17/ Hull. COAL. After the holiday interval business is resuming its wonted aspect, though it must be confessed there is no extraordinary activity, prices not yet being at the level apparently to induce exporters to come into the market for season requirements. There has been a better demand for prompt shipment, and prices of best South Yorkshire hards have stiffened, the rise, however, being regarded as not likely to be of lasting duration. Secondary sorts, which have kept remarkably firm over a long period, now show signs of easing, and are, generally speaking, about 3d. down on the week. West Yorkshire house coal is in only moderate request, but gas coal about maintains recent values, though in negotiating for contracts for next year buyers are intimating that they expect a reduction of 6d. to Is. per ton. Derbyshire and Nottingham steam hards are steady and no great quantity offering. The forward market as already indicated, hangs fire, and foreign shipments thus far are by no means what they ought to be. A fairly large quantity is passing through the docks chiefly under contract, but last year’s level is hardly approached. The freight market seems more inclined to shippers’ favour notwith- standing an apparent shortage of tonnage, rates being now on the basis of 4s. 7|d. to 4s. 9d. Cronstadt and upper Baltic ports, and 7s. to 7s. 3d. Genoa and the Mediterranean. Fixtures to-day include a 6,000 ton steamer Hull to Cronstadt at 4s. 6d., and a smaller one of 2,500 tons Imminghain to Revel at 5s. (500 tons delivery). For coke, Hull to East Norway, 7s. has been paid. Approximate prices for prompt shipment f.o.b. Hull are :— South Yorkshire :— Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best steam hards Washed double-scr’ned 14/3 14/ 16/ -16/3 nuts Unwashed double- 13/6 13/9 15/ screened nuts Washed single-screened 13/ -13/3 13/3 14/6 nuts Unwashed single-scr’ned 12/9-13/ 13/3 14/6-14/9 nuts.... 12/6 12/9 14/ Washed smalls 9/3 9/6 12/6-13/ Unwashed smalls West Yorkshire:— 8/9 9/ 10/9-11/ Hartleys 12/9 12/9 13/9-14/ Rough slack 9/9-10/ 9/9-10/ 11/3-11/6 Pea slack Best Silkstone screened 8/3- 8/6 8/3- 8/6 10/6—11/ gas coal Best Silkstone unscr’ned 13/9 13/9 14/6 gas coal Derbyshire and Notts :— 12/3 12/3 13/3 Best steam hards (Hull) 14/ 14/ 16/3 Do. (Grimsby) 13/9 13/9 16/ Derbyshire nuts (d’bles) Derbyshire nuts (d’bles) i 12/6 12/6 13/6 (Grimsby) 12/3 12/3 13/3 Derbyshire large nuts... 14/6 14/6 14/6 Do. do. (Grimsby) 14/ 14/ 14/ Nottinghamshire hards 14/ 14/ 16/3 Do. do. (Grimsby) Leicestershire hards 13/9 13/9 16/ (Hull and Grimsby)... 13/6 | 13/6 — Chesterfield. COAL. Owing to the intervention of the Whitsuntide holidays, the pits of the district have been idle for three or four days, and the output of coal during the current week has been very substantially reduced. The demand for house coal is much quieter, the warmer 'weather having seriously checked the placing of orders. Prices, however, remain steady. With the closing down of many of the Sheffield steelworks, business in fuel for manufacturing purposes is at the moment rather quieter. With the full resumption of work next week, a fuller demand will almost certainly follow. There is a fair amount of-activity in the export trade, and, with the holidays out of the way, an increased volume of trade is anticipated. Prices remain fairly steady at about 14s. per ton free alongside steamer at Grimsby for the best brands of Derbyshire Top Hards. There is a quieter demand for nuts and other smaller kinds of coal, but prices are fully maintained. Coke is quiet, and prices are weak. Washed fuel is in fair demand, but supplies are plentiful. Prices at pit. Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best house coals 13/6 13/6 12/ 14/6 Secondary do 12/ 12/6 Cobbles 11/ 11/ . 12/ Nuts 9/6 9/6 11 Slack 7/6 7/9 a-u-y 9/ IRON. There is no change to report in the condition of the iron trade. Orders for all classes of iron are badly wanted, but there are no signs of any increase in customers’ require- ments. Nottingham. COAL. The holiday spirit has characterised the coal trade of Nottinghamshire during the week, and the tone throughout has been on the slow slide. In the domestic fuel section the somewhat increased demand prior to Whitsuntide has made little difference in the strike at the collieries. Orders just now are at a low ebb, and some pits did not resume work until Thursday ; while in one or two cases the holiday was extended to a full week. In the present state of trade owners are fincfing a difficulty in maintaining recent quota- tions, and values are showing a disposition to fall. The steam coal branch, too, is not very active, exports still failing to realise expectations, but it is confidently anticipated that a revival will set in this month. The home demand may be described as moderate, industrials being about the most satisfactory feature. There is not much doing in regard to forward business, although the market is more favourable to buyers than a month ago. Despite the reduced working* hours at the pits, the stocks of slacks are not inclined to decrease, and consequently prices are easier in some cases, more especially in regard to common qualities. Gas coal is moving' slowly, and coke is in quiet request. 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/—14/ 11/6-12/ 10/6-11/ 10/3-10/9 9/6-10/ 6/3- 7/ 5/6- 6/ '5/6- 6/ L’st week’s^ 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 Last year’s prices. 12/6-13/6 n/ -12/ 10/6-11/ 12/ -12/6 n/ -12/ 8/6- 9/ 7/6-8/3 7/6- 8/6 Leicestershire. COAL. The holiday break always disturbs the ordinary course of business for fully a week, and as far as the output is concerned it has been very small. At all the collieries in this coalfield business has only been partially resumed, but even at this diminished rate there are ample stocks to meet all the orders which are coming to hand. But in spite of this apparent quietude there are indications of healthy vitality in the trade as a whole which cannot be ignored. True the orders coming’ to hand are only of very restricted extent, but this quietude is regarded as only temporary in its nature. The reserves at the collieries are small, and users at factories are generally deciding to increase their reserves so as to be safe against any emergency. The attempts to enforce lower quotations for new contracts have not been successful up to the present, and coal proprietors declare that lower rates are out of the question. The agreement arrived at with Derbyshire owners last season,, it is declared, will be adhered to, and only orders which recognise last season’s prices will be entertained. The following are the prices which are now current:—Best household, 13s. to 14s. per ton at pit; second-hand (picked), 12s. to 13s. per ton at pit; deep screened cobbles, Ils. 6d. to 12s. 6d. per ton; deep large nuts, Ils. per ton; bakers’ nuts, 10s. to 10s. 6d. per ton; small nuts, 9s. 6d. per ton; deep breeze, 8s. 6d. to 9s. per ton; peas, 8s. to 8s. 6d. per ton; small dust. 2s. 6d. per ton; Main cobbles and nuts for London kitchens, 9s. to 10s. per ton; best hand-picked steams, 9s. 6d. to 10s. per ton; and seconds, 8s. 6d. to 9s. per ton. --------------------------------- South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. Work was resumed at most of the pits on Thursday and Friday. Business during the week, however, has been practically stagnant. The call for household coal is irregular, and works fuel is moderately steady. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including prices. prices. prices. Cannock Chase) :— House coal, best deep ... 17/6 17/6 18/ Do. seconds deep 15/ 15/ 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 7/ 7/ 8/6 W arwickshire House coal, best Ryder.. 15/6 15/6 16/ Do. hand-picked cobs 13/ 13/ 13/9 Best hard spires 14/6 14/6 14/6 Forge (steam) 10/6 10/6 10/ D.S. nuts (steam) 9/6 9/6 10/ Small (do.) 8/ 8/ 9/