G 1306 THE COLLIERY GtTARbM. June 12, 1911. ■■—■" ——mn unn i aau■■■ ■h i —«n»■«na > ir n nr—im— n»—«®«C IRON. Trade continues in a stagnant condition here ; there are no enquiries to test the market. Steel bars were reduced 5s. per ton and steel plates 10s. per ton on Tuesday. Pig iron remains much without change, although the associa- tion price is not adhered to with Lincolnshire; still, good No. 3 can be purchased at about 55s., and the forges and steelworks are all on short time. Yorkshire and. Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. There was a fairly representative attendance at the Yorkshire Coal Exchange on Tuesday, and business all round showed some improvement on recent markets. It was reported that the pits had averaged about four full days* work, but that the output was in excess of the demand. The supply of empty wagons is just now plentiful, and few complaints are heard as to the movement of mineral traffic. There are still a number of local collieries on strike, including Wrenthorpe and Howley Park; a settlement has been effected at Ingham's Thornhill Collieries, where the men resumed work last Friday. House Coal.—There is no improvement to report with regard to the demand from London and the southern and eastern counties- Barely contract quantities are being accepted, while for open market business orders are only given when special figures are quoted. Absolutely nothing has been done yet with regard to the fixing up of forward business, and it seems likely that the merchants as a whole will risk the open market. The declaration of lowest summer prices is expected within the next week or two, and it is hoped locally that the current figures may be decided upon. The coastwise trade in house coal shows considerable shrinkage, the only sorts selling at all readily being the lower priced Silkstone house coals. With regard to the local trade in Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, and other centres, merchants report some little improvement in the demand with the cooler weather, but the turnover on the whole is light, and merchants are having to resort to ground stocking to avoid siding rent. Pit prices continue practically on the same level as during the winter months. Official quotations average as under :—Haigh Moor selected 18s. to 19s., Silkstone best, 17s. to 18s.; Silkstone house, 16s. to 17s.; other qualities, 13s. to 14s. 6d. Gas Coal.—A large number of works throughout the country are advertising for tenders, but very little progress is reported with regard to actual fixing up of business. It is said that quite a number of works have refused to buy at the quoted prices, and have deferred the matter until later on. So far there is a unanimous feeling among the members of the Gas Coal Association to secure last year's figures, with an almost equally unanimous decision on the part of buyers not to pay those prices. A few of the local works are buying spot lots at special rates in the open market. Manufacturing Fuel.—Stocks are certainly no bigger than last week, and there is a little more life in the call for rough slacks. Washed nuts keep relatively scarce. Coking smalls are a shade firmer, probably on account of the limited output through one or two of the pits being on strike. Washed Furnace Coke.—The output of the patent ovens in this district is not 75 per cent, of the capacity of the plants, but even with this limited tonnage to dispose of, buyers find it impossible to obtain more than 10s. per ton at the ovens. Stocks in wagons and on the benches are still considerable, and the demand shows no signs of improving, in fact the tendency seems to be the other way, as quite a number of furnaces throughout the country are damped down. Prices at pit. House coal:— Current L'st week's Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. prices. F'Haigh Moor selected ... 14/ 14/ -14/6 14/ Wallsend & London best 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 13/ -13/6 • j Silkstone best 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 13/ -13/6 Do. house 12/ -12/6 12/ -12/6 11/6-12/3 U House nuts 11/ -11/6 11/ -11/6 11/ -11/6 2Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 16/ -16/6 16/6-17/ 16/ -17/ : Silkstone best 15/6-16/ 16/ -16/6 15/9-16/6 Do. house 14/ -14/9 14/3-15/ 14/6-15/6 Other qualities 13/6-14/ 14/ -14/6 13/6-14/6 Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal H/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 12/3-12/9 'Gas nuts 10/ -11/ 10/ -11/ 11/6-12/6 i .Unscreened gas coal ... 9/9-10/6 9/9-10/6 10/9-11/3 Other sorts:— 'Trices at pit .- - Washed nuts 11/ -11/6 11/ -12/ 12/ -12/6 . Large double-screened engine nuts 9/6-10/6 9/6-10/6 11/ -11/6 Y Small nuts 9/ -9/9 9/ - 9/9 10/9-11/3 -Eough unscreened engine coal 9/3- 9/9 9/3-10/ 11/. -11/6 . Best rough slacks 7/ - 8/ 7/ - 8'/ 9/3—9/9 . Small do. 6/ - 6/9 6/ - 6/9 8/3—8/9 Coking smalls 6/3— 7/ 6/ -7/ 8/6-9/ Coke:— Price at ovens: Furnace coke 10/ 10/ 16/6-17/ Barnsley. GOAL. There has been some little improvement in the steam coal section of the trade during the week, but operations are still below the average for this period of the year. The enquiry is considerably stronger, and the output is being reduced owing to the setting down of several pits for one or two days during the week. Exporters are evidencing more anxiety in regard to the best quality of large steams and are more inclined to do business to cover the shipping season, but they are reluctant to concede the demand of the coal owners at 11s. 6d. per ton as was paid by the rail- way companies. On the other hand, coal owners are not rushing matters, but feel justified in adopting a waiting policy. This week the value of best hards has stiffened to the extent of 3d. to 6d. per ton, and there is very little of this quality of coal on offer. In regard to secondary descrip- tions, although the tonnage offered is not so large as in recent weeks, stocks are fairly heavy and prices have shown very little improvement either for Barnsley bed quality, Parkgate or Shafton seam. The quantity which is being sent to Hull and Immingham is no doubt heavy, but the large production of some of the newer collieries is having its effect on the market. The position of affairs in regard to manufacturing fuel is little different from a week ago. The quieter state of affairs in some of the textile districts materially reduces the demand and buyers are able to obtain concessions for most classes of coal, but with the best grades offered at reduced rates they are showing a preference for this class Probably best washed nuts and slacks are a little firmer, but quotations are unchanged, and there is rather more weakness apparent in respect of secondary qualities. The renewal of gas coal contracts is now arousing rather more interest, and it is evident that stronger efforts have been made in the hope of effecting a settlement. Gas companies, however, show little desire to alter their attitude, and it is expected that the present position will be unaltered for a week or so. Coal owners producing the best qualities are holding firm, although it is reported that some collieries are offering concessions, but these are not sufficient to secure the placing of contracts. A good deal of fluctuation is occurring in the demand for house coal, and no official reduction has yet been made. Although many collieries have revised their prices for secondary-grade fuel, they are still adhering to winter rates for the best class, which is not to be obtained readily. Stocks of secondary sorts are considerable, but business in that respect is not brisk even during this period of the year. Manufacturers of coke have little to report of a more favourable character, and although the output is being reduced as much as possible, it is still more than sufficient to meet the demand. Smelters are still confining themselves to contracts of short duration, and the reduced prices show little firmness. 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/ 12/6-13/6 Secondary do 10/9-11/9 10/9-11/9 11/ -12/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals 11/3-11/6 11/ 13/ -13/3 Secondary do 10/6-10/9 10/6-10/9 12/6-12/9 Best washed nuts 10/9 10/9 12/6 Secondary do 10/ 10/ 11/6 Best slack 7/ 7/ 9/3- 9/6 Rough do 5/9- 6/ 6/ 8/6- 8/9 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/ 10/ 17/ Hull. COAL. There is little improvement to report in the Humber coal market. Prices for the best kinds of steam hards remain firm, and last week’s values for prompt shipment are fully maintained. Secondary sorts are on the easy side, there being plenty on offer and the demand being not so great. House coal has declined again, and is in poor request. The export demand all round is only moderate, and not by any means what it ought to be at this time of the year, foreign buyers and agents still holding aloof in the belief that prices will favour them more than at the present time. With lessened output at the collieries, there is not such a glut for the moment. Shipments are fairly large in volume, but not up to the level of last year. One thing the absence of a rush is doing, is to assist despatch, which, with the excellent facilities at the Hull docks, can now be assured. The following are the approximate prices for prompt ship- ment f.o.b. Hull:— South Yorkshire :— Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best steam hards 14/3 14/3 16/ -16/3 Washed double-scr'ned nuts 13/3 13/6 14/9-15/ Unwashed double- screened nuts 13/ 13/ -13/3 14/6 Washed single-screened nuts 13/ 12/9-13/ 14/6-14/9 Unwashed single-scr'ned nuts 12/6 12/6 14/ Washed smalls 9/3 9/3 12/ -12/3 Unwashed smalls West Yorkshire:— 8/9 8/9 10/9 Hartleys 12/6 12/9 13/3-13/6 Rough slack 9/6 9/9-10/ 11/3 Pea slack 8/3—8/6 8/3— 8/6 10/6 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/ 16/3 Do. (Grimsby) 13/9 13/9 16/ Derbyshire nuts (d’bles) 12/6 12/6 13/6 Derbyshire nuts (d'bles) (Grimsby) 12/3 12/3 13/3 Derbyshire large nuts... 14/3 14/6 14/6 Do. do. (Grimsby) 14/ 14/ 14/ Nottinghamshire hards 14/ 14/ 16/3 Do. do. (Grimsby) 13/9 13/9 16/ Leicestershire hards (Hull and Grimsby)... | 13/6 13/6 — Chesterfield. COAL. The condition of the trade of this district is unchanged on the week. There is a steady demand for coal for domestic use, and the pits raising this class of fuel are averaging nearly five days’ work per week. A satisfactory volume of business is passing in coal for industrial purposes, and the prospects in this branch of the trade are good. The demand for slack for boilers is quieter, and prices are a shade weaker. Deliveries of steam coal for locomotive purposes are on a satisfactory scale. The export trade is improving, the demand for steam coal being active at firm prices. The present quotation for best Derbyshire Top Hards is 14s. per ton delivered free alongside steamer at Grimsby. The smaller classes of coal are, at the moment, fairly plentiful, and prices are slightly easier. The coke market shows no signs of recovering from the depressed condition in which it has been for some time past. Demand and prices are poor. Prices at pit. Current L'st week's Last year's prices. prices. prices. Best house coals 13/6 13/6 14/6 12/ Secondary do 12/ 12/ Cobbles 11/ 11/ 12/ Nuts 9/6 9/6 11/ Slack 7/6 7/6 9/ IRON. A quiet condition of things prevails in the pig iron department, and the bar iron trade is equally lifeless. ----------------- Nottingham. COAL. The collieries in this county have now settled down to business after the Whitsuntide holidays, but it cannot be said that the tone generally is altogether satisfactory. There is a lack of vitality in most branches, and the trade is not up to the average level for the time of the year. Notwithstanding the holiday, business in the domestic fuel branch remains quiet, merchants in the metropolis and southern and eastern counties continuing to order sparingly, while in the immediate district the demand is comparatively slow. A fair amount of stock is on hand at the collieries, but owners are not inclined to force sales by conceding any material concession in prices. There is a somewhat better demand for industrials in the home market, so far as the steam coal branch is concerned, but shipments are not up to the average for June. Consequently, the market at present is not favourable to owners obtaining increased prices. Values are, however, being fairly well maintained, and owners are waiting patiently for an expected improve- ment. A moderate business is being done in gas coal, and enquiries are coming to hand for contract renewals. The slack market is decidedly inactive, no particular quality being in good request, and special lots are on offer at easier rates. Coke is moving slowly. 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/ 10/6-10/9 9/6-10/ 6/3- 6/9 5/6- 6/ 5/6- 6/ L'st week's 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/ Last year's prices. 12/6-13/6 n/ -12/ 10/6-11/ 12/ -12/6 11/ -12/ 8/6- 9/ 7/6—8/3 7/9- 8/6 --------o-------- Leicestershire. COAL. There is a better tone all round as to the prospects of business. So far as the testing of prices is concerned, there has been evinced no weakness on the part of colliery pro- prietors. The full resumption of business after the holidays has brought a slightly better demand all round. The colder weather has had an excellent effect at this generally quiet period of the year, and with stocks just about nominal,, the increase in trade is very quickly felt. This has resulted in a general increase in the period of working.. At all the collieries the working is from three days to three and a-half days per week. The negotiations for fresh contracts have been renewed, and in many cases a settle- ment has been effected, and the business placed on the same basis as obtained last season. Thus the outlook is more hopeful. It is stated that in some instances, where stocks are heavier than usual, spot lots can be secured at slightly better terms, but the following are now the quotations in force:—Best household, 13s. to 14s. per ton at the pit; second-hand (picked), 12s. to 13s. per ton; 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; deep Main cobbles and nuts for London bakers, 9s. to 10s. per ton; steams, best hand-picked, 9s. 6d. to 10s. per ton; ditto, seconds, 8s. 6d. to 9s. per ton. South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. Trade is normal for the season, and it has become increasingly apparent that prices are not likely to decline further during the summer. Since the resumption of the holidays the pits have been rather busy making up leeway, but it is probable that they will settle down to a steady four days a week. Supplies of slack are less free than they were some weeks ago. The quotations are :— Prices at pit.__________________ Current L'st week's Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) ;— prices. prices. prices. 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 Warwickshire:— 7/ 7/ 8/6. House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 15/6 15/6 16/ 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 W/ Small (do.) 8/ 8/ 9/