October 16, 1914. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 824 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. Midlands. The Workington Iron and Steel Company are increasing their output of ferro-manganese, having two furnaces on that metal at the Old Side works. Prices vary considerably, but it is stated that it can now be obtained at <£16 per ton. ________ ________ South-West Lancashire. COAL. The open weather keeps at bay any increased activity in the household trade. In screened coal for forge and manufacturing purposes there is not more than a medium business in progress. As regards shipping, the business in steam coal shows no tendency towards improvement, the position being about same as reported last week. Regular sailings of liners are still restricted, and in consequence the quantity of coal being taken on contract account is only small. There is a certain amount of business with Danish steamers, but beyond this not much outside business and very little enquiry. Prices of Lancashire screened coal are as last reported—viz., 12s. f.o.b. for the lower grades up to 12s. 9d. f.o.b. for the best qualities. With the shorter days gas coal is being called for in rather better quantities, but so far there has mot been any very material increase in the takings. The short time at the cotton mills is still leaving some slack on hand and increasing the pit mouth stocks. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ................ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium............... Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen ............. Common (f.o.b. Grstn.,net) Screened forge coal...... Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack .............. Secondary slack ......... Common do................ Current prices. 17/ 16/6-16/9 15/3 14/6-15/ 13/ 13/3-13/9 11/6-12/ 12/ -12/9 9/9 9/ 8/ - 8/6 L’st week's prices. 17/ 16/6-16/9 15/3 14/6-15/ 13/ 13/3-13/9 11/6-12/ 12/ -12/9 9/9 9/ 8/ - 8/6 Last year’s prices. 17/ 16/9-17/3 15/3 15/ -15/6 13/ 13/9-14/6 12/6-13/ 13/3-14/ 10/3 9/6 9/ _________________ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday. The house coal trade is still in the dumps. Furnace coal is only moderate, and in face of the cotton position the prospect for slack at present is very poor. Business in shipping coal is mostly confined to contract orders. While the list prices are as stated, concessions are made in cases to release wagons. 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/ 17/3-18/ Medium 16/ -16/9 16/ —16/9 16/ -16/9 Qommon 13/3-14/ 13/3-14/ 13/3-14/ Furnace coal 12/6 12/6 12/6 Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) 14/ 14/ 14/ Best slack 9/6-10/ 9/6-10/ 10/ -10/6 Common slack 8/6- 9/ 8/6- 9/ 9/ - 9/6 IRON. With warrant iron lower, it is not expected that makers iron is very firm, and if there were buyers prices would naturally be in their favour, but the foundries are doing so little that their requirements of pig are very small. The forges are fairly busy. Steel works are well employed, and full time is being worked. No. 3 foundry iron is offered at 58s. 6d. Iron bars are still ruled by the Association at £8 5s. for crown, £7 15s. second quality, hoops £9 2s. 6d., and sheets £8 15s. Steel bars are £7 15s., hoops £8 17s. 6d., billets £5 17s. 6d. Wagon builders are very slack; the diminished outputs at collieries through enlistment is one of the causes of wagons not being wanted. Boiler makers are also quiet, and textile engineers are not doing anything. Heavy engineers are getting short of orders. ________________ Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The market was indifferently attended on Tuesday, and business on the whole was quiet. It was reported that the pits had averaged about four days’ work again this week with great difficulty, owing to the scarcity of empty trucks. Traffic is being worked very badly, especially to the distant markets, and merchants are complaining of delay to their own trucks. The demand for house coal from the London district is a little better on the week especially with regard to the best brands, such as Haigh Moor selected and best Silkstones, other qualities being neglected. A set-back has been given to the coastwise trade, as very few owners of boats are willing to send them for loading to either Hull or Goole. One or two merchants on the South Coast are getting supplies through by rail. In the local markets merchants report an improvement in the retail trade, especially in the cheaper qualities. Pit prices all round are firmly held, as, supplies of house coal are limited. Current quotations : Haigh Moor selected, 18s. to 19s. ; Silkstone best, 17s. to 18s.; Silkstone house, 16s. to 17s.; other sorts, 13s. to 14s. 6d. Heavy contract deliveries of gas coal are needed, and are nearly sufficient to absorb the output. One or two works are still buying in the open market, the bulk of these transactions being with works south of London. Manufacturing fuel continues to move away freely, especially for consumption in the heavy woollen and Bradford districts. In the latter market trade generally has improved considerably since last week, and to a lesser extent also in the Leeds district. There is very little change in the position of washed furnace coke, average samples from the patent ovens realising about 12s. per ton, with special sorts up to 12s. 6d. The Frodingham district is taking increased supplies, but very little is being sent to the Midlands. House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 14/6-15/ 14/6 15/ Wallsend & London best 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 14/ -14/6 Silkstone best 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/ 14/ -14/6 Do. house 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 11/6-12/ 12/6-13/6 House nuts 11/6-12/ 11/6-12/9 Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 16/9-17/6 17/ -18/ 17/6-18/6 Silkstone best 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 16/6-17/6 Do. house 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 15/ -16/ Other qualities 13/ -13/6 13/ -13/6 14/6—15/ Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 12/ -12/9 Gas nuts 9/6-10/3 9/6-10/3 11/ -12/ Unscreened gas coal ... 9/3- 9/9 9/3- 9/9 10/ -10/6 Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/3 10/9-11/6 • Large double-screened engine nuts 9/3- 9/9 9/3- 9/9 10/ -10/6 Small nuts 9/ - 9/6 9/ - 9/6 _____________________ 9/6—10/ Rough unscreened engine coal 9/ - 9/6 9/3- 9/9 9/9-10/3 Best rough slacks 7/3- 8/3 7/3- 8/3 8/ - 8/6 Small do. 6/ - 7/3 6/3- 7/6 6/ - 7/3 6/6- 7/ Coking smalls 6/3— 7/6 6/6- 7/ Coke:— Price at ovens: Furnace coke 12/ -12/6 12/ -12/6 12/ Barnsley. COAL. Despite the fact that the volume of business is hardly so extensive, the collieries in this district continue to be able to work four days during the week, whilst several are making practically full time. Though the depression in the trade generally continues, there are occasional revivals which indicate that the position is still largely accounted for, consequent upon the trouble of arrangements being completed as between buyer and seller. It is, however, a noteworthy fact, as shown by the recent official return relating to the traffic at Hull, that the majority of the collieries in this district have been but slightly affected by the dislocation of trade consequent upon the war. The position continues to be of a more favourable character, in respect of collieries producing the best class of large steam fuel which obviously has been required for bunkering and local purposes rather than for foreign markets. Considera- tion, however, must be paid to the fact that sellers have only to deal with a considerably reduced output per shift owing to the continued response of miners to the national call for military service. This enables them to keep prices fairly steady, and so far as the best class of hards are concerned current values are maintained. In respect to secondary descriptions of large steam coal the enquiry continues to be rather short of the production and the weaker tone which prevailed last week is still manifested. With respect to washed steam nuts there does not appear to be any material alteration in the position. The best grade fuel is fairly freely taken by large engineering concerns which are now at full swing and quotations are of a stable character, but in respect to secondary sorts buyers are still able to obtain concessions on the quoted lists. The larger delivery of gas coal under contracts in con- junction with the more active state of the house coal trade is enabling many collieries to make better working time, but so far as gas coal is concerned there is not a great deal of enquiry for supplementary lots at the present time. The best class of slacks continue to be fairly well taken, particularly in the West Riding district, owing to the busier state of affairs, but there is a quieter demand from the cotton districts, yet on the whole, business for this class of fuel is fairly strong. The production of rougher slacks is still in excess of the requirements of the market, and although the coke trade is more active prices for rough slacks do not gather much strength. With respect to house coal, buyers continue to find a considerable scarcity of the best grades and the enquiry is so well maintained that it is not improbable, in the event of more severe weather being experienced, that prices will be still further advanced. The demand for secondary descriptions is rather stronger, but there is no difficulty in meeting the enquiry. Though there is not the same pressure for coke of late, the larger output is fairly well cleared, but prices are hardly so strong, about 12s. 3d. per ton being the average. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 16/6 16/6 16/ Best Barnsley softs 16/ 16/ 15/3-15/6 Secondary do 13/ -14/6 13/ -14/6 12/6-14/ Best house nuts 12/9-13/ 12/9-13/ 13/ -13/3 11/ -12/ Secondary do. Steam coals :— • 10/9-11/ 10/9-11/ Best hard coals 11/3 11/3 12/9 Secondary do 10/6-10/9 10/6-10/9 11/6-12/ Best washed nuts 10/9 10/9 10/6—11/9 Secondary do 9/9-10/ 9/9-10/ 10/3-10/9 Best slack 6/9 6/9 8/ - 8/3 Rough do Gas coals:— 5/9- 6/ 5/9- 6/ 6/6- 7/ Screened gas coals 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 12/6-13/ Unscreened do 10/ 10/ 11/ -12/ Gas nuts 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 12/ -12/6 Furnace coke 12/3-12/6 12/6-13/ 12/ -12/6 Hull. COAL. Business on the Humber Coal Exchange continues on quiet lines, and dealings are almost solely confined to the satisfying of immediate requirements for export. Of course, for various reasons the amount doing is not large, the market abroad being restricted, and is even now more so since the Belgian ports have fallen into the hands of the enemy. Shipments of house coal to Antwerp and Ghent had been resumed, but now all thought of shipping further supplies is altogether out of the question. On the other hand, the French market has revived, and large quantities are being sent from the Humber, principally to Rouen. A fair amount is also going to neutrals, the special feature of which is the largely increased supplies taken by Sweden. Up to the end of August the exports from Hull to Sweden were up to the level of last year, but during September the month’s total actually doubled, and, so far as one can see, the exports this • month are also very heavy. The demand is chiefly for steam coal, and prices, after being somewhat easier in a weak market, have firmed up again, best South Yorkshire hards now being quoted 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d. for prompt shipment Hull, Grimsby or Immingham, with Derbyshire hards about the same value. Secondary sorts are worth Ils. 6d. to 12s. 6d., but slack is easier at about 7s. 6d. to 8s. 6d. Gas coals are . fairly active, 13s. 6d. being asked for screened Silkstone ; and house coal is in good request, Hartleys being quoted at 12s. 6d. In the freight market sales are somewhat easier in the coast- wise limits, 6s. 9d. to 7s. 6d. having been paid for several handy-sized steamers Hull to Rouen, and 8s. for a larger one to carry 4,500 tons. In the Mediterranean 9s. is about the general figure, and has been paid for steamers to Port Said and to Barcelona. Leicestershire. COAL. The demand for all the best qualities of household coal is well sustained at the collieries in this district, and the result is that the whole of the output is absorbed as fast as it reaches the pit banks. The demand, too, appears to be of a regular and very healthy character, with a minimum of speculative operations. The bulk of the coal sent is required for practically immediate consumptive require- ments. The London trade is sound and regular, and a large and consistent business in being done in cobbles. In fact this trade, as well as the business in higher-priced household coal, is well up to the average of ordinary seasons. Manufacturing fuel commands a brisk sale, and the consumption so far is proving larger than had been anticipated. Users still show some desire to increase their stocks, and, in consequence, the supplies are hardly equal to the demand. Steam coal sells well, and prices are very firm all round. There is great unanimity in the reports from the collieries:—“No stocks and no special prices.” The pits generally are working five days per week, which is all that is practicable seeing that there is generally a shortage of men for keeping the roads in repair, in conse- quence of so many having joined the Colours. The following are the prices now generally current at the collieries in this district:— Per ton at pit. ________________ Best household coal .............. Second, hand picked .............. Deep screened cobbles ............ Deep large nuts .................. Bakers’ nuts...................... Small nuts ...................... Deep breeze...................... Peas ________............................. Small dust ...................... Deep cobbles & nuts for London bakers Steams, best hand picked .......... Steams, seconds .................. Main cobbles for kitcheners........ Main breeze...................... _______________________________ 1 Current prices. 13/6-14/6 , 12/6-13/6 12/3-13/3 12/ -12/9 11/6-12/6 10/- 10/6 9/ - 9/3 , 7/9- 8/3 1/6- 1/9 9/6-10/6 • 8/6- 9/3 10/ -10/6 ■ 8/ -8/6 ________ L’st week’s prices. 13.6- 14/6 12.6- 13/6 12/3-13/3 12/ -12/9 11/6-12/6 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/3 7/9- 8/6 1/6- 1/9 9/6-10/6 8/6- 9/3 10/ -10/6 8/ - 8/6 _________________ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. Owners are obtaining recent advances, but are producing under difficulties owing to labour scarcity and the high price of pit props. The demand for house fuel is expanding slowly. Manufacturing sorts are in steady request. 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 18/6 Do. seconds deep 16/ 16/ 14/6 16/ Do. best shallow 14/6 14/9 Do. seconds do. 13/9 14'6 13/9 14/ Best hard 14/6 15/ Forge coal 10/6 10/6 11/ Slack Warwickshire:— 7/ 7/ 7/6 House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 16/6 16/6 16/6 cobs 14/6 14/6 14/ Best hard spires 15/ 15/ 15/ Forge (steam) 10/6 9/6 10/6 11/ D.S. nuts (steam) 9/6 10/ Small (do.) 8/ 8/ 8/3 IRON. The market was on the quiet side, and the tendency in several branches was towards weaker prices. A good deal of business continues to arrive from customers engaged on military orders, but, apart from that, there is no expansion of demand. Export requirements are trifling. Buyers in the pig iron branch will not cover long periods, even at the reduced rates now prevailing, neither can it be said that makers are anxious to force sales, as they believe demand will recover at an early date. Meantime, the rates quoted last week continue in operation. In the finished trade many orders have been repeated, and there have been enquiries from shipping houses, which, however, cannot be dealt with now. With plentiful supplies of spelter at cheaper rates—the current price is about £24 10s. delivered Birmingham—galvanised sheets have fallen, being quoted £13 5s. to £13 15s. f.o.b. Liverpool, prices which offer a temptation to those engaged in export trade. Large quantities are also being turned out for the Government tor housing the forces in the field, field hospitals, and other purposes. Makers of marked bars are well supplied with orders, and are working full time. The basis price is £9. The second - class