November 27, 1914. the colliery guardian. 1127 made in steel plates and angles has not so far resulted in the expected similar increases in iron plates, and angles, but the position of the finished iron and steel makers is becoming stronger. In some instances difficulty is met in meeting the requirements of new customers. Steel ship plates are =£7 10s.; steel ship angles, =£7 5s.; iron ship plates, <£7 5s.; iron ship angles, <£8; steel boiler plates, <£8 5s.; steel strip, =£7 5s.; steel hoops, <£8; steel joists, <£7 2s. 6d.; common iron bars, <£8 ; best best bars, <£8 15s.; packing iron, <£6 5s.; cast iron railway chairs, <£4 5s.; light iron rails, <£7 15s.; heavy steel rails, =£6 7s. 6d.; steel railway sleepers, <£7—railway material net at works and all other commodities less 2| per cent. Galvanised corru- gated sheets 24 in. gauge in bundles <£14 less 4 per cent,, f.o.b. The exports of pig iron from Middlesbrough and Skinningrove to date totals 48,396 tons compared with 42,744 tons for the corresponding period last month. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. Although things are a little better than they were a week ago, a quiet tone continues to prevail in the coal trade. Works requirements show no improvement, but since the cold weather set in house coal is in better demand. There has been a slight increase in tonnage in the coast- wise trade, but business is still much below the average, and not by any means what it ought to be at this time of the year. The enquiries for gas coal from Ireland have perhaps been more numerous, but household coal and fuel for the Irish works are only dull. This is no doubt due in a great measure to the slack work which is being experienced at present in some of the mill?, in Ireland, owing to the war. The scarcity of boats is ' still having some effect upon the cross-Channel trade. At;V$hitehaven, Pica and Moresby full employment is still the order of the day, but some of the collieries further east only got four or five days in last week. The coke trade is well maintained, and local smelters are utilising all the supplies they can secure. The export tonnage of coal from Maryport to the Irish ports last week amounted to 4,620 tons, an increase 1,840 tons compared with the previous week. The cargoes were for White Abbey, Douglas, Londonderry, Portrush, Port William, Coyle, Newry, Letterkenny, Coleraine, Dumfries, Belfast, and Dublin. The shipments from the various collieries were as follow:—Brayton Domain, 2,650 tons ; St. Helens, 820 tons ; Flimby, 600 tons ; Allerdale, 550 tons. The exports from Maryport also included a cargo of benzol for Bordeaux, from the new works at the head of the Senhouse dock. From Workington 1,500 tons of coals were shipped to Ireland last week. A cargo of pitch was also despatched to Swansea for the local by-product works. Best Cumberland coal, at pit.... Flimby best coal „ ..... Washed nuts „ ..... Old St. Helens best coal „ ...i. Best house nuts ,, ..... Oughterside best coal........... Washed nuts..................... Best Cumberland coal, f.o.b..... Bunkers „ ..... Coal for gasworks............... Current prices. 20/6-21/ 20/ 19/2 19/2 17/1 20/ 18/4 14/6 13/6 14/6 L’st week’s prices. 20/6-21/ 20/ 19/2 19/2 17/1 20/ ■ 18/4 14/6 13/6 14/6 IRON. The Cumberland iron trade is in a more satisfactory con- dition than it has been for some weeks past. There has been no increase in values or production, but prices are firm, the accumulation of stocks has been checked, and the outlook generally is much brighter than it, has been for some time. The price of Bessemer mixed numbers still stands at 65s. per ton f.o.b. at the usual ports, with warrants at cash at 62s. per ton. Special iron is quoted at from 75s. 6d. to 76s. 6d. per ton. There is, of course, not much business doing in ordinary iron, and users appear to be buying merely to cover immediate requirements, but there is a brisk demand for special iron, for the use of armament and ammunition makers. It is interesting to observe that although there is now practically no Continental market, the condition of the iron trade is much better than it was before the war commenced. In fact it is stated that at present the output of special iron is none too great for the demand, and should the brisk trade continue, there is no doubt that an increase in production will be rendered necessary at an early date. There are 22 furnaces in blast on the west coast, 11 in West Cumberland and 11 in the Furness district. The Workington Iron and Steel Company have eight in operation, three at Derwent, three at Moss Bay, and two at the Oldside Works, while Cleator Moor have two and Distington one in operation. One of the furnaces at the Oldside works is on spiegel and the other is employed in the manufacture of ferro-mangaAese, Barrow has five furnaces in blast, and Carnforth, Millom, and North Lonsdale have two each in operation. A large percentage of the make at Barrow and Workington is going into consumption, 'and the remaining nine furnaces are principally on special iron which is being consigned to the Midlands for the use of armament and ammunition makers. The steel trade is brisk and full time is being worked at both Workington and Barrow. There is a better demand for rails and the prospects at Workington are much brighter than they have been for some time. The iron ore industry at Cleator Moor and Egremont is fairly satis- factory, although trade is not as brisk as it was a month ago. Banking is taking place at some of the mines, and the tonnage for Scotland and the east coast has diminished considerably. The whole of the mines, however, are still in full employment. At Maryport last week the imports included 3,500 tons of iron ore for the Workington Iron and Steel Company. The imports at Workington last week consisted of 1,010 tons of briquettes from West Bank. The exports included 1,030 tons of steel rails, and 450 tons f sleepers for Liverpool. South-West Lancashire. COAL. Since the change in the weather the demand for house coal has been at least equal to the production, and in many cases for special grades of fuel delivery has perforce to be delayed. In the tonnage of screened coal moving away for forges and inanufacfuring purposes there is still something better qualities of slack are firm, but the smaller and to be done before this is at the maximum, but it is slowly inferior qualities are very difficult to move^ and stocks at ’ i ................ i pits are now considerable. There is a slight improve- ment in the demand for washed furnace coke, and Ils. per ton at the ovens has been paid this week for some of the better qualities, although the bulk of the make is still on offer at about 10s. 6d. Much better deliveries are being sent into the Frodingham district, but the call from the iron and steel works in the Leeds district is still quiet. improving. Bunkering requirements under contract are much as they have been recently—below the average— which is only to be expected with so many of the regular liners away on transport and other Government service. There is no improvement in open sale business, and owing partly to the scarcity of tonnage and partly to questions of finance, the Continental enquiries do not materialise to any extent. Notwithstanding decreased production, supply generally exceeds demand, and while some collieries appear to be well off for orders, they are the exception and not the rule. Quotations range from 12s. to 12s. 9d., f.o.b., according to quality, but for actual business lower prices would no doubt be taken in many cases. The coastwise and cross channel business in household coals is on the increase and some little anxiety is evinced to get early fixings. The position in slack during the last month has materially altered. Whereas in August and September large quantities were being put upon the floor, now there is enough sale to take away the small fuel as produced, and in some cases rather a difficulty in keeping up with the daily demand. 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/ -13/6 11/6-12/ 12/ -12/9 9/3- 9/6 8/6- 8/9 8/ - 8/3 L'st week's prices. 17/ 16/6-16/9 15/3 14/6-15/ 13/ 13/ -13/6 11/6-12/ 12/ -12/9 9/3- 9/6 8/6- 8/9 8/ - 8/3 Last year's prices. . 17/ 16/9-17/3 15/3 15/ -15/6 13/ 13/9-14/6 12/6-13/ 13/ -13/9 10/3 9/6 9/ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a full attendance of members on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday last, and the demand for house coal, as was expected following the break in the weather, showed considerable improvement. Furnace coal and coke do not show any change, either in demand or price. There was perhaps a better enquiry for shipping, but the ship- ments on the canal are still mostly on contract account. In slack there is a better tone generally, and so far as Lancashire is concerned .it is exceptional where the output exceeds the demand. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best Current prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ —16/9 13/3-14/ 12/ 13/ -14/ 9/6-10/ 8/ - 9/ L'st week's prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/ 13/ -14/ 9/6-10/ 8/ - 9/ Last year’s prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 Medium Common Furnace coal Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack Common slack IRON. There is a better feeling amongst the makers of pig iron, and prices have been put up in some cases 2s. per ton. This applies more to haematite than ordinary iron, the demand for which does not improve, the users being without enquiry in the foundries. The general trade is much as previously stated, and only those works which are doing something for the Government are really busy. The forges are working short time, and prices of iron are too high with steelworks on full time and the tendency of mild steel to supplant iron more and more—iron bars at <£8 5s. against steel bars at <£7 10s. Billet mills too are on full time, and prices vary, going up to <£6 for some classes of work. The American, Canadian and Spanish makers are now in these markets, and some very low prices are quoted. Wagon works are slack, boiler makers better off; also some of the large engineering firms. The textile engineers are not too busy. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. • COAL. There was a very full attendance of traders at the market on Tuesday, the Hull exporters being well ’represented. There was a fairly strong demand for prompt supplies of house coal, and also a fair number of enquiries for washed nuts and the better qualities of slack. It was reported that better time had been worked at the West Yorkshire pits this week, the majority of them having been able to work five days. The supply of empty wagons is still limited, and complaints are more numerous this week about the movements of traffic. With regard to house coal, reports from London indicate a marked improvement in the retail trade there, and there has been a consequent increase in the number of orders and wagons forwarded to the collieries. The advance of Is. per ton in public prices last Friday has been followed here by a readjustment of pit prices, the collieries generally advancing 6d. per ton. The very best qualities are still scarce, but there is a welcome improvement in the demand for the medium and lower grades for the London district. In the coastwise trade the scarcity of boats becomes more pronounced, and this has the effect of keeping down the f.o.b. prices of house coal. It is reported that a sale of a considerable quantity of the medium qualities of Silkstone house coal has been made at 13s. 3d. f.o.b. Goole. The local markets are busier, and merchants are about fully employed. Pit prices show no official change, but are appreciably firmer. Representative pits quote as under:—Haigh Moor selected 18s. to 19s., Silkstone best 17s. to 18s., Silkstone house 16s. to 17s., secondary sorts 13s. 6d. to 14s. 6d. The full output of the gas coal pits is needed to satisfy contract requirements, although here and there spot sales are reported —generally for works in the south of England, which usually get their supplies by sea. Forward business is very quiet, although one or two speculative sales for delivery over next year are reported at about current prices. Manufacturing fuel shows little change on the week. Washed nuts and the House coal:— Current L’st week’s Prices at pit (London) : prices^ prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 15/ 14/6-15/ Wallsend & London best 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/6 S-ilkstone best 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/ Do. house 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ House nuts Prices f.o.b. Hull:— 11/6-12/ 11/6-12/ Haigh Moor best 16/6-17/6 17/ -17/6 Silkstone best 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 Do. house 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/ Other qualities Gas coal:— Prices at pit: 13/ -14/ 12/9-13/6 Screened gas coal 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ Gas nujs.... 9/6-10/3 9/6-10/3 Unscreened gas coal ... Other sorts:— Prices at pit: 9/ - 9/6 9/ - 9/6 Washed nuts Large double-screened 10/6-11/ 10/3-10/9 engine nuts 9/6-10/6 9/3- 9/9 Small nuts Rough unscreened 9/ - 9/6 9/ - 9/6 engine coal 9/ - 9/6 9/ - 9/6 Best rough slacks 7/3- 7/9 6/9- 7/6 Small do. 6/ - 6/6 6/ - 6/6 6/ - 6/6 Coking smalls Coke:— Price at ovens : 6/ - 6/6 Furnace coke 10/6-11/ 10/6 Last year's prices. 14/6-15/ 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 12/ -12/6 11/6-12/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 14/6-15/6 14/ -14/6 12/ -12/6 11/ -11/6 10/ -10/6 10/3-11/ 9/9-10/6 9/ - 9/6 9/3- 9/9 7/ - 7/6 6/ - 6/6 6/ -. 6/6 12/ -12/6 Barnsley. COAL. There was not a great deal of business circulating at the local market this week, but from reports to hand it appears that the collieries generally in this district continue to make four or five days a week, and the bulk of the pro- duction is being disposed of. During the week there has been more trouble than of late, in consequence of the short supply of wagons, but the satisfactory state of the trade, having regard to the present abnormal conditions, is shown by the fact that the pits have been able to keep almost fully at work. In regard to the export trade there has been rather more activity during the week, particularly for French markets, and the demand is exceptional, owing to the fact that most classes of fuel are the subject of enquiry. There is still little business done for export, in regard to the best classes of large steams, and there appears to be a greater supply of secondary sorts than the market requires, with the result that prices are still of a weak description . owing to the competition of coal in the hands of merchants. The home enquiry for the best hards continue to be of a satisfactory description, and all kinds of good class steam fuel are moving off satisfactory, owing to the greater activity on Government account in the heavy industries. Best washed nuts are again rather scarce, and prices are easily maintained, whilst secondary qualities are also commanding a little more money. There is also little difficulty in readily disposing of the best quality slacks for the heavy woollen and cotton districts, but the stocks at collieries of rougher slacks are still of a substantial character, and prices have not improved. The output of gas coal, which is considerably below the normal, is readily cleared on contract account, and a fair enquiry still prevails for occasional lots of gas nuts, and prices show a higher tendency. The effect of the colder weather has become more felt by the house coal collieries, and merchants are experiencing difficulty in obtaining a ready delivery of the best classes of fuel, the prices of which are firmly maintained. Although the demand for secondary descrip- tions has also shown more improvement, the supply appears to be about adequate, though prices are rather stronger than was the case a week ago. The position of the coke industry is still of a quiet character, and manufacturers are having to accept low prices to deal with stocks, although the output has been somewhat reduced. Buyers are still indifferent on the question of renewing contracts for any substantial period. Prices at pit. House coals:— Best Silkstone Best Barnsley softs Secondary do. Best house nuts Secondary do Steam coals:— Best hard coals Secondary do Best washed nuts Secondary do Best slack Rough do Gas coals:— Screened gas coals Unscreened do Gas nuts Furnace coke Current (L’st week’s prices. prices. 15/6—16/ 1 15/6-16/ 15/ | 15/ 13/ -14/ ■ 13/ -14/ 12/9-13/6 I2/9-I3/6 10/9-11/6 I 10/9-11/6 11/3-11/6 11/3-11/6 10/ 10/ 10/3-10/6 ■ 10/3-10/6 9/6 9/6 6/9- 7/ ’ 6/9- 7/ 5/6- 5/9 ; 5/6- 5/9 10/6-11/ ' 10/6-11/ 10/ 10/ 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 10/3-10/6 j 10/3-10/6 Last year's prices. 15/6-16/ 1 15/ -15/3 ; 12/6-14/ 1 13/ -13/6 11/ -12/ 12/ -12/3 11/ 11/ -11/3 10/ -10/3 7/ 6/ : 12/6 11/ -11/3 12/ 12/ Hull. COAL. Though there is a fairly satisfactory demand for steam coal for export the situation continues to be governed to a large extent by the fact that tonnage is not only scarce but exceedingly dear. Only very urgent business can be got through, for with 18s. 6d. and 19s. paid for handy-sized steamers for Genoa—the former only being accepted where prompt discharge was guaranteed—the ordinary run of orders is seriously handicapped. Unfortunately there does not seem any immediate livelihood of lower rates for the Medi- terranean, where there is a good latent demand only awaiting