T0> cepiiUEKfe ________________________________________________________________________________ 112S November 27, 19JA; a more favourable opportunity. : The demand for, France is still of large proportions, and all suitable shipping tonnage is being snapped up at advanced figures, 11s. 6d. having beep, paid several times for Rouen, and in the case of a 2,300-ton steamer to load at Hull Ils,'9d. is the figure. In the absence of anything like an adequate demand South York- shire large steams are plentiful and easier on the week, now being Obtainable at 12s. 6d. for prompt shipment, with up to 13s. asking for the finer qualities. Derbyshire Steairis are also easier at 13s. 3d. Grimsby or Immingham. Secondary sorts are in fair request at Ils. to 12s. 6d., while there seems more enquiry for house coal. Shipments at the docks are very good under the circumstances, and remembering that no coal is now being Sent to Russia or Germany. The average is above 40,000 tons a week, fully dne-half going to French port’s, with Sweden and Italy the next in importance. Chesterfield. COAL. * Collieries experience an improved demand for house coal owing to the colder weather, and orders are coming to hand much more freely than they have done for some time. Prices are firm and show an upward tendency. Fuel for manufacturing purposes is in active request, and heavy deliveries are going forward daily to the large steel works of Sheffield, which have never been so busy as they are at present. Cobbles and nuts for gas producers are in very strong demand. There is more doing in slack for boiler firing and the best brands are comparatively scarce. Owing to the depressed condition of the cotton industry, which, perhaps, more than any other trade, has suffered from the war, the requirements of slack for the Lancashire mills have been on a much reduced scale, and stocks have accumulated somewhat seriously at the various collieries. It is hoped, however, that matters will shortly improve. Steam coal for locomotive purposes is in steady request, and deliveries are maintained on a fairly satisfactory level. The export trade is now, unfortunately, in a very bad way owing to the great falling off in the demand. Matters are made worse by the extraordinarily high rates of freights, aiid the great scarcity of shipping tonnage. Steam coal is in poor request, but fuel for gas making and for domestic use is in active demand, especially for France, where there is a great scarcity of coal. The coke trade - is depressed and prices are weaker than they were at the beginning of. the month. There is a slightly better enquiry for washed nuts, and washed slack moves freely. Prices at pit. supplies. The cold weather has brought in a large influx of orders for the best classes of household coals, and some time will.be required, to clear them off. Cobbles, too, are in excellent demand for London and the country, and this is regarded as a very hopeful sign. Manufacturing fuel commands a very ready sale, and consumers are now very anxious to increase their stocks so as to make them inde- pendent of any temporary stoppage in the supplies. This is a most important matter in this district, where so much Government work is being done and where the factories are running day and night in order to* cope with a national emergency. The best steam coal sells well, and the whole of the output of every description as in urgent demand as fast, as wagons can, be procured. The following are the prices now generally current at the collieries in this district:— Per ton at pit. Forest of Dean. Lydney, ■ . COAL. The house coal pits in this district are averaging four to five days in the week, but with the climatic conditions ruling more favourable to the consumption of this class of fuel, better time will probably be made in the near future. The heavy stocks at many of the collieries are being reduced gradually ; there are still a number of wagons at the dock sidings awaiting shipment, so that all boats are ensured prompt loading on arrival. Railborne orders are getting more plentiful. Prices continue on the basis of .- Block 16s. 6d. at pit and 18s. 3d. f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness, but an early advance is probable. Slacks are in moderate demand at 6s. 6d. at pit. Small steams are hanging, and there is not much enquiry for the through and large qualities. Current L’st quot’d Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best house coals 13/6 12/6 15/6 Secondary . d,o. . j.. 12/6 11?6 13/6 Cobbles 11/ 10/6 12/6 Nuts 10/ 9/6 11/6 Slack ... .. 7/ ■ . 7/6 8/3 IRON, There is a slight improvement in the demand for pig iron and prices are hardening. For finished iron, however, orders: are difficult to obtain, although the prospects are certainly less gloomy. Engineers and ironfounders are well employed. _________________ Nottingham. ■ ■ ■- : COAL. During the past week a decided improvement has developed in the coal trade of Nottinghamshire, and the general tone is regarded as very satisfactory, taking the exceptional circumstances consequent on the war into con- sideration. .The brisker trade has been confined principally to the domestic fuel section, the spell of colder weather having had a stimulating effect. For most kinds of house coal the demand is active, but the run is more especially on the better class qualifies. In addition to the increased sales at the local landsale depots, an improved tonnage is. being sent to London and the southern counties. Values are assuming a firmer tendency. The restriction in ship- ments has caused the steam coal branch to be rather quiet. There is, however,- a fair demand in the home market for industrials, though not to the same extent as in normal times, and the same remark applies to the tonnage of loco-, motive fuel which is being taken by the railway companies on contract account. Gas coal is going out of hand more freely. Slacks are having a better sale than for some weeks past, and there is less disposition to part with cheap lots, as the demand is practically of an all-round character. Com- pared with a year ago coke is from 2s. to 3s. per ton cheaper, but it is not in brisk request. . , . : . . Prices at pithead. Hand-picked Brights .. Good house coals.......... Secondary do.-” Best hard coals............. Secondary do. td A. hl... Slacks (best hards)...... Do. (second) __......... .Do. (soft)...,....__ Current prices; 14/ -14/6 12/6-13/ 41/ -11/6 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 6/3- 6/6 5/6- 6/ . 5/6- 6/ L’st quot’d prices. 13/ -13/6 11/ '—12/ 10 -11 10/3-10/9 9/6-10/ 6/6- 7/ 5/6- 6/ 5/6- 6/ Last year’s prices. 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 11/ -12/ 11/3-11/9 10/ -10/6 .7/9- 8/3 - 6/9- 7/6 .6/9- 7/6 ________ ________ Leicestershire. ';; COAL. . There is a complete change in the position of affairs in this coalfield,, and business is very difficult to conduct under existing circumstances. The orders areabundant, and they tend to accumulate, and at the very time when colliery managers are naturally most anxious to maintain their maximum output they find a sudden shortage of wagons, which stops everything. The requirements of the military authorities have been so great that the stream .of wagons suddenly ceased to flow in to the pits, and the output had to be,curtailed,accordingly. It is hoped that in the course of a week or so the supply wagons’ will again become normal, to the satisfaction of all concerned. The working week has generally been reduced to four days in conse- quence ,of po wagons being available, and coal merchants have in consequence been disappointed' in securing ________________ .. 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 pi6ked .......... Steams, seconds .................. .................................. Main cobbles for kitcheners........ Main breeze_______....................__ i Current i prices. 13/6-14/6 12/6-13/6 12/3-13/3 12/ -12/9 : 11/6-12/6 1 10/ -10/6 i 9/ - 9/3 i 7/9- 8/6 < 1/6- 1/9 9/ -10/6 - 8/6- 9/3 10/ -10/6 7/6-8/ L’st week’s i prices. 13/6-14/6 ' 12/6-13/6 12/3-13/3 I 12/ -12/9 i 11/6-12/6 10/- 10/6 9/ - 9/3 7/9- 8/6 i l/6-^l/9 1^ 9/ -10/6 ; 8/6- 9/3 1 10/ -10/6 i 7/6-8/ __________________ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The coal market has undergone practically no change on the week, except that transport difficulties have increased. One firm has notified an advance of 6d. in household coal, but this is not general, and there is no very great call for this fuel at the moment. Slacks are plentiful and cheap, though, if anything, less plentiful than recently. The quotations fixed at the beginning of October still hold the field. They are :— 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/ 16/ . Do. best shallow 14/6 14/6 14/9 Do. seconds do. 13/9 13/9 14/ Best hard 14/6 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 10/6 11/ D.S. nuts (steam) 9/6 9/6 10/ Small (do.) . 8/ 8/ 8/3 IRON. The market was well attended, and was less dolorous than in recent weeks. In one or two departments, notably sheets and common bars, prices were again a shade easier, but pig iron makers were able to report a much stronger trade. During the week, indeed, there has been quite a boom in buying, not so much on account of improved trade, but because consumers seem to have realised that values are not likely to sink lower. They have practically reached cost, and with the probability of the next move being upward, customers have made haste; to cover themselves. Parcels of from 200 to 500 tons have been ordered, and under the influence of this spurt prices have hardened by 6d. and Is. A few sales have been made at 50s., but none below that figure for Northamptonshire forge, and the minimum may now be put at 50s. 6d., ranging to 52s. 6d. Derbyshire is a shade better at 53s.; Staffordshire common, which did not feel the effects of the slump to the same extent as Northamptonshire, is about 51s. 6d. to 52s. 6d., and part- mine about 53s. With regard to galvanised sheets, allega- tions have recently been made that producers have been selling to the Government at prices above the market value. Investigation showed that there was very little truth in the allegation, the price paid by Government having dropped, ..in sympathy with the market, from a maximum of £13 10s. .to £11 10s. The current price for export is £11 10s. to ill 15s., the upward range being 2s. 6d. down on the week. Makers resent the suggestion of lack of patriotism conveyed in the allegation, and it is pointed out that it is customary in the trade to quote a slightly higher price for Government work, because the risk of rejection is greater and the test is much more stringent than in the ordinary trade. The War Office and Admiralty are providing regular work, but not in sufficient quantities to make up for the loss of the shipping trade. Scandinavia is a fair customer at the moment, but it has been checked by the North Sea regula- tions. Makers of best bar iron report a good amount of work, and can command the terms that have been in force of late. . Unmarked bars, however, have declined on the week, and £7 5s. is now the maximum, ranging to £7 delivered Birmingham. Nut and bolt iron is also down 2s. 6d. on the week, current rates being £6 17s. 6d. to £7. Puddled bars vary from £4 7s. 6d. to £4 10s., with a few special qualities, at £4 12s. 6d. These prices are so low that a number of forges are still closed, the owners preferring this course to making . the sacrifice demanded. It was expected that'gas srip would be reduced, for although prices are nominal, £7 10s. to £7 15s., business is done at much below these figures. No meetings however, was held. Steel strip ranges from‘ £7 '15s. to £$. Copper sheets have under- gone-another advance of£2 to 476, and the demand has distinctly impfbvodi Steel is active, with a larger demand for sizes and qualities that formerly came from Germany am} Belgium; greater' ifideyd, thj/in some of the works care to take on. . . ‘ ' _______ _______ Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report a good demand for house and steam coal at the south coast ports, but this has been somewhat restricted by the further advances in steam freights on the east and west coast. In consequence of these advances the business in railborne coal has largely increased, as the inland towns now have an advantage in price in consequence of the extremely high freight rates on seaborne coal. It is understood that the latter are chiefly influenced by the fact that the Government is employing 1,400 steamers for maintaining its world-wide war service. It is obvious that this number will be instantly reduced as the success of our Navy and Army becomes more and more pronounced. ___________________________________________ THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, November 26. ___________________________________________ North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. There has been little change in the general outlook in the coal trade of this locality during the past week. In some instances tonnage has been extremely scarce, while in other cases it has been possible to work full time, and to dispose of the output at fair prices. In the house coal trade orders are fairly plentiful, and the local land sale depots all appear to be busy at the time of writing. With regard to steam coal, things are not so bright, though, as usual, the different railway companies having contracts with local collieries have taken full contract supplies. The output in this class of fuel is restricted by reason of further numbers joining the ranks. Every effort possible is being made locally to stimu- late recruiting, and masters and men are contributing liber- ally towards the different charity funds. The local manu- facturing concerns are still rather badly off for work, and short time continues the rule. Trade has further fallen off in the Shotton district, owing, it is stated, to the diffi- culty experienced in getting spelter, which is now practically only obtainable from America, whereas prior to the war large quantities of this material were imported from Belgium and Germany. The number of aliens now interned in the old iron works at Queensferry amounts to about 2,500. The shipping trade at Liverpool has not improved, and the tonnage sent down from the North Wales collieries during the past week has been very limited. The trade in gas coal is good, the gas companies in many instances pressing for extra supplies, over and above the normal contract quantity, as apparently they are anxious to lay in some stocks in case of an emergency. There is no great demand for slack, as a result of the small amount now used in local manufactories, and as a consequence stocks have accumu- lated somewhat. Gas coke is in fair demand. With reference to prices, there has been no change made in the price of house coal, though there are signs that an early attempt will be made to advance a little. Gas coal is little sold in open market, and contract prices rule. Steam coal prices vary somewhat, to the extent of about 6d. per ton, while slack can be bought on advantageous terms to buyers. The local gas works still sell their coke on the prices quoted for some weeks past. The prices quoted at present are as below :— Prices at pit f.o.r.: — Best house coal ...... Secondary do.......... Steam coal............ Gas coal.............. Bunkers............... Nuts ................. Slack ................ Gas coke (at works)... Prices landsale:— Best house coal ...... Seconds .............. Slack ................ Current prices. 14/6—15/6 13/9-14/6 11/9-12/6 12/ -13/ 11/6-12/3 11/3-11/9 5/9- 7/ 11/8-13/4 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 14/6-15/6 15/6-16/6 13/6-14/3 14/6-15/6 12/ -12/6 12/6-13/6 12/ -12/9 : 13/ -13/9 I 11/3-11/9 12/3-12/6 11/3-11/9 11/3-11/9 , 5/ - 6/6 6/6- 8/ 11/8-13/4,13/4-15/ 18/4-20/ 1 18/4-20/ i 17/6-18/9 17/6-18/4 / 17/6-18/4 > 16/8-17/6 10/ -12/6 ' 10/ -12/6 j 10/ -12/6 _________________ Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport.* COAL. ' Most difficult conditions still prevail in the steam coal trade, which shows considerable disparity between present and anticipated values. Stocks are so congested just now. and tonnage available so scanty, that shippers are able to obtain concessions without much trouble. Regarding