January 1, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

19

reduced trade, but it is a striking commentary that
South Yorkshire collieries have not suffered in the same
degree as those in West Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and
Notts. The greater prominence of the newer South
Yorkshire firms would no doubt have been further
evident had the year been a normal one, but, notwith-
standing the circumstances, the newer firms have pretty
well maintained their position. The Denaby and Cadeby
firm still stand well ahead as the most important
collieries dealing from the port, and have during the 11
months sent over three-quarters of a million tons. The
Grimethorpe and Frickley collieries, with a total of over
420,000 tons, are hardly 20,000 tons behind the trade of
the previous year. Other concerns which sent over
200,000 tons during the 11 months are Brodsworth, with
an increase of 16,000 tons; Bentley, with a decrease of
60,000 tons; Bullcroft, an increase of 9,000 tons; and
Manvers Main, with a decrease of 45,000 tons.

In regard to prices, the market has invariably ruled
in favour of buyers, and the effect of the more extensive
production has undoubtedly been felt. A good criterion
of the year’s prospects can usually be said to have been
realised by the settlement of the contracts for supplies to
the railway and steam trawler companies, which absorb
a substantial bulk of the output in the district. After a
lapse of several years, a determined struggle between
consumers and producers was renewed. . Coal owners
strongly contended they were entitled to an advance of
Is. per ton for the year’s supplies, having regard to the
prices paid during the previous year, compared with the
market values. The attitude of the railway companies
was a very determined one, with the result that arrange-
ments had to be renewed at the old price of 11s. 6d. per
ton for the best hards. The railway companies took
the opportunity of distributing the requirements over a
larger area than hitherto, and apparently utilised a
bigger proportion than usual of cheaper grade fuel.
Though it would be unfair to accept the experience of
so disturbed a year as to the range of values, the fact
remains that experience proved that the agreed prices
were scarcely equalised during the year. It is true that
some contracts covering a short period of the past year
were running at 12s. 6d. per ton, but the year was little
advanced before it was found that the increased output
was having its effect upon the weakening market, and
prices went down to 11s. 3d. to Ils. 6d. for the best
hards. Exporters in March declined to pay this figure
to cover their requirements for the shipping season, and
although during the strike period in April abnormal
prices were paid—up to 25s. per ton—for best hards,
there was no extensive panic, owing to the fact that
requirements could be obtained from the collieries in
the adjoining counties of Derbyshire and Nottingham-
shire. Although it was naturally expected that prices
would be firmer after the stoppage, this was not the
case, and there was no rush of trade, which had the
effect of values greatly falling away in July. There
was some evidence of a little recovery, best steams again
being quoted up to Ils. 6d. per ton, but the improve-
ment was, of course, stopped by the effect of the
outbreak of war. The large tonnage usually exported
was thrown on the market, restricted shipment became
more acute, and prices fell very low, until sales of
secondary descriptions of large steams were reported at
Hull at 9s. per ton. Producers of best hards, however,
found the home demand fairly strong, and did not suffer
reduction in values in .anything like the same proportion.
However, during December there was quite a spirited
revival in the demand, prices at once became much
firmer, and have been so maintained over the holidays,
and the reduced output once again became insufficient to
the demand of the markets. The settlement of the
railway companies contracts for the present year was
effected at a moment, when conditions were operating in
the favour of buyers. The railway companies invited
the renewal of tenders in a weakening market, and the
natural question appeared to be as to what extent coal
owners would be justified in making concessions. The
offer to concede a reduction of 6d. per ton was followed
up by the remarkable recovery in trade, and indications
that the new year promised to be of a more satisfactory
character than had been hitherto thought of. There
were some diverse opinions amongst the coal owners
as to offering a reduced price, and probably some would
have been disposed to have withdrawn the offer, which,
however, was fairly promptly accepted by the railway
companies on the basis of Ils. per ton for the best hards.
It does not, however, follow that such a settlement will
be generally accepted by coal owners as an indication of
what values are to be during the present year on ship-
ment account, and there are some who hold the opinion
that the prospects are more favourable with the larger
trade now passing with France, Italy, and Sweden, who,
in seeking to place the requirements hitherto obtained
from Germany, will have to turn their attention to this
particular district.

Gas Coal.

In regard to gas coal, the collieries in this district
have fairly well maintained their position, so far as the
volume of trade which has been done. These pits have
probably felt the effect of added costs in a greater degree
than any other section, and although they were able in
the previous year to obtain advances of Is. to Is. 3d.
per ton on contracts, they were faced with a very strong
opposition last year, when they sought to maintain
values on the ground of increased expenses. The
collieries found the consumers were more strongly
organised than they were themselves, and probably at
no period was the renewal of contracts so protracted
as on this occasion. Gas companies were seeking to
take a greater mixture of fuel than hitherto, and, while
some collieries were able to command renewals for
supplies of the best qualities at 6d. per ton reduction, in
regard to other classes of fuel 9d. and Is. per ton had
to be conceded. The reduced output at these collieries
has had a very appreciable effect on the question of
financial results, but during the latter part of the year

arrears of deliveries under contracts assumed fairly con-
siderable proportions, and gas companies found their
stocks getting rather low, with a result that they had to
pay slightly increased prices on contract rates to secure
the desired supplies. Another feature which had an
influence on prices was the fact that as a
consequence of the war, France and Italy came to
England seeking supplies, and offered substantial prices,
which had assisted collieries in a considerable degree.

Manufacturing I’uel.

In no branch of the trade has a greater degree of
steadiness been experienced as in respect to all classes
of manufacturing fuel. The specialising by collieries in
qualities suitable for this purpose has continued, though,
had the full output been maintained, the position would
hardly have been so satisfactory, but, on the other hand,
the full output has invariably been cleared. A more
marked feature of the year has been the preference
shown by buyers for the best qualities of this coal, and
consequently there have at times been considerable
stocks of rougher grade fuel to be dealt with. The strong
demand for washed steam nuts which prevailed towards
the close of the previous year, was well continued in the
early part of last year, and prices then ruled at Ils. to
Ils. 3d. per ton for prime sorts, and 10s. to 10s. 3d. for
secondary descriptions. During the strike period in
April manufacturers were willing to pay, for a brief
period, something like panic prices for good nuts, but,
as in other sections of the trade, there was evidence
that the market was overcrowded, and in June values
fell to something like 10s. 6d. to 10s. 9d. per ton for
best kinds. During July there was a steady recovery,
and subsequently, with the rush of war orders in the
ordnance works, prices again became normal, and
towards the end of the year a marked scarcity prevailed
for this class of fuel. In regard to slacks there has
scarcely been any real difficulty in disposing of the best
kinds, which have made from 6s. 6d. to 7s. 3d. per ton.
the latter figure being reached towards the end of the
year. There has been a greater difficulty experienced
in disposing of the rougher slacks, due to the quieter
state of the coke trade, and the less tonnage required
in the cotton and textile industries. At the opening of
the year prices were from 5s. 9d. to 6s., and subsequently
they fell in a considerable.degree, and at times this class
of slacks being on offer as low as 5s. per ton. It was
not until the latter part of the year that any recovery
was made, and even then the demand could be fairly
comfortably dealt with, although there were slight
increases obtained. This experience was in marked
contrast with that of the previous year, when slacks
became, comparatively speaking, too valuable to be
utilised for feeding the coke ovens, when soft coal was
crushed to provide the necessary supplies.

House Coal.

The volume of business in regard to house coal has
been of about average description. Although there has
been keener competition in respect to secondary descrip-
tions of fuel, collieries producing prime sorts have had
no great difficulty in disposing of their output. The
more limited production no doubt has done something
towards keeping prices fairly steady, and there have
been periods when orders have exceeded the capabilities
of the collieries to supply. At the opening of the year,
when deliveries were in arrear, prices were about as
follow :—Best Silkstone, 15s. 6d. to 16s. per ton; best
Barnsley, 15s. to 15s. 3d. per ton; seconds, 12s. 6d. to
14s. 6d. per ton; best house nuts, 13s. to 14s. 6d. per
ton; seconds, Ils. to 12s. per ton. However, this
range of values was more of a nominal character as the
year progressed, owing to the favourable weather, and
the effects of over-production were beginning to be felt
in February. The stoppage in April did little to
stimulate business in this section of the trade, and
prices became much weaker during May, owing to the
very favourable weather. Collieries announced their
intention of retaining winter prices. Although this
decision might have been enforced to some extent in
regard to best qualities, it was not so in respect to
cheaper grades. Business became very quiet in July,
and to avoid over-stocking the market, collieries resorted
to ground stocks, but eventually values fell to the extent
of 6d. and Is. per ton. Although in the later months
of the year prices stiffened somewhat, it was not until
the beginning of December that there was any great
firmness, when again the supply of best qualities became
inadequate. At the close of the year prices ranged
about as follow Best Silkstone, 15s. 6d. per ton; best
Barnsley, 14s. 6d. to 15s. per ton; seconds, 13s. to 14s.
per ton; best house nuts, 12s. 9d. to 13s. 6d. per ton;
seconds, 10s. 9d. to 11s. 6d. per ton.

Coke.

The experience of those engaged in the coke trade has
again been of an unfavourable character. The rapid
extension of manufacturing plants has had the effect
that was prospected—the flooding of the market with
fuel, with a demand of a more normal character.
Although attempts have been made to reduce the output,
the position has invariably gone in favour of buyers, who
have generally refrained from making lengthy contracts,
or relied upon obtaining their requirements in the open
markets. At the opening of the year, prices were from
12s. to 12s. 6d. per ton, which were regarded as possibly
the lowest that could be reached. However, makers
had to concede reductions, until values at the end of
February stood at 10s. 6d. to Ils. per ton. The decline
could not be arrested, and 10s. per ton had to be taken
at the end of May, and this figure was little improved
upon until towards the end of the year, when prices
got up to about Us. per ton. There was then a little
more disposition on the part of buyers to enter into
contracts, and there appears to be some ground for the
belief that the improvement is likely to be of a more
lasting character.

Colliery Developments.

Although the outbreak of the war has curbed enter-
prises in the further development of the district, several
projects which were in hand have been carried through
to a successful conclusion during the past year. One
of the most important was the reaching of the coal at
Barmboro’ Colliery, near Doncaster, belonging to the
Manvers Main Company. The Barnsley bed, with a
thickness of 6 ft., has been found at a depth of 505 yds.,
and the downcast shaft is to be sunk further to the
Parkgate seam, the colliery being designed for an output
of 3,000 tons per day. Another enterprise entered upon
shows the greater value which has been attached to the
Parkgate bed of coal. This is a sinking by the Mitchell
Main Company near Barnsley. The coal is expected to
be reached at a depth of 600 yds., and the shaft, which
is 21 ft. in diameter, is probably one of the largest in
the county. Earl Fitzwilliam, who had contemplated
opening out the Barnsley bed in the near vicinity of
Doncaster, has also in hand the sinking of a new pit to
the Parkgate bed near Low Stubbin, Greasboro’, where
it is estimated the coal is to be found at 300 yds. depth.
An area of 3,000 acres has been secured, and a daily
output of 2,000 tons is aimed at. Nearer Barnsley, the
Parkgate bed has been reached at the Darton Main, and
the colliery when developed is expected to have an
output of about 1,500 tons.

DEBBTSHIRE AND NOTTINGOMSHIBE.

It may confidently be said that no year can be
recalled that would present a greater contrast of trade
conditions than the year 1914. The year opened with
an all round falling off in prices of coal of all qualities,
accompanied by a general decline in the demand. This
was particularly evident in the house coal section of
the trade, where it became difficult to work the pits
more than two or three days per week owing to scarcity
of orders. The depression in the cotton industry,
which became serious in the early part of the year,
affected to a considerable extent the demand for slack
for boiler firing, as the mills of Lancashire were com-
pelled to resort to short time working. Prices drooped
seriously, and orders were so difficult to secure that the
pits of the district were compelled to stock slack in large
quantities to enable work to be carried on. As the year
advanced there was an improvement perceptible in the
demand for coal suitable for gas producers, and orders
for cobbles and nuts became plentiful, with a hardening
tendency in prices. In the early part of the year the
export trade was in a quiet condition, the demand being
sluggish and prices weak. Towards midsummer,
however, matters took a turn for the better, and a brisk
demand set in for steam coal, with an improvement in
prices to the extent of practically Is. per ton. This
continued until the outbreak of war in August, when a
heavy blow was struck at the coal industry, and it was
feared that the pits would be compelled to close in
many cases, either from loss of markets, or from a lack
of pit props to enable work to be carried on. Fortu-
nately, these fears have not been realised, and it has
been found possible to continue operations on a much
larger scale than was expected during the first few days
of the war. There is, however, a very considerable
reduction of the output of coal, owing to the large
number of workmen that has joined the Colours. During
the last three months of the year large orders were
received for steam and gas coal for Italy, and for house
coal for France. This demand caused prices to rise
substantially for these classes of coal, in addition to
which rates of freight advanced to figures hitherto
almost unknown in the shipping trade. Still, orders
continue to come to hand freely, showing that the
requirements of the two countries named are by no
means satisfied yet. Collieries are much handicapped
by the great scarcity of railway wagons for conveying
coal, which is now so much wanted in every direction.
Large numbers of these trucks are now being utilised
for military traffic, and the railways themselves are
rapidly becoming congested to such an extent as to
seriously interfere with the ordinary business of the
country. The result is an additional reduction of the
output of coal, which is now so vitally necessary in the
interest of the nation. Armament works of every kind
are working at full pressure, and these must be kept
fully supplied with fuel, whoever else may go short. The
great demand for coal at the end of the year was in great
contrast to the condition of things which prevailed
during the opening months of the year. Then, stocks of
coal were being added to at the collieries; now, all such
stocks are exhausted, and consumers are dependent upon
the daily output of the pits for their supplies of fuel.
One of the outstanding features of the year has been the
ready response of the miners to the country’s call to
arms.

SOUTH WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE.

The year just closed has been one of trouble and
anxiety. Prices have ruled high, and had it not been
for the outbreak of war at the beginning of August, it
is probable that the year would have proved one of the
most prosperous on record. As it is, prices have been
remarkably steady, and the market has not been
characterised by the violent fluctuations which have
taken place in former years. The lowest point reached
was in March, when best Admiralty coal changed hands
at 18s. to 19s. per ton. This was chiefly attributable
to the accumulation of stocks due to the lock-out at
Genoa, when shipments to that port were practically
suspended for several weeks. Throughout the whole
year the highest quotation did not exceed 23s., and a
general average would probably be in the neighbourhood
of 20s. to 21s. per ton. Of course, since the end of
July quotations have been more or less on a nominal