30 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 1, 1915. system to be delivered over next year. Deliveries of gas coal are heavy. Best Durhams are 12s. 6d., second kinds 10s. 9d. to Ils. according to quality, and special Wear gas 13s. to 13s. 3d. Bunker coals are in good request. Ordinary Durhams are 10s. to 10s. 3d., best Ils. 4|d., and specials up to 12s. 6d. Values of coking coal are well upheld. Unscreened sorts are 9s. 6d. to 10s. 6d., and smalls range from 9s. 3d. to 10s. Coke is steady and firm, and in good request for local consumption. Durham beehive blast- furnace coke of average quality is in the neighbourhood of 18s. delivered at Teesside works. Foundry coke for ship- ment runs from 20s. to 21s. f.o.b. Gashouse coke is put at 12s. 3d. IRON. The year closes with iron and steel works all well employed. Producers in practically every branch have very good order books, largely due to demand from France and Belgium for constructional work. Values tend upward. The question occupying most attention just now is the supply of foreign ore. Consumers, many of whom have only very small stocks, are pressing for deliveries, and a suggestion has been mooted that the Government be requested to facilitate the conveyance of ore. To date this month (December 30) imports of foreign ore to the Tees are officially returned at 93,887 tons. Pig iron is very strong. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland is fully 54s. 3d., whilst No. 1 is 56s. 3d., No. 4 foundry 53s. 9d., No. 4 forge 53s. 3d., mottled and white iron each 52s. 9d., and Nos. 1, 2 and 3 east coast haematite pig 72s. 6d. It is impossible to definitely fix foreign-ore prices. Sellers quote on the basis of up to 28s. 6d. ex ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality, but such a rate altogether prohibits business. Possibly offers to buy on the basis of 24s. to 25s. would receive favourable attention. Ore steamers are hardly obtainable. Freights Bilbao - Middlesbrough are fully 10s. 6d. Manufactured iron and steel prices very stiff, but not quotably advanced. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The steady improvement reported last week in the coal trade is being well maintained ; the export branch shows signs of expansion, while the home demand is increasing, and the industrial position generally in West Cumberland may be described as considerably more satisfactory than it has been for the last three months. Landsale is fairly brisk, and with the continued activity in the iron and allied trades the demand for manufacturing fuel may be expected to grow. So far, however, there has not been a very great increase in the export branch, but the prospects are much brighter, and best house and steam coal are in much better request for the Irish market. There have been more enquiries not only from Dublin, Belfast and Carrickfergus, but from other places on the Irish coast, where few cargoes of coals have been shipped since the war commenced; in fact, the outlook is more encouraging both for the home and export trade, and if a sufficient number of vessels are available it is not improbable that the tonnage to Ireland during January may be unusually heavy. The pits have been idle two days this week over the Christmas holidays, but with that exception they are now working more regularly, and outputs are said to be steadily increasing. Last week, 17 steamers left Maryport for Irish ports, the shipments amounting to 4,920 tons, or an increase of 990 tons compared with the previous week. The cargoes were for Belfast, Londonderry, Dublin, Carrick- fergus, White Abbey, Bangor, Portrush, Drumore, Newry, and Polmachie. The exports also included a cargo of pitch for Port Talbot from the West Cumberland By-product Works. The coke trade continues brisk, and the whole of the output feom the Cumberland ovens is being freely absorbed by the local smelters. About 3,000 tons of east coast coke is also being used in West Cumberland furnaces. Prices of coal are unchanged, best coal delivered in bags being still quoted at Is. 24d. per cwt. St. Helens best coal delivered is quoted at 23s. 4d. per ton, with seconds at 20s. Flimby best coal delivered is quoted at 23s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at 21s. 8d. per ton. Current L’st week’s prices. prices. Best Cumberland coal, at pit 20/6-21/ 20/6-21/ Flimby best coal „ 20/ 20/ Washed nuts „ 19/2 19/2, Old St. Helens best coal ,, 19/2 19/2 Best house nuts ,, 17/F 17/1 Oughterside best coal 20/ 20/ Washed nuts 18/4 18/4 Best Cumberland coal, f.o.b 14/6 14/6 Bunkers „ 13/6 13/6 Coal for gasworks 14/6 14/6 South-West Lancashire. , COAL. There is a good deal of pressure in all grades of house- hold coal, and growing delay between the receipt of the order and ability to attend to it. In forges the holidays will be as long as those at the colliery, the latter generally setting down again from Thursday night to Monday morning. With regard to bunker coal, most of the coal required for steamers sailing this week was of course arranged for before the holidays, and only a limited quantity has to be found this week. Very little free coal, however, is on the market, and it looks as if there is a shortage, though the delay of steamers in getting berths owing to the congested state of the docks may tide matters Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coal:— prices. prices. prices. Best 17/ 1.7/ 17/ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 17/ -17/6 16/9-17/3 16/9-17/3 Medium 15/3 15/3 15/3 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 15/ -15/6 15/ -15/5 15/ -15/6 Kitchen 13/ * 13/ 13 / Do. (f.o.b. Garston,net) 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/ 13/9-14/6 Screened forge coal 11/6-12/ 11/6-12/ 12/6-13/ Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. 13/6-14/ 13/ -13/9 13/3-14/ Best slack ' 9/6-10/ 9/3- 9/6 10/ -10/3 Secondary slack 8/9- 9/3 8/6- 8/9 9/3- 9/6 Common do 8/6- 8/9 8/ - 8/3 8/9— 9/ over the period when the effect of the colliery holidays is most felt. Meanwhile, quotations for Lancashire steam coals may be said to range from 13s. 6d. to 14s. f.o.b. In the coastwise and cross-Channel trade for household coals more fuel is asked for than can be supplied, and on the other hand merchants would willingly increase their requests for delivery if charters were easier to fix. Best coal rules at 17s. and up to 17s. 6d., seconds 15s. 6d., and commoner qualities about 14s.—all f.o.b. Garston. The stronger tone in slacks has been maintained and prices rule up to 10s. for the best grades, good medium rough slacks up to 9s. 3d., and common slacks 8s. 6d. to 8s. 9d. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a full attendance of members on the Man- chester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. The demand for all qualities of house coal is good, and prices are steady. Furnace coal is meeting with fair enquiry, and shipping coal is in rather better request. Slack has a good appear- ance and prices are firm. Steam fuel prices are advanced 6d. per ton from January 1. Many complaints are made of delay on the part of the railway companies in working traffic. Prices generally are as below. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ...,........... Medium.............. Common.............. Furnace coal.......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack ........... Common slack ......... Current prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/ 13/ -14/ 9/6-10/ 8/ - 9/ L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 17/3-18/ 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 13/3-14/ 12/ 12/6 13/ -14/ 14/ 9/6-10/ 10/ -10/6 8/ - 9/ 9/ - 9/6 IRON. Owing to the holidays there was only a moderate atten- dance on ’Change, and there is really nothing to report. Pig iron, if anything, is a little firmer. Prices remain as previously reported. ------------------ Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. GOAL. There was a good attendance of traders at Tuesday’s market, and a fair number of enquiries circulating for prompt parcels of house, gas, and steam coal. Supplies offering, however, were very limited as only a partial resumption of work has taken place and it is expected that very little will be done at the pits this week. Contrary to expectations, the position with regard to empty trucks is no better than before the holidays, and matters in this respect are very serious. Even with the limited output available, part of this is having to be stocked on the ground, and trucks which ought to average a journey per week are scarcely averaging a journey per month, while the supply of railway wagons is practically cut off. There is a good demand for house coal, although the pressure from the district markets is released. Pit prices are firm, but buyers are not offering the extra figures noted last week, as the retail business at the depots is reported to be much quieter since the holidays. Practically nothing is being done in the coastwise trade, as with freights at their present high level it is really cheaper to get supplies by rail. In the West Biding merchants are fairly well employed, although there is no rush for supplies. At these depots most ground stocks have been picked up, and should there be a spell of really cold weather supplies will be quite inadequate to meet the demand. Meanwhile pit prices are unchanged, and average 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. In the gas coal trade far more orders are offering than can be expected, and it is reported that stocks at many of the local works are being seriously reduced. The position of the gas works in the London district and in the southern counties is even worse than before the holidays, and collieries with prompt parcels of screened gas coal available have no difficulty in realising 12s. per ton at the pit. Forward business is scarce, although one or two contracts for the year are reported at figures which compare favourably with those of the expiring contracts. Manu- facturing fuel is going into consumption as fast as it can be raised, and in. the Bradford and Huddersfield district there is a shortage of supplies. Washed nuts and best quality slacks are particularly scarce, and prices all round are firm. Washed furnace coke is still quiet at from 10s. 6d. to Ils. per ton at the ovens according to quality. Forward business is quiet, although one or two additional contracts are reported for delivery to the end of March. House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/ Wallsend & London best 14/6-15/6 14/6—15/6 14/ -14/6 Silkstone best 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 Do. house 13/ -13/6 13/ -13/6 12/6-13/ House nuts 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 11/6-12/6 Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 17/ -18/ Silkstone best 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ Do. house 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 15/ -16/ Other qualities 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/ 14/ -14/9 Gas coal:— Prices at pit : Screened gas coal 11/ -12/ 10/ -10/6 11/ -12/ 10/ -10/6 9/6-10/ 12/ -12/6 Gas nuts 11/ -11/3 Unscreened gas coal ... 9/6-10/ 9/9-10/6 Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts 10/6-11/6 10/6-11/6 10/6-11/ Large double-screened engine nuts 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 9/9-10/6 Small nuts 9/3- 9/9 9/3- 9/9 9/ - 9/6 Rough unscreened engine coal 9/6-10/ 9/6-10/ 9/3- 9/9 Best rough slacks 7/6-8/3 7/6- 8/3 7/ - 7/6 Small do. 6/6- 7/ 6/6- 7/ 6/ - 6/6 Coking smalls 6/6- 7/ 6/6- 7/ 6/3- 6/9 Coke:— Price at ovens : Furnace coke 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 12/6-13/ Barnsley. COAL. There has not been a great volume of business transacted this week owing to the fact that the pits, generally speaking, have not worked more than three days owing to- the holidays. The stronger enquiry for nearly all classes of coal has, however, been well maintained, but obtaining supplies has not been an easy matter—not only owing to the busier state of affairs at the pits, but also owing to the serious delays experienced on the railways. There appears to be considerably more life in the export trade, and shippers are now disposed to place orders even at the advanced rates in order to secure deliveries, especially of best large steam coal. Other descriptions of hards have also retained their improved position during the week, and the home demand continues to be of a substantial character,, with complaints still of arrears of deliveries under contract. Although the local market was not largely attended this week, perhaps the most pressure was felt for delivery of small steam fuel for manufacturing purposes, and stocks at the collieries are pretty well cleared — at all events of all best quality fuel. The gas coal collieries are also finding strong pressure for supplies, not only on home account, but also for export for France. The colder weather continues to keep the demand for house coal to a very strong character, and there is still difficulty in obtaining the complete requirements of the best grade of fuel. The supply of secondary sorts is also hardly up to the demand, and, of course, there has been no difficulty in firmly maintaining the official quotations. In regard to coke, the position has altered but little from what it was prior to the holidays, although there is more enquiry in regard to contracts than hitherto, and values are practically the same. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ Best Barnsley softs 15/ 15/ 15/ -15/3 Secondary do 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 12/6-14/ Best house nuts 12/9-13/6 12/9-13/6 13/ -14/6 Secondary do 10/9-11/6 10/9-11/6 11/ -12/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals 11/6-11/9 11/6-11/9 12/3 Secondary do 10/9-11/ 10/6-11/ 11/ -11/3 Best washed nuts 10/9-11/ 10/6-10/9 11/3 Secondary do 10/ -10/3 9/9-10/ 10/ -10/3 Best slack 7/3- 7/6 7/3 7/ Rough do 6/3 ‘ 6/ 5/9- 6/ Gas coals:— Screened gas coals 111 -11/6 10/6-11/ 12/6 Unscreened do 10/ 10/ 11/ -11/3 Gas nuts 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 12/ Furnace coke 11/ -11/3 11/ -11/3 12/ -12/6 Hull. COAL. Though there was a good attendance on the Humber Coal Exchange, business did not seem to have hardly recovered from the holiday. Most collieries being pretty well “stemmed” over this week, there was very little steam coal offering, and owing to the difficulty in getting steamers, the demand has been of a very limited character. Under these circumstances best South Yorkshire hards have been firm for prompt shipment at 14s. 6d. to 14s. 9d., while for Derbyshire steams 14s. or a little more (Grimsby or Immingham) may be taken as the value. Not much has been doing in other sorts, though doubles remain firm at about late rates and house coal is in fairly good demand. The railway contracts having been fixed up for the next six months there is more active enquiry for future business, but negotiations develop very slowly, exporters as a rule being disinclined to concede colliery owners’ terms, which are firmly held in view of what is considered a more hopeful prospect in both the home and export demand. Scandinavian agents are making enquiries, and it seems likely there will be an improved demand from this quarter, while France and Italy are also, likely to continue to be good customers. Of course, the heavy handicap of unprecedentedly high freight rates is still making its influence felt, and on all hands there are complaints that steamers cannot be got. One steamer has been chartered for Genoa this week, and 17s. 9d. or 18s. is reported paid, which is much more favourable than, the rate from the Tyne, where 22s. 6d. has been paid for a 3,000-ton steamer for the same destination. Tonnage is still in good request for French ports, 14s. now being the rate from Hull to Rouen. Coastwise fixtures are on the basis of 7s. 6d. Hull to London. After a period of quietness, during the Christmas holiday shipments at the docks are improving. Most of the appliances are engaged, but coal is not coming to hand over the rails quite so freely as. could be desired. Chesterfield. COAL. Owing to the intervention of the Christmas holidays the- pits of the district have been idle for several days, and this stoppage has caused a substantial reduction in the- output of coal. There is a full demand for all classes of fuel, and customers are much inconvenienced from the. shortage of supplies. The heavy steel trades of Sheffield,, together with the large armament. establishments, are- working at high pressure, and these have the first claim upon the output of coal from day to day. The export trade is fairly brisk, especially in respect of house and gas coal for France, whence orders are coming to hand freely. There is an improving enquiry for steam coal for forward delivery, and prices are gradually becoming firmer. With regard to steam coal for loco-’ motive use, it is reported that contracts with railway companies for the ensuing 12 months have been concluded at prices which show 6d. per ton reduction from the figures at which the expiring contracts were arranged a year ago. This class of fuel is in pressing demand just now; indeed all classes of fuel are in active request, and judging by present appearances collieries are going to be busy for some time to come. Railway wagons continue scarce and this shortage is the source of considerable loss and inconvenience to producer and consumer. There is a better market for coke, all classes of which are in good demand at advancing prices. Washed fuel of all kinds moves freely.