500 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. . Mabch 5, 1915. Specialised fuel,.such as washed nuts, can be sold at almost any price up to . 15s. at the pit, while the better quality slacks and small nuts are in proportion. Washed furnace coke is dearer on the week, average samples being quoted at from 15s. to 16s. per ton at the ovens. Many makers are refusing to sell forward beyond a month at a time, and the opinion is held in some quarters that coke will be <£1 a ton at the ovens before the end of June. The under-mentioned pit prices are based on actual transactions, but must not be taken too literally. House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 20/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 14/ -15/ Wallsend & London best 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 14/ -14/6 ■ Silkstone best 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 13/6-14/6 Do. house 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 13/ -13/6 House nuts 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 11/9-12/6 Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 20/ -21/ 19/6-20/6 16/9-17/9 Silkstone best 19/6-20/6 19/ -20/ 16/ -17/ Do. house ......... 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 15/ -15/6 Other qualities 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 14/ -14/6 Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 15/ -16/ 11/3-12/ Gas nuts 14/ -15/ 10/6-11/ Unscreened gas coal ... 12/ -13/ 11/6-12/6 9/3-10/ Other sorts:— Prices at pit : Washed nuts 13/ -15/ 12/6-14/ 10/6-11/9 Large double-screened engine nuts 12/6-13/6 12/ -13/ 10/ -10/6 Small nuts 12/ -13/ 11/6-12/6 9/ - 9/6 Rough unscreened engine coal 12/ -13/ 11/6-12/6 9/3- 9/9 Best rough slacks. 10/ -11/ 9/6-10/6 7/3- 7/9 Small do. ......... 8/ - 9/6 8/ - 9/ 6/6- 6/9 Coking smalls 8/ - 9/6 8/ - 9/ 5/6- 6/ Coke:— Price at ovens : Furnace coke 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 10/6-11/ Barnsley. ago by certain collieries, has not yet been seriously felt, and trade is being carried on as well as can be expected under the unparalleled circumstances. There is a good local demand for all kinds of manu- facturing , fuel, which is very scarce and remains dear. The following are the approximate prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment at the Humber ports, but are, in the absence of any considerable volume of business, largely nominal. South Yorkshires: Best steam hards, 20s. 6d. to 21s.; washed doubles, 17s. 6d. to 18s.; unwashed ditto, 15s. 6d. to 16s. 6d.; washed singles, 16s. to 17s.; unwashed ditto, 15s. to 16s.; washed small coal, 13s. 6d. to 14s.; unwashed ditto, 12s. 3d. to 12s. 6d.; best Derbyshire steam hards, 19s. 6d. to 20s. 9d., Grimsby or Immingham. House coal is in quiet demand, on the basis of 16s. to 17s. Hartley’s (West Yorkshire). The freight market is again handi- capped by a shortage of tonnage, and 22s. to 22s. 6d. has been paid for small steamers to French ports, while much as 24s. was paid for a 4,000-ton steamer Hull Rouen. Other destinations are more or less nominal. Chesterfield. deliveries, but in the main these preferences can only apply to the numerous firms who are heavily engaged on Govern- ment contracts. The following are the official prices now generally in force at the collieries in this district:— Prices at pit. as to COAL. The demand for all classes of coal is strong, and with the output gradually decreasing there is not much prospect of relief to consumers. Prices remain firm. Some qualities are now quite unobtainable excepting under contracts already made. The quantity of “ free coal,” or in other words, the proportion of a colliery’s output not already sold, is very small indeed. Manufacturing fuel of all kinds continues in pressing demand, and, in many instances works employed on urgent Government orders are dangerously short of supplies, and in respect of coal, are working from hand to mouth. All classes of small coal for steam raising are much wanted, and slack is in urgent demand for the Lancashire cotton mills. It is, however, impossible to satisfy customers’ requirements. Railway companies are very short of steam coal for locomotive use and great pressure is put upon collieries to keep up supplies. A fair amount of export business is being done, and a substantial quantity is sent to the .west coast. Prices are strong. Washed fuel is in very brisk demand. Prices at pit. Best household coal .............. Second, hand picked ...................... Deep screened cobbles __............ Deep large nuts .................. Bakers’ nuts...................... Small nuts ...................... Deep breeze ...................... Peas ............................. Small dust _______...................... Main nuts for London kitcheners ... Steams, best hand picked .......... Steams, seconds .................. Main cobbles for kitcheners........ Main breeze...................... _______________________________ Current prices. 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 14/ -14/6 13/6-14/6 11/9-12/9 3/ - 3/6 15/9-16/9 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 15/9-16/9 13/ -14/ IL’st week’s i prices. i 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ : 15/6-16/6 ! 14/ -14/6 13/6-14/6 11/9-12/9 3/ - 3/6 15/9-16/9 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 15/9-16/9 13/ -14/ __________________ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. Some signs have been apparent of a slight improvement in the situation, though it is nothing to crow over. Practically every bit of coal available is going into consumption, and last week, owing to the wintry weather, a keen demand was experienced for house fuel. Prices are maintained as follow :— Prices at pit. COAL. The position, from a buyer’s point of view, has shown no favourable change during the .past week. Apparently the impression prevailed that there was little hope of doing any business, as shown by the smaller attendance at the usual market yesterday. Colliery representatives report that, although the pits are kept working full time, the output is still hopelessly behind the enquiry. The position, from a buyer’s point of view, has become more serious, owing to the action of colliery owners in reducing contract supplies, in proportion of the reduced output. The decreased deli- veries have to be obtained wherever possible, in cases particularly of steam fuel, where it is essential for the continuation of work, and in this way prices continue to be forced up for the small amount of surplus fuel which is available. It, however, still continues to be evident that the congestion on the railways, involving exceptional delay in delivery, is to a large extent the cause of the trouble. Coalowners still complain of the difficulty in securing the return of wagons, whilst on the other hand the conditions for a larger individual production in the pits are of a very favourable character. It is true there are fewer men at the coal face, but the distribution of the corves amongst the smaller number of coal-getters, ensures a more ready supply with improved individual results. In regard to large steam fuel, the demand on export account appears to be well main- tained, and shippers are still keenly competing for the small amount of fuel which is on offer. Both best hards and secondary descriptions are well taken, and prices con- tinue to be of a very firm description. A bigger home enquiry competes with the fairly active foreign demand for steam nuts, the prices of which continue to remain very high, although it is reported the deliveries to manufac- turing centres are somewhat improved. The supply of slacks has not shown any improvement during the week, the demand continuing to be only met with difficulty, with special lots of fuel still commanding substantial figures. In respect to house coal, although the position of the market seems to be somewhat easier, collieries are fully occupied in dealing with the orders on hand, and prices are still firmly maintained. Coke makers are able to maintain the position of a week ago, and prices remain firm as about last quoted. Best house coals Secondary do. Cobbles ....... Nuts .......... Slack ......... Current L’st week’s prices. prices. 18/ 18/ 17/ 17/ 16/6 16/6 15/ 15/ 12/ 12/ Last year’s prices. 15/6 13/6 12/6 11/6 7/9 IRON. The pig iron trade is rather quiet, and nrices are weaker. On the other hand, the finished iron trade is better, and prices have been further advanced this week. _______ _______ Nottingham. COAL. With the weather having taken a colder turn, the pressure in the coal trade of Nottinghamshire, which had commenced to ease somewhat, has become more active during the past week. This has, perhaps, been most noticeable in the domestic fuel section, where the demand has rapidly increased, and in most cases prices have been further advanced. Local merchants are getting supplies better than a few weeks ago, but they still find a difficulty in obtaining a sufficient quantity of certain classes of fuel. With the limited supply available at the landsale depots, it is practically cleared daily, and in some cases carters have to wait to obtain their loads. In the steam coal branch business is much the same as a week ago, collieries still being unable to adequately cope with the orders, and in many instances the delivery of contract supplies is in arrear. There is comparatively little fuel to be disposed of in the open market, and what there is is quickly purchased at special rates. The demand for slacks is very keen, the supply being limited to the daily output, as stocks are exhausted, and for quick delivery of orders buyers are willing to pay higher rates. Both gas coal and coke are in good request at remunerative rates. Prices at pithead. 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 prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 16/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -15/6 Last year’s prices. 15/6-16/ 15/ -15/3 12/6-14/ 13/ -14/ 11/ -12/ Hand-picked brights Good house coals.... Secondary do........ Best hard coals..... Secondary do........ Slacks (best hards) .. Do. (second) ..... Do. (soft)........ Current prices. 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 15/6-17/ 17/ -18/ 15/ -16/6 10/ -10/6 8/ - 9/ 8/6- 9/ L’st week’s prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 16/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -15/6 ______________________ L’st week’s prices. 18/ -19/ 17/ -17/6 15/ -16/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 9/6-10/6 8/ - 9/ 8/6- 9/ Last year’s prices. 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 11/6-12/ 10/9-11/ 9/9-10/6 7/6- 8/ 6/ - 7/ 6/6- 7/3 Current L’st week’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 20/ 20/ Do. seconds deep 19/ 19/ Do. best shallow 18/6 18/6 Do. seconds do. 17/6 17/6 Best hard 16/6 16/6 Forge coal 14/ 14/ Slack Warwickshire:— 10/ 10/ House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 19/6 19/6 cobs 17/6 17/6 Best hard spires 18/ 18/ Forge (steam) 13/6 13/6 D.S. nuts (steam) 14/6 14/6 Small (do.) 11/6 11/6 Last year’s- prices. 18/6 16/ 14/9 14/ 15/ 11/ 7/6 16/6 14/ 15/ 11 10/ 8/3 IRON. The market, which was well attended, maintained a strong tone under the influence of an advance of 10s. a ton in marked bars, announced during the week, making the basis price <£9 10s. a ton, with a premium of 12s. 6d. for the Earl of Dudley’s brand. During the whole of the buying movement, which began early in December last, and continued' with increasing force until five or six weeks ago, makers declined to depart from the <£9 basis, and they have only been compelled to act now by reason of the high cost of production and of material. The margin between marked and unmarked bars is still only <£1. a ton, as second qualities have reached <£8 10s. delivered Birmingham. Producers in this branch have very full order books to carry them over several months. This week, they report a slight easing in the coal situation, though prices are very high. For their puddled bars they are. asked to pay <£5 17s. 6d. to <£6 a ton. In other respects the market was pretty much as last week, with prices showing no alteration. Materials and costs of production are so high that producers are not able to cut prices even if they would, and the output all round is necessarily restricted by the labour and fuel difficulties. The minimum for galvanised sheets is <£14 for export, and <£14 10s. for home trade. At the mills there is seldom more than one week’s work on hand, sometimes this is not assured on a Monday morning. Black sheets for galvanising are ordered quietly. The record price of spelter restricts demand in the sheet trade generally. Gas strip makers are doing well, and maintain quotations at <£8 to <£8 5s. a ton, while steel strip is <£9 10s. Pig iron makers in the supply districts of Derbyshire and Northamptonshire adopt an inde- pendent attitude in view of the heavy orders placed in their hands. The buying is not of a speculative character, and while it is not on the scale of a few weeks ago it is steady. In the steel section the demand is still unsatisfied, and some makers decline fresh business, catering only for regular customers. Demi-products are inadequate to meet current requirements, and difficulty is experienced in getting billets from America. Freights are high, and transport difficulties at this end are formidable. " ' <£7 5s. 17/ -18/3 16/ -16/6 ____________________ 16/ -17/ 15/ -15/6 11/ -12/6 9/ -10/6 16/ -17/ 15/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -14/6 10/6—12/ 9/ -10/6 11/3-11/6 10/9 11/ 10/3 7/3 5/9- 6/ Prices vary from <£6 15s. to Leicestershire. COAL. The position of affairs in this coalfield has undergone no improvement, and working is interrupted very frequently by the failure of supplies of empty wagons. This trouble is regarded as certain to increase in view of the fact that increasing numbers of railway wagons are being sent into France where they will be exclusively used for transport for the British armies in the field. The delays in the con- veying of full wagons are still very trying, but the period is not quite so prolonged as a rule. The inflow of orders for practically all classes of coal is very much in excess of the quantity available, and it is estimated that several months at least will be required to make good the shortage of stocks in the hands of coal merchants. The demand for manufacturing fuel is still very strong, and the whole of the supplies available are taken up day by day. The cold weather has kept up the demand for household coals, but the period is now approaching when there will be some relief in the consumption. The shortage, of reserves,- however, are so’heavy and so gf some little buying from second holders, as .well as from, there wilLbe no .summer slackness.’ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 15/ -16/ 15/.. 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/ 12/ -12/3 10/ -10/6 11/6-12/ 10/6-11/ Hull. COAL. The position in tlie Hinnber coal market shows but little change, free coal, if anything, being still scarcer, and prices quite as firmly held as a week ago. Under these circum- stances, coupled with the high freights, which show no sign of . easing, the export demand is limited, and restricted mainly to French buyers, who, apparently must have the coal and are. prepared to ;pay, the price for it. Odd lots are _____ __ ___ ________ -__ ___ being sent; to- Scandinavian ports,by regular traders,; and however, are so’heavy and so general”that it is1 expected some little/.-buying /firoia second .holders, as .well as from ., there wilLfee no suminer slackness.’ ’ On the contrary, there', colliery owners, jiSjapparent,: For the most part, however, are already indication? that there will be strong* indvemeiit^' shipments at the- docks, which keep up to the level of the before long to get autfimn requirements anticipated so as last three or fo'tir weeks, are to France, fully one-half being to avoid to soine extent at least the great loss and inconve-: accounted i for; in- this direction. The effect of the reduced nience which have' recently been experienced. Heavy quantities under contract, given intimation of a week premiums are still being offered freely for preferred Forest of Dean. COAL. Lydney. The demand for the house coals of this district is still a very heavy one, and the collieries, by working full time, are hard pressed to give anything like good despatch. There is not a truck of any description in stock, and not likely to be for some considerable time. The steam coal collieries are receiving more orders than they can accommodate. Contracts at comparatively low figures are taking up the bulk of the output. Prices at pithead. Current L’st week’s House coals:— . prices. prices. Block 21/6 21/6 Forest 20/6 20/6 Rubble 20/9 20/9 Nuts .19/ " 19/ Rough .slack <............ , 10/6 10/6 . Steam coal:— • .. . Large. '.17/ -17/6’ ’16/’-17'/* Small ;; YY2/.; 10/6-11/6* Last year’s prices. 17/6 16/6 16/9 15/ ,6/6 . 12/6-13/ S/G-9/ Outside contracts. Prices Is. 9d. extra f.o.b. Lydneydr Sharpness.