March 19, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 605 Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 16/ 16/ -16/6 13/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 14/6 14/6-15/ 12/ Best house coals 25/ 22/ -23/ 17/ Ordinary do Other sorts :— 20/ 18/ -19/ 16/ Lambton screened 25/ 21/ 14/3 South Hetton do 22/6 20/ 14/ Lambton unscreened ... 18/ -18/6 16/. 12/3 South Hetton do 18/ -18/6 16/ 12/3 Do. treble nuts 19/ 17/ I5/ Coking coals unscreened 17/6 16/ 12/6 Do. smalls 17/ 17/6-18/ 15/ 12/ Smithies 17/ 17/6 15/ Peas and nuts — 15/3 Best bunkers 20/ 16/6 13/ -13/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 18/6 15/ 12/3-12/6 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 25/6 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ Teesside furnaces) ... 24/ 19/6 19/ Gas coke 15/6 15/6-16/ 13/6 at from 15s. 6d. to 16s. per ton. In spite of the fact that freights are high, and the price of coal gradually rising, nearly 5,000 tons were exported from Maryport last week, and the present demand is so great that if a plentiful supply of coal was available, almost double that quantity could have been shipped. Last week a steamer arrived to load over 5,000 tons of coal, and being- unable to secure a local supply, arrangements were made to load coals from Newcastle, but the railway companies were unable to transport the coal, and the vessel was ultimately compelled to sail light. Last week 18 vessels sailed from Maryport for Irish ports, and the shipments amounted to 4,630 tons, an increase of 480 tons compared with the previous week. Trade is very brisk at the coke ovens, and the whole of the supply is being absorbed by local smelters. Prices of best Cumberland coal are firm, but unchanged. At Workington Allerdale best coal is quoted at Is. lid. per cwt. delivered, or 21s. per ton, with washed nuts at 20s. per ton. At Mary- port, best house coal delivered is quoted at Is. 2|d. per cwt., or 23s. 4d. per ton, with washed nuts at 21s. 8d. per ton. Other quotations are as follow :— Coal freights are falling, as boats are offering more freely. Recent fixtures include: -London 10s. 3d., Rouen 19s., Ghent 27s. 6d., Caen 20s., St. Nazaire 24s., Bordeaux 26s., La Rochelle 27s. 6d., Bayonne 30s., Lisbon 25s., Genoa 35s., Gibraltar 26s., Oran 30s., Marseilles 35s., Civita Vecchia 35s. 6d., Port Said 30s., St. Vincent 27s., Las Palmas 25s. 6d., River Plate 32s. 6d. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel trade [is in a very disturbed state, and values are very difficult to fix. Gas coal is steadier than other descriptions. Best Durhams are 15s., second kinds 14s. to 14s. 3d., and special Wear gas 17s. 6d. to 18s. Chief interest in the market just now is the boom in bunkers, prices of which are bounding up. A peculiar development is that bunkers produced in gas coal pits are securing 5s. or 6s. per ton more than the staple article. Ordinary Durham unscreened bunkers have been sold at 18s., 19s., and 20s. f.o.b.; and best kinds are quite 22s. Household coal is advancing, but there is not a great deal doing in it. Coking coal is in good request. The French State Railways are reported to be in the market for 100,000 tons of Durham coking coal for shipment from May to December. Coking- unscreened runs from 18s. to 20s., and coking smalls are in the neighbourhood of 17s. Coke is moving upward, but prices vary very considerably. Supply is none too plentiful, and is likely to further shrink, as there are threats to put out more ovens, manufacturers finding it more profitable to sell their coal than to convert it into coke. Local con- sumption is fairly heavy. Durham beehive blastfurnace coke of average quality may be put at 20s. delivered at Teesside works, and some sellers are inclined to hold out for ga higher figure. Good foundry coke for shipment is quite 21s. 6d. Gashouse coke is almost unobtainable, and is quoted 13s. and upward. IRON. Values of pig iron, and especially Cleveland kinds, are moving up rather rapidly. Buyers hesitate to follow advances for Cleveland, notwithstanding the prevailing opinion that top prices have not yet been touched. A rise of 4s. in a week, however, has certainly checked business. Shipments of pig continue very small indeed, but there are sanguine traders who opine that indications are not wanting to give ground for belief that some little revival in export business may be experienced in the near future. Home consumption keeps heavy, and the output of pig is all but absorbed, with the result that the statistical situa- tion continues satisfactory. Makers’ stocks are not being- added to, and the only increase is in the public warrant stores here, where the stock now stands at 127,801 tons of No. 3 Cleveland pig, the addition to date this month being at the rate of under 300 tons per working day. No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig is now 62s. 6d.,. and some sellers ask 62s. 9d. ; whilst No. 1 is 64s. 9d., No. 4 foundry 62s. 3d., No. 4 forge 61s. 9d., and mottled and white iron each 61s. 3d.—all for early delivery. Nod ifficulty is now experienced in obtaining 95s. for Nos. 1, 2 and 3 east coast haematite pig. That price has been paid rather readily, and some sellers are inclined to ask a rather higher figure. Foreign ore is very strong. Market rates are on a minimum basis of 30s. ex ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality, and dealers, as a rule, will not sell unless they have steamers fixed. Regarding the finished iron and steel industries, the posi- tion is very satisfactory. Manufacturers are as busy as they well can be, and are pressed for deliveries. Most pro- ducers are chiefly occupied on Government work, and some firms have had to postpone the execution of other orders. There are enquiries in the market for rails for India, Australia, and South Africa. Quotations all round are very strong. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. There is still great activity in the Cumberland coal trade, and both the home and coastwise requirements show signs of expansion. All the pits are fully employed, but the outputs are still low, and requirements are substantially in excess of the supply. For the home market orders have been coming in so quickly this week that merchants have been practically unable to cope with the demand. Agents are; well booked up, and orders have been received which can scarcely be executed before the end of the month. The trade for best house coal, which is quoted at from 19s. 2d. to 20s. per ton at the pit, is very brisk. There is also a steady demand for fuel for manufacturing purposes. The cross- Channel trade is in a most healthy condition, and there is an extraordinary demand for all sorts for the Irish market. Since March came in there has been two advances in the price of export coal. , On March 1 best house coal for ship- ment advanced Is. per ton, and on Monday last it was further increased by another shilling, making the third advance since the beginning of February. Best Cumberland coal f.o.b. at Maryport. is now quoted at from 17s. to 18s. per ton. There has been no change in home quotations, but the price of bankers have advanced, and are now quoted Current L’st week’s prices. prices. Old St. Helens best coal at pit 19/2 19/2 Do. best house nuts ,, 17/1 17/1 St. Helens (Siddick) best coal at pit 19/2 19/2 Do. washed nuts ... 17/1 17/1 Best Cumberland coal, f.o.b 17/ -18/ 15/6-16/ Bunkers „ 15/6-16/ 13/6-14/ Coal for gasworks 14/6-15/ 14/6-15/ South-¥Jest Lancashire. COAL. The household consumers'’ demand is a little quieter as between them and the retailer, but there are no end of arrears as between the merchant and the colliery. Increasing supplies of screened coal are being asked for by forges, and also for other manufacturing purposes. Steam coal for bunkers is still scarce, and position is aggravated by railway companies putting block on traffic owing to con- gested state of affairs at tips ; consequently, although fuel is urgently required by steamers, there is much delay in shipment. Prices for present shipment on open sale are difficult to indicate, nominally 19s. 6d. to 20s. 6d. f.o.b. being about ruling prices at the moment. Enquiries for household fuel of all descriptions for coastwise and cross- Channel shipment are numerous, and with regard to con- tracts it is difficult to keep deliveries up to the merchants’ expectations. The tone with regard to forward prices for slack is exceedingly firm, and daily difficulty is experienced in getting out the necessary quantities. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ................ . Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) ’Medium............... Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen .............. Do. (f.o.b. Garston,net) Screened forge coal..... Best sernd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ........ Common do............... Current prices. 17/9 21/ -22/ 16/ 19/ -20/ 13/9 About 18/ 14/ -15/ 19/6-20/6 12/ 10/9 9/9 L’st week’s prices. 17/9 21/ -22/ 16/ 19/ -20/ 13/9 About 18/ 14/ -15/ 19/6-20/6 12/ 10/9 9/9 Last year’s prices. 17/ 16/9-17/3 15/3 15/ -15/6 13/ 13/9-14/3 12/3-12/6 13/ -13/6 9/9-10/ 9/ - 9/3 8/6- 8/9 South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a full attendance of members on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. House coal is somewhat more freely offered, and the demand weaker, doubtless through the milder weather. Furnace coal is in good request, and the same remark applies to shipping coal. Slack continues brisk, and the supply is not too great for the demand. Prices generally are as follow :— 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. ! 18/ -19/ . 16/9-17/3 14/ -14/3 .• 14/ -15/ ( 18/6-19/6 • 11/ -12/ . 9/6-10/ L’st week’s jLast year’s prices. 18/ -19/ 16/9-17/3 14/ -14/9 14/ -15/ 18/6-19/6 11/ -12/ 9/6-10/ I prices. ’ 17/3-18/ s 16/ -16/9 i 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 IRON. The market still remains very strong up here, and deli- veries are very hard to get hold of. There is no alteration in prices worth recording. There is a lot of material of all sorts still being given out for the Government. A quantity of American billets are now making their appearance, which is relieving the position of the wire drawers somewhat. The forges and steel works are working night and day ; indeed, this applies to all sorts of works in the neighbourhood, with tho exception of the foundries, who are still very short of new work. . Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The market on Tuesday was fairly-well attended, but again buyers were in the majority. Enquiries for quota- tions were in most cases met by the reply:—“We have nothing whatever to sell.” The slight falling-away in the demand for house coal is welcomed by most collieries, as the pressure has been very severe. It was reported by colliery representatives that the serious shortage of empty trucks had interfered with the regular working of the pits, and that not more than five days had been averaged. Business in house coal with London and the eastern and southern counties has shown very little change on the week. Secondary sorts may be a little easier in price, but best qualities are as difficult to secure as ever. The question of forward business with London in house coal has already been discussed, but the attitude of producers is one of awaiting the course of events. It is reported, however, that a contract for Silkstone best house coal, which expires at the end of March, has been renewed at 18s. per ton at the pit—an advance of 4s. 6d. per ton. In the coastal trade there is rather more business passing, with the bulk of the shipments taking medium quality Silkstones. Several south coast boats have been loaded at Goole this week. In Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield and the heavy woollen district merchants report a steady trade at the depots, with supplies coming to hand a little more freely. Pit prices are unchanged, and average as under:—Haigh Moor selected 19s. to 20s., Silkstone best 18s. to 19s., Silkstone house 17s. to 18s., other qualities 16s. to 17s. The market for gas coal is very strong, and there are indications of still greater strength as the season advances. It is reported that several big works in London have been quietly buying gas coal from local pits for delivery by rail during the next 12 months. One such order is said to be for a considerable tonnage of gas nuts sold at a pit price of 15s. 6d. Supplies for the open market, as distinct from forward business, as very meagre. Factory fuel is exceptionally scarce. Washed nuts especially are very difficult to obtain, while prices generally are certainly no easier. All the' factories and iron and steel works are working at full pressure, and high prices continue to be a feature of the open market. Washed furnace coke tends to higher figures, although average examples may still be bought at 15s. to 16s. at ovens. Very heavy supplies are going into the Frodingham district. Quotations may be roughly summarised as under : — House coal:— Prices at pit (London) : Haigh Moor selected ... Wallsend & London best Silkstone best ....... Do. house .......... House nuts ........... Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best....... Silkstone best ....... Do. house .......... Other qualities....... Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal...’. Gas nuts.............. Unscreened gas coal ... Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts........... Large double-screened engine nuts .......... Small nuts............ Rough unscreened] engine coal.......... Best rough slacks..... Small do. ............ Coking smalls ........ Coke:— Price at ovens: Furnace coke ......... Current prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 20/6-221 19/ -20/6 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-14/ 13/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/ 10/ -11/6 8/6- 9/6 8/6- 9/6 15/ -16/ L’st week’s ]Last year’s prices. prices. 20/ -21/ 14/ —15/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 17/ —18/ 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-14/ 13/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/ 10/ -11/ 8/ - 9/6 8/6- 9/6 15/ -16/ 14/ -14/6 13/6-14/6 13/ -13/6 11/6-12/6 16/9-17/9 16/ -17/ 15/ -15/6 14/ -14/6 11/6-12/ 10/6-11/3 9/3-10/ 10/9-11/9 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 9/3- 9/9 7/3- -7/9 6/6- 6/9 5/6- 6/ 10/ -11/ Barnsley. GOAL. The continued scarcity of most classes of steam coal con- tributed to the difficulty of buyers at the usual local market, where a good enquiry was prevailing. The colliery repre- sentatives are still complaining of the unusual percentage of absentees amongst the men, and there seems to be no prospect whatever of any improvement in the extent of the production. The quantity of fuel on offer in the market was very small, and practically in every instance the advanced prices were maintained without any difficulty. Business on foreign account is becoming of a more active character, especially in regard to large steams for shipment, and business is' being done on the basis of about 18s. 6d.’ per ton for best qualities of Barnsley hards. The decision of the directors of the Great Eastern Railway Company with respect to the renewal of the contracts is awaited with considerable interest, as affording some idea of what advance is to be paid for forward business. It transpires that there are a good many collieries who have preferred not to submit tenders for this contract, believing it to be a better policy to keep their hands free for the next six months, or for the year. The supply of wagons in the steam coal trade is of a more satisfactory character, and in spite of this the demand upon the collieries continues to be of an excep- tional description. The railway companies are pressing more keenly for fuller deliveries on contract supplies, and for home purposes a much greater tonnage than usual has been taken of this class of fuel. A greater difficulty, however, exists in respect to steam nuts, which are so largely used by the large armament firms. The supply is altogether out of proportion to the exceptional demand, and, again, values are merely in accordance with the necessities of the hour. The position is much similar in respect to slacks, which are so extensively required in, the textile districts, which are working so much overtime, and again prices of an exceptional character have to be paid. In regard to gas coal, enquiries for the renewal of contracts are circulating at a much earlier period than usual. It is Prices at pit. 1 Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone ... 20/ -21/ ■ 20/ -21/ 15/6-16/ Best Barnsley softs... ...] 19/ -20/ j 19/ -20/ 15/ —15/3 Secondary do. ...1 17/ -18/ 1 ' 16/ -18/ ' 12/6-14/ Best house nuts ...... ...116/ -17/ 1 16/ -17/ 13/ -14/ Secondary do ...; 15/ —15/6 [ 15/ -15/6 11/ -12/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals ...i 18/ -19/ 18/ -18/6 11/6 Secondary do ...: 17/ -18/ 16/ —17/ 11/ . Best washed nuts 16/ —17/ ; 16/6-17/6 11/3 Secondary do. ...... ...1 15/ -15/6- ! 15/ -15/6 10/6 Best slack 11/6-12/6 : 11/ -12/6 7/3- 7/6 Rough do. ... 9/6-10/6 i 9/ -10/6 / 6/ Gas coals:— 1 '■ " ' Screened gas coals ... ... 15/ -16/ i 15/ —16/ : i 12/ -12/3 Unscreened do. ...[14/ -15/ 1 14/ —15/ : ! 10/ -10,6 Gas nuts..... ...! 15/;-16/ 1 15/.-16/ . ! 11/6-12/ Furnace coke ..J 15/ -15/6 i , ’15/6 ,, | 10/6-11/