March 19, 1915. 606 ____________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. ____________________________________________________________ evidently recognised that there is likely to be during the coming year a continued reduced production of from 15 to 25 per cent., and companies who are now having to buy in the open market to substitute reduced deliveries under contract are more inclined to get their arrangements com- pleted. Already several substantial contracts have been fixed for 12 months, with an advance of from 5s. to 5s. 3d. per ton. With respect to house coal, the experience at collieries appears to differ materially. The demand for best sorts is hardly so large as it was formerly, but there still continues to be a good enquiry for secondary descrip- tions of fuel. A little weakness in the demand referred to, however, has not affected prices, collieries still having on hand a good deal of business which is in arrear. The posi- tion of coke is about the same, although prices are still showing an upward tendency, and buyers are more inclined to pay something like 17s. to 18s. per ton for short contracts. Chesterfield. COAL. The position with regard to supplies of house coal is somewhat easier, the milder weather having brought about a lessened demand. Prices, however, maintain their firm- ness. For other classes of coal there is as strong a demand as ever. At the moment, indeed, there is a more urgent call than hitherto, as the large armament works of Sheffield and district, which will not suspend operations during the Easter holidays, are requesting the collieries to increase their deliveries of fuel substantially in the meantime, and thus enable the works that are engaged upon Government orders to run without any stoppage. It goes without saying that every colliery will strain every nerve to accomplish this. Railway companies are very short of fuel for locomo- tive use, and they are unable to obtain more than they have already bought under contract. Prices of steam coal for shipment are strong, but the quantity available is now limited. Slack for boiler firing is in brisk demand with supplies continuing much below the needs of the market. Washed nuts and washed slack are much wanted, and buyers experience considerable difficulty in obtaining sufficient supplies. Cobbles and nuts of all kinds are in brisk demand, but these classes of fuel are scarce. Coke is in better demand. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best house coals 18/ 18/ 15/6 Secondary do 17/ 17/ 13/6 Cobbles 16 6 16/6 12/6 Nuts 15/ 15/ 11/6 Slack 12/ 12/ 7/9 IRON. The demand for pig iron is steadily improving, and the outlook is much more promising. Finished iron manu- facturers are much better off for work, orders coming to hand freely. ________ -------_______ Nottingham. GOAL. Notwithstanding that collieries in Nottinghamshire are working as much time as possible, the output is not sufficient to meet the demand. With the weather having taken a milder turn in the last few days, orders in the domestic fuel branch are declining, and local merchants have less difficulty in obtaining supplies. Still, it is not possible to execute orders generally with promptitude, but if springlike weather continues this branch will experience a quieter time, and give merchants an opportunity of replenishing stocks. Values are retaining their firmness. The demand in the steam coal section is very keen, and what with Government requirements and increased orders from iron and steel works and woollen mills, there is practically no coal for the open market, most collieries being unable to give adequate supplies on contracts. Owing to the restricted output caused by the shortage of labour, there is little prospect of an early improvement, and prices are manifesting a very firm tone. Slacks of nearly every description are in great request, and available supplies are absorbed day by day. Although gas coal is in steadier demand for immediate requirements, the collieries are barely able to keep pace with contract supplies. Coke is in fair request at remunerative rates. Prices at pithead. Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals......... Secondary do............. Best hard coals.......... Secondary do............. Slacks (best hards) ..... Do. (second) .......... Do. (soft)............. Current prices. 19/6-21/ 17/6-18/6 15/6-17/ 17/6-20/ 16/6-17/ 11/ -12/ 9/6-10/6 9/ -10/ L’st week’s prices. 19/6-21/ 17/6-18/6 16/ -17/ 17/6-19/6 16/6—17/ 11/ -12/ 9/6-10/6 9/ -10/ Last year’s prices. 14/ -15/ 13/ -13/6 11/6-12/ 10/6—11/ 9/6-10/ 7/ - 7/3 6/ - 6/6 6/3- 6/9 —»$>■------ Leicestershire. COAL. Although the influx of orders is not quite so great, the business offering is still far in excess of the available supplies. For several months there has been a gradual accumulation of orders which have not yet been met, and so it comes about that there are many thousands of back orders which have yet to be cleared off the books. All these orders will have to be met in their turn as the output will permit, and every week it becomes more evident that there will be no summer slackness, there being everywhere a very determined intention to increase holdings against the demands of next autumn and winter. That is the natural outcome of the great scarcity experi- enced and the very extreme difficulty in securing deliveries at many centres. For the moment the consumption of household fuel is beginning to decline, and as summer rates will be in force next month, contractors who do not adopt the flat rate in their yearly contracts will have the advantage of a concession of Is. per ton in prices. These contractors are now ordering supplies to meet actual current requirements till they can claim the lower rate. The want of empty wagons" is still very great, and in consequence the output is restricted to about four days per week. As announced last week, serious efforts are being made to facilitate the movement of the wagons when loaded with coal and it is most satisfactory to state that these efforts are meeting with a great deal of success. Wagons when filled are moved off to their destination with less than half the delays that previously prevailed generally, while in a good many cases the delay in transit has been brought to within quite reasonable limits. It is expected that this important feature will be gradually extended and be permanent in its character. Coal merchants who own their own wagons can now obtain some concessions which are most welcome. The importance of this is illustrated by the case of 11 collieries in the Midlands who did not have a single railway company’s wagon for four days in succession. There are no stocks of any kind on hand, and a large proportion of the business done is to meet very urgent requirements. The following are the prices, subject to special modifications, now in force at the collieries in this district:— •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 IL’stweek’s prices. [ prices. 18/6-19/6 : 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 j 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/ I 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. There has not been such active buying of home fuel this week, and, if anything, manufacturers are getting slightly better supplies, though far short of what they would like. Many deliveries are waiting in railway sidings. Cokes and minerals meet with ready custom at firm prices. Quotations : Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 20/ 20/ 18/6 Do. seconds deep 19/ 19/ 16/ Do. best shallow 18/6 18/6 14/9 Do. seconds do. 17/6 17/6 14/ Best hard 16/6 16/6 15/ Forge coal 14/ 14/ 11/ Slack Warwickshire:— 10/ 10/ 7/6 House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 19/6 19/6 16/6 cobs 17/6 17/6 14/ Best hard spires 18/ 18/ 15/ Forge (steam) 13/6 13/6 11/ D.S. nuts (steam) 14/6 14/6 10/ Small (do.) 11/6 11/6 8/3 s IRON. There was a good attendance on ’Change, and while busi- ness was limited to small quantities, consumers, at the present high prices, not being inclined to buy beyond their immediate or early wants, confidence was generally expressed as to the future, well on, indeed, into the middle of the year. So far as could be gathered, the Government scheme for mobilising industry is not likely to have much, if any, effect either in inflating or deflating prices ; at any rate, none is apparent up till now. The high price of fuel and the shortage of labour are, of course, the principal factors in maintaining values, and it would not be at all surprising if, about quarter day, the price of marked bars was driven up still higher. Makers are very busy. So are the unmarked mills, but full operations are impossible owing to labour and fuel difficulties. Quotations range from £8 10s. to <£8 15s. Nut and bolt iron stands at <£8 5s. to <£8 10s., delivered Darlaston, and puddled bars are strong at <£6 minimum, the tendency being to advance. Gas strip is also a dear commodity, ranging from <£8 15s. to <£8 17s. 6d., and steel strip £9 15s. to £10. Galvanisers keep making sales, though not in large bulk, for the home trade, for which the price is £14 10s., rising in the case of a few firms to £15. For export quotations are on the basis of £14 f.o.b. Liverpool. A brisk trade is being done for small rounds, both iron and steel. The pig iron trade retains a strong position. Producers are not prepared to enter into contracts for delivery beyond April and May. Prices are again stronger on the week, and there were many fluctuations before the market closed. For Northamptonshire grey forge the range varied between 60s. and 67s. Orders are not placed for large parcels, as consumers as well as makers are operating with caution, but a good many lots of about 100 tons are asked for. For Derbyshire 63s. to 65s. was about the average quotation, while South Staffordshire part mine rose to 62s. 6d. Naturally, there is no speculative buying for the time being. The steelworks are going to their fullest available capacity, and prices for semi-raw material seem to have steadied somewhat. Billets and sheet bars have reached about the same level of values again. Bessemer sorts vary from £6 17s. 6d. to £7 2s. 6d., and Siemens qualities are proportionately higher. A 10s: rise has taken place in spiegel, raising the price to £7 net. Copper sheets have also been advanced by £2 a ton, making the present basis £88. _______ -------_______ Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The house coal trade of this district exhibits most of the features which have been commented upon during the past couple of weeks The collieries are as busy as possible in view of the reduced output consequent on the scarcity of labour. Orders to hand during the past few days have not been so plentiful, but there are a large number of arrears to fall back on. Business at the docks is very active, and the sidings are free from stock. In- the steam coal department the demand continues greatly in excess of the supply, and the bigger portion of the output still goes on contract account. Prices at pithead. I Current L’st week’sLast year’s House coals :— j prices. prices. prices. Block 21/6 21/6 17/6 Forest 20/6 20/6 16/6 Rubble 20/9 20/9 16/9 Nuts 19/ 19/ 15/ Rough slack 12/6 ’ 12/6 6/6 Steam coal:— Large 17/6-18/* 17/ -17/6* 12/6-13/ Small 12/6-13/* 12/ -13/* 8/ -9/ * Outside contracts. Prices Is. 9d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. ___________________________________________________________ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, March 18. __________ ______ Belfast. There is no alteration in the general condition of the coal trade, except that with the advancing season demand for household qualities is not so urgent, and merchants are now enabled to proceed with the carrying out of the country trade, which has been neglected owing to the diffi- culty in obtaining supplies for some time past. There appears to be no immediate prospect of prices being any lower, 32s. and 34s. per ton still being obtained for best house coal in the city, less Is. per ton discount; retail prices from 2s. 2d. to 2s. 3d. per sack of 10 stone. Steam coals are from 29s. per ton upwards ; best coke, 34s. per ton delivered. The Irish collieries are not reaping much advantage from the high prices at which imported coal is selling at present, as they hold a considerable number of large contracts, and have very little to offer beyond these. At the Wolf hill Collieries, Queen’s County, 25s. per ton is being obtained for best coal outside of contracts. The import trade continues to display great activity, the coaling vessels arriving during the past week amounting to 68, as compared with 63 the week previously, chiefly from Garston, Whitehaven, Preston, Partington, Point of Aire, Swansea,. Ayr, Llanelly, Glasgow, Newport, Cardiff, Ardrossan, Ellesmere Port, Workington and Liverpool. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was 30,000 tons, as against 27,000 tons the previous week. Dublin. The scarcity of best steam coal continues to hamper operations, and very high prices rule for all qualities. A slight falling off in the demand for house coal is now apparent, but quotations remain unchanged, viz.:—Best Arley house coal, 36s. per ton; Orrell nuts, 35s. per ton Scotch house coal, 32s. per ton; Orrell slack, 32s. per ton delivered. Coal-laden vessels arriving during the past week were chiefly from Ayr, Workington, Silloth, Garston, Newport, Ardrossan, Neath Abbey, Glasgow, Partington,. Troon, Irvine, Maryport, Burryport, Llanelly and Girvan. ____________________________ THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. Makers are asking higher prices all round, due to the increase in cost of manufacture, and owing to the difficulty in covering ahead are not anxious to sell, excepting for prompt specifications. A fair business has been done during the week, and quotations now range as follow:— Coke tins : I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 108 lb.), 16s. to 16s. 3d. per box ; IC 28 x 20 (112 sh. 2161b.), 32s. to 32s. 6d. per box;. I C 28 x 20 (56 sh. 108 lb.), 16s. 4|d. to 16s. 9d. per box ; I C 14 x 18| (124 sh. 110 lb.), 16s. 3d. to 16s. 6d. per box ; I C 14 x 19| (120 sh. 110 lb.), 16s. 3d. to 16s. 6d. per box ; I C 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 23s. 3d. to 23s. 9d. per box; I C squares and odd sizes, 16s. 3d. to 16s. 6d. basis. Charcoals are quoted firm at 18s. 6d. basis and upwards according to tinning. Coke wasters are in fair demand, and quotations firm as follow:—C W 14 x 20, 14s. 3d. to 14s. 6d. per box ; C W 28 x 20, 28s. 6d. to 29s. per box ; C W 14 x 18|, 14s. 3d. to 14s. 6d. per box; C W 20 x 10, 18s. to 18s. 6d. per box—all f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent. ___________________________ The 34th annual general meeting of the Employers’ Liability Assurance Corporation Limited was held in London on the 10th inst., Lord Claud Hamilton, M.P., presiding. The chairman stated that the total premiums of the year 1914 were £1,932,177, showing an increase on the previous year’s figures of £197,210. The paid losses under policies, including expenses in connection therewith,, amounted to £1,022,482 in 1914, being a saving of £13,237 compared ‘ with the figures for 1913. The expenses amounted to a total of £170,659, or an increase over those of 1913 of £24,372, or 0’3 per cent. The reserve for unexpired risks at December 31 last amounted to £772,871, showing an increase of £78,884, which was equal to 40 per cent, of the increased premium of £197,210. The reserve for outstanding losses at December 31 last was £482,592, or 25 per cent, of the premium income, being an increase in the year of £43,257, but a reduction in ratio to premium of 0'3 per cent. The balance of revenue transferred to profit and loss account was £194,028, or an increase on the previous year’s figures of £81,508. The dividend for the year, as recommended by the directors, amounted to £80,000, or the same as last year, and being paid free of income tax,, it really amounted not to 16s., but to 18s. per share. The estimated interest and rents on their fund as it stood at January 1, 1915, was £88,000. The general reserve now stood at £944,525, equal to 48’8 per cent, of the current premium income, compared with 45*8 per cent, at the end of 1913. The combined amount of their investments and cash showed an increase for 1914 of £203,567. They had no investments or cash deposits in Germany, Austria, or Turkey. While they had gone through the experimental stage in the United Kingdom and could speak of workmen’s compensation cost with some certainty, it was quite too soon to express an opinion with regard to the same in America. The report and accounts were agreed to.