660 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 26, 1915. _________________________________________________________________________ Barnsley. COAL. The approaching holidays appear to have increased the demand for most classes of steam coal. At the usual weekly market buyers continued to find the position a very difficult one to negotiate owing to the even less tonnage which was offered, and reports were to hand of exceptionally ________ ________ high prices paid for special lots of fuel, which could be promptly handled. In regard to the supplies of the railway companies, the action of the Great Central Railway Company in respect to several collieries was very freely discussed. It was reported that the railway company have now notified pits, who are in arrear with deliveries on contract supplies, or who are not willing to give deliveries, that wagons for other supplies will not be sent to the collieries until the railway company’s supplies have been met. This action may materially interfere with the working of collieries which are entirely dependent upon the railway company’s system in question, but other firms, having access to other lines, obviously will not be materially affected. The action of the railway company is somewhat unique, and developments will be watched with a good deal of interest. With regard to the Great Eastern Railway Company’s con- tracts, which largely relate to the Parkgate bed collieries, these have been partially fixed, the coalowners, it is stated, having obtained the price they asked for. Exactly what is the amount of advance obtained could not be authoritatively ascertained, but, of course, it is a substantial one, under the present circumstances, and the railway companies appear to have also arranged for supplies of Barnsley hards for the next six months. The demand for large steams on export account continues to be of a more active description, and for special lots it is reported that as high as 22s. per ton has been obtained, whilst exporters are now more anxious to cover themselves for the shipping season, at prices more in accordance with the demands of the coalowners. The position in regard to the other classes of steam coal is rather firmer, owing to the greater rush of business to cover the holidays. Although it appears to be generally believed that the pits will not be set down for more than two days during Easter, whatever arrangements are made it is feared that the percentage of absent miners from the pits will con- tinue to be of a considerable character. It is still an impossi- bility to in any way meet the extraordinary consumption of small steam coal by the large armament and engineering firms, who, of course, are working night and day. Where tonnage is available prices continue to be of an exceptional character and remarkably firm. There is an equal _________ ________ difficulty in regard to slacks, which are, of course, in abnormal request. So far as gas coal contracts are concerned, negotiations are going on more rapidly than is usual at this time of the year, and some collieries are now seeking an increase up to 6s. per ton for the renewal of the expiring contracts. The demand for house coal indicates that the pressure of orders is diminishing, but there still appears to be a strong demand for the best grade fuel, and although quotations of secondary sorts are not officially altered, they appear to be of a more nominal description than hitherto. There has been a more robust enquiry prevailing for coke, and something like a scarcity prevails, prices approaching 20s. per ton being spoken of. Smelters are more keen in fixing short contracts at even so high a price as this, and buyers feel that the increase is of an exceptional character, but, on the other hand, makers point out that for a considerable period they have been supplying coke at a less price than it could be manufactured for owing to the extraordinary advance in the cost of slacks. 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/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/, 15/ -15/6 20/ -21/ 18/ -19/ 16/6—17/6 15/ -16/ 11/6-12/6 9/6-10/6 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 15/ -16/ 17/ -18/ ?st week’s Last year’s prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -15/6 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -15/6 11/6-12/6 9/6-10/6 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 15/ -16/ 15/ -15/6 prices. 15/6-16/ 15/ -15/3 12/6-14/ 13/ -14/ 11/ -12/ 11/6-12/ 11/ 11/ -11/3 10/6 7/3- 7/6 6/ 12/ -12/3 10/ -10/6 11/6-12/ 10/6-11/ Chesterfield. COAL. The tone of the market continues strong, and although the pressure for house coal is somewhat lighter, orders are plentiful. Prices, too, are well maintained. The large armament works of Sheffield continue to draw large quanti- ties of coal from this district, and these establishments are anxious with regard to supplies for Easter, seeing that work will be suspended only for a single day. Collieries are sending to these large concerns every possible ton of coal; unfortunately, the reduced output prevents them from doing as much as they would like. Fuel of all kinds is in strong demand for general industrial purposes, and slack for boiler firing is in equally urgent request. The various railway companies are calling for increased deliveries of locomotive coal, but it is impossible to satisfy their requirements under existing circumstances. A fair export trade continues to be done, and prices are still moving upwards. It is, however, a matter of difficulty to purchase any steam coal outside contracts. Washed fuel is much wanted, prices of which are strong. There is a decided improvement in the coke market, and prices are advancing pretty substantially. Coking fuel is scarce and dear. 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 16/ 15/ . 11/6 Slack 12/6 12/ 7/9 IRON. There is a better tone about the pig iron market, and indications are not wanting that prices will shortly improve, It is a matter for surprise that values have not appreciated substantially before now. Other departments of the iron trade are busy with improving prospects. Nottingham. COAL. Marked activity continues to characterise the position of the coal trade in Nottinghamshire, and during the past week there has, if anything, been increased pressure in one or two branches. The spell of colder weather, for instance, has tended to make business livelier in the domestic fuel branch, more especially at the local landsale depots, but it is regarded as of a temporary character in view of the spring season. Still, collieries have plenty of orders on their books and it looks as if the present high rates will be main- tained for some weeks to come, as the output is insufficient to meet the demand. Perhaps the greatest activity is manifested in the steam coal section where the demand, which has been unusually heavy for some months, is on the increase. In view of Government requirements, owners are urging men to attend work regularly. More enquiries are coming to hand in regard to shipments, whilst railway companies are anxious to get fuller supplies on contract account. With the diminished output due to men joining •the Army, the supply of slacks is on a limited scale, and all qualities are in keen request, there being no difficulty to obtain the recently-advanced prices. Gas coals are in good demand for stocking purposes, contract supplies in many cases being in arrear. 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/ -17/ 17/6-20/ 16/6-17/ 11/ -12/6 9/6-10/6 9/ —10/ L’st week’s 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/ Last year’s prices. 14/ -15/ 13/ -13/6 11/6-12/ 10/9-11/3 9/6-10/ 7/3- 7/6 6/3-7/ 6/3- 6/9 Leicestershire. COAL. The position of affairs shows some changes of importance, but on the whole the balance is to make things more com- plicated and more difficult. The shortage of empty wagons is extremely trying to all concerned, and the stoppages of the output tend to upset all schemes for mitigating the evils which prevail. What happens is, that frequently there is a sudden and altogether unexpected failure of the supplies of empty wagons just at the time when a fair output for the first three days of the week has raised hopes of some substantial improvement being effected. Then, on a Thursday and Friday, the output has to be suspended for half the day, while on Saturday nothing whatever can be done. At some collieries during three or four days of the week, the wagon supply has only reached 7 per cent, to 10 per cent, of the ordinary number which ought to be available. The result is that the working period has now fallen to from three and a-half to four days per week. Those coal merchants who own their wagons are now in a more advantageous position, and they are able to command very valuable concessions in prices ranging from Is. per ton to Is. 6d. per ton. The orders which have come to hand are for very urgent requirements, but there is a heavy back list of orders yet to be dealt with, and a long period must elapse before normal conditions can be reached. The improvement in the handling and movement of full wagons recorded last week has been maintained, and extended with very great advantage to all concerned. There is a very active demand for all kinds of household coal, and there are stocks on hand. Manufacturing fuel has never been in such constant request, and there are signs that this will be fully sustained all through the summer. The fact is there is a very pronounced and general desire on the part of the large number of films in this district engaged on Government contracts to build up considerable reserves of supplies for autumn and winter consumption, so as to reduce the risks of having any shortage. This promises to be a very important factor during the summer. Notification has been given to some Midland collieries that the Government will probably require the collieries to reserve all the surplus steam coal raised after meeting their contracts in hand for Govern- mental purposes. These stocks, it is suggested, will be accumulated so as to meet any emergency. The following are the prices, subject to special modification, which now generally prevail 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 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’stweek’s i prices. 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 I 14/ -14/6 13/6-14/6 I 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. GOAL. Fewer complaints are heard from manufacturers as regards supplies, but it cannot be said that the position at the pits shows much change. Colliery owners are still inundated with orders for fuel of all kinds, and are able to command high prices. The public are not so feverish in their demands, but there is still plenty doing, and there will be no relief this side of Easter Coke is dearer on the week by about 4s. 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 16/6 14/ Best hard 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 IRON. The market was well attended and was marked by a good deal of liveliness. The demand in all branches continues brisk, but the conditions are so difficult that a great deal of uncertainty and irregularity exist in the matter of prices. Certain it is that buyers who had previously shown indifference to bargaining at the high rates prevailing find things going still further against them, but several of the quotations are so high as to suggest that the producer would prefer not to add to his present engagements. As a matter of fact, manufacturers say they are “ pulled out of the place,” and cannot accept further orders mean- time. In the circumstances it is not surprising that current business is confined to material which is urgently required, and t in such quantities as will meet actual wants. Business of this character, of course, can only be done at very high rates. Best bar makers have good orders, but even more activity exists in the common bar branch, the excessive enquiry being due . to the enormous amount of material wanted for the execution of Government orders in other trades. Prices are about 5s. dearer than a fortnight ago, and stand at <£8 17s. 6d. to <£9. Branded bars at £9 10s. are, therefore, out of their relative value, and although makers have so far made no move, an early advance is anticipated, probably about the time of the quarterly meeting. North Staffordshire and Lanca- shire bars are about the same as South Staffordshire unmarked qualities. Puddled bars range from <£6 to <£6 5s. Three-eighths rounds are quoted as much as <£9 7s. 6d. to £9 10s., while gas strip continues to meet a brisk demand at quotations in the neighbourhood of <£8 17s. and £9, the latter figure being more prevalent. Great irregularity exists in pig iron quotations, and figures are, for the time being, somewhat unreliable. For Northamptonshire forge 62s. 6d. may be accepted as a minimum, Derbyshire 65s., and South Staffordshire part mine 67s. 6d. One firm has withdrawn price lists for some days, having no material to dispose of. Smelters are com- pelled to raise prices, inasmuch as coke has been advanced a further 4s. The sheet trade has undergone no material change. For galvanised sheets the quotation for export stands at <£14 Liverpool, and with the present cost of pro- duction that figure shows no profit. For home trade prices range from <£14 10s. to <£15. Black sheets are relatively strong at <£10 5s., being forced up by the great advance in sheet bars. These cannot be obtained under £7 to <£7 2s. 6d. All branches of the steel trade are extremely busy, and an advance of 10s. a ton has been notified on plated, angles and joists. Very high prices are asked for special accommo- dation. Copper sheets have advanced from <£88 to <£90. Copper is none too plentiful, freightage is high, and the difficulty of delivery is great. ___________________ Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. There is a decidedly easier tendency in evidence in the house coal market, and although the collieries still have a number of orders on the books they are being steadily reduced. Merchants are placing orders more cautiously at the moment in view of the high prices in force. All the pits are entirely free from stock, and the pits are likely to continue on full time for some weeks yet. In the steam coal department the demand absorbs all the available supplies day by day, the production being far below what the market requires. Prices at pithead. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— 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 Steam coal:— 12/6 12/6 6/6 Large 20/* 17/6-18/* 12/6-13/ Small ,13/ -14/* 12/6-13/* 8/ -9/ * Outside contracts. Prices Is. 9d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. __________________ Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that there has been a reduced demand for house and steam coal during the last fortnight. A few steamer and sailer cargoes have arrived at the south coast ports, but the main supplies have been forwarded by rail. As anticipated in our last report, steam freights from Qie coal-loading ports are considerably reduced, but the scarcity of cargoes has prevented much advantage being taken by merchants.