April 30, 1915. 920 _______________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN _________________________________________________________ coal, although the 'demand for certain districts is not so strong as formerly. Secondary sorts appear to be more freely offered, and slight concessions were offered for this class of fuel to induce business. The position in respect to coke is a strong one for manufacturers. There was more enquiry from all parts of the iron-smelting districts for deliveries, and stocks are very low. The producers of coke have also very little to offer, and prices were strongly held. There was less disposition on the part of either purchaser or manufacturer to enter into contracts. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s 'r * Last year s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 15/6-16/ Best Barnsley softs 19/ -20/ 15/ -15/6 Secondary do 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 12/6-14/ Best house nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 13/ -14/ Secondary do 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 11/ -12/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 11/6-11/9 Secondary do 22/ -22/6 22/ -22/6 11/ Best washed nuts 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 19/ -20/ 10/9-11/3 Secondary do 18/ -19/ 10/6-11/ Best slack 12/ -13/6 12/ -13/6 7/6 Rough do 10/6-11/6 10/6-11/ 6/ - 6/6 Gas coals:— Screened gas coals 15/ —16/ 15/ -16/ 12/ Unscreened do 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 10/6 Gas nuts 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 11/6 Furnace coke 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 11/ Nottingham. COAL. Activity continues to characterise every branch of the coal trade in Nottinghamshire, and there is no marked change in the general position compared with a week ago. With regard to the domestic fuel branch, an easier tone is being manifested, and with the commencement of next month it is anticipated that the demand will be comfortably met. For best households there is still a good sale, and second qualities are going out of hand readily, but common qualities are falling off. Merchants are showing less disposition to purchase in large quantities, in the hope that prices may become easier as summer advances. In the steam coal branch the recent heavy demand is being maintained in the home market, and although the collieries are making every endeavour to expedite the delivery of orders, the output is somewhat inadequate to meet full requirements. At some pits inconvenience is being caused by a shortage of wagons, but this drawback, it is hoped, will be to a great extent obviated in the near future by the decline in the house coal branch. Of slacks of practically every description the supply continues to be insufficient. There is keen competition for the lots available, and these are being purchased at figures higher than recently quoted. There is a fair demand for gas coal. It is reported that contracts are being renewed at advanced rates. Coke is in moderate request at recently increased prices. Prices at pithead. Leicestershire. COAL. Hull. COAL. The Humber coal market has been rather quiet. These past few days, though, prices of Yorkshire coal are, if anything, firmer, and, as a rule, well maintained. The question of shipping tonnage still remains a disturbing factor, the comparative scarcity and the high rates ruling having a restrictive effect. There is a fair amount of coal offering, second holders, as usual, towards the close of the month, being ready sellers. Best South Yorkshires are steady at 27s. to 27s. 6d. for prompt shipment and early May, while secondary sorts continue to be scarce and show remarkable firmness, washed doubles being in good demand up to 22s., washed singles 19s. to 19s. 6d., washed smalls 16s. 6d. to 17s. and rough slack 15s. 6d. to 16s. Best Derbyshires have been a quiet market at about 24s. to 25s. Grimsby or Immingham. There is every prospect of a brisk demand in May, and what business has been done for that month has been at fully current rates for Yorkshires. Derbyshires forward are even firmer, and 25s. 6d. to 26s. is asking for May delivery. The demand, however, comes chiefly from Prance and northern Continental countries. Gas coal is also being sought for. Shipments at the docks again are very good, and the April returns will no doubt show a substantial advance upon those of March. Owing to the Government sus- pending shipping communication between Holland and this country, there has been some interference with shipments to Dutch ports, but as sailings between Hull and Rotterdam have been partially resumed, it is hoped that the difficulty will be of only a temporary character. In the freight market the chief business has been to French ports, and with a fair amount of tonnage at command, rates have shown an easier tendency, steamers having been engaged at from 18s. 6d. to 19s. Hull to Rouen, the last-named figure having been paid for a 3,000-ton steamer. A small steamer has been booked at 17s. for Dunkirk, and 35s. has been paid for 1,700 tons Grimsby to Barcelona. Nothing has been done for Italy, which is quoted nominally at 35s. Genoa. Chesterfield. COAL. There is a slight falling-off in the demand for coal for domestic use, but the position at the collieries is not affected by this, because the coal is readily taken for gas making and for other industrial purposes. In this way the general strong condition of the coal trade is fully upheld. Here and there prices of house coal are a shade easier, but on the whole values are fully maintained. The demand for coal for manufacturing purposes is as strong as ever. The large armament works of Sheffield are pressing collieries to send in as •'much coal as they can supply, and a loyal response is made to the appeal in every instance. Cobbles and nuts for gas producers are specially wanted. Slack for steam-raising purposes is in brisk request, but it is extremely difficult to satisfy the needs of the market at present. Prices are firmly maintained. Steam coal for locomotive use continues to be much called for, but the supplies which railway companies are able to secure are not by any means such as to relieve them from anxiety in the matter. Owing to a shortage of shipping tonnage, the export trade from the Humber ports is quieter, but prices are fairly well maintained, although it is said that here and there slightly lower prices have been accepted by middle- men, who are- anxious to dispose of such coal as they are bound to take from the collieries before the end of the month on account of contracts. Coal owners, however, are not prepared to accept any lower prices than those which ruled at the beginning of the month. It is expected that the month of May will see higher prices. The smaller classes of coal, such as double-screened nuts, are in brisk demand, and orders for these are plentiful at firm prices. Washed slack also finds a ready sale. The coke market is strong, and the whole output of the ovens of the district is readily disposed of. Coking fuel continues scarce and dear. Prices at pit. Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals......... Secondary do............. Best hard coals.......... Secondary do............. Slacks (best hards) ..... Do. (second) .......... Do. (soft)............. Current prices. 18/ -20/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 18/6-19/6 17/ -18/ 12/6-14/ 11/ -12/6 11/ -12/ L’st week’s prices. 19/ -21/ 17/6-18/ 15/ -17/ 20/ -22/ 18/ -19/ 13/ -15/ 11/ -12/6 11/ -12/ Last year’s prices. 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 12/ -12/6 11/ -13/ 10/3-10/6 7/3- 7/6 6/6- 7/ 6/3- 7/ Although the burden of the abnormal conditions is still extremely heavy, there is, on the whole, a slight improve- ment, and the better supply of railway rolling stock has enabled the working period to be extended to from four and a-half to five days per week. This tends to ease the position, and it is also accompanied by less delays in the transit of loaded wagons to their destinations. These improvements have been brought about by the more speedy “ circulation ” of wagons to and from the collieries and the cutting off of delays, extending to quite a number of days on certain lines. Coal merchants who own their own rolling stock are still in a very strong position, and they are able to secure a very substantial discount, as' the better rate of transport tends to enhance the value to the colliery proprietors of privately-owned coal wagons rather than otherwise, as the wragons can perform more journeys at a greater mileage per week. Orders for all classes of boal come flowing in with greater volume than can be met, but it is very significant that all the collieries decline to quote prices beyond June 30 next. The position ahead is so full of doubt and difficulty that colliery proprietors cannot at present make up their minds as to what is the best policy to pursue. Users, on the other hand, are making every effort to get in reserves of stocks as rapidly as possible. The large number of firms in this district on vital Government contracts makes it essential that their wants should be met well in advance, and a good reserve provided against possible contingencies. The Leicester Corporation this week signed contracts for 150,000 tons of coal for the gas department at an increased price of 5s. 8d. per ton, and it was stated that the increased cost of coal to the Corporation in its various departments would be con- siderably over £100,000 per annum. The following are the quotations, subject to special modifications, which are now generally in operation at the collieries in this district :— ______________ Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s1 Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best house coals 18/ 18/ 14/6 Secondary do 17/ i 17/ 12/6 Cobbles 17/ 17/ 11/6 Nuts 16/6 16/6 10/ Slack 12/9 12/9 7/9 IRON. The pig iron trade is again rather quiet and prices are weaker. On the other hand, the finished iron trade is brisk, with an active demand at improving prices. All engineering works are actively employed. _________________ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The domestic trade has dropped materially, but the same steady demand exists for all classes of manufacturing fuels. Slacks in particular are scarce and very dear. Railway deliveries are better, but still broken. The forthcoming advance in wages, and the uncertainty of the position generally will tend to uphold prices, which meantime remain:— ' Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including prices. prices. prices. Cannock Chase) :— 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 10/ 10/ 1 7/6 Warwickshire:— House coal, best Ryder.. 19/6 19/6 16/6 Do. hand-picked cobs 17/6 17/6 14/ Best hard spires 18/ L 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. The market was only moderately attended, most manu- facturers being so fully sold that they prefer to miss attendance occasionally and push production at the works. Ib was not a particularly active market, but prices continued to rule high. Since last Thursday, customers in the tube trade have been notified of the following further reductions : Gas, water, and steam tubes, 14 per cent, gross; galvanised tubes, all qualities, 24 per cent.; fittings, all qualities, per cent. This is the third reduction in the discounts since the beginning of March, representing a very substantial increase in selling price. The market also revealed a partial paralysis in the galvanised sheet trade. Spelter has reached an unprecedented price—it was quoted <£67 on the London market, which means 30s. additional delivered in this district—and there is no demand for sheets at the price which must be charged to make their manufacture remune- rative. It will soon become a question whether firms will continue to make sheets until conditions improve. It is understood that in South Wales and other places spelter plant is being extended, and in some cases new plant erected, to overtake the demand. Meantime, where possible, black sheets are being utilised in place of galva- nised sheets, and the lowest figures these are obtainable at are .£10 10s., ranging to .£10 15s. In the bar iron branches business remains in an active state. Branded qualities are not relatively high at .£10 10s., for since the last advance makers of common bars have set themselves the, at the moment, comparatively easy task of pulling d .wn the margin—usually about 30s.—which separates the two classes. Second qualities were quoted <£9 15s., to .£10 delivered Birmingham, which is practically the same as North Staffordshire and Lancashire crown bars. Three- eighths rounds cannot profitably be sold under .£10 5s. delivered, and, of course, with material at its present high standard, steel rounds are considerably dearer—from 10s. to 20s. Gas strip is quoted £9 10s. to <£9 15s.; steel strip, <£10 10s. to .£11. Pig iron is sold in restricted quantities at recent rates. Steel makers are unable to meet the wishes of customers, and have to refuse orders. A fair amount of business is being done in American billets, in connection with which engagements are being kept as to shipment. More could be sold but for difficulty of freight- age. English billets are <£7 10s. minimum; angles^ £9 7s. 6d., joists, 689. Copper sheets have reached <£100 ; it is nine or ten years since the price ran into three figures. 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/ 14/ —14/6 i 13/6-14/6 ! 11/9-12/ 3/ - 3/6 15/9-16/9 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 15/9-16/9 13/ -14/ L’st week’s prices. 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 14/ -14/6 13/6-14/6 11/9-12/ 3/ - 3/6 15/9-16/9 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 15/9-16/9 13/ -14/ ________ ________ Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The demand for house coal just now cannot be said to be abnormal, but the collieries have sufficient orders to hand daily to keep the pits fully employed. So far there are no stocks. The shipping department shows the greatest amount of activity at present, though the supplies sent inland are also of good dimensions. Prices are firm for all descriptions. Slack coals are in big demand, and the list rate of 14s. at pit for the rough quality is easily obtainable ; in fact, orders are being booked at even higher figures. Enquiries for steam coals are very numerous indeed, and good prices, are offered for the little quantity of free coal available for the market. Most of the pits, however, are fully contracted, and cannot take advantage of these inflated prices. 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 14/ 14/ 6/6 Steam coal:— Large 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 12/6-13/ Small 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ 8/ - 8/6 Prices Is. 9d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. ____________________________ THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. There is quite a good demand for plates of all descriptions, with perhaps oil sizes, which are rather quiet, and the tone of the market rules exceedingly strong, with prices advanc- ing daily. 14 x 20 cokes are now being held at 17s. 6d., while 28 X 20 I C wasters have been done as high as 32s. per box. Following are about the figures being quoted to-day. Coke tins I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 1081b.), 17s. 9d. to 18s. per box; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 216 1b.), 35s. 6d. to 36s.; IC 28 X 20 (56 sh. 108 lb.), 18s. 3d. to 18s. 6d. ; IC 14 x 18:’ (124 sh. 1101b.), 18s. to 18 s. 3d.; I C 14 x 19J (120 sh. 110 1b.), 18s. to 18s. 3d.; IC 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 1b.), 25s. to 25s. 6d.; IC squares and odd sizes, 18s. to 18s. 3d. basis; all for approved specifications.. Charcoals are firm, at 20s. basis and upwards, according to tinning. Coke wasters are in good demand, and rates firm, as follow 0 W 14 x 20, 15s. 9d. to 16s. per box; C W 28 X 20, 32s. 3d. to 32s. 6d.; C W 14 x 18|, 16s. to 16s. 3d. ; C W 20 x 10, 20s. 9d. to 21s.; f.o.b. Wales, all less 4 per cent. _____________________________ Partnerships Dissolved.—The London Gazette announces the dissolution of the following partnerships :—J. Evans, Squire Barraclough, and F. Cowie, engineers, at Caledonia- street, Bradford, under the style of the Caledonian Engineer- ing Company; F. A. P. Payne, C. R. Bussey, and B. E. Payne, motor and general engineers, at St. Martin-at-Palace Plain, Norwich, under the style of Payne, Bussey and Com- pany, so far as regards B. E. Payne; F. Hawkes and E. Pack, engineers and general machinery dealers, at Rectory- road, Rushden, Northampton, under the style of the Central Machinery Company.; E. Walker and J. Bennett, temple makers, engineers, and general mill furnishers, at Chesham Works, Chesham-street, Bradford, under the style of Walker and Bennett.