972 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 7, 1915. __________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______ On the way in which this regulation is administered will depend the ultimate effect upon exports. Since the war about half of - the coal sent to foreign destinations from the Humber has been sent to neutral countries, and during the past month shipments have been on an increasingly large scale. The opinion on the Exchange seemed to be that the provision would enable existing contracts to be fulfilled, but might be rigorously enforced in the matter of fresh business. There is, however, a dis- position to wait and see how events develop, and little business forward has therefore transpired. Most of the exporters have their requirements for the next week satisfied, prior to the prohibition order coming into opera- tion, but where Swedish shipments are concerned have been under some hesitation because of the German contra- band regulations. The demand from France continues good, and with the opening of Archangel navigation re- ported, there are hopes that Russia may be able to receive large quantities at White Sea ports. Best South Yorkshire steams showed an easier tendency, and were quoted 25s. to 26s., and best Derby shires in the vicinity of 24s. Grimsby or Immingham ; secondary sorts being scarce and in good demand, continue steady, washed South Yorkshire doubles being quoted 21s. to 22s., ditto singles 19s. to 19s. 6d., and ditto smalls 16s. 6d. to 17s. West Yorkshire Hartley house coal is quiet at 22s., and washed smalls about 16s. Ship- ments at the docks continue fairly good, but there is no pressure, In the freight market there is, if anything, an easier tendency, French ports having been done at 16s. to 17s., the former figure for Calais and Dunkirk, and the latter for Rouen. In the Mediterranean direction things are quiet, and 32s. 6d. has been paid for Genoa-Savona prompt. Coastwise tonnage may be had on reasonable lines, viz., 7s. to 7s. 6d. from Hull, while as low as 6s. 9d. has been paid from Immingham to London. Chesterfield. COAL. There is little or no change in the condition of the coal trade of this district compared with a week ago. The demand for house coal is perhaps rather quieter, but even with this qualification the position is satisfactory, as orders are received in sufficient numbers to prevent any accumula- tion of stocks in colliery sidings. Prices, however, are quite firm, and there are no signs of weakness in this respect. * Coal for manufacturing purposes is in active demand, and the output of the collieries is readily disposed of. As a rule, the colliery sidings are cleared out at the end of each day's raising of coal without a single wagon remaining under load. This is as good an index as any that can be furnished as to the state of the trade. It is satisfactory to report that traffic from the collieries is being worked through to its destination more expeditiously than has been the case for some time past, and complaints in this respect are now few and far between. The various establishments of Sheffield and district that are engaged upon work for the Government are Still requiring large quantities of coal of all classes, and their demands are being met fairly promptly under existing circumstances. The kinds most urgently wanted are cobbles and nuts suitable for gas-producers. Deliveries of steam coal for locomotive use are going forward on a large scale in response to the pressing needs of the various railways. The export trade has been quieter during the past week, owing to a scarcity of steamers. With an improvement in this respect, it is believed that a fresh demand will arise, with an appreciation of values. Washed nuts are in strong demand at firm prices, and orders for washed slack are plentiful. The inland demand for unwashed slack is good, and prices maintain their firmness. The coke market presents a firm tone. There is a very satisfactory demand for all qualities at prices which mark a very substantial advance upon the figures quoted a few months ago. Coking fuel is in great request, but supplies are much restricted. Prices at pit. Best house coals Current prices. 18/ L’st week’s prices. 18/ Last year’s prices. 13/6 12/ 11/6 Secondary do 17/ 17/ Cobbles 17/ 17/ Nuts 16/6 16/6 12/9 10/ Slack 12/9 7/9 IRON. There is a slightly improved feeling in the pig iron market, and prices are a shade firmer on the week. Finished iron is in good demand, and orders continue plentiful. _________________ Nottingham. COAL. Although there is no marked change in the condition of the coal trade in Nottinghamshire compared with a week ago, the pressure on the general demand is not quite so great. Nevertheless, the output is absorbed by current requirements, and collieries have a fair amount of orders on their books. With the opening of May an easier tone is being manifested in the domestic fuel section. There is a falling-off in the demand by local merchants, and at land- sale depots sales are beginning to decline. As a rule the cheaper qualities at this time of the year are being put into stock, but they are difficult to obtain just now, for they are selling well for manufacturing purposes, and prices of the same are consequently very firm. For best qualities and seconds values are practically unchanged, though on some kinds a slight reduction, it is reported, is being conceded. There is not quite such a rush for steam coal as has been experienced lately. Still, the demand is very active, and collieries, although working full time, find the output barely commensurate with the requirements. The position is such __________________________________________________ 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. 18/6-20/ 16/6-17/6* 15/ -16/ 18/6-20/ 17/ -18/ 12/6-14/ 11/ -12/6 11/ -12/. L’st week’s Last year's prices. 18/ -20/ 16/6—17/6 15/ -16/ 18/6-19/6 17/ -18/ 12/6-14/ 11/ -12/6 11/ -12/ ! prices. 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 11/9-12/3 11/ -12/ 10/ -10/6 7/ - 7/6 6/3- 6/9 6/3- 7/ that there is no stock on hand, and there is every prospect of the demand keeping pace with the output for some time to come, as an improvement in the export trade is antici- pated. The slack market shows no alteration, all kinds being quickly disposed of at recently increased rates, a further advance having been made on certain qualities. Gas coal is being absorbed on contract account, and higher rates are being quoted for renewal of contracts. __________________ Leicestershire. COAL. Changes of a somewhat important character are taking place, and it is extremely difficult to modify them, much less remove them. The great feature in the demand at the present moment is the enormous influx of orders for steam coal and for manufacturing fuel generally. The increase in this department has been going on for some time, and the claims are very urgent and essential to meet Government requirements. The already large number of firms engaged upon vital work for the Government is being increased week by week, and their demands for fuel must have preference over all other claims. Prices are not nearly so important as supplies, and consequently house and kitchen cobbles are now being freely drawn upon for the purposes of manufacturing fuel. At the beginning of the warm season the change will not be so much felt, but it is bound to have much greater effect when the autumn arrives. Nuts are also being included, and there is a very powerful movement to try and increase the reserves of supplies in the hands of consumers, so as to provide against any emergency. This feature of the trade is causing additional anxiety to colliery managers, and every effort that is possible is being made to meet the emergency. Under these exceptional circumstances prices for all classes of fuel are extremely firm. Coal merchants who own their rolling stock are able to secure substantial discounts, but otherwise rates are very strong all round. The supplies of empty railway-owned wagons is still most unsatisfactory, and on several days in the week collieries are only getting about 15 per cent, of the normal supplies. There is, however, a steady improvement in the transport of full wagons to their destinations, and this is one of the most hopeful signs at present. There are no stocks of any kind at the pits, and the working is generally maintained at four and a-half to five days per week. The outlook, how- ever, is full of uncertainty, and the question of contracts is being postponed till a future date. The percentage of the cost of establishment charges is not quite so great as it was a few weeks ago, but it is still extremely heavy, and there is every indication that this will continue for a long period, there being no sign of any further material relief. The following are the quotations, subject to special modifica- tions, which are now generally 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 L’stweek'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/ 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/ _________________ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. There is less selling of household coal, but coal owners are not greatly concerned about this, as the demand for manufacturing fuels is so great as to practically account for their output. Prices are maintained, and in the present time of anxiety over wages they are not likely to fall yet awhile. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 20/ 20/ 17/6 Do. seconds deep 19/ 19/ 15/ Do. best shallow 18 6 18/6 13/6 Do. seconds do. 17/6 17/6 12/9 Best hard 16/6 16/6 14/6 Forge coal 14/ 14/ 10/6 Slack Warwickshire:— 10/ 10/ 7/ House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 19/6 19/6 . 15/6 cobs 17/6 17/6 13/ Best hard spires 18/ 18/ 14/6 Forge (steam) 13/6 13/6 10/6 D.S. nuts (steam) 14/6 14/6 9/6 Small (do.) 11/6 11/6 8/ IRON. Conditions disclosed by Thursday’s market showed little alteration from last week. All business practically is being done under war conditions, and prices are altered without any previous intimation to customers. Enquiry was up to the average of recent weeks, and output is as full as possible with the continued shortage of labour. As it is, a large amount of business is on the books, and many manufacturers are quoting extravagant prices with a view to avoiding accepting work to run over a long period. With the exception of the importation of some American sheet bars and billets, and small bars, the British producer has matters all his own way on the home market. He finds the greatest difficulty in maintaining the supplies required, and he can command practically his own price. In the bar iron trade business is plentiful, forward enquiry strong, and prices are high. Merchant bars command a minimum of <£10 within 10s. of the price of branded bars, and a further rise in the latter would come as no surprise. Nut and bolt makers have to pay up to £9 15s. for supplies of their iron, and puddled bars have reached the excep- tional price of £7 10s., though, naturally, little business is done at that figure. Indeed, some firms that formerly bought puddled bars are making as much as they can consume in their own mills. Small rounds are dearer, being £10 12s. 6d. to £10 15s. The excessive cost of spelter prevents buying of galvanised sheets. A certain amount of enquiry is about. Quotations are irregular and cover a wide range, from £16, for export, Liverpool, up to £18 home trade. The wages question in the iron trade is causing a good deal of anxiety. In a number of works trouble has arisen respecting the bonus conceded by the Wages Board, but it is hoped matters will be settled without interference with output. Pig iron remains pretty much as last week. Business is regular, but consumers buy sparingly on account of high prices. There is a considerable demand for foundry iron for Govern- ment work. For Northamptonshire grey forge 67s. 6d. is a firm minimum, ranging to 70s. Where there are stocks, it is because holders are anticipating even better values. Derbyshire is in the neighbourhood of 72s. 6d., and Stafford- shire part-mine 70s. to 72s. 6d. Steel orders are in excess of what can be dealt with, the call being chiefly for Government supplies. Ferro has this week been advanced by £2 to £17 a ton, a figure which has not been reached for 15 years. __________________ Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. No very pronounced change has taken place in the position of the house coal trade of this district since last writing, but the tendency is naturally in the direction of a weakening of the demand as the season advances. Orders from the inland merchants are not so numerous, but business in the shipping department is well maintained and the collieries are well supplied with empty wagons, full time being again worked this week. Slacks are still in heavy request, and all raised is eagerly taken up. Steam coals of every description are going well, and the collieries are quite unable to cope with the enquiry. Contracts continue to absorb most of the output. Prices at pithead. House coals:— Block Current prices. 21/6 20/6 20/9 19/ 14/ 20/ —21/ 15/6-16/6 L’st week’s' prices. 21/6 20/6 20/9 19/ 14/ 20/ -21/ 15/6-16/6 Last year’s prices. 16/6 15/6 15/9 . 14/ 6/6 12/. -13/ 8/ - 8/6 Forest Rubble Nuts Rough slack Steam coal:— Large Small Prices Is. 9d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. _________________ Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report a reduced demand in. the south-western counties for house and steam coal. Prices of railborne coal have been considerably reduced, and merchants are now only buying from hand to mouth rather than keeping stocks in hand, a doubtful procedure in view of the present position. Sailing freights from the west coast ports have been reduced to 8s. Steam freights are also weaker, owing to the greatly reduced demand for shipment, and f.o.b. prices are extremely firm. ___________________________________________ THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, May 6. ___________________________________________ North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. The general position of the coal trade of this locality still remains steady, with a slight tendency to slacken in some departments, but up to the present every colliery has been easily able to dispose of all the fuel they have to offer. Railway and other trucks are coming freely to hand just now, and this enables the collieries to be worked full time, but of course, the total output is very much below the average for a full working day. Substantial progress is being made in regard to the sinking of the new pits at Gresford and Chirk, which .will find employment for a goodly number of hands by the time the war is over. Recently the Trecastell mines at Conway have been opened, after a long stoppage, and are now in full working order once more. Orders for house coal are rather scarce just at the moment, which can only be expected, and this class of coal is being diverted into other departments where it finds a ready sale, though perhaps at not such a good average price as it would do if sold for household purposes. Matters are very slow in regard to the settlement of new contracts as between merchants and coal owners for house coal for the coming six or twelve months ; both buyers and sellers appearing to be somewhat diffident as to what course to pursue for the best. In regard to the gas coal contracts, goodly supplies are delivered, and the work of fixing new contracts is a subject of the greatest interest just now, but here again matters appear to be moving very slowly. Some of the gasworks have been badly placed for a sufficiency of coal for gas making purposes, due to the fact that contracts were made for their bare normal necessities last year, whereas there has been an abnormal supply of gas in many places, owing to the billeting of troops in various seaside and other towns. In some cases odd parcels were bought, and whereas the contract prices were under 17s. per ton delivered, the prices charged for extra supplies were up to about 19s. 6d. per ton. The demand for steam coal is greater than the supply. Pressure is being brought to bear by the railway companies for good deliveries, and there is also a good demand for coal for shipment at the Mersey ports. There is an average demand for manufac-