1026 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 14, 1915. which are not yet fully realised, appear to have little effect on the market, no doubt in consequence upon the much- reduced output and the absence of trade with Germany and Russia, two markets which have usually taken a large bulk of the local production. The prices of best hards are well main-, tained, whilst secondary descriptions are readily disposed of for export, and all round values are well maintained. The quantity of this class of fuel which is consumed by local armament firms is very large, and collieries have no difficulty in disposing of the full output. In respect to steam nuts, there is no change in the position, the output being still short of the requirements of the large engineering and armament firms. Prices are well maintained, and there is little success attendant upon the efforts of consumers to make contracts. In respect to slacks the position is of a similar character, best qualities being well taken by firms in neighbouring districts engaged on Government contracts, and in respect to secondary descriptions the tonnage available is still short owing to the increased demands in respect to coke-making plants, though these are not kept working to the fullest extent. There appears to be no change in regard to the demand for gas coal, although at this period of the year it is only to be expected that the enquiry would be of a less description. The demand from France continues to be of a very active character, and, consequently, colliery owners have very little difficulty in obtaining the higher prices which have prevailed of late. In regard to house coal the collieries do not find any material reduction in the demands for the best classes of fuel, although secondary descriptions are somewhat quieter. However, values are not materially affected, owing to the fact that secondary descriptions of soft coal have been utilised for other than the normal purposes. Coke continues to. be in strong request, and stocks are low, both at the blastfurnaces and at the ovens, and rather higher than normal prices have been paid for supplementary lots which can be delivered immediately. The continued apathy in respect to contracts is still marked, makers refraining from committing themselves in view of the present high prices of raw material. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone ....... 20/ -20/6 20/ -20/6 15/6-16/ Best Barnsley softs 18/6-19/ 18/6-19/ 15/ -15/3 Secondary do. 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 12/6-13/6 Best house nuts ......... 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 13/ -13/3 Secondary do. 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 11/ -12/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals.... 23/ -23/6 23/ -23/6 11/3 Secondary do 21/6-22/ 21/6-22/ 10/6-10/9 Best washed nuts 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 10/9-11/ Secondary do. ......... 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 10/ -10/6 Best slack 12/6-13/6 12/ -13/6 7/3- 7/6 Rough do 11/ -12/ 11/ -12? 6/ - 6/3 . Gas coals:— Screened gas coals 15/'-16/ 15/ -16/ 11/6-12/ Unscreened do. 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 10/6 Gas nuts.. 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 11/6 Furnace coke 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 10/ -10/6 Hull. COAL. The interviews with the committee in London having to deal with the issue of licences and generally ,the.control of the coal export have had a more or less reassuring effect. As was hinted last week the degree to which the Humber trade will be affected will be determined by the way in which the regulations governing export to neutral countries are carried out. There seems some ground for believing that a fair export will be permitted and several licenses applied for by Humber exporters have been granted, while it is said that others have been refused. It will, however, be, a few days probably before, it can be seen what lines are likely to govern the issue of licences and until then exporters are disposed to move very cautiously. Meanwhile there is a fair potential enquiry from neutral countries and a good trade being done with. France, and a probability that export to Russia will be resumed now that the ice in the White Sea has given way; and that some of the ports are,open to navigation. With no great amount of business passing to-day, prices remained steady at about recent rates. Best South Yorkshire hards were again quoted at 25s. to 26s., ditto washed doubles 21s. to 22s., ditto singles 19s. to 19s. 6d., ditto small 15s. to 16s. Best Derbyshire hards were firm-.at 24s. to 24s. 6d., Grimsby or Immingham, and West Yorkshire . Hartleys sparingly enquired after at about 21s. All quotations are for prompt shipment. Shipments at the docks during the past few days have been good, extra efforts being made to complete cargoes before the date for the prohibition Order. In the freight market there are signs of, renewed activity, the demand being chiefly for small tonnage for French ports, 13s. having been paid for Calais, also for Dieppe, and 15s. for Rouen. In the Mediterranean direction things are dull. Chesterfield. COAL. A good tone characterises the coal trade of. North Derby- shire generally. The demand for house coal is less pressing than it lias been of late, but orders are still obtainable in satisfactory numbers. There is little or no change with regard to prices, which remain firm. Stocks are completely exhausted at the collieries. The strong demand for fuel for industrial purposes continues, and orders for all qualities are plentiful. It is difficult to meet, satisfactorily, the great needs of consumers. Traffic on the railways is now moving^ more freely, and there is less complaint of delay in conveying coal to its destination. An1 active demand is experienced for slack for steam-raising purposes, and prices are strong. . Steam coal for locomotive use is much wanted. .The export trade is somewhat unsettled by the new,Order prohibiting the shipment of coal to neutral countries- excepting by.licence. It is difficult to say what effect ■ this will have upon the export business, but it is hoped that, in a short time, when the new system is in proper working order, there will be no serious interference with business. There has been a slight weakening of prices due to the new condition of things, but when matters settle down it is believed that there will be a further upward movement in prices. Washed nuts are in great request but supplies are scarce and dear. The coke market is strong, all qualities being in great demand and prices firm. Coking fuel is in short supply. \ > . Prices at pit. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. , Best house coals 18/ . 18/ ; 13/6 Secondary do. ....■........ - —17/ ' 12/ ; ■■ Cobbles 17/; 17/., . 11/ ; . Nuts , 16/6 16 6 9/6 Slack 12/9 12/9 7/9 IRON. The general condition of trade is satisfactory, more par- ticularly in respect of the finished department, where orders are plentiful and where prices have been further advanced. All the works of the district are working up to their full capacity. _______ _______ Nottingham. COAL. It is not expected that the prohibition Order relating to exports to enemy countries will have much effect on the Nottinghamshire coalfield, as collieries in this district find the daily output practically absorbed by the general demand in the home market, together with the abnormal requirements of the Government and railway companies. According to anticipation, with the opening of May and the advent of warmer weather, there has been a decided falling off in the demand for domestic fuel, which has tended to relieve the pressure on other sections, and has, at the same time, given a better supply of empty wagons to the collieries. Best households are selling fairly well, but some merchants are experiencing a difficulty in getting full supplies of common qualities, as a good amount of this fuel is being readily purchased for manufacturing purposes. Although in some directions prices are a shade easier, yet on the whole the late rates are being maintained. There is no particular change in the steam coal • section, the recent activity being everywhere apparent, while values are inclined to become firmer. As miners continue to join the forces the collieries are finding it difficult to maintain the present Output. With regard to slacks, the supply is hardly sufficient to meet the demand, and owners can easily dispose of practi- cally all qualities at the lately increased rates. Gas coal is going out of hand steadily. Coke is rather scarce. 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 prices. 18/6-20/' 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 18/6-20/ 17/ -18/ 12/6-14/ 11/ -12/6 11/ -12/ Last year’s prices. ■14/ 12/ -13/ 11/3-12/ 10/9-12/ 9/9-10/3 7/ - 7/6 6/3- 6/9 6/3- 6/9 Leicestershire. COAL. It is a most unfortunate circumstance that the position of affairs in this coalfield becomes more unsettled and more uncertain day by day. Amidst all the confusion orders keep coming forward in great volume, and with a large proportion of them endorsed for urgent delivery. A very heavy tonnage offered has to be declined, as the whole of the possible output has already been booked. It is also a very significant fact, too, that many orders are taken with the proviso that no deliveries of any kind can be guaranteed later than June 30, and further that no definite quantity can be guaranteed to be delivered in any event. These are drastic conditions, but they are inevitable in view of the great uncertainty which prevails regarding the conditions which will dominate the output in the near future. There are vital issues ahead, such as “war bonus” and what wages are to be paid, and until these and other matters are placed on a settled foundation, it is quite impossible for colliery proprietors to guarantee heavy deliveries. The question of wagon supply is far from being solved, and it is feared that it will be a very serious matter when the full autumn and winter demand sets in. At present, the pits are generally running from four and a-half to five days per week. This is only rendered possible by the improved transport of wagons when they are filled. The reduced output as compared with last year has most materially affected the percentage of establishment charges, and the financial effect has been that even with improved prices the net profits show a substantial decline over those of the corre- sponding period of last year with normal conditions. The demand for manufacturing fuel of all kinds has never been equalled, and more and more inroads are being made on cobbles and the less expensive varieties of household to meet the most urgent needs. This policy will have to be continued, as the bulk of the coal is required for firms engaged on most important Government work. This will, it is deemed certain, upset the balance of supplies later in the year^ but it is quite impossible to say what the ultimate effect will be. The question of contracts after June 30 is deferred, but the view is held that those who do not place contracts will get no coal supplies. There are at present no stocks of any .kind at the pits. The following are the quotations, subject to special modifications, which generally prevail at the collieries in this district:— Prices at pit. ________________ ______________ | Current prices. Best household coal .............. | 18/6-19/6 Second, hand picked .................... ! 17/6-18/6 Deep screened cobbles ............ 16/6-17/6 Deep large nuts __.................__ 16/ -17/ Bakers’ nuts_________..................... 15/6-16/ Small nuts ____...................... i 14/ -14/6 Deep breeze................................ ' 14/ -14/6 ...................... Peas .__________________________ 11/9-12/ Small dust ....................... 5/ - 5/6 Main nuts for London kitcheners ... 15/9-16/9 Steams, best hand picked' <______ 15/ -16/ Steams, seconds ____;.________ j 14/ —15/ Main cobhles for kitcheners ............- 15/9-16/9 Main breeze _______________...................__ j 13/6-14/6 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/ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The wages question is the all-important topic at the moment, and until it is settled the market is not likely to undergo a change. Some contracts contain a wages clause, in which cases the coal owners can pass on the increase, but as any advance is to take effect from May 5, the uncertainty of the position will be obvious. Domestic fuel is selling a good deal slower, and no end of house coal is going for works purposes, so great is the demand. Quotations remain:— 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 9/6 D.S. nuts (steam) 14/6 14/6 Small (do.) ...... ’ 11/6 11/6 8/ IRON. Although business continues on a restricted scale, there was a very firm tone about the market, both for raw and finished material. The difficulties of production tend to maintain values at a high level, and these difficulties have been accentuated by a revolt among some of the ironworkers of the district. At the works of Messrs. N. Hingley and Sons, large Black Country ironmasters, something like 400 puddlers and furnace hands are on strike over the question of the war bonus which has been granted by the Wages Board, and the output of the works has been hampered. Late in the afternoon the welcome announcement was made that the men had decided to return to work on Monday as the result of intervention by the Board of Trade. In all the circumstances consumers are buying no more than they are obliged, while on the other hand producers have sufficient work on their books as to make them indifferent to new business, and where there is pressure to buy the price has to be paid. The Middlesbrough market has been rather firmer during the week, and producers in this district have no difficulty in maintaining prices, which are roughly Is. and Is. 6d. higher than a fortnight ago. The minimum for Northamptonshire forge is 68s. 6d. at works, and at that figure business is being done. Some firms, who are reluctant to book forward contracts, quote 70s., but this price is in excess of the ideas of customers. Derbyshire iron is firm at 71s. 6d. to 72s. 6d. ?lt works, Staffordshire part-mine 70s. and 72s. 6d., and Staffordshire common 66s. A good call is experienced for foundry iron and castings for Government work. In the bar iron trade prices continue upward. For unmarked bars practically no sales are made under <£10, rising to <£10 5s., and the mills are as busy as the supply of labour at their disposal will permit of. Bolt iron, delivered at Darlaston, has reached the unprecedented figure of <£10, with nut iron about 2s. 6d. less. There is a good deal of work going on in the nut and bolt trade, and, of course, the task of supplying the necessary iron is confined to this country. Makers of North Staffordshire crown bars have again advanced their rates, and the minimum price at which these bars may now be obtained is <£10 5s. delivered Birmingham, and in some cases <£10 10s. is being quoted, with iron plates <£1 per ton higher. In face of all these figures another rise in the price of marked bars may be expected shortly. For three-eighths rounds the market level is about <£10 15s. a ton delivered, with the usual extras for smaller sizes. Most of the firms have got plenty of work. Gas strip is strong in the neighbourhood of <£10. The tube trade, for which strip makers minister, is busy. Steel makers have their books as full as they care, and are reluctant to quote except on their own terms. American billets are Coming in with fair regularity, but quantities are restricted by lack of freights. Delivered Birmingham they cost about <£7 2s. 6d., whilst the lowest for English billets is <£7 10s. _______ _______ Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The demand for the house coal of this district is easier this week, but the slackening has as yet made no difference to the time being worked at the pits. So long as wagons are available full time is the rule, and outputs are cleared daily, there being practically no stocks of any description to be noticed. A good shipping business is being done, but orders from the inland buyers are not so heavy. Slacks are well placed. All qualities of steam coal are in big request, and the collieries have more orders than they can possibly accommodate. Prices at pithead. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Block 21/6 21/6 16/6 Forest 20/6 20/6 15/6 Rubble 20/9 20/9 , 15/9 Nuts 19/ 19/ 14/ Rough slack . 14/ , 14/ 6/6 : • Steam coal Large 21/ -22/ 20/.-21/ 12/ -13/ : 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 8/ - 8/6 Prices lSi 9d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness.