1128 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 28, 1915. ________________________________________________________________________________ Later. - On Wednesday, the West Yorkshire coal owners decided to send out notices advancing the current prices of house coal 3s. 4d. per ton from June 1. This applies to sales in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire and Lincolnshire, but not to shipment or for London. Notices were also sent out advancing current prices for manufacturing fuel 5s. per ton. As the great bulk of the manufacturing fuel is sold on yearly contracts, this really means that buyers must expect to pay not less than 5s. advance on new contracts. A very large number of contracts fall due for renewal— especially in Bradford, Huddersfield and the heavy woollen district - during June, and, with business generally very brisk, no difficulty is anticipated in securing the new values. Some such announcement has been expected for a few weeks past. Barnsley. COAL. The usual weekly market was largely of a holiday character, there being but a small attendance. The pits generally, as usual, stopped on Monday and Tuesday for the holiday, and the official request to the men that they should attend to the work to their utmost capacity appears to have been loyally adhered to by the prompt restart of the collieries on Wednesday. There was also further evidence of the miners’ recognition of the needs of the hour by the fact that a number of collieries were working also on Tuesday. This is satisfactory from the point of view that supplies that have been arranged for under contract would be delivered without much delay ; but, on the other hand, business was rather in an unsettled position. The increased wages having now been ascertained, the question _______ of what selling prices should be is bound to be dealt with, though as yet nothing of an official character in this respect had been agreed upon; but coal owners, with such a small surplus of fuel to dispose of, were not unduly anxious to negotiate new business. It is reported that an advance of something like 5s. per ton is contemplated. In regard to large steams, the difficulties which have arisen through the imposition of licences for shipment have not entirely passed away, and until arrangements can be made to cope with the new situation the market promises to be easier, owing to the additional tonnage which has to be disposed of on home account. At the time of writing, values were still on the easier side for prompt business,. but there is a daily expectation of a recovery being made, with an almost certainty that a higher range of values will come into operation. If, on the other hand, the appeal to the miners to avoid any neglect of work, which was conditional to the ________________________________ grant of the war bonus, has the desired effect, it seems to ___________________ be not unlikely that collieries will have a larger tonnage to deal with, until the effect of the new shipping arrange- ments can be more accurately ascertained. The enquiry for hards on home account continues to be active, and railway companies are still pressing for the fullest supplies, apart from the arrangements made under contract. The stoppage at the pits has also had considerable effect on the .supply of small steam fuel, which has for so long been inadequate to the heeds of the armament and engineering works, which, of course, were kept going through the holidays. Any surplus lot, of course, is readily disposed of, and other classes of steam coal have been taken to relieve _________ _________ the shortage of the ordinary qualities. Although the pre- holiday demand for slacks and similar fuel has spent itself, the reduced output is well short of the demand, and collieries have had no difficulty in retaining higher prices for this class of fuel. With respect to gas coal contracts, there does not appear to be the same rush as hitherto to complete ’arrangements, and apparently there are some hopes that the advance of 6s. per ton which has been demanded may be modified. On the other hand, collieries report having practically disposed of the whole of the reduced production, and they believe that there will be no , reduction in prices in the open market. Although many collieries are as yet little affected by the decreased demand for house coal which has been felt by merchants, there is some evidence of a slight weakness existing. Generally speaking, collieries intimate that there is every likelihood of necessarily higher prices than those which have been obtained of late, and merchants are in no hurry to accumulate stocks, believing that they will be no worse off if they withhold from contract arrangements. The best qualities of coal appear to be fully taken, and, as previously stated, any surplus of secondary sorts can now be disposed of for other than the usual purposes, and thus prices are maintained. The position in respect to coke shows no alteration, the output being very little increased, and buyers have still only low stocks. Prices at pit. Current L'stweek’s Last year's House coals prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 20/ -20/6 18/6-19/ 17/ -18/ 20/ -20/6 15/6-16/ Best Barnsley softs 18/6-19/ 15/ —15/3 Secondary do 17/ -18/ 12/ -13/ Best house nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ . 13/ Secondary do. Steam coals:— 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 10/9-11/9 Best hard coals 22/ -22/6 22/ -23/ 11/ Secondary do 20/ -21/ 21/6-22/ 10/9 Best washed nuts 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 10/9 Secondary do 18/ -19/ 10/ Best slack 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 7/ Rough do. Ga,s coals:— 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 6/ _________ _________ Screened gas coals 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 11/6 ' Unscreened do 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 10/6 Gas nuts 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 11/ Furnace coke 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 10/ Hull. COAL. There has been no improvement in the coal export trade from the Humber^ and the signs of a revival are not yet apparent. The market lacks confidence, and until it is seen how things are going to develop with regard to the quantity that will be allowed to be exported .from the Humber area, and other factors declare themselves, exporters cannot be blamed for holding their hand. The business passing at present is of a hand-to-mouth character, and again ’confined to spot lots, which are being offered rather freely by those who are anxious to be clear of this month's commit- ments. The downward tendency in prices is therefore again marked, approximate value of best South Yorkshire steams being 23s. to 23s. 6d., washed doubles 20s. to 21s., washed singles 19s. to 20s., and washed smalls and rough slack 15s. to 16s. Little is doing in Derbyshire steams, best qualities of which are worth round about 23s. for shipment at Grimsby or Immingham. West Yorkhouse house coal is quietly steady at 21s. to 22s. best sorts and 19s. 6d to 20s. second ditto. Little or nothing is doing in forward business for reasons already indicated. Licences are not now required for coal for Italy, but the demand from this quarter for Humber coal has been very limited of late, and whether Italy's entry into the war arena will assist matters is problematical. Partly owing to the holiday, shipments at the docks this week have been on the light side, and less than for some weeks past. In the freight market one or two steamers have been taken up for French ports, the advanced rate of 17s. 6d. having been paid for a 2,800-ton steamer, Hull to Rouen. In other directions things are dull. Chesterfield. COAL. The intervention of the Whitsuntide holidays caused a two days' stoppage of work at the whole of the collieries of the district, and the output of coal has been substantially reduced. The tone of the market remains good, although it must be admitted that the general demand for coal is not so strong as it has been during the past six months. The house coal trade is weaker, and‘orders for this class of fuel have fallen off since the weather became warmer. Prices, however, remain fairly firm. Manufacturing fuel continues in good demand, and values are firmly main- tained. Enquiries are coming to hand for prices for renewal of contracts expiring at the end of June. These will probably be arranged at figures showing an advance of 5s. to 6s. per ton upon the prices ruling a year ago. There is a marked improvement in the demand for slack for steam-raising purposes, and prices are now higher than they have been since they took the upward turn. It is difficult to find sufficient supplies to meet customers’ requirements. There are now no available stocks of boiler fuel. The export trade is seriously affected by the licence difficulty, which is causing a falling-off in the demand for steam coal, and which is bringing about a weakening of prices. The smaller classes of coal are in satisfactory demand, and prices are firmly maintained. The coke market is strong, an excellent demand being experienced for all qualities. Prices are very firm. Prices at pit. Current prices. L’stweek’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best house coals 18/ 18/ 13/6 12/ - Secondary do 17/ 17/ Cobbles 17/ 17/ 11/ Nuts 16/6 16/6 9/6 Slack 12/9 12/9 7/9 IRON. The pig iron market is quiet, buyers showing no disposi- tion to buy for forward delivery. Finished iron is in good demand, and price have further advanced. Nottingham. GOAL. Notwithstanding the curtailment of the Whitsuntide holiday to two days, the collieries in Nottinghamshire had sufficient orders in hand to keep them busy the whole of the remaining part of the past week, and the position^ of the trade is such that, owing in a great measure to the war, this summer promises to be a record in regard to the time which will be made, for the general demand is practically certain to absorb the full output of every day's turning. There was a temporary check in the falling-off in the domestic fuel section just prior to Whitsuntide, due to the extra orders received to cover the holiday period, but the summer-like weather is tending to make matters quieter in this section, and at some collieries a limited quantity of certain classes of softs is being put into stock at landsale depots. With reference to the steam coal branch, every quality is in keen request, especially best sorts, which are selling at high rates. Steam nuts are in particular demand, as the supply is on a comparatively limited scale. The prohibition Order relating to exports has not had much effect on the Nottinghamshire coal field in the present state of affairs, and, so far as can be foreseen, it is not likely to make any material difference to the tonnage being sent to the Humber ports. All available supplies of slack are readily disposed of, while good supplies of gas coal are being’ taken’ on contract account. 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/ 12/6-13/6 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ L'stweek’s prices. 18/6-20/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 18/6-20/ 17/ —18/ 12/6-13/6 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ Last year’s prices. 13/6-14/ 12/ -12/6 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/6 9/6-10/ 6/6- 7/ 6/ - 6/6 6/ - 6/6 Leicestershire. COAL. Business has been resumed after a very brief holiday, but the general position of affairs shows no improvement, and very strenuous efforts have to be made day by day in order to carry out the hand-to-mouth policy which has become essential. In spite of all efforts to augment the output, the movement is in a contrary direction, this being brought about by men still leaving the collieries for the Army. It is found to be quite impossible to replace this lost labour, and it is feared that the limit of this drain has not yet been reached. The practical substantial fact is disclosed week by week in cold figures that from four and a- half to five days full working now is a vastly different thing as regards output to what it was 12 months ago. In addition to this it must be remembered that the cost of grit props and stores generally has increased very much, with the result that with a lessened output and an increased expenditure the percentage in the cost of administrative charges has undergone a great change of a vital character. These and other considerations cause colliery proprietors to postpone the question of 12 months contracts as far as possible. Very great pressure is being brought to bear, however, by coal merchants to get their requirements booked up as speedily as possible. A very large number of contracts offered are declined from necessity, and in those cases where the contracts have been accepted colliery managers have taken the precautionary step of largely reducing the quantities specified. The outlook is so full of uncertainty that it is felt to be imperative to decline to supply the same tonnage as in ordinary years with a largely diminished supply of labour. A great volume of business in household coal is offering for speedy delivery to provide stocks, and in some cases a remission of Is. per ton is being made. The demand for engine and manufacturing fuel is far in excess of the supplies available, and cobbles and nuts are being taken for this purpose in very large quantities in order to meet the difficulty. Prices of this class of fuel are extremely firm, and are likely to remain so for a long period There is still great trouble over the question of empty wagons, and coal merchants who own rolling stock are likely to enjoy a very substantial preference for many months to come. It is hoped, however, that some relief may be experienced by the more speedy transport of full wagons to their destinations. The following are the quotations, subject to special modifications, 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’st week's prices. [ prices. 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 i 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 11/9-12/ 5/ - 5/6 15/9-16/9 15/ —16/ 14/ -15/ 15/9-16/9 13/6-14/6 16/ -17/ : 15/6-16/ i 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 11/9-12/6 5/ - 5/6 15/9-16/9 15/ —16/ 14/ -15/ 15/9-16/9 13/6-14/6 South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The warm weather has not brought any easing of values* the wages difficulty having put that out of the question* Output has been sadly interrupted during the week by reason of the holidays, but fortunately deliveries have been coming through well, the break having given the railway companies an opportunity to clear up. The house trade is normal, and practically all the works fuel is going into consumption ; indeed, for some sorts the supply is short. Quotations:— Prices at pit. Current L’stweek’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 16/6 12/9 Best hard 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. There was a meagre attendance on 'Change at the weekly market. A good many people are away, but apart from holiday influences books are congested with orders. The holidays, although they did not extend over more than two days, were responsible for the curtailment of production, and also to some extent for the booking of new orders. There is great urgency to obtain supplies of material, and fortunately the district is once more free from labour troubles. The market conditions were pretty much the same as a week ago. Makers of best bars command their new terms of £11, though there is still a lot of work on hand booked at the old rates. Common bar iron is quoted =£10 5s. to <£10 10s. Merchants’ stocks are smaller than for a long period, and they have difficulty in keeping merchants supplied. For North Staffordshire crown bars the basis is £10 10s. Galvanised sheets have risen to £18 minimum, ranging to £19. Some little business is being done for the home trade, but practically nothing is doing with the foreign markets. Makers of gas strip report that their works are kept in a state of activity; quotations run up to £10 10s., and in one case £10 15s. was given ; while for steel strip prices range from £11 5s. to £11 10s. The pig iron market has been stagnant during the week, but no weakening in prices can be traced, and last week’s quota- tions hold good. Some enquiries are about, which may be taken as a premonitory symptom of an early renewal of buying for next quarter. Consumers, certainly, have kept off the market as long as they could. An active demand continues for steel for war material. A meetino* of the Steel Association was held in London during the day, but the result did not reach the market. It was fully expected, however, that sections would be advanced. Makers are short of demi-products, the representative of one firm said they could do with three times the quantity of billets they are getting from America. The return of the Midland Wages Board is about due. It is expected that the selling price will warrant an advance in iron- workers' wages.