June 25, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1335 delivered is quoted at from Is. 5d. to Is. 6d. per cwt., or from 27s. 6d. to 28s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at 25s. lOd. per ton and seconds at 24s. 2d. per ton. At Workington, best Buckhill coal delivered is quoted at Is. 4d. per cwt. or 25s. lOd. per ton, with best double- screened washed nuts at Is. 3d. per cwt. or 24s. 2d. per ton. Other current quotations are as follow:— Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit 23/4 . 23/4 19/2 Best washed nuts at pit... 21/3 21/3 17/1 Buckhill best coal „ Do. double-scrned 22/6 22/6 18/4 washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at 21/ 21/ 16/10 Fit Oughterside best washed 22/6 22/6 18/4 nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best 21/ 21/ 16/10 coal at pit. St. Helens best house nuts 22/6 22/6 18/4 at pit 21/ ' 21/ 16/10 Best dry small at pit 12/ 12/ 8/6 Best steam nuts at pit ... 19/ 19/ 15/ BestCumberl'nd coal, f.o.b. 19/6 19/6 ’ 15/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 17/6 17/6 13/6 Bunkers 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 12/6 Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- 20/ 20/ 15/ works .. 19/ 19/ 14/ IRON. The Cumberland haematite iron trade is much stronger in tone, and makers are probably doing as much business as they possibly can with the present facilities of produc- tion. The demand for special low phosphorus iron for the use of ammunition manufacturers is as keen as ever, and makers are finding some difficulty in meeting requirements. With regard to ordinary hEematites, consumers are still buying to cover their more immediate requirements, but there, are now more enquiries, and there is every indication that business will be much brisker soon after the end of the half year. Prices have undergone very little change, but stocks have again fallen, the quantity in public stores at present amounting to 2,JL33 tons, compared with 2,203 tons a week ago. Prices have been well maintained, because smelters have good order books, and, while stocks remain low and the cost of production on the increase, buyers cannot very well hope for a fall in values, more especially when the whole of the present output is going into imme- diate consumption. Bessemer mixed numbers are this week quoted at 107s. 6d. to 108s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. at the usual ports, while special iron is quoted at 123s. per ton. Ferro-manganese is still quoted at <£20 per ton. There are 23 furnaces in operation in Cumberland and the Furness district on special and ordinary haematites, and the Workington Iron and Steel Company have one furnace on ferro-manganese at their Old Side works. Workington are making for the market and consumption at the steel works, while a large percentage of the special brands of iron is going to Birmingham and Sheffield, while a sub- stantial tonnage is being consigned to South Wales. The steel trade is fairly brisk, and Workington are busily engaged on rails, shell steel, &c. The iron ore mines are all well employed, but the amount of metal raised is still insufficient to meet the requirements of north-east, Scotch and local smelters. The imports at Workington last week included 280 tons of briquettes from West Bank and 550 tons of ore from Belfast. The exports consisted of 240 tons of ferro-manganese and 1,185 tons of steel rails for Liver- pool, 75 tons of rails for London, and 660 tons of rails for the Continent. South-West Lancashire. COAL. Although the household demand is naturally easing off, there are even yet arrears of orders, and after the slate is cleaned of these, both the producer and the merchant are aware that the period for stocking has arrived. There is nothing new with regard to screened coal for forge and manufacturing purposes. With regard to shipping, re- quirements for bunkering are hardly as heavy as they were, while supplies generally are coming forward rather more freely. The compulsory restriction of exports to neutral countries is causing prices to drop. Apart from the inter- ference with the local export trade, a considerable quantity of coal which otherwise would be shipped from the east coast becomes available for this market. Present quota- tions for Lancashire steam coals range from 19s. to 20s. f.o.b., though lower prices may be taken for spot lots in special cases to clear wagons. In the coastwise and cross- channel trade for household coals, matters are pretty much as reported during the last week or two. The merchant across the water is anxious to take all he can get. Slack continues deficient in supply, and it is with great difficulty that enough can be found for those requiring it. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal Best ................. Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium................ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen............... Do. (f.o.b. Garston,net) Screened forge coal..... Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ........ Common do............... Current L'st week's prices. prices. 20/9 20/9 22/ 22/ 19/ 19/ 20/ 20/ 16/9-17/ 16/9-17/ 19/ 19/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 19/6-20/6 19/6-20/6 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 11/6-12/6 11/6-12/6 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 Last year's prices. 17/ 16/6-16/9 15/3 14/6-15/ 13/ 13/3-13/9 11/6-12/ 12/9-13/6 9/9 9/ , 8/ - 8/6 South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a fair attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. The demand for house coal keeps very small; contracts are being placed for future require- ments. Furnace coal is brisk, and there is a steady enquiry for shipping coal. Slack is extremely lively, and the demand exceeds the supply. Generally prices all round are very firm. List rates are below:— Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best .............. Medium............. Common............. Furnace coal.......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack ........... Common slack ......... Current prices. 21/ -22/ 19/9-20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 12/6-14/ 10/6-12/ L’st week's prices. 21/ -22/ 19/9—20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 12/6-14/ 10/6-12/ Last year's prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ —16/9 13/3-14/ - 12/6 14/ 9/6-10/ 8/6- 9/ IRON. There was a fair attendance on ’Change, and prices remain without alteration, although, if anything, pig iron is a little easier. Forges are busy on iron at the full Association prices. Steelworks are, of course, fully employed, either directly or indirectly, chiefly on Govern- ment work. Those steelworks engaged in the manufacture of girders are now declining to quote for anything under the large sections, and an advance is recorded here of 10s. per ton, making the price .£10 per ton. Bars are quoted at prices from <£11 10s. upwards according to quality. The chief topic of conversation is, of course, munitions. The wagon works are busy, and the difficulty is to get supplies of material. Foundries are still slack. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The attendance on Tuesday was fully up to the average* and was thoroughly representative. A few buyers were present from the London market, and business all round was fairly good. There was some weakness in prices for spot parcels of steam coal for export, but apart from this quotations were firm. It was reported that the pits had worked full time, and as the wagon supply had been satis- factory, an improvement in the output is to be noted. Business in house coal with London and the south continues on a winter basis, as merchants are still buying largely to stock. For the latter purpose, sales of best Silkstone house coal have been booked for delivery to the end of August at 19s. per ton at the pit, while in the case of the Haigh Moor best 19s. 6d. has been obtained. Further progress with regard to forward contracts is reported. One such con- cerns a large quantity of Silkstone best house coal, which has been booked at 19s. at the pit for summer and 20s. for winter. Secondary qualities of house coal are not quite so firm as the best sorts, but 16s. per ton at the pit is secured for even common sorts. Coastwise, there has been a further improve- ment in the demand, especially for the south coast, and medium qualities of Silkstone house sell very readily at about 18s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. Goole. In the coal markets the warm weather and month-end considerations have caused a slight falling-off in the demand, but pit prices are quite firm. The booking of forward contracts for house coal for' the local markets proceeds somewhat slowly, as there is a good deal of difference in the ideas of sellers. Some are quoting 3s. 6d. per ton advance, while others are asking as high as 6s. For open-market sales in the West Riding, pit prices average as under :—Haigh Moor selected, 22s. to 23s.; Silkstone best, 21s. to 22s.; Silkstone house, 19s. 6d. to 20s. 6d.; secondary sorts, 17s. 6d. to 19s. There is very little change to note with regard to the position of gas coal. The pits generally are pretty nearly fully sold, especially those producing the best grades. The partiality for washed and unwashed gas nuts is still marked, and very high prices for these qualities are being secured for forward business. Open-market sales are fewer in number, but a considerable tonnage is still being sent into the London district. Manufacturing fuel is also firm and somewhat scarce, while coking smalls show a tendency to a further advance. Washed furnace coke is offered sparingly at about 25s. per ton at the ovens, both for prompt sales and short forward contracts. A very big business is being done with the iron and steel works in the Frodingham district, while the demand from the local works in the Leeds district continues good. Pit prices :— ; Current pit prices. House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year's Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 14/ Wallsend & London best 18/6-19/6 18/ -19/ 13/ -14/ Silkstone best 18/6-19/6 18/ -19/ 13/ -14/ Do. house 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 12/ -12/6 House nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 11/ -11/6 Prices .f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 16/ -16/6 Silkstone best 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 15/6-16/ Do. house 19/6-21/ 19/6-21/ 14/ -14/9 Other qualities 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 13/6-14/ Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 11/ -12/ Gas nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 10/ -11/ Unscreened gas coal ... 14/ -15/6 14/ -15/6 9/9-10/6 Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts... 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 11/ -11/6 Large double-screened engine nuts 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 9/6-10/6 Small nuts 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/ 9/ - 9/9 Rough unscreened engine coal 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/ 9/3- 9/9- Best rough slacks 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 7/3- 8/ Small do. 11/6-12/6 11/6-12/6 6/ - 6/9 Coking smalls 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 6/3- 7/ Coke:— Price at ovens: Furnace coke 25/ 23/ -25/ 10/ -10/6 Barnsley. COAL. The activity in the demand has been fairly well main- tained during the week, except in regard to large steam fuel. Although the output is of a reduced quantity, the collieries are finding it is more than adequate to meet the needs of the market under the present conditions. The trouble arising from the issue of licences for export to neutral countries is becoming very extensive, and business appears to be in a very unsettled condition. Apart from the uncertainty as to the departure of boats, shippers are also experiencing a close scrutiny in respect to the quantity of bunkers which are allowed to be taken on board. A big tonnage under contract is being sent to the Humber, but this cannot be disposed of, with the result that a larger amount of coal in second hands is being thrown on the market. It is inevitable that this condi- tion of affairs cannot exist for long before materially affecting the home market, and the result is that collieries are now requested to curtail the deliveries to the port, and prices have consequently materially reduced for orders on home account. Offers are now met with at 16s. to 17s. per ton, something like 2s. per ton less than a week ago for prompt business, but the home requirements for this class of coal are not so extensive as those of other grades. The position may naturally affect the question of the renewal of certain railway contracts which fall out at the end of June, though it is regarded as likely that railway companies will pay from 15s. to 16s. 6d. per ton for supplies, compared with 11s. per ton a year ago. The demand on the part of the railway companies is of an active character, and collieries are not yet troubled with material stocks. In respect to steam nuts and all classes of manufacturing fuel, the demand continues to be in excess of the production, and prices are particularly firm. This is especially the case in respect to nuts, so largely used by the armament firms, and prices at the present time are considerably above those which are being paid for good class hards. The collieries also report that the demand for slacks is well maintained, and there is no trouble in dealing with the output. In respect to gas coal contracts, the position of the collieries is practically unaltered, the gas companies continuing to fix up their arrangements, although they have to accept the condition of coalowners in regard to the quantity of fuel which can be supplied, and the full advance of 6s. per ton is still being paid. In respect to house coal, collieries are still able to fully dispose of the output, although of course it is recognised that the tonnage is abnormal at this period of the year. The merchants are still continuing the policy of laying in stocks for the winter, and best classes of fuel are even now not very readily obtainable. Prices, of course,, are firmly maintained, although there is not so much heard of the suggestion that a further advance in prices would be made on the 1st prox. The demand for coke continues to be of a very active description, and makers are still being pressed to forward supplies, especially to the North Lincolnshire districts, where stocks are still very low. The increased price of 25s. per ton is a very firm quotation, but there is not yet a great deal doing in respect to contracts. Prices at pit. Current L'st week’s Last year's House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 15/6-16/ Best Barnsley softs 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 15/ —15/3 Secondary do 17/ -18/ • 17/ -18/ 12/ -13/ Best house nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 13/ Secondary do 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 10/9-11/6 Steam coals:— Best hard coals 16/ -17/ 19/ -20/ 11/3-11/6 Secondary do 14/6-15/6 18/ -19/ 10/6-10/9 Best washed nuts 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 10/6-10/9 Secondary do 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 10/ Best slack 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/ 7/ Rough do 12/6-13/ 12/6-13) 5/9- 6/ Gas coals:— Screened gas coals 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 11/6 Unscreened do 14/6-15/ 14/6-15/ - 10/6 Gas nuts 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 10/9-11/ Furnace coke 24/ -25/ 24/ -25/ 10/ Hull. COAL. There is no improvement to report in the condition of the Humber coal trade. The difficulty in obtaining licences for export to neutral collieries, and especially Scandinavia, seems to be accentuated rather than otherwise, judging by the large percentage of applications refused. Under these stringent conditions new business is not only difficult to negotiate, but exceedingly limited in quantity. There is plenty of steam coal on offer, and with only a moderate demand prices are again lower on the week, and the tone of the market distinctly dull. Best South Yorkshire hards are now quoted at 17s. 6d. to 18s. for prompt shipment, and it is reported that small lots have changed hands at some- thing below these figures. Derbyshire steam hards are^ in about a similar position, and the value about 18s. for shipment at Grimsby or Immingham. Secondary sorts are none too easy to obtain, the demand for manufacturing purposes being quite abreast of the supply. Washed Yorkshire doubles are fully steady at 18s. 6d. to 19s., ditto singles 17s. 6d. to 18s., and ditto small coal 15s. to 16s. There is little doing in house coal, and best Hartleys are steady at 18s. Shipments at the docks are on the light side, the bulk going to French ports. In the freight market rates are about unchanged, 16s. having been paid for a 1,400-ton steamer to load for Rouen, and 13s. Honfleur and 13s. 6d. Havre, are the rates given for small steamers this week. For London 7s. is the rate, while 27s. 6d. is asked for a large steamer for West Italy. Chesterfield. COAL. There is a well-sustained demand for house coal, orders being plentiful. Prices remain very firm. A good deal of stocking is going on. Coal for manufacturing purposes continues in great [request, and consumers appear to be quite satisfied with the efforts which the collieries are making to supply them with all the fuel that they require. Most of the contracts which expire at the end of this month have now been renewed. Steam coal for locomotive purposes is in active demand, and substantial deliveries are going forward daily to the various depots. Slack for boiler firing is much wanted, and prices are as firm as ever. Owing to stocks of this fuel having become exhausted, consumers are compelled to depend upon the daily output of the pits. Gas coal continues in strong demand, and gas companies are rather anxious with regard to their reserve stocks for winter. The export trade is in a depressed condition owing to the increasing restriction of shipments of coal to neutral countries, and prices have fallen substantially. The position is a serious one, but unfortunately there is no