26 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN July 2, 1915. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a good attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. There is no change to report in the situation as to house coal. Very little business is passing, except with renewals of contracts that are approaching completion. Furnace coal continues to meet with good enquiry, and the same remark applies to shipping coal. Slack keeps very brisk. Prices for all qualities of fuel keep very firm, and the following are about the general list prices. 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/ 14/ 11/ -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 good attendance on ’Change in Manchester on Tuesday, and the conditions of trade are practically the same as last week, with very little alteration in the price of pig iron. The Association price for iron bars still remains at <£11 per ton, with iron and steel hoops at <£13 2s. 6d. and <£12 17s. 6d. respectively. Steelworks are extremely busy on bars at <£11 10s. upwards, and billets at <£10. Wagon builders are also busy, but are considerably handicapped through want of material. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The attendance at the market on Tuesday showed an improvement compared with recent weeks, Humber shippers being well represented, while there were also present a number of buyers from the London market. The business done concerned mainly small parcels of house coal and gas coal, while one or two forward contracts in manufacturing fuel for fairly substantial tonnages were said to have been booked. Full time work at the pits has been possible this week, owing to the satisfactory supply of empty trucks, but the movement of loaded traffic to London and the south still occasions considerable complaint. The position of the trade generally is one of considerable difficulty. On the one hand the restriction of exports has caused a very large tonnage of steam coal to be thrown on the inland market, with consequent loss of values. On the other hand, buyers of house coal and manufacturing fuel seem determined to cover their requirements as far as possible over the ensuing 12 months, and yet there is considerable uncertainty as to the attitude the Government may take with regard to these commitments. In spite of these difficulties, however, a very large tonnage of forward business is being booked at good prices. This applies particularly to house coal for the London market. It is reported that a well-known Silkstone best coal has been sold forward over the 12 months at 19s. per ton at the pit for summer delivery, and 20s. at the pit for winter. Current business with London merchants continues brisk, and prices generally are firm. In the coastwise trade one or two important contracts are also reported, one such being for a large tonnage of Silkstone best house coal, which is said to have been booked at 21s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b. Goole for the summer months, and 22s. 6d. for the winter months. Secondary qualities of Silkstone house coal are also selling forward at about 18s. 6d. summer and 19s. 6d. winter, f.o.b. Goole. More boats are coming to Goole and Hull from the south coast and the Thames, and business on the whole is better in the coastwise trade. In Leeds, Bradford, Hudders- field and the heavy woollen district merchants report a very quiet state of things in the retail trade, but with full pressure on the part of merchants for contract tonnage the pits continue busy and prices firm. For current business pit prices average as follow:—Haigh Moor selected, 22s. to 23s.; Silkstone best, 21s. to 22s.; Silkstone house, 19s. 6d. to 20s. 6d.; secondary sorts, 17s. 6d. to 19s. The strength of the gas coal position is well maintained, especially with regard to washed nuts and other specialised fuel. It is reported that one of the best known washed gas nuts raised in the district has been sold forward this week at 17s. 6d. per ton at the pit. A fair tonnage of gas coal is also being exported to France, but a reduced tonnage of local gas coal is being consigned to London. Manufacturing fuel is very firm, and supplies on the whole are barely adequate to meet the needs of the consumers. Forward contracts in this branch are being booked in large numbers at advances of from 6s. to 7s. per ton over last year’s figures. There is very little change to note with regard to washed furnace coke, best qualities realising 25s. per ton at the ovens, with 24s. for secondary sorts. Enquiries made throughout the West Yorkshire coal field elicited the fact that there are practically no stocks of either coal or coke in the hands of producers. Barnsley. COAL. Although the general demand is fairly well sustained, business at the local market was not of an abnormal character. Colliery representatives report there has been no material improvement in output, and with the exception of large steam coal there was no particular effort to push business. On the other hand buyers apparently are purchasing little beyond their actual requirements, in view of the proposals which have been made to deal with prices at the pits. Opinion is very much varied as to what the probable outcome of. these efforts may be, but buyers whose circumstances permit them to delay completing arrange- ments, are holding off until the result of the efforts alluded to have been ascertained. There has been no settlement yet of the locomotive coal contracts which have expired at the end of June, and no doubt the railway companies are adopting a similar attitude to that of general buyers, in the expectation of the demands made by the coalowners being materially reduced. In the midst of these conflicting opinions, business is naturally of an unsettled character, though undoubtedly the fact that the output is being materially reduced—it is stated to the extent of 50 per cent, in the case of one large colliery—will commend the advisability of prompt action to the serious consideration of buyers. There has been further weakness during the week in respect to business for large steam coal. The Government restrictions regarding exports appear to be as vigorous as ever, and for the time being there appears to be no doubt that the output is exceeding the demand of the market. As previously stated, full contract deliveries are not now being sent to the Humber ports, and greater efforts are being made to dispose of the surplus tonnage in the home market. Prices are very variable, it being reported that good class hards are now being offered at 14s. per ton for prompt business, though the best qualities appear to be making up to 16s. per ton. In respect to small steam fuel, collieries have no difficulty whatever in disposing of the whole of their output, and consumers have little opportunity of accumulating stocks. The requirements of the engineering firms for nuts continues to be exception- ally great, and quotations remain very firm. The enquiry for pea nuts and slacks is equally active, and the deliveries desired are not yet possible, whilst slacks both for boiler pur- poses and coke manufacturing are also in heavy request. In regard to most classes of steam fuel, buyers who are having to depend practically upon regular daily deliveries find it impossible to rely upon the open market, and have perforce to renew contracts on the best possible terms they can obtain. In respect to gas coal, although the demand on current account for home purposes is perhaps not so vigorous, there is still a heavy export being made to France, and collieries are practically indifferent to the comparatively small number of remaining contracts which have not yet been renewed. The deliveries of house coal from the collieries continue to be equal to the winter months’ dimensions, owing to the continued policy on the part of merchants to lay in stocks for the winter months. This class of fuel also continues to be freely acceptable for other than its normal purposes, and coalowners, who are in a very strong position, are able to fully maintain the advanced winter quotations, which have been in force for a considerable time. Buyers maintain an insistent demand for coke, which is in excess of the output of the plants, and there is not a little difficulty in fixing up contracts owing to the price of raw material. Quotations of from 24s. to 25s. per ton are strongly maintained. Prices at pit. 2,400-ton steamer, Hull to Rouen, 16s. has been paid, but 15s. to 15s. 6d. is about the rate for smaller vessels, and 13s. to 13s. 6d. that for other French ports in the Channel. A steamer to carry 1,400 tons has been chartered to load for Archangel, the rate reported being 27s. 6d., which, when compared with 7s. or 8s. paid in normal times to Baltic ports, does not seem to promise for a large export of coal to Russia vid the White Sea. The Mediterranean market remains quiet, about 27s. being the nominal rate to West Italy. Coastwise business is done on the basis of 7s. Hull to London. The unusual rate of 15s. has been paid for a small 1,000-ton steamer Hull to Nakskov, and a similar figure for Kallundborg. Chesterfield. COAL. A general steadiness characterises the coal trade of North Derbyshire. All classes of house coal are in good demand, and orders continue to come to hand freely. Prices are unchanged and firm. There are no stocks at the collieries, but merchants appear to be making provision in this respect. Fuel for manufacturing purposes is in very great request, cobbles, nuts and slack being urgently wanted. There is also a great call for slack for boiler firing, and prices remain firm at the high figures that have now been ruling for some time. Steam coal for locomotive use moves freely, and urgent orders continue to be received from the various railway companies. There is a strong demand for gas coal, and gas companies are making every effort to build up their winter stocks. The export trade remains in a very depressed condition, owing to the restriction imposed by the Board of Trade ; indeed, exporters experience increasing difficulty in obtaining the necessary licences, and matters in this respect are becoming worse week by week. The prospect of relief is very remote. There is a good demand from France for house and gas coal, and a fair business is being done in these qualities. Washed nuts are a good feature, the price of which keeps firm. There is a well sustained demand for all qualities of coke, and the market retains its firm character. Coking fuel is scarce and dear. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best house coals 17/ 17/ 13/6 Secondary do 16/6 16/6 12/ Cobbles 16/ 16/ 11/ Nuts 15/6 15/6 9/6 Slack 12/9 12/9 7/6 IRON. There is little or no change to note in the condition of the trade so far as this district is concerned. There is no disposition on the part of consumers to buy for forward delivery, and prices continue on a low level. The finished iron branch is in a satisfactory position. Orders are plentiful and prices are very firm at the advances that have recently been quoted. Engineers are all well employed. 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 18/6-19/6 13/ -13/9 Silkstone best 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 13/ -13/9 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/ -14/6 Other qualities 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 13/ -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 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 10/9-11/6 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/ - 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 24/ -25/ 25/ 10/ -10/6 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 15/ -16/ 16/ -17/ 11/3-11/6 Secondary do 13/6-14/6 14/6-15/6 10/6-10/9 Best washed nuts 16/ -17/ 16/6-17/6 10/6-10/9 Secondary do 15/ -15/6 15/ -16/ 10/ Best slack 13/6 13/6-14/ 7/ Rough do 12/ -12/6 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 25/ 24/ -25/ 10/ Nottingham. COAL. Taking the condition of the coal trade generally in Nottinghamshire, there is a fairly brisk demand, although in some branches there is more activity than in others. A fair business is passing in the domestic fuel section, orders coming to hand more freely than usual at this time of the year, merchants in the Metropolis and eastern and southern counties taking the opportunity of getting in supplies in view of a probable shortage later on. The public demand at present is quieter consequent on the warm weather, but some householders, fearing a further increase in prices as the season advances, are getting their cellars stocked for the winter. Values generally are unchanged, but an easier tendency is manifest in regard to certain common qualities. Notwithstanding the fact that the tonnage going to the east coast ports for export is not quite as large as formerly, there is nevertheless much activity in the steam coal branch. Rather more coal is available for the open market, as the output is more commensurate with the demand, but late rates are on the whole being well maintained, though an easier tendency is apparent. Slacks continue to be in very good demand, the output of nearly every description being quickly disposed of. Gas coal is going out of hand readily, contracts having been renewed in some cases at advanced rates of 4s. and 5s. on a year ago. Prices at pithead. Hull. COAL. The weakness in the Humber market for steam coal was even more marked at the beginning of the week, but with restrictions on shipments to Spain removed and enquiries from West Italy circulating, a better tone has shown itself and prices have rallied somewhat. Under these influences holders were to-day asking 17s. 6d. to 18s. for spot lots, and fully the latter figure for July shipment. Secondary sorts are steady all round, and washed doubles are worth 18s. to 19s., ditto singles 18s. 6d., and ditto small 14s. 6d. to 15s. 6d. for prompt loading. Very little has been doing in Derbyshire steam hards, the nominal value of which is about 17s. 6d. to 18s. at Grimsby or Immingham. House coal is only moderately sought after, quotations being on the basis of 17s. to 18s. for best Yorkshire Hartleys. A very large percentage of licences, especially for Scandi- navia, continue to be refused, and this, of course, is no good for trade. With regard to supplies for the ensuing half year very few contracts are being entered into at the figures asked by the colliery owners, exporters as a rule preferring, in the present uncertainty, to remain in the open market. Shipments at the docks are chiefly to France, a very small quantity being sent elsewhere. Shipping tonnage is equal to demands, and rates are about unchanged. For a 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/ 17/6-19/6 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10/ -11/ 10/ -11/ L’st week’s prices. 18/6-20/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 18/6-21/ 16/6-18/ 12/6-14/ 11/ -12/ H/ -12/ Last year’s prices. 13/ -14/ 11/6-12/ 10/6-11/ 10/6-10/9 9/3-10/ 6/3- 6/9 5/6- 6/ 5/6- 6/ Leicestershire. COAL. Under normal conditions at this period of the year owners generally seek orders for immediate delivery—this year the difficulty is how to cope with an overwhelming stream of business. With such a condition of affairs it is most trying not to be able to work full time, and so make the utmost possible effort to supply the fuel that is so urgently needed. But the wagon supply dominates every- thing, and the period of working has to be in accordance with the empty railway-owned wagons which come to hand day by day. It is a matter for great satisfaction that the ■wagons that are available are being transported to their destinations in much less time than was the case a few months ago, and this has relieved the position very con- siderably. At present five days per week is the maximum period which can be worked. The percentage cost of administration is very high, and it is difficult to see how this can be lessened when it is remembered that there are