126 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. July 16, 1915. fresh in this branch of the trade. With regard to shipping the position generally is much the same as it was last week, and quotations for Lancashire steam coals range from 18s. 6d. to 19s. 6d. f.o.b. according to quality. Lower prices, however, are being accepted in special cases for prompt shipment. Shipments of household fuel for the coastwise and cross-Channel trade continue above the average for the time of the year. Slacks continue to be scarce in quantity and firm in price, not only for open sale, but for forward contracts. The gas coal season is almost at an end, and it may be said that, without exception, purchases have been made without alteration to the tendered prices. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). benches and in trucks are practically nil, while supplies in the hands of the iron and steel works are said to be exceptionally light. Current pit prices. House coal:— Best ...............J 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 prices. 20/9 22/ 19/ 20/ 16/9-17/ 19/ 16/ -17/ 18/6-19/6 14/ 12/6 10/6 L’st week’s prices. 20/9 22/ 19/ 20/ 16/9-17/ 19/ 16/ -17/ 18/6-19/6 14/ 12/6 10/6 Last year’s prices. 17/ 16/6-16/9 15/3 14/6-15/ 13/ 13/3-13/9 11/6-12/ 12/6-13/3 9/9 9/ , 8/ - 8/6 South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a good attendance on ’Change on Tuesday last. House coals are in a quieter demand, and one or two sellers had small lots standing for disposal. The demand for furnace coal is fully maintained, and there is a more steady enquiry for shipping coal at the prices that have lately ruled. Slack continues in good demand, with sellers firm for the present market, and equally so for forward. The general price list is about as follows :— Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Prices at pit (London) : Haigh Moor selected ... Wallsend & London best Silkstone best ...... Do. house ......... House nuts .......... Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best...... Silkstone best ...... Do. house ......... Other qualities...... Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal.... Gas nuts............. Unscreened gas coal ... Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts......... Large double-screened engine nuts ......... Small nuts........... Rough unscreened engine coal.......... Best rough slacks.... Small do............. Coking smalls ....... Coke.— Price at ovens: Furnace coke ........ Barnsley. 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/ 14/ 11/ -12/ Last year's prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 9/6-10/ 8/6- 9/ IRON. No change in the price of pig iron. Good foundry iron, which is in good demand, can be bought at 75s. to 76s. Forges are fairly well employed on iron, but the majority of their work consists of rolling down steel billets. The associated price of <£11 remains without alteration, with no desire to contract at this. Iron hoops are still at £13 2s. 6d., and steel £12 17s. 6d. Steel works are busy mostly directly or indirectly on Government work at prices ranging from £11 10s. upwards for bars, according to the quality asked for. Billet mills are fully employed at £8 10s. to £9 per ton. Heavy engineers are full of work, and wagon works are quite busy. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. There was a full attendance of members of the Yorkshire Coal Exchange on Tuesday, several visitors being present from other districts. Business was brisk on the whole, with the bulk of the trade done in manufacturing fuel. It was reported that full time had been worked at the pits, except in some cases where empty trucks have been very scarce. There are again a large number of complaints about delay in traffic, especially to London and the South of England, and it is only with difficulty that the collieries are able to work at all well by reason of these delays. Business in house coal with London merchants has shown a slight falling off during the week. It is said that this is not owing to any slackening of the demand from consumers, but chiefly on account of the difficulty of securing loaders and carters from the depots in London. It is said that stocks at the London depots are heavier at the present time than for some years past, but still there is a considerable amount of buying going on, and consequently prices are firm all round. Very little further progress with regard to the placing of new contracts is reported, as buyers are awaiting some lead from the Government. There has been a considerable increase in the amount of coal shipped coast- wise from Goole and Hull, the cargoes sent to the south coast being exceptionally numerous. The chief demand runs on the medium qualities of Silkstone house coal, which average about 19s. per ton f.o.b. Hull. It is said that freights from Goole to ports on the south coast are being quoted in the neighbourhood of 10s. 6d. per ton. In Leeds, Bradford, Halifax and other industrial centres the demand for house coal is still on the quiet side, the only ready sale being for the cheaper grades. Pit prices are unchanged, however, and are very firm, as follows;—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 gas coal pits are able to dispose of their output daily, and although new business is quiet, quotations for every quality are firmly held. A considerable amount of further business for France is said to have been booked this week at about 19s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. Hull for screened gas coal, with rough unscreened at about 18s. f.o.b. Hull. Factory fuel remains scarce and dear, and this applies especially to washed nuts and good quality rough slacks. Coking smalls are a shade easier, particularly the washed varieties, and this is said to be on account of the lessened requirements in the export trade through the difficulty of securing licences. For the best qualities of washed furnace coke quite 25s. per ton at the ovens is being secured, and secondary grades sell at from 23s. to 24s. At these prices, however, very little forward business is being done. The demand from Frodingham is very urgent, and this is true to a less extent of the Midlands. Stocks both on the Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. 19/6-20/6 19/6-20/6 14/ 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 13/ -13/9 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 13/ -13/9 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 12/ -12/6 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 11/ -11/6 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 16/ -17/ 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 15/ -16/ 19/6-21/ 19/6-21/ 13/9-14/6 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 13/ -14/ 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 11/ -11/6 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 10/ -10/6 14/ -15/6 14/ -15/6 9/6-10/ 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 10/9-11/6 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 9/6-10/6 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/ 9/ - 9/9 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 9/3- 9/9 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 7/ - 8/ 11/6-12/6 11/6-12/6 6/ - 6/9 12/ -12/6 12/ -13/ 6/ - 7/ 23/ -25/ 24/ -25/ 10/ -10/9 COAL. There was not a great deal of activity at the usual weekly ' market, although the preliminary reports of the Govern- ment proposals in regard to fixing prices evoked a good deal of discussion. There is no doubt that a considerable number of buyers have refrained from fixing up their contracts in the expectancy that some control of prices would be attempted, but generally speaking a big per- centage of the trade for the remainder of the year, and in a lesser degree for twelve months ahead, is already booked up. If it be true that the proposals will restrict the advance in prices to 4s. per ton on the pit prices of a year ago, there is bound to be a great deal of difficulty ahead. Collieries in the district, who have contracted for a very big percentage of their output to the railway companies at about Ils. per ton, will feel the restriction very keenly, although they have not had much surplus fuel to sell in the advancing market. On the other hand, where buyers have already paid from 5s. to 6s. per ton advance, they will obviously be dissatisfied, unless, of course, some arrange- ment can be made to balance the adverse position on either side. A number of district collieries are affected, owing to the dispute regarding the wages agreement for surface workers. These thin seam collieries, whose claim for a preferential rate was established' under the Minimum Wages Act, are offering a new arrangement wthin 5 per cent, of the amount paid by the thick seam collieries. The men have still refused to accept this, and are threatening to give in their notices unless their demands are conceded. It is expected that negotiations will be pursued with a view of effecting an amicable settlement, although the owners are taking a firm stand in the matter. The position in regard to large steams is of a more steady character, but prices are fairly firm. The improvement in the exports from Hull is causing the market to recover somewhat, but the adverse effect in consequence of the withholding of licences for shipment has not passed away. Generally speaking, the output, which has shown some slight improvement, is fairly well dealt with, and best hards are again making about 17s. per ton. The position in regard to secondary sorts is per- haps hardly so strong, but with a more active demand for home purposes collieries have no difficulty in keeping clear of stocks, although railway companies are continuing to take more substantial deliveries than on the average. There is no material change in regard to small steam fuel, and the difficulty in obtaining supplies is still pronounced. The requirements of the engineering centres, of course, continue to be of an abnormal description, and every effort is being made to provide them with ready deliveries, and the advanced quotations are maintained without any diffi- culty. Slacks are also in very good request, both for the textile districts and on coke-making account, whilst a strong demand for gas coal for export enables collieries fully to keep working, though home consumers are continuing the policy of adding to their stocks. Representatives of house- coal collieries report a well-sustained demand for all classes of fuel, and something like winter deliveries have been taken, especially for the southern and eastern counties. Although there does not appear to have been any extensive contracts made in the West Yorkshire and Lancashire districts, the recent quotations are firmly held, and collieries do not appear to have any difficulty in disposing of their production. In regard to coke, the pressure for supplies is also fairly well sustained, and prices are firmly held as quoted a week ago. Prices at pit. Hull. COAL. There has been only a moderate amount of business passing on the Humber Coal Exchange during the week, and the spurt in prices of steam coal recorded in last report has not been maintained. Fewer licences to export have come to hand, and second holders pressing sales, current value of best South Yorkshire steam hards has declined to 19s. to 20s. for prompt shipment. Derbyshire steams have been an even quieter market, and are nominally 18s. for shipment at Grimsby or Immingham. Secondary sorts are, however, in good request, and washed doubles and singles (Yorkshires) are fully steady at 18s. to 18s. 6d., and washed small coal 14s. 6d. to 15s. 6d. Gas coal is also a good market, Silkstone screened being worth 19s. 6d. to 20s. 6d. House coal is not so readily sold, West Yorkshire Hartleys being quoted 18s. to 18s. 6d. Members of the Exchange heard with grave concern the news received of the sensational development in South Wales, but how, or to what extent, it may react upon the Humber is not quite clear at the moment. The publication of the text of the Government Bill for the limitation of coal prices has set at rest the speculation as to the contents of the measure. Of course, the export trade is outside its scope, and so far as the home trade is concerned the view is held that while it is not free from difficulties it will have a steadying influence on the market, and tend to reassure the public, who last season, as a protest against high prices, refrained from buying altogether. Some doubt exists as to the meaning of parts of the Bill, especially the clause exempting “coal supplied in pursuance of a contract made before the commencement of this Act." Whether it is the usual retrospective clause applying to existing con- tracts, or is intended to apply only to coal actually delivered under contract prior to the enforcement of the Act, is a subject for a very wide diversity of opinion, though no one questions that the former reading is the one that ought to prevail. The docks have been moderately busy this week, and quite a number of steamers • has been fixed at lower rates, early loading, for French ports 15s. being the uniform rate paid for handy-sized steamers for Rouen and 13s. Dieppe and Fecamp. Other fixtures include a 5,000-ton steamer Hull to Buenos Ayres at 27s. 6d. late July loading, a small steamer Hull to Svendborg 15s. The coastwise rate is unchanged at 7s. to London. The complete returns of the export of coal from all the Humber ports to foreign ports January-June is as under:— Jan.-June. Jan.-June. 1915. 1914. Tons. Tons. Hull 1,107,765 . .. 1,601,694 Grimsby 241,168 .. 463,822 Immingham .... 323,164 .. 666,828 Goole 227,329 . 535,134 Totals ....... 1,899,426 .. . 3,273,478 The decrease is equal to 41*9 per cent. Of the total 819,726 tons, or 43 per cent., was sent to France, next in the list being Sweden 354,626 tons, Holland 207,057 tons, Denmark 197,382 tons, Norway 163,809 tons, and Italy 67,563 tons. Chesterfield. COAL. The market continues strong, and all classes of coal are in good request. Prices are firm all round. House coal orders are plentiful, but owing to the reduced output collieries are not able to make prompt deliveries. Coal for the large armament works of Sheffield is in active demand. Slack for steam-raising purposes finds a ready sale. Steam coal for locomotive use is in rather fuller supply, and rail- way companies are not quite so pressing in their demands. The question of licences dominates the export trade. A few of these were issued last week, which caused the market to gain a little firmness, and prices advanced slightly in conse- quence. This week, however, matters have changed in the opposite direction, and owing to the scarcity of licences prices have drooped again. Business under existing circum- stances is difficult to negotiate. There is a large and increasing demand for house coal for France, and cobbles and nuts for this market are specially wanted. There is very little change in the condition of the coke trade; if anything the position is a shade weaker, and there is a feeling that the price of coke has reached the top. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best house coals 17/ 17/ 12/ Secondary do 16/6 16 6 11/ Cobbles 16/ 16/ 10/6 Nuts 15/6 15 6 9/6 Slack 12/9 12/9 7/6 IRON. Pig iron is in poor demand, but bar iron orders are plentiful. Foundries are only indifferently employed, as the demand for cast iron pipes has fallen off considerably. This has a prejudicial effect upon the pig iron industry. House coals:— Best Silkstone ....... Best Barnsley softs.. Secondary do. ....... Best house nuts ..... Secondary do......... Steam coals:— Best hard coals...... Secondary do......... Best washed nuts..... Secondary do......... Best slack .......... Rough do.............. Gas coals:— Screened gas coals .. Unscreened do........ Gas nuts.............. Furnace coke............ Current prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 17/ 15/ -15/6 16/ -17/ 15/ -15/6 13/6 12/ -12/6 15/6-16/ 14/6-15/ 15/ —16/ 25/ L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 16/ -17/ 14/ -15/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -15/6 13/6 ! 12/ -12/6 i 15/6-16/ : 14/6-15/ 15/ -16/ | 25/ Last year’s prices. 15/6-16/ 15/ -15/3 12/ -13/ 13/ 10/9-11/6 11/6-12/ 10/6-11/ 10/6-10/9 9/9-10/ 6/9- 7/ 5/9- 6/ ■ H/6 i 10/6 i 10/6-11/ | 10/ Nottingham. COAL. There has been no marked change in the state of the coal trade in Nottinghamshire during the past week, the general position being one of activity, with values fairly firm in all branches. A good steady business characterises the house coal branch, local and district merchants taking full supplies to replenish stocks, but business at landsale depots is less active than of late. Hand-picked brights and good class households are in best demand, the output of which is readily disposed of. Secondary sorts are having a fair sale, but common qualities are in slow request, the prices of which are a little easier. A weaker tendency is apparent in the steam coal section. This is partly attributed to less activity in regard to exports. The home demand is, however, well maintained. Railway companies are taking good supplies of locomotive fuel on contract account. Slacks continue to be a brisk feature of the market, although the supplies are rather better than of late, but the demand is such that owners have little opportunity of putting much into stock. Gas coal is in moderate demand, the recently-advanced rates being well maintained. Coke is selling well, more especially the best qualities, which are realising abnormal prices.