280 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN August 6, 1915. Barnsley. COAL. There was about an average attendance at the usual local market, and although the enquiry was generally good, there was not a great amount of business passing. Now that the Government proposals have been ascertained, buyers are more inclined to make contract arrangements which have been in suspense, but they found coal owners were not able to give undertakings for supplies in as large a measure as anticipated. Although it is hoped, as the result of various appeals, that there will be a considerable increase in the output, sellers are not yet able to commit themselves until there is some tangible evidence of the increased fuel available. Generally speaking, buyers of all classes of coal are taking the precaution to lay in stocks, in view of the possible shortage which may occur later. The stocks held by the collieries of any class of fuel are very light, but steam sorts are fully disposed of. In regard to large steam coal, it was reported that there continues to be a fairly strong demand on export account, largely for France, although the needs of the home market are of a substantial character. Secondary descrip- tions were more firm, and the railway companies are con- tinuing to take full contract supplies, in addition to pressing for arrears. Best hards were in particularly good request, and prices showed a slight advance on the week. In regard to steam nuts, although there has been a brief suspension of work by the engineering firms owing to the holidays, collieries continue to feel a good deal of pressure for supplies, and the production continues to be short of the requirements, whilst the demand for slacks is hardly so strong. There is little surplus fuel of this character on offer on the market, and prices generally speaking are maintained. A more active demand for gas coal continues to be experienced, and collieries engaged in the production of this class of coal are having the unusual experience of keeping fully at work at this period of the year. In respect to house coal, the extra demand for stocking purposes clears off the production, but merchants only report a quiet demand on the part of the public, who are not apparently unduly apprehensive of the possible situation during the winter months. List prices are maintained. The quieter state of affairs in regard to coke has been more keenly felt during the week. Some firms have set down furnaces, and are working short time, with a result that fuel is more freely offered, and prices lack firmness at about 21s. per ton. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 20/ -22/ 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 20/ -22/ 15/ -15/6 Best Barnsley softs 18/ -19/ 14/9-15/ Secondary do 16/6-17/6 12/ —13/ Best house nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 12/9-13/ Secondary do 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 10/9-11/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/ 11/9 Secondary do 15/6-16/ 15/ —15/6 10/9-11/ Best washed nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 15/ —15/6 10/9 Secondary do 15/ -15/6 9/9-10/ Best slack 13/ -13/6 13/ -13/6 6/9— 7/ Rough do 12/ -12/6 12/ -12/6 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/ 10/6-11/ Furnace coke 21/ -22/ 23/ -24/ 10/3-10/6 Hull. COAL. Since the resumption after the holiday, business has ruled quiet, and principal interest has centred in the latest Order in Council prohibiting export to Allied countries except under the same licensing restrictions as to neutral countries. The order does not become operative for a full week from now, but in the meantime there is natural curiosity and speculation as to the extent of the limitation which it is foreseen will ensue. Since the beginning of the year France has been the chief mainstay of the Humber export trade, and roundly about 1,000,000 tons, or three times the usual quantity, of Yorkshire coal has been shipped to French ports in the seven months, so that if there should be any considerable interference with this trade the effect would be serious. After a long period of dulness, conse- quent on the Swedish trade being practically held up through the refusal of licences, a better prospect seems to be opening out for Derbyshire coal, it being reported on ’Change to-day that the British Commission at Stock- holm has agreed to the issuing of licences for the importa- tion of 100,000 tons of English coal into Sweden. It is understood that the stipulation is that it shall go only to such firms as are making munitions for the Allies. A fair amount of coal is going forward at the docks. Prices are very little altered from a week ago, best South Yorkshires remaining steady at 19s. 6d. to 20s. for prompt shipment, and secondary sorts firm and in good demand at:—Washed doubles 19s. to 19s. 6d., washed singles 18s. 6d. to 19s., washed small 14s. to 15s. 6d. Derbyshire steam coal steady at 18s. 6d. at Grimsby or Immingham, but more or less nominal. West Yorkshires steady:—Hartleys 18s. to 18s. 6d., rough slack 14s. to 15s., and gas coal (screened) 19s. to 20s. 6d. Little has been done in the freight market since the holiday, but ample tonnage is offering at about recent rates. Chesterfield. COAL. The coal trade of this district maintains its steady character, and the general demand for fuel is pretty much the same from week to week. Orders for house coal are sufficiently plentiful to absorb all that the collieries are in a position to produce at present. There is no change in prices, which remain very firm. The requirements of coal for industrial purposes are on a large scale, and heavy deliveries are made daily to the large works of Sheffield and district. Cobbles and nuts suitable for steel-making are in the greatest demand of all classes of fuel. Slack for boiler firing is also in great request, but supplies are more readily obtained than they have been of late; still there will pro- bably be an increased demand as the year advances. Stocks are practically exhausted both at the collieries and on the works of consumers. Locomotive coal continues in steady request, but there is not much pressure, as railway com- panies are in a better position with regard to supplies than was the case a few weeks ago. The export trade continues to suffer from the difficulty in obtaining licences, and matters are now likely to become worse owing to the new Order issued during the last few days, which makes it imperative for exporters to obtain licences to enable them to ship coal to our Allies. There is no improvement in the price of steam coal, which remains at [about 19s. per ton delivered at Grimsby for the best brands of Derbyshire Top Hards. Large nuts suitable for household purposes are in active demand for France. The coke market is distinctly easier, and prices have now a downward tendency. Coking fuel continues in good demand, and prices are firm. 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/ 15/6 9/6 Slack 12/6 12/9 7/6 IRON. Pig iron is in quiet demand, and the tone of the market is sluggish. Buyers still show a disinclination to buy for delivery beyond their current requirements. On the other hand, the demand for manufactured iron is good, and orders continue plentiful. Tbe works of the district are working up to their full capacity. Nottingham. COAL. With the Nottinghamshire Miners* Association having appointed a Board with the object of averting strikes in the county during the war, the outlook from the owners* standpoint is somewhat more favourable, and on the part of both men and masters there is a desire to maintain the output at as high a level as possible. Consequently the holiday this week has been limited at many of the collieries to Monday, and at practically all collieries the break has been made much shorter than usual. Although in the house coal section the immediate demand is less active than of late, still merchants are continuing to take good supplies and the output is largely drawn upon, the stocks at collieries therefore being on a limited scale. In some cases it is reported that the congestion on the railways has interfered somewhat with the supply of empty wagons to the pits, thereby causing inconvenience. Values in this branch are keeping steady. With regard to steam coal, the tone in this department remains of an easier character, the irregularity concerning exports having contributed to this result. The feature in the home demand is the heavy consignments to firms engaged on Government work, and this counterbalances to some extent the decline in ship- ments, apart from supplies to our Allies. While for slacks there is not quite so urgent a demand, collieries have little difficulty is disposing of available supplies, though prices for some qualities are a shade easier. Good supplies of gas coal are going away, but mostly 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/ 17/6-18/ 15/ -16/ 12/ -13/ 10/ -11/6 310/ -11/6 L*st week’s Last year*s prices. prices.* 18/6-20/ — 16/6-17/6 — 15/ -16/ — 17/ -19/ — 16/ -17/ — 11/6—13/ — 10/ -11/ - 10/ -11/6 — * Outbreak of war. Leicestershire. COAL. After a two-days’ stoppage for holiday-making, work at all the collieries in this district is again in full swing, and it is noteworthy that from each colliery there is the very cheering note that the miners are working with more earnestness than at any former period. The men at some of the collieries have expressed their willingness and their desire to work more hours every week if arrangements could be made to bring this about. Full time, however, is only possible at one or two collieries where the proprietors own a large proportion of the rolling stock required for the conveyance of the coal. At all the other collieries the output is restricted to five days per week, by reason of the shortage of railway-owned coal wagons. In addition to the large quantities of wagons taken to France to keep the army at the front supplied, there are large numbers specially reserved for military purposes at certain centres so as to be available at any time in case of any sudden emergency. That explains the difficulty in maintaining an adequate supply of wagons for coal and transport. The removal of full wagons, however, is being speeded up as well as their unloading at their destinations, and in case of any shortage of coal it is regarded as probable that, with other conditions being favourable, a percentage of wagons now reserved might be set free for general traffic within certain limits. As soon as possible both colliery proprietors and miners will be only too glad to get on full time. There is an enormous inflow of orders for all classes of coal, and the demand is far in excess of the available supplies. An examination of the orders for urgent deliveries shows on analysis that a very large percentage of the excessive demand now experienced is due to people who have means to pay and accommodation to store, buying larger quanti- ties than usual, and several months in advance of their ordinary purchases in order that they may have full supplies during the coming autumn and winter. This procedure taking place in thousands of cases has thrown undue strain on the summer trade, and created an artificial shortage which many colliery proprietors feel confident will not be continued through the coming autumn. At all events, there is very general confidence that the coal situation is well in hand, and that any change will be very gradual, and in the direction of an improvement. As regards manufac- turing fuel and steam-raising coal the demand is extremely heavy, and very much in excess of the supplies available The result is that there is general falling back upon cobbles and large nuts to augment the supplies, but it is also hoped that this may not be necessary when the cold weather necessitates larger quantities for ordinary domestic purposes. There are no stocks of any kind at the pits, and the privately-owned coal wagons are extremely valuable. The following are the quotations, subject to special modifi- cations, which are now generally in operation 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 prices. 18/6-19/6 17/6—18/6 16/6—17/ 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 14/ -14/6 14/6—15/ 12/3—13/3 5/6— 6/6 15/9-16/9 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/ 15/9-16/9 13/9-15/ L*stweek*s prices. 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 14/ -14/6 14/6-15/ 12/3-13/3 5/6- 6/6 15/9-16/9 15/6—16/6 14/6-15/ 15/9—16/9 13/9-15/ Last year*s prices. 12/6-13/6 11/6—12/6 11/3—12/3 10/6-11/ 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/3 8/6- 9/ 7/9- 8/3 21 - 2/3 9/ -10/ 9/ - 9/6 8/3— 8/9 9/3- 9/9 South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. A holiday influence was over the market. Work was resumed at the pits on Wednesday, but the week’s business has been of the smallest dimensions. There is a good deal of speculation as to the effect of recent legislation, but has not crystallised into any definite opinions. There is no change to record in prices, which remain :— Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 23/ 23/ 17/6 Do. seconds deep 21/ 21/ 15/ Do. best shallow 20/ 20/ 13/6 Do. seconds do. 19/ 19/ 12/9 Best hard 19/6 19/6 14/6 10/6 Forge coal 16/ 16/ Slack Warwickshire:— 11/6 11/6 7/ House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 21/ 21/ 15/6 cobs 20/ 20/ 13/ Best hard spires 19/6 19/6 14/6 Forge (steam) 16/ 16/ 10/6 D.S. nuts (steam) 16/ 16 9/6 Small (do.) 15/ 15 8/ IRON. The market, as was to be expected in holiday week, was of small dimensions. The majority of the works in the district were re-started on Wednesday, but a few will be idle all week. The principal topic of discussion was the return of the Iron and Steel Wages Board, carrying with it an advance in wages of 71 per cent., making the puddling rate, with the bonus of 6d. per ton granted in 1912, Ils. 3d. per ton. The selling price for May and June, the period covered by the return, reached <£8 10s. 9d., the highest figure since the boom year of 1900, when for July and August the selling price went up to <£9 18s. 8d. In March and April 1913 the figure was <£8 8s. 9d. An abundance of work awaited the men on their return, and there are cases of firms deferring the acceptance of orders from manu- facturers not occupied on Government work. This fact alone, apart from the Wages Board figures, will tend to keep up prices, which are likely to be maintained at a high level for some time to come. Steel is particularly strong. Less material is coming from America, indeed, it is almost impossible to get quotations for billets and blooms. The Americans want their own raw material for finished stuff, and prices for this have been advanced to such a stage that it is no advantage to buy it, bearing in mind the delay in delivery, and the “ net cash ” conditions of trading. Official quotations at home are nominal, makers fixing their own advances according to circumstances in the form of premiums. Makers of marked bars have well-filled books, and have not so far altered the £>12 basis, although unmarked qualities are quoted <£11 10s. to <£11 15s., the usual margin being 20s. to 30s. A lot of contracts, however, are still in hand which were taken at lower figures. A fair market level for puddled bars is <£7 17s. 6d., though a few firms hold out for <£8; for small rounds, squares and flats J>12 to <£12 5s. a ton is quoted (three-eighths), and a heavy list of orders is left over from the holiday stoppage. Business in galvanised sheets is very small, and values tend downwards, the current quotations being £>21 10s. to <£22. For near delivery spelter is around <£100 delivered in this district. No material change has occurred in pig iron. Stocks have grown during the week owing to lack of consumption, and values in consequence have not strengthened. The minimum for Northamptonshire forge remains at 68s., and Derbyshire iron can be had at 70s. net at stations. Something like half-a-dozen furnaces producing Derbyshire iron have been recently blown out, including one this week. Staffordshire part-mine is quoted 71s. 6d. to 72s. 6d. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The collieries were all at work on Wednesday, so that two days were lost owing to the holiday. There is still a keen demand for all qualities of house coal, and all the pits are well supplied with orders. Shipments are exceedingly good, whilst good qualities are put on rail for the inland merchants every day. Steam qualities are in heavy request, and there is some delay in despatching orders.