430 • THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN August 27, 1915. condition. There does not seem to be any material quantity of slack lying loose, although so many consuming towns are having their annual holiday s, and thus reducing momentarily requirements, and this naturally tends to keep engine fuel of the smaller grades very firm in price, both for present sale and for contract forward. is some falling off in the demand from the Midlands as well as the Leeds district, heavy deliveries are going to Frodingham. Current pit prices. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coal:— prices. prices. prices. Best 20/9 20/9 17/ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 16/6-16/9 Medium 19/ 19/ 15/3 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) J-v'/ 20/ 20/ 14/6-15/ Kitchen 16/9-17/ 16/9-17/ 13/ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 18/6-19/ 18/6-19/ 13/3-13/9 Screened forge coal 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 11/6-12/ Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. 17/6-18/6 18/ -19/ 12/6-13/3 Best slack 14/ 14/ 9/9 Secondary slack 12/6 12/6 9/ Common do 10/ 10/ 8/ - 8/6 South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday was a good one. The house coal market keeps quiet. Furnace coal is brisk, and shipping coal is on the moderate side. Slack is slow, being affected by the various wakes. Generally prices are as below:— Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal :-r- Best ............... Medium.............. Common.............. Furnace coal.......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack ........... Common slack ......... Current I L’st week’s |Last year’s prices. | prices. ] prices. 21/ -22/ i 19/9-20/3 * 17/ -17/3 ! 16/ -17/ | 19/ -21/ i 14/ I 11/ -12/ | 21/ -22/ 19/9-20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 14/ 11/ -12/ 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 9/6-10/ 8/6- 9/ 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/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 13/6-14/ Silkstone best 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 13/ -13/6 Do. house 16/6-17/6 17/ -18/ 12/ -12/6 House nuts 15/6-16/6 16/ -17/ 11/ -11/6 Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 20/6-21/6 22/ -23/ 16/ -17/ Silkstone best 20/ -21/ 21/ -22/ 15? -16/ Do. house 18/6-19/6 19/ -20/6 13/6-14/3 Other qualities 17/6-18/6 18/ -19/ 13/ -14/ Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 15/6-16/6 11/ -11/6 Gas nuts 14/6-15/6 10/ -10/6 Unscreened gas’coal ... 13/ -14/ 13?6—14/6 9/6-10/ Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts 15/6-16/6 16/ -17/ 11/ -11/6 Large double-screened engine nuts 14/ -15/ 14/6-15/6 9/6-10/ Small nuts 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 9/ - 9/6 Rough unscreened engine coal 13/ -14/ 13/6-14/6 9/6-10/ Best rough slacks 12/ -13/ 12/6-13/6 7/ - 8/ Small do. 11/ -12? 11/6—12?6 6/ - 7/ Coking smalls 11/ -12/ 11/6-12/6 6/3- 7/3 Coke:— Price at ovens: Furnace coke 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 11/ -11/6 IRON. There was a good attendance on ’Change in Manchester on Tuesday, with very little changes in prices to be reported. If anything, pig iron is a little easier, but very little buying is being done, the prevailing idea seems to be to stand aside and let the market find its level. The Associated price of Crown bars remains at <£11 10s., with no makers selling at under <£12, and the same remark applies to hoops, the Associated price being nominally <£13 2s. 6d., with premiums being easily obtainable. Steel works are still exceptionally busy on bars at <£11 15s. to <£12, and billets at <£10, the majority of the material turned out being for Government work. Foundries engaged in ordinary trade are, still short of work, but the general trades of the district are very busy. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The market on Tuesday was less suggestive of the holiday season than has been the case in the last two or three weeks, there being a noticeably better attendance. Colliery representatives reported that the output of the pits was below the average, this being caused by the local feasts or holidays which have been observed in various districts. On the whole the output equalled about five days’ full work. There appears to be less ground for complaint on the score of irregularity of attendance by miners. According to reliable reports from all quarters, absenteeism in West Yorkshire is now slightly under 10 per cent, of the miners employed. The supply of empty trucks has not been so good this week as recently, and there has been some delay in transit, the latter owing to the extent to which the railways have been employed by the Government on behalf of the war. The position, as affected by the Coal Prices (Limitation) Act, is, especially since the meeting of coal factors and wholesale merchants in London last week, becoming gradually dearer. Concerning the restrictions placed on exports of coal, local collieries are not experiencing much difficulty, as the bulk of the supplies ex Humber ports are for the countries of our allies, particularly France and Italy, at prices fixed at a not excessive level, and observing the spirit of recent legislation. Business with the distant markets is still quiet, but not more so than in recent weeks. The available tonnage of the best qualities of house coal is almost absorbed by the contract require- ments of the London market. Secondary sorts sell only with difficulty. Reports from London depots indicate a slight improvement in the demand from the public. Pit prices rule a little more in favour of buyers. There is a fair amount of activity in the coastwise trade, not only in house coal but in gas coal for the southern ports. Although small craft is scarce, the tonnage cleared at Goole this week is practically equal to that of normal times. In the West Riding market the collieries are able to give quicker atten- tion to orders, and more prompt loading of private trucks. Ground stocks at the depots are now substantial. Forward business is inactive. Current pit prices show a slight modification in favour of buyers :—Haigh Moor selected, 20s. to 21s.; Silkstone best, 19s. to 20s. 6d.; Silkstone house, 18s. to 19s.; secondary sorts, 17s. to 18s. The active demand for export is a feature of the gas coal market, and this, with the full contract deliveries to inland works, keeps the pits fully engaged and prevents the accumulation of stocks in colliery sidings. New business is not very plentiful, although tenders are to be sent in this week for the requirements of the Bradford Corporation. It is regarded as probable that the Corporation’s purchases will exceed 200,000 tons, and that the prices quoted will average nearly 5s. per ton advance on those of last year, as it is said that Bradford bought last year at roughly Is. per ton reduction on 1913. The demand for manufacturing fuel continues to require the full production of the collieries. Washed nuts are very scarce, but there is a rather plentiful supply of coking smalls, otherwise there is no change to record. The quieter state of the iron and steel trade is not inducive to forward business in washed furnace coke. Sellers of coke retain a firm attitude, how- ever, as the production of the ovens is light. While there Barnsley. COAL. The local feast holidays have had considerable effect upon operations during the week. In most instances the pits within a near radius of the town have been set down for two days, and when work was expected to be fully resumed on Wednesday there were still complaints of many absentees. This, of course, has hampered the arrangement of any new business owing so the heavy tonnage under contract, which has to be met daily, and the adverse conditions cannot be expected to pass away for some period ahead, owing to the continued reduced output. The enquiries which were circulating at the market on Wednesday, suggested that business, generally speaking, remains of a very steady character. So far as large steams are concerned, the demand for export has remained fairly satisfactory, and there has not been any great diffi- culty experienced, owing to the necessity of obtaining licences for shipment to France. A large bulk of the foreign trade of late has been in this direction, and the fact that the traffic is likely to be maintained, causes a steady tone to prevail in regard to prices. Best hards, which are in fairly good request on home account, remain as about last quoted, while secondary descriptions of fuel are in good request, and the output is fairly well cleared. Perhaps the strongest section of the market at the present time is in regard to steam nuts. The pressure for supplies par- ticularly for the home armament works, and also for export, is very heavy, and deliveries are still somewhat in arrear, and, of course, prices remain of a very firm description. In regard to small steam fuel, although the needs of the elec- tricity plants become daily of a larger character, the effect of the holidays in the textile districts is somewhat marked. Collieries are finding it possible to give deliveries in accordance with the stipulated arrangements, and prices have developed a little weakness. This is not so much the case in respect to best quality slacks, as applying to rough slacks, which are being less taken, owing to the quieter demand for coke, and odd lots of fuel are being disposed of at about 6d. per ton reduction. The position of gas coal is practi- cally unaltered. The deliveries required about fully clear the output, and coal owners have no difficulty in maintaining their quotations. In regard to house coal, although new business is quiet, the larger deliveries under contract continue, and there is little surplus to offer. The difficulty of obtaining ready deliveries of the best class of soft coal is still being realised, and quotations at the collieries are not altered. The depression in the coke trade is of a more pronounced character, owing to the additional number of blast furnaces which have been shut down. Supplies are now freely offered on the market, and prices are considerably weaker. There is no desire to arrange contracts, and a fall of about 2s. per ton has occurred during the week, with buyers still holding off in the belief that the market will still prove to be more favourable to them. Prices at pit. for prompt shipment. Derbyshire steams, however, are in small demand in this market at present and about 18s. 6d. for shipment at Grimsby or Immingham is about the nominal value. All secondary sorts are in big request and maintain prices, washed Yorkshire doubles making 18s. 6d. to 19s., ditto singles 18s. to 18s. 6d. and ditto small 14s. 9d. to 15s. 3d., with rough slacks 14s. to 14s. 6d. West Yorkshire Hartleys are unchanged at 18s. and screened gas coal firm at 19s. to 20s. Licences to exports are coming to hand only moderately well, the majority being for French destinations. According to the Royal Proclamation, from September 1 shipments to Holland must not only have a licence, but all applications must be accompanied by the consent of the Netherlands Oversea Trust accepting the goods on behalf of Dutch buyers. Shipments to Holland from the Humber have fallen away considerably of late, and in July only 37,000 tons was sent thither from all the Humber ports. Not so much coal is being dealt with at the docks as was the case a week or two ago; nevertheless shipments are fairly good. Several handy sized steamers have been taken up for Rouen at 16s. 6d. to 17s., less being paid for smaller tonnage, and rates are now firm at the latter figure. Pratically nothing is doing in other directions, 28s. being asked Hull to Genoa. Chesterfield. COAL. There is a quiet steady business being done in all classes of coal, and the whole production of the collieries of the district is disposed of without the slightest trouble. The orders for house coal are coming to hand freely, but no delay occurs in making deliveries against these. Prices are unchanged, but firm. Fuel for industrial purposes is in good demand, but the pressure is less acute than it has been during the year. Cobbles and nuts for consumption at the large steelworks of Sheffield are much wanted, but no diffi- culty is experienced in meeting customers’ requirements. Slack for boiler firing continues in steady request, and good deliveries are going forward to the Lancashire cotton mills. Locomotive coal for railway companies’ requirements is more readily obtained than it has been of late. The export trade shows no greater activity, and licences are still difficult to obtain, especially for the Scandinavian ports. Substantial shipments of house and gas coal continue to be made to France, and an active demand is likely to continue for some months. The coke market is very dull, and prices continue to droop. The weakness is attributable to the depressed condition of the pig iron trade, and no improve- ment is likely to take place for the present. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best house coals 17/ 17/ Secondary do 16/6 16 6 — Cobbles 16/ 16/ Nuts 15/ 15/ — Slack 12/6 12/6 — IRON. Orders for finished iron are plentiful, and prices are firm at the recent advances. Pig iron, however, is in poor demand, notwithstanding the fact that several furnaces have recently been blown out. Nottingham. COAL. Although a good business is being done in this county the tone is easier than a few weeks ago, and better supplies are available of certain qualities of fuel. Following the heavy demand experienced during the early summer, collieries are now in a position to put a certain amount of coal into stock in preparation for the autumn. With summer-like weather prevailing, and the public showing a disposition to purchase only for immediate requirements, local merchants are not doing much business in domestic fuel. Merchants, too, are not purchasing so freely since the advanced prices on the new contracts came into opera- tion. In spite of the easier tendency, the stocks at collieries are on a limited scale. Apart from orders for war purposes, a steady demand pervades the section for steam coal. Com- paratively little business is passing except on contract account. Railway companies are taking good supplies of locomotive fuel to their various depots. Small steams are in active request. A less active demand is in evidence in regard to slacks, and the collieries are able to execute orders for certain qualities with more promptitude. Values in this department are a shade easier. Coke is having a rather slow sale. The output of gas coal is being pretty well absorbed by requirements on contracts, full supplies being taken by works to place in stock. Prices at pithead. 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/ 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/ -17/ 16/6-17/6 11/6 Secondary do 15? -15/6 15/6-16/ 10/3-10/9 Best washed nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -15/6 10/9-11/ Secondary do 15/ -15/6 9/9-11/ Best slack 13/ 13/ -13/6 6/9 Rough do 11/6-12/ 12? -12/6 5/9- 6/ Gas coals:— Screened gas coals 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 10/6-11/ Unscreened do 14/6-15/ 14/6-15/ 10/ Gas nuts 15/ -16? 15/ -16/ 10/ -10/6 Furnace coke 19/ -20/ 21/ -22/ 11/ -12/ Hull. COAL. The present shortage of shipping tonnage and the consequent rise in freights is constituting itself a handicap on prompt business in this market, exporters being in no hurry to fix up things under present conditions. Best Yorkshire steam hards are offering fairly well, but as there are no stocks in reserve and the output is not likely to increase, prices remain steady, current values ranging between 19s. and 19s. 6d. with more paid for prime brands Hand-picked brights Good house coals Current prices. 18/ -18/6 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 16? —16?6 15/ -15/6 11/6-12/ 10/6-11/6 10/6-11/6 L’stweek’s prices. 17/6-18/6 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 16/ -16/6 15/ -15/6 12/ -12/6 10/6-11/6 10/6-11/6 Last year’s prices. Secondary do Best hard coals Secondary do Slacks (best hards) Do. (second) Do. (soft) Leicestershire. GOAL. For the first time since the outbreak of the war the collieries in this district are now working up to their full capacity of five and three-quarter days per week. This most satisfactory feature has been welcomed by all con- cerned, and the increased output thereby brought about will materially help in meeting the enormous strain which has been thrown upon them for many months. With as much as 30 to 35 per cent, of the total output of the collieries in this district being in the category of slack for manufacturing purposes, it will be understood how acute the pressure has been to supply the enormous increase in the demand for manufacturing fuel, especially when the fuel has been mainly required for the large number of firms