480 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. September 3, 1915. IRON. Local holidays had their effect on '’Change, and the market generally was quiet all round. There is plenty doing in all branches with the exception of the foundries. The number of firms being controlled by the Government is increasing, and is making it more difficult every day to secure supplies from the controlled firms. Prices generally are firm, but makers outside associations are not letting business go for the sake of small differences. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The market on Tuesday was fairly well attended. The bulk of the business done was in slacks, nuts and engine coal; coking smalls were in plentiful supply at cheaper prices, and house coal quiet. A full week’s work at the pits has resulted in a fairly heavy output, which has been moved away without difficulty, notwithstanding that delay to loaded trucks on the railways is still a cause of complaint. This applies particularly to trucks consigned to the south of England. There is very little doing with London house coal merchants. Uncertainty as to how prices may be affected by the operation of the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act appears to be checking the giving out of orders ; but a counter-balancing influence is expected to ensue from the circular issued by the Board of Trade, advising London coal merchants to stock every available ton of coal, and householders to similarly safeguard themselves against the possibility of a winter shortage by using any available room for stocking purposes. The coastwise trade is fairly satis- factory, although the scarcity of boats is a difficulty. One or two boats have been chartered this week for Goole to London at 8s. per ton, and for the south coast at 9s. 6d. The chief demand for the coastwise trade runs on the secondary qualities of Silkstone house coal at about 18s. per ton f.o.b. Goole. Month-end considerations are re- stricting the placing of orders for house coal by merchants in the West Riding, who, besides, have large quantities ground-stocked at the depots. Current pit prices average:— Haigh Moor selected, 20s. to 21s.; Silkstone best, 19s. to 20s. 6d.; Silkstone house, 18s. to 19s.; secondary sorts, 17s. to 18s. Very little gas coal is available for the open markets. The collieries have little to spare after meeting the demand under contract, which, with the lengthening autumn nights, shows a considerable increase on the September schedules. One or two new orders are reported to have been booked at roughly 4s. 6d. to 5s. per ton advance over last year’s figures, for delivery over the next twelve months. Gas nuts are particularly scarce and relatively dearer than other qualities. The larger tonnage of gas coal now being shipped from the Tyne ports to works in the London district has had the effect of lessening the demand for rail-borne supplies from Yorkshire, and not quite as much is now being sent. For export of gas coal from the Humber ports, licences for ship- ment to Norway and Sweden are obtained only with great difficulty. This has little or no application to licences for export to France and Italy, however, and for these countries business is passing at about 19s. 6d. f.o.b. Hull for screened gas coal, with unscreened at about 18s. and gas nuts 18s. 3d. In manufacturing fuel, coking smalls and small slacks have declined fully Is. per ton on the week. Supplies of all sorts, except washed nuts, are fairly plentiful. Lancashire is requiring less heavy deliveries just now, on account of local “ wakes,” and consequently more manufacturing fuel is available for consumers in the West Riding at somewhat easier prices. Washed furnace coke has fallen rapidly in values during the last two weeks. Best qualities that sold at 25s. per ton at the ovens a few weeks ago have been sold this week at 16s. This reflects the quiet state of affairs in the iron and steel trade. A number of furnaces are on only half blast, with a necessarily smaller consumption of coke, which is just now being produced in larger quantities than are required for current needs. Makers, however, are by no means inclined to book forward business on the basis of the prices mentioned, as it is expected that the market will shortly recover. 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/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 13/6-14/ Silkstone best 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 13/ -13/6 Do. house 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 12/ -12/6 House nuts 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 11/ -11/6 Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 20/6-21/6 20/6-21/6 16/6-17/6 Silkstone best 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 15/6-16/6 Do. house 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 14/ -14/6 Other qualities 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 13/ -14/3 Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 11/ -11/6 Gas nuts 14/ -15/ 10/ -10/6 Unscreened gas coal ... 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 9/6-10/ Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 11/ -11/6 Large double-screened engine nuts 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 9/6-10/ Small nuts 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 9/ - 9/9 Rough unscreened engine coal 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 9/6-10/ Best rough slacks 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/ 7/3- 8/3 Small do. 10/ -11/ 11/ -12/ 6/ - 7/ Coking smalls 10/ -11/ 11/ -12/ 6/3- 7/6 Coke:— Price at ovens : Furnace coke 16/ -17/ 20/ -21/ 11/6-12/ Barnsley. COAL. The holiday season appears to continue to have consider- able effect upon the attendance at the usual local market, and business was somewhat quiet. The output seems to have slightly improved, and the delivery of coal has been expedited, so that there were less complaints of the delay in delivery compared with recent weeks. The position as a whole has shown little alteration during the week, and so far as the export trade is concerned it is generally agreed that the volume of traffic will be more largely in accordance with the needs of the home markets. The more extensive trade with France is maintained, and covers a consider- able variety of fuel, with prices becoming of a more settled character. The demand for best hards, which are largely retained for home consumption, is hardly so strong and values are slightly weaker, although the colliery position has not very greatly altered. Secondary sorts, which have been more largely utilised for shipment, have also been more freely offered, but the home demand continues to be of an extensive character, and this keeps prices at a steady level. The only change appears to be that quicker deliveries may now be given at the ordinary range of values. So far as steam nuts are concerned the position is practically unchanged, although where it is possible to give larger deliveries to the home engineering works, this is being done, and possibly the armament firms are in a little better position in regard to stocks than has hitherto been the case. Values, however, are strongly held, and there is every indication that this will continue to be the case for a considerable time ahead. Collieries producing gas coal find themselves still able to keep going full time, and dispose of the output fairly regularly. As the season advances larger deliveries will be taken, and there is very little surplus fuel available owing to the exceptionally large tonnage which is being disposed of under contract. The market in regard to slacks and pea nuts is again slightly easier. The effect of the holidays in the Lancashire and other textile districts has become very marked, and odd lots of slacks are now being offered at a considerable reduction in order to avoid stocks. House coal collieries continue to be able to make full time working, and it is expected (in fact there are already indications) that the Government warning to the public to lay in stocks will again bring about abnormal pressure upon collieries for supplies. The supply of best fuel has been somewhat short, but other classes have been produced more equal to the demand. The feeling, however, amongst coal merchants is that there will now be a rush on the part of the public for supplies, which will again overtake the capacities of the collieries owing to the reduced output. Values remain as quoted a week ago. There has been no alteration with regard to coke. Makers have again reduced the output, but the market still continues to be in favour of buyers, although quotations remain as last reported. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -15/6 Best Barnsley softs 18/ -19/ 15/ Secondary do 16/6—17/6 12/ -12/3 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/ 16/ -17/ 11/3-11/6 Secondary do ; 15/ -15/6 15/ -15/6 10/3-10/9 Best washed nuts 16/ -16/6 15/ -15/6 16/ -17/ 10/9-11/ Secondary do 15/ -15/6 9/9-11/ Best slack 12/ -12/6 13/ 6/9 Rough do 11/ -11/6 11/6-12/ 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/ 19/ -20/ 11/9-12/ Hull. COAL. The free development of the market is still hampered by the freight difficulty, the rates which show roughly an advance of 3s. per ton in the past fortnight still being abnormally high. Nevertheless, a fair amount of business seems to be passing, especially from France, which besides ordinary manufacturing fuel is taking quantities of gas and house coal. Some enquiry from Italy is also mani- festing itself but nothing like what was expected would be the case. Neutral countries do not loom large because of the few licences that can be obtained and the increasing difficulties, as in the case of Holland, which country from yesterday may only have coal if it is accepted by the Netherlands Overseas Trust on behalf of the Dutch importers. Very little, of course, has gone to Sweden and to-day it is reported on ’Change that shipments in that direction are to be entirely stopped, although official confirmation of this is not forthcoming at the moment of writing. Best South Yorkshire steams and next bests are a very steady market, and prices are, if anything, advanced upon those of a week ago, to-day’s current values for prompt shipment f.o.b. being:— Best South Yorkshire hards, 19s. 3d. to 19s. 6d.; ditto primes, 20s. to 20s. 6d.; washed doubles, 19s. to 19s. 3d. ; washed singles, 18s. 6d. to 18s. 9d. Small coal and rough slacks are, however, easier, the former now being 14s. to 14s. 6d., and the latter 13s. to 13s. 6d. Gas coal is in good demand, and prices for screened sorts range from 19s. to 20s., and West Yorkshire Hartleys 18s. 6d. to 18s. 9d. House coal is in better request. Little or nothing, however, is doing in Derbyshire steams for export, the nominal value being 19s. 3d. to 19s. 6d. for shipment at Grimsby or Immingham. Licences for France are coming to hand fairly well, and shipments at the docks are good, though not so heavy as a month ago. In the freight market the short supply of tonnage and the high rates to be obtained for same has restricted chartering. Four or five steamers have been taken up for Rouen, 18s. being paid as a rule for handy-sized vessels, while 17s. represents the rates to Dieppe, Havre and Calais. A 3,000-ton steamer has been chartered for Genoa-Savona at 29s., with option of Civita Vecchia at Is. more. Coastwise rates are based on 8s. London. Chesterfield. COAL. The features of the coal trade of this district at the moment appear to be general weakness and dulness. Supplies are now practically on a level with demand, and current orders are sufficiently numerous to clear off day by day the output of the collieries. There is no pressure of any kind for house coal, and, on the other hand, there are no stocks in colliery sidings. Fuel for manufacturing purposes continues in steady demand, and there is no diffi- culty in satisfying the requirements of consumers. Slack for boiler firing is in satisfactory demand, and heavy deliveries are going forward daily for the cotton mills of Lancashire. Prices are firm. The export* trade shows no signs of improvement. Matters are made difficult owing to the scarcity of shipping tonnage, and exporters’ opera- tions are seriously interfered with in consequence. Ship- ments of coal to France are much restricted from the same cause. Steam coal for locomotive use is in steady request. The coke market is quiet, and the tendency is in the direc- tion of further weakness, with a gradual depreciation of values. Prices at pit. Best house coals Secondary do Cobbles Nuts Slack Current prices. 17/ 166 16/ 15/ 12/6 L’stweek’s! prices. 17/ 166 16/ 15/ 12/6 Last year’s prices. IRON. It cannot be said that the pig iron market is any better on the week. There is little or no new business offering, and the prospects are poor. Finished iron continues in good demand, but there is no change in prices. Nottingham. COAL. The quieter tone which set in at the commencement of August in the coal trade of Nottinghamshire still continues, but the position is on the whole satisfactory, and in nearly every branch prices are being well maintained. In the domestic fuel branch merchants are doing a steady business, and at the landsale depots trade is on the quiet side. Merchants are not taking quite so good supplies as recently from the collieries, and this is giving the owners an oppor- tunity to clear off arrears and to get in a certain amount of stock for the autumn. At the same time there is not much stock of better-class qualities, which are selling better than common sorts just now. Some of the best households are making up to 20s. per ton, which is above the present average. Although there is no particular pressure in the steam coal section, the demand is such as to substantially absorb the output, and a fair tonnage is leaving the county on export account. Steam nuts are in capital request, especially in the home market. The position of the slack market is scarcely as strong, there having been a falling off in the demand from some manufacturing centres. Still, this is regarded as a temporary lull, and prices have declined slightly. The sale of gas fuel and coke is steady, the prices of the last named being weaker. Prices at pithead. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Hand-picked brights 18/ -18/6 18/ -18/6 — Good house coals 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ Secondary do 15/ -16/ xv; x 1 J 15/ -16/ — Best hard coals 16/ -17/ 16/ -16/6 — Secondary do 15/ -15/9 15/ -15/6 — Slacks (best hards) 11/ -12/ 11/6-12/ — Do. (second) 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/6 — Do. (soft) 10/6-11/6 10/6-11/6 — Leicestershire. COAL. The early advent of colder weather is having the effect of stimulating the extremely heavy demand for all classes of coal, and work all round is being carried on under very strenuous conditions. The new orders flowing in are for larger quantities, and the pressure for speedy deliveries is very great. The demand is far in excess of the available supplies, and many of the orders now coming to hand cannot be entertained. Every consideration, however, is given to orders both old and new where the coal is required for factories engaged on Government contracts. The demand for manufacturing fuel is larger than at any former period, and it demands preference over everything else. The supplies are being augmented by using very large quantities of cobbles and large nuts, the higher prices for which are gladly paid by consumers. In many cases con- siderable reserves of stocks are being laid in to fall back upon in the event of any unexpected emergency. The supplies of empty railway-owned wagons is maintained on a basis which admits of the continued working of the pits for full time of five and three-quarter days per week. The fuller supplies resulting from the additional working are most welcome, and it causes very great satisfaction to find such a hearty and willing response on the part of the miners to meet the emergency. The average output, according to the number of men engaged, is well above the production under normal conditions—a happy demon- stration of hearty co-operation during a great national crisis. The adjustment of prices in accordance with the legislative enactment is proceeding in a very satis- factory manner, and all sections of the trade appear to be most anxious to strictly comply with the provisions of the new Act. It ought to be generally understood that the increase of 50 per cent, in the charges for wagon hire permitted by the Act applies only to wagons owned by coal merchants and colliery proprietors, and that the cost of 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. 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/ 13/ -13/6 13/6-14/ 11/3-12/3 5/ - 6/ 14/9-15/9 14/6-15/6 13/6-14/ 14/9-15/9 13/ -14/ L’st week’s prices. 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/ 13/ -13/6 13/6-14/ 11/3-12/3 5/ - 6/ Last year’s prices. 13/6-14/6 12/6-13/6 12/3-13/3 11/6-12/ 11/6-12/6 10/6-11 /3 9/6-10/ 7/9- 8/3 2/ - 2/3 14/9-15/9 1 10/ -10/6 14/6-15/6 : 9/6-10/6 13/6-14/ i 8/6- 9/3 14/9-15/9 I 10/ -10/6 13/ -14/ J -