734 October 8, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. _______________________________________________________________________________ prime brands commanding a little more. Nuts, however, have been a very poor market, and are easy at the following quotations :—Washed doubles 17s. 6d. to 18s., ditto singles 17s. to 17s. 6d., and small coal 13s. to 13s. 6d. Derbyshire steams for export continue nominally at about 18s. 6d. to 19s. for prompt shipment at Grimsby or Immingham. Rough slacks are making 13s. to 13s. 6d., and screened house and gas coal is in good request at 18s. 6d. to 20s. Shipments at the docks are good, Sweden taking a share. Licences are coming to hand fairly well for France, but are only issued for neutral countries under special circumstances and reciprocity terms. There is very little to report in the freight market, only one or two steamers having been taken up for France at 17s. 6d. to 18s. The returns of export from Hull during September are fairly satisfactory, the quantity sent abroad being 260,270 tons against 176,733 tons in September last year (an increase of 83,537 tons) and against 296,765 tons in August this year. As has now for some time been the case, the bulk was despatched to France, whose total is given as 164,242 tons or equal to 63 per cent. For the nine months to date there have been exported from Hull 1,948,533 tons as compared with 2,424,201 tons in the same period last year. The arrivals from colliery at Hull are well maintained. Chesterfield. COAL. The tone of the market is generally stronger, and there is a steady improvement in the demand. House coal orders are very plentiful, and in many cases collieries are unable to add to their commitments at present. The return of cold weather will almost certainly tax the efforts of sellers of household coal to the utmost to satisfy the requirements of their customers. Coal for manufacturing purposes is becoming more active than ever, all qualities being now eagerly sought. There is a shortage of some kinds, particularly cobbles and nuts suitable for steel-making purposes. Slack for boiler-firing is in greater demand, and a heavier tonnage is going to the Lancashire cotton mills. Stocks of slack have completely disappeared from colliery premises. Locomotive coal is in brisk demand, and railway companies gladly accept delivery of all that the collieries can send them. For some unknown reason, all traffic from the Humber to Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Holland was, towards the end of last week, stopped entirely for several days, and this caused much inconvenience all round. Ship- ments are now proceeding pretty much the same as they were previously to the issuing of the order to suspend operations. The difficulty with regard to licences is, how- ever, as serious as ever, and business is much hampered in consequence. Shipments of house coal to France are resumed, and a fair tonnage is leaving the Humber ports. Large nuts are in particularly good demand, supplies of which are, however, short of the needs of the market. A steady demand exists for steam coal for neutral countries, for which prices continue firm, 19s. per ton delivered at Grimsby being the figure quoted for Derbyshire Top Hards. The collieries are well supplied with orders, and all are working full time. The coke market is steadier, the demand is rather better, and the downward trend of prices appears to have been arrested. Coking fuel is in good demand. Prices at pit. Leicestershire. COAL. There is no falling off in the pressure, and the whole of the output is cleared off day by day. The advent of colder weather, with sharp night frosts, is manifesting the usual extension of the consumption attendant upon such con- ditions. Large classes of consumers have already laid in stocks sufficient to last several months, but others who are unable to do so have to buy from hand to mouth, and it is expected that the pressure from this source will gradually become more acute. The demand now is very general for all classes of coal, but it is particularly active for manufac- turing fuel, chiefly for firms on Government contracts of great importance. The question of price is not regarded as anything like so vital as continuity of supplies, and hence there is a continually expanding call upon cobbles and large nuts in order to meet absolutely essential requirements. This of course diminishes the supplies of coal for household requirements, and the problem is one that requires very careful handling. There is a prospect of the lowering of the prices of all classes of coal about the end of the current month to the extent of 6d. to Is. per ton at the pit banks, in order to comply with the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act. This small relief will be very welcome, especially to the small consumers. The output has been well maintained. The working has now reached full time of 5| days per week. The supply of empty railway-owned wagons is now very satisfactory under the circumstances, and an immense improvement has been effected by the railway companies which obviates all stoppages on this account. The con- ditions attending the working are still very strenuous ; but business is greatly helped by the absence of sudden changes and the regular outflow of traffic. Taken as a whole, the outlook is much more satisfactory. The following are the quotations, subject to special modifications, which now generally prevail at the collieries in this district:— Prices at pit. <£7 10s. to <£7 15s. Of course, quotations for billets for stamping and other special purposes are considerably higher. Gas strip sells at <£11 12s. 6d. to <£11 15s., and steel strip <£12 15s. to <£13, according to size. Shell and other steel for war purposes is being turned out in enormous quantities, and in all sections producers are fully occupied. Plates are easier to get than sections. Copper sheets have gone up to <£100. ___________________ Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. There is still a good amount of activity in the coal trade of this district. For house qualities the demand is well maintained and already shows signs of developing; the pits are all fully engaged, and there are no stocks of any description. Orders from the railborne districts are coming in well, and there are a good number of arrear orders on the books. A satisfactory shipping business has been done since last writing, cargo orders being fairly plentiful. Slacks are selling well, but there is a complete absence of pressure in the enquiry. The steam coal pits are all managing full time, but the demand is not very heavy at the moment. Prices at pithead. House coals:— Block ............... Forest ............. Rubble ............. Nuts ............... Rough slack ......... Steam coal:— Large............... Small ............... Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. ; prices, i prices. 21/6 21/6 — 20/6 : 20/6 i — 20/9 20/9 — 19/ 19/ ; — 12/6 12/6 : — 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ j 14/ -15/ ! 14/ -15/ | Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Current 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. There is no particular change in the position. There is no sign of improvement in the demand for ordinary pig iron. In the finished iron trade there is not much change, the demand is very good and prices continue firm. _______ ________ Nottingham. COAL. With the advent of October a brisker tone has manifested itself in the coal trade of Nottinghamshire, the colder weather having had a stimulating effect in nearly every branch, and prices have assumed an upward tendency. The increased business has perhaps been more noticeable in the domestic fuel section, many householders having delayed getting in stocks until the weather made it necessary. During the past week merchants have had a busier than for some weeks past, while collieries have received more orders, both from local and southern districts. The price lists, which have been in operation since February, were replaced on Monday by others, which showed advances of 6d. to Is. per ton on different classes of households. In October 1913 coal was advanced at local collieries, and in view of the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act the present increase has been made in conformity with the Act. The demand in the steam coal branch is practically absorbing the output, for a fair amount of this class of fuel is required by firms engaged on Government work, while the railway companies are taking good supplies, and a satisfactory tonnage is leaving the country for export. In this section most qualities have risen from 6d. to Is. per ton. Slacks are in better request, and with the supplies being on a somewhat limited scale, the competition is increasing despite an advance also in this section. Gas coal is showing an improved demand. Coke is selling steadily. Prices at pithead. . Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Hand-picked brights 18/6-19/6 18/ -19/ — Good house coals 16/6-17/ 16/ -17/ Secondary do 15/6-16/ 15/ -16/ — Best hard coals 16/6—18/ 16/ -17/ Secondary do 15/6-16/ 15/ -16/ — Slacks (best hards) 11/6-12/ 11/ -11/6 — Do. (second) 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ — Do. (soft) 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ — 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...........__ 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 12/ -12/9 11/6-12/6 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/3 7/9- 8/6 1/6- 1/9 ___________________________________________ THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, October 7. ___________________________________________ 14/9-15/9 14/6-15/6 13/6-14/ 14/9-15/9 13/ -14/ 9/6-10/6 8/6- 9/3 10/ -10/6 8/ - 8/6 ________ ________ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. Conditions in the coal trade are pretty much the same as a week ago. It is almost impossible to get quotations— certainly for the moment none can be tabulated to furnish a safe guide to prices in the district. Matters may adjust themselves soon, however. The trouble with coalowners is that for every truck of coal they produce there are three or four customers. Deliveries are erratic; for instance, stuff which left the pits towards the end of September is still out, possibly shunted into the safe refuge of a siding ; on the other hand, coal ordered only a day or two comes to hand, the reason, of course, being that its journey has been uninterrupted by troop trains. Merchants are not over- burdened with stock, and they have still to meet a heavy demand from the public, who are wise in running no risk, for the difficulty of getting labour is likely to increase as the winter goes on. Every truck of manufacturing fuel is eagerly taken up. The advance announced a week ago is pretty general. IRON. The attendance at market was fair, and in view of the quarterly meeting next Thursday, there was considerable enquiry, if no considerable amount of business was put through. Works are well booked till the end of the year, and a continuous demand is experienced for material for war work. The general home demand is fair, and a surprisingly large amount of custom is registered from export houses. In the matter of values the tone all round was firmer than a week ago. This was to be expected as a result of the ascertainment of the Wages Board, under which ironworkers get a 10 per cent, advance. The effect of this on prices is minimised by the fact that the war bonus granted early in the year is merged in the advance, but the general result is to harden values. The selling price shown by the return worked out at £9 11s. a ton, or about <£1 a ton higher than the preceding ascertain- ment. Marked bars continue to occupy an anomalous position, inasmuch as the basis remains at <£12 a ton, while unmarked bars are close on this figure. Nobody is selling this week under .£11 10s. delivered in this district, and some houses quote <£11 15s., though most are content to do business midway between these figures. It has to be said, however, that most makers of marked qualities insist on a premium on the £12, and the probability is that in the immediate future an official advance will be declared. Nut and bolt iron runs about <£11 minimum, and puddled bars have a range of from £7 15s. to <£8, the higher figure being the more common. Makers have as much business as they can carry through, and prices are not likely to fall yet awhile. Pig iron stands about where it did ; if anything, a shade easier. Present values, especially of forge qualities, are not satisfactory to makers, who are not anxious to accept contracts. Buyers of foundry sorts require larger lots. In the galvanised sheet branch enquiry and prices are rather better. Spelter is again dearer, and quotations for sheets run from <£17 5s. to <£17 15s. Fair quantities are being bought on behalf of the Allies. Substantial sales of black corrugated sheets continue to be made at from <£11 5s. to <£11 10s., painted <£1 extra, and stoved 30s. extra. Sheet bars and billets are relatively low, the former being procurable at from £7 7s. 6d. to <£7 10s., and billets from North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. All the pits in North Wales have been busily employed during the past week, and for certain grades of coal the demand appears to have been increasing steadily, while for others there has been a slight weakening noticeable. Nevertheless there is a general shortage of output, and were it possible to increase the tonnage raised there would be no difficulty in disposing of same at remunerative prices. In the house coal trade business is increasing and enquiries and orders are coming to hand freely. The snatch of cold weather which has prevailed during the past week has helped this demand. Public authorities in many instances are acting upon the advice contained in the Government circular advising them to lay in stocks of fuel in view of a possible shortage during the coming months, and a brisk trade is looked forward to in this department for some time to come. The market for steam coal has been moderate. There is a good demand for locomotive steam coal, and a fair tonnage has been despatched against these contracts. There has also been an average demand for coal for indus- trial purposes, but for shipments there is still a slight slump, and business is not so brisk at the Mersey ports as sellers would like. Gas companies are taking their average weekly contract quantities with due regularity, but there has been no new business transacted. Several public authorities have decided to curtail public lighting. Slack continues in good demand, but there is a general reduction in the tonnage available for disposal, the prices being on the whole unchanged. With reference to prices, there is no difficulty in getting 20s. per ton for best house coal, seconds being quoted Is. per ton less. Several meetings have been arranged between committees and coal merchants with a view to fixing definite prices to be charged for winter supplies, and complaints have been made that coal from this area can be purchased in provincial towns some distance away at less prices than is charged at the local depots. Landsale prices are still 23s. 4d. to 26s. 8d. for best qualities. Steam coal is quoted at 17s. 9d. to 18s. 3d., and coal for shipment at 6d. per ton less. Gas coal is firm at 18s. to 19s., nuts at 17s. to 18s., and gas coke at 16s. 8d. to 18s. 4d., though the Bethesda Council have decided to advance their coke to 20s. per ton. The list prices are as below :— Prices at pit f.o.r.: — Best house coal ...... Secondary do.......... Steam coal............ Gas coal.............. Bunkers.............. Nuts ................ Slack ................. Gas coke (at works).... Prices landsale: — Best house coal ...... Seconds .............. Slack ................ ' Current iL’st week’s Last year’s prices. 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 17/3-17/9 17/ -18/ ! 8/ - 9/6 i 16/8-18/4 i 23/4-26/8 22/6-23/4 | 13/4-15/ prices. 18/6-20/ 17/6-18/6 13/6-14,3 18/ -19/ 12/ -12/6 18/ -19/ 12/ -12/9 17/6-18/ 11/9-12/3 17/6-18/ : 11/3-11/9 8/6- 9/6 6' - 7/ 16/8-18/4,11/8-13/4 23/4-26/8 18/4-20/ 22/6-23/4 16/8-17'6 13/4-14/2 10/ -12,'6 prices. 14/6-15/6 12/ -12/9 _______ _______ Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COAL. The present condition of the steam coal trade is one closely approaching stagnation, little being done in any part of the market. Of new business there is a great scarcity, while present tonnage is deficient both in quantity and size. A tinge of brightness to a sombre outlook is given by the improved chartering which has been effected this week, but a good many more fixtures must be arranged before nearly a normal position is regained. The blame for the scantiness of new business is generally put down to the present stringent restriction of export licences primarily, and further to the high freights now current. Permits for export are very difficult to obtain, and it is understood that there are very good reasons for the present tardy granting of permission. Small coals are as slow in moving as other varieties. House coals are practically