784 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN October 15, 1915. supplies from the collieries. Ground stocks at the depots are light, and it is very possible that in a spell of severe weather there will be a marked scarcity. Pit prices are firm, and may be averaged as follow :—Haigh Moor selected, 20s. to 21s.; Silkstone best, 19s. 6d. to 20s. 6d.; Silkstone house, 18s. 6d. to 19s. 6d.; secondary sorts, 17s. to 18s. The gas coal pits are finding it difficult to keep abreast of their contract commitments, being in this hampered by the insufficient supply of trucks. There is little or nothing to offer for the open market, and very little new business is passing. Gas coal for shipment to France is in urgent request, and a few sales of screened gas coal have been made at 19s. 3d. f.o.b. Hull. Progress continues to be made in the fixing up of arrangements under the Act limiting prices, and with the better prices obtainable for gas coke the outlook for gasworks is much better than was anticipated three months ago. Regarding manufacturing fuel, stocks in the hands of^consumers are very light, and in the Bradford and heavy woollen districts some of the bigger consumers are already dependent on hand-to-mouth supplies. In these circumstances the future is viewed with some misgiving. Nuts of all qualities, both washed and unwashed, are very scarce, and prices all round are very firm. Supplies of washed furnace coke are still in excess of the present needs of the market, but the firmer tone noted last week is maintained, best qualities realising 16s. at the ovens. At this figure one or two contracts to the end of the year have been booked. Barnsley. COAL. The greater activity which has recently become marked at the pits is well maintained, and for most classes of coal buyers find it difficult to arrange prompt business. In several respects the export demand is proving that the reduced output is seriously short of the needs of the market, and there are still complaints of an undue absence of men at individual collieries. In some cases the orders on the books are so large, and deliveries in arrear, that further business cannot be entertained for the moment, and buyers who have not arranged for contract supplies are experiencing no little difficulty. During the week, arrangements have been completed for the renewal of a considerable number of contracts for supplies of hards to the Midland Railway Company. The matter has been the subject of a good deal of negotiation, and collieries who are heavily engaged have not been unduly anxious in prosecuting the matter. Some of the contracts expired at the end of July, and arrange- ments have been made to cover twelve months, on the basis of 16s. per ton for best hards. The price stated is Is. per ton advance on some contracts which are now running, but the coal owners had a good case, in view of the fact that 15s. per ton only was being paid when similar fuel was selling in the market as high as 20s. per ton. The settle- ment is regarded as fairly satisfactory, and will act as data for forward business. The supplies of railway com- panies are now of a heavier description, and every effort is being made by the collieries to give the deliveries arranged for, although they are larger than was the case in normal times. The export business continues to be steady, but largely relates to France, in which respect there is now less difficulty in obtaining the requisite licences for ship- ments—whatever may be the case in regard to certain neutral countries. Prices are steadily maintained, and with the continued strong demand in the home market there is little surplus fuel offering on current account. Secondary descriptions continue to make about 16s. per ton, and Parkgate and Shafton bed fuel is also well cleared with prices in similar proportion. In respect to steam nuts, the demand from the armament and engineering firms continues to be of an extensive character, and though perhaps there is not so much activity in the export trade, collieries appear to have no difficulty in disposing of the production. The experience of collieries in regard to slacks is again somewhat variable, but on the whole the demand is much stronger, and buyers are finding less offers circu- lating for the disposal of odd lots. The recent advance in prices is firmly maintained in regard to secondary descrip- tions of slacks, and it is expected that a keener demand will have to be supplied in the event of the manufacture of coke resuming something like full swing. So far as gas coal is concerned there are a few enquiries in the market for export supplies, but it is a somewhat rare experience to find any surplus lots obtainable with anything like prompt delivery. Although the prevalence of milder weather may have done a little to check the vigorous rush for supplies of house coal which came during recent weeks, collieries have experienced practically no relief from the abnormal demand which came along. Deliveries of best classes of this kind of coal are in arrear, and it is feared that when the severe weather commences the difficulties of supply will become very real. The revised price-lists which were recently sent out have been strictly adhered to, and there seems no prospect of any alteration in regard to values. In respect to coke there is really no material alteration in the market, although the tone is of a more promising description. Business at the moment may still be done at something like 15s. 6d. per ton, but the enquiry is of a firmer character, and suggests an early recovery in values. At the present there is no disposition on the part of makers to arrange contracts except at considerably higher prices. It is also satisfactory to report that work has been resumed at the Grimethorpe Colliery, where 2,000 hands have been idle for eight days, owing to a dispute on the non-union question. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 16/6 Best Barnsley softs 18/6 18/6 16/ Secondary do 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 13/ -14/6 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 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 11/3 Secondary do 16/ 16/ 10/6-10/9 Best washed nuts 16/ -16/6 16/ -16/6 10/9 Secondary do 15/6-15/9 15/6-15/9 9/9-10/ Best slack 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 6/9 Secondary do 10/ -10/6 10/6 5/9- 6/ Gas coals .*— Screened gas coals 16/6-17/ 16/6-17/ 10/6-11/ Unscreened do 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 . 10/ Gas nuts 16/ —16/6 16/ -16/6 10/ -10/6 Furnace coke 15/6-16/ 15/ -16/ 12/3-12/6 Hull. COAL. There is a slightly better tone in the Humber coal trade, the market having recovered its firmness. Under the stimulus of a good export demand, with no disposition on the part of colliery agents to press business, Yorkshire steam hards have improved in value to 19s. 6d. to 20s. for usual brands and 20s. 6d. for prime sorts for prompt shipment; while a similar recovery is noted in nuts, washed doubles now being fully steady at 18s. to 18s. 6d., ditto singles 17s. 6d. to 18s., and small coal 13s. to 13s. 6d. Derbyshire steams, however, are not sought after, and the market is nominal, current value being about 19s. at Grimsby or Immingham. There is an active demand for house and gas coal, and values are sound at 19s. to 20s. 6d. for screened varieties. West Yorkshire Hartleys are steady and unchanged at 17s. to 18s., rough slack fetching 13s. to 13s. 6d. Shipments at the docks are up to recent levels. There is not so much enquiry in the freight market, about 17s. being the rate for Rouen and 42s. to 43s. for Genoa. Though the returns of export foreign from Hull during September showed a substantial increase over the corre- sponding month of last year, the same cannot be said of the Humber, taking all the four ports together, as will be seen from the following:—Hull, 260,270 tons September 1915, as against 176,733 tons September 1914; Grimsby, 53,538 tons (99,638 tons) ; Goole, 69,141 tons (58,854 tons) ; Immingham, 1,302 tons (79,049 tons); total, 384,251, compared with 414,274 tons. The falling off is due to the restricted trade with neutral countries. Chesterfield. COAL. The coal trade of North Derbyshire is in a state of con- siderable activity. The whole of the pits are working full time, and the output is eagerly taken up. House coal orders are abundant, and consumers are beginning to press for supplies which in many cases are wanted for stocking purposes. The demand for all classes of coal for steel and iron making is strong, and consumers are anxious to place orders for additional quantities for forward delivery, but owing to their heavy commitments colliery owners are unable to satisfy customer s’ requirements in this. respect. Cobbles and nuts for gas-producers are much wanted for the Sheffield steel works. Slack for steam raising is coming into much greater request now that the Lancashire cotton mills are in full operation after the close of the holiday season. Supplies are somewhat restricted owing to the reduced output of coal, coupled with the fact that there are now no stocks of small coal to fall back upon. Locomotive fuel is in pressing demand by all the railway companies. There is no change to report with regard to the export trade. There is a strong demand for coal for France, but business with neutral countries is on a very limited scale, owing to the great difficulty which exporters still experience in obtaining the necessary licences. The price of the best brands of Derbyshire steam coal is firm at 19s. per ton deli- vered free alongside steamer at Grimsby. Washed nuts are in good request, and washed slack moves freely. Coke is in slightly better demand, and prices are steadier. Prices at pit. Best house coals Current ’prices. 17/ L’st week’s prices. 17/ Last year’s prices. Secondary do 16 6 16 6 Cobbles 16/ 16/ Nuts 15/ 15/ Slack 12/6 12/6 IRON. Finished iron is in good demand, orders being plentiful. Pig iron, however, is in poor request. Engineering works are extremely busy. ----------------- Nottingham. COAL. In every branch of the coal trade in Nottinghamshire business is increasing, and what little stock collieries were able to accumulate during the quieter weeks in August is being rapidly cleared. The demand in the domestic fuel branch is fairly brisk, particularly in best qualities, but secondary and common sorts are moving with more freedom. At some collieries the greater part of the output is exhausted by requirements on contracts, there being only a limited amount for the open market. On the whole, however, orders are being carried out without much delay, both owners and men uniting in the effort to maintain the output at as high a level as possible. A stronger tone is developing in the steam coal section in consequence of the increasing demand in the home market. Second-class qualities are just now in much better request. Steam nuts are going out of hand quickly, and in some cases it is not possible to execute orders with anything like promptitude owing to the limited supply. Railway companies continue to take good supplies of locomotive fuel. The prices for all qualities of steams are firm. The slack market is improving steadily, a factor in its recovery being the increased demand from the textile centres. The output of gas fuel, which is on a somewhat limited scale, is being substantially cleared. Coke is in rather better request. Prices at pithead. Hand-picked brights Good house coals Current prices. 18/6-19/6 16/6-17/ 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/ 11/6-12/ 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ L’st week’s prices. 18/6-19/6 16/6-17/ 15/6-16/ 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/ 11/6-12/ 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ Last year’s prices. Secondary do Best hard coals Secondary do. Slacks (best hards) Do. (second) Do. (soft) Leicestershire. COAL. Although business is carried on under the most strenuous conditions with a constantly increasing demand, there is less indication of strain all round, and smooth working is now quite the normal condition. The spirit of give and take is more in evidence. The continued inflow of orders for urgent delivery absorbs the whole of the output day by day. The call for manufacturing fuel is very great, and it is still increasing to meet the very important requirements of firms engaged on Government work. The demand is much in excess of the supplies available, and there is in consequence a very large absorption of cobbles and large nuts to make good the deficiency. Users prefer to pay the increased price which these qualities call for rather than go short of deliveries. Of course, this diminishes the sup- plies available for general domestic purposes, but up to the present no serious inconvenience has been experienced through this diversion of supplies from the ordinary channels. The general demand for all classes of household coal both for London district and for country stations shows a steady expansion, but that is only in the normal course of business at this period of the year. All the pits are working up to their full capacity of five and three- quarter days per week, and there are no stocks of any kind at the pits. The supply of both railway and privately- owned empty wagons is well maintained, and is now more regular and constant than at any time since the war began. The following are the quotations, subject to special modifi- cations, which are now generally in operation at the collieries in this district:— 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 14/9-15/9 14/ -15/ 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/ 14/9-15/9 14/6-15/6 13/6-14/ 14/9-15/9 13/ -14/ 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- 8/3 1/6- 1/9 9/6-10/6 8/6- 9/3 10/ -10/6 8/ - 8/6 South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. Business in the coal trade is conducted under very difficult conditions. Merchants find the greatest difficulty in getting supplies. There is practically no “free ” coal on the market, the bulk of the coal produced in the district being sold under contract. Prices are ruled accordingly, and generally speaking they are in advance of those which the Act provided for. Some of the collieries are overstocked with empty wagons for the time being. The public continue to stock as much as they can get, and of course the con- sumption of manufacturing fuel is enormous. And while the demand tends to increase with the approach of winter the output grows less, for scarcely a week passes without some men joining the colours. IRON. Considerable interest was taken in the quarterly meeting on Thursday. Ironmasters in South Staffordshire, Northamptonshire, and Derbyshire were especially well represented, and while the attendance from South Wales and the North of England was below the normal, it was still good. The record of the past quarter has been one of progress, and the future is viewed with optimism. In only two departments, owing to special circumstances—pig iron and galvanised sheets—has there been a falling off, the other departments have steadily advanced. The demand for war material, of course, forms the backbone of the trade of the district, and for the period of the war our own Government and the War Departments of our Allies are certain to require practically the whole output of this and every other district. Apart from this, a fair home trade is going on all the time, but as the works of the leading iron- masters are under Government control, firms employed on general work have difficulty in getting regular supplies. Marked bar makers gave the lead towards establishing higher prices. Since June last they have persisted in maintaining the basis for their iron at <£12 a ton, although common iron has been selling recently at <£11 10s. and <£11 15s. and North Staffordshire bars at £12. They have now announced an advance of 10s. a ton, raising the basis to £12 10s., with the usual 12s. 6d. a ton extra for the Earl of Dudley’s Round Oak brand. A rise of £1 was expected as some makers have professed to be obtaining a premium of that amount on orders placed recently. At the beginning of the present year the price of marked bars was £9. For good second class bars £11 10s. is the firm minimum, and the bulk of the business is done at 2s. 6d. to 5s. a ton higher. Nut and bolt iron is quoted £11 to £11 2s. 6d., delivered in the Darlaston district. Gas-strip rollers have further improved their position on the quarter. Last quarter day their quotation was £11 7s. 6d. to £11 12s. 6d., now buyers are prepared to pay £11 12s. 6d. to £11 15s. Immediately before the outbreak of hostilities makers were scrambling* for orders at £6 5s. Steel strip, sold at £11 to £11 15s. three months ago, is now £12 15s., and trade is active at that; while small rounds, squares, and flats now range from £12 to £12 7s. 6d. in special cases. British manu- facturers have matters to themselves in this depart- ment, and some are booked for three months ahead on Government work. A better enquiry is reported for galvanised sheets. For the home trade £17 5s. to £17 10s. are the prices asked, and a good export order would be taken at slightly less. Three months ago prices ranged from £22 10s. upwards. The firmer quota- tions for finished material generally emphasise the weakness in pig iron. During the last few days consumers have been more in evidence, and they have purchased pretty freely on a favourable market. Good parcels of Northamptonshire forge have recently been sold as low as 62s. 6d., which is really below cost. Some improvement was manifest on the market on Thursday, but even so 64s. was about the top price, while Derbyshire was obtainable at 66s. to 67s., and South Staffordshire part-mine at about 66s. Generally speaking, pigs have lost 5s. to 7s. 6d. on the quarter. Steel quotations are almost impossible to obtain for the time being by reason of the wants of our own and Allied Governments.