1038 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN November 19, 1915. ___________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ is nothing offering in the open market, and contractors have difficulty in getting their supplies through on account of the scarcity of boats. Freights continue at a high level, small-sized boats being quoted as high as Ils. Goole to London. West Riding merchants are busily employed, within limits imposed by the general shortage of supplies. In the matter of getting coal, buyers with trucks of their own are faring much better than are others who have not this advantage. Pit prices are firm:— Haigh Moor selected, 21s. to 22s.; Silkstone best, 19s. to 20s.; Silkstone house, 17s. to 18s.; secondary sorts, 16s. to 17s. There is practically no gas coal on offer on the open market. Contract deliveries are generally in arrear, notwithstanding that the quantities contracted for are, in most cases, reduced as compared with previous years. Outside these commitments there is very little to spare, even for shipment to France. So many nuts are being consumed by works which have Government contracts on hand, that deliveries of gas nuts are particularly behind. In the Leeds, Huddersfield and heavy woollen districts, and the Colne and Spen valleys, the shortage of manu- facturing fuel is being felt more and more. Large consumers with plenty of work on hand have great diffi- culty in securing sufficient coal, though prepared to pay high prices. Official pit prices are more or less nominal. The make of washed furnace coke has been increased, but the demand is keen enough to clear the output and to maintain prices for prompt supplies in the neighbourhood of 23s at the ovens. Heavy shipments to France are still being made from the Humber ports. Barnsley. COAL. There has been really no material change in the position during the week, and buyers continue to find the greatest difficulty in obtaining spot lots of practically every kind of fuel. The official intimation in regard to miners and recruiting has had a steadying effect, and there is some satisfaction that the already difficult conditions are not likely to become aggravated. The margin between the output and the demand was, perhaps, never so large as it is at the present moment, and, frankly speaking, _________ collieries appear to be so heavily booked up that new enquiries are not solicited. The abnormal troubles regarding delivery have been increased by the experience of severe weather, and there are continuous complaints of serious delays, which are giving cause for a good deal of anxiety. In regard to the export trade, business continues to be fairly steady and there is very little doing, or perhaps it would be more correct to say allowed, apart from the needs of France, which appear to be as extensive as hitherto. The enquiries in the home, market for all descriptions of fuel continue to be exceedingly large compared with the tonnage which is available for supplies. Collieries are experiencing a good deal of pressure from the railway companies for full contract deliveries of large steams, and, despite all efforts, it is hardly possible to comply with the demands which are made upon them. Large steams continue to be in good request, and any surplus lots of best hards continue to make about 18s. per ton. Secondary descriptions are more largely available but these are fully absorbed, and prices remain firm as compared with a week ago. The enquiry for smaller kinds of steam fuel continues to be of a very active description, contract deliveries in respect to some classes of this fuel being now at the maximum. The consumption of steam nuts by the armament and engineering firms still continues to be of a very strong description, and, comparatively speaking, any special lots which may be available are readily disposed of at higher than the usual prices. In regard to slacks, although the consumption in some of the Lancashire districts is hardly so large as hitherto, there is no difficulty in disposing of the whole of the output, and consumers are only too anxious to obtain any extra quan- tity to assist in building up stocks. The position in regard to gas coal is very little altered. Consumers are having to continue working with reduced stocks, and find it prac- ticably impossible to supplement their purchases on the ___________________ open market, although there is a readiness to pay higher prices than those which have been contracted for. The settlements under the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act con- tinue satisfactory, and about average prices are being agreed to. An instance may be quoted, that of the case of the Wombwell Urban District Council, in respect to whose supplies the Mitchell and Main and Wombwell Main collieries have agreed to the reduction of Is. 3d. per ton from the 1st inst., and the Cortonwood Collieries Limited offered a reduction of only 7d. per ton, the latter offer being left over for further negotiation. In respect to house coal, as was foreshadowed, the prevalence of more severe weather has led to a larger number of orders being sent to the collieries. However, these are only conditionally accepted, being subject to delays in delivery, in addition to difficulties in arranging for cartage. The improved position of coke has again been well maintained, and sales are reported up to 23s. per ton for home consumption, and higher prices have been obtained for export. It is under- stood that an effort has been made for united action on the part of makers in respect to contracts, and that about 22s. per ton has been named as the figure at which forward arrangements will now be booked. This, of course, only applies to home firms, and higher values are expected to be made in regard to export business. __________________ Prices at pit. Hull. COAL. Except, of course, that the volume of foreign business is restricted by reason of the tight control exercised over it by the War Department Committee, and that there is not a very considerable surplus t>f coal for export, the Humber coal trade is quite good, and the tone decidedly sound. On the week prices are advanced, and with an active demand prevalent, all coal for prompt shipment is firmly held. France continues to make big calls upon available output, though perhaps not quite so much is being shipped, any speculative buyers there may be having their operations checked by the latest requirements of the “ dark blue ” form. Applications for licences for Sweden and other northern neutral countries are very carefully scruti- nised, and only few granted; while business further afield is greatly hampered, if not made practi- cally impossible, by reason of the abnormal freight rates. Shipping tonnage to France still commands well over 20s., while 49s. to 50s. represents the rate of larger steamers to Genoa. To-day the market is quite firm, the following being the approximate values for prompt ship- ment : Best South Yorkshire hards, 19s. 9d. to 20s. 3d.; ditto prime brands, 20s. 6d. to 21s. 6d.; washed trebles, 19s. to 20s.; washed doubles, 19s.; washed singles, 18s. 6d. to 19s,; washed small coal, 13s. 9d. to 14s. 3d.; West Riding Hartleys, 17s. 6d. to 18s.; rough slack, 13s. 6d. to 14s. Derbyshire steams are nominally 18s. 6d. to 19s. 6d. at Grimsby or Immingham Chesterfield. COAL. The coal trade of North Derbyshire is characterised by great strength. There is an enormous demand for all classes of coal, and with every desire to meet their customers’ requirements collieries are quite unable to supply anything like the full tonnage of coal that is wanted. House coal is in great request, and orders are considerably in arrear. Merchants have much difficulty in delivering coal to householders, owing to the scarcity of carters. It is feared that in this respect matters will become worse _________ as winter progresses, unless some relief will come in the form of motor lorries suitable for small loads. Some of these are already making trial journeys, and if they should prove satisfactory no doubt the number will be increased. Fuel for munition works is in greatly increased demand, and collieries are pressed for deliveries of all kinds. With the rapid growth of new factories all over the country, to say nothing of the extensions of existing ones, it is obvious that the demand for coal for industrial purposes will increase most substantially. Cobbles and nuts suitable for gas producers are now scarce, and washed nuts are in short supply ; indeed, there is no description of coal whose supply is not below the demand. Prices of all coal are strong, and must inevitably remain so. The condition of the export trade is quiet owing to short supplies of steam coal, together with the difficulty in obtaining licences for the shipment of such coal as might be obtainable. Shipments to France are on a fairly large scale. The coke market is strong, the output is readily disposed of, and prices are steadily advancing. Prices at pit. Best house coals Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. 17/ 17/ 16/6 16/ Secondary do 16/6 Cobbles 16/ Nuts 15/ 15/ 12/6 Slack 12/6 IRON. There is no improvement in the demand for pig iron, and prices continue weak. All classes of finished iron are in brisk request, but makers are not in a position to execute orders promptly, owing to the great pressure there is upon their plant. Nottingham. COAL. The prevalence of wintry climatic conditions has accentuated the demand for nearly all classes of coal in Nottinghamshire, and the trade in this county is of a brisk character. A livelier demand has developed in the domestic fuel section within the past week, the business done by local merchants and at landsale depots having been on the increase, while merchants in the southern and eastern counties are taking as full supplies as they can obtain on contract account. In some cases collieries are behind in deliveries, but taking all circumstances into consideration they are coping with the demand fairly satisfactorily. A strong tone dominates the steam coal section. There is very little fuel for the open market after requirements on contracts and supplies for firms engaged on war work have been met. In order to secure quick delivery, it is stated that some buyers are offering to pay slightly higher prices. Steam nuts continue in very brisk request. Nearly all reserve supplies of slacks have been cleared, and some collieries are unable to execute orders for better class qualities with anything like promptitude. The output of gas coal is being readily taken by inland works, and values show a firmer tendency. Prices at pithead. House coals:— ' Current i prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best Silkstone ...' 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 18/6 i 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/ Best Barnsley softs... ...i 18/6 15/ Secondary do. ..J 16/6-17/6 13/ -14/ Best house nuts —! 16/ -17/ 1 16/ -17/ 12/9-13/6 Secondary do Steam coals:— 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 10/9-11/6 1 Best hard coals ...' 17/6-18/ 1 17/6-18/ 1 11/3-11/6 Secondary do ...! 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ I 10/ Best washed nuts ... 16/3-16/6 16/3-16/6 10/3-10/6 Secondary do ... 15/9—16/ 15/9-16/ 9/6 _________________ Best slack ... 12/6—13/ 12/6-13/ 6/9- 7/ Secondary do Gas coals:— .... 10/6-11/ 10/6 5/6- 5/9 Screened gas coals ... ..J 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 10/6-11/ Unscreened do ... 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 10/ Gas nuts ...; 16/6 16/6 10/ -10/6 Furnace coke ...j 22/ -23/ 21/ 10/3-10/6 Hand-picked brights Good house coals Secondary do Best hard coals..... Secondary do Slacks (best hards) Do. (second) Do. (soft) Current | prices, i 17/6-18/6 ' 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ ! 16/ -17/ 1 15/ -16/ 11/6-12/6 10/ -11/ n/ L’st week’s! prices. | 18/ -19/1 16/6-17/ ' 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 11/6-12/6 10/6-11/ 11/ Last year’s prices. Leicestershire. COAL. The early advent of very cold wintry weather has given a further impetus to the demand for all classes of household coal, in order to meet the largely-increased consumption. The maximum quantity being used up for household purposes has been reached quite a month sooner than in average seasons, with the result that stocks in the hands of coal merchants are being very rapidly reduced. This has produced a great demand for speedy deliveries, but the practical result in the majority of cases is neither more nor less than an increase in the number of unfortunate disap- pointments. The supplies of household coal available are being further curtailed by still further encroachments in the cheaper grades to meet the ever-extending demand for fuel for factories and workshops engaged in vital contracts for the Army and Navy. The supply of empty railway-owned wagons is again most irregular, and the prevalence of fog has added to the trouble. In the case of some pits in this district work had to be suspended for a day in consequence. Coal merchants who are dependent upon railway-owned wagons for deliveries find that they can only get deliveries in a spasmodic way, which greatly increases the percentage of administrative charges. There are no stocks of any kind at the pits. The following are the quotations, subject to special modifications, 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. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-14/ 12/ -13/ 13/ -13/6 11/ -12/ 5/ -6/ 13/9-14/9 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 13/9-14/9 12/6-13/6 L’st week’s prices. 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/ 12/ -13/ 13/ -13/6 11/ -12/ 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 13/9-14/9 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 13/9-14/9 12/6-13/6 9/ -10/6 8/6- 9/3 10/ -10/6 7/6- 8/ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The situation in the coal trade is causing considerable anxiety. The difficulties have been accentuated by the early burst of cold weather, sending consumption up. On the other hand, each week sees a lessening of output, not much, perhaps, but spread over a period of time the aggre- gate totals up to a formidable quantity. The fuel question is, therefore, likely to be increasingly serious as winter goes on. Many smaller dealers cannot get supplies, and the small purchaser will be a sufferer. Works are going from hand to mouth in many instances, and boats are unloaded the moment they arrive. There were no quotations on the market, nobody having any coal to sell. Practically the whole output is taken under contract. IRON. High values prevailed on the market, and the rush of business is so great that consumers cannot afford to post- pone buying. Stocks must be maintained at whatever cost. In practically all branches the congestion of orders is acute, being perhaps more pronounced in steel. The recruiting sergeant continues to draw men from the indus- tries, and the greatest difficulty is experienced in manning the puddling furnaces in South Staffordshire, with the result that firms have no puddled iron to sell beyond running contracts. In the circumstances it was not sur- prising that what changes there were tended upwards. No quotation for merchant bars was heard under £12 delivered Birmingham, and best iron, for which a heavy business is passing for munition purposes, is retained at the <£12 10s. level, though that is nominal, as most makers are asking and obtaining a premium when booking new orders. Nut iron has bounded up to <£11 10s. to <£11 12s. 6d., and bolt iron to <£11 15s., delivered in the Darlaston district, while makers of small rounds have no difficulty in obtaining <£13 a ton for their products (three-eighths basis), with as much as from 25s. to 30s. a ton for steel rounds—a big advance on recent quotations. The scarcity of sheet bars has forced prices of sheets to very high figures. Plain black sheets are quite firm at <£14, and black corrugated sheets <£14 5s. to £14 10s., according to specification, with 20s. a ton extra for painting strong gauges and 25s. for lighter gauges. Galvanised sheets are sold on a basis ot £22 to £23 f.o.b. Liverpool, but there is little to sell. This market has been hardened by a substantial rise in spelter. Gas strip is quoted £12 to £12 2s. 6d., and hoops (iron and steel) £14 10s. to £14 15s. Most firms are so full up, however, that they are not quoting. Pig iron makers have declared further advances, by reason, chiefly, of scarcity and dearness of coke, which is something like 5s. a ton more than recently. More money, accordingly, is demanded for every fresh sale. . Staffordshire common is 66s., part-mine 69s. to 70s., Northamptonshire 68s. 6d. to 70s., Derbyshire 70s. to 71s. For ordinary consumers to obtain deliveries of steel is almost an impossibility, the whole output being required for war purposes. Prices are still soaring, and are out of all relation to official quotations Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The demand for all descriptions of house coal is as strong as ever, and the collieries are experiencing considerable difficulty in satisfying the requirements of customers, which, as the weather gets colder, are on a larger scale. _______ __________________________ _________ __________ ________ Prices at pithead. _______________ Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Block ............... 21/6 21/6 — ............... Forest ............. 20/6 20/6 — Rubble ............. 20/9 20/9 — Nuts ................ 19/ 19/ — Rough slack ......... 11/6 11/6 — Steam coal:— Large............... 18/ -19/ ! 18/ -19/ — Small ............... 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ — Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness.