December 17, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 1245 26s. 6d.; Bordeaux, 36s.; Boucan, 35s. ; Genoa, 65s.; Marseilles, 50s.; Porto Ferraio, 60s.; Leghorn, 62s. 6d.; Messina, 62s. 6d.; Oran, 42s. 6d.; Gibraltar, 34s. 6d.; Las Palmas, 35s. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 21/ 2U/6 13/ Secondary do. House coals:— 18/6 18/ 11/ Best house coals 1 23/ 23/ 16/ Ordinary do Other sorts :— 20/ 20/ 14/ Lambton screened 22/6 22/6 13/6 South Hetton do 22/ 22/ 13/3 Lambton unscreened ... 1 18/ 17/6 17/6 10/6 South Hetton do | 18/ 10/6 Do. treble nuts 17/9 17/6 12/9-13/3 Coking coals unscreened 18/6 18/ 9/10J-10/ Do. smalls 18/ 17/6 9/9 Smithies 18/6 18/6 11/3-11/6 Peas and nuts 21/ 20/6 13/6 Best bunkers 20/ 18/6 11/9 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 1 18/6 17/ 10/3 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (didJ 37/6 37/6 20/ Teesside furnaces) ... 34/ 33/6-34/ 19/ Gas coke i 28/ 26/ -26/6 11/9-12/ Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. other public works in the district. The cross-Channel trade is very brisk, and there is a clamorous demand for all varieties for the Irish market. Prices of all sorts are firm, but unaltered. Last week the shipments to Irish ports amounted to 3,170 tons, a decrease of 505 tons compared with the previous week. All the Cumberland coke ovens are actively employed, and the whole of the output is going to the local blastfurnaces. Business is very brisk in the by-products trade. At Maryport, St. Helens, Flimby, and Oughterside, best coal delivered is quoted at from Is. Sod. to Is. 6d. per cwt., or from 27s. 6d. to 28s. 4d. per ton ; with best washed nuts at 25s. lOd. per ton and seconds at 24s. 2d. per ton. At Workington, best house coal delivered is quoted at Is. 4d. per cwt., or 25s. lOd. per ton, with best double-screened washed nuts at Is. 3d. per cwt., or 24s. 2d. per ton. Other current quotations are as follow :— South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday. There is considerable pressure for all classes of house coal, the severe weather having accentuated this. Furnace coal is in brisk demand, and the same applies to shipping coal, mostly on contract. The position as to slack is, if anything, worse than it was, the supply not being at all enough to meet requirements. Prices generally are as below:— Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). As is usual at this season of the year, there is a very heavy demand for fuel. As Christmas approaches, the pressure to secure prompt coal and coke becomes greater, and higher prices are being paid, especially, for bunker coal, coking smalls and all kinds of coke. The Swedish State railways are in the market to buy 120,000 tons of coal for January-March shipment, but in view of further trouble as regards licences, some local merchants have refused to tender. Gas coal is steady, with best Durhams at 19s. to 20s.; seconds, 17s.; and special Wears 21s. to 21s. 6d. Ordinary Durham bunkers are put at 19s. f.o.b.; best at 20s.; and specials at 21s. Coking smalls range from 18s. to 18s. 6d., and coking unscreened 17s. 6d. to 18s. There is almost a famine in coke, and the efforts that are being made to limit prices to several shillings below what it is now promise to be difficult to arrange. Durham beehive blast- furnace coke of good medium quality is put at 34s. delivered at Teesside works. Good foundry coke for shipment is generally quoted 37s. 6d. f.o.b., but as a matter of fact 39s. has been paid. Gas coke is hardly obtainable, and is quoted round about 30s. IRON. The suggested fixing of maximum quotations for Cleve- land and haematite iron is much discussed in commercial circles, and the prevailing opinion is that the proposals may be carried out without much trouble so far as the former is concerned, but that there are considerable difficulties in the' way of controlling east coast haematite quotations, foremost among them being the question of obtaining supplies of foreign ore at fixed prices, and the. arrangement of ore freights. It is understood that the suggested limit of price of No. 3 Cleveland be 82s. 6d., and of mixed numbers of haematite 122s. 6d. At present there are keen buyers of the latter for delivery well ahead at several shillings above the proposed maximum. Cleveland pig quotations are now higher than since 1900, and they are within a shilling or so of the top prices realised during the boom of 15 years ago. Possibly some second hands would still sell small odd lots of No. 3 g.m.b. Cleveland pig at 77s. 3d., but the general market quotation is 77s. 6d. No. 1 is in the neigh- bourhood of 80s. 6d., No. 4 foundry is 76s. 9d. to 77s., No. 4 forge 76s. 3d., and mottled and white iron each 75s. 9d. All the foregoing quotations are for early delivery. East coast haematite mixed numbers stand at 130s., delivered over the second quarter of next year, and a sale for May next has this week been made at above that price. Foreign ore is very stiff, on the basis of 37s. 6d. ex ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality, and freights Bilbao-Middlesbrough, are strong at 21s. 6d. As regards manufactured iron and steel, producers are as busily employed as ever on Govern- ment work, and have practically nothing available for commercial requirements. Any small odd parcels that become disposable for early delivery in the ordinary way of business, command a good deal above the recognised market rates. Steel rails and sleepers have advanced, but makers declare that they are so fully booked that they cannot accept further orders. Common iron bars are <£13, iron ship plates <£11, iron ship angles <£13, steel bars <£13, steel ship plates =£11, steel ship angles <£10 15s., steel strip <£12, steel hoops <£12 10s., steel joists <£11, heavy steel rails <£11, and steel railway sleepers <£12 —railway material net, and all other descriptions less 2^ per cent, discount. BestCumberl’nd coal at pit Best washed nuts at pit... Buckhill best coal „ Do. double-scrned washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at Fit Oughterside best washed nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts at pit Best dry small at pit Best steam nuts at pit ... BestCumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... Bunkers Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- works Current prices. 23/4 21/3 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 12/ 19/ 19/6 17/6 17/ -17/6 19/3 18/3 L’st week’s prices. 23/4 21/3 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 12/ 19/ 19/6 17/6 17/ -17/6 19/3 18/3 Last year’s prices. 19/2 17/1 18/4 16/10 18/4 16/10 18/4 16/10 8/6 15/ 15/6 13/6 12/6-13/ 15/ 14/ IRON. The Cumberland haematite iron trade is still characterised by very great strength; values and production are well maintained, and the chances are that the state of affairs will continue for some time to come. Prices are firm, Bessemer mixed numbers being quoted this week at 132s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. at the usual ports with warrants at cash at 115s. per ton. Special iron is quoted at from 145s. to 150s. per ton, while ferro-manganese is an active trade at <£20 per ton. Throughout the district, from Carn- forth to Workington, there is marked activity in every branch of the industry, and the whole of the output is going into prompt use. Makers are experiencing a full demand for their metal, and requirements of both ordinary and special iron are now so great that the demand is very much in excess of the supply. Forward buying has almost ceased, for the present at any rate, and consumers are now only able to secure small parcels for prompt delivery. The demand for metal, however, is so keen that smelters could easily dispose of a much fuller output. Makers have good order books, the tonnage bought representing the pro- duction of at least three or four months ahead. The bulk of the low phosphorus iron is going to high-class steel makers engaged on Government orders, and a large pro- portion of the ordinary iron is going into immediate con- sumption in the district. The stocks of pig iron at present in west coast storing yards amounts to 2,082 tons, compared with 4,011 at the corresponding period of last year. The output is being drawn from 16 furnaces in Cumberland and nine in the Furness district. The steel trade both at Barrow and Workington is briskly employed, the output consisting mainly of munitions and railway material. The rail trade, however, is still rather quiet. All the engineering shops in the district are very busy on Government orders. Local iron ore is in exceedingly brisk demand, and although all the mines in the district are fully employed, the amount of metal raised is still insufficient to satisfy all requirements. Cumberland ore at the mines is quoted at from 26s. to 40s. per ton according to grade. Last week the imports at Maryport included 2,000 tons of iron ore from Bilbao for the Workington Iron and Steel Company, and the exports consisted of 3,000 tons of steel rails for Hobart, Tasmania. At Workington the imports consisted of 1,280 tons of foreign ore, and the exports consisted of 670 tons of rails and 460 tons of ferro-manganese. House coal:— Best ............... Medium.............. Common.............. Furnace coal.......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack ........... Common slack ......... Current prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 14/ 11/ -12/ L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 i 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 14/6 12/ -12/6 Last year’s prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/ 13/ -14/ 9/6-10/ 8/ -9/ IRON. Pig iron keeps advancing in price. A good No. 3 could not now be purchased under 77s. 6d. At the same time the foundries are not busy, and there is very little pig iron being bought. This remark does not apply to haematite, as such large quantities have been sold, and the quantities available are short. The forges are busy, and the associated makers’ price for Crown iron bars is <£13 10s., with iron hoops <£15 2s. 6d., and steel at <£14 7s. 6d. per ton. Practi- cally there is no quotation for steel bars, but <£15 10s. to <£16 per ton would be expected if a maker had any to sell, but all steel works are very much overdue with orders, and deliveries are very hard to get. Billets are nominally =£12 per ton. Wagon works very busy on repairs, but not many new orders coming forward. Heavy engineers very busy. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. Great difficulty is being experienced, owing to the shortage of men, to maintain production at anything like a satisfactory level, both at the coal mines and the coke ovens. To aggravate matters there is scarcely sufficient coal to keep the coke ovens going, and it would not be at all surprising if one or two of the batteries had to be temporarily closed down on this account. In every depart- ment business is exceptionally brisk, and there is every indication that the winter trade has thoroughly set in. All the pits in the county are working full time, but outputs have been lower than usual during the last week or two. The needs of home and Irish consumers continue to increase, and the pressure, more especially on home account, is now so great that requirements are very much in excess of production. The landsale depots are busier than ever, and the Christmas trade in house coals is now in full swing. Gas coal is still rather quiet, but works fuel is in very strong request, and manufacturers are now putting in extra supplies for the holidays. Over 600 tons are now going by rail over the border for landsale ; one or two small cargoes have been shipped to Scotland, and the bulk of the manu- acturing fuel is going to the blastfurnaces, steel works and South-West Lancashire. COAL. The household trade, while not abnormal for the time of the year, is more than can be dealt with with the available supplies, and generally there are arrears. Where stocks have been accumulated by merchants and others with space at their disposal, some quantity is being drawn from these to help matters. With regard to shipping, bunkering requirements this week are rather heavier than they have been recently, mainly on contract account, open sale enquiry still being quiet. Fuel is scarce and prices have further advanced, Lancashire steam coals now ruling from 20s. to 21s. f.o.b. Coastwise shipments of household coal continue unchanged—that is to say, as much is being- shipped as the producer is able to send forward, but more would be taken if there was the ability to supply. Slack and small fuel generally for manufacturing purposes con- tinues scarce, and in many cases larger grades of fuel have to be resorted to to some extent to get the necessary tonnage. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The members of the Yorkshire Coal Exchange had been called together by circular to a meeting on Tuesday, for the purpose of considering the question of the pooling of trucks. The attendance was an exceptionally large one, and the outcome of the meeting was the passing of a resolution, strongly protesting against any scheme for the pooling of private owners’ trucks, as being inimical to the interests of traders. The market itself was very animated, the chief feature being the keen demand for small parcels of nuts, gas coal and manufacturing fuel, but supplies were scarcer than ever, and very little coal indeed changed hands. As nearly full time as possible has been worked at the pits this week, but the scarcity of trucks continues to be a source of trouble, and to affect the output. As for absenteeism, there is at present less cause for complaint, and the miners are expected to turn up regularly until the holidays. The demand for house coal for London continues to be greater than the supply. As for the best West Yorkshire qualities, these are still off the London market, being reserved for regular buyers and contractors. It has been impossible to get railway trucks for loading to the London district this week, with the consequence that those who get their supplies in this way have suffered greatly, while traders with their own wagons have got good quantities. The position causes considerable anxiety to merchants in view of the grave inroad which has been made into stocks at the depots. Coastwise, the scarcity of boats become more pronounced, and as much as 15s. 6d. per ton has been paid Goole to London. Very few cargoes are being sold in the open market, but any spot parcels of medium Silkstone house coal at about 19s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. Hull are readily snapped up. In the West Riding there has been a rush’ of orders in the retail trade, but merchants are unable to cope with it, having very little stock, and being unable to get supplies quick enough. As for gas coal, some of the big Yorkshire gasworks are trying to supplement their contract supplies by purchasing in the open market, but there is really nothing being offered. Contract requirements absorb all the output, and deliveries, especially of gas nuts, are generally in arrear to a considerable extent. The position is practically the same in regard to manufacturing fuel. The needs of works which are supplying permanent war requirements practically take all the supplies of nuts, both washed and unwashed, and in all the industrial centres of the West Riding the shortage of manufacturing Current pit prices. House coal:— Best ................. Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium................ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen............... Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Screened forge coal..... Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ........ Common do............... Current prices. 20/9 22/6-23/ 19/ 20/ -21/ 16/9-17/ 19/ 17/ 20/ -21/ 14/6 13/ 12/ L’st week's prices. 20/9 22/6-23/ I 19/ 20/ 16/9-17/ 19/ 17/ 19/6-20/ 14/6 13/ ' 12/ Lastyear’s prices. 17/ 17/ -17/3 15/3 15/ -15/6 13/ 13/6-14/ 11/6-12/ 12/6-13/6 9/3- 9/6 8/6- 8/9 8/ - 8/3 House coal:— Prices at pit (London) : Haigh Moor selected ... Wallsend & London best Silkstone best ....... Do. house .......... House nuts ........... Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best....... Silkstone best ....... Do. house .......... Other qualities....... Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal..... Gas nuts.............. Unscreened gas coal ... Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts........... Large double-screened engine nuts ........ Small nuts........... Rough unscreened engine coal......... Best rough slacks.... Small do. ........... Coking smalls ........ Coke:— Price at ovens : Furnace coke ......... Current prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 21/6-22/6 20/6-21/6 18/6-19/6 18/ -19/ L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 21/6-22/6 20/6-21/6 18/6-19/6 18/ -19/ 15/ -16/ 15/ -15/6 i 13/6-14/6 : 16/ -16/6 14/6-15/6 13/6-14/6 15/ -16/ 15/ -15/6 13/6-14/6 16/ -16/6 14/6-15/6 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 ; 13/6-14/6 12/6-13/6 12/6-13,6 10/6-11/6 ; 10/6-11/6 11/ -12/ ■ 11/ -12/ 23/ -24/ | 23/ -24/ prices. 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/6 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 12/6-13/ 17/6-18/ 16/ -17/ 14/ -14/6 13/6-14/ 10/6-12/ 9/6-10/6 9/ - 9/6 10/6-11/6 9/6-10/6 9/ - 9/6 9/ - 9/6 7/6- 8/3 6/6- 7/ 6/ - 6/6 10/6-11/