December 31, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 1345 actively engaged. At Maryport, St. Helens and Oughterside best coal delivered is quoted at from Is. 5d. 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 24s. 2d. per ton. At Workington, best Buckhill coal delivered is quoted at Is. 4d. per cwt., or 25s. lOd. per ton, with best double-screened nuts at Is. 3d. per cwt., or 24s. 2d. per ton. Other current quotations are as follow:— Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit 23/4 23/4 19/2 Best washed nuts at pit... 21/3 21/3 17/1 Buckhill best coal „ Do. double-scrned 22/6 22/6 18/4 washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at 21/ 21/ 16/10 Fit Oughterside best washed 22/6 22/6 18/4 nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best 21/ 21/ 16/10 coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts 22/6 22/6 18/4 at pit 21/ 21/ 16/10 Best dry small at pit 12/ 12/ 8/6 Best steam nuts at pit ... 19/ 19/ 15/ BestCumberl'nd coal, f.o.b. 19/6 19/6 15/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 17/6 17/6 13/6 Bunkers 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 12/6-13/ Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- 19/3 19/3 15/ works 18/3 18/3 14/ IRON. The decision of the Government to establish maximum prices of both pig iron and raw materials is probably the most important event that has occurred in connection with the iron trade generally throughout the year. It was not altogether unexpected—in fact, it was fully anticipated some time ago, and now that it has at last arrived it will no doubt put an end to the extraordinary fluctuations in prices, and to what has been described as an unhealthy situation. Both in Cumberland and the Furness district makers are extremely busy in every branch of the industry, and there is still a clamorous demand for metal. Require- ments of both ordinary and special iron are very large. Makers have very good order books, and under present circumstances they are not anxious to sell large parcels for forward delivery. This week quotations are to a great extent nominal, in view of the Government action as to the fixing of maximum selling prices, and Bessemer mixed numbers are still quoted at 132s. 6d. per ton, with warrants at cash at 115s. per ton. Special iron is still quoted at from 145s. to 150s. per ton, and ferro-manganese is firm at <£20 per ton. The whole of the production of both ordinary and special iron is going into immediate consumption, the steelworks at Workington and Barrow accounting for a large proportion of the output of ordinary iron. The bulk of the special iron is still going to the Midlands, Scotland and South Wales. There are 25 furnaces in blast. The steel trade continues in a very brisk condition, and both Workington and barrow are busily engaged in shell steel. The iron ore industry is in a most flourishing condition, there being a very keen demand. Best sorts at the Cumber- land mines are quoted at 40s. per ton, with good average qualities at from 26s. to 30s. per ton. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. Work was resumed at the pits on Tuesday, after the Christmas holidays, but in many cases it was questionable whether it was worth while, as not half the miners turned up. Some pits stopped work at noon, and as a general rule the day’s output was very light. The usual weekly meeting of the Coal Exchange was not held. The holidays enabled the railways to effect a considerable clearance of the con- gested traffic at the various junctions, and most collieries were enabled to resume work in earnest on Wednesday with fair supplies of empty trucks, while loaded wagons were worked through to their destinations fairly well, munition works and coke ovens receiving special attention in this matter, because of their importance to the war. The posi- tion at the collieries is that generally there is a considerable balance of orders awaiting their attention, sufficient to absorb the full output for two or three weeks, and few ordirs can be accepted for delivery within this period. It is thought likely that, because of the great shortage of York- shire coal, there may be a partial or total suspension for the present of shipment of these qualities from the Humber ports. One of the chief features of the post-holiday position is the very great scarcity of coking smalls, which have appreciated in price. As much as 13s. at the pit has been realised in special instances, and in other cases large coal is being crushed in order to maintain sufficient supplies for the coking ovens. The prevailing opinion among traders and wagon owners generally on the question of the pooling of trucks is that it would be disadvantageous to the trade, and representations, embodying this state of feeling, are being made to the Board of Trade and Coal Organisation Committee. The subjoined list of prices, in the exceptional condition of the market, must be regarded as more or less nominal. Current pit prices :— 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/ 15/ -16/ 15/ -15/6 13/6-14/6 16/ -16/6 14/6-15/6 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 12/6-13/6 10/6-11/6 12/ -13/ L’st week’s prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ It 4- Last year s prices. 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/6 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 12/6-13/ 21/6-22/6 20/6-21/6 18/6-19/6 18/ -19/ 15/ -16/ 15/ -15/6 13./6-14/6 16/ -16/6 14/6-15/6 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 12/6-13/6 10/6-11/6 11/ -12/ 17/6-18/ 16/ -17/ 14/ -14/6 13/6-14/ 11/ -12/ 10/ -10/6 9/6-10/ 10/6-11/6 10/ -10/6 9/3— 9/9 9/6-10/ 7/6- 8/3 6/6- 7/ 6/6- 7/ South-West Lancashire. COAL. There is no alleviation of the position with regard to fuel in any avenue whether house coal, steam coal or slack is sold. There is more demand than available fuel. In the inland household trade a good many arrears are on the books. Collieries in this district were generally open for work on Monday, but a very poor attendance resulted, and it was Wednesday before they got down to normal working. With regard to shipping, the conditions generally are much the same as indicated last week, and prices of Lanca- shire steam coals range from 21s. to 22s. f.o.b. Household coal for the coastwise and cross-Channel trade is much enquired for. In manufacturing fuel of all descriptions there is a shortage, and, with regard to slack users, in many cases unscreened fuel has to be sent, to keep the various works fully supplied. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current L'st week’s Last year's House coal prices. prices. prices. Best 20/9 20/9 17/ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 22/6-23/ 22/6-23/ 17/ -17/6 Medium 19/ 19/ 15/3 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 15/ -15/6 Kitchen 16/9-17/ 16/9-17/ 13/ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, npt) 19/ 19/ 13/6-14/ Screened forge coal 17/ 17/ 11/6-12/ Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 13/6-14/ Best slack 14/6 14/6 9/6-10/ Secondary slack 13/ 13/ 8/9- 9/3 Common do 12/ 12/ 8/6- 8/9 South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The attendance of members on the Manchester Coal Exchange, on Tuesday, was naturally considerably affected by the holiday season. Very little business was done. The position generally is as last week; supplies of all sorts of fuel are not sufficient to meet the demand. Prices are very firm, and generally are as under. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best .............. Medium............. Common.............. Furnace coal.......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack ........... Common slack ......... Current L’st week's prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 14/ -15/ 12/ upwds. prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 17/ -17^3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 14/ 11/ -12/ Last year’s prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ —16/9 13/3-14/ 12/ 13/ -14/ 9/6-10/ 8/ -9/ 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 10/6-11/ Barnsley. COAL. The usual local market was of a holiday character, and there was little attempt to transact business. Practically speaking, the collieries only restarted work after the holidays on Wednesday, and then in some cases there was a big percentage of absentees. Attempts were made to get the pits at work again on Tuesday in accordance with the official arrangements, but in cases where operations com- menced the attendance was of so sparse a character that their effort had to be discontinued. There is also the prospect of the pits setting down again on Saturday next, so that there will be, practically speaking, only three days' output available for the week. The suspension of opera- tions at the pits has, of course, contributed to aggravate the great scarcity of fuel. Owing to the comparatively lengthy holiday being taken by the munition works, the difficulty will not be very great, but stocks are badly needed and the full output of the week was more than required to meet contract deliveries. The demand for fuel on export account is of a much reduced character, and there is little fuel being offered in this direction either for prompt or forward account. The railway companies are claiming a good bulk of the output under their contract requirements, and there is a big and keen demand for supplies of slacks required for the extensive by-product plants. Official requests have been made to collieries to supply all the fuel they possibly can for coke-making purposes, and presumably the inconvenience of other industrial concerns must of necessity be of secondary consideration. The position of makers of coke continues to be very firm, and practically the agreed upon maximum prices are being paid, whilst the output continues to be fully cleared away. Prices at pit. Current L'st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 20/ -22/ 18/6 16/6-17/6 20/ -22/ 15/6-16/ Best Barnsley softs 18/6 15/ Secondary do 16/6-17/6 13/ -14/ Best house nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 12/9-13/6 Secondary do 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 10/9-11/6 Steam coals:— Best hard coals 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 11/6-11/9 Secondary do 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 10/9-11/ Best washed nuts 16/3-16/6 16/3-16/6 10/9-11/ Secondary do 15/9-16/3 15/9-16/3 10/ -10/3 Best slack 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 7/3- 7/6 Secondary do 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 6/3 Gas coals:— Screened gas coals 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 11/ -11/6 Unscreened do 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 10/ Gas nuts 16/6 .16/6 10/ -10/6 Furnace coke 24/ 23/ -24/ 11/ -11/3 Hun. COAL. The holiday tone of the market persists, and very little actual business transacted is to be recorded. Surplus coal for export is naturally only limited, owing to the big inland demand and the urgent need of the collieries to overtake arrears, but apart from this, a very strict control over applications for licences for export has the effect of stifling any possible demand that might develop at a moment when freight rates show signs of very considerable easing. It is evidently not intended that foreign business shall prove a factor in stiffening the home market, which, apparently, can take all the pits can give. Some amount of foreign business is inevitable, and is sufficient to absorb practically all surplus for some weeks ahead. Prompt business is, therefore, of a hand-to-mouth character. The Hull trawler owners are reported to have taken up their annual requirements of coal for the new year at 16s. 6d., 17s., and 18s. 6d. for South Yorkshire steam hards, delivered in keels at pithead. This price works out at 20s. to 21s. f.o.b. Hull. Prices are fully maintained, quotations for prompt shipment f.o.b. being approximately as follow : Best South Yorkshire hards, 2 Is. to 21s. 6d.; ditto prime brands, 21s. 6d. to 23s. 6d.; washed trebles, 20s. to 21s.; washed doubles, 19s. to 20s.; rough slack, 14s. 6d. to 15s.; West Yorkshire Hartleys, 19s. to 19s. 6d.; gas and house coal, 20s. to 21s. 6d.; Derbyshire steam hards not offering for export, but are nominally 21s. at Grimsby or Imming- ham. Shipments at the docks are much below average and freights easier for Bay ports, but strong for Mediterranean. Chesterfield. COAL. The intervention of the Christmas holidays caused a stoppage of work at the pits of the district for two days only. It is hoped and believed that no further stoppage of work will take place until Easter. There is a great demand for house ceal—as there is, indeed, for every class of fuel. So far as coal for domestic use is concerned, it is fortunate that the weather is comparatively mild for the time of year. With a spell of real winter it is conceivable that the lot of a householder will not be an enviable one. The consumption of coal at the large steel and iron works of Sheffield and district continues on a large scale, and the managers of these establishments experience much difficulty in securing sufficient supplies of fuel to enable their plant to be kept in regular employment. There is a scarcity of cobbles and nuts suitable for gas-producers, while slack for steam-raising continues in short supply. Locomotive coal is in active demand, and gas coal is in equally brisk request. The export trade continues in a very quiet condition, and an improvement cannot be looked for so long as the Govern- ment restriction of shipments remains in force. The price of steam coal is firm, with a hardening tendency. Washed nuts are scarce and dear. The coke market is strong, all qualities being in active demand. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best house coals 17/ 17/ 13/6 Secondary do 16/6 16/6 12/6 Cobbles 16/ 16/ 11/6 Nuts 15/ 15/ 10/6 Slack 12/6 12/6 7/6 IRON. The pig iron market is improving both in respect of demand and prices. Finished iron continues to be ordered freely, and all the works of the district are extremely busy. Nottingham. COAL. At most of the collieries in Nottinghamshire the holiday was restricted to two days instead of three or four, as is usually the case. Despite this brief cessation, the pressure for supplies was much greater than in normal times, and, while the limitation of the holiday was certainly helpful to owners, yet it did not in all cases enable them to keep pace with the demand, for some collieries have quite a number of orders on their books awaiting execution. A quieter tone from the public point of view thus necessarily pervaded the domestic fuel branch through the intervention of the holiday, but merchants, both in the metropolis and country districts, are pressing for supplies, as they have somewhat limited stocks on hand. The mild weather which has recently prevailed has tended to avert anything in the shape of a rush, and this has assisted the collieries to cope with the situation better than would have been the case had there been a spell of bitterly cold weather. The holiday granted to men at munition works helped to ease the demand on the steam coal section. Nevertheless, the tone is strong and prices are very firm. Slacks of all qualities are in brisk request, and the daily output is readily absorbed. Gas coal remains in very good demand. Prices at pithead. Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals......... Secondary do............ Best hard coals......... Secondary do............. Slacks (best hards)...... Do. (second) .......... Do. (soft)............. Current prices. 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/ 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 11/9-12/6 10/6-11/ 11/ L’stweek’s.Last year's prices. | prices. 17/6-18/6 | 14/ -15/ 16/6-17/ 13/ -13/6 15/6-16/ 12'6-13/ 16/6-17/6 - 10/6-11/ 15/ -16/ i 10/ -10/6 11/9-12/6 | 7/ - 7/6 10/6-11/ I 6/3- 6 '6 11/ | 6-3- 6/6 Leicestershire. COAL. Although it was intended to resume working at the majority of the pits on Tuesday morning after the holidays, the response was generally so feeble as regards numbers that working had to be postponed till Wednesday. The extra day stoppage had the effect of further reducing the small reserves of supplies of manufacturing fuel at a very large number of works. The result was that business was resumed with urgent calls for supplies of fuel. A large number of brickyards are entirely suspending the manufac- ture of bricks because of the scarcity and dearness of fuel.