78 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 14, 1916. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The market on Tuesday was attended by a thoroughly representative gathering, and the pressure for supplies was still a marked feature, especially for slacks and nuts required for manufacturing purposes. Since the holidays, full time has been the rule at the pits, and there has been welcome relief from the empty wagon difficulty. There are no stocks of any sort at the pits, the output being cleared daily. Collieries running coking plants have considerable difficulty in keeping the ovens supplied, full time in many cases being possible only by the use of nuts and the crushing of large coal. There is no change in regard to the London house coal trade. Reports from the depots indicate a rather quiet public demand. There is still no West Yorkshire best house coal on offer in the open market, and for other qualities there is a full demand at maximum prices according to the Limitation Act. Coastwise very little is being done beyond contract coal. A few sales of medium quality Silkstone house coal are reported at about 19s. 9d. to 20s. 6d. f.o.b. Hull, and one or two cargoes of hard steam coal have been sent coastwise for household use. Tn the local markets merchants are fairly well occupied, and supplies are still short, average pit prices being:—Haigh Moor selected, 21s. to 22s.; Silkstone best, 20s. to 21s.; Silkstone house, 18s. to 19s.; other qualities, 17s. to 18s. There is a little ease in the open market demand for gas coal, but the collieries are pressed keenly for full deliveries under contracts, and works in London and district are still taking fairly large quantities. Ship- ment of gas coal to France is moderately active, several cargoes of screened qualities having been sold this week at 20s. 9d. f.o.b. Hull. Consumption of manufacturing fuel is on a heavy scale, and all descriptions are very scarce. Some of the bigger factories in the Bradford district were represented on the market by their managers, whose efforts to secure extra supplies, however, were practically fruitless. The most pronounced scarcity is in washed nuts. There would be no difficulty in getting much higher prices if it were not for the operation of the Limitation Act. The output of washed furnace coke continues to be less than the requirements of consumers, most of whom are short. The prices in practically all cases is at the level agreed upon as the maximum—viz., 24s. at the ovens. The demand from the Frodingham district is particularly strong, and large quantities are taken by the iron and steel works in the Leeds district also. The list of pit prices attached must be regarded as more or less nominal. Current pit prices. House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 16/ -17/ Wallsend & London best 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 15/6-16/6 Silkstone best 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 15/ -16/ Do. house 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 14/6-15/ House nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 13/6-14/ Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 18/ -19/ Silkstone best 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 17/ -18/ Do. house 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 16/ -17/ Other qualities 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 15/ -16/ Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 12/6-13/ Gas nuts 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 11/ -12/ Unscreened gas coal ... 14/6-15/6 14/6-15/6 10/6-11/ Other sorts:— Prices at pit : Washed nuts 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 11/ -12/6 Large double-screened engine nuts 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 10/6-11/6 Small nuts 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 10/ -10/6 Rough unscreened engine coal 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 10/ -10/6 Best rough slacks 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 8/ - 9/ Small do. 11 -12/ 11/ -12/ 7/ - 7/6 Coking smalls 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 6/6- 7/6 Coke:— Price at ovens: Furnace coke 24/ 24/ 11/6-12/6 Barnsley. COAL. A pronounced shortage of almost every class of coal was generally reported at the usual local market on Wednesday. Collieries are again working full time but operations are hardly in full swing, and the output continues to be con- siderably reduced. The tonnage required for contract deliveries is still unavailable, and, in regard to contracts arranged for a year ago, reduced quantities have to be accepted by consumers. This is causing a great deal of inconvenience, not to say difficulty, owing to the fact that buyers are unable to secure odd lots in the market to make up their deficiency. In several instances it is ( reported that mills, who find themselves short of the requisite supply, have bought up special lots of other classes of fuel in order to tide over their difficulties. Generally speaking the stocks on hand in consumers’ works of small steam fuel are very meagre, and a good deal of apprehension exists, owing to the fear that the reduced supplies may fail them. In every respect business was of a hand-to-mouth description, and collieries find themselves heavily engaged in dealing with the orders that are already on hand, having regard to the primary consideration which is being paid to provide supplies for industries which are at the present moment essential to the country’s welfare. In regard to foreign business there is very little activity, owing to the fact that shipping licences are restricted in a drastic manner and also the exceptional heavy demand on home account. The railway companies who are in a specially favoured position continue to demand something like the maximum supply arranged for under contract, and keenly pressing for arrears which have accumulated. The full output of steam nuts is readily absorbed, largely for the purposes of the munitions industries, and the same state of things prevails in practically all classes of screened coal. There is also a strong pressure operating upon collieries in respect to deliveries of gas coal. The tonnage required is now something like at the maximum, and the low stocks held by the gas undertakings are causing a good deal of anxiety. Odd lots of fuel for these purposes are keenly sought after, but, of course, it is only in very rare instances that such as these are to be met with. The serious position due to the shortage of fuel is perhaps not so keenly felt in any other branch as in regard to slacks. Acting under instructions from high quarters, collieries are making the strongest efforts to supply the requirements of the by- product plants which are being kept at work to a maximum degree. This has the inevitable effect of reducing supplies to other industries which have to utilise practically any class of fuel which they can get hold of. The demand for house coal continues to be of a vigorous description, and any slight variation in the enquiry will have no effect upon the collieries as they are so heavily booked up with orders on forward account. In regard to coke the extensive heavy consumption is still sustained and the output is easily cleared, with the maximum prices continuing in operation. 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/ 17/6-18/ Best Barnsley softs 18/6 16/6-17/ Secondary do 16/6-17/6 13/6-14/6 Best house nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 14/ -15/ Secondary do Steam coals:— 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 11/ "12/ Best hard coals 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 11/6-12/6 Secondary do 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 11/3-11/6 Best washed nuts 16/3-16/6 16/3-16/6 15/9-16/3 11/9-12/3 Secondary do 15/9-16/3 10/6-II/ Best slack 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 8/6- 9/ Secondary do Gas coals:— 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 7/ -7/6 Screened gas coals 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 12/6-13/ Unscreened do 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 10/6-11/6 Gas nuts 16/6 16/6 10/6-11/6 Furnace coke 24/ 24/ 11/6 Hull. COAL. The market continues to have a firm tone, and prices are fully maintained at the recent advances. No great amount of coal is offering for prompt or nearly prompt shipment, the scarcity seeming to become more marked than ever. All kinds are in good demand, nuts especially. Licences are very sparingly granted, and the outlook for the export trade at the present moment is anything but cheerful both from the points of view of supply and abnormal freights. Shipments at the dock are still on the light side, but shipping tonnage is being taken up more extensively notwithstanding the heavy rates that have to be paid. Handy-sized vessels are in good demand for French ports, 24s. now being the rate to Rouen, and more is doing for the Mediterranean, the record freight of 72s. for a 2,500 ton Hull to West Italy having been paid this week. The following are the approximate values for prompt shipment (f.o.b.) .-—Best South Yorkshire hards, 23s. 6d. to 24s.; washed trebles and doubles, 21s. 6d. to 22s.; washed singles, 21s. ; washed small coal, 16s. to 16s. 6d.; rough slack, 15s. 6d. to 15s. 9d.; West Riding Hartleys, 19s. 6d. to 20s.; gas and house coal (screened), 21s. to 22s. Little or no Derbyshire steam coal is offering for export, and the nominal value is 21s. 6d. to 22s. at Grimsby or Immingham. Owing to the unexpected refusal of licences during December, the exports fell off considerably, only 86,619 tons, the smallest monthly total since the war began, being shipped from Hull, against 191,260 tons in December 1914, and from the three other Humber ports 74,299 tons, against 154,609 tons. The anticipation that the Humber exports for 1915 would reach four million tons has therefore not been reached by 83,000 tons. The falling off on the year is thus 2,171,650 tons, or rather more than 33 per cent., while London and coastwise shipments are 710,086 tons down, likewise equal to over 33 per cent. Chesterfield. COAL. All classes of coal continue in strong demand, but the shortage of supplies is as keenly felt as ever. It is fortu- nate, from the householder’s point of view, that the weather is of such a mild character, which has lessened his anxiety with regard to his requirements of domestic fuel. He should, however, embrace the opportunity to make pro- vision for a spell of cold, which will almost certainly be experienced before long. Orders are coming to hand in goodly numbers, but there is no very great pressure upon the collieries Fuel for manufacturing purposes continues in very strong demand, all classes being urgently wanted. There is an acutely felt scarcity of slack and nuts of all kinds, and merchants from other coal-producing centres have been exploring this district with the object of securing supplies, but it is feared “they have been sent empty away.” Railway companies are in urgent need of increased deliveries of locomotive coal, but they find it impossible to obtain more than their bare requirements. There is no change in the export trade, which remains in a very quiet condition. Prices, however, are firmer for hards as well as for nuts. Washed fuel is difficult to find, slacks being practically off the market owing to the needs of coke ovens and by-product works. The coke market maintains its strength, with prices stationary at 24s. per ton at the ovens. 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. Trade and prospects are decidedly better all round, and all the works of the district are in a state of great activity. Nottingham. COAL. The tone of the coal trade in Nottinghamshire has now returned to practically the same state of activity as before the Christmas holiday with the exception that the pressure on the domestic fuel branch is not so heavy. The recent mild weather has eased the demand on local merchants and at landsale depots, but the colliery position is strong, for there are plenty of orders on hand, and there is no difficulty in selling all kinds of available household fuel. Merchants in the southern and eastern counties recognise that there is no probability of values declining for some time, and having limited stocks, they are anxious to get in full supplies in case of a spell of severe weather. With regard to the steam coal section, there is a big demand in the home market, which shows m3 sign of abatement, and this does not permit of any great amount of tonnage being exported, except for Admiralty or war purposes. Nuts are again a feature of the market, and, being scarce, are selling at high rates. Slacks continue to be in urgent request, and as owners have no reserve stocks buyers have to rely on the daily output. Both gas coal and coke are in 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’st week’s 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/ Last year’s prices. 14/ -15/ 13/ -13/6 12/6-13/ 10/9-11/3 10/ -10/6 7/6-8/ 6/6- 7/' 676- 7/ ' Leicestershire. COAL. The demand for all classes of coal is again in excess of the available output. Manufacturing fuel, cobbles and large nuts are already very largely drawn upon. Enquiries are being made of an authoritative character as to the specific disposal and deliveries of manufacturing fuel from the collieries, the object being to establish a further preference for factories engaged on Government contracts. The milder weather has eased the pressure for household, but the demand for London and also for country stations is much above the output. There is now a very full supply of empty wagons belonging to private traders, and there is a marked improvement in the time taken to clear and return. Railway-owned wagons are still in very short supply. There are no stocks of any kind at the pits, and the miners are working full time of five and three-quarter days per week. 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 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/ -13/ 13/9-14/9 12/6-13/6 L’st week’s prices. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/ 14/ -15/' ' 12/6-14/ 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/6 11/ -12/ 5/ - 6/ 13/9-14/9 14/ -15/ 12/ -13/ 13/9-14/9 12/6-13/6 Last'year’s prices. 15/6-16/6 /14/6-15/6 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/6 12/6-13/6 11/ -11/6 10/ -10/6 8/9- 9/6 1/9- 2/3 12'3-12/9 11/6-12/6 10/ -11/6 12/3-12/9 9/6-10/ kitcheners............. Steams, best hand picked Steams, seconds ......... Main cobbles for kitcheners Main breeze............. South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. A larger output is available this week, and, merchants and large consumers are looking forward to better supplies. There was rather a bad start after the holidays, and for the last fortnight the shortage has been somewhat pronounced. Manufacturers in the district are taking every ton of fuel they can obtain,' and would gladly take more. There is little or no free coal about, and prices are mostly governed by contract. Domestic consumption is happily curtailed by the mild weather. IRON. The quarterly meeting, on Thursday, of the South- Staffordshire iron trade showed the iron and steel industries of the district to be fully maintaining the strong position they have occupied for many months past. The attendance from South Wales and from Lancashire and Yorkshire centres was not so large as in pre-war days, but considering that few firms have any output to offer, and that the difficult conditions of production require all the works supervision that can be afforded, it was satisfactory. It transpired that an agreement has now been reached with the Ministry of Munitions as to the maximum prices to be charged for pig iron. The brands mostly used in this district are Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, and South Staffordshire part-mine, and the price which" has been fixed for Northamptonshire is 82s. 6d. a ton and Derby- shire 85s. a ton, on trucks at the furnaces for forge iron and 2s. 6d. a ton extra for foundry iron. Smelters are not attempting to obtain the maximum straight away, but they will endeavour to work up to it gradually. Northampton- shire brands were on Thursday quoted 77s. 6d. a ton upwards, and Derbyshire 82s. 6d. net at stations. Stafford- shire prices have not been fixed. Greater difficulty exists there than in other districts, owing to the great diversity of the material dealt with, and it is understood a committee of inspection will visit the district. As regards finished iron, negotiations and investigations are still proceeding with a view to a maximum price being fixed for common bar iron. The present selling price is £13 5s. to £13 10s., and some commotion was caused among producers by reason of a rumour that the Government intended to fix the maximum at considerably below that figure. Makers of best bars have not so far been asked for returns. Their basis price is <£13 10s., but it is safe to say that no sales are made without a premium of 15s. or £1 on that figure. Nut and bolt iron has reached the high price of £13 5s?delivered Darlaston, three- eighths iron rounds are £16 to £16 5s.. and steel rounds of the