1050 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. June 2, 1916.: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ working at full pressure. Prices of all sorts are firm, but unaltered. Best sorts at the pit are quoted at from 22s. 6d. to 23s. 4d. per ton, and best export coal is obtain- able at 19s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. with best washed nuts at 17s. 6d. per ton. Bunkers are a steady trade at from 21s. 6d. to 30s. per ton. Best house coal delivered in Maryport is quoted at from Is. 5.\d. to ls; 6d. per cwt. or from 27s. 6d. to 28s. 4d. per ton. IRON. The Cumberland haematite iron trade is still in a remark- able state of activity. • Makers are very busy in every part of the district, but the production of both iron and steel is still altogether inadequate io meet requirements. There has been no further increase in production, but it is reported that the Harrington Ironworks, which ceased operations in 1910, will be restarted as soon as the necessary alterations can be completed. There is, however, Tittle business moving in the pig iron trade, as smelters have very little to sell. Practically the whole of the make of iron is going into the channel made for it by the Government, and at present iron for ordinary commercial purposes is almost unobtainable. There are no stocks in hand in private yards and the pig iron in West Coast storing yards only amounts to 427 tons, compared with 2,275 tons at the correspondng period of last year. Prices are unchanged, Bessemer mixed numbers being quoted at 127s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. with warrants at cash at 115s. per ton and special iron at 140s. per ton. Ferro-manganese is in very strong demand at <£25 per ton. Another good cargo has been shipped from Maryport this week to a Continental port. There are 26 furnaces in blast on the coast from Maryport to Carnforth, 17 in Cumberland and 9 in the Furness district. Two of the furnaces at the Oldside Works, Workington are on ferro-manganese; more than one half are on special and semi-special iron, and the remainder are on ordinary iron. The steel trade has undergone no change since last week. Business continues to be very brisk, and while no railway material is now being rolled at either Barrow or Workington, both plants are as busy as they can possibly be on Government work. In the Cleator Moor and Egremont district the Millom and Askam Company are at present busily engaged in sinking a new shaft on the southern side of Egremont. Further south the Beckermet Mining Company are also sinking a new iron ore pit on the summit of the hill at Winscales and boring operations are also being carried on in the district, by the Wyndham Mining Company. The imports of foreign iron ore at Maryport last week amounted to 7,500 tons. Leeds; Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Prices at pit. COAL. The attendance at Tuesday’s market at the Hotel Metropole was very large, and keen pressure for supplies, with very little offering, was again the chief feature. All descriptions were in strong demand, and there was a par- ticularly active enquiry for washed furnace coke, of which there is becoming to be a serious scarcity. It was reported by colliery representatives that the pits had worked full time, with a good supply of empty wagons, more railway trucks being available. The demand for house coal for the London market is fully maintained. Best qualities of house coal are not being offered, being reserved for contractors sending their own trucks ; otherwise supplies are limited to secondary sorts. There is a little falling off in the retail trade in London, but merchants are unable to get coal in sufficient quantities to enable them to cope with the stocking orders which they have in hand from the bigger houses. Coastwise, except for a few shipments ex contract, in buyers’ own boats, there , is . nothing doing. Locally, the chief item of interest is the attempt of merchants to renew their contracts. In many cases collieries are declining altogether to contract, and in others, where contracts are renewed, it is for considerably reduced quantities. The retail demand is fairly brisk for the time of the year, and, generally speaking, supplies at the depots are light. Current pit prices ;—Haigh Moor selected, 21s. to 22s.; Silkstone best, 20s. to 21s.; Silkstone house, 18s. to 19s.; house nuts, 17s. to 18s. Contracting for gas coal makes very little progress. A special clause is being put into all contracts entered into, providing for the cancellation of any tonnage which may be taken by the Government for munition works. Several of the larger gas authorities are finding it impossible to make adequate stocking provision for next winter. There is no new feature to record in regard to manufacturing fuel. Any prompt parcels which come into the market are eagerly bought, this applying particularly to nuts, though supplies of both rough slacks and coking smalls are very scarce. The price of washed furnace coke has advanced. The agreed price of 24s. was increased some time ago, on account of wages having advanced, and from June 1 average samples are quoted at 25s. 6d. to 36s. per ton at the ovens. It is reported that an enquiry has been made by the authorities as to the prospective supply and needs of washed furnace coke, and that the result is to reveal a grave shortage. House coals:— Best Silkstono .....__ Best Barnsley softs...... Secondary do.......... Best house nuts ...... Secondary do.......... Steam coals:— Best hard coals....... Secondary do.......... Best washed nuts...... Secondary do.......... Best slack ......_______ Secondary do.......... Gas coals:— Screened gas coals ... Unscreened do......... Gas nuts.............. Furnace coke............ Current prices. 20/ -22/ 18/6-19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 17/6-18/ 16/6-17/ 16/3-16/6 15/9-16/3 12/6-13/ 10/6-11/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/- 16/ 25/ L’st week’s prices. 20/ -22/ 18/6-19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 17/6-18/ 16/6-17/ 16/3-16/6 15/9-16/3 12/6-13/ 10/6-11/ 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/ 16/ 25/ • Last year’s prices. 22/ -22/6 20/ -21/ 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 22/ -22/6 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 19/ -19/6 13/6-14/ . 12/6-13/ 15/6-16/ ' 14/6-15/ 15/ -16/ 23/ -24/ .. Current pit prices. _______ _______ South-West Lancashire. COAL. The inland trade for household purposes is easing off a little, and it is allowing orders to be dealt with more nearly as received. Heavy supplies of screened coal continue to go into consumption for forges and manufacturers using this class of fuel. With regard to shipping, the demand for coal, although limited through the scarcity of steamers and the restriction of licences, continues in excess of available supplies, and prices of Lancashire steam coals are firm at 25s. to 26s. f.o.b. for present shipment, with a tendency to higher rates for more forward delivery. It remains to be seen how the limitation of prices for export to France will affect this market, but probably it will do so only to a very limited extent, as the export trade here is small, the main interest being in bunkering. In the coastwise and cross- Channel trade for household coal there is keen anxiety on the part of the merchant to see something in the shape of stocks, but there are difficulties not only in getting full supplies from the collieries, but fixing suitable bottoms to carry it. With regard to slack, there is not much that is new. For contracts falling out for renewal at the end of this month enquiries are already in the market, and the eagerness is on the part of the buyer to secure. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). 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:— Current prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 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 sernd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ........ Common do............... Current prices. 20/9 24/6-25/6 19/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 17/ 23 / upwds 18/ 25/ -26/ 16/ 15/6 l4/6upwds L’st week’s' prices. 20/9 24/6-25/6 19/ 23/ -24/ n/ 231 upwds 17/6-18/■ j 25/ -26/ i 16/ ■ j 13/ -14/ ,15/6 14 6 upwds j 10/ -10/6 Lastyear’s prices. 20/9 22/ 19/ 20/ 16/9-17/ 18/6 j 16/ I 19/6-20/6 | 11/6-12/6 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 __........ 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 12/ -13/ 12/6-13/6 25/6-26/' L’st week’s 'Last year’s prices. prices. 20/ -21/ 18/6-19/6 19/ -20/ 17/6-18/6 19/ -20/ 17/6-18/6 17/ -18/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 21/ -23/ 23/ -24/ 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -21/ 18/ -19/ 18/6-19/6 16/ -17/ 17/ -18/ 15/6-16/6 16/ -17/ 14/6-15/6 14/ -15/6 17/ -17/6 _________ __________ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/ 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/ ' 13/ -14/ | 13/ -13/6 11/ -12/ ; 11/ -12/ 11/6-12/6 12/ -13/ 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ Hull. COAL. The market continues quiet, and buyers for neutral countries are inclined to hold their hands until they see how the scheme for the limitation of coal prices develops.. Large, .steam coal is scarce, and nuts, of course, are prohi- , bited to be exported. House and gas coal is, however/ offered more freely. To-day holders were asking 42s. 6d. for best South Yorkshire hards first half June, and up to 45s. second half. Other prices largely nominal, being approximately as follow:—Washed trebles, 25s. 6d. to 26s.; washed doubles and singles, 26s. to 27s.; washed small coal, 20s. to 21s.; rough slack, 19s. 6d. to 20s.; West Yorkshire Hartleys, 30s.; gas and house fuels (screened), 28s. to 32s. 6d. Derbyshire steam hards for shipment at Grimsby or Immingham, nominally 35s. to 36s. The freight market is quiet, and shipments at the docks about recent average. - Chesterfield. COAL. Conditions are unchanged on the week. A very strong . , demand continues to be experienced for all qualities of coal, while the difficulty in meeting customers is as great as ever. The reduction in the number of orders for house coal does not make itself felt in the least, because mahtU facturers are glad to take this class of fuel. Works - engaged upon the manufacture of steel are in pressing,, need of cobbles and nuts, and slack for steam-raising is urgently wanted in all directions. Steam coal for loco- motive use is in great request, and gas companies, are pressing for supplies of gas coal, so that they may be able to replenish their stocks during the summer months. The coke market is firm at official maxima, all qualities being much in request. • Prices at pit. Best house coals Secondary do. Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices; , 17/ 16 6 17/ 16 6 ; 18/ 17/ Cobbles 16/ 16/ Nuts ■ 15/ ' 15/ ' 16/6 . 12/9 Slack 12/6 12/6 IRON. A busy condition of things continues in ■ every branch of , the iron trade and’kindred industries J , 1 Barnsley. COAL. There appears to be rather more fuel on offer at the usual local market, but the extent of business transacted was still of small dimensions. The output is fairly well maintained, and what is regarded as a temporary lull in the export business still possibly explains the somewhat changed position. The home requirements continue to be on a vOry extensive scale, and are likely to remain so, especially considering the proposal to avoid any stoppage at Whitsuntide. The Yorkshire Miners’ Association Nottingham. COAL. - Activity continues to characterise every branch of the coal trade in this county. A slightly easier tone; is becoming noticeable in the domestic fuel section, but the falling-off in the demand by the public has .as yet only faintly affected the colliery position, for merchants are pressing for full supplies, as they are in mbst .cases without any stock. But households are particularly in strong request, and second quality fuel is being eagerly purchased. There is little probability of prices being generally reduced this summer in view of the state of the. market. . Values at present are very firm. The heavy demand for steam- producing fuel continues. While the war lasts it is antici- pated that the pressure will continue. The. output remains insufficient to meet all requirements^ and shipments are on a small scale. All classes of steams are being eagerly purchased. Slacks are in strong request, there being a scarcity of certain qualities, and prices do not show any disposition to decline. The tendency is rather in the opposite direction. Coke .is in very good demand. . Prices at pithead. ... _________________ South Lancashire and Cheshire. GOAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday. There is very little house fuel on offer, and prices are firmly maintained. There is a fair quantity of steam fuel on the market, and prices are somewhat easier this week. ‘ Coal for shipment continues in good demand, with prices moderately firm. The general list is as below:— Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated), House coal:— Best ' .............. Medium.............. Common......__....__ Furnace coal........... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack ............ Common slack .......... Current prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 17/6-18/ 17/ -18/ about 22/ 15/6 upwds 14/ upwds. L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 17/6-18/ 17/ -18/ about 22/ 15/6 upwds 14/ upwds. Last year’s prices. 21/ -22/ 19/9-20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 12/6-14/ 10/6-12/ IRON. There was a fair attendance on ’Change in Manchester on Tuesday last . Prices of pig iron and iron and steel bars remain unchanged., Every ounce of material being required for war work/there is no change of any description to report, works being fully occupied on munitions. recently recommended that the holiday be confined to two days, but there appears to be little doubt that this proposal will be modified to one day. The railway companies who are continuing to reduce their requirements owing to the cancelling of trains are still requiring a particularly heavy tonnage of coal, which the collieries have no alternative but to supply. In regard to gas coal contracts, the general ’ experience is that arrangements have been pretty well completed on the conditions laid down by the collieries, although there are still some consumers who are endeavouring to take joint action to obtain renewals on more favourable conditions in regard to delivery and quantities. Consumers of small coal which is required for various industries appear to be rather more* satisfied in regard to the disposition of fuel, although full requirements cannot yet be met, and they have still to accept deliveries of large soft fuel to adapt to their requirements. The shortage in the supply of slacks continues, and the pressure from by-product plants continues to be strong in order to obtain larger deliveries. The position in the house coal branch of the trade shows no material alteration, and although the orders from merchants for new business are not so substantial as formerly, collieries have si ill a large number of orders on hand which fully clears the output. There also continues to be some scarcity in respect to coke, and the iron-smelting districts have great difficulty in obtaining adequate supplies, although coke plants are kept in full operation. The following, is a list of maximum prices applying to the home markets and are largely of a nominal character. Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals........ Secondary do.........__... Best hard coals.......... Secondary do............. Slacks (best hards)...... Do. (second) ......;.... Do. (soft)............. Current prices. 18/6-19/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 17/ -17/6 16/ -16/6 11/9-13/ 10/6-11/ 11/ L’stweek’s prices. 18/6-19/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 17/ -17/6 '16/ -16/6 11/9-13/ 10/6-11/ 11/ Last year’s prices. 18/6-20/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 18/6-21/ 17/ -18/ 12/6-13/6 11/ -12/ 11/ -I2/ _________________ Leicestershire. COAL. There has been another great inflow of orders for all classes of coal, accompanied by calls for speedy deliveries to cover urgent requirements. The result "is that the diminished consiimption for domestic purposes has as yet brought no relief to the position of affairs. The expansion in the demand for manufacturing fuel for factories and works under Government control continues, and colliery managers are compelled to enforce a hand-to-mouth policy by sub-dividing the supplies day by day in accordance with the importance of the purposes for which the coal is required. Offers of shipping business continue to come to hand, but they cannot be entertained, as there is no surplus coal available. London coal merchants and traders at country stations are only able to get small deliveries, and