26 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. July 7, 1916. The steel trade is brisk, and both Workington and Barrow are heavily engaged on war work. All the engineering shops in the district are fully employed. In the iron ore industry production is fairly well maintained, but the amount raised is still barely sufficient for all requirements. All the local mines are working regularly and sufficient metal is being raised to satisfy the needs of all the furnaces on low phosphorous iron, but smelters engaged on Bessemer iron are now using larger quantities of Spanish ore. Prices are unchanged, but it is reported that another attempt is to be made to have the scale revised. Ordinary sorts are quoted at from 21s. to 30s. per ton; better sorts range from 31s. to 36s. 6d. per ton, and best Hodbarrow ore 38s. per ton net at the mines. Foreign ores are quoted at about 38s. per ton delivered. The imports of foreign iron at Maryport for the week have amounted to 7,700 tons. The imports for June have been 23,200 tons, compared with 9,900 tons this time last year. business 26s. f.o.b. Hull is being paid for screened gas coal. The renewal of contracts continues to make progress, but in practically all cases the tonnage is reduced and pro- vision is made guarding against modifications of the Limitation Act and the commandeering of contract coal by the Government. Munitions and similar works are taking increased quanties of manufacturing coal. The pinch is felt a little in the Huddersfield and Bradford districts, but on the whole there is very little grumbling. While the price of washed furnace coke is officially 25s. 6d. at the ovens, the question of an alteration is engaging close attention. An important meeting was held to-day, and may have an influence on the price. Current pit prices. South-West Lancashire. / COAL. Although the season is so far advanced the call for household coal is more than can be promptly met. This may be accounted for by a certain amount of stocking that is going on by the actual consumers ; there is no serious weight of fuel stocked by the merchants so far. With regard to shipping, enquiry for general bunkering and export purposes continues rather easier, and though supplies are by no means over plentiful, the pressure is less than it was a few weeks ago. Quotations for Lancashire steam coals range from 25s. to 26s. f.o.b. Yorkshire and Derbyshire steam coals are rather easier. With regard to household coals for the coasting trade, there is some irregularity and delay in shipments in consequence of difficulty of discharge across the water, which adds to the trouble merchants are experiencing in trying to get the usual summer stocks in addition to what is wanted for immediate consumption. At the moment there seems to be rather less tension with regard to slack and small grades generally. Probably the holidays in the manufacturing towns are making the situation momentarily rather more comfortable ; otherwise there is nothing new to report. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. | prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ ! 19/6-20/6 Wallsend & London best 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 18/6-19/6 Silkstone best 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ ; 18/6-19/6 Do. house 17/ -18/ 17/ -18'/ ' 17/6-18/ House nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ i 23/ -24/ Silkstone best 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 21/ -22/ Do. house 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 19/6-21/ Other qualities 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 18/6-19/6 Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 17/ -18/ Gas nuts 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 16/ -17/ Unscreened gas coal ... 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/6 Other sorts:— Prices at pit : Washed nuts 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 16/6-17/6 Large double-screened engine nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 14/ -15/ Small nuts 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 13/6-14/6 Rough unscreened engine coal 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 13/6-14/6 Best rough slacks 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 13/ -14/ Small do. 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/ 11/6-12/6 Coking smalls 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 12/ -13/ Coke Price at ovens: Furnace coke 25/6-26/ 25/6-26/ 24/ -25/ allowed to be sent to neutrals will be further curtailed. Business this week has been on quiet lines, owing to the delay in getting the French arrangement to work, and the difficulty in obtaining licences to ship to neutral countries. A fair amount of coal is on offer, and prices generally are easier. Best South Yorkshire hards are quoted round about 40s., but sellers are willing to take considerably less (as low as 36s. has been mentioned) where there is prompt accommodation. West Yorks Hartleys are firm at 28s. to 30s. Nuts scarce, and more or less nominal at 24s. to 25s. Washed small coal 20s. to 21s. Rough slack ]9s. to 20s. Screened gas and house fuels 28s. to 30s. Derbyshire steam coal is practically all absorbed inland, and does not offer for export. Shipping tonnage is fairly plentiful at the moment, chiefly small steamers. There is some enquiry for the Mediterranean, but no fixtures are reported. Shipments at the docks are on the light side. House coal:— Bost ................. 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. 21/ 25/6 19/ -20/ 24/6 is/ 24/ upwds 18/ 25/ -26/ 16/ 15/6 L4/6upwds f.’stwoek’t prices. 21/ 25/6 19/ -20/ 24/6 18/ 24/ upwds 18/ ( 25/6-26/6 j 16/ ; 15/6 14/6 upwds Last year’s prices. 20/9 22/ 19/ 20/ 16/9-17/ 19/ 16/ -17/ 18/6-19/6 14/ 12/6 10/6 Chesterfield. COAL. In the household section of the coal trade there is considerable activity, numerous orders coming to hand accompanied by pressure from buyers for prompt deliveries. The inference is that householders are anxious to have their cellars well filled lest later on in the year there may be much difficulty in obtaining the necessary supplies. All classes of coal for manufacturing purposes continue in great request, particularly nuts and slack. These qualities appear to be in very short supply. Slack is wanted in increasing quantities for use in connection with by-products plants on the collieries’ own premises. In consequence of this the tonnage for disposal on account of contracts that are now being renewed is substantially reduced. Gas coal is in active demand for stocking purposes, and steam coal for locomotive use continues in pressing demand. The export trade is extremely dull, and -the demand for steam coal is on the smallest possible scale. It is now almost impossible to obtain licences, and this difficulty, coupled with scarcity of steamers, is bringing the export business from the Humber almost to a standstill. In the meantime prices of steam coal are falling. Unless there is some improvement in respect of the issuing of licences it is feared that some collieries will not be able to keep their pits working with that regularity which is so vitally essential at present. The shipment of nuts and slack has now ceased entirely. The coke trade is unchanged. The tone remains strong with an active demand for all qualities at the official quotations. Prices at pit. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a fair attendance of members on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. The demand for house coal is not quite so keen as it has been. The same cannot be said of manufacturing fuel, as that is still heavily called upon, and the supply is not sufficient. Shipping coal continues to meet with good enquiry, and prices are very firm. List rates are 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 iL’st week’s ■ prices. 1 prices. 21/ -22/ 1 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 ’ 19/ -20/3 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ about 22/ about 22/ 15/6 upwds; 15/6 upwds; 14/ upwds.114/ upwds.| Last year’s prices. 21/ -22/ 19/9-20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 14/ I 11/ -12/ IRON. There is nothing doing round here except for Govern- ment work. Both prices and deliveries are fixed. Makers of all sorts are fully employed, but there is very little ordinary business. Barnsley. COAL. If such were needed, there appears to be ample evidence of the fact that it is almost impossible to secure surplus lots of fuel at the present time. The arrangements with our Allies and the pre-arranged tonnage on home account continue to practically absorb the whole of the output for a considerable time ahead. As time goes along, buyers are showing less reluctance to accept the contract arrangements as offered by the colliery companies, although it is now stipulated that in the event of the maximum home prices being increased, the extent of the advance will be added to the quoted figure. There appears to be a stronger feeling prevailing that such an increase in values will be allowed, as apart from the advance in wages, coal owners, it is understood, have been able to show a very material increase in productive costs which have occurred since the existing maximum rates were imposed. For house and gas coal a ready market is available across the channel. The situation otherwise is generally unchanged, and there are occasional complaints of a marked degree of absenteeism, which shows that the local machinery to deal with the matter which has been devised has not yet got into full swing at the collieries. There is very little business passing at the moment in regard to large steam coal, and the demand on home account continues to be as heavy as formerly, particularly for the railway companies, who are making strong efforts to maintain their stocks at a certain level, in view of the heavier consumption of fuel which is taking place. The scarcity of steam nuts continues to be as pronounced as ever, and though supplies of slacks and small coal have been fairly well distributed, very strong efforts are still needed on the part of collieries to obtain adequate supplies for the purpose of coke manufacture. House coal continues to be in sufficient demand to enable the collieries to dispose of their output, and merchants are finding the public rather more disposed to lay in stocks, now that they recognise the unlikelihood of any change in selling prices during the summer months. The arrange- ments between the coke makers and pig iron smelters for a new price basis do not appear to have been concluded, or at all events the decision of the Board of Trade is not yet known. The demand continues to be of an exceptionally large character, and values are firmly maintained. Prices at pit. Best house coals Secondary do. Cobbles ....... Nuts .......... Slack ......... Current prices. 17/ 16/6 16/ 15/ 12/6 L’st week’s prices. 17/ 16/6 16/ 15/ 12/6 Last year’s prices. 16/6 16/ 15/6 12/9 IRON. The demand for pig iron is well sustained, and orders for all classes of finished iron are plentiful. The works of the district are employed to their full capacity. Nottingham. COAL. There has been no decline in the activity of the trade in this county, and orders are more than sufficient to absorb the available supply in nearly every branch. For the time of the year there is a somewhat heavy demand for domestic fuel, the comparatively cold weather having stimulated sales at the landsale depots and also the business done by local merchants. Collieries are unable to fully satisfy the requirements of merchants generally, and the limited supplies do not allow them to accumulate any stock. Unless the weather takes a warmer turn, it is feared that there will be a distinct shortage in the autumn, notwithstanding the fact that many householders are already getting in supplies for the winter. The pressure on the steam coal branch shows no signs of abatement and all qualities of this class of fuel are eagerly sought after, but the position is such that, after the needs of firms engaged on war work and on ordinary contracts are attended to, there is practically no fuel for the open market. The question of how to increase the output is engaging the attention of owners. For slacks of almost every description there is keen competition amongst buyers, as the supply is on a limited scale. Prices at pithead. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The gathering on the Coal Exchange, on Tuesday, was only moderate in regard to numbers. Buyers formed the bulk of those present, colliery representatives being in a more marked minority than usual. Otherwise the atten- dance was representative, and included London, Hull, Lancashire and local traders. The collieries continue to work satisfactorily, and a good output, in view of the abnormal conditions, is maintained. The wagon supply gives rise to few complaints at present, and transit to the distant markets shows a little welcome improvement. House coal is in exceptionally keen demand for London and district, where merchants are laying down stocks as the available supplies permit. The retail trade at the depots has slackened off somewhat in consequence of the more genial weather. A number of additional contracts are reported to have been booked, at the maximum prices allowed by the Limitation Act, and subject to the protec- tive clauses, which have become usual. With regard to the coastwise trade, freights are a little easier, and there are a few more boats offering. The bulk of the business is in contract coal for the south coast and Thames wharves, but a few sales of medium qualities of Silkstone house coal are mentioned at 21s. 6d. f.o.b. Hull. West Riding merchants are experiencing a quiet time at the depots, but are actively laying down stocks and supplies are by no means plentiful; best qualities, on the contrary, being particularly scarce. Gas coal is in very keen demand, especially by works in the London district, and all the output of the collieries is required to meet present needs. Shipment to France is increasingly active. For this Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstono 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 21/ -22/ Best Barnsley softs 18/6-19/ 18/6-19/ 19/ -20/ Secondary do 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 17/ -18/ Best house nuts 16/ -17/ ! 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ Secondary do 15/6-16/ ; 15/6-16/ 15/6—16/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/ ! 16/ -17/ Secondary do 16/6-17/ i 16/6-17/ ; 14/ -15/ Best washed nuts 1 16/3-16/6 16/3-16/6 16/- 17/ Secondary do 15/9-16/3 ■ 15/9-16/3 15/ -15'6 Best slack ; 12/6-13/ ! 12/6-13/ 13/6 Secondary do |10/6-11/ ■ 10/6-11/ 12/ -12/6 Gas coals:— Screened gas coals 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/ Unscreened do ! 15/6-16/ ! 15/6-16/ I 14/6-15/ Gas nuts i 16/ 16/ ! 15/ -16/ Furnace coke j 25/6-26/ ! 25/6-26/ L 25/ Hand-picked brights ...| Good house coals.........i Secondary do...........| Best hard coals........1 Secondary do............. Slacks (best hards)...... Do. (second) .......... Do. (soft)............. Current I L’st week’s; Last year’s prices. prices. prices. 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 ! 18/6-20/ 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -16/6 ; 16/ -16/6 j 15/ -16/ 17/ -17/6 , 17/ -17/6 ' 17/6-19/6 16/ -16/6 ; 16/ -16/6 s 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ ; 12/ -13/ i 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 j 10/6-11/6 i 10/ -11/ 11/ | 11/ j 10/ -11/6 Leicestershire. coal. Hull. COAL. As a consequence of the regulations for the export of coal to France, it is anticipated that shipments to our Ally will improve. A rota of sub-committees has been arranged to sit daily to deal with applications for licences to ship from the ports in the Humber area, and also to ship Yorkshire coal from the Mersey ports. It is also understood that if the supply of shipping falls short of requirements the local committee will have power to requisition vessels already chartered by merchants for other directions. The quantity The pressure in the demand for all classes of coal becomes more intense, and the difficulties in sub-dividing the available supplies to meet special and urgent require- ments become greater week by week. In many cases coal merchants are asked to postpone as far as possible requests for deliveries which in the ordinary course would be to provide for the autumn and winter domestic consumption. It is noteworthy that the hospital consumption is increasing steadily week by week, and it is feared that this will form a material item when the cold weather returns. There is a very brisk demand for London and district for deep- screened cobbles and also for deep large nuts for special purposes. The demand for manufacturing fuel is very extensive, and the important orders cannot be covered by the supplies, with the result that there is a great increase in the orders to fill wagons. In these cases deliveries are