122 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. July 21, 1916. pretty much the same, and although a less proportion of tonnage is sufficient to satisfy the requirements in certain instances, any surplus in this connection is readily snapped up, apart from the extensive needs of the by-product ovens. Gas coal collieries are finding it very easy to work full time, compared with four days per week during the pre- war period. The tonnage required for France is of a sub- stantial character, and in some respects home consumers are showing considerable anxiety with regard to the arranged- for contract supplies. It is evident that a substantial quantity of house coal is being taken into stock or being utilised for other purposes. The pressure of orders upon the collieries continues to be of a remarkable description, and several firms are absolutely refusing to consider the placing of any further orders for some time ahead, although of course, consumers are showing no objection to place orders on a conditional basis. The demand for furnace coke is also still of a very active character, and continues to be well in excess of the production of the ovens. Hull. COAL. The market continues very slow, and fresh business done is almost infinitesimal. Owing to short outputs there are next to no available supplies at present, and collieries are quoting advanced figures for early shipment. There is a good demand from France, but very little actual business is maturing, mainly owing to the difficulty in obtaining licences, none at all being issued for nuts or smalls for the Allies or neutrals. The feeling is that the Paris Com- mittee is restricting the issue of licences more than is justifiable, and is thus preventing the completing of orders from merchants. The shipping tonnage position from the Humber for France is fairly easy, but the supply is not sufficient for requirements. Quotations are firm, and for France are according to the limita- tion scale. For neutrals, however, collieries require an advance on late figures, and middlemen holding stocks are also quoting above French rates. Best South York- shire hards can be bought to-day at as low as 30s. where there is ready accommodation, but for later shipment much above this is demanded. Approximate but very largely nominal prices for this month’s shipment are as follow: — Best South Yorkshire hards, 35s. to 36s.; washed nuts, 23s. to 26s.; washed small coal, 20s. to 21s.; rough slack, 18s. to 19s.; screened gas and house fuel, 26s. to 30s.; West Yorkshire Hartleys, 27s. to 28s.; Derbyshire steam hards (at Grimsby or Immingham), 30s. to 35s. Chesterfield. COAL. While coal of all classes continues in good demand, there is a slackening of the extreme pressure which has been the feature of the market for many months past. Possibly the period of the year is, to some extent, accountable for this relaxation. As an example, the supply of slack for boiler firing is at the moment more plentiful than it has been during the present year, and consumers, who a short time ago were most anxious with regard to supplies of this fuel, are now able to decline, confidently, such offers as are being made to them. Cobbles and nuts, however, are less easy to obtain than slack, and the demand for these kinds is quite good. House coal orders are fairly plentiful, and the whole output of the pits is readily placed. Gas coal is in strong demand, and many works are becoming anxious with regard to supplies for stocking purposes in view of their winter requirements. Regular deliveries of steam coal are going forward to the various railways for loco- motive use. No improvement can be reported in respect of the export trade, which continues in a very quiet condition. The question of licences dominates the position which, from the colliery point of view, is becoming serious. The difficulty in obtaining the requisite permits to ship steam coal will, if continued, have the effect of locking up in the colliery sidings loaded wagons intended for the ports, and ultimately of bringing the pits to an occasional standstill from lack of empty trucks. Prices of steam coal are slowly falling and are now down to about 30s. per ton at Grimsby, with scarcely any demand. The coke market maintains its steady character, and the demand is such as to readily absorb all the output of the ovens. Prices at pit. except those which cover current orders. As there has been a big run on hand-picked brights, which are now rather scarce, large cobbles are selling briskly. In the steam coal branch all classes are in heavy request and most collieries have more orders in hand than they can execute, and delay in deliveries is becoming common, as firms engaged on war work are being given preference. With regard to slacks, the position has undergone no change, the demand still being in excess of the output. ________________ Leicestershire. COAL. There is extreme pressure at the collieries in this district to secure speedy deliveries of all classes of coal, and every possible effort is being made to cover really urgent requirements. Fortunately, a little more is being done in the way of providing for the winter supplies of large houses and establishments, both in London and in the country, especially where transport is difficult and costly. In many cases the price of bag coal has been raised by merchants—an unprecedented feature in the summer months, due solely to the increased cost of distribution. There is an enormous demand for London and country districts for both deep and main cobbles and nuts for special requirements, these descriptions being very economical to handle when labour is scarce. All coal yards are very bare of stocks, there being practically no reserves of supplies. There is a great increase in the orders, that privately owned wagons may be filled with any coal that is available. There are no stocks of any kind at the pits. The following are the quotations, subject to special modifica- tions, 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 kitcheners............... Steams, best hand picked Steams, seconds ......... Main cobbles for kitcheners Main breeze.............. Current prices. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/ 16/ —16/6 15/ —15/6 14/6-15/ 12/9-13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ 13/ -13/6 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/6-14/ 12/6—13/6 L’st week’s prices. 16/6-18/ 15/6—16/ 16/6-17/ 16/ -16/6 15/ -15/6 14/6-15/ 12/9-13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ 13/ -13/6 Last year’s prices. 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6—16/ 14/ -14/6 14/6-15/ 12/3—13/3 5/6- 6/6 15/9-16/9 14/ -14/6 15/6-16/6 13/ -13/6 14/6-15/ 13/6-14/ 15/9-16/9 12/6-13/6 13/9-15/ ________ ________ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. Thursday’s market, like its predecessors for weeks past, was quiet, and produced no change in the general situation. The question of prices will probably become acute in the near future by reason of the increased maxima granted in South Wales. Munition works continue to absorb all the steam fuel available, and householders continue to lay in stocks before prices go up and transport difficulties return. Merchants are at their wits’ end to meet the demand, and are unable to build up stocks. While there have been variations here and there, there is no quotable alteration in basis prices, which are as under:— Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best house coals 17/ 17/ 17/ Secondary do 16/6 16/6 . 16/6 Cobbles 16/ 16/ 16/ Nuts 15/ 15/ 15/6 Slack 12/6 12/6 12/9 IRON. There is a brisk demand for all classes of finished iron, and all the works of the district continue in a state of great activity. Engineers and ironfounders are extremely busy. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including prices. prices. prices. Cannock Chase) :— i House coal, best deep ... ! 22/ 22/ 23/ Do. seconds deep / 20/ 20/ 21/ Do. best shallow 19/ 19/ 20/ Do. seconds do. 18/ | 18/ 19/ Best hard 18/6 ! 18/6 19/6 Forge coal 16/ I 16/ 16/ Slack 11/6 ! 11/6 11/6 Warwickshire:— • House coal, best Ryder.. !9/ ; 19/ 21/ Do. hand-picked I cobs 18/ 18/ 20/ Best hard spires . 20/ 20/ 19/6 Forge (steam) 16/ 16/ 16/ D.S. nuts (steam) 14/6 14/6 16/ Small (do.) 14/6 14/6 15/ s __________________ Nottingham. COAL. Throughout this county the tone of the trade continues of a very active character. There is little or no relaxation of pressure on the collieries for deliveries, and owners, in the present state of affairs, are not anxious to do any forward business in consequence of the limited output and absence of stocks. Considering the time of the year, the demand for household fuel is maintained at an abnormal level, and although merchants are ordering liberally with a view to obtaining, if possible, a little surplus for the autumn, they have much difficulty in securing any supplies ___________________________________________________________ Prices at pithead. _____________ Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals......... Secondary do............. Best hard coals.......... Secondary do............. Slacks (best hards)...... Do. (second) .......... Do. (soft)............. Current L’st week’sLast year’s prices. 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 16/6-17/6 i 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 .......... 17/ -17/6 16/ -16/6 12/ -13/ 11/ -12/ 11/ prices. | prices. 16/ -16/6 17/ -17/6 16/ -16/6 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 11/ 18/6-20/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 17/6-19/6 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10/ -11/6 10/ -11/6 IRON. A surprise was sprung on the market by the announce- ment that the Ministry of Munitions had reconsidered their decision with regard to maximum prices for pig iron. A week ago old rates were reaffirmed, but in the interval it seems makers have been able to produce evidence that in many instances they were really working at a loss. Accordingly, South Staffordshire makers have been informed that the maximum rates will be increased by 5s. a ton. Derbyshire and Northamptonshire producers have not yet been notified, but they understand that the rise is a general one. and that official notification is a matter of a day or two. Sales, however, were being made at old rates. The new prices are, it is understood, to apply till September, when, if an inspection of the books justifies it, another advance may be granted. Finished iron prices are not affected so far, but the Ironmasters’ Association will no doubt give attention to the matter. In other departments the market evinced a strong tone, and was free from speculative influences. The bar mills have obligations to fulfil which will keep them going into September, and new business is coming along all the time. In this, as in some other of the finished branches, a movement is taking root for the abolition of all discounts, and a number of firms have notified their customers to that effect. It only applies to sales, of course, other than those coming under Government regulations, and it is understood that hoops are excepted. Nut and bolt iron can be obtained at about £ 14, delivered in the Darlaston district. A good demand is experienced. The smaller sizes of iron continue to harden. Three-eighths iron rounds have reached .£16 delivered in the district, and steel rounds have a range of from <£18 to .£18 10s. The bulk of the output is absorbed for home requirements, and many shipping orders are of necessity turned down. Galvanised sheets are difficult to buy this week owing to shortage of material, especially sheet bars. Makers willing to negotiate would only bargain on the basis of <£28 for 24 gauge, so that there has been a recovery from the relapse last week, and orders are only taken subject to approval of specification, and to material being in stock. It seems that American sheet bars are more restricted, and home production is inadequate. Billets, ingots, and blooms are arriving in fair quantities from the States, but September shipments will be at enhanced rates by reason of increased cost of transport which comes into operation in America at the beginning of that month. Quantities of wire roods are arriving at about .£20 a ton Liverpool, but orders are given out more sparingly than hitherto. The price is too high to justify buying beyond actual needs. The bulk of the steel of the district continues to go into consumption through controlled channels. _________________ Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL The consumption of household coals is now at the lowest point for the year, but the demand for all qualities is as persistent as ever. Consumers are evidently getting in as much as possible for the autumn and winter seasons. There are still a considerable number of arrear orders to wipe off. so that delay in getting off supplies is as'great as ever. There are a large number of vessels at the local dock and Newport awaiting cargoes. Orders from the inland merchants are coming in steadily. All steam qualities are in heavy request, the pits being inundated with orders. Prices at pithead. Current L’st week’s!Last year’s House coals:— prices. ! prices. 1 prices. Block 21/6 21/6 ! 21/6 Forest 20/6 20/6 20/6 Rubble 20/9 20/9 I 20/9 Nuts 19/ 19/ 19/ Rough slack Steam coal:— I5/ 15/ 15/ Large 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 21/ -22/ Small 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ j 16/ Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. ________ ________ Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that house coals are now being supplied much more plentifully to the south- western buyers, and the stringency in regard to supplies may be said to be entirely removed for the present. Offers for supplies during the next two or three months are plentiful, and have been freely accepted where the prices were reasonable. Several twelve months’ contracts have been entered into. Steam freights are unaltered, but sailers offer from the west coast at 10s. for Plymouth and other exporting ports. ____________________________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—With the exception of tar, there are no changes in price to record, as solvent naphtha seems to have settled down again. The drop in tar is only a small one. Nearest values are :— Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. Benzols, 90 s ,, 90 ’s North 1/0J ... /10|—/11J ... — ,, 50’s North Toluol 1/3—1/4 ... — 2/3 — Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.)... 3/4 ... — ,, crystals (40 per cent.) Solvent naphtha, south (90% at 190 1/3 ... — degs.), as in quality and package... Solvent naphtha, north (90% at 190 2/ — degs.), as in quality and package... Crude naphtha, north (in bulk) 2/1 ... — /61-/7 ... — Creosote Tor ordinary qualities) /2|-/2| ... — Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) 15/—15/6 ... — ,, (f.a.s west coast) Tar (per ton ex works) 14/—14/6 ... — 15/—19/—... -/3 [Benzols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at maker's works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch f.o.b. net.'] Sulphate of Ammonia.—The position is firm, and prices at most ports continue to advance. The returns for the past month, though slightly loss in volume, show an increase of over £50,000 in value. Japan and the U.S.A, show a serious decline, to the extent of £12,000 between them. Other countries bulk largely. Shipments this week have been about 650 tons. Closing prompt prices are :— London (ordinary makes) ... Beckton (25 per cent.) .... Liverpool ................ Hull .................... Middlesbrough ........... Scotch ports ............. Wales .................. Nitrate of soda (ord.) per cwt Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. £17 £15/17/6 £17/7/6 £17/2/6 £17/2/6 £17/5—£17/10 . £16/18/9—£17/2/6 . 18/ +1/3 +2/6 +2/6 +2/6 +2/6 [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2| per cent, discount ; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.] _____________________________ Hull Coal Exports.—The official return of the exports of coal from Hull to foreign countries for the week ended July 11 is as follows :—Amsterdam. 254 tons; Dunkirk, 814; Gothen- burg, 973; Harlingen, 499; Naples, 1,693; Porto Vecchio, 6,438; Porsgrund, 1.463; Rotterdam, 592; Rouen, 10.021; Treport, 1,508—total. 21,255 tons. Corresponding period July 1915—total, 53.056 tons. These figures do not include bunker coal, shipments for the British Admiralty, nor the Allies Governments.