170 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. July 28, 1916. moment, and there is rather more free coal on the market. Prices for Lancashire steam coals range from 24s. 6d. to 25s. f.o.b. Liverpool tips, although in some instances these are being shaded for spot lots of coal to clear wagons. As regards the coastwise and cross-Channel trade, all the fuel that can be spared for this branch is readily taken. The position as regards slacks and small fuels remains as has been reported for the last few weeks. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current 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...... 18/ Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b.! 24/6 -25/ Best slack .... 1 1 Secondary slack Common do. prices. 21/ 25/6 19/ -20/ 24/6 18/ 24/ upwds 16/ 15/6 14/6 upwds L’st week’s I Last year’s prices. ! 21/ 1 25/6 I 19/ -20/ j 24/6 ! 18/ j 24/ upwds! 18/ ! r ■ ' 16/ 15/6 14/6upwds ! prices. 1 20/9 I 22/ -23/ i 19/ I 20/ 16/9-17/ ! 19/ I 16/ -17/ 24/6-25/ - 18/ -19/ TCI 12/6 10/6 ________________ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday. Enquiries were made for house coal for stocking purposes, but apparently very little was to be had. Prices remain firm Furnace coal keeps in good demand, and shipping coal is brisk, with prices perhaps not quite so firm. The demand for slack is affected by the present stoppage of some Oldham mills, and holidays in other districts. Prices generally 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 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 22/ -23/ 19/6-21/ 18/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 25/ -26/ prices. 21/ -22/ 19/9-20/3 17/ -17/3 prices. 22/ -23/ 19/6-21/ 18/ —18/6 17/ -18/ ; 16/ -17/ 25/ -26/ i 19/ -21/ ’ ; 14/ 16/upwds 16/ upwds.j 14/ 14/6upwds| 14/6upwds| 11/ -12/ IRON. There was a fair attendance on ’Change in Manchester on Tuesday, but little business doing, as all works are fully employed on war work. It is impossible to say anything definite as regards prices. __________________ Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The attendance at the market on Tuesday was not quite so large as in the previous week, but still fairly numerous. Except that the hot weather and the approaching month end had eased the pressure for house coal at the local markets, the demand for all qualities was still very strong. Owing to the late arrival of tonnage at the Humber ports, a few spot lots of steam coal came into the open market. The output of the pits continues at a satisfactory level, full time being worked, with less absenteeism, but the wagon supply is not quite so good as recently. The demand for house coal for the London district shows no falling off. The depot trade is reported to be more than usually active at this time of the year, attributable, no doubt, to the laying in of stocks at the larger houses. So far as stocks at the depots are concerned, they are yet quite inadequate, though no doubt the more summer-like weather will give merchants an opportunity to improve their position in this respect. Coastwise, a little more business is passing, chiefly in contract coal, although one or two parcels of Silk- stone house coal have changed J^ands this week at 21s. 6d. f.o.b. Hull. A sale is also mentioned of a cargo of Haigh Moor best at 23s. f.o.b. Hull. West Riding house coal merchants are finding the public demand considerably quieter, owing to the hot weather. More contracts have been booked by local merchants at full Limitation Act prices. Current pit prices for the West Riding:—Haigh Moor selected, 21s. to 22s.; Silkstone best, 20s. to 21s.; Silkstone house, 18s. to 19s.; other sorts, 17s. to 18s. There is less pressure in the open market for gas ____________________________________________________ coal, and the position with regard to stocks at the works appears to be more satisfactory. New contracts are being entered into more freely, in each case with the safeguarding clauses which have been indicated recently. With regard to manufacturing fuel, the electric lighting works are requiring less for consumption, so that there is a rather more plentiful supply of steam slacks available. Best coking smalls are increasingly scarce, and still realise high prices. There is an increase in the output of washed furnace coke, but the demand is almost insatiable, and it is readily absorbed at the full standard price of 25s. 8d. at the ovens. It is necessary to point out that the appended list of prices is more or less nominal. Barnsley. COAL. The quieter state of the export trade still continues, and is having the effect of throwing a considerably larger tonnage on the home market, although the result is that buyers are able to obtain quicker and more ample deliveries than was the case a few weeks ago. Prices have not been appreciably affected, and collieries find every readiness on behalf of consumers to accept larger supplies in respect to contracts, and there is no difficulty in dealing with the production at the maximum rates. On the other hand, coalowners are not unduly seeking new business, having regard to the fact that there is general expectation of the maximum selling prices being advanced. A greater surplus is now available in respect to slacks, which is due to the fact that holidays have been taken in the cotton districts, and owing to the quieter state of that industry a less tonnage than usual is required. This enables a larger supply to be given to the by-product plants, and it is very essential that these should be kept in full swing. The question of Bank holidays does not so much concern this district, as the various localities usually celebrate the local feasts. It is expected the response to the Govern- ment appeal will be an agreement to curtailed local holidays, which in some instances usually last for a full week. The Yorkshire Miners’ Association have not yet decided the matter, and, as already stated, are seeking to obtain financial consideration from the coal owners towards assisting the various war funds, established at some collieries to assist the wives and dependants of miners now serving at the front. In regard to large steams, although the foreign business is much curtailed, there is plenty of demand on home account for this class of coal. The railway companies in particular welcome any surplus, owing to the heavy consumption which is now taking place, and this class of fuel is also being taken by the munition and other engineering concerns to augment the smaller tonnage of nuts which only has been available so long. In respect to gas coal, consumers are still complaining that the proposed winter deliveries have not yet materialised, and they are anxious that larger supplies should come to hand to augment the stock. It appears as though a Substantial tonnage of this class of fuel has been sent to France, although export across the Channel has been materially reduced of late. The position in regard to house coal is unaltered and collieries are still heavily booked up with orders, and they can afford to persist in the refusal of offered new business, at all events so far as the best qualities of fuel are concerned. The demand for furnace coke continues to be on a very heavy scale, and the production is still insufficient to meet the needs of the moment. The following quotations are largely of a nominal description, and represent the present maximum rates .-— Prices at pit. Cobbles and nuts, however, continue in good demand, and no difficulty is experienced in disposing of a colliery’s whole production of this class of fuel for inland consump- tion. Gas coal is in strong demand, and gas managers are pressing strongly for good supplies in anticipation of their winter requirements. The export trade is quieter than ever, and there are no signs of improvement. Licences are given out very sparingly, and there is also the difficulty with regard to shipping tonnage, which continues very scarce. The price of steam hards has fallen substantially from these causes, and to-day’s quotation stands at about 29s. per ton delivered at Grimsby. Even at this figure there is no business offering. Business with France con- tinues on a small scale. The coke market is firm with a full demand for the whole output of the ovens. Prices at pit. Current prices. L’st week’s; Last year’s 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. Business continues brisk in all departments, and all the producing plant of the district is employed to its utmost capacity. ________ ________ Nottingham. COAL. The pressure on the domestic fuel branch of the coal trade in this county is not quite as great as of late, the recent warm weather having had a slight easing effect. Nevertheless, merchants are being kept fairly busy with orders. The demand on collieries shows no material reduc- tion, and merchants are eager to take almost any classes of households in view of the limited supplies of some of the better qualities. Cobbles and nuts are selling exceptionally well owing to the abnormal circumstances. Steam coal continues to be in great request in the home market. The urgency of orders for war work makes it practically impos- sible for owners to fully cover contract requirements to ordinary customers. All kinds of this class of fuel are rapidly disposed of, and values show a firmer tendency. There is less scarcity of slacks than recently, but such is the demand that collieries have no opportunity of replenishing stocks. Prices at pithead. Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals......... Secondary do............. Best hard coals.......... Secondary do............. Slacks (best hards)...... Do. (second) .......... Do. (soft)............. Current IL’stweek’s!Last year’s prices. ! prices. ! prices. 18/6-19/6 ! 18/6-19/6 ! 18/6-20/ 16/6-17/6 I 16/6-17/6 ; 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 ! 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ 17/ -17/6 I 17/ -17/6 17/ -19/ 16/ -16/6 I 16/ -16/6 i 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ ! 12/ -13/ ! 11/6—13/ 10/6-11/6 | 11/ -12/ i 10/ -11/ 11/ 11/ 10/ -11/6 _______________ Leicestershire. COAL. 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............ 1 Current prices. 20/ -22/ 18/6-19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/3-16/6 15/9-16/3 12/6-13/ 10/6-11/ 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/ 16/ 25/8 L’st week’s | prices. ' 20/ -22/ 18/6-19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/3-16/6 15/9-16/3 12/6-13/ ! 10/6-11/ Last year’s prices. 20/ -22/ 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/ 15/ -15/6 16/ -17/ 15/ -15/6 13/ -13/6 12/ -12/6 I 16/6-17/6 | 15/6-16/ i 15/6-16/ | 14/6-15/ I 16/ | 15/ -16/ ■ 25/8 | 23/ -24/ 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/ 19/ -20/ Wallsend & London best 19/ —20/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ Silkstone best 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ Do. house 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ House nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ ; 22/ -23/ Silkstone best 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 21/ -22/ Do. house 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ wa’/ 19/ -20/6 Other qualities 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ Gas nuts 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ Unscreened gas coal ... 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ Large double-screened engine nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 14/6-15/6 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 11/6-12/6 Coke Price at ovens: Furnace coke 25/8 25/8 | 21/ -24/ Hull. COAL. In the general condition of the market there is very little change to report. From France there is a very good and growing demand under the prices limitation scheme, but supplies from collieries are not yet adequate and shipping tonnage is not sufficient to meet requirements. Shipments to French ports under licences already issued will be permitted to complete in all cases where vessels have com- menced loading at midnight on July 31; while August- September shipments, which are now being arranged, will have to comply with the new rules and conditions of the Paris Committee. Not much neutral business is passing, licences being granted very sparingly indeed. Approximate quotations for prompt shipment are as follow : Best South Yorkshire hards, 30s. to 32s. 6d.; washed nuts, 23s. to 26s.; washed small coal, 20s. to 21s. ; rough slack, 18s. 6d. to 19s. 6d.; screened gas and house fuels, 26s. to 29s.; West Yorkshire Hartleys, 27s. to 28s.; Derbyshire steam hards (at Grimsby or Immingham), 30s. to 32s. Shipments at the docks this week are on the light side. Chesterfield. COAL. While the demand for coal is still on a large scale, it cannot be said that there is that loud call for supplies which up to now has been incessant. It may be that owing to the restriction of shipments more coal is available for home requirements, and that this is the cause of the quieter state of the market. House coal orders are not as numerous as they have been, but the falling-off is clearly of a temporary character, and an active demand may again set in very shortly, as it appears to be pretty certain that, later in the year, this class of coal will be scarce. Slack for boiler firing is fairly plentiful just now, as is shown by the free manner in which offers are made to consumers. It is difficult to explain the enormous pressure which is now being experienced by colliery managers in order to obtain supplies of all classes of coal. With the domestic consumption at the minimum, it was hoped that some relief might be experienced in order that there might be some replenishment of the depleted stocks in the coal yards, both in London and in the country districts, to make provision for any unforeseen emergencies. But so far this has been found to be impossible. Every ton of the output is absorbed day by day to meet urgent requirements, but coal merchants and colliery managers alike regard it as important that as many large establishments as possible with storage capacity should lay in supplies. There is an extremely brisk demand for the London district both for deep and main cobbles and large nuts, to meet special requirements. This demand is much in excess of the available supplies. There are now plenty of railway wagons available, and there is a persistent increase in the instructions that wagons are to be loaded with “ any class of coal that is available.” There has been no raising of prices at the collieries. Any action of coal merchants is due to the ever-growing cost of handling and delivering coal, especially at large centres of population. Full time of o;} days is being worked, and there are no stocks of any kind at the pits. ______________________ Prices at pit. ! Current i prices. Best household coal .... 16/6—18/ Second, hand picked ...__ 15/6-16/ Deep screened cobbles ... 16/6—17/ Deep large nuts ........ 16/ -16/6 Bakers’ nuts...................... 15/ —15/6 Small nuts..............• 14,6-15/ Deep breeze ............ 12/9-13/6 ............ Peas .................. 12/ -12/3 Small dust .............. 6/ - 7/ Main nuts for London L’st week’s ^Last year’s prices. ! prices. 16/6-18/ J 18/6-19/6 15'6-16/ j 17/6-18/6 j 16/6-17/ j 16/6-17/6 > 16/ -16/6 1 16/ -17/ j 15/ -15/6 i 15/6-16/ i 14/6-15/ | 14/ -14/6 12/9-13/6 1 14/6-15/ 12/ -12/3 12/3-13/3 6/ - 7/ 5/6- 6/6 kitcheners............. 13/ -13/6 13/ —13/6 Steams, best hand picked 14/ -14/6 14/ -14/6 Steams, seconds ........ 13/ -13/6 13/ -13/6 Main cobbles for kitcheners 13/6-14/ I 13/6-14/ Main breeze............‘ 12/6-13/6 j 12/6-13/6 15/9-16/9 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/ 15/9-16/9 13/9-15/ _________________ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The attendance at the weekly market on Thursday was thin, and little change falls to be recorded. Merchants reported a little expansion in the supplies coming forward, but the quantity is far short of their requirements. They are unable to build up stock against the autumn trade,