612 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. September 29, 1916. heavy woollen districts indicate that good contract deliveries are coming to hand, but consumers whose contracts do not cover their requirements find the difficulty of making purchases in the open market increasing. Coking smalls are exceedingly difficult to procure, and supplies are quite inadequate to meet the needs of consumers. The crushing of large coal is being resorted to in a number of cases in order to keep the ovens in full work. Makers of coke are being strongly pressed by the authorities to send all the coke possible to Frodingham and the Midlands, as well as the Leeds district. All the quotations are more or less nominal, and represent the limit allowed by the Prices of Coal (Limitation) Act. Current pit prices. House coal:— Current L’st week’s* Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. 1 prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ f 20/ -21/ Wallsend & London best 19/ —20/ 19/ -20/ ! 19/ —20/ Silkstone best 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ J 18/6-19/6 Do. house 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ j 16/6-17/6 House nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ ■ 21/6-22/6 Silkstone best 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ | 20/6-21/6 Do. house 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ - 18/6-19/ Other qualities 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/6-18/6 Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ Gas nuts 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 ; 15/ -15/6 Unscreened gas coal ... 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 13/6-14/6 Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -16/6 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/ -14/ Best rough slacks 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 11/9-12/6 Small do. 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/ 10/ -10/6 Coking smalls 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 9/6-10/6 Coke:— Price at ovens : Furnace coke 25/8 25/8 15/ -16/ Barnsley. COAL. It is not expected that the munition workers’holiday will affect the collieries, which continue to maintain a satis- factory output. The enquiry is also well sustained, and the quieter demand in respect of large steams and slacks is passing away. The shipment of large steam appears to have recovered in some degree with less free fuel offering, though the collieries are still in the position of meeting the demand fairly easily. The home needs continue to be of an extensive character, and the opportunity to add to stock is taken whenever presentable. The railway companies are receiving a big tonnage daily, and, as stated, collieries are able to overcome any difficulty occurring from fluctuations in the foreign demand. The enquiry for steam nuts is again of a very active character, and well exceeds the demand, large fuel having to be taken to make up the shortage. There is also a fair enquiry for gas coal, particularly nuts, though on the whole the supplies which are being given are of an adequate description for the present needs. The production of slack is now more regularly cleared, the more active operations in the Lancashire and other textile districts calling for the usual contract deliveries. There are fewer odd lots offering on the market art less prices. Generally the position is recovering from the seller’s point of view. Good coking slacks are, however, as difficult as ever to find, and the heavy consumption can hardly be coped with. The demand for house coal is more active, and the position at the collieries is becoming so acute that orders are being refused by some firms for a week or more ahead. Merchants are finding it difficult to secure anything like ready deliveries of the best class of coal, but it may now be said the scarcity also applies to medium grade fuel. The difficulty of carting when the winter rush comes along appears certain to be very pronounced, and there is every indication of a rush on the part of the public having already commenced. The strong pressure for furnace coke continues to exist, and though large as the make un- doubtedly is, the position in regard to stocks at the blast furnaces is hardly relieved. In all cases the following quotations are of a nominal character:— Prices at pit. 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 1 prices, i 20/ -22/ 18/6-19/ ; 17/ -17/6 ; 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 17/6-18/6 i 16/6—17/6 16/3-16/6 15/9-16/3 12/6-13/ 10/6-11/ 16/6-17/6 1 15/6-16/ 1 16/ | 25/8 L’st week’s’ prices. 20/ -221 18/6-19/ 17/ -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/ 1 25/8 Last year’s . prices. 20/ -22/ 18/ -18/6 - 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 17/6 15/6-16/ ! 16/ -16/6 15/6-15,9 12/6-13/ 10/6-11/ 15/6-16/ 14/6-15/ 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ Hull. COAL. During the past few days there has been something akin to a scramble tor the few steamers available for export of coal to French Channel ports with licences for September shipment. Much, of course, had already been arranged, but had the transport supply been more adequate a greater volume of business no doubt could have been done. Nevertheless, prices all round have been maintained at about last week’s rates, and in some instances where the home demand is particularly strong slightly increased values may be noted. France continues the principal customer, and now that the limitation scheme has been settled, Italy is becoming more prominent in the market. So far as the Humber district is concerned, the question of increased imports to either of our Allies turns upon the quantity of surplus coal there may be for export and the licences to ship the same. If past experience be anything to go by, the probability of a greatly increased export from the Humber ports is as remote as ever, and will doubtless continue so long as the Govern- ment and manufacturing demand upon the Yorkshire output remains what it has been and now is. Compara- tively little is being sent to neutrals, and any further curtailment of this is considered unlikely. Large steam coal is in fair supply, but so nicely held is the balance between supply and licences and demand that prices do not make any headway, and remain steady at round about the French export limitation rate. Approximate prices for prompt shipment are:—Best South Yorkshire steam hards, 29s. to 30s. (also for October) ; washed doubles and singles, 23s. to 25s.; washed small coal, 20s. to 20s. 6d.; rough slacks, 17s. to 17s. 6d.; West Riding Hartleys, 27s. 6d. to 28s.; Parkgates, 26s. 6d. to 27s. 6d.; gas and house fueD (screened), 25s. to 28s.; Derbyshire steam hards (at Grimsby or Immingham), 27s. to 28s. Shipments at the docks are rather heavier, and more activity has been apparent in the freight market. In addition to numerous steamers for French ports at fixed rates, handy-sized steamers, 1,500 to 2,000 tons, have been chartered for Stockholm at 28 kr. and Gefle at 27i kr. and 29 kr, while for 1,000 tons Hull to London 12s. 6d. has been paid. Chesterfield. COAL. The tone of the market all round is much steadier, the demand for all classes of coal being uniformly better. House coal is in active request, orders coming to hand in daily increasing numbers. Stocks at the collieries are now non-existent. Gas coals and steam coal for loco- motive use are in brisk demand. Fuel for manufacturing purposes continues in urgent request, and collieries are dealing with the orders as expeditiously as prevailing circumstances will permit. The demand for cobbles and nuts for gas-producers in connection with the Sheffield steel works is of a pressing character. Slack for boiler- firing is in steady request. The best brands of this fuel are comparatively scarce, and prices are very firm. There is a better feeling in the export market, where exporters are looking forward to an expansion of business in October, when it is expected that the necessary arrangements for the supply of coal to Italy will have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion. Much, however, depends upon the amount of shipping tonnage available. There is very little coal being shipped from the Humber ports to neutral countries. The price of prime brands of Derbyshire Top Hards is now about 28s. per ton delivered at Grimsby. The shipment of nuts and slack is still prohibited, and this class of fuel is readily disposed of for home consumption. The coke market is unchanged on the week. There is a steady demand for all qualities, and prices are firm. 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/ Slack 12/6 12/6 12/6 IRON. The works of the district continue to be actively employed in every brach of the iron trade, and production is on an extensive scale. Nottingham. COAL. In every section of the trade there is activity. Domestic fuel continues in very good demand, and all qualities are selling freely, the better class sorts being in rather more brisk request. A fair number of orders on current account are keeping local merchants busy. Fortunately, they are obtaining b-tter supplies than some time ago, and with forward purchasing having fallen off somewhat, they can more comfortably deal with requirements. So far nothing in the shape of a rush has been experienced, but it is anticipated that there will be a shortage when cold weather comes. Collieries are being better accommodated in regard to the supply of railway wagons. The demand for steam coal is about the same, the output being readily absorbed after war requirements are satisfied mostly with contract orders and not much fuel is available for the open market. The export trade is on a comparatively quiet scale. Slacks are selling satisfactorily, some kinds being in very 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. 18/6-19/6 16 '6-17/6 16/ -16/6 17/ -17/6 16/ -16/6 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/ 11/ IL’st week’s! Last year’s j prices. ! prices. I 18/6-19/6 i 18/ -19/ i 16/6—17/6 i 16/ -17/ 1 16/ -16/6 ! 15/ -16/ 17/ -17/6 ! 16/ -17/ 16/ —16/6 ’■ 15/ -16/ 12/ —13/ ; 11/ -11/6 10/6—11/ ; 10/6-11/ 11/ | 10'6-11/ Leicestershire. COAL. All the colliery sidings are crowded with the wagons of coal merchants, who are more eager than ever to secure any odd wagons of coal that may become available. The demand for manufacturing fuel is so extremely large that there is a constant inroad on the supplies of household to augment the deliveries for establishments under Govern- ment control. Although the quantity of household available is very inadequate, up to the present there has not been any great hardship experienced, but the time is now at hand when there will be of necessity a very large increase in the domestic consumption. Colliery managers are urging that very great economy will be most beneficial to all concerned, as the shortage will be most severely felt after the turn of the year. There is an excellent demand for all deep and main cobbles, large and small nuts for the London district, and very extensive orders are on hand. The yards of coal merchants at country stations are quite bare of stocks of any kind, and there are no reserves at the collieries beyond a few accumulations of small dust on account of the absence of the usual orders for brick burning. The output is maintained at a very good average for the number of men employed. Full time of five and three-quarter days is being worked. 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. 17/ -19/ 15/6-17/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/6 12/9-13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ 13/6-14/6 14/ —15/ 13/ -14/6 13/6-14/6 12/6-13/6 L’st week’s prices. 17/ -19/ 15/6-17/ 16/6—17/6 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/6 12/9—13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ Last year’s prices. 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 15/6—16/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/ 13/ -13/6 13/6—14/ 11/3-12/3 5/ ~ 6/ 13/6-14/6 14/9-15/9 14/ -15/ 14/6-15/6 13/ -14/6 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/6 j 14/9-15/9 12/6-13/6 13/ -14/ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. Thursday’s market was not very active—more because collieries have little to offer than through unwillingness to buy. Demand is keen as ever, and leading merchants report that orders now on hand will keep them going till nearly Christmas. Unfortunately they find it next to impossible to get more than their contract quantities, and they are constantly on the strain to keep their customers supplied. On Monday prices will probably be advanced one shilling a ton all round, but for this week the following remain in force :— Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 22/ 22/ — Do. seconds deep 20/ 20/ — Do. best shallow 19/ 19/ — Do. seconds do. 18/ 18/ — Best hard 18/6 18/6 — Forge coal 16/ 16/ — Slack Warwickshire:— 11/6 11/6 — House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 19/ 19/ — cobs 18/ 18/ — Best hard spires 20/ 20/ — Forge (steam) 16/ 16/ — D.S. nuts (steam) 14/6 14/6 — Small (do.) 14/6 14/6 — IRON. The market presented much the same characteristics as recently, and the attendance was below the average on account of the munition works holiday, which commenced on Thursday. There is a good deal of pig iron on offer, but other classes of raw material are exceedingly scarce, and tinplate mills and sheet mills have in many instances been closed down in consequence. One galvanised sheet firm has four mills going out of ten and two galvanising pots out of six. The export trade for sheets is not encouraged, and is of small dimensions. A better trade is being done in black sheets, large quantities going to munition works. The quotation for galvanised sheets is £28 10s. minimum, and black sheets range from .£18 10s. upwards, with an extra <£1 a ton for painting. The bar iron mills are running at full pressure to keep up with specifi- cations, and prices are firm on the official basis of <£15 10s., less 2| per cent., for branded qualities, and .£13 15s. for unmarked. Outside business is done at a higher figure, and a certain amount of merchant bars are going to India and France. There is also a renewed enquiry from France for small sizes, and it is only scarcity of labour which restricts the quantity makers can send. Many old men have returned to the mills, and are naturally much slower workmen than those they have released for the Army. The basis for three-eighths rounds is £16 10s., with the usual extras for smaller sizes. These extras have in some cases been nearly doubled ; thus, for three- sixteenth sizes they used to amount to 35s., now they are about 60s. Consumers of nut and bolt iron have to pay full rates, which range from £13 15s. to £14 5s. delivered in Darlaston district. Puddled bars remain scarce and dear, and many firms are not offering. Such quotations as could be asertained were from £11 15s. to £12 a ton—about three times their pre-war value. Gas strip is active at £14 15s. to £15. A certain amount of weakness prevails. Forge pig-iron, which are sold at from Is. to 2s. below the maxima, but foundry iron, both Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, commands pretty much full rates. So also do South Staffordshire irons. A further advance of £4 in copper sheets brings the price up to £161 a ton. More Govern- ment orders are again about. The scrap trade is on the quiet side. For steel melting scrap the price is £5 13s. delivered, for controlled works. Heavy steel turnings are rather a drug on the market. Lydney. Forest of Dean. COAL The demand for all qualities of this district’s house coal is now a very active one. Collieries have an increased number of orders on their books, for execution of which they are greatly pressed. In the rail borne branch of the