THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. ______________________________ _________________________________________________ 812 October 27, 1916. Current pit prices. 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:— 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 ...... ; ___________ Current L'st week's Last year’s prices. 1 prices. I prices. 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ ■ 17/ -20/ : 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ ; 16/ -17/ 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ , 21/6-22 6 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 20/6-21/6 20/ -21/ ; 20/ -21/ 18/6-19,6 19/ -20/ j 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 16/ -17/ . 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 ; 15/ -15 6 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ : 13/6-14/6 17/ -18/ : 17/ -18/ 16/ -16/6 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 14 6-15/6 15/ -16/ : 15/ -16/ 13 6-14,6 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 13 6-14 6 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 12/ -13 6 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/ 10 6-11/6 12/6-13/6 12,6-13/6 10/ -11/ 25 8 25/8 16/6-17/6 Barnsley. COAL. The attendance at the usual market on Wednesday was affected by the large number of representatives attending the important London conferences. Buyers experienced the same difficulty as of late in covering their needs. The small margin between the production and the pre-arranged deliveries is even more emphasised. Home consumers are apprehensive lest the stringency on the issue of export licences may be released owing to the difficulty already experienced of procuring adequate deliveries under contract of certain classes of fuel. Though the percentage of coal allotted under contract is unusually extensive, there are cases of abnormal consumption which render contract provision inadequate, but it is a great struggle to procure the desired balance. This applies less lightly to large steams, though the requirements of the railway companies and other large concerns are of a very extensive description. The supplies now received render it less easy to add to stocks, which are being reduced at a difficult period of the year when delays occur in transit. The product of nuts—the importance of which is insistently kept before the collieries—is again insufficient to meet the needs of the munition firms and other large consumers, though every effort is put forth to provide a larger tonnage. The demand for ordinary slacks is reported to be improving on the part of the Lancashire districts, and any surplus lots are more easily moved away. The position in regard to slacks suitable for coke manufacture is in no way altered. The supplies needed are, of course, of an unprecedented description, and, under the present condi- tions, it is difficult to increase the output to satisfy the needs of the ovens, which are still working at high pressure in response to the exceedingly vigorous demand which continues for coke from the Midland and Lincoln- shire pig iron districts. Gas coal collieries are also bard pressed to deal with the strong demands upon them for deliveries. The reduced contract supplies in many cases are hardly sufficient to meet the consumption, and where low stocks are held, the position is causing a good deal of anxiety. It is still well nigh impossible to procure odd lots of this class of coal, and apparently the greater scarcity is in regard to nuts. The position in regard to house coal shows no alteration. The demand is well ahead of the supply, and buyers who have not adequately covered their requirements have the greatest difficulty in procuring surplus lots, especially of the better grade fuel. The following are nominal quotations, and represent the maximum for the home market: — Prices at pit. more plentiful than they have been of late. Prices, which are very largely nominal, are approximately as follow for prompt and this month’s shipment:—Best South Yorks hards, 30s. to 31s.; washed doubles and singles, 25s. to 26s ; washed small coal, 20s.; rough slacks, 16s. to 16s. 6d.; West Yorks Hartleys, 27s. to 27s. 6d.; Park- gates, 26s. to 26s. 6d. ; gas and house fuels, 25s. to 28s.; Derbyshire steam hards (at Grimsby or Immingham), 28s. to 29s. In the freight market there is little doing outside limited sales to France. For one steamer 1,700 tons loading this week for Genoa with options 75s. is reported paid; another Partington to Bilbao 38s., and Hull to Havre 37s. 6d. (coke). Chesterfield. COAL. There is no change to report as to the condition of the coal trade. Business is active so fat as the inland market is concerned, and every class of coal is in great request. Orders for house coal are abundant, but supplies are difficult to find outside contracts. No free coal is available. There is an exceptionally strong demand for nuts, and one that it is well nigh impossible to meet. To some extent, nuts are replacing slack for boiler firing, and the demand for the latter fuel is falling off correspondingly. The net result is a slight accumulation of stock of slack and a weakening of prices. Cobbles for steel works are in brisk demand, orders being much in excess of the available supply of the fuel. Railways are pressing in their demand for steam coal for locomotive use, the supply of which continues considerably below the requisite tonnage for current consumption. For neutral countries it is still a difficult matter to secure licences, while the continued scarcity of steamers is a serious matter. Prices keep firm at 29s. to 29s. 6d. per ton delivered at Grimsby for the best north Derbyshire hards. Prohibition of shipment of nuts and slack continues. There is no change in the condition of the coke trade, which is active in respect of demand and firm as to price of all kinds of coke. There is a good demand for coking fuel. Prices at pit. yards at country stations have been swept clean of all supplies, and there is nothing on hand to meet any sudden emergency. There is a very keen demand from London and district for deep and main cobbles and nuts of all kinds to meet special requirements. The accumulations of coal dust at the pits have now been cleared off. Manufacturing fuel is in such continuous demand that it takes up a very large proportion of the total output, and there is no sign of any relief in this direction. The pits are working full time of five and three-quarter days per week. _________________ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The attendance at the weekly market was not large and little business passed, the collieries having nothing to offer. Reports indicate that the men are now putting in better time; and there is need for every, ton of output. Some merchants are short of stock to meet the requirements of the coming winter, and those who have stocks find difficulty in moving them owing to labour shortage. For some descriptions deliveries from the pits are short of contract quantities, but as an off-set there is a slight excess of others. Prices are firm, but unchanged, as follow :— Prices at pit. Best house coals ....... Secondary do. __......... Cobbles ................ Nuts .........__......... Slack .................. Current L’st week’s^ Last year's prices. 17/ prices. 17/ ! prices. 17/ 16/6 16/6 16 6 16/ : 16/ : 16/ 15/ 15/ 15/ 12/6 i 12'0 i 12/6 1 Current L's tweak'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/ 1 — 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.. D o. hand-p icked 19/ 19/ i — cobs 18/ 20/ 18/ ! — Best hard spires 20/ i — Forge (steam) 16/ 16/ i — D.S. nuts (steam) 14;6 146 ; — Small (do.) j 14 6 , 14 6 i — IRON. There is considerable activity in every department of the iron trade. There is not much disposition to enter into long contracts, but there is a fair amount of buying of a hand-to-mouth character. All local .works continue in a state of great activity. __________________ Nottingham. COAL. A brisker tone characterises the coal trade in this county. For household fuel there is a heavier demand on collieries by merchants. The pressure on collieries is such that in most cases delay in the execution of orders is practically unavoidable. All classes of fuel are meeting with a ready sale, best and second grade qualities more especially. The output of steam coal is being well maintained. There is still a very heavy demand for home consumption, railways and firms employed on Government work taking large supplies. A better enquiry is being made for exports apart from shipments for war purposes. Prices show an all round firmness. Slacks of nearly all varieties are in active request, and a scarcity is reported of coking grades. Prices at pithead. I Current jL’st week’s.Last year’s House coals:— ; prices. ! prices. I prices. Best Silkstone ........ 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ Best Barnsley softs.... 18/6—19/ 18/6-19/ 18/6 Secondary do.........17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 ; 16/6-17/6 Best house nuts ......I 16/ -17/ i 16/ -17/ ; 16/ -17/ Secondary do..........j 15/6-16/ ' 15/6-16/ ; 15/6-16/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals........■ 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 17/ -17/6 Secondary do..........i 16(6-17/6 16(6-17/6 , 16/ -16/3 Best washed nuts......I 16/3-16/6 : 16/3-16/6 16/ -16 6 Secondary do.........i 15/9-16/3 15/9-16/3 ' 15/6-15,9 Best slack ............ 12/6-13/ ! 12/6-13/ ; 12/6-13/ Secondary do.......... 10/6-11/ 10/6—11/ 10/6 coals ~ Screened gas coals .... 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/ Unscreened do........ 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ i 15/6-16/6 Gas nuts.............. 16/ 16/ ;16/ -16/6 Furnace coke............j 25/8 25/8 , 17/6-18/ 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 j 18/ -19/ < 17/ -17/6 ' 17/ -17/6 : 16/6-17/ ; 16/ -16 6 ' 16/ -16/6 15/6-16/ i 17/ -17/6 i 17/ -17/6 / 16/6-17/6 ■ 16/ -16/6 ! 16/ -16/6 : 15/ -16/ i 12/ -13/ : 12/ -13/ ; 11/9-12/6 i 10/6-11/ ' 10/6-11/ 10/9-11/ j IK i H/ i 11/ _________________ Leicestershire. COAL. The demand continues to grow for all classes of coal, and the position becomes more serious every week. The in- creased deliveries demanded by coal merchants at large centres of population are regarded as most important because they affect many thousands of consumers who at present are only able to get partial supplies. This is the direction in which the pressure is now greatest, and it is likely to develop. It is not a question of price but of supplies to meet essential requirements, and colliery managers declare that the only way to prevent suffering is to increase the output as speedily as possible. All the coal _______________________ _________________________ IRON. The market was fairly well attended, and manufacturers found themselves in the position of having more offers than they could accept. Requirements continue large. For all kinds of steel the demand is phenomenal, the great bulk of the output being, of course, utilised for special require- ments. Some time ago certain firms accepted business on the condition that prices should remain open until it was ascertained whether the Ministry of Munitions intended to revise maximum prices, and the fact that they are again quoting at the old figures seems to suggest that no action by the authorities is now looked for. The present rate for steel joists and sections is <£11 2s. 6d. f.o.t. at makers' works net. American semis are still at a figure which the trade will not stand. The minimum is j814 15s. Liverpool, and as high as <£15 5s. is quoted. It is significant that American exporters are again willing to quote for delivery Liverpool instead of f.o.b. New York. There was no new movement in finished iron, and bar makers have no difficulty in securing full rates. Nut and bolt iron commands <£14 5s., delivered Darlaston, and makers can get rid of as much material as they can turn out Small iron remains scarce, and labour supply is inadequate. The basis for three-eighths sizes is <£16 10s. The export demand is good, but only a compara- tively small tonnage is available. Gas strip, <£15 ; hoops (iron and steel), <£17 10s. to <£18 10s.; black sheets, <£19 ; galvanised sheets, <£28 10s. to <£29. These branches are uncontrolled. The pig iron market has gained nothing on the week. A good deal of forge iron is being used for mixing with hsematite for steel purposes, but the output of the furnaces is not fully taken up. Some qualities could be bought at 3s. 6d. under the maximum, and 2s. 6d. below was a common quotation. South Staffordshire forge qualities are affected less than Northamptonshire and Derbyshire, the concession not being more than Is. a ton. Foundry irons are also being slightly shaded, and firms here and there stand out for the full-controlled price. The negotiation of orders is more restricted than recently. For the highest-grade irons a continuous demand is reported. __________________ Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The demand for all descriptions of household coals is as strong as ever, and collieries are experiencing considerable difficulty in satisfying' the requirements of their customers. There are no stocks, and buyers are dependent upon the daily output of the pits for their supplies. Consequently there is still much delay in clearing orders. The enquiry for all steam qualities is very heavy, and the output in all cases is short of the needs of consumers. __________ Prices at pithead. Hull. COAL. Though only a moderate amount of prompt business is reported, the market keeps fairly steady and prices generally are about maintained, but no more. France c ntinues to be a good buyer, and Italy, whose scheme of fixed prices and freights comes into operation next week, is considered likely to be more prominent in this market than it has been. The demand from neutral countries is, however, very restricted, and does not appear to have any chance of improving. All round, however, the position is very largely influenced by the supply of shipping tonnage, which is still very inadequate in the French direction ; this shortage being contributed to by the delays in discharging at the ports in the Channel. Licences to ship are fairly numerous, and the Coal Exports Committee appear to be doing all they possibly can to facilitate shipments from the Humber and to check the fall in quantity exported. An improvement might, therefore, be expected should steamers prove to be Prices at pit. Current prices. Best household coal ....: 17/ -19/ ........ Second, hand picked ... . 15/6-17/ Deep screened cobbles ... 16/6-17/6 Deep large nuts ......... 16/ -17/ Bakers'nuts...... ............ 15/ -16/ Small nuts............... 14,6-15/6 Deep breeze ____________ 12/9-13/6 Peas ................... 12/ -12/3 Small dust ............ 6/ - 7/ Main nuts for London kitcheners............ 14/ -15/ Steams, best hand picked 14/6-15/6 Steams, seconds ........ 13/6-15/ Main cobbles for kitcheners 14/ —15/ Main breeze............i 12/6-13/6 | L’st week’s (Last year's i prices. 1 —-: — I 17/ -19/ I 15/6-17/ i 16/6-17/6 : 16/ -17/ ; 15/ -16/ : 14/6-15/6 1 12/9-13/6 ! 12/ -12/3 ; 6/ - 7/ 14/ -15/ , 14,6-15/6 13/6-15/ ' 14/ -15/ I 12/6-13/6 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 ! 14'9-15/9 14 6-15/6 13/ -14/ t 14/9-15/9 j 13/ -14/ House coals:— Block ............... Forest ............. Rubble ............. Nuts ............... Rough slack ......... Steam coal — Large ........... Small ... ......... Current L’st week's Last year’s prices. prices. prices. 24/ 21/6 21/6 23/ 20/6 20/6 23/3 20/9 21/9 21/6 19/ 19/ 14/ 126 11/6 20/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 17/ -17/6 16/ 14/ -15/ Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. ___________________________ Delays at French Ports. — Official notification has been received from Paris bating the de/ays at the varous French ports arc as follow:—Boulogne. 10 days’ delay: Treport, three: Diepne.