912 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN November 10, 1916. maximum deliveries are called for. Shipping is rather quieter, owing to scarcity of tonnage and delays of various kinds ; contract quantities are not being taken, and there is very little enquiry in the open market. There is not, however, much spare coal about, and though prices are somewhat easier, quotations for Lancashire steam coals still rule from 23s. to 24s. f.o.b., and concessions are only given for fairly prompt shipment. Coasters are not doing by any means regular service, due both to bad weather and other conditions, and the result is there is a good deal of delay in the actual clearing of wagons, indeed the wagon question is getting weekly more acute, and collieries are having the greatest difficulty in securing sufficient rolling stock to be able to put all their fuel into wagons. The consumption of slacks and small fuels with the advancing season is steadily rising, and it is getting exceptional where there is any quantity awaiting delivery orders. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). 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..... Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ........ Common do............... Current prices. 21/ 25/6 19/ -20/ 24/6 18/ 24/ 18/ 23/ -24/ 16/ 15/6 14/6 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 21/ 20/9 25/6 22/ -23/ 19/ -20/ 19/ 24/6 20/ 18/ 16/9-17/ 24/ 18/6-19/ 18/ 16/ -17/ 23/ -24/ 18/3-19/ 16/ 14/ 15/6 12/6 14/6 10/ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There is no change in the position of house coal; the demand is in excess of the supply. Furnace coal is moving .away steadily, but the call for coal for shipment is rather weaker. Slack, especially of the fine quality, is offered freely. 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 prices. 22/ -23/ 19/6-21/ 18/ -18/6 17/6-18/ 25/ -26/ 16/upwds 14/6upwds L’st week's prices. 22/ -23/ 19/6-21/ 18/ -18/6 17/6-18/ 25/ -26/ 16/ upwds. 14/6 upwds Last year’s prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ —21/ 14/ 11/ -12/ IRON. There was a fair attendance on ’Change in Manchester on Tuesday, but no alteration to report in the condition of affairs to that referred to during the past several months. All works are busily occupied on war work, prices and deliveries being arranged by the Ministry of Munitions entirely. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The strong tone of the market was fully maintained on Tuesday, when the attendance, which was very large, in- cluded a stronger contingent of London representatives than had been noticed before. This, no doubt, reflects the general shortage of house coal at the London depots, causing a demand which the collieries are totally unable to supply. With the exception of steam slacks, which were offering fairly freely, every quality of coal was in strong request. The reports of colliery agents indicated full time at the pits, but there is a good deal of trouble about men being absent from work. The supply of wagons is still difficult, especially railway trucks. The sending of screened —in some cases unscreened—steam coal for use for house- hold purposes in London, as a means of ekeing out the inadequate supplies, continues. The scarcity of coal at the depots is especially marked south of the Thames. An increasing difficulty in securing boats is limiting coastwise shipments. The chief qualities being shipped are cobbles, house nuts, Hartleys and Silkstone medium. There is no change in freights, 12s. 6d. Hull-London, although offers 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/ 20/ -21/ Wallsend & London best 19/ —20/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ Silkstone best 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 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/ 21/6-22/6 Silkstone best 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 20/6-21/6 18/6-19/6 18/ -19/ Do. house 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ j Other qualities 19/ -20/ 19/ —20/ 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 13/6-14/6 Unscreened gas coal ... 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 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/ 13/6-14/6 Best rough slacks 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 Small do. 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 Coking smalls 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 11/ -12/ Coke Price at ovens: Furnace coke 25/8 25/8 23/ -24/ this week tend to show that 13s. is nearer the present market value. In the West Riding the house coal trade is unchanged, except that the public demand is on the increase. Supplies generally are on the short side. Pit prices :—Haigh Moor selected, 21s. to 22s.; Silkstone best, 20s. to 21s.; Silkstone house, 18s. to 19s.; house nuts, 17s. to 18s. The full output of gas coal is fully absorbed by contract requirements, and nothing is left for the open market. The position at local works in regard to stocks is fairly satisfactory, but much less so in London and the south. Nuts for manufacturing purposes cannot be procured. The needs of munition works, which have to be met, go on increasing, and besides that the shortage of coking smalls, which are scarcer and firmer than ever, has led to the crushing of nuts for coke-making. Steam slacks are more plentiful, and the price has eased a shade. In consequence of the seriously short supply of coke, it is said that representations are being made to the Ministry of Munitions on behalf of the iron and steel works, but all the batteries of ovens are working to their full capacity, and it is difficult to see that anything can be done to increase the output. The appended list of pit prices is given with the, reservation that quotations are more or less nominal and on Limitation Act lines. Barnsley. GOAL. Although the considerable fluctuation in the export is causing a good deal of tonnage to be held up, and conse- quently to some extent to be realised in the home market the pressure for colliery supplies shows little alteration. The heavy production of large steams in this district appears to be little more than sufficient to meet the extensive consumption, though the export of a substantial proportion is no longer possible. Some evidence is thus available of the extensive consumption which is now being made on home account, and particularly in the case of the railway companies and other large concerns, which keeps the collieries free from stocks. There is again a strong demand for nuts required by the munition and other concerns, but the enquiry cannot be complied with, and resort is still being made to large steams. All classes of smaller steam coal are also in good demand, but ordinary slacks are again freely offering, the more restricted use of this class of fuel in the Lancashire and other textile districts having its effect on the pits. Odd lots are more freely obtainable at reduced prices to effect clearances. The position is quite different in regard to slacks suitable for coke manufacture The consumption continues to be exceedingly heavy, and well exceeds the extent of the production. The pressure upon collieries to supply this class of coal is particularly keen, but the position at the by-product plant is still attended with a good deal of anxiety. Though, generally speaking, the contract de- liveries of gas coal for home use are of a fairly satisfactory description, there is a considerable enquiry for odd lots of nuts and screened sorts, but these are not readily met with. The enquiry for house coal is still of a brisk character, and collieries are again indifferent to new enquiries. Contract deliveries are of a substantial description, and there is little surplus left after these are satisfied, especially in the case of the best grade fuel. The position in the nearer districts may become very anxious in the event of more severe weather coming along. Though the make of coke is maintained at practically the maximum, it is difficult to satisfy the huge demand from the pig iron districts. ' Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstono 20/ -22/ 18/6-19/ 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 18/6 16/6-17/6 Best Barnsley softs 18/6-19/ Secondary do 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 Best house nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ Secondary do Steam coals:— 15/6-16/ 15/6-16) 15/6-16/ Best hard coals 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/ Secondary do 16/6-17/6 ! 16/ -17/ Best washed nuts 16/3-16/6 16/3-16/6 16/3-16/6 Secondary do 15/9-16/3 15/9-16/3 15/9-16/ Best slack 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 10/6-11/ 12/6-13/ Secondary do Gas coals:— 10/6-11/ 10/6 Screened gas coals 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 Unscreened do 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ Gas nuts ..... 16/ 16/ 16/6 ■ 21/ Furnace coke 25/8 25/8 Hull. GOAL. The position in the Humber coal market continues indifferent, and is, if anything, worse, owing to the serious shortage of shipping tonnage, which is having the antici- pated effect of handicapping business. Although there has been a very much better arrival of vessels to load in the past few days, very little fresh tonnage is offering, and exporters have, therefore, great difficulty in arranging for shipment. There is plenty of coal to be had, and licences are being freely issued, but until steamers are available these are of little use. Contractors are ready sellers at agreeable terms where prompt accommodation offers, and, generally speaking, prices all round are weaker, both for spot and later in the month. Manufacturing and most other kinds of fuel are quiet, and quotations, which are more or less nominal, are sustained by the heavy inland de- mands on output. Approximate values for prompt or nearly prompt shipment are:—Best South Yorkshire hards 30s., to 31s.; washed doubles and singles, 23s. to 24s.; washed small coal, 18s. to 18s. 6d ; rough slack, 16s. to 16s. 3d.; screened gas and house fuels, 25s. to 27s.; West Yorkshire Hartleys, 27s. to 27s. 6d.; Parkgates, 26s. to 26s. 6d.; Derbyshire steams (at Grimsby), 28s. 6d. to 30s. The October returns of exports of coal from Hull is disappointing, the total foreign shipped being less than half of what it was in the corresponding month of last year, and equal to only 24,000 tons per week. France again took more than half—viz., 67,534 tons, equal to 55*9 per cent., Sweden coming next with 33,134 tons, or 27’5 per cent. The exports for the 10 months to date are only 936,604 tons, against 2,207,255 tons same period last year, France being represented by 486,962 tons, against 1,399,965 tons, Italy 125,408 tons, against 56,785 tons, and Sweden by 149,976 tons, against 266,469 tons. Chesterfield. COAL. There is a fully sustained demand for every class of coal, the domestic kind being in particularly strong request. It is impossible to give prompt delivery. The cartage difficulty at the receiving stations is causing great delay, much to the inconvenience of householders. Fuel for manufacturing purposes is much called for, and nuts for gas-producers are in particularly urgent demand. There is no scarcity of slack for boiler firing; best brands are wanted but secondary qualities move slowly and prices of these are weak. Gas coal is in great requisition and locomotive coal is in very urgent request, but supplies are not by any means plentiful. No improvement can be reported in the export trade. It is almost impossible to do business owing to the difficulty in obtaining licences and the serious shortage of shipping tonnage. Exporters are not hopeful of a better state of things, though the negotiations with Italy are concluded, unless a larger supply of ships become available. Price of steam coal is nominally 29s. per ton delivered at Grimsby. The coke market is firm, there being a good demand for all qualities. Coking fuel is in active request. 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. Business continues active all round. Nottingham. COAL. With the colder season advancing, the demand for domestic fuel continues to increase. Most local merchants have more orders in hand than they can complete without some delay and the pressure on the collieries for prompt deliveries is very heavy. In view of the present situation, there being many contracts in arrear, owners are practically unable to negotiate outside sales and the quantity of fuel available at landsale depots is very limited. The advance in prices which came into operation last week has had no appreciable effect in checking the demand by the public. There is no marked change with regard to the steam coal branch, the daily output being readily disposed of. The export trade is showing a little more activity, but consider- ing the urgent needs in the home market, the tonnage leaving the county for shipment is of a restricted character. There is a scarcity of nuts in consequence of the big demand. Slacks are meeting with a good sale, particularly the better class sorts, but supplies of common qualities are not difficult to obtain. 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. 19/ -20/ 18/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 11/ L’st week’s prices. 19/ -20/ 18/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 11/ Last year’s prices. 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/ 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 11/6-12/6 10/6-11/ 11/ Leicestershire. COAL. The increase in the demand is now practically confined to the smallest domestic consumers. This has brought about an extremely difficult situation for all colliery managers. The demand for manufacturing fuel is very great, and a large proportion of household has to be allotted to this purpose every day. There is a big demand for London and district for deep and main cobbles and nuts for special purposes, and this section of the trade could be very largely extended if only supplies were available. Offers for ship- ment are altogether out of the question, and cannot be entertained. Coal merchants in country districts can only secure very limited supplies, and notwithstanding all efforts to economise in fuel, very great hardships in the near future seem inevitable. All the small accumulations of coal dust at the pits have been cleared, and there are no stocks of any kind on hand. Coal yards at country stations have been swept clean, and there is no sign of any improve- ment in the near future. 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/ 14/ -15/ 14/6-15/6 13/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 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. 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/ 12/ -13/ 13/ -13/6 11/ -12/ 5/ - 6/ 14/ -15/ 14/6-15/6 13/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 13/9-14/9 14/ -15/ 12/6-13,6 13/9-14/9 12/6-13/6 South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The attendance of colliery representatives was not large at the weekly market, neither had they anything to offer, although merchants are willing and anxious to buy. Transactions were accordingly restricted. Best coal is