964 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN November 1?, 1916. to 30s. per ton, and better sorts are from 31s. to 36s. 6d. per ton net at the mines. The imports of foreign iron ore at the Senhouse Dock at Maryport last week amounted to 12,000 tons. South-West Lancashire. COAL. Notwithstanding the mildness of the weather and the provision many householders have already made, the demand for household coal continues very brisk, and supplies are barely adequate. There is little change to report as regards shipping. The shortage of carrying tonnage is the more seriously felt, by reason of delays through the rough weather and other causes. Ordinary bunkering requirements, whether on contract or open sale account, are only moderate. On the other hand, Govern- ment requirements are fairly heavy. Supplies, though restricted, are somewhat in excess of demand, and there is considerable detention of wagons through late arrivals of steamers. Lancashire steam coals remain at 23s. to 24s. f.o.b., but concessions are given in special cases to clear wagons. In the coastwise and cross-Channel service vessels are slowly getting into better running, and a brisk trade is in progress. The scarcity of tonnage is so great, and freights are so high, that a considerable tonnage is going by rail to the extreme south-west of England that in more normal times was sent by small sailers. As regards slacks the demand may now be said to be equal to the supply, and it is very exceptional where there are any odd lots for disposal. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current prices. 21/ 25/6 19/ -20/ 24/6 18/ 24/ upwds. 18/ 23/ -24/ 16/ 15/6 14/6 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............... L'st week's Last year's prices. prices. 21/ 20 9 25/6 ? 22/6-23/ 19/ -20/ i 1 19/ 24/6 [ 20/ -21/ 18/ 16/9-17/ 24/ 18/6-19/ 18/ 16/ -17/ 23/ -24/ 18/3-19/ 16/ 14/6 15/6 12/6 14/6 11/ 11/6 South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a good attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. House coal continues in heavy demand, with not too libera] supplies offering. Furnace coal is brisk, but shipping coal only on the moderate side. Slack continues to be offered freely, especially the cheaper qualities. 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 prices. 22/ -23/ 19/6-21/ 18/ -18/6 17/6-18/ 25/ -26/ 16/upwds 14/6 upwds 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 good attendance on 'Change in Manchester on Tuesday last, but there is no alteration to report. Prices and deliveries are still arranged by the manufacturer. All works are fully occupied. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The firm tone of the market was fully maintained on Tuesday, when there was a large attendance, in which buyers predominated. There was very little offering, except steam slacks. Colliery representatives had prac- tically nothing to sell, and new business done was of very small proportions. House coal was in very strong demand, with keen enquiries for spot parcels of gas coal. The continuance of full time working of the pits was reported by colliery agents, but difficulties were experienced in regard to the wagon supply, as the scarcity of railway trucks increases, and other wagons are subject to serious delays on the railways. The supply of house coal available for the London market is quite inadequate to meet the needs of the merchants, who find the retail trade at the depots very much busier. Best coal is entirely reserved for contractors, and is not offered in the open market. The buying of hard steam coal as a means of making good the insufficiency of house coal is still a feature. In the coastwise branch the difficulty of securing boats hampers business, which is confined to contract coal. As much as 13s. 6d. per ton has been unsuccessfully offered for a 1,500 ton boat from Hull to London. West Riding house coal merchants are well employed. The retail trade shows a considerable expansion in the last few weeks, especially in bags and specially sized qualities, but supplies coming from the collieries are insufficient. Merchants who did not contract for their requirements are faced with great difficulties, especially those who cannot send their own trucks to the collieries. Pit prices for the West Riding, subject, as all other prices, to the observation that they are more or less nominal, are as follow :--Haigh Moor selected, 21s. to 22s.; Silkstone best, 20s. to 21s.; Silkstone house, 18s. to 19s.; other qualities, 17s. to 18s. Practically all the output of gas coal is required for contract deliveries, which are now on a heavy scale. Unscreened gas coal is not being made, as there is such a demand for coking slacks. Nor are gas nuts being offered on the open market. Anxiety to purchase prompt parcels of gas coal is still displayed by works in London and the south. Ship- ments to France are limited by the difficulty in securing boats. Steam slacks are weaker, but all other qualities of manufacturing fuel are scarce. Generally speaking there is no serious complaint of shortage, however, and large consumers are making an effort to secure stocks, in view of the railway delays which are inevitable this winter, and the holiday interruptions at Christmas. Coking smalls are unprocurable in the open market. The coke ovens are turning out every ounce possible without succeeding in satisfying the needs of the consumers. In the complete absence of stocks, supplies are of a hand-to-mouth description. 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/ , 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 Prices f.o.b. Hull:— 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 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/ ; 18/6-19/6 18/ -19/ Other qualities Gas coal:— Prices at pit: 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 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 ... Other sorts:— Prices at pit: 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 13/6-14/6 Washed nuts Large double-screened 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -16/6 engine nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 14'6-15/6 Small nuts Rough unscreened 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 13/6-14/6 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/ 1 10,6-11/6 Coking smalls Coke:— Price at ovens: 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 j 11/ -12/ Furnace coke 25/8 25/8 23./ -24/ Barnsley. COAL. So far as the collieries are concerned there is little alter- ation in the character of business. Every effort is being made to increase the output and the demand for house coal and coking slacks is of a more pressing character. The shortage of tonnage is now becoming an added factor in the quieter state of the export trade, and consequently the supply of large steams for home purposes continues to be of fairly satisfactory. character. The demand for national purposes is of an active description, and the supply needed for the railway companies continues to be of a heavy description each day. It is still the case that a considerable bulk of hards is taken in lieu of nuts, which continue to be short of meeting the huge demand by the munition works and other large concerns. In regard to foreign business it is reported a considerable tonnage has been arranged for on the basis of present selling prices for shipment during the early part of next year. There is also a little movement in regard to the renewal of the railway companies' contracts but it is not expected there will be any difficulty in fixing these up, with the question of values already settled. The requirements of the railway companies have to be supplied though some collieries may be called upon to supply a larger tonnage than formerly. There has been little alteration in regard to the demand for ordinary slacks and odd lots are still sold at reduced values to avoid stock, but there is hardly any difficulty in dealing with this situation. The problem of providing an adequate tonnage of slack suitable for coke making is still a serious one, and collieries are hard pressed to give the maximum tonnage. The requirements are of such an extensive character that despite all effort they cannot be met and in some cases resort has to be made to the crushing of large fuel to keep the ovens fully at work. The supply of gas coal is well maintained under contract .but a fairly active enquiry exists for odd lots of this class of fuel which are occasionally available, notably for nuts and screened sorts. The pressure for larger supplies of house coal is becoming more keenly felt. Though the contract deliveries are on a heavy scale, merchants in London and the south are keenly enquiring for surplus lots, especially of the better grade fuel, whilst the enquiry on account of the West Riding and nearer markets is also of a more active description. Collieries are so heavily booked up with orders that they are unable to entertain new offers, and buyers have the greatest difficulty in procuring occasional lots. The demand for furnace coke is again of an extensive description, and the make is still short of the requirements of the pig iron district. Strong pressure is applied to augment the production, but this is very difficult. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year's House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstono 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 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ Secondary do 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals 17/6-18'6 17/6-18'6 17/6-18/ Secondary do 16/6-17/6 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/ 12 6-13/ Secondary do 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ Gas coals:— 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 Furnace coke 25/8 25/8 22/ -23/ Hull. COAL. There is no improvement to be recorded at Hull and the Humber ports generally, but rather the reverse, the market being brought nearly to a standstill owing to the inability of available shipping tonnage to cope with the coal awaiting shipment. Steamers as they come to hand are quickly taken up and turned round as soon as possible for French ports where the delay seems chronic. This lack of efficient transport consequently makes its effect felt on the trend of business, which is confined chiefly to a few accom- modation lots and small consignments per regular steamer to neutral ports. Under the circumstances prices show a distinctly weaker tendency, contractors being ready to allow a substantial discount from current quota- tions in order to effect sales. Not only steam coal, but all kinds are easier, although tho strong inland demand prevents anything like a slump in values. Current quotations for prompt or nearly prompt shipment are about as follow, and largely nominal .-—Best South Yorkshire hards, 29s. to 30s.; washed doubles and singles, 23s. to 24s.; washed small coal, 18s. to 18s. 6d ; rough slack, 15s. 6d. to 16s.; screened gas and house fuels, 25s. to 27s.; West Yorkshire Hartleys, 27s. to 27s. 6d.; Park- gates, 26s.; Derbyshire steam hards (at Grimsby), 28s. to 29s. 6d. Nothing of note has transpired in the freight market. In the month of October the quantity of coal shipped to foreign countries from all the Humber ports amounted to only 167,850 tons, against 339,790 tons in October last year, and of the total, France took 90,711 tons, equal to 54 per cent., and Sweden 46,270 tons, equal to 27’5 per cent. For the 0 months to date the Humber foreign export was 1,482,412 tons, against 3,498,492 tons in the same 10 months of 1915, France accounting for 583,984 tons, against 1,482,412 tons. The big decline is accounted for in the first place by the heavy calls made on the Yorkshire and Midland output by our home factories, and secondly by the licensing and tonnage restrictions. The Italian scheme of limited freights and prices has not yet come into operation, owing to a difficulty as to whether the exporter should carry the responsibility to the shipowner for demurrage at ports of discharge. Chesterfield. COAL. The demand for house coal continues strong, orders coming to hand freely day by day. Buyers are pressing for deliveries, but it is impossible to satisfy customers’ require- ments with any degree of promptitude. Fuel of all kinds for industrial purposes is in keen demand, and all qualities of nuts are in particularly urgent request. The supply of this fuel is much below the requirements of the market, in spite of the fact that shipment of nuts is not permitted, Railway companies are badly in need of locomotive coal, and although they were able to increase slightly their reserve stocks during the summer, much difficulty will, it is feared, be experienced in loading up any of this coal owing to shortage of labour. It is of vital importance that current deliveries should, at any rate, not fall below the daily consumption. Collieries fully realise the position, and every effort is being made to meet it. With regard to the export trade, a few more orders for steam coal are on the market for Italy at limitation prices, but the scarcity of steamers proves a serious difficulty in dealing with this business. The coke market shows no change on the week. There is a full demand for all qualities at the scheduled prices. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Best house coals prices. 17/ prices. 17/ prices. 17/ Secondary do 16/6 16/6 16/6 Cobbles 16/ 16/ 16/ Nuts 15/ 15/ 15/ 12/6 Slack 12/6 12/6 IRON. There is great pressure for delivery of all classes of iron, and the works of the district are employed to their utmost capacity. To meet the growing demand extensions of plant are pretty general, and great activity is apparent on every hand. Nottingham. COAL. Considering the exceptional circumstances merchants are receiving fair supplies of domestic fuel from the collieries, the output of which is being well maintained. The supplies are in most cases absorbed by current requirements, and the replenishing of stocks for the winter season is prac- tically impossible. An increasing demand is noticeable at the landsale depots on account of the needs of small con- sumers. With merchants pressing for full supplies on contract account, there is little fuel to be obtained in the open market, as all qualities are eagerly accepted. The activity in the steam coal branch is fully maintained, and although owners are making every effort to keep the output at as high a level as possible, the demand is such that all the tonnage available is quickly disposed of. In view of war requirements, the export trade is on a limited scale. A brisker tone is manifesting itself in the slack market, more especially in regard to better class sorts, but supplies of ordinary kinds are not so difficult to obtain. Coking slacks are scarcer Prices at pithead. Last year's prices. 17/6-18 6 16/ -17/ I 15/ -16/ I 16/ -17/ | 15/ -16/ | 11/6-12/6 | 10/ -11/ I n/ Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals......... Secondary do............. Best hard coals.......... Secondary do ............ Slacks (best hards)...... Do. (second) .......... Do. (soft)............. Current |L'stweek’s prices. prices. 19/ -20/ I 19/ -20/ 18/ -18/6 I 18/ -18 6 17/ -18/ ! 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 i 10/6-11/6 11/ I 11/ Leicestershire. COAL. The demand for all classes of coal continues to increase, but as there is no increase in the output it is impossible for colliery managers to make any response. Some of the appeals for coal of any kind that may be available are altogether outside the ordinary range of business experience. For that and other obvious reasons, a record ought to be made of the fact, as one of the pathetic features of the appeal for an extension of output to meet essential requirements. A typical example comes from a large firm of coal factors “ somewhere in the west of England.” The