1120 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. December 8, 1916. impossible to accept the orders that are being offered, and merchants endeavouring to supplement their contract supplies meet with no success. Coastwise, very little at all is being done this week, except contract coal. There are no boats offering, even at the present high freights, and south coast customers are increasingly dependent upon railborne supplies. For the same reason shipments of coal to France are considerably curtailed. West Riding merchants find the public demand, chiefly for the cheaper qualities, fairly active, but the scarcity of supplies is such that ground stocks have to be lifted. Pit prices for the West Riding :— Haigh Moor selected, 21s. to 22s.; Silkstone best, 20s. to 21s. ; Silkstone house, 18s. to 19s. ; other qualities, 17s. to 18s. Gas coal is quite inactive in the open market, so far as actual business is concerned. There are many inquiries from London works and factories, but all the output is needed for contracts, and the collieries have nothing to sell, especially as contract requirements are increased on account of the approach of the holidays. Manufacturing fuel is also very scarce. Small slacks are^offered fairly freely, but of no other quality is the supply really adequate. Some of the munition works which have been completed recently are requiring greater quantities of nuts and the better slacks, and these qualities are very scarce indeed. As to washed furnace coke, the call from the Frodingham district and the Midlands, as well as the iron and steel works in the Leeds district, is extremely keen. There are strong rumours that one or two of the iron and steel works are being pressed by the authorities to erect additional furnaces, and if this be done the question of where the necessary coke is to come from will be difficult of solution. Supplies are already quite inadequate. The prices in the appended list are all more or less nominal. House coal:— Current L'st week's Last year's Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. I 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 Do. house 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ ■ 18/6-19/6 Other qualities 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ Gas nuts 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 12/6-13/6 Best rough slacks.. 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 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/ Barnsley. COAL. Numerous enquiries are still made for nearly all classes of coal. The pressure is increased consequent upon the delays in transit. The situation as to large steams continues to be favourable to home consumers, the scarcity of shipping tonnage causing a good supply of fuel to be available for the home needs, which are less pressing than was formerly the case. Values are again weaker at the ports for prompt business, and a considerable tonnage of this class of coal is still being taken to substitute the scarcity of nuts so extensively required by concerns on national work. Though the export of nuts is still refused, the enormous demand cannot be adequately met, and this feature of the trade continues to be an anxious one. There is some little movement in respect to arrangements for foreign trade over next year apart from markets where scheduled prices operate, but something like the present range of values is being accepted. The supply of gas coal for home concerns is again of a satisfactory character, though the export to France and Italy is also fairly brisk. The demand upon the gas companies is, however, now about at the maximum, and there are good enquiries for extra lots of screened fuel, especially nuts. The demand f«r engineering slacks is also of a vigorous description, but cannot be fully met, though, of course, the present require- ments are of a particularly heavy character. The difficulty of disposing of ordinary slacks is still experienced, and stocks are accumulating, though the trouble is more acute perhaps in adjoining districts than that of South Yorkshire. However, the shortage of other fuel enables collieries to substitute this grade of fuel, and somewhat relieves the position. The colder weather has already brought a bigger rush for house coal, but collieries are unable to meet this. Contract supplies are of a heavy description, but the delay 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 -L 9 1 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals 17/6-18/6 17/6-18 z6 17/6-18/ Secondary do 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ Best washed nuts 16/s—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 j 23/ -23/6 in delivery to London and the south is causing merchants to seek additional tonnage to provide against emergency. There is also a keener request for the nearer markets, but the scarcity of all classes of fuel, especially of the best sorts, is particularly marked. Merchants, also, have great difficulty in effecting delivery owing to the shortage of labour, and the position is again one of considerable anxiety. In regard to furnace coke, the pressure for the pig iron districts is unabated, though the make is maintained at the highest possible level. Hull. COAL. The export trade from the Humber is practically at a standstill owing to the insufficiency of shipping tonnage, which makes it almost impossible to keep up shipments under contract at anything like a respectable level. A considerable quantity of freightage is held up at French ports, where the delay in discharging is chronic, and, until some of this is released, as it is hoped it will be by the recent appointment of an English railway expert, it is out of the question to expect either arrears to be cleared off or new business entered upon. Moreover, the refusal of exporters on this side to pay extra war risk insurance continues a bar to Norwegian tonnage offering, and Swedish is prohibited trading with any but their own ports. Any prospects of December showing an improvement appear to have vanished, and what little business there is passing is confined to odd spot lots, for which contractors are accepting reduced figures for ready accommodation, large steam coal continuing to have an easier and lower tendency. Under the circumstances, shipments at the docks are again on the light side, and practically nothing is doing in the freight market, except two or three fixtures for Gothenburg at 31 kr. Christiania has been done at 45s. for coke, and two or three vessels for French ports at limitation rates have been booked. There is a good enquiry for the Mediterranean, but nothing offering. Prices for prompt and shipment this side of Christmas are largely nominal, and as follow:—Best South Yorkshire steam hards, 28s.; washed nuts (doubles and singles), 24s.; washed smalls, 18s.; rough slack, 15s. to 16s.; West Yorkshire Hartleys, 27s. to 27s. 6d.; screened gas and house coal, 25s. to 27s.; Derbyshire steam hards (at Grimsby), 28s. to 29s. Chesterfield. COAL. The demand for house coal has become much stronger during the last few days, but unfortunately the supply is seriously below the needs of the market. Orders are coming in freely. Much delay in the execution of these is inevitable. All classes of fuel for industrial purposes are in urgent request, and nuts are in particularly strong demand. There is an improvement in the market for slack, and secondary sorts are again in better request. Gas coal and locomotive fuel are going forward in good quantities daily. Scarcity of shipping tonnage prevents any revival in the export trade, and the outlook in this respect is very unsatisfactory. Orders for coal for shipment are fairly plentiful, but these cannot be dealt with until ships are available. The price of Derbyshire best hards is about 28s. to 28s. 6d. per ton delivered at Grimsby. There is no change in the condition of the coke market, which main- tains its steady character. The demand for all qualities of coke is strong and prices remain firm. Coking fuel is much wanted. Prices at pit. Best house coals ....... Secondary do............ Cobbles ................ Nuts ................... Slack .................. Current L'st week’s Last year's prices. prices. prices. 17/ 17/ 17/ 16 6 16 6 16/6 16/ 16/ 16/ 15/ 15/ 15/ 12/6 12/6 12/6 IRON. Activity characterises the iron trade in every section, and orders are plentiful. Nottingham. COAL. . During the past week a stronger tone has developed in the coal trade of this country, more particularly in the domestic fuel branch, the colder weather having had a stimulating effect. Local merchants have more orders in hand than they can execute without some delay, as they have to be content with limited supplies from the collieries, the pressure for deliveries on which is increa'ing. Never- theless, owners are dealing with the situation in as satis- factory a manner as possible under the circumstances, and are exercising discrimination in the allotment of supplies. There is a shortage of practically every quality, for merchants are ready to accept any fuel, they having no stocks to draw upon. There is little change in regard to steam coal, on which section there is a continued heavy demand, and collieries have a difficulty to meet it. The export trade remains comparatively quiet. Cobbles and nuts are in brisk request. As to slacks, coking sorts are scarce, but other qualities are in fair supply. Coke is showing an increased demand, and prices are moving upward. Prices at pithead. Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals......... Secondary do............. Best hard coals.......... Secondary do ............ Slacks (best hards)...... Do. (second) .......... Do. (soft)............. L’st week’s|Last year’s prices. | prices. 19/ -20/ ! 17/6-18/6 18/ -18/6 i 16/6-17/ 17/ -18/ ■ 15/6-16/ 17/ -18/6 j 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ j 15/ -16/ 12/ -13/ j 11/9-12/6 I 10/6-11/6 j 10/6-11/ I 11/ | H/ Current prices. 18/6-20/ 18/ —18/6 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 11/ Leicestershire. COAL. There is no improvement in the serious condition of affairs, but, on the contrary, things become gradually worse, with no sign of any relief in the near future. The severe weather has given a stimulus to that portion of the trade which it is most difficult to meet, and the demands from coal merchants in the great centres of population cannot, as far as any increase is concerned, be entertained. It is practically impossible to divert coal from other channels in order to meet the increased requirements of thousands of small users. The essential needs of large firms under Government control are still increasing, and it is evident that the maximum consumption has not yet been reached. There is a very strong demand for London and district for deep and main cobbles and nuts for special requirements, and the whole of the supplies are absorbed day by day. There are big demands for the south which cannot be entertained. The needs of country merchants are being fairly well covered, but there is great risk of shortage in the enforced hand-to-mouth methods, and all coal yards are swept clean. Merchants complain strongly of the difficulties attending handling the coal in consequence of the increasing shortage of labour. Railway- owned wagons are getting very scarce, and it seems certain that the position will soon be worse. There are some accumulations of small dust on account of labour shortage in regard to stokers, but otherwise there are no stocks of any kind. 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 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/ L’st week's Last year's prices. | prices. 17/ -19/ 15/6-17/ - 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ | 14/6-15/6 j 12/9—13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-14/ 12/ -13/ 13/ —13/6 11/ -12/ 5/ - 6/ 14/ -15/ 14/6-15/6 13/6-15/ 14/ —15/ 12/6-13/6 14/ -15/ 13/9-14/9 14/6-15/6 14/ -15/ 13/6-15/ 12/6-13 6 14/ -15/ 13/9-14/9 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 kitcheners............. Steams, best hand picked Steams, seconds ......... Main cobbles for kitcheners Main breeze.............. South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The situation in the coal trade has not improved. Wagons are held up through shortage of men to cart the fuel away, merchants from the same cause are restricting deliveries to shorter areas—at least, they will give no guarantee of delivery, and they cannot supply new customers. Prices to the customer, therefore, incline to harden. All descriptions of fuel are in strong demand. Pithead prices remain on the following basis : 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. In their essential features the iron and steel trades of the district show little change from recent weeks. The system of quoting prices net is now fairly general throughout the finished branches, with the exception of marked bars, which are quoted <£15 10s., less 2| per cent. A gratifying feature is the substantial improvement in the output of the district, as indicated by the latest return of the Midland Wages Board. During September and October the 17 selected firms whose sales regulate wages turned out 32,235 tons compared with 28,940 tons during the preceding two months, and the largest output with one exception since the beginning of the war. The selling price advanced by 6s. 4d. on the preceding two months to <£14 8s. 6d., carrying a five per cent, advance on ironworkers' wages. The demand for practically all descriptions of material continues unabated. Makers of pig iron are booking on a restricted scale. A good enquiry exists for export since this class of trade was allowed. Stocks have been reduced in conse- quence, and prices are stiffening, being within 6d. to Is. 6d. below the limit even for forge qualities. Sales of Midland iron are also being made for Scotland. The scrap trade is active and strong. Wrought iron scrap is none too abundant, and commands an average of about <£6 15s. a ton, while steel melting scrap, which the furnaces are glad enough to get hold of, is sold freely at the maximum of <£5 10s. delivered. Bar iron makers keep getting fresh additions to already well-filled order books. For unmarked qualities, outside controlled supplies, nothing under <£14 5s. net is quoted. Orders for small sizes of iron are being reduced daily, especially those intended for export, even although certificates are available. The basis price of <£16 10s. is readily paid for home orders. The sheet mills are working under their productive capacity, the difficulty of obtaining sheet bars being as great as ever. Local supplies are deficient, and there is an increasing difficulty in obtaining American material. Hardly any work in either galvanised or black corrugated sheets is done except under class A certificates. For the former the quotations are still <£28 10s. to <£29, and black sheets are firm at the advanced rate of .£19 10s., for 18 to 24 gauge, with an additional <£1 if painted. Copper sheets have advanced by £2 to <£189>^ _