132 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 19, 1917. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ also very keen. Colliery agents reported that the pits had worked full time this week, and that the slight improve- ment in the supply of empty wagons since the holidays is maintained. With regard to the London house coal trade, reports show that merchants are well occupied at the _________ ________ depots, but the supplies, which are mainly in private trucks, are inadequate, and stocks at the depots are fast approaching exhaustion. Coastwise very little business is being done, except in buyers’ boats, and freights rule high —about 16s. Hull to London. A fair quantity of the cheaper grades of house coal is being shipped to France at, limitation prices. Locally, conditions are unchanged^ Merchants are busy, particularly with bagging sorts. The renewal of gas coal contracts does not make any progress, both buyers and sellers being inclined to wait events, or at any rate some clear indication of what is likely to happen in regard to the future of the pits. Works in London and the south are still in the market for prompt parcels, but the pressure is not quite so keen for supplies ex contracts, which absorb probably 90 per cent, of the output of gas coal. The position with regard to manufac- turing fuel is firm and steady. Small slacks have quite recovered from their recent weakness, and heavy deliveries are going into Lancashire. Large slacks are increasingly scarce, and nuts practically unprocurable. Supplies are fairly satisfactory for current needs, but the depots are generally free from stocks. Of coking smalls there is not enough to go round, and coke makers are still compelled to crush nuts and other coal. Coke itself is in such short supply that the delay in lighting additional iron and steel furnaces continues through the impossibility of securing coke. 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 prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ —20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ i 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 16/ -17/ • 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ 14/6—15/6 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 12/ -13/ 12/6-13/6 17/ -17/6 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 13/ -14/ 11 /-12/ 11/ -12/ Barnsley. COAL. The heavy pressure for all descriptions of fuel continues, and the recent severe weather has caused added difficulty to collieries in their attempt to deal with the situation. It was not unnatural that many workers resident a consider- able distance from the collieries were unable to attend work regularly, and the reduced output has been keenly felt. The position would indeed be acute but for the fact that the exports have continued on small lines, the con- sumption on home account having grown enormously, and, in regard to some descriptions of fuel, the shortage is of a pronounced description. Though the product of large steam coal continues, comparatively speaking, of extensive dimensions, there is no surplus offering. Though the railway companies have restricted the train service, other demands maintain the heavy consumption of fuel. The problem of providing anything like a satisfactory supply of nuts for the munition works is of ever-increasing difficulty. Concerns have to get along with little more than hand-to-mouth deliveries, and little of this grade of fuel is available for other purposes. The great scarcity of slack suitable for coke- making purposes is also a very anxious matter. Coke makers are receiving demands of an unprecedented description, and though it is questionable if these could be met, the effort is retarded, consequent upon the inability of procuring the required tonnage of raw material. Ordinary slacks are also being disposed of in a more satisfactory manner, and little surplus is available in this respect. There is decidedly more enquiry for surplus lots of gas coal, though the contract deliveries are fairly well maintained. The contract deliveries, however, are of such a character that there is very little surplus to be obtained. In respect to house coal, the demand continues to be of a very vigorous description. Again, contract arrangements, largely absorb the production, and arrears of deliveries are now of a considerable character. Buyers have the greatest Prices at pit. Current L’stweek’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/ -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 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/ Secondary do. 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/ Best washed., nuts 16/3-16/6 16/3-16/6 16/3-16/6 Secondary do 15/6-16/3 15/9-16/3 15/9-16/3 Best slack 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ Secondary do. Gas coals:— 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ Screened gas coals 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 Unscreened do 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 15/67-16/ Gas nuts 16/ 16/ 16/6 Furnace coke........... 25/8 25/8 24/ difficulty in placing any new business, and consumers have to get along with reduced deliveries at such a difficult period. Very insistent is the demand for furnace coke, especially for the North Lincolnshire and other pig iron districts. The Government officials are exerting pressure on coke manufacturers, but it seems to be hardly possible to do more than is the case at present. Hull. COAL. The Humber coal market has been in a very unsettled and almost stagnant condition all the week, pending a definite announcement with regard to the allocation of shipping and the outcome of the proposals to increase the limitation rates of freight for French and Italian ports. It is now formally announced on ’Change that shipbrokers from Monday next must submit any tonnage they may have for the French and Italian trades to the Humber committee, who will allocate it to exporters from voyage to voyage. In this way it is hoped that the fullest use will be made of the tonnage and the coal export from the Humber facilitated. As to the second question, nothing official has thus far transpired, but it is generally anticipated that the rates will be raised in order to induce more foreign tonnage to ’offer. Under the circumstances existing very'little business has been put through, and prices of coal are therefore largely nominal, best South Yorkshire hards being steady round about 29s., and Derbyshire steam hards at 28s to 29s. for prompt or nearly prompt shipment. Other kinds, for which there is a good land sale, are steady, washed nuts being quoted 24s. to 25s., washed small 18s., rough slack 16s. to 16s. 6d., West Yorkshire Hartleys 27s. 6d. to 28s., Parkgates 26s. 6d. The returns of the coal exports from all the Humber ports to foreign countries now available show that the total sent from the Humber in 1916 was the lowest recorded for many years—viz., 1,695,006 tons, against 2,919,434 tons in 1915, Grimsby, Immingham and Goole accounting for only 633,000 tons, and Hull over a million tons. More than half was sent to France—viz., 899,600 tons, equal to 53 per cent., the next in order being Sweden, 224,348 tons, or 13'8 per cent.; Italy, 173,631 tons, or 10’2 per cent.; Holland, 143,708 tons; Denmark, 48,486 tons; Channel Islands, 36,751 tons; Norway, 32,999 tons; and South America, 17,060 tons. The London and coastwise shipments were 785,000 tons, against 1,541,172 tons. Chesterfield. COAL. Every class of coal that the collieries of this district produce is in very great demand, and the pressure to secure quick delivery is stronger than ever. House coal orders are coming to hand in increasing numbers, but anything like prompt execution of these is out of the question. The demand for all kinds of fuel for industrial purposes is on an enormous scale and becomes more pronounced week by week. . There is a continued scarcity of nuts, the demand for which is stronger than ever. It is beyond the power of the collieries to satisfy customers’ requirements. Cobbles for gas-producers are also in short supply. There is a much improved demand for slack for boiler firing, and the secondary qualities, which recently were in quieter request, are now moving freely. Gas coal and steam coal for loco- motive use are in active demand, with supplies still below the needs of gas works and the railways. No improvement in the conditions of the export trade can be reported, as owing to the great and growing shortage of steamers it is practically impossible to do any business. Orders are in exporters’ hands and licences are obtainable, but ships to carry the coal are not available. The price of the best brands of Derbyshire Top Hards is nominally 28s. to 29s. per ton delivered Grimsby. There is no change in the condition of the coke market, which is active. The demand for all qualities continues strong, and prices are very firm. Prices at pit. Current L’stweek’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/ Slack 12/6 12/6 12/6 IRON. The iron trade of the district is exceedingly active in all departments, and work is plentiful all round. Every establishment is working up to its full capacity, and in many cases extensions are being made with the object of increasing the output. __________________ Nottingham. COAL. The wintry weather of the past few days has given a stimulus to the house coal trade which, so far as local merchants are concerned, had displayed a falling off since the Christmas holidays. Orders are now coming to hand with more regularity from the public, and merchants, having cleared off some outstanding orders, are better able to deal with current requirements. There is no relaxation of pressure on collieries, which in most cases have to decline new business, as the output is fully absorbed by present contracts and accepted orders, and there is little doing in outside dealings. With a better supply of railway wagons at the pits, there is less delay in despatching tonnage to London and country merchants. Steam fuel continues in brisk request. Large steams are in fair supply, but nuts and cobbles are scarcely equal to the demand, as a heavy tonnage is set apart for firms engaged on war work. The export trade continues quiet. Slacks are in 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. 18/6-20/ 18/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 11/ L’st week’s prices. 18/6-20/ 18/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 11/ "I Last year’s prices. 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/ 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 11/9-12/6 [10/6-11/ I 11/ which is fairly met with the exception of the coke-producing grades, and of these there is a decided shortage. The out- put of gas coal is practically cleared by contract require- ments in the home market. Leicestershire. COAL. The conditions at the collieries in this district are remarkably strenuous, and the pressure for speedy deliveries is greater than ever. The demand for household is extremely keen but as the quantities available are very restricted it is impossible to do more than meet the most urgent claims and to give hand-to-mouth deliveries. The exceptionally severe weather has raised the consumption of the thousands of small users at the great centres of population to the maximum. At the same time the railway facilities have been hampered by the bad weather and the shortage of labour. Country merchants have been experiencing a very trying time on account of the difficulties brought about by the ice-bound roads and the shortness of supplies. Country coal yards have never been so bare of stocks and there are no reserves of any kind on hand. There is a very big demand for London and district for all classes of household and also for both main and deep cobbles and nuts for special requirements. Manu- facturing fuel is in greater demand than ever, and all the supplies of peas for mechanical stokers are cleared off as fast as they are available. There are no stocks of any kind at the pits. 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’stweek’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/ 14/ -15/ 14/6-15/6 13/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 Last year’s prices. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-14/ 12/ -13/ 13/ -13/6 11/ -12/ 5/ - 6/ 13/9-14/9 14/ -15/ 12/ -13/ 13/9-14/9 12/6-13/6 ________ ________ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The coal trade has been beset with even more than ordinary difficulties during the week, because of the bad weather. Supplies from the pits have been delayed, and deliveries have been interfered with. It is reckoned that on this latter account about one-third of each working day has been lost during the week. At the same time, the call on the depots keeps increasing, and it is difficult to meet it. There is considerable pressure for works fuel, and stocks are low at many establishments, though no case of actual stoppage is heard of. Slacks are scarce. 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. While the market did not show much change, reports suggested that business has developed fairly freely since the quarterly meeting last week, especially in the raw material branches. The tone is as firm as it was, some grades of Northamptonshire forge being still a weak feature. A little weakness is also said to have developed in North Staffordshire foundry iron, but Derbyshire and South Staffordshire brands are not affected, and makers are rather reluctant to extend their forward bookings. Maximum prices in the finished branches remain undisturbed, and there is no indication of any change, being made for the present. Conditions are such that for the home trade merchants are unable to sell a bit of steel without a certificate. This also applies to the bulk of the iron output, though here a little latitude is allowed. The tube strip trade is extremely active, and prices range from <£15 upwards, according to circumstances. Steel strip is <£17 15s. net. These branches are not controlled. Pressure continues in the bar trade, and most of the output is distributed • under priority certificates, thereby shutting out the civil trade. Maximum prices are easily obtained—namely, <£15 10s. for marked bars, and <£13 15s. for unmarked. Nut and bolt iron, for which no limit price has been fixed, com- mands <£14 5s. net delivered. Makers have as much work on hand as they can undertake, and are doing their utmost to maintain the output. The sheet mills are engaged almost entirely on Government business. Of galvanised sheets, liowever, the production is small, but black sheets are in much greater demand, and are sold at <£19 10s., which includes an advance of 10s. notified in the course of last quarter. The great difficulty is to get supplies of raw material. Neither American sheet bars or billets are to be had, wire rods from the States alone being on the market, and these are very dear. Bright mild steel wire has been advanced by £3 a ton. Maximum prices for finished steel rule all round.