February 16, 1917. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 339 There is still a complete absence of life in the fi eight market. Neutral tonnage is not yet coming on offer in response to the greatly increased rates, but there are hopes it will soon begin to do so ; meanwhile, outside of limitation ports, there are practically no fixtures to chronicle. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. . , COAL. The coal market is almost in a state of suspense so far as fresh business is concerned. Until tonnage comes to hand more freely and certain restrictions are removed, progress cannot be expected. In the meantime shipments on contracts are proceeding on a reduced scale. Prompt transactions are of a hand-to-mouth kind, and there is reason to believe that business in certain descriptions of coal is possible at something less than the limitation figures. Best Durham gas coal producers nominally hold to 25s., and second quality runs from 18s. to 19s. Bunker coal is offered freely, and though more is asked, 16s. 6d. is under- stood to have been accepted for ordinary Durhams, whilst best sorts are barely 19s. There is no change to report in the household coal trade. Coking coal continues to be well taken up at rates varying from 18s. to 20s. Coke keeps steady and firm. Local requirements are heavy, and no difficulty is experienced in obtaining for furnace kinds the fixed maximum prices that have ruled for some months past. Thus, average blastfurnace descriptions stand at 28s. at the ovens, and 30s. 6d. at the ovens is still quoted for qualities low in phosphorus. Best foundry coke is put at 42s. 6d., patent at 40s., and gas coke at round about 32s. IRON. A quiet, steady business continues in pig iron, of which there is now nc lack of supply. Allocations are being made freely, and the only handicap to regular supplies to home customers is shortage of trucks. . Deliveries generally, however, are on A satisfactory scale. Demand for Cleveland pig both on home account and for our Allies is good, and there are occasional enquiries on behalf of customers in neutral countries. Home users are very well placed and are not necessitated to buy for immediate delivery, but they are inclined to place orders ahead, and as makers also favour forward business, negotiations are proceeding for contracts over the second quarter of the year, subject, of course, to any official alterations in prices. Dor home consumption, No. 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry and No. 4 forge all stand at 87s 6d., and No. 1 is 91s. 6d.; for ship- ment to our Allies, No. 3 is 97s. 6d., No. 4 foundry 96s. 6d., No. 4 forge 95s. 6d., and No. 1 102s. 6d.; and for export to neutral countries the minimum rates named are 105s. for No. 3, and 110s. for No. 1. So far as east coast hsematite iron is concerned all legitimate home requirements are being fully met, and regular supplies are subject only to interruption due to lack of transport facilities. Licences for export are nothing like so difficult to obtain as they have been, and despatches to our Allies are being made as expeditiously as the tonnage situation will permit. Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are 122s. 6d. for home use, 137s. 6d. for ship- ment to France, and 142s. 6d. for export to Italy. Imports of foreign ore continue on a good scale. For the first half of February unloadings at the port of Middlesbrough total 101,542 tons. Manufacturers of finished iron and steel are working at full pressure, and are steadily increasing their already enormous output by laying down new plant and extending works. Prices are very strong. A new steel company has been formed with a capital of <£100,000. Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. The Cumberland coal trade remains in a satisfactory condition. In one or two of the branches the situation is a shade easier, and in some quarters the clamour for coal is probably not quite so keen as it was, but in the landsale and export accounts there has been little or no change, and business is, if anything, brisker than it was a week ago. There is a very strong enquiry for coals both for export and home consumption, and local requirements are still heavy enough to absorb the greater portion of the output, but the tone of the home market is not quite so firm as it was at the beginning of the month. It is not quite possible to satisfy the needs of all consumers to the full, but users engaged on work of national importance are at present receiving as much fuel as they require, and with a bigger output the collieries are not now finding so much difficulty in coping with the wants of their customers. Some of the collieries have as much business on hand as they need for the present, but as the pressure on home account is not so urgent, they are now making some progress with the arrears which accumulated rather too quickly towards the end of the year. With the exception of smalls, supplies of all sorts for home consumption are more plentiful this week. It is still impossible to deal with much outside business, but the situation is gradually improving, and it is fully anticipated that the collieries will shortly be in a better position, not only to cope more adequately with the require- ments of important consumers in West Cumberland, but also to send increased supplies to the docks for shipment to their Irish customers. The pits are all working at their fullest capacity, and production, more particularly in the western portion of the coal field, is now larger than it has been for some months. One or two of the larger pits are now said to be raising almost as much coal as they did before the outbreak of war. With regard to absenteeism, there has been a welcome change for the better in this locality of late. There is, however, still room for some improvement in the Whitehaven district, but it is stated that at the pits at Aspatria, Maryport and Siddick, a very large proportion of the men are working as regularly as they possibly can. More men will shortly be taken from the pits and the coke ovens for the Army, and some of them have already been examined by the medical board, but the number of hewers who will be “ combed out” is not expected to be large, as very few in this district have gone to the pits to work underground since August 1915. Some of the coke workers and those who have recently been employed on the surface will probably be taken, but they will, no doubt, be replaced by men above military age. The house coal trade all over the county is exceedingly brisk, and agents are still unable to deal with all the business that is coming in. During the last few days the position has been rendered more difficult owing to the severe weather and the shortage of labour. Merchants have had sufficient coal, but the roads have been in such a bad condition that it has been impossible to reach some of the outside districts, and a good many rural customers have, therefore, had to go short. Coal for gas making is in strong request, but very little outside business is being dealt with, and the only consignments going away are on contract. Engine fuels for the local railways are a very steady trade, but supplies are still very scarce, and consumers are only receiving sufficient to satisfy their more immediate requirements. Slacks, smalls and all varieties of fuel for industrial purposes are in very keen demand, and the bulk of the production of manufacturing fuel is still going to the coke ovens, the iron ore mines and iron and steel works in the district, but the requirements of one or two consumers have not been quite so heavy as usual this week. There is very little change to report in connection with the cross-Channel trade. The demand for all sorts for the Irish market is undiminished, but the collieries are still too busy on home account to deal with much of the business in the export branch, and, therefore, a good many Irish customers are now receiving the bulk of their supplies from Scotland. During the week 10 vessels have sailed from Maryport with coals, all for Irish ports, and the shipments have amounted to 2,545 tons, compared with 5,110 tons at this time last year, or a decrease of 915 tons compared with the previous week. The largest cargoes have been for Londonderry, Belfast, Carrickfergus and Newry. Coke makers are very busy, and all the by-product coke ovens in the county are in full blast. The entire output is being absorbed at the ironworks at Millom and in West Cumberland. Business is very brisk in the local by-products industry, and all the works in this neighbourhood are most actively engaged. There has been no alteration in either home or export prices. Best sorts at the pit are obtainable at from 22s. 6d. to 23s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at from 20s. lOd. to 21s. 3d. per ton. Best export coal is quoted at 19s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. Maryport, with best washed nuts at 17s. 6d. per ton. Works fuel is 20s. per ton, and best gas coal is quoted at 20s. per ton, delivered in the district. All classes of bunkers are in strong demand. Best sorts for foreign-going vessels are 30s. per ton, with mixed sorts at 25s. per ton; best bunkers for coasting vessels are 25s. per ton, with mixed sorts at 21s. 6d. per ton. Best house coal delivered in Maryport is from Is. 5|d. to Is. 6d. per cwt., or from 27s. 6d. to 28s. 4d. per ton; with washed nuts at 25s. lOd. per ton. At Workington, house coal delivered is 25s. lOd. per ton, with best washed nuts at 24s. 2d. per ton. Other quotations are as follow :— Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit 23/4 23/4 23/4 Best washed nuts at pit... 21/3 21/3 21/3 Buckhill best coal „ ... 22/6 22/6 22/6 Do. double-scrned washed nuts at pit ' 21/ 21/ 21/ Oughterside best coal at pit 22/6 22/6 22/6 Oughterside best washed nuts at pit 21/ 21/ 21/ St. Helens (Siddick) best coal at pit 22/6 22/6 22/6 St. Helens best house nuts at pit 21/ 21/ 21/ Best dry small at pit 12/6 12/6 12/ Best steam nuts „ 19/ 19/ 19/ Best Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. 19/6 19/6 19/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 17/6 17/6 17/6 Best bunkers (coastwise) 25/ 25/ 19/ Do. (for foreign-going steamers) 30/ 30/ 19/ Bunkers (mixed nuts and steam coal) (coastwise) 21/6 21/6 17/ -17/6 Do. (foreign) 25/ 25/ 17/ -17/6 Best coal for gasworks ... 20/ 20/ 19/3 Best washed nuts for gas- works 19/ 19/ 18/3 IRON. The Cumberland and North Lancashire hsematite pig iron trade has undergone very little change since last week. Business is still firm and brisk, and all departments in both the iron and steel industry are working at top pressure. The position is probably not quite so favourable as it was some time ago, but in spite of the difficulties with regard to labour and material, smelters are maintaining a very large output of both iron and steel. There is a phenomenal call for iron, the needs of both local and outside users continue to increase, and requirements on all hands are far in excess of the supply. The demand for special brands of iron is probably keener than it was at the end of the year. Makers are overwhelmed with orders, but at the moment very little is being accepted. Smelters are well sold forward, and requirements of approved users engaged on important work for the Government are almost sufficient to keep them exceedingly busy for months to come. Prices are unchanged at the Government maxi- mum, and Bessemer mixed numbers are again quoted at 127s. 6d. per ton f.o.t., while warrants at cash are idle at 115s. per ton. Special iron is 140s. per ton, and semi- special iron is quoted at 135s. per ton f.o.t. The position of ferro-manganese is unchanged. So far there has been no further increase in production, and the number of furnaces in operation on the west coast still stands at 30, 21 of which are in Cumberland and the remaining nine are in the Furness area. All the furnaces, with the exception of two, which are on ferro and spiegel, are engaged in making Bessemer, special and semi-special iron, and the entire output is going into immediate consumption. Some small consignments of ordinary Bessemer iron are being sent away by rail to approved users, but the bulk of the make is retained for local consumption at the steelworks at Workington and Barrow. All the production of low phosphorus iron, which is now allocated and distributed by the Government, is being sent away to consuming areas where it is most urgently needed. A great proportion of the output, however, is still being consigned to the high-class steel makers engaged on important work for the Govern- ment in Scotland and the Midlands, while a substantial tonnage is also going to consumers engaged on work of national importance in other parts of the country. The steel trade is tremendously brisk, and all the plants in this district 'are maintaining a big output of special work for the Government, Heavy sections of steel rails are quoted at from £10 17s. 6d. to £11 10s. per ton, light sections are from £14 to £14 10s., and heavy tram rails are £14 per ton. Billets are in steady request at £12 per ton, ship plates are quoted at £11 10s. per ton, and boiler plates are £12 10s. per ton. The engineering trade is very busy, and some of the shops in this locality are working overtime on Govern- ment account. The iron ore industry from Cleator Moor to Millom is phenomenally busy. All the iron ore mines are regularly employed, and there is a very keen demand for all grades of native ore. Nearly all the output of local ore is going to the furnaces in the district. There has been no alteration in prices. Best Hcdbarrow ore is 38s. per ton, ordinary grades are quoted at from 21s. to 30s. per ton, and better sorts are from 31s. to 36s. 6d. per ton net at the mines. .................................— South-West Lancashire. COAL. The majority of the pits in South West Lancashire had to play altogether on Saturday in consequence of the congestion upon the main lines and in order to give the railway companies an opportunity of having a long week- end for a clearance. This on a depleted market has given rise to innumerable troubles and embarrassments. The household trade, partly in consequence of this block, and also as the result of shortage of staff in wintry weather for carting purposes, has been in serious trouble, much distress having been caused in some towns through householders being left entirely without coal. Unfortunately the trade is in such a state that it can no longer afford to deliver a full load to one destination, but has to deliver smaller quantities over a greater area, and consequently more journeys have to be taken. With regard to shipping, the dislocation of railway traffic has been increasingly felt, and all supplies, except those for Admiralty purposes, have been subject to serious delays. Under the circumstances prices for present delivery have hardened, though actual requirements are not greater than they were, and quota- tions for Lancashire steam coals rule about 24s. to 25s. f.o.b. There is not much to comment upon in the coastwise and cross channel trade, the position being as named last week. With regard to slacks, it is with difficulty that enough is forthcoming day by day to keep everybody supplied. Much pressure is being put on by some of the gas works to get increased deliveries, some of them having commenced the winter season with an inadequate stock. 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 sernd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack Secondary slack Common do Current prices. 21/ -22/ 25/6 19/ -20/ 24/6 18/ 23/ upwds. 18/ 24/ -25/ 16/ 15/ 14/ L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ 25/6 19/ -20/ 24/6 18/ 23/ upwds.i 18/ 23/ -24/6 16/ 15/ 14/ Last year’s prices. 20/9 23/ -24/ 19/ 21/ -22/ 17/ 20/6 17/ -17/6 21/6-22/6 15/ -15/6 14/ 13/ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday. There is a strong demand for all classes of fuel, with few sellers. The severe weather recently has added to the troubles and delays in getting fuel to the consumer. This in addition to the shortage of labour and locomotive power has utterly disorganised railway traffic, and wagons may be seen standing in the same places for a week at a time, the consignors and the consignees in the meantime suffering considerably, the first from the loss of the wagons, and the other for want of the contents. 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/ 15/ -15/6 13/ upwds IRON. There was a good attendance on ’Change in Manchester on Tuesday last, but nothing new to report in the state of affairs in this district. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The market on Tuesday was attended by an average sized gathering, which included traders from London, Liverpool, Manchester, as well as the Humber ports. There were comparatively few sellers, and those in a position to consider business were compelled by the wagon difficulty to insist on buyers sending trucks. The all-round tight- ness of the market is increased, if possible, by the question of transport. Several collieries are reported to have lost shifts this week, in one case as many as three afternoon shifts, for the want of trucks in which to load the coal. Railway wagons become increasingly difficult to get hold of. very few, indeed, being available for any of the lines, From enquiries over a wide area, a rather better account is given in respect of absenteeism, and the output, considering all the circumstances, is regarded as satisfactory. Another point of some interest is the fact that the local coal supplies control committee has been very active this week trying to augment the supplies for those manufacturing and gas works which are short. There has been strong pressure on the pits for deliveries of house coal for the London market. For reasons already suggested, only those unable to command a supply of trucks have been able to secure anything like full contract quantities of coal. London merchants are reported to be almost overwhelmed with orders, and at