392 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN February 23, 1917. increasing cause of lost time and therefore lost output. There is no ease in the position of the London house coal trade. Merchants able to send wagons to the collieries are getting full contract tonnage, but others are faced with great difficulties, as it is practically impossible to secure railway trucks, and many collieries are unwilling to send their trucks over such long distances. The depot trade in London is reported to be of an urgent character, for- while the inrush of public orders has eased, little merchants are fully booked up for some weeks ahead, especially placed as they are in regard to the supply of labour for loading and transit. Coastwise shipments are rare, and chiefly in small boats ex Goole. There is increasing difficulty in getting boats for the south coast trade, and freights are still higher, as much as 17s. 6d., Hull to London, being mentioned this week. There is no change with regard to the local house coal trade. The demand is strong, particularly for the cheaper grades, and supplies are barely sufficient to meet it. As to gas coal, contract deliveries are generally in arrear, and the output is quite inadequate. Gas nuts especially are very difficult to secure. One or two cargoes are reported to be sold for France and Italy, at limitation prices, but there is very little shipment of gas coal at present. The collieries are doing their best to distribute equitably the limited tonnage of manufacturing fuel, but there are serious complaints of shortage, especially from large consumers, including Government-controlled establish- ments. For washed furnace coke there is a strong outcry for extra supplies for the Midlands and Lincolnshire, and the demand from other quarters is very heavy. The ovens are quite unable to satisfy the requirements of consumers. Barnsley. COAL. The position in regard to supplies has become, if possible, more acute, and collieries are subjected to pressure from all directions, but little satisfaction can be given. Though the output is fairly well maintained, the demand cannot be met, and, of course, preferential claims have to be satisfied. There are causes to account for the lack of supplies reaching the consumers. The shortage in the supply of wagons has been keenly felt in several parts of the district. Some collieries have fared better than others, but few firms have escaped from the trouble. In some cases the loss of work has been considerable, whilst others have only been able to keep going by stocking the production on the ground, which, at the present time, with the shortage of labour, has been found to be exceedingly troublesome. The recent foggy weather also has hindered very materially the efforts of the railway companies in dealing effectively with the transport of coal, and with such a combination of circumstances the carrying on of business has become very difficult indeed. There is evidence presumably of the functions of the new scheme for the State control of collieries, which has made the position with regard to house coal very acute. During the past few days several thousands of tons have been commandeered from district collieries for London for distribution, it is understood, amongst the poorer districts, and the loss of this tonnage has been severely felt at the moment, when there is such heavy requests from other parts of the country. The shorter rail journeys to other districts may compensate, but even within a short radius it is difficult to procure supplies except after considerable delay. The control of distribution by the district committees has caused anxiety to some commercial concerns, though, of course, the commandeering of supplies for work of urgent national necessity is not objected to, though other undertakings have to be carried on with a hand-to-mouth daily supply. In regard to other branches of the trade, there has been little alteration. The almost total embargo on the export trade still exists, and though a larger supply is available for home needs, the production is very easily consumed. The requirements of the Admiralty are falling upon district firms, and the tonnage required by the munition firms is exceedingly extensive. This is still the case with regard to the supply of steam nuts, which are a very heavy requirement, and there is comparatively little of this class of fuel left for consumption in other directions. Slacks of all descriptions are again very difficult to procure, particularly fuel required for coke manufacture. The discarded beehive kind of oven has been brought into requisition wherever possible, but it appears to be almost impossible to obtain an adequate supply of raw material to keep the ovens employed to the fullest extent, which would even then not fully supply the demands of the pig iron districts. Buyers are also keenly searching for supplementary lots of nut slacks for the electricity plants and for gas-making purposes. The present weather is producing augmented calls for gas and electricity with which it is difficult to keep pace. The attitude of the miners with regard to new labour is not to be overlooked. The Yorkshire Miners* Association have received reports of soldiers stationed at Pontefract barracks being employed on the pit top at the South Kirkby colliery. This has brought forth a protest, which is to be lodged with the Home Office, with the instruction that it is regarded as a serious violation of the pledges given to miners’ repre- sentatives. 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/ -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 16/6-17/ Best washed nuts 16/3—16/6 16/3-16/6 16/3-16/6 Secondary do 15/6-16/3 15/6-16/3 15/9-16/3 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 24/ Hull. COAL. It is not possible to say anything very encouraging about the Humber coal market this week, the expected improve- ment in the supply of shipping tonnage not yet having materialised. Exporters are, therefore, having to live in hopes that ere very long neutral owners will come along more readily with ships and that .the volume of trade, which just now is confined almost solely to France, will expand. The revised freight rates to French Atlantic ports and to Italy, coupled with favourable war-risk insurance, should prove an irresistible inducement. It is hoped that the anomalous position with regard to French and other Mediterranean ports included in the limitation schedule will be removed, and they, too, will participate in the recent advances. A further obstacle to the export trade has been removed by the amicable settlement of the dispute with Norway, shipments to which country may now be soon renewed. Though there is no disposition on the part of colliery agents to press business while the inland demand is so strong, large steam coal in second- holders* hands offers in fair quantities here, best South Yorkshire steam hards being quoted round 28s., or less where spot accommodation is available. Derbyshire steams are quiet at 27s. to 27s. 6d. (at Grimsby). All other kinds maintain late rates, but are largely nominal in the absence of any considerable business, approximate values being:— Washed nuts 24s. to 25s., washed small coal 18s. 6d. to 19s., rough slack 16s. 6d., screened gas and house fuels 26s. to 28s., West Yorkshire Hartleys 27s. 6d. (at Goole), Park- gates 26s. 6d. Chesterfield. COAL. Orders for house coal are numerous, and buyers are pressing for supplies, but the great scarcity of wagons makes it impossible to execute these orders with anything approaching promptitude. The wagon shortage is be- coming a serious problem. Collieries are now unable to work with that regularity which is essential to the maintenance of a full output of coal, owing to the inade- quate number of railway wagons that are available. Fuel for general manufacturing purposes is urgently wanted, and great difficulty is experienced in satisfying customers* requirements owing to transport deficiencies. The call for nuts is as loud as ever, but there is no improvement in the matter of supplies. Cobbles for gas-producers are in strong request and slack for boiler firing is in better demand. . Gas companies are urgently pressing for supplies of gas coal, and railway companies are equally urgent in their demand for steam coal for locomotive purposes. The export trade is almost stagnant owing to the continued scarcity of ships. The advance in the rates of freight to France and Italy has not yet resulted in an increased supply of shipping tonnage. There is no change in the condition of the coke trade. The market continues firm, with a free outlet for the whole production of the ovens. 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 11 16/6 Cobbles 16/ 16/ 16/ Nuts 15/ 15/ 15/ Slack 12/6 12/6 12/6 COAL. No particular change in. the conditions of the trade has occurred during the past week, briskness being a feature in every branch. With the prolonged spell of severe weather the demand on the domestic fuel section has been very heavy, and although the weather has taken a milder turn, it has not at present tended to ease the situation, both owners and merchants having more orders in hand than they can execute without delay. It is hoped, however, that with the approach of spring, matters will become less trying as the consumption by householders falls off. The difficulty of the situation has been aggravated at some collieries by the scarcity of railway wagons, and this has caused considerable inconvenience at the pits and further delayed deliveries to country merchants, who have been unable to fully satisfy the demands of their customers. In the steam coal section a strong tone still prevails, and the output of the pits is absorbed by the requirements for war purposes and contract obligations, there being little oppor- tunity for outside business. Any odd lots of manufacturing fuel are eagerly purchased. The slack market continues active, and common sorts are being purchased more readily than of late. 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/ -19/6 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 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 IV -------■«»------- Leicestershire. COAL. Although no relief has been experienced up to the present in the excessive demand for all classes of fuel, the milder weather has lessened the strain. Unfortunately, fogs have been very prevalent, and they have been so dense that transport has been conducted under very trying con- ditions. In country districts coal merchants are under- going a very severe test as to their resources, and with the great shortage of labour long-distance horse transport in country districts has never been so difficult to carry out. There is still an extremely heavy demand to meet the requirements of many thousands of small consumers at the great centres of population, and already merchants are eagerly looking forward to the relief which will be experienced when warm weather arrives. More and more fuel is required to ffieet the vast consumption at factories and works under Government control, and the percentage of the total output has never been so great. There is an extremely keen demand from London and district for all classes of household, as well as for both main and deep cobbles and nuts for special necessities. Peas sell very readily for mechanical stokers. Bail way-owned wagons are in very short supply, and there are no prospects of any relief at present, There are no reserves of stocks either at country stations or at the collieries. 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/ 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. An end seems to have been reached of the dislocation caused by the frost. About the middle of the week canal traffic was partially resumed, and by the end of the week it is expected to be general. The congestion on the over-taxed railways has been relieved to some extent, but fog has added to the already great difficulties of transport. In the circumstances very little business was passing on the market, colliery representatives having so little to offer. The wharves are sadly depleted, and the milder weather has so far had no appreciable effect on the public demand. Merchants have a long list of orders on their books, which qannot be rapidly cleared off. The best grades of slacks remain scarce, and are in active demand. IRON. Work continues plentiful in every department of the iron trade, and a considerable state of activity is apparent on every hand. -----——----------- Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 22/ 22/ 22/ Do. seconds deep 20 20/ 20/ Do. best shallow 19/ 19/ 19/ 18/ ' 18/6 Do. seconds do. 18/ 18/ Best hard 18/6 18/6 Forge coal 16/ 16/ 16/ Slack Warwickshire:— 11/6 11/6 11/6 House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 19/ 19/ 19/ cobs 18/ 18/ 18/ Best hard spires 20/ 20/ 20/ 16/ Forge (steam) 16/ 16/ D.S. nuts (steam) 14/6 14/6 14/6 Small (do.) 14/6 14/6 14/6 IRON. The attendance at the weekly market was about the normal, and while there was no new feature of importance, there was mo indication of any relaxation of activity. Current pig-iron sales are not heavy, consumers having their near requirements well covered. Northamptonshire grades are sold well within the maximum prices, though they are a shade firmer than last week under the influence of a slightly expanding demand. On a general average sales are made at about Is. a ton under the limit. Derbyshire smelters command full rates, but foundry iron is appreciably stronger than forge, which consumers will only buy unconditionally. Scrap iron has become scarce, and the demand keeps up. Heavy iron scrap fetches =£6 10s. a ton upwards, and heavy steel melting scrap £5 5s. a ton (maximum), with carriage extra up to 10s. A good call also exists for steel turnings and for discard steel billets, though the supply is more limited, since there is no American material on offer. In the finished branches activity remains unabated, and many orders are set aside in favour of more urgent national requirements. Bar iron makers have quite three months work on hand, and a fair amount of both large and small sizes are being exported. The maximum rates are easily obtained for marked and unmarked bars, namely, .£15 10s., less 2^ per cent., and <£13 15s. respectively; nut and bolt iron fetches £14 5s. to £14 10s. (uncontrolled); and the basis for small rounds, squares and flats is £16 10s. (three-eighths sizes) delivered. Gas strips ranges from £15 to £15 £10; hoops (iron and steel), £17 15s. to £19; black sheets, £19 10s.; and galvanised sheets, £28 10s. The position in semi- finished steel is no easier. Home makers are doing their utmost to meet the calls made upon them, but supplies must of necessity be regulated. The tonnage of American material reaching home ports is very small, and new business is not being negotiated. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. After a period of enormous strain there is a most welcome modification in the severity of the weather, which it is hoped will lead to a reduction in the very heavy domestic consumption. The demand of late has been exceedingly heavy, and the collieries have been deluged with orders—as a result the long list of arrear orders has been considerably added to. Many buyers are completely out of stock and are giving instructions to forward any kind of coal that may be available at the moment. All the steam coal pits are kept busily at work, and outputs are easily placed. The enquiry is overwhelming ; the collieries are doing all possible to meet the needs of consumers, but the position is a very difficult one.