442 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 2, 1917. Current pit prices. House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. 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/ 22/ -23/ Silkstone best 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 21/ -22/ Do. house 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ Other qualities 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ Gas nuts 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 Unscreened gas coal ... 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/6 Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 17/ -17/6 Large double-screened engine nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ Small nuts 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ Rough unscreened engine coal 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ Best rough slacks 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 13/ -14/ Small do. 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/ 11 -12 Coking smalls JL. 1 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 11/6-12/6 Coke:— Price at ovens: Furnace coke 25/8 25/8 24/ Barnsley. COAL. Conditions in regard to the delay in transit of coal have shown considerable improvement, and there are less com- plaints of work being interrupted owing to the short supply of wagons. The finer weather has been conducive to the smoother working of business, and the output has been fairly well maintained. The fact that the miners are soon to receive an increased war bonus somewhat affects forward business, and little in that direction is being attempted for the present. The enormous demand for large steams practically absorbs the production, though there is still little business being done for abroad. The demands of the Admiralty and railway companies, which are all satisfied under the powers which the authorities possess, are also of an extensive description. The hunt for supplies of steam nuts is unabated, but there is little of this class of coal available, owing to the extensive use of this fuel by the munition and other engineering concerns. Equally keen and almost unsuccessful is the enquiry for all descrip- tions of small steam fuel, so largely used by the various industrial concerns. Nut slacks in particular are very difficult to find, and this fuel is much wanted by the electricity plants, whilst ordinary slacks are again exceeding in demand the capacity of the collieries to deliver. The enquiry for gas coal may not be so insistent, though there is still a good enquiry for gas nuts and other screened sorts. The problem of procuring an adequate supply of slacks suitable for coke making is no nearer being solved, and, though a big effort is still being made to keep the by- product plants fully at work, the task appears to be beyond accomplishment. The coke makers, too, are very keenly pressed to augment the output of coke, but this is equally impossible. There has been some little improvement in regard to the position of house coal. The public demand may not be of so insistent a character, but contract supplies— and there is little delivery otherwise—are still in arrear, and merchants find it difficult to deal in any way satis- factorily with the numerous orders on their books. Values are still of a nominal description about as follow:— 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 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 15/6-16/3 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/ 15/6-16/ Gas nuts 16/ 16/ 16/ Furnace coke 25/8 25/8 24/ Hull. COAL. More steamers are coming to hand, but they are mostly already chartered, and next to none are free for employ- ment. Private advices received here from Norway indicate that Norwegian tonnage is now leaving home ports for this country, outstanding difficulties with the crews regarding wages, insurance, etc., having been amicably settled. It is also hoped that the prohibition of wood imports will enable better use to be made of the steamers in the coal trade both for Sweden and for France. The outlook so far as regards steamers is, therefore, a little improved. Mean- while business is restricted to the accommodation available. Generally speaking, there is a strong latent demand for all kinds of coal for export, besides which the Norwegian State Railways are in the market for 78,000 tons of steam ccal for early shipment. For prompt loading there has been only a minor enquiry, and large steam coal in the hands of second holders has been weak" current value of best South Yorkshire hards being round 28s., and for Derbyshires (at Grimsby) 27s. to 27s. 6d. Other kinds are firm owing to the big inland demand, washed nuts being nominally 25s. to 25s. 6d., washed small coal 19s.- screened gas and house fuel 26s. to 28s., rough slack, 16s. 6d., West Yorkshire Hartleys 27s. 6d. to 28s., and Parkgates 26s. to 26s. 3d. Chesterfield. COAL. The demand for coal of all classes is exceptionally strong, and supplies are far short of the needs of the market. House coal orders are abundant, but it is quite impossible to satisfy customers'’ requirements. The shortage of wagons is now seriously interfering with the course of business and is having the effect of reducing the output of coal. Great delay is experienced in having the trucks returned from the outward journey. Orders from the various iron and steel works of Sheffield and district are certainly heavier at present than they have been at any period during the past two years. Cobbles and nuts for gas producers continue in the greatest request, and con- sumers find it practically impossible to obtain anything like the quantity of coal that is wanted. Slack for boiler firing is in active request, with supplies less difficult to find than in the case of nuts. Gas coal is in brisk demand, and steam coal for locomotive use is equally urgently required. There is no change to be reported in respect of the export trade, which remains in a stagnant condition and without any indication of an early improvement. Vessels are still most difficult to obtain, and business is therefore almost at a standstill. The coke market maintains its strong* position. The demand for all classes of coke, is good and prices firm. 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/ Slack 12/6 12/6 12/6 IRON. The iron trade of the district is very brisk and work is most plentiful. Every establishment is working up to its full capacity. Slottinoham. COAL. Although the milder weather has had the effect of slightly easing the position so far as local merchants are concerned, orders from the public not being quite so numerous and pressing as of late, the general demand for domestic fuel at the collieries is very heavy and owners are unable to fully meet all requirements. With no reserve supplies at the pits and merchants having no stocks to draw upon, the carrying out of orders is limited to the daily output. Needless to say, households of all classes are eagerly purchased, but with contract supplies in most cases being in arrear, there is little fuel to be obtained in the open market. Values remain very firm and no hope is entertained of prices falling as the summer approaches. The demand for steam coal continues brisk ; in fact, most collieries have more orders in hand than they can comply with, in spite of the fact that the pits are making full time and at some two shifts a day are in operation. There is a good sale for most kinds of slack, there being a decided shortage of those grades which are used for coke-making. 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’stweek’s prices. 19/ -19/6 18/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 11/ 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/ 11/ Leicestershire. COAL. There is not quite so much pressure fer deliveries to meet the demands of the great number of small consumers in the large towns. This has been brought about partly by the milder weather, which has reduced the quantities being used, and also by a very rigid sub-division of the coal available so as to cover all really urgent requirements. The requirements for great works and factories under Government control are still expanding, and, of course, this has strict preference. When these vast needs are covered, there is much less coal than usual left to cover all the other general requirements. A record is now kept of all absences from the pits, and every stoppage, whether of long or short duration, has to be duly reported to the Government, together with an explanation of the causes. There is a very heavy demand for all classes of household for London and district, and there are already evidences that this will prevail all through the summer in order that stocks may be replenished against the requirements of next autumn and winter. Both deep and main cobbles and nuts sell with remarkable freedom, while peas are in strong demand for mechanical stokers. The country orders are much in excess of the average, and there are very small reserves at country stations. There are no stocks of any kind 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/ 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/ 14/ -15/ 14/6-15/6 13/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 13/9-14/9 14/ -15/ 12/ -13/ 13/9-14/9 12/6-13/6 South Staffordshire, Morth Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The reopening of the canals and the advent of milder weather have lessened demands for deliveries. With wharves and depots short of stock, this is very welcome. Colliery representatives had little to offer at Thursday’s market. Munitions and engineering firms generally press keenly for supplies, and every effort is made to meet them. Better class slacks continue scarce. Maximum prices are very firm. 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/ Do. seconds do. 18/ 18/ 18/ 18/6 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/ 20/ Best hard spires 20/ 20/ Forge (steam) 16/ 16/ 16/ D.S. nuts (steam) 14/6 14/6 14/6 Small (do.) 14/6 14/6 14/6 IRON. The market was fairly well attended, but developed no new feature of importance. Manufacturers of all the essential descriptions of material are so engrossed in providing for urgent national needs that they cannot enter- tain any other business. The demand for steel is more insistent than ever, and the capacity of the works is severely taxed. Prices all round are firm under the limitation scheme, with the exception of some grades of pig iron, and where maximum prices do not apply, the tendency is in the direction of hardening. The consumption of bar iron continues on a large scale, and the needs of the Allies are receiving some attention, though naturally home needs predominate. The position in the scrap market is becoming increasingly difficult, and many bar makers insist on customers returning all their scrap iron. Scarcely any wrought iron scrap is now available under <£7 5s. a ton. There is some talk of this branch being controlled, bringing it into line with steel melting scrap. There is also an enormous outlet for small sizes of iron, ranging from seven- sixteenths down to quarter of an inch, but restricted out- put and tonnage difficulties prevent any expansion of export trade. For three-eighths sizes the basis price is £16 10s., but the scale for extras is now very high. Conditions in the pig iron trade do not vary. The call for foundry grades continue uppermost, and the output goes into immediate consumption. Both Derbyshire and South Staffordshire smelters are able to command full rates, Northamptonshire forge iron remains weak, the output being obviously in excess of require- ments, and sales are reported at figures well below the maximum. Prices are unaltered in the sheet trade, galvanised fetching £28 10s., plain and corrugated black sheets £19 10s., and open-annealed nail sheets £19, in each case against Class A certificates, and delivered within the 10s. radius. C.i.f. offers from America of steel semis have vanished, quotations for such material as is coming being f.a.s. New York. ................................... Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The position of the house coal trade of this coal field has not changed in any material particular since last writing. There is still a heavy demand for all qualities, and the owners are taxed to the utmost endeavouring to satisfy—to some extent at any rate—the urgent calls from customers; supplies, however, are difficult to arrange, and arrear orders are very numerous. The enquiry for steam qualities is steadily increasing in volume, and the pressure on collieries is exceptionally heavy. Prices at pithead. House coals:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Block ; 24/ 24/ 21/6 Forest 23/ 23/ 20/6 Rubble 23/3 23/3 20/9 Nuts 21/6 21/6 19/ Rough slack Steam coal ■.— 13/ 13/ 11/6 Large 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 18/ -19/ 13/6-14/ Small ... 16/ 16/ Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that wholesale supplies of house, steam and gas coal are now coming to hand much more freely at the south of England stations. The railway officials appear to have overcome many diffi- culties as to sidings and marshalling the immense amount of extra work which/has been thrown on their hands through the scarcity of sea transport. Some difficulty looms ahead in the undoubted limitation of the number of available wagons. This will probably prevent the accumulation of any stocks. Prices are unaltered, except for small coals, which are plentiful. An article in the Cologne Gazette proposes that the German Government should no longer send coal to neutrals unless the latter send a fixed number of men to work in the German mines.