538 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 16, 1917. this locality are still working overtime on Government account. The iron ore industry from Cleator Moor to Hod- barrow has probably never been busier than it is at present. All the mines are working at top pressure, and every effort is being made to secure a larger output. It is expected that there will be a bigger production shortly when the three-shift system is adopted at all the mines. No local ore is now going out of the district, and the entire output of both high grade and ordinary sorts is being absorbed at the blastfurnaces in Cumberland and the Furness district. There has been no alteration in prices. Best Hodbarrow ore is quoted at 38s. per ton; ordinary grades are from 21s to 30s. per ton; and better sorts are quoted at from 31s. to 36s. 6d. per ton net at the mines. n ----- ------------- manufacturing fuel are about sufficient, but are mostly hand-to-mouth. There is a progressive call for nuts for munition works, and practically none of this material is available for ordinary consumers, who have to be satisfied with slacks, steam coal, or anything they can get. Coking slacks are still a source of great anxiety. In some cases coke makers are trying a mixture containing about 15 to 20 per cent, of steam slacks, but the experiment generally has not been a success. South-West Lancashire. COAL. The demand for household coal continues very strong, and in many districts there is difficulty in getting sufficient for domestic use actually delivered to the consumer, railway traffic still being very erratic, and thus often preventing distributors from getting full work out of the diminished carting strength they have. With regard to shipping, there is not much change to report. Requirements for ordinary bunkering and export continue on a moderate scale, as might be expected in view -of the scarcity of tonnage. Government requirements are fully maintained. Supplies, of course, are affected both by the slow railway working and the heavy inland demand, and the quantities available for shipment are little more than equal to requirements. Prices are firm, quotations for Lancashire steam coals ruling from 23s. 6d. to 24s. 6d. f.o.b., or higher in special cases. In the coastwise and cross-Channel trade there is nothing new to report. A similar condition of things appertains respecting slack and small fuel. The ever-growing consumption is making such demands upon these grades that unscreened fuel and burgie is having to be sent to provide the necessary tonnage. 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 scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ........ Common do............... Current L’stweek’s prices. prices. 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 25/6 25/6 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 24/6 24/6 18/ 18/ 23/ upwds. 23/ upwds. 18/ 18/ 23/6-24/6 23/6-24/6 16/ 16/ 15/ 15/ 14/ 14/ Last year’s prices. 20/9 23/ -24/ i 19/ 21/ -22/ 17/ 20/6 17/6-18/ 22/ -22/6 15/6-16/ 14/6 14/ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a good attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. The talk was naturally on the advice of the Coal Control that contracts should not be made for a longer period than three months, and also as to the statistics which have been called for from all the collieries. The demand for all classes of fuel is much greater than the supply, and there is a keen demand for shipping coal. The difficulty of getting fuel to the con- sumer still exists, although perhaps not quite as prominently as it did. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ............... Medium.............. Common.............. Furnace coal.......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack ........... Common slack ......... L’st week’s prices. 22/ -23/ 19/6-21/ 18/ -18/6 17/6-18/ 25/ -26/ 16/ upwds Current prices. 22/ -23/ 19/6-21/ 18/ -18/6 17/6-18/ 25/ -26/ 16/ upwds 14/6 upwds 14/6 upwds Last year’s prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ —21/ 15/6 upwds 14/ upwds IRON. There was a good attendance on ’Change on Tuesday, but there is nothing fresh to report in the condition of affairs in this district. All works are at high pressure on war material only, deliveries and prices are controlled and fixed by the Ministry of Munitions. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The chief subject of discussion among the representative attendance at the market on Tuesday was the wagon difficulty, which is at the root of most of the troubles with which the coal trade has to contend at the present time, especially affecting long-distance traffic. London representatives reported much difficulty on this score, as wagons are taking five and six days to do the journey. This is applying to customers’ wagons as well as colliery and railway trucks, and explains to a very large extent the scarcity of coal in London. The pits continue to work full time. A little steam coal was offering on the market, but practically nothing else. There were enquiries from London as to prices for house coal contracts over the ensuing 12 months, but the recent intimation of the Coal Controller that he desires contracts limited to not more than three months has acted as a check upon quotations. It is thought that the object is to rearrange traffic so as to avoid overlapping and unnecessary haulage on the railways. Only a few private boats are being loaded for the coastwise trade—mostly Goole. Conditions in the West Riding in regard to house coal are unchanged; supplies are short and prices at the limit allowed by the Act. Very little gas coal is being shipped. Occasional parcels for France and Italy fetch limitation prices. Stocks at Yorkshire gas works are getting very low. If new contracts are limited to three months, it will be a matter of some difficulty for gas authorities, who usually buy at least 12 months in advance, but it is thought that the authorities will see that they get adequate supplies as public utility works. Supplies of Current pit prices. House coal:— Prices at pit (London) : Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ Wall send & 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 Prices f.o.b. Hull:— 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 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 Gas coal:— Prices at pit: 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ Screened gas coal 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ Gas nuts 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 Unscreened gas coal ... Other sorts:— Prices at pit: 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/6 Washed nuts Large double-screened 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 17/ -17/6 engine nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ Small nuts Rough unscreened 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ engine coal 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ Best rough slacks 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 13/ -14/ Small do 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/ 11 1-12/ Coking smalls Coke .— Price at ovens: 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 11/6-12/6 Furnace coke 25/8 25/8 24/ Barnsley. COAL. The new regulations regarding the term of contract are likely to cause a good deal of trouble, particularly at the present period, when the variation of values is so incon- siderable. In addition to the renewal of the railway contracts, which are a matter of form, a substantial number of contracts have been entered into in regard to gas coal, which disposes of the sale of a certain tonnage for the year. Whether these will have to be cancelled and new agreements prepared remains to be seen, but the object sought to be attained is not apparent to the producers. The range of practical values is not likely to show any variation. There is little alteration in the general trend of business. Though the tonnage sent for export is still not of a heavy character, the consumption on home account is of such a substantial description that there is no difficulty in disposing of the production of hards. The railway companies are again calling for heavy supplies, and the larger fuel bests have been taken in lieu of steam nuts, which are in great request for the munition works and other engineering concerns. The strong enquiry for small steam-raising fuel still prevails, particularly with regard to nut slacks, and the request for coking smalls is as large as before, the tonnage needed being exceedingly heavy. Lots of gas coal are fairly well enquired for, and though the rush for house coal has somewhat abated, the collieries still have a large number of orders on their books, which precludes the acceptance of any further business for anything like immediate delivery. The demand for coke is still of a very active description, and though the make is maintained at a high level, the supply is made quite to meet the needs at the present time. Values remain firm, but are largely of a nominal description. 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 16/6-17/6 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/ Furnace coke 25/8 25/8 24/ Hull. GOAL. There is no relief from the stringent conditions of the export trade from the Humber ports, and the market is consequently dull and depressed. Fresh tonnage does not come to hand as was hoped, and any odd vessels that may offer are very eagerly snapped up for the supply of coal to our Allies, which accounts for practically the whole of the shipments now being made. Some business is reported done with Sweden, but this, of course, will be shipped in Swedish vessels, as and when circumstances permit. Large steam coal is offered freely by contractors, who are willing to concede substantial discounts where prompt accommo- dation is available. Collieries, however, are not pressing sales, being fully occupied with inland contracts, and apparently quite satisfied as to the strength of the market for some time to come. Quotations, in the absence of any considerable volume of business, are largely nominal, best South Yorkshire hards being worth about 28s., and Derby- shire hards (at Grimsby) 27s. to 27s. 6d. Manufacturing and other fuels are firm at limitation rates. In the freight market a steamer to load 1,500 tons has been chartered for Alexandria at 102s. Chesterfield. COAL. The demand for every class of coal is strong, and consumers are clamouring for supplies. This applies equally to coal for domestic use and for manufacturing purposes. It is now almost impossible to obtain nuts in adequate quantities. Slack for boiler firing is in good request, and prices are firmly held. There is an active demand for large steam coal for inland works. Considerabie trouble is caused by the scarcity of railway wagons, and the output of coal is reduced in consequence. Gas coal and steam coal for locomotive use continue in active demand. No improve- ment can be reported in the export trade. Coke is in good request at firm prices. 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. There is great activity in every branch of the iron trade, and all the works of the district are running at full pressure. ----------------------------------------- Nottingham. COAL. Activity continues to characterise every branch of the coal trade in this county. The recent brief spell of severe weather, which was accompanied by a snowstorm, following on a few days of milder weather, assisted to maintain the pressure on the domestic fuel branch. Local merchants are kept busy with current orders, which absorb the supplies obtainable from collieries. Owners have more orders in hand than they can complete without some delay, and deliveries on contracts are in many cases in arrear. The supply of households is curtailed in some measure owing to the fact that a proportion of the tonnage is diverted to war purposes. Steam coal remains in very urgent request, the demand still being in excess of the output. While large steams are not quite so difficult to obtain as recently, it is impossible for owners to satisfy all requirements for small fuel such as nuts, for which there is a most extensive demand. The tone of the slack market is active, most qualities meeting with a ready sale. Those grades used for coke making are particularly in good request. 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. 17/6-19/ 16/6-17/ 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 11/9-12/6 10/6-11/ Leicestershire. COAL. As the result of a strict examination into all the circum* stances, the combing out of skilled men at the collieries has been abandoned. It was disclosed beyond all possibility of doubt that all the men in the mines and on the pit banks were doing exactly the particular work for which they were best qualified in the interests of the State. That is a very welcome relief from the anxiety created by a threatened depletion of the already greatly reduced staffs. Unfor- tunately a great deal of severe weather has again been experienced, which has put a very great strain on the workers on the pit banks. Coal merchants, too, at country stations have had another severe spell of work in order to effect deliveries. It is now hoped, however, that the demand for deliveries to meet the needs of many thousand consumers in the great centres of population will begin to show a marked decline. Railway-owned wagons are in very short supply and the transport arrangements are generally very trying. There is a very keen demand for all classes of household for London and district, while special require- ments keep a big hold on the output of both main and deep cobbles and nuts. Peas sell freely for use with mechanical stokers. There are no stocks of any kind at the pits and very little at country stations. 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/ 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, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The coal trade is carried on under very difficult condi- tions, alike at the collieries and by the distributors. The severe snowstorm of last week, coming as it did before there had been time to recover from the dislocation caused by the long spell of frost, caused the loss of at least two