236 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 1, 1918. as well as shippers from Hull. The market may, however, only be described as dull in the matter of business done, as there was, as usual, practically nothing offering. In this respect conditions show little or no variation from week to week. Contracts, controlled deliveries and regular customers so fully absorb all the output, that it is excep- tional for any quantity of coal of any description to be free for prompt business on the market. Full time work at the collieries is the rule, and the output is well maintained. There is, generally speaking, not much difficulty in regard to the wagon supply, but there is a great deal of complaint of delay to trucks sent to London, and especially south of the Thames. With regard to the London demand for house coal, the more favourable position reported in the metro- politan area is not accompanied by any ease on the collieries or in the desire of factors attending this market to secure all the supplies they can pick up, which is very little ; but outside districts, particularly the south, are able to get better attention. The collieries, in fact, are pressed to the full limit of the coal available. In the coastwise branch of the trade the volume of business passing at the Humber ports is almost insignificant. Locally, there is a marked increase in the retail demand, but no corres- ponding increase is possible in the deliveries reaching- the depots from the collieries. Supplies are in many cases inadequate, and a period of greater stringency may be expected. Pit prices are very firm at the following average level: Haigh Moor selected 22s. 6d. to 23s. 6d., Silkstone best 22s. to 22s. 6d., Silkstone house 21s. to 21s. 6d., other sorts 19s. 6d. to 20s. 6d. Gas coal is very quiet, merely for the reason that all the output is absorbed by contract deliveries, otherwise there would be any amount of enquiry, as supplies are very short. The mild weather is to some extent a relief to gas engineers, but inadequate deliveries are still causing stocks to dis- appear. As to manufacturing fuel, the munition and engineering works and other concerns engaged on Govern- ment requirements are fairly well supplied, largely through the attentions of the local control committees, but there is a keen enquiry in the market for any surplus available for business along ordinary lines. Except inferior slacks, of which a limited quantity was offering, everything is scarce and difficult to procure, especially coking smalls, the shortage of which is still causing coke makers to crush large coal and to use nuts in order to maintain the output of coke and the much needed by-products. Coke is in strong demand, particularly 'for the Frodingham district and the Midlands, and although the output keeps increas- ing, a ready outlet is found for all the coke made. Current pit prices. difficulty in procuring a sufficient tonnage of slacks for the coke oven plants has still to be overcome, and there is every indication that the quantity required is more likely to increase than otherwise. Ordinary slacks are also fully absorbed, and in regard to house coal, the favourable weather conditions are no doubt helping the position. Although the extra supplies called for on behalf of London and the south, the output in the majority of cases is equal to keeping merchants fairly well supplied. In regard to coke, although, perhaps, at the present moment the pressure is not quite as strong for supplies, the large pro- duction of the various plants is cleared. The bulk of the supply is still being required for North Lincolnshire. HUH. COAL. Business continues on modest lines, the export demand not being quite so great as it was. Apart from the require- ments of importers at French Northern ports and for Italy there is little doing, only small parcels being permitted shipment to neutral destinations. Supplies are fully taken up, and very little “ free ” coal is available. Large steams particularly are a good market, and best Yorkshires are in keen demand for our Allies. Prices remain unchanged. The freight market is very quiet, and there is a marked slackening in the demand for Swedish ports. Chesterfield. COAL. While the demand for house coal is fully maintained, the milder weather has to some extent eased the pressure upon the collieries, and orders are being dealt with a little more expeditiously. The scarcity of wagons is causing incon- venience, and home pits have had occasional stoppages from this cause. Fuel for manufacturing purposes is in very great request, especially cobbles and nuts for gas-producers. The supply of these qualities continues much below customers’ requirements. Steam coal for furnace work is wanted, and the demand for slack for boiler firing is active. Railway companies continue to press for supplies of loco- motive coal, the deliveries of which are barely equal to requirements. Gas coal also is in urgent demand. The export trade is unchanged. The coke market maintains its steady character, and all qualities of coke are in strong demand. There is a good enquiry for coking fuel. IRON. Great activity continues in every branch of the iron trade, and all the plant of the district is working up to its full capacity, chiefly on Government orders. South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The spell of mild weather has improved the position in the coal trade, both in the matter of output and transport, but the time lost by reason of the heavy snowstorm earlier in the month has by no means been overtaken. There is a shortage of hard coal for annealing purposes, and slacks are moderate, with a tendency to shortness. On the whole, however, the works in the district are kept going fairly well. Merchants find a big demand for house coal, and have a good deal of arrears to make up. Supplies are more or less irregular, and inadequate for current requirements. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) .-— 1 prices. i prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 24/6 22/6 24/6 22/ Do. seconds deep j 22/6 20/ Do. best shallow 21/6 21/6 19/ 18/ Do. seconds do. 20/6 20/6 Best hard 21/ 21/ 18/6 Forge coal 18/6 18/6 16/ Slack Warwickshire:— 13/6 13/6 11/6 House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked cobs ! 21/6 21/6 19/ 20/6 20/6 18/ Best hard spires 22/6 22/6 20/ Forge (steam) 18/6 18/6 16/ 14/6 D.S. nuts (steam) 17/ 17/ ' Small (do.) t 17/ 17/ i 14/6 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. 21/6-22/6 21/ -21/6 21/ -21/6 20/ -20/6 18/6-19/6 25/6-26/ 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 20/6-22/6 18/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 16/6-17/6 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 13/6-14/6 14/ -15/ L’ st week* s! Las t year's prices. | prices. 21/6-22/6 ~ ’ 21/ -21/6 21/ -21/6 20/ -20/6 18/6-19/6 25/6-26/ 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 20/6-22/6 18/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 16/6-17/6 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 I 13/6-14/6 I 14/ -15/ 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 12/ -13/ 12/6—13/6 32/ 32/ 25/8 Barnsley. COAL. There is again practically no alteration in the character of business, the output being fully required to meet the demand, which is generally speaking vigorously main- tained. The output continues to be maintained in a fairly satisfactory manner, and the absence of any surplus fuel causes the market to continue in practically a nominal condition. The enquiry for large steams for export and the demands of the Admiralty, take a good bulk of the production, and although the tonnage required is rather fluctuating, the collieries appear to be able to satisfy these requirements, in addition to providing a very big tonnage for home purposes. A considerable quantity of large steams are still required by consumers who are unable to obtain deliveries of nuts. The position in regard to supplies of gas coal gradually improves, and the contract deliveries are now being found to be nearly sufficient to meet the needs; although, of course it is not possible to forward such a tonnage which would enable additions to stocks. There is also less required now in the way of special deliveries for various large plants. All descriptions of manufacturing fuel continues to be distributed more satisfactorily, although, of course, there is disappointment in regard to the quality of fuel in some cases. The great Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 22/ -24/6 22/ -24/6 20/ -22/ Best Barnsley softs 21/ -21/6 21/ -21/6 18/6-19/ Secondary do 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -17/6 Best house nuts 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 16/ -17/ Secondary do Steam coals:— 18/ -18/6 18/ -18/6 15/6-16/ Best hard coals ;... 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 17/6-18/6 Secondary do 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 16/6-17/6 Best washed nuts 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 16/3-16/6 Secondary do 18/ -18/9 18/ -18/9 15/6-16/3 Best slack 15/ -15/9 15/ -15/9 12/6-13/ Secondary do Gas coals:— 13/ -13/6 13/ -13/6 10/6-11/ Screened gas coals 19/ -19/6 19/ -19/6 16/6-17/6 Unscreened do 18/ -18/6 18/ -18/6 15/6-16/ Gas nuts 18/9 18/9 16/ Furnace coke 32/ 32/ 25/8 Nottingham. COAL. ■ There is a slightly easier tone in the domestic fuel branch since the weather become milder. Local merchants, while doing a good business, are not subject to much pressure, and readily dispose of the supplies obtainable at the collieries. There is little change in the colliery position. All classes of households are in active request by merchants who have little or no stock in hand. Fair supplies are despatched to London and country districts, and the distribution generally is such that the public needs are being well attended to. There is no falling off in the demand for steam coal, a considerable tonnage of which is claimed for war work at home. Small manufac- turing fuel is in very keen request. Gas coal is in strong demand, but little of this class of fuel can be purchased outside contracts. Stocks of nearly all descriptions are selling freely. 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. 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 18/6—19/6 18/3—19/ 17/ -18/ 14/6-15/ 13/ -13/6 L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 18/6-19/6 I 18/3-19/ 17/ -18/ 14/6-15/ 13/ -13/6 13/ • Last year’s prices. 18/6-20/ 18/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 IRON. While the raising of the standard for marked bars has not brought about any change, it has clarified the position to a large extent. The new price of <£16 at makers’ works has not been equalled since 1873, during which year, in the midst of the boom following the Franco-German war it stood at that figure for four months. The price is now net, and it is hardly likely that the time-honoured custom of giving discounts, now that it is abolished, will ever be restored. In most other branches of the iron trade it was discontinued more than a year ago, but the marked bar houses were loth to let it go. Nothing has been said about the price of merchant bars, which stand at <£13 15s. net, but it is understood negotiations are in progress. Makers contend that the same conditions which warrant an advance in marked qualities are equally applicable to unmarked. Nut and bolt iron is retained at about £14 10s. delivered in the district, but puddled iron tends to further stiffen. The quotation for old customers certainly, remains at £12 15s. delivered, but recently some tran- sactions have been mentioned at that figure at makers’ works. Lancashire crown bars are not for the time being quoted on this market, makers getting a better price for export, viz., £15 10s. f.o.b. Liverpool. An insistent demand continues for small rounds, squares, and flats, and ordinary customers have to pay on the basis of £17 10s. for three- eighths sizes. Little is being done, however, outside Government work, directly or indirectly. In pig iron, too, the Government supply departments see to it that national demands are provided for in the first instance. A steady output of basic iron is maintained in the district, and is allotted direct to consumers in most instances, without the market intermediary. The fixed price of this iron, whether produced in Staffordshire, Derbyshire or Northamptonshire, is 97s. 6d. a ton. Foundry and forge sorts are none too plentiful, the curtailment of export orders, almost to the point of suspension leaves more material available to meet the requirements of home customers. Steel in all forms continues to be strictly allotted, and imported blooms and billets go direct to the consumer. Leicestershire. COAL. The warmer weather is enabling managers to overcome the strain caused by the snowstorms. There is not quite so heavy a decline in the output, and when the conditions get regular the process of subdivision will be greatly facilitated. An excessive demand prevails in all classes of steam coal, and there is no sign of any reduction in the consumption. Most of the sidings are overcrowded with empties, waiting sometimes for long periods to be filled with any class of fuel. Fortunately the “ combing-out” process has about exhausted itself for the present. A very large proportion of the total output is strictly reserved for Government works and factories, and deliveries have to be maintained day by day in the absence of reserves. There is quite a strong demand for all classes for London and district, and the deliveries are up to the maximum. Both deep and main cobbles and nuts, as well as bakers" nuts, command great attention, and the demand is much in excess of the supplies. Country coal merchants are again getting more -regular deliveries, but there are very heavy arrears to make good. No reserves exist at country sidings or at the collieries. Prices at pit. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. Pressure in the house coal trade of this district continues. The demand absorbs the output at each of the collieries, and stocks are non-existent, so that buyers have to depend on the daily output for supplies, consequently they are prepared for delay. All the pits producing steam and manufacturing fuel are experiencing a big enquiry, but, though full time is being worked, it is impossible to cope with the demand., Prices at pithead. Large ... House coals:— Block Forest Rubble Nuts • Rough slack ......... Steam coal:— Large ............... Small ... .. ........ Current prices. 26/6 15/6 22/6-23/6 18/ -19/ L’st week’s prices. 26/6 I 15/6 22/6-23/6 i 18/ -19/ Last year’s prices. <24/ ) 23/ 123/3 <21/6 13/ 20/ -21/ 16/ Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness, Current 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 prices. 20/ -21/6 19/ -20/ 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 17/ -18/ 15/3-16/ 14/6-14/9 8/6- 9/6 L’st week’s prices. 20/ -21/6 19/ -20/ 18/6—19/6 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 17/ -18/ 15/3—16/ 14/6-14/9 8/6- 9 6 Last year’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/ Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. Messrs. Wade and Son report that the milder weather has a tendency to cause merchants to disregard their present lowness of stocks, notwithstanding the growing scarcity of railway wagons. The chief amount of coal coming to the south-western district is of the slow-burning nature. The contract quantities from the Midlands and Forest of Dean districts are still far behind, and serious inconvenience is felt for the want of these house coals which were bought for delivery in the vendors’ wagons. kitcheners.............. 16/ -17/6 Steams, best hand picked 16/6—17/6 Steams, seconds ..........I 15/6-17/ Main cobbles for kitcheners; 16/ —17/6 Main breeze...............I 14/9-15/6 16/ -17/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-17/ 16/ -17/6 14/9-15/6 14/ -15/ 14/6-15/6 13/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 Industries of Nova Scotia. — Advices from Nova Scotia state that the annual wealth of the province for 1917 is estimated at over 149,000,000 dols. The returns of the principal products include:—Coal, 23,600,000 dols.,* coke and by-products, 5,000,000 dols.; gold and other minerals, 250,000 dols.; iron and steel products, 20,000,000 dols.; and manufactures, ships, and freights, 47,750,000 dols. The total amount is 149,509,203 dols.