THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN _________________________________________________________________________________ March 22, 1918. 597 means of supplying customers are so inadequate, con- sumers are pressing for supplies, and some of them declare that they will have to close down unless deliveries improve. Home demand for forge iron, both for early and future delivery, continues heavy. There is rather more foreign business passing in Cleveland pig. For home consumption No. 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge are all quoted 95s., and for shipment to France and Italy these qualities stand at 114s.; No. 1 Cleveland is 99s. for home use, and 119s. for export to the Allies. The situation in the east coast haematite department is slightly less stringent than it has been, sqpie relief being afforded by the increasing use of basic iron and scrap in the manu- facture of steel. There are now 20 furnaces in this district producing basic iron for steel making purposes. It is also gratifying to learn of prospects of larger output of haematite in the near future. Nos 1, 2 and 3 haematite are 122s. 6d for home use, and 147s. 6d. for shipment to France and Italy. There is a little more business passing in foreign ore, but transactions are still of a hand-to-mouth character. Supplies against old contracts, however, are coming forward much better, quite a number of cargoes having arrived recently. Manufacturers of finished iron and steel are as busily engaged as ever endeavouring to cope with the heavy needs of the Government and of the shipyards, and prices are very stiff. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday. The demand for house coal has been sensibly reduced by the weather conditions, but there are com- plaints of reduced deliveries from the collieries. Manu- facturing fuel continues brisk, and shipping coal has been rather busier during the past week. There are small quantities of slack on offer. Prices generally are as below : — Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ............... Medium.............. Common.............. Furnace coal.......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack _____......... Common slack ......... i Current D’st week’s Last year's prices. prices. > prices. 24,6 24/6 ! 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ ! 22/ -23/ I 19/6-21/ 20/6-21/ ! 20/6-21/ 18/ -18/6 20/ -20/6 ! 20/-20/6 17/6-18/ —* ; —* 25/ -26/ 18/6 upwds;18/6upwds 16/upwds 17/ upwds 17/ upwds 14/6upwds 25/ -26/ to lighting hours is expected to assist them in solving the problem. The favourable weather contributes to creating a fairly liberal supply of ordinary slacks, and for the same reason the supplies of house coal are for the most part adequate to meet the situation. Much attention is still devoted to the question of supplies of slacks for coke- making, and resort is being made to expediencies to provide tonnage which is necessary to keep the plants in full operation. On the other hand, the heavy pressure for supplies of furnace coke for Frodingham and the Midland district continues, but the production has been materially affected owing to the stoppage of several plants through a dispute respecting working hours. Prices at pit. _________________ Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. Business is still very brisk, and there is a heavy demand for coal on both local and coastwise accounts. The house coal trade is slightly easing. The Irish market is still experiencing some shortage of Cumberland coal. Slacks, smalls, and all varieties of coal for industrial and coking purposes are in very keen demand, and gas and engine fuels for local consumption are in very strong request. Land- sale is fairly steady, but business is not quite as brisk as it was. It is believed that most of the pits will be idle for two days at least—Good Friday and Easter Monday. The pressure on works and other steam coal is probably stronger than usual at present. Upwards of 3,000 tons of east coast coal is being regularly shipped from Cumberland to Irish ports. Pitch is in rather better demand. Current quotations are as follow :— ______________________ * As per official list. IRON. The trade of this district remains as previously quoted. There is nothing new with the exception that perhaps foundry iron is a little more difficult to get hold of, and steel scrap is reported as getting scarcer. The foundries are busier than they have been for some time. Forges and steel works are very fully occupied. Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit Best washed nuts at pit... Seconds at pit Washed nuts at pit De. smalls „ Do. peas „ Buckhill best coal at pit... Do. double-serned washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at pit Oughterside best washed nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts at pit Best Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... Best bunkers (coastwise) Do. (for foreign-going steamers) Best works fuel Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- works Current prices. 25/10 24/2 23/4 23/4 19/2 17/6 25/ 23/6 25/ 23/6 25/ 23/6 22/ 20/ 31/ 31/ 22/6 22/6 21/6 L’st week’s prices. 25/10 24/2 23/4 23/4 19/2 17'6 25/ 23/6 25/ 23/6 25/ 23/6 22/ 20/ 3!/ 31/ 22/6 22/6 21/6 Last year’ prices. 23/4 21/8 20/10 20/10 16/8 15/ 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 19/6 17/6 25/ 30/ 20/ 20/ 19/ 1 IRON. _________________ Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The coal trade in West Yorkshire continues to be fully employed, and while the output of every description of coal is easily absorbed there is not at present any unusual difficulty regarding supplies. Requirements are fairly well met except in the case of slacks suitable for coking purposes and to some extent washed steam nuts and other special grades of manufacturing fuel. The demand generally is very steady, showing little fluctuation. With regard to house coal, the requirements of the London market are pretty well satisfied, and there is an absence of the extreme keenness in the pressure of supplies to which the collieries had been accustomed. Locally, the demand has moderated somewhat, and although the better qualities, such as Haigh Moor and the best Silkstones, are relatively scarce, the position as to supplies is satisfactory on the whole, although somewhat uneven. Gas works are ready buyers of any extra supplies of gas coal. The position is appreciably easier, and as consumption is reduced deliveries approximate more nearly to current needs, but it is only in exceptional cases that it is possible to make any substantial addition to stocks. The great demand for nuts for steam purposes and also for crushing for coking necessarily limits the quantity available for gas purposes. Manufacturing fuel is the strongest feature of the market. Supplies are scarce, except in small slacks, and these are not plentiful. Nuts and rough slacks are very difficult to secure, and in view of the approaching holidays consumers, especially in the Bradford district, are exhibiting some concern. Furnace coke remains unchanged. Despite the difficulty presented by the shortage of coking smalls the output is well main- tained and just about meets the demand. The market on Tuesday was moderately attended, but not much business was done, an appeal on behalf of the Serbian Army occupying the attention of the Exchange almost to the entire exclusion of everything else. The appended pit prices are more or less nominal :— Current pit prices. House coals:— Best Silkstone ........ Best Barnsley softs.... Secondary do. .... Best house nuts ______ Secondary do......... ........ ........ Steam coals:— Best hard coals.......; Secondary do..........I Best washed nuts......> Secondary do......... ............ Best slack ..........i Secondary do.......... Gas coals:— Screened gas coals ......... .............. Unscreened do........ ............ Gas nuts..............i Furnace coke............I __________ Current L'stweek’siLast year’s prices. prices. ’ prices. 23/ -24 6 « 20/ -22/ 21/ -21 6 ; 18/6-19/ 19/ -20/ . 17/ -17/6 18/6-19 6 i 16/ -17/ 18/ -18 6 > 15/6-16/ 20/ -2U ' 17/6-18/6 19/ -20/ : 16/6-17/6 18/6-19'6 16/3-16/6 18/ —18/9 15,6-16/3 15/ -15/9 ! 12/6-13/ 13/ -13/6 10/6-11/ 23/ -24 6 21/ -21/6 19/—20/ 18/6-19/6 18/ -18'6 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 18/6-19/6 18/ -18/9 15/ —15/9 12/ -13/6 19/ -19/6 18/ -18/6 18 9 32/ 19/ -19/6 18/ -18/6 18/9 32/ 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/ 16/ 25/8 Hull. COAL. Market conditions continue firm, but without real change. The demand all round is such that available supplies are quickly absorbed, and occasionally some particular sorts are difficult to get. Large steams are strong, Admiralty requirements showing no abatement. France is still a good buyer. Only small quantities are to be had for neutral shipment, and these readily command 35s. to 40s. for best South Yorkshire hards. West Yorkshires are in keen request for France, and supplies barely sufficient. Nuts cannot be exported. Rough slacks and all industrial fuels move off freely. Screened gas is in fair demand, as are also household sorts, though the mild weather and the coming of summer time are having an obvious effect. All quota- tions are without change. Shipments from the docks are up to recent average. Chesterfield. COAL. Milder weather does not appear to have affected to any appreciable extent the call for house coal. The demand for fuel for industrial purposes continues on a very exten- sive scale, and cobbles and nuts are in particularly urgent request. Supplies are inadequate. Slack for boiler firing is in steady demand, and there is less difficulty in securing deliveries than is the case with larger sorts. There is a fully-sustained demand for steam coal for locomotive purposes, and gas coal continues to be much sought after. Export trade is unchanged. There is a strong inland demand for steam coal. The coke market maintains its strong tone, and the demand for all qualities is brisk. Coking fuel is in active request. IRON. The demand for every class of iron is active, and the whole plant of the district is working up to its utmost limit. The haematite pig iron trade continues in an exceedingly brisk condition. Nearly all the special iron is allocated to consumers in Scotland and the Midlands. Prices are unchanged. The Cumberland haematite warrants at cash are still quoted at 115s. per ton, and therefore, from the quarterly ascertainment under the sliding scale in operation in this district, the wages of blastfurnacemen in Cumber- land and North Lancashire are unchanged. During the quarter, however, all the blastfurnacemen have received the 12| per cent, increase in their wages. Stocks of iron in public storing yards are lower than ever. Very great briskness prevails in the iron ore industry between Cleator Moor and Hodbarrow. Some good consignments of foreign ore are coming to hand. _________________ South-West Lancashire. COAL. Although in a few districts there may be said to be a little difficulty in obtaining adequate supplies of house coal, generally speaking supplies are equal to the demand, which, however, due to the mildness of the weather, is not equal to the average for March. The demand for coal suitable for forges and manufacturing purposes continues heavy. Shipping does not show much change. Contract and Government bunkering requirements are well main- tained, and export is fairly active for present conditions. Open sale bunkering is quiet, owing to the arrival of com- paratively few outside steamers. Supplies of steam coal are fairly adequate, though not over plentiful. Minimum prices are of course according to schedule. The supplies of coal available for shipment for coastwise and cross-channel trade are not more than are necessary to meet the demand of the merchant across the water, who has still further difficulties to meet in getting it shipped. In consequence of the anxiety of customers to see themselves right over the Easter holidays, the demand for slack is brisk. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). 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 I 20/ -20/6 i 18/6-19/6 i 25/6-26/ i 24/ -25/ i 23/ -24/ ; 20 6-22 6 > L'st week's 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 s Last year's prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 23/ -24/ ’ 22/ -23/ : 20/ -21/ : 19/ -20/ 18/ -18 6 i 18/ -18 6 16/ -17/ 17/ —18/ i 17/ -18/ : 15/6-16/6 16/6-17,6 ! 16/6-17/6 ' 15/ -16/ 18/6-19/6 18/6-19,6 , 17/ -18/ 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 16/ -17/ 16/6-17,6 16,6-17 6 15/ -16/ 16 6-17.6 16 6-17,6 15/ -16/ 15,6-16/6 15 6-16 6 14/ -15/ 13 6-14 6 ; 13'6-14 6 12/ -13/ 14/ -15/ ; 14/ -15/ 12 6-13 6 32/ | 32/ , 25/8 House coal:— Best ................. Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium __..............__ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen .........._____ Com. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Screened forge coal..... Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............ Secondary slack ........ Common do............... Current prices. 23/6-24/6 25/ -26/ 21/6-22/6 24/6-25/ 20/6 23/ -24/ 20/6 30/ 18/6 17/6 16/6 L’st week's prices. 23/6-24/6 25/ -26/ 21/6-22/6 I 24/6-25/ I 20/6 ! 23/ -24/ 20/6 30/ 18/6 17/6 16/6 Last year's prices. 21/ —22/ 25/6upwds 19/ -20/ 24/6 18/ 23/6 18/ 23/6-24/6 16/ 15/ 14/ Barnsley. COAL. The almost entire absence of any surplus fuel in the open market continues to be experienced, and business is still of a normal character. It has not been possible to effect any improvement in regard to supplies. This applies particularly to gas coal, slacks for coke-making and small manufacturing fuel. The activities of the committees who regulate the distribution continue to be marked. So far as the collieries are concerned, the full production is readily cleared, and supplies for distant areas are affected by the delays in transit. The shortage of wagons becomes more serious. Export trade is again of a substantial character, but it shows little variation, and, so far as the Allies are concerned, is about fully met ; but there is little tonnage left to meet the enquiry from the neutral countries. Although having a kind of preferential claim, the railway companies find it difficult to obtain sufficient supplies to add to their stocks. Whilst the position in regard to steam nuts remains unaltered, ordinary users are still having to take larger fuel. As stated, gas concerns are apprehensive of their needs being met owing to the difficulty in having no margin from their present supplies to add to stocks, though, of course, the prospect in regard __________________ Nottingham. COAL. Activity continues to characterise every branch of the trade in this district, and the general demand on the col- lieries is such that the output is readily disposed of. In regard to the house coal section the approach of Easter has tended to make business livelier. The tonnage available is being well distributed in the various areas, and the require- ments of the public are being satisfactorily attended to. Although merchants are obtaining fair supplies, they have little opportunity of placing any fuel in reserve, owing to the current needs of customers, and some collieries are experiencing pressure for further deliveries on contracts. There is little change to be noted in steam fuel, the demand for which fully absorbs the output. Steam nuts are still in big request for munition works, and ordinary manufac- turers find it difficult to secure a supply. Generally, slacks are in fair supply, and a good trade is being done. More enquiries are coming to hand for gas coal, but the output is substantially absorbed by contract require- ments. Coke is in good demand. Prices at pithead. Current 'L’stweek’slLast year's prices. prices. I prices. Hand-picked brights ....i 21/ -22/ 21/ —22/ * 19/ —19 6 Good house coals........' 20' -21/ ! 20/ -21/ i 18/ —18/6 Secondary do..........> 18'6-19'6 18/6-19/6 ; 17/ -18/ Best hard coals.......... 18'3-19/ 18/3-19/ \ 17/ -17/6 Secondary do ..........>17/ -18/ 17' -18/ ! 16/ -17/ Slacks (best hards) ______; 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ • 12/ -13/ Do. (second) ________I 13/ -13/6 i 13/ -13/6 j 10 6-11/6 Do. (soft)............> 13/ ; 13/ ’ 11/ ________ ________ Leicestershire. COAL. The pressure becomes greater week by week, and while the demand for steam raising fuels increases with great persistence, the supplies available become more restricted The difficulty of rationing supplies is greater than ever, and there is every indication of even more arduous times ahead. The immediate result s that more household is being diverted to meet urgent national necessities. Cobbles, large and small nuts and peas are in very strong demand, stocks being cleared out day by day. Small fuel for mechanical stokers cannot be supplied fast enough, and the absence of reserves is acutely felt. The e is a very heavy demand for all clases of households for London and the south of England, and it has become quite impossible to maintain deliveries at the stipulated maximum. Bakers’ nuts command a very free sale, and fresh orders are not entertained. Deliveries for domestic consumption at the great centres of population are restricted and irregular, while the position is aggravated by the absence of reserves.