March 28, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 649 Current quotations. Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 25/10 25/10 23/4 Best washed nuts at pit... 24/2 24/2 21/8 Seconds at pit 28/4 23/4 20/10 W ashed nuts at pit 23/4 23/4 20/10 Do. smalls „ 19/2 19/2 16/8 Do. peas „ 17/6 17/6 15/ Buckhill best coal at pit... 25/ 25/ 22/6 Do. double-serned washed nuts at pit 23/6 23/6 21/ Oughterside best coal at pit 25/ 25/ 22/6 Oughterside best washed nuts at pit 23/6 25/ 23/6 21/ St. Helens (Siddick) best coal at pit 25/ 22/6 St. Helens best house nuts at pit 23/6 23/6 21/ Pest Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. 22/ 22/ 19/6 17/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 20/ 20/ Best bunkers (coastwise) 31/ 31/ 25/ Do. (for foreign-going steamers) 31/ 31/ 30/ Best works fuel 22/6 22/6 20/ Best coal for gasworks ... 22/6 22/6 20/ Best washed nuts for gas- works 21/6 21/6 __19L especially as consumers have been eager to get extra supplies before the holidays. Munition works and other engineering concerns, which have first claim, may be said to absorb the whole supply of nuts. Practically no new business is possible in gas coal, for the lack of available supplies. Contract deliveries, of gas nuts especially, are still somewhat behindhand, and, generally speaking, only excep- tionally has it been possible to add to stocks at the works. The advent of summer time should effect an improvement. Furnace coke is in full demand. The pits will stop for Easter for two days on the average, although it may be expected that the output will be affected to a greater extent than that. Current pit prices. increased deliveries of gas coal. The export trade remains in a stagnant condition, as it is impossible to obtain licences for shipment of Derbyshire coal. The coke trade is good, the demand for all classes of coke being such as to absorb readily the whole of the output of the ovens. Coking fuel is in request. IRON. There is continued activity in every branch of the trade, and work is abundant. IRON. Great briskness is exhibited in the hsematite pig iron, steel, and allied industries in West Cumberland and the Furness district. The situation as regards the position of ferro-manganese is unchanged. The demand in the home market is firm, but there is very little doing in the export trade. Great activity prevails in the steel trade. The iron ore industry is in a flourishing condition. All the mines are fully employed and output is steadily rising. South-West Lancashire. COAL. The pits will set down this week for the Easter holidays at least two days; in some cases three are being pressed for, although, in the present state of the coal market and the outlook as regards men, it certainly seems that as much fuel as is possible should be wound. It is still required in all avenues of trade. House coal orders are not above the average, yet they are with difficulty met, and although bunkering and shipping are irregular this does not give rise to any surplus fuel. Ireland and the coastwise and cross- channel merchants are eager buyers when fuel can be bought and charters can be arranged. In regard to slack and small fuel there is no relaxation of pressure so far. Many gas companies also are pressing. They have so little in stock that they are making urgent demands for tem- porarily increased quantities to see them over the stoppage. 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: e 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 iL’st week’s Last year’s prices, i prices. prices. 21/6-22/6 1 21/6-22/6 20/ -21/ 21/ -21/6 j 21/ -21/6 19/ -20/ 21/ -21/6 ! 21/ -21,6 i 19/ -20/ 20/ -20/6 ! 20/ -20/6 •' 17/ -18/ 18/6-19/6 ! 18/6-19/6 ' 16/ -17/ 25/6*26/ 1 25/6-26/ ( 23/ -24' 24/ —25/ ! 24/ —25/ i 22/ -23/ 23/ -24/ I 23/ -24/ , 20/ -21/ 20/6-22/6 i 20/6-22/6 j 19/ -20/ 18/ -18/6 ! 18/ -18/6 ■ 16/ -17/ 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ i 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 j 17/6-18/6 i 16/ -17/ 16/6-17/6 j 16/6-17,6 • 15/ -16/ 16/6—17/6 15.6- 16/6 13.6- 14/6 14/ -15/ 16/6-17/6 ; 15/6-16,6 1 13/6-14,6 | 14/ -15/ i 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 12/ —13/ 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 (Last year’s prices. J prices. 23/6-24/6 | 21/ -22/ 25/ -26/ ! 25/6 21/6-22/6 19/ -20/ 24 6-25/ 24/6 20/6 ' i 18/ 23/ -24/ !23/6 upwds 20/6 : 18/ 30' 23/6-24/6 18/6 16/ 17/6 15/ 16/6 14/ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. Owing to the near approach of Good Friday and Easter* these reports have to be hurried somewhat this week. There is no change to record in the general position of the coal trade. The collieries will be closed for two or three days, but arrangements are not definitely completed between the colliery proprietors and men as to which days wall be taken. Prices generally are as below :— Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Barnsley. COAL. The influence of the approaching holidays has been felt at the collieries in the keen pressure for supplies of all descriptions of coal; although there are no stocks at the pits and practically no surplus fuel offering on the market, the production is well maintained and enables satisfactory supplies to be given in most cases. The deliveries are somewhat affected by the action of the Distribution Committee, but there is less anxiety, and every indication that the position will be dealt with more easily than was expected. In regard to large steams, special attention has been paid to the requirements of the railway companies. The export trade continues to be steady, apart from the requests of the Allies and for Admiralty purposes. All kinds of small manufacturing fuel are in active demand, and perhaps there is more difficulty in obtaining this grade of coal than any other. The supply of gas coal under contract is of an ordinary description, and soft nuts are still being taken to be crushed to increase the supply of material used in the manufacture of coke. Gas concerns continue to find it difficult to obtain deliveries on such a scale as will enable stocks to be augmented. Ordinary slacks come freely to hand, and the position in respect to house coal is much the same, supplies in most directions apparently proving of an adequate character. There is still some difficulty, owing to labour troubles, in regard to the supply of furnace coke, and the production is promptly cleared. Values remain of a nominal character about as follow:— Prices at pit. House coal:— Best .............. Medium............. Common............. Furnace coal......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack .......... Common slack ........ Current iL’st week’s | Last year’s prices. prices, i prices. 24/6 24/6 j 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ : 22/ -23/ ; 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 18/6upwTds; 16/ upwds 17/ upwds[17/ upwds114/6 upwds House coals:— Best Silkstone ....... Best Barnsley softs... Secondary do......... Best house nuts ...... Secondary do.......... Steam coals:— Best hard coals....... Secondary do.......... Best washed nuts...... Secondary do.......... Best slack ........... Secondary do.......... Gas coals:— Screened gas coals ... Unscreened do.........i Gas nuts.......... Furnace coke..........j Current prices. 23/ -24 ’6 21/ —21/6 : 19/ -20/ ’ 18/6-19/6 j 18/ -18/6 j 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/ L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 23/ -24/6 21/ -21/6 19/ -20/ 18/6—19/6 18/ -18/6 prices. 20/ -22/ 18/6—19/ 17/ -17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 20/ -21/ J 17/6-18/6 19/ -20/ I 16/6—17/6 18/6-19/6 i 16/3-16/6 18/ -18/9 i 15/6-16/3 15/ —15/9 I 12/6-13/ 13/ -13/6 10/6-11/ 19/ -19/6 | 16/6-17/6 18/ —18/6 I 15/6—16/ 18/9 ; 16/ 32/ j 25/8 * As per official list. IRON. There was a fair attendance on ’Change in Manchester, considering that it was a holiday week, and nothing of particular importance is going on. There is nothing new to report, either as regards the production of finished and other material, or as regards prices. All works are fully occupied on war work, deliveries of which are controlled by the authorities. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The general demand has undergone very little change. The scarcity of steam and manufacturing fuel is still the chief feature. The continued mildness of the weather influences the demand for house coal, both for London and nearer markets; but considering that enquiry is compara- tively quiet and not much new business is passing, very little surplus is offered. While there is not much pressure on the collieries at the moment, the output is readily absorbed, and the bulk of the tonnage, for distant markets particularly, is taken in private wagons There is com- plaint of delay to trucks, the wagon question being more or less a regular difficulty. Local markets like London are well supplied with house coal, and there is a good deal of speculation as to the effects of the rumoured Government rationing scheme as applied to the provinces. The scarcity of steam coal and all classes of manufacturing fuel, with the exception of the lower grades of slack, is very marked, Hull. COAL. The demand for shipment this side of Easter has been strong, and exports showed fairly substantial increase. Most of it has been on French account, despatch having been favourably influenced by the weather. Supplies have been barely equal to all requirements notwithstanding pressure put upon collieries to expedite matters, and there has naturally been some difficulty experienced in obtaining accommodation lots. Neutral business continues on a modest scale, and licences very tardily granted. The new rates regarding Denmark are equal to about 43s. 6d. per ton for best South Yorkshire hards, other sorts being in proportion to the scheduled prices. It is not anticipated that much of the Danish supply of 150,000 tons per month will come from the Humber. Large quantities of hards are still being taken by the Admiralty. All industrial fuels have been scarce and eagerly sought after by munition factories, etc. Chesterfield. COAL. The demand for house coal is fully maintained, despite the mildness of the season. Fuel for industrial purposes is in active request, and consumers are becoming very anxious with regard to supplies, which are now scarce. Cobbles and nuts are in specially urgent demand, these being the classes particularly suitable for gas-producers. Slack for boiler firing is moving freely. Steam coal for locomotive use is much wanted, and owing to inadequate supplies, railway authorities are compelled to draw upon their reserve stocks. Gas companies continue to press for Nottingham. COAL. With the public demand for domestic fuel becoming easier in consequence of the milder weather of the past few days, merchants in this district have experienced no rush on the eve of the Easter holidays, and there has been no unusual pressure on the collieries. The output of this class of fuel is being well maintained; but in order to cover the needs of areas supplied from this district and to fulfil contract obligations, collieries have no opportunity of placing any tonnage in reserve, all qualities of households being readily accepted by merchants. Distribution under the system of control is proceeding satisfactorily. In the steam coal branch a most active tone is dominant. The output generally is not sufficient to meet all requirements. An abnormal demand on home account continues, the tonnage required for war work being heavy. Slacks are in good request, and there is a shortage of those grades used in the manufacture of coke. The supply of gas coal is not sufficient to justify the full demand. 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/ -15/ • 13/ -13/6 13/ L’st week’s - Last year’s prices. prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 18/6-19/6 18/3-19/ 17/ -18/ 14/ -15/ 13/ -13/6 13/ 19/ -19/6 18/ —18/6 17/ -18/ 17/ -17/6 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10,6-11/6 11/ Leicestershire. COAL. There is a very marked change in the general demand for household as far as urgent deliveries are concerned, and there is a pronounced decline in the ordinary consumption. Stocks generally are so low that there is an exceptionally strong demand for laying in reserves far in advance of the ordinary period. The conditions attending management are more strenuous than ever, and the notification that a monthly profit and loss account must be prepared for each colliery will add greatly to the already heavy burden. To take stock twelve times a year with greatly depleted clerical staffs, in addition to the making of special weekly returns, will be a well-nigh impossible task. The demand for all classes of steam fuel is still increasing, and as the ordinary supplies are quite inadequate they have to be supplemented by large quantities of household. There is a falling off in the demand for household for London and the South of England, but on the other hand large and small nuts, including bakers’ nuts, sell with the utmost freedom. Small nuts for mechanical stokers command an exceptionally keen sale and there is great pressure for speedy deliveries for munition works and for big works of military and national importance. The county trade is maintained at a high level for all classes of household, and there are heavy arrears to be made good. It has been arranged to take a three days holiday at Easter — Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. There are no reserves of stocks at country sidings 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 Current 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/ 15/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/6 12/9-13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ kitcheners.............. 16/ -17/6 Steams, best hand picked 16/6—17/6 Steams, seconds ......... 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 South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. In view of the Easter holidays, demand has been stimu- lated during the la$t few days. It is calculated that all round three days will be lost at Easter on an averge. At some of the collieries work will continue over Friday and Saturday, and will not be resumed till towards the end of the following week; others will close for Saturday and Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 24/6 j ! 24/6 22/ Do. seconds deep 22/6 ! 22/6 21/6 20/6 20/ Do. best shallow 21/6 J 19/ 18/ Do. seconds do. 20/6 | Best hard 21/ i 21/ 18/6 Forge coal 18/6 18/6 16/ Slack Warwickshire:— 13/6 i 13/6 11/6 House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 21/6 21/6 19/ cobs 20/6 20/6 18/ Best hard spires 22/6 22/6 20/ Forge (steam) 18/6 18/6 16/ D.S. nuts (steam) 17/ 17/ 14/6 Small (do.) 17/ i 17/ 14/6