May 31, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1103 the western portion of the county. Efforts, however, are still being made by the joint committee to get the men to be more regular in their attendance. Supplies are scarce, and local merchants could easily dispose of twice as much as they can secure. Gras and locomotive fuels are in strong request, but, with the exception of shipping, no stocks are being sent out of the country. Bankers are very steady, and smalls and coking fuels are firm. The export trade is very healthy, and the demand for all sorts for shipping is well maintained. The collieries have now so much on hand locally that they are unable to spare more than 1,000 tons weekly for export. A good cargo of pit timber has arrived for the local collieries, and the shipments have also included 1,500 tons of pitch from the West Cumberland By- product Works for a Continental port. The coke industry is very busy—all the 390 by-product coke ovens are again in full blast. Current quotations. Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit Best washed nuts at pit... Seconds at pit Washed nuts at pit Do. smalls „ Do. peas „ Buckhill best coal at pit... Do. double-scrned 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 ... BestCumberl'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/ 22/6 226 2L;6 L’st week’s^Last year’s prices. prices. 25/10 23/4 24/2 21/3 23/4 20/10 23 4 20/10 19'2 16/8 17 6 15/ 25/' 22/6 23 6 21/ 25/ 22/6 23 6 21/ 25/ 22'6 23/6 21/ 22/ 19/6 20/ 17/6 31/ 25/ 31/ 30/ 22,6 20/ 22 6 20/ 21/6 19/ IRON. No change has occurred in the conditions of the West Coast hamiatite pig iron trade since last week. All the plants in connection with the iron and steel industries in Cumberland and North Lancashire are feverishly busy. Practically all the make of special brands of iron is reserved for approved users engaged exclusively on special work for the Government in Scotland and the Midlands, and the bulk of the output of ordinary Bessemer iron is being absorbed locally at the steel works. Prices are still quoted at the maximum. The engineering trade is very brisk. The iron ore industry remains in a very active condition. All the mines in the district are working regularly, and production is fairly good. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The position in West Yorkshire grows more acute every day, as the effects of the reduction in output become apparent. Supplies are scarcer than evey, while the demand is exceptionally strong and keen. The market was well attended and animated on Tuesday, but there was practically no coal of any kind on offer, as the collieries are generally in arrears. Many collieries have sent out notices of reductions in contract deliveries, varying from 10 to as much as 25 per cent., for owing to the labour difficulty it is hopeless to expect anything like normal supplies The comb-out of the second draft of men is in progress, and is now exercising its influence upon the tonnage raised. As an illustration, a colliery may be cited which, employing 979 men before the first comb-out, then lost 62, and in the second call 84, or altogether the equiva- lent of nearly 15 per cent of its labour strength. This may be regarded as a typical case. The great demand for coal for shipment from the Humber ports also keeps the market clear of any surplus screened coal that would other- wise be available for inland consumption. The pressure for house coal is very heavy. Full deliveries are still required for L ndon and the south, in addition to which there is a readiness to buy, if there were anything on offer. The local markets are all short, and merchants are over- whelmed with orders. The retail demand is abnormally heavy, as many of the public, alarmed by the shortage, are endeavouring to lay in stocks, though with little success on the whole, for merchants are generally giving preference to the more needy cases. Manufacturing fuel is extremely difficult to get hold of, as the more essential trades which are protected in regard to supplies by the local distribution committees have first call, and other consumers are experiencing great difficulty in securing adequate quan- tities. Washed nuts and rough slacks are almost unpro- curable, and if the supply becomes further restricted it seems inevitable that some of the least essential industries must suffer. As to gas coal, stocks at the works are abnormally low for the time of the year, and while deliveries are barely sufficient in many cases for current needs, it is impossible to add to reserves. Some of the larger gas works favourably situated in regard to the railways are still obtaining supplies from Durham. Some progress is reported in the renewal of gas coal contracts, invariably for reduced quantities. The demand for washed furnace coke is in excess of the output of the ovens. The extreme scarcity of coking slacks placed most coke makers in difficulties during the holidays, and in many instances it was not possible to keep the ovens working at full capacity. Enquiry on the market for coking smalls was very keen. Pit prices are more or less nominal. Current pit prices. South-West Lancashire. COAL. The inland household demand continues well above the normal, but it is probably not all for immediate consump- tion. Supplies have come out very meagrely since the holidays, and actual deliveries do not more than equal an average summer Requirements for steam coal for bunker- ing and export are fully equal to the tonnage of recent weeks, the demand for Admiralty purposes being particu- larly strong. Supplies, of course, are better than they were last week, but they are distinctly short, and there is consequently a good deal of delay to steamers. Prices are based on full schedule rates. The extra rates where the price is not limited are not at present more than a shilling or two for Lancashire coals, and possibly 2s. to 2s. 6d. for Yorkshire hards. By far the greater part of the shipments, however, are at limited rates, being for bunkering and for export to France and Italy. There is nothing fresh to report with regard to the shipment of household fuels Jor the coastwise and cross-Channel trade. The position with regard to manufacturing fuel keeps acute, there being no free slack of reasonable quality at all upon the market. 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:— Pi ices at pit : Washed nuts.......... Large double-screened engine nuts ......... Small nuts.......... Bough unscreened . engine coal........ Bost rough slacks... Small do. .......... Coking smalls ...... Coke:— Price at ovens Furnace coke ........ 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/ upwds 18/6 17/6 16/6 L’st week’s 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 Last year's prices. 21/ -22/ 25/6 19/ -20/ 24/6 18/ 23/ upwds 18/ 24/ -25/ 16/ 15/ 14/ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a moderate attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. A keen demand prevails for all qualities of house and manufacturing fuel, but no improvement in the quantities offered. The call for shipping coal is steady. Prices 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 ........ Current prices. 24/6 22/ -23/ 20/6-21/ 20/ -20/6 18/6 upwds 17/ upwds L’st week’s prices. 24/6 22/ -23/ 20/6-21/ 20/-20/6 ______* 18/6upwds 17/ upwds Last year's prices. 22/ -23/ 19/6-21/ 18/ -18/6 17/6-18/ 25/ -26/ 16/ upwds 14/6 upwds * As per official list. IRON. There was a good attendance on 'Change in Manchester. No alteration whatever to report as regards business in this district. All works are fully occupied on war material, and orders with senior priority have precedence. 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/ 32/ L'st week's prices. 21/ -22 6 21/ -21/6 21/ -216 20/ 20/6 18/6-19,6 Last year's prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ purposes. Large sorts are still being taken in place of nuts, and all descriptions of small coal are in very active demand. The position in respect to the supply of gas fuel remains difficult, concerns having to continue upon reduced contract supplies, which are also of an irregular character. The supply of slack required for coke making still absorbs a good deal of attention. The pressure for furnace coke is very active, but the by-product plants can hardly be kept in full operation, except in cases where the collieries produce the requisite tonnage to keep the ovens in operation. As formerly, surplus lots of fuel in the open market are practically non-existent, and values are untested. Hull. COAL. Though coal is coming over the rails a little better and in fair quantities, it has done practically nothing towards easing the very stringent position. To make the best use of the shipping engaged in the trade with North French ports, it is necessary to keep it fully employed and to take the fullest advantage of the summer months. At present, much more remains to be done in this direction. Large steam coal is fully absorbed on official and neutral account, and practically nothing whatever to be had for neutral trade. Supplies of screened coal are short, and difficult to get to complete loading. Nuts are not permitted export, and small industrial coal finds a tardy market. All prices remain unchanged, with 5s premium where neutral transactions take place. Chesterfield. COAL. No change can be reported in the condition of the coal trade. The demand for all classes of fuel is still very active, but supplies are inadequate. House coal orders come to hand freely, and London needs are considerable. There are no available stocks at the pits, and deliveries are regulated by the daily output of the collieries. Manufacturing fuel is in brisk demand, and great pressure is used to procure the necessary supplies. Preference is given, of course, to those works which are engaged on Government orders. Nuts suitable for steel works continue scarce, and cobbles for manufacturing purposes are equally difficult to find. Gas coal is in active request, and although current con- , sumption may be on a reduced scale, full supplies are needed for the purpose of adding to reserves. Steam coal for locomotive use continues in pressing request. Railway companies still find it necessary to draw upon their stock heaps owing to inability to obtain a sufficient current tonnage from the collieries. The coke market is in a strong position, and all classes of coke are in great request. Coking slack is in short supply, and steam raising slack is in active demand. The export trade is without any change, the shipment of coal from Derbyshire being still prohibited. The Admiralty continues to take a good tonnage of steam coal from this district. IRON. The iron trade and allied industries continue in a state of great activity. Work in every department is abundant. 25/6-26/ 24/ -25/ 23/ -24/ 20/6-22 6 18/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 16/6-17/6 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ 18/6-19/6 17/ -18/ 17/6-18/6 16/ -17/ 16/6-17,6 15/ -16/ 16,6-17/6'15/ -16/ 15/6-16-6 ! 14/ -15/ 13/6-14,6 : 12/ -13/ 14/ -15/ I 12/6-13/6 Nottingham. COAL. There has been no particular change in the condition of the trade in this district during the past week. Warm weather has helped slightly to ease the position in the domestic fuel branch, as merchants have not experienced the same pressure for supplies on current account, but collieries are nevertheless unable to keep pace with contract obligations., There is every prospect of the position becoming less difficult as the season advances, although with merchants eager to wipe off outstanding orders, collieries will have little chance of accumulating any substantial reserve supplies during the summer. Insistent pressure for supplies is the dominating feature of the steam coal section. It is in this branch that the limited output is, perhaps, most severely felt, inasmuch as the continued heavy demand for war purposes makes substantial inroads on the supplies, and leaves a comparatively small tonnage for ordinary manufacturing concerns. A shortage in the supply of nuts continues. Most grades of slacks are in active request. The full output of gas coal is readily disposed of. Prices at pithead. Barnsley. COAL. The position is practically unchanged with regard to the scarcity of fuel. Close attention is being given to the distribution of the production available. Though there is no evidence yet of the rationing scheme in regard to house coal, the deliveries to householders are being kept well within the limits of one month's consumption. Merchants have many orders on hand, and are exerting pressure, but it is of no avail, owing to the receipt of precise instructions. In a similar way contract deliveries are being reduced, and urgent needs of a national character still necessitate a considerable diversion of supplies at short notice. This is particularly the case with respect to all descriptions of steam fuel, the consumption of which in proportion to the output is exceedingly heavy. The district is particularly affected in this regard, and a very high percentage of the present day output is taken for the Admiralty and the munition works. Very little fuel for other purposes is being sent to the port, and though nuts are excluded from export, it is impossible to satisfy the demand for home Current L'st week’s Last year’s Hand-picked brights prices. 21/ -22/ prices. 21/ -22/ prices. 18'6-19/6 Good house coals 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 18/ -18/6 Secondary do 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 17/ -18/ Best hard coals 18/6-19/ 18/6-19/ 17/ -17/6 16/ -17/ Secondary do 17/6-18/ 17'6-18/ Slacks (best hards) 14/ -14/6 14/ -14'6 12/ -13/ Do. (second) 13/ -13/6 13/ -13/61 . 10 6-11/6 Do. (soft) 13/ 13/ ! 1 HZ Leicestershire. COAL. The output has been well maintained in proportion to the reduced number of men available, but, in spite of this, the general position grows more serious. The strict super- vision which has to be exercised over all deliveries, and the sub-division of supplies so as to cover all urgent demands, entail an enormous strain on the management. There is no relief in the heavy calls for all classes of household for London and district, and every effort has to be made to Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstono 23/ -24/6 23/ -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 18/ -18/6 16/ -17/ Secondary do Steam coals:— 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/ -18/6 18/ -18/6 15/6-16/3 Best slack 15/ -15/9 15/ -15/9 12/6-13/ Secondary do Gas coals:— 12/ -13/6 12/ -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 15/6-16/6 Gas nuts 18/ 18/6 16/ Furnace coke 32/ 32/ 25/8 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. 19/ -20/6 18/ -19/ 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/3-16/ 14/6-14/9 8/6- 9/6 L'st week's prices. 19/ -20/6 18/ -/19 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/3-16/ 14/6-14/9 8/6- 9/6 Last year’s prices. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/6 16/ -17/ 16/ -16/6 15/ -15/6 14/6-15/ 12/9-13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ 15/ -16/6 15/6-16/6 14/6-16/ 15/ -16/6 ,j 14/9-15/6 15/ -16/6 15/6-16/6 14/6-16/ 15/ -16/6 14/9-15/6 13/6-14/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/6-14/ 12/6-13/6