June 7, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1151 Cumberland. Maryport. COAL. Great briskness is exhibited in the coal industry in this district. The demand for fuel on all accounts, except landsale, is well maintained. There has been very little change in the position since last week. All the pits are at work; and outputs are steadily improving, but supplies are still rather short. The call for fuel, more particularly for home use, is still very heavy. Landsale has dropped considerably, and business at the depots is quieter than it has been this year.- A substantial tonnage is now being released from other accounts. There is, however, still some shortage, mainly on export, but owing to the diminu- tion in house coal, the amount of Cumberland coal available for shipping is larger this week than it has been for some time. Engine fuels for the home railways are in very steady request. Gas coal is very firm, but stocks are scarce. Large quantities of smalls and coking fuels are still imported from Durham and Northumberland for the by- product coke ovens. The cross-Channel trade is rather easier. The shipments for the week have amounted to 3,340 tons, compared with 3,570 tons this time last year. The best house coal delivered is obtainable at Is. 7d. per cwt. or from 30s. to 30s. lOd. per ton. Current quotations. and when in some of the mills some of the men work in sets, if anything happens to one of the men engaged the whole set is thrown idle, as the military authorities have not left them a spare man. Prices remain the same as previously quoted. 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 21/3 Seconds at pit 23/4 23/4 20/10 Washed nuts at pit 23/4 23/4 20/10 Dg. smalls „ 19/2 19/2 16/8 Do. peas „ 17/6 17/6 15/ Buckhill best coal at pit... Do. double-scrned 25/ 25/ 22/6 washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at 23/6 23/6 21/ pit Oughterside best washed 25/ 25/ 22/6 nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best 23/6 23/6 21/ coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts 25/ 25/ 22/6 at pit 23/6 23/6 21/ Best Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. 22/ 22/ 19/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 20/ 20/ 17/6 Best bunkers (coastwise) Do. (for foreign-going 31/ 31/ 25/ steamers) ...... 31/ 31/ 30/ Best works fuel 22/6 22/6 20/ Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- 22/6 22^6 20/ works 21/6 21/6 19/ IRON. The Cumberland and North Lancashire haematite pig iron trade continues in a state of great activity. The out- standing feature is the great pressure of orders. Bessemer mixed numbers are again quoted at 127s. 6d. per ton, f.o.t., with warrants at cash at 115s. per ton. Special iron is 140s. per ton, and semi-special is quoted at 135s,. 6d. per ton, f.o.t. The position of ferro-manganese is unchanged. There are 30 furnaces at present in blast in Cumberland and North Lancashire. The demand for billets and plates is very strong, but rails are still rather quiet. During May the imports of foreign ore have amounted to 7,040 tons. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. There is very little change, and certainly no improve- ment to report in regard to the scarcity of supplies, which applies to every sort and is felt more or less severely in all directions. The market on Tuesday was practically at a standstill. The collieries are having to distribute their reduced output as fairly as possible, but cannot keep pace with present commitments, much less enter upon new. The position is indirectly indicated by the state of the wagon supply. Most colliery sidings are more or less full of empty trucks awaiting loading. It is said that wholesale factors and merchants are being so seriously hit by the reduced tonnage which they are receiving from the collieries that strong efforts are being made to induce the Coal Controller to increase the tonnage margin allowed. House coal is very short, and the demand is abnormally keen. London is reported to be very bare of supplies, especially in districts outside the Metropolitan area, and there is considerable shortage in the south and south-west districts. A number of London factors and merchants were on the market endeavouring to augment their deliveries. The collieries are still sending full tonnage, but it is understood that factors’ supplies to the Metropolitan area are reduced by the authorities to the extent of one-sixth of the trade done in 1917, with a view to the transference of the coal to national and other purposes approved by the Coal Con- troller. In the coal markets inadequate deliveries make it impossible for merchants to keep pace with the demand, and the projected rationing scheme will be welcomed as likely to smooth down difficulties of distribution, though it cannot bring needs into harmony with supplies available. Recent shipments of gas coal to France have been on a fairly large scale, and turns, both at loading and dis- charging points, have been more satisfactory, there being little delay; but quantities of gas coal available for inland consumption do not permit of real progress being made in regard to stocks at the works. Manufacturing fuel is so scarce that the position at some of the larger munition works has been very serious, nearly to the point of tem- porary stoppage. Special efforts are being made by the Ministry of Munitions to get supplies, and consequently the private consumer has suffered, and there is increased scarcity for manufacturing purposes in most industrial centres. Another feature which increases the scarcity of steam coal and slack is that larger quantities are used to keep the coke ovens going. The demand for furnace coke continues to absorb all the possible output. Pit prices are very largely nominal. Current pit prices. South-West Lancashire. COAL. There is, perhaps, a little easing in the situation in regard to inland house coal, but long lists of arrears are still upon the merchants’ books. With regard to shipping, the excess of demand over supplies continues, and what with increasing Admiralty requirements and greater demand for export, the whole position is becoming more difficult. Prices are according to full schedule rates or more in cases where the limitation does not apply. In the coastwise and cross- Channel trade vessels are rather easier to obtain at the moment, but the fuel itself can only be provided in limited quantities, although the demands from Ireland are urgent. Slacks and steam fuel of all descriptions are rather below requirements. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). 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 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. 23/6-24/6 23/6-24/6 21/ -22/ 25/ -26/ 25/ -26/ 25/6 21/6-22/6 21/6-22/6 19/ -20/ 24'6-25/ 24’6-25/ 24/6 20/6 20/6 18/ 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 23/ upwds 20/6 20/6 18/ 30/ upwds 30/ upwds 24/6-25/6 18/6 18/6 16/ 17/6 17/6 15/ 16/6 16/6 14/ 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............ Rough unscreened engine coal........... Bost 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/ 32/ L’st week's Last year's prices. 21/ -22'6 21/ -21/6 21/ -21/6 20/ -20/6 18/6-19/6 prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 25/6-26/ 23/ -24/ 24/ -25/ I 22/ -23/ 23/ -24/ 20/ -21/ 20/6-22'6 19/ -20/ 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/ 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/ 25/8 South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday, but there was really nothing offering on open sale, and there were general complaints of short deliveries under contract. Shipping coal is moving away in good quantities Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Barnsley. COAL. Reduced supplies and irregular deliveries, owing to extensive diversion, continue to be features of the position. It appears to be impossible to prevent the steady reduction in the output. Meanwhile, the pressure for supplies for special purposes is unabated, and the utmost difficulty exists on the part of collieries to give anything like satis- faction. Such is the position that collieries engaged on the renewal of gas coal contracts are refusing to be bound in any way with regard to the tonnage specified, and on present engagements arrears of supplies are accumulating in a considerable degree. The local position is much affected, because supplies for essential national needs have to be provided at something like the maximum. Though official notices have not yet been issued of material reduc- tions in the tonnage under contract, this is anticipated and House coal:— Best ............... Medium.............. Common.............. Furnace coal.......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack ........... Common slack ......... Current L’s t week’s prices. 24/6 22/ -23/ 20/6-21/ 20/ -20/6 18/6 upwds 17/ upwds 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 is practically nothing to report except the general complaint that it is almost impossible to keep the works going if men are taken for military service. The last comb- out of 18 to 23 years old men has been felt very much here, Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 23/ -24/6 23/ -24/6 20/ -22/ Best Barnsley softs 21/ -21/6 19/ -20/ 21/ -21/6 18/6-19/ Secondary do 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/ -18/6 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/ 16/ Furnace coke 32/ 32/ 25/8 actually in operation; but consumers find it impossible to procure surplus lots in the open market. All classes of steam coal are very difficult to find, and for ordinary use nuts are scarce to a marked degree. Gas coal supplies are under close observation and stocks of any size are impos- sible, whilst substituted fuel has still to be taken. Little improvement has been effected in regard to the supply of slacks suitable for coke making, the consumption of which continually increases. The ovens can hardly be kept in full operation, and the supply is inadequate to meet the vigorous demand for furnace coke, especially from the North Lincolnshire district. The rationing proposals in regard to house coal are keenly awaited by merchants to stop the rush of orders from the public, who in vain are seeking to lay in stocks of considerable amount. Values continue to be of a nominal description. Hull. COAL. The export market is firm, with an active demand for all kinds of fuel, but supplies, though improving, are still a long way short of current requirements. The calls upon Yorkshire steams are very heavy, particularly on Allied and official account, ‘leaving practically no margin of supplies for neutral trading. Prompt lots are extremely difficult to come by, and when licences can be obtained command full prices, best South Yorkshire hards being worth 37s. 6d. to 40s. Screened West Yorkshire sorts are in keen demand, but in short supply. Nuts are scarce, and all kinds of small coal find eager buyers. Shipments are good and delays are less frequent, but not yet obviated altogether. Chesterfield. COAL. The demand for coal of every class is persistently strong, and the greatest difficulty is experienced in meeting the requirements of the market. House coal orders are numerous—the coal being wanted more particularly for stocking purposes. There is still great delay in executing such orders. Fuel for manufacturing use is in urgent request, and many of the Sheffield works find great diffi- culty in carrying on, owing to short supplies. In respect of cobbles and nuts there is almost a famine. The avail- able tonnage of slack for boiler firing is much below the demand, and customers are pressing for increased deliveries. Railway companies are very short of steam coal for loco- motive use, and they continue to draw upon their reserve stocks, which are now being steadily reduced, as the deliveries from the collieries are far below present require- ments. Gas companies are anxious with regard to supplies of gas coal to enable them to build up some stock to replace their depleted reserves. There is no change to report with regard to the export trade—shipment of coal from this district being still prohibited. The Admiralty are taking substantial quantities of steam coal from this coal field. The coke market is active—all qualities of coke being in great request. Coking slack is much wanted, but supplies are difficult to find. IRON. The iron trade maintains its strong position, all classes of iron being in strong request. Engineers and iron founders are extremely busy. Nottingham. COAL. Although the seasonable weather is tending to ease the position, so far as the demand upon local merchants is con- cerned, the pressure on collieries for supplies of house coal has not shown any appreciable diminution, with the result that the output is speedily disposed of. A certain propor- tion is diverted to lessen the more urgent claims for steam- raising purposes. Manufacturing fuel is especially in heavy request. Large steams are in brisker demand, and a considerable tonnage is requisitioned for railway traffic. There is a continued shortage of nuts, and ordinary customers have to substitute better-class slacks, in view of the needs of munition firms. Consequently slacks generally are more readily disposed of—the output of coking sorts being insufficient to keep all the ovens going. The increasing use of gas coal absorbs all supplies of this class’ of fuel. 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 18/6-19/ 17/6-18/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ &)/ -21/ 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/ 17 6-18/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/ | Last year’s prices. 186-19/6 18/ —18/6 17/ -18/ 17/ -17/6 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 IV Leicestershire. COAL. The position is gradually assuming a more serious aspect, and very strong protests are being received from many quarters, but especially from the West of England. The complaints are that sufficient deliveries are not received to cover the most essential requirements. Colliery mana- gers are between the upper and the nether millstones of demand and supply. While the output is going lower and lower, they are expected to meet a continuous increase in the consumption, and the very keenest supervision has to be maintained. The demand for all classes of household 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 15/ —16/6 15/6—16/6 14/6-16/ 15/ —16/6 14/9-15/6 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 15/ -16/6 15/6-16/6 14/6-16/ 15/ -16/6 14/9-15/6 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/ 13/6-14/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/6-14/ 12/6-13/6