80 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. July 12, 1918. coke is engaging a good deal of attention, but no decision has yet been announced. Many orders for house coal are still on hand, and, with the early adoption of the rationing scheme, the position of merchants will become much easier, though, of course, the reduced deliveries of late have been somewhat approaching the reduced scale now outlined. HUH. COAL. The position in the export trade of the Humber remains without material change. There is some improvement on a few weeks ago, and, taking all things into consideration, the situation is comparatively satisfactory. Everything that comes along is readily absorbed. Large steams are at a premium for neutral shipment, and best screened York- shire hards are quoted 37s. 6d. to 40s. for prompt loading. West Yorkshire screened sorts are barely sufficient to meet French requirements. As for other sorts, everything moves off freely. Recent weather has favoured shipment, and vessels have come to hand in sufficient numbers. The official return shows that 218,448 tons of coal arrived at Hull from the collieries in June, against 250,126 tons the same month last year—a decline of 31,676 tons. June happily showed an improvement of 31,*90 tons over the preceding month of May — evidence of the better supplies recently. The arrivals for the six months ending June are returned at 1,264,627 tons, against 1,432,841 tons corre- sponding half of last year. The decline is equal to some- thing over 10 per cent. Chesterfield. COAL. The supply of coal of all classes is becoming smaller by degrees. Works engaged upon war material have been considerably extended with the view of increasing produc- tion, but it is found impossible to make full use of the plant because the necessary coal is unobtainable. The Admiralty demand is very great, and may prevent any improvement in the tonnage of coal available for inland purposes. The influenza epidemic has had an important effect upon the output of coal, a large number of the men having been laid up for many days. The scarcity of cobbles and nuts causes much trouble and inconvenience. Gas coal is in urgent demand, and deliveries are barely sufficient to meet current consumption. The position applies equally to steam coal for locomotive use, and it is one that is causing railway officials much anxiety. The demand for coke continues active. IRON. The week brings no change in the condition of the iron trade, which remains in a state of great activity. trial disorganisation. Reserve stocks have been or are being used up at most of th« works, and the preferential claims of the munition factories adds to the difficulty of smaller works getting adequate supplies. The coal fields of the district are also being called on for contributions for London and for France, which are a heavy drain on the resources. No supplies go direct from here to Italy. Nuts are almost unobtainable outside essential needs, neither can the heavy demand for slacks be fully met. The rationing scheme is expected to help the position i,n the matter of house coal, and the heavily increased price, amounting in the aggregate to 5s. 6d. a ton, will also make for strict economy in the use of coal. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 24/6 24/6 22/ Do.- seconds deep 22/6 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 13/6 18/6 16/ Slack Warwickshire:— 13/6 11/6 House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 21/6 21/6 19/ cobs 20/6 20,6 22/6 ■ 18/ Best hard spires 22/6 20/ Forge (steam) 18/6 18/6 16/ D.S. nuts (steam) 17/ 17/ 14/6 Small (do.) 17/ 17/ 14/6 THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, July 11. Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. All classes of coal, particularly large steam sorts, have been very difficult to obtain in sufficient quantities to supply customers this week. A considerable reduction in output is due to various causes. Tonnage arrivals have increased. Through coal has been scarce, and the market for smalls has been a good one. House and gas coals have been in very strong demand for inland markets. A good enquiry was made for coke and patent fuel. In many cases the requirements of the Government have scarcely been reached, and other consumers have had to go on very short supplies. The scheduled rates apply. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. Nottingham. COAL. With the recent advance in price and the general shortage of supplies, the trade is in a somewhat unsettled and difficult position, yet the demand is dealt with in a manner that lessens hardship. Domestic fuel continues in brisk demand. Most local merchants are unable to obtain full contract deliveries, with the result that they have no opportunity of placing any material in reserve. All grades of steam-producing fuel are in keen request, and with the requirements for war purposes being on an extensive scale, the remaining tonnage is eagerly sought for. Contracts are in many cases only being renewed for reduced quantities. Slacks generally are having a good sale, and the supply of coking sorts is somewhat inadequate to keep the ovens in full swing. Gas coal and coke are quickly disposed of. Prices at pithead. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Hand-picked brights 23’6-24/ 23/6-24/ 18 6-19 /6 Good house coals 22/6-23/6 22/6-23/6 18/ —18/6 Secondary do 21/6-22/6 21/6-22/6 17/ -18/ Best hard coals..... 21/ -22/ 21/ -22 16 9-17/6 Secondary do 20/ -20/6 20/ -20/6 16/ -16,6 Slacks (best hards) ......... — ■ — 12/ -13/ Do. (second) ■ — — 10 6-11/6 Do. (soft) ■ — — 11/ IRON. The new quarter opened on Thursday, with the market in a position of great stringency. Since last quarterly meeting Government control has been extended to gas strip (<£15 5s.), puddled iron (£11 10s.), small steel bars (.£15), wire (.£24 basis), and wire rods. There has been no further movement in this direction this week, though it would be no surprise if cast scrap and steel hoops were included at an early date. Already wrought iron scrap and steel scrap are controlled, and practically all the steel branches with the exception of hoops, which, on the open market, command <£17 15s. to £18 5s. With the approach of quarter day, consumers begin to display anxiety to arrange future supplies. Just now this is a matter of some difficulty, owing to the already heavy commitments to meet the nation’s urgent needs. The inadequacy of the pig iron output is also a factor in making manufacturers cautious, inasmuch- as they are finding greater difficulty in keeping pace with their contracts. A moderate amount of business is permissible in forge qualities, but the supplies of better foundry grades do no more than meet a fraction of the requirements of consumers. Makers of finished iron are booked for months ahead. The question of a readjustment of prices has been raised as a result of the heavy increase in the fuel bill, and it is understood the question is engaging the attention of the authorities. Smelters and makers of finished iron are agreed that the increased cost of production is too heavy a burden for them to shoulder. There is a brisk enquiry for strip by the tube works, and puddled iron is insufficient to meet all the calls upon the furnaces. The market is strong for small rounds, squares and flats, which continue to be quoted at £17 10s. for iron and £i8 10s. for steel, three-eighths basis. The opportunities of responding to the French demand are limited, on account of the heavy home needs. Larger releases of steel bars continue to be made to the sheet mills, to expedite the output of hutment sheets for the troops. Merchant business in steel is practically nothing— such larger releases as are being made going to relieve the tension which exists in various branches. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals: — | prices. prices. prices. Best Black Vein large... 35/ 35/ 27/ -29/ Western-valleys, ordin’y 34/ 34/ 24/6-26/ Best Eastern-valleys ...• 34/ 34/ 23/6-24/6 Secondary do. ..J 33/ 33/ 19,6-21/ Best small coals 26/ 26/ 14/6-16/ Secondary do 25/ 25/ 9/ -12/ Inferior do 23/ 23/ 6/ - 8/6 Screenings 28/ 28/ 15/ -17/6 Through coals 32/ 32/ 19/ -21/ Best washed nuts 35/ 35/ — Other sorts:— Best house coal, at pit... 38/ 38/ 25/ -26/ Secondary do. do. ... 36/ 36/ 22/ -23/6 Patent fuel 35/ 35/ 30/ -32/6 Furnace coke 50/ 50/ * Foundry coke 50/ 50/ * Leicestershire. COAL. There is a very strong demand for all classes of house- hold for London and district, and these minimum deliveries are not subject to any abatement. Cobbles, large and small nuts, bakers’ nuts, and small fuel for mechanical stokers are in extremely heavy demand, and the supplies are quite inadequate. The call for steam-raising fuel of all kinds is more than can be met, and important national industries are compelled to further restrict their consumption. There are no reserves of any kind at the collieries or at country sidings. Prices at pit. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. There is not much alteration in the situation, which is very awkward for the collieries and all others concerned. Influenza has made its appearance in the coal field, and served to further reduce the output for the time being. Supplies of both house and steam qualities are consider- ably short of requirements of buyers. Prices are again advanced. Prices at pithead. * Nominal. IRON. Pressure in the iron and steel works of the district is unrelaxed. A very large output is being maintained. As this is almost entirely on Government account, prices are nominal. The tin-plate trade shows signs of considerable brightening, and nu merous orders are being placed. Newport Corporation has decided to instal a salvage plant for dealing in waste tin boxes, etc. Iron ore imports are maintained. Cardiff. COAL. The market continues very difficult, and there is again a pronounced shortage of the better grade coals. In some districts there is considerable absenteeism, due partly to holiday taking, but more probably owing to influenza, which is severely prevalent in many parts of the coal field. In some districts collieries have had to close down through lack of men, whilst in others not more than 50 per cent, of the normal number have put in an appearance. The short- age is variously estimated at over 10,000 tons per day, and arrears are accumulating. Tonnage, on the other hand, has been arriving more freely, and in most of the docks delays have been inevitable owing to the difficulty of getting the ■coal forward in sufficient quantities. The authorities have kept a tight hand on all superior grades, and little has been obtainable for private export or even inland consumption. Inferior qualities have been more plentiful, especially smalls, and these are passing off rather more freely. Under the instructions of the District Coal and Coke Supplies Committee for South Wales and Monmouth, of which Mr. Finlay A. Gibson is secretary, the quantities of house coals to be supplied during July and August are reduced by 30 per cent, compared with the same period of last year, and those of September by 25 per cent. It is stated, however, that the new Household Fuel and Lighting Order cannot take practical effect in this district for two or possibly three months. Patent fuel makers are busy, and supplies are coming forward in considerable quantities. There is a scarcity of coke, and gas producing coals are in strong demand. The new schedule of prices is as follows : — Cardiff prices f.o.b. (except where otherwise stated) plus 2s. 6d. per ton, except for shipments to France and Italy. 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 kitcheners............... Steams, best hand picked Steams, seconds ......... Main cobbles for kitcheners Main breeze.............. prices. 23/ -24/6 22/ -/23 21/6-22/6 21/6-22/6 20/6-21/6 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 18/6-18/9 12/6-13/6 19/ -20/6 -19/6-20/6* 18/6-20/ 19/ -20/6 18/9-19/6 L’st week’s prices. 21/6-23/ 20/6-21/6 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 18 6-19/6 17/6-18/6 17/ -17/3 11/ -12/ 17/6-19/6 18/ -19/ 17/6-18/6 17/6-19/ 17/3-18/ House coals:— Block Forest Rubble Nuts Rough slack ......... Steam coal:— Large ................. Small................ Large ... Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. ( 24/ 30/ 28/6 J 23/ I 23/3 (.21/6 23/ 21/6 16/6 26/6-27/6 25/ -26/ 20/ -21/ 22/ -23/ 20/6-21/6 16/ -17/ 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 Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that the difficulty of obtaining supplies is still as great as ever in No. 13 area. The merchants are convinced that the zone system is entirely a mistake and unworkable, while it is unfair in its scope, since all factors have to place the details of their Welsh orders before competitors acting as zone officials. All merchants are bound to take one-third of Welsh with two-thirds of free-burning coal; but as most of the collieries producing the latter coal are cut off from No. 13 area in favour of London and elsewhere, the supplies of free- burning coal are now extremely limited. South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The position of the coal trade, serious as it was before has been rendered even more so by influenza. Last week hundreds of miners were off work in the Staffordshire and Warwickshire coal fields, and it will take some weeks to make up the loss in output. It is therefore a matter of satisfaction that the industry is not to be further weakened by recruiting, otherwise there is a danger of production being reduced to the point which will bring about indus- Spanish Coal Miners’ Dispute.—The steps taken by the Spanish Government to avoid a strike in the Asturias coal fields have not succeeded. The executive committee of the Miners’ Union discussed the question of referring the dispute to the arbitration of the Minister of Labour. By a large number of votes the meeting decided to reject the proposal of arbitration and to maintain absolutely all the workers’ demands. In consequence of this decision a general strike of miners was declared, to begin on July 15, unless by that date the workers’ demands have been accepted in their entirety. Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current prices. 40/ 38'6 37/9 37/ 28/6 28/ 27/6 27/ 26/6 26/ 25/6 25/ 37/ 35/6 37/ 35/6 34/6 33/6 37/ 36/ 36/ 35/ 40/ 37/9 37/9 33/ • 34/ 29/ -30/6 24/ -26/ 37/ 37/ 54/6 54/6 54/6 65/ L’st week’s prices. 38/ 36/6 35/9 35/ 26/6 I 26/ 5 25/6 5 25/ j 24/6 1 24/ ] 23/6 5 23/ j 35/ 33/6 35/ 33/6 32/6 31/6 35/ 34/ 34/ 33/ 38/ 35/9 35/9 31/ 32/ 27/ -28/6 1 22/ -24/ 35/ 35/ 52/6 52/6 52/6 65/ Last year’s prices. 33/ 31/6 30/9 30/ 23/ 21/6 20/ ' 18/ 30/ 28/6 30/ 28/6 27/6 26,6 30/ 29/ 29/ 28/ 33/ 30/9 _ 30/9 26/ 27/ 25/ 20/ 30/ -32/6 28/ -30/ 47/6 47/6 47/6 67/6-70/ Superior seconds ......... Seconds Ordinary Steam smalls No. 1 Do. 2 Do. 3 Do. 4 Do 5 Do. 6 Do. 7 Do. • 8 Best dry coals Ordinary drys Best washed nuts Seconds Best washed peas Seconds Monmouthshire— I Black Veins Western-valleys Eastern-valleys Inferior do Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) Second qualities (at pit) No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large Small No. 2 Rhondda— Large Through-and-through Small Best patent fuel Seconds Special foundry coke Ordinary do. Furnace coke Pitwood (ex-ship) * Nominal.