July 19, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 131 both for coastwise or foreign-going vessels are in very- strong request. Gas coal is very firm, but stocks are scarce. The shipments to Ireland from Cumberland ports are fairly satisfactory, but they would be very much larger if more coal were available. Coke makers are very busy ; most of the ovens are again in full operation, and production is on the rise again. Best export coal is 26s. per ton f.o.b., with best washed nuts at 24s. per ton; best bunkers (foreign) are 38s. per ton, and for coastwise vessels 35s. per ton. Gas and works fuel 26s. 6d. per ton, with washed nuts at 25s. 6d. per ton. Best house coal delivered is Is. 9|d. per cwt. or from 30s. to 30s. lOd. per ton. Current quotations. Current prices. L’st week’s'Last year’s prices. prices. Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit 28/4 28'4 23/4 Eest washed nuts at pit... 26/8 26 8 21'3 Seconds at pit 25/10 25/10 20/10 Wkshed nuts at pit 25/10 25/10 20/10 Dg. smalls „ 21/8 21/8 16/8 Do. peas „ 20' 20/ 15/ Buckhill best coal at pit... 27/6 27/6 22/6 Do. double-scrned washed nuts at pit 26/ 26/ 21/ Oughterside best coal at pit 27 6 27/6 22/6 Oughterside best washed nuts at pit 26/ 26/ 21/ St. Helens (Siddick) best coal at pit 27,6 27/6 22/6 St. Helens best house nuts at pit 26/ 26/ 21/ Pest Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. 23/ 23/ 19/6 . Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... Best bunkers (coastwise) 21/ 21/ 17/6 33 6 33 6 25/ Do. (for foreign-going steamers) 36/ 36/ 30/ Best works fuel 25/ 25/ 20/ Best coal for gasworks ... 25/ 25/ 20/ Best washed nuts for gas- works 24/ 24/ 19/ Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. There is no improvement in the difficult conditions under which the collieries are working. On the contrary, influ- enza has been added to the other causes which have contri- buted to the shrinkage of output. There are certainly no discernible indications of any response to the Coal Controller’s appeal to the miners to increase the output, and the tonnage of coal raised in this district is distinctly less in the past few weeks On the other hand, the demand is overwhelmingly strong, and the position is very acute. On the market on Tuesday the attendance was less than usual. The fact is that it is hopeless to attempt to secure extra supplies, and traders recognise this. The demands made for shipment to France—which, of course, receive first attention—have done a great deal to disturb distribution generally, and the pinch is felt all round. House coal is particularly scarce, and unprocurable on the market. Few London representatives were present on the Exchange, as the collieries are a long way in arrear—even in many cases with allocated quantities—and there is nothing to offer for new business. Coastwise operations from the Humber are restricted to contract supplies on a low scale. In the West Riding markets conditions are acute. Deliveries from the- collieries are only a fraction of the needs of merchants, who are enormously in arrear with their orders. There is nothing new in the gas coal position, which is serious. As to manufacturing fuel, the shortage is keenly felt. What- ever stocks were held at works are used up, and, if present conditions in regard to output continue much longer, it is inevitable that the less essentia] industries will suffer severely. The demand for furnace coke is as keen as ever, and the output limited by the inadequate supply of coking slacks. Official intimation has been received by coke makers of the adjustment in compensation for the increased cost of coal, intended to obviate an increase in the selling price of coke. Pit prices are to a large extent nominal. Current pit prices. IRON. There is no diminution of activity in the west coast haematite pig iron industries. Stocks of iron in public storing yards are at present very low. Prices are still at the official maximum. The demand for plates and billets is very strong, but railway material is in quiet demand and rails are only being rolled occasionally. The Cumberland iron ore industry is very brisk, and all the mines are fully employed. There is a heavy demand for all grades of native ores. Local smelters are still taking the br^lk of the output. South-West Lancashire. COAL. In the household trade supplies of fuel are scarcely adequate for the summer consumption, and, so far as can be seen, nothing is being stocked by merchant oj colliery. With regard to shipping, the arrival of steamers must be considered, under present conditions, very satisfactory from the national standpoint, though the increase in the quantities of coal required for bunkering causes embarass- ment. The shortage of supplies is more marked this week, partly of course owing to the special requirements for export to France and Italy as well as to the bunkering demands. Much pressure for household coal is being put upon collieries, which usually supply the coastwise and cross-Channel market. No change has taken place with regard to slack and small graded fuel for steam and manu- facturing purposes. There is a distinct shortage and a growing difficulty to find adequate supplies from day to day. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal :— Prices at pit (London) : Haigh Moor selected ... Wallsend & London besi 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 coa] ... Other sorts:— Prices 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. 25/6-26/6 25/ -25/6 25/ -25,6 24/ -24,6 22,6-23 6 29/6-30/ 28/ -29/ 27/ -28' 24 6-26 6 22/ -22 6 21/ -22/ 20/6 21,6 22/6-23 6 21/6-22,6 20/6-21/6 20.6- 21/6 19/6-20/6 17.6- 18,6 18/ -19/ 32/ L’st week*s Last year’s prices. 25/6-26/6 25/ -25/6 25/ -25 6 24/ -24 6 22/6-23/6 29,6-30/ 28/ -29/ 27/ -28' 24 6 26 6 I prices. i 20/ -21/ 19/ —20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ t-17/ 23/ -24' I 22/ -23/ • 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ Hull. COAL. Reports of output do not give exporters much hope of even a moderate expansion of the overseas trade from the Humber, though, of course, it is well known that the Government authorities are pledged to increase our exports to neutral countries under the recent trade agreements. Whether any considerable quantity can go from South Yorkshire and the neighbouring district is somewhat open to doubt, in view of the continuously heavy demands for official and munition purposes. Still, something is being done to keep up our shipments to France at a reasonably good level, and more may be done to facilitate neutral business; but it is hardly possible to regard this very seriously unless there is an improvement in output and drastic economy Generally the position here is unchanged, and everything is being done under high pressure. All prices are unchanged, most fuels commanding a premium for neutral shipments. Chesterfield. COAL. The shortage of coal of all classes is more pronounced than ever. This is inevitable in face of the decreasing output. It is fortunate that the consumption of house coal is low at present, as it admits of the fuel being diverted into channels that will gladly receive it. Fuel for munition works continues in active demand, but great difficulty is experienced in securing the supplies. Cobbles and nuts are almost unobtainable; at any rate, works can barely carry on owing to the serious shortage of this class of fuel. Rough slack is very scarce, and secondary sorts are almost as difficult to find. Gas coal is in pressing demand, but deliveries are of a poor character, and there is not much prospect of any addition being made at present to reserve stocks. Railway companies are very short of locomotive coal, stocks of which are being steadily reduced. Coal is going for shipment to our Allies, and the Admiralty are making great demands for steam coal. The coke market continues strong and the demand for all qualities is active. Great difficulty is experienced in finding adequate supplies of coking slack. IRON. Conditions are unchanged. There is considerable activity in every branch of the trade. 22/ -22/6 21/ -22/ 20/6 21.6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ 22/6 -23/6 17/ -18/ 21/6-22/6 16/ -17/ 20,6-21/6 | 15/ -16/ 20,6-21/6 . 15/ -16/ 19/6-20/6 j 14/ -15/ 17/6-18/6 1 12/ -13/ 18/ —19/ 12/6-13/6 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. 27/6-28/6 25 6-26/6 24/6 29/ -30/ 28/6-29/ 27/ -28/ L’st week’s prices. 27/6-28/6 29/ -30/ 25 6-26/6 28/6-29/ 24/6 27/ -28/ Last year’s prices. 21/ -22/ 25/6 19/ -20/ 24/6 18/ 23/ upwds 22/6 21/6 20/6 22/6 16/ 21/6 15/ 20/6 14/ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The holiday season is still affecting the attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange. 0n Tuesday the chief topic of discussion amongst the members was the rationing scheme, of which few particulars have yet been made public. Supplies of all qualities of coal are difficult to obtain. Coal is being shipped in steady quantities. Prices are as below:— Barnsley. COAL. The chief factor in the position continues to be that of output. Apart from the frequent absence from work indi- vidually, there are other instances where the men have stopped the pit, owing to some small alleged difficulty. The demands of the authorities on behalf of France, Italy, and for other essential needs, allocate a big proportion of the output, and the requirements for ordinary purposes are quite of a secondary character, either with regard to quan- titity, grade, or time of delivery. The tonnage available for ordinary purposes becomes increasingly small, and the quantity which is being sent for shipment, both from Partington and Hull, is exceedingly large. This includes, both steam and gas coal, though the scarcity at home applies to practically every grade of coal. Collieries are receiving many complaints, but they are unable to alter the position. - Other qualities of coal have to be sent in substi- tution of the grade desired. Smaller industries are materially affected. The scarcity of screened coal is very marked, apart from the experience of firms engaged on Government work, and stoking plants have had to be altered to utilise other classes of coal which may be sent. The contract deliveries of gas coal are again materially cut down, and many works hold but very little stocks, with the present supplies hardly adequate.' The continued efforts to augment the supply of coking slacks are unsuccessful, and it is only with the greatest" difficulty that the ovens are kept fully at work. Meanwhile, the pressure for furnace coke is of a heavy description, and the output is readily cleared. The fixing of the amount of the advance on the selling price of coke, following the increase on coal, is not yet officially announced, but is early expected. Though the consumption of house coal is now at the lowest point, supplies are so cut down that merchants are unable to satisfy their customers. . Values, which are strictly nominal, are as follow: — Prices at pit. 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. 28 6 26/ -27/ 24/6-25/ 24/ -24/6 __* L’st week’s prices. 28/6 26/ -27/ 24/6-25/ 24/ -24/6 _______* 22/6 upwds 22/6upwds 21/ upwds 21/ upwds Last year’s prices. 22/ -23/ 19,6-21/ 18/ -18/6 17/6-18/ _____* 16/ upwds 14/6 upwds * As per official list. IRON. There is no change to report, with the exception that outputs of iron and steel have both been reduced, partly through the latest comb-out, but chiefly through influenza, which still is investing this district. It is expected that prices of iron and steel will have to be raised through advances that have taken place in fuel. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstono 27/ -28/6 27/ -28 6 20/ -22/ Best Barnsley softs 25/ -25/6 25/ -25/6 18/6-19/ Secondary do 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 17/ -17/6 Best house nuts 22/6-23/6 22/6-23/6 16/ -17/ Secondary do 22/ -22/6 22/ -22/6 15/6-16/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals 24/ -25/ 24/ -251 17/6-18/6 Secondary do 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 16/6-17/6 Best washed nuts 22/6-23/6 22/6-23/6 16/3-16/6 Secondary do 22/ -22/6 22/ -22/6 15/6-16/3 Best slack 19/ -19^9 19/ -19/9 12/6-13/ Secondary do 16/ -17/6 16/ -17/6 10/6-11/ Gas coals:— Screened gas coals 23/ -23/6 23/ -23/6 16/6-17/6 Unscreened do 22/ -22/6 22/ -22/6 15/6-16/6 Gas nuts 22/ 22/ 16/ Furnace coke 32/ 32/ 25/8 Nottingham. COAL. Notwithstanding efforts to keep the output at high level, collieries are unable to cope with the demand. Influenza affected the output to some extent, but the attendance of miners has, on the whole, been satisfactory. Much pressure continues on the house coal branch, local merchants being unable to satisfy customers’ demands from their limited supplies. All grades of steams continue in brisk request. Preferential claims absorb a substantial tonnage, and many ordinary contracts are falling into arrears. Large nuts are eagerly sought" after, as there is a marked shortage. Slacks preserve a strong tone, best and medium grades having a ready sale. Prices at pithead. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Hand-picked brights 25/ -26/ 23/6-24/ 18'6-19/6 Good house coals 24/ -25/ 22/6-23/6 18/ —18/6 Secondary do 22/6-23/6 21/6-22/6 17/ -18/ Best hard coals 22/ -23/ 21/ -22 16 9-17/6 Secondary do 21/ -21/6 20/ -20/6 16/ -16,6 Slacks (best hards) 18/ -19/ — 12/ -13/ Do. (second) 16/6-17/6 — . 10/6-11/6 Do. (soft) 16/ -17/ — 1 1 11/ Leicestershire. COAL. The stress and difficulty of maintaining roads in the pits has greatly increased within the past few days. The same applies to the repair of wagons. At every pit there are hundreds of men who have been put out of action by influenza. There has been a heavy loss of output in con- sequence, and the shortage of fuel for both domestic and manufacturing purposes has become greatly intensified. The demand for London and district is very heavy, and there is no relief in the preferential treatment of this business. Minimum deliveries have to be kept up at all costs day by day. This, with the continuance of French supplies, makes a heavy inroad on the quantities otherwise available. Household, cobbles, large and small nuts, as well as small fuel for automatic stokers, are all in far greater demand than can be met. The position of country merchants becomes worse day by day, and it is only by the most rigid sub-division of supplies that important national works can be kept going. There are no reserves of any kind either at country stations 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 kitcheners............... Steams, best hand picked Steams, seconds ......... Current 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/ ObttaiHE, ......... Main cobbles for kitcheners, 19/ -20/6 Main breeze................j 18/9-19/6 L’st week’s 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 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 South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. For several weeks to come supplies will go from this district to France. This fact, coupled with the quantities being diverted to London, makes the shortage locally rather acute with regard to every grade of fuel. One result