August 9, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 291 Current quotations. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit 28/4 28/4 23/4 Best washed nuts at pit... 26/8 26'8 21/3 Seconds at pit 25/10 25/10 20/10 Washed nuts at pit 25/10 25/10 20/10 Do. 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 nit 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/ Best Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. 23/ 23/ 19/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 21/ 21/ 17/6 Best bunkers (coastwise) 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/ IRON. ment. Most makers of furnace coke have had a struggle to get through the week-end, on account of the short supply of coking slacks, and the output of coke has suffered materially. The demand remains very pressing. Pit prices are mainly normal. Current pit prices. The haematite pig iron trade in Cumberland and North Lancashire continues to be very fully employed, and there was no diminution of activity in any department of the industry over the holidays. Production is almost normal again. There is no likelihood of any further expansion of output before the autumn. In consequence of the shortage of coal and coke, smelters find a difficulty in k» eping all their plants working at their fullest capacity. Prices are still at the official maximum. Some small consignments of ordinary pig iron are being sent out of the district for shipbuilding and other purposes. There is a big demand for plates and billets, but rails are quiet. The Cumber- land iron ore industry is busily engaged and production is steadily increasing. The imports of foreign iron ore for the month have amounted to 33,550 tons. 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 coal ... 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 2L/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’sLast year’s prices. 25/6-26/6 25/ -25/6 25/ -25'6 24/ 24'6 22/6-23/6 | prices. ; 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 29/6-30/ 28/ -29/ 27/ -28/ 24'6 -26'6 23/ -24/ I 22/ -23/ 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ the scarcity of this coal is causing much trouble. The demand on account of our Allies is very urgent, and this pressure obviously adds to the difficulty. Gas coal is unchanged, and this applies equally to steam coal for locomotive purposes. In both cases the situation is serious owing to the poor supplies of fuel that are coming forward. Admiralty requirements are of a pressing character, and a fair tonnage of steam coal is going forward from this dis- trict. Slack for boiler firing is in strong demand. The coke market is unchanged. There is a full demand for all qualities. Coking slack is in great request, and cons;der- able difficulty is experienced in keeping the ovens fully at work owing to the irregular supply of this fuel. The whole output of the ovens is readily taken up. IRON. Every branch of the trade continues brisk, and the works of the district have difficulty in meeting the pressure that is put upon them to execute the numerous orders with which they are inundated. 22/ -22/6 21/ -22/ 20/6-21/6 22/6-23/6 21/6-22/6 20 6-21.6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 20,6-21/6 19/6-20/6 17/6-18/6 ! —, 18/ -19/ 12/6-13/6 15/ -16/• 14/ -15/ 12/ -13/ 32/ 25/8 South-West Lancashire. COAL. Owing to the holiday stoppage at the pits in the Wigan district extending over the first two days of the week, the shortage all round is very pronounced, many of the retail depots in the towns of this area being closed either wholly or in part during the early days of the week for the lack of supplies. Meantime, orders for household fuel continue to flow in to the merchants, to be added to their lists of arrears. The arrival of steamers continues very satisfactory, and this naturally adds to the difficulties of the coal supply. The demand for Ireland does not abate, and cross-Channel supplies are eagerly waited for. Slacks and manufacturing fuel of all descriptions are on the short side. 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 prices. prices. 27/6-28/6 29/ -30/ 27/6-28/6 29/ -30/ 25/6-26/6 25/6-26/6 28/6-29/ 28/6-29/ 24,6 24/6 27/ -28/ 27/ -28/ 24/6 24/6 * * 22/6 21'6 22/6 21/6' 20/6 20/6 Last year’s prices. 21/ -22/ 25/6 19/ -20/ 24/6 18/ 23/ upwds 18/ -t 16/ 15/ 14/ * New schedule, f As per official list. Barnsley. COAL. Though the Bank Holiday does not extensively apply to this district, a few stoppages occurred. Generally the request made that the respite should be confined to one day was recognised. The reduced output is still the predominant difficulty, and there has been no material change from the experience of reduced deliveries of practi- cally all classes of coal. The greatest difficulty still obtains in regard to supplies of steam coal, owing to the continued heavy demand for hards required by the Admiralty and other national needs. The requirements of the Allies call for a big daily tonnage, which can only be provided by the continued diversion of supplies, and though this entails a good deal of inconvenience, it is recognised it is unavoid- able for the time being. The railway companies in particular are having to get along with irregular and reduced deliveries, which are insufficient to meet the daily consumption. The effect is that stocks are considerably reduced, in spite of the restricted service of trains. The short holiday in the munition areas has relieved the pressure for supplies of screened fuel, but the effect is not so marked as to enable screened fuel to be available for general use. A similar experience has resulted in regard to all kinds of manufacturing fuel, but there is no surplus to the output, which is largely allocated through the district committees. The rationing proposals continue to develop, though vigorous representations are made regarding its effect. There is little indication of any improvement in regard to the supply of gas coal. The contract deliveries are very much cut down, and as yet there is little prospect of extra fuel being available to prepare for the winter period. A material difficulty still prevails in respect of the supply of slack suitable for coke making. Although extensive use is made of nuts for feeding the plants, it is not possible to keep them in full operation, which is so much needed in view of the heavy consumption of furnace coke. The pressure for house coal is maintained, but is futile, owing to the cutting down of supplies to something like the proportions of the rationing scheme. Values are nominal. Prices at pit. Nottingham. COAL. Most of the collieries in this district had a two days holiday, and at the time of writing the pits are scarcely in full working order again. Just before the holiday the demand for domestic fuel was as brisk as ever, and collieries were unable to cope fully with it, while local merchants had to add to their list of waiting orders. Steps are being taken to compel householders to exercise stricter economy in the use of fuel, and, as if to set an example in that direc- tion, the Nottingham Corporation are, for the first time in the history of the undertaking, discontinuing the running of electric tramcars on Sundays. Steam coal continues in heavy request—all grades being eagerly sought for—and the daily output is readily cleared at the collieries. Only limited supplies of nuts and cobbles are obtainable. Slacks are in keener request. 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. 25/ -26/ 24/ -25/ 22/6-23/6 22/ -23/ 21/ -21/6 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ L’stweek’s nrices■ 25l-26j 24/ -25/ 22/6-23’6 22/ -23 21/ -21'6 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ Last year’s prices. 18'6-19/6 18/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 16 9-17/6 16/ -16 6 12/ -13/ 10'6-11/6 Leicestershire. COAL. In the industrial centres of the Midlands many vita industries are threatened, and unless more steam fuel is forthcoming, loss of employment affecting many thousands of workers is certain. A two days stoppage, some broken time, and many men away ill, tend to aggravate the position and to add to the enormous arrears. The demands for London and district are of such importance that the daily minimum of deliveries has to be strictly observed. Household, cobbles, large and small nuts, as well as small fuel for automatic stokers, cannot be supplied in sufficient quantities. Country coal merchants are working under famine conditions, with their plant, horses and men only working a quarter to half their normal time, and losses are increasing week by week. There are no reserves at the collieries or at country sidings. Prices at pit. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The attendance on the Manchester Exchange on Tuesday was rather below the ordinary, and there was a listless tone generally, as it was difficult to find a seller of any grade of fuel. Notwithstanding the holidays there is no trace this summer of the usual surplus lots that come upon the market in consequence of temporary stoppages, and it is known that some consumers of manufacturing fuels who held small stocks are seeing them slowly eaten into. 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 22/6 upwds 21/ upwds L’stweek’s prices. 28/6 26/ -27/ 24/6-25/ 24/ -24/6 22/6upwds 21/ upwds Last year’s prices. 22/ -23/ 19/6-21/ 18/ -18/6 17/6-18/ _____* 16/ upwds 14/6 upwds Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. 27/ -28/6 prices. prices. Best Silkstono 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/ -25' 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 22/ -22/6 16/3—16/6 Secondary do 21/ -22/6 15/6-16/3 12/6—13/ Best slack 19/ -19/9 19/ -19/9 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/ Unscreened do 22/ -22/6 22/ -22/6 15/6-16/ Gas nuts 22/ 22/ 16/ Furnace coke 32/ 32/ 25/8 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. 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 * As per official list. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. In consequence of the holiday there was no gathering of the Coal Exchange on Tuesday; but this can have little or no effect on business, so far as new transactions are con- cerned, as these have been impossible, except in isolated cases, for some time. The loss of output, owing to the stoppage of the pits, will necessarily be acutely felt in the present serious position in regard to supplies, and the effort made to reduce the period of the holidays to one day met with inconsiderable success. The prospect of a rationing scheme does not allay anxiety, as in the industrial districts of the West Riding, devoted almost exclusively to war munitions, great activity prevails, and fuel requirements are not capable of much curtailment. The demand for house coal is overwhelming in relation to the tonnage available, and it is difficult to see how any improvement in the position can come about. The present abnormal conditions are largely influenced by the heavy call for large coal suitable for steam purposes required for ship- Hull. COAL. Owing to the lack of supplies, no business has been possible so far this week, and although the miners are restricting their holiday, there seems little likelihood of anything doing until next week. What may come along is practically all ear-marked for official consumption. Steamers for France are now on berth awaiting cargo. The adverse circumstances prevailing in the South York- shire industry of late are having a serious effect upon the export trade from the Humber, which had been looking for some improvement. Stocks at the ports have been cleared long ago, and everything done abroad is now of the hand- to-mouth order, and entirely dependent upon how much or how little is railed forward from the colliery districts. Certainly, a big effort will have to be made, if only to meet the demands of France. Chesterfield. COAL. The general position is no easier, supplies of coal being extremely scarce, and more of a hand-to-mouth character than ever. The output shows no improvement, and pro- ducers and consumers are becoming reconciled to a situation which they are powerless to alter. There is a continued demand for house coal, the shortage of which is very pro- nounced. Important works are persistently clamouring for supplies of fuel, but it is impossible to satisfy their require- ments. Cobbles and nuts are practically unobtainable, and L’stweek’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 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/ 19/ -20/6 19/6-20/6 18/6-20/ 19/ -20/6 18 9-19/6 13/6-14/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/6-14/ 12/6-13/6 South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The situation with regard to coal and coke is causing a great deal of anxiety. Consignments both for industrial and domestic purposes are irregular and inadequate, and the provision of stocks against winter is out of the question. Instances occur of industrial activities being occasionally interrupted, and local shortage is accentuated by the diversion to other places of coal which would ordinarily be consumed in the Midlands. Some relief is expected from the rationing scheme, and it is hoped that during the autumn extra supplies will be available, although at the moment there is nothing on which to base such a hope. Supplies of coke are also reaching consumers irregularly. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including prices. prices. prices. Cannock Chase) :— 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/ Do. seconds do. 20/6 20/6 18/ Best hard 21/ 21/ 18/6 Forge coal 18/6 18/6 16/ Slack 13/6 13/6 11/6 Warwickshire:— House coal, best Ryder.. 21/6 21/6 19/ Do. hand-picked 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/ 17/ 14/6