August 30, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 449 amounted to 2,860 tons, compared with 4,120 tons last week, and 1,645 tons at the corresponding period of last year. The shipments included a good cargo of pitch from the West Cumberland By-products Works and a good consign- ment of pitwood has arrived from Dumfries for the local collieries. The coke industry is fully employed. Prices of all sorts are firm, and unchanged. Current quotations. Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’ prices. prices. Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit 28/4 28/4 26/8 23/4 Best washed nuts at pit... 26/8 21 3 Seconds at pit 25/10 25/10 20/10 Washed 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/ 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 28 6 Do. (for foreign-going steamers) : 36/ 36/ 28/6 Best works fuel 25/ 25/ 20/ Best coal for gasworks ... 25/ 25/ 20/ Best washed nuts for gas- works 24/ 24/ | 19/ supplies. On the outbreak of the strike the Admiralty authorities were quick in requisitioning all steam coal on rail for shipment at the Humber ports, but the greater portion of it was released on the settlement being announced. Some exporters are making claims for the replacement of the tonnage taken over. In other respects the situation remains unchanged from week to week, the predominant feature being that the output of the pits is inadequate. No house coal is procurable, and deliveries are further cut down in consequence of the idleness of the pits. In the West Riding many depots are bare, and the public demand is overwhelming, merchants being helpless to do more than attend to the most pressing cases. Supplies of manufacturing fuel are affected not only by the shipping demands and Admiralty requisitioning, but by the fact that the collieries had to reserve sufficient for their own use to tide them over the stoppage, and the problem of keeping up the production of furnace coke is only solved by using to a greater extent house and steam nuts. The demand for coke remains very pressing. Pit prices are normal. Current pit prices. ever. Cobbles and nuts are practically unobtainable, and slack for steam-raising is becoming increasingly scarce. The export trade presents no new feature. Admiralty requirements are heavy, and good deliveries of steam coal are going forward from this district. Gas engineers are pressing for supplies of gas coal for current consumption and for stocking purposes. Railway companies also are in very urgent need of an increased tonnage of locomotive coal. The coke market continues firm, and there is an active demand for all qualities. Much difficulty is experienced in securing adequate supplies of coking slack. IRON. There is little or nothing new to report in connection with the iron trade. All the works of the district are actively employed. IRON. The greatest activity continues in the iron, steel and allied industries in West Cumberland and the Furness district. Production is fairly satisfactory, but as yet there is no sign of any additional furnaces being put into blast. Prices are still at the official maximum. The iron ore industry in the district between Cleator Moor and Millom is in a very brisk condition, No supplies are being sent out of the district. South-West Lancashire. COAL. There appears to be a somewhat improved delivery of household fuel coming to hand to coal merchants and dealers, but not nearly sufficient to enable them to overtake the demand or the arrears. In other respects the trade moves on as usual. Shipping remains much as last reported. The arrival of steamers continues satisfactory, but supplies of coal are below requirements, and the occasional spot lots that are to be had through the delay or diversion of expected steamers are soon swallowed up. In manufacturing fuel generally, advantage is being taken of the holiday stoppages to divert supplies temporarily free to other users, either for present consumption or to prepare some little stock against extra winter demand. 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:— 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/ 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 sernd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ........ Common do............... Current prices. 27/6-28/6 29/ -30/ 25/6-26/6 28/6-29/ 24/6 27/ -28/ 24/6 _____* 22/6 21/6 20/6 L’st week’s prices. 27/6-28/6 29/ -30/ 25'6-26/6 28/6-29/ 24/6 27/ -28/ 24/ ______* 22/6 21/6 * 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. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday was only moderate. AU classes of fuel are in considerable demand. In the East Lancashire district the annual holidays have disorganised the coal trade to a con- siderable extent during the last two or three weeks. Steam fuel is in urgent demand, and only poor supplies are avail- able. Coal for shipment is still in good call. 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 was a fair attendance on ’Change on Tuesday in Manchester. There is no change to report in the con- trolled prices of pig iron and finished steel. There is some consternation as regards the fixed prices of cast iron scrap, which came into operation last week. Wagon works and foundries are full of work. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The market was fairly well attended on Tuesday, but business was impossible owing to the extreme scarcity of Coal. In some districts official intimation of the settlement of the dispute did not reach the men until Friday after- noon, and while some pits got to work that day, the majority did not re-start until Monday. On the average, in West Yorkshire the strike cost in output of coal the equivalent of at least two days work, and the necessary result was to increase in a marked degree the shortage of L’st week’s Last year’s prices. I prices. 25/6-26/6 20/ -21/ 25/ -25/6 19/ -20/ 25/ -25'6 19/ -20/ 24/ -24 6 17/ -18/ 22/6-23/6 16/ -17/ 29/6-30/ 23/ -24/ 28/ -29/ i 22/ -23/ 27/ -28/ j 20/ -21/ 24/6-26/6 19/ -20/ 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/ 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 12/ -13/ 12/6-13/6 25/8 Barnsley. COAL. The resumption of work after the strike was not general before Monday last. The collieries have been unable to do more than give hand-to-mouth supplies, and many deliveries have been diverted. The district, which produces steam coal so largely, still feels the effect of the strong pressure for supplies on behalf of Italy, France and some neutral markets, which are subject to sudden augmentation. In addition, the demand on behalf of the munition areas is exceptionally heavy, and little surplus fuel is available for general needs. This is particularly the case with respect to all classes of screened fuel of all descriptions, and industries not regarded as essential for war have to accept such qualities of fuel as are offered. The position in regard to supplies of fuel for the gas and electricity departments is undoubtedly very serious. There appears to be little hope of a solution of the problem of inadequate supply of slacks suitable for coke-making purposes. Fortunately, in most cases during the recent stoppages the stock of slacks held out to keep the plants working, but the difficulty of procuring subsequent supplies has been very great. The pressure for furnace coke for the pig iron districts continues to be very strong, and the consumption exceeds the present output. A similar predicament exists in regard to all classes of manufacturing fuel, whilst with respect to house coal, merchants find it impossible to obtain anything like their requirements. Quotations are nominal. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 27/ -28'6 27/ -28'6 20/ -22/ Best Barnsley softs 25/ -25/9 25/ -25/9 23/ -24/ 18/6-19/ Secondary do 23/ -24/ 17/ -17/6 Best house nuts 22/6-23/6 22 6-23'6 16/ -17/ Secondary do Steam coals:— 22/ -22/6 22/ -22/6 15/6-16/ 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 Best slack 19/ -19/9 19/ -19/9 12/6-13/ Secondary do Gas coals:— 16/ -17/6 16/ -17/6 10/6-11/ 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/ Furnacecoke 32/ 32/ 25/8 Hull. COAL. The loss of several days output in the Yorkshire coalfield has had a serious effect upon the export trade of the Humber ports. Shipping is now, and has been for some time past, entirely dependent upon coal railed direct from the collieries. The result is that the slightest interruption is at once felt at the docks, where shipping in plenty awaits supplies. At the early part of this week coal was beginning to come through again, but in only minor quantities, and judging from reports of continued absenteeism it looked as if days would elapse before sufficient was received to release the vessels waiting for cargo. It is to be hoped that the miners will realise the great importance of the export trade. There is a strong demand here, and a big business can be done, especially with France. Chesterfield. COAL. The condition of the coal trade in this district is unchanged. Work at the pits is proceeding steadily. There is a continued pressure for all kinds of coal. House coal orders are numerous, and great delay is inevitable. The shortage of supplies is most pronounced. Fuel for manufacturing purposes is in strong demand, and the diffi- culty in meeting consumers’ requirements is as great as Nottingham. COAL. The position in this district has been made rather more difficult in consequence of two days stoppage at two or three pits. With the restricted supply of domestic fuel, householders are exercising more economy, and merchants’ deliveries to customers are on a very limited scale. It is anticipated that the rationing scheme which is coming into operation locally will tend to ease the position some- what. So far as the steam coal branch is concerned, the situation gives rise to anxiety, particularly with regard to users of ordinary manufacturing fuel. A shortage of coking slacks continues. All supplies of gas coal and coke are readily disposed of. 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’st week’s prices. 25/—26/ 24/ -25/ 22/6-23/6 22/ -23 21/ -216 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 11/ Leicestershire. COAL. Preparations for the rationing of coal are making steady progress, but colliery managers are inundated with letters, which disclose a lack of knowledge of the seriousness of the position. Increased output is reported at most pits, but this is small compared with necessities. Many appeals for speedy deliveries have to be ignored, and it is feared there will be thousands of cases of real hardship during the cold weather. Deliveries are heavily in arrear, and hence the enormous increase in hand-to-mouth deliveries to cover the needs of the moment. The coal forwarded to France is on a fair basis, but it is very difficult to maintain. Mini- mum deliveries for London and district are continued under great pressure, and these supplies are regarded as mere important than ever. Household, large and small nuts, cobbles, small fuel for automatic stokers and steam- raising purposes generally, are in very excessive demand. Country merchants can only receive hand-to-mouth sup- plies. There are no stocks at country sidings 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 ......... 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 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 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. Fuel supply continues to be an anxious problem. Stocks are so bare that many manufacturers can keep going only by scouring the district for supplies. Demand keeps up to a high level, and the difficulty of the situation is accentu- ated by the diversion of supplies to our Allies and to London. Munition works are getting a heavy tonnage of nuts, and there is little available for general purposes. Progress is being made with the household rationing scheme. No details have so far been published concerning the proposed scheme for the rationing of industrial fuel, though it is understood it will be on the basis of about 70 per cent, of former supplies. House coal is available only in reduced quantities. 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/ ITnrcro (stftaml 18/6 18/6 16/ D.S. nuts (steam) 17/ 17/ 14/6 Small (do.) 17/ 17/ 14/6