October 18, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 815 surplus coal comes on to the market. The better supplies have done a little to ease the acuteness of the situation, and there is a more settled feeling. Reserves are so low that a few days foggy weather, causing dislocation on the railways, will mean serious difficulty and hardship. Absenteeism is still a serious question. At one large colliery, 20 per cent, is about the average, and on Thurs- days, following making-up day, the percentage is as high as 40 to 50, and the drop in the output on Thursdays as compared with the previous day is as much as 800 tons. This is no doubt an extreme case, but is not an isolated one. On the whole the trouble is less apparent. The demand for house coal is far from satisfied, and for the London market it is next to impossible to secure anything to augment official demands, while in the West Riding merchants are still overwhelmed with customers* orders, the inflow of which seems to increase. Those who handle gas coke are at present more or less bewildered as to their position, as the new Order fixes the retail price at a level no higher than that which is being paid for the coke in trucks at works. Manufacturing fuel is more than fully taken up. Gas coal shows no change. Some quantity still comes from Durham to Yorkshire works on the North- Eastern Railway, but the gas engineers have no oppor- tunity to lay in stocks beyond two or three weeks require- ments. Cases in which reserves exceed this are quite exceptional. The pressure for washed furnace coke con- tinues in excess of the output of the ovens. Pit prices are nominal: — Current pit prices. a persistent call for supplies of house coal, orders for which are numerous. Delay in the execution is unavoid- able. Coal for manufacturing purposes is urgently wanted, cobbles and nuts being in very strong demand. The available supply of these qualities is now almost at vanishing point. In consequence of this state of things the large steel works of Sheffield experience much difficulty in keeping their plant fully in operation. Slack for boiler firing is in active demand. Gas companies are pressing for an increased supply of fuel, and railway companies are equally insistent on securing better deliveries of locomotive coal. Their reserve stocks are now at a low point. The position of the export trade is unchanged, licences being still unobtainable. Good deliveries are made on account of Admiralty requirements. The coke market maintains its activity, and all the production of the ovens is readily absorbed. There is a continued scarcity of coking slack, which interferes with the output of coke. IRON. Work is plentiful in every department, and there is great activity throughout the district. Nottingham. COAL. 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 IL’st week's Last year's prices. ! prices. prices. 25'6-26/6 | 25/6-26/6 21/6-22 6 25/ -25 6 i 25/ -25/6 21/ 21 6 25/ -25,6 ! 25/ -25 6 21/ -21 6 24/ -24 6 j 24’ 24,6 , 20' -20 6 22 6-23 6 22/6-23/6 i 18 6 -19 6 29/6-30/ 28/ -29/ 27/ -28/ 24 6 -26 6 29/6-30/ ; 25/6 26' 28/ —29/ i 24' -25/ 27/ -28/ ■; 23/ -24/ 24/6-26 6 20 6 22/ 22/ -22 6 I 22/ -22,6 , 17 6 18 6 21/ —22/ : 21/ -22/ : 17/ -18/ 20/6 21/6 i 20/6 21,6 ; 16 6 17 6 I ! 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/ 22 6-23/6 : 18 6-19,6 21/6-22/6 ; 17/6-18 6 20.6- 21,6 ■ 16/6-17/6 20.6- 21/6 : 16/6-17/6 19/6-20/6 : 15,6-16/6 17/6-18/6 ; 13.6-14/6 18/ -19/ i 14/ -15/ 32/ 32/ i 25/8 (?) Barnsley. COAL. Though the deliveries on home account give little indi- cation of increased output, it is generally agreed the production is augmented. The very heavy demand on account of the Allies and the Admiralty precludes any likelihood of any material increase in the home deliveries. Business in the open market continues to be almost nil. The supply of best steams for home purposes is exceedingly small, and the railway companies continue to receive only small consignments. Stocks are rather low. Screened nuts are particularly scarce, and smaller fuel is increasingly difficult to procure.. The supplies for gas works and electricity plants are of a restricted character, though there is some assurance that areas nearer the mines will receive extra tonnage as their needs expand. The more distant concerns continue to be the subject of greater attention in view of the possibly greater trouble in trans- port later. Manufacturing fuel supplies cause a good deal of anxiety. The difficulty in procuring an adequate supply of coking slack is very pronounced. The vigorous demand for furnace coke cannot be fully met, and the make is instantly cleared. The restriction of house coal supplies continues in full force, and merchants can only partially meet their requirements. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstono 27/ -28/6 25/ -25/6 22/ -24/ 27/ -28 6 22.6-24 6 Best Barnsley softs 25/ -25/6 21/ -21/6 Secondary do 23/ -24/ 19/6-20/ Best house nuts 22/6-23/6 22/6-23/6 18/6-19,6 Secondary do 22/ -22/6 22/ -22/6 18/ -18 6 Steam coals:— Best hard coals 24/ -25/ 24/ -25' 20/ -21/ Secondary do 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 19/ -20/ 18/9-19/ Best washed nuts......... 22/6-23/6 22/6-23/6 21/ -22/6 Secondary do 21/ -22/6 18/ -18/9 Best slack 19/ -19/9 19/ —19/9 15/ -15/6 Secondary do 16/ -17/6 16/ -17/6 13/ -13 6 Gas coals:— Screened gas coals 23/ -23/6 23/ -23/6 ' 19/ -19,6 Unscreened do 22/ -22/6 22/ -22/6 I 18/ -18/6 Gas nuts 22/ 22/ i 18 6 Furnace coke 32/ . 32/ ; 25/8 Hull. COAL. The position in the Humber export trade has not under- gone any radical change since last report. Business can only be conducted along official lines, and is, of course, restricted to the amount of coal allocated for export and other purposes. There is great competition to obtain a share of what is available. Special efforts continue to be made to meet the heavy demands of France and Italy, which absorb West Yorkshire sorts to a very considerable extent. Large steams are so much in request for the Admiralty and official purposes generally that nothing can be spared for neutral trade. Shipments have been rather irregular, but on the whole maintained at about recent average. Chesterfield. COAL. The demand for coal continues on a large scale, but the output shows little or no expansion. Great difficulty is experienced in meeting customers’ requirements. There is Renewed efforts are being made to increase the output. There is no indication of any slackening in the demand. The pressure on collieries generally is heavy. Supplies of domestic fuel, although on the up grade, are insufficient to cover all requirements. At the same time the tonnage allotted to various areas is fairly satisfactory considering the circumstances, and merchants are enabled to satisfy the more urgent needs of the public. Local authorities and householders are making the position less difficult by greater economy. The output of steam fuel continues to show a slight improvement, but there is no surplus fuel for the open market. Railway companies are taking large supplies of locomotive fuel, while the tonnage required by munition works continues on the increase. Slacks of all descriptions are readily disposed of, and the supplies of gas coal are fully absorbed by contract requirements. Prices at pithead :— effect has been to slightly ease the position with regard to foundry pig iron, which has been a scarce commodity for months past, and demand for which has been beyond the productive capacity. There is plenty of forge iron to be had. The premium of 2s. 6d. allowed on Derbyshire pig iron of a specified analysis in regard to sulphur content has been extended to Northamptonshire. Bar iron houses are sold well into the new quarter at full maximum rates fixed in August. Official requirements absorb practically the whole output of small rounds, squares and flats, and merchants find difficulty in placing orders. The market level is about <£17 10s. iron, three-eighths basis, and £18 10s. steel. Nut and bolt iron is in active request at £14 15s. a ton, plus carriage, which varies according to distance. In the case of Lancashire supplies the price delivered works out at about £15 5s. 6d. Lancashire agents report a trifling export trade in Lancashire bars. Staffordshire tinned sheets and tinplates have been advanced materially during the past quarter, but they were not further altered on quarter day. Quotations : - Coke, unassorted, 58s.; charcoal, 62s.; best charcoal, 64s. per cwt. net cash up to 20 gauge; tinplates, 50s to 60s. up to 24 gauge. Gas strip sellers are unwilling at the present rate of £15 5s., which they contend is unremunerative and out of pro- portion to other classes of metal. The output of puddled iron is insufficient for consumers’ needs. Producers avoid contracts, dividing supplies over regular customers. Prices at pit. i 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|Last year's prices. ' [ prices. 25/—26/ | 21/ -22/ 24/ -25/ 20/6-21/ 22/6-23,6 ! 19/6-20/ 22/ -23 j 19/3-20/ 21/ -21/6 18/6-19/ 18/ -19/ - 16/6-17/6 — 16/ -17/ | - Leicestershire. COAL. A slight improvement in the conditions generally is chiefly due to two factors—namely, the gradual tightening of the control and the increase in the output. Deliveries for munition works and great commercial concerns are larger, in volume and more regular in coming to hand, and is lessening the great strain of subdivision. The calls for London and district are extremely heavy, but the daily minimum is maintained under decidedly improved condi- tions. There is a very extensive demand for household, cobbles, large and small nuts, as well as of all classes of small fuel for steam-raising purposes. The demand by country merchants is rapidly approaching the winter maximum in consequence of the very cold wet weather. There are plenty of private wagons available, and delays are being reduced. There are no stocks at the collieries or at country stations. 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 Current prices. 24/ -25/6 23/ -24/ 22/6-23/6 22/6-23/6 21/6-22/6 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 19/6-19/9 13/6-14/6 kitcheners.......... ... 20/ -21/6 Steams, best hand picked 20/6-21/6 Steams, seconds .......... 19/6-21/ Main cobbles for kitcheners. 20/ —21/6 Main breeze...............j 19/9-20/6 L’st week's prices. 24/ -25/6 23/ -24/ 22/6-23/6 22/6-23/6 21/6-22/6 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 19/6-19/9 13/6-14/6 20/ -21/6 20/6-21/6 19/6-21/ 20/ -21/6 19/9-20/6 Last year’s prices. 20/ -21/6 19/ -20/ 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 17/ -18/ 15/3-16/ 14/6-14/9 8/6- 9/6 16/ -17/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-17/ 16/ -17/6 14 9-15/6 South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. There is no appreciable difference in output available for distribution by the return of miners from the Army, and this is probably due to the fact that the men thus returning are not of the grade of which the collieries stand in most need. It is men of the highest grade who are most wanted. Slow progress is being made with the industrial rationing scheme, but much of the available fuel is distributed under strict official control, having regard to the urgency of the work on which consumers are engaged. There is still, too, a big claim on the district for the Allies, and it follows that there is practically no surplus left for the open market. Establishments not directly occupied on war services are working under a severe handicap, and cases are heard of operations being curtailed owing to the inadequacy of supplies. There is no improvement to record in the position of house coal. Merchants are unable to secure the fuel they need for current requirements, and the acquisition of stocks is out of the question. IRON. The quarterly meeting has left matters pretty much as they were. Much greater impression has been caused by the rapid developments in the military situation. Con- sumers are anxious enough to arrange quick supplies to carry them on, but are distinctly cautious about doing business on a large scale, as they naturally wish to avoid, in the event of hostilities ceasing suddenly, being left with heavy stocks bought at the present high values. One Staffordshire (including | Cannock Chase):— ! House coal, best deep ...; Do. seconds deep; Do. best shallow' Do. seconds do. ! Best hard ...........j Forge coal...........I Slack ................| Warwickshire:— | House coal, best Ryder..! Do. hand-picked- cobs ..............! Best hard spires ....| Forge (steam) .......| D.S. nuts (steam) .....i Small (do.) j Current L’st week’s prices. prices Last year’s prices. 24 6 24 6 24 6 22 6 22 6 22 6 21/6 216 21/6 20/6 20/6 20 6 21/ 21/ 21/ 18/6 18/6 18 6 13'6 13/6 13/6 21.'6 21/6 21/6 20/6 : 206 20/6 22/6 22/6 22/6 18'6 18/6 18/6 17/ 17/ 17/ 17/ 17/ 17/ Lydney. Forest of Dean. COAL. Very little change has taken place in the house coal branch of the trade since last writing. The enquiry in force is still a very heavy one, and the collieries are kept fully employed six days in the week. The demand gene- rally is considerably in excess of the supply, and colliery books are well filled with urgent' orders. The production of steam coal is not sufficient to meet the heavy enquiry. There are no stocks, and delay in executing orders is unavoidable. Prices at pithead. Current L’st week’s (Last year's House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Block <26/6 Forest f T Bubble > Large.. 30/ 30/ ) 25/6 1 25/9 (.24/ Nuts 7 Rough slack Steam coal — • 20/6 i 20.6 16/ Large • .i 26/6-27/6 = • 23' 1 26/6-27/6 23/ 22/6-23/6 18/6-19/ Small 1 rices 2s l|d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. North East Coast Institution of Engineers and Ship- Builders.—The Engineering Gold Medal of the North East Coast Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders has been awarded to Mr. Harry R. Ricardo for his paper entitled “ High Speed Internal Combustion Engines,” which was read before the institution on April 30. Small consumers to Register.—It has come to the know- ledge of the Coal Controller that some people who are entitled to 1 cwt. of coal a week without filling in ration forms have been receiving more than their quantity from trolleymen, and that. others have been buying coal from trolleymen to supplement their rations. In consequence, the Controller has decided that the former class of con- sumer in the metropolitan area will be required on and after Monday, October 28, to register under the Household Fuel and Lighting Order, and that trolleymen will be brought under control. The whole of the registration must be completed within 14 days. Ministers' Appeal to Lancashire Miners.—Coal owners, managers, and miners attended a meeting in the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, on Saturday to hear addresses from Sir Albert Stanley, President of the Board of Trade, and Sir Guy Calthrop, Coal Controller. Mr. Greenall, chairman of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners’ Federa- tion, presided over a gathering of 3,000 people. He said the Government had taken too many young men who car- ried the coal from the coal face to the pit bottom, and that accounted for the coal shortage. At the same time too many miners absented themselves from the mines longer than they should. Sir Albert Stanley said that unless the output could be increased in this country industries would be crippled, and hundreds of thousands of people would be thrown out of employment. There was one alternative—to bring back miners from the Army. It was his duty to say that there was no chance of that being done. Those men could not be brought back from the Army in sufficient numbers to re-establish the coal situation in this country. There was a strong probability that the war would be ended before many months were over. Sir Guy Calthrop said that if peace were to come quickly, the problem of coal in this country this winter was not going to be settled by that. Certain mines which the Germans had under fire in Northern France had been recovered, but any relief that would be got by that means would be such a bagatelle as not really to affect the situa- tion, more particularly when they remembered that the more the Allied Armies advanced the more coal was required to supply railways and the lines of communica- tion. The meeting agreed by resolution to do the utmost, to improve the coal output, but expressed the opinion that full results could not be obtained unless 25,000 miners of Grade I. were returned from the Army to the mines.