November 15, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. __________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ 1029 Current quotations. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. BestCumberl’nd coal at pit 29/10 29/10 25/10 Best washed nuts at pit... 28/2 28'2 24'2 Seconds at pit 27/4 27/4 23'4 Washed nuts at pit 27/4 27/4 23/4 Dg. smalls „ 2312 23/2 19/2 Do. peas „ 21/6 21/6 17/6 Best dry small, at pit 26/ 26/ -— Buckhill best coal at pit... Do. double-scrnod 29/ 29/ 25/ washed nuts 27/6 27 6 23'6 Oughterside best coal Oughterside best washed 28 2 28/2 25/ nuts ... St. Helens (Siddick) best 26/6 26,6 23 6 coal at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best 29/ 29/ 25/ house nuts at pit Best Cumberland coal. 27/6 27/6 23 6 f.o.b 26/ 26/ ’ 22/ Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 24/ 24/ 20/ Best bunkers (coastwise) 35/ 35/ 31/ Do. (foreign)... 38/ 38/ 31/ Best works fuel 26/6 26 6 22 6 Best gas coal Best washed nuts for gas- 26 6 26 6 22/6 works 25;6 25 6 216 ________ _______ South-West Lancashire. COAL. Tuesday in Lancashire may be described as a universal holiday both as regards collieries and consumer?. With regard to the trade, there is nothing new to be said. The news of the armistice is so welcome that the reduction of outturn consequent upon the rejoicings is looked upon as quite a minor episode. Prfces at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current 'L’st week’s Last year’s House coal:— * prices. prices. Best ______................. 27,6-28/6 27/6-28'6 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 29/ -30/ 29/ -30/ Medium .......................... 25'6-26/6,25 6-26/6 ............... Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 28/6-29/ I 28/6-29/ Kitchen .............. 24 6 Com. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 27/ -28/ Screened forge coal...... 24/6 {34'6* 65/t Best slack .............. 22'6 24/6 ' 27/ -28/ i 24'6 34/6*) 65/f ) 22 6 prices. 23/6 24'6 27/ upwds 21 6-22 6 26/ upwds 20/6 25/ 20 6 30/6 18/6 and Hull, suggested that this state of affairs had been anticipated. The keenest demand at the moment is for house coal and gas coal, of which there is a grave shortage. Enquiry for supplies for the London market is almost useless. The collieries cannot keep up with the regulated demand, much less afford extra deliveries, and merchants’ order books are overcrowded with arrears. Gas coal is likewise in insufficient supply, especially as the c msumption is increasing and likely to increase more rapidly now that the lighting restrictions are relaxed. It is at least hoped that the reduction in exports of Yorkshire coal will ease the position a little in regard to inland works. Manu- facturing fuel remains very scarce. The lessening activity of the munition works is expected to liberate, temporarily at any rate, some proportion of their fuel supplies, and ordinary consumers are looking forward to a little relief. Coking smalls are in adequate supply, but the demand for furnace coke is fully maintained, and makers are doing their best to keep up the output Pit prices are nominal. Barnsley. COAL. This week’s output will be of a negligible character. It is not expected this will have any very serious effect, owing to the fact work also ceased in many munition and other industries which were large consumers of fuel. Generally, the feeling is that there is likely to be a material and steadily increasing change in the situation. In regard to munition centres there is a feeling that the change will be something approaching immediate relief so far as coal supplies are concerned, while it is obvious there is the probability of less pressure in regard to the big tonnage which has been called for on behalf of the Admiralty. On the other hand, the view is that possibly greater efforts will be needed. The tonnage of hards to the ports continues to be of a substantial character, and the distributing of screened coal enables some sm dl tonnage of this class of fuel to reach the ordinary consumers. There is little change in regard to gas coal, though shortage in supply is remedied fairly speedily with a greater assurance in regard to future supplies. The effect of rationing has not been much felt up to the present, and stocks are of a fairly low description. All descriptions of manufacturing fuel are in active demand, rough slacks in particular being in keen request. The demand for coke-making slacks is strong, and the make is readily claimed for the ovens. House coal orders continue to be of a numerous character, and merchants are unable to fully meet the requirements, though relief is expected from the rationing scheme. Values continue to be of a nominal character. _________ Prices at pithead :— Hand-picked brights.....| Good house coals........j Secondary do..........j Best hard coals..........j 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/ I L’st week’s! Las t year’ ! urices- j prices. | 25/—26/ | 21/ -22/ I 24/ -25/ ! 20/ -21/ . 22/6-23 6 ' 19/6-20/ ! 22/ -23 j 18 6-19'6 I 21/ -21 6 17 9-18 3 | 18/ -19/ 14/6-15/ j 16/6-17/6 ( 13/ -13/6 i 16/ -17/ I 13/ s Secondary slack ....... 216' 21/6 17/6 Common Jo.......... 20,6 20/6 16/6 * Allies. t Neutrals. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a very meagre attendance of members on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday, and the minds of those who were present were not concentrated on coal. Practically no business was done. Collieries generally rejoiced by having a holiday on Tuesday. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Prices at pit. 1 Current 1 L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— i prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstono 27/ -28'6 27/ -28 6 22/6-24 6 Best Barnsley softs 25/ -25/6 25/ -25 6 21/ -21/6 Secondary do. 22/ -24/ ; 22/ -24/ 19/6-20/ 18'6-19 6 Best house nuts 22'6 23 6 ' 22 6-23'6 Secondary do 22/ -23/6 ; 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/ Best washed nuts 22/6-23/6 ; 22/6-23/6 21/ -22/ 18/9-19/ Secondary do 21/ -22/ ____________________ 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 18/ -18/6 Gas nuts 22/ 22/ 18 9 Furnace coke...... .. 32/ 32/ i 32/ ________________ Leicestershire. COAL. Important changes are manifesting themselves more and more day by day, but at present there is no relaxation of the very strenuous conditions. The most striking feature is the lessened demand both as to urgency and volume for munition works and for large establishments under Govern- ment control. There is thus being set free gradually increasing quantities of household which had been diverted for other purposes and for which there is still a very great pressure for delivery, especially to the great industrial centres of population. It is hoped that the shortage for domestic consumption will be materially relieved. There is very fortunately a steady increase in the output by the return of more miners of the best class from the Army. The demand for London and district is most important and extensive, and minimum deliveries are most rigidly enforced. Household, cobbles, large and small nuts, small fuel for mechanical stokers and for steam raising purposes generally are all in far greater demand than can be met. Country merchants are now able to rely on more regular deliveries but they are small in volume, and sub-deliveries have to be most strictly observed both for industrial and domestic requirements. There are no reserves of any kind at the collieries or at country sidings. Prices at pit. Best household coal ....j Second, hand picked ____[ Deep screened cobbles ...| Deep large nuts ........j Bakers* nuts.......... ... Small nuts............... Deep breeze ..........__ Peas ................... Small dust .............. Main nuts for London kitcheners............■ Current prices. 24/ -25/6 23/ -24/ 22/6—23/6 22 6-23'6 21/6-22/6 ' 21/6-22/6 21/ -22/ ' 20/ -21/ 19/6-19'9 13'6-14/6 L’st week’s prices. 24/ -25/6 23/ -24/ ! 22/6-23'6 22/6 -23 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 ........I 19/6-21/ i 20/ -21/6 20/6-21/6 19/6-21/ Main cobbles for kitcheners 20/ -21/6 ; 20/ -21/6 Main breeze.............j 19'9-20/6 | 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 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 211 upwds L’st week’s prices. 28 6 26/ -27/ 24/6-25/ 24/ -24/6 __* i 22/6upwds i 21/ upwds Last year’s prices. 24/6 22/ -23/ 20 6-21/ 20/ -20/6 ______* 18/6 upwds 17/ upwds * As per official list. _________________ Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The market on Tuesday had caught the national spirit of jubilation, and little or no business was done. The miners in most districts took from one to two days holiday, and thereby made a serious reduction in the output. The result is that the scarcity of coal is very pronounced, and .(.here was nothing to offer on the market. The compara- ively small attendance, which included few from London Current pit prices. 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/ I L’st week’s ; prices. 25/6-26/6 ; 25/ -25/6 i 25/ -25 6 24/ -24 6 22/6-23/6 29/6-30/ 28/ -29/ 27/ -28/ 24/6 -26 6 ? Last year’s ! prices. 21/6-22/6 21/ -21/6 : 21/ -21 6 20/ -20 6 i 18 6-19.6 ! 25/6 26' i 24' -25/ 23/ -24/ 20,6-22 6 22/ -22/6 : 17,6 -18,6 21/ -22/ ! 17/ -18/ 20/6-21/6 | 16/6-17 6 22/6-23/6 j 18/6-19,6 21/6-22/6 i 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/ j 32/ Hulh COAL. The export trade continues on recent lines, but in view of the restricted allocation of coal, licences to ships are subject to increased discrimination, and more difficult to obtain. As a result of the armistice the outlook generally has brightened. Much of the Admiralty demand will be diverted to the fishing industry when the patrol boats and mine sweepers are demobilised, but the greatest hope is centred upon increased outputs to bring about a resump- tion of the ordinary export trade of the Humber. Exporters are extremely anxious that Government control of trade shall be removed at the earliest possible moment, and that supplies of Yorkshire coal will soon become available and enable them to regain lost markets abroad. Chesterfield. COAL. The condition of the coal trade of this district is unchanged. The demand is very heavy for all qualities, while the supply is still seriously below market require- ments. House coal orders are numerous, and the delay in their execution is considerable. Coal of every class suit- able for manufacturing purposes is in heavy and urgent demand, and consumers experience the greatest difficulty in obtaining the necessary supplies. Cobbles and nuts continue in particularly strong request, and slack for boiler firing is much wanted. Gas coal is in pressing demand, and steam coal for locomotive use is eagerly sought after. There is no appreciable increase in the out- put of coal. The coke trade is active, all qualities being in great request. Coking fuel is still in short supply. IRON. Great activity prevails throughout the iron and steel works of the district. Engineers and ironfounders are full of work all round. South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. Everything has been overshadowed this week by news of peace. We are entering upon the transition period, and it is impossible at the moment to say how events will develop. The dropping of war contracts will probably help fuel supplies in other directions. Everybody in the trade will be thankful if it does, for the tightness of the position has been intensified during the past fortnight or so by the ravages of influenza. Absentees are to be counted in hundreds, and output has suffered tremendously. Recently some emergency coal has been distributed among merchants, who in turn distribute it among small dealers. Conditions have hitherto precluded any stocks being accumulated for winter. Smalls, or beans have been very difficult to get. Some improvement may be looked for, and there is certainly much speculation as to prospects, now that the war is over Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including prices. | prices. prices. Cannock Chase) :— I House coal, best deep ... 24/6 ! 24'6 ■ 24 6 Do. seconds deep 22'6 32/6 22 6 Do. best shallow 21/6 21/6 21/6 ; ' Do. seconds do. 20/6 ■ 20/6 20 6 Best hard 21/ ' 21/ 21/ Forge coal 18/6 I 18/6 18 6 Slack ' 13/6 13/6 13/6 Warwickshire:— House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 21/6 21/6 21/6 cobs 20/6 20,6 22/6 20/6 Best hard spires 22/6 226 Forge (steam) 18/6 18/6 , 18/6 ■ D.S. nuts (steam) 17/ 17/ 17/ Small (do.) 17/ 17/ 17/ . ________________ Hottlngiiam. COAL. There is no material change in the condition of the trade in this district. For all classes of domestic fuel there is a very brisk demand, and the supplies from collieries to local merchants is barely sufficient to meet the needs of customers on a rationing basis. A fair tonnage is leaving the district to other areas under the Controller’s orders. It is anticipated that the position will become easier now that fighting has ceased, as the demand for supplementary supplies from this section for firms engaged on war work will soon decline. Steam coal of all descriptions continues in heavy request, and despite the improved output of the collieries it is impossible to meet the demand, firms not directly employed on war purposes having a difficulty to obtain supplies. Practically all the output of gas coal is absorbed by contracts, while coke of every grade is eagerly sought for. Slacks continue in very active request, coking sorts being rather scarce. IRON. The unsettled feeling created by the declaration of an armistice, coupled with the fact that workmen have been making holiday for several days, stopped business practi- cally for the week, and it will take some time for manu- facturers to reconstruct their business frame of mind in preparation for the future. Everybody has been holding off, buyers and sellers alike. There are many war contracts to work off, many of which will probably be cancelled. Manufacturers, within the limits of their control, have their plans ready to revert to their peace trade, and have orders on hand, but they must wait till they obtain material. It is for this reason that some system of control must be continued, as it is all-important that there should be no scramble for material. It must be distributed fairly, as far as possible, and whatever body undertakes the task will find it a thankless one. The only alteration in values to be noted during the week is in the case of gas strip, which has been advanced by 15s. a ton to .£16, with an increase in the scale of extras by 5s. The alteration is retrospective, it is understood, to October 1, and since that time all prices have been quoted subject to any advance. Little information is available at the time of writing with regard to the state of the other branches; in a week’s time the situation will probably be cleared a little.