December 6, 1918. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1195 contract—the rest being a few odd parcels, which are sold at the full legal rates. In local markets the pressure for supplies of house coal is keen, as many merchants—indeed, the majority- are hopelessly in arrears. The nearness of the Christmas holidays increases the anxiety of merchants to get additional supplies. This is also of special concern to gasworks,as recent deliveries have barely been sufficient to meet the daily requirements, and reserves have had to be drawn upon. Stocks at Yorkshire works do not average more than equal to three weeks supply, and although assur- ances have been received from the Coal Controller that the needs of gas works will not be overlooked, the position is full of anxiety for gas engineers There is no appreciable ease in the demand for manufacturing fuel, nor has the reduced activities of munition works liberated any supplies sufficient to relieve the other trades whhh have been on short commons, and the scarcity is still felt acutely. Furnace coke is easier. The demand i§ less from Froding- ham particularly, but in the Leeds district and the Midlands the call for coke is still strong. Output continues to be fully taken up, and there are no stocks. The empty wagon difficulty is recurring at some of the pits. It is understood that the authorities have taken a certain per- centage of trucks from Yorkshire private owners to relieve the scarcity in Durham and Northumberland—the hire rates being those paid by the Railway Executive. A short- age of trucks in a number of cases has resulted. Pit prices remain more or less nominally at the following level:— Current pit prices. House coal:— Prices at pit (London) : Haigh Moor selected ... Wallsend & London best Siltstone 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 Furnaee 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 j 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. 21/6-22/6 21/ -21/6 21/ -21 6 : 20/ -20 6 ; 18 6 -19 6 j 25/6-26' | 24/ -25/ j 23/ -24' 20 '6 22 6 22/ -22/6 j 18/ -18 6 21/ -22/ i 17/ -18/ 20/6 21/6 | 16'6-17 6 22/6 -23/6 i 21,6-22 6 [ 20 6-21/6 > 20/6-21/6 19/6-20/6 17/6-18/6 18/ -19/ 32/ 18/6-19.6 17/6-18 6 16/6 -17 6 I 16/6-17/6 15 6-16/6 ! 13 6 -14/6 14/ -15/ 32/ Barnsley. COAL. There are few signs of the availability of supplies for the open market. On the other hand, the distribution com- mittees are endeavouring to allocate the production, which is still mnch below expectation. These developments, whilst not of material bulk at the moment, suggest a better prospect and less anxiety prevails. The demand for large steams on account of the Admiralty shows little variation, but interest centres on the prospect of larger export busi- ness for the neutral countries. The release of fuel for that outlet is only small, and it is thought that an effort 'will be made to extend this supply in conjunction with the greater needs for the home areas. The diminishing require- ments for the munition factories must transfer a big bulk of fuel for general purposes, especially nuts, but the indus- trial requirements are particularly heavy and extending. Gas and electricity concerns are looking for improved supplies under the new regulations. Stocks are very low and with the prevalence of fog the daily consumption increases at a big rate. All kinds of industrial fuel are in particularly keen demand, and rough slacks are almost impossible to obtain. Works of various kinds are still idle, owing to the lack of fuel, but there seems little prospect for them until what are regarded as prior claims have been dealt with. The release of slack for coke making purposes continues to be considerable, and the lessened requirements of the pig iron districts for furnace coke is emphasised. The situation in this respect is easily met. House coal comes forward in fairly good supply, though merchants could deal with a larger delivery. Values remain of a nominal character. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— i prices. j prices. prices. Best Silkstono 27/ -28'6 ! 27/ -28'6 22/6-24 6 Best Barnsley softs 25/ -25/6 23/ -24/ 22/6-23/6 : 25/ -25/6 21/ -21/6 Secondary do 22/ —24/ 22/6-23/6 19/6-20/ 18'6-19/6 Best house nuts Secondary do 22/ -22/6 22/ -23/6 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 22/6-24/6 22/6-24/6 18/9-19/ Secondary do 21/ —22/ 21/ -22/ 19/ -19/9 18/ -18/9 Best slack 19/ —19/9 16/ -17/6 15/ -15/6 Secondary do 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/ 32/ Hulh COAL. The restricted allocation for export made by the Coal Supervisor is having the obvious effect on business, and keen competition rules for everything available for ship- ment this side of Christmas. In fact, very little business is now possiole, the bulk of supplies being taken up as usual on French or Italian account. Large steams are still in heavy demand by the Admiralty, but it is understood that some proportion is to be set apart for neutral trade. This is much needed on the Humber, from which a great deal of foreign business has been diverted. The demand for industrial purposes is strong, and there is rather less anxiety about deliveries of gas and housa coal. Chesterfield. COAL. The coal trade of this district presents no new feature* The demand for coal is strong. The scarcity of supplies of every class of fuel is very pronounced, and until there is a substantial improvement in the output the position will continue to be one of great anxiety alike to producers and consumers. There is great delay in the execution of orders for house coal, supplies of which are extremely difficult to secure. It is fortunate from this point of view that the season is of so mild a character. There is no relaxation of the pressure for coal for manufacturing purposes. Cobbles and nuts for the large steel works of Sheffield are as urgently called for as ever, and the difficulty in procuring them equally great. Good brands of slack for boiler firing are very scarce. Gas coal continues in pressing demand, but supplies are barely sufficient to meet the current requirements. Steam coal for locomotive use is scarce, and wherever available reserve stocks are being drawn upon. These are now on a very low scale, and will soon be completely exhausted. There is no change in the position of the export trade, which so far as Derbyshire is concerned is at a standstill, owing to Government prohibition of shipment. The Admiralty continues to draw some of their supplies from this district. The demand for coke is active for all qualities. IRON. There is nothing special to report with regard to the iron trade. All the works of the district continue to be fully employed. --------------------------________ ________ Nottingham. COAL. There is no improvement in the position in this county— the general demand exceeding the output, which continues to be affected by influenza. Fortunately, comparatively mild weather has tended to make matters less difficult as regards domestic fuel. As it is, merchants are compelled to limit deliveries to customers, in order to ensure a fair distribut.on-for supplies from collieries are on a very limited s^ale. Dealers at the local wharves and depots are restricted to a sparse tonnage per week, and this is not obtained without hours of waiting in some cases. So far as steams are concerned, railway companies are taking heavy supplies. The declining demand from munition works is counterbalanced by the extra supplies required by ordinary manufacturing concerns, which are eager to obtain a sufficient tonnage to ensure regular running of their works. Contracts absorb the bulk of the output, and little fuel is obtainable in the open market. Slacks are in rather better supply. Gas coal is in active request. Prices at pithead. hard coal, particularly needed by some industries - such, for instance, as the malleable iron trade. At a conference last week between the Coal Controller and representatives of the district committees for the kingdom, it was arianged that collieries which supply no house coal may be called upon by the c< mmitfee to curtail supplies to customers who are fortunate enough to hold stocks, and to assist others whose supplies may be entirely cut off. Further, that electric supply undertakings and waterworks must be willing to use more of the slack released from munition works, in order to leave additional coal for house purposes. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices House coal, best deep ... 24/6 24 6 24 6 Do. seconds deep^ 22 6 22 6 22 6 Do. best shallow 21/6 20/6 21'6 21/6 Do. seconds do. 20/6 21/ • 20 6 Best hard 21/ 21/ Forge coal 18/6 : • 18/6 18 6 Slack Warwickshire:— 13/6 13/6 13/6 House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 21'6 21/6 21 6 cobs 20/6 20 6 20/6 Best hard spires 1 22,6 22/6 22 6 Forge (steam) ' 18/6 18/6 ■ 17/ 18/6 D.S. nuts (steam) 17/ 17/ Small (do.) 1 17/ ! 17/ 17/ 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 orices. 25/—26/ 24/ -25/ prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 18'6-19/ 18 3-19/ 17/ -18/ 14/6-15/ 13/ -13/6 13/ _________________ Leicestershire. COAL. A rather more pronounced reduction is evident in the demand for fuel for Government purposes; but, on the other hand, there is a substantial increase in the demand for fuel of all kinds for municipal and other big under- takings of national importance. There is intense pressure for speedy deliveries, and the general absence of reserves causes subdivision to be most stringently enforced. Household fuel is in enormous demand. On the whole, the position is greatly relieved by the prevalence of mild weather. There is a very marked increase in the demand for all classes for steam-raising purposes for the ordinary manufacturing requirements, and for the time a great shortage occurs in the available supplies. No increase of output is reported, and the prevalence of influenza is much affecting the daily tonnage raised. The calls for London and district are very extensive, and numerous daily deliveries of household, cobbles, large and small nuts, bakers’ nuts and small fuel for automatic stokers have to be strictly maintained. Country merchants are receiving very irregular deliveries of small volume, and business is quite disorganised. There are no reserves of any kind at the pits or at country sidings. Prices at pit. IRON. Restrictions are being gradually relaxed, so that a number of manufacturers are in a position to notify merchants and customers that they are able to accept orders for general lines. The situation with regard to tie duration of Government subsidies has also been made clear by the Ministry’s announcement that those applicable to steel will be terminated after January next year and those relating to pig iron on April 30. After that date all subsidies will cease. Producers now know where they are, and can adapt themselves accordingly, and devise what measures will be necessary when the market is restored to its normal freedom. A large business is waiting to be done in copper sheets, of which considerable quan- tities pass through Birmingham market. Buyers, however, are not hurrying, as the present price of <=£161 is very high, and it is probable that some revision will be made early in the new year. The price for standard copper is guaranteed to America until the end of this year. Bar iron is in exten- sive demand, and in this branch, and in that devoted to small rounds, squares and flats, there is still a lot of official work on hand so much so, that civil orders are not yet being entertained. In the sheet trade some testing of prices is taking place, and will no doubt mature into business in due course, but meanwhile the official maxima of £17 10s. to £19 hold the field. Pig iron continues to be sold in small quantities It is now easier to get cast scrap than to sell it; wrought scrap, however, is no more plentiful. The Wages Board returns for September and October are remarkable for the increase of output over the two preceding months by about 3,500 tons. This applies to 17 firms only, selected for the purposes of the sliding scale. Bar iron is responsible for most of the increase. The average net selling price has advanced from £16 Is Id. to £16 9s. 7d., due to the increase in the maxima for bar iron having taken effect. Wages have gone up accordingly by 5 per cent., and the puddling rate now stands at the phenomenal rate of 20s. 3d. per ton. Lydney. _______ _______ Forest of Dean. COAL. The position as regards the house coal trade of this district does not show the slightest improvement. The demand is still very strong, ard the output is not equal to satisfying it. Influenza is responsible for a considerable decrease in the amount of coal raised, and the prospects are not bright. Collieries have no stocks, so that suprlies day by day have to be relied upon, and these are promptly divided for the greatest good of the greatest number of consumers. Steam coals of all sizes and qualities continue in heavy request. Prices at pithead. Large ... 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 __...........I 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 20/ -21/6 20/6-21/6 19/6-21/ 20/ -21/6 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/ 2Q/ -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 I House coals:— Block Forest Rubble Nuts Rough slack ......... Steam coal:— Large ... ............. Small ... . .._________ Current L’ st week’s prices. prices. 30/ 30/ 19/6 j 19 6 26/6-27/6 26/6-27/6 23/ | 23/ Last year’s prices. <26/6 \ 25/6 J 25/9 124/ 15.6 22/6-23 6 18/ —18/6 Prices 2s. l|d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The house coal situation remains unsatisfactory. Output already reduced by the comb-out in the spring, has recently been further affected by influenza, and, in order to keep householders supplied, it has been found necessary to divert manufacturing fuel. For a long time the household trade has been subject to a 25 per cent, reduction on last year’s supplies, and it is this margin that is now to be made up till the end of the year from coal hitherto supplied to works. The reduction will fall most heavily on concerns using large coal or nuts suitable for household use; but a considerable proportion of what is being supplied is special _________________ Devon, and Cornwall, South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that difficulty is still experienced by merchants in Devon and Cornwall in getting contract and allocated coal. The scarcity of supplies is evident throughout A*ea No. 13, which, ben g situated—especially as regards Devon and Cornwall—;»t the greatest distance from the collieries, causes conceui regarding the Christmas demand. Some districts have received no coal for weeks, and the position shows no s;gns of improvement. The weather at present is mild, but should severe cold be experienced, serious privations would result. __________________________ THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. The price of tin-plates has now been officially fixed ?