December 27, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1359 period. This is particularly the case with respect to the supply of coal for gas and electricity plant?, though under the circumstances the precise grade of fuel may not have been available. Nuts are a particularly desired want. House coal has been forwarded in good bulk, and merchants have found ample work for their limited carting facilities, tn regard to large steams a good tonnage has been for- warded for bunker purposes, though the exports are being held up. All classes of small slack suitable for manu- facturing purposes have been in active request, and with the continued diminished use for the making of coke supplies have been readily available for diversion. There is still little business in the open market and values remain of a nominal character. Prices at pit. be seriously reduced. Household, cobbles, large and small nuts, and small fuel for mechanical stokers were all very far short of actual needs. The most urgent calls for the South and West of England could only be partly m°t. At the great centres of population the rationing schemes had for the time being to be greatly modified. Country merchants have had a most anxious and trying time with irregular deliveries of small volume. There are no reserves of any kind at the collieries or at country stations. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Tuesday, December 24. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— 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 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 22/6-23/6 19/ -20/ Best house nuts 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/ Best washed nuts 22/6-23/6 22/6-23/6 18/6-19/ Secondary do 21/ -22/ 19/ -19/6 21/ -22/ 18/ -18/9 Best slack 19/ -19/6 15/ -15 9 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 Furnsce coke 32/ | 32/ 32/ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The pits will be idle for most of the week, and little coal will be despatched during the few days that remain of the year. The Coal Controller made efforts to see house- holders, especially the small ones, through the Christmas holidays, and supplies of emergency coal were procured for that purpose. A considerable tonnage was diverted from big factories to merchants’ yards. The shortage all round is very acute in this district, and some weeks must elapse before the situation can be relieved. Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. C0AL. There has I oen little change in the condition of the market. All coal has been in very strong demand, and scarcely any has found its way upon free markets. There is a glut of tonnage in port. Through coal and smalls have been eagerly bought up wherever available. The demand for house and gas coals remains unabated. Coke and patent fuel have been in strong request. A falling off in the import of mining timber has been noted. Prices for home and Allied markets f.o.b. cash 30 days. Neutrals extra. Hu|l. COAL. After the decision to stop export of Yorkshire coal for the remainder of December became operative, the vessels already loading were completed and were all got away by the middle of last week ; since then the export trace of the Humber ports has been idle, and little or nothing in respect of January loading possible in the absence of defi- nite information as to the allocations likely to be available. A few cargoes have been sent to London and coastwise during the past tew days. The local position is fairly satisfactory, moderate supplies of gas and house fuel being to hand. Substantial quantities of large steam coal continue to be earmarked for Admiralty purposes. Chesterfield. COAL, Every class of coal continues in str ong demand, but the supply is still far below requirements. It is expected that with the resumption of work at the pits after the Christmas holidays the pressure will ease in response to the drastic official action regarding exports. This will liberate a substantial tonnage of coal for home industries and for domestic use. There are signs that the early weeks of the new year will show an improvement of the output, and that this will steadily expand as the year advances. Railway companies and gas managers are pressing for supplies, and every effort is being made to meet the situation. There is a marked lessening of the demand for coke, and stocks are beginning to accumulate in colliery sidings. The stoppage of work at all the Derbyshire collieries this week extends to four days. IRON. All the works of the district are busy and full time is being worked. There will be fully a week’s suspension of operations for the holidays. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’ 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 21/6 21/6 Do. seconds do. 20/6 20/6 20,6 Best hard 21/ 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 22/6 20/6 Best hard spires 22/6 22/6 Forge (steam) 18/6 18/6 18/6 D.S. nuts (steam) 17/ 17/ 17/ Small (do.) 17/ 17/ 17/ Steam coals:— | Best Black Vein large...’ Western-valleys, ordin’y Best Eastern-valleys ... • Secondary do. Best small coals ’ Secondary do Inferior do Screenings Through coals Best washed nuts Other sorts:— Best house coal, at pit... Secondary do. do. ... Patent fuel Furnace coke Foundry coke Current prices. 37/ 36/ 36/ 35/ 28/ 27/ 25/ ; 30/ 34/ 37/ 40/ 38/ 37/ 52/ 52/ L’st week’s prices. ■ 37/ 36/ 36/ 35/ 28/ 27/ 25/ 30/ 34/ 37/ 40/ 38/ 37/ 52/ 52/ Last year’s | prices. 32/6 ' 31/6 : 31/6 , 30/6 i 23/6 i 22'6 20/6 25/6 29/6 32/6 35/6 33/3 32/6 47/6 47/6 IRON. The dismantlement of many works where special plant had been installed for munition making is in progress. Some establishments have resumed peace outputs. There is a better supply of bars and billets, but the supply of scrap is much restricted since the works in the district ceased shell making. Tin-plate makers have their order books full. Nottingham. COAL. There was a very brisk demand for domestic fuel on the eve of the holiday, increased pressure for supplies being experienced at the collieries, an i by local merchants. It was impossible to meet all requirements, but supplies were such as to satisfy urgent needs and thus obviate cases of hardship. Steams were in active request, particularly those grades suitable for locomotive fuel. The railway companies drew heavily on supplies in view of the extra holiday traffic. Gas coal, coke and slacks were all in good demand. 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/ -21'6 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ Last year’s prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 18/6-19/6 18'3-19/ 17/ -18/ 14/6-15/ 13/ -13/6 Leicestershire. COAL. The pre-holiday week was marked by an unprecedented demand for all classes of fuel, and it was possible to deal only with the most urgent requirements. There have never been so many calls for household coal, and in a large number of instances the rationing supplies had to be discontinued, as there was not sufficient available to go round. The quantities for London and district had to 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. 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/ -21/ 22/6-23/6 22/6-23/6 21/6-22/6 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 19/6-19'9 13/6-14/6 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 20/ -21/6 20/6—21/6 19/6-21/ 20/ -21/6 19/9-20/6 16/ -17/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-17/ 16/ -17/6 14/9-15/6 IRON. Business in the iron and steel works and engineering establishments has been suspended during the week, and when the market is resumed next week the new order of things, following the relaxation of restrictions, will begin to make itself felt. Already there have been several price movements in consequence. Thus, in the case of black sheets, over which control seems to have gone, an advance of 21s. 9d. has been notified by some firms for supplies of sheets of 22 to 24 gauge, compared with .£17 10s. previously ruling. No fresh Government orders are being placed, though there is still some clearing up to do on old contracts. Bright mild bars have risen by <£3 10s. a ton as from the beginning of the new year. The basis for 0’8- gauge catch-weight coils is now .£27 10s. per ton. Wire makers are extremely busy, and some mills are said to be booked 12 months forward. Bar makers have applied for an advance on unmarked qualities on the ground that these, in view of recent additions to the cost of production, have become unprofitable. Up to the present several gal- vanising works have made a partial re-start, but a number of other firms will not be in a position to resume production before February. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. In consequence of the Christmas holidays this will be a very broken week. Wednesday and Thursday are recognised holidays, but many of the men take longer periods on such an occasion, with the inevitable result on output. With order books heavily filled, the position during the next few weeks will be a very difficult one. Prices at pithead. Large ... House coals:— Block Forest Rubble Nuts Rough slack ........ Steam coal:— Large ... ........• Small............... Current prices. 30/ 19/6 26/6-27/6 .23/ L’st week’s Last year s 1 prices. prices. <26/6 30/ \ 25/6 125/9 (.24/ 19/6 15,6 26/6-27/6 22/6-23/6 23/ 18/ -19/ Prices 2s. l£d. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Tuesday, December 24. Dublin. Business was brisk up to the time of closing, prices being unchanged, from 53s. fid. to 57s. 6d. per ton for cash in the city; coke, 60s. per ton. Irish coals from Wolf hill, Queen’s County, 20s. to 50s. per ton f.o.r. Athy. Coal vessels arriving during the past week were fairly numerous, being chieflyafrom Newport, Ayr, Point of Ay re, Garston, Glasgow, Maryport, Swansea, Liverpool, Preston and Irvine. The Irish Coal Controller has issued a notice to consumers that owing to various causes it will be necessary to conserve stocks within the next five weeks, as it is anticipated that it will not be possible to maintain the usual imports to ■ Ireland during that period. The use of substitutes for coal is also urged. Sufficient supplies will be forthcoming to ensure the maintenance of the electricity supply for the present. A resolution has been carried by the Dublin Corporation to lodge a protest against the action of the Glasgow Control Board in preventing Dublin from getting steam coal, the resolution to be telegraphed to the Premier and Chief Coal Controller. Belfast. The situation does not show any improvement, the want of Scotch coal being severely felt, both locally and in districts over the Great Northern system. The supply will be further affected by the Scotch miners’ holidays at new year. Current prices of house coals are :—Best Arley, 55s. 6d. per ton; Scotch house, 49s. 6d.; Orrell nuts, 54s. 6d.; Orrell slack, 51s. 6d.; all less Is. per ton for cash ; standard coal, 48s. 6d. per ton net cash. Cardiff. COAL. Arrivals of tonnage during the past few days have not been so heavy, and there appears to be some acceleration in loading. The miners decided to take two days holiday, but past experience teaches that there will be considerable absenteeism on the Friday and Saturday, and that there will not be a complete resumption until the following week. The trimmers and tippers at the docks decided to take a similar holiday, so that although there will be a cessation of shipping operations on Wednesday and Thursday, loading is likely to proceed briskly on Friday and Saturday. Hence the congestion will be considerably relieved. The threatened dislocation of the trade owing to the Bedwas dispute has been averted, but temporary stoppages have occurred in several parts of the coalfield from various causes, and production has been curtailed in consequence. The result has been that no coal has been released for private trading, and such consignments as have reached the docks have all been on Admiralty or Allied official account. The market is dormant, and no improvement is anticipated until the men released from the Army are again at work in the mine. Demobilisation of this class is rapidly proceeding, and arrangements are being made for their immediate employment on returning home. Major D. Watts Morgan, M.P., who is at present home on leave, stated several days ago that 25,000 men were now available as soon as transportation could be arranged, and after the customary furlough these miners will be provided with full work at the various collieries in the district. Although an announcement with regard to the prices at which coal can be supplied to neutrals is almost daily expected, there are no stocks available for that purpose; but it is predicted that the new rates are likely to be substantially in advance of the existing schedule. In the meantime all prices are unaltered. There has been a falling-off in supplies of pitwood, and negotiations are in Cardiff prices f.o.b. (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current Last year’s prices. 33/ 31/6 30/9 30/ 21/6 21/ 20/6 20/ 19/6 19/ 18/6 18/ 30/ 28/6 30/ 28/6 27/6 26/6 30/ 29/ 29/ 28/ 33/ 30/9 30/9 26/ 27/ 22/ -23/6 17/ -19/ 30/ 30/ 47/6 47/6 ■ 47/6 75/ ‘Allies’ fixed prices. 40/ 38/6 37/9 37/ 28/6 28/ 27/6 27/ 26/6 26/ 25/6 25/ 37/ 35/6 37/ 35/6 34/6 33/6 37/ 36/ 36/ 35/ 40/ 37/9 37/9 33/ . 34/ 29/ -30/6 24/ -26/ 37/ 37/ 54/6 54/6 54/6 65/ Neutrals’ minimum prices. 50/ ! 47/6 i 46/ ! 45/ i 28/6 1 28/ : 27/6 27/ ! 26/6 26/ 25/6 25/ 45/ 42/6 45/ 42/6 40/ 38/6 1 45/ • 43/6 43/6 42/ 50/ 46/ . 46/ 38/ 41/ 33/ -35/6 24/ -26/ 45/ 45/ 70/ 70/. 70/ Superior seconds Seconds Ordinary Steam smalls No. 1 Do. 2 Do. 3 Do. 4 Do. 5 Do. 6 Do. 7 Do. 8 Best dry coals Ordinary dry8 Best washed nuts Seconds Best washed peas Seconds Monmouthshire— 1 Black Veins Western-valleys | Eastern-valleys I Inferior do Bituminous coals:— 1 Best house coals (at pit) Second qualities (at pit) No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large Small No. 2 Rhondda— Large Through-and-through Small Best patent fuel Seconds Special foundry coke Ordinary do. Fnrnar.fi coke Pitwood (ex-ship)