February 21, 1913. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 391 No. 4 forge ha? become 61s. 9d., with buyers rather more disposed to come forward. No. 1 is now 64s. 6d., and mottled and white iron each 61s. 3d. The foregoing are merchants’ quotations for early delivery, makers holding out for higher prices. East coast haematite pig, though still scarce, is easier in price. Second hands are sellers of mixed numbers at 81s., and some of the makers are prepared to accept 82s. 6d., though many of the latter adhere to 83s. Foreign ore prices are nominally upheld on the basis of 22s. ex-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality, but it is understood that business has been and could be done at less. Producers of all descriptions of manufactured iron and steel have orders booked that will keep them busy for some time to come, and consequently they are not disposed to lower quotations. Principal market quotations stand :— Common iron bars, .£8 15s.; packing iron, .£6 15s.; iron ship-plates, ^£8 2s. 6d.; iron ship angles, j£8 15s.; iron ship rivets, ^£9 15s.; iron boiler plates, .£8 17s. 6d.; steel ship-plates, .£8 5s.; steel ship angles, «£7 17s. 6d.; steel boiler plates, .£9 5s.; steel joists, £7 7s. 6d.; cast iron railway chairs, £4t 10s. to £4> 15s.; light iron rails, £7 to £7 5s.; heavy steel rails, £& 15s.; steel railway sleepers, £7; and iron and steel galvanised corrugated sheets, .£12 15s. to ^13—sheets less 4 per c&nt. f.o.b., railway material net, and all other descriptions l^ss 2| per cent. South-West Lancashire. COAL. A very troublesome time has been experienced in this district in consequence of the fog of last week, the whole of the traffic having been disorganised and in a great number of cases during Thursday or Friday last pits had to be set down to play in consequence of lack of empty rolling stock. Otherwise there is a distinct improvement in the demand for household coal. With regard to shipping, the dis- organisation of tonnage consequent upon the recent rough weather followed by some days’ fog has had the effect of somewhat decreasing the immediate demand for bunkering fuel. At the same time supplies have tended to increase through the quantity of common house coal which is going for steam purposes on account of the quiet state of the house trade, and prices have eased a little in consequence, present quotations for screened Lancashire steam coals ranging from 13s. 3d. to 14s. 3d. f.o.b., with a tendency to further reduction for anything like prompt shipment. The coastwise and cross-Channel household coal trade is in a reasonably brisk condition, with no change to report in prices. There is nothing new to report with regard to slack. If anything, the market is a little firmer than it has been for the last two or three weeks, and prices are firmly held to. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen Common (f.o.b. Garston, net) Screened forge coal Best screened steam coal (f-o.b.) Best slack Secondary slack Common do Current prices. 16/3 16/6 to 16/9 14/6 15/ to 15/3 12/3 13/6 12/6 to 13/ 13/3 to 14/3 10/6 9/9 9/3 Last week’s prices. 16/3 16/6 to 16/9 14/6 15/ to 15/3 12/3 13/6 to 13/9 12/6 to 13/ 13/6 to 14/6 10/6 9/9 9/3 Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. Not more than four and a-half days’ work has been averaged at the West Yorkshire pits this week, as transit difficulties have been considerable on account of the fog, and empty wagons have been very scarce. The demand generally is fairly brisk, and stocks in colliery sidings are about the same as last week. In many cases ground stocking has been resorted to in order to keep the pits working. House Coal.—Business with London and the southern and eastern counties continues very disappointing for the time of the year. Merchants and factors are taking barely con- tract tonnage, and sales in the open market are of little consequence. Reports from the depots in London show that the retail trade is unusually quiet. Under these circumstances merchants are disposed to lift ground stocks rather than make further commitments. Pit prices of best qualities are unsteady, but the lower grades remain firm, as much of the output of these qualities is being sold for manufacturing and gas coal purposes. The coastwise trade is quiet. Shipments have been considerably interfered with by the fog, and stocks at the Humber ports are heavy. Freights are reported to be slightly lower on the week. In the West Riding industrial centres merchants report a fairly steady demand for the cheaper grades. Best qualities are neglected, and this has led to some concessions in prices being offered. Nothing official has been done, but conces- sions equal to wagon hire are frequently offered. Current quotations:—Haigh Moor selected, 18s. to 19a. ; Wallsend and London best, 17s. to 18s.; Silkstone best, 16s. to 17s.; Silkstone house, 15s. to 15s. 6d.; ordinary house, 14s. to 15s.; secondary sorts, 13s. to 14s. Gas Coal.—There has been an exceptionally heavy demand from the large local gasworks during the past week on account of the fog. Apart from this, however, business is only quiet. One or two gas authorities are at present in the market for supplies over the next 12 months, and it is understood that tenders are being sent in based on an advance of Is. 6d. per ton compared with the prices quoted last June. A fair quantity of gas coal is still being exported to the nearer Continental ports, and current f.o.b. Hull prices average as under:—Screened gas coal, 14s. 9d. to 15s. 3d.; gas nuts, 13s. 9d. to 14s. 3d.; unscreened gas coal, 13s. 9d. to 14s. Manufacturing Fuel.—There is a ready outlet for most descriptions, but rough slack is still easier. Unfortunately, the strike in connection with the Bradford Dyers’ Association has not been settled, and it is likely that in the Hebden Bridge district this week-end will see a considerable addition to the number on strike. Coking smalls are very active, and forward sales are not accepted at less than 8s. 3d. to 8s. 9d. per ton at the pit. Washed Furnace Coke.—The increased output of the ovens, together with the fall in the price of warrants, has caused a reduction from the recent high prices of furnace coke. Spot sales realise about 19s. per ton at the ovens. With regard to forward business, buyers are holding off in the expectation of still further reductions. delay last week in the delivery of tonnage, and con- siderable arrears have had to be made up. Secondary sorts of large steams have shown greater weakness than the better quality, and in this respect prices are down fully 3d. per ton on the week. With regard to forward business, the position is not yet settled, and coalowners are firm in the belief that when the shipping season is opened, there will be a very big demand, and adopting a policy in accordance with this prospect, are still seeking to do business ahead on the basis of 12s. 6d. per ton for the best quality coal, their position being strengthened by the fact that so large a percen- tage of the output has already been dealt with under contract. In regard to the smaller classes of steam coal the position continues to be slightly in favour of buyers, who are finding a larger supply on the market, and consequently are making slightly better terms, though the experience is not general and is largely governed by the circumstances prevailing at individual collieries. Slacks are again in strong request,, largely owing to the busy state of the cokemaking branch of the trade, and here, again, it is the experience that the rougher kinds of fuel are to be more freely obtained and prices have fallen slightly also. The demand for gas coal on current account, though not quite so active, is still very considerable and the more satisfactory prices which coal- owners have realised of late are still being paid. The demand for house coal has shown some little improvement this week and a more active state of things is looked forward to, should the cold weather continue. The best classes ofr coal have been freely taken, though, as a week ago, the bulk of the trade continues to be in regard to medium price sorts. Generally the last quotations have still to be paid, although there are collieries who are so situated with stocks that they find it necessary to accept lower figures to facilitate business. The coke trade continues to be in a quieter mood and makers are finding less pressure for supplies than was the case a few weeks ago, but prices have not further reduced during the week. Prices at pit. Current Last week’s House coals:— prices. prices. Best Silkstone 14/6 to 15/ 14/6 to 15/ Best Barnsley softs 14/ to 14/6 14/ to 14/6 Secondary do 11/6 to 13/ 11/6 to 13/ Best house nuts 11/6 to 12/6 11/6 to 12/6 Secondary do Steam coals:— 10/6 to 11/6 10/6 to 11/6 Best hard coals 12/ 12/3 to 12/6 Secondary do 11/3 11/6 Best washed nuts 12/ 12/ to 12/3 Secondary do. 11/ to 11/3 11/ to 11/3 Best slack 9/ to 9/6 9/ to 9/3 Rough do Gas coals:— 8/ to 8/6 8/ to 8/6 Screened gas coals 12/6 to 13/1 12/6 to 13/ Gas nuts 12/ to 12/6 12/ to 12/6 Furnace coke 19/ to 20/ 19/6 to 20/ Hull. COAL. Prompt business for steam hards has been quiet, and prices continue to fall, and are now about the level of those on the Tyne. Secondary sorts are also somewhat easier,, though quoted at late rates, while smalls are down 6d. on the week. The forward market for steams exhibits firm- South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The somewhat colder weather has had the natural effect of sharpening up a little the house coal trade, although it is not very pronounced. Prices remain uncharged. Furnace coal continues steady, and there is a good demand for shipping coal. Slack keeps good, with apparently sufficient supplies offering, and prices in cases have shown a little softening. The following represents about the current price list. 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. I 16/6 to 17/ ! 15/3 to 16/ 12/6 to 13/ 12/6 14/ 10/ to 10/6 9/ to 9/6 Last week’s prices. 16/6 to 17/ 15/3 to 16/ 12/6 to 13/ 12/6 14/ 10/ to 10/6 9/ to 9/6 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...... Silk stone best ..... Do. bouse ........ Other qualities...... Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal ... Gas nuts ............ U nscreened gas coal ... Other sorts :— Prices at pit: Washed nuts ......... Large double-screened engine nuts ......... Small nuts .......... Rough unscreened engine coal ......... Best rough slacks ... Small do. ........... Coking smalls ....... Coke:— Price at ovens : Furnace coke ........ Current Last week’s prices. 13/9 to 14/3 12/9 to 13/3 12/9 to 13/3 12/3 to 12/6 11/ to 11/6 iprioes. 14/ to 14/6 13/ to 13/6 13/ to 13/6 12/6 to 12/9 11/ to 11/6 16/6 to 17/3 16/ to 16/6 15/ to 15/6 13/3 to 14/ 16/9 to 17/6 16/3 to 16/6 15/ to 15/6 13/6 to 14/3 12/9 to 13/3 11/9 to 12/6 11/ to 11/6 12/9 to 13/3 11/9 to 12/6 11/ to 11/6 11/9 to 12/3 12/ to 12/6 11/3 to 11/9 10/9 to 11/3 11/3 to 11/9 11/ to 11/6 10/9 to 11/3 9/3 to 9/6 8/6 to 8/9 8/3 to 8/9 11/ toll/6 9/3 to 9/9 8/6 to 8/9 8/3 to 8/9 19/ to 19/6 19/ to 20/ ness, and owners will not look at anything under 15s. 6d., which they consider will be the minimum value when the shipping season opens. An improvement in prompt prices may therefore be expected ere very long. Coal is coming along* from the collieries in plenty, and the shipments, foreign and coastwise, are fairly large, although turns at the appliances are prompt, and there is no congestion at the docks Reports from the Baltic ports are not quite so favourable’ more frost and ice being reported at Riga and Reval, both of which are still open and are not likely to close now. Trade with Hamburg has been somewhat retarded by a Approximate prices for prompt shipment f.o.b. Hull. IRON. The attendance on ’Change in Manchester on Tuesday last was fairly good. There is nothing fresh to report as regards pig iron, makers are still holding out for full rates. The forges are fully occupied on Crown iron bars £8 15s. second quality £8 5s., hoops .£8 17s. 6d., sheets £9 17s. 6d. The steelworks are also very busy on bars at £8 10s. to £8 12s. 6d. less 2| per cent., billets .£6 12s. 6d. to £6 15s. net. Wagon builders and textile machinery makers extremely busy. Heavy engineers and ironfounders fairly well employed. Barnsley. COAL. The quieter state of trade in regard to large steam fuel has again prevailed during the week, and is largely accounted for owing to the scarcity of shipping tonnage at Hull. At this period of the year, business is generally of a slower character, and there has been little enquiry made for immediate supplies by exporters. The demand for home purposes is well sustained, and with the pits working full time there is a bigger output to be dealt with, and this has forced down prices to a certain extent, though the position from the coalowners’ point of view is about the same as a week ago. No doubt the effect would have been more serious but for the fact that there was considerable South Yorkshire:— Best steam bards Current prices. 14/6 to 14/9 14/6 to 14/9 14/ 14/6 13/ to 13/6 13/ to 13/6 10/ 13/6 11/ to 11/3 10/ 14/9 13/ 15/3 14/9 13/6 13/ 14/6 14/ 15/ 14/6 Last week’s prices. 16/ 14/6 to 15/ 14/ to 14/3 14/6 to 14/9 13/ to 13/6 14/ 10/6 13/6 11/ to 11/3- 10/ 14/9 13/6 15/3 14/9 13/6 13/ 14/6 14/ 15/ 14/9 Washed double - screeneo nuts Unwashed double- screened nuts Washed sin gle - screened nuts Unwashed single-screened nuts Washed smalls..... Unwashed RTna.Ha West Yorkshire:— Hartleys Rough slack Pea slack Best Silkstone screened gas coal Best Silkstone unscreened gas coal Derbyshire and Notts:— Best steam hards Do. (Grimsby) Derbyshire nuts (doubles) Derbyshire nuts (doubles) (Grimsby) Derby shire large nuts ... Do. do. (Grimsby) Nottinghamshire hards ... Do. do. (Grimsby)