March 14, 1913.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

547

coal is firm. Best Durham gas coal is quoted up to 15s. 6d.,
and the current market quotation for second quality is in
the neighbourhood of 14s. A good demand is reported for
bunker coal, and ordinary Durhams are 15s., bests 15s. 6d.,
seconds 14s. to 14s. 6d., and Wear specials 15s. 6d. to 16s.
Household coal is rather quiet, with quotations ranging from
15s. 6d. to 16s. fid. Coking coal is in fairly good request,
;and average blastfurnace kinds are selling at 24s. 61. to 25s.
for early delivery at Teesside works, but substantial forward
business has been done at below these rates. Foundry coke
is 27s. fid., and gas house coke 16s. 6d. to 17s.

IRON.

Quietness rules in pig iron. There is great scarcity of
all kinds, and haematite is practically unobtainable. Values
of Cleveland pig are unsettled, and rather difficult to fix.
The drop of 25 cents in American iron has had a disturbing
influence on the market here. This week sales of No. 3
rg.m.b. Cleveland pig have occurred at 63s. 6d. to 63s. 9d.
f.o.b., and the ruling quality is now firm at the latter figure,
which is also the price named for No. 4 foundry, whilst
No. 1 is 66s. 3d., No. 4 forge 63s. 6d., and mottled and
white iron each 66s.—all for early delivery. With no
haematite forthcoming for prompt orders, even for small
lots prices are very strong. Demand for delivery both for
home and foreign customers is heavy, and steamers arriving
for haematite have had to go away without supplies.
Contrary to custom, Continental consumers were reluctant
to buy last week-end to meet spring requirements, and as
most of the make is at present taken up by customers at
home, users abroad are unable to obtain the iron they need.
There are buyers quite prepared to pay 82s. for prompt
delivery of mixed numbers, but they experience the greatest
difficulty in finding sellers. Foreign ore is lifeless, and
market rates are nominally based on 21s. 6d. ex-ship Tees
for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. Freights Bilbao-Middles-
brough are easy at 5s. In manufactured iron and steel a
great deal of work is being turned out. Specifications are
being given out freely, but new orders are scarce. Common
iron bars are <£8 15s.; iron ship plates, <£8; steel ship
plates, ^£8 5s.; iron ship angles, ^£8 15s.; steel ship angles,
.£7 17s. 6d.; steel bars (basic), £8; steel bars (Siemens),
£8 10s.; steel strip, £8 ; steel hoops, £8 2s. 6d.; and steel
joists, £7 7s. 6d.—all less the customary 2| per cent, discount.
<Jast iron columns are £7 7s. 6d.; cast iron railway chairs,
£4 10s. to £4 15s.; light iron rails, £7 to £7 5s.; heavy
steel rails, £6 15s. ; and steel railway sleepers, £7—all net
-at works. Iron and steel galvanised corrugated sheets are
£12 15s. to £13 f.o.b.—less the usual 4 per cent.

South-West Lancashire.
COAL.

There is a noticeable improvement in the inland
household demand, and for some qualities there is pressure
for prompt supplies. Screened coal for forge and manufac-
turing purposes continues to be drawn upon in satisfactory
■quantities. With regard to shipping, there is as yet no
sign of any settlement of the Garston dock strike. The
congestion at other loading points on account of the traffic
diverted from Garston is worse than it was earlier, and
the delay to steamers and to railway wagons is becoming
more serious. There is an excellent demand for bunkering
fuels and very little free coal is available, owing partly to
the shortage of empty wagons at the collieries. Sales are
being made for delivery after the holidays at full present
rates. The coastwise and cross-Channel household trade
is very much disorganised by the dock strike, and merchants
are beginning to show signs of being urgent in their fuel
demands. Slacks continue not too abundant in quantity
and very firm with regard to price.

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 to 14/ 12/6 to 13/ 13/6 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 12/6 to 13/ 13/6 to 14/6 10/6 9/9 9/3

South Lancashire and Chsshlra.

COAL.

The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on
Tuesday. There is no improvement to report as to the
house coal trade, and prices remain without change.

Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated).

House coal:— Best 		Current prices. 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
Medium 			
Common 			
Furnace coal 			
Bunker (f.o.b. Partington)  Best slack			
Common slack			
		

Furnace coal continues in good demand. Shipping coal is ;
rather quiet, but prices are steady. Slack is brisk, with
fair supplies coming forward and prices firm. Below are
the current prices.

IRON.

The market on the Exchange was well attended, but not
much business passing. Buyers naturally hesitate to commit
themselves in the face of the large reductions made by the
Lincolnshire pig makers ; this is making itself felt through
all the various works, and it is impossible to sell anything.
Good No. 3 Lincolnshire can now be bought from works at
71s. delivered Manchester, with forge iron at 70s. at
Warrington. Forges are full of work, and prices remain
without alteration. Steelworks are also full up and their
prices are firm. Foundries are very busy both for mill work
and engineering. The engineering trade generally speaking
is showing a better result. Wagon builders are well
employed at high prices.

Yorkshire and Derbyshire^
Leeds.

COAL.

Although there is no great rush for fuel, the demand
continues satisfactory from the sellers’ point of view. The
full output of the pits is moving away to the various
markets daily, and five days’ work have been averaged this
week. The market on Tuesday was well attended, but
there was no feature of special interest beyond the giving
out of a few extra orders in view of the Easter holidays^

House Coal.—In spite of the mildness of the weather,
stocks of house coal in colliery sidings are of no importance.
Ground stocks are still to be seen at some of the pits and
also at the various depots, but these are not heavy.
Business with London is fairly brisk in the medium
qualities, but best coal is in slow demand. Reports from
London indicate a fair amount of activity in the retail
trade, and it is expected that this will be maintained to
the end of the month. Pit prices show little variation
since our last report. The coastwise trade is almost exclu-
sively in the cheap coals. Freights are weaker, and the
supply of shipping tonnage is more satisfactory. In the
West Riding towns merchants are fairly well employed.
House nuts, cobbles, seconds and bagging sorts sell readily,
and pit prices are firm as follow :—Haigh Moor selected,
18s. to 19s.; Wallsend and London best, 17s. to 18s.;
Silkstone best, 16s. to 17s.; Silkstone house, 15s. to 16s.;
other qualities, 13s. to 14s. 6d.

Gas Coal.—The position shows little change on the week.
The pits are working with great regularity, and coal not
required under contract sells readily at good prices.
Forward business is still quiet, but a good many tenders
are due to be sent out after the holidays. There is no
weakening in sellers’ ideas of new contract prices, which
are expected to realise Is. to Is. 6d. per ton more than the
expiring commitments.

Manufacturing Fuel.—There is considerable firmness in
all descriptions of steam-raising fuel, the demand from
Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, and the heavy woollen
district being very active. A big tonnage is also being
consigned to the factories in East Lancashire, while surplus
tonnage is sold for export. Coking smalls are rather more
plentiful, and in some cases slightly lower in price.

Washed Furnace Coke.—There are no stocks anywhere,
and the demand is brisk. The bulk of the locally-produced
coke is being consigned to Frodingham, the Midlands, and
the Leeds district. Spot lots realise about 18s. per ton at
the ovens. Forward business is quiet, buyers holding off in
the expectation of still lower prices.

House coal:—	Current	Last week’s
Prices at pit (London) :	prices.	prices.
Haigh Moor selected ...	13/9 to 14/3	13/9 to 14/3
Wallsend & London best	12/9 to 13/6	12/6 to 13/
Silkstone best 		12/9 to 13/6	12/6 to 13/
Do. house 		11/6 to 12/	12/ to 12/6
House nuts 		11/ to 11/6	11/ to 11/6
Prices f.o.b. Hull:		
Haigh Moor best		16/3 to 17/3	16/6 to 17/6
Silk stone best 		15/9 to 16/6	16/ to 16/6
Do. house 		14/9 to 15/3	15/ to 15/6
Other qualities		13/6 to 14/	13/ to 14/3
Gas coal:—		
Prices at pit:		
Screened gas coal 		12/3 to 13/	12/6 to 13/
Gas nuts 		11/ to 12/	11/6 to 12/6
Unscreened gas coal ...	11/ to 11/6	10/9 to 11/6
Other sorts :—		
Prices at pit:		
Washed nuts 		12/ to 12/6	11/6 to 12/
Large double-screened		
engine nuts 		11/ to 11/6	11/ to 11/6
Small nuts 		10/9 to 11/3	10/6 to 11/
Rough unscreened		
engine coal 		10/9 to 11/3	10/9 to 11/3
Best rough slacks 		9/ to 9/6	9/ to 9/6
Small do.			8/3 to 8/9	8/3 to 8/9
Coking smalls 		8/ to 8/6	8/ to 8/6
Coke:—		
Price at ovens:		
Furnace coke 		18/ to 19/	18/ to 19/

Barnsley^

COAL.

The local market was very largely attended, and there
was a very strong enquiry for all classes of steam coal. In
a great measure this is due to the more active state of

affairs on foreign account, and with the prospect of the
early opening of the Baltic ports exporters are very busy in
seeking to make arrangements at all events for some little
time ahead. The demand on home account is also more
active, owing to the approach of Easter holidays, and these
influences have resulted in stiffening prices to a consider-
able degree. Practically an increase of about 6d. per ton
for all descriptions of large steams was obtainable, and
particularly so in the case where supplies were needed to
facilitate shipment at Hull. In regard to forward business,
the position is also very much strengthened against
buyers, and the quick change in business has proved that
the coalowners were j ustified in holding out against
the offers of buyers to cover the shipping season and
adhering to their offer on the basis of 12s. 6d. per ton for
the best Barnsley hards. Enquiries from the Continent and
the Baltic are such that sellers are proceeding very
cautiously in regard to acceptances, believing that more
satisfactory prices will yet be obtained. In regard to small
steam coal, the approach of the holidays has also had a
material effect on the demand, owing to the fact that the
mills and large industries will be set down for a shorter
period than the collieries will, and with stocks very low at
the works there is every desire to make provision. This
state of things has arrested the sluggish feeling which
has prevailed for the last few weeks, and sellers were able
to again command what may be regarded as high prices.
Both the best quality nuts and slacks were 3d. to 6d. per
ton dearer on the week and secondary qualities also made
considerable advance, so that so far as this month is
concerned coalowners appear to be placed in a very strong
position. The question of gas coal contracts has excited a
good deal of attention during the week, and it is notable,
having regard to the prospect of higher prices, that several
large gas companies have already intimated their desire to
have their arrangements for next year speedily settled.
Coalowners appear to be acting with a greater degree of
unanimity than a year ago, and they put forward the
demand for an advance of from Is. to Is. 61. per ton for the
new contracts, and current prices have been increased in
this proportion. It was reported that already several large
contracts had been completed at an advance more in
accord with the coalowners’ figures. The demand for house
coal continues to be of an active character, and collieries
being now fairly well rid of stocks, are able to enforce their
price list quotations. The better qualities of coal especially
are more enquired for, and on the whole business is more
than of an average character for this period of the year.
The position in regard to coke is little altered, the demand
continuing very quiet, and prices are much easier, buyers
being able to arrange short contracts on more favourable
basis from their point of view.

Prices at pit.

	Current	Last week’s
House coals:—	prices.	prices.
Best Silkstone		14/ to 15/	14/6 to 15/
Best Barnsley softs		14/ to 14/3	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 		11/9 to 12/3	11/9 to 12/
Secondary do		11/ to 11/6	11/ to 11/3
Best washed nuts 		12/6	12/
Secondary do.			11/6	11/3
Best slack		9/ to 9/6	9/ to 9/6
Rough do	  Gas coals:—	8/ to 8/6	8/ to 8/6
Screened gas coals 		12/6 to 13/6	12/6 to 13/6
Gas nuts 		12/ to 12/6	12/ to 12/6
Furnace coke 		18/6 to 19/	19/ to 19/6

Hull.

COAL.

The approaching Easter holidays have had the effect of
creating a stronger demand, both home and export, but
apart from this transitory factor, the market is firm all
round and the forward outlook not less so. There is much
more activity, and many indications of a strong demand for
coals from abroad, and especially for the Baltic ports.
Moreover, the easing in freights and the prospect of a
plentiful supply of tonnage at lower rates than last year, has
had a very appreciable effect upon the general tone of the
market. Best Yorkshire steams are in good demand, and
the price for odd lots for prompt shipment is more nearly
approximating to the values set up by the coalowners whose
confidence in the forward market is unabated. Secondary
sorts maintain their former high level, but smalls are a
little lower. Gas coals are in good request, but house coal
coal is quieter. Plenty of coal is coming along from the
collieries, and shipments at the docks are on an increasing
scale, the past week being one of the busiest we have had
this year at the docks. More or less favourable reports
continue to arrive daily from Riga with respect to the
navigation at the lower porta, but it is not expected that
Cronstadt will have a free passage until the last week in
April. The freight market has shown signs of more activity.
The plentiful supply of tonnage in hand and over the next
few weeks, causing a relapse in rates all to the advantage
of the exporter, who has not yet booked. Baltic sales are
3d. to 6d. lower prompt, while Cronstadt f.o.w. has been
taken at 5s. 10$d-» and can be repeated. In the Mediter-
ranean department the reduction is even more marked,