26 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN July 3, 1914. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday, but there was little business doing. • The demand for house coal is at about the lowest possible, and prices are not quite so steady in consequence. Furnace coal is meeting with moderate enquiry, while shipping coal is quiet. The demand for slack is fairly good, but supplies are freely offered. Gas fuel contracts for next season are now being entered at prices varying from 6d. to Is. under last year according to the particular circumstances of each case. Below are present list prices. 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. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 9/6-10/ 8/6- 9/ L’st week’s prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 9/6-10/ 8/6- 9/ Last year’s prices. 16/6-17/ 15/3-16/ 12/6-13/ 12/6 14/ 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 IRON. There was a fairly good attendance on ’Change in Manchester on Tuesday last, but trade continues lifeless. Pig iron remains as last reported. Forges are very short of orders, and are still asking =£7 os. for crown bars, second quality <£6 15s., hoops <£7 12s. 6d., sheets <£8 7s. 6d. to <£8 12s. 6d. Steel works, too, are short of orders. Bars are quoted at about <£6 7s. 6d. less 2o per cent., and billets <£5 nett. Wagon builders and engineers are slack; in fact, trade in this district is very depressed indeed. or two special brands are quoted at 10s. 6d. The tonnage being sent to the Frodingham district and into the Mid- lands continues disappointingly small, but a rather better demand is experienced from the iron and steel works in the Leeds district. Hull. COAL. There is very little change to report in the condition of the Humber coal market. There being no great excess of output of the best kinds of steam coal, colliery owners are able to firmly hold for their prices. Best South Yorkshires have been rather irregular, about 14s. 6d. being the value for prompt shipment, though sales are reported at 14s. 3d. Secondary sorts, especially doubles, maintain their value, and Derbyshire and Nottingham hards are fully worth late rates. Small coal and slack, of which there is plenty offered, is weaker. Most of the business done is for prompt or nearly prompt shipment. No great amount of business forward is being done—in fact, practically none, though there are some enquiries in the market notably on behalf of the Russian State Railways, which require about 75,000 tons of steam coal for delivery over the second half of the year. Shipments on the docks are on a fairly large scale, but might be bigger. Tfie freight market shows an easier tendency in the Baltic direction, 5s. now being the figure for handy-sized steamers for Cronstadt and neighbouring ports, while 4s. 9d. has been accepted for a 4,000-ton steamer for Cronstadt. Swedish Sound and Danish deep-water ports are quoted round about 4s. 6d., while Mediterranean business, for which there is only a limited request, can be done at 7s. 6d. Genoa. The following are the approximate prices for prompt shipment f.o.b. Hull:— Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The attendance on Tuesday was below the average, probably accounted for by the extremely hot weather. Business was quiet, the only enquiries circulating having reference to steam coal for export, and a few spot parcels of gas coal changed hands. It was reported that the pits had worked about four days on the average, with a fairly satis- factory supply of empty trucks. Stocks are no bigger on the week, except in one or two of the lower grades of house coal. The half-year on the whole has been disappointing. Continually increasing costs have been coincident with a gradual decline in the average selling price of fuel. The prospects for the next six months are not considered bright by any means. House Coal.—There is a good deal of underselling in the open market as far as London is concerned. In spite of this, the demand is very quiet, merchants taking little beyond contract tonnage. Further progress is reported in regard to the fixing-up of contracts for house coal for the next twelve months, and it is said that prices average from 3d. to 6d. per ton reduction on the expiring commitments. No further orders of any magnitude are reported for stocking purposes. The coastwise trade continues dull, only the very cheapest qualities being enquired for. In Leeds, Bradford, Halifax and other West Riding centres, merchants report a very poor turnover at the depots. The best relative demand is for cobbles and washed house nuts, the best qualities being neglected. There is no change in official pit prices, but buyers of spot parcels can secure a concession equal to Is. per ton. Current quotations :—Haigh Moor selected, 18s. to 19s.; Silkstone best, 17s. to 18s. ; Silkstone house, 16s. to 17s.; other qualities, 13s. to 14s. 6d. Gas Coal.—There is evidence of a good deal of competi- tion to secure new business, and although prices for the best qualities are said to be quoted on the same level as a year ago, buyers find very little difficulty in fixing up at a reduction of about 6d. per ton all round. The strongest feature of the gas coal trade is the firmness of washed gas nuts and other specialised fuel. One or two of the larger local works are also in the market for spot parcels for stocking. The gas coal pits are still working full time, and on the whole stocks in colliery sidings are on the light side. Manufacturing Fuel.—An increased tonnage is going into consumption in the Bradford and Huddersfield dis- tricts, and this has the effect of keeping prices steady at recent levels. Washed coking smalls are somewhat scarce, but all other qualities are quotably unchanged. Washed Furnace Coke.—The stronger disposition to buy forward noted last week is still maintained, and several contracts are reported to have been fixed up to the end of the year at from 10s. to 10s. 3d. per ton at the ovens. One South Yorkshire:— Best steam hards Washed double-scr’ned nuts Unwashed double- screened nuts Washed single-screened nuts Unwashed single-scr’ned nuts Washed smalls Unwashed smalls West Yorkshire:— Hartleys Rough slack Pea slack Best Silkstone screened gas coal Best Silkstone unscr’ned gas coal Derbyshire and Notts :— Best steam hards (Hull) Do. (Grimsby) Derbyshire nuts (d’bles) Derbyshire nuts (d’bles) (Grimsby) Derbyshire large nuts... Do. do. (Grimsby) Nottinghamshire hards Do. do. (Grimsby) Leicestershire hards (Hull and Grimsby)... Current prices. 14/3-14/6 13/ -13/3 13/ 13/ 12/6 9/ 8/ 12/3 9/6 8/3- 8/6 13/6 12/ 14/ 13/9 12/6 12/3 14-/6 14/ 14/ 13/9 13/6 L’st week’s prices. 14/6 13/3 13/ .13/ 12/6 9/6 8/9 12/3 9/6 8/3-S/6 13/9 12/3 14/ 13/9 12/6 12/3 14/6 14/ 14/ 13/9 13/6 Last year’s prices. 16/ -16/3 14/3-14/9 13/9-14/3 14/3 13/ 11/ 9/9 13/3 10/9-11/ 9/9 14/3 13/ 15/9-16/ 15/6 13/6 13/3 14/6 14/ 15/9-16/ 15/6 to be making further concessions, but these are evidently not enough to induce the gas companies to fix up renewals of contracts in any great volume. The position in regard to house coal continues to be about the same, and the owners are making a determined effort to keep up winter prices, ground stocking being resorted to in many cases rather than make any tangible reductions. The demand for the best sorts is reported to be of a strong character, but secondary sorts cause sellers greater trouble, and merchants find spot lots are being more frequently offered. With regard to coke, the quiet demand still prevails, and there is practically nothing to give strength to the position of makers, who have still to accept the reduced quotations which prevailed during' recent weeks. Chesterfield. COAL. The warm weather is seriously affecting the demand for house coal, and pits that produce this class of fuel are unable to work more than three days per week owing to scarcity of orders. Prices remain firm in spite of 'the reduced requirements, and there is no giving way from last year’s figures for contracts that are being renewed for the ensuing 12 months. There is a steady call for fuel for manufacturing purposes, without any change in prices. Cobbles and nuts for gas-producers in connection with the steel industry continue to move freely. The demand for the best classes of slack for boiler firing is good, but the supply of the secondary qualities is in excess of the current needs of the market, with a slight weakening of prices. Deliveries of steam coal for locomotive use are on a satis? factory scale, but there is no great pressure on the part of railway companies. The export trade is fairly steady. The demand for steam coal, however, is only of a hand-to-mouth character, the tonnage sold under contract for shipment over the present season being unusually small. It is expected that later in the year something in the nature of a rush for steam coal will be experienced, with a little stiffening of prices. At present, the figure quoted for the best brands of Derbyshire Top Hards is 14s. per ton deli- vered free alongside steamer at Grimsby. Cobbles and nuts for near Continental ports are in good demand, and during the past few days a brisk enquiry for washed nuts has sprung up, and prices are fully 3d. per ton dearer than they were a week ago. Washed slack is in steady request, with- out any change in prices. The coke market is sluggish, and demand is at a low ebb. Prices are weak, especially for blast furnace kinds. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best house coals 13/6 13/6 14/6 Secondary do 1, 12/ 12/ 12/6 Cobbles 11'/ 11 12/ Nuts 9/6 /, 9/6 1. 11 Slack 7/6 7/6 9/ IRON. There is no new feature in connection with the iron trade of the district, and it is feared that more furnaces will have to be blown out, seeing that the production of pig iron is in excess of consumers’ requirements. There is no improve- ment in the finished iron department. 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.......... Best rough slacks.... Small do. ............ Coking smalls ........ Coke:— Price at ovens: Furnace coke ......... Current prices. 14/ 13/ -13/9 13/ -13/9 12/ -12/6 11/ -11/6 16/ -16/6 15/6-16/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -14/ 11/ -12/ 10/ -11/ 9/9-10/6 10/9-11/6 9/6-10/6 9/ -9/9 9/3- 9/9 7/ - 8/ 6/ - 6/9 6/3- 7/ 10/ -10/6 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 14/ 14/ 13/ -14/ 13/ -13/6 13/ -14/ 13/ -13/6 12/ -12/6 11/6-12/ 11/ -11/6 11/ -11/6 16/ -16/6 15/9-16/6 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 14/ -14/9 14/6-15/ 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/6 11/ -12/ 12/3-12/9 10/ -11/ 11/6-12/6 9/9-10/6 10/9-11/3 11/ -11/6 12/ -12/6 9/6-10/6 11/ -11/6 9/ - 9/9 10/9-11/3 9/3- 9/9 10/9-11/3 7/3- 8/ 8/9—9/3 6/ - 6/9 8/ -8/6 6/3- 7/ 8/ -8/3 10/ -10/6 14/ -15/ Barnsley. COAL. There was no particular alteration in the state of trade at the local market during the week. The working of the various collieries has proved to be of a variable description, some firms only working four days for the week. Every effort is being made to keep the output within range of the demand, and prices are being held out for by sellers. The strongest feature of the market continues to be for large steams on export account, which continues to be of a vigorous description. As already stated, there is no difficulty in meeting the enquiry, as was the case a year ago. The best hards are showing the greater scarcity, comparatively speaking, and buyers do not find it so easy to obtain prompt supplies in regard to their requirements. Prjces remain firm as about last week, and little attempt is made to fix up forward business, sellers looking for much easier prices than sellers are inclined to take. Secondary sorts have gained a little in strength, but quotations are not materially altered, and there is still a good activity prevailing amongst sellers to dispose of the daily output and avoid stocks. The enquiry for all kinds of manu- facturing fuel has not altered in a great degree, and the consumption from the textile districts is still of a reduced character. Washed nuts, however, appear to still move off fairly well, and, so far as the best brands are concerned, there is a firmness in quotations, though secondary kinds are still rather on the weak side. The experience with regard to slacks is little altered; best grades are fairly strong up to 7s. per ton, though less than this is being taken in some cases. Rough slacks continue to accumulate at the pits, and quotations are of a very variable caaracter according to the circumstances prevailing at the individual pits. In regard to gas coal contracts, sellers are reported Prices at pit. Nottingham. COAL. There has been very little change in the state of the coal trade in Nottinghamshire during the past week. On the whole the tone has perhaps been slightly less active. The demand for domestic fuel continues to be slow, but it is about up to the average for the end of June. Best qualities are selling better than other descriptions, which are some- what neglected. In the present state of the market a few special lots are on offer at reduced rates, otherwise values are being fairly well maintained. In the steam coal section a temporary set-back has been experienced, owing to labour trouble at the east coast ports, with the result that the export trade has not been quite so active. A fair business is being done in industrials on the home market. Still, the supply is more than sufficient to meet the demand. In two or three cases, it is reported that works have renewed contracts at slightly reduced rates compared with a year ago. Values in this branch are showing little alteration, though a little forced selling is being resorted to. In regard to gas coal, little forward business is being done, buyers holding out for a reduction on renewal of contracts. The slack market has displayed some improvement, more particularly in best qualities, and values are steadily held. 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. 13/ -14/ 11/6-12/ 10/6-11/ 10/6-10/9 9/3-10/ 6/3- 6/9 5/6- 6/ 5/6- 6/ L’stweek\ prices. Last year’s 13/ -14/ 11/ -12/ 10/ -11/ 10/6-10/9 9/6-10/ 6/3- 6/9 5/6- 6/ 5/6- 6/ prices. 12/6-13/ 11/ "12/ 10/ -11/ 12/ -12/6 10/6-11/6 8/6- 9/ 7/6-8/S 7/6- 8/6 House coals:— Best Silkstone Best Barnsley softs Secondary do. Best house nuts Secondary do Steam coals:— Best hard coals Secondary do Best washed nuts Secondary do Best slack Rough do Gas coals:— Screened gas coals Unscreened do Gas nuts Furnace coke Current prices. 15/6-16/ '15/ -15/3 12/ -13/ 13/ 10/9-11/6 11/3-11/6 10/6-10/9 10/6-10/9 W/ 7/ 5/9- 6/ 11/6 10/6 10/9-11/ 10/ L’st week’s prices. 15/6-16/ 15/ -15/3 ' 12/ -13/ 1 13/ | 10/9-11/6 : 11/3-11/6 10/6-10/9 10/6-10/9 10/ 7/ 5/9- 6/ 11/6 10/6 10/9-11/ 10/ Last year’s prices. 14/6 14/ 11/ -13/ 12/ -13 z6 11/ -12/ 12/9-13/3 12/ -12/3 12/ 11/ 9/ - 9/3 8/ - 8/6 12/ -12/3 11/3-12/ 15/ Leicestershire. COAL. Under ordinary circumstances the hot weather would put an end to the demand for household coal; but efforts are still being made to keep this section of the trade in a more or less healthy condition by fostering the system of large house owners and occupiers buying supplies to last the whole or at least part of the winter. Behind this movement there is, of course, the very important principle of endeavouring to equalise to some extent the output and the demand all through the year. There is a very strong demand for manufacturing fuel, and the demand for the present is very much in excess of the supply, and promises to be so for a couple of months. This shortage is due, not to the increased demand in the aggregate, but to the limitation of the quantities available in consequence of the collieries generally working short time. The whole of this fuel is eagerly cleared off as fast as it is available. The