202 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN July 24, 1914. 12s. 6d. f.o.b. up to 13s. 3d. for best descriptions, but there are instances where 3d. less is being taken. Shipments of household coals for the coastwise and cross-Channel trade are a fair summer average. Slack is not the incubus it was. A good deal less is being produced in consequence of the broken time at the house coal pits, and although consumption is at a low figure, on account of the holiday season, there seems to be less of a surplus about. In gas coal the buyer delays settling, but some acceptances are coming in, and these generally are on the basis of about 6d. per ton reduction on last yearns prices. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a fair attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. The demand for house coal remains at about the lowest summer level, with steady prices. Furnace coal is very quiet, but there is a somewhat better enquiry for shipping coal. Short time having commenced in the cotton trade is already affecting the demand for slack, while supplies are abundant, although the quantity is naturally reduced in consequence of the short time worked at the collieries. Gas fuel contracts are slowly being placed at 6d. to 9d. reduction from last year’s prices. The general prices are:— 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. The trade in all descriptions of iron is in a lifeless condition. There are no buyers to test prices, although makers are short of work and it is all in buyers’ favour. Prices are without alteration. Short time is the order of the day, and one blastfurnace is to be blown out here. Wagon builders are extremely short of orders. Boiler- makers’ prices are quite unremunerative. Foundries very slack. Engineers have not much to look forward to. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The attendance at the market on Tuesday was below the average of recent weeks, and business on the whole was quiet. The only enquiries worth mentioning had reference to steam coal and washed nuts for shipment at the Humber ports. It was said that the West Yorkshire pits had averaged four days’ work this week, and that the supply of empty wagons had been satisfactory. House Coal.—Considering the time of the year and the extremely hot weather, the demand for house coal must be regarded as satisfactory. This is especially so in regard to best qualities, supplies of which are limited and barely sufficient for market needs. London merchants are taking better supplies for stocking purposes, and it is said that one or two of the collieries producing best Haigh Moor qualities are from 10 days to a fortnight behind with their deliveries. Secondary sorts, however, are less easy to place, and stocks of these are fairly considerable. Very few new contracts with London merchants are reported, but such as have been booked are mainly for best Silkstone and Haigh Moor house coal. In the coastwise trade there is more enquiry, and several cargoes of medium Silkstone qualities have changed hands this week at slightly higher prices. In the local market merchants are employed scarcely half their time, as the retail trade is at its quietest. In this case, too, an exception must be made in favour of best coal, as some of the large country houses are laying in stocks for winter. Current pit prices:—Haigh Moor selected, 18s. to 19s.; Silkstone best, 17s. to 18s.; Silkstone house, 16s. to 17s.; other qualities, 13s. to 14s. 6d. Gas Coal.—It is reported that a number of large contracts for screened gas coal have been lost to this district during the week, partly on account of the high prices quoted, but mainly because several of the larger works have gone in for cheaper grades of material. For instance, it is said that Huddersfield have bought 60,000 tons of slack this year, and that Manchester have also bought a larger percentage of low-grade coal. Other works House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 14/ 14/ 14/ -14/6 Wallsend & London best 13/ -13/9 13/ -13/9 13/ -13/6 Silkstone best 13/ -13/9 13/ -13/9 13/3-14/ Do. house 12/ -12/6 12/ -12/6 11/6-12/6 House nuts Prices f.o.b. Hull:— 11/ -11/6 11/ -11/6 11/ -11/6 Haigh Moor best 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 16/6-17/3 Silkstone best 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ 15/6-16/ Do. house 13/9-14/6 13/9-14/6 14/6-15/6 Other qualities Gas coal:— Prices at pit : 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 14/ -14/9 Screened gas coal 11/ -11/6 11/ -11/6 12/3-12/9 Gas nuts 10/ -10/6 10/ -10/6 11/6-12/6 Unscreened gas coal ... Other sorts:— Prices at pit: 9/6-10/ 9/6-10/ 10/6-11/ Washed nuts Large double-screened 11/ -11/6 10/9-11/6 11/6-12/3 engine nuts 9/6-10/6 9/6-10/6 11/ -11/6 Small nuts Rough unscreened 9/ - 9/9 9/ -9/9 10/ -10/6 engine coal 9/3- 9/9 9/3- 9/9 10/ -10/6 Best rough slacks 7/ - 8/ 7/ - 8/ 8/ - 9/ Small do. 6/ - 6/9 6/ - 6/9 7/6- 8/3 Coking smalls Coke:— Price at ovens : 6/ -7/ 6/ -7/ 7/9- 8/3 Furnace coke 10/ -10/9 10/ -10/9 13/6-14/ are only buying half their usual tonnage, with the intention of coming into the market later on. Altogether, the position of the gas coal industry from the point of view o’f forward business is a difficult one, and reductions are mentioned of quite Is. per ton on last year’s prices. Manufacturing Fuel.—The scarcity of washed nuts is even more marked, as so much is being taken for export. Other qualities are in fairly good demand, and stocks in colliery sidings are on the light side, owing to the short- time working of the pits. The threatened trouble in Scot- land has produced a feeling of uneasiness, and several of the larger works are laying in stocks. Washed Furnace Coke.—New business continues to be booked in fairly big quantities at up to 10s. 6d. per ton at the ovens for average qualities of washed patent oven coke. A biggish contract for a special kind of high-class coke has been made this week at Ils. 3d. at the ovens. On the whole, there is a better feeling with regard to coke, and this also applies to gas coke. Barnsley. COAL. There is a decidedly firm attitude prevailing this week in regard to most classes of steam coal, and business is of a more active character. The effect of the trouble in the Scotch coalfield has been slightly felt, and no doubt, should a stoppage ensue, this part of the district will materially benefit. Apart from this, however, the demand for export is particularly brisk, and buyers who have hitherto not been pushing matters to the fullest extent, now find it advisable to make more extensive arrangements. The output has been considerably reduced owing to the shorter working of the collieries, and to stoppages from various causes including that of holidays which will now be frequently experienced. Coalowners have not much difficulty in main- taining their prices and buyers are seeking to make forward arrangements on a basis more in accordance with the attitude which producers have shown. A big bulk of tonnage has been booked up to cover next month, whilst it is reported that arrangements for large steams have been made to the end of the present year at something like the present range of values. A keen enquiry continues in respect of the best class of hards, and secondary descrip- tions have also shown some improvement, although the output of this grade of coal is nearer meeting the demand than in the case of prime sorts. The business passing in respect to steam nuts is rather more active than in recent weeks, although there is no material alteration in prices, but special deliveries command a slight increase on the current quotations. There is very little change in regard to the demand for all kinds of manufacturing fuel, but the best kinds of slack are again, comparatively speaking, rather scarce in the quieter market. The stocks of rough slack, however, are still of a substantial character, and prices are on the weak side. A good deal of interest continues to be shown in the placing of gas coal contracts, which have occasioned rather more difficulty than usual owing to the determined attitude of the gas companies to obtain reductions on last year’s prices. Some large buyers have fixed up at a reduction ranging from Is. Id. to 9d. per ton, the larger amount having been conceded in respect to the rougher classes of fuel. A general reduction of 9d. per ton has been accepted in other cases, but it is known that some coalowners have agreed to a reduction of Is. per ton in order to retain the business, and it seems not unlikely this amount will have to be given to complete the contracts which are still outstanding. In regard to house coal, the demand generally speaking is of course, of a very quiet character. Some coalowners have conceded a reduction of 6d. per ton on the winter prices, and so far as the best class of coal is concerned, they are able to command sufficient business with this reduction, although ground stocks have to be resorted to. Secondary descriptions of coal, however, are weaker, and stocks are difficult to deal with. In regard to coke, there has been practically no recovery, and although the output has been restricted, the make is more than sufficient to meet the demand, and prices still lack firmness. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 15/ -15/6 15/6-16/ 14/6 Best Barnsley softs 14/9-15/ 15/ -15/3 1 14/ Secondary do. 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/ 1 11/ -13/ Best house nuts 12/9-13/ 13/ 12/ -13/6 Secondary do 10/9-11/ 10/9-11/6 11/ -12/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals 11/6-11/9 j 11/6-12/ 13/ -13/3 Secondary do 10/9-11/ 10/6-11/ 12/ -12/3 Best washed nuts 10/6-10/9 10/6-10/9 12/ Secondary do 9/9-10/ 9/9-10/ 11/ Best slack 6/9-7/ 6/9- 7/ 8/9-9/ Rough do 5/9- 6/ 5/9- 6/ 8/ - 8/3 Gas coals:— Screened gas coals 11/6 11/6 12/ -12/6 Unscreened do. ...• 10/6 10/6-11/ 10/6 — Gas nuts 10/6-11/ 1 11/ -12/ Furnace coke :.... 10/ -10/3 10/ | 13/6 Hull. COAL. There is little change to report in the Humber coal market. The improved tone and firmness in prices noted last week continue, these being due in the main to the brisk export demand. With the season half over exporters who earlierthad held back are now in the market and buying freely to meet their requirements, both immediate and forward. The output of the best steam hards is now being utilised fully, and, apart from current business, enormous quantities are being shipped at all the Humber ports under contract. Prices are quoted unchanged from last week, but the tone is very firm, and the probability is that but for better reports of the progress of affairs in the Scottish coalfield they would have been marked up. Secondary sorts are not less firm than the best sorts, though smalls are still easy, the supply being much in excess of the demand. Gas and house coals are quiet, though there seems to be more enquiry for the latter. Shipments at the docks are again heavy in volume, and at times there have been at Hull evidences of congestion, and large steamers have been diverted to Immingham to take in coal. There is some dissatisfaction in consequence, that the new appliances at the new Joint Dock are not available, though all haste is being made towards completion. Owing to the difficulty in arranging turns, freight business is quiet, and rates show some sign of easing, Cronstadt now being quoted at 4s. 9d. to 5s., according to size, the latter having been paid for a handy-sized steamer. Fixtures are also reported of steamers to Pernau at 5s. l|d., Reval 5s. 3d., and Riga 5s. For the Swedish Sound ports, 4s. 9d. is about the rate. In the Mediterranean direction, about 7s. 3d. represents the nominal value for Genoa or Alexandria. Coasting business is quiet on the basis of 4s. Hamburg. The following are the approximate prices for prompt shipment f.o.b. Hull:— Current L’st week’s Lastyear’s South Yorkshire:— prices. prices. prices. Best steam hards Washed double- scr’ned 14/9-15/ 14/9-15/ 16/3-16/6 nuts Unwashed double- 13/9-14/ 13/9-14/ 13/3-13/9 screened nuts Washed single-screened 13/6 13/6 13/ nuts Unwashed single-scr’ned 13/3-13/6 13/3-13/6 13/6-13/9 nuts 13/ 13/ 13/ Washed smalls 9/ 9/ 10/6-10/9 Unwashed smalls West Yorkshire:— 8/3 8/3 9/ - 9/6 Hartleys 12/3 12/3 13/3-13/6 Rough slack 9/6 9/6 10/9-11/ Pea slack Best Silkstone screened 8/3- 8/6 8/3—8/6 9/9 gas coal Best Silkstone unscr’ned . 13/6 13/6 13/3-13/6 gas coal Derbyshire and Notts :— 12/ 12/ 13/ Best steam hards (Hull) 14/6 14/6 15/6 Do. (Grimsby) 14/- 14/3 14/ -14'3 15/ Derbyshire nuts (d’bles) Derbyshire nuts (d’bles) 12/6 12/6 ' 13/6 (Grimsby) 12/3 12/3 13/ -13/3 Derbyshire large nuts... 14/ 14/ 14/3-14/6 Do. do. (Grimsby) 13/6 13/6 14/ Nottinghamshire hards 14/6 14/6 15/6 Do. do. (Grimsby) Leicestershire hards 14/ -14/3 14/ -14/3 15/ (Hull and Grimsby)... — — Chesterfield. COAL. The demand for house coal is now on the lowest summer scale, and many pits producing this class of fuel are not working more than two days per week. The output is amply sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the market at present. There is a well-sustained demand for coal for industrial purposes, and the classes suitable for steelmaking are in specially good request. There is more doing in respect of slack for boiler-firing, and prices make a tendency to harden. Stocks are not increasing at present. It is believed that after the holiday season there will be an improved demand for this kind of fuel. Gas coal is quiet, deliveries being on a very low scale. Steam coal for locomo- tive use moves pretty freely. The market retains the firmness which has recently characterised the export trade. There is a strong demand for steam coal for current ship- ment as well as for delivery over the remainder of the shipping season, which promises to be a very active one. Shipments at present are on an extensive scale, and some difficulty is experienced in meeting the demands of exporters. Prices are very firm for best Derbyshire Top Hards, and sellers will not accept less than 14s. 6d. per ton free alongside steamer at Grimsby or Immingham. Washed nuts are also in brisk demand, and prices have advanced substantially during the present month. There is not a sufficient supply at present to meet the requirements of the market. The coke trade is slightly better, there being an improved enquiry with a hardening tendency in prices. Washed slack is in good request. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best house coals 12/ 12/ 14/6 Secondary do 11/ 111 12/6 Cobbles 10/6 10/6 12/ Nuts 9/6 9/6 11/ Slack 7/6 7/6 • 9/ IRON. The iron trade is sluggish, and there is still no indication of any improvement. Nottingham. COAL. The general position of the coal trade in Nottinghamshire has been fairly satisfactory during the past week, one or two departments having manifested a better tone. In the domestic fuel section the demand is much the same as a week ago, with the exception that best qualities have been if anything, a little more active, as some merchants have put a quantity into stock. Although forced selling has been resorted to with certain qualities, it has not affected the general quotations, and prices all round are keeping steady. Increased activity has manifested itself in the steam coal section. In addition to the tonnage being sent to the east coast ports for shipment having been well maintained, there has been an improved sale of industrial fuel, which is accounted for by a number of* works having finished stocktaking. Then again, the railway companies are taking fuller supplies in view of the holiday traffic. Merchants, however, are still buying cautiously in the hope that later in the season prices may incline downwards. At present there is no indication in that direction. Irregularity 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/ -13/6 11/ -12/ 10/ -11/ 10/6-10/9 9/6-10/ 6/6- 7/ 5/6- 6/ 5/6- 6/ L’st week’sLast year’s prices, i prices. 13/ |12/ -13/ 11/ -12/ ' 11/ -12/ 10/ -11/ 10/ -11/ 10/6-10/9 11/6-12/6 9/3-10/ : 10/6-11/3 6/6- 7/ 8/3- 9/ 5/6- 6/ ' 7/3-8/ 5/6- 6/ 1 7/3- 8/3