530 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN September 10, 1915. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best 20/9 20/9 17/ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 16/6-16/9 Medium 19/ 19/ 15/3 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 20/ 20/ 14/6-15/ Kitchen 16/9-17/ i 16/9-17/ 13/ Do. (f.o.b. Garston,net) 18/ -18/6 18/6-19/ 13/3-13/9 Screened forge coal 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 11/6-12/ Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 12/3—13/ Best slack 14/ 14/ 9/9 Secondary slack 12/6 12/6 9/ , Common do 10/ 10/ 8/ - 8/6 South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The attendance of members on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday was below the average. There is a slightly better demand for house coal. Furnace coal keeps good, and the call for shipping coal is steady. There is a fair enquiry for slack. The supply is quite adequate for requirements. List prices are as below:— 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. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 14/ 11/ -12/ L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ i 19/ -20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 14/ 11/ -12/ Last year’s prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ —16/9 13/3-14/ 12/6 14/ 9/6-10/ 8/6- 9/ IRON. There was only a fair attendance on ’Change in Manchester on Tuesday. Buying in pig iron was quiet, with no change to report in prices. As regards iron and steel, deliveries are very difficult to get hold of. Prices are without change since our last quotations. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. Tuesday’s gathering on the Yorkshire Coal Exchange was moderately well attended, and a fair amount of busi- ness was put through. Colliery agents reported satisfactory conditions at the pits, which have worked full time this week, while an improvement in the supply of empty wagons, as well as in the movement of loaded trucks on the rail- ways, has enabled the, in the circumstances, large output to be cleared regularly and without difficulty. Taken all round, the pits have very little stocks on hand, these con- sisting only of house coal in no large quantities. The advice of the Board of Trade on the stocking of coal by the public appears to have been acted upon in London, where merchants report an improved demand. There are plenty of orders in hand at the depots, and no difficulty in obtaining coal,« but the means of delivery are feeling the strain, in consequence of both men and horses being difficult to secure, and this difficulty is likely to become more pronounced as the season advances. Owing to the better prices obtainable in the nearer markets, the best qualities of West Yorkshire house coal are not being offered at all freely for London. With regard to the coastwise trade, freights have further increased, as high as 9s. having been paid for shipments Goole to London, and 10s. quoted for a 700-ton boat. Secondary qualities of Silkstone and similar house coals have been shipped in fairly large quantities at about 18s. f.o.b. Goole. In the local markets the turn of the month has brought a more active demand, and mer- chants are about fully employed. The call is mainly for secondary qualities, and prices may be averaged as under : —Haigh Moor selected, 21s. to 22s.; Silkstone best, 20s. to 21s.; Silkstone house, 18s. 6d. to 19s. 6d.; secondary sorts, 16s. 6d. to 17s. 6d. The gas coal pits are very busy. The active demand for shipment to France and Italy affords a ready outlet for any surplus coal, though less is being sent to neutral countries, Sweden especially. It is said that although only about half the usual tonnage has been offered to the Bradford Gas Committee, they have been able to cover their requirements at prices which average an advance of between 4s. 9d. and 5s. on the figures of a year ago. In consequence of the reduced tonnage offered by South York- Current pit prices. House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 14/ Wallsend & London best 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 13/ -14/ Silkstone best 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 13/ -13/6 Do. house 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 12/ -12/6 House nuts 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 11/ -11/6 Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 20/6-21/6 20/6—21/6 16/6-17/6 Silkstone best 20/ -21/ 20/ —21/ 15/3-16/3 Do. house 18/ -19/ 18/6—19/6 17/6-18/6 14/ -14/6 Other qualities... 17/ -18/ 13/ -14/ Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 15/ -16/ 10/9-11/6 Gas nuts 14/ -15/ 9/9-10/6 Unscreened gas coal ... 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 9/6-10/ Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 10/9-11/3 Large double-screened engine nuts 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 9/6-10/ Small nuts 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 9/ - 9/6 Rough unscreened engine coal 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 9/6-10/ Best rough slacks 12/ -13/ 12/ -13/ 7/3- 8/3 Small do. 9/6-10/6 10/ -11/ 6/ - 7/ Coking smalls 9/6-10/6 10/ -11/ 6/3- 7/6 Coke:— Price at ovens : Furnace coke 16/ -17/ j 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ shire pits a larger percentage than usual of West Yorkshire coal has been bought. Regarding manufacturing fuel, washed nuts are very scarce and maintain high prices, but there is a more plentiful supply of the better quality of slacks, and the weakness in coking smalls is still manifest. The reduced demand from Lancashire on account of the “wakes ” is still noticeable, although this is, to some extent, balanced by the stronger demand in the Bradford and heavy woollen districts. With a view to improving the prices of washed furnace coke the production has been reduced more to the level of the demand. Average samples of good quality coke are offered freely at 16s. at the ovens. The Frodingham demand is still full, and there is rather more call for coke from the Leeds district and the Midlands. Barnsley. COAL. There was only a small attendance at the usual weekly market, and business was only of an inactive character. The larger production has been well maintained during the week, and, except for a small proportion, the output is being disposed of under contract. The position in regard to large steam coal was hardly so strong as a week ago, owing to the reduced export in consequence of the difficulty in obtaining licences to some of the markets which have hitherto taken a substantial tonnage of the local production. Although quotations were the same as a week ago, they were to a considerable extent more of a nominal character, and buyers found it more easy to obtain deliveries in accordance with their requirements. Best hards, which are largely dependent upon the home market, were offering in occasional small lots at a reduction of about 6d. per ton; and secondary sorts were more easily disposed of, deliveries to clear off arrears on contract supplies being more freely taken. The position in regard to steam nuts and smaller steam fuel is, however, altogether different. The enquiry both for France and the home markets continues to be particularly active, and collieries are not able to fully meet the demand. Prices of all descriptions remain particularly firm, and there was little of this class of fuel on offer on the market. The position is much the same in regard to gas coal, especially nuts. The foreign requirements continue to be of an active description, and home gas companies are taking larger supplies under contract. Practically the whole of the output of a full week’s working is very easily disposed of. There has been no material alteration in respect to slacks, and prices have remained steady owing to the fact that business is expected to be of a nominal character after the holiday season in the textile district has expired. The demand for house coal shows renewed activity on the part of the public to lay in stocks, although the more favourable weather has caused a temporary check to the enquiry. Coal merchants are obtaining supplies with a greater regularity, and collieries are able to main- tain quotations about as a week ago. There has been a further slump in regard to the prices of coke during the past week, and the quieter state in the pig iron trade is reflected with greater effect this week. Prices are very widely varying, some sales being reported as low as 15s. per ton. Prices at pit. 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 L’st week’s (Last year’s prices. | prices. 20/ -22/ ! 15/ -15/6 18/ -19/ ? 15/ 16/6-17/6 12/ -13/6 16/ -17/ 12/9-13/ 15/6-16/ 10/9-11/ 16/6-17/ j 11/3-11/6 15/ -15/6 | 10/3-10/9 16/ -16/6 j 10/9-11/ 15/ -15/6 I 9/9-10/ 12/ -12/6 ! 6/9 11/ -11/6 5/9- 6/ 15/6-16/ 14/6-15/ 15/ -16/ 19/ -20/ 10/6-11/ 10/ 10/ -10/6 11/9-12/ prices. 20/ -22/ i 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/ 16/6 15/ -15/6 : 16/ -16/6 15/ -15/6 12/ -12/6 11/ -11/6 15/6-16/ 14/6-15/ 15/ -16/ 15/6-16/6 Hull. COAL. There has been a steady and fairly active demand for coal for export during the past few days, practically all the available supply of steams being taken up. More steamship tonnage has been offering, and shippers have been able to secure immediate requirements on a lower basis, and this naturally has not been without effect on the coal market. Licences for France have also come along freely, but the same cannot be said for neutral countries, whose supplies are reduced to the minimum. Best South Yorkshire steam hards have been, and are, fully steady at 19s. 3d. to 19s. 6d. for prompt shipment, with about Is. more required for prime brands. Nuts have been in keen demand, washed doubles making 18s. 6d. to 19s., ditto singles 18s. to 18s. 3d. Small coal is not so firm at 14s. to 14s. 6d., and rough slacks about unchanged at 13s. 6d. to 14s. 6d. Derbyshire steams continue a quiet market, and values are nominally 19s. to 19s. 6d. for prompt shipment at Grimsby or Immingham. Screened gas coal is unchanged at 18s. 6d. to 20s., and Hartleys steady at 18s. to 18s. 3d. Shipments at the docks this week promise to be an improvement on the past two weeks. In the freight market there has been a better supply of shipping, and a fair amount has been chartered, the lower rate of 16s. 6d. having been paid for handy-sized steamers for Rouen and somewhat less for smaller craft. Goole to Caen has been done at 16s. An odd steamer of 1,500 tons has accepted 12s. Hull to Oxelosund. There is nothing doing in the Mediterranean direction. The official return of the coal export to foreign countries for August shows that the quantity thus sent from Hull was 296,765 tons, as against 191,038 tons in August last year and 283,733 tons in the preceding month of July this year. Of the total, France took 198,597 tons, equal to 66*9 per cent., and Sweden 29,807 tons, equal to 10 per cent. The next in order were Holland 23,416 tons, Denmark 14,790 tons, South America 13,309 tons, and Egypt 9,621 tons, all others being below 3,000 tons. The foreign export from Grimsby was 48,639 tons, against 14,139 tons in August last year; Immingham 9,836 tons, against 101,407 tons; and Goole 87,421 tons, against 33,047 tons. The foreign total for all the Humber ports was 442,661 tons, against 339,631 tons in August last year, and 418,038 tons in July this year. The London and coastwise shipments from the Humber were 122,549 tons, against 138,773 tons in August last year. Chesterfield. COAL. There is no change in the condition of the coal trade of this district. The demand and supply at the moment are fairly equal, and a steady amount of business goes on from day to day. There is an absence of pressure for coal from any direction, which seems to indicate that consumers’ requirements are being satisfactorily met. Orders for house coal have fallen off owing to the warm weather, and there are no signs of any appreciable amount of stocking being done on the part of the public. With regard to coal for manufacturing purposes, a steady volume of business con- tinues to be done in this department of the coal trade. Cobbles and nuts suitable for steel-making purposes are in brisk demand, but, as is the case in respect of the other classes of fuel, no difficulty is experienced in satisfying the needs of the market. There is no improvement to be recorded in the export trade, where business is becoming increasingly difficult owing to the restricted number of licences obtainable. So far as Sweden is concerned, it is feared that shipments of coal to that country will be almost completely stopped. There is no change in prices, which remain fairly firm at about 19s. per ton delivered at Grimsby. A good business continues to be done in large nuts for France, and this active demand will inevitably be experienced for many months. Slack for home consump- tion is in steady request at prices that are regulated in conformity with the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act. The coke market is in a weak condition, and the supply at the moment is evidently in excess of the requirements of the iron and steel trades. Prices are still tending downwards, and the outlook is anything but promising. Prices at pit. Best house coals ....... Secondary do............ Cobbles ................ Nuts ................... Slack .................. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. 17/ 17/ — 16/6 16/6 — 16/ 16/ — 15/ 15/ - ■ 12/6 12/6 — IRON. There are no signs of improvement in the pig iron trade, and enquiries are becoming fewer in number. Buyers are more than ever disinclined to make purchases beyond their immediate wants. Prices are, in consequence, steadily falling. The finished iron department keeps very busy, and work is plentiful. Nottingham. COAL. A little more activity has been apparent in the coal trade of Nottingham during the past week, and it is evident that as autumn approaches the tone will become more buoyant. So far as the domestic fuel section is concerned, the public are beginning to purchase more freely, and it is expected that the advice issued by the Board of Trade to house- holders to lay in stocks as early as possible for the winter will have a stimulating effect in view of the probable scarcity later on. Miners continue to enlist, and at some collieries it is almost impossible to keep up the present output. Most collieries have very limited stocks on hand. If the public demand increases to any material extent, these stocks will be soon exhausted. When it is necessary, there is not the least doubt that those pits which have been accustomed to work only five days per week will be required to work on the Saturday. In the present state of affairs recent prices are being well maintained. There is no marked change in the steam coal branch. With a surplus of house coal being sold for steam-raising purposes, there is less pressure in this branch, and the demand, both on home account and in regard to exports, is being more comfortably met than some time ago. An easier tone prevails in the stock market, the demand from some textile districts having fallen off. A satisfactory demand exists for gas fuel con- sidering the limited output. Coke is selling steadily. 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. 18/ -18/6 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 16/ —16/6 15/ -15/6 11/ -11/6 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ L’st week’s! Last year’s prices, j prices. 18/ -18/6 I — 16/ -17/ i — 15/ -16/ I — 16/ -17/ i — 15/ -15/9 — 11/ -12/ - 10/6-11/ — 10/6-11/6 — Leicestershire. COAL. There is still very great activity at all the collieries in this district, and there has been another great flood of orders for all classes of coal. The increase in business offering is due to the request of the Board of Trade for consumers to lay in stocks, and, in consequence, there is additional difficulty in dealing with the pressure, especially where speedy delivery is requested. The supplies of coal are still quite inadequate to meet the demand, and this state of affairs is likely to continue for a considerable period. A very striking feature is the continuance of a very greatly augmented demand for manufacturing fuel, and there is no prospect of overtaking the urgent demands at present. Large supplies of cobbles and large nuts are being used up to meet the shortage, and consumers are far more concerned to secure prompt and adequate deliveries than any matter of price. The operation of the Limitation of Prices Act generally is having a moderating influence, and everything connected with it appears to be acting smoothly. Prices are firm all round, and there are no stocks of any kind at the pits, but the impression gains ground that a slightly lower range of quotations may be possible before the turn of the year, when the laying in of stocks by ordinary consumers has been completed. There