THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. ________________________________________________________________________________ September 24, 1915. 631 Chesterfield. COAL. The coal trade of this district maintains a steady- character, and the business that is being done is of such a volume as to readily absorb the whole output of the pits day by day. Orders for house coal are increasing in number, and it is anticipated that the faintest indication of a change to colder weather will cause a rush for supplies for current consumption and for stocking purposes. There will almost certainly be considerable delay in executing orders owing to the fact that collieries hold no stocks, and that the output of coal may prove to be insufficient to meet the requirements of the public. There is a well-sustained demand for fuel for manufacturing purposes, but no great pressure is experienced, from which it may be inferred that supplies are now such as to satisfy consumers’ requirements. The growing wants of customers for household coal later on will probably prejudicially affect the quantity of fuel available for industrial purposes. Prices of all classes of coal remain firm. There is a good demand for slack for boiler firing, and contracts are being renewed on the basis of 4s. per ton advance on the prices current at the corresponding period two years ago. Steam coal for locomotive use is in good demand as railway companies are making every effort to build up substantial reserve stocks. There is no change in the export trade, the condition of which is exceedingly quiet. This is due to the great difficulty in obtaining licences, combined with the high rates of freight that are now ruling. Fortunately, this position of things has not yet affected the regular working of the pits, but fears are entertained that, if any greater stringency is adopted in the issuing of shipping licences, colliery owners may find it impossible to keep their pits working full time. The price of Derbyshire best Top Hards stands at about 19s. 3d. per ton delivered at Grimsby. There is a well-sustained demand for nuts for France, but here again the high rates of freight, together with the congestion at the French ports, is retarding business to a serious extent. The coke market is weak, and prices have fallen substantially below those which were obtainable two or three months ago. Buyers are holding off in the hope that they may be able to cover their require- ments on still more favourable terms. Coking fuel is rather more plentiful, and lower in price. Prices at pit. price, and the large body of consumer s^who are on Govern- ment contracts appear to be gradually building up reserves of stocks in order to meet any exceptional emergency. The supplies of railway-owned empty wagons is now more satis- factory as regards numbers and in respect of regularity. This great improvement has been largely brought about by the increased efficiency in clearing off the wagons when full, and their more speedy clearance at their destinations. Very large quantities of cobbles and large nuts continue to be diverted from ordinary domestic purposes for the augmentation of the supplies of manufacturing fuel, and there is every indication that this state of affairs will pre- vail for several months at least. The following are the prices, subject to special modifications, which are now generally in force at the collieries in this district: — Prices at pithead. | Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— 1 prices. prices. prices. Block 21/6 21/6 — Forest 20/6 20/6 — Rubble 1 20/9 20/9 — Nuts 19/ 19/ — Rough slack Steam coal:— ; 12/6 12/6 — Large 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ — Small | 14/ -15/ , 14/ -15/ — Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. ______________________ Prices at pit.... .... Best household coal ..... Second, hand picked ..... Deep screened cobbles ... Deep large nuts ......... Bakers’ nuts............ Small nuts............... Deep breeze ............. Peas .................. Small dust .............. Main nuts for London kitcheners............... Steams, best hand picked Steams, seconds ......... Main cobbles for kitcheners Main breeze.............. Current prices. 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/ 13/ -13/6 13/6-14/ 11/3-12/3 5/ - 6/ 14/9-15/9 14/6-15/6 13/6-14/ 14/9-15/9 13/ -14/ L’st week’s prices. 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/ 13/ -13/6 13/6-14/ 11/3-12/3 5/ - 6/ 14/9-15/9 14/6-15/6 13/6-14/ 14/9-15/9 13/ -14/ Last year’s prices. 13/6-14/6 12/6-13/6 12/3-13/3 11/6-12/ 11/6—12/6 10/6-11/3 9/6-10/ 7/9- 8/3 2/ - 2/3 10/ -10/6 9/6—10/6 8/6- 9/3 10/ -10/6 ___________________________________________ THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, September 23. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best house coals 17/ 17/ Secondary do 16/6 16/6 — Cobbles 16/ 16/ — Nuts 15/ 15/ - . Slack 12/6 12/6 — IRON. The pig iron market is in a sluggish condition, the quantity of iron changing hands being on a very small scale. The other departments of the iron trade are actively employed. _______ ________ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The October lists will be out in a few days, and it is evident that the public must expect another advance, though it is only a few weeks since summer prices were withdrawn. Difficulty is experienced in getting supplies from the collieries. The public are buying largely, mer- chants having more orders than they can conveniently cope with, and similarly for works fuel the demand is large. Slacks are becoming tighter, the electric and other consuming companies now beginning to buy. Quotations :— _______ _______ Nottingham. COAL. There is very little change in the state of the coal trade in Nottinghamshire compared with a week ago. All the collieries are working practically full time, and every effort is being made to keep the output at as high a level as possible. At present the supply in most branches is keeping abreast of the demand, with the result that pits have a certain amount of stock of some classes of fuel. Although the weather is not conducive to an increased demand in the house coal section, still merchants are doing a fairly good trade, the public taking the opportunity of getting in supplies before the colder weather sets in. At the landsale depots the business is of a moderate character. Prices show no alteration, although a firmer tone is becoming apparent. Steam coal is going out of hand satisfactorily. Exports do not display any decided expansion, but the position under the abnormal circumstances cannot be regarded as unsatisfactory. The demand in the home market is being well maintained, small steams and nuts selling actively to industrial centres. The easier tone in the slack market continues, though there are signs of a revival in the near future as the textile trades get into full swing after holiday stoppages. The output of gas coal is being substantially absorbed by requirements on contract account. Coke is in steady request with prices on the easier side. Prices at pithead. Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase):— House coal, best deep ... Do. seconds deep Do. best shallow Do. seconds do. Best hard ............ Forge coal............ Slack ................ Warwickshire:— House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked cobs ............... Best hard spires ..... Forge (steam) ........ D.S. nuts (steam) .... Small (do.) ... Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. 23/ " 23/ 17/6 21/ 21/ 15/ 20/ 20/ 13/6 19/ ' 19/ 12/9 19/6 19/6 14/6 16/ 16/ 10/6 11/6 11/6 7/ 21/ 21/ 15/6 20/ 20/ 13/ 19/6 19/6 14/6 16/ 16/ 10/6 16/ 16/ 9/6 15/ 15/ 8/ Current L’st week’s Last year’s Hand-picked brights prices. 18/ -18/6 prices. 18/ -18/6 prices. Good house coals 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ — Secondary do 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ — Best hard coals 16/ -16/6 16/ -16/6 — Secondary do 15/ -15/6 15/ -15/6 — Slacks (best hards) 11/ -12/ 11/ -11/6 — Do. (second) 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ — Do. (soft) 10/6-11/ — _________________ Leicestershire. COAL. There is remarkable buoyancy in the demand for all classes of coal in this district, and prices are maintained with very great firmness. The fundamental changes are all in the direction of increased activity and as far as the miners are concerned there appears to be a fuller apprehension of the critical position of affairs in the great national crisis. All the pits are again working full time of 5®- days per week, and the whole of the additional output is at once absorbed. The demand for all classes of coal is very much in excess of the supply, and there are no stocks of any kind at the pits. The demand for the London district is at the maximum, and as regards household coals there appears to be a widespread laying in of stocks in order to meet any special requirements during the coming winter. The orders for country stations are on a large scale, and heavy bookings have to be carried forward. One of the outstanding features is the continued great demand for manufacturing fuel of all kinds. The best classes appear to be increasing in favour, notwithstanding their higher IRON. The market did not disclose any change of note. The trade of the district continues active, and orders cannot be placed for early deliveries. The position is strengthened by the almost entire cessation of American competition, both in iron and steel. Some material is coming in against contracts placed months ago, but new contracts are not being entered into, as the American prices are practically on a level with those at home. A considerable volume of work is held in the bar trade, the preponderance being probably merchant qualities. Marked sorts have not been altered from the ^£12 basis, but people in urgent need have to pay a premium. Common qualities are about <£11 10s., ranging in some cases to <£11 15s. North Staffordshire crown bars are obtainable at <£11 15s. to .£12, and puddled bars remain at <£8—a high figure, but the supply is inadequate. Small rounds are quoted from .£12 5s. to <£12 10s., and steel rounds are only 10s. to 15s. extra. A few weeks ago the-difference was from 20s. to 30s., but makers are now able to buy billets on easier terms — <£7 10s. to <£7 15s. The gas strip is one of the most active branches. Here there has been no trouble from American competition, and makers have been able to get good prices. The present quotations are from <£11 10s. to <£11 15s. Steel strip makers are also experiencing a big demand for military purposes, and their price is <£12 10s. A slightly better enquiry exists for galvanised sheets, and the terms quoted range from <£17 (f.o.b. Liverpool) to <£17 10s. Plain black sheets command <£11 5s. to <£11 10s. Makers are moderately well placed for orders for painted sheets for camp hutments, and for these 20s. to 30s. extra are charged. Pig iron remains as it was last week, and there seems little chance of values picking up while production continues on its present scale. It is, however, a serious matter to blow out furnaces, as apart from the expense involved, the men get scattered. Northamptonshire iron is 64s. to 65s., Derbyshire 66s. to 67s., and South Staffordshire part- mine 67s. to 68s. Steel prices are generally unaltered, and tremendous activity prevails in this branch. ______________________________________________________ North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. The general state of the North Wales coal trade is little different from that prevailing at the time of writing last week’s notes. All the collieries are working full time, and, apparently, there is little difficulty in disposing of the whole of the output, either against current orders or for contracts. Much local interest has been aroused in the fact that the old Tryddyn colliery at Coed Talon is to be re-opened, the undertaking having been acquired by a Lancashire syndicate, and when this colliery is put into working order, employment will be found for a goodly number of men. With reference to the house coal trade there is a distinct improvement, due to the fact that committees of public institutions are now getting in supplies for the winter months, having regard to the circular which has been sent out by the Board of Trade urging on such committees the necessity for getting in supplies in view of a possible scarcity of coal, and this has been followed by an increased demand from householders. Orders therefore are coming to hand with more freedom than has been the case for some time past. Tenders are now required by a number of education authorities for schools in their jurisdiction, which include all the schools in the district of Aberystwyth, Aberayron, Montgomery, and Merioneth. In regard to steam coal, the bulk as usual has gone away against railway contracts, the balance being sold to manufacturing firms, and a little for the bunker trade. The amount of coal exported has been very little of late. In the case of gas coal there is nothing new to report. All the gas coal supplies has been under contracts which appear to be running satisfactorily, though it is stated that a number of companies are likely to take advantage of the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act. Slack has a fair demand just now, and as the amount available is much less than formerly, there is no difficulty in disposing of the whole output of this commodity. As to prices, the house coal appears to be hardening a little, the best large house coal now being quoted at from 18s. to 20s. per ton at pit; and in several cases committees from the public bodies are con- ferring with local merchants with a view to coming to an arrangement as regards supplies and prices for the ensuing winter. A contract was recently fixed for Holyhead at 21s. 4d. per ton; while at a meeting of the Geirionydd Rural District Council, a member stated that the retail price for coal in the district of Ysbytty was £2 per ton. The clerk of this Council was thereupon asked to communicate with the President of the Board of Trade asking what steps should be taken by the authority with a view to keeping the prices under control. Steam coal is quoted at 17s. 6d. to 18s. 6d. per ton at pit, and gas coal about sixpence per ton more, while coal for the bunker trade is sold at about sixpence per ton less than the large steam coal. Nuts are difficult to obtain, but the current prices are from 17s. to 18s. per ton, and the price of rough slack varies from 8s. to 9s. 6d. per ton according to quality and quantity required. At the landsale depots good house coal is quoted at varying prices from 22s. 6d. to 26s. 8d. per ton, and kitchen slack at 12s. 6d. per ton and upwards, while the gas companies are asking and obtaining 16s. 8d. to 18s. 4d. per ton at the gas works for broken coke. Summarised the prices are as follow:— Prices at pit f.o.r.: — Best house coal ...... Secondary do.......... Steam coal............ Gas coal.............. Bunkers.......................... Nuts ................ Slack ................ Gas coke (at works).... Prices landsale:— Best house coal ______ Seconds .............. Slack ................. Current prices. 18/ -20/ 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 8/ - 9/6 16/8-18/4 L’st week’sLast year’s prices. prices. 18/ -19/ 14/6-15/6 17/ -17/9 13/6-14/6 17/6-18/6 12/3-12/9 18/ -19/ 12/ -12/3 17/ -18/ 12/ -12/3 17/ -17/9 , 11/ -11/9 8/ - 9/6 , 6/3- 7/3 16/8-18/4 j 11/8-13/4 23/4-26/8 23/4-26/8 ■ 18/4-20/ 22/6-23/4 22/6-23/4 : 16/8-18/4 I 12/6-14/2 12/6-14/2 , 10/ -12/6 __________________ Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The tone of the house coal trade of this coalfield con- tinues steady, and the collieries have all been busy since last report. Full time is being worked, and there are no stocks of any of the large qualities to be noticed. The demand on inland account is well maintained, but for most descriptions better despatch is given to orders. Vessels, too, are getting quicker loading turn, as stems are some- what easier. Slack coals are not in such heavy request as recently. The steam coal pits are managing full work, but there is less urgency in the demand as compared with the past few months. ________________ Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COAL. There has been very little movement in the steam coal trade for the past week, to-day’s quotations for the most part repeating the figures last given. Both buyers and sellers alike seem disinclined to come to terms, each party feeling uncertain, and unwilling to take any risks. Tonnage supplies are still deficient, and a good deal short of what would clear stocks and sidings. Meanwhile, owners are demanding very firm rates both for South America and the Mediterranean, nearer destinations being hardly so firm. Outward chartering for the last two or three days has not been busy. In large coals the better grades have maintained their values more firmly than others, while smalls have been quieter. Pit wood, in spite of some arrivals, continues in great demand, and sellers are asking up to 37s. for best wood. Colliery owners have had under their consideration for some time past the terms of sale, and have now decided that from January 1 next the period of credit for sales shall be reduced from 30 to 14 days, and the amount of discount for cash be reduced from £ to I per cent. The Cwmfelinfach Colliery is now on stop, being another endeavour to force the surface workers into the Federation. About 2,000 men are here idle, the coal produced being Admiralty quality.