886 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. October 29, 1915. merits of steam coal for ordinary bunkering and export purposes are much the same as they have been during recent weeks. Supplies, however, are on the whole some- what more restricted, owing partly to the increasing inland demand. Quotations for Lancashire steam coals now range from about 17s. 3d. to 18s. f o.b. With regard to coastwise and cross-Channel shipments of household fuel, it is difficult to get out as much as the merchant on the other side is desirous of taking, and the difficulty of getting freight is also a factor in the matter. The position regarding slack is becoming more acute. There is scarcely as much upon the market as the consumer requires, and stocks at many of the pits are quite cleared up. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coal:— prices. prices. 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/ 16/9-17/ 13/ Do. (f.o.b. Garston,net) 18/ -18/6 18/ -18/6 13/3-13/6 Screened forge coal 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 11/6-12/ Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. 17/3-18/ 17/ -17/6 12/ -12/9 Best slack 14/ 14/ 9/3- 9/6 Secondary slack 12/6 12/6 8/6- 8/9 Common do 10/ 10/ 8/ - 8/3 South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday. The demand for house coal is good.. Furnace coal is also in brisk demand, and supplies hardly keep pace with this. Shipping coal is moving away in fair quantities. Slack is in increasing scarcity. Prices are firm all round, and the general list is 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/ I L’st week’s ; prices. ’ 21/ -22/ I 19/ -20/3 I 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 14/ 11/ -12/ Last year’s prices. 17/3-18/ 16/ -16/9 13/3-14/ 12/ 13/ -14/ 9/6-10/ 8/ -9/ IRON. Good foundry pig can be purchased readily enough in the neighbourhood of 71s. 6d., but generally the users are very slack and there is no demand. Forges can secure what they want at 70s. Bars were raised 10s. per ton, making the price now <£12 officially, with hoops at <£15. Steelworks are very busy, and bars are quoted at <£13 to <£13 10s. The amount offered to the public is small, as the number of controlled works increase. Billets nominally are <£10 10s., but the deliveries are small as the Government call for a more finished product. All the other trades of the district are well employed. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The firm position of the West Yorkshire coal trade was reflected by the conditions of the market on Tuesday, there being a large attendance of traders and a very active demand for house coal, manufacturing fuel and gas coal. The attendance included a fair sprinkling of shippers from the Humber ports, but all sections were well represented. There was a quick sale for any spot lots that were offering, but stocks at the pits are practically nil. Colliery repre- sentatives reported generally full time work at the pits, although in a few cases broken time has been caused by the shortage of wagons. There are fewer complaints of delay to loaded trucks on the railways. As to the London trade, collieries are not able to deal with the rush of orders which the colder weather has caused ; in fact, to keep abreast of contract requirements takes them all their time, and practically no coal of the best qualities is offering for the London market. Any spot lots that may be available find a ready sale at the full prices allowed by the Limita- tion Act. There is plenty of business offering in the coastwise trade, but very little available coal, apart from contracts. Good quality Silkstone house coal in lots up to 500 tons for prompt supply realises 19s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. Goole, without difficulty. In a few cases south coast merchants are buying the better qualities of steam coal for house purposes, because of the shortage. Freights are still high and there is a marked scarcity of suitable craft. In the local markets merchants are busy, but can neither get sufficient coal from the collieries nor sufficient labour to effect delivery from the depots to their customers. Pit prices are very firm:—Haigh Moor selected, 20s. to 21s. ; Silkstone best, 19s. 6d. to 20s. 6d.; Silkstone house, 18s. 6d. to 19s. 6d.; secondary sorts, 17s. to 18s. There is great outcry for supplies of gas coal, and spot lots are eagerly snapped up at full list prices. Some of the bigger gas authorities are finding it necessary to purchase suitable qualities of gas slacks in order to supplement their contract supplies of coal. Heavy consign- ments to France are still a feature of the gas coal trade, and considerable business in gas nuts has been done at about 18s. 9d. f.o.b. Hull. In manufacturing fuel the position from the consumers’ point of view is even worse than last week. Supplies of every description increase in scarcity, in spite of the fact that prices of manufacturing coal are not touched by the Limitation Act. A number of enquiries for quotations for contracts over next year are circulating, but collieries generally are holding back, preferring to sell in the open market, or at most not to go beyond three to six months. The position in regard to washed furnace coke continues to improve. There is a much more active demand from steelworks engaged on Government contracts, and, while 17s. is now realised by average qualities, makers are confident that prices will show a further increase in the next few weeks. The output has been increased, and stocks, both on the benches and in trucks, are of no consequence. Current pit prices. 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............ Bough unscreened engine coal......... Best rough slacks..... Small do. ............ Coking smalls ........ Coke Price at ovens: Furnace coke ......... Current prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/ - 17/ - 16/ -17/ 20/ 18/ L’st week’s prices. 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ Last year’s prices. 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/ 12/6-13/ 11/6-12/ 21/6-22/6 20/6-21/6 18/6-19/6 18/ -19/ 21/6-22/6 20/6-21/6 18/6-19/6 18/ -19/ 17/ -17/6 15/6-16/6 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 15/ -16/ 15/ -15/6 13/6-14/6 16/ -16/6 14/6-15/6 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 12/ -13/6 10/6-11/6 10/ -11/ 16/6-17,6 15/ -16/ 15/ -15/6 13/6-14/6 16/ -16/6 14/6-15/6 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 12/6-13/6 I 10/ -11/ ■ 10/ -10/6 i j 15/6-16/6 10/6-11/ 9/6-10/3 9/3- 9/6 10/3-10/9 9/3- 9/9 9/ - 9/6 9/ - 9/6 7/3- 7/9 6/ - 6/9 6/ -7/ 10/6-11/ Barnsley. COAL. Buyers attending the usual Barnsley market on Wednes- day had, practically speaking, a hopeless quest, owing to the small surplus of fuel which was offering. With a very few exceptions, the demand for all classes of fuel now prac- tically exceeds the production, and many collieries are now in a position of having to absolutely refuse the considera- tion of any further business. In regard to all classes of steam fuel, collieries find it very difficult indeed to fulfil their obligations under contracts, and some of these supplies are needed in connection with Government work. The neglect on the part of some of the men to make the maximum working time is still a very serious matter. It is satisfactory to know that the Yorkshire Miners’ Associa- tion have recognised that they have a part to play in this matter, and have now decided to make efforts towards impressing the men with the necessity of regular atten- dance at work. The demand for large steam fuel remains fully active, and although the tonnage required for the export of hards may be somewhat variable, it is well up to the experience of recent weeks. The increased consumption of this class of coal for home purposes, however, is rendering the question of foreign business of less importance, and there is no difficulty in obtaining the prices which have prevailed of late. Best hards are particularly difficult to obtain, and in regard to secondary descriptions the railway companies continue to take more than normal tonnage in order to build up stocks. There continues to be a very heavy enquiry for steam nuts, the regular consumption of which, by the armament and other concerns, is taxing the capacity of collieries to the full. Any surplus which may be available is readily sold as last quoted. The daily demand for gas coal is also increasing, and collieries are finding it a very difficult matter to give the supplies arranged for, although these in many cases are less than a year ago under contract agree- ment. Again, there is a difficulty on the part of buyers to obtain any additional lots to supplement their supplies. The improved enquiry for slacks has been well maintained, and now there is little heard of special lots offering on the market. The consumption in the Lancashire district is much heavier, whilst the requirements for feeding by- product plants are gradually increasing—in fact, some collieries are unable to provide sufficient fuel to supply their own by-product plant. In regard to house coal, although the more severe weather has yet held off, collieries generally speaking are full handed with orders still to be supplied. As an instance of the pressure, one well-known colliery intimated that no new orders could be entertained for a period of three weeks. There is already a considerable delay being experienced by merchants in obtaining sup- plies, and the difficulties of carting for customers are, if anything, becoming more accentuated. The position in regard to prices is unchanged, but list quotations are, of course, firmly adhered to. As reported a week ago, there has been a substantial improvement in the demand for coke, and buyers from the North Lincolnshire district are now endeavouring to make arrangements for more general supplies. Makers also have low stocks on hand, and business has now been done at from 17s. 6d. to 18s. per ton, but sellers feel confident that before very long prices will have advanced to 20s. per ton. Prices at pit. House coals <— | Current 1 prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best Silkstone 1 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 16/6 Best Barnsley softs I 18/6 18/6 16/ Secondary do 116/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 13/ -14/6 Best house nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 12/9-13/ Secondary do 15/6—16/ 15/6-16/ 10/9-11/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 i 11/ -11/3 Secondary do 16/ -16/3 16/ -16/3 ! 10/3-10/6 Best washed nuts 16/ -16/6 16/ -16/6 ' 10/6 Secondary do ; 15/6-15/9 15/6-15/9 i 9/6- 9/9 Best slack 12/6-13/ 12/6—13/ i 6/9 Secondary do ! 10/6 10/ -10/6 5/6- 5/9 Gas coals ••— ; Screened gas coals 16/6-17/ 16/6-17/ 10/6-11/ Unscreened do • 15/6—16/6 15/6-16/6 10/ Gas nuts 16/ -16/6 16/ -16/6 10/ -10/6 Furnace coke 1 17/6-18/ 17/ 11/ -12/ Hull. COAL. The export trade from the Humber continues on quiet lines, and with values rising in consequence of the heavy inland demand there is a tendency on the part of buyers on foreign account to hold their hands. As was reported last week, so it is again this week, colliery agents are not able to offer anything on spot, and what business is on the way is for future delivery. Best South Yorkshire hards are somewhat dearer on the week at 19s. 6d. to 20s., with 6d. to 9d. more for prime brands, for prompt or nearly prompt shipment, second holders in exceptional cases being able to command full value for handy lots. Nuts are also in only moderate supply and dearer, washed Yorkshire doubles being worth 18s. 6d. to 19s. 6d., ditto singles, which are very scarce, 18s. 6d. to 19s., and washed small coal 13s. 6d. to 14s. 6d. Derbyshire steams are still a nominal market for export, and are worth about 19s. 6d. for prompt shipment at Grimsby or Immingham. West Riding Hartleys are quietly steady at 18s. to 18s. 6d., screened gas and house coal 19s. to 20s. 6d., and rough slack 13s. 3d. to 13s. 9d. Shipments at the docks are good and chiefly for French ports, in respect of which several small steamers have been taken up at enhanced rates. For Rouen, 19s. to 20s. is now being asked, while for the Mediterranean suit- able tonnage is practically unobtainable, 45s. to 46s. being the quoted nominal rates. Chesterfield. COAL. Considerable activity is noticeable throughout the coal trade of North Derbyshire, in connection with which orders for all classes of fuel are coming to hand in such numbers as to make it impossible for the collieries to deal with them promptly. House coal is in great request, and a touch of really cold weather will bring about a further considerable demand. In addition to the delay at the collieries in executing orders, householders, it is feared, will suffer much trouble and inconvenience in obtaining supplies owing to the carting difficulty which is to some extent already causing merchants much anxiety, and which may become acute as the season advances. A strong demand continues for all kinds of coal for manufacturing purposes, and although fairly good deliveries are going forward daily, consumers find it is impossible to obtain supplies in sufficiently large quantities to enable them to build up a reserve stock. They are therefore compelled to work under hand-to-mouth con- ditions. There is a great pressure for coal for steelmaking, and cobbles and nuts are in exceptionally strong demand. Slack for boiler firing is much wanted, but the supply continues far short of the needs of the market. Washed nuts are also in urgent demand, and here again consumers are unable to obtain all that they require. Some public electricity authorities are very much inconvenienced owing to short supplies of fuel, and it is feared that they will experience much difficulty in supplying normal power to many of their customers. There is not much change in the export trade, the condition of which is quiet. No real improvement can take place until licences become more plentiful to allow shipments of coal to be made to neutral countries. The price of Derbyshire best Top Hards is firm at 19s. to 19s. 3d. per ton delivered at Grimsby. The tone of the coke market is much improved. There is a better demand, and prices are steadily becoming firmer. Prices at pit. 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. Pig iron of ordinary quality continues in poor demand, and prices remain weak. At present there is no prospect of improvement. The finished iron branch of the trade is in a satisfactory position, and, orders being plentiful, all the rolling mills of the district are working to their full capacity. Nottingham. COAL. A stronger tone is developing in the coal trade of Nottinghamshire, and, with the approach of colder weather, every branch is beginning to manifest increased activity. Owing to the recent spell of mild weather, some local merchants are not particularly busy, but the colliery position has not been much affected, and the demand in the domestic fuel section is such that the output is being substantially absorbed. Best qualities are in very good request, and secondary sorts and commons are going out of hand better. The output is being well maintained. Values have shown little change from a week ago. Business in steam fuel is fairly brisk. The home demand is very good, firms engaged on Government work taking ample supplies, while the railway companies are drawing heavily to their locomotive depots. A fair tonnage continues to leave the county on export account. An improvement has been noticeable in the slack market during the past week, and stocks are beginning to decline at some of the collieries, while at the same time values are firmer. Of gas fuel there are very limited supplies at the collieries, and in most cases the daily output is quickly cleared, works now taking good supplies for the winter season. Prices at pithead. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Hand-picked brights 18/ -19/ 18/6-19/6 — Good house coals 16/6-17/ 16'6-17/ — Secondary do 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ i — Best hard coals 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 j Secondary do 15/ -16/ 15/6-16/ 1 — Slacks (best hards) 11/9-12/6 11/6-12/6 — Do. (second) 10/9-11/ 10/6-11/ — Do. (soft) 11/ 10/6-11/ — Leicestershire. COAL. The intensity of the demand for all classes of household coal continues to increase, and business is carried on under the most strenuous conditions all round. The aggregate output is well maintained, and the percentage of coal pro- duced is most satisfactory, but, on the other hand, the colder weather has given a very marked impetus to the