1090 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. November 26, 1915. Current pit prices. House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 15/ Wallsend & London best 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 14/ -15/ Silkstone best 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 13/6-14/ Do. house 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 12/6-13/ House nuts Prices f.o.b. Hull:— 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 11/6-12/ Haigh Moor best 21/6-22/6 21/6-22/6 16/6-17/6 Silkstone best 20/6-21/6 20/6-21/6 15/6-16/6 Do. house 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 13/6-14/6 Other qualities Gas coal:— Prices at pit: 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 13/ -14/ Screened gas coal 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 15/ -15/6 10/6-11/ Gas nuts 15/ -15/6 9/6-10/3 Unscreened gas coal ... Other sorts:— Prices at pit: 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 9/ - 9/6 Washed nuts... Large double-screened 16/ -16/6 16/ -16/6 10/6-11/ engine nuts 14/6-15/6 14/6-15/6 9/6-10/6 Small nuts Rough unscreened 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 9/ - 9/6 engine coal 13/6-14/6 13/6-14/6 9/ - 9/6 Best rough slacks 12/6-13/6 12/6-13/6 7/3- 7/9 Small do. 10/6-11/6 10/6-11/6 6/ - 6/6 Coking smalls Coke:— Price at ovens: 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 6/ - 6/6 Furnace coke 23/ -24/ j 23/ -24/ 10/6-11/ Barnsley. COAL. Consumers continue to experience considerable anxiety in regard to obtaining their requirements for all classes of fuel. Colliery representatives at the usual weekly market were again in the position of practically having no coal to offer, and efforts are being directed towards obtaining some equality in the reduction of supplies arranged for under contract. Co-operation prevails in order to give primary consideration in all cases where the fuel is required in connection with the manufacture of munitions. As an instance of this, the attitude of producers engaged in coke manufacture may be referred to. The recent growth in the demand for coke for blastfurnaces has led to some under- standing being arrived at, especially after the need for such was suggested by the Minister of Munitions. Until comparatively recently, makers of coke experienced some difficulty in dealing with the output, owing to the fact that exports were not permitted or severely restricted. With the removal of this ban there was an immediate active demand for coke for France and some of the neutral countries, and a greater demand also came from the home consumers. Now the position has been discussed by coke makers and they have agreed, in spite of the fact that higher values can be obtained for the product from foreign markets, that needs of the home pig iron districts shall have first consideration. Such arrangements obviously will have a steadying effect upon prices which have unduly fluctuated of late, and agreements have been made in many cases to cover the whole of next year. At the present time about 22s. per ton at the ovens has been readily paid, although the better qualities are making rather higher prices. In regard to large steam fuel, collieries continue to make strong efforts to keep the needs of the railway companies fully supplied. The demand for export is fairly well sustained, and there is the greatest difficulty in obtaining adequate supplies of the best qualities of hards. Secondary descriptions are about fully cleared, and prices remain firm as quoted a week ago. The consumption of nuts by the armament firms continues to be exceedingly heavy, and the present output is not equal to the needs, and although higher prices are offering, buyers find it impossible to obtain their requirements. The position is very similar in regard to gas coal. Con- sumers are having to get along with short supplies, and are still unable to purchase added quantities in the open market, although for prompt delivery they are prepared to offer rather higher than contract prices. All kinds of small steam fuel are also in very vigorous demand, and there is no difficulty at all in disposing of the output. The position in respect to house coal appears to be somewhat varying, and from some parts of the country orders are not quite so large as was the case formerly, but this may be entirely owing to the extent of large stocks which have been laid in. However, for the most part collieries are fully booked up with orders, especially for best classes of coal, and any slackening in the demand is acceptable to the collieries at the present time of stress. Prices at pit. Current L’st week's Last year’8 House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone :... 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 18/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/ Best Barnsley softs 18/6 15/ Secondary do. 16/6-17/6 13/ -14/ Best house nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 12/9-13/6 Secondary do Steam coals:— 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 10/9-11/6 Best hard coals 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 11/3-11/6 Secondary do 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 10/ Best washed nuts 16/3-16/6 16/3-16/6 10/3-10/6 Secondary do 15/9-16/ 15/9-16/ 9/6 Best slack 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ ' 6/9- 7/ Secondary do Gas coals:— 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 5/6- 5/9 Screened gas coals 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 10/6-11/ Unscreened do 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 10/ Gas nuts 16/6 16/6 10/ -10/6 Furnace coke 22/ -23/ j 22/ -23/ 10/3-10/6 Hull. COAL. Though the amount of business done is not very large, the Humber coal market maintains its cheerful tone, and prices on the whole are firm, and, if anything, stronger than this time a week ago. The shortage of shipping tonnage and the consequent advancing freights, apart altogether from licensing restrictions, constitutes a heavy handicap on the export trade, which is felt both in regard to friendly allies and neutrals. Nevertheless, the demand seems to be fully abreast of the available supply for export. Spot coal is in the hands of second holders; also, as the month draws to its end, are more anxious to sell for prompt shipment. Some little business in anticipation of the Christmas holidays is reported in progress for December shipment at about current spot quotations. Approximate f.o.b. spot values for prompt shipment are:—Best South Yorkshire steam hards, 20s. to 20s. 6d. ; ditto prime brands, 20s. 6d. to 22s. ; washed trebles, 19s. 6d. to 20s.; washed doubles, 19s. 6d. to 19s. 9d.; washed singles, 19s. to 19s. 3d.; washed smalls, 13s. 9d. to 14s. 3d.; rough slack, 13s. 6d. Gas and house coal have an easier tendency at 19s. 6d. to 20s. 6d. for screened sorts. Parkgates and West Riding Hartleys for bunkering from 18s. to 19s. The Derbyshire steam coal market is concerned chiefly with the home demand, and one hears of little being done for export, the nominal value being about 19s. to 19s. 6d. at Grimsby or Immingham. Shipments at the docks are fairly good, but not up to the level of last month. Freight rates to Rouen have advanced to 23s. and 23s. 6d. for handy-sized tonnage. Up to 50s. is quoted for Genoa-Savona, but no fixtures are recorded. Chesterfield. COAL. The demand for all classes of coal is exceedingly strong* and continuous pressure is put upon collieries to keep up deliveries. Contracts for coal for delivery over next year are being renewed at prices which are regulated by the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act. It is, however, found necessary to reduce the tonnage as compared with the quantity contracted for a year ago. Orders for house coal are coming to hand in large numbers, but there is consider- able delay in the execution of these. Stocks are everywhere completely exhausted. The various steel works of Sheffi fld and district are making urgent calls for cobbles and nuts, of which there is a great shortage. Slack for boiler firing is also in pressing request, but consumers are unable to obtain all they require. Steam coal for locomotive use is badly wanted, and railway companies experience much difficulty in securing anything like adequate supplies. There is no change in the export trade, where the licensing question continues to dominate the position. Business under the circumstances is difficult to negotiate. Prices, however, remain very firm, owing to short supplies of coal. There is a strong demand for washed nuts, and also for the large unwashed kinds. The coke market has acquired a new measure of strength, and prices mark a substantial advance upon the figures quoted a couple of months ago. There is a very brisk demand, and supplies fall short of the require- ments of the market. Coking fuel is in brisk request. Prices at pit. Best house coals Secondary do Cobbles Nuts Slack Current prices. 17/ 16/6 16/ . 15/ 12/6 L’st week’s prices. 17/ 16/6 16/ 15/ 12/6 Last year’s i prices. 13/6 12/6 11/ 10/ IRON. The market generally shows little or no change. Buying of pig iron is on a small scale, but business in finished iron is very active. Nottingham. COAL. A stronger tone has manifested itself in the coal trade of Nottinghamshire during the past week. The colder weather has given an impetus to the domestic fuel section. A much better business is being done at the landsale depots. The merchants in the outside districts and southern counties are pressing for deliveries on contract account. The demand at present is such that the daily output is quickly cleared, and the collieries have practically no surplus supplies of any description on hand. Better class house- holds are in keen request, but there is at the same time an active business in secondary qualities, and common sorts are also going out of hand freely. Steam fuel is a strong feature of the market, the home demand being very brisk, especially for best hards and large-sized nuts. In some instances collieries are unable to fully carry out contract supplies, and deliveries to firms engaged on Government work are being given precedence. A brisker tone continues in the slack market, and there is a general all-round demand, which has depleted most of the surplus stocks of a few weeks ago. Values in every branch are firm. Prices at pithead. | Current 1 prices. 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/ .15/6-16/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 11/9-12/6 10/6-11/ Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals......... Secondary do............. Best hard coals.......... Secondary do............. Slacks (best hards)...... Do. (second) .......... Do. (soft)............. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 17/6-18/6 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 11/6-12/6 10/ -11/ 11/ prices. 14/ -14'6 12/6-13/ 11/ -11/6 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/6 6/3—6/6 5/6- 6/ 5/6- 6/ Leicestershire. COAL. The position of affairs at the collieries in this district becomes more serious every week, and it is quite impossible to cope with the heavy enquiry for all classes of coal. Coal merchants complain very much of the irregularity and great uncertainty as to deliveries, and these complaints apply to the London district and the country stations generally. On some days the supplies of railway-owned rolling stock are reduced by the force ot circumstances to the extent of as much as 80 to 90 per cent. The demand for manufacturing fuel is still increasing rapidly, on account of the creation of new factories under Government control, and great difficulty is being experienced in meeting urgent requirements. A very large proportion of the cheaper grades of household coal have to be utilised for manu- facturing needs, and there is no sign of any relief in this direction. The whole of the pits are working full time of five and three-quarter days per week, and there are no stocks of any kind at the pits. The following are the quo- tations, subject to special modifications, which are now generally in operation at the collieries in this district:— 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. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-14/ 12/ -13/ 13/ -13/6 11/ -12/ 5/ - 6/ L’stweek’s prices. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/6 14/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-14/ 12/ -13/ 13/ -13/6 11/ -12/ 5/ - 6/ Last year’s prices. 13/6-14/6 12/6-13/6 12/3-13/3 12/ -12/9 11/6-12/6 10/ -10/6 9/ - 9/3 7/9- 8/6 1/6- 1/9 13/9-14/9 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 13/9-14/9 12/6-13/6 13/9-14/9 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 13/9-14/9 12/6-13/6 9/ -10/6 8/6- 9/3 10/ -10/6 7/6- 8/ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. A crisis is being rapidly reached in the coal trade. For some considerable period ironmasters and other employers in the district have been complaining of inadequate and irregular supplies, and some of them are threatened with a serious impasse in consequence. They are living from hand to mouth, and the freezing of the canals would mean stoppage. Existing difficulties have been accentuated by the cold weather, which has sent the public on to the market, particularly that large portion who buy in small quantities. Some dealers in a small way cannot get supplies, and there was no free coal on offer on Thursday’s market. In the circumstances the regula- tion of prices is a matter of great difficulty, if not an impossibility. No quotations were forthcoming. A warning has been issued to gas consumers in Birmingham that unless economy is exercised it may become necessary to compulsorily curtail the service in the interests of munition factories which depend upon gas for power, heating and lighting. Contracts for furnace cokes can only be increased at a heavy advance on former rates, as much as 5s. a ton being mentioned. IRON. The market was moderately attended, and exhibited increased strength in respect of prices in the majority of the branches. Government demands show no signs of diminishing, and ordinary customers have growing difficulty in obtaining material. Labour becomes more and more scarce. Wherever possible women are drafted into service, and in the nut and bolt iron industries elderly women have come back to work who were engaged in similar occupation as young girls. A feature of the market was the further stiffening of pig iron values. This department has made a wonderful recovery in recent weeks, though perhaps it would be more correct to say that conditions compelled smelters to stiffen their backs. Prices for coke and ironstone have been rapidly advancing—the former is 5s. a ton above expiring bargains—and supplies are uncertain. At any rate, prices for pigs are Is. to 2s. 6d. higher on the week, and smelters are not yet satisfied, as they contend raw material has not appreciated in proportion to finished iron. Current quotations are as follow :—Northamptonshire forge 69s. to 70s.; Derbyshire forge 73s. 6d. net at stations (one firm declined a good order at 72s. 6d.) ; ditto foundry, 77s. net; Staffordshire part-mine, 75s. Finished iron is progressive. Marked bars are nominally .£12 10s., but no business is accepted without a substantial premium, and another official advance would surprise nobody. Unmarked bars are <£12 to £12 5s., nut and bolt iron £11 17s. 6d. to £12, small rounds (three-eighths) £13 10s. to £13 15s., being an advance of 5s. on the week. Galvanised sheets are also dearer, a firm minimum being £24, rising to £26 f.o.b. Liver- pool, while black corrugated sheets are quoted £15 for 18 to 24 gauges. In the sheet branches generally the difficulty of getting material, particularly bars, is such that makers can only accept orders against actual specifications. For gas strip, quotations have jumped to £12 10s. No modifi- cation in the conditions of the steel trade can be reported. Many makers refuse to quote, their whole output being taken by the Government. Official quotations are therefore of no significance. Some lots of American “ semis " are on offer at about the same prices as English makers ask. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The strong demand for all classes of house coals which has obtained during the past few months has now increased by the advent of colder weather, and customers are finding much difficulty in securing their requirements. The lessened output, too, is handicapping collieries in their deliveries very considerably. Shipments are not so heavy just now owing to bad weather, but heavy train loads are leaving the collieries daily for the inland districts. Slacks are not easily placed, and there are some stocks. All steam qualities are going well, and the collieries are busily engaged endeavouring to cope with the demand. Prices at pithead. House coals:— Block | Current prices. ! 21/6 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 21/6 prices. Forest ; 20/6 20/6 — Rubble 1 20/9 2019 i — Nuts 1 19/ ! H/6 19/ i — Rough slack 11/6 ! — Steam coal:— Large | 18/ -19/ , 18/ -19/ i ( — Small | 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ , Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness.