1142 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN December 3, 1915. their contract commitments. Many enquiries for gas coal for the south are circulating, and some of the secondary classes of house coal are being used for gas-making purposes. The scarcity of all descriptions of manufacturing coal is particularly felt in regard to nuts, whether washed or unwashed. The demand for nuts for munition works is increasing, and the authorities are seeing to it that these are supplied. There is no falling off in the call for washed furnace coke; on the contrary, the output is so far inadequate to meet the demand that there is some expecta- tion of export restrictions being imposed in order to check the growing shortage for the home market. Open market sales realise 23s. at the ovens, and buyers are ready to contract to the end of March at about this figure. The requirements of the Midlands and Frodingham are very heavy, and about an average quantity is going into the Leeds district. Barnsley. COAL. The difficulties of business have been in no sense diminished during the week, and buyers are still experiencing the greatest difficulty in obtaining any surplus fuel. The output is still reduced very seriously, and the pressure exerted upon the collieries for full supplies under contract is severe in cases where fuel is required for manu- facturing purposes, and also in connection with the making of munitions. The authorities in London are backing up the case for the customer, and although collieries are doing all they possibly can to maintain a fairly satisfactory delivery, circumstances prevent more than this being done. The recent further advance of wages, it is feared, will intensify the trouble which has existed owing to the men either not being able, or whatever the cause may be, making the maximum time working; and incidental to this there is some talk of representations being made to obtain power to increase the selling prices as governed by the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act. Prior to the legislation named coming in existence collieries were supplying a large proportion of their output under * contract without being able to recoup themselves for the added working costs and the war bonus. In regard to new contracts, as expected, a prompt settlement has been arrived at with the railway companies concerned. Owing to the provisions of the Act the arrangements were practically provided for, but it had to be remembered that a year ago, in a weakening market, most of the railway companies secured a reduction of 6d. per ton. It has now been agreed by the North-Eastern, Lancashire and Yorkshire, and other companies to renew for 12 months on the basis of 16s. per ton for best hards, an increase of about 5s. per ton. The demand for all classes of coal continues to be exceptionally strong, and there are already efforts afoot to obtain increased supplies in view of the holiday season, but there is practically no surplus offering. Especially is this the case in respect to all kinds of coal used for steam purposes. The demand on export account continues fairly steady, but business in this direction forms a less proportion of the volume of trade than was formerly the case. Best hards are particularly enquired for on export account, and of course prices are not controlled for this class of business. From 18s. to 18s. 6d. per ton has been offered for prime brands, but buyers have met with little success owing to the heavy deliveries arranged for on home account. The tonnage required by the railway companies continues to be exceptionally large, and every effort is being made by collieries to give the guaranteed' supplies, and, of course, the railway companies are showing expedition in moving their own coal. The demand for secondary descriptions of hards is more than sufficient to clear the whole output, and although rather higher prices are offering there is still a difficulty in securing any spot lots. There has been no change in the position in regard to steam nuts. The con- sumption of this class of coal is perhaps on an unprecedented scale, and collieries are absolutely unable to supply the demand already undertaken, without entertaining the offer of any new business. In regard to smaller classes of fuel, the demand for slacks appears to be of a heavier character, in con- sequence of the high pressure at which coke oven plants are working in the endeavour to augment the output of residuals, which are of vital importance at the present juncture. Collieries are buyers of this fuel to supplement their own product, and values are of a firm description. The consumption of finer-grade slack in some of the manu- facturing districts may not be so large, but collieries have no difficulty in fully clearing off the output, with prices well maintained, with occasional better offers for prompt delivery. The demand for gas coal continues to be of a brisk character, both for export and at home. Consumers have to get along with reduced deliveries, and in some cases stocks at the works are being reduced. The strong enquiry for spot lots, both for France and the home markets, still prevails, and, though higher prices than contract rates are offering, buyers meet with little success in their efforts. The demand for house coal is well sustained, and collieries are heavily booked up. Deliveries are unavoidably delayed, particularly of the best quality fuel, and new business is not sought. The increased demand for coke continues to be experienced, and, though the make has been increased, there are no stocks at the ovens. The export demand is well sustained and prices in the home markets are more steady, with a freer disposition prevailing to complete contract arrangements. Prices at pit. House coals:— Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s 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/ 10/9-11/ Secondary do 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 9/ - 9/9 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 1 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 10/ Gas nuts ' 16/6 16/6 10/ -10/6 Furnace coke j 23/ -23/6 22/ -23/ 10/ -10/6 Hull. COAL. The firmer tone in the Humber coal market reported last week has continued, and prices of steam coal, under the influence of a fairly active demand, have advanced. Business is, however, considerably hampered by the difficulty in obtaining supplies, the shortage of shipping tonnage and the consequent abnormally high freight rates; besides which there is increasing difficulty in obtaining licences to export. Collieries are practically out of the market for near shipment, and the bulk of spot business is being done by second holders. Best South Yorkshire hards are quite firm, and are held for 20s. to 20s. 3d. and up to 23s. for prime brands, while nuts are scarce and firm, current values being washed trebles 19s. 6d. to 20s., washed doubles and singles 19s. to 19s. 6d., washed small coal 14s. to 14s. 3d., and rough slacks 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d. Gas and house coals are fully steady at 19s. to 20s. 6d. for screened sorts, West Biding Hartleys firm , at 18s. 6d. to 19s. 6d., and Parkgates 19s. to 19s. 6d. Derbyshire steam coal continues a purely nominal market so far as export is concerned, practically all available output being taken up by the big inland demand. Shipments at the docks are fairly good, but not up to recent levels. Freight rates are still rising, 24s. now being about the figure for Rouen and 52s. 6d. for Genoa. Chesterfield. COAL. The market remains in the same strong condition as that by which it has been characterised now for some time, and there is no new feature. The demand for house coal is buoyant, and every colliery’s order book may be said to be full of orders. Buyers are clamouring for deliveries. There is a pressing call for all classes of coal for manufacturing purposes, and consumers who have already made contracts are eager to increase the quantity of coal bought, but it is now impossible to do so; indeed, they may congratulate themselves upon being fortunate enough to obtain anything like the weekly tonnage to which they are entitled. Buyers are unable to renew their contracts, which expire at the end of the year, for the same tonnage of coal as they bought a year ago. Cobbles and nuts are most urgently wanted for steel furnaces, but these qualities are very scarce, and it is with the greatest difficulty that plant can be kept fully at work. Slack for boiler firing is in great request, but supplies are short all round. Steam coal for locomotive use continues in strong demand, and every railway is bringing great pressure to bear upon collieries in order that adequate supplies may be obtained. The export trade continues in a very quiet condition, and the market is prejudicially affected by the great difficulty in securing licences and by the high rates of freight ruling. Prices of steam coal are strong. Washed nuts are in active demand, and quotations are moving upwards. The coke market is strong, and the output of the ovens is fully disposed of. Prices are very firm at the recently advanced figures. Prices at pit. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best house coals 17/ 17/ 13/6 Secondary do 16/6 16/6 12/6 Cobbles 16/ 16/ 11/ Nuts 15/ 15/ 10/ * Slack 12/6 12/6 7/6 IRON. The pig iron market is somewhat better, and consumers are more inclined to enter the market for their require- ments. The improved demand has caused prices to harden. Finished iron is in great request, and all the works are employed to their utmost capacity. Nottingham. COAL. In every section of the Nottinghamshire coal trade there is great activity. Local merchants are just now very busy, the recent cold weather having materially increased the public demand, while more business is being transacted at the local landsale depots. The colliery position is much the same as a week ago, all supplies being dependent on the daily output, as no reserves are in hand, and deliveries on contract account are in some cases in arrear. Values are firm all round, and especially in the case of better class qualities. The steam coal section retains a strong tone, all descriptions being eagerly sought after in the home market, while a satisfactory tonnage is being sent away for export. Good-sized nuts are a feature of the market, these being in urgent demand, and collieries are unable to fully cope with the orders. In the slack market there is more activity than for some weeks past, and owners have no difficulty in disposing of some common sorts in view of the run on better class and secondary qualities. The output of gas coal is being practically absorbed by contract require- ments. Coke is having a better sale than recently. 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. 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/ 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 11/9-12/6 10/6—11/ 11/ L’st week’s prices. 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/ 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 11/9-12/6 10/6-11/ 11/ Last year’s prices. 13/6-14/6 12/6-13/ 11/ -11/6 9/6-10/6 8/6- 9/3 6/6- 7/ 5/6- 6/ 5/6- 6/ Leicestershire. COAL. The demand continues to be far in excess of the available supplies, and the calls for urgent deliveries increase both in number and in extent. The stocks which have been accumulated at the large centres, and at all country stations, are being exhausted at a very rapid rate. In addition to the difficulty of obtaining supplies, coal merchants are faced with a great scarcity of labour for cartage, which throw horses quite idle for several days per week. The demand for manufacturing fuel is still growing very rapidly and this is accounted for by the fact that many large works engaged on munitions are now running night and day, with seven days to the working week. While all this is going on there is no corresponding increase in the output of coal. Cobbles and large nuts are being taken in heavy quantities for fuel purposes, thus reducing the quantities available for the very important bag coal trade. The best household coal is in very strong demand for the London district and for country stations, but there is great irregularity in effecting deliveries on account of the great shortage of railway-owned wagons. The export trade has been practi- cally suspended in consequence of the inadequate output. 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 quotations, subject to special modifi- cations, which ar i 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’st week’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. The position is getting worse. During the summer the demand was maintained on a scale sufficient to absorb the limited output; now, with consumption doubled and trebled, adequate supplies cannot be had for love or money. Unfor- tunately, one result is that several works are from time to time bound to stop owing to lack of fuel. One manu- facturer engaged almost solely on Government work, whose coal contracts expire at the end of the year, was, on Thursday’s market, anxious to place contracts for 10,000 tons, but there were no takers. His case is typical, and, Act or no Act, people are willing to pay fabulous prices in order to obtain fuel to keep their establishments going. Householders running short of supplies are put on a waiting list, and small consumers are sufferers. Slacks are scarce, and, as regards cokes, it is literally true to say that where tons are wanted hundredweights are supplied. IRON. Two factors made for even higher values than have been ruling of late, and the tendency promises to be still upward in the future, inasmuch as Government demands on the iron and steel industries show no sign of diminishing. In the first place the Wages Board returns for September and October gave an increased selling price over the preceding two months of 17s. 6d. a ton, the figure reaching <£10 8s. 8d., and bringing with it an advance in puddlers’ wages of Is. a ton, making the rate 13s. 3d. a ton, the highest for certainly half-a-century. The output of 30,322 tons for the 17 selected firms is a reduction of 250 tons, and is repre- sentative of the drain being made on the industries by the recruiting sergeant. It has been found, too, that high wages do not make for greater regularity at work. The second factor was the advance in the price of marked bars by <£1 a ton, making the basis <£13 10s., with <£12 2s. 6d. for the Earl of Dudley’s Round Oak brand. At the beginning of the year the basis price stood at <£9 a ton, and the present is the seventh advance since then. Makers have got as much work on hand as they want, and there is very little of the output that the Government do not want. The effect of these movements was apparent in other branches. For good second-class bars prices jumped to <£12 10s., ranging to <£13, and for three-eighths rounds to from <£13 15s. to <£14 delivered Birmingham. Makers are by no means anxious to book orders, inasmuch as they are not sure of getting material to work with. Pig iron, too, showed substantial improvement, and so far as can be ascertained sales are mostly made in parcels of 200 to 300 tons for delivery during December and January. Customers are willing to book further ahead, but in view of the uncertainty of coke supplies, which are now almost unobtainable, smelters do not care to meet them. The advance on the week has again been Is. to 2s. 6d. For Northamptonshire grey forge no quotations were heard under 72s. 6d., ranging to 73s. 6d., with 2s. to 3s. extra for foundry sorts. Derbyshire forge was about 77s. net, and No. 3 foundry iron 80s. net, while Staffordshire part- mine ranged up to 75s. Production in the sheet trade con- tinues to be curtailed by reason of the difficulty of obtaining sheet bars. What makers have got to sell are doled out among old customers in small lots to keep them going as far as possible. The nominal price is ilO in Wales, and the quotation here is <£10 12s. 6d. to <£10 15s.; business is done in galvanised sheets at <£24 a ton, and in black sheets at <£15 to <£15 10s. 24-gauge. Makers only consider absolute orders, and then only in relation to their stock of raw material, Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. The situation generally throughout the house coal trade of this neighbourhood is one of much firmness, and all the collieries continue working at full pressure. There are a large number of orders on the books for all descriptions, but delay in delivery is inevitable. Outputs at all the pits are much below the average owing to shortage of labour, and the amount of coal available is quite insufficient to cope with the heavy demand. Rough slack is meeting with but