226 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 4, 1916. producing what may be regarded as a satisfactory output under the present conditions, the demands still well exceed the production, and there are no stocks at the collieries. Although the export of large steams is still confined to small dimensions, a large tonnage continues to be taken for Admiralty purposes and by the railway companies, who are making strenuous efforts to maintain their average stocks. Where foreign business is possible there is no difficulty whatever in obtaining much higher prices than are operating in the home market for any class of hards. The consumption of steam nuts, largely by the munition firms, continues to be of a very extensive character, and the shortage often complained of still exists. The same remark is applicable to all kinds of small steam fuel, and especially in regard to slacks, which are being demanded for the continued full time working of the by-product plants to secure an adequate supply of residuals. Gene- rally speaking, consumers of this class of coal have still to accept other grades 6f fuel to complete their needs. A considerable enquiry was also reported for spot lots of gas coal to supplement contract deliveries, but these were rarely obtained, whilst there were also enquiries circulating for supplies on account of France. In respect to house coal, the demand has become a little keener, but the position at the collieries is practically unchanged. Orders are only accepted subject to delays in delivery, and there are still heavy arrears on the books of most collieries, especially for the best classes of coal. Also, in regard to furnace coke, the output continues to be insufficient to meet the heavy demand, and from some districts strong pressure is applied in order to obtain adequate deliveries. Maximum prices are firmly maintained. The following is a list of the approximate prices at the pit:— Nottingham. COAL. The condition of the coal trade in Nottinghamshire. has manifested no particular change during the past week, and the tone generally is of a buoyant character. In the domestic fuel branch the public demand remains fairly steady, and, while collieries generally have not made any alteration in the recent price lists, some local merchants have advanced various qualities 6d. a ton to cover the increased cost of carting and other additional expenses. Apart from the immediate requirements of the public, collieries have plenty of orders on hand and quickly dispose of the daily output, which is barely sufficient to fully satisfy all needs. There is no diminution in the pressure on the steam coal section. All qualities are in brisk request, especially small sorts such as nuts, for which the demand is very keen, and high prices are being offered to obtain quick deliveries in view of the scarcity of the supplies. Firms engaged on Government work are taking fairly heavy supplies, and railway companies are drawing freely on contracts for locomotive fuel. There are practi- cally no stocks on hand, and the supply is limited to the output from day to day. There is a good deal of pressure on the slack market, every quality going out of hand rapidly, and owners have no difficulty in maintaining recent prices, which are very firm. Prices at pithead. lots of American billets- have been booked for delivery in April and May, the price given being £12 10s. c.i.f. Liver- pool. In consequence of the dearth of semis the output of finished steel is restricted, and the Government is main- taining a strong hand upon all establishments. Gas strip quotations range from £13 10s. to £14. The market for pig iron has been firm during, the week, though sales have not been on a large scale. Northampton- shire makers are now asking 82s. 6d. as a minimum, Derbyshire forge has advanced to 85s. net, with 2s. 6d. extra for foundry sorts. For South Staffordshire part-mine the average is about 85s., all-mine 122s. 6d., special all-mine 140s. (cold blast 160s.). Copper sheets have made another big jump. A week ago they were £129 a ton. Since then two advances have been announced, and the current price is £134 a ton, a figure which makes business outside Government requirements prohibitive. Lydney. Forest of Dean, COAL. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstone 20/ -22/ 18/6 16/ -17/6 20/ -22/ 19/ -20/ Best Barnsley softs 18/6 18/ -19/ Secondary do. 16/ -17/6 16/6-17/ Best house nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ Secondary do Steam coals:— 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 14/ -14/6 Best hard coals 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 15/ -16/ Secondary do 16/6-17/ 16/6-17/ 16/3-16/6 14/ -15/ Best washed nuts 16/3-16/6 14/6-15/ Secondary do. 15/9-16/3 15/9-16/3 13/6-14/ Best slack 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 10/ -10/6 Secondary do Gas coals:— 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 9/ - 9/6 Screened gas coals 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ Unscreened do 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 14/ -15/ Gas nuts 16/6 16/6 15/ Furnace coke 24/ - 24/ 12/6-13/ 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. 17/0-18/6 16/6-17/ 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 11/9-12/6 10/6-11/ 11/ Last year’s prices. 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/ 12/6-13/ 11/6-12/ 9/ - 9/6 8/3- 8/9 8/6- 8/9 The house coals of this coalfield are still meeting with a strong demand, merchants placing their orders for all qualities very freely. The order books are well filled at each of the collieries, and there is still a good deal of delay in forwarding merchants’ requirements. Numerous orders are coming in from the inland districts, whilst the shipping branch of the trade is maintaining a good tone. Slacks are in heavy request. All the steam coal pits are being pressed for deliveries, but it is impossible to keep pace with the enquiry. There are no stocks of any description. Prices at pithead. Leicestershire. COAL. Hull. COAL. The stringency in the Humber coal market continues, supplies being very restricted and the difficulty of obtaining licences even more accentuated than before. The home demand being quite equal to the present output, leaves practically no surplus for sale abroad, the consequence being that shipments are, for the most part, confined to old contracts, many of which are in arrears, and to small odd lots passing through second holders. Everything that can be dealt in is eagerly sought after. Industrial fuels especially are scarce, and again command, along with large steam coal, enhanced values. The approximate prices for prompt shipment f.o.b. or local delivery are : — Best South Yorkshire hards, 24s. 6d. to 25s. ; ditto prime brands, 25s. to 26s. 6d.; washed trebles, 22s. 6d. to 23s. ; washed doubles, 22s. to 22s. 6d.; washed singles, 22s. (nominal); washed small coal 16s. to 17s. ; West Biding Hartleys, 21s. 6d. ; house and gas coal (screened), 22s. to 23s. 6d.; rough slack, 17s. to 17s. 3d. Derbyshire steams are nominally 23s. to 23s. 6d. at Grimsby or Immingham, but, as for some weeks past, the output is taken up almost solely inland, leaving little or nothing in the export market. Shipments at the docks continue on a modest scale - not more than half of what they were a year ago. Freight rates are still high owing to scarcity of tonnage, 30s. having been paid this week Hull to Bonen, while anything from 85s. to 90s. is asked for west coast of Italy, and “ stems ” difficult to arrange even at that figure. Chesterfield. COAL. The strength of the market is fully maintained, and there is a pressing demand for all classes of coal. Although the mildness of the weather is favouring to some extent the consumer of fuel for domestic purposes, orders are quite sufficient to absorb the whole production. The requirements of all industries are now on a high scale, and in many cases consumers find themselves in a great difficulty to carry on their works. It is hopeless, however, to expect an increase in the supply now leaving the collieries, as the output cannot be increased under existing circumstances. There is a great scarcity of slack for boiler firing, and small nuts are equally difficult to find. The export trade is in a quiet condition. There is only a limited supply of steam coal available, for which 25s. per ton delivered Hull is readily paid. There is a brisk demand for washed double-screened nuts at 22s. to 22s. 6d. delivered at the Humber ports, and washed smalls realise as much as 14s. 6d. per ton at the pit, but in each case supplies are below the needs of the market. The coke market is in a strong position, both in respect of demand and prices. The whole of the output of the ovens is readily disposed of, but it is not sufficient to satisfy customers’ requirements. Prices at pit. In a time of severe pressure, when supply and demand are on the balance, the output of a few hundred men makes much greater difference than under normal conditions, and that is the case in this district at present. Over 400 men are still idle through an unfortunate accident, and when every ton is most urgently required the reduction in output is very keenly felt. The consumption is still increasing, and the demand for manufacturing fuel for works under Government control grows more urgent every week. Fortunately the domestic consumption is kept on a low basis by the mild weather, and this enables larger quantities of household to be diverted for manufacturing purposes, with a minimum of inconvenience. This has prevented any stoppage of work at the factories engaged on vital contracts for national purposes, but the reserves have almost totally disappeared, and a hand-to-mouth policy has to be enforced all round. The demand for household for London and district is larger than can be met. The wagon supply is more satisfactory generally, and is sufficient to take off the whole of the output, there being no stocks of any kind at the pits. The following are the quotations, subject to special modifications, which are now generally in operation at the collieries in this district: — House coals:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Block 21/6 21/6 19/6 Forest 20/6 20/6 18/6 Bubble 20/9 20/9 18/9 Nuts 19/ 19/ 17/ Bough slack J 11/6 11/6 8/6 Steam coal:— Large 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 15/ -15/6 Small 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/ 9/6-10/ Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, February 3. 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/ 13/9-14/9 14/ -15/ 12/ -13/ 13/9-14/9 12/6-13/6 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. 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 14/ —15/ 13/6-14/6 13/ -14/ 11/6-12/ ■11/ -12/ 8/9- 9/9 2/6- 3/ 13/9-14/9 14/ -15/ 12/ -13/ 13/9-14/9 12/6-13/6 12/3-12/9 11/6-12/6 10/6-11/6 12/3-12/9 10/6-11/6 Monmouthshire, South Wales, &c. Newport. COAL. Shipments of coal during the past week have been of considerable volume, absorbing practically all the coal received from collieries. Tonnage continues plentiful with prospects of a continued influx, while the amount of out- ward chartering which has been arranged promises to maintain exports at a high level. There is now very little free coal about, and that mostly in the hands of middle- men, who press for the utmost advantage. Collieries generally are well stemmed, and there seems every prospect of the present strength being maintained until the end of the month at least. There is, however, very little actual business now passing, buyers being cautious, and showing a decided preference to await the course of events. A very keen eye is being kept upon neutral tonnage, which now carries a huge proportion of the Welsh coal trade, and the movements of the Italian and Greek authorities are being perpended with great care. Values to-day are fully as strong as last week in every department, in the case of smalls being, indeed, rather stronger. Through coals, nuts, and patent fuel show no change in values, pitwood also maintaining the extra- ordinary inflated figure of 53s. The demand for coke is great, with prices exceedingly firm. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Best house coals prices. 17/ prices. 17/ prices. 17/6 Secondary do 16/6 16/6 16/6 Cobbles 16/ 16/ 16/ Nuts 15/ 15/ 14/6 Slack 12/6 12/6 10/ IRON. All branches of the trade are very actively employed, and prices are now very high for pig iron and also for finished r on, orders for which are abundant. -----—----------- South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The situation has undergone little change during the week. The pressure is certainly not so severe as it was a week or two ago. Householders are not aggressive; they wait till the last moment. Manufacturers, however, are reaping the benefit in the shape of more regular supplies. IRON. The market was characterised by continued strength and a fair amount of activity, though the uncertainty which still prevails in the matter of maximum prices tends to keep producers off the market. The investigations regarding South Staffordshire pig iron involves exami- nation of a mass of material, and until this branch is finally settled maximum prices will not be fixed in the finished trade. Meanwhile makers of marked iron have to supply almost their whole output to the Government, and manufacturers of common brands are active in supplying the wants of people engaged on war work. The nominal basis for marked bars stands at .£13 10s., but no sales are made under about <£14 10s.; unmarked qualities range from £13 10s. to £13 15s. delivered in the district, and nut and bolt iron is about 5s. less. The sheet trade is suffering badly through lack of sheet bars, for which, as for other kinds of semi-steel, a famine exists. There are practically no supplies of galvanised sheets. Work on hand is being got out, but a number of makers refuse further orders, and have withdrawn quotations. Black sheets have taken another upward bound, being now quoted £17 10s. to £18. Welsh producers of sheets are mostly controlled, so that there are practically no free supplies on the market. Billets are equally scarce. Some Steam coals: — Best Black Vein large... Western-valleys, ordin’y Best Eastern-valleys ... Secondary do. ... Best small coals ..... Secondary do.......... Inferior do........... Screenings ........... Through coals ........ Best washed nuts..... Other sorts:— Best house coal....... Secondary do.......... Patent fuel .......... Furnace coke.......... Foundry coke ......... Current prices. 34/6-35/ 34/6-35/ 33/ -34/ 32/ -33/ 17/6-18/6 16/ —17/ 13/ -14/ 18/ -18/6 23/ -24/ 26/ -28/. 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 32/6-34/ 36/ -37/6 44/ -45/ L’st week’s prices. 34/6-35/ 34/ -35/ 33/ -34/ 32/ -33/ 17/6-18/ 16/ -17/ 12/ -14/ 18/ 19/6-21/ 26/ -28/ Last year’s prices. 18/3-18/9 17/9-18/3 17/6-18/ 17/ -17/6 12/9-13/6 12/3-12/6 11/9—12/ 13/ —13/6 14/3-14/6 16/ -16/3 23/ -24/ 22/ -23/ 32/6-34/6 36/ -37/6 44/ -45/ 20/ -20/6 . 20/ -22/ 24/ -25/ • IRON. Continued strength and activity characterise the local iron and steel trades, enquiry being again good, a fair amount of business passing, and prices in each department inclining upwards. Outputs, too, all round are well up to recent averages, while the forward tone anticipates higher values. There is no material alteration regarding tin-plate bars, values of which rule firmer at £12 to £12 10s. for both Bessemer and Siemens qualities. It continues difficult to obtain quotations from works, and only small business has been placed at these figures. Steel rails continue strong, with values inclined higher. Heavy sections are nominally quoted £10 15s. to £11, but no busi- ness seems to be accepted by works at these figures. The pig iron department is again stronger, Welsh haematite being firm at £7 10s. for local deliveries. Bubio ore has advanced to 40s. c.i.f. Newport for best sorts, with much difficulty in obtaining quotations. There is no fresh feature to note in the tin-plate trade. Stocks are moving off satisfactorily, while prices are firmly maintained on a basis of 26s. for 14 x 20 and 52s. 6d. for 28 x 20 Bessemer or Siemens primes. Works in some cases