February 11, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 273 merits to the disturbance and detriment of legitimate trade in makers’ pig. This week No. 3 g.ni.b. Cleveland pig has changed hands at 90s., and has been generally quoted as high as 93s. 9d., whilst the market rate is now put at 93s. 6d. It is very difficult indeed to fix quotations for the other qualities of Cleveland pig iron. '1'hey are out of the usual proportions, and each trade quotes to suit his own position. With the single exception of forge iron, which is quite plentiful, all descriptions of Cleveland pig are scarce. No. 1 is round about 97s. to 97s. 6d., No. 4 foundry 92s. 6d., No. 4 forge 91s. 6d., and mottled and white iron each 90s. 6d. All the foregoing quotations are for early delivery, sellers being unwilling to commit themselves ahead to any extent with the market in its present sensitive state. There is practically no iron on the market for delivery over the first half of the year, and many makers having com- mitted themselves as far ahead as they care to, are not quoting at all. The general forward quotation for Nos. 1, 2, and 3 is 140s, but business has been done for July supply at 137s. 6d. There is little or nothing passing in foreign ore, but market rates are upheld on the basis of 40s. ex-ship Tees for rubio of 50 per cent, quality. Con- sumers are well placed, having good stocks, and large supplies still coming in. Imports, so far this month, to the port of Middlesbrough amount to 31,557 tons. As regards finished iron and steel, Government needs continue to absorb the attention of manufacturers, and little heed is paid to ordinary commercial business. Prices, all round, are stationary. Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 64,365 tons of coal and 945 tons of coke, as compared with 72,165 tons of coal and. 1,665 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1915, being a decrease of 7,800 tons of coal and an increase of 720 tons of coke. Business has been severely handicapped by the extreme scarcity of coal due to recent heavy requisitioning for Government account. Still higher prices attest the difficulty of obtaining coal of any class for prompt or early loading. Steam coals for this month’s loading are practically out of the market. Best and secondary gas are in strong demand, and prices are again higher. Household coal, especially best, is dearer. Unscreened is in good request, and consequently better prices obtainable. Coking coals are firmly held. Bunkers are tightly held, and prices are firmer. Coke is firm. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. and large quantities are still being imported from outside districts for use at the local coke ovens. The shipping trade is very brisk, and there is a clamorous demand for all varieties for the Irish market. Last week 14 vessels left Maryport, mostly for Irish ports, and the shipments amounted to 3,400 tons, a decrease of 915 tons compared with the previous week. The local coke ovens continue to be briskly employed, and the whole of the production is going to the West Cumberland furnaces. There is very great activity in the by-products trade, and all the works in the district are very busily engaged. Brices of all sorts are firm, but unaltered. At Maryport, best house coal delivered is quoted at from Is. 5|d. to Is. 6d. per cwt., or from 27s. 6d. to 28s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at 25s. lOd. per ton and seconds 24s. 2d. per ton. At Working- ton, best house coal delivered is quoted at Is. 4d. per cwt., or 25s. lOd. per ton, with best double-screened washed nuts at Is. 3d. per cwt., or 24s. 2d. per ton. IRON. A very strong tone continues to prevail in the Cumberland haematite iron trade. There is an abnormal call for metal, both ordinary and special brands of iron for the use of high-class steelmakers engaged in munition work, and with the present restricted output it is impossible to satisfy all requirements. . Prices still stand at the figure fixed by the Government, and Bessemer mixed numbers are again quoted at lz7s. 6d. per ton f.o.t., with special iron at 140s. per ton, and warrants at cash at 115s. per ton. Ferro- manganese is a steady trade at =£25 per ton. The amount of iron in stock in west coast storing yards at present amounts to 1,502 tons. There are still 25 furnaces in blast in Cumberland and the Furness district, and it is stated that an effort is to be mad’e to increase the output in West Cumberland. If sufficient labour is forthcoming, two more furnaces may be lighted by the Workington Iron and Steel Company, one at the Derwent Works, Workington, and the other at the Solway Works at Maryport. The steel trade is very brisk. Engineers are as busy as ever, and some of the shops are working overtime. The iron ore industry is very busy, and all the mines in the district are briskly employed. With the exception of about 1,000 tons which is going out of the district, all the metal raised is being absorbed by local smelters. Prices have undergone no change, and best sorts at the mines are still quoted at 38s. per ton, with good average sorts at from 21s. to 30s. per ton. Foreign ores are obtainable at about 37s. 6d. per ton delivered. Gas coals:— Special Wear gas coals Secondary do. House coals:— Best house coals Ordinary do Other sorts :— Lambton screened South Hetton do Lambton unscreened ... South Hetton do Do. . treble nuts Coking coals unscreened Do. smalls Smithies Beas and nuts Best bunkers Ordinary bunkers Coke:— Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. Teesside furnaces) ... Gas coke Current prices. 27/6 24/6-25/ 32/6 27/6 32/6 32/6 26/ 25/6 30/ 24/6 23/6-24/ 25/ 27/6-28/ 28/ -28/6 24/6-25/ 42/6 30/ 27/ L’st week’s prices. 24/6-24/9 ’23/ 30/ 27/6 30/ 30/ 23/6 23/6 28/6 24/ 23/ 25/6 28/6 24/6 23/ 42/6 27/ Last year’s prices. 13/3 11/6 16/ i5/ 14/3 14/3 11/6 11/6 13/9 11/ 10/3 13/3 13/6 12/9 11/6 19/ 17/6 12/6-13/ Freights are still soaring upwards. Fixtures reported include:—Bagnoli, 65s.; Porto Ferrajo, 65s.; Oran, 47s.; Genoa, 67 s. 6d. ; Gibraltar, 37s. 6d.; Civita Vecchia, 70s.; Philippeville, 62s. 6d. ; St. Nazaire, 40s. ; Rouen, 29s. ; London, 14s.; Havre, 27s. South-West Lancashire. COAL. The household demand continues on the easy side for the time of the year, and even with this moderate consumption there are a good many arrears, and particularly in the commoner qualities of fuel, as so much of this has now perforce to be sent for steam purposes to eke out the smaller grades, and to supply the large quantities required for forge and manufacturing purposes. Shipping conditions remain much as they were. Requirements for general bunkering purposes are only moderate owing to the scarcity of tonnage and delays of various kinds, and exports are strictly limited, partly from the same causes and partly from the sparing way in which licences are granted, and prices of Lancashire steam coals still range from about 21s. 6d. to 22s. 6d. f.o.b. There is nothing fresh to report regarding slack and small fuel generally. The tonnage is not equal to the demand, and resort has to be made to, other fuels that are not usually drawn upon for boiler purposes. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). but there is a recurrence of complaints of absenteeism among the miners, one instance cited being that of 90 men absent from one pit out of just over 600 employed. The Coal Supplies Committee for this district is actively at work with the object of securing adequate and regular supplies for works engaged on munitions and other Government requirements and coke ovens producing the residuals the supply of which is so important for explosive making. It is regarded as probable that other consumers will suffer somewhat as a result, by increasing their diffi- culties in securing supplies, this applying to manufac- turers in the heavy woollen district, and also to house coal customers, as-secondary qualities-of house coal are being used in fairly large quantities for steam raising. With regard to the London house coal trade, the colder weather has brought an increased demand, but the collieries are not in a position to supply extra quantities, the output being reserved for contractors and customers who send their own trucks. Coastwise, less and less is being shipped. Most purchasers, who depend usually upon this source of supply, are trying to get coal by rail. Fortunately, railway trucks have been rather more freely available for long- distance traffic, and a fairly big tonnage of secondary qualities of house coal is being sent south of the Thames. Quotations for shipment are purely nominal, but this remark to a more or less extent apples to all pit prices. In the West Riding the demand is active. The difficulties of merchants, except those who are covered by contracts, in getting coal, are increased by the scarcity of loaders and carters. Although the demand for gas coal is slightly easier, full contract supplies are insisted upon. A feature of the market is still the demand from works in the neigh- bourhood of London, who, rather than pay the freights in operation from the Tyne, find it cheaper to get coal from this district, even at the present high prices. There is a con- siderable shipment of gas coal to France, and the sale of several cargoes of screened gas coal at 22s. f.o.b. Hull may be mentioned as indicating values. In regard to future busi- ness and probable prices, nothing has yet been done. It is probable that a strong effort will be made to secure an addition of at least Is. a ton on maximum prices as fixed by the Limitation Act. Manufacturing fuel of all qualities continues to be very scarce indeed, particularly nuts, which are unprocurable. Rough coal, and in a few cases even the better classes of house coal, are being used by works in Bradford and the heavy woollen district in ekeing out the meagre supplies of the ordinary qualities of factory fuel. Coking smalls are very scarce indeed, and anyone able to guarantee prompt delivery can obtain up to 12s. at the pit without much trouble. As to Washed furnace coke, pressure is strongly exerted by the munitions departments to secure all possible supplies for the iron and steel works. Current pit prices. Cumberland. COAL. The Cumberland coal trade continues to be characterised by very great strength. Business is exceptionally brisk. There is a phenomenal demand for coal both for home and coastwise accounts. At present there is very great pressure in the home market, and the needs of local consumers are quite sufficient to absorb the whole of the production. In the house coal section, during the last few days some of the local merchants have booked sufficient orders to keep them busy till the end of the month. Gas coal is in firm request; there is a strong enquiry for locomotive fuels, and there is a keen and vigorous demand for all kinds of coal for industrial purposes. Practically the whole of the pro- duction of this class of fuel is being consigned to consumers in the district. There is a very great scarcity of small coal, Current House coal:— prices. Best ................20/9 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net)j 23/ -24/ Medium................ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen............... Do. (f.o.b. Garston,net) Screened forge coal..... Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ........ Common do............... 19/ 21/ -22/ 17/ 20/6 17/ -17/6 21/6-22/6 15/ 14/ 13/ L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 20/9 23/ -24/ J 20/ -21/ prices. 17/9 ■ 19/ 21/ -22/ 17/ 20/6 17/ -17/6 21/6-22/6 15/ 14/ 13/ 16/ 18/ -18/6 13/9 17/ 14/ -15/ 17/6-18/ 11/ -11/6 10/ -10/6 0/6—9/9 South Lancashire and Cheshire. . COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday. The demand for house coal is fairly steady. In furnace coal and slack the collieries are fully occupied with contract obligations, indeed are not able to meet these altogether. Shipping coal meets with brisk enquiry. Prices generally are as below :— Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated), Current Current quotations. Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. BestCumberl’nd coal at pit 23/4 23/4 19/2 Best washed nuts at pit... 21/3 21/3 17/1 Buckhill best coal „ ... Do. double-scrned 22/6 22/6 18/4 washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at 21/. 21/ 16/10 pit Oughterside best washed 22/6 22/6 18/4 nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best 21/ 21/ 16/10 coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts 22/6 22/6 18/4 at pit 21/ 21/ 16/10 Best dry small at pit 12/ !2/ 8/6 Best steam nuts at pit ... 19/ 19/ 15/ BestCumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. 19/6 19/6 16/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 17/6 • 17/6 14/6 Bunkers 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 14/ Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- 19/3 19/3 15/ works 18/3 18/3 14/ House coal:— Best ............... Medium.............. Common.............. Furnace coal.......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack ........... Common slack ......... prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 14/ -15/ 12/ upwds, L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ ’-17/ .19/ -21/ 14/ -15/ 12/ upwds. Last year’s prices. 18/3-18/9 16/9-17/3 14/ -14/9 !2/ 15/6-16/6 10/6-11/ 9/ -10/ IRON. There is very little out of the ordinary to report. Bar iron remains firm, with a moderate trade. Pig iron, on the other hand, is rather running riot. Makers are asking 90s. for fair foundry iron, and there seems to be little doubt that warrants will go up to 100s. Steel prices remain without alteration. This refers to both bars and billets. Forges are fairly busy, also wagon works. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The market on Tuesday was only moderately attended, although there was a very brisk demand for every sort of fuel. Supplies were very meagre, however, and transactions were limited. Full time working of the pits was reported, House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year’s Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ Wallsend & London best 19/ -20/ ' l 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ Silkstone best ... ^ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ Do. house I 1 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ House nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 18/6-19/6 Silkstone best 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 18/ -19/ Do. house 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -18/ Other qualities 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/ Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 14/6-15/6 Gas nuts 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 12/6-13/6 Unscreened gas coal ... 14/6-15/6 14/6-15/6 11/6-12/6 Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 12/6-14/ Large double-screened engine nuts 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 11/6-12/6 Small nuts 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 11/ -12/ Rough unscreened engine coal 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 11/ -12/ Best rough slacks 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 9/ -10/ Small do. 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 7/6- 8/6 Coking smalls 11/6-12/6 11/ -12/ 7/6- 8/6 Coke:— Price at ovens: Furnace coke 24/ 24/ 14/ -15/ Barnsley. COAL. There was again only a sparse attendance at the usual weekly market, and evidently buyers are realising the almost impossibility of negotiating any new business at the present time. Practically all branches of the trade are unaltered from a week ago, with prices firmly established, and apparently the only matters which call for anxiety are those relating to the extent of supplies and the delays in deliveries. The position is largely dominated by the fact that such a large bulk of fuel is to be provided for the needs of the various industries, which at the present moment are indispensable for war purposes. It is inevitable that some of the smaller industries have to submit to inconvenience in regard to supplies. The position is more serious perhaps in regard to small steam fuel, the supply of which is particu- larly inadequate to the needs of the moment, and, although other classes of coal are being substituted, there is still much difficulty in meeting ’the average demands of such concerns. Although there has been expected lessened con- sumption of gas coal and fuel required by the electricity plants, there does not appear to be any considerable surplus of this coal offering on the market. The output of large steams, in spite of the fact that so much less is being exported, is readily disposed of owing to the heavier contracts made with the railway companies and trawler companies on the Humber. Steam nuts appear to be more heavily consumed than ever by munition works and other engineering concerns, and constant anxiety is experienced by consumers in regard to deliveries, whilst the scarcity of all kinds of small steam fuel continues to be very pronounced. Much difficulty is experienced in regard to slacks. The tonnage required for the constant work of the by-product plants is of an enormous character, and as in the case of other industries, which are particularly essential at the present moment, pressure is applied in order to obtain the requisite tonnage. In regard to values, whilst the maximum is