712 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. April 14, 1^16. possibly put through. Another cause for indifference on the part of sellers to do business is the alleged attempt to obtain an increase in the maximum selling prices stipu- lated by the legislative enactment, in consequence of recent increase in the miners'’ wages; and until something is settled in this direction it seems certain that very little business will be negotiated. The workers are now enjoying remarkable prosperity, and the substantial amount of arrears, dating from the last pay-day of last month, which has been, or will be paid, is not conducive to full time working, and the prospect, so far as the holidays are con- cerned, is rather a doubtful one in this respect. The character of the demand is very little altered, although, in certain districts, delivery of small steam coal for factories was reported to show some improvement, but it seems somewhat problematical whether this can be maintained. The demand for house coal has also fallen away somewhat, owing to the warmer weather, but collieries have no stocks, and have still on their books far more orders than can be got through within a reasonable period. In respect to the larger grade of steam coal, the industrial needs at home continue to be so extensive that the output is practically bespoken, and collieries are finding the railway companies very insistent on obtaining substantial tonnage in the hope of adding to their very low stocks. There also con- tinues to be a very marked scarcity of slack and other coking fuel, owing to the heavy consumption by the by-product plants, and there does not appear to have been much done as yet in respect to the renewal of gas coal contracts, which are being pressed for by consumers. The demand for coke also continues to be exceptionally active, and there is no difficulty in disposing of the production at the increased prices, which came into operation a week ago. Prices at pit. The export trade is extremely quiet, and shipments of coal from the Humber ports are on a greatly reduced scale. The price of steam coal is very firm, and 27s. per ton delivered at Grimsby is the current figure for the best brands of Derbyshire Top Hards. Owing to the increasing difficulty in obtaining licences, very little business is passing in washed nuts and small fuel generally for shipment, and the bulk of this class of fuel now finds its way inland for our home industries. The tone of the coke market is strong, there being an active demand for all qualities. Prices remain firm at the official limit. Supplies of coking fuel are difficult to find. Prices at pit. Best house coals .....__ Secondary do............ Cobbles __......__........ Nuts ................... Slack ................__ Current L'st week’s Last year's prices. prices. prices. 17/ 17/ 18/ 16/6 16/6 17/ 16/ 16/ 17/ 15/ 15/ 16/6 12/6 12/6 12/9 IRON. Every branch of the iron trade continues in a state of great activity, the whole of the production being readily taken up. ------------------■________ ________ Prices at pit. Current L’st week's Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 22/ 22/ 20/ Do. seconds deep 20/ 20/ 19/ Do. best shallow 19/ 19/ 18/6 Do. seconds do. 18/ 18/ 17/6 Best hard 18/6 18/6 16/6 Forge coal 16/ 16/ 14/ Slack Warwickshire:— 11/6 11/6 10/ House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked 19/ 19/ 19/6 cobs 18/ 18/ 17/6 Best hard spires 20/ 20/ 18/ Forge (steam) 16/ 16/ 13/6 D.S. nuts (steam) 14/6 14/6 14/6 14/6 Small (do.) 14/6 11/6 Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstono 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 20/ -21/ Best Barnsley softs 18/6 18/6 19/ -20/ Secondary do 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 Best house nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ Secondary do 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 15/ -16/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 23/ -24/ Secondary do ; 16/6-17/ 16/6-17/ 21/ -22/ Best washed nuts 16/3-16/6 16/3-16/6 19/ -20/ Secondary do 15/9-16/3 15/9-16/3 18/ -19/ Best slack 12/6-13/ 12/6-13/ 12/ -13/6 Secondary do 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ 10/6-11/ Gas coals:— 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/ 16/ -L J./ 0.^1 15/ -16/ Furnace coke 25/ 1 24/ 22/ -24/ Nottingham. COAL. The tone of the coal trade in this county continues very brisk. Local merchants are not quite so busy as a week ago, the warmer weather having had a steadying effect on the public demand, but the pressure on the collieries for domestic fuel is much the same, for merchants generally are eager to replenish stocks. Owners have to limit supplies to merchants, and also to dealers, at the landsale depots, as the output is still insufficient to meet all require- ments. Values all round are very firm. There has been no diminution in the demand on the steam coal branch, every class of fuel of this description being quickly disposed of, and, with the limited output, the supplies to ordinary customers, after orders from firms engaged on war work have been attended to, are on a comparatively small scale. Slacks continue in very keen request, and best qualities are difficult to obtain. In fact, all kinds of small fuel are being readily purchased. Prices at pithead. Hull. COAL. As usual, on the eve of the holiday, there is a little more enquiry, and with supplies still very limited and difficult to buy, the market has a decidedly firm tone all round. Large steam coal shows a further advance, and all manufacturing fuels have an upward tendency. The big demand is for home consumption, the export trade being restricted from various well-known or obvious causes, including refusal of licences, high freights. Some business is in hand for France, but nothing like it was a month ago. Shipments are light, and freights abnormally high, 40s. having been paid this week Hull to Dunkirk. Approximate prices for prompt or nearly prompt shipment are : —Best South York- shire steam hards, 31s. 6d. to 32s.; washed trebles, 22s.; washed doubles, 22s. 6d. to 23s.; washed singles, 23s. to 23s. 6d.; washed small coal, 19s. 6d. to 20s.; rough slack, 18s. to 18s. 6d.; gas and house fuels (screened), 25s. to 26s. 6d. Derbyshire steam hards are purely nominal at 27s. to 27s. 6d. for shipment at Grimsby or Immingham. The foreign exports from the Humber ports during the month of March were the lowest since the war began, this being due to the careful conserving of Yorkshire supplies for home and Government use, and the consequent refusal to grant licences to export more than a limited quantity. The figures for the month, and the three months to date, with those of the same period of 1915 are:— March January-Mar ch 1 1916. 1915^ 7916. 1915.”^ Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals......... Secondary do............ Best hard coals......... Secondary do............. Slacks (best hards)...... Do. (second) .......... Do. (soft).........__ Current prices. 18/ -19/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 11/9-13/ 10/6-11/ 11/ .L’stweek’s prices. 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ 11/9-13/ 10/6-11/ 11/ Last year's prices. 19/6-21/ 17/6-18/ 15/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 17/ -18/6 13/ -15/ 11/6-12/6 11/ —12/ _______ ________ Leicestershire. IRON. Quarter-day brought together a large representation of ironmasters and agents, not only from Staffordshire, but from various outside districts. The market, while not particularly eventful, was pervaded by a cheerful tone, and the new quarter had a good send-off. The volume of business on the books represents output for several months ahead. The Government action to regulate prices was generally regarded as a wise provision for contingencies. It makes for the stability of the market. The prices for the Midland brands were given here a few weeks ago, and these will remain in force until June 30 at least, but producers may sell for delivery beyond that date if they choose, with the knowledge that if any revision of the maxima becomes necessary the new prices will apply. Foundry pig iron has already reached the maximum prices, viz., 85s. for Northamptonshire, 87s. 6d. Derbyshire, and 92s. 6d. Staffordshire part-mine—all at furnaces. In the case of the last mentioned, probably Is. less would be taken. Considerable quantities of this good class iron is taken for Government work, and a large tonnage is also required for the extensive hardware business of the district. The export business also keeps buoyant, and South Staffordshire makers have booked many good orders for France recently. Northamptonshire forge iron opened at a minimum of 87s., delivered in the district, but during the afternoon quotations hardened, and the better brands at least reached the coveted maximum of 82s. 6d. at furnaces, equivalent to about 88s. 6d. delivered in Staffordshire. In all branches prices kept exceedingly strong, and makers have all the business they can cope with for some time to come. A considerable French enquiry exists for large sizes of steel rounds, indeed for all classes, as many of the French producing districts are occupied by the enemy. Galvanised sheets vary from <£27 10s. to <£28 for 24-gauge, with 80s. extra for 26-gauge, without engage- ment. In the steel section there were more buyers than sellers ; indeed, some leading Welsh houses were off the market for billets, so great are their commitments. Staffordshire tinned sheets were advanced by <£3 a ton, the second rise of a similar amount in a fortnight. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Hull........ 57,293 ... 144,150 ... 268,178 ... 499,461 Grimsby..... 11,544 ... 36,640 ... 58,9u5 ... 131,905 Immingham ... — ... 56,246 ... 7,215 ... 163,705 Goole ....... 31,037 ... 45,532 ... 115,767 ... 112,155 COAL. There is still a very great and general shortage of all classes of coal, and coal merchants report that every wagon- load of coal which arrives is at once cleared and delivered to consumers. The coal yards are swept clean of all classes of coal, so that merchants are still working on a hand-to- mouth basis. Large consumers and householders are crying out for some extra deliveries to make reserves. The demand for London and district is very keen, and the rail- way companies were again fully engaged last Sunday in clearing off every full wagon of coal in the colliery sidings to meet urgent claims. The supply of railway-owned wagons is very short, and merchants owning their own rolling stock are again enjoying a preference because other stock is not available. Manufacturing fuel is in very great request, and users are urging that their wagons should be filled with anything that is available. All the collieries are still completely isolated as regards telegraphing and telephoning. The following are the quotations, subject to special modifications, which are now generally in operation at the collieries in this district:— Prices at pit. Lydney. _______ ______ Forest of Dean. COAL. Business in this district's house coal continues very much on the same lines as recently reported—heavy demand for all descriptions. The production is much below require- ments, and it is evident from merchants’ letters that many householders have had to go without fuel for some days. The enquiry for all qualities of steam and manufacturing coals is very strong, and it is impossible to meet the demand. Prices at pithead. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Block 21/6 21/6 21/6 Forest 20/6 20/6 20/6 Rubble 20/9 20/9 20/9 Nuts 19/ 19/ 19/ Rough slack Steam coal:— 11/6 11/6 12/6 Large 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 20/ Small ; 13/6-14/ 13/6-14/ 14/ -15/ Prices 2s. extra f.o.b. Lydney or Sharpness. Totals .... 99,874 ... 282,568 ... 450,065 ... 907,226 While the decrease in export in March for the whole of the United Kingdom was 20'8 per cent., that for the Humber is 64'6 per cent, for March and 50 per cent, for January- March. In March, France took 55,052 tons, or less 'than half the average of the two preceding months, and for the quarter 286,742 tons, or considerably more than 50 per cent, of the total export. The London and coastwise shipments for the month were 62,013 tons, against 151,236 tons last year ; and for the quarter 195,312 tons, against 437,328 tons January-March last year. Chesterfield. COAL. There is a strong demand for coal of every class—a demand that the supply is incapable of meeting —and this, in a word, sums up the condition of the coal trade. There is not, perhaps, quite the pressure upon the house coal branch of the trade that was experienced during the recent spell of cold weather, but such coal as is not wanted for domestic use is very readily disposed of for other purposes, chiefly for munition works, which are only too glad to avail them- selves of whatever supplies of fuel as are available. There is, however, great difficulty in obtaining cobbles, nuts and slack in sufficient quantities to relieve consumers from constant fear lest their works should come to a standstill. The cartage of coal from the receiving station to works that have no railway sidings is becoming a serious question owing to the scarcity of labour. It is often found impossible to unload the wagons within the stipulated time imposed by the railway companies, and demurrage has been incurred in consequence. Fuel is urgently wanted by all gas and electric works, many of which have on hand only very limited stocks. Bailways also are pressing for supplies. 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/ 16/6-17/ 16/ -16/6 15/ -15/6 14/6-15/ 12/9-13/6 12/ -12/3 6/-7/ 13/ -13/6 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/6-14/ 12/6-13/6 L’stweek’s prices. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/ 16/6-17/ 16/ -16/6 15/ -15/6 14/6-15/ 12/9—13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ 13/ -13/6 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/6-14/ 12/6-13/6 Last year's prices. 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/6—16/6 14/ -14/6 13/6—14/6 11/9—12/9 3/ - 3/6 15/9-16/9 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 15/9-16/9 13/ -14/ _________________ South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The position cannot be said to have improved in the coal trade of this district. The recent blizzard has left a big aftermath, and no change for the better is expected this side of Easter. Meanwhile pressure for supplies continues unabated, except, perhaps, among householders. The price question has been raised owing to the advance in wages. The collieries are passing on the advance, no matter whether there is a wage clause in the contracts or no, and it may be that the maximum prices will have to be revised. There is little or no fuel available for the open market. The following prices form the basis for negotiations :— ___________________________ Vdastage of Coal in Transit.—Judge Johnston delivered judgment in Monaghan County Court, on April 5, in the case of Bleakly v. Great Northern Baihvay Company, Ireland, which involved a question as to wastage of coal in railway transit. Plaintiff claimed for a considerable shortage in the coal carried for him by the defendant com- pany from January 1911 to June 1915, and the company endeavoured to prove that some loss was inevitable, ranging from anything from 2 to 6 cwt. per wagon load. The company maintained that ’in the weighing, loading, carting and general handling of the coal before delivery wa>s effected there must be a certain loss ; and comasei also mentioned the atmospheric conditions when the coal was weighed at the quay side where the railway wagons were loaded, the shunting, the emptying of the wagons, and so on, as all tending to diminish the coal. The judge