April 20, 1916. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 761 very keen, and Irish merchants could easily take more than twice the amount they are at present receiving. The shipments from Mary port last week to Ireland amounted to 3,165 tons, compared with 5,700 tons at the corresponding period of last year, and a decrease of 795 tons compared with last week. Coke makers are tremendously busy, and all the Cumberland ovens are in full blast. Coke is in very strong demand, and Cumberland smelters are taking all the local stocks they can secure. Intense activity prevails in the by-products industry, and all the works in the district are very briskly engaged. The demand for pitch is much stronger than it has been for some time, and within the last fortnight two large cargoes have been shipped from Maryport to Continental ports. Prices of all varieties are very firm but unaltered. Best sorts at the pit head are obtainable at 23s. 4d. per ton, and best export coal is 19s. 6d per ton f.o.b. at Maryport. Bunkers are a steady trade at from 17s. to 17s. 6d. per ton. Best house coal delivered in Maryport is quoted at from 27s. 6d. to 28s. 4d. per ton. Other current quotations are as follow .- — commands up to 24s. to 24s. 6d. f.o.b., with other qualities proportionate. Small fuels for steam raising continue very scarce, and the necessary tonnage is made up with other grades. Invitations to tender for another year’s gas fuel are now coming freely upon the market, but there is a difficulty in getting the same tonnage promised again. It is rather early to talk of prices, but undoubtedly some of the low buyers of recent years will have their prices levelled up. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was fairly well attended on Tuesday. The position is the same as reported weekly, for some time past; the pressure for supplies is great from all quarters, and the supply is not equal to the demand. Prices generally are as at foot. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 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/ 12/ 8/6 Best steam nuts at pit ... 19/ 19/ 15/ BestCumberl'nd coal, f.o.b. 19/6 19/6 18/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 17/6 17/6 16/6 Bunkers ...*. 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 16/ 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 ......... Current prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 17/6-18/ 17/ -18/ about 22/ 15/6upwds 14/ upwds. L’st week's Last year's prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 17/’ -17/3 prices. 18/ -19/ 16/9-17/3 14/ -14/3 16/ -17/ 14/6-15/6 19/ -21/ j 19/ -21/ 15/6 upwds1 11/6-13/ 14/ upwds.f 9/9-11/ IRON. There is very little business to report here. Everybody is very busy, but they are all working directly or indirectly for the Government. The utmost difficulty is placed in the way of steel or iron for export. There is no alteration in prices to report. The prices are laid down by the Ministry, but this seems only to apply to when that particular material is required for Government. ----------------- IRON. The Cumberland and North Lancashire haematite iron trade continues to increase in strength. There is the greatest activity in the iron-producing district from Carnforth to Workington, and the production of both iron and steel is as large as it can possibly be on the present amount of labour. The clamour amongst consumers for iron is increasing. There is a phenomenal demand for all brands of iron, and with the pYesent restricted output it is almost impossible to satisfy all requirements. At present a very large proportion of the make is going to users who are engaged exclusively on Government account. The furnace at the Solway is at present on ordinary iron, but all the ordinary metals which smelters are making or likely to make will be held for local use for some months to come. The output of metal, however, is now larger than it has been for the past twelve months. Prices are therefore well maintained at the Government maximum, and Bessemer mixed numbers are again quoted at 127s. 6d. per ton f.o.t., while warrants at cash are idle at 115s. per ton. Special brands of iron are quoted at 140s. per ton f.o.t. 1 erro-manganese is a very firm trade at the enhanced price of <£25 per ton. A large cargo was shipped from Maryport last week to a Continental port. There are 26 furnaces in blast, 17 in Cumberland and nine in the Furness district. The whole of the make, both of ordinary and special iron, is going into immediate consumption. The bulk of the special and semi-special iron is going to consumers in Scotland, the Midlands and South Wales, and all the output of ordinary iron is being .used at the local steelworks. The steel trade is exceptionally brisk, and the steelworks at both Barrow and Workington are actively employed on war work. Rails, heavy sections, are £10 17s. 6d. per ton, and light rails are quoted at from £11 10s. to £12 5s. per ton. Engineers are very busy on Government work, and some of the ships are still working overtime. All the iron ore mines in the district are working full time. There is a brisk demand for local ore, and Cumberland smelters are now receiving fairly good supplies. Prices are firm but unaltered. Best varieties are quoted at 38s. per ton at the mines, and good average qualities are obtainable at from 21s. to 30s. per ton. Spanish and other foreign ores are quoted at about 42s. 6d. per ton delivered. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. Buyers were again in a majority at the market on Tuesday, and the pressure for supplies was increasingly keen. Again there was practically nothing on offer. The scarcity is general, applying to all descriptions, with emphasis on manufacturing fuel. Very little indeed of any sort could be purchased, as the collieries have practically nothing to offer. Full time work at the pits and a fairly satisfactory wagon supply were reported. As to the stoppage for Easter, efforts are being made to get the miners to return to work on Tuesday, but the general feeling is that the pits will stand for two days, resuming on Wednesday. The demand for house coal from London is fully maintained, being apparently unaffected by the quieter trade at the depots. High freights and scarcity of tonnage militate against coastwise trade in any volume. West Riding merchants are finding the public demand on the decrease as the spring advances, and are taking what opportunity offers of laying down stocks. Pit prices are still on the following level:—Haigh Moor, selected, 21s. to 22s.; Silkstone best, ’ 20s. to 21s.; Silkstone house, 18s. to 19s.; secondary sorts, 17s. to 18s. The demand for manu- facturing fuel is far from satisfied, and it is feared that many large consumers will feel the pinch as the result of the holidays, and the consequently reduced output. Forward business in gas coal is still in advance, awaiting developments in regard to maximum prices, there being an expectation that the Limitation Act will be modified by the addition of Is. a ton. The scarcity of coking smalls makes it difficult for makers of washed furnace coke to maintain the full output, for all of which there is a ready call, at the recently agreed price of 25s. per ton at the ovens. Current pit prices. Friday and Easter Monday being selected, whilst others have decided to work on Friday and Saturday, and make holiday on the following Monday and Tuesday. These resolutions have been made before, and have not always matured, and at the present time with such a high rate of earnings, and the recent back payments in connection with the last advance, conditions are not likely to stimulate workers in adhering to the two days holiday, and the inevitable result will be that the output must materially suffer. The position is somewhat balanced, in consequence of the fact that opera- tions will be suspended until a certain period in other industries, but even then the shortage is so extensive that even a moderate amount of indifference amongst coal- getters will have a material effect. The position at the collieries is practically the same. To all intents and purposes, they have little control with regard to the distri- bution of the production. A big proportion of the output in this district is still required, and has to be supplied for the purposes of the railway companies, the Admiralty, and munition works, irrespective of whatever interests may be affected. Although, judging by the lesser number of com- plaints, the conditions regarding the distribution, appear to be proving more satisfactory than hitherto. The tone of the export trade continues to be buoyant, but owing to the restriction of licences, the volume of business done in this direction is not substantial, and even then remarkably high prices are being paid in order to secure the tonnage within something like the desired time. The situation in respect to all kinds of small steam fuel also continues to be one of difficulty to all concerned, and those interested recognise the almost absolute impossibility of altering the situation. In respect to house coal, the general public are now realising the scarcity of fuel in an almost unprecedented degree. It is true that the orders which were pouring in on local mer- chants may not be so extensive as formerly, and although many consumers are without actual supplies, there are others who still betray feelings of panic, and are seeking to obtain stocks but with very little success. The collieries are still adhering to the policy of refusing to consider the orders of new customers, and the same attitude is now being adopted by merchants with the idea that supplies shall only reach consumers in proportion to their actual needs. The orders on hand at the collieries are yet exceptionally large, and a good deal of delay may be experienced before they can be supplied in any material degree. Recently a good deal of progress has been met with regarding the renewal of gas coal contracts which have been held up for several weeks. Consumers have been extremely anxious to get the matter settled, not so much in regard to the question of prices, as from the recognition of the fact that there will be less coal available to supply the needs, and practically speaking they have accepted the conditions which collieries feel justified in laying down. Consumers will have to be content with the reduction of something like 40 per cent, of the tonnage which was scheduled during normal times, and also they have to prepare to receive equal deliveries during the summer and winter, instead of the old proportion of 40 per cent, and 60 per cent, during the respective periods named. Buyers have also agreed to pay the increased selling prices if the collieries are able to secure the approval of the Board of Trade to the raising of the maximum rate. In the case of some gas works the question of storage may involve some difficulty, but so far as can be seen at the present, there seems little likelihood of deliveries being made to such an extent as will leave stocks to be dealt with. The position in regard to other sections of the trade is practically unaltered, and as indicated, values are virtually of a nominal description, and are unchanged on the week. Prices at pit. South-West Lancashire. COAL. An effort is being made, practically throughout the county, to shorten the usual Easter holidays, and last year’s arrangement will at most places be followed again. The inland household demand, even so late in the season, is still more than can be promptly met, and the wearing down of arrears proceeds very slowly. With regard to bunkering, the pressure has increased with the approach of the holidays, and the prices have again hardened. Quotations vary a good deal, but in most cases may be said to range from 23s. to 23s. 6d. f.o.b. for the limited quantity of Lancashire steam coals that are available. In house coals for the coastwise and cross-channel trade for the small quantities of fuel that are available outside contract, prices rule high. Best coal Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current L'st week's Last year's House coal:— prices. prices. prices. Best 20/9 20/9 17/9 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 23/6-24/6 23/ -24/ 21/ -22/ Medium 19/ 19/ 16/ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 22/ -22/6 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/ Kitchen 17/ 17/ 13/9 Do. (f.o.b. Garston,net) 21/6 20/6 18/ Screened forge coal 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 15/ -16/ Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. 23/ -23/6 22/6-23/ 19/6-20/6 Best slack 15/6-16/ 15/6-16/ 13/ -14/ Secondary slack 15/ 14/6 11/6-12/6 Common do 14/ upwds. 14/ 10/ -10/6 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/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ Silkstone best 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ Do. house 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ House nuts 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 22/ -24/ Silkstone best 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ Do. house 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ Other qualities 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 17/ -18/ Gas nuts 15/6-16/6 15/6-16/6 16/ -17/ Unscreened gas coal ... 14/6-15/6 14/6-15/6 14/ -15/6 Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 15/6-17/ Large double-screened engine nuts 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 13/6-14/ Small nuts 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-13 6 Rough unscreened engine coal 14/ -15/ ! 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 Best rough slacks 13/ -14/ 13/ -14/ 11/ -12/6 Small do. 11/ -12/ 11/ -12/ 10/ -11/ Coking smalls 11/6-12/6 11/6-12/6 10/ -11,6 Coke:— Price at ovens: Furnace coke 25/ 25/ 22/ -24/ Barnsley. COAL. As is generally the case during the week preceding the holidays, there has been practically no new business fixed up, and during the present difficult time efforts to do so have met with less success than usual. A good deal of apprehension prevails in regard to the probable duration of the coming holidays, owing to the great scarcity of fuel and the enormous requirements which are needed entirely on home account. Generally speaking the workers have been asked to restrict the holiday to two days, and to decide themselves on which of the two days the holiday shall take place. The choice has been varied, in some cases Good 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 17/ -18/ 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/ | 22/ -22/6 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/ 10/6-11/6 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/ J- J-J 15/ -16/ Furnace coke 25/ 25/ 23/ -24/ Hull. COAL. Coal required for shipment this side of the holiday and immediately after having been already fixed up, the prompt market this week has had a marked holiday tone. For forward loading, exporters are disinclined to do business at the moment, though several potential enquiries are reported from Scandinavian countries. As to how these will eventuate, of course, depends very largely upon the question of licences, which are exceedingly difficult to get, even for neutral countries. All kinds of coal continue scarce, and holders have very pronounced views as to values, the approximate prices, which in some cases are nominal, for April shipment being as follow:—Best South Yorkshire hards, 30s. 6d. to 31s.; washed trebles, 23s.; washed doubles and singles, 23s. to 24s.; washed small coal, 19s. 6d. to 20s.; rough slack, 18s. to 18s. 6d.; gas and house fuels (screened), 25s. to 27s. Practically no Derbyshire steam coal is available for export, the nominal value being 28s. to 29s. at Grimsby or Immingham. Exports of coal from the docks have been rather heavier in the past week or 10 days. Freight rates, which last week reached record levels, 44s. being paid for Rouen, have fallen away considerably in the absence of demand for steamers, current rates being 30s. to 32s. 6d. Hull to Rouen, and 95s. to 97s. 6d. Hull to Genoa. Chesterfield. COAL. The demand for every class of coal is exceedingly strong, and consumers' requirements become greater as time goes on. Every possible effort is made by the collieries to meet these wants, but the result still finds the aggregate supply