13 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 5, 1917. Highest and Lowest Prices of Various Descriptions of Fuel. Jan. Feb. March. April. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Best steams, Blyths (D.C.B.) . ,, ,, Tynes (Bowers, &c.) Second steams, Blyths , ; ,, ,, Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) Unscreened steams Steam smalls, Blyths „ „ Tynes . „ „ specials.... Smithies Gas bests ^New Pelton or Holmside) ,, seconds (Pelaw Main or similar) ,, specials ... ... . . : Unscreened bunkers, Durhams ‘ „ ,, Northumbrians ... Coking coals ,, smalls...- Households ..; Coke, foundry ,, blastfurnace ,, gas 23/ —30/ 22/ —30/ 20/ —25/ 20/ —25/ 18/6—23/ 12/6—16/ 10/6—14/ 13/ —17/6 20/ —23/ 22/ —25/ 20/ —24/ 23/ —26/ 20/ —25/ 20/ -23/ 21/ —23/ 20/ —23/ 22/ —30/ 35/ —42/6 33/ —40/ 27/ —30/ 30/ —35/ 32/6—35/ 25/ —30/ 27/6—30/ 25/ —26/ 15/ —16/6 13/ —15/6 16/6—18/ ' 23/ —26/ 25/ —26/ 24/ —25/ 25/ —27/ 23/ —27/ 25/ —26/ 23/ -25/ 21/ —24/ 30/ —35/ 40/ —42/6 40/ 26/ —28/ 32/6-36/ 31/6—35/ 28/6—30/ 29/ —32/ 25/ —28/ 16/ -20/ 14/6—18/ 17/ —21/ 24/ —26/ 25/ —26/ 24/ —24/6 27/ 22/6—25/6 25/ —27/ 20/ —24/ 20/ —22/6 32/6—35/ 41/ —42/6 ,41/ 26/ —28/ 40/ -47/6 40/ —50/ 32/ —40/ 33/ —40/ 28/ —40/ 22/6—30/ 18/ —25/ 22/6—30/ 25/ —35/ 26/ —40/ 25/ —30/ '27/—40/ 24/ —40/ 26/ —35' 24/ —32/6 23/ —30/ 37/6—45/ 41/ —44/ 41/ —43/ 26/ —27/ 47/6—62/6 45/ —60/ 40/ —50/ 40/ -55/ 32/6—50/ 27/6—35/ 23/ —32,6 30/ —35/ 32/ —35/ 35/ —37/6 28/ —36/ 35/ —40/ 30/ —38/ 32/6-40/ 30/ —36/ 28/ —33/ 40/ —60/ 44/ —50/ 43/ —44/ 26/ —28/ 52/6—65/ 50/ —62/6 47/6—50/ 50/ —55/ 37/6—50/ 31/ —35/ 27/6—30/ 30/ —35/ 35/ —37/6 36/ —37/6 33/ —36/ 37,6—40/ 33/ —40/ 36/ —40/ 35/ —37/6 33/ —36/ 50/ —65/ 43/6—47/6 42/6-45/ 28/ —32/6 40/ —52/6 45/ —52/6 37/6—50/ 37/6—50/ 30/ —40/ 27/6—32/6 25/ —27/6 30/ —32/6 35/ —37/6 35/ —36/ 33/ —35/ 37/6—40/ 33/ —36/ 32/6—37/6 33/ —35/ 32/ —33/ 45/ —50/ 42/6—^7/6 40/ —47/6. 32/6—34/ 35/ -50/ 35/ —50/ 30/ —45/ 30/ —45/ 27/6—40/ 24/ -30/' 22/6—27/6 25/ —32/6 25/ —35/ 34/ —36/ 28/ —34/ 37/6-40/ 22/—35/ 27/6—35/ 25/ —34/ 24/ -33/ 40/ —50/ 40/ —47/6 37/6—42/6 32/ —35/ 37/ —45/ 35/ —40/ 30/ —35/ 30/. —40/ 25/ -35/ 22/6-25/ 20/ - 22/6 22/6-27/6 25/ —27/6 30/ —35/ 25/ —30/ 34' —37/6 18' —27/ 21/ —27/6 22/6—27/6 20/ —24/ 37/6—45/ 38/ —45/ 36/ —40/ 33/ —35/ 30/ —40/ 30/ —40/ 27/6-32/6 27/6—35/ 22/6—30/ 20/ —22 6 19/ —20/ 22/6-25/ 22/6-25/ 30/ —35/ 23/ —30/ 30/ —35' 18/ —28/ 20/ —25/ 20/ —25/ 18/ —23/ • 35/ —40/ 38/ —45/ 36/ —40/ 33/ -35/ 28/ —35/ 27/6-32/6 25/ —27/6 25/ —27/6 20/ —25/ 20/ —22,6 17/6-20/ 20/ —22/6 20' —22 6 27/6—30/ 19/ —23/ 27/6-30/ 18/ -20/ 18/ —20/. 19/ —20 18/ -20/ 30/ —35/ 36/ —45/ 33/ -39/ 32/ —35/ 30/ 27/6-30/ 24/ —27/6 24/ —27/6- 20/ —22/6 18 —20/ 17/ —17/6 20/ —21/ 20/ 24 —27/6 18/ —20/ 25/ -33/. 17/ —19/ 18/ —20/ : 18/ —20/ 17/ —18/ 27/6—30/ 38/ —45/ 34/ -39/ 32/ —35/ those with which they finished up 1916, may console themselves with the fact that the decrease is a seaisonal event, and has the precedent of many former' years. Thus, taking the last 16 years for it, the following years commenced with reductions on the basis of 1879.:— 1902, 1904, 1905, 1909, 1911, 1915, and 1916. In the cases of 1901, 1903. 1908, 1910, and 1914, the year opened with wages unaltered. Only in the instances of 1906, 1907, 1912, and 1913 did the year herald any advance. There is more than mere coincidence in these facts, of course, for it is the way of coal prices to slump as the year grows older. At all events, the County miners have not done badly during the 12 months that are gone. Prior to the war, the highest percentage ever realised on the basis of 1879 was 61|, which was paid in the last quarter of 1900 and the first quarter of 1901. Now, even with la reduction of 11 per cent., miners’ wages stand at 120 per cent, above that basis, haying crept up from the maximum of 65 per cent, permitted by the sliding scale agreement of 1914 (under which wages advanced by 1 per cent, for each Id. rise in the ascertained selling price of coal at the pithead) by 1 per cent, increment for each 1-Jd. advance in the selling price above 10s. 8d. per ton (a benefit conferred by a supplementary agreement entered into in September 1915). The changes in wages and ascertained selling prices of. coal during the year- were as follow :— Quarter ended * Per ton. q rl Change in wages. Nov. 30, 1915 S. <1. 12 4'18 5 p.c. reduction Feb. 29,1916 13 10 98 12 p.c. advance May 31, 1916 16 6'90 22 p.c. advance Aug. 31, 1916 18 11'81 19 p.c. advance Nov. 30,1916 17 7'29 11 p.c. reduction * Average net selling price of coal at pithead. Thus, wages which commenced the year: at 78 per cent, above the basis of 1879, commence the new year at 120 per cent, above that basis, changes in wages, it will be-observed, taking effect invariably about one month after the close of the quarter in respect, of which the ascertainment has been made. Whilst on this topic, it may be noted that the average net selling price of coal at the pithead — which, being the thing that really matters, so far ais the coal owner is concerned, is always a safer guide to the prosperity or otherwise of the mining industry than are the ordinary market f.o.b. figures—-was 9s. 5*37d. per ton when the last ascertain- ment, in May 1914, prior to the, war, was made. The Durham figures for 1916, ascertained at the end of each “natural” quarter, i.e., March, June, September, and December, were as follow:— Quarter ended * Per ton. Change in wages, s. d. Dec. 31,1915 ... 12 2'56 ... 3f p.c. advance Mar. 31, 1916 13 7’49 ... 10 p.c. advance June 30,1916 ... 15 4'06 ... 13^ p.c. advance Sept. 30,1916 ... 15 10'45 ... 5 p.c. advance . Average net selling price of coal at pithead. Obviously, it is not yet possible to give the figures for the quarter in the last days of which this article is being prepared. The Durham miners commenced 1916 with wages 75 per cent, above the basis of 1879, and, having had an uninterrupted “run” of advances, finished up with wages 107-J- per cent, above the basis. In Durham, these wages changes apply uniformly to all skilled mine workers', in Northumberland, whilst applying, nomi- nally, to the miners proper only, they regulate the wages of other classes of colliery employees. For the foregoing figures and for certain other infor- mation in this article, we are indebted to Mr. Reginald Guthrie, secretary to the Northumberland and Durham Coal Owners’ Association. Contracts. The long tale of coal and coke contracts which formed so prominent a feature of this report in previous years, gives place to quite an abbreviated list of such sales. This was only to be expected, in view of the fact that so much of the local product was requisitioned for use by our own and allied Admiralties and for other purposes, to give publicity to which would be militarily inexpe- dient. The list, therefore, gives the veriest minimum of such business, and does not, in the circumstances, furnish a reliable guide to the figures at which most of our largest business was done. With German custom absolutely absent, and Continental “ civilian ” orders at their lowest level, there is little to be said, either, as to how our tenders fared as compared with those of foreign competitors. It should be useful to remind readers, however, that much of the business for the Danish State Railways during the last few months of the year went to Scotland, instead of to this district, and that, in October, the Paris, Lyons and Marseilles Railways were reported to be buying American coals, not so much because of their relative cheapness, as because supplies from the United States were believed to be more assured. Steam Coal Contracts. Steam coal contracts entered into during the year included the following, f.o.b. prices being given, as else- v$here throughout this article, excepting where specific- ally stated :— January.—Large quantities for delivery to> the. British Admiralty over six months, at 19s. 6d. per ton for best Bly ths; 5,000 tons best Blyth smalls, Jan.-Mar. delivery, at 12s.; ia quantity of best Blyth large, Jan.; delivery, at 23 s.; 125,000 tons best Nor thumb er lands, shipment to Archangel, on account of Russian Marine, during early summer months, at prices not divulged; quantity of best Bly ths and quantity Blyth small, all for April loading, at, respectively, 26s. and 14s. per ton. February. — A large . quantity of best steams, for delivery to the Admiralty over the rest of the> year, at restricted prices. . April.—Quantity best Bly ths, June shipment, at 40s.; 15,000 tons best Bly ths, shipment over April-June, to Norwegian State Railways, at about current prices. May.—Quantities of best Blyths and Tyne primes for delivery over the remainder of year at 50s., with Blyth smalls for similar despatch at 30s.; best Blyths for May-June delivery at from 52s. 6d. to 53s.; best Blyth smalls for delivery over summer months at from 32s. fid. to 35s.; best smalls for June-July delivery at from 32s. fid. to 35s.; best Blyths for June delivery at 57s. fid. (second-hand sale). June.—Quantity bests for July loading at 60s.; cargo of best Blyths far July shipment at 55s.; best smalls1' for like delivery at 32s. fid. July.—Quantity of good Blyth second smalls,. Aug. loading, at 31s.; 15,000 tons best Blyths, July delivery, to Norwegian State Railways, at about 55s. August.'—10,000 tons best Blyths, shipment up to Oct. 10, to Norwegian State Railways, at 45s. 9d. September.—Tyne primes, for delivery to end of year, sold by second hands at 40s.; contract to supply Woolwich Arsenal with 120,000 tons of bests over six months, divided equally between North- umberland- and Yorkshire at maximum restricted prices; 5,000 tons of best Blyths at 38s. 6d., 5,000 tons South Hettons at 36s. fid., and 5,000 tons South Yorkshire bards at 30s. 6d.—sail for delivery to the Norwegian State Railways up to Nov. 10; a quan- tity of best Blyths, delivery to end of year, at ,40s. ; bests for delivery over 1917 to home consumers at maximum, restricted prices. October.—Best Blyths for Oct.-Dec. shipment at 40s.; Duhams for early delivery to the Swedish State Rail- ways at from 34s. to 36s., and Northumbrians at rather more money; heavy sales for forward delivery to French Mediterranean and Italian ports at 25s.; Tyne primes for shipment over the first quarter of 1917 at 32s. 6d.; best Blyths for local consumption over 1917 at maximum restricted prices: large quantities of best Blyths', total stated at over 100,000 tons, for delivery to end of Mar. at 35s.: 10,200 tons Northumberlands and Durhams, at 36s. for best Blyths, 33s. 6d. for Hardens, and 3fis. fid. far South Hettons, 5,000 tons South Yorkshire hards at 31s. fid., and 2,000 tons Powell Dufiryn at 42s. 6d.— all for delivery up to Dec. 10 to the Norwegian State Railways; quantities of best Blyths at 36s. fid., and Tyne seconds at 32s. 6d., for delivery to the Swedish State Railways. Nor ember.-—Large quantities for delivery to Allies over the whole or part of 1917 at limitation prices; best Blyths for Jan.-Mar. delivery at 32s. 6d., and for delivery over the first half and the whole year at 35s.; Blyth smalls for Jan.rMar. shipment at 21s.; 500,000 tons of locomotive coal for delivery to the northern divi- sion of the North-Eastern Railway over 1917 at from 16s. 3d. to 17s. per ton delivered into wagons at the colliery sidings; 18,000 tons bests, delivery over Dec., to the" Norwegian State Railways, at from 29s. fid. to 30s. for Blyths; 6,000 tons best Blyths at 30s., 7,000 tons Scottish at 27s., and 5,000 tons Yorkshires at a price not locally known, delivery over Dec. to the Danish State Railways. December.—From 40,000 to 50,000 tons Tyne primes sold to merchants for shipment to neutral countries over 1917 at about 31s. 3d. Gas Coal Contracts. The principal gas coal contracts were :— ■ January. — Over 1,000,000 tons' of Durhams, for delivery over 12 months to the South Metropolitan Gas Works, at prices determined by the. Price of Goal (Limi- tation) Act, viz., from 15s, fid. to Ifis. for ordinaries, and from 16s. 6d. to 17s. fid. for bests. February.—Several gas works’ contracts, involving a vary large amount of coal,.delivery over 12 months, at limited prices. March.— About 2,000,000 tons of coal of various grades, delivery over 12 month from July, to the London Gas Light and Coke Company, at prices fixed by the Price of Coal (Limitation). Act. May. ■— Requirements of Newcastle and Gateshead Gas Company for ensuing 12 months at limited prices; 30,000 tons good Durham-seconds, for delivery over second half of year at 28s. August. — Very considerable quantities for delivery over 1917 at 25s. for Tyne primes delivered in France, and 27s. 6d. for delivery in Italy—one such sale for French delivery is stated at nearly 500,000 tons. October. — Quantity of good ordinary Durhams for 1917 delivery at 29s.; 40,000 tons Durham seconds, for like loading, at 25s.; heavy sales of Durhams for for- ward delivery to French Mediterranean' and Italian ports at 25s.; quantities of good Durham seconds for delivery to France over 1917 at 25s. / November.—Large quantities for delivery to Allies over whole or. part of 1917 at limitation prices. December. — 6,000 tons Wear specials at 31s., and 6,000 tons Tyne primes at 30s., delivery over Jan.- Mar., to the Christiania Gas Works; 6,000 tons Wear- mouths at 31s. 3d., and 6,000 tons Durham bests at 28s. 6d., for similar delivery to the Bergen Gas Works; 11,000 tons Wear specials or South Hettons at 30s. 6d., for December delivery to the Copenhagen Municipality; 17,200 tons Wear specials at about 30s., Jan-shipment, to a Danish municipality. Bunker Sales. Bunker coal contracts included the following :— January.—Large quantities for delivery to the British Admiralty over, six months, at 17s. per ton for best Durhams., February.—It was understood that the Admiralty, in . addition to having purchased.large quantities of Durhams for delivery over the remainder of the year, arranged for renewals of the 1915 contracts for considerable quan- tities of best Northumbrian bunkers, shipment over 12 months, at restricted prices. September.—Tynes for delivery over next year at from 31s. to 35s., according to. quality; several lots of Durhams, aggregating over 100,000, deliverv over next year, at 25s. October.—Quantities of ordinary unscreened Durhams for 1917 deliverv to French and neutral customers at 25s. ’ • " . • November.—Large quantities for.delivery to Allies over whole or part of 1917 at Limitation prices; good Durhams for delivery to coaling stations contractors, at from 25s. to 26s., delivery over 1917. Coking1 Coal Purchases. Coking coal sales included :— March. — A quantity of good Durham unscreened, delivery over 1917, at 20s.; a further large lot for like shipment, at 20s. 6d. July.—120,000 tons Durhams, delivery to the Altos- Hornos Iron Works, Bilbao, over six months, at from 35s. to 36s. November.—Large quantities for delivery to Allies over part or whole of 1917 at scheduled prices; con- siderable quantities Durham unscreened coal for delivery over the whole or part of next year, at 26s. for bests, and from 23s. fid. to 24s. for seconds. Coke Sales. Coke contracts comprised :— February.—10,000 tons best patent foundry, delivery in regular monthly quantities over 12 months, at 40s. March. — Considerable quantity good patent coke, shipment over three months, at 41s.; patent coke, load- ing over the summer, at 42s. : April.—Large quantities for delivery to Admiralty over remainder of year, at from 38s. to 39s. for patent, and from 40s. to 41s. for best beehive sorts. September.—Good patent coke for delivery to end of year, at from 38s. to 40s.; 10,000 to 12,000 tons ditto, for delivery over ensuing six months, at 37s. 6d. November.—Foundry coke for 1917 delivery at 35s.; 20,000 tons of patent coke for 1917 delivery at 36s.; further large quantities ditto for delivery, respectively, over three, six, and 12 months in 1917, at 35s. to 36s.; large quantities patent coke for 1917 delivery, at from