April 13, 1917. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 725 30s. 6d. at the ovens still being’ named for qualities low in phosphorus. Best foundry coke is in the neighbourhood of 42s. 6d., and gas coke runs from 30s. to 32s. 6d. IRON. Pig iron prices are very strong, but, as yet, other quota- tions have not followed last week’s rise of os. in Cleveland pig for home consumption. Some difference of opinion exists as to the likelihood of export quotations of Cleveland pig moving upward to the same extent, but there is a very pronounced feeling that so far as haematite iron is concerned, the situation justifies substantial advance. There is no dearth of iron, and the April allocations of Cleveland kinds to home users and to customers in Scotland are heavy. Some Cleveland pig producers are prepared to sell extensively ahead, subject to any official changes in quota- tions, but buyers generally are not inclined to make arrangements for large forward supplies, and most of them are content to make purchases for early requirements only. For home consumption No. 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge all stand at 92s. 6d., and No. 1 at 9ris. 6d., and for export to our Allies No. 3 is quoted 97s. 6d. and upward, and No 1 is 102s. 6d. and upward. Business with neutral countries is practically at a standstill. Nos. 1, 2 and 3 East coast haematite remain at 122s. 6d. for home use, 137s. 6d. for shipment to France, and 142s. 6d. for export to Italy, but with sellers disinclined to entertain offers on these terms, quotations are largely nominal. Prices of finished iron and steel are stiff. Production is very heavy, and is still increasing, and a gratifying growth in output of mercantile shipbuilding material being reported, notwith- standing pressing claims for manufacture of other descriptions. ■ Cumberland. Maryport. GOAL. The Cumberland coal and coke trade remains very firm and brisk, and in spite of the fact that the first quarter of the year has already been passed, some of the branches are almost as busy as at Christmas. There is a strong enquiry for fuel in all markets, and /the demand on local manu- facturing account is, if anything, keener. The pits were idle on Good Friday and Easter Monday, and although a good many of the men resumed work on Tuesday morning, it will probably be some days before they are all in full swing again. The output at the collieries this week has, therefore, been very much lower than usual. There has, of course, been some dislocation over the holidays, but it has scarcely been as much felt as in former years, as a good many consumers have been accumulating good stocks for some weeks past. The collieries have plenty of good orders on hand, and one or two of the pits are so heavily engaged locally that they are still unable to deal with much export or outside business. The demand for fuel for home con- sumption is very keen, and local requirements are now almost sufficient to absorb a large proportion of the output. It is not yet possible to raise sufficient to satisfy the wants of all local consumers, but substantial relief is being afforded by the regular importation of large quantities of coking and works fuel from the collieries on the east coast. Landsale is still healthy, and some of the depots have booked sufficient business to keep them well employed till the end of the month. Coal for gasmaking purposes is in firm request, but supplies are scarce, and after local needs have been met there is little surplus left either for outside or export users. Engine fuels for the local railways are in strong request, but there is not yet enough to go round, and a good many consumers are still receiving the bulk of their supplies from Scotland and other outside districts. Requirements of manufacturing fuel are very large, and a big proportion of the output is going to the iron and steel works, iron ore mines and other works in West Cumberland. The cross-channel trade is very brisk, but requirements are much greater than can be satisfied, and many Irish customers are still on short commons. After home needs have been met, the collieries have little coal to spare for export, and no change may be expected until landsale is quieter. During the week 12 vessels have sailed from Maryport with coals for Irish ports, and the shipments have amounted to 2,570 tons, compared with 3,960 tons at the corresponding period of last year, or an increase of 105 tons compared with last week. The largest cargoes were for Londonderry, Carrickfergus, Newry, and Donaghadee. The shipments for March amounted to 12,785 tons, against 11,575 tons in February and 20,205 tons this time last year. The coke industry is busily engaged, and all the 390 by- product coke ovens are in full operation. Production is steadily increasing, but it is still very much below require- ments. The entire make of local coke is going to the blastfurnaces in West Cumberland and Millom. The by-products trade is brisk, and all the plants in this locality are in full swing. There has been no alteration in either home or export quotations. Best sorts at the pit are quoted at 22s. 6d. to 23s. 4d. with best washed nuts at 20s. lOd. to 21s. 3d. per ton. Best export coal is 19s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. at Maryport, with best washed nuts at 17s. 6d. per ton. Best gas coal is 20s. per ton delivered in the district. All varieties of bunkers are in keen request. Best sorts for foreign-going steamers are 30s. per ton, with mixed sorts at 25s. per ton. Best bunkers for coastwise vessels are 25s. per ton, and mixed sorts are 21s. 6d. per ton. Best house coal delivered in the Maryport district is obtainable at from Is. 5 id. to Is. 6d. per cwt., or from 27s. 6d. to 28s. 4d. per ton. At Workington, best house coal delivered is quoted at Is. 3d. to Is. 4d. per cwt., or 24s. 2d. to 25s. lOd. per ton. South-West Lancashire. COAL. There was a very indifferent turn-up of men for the recommencement on Tuesday. Meantime, winter weather prevails with its daily snowfall, and arrears of orders in household coals accumulate. The unfulfilled order book in most cases is heavier now than it was in the last month of the old year. With regard to shipping there is very little to report, this being holiday week. Available supplies are barely equal to requirements for general bunkering and shipping purposes, though these continue on a very moderate scale. Prices of Lancashire steam coals are firmer, and for the time being rule from 24s. 6d. to 25s. 6d. f.o.b. The trade for household coals for the coastwise and cross-channel service is much as it has been for the last few weeks. In slacks and small fuel the demand remains rather in excess of the supply. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ................. Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 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............... Current prices. 21/ -22/ 25/6 19/ -20' 24/6 18/ 23/ upwds, 18/ 24/6-25/6 16/ 15/ 14/ L’st week’s Last year's prices. ! prices. 21/ -22/ : 20'9 25/6 ' i 23/ -24/ 19/ -20/ j 19/ 24/6 ! 21/ -22/ 18/ I 17/ 23/ upwds. 20/6 18/ j 17/6-18/ 24/ -25/ ; 22/6-23/ 16/ ' 15/6-16/ 15/ 14/6 14/ . 14/ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a meagre attendance on the Manchester Coa Exchange on Tuesday owing to the holiday season. The few colliery representatives who were present had practically nothing to offer outside contracts. The demand for shipping coal continues steady. Generally supplies of fuel owing to the holidays are not equal to the require- ments, and the wintry weather has not improved the transit to the customer. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). ‘ House coal:— Best .............. Medium............. Common............. Furnace coal......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack .......... Common slack ........ Current i prices. 22/ -23/ 19/6-21/ 18/ -18/6 17/6-18/ 25/ -26/ 16/ upwds. L’st week’s prices. 22/ -23/ 19/6-21/ 18/ -18/6 17/6-18/ 25/ -26/ Last year’s prices. 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/3 17/ -17/3 16/ -17/ 19/ -21/ 16/ upwds 15/6 upwds IV/ UpWUBilU/ U.jJWU.&|XU/W U.JJVVU.G 14/6upwds|14/6upwds| 14/ upwds IRON. There was a fair attendance on ’Change in Manchester on Tuesday. Conditions are still the same, all works being busily engaged on war material. Prices and deliveries are fixed by the Ministry of Munitions. ability of merchants to supply their own wagons—at all events, for long journeys. Values remain cf a very nominal character, and are very firm. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstono 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ Best Barnsley softs 18/6-19/ 18/6-19/ 18/6 Secondary do. ...