April 5, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 699 busy. Prices of all sorts are unchanged. Current quota- tions are appended:— Current pit prices. Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. BestCumberl’nd coal at pit 25/10 25/10 23/4 Best washed nuts at pit... 24/2 24/2 21/3 Seconds at pit 23/4 23/4 23/4 20/10 Washed nuts at pit 23/4 20/10 Do. smalls „ 19/2 19/2 16/8 Do. peas „ 17/6 17/6 15/ Buckhill best coal at pit... 25/ 25/ 22/6 Do. double-scmed washed nuts at pit 23/6 23/6 21/ Oughterside best coal at pit 25/ 25/ 22/6 Oughterside best washed nuts at pit 23/6 23/6 21/ St. Helens (Siddick) best coal at pit 25/ 25/ 22/6 St. Helens best house nuts at pit 23/6 23/6 21/ BestCumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. 22/ 22/ 19/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 20/ 20/ 17/6 Best bunkers (coastwise) 31/ 31/ 25/ Do. (for foreign-going steamers) 31/ 31/ 30/ Best works fuel 22/6 22/6 20/ Best coal for gasworks ... 22/6 22/6 20/ Best washed nuts for gas- works 21/6 21/6 19/ House coal:— Prices at pit (London) : Haigh Moor selected ... Wallsend & London best Silkstone best ....... Do. house .......... House nuts ........... Prices f.o.b. Hull:— Haigh Moor best....... Silkstone best ....... Do. house .......... Other qualities....... Gas coal:— Prices at pit: Screened gas coal..... Gas nuts.............. Unscreened gas coal ... Other sorts:— Prices at pit: Washed nuts........... Large double-screened engine nuts .......... Small nuts............ Rough unscreened engine coal........... Best rough slacks..... Small do. ............ Coking smalls ........ Coke Price at ovens Furnace coke ......... Current prices. 21/6-22/6 21/ -21/6 21/ —21/6 20/ -20/6 18/6-19/6 L’st week’slLast year’s prices. prices. 21/6-22/6 20/ -21/ 21/ -21/6 i 19/ -20/ 21/ -21/6 ! 19/ -20/ 20/ -20/6 ' 17/ -18/ i 18/6-19/6 16/ -17/ 25/6-26/ i 25/6-26/ , 23/ -24/ 24/ -25/ 1 24/ -25/ ■ 22/ -23/ 23/ -24/ i 23/ -24/ < 20/ -21/ 20/6-22/6 20/6-22/6 i 19/ -20/ 18/ -18,6 18/ -18/6 , 16/ -17/ 17/ —18/ 17/ -18/ ! 15/6-16/6 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 j 15/ -16/ 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-16/6 13,6-14/6 14/ -15/ 32/ IRON. Establishments engaged on urgent Government work were kept in full operation during the Easter holidays, employes cheerfully responding to the request of the authorities that everybody should remain at work during the anxious period. 18/6—19/6 i 17/ -18/ 17/6-18/6 ' 16/ -17/ 16/6-17/6 ; 15/ -16/ 16/6-17/6 ! 15/ -16/ 15/6-16/6 ! 14/ -15/ 13/6-14/6 • 12/ -13/ 14/ -15/ < 12/6—13/6 Nottingham. COAL. In consequence of the holiday the general demand for house coal at the collieries from merchants has been rather quieter. It is fortunate this has been the case, especially in view of the fact that the pits in this district were closed from Thursday till Tuesday morning. However, the demand has been sufficient to absorb all the available supplies of households at the pits, there being in most cases no reserve stock to fall back upon. There has been considerable pressure in the steam coal branch as a result of the munition works in the district working throughout Easter- tide, and most of the pits have been nearly exhausted of their supplies, especially of nuts and small manufacturing fuel. Slacks are in fair supply, and the demand for most qualities is being reasonably met. Gas coal and coke con- tinue in active request. Prices at pithead. IRON. Production is large and increasing, but the 30 furnaces which are at present in blast are still unable to cope with the needs of Midland and Scotch users, with the result that nearly all consumers are merely receiving sufficient to keep them going from day to day. There is a very strong demand for special, semi-special and ordinary Bessemer iron, and every ton that can be smelted in this locality is going into prompt use. Prices are easily maintained at the Government maximum, and Bessemer mixed numbers are still quoted at 127s. 6d. per ton f.o.t., with warrants at cash at 115s. per ton. Special iron is 140s. per ton, semi-special iron is quoted at 135s. 6d. per ton f.o.t. The iron ore industry is feverishly busy, and all mines are regularly employed. The imports for March were 11,625 tons. i ' | 32/ j 25/8 South-West Lancashire. COAL. It was Wednesday this week before the daily outturn from the pits assumed its usual proportions, as although a few started on Monday and the remainder on Tuesday, it was not with the full complement of men. In all grades of coal there is a pronounced temporary shortage. Hom ehold coal has been much pressed for by the retailer, and there is almost an acute shortage with regard to manufacturing fuel, particularly of nuts and the better qualities of slack. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ................. Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium ............... Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen .............. Com. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Screened forge coal..... Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ........ Common do............... Current prices. 23/6-24'6 25/ -26/ 21/6-22/6 24/6-25/ 20/6 23/ -24/ 20/6 30/ 18/6 17/6 16/6 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 23,6-24/6 — 25/ -26/ ■ — 21/6-22/6 ) — 24 6-25/ — 20/6 — 23/ -24/ — 20/6 — 30/ — 18/6 — 17/6 — 16/6 — Barnsley. COAL. Although there was some expectation that the holidays, in regard to the pits, might have been interrupted conse- quent upon the demand by the munition firms, the stoppage on the part of the miners has practically averaged two days. The resumption of work on Wednesday was hardly of the full extent, but there does not appear to be much ground for thinking that the supplies have been unduly interfered with. Generally speaking, deliveries have been such as to leave the various industries fairly well off, although the policy is continued of placing the wants of munition firms in the first category. Although the output may not be equal to satisfying all the demands, the control of the distribution is such that any material inconvenience is avoided. The general pressure continues to be in respect to all kinds of steam and gas fuel. The exports have fluctuated, but there has been quite an adequate tonnage for home requirement, although the railway companies have been pressing rather strongly for bigger deliveries. Collieries have found it to be essential to put forward a big effort to provide a sufficient supply of slacks to keep the by-product plants in full operation. The stoppages which have occurred in several instances in previous weeks have left a very material tonnage of coke to be provided, and strong efforts have been made during the holidays to fill up these arrears. The pressure has been materially felt on the part of North Lincolnshire, where the furnaces have hardly been kept in full operation, and the position still calls for continued attention so far as the supply of coke is concerned. The new regulations regarding the use of gas and electricity for lighting purposes are expected to solve the difficulty in regard to supplies of coal for con- sumption by these works, and in other respects, including that of house coal, the situation appears to be fairly easily dealt with. Prices at pit. Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals......... Secondary do............. Best hard coals.......... Secondary do ............ Slacks (best hards)...... Do. (second) .......... Do. (soft)............. Current prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 18/6-19/6 18/3-19/ 17/ -18/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/ L’stweek’siLast year’s prices, i 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 18/6-19/6 18/3-19/ 17/ -18/ 14/ -15/ prices. 19/ -19 '6 18/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 17/ -17/6 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10,6-11/6 11/ Leicestershire. COAL. The outstanding feature is the remarkable demand for all classes of steam and manufacturing fuel, which is in excess of available supplies. The pressure for speedy deliveries has been renewed with great intensity, and this is due to the unexpected calls from the great munition factories and works engaged on the production of munitions for the Government. It had been expected that a quiet period would be experienced during the holidays; but instead of this the reserves of stocks, which were already small, have been depleted to a lower level than has been experienced for many months. Coincident with this extra demand is a very strict combing out of hundreds of miners, who have to join the Colours at very short notice, which resulted in a big accumulation of very urgent orders when business was resumed. The influx of this preferential business was so great that the quantities of household diverted for steam- raising purposes had to be greatly extended. The lack of big reserves of this class of fuel has never been more severely felt since the outbreak of war. Fortunately, the calls for household for London and the South of England have been much less urgent, all immediate necessities being well covered. Cobbles, large and small nuts, including bakers’ nuts, are in very keen demand, and the calls for small nuts for mechanical stokers are greater than at any former period. The country demand is exceptionally heavy, merchants being most' anxious to accumulate reserves to cover any emergency. There is an entire absence of stocks at the pits or at country stations. Prices at pit. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was only a small attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday and very little business was transacted, the holiday feeling still being in evidence. Work was resumed at the collieries on Tuesday. List prices generally are as below:— Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ............... Medium.............. Common.............. Furnace coal.......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack ........... Common slack ......... Current prices. 24/6 22/ -23/ 20/6-21/ 20/ -20/6 iL’st week’s ! prices. 24/6 22/ -23/ 20/6-21/ 20/—20/6 __* Last year’s prices. House coals:— Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best Silkstone 23/ -246 23/ -24/6 21/ -21/6 20/ -22/ Best Barnsley softs 21/ -21/6 18/6-19/ Secondary do 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -17/6 Best house nuts 18/6-19/6 J 18/6-19/6 18/ -18/6 16/ -17/ Secondary do 18/ -18/6 15/6-16/ Steam coals:— Best hard coals 20/ -21/ ' 20/ -21/ 17/6-18/6 Secondary do 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 16/6-17/6 Best washed nuts 18/6-19/6 ! 18/6-19/6 16/3-16/6 Secondary do 18/ -18/9 18/ -18/9 15/6-16/3 Best slack 15/ -15/9 i 15/ -15/9 12/6-13/ Secondary do 12/ -13/6 ' 12/ -13/6 10/6-11/ Gas coals:— Screened gas coals 19/ -19/6 1 19/ -19/6 16/6-17/6 Unscreened do 18/ -18/6 1 18/ -18/6 15/6-16,6 Gas nuts 18/9 | 18/9 16/ Furnace coke 32/ j 32/ 25/8 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 Current prices. 20/ -21/6 19/ -20/ 18/6-19/6 18/6-19,6 17/6-18/6 17/ -18/ 15/3-16/ 14/6-14/9 8/6- 9/6 kitcheners.............. 16/ -17/6 Steams, best hand picked 16/6-17/6 Steams, seconds .......... 15/6-17/ Main cobbles for kitcheners 16/ -17/ Main breeze..............j 14/9-15/6 | L’st week’s prices. 20/ -21/6 19/ -20/ 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 17/6-18/6 17/ -18/ 15/3-16/ 14/6-14/9 8/6- 9,6 16/ -17/6 16/6-17/6 15/6-17/ 16/ -17/6 14/9-15/6 Last year’s prices. 17/ -19/ 15/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 14/6-15/6 12/9-13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ 14/ -15/ 14/6-15/6 13/6-15/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/6 18/6 upwdsl8/6upwds 17/ upwds|17/ upwds * As per official list. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. Officially the pits in West Yorkshire took on the average two days’ holiday at Easter. The loss of output amounted to something more than two days’ normal work and could ill be spared by consumers of steam and gas coals and manufacturing fuels. The scarcity of steams and manu- facturing sorts, which has been a feature of the market for some time past, is accentuated by the stoppage of the pits, especially as many of the munition and engineering establishments have continued at work during the holidays in response to the Government appeal for the maintenance of production. The demand for nuts and rough slacks is very keen indeed, and supplies are quite inadequate. With regard to gas coal, consumption is on the decline, but there is anxiety to make good exhausted stocks. On account of shipping difficulties it has been found necessary to obtain supplies from Yorkshire by rail for London gas works, a considerable tonnage having been requisitioned from several West Yorkshire collieries. Coking slacks are difficult to secure in sufficient quantities, the effect of the shortage being pronounced during the holidays. There is a full demand for all the output of furnace coke. Supplies of house coal, both for London and nearer markets, are satisfactory, but no surplus is left. Pit prices more or less nominal. Hull. COAL. The market is still under the influence of the holiday, and little or no business has been or is possible. The few vessels stemmed for loading this week must be got out of hand first. There is some enquiry for next week’s ship- ment, but shippers are proceeding cautiously. The firmness of the market continues, and after Allied and our own official requirements have been met, only compara- tively small quantities are available for neutral shipment. Full maximum values, with a varying premium, are readily maintained when licences can be obtained. The extra charge of 10 kr. per ton for coal for Denmark is in reality an export tax, which does not benefit either the exporter or colliery owner ; it goes entirely to the Government to help adjust financial matters in regard to exports from Denmark. Chesterfield. COAL. An active demand for house coal prevails, but less pressure for supplies for the London market is experienced. For manufacturing purposes cobbles and nuts are in par- ticularly urgent request. It is difficult to find as much of these qualities as consumers need, and the position is one of anxiety to the steel and iron works of Sheffield and district. While the demand for slack for boiler firing continues good, there is no great pressure for deliveries. At the moment the supply of this class of fuel appears to be equal to requirements. Steam coal for locomotive use is in active demand, and gas coal continues in great request. It is still impossible to secure licences for the shipment of Derbyshire coal, and the export is for this reason at a standstill. The coke market is in a satisfactory position, the demand continuing sufficient to take up all that is produced of every class of coke. Coking fuel is in steady demand. South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. Activities at the collieries have been curtailed during the week by the holiday, and it was not until Thursday that work was general. The amount of business has been inconsiderable. A request has been made to Birmingham by the Coal Controller for about 300 wagons for transport of coal to London. The quantity of water-borne coal is being considerably reduced, rail transport being substi- tuted, and different districts will be called upon to provide a quota of the necessary wagons, which will be sent to Durham and other supply districts. Under the rationing scheme the total tonnage will also be reduced. Demand all round is very firm at full rates. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Staffordshire (including Cannock Chase) :— prices. prices. prices. House coal, best deep ... 24/6 24/6 22/ Do. seconds deep 22/6 i 22/6 20/ Do. best shallow’ 21/6 21/6 20/6 19/ 18/ Do. seconds do. 20/6 1 Best hard 21/ 21/ 18/6 Forge coal ! 18/6 18/6 16/ Slack ! Warwickshire:— 13/6 13/6 11/6 House coal, best Ryder.. Do. hand-picked i 21/6 21/6 19/ cobs 20/6 20/6 18/ Best hard spires 226 22/6 20/ Forge (steam) 18/6 17/ 18,6 16/ D.S. nuts (steam) | 17/ 14/6 Small (do.) 1 17/ 17/ 14/6