June 21, 1918. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 1257 secure. Manufacturing fuel is strong. Shipping at the docks is very busy, and there is a heavy demand for all sorts from the Irish market. The shipments to Ireland are still above the average for midsummer. All the local by-product coke ovens are in blast, but owing to shortage of smalls, the output is not quite as large as it was. Current quotations. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 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 20/10 Washed nuts at pit 23/4 23/4 20/10 Dg. smalls „ 19/2 19/2 16/8 Do. peas „ 17/6 17'6 15/ Buckhill best coal at pit... Do. double-scrned 25/ 25/ 22/6 washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at 23/6 23 6 21/ pit Oughterside best washed 251 25/ 22/6 nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best 23/6 23 6 21/ coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts 25/ 25' 22/6 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) Do. (for foreign-going 31/ 31/ 25/ steamers) 31/ 31/ 30/ Best works fuel 22/6 22,6 20/ Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- 22 6 22 6 20/ works 21 6 2L/6 19/ are crowded, in consequence of the lessened output. Some system of co-ordination is desirable to prevent competition for coal between various Government departments. It is generally understood that an early revision of pit prices may be necessary, as the increasing cost of wages and of colliery working generally is having the effect that very few collieries in West Yorkshire can be worked at a profit, if an actual loss is not occurring There is a very pronounced shortage of coal of every kind. For house coal the pits are inundated with orders, and supplies are so regulated by the various authorities that merchants are having to take second place, both in respect of London and provincially. There is a considerable outcry for supplies from every quarter, especially London, as the collieries, while they are instructed to send a certain tonnage weekly to the metro- politan area, find it impossible to carry out their instruc- tions. Local markets are also inadequately supplied, and merchants have piles of orders which there is no prospect of fulfilling. In regard to gas coal contracts, the position has been simplified somewhat during the week, as it is understood that instructions have been issued from the Coal Controller's office that sellers must enter into contracts for similar quantities to last year, and insert a clause in the contract to the effect that the quantity is subject to the result upon the trade of the comb-out of miners. The requirements of our Allies, particularly France and Italy, are receiving special attention, and a fair quantity of gas coal is being sent from the Humber ports at scheduled prices. The scarcity is keenly felt in regard to manufac- turing fuel, all the industrial areas, where the needs are very heavy, being short. The output of coke is suffering, as it is almost impossible to keep the ovens fully at work, but the pressure on the iron and steel works is such that every effort is being made to keep them supplied. There are no stocks anywhere of either coke or coal. Pit prices under these conditions are more or less normal. Current pit prices. IRON. Very great firmness continues to characterise the west coast haematite pig iron market. Both foreign and local iron ore is more plentiful, but coke is at the moment rather scarce. Prices are still at the maximum, and Bessemer mixed numbers are again quoted at 127s. 6d. per ton, with special iron at HOs. per ton and semi-special iron at 135s. 6d. per ton f.o.t. Stocks of iron in public storing yards are very low. The steel industry is working at high pressure on special products. Billets and plates are in strong request, but other commercial sorts are quiet. There is a heavy demand for all grades of ore. __________________ South-West Lancashire. COAL. Household coal is unchanged in its tone, being impossible to procure in sufficient quantities to keep up with the orders coming in. The number of steamers using the port is very satisfactory for present conditions, and requirements this week of steam coal for bunkering and export show no falling off—rather, if anything, an increase. Supplies continue inadequate, and there is practically no free coal on the market. Prices, of course, are at full schedule rates, or more, in the case of shipment to neutrals. With regard to the coastwise and cross-channel trade, vessels have been easier to get hold of for some little time, but the difficulty is to find a cargo for them. The call for slack and screened graded fuel of small size continues undiminished, and in some cases small stocks held by many manufacurers are being encroached upon. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated') House coal:— Current L’st week’s Last year's Prices at pit (London) : prices. prices. I prices. Haigh Moor selected ... 21/6 -22/6 21,6-22/6 : 20/ -21/ Wallsend & London best 21/ -21,6 21/ -21.6 ! 19/ -20/ Silkstone best 21/ -216 21/ -21 6 19/ -20/ Do. house 201 -20 6 20' -20, 6 ; 17/ -18' House nuts Prices f.o.b. Hull:— 18 6 -19 6 18'6-19 6 16/ -17/ Haigh Moor best 25 6-26/ 25 6-26/ j 23' -24' Silkstone best 24/ -25/ 24/ -25/ i 22/ -23/ Do. house 23/ -24/ 23/ -24' i 20/ -21/ Other qualities Gas coal:— Prices at pit: 20 6 22 6 20/6-22 6 i 19/ —20/ Screened gas coal 18/ -18 6 18/ -18,6 16/ -17/ Gas nuts 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 15/6-16/6 Unscreened gas coal ... Other sorts:— Prices at pit: 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ Washed nuts Large double-screened 18 6-19,6 18 6-19,6 17/ -18/ engine nuts 17/6-18/6 17/6-18 6 16/ -17/ Small nuts Bough unscreened 16,6-176 16.6-17 6 15/ -16/ engine coal 16/6-17/6 16/6-17 6 ; 15/ -16/ Bost rough slacks 15/6-16/6 15/6-16,6 14/ -15/ Small do. 13/6-14'6 13/6-14/6 ' 12/ -13/ Coking smalls Coke:— Price at ovens 14/ -15/ 14/ -15/ ! 12 6-13/6 Furnace coke 32/ 32/ i 25/8 Hull. COAL. Though there is some improvement in the matter of supplies and the promise of more, it is clear that it cannot be really substantial unless the reduction of output is checked. Fortunately, there is reason to believe the authorities are now awake to this. Everything that has come through to Hull in the past few days has been greedily absorbed, but still it has not been possible to eliminate delays to shipping, which at present is most unfortunate. The demand on official account is as great as ever, and France is still an eager buyer, especially of West Yorkshire screened sorts, the supplies of which are short. Very little large steam coal is to be had by neutrals, and consequently business is of a restricted character. Nuts and manufacturing fuel meet a very ready demand for home purposes. House coal quiet, and but little offering. Chesterfield. COAL. The demand for coal of every description is very great, and supplies are inadequate. The gradually reduced out- put of the pits is severely felt, and consumers on every hand are becoming seriously auxious regarding the imme- diate future. Works engaged on Government orders are dependent on such daily supplies as come to hand during the twenty-four hours, and managers of such establish- ments are frequently at their wits' end to prevent a stoppage of their plant. Unless there is some early improvements it is almost certain that less essential industries will come to a standstill, and thus allow their supply of fuel to be divided into more important channels. There is now a great shortage of cobbles and nuts for manufacturing purposes and slack for boiler-firing purposes is becoming scarce. Railway companies continue to ex- perience much difficulty in obtaining a sufficient tonnage of coal for their locomotives, and they still find it necessary to draw upon their reserve stocks. These have been very substantially reduced since the beginning of the year. Gas companies are short of coal, and are unable to make any provision for their winter requirements. The export trade shows no change, as the shipment of Derbyshire coal is still prohibited. A fair tonnage of steam coal from this district is supplied to the Admiralty. The coke market presents no new feature. The demand for all qualities absorbs the whole production of the ovens. Coking fuel is difficult to obtain. IRON. There is a continued1 state of activity in every section of the iron trade, and work is abundant. _________________ Nottingham. COAL. It cannot be said that the situation generally has shown an easier tendency during the past week. The cooler weather has undoubtedly had the effect of intensifying the demand for domestic fuel. Supplies to coal merchants are limited, and customers have invariably to wait for deliveries. Purchases by dealers at landsale depots are much restricted, and if the present shortage continues, rationing would appear to be the most equitable form of distribution. There is continued heavy pressure on collieries for all grades of steam fuel. Contracts are in many cases in arrears, and steams are unobtainable in the open market. Slacks generally are in increasing demand, the output of best and medium qualities being rapidly cleared. Gas coal and coke find a ready market. Prices at pithead. 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 Lastyear’s prices. prices. 23/6-24/6 21/ -22/ '25/ -26/ 25/6 21/6—22/6 19/ -20/ 24'6-25/ 24/6 20/6 18/ 23/ -24/ 23/ upwds 20/6 18/ 30/ 24/6-25/6 18/6 16/ 17/6 15/ 16/6 14/ ________ _______ South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The Manchester Coal Exchange was well attended on Tuesday. While supplies of house coal are still below present requirements, there is somewhat of an easing in the demand. In manufacturing fuel the supply is barely equal to the contract demands, and there is nothing offering on open sale. Shipments of coal continue steady. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current douse coal:— Best ............... Medium.............. Common.............. Eurnace coal.......... Bunker (f.o.b. Partington) Best slack ........... Common slack ......... prices. 24,6 22/ -23/ 20/6-21/ 20/ -20/6 18/6 upwds 17/ upwds L’st week's prices. 24:6 22/ -23/ 20/6-21/ 20/-20/6 __* 18/6upwds 17/ upwds Last year's prices. 22/ -23/ 19/6-21/ 18/ -18/6 17/6-18/ 25/ -26/ 16/ upwds 14/6 upwds Barnsley. COAL. There are still several difficulties to be encountered in the production of a reasonable daily output. At several important collieries there has been considerable unrest on the part of the miners, respecting retention of essential men of military age. Stoppages have been averted. Meanwhile, probably the output continues to be far from satisfactory. Otherwise there is little alteration in the position. Complaints are general in this respect, and notably output of industries which are not regarded as of prime essential need at the present time. The very heavy demand for steam coal, required by the Admiralty and for national purposes, has still to be fully met from the con- tinuously decreasing production. The railway companies supplies continue to be of a large description, and the supply of nuts is still practically absorbed by the munition works and similar important concerns. The market position is practically nominal, owing to the absence of surplus lots of any description and short deliveries have to be tolerated and utilised to the best advantage. There is no improve- ment in regard to the supply of gas coal under contract. Under the new arrangements applying to next year, collieries still are very cautious in stipulating quantities, and deliveries, which continue to be materially reduced, do little more than meet the daily needs of plants. The absence of a good proportion of screened fuel is also pre- judicially affecting the position. All descriptions of small fuel suitable for small industries are very scarce, and the scarcity of slacks suitable for coke manufacture is still much in evidence. Generally speaking, it is only those firms who produce their own requirements that are able to keep the ovens in operation. On the other hand, the demand for larger supplies of furnace coke is of a pressing character, and though the daily make is fully cleared, it is insufficient. House coal supplies continue to be restricted, and the public demand cannot be fully met. Prices at pit. Hand-picked brighte 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 18/6-19/ 17/6-18'3 14'6-15/ 13/ -13/6 13/ L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/ 17 6-18/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/ Last year’s prices. 18 6-19/6 18/ -18/6 17/ -18/ 16 9-17/6 16/ -17/ 12/ -13/ 10 6-11/6 11/ * As per official list. IRON. There is no sign of any slackening in the conditions prevailing in iron works and steel works. The rod mills and wire drawers are being pressed to undertake more than they can manage. Foundries are very much busier. Wagon works are full of repairing work, and in some cases new wagons for the Ministry. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. There was less than an average attendance at the market on Tuesday, and few representatives from London were among the traders present. Enquiry was very keen, but there was practically nothing of any sort on offer. The position steadily grows worse. At the collieries full time is being worked, but the output is further reduced. Empty trucks are accumulating in colliery sidings, many of which Current L’st week’s Last year’8 House coals:— prices. 23/ -24/6 prices. prices. Best Silkstone 23/ -24/6 20/ -22/ Best Barnsley softs 21/ -21/6 21/ -21/6 18/6-19/ Secondary do 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/ -17/6 Best house nuts 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 16/ -17/ Secondary do 18/ -18'6 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/ -18/6 15/ -15/9 j 18/ -18/6 15/6-16/3 12/6-13/ Best slack 15/ -15/9 Secondary do 12/ -13/6 | 12/ -13/6 10/6-11/ Gas coals;— 1 Screened gas coals 19/ -19/6 1 19/ -19/6 16/6-17/6 Unscreened do 18/ -18/6 18/ -18/6 15/6-16/6 Gas nuts 18/ 18/ 16/ Furnace coke 32/ 32/ 25/8 ________ ________ I Leicestershire. COAL. Whatever may happen in the autumn, it is now certain that country merchants will have to arrange their business on a much smaller scale till late in the year. The saving which has already been effected by the limitation of deliveries for domestic purposes has only slightly increased the quantities available for vital industries. In addition to this it is essential to accumulate heavy reserves in order to cover any emergency. The profits of merchants are being seriously affected by these restrictions, as horses, carts and staffs of men cannot be used to advantage. This obtains at all great centres of population. At the collieries sub- division of supplies becomes more rigid. The demand for London and district is extremely heavy, and the utmost attention has to be given to maintain the minimum deliveries every day. Household is in very strong demand, while cobbles, large and small nuts are cleared as fast as available. All classes for steam raising purposes are very active, and household has to be used to supplement supplies in increased quantities. The orders for the south and west of England are much larger than can be met, and the out- put continues to decline. There are no reserves of stocks either at country stations or at the collieries. Prices at pit. .. 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. 19/ -20/6 18/ -19/ 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/3-16/ 14/6-14/9 8/6- 9/6 L’st week's prices. 19/ -20/6 18/ -/19 17/6-18/6 17/6-18/6 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ 15/3-16/ 14/6-14/9 8/6- 9 6 Last year's prices. 16/6-18/ 15/6-16/6 16/ -17/ 16/ -16/6 15/ -15/6 14/6-15/ 12/9—13/6 12/ -12/3 6/ - 7/ kitcheners.............I 15/ -16/6 Steams, best hand picked! 15/6-16/6 Steams, seconds .........! 14/6-16/ Main cobbles for kitcheners. 15/ —16/6 Main breeze.............i 14/9-15/6 15/ -16/6 15/6-16/6 14/6-16/ 15/ -16/6 14/9-15/6 13/6-14/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/6-14/ 12/6-13/6