June 28, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1307 present in blast is 30. All the make of special and semi- special iron is being allocated and distributed to important users in Scotland, the Midlands, &c. ; and a big proportion of ordinary iron is being absorbed locally at the steelworks. Prices are still at the maximum, with Bessemer mixed numbers at 127s. 6d. per ton f.o.b., and special iron at 140s. per ton. The position of ferro-manganese is unchanged. The steel industry is very brisk, and all the mills at Barrow and Workington are heavily engaged on special work. Engineers are very busy, and all the shops are working full time. All the iron ore mines are at work, and production is now steadily improving all over the district. Ore is now being raised from the two new mines ; the No. 7 pit, at Ullcoats, and the Florence pit. When in full working order it is expected that these pits will yield more ore than any other mine in West Cumberland. There is a very heavy demand for native ore, both ordinary and high grade, but the bulk of the output is reserved for local smelters, and no supplies can be spared for Scotland and the East Coast. So far this month foreign importations of iron ore have been above the average, and shipments for the past fortnight have amounted to about 8,000 tons. South-West Lancashire. COAL. In accordance with the Controller’s instructions, prices were advanced 2s. 6d. per ton on and from the 24th inst. The inland household trade is unvarying in the keen desire of the user to get in some fuel in advance of actual use and the inability of the merchant to supply it. Probably, in addition to this, the actual consumption is above the average summer in consequence of the weather. Require- ments of steam coal for shipping purposes are, of course, largely increased by the allotment of the special emergency coal for France diverted from inland consumption, the loading of which commences this week. Even with the help of the diverted coal, it will be an exceedingly difficult matter to find sufficient for the increased requirements— for bunkering tends to increase, and it is understood that normal shipments to Krance and Italy must not be inter- fered with. Schedule prices have, of course, been increased by the 2s. 6d. per ton except in the case of cargo shipments to France and Italy, or French or Italian possessions, in which the increase is 5s. The same applies to the coastwise and cross-Channel trade. There is an inadequacy of fuel coming forward to supply demands. This state of affairs appertains also to the steam fuel trade, both in slacks and in graded fuel of small size. Indeed, there is no branch of the trade that has not more call upon it than it can meet. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. There was a good attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday. Supplies of house coal are still below requirements, and manufacturing fuel is barely equal to contract demands, practically none being offered for open sale. Coal for shipment continues steady. IRON. No new feature to report. Both iron works and steel works are fully engaged. Prices are without alteration. The new Order of the War Cabinet calling up the men born ’98 and ’99 to the Colours by June 30, irrespective of their occupation, will have an adverse effect on the output of iron and steel, as some of the rolling mills are already suffering from the last comb-out. Foundries are busy. Derbyshire pig at 98s. 8d. is the cheapest, and this cannot be readily obtained. A shortage in scrap for steel works is apparent. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. Conditions are very acute and difficult in consequence of the reduced output and shortage of coal. There is heavy pressure on the collieries in every direction, and the keen demand for coal of all descriptions can be only partially satisfied. The output is unsatisfactory, .through a variety of causes, among which are the taking out of the younger and more vigorous miners from the pits, slackness attributed to the increased earnings, and unrest connected with the comb-out, which has led to frequent stoppages of individual collieries. These interruptions have an appreci- able effect in the aggregate upon the production of coal. At present the scarcity of supplies is intensified to some extent by a strike in the Castleford district. The increase in pit prices Order is received with satisfaction, and will restore to a remunerative basis many collieries in West Yorkshire which for some time past have been worked at a loss. At the market on Tuesday there was a normal attendance, including buyers from a distance, but nothing at all was on offer, the collieries, so far from having surplus lots to dispose of in the open market, being generally in arrear with all contracts, and having to give special attention to certain requirements as directed by the Controller. The increased shipments to France and Italy, and the considerable diversion of ordinary supplies to satisfy needs connected with war production, necessarily accentuate the general scarcity. House coal is in very active demand for both London and local markets, and deliveries are entirely inadequate. Outside the allocated tonnage for London, the available quantity of house coal is from 30 to 40 per cent, less than a few months ago, with the result that local merchants are quite unable to cope with their orders, and efforts to secure better deliveries find the collieries helpless. Pit prices for the West Riding now are, on the average, on the following basis :—Haigh Moor selected, 25s. to 26s.; Silkstone best, 24s. 6d. to 25s.; Silkstone house, 23s. 6d. to 24s.; other sorts, 22s. to 23s. Gas coal is so scarce that available supplies are barely sufficient to serve present needs. As to manufacturing fuel, the greatest care has to be exercised to make supplies go round, and consumers not engaged on war requirements have to go short. Furnace coke is in strong demand, which is not fully satisfied. Coking slacks are extremely scarce, and while larger sorts are being crushed, only those makers who produce their own requirements were able to keep the ovens at work to their full capacity. Barnsley. COAL. All efforts continue to be concentrated upon increasing the output. It is hoped that the process of moral suasion will be productive, for trouble still dominates the whole position. Meanwhile, the authorities are taking the pre- caution to gather information to form a basis for what looks like a general system of rationing consumption. Under the present condition it is inevitable that the market must remain of a nominal character. The position varies little from day to day, except the degree of shortage which occurs in regard to the various grades of fuel. It is extremely difficult to estimate the daily needs for national requirements, and for the moment there is more demand upon collieries in regard to exports both for the Allies and neutral markets. The tonnage of steams required for the Admiralty, the railway companies and the munition works, forms a big bulk of the output so far as district collieries are concerned. The supply of nuts is again conserved for the national requirements, and other industries have to accept other grades of fuel as may be available. Though something has been done to give greater satisfaction with regard to gas coal supplies under next year’s contracts, the anxiety of getting the supply has not passed away. Home deliveries are cut down to a very close margin, with more attention being paid to the needs of the Allies. Industries not engaged on essential war production have to take what lots of coal come their way, and the scarcity is very pronounced in many cases. Constant pressure is applied to obtain anything like an adequate supply of slack suitable for coke making, while the output of furnace coke is materially diminished owing to the shortage of raw material. House coal supplies continue to be cut down, and merchants find it difficult to in any way satisfy the pressure upon them for deliveries Hull. COAL. Business is more than ever wrapped up in the question of supplies. Though some effort has been made te expedite urgent requirements, it is still very apparent that the output is a great deal below what it ought to be, and that the prospects of an improvement are not of the brightest. With little offering, exporters to both Allied and neutral countries have great difficulty in getting nearly sufficient to meet their commitments. Ihe effect of the new prices for export coal is to approximate the price, so that the Allied maxima are also the minima for neutral business. Best South Yorkshire coal is thus advanced from 30s. to 35s. to France and Laly, the latter figure now being the lowest to be taken for neutral shipment. As a fact the market value is anything from 37s. 6d. to 40s., where prompt lots are to be had for neutrals and licences to ship can be obtained. All other prices in the old schedule are varied by the addition of 5s. for France and Italy and 2s. 6d. for other ports. This is not likely to have any adverse effect upon business as it has been foreseen for some time and as the market is very strong, the demand being much in excess of available supplies. The home demand for nuts and industrial fuel is large, and everything offering finds ready buyers. Chesterfield. COAL. The condition of the market is much the same from week to week. A strong demand is fully maintained for every class of coal, and the greatest difficulty is experienced in obtaining supplies. The demand for house coal is very heavy, and the question of supply is becoming acute. London continues to draw a large proportion of the total output. Many centres are complaining seriously of the shortage of domestic fuel. There is a great scarcity of cobbles and nuts for manufacturing purposes. Locomotive coal is in urgent request—many of the railway companies being unable to secure anything approaching the requisite tonnage. Gas companies are much in need of larger deliveries of gas coal, but it is well nigh impossible to meet their full requirements. The export trade shows no change. Shipment of Derbyshire coal is still prohibited. A strong demand is experienced for slack for boilers, but supplies continue much below the needs of the market. Coke is in active demand, but difficulty is experienced in maintaining a full output, owing to short supplies of coking slack. IRON. The prevailing conditions in the iron trade show no indication of slackening. Great activity is apparent on every hand. Nottingham. COAL. The condition of the trade in this district is causing some anxiety, as in every branch the supply is not adequate to the demand. For the time of the year the demand for domestic fuel is exceptionally brisk, the 'colder weather of the past few days having been a stimulating factor. Supplies to local merchants and dealers at the landsale depots are necessarily on a limited sale, and there is delay in executing orders from householders. There is considerable pressure on collieries, but the output is being distributed so as to avoid undue hardship. Steam coal continues in heavy demand, all grades being eagerly sought for, and outside dealings are conspicuous by their absence. There is a marked scarcity of nuts. Slacks of nearly all sorts are being increasingly drawn upon, and the shortage of coking grades continues. The output of coke is readily absorbed, while gas coal is not plentiful enough to fully cover contract requirements. The pit prices are as last week, with the addition of the advance recently sanctioned. Leicestershire. COAL. Very cold weather is increasing the domestic consump- tion of household, and from all the great centres of popu- lation there are most urgent appeals for larger and more frequent deliveries. Merchants are in a very tight corner, and colliery managers are powerless to help them, as the quantities left for sub-division after preferential claims have been met bec- 'me smaller week by week. The con- sumption for Government works and for steam raising purposes generally is steadily rising; on the other hand the output is steadily but persistently declining. The only alternative left to managers is to cut out and cut off deliveries regardless of consequences. The demand for London and district continues very strong for all classes of households and the minimum quantities delivered must be maintained. Cobbles, large and small nuts, and small fuel for steam raising purposes are very much in request, and supplies are totally inadequate. The West of England trade is very full, but deliveries very partial, and the same applies to the south. Country sidings have never been so bare of stock nor the outlook the cause of so much anxiety. There are no reserves at the collieries. South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. Short supplies continue to be general, and no relief is to be expected until the general rationing scheme has been put into operation Production at the pits is on a decreasing scale. Nuts and the best class of industrial fuel generally are reserved for munition works, and other establishments have to be content with what they can get. The increase of 2s. 6d. a ton was imposed on all classes of coal as from Monday. A difficulty is in connection with sales of quanti- ties of a cwt. or half cwt. The tendency throughout has been to protect small purchasers, and the dealers who cater for them have long been unable to get adequate supplies. The prices are calculated in farthings, sellers foregoing the odd farthing to save trouble, and some consideration, it is claimed, should be extended to them. No better supplies of domestic fuel are available than recently, and merchants have a long list of orders to overtake. IRON. The control system has been further extended by the inclusion of wire rods and the wire drawn therefrom. The prices fixed are well under those previously ruling on the market. In other respects the position has undergone no special alteration. Demand seems undiminished, chiefly in connection with essential needs. The pig iron market gives most anxiety so far as supplies are concerned. The inferi- ority of much of the coke has a restraining influence on output, and a considerable proportion of white iron is being produced, which, by reason of its harshness and close grain, is not so adaptable for puddling. In present circumstances, however, this iron cannot be rejected, but is mixed with ordinary qualities. There is a fair supply of common forge iron, but foundry grades are short—acutely so in the case of one and two numbers. The maintenance of a heavy out- put of bars is imperative owing to the pressure of demand. Operations are centred on work of national importance to the exclusion of non-essential business. A large propor- tion of the best iron produced in the district is going to supply the wants of the cable and anchor industries. Bar iron and other materials, such as rods suitable for bolt work, are wanted for France. The puddled iron 1 ranch is quiet, producers being content in the main to satisfy regular customers, as existing contracts expire, without seeking an outlet on the market. The price is <£11 10s. Gas strip makers are kept busy enough, but market trans- actions are restricted in view of the number of contracts on hand. Whilst some descriptions of steel are more plentiful, there does not seem much prospect of increased latitude being afforded to the merchant trade. The relief is appreciable in the case of plates and some classes of sections, but few if any firms are supplying orders not accompanied by high priority certificates. The tightening of the control on sales of ingots, billets, blooms, and sheet bars between makers and merchants does not suggest easier conditions in these branches. Forest of Dean. Lydney. COAL. Whilst the demand for the house coals of this district continues to be very active, the production is still unsatis- factory, and tends to fall further away. Merchants from all directions are pressing for supplies. The steam coal collieries are in a like position—the demand much in excess of available deliveries. All qualities—house and steam— are advanced 2s. 6d. per ton from June 24, in accordance with the instructions issued by the Board of Trade. Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast. Plymouth. COAL. Messrs. W. Wade and Son report that wholesale supplies of coal are still coming on but slowly. Merchants are anxious about the prospect of securing any stocks before the autumn, as the present demands are, in many cases, not being met. Some shipments have been made from the Welsh district to North Devon and North Cornwall ports at the regulation freights. The advance of 2s. 6d. per ton in the price of coal has come as a surprise to the merchants in No. 13 area. THE IRISH 5 DAL TRADE. Thursday, June 27. Dublin. Communications from the collieries at the other side announce an increase of 2s. 6d. per ton in retail coal prices from Monday last. Demand in this port is still sufficiently good to absorb the supplies which are coming in, and at the moment merchants’ stocks are practically non-existent. There are serious complaints in the South and West of Ireland of the scarcity of coal, any supplies obtained being chiefly through Dublin. The total quan- tity of coal discharged upon the quays from cross-Channel ports during the past week was 23,215 tons, as compared with 25,660 tons the week previously. The Irish Coal Controller has again urged the serious nature of the present situation with regard to coal supplies, and ex- pressed the hope that all fuel consumers, domestic and industrial alike, will economise now, and not wait till forced to do so by actual want of coal, as well as using every possible substitute for coal. In connection with the rumoured intimation of a further reduction in the coal supply no order has yet been issued. The South Dublin Guardians recently advertised for a supply of 2,500 tons of coal and slack, but no tenders have been received, as the coal is not to be had. The coal shortage in Limerick has been further accentuated by a strike of labourers and carters. A movement is on foot to develop Irish lignite and brown coal deposits, and a company entitled the Irish Coal and Lignite Company has been established for the purpose. It is stated that arrange- ments have been made with the owners of the land and the Land Commission to develop the coal of the Coalisland area, the new coal deposits discovered near Carlow, as well as other deposits in different parts of the country, and that operations will be commenced as soon as the consent of the Treasury is obtained. Belfast. The position with regard to supplies does not improve. There will now be a change, owing to the increase in price at the collieries. From June 2 to 15, 148 coal-laden vessels entered the port.