August 2, 1918. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 237 Current quotations. Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. BestCumberl’nd coal at pit 28/4 28/4 23/4 Best washed nuts at pit... 26/8 26 '8 21/3 Seconds at pit 25/10 25'10 20/10 Washed nuts at pit 25/10 25/10 20/10 Do. smalls „ 21/8 21/8 16/8 Do. peas „ 20/ 20/ 15/ Buckhill best coal at pit... Do. double-scrned 27/6 27/6 22/6 washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at 26/ 26/ 21/ pit Oughterside best washed 27 6 27/6 22/6 nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best 26/ 26/ 21/ coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts 27,6 27/6 22/6 at pit 26/ 26/ 21/ BestCumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. 23/ 23/ 19/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 21/ 21/ 17/6 Best bunkers (coastwise) Do. (for foreign-going 33/6 33/6 25/ steamers) 36/ 36/ 30/ Best works fuel 25/ 25/ 20/ Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- 25/ 25/ 20/ works 24/ 24/ 19/ IRON. The haematite pig iron trade in Cumberland and North Lancashire continues very firm and brisk. Owing to unforeseen difficulties, there has been some curtailment in the output of pig iron, more particularly in West Cumber- land. Prices are unchanged. The market for ferro- manganese is very strong. Owing to the shortage of iron there has been a slight diminution in steel output since last week. Little railway material is being dealt with. The iron ore industry is very busy. All the mines are working regularly, and a fairly satisfactory output of ore is maintained throughout the district. The whole produc- tion is required by local smelters. Prices are still at the maximum. Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Leeds. COAL. The market on Tuesday was only moderately attended, and there was practically nothing doing, owing to the great and increasing scarcity. The pits continue to work full time, but colliery representatives generally report that the output is still declining, while the demand for coal for all purposes is almost overwhelming. Conditions are described as the most hopelessly difficult the trade has experienced within living memory. The urgent demand for shipment to our Allies comes at a time when the market is quite depleted of surplus fuel. Miners are being urged to restrict as much as possible the Bank Holiday stoppage. It is expected that in most cases one or two days’ holiday will be observed. The scarcity of house coal is very pro- nounced. Deliveries to London are for the main part regulated by the Controller’s instructions. Outside these limits factors and merchants find it difficult to secure supplies. The local markets are everywhere very short, and deliveries are so irregular in many cases that depot staffs are frequently idle for the want o^ coal, for which booked orders are sadly in arrear. The rationing scheme is engaging a good deal of attention, and merchants will be well satisfied if the coal required to supply the rations is available. In this respect the outlook is anything but promising. Pit prices for the West Riding:—Haigh Moor selected, 26s. 6d. to 27s. 6d.; Silkstone best, 26s. to 26s. 6d.; Silkstone house, 25s. to 25s 6d. ; other sorts, 23s. 6d. to 24s. 6d. The position remains unchanged in regard to gas coal, which is quite unprocurable, and this remark applies to manufacturing fuel. Many industrial concerns and munition works will be taking a few days holiday this week end, and this will compensate to some extent for the interruption in the output of the pits. The demand for coke is of pressing urgency, as the iron and steel works are dependent very largely upon day-to-day deliveries, no stocks being held, and while makers of coke spare no effort to maintain the output, they are unable to do so, owing to the shortage of slacks, although both steam and house nuts are being largely used in addition. Pit prices are mostly nominal. Current pit prices. Hull. COAL. The position of the export trade does not improve. Special efforts continue to be made to accelerate supplies by diversion, but it is patent that nothing very substantial can be done to relieve the pressure without a considerable alteration in the volume of production. The pressure on all hands is very great. Official demands have to be met fully, and when there is only a limited quantity available it is by no means an easy matter to get even the most urgent of other needs supplied. French importers are still very keen buyers of West Yorkshire screened sorts, which are far from plentiful or adequate. Nuts and all kinds of industrial fuel are eagerly taken up on home account. Little or next to no neutral business is reported this week. Chesterfield. COAL. There is no change regarding the position of the trade of the district. Supplies are as scarce as ever. The pressure for deliveries of coal for domestic use continues, and the warm weather does not appear to reduce the number of orders that come to hand daily. It is quite impossible to execute these with any degree of promptitude, and merchants have considerable difficulty in satisfying their customers’ needs. The position with regard to coal for manufacturing purposes remains a serious one, and consumers find it impossible to obtain such supplies as their existing plant needs, to say nothing of the requirements for the new works which are being erected. The large steel works of Sheffield and district find the greatest possible difficulty in obtaining a sufficient tonnage of cobbles and nuts to prevent a stoppage of operations. The position of the export trade is unchanged. Good deliveries of steam coal are going forward on Admiralty account. Railway and gas companies are pressing for supplies of coal, the position in each case causing much anxiety. The coke market maintains its firm character, all qualities being in active demand. There is great difficulty in obtaining coking slack in sufficient quantities. IRON. An active condition of things is apparent on every hand. South-West Lancashire. COAL. Supplies in the inland household market do not improve, and little, if any, stocking is going on by merchants, as the tonnage they get is not adequate for present delivery orders on their books. As regards shipping, it is still a case of increasing requirements and diminishing supplies, and the inconveniences caused by such a state of affairs are becoming more generally felt. Government and special demands, of course, have first at ention. Where ordinary bunkering and export requirements are concerned, delays are frequent and in a certain number of cases steamers have to go short. Strenuous efforts are being made from Ireland to get larger deliveries of coal shipped to the merchants there, but although vessels are easier to procure it is difficult to get cargoes. In slacks and small fuel con- siderable diversions are taking place temporarily, changing the destination of slack during the holiday period in manu- facturing towns in order that other consumers may have relief, or utility works have a little additional for stocking. Some instructions have been given out by the Controller to send Lancashire gas fuel to the Thames and even south of it. With the known shortage of coal in Lancashire and the entirely inadequate stocks that many of the gas works possess for the coming winter, this seems a very doubtful proceeding, and it is extremely likely it will give rise to vigorous protests. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). 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 ..7.... Do. house .......... Other qualities....... Gas cofl.1:— 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........... Bough unscreened engine coal........... Bost rough slacks.... Small do. ............ Coking smalls .... ... Coke ' Price at ovens Furnace coke ......... Current prices. 25/6-26/6 25/ -25/6 25/ -25/6 24/ -24 6 22 6 -23 6 29/6-30/ 28/ -29/ 27/ -28/ 24 6-26 6 22/ -22/6 21/ -22/ 20/6-21/6 22/6-23/6 21/6-22/6 20/6-21/6 20/6-21/6 19/6 -20/6 17/6 -18/6 18/ -19/ 32/ 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. 27/6-28/6 29/ -30/ 25/6-26/6 28/6-29/ 24/6 27/ -28/ 24/6 _____* 22/6 21/6 20/6 L’st week’s prices. 27/6-28/6 29/ —30/ 25 6-26/6 28/6-29/ 24/6 27/ —28/ 24/6 ______* 22/6 21/6 20/6 Last year’s prices. 21/ -22/ 25/6 19/ -20/ 24/6 18/ 23/ upwds 18/ —t 16/ 15/ 14/ * New schedule, f As per official list. South Lancashire and Cheshire. COAL. The attendance on the Manchester Coal Exchange on Tuesday was influenced by the holiday season. The stiff demand for house and manufacturing fuel continues, with limited supplies. Contractors are unable to get full quan- tities. The demand for shipping coal is also maintained. 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. 28/6 26/ -27/ 24/6-25/ 24/ -24/6 L’st week’s prices. 28/6 26/ -27/ 24/6-25/ 24/ -24/6 22/6 upwds 22/6upwds 21/ upwds 21/ upwds Last year’s prices. 22/ -23/ 19/6-21/ 18/ -18/6 17/6-18/ ____* 16/upwds 14/6 upwds * As per official list. IRON. The epidemic of influenza has nearly worn itself out amongst the iron and steel workers in this district, and this fact has enabled better time to be worked. Con- sequently output has improved. No extra remuneration has yet been granted by the Ministry to the makers of pig, semi-finished, and finished iron and steel, to meet the extra cost incurred by the last advance in price of coal. The question of the supplies of fuel is viewed with considerable anxiety, and it is felt that unless more middle-aged colliers are brought back to work in the mines, a lot of important works will have to go on short time, and in some cases close altogether. Knowing how short the country is of certain classes of iron and steel, this would be a calamity. L’st week’s Last year’s prices, j prices. 25/6-26/6 20/ -21/ 25/ —25/6 i 19/ -20/ 25/ -25 6 j 19/ -20/ 24/ 24 6 j 17/ -18/ 22/6-23/6 16/ -17/ 29/6-30/ 23/ -24/ 28/ -29/ i 22/ -23/ 27/ -28/ ' 20/ -21/ 24 '6-26 6 19/ -20/ 22/ -22/6 21/ -22/ 20/6-21/6 22/6-23/6 21/6-22/6 20 6-21/6 20/6-21/6 19/6-20/6 17/6-18/6 18/ -19/ 16/ -17/ 15/6-16/6 15/ -16/ 17/ -18/ 16/ -17/ 15/ -16/ 15/ -16/ 14/ -15/ 12/ -13/ 12/6-13/6 32/ 25/8 Barnsley. COAL. The difficulties are undiminished. Short supplies have to be accepted in practically every case. There appears to be no respite in regard to the exceedingly heavy calls made upon district collieries for export to the Allies and for Admiralty purposes. In many cases there has been a greater diversion of tonnage, in order to satisfy the pressure on export account, and there seems to be little possibility of a better supply for home purposes until the requisite tonnage for abroad has been obtained. Though the bulk of the fuel affected in this respect is of steam grade, other qualities are called for to such an extent that it appears to be hopeless enquiring at collieries for surplus lots. The district distribution committees are fully engaged in minimising inconvenience, but they have a very difficult task in hand. The diversion of railway companies’ supplies continues, and rapidly reducing stocks' cause a good deal of anxiety. Practically all the output of screened nuts is absorbed by munition works. Instructions for a drastic reduction in the supply of fuel for Various indus- tries are being enforced. The position in regard to gas coal supplies is in no way changed. Supplies are of a hand-to-mouth character, and the autumn prospects are not reassuring. On the other hand, the enquiry made for gas works coke has grown enormously, but transport deliveries prevent any extensive sales at a considerable distance. All kinds of small fuel suitable for manufac- turing purposes are difficult to procure, and coke makers again experience serious difficulty in obtaining an adequate supply of slack. The short supply of house coal is still experienced, and merchants are unable to avoid delay in executing their orders. Prices at pit. Current L’st week’s Last year’s House coals:— prices. prices. prices. Best Silkstono 27/ -28'6 27/ -28 '6 20/ -22/ Best Barnsley softs 25/ -25/6 25/ -25,6 23/ -24/ 18/6-19/ Secondary do 23/ -24/ 17/ -17/6 Best house nuts 22/6-23/6 22 '6-23’6 16/ -17/ Secondary do Steam coals:— 22/ -22/6 22/ -22/6 15/6-16/ Best hard coals 24/ -25/ 24/ -25' 17/6-18/6 Secondary do 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 16/6-17/6 Best washed nuts 22/6-23/6 22/6-23/6 16/3-16/6 Secondary do 21/ -22/6 22/ -22/6 15/6-16/3 Best slack 19/ —19/9 19/ -19/9 12/6-13/ Secondary do Gas coals:— 16/ -17/6 16/ -17/6 10/6-11/ Screened gas coals 23/ -23/6 23/ -23/6 16/6-17/6 Unscreened do 22/ -22/6 22/ -22/6 15/6-16/6 Gas nuts 22/ 22/ 16/ Furnace coke 32/ 32/ 25/8 Nottingham. COAL. In view of Bank Holiday week the pressure has increased in most departments. Probably never in the history of the trade, except in the case of a general strike, have local merchants experienced such a difficulty in obtaining supplies of domestic fuel at this season. With many orders awaiting execution, and the tonnage available being on a comparatively small scale, the outlook for the winter is causing some anxiety. Fortunately an improvement has taken place in the attendance of miners. In the steam coal branch activity prevails, and owners are doing their utmost to produce as large a tonnage as possible. Distri- bution is carried out in accordance with the Controller’s orders. Of screened fuel, such as nuts, there is a continued marked shortage, and better class slacks are taken in substitution. Practically all gas coal is absorbed by contracts. Prices at pithead. Hand-picked brights ..... Good house coals......... Secondary do............. Best hard coals.......... Secondary do ............ Slacks (best hards)...... Do. (second) .......... Do. (soft)............. Current prices. 25/ -26/ 24/ -25/ 22/6-23/6 22/ -23/ 21/ -21/6 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ L’st week’s prices. 251-26/ 24/ -25/ 22/6-23/6 22/ -23 21/ -21/6 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -17/ Last year’s prices. 18/6-19/6 18/ -18 6 17/ -18/ 16/9-17/6 16/ -16/6 12/ -13/ 10/6-11/6 11/ Leicestershire. COAL. It has been found impossible to maintain the deliveries to France, on account of the great reduction in the output. At every pit there are large numbers of men absent on account of the ihfluenza epidemic, and this is likely to continue for another month, as the men are suffering from the after effects of physical weakness. Practically, the great bulk of this diminished output has to be struck off the ordinary deliveries to country coal merchants. Their position is serious, and their losses are increasing through plant, horses and men being thrown idle for a great part of their time. Household, large and small nuts, and all classes of steam-raising fuel, including smalls for mechanical stokers, are in most urgent request, and sub- division is enforced with great stringency. The extensive needs of London and district continue, and minimum deliveries must be observed. Munition works and great national industries can only get hand-to-mouth supplies, while country merchants, in many cases, are receiving one per cent, of ordinary deliveries. The holiday period is still unsettled — two days will probably be arranged. There are no reserves at the collieries or at country stations. 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 kitcheners................ Steams, best hand picked Steams, seconds .......... Main cobbles for kitcheners/ Main breeze.............I Current prices. 23/ -24/6 22/ —/23 21/6-22/6 21/6-22/6 20/6-21/6 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 18/6-18/9 12/6-13/6 19/ -20/6 19/6-20/6 18/6-20/ 19/ -20/6 18/9-19/6 L’st week’s urices. 23/ -24/6 22/ -23/ 21/6-22/6 21/6-22/6 20/6-21/6 20/ -21/ 19/ -20/ 18/6-18 9 12/6-13,6' 19/ -20/6 19/6-20/6 18/6-20/ 19/ -20/6 18/9-19/6 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/ 13/6-14/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/6 13/6-14/ 12/6-13/6 South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Birmingham. COAL. The general position shows no improvement. Output, owing to a variety of causes, continues to be reduced. The shortage of fuel of all descriptions is becoming accentuated, and there is practically no tonnage offering on the open