The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-03-01 00:00:00

THE IRON AND COAL TRADES
(From Monday's Timm.)

The coal question, with the rapid advance in rates
since December, is attracting a large amount of atten-
tion in the North of England—more than ever it did
before, because its effects are being felt over • wider
area. Lest year many of the manufacturers had long
contracts for coals at very moderate prices; but after
they ran out they could not be renewed, except at a
great rise. In December last the tendency of the coal.
market was downwards, and there was a general im-
pression that prices would become lower, hence mans-
facturers, in entering upon new engagement*, did not
sufficiently protect themselves by making contracts for
coals at the pit, and with the price of coals rising upon
them every week there is an end to all speculation ex-
cept among the great iron companies which have col-
lieries of their own. Many firms will not give
estimates, and will only take orders at open prices.
Trade is, therefore, not so good as it was a month ago,
and, instead of shosiing increased vigour with the
S. Ting, it is feared that, in many of its branches, it may
become dull. Manufacturers complain that their profits
are cut sway, and owners of steamers state that the
earnings of the ehips "go up the chimneys." It is
thought, indeed, that if the price of bunker coal does
not become lower, many steamers will be laid by,
There was a fall in the price of household coal in Lon-
don lest week, the mild weather having checked the
market. Slut manufacturing coals wire in great de
mand in the Nerth, and more =screened coals were
sent from the pits to the factoriea. Steam coals were
in great requests:. Prices were rather upwards, bunker
coals fee steamers being particularly high in price.
There was, however, a scareity of ships. rhe gas coal
pi. are very fully employed. Prices are high in the open
matket ; but • considerable proportion if the on put
had been sold previously under contract. The pits,
an a rule, are rapidly ceming up t e their full standard
of work, 11 days a fortnight. In the Durham coal
district the collieries last week, as a rule, were going at
from 104 to 11 days per fortnight The "buff "
Saturday is b ing brought back to a full working day.
On Saturday a deputation from the Northumberland
Miners' Union waited on the Steam Coal Owners' Ass-
mociation at Newcaatle-one Tyne ; Mr. John Hettlerson,
111. P., occupied the chair. After a friendly discussion
between the deputation and the coalowners it was
agreed by the masters to concede an advance of 18 per
cent, to the hewers, making the total advance since
the beginning of last year 50 per cent. 'rhe wages of
putters and banksmen are to be increased 15 per cent.,
making in all 35 per cent. The now rates, if accepted,
are to commence on the 3rd of March. As regards
mechanias, the coal owners decline to make any con-
cession. Their terms will be accepted, it is thought,
by the body of the men. As in the Durham district,
there is a considerable difference in the rate of wages
earned by the-men employed below and above ground.
A number of Sailors and labouring men are going to
work in the pits; but, as a rule, it needs some training
before men become hewers, as many North-country
pits are very fiery, and inexperienced hands might
soon blow the pit up. The men employed at bank,
not being trained hands, do not earn much higher
wages than men of the same dive employed in other
occupations.
The strike of the steam-tug owners on the Tyne was
brought to a close under • temporary arrangement last
week, which is to continue a mouth.
The miners of North Staffordshire have made a
demand upon thefr employers for an advance of 15 per
cent, in wages. They nice, in the ciecular addreseed
to the maoters, that while the sell ng price of coal has
advanced from 80 to 100 per cent., wages have only
gone tip from 30 to 35 per cent. They ask for a con-
ference in the event of the employers considering the
demand unreasonable.
.

A well.atteLded meeting of °Awry managers and
underviewera employed in South Yorkshire and North
Derbyshire was held at Renishaw on Saturday, at
which great dissatisfaction was expreassci that their
oortificatoa had not boon grantod to them by gte ROM

Secretary. A resolution was Ipaseed to lereffeat
" that certificates of managemsat for past servicee
under the new Minor.' Regulation Act ought to be
granted to the underviewers, as they are the men who
really have had the daily supervision and inspection of
the mines" A committee was appointed to draw up
• mem, irial to the Home Secretary, to be signed by a 1
the underviewers and deputies, urging that the certiti•
cat& %laud for might be granted.

Monday's Manchester Examiner Rays :—All through
the Lancashire coalfield, 0110 of the most important is
the country, a state of thinge at present prevails
which certainly has had no parallel in the pant. Al
the coal is aheorbed the moment it reaches the surface,
and the sidings are blocked by hundreds of empty
waggons waiting their turn to be filled. With the in.
creasing scarceness prices have gone up at a serious
rate, until now, coal which, a few years ago, colliery
proprietors were glad to sell at 45., is fetching over
20s. per ton. Thin state of things is, however, now
beginning to have its natural effect. Mines which have
been abandoned for yea's, because they could not be
worked with profit, are again being opened out All
workable seams are being brought into operation, and,
what is more important, new pita are being sunk. The
colliery proprietors Are also turning increased attention
to coal cutting machines, and several have recently
been introduced into the Lancashire coabfield.