COAL PRICES

Evening Star, Issue 17333, 22 April 1920, Page 3

COAL PRICES

STILL SOARING IN CHRISTCHURCH. [Special'to the 'Star.'] CHRISTCHURCH, April 22. An amended list of retail prices'of coal, which shows an all-round increase in rates, has been decided upon by the North Canterbury Coal Merchants' Association. The new rates.not only pass on recent advances by the mineownsrs, biit also now carry an increased margin for the working expenses of dealers. Tho latter increase has been authorised by the Board of Trade after an investigation which merchants asked for from the prices investigation tribunal. This margin, which includes profit, represents a flat rate on all classes of coal. Thus, although many classes of lignite are actually dearer than Australian hard coal, the dealers' profit is the same on each. The new rates are as follow (per ton) I —Australian 695. Wesstport 735, Stockton 70s, Blackball 695, Brunner 71s, Reefton 70s, Kaitangata 795, Kaidale 765. Shag Point 75?, Wairio 745, Kaituna 745, Wairakei 70s, Black Diamond 695, Avoea 68s. Mossbnnk 675. Tres Bon 64a, Taratu 625, Whiteclifis 60s, .Mount Wallace 575, Home-bu-=h 5.5, Fernhill 575, Waikaka 565, Whiterig 545, Mataura 51s, Diamond 50s. Allanholme SOs. Stockton mite 68s, Kai : taugata Nuts 675, Kaidal nuts 655. These prices are strictly net either for civil with order or booked, and are not subject to discount. _ In the case of Australian coal tho prices are based on the lowest shipping freight. In the case of. any higher freight dealers will pass on the difference to the public. Thus, a vessel is due next week from Australia in which the freight charges are 5s higher than those on which the retail price of coal is based: on such coal, therefore the retail price will be 74s per ton, instead of 695.