The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-07-26 00:00:00

THE STOTTRBRIDGE OBSERVER.

them, however, are running their machinery
from four to five days per week, and are
sufficiently booked ahead with orders to con-
tinue working at this rate from a fortnight
to a month. Unbranded bars are fairly
saleable, and several good lots went off to-
day, but prices remain exceedingly low. In
not any instance to-day did they 'reach over
£5 15s. Purchases of girder plates were
made by two or three consumers, but it will
not occupy more than ten or fourteen day;
to turn them out. Boiler plates are in weak
demand, in most cases the orders given out
being for repairs. Galvanisers' sheets were
pressed on the market, and could be bought
at wretchedly low rates, but galvanisers
have still some heavy stocks in their works.
Marked bars were tolerably firm at the offi-
cial list price of .E 7 10s., but scarcely any-
thing in that line has been taken during the
past week. In the pig branch the demand
is running principally on melting iron, for
which quotations are fairly upheld, bat with
regard to common cinder quality smelters
do not appear to have any hope of the prices
going up yet awhile. Cokes and materials I
were in languid request, and fuel of all sorts
met with no better demand. The Commis-
sioners' pumps in the Tipton district are be-
ing kept at work, the money subscribed to
keep them going for a month not having
been wholly expended, although the four
weeks have expired.

BIRMINGHAM, Thursday.

Transactions this afternoon were oi the
usually limited character, although in respect
of attendance and inquiries the market was
quite animated. Manufacturers of the
commonest descriptions of merchant iron
were eager to dispose of their make, and
accepted buyers' terms in some instances
rather inconsiderately, less than £5 10s
having been received for bars. The manu-
facturers of medium and best iron, however,
did not yield to the importunities of mer-
chants, and maintained the quotations re-
established at quarter-day. Nail rods were
reported to be in fairly active request for the
Coni inent and for the Eastern markets, but
the profit on each transaction is microscopical.
For consumption in this district nail rods
were in diminished inquiry, owing to the
iutense depression in the nail trade. Gal-
vanised sheets fully sustained the inquiry of
the past few weeks, and pig iron was a little
better sought for. The curtailment ol pro-
duction of pig iron, although very consider-
able as compared with this time last year, is
not sufficient to favourably affect prices,
which are lower than at any former period.
In regard to finished iron, manufacturers
are adopting the most approved economical
processes for reducing the cost of production
and the Carson Dormoy puddling furnace is
being mor extensively used. The South
Staffordshire ironworkers have decided not
to press their claims for an increase of wages
at the present time, but they have resolved
to reorganise themselves, so as to be pre-
pared for a more favourable opportunity. At
the collieries operations are carried on in an
irregular manner, and the demand is very
much restricted.

the 94th the rear; the 58th and 13th the
right face. Inside, ready for action, were
the Artillery, the Engineers, the Natives,
&c. We had passed the Nondjneno kraal,
and all WEI,3 quiet as yet. The enemy was
visible in one considerable straggling column
moving parallel with us. Another was
crowning and descending the eminence on
the left rear, towards Nondjueno. Another
was visible fitfully in various directions on
our left. A fourth great mass was moving
down on the right from Ulundi. It was
impossible to tell how many lay in the dongas
on and about the direct front. Buller was
continually stifain!,' them up, and a brisk
fire was exchanged. The Zulus began to
close on us on all sides. The guns were
moved out on the flanks and into action.
Bailer's Horse resisted as long as possible,
and then galloped back into the square. In
a short space of time the guns alone were in
acEon ; but the Zulus coming on swiftly,
the infantry opened fire first, the closest on
our right front. The artillery practice was
beautiful, but it failed to daunt the Zulus,
who rushed into the Nondjueno kraal, which
had not been burned, utilising the cover.
Thence men with white shields streamed
with great daring against the right and rear
of the square, where were two companies of
the 21st and two 9-pounders. The Zulus
dashed with great bravery into close quarters
amid the deadly hail of the Martini bullets
and volleys of canister and stubbornly as-
sailed us on all four faces of our square,•
which stood like a rock. The whole affair
was in a small compass, which made it seem
more animated. The Zulus fired half
Martini, and half round and jagged bullets,
which rent the air above our soldiers, who
observed a stern purposeful silence. At the
first shell fired, at 9.30, there arose a mighty
cheer from the right flank and rear, the
enemy giving way. A responding cheer
came from the left; and then the front
square opened to emit the Lancers and
Buller's Horsemen, who burst like a torrent
upon the broken enemy. The Lancers
dashed towards the rear, caught a number
of men in the long grass, and cut them
down with their sabres and lances.
Several officers of the Lancers killed four
Zulus each. Two received assegai wounds.
Captain Wyatt Edgell was killed, and two
officers were slightly wounded. The British
cavalry effectually vindicated its reputation.
The enemy were driven widely distant.
Their dead lay thick all round the square,
most of them facine, the 21st. I estimate
that 800 Zulus lay dead. After a slight halt
the cavalry moved to the front and burnt
Ulundi and the neighbouring military kraals.
The whole force advanced close to Ulundi,
and halted to eat. About two o'clock the
force marched back to laager. It is estimated
that about 10,000 Zulus were engaged. Our
loss was 10 killed and about 50 wounded,
eclusive of natives.

—The accoun's of the Burial Board up to Mt,rzh`
1878, which were then submitted, showed the
Boartt-bad expended at that date £5,091 03 4d,
including .21,303 19s 81 for laud and £1,200 for
building. Th 3 statement was:received, and Messrs.
H. Newnam and D. Bottomley were re-appointed
to audit the accounts for the year ending March
29th, 1879.—Mr. G. W. Prescott moved amend-
ments to each of th resolutions, but found no
support. In spite of repeated requests not to put
the ratepayers to the unnecessary expense, he de-
manded a poll on each of the first two resolutions
which the Chairman ultimately fixed for Monday
afternoon next —The meeting closed with a vote of
thanks to Mr. Wordsworth.

SPORll.—These sports take place at Amblecote, on
Monday next, and should the weather be fine, no
doubt e ill prove a great oneness. There are about
four hundred entries, including some of the best
athletes in the country.
HIGHWAY OFI'ENCE.—At the Police Court, held
yesterday, before Lord Lyttelton and Col. Barrows,
George Wooldridge, of the Lye, was charged with
causing an obstruction by leaving two carts on the
highway on the 21st. Police-constable Widdows
proved the case. Fined 2s 6d and costs; in default
7 days.
CAUTION TO CARTERS—James Ilb.ncocks was
charged with being in such a position as to have no
control over his horse, on the 16th inst. Police-
constable Woodhall proved the case' and said de-
fendant was fast asleep in the cart. Fined 2s 6d
and costs; in default 7 days.
DEUS% ON LICENSED PREMISES.—JOhII Cawley
was charged with being drunk on licensed premises,
the Crown Inn, Hay Green, on the 12th inst. P.S.
Payne proved the case. Defendant said he was not
drunk but about half-and-half. Fined 5s and costs.

CAUTION TO HAWKERS. —Margaret Harris was
charged with hawking at the Lye, on the 22nd inst,
without a certificate. Police-sergearft Payne said
the defendant was hawking buttons and she had a
license upon her, but it was dated 28th of last
mouth. Fined Is and costs. _ _ _

-
REFUSING TO QVlT.—William Wooldridge was
charged with refusing to quit the Falcon Inn, Lye.
Defundant did not appear. Stephen Robinson, the
manager, proved that the defendant made a noise,
and refu,ed to go out when requested, and remained
in the house for an bor.:and a half. Fined 5s and
costs.
DRUNK AND DISORDERI.EY.—WiIIiam Tennant was
cl:arged with being drunk and disorderley on the
night of the 21st inst. Police-constable Madley
said he was sent for to go to Mrs. Taylor's Wine
Vauls. Found the defendant in the house. He
refused to go out. and he had to put him our, and
when in the s.rect defeniant became very disorderly.
Several previous convictions were proved agninst the
defendant. Sup.2rintendent Wheeler said he had
repeated complaints against the defendant, and he
was a great nuisance to the town. Fined 20s and
costs ; in default one month.

A WIFE BEATER.—John Gordon, of the Lye, was
charged with as=aulting. Mary Ann Gordon, his wife,
on th.“ 22nd January, 1878. Complainant said that
on the above date her husband came home the worse
for bcer, and struck her and threw her out of bed,
but she was quite willing to forgive him, and did
not wish to press the case. Defendant was further
charged with deserting from the Worcester Militia
in 1878. Colour Sergeant George West proved that
the defendant deserted in 1878, and was a very bad
character, always fighting while in billets. He had
given them a great deal of trouble. For the assault
on the wire the Bench allowed the case to he with-
drawn, and fined defendant for desertit g ~,Z5 and
costs ; in defatft two months' bard labour.

CHARGE OF THRFAT.ENING.-Eliz:t Cartwright was
summoned f..,r using
.tireat.r.ning hnguage towards
Henrietta Geu, on filo 15th inst. Complainant
said on tl'e above date she was in her own garden
when d,fendant made use of filthy language to her
husbalid Defendant then turned upon witness and
threat,ned her life, and sho was afraid she would do
her some i,erious ii,jury. She had summoned the de-
fendant twice before for assaults. Defendant denied
using any threats anl the case was adjourned for a
week for the Patend:ince of a witness. _ _

ASSAULT CASE.—William Fly was charged with
assaulting Ann Morris, at Cleat, on the 21st inst.—
Mr. Waldron aKeared to prosecute.—Dofendant
p'eaded guilty.—Fined 7s 6d and cost'.—Ann Morris
was th,n charged with a-saulting Susannah Stokes,
on the 21st inst. Mr. Waldron defended. The as-
sault complained of was that defendant boxed her
ears and bumped her head against a wall. Mr.
Waldron, in defencP, called William Huxley who
said complainant first struck defendant across the
hand with a stick. William 111,)rris corroborate 3.
Police-constable Wallace was called and said the
c
parties were iival donkey owners and were jealous
of each other. Both f tlr.'m had complained to him
of oac:i other's conduct, and throush their quarrels
he had been sent for al many as six times a day.
Fined is and costs.

ASSAULTING A Wirs. John Henry Hill was
charged with assaulting his wife, Myra Bill, on the
21st inst, at Cradley. Mr. Addison defended. Cotn-
plainant said her husbind came home drunk, struck
her, knocked her down and while down kicked her
about the body until she became insensible. De-
fendant was in the habit of getting drunk every
tiaturday. tie locked up the doors, barred them,
and nailed them U. She was covered with bruises
about the legs and body foam defendant's violence,
and was aiding to Is examined. She had only been
married ten months and did not know a month with-
out having bruised flesh. Mr. Addison, for the de-
fence, said complainant was in the habit of getting
drunk and when defendant went home there was
nothing to make him utrufortable. Bound over in
£2O to keep the peace for Fix months.
BOARD OF GIJARDIANS.—The weekly meeting
of this Board was held yesterday. Mr. Ray-
bould in tho chair. There were also present
Messrs. H. Dillingham, Pargeter,
Wood, Mullett, J. Billingham' Giles, Hale,
Rhodes, Lavender, 3, Foley, Kelly, Eveson,
Brooks, and Plant. Admitted 16 ; discharged
16 ; born 1 ; dead 3; remaining in the house
459 ; corresponding week last year 426. Out-
door relief liingswinford district £46 9s. 4id ;
Stourbridge district £.27 18. i 7d; Halesowen
district £22 tis 4d ; non-resident paupers 4s ;
total. £O3 17-,, 3-1-1; agiinst 4:60 14s sd.—Mr.
Lavender withdraw his notice of motion t
a-T3int David Cartwright as master's clerk.
Mr. hale moved that the clerk b.) instructed to
ascemiu thecost of a bake'nousn and other
plant necessary for the Board, which was carried,
and the clerk !Tits instructed to obtain the
necessary itiformatiou.—Mr. Hale moved that
lu ~tq,piielliola of the Rev. Fattier Plaetsier
ti instruct the Roman Catholic members of
the house lie granted. The motion not being
seconded fell through.