The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22 00:00:00

THE IRON TRADE.

Rather more activity is appatent sine quarter.
day at the mills and forges devoted to the
manufacture of the better class of iron, and the
makers, more particularly of branded sheets
and plates, are reported to be fairly well provided
with orders. Unmarked iron is still adversely
affected by the competition from the North of
England and South Waies, and prices in this
department are comparatively weak. Common
bars, however, are not to be had under £B, and
for bars of good brands quotations are fiein, at
from £9 108 to £lO. Ordinary sheets (singles)
range from £ll to £lB 19s, according to quality.
Little business was transacted at the Birming-
ham Exchange, on Thursday, in any department,
but stocks,' both of pig and finished iron, were
reported lower, as a consequence of the sales
effected last week. Much satisfaction was ex-
pressed at the amicable settlement of the wages
difficulty in the coal trade, and the firmness
displayed by the coal-owners in refusing to make
any further advance hi fuel. The consequent
steadiness of prices in the iron trade has already
had a very beneficial effect in stimulating busi-
ness at home, and makers entertain strong hopes
of a revival in the export branch on the opening
of the spring shipping season. The demand
for galvanised iron, and especially corrugated
sheets, for the principal markets of Australia
and South America, is well sustained. For pig.
iron the current orders are of limited extent, but
large sales of this class of iron were effected on
quarter-day, and prices of good qualities made
from native ore are very firm, at about ..e4 15s
for hot blast, and £6 for cold. Coal is now in
abundant supply, but not quotably cheaper,
though underselling is on the increase. The
new scheme for the regulation of wages in the
iron trade by means of a Conciliation Board,
composed of representative masters and men,
with an independent chairman as arbitrator, has
been very favourably received so far both by
ironworkers and employers, and its early adop-
tion therefore is not improbable.

STOURBRIDGE STOCK SALE.—Mr. 11. King's usual
fortnightly sale took place last Tuesday, and com-
prised nearly 400 fat sheep, and 50 head of cattle.
The stock was of a very superior quality, and met
a ready sale at good prices. Wether sheep reached
73s p r head, ewes 70s, fat heifers £26 12s (id,
bullocks .225 15s, and cows and calves .220 10s.
140 black-faced sheep belonging to Mr. Joseph
Cooke, of Bellington, Chaddesley, averaged 04s
per head, and ten of his bullocks averaged .223
10s. The attendance of buyers was more numer-
ous than at any previous sale. Mr. James Lane,
of Birmingham, was again a large purchaser, the
amount of his bill was .2526.

Good value for money is desired by all, with article,:
that cannot be jurig,l of bk appearance, careful puts
chasers rely en the high standing of those with whole
they deal. For 30 year 4, Hirmmm ,e's fore ress
packets have given generasatifaction, being exceedingly
strong, of um,iform good quality, and truly clvap Agents:
Stourbridge--Clarke, 151, High•street; Baker, 124. High
street; Hewit, Market Place; Morris, 136, iiig!.i-stroet,
Rrierley 11ill—lta4ling3 chemist ; Kidderininst,r, But
Ring; Halesowen, Arliai. chemist; Lye, Jones, chr:mist
Wordsley, Turner, chz,triet ; Kingswin ford, Jet rson
Brettal Lane, Collings, chew it; Birmingham Baaks
Raltßiaft.

Crlass ov Lorna•szANDrNir Couorii, (to BY DR LO-
COCK'S WAFERS.---Fr R,;,s, IGS Hoekley
H Biriniog!a : •• ea-es {lava e.rine u ofer nay
auitiee wikere the -o;hfe. 113,, erfeote•i cur,' • "1 limg.
stauding Conglis and other ilisonreri of the chest." They
instantly relieve Astinns, Cons nation, Coughs, Cot
Rheumatism, and all nervous pains, and taste pleasantly.
sold by all druggists at lel box.