The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-18 00:00:00

THE IRON TRADM.
WOLVEATIAMPTON, WEDNESDAY.

No improvement can be reported in the iron
trade, and the business done to-day was of a
limited character, the houses which are doing
best being those manufacturing marked bars,
which have secured a number of contracts at
their official list prices. There was a moderate
inquiry for boiler plates, best sheets, and hoops.
Best pigs were a little firmer. There wece wore
sales of Derbyshire pigs, and Middlesbrough pigs
were pressed, which had a tendency to weaken
the prices. Several lots of foundry pigs were
sold at the rates fixed upon last week, but there
was little inquiry for forge iron. Ironstone and
cokes were not much sought after, and these
articles somewhat declined in value. The Gal-
vanised iron sheet makers do not appear to be
following the lead of Messrs. Walker, who have
reduced their prices 10g. per ton. There was
no alteration in the prices of household coal,
which was in good demand.

BIRMINGHAM, Thursday.

The tone of the market to-day was more
rful, and although all the works are not yet
in per ion, owing to to stock-taking and r pairs
th,, is aiore work going on th in during Decem.
• Xt several w+:rk, rolling nail's have been
re-,,irted that 112%8 boot closed for months,
nrders being mcrr,.; plentiful. It is reported
that large orders are about to be given
out in this district for India dULL
others dependencies of the empire. T e
recent reduction. of 1 per oent. in the bank-
rate is also favourable to the interests of traelt,-.
The failure was announced on 'Change of a large
Australian house having extensive business rela-
tions with Birmingham, but it is believed that
Birmingham firms will not be sufferers to any
material extent. by the failure. While demand is
gradually improving, the sone cannot be said of
prices, especially in respect of second-el.:Bs iron,
which is being sold in favour of buyers from 2s.
fid. to ss. a ton, the decline being a result of the
drop in marked qualities. Pig iron is not in
much better requ,.asi,, and although only 44 fir-
Daces are in blast pi ouleers can with ditlicu!ty
dispose of their md.ke. Local makers, however,
are holding their own loins,. other districts, and
West Coast and Middiecibrough smelters, are not
effecting very satisfactory sales in the district.
Daring the past three months there has been a
remarkable developmont of the tin-plate trade.
Staffordshire firms are busier then they have
been for years past, and prices are rapidly going
upwards. This result is considered to be owing
to the limitation of production on the part of
South Wales firms, and also to hicreasing orders
from the United States, France, and Germany.
The principal reason why South Wales manufac
Lures did not as usual attend the Birmingham
quarterly meeting is said to lc: ia consequence of
the pressure of business. As an illustration of
the improvement in prices best coke plates are
now realising as much as 18s, per box, whereas
they sold at 16s. three months ago, and common
cokes 16s. 3a. as cenapared with 141. Charcoals
are a .51iade higher, but have not advanced like
cokes.