The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-06-09 00:00:00

HAGLE Y.

STCCK SALE.—At this sale on Monday last tl.e;.e
was a very large entry 01 first-class sheep aud lambs
a good entry of pigs, but a sho.t supply of beef,
Toe sale Dompri,el 496 sheep and lambs, 21 11( ad
of cattle, 160 pigs, and PA calves. There was a large
company of buyers and prices showed an upwart
tendency. Fat cows made as oigh ai £26 7s Gd,
bullocks .ti2s, sheep 85s Gd. lambs 57s ed, caves
..t5 19s Od, cow and calves .424 15s Od, store pigs
from 15s to Vs per head. In one instance a ewe
and her two lqmbs made together .29 178 ud.

THE IRON TRADE -
AVOLVERITAMPTON, Wednesday.

A fair business tone prevailed on 'Ciianie
.fternoon, and in some departments there was an
increased number of inquiries, though the com-
rlaint was still general as to the prices which manu-
facturers are obliged to accept. It was reported
that the looks of numerous manufacturers through-
out the &strict contained more orders now than
for sonic time pad. This was particularly the case
with regard to the makers of common ha 's and
hoops. In tlle la ter branch very heavy orders are
now under execulion for American buyers, and it
is expected that the deliveries cannot b.: completed
within three or four months. Black sheets for
galvanisers were in steadier demand by persons
who supply the Colonial markets, and a few better
sales were reported on home 'account. South
American inquiries for sheets were fairly well
maintained, thou; h the prices secured are barely re-
munerative. Tlie`e was less variation in the prico
.or common unmarked bars, and the rates for bei,t
nut's were a little firmer than they were at the op,?li-
inz (4 the quarter. Girder pats for home con-
sumption'were wanted, but boiler plates only went
off in small parcels. Local pigrnaicrs a,: e doing a
fair trade, with no prospect for the present of get-
ting better money for the principAl qualities.
Medium makes realise about 5,13 ,but the Northamp-
ton, Derbyshire, and other outside makers run the
South tAaffordshire smelters very close for orders.
Ironstone was less saleable, and the coal trade,
taken altvgether, was in a very languid condition.
Prices were inclined to .he weaker, due in a great
measure to tie falling off in the house—coal demand

BIRMINGHAM., THURSDAY.

A little he d :tier tone characterised the local
iron trade. Strce he holi lays coders have come
to hand mure f•eely alike I,r tinial:ed and crude
iron, and a s tnewl.t fa•ner tone pr.vai,s.
number of speculative purchases of pig iron have
bcon made during the past fortnight, and makers
have orders on th.ir hooks sufficient to last them
tor a month or six weeks ahead. Common bar
manufacturers are also in a more favourable posi-
tion in regard to orders, though they are unab e
to secure any better terms from customers. An
improved inquiry is experienced for hoops and
cotton lie iron, for the United States, stocks in
that country being very low. Transactions at the
market to-day were in excess of the recent avergae
fairly good contracts being received for common
bars, angle iron; tube strip girder and tank plates.
hoops :tnd sheets. For the latter manufacturers
asked an itdvancs of bs. a ton, but busineflii was
only don_ at the late rates. The demand for"list
showed no improvement, though prices were
mair, amed. Special qualities tor engineering and
,shipbuiloing purposes were most in request.
Dale was A keen competition in the iguga

the supply still being in excess of the demand.
S:•3lcs of Staffordshire pig, however, are com-
paratively light and macers are not ekn to push
sales at the present unremunerative prices. All.
mine sold at .43 ss. for hot air and RA to .44 ss. for
cold-blast; part-mine, 499, to 525, 6d ,• c.nder, 38s.
61.; to 425. 61., and Northampton nod Derbyshire
pig at 455. to 48s. a ton.