The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-03-27 00:00:00

TFIE STOTTRRaIDGE OBSEEVEII.

THE IRON TRADE.

WOLVE RILIMPTON, Wednesday.

The attendance on 'Change this afternoon was
of fair average extent, but the business tran-
sacted either in pig or finished iron was not of
flinch importance. The great topic of discussion
, ..vse the expected reduction in the price of fuel,
on which it is generally- understood some light
wiii he thrown at Birmingham to-morrow. In
u ually wen-informed quarters it is expected
tt best coal will be declared down 2s. per ton,
and that miners' wages will be proportionately
reduced, but no definite information on the sub-
ject has yet been permitted to transpire. Com-
Inon coal is not likely to undergo much change
in the selling rates now current, which as a rule
are quite disproportionate to the cost of raising
the coal. The draft award which has just been
made in the Bilston district by the Mines
Drainage Commissioners will have rather a
serious effoct upon some of the small collieries
in that part of the coalfield, in the present and
Prospective condition of the trade. Pending
the settlement of fuel question, and partly in-
fluenced also by the inikending slose of the quar-
ter, the iron trade entinues quiet, comparatively
few of the mills and forges throughout the
district having their producing capacity fully
tested. The Walsall group of finished ironworks
are, perhaps, in as steady operations as any in
the district. Mskers of sheets for galvanised
roo a fin purpcaes continue to be fairly well em-
ployed', and at the best sheet mills some very
tolerable orders are in course of execution.
There is no change in selling prices since our
last report, but unbranded iron is somewhat more
freely offir:ng on the standard of .R 8 15s. per
ton for bars. The question of wages in the iron
trade is just now. the subject of considerable
discussiou. and a private meeting of ironmasters,
representieg this and other districts, held a day
or to ago in London io discuss the matter in
reference to the mutual agreement between.
South Stafforilshire and the north country dis-
tricts, which terminates at the eel of June. By
' this agreement a uniform methed of regulating
ironworkers' wages is reconguised in each of the
districts referred to. it is rinderstool that no
abjection is raised to the principle of this agree•
went, and it wid probably be renewed with some
slight modifications in matters of detail. The
exisjug wages scale must cuutinue in force un-
til Midst-teener, after which a considerable re-
dune in will probably ha made, and this, together
,vith lower rates for fuel, will afford to the iron-
maters the relief they so urgently need in the
co.• 1 of productioa Toe pig-iron trade is mode-
rattly steady, and prices remain unaltered at
to £3 53. for cow won cinder, aud £5 to £5 .ss.
for all-mine hut-air. Cold-blast pigs of Lillesh all
anti other noted brands
,etre in demand, and
prices are firm at ~C 6 10s. per tou. Two of the
blast furnaces of the Darlaston Steel and Iron
Company (Limited), which have recently been
enlarged, are now ready again for operation, and
it is understood thst they will be re-lighted im-
mediately after the Easter holidays. The re-
port of this company, which. was sent out a few
days ago, is regarded as favourable, considering
the crisis througa which, during the past year,
the trade has passed, and the exceptional ex-
penses to which the company have, in common
with otlier ironinaking concerns, been sudjected.
The anuual meeting of the Chillington Iron
Company (Limited) will be held at the Swan
Hotel, in this town to-morrow (Thursday),
and a large attendance of shareholders is expec-
ted.

Business was quite at a standstill on Thursday,
pending the issue of the meeting of Associated
Coalmasters, adjourned from the previous Thurs-
day, for the purpose of determining the all-im-
portant question of prices. The meeting, which
has held at the Queen's Hotel, was, as usual, pri-
vate, but the decision come to, we understand, was
that no alteration should be made. In arriving
at this resolution, the meeting was mainly
influenced by the consideration that no reduction
could be made in wages until the expiration of
six months' notice at Michaelmas next, when the
trade would be entering upon its busiest season,
and the tendency of prices, in all probability,
would again be in an upward direction. Another
motive which, though not formally avowed, may
have contributed to the decision of the coalma,s-
ters, was that in many instanams, notwithstanding
the lock-out in South Wales, there is a scarcity of
miners in this district, many men from the iron-
working localities, where • trade in comparatively
slack and wages low, having been drawn off lately
to the Cannock coalfield, where the demand for
labour is still in excess of the supply. On the
announcement of the coalmasters' decision the
representatives of several of the leading ironmak-
Lig firms, including Messrs. Williams, Messrs.
Thorneycrott, the New British Iron Company, Lord
Dudley, and Messrs. Barrows, met together in-
formally for the purpose of deciding the question
of prices in the iron trade, when it was resolved,
after a brief discussion, to follow the lead of the
coalomners and make no change. In justification
of this course, ironmasters point to the disastrous
results of the last yerr's working, as shown by the
reports of the Chillington, Darlaston, and other
local ironmaking firms, and urge, with good show
of reason, that if iron cannot be profitably manu-
factured at present prices it would be absurd to
reduce them without securing, at least, a
proportionate reduction in fuel and wages. The
decision of the coalowners to made on change in
prices shuts the door against relief from that
quarter, and under the present agreement with the
ironworkers no reduction can Ire made in wages
beyond that the average selling price of iron
during the previous quarter may justify while the
present wages scale continues in operation, or, in
other words, until rhe end of next June. In this
dilemma the leading ironmasters declare they have
no choice but to adhere to their previous prices.
This decision, of course: has no authoritative or
binding character as regards the trade at large,
and it is quite possible still that individual Orms,
differently circumstanced fiom those which met in
conference on Thursday, may take separate action
on quarter-day. in the meantime prices of
branded iron must be quoted as before, £lO. 10s.
to .211. 12s. 6d. for bars, and proportionately for
other descriptions. Common unmarked iron is
weak, and though prices are not quotably lower
than last week, the supply of iron al the minimum
price of XS. 15s. is rather on the increase. A
little more activity has been observable at the
mill forges this week in anticipation of the Easter
holidaps, but on the whole the condition of the
iron trade just now is anything but satisfactory,
business being equally scarce and unremunerative.
Makers of best seeets and boiler plates hove some-
what the advantage of other firms, but in no de-
partment is there any approach to animation. The
pig-iron market is quiet, but steady, more especially
as regards the more noted brands. Cinder pig is
still quoted £3. to ~£3. 55., and all-mine hot-blost
Irort;tone is firm, at late rates. Coal is in
1%1 ther more abundant- supply, and though the
associatel masters houid out no hope of reduction,
individual coalownera are underselling them.

• Good ra'nel),7 nt*Ey is desired
,by all, with articirs
that c tnnot he, j,iclg;:it of by, appearance. carefll pur-
chasera rely on the high Standing of those with wlloin
they •deal. ..Vor 30 yeari, finrniruan's Pure Te is in
packets have given general satisfaction, b”ing exceedingy
strong. ') .-aforngwl qualtty, qiul truly clo-ap. Agents :
stourbridg,t—elaTke, 161, High-street; I3aker, 121, High -
strt.et ; Fierrit; Market Place; Morria, 136, High-street,
Brierley chernist ; Kidderminster, Bull
Ring ;.Halesowen; Adatn, chemist ; Lye:Junes, chemist,
Wordsley, Turner, chemist;- ,Kingswinford, Pear6on,
Rrettel Lane, Collins,- chervist ; BLlniagham, Batiks,
Ball Ring.

Hulioway's Ointment and Pills.—Rheumatism, Nen-
ralgia —lt is onietimes difficult to determine which Of
these diseases is afflicting the sufferer, but such tricer-
tairity will be iminateral if Holloway's/ remedies be used.
They alleviate and cure all muscular and nervous pains,
In hereditary rheumatism, after bathing the affected
part with warm salt water, Holloways Ointment should
e well rubbed upon the spot that it may penetrate and
exert its soothing and regulating properties on the deep-
er vessels and nerves which being unduly exited, cause
eoth pain and swelling. Holloway's treatment has tthe
ebit of removing„the disease without debilitating the
crtstitntion which was the inevitable result of the bleed-
on mercury, and colchicum practice formerly adopted
minhese complaints.

THAT COMPLEXION h'AS always been held to be the mos'
lovely in which the rose and the lily contend for mastere
or in which their beauty is blended. Great sacrifices are
made to produce an appearance corresponding with the
combination, but they never succeed. Art cannot appro-
ach Nature The only arrangement that can be made to
render men woman independent of all expedients is to
freely use HAG'S MAGNOL/A BALM. It preserves the
skin from premature wrinkles and farrows—renders it
smooth and supple, and restores the hue which may have
faded through illness, exposure to a noxious atmosphere
the beat of summer or the frosts of winter. To be ob-
tained of all Chemists and Perfumers throughout the
world. Price 3s. 6d. European Depot: 114 and 116,
Southunpton-row, London.

THE THROAT AND W/NDPIPE are especially liable to
inflammation, causing soreness and dryness, tickling
and irritation' inducing cough and affecting the voice.
For these symptoms use glycerine in the form of jujubes.
Glycerine in theie agreeable confections, being in proxi•
mity to the glands at the moment they are excited by
the act of sucking, becomes actively healing. 6d and-ls
packets (by post 8 or 15 stamps), labelled " JAMES EPPS
SL Co., liovaceopAthic Chemi4s. 48, Threadneedle St.
and 170, Piccadilly, London."—Sold in Stotabridge by
A. P. Morrie, Chemist, and J. M. Bland, Chemist.

CIIARGE or GAMING.—Henry Rogers was charged with,
playi9g at pitch and toss, on the highway in Fenton Street.
on the 19th inst. Police-constable Giles proved the case
Superindent Mills said that great complaints were made
of boys playing on the road. Fined 2s and cost, in de-
fault seven days.
NEGLECT OF WORE.—James Parrish glass cutter, was
charged with neglecting the work of Benjam Levi, on the
Ist mat, and 16s was claimed as compensation. Com-
plainant said that the defendant left on the above date,
without giving the usual 14 day's notice. The defence
was that no agreement was made between them to give or
take 14 days' notice, and the magistrate dismissed the
case.

NON-PAYFZENTs OF POOR RATEg —A. number of persons
was summoned by James Gahings for non-payments of
poor rates. Orders were made for payment in 14 days, and
costs.

HIGHWAY OriNtricE —William Scriven, was charged
with allowing four cows to stray on the highway, at Bret-
tell Lane, on Awl:2th just. Police-constable Freeman
fined the offence. A previous conviction was proved
against the defendant, who was fined 5s and costs.

A DANGEROUS PRA.C.PICAL JOKE ON A LAND-
LADY.

On Monday last before Messrs. F. Evers and 11
Smith, Benjamin Cotton James Cotton and John Wh Ate
house were charged with " with causing Sarah Brad-
shaw, landlady of the Foresters Ams Inn, Tansev Green,
to take a certains nexious thing, viz.— petroleun." Mr.
Addison appeared for the prosecution and Ma. Waldron
defended the two Cottons, and Mr. Holberton defended
Whitehouse, Sarah Bradshaw said: lam the wife of
Thomas Bradshaw, living:at Tansey Green. On the Bth
of Mare's, the three defendant were at my house, and
also Soloman Greenway. I keep the itosters arms. on
the abeve date all the three defendants Caine in the house
together, Greenway called for rum and cold water, Ben-
jamin Cotton called for runs and hot water, James Cot-
ton had a pint of ale. They. had three glasses of runs
and water b,ifore Withehouse came in the house. James
Cotton had two pints of ale, when Whitehouse came into
the room he sat with Gre2nway Benjamin Cotton. • At
the end of the sofa, a;bottle of petroleum was kept. White-
house had not been in the house more than thdee minutes
when he made a cernplaiet, and said that I had filled a
better glass of rum and water for Benjaidiu Cuttoa thee
his was and Whitehouse was sturieg it up, and com-
plaint of it. My baek was turned round for a time when
Whitehouse asked me to taste what was in the glass, and
said it was rnbish, in consequence of what Whitehouse
said tasted it, and said t 3 them, "your infernal rogues,
jou have been putting some of my petroleum in it. They
all bte,;an to laugh at pee. •,-„I went fur Dr. Brainy, who
has attended me ever since, and am stid unwell from
the effects. The folio sing night Soloman Greenway,
James Cotton, and Benjamin Cotton, came to hy house,
and said they did not do it; but that it was Whitehouse,
who did it. Whitehonse came to my house several times
since, and denied it was him that had done it. Mr. IVal-
drun and Mr. Holbertoa cros-examind the witness at
considerable length, after which James Bradley, surgeon,
proved that he attended the complainant on the 9th just,
and found her suffering a good deal from irritability
of mneuous membranes of the mouth by the throat, and
amid petroleum would be able to produce such effects. She
was recovering from the effects, which would soon pass
off. After hearing the above evidence, the cese was
adjourned for a short time. On retureig into Court.
Mr. Addison remarked that it might have been done by
mistake or simply as a lark, and it had been arranged
for a SUM of money to be paid io the prosecutrix and he
hoped 'die bench would allow it to be withdrawn, and the
magistrates dismissed the case.

CHARGE OF STEALING BOOKS.—llenry Bate, commis-
sion agent, residing at Stourbridge, was placed in the
dock charged with feloniously stealing on the 28th Feb-
ruary, a ledger, two cash books, letter bookaainvoices,
&c., the ;property of William Growcutt ()Unwell, coal
merchant, of Pensnett. Mr. Corbett appeared to prose-
cute, and Mr. Addison defended.— Prosecutor deposed:
I am a coal merchant, lesicing at Pensnett, and carrying
on business at Kidderminster. In the month of August
I opened a branch business at Round Oak, and met the
prisoner at the Swan Hotel, Dudley, and engaged the
prisoner at 308 per week, and second-class railway fares
with a promise of raising him to £2 per week. I saw a
young man named Robinson, who said be had £5O per
year, and second-class railway fare and 3d per time for
certain districts. I said to the prisoner that I wuu:d not
give commission, but 30s per week instead of commission
I instructed the prisoner to get from Mark's or Ford's
two ledgers, one day book, one copying book, a eopyin-
press, bill heads, memorandum forms, cards, &c. I pro
duce invoices from Mr. Ford and Mr. Mark, for charges
of same. I received the invoice from Mr. Mark since I
discharged the prisoner, and it contains some of the
goods 'Lich I ordered the prisoner to get. I last saw
the two I..dgers at the end of January. I missed them
the day after prisoner was discharged. Previous to his
leaving, I asked the prisoner several times for the casta
book. Prisoner always pleaded illness. On the 20th
February prisoner met me at the Stourbridge Station,
and handed me the cash book. From what I immed.-
ately discovered I discharged the prisoner, who has not
baen to the office since. On examining the office, I
found the ledger and other books gone. I had previously
given prisoner permission to take the book horn:: to post
up in January, but they were returned, and heve since
disappeared. The books were 11,-pt in the drawer in the
office. Prisoner had one key. I had another. No one
else had access to the office. Cross-examined : I only
gave him permission once to take the books, whieh was
in January. Will not swear that I have not goren him
ptrmission more than once.—Mr. Addison,. fur the de-
fence, complained of the prosecutor charging the priso-
ner with taking the books, his property. The books were
ordered by Bate, and he held the receipts in his hands
for then!, and that prosecutor owed Bate a considerable
sum of money for commission. These proceedings
ought never to have been taken, as no felonious intent
had been proved; and it was a matter for the County
Court.—Mr. Corbett said that the accounts had only been
paid since proceedings had been taken, and that no com-
mission was agreed upon, but that the prisoner had a
salary of 30s per week, and second-class railway fare.—.t
suggestion was thrown out by Mr. King, the Clerk. The
result was that the defendant agreed to give up the whole
of the books to the prosecutor, and that other proceed-
ings could be taken in:the County Court.
SCHOOL SUMMONSES.—At the Police Court, on Thurs-
day, before I. Spooner, Esq., Stipendiary, a number of
persons was summoned by Verney Breton, for not send-
ing their children to school, and fined 5s and costs.