The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-12-24 00:00:00

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1881.

and infinitely better light for streets and shops,
and prevent the continued private taxing of other
light in a manner opposed to the spirit of either
Free or Fair Trade in this year 1881.
Yours truly,
JOHN STRONG.

143, High Street, Stourbridge, and any communi-
cation to be adressel 61, Per,hore Street, Birming-
ham.

IRON TRADE SUMMARY.

THE HOME IRON AND COAL TRADE.

The EngliSh iron market has been very steady
during the week, a healthy feeling prevailing. The .
pig-iron market generally has had the same
tendency, although Scotch warrants have been un-
settled since we last wrote, consequent upon the
heavy state of the market owing to a continuance
of large sales. The closing prices of Scotch
warrants the previous Wednesday were 525. 3d.
cash and 525. 6d. a month; this Wednesday, when
the market was dull, they closed at 51s. Bd. cash
and 51s. 11d, a month, sellers id. more. Prices of
makers' iron, however, are very firmly maintained
at Glasgow. At Middlesbrough, on Tuesday, there
was a ste,cly market, not at all effected by the
unfavourable news from Cslasgow ;the firm position
justified by the ac ivity in the local trade and the
decaning stocks asserting itself again. No. 3 sold
at 435.; quotations are a trifle higher ; Pig-iron
keeps firui both in the Midlands and Lancashire
as well as on the Tyne and the North generally
Notwithstanding the approaching holiday season
and a partial stoppage of shipping, a good tone
prevails in the Bessemer iron market, business
showing further improvement. The demand con-
tinues good both from home and continental and
American consumers, and prices have under-
gone another advance (is. .6d. to 25,). No. 1
Bessemer is now quoted at works in West Cumber •
land and North Lancashire at 645. and No 3 at
628. Bast brands of Forest of Dean pigs are fetching
170 s in yards. Manufactured iron continues very
active, with a tendency to higher prices, preent
ones ruling very stiffly. In Wales, bars have risen
from ss. to 7s. 6d. during the-week. The only ex-
ception to the general prosperity of the manu-
factured-iron trade is the West Cumberland
district, where there will be but a poor business for
finished iron in -op f'uture, steel gradually pushing
that branch of the trade out of the market. Tin-
plates are steady, and the prospect is good, a
hardening tendency prevailieg. Hardware shows
little or no alteration, and prices are firm all round.
Owing to the epproaching holidays, Birmingham
is becoming quit ter, after having passed through ,
a very fair season. At Sheffield, matters look very
well. The greatest firmness prevails in the market
and pressure in increased by forced work for this
year's deliveries. Orders for ship-plates are c oming
in freely, and as Lancashire firms are setting up
prices, no doubt is felt that local houses will
follow the example. In the Bessemer department
values are well upheld, and there is every indication
that there will be a rising market in the beginning
of the year. Billets are now £6 17s. 6d. for cash.
Elsewhere steelmakers are, as usual now, well
furnished with work. Shipbuilding yards continue
to be briskly employed. On the Clyde, vessels are
launched in rapid succession, the vacated berths
being at once filled by fresh orders. On the Tyne,
the prospect for the new year is deseribed as mo-t
encouraging, very few firms signing contracts for
vessels without stipulating for twelve to fifteen
months' time for delivery. Toolmakers
and locomotive builders are very busy and
the engineering trades have steadily improved dur-
ing the past month. Forges and foundries are
doing very well, and bolt and river works are get-
ting heavy orders from shipbuilders. The coal trade
has changed but little during the week. There is a
steady market for househeld coals, which sell at
former rates. Manufacturing fuel is going off well.
and gas descriptions remain firm, owing to a steady
enquiry. Steam coals, for which there is a healthy,
demand sell at much higher rates for forward
delivery in Wages than in the North of England.