The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-08-24 00:00:00

TEE STO'UItI3IIIDGE OBSFRVER.

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of iron, drew from them arguments of the
class here indicated, and they certainly tended
to make operators more cautious, and induced
the makers of second qualities to show a little
more desire to part with their products at prices
whirl), compared with those of a few weeks ago,
are decidedly in favour of consumers. Whilst
best sheets could not be had, even at makers'
terms, in quantities sufficient to meet the neces-
sities of customers, inferior qualities were quite
£2 under the quotations of a fortnight ago. Sec-
ond and third class bars, too, were easier. A
very good merchant bar may now be obtained at
less than £l5 a ton, and there is no difficulty in
getting an ample supply.
Cleveland pigs were tight this afternoon, ow-
ing to the prevailing uncertainty as to the course
which may be pursued by the blast furnace pro-
prietors in that district, contingent upon the de-
termination of the ironstone miners to obtain a
rise of 2d per ton, and the restrictive action
which they are pursuing in attempting to force
their employers to concede their terms by send-
ing only half a supply to bank. Agents were
inclined to convey the opinion that the employ-
ers would rather damp down, or, it may be, let
out the furnaces, than give the greater prices.
To this, however, consumers here were indis-
posed to pay much heed. They do not believe
that any such decision will be come to. As
As much as 1108, as a medium price for No. 3
(prompt delivery), and 100 s for the same quality,
delivered next year, implies, even when an addi-
tion of 2d per ton in stone-getters' wages had
been submitted to, an extent of profit much
greater than is likely to be renounced by men
who remember that they were getting 47s for
Cleveland pigs only a short time ago. It hap-
pens that this morning capitalists in this town
received prospectuses of a Cleveland concern in
which three farmwes have been for some time
in blast, and a fourth is contemplated. The
document showed profits earned to the 31st of
last month equal to 16 per cent, per annum upon
the paid up capital ; and even this profit is re-
garded as likely to be exceeded when improve-
ments that are now being made have been com-
pleted. Consumers of Cleveland iron here do
not, theiefore anticipate any falling off !,1 the
supply. This, at present, is pretty much equal
to requirements. The recent hot weather, and
the indiposition of the men to do much work,
have materially lessened the quantity consumed.
The operatives at the ironworks and at the
collieries, as well as at the foundries and the
engineering establishments, are j net now display-
ing less disinclination to work. Indeed, here
and there many of the men are applying them-
selves to their respective callings with assiduity.
The colliers, whilst they are not so lax as they
were, still are keeping the supply within the re-
quirements of the leading customers, whether
regard be had to the necessities of the blast fur-
naces, the mills and forges, the foundries, or
the merchants who buy as middlemen between
the colliery proprietors mid the domestic consu-
mers. At best, the supply is merely from hand
to month, and not without delay in the execu-
tion of work—in notable instances at the blast
furnaces and the finished ironworks.

The limestone getters are, however, occasion-
ing their masters much inconvenience. Those
employed chiefly about Dudley are still upon
strike in reference to the hours of labour. They
have been in the habit of working 9 hours per
day and 6 hours on the Saturday, or 51 hours
per week. They claim to have the hours reduced
to 8 per day for the first five days and Saturday
to remain as it was, namely, to work only 6 hours
or a total on the week of 46. The masters offer
them 49 per week, the same as the colliers. This
they refuse to accept. They have been " out"
a month, and are receiving help from the col.
Hers ; but it is unlikely that their toasters will
give way.
'rho statement in the I into that Mr. Charles
Vennell, the manager of the iron warehouse in
London of Messrs. G. B. Thorneycroft and Co.,
of this town, had absconned, was a leading topic
this afternoon, and occasioned great surprise.

ted the district, and made a survey of it. The
determination which the Great Western Board
came to has yet to be seen, but it seems there is
some prospect of increased railway facilities
from another quarter, even if the Great Weste.rn
Company cannot make up their mind to give
them. A line from Wichnor Junction is again
talked of, and it would pass through Kinver,
Wolverley (near Kidderminster), Stourport, and
on to Hereford. It does not appear, however,
that this line would afford Kidderminster, Stour.
bridge, and neighbouring places so many advan
tages as the plan sketched out last winter in
connection with the Great Western Company.
THE WORKHOUSE.—On Monday last a large
quantity of rhubarb and ten shillings to buy
sugar, were sent to the Workhouse by H. 0.
Firmstone, Esq., of Wollaston Hall. Large
bundles of rhubarb were also sent by Mrs. Pear.
son, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Shepherd, Mrs. Bill, and
Mrs. freer, together with money to buy sugar.
The whole was made into jam and given to every
inmate in the Workhouse, who much enjoyed it,
and for which they gratefully thanked their
kind benefactors.
DRUNK AND RIOTOUS.—At the Petty Sessions,
yesterday, before R. L. Freer, Esq., Elijah Cox,
of the Lye, was charged with being drunk and
riotous, on the 18th inst. Police-sergeant Rea
proved the offence. Fined 5s and costs ; in de-
fault seven days.—Joseph Robinson, of the Lye,
was charged with committing a similar offence
on the 18th met, at the Lye. Police-sergedut
Rea proved the offence. Fined Is and costs.—
John Baker, of Hagley, was charged with a
similar offence on the 17th instant, at Hagley.
Police-constable Jackman proved the offence.
Having been previously convicted for a similar
offence, defendant was tined 5s and costs.

IMPORTANT TO BEERHOUSE-REEPERS.-At the
Police Court, yesterday, the presiding Magis-
trates were Major Fleteher (chairman), Hon. C.
G. Lyttelton, and Messrs. R. L. Freer and C.
Cochrane. Previous to commencing the busi-
ness of the Court, Major Fletcher remarked that
as( to beerhouse-keepers, there was a serious
doubt as to the closing hours for them in the
country. They were inclined to think that
where the inhabitants were under 2,500 persons
they must close their houses at ten o'clock.

CHARGE OF TRESPASS.—Joseph Guise, of Bel-
broughton, was charged with trespassing on land
in search of game, on the 25th March, the pro-
perty of Charles P. Noel. Mr. Perry prosecu-
ted. Albert Tee, keeper, proved the case. The
defendant was fined 5s and costs.

ALLEGED THREATENING.—Joseph Guise and
William Guise were then charged with using
threatening language to Albert Tee, on the 12th
inst, and asked for sureties of the peace. Mr.
Perry appeared for the complainant, who said
that William and Joseph Guise threatened him
on the above date, and he was afraid they would
injure him. A witness was called for the de•
fence, and the Bench dismissed the case.
APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME. At
the Petty Sessions, yesterday, Mr. C. Collis
made an application on behalf of the Talbot
Hotel Company, under the 29th sec. of the New
Licensing Act, to extend the time to 12 o'clock
for the ensuing Agricultural Show Week. He
said that a great number of persons would be
staying at the Talbot during the week. The
Lecal Committee would have to meet the Cen-
trl Committee, and it would be necessary to ex-
tend the time to twelve o'clock. Mr. B. Wool-
dridge gave evidence to the effect that the
Judges and Central Committee would be staying
at the Talbot, and it would be necessary for the
Local Committee to have constant communica-
tion with the Central Committed.—,Mr. Perry
also made a similar application on behalf of Mn.
James Allen, of the Mitre Inn, and Mr. B. Kelly,
of the New Inn, Lovale-street—The Magis-
trates retired for a short time. On rerunning,
Major Fletcher said they regretted they could
not comply with either of the applications.

cer, Thomas Hinton, packer, and Emily Rack,
corroborated.
Mr. Young addressed the Bench for the de•
fence, and
The Magistrates retired for a short time. On
returning, they said the case ot assault by Cor-
bett and Lloyd on Mr. Prescott would be dis-
missed, as also would the assault by Prescott on
Lloyd ; but the charge of assault by Prescott on
Corbett was a more serious offence, and they
should alter it to one of unlawful wounding.
Mr. Prescott was committed to take his trial at
the next Worcester Sessions.