The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-09-28 00:00:00

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AGITATION AMONG BLAST FURNACE-

lIEN.

A meeting of blast furnacemen was held on
Tuesday night last at the Swan Hotel, High.
street, Dudley. There were men present from
all parts of South Staffordshire, and the meet-
ing was held for the purpose ot agitating for the
adoption by masters of the eight hours' sys-

_ .42 by the
tern, and also to advocate organisation. Several
speakers complained that nearly every other
branch had had their hours of labour reduced,
and now it was the blast furnacemen's turn to

" potatoes." I was, _ j, almost
at a loss what to "swear by" for the Cesarewitch,
but early in the morning, while taking my usual
stroll to glean what I could, as it is the "early
bird that catches the worm "—so I determined ,
to be the "early bird," and see the Cesarewitch be considered.
and Cambridgeshire candidates do their work; Mr. Walker (member of the Ironworkers'
and I was fully recompansed for my early walk, Council of Arbitration) strongly advocated orga-
by what I saw and likewise heard from that nisation, and affirmed that the time had arrived
hard-working and gentlemanly turf adviser H. for every trade in the country to be attached to
Wilson, of Hull, who I encountered on the heath one grand national association, But, of course,
at six o'clock in the morning, the weather being they must go on by degrees, and he was there
fearful. I shall, therefore, be prepared in toy that evening to invite the blast furnacemen to
next to give my readers some reliable informs- join the Ironworkers' Association, so [that when
tion respecting the " big handicap," and I hope the present system was revised, the grievances
it will turn out as profitable for them as Azalea of all branches of the trade might be discussed
for the Great Eastern Handicap last week. I and settled.
must here state that I was the only turf writer A resolution was proposed and earned, that a
who stood boldly for Azalea, and it was through branch lodge of the association be formed in
the information I received during my couversa- Dudley.
Lion with the above-named sporting gentleman at
the Birmingham Meeting, that made me feel i"1
confident of its success. The races next week
are all of a local character, but at the Edin-
burgh and Kelso Meetings some light may be
thrown on the future events. The principal
event at Kelso will be the Roxburgh Handicap,
distance 1 mile and a half, 37 subs. Spumy-
thorns heads the list with Bst 12Ib, and Sir Fan-
ciful the minimum with Cist Sib, and without
going into the respective merits of all engaged,
I think the following will supply the winner.
Painkiller, Couto, Straaburg, and Pompadour,
and in taking two they shall be PAINKILLER
and COMO.
The Lothian's Club Meeting takes place on
Thursday. In the principal event, the Lothian's
Handicap, distance 1 mile and three•quarters, 58
subs., Speunythorne hero again heads the list,
but RABY CASTLE and POMPADOUR read
so well in that I think one or the other must be
the winner. The Edinburgh Handicap Callipos-
dia should win, unless Liverpool is sent to do
battle for his stable.
Bedford Races are not of much account, with
the exception of the Bedfordshire Stakes, which
will be won by BLACK GOWN.
The Scurry Handicap Guossis must land, if
sent.
The Leicester Races are also held next week,
and the Leicestershire Handicap, the chief
event, reads a good thing for tiourbi or Luisette.
In the race for the Cup, which will take place on
Friday, Moorland must beat Countryman laud
Jarnac.
Next week's article will be a complete review
of the Cos trewitelis