The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-02-13 00:00:00

The employment of women in the Austrian tele-
graph service having given satisfactory results, the Minister
of Commerce has adopted the system in the Post-office, and
the railway boards have been asked to report on its extension
to railways.
W'hile waiting at a railroad station, one ministerial
brother asked another what his well-filled carpet bag con-
tained? The answer was, referring to seven written sermons,
"Dried Tongue ! "
The New York papers to hand report that extraor-
dinary excitement exists mCalifornia in consequence of the
discovery of a mountain of silver ore in Nevada. It is be-
lieved that the ore will yield from 600 dollars to 1,200 dollars
a ton. It is estimated that there is 43 million dollars' worth
of ore in sight in one level of the mountain, and in California
the estimate is still higher, ranging from 50,000,000 dollars to
150,000,000 dollars.
Rear-Admiral Montaignac, the Minister of Marine,
has just issued a Circular to the Prefects of the Seaboard
Departments, informing them that Germany has adopted
English distress signals. These signals, the Bien Public
remarks, are nearly identical with the French, and are well
• known to most of the inhabitants on the coast. Were all
the maritime Powers to adopt them, many disasters would
be avoided.
The Chinese have names which correspond in fre-
quency with the Browns and Smiths of Anglo:Saxon Christ-
endom. Those most frequently occurring are Chin, Chang,
Wrang, Shin, which are the equivalents of "gold," "long,"
"prince," and "stone."
The new workshops erected in connection with the
National Industrial Home for Crippled Boys, at Kensington,
were opened on Tuesday. A public meeting was held, at
which Lord Shaftesbury presided.
The members of the band of the Liverpool Philhar-
monic society on Tuesday presented Sir Julius Benedict with I*,/
a handsomely mounted silver inkstand on the occasion of his ,
attaining his 70th birthday. /Oa
A Lafayette (Ind.) man, just as he wasoapproaching
the shining shore, took his wife's hand and said :—" Susan,
you've been a good wife! We've lived together thirty-two
tlt.
years, and I never found a button off my shirt! I'll speak a
good word for you as soon as I get thar '
Captain Rodgers, of the ship Marchmont, of Gifts- if*
gow, has been presented, in the office of the Leith Mercan-
tile Marine Board, with a valuable silver-mounted teleseoPe,
given by the Emperor of Germany. During a heavy gale
Captain Rodgers sighted the German barque Haydn, and
• after the most heroic conduct succeeded in rescuing the
whole crew. The Emperor, having been informed of the
cirenmstances, forwarded the 'gift, and accompanied it
with a flattering letter.
As a memorial to the late Canon Kingsley, it has
been determined to enlarge and improve the parish church
at Eversley, and to erect a chapel in the outlying hamlet of 4,
Bramshill, where Mr. Kingsley for some years held a service
in a small schoolroom.
In a letter to the Principal of the Edinburgh Uni- '0
versity, the Earl of Derby annonnceshis intention of visiting
the city during November in order to deliver to the students
his inaugural addressee Lord Rector. ;2111411
Paris advices state that the Municipalty Lottery -,.e.t4
Loan has been a great success, subscriptions having been re- [sae
ceived for upwards of forty times the sum required, viz., _
220,000,000 francs. The deposit money paid into the treasury 1,;•,io
of the city amounts to SAOOO,OOO francs.
A six-pound tin of beef, which had been prepared in .x.:4141
1856 for the English soldiers in the Crimea, was opened a
few days ago, and its contents were as fresh and sound as on
the day it was preserved, now nineteen years ago.
An engineer on the Western North Carolina Rail- Mn
road shouted to a crowd of rustics who had gathered to see ,
the first train of cars come in, "Put down your umbrellas I
you'll scare the engine off the track I " The umbrellas were
lowered at once.—Pictorial World.
An Illinois court has rendered a surious decision ;
A boot-dealer in Plano sold a man a pair of boots, both lefts.
The purchaser clamoured for his rights; but the court de- "4f.L4
cided that a pair of boots was a pair of boots, and, if a man sea
had to wear them both on one foot, it was a case the law of tr,
Illinois could not reach.
An announcement made on Monday, in some of the
papers that two more of the survivors of the Cospatrick had
been rescued, and that they were on board a vessel called the
Coldstream, has proved to be incorrect. It seems that a man
brought home by that vessel from St. Helena was in the
hospital at the same time as the survivors pf the Cospatrick.
Out of this fact the misunderstanding which gave rise to the
report appears to have arisen.
The sportsman has a big add open to him in
Australia. Two gentleman last summer went on a hunt in Mb
a thinly-settled district about one hunsired miles from ha
Melbourne, and in less than a week succeeded in bagging
fifty-seven large animals, in addition to smaller game. The
large animals in the list ran thue;-27 wallobies, 13 ZIS)
kangaroos, 1 wombat, and 16 bears or kaolas. This was about idir
as lively work as any two men should wish to engage in. The
big game was killed with the carbine, and the two sports- Oa
men found the kangaroo steak, properly broiled over the ail)
coals, delicious. s•
Lord Shaftesbury, after presenting the prizes to the ,
students of the Birkbeck Institution, commended the works
of the present race of literary women, and expressed a hope %Kg
that they would produce lasting effects upon the population. Anil
Mr. Forsyth, M.P., who was also present, referred to the
large number of young women who had taken prises, and
expressed his pleasure at finding so many qualifying them-
selves to become the intellectual companion of men.
The French Ministerial paper give much pro- do
minence to the preMlice of the German Emperor and the ;
Empress of the French Ambassador's ball at Berlin. The
Francais concludes its detailed account by saying,—" The irrta
very successful fete bore the impress of the sentiments of „lasi
mutual conciliation and goodwill which are tending, though
rather slowly, to re-establish themselves between the two
countries."
Curious statistics have been published by the official -A t
authorities with regard to the age at which women marry in
Paris. Out of 1,000 marriages contracted in this capital 32
of the brides were from 15 to 16 years of age; 101 from 16 111 W
to 17 ; 219 from 18 to 19 • 233 from 20 to 21 ; 165 from 22 to usess
23; 103 from 24 to 25; 60 from 26 to 27 : 45 from 28 to 29 ;
18 from 30 to 31 ; 14 from 32 to 33; eight from 84, to 35
two from 36 to 37; one from 38 to 39.
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!e ti-f,c
IT THE MARKETS; -dw

tw

M 8

MARK-LANE.—ldonta.o
to-day Ints pee?.:l dull. The' 'kip

The grain trade at Mark-lane
supply of English wheat was only moderate, but the
dition has improved. With a thin attendance of members
the demand ruled heavy, and prices gave way is. per qr.
Foreign wheat, of which a fair supply was shown on the 4,1
stands, has beenklifficult To move, and forced sales were only
concluded at a reduction of is. per qr. The supply of barley
was moderate-the demand heavy. Fine malting produce sold -
at about late rates ; but other qualities were is. per qr, lower „It
than on Monday last. Grinding parcels were also weak in
value. Malt dull, at barely late rata. Oats only in moderate. ,ak3
supply. The trade was quieter, and prices had a drooping ito
tendency. For maize the trade was dull, and prices declined
is. per qr. Beans neglected, at &rely previous curencies.
Peas inactive, and white samples declined is. per qr. ior 4toi
flour there has been very little change, and the tendency of
prices was in favour of buyers. j-45
s ,
MARK-LANE. -WF„DNEnsaY.
The grain trade at Mark-lane continues quiet. The
supply of English wheat limited, and foreign less freely
offered. The condition has somewhat improved. For fine
samples a moderate inquiry prevailed, at steady prices ;
otherwise the market was quiet. Barley in moderate supply;
the demand heavy, at late rates. Malt in slow request, on
former terms. As regards oats, the supplies were only mo-
derate. Business not brisk, and prices unaltered. For maize
the demand ruled heavy, at late currencies. Beans and
peas changed hands quietly, on former terms.
ILETEOPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.-MoNDAY. ;
The total imports of foreign stock in London last week lei
amounted to 9,787 head. In the corresponding week in 1874 we
received 3,542 head; in 1873, 8,200; in 1872, 8,601 ; in 1871,
6,140; and in 1870, 4,397 head. The cattle trade has been in
a quiet state to-day. The supplies of stock have been mode-
rate and sufficient for requirements. From our own grazing
districts a fair supply of beasts have come to hand. Trans-
actions have been on a limited scale, and notwithstanding the
more favourable weather the tendency of prices has been in
favour of buyers. The best Scots and crosses have changed
hands at 58. 100. to Os. per Sib. From Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex,
and Cambridgeshire we have received about 1,200; from
other parts of England, about 500 and from Scotland, 128
head. The foreign side of the market has been more freely
supplied with beasts, including about 500 Dutch, 256 10
Spa Dish, and 220 Danish. The demand has been heavy, „
at about late rates. In the sheep pens there has been a 40
more libeial supply. A dull inquiry has prevailed, at lase
money than on Monday last. For the best Downs and.
half-breds 6s. 6d. to 6s. Bd. Per 81b. has been accepted.
For calves there has been a firm market, the top price 0.1
being 7s. per 81b. Pigs have been quiet at late rate'. 41
At Deptford there have been about 100 German and 76
French beasts. Coarse and inferior beasts, 3s. 6d. to 4s.
second quality ditto, 4s. 4d. to 55. • prime large oxen, bs. 2d. •qac
to is. 4d. ; prime Scots, &c., ss. ed.. to 65.; coarse and In-
ferior sheep, ss. to ss. 6d.; second quality ditto, ss. Bd. to
6s. 2d.; prime coarse woolled, 6s. 4d. to 65. 6d.; prime south-
downs, 68. Sd. to 63. 10(1.; large coarse calves, 4s. 6d. to
is. Ed. ; prime small ditto, ss. 10d. to 70: large hogs, 45. to
4s. 6d.: small porkers, 4s. 6d. to 55. per 81b. to Rink the
offaL Total supply :-Ileasts, 3,240: sheep and lambs,
21,450; calves, 200; pigs, 60.
Foreign : Beasts, 980; isheep
8,730; calves, 115.
MEntoPoEITAN MEAT MARKET.-MONDAY,
The market here to-day was rather firm, under the in-
fluence of cold weather, and a moderate demand prevailed
for some descriptions of meat. The supplies on offer were
fair :-Inferior beef, 3s. 4d. to 45. ; middling ditto, 45. to
43. Bd. ; prime large ditto, 4s. led. to is. 4d; prime small
ditto, Ea. 2d. to is. 6d.; veal, ss. 6d. to Cs.; inferior mutton,
3s. 4d. to 4s. ; middling ditto, 4s. ad: to sa. ; korime ditto, ss.
to is. 4(1. ; large pork, 3s. Sd. to 45.; small ditto, 45. d. to
is. 4d. per 81b by the carcass.
PROVISION. /
LONDON, Monday, Feb. 8.-The arrivals last week from 'I
Ireland were 561 firkins Butter and 3,476 bales Bacon, and 'II
from foreign ports 25,697 paetages Butter and 3,068 bales
Bacon. The Butter market is,very slow for all sorts, with
the exception of really fine qualities, which maintain late •
prices; other descriptions are offering at very irregular
prices, 10s. to 15s. per cwt. lower ; finest Friesland advanced
to 1545. to 1568. The Bacon market continues in the same
slow state, with but little alteration to notice in value; best
Waterford sizeable charged 735. on board for weekly orders,
but sales made on lower terms.

PRICES.
Butter, per cwt.: s. s. Cheese, per cwt.: s 0. A;A
Dorset
Friesland ......140 150 Dble. Glonc., new 70 •78 ~,.
Jersey ........ —9B 180 Cheddar .
Eng. Fresh, per dz.l6 20 American
Bacon, per cwt: Hams: York ll2
,
Wiltshire .... —74 Cumberand ll2
Irish,green,Lo.b 74 lrish

POTATOES.
The arrivals of potatoes were large, but trade continues '34
very slow, and prices were in buyers' favour. The imports lift
into London last week consisted of 13,479 bags, 100 baskets,
and 10 casks from Antwerp ; 436 sacks from Boulogne ; 343'
tons, 6,210 sacks, Dunkirk ; 304 tons, Dahouet ; 74 tons, '4
Duclere ; 36,barrels from New York ; 160 from St. Mal° ; and 11
217 bags from Rotterdam. Regents, 734. to 955. ; flukes, 110s-
to Igss. ; Victorias, 1005. to laos. ; and rocks, 60s. to 700. Per
ton. it

HOPS. • ,›
The market has become rather dull, and Prices have a
slight downward tendency, notwithstanding the exceeding '
_
sniallness of the supply. Belgian hops are decidedly cheaper) -'-
and other f,u•eign descriptions, in the absence of business, 4
Incline towards reduction. The imports of foreign hops
, . 3
into London last week consisted of 133 bales from Antwerp, /
four from liamburg, one from Bremen, 16 from Rotterdam,
and 160 from Nelv York. Tritirtra
TALLOW. , MC
spot, and Town Tallow
i
Is quoted at 435. 6d. per cwt. on the w LONDON, Monday, Feb. B.—The trade is. inactive, P.Y.C. a
Is worth 395. 6d. per owl. net cash- 3
a d.
L 1 I nab Stuff, per
i Greaves 18 0 :4
Town Tallow, per cwt. 42 0 ICO , P cwt... 14 9-1
Rough Fat, per Sibs 11- Good Dregs "
Molted Stuff, per cwt. 29 0 ,„ P.._ ~ 0 0
per cwt. '
Ditto ditto .. oos. Od. tti II _r4
Yellow Rwsslan, noerd • • • • • • .08. Da.
Australizm Mutton TiyjTcv 42s- ed- 1 I . ititt‘i Iml it
Ditto Beef "to" Us. Od. . ,
SEED. '
LONDON, Monday, Feb S.—lie supplies of English Clover. ,
:
seed were moderate; the demand at enhanced rates for all ,---,
sorts. French and American samples were purchased freely -;
mat
last
emt a adorsetemoy sneyale for the finer qualities of both. Choice Trefoil
at rather highertates, Large Gore Tares
brought the extreme prices of week, and the best
Brunswicks were quite as dear. White and brown Mustard.
seed were purchased in small lots at the rates of last week.
Dutch Ilempseed brought as much money as previously, with
a
Good English in request, at
rathert e admyshweet. , Rapeseed was ,
„ osalree.
Maney than as
MAY. _
WHITRCHAPEL, Feb. (3.—With a moderate supply of hay
s
and straw on sale, trade at this market has been steady, at
firm values. Prime clover, 10Cs. to 118 s. ; inferior, 85s. is
955. ; Prime meadow hay, 90s. to 110 s. ; inferior, 560, to 758 g
and straw, osB. to 405. per load;