The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-20 00:00:00

Ely tourbrible Obserinr.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20th, 1881.

THE IRON TRADE.
WOLVERHAM PTON, Wednesday.
A fairly brisk business continues to be done
in the iron trade, and cheerfulness character-
ized the tone of the meeting on 'Change this
afternoon. Prices of finished iron remain firm
wi.h a slight upward tendency, and producers
act with great caution as regards selling for-
ward, the sales generally being for immediate
consumption. Common bars are in good demand
and sell in much larger parcels than marked
iron. The prices for unmarked qualities range
from .C 5 15s to .£6 73 6d. Galvtlnief-rs' and
SVOI king-up shf-ets continue to be largely bought
3.t. the enhanced rates, and the same remark ap-
plies to baling hoops for export. The pig-iron
truth) shows no alteration, and prices remain the
same. Best Staffordshire pigs can only be ,
bought in small parcels at existing rates, great
hesitation being shown to book long contracts.
Of the foreign brands Northamptonshire and
Derbyshire pigs are those most bought, and con-
siderable consignments are reaching the district.
Notwithstanding the general belief that the pro-
duction of pig iron is largely beyond the require-
ments of consumers, the number of blast fur-
naces ai work in this district bad been increased
by two—from 40:t0,42,—0ne being at Old Hill
(Hingley'a) and the other at Pearson's works at
Windmill End. Ironstone remains dear, and
large contracts are being secured by some of
the thick coal producers.

BIRMINGHAM, Thursday

At the iron market this afternoon a good
business tone prevailed, inquiries being more
numerous and prices well maintained. There
woks a eteady demand for pig iron of the common
qualities, bat speculative purehases were limited
in extent owing to the heavy stocks in all the
leading districts. Production keeps in excess
of the requirements, and hence the umprofitable
prices which are being realised. Common
Staffordshire forgo iron (cinder) ranged from
38s 9d. to 42361 ; Northampton pig from 45s to
47s 6d ; part-ruine iron realised about 50s a ton;
and all-mine qualities were quoted as usual at
£3 for hot-air and £4 for cold-blast. There
was a fairly well-sustained demand for un-
marked bars ranging in value from £5 12s 61 to
£6 ss, and manufacturers were in tbe position
of being sought after by consumers rather than
having to press for specifications. Sheets,
plates, and hoops were in good request at firm
though quotably unchanged prices. It may be
useful to the consumers of Swedish charcoal iron
in the district to be reminded of the approach of
the close of the Swedish shipping season. Last
winter many consumers whose stock of Swedish
:ron was small were seriously inconvenienced
on account of their being unable to obtain sup-
plies from Sweden, the shipping port (Gothen
burg) being blocked with We from the begin-
uing of January till the early part of April, and
next winter they may have the same difficulties
to contend with it they delay giving out their
•irders. The coal trade was a little more active
alike in the manufacturing and the domestic da-
dartn3ent6. A meeting of null manufacturers
was held on 'Change during the afternoon to
consider the advisability of acceding to the
claims of the operatives for the restoration of
tke 1879 list, or an advance of 20 per cent. inthe
rate of remuneration. The feeling of the bulk
of the representatives present was in favour of
returning to the list, and a fear was expressed
test the continuation of the strike should cause
trade to leave the district. It was eventually
decided to call a general meeting of the trade
f)ext Thursday, to take the question into con-
sideration.

"i:MqTRADE SUMMARY.

THE ENGLISH IRON AND COAL TRADE.
Although the English pig-iron market
has shown some signs of dulness during the
week, the tendency has been rather the
other way in the finis 1.2 d-iron branch, and
the English iron trade, on the whole, may
be described as fairly steady. Makers of
pig-iron at present resolutely resist a re-
duction of rates, though consumers may
argue that they are still ss. above those
ruling in the bad times of two or three
years ago. The hematite pig-iron trade
continues as steady as it has done for
several months past, orders coming in now
very regularly both from America and the
Continent. The finished-iron trade looks
healthy, the demand being largest for mer-
chant iron (in North Staffordshire, where
in some cases an advance of 7s. Gd. per ton
' has been obtained) ; bars, hoops, and sheets
being very much in favour in Lancashire.
Makers of best Yorkshire iron are doing a

steady business, and shipbuilders are also
buying very freely in finished iron. At
Sheffield prices are firm, and at Birmingham
the manufactured-iron trade wears a more

cheering aspect, the local hard-ware manu-
facturers doing fairly well. There is a
slight lull in the Liverpool iron market, and
Durham, also, does not improve. Steel-
makers are still very active at Sheffield,
where, although the rise of last week has
not been fully maintained, prices continued
better than they were a fortnight ago. The
steel trade is likewise briskly employed in
West Cumberland and North Lancashire
and South Wales. The shipyards appear to
have plenty of work in hand to last them
well through the winter, and further orders
are being received. The engineers and tool
makers of Lancashire are fairly employed,
though at low prices. • Marine engineers,
forges, • and foundries are doing well,
especially on the Tyne, though there is no
absolute want of work in other districts. The
English steam-coal trade keeps still active,
and household fuel is beginning to move off
more freely
THE FOREIGN IRON AND COAL TRADE.
Our advices this week from the Continent
are of a uniformly and exceptionally favour-
able character. The former activity of the
iron markets continues ; where prices are
not rising, they are of pronounced firmness.
Nearly all the various departments of the
iron trade and related branches are provided
with work up to the end of the current year.
The improved tendency of the German iron
market is maintaining itself, and nearly all
quotations have undergone a decided advance
The returns issued by the French Iron Trade
Association for the first five months of this
year confirm, if confirmation were longer
needed, the unexampled prosperity of the
French metallurgical industry. Notwith-
standing her vast production, France is still
compelled to import not inconsiderable
quantities of iron and steel. As compared
with the same period of last year, they show
an increase of nearly 50 per cent.; and it
must be taken into account that since the
above statistics were compiled, the activity
of the French iron trade has increasd.
Accounts received to day (Thursday) state
the French iron market is unchanged. From
the figures published of the Belgian imports
and exports during the first half of this year,
it appears that the imports of steel, compared
with those of the corresponding period of
1880, have more than doubled, while the im-
ports of pig and scrap iron have decreased.
The exports, if we except scrap iron and
some descriptions of rolled iron, have been
Considerably augmented. Our latest advices
describe Belgian ironworks to be in full
activity, and the iron market in a rising
tendency. Bars cannot now be bought
under £5 ss. The coal markets of the con-
tinent are unmistakably improving. We
have to note a rise of 7d per ton within the
last fortnight in the Belgian coal trade,
where the demand is very great, France
I ordering largely. In the latter country, the
activity of the coal market corresponds with
that of the iron trade. In Germany, the ad-
vices from the mining districts are good ; a
satisfactcry trade is being done at former
prices. The American pig-iron market con-
tinues encouraging, but Scotch pig has been
rather duller during the week. There is a
large demand for steel and iron rails, the
former being quoted at New York as high as
GO dollars, iron rails 49 dollars. No change
has taken place in Scotch pig-iron rates since
last week.
Iron.

THROAT IHRITATION.—Soreness and dryness, tickling
and irritation, inducing cough and effecting the voice'
For these symptoms use Epps's Glycerine Jujubes
Glycerice, iu these agreeable confections, being in
proximity to the glands at the moment they are excited
by the act of suc'ling, becomes actively healing Sold
only in boxes, 'lid. and is. lid , labelled "Jlates Err.,
and Co., Hocnceopathic Chemists, London.,' A letter re-
ceived : "Gentlemen—lt may, perhaps, interest you to
know that, after an extended trial, I have found your
Glycerine Jujubes of considerable benefit (with or with-
out medical treatment) in almo,t all forms Of throat
disease. They soften and clear the voice—ln no case
can they do any berm —Yours faithfully, GoanoN
Elevens, 1,,11 C.P , Senior Ph sicisu to the Minici-
psi Throat and Kar Infirmare--Epps's Medicines in
Stontbridge : Morris. 136 High Street.
1-tollomay'B Ointment aad Pills.— For hal legs
gathered breasts, and scrofulons sores the-e are genuine
specifics The grateful and earnest gratitude of
thousands who have experienced their unrivalled power
oyez these complaints, and who have been raisel from
prostrate helpltssress and a condition loathsome to
themselves and others renders it quite unnecessary to
enlArge in this place up n their extraordinary virtues
The parts affected should be bathed with lukew‘srm
water, and when the pores are thereby opened the
Ointment sh-uld be well Tubb, d in, at least twice a day
It is always advisable to take Holloway's Pills in these
I;sorders, as they greatly assist the Ointments cction
1 he Pills cluck the fever and irfl ern/nation, purify the
Mood, and eject all in :rb:d matter from the system.
VALUABLE DISCOVERY FOE THE ItAIR.—If your
hair is turning grey or white, or falling off, use " The
Mexican Hair Renewer," for it will positively restore
in every case Grey or White hair to its original colour,
without leaving the disagreeable smell of most
'Restorers.' It makes the hair charmingly beautiful,
fte well as promoting the growth of the hair on bald
spots, where the glands are cot decayed. Ask your
Chemist for " THE MICXICAN HAHt RENEWER," sold
by Chemists and Perfumers everywhere at 3s. 6d. per
Bottle. Wholesale depot reasoved to 38, Farringdon