The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-01-16 00:00:00

TEE STOUTPAIDGE OBSEIRVEII.

BIRMINGHAM, Thursday:

The decision arrived at in Wolverhampton on
Thursday by influential firms as to the course of
prices, tended much to impart steadiness to the tone
of to-day's meeting, which was numerously attended,
and the market was, if anything, stronger than that
at Wolverhampton on Thursday. Leading makers
declared that their order-books were well filled, and
that the general condition of the trade was such as
to fully justify the course taken with regard to prices.
In some few cases north country pigs were to be had
at a trifling concession, but those of local make were
firm. The weekly make of pig-iron in the South Staf-
fordshire district is 2,000 tons less than at the corres-
ponding period of last year, and as consumers stocks
are low, it is not difficult to understand the firmness
in price of local pigs as compared with those of
north country make. Current rates are £3 ss. for
common cinder, £4 ss. for medium, and £5 ss. for
best all-mine. At these prices considerable orders
changed hands this afternoon, notwithstanding that
sellers of Cleveland and other north country pig-iron
were in some cases seeking orders at a concession of
2s. 6d. per ton on the price just lately ruling. Mr.
Horton, of Lilleshall, Shropshire, does not hold out
any promise of lower rates for the famous cold-blast
pig of )that district, at least for some time to come,
and the Staffordshire firms are unanimous in declaring
that the medium and common classes of pig especially
must maintain their present prices until substantial
refief is afforded in the cost of production. For
this relief the ironmasters look to Ithe coal market,
which, at present, shows no sign of weakness, and
it is improbable that any change will be declared at
least for a month or six weeks to come. The lead-
ing firms in the West Dudley district quote best thick
coal. 18s.; seconds, 13s. ; lumps, 125.; and engine
slack, 6s. per ton. On the Wolverhampton side of
the district the commonest class of forge coal can be
had at Os. per ton. The local ironstone market
shows considerable firmness, and prices are well sup-
ported at is. for white, and 225. for gubbin, being
an advance of is. per ton on the rates ruling a little
time ago. Supplies are very restricted, even at these
prices, so many of the pits in the district not being
in operation. Splendid ironstone measure have, we
understand, been struck lately at Aldridge, near
Walsall, where rich coal seams also exist, and it was
stated on 'Change this afternoon as not improbable
that blast furnaces will be erected there at no distant
date. The rates quoted for Wigan forge pig this
afternoon were £3 12s. 6d.; andhematite, £4 12s. 6d.
Bessemer iron (Losdale brand) is £5 108. short
weight delivered. The feature of the market for
finished iron-continued to be the large demand for
sheets, some manufacturers of which have sufficient
orders in hand to occupy them during the quarter.
Ordinary sheets (single) were freely inquired for, at
£l2 15s. to £l3 per ton. Galvanised roofing sheet
manufacturers quoted on the basis of £22 103. per
ton for sheets of 24 guages. The Earl of Dudley,
Messrs. Barrows, Messrs. Williams, Messrs. Baldwin,
and the New British Iron Company are well under
, orders for iron of their well-known brands. Some
of the merchants on 'Change to-day expressed doubts
as to the maintenance of existing prices, far on into
the quarter, and numerous orders, which, in the event
of a slight giving way in prices, would have been
given out, are still being held over. On the other
hand, a large number of specifications, which, durnev
the last month, have been acenniblating in merchants'
lands in the hope that quartor-day would bring lower
fates, al e now being given out under stipulat!un for
prompt &Ivory.
Among the exhibits in the Town Hall to-day, the
one which appeared to attract the the greatest at(en-
tion was a novelty in the shape of a model of a
patent rtci Tocating rolling mill, by Mr. William
Brown, of the London Works Iron Company Stneth-
wick. In this mill four short rolls are mounted in
the ordinary way of the " tlro-high" rolling mills,
but revolve in opposite directions. Two housiugs,
connected at the to) by a cross-piece of great strength,
have between them a pedestal fixed in the bedplate
for the support of the necks of the rolls. Between
the pedestal and cross piece is a wide opening to al-
low the bloom rail or bar to be moved quickly by the
hooker from ono pair of rolls to the other, and
operated upon each way. In changing the rolls it
is odly necessary to raise the pins or bolts which
connect the cross-piede with the pedestal, the opening
them allowing a space for changing the rolls with
ease. A patent " pressu.e blower," the construction
of which is modified so as to ensure a steadiness of
blast, was shown by Messrs. T. H. and C. Asbury, of
the Moseley Road, Birmingham. Messrs. Ash and
Sou (Bull Street) showed a fine collection of miners'
dials, levels, and theodolities ; and Mr. William Hall,
of the Hagley Rood, had a model of Walker's patent
detaching hood for the prevention of over-winding,
which had the merits of simplicity of design and
efficient action.