The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-02-14 00:00:00

THE IRON TRADE.

WOLVERHAMPTON, Wedneed ay.

There was a quiet market to-day in res-
pect of all commodities offered. The busi-
ness done was trifling. Transactions had
reference mostly to sheets, in anticipation
of the threatened rise in respect of extras;
but the prices at which orders are being ac-
cepted are scarcely any improvement upon
late rates. A firm who make singles exten-
sively is much better off than it was last
week for orders for such iron. Its quota-
. .

tions to-day were £l4 to £l4 ss. .A im-
proved enquiry is looked for by the end of
this month, on account of the Baltic ports,
the annual Russian purchases being made
about this time. Should the higher rates
be determined upon, then a check, it is
feared, will be occasioned to that season
enquiry. The general admission is that the I
market needs encouragement. Foreign
advices are discouraging. Prices are de-
clared to be much too high. Pigs of the
inferior qualities sympathised with the
downward movement in Glasgow and Mid-
dlesborough; first-class qualities unchanged.
The new Bedworth pigs are getting into re-
pute; they were quoted this afternoon at £7.
Coal in this district firm; other districts
weaker and orders solicited at a reduction of
is on two months ago. Limestone advanced
(id a ton, simultaneously with a rise in the
miners' wages of tid a day.
Engineers in this district are hoping to be
lymefited by the proposed new station and
hotel, in connection with the North-Eastern
Railway at York, notwithstauding that the
now erections will be so much nearer the
Yorkshire than the Staffordshire shops. A
fair order will be given out on Monday by
the Exeter Gaslight and Coke Company. It
)mbraces 700 yards of 15in., 440 yards of
12. in., nearly 1,000 yards of 7in., and 200
yards of cast-iron socket pipes, with the at-
t-adant syphons, tees, and bends. The
The Exeter people make it a condition that
not only shall each pipe be proved with a
pressure of water equal to 300 ft. in height,
bat that it shall be struck with a 41b. hammer
whilst being proved. The Brazilian Gov-
ernment are about to erect two ornamental
east-iron water tanks, 75ft. diameter, in
konnectiott with the Pelotas and Rio Grande
Waterworks, and they are expected to allot
the order on the last day of this month.
Iron girders and other bridge work are
needed by the Carnatic Railway Company.

Mr. A. Freer said it was his duty to point out
the great service ,the late Presideut had been to
them. Mr. Welch had helpeu tueui therougtily,
and they bud never had a better president. Mr.
Welch had been most serrietiable to them in
every way. 'lnc lectures nelivered had beet,
chiudy due to Lis care and diligence, and he (Mr.
Freer) thougiit it only right to say how, person-
tidy, he felt gratetul to him for wnat he had done,
and he ttiougot those wan knew how much tie
had done wouid join situ Man in returning hint
Wanks (appiauee).
The following programme was then gone
through f—Olee, Mr. Charles King, Mrs. le.
Firinsione, Miss Collis, and Miss Richards;
piauoforte seat, Mrs. Fennell; solo, "A life that
lives for you," Mr. Charles k freestone ; duet,
Mr. and Mrs. F. leirmstone ; solo flute, Mr. Jas.
Mathews; solo, ‘• Auld Robin Grey," dines
Richards ; reading, "Loudon Poetry," by Robert
Buchanan, Dr. Bodiugton ; pianoforte solo, Mrs.
Fennel!; solo, "I heard a voice," Mr. Owen
DaVIS ; glee, Mr. Charles Riug, Mrs. F. Firm.
stone, Miss Colliti and Miss Richards ; solo,
" the Seeds of Life," Rev. Artnur Wright; eceo
date, Mr. James Mathews.
The whole of the above programme was gone
through in a first-class manlier, most of the per-
formers having, in addition, to respond to the
enco res which were persistently demanded.
Amongst these were Mr. Charles Firmstone and
Mr. Owen Davis, whose singing of "A life that
lives for you," by the former, and "I heard a
voice," by the latter was much appreciated. Mrs.
Fennell played her pianoforte solos in a superb
wanner, her performance of the second, which
was a fantasia on the old air .‘ Will you dance
the polka ?" completely arousiug the enthusiasm
of the audience. In response to the em core she
gave a magnificent renderieg of a famasia on
that delicious air—" Home, sweet home." Miss
Richards sang in a very pleasiug manner that
exquisitely pathetic old Scotch ballad, "Auld
Robin Grey," and was much applauded. Dr.
Bodington varied the proceedings by reading a
piece entitled " London Poetry,' by Robert
licchoicen, which proved to be very interesting,
aud it was attentively listened to. Mr. James
Mathews, performed tie flute solos with all
that extraordinary ability and finish which has
placed hilt' A 1 amongst flautists. His second
wile, which was a medley of Irish and Scotch
airs, had a very powerful influence over his
listeners, and as he passed from sowe pathetic
ballad to some lively jig, they seemed to be
completely carried away. Mrs. Fennell accom-
panied him on the piano. The glees, too, were
rendered in a very creditable manner. In fact,
' the weole concert was a very excellent one, and
reflected great cretin not only upon the perfor-
The above is a conservative gain of one. On Lucre; but upon the committee, who may be
the motion of Mr. Allsopp seconded by Mr: congratulated oral hayloft succeeded in bringing
such an array of talent together:
Walker, a vote of thanks was given to the ,
Votes of thiiiiies to the italics who had pro.
High Sheriff, which was deb- acknowledged. • videil trays, and alss to those who had taken part
L n the eniiertaiumant, brought the proceedings
As soon as the news arrived of the conser- to a close.
vative victory, the bells sent out a merry
peal

QuEsxmaaro Eirt .11A p •::ltyiii
1632 tn. rrgaster. 3000 tons Minh.. kleo.rs. raylor.
Rebell and Robiiirtn. 110, Fenehnrch-street, London,
sailed from Oravrieend no tho 24th ult. hound for Bris•
bane, Quee.land ; Captain Connor, Snrgeon•anporintan-
dent, Dr. W H. McLean. Nat,ion, Wu Adm.. The