The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-12-17 00:00:00

IRON TRADE SUMMARY.
THE IiDME IRON AND COAL TRADE.

If no other evidence were forthcoming that the
English iron trade is now in a better position than
it has io,eri :qua) the memorable depression, it is
supplied by the continued favourable nature of the
Board of Trade Returns, which show its steady ex-
pansion. The pig-iron market has been again anis
mated this week, but prices show no important
change. At Glasgow a large speculative business
has been traissacted in warrants during the week.
Prices tos, as high as 538 6.1 cash on Friday last,
but they receded again in consequence of large buy-
ing, and closed on Wednesday for sellers at 528 3d
ca h and 525 61 a m,mtli; buyers near. At Iliddles•
brougli, on Tucsday, a cheerful tone prevailed,
prospects being considered on all sides better than
at any pe;iod for the last six or seven years. The
senerally accepted price on Tuesday for No 3 was
3,3 s 1-id, some merchants, who are doing nearly all
the business, giving 438 3d, In other districts,
things are k, eping pretty steady, and last week's
advanced rates have been maintained. Lancashire
inaksis of pig have lavrinced their prices 2s per ton,
the ruling qu ,tation, both for foundry and forge
descriptions, b ing 51s, sales having been effected at
thee ad, anccs for the first three months of next
year. The hematite iron market continues steady,
and even on foreign account the request is very
fairly nialuta.ined, though a period of quietmes must
be expected on account of the holiday season and
partial stoppage of shipping. Qaotations remain
at last week's level, but it is known that Bessemer
iron cannot be boeght in all cases at the quoted
price. Best classes of Forest of Dean pig are now
fetching 67s 6:1 in yards, The finished iron market
is very brisk asid improving in tone. Manufac-
turers continue to be extremely busy, and are getting
stiffer in prices. On the Tyne, another advance of
2s 61 per ton has not at all cheekcd the strong de-
mand which exists. In south Shropshire, makers
of finished iron arc able to command from 2s 6d to
5s per ton above tee prices of last quarter-day. In
West Yorkshire, there is every probability of
eatly increased activity in the best Yorkshire de-
partments the demand turning mostly upon boiler-
plates and railway axles. The English coal market
IiaLESOWEN. has been fairly active during the week, end
.house-
STEALING A WaTcu.—At the Police Ceurf, oti holds are looking up, having received a slight lm-
Tuesday James Dillon, an Irish Comedian, was petus from the recent colder weather. Th re is a
committed for trial on a charge of stealine• a gold fair sale going on of gas dessriptions and sorts for
watch, value £5, the property of Edmund flare. coking purposes
and domabtic coal.
. In Wales the demand is gooi both
The prisoner tookthe watch from kW. Buell' home for ma.nufacturing

6s per week..—Aft e r some conversation the defend-
ant promised to allow his daughter to go and re-
ceive his weekly wages and keep 6s out of it.—The
Bench adjourned the case for a month it order to
see if the defendant would carry out his promise.
Datrism.—James Page, sweep, Bank S reet, Brier.
ley Hill, was fined 2s 61 and costs, with the alter
native of 7 days' imprisonment, for being druek
and disorderly on the sth inst.
SITURDAI NIGHT Al COMMON SID-At the
Police Court on Thursday, before W. F. F.
Boughey, Esq., (Stip,!..ndiary Magistrate), I.ucy
Ann Bateman (24), a flashily-dressed young
woman, the wife of a glassmaker, residing at Com-
mon Side, was charged with refusing to quit the
Crown In:, Common Side, on the previous Satur-
day night, and there was% crosa.snmmons, which
charged Samuel Porter, the landlord of the house
named, with an assault upon Bateman.—The case
for the landlord was that on the night named
Bateman's brother and three cousins created a
disturbance in his house, and wanted to stake
money for a fight, and refused to quit. In the
course of the proceedings the defendant entered
and used bad language, and was ejected by the
landlord after she had refused to leave the house.
respect to the eras-summons, Bateman swore
that the landlord struck her, and knocked her down
twice. She, however, made no complaint c, r this
to the police at the time,—The Stipendiary fined
Bateman 20s and costs. ‘tith the alternative of 14
days' imprisonment, and dkinissed the case against
the publican.—Some of the men who created the
disturbance in the house are the men who so
savagely assaulted Police-constable Hioklin the
same night, and have since absconded.

THE FOREIGN IRON A.ND COAL TRADE.
Th re has been no perceptible change in the
iron markets of the Continent. There has been
some stagnation of business in the Belgian market
during the past week, but this is probably owing to
the fact that nearly all the works are fully provided
for some time to come In view of this circumstance
prices remain very firm. The import and export re-
turns for the Belgian Kingdom for the first ten
months of this year supply ample evidence of the
general prosperity of the Belgian iron industry dur-
ing that time. Some dulness prevails in the French
iron market, from the same cause as pointed out
in the case of that of Belgium ; but the state of the
iron trade continues eminently satisfactory, with
quotations unchanged. The German iron market
displays the favourable tendency of the last few
weeks. Prices both of pig and manufactured iron
are still advancing. From the statistics pub-
lished by the German Iron ani Steel Institute, it
appears that the production of pig-iron during the
first ten months of this year in Germany increased
by about 20 per cent. as compared with the out-
put during the same period of last year. The coal
trade of the Continent, notwithstanding the mild
weather, is very bask, domestic fuel alone being
somewhat neglected. The sale of coke is good, at
the advanced rates. The American iron market
remains unch ,nged. Quotations for Scottish pig-
iron have been remarkably steady during the
week.

DUDLEY AND DISTRICT LICENSED
VICTUALLERS' ASSOCIATION.
The 37th annual dinner of the Dudley and
District Licensed Victuallers' Benevolent and
Protection Association was hell on Tuesday
evening, at the Dudley Arms Hotel, Dudley.
Over 100 gentlemen sat down to a dinner served
in host Shelley's best style. The Mayor (J.
Garratt, Esq,), presided, and Alderman George
Bagott occupied the vice-chair. Among those
also present at the tables were Mr, Joseph Stokes,
Alderman G-. Thompson, Councillors W. Challings-
worth (president of the association), H. C. Brettell
R. Mason, S. Sheward, W. E. Walker, S. Woodall,
W. Gorton, and S. Crew; Messrs. W. Begot', J.
Jordan, 3 eorge Morris, A. Green J. Whitehouse,
S. Harrison, Chief-superintendent Burton, Messrs.
E. Rutland, A, Patison, H. Dreace, W. Hanson. W.
Anderson, Brookes, Collett, W. Dudley (secretary)
J. Bayley and R. Jessop, as a deputation from the
Wolverhampton Licensed Victuallers Association ;
allo deputations from Walsall, Brierley Hill, Burton
and Aetn.
.
The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been
honoured, Alderman Thompson proposed "The
Health of the County and Borough Members,"
who, he urged, were entitled to the warmest thanks
of a gathering of that kind for the time they gave
up for the well-being of the country at large.
With regard to the licensed victualling interests,
he was bound to say there never was a time in
which those interests were so interfered with as
at present, or placed in so great jeopardy. There-
fore, it was the duty of every one connected with
the trade to endeavour as far as possible to aid and
support organisations of this kind for the purpose
of defending their interests—(hear, hear). A busi-
ness of that kind, possessing such immense wealth
was entitled to legislative protection instead of
persecution —(hear, hear) He was not prepared
to say what changes might be made, but he be-
lieved almost any change might be a chancre for
the bett r—(applause)—aud if it were not for the
protection whica the Quarter Sessions gave them
he feared there would be an immense aciifico of
c
properties by:the sweeping away of licenses through
no fault of the owner of the premises—(hear,
hear).
Councillor W. E. Walker gave "The Magistrates
and Authorities of the Borough." He considered
there was in Dudley a bench of magistrates who
meted out justice tempered with mercy, and as far
as the Town Council was concerned he believed the
members of it were actuated by a desire to for-
ward the interests of the town—(hear, hear).
The Mayor responded, and then gave the toast of
the evening, " Success to the Dudley and District
Licensed Victuallers' Association and their Chair-
man." He (the Mayor) believed the objects of the
association were of a benevolent and protective
character (hear, hear). Everybody admired
benevolence, let it be dispensed in whatever form
it might ; and with regard to their pr tective rights,
he contended that the members of a trade which
was assailed as theirs was by legislation were
perfectly justified in banding together to protect
themselves to the utmo-t possible bmit—(applause).
He knew of no trade or interest which was so
assailed by legislation ; therefore the members must
always be on the alert, fur it seemed that the
publican interest must be attacked almost every-
year— (a Voice: "Too true"). He believed
generally that the charge against a publican of per-
miling drunkenness was a false charge seeing
that their intereets were totally opposed to cirunke i-
eees, and that they ought to avoid a drunken man
as a scorpion. He was sure they were a respectable
body of men, as everyone could testify by the
certificates of character which they had to produce
before being granted a license ; and they were
looked upon by the authorities as an assistance in
maintaining law and order—(hear, hear). Speokieg
of the president of the-association, he said he was
sure no society in the country possessed a more
zsalous and indefatigable president —(applause).
As a mullet rof the Town Council he was a very
attentive member, and as a Guardian of the pour
no man had the interest of the latter more, at
heart than he had—(applause).—The toast having
been drunk with "three times three,"
Council!, r Challingsworth, who was very warmly
received, replied. He said at no time within his
recollection had he seen so num, sous and respectable
a company at their annual dinner as he saw that
evening—(hear, hear). At the present time the
association numbered 107 trade members. There
was some slight falling off in consequence of
many members having left the trade through the
depressed times, but the henorary members still
keep up the usual numser—viz., 54, and he sup-
posed no association with the same number of trade
members could boast of so many honorary members.
The balance in the bank to the credit of the
association at the present time was .0 ,003 10s. 2d.-
(applause)—but it must not be supposed that they
were in rich or affluent circumstances, because this
amount had vast obligations attached to it. They
had to support a funeral fund, defend members,
and pay various donations, and during the last 25
ye ire they had paid out to the representatives cf
deceased mernh.rs of the association the sum of
23 128. (hear, hear). Adverting to the
licensing system and the action of Mr. Gladstone,
he said it seemed a perfect paradox to him to
think how the Premier could lessen drunkenness by
iuCreasing the taxation of the licensed victuallers who
were already taxed more than they could bear
without having an additional 25 per cent, put
upon them—(hear, hear). It was impossible that
this state of things could go on unless Mr. Gladstone
intended to totally annihilate the trade. Ever
since he was first made Chancellor of thelExchequer
hehad never eft tl e trade alone, and had always
been the harsh, vindictive, and inveterate perse-
cutor of it—(hear, hear). Poacher-like, he had his
hand upon the licensed victuallers for any future
levy that might be required. He believed Mr.
Gladstone, by this recent subterfuge on his part,
had amassed something like three millions
of money to make men sober by putting
in extra tax on the licensing trade. He
(Councillor Challingsworth) had spoken to many
farmers, and he believed the recent legislative action
had been ns relief to them at all—(hear, hear). The
Government, in levying an unfair tax on one branch
of the trade to increase taxation had acted unjustly,
and committed a breach of the constitution, which
declared that all taxes should be borne equally by
the community. In condemning grocers' licenses,
h 3 asked whether grocers were to have immunity
from any of the legal obligations which the mem-
bers of the licensing trade had to put up with ?
(hear, hear.) Out-doer licenses, he had no hesita-
tion in saying, produced more drunkenness than
public houses. Mr. Gladstone spoke about the
vested interests oflthe heldeis of out-door licenses,
but he (the speaker) wondered what vested interest
a man could have who lived in a house rated at
.210 and simply licensed to sell off the premises.
Unless they as licensed victuallers made a stand
they would be inevitably ruined—(hear, hear).
There were several Bills before Parliament propos-
ing to deal with Sunday closing, promoted, it was
said, chiefly by Sabbaterians, teetotallers, and
humbugs—(laughter and applause). Tao greatest
enemies, however, that the licensed victuallers had
to deal with in res; ect to Sunday closing were those
who had well-fillet 'cellars. He dared say next
session there would be, as Mr. Gladstone had pro-
mised, a total revision of the licensing laws, and
they might depend upon it, whatever the revision
was, they would come out of the fight beaten men,
and worse than when they entered it, for he had no
hopes of Mr. Gladstone. As this was no political
question, he (the speaker) called upon those present
to look well after their own interests, and when the
next Parliamentary election came, he would say
"avoid your politics and look after your interests,
and the interests of your families "—)applause).
Several complimentary toasts followed. The
proceedings were considerably enlivened by the
efforts of a glee party.

FLORMINN I—Fort THR TENVEL AND ERNATNo—A
few drops of the liquid "FlorEine" sprinkiad ca
wet tooth-brush produces n pleauant lather, ,whiek
thoroughly cleanses the teeth from all parasites oz
impurities, hardens the gums, ptvelltii tartar, stops
decay, givea to the teeth a peculiar pearly-whiteness,
and a delightfnl! fragrance to the t•reath. It removes
all unpleasant odour arizing from decayed teeth or
tobacco smoke. "The Fragr, being ma-
rin part of Honey and sweet hert,a, 'is delicious to
eed taste, and the greatest toilet dihcoverT of tlg,
Price 2s. 6d., of all Chemists and Perfumeys. Wh,c>la.
.1. flopi Iv" aviimawa Row, L :radon.