The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-17 00:00:00

MINERS MEETING AT OLD HILL.

A largely attended meeting of miners was held on
Wednesday evening at the Vine Inn, Old Hill.—
Mr. W. Breakwell (miners agent), in the course of
an address, urged the men to be united for the pur-
pose of improving their wages and maintaining
their privileges. It was afterwards resolved,
"That in the opinion of the meeting the coal-
masters be earnestly requested to call a meeting of
the trade with the view of deciding on an advance
in wages, and a revision of the sliding scale." It
was also agreed to support the view of tht West
Bromwich miners in the impending trial as to
allowance coal for an injured miner; and it was de-
cided to start a Union lodge at the Vine Inn.

IRON TRADE SUMMARY.

THE HOME LRON AND COAL TRADE.

The English iron market has shown some liveli-
ness during the week, with prices displaying an
improving tendency. Pig-iron has been most ac-
tive both at Middlesbrough. and Glasgow, and
quotations have gone UP considerably at those spe-
culative centres; but they have also advanced—to
a less extent, however—in places whe:e trade is of
a more steady nature, and where prices are regu-
lated more in accordance with the laws of supply
and demand. The principal stimulus this week is
furnished by the endeavours to form a Scotch.
English combination (referred to in last week's
IRON) with a view of reducing the output of raw
material. Although the mere report has had the
effect of sending up prices, too much value ougLt
not to be set upon it, well informed circles being of
opinion that no serious curtailment need be antici-
pated, even if such a combination were to be called
into existence. There are to many conflicting in
terests at work to render the scheme practicable.
A. good business is stifl being doae in hematite
pig, America and the Continent taking to an ex-
tent almost large enough to embarrass makers.
Prices are very steady, No. 1 Bessemer being
quoted in North Lancashire at 605., forge iron No.
3,57 s 6d., all at works; in Cumberland quotations
are 60s 6d, and 575. respectively. Manufactured
iron has been better on the whole duting the week,
there being more enquiry, but also in sympathy
with the greater
,activity of the pig-iron branch.
The West Yorkshire forges are active, and likely
to keep so for some tune. Staffordshire, on the
other hand, is not so well off for orders as recently.
There is very little change either at Birmingham
or Sheffield, though it is a rematkable fact that the
better descriptions of Sheffield produce are meet-
ing with much better demand titan common kinds,
a circumstance fully borne out also in West York-
shire, where best,brands of iron are commanding
a ready sale, notwithstanding the competition of
steel. Iron shipbuilders are still exceedingly busy,
and engineering works are doing fairly well. The
English coal trade is satisfactory. House-coal is
very active, and prices are a trifle higher in some
districts. The demand for steam-coal has some-
what slackened in Wales. but on the whole enquiry
is good, and prices are firm, even stiff.
THE FOREIGN IRON AND COAL TRADE.
The iron markets of the Continent continue in a
healthy condition. The Austrian iron market is
still improving, prices having an upward tendency
ilmportant changes may soon be expected in con-
nection with this matket in consequence of the
fusion [of the Alpine ironworks into one huge

association, at last effected, which will be in a
position to pretty much regulate output andquota-
tions. Although in the Belgian market prices re-
main as yet stationary, the active demand for both
pig and manuf tetured iron previously noted is
maintained. Merchant bars sell at 185 fr., joists
at 187 fr., old rails at 116 fr. to 119 fr., a large
quantity of the latter going south. The French
iron market is, if anything, stronger, the favour-
able advices from othcx centres contributing to-
wards its firmness. The rise in quotations against
which Paris merchants have operated so long, has
at last been uniformly accepted, and merchant iron
is now disposed of at 195 fr. and joists at 200 fr.
Common plates fetch 260 fr. for immediate con-
sumption. Prices are very firm in the German
market, and enquiry is still increasing. It is ex-
pected that the much-talked-of resolution of Scotch
ironmasters to restrict the output of furnaces will
not be without influence upon the German pig-iron
market. The consumption of Bessemer and spiegel
iron is very great, and the tendency in these
descriptions is for a rise. Large orders for steel
rails are still being received, especially from North
America. The coal markets of the Continent are
very active, quotlitions do not move. The tendency
of the Austrian market is favourable ; in Belgium
prices are buoyant; the French coal market re-
mains as before; and the German coal trade is get-
ting very busy, export showing renewed activity.
The export from Hamburg during the past month
has increased by over 14,000 tons as compared with
August if 1880. The American iron market shows
no essential change. Iron.