The Express.
London, England, 1862-12-31 00:00:00

81,'• 1862.

TJ

FE METAL TRADE.
—....--
of the metal trade during

The following review
the past year is from the tiligjield fatiersierst • •
Upon the whole, metals grandly treat the 41111•••• life•
111 a sounder position. than at the coneramaset dthe pea-
sant yaw, a/though In some cases prier are comiderahly
lower. Stocks in foreign markets, owing to the eseemir
shipments of previous years, bad accumulated to an almost
unprecedented extent. The result was naturally a gnat
diminution in the shipping orders of native merchants, who
were enabled to supply themselves from their own markets,
and • eonsequent difficulty in maintaining the then current
prices.
Copper.-The fluctuations in fixed rates of English have
been comparatively unimportant throughout the year, only
three downward alteration% of gel. per lb. each, and one
upward move, which was, however, of a very nominal cha-
racter, having taken place, and fixed rates ate more nearly
adhered to.
Iron.-The iron trade generally is in a much more satis-
factory 000dition now than at the commencement of the
year. For the first two months stagnatwo reigned is almost
every branch, and the market couldpardly be said to be
equal to the low rates quoted-railway bars 51. at the
works; Welsh merchant bus, Si. 2e. 6d. at the works,
51. 17's. 6d. f.o.b. in London. Buyer, taking advantage
of the exigencies of manufacturer, wen able argot to
make their own terms up till about the sad of February,
when some slight improvement in the demand been
to show itself ; but, owing to the heavy stooks
which manufacturers, rather than stop their works,
had accumulated, prices were very slow to feel
any beneficial influence. During March they increased
only sa. in rails and 2% lid. in merchant hers ; the
latter, however, soon declining again to the former
quotation of 51. 17s. 5d., and ultimately, at the end of the
month, to 51. 15e. The motet stiffered gradually for the
salt two months, and towards the latter end of May fel
list prices were demanded by mama good Idioms brands,
ililliOf qualities only being more difficult of sale. This
improvement continued steadily right up to October, when
quotations for rails had reached 61. at the works ; mar-
&tat bars, 51. 15s. at works, and 61. 10% delivered f.o.b.
In Leaden. In October the pre (lowly good demand for
railway bars fell off considerably, and the prim has de-
tained about 7s. 6d. per ton-to 51. 12% fid., at which it re-
miss up to the present time ; merchant bars being steadily
maintained at their advance, notwithstanding the decline
in rails. In Swedish iron a fair amount of business has
been transacted, at different times through the year, at
perm ranging from 101. 10a. to 111. lbs. for ordinary
• •fte.7.na. The stock' held in Loud= until quite lately have
been remarkably small, and seam tmente of tine sizes scarce.
Some heavy ea duds during the bet few weeks have aug-
mented the stook, but not to any unusual extent ; errant
quotations, 111. ex ship to 111. 103. from the amebae's.
Scotch pigs have fluctuated but little in comparison with
goner. years. The mioimutu rate, 481. mixrd numbers, are
reached in Jemmy, and the maximum, 57a 6d., in October.
him advanced, with only now and then light devising",
therighout the whole period intervening between these two
Enka The market has since declined to 55a M. in Nov.,
aid awn advanced to 575., sires which a downward ten
dime has I; en manifest,' i, clewing today at 545., m.s.,
g.m.b f.0.b., in the Clyde.
Speller.-During the put ymr the variations in this
metal have been very considerable, prier milli from 171.
to 101. 5% The amount of business tranrsted has bre,
upon the whole, somewhat limited, and the demand gene-
roily so unsteadily developed as in a peat measure to
destroy confidence is the stability of the market. The pre-
Tailing feature of the various fluatuadons has bra a very
rapid rise, followed by a slow but nay persisteet decline.
Prices have improved to 181., at which holders are apparently
very firm, and a fair demand edits for home emomption.
Orders for shipment continue very limited. Stock on
Dec. 1, 5,861 tons.
Ear -The fixed price of manufactured nee was reduced
20s. per toe-to 231.; present quotation, 231. ss.
Lead.-The msrket for English pirlesi he. been clan.
racterised by considerable fluctuations, and bee not been
steady fee any length of time throughout the whole of the
past you. One strongly marked feature appears upon ex-
amining the comparative statistics of prices-that the
ordinary common quality has gradually, since the com-
mencement of the year approximated more nearly to the
price of the favourite China brand of WE, which km gene.
rally heretofore realised about 30a. per tan above orilmary
brands, but by degrees the difference has decreased, being
in October only 10s.
Tim-This metal, perhaps in • greater degree than almost
any other, is affected b the war in America, sod the eon-
'squat curtailment of business with that sountry, which
was originally one of our largest 0•1•010111 for tin. At the
breaking out of the war prim steed at about 1301. for Eng-
lish, 1341. Bence, and 1281. Straits. These prim have de-
clined mom or lees rapidly up to Auger of the present
year, the downward tindery oely emsionally receiving
some alight temporary cheek, eared perhaps by a rather
better inquiry, or some other surrficeal moon. This is
but the natural user el the facreased quantity being
thrown on the market by the virtual closing of or
peat outlet. e are of opinion that tin has now about
feared its level, and that prises are hardly likely to go lower,
if so low, again for some time to come.
Tin-plates.-In this market the demand hie during the
whole year been hardly equal to the supply, and prime have
been but barely maintained; but little alteration has taken
=The principal part of the export trade has been
with America sod the continent. India ardor Aus•
trainer colonies having been somewhat overstocked by the
excessive shipments of previous you% native mereitents
have supplied their requirements from the stocks in their
own markets,
SteeL-In English steel, oast, shear, spring, blister, he.,
has been leas in demand for shipment, but an externs
bemires has been done for home consumption, chiefly fee
railway purposes, plating war Tassels, and in crinoline steel ;
prices remain without material alteration, price and the
respectability of the hour supplying being the only avail-
able guarantee to a buyer as to quality. Snub&
has been rattier under a cloud all the yr%
Early in Jimmy the price was firm at 161. lOs. Im-
porters unwisely inundated the market, as at this price a
good profit would accrue to purchasers direct, and it has
never been able to recover itself, the reap, properties el
the sales made up to within the lest two months not berg
above 151. Latterly, however, a rather better feelings
evinced, and sellers now quote 1.51. 10s. to 161. for ordinary
hands, 18/. E B kegs, and 171. faggot. The stock is sow
greatly reduced, and holders generally anticipate higher
rates next season.
Quieksilver.-The price of this article has not been
altered-71. per bottb of 75Ibs. guaranteed. The export
trade to China and elsewhere appears, however, to be rather
leaving us and flowing through other elmensle. Large ship-
mate ere now made direct from Spain.

A NOVEL HIGHWAY ROBBEEY.—On Sunday
evening a highway robbery wee porpetrated in the Norfolk-
road, which, for originality of design and boldness of execu-
tion, stands almost sloes in the annals of the minion.
On Sunday evening, at about • quarter to seven, a young
man, named Charles Taylor, was walking with • female
along the Norfolk-road, Edgbastno, when near to °finis-
stone-lane be was tappet familiarly upon the shoulder by • ,
man, who introduced' himself as • detective onion,
and mid that he " wanted" Mr. Taylor ; he had
wanted him some time, and was exceedingly glad
to have made his isequaintane. Taylor, taken quite
aback, and thinking, we sic that discretion
was the better part of our, submitted to be
collared !and taken away along the road, u the " detec•
tire" mid, to the station. After walking some distance
the guardian " bobby " asked Mr. Taylor what he had
about him, and proceeded in a very official manner to search
him. Mr. Taylor behevusg in the bond fides of his captor,
submitted to thin operation too ; nor did he resist when the
"detective" transferred from his pocket to his own Mr.
Taylor's watch. Still he walked
.ou, and it was not until
his captor loosed. aod without waiting to return hie pro-
perty, ran along the Norfolk-road into the Hotta' Park-
road. that Mr. Taylor perceived bow coolly he bad been
robbed. He at once, with rolionoosetable Bannon, who
arrived upon the spot after the thief had decamped, pre
chase, but without success, for the ci-detrant member of
an exceedingly useful body wee by this time far away. He
has at proud eluded pursuit, but it is to be hoped that
be will bete dected, and that in the care of • real detective
he will loathed to book fur his offeon—Biresiecihent Post.
THE FISH AND Lone or LITZ IN SOHO.—Yeeter-
day afternoon Mr. Bedford, the coroner for Westminster,
held an inquiry at the St. James's Workhouse into the
. deaths of the six young chiklren named Spencer, who were
destroyed in the 6e which took plan fu Porthaadntreet
last Friday night. The bodies were identified by their
uncle, Hitchir, • tailor, residing in Avery-row, Old
Bond-street. Dr. Bnimird stated at some lima the
sottoe of the injuries the children had suateined, sad
came to the conclusion that they died feat the
shock of the burns, and not [eons =Boogie&
The Coroner intimated that the inquiry can likely to be
one of serious importanos, and be shookd not therefor* pro-
ceed further with it that day. He hoped that in the far
Cher investigation the parochial authorities would minder
earistanoe. Mr. Eneard, the vestry clerk, said they artainly
would, and he was iestriuted to place the vestry-hall, in
Piccadilly, at the service of the coroner and jury. He
added that four of the children were being educated at the
parochial school on Battenneonintoo, and bad come cep
to spend • day or two with their parents at Mittman. The
coroner then adjourned the incur/ natal Tuesday meat,
when it will be -weed at the vestry-hall.
FATAL CIIWOLINt AOClDlUTT.—Yesterday an
inquest was held by Dr. Lukens; at the Princess Royal,
Hereford-road, Weetbourne-une, on the body of Ire.
Hannah Maria Grant, aged 61. the widow at a colonel lately
serving in the Indian army. Mrs. Elizabeth Duna; T 4,
Hereford-road North, said the deceased had lodged with
her about five years, and her daughter lived with her. On
Thursday last witome was called to the drawiniproom about
]alf•paat eleven o'clock, ad on going there the foetid do-
nned in Aaron which her daughter wee trying to soniu-
guish, in doing which her clothes caught fire, and she was
so burnt as to be unable to attend the court Ugly' evi-
ction. The flames were Badly extinguished, but the de-
emed was so severely burnt that she died in a few hone.
Denman stated that she WOO stinting; with her beck to the
fire looking at e bird which hod erased from the osge.
when her dress, which wee distended by a large
eriooline,
eaciebt fie. She tried with • pair et miens thews away
' the part. in flames, but could not do so. The coroner, In
hie inumning op, strongly coodenzsed the daagesene premise
of using crinoline. The jury returned a wordlist et "
dental death."