The Express.
London, England, 1854-01-12 00:00:00

IRONMASTERS' QUARTERLY MEETING.

WOLVERHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY.
The quarterly meeting of the ironmasters of this
district, fey the current quarter, commenced at Walsall
yesterday ; there was comparatively little business trans-
acted, but the meeting of the trade here this afternoon was
false large as usual ; and if the actual amount of business
.tnistelasted was not quite so large, it was because there are
aispady such considerable orders on the books that there
is me disposition on the part of the ironenuten to in
igen them at present, whilst at the same time
there is • corresponding disposition on the part
of consumers to order, and cautiously. So far, the
trade is in as healthy • condition as It can ever be ex-
pected to be ; there is very little, if any, underselling, but
whilst prices are remarkably firm, there is a very strong
determination on the part of the leading members of the
trade to check any further advance of prices; in fact, that
could not be attempted, without speedy injury to the trade,
one source of which would, in all probability, be new de-
mands in respect of wages by the workpeopls, why are now
working with quite their usual amount of contentment, at
the rate of wages speed upon.
For all descriptions of iron, bars, hoops, sheets, and stripe,
and plates, the orders both for home and abroad are
abundant. In this part of the country there are no stocks
OR hand, and, indeed, the make is not equal to the demand ;
but at the present time it could not be increased, even
were the ironmasten disposed to do so.
Coals are still very dear. Slack is quoted u high as Ss.
per ton, and all materials are remarkably scarce ; to-day
ironstone was sold as high as 21e. per ton. There seems to
be a feeling prevalent that the high price of coal will not be
of long continuance. For the present, however, we see no
probability of its being lower ; nor until there is a general
drainage of the district, especially about Tipton, do we sae
a chance of any considerable fall in the price of this MEIr
modity.
The tin-plate trade is said to have undergone noimprene-
ment sinew last quarter-day, but the make has bum di-
minished considerably, chiefly in consequence of the scarcity
and high price of block-tin ;so that it seems not unreason-
able to expect an advance in the price of plates on no dis-
tant day.
The meeting today passed off most eatisfactorily ; ac-
counts were very punctually paid, and all the reports we
received relative to the condition of trade generally in this
most prosperous town, were at no time within our recollec-
tion more cheering than they now are.
About two o'clock, whilst the Exchange was fullest, a
little shout was heard at the entrance, and presently Lord
Ingeotre (the tory candidate for the representation) ap-
peered, escorted by Mr. Philip Williams, the ironmuter,
and two or three persons locally influential ; but the visit
of his lordship attracted the smallest conceivable amount
of attention ; in fact, a cooler reception he could not possi-
bly have had. The great ironmasters have, with two or
three respectable exceptions, declared for the liberal candi-
date ; so have the manufacturers, great and small, sad
after remaining an hour, recognised only casually
by little groups as he passed, his lordship quitted
the Exchange. It had been given out previously
that the noble candidate would take that opportu-
nity
of addressing the constituency ; but, strangely
enough, he quitted the place without doing so. In
all probability he was somewhat mortified at the recep-
tiou be received, and did not care to encounter a reply
from such staunch free traders as Mr. C. B. Dimmack and
Mr. Blaekwell, the ironmasters, both of whom were in the
Exchange ; and it was hinted that if any speech was deli-
vered by Lord Ingestre that one orother of those gentlemen
wou:d rt ply. Late in the afternoon it was stated th his
lordship would speak at Birmingham toinPrrow—ail extra-
ordinary proceeding certainly, soling that that town is out
of the county, for, in view of the omission to do so here to-
day, a more unpardonable slight to the elceters of this town
and district—really the metropolis of South Staffordshire—
could scarcely be conceived.

LONDON AND GREENWICH RAlLWAY.—Yeaterday
the half-yearly general meeting of this am any took plies
at the cakes Coleman-street, City; Mr. Josiah Wilson in
the chair, in the absence of Mr. Ethadbelt from indisposition.
The chairman laid before the meeting the statement of
accounts, which showed that the rent front the South
Eastern Railway Company,anscianting to 22,0001., had been
received; and this sum, after paying interest on deben-
tures, preferential dividends and expenses, left a ba
lance of 11,2891. be. 4d. in favour of the company. A
dend of 68.24. per share, free of imams tax, for the half-year,
was declared. The retiring directors, Mr. Jeremiah Pilther
and Mr. Josiah Wilms, were rireiested, and a oonvena-
• Eon arose sa to the expediewey et mill the number of
aeries to We dra Are ; bat it Ina ezyielsed that us.
&Mho terms el the ea of they were bound to
here that aurbsr, rut it wadi be to eery as
iihe lead lealare of the 'anyway wilh emery
sad Imre& rut be Areal by dues drereee—altS.
Ilea wilek,fit tie sweat of Ulmer es ether eapeellyb it =kb.
be Mewls le told', If the awake were aereened. The
eeptiehed with the meal rote ef **aka