The Express.
London, England, 1867-04-12 00:00:00

THE IRON TRADE.

BIRMINGHAM, Apart. 11.
The second quarterly meeting of the ironnutaters
of this district was held in the Town-hall this after-
noon. There was a very large attendance, the trade in
each of the other iron-producing districts being well re-
presented. It was not expected that the amount of busi-
ness done would be large ; the apprehensions entertained
that there may arise unpleasant complications between
France and Prussia, together with the doubtful aspect of
political concerns at home, alike help to depress trade in
its present peculiarly sensitive condition. These circum-
stances taker. into account, matters to-day looked more
cheerful than was anticipated. The quantity of finished
iron sold was under the average certainly, but
there was a certain steady kind of trade doing,
and producers seemed less anxious to press for
orders than they did last quarter day. The " specifi-
cations " now *bout are comparatively small, but when
given out they will be quite sufficient to keep the works
going as fully as they have been of late. A change has
also come over the circumstances of the trade in one
respect ; consumers have got into the habit of buying for
a month instead of entering into engagements for the
quarter's consumption as was formerly the case ; this, of
course, lessens materially the amount of business done at
quarter-day. A demand for a large quantity of finished
iron on account of the East Indies and Australia is said to
be certain, and also contributed to the cheerful feeling( pre-
vailing at this meeting. The market for pig-iron
is decidedly firmer; a considerable quantity of
that class of iron was sold to-day at 3/. 10s.
per ton for all mine, hot blast; cinder-pig was
sold at 2!. 12s. 6d. per ton. We quote pig iron at
Is. 3d. per ton above the price of last quarter day. In
reference to the Shropshire iron trade. it was reported
that the whole of the Lilleshall make had been sold. The
attention of the trade was attracted to specimens of the
dockyard pigs, better known as" Seeley's pigs," which
were exhibited in the hall to-day. There were many
samples ; when they were first discovered they
were "mixed," that is, in a state known to
the trade as " Kentledge," and only useful as
ballast. Those shown to-day have been carefully
sorted—in broken and manufactured forms. It was repre-
sented that the iron is all cold-blast, and that although
the qualities differ the are all good, the iron being tit for
use in making telegra wire, armour plates, mute, bolts,
and other articles oft t class. Meagre. George Ryland
and Co. have priced it at 41. to V. 10s. per ton. In re-
ference to the mixed quality of the iron much has been
said ; as Is well known, iron, as it runs from the fur-
nace, comes, even from the same ore, in different
qualities, which are called technically " numbers."
(In the proper admixture of these depends the
speciality of the manufactured iron. To wort this
iron, therefore, into its proper " numbers " from
its present mixed condition, in order to render its
value appreciable to the trade is what Messrs. Ryland are
now doing. Amongst the specimens shown was a peddled
billet made from the grey iron by Mr. Joseph Mathew', at
Messrs. Field and Sturgis's works, Oldbury ; the excel-
lence of its quality was admitted. The opinion as to it
was that it would make a tool for turning rolls, after
hardening, from the peddled billet itself. The opinion of
the trade seemed to be favourable as to the quality of the
iron ; but a doubt was expressed as to whether the price
now asked would be obtained.

Kirwan, the wounded Fenian, had not been re-
captured up to Wednesday night. Policeman Kelly, who
guarded him, has been arrested, and charged on suspicion
with wilfully, corruptly, and negligently allowing the
prisoner to escape from Month Hospital. Kelly only left
the room for a few minutes to get a draught for a cold,
when Kirwan slipped out undressed, sad managed to peas
the porter's lodge. Every exertion was made to retake
him, but the plan formed for his escape seems to have
been well matured. He pretended to be very weak.
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CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

(Before Baron Channell.)
John George Conde, 40, labourer, and Mary Conde, 39,
husband and wife, were charged upon an indictment, and
also by the coroner's inquiaition, with the wilful murder of
William Conde.

Mr. Daly and Mr. Nicholson prosecuted ; the prisoners
were defended by Mr. Begley and Mr. Straight.
This case was one of a very painful and distressing cha-
racter, the offence imputed to the prisoners being that
they had caused the death of a child twelve years of age,
the sou of the male prisoner and stepson of the woman,
by brutal treatment and starvation. The evidence went
to show that the prisoners occupied one room in a
house in the neighbourhood of Bromley, and they had
three other children, the eldest of whom was • brother
of the deceased child by the former marriage. It was
proved that the deceased child, for some reason or other,
was treated quite differently to the others, and that • 'tort
of press was made in the corner of the room, in which the
deceased was almost constantly kept and that he was com-
pelled to lie in this position wh,the prisoners and the
other children were having their meals, that he begged
for food from the other lodgers and that when bread was
given to him be ate it ravenously. It also appeared that
while the deceased child was in a very weak and emaciated
condition, the female prisoner was seen to beat him. The
child died on the 16th of February, and upon a post mortem
examination being made, the body was found to be in a meet
wretched condition, and, according to the medical evidence,
the death was ocoasioued by starvation and want of proper
nourishment, and some idea may be formed of the condi-
tion of the body from the fact that although he was
twelve years of age, the body of the deceased when it was
weighed after death was only 201 b a. 12oz. in weight. It
was stated in the course of the inquiry that a very great
amount of distress existed in the neighbourhood, and that
the male prisoner had only been employed as a pauper at
stone]) .ruking, for which he received very small pay, and
it also appeared that he had received relief from the Man-
sion-house Distress Fund, and there appeared to be no
doubt that he was in a very miserable condition as far as
pecuniary means were concerned.
At the close of the case for the prosecution, Mr. Daly,
I who conducted it, complained that in truth he had only
had to open the case on the inquisition returned by the
coroner, and not on depositions taken before a magistrate.
He felt, however, that now the evidence had been gone
through, he could not think of sustaining the higher charge
of murder, and must go to the jury for the lesser offence of
manslaughter. The learned counsel also remarked that
even for the lesser offence he could not seek the conviction
of the male prisoner, who appeared to have given all his
miserable earnings to his wife.
Mr. Baron Channel), after • short discussion, in which
Mr. Daly and Mr. Bosley (for the prisoner) took part, con-
curred in that view of the matter, and complimented Mr.
Daly on the fairness and candour he had exhibited.
Mr. Beale y (instructed by the Sheriffs) then addressed
the jury on behalf of the female prisoner, contending that
, unless they were satisfied the deceased died of starvation
from her negligence she could not be convicted, and he
urged that as he had elicited from the surgeon that in the
body of the deceased he had discovered the seeds of pulmo-
nary disease or consumption, the death of the child was to
be attributed to that disease, and not to starvation.

Mr. Baron Channel' sumnieilup the whole of the case at
considerable length, descanting upon the law applicable to
the cue.

The jury, after a brief consultation, returned • verdict
of Guiity of manslaughter against the female prisoner, and
Acquitting the male prisoner.
Mr. Baron Channel' deferred passing sentence until this
morning.
(Before the Recorder.)

George Jones Massa, a porter, was indicted for felo-
niously wounding Edward William Mason, with intent to
kill and murder him. In a second count the intent was
laid to do grievous bodily harm.
Mr. Platt conducted the prosecution. The prisoner was
not defended by counsel.
The prosecutor and the prisoner stood in the relation-
ship of brothers, the latter having been discharged from
the army about 15 months ago, and the fonner carrying on
the business of a glasa cutter and lapidary in the vicinity
of the Kingsland-road. It appeared that about 5 o'clock in
the evening of the 6th ult. the prisoner came to the door of
the prosecutor's workshop, and pressed him to come oat.
The prosecutor refused, excusing himself on the ground
that he had some work to finish. The prisoner followed
him into the workshop, and drawing forth a knife of for-
midable dimensions stabbed the prosecutor in the breast,
and afterwards inflicted four or five stabs in his back. He
was secured by some of his brother's workmen and the
knife was taken from him ; and on his being searched there
were found in his possession another knife and a razor,
which the prisoner called his tools, but added that he did
not mean to harm anyone.
In answer to the Recorder, the prosecutor said that the
only reason he could assign for the extraordinary conduct
of the prisoner was that he had found him drinking
in a public-house with persons of whom he ddid not
approve, and that in consequence he had refuse to also-
code with him. He had given his brother no other
provocation.
. . .

It woe further proved that the prisoner, when appro.
hended, stated to the officer that the reason be had done
the act was that his brother was better off than himself,
and had discarded him. It was also proved that the in-
juries were of a serious nature, and after being in the
hospital three weeks the prosecutor was still an out-
patient.
The jury found the prisoner Guilty of wounding with
intent to do grievous bodily harm.
The Recorder saki it was God's mercy that the life of
the prosecutor had not been sacrificed by the prisioner,who
was sentenced to five years' penal servitude.
Francis Adams a man of respectable exterior, surren-
dered in discharge of his bail to receive judgment on an
indictment charging him with the publication (jointly with
a person named Peck, who had absconded) of a false,
scandalous, and malicious libel on a lady, whose name did
not transpire.
Mr. Metcalfe and Mr. F. H. Lewis attended for the
prosecution, and Mr. Seijeant Robinson, with whom was
Mr. Collins, appeared on behalf of the defendant, on whose
part an affidavit in mitigation of sentence was put in,
alleging that be bad been the dupe of Peck, and that he
had made all the repentance in his power by pleading
guilty, and by since writing an apology to the respectable
lady who had been so slanderously libelled.
The Recorder, in passing sentence, remarked that the
defendant had pleaded guilty to the indictment, but not
until the last moment, and the apology relied on had only
been sent a few days before the commencement of the pre-
sent sessions. Under these circumstances the court could
not but regard these latter proceedings as a mere attempt
to obtain a mitigation of sentence, and were no evidence
of the defendant's contrition. The circumstances appeared
to be that the other party charged, and who had amended,
had sought to obtain the lady libelled in marriage, and on
her marrying another gentleman he and the defendant
set about the publication in question, which was a song of
• most filthy character. It seemed that the defendant
had employed persons to sing the offensive effusion in
front of the residence of the prosecutriz, and had sent
copies of it to several of the lady s friends, with a view to
injure her in their estimation. The sentence was that the
defendant be imprisoned for the term of six calendar
months.

Theadore Came( Rafe, or Resift, 20, clerk, was indicted
for stealing four bills of exchange, and also with forging
the endorsement to one of them.

Mr. Poland prosecuted, and the evidence disclosed that
a gentleman named Garrett, residing at Heath-terrace,
Lewisham, was in the habit of receiving by every mail re-
mittances in bills of exchange on the Hoag Kong and
Shanghae Bank in London from his correspondent in
Hong Kong. Br the mail due on the 11th February last
Mr. Garrett received a remittance of two bills for 100/.
each and a third for 50/., and by the next mail he expected
to receive the second or counterparts of the three bills,
together with another for the sum of 153/. 17s. 6d., but
this remittance never reached him. In a few days
after the arrival of the mail the prisoner called upon Mr.
i;arrett and produced the three bills, stating that
he had found them in a railway carriage whilst
travelling from Lewisham to London-bridge station. On
inspecting the bills, Mr. Garrett discovered that the 50/.
bill was endorsed, and the signature "J. Garrett " being a
forgery his suspicions were excited, and he gave the pri-
soner into custody. The forgery was proved to be in the
prisoner's handwriting, and that he bad attempted to get
the 50/. bill paid at the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank,
where it was refused, on the ground that the first had
already been paid.
The jury found the prisoner Guilty, and a former convic-
tion for forgery having been proved against him,
The Recorder sentenced him to be kept in penal servi-
tude for the term of ten years.
(Before the Common Serjesnt.)
Mary Walker, '22, who, it may he remembered pleaded
guilty to an indictment for embezzling the moneys of her
I master and employer while in his service in male attire,
and whose true sex was only discovered on her committal
for trial, when she refused to undergo the ablutions of a
bath in the male department, according to the prison re-
gulations. and upon whom the judgment of the court was
respited for further inquiries, and also to enable the
ladies' committee visiting Newgate to consider for her
future provision, was brought up for judgment.
The Common S.rjeant, without comment, sentenced the
prisoner to three months' imprisonment, with hard
labour, the sentence to date from the day of the con-
viction. _ _

Thomas Hills, 37, cook, and Valentine Skeats, 38, fish•
monger, were indicted. the first•named prisoner for
stealing 1381bs. of dripping, 20Iba, of meat, and nine de-
canter., the property of Sampson Copestake and others his
masters, and the last-named prisoner (Skates) with re-
ceiving the meat and dripping well knowing them to have
been stolen.

Mr. Metcalfe and Mr. Seeley prosecuted ; and Mr. F. H.
Lewis and Mr. Straight defended Skesta, and Mr. Montagu
Williams appeared for Hills.
Though the case occupied some time the facts were
shortly these. The prisoner Hills WM the principal cook
In the well known mercantile establishment of Messrs.
Oopestake, More, and Co., in Cheapside and Bow Church-
yard, an establishment in which no leas than 600 clerks and
assistants had to be provided with their meals, and where
the consumption of provisions was necessarily considerable.
The prisoner Siceata carried on the business of •
general dealer, in Lambeth-bill, City, and had
been for same years the contractor for the dripping, fat,

and bones which the cuisine of the prosecutors daily pro.
duced. For some time pest it was suspected that the
prosecutors chd not receive their proper returns
from the contractor Skests, and accordingly the aid of de.
tective-officer Edward Hancock was called in. By the
easiduity of that officer it was discovet ed that Hills, whose
duty it was to deliver the kitchen-stuff to Skeet., acted in
concert with him, and for a consideration fainted the
see* ht delivered to Skeet' and his man every morning,
leading to • robbery of not lege than $l. to 101. per week.
The jury convicted both the prisoners, and a former
conviction was moved against Skeet..
The Common rterjeant sentenced them to be severally
kept in penal servitude for the term of seven years.

THE CASE OF COLONEL NELSON AND LIEUTE-
NANT BRAND.

Just before the risindof the court the grand jury at.
tended before Baron ChanneU, and reported that they had
concluded their labours, and at the same time made the fol.
lowing presentment in reference to the case:—" The grand
jury strongly recommend that martial law should be more
clearly defined by legislative enactment." Baron Channel!
said he would take care that the presentment was for.
warded to the proper quarter, and the grand jury were then
discharged.