The Sun.
London, England, 1855-09-06 00:00:00

THE COAL AND IRON TRADE.

On Saturday last a meeting of the coal and iron mas-
ters was held at the Hotel, Dudley, to take into con-
sideration the propriety of advancing the wages of the
colliers west of Dudley. W. 0. Foster, of Stourton, pre-
sided, and after a little discussion it was agreed to ad-
vance the thick coal colliers 6d. per day, and the stone-
getters 3d., making the former 4s. 6d., and the latter 3s.
6d. per day ; and it was further agreed, if at next quar-
ter day the price of iron should be advanced as is ex-
pected, to give the colliers another increase of 6.1., and
the stone-getters 31. per day, making the former 55.,
and the latter 3s. 9d. per day. To this proposition the
colliers and miners demur, and it is not expected that
they will resume their work upon such terms. They
contend that, as the thick colliers on the West Brom-
wich side for some time have had ss. per day, it is an
act of injustice towards those west of Dudley to be
required to work at a less rate, which has been the
case for the last four months, seeing that no valid reason
is assigned why such a difference should exist. The
notice of the colliers west of Dudley for a rise of one
shilling per day expired on Saturday last, and it will
soon be seen whether or not the proposition of the mas-
ters will be generally acceded to, either in whole or in part.
The demand for pig is :very brisk, and at advanced
rates. Sheet iron is in great request, and the mills
and forges are in active operation. It is reported that
several large houses have more orders on their books
than they can execute during the remainder of the quar-
ter, and that they will not take further orders except
subject to whatever advance may be declared at the next
preliminary meeting in September, which will be held on
the 27th inst., and the declared rise, which will be either
20s. or 40s. per ton upon malleable iron. At the weekly
meeting of ironmasters in this town, on Wednesday, the
question of an advance in price was discussed, after
which J. Hartley, Esq., of the firm of Thorneycr .ft and
Co., moved a resolution to the effect that prices should
remain as at present until the end of the month.
The motion was seconded by W. Barrows. Esq., of the
firm of Barrows and Hall, and unanimously adopted.
It is not a little singular that, while such increased ac-
tivity is manifest in the iron trade, some of the largest
works of the district are advertised to be let or to be
sold. The Crookhay establishment, lately occupied by
one of the unfortunate firms which gave way during the
late panic, is in the market, and it is hoped that the sum
it may produce may materially reduce the deficiencies
of its late leasehold proprietors. The Oak Farm
Works, the property of the Right Hon. W. E. Glaslstsne,
Lord Lyttelton, and Sir S. Glyn, and so well known iin
connection with the names of Messrs. Boyden, are also
again before the public; not, however, in consequence
of any defalcation on the part of the present tenants
(one of the most respected and wealthiest firms in the
district), but the tenancy is well nigh expired, and, for
causes best known to the parties themselves, they have
determined to offer the plant and stock to public com-
petition. The Nithsdale Ironworks, now called the
New Cumnock Ironworks, in Scotland ; a colliery and
ironstone works, in the Staffordshire Potteries ; 80 acres
of a coal and ironstone mining estate, in the most cen-
tral part of the Staff trdshire Potteries ; and a forge and
rolling mills at East Dean, and a number of small pro-
perties of less importance, are likewise offered for sale.
The affairs of Mr. TLos. Spencer, ironmaster, which for
some weals,' past have been alternating batoroon a isei'ease
arrangement and bankruptcy, have at length been finally
arranged, without resort being had to the public court.
In the early part of the week it was feared that this very
heavy concern (the liabilities in one form or another
exceed 100.0001.) would have been subjected to all the
expenses of an open adjudication, but on Saturday, at a
meeting under the private arrangement clause of the
Bankruptcy Act, the offer of 2s. 6J. in the pound,
payable in four months, and adequately guaranteed,
was accepted by the creditors. The security for pay-
ment is one of the most responsible men in the district.
In the coal trade the demand continues more than brisk,
and greater than can be conveniently supplied, owing
to the inattention of the men, and prices consequently
continue high, much higher than they ought to be for
manufacturing purposes. The prices at the wharves at
present are—best, 13a.; common, 10s.; and lumps, Os.
per ton. From Yorkshire and Derbyshire we find it
stated that "the prospects of the iron trade become
every week more encouraging. The mills and forges are
well employed, and there are a good number of orders
on the books at the advance of 20g. per ton. The
only drawback to these bright anticipations is the exten-
sion of the prohibitions to the exportations of iron
by the Order in Council. There is a likelihood
of a good demand for iron springing up from
India and Australia, as well as from Canada and the
States. There is a tolerably good demand for Derbyshire
pig-iron, and prices have been firmly maintained. In the
coal trade there appears to be a dullness, which, how-
ever, is not expected to continue long. The stocks gene-
rally are lower than usual at this period of the year ;
and as soon as the winter demand sets in prices are ex-
pected to advance. There is likely to be an augmented
production during the winter season, as several new col-
_

lieries in Derbyshire will be producing coal."— Waver
ltampton Chronicle.

THE CUDILIM MURDER.—The police have not yet suc-
ceeded in capturing the person or persons suspected of
having committed this atrocious crime. Mrs. Beagley.
the mother, notwithstanding her great age and the seri-
ous nature of her iujuries, continues to improve, and is
now regarded as being in a fair way to ultimate reco-
very. She cannot, however, yet ca 4 any light upon
the subject of the murder, nor is there any chance, from
the fact of her having been attacked while asleep, of her
being able to do so hereafter. _

THE LATE CHILD 111I7RDER AT BRISTOL—The al•
journed inquest on the body of Melinda Payne was re
sumed yesterday morning at the Rownharn Tavern
riotwells, before Mr. J. B. Grindon, coroner. On the
reassembling of the jury the coroner said that since their
last meeting, notwithstanding the police had been actively
engaged, assisted by the advice of the magistrates and
several of their fellow-citizens, no evidence had been dis-
covered which could leadthem to arrive at anything con-
clusive or satisfaetory. In order further to aid the inquiry
the assistance of other police of great experience in such
matters had been afforded, and they were now actively en-
gaged in investigating all the circumstances of the case.
Some rumours had reached him (the coroner), but they
were not at present of such a nature as to warrant him
in calling witnesses respecting them. Considering that
the jury had already had a great deal of trouble, and
that it was probable they would have a great deal more,
he proposed at once to adjourn the inquiry for a week,
or for a longer period. If this course were adopted some
good might result, but at present it would only be mis-
leading the jury by endeavouring to make out a case
which would probably take some time to unravel. If,
however, any of the gentlemen of the jury had heard
anything at all tending to elucidate the case they would
be good enough to state it ; but if not, the witnesses
who were in attendance would not be produced that day,
as they could not throw any material light upon the sub-
ject, and it would, therefore, be only occupying time
without purpose. A juryman inquired whether there
was not another witness to corroborate the statement of
Mrs. Handy and her husband as to the father of the
child being seen to go up the gully'alone ? Mr. Inspec-
tor Attwood said there was such a witness, but she
would not attend unless she were summoned. The
coroner said there would be nn difficulty in issuing a
summons for the attendance of this woman if it should
be found necessary ; and, after some further conversa-
tion, the inquiry was adjourned till Monday.
MADAME ISABEL—The manner of this lady in the
riding school at the cavalry depot at Maidstone is won-
derful as it is improving. She speaks wholly in French,
hut every word she utters is in the same breath repeated
in English by the interpreter at her side. Some of her
expressions are—" Doucement," " Caresses votre che-
val," &c. ; indeed, kindness appears to be the key to all
her instruction. If a horse shows symptoms of restive-
ness instead of allowing the rider to whip or pull the
reins harshly, she orders the rein to be dropt, approaches
the animal, pate him and gives him a piece of carrot, a
plentiful supply of which she has at hand in a large ex-
terior pocket for the purpose. The ability and great
perception of Madame I-abel are truly astonishing. The
novelty at present in M. Isabel's instruction of the horses
is the making them pass from right to left, and vice
verm, which is accomplished by the rider having such
perfect control over the mouth of her horse, as with the
slightest pressure of the hand upon the rein, to make
him pass one fore leg over the other in quick succession.
M. Isabel allows no depending upon the stirrup ; but,
from the direction she gives the body, by knee and foot,
insures a firm and graceful seat. The salary of 31.
Label is 401. a month. Her husband fills a similar
post at the Boole AW.itaires Varis.