The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-29 00:00:00

IRO MASTERS' AI ICETIN G.

BIRMINGHAM, March 28..
The usual assemblage of the ironmasters of South
Staffordshire and East Worcestershire, preliminary to
the spring quarterly meetings of the trade was held at
Dee's Hotel this afternoon. Mr. Philip Williams occu-
pied the chair ; nod the att milance, although riot un-
usually numerous, was influential, The late
questionable state of the lion trad • necessarily ,ecepifet
the attention of the meeting, but cotnparatively little
discussion ensued. It was admitted on all hands that,
so late as three weeks hack, clnsiderable depression ex-
isted in the iron districts, and that great doubts were
entertained ai to the possibility of maintaining existing
prices. Within the last fortnight, however, a marked
improvement has occurred, and there are now prospects
of renewed prosperity. The expectations which we
ventured to express a few weeks ago with respect to the
demands of railway companies have in a degree been
realised, and further contracts are anticipated. Within
the last fortnight orders have been received for not le,e
than 20,000 tons of Staffordshire rails, and another large
ilemand for a similar description of iron is daily expected.
Besides these requiretreate there have been good orders
received from the East Indies, and these comprise not
only rails, but various descriptors of foundry work used
in the formation, maintenance, and working of rriiwaye.
The fact that underselling has of late been carried on to
a great extent is not denied, but it is stated that it brie
been altogether confined to inferior mi,kerz, and not
prevalent in the slighte-t degree amongst the maunfae•
turcrs of best "brands,"

Taking all these matters into consideration, the mei t•
ins of to-day resolved unanimously, subjeci: to the ap-
probation of the ensuing quarterly meetings, that the
prices fixed is January should be the prices exacted
during the ensuing quarter ; and there is little doubt,
whatever may be the condition of the trade generally
during that period, that the first firms of tle district
have sufficient contracts or orders in hand to keep their
works in full employ at those rates. Prices, therefore,
now stand as follows :—Bars, 91. per ton ; sheets a- d
boiler-plate, 101. 10s. per ton ; and hoops, 101. rer ton.
It was stated that there is a better demand for pig iron,
at improved prices ; best pigs are at least ss. higher
than they were a fortnight ago. At the close of the
proceedings it was remarked, by old members of the trade,
that they were never present at any meeting at which
greater unanimity prevailed, or a more decided convic-
tion expressed of the flattering prospects of the trade.
The large firms of the district, who have been exten-
sive exporters of Staffordshire iron to the United States,
do not anticipate any lengthened or serious interruption
of trade with that country, and they attribute the partial
suspension of orders which has occurred during the pre-
sent year more to the severity of the winter in America,
and the frozen state of its rivers, than to any fear of a
rupture with Great Britain. No doubt present diffe-
rences have induced caution, and considerable slackness
in demand has been the consequence ' • but stocks are
known to be extremely low in North America, and
should the dispute in haul be speedily settled, a great
additional impetus will be given to the South Stafford-
6hire ironmasters.

THE PROPOSED WAR-OFFICE, PALL MALL.—This mat-
ter does not stand now exactly as our correspondent of
last week put it. Professor Cockerell was at first re-
garded as desiring to quit the profession, and so was
not included in the list of invited competitoK Ulti-
mately, however, be was applied to, and accepted the
invitation. Mr. Tite has declined, and Mr. George Mair
has been added to the list, which now stands thus :
Sir C. Parry, Mr. Cockerel], Mr. P. C. Hardwick, Mr
Mair, Mr. Pennethorne, Mr. Shaw, and Mr. Smirke.
The designs are to be sent in six weeks atter the instrur
tions have been issued. The selected competitor will
carry cut his design and receive 5 pet cent. commission,
and each of the other candidates will receive 100 guinerts
—all the designs remaining the property of the Govern-
ment. The idea originated, we believe, with Sir
Bec-
jan►in Hall, who deserves credit for eemiring to render
such.new, buildings as may be required
I -
osent Worthy of the coxittry; --TM-Baader. 3-'