The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-13 00:00:00

PAPER IN JAPAN.

The two Japanese botanists, Tanaka and Ye-
koussima, whose communication to the Societe
d'Acclimatation on dry rice fields we mentioned some
time ago, have recently sent in another on the plants
used in their native country for making paper.
The most important of these is the matsoo mata,
or "three-branched shrub" (Daphne papyrifera),
which does not grow wild. The seeds of this
plant are gathered in May or June ; they are mixed
with earth, then put into a sack, and in this
state deposited in a corn-pit, in order to protect
them from cold and rain. In the month of March
following a field is manured and got ready for them,
and they are sown at once, if the weather be not
too cold. These shrubs may also be propagated by
cuttings, but sowing is far preferable. The seeds
germinate in May. If the young plants are too
close together they are thinned by pulling up a
few, and the field is then watered with liquid
manure. On the return of winter the young
plants, which have grown by this time to the height
of about two feet, must be preserved from frost
by straw, mats, etc. In the second year the shrubs
are transplanted to some sunny sloping site, and in
the third year the cutting off of the twigs begins,
and is continued every succeeding year. There are
other plants, respectively called gampi and kami-
nokee, also used for paper. The twigs of all these
plants are made up into bundles and exposed to the
action of steam. As soon as the bark will peel off,
the bundles are taken away and stripping com-
mences. The bark thus obtained is exposed to
the sun till it becomes friable, when it is laid
by in a dry place till wanted. In order to
manufacture paper with it it is put into water, or,
better still, exposed to a stream of running water,
then pounded to a pulp, which is spread out on a
hurdle made of bamboo. By a sort of see-saw
motion given to this hurdle the fibres contained in
the pulp gradually spread themselves out longitudi-
nally, which imparts considerable strength to the
paper. The latter is sized with gum extracted
from amaryllis and other plants, and left to dry on
polished

EN-c
Tortt

HER, MAJESTY.

BALMORAL, Sept. 11.
The Queen went out yesterday morning, accorn'
panied by Princess Christian and Princess Louise i
and in the afternoon drove out with Princess Chris-
tian, attended by the Hon. Lady Iliddulph.
Princess Louise went out riding, attended by LadY
Churchill.

Mr. and Lady Frances Millie arrived at the
Castle yesterday, on a visit to her Majesty.

ROYAL PRESENT.—The QACC:I has sent to Mr.
Lionel Moore, second secretary of her Majesty's Embassl
here, for presentation to the Sultan's son, Prince Izzetho,
a very handsome album, containing photographic por-
traits of all the members of the English Royal family''
with the following inscription on the fly-loaf in her Ma-
jesty's handwriting: " To his Imperial Highness Yong"
souf Izzedin Effendi, an affectionate souvenir from tho
Queen of England, Victoria."—Levant Herald.

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY COLLISION•

On Wednesday afternoon an inquest was held at
the Midland Railway Hotel, Peak Forest, respectia
the death of the girl who was killed in consequence
of the collision in Peak Forest tunnel.

The first witness was William Townsend, the
stationmaster at Peak Forest. He said the telegraph
indicated that the up line was clear at about 5.20
p.m. on Monday. He heard a signal bell ring, but
he did not know what for. William Knight, the
signalman, and witness then went and had tea
together, and after about a quarter of an hour's
absence Knight returned to the signal box, and
shortly after witness was told that a collision
bad occurred in the tunnel. He went to the tunnel)
and found that the report was true.
The signalman, William Knight, was next called.
He said he received a signal about half- past five ea
Monday from Chapel-en-le-Frith, indicating that
a train was coming on the up line. He at onee
blocked it, thus giving the signalman at Chapel in-
timation that the telegram was received. The sta-
tionmaster had called him to take a note to a ma°
in the limestone siding. He left the signal box for
that purpose, and was away about three minutes. ge
then came back to the station and got his tea, and
afterwards went into the box and found the
signal at 44 line blocked ;" and noticing that the
needle was being shaken from Chapel-en-le-Frith,
witness thought they wanted it unblocking. ll.°
thought the signalman at Chapel had changed los
mind, and wanted the line unblocking, as there was
no train due. Witness consequently pulled the Peg
out, but at the same time he did not knock " Lie°
clear." Witness then shook both the handles to COs
whether the signalman at Chapel would say all;
thing, but no reply was sent. So witness blocked
it up again, and heard no more till he was inforipeui
of the accident. Had been signalman about:.
month, and was previously a gentleman's servant'
Understood nothing about these matters before.
During the last month had been studying tb°
e's
signals. Had been previously learning at Matleedk.
Bridge and Monsall Dale for three weeks, but ha o
only been at Peak Forest since last Thursday. II
had been taught by James Lister, who was station'
master at Monsall Dale. At Matlock he was with
the signalman being taught. He did not ku°,o
whether that was a common practice. Before
the
came to Peak Forest ho thoroughly understood °
code which he was bound to follow. The rules PO'
duced were the same.

The coroner here read out a rule to the witness'
and then asked him to explain the substance of it'f
The witness was unable to give the substance
the rule. He went on to say there was n, book
in the signal-box which be had not read. lle
had no rules put up to refer to. He did not Pr();
fess to know the rules. He had been examined
Mr. Loveday, inspector on the Midland line,
at Miller's Dale upon the use of the instill;
meets. lie had then made a mistake in answering
in regard to one of the signals. He also made,
mistake as regarded the recognition of the 11P 1111-
line and the down line. He had been learoil
about a fortnight at that time. Mr. LovedaY sat
he would do in a day or two. The day after till
examination witness had an order to go to Mons%
Dale, where he stayed a week ; whilst there witeesho
turned the signals, and then the stationmvtur, W' t
was instructing him at the time, came to see
a.O-
all was right. Ile underwent no furthei exanii
tion. While at Monsall Dale Mr. LovcdaY tot
him that he had been appointed to Peak Forest
station. He accordingly went there.
In answer to further questions from the coronear
the witness admitted that whereas the rule reciiiircr.,
him, when the line had been " blocked," to nsecto
tale if it was clear again, he had neglected
do this.
Philip Hubbart, the signalman at Chapell'en:l:l;
Frith, was next examined. On Monday nigt%
was in his signal box from 5.18 to 5.20, Shen
ballast train left the Chapel-en-le-Frith station
He had previously signalled to Peak Forest'
answer to which he got " Line blocked." 11'f that
sent on the ballast train. He heard no more 0' ",ja
train, and in about ten minutes after a
came into Chapel station. Ile reported this 111i0o
to Peak Forest, and got an answer, '""it,
clear," Ile was positive of it. He had five, woo
nesses to that effect. He accordingly allowed ho
train to pass on. Twelve minutes afterwards ma
heard the cattle waggons coming back which
cl;..
broken loose. He saw the cattle train at the Ballad
lane Bridge. Ile tried to get to the points, but
not time. He ran across the fields to Bridgenerto
cattle trliso
expecting an accident to occur every five
to the 5.20 train from Manchester. The train

passed when he got to Bridgenorth. le'
Mr. Tilson, the stationmaster at Chapel-a" t
Frith, corroborated the evidence of Liubbart, th3ao
the signal was received " Line clear." 11° Woo
unable to account for the little girl getting on Tio
ballast train ; it was quite against the rules. 'to
had seen her at the station asking how she W

get to Peak Forest.
Henry Herbert Loveday, district inspector of thc:
Midland Railway, said he had known Wm. Ii
about a month, He first sent him to Alat'e-
Bridge to learn the duties of a:telegraph signalei3,lll‘
When he had been there a fortnight witness cc,
mined him respecting his knowledge of the sign3o
and told him how important it was that he 03%0
know them well. About a fortnight ago, wlt
bad to examine several railway porters ee,,c;
quence of the line from Bradford to London beard
about to be opened. He saw Knight there, 31110
finding him incompetent, recommended thilltilio
should go to Monsall Dale station to
knowledge of the signals. Last week witness den i
to examine Knight again, but failing to see ,
"out
questioned the Monsall Dale stationmaster aP -t.
him. The stationmaster thought him COIF
Knight was then sent on to Peak Forest.
d
The coroner read the evidence of Knight, au n.,g
The witness said the momentary taking the
out by Knight would be an indication to the Gillt be
signalman that the line was clear. It could love
taken for anything else. That peg should 110tcro
been taken out till the train had passel'

- -
were positive instructions-as to that point.
after
The coroner summed up, and then the jai, diet
a
an absence of 20 minutes, returned with e: tbo
of accidental death, but were cf opinion tb at not
signalman was not capable of fulfilling his dutilini°
being sufficiently trained to it, and that the
ney
allotted for acquiring his duties was not sulliciewith
long.
They also expressed a strong opini°3,. rob"-
reference to the conduct of the stationmaster at, loft
Forest—that the signal-box should have beealef
so long without some person to look after it.
away'
a so censured him for sending the signalman
wii,h a letter when he should not have been -llea
from his box. tr i„ to
a: aest
The coroner then proceeded by spec
New Mills, where he purposed to open tile li'itioat
upon the drovers killed in the second cain
ecos
which, it will be remembered, was the directi until
quence of the first one. The inquiry last death
midnight, and then a verdict of accidentairosioo
was returned, the jury adding a strong eqr IVO
of censure against the company's offioials
1 negligence!

ZONE Y MARKET

AND
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE,

TWELVE O'CLOCK.

In the Discount Market there has been no in-
crease in the demand for accommodation, and_ first-
class short-dated paper is readily negotiable at 1-;
11 per cent.

At the bullion office of the Bank the sum of
£33,000 was received in bar gold, and there was a
Withdrawal of 20,000 sovereigns for Turkey.

The Reigate has arrived -from Australia with
about £96,648 ; and the Scotia, from New York,
has £22,900.

The directors of the Bank of England have (.1.3-
dared a dividend of 41 per cent. for the past half-
Year, the previous one being 1 per cent. higher.
The following gold ships have sailed from Aus-
tralia;—June 28th, the Geelong, with 21,555 oz,,
and the Suffolk, with 71,326 oz. ; July 9th, the
Moravian, with 50,940 oz. ; July 13th, the Gala,
with 11,747 oz. ; and on the 22d July, the Black-
wall, with 45,502 oz.; the total being 201,078 oz.,
or £804,312 sterling.
The report of the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay
United Railway, issuedin anticipation of the meeting
about to be held at Melbourne on the sth August,
states that there has been a falling off in the goods
traffic for the half year, ending the 30th June last,
of 12,000 tons. The coal traffic, however, bears a
favourable comparison with 1866. The net profits,
after deduction of interest and working expenses,
amounted to £19,398, of which £18,714 is appro-
priated to the payment of a dividend at the rate of
7 per cent., leaving a balance of £684 to be carried
forward.
Atlantic and Great Western Railway Debentures
remain at 24 26, and the Consolidated Mortgage
Bonds at 21 22.
In the Foreign and Colonial Produce Markets
during the last few days there has been rather less
animation. The public sales of Indian tea have,
however, concluded, showing a decline of 2d. to 3d.
per lb. for inferior qualities. Sugar have main-
tained steady rates ; while coffee, rice, fruit, and
spices have generally been a shade cheaper. Tallow
has been in moderate request at about former rates.

The return of the Bank of England for the
week ending the 11th Sept, gives the following re-
sults when compared with the previous week :-
11,38 t £3,660,732 Increase £2,664
Public deposits ... 7,914,522 ... Increase 271,415
Other deposits 19,154,778 ... Increase 288,454

On the other side of the account :
Government securities £12,845,272 ... No change.
Other securities ... 17,359,943 ... Decrease 96,575
Notes unemployed 14,406,370 ... Increase 610,200
The amount of notes in circulatibn is £23,720,295,
being a decrease of £349,645 ; and the stock of
bullion in both departments is £24,348,532, showing
an increase of £276,250 when compared with the
preceding return.

Subjoined is a comparison of the present position
of the Bank of England and the price of Consols
with the corresponding week of last year :

Same week
At present. last year.
Bank bullion ... £24,348,532 ... £15,974,777
Notes in reserve... ... 15,628,237 ... 7,502,722
Notes in circulation ... 28,724,295 ... 23,472,055
Rate of discount ... 2 per cent. ... 5 per cent.
Price of Consols 94} •.• 89e

The return of the Bank of France for the past
Week, compared with the previous account, shows
that ate increase has taken place in the cash in hand
of £344,000, in the Treasury balance of £68,000,
and in the private accounts of k'B,ooo ; while a
decrease has taken place in bills receivable of
£653,000 ; in the notes, £560,000 ; and in the ad-
vances, £lO,OOO.
The directors of the British and American
Telegraph Company have made application to the
Committee of the Stock Exchange for a settlement,
and a notice to that effect has been posted up in the
house in the usual way.
The directors of the Port Phillip and Colonial
(old Mining Company have received advices from
their resident director, Mr. Bland, at Clones, dated
July 25, 1867, as follows :—" Quartz Crushing.—
The quantity of quartz crushed during the month
of June was 4,654 tons, yielding 2,839 ozs. 13 dwt.
of gold, or an average of 12 dwts. 5 grs. per ton."
The above return is a very satisfactory one, not-
withstanding a reduction in the yield of 1 dwt.
6 grs. per ton, as compared with the May return.
Ile yield is still keeping up. The best quartz
seems to be coming from two slopes on
Robinson's reef, above the 374 feet level.
/Ve are getting good stone, however, from
Portions of all the reefs. The receipts
for June were £106,89 Os. 31. ; expendi-
ture, £4,850 Os. 4d.; profit, £5,839 53. 11d.
Added to which is a balance of last month, viz.,
£lO6 16s. 7d., which shows an available balance
of £5,946 2s. 6d. The amount divided between
the two companies was £5,000, of which the Port
Phillip Company's proportion is £3,250. In addi-
tion to amount divided, Mr. Bland paid £9OO on
Water account. Mine.—All the work in and
about the mine is going on very well. Sinking the
north shaft has not proceeded at such a rapid
rate the last few weeks as it did; a short time
before, the ground having got harder, with
quartz veins in it. These have now mostly dis-
appeared, and sinking is again easier. The depth
at the present time is 66ft. below the No. 6 Plat,
and just to where the cap-piece of the No. 7 Plat
Will come. Total depth from surface, 583 ft.
Machinery.—The stamps are all in good order,
and doing a satisfactory amount of duty.
Tile engines and boilers are also working
Well, and the latter not giving us any
trouble now that we are using soft, clear water.
The tailings pumps are not now at work, the late
floods having cleared out the creek sufficiently to
allow the tailsand to run without requiring to be
hf ted. Return for month of July—Quantity of
quartz crushed for four weeks, 4,657 tons ; yield for
three weeks, 2,410 oz. 15 dwts of gold, or an aver-
age of 14 dwts 4 grs. per ton ; remittance, £3,000.
Vice-Chancellor Sir Richard Malins has this day
appointed Mr. George T. Hart (of Hart Brothers
and Co.) official liquidator to the East India Cotton
Agency ( Limited).

Two O'CLOCK.
The Paris Rentes this morning, according to
-neuter's telegram, were 70f 02c.—heavy.
The tendency of the English Stock Market is still
In an upward direction, owing to the fine weather
and the quietude of Continental politics. Consols
have again risen 146, the latest prices being 944
for transfer, and 944 4 for the October settlement.
The New Threes are 924 34 ; Reduced Annuities,
934 3 ; Exchequer Bills, 275. prem. ; India ditto,
421 204 ; ditto 5 per Cents., 1124 13 ; ditto 4 per
Cents., 98; Enfaced ditto, 884; ditto 5 per Cents.,
1044 ; ditto 54 per Cents., 1084 ; and ditto £l,OOO
fonds, 70s. to 665. prem.

The Foreign Stock Market continues tolerably
active, and an upward tendency is apparent. Greek
Bonds have improved 1, to 14 1 ; Spanish Passive 1,
to 20/ ; Certificates 1, to 161 1 ; Turkish 5 per
Cents• 1, to 311 32 ; and Italian 1, to 491 4 ; but
Mexican remain at 15k 1.
Increased buoyancy has prevailed in the Railway
Share Market. Great Northern, North—Western,
411(1. Midland have each improvei 4, Great IVestern
and North Eastern (Berwick) each 1, Brighton And
South Eastern each 1, and Metropolitan 11 ; while
Great Eastern have declined 1.
The Foreign and Colonial lines are in fair request.
Great Luxembourg are marked 101 10a; Dutch
Itjlenisb, 201; and South Austrian and Lombardo
enetian 154. Bombay and Baroda have declined
10 1024 ; Great Indian Peninsula remain at 1091
11p1; and Delhi at 1011 102.
In American Securities Illinois shares have ad-
Irauced 4, to 761 771; but Erie shares have declined
to 44 45 ; and United States 5-20 Bonds 1, to
721 a
4.

Eitnk Shares are very quiet. Joint Stock remain
at 31 341; London and Westminster at 681 69i ;
London and County have declined to 54.
Aliscellaneous and Finance Shares continue very
I,,i,ctive, but prices generally are steady. National
Jiiscount Company are marked 11f ; Fore-street
WarOiousel 12i Au*glo-Aroricau UlearaPht

17 ; and Viceroy of Egypt's Mortgage Loan has
improved to 74- 72+.

MINING MARKET.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

The settlement of the account has been the chief
business entered into in the market to-day, and prices
are almost nominal. Annexed are some of the latest
quotations :

Chiverton Moor 5l. 53. North Treskerby 35s 40s
Choutales Gold - 6'4 Priucoof Wales 47s 6d 50s 01
Clifford Atualganutto 7;', 714 Providouco Minos._ 29 3)
East Bassit l3 17 South CAradou

East Caradon 5l bF
East Lovell 8 8
East Wheal (Iron vil!o 9 91
Great Laxey
Great I.Lotalliek
Great Wheal Vor 18 19

South Franca
T iueroft
wost chivatot, 631 65
\Vest S,'to❑
Wht!al Bull r
1171v!al C:tiverton 64 7

Marko Valloy - 51
North Crofty - 31 31

Whual M•try Auu... --
Wft,%l bsptou ... 107/ 112/

BRITISH FUNDS —TWO O'CLOCK.
CID VER.NMENT FUNDS.
3 pit ok7ut. Con,.ols
00. Account, Oct. 8
:3 per Cont. Reduced
Now 3 per Cent (J24. 31
New 24 por Cont. Jan. 1891 —
_.. _..

Do. e per Cent. Jan. 1873
innuities' 30 yrs, expire sth Jan., 1880
Do. for 30 yrs, expire sth April 1885 —
Do (lied Sea Televaph), Aua., 1903 —
Mama.
4:xchegner Bills, £l,OOO, 21 & 2 per Ct — pin
Do £5OO — inn
Do. £lOO & £2OO pm
Bank of England Stock, 41 per Cent
Do. Account
INDIAN CiOVERNMENT SECURITIES.
Indian Stock, 101 per Cent., April 1874 221 201

Do. Account
Do. 5 per Gent. July, 1880
Do. 4 per Cent., Oct. 1838

Do. Certificatei —
Do. Enfaeed Paper 4 per Cent BB}
Do. 5 per Cent., Jan. 1872
Do. 5i per Cent., May 1879 loBk Oir
Do. 5 per Cent., Pup. Deb., 187')
Do. do. 1877 —
Do. do. 1684
Do Deb., 5 per Cent., Aug. 1873
Do. Bonds, 5 per Cent., £l,000
Do. under £1,000
FOREIGN FUNDS—TWO O'CLOCK.
Argentine Republic, 6 per Cent
Austrian Bonds, 5 per Cent. 1859
Brazilian 5 per Cent
_. . ..,.... ... .._

D. 4i per Cont., 1852-58-60
Do. 1863
00. 5 per Cent., 1865 —
Do Account 7l
Do. £lOO Bonds —
Buenos Ayres 6 per Cent —
Da 2 per Cent. (Deferred 3 per Cent )
Cuba, 6 per Cent.
CuiHan 6 per Cent
Do. 41 per Cent —
00. 6 per Cont., B .
Do., 1867
Do., Scrip, £57 paid
Do., 7 per Cent., 1866
Do., Scrip, £2O paid
O )1• nibian, 6 per Cent.
Danish, 3 ner Cent., 1825
D A nubian Principalities, 7 per Cent 5Bl
Do 8 per Cent., 1867
E ivador New Consolidated, 1 per Cent...
dgyptian 7 per Cent
1)o. Second issue
Do. £lOO Bonds _ —

Rio. 'Do. 1864
Do. £lOO Bonds B9l
Do Government Railway Debentures 862„ i
Greek 5 rer Cents., 1824-5, ex Coupons
Do. Account
Du. Coupons
Do. Account
Guatemala 5 per Cent ..
Italian 5 per Cert., 1865
Do, Account
Do. Maremmana Railway —
blexicar. 3 per Cent —
Ditto for Account
Do. 1864 —
Do 6 per Cont. Anglo-French
Slontevideau 6 per Cent. .. —
Moorish Imperial 5 per Cent
vow Granada
Do 3 per Cen
Do. Defer. ad
Do Land Warrants (Hectares)
PeraTian 5 per Conf., 1865
Do Account 65 i di
Do 4f per Cent., 1865
Do 4f per Cent. (Uribarreu)
Do 4f per Cent., 1862

Do ZeCount
Portuguese 3 per Ct., 1853, '6, '7, '9,'60,'2,'1, 39'41 ./
Russian 5 per Cent., 1822, A: St 844
Do 41 per Cont. 1850
Do 41 per Cent., 1360
Do 3 per Cent., 1859
Do 5 per Cont., 1.62
Do. 1861, £lOO Bonds
_ .

Juno.
27 pm
pm
27 pin

- ,
Do. Anglu-Dutch, 1866, £lOO Bonds.,. SS 41.-
Sardinian, 5 pot Cent
Spanish 3 per Cenf
Do Acc',unt
Do Now Deferred
Do Account
Do Passive
Do Ace. mit
Do Ccm. Cert. of Cow not funded
Do Account
Turkish 6 per Cent., 1851
Do Account
Do 6 per Cent. 1656
Do Account
Do £lOO Bonds
Do 6 per Cent , 1862
Do Account
Do £lOO Bonds 6G
Do. 1863
Do 5 per Cont., 1865
1/.) Account
Do 6 per Cont., 1865
Do 1 por Cont.' Guaranteed
Venezuela, 3 per Cent.
DJ Account
Po 6 per Cent., 1862
Do 6 per Cent. 1864
Dividends on tho above paysulo in London.
Austrisu a par Cent. Ex 10 Florins
41- per cent., Ex. 25f.
Dutch z 4 per Cent. Ex. 12 Gull,. —
Do. 4 per Cent. Certificates
French licntes, 3 por Cent., Ex. 25f.
Italian 5 per Cont. 1851, Ex. 251.
Do. Account
TWO O'CLOCK.
Consols, Money 941
Do. Account September 10. 941

LIVERPOOL COTTON IVARKE7—This Day.

Market unchanged. Sales probably 12,000 or
15,000 bales.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENM—This Day.

LONDON, Sopt. 13.--Wind this day at noon—South-
Easterly ; moderato breeze and fine weather, but rather
cloudy.
LIVERPOOL, Sept. 12.—Wind N.W.—Arrived—Formosa,
from Rio Janeiro; Fleetwood, from Bombay ; 11. llaarfager'
from Quebec.

PLYMOUTH, Sopt. 12.—Wind W.—Arrived—
Sir Robert
Sale, from London for Sydney; Chataminga, from London
for Penang.

OFF QUEENSTOWN, Sept. 13.—Wind N.W.—Arrived—
Erin, screw steamer, from New York, and proceeded for
Liverpool.
FALMOUTH, Sept. 13.--Wind N.Av.
—Arrived—Milton,
from Akyab.

11Plee.
(By Telegraph.)
GRAVESEND, Friday Morning.
Arrived, Sept. 18.—Louisa, from Norkoping ; Cologne
steamer, from Boulogne; Sarah Garcia, steamer, from
Denia ; Benbow, steamer, from Charente ; Sir R. Peel,
steamer, from Dunkirk.

THE MURPHY Mon.—Louis Kelly, one of the
men who was tried and convicted at the last Warwick
assizes for being concerned in the skirmish in Park-street,
where a policeman was seriously injured, during the
Murphy riots at Birmingham, has just received a free par-
don. Although convicted with the other prisoner; consi-
derable doubts existed at the trial as to his identity.
THE PROPOSED BANQUET TO MR. DISRAELI IN
EDINBURGH.—A meeting of Scotch Conservatives was
held in Edinburgh on Wednesday—Mr. Dundas, of
Arniston, in the chair—at which it was resolved to invite
the Chancellor of the Exchequer to a banquet to be held
in the city. It is confidently expected that Mr. Disraeli
will accept the invitation, and, if so, the banquet will
probably take place on or about the 29th of October.
THE ABYSSINIAN EXPEDITION.—About 700 tons
of pig-iron has just been despatched from South Stafford-
shire to be sent out to Abyssinia. It is understood that
the iron is intended to bo cast into shot on the way out,
and that crucibles for that purpose will be taken on board
with it. The pigs aro those known as the Birchills
Furnace iron, and they were sant from Bloomfield, near
Tipton, by railway, to Victoria Basin. Though not of the
best quality of iron they aro not of the worst, and will
stand the turning to which, after they have been cast, they
will have to be subjected.
THE WAGES QUESTION.—The Association of
Printers Readers' has called a meeting on the wages ques-
tion for Tuesday next, at which Charles Dickens, Esq.,
has consented to preside. It appears that the average
salary for an average week of 53 hours is a trifle over £2
(in what are called bookwork houses), and as all other
branches of the printing business have recently expe-
rienced an increase in payment, the readers, finding their
position anomalous and unsatisfactory, are about to re-
present their condition to their employers, in the hope
that it may be bettered.
THE IRON TRADE.—A steady improvement has
been observable in the South Staffordshire iron trade for
some weeks, and it still continues. There was a good
attendance at the weekly meeting at Birmingham yester-
day afternoon, and the tone was altogether better. Addi-
tional orders have come to hand, and inquiries, which are
probably to be followed by orders, are not infrequent.
Prices for pigs are still firm, and the demand for bars,
hoops, and 511fetS is good!