The Sun. — 1868-04-09 (London, England)

IRON.IIAS7 ERS' QUARTERLY MEETING.  WOLVERHAMPTON, Wednesday Evening. The quarterly meetings of the ironmasters of this district commenced in this town this afternoon ; the attendance was larger than it has been here for several years, but the few of the buying class who were present evinced no disposition whatever to do business, and very few transactions were reported; and it was admitted on all hands that the trade, so is as bad as it has farbee been as f nt rh months lnotcbasl ti andconcerned, n nindications of improvement are visible. It is to be feared that the result of the great meeting at Birmingham on Thursday will not disclose anything more favourable, the demand for finished iron the make of the district being wholly inadequate to the power of production. The topic almost exclusively discussed at this meeting was in reference to the notices which have been given to the men to reduce the wages scale. It is now generally admitted that this step has been taken at the wrong time ; that, in fact, the resolution passed a fortnight ago ought to have been adopted in December, in all probability the men would have yielded then, whereas now they are organising resistance, and most likely some sections of them will stand out for a week or two ; but it is certainytoieleldra.blyTbey ultimately d thatul difficulty they will have to account will be sure to be increased by the absence of uniformity of action and principle on the part of the masters, that has been for many years a principal cause of embarrassment in the conduct of the iron trade of c n nthis South Staffordshire. One thing is quite certain that, taking into account the price of material, the various fixed charges, and the rates of wages, it is utterly impossible to produce finished iron at a profit at present prices. It is in consideration of this that one or two of the first-class makers have not hesitated to declare that if the men persist in refusing the reduced wages they will be compelled to close their works, not as against them, but to protect themselves from serious loss. The market for pig iron is quint; but the make has been so greatly reduced that the depression is less severe in that branch than it is as regards finished iron.  The North Staffordshire makers who were present at this meeting reported that the trade in that quarter is rather better ; they have orders in for Canada, also on account of some of the Mediterranean markets.  EXECUTION IN SHROPSIIIKE —This Day.  John Mapp, convicted of the murder of a girl named Catherine Lewis, at Longden, Salop, was banged this morning. Since his condemnation he had shown no dread of the fate which awaited him, hut, on the contrary, exhibited the utmost unconcern. Till a few days ago he averred that he was innocent of the crime of which he had been found guilty. Then he admitted that he murdered the child, but said it was the result of some sudden and unaccountable impulse. Yesterday he made a full confession. He says that on Sundaynight, when he went from chapel with the little girl, he had no intention of doing her any harm. A short distance from the gate of the field in which he murdered her he laid hold of her hand and began to pull her about, and asked her to let him go with her. She said that she would not, and got over the gate from him. He followed her, and found her hiding under the hedge. He then asked her to let him go with her. She said she would not. lie then said, "I will cut your throat," and pulled out his knife and did it. She made no noise, she seemed to be so frightened. He saw the brooch on the ground, picked it up, and put it into his pocket. He then dragged her down the field by her right has(' to a gap in the hedge. He took her over that into a grass field, md put her in the place in which she was found. He adds that he is very sorry he committed the wader, as the child did him no harm.