ARGENTIFEROUS LEAD-MINING IN MEXICO.

The Bulletin de Musée Commercial for the 13th September contains the following information extracted from a report of the Belgian Lega tion at Mexico on the subject of the mining of argentiferous lead in Mexico :

The prohibitive measures taken in the United States to prevent the entry of Mexican argentiferous lead, in place of being unfavourable to Mexico, seems on the contrary to have given a favourable impulse to the mining and metallurgical industry of that 'country. Not only are new establishments founded on Mexican soil, bnt American foundries and works have changed places and come to Mexico to constitute a new element of wealth.

The erection of blast furnaces at San Luis Potosi is announced, as well as of a reducing factory, which will shortly be established at Monterrey.

The increase or imposition of duties on lead has perhaps served the interests of a few merchants in the United States, but, in general, the adoption of this measure would not appear to be of use to the large majority of consumers; at all events the development to which the metallurgical industry in Mexico seems to be destined, will amply compensate Mexico for the exclusion to which the export of argenti. ferous lead has been treated.

The consumption of the United States is certainly very large, and the export of that country obliges it to manufacture enormously in order to maintain its place in the foreign markets; thus it is probable that the metal industry, which is very much developed in America, will there become more difficult and costly. Under these conditions, it will be more advantageous for native American industry to demand the raw material from a new and neighbouring country, which is there still sold, for different reasons, at a very cheap rate.

If the decree which has burdened Mexican lead on entry into the United States is not repealed, the Americans will find it of advantage to themselves to construct works for reduction and blast-furnaces in Mexico; the more so as the mines there will always supply an ample provision of ores, which will not pay any duty of a kind to destroy or compromise the equilibrium which must necessarily exist between production and consumption.

It is thus owing to the United States that Mexico will in a short time see flourish on its soil an industry which, owing to the very favourable natural conditions, is destined to a brilliant future.

CuSO4 + Cu2S.

= 3Cu + 2SO2 More sulphur than is accounted for by this equation, however, is taken up, to form compounds which are insoluble in water, and a small quantity of a white volatile incrustation is also formed. The author shows that when freshly precipitated dry copper sulphide is heated to a dull red heat in a current of hydrogen, a considerable quantity of the sulphide is reduced to metal. It follows from this that the usual method of determining copper quantitatively as cuprous sulphide after igniting cupric sulphide in a current of hydrogen cannot give accurate results.

Silver and cadmium behave like copper, the sulphate and sulphide of the metal being formed; in the case of silver a small quantity of free sulphur trioxide is also obtained.

Mag

Mercury and bismuth, in agreement with the statement made by Schiff, are not affected by being heated in sulphur dioxide. nesium, when heated to faint redness in the gas, burns with a dazzling flame. The residue contains its sulphate, sulphite, and sulphide. Antimony gives the orange-coloured trisulphide and the trioxide. Aluminium, zinc, nickel, and cobalt also appear to be acted on at a red heat by sulphur dioxide.-Berichte der Deutsch. Chem. Ges., 23, 2,151.

THE TRANSIT OF MATERIALS.

THE increasing tendency of labour to dictate terms to capital is producing one inevitable result. It acts as a stimulus to those whose inventive genius flows easily in the direction of appliances for dispensing with manual labour. A strike of gas stokers invariably results in increasing the number of automatic machines erected to do away with the human stoker. A strike of dock labourers calls attention to the need for appliances, whereby the work can be done without them. Besides these considerations, there are those of increased

economy and efficiency, which, in these days of keen competition, turn the balance in favour of automatic machinery.

Prominent among the more recent advances in this direction are the Little and Stevenson's patented appliances for conveying goods and material, now being introduced by the New Conveyor Co., Ltd., I, Metal Exchange Buildings, E.C.

To describe the various appliances of this firm for the conveyance of sacks and casks, and other material, would occupy too much space. We select, therefore, as an example-which will be of interest-the "Patent Horizontal Conveyor Dryer."

The conveying apparatus in this case is illustrated in Fig. 1, which speaks for itself. It consists essentially of a helical blade revolving in

CEMENTS OF RUBBER AND GUTTA-PERCHA.

IN making a cement one should know pretty thoroughly what is to expected of it before they could advise upon it. For instance, an ordinary rubber cement will hold on a host of different surfaces and with the best of success, except where there is continued dampness. For holding to damp walls, or surfaces where there is a constant pressure of moisture, there is nothing equal to Jeffry's marine glue, the formula for which has been published and republished all over the world. It consists of:

I part india-rubber,

12 parts coal tar,
2 parts asphaltum.

The rubber after having been massed is dissolved in the undistilled coal tar, and the asphaltum is then added. This glue, as its name indicates, is oftentimes used for mending articles at sea, or patches, for instance, that are to be laid on surfaces that are to be under water, and it has been found to be a most excellent thing. Of glass cements there are a great many, rubber as a rule being dissolved in some very volatile solvent and some hard drying gum is added.

A gutta-percha cement for leather is obtained by mixing the following. It is used hot. Gutta-percha, 100 parts; black pitch or asphaltum, 100 parts; oil of turpentine, 15 parts. An elastic gutta

CONVEYOR DRYER

the heated area, and constantly and automatically delivered at the end. When we bear in mind that these conveyor dryers are made in sizes from 10 to 200 feet long, we can readily see that an enormous quantity of material can be manipulated by this means, and that their field of application in the arts and manufactures is one of practically boundless

extent.

percha cement especially useful for attaching the soles of boots and shoes, as on account of its great elasticity it is not liable to break or crack when bent. To make it adhere tightly the surface of the leather is slightly roughened. It is prepared as follows:-By dissolving 10 parts of gutta-percha in 100 parts of benzine. The clear solution from this is then poured into another bottle containing 100 parts of linseed oil varnish, and well shaken together.

Good rubber cement for sheet rubber, or for attaching rubber material of any description or shape to metal, may be made by softening and dissolving shellac in 10 times its weight of water of ammonia. A transparent mass is thus obtained, which, after keeping three or four weeks, becomes liquid, and may be used without requiring heat. When applied it will be found to soften the rubber, but when the ammonia is evaporated it forms a kind of hard coat, and causes it to become both impervious to gases as well as liquids.

Davy's universal cement is made by melting four parts of common pitch with four parts of gutta-percha in an iron vessel, and mixing well. It must be kept fluid, under water, or in a dry hard state.

A very adhesive cement, especially adapted for leather driving belts, is made by taking bisulphide of carbon 10 parts, oil of turpentine i part, and dissolving in this sufficient gutta-percha to form a paste. The manner of using this cement is to remove any grease that may be present in the leather by placing on the leather a piece of rag and then rubbing it over with a hot iron. The rag thus absorbs the grease, and

the two pieces are then roughened and the cement lightly spread on. The two pieces are then joined, and subjected till dry to a slight pressure.

A solution of gutta-percha for shoemakers is made by taking pieces of waste gutta-percha, first prepared by soaking in boiling water till soft. It is then cut into small pieces and placed in a vessel and covered with coal tar oil. It is then tightly corked to prevent evaporation, and allowed to stand for 24 hours. It is then melted by standing in hot water till perfectly fluid, and well stirred. Before using it must be warmed as before, by standing in hot water.

A cement for uniting india-rubber is composed as follows: 100 parts of finely chopped rubber, 15 parts of resin, 10 parts of shellac ; these are dissolved in bisulphate of carbon.

Another india-rubber cement is made of: 15 grains of india-rubber, 2 ounces of chloroform, 4 drachms of mastic; first mix the india-rubber and chloroform together, and when dissolved the mastic is added in powder. It is then allowed to stand by for a week or two before using.

Cement for sticking on leather patches and for attaching rubber soles to boots and shoes is prepared from virgin or native india-rubber, by cutting it into small pieces or else shredding it up; a bottle is filled with this to about one-tenth of its capacity; benzine is then poured on till about three parts full, but be certain that the benzine is free from oil. It is then kept till thoroughly dissolved and of a thick consistency. If it turns out too thick or thin, suitable quantities must be added of either material to make as required.

An elastic cement is made by mixing together and allowing to dissolve the following: 4 ounces of bisulphide of carbon, I ounce of fine india-rubber, 2 drachms of isinglass, 1⁄2 ounce of gutta-percha. This cement is used for cementing leather and rubber, and when to be used the leather is roughened and a thin coat of the cement is applied. It is allowed to completely dry, then the two surfaces to be joined are warmed and then placed together and allowed to dry.

Cement used for repairing holes in rubber boots and shoes is made of the following solution: 1. Caoutchouc 10 parts, chloroform 280 parts. This is simply prepared by allowing the caoutchouc to dissolve in the chloroform. 2. Caoutchouc 10 parts, resin 4 parts, gum turpentine 40 parts. For this solution the caoutchouc is shaved into small pieces and melted up with the resin, the turpentine is then added, and all is then dissolved in the oil of turpentine. The two solutions are then mixed together to repair the shoe with this cement. First wash the hole over with it, then a piece of linen dipped in it is placed over it; as soon as the linen adheres to the sole, the cement is then applied as thickly as required.

NOTICE.

WE have commenced

upon

a series of Lectures popular chemical subjects, in connection with the Permanent Chemical Exhibition and Manchester Technical Laboratory. The lectures will be given at 7-0 p.m. on the first Tuesday in each of the following months; they will be illustrated by experiments and by diagrams, and have refer. ence to exhibits in the Permanent Exhibition. The lectures will take place as under :

October 7th." Manufacturing Smoke."
November 4th.-" Domestic Smoke."
December 2nd.-" River Pollution."

February 3rd.-" Chlorine Production."

March 3rd." Sewage Treatment."

At the second Lecture, on November 4th-" Domestic Smoke"-the chair will be taken by Dr. A. Ransome, M.A., M.D., F.R.S., Lecturer on Hygiene at the Owen's College. The lecture will be illustrated by experiments.

Tea and coffee at 6-30 p.m. in the Exhibition room.

We have decided to reserve seats for such of our friends as may give us a week's notice (by post-card) of their intention to be present. After this we shall issue a general invitation, and do our best to accommodate those who accept.

M.H.-The spectroscope has no technical applications of importance. We doubt if it is now much used in connection with the Bessemer process. STANNOUS.-Three preparations: Tin crystals, oxymuriate of tin, and muriate of tin. We do not understand your query about logwood.

J.K.P. You have only to look through the publishers' catalogues to find that there are plenty of translations of German chemical books, good, bad, and indifferent. STUDENT. (a) Only in presence of acetic acid and acetate of soda. (b) add hyposulphite of soda to the boiling solution.

G.H.T.-Yours is not the first complaint we have heard; other works' chemists have given utterance to strong language in denunciation of the class of men who, being backed by some capital, work (?) for low salaries, merely for pocket money; but while employers will take them what can you do? ERRATUM.-In the letter " Covering Steam Pipes and Wood Distilling" in our last issue, line 12, the word "staving " should be "stewing." Our correspondent adds that the retorts are made of thick iron plates lined inside with bricks. ED.

*We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

CAUSTICISING OF RECOVERED ASH. (To the Editor of the Chemical Trade Journal.) DEAR SIR,-In connection with the causticising of recovered ash, I have noticed an interesting reaction. Curious enough, I have never noticed it while carrying out the operation on the large scale; but in the laboratory with liquors of 30° to 40° Tw., and while the lime mud was settling, I have seen a considerable evolution of gas take place. This gas seemed on testing to be hydrogen, and I am at a loss to account for its formation. Owing to the spasmodic and uncertain manner in which the gas was evolved, I have been unable to confirm my suspicions as to its nature.

If any of your readers have noticed the above, perhaps they will inform me whether this is a common or a rare occurrence, and also, if possible, the reaction which takes place. -I am, Sir, yours truly, October 22, 1890.

W. Y.

NEW DYESTUFFS.-When dimethylaniline is first converted into nitrosodimethylaniline and this is then leucolised by means of zinc and finally oxidised, a basic body is obtained having the formula 2CH N44CH, which is not freely soluble in water, but is so in alcohol or ether, with a red colour. This is the base of a dark blue basic colouring matter capable of giving, on mordanted cotton, blue shades which are tolerably fast, while if the cotton be mordanted with tannin and iron a deep black can be obtained. A grey violet colouring matter is obtained as a by-product of the reaction, which will work on unmordanted as well as mordanted cotton. These new products have been recently patented by Mr. John Dawson, of Kirkheaton.

Market Reports.

THE TYNE CHEMICAL REPORT.

TUESDAY.

There is practically no change to report in the price of chemicals this week. Business on the whole is steady, but transactions at the moment are not very numerous. Union prices come into force on the first November, and several sales of bleaching powder have been made at £6. 5s. per ton over 1891.

Most of the makers here have now contracted for their consumption of burnt lime for bleaching powder purposes, over next year, at prices equal to an advance of about ten per cent. on present rates.

The Newcastle Chemical Works Company, Limited, have issued a circular to their shareholders stating that the directors have, for some time past, been engaged in negotiations for the sale of the chemical and salt works, property and business, to a proposed new company, having for its object the union of the various Leblanc chemical manufacturers in the United Kingdom. The price which is proposed to be accepted is such as will, after discharging the mortgage and debenture debt and other liabilities of the company, be sufficient to repay, at least, to the

shareholders, in cash, the nominal paid up amount of the shares, viz.:£1. per preference, and £4. per ordinary share. It is anticipated that they will obtain a price exceeding the amount indicated, and before entering into an agreement for the sale of the property, the directors desire to have the concurrence of the shareholders. In the event of the new company being successfully floated, meetings of the shareholders will be convened for the purpose of adopting the necessary resolutions providing for the voluntary winding up of the company.

To-day's prices for this month's delivery, are as follows:-Bleaching powder, in softwood casks, £5. 7s. 6d. to £5. 10s. per ton; in hardwood casks, 5s. per ton extra. Caustic soda, 77%, solid, in drums, 12. 5s. per ton; ground and packed in 3-4 cwt. barrels, £15. 5s. per ton. Soda ash, 48/52%, 1%d. per degree less 72%; soda crystals, 56s. per ton; sulphate of soda, in bulk, 35s. per ton; ground and packed in casks, 45s. per ton; recovered sulphur, £4. 10s. per ton; chlorate of potash, 52d. per lb.; silicate of soda, 75° Tw., £2. IOS. per ton; 100° Tw., £3. 7s. 6d. per ton; 140° Tw., £4. per ton; hyposulphite of soda, in I cwt. kegs, £6. per ton; in 5-7 cwt. casks, £5. 10s. per ton; pure white sulphate of alumina, £4. 10s. per ton; blanc fixe, £7. 10s. per ton; chloride of barium, £8. per ton; nitrate of baryta, crystals, £18. 155. per ton; ground, 19. 5s. per ton; sulphide of barium, £5. 10s. per ton. All f.o.b. Tyne or f.o.r. makers' works.

The stoppage in the Scotch iron trade is affecting the coal market here, and prices of small coals for manufacturing purposes, particularly Northumberland, are again easier. Durham small is quoted from 6s. 6d. to 7s. 6d. per ton, and Northumberland steam small, from 6s. 3d. to 6s. 9d. per ton, according to quality.

TAR AND AMMONIA PRODUCTS.

Benzol is still rising; 4s. 72d. has been paid for 90's, and 3s. 6d. for 50/90's. Higher prices are now spoken of all round. Anthracene is quieter. There are, however, no stocks worth speaking of in this country, so that we may look forward to a steady market. Prices are 15. 6d. for 30% A and Is. 2d. for 30% B. The demand for good solvent naphtha still continues, and creosote is passing away at exceedingly remunerative rates for the tar distiller. All other tar products remain in much the same condition as have already been reported.

Sulphate of ammonia is rather quieter, but there is no alteration in prices worth talking about, and if lower prices have been accepted in any instance, quality has had something to do with it. The Hull market may be quoted as £11. 10s. at least, several parcels of good quality having fetched more than this. At Leith, the price is £11. 10s., but buyers are attempting to make purchasers at 11. 8s. 9d., though we have not heard with what success. Beckton still keeps up its price at £11. 12s. 6d., and outside London makes have to be paid for at the same rate. There is a very good French demand still on, and the New York business from Liverpool is still good.

THE METAL MARKETS.

LONDON, WEDNESDAY.-Pig iron rather dull; Scotch warrants closed at 50s. Id. cash, and 50s. 5d. one month. Middlesbrough, 47s. cash; hematite, 56s. 9d., cash. Copper dull. Chili bars, G.O.B.'s and G. M.B.'s closed at £58. 2s. 6d. to £58. 10s. cash, and £58. 10s. to £58. 17s. 6d. three months. Tin a shade firmer: Straits closed at £98. to £98. 10s., and Straits, three months, £96. 10s. to £97. English ingots, £100. to £100. 10S. Lead Spanish, £14. 2s. 6d. to £14. 5s.; English, 14. 10s. Spelter: Silesian, ordinary, £24. 10s. to £24. 12s. 6d. Quicksilver, 10. and £9. 18s. Copper shares: Rio Tinto, 25 to 254; Mason and Barry, 7 to 74; Libiola, 2 to 21; Panulcillo, 1 to 1; Tharsis, 534 to 6; Cape, 41% to 5; Copiapo, 2 to 213; Namaqua, 3 to 3%.

GLASGOW, WEDNESDAY.-Market easier, with small business. Scotch done at 50s. 11⁄2d., 50s. Id., and 50s. 11⁄2d., cash, also at 50s. 4d. to 50s. 3d., and 50s. 41⁄2d. one month; closing buyers at 50s. 11⁄2d. cash, sellers ask d. more. Middlesbrough closes with buyers at 475. cash, and 47s. 3d. one month; sellers ask 11⁄2d. more. Hematite done at 56s. 9d. and 56s. 10d., cash, closing buyers at 56s. 9d. cash, and 575., one month, sellers ask 11⁄2d. more.

WOLVERHAMpton, WedneSDAY.-The Scotch blast furnacemen's dispute is still exercising an unsettling influence on local trade. The pig market this afternoon was quieter, and common and medium sorts were slightly lower on the week, cinder sorts being quoted 44s. 6d. and part mines 47s. 6d. Best qualities, however, were well maintained at 70s. upwards for hot blast all mine, and £5. for cold blast. Steel makers reported themselves very busy on bridge material for abroad. Steel bridge and tank plates were quoted £8.

MISCELLANEOUS CHEMICAL MARKET.

There is a firm market and good demand for alkalies. Soda ash steady at 13% per deg. for prompt and forward. Caustic soda still maintains its position, so far as price is concerned, and values for spot and early delivery are 74% £12. 15s.; 70% £11. 10s., 60% £10. 10s.,and cream 60% 10. per ton, all f.o.b., Liverpool. Bleaching powder has recovered its position, and is now held by makers for £5. 15s. to £6. at works for early deliveries within the present year. For 1891 delivery, the prices are firmer, and quotations are now £6. 5s. to £6. 10s. at makers' works. Chlorate of potash, steady, 52d. per lb. Muriatic acid still held for 9d. and 10d. per carboy for 1891 deliveries, and some business has been done, but only to a limited extent. Sulphur is well sold for early and forward delivery, price firmer at £4. 2s. 6d. to £4. 5s. at makers' works. Vitriol still scarce. Sulphate of copper is lifeless and under pressure of some sellers, price for early delivery is rather lower at £18. 15s. to £19. Brown acetate of lime continues firm for spot and forward delivery at £7. 5s. and £7. 15s. respectively; grey, quiet at £12. 15s. to £13. per ton. Acetate of soda, 17. 10s. per ton, c.i.f. German makers of sugar of lead have again broken up their convention with decline in price as a consequence, notwithstanding higher value of raw materials. Nitrate of lead, stagnant at £21. 5s. to £21. 10s. Good business is still being done in potash carbonate and caustic, and the prices are firmly maintained. Some considerable business has been done over 1891 at present values. Prussiate of potash, steady at 10d. per lb. with good inquiry.

It is expected that the prospectus of the Chemical Union will be in the hands of the public very shortly. The practicability of this large scheme and its consummation has never passed beyond the probability of failure.

REPORT ON MANURE MATERIAL.

The market throughout the week has been very flat, with very little doing either in nitrogenous or phosphatic manure material.

Mineral phosphates are the turn easier. Nominally prices remain the same, but sellers seem more anxious to be getting on, and to effect sales they would have to make concessions in prices.

Bones and bone meal are decidedly easier all round, and £5. 10s. could not now be obtained for cargoes of River Plate bones. Some very fine Bombay meal has been sold at £5. 17s. 6d., ex quay, but this is exceptional, and the nearest value for shipment is £5. 12s. 6d., delivered ex quay Liverpool. £5. 7s. 6d. would probably have to be accepted for crushed East Indian bones in order to induce business. Common grinding bones cannot be valued at over £4. 17s. 6d. to £55. per ton, ex quay Liverpool.

There is less inquiry for River Plate bone ash, and £5. 7s. 6d. on 70%, nett, Hamburg conditions, delivered U. K. or Continent, not now obtainable.

Nitrate of soda has experienced a further decline. Spot value is 8s. 41⁄2d. per cwt. for ordinary quality; 8s. 6d. for refined. Due cargoes are not worth over 8s. 42d. per cwt., and it is doubtful whether 8s. 72d. could be got for guaranteed November shipment. Later shipments may be had at still less money.

Some further transactions have taken place in home-prepared dried blood, but prices are not reported.

Superphosphates are very firm, the makers' stocks having been kept low by deliveries against large export contracts.

THE COPPER MARKET.

Messrs. Harrington and Co., in their copper report, dated October 16th, state- - Chili copper charters for first half of October are advised as 1,000 tons. Price of bars 24'05 dols., and Exchange 24d. The total charters since 1st January are 20,400 tons, against 17,400 tons for the same time last year. During the past fortnight copper has been on the decline, owing to disturbances on the Stock Exchange, which caused fear of dearer money, and from £59. 7s. 6d. cash, and £59. 17s. 6d. three months, we touched £57. 7s. 6d. and £57. 175. 6d. respectively. Yesterday and to-day prices improved £58. 10s. and £59. respectively, and we close steady at £58. 12s. 6d. cash, and £59. 2s. 6d. three months. The decrease in the Liverpool, Swansea, London, and Havre stocks for the fortnight is 1,413 tons. The present stock of English g.m.b.'s in warehouse, owing to 340 tons being returned into Swansea stock, and the deliveries in both Swansea and Liverpool only amounting to 131 tons, shows an increase for the fortnight of 209 tons, making the stock 3,841 tons, against 3,632 tons on 30th ult. On the 13th instant the MacMillan arrived at Swansea from Santa Rosalia, with a cargo of Boleo bars and Matte already reported in ours of the 2nd September. Refined and manu

factured sorts are quiet at £63. to £64. for tough, £67. to £67. 10s. for best selected, £67. to £68. for India sheets, £71. to £72. for strong sheets, and 63%d. to 6d. for yellow metal sheets. The sales of furnace material comprise at Liverpool - 93 tons Spanish ore at 10s. 6d. ; 38 tons Barancannes copper ore at IIS. 3d.; 25 tons English precipitate, on private terms; 15 tons Libiola precipitate at 12s.; 500 tons Boston Montana Matte, to arrive at 11s. 6d. ; 9 tons Peruvian ore at IIs. ; 77 tons Penaflor Spanish ore (15%), to arrive, at 10s. 102d.; and 42 tons Penaflor Spanish ore (6%), also to arrive, at 9s. 6d. per unit. At Swansea-700 to 800 tons Seville ore (6 to 8% copper, but very rich in sulphur), to arrive, at 11s. 71⁄2d.; 147 tons Mason's precipitate (out of old syndicate stock), various low produces, at 9s. 3d. to 10s. 3d.; 100 tons Quebrada regulus at 11s. 6d.; 1,575 tons Quebrada regulus at 11s. 42d.; 100 tons Tilt Cove regulus (10%), at 10s. 3d. ; and 84 tons Tilt Cove ore (8 to 15%), at IOS. 3d. per unit.

WEST OF SCOTLAND CHEMICALS.

GLASGOW, Tuesday.

Caustic soda values seem now on the move backwards, although the drop as yet is not much to speak of. Chlorate of potash also is rather easier, and nitrate of soda is very quiet at not more than 8s. 6d. Bicarbonate of soda is dearer, making about the only instance of a positive rise for the week. Sulphate of ammonia cannot be quoted now at higher than the figure of last week, namely, £11. 10s. f.o.b. Leith, but it is on not quite fully authenticated report that at the end of the week 11. 11s. 3d. was got. To-day the sulphate market is far from active, and no more than 11. 10s. is obtainable. In the paraffin section firmness continues (with the now stereotyped exception of burning oil), and although in 885° lubricating there is somewhat of a glut of stocks with a slight recession, the other gravities are very well held. Renewed rumour yesterday of a big Scotch oil syndicate is believed to have no stronger basis than Stock Exchange manipulation, but it has succeeded so far as to send oil shares up a little for the day, these having been rather flat of late. Bichromates have been moving off moderately for English delivery and export, but the Scotch demand is very weak. Bleach is rather firmer. Chief prices current are : Soda crystals, 56s. 6d. net Tyne; alum in lump £5. 2s. 6d., net Glasgow; soda ash, 13%d. less 72%, Tyne; caustic soda, white, 76°, £13. 55., 70/72, 11. 7s. 6d., 60/62°, 10. 10s., and cream, 60/62°, £9. 15s., all less 22% Liverpool; bicarbonate of soda, 5 cwt. casks, £6. 15s., and I cwt. casks, £7. 5s., net Tyne; refined alkali, 48/520, 1d., less 22% Tyne; saltcake, 40s.; borax, English refined, 30., and boracic acid, £37. 10s., net Glasgow; bleaching powder, £5. 15s. to £6. less 5% f.o.r. Glasgow; bichromate of potash, 334 d., less 72% and 10% for Scotch and English deliveries respectively, for export 32d., nett, f.o.b. Glasgow; bichromate of soda, 234 d., less 72% and 10% for Scotch and English deliveries respectively, for export 21⁄2d. nett, f.o.b. Glasgow; chlorate of potash, 54d., less 5% any port; nitrate of soda 8s. 6d. ; sulphate of ammonia, 11. 10s. f.o.b. Leith; salammoniac, 1st and 2nd white, £37. and £35., less 22% any port; sulphate of copper, £19, less 5% Liverpool; paraffin scale, hard and soft, 234 d. per lb; paraffin wax, 120, semi-refined, 3d.; paraffin spirit (naphtha,) 8d. a gallon; paraffin oil (burning), 6d. to 64d. at works for Scotch buyers (English and Irish orders about a penny less); ditto (lubricating), 865°, £5. 10s. to £5. 15s.; 885°, £6. to £6. 10s. ; and 890/895°, £7. 5s. to £7. 15s. Week's imports of sugar at Greenock were 2,106 bags.

THE LIVERPOOL MINERAL MARKET.

Duing the week a brisk business has been done at full prices. Manganese: Arrivals somewhat improved. Whilst they have gone direct into consumption stocks have been further drawn upon, and prices, therefore, are firmer. Magnesite: Stocks still excessively large, and prices in hands of buyers. Raw lump, 30s. to 40s.; raw ground, £6. 10s., and calcined ground £11. Bauxite (Irish Hill brand) is in unexceptional demand, and prices are strong at-lump, 22s. ; seconds, 18s.; thirds, 14s.; ground, 35s. French chalk: Although arrivals are somewhat larger on account of the demand, they have all gone into consumption, and prices continue firm, especially for G.G.B. "Angel White" brand, 97s. 6d. to 105s. medium, 110S. to 120s. superfine. Barytes: Carbonate easier, whilst sulphate is scarce, especially Angel White." Pumicestone unaltered: ground at £10., and specially selected lump, finest quality £13. Iron ore continues easy. Spanish and manganiferous steady; Bilbao and Santander, 9s. to 10s. 6d. f.o.b.; Irish, 11s. to 12s. 6d.; Cumberland, 9s. to 10s. 6d. Purple ore steady. Emerystone: Best brands very scarce, prices stronger.

66

No. 1 lump £5. 10s. to £6., and smalls £5. to £5. 10s. Fullers' earth: 45s. to 50s. for best blue and yellow; fine impalpable ground, £7. Scheelite, wolfram, tungstate of soda, and tungsten metal continue to be more asked for at advanced figures. Chrome ore: Improved inquiry, whilst stocks, except at manufacturers' works, are nil. Antimony ore and metal in demand at full figures. Asbestos in strong demand, especially Canadian rock, which brings full prices. Potter's lead ore of best and "standard" brands in request; smalls, £14 to £15.; selected lump, 16. to £17. Calamine: Good qualities in demand at top prices. Strontia sulphate (celestine) inquired for 16s. 6d. to 17s. Carbonate (native), £15. to £16.; powdered (manufactured), 11. to £12. Limespar: English manufactured, old G.G.B. brand in request at 50s. (ground). Felspar and fluorspar, steadier. Plumbago: Spanish, £6.; best Ceylon lump at last quotations; Italian and Bohemian, 4. to £12. "Founders," £5. to £6.; Blackwell's "Mineraline," 10. French sand, in cargoes, scarce on spot-20s. to 22s. 6d. Ground mica, £50. China clay, more doing-common, 18s. 6d. ; good medium, 22s. 6d. to 25s.; best, 30s. to 35s. (at Runcorn). Bog ore (oxide of iron), firm, finest quality, 225.

per ton.

THE LIVERPOOL COLOUR MARKET.

Colours remain steady, without alteration in prices. Ochres: Oxfordshire, common, 10., medium, 12., best, 15.; Derbyshire, common, 40s, medium, 50s., best 60s.; Welsh, best, 50s., seconds, 47s. 6d., and common, 18s. ; Irish, Devonshire, 40s. to 45s. ; French, J.C., 55s., 45s., to 60s.; M.C., 65s. to 67s. 6d. ; Umber, Turkish, none offering. Devonshire, 50s. to 55s. White lead, red lead, and oxide of zinc still firm. Venetian red, £6. 10s. Cobalt Prepared oxide, 10s. 6d. ; black, 95. 9d.; blue, 6s. 6d. Zaffres: No. 1, 3s. 6d.; No. 2, 2s. 6d. Oxide of iron: Good inquiry; common, £6.; medium, £10.; finest, £20.

New Companies.

FISH GUANO, LIMITED. -This company was registered on the 13th inst., with a capital of £1,000., in £5., shares, to manufacture and deal in guano, or manure, oil, glue, and other products, wholly or partly composed of fish, fish skins, fish refuse, or offal. The subscribers are:

J. Phillips, Milford Haven, shipping agent
Mrs. Phillips, Milford Haven

H. D. C. Grace, 111, Shooter's-hill-road, S. E.

H. L. Ward, 65, Romford-road, Stratford

W. L. Millachip, 7. Cavendish-road, Brondesbury.

J. Bowcher, 195, Brecknock-road, N., clerk
A. Lowe, Sidcup, stationer

Shares.

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STANGHOW IRONSTONE COMPANY, LIMITED.-This company was registered on the 9th inst, with a capital of £100,000., in £10., shares, to acquire and work ironstone, or other mines, and for such purposes to adopt an unregistered agreement between C. F. H. Balckow and Alfred C. Downey. The subscribers are:

A. C. Downey, Middlesbro', ironmaster

C. F. H. Bolckow, Middlesbro', ironmaster..
H. W. F. Bolckow, Middlesbro', ironmaster

J. Lewis, Middlesbro', accountant..

W. Anderson, Coatham, Redcar, work's manager..

J. Fidler, Coatham, Redcar, accountant ......
T. A. Craig, Middlesbro', accountant

Shares.

WILLIAM HARRISON, LIMITED.-This company was registered on the 11th inst., with a capital of £100,000., in £10. shares, 3,000 of which are 5 per cent. cumulative preference shares, to acquire the Brownhill Collieries, together with the veins or seams of coal, clay, and other minerals, in the parishes of Norton Canes, Bushbury, and Cannock, Staffordshire, heretofore belonging to and worked by the firm of William Harrison. The subscribers are:

J. Harrison, Croydon, colliery proprietor.....

A. B. Harrison, Aldershaw, Lichfield, coal owner.

C. Marshall, Walsall, tripe manufacturer..

A. W. Hutton, Walsall, engineer

J. R. Holliday, 4, Bennett's-hill, Birmingham, solicitor.

J. Holland, Brownhills, colliery agent

J. S. Williamson, Brownhills, colliery manager

Gazette Notices.

PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED.

LITTLE and DAWKINS, Slaughterford common brewers and maltsters.

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