The Express.
London, England, 1853-01-04 00:00:00

THE PROSPEROUS STATE OF TRADE.

THE WOOL TRADE.

Messrs. Grams and Co.'s circular, dated Liverpool, Jan.
1, says;
The general course of the wool trade during the past
twelve months has been highly satisfactory; the year
opened with moderate stocks and a steady demand fur all
descriptions, and although there was little tendency to any
material advance in prices during the first three months,
atter that period a decided improvement was manifest—the
German fairs opened very briskly at advanced rites, and
our own growers being in a better position than for some
time past, took advantage of the brightened prospects of the
trade and raised their expectation accordingly for the home
clip, for which very high rates were paid • at the public
wool sales which took place in London in May and June, a
decided advance of fully 2d.per lb. was established:on echoing
wools, with a proportionate advance on other descriptions;
this improvement, with but ter y little intermission, has
continued op to the present period, and the year closes with
a ..ry active demand for all descriptions of wool, with
stocks quite inadequate to the very large consumption
now going on in the manufacturing districts. The imports
appear to have been fully an average of former years, but
from the increased activity in the manufacturing districts,
and consequent demand for wools, oar market has been
left very bare of stocks all the year, so mach so as to cause an
impression that the consumption is overtaking the supply,
and even should there be no further improvement in prices,
there is every appearance that the present advanced rates
will be maintained for some time to come. The condition
of the wool trade throughout the United Kingdom is in • very
healthy and flourishing condition, and although the prices
of yarns and manufactured goods have not at all times kept
pace with the advance in the raw material, still • good and
profitable business has on the whole characterised the home
trade for the past year. Public sales took place here on
the 22nd and 23rd ultimo, when 6,009 bales were brought
forward, consisting of 2,394 East India, 1,463 Chili and
Peru, 696 Egyptian, Turkey, dte., 181 Spunk Frontier
and Liaison, eke., 33.5 Buenos Ayres, and sundries; there was
a good attendance of buyers, and the greatest part was sold
at prices fully supporting the late advanced rates, luring
the market again very barely supplied with wools
Awitr Ilan and Cape of Good Hope.—lt was generally
expected in the early part of the semen that we should
hive a considerable deficiency in the supplies this year from
these colonies. The extraordinary, and we may almost say
fabulous accounts of the discoveries of gold and the im-
mense tide of emigration of all classes which had conse-
quently set in for the favoured districts, had, it was thought,
sassed each an extra demand for labour is a market already
barely supplied, as to render it doubtful whether a good
part of the wool could be shorn and prepared for the
market; we are glad, however, to note that these
ham have been exaggerated, for although we have
not this season the large increase which we have
had for several years past (averaging two to three millions of
juncede annually), yet the imports this semen en vats
meg end a little in excess of last. The Awe swim et salesl
of this season's clip was brought forwent hi May and June,
consisting of 30,879 bales, which were bought up eagerly
by the trade, at as advance of twopence per pound on
previous rates ; in July 66,446 bales were offered,
when from the large queen* brought Arward and the
absence of any active foreign eampentien there was a slight
reaction in prices; this was, however, fully recovered, and
a further improvement realised in the sales of October and
November, when 61,071 bales were sold. The prospects
for the trade are encouraging, and it is generally expected
that the lut sales of the season, which will take place the
latter end of this month, or in February, will go off at a
further improvement in prices. We have an Bunn,
supply from the Cape; these wools have commanded the
usual attention and present rates Rust be highly satisfac-
tory to importers.
East India wools have been in very good request all the
year, and, notwithstanding the large imports, 21,189 bales,
against 12,478 bales last year, thy have been bought up
eagerly on arrival, and with gradually improving prices,
particularly for the better kinds, both white and yellow,
for which there has been an active demand for export to
Francs and Belgium.' These wools appear to increase in
favour with our manufacturers every year, and we may
expect present rates to be well supported for some time to
eosse—no stocks in the market, the whole of the late im-
ports having bean sold at the auction sales of the 22ad and
2fird ult.

Oerman.—lmports continue to be very limited; the large
consumption now going on for their own manufactures hoe
tended to keep up prices in that quarter sad discouraged
exports to this oonß stocks of all sons, assorted and
Mrwise, are tutus light.
Spanish and Port —Spanish sad Sae frontier wools
have been in good request throughout the year, and in
these classes the advance is most decided; Aleutijo, par`
titularly the line qualities, have also esomoanded great at-
lantic. ; Oporto and Cutelbraneo have bee. In short sup-
ply, although in good demand ; the quotaticos of the foram
shew an advance of 2d. per lb., and the market for some
time has been quite hare.
Peruvian and Alpaca.—From the great demand and high
rates paid for America and the Continent for Penman
sheep's wool we have again bad but a short supply, par-
ticularly of fine washed doseriptions, which have been smelt
sought for and commanded extreme priest; One unwashed
merino has also been in mach request, and fully partici-
pated in the late whence. The receipts of alpaca 611
rather short of 1851; it has been It active dernartohrough.
out the year, is still eagerly sought for even at the ad-
vanced retell, and extreme quotations an paid for favoura-
ble proportions of colours : the market quite bare.
llediterranean.—There has been • very large business
done for America and the Enoch markets which has kept
plias too high for our manufacturers until the late ad-
vent* ; this has been the means of curtailing Imports to
this etnintry, and stocks of nearly all descriptions have been
vary limited throughout the year. Egyptian has com-
manded even • greater share of favour than usual, and the
high rates now ruling must be very encouraging to im-
porters; the condition and selection of these wools show
much improvement on knew non, and, if proper care
continue to be taken, it will doubtless continue a great
fanarite with on! manufacturers. Of this wool we have

had a fair supply, but of other Sorts, Basch, llerßia,
Scopis, Vidino, Smyrna, &c., we have had very limited
imports, and the market at present is entirely without
stock. la mohair a large business has bean done at steadily
advancing prices.
Romian.—Donakoi fleece, lamb, and autumns, have been
in good request, particularly long combing fleece, which
has commanded active competition and reeled extreme
rates. Of fine scoured Menno we have had but • very
small supply. These sorts are much wanted, and would
sell readily at high prices, as well es Brook-washed, of
which the market is also quite bare. Yetis and Zegai also
in good request, but no stock.

&ewe Ayres show • comid" erable increase in the im-
ports, notwithstanding the internal dissensions in that
country. Good clean Merino flocks, pretty free from bun,
have met with a uniform ready sale at good prices ; but
inferior and burry flocks have been neglected, and not
realised proportionate rates. The ambit very barely sup
plied, and prospects favourable for the miming year.
_ .

British and Irish.—We have had an active demand all
the year, with gradually improving prices. The stocks in
the growers' hands are at present unusually light, and
they are generally holding for a further improvement in
prices, which, if the present active consumption goes on,
our manufacturers will be obliged to submit to.