Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-05-23 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL TIMBER TRADE,

The continental war, which at the date of our last circular
and for some time previous, had only been conjectural or
contingent, has unhappily now become a. reality. So far
as is yet known, actual conflict has not taken place, but acts
of aggression and hostile strategic movements have occurred
to an extent which leads in an unmistakable manner to a
belief that the shock of battle cannot be distant, and that
the conflict will be stubborn and severe. Three of the five
great European powers have declared their determinationio
abstain from.any interference in the war, if it 'be limited
to a struggle between Austria on the one hand, and France
and Sardinia on the other ; but every one feels that this
determination may be interrupted at any moment by -the
result of accident, or the interference of design, on the part
of any of the belligerents", or through some unforeseen
occurrence among the lookers-on. A strong conviction
of this uncertainty has led to considerable disturbance
is the commercial relations of nearly all European
nations. Conspicuous among the results of these
disturbing influences has been an increased demand
and' higher prices for nearly every article of food.
This las naturally led to an advance in the rates of freight
from the eastern and northern, as well as from some of the
southern ports of Europe. An increase in the rates of
freight of course tells heavily and quickly on the import of
wood, and looking at the precarious position of affairs
between Russia and the other European states, it becomes
a matter of serious consideration how far the supply of
wood from the Baltic may be relied on for any length of
time.

The natural consequence of these concurring causes
would be to enhance the value of wood of all kinds ; and
such would unquestionably be the case were no counter-
acting influence in operation. War, actual or prospective,
operates at once in checking the advance of that progress
which exists only in the atmosphere of peaceful relations, and
produces a diminution of the demand for those commodities
which would, under happier circumstances, be largely con-
sumed. This is peculiarly true of wood ; and that condition of
affairs which renders it remotely probable that we may be
thrown upon the resources of Canada and the other British pro-
vinces, as well as the United of America, is met and counter-
acted by the knowledge that in all probability the consump-
tive demand will be much diminished. To this last cause
will be owing the fact that in the face of .a probablelindta-
tion of the supply, prices will not be affected in an upward
direction. Prudence must still be the sheet anchor of our
colonial friends, as caution will certainly be the guide of all
parties here who are connaCted with the trade.

- Pine Timber : As is customary at this period of the year,
the stocks of Quebec, which have remained on hand over
the winter, are thrown upon the market at reduced rates,
to meet the influx of - the season's import. Within a few
days past 100 logs,. 94 feet average, and of fair quality,
have been sold by auction from the yard at 164 d ; and 185
logs, 69 feet average, of similar quality, sold in the same
manner, brought 1544 per foot. St. John : No board tim-
ber of good quality has been' landed lately, and the sales
effected have been chiefly of indifferent quality, in retail
lots. A cargo, of say 18 inch average, containing board
timber of good quality, would sell at from 21d to 210
per foot. No sales of Lower Port have been made pnblic.
Red Pine : The stock on hand is of inferior quality, and
can only be disposed of at low prices.
Oak : Consequent on the large import and generally
admitted superior qualities of the Thornton oak from Vir-
ginia, the advantageous peculiarities of which we have
noted on several previous occasions, Quebec Oak remains
heavy in stack and meets with only' a very limited sale, at
greatly reduced prices ; any larger or even moderate
import of the latter would fall upon an exceedingly dull
and unmanageable market.
Elm : The stock on hand of this is only moderate, and
parcels of prime qualiiy would meet with ready sale.
Hardwood is also in stock, and much wanted.

N.B. and N.S. Pine and Spruce Deals : Of these articles
the sales lately effected have been principally by auction, at
a reduction on former rates.

Quebec Deals: Seconds of good quality are worth from
£9 lOs to XlO 10s per standard.
• .

Pitch Pine is moderate iu stock, and the trade are secur-
ing themselves such quantities as can be obtained to meet
present and anticipated demands.

Greenheart is inquired for, and is likely to rise in price
Teakwood : This article, of good quality and of well
reputed shipment, is more inquired for and a little advanced
in price, but cargoes of inferior quality, of which some are-
still to be met with, are difficult of sale unseen.
Baltic Timber : Several cargoes have lately been imported,
partly on dealer's account, and partly on speculation, the
latter of which are mostly in course of being yarded in ex-
pectation
of an advance in prices. A. F. &D. MACKAY.