The Sun.
London, England, 1853-05-14 00:00:00

THE WOOLLEN TRADE..

(From, the Leeds Mercury of this day.)
The imports of wool into London during the week
ending to-day have been 6,087 bales, of which 2,126
bales were from Port Philip, 1,810 from Sydney, 1,263
from Van Diemen's Land, 357 from Germany, 274 from
Bombay, 71 from France, and 51 from Belgium.
In the foreign wool trade sales have been compara-
tively limited this week, owing, probably, to the near
approach of the London auctions ; but the expectation
that last sales' rates will at least be fully supported, gives
a firm tone to prices in this market.
In the English w.-,01 market there has been no
change in the demand this week. Prices are firm and
stationary.
In the Liverpool wool market there is a fair demand
for wool, at full prices. Imports the past week have
been--173 Buenos Ayres, 174 Alpaca, 220 Venice,
Smyrna, and Malta.
WOOLLEN CLOTH.—The markets have been rather flat
and depressed in their character this week : a general
opinion prevails that goods are getting too dear to com-
mand a brisk trade, hence the merchants are very care-
ful in their transactions, and unless the manufacturers
offer an inducement by accepting lower prices they
scarcely purchase anything beyond their present require-
ments. There has consequently been only a moderate
business done in the Cloth-halls ; for the manufacturers
generally keep pretty firm to their prices, knowing well
that if wool maintains its present prices at the coming
sales, they cannot replacc their present goods at lower
rates. The stock of cloth in the market is on the in-
crease, but we believe the mills in the clothing district
are not quite so active as they were ; evidently the
manufacturers are conducting their operations with
caution. The London wool sales commence on the 19th ;
there are 35,000 hales to be offered. The question—
" how will they go ?" is engaging considerable attention.
Without venturing to hazard an opinion, we may say,
that well-informed parties expect that about last sales'
prices will be maintained. We hope, for the general and
permanent interests of the trade, that higher rates will
not be the rule. The demand for the home trade is now
supplied; there has consequently been very few buyers
in the town during thi:: week, and business is generally
dull and quiet in those Varehouses that are principally
engaged in that branch of the trade. There is a good
business doing by some of the shipping houses in heavy
goods.
ROCHDALE. —The flannel market has been thinly
attended, and there has been a more limited demand for
pieces. The manufacturers have shown no disposition
to purchase wool but for immediate use only. Many
are of opinion that wool has arrived at its highest point,
and are determined to work up what they have on hand,
as the new clip will now be shortly in the market.
BRADFORD.—On the whole we think the market was
flatter, with less doing than usual. There is little doing
in alpacas. Prices continue as they were ; and in wools
there is as little doing as possible, all parties being dis-
posed to wait till after the clip before they purchase
freely of the spinners, and most, we believe, have a tole-
rable stock of wool laid in.

HALIFAX.—Our market has exhibited an exceedingly
quiet aspect in all its various branches. The price of
wool keeps very firm, the demand being chiefly for com-
mon qualities, of which there is not a plentiful supply.
The time sorts are very plentiful, and most difficult to
move.

HOSIERY, LEICESTER.—The same active demand con-
tinues in all branches of tho hosiery trade, except in
woollen sorts for the home market. Large quantities of
worsted yarns are being delivered to order. The cotton
market continues brisk, and blue grey sorts are espe-
cially scarce. Wools are equally stiff, and are a shade
higher, particularly thr noils and brokes.

WHITSUNTIDE EXCURSION TRAINS.—This morning the
Whitsuntide excursion trains, at reduced fares, to and
from the metropolis, commenced running on the several
lines of railway, and return or double journey tickets
were issued on the principal lines, which will be available
on the London and North-Western, Great Northern,
and Great Western, -until the 21st instant, and on the
South-Eastern, &c., only until the 18th instant ; on the
North Sent Railway, and for short journeys to Windsor,
Richmond, Barnet, Harrow, &c., those issued to-day are
only available to-morrow, and in some cases on Monday ;
as usual on the Greenwich and Blackwall Railways, no
double journey tickets are issued. The greatest activity
prevailed at the various metropolitan termini this morn-
ing, and some thousands of persons availed themselves of
the opportunity afforded them of taking the country air;
so numerous were the passengers, that additional car-
riages had to be provided for their accommodation, and
the short up trains loaded equally as well. The directors
of the London and North-Western Railway have com-
menced running the Irish tourists' excursion trains ;
those conveyances were found last year to yield a hand-
some per centage, and it is anticipated that this season
the traffic will be much more extensive, in consequence
of the Dublin Exhibition.
SAILORS' ORPHAN GIRLS' SCHOOL AND HOME.—The
annual meeting of this excellent institution was held at
the Hanover•square Rooms yesterday ; Vice-Admiral
Lord Radstock, C. 8., in the chair. The orphans were
addressed in an affecting manner by the Rev. Dr. Marsh,
and afterwards the Rev. Canon Champneys gave the
rewards for faithful service. The noble chairman ex-
pressed a wish to see the School Home removed to a
more open neighbourhood—for instance, near Green-
wich ; and the meeting was called upon to renewed libe-
rality to secure so desirable an object, as well as to sup-
ply the want of provision for this class of orphans. The
report of the committee adverted to the cheering fact of
two new auxiliaries being formed, the one at Brighton
for
therthe poatshteyr e
aart
(Dr
eosvuel
o;
gandannounced
from
m theeff
or
ts to
raise contributionsthis
as a national institution) of 3,025/. 11s., which, deduct-
ing payments, left a balance of 2,4991. 3s. ld. The report
being unanimously adopted, the meeting was addressed
by Admiral Vernon Harcourt, the Venerable Archdea-
con Robinson, the Rev. Canon Champneys, the Rev.
Edward Auriol, Major Little, and others, in support of
resolutions expressing the necessity for renewed exertion
towards making this a national asylum, so much needed
since the dissolution or abandonment of the school for
sailors' orphan girls, at Greenwich Hospital. After a
vote of thanks to the noble chairman, the meeting sepa-
rated.
FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE GREAT NORTHERN RAIL•
WAY.—On Thursday evening, a fatal accident occurred
on this line of railway to a man whose name we have
not yet been able to ascertain, under the following cir-
cumstances :—The main line of the Great Northern
Railway crosses the Lincoln and Nottingham branch
of the Midland, between Newark and Carlton, and, at
about seven o'clock, a person was observed standing on
the former line, and watching a luggage train which was
leaving Newark for Nottingham, when at the same in-
, stant the No. 10 down passenger train came up at a
considerable speed on the Great Northern line, and be-
fore the unfortunate man could get out of the way he
was dashed to pieces. His remains, of which no less
than twenty parts were picked up, were collected toge-
ther and taken to Newark, where they await the coro-
ner's inquest. Several of the passengers witnessed the
accident, and were horrified at the mangled state of the

corpse.
THE BRIDGE OF SPEY.—This bridge has unfortunately
been attacked by dry-rot, and it has been pronounced
unsafe to vehicles and cattle. Notice to this effect have
been issued, and mealmres are being taken for its im-
mediate repair. The bridge is still open to pedestrians
who choose to risk themselves in crossing it.—lnverness
Courier.