The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-26 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE,

CARDIFF, Jan. 24.—The steam coal proprietors
are doing a large business, and the orders on the
books are sufficient to keep the collieries in active
work. From the continental markets there is a
brisk inquiry, and there is little difficulty expe-
rienced in obtaining the current market quotations,
provided the supplies can be delivered within a spe-
cified time. The Aberdare collieries, where the
greater part of the coal exported is raised, are, as a
rule, on full time, and an immense quantity is sent
daily from the valley. Lantwist house commands a
ready sale, and prices are firm, but no alteration
has been made in the list rates. The report that it
was intended to reduce the wages of the colliers
turns out to be incorrect, exceptin so far as regards
the collieries where the coal is used at the ironworks.
A meeting of the Welsh ironmasters has been held
in reference to the proposed reduction in wages, and
it was unanimously resolved that it should be 10 per
cent. There is no doubt entertained in this district
that the reduction will be accepted by the men, as

the latter are beginning to admit that the masters
were obliged, from the state of trade, to resort to
the course they have taken.
DUNDEE, 24th.—Our limited business has been
done privately in flax, tow, and codilla on the spot
to-day, and the sales reported are" rather under last
week's prices. Upwards of 200 tons were put up to
auction, fully half of which found buyers at, on the
whole, taking quality into account, fair prices. Free
on board business continues to be done to a mode-
rate extent for shipment at the various Russian
ports in spring, at prices lower in proportion than
present quotations on the spot here. Jute is in fair
request, especially the better qualities, ana an ave-
rage business has been done since last report. The
market for yarns opened quietly to-day, and
for a time little .was done, but some spinners
reduced their quotations subsequently, which
brought forward buyers, and a considerable quantity
changed hands. There is little change in the de-
mand for linens, and prices of various qualities are
rather lower than last week, but the large previous
forward sales keep manufacturers independent
of the present demand, and this helps to sustain
the value of goods here. The American market is
aexsttaetent are being made to
as could be wished,
but
sybietpimn
other foreign markets, and stocks here do not accu-
aactofariry
mulate so much.
LEICESTER, 25th.—There has been a fair amount
esnot ss attoisf
of business doing in regular goods in the hosiery
trade during the last few days, and business is being
pretty generally resumed at the warehouses. In the
rural districts there is also rather more doing.
Yarns hold up in price, and the market continues
steady. There is not much doing in wools, but high
prices are maintained,
NOTTINGHAM, 25th.--There is a little more doing
in lace goods both for the Continental and the home
market, but the orders are small, and likely to con-
tinue so as long as the uncertainty of the price of
the raw material continues. There has been a little
more demand for silk mechlins. All silk goods are
higher in price in consequence of the rise in the raw
materials. Cotton yarns maintain their price, with
the exception of low numbers, which are giving way
a little, but not sufficiently to induce manufacturers
to work for stock. There is also a little more doing
for France and America, but the Italian trade is
very quiet. There has been more business doing in
• hosiery, particularly in goods suitable for the home
trade. There are no stocks on hand, and manufac-
turers are determined to make only to order. Yarns
remain firm in price.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—This Day.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

THE " FRIENDS OF PROGRESS" LOAN ASSOCIATION.-Mr.
Knox handed the following letter to our reporter :
"10, Macclesfield-street, Soho-square.

" Sir,—l am induced, in justice to all parties connected
with the Friends of Progress Loan Association, held at the
Three Tuns, Rupert-street, Haymarket, to complain of a
word used in reporting a complaint made before you on
Thursday last by a poor man named Peakall. The repre-
sentation made to you evidently led you to believe that the
late secretary had absconded, such, however, is not the
fact, as will be confessed when I state that his name is
William Cross Smith, and that he resides at 28, Henrietta-
street, Covent-garden. It is, however, unfortunately true,
that from some cause at present unexplained by him, and
which he appears to be unable to explain, he having,
as he says, taken the position at the decease of a
former secretary some two years since without know-
ing the state of the society's funds. There is'
a large deficit shown by contrasting the arrears on
loans with the stock credited to members, and that in
consequence of the numerous notices of withdrawals the
funds have become so reduced as to render it impossible
to meet any further claims until the arrears due on loans
are recovered by a county court process, which will neces-
sarily occupy a considerable portion of time; and hence
has arisen the difficulty in meeting the just claim of the
poor man Peakall, which all parties connected with the
society must, and do regret. I trust, sir, you will pardon

the liberty I have taken in intruding on your valuable time
by placing before you the facts I have mentioned, and
should be greatly obliged if the reporter attached to your
court would do me the favour in some way to correct the
statement which has gone forth through the press, either
by the publication of this letter or otherwise, which is cal-
culated to do much injury to another society of a similar
character held at the same house, as well as to the landlord
himself, a straightforward and strictly honourable man.
I am, sir, y our obliged humble servant,
" CHARLES FRANCES BARBER, Sec. pro tern.
"A. A. Knox, Esq." . .

Peakall, who is about 70 years of age, attended to-day
and received the sums which have been sent for him by
benevolent persons, expressing his gratitude for the kind-
ness shown him.