The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-05 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

CARDIFF, Jan. 3.—The new year has commenced
upon the whole under favourable circumstances, and
there is a considerable activity evinced in every
branch of trade. The demand from the principal
foreign markets continues good, and there is an
average quantity taken by home buyers. In another
six weeks or two months it is expected that the in-
quiry for steam will still further increase ; and if
the present quotations can be maintained with an
increased sale, both masters and men will do well.
House qualities are in demand, and there is a brisk
local inquiry. In the iron trade the makers evince
unmistakable confidence in the future, and although
orders are rather scarce at present, it is believed
that this will not long be the case. It having been
determined that the list prices should be maintained
buyers will, without doubt, give out their orders
more freely, and hence more activity will follow at
the works. The shipbuilding yards are in full em-
ploy, and there is no lack of employment at the
other local works.

DUNDEE, 3.—Since last report business has been
almost at a stand, and to-day transactions reported
are neither numerous nor extensive. A few sales of
flax and tow have been made at late rates, and
the market is firm. Fine jute is scarce and held
for a small advance; medium is saleable at former
prices, but common is very dull. Some small lots of
yarns of the varies qualities usually spun have
changed hands at full prices, and the tendency is
rather against buyers. Little has been done in
linens, but with the termination of the holidays
more activity is looked for, and manufacturers are
firm in demanding extreme prices for all fabries.
LEICESTER, 4th.—There has not been much
doing in hosiery goods generally during the past
few days, it being yet too early in the season for
the demand for any except woollen hosiery. Busi-
ness is flat Loughborough and Hinckley. Yarns
are firm, but not in request. Wools maintain high
rates, with a firm market.
NOTTINGHAM, 4th.—There is little or no im.-
ptovement in the lace trade. Business during the
past few days has been dull, and no real action is
expected until the end of one month. There is
very little doing in stiff goods, and, indeed, all
heavy fabrics are not in request. The silk trade
continues flat. A better demand is expected very
soon for black laces and edgings. There is a little
doing in mechlins ; very few buyers have, however,
been in the market, and purchases are limited.
There is not much change in the hosiery trade ;
about an average amount of business is doing in
most classes of hosiery. Yarns are without alter-
tion in price.

MAIZENA MANUFACTORY.—Our still too meagre
list of colonial industries has recently received an
addition, by the establishment at Yarraberg, near to tie
Hawthorn-bridge, of a manufactory for the produce of
starch and refined maizena. Of late years maizena has
taken the lead among the farinaceous ingredients from
which housewives prepare their table delicacies, and in the
mother country fortunes have rewarded the producers of
the article. The consumption of maizena is very large in
the colonies, and, as the raw material—lndian corn—grows
abundantly therein, and as the imported preparations are
liable to become stale, damp, and musty on the voyage,
there would appear to be facilities and encouragement for
their manufacture here.—Australian paper.

SUSPECTED MURDER.--On Sunday morning an
unmarried woman, named Letitia Robb, about 29 yekirs of
age, was found dead, lying at a schoolhouse near Roddance,
about a mile from Dalry, near Kilmarnock. She had left
her home at Warrenhill, on Saturday afternoon, and had a
quarrel with her brother, William Robb, who had assaulted
her. On her way from Warrenhill towards Reddance she
fell in with a man named John Qnin; and was seen in his
company at the schoolhouse, at 1 o'clock on New Year's-
day morning, both of them being then apparently the worse
of drink. They were seen struggling together. Nothing
further was seen of her till about four o'clock in the morn-
ing, when Quin went to Warrenhill and told the sister of
the deceased that Letitia was lying in an unconscious state
at the schoolhouse. It was quite correct; the woman- was
dead. Information was given to the police, and Quin and
the brother of the deceased were apprehended and lodged
in Kilmarnock Prison. On Monday they were examined,
and committed ,or further examination.—North British
.Daily Mail,