The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-26 00:00:00

CHATHAM.

The committee sat this morning at 11 o'clock, but the
room was immediately cleared, and the committee re-
mained in deliberation for nearly an hour, but on what
subject was not announced. On parties being read-
mitted,_

Mr.-Merewether resumed the opening of the sitting
member's case.

NORWICH ELECTION PETITION:

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sut,—At a meeting of the Eldon Loyal and Consti-
tutional Club, held on Tuesday the 22d instant, it wax
unanimously resolved,—

" That the thanks of the club be presented to Lieut.-
Colonel Dickson for his manly and straightforward con-
duct, in endeavouring to obtain the restoration of the
Norwich petition to its legitimate place in the House of
Commons."

I am, yours, most respectfully,
J. H. HULME, Chairman.
St. Andrew's, Norwich, Feb. 25th, 1853.

THE WOOLLEN TRADE.

(From the Leeds Mercury of this day.)
The imports of wool into London during the week to
the 23rd inst., were 260 bales, of which 52 were from
the Cape of Good Hope, 84 from Pegu, 52 from Ger-
many, and 72 from Belgium. The public sales have
been progressing very satisfactorily.
In the English wool market sales this week have been
to a moderate extent, and prices are very firm. On
some [of the scarce kinds of combing wools rather
higher prices have been obtained. In the Liverpool
market wool has been quiet, without change in price.
Imports the past week have been 226 bales from Trieste,
900 Alpaca, and 11 Italian. At Leeds a good brisk
business continues to be done in the woollen cloth
trade. On Saturday there was an excellent market.
Wool black cloths in middle qualities were in brisk
demand, and a considerable quantity changed owners.
There was also a large business done in light prunell
mixtures, a description of goods now commanding
attention for summer wear. The market was flat and
quiet on Tuesday, for unless the stock of cloth in the
halls is replenished every market-day by fresh goods,
there is scarcely any choice for the merchants to select
from ; but in consequence of considerable deliveries
that are regularly taking place at the merchants'
warehouses, this is scarcely po'ssible, hence arises
rather dull markets occasionally ; notwithstanding
which, a very steady and excellent business is regularly
doing in balk cloths. Prices are regularly on the ad-
vance ; a state of things consequent on, and which must
inevitably follow the important advances which have
taken place in the price of all raw materials used in the
mannfacture of woollen cloth. We instance two articles
of importance in the cloth business—wool and oil. An
advance of full lid to 2d. per lb. in wool, has been
maintained at the sales now taking place in London ;
and during the last three months, oil has advanced to
about 18 per cent.

We have no change to report in the state of trade i
the warehouses ; a full average business, for the time of
the year is doing for the home market, and the shipping
houses are very brisk and active ; on the whole, a good
and satisfactory trade continues to be done. This state
of prosperous activity is participated in by the whole of
the surrounding clothing district. The Mills are all in
good work, and the labouring classes in full employment.
In Batley and its aicinity, where heavy goods are prin-
cipally manufactured, there never was so brisk and active
a trade doing as there is at present.