The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-01 00:00:00

THE SCOTCH IRON TRADE.

The following is the Quarterly Circular of Mr.
Thomas Thorburn, dated Glasgow, 30th September :
" The fact of the stock and the make of pig iron hav-
ing considerably decreased, purchases on an extended
scale were made in July at from 525. to 60s. per ton,
chiefly for home, Continental, and Transatlantic account.
"Since the beginning of last month the price has
fluctuated between 585., 68s. 6d., and 625. 6d., accord-
ing to the pacific or warlike tone of the news from the
East.

"The raising of the rate of discount by the Bank of
England scarcely affected the price of the article, from
the advance in the money market not being the effect of
adverse circumstances, but as merely a consequence and
an accompaniment of an extraordinary commercial
activity.
"It is important to note, when interest ranged between
4 and 7 per cent. in 1845, 1846, and 1847, iron readily
sold at from 755. to 1108. per ton.
"The wages of the colliers and miners have increased
on the average fully 70 per cent., being now almost as
high as in those years, though the bulk of the articles
they consume have scarcely risen 35 per cent.
" Owing to the partial suspension of labour, the high
price of coals, and scarcity of ironstone, the production
has again been further diminished.
"Only 108 furnaces are in blast, being 11 less than in
March last.

" The stocks in stores and makers' hands in Scotland
are now only 220,000 tons, beinf, less than one-half of
what they were in the spring, whilst the deliveries for
home consumption and shipment continue greatly in
excess of the production.
" The local consumption, and exports foreign, coast-
wise, and per railway, amount during the last quarter to
275,000 tons.

«T he demand for pig and railway iron continues un-
abated for the United States, where there are 13,000
miles of railway in operation, and 12,000 in progress._

"My present prides are for rails 8/. 10s: ; bars, 8/.
12s. 6d. ; sheets and plates, 11/. 15s. ; No. 1 Gart-
sherrie, 71s. ; No. 1 other brands, 665. to 695. 6d. ;
mixed Nos. g.m.b., 635. per ton f.0.b."

THE LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY. —Near
to the railway station at Harrow is an estate of about
300 acres of freehold land, a portion of which has been
purchased by freehold land societies, and which is about
to be laid out for building villas, &c. The directors of
the London and North-Western Railway Company, with
the view4to encourage the building of houses thereon by
persons having business in London, have offered a free
pass to and from town, for eleven years, to the owners,
or their nominees, of land on which is built houses of
the value of 501. a year.
THE GREAT WESTERN.—The vast works in progress
at the metropolitan terminus of this line of railway at
Paddington, are proceeding with very great rapidity,
and a correct idea can now be formed of the improve-
ments which are being effected in this locality, and the
facility and convenience which they will afford to the
public when entirely finished, which it is expected will
be the case at an early period of the ensuing year. The
new shed for the outgoing trains, which, being entirely
roofed with glass, presents a very light and handsome
appearance, with separate entrance and reception rooms
for the Queen and the royal family, and all the other re-
fioq
fun ii ihht
eee accommodationand the
appropriateafotiro tnahn eod
fg
cetonrieerpalalertpreiuvballi cs,ilue•
character,si which haa
withrree
extensive offices, is now proceeding with great rapidity.
When the whole is finished, the terminus of the Great
Western Railway will be fully half a mile nearer town
than at present, which will prove of material importance
to the public.