The Sun.
London, England, 1869-12-14 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

BIRMINGHAM, Dec. 11.—The improvement re-
ported in the condition of the iron trade of South
Staffordshire has been well maintained during the
week. The mills and forges are for the most part
in full operation, and as the quarter draws to a
close business would appear to becoming brisk.
This pressure may in part be attributable to the
desire of makers to produce all they can before the
holidays commence, knowing that for a fortnight
at least after Christmas their works will be
standing, owing to the absence of the men. The
orders at present upon the books are not heavy,
taken separately for buyers are observing caution;
but there is a more general demand for actual
requirements, and altogether a buoyant tone about
the trade. It is alleged that some makers have
been selling below the new list price, and there
is reason for believing such to be the case ; but
first-class brands command the full price, with
a slight reduction in the shape of discount. The
demand for iron for foreign countries has be-
come steadier, and from the known wants of
the Russians and Americans a busy season is anti-
cipated towards the spring. It is generally believed
that no alteration in prices will be made at the
forthcoming preliminary meeting of the trade.
At Thursday's market, held at Birmingham, the
attendance was unusually small, but a fair amount
of business was transacted, chiefly in rails, sheets
wire, and rods. Plates were dull. In the coal trade
there is considerable animation, and the difficulty
as to wages has been amicably settled.
The general trade of the district continues steady.
The iroufounders for the most part are busy, and
the heavier castings are in better request than last
reported, more particularly in the neighbourhood
of Weduesbury. The japanners, too, are busy, and
hammer and forge-men are now well employed.
At Wolverhampton the galvanisers, hollow-ware
and safe-makers, and tin-plate workers report
trade good; and the platers, hitherto but indiffe-
rently supplied with orders, are tolerably
well employed. The gun-lock makers com-
plain of slackness, and in the cut-nail and
washer-making department there is consider-
able dulness. At Willeuhall the lock trade
is tolerably active in the rim and mortices branches,
but common pads are a drug in the market. At the
chain, cable, and anchor yard of Dudley and Tipton
there is more doing than at the commencement of
the quarter ; but trade is still very dull, and the
falling off during the year has been serious. Hopes
are, however, entertained that at the beginning of
the now year an increased foreign demand will
afford better employment to the operatives. No
improvement worth notice has taken place in the
staple trades of Walsall, and the last Austr;;Lian
mail brought so few orders for saddleay that a
slacker time is anticipated.

At Westbromwich, Darlisten, and Great Bridge
the fender and fire-iron and grate and stove makers
are turning out an average number of these house,
hold requisites, the London houses just now being
about the best customers for them. In the boiler
making departments there is still dulness, but there
are anticipations of a brisk demand for marine
boilers and engines for vessels intended for the Suez
route. No doubt is entertained of a revival of this
important branch. The potters and glass bottle
makers of Brierley-hill and neighbourhood are fairly
engaged, and the malleable ironfounders throughout
the district have little cause for complaint. in the
railway signal and tube-making branches of Smeth-
wick business, although not brisk, affords steady
employment to the operatives.
The general hardware trades of Birmingham arl
in a far more healthy condition than at Christmas
time last year, and the artisans, generally speaking,
are at present well employed. Apart from the
push which ususally comes with the close of the last
quarter, there is undoubtedly an improvement in
trade, and one that is favourably telling upon all
classes; and there is reason to hope that, at all
events for a period through the new year, the ope-
ratives of Birmingham will be able to obtain better
employment Ulm% heretofore,