The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-09 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

LEICESTBR, Thursday.—The commencement of
the new year begins with the almost unprecedented
reduction of sd. per pound on worsted yarns from
the late list prices. This, however, was antici-
pated, and has produced no extra demand. The
worsted spinners are either standing still or work-
ing short time. Manufacturers are employed in
balancing their yearly accounts. No prices will induce them to purchase but for orders, and the
holidays and uncertain state of prices combined to-
gether have hitherto kept buyers out of the market.
Neither factors nor manufacturers are anxious to
push business until the commercial atmosphere is
clear' and they can see themselves safe with those
they deal ; meanwhile, great distress exists among
the working classes. We are glad to learn that
Messrs. Ellis and Whitmore have resumed work
for four days a week. —Leicester Journal of yes-
terday.
NOTTINGHAM. —The lace trade remains muoh
the same as reported last week. Very little is
being done, but the small quantity of goods pro-
duced is quite equal to the demand. One large
house, which for the I,:st two mouths has ceased
business operations, has recommenced with re-
stricted hours. Although goods have been pro-
duced to a very limited extent by manufacturers
these last few months, and distress toa great degree
prevailed amongst the unemployed, a favourable
view may be taken of things in general, as stocka
on hand are extremely light. In the hosiery trade
some of the manufactories are still closed, and others
working short time. During the last week a little
more has been done in the American trade. Plain
articles for home consumption are also in better re-
quest, and manufacturers generally are in better
spirits. An opinion prevails that as the new year
progresses a better demand will ensue. Prices in
silks and yarns are higher, and the trade on the
whole is more firm.—Leicester Journal of yes-
terday.

THE CIIURCII-RATE CONTEST AT SYDENaillf.

On Thursday evening an adjourned vestry meet-
ing was held at the National School-rooms • the
Rev. Mr. English, perpetual curate, in the chair.
The room was densely crowded, many ratepayers
being unable to obtain admission.
The CHURCHWARDEN (Mr. Kingsford) read an
amended estimate of the amount required—which
was increased from about 2501., as stated at the
previous vestry, to upwards of 6001. The church-
warden stated that it was his painful duty to require
a rate of sd. instead of 2d., as at first demanded ;
but anxious to meet the parishioners to some extent
on the voluntary principle, he had decided to ask
only for a threepenny rate on condition that it was
unanimously voted, and the remainder of the
amount he would collect by voluntary contribu-
tions. This course being objected to by the op-
ponents of church-rates, a rate of fourpence in the
pound was ultimately moved and seconded, upon
which Mr. Cockerell moved the following amend-
ment :—" That the vestry do now adjourn for the
space of six weeks, in order to afford time for mak-
ing application to the parishioners for voluntary
contributions to defray the expenses comprised in
the churchwardens' estimate, and that a committee now formed to assist the hurchwardens in carry-
ing tbisiesolution into effect."

—Mr. COCKERELL said 119 was contending for the
great principle of religious liberty, and contended
that it was monstrous to tax a parish containing
3,500 inhabitants for the support of the services of
a church incapable of accommodating many more
than 500 persons. If this church was entitled to
its tax, so also was the church at Lower Sydenham
and the various dissenting chapels, so that not one
but five rates would be required, Mr. Cockerell
concluded an effective speech by moving the amend-
ment. •

Mr. GEORGE OFFOR, jun., had much pleasure in
seconding the amendment, not only because it
enabled him to advocate a g. eat principle, but also
because he hoped to Believe the estimable chairman
and his colleagues from the painful position in
which the advocacy of church rates placed them.
He could mot conceive a more uncomfortable position
than that of the curate, who was reminded at every
step of the improper source from which the funds for
his church were drawn. He could not meet that "blaze
of glory," the parish beadle, for whose breeches we
were asked to pay, without the unpleasant
thought that the money of the Jew and the suppor-
ter of conventicles, formed part of the investment
in those "splendid appointments." Mr. Offor
proceeded to criticise the ether items of the esti-
mate in the same strain. He appeared to the pa-
rishioners to express i heir conscientious opinions
without hesitation and without fear of oppression
from either one party or the other. The chairman
was not the man to limit the Christmas bounties to
the supporters of church rates, nor had we to fear
intimidation of any kind, our curate being English
in nature as well as in name.

The amendment was further supported by ad-
dresses from John Bennett, Esq., F.R.A.S., and
Dr. Gordon.

The CHAIRMAN then put the amendment to the
me-Ming, and out of an assemblage of more than
250 persons scarcely 20 hands were hold up against
it. The Chairman declared it carried, amid tre-
mendous cheers.

The CHURCHWARDEN then demanded a poll,
which was appointed to have taken this day.