The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-06 00:00:00

THE IRON AND COAL TRADES.

Although, as usual at this period of the year, the
condition of the iron and coal trades is that of gene-
ral quietude, yet it is not, we are happy to state,
greater than might have been anticipated, taking
into consideration the crisis through which it has
recently passed. Some of the mills and forges in
the district are in fair operation, and there is every
probability of a further improvement. Several
large furnaces which were blown out at the time
of the panic have been taken by other large firms ;
at some of these work has already been com-
menced, and at others it is expected work will
shortly be resumed. The impression amongst the
leading members of the trade is that there will be
a good trade in the spring. This idea is based
chiefly on the supposition that the prospects of
trade generally are brightened from the fact that
the stocks of merchant iron are smaller than
usual; and further, there is a bareness of stores of
all kinds of Staffordshire iron at home and abroad.
Some orders have been received in the districts
for iron for America, and inquiries for spring
deliveries to the States are increasing. There
are also considerable inquiries for railway iron
for America and Australia, the Government of
Victoria having advertised for tenders for 4,500
tons, but nearly all the orders have gone to
Wales, the Welsh houses having so thoroughly
the advantage of those in Staffordshire in the pro-
duction of this description of manufactured iron,
and it is said they are taking ss. per ton more
than they were a month ago. This is considered
a favourable symptom, as it will give the Staf-
fordshire masters a chance of competing with the
Welsh houses in the production of this kind of
iron. All the producers of good mine pig iron
continue to command quarter day prices, and under
any circumstances have a sufficiency of orders on
hand to enable them to maintain these through the
quarter. For second rate and more inferior
" makes" it is not easy to fix quotations, but
prices have not receded to any material extent.
An improvement of a substantial character in the
iron trade in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lanca-
shire, is stated to have taken place, as there has
been an increase in the demand for all descrip-
tions of iron, and prices arc well maintained.
There is a general impression prevalent that
the period of commercial dulness is fast disap-
pearing. Great hopes are entertained of better
trade, and that a long course of commercial
prosperity may be expected. • A report from
Northumberland and Durham states that the
question of wages is still in an unsettled state in
those counties, in consequence of the organisa-
tion of the union which was commenced a short
time ago. It is, however, stated that it is
only the most unreasonable individuals among the
workmen who are endeavouring to introduce a
new practice in relation to the working of the. pits,
and it is hoped that the more intelligent workmen
will endeavour to put a stop to it. The condition
of the iron trade in Monmouthshire and South
Wales is stated to be not very favourable. In
Monmouthshire there is much slackness, and only
partial employment can be afforded. There is
considerable dulness at Pontypool and Abersychan,
but in Glamorganshire the state of trade is better,
though it is far from being of a satisfactory cha-
racter.— Wolverhampton Chronicle.