The Sun.
London, England, 1866-10-03 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, Oct. 2.—There has been some busi-
ness in yarns at the advance necessitated by the
rise in cotton, but manufacturers have had a very
unsatisfactory market for cloth. In yarns the de-
scriptions for shipping have followed the upward
course of prices with more readiness, and there was
a good deal of business to-day at an advance of Id.
to lid. per lb. above last Tuesday's prices. The
demand for some quarters was rather considerable,
and prices continued to strengthen. In home trade
yarns business was rather restricted by the large
advance required by sellers, which was something like
id. per lb. upon the rates of last Tuesday. The ad-
vance being caused by a rise in the raw material, in-
stead of through an increased demand for yarns, is
perplexing both to the buyers and sellers, and in-
terferes with business. Sellers of cloth have of
course been obliged to advance their quotations,
but have failed to obtain prices adequate to cover
the increased cost of yarn and cotton. Buyers are
exceedingly cautious, and though a moderate busi-
ness has been effected, there is no inducement for
manufacturers to take orders or continue produc-
tion at the present highly unremunerative rates.
The quotations of sellers arc to a great extent nomi-
nal. Messrs. John Slagg and Co. report :
" Since Tuesday last the upward course of the
Liverpool market has resulted in advanced quota-
tions here, and a somewhat improved" demand
has led to increased business, but still at very unre-
munerative prices. To-day's American telegraphic
advices have again stimulated the cotton market,
but the advanced quotations thus necessitated for
goods meet with no response from buyers, and we
close with a small business."

CARDIFF, Ist.—The proprietors of steam coal col-
lieries are well supplied with orders, and the works
continue actively employed. The output is about
an average, and considerable quantities are being
cleared out daily at the port for the foreign markets.
There is every prospect of a good winter's trade,
and freights have an upward tendency. The inland
demand for Welsh steam is very satisfactory, and
proves the increased estimation in which it is held.
In the house coal trade there is slight improvement
in the local consumption, and increased quantities
are shipped on coasting account. As regards the
iron trade orders are coming in rather more freely,
and business generally is characterised with more
animation. The decision of the preliminary meet-
ing of ironmasters to abide by the old list prices,
and the reduction of the Bank rate to 4i per
cent., will doubtless cause home buyers, whose
circumstances will permit them, to place many
of the contracts they have in hand, several of which
are known to be of a pressing nature. Although the
foreign demand has been as yet comparatively quiet,
the tone of the inquiries from America and the con-
tinent are indicative that business is likely to become
much more active than it has hitherto been. Most
of the contracts for delivery this season on North
American and Baltic accounts are completed, and
orders from those quarters for spring delivery are
looked for. There is no change to report in the de-
mand for pig iron. Tin plates are in improved re-
quest, and while quotations rule firm future pros-
pects are encouraging.
LEEDS, 2d. —The woollen-cloth trade, as far as
to-day's public markets are concerned, shows quiet-
ness. The stocks, however, in the halls are within
a moderate compass. The sale of tweeds keeps ac-
tive, and more would have been sold to-day in the
market had they been offered. The country clothi-
ers are well employed, and their prospects for the
remainder of the year are hopeful. Wools are firm
in price, and a steady business is doing. The flax
trade keeps quiet, and the prices arc rather unsettled.
Those for yarns and threads are about the same as
last week.

NOTTINGHAM, 2d.—Owing to the goose tatr holi-
days commencing to-day there was a very small
attendance on Exchange this morning, and the busi-
ness done in lace yarns was limited. Prices were
quite as high as last week. Hosiery yarns were held
for an advance of is. per bundle on last Tuesday's
rates. In silks no alteration. Brown nets quiet at
previous rates.

ROCHDALE, Ist.—The purchase of heavy flannels
is only slack, and the trade is less. The merchants
were in but.small attendance to-day, and they pur-
chased carefully. As for some time past, they acted
most freely with fancy flannels and printers, a fair
aggregate amount of which changed hands. York-
shire goods maintain the same position we have
lately noted, there being a quiet trade in them at
late prices. The local wool trade is steady as to
prices, but sales are not large, manufacturers buying
more for immediate than for prospective wants.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.