The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-28 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, Aug. 27.—The course of business
here is hindered by the same difficulties that have
stood in the way for weeks past. The raw material
continues to advance in value, obliging both spin-
ners and manufacturers to stand out for higher
prices ; and the result is an ever-renewed check to
the demand. The amount of transactions is very
moderate in all departments. Some sellers of yarns,
inevertheless, report more doing than on Friday,
and a generally improved inquiry, even at ad per
pound higher than the prices of last week. The
average advance asked by spinners is id, to id., and
there can be no doubt that sales are seriously limited
in consequence. Business in piece goods is prevented.
in a still greater degree by the higher quotations of
manufacturers this s eek. Even at last week's rates
no great sale could have been made. Stocks are
again accumulating. The production of cloth has
lately been so evidently in excess of what is required
for either the home trade or foreign markets, that
some large producere have again resorted to short
time working.
A beginning was made last week in
several establishments, and the determination is
more generally avowed to-day. In Blackburn four
firms have adopted the system, two of them work-
ing four days a-week, one on three days a-week
only, and the other having for the present ceased
working altogether. About 2,000 looms are stopped
entirely. The following is the weekly report of
Messrs. J. Slagg and Co.:--" Owing to the continu-
ous advance in the raw material, manufacturers are
asking a corresponding advance on goods, and many
decline to name a price at all ; but buyers, espe?.ially
for the India and China markets, decline to follow
the upward movement, and there is consequently
little or nothing doing in any class of goods.' The
following is from the circular of Messrs. G. Fraser,
Son, and Co, :—" We make no change to-day in our
quotations. In some cases rather higher prices are
asked, but the demand remains very inactive, and
buyers for the most part are disinclined to make
any purchases of moment, even at previous rates.
The foundation on which our present prices rest is
felt to be too insecure and speculative."
LEEDS, Aug. 27 —The cloth-hails have not
been
very animated during market hours to-day.
The
number of buyers .present were rather limited, and
their purchases were chiefly confined to small par-
cels of medium and low-priced goods for the ap-
proaching season. In the aggregate, however, more
business was done than appeared to be likely ; and,
though there were undoubtedly more sellers than
buyers, the markets in both the coloured and th
white cloth-hail were equal to ofthose_u
t not this day se'n-
night,a great
night. Wools are steady in price, b
deal is doing by the local brokers, the late sales in
London having been the me:-.ns of
wants of many manufacturers. The flax trade Con-
tinues rather quiet,iets and the whole of the machinery
ere has
Th
the business
been a better
engagedoeliD i
An iEt
anunognt. running
e2l6t
Tae
to-day,full time.
but
feeling in the
doing is not an average one for the season. The
homewinter, now
getting up 1 b (dr stocks for
anduy e r
theys are
ha
v
e purchased with more freedom
to-day than they did last month. Manufacturers
keep moderately well employed, but orders are not
b
in much advance, so that fears are entertained
that, unless the export trade soon improves, manu-
facturers will have to make more on speculation,
or curtail their rate
of production by short-time
working. In common with the Lancashire flannel
trade, there is a little more doing in Yorkshire low
goods. Wools maintain last week's prices.

DEATH BY SUNSTROKE.—A drummer, named
Bailey, of the Roy
the military bathing-Place,al Marines, at Chatham, was bathing in
on Tuesday afternoon, when
he was suddenly taken ill. He was conveyed to Melville
Hospital, and after a few hours died. The medical officers
ascribe his death to sunstroke, He was 14 years of age.