The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-30 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

LEEDS, MARCH 29.--The following is the trade
report of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce for the
month of March :—" Woollen Trade.—The demand
for most descriptions of woollen goods has been com-
paratively quiet for this season of the year. The
anxiety with reference to the turn affairs are likely
to take between the Northern and Southern States
of the American Republic has tended greatly to
retard business in this branch of our local manufac-
facture. It is gratifying to remark that the state
of the home trade has proved better than had been
expected, no failures of importance having taken
place among purchasers in this market since the
month of March commenced. Wcol.—Since :last
report business has been extremely flat, many of
the mills being on short time. At the commence-
ment of the present series of sales a decline of from
lid. to 2d. per lb. took place. Subsequently prices
have been pretty steady, with a slight upward ten-
dency since the Bank of England rate was reduced.
A large proportion of colonial wool has been bought
for foreign account. The demand for English wools
was very dull during the first fortnight of the
month, and prices assumed a drooping tendency.
During the latter part of the month, however, there
has been more doing, and on some descriptions an
improvement of from id. to d. per lb. has taken
place. For low wools there has scarcely been any
inquiry, and prices have consequently been in
favour of the buyer. Flax and Yarn.—Some im-
provement has latterly taken place in the spinning
trade of this district. The demand for yarns, especially
from abroad, has been more active, but prices are
maintained with difficulty. Flax and tow have been
in good demand, with prices ruling in favour of the
buyer. Leather—The demand during the past month
has continued inactive, and business has been on
a limited scale, falling short of the usual average
for this month. Prices have showed but little
variation, and the tendency is generally towards a
rednetion. At our haliquarterly leather fair, held
on the 6th inst., the quantity of goods laid down
was a little above the average for a minor fair,
while the attendance was rather larger than usual.
The cloth cap trade has continued in a fair healthy
state, some houses working their hands over-time,
having considerable arrears of orders on hand. The
wholesale boot and shoe trade is in a satisfactory
condition. Seed crushing and oil trade.—During
the month there has been an extremely slow
demand for olive oils, prices being rather in favour
of buyers, arising from the generally depressed
state of the manufacturing districts. In rape oil
there has been little doing, but a slight improve-
ment in price has taken place, the cost of produc-
tion being much above the market value of the
article, and stocks are fast diminishing. Inde-
pendently of this the quantity of seed afloat from
India is much smaller, and the breadth of land
sown last autumn on the Continent is at least one
third less than usual. For linseed there is consid-
erable inquiry, as the cold weather creates a great
consumption of cake. There is therefore little
alteration to notice. Iron and machine trades.—
The demand for the best manufactured iron still
continues good, which is a manifestation of the
quality of the iron manufactured in this district.
The various branches of the machine and tool
trades continue in a satisfactory state of operation.
The cut nail trade continues very brisk. Corm—
Our market has been moderately supplied with
wheat during the month. The demand, which has
not been brisk, has been limited chiefly to fresh
dry qualities, which commanded an advance of
from ls. to 21. per quarter as the month wore on.
Inferior sorts have been very dull of sale. Fine
barley, being scarce, has fully maintained previous
rates. Beans and oats have been in fair demand,
and firm in price.

"Accounts from Messina," says the Patrie,

"state that the people continue to call for the demolition
of the citadel, the only important work protecting the town
on the seaside. The military authorities, who 'comprehend
the importance of the fortress for the defence of the coun-
try, have required that the demolition shall be deferred
until the question has been deliberated on at Turin."

A " STRIKING" PERFORMANCE.—Mr. T. Walesby
writes :—"On Thursday, the 14th instant, at three a.m.,
the great Parliamentary clock struck upon the largest
chime bell, John' of Westminster—' Big Ben's deputy'—
no less than thirty-four times, instead of three. The strik-
ing was also incorrect at 4 and 5 a.m. There is, however,
no foundation for the report to the effect that the voice of
the great bell, ' Big Ben' himself, was heard; for, under
the circumstances, he could not possibly emit any 5e,-,irad
whatever,"