The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-06 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, Monday, May 4.—Although this
market does not show so much depression as on
some of the days in the middle of last week, the
feeling has not been so cheerful as on Saturday.
Produe.trs had then sonic, hopes that to-day a bet-
ter demand would be apparent, but such has not
been the case, and the prices offered for cloth and
yarn in nearly all departments have been too low
for acceptance.

BRADFORD, Monday.—The transactions in wool
to-day have again been limited. The prospects of
an abundant clip and the announcement of several
large sales in the town and neighbourhood tend to
create great caution on the part of staplers andbpin-
ners. This afternoon Mr. J. Buckley Sharp sold by
auction 400 packs of English wool, the remaining
stock of a stapler declining business. The attend-
ance was only thin. Much of the wool was of very
inferior quality, and not less than four years old.
Consequently the prices realised were generally in
favour of the buyer. The following are some of
the prices :—Parcel hog, 17id. to 190.; half-bred
wether, 151 d.; neat Shropshire, 161 d.; fine drawing
wether, 181 d. to 19fd. ; half-bred hog matching,
190. ; half-bred blue drawing hog, 19d. ; Devon
greasy matching,l2 id.; Hereford hog, 20d.; Hereford
wether, 1611 to 17d.; Stafford hog, 19/d. per lb. The
trade in worsted yarns continues without material
alteration. There is a good business doing in two-
fold yarns. Genappe yarns are in improved re-
quest, at advanced rates. In pieces most buyers
have already operated to the full extent of their
requirements, and the market exhibits a quiet
aspect ; but, though less business is transacted,
prices are exceedingly firm. Machinery is fully
employed.

LEICESTER, Monday.—The absence of buyers,
who anticipated the late advance in prices, is be-
coming conspicuous, but there is, nevertheless, a
fair amount of wool changing hands. Wherever
staplers can quote a shade below the generally ac-
cepted market price buyers are willing to do busi-
ness. There is more confidence felt in present
quotations being maintained by both manufac-
turers and dealers, aud the result has been that
transactions have extended somewhat beyond cover-
ing immediate requirements. There is more
than an average trade doing in woollen yarns.
Many manufacturers who bought heavily before
there was much advance in prices are either work-
ing their purchases up to complete orders which
merchants have lately placed or are preparing goods
in expectation of a large trade being shortly
done. The consumption of yarns in this market
is much greater than it was at the corresponding
period of last year. Cotton yarns were less sought
after during the latter part of last week, but the
renewed firmness 'of the Liverpool market is again
attracting the attention of buyers. The demand for
hosiery keeps active. For cotton goods there is a
steady inquiry. The fine weather is stimulating the
trade both in the wholesale houses and in the coun-
try districts, and, notwithstanding the great ad-
vance in price, manufacturers are enabled to keep
their machinery fully employed. In heavy goods
very little is being done for immediate delivery,
although a good many orders are now placed for
the home trade. The shipping demand is very
quiet. Boots and shoes continue in active request.
Manufacturers say the demand exceeds the supply,
and there is every probability of such being the case
for some weeks to come. Workmen in this branch
are now difficult to obtain.

ROCHDALE, Monday.—A few London and country
buyers visited the town during the last week, but
their purchases were not particularly heavy, consi-
dering the season of the year. To-day there was a
good attendance, but there was very little business
doing. Most of the buyers contented themselves
with making inquiries as to prices, and the best
terms for placing orders. The Yorkshire trade was
exceedingly luiet. In wool trade was quiet, and
prices were unchanged.