The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-02-07 00:00:00

Messrs. JOSEPH RosiNsoN and Co. say :

"The earlier part of the month exhibited a somewhat
quiet tone, as regards the Wool market, which is not
unusual at the commencement of the year; as it pro-
gressed, considerable buoyancy was evinced, and this with
an immediate prospect of a war with Russia, thus showing
that the patience of the trade is worn out on the Eastern
question, and that question no longer becomes the pretext
for lowering the value. While some branches of manu-
facture are flat, particularly the worsted class, others are
the reverse ; in some quarters consumption has increased,
so that the preponderating influences demonstrate that the
increase is greater than the drawback, and leads to the
conclusion that the probability of overstock is distant,
especially as freights still maintain high rates,'

TIMBER.—We subjoin extracts from the annual
circulars of the following brokers :
Messrs. HOLME, SLATER, and Co., say :

" Our own ideas of the Timber trade of the Mersey are,
whatever the results of the present negotiations may be—
as regards war or otherwise—timber of all descriptions
must advance, and our reason for expressing this opinion
is that there is a short supply at all the outports, which
must be supplied from the stocks here or from London—
that market being well supplied with all descriptions of
wood goods—the high price which will be required by the
producers, and the high rate of freight which will be
demanded by the shipowners for the forthcoming impor-
tation, and the short supply of vessels suitable for this
trade. The import of Quebec yellow and red Pine exceeds
that of last year, and there is a small increase of St. John
Board Timber ; of Spruce Deals the import has been the
most extensive ever known. During the early months of
the import they were rather dull of sale at the closing rates
of last year, but they gradually advanced, the consumption
keeping pace with the supply, and it must necessarily
increase considerably as the price this article is furnished
at is far below the price of square Timber."

Messrs. DUNCAN, EwING, and Co., say :

"In taking a retrospective view of the business trans-
actions for the last year, it is satisfactory to be able to say,
that, in almost every department of trade, they have been
carried on successfully, and that those parties who have
had to do with timber, whether as shipowners, importers,
or dealers, have largely participated in the general pros-
perity of the country. A large amount of tonnage is still
occupied on long voyages, and thereby a considerable
number of vessels withdrawn from their useful employment
of conveying timber and deals from British America to this
country. This withdrawal of tonnage was, in itself, suffi-
cient to account for the advance which took place in the
rates of freight last year, which opened—when the season
of import from Quebec commenced—at 425. to 435. per
load for timber, to 555. to 565. per load towards its close,
with corresponding enhanced rates for timber and deals
from other ports. But another cause has materially aided
in curtailing the amount of available tonnage for the pur-
poses referred to, viz.—a deplorable list of losses and dis-
asters which have for some time past, and are still being
related, as of almost daily occurrence amongst shipping,
which will necessarily tend to maintain freights at an
extreme range for some time to come."
Mr. J. HOUGHTON says :

" The importation of so vast an amount of raw material
from our colonies renders this trade of great importance,
both commercially, politically, and locally; there having
been profitably employed in carrying cargoes of wood goods
only from our North American colonies to this port, no
less than 498 ships, 337,626 tons ; or 116 ships, 83,675 tons
more than in the previous or any preceding year. The
chief part of this tonnage has been British, and a large
portion of it consists of new ships built at the various
shipping ports during the season ; but the trade has not
been confined to ships of our own country, our transatlantic
neighbours taking advantage of the recent abrogation of
our Navigation Laws have directed their attention to it,
and found very advantageous employment for a consider-
able amount of their tonnage in carrying Deals from New
Brunswick to this port ; we have also had the assistance of
a few Prussian and other European ships."

Inox.—The market for Scotch Pig Iron has been very
quiet during the last week. On Saturday, owing to the
favourable news from the Continent, a better feeling was
displayed, and sales were effected at 775. per ton. The
market closes nominally the same this evening, with
nothing doing, speculators evincing no desire to operate
at this price in the face of a diminished export as corn-
pared with the same period last year.

LIVERPOOL CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE.

Tit fourth annual general meeting of the Liverpool
Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday, in the offices of
the Chamber. The chair was occupied by Mr. F. Shand,
president. There were present the following members,
viz. :—Fras. Shand, Esq., president, Thos. Bouch, Esq.,
vice-president Messrs. B. Stitt, R. W. Preston.. Clint.
T. B. Forwood, Charles Holland, A. W. Powles, J. Hub-
back, Booker, Edward Heath, Charles Maclver, Robert
Rankin, A. K. M`Fie, Bushby, John Aikin, Thos. Baines,
Heyworth, R. Gill, Cross, Edward Higgin, Singlehurst,
Tomlinson, T. R. Arnott, W. J. Lamport, Jos. Malcomson,
J. P. Palmer, Hall, R. Still, Burt, Robertson, Gardner,
Brebner, and Keates.
The CHAIRMAN said he had much pleasure in being
present on this interesting occasion, although he must at
the same time express his regret that, in consequence of
the pressure of other duties, it had not been in his power
to devote so much of his time and attention to the busi-
ness of this association as he could have wished, or as its
importance deserved. This omission, however, he had the
less cause to regret, as Mr. Bouch, the vice-president, had
been so assiduous in his attention to the business, and
had been so ably and well seconded by the committee in
his exertions for carrying out the objects of the Chamber,
as to leave no room for regret on his (the Chairman's)
part. The report which would be read alluded to
several topics of much general interest, one of the most
important of which was the present state of the law of
partnership, a subject to which the serious attention of
the Chamber had been directed ; and, concerning which, a
sub-committee of its members had been appointed to
inquire and report. As it would appear in the proceed-
ings, that subject had been very carefully considered, and
a report had been prepared by the sub-committee. Not-
withstanding its importance, however, and the care be-
stowed on it, the Council had not been able to come to
so definite a conclusion on the subject as to recommend
any particular course to the Chamber. In conclusion, he
would call on the clerk to read the report, which that
gentleman did. It is as follows :
The Council have the now pleasure of submitting to the
members of the Chamber of Commerce a report of their pro-
ceedings for the tear just closed, the fourth of the existence
of the Chamber, in which are enumerated the principal sub-
jects which have engaged their attention.
CUSTOM-HOUSE SYSTEM.
A referred to in, the half-yearly report, the Consolidated
Customs Act was fully investigated by the standing com-
mittee, and upon their recommendation the greater part of
the suggestions urged by your Council on the government
was provided for. Since the passing of the act, the Treasury
has issued a minute ordering additional concessions as to the
forms of export entries. Your directors stilt watch over this
important subject, and wilt not omit any opportunity of
procuring the adaptation of the Custom-house system to the
altered position of commerce.
COMMERCIAL LAW REFORM AND TRIBUNALS OF
COMMERCE.

This question has been in abeyance owing to the parlia-
mentary recess. But the earliest available opportunity will
be taken for pressing it upon the government, either in the
form of the appointment of a Parliamentary Committee, or a
reference to one of the several Royal Commissions now sit-
ting on the subject of mercantile law.
LAW OF PARTNERSHIP.

Your Council received several of a series of questions
on this subject, compiled by the Royal Commissioners,
which have been placed in the hands of gentlemen in Liver-
sameor replies, as requested by the commissioners. At the
time it was considered a good opportunity of fulfilling
their previously expressed intention of considering this im-
portant question ; and a special committee was, therefore,
appointed, who gave the utmost attention to the matter, and
who have presented a very full report on it, which this
Council beg now to submit to the consideration of this
chamber.
LAW OF BANKRUPTCY AND COUNTY COURTS PRACTICE.
Your Council have also received similar series of queries
upon the above subjects, the former of which have been
placed in the bands of individuals for reply, and the latter has
been referred to a special committee to consider and report.

RUSSIAN COMPANY AND SOUND DUES.
These matters have been occupying the attention of the
special committee, and your Council have the satisfaction of
saying they believe their endeavours for the abolition of the
Russian Company will be crowned with success. As to the
latter, it is a question involving an important item of the
revenue of Denmark, and much difficulty, consequently, has
to be overcome; but your directors have communicated with
the Chamber of Commerce of New York, with the view of
enlisting the aid of the American Government towards
effecting the removal of so heavy a tax upon commerce as the
Sound Dues, one from which no benefit is derived whatever.