Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-02-19

The prices the early part of the year, will be seem
75s to IT'S 3D. per ton and Is well TO be remembered
that the quotations for Scotch pig iron for mixed numbers
ordinary brands and for nett cash payment free on board at
Glasgow but under the influence the the money
Market causing forced sales of speculative parcels the price
continued with little interruption to decline throughout the
year, until it reached the present figure, which is lower than
at any period since January, 1874 Whilst the make has
materially increased the stock has declined about 3d. 600 on
both Of which mainly result from heightened strike of the
wokmen and the alteration Of the gauge OF the Mineral Kali
way No such Of interruption likely to occur this
year. and make Of tons may we think, be fairly
counted upon for although the present low and
ted prices will check extension Of works will stimulate
present circumstances the production OF the works already
in operation.
The exports foreign ports in ls47 exceed those OF 1916
by tons while coastwse they have decreased 80 SAC
making decrease of total shipments ia ls47 as COM
pared with lS46 of 6f9l tons. The United States have
been of great support having taken large quantity In
of former years Europe took less although the price
much lower than in 1896 Owing TO the extension OF
naeabe iron works Scotland, and the immense demand
for castings for railway purposes the home consumption has
until recently been large probably not less than bOO0
per week sudden and serious check has, however,
been experienced and estimate that about coo tons per
week less Of pig iron 10 consuming in Scotland alone
than there in the early of last aud England
falling of has been also very serious, amounting probably
600 per week whilst the export To The Cont
for three months will be suspended by the seasur
of the year We therefore calculate upon accumulation
stock r time come, although the comparative low
price may induce purchases TO some extent Tor prospective
wants. and prevent the pressure OF iron upon tue ake
Wages have been reduced almost low point as they
at any former period and this enters so largely into
the OF production important consideration In udg
ing of the probability Of an advance in price
As the probable of the trade IN uture Is very
difficult form opinion is that the year has OPEN
ed with brighter prospects than have been apparent for some
time but although money Is more abundant and cheaper,
confidence which is the main spring Of the business cannot
be restored time Not only have the failures been
numerous and heavy beyond precedent but the full effect Of
them has yet been experienced and we tear that not
lew houses which still struggling with difficulties VIII be
forced succumb their pressure and keep business IN an
unsettled state some months Ii must further be emem-
bered great has the mpovehment Of the mercantile
community that the of speculation are not at hand,
the will apparent and appears TO Us that the course Of
Improvement win be very slow, which will be the best guar
any for its being AS the prosraon Of the IRON trade
owing mainly the suspension OF the enormous demand or
railway works, only expect decided Improvement 10
connexon with the resumption Of these pubic works ou. All
the companies much in for work already oohe
and goods supplied that do not expect that they WIN
funds either by loans calls to enable them Tor gooo wnie
contract fresh obligations At present we have not arrived
the minimum Of consumption old contracts being sun WORK
ed upon, and new ones being exceedingly scarce.
Our trade is the last to suffer and the last TO improve ano
whilst Of the opinion that prices WI not probably oe
cline further do think that early advance hkey
desirable The demand presen, very mited bull wl'f
the advance Of the spring, look for good trade
LIyERPooL, JANUARY Ia l647
The following table may interest some Of your readers
present:
Pig Iron Works and Furnaces in Scotland