Haulage Opportunities
Page 49
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-THE importance of noting develop
ments in general trade and of keeping in touch with the state of the heavy industries, notwithstanding the fact that, in the main, they do not provide many loads for road haulage, is aptly illustrated by a couple of extracts from this week's sreports.
Concerning the hardware Industry, it is stated that makers of chains and anchors are now feeling the benefit of the improvement in shipping. In the messages from the timber docks 'there is anticipation of a keener demand For the more expensive hardwoods, which are largely used for the manufacture of ships' furnishings.
There is no sign of diminution of activity either in the shipping industry or in that of heavy engineering. Shipbuilders on the Clyde have sufficient orders on hand to keep them busy for the remainder of the year, and other orders are maturing. There is greater activity in the Merseyside yards and another large order has just been placed with one of the leading concerns in Sunderland. The prospects• for shiprepairing and re-conditioning are better on the north-east coast.
On the north-east coast and in Yorkshire the iron and steel business is steady and the tone of the market cheerful. In Scotland the buSiness is steady, with a •preponderance of work for the home market.
In the Midlands, work on hand is
substantial in quantity. Orders for structural steel are encouraging and the Staffordshire finished-iron makers anticipate developments during the forth:coming,weeks. The demand for black sheets in the Midland areas is improving, and there is an increase in the galvani zed-sheet business. The Swansea tinplate trade is busy.
Hardware.
Hardware manufacturers are busy, and further orders are expected. The building trade continues to act as a feeder for this department of industry and there is a good demand for small metal fittings. Makers of nuts and bolts are active. Wireless-equipment makers are also busy.
There is further indication that the demand for haulage facilities for coal for domestic consumption will shortly increase.
. Timber and Building.
Three months, at least, of steady deliveries of softwoods from docks to merchants and/or di,rect to builders and users are now to be anticipated. The improvement in the furnishing trade, which in itself is worthy of note, is causing an increase in the demand for hardwoods.
Amongst large works contemplated are the following :—A sports stadium for Blackpool, to cost £250,000; road works at Liverpool, £34,000; 90 houses at Maidstone, £26,950; pier reconstruction at Morecambe, £40,000; housing at Newcastle, £148,276. In the North Riding of Yorkshire, a bridge, £29,800; extensions to farm institutes, £88,382; and roads, £592,602. A road at Rickmansworth, £75,000; municipal offices at Swindon, £51,000; the third instalment of the Vyrnwy aqueduct, for which Liverpool T.C. is responsible, £668,000.; extensions to the Clarence Dock generating station, Liverpool, £344,300; Liverpool housing schemes, £701,230; and extensions to Scunthorpe War Memorial Hospital, £25,000.
Dundee Housing Committee has purchased 38 aeres of ground, at a cost of £7,500, for the erection of 280 houses and the provision of pleasure grounds, whilst the local 'water committee has approved a scheme for new distribution works (£46,000). The plans provide for a new 750,000-gallon reservoir at Balmossie to augment the supply to Flroughty Ferry, Barnhill and Monifeith, and a 1.000,000-gallon reservoir at Menzies Plans have been passed in Paisley for the erection of three schools by Renfrew C.C. at Renfrew Road, Marchfield and Williamsburgh, at a cost of between £80,000 and £90,000. Tranent T.C. is to build an additional 52 houses, Musselburgh T.C. has had plans passed for the erection of 24 houses, Lanark C.C. is to build 32 houses at Plains and 40 at Calderbank, whilst ‘Vishaw T.C. is to construct 120 houses on the Greenhead site. Bumtisland T.C. has agreed to proceed with the construction of a swimming pool (£10,000). Grangemouth T.C. is to erect 160 houses (E47,000). Sims Son and Cooke, Ltd., Knowle, Bristol, is to build 144 houses and four shops on the Bedminster Estate (£42,4382), and 142 houses on the Southmead Estate (02,682) for Bristol Housing Committee.
Pottery.
Pottery trade continues to improve. Most of the activity is in connection with the manufacture of glazed wall and hearth tiles. It is reported, however, that the current trade in mediumgrade china and earthenware is likely to be supplemented by an increase in the demand for similar wares of a higher class.
Boots and Shoes: Leather.
The improvement in the boot and shoe trade continues. Orders still incline to be for small quantities. The position is now improving in the country "centres. There is a definite increase now to be noted in the demand for hather.
Drapery and Clothing.
Wholesalers in the drapery and clothing trade report increasing orders, most of them, too, involving immediate delivery, and usually for small consignments, Wholesalers in the clothing line are now well employed on winter overcoats. Hat makers are busy, especially those in Luton.
London Docks.
The following are the numbers of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named, from September 14-22 inclusive :— Docits King George V, S. Royal Albert, 9, Royal Victoria, 6. Surrey Commercial, 8. West India, 2. East India, 3. South-West India, 1. Tilbury, 9. Tilbury Stage, 3. Millwall, 4. London, 4. WHARVES: Hays, 2. Middleton, 1. Mark Brown's, 1. Tilbury Jetty, 3.
Cotton and Wool.
, The home trade in cotton and cotton goods is active. Many contracts have been placed for poplins, dress materials and drills. A slight improvement in the inquiries for hosiery and weaving yarns is reported from Yorkshire, but the woollen trade is not particularly active.
Lace and Hosiery.
Activity in the hosiery trade, particularly in connection with the manufacture of men's underwear and women's outerwear, is growing. Jumper suits and woollen frocks are likely to need conveyance in some quantity in the near future. Orders for laces of various kinds are on the increase.
Hosiery manufacturers, in the Leicestershire area in particular, appear to be well satisfied with the prospects. n39