Haulage Opportunities
Page 52
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T"general state of trade remains good. Amongst the heavy industries, reports are as follow :—In Yorkshire and the North-east Coast, substantial orders are being received, mainly for goods to be delivered in this country. In Birmingham., activity in the iron and 'steel market is increasing.
Amongst constructional engineers in the Midlands, there is an increased demand for shapes and sections used in the building trade. There is an improvement in the demand for galvanized sheets in Birmingham, but in Scotland business in galvanized sheets . is poor, although makers of black-steel sheets are• active. Engineers in the Midlands are now feeling the benefit of the increased -activity• in the dock• yards.
Scotland reports a fair number of orders for heavy engineering for the home trade.
Some big contracts have been placed in Lancashire. The Metropolitan Vickers Electrical Co. has received an order for a large turbo alternator and transformers for Belfast—the price approaching £90,000 ; the Vulcan Foundry at Newton-le-Willows, for 50 large locomotives, in addition to another order for the same number already in hand; and Leyland Motors, Ltd., for 55 lorries and buses for the Great Southern Railways, Ireland. In addition, the Merseyside repair yards have a fair amount of work on hand.
The Armstrong-Whitworth concern, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, has just received the largest order obtained for about 10 years, namely, for 100 locomotives. The shipyards on the Tyne are in a much better position than they were a year ago, and ship repairing and reconditioning are active. Work is about to commence on a new cruiser.
Cotton and Wool.
The cotton trade is still quiet. EXpectations of business from India are good and the home trade is extensive. A few orders have been placed in the Bradford area for yarns, and there is at last a stir in the spinning section.
Boots and Shoes: Leather.
The boot and shoe trade continues the steady improvement which has been noted of late. Overtime is actually being worked in some factories. The tendency is for the business to go to the manufacturers of better grades of footwear and most consignments are small. The general tone of the leather market is brighter.
Timber and Building.
The deliveries of timber from the docks continue to show a considerable increase as compared with those of a year ago, and the demand for this material for building and joinery is, up
to the time of writing, larger than ever for September business in hand. Calls for wood for furniture and cabinet work continue to increase.
Amongst large works contemplated are the following : —At Chester-leStreet, 910 houses (£295,880); Grangemouth, 160 houses (L47,000); 175 at Stockton (£69,870), and a housing scheme in the same town (£100,140); a reservoir at Bury (270,000); a threeyear building programme in Essex (£170,107); three schools in Renfrew (Z90,000); a drainage scheme at Shoreham-by-Sea (£68,500), and a generating station at Worksop (£144,000).
Tenders are to be invited by the Council of Manchester University for the construction of an assembly hall, refectory, medical library, swimming pool and fives court (£250,000). Plans have been passed by Manchester Housing Committee for 914 houses and 204 flats. Hastings T.C. has received sanction to borrow £40,000 for the proposed municipal aerodrome at Pebsham. The Palace Theatre, Tamworth, Staffs, is to be rebuilt.
Actual contracts placed include the following:—The erection of a café at East Beach, by Messrs. G. Shears and Sons, Oxford Road, Bournemouth, for the T.C. (R13,754). Messrs. J. Sisks and Sons, Cork, are to build the new school of Commerce and Domestic Science in that town (R49,987).
In Glasgow, plans for a new cinema have been approved, a new bank is to be erected in Cumbernauld Road, shops at Shettleston, a corporation pumping station at King's Park and additions to the Glasgow Royal Mental Hospital are to be carried out. Dumbarton C.C. is to proceed immediately with water schemes for Garelochhead, Glynder and Rosneath (R33,000), whilst other schemes for the Vale of Leven, Cardross and Gartocharn (R42,250) will be started later.
Coatbridge T.C. is to erect another 340 houses, whilst Dumbarton T.C. has acquired ground at Brucehill for a further housing scheme. Fife C.C. is to build 168 houses at McDuff, East Wemyss, and 16 houses at Crossroads, Methil. A block of tenement houses is to be erected in Leechlee Street, Hamilton, by Mr. Daniel Rafferty, MeGhie Street, Hamilton.
Galloway Creamery, Stranraer, is to be extended for the Scottish Milk Marketing Board (£10,000), and Saltccats T.C. is to proceed with another housing scheme at Rooky Park.
Drapery and Clothing.
Wholesale warehousemen say that business shows a marked improvement. Inquiries are coming in for new autumn
millinery and for overcoats. Orders have been placed for women's garments in quantities considerably in excess of those of last year. The Luton hat trade is particularly busy with orders from all over the country.
The fancy-net trade in Nottingham still continues to improve. 'Machinery in the hosiery trade is now being operated on full time.
Hardware and Cutlery. "
The edge-tool trade is still active, but is likely to subside shortly, at the close of the season. A new factory has been acquired in Wolverhampton for the manufacture of chains and hooks for mattresses.
The cutlery and plate trades in Sheffield show considerable improvement. Stainless-steel makers are particularly busy. The Homeric Cutlery Co., Sheffield, which makes scissors from steel wire by a special process, is adding to its plant.
The paper trade is finding considerable benefit from developments in the use of paper as a packing material for foodstuffs. The latest news is its application to the packing of bananas. The Dixon branch of the Fife Paper Mills, Ltd., has just laid down plant for the production of bags for a large number of trades.
London Docks.
The following is the number of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named, from September 28October 6 inclusive :—Docxs : —King George V. 10. Royal Albert, 9. Royal Victoria, 2. Surrey Commercial, 6. West India, 2. East India, 3. South West India, 1. Tilbury, 6. Tilbury Stage, 1. Millwall, 3. London, 3. WHARVES :—Hays, 2. Mark Brown's, 1. Tilbury Jetty, 2.