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Haulage Opportunities

21st December 1934
Page 37
Page 37, 21st December 1934 — Haulage Opportunities
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ARECENTLY published review of the Year's activity in shipbuilding confirms the optimistic views that have been expressed in these columns and emphasizes our opinion that the demand for local haulage in shipbuilding areas is increasing. It appears that the actual tonnage completed in British yards during the past 12 months was double that of the previous year.

Current reports are quite good. Orders for new tonnage continue to be received on the Clyde, both for warships and mercantile marine. Recent orders are mainly for small craft, except three large vessels, of which one is a cruiser. There are also many inquiries on hand. Shipbuilders in Belfast have important orders, as also those on the North-East Coast, where the ship-repairing business. is improving.

So far as the iron and steel industry is concerned, the year appears to be closing on an optimistic note. . Forward contracts are good and fairly plentiful. Pig-iron production is actually short of the demand, and addi1ional furnaces are being prepared. A favourable decision with regard to the shipping subsidy will create additional business.

Structural-steel makers on the North-East Coast are busy. There is a good demand generally for black sheets, whilst tinplate business remains steady and scrap .sales are on a big scale. The steel-rolling mills on the North-West Coast have now been continuously active for a longer period than for many years. Further, there is the prospect of that activity being maintained for some months to come. A good many of the orders in this district are from the Midlands.

The Welsh tinplate works have good order books and there is a correspondjug demand for tinplate bars for local delivery. In the Midlands the outlook is good, and there is an improved demand for steel bars and strip steel. A particularly active section of the market is that relating to steel for colliery use.

Sheffield steel makers have contracts which will keep them busy for three months ahead. Most furnaces are working at full capacity. In Scottish iron and steel works black sheets are 1 he bright spot, especially those of heavy gauge and of special qualities.

Pottery and Glass.

Business in the pottery industry continues at a high level. At the moment there is an extra spurt on account of Christmas orders, but the good conditions to which we have made reference of late still prevail in connection with the earthenware section and that which is concerned with sanitary ware and glazed tiles.

The glass trade is improving, especially that section devoted to the manufacture of bottles. Traders generally are operating on a larger scale than for sonic time.

• Coal.

The mild weather has adversely affected the demand for coal for domestic consumption. The advent of Christmas and more so, perhaps, a cold snap, will improve conditions. The .industrial demand is fair and steady. Gas companies and electrical-supply companies arc approaching their usual winter maximum.

Drapery, Hosiery and Clothing.

There is a big demand for dress materials and rayon fabrics. So far as rayon materials are concerned, it is stated that the demand is far in excess of the maximum possible production. Makers of hosiery in the Midlands are working at top speed. Some of the Luton makers -of millinery are busy. Business, is stated to be patchy. It is anticipated that the New Year will usher in a state of increased activity amongst Nottingham lace manufacturers.

Cotton and Wool.

In reply to a qnestion, recently, asked in the House, as to why Lancashire was not scheduled as a distressed area, it was stated that the cotton induslty bas, for some time, been show ing a steady improvement, although it is admittedly still below par. The truth is, perhaps, that home trade is improving, but export business is slow. In the woollen-manufacturing areas, business is quiet.

Boots and Shoes: Leather.

Wet weather has caused a jump in the demand for the better class of shoe. Christmas is causing an increase in the demand for slippers and dress shoes. Leeds reports that trade is completely satisfactory; Bristol has plenty of orders; in Norwich, overtime is expected soon ; whilst most of the hoot and shoe factories in the Midland country areas are busy. The leather trade is reacting to this development.

Timber and Building.

Most of the timber haulage ham the London docks is of the hand-to-mouth order. There is a considerable demand for joinery woods. There are ample orders for mahogany, and the plywood market is particularly active.

Amongst large works contemplated are the following :—The erection of a town hall at Blackpool (£1,900,000), county offices at Trowbridge (E113,01.10), an hotel in Liverpool (£350,000), institution extensions in Surrey (R1.58,124), infirmary extensions in Dumfries (R70,000), and hospital extensions at Folkestone (£30,000) and Clapham Common, London (£45,000). It is proposed to erect seven schools, etc., in Chelmsford, a school in Bristol (£.70.000), in East Suffolk (£50,100), West Riding (£213,635), and Manchester (A24,499). Bridge widening at Glasgow will cost £29,000, and at Richmond, Surrey, £73,000.

1-fouses are to he erected in Birmingham (£444,908), Falkirk (£30,100),

Greenock ( £250,000) , Ro t herham (£41,472), and Stepney, London (£37,213). York T.C. is to invite competitive plans for buildings to be erected in the Castle area (£50,000). Gillingham T.C. has applied for sanction to borrow £85,000 for building.

Glasgow city engineer has invited designs and tenders for a new bridge between Finnfeston and Plantation over the Clyde. It will cost approximately £1,200,000. Fife C.C. has approved amended plans for an £85,000 school at Dunfermline.

London Docks.

The following is the number of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named, from December 2129 inclusive. DOCKS :—King George V. 5; Royal Albert, 7; Royal Victoria, 5; Surrey Commercial, 7; West India, 2; East India, 1; South-West India, 2: Tilbury, 5; Tilbury Stage, 1; Defillwall, 2. WHARVES :—Hays, 4; Middleton's, 1; Mark Brown's, 1; Tilbury Jetty, 2,


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