Statement showing the value of declared exports from the consular district of Leith to the United States during the four quarters of the year ending September 30, 1877.

SEPTEMBER 29, 1877. (Received November 24.)

Report upon the continued depression of the coal and iron trade of Cardiff. I have the honor, herewith, to send my annual report on the trade and navigation of Cardiff and district; the principal exports of which are steam and house coal, iron and steel rails, and tin plates. Since my last report, the course of the iron and coal trades has been one of still deeper depression. Latterly a number of steam and sailing vessels have left this port in ballast, a most unusual thing, and a sad illustration of the condition of commerce at a great center port of exportation. It is believed that the minimum price of coal has been reached, because of the resolve of coal proprietors to stop their collieries rather than go on working at a serious loss. The colliers, however, appear to be realizing the true state of affairs, and to be consequently more reconciled to low wages.

In the iron trade the manufacture is unfavorably influenced by the limited demand and small profits. The district appears to be passing through what may be called an experimental era. Manufacturers are largely occupying themselves with the endeavor to produce steel rails at the minimum of cost, and these may now be had as low as £6 58. to £6 78. 6d. per ton. Iron rails cannot well be produced under £6, and the result is that the iron-rail trade of this district may be considered virtually dead. There appears also to be a want of confidence among merchants, largely owing, no doubt, to recent heavy failures. The hope. ful spirit which has sustained so many during the past year or two seems now, I regret to say, to be succumbing, at least as relates to the near future, and there is little anticipation of other than a hard winter before us.

The export of tin plates is not very considerable, Swansea agency having almost a monopoly.

WIRT SIKES.

Statement showing the value of declared exports from the consular district of Cardiff to the United States during the four quarters of the year ending September 30, 1877.

Statement showing the number and tonnage of vessels which entered at the ports of Cardiff and agencies for year ending June 30, 1877.

BRITISH DEPENDENCIES.

AFRICA.

CAPE TOWN.

Statement showing the value of declared exports from the consular district of Cape Town to the United States during the four quarters of the year ending September 30, 1877.

Statement showing the commerce of Port Louis for the nine months ending September 30, 1877.