464
accounted for by the high prices now ruling, the disturbed state of the consuming districts, and the dislocation of trade generally throughout the Southern Provinces. The few bales advised as sold and noted below, are purely speculative pur- chases, and although prices show a further appreciation of $3 to $5 per bale, they are still much below the equivalent of those ruling in Indis.
The manipulations in the American cotton markets have caused a sharp advance in the values of the raw material in Bombay, necessitat- ing the adoption of short time by most of the mille, whilst some of the spinners find it very difficult to meet forward contracts extending as far as end of March next.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
weather at the end of last week closed the river | Peiho earlier than was expected, since when there has been no particular news from Tient- sin. The most reliable demand appears to be for Szechuen, the clearances for that market being sufficiently large to put on a special steamer for Ichang, but her cargo will consist chiefly of Indian Yarn. The generally substantial advances paid for the auction goods this week speak woll for the nearer outlets. The higher prices wanted for yarns have somewhat restricted transactions but the advance has been established and is, The incoming English likely to be maintained. Mail steamer is bringing over 15,000 bales from Bombay.
The Local Mills are finding it difficult to work at the present price of cotton, as the dealers here are carefully following up the quota tions for the foreign staple, but so far scem to find ready buyers for Japan. It is cheerful to learn that at least one of the foreign mills here Raw Cotton:-The fluctuations on the other has succeeded at last in getting on a dividend side have been reflected in this market, and paying basis as the result of the last twelve prices show an advance of $2 to $4 per picul in months working. The report is not yet issued, Indian descriptions, sales reported being about but we understand 8% is to be paid. The small- 575 bales superfine Bengals at from $29 to $321ness of the business reported, and uniform leaving a stock of about 450 bales on the market.
that prices have followed, render it China Cotton.-A sale of 35 bales Ningpo at $83! unnecessary to do more than record the sales
made public, In 8.4 lb. Quotations are Indian
Shirtings Green Lion is reported-no stock. $29 to $82 and Chinese $30 to $33.
and Flag at T2.65 and Blue Pah-Shu-doo at are mentioned, but nothing in any Exchange on India has fluctuated slightly and T2.85
of the other weights. In White Shirtings, Fancy closes weak to-day at Rs. 127 for T/T and Rs. 127 for Post. On Shanghai 71 and on Yoko-Boy and Flag at T4.75 and Flower at T4.80 have bama 834.
Local Manufacture:-Still High prices checking business.
nothing doing.
Japanese Yarn:-Strong, but no business is reported.
The undernoted business in imported and local spinnings is reported from Shanghai during the fortnight ended 5th instant, viz:--
Indian:-A steady moderate business has been effected at an advance in rates of one to two Taels, total sales aggregating 7,250 bale, com- prising 2,800 bales of No. 108, 1,100 bales of No. 128, and 2,480 bales of No. 208. market closing strong. Unsold stock was estimated at about 28.000 bales.
Japanese:-Business was restricted by firmness of holders, who have succeeded in obtaining an advance of two Taelsall round. Total settlements amount to 2,000 bales on the basis of Tls. 85 to 91 for No. 168, and Irls. 921 to 97 for No. 20s, market closing firm with a tendency to higher prices.
Local Settlement to the amount 3,500 bales have been effected at Tls. 84 for No. 10s, Tls. 86 for No. 128, Tls. for No. 148 and No. 16s, market closing firm, some spinners refusing current rates.
MISCELLANEOUS IMPORT. Messrs. Noël, Murray & Co., in their piece goods trade report of, 3rd December, state:-The Japanese Diet met on the 6th instant, but so far the proceedings have been chiefly formal and nothing has transpired touching on the burning question which is of such vital importance to all interested in this part of the world. No faith is put in any of the reports from European capitals regarding the supposed settlement of the ques- tion, which practically means that Russia may do as she pleases in Manchuria, and Japan what she can in Corea. Such an arrangement could be only transient, and would simply mean the postpone- ment of active operations until the Spring. The political aspect however has been temporarily lost sight of by the excitement caused in our market on the receipt of the news of a further sensational advance in Cotton. At the close of last week the quotation came 6.84d, and manufacturers raised their prices accordingly, until they were fully 12 per cent. over those ruling in October. Two day. ago the price of cotton in Liverpool had dropped to 6.46d. and makers have come down some 5 per cent, nominally, but it is doubtful if even firm offers at that would induce business. Quotations from the States' have become most notoriously unreliable for weeks past, as has been persistently shown by the higher prices demanded whenever an attempt has been made to put business through on the basis of actual quotations, which hitherto have always been looked upon as practically firm offers.
To further complicate the situation the price of Silver has fluctuated in a most violent and unaccountable manner during the interval, nevertheless business has not been entirely suspended, and it has been found possible to fill a few indents with goods makers in Man- chester happened to have in stock, and at prices 'much under what they would book orders at. Here, too, the dealers have been busy looking out for cheap lots for learance after China New Year, and though they have met with some saccess, cholders are not as a rule disposed to sell except for prompt payment, which has naturally restricted the business. As regards the market at our dependencies, there is not much of interest to report. A sudden spell of intensely cold
course
been bought to the extent of 2,500 pieces each. A transaction in White Irishes has gone through on a sterling baris. English Drills have met with a little attention, another order for 200 bales having been booked from stock on reasonable terms, a much higher price being wanted for a further quantity. A sale of 6,000 pieces American A small is in the book at T4.474 for Clifton K. lot of 200 bales English Sheetings have also been
sold from stock for this market. In American makes 26,000 pieces are reported namely-Fisher- man T3.65, Large and Small Squirrel T3.80, Cat Head T3.82 and Red Pigeon T3.55. A few orders for miscellaneous Fancy Goods have gone through altogether of the Dyed varieties, Prints still being out of favour, small sales of 4 and 5 lbs. Turkey Reds are reported, but these goods are not going off well and stocks are accumulating. Although the advance at Auction in Black Cotton Italians was not so pronounced or general as for the plain staples, there was a decidedly firmer feeling. For Woollens there was scarcely any improvement preceptible.
December 19, 1903.
Per Steamer Prins Heinrich, sailed on 10th Dec., For Aden:-100 rolls chinaware. For Suez: -3 cases silk. For Smyrna:-100 boxes cassia. For Genoa :-850 bales raw silk, 100 bales cocoons, 32 bales hides, 10 cases comphorwood trunks. 6 bales waste silk.
For Antwerp:-199, bales bamboo scraps, 100 bales feathers, 20 bales bamboo, 15 rolls matting. For Antwerp and Hamburg :-190 boxes brist'ca. For Antwerp and Hamburg and London:-50 bales feathers. For Antwerp and Hamburg and London and Copenhagen :-4 bales For Amsterd m-75 casks ginger. feathers. For Amsterdam and Rotterdam:-197 rolls mat- ting, 125 cases ginger, 2 packages tea, 1 package piece goods. For Amsterdam and Rotterdam and Hamburg and London :-50 cases ginger, 5 casks
For Rotterdam -130 cases ginger, 114. wood oil.
For bales canes, 46 rolls mats, 40 casks ginger. Bremerhaven :----1 case curios. For Bremen :— 2 cases curios, 1 case paper. For Hamburg :—247 half-chests tea, 81 bales feathers, 50 casks ginger, 44 cases wine, 30 cases cassia oil, 20 boxes bristles, 11 cases black woodware, 9 cases curios, 7 packages tea, 5 cases feathers, 1 case silk. For Hamburg and London :--12 cases bristles. For Lisbon:-2 cases curios. For London :-32 rolls matting. For Copenhagen:--300 cases cassia. For Buenos Ayres:-50 packages tea.
Per M. M. Steamer Armand Béhic, sailed on 15th Doc., For Marseilles:-86 bale raw silk, 201 bales waste silk, 134 bales cocoons, 8 cases silks, 21 bales hair, 441 rolls matting, 27 cases provisions, etc, 16 case ylang ylang, 12 cases cigars. Milan:-40 bales raw silk.. For Lyons:-582` bales raw silk.
For
HANKOW, 9th December.-The prices quoted are for the net shipping weight excluding cost of packing for export :—
Per picul. Cowhides, best selected (Winter cargo) Tls. 33.00
Do. seconds
Buffalo hides, best selected Goatskins,untanned (chiefly white colour),, Buffalo Horns (average 3lbs. each) White China Grass (Wuchang and/or
Poochi)
White China Grass (Sinshan and/or
Chayu) Green China Grass (Szechuen)
Jute
White Vegetable Tallow (Kinchow) White Vegetable Tallow (Pingchew
and/or Macheng) White Vegetable Tallow (Mongyu) Green Vegetable Tallow (Kiyn) Animal Tallow
28.00
J
22.50
31
65.00
10.75
11,50
10.50
"
11.75
1)
5.00
11.50
"2
11.20
#
9.50
32
14.00
"
11.00
(OR 32
Gallnuts (usual shape)
19,50
20.50
15
$3/3}
Black Bristles
120.0
JJ
.$17/18
20.01
"
Camphor (China).....
$95/98
3.60
**
Sesamum Seed
3.90
*
17
Sesamum Seed Oil
7.90
};
ཐོ་
Vegetable Tallow Seed Oil
7.80
1
(Second Oil
**
}
Wood Oil,
7.80
>
Cloves
Fennel Seed Oil Galangle Garlic
.$170/175 .$18/34 $220
Tea Oil
8.30
15
..$3/51
HONGKONG QUOTATIONS. HONGKONG, 4th December.
Beans
Borax
(Formosa) Cassia (First quality)
Glue ...... Grapes
Ivory
Kismiss
Olibanum Rosa Oil
Saltpetre Sandal wood
-3
-
.$28
$17/24 .$220/650
$16/20
Do. (Plum) do.
Feathers (Grey and/or White Duck) Turneric
ON LONDON.-
EXCHANGE.
FRIDAY, 18th December.
Telegraphic Transfer
.1/8
Bank Biiis, on demand
.1/8/7/
Bank Bills, at 30 days' sight
.1/8
Bank Bills, at 4 months' sight
.1/818
.1/8
Credits, at 4 months' sight Documentary Bills, 4 months' sight 1/97 ON PAEIS-Bank Bills, on demand...215 ON GERMANY.-Credits 4 months' sight219′′
On demand
..$5/25
.$60/175
175
Oil
$10 @ 11 .$27/30 $350/400 .$7
ON BOMBAY.-Telegraphic Transfer 127
Bank, on demand
ON NEW YORK.—Bank Bills, on demand $14
Credits, 60 days' sight
.421
..127
$10/104
ON CALCUTTA.-Telegraphic Transfer127
Bank, on demand
1271
.$86}
.$43/481
UN SHANGHAI.—Bank, at sight
Private, 30 days' sight
...7
72
831.
Senna Leaves...... Sugar Candy
Vermilion
Wax..........
MISCELLANEOUS EXPORTS
Per Steamer Hyson, sailed on 11th December. For Marseilles:-268 bales waste silk, 3 cases hats, 25 cases essential oil. For London :- 178 half-chests Oolong, at Amoy, 1,801 boxes scented caper at Canton (27,321 lbs.) 50 bales waste silk, 210 bales mats, 80 bales canes, 31 packages buffalo hides. 237 cases pitch. 20 cases essential oil, 50 casks soy, 80 cases bristles, 13 cases hats, 76 casks ginger, 190 bales feathers, 76 bales china grass, 14 packages private effects, 25 packages sundries. For London and/or Glasgow:-150 casks ginger. For Hamburg:-6 cases shells.
ON YOKOHAMA.—
On demand
ON MANILA.---
On demand ON SINGAPORE.——
On demand
A
...nominal
nominal
1031
.....} p.o. pr.
...1 p.c. pm,
.62
ON BATAVIA.—On demand ON HAIPHONG.—Or demand On Saigon.—On demand On Bangkok.--On demand SOVEREIGNS, Bank's Baying Rate ...$11.65 61.10 GOLD LEAF, 100 fino, per tael BAR SILVER, per oz.................... 253.
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