June 18, 1904.]
During the Japan-China War the output of coal in Japan was greatly decreased on account of a large number of miners being engaged as military coolies, but the present war with Russia has not affected the output in the least degres, says the Nagasaki Press. The quantity of coal produced from the mines in the Chikuho district Kyushu, in the month of April was estimated at 500,113 tons, showing an increase of 322 tons and 1,300 tons respectively over the returns for March last and the month of April of last year The aggregate output of the Chikuho collieries from January to April last was 1,712,022 tons, against 1,522,196 tons for the first four months of 1903.
According to the Depeche Coloniale, exten. sive irrigation works are about to be started in several provinces of the Tonkinese delta in French Indo-China. These works include canals and barrages. In the province of Annam, near Phuly, a canal is being made in order to drain this region; the quantity of earth to be removed is estimated at 800,000 cubic metres. By the barrage of several estuaries in the province of Phu-Lien, 50,000 hectares will be rendered suitable for the cultivation of rice. Similar results will be obtained in the lower delta by the construction of dykes on the seashore and of sluices, which will accumulate water during the rainy season, and protect the rice-fields from the sea at high tide.
*
COMMERCIAL.
SILK.
SHANGHAI, May 30th, 1904.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
The following table gives approximately the value on the Home markets during the sea80N :-
Steam Filatures.
#9
+9
Z
ลง
3.26
3.31
3.21
-- 3.07
73,
意气
to
58
~ ~ ~ ~
3.92
81
3.45
3.96
3.15
3.19
th
ANNN N N
5.20
4.90
4.75
4.55
09
4.50
32
48
4.50
46
4.40
Exchange at 4 m./s.
London.
6.
d.
Lyons.
Fs.
Lyons, 9/11 New York, 13/15 Fs.
London.
Paris.
$
d.
12 0
33
53
4.80
48
2.98
July
11 9
32
53
1.80
3.06
August... September...
12 3
33
541
4.85
3.16
13 0
351
56
5.20
12 0
12 7)
35)
12 0
33
11 71
31)
11
3
Gold Kiling.
Juno
$98
108
8 II
Ιε
4.25
45
fos
11
3
11
3
November
December
January
October
February
March
April ........
May
was
Messrs. A. R. Burkill & Son give the following resume of the season 1903-4:-The closing season has been an unprofitable one to those engaged in the silk trade, the severest losses falling upon owners of steam filatures, and of new style hand filatures, of which latter there was a considerable stock carried over from the preceding season. The crop proved to be somewhat larger than that of 1902-1903, but it must be remembered that the Spinning Cocoons.-The season opened without crop of 1902-1908, was nearly 30 per cent, below any stock of old cocoons, and most the average of the six crops preceding it. Deal-Filatures had closed waiting for the new ones. ing in the season's silk under review commenced in February, 1902, the principal operations being confined to steam flatures; more especially in fine sizes. Record tael prices were established, Tls. 1,140 being paid for 1st choice, 9-11 deniers, and these high-priced contracts could have but one effect, namely, to render the price of cocoons extremely exorbitant. We think we are well with- in the mark in asserting the average cost of pro- duction of steam filatures for the season to have been Tls. 1,000 per picul, for, not only were prices extravagant, but the rendement of the cocoons varied to an almost unprecedented extent, the quality generally proving very unsatisfactory. The Tsatles market was opened in the latter and of May, on the basis of Tls. 6424 for Gold Kiling, but operations were by no means general. A few sales, were subsequently made at Tls. 675, but the markets agged and was down to Tla. 615 in Angust. From then on until the middle of November, the requirements of "Bear" sellers supported the market and a slight rise took place, and it was not until January that a serious decline in prices occurred, Tls. 490 being accepted. Since then an advance in prices has been established, in sym- pathy with the decline in exchange.
Hand Filature.-American buyers opened the market in May by purchases of crack chops at Tls. 840, and these prices were maintained until Jan- uary, when Tls. 140 per picul lower was accepted. For Europe only a small business was done until March, when considerable quantities were placed. Yellow Silk-The export shows practically no change, and high prices have been paid. Mien. yangs advanced about Tis. 70 per picul between August and November, and were in strong demand right throughout the season. Mienchews, Sez- chnens and Kopuns all shared in the advance, the latter however to a much smaller extent.
Wild Silk.-The export figures again show an increase, and the demand for Tussah Filatures continues to grow.
New Crop. Contrary to all reports and rumours the crop in its early stages proceeded well, and expectations of a good crop were fully justified, and an increase of 25 per cent. on the crop of 1903-4 was confidently expected. On May 21st, 22nd and 23rd, however, the weather was ex- tremely adverse, thunder, heavy rains and cold weather doing great damage, and at present reli- able information states that the crop will be about the same as the last, but that the color may not be very good.
445
the market, though strong, had perforce become quiet from want of supplies, in which condition it has practically remained ever since, at any rate as far as the lower wastes- are concerned. For Gum Wastes the demand was exceedingly good throughout the first half of the season, com- petition for them for continental use being a special feature, resulting in very high prices being paid. Fine White Gum 76 per cent. No. 1, 25 per cent. No., 2 being sold at Tla. 170 per picul in August, ex at 2/6 and Fcs. 8.15, 4 m-s.” December rates eased off, resulting in all avail- able supplies being pretty well cleared out as fast as they appeared, and the season closes with no stocks here and very small supplies coming forward. The quality of curlies was not good, and the color of white gum wastes, flosses, and in fact all the wastes coming from white Frisonets, etc., and all the cocoons was poor.
of the
The market opened at exorbitant prices, the reasons being, firstly,large forward contracts made in February on the basis of Tls. 1,120 and over, for best chops, No. 1, 9-11 deniers; secondly, the bad weather prevailing during the rearing of the worms; and, lastly, a short supply of mulberry leaves in Chekiang and Kiangau provinces. The quality of the cocoons consequently very poor, being mostly too thin, and the yield of Showsbing cocoons averaged about 5 to 1, and that of Woozie cocoons 5 to 6 to 1. The average cost of Showshing cocoons landed at the filatures was Tls. 190-200 per picul dry, and of Woozies Tla. 170. Throughout the season complaints have been general about the winding of the silk, which has been very bad, and this no doubt is due to the imperfect feeding of the worms. The average production of each basin has been 15 per cent. less then usual, and the production of Filature Long Waste or Frisons An unprecedented feature 7 to 8 per cent. more. of the close of the season is the stock of spinning estimates cocoons held here and in the country, being as high as 4,000 picvis.
and Fca. 2.97.
|
In
This
yellow cocoon wastes, on the other hand, were quite up to average. For tussah wastes there- was a strong demand in October, continental buyers taking considerable quantities at Tls. 29-30 for 60.40, ex at 2/8 and Fcs. 3.34, 4 m-8. demand being satisfied holders maintained their tael prices, on the strength of the war between Russia and Japan making it probable that the usual supplies from Newchwang would not be forthcoming, and some further business resulted in their asking Tls. 32 or more for 60.40. They have since however weakened considerably. In spite of the poorness of the crop of silk, the total export of waste silk from Shanghai bas been the largest on record, the fact being that the crop of silk in the white silk districts, from which the Shanghai filatures draw their supplies of cocoons, and from which the white silk exported from Shanghai comes, only affects a comparatively small portion of the waste silk supplies and we may have a poor crop of Silk here and short supplies of curlies, etc., and yet have the deficiency more than made up by wastes from Szechuen and the interior of China, from whence we hear scarcely anything about the crop of silk there. Of this large export England has taken almost just the same as the previous season, and the Continent has taken almost the whole of the increase. It is noticeable however that Japan, which had previously taken scarcely anything, has this season taken nearly 1,000 pls. of waste Silk from Shanghai. No speculation if the new crop has so far taken place, and dealers are talking of the same taal prices as at the opening of the season under review. The home markets are however very depressed, and buyers ideas are in consequence so very different from those of sellers, that it appears likely we shall again see a prolonged delay in the opening of the market. The prospects of the crop of Silk are spoken of under that heading, but for the reasons given above, and after this season's experience, we do not think they are of much impor ce to waste silk, except as affecting the qualty and quantity of curlies, flosses, and a few other
Waste Silk.-The beginning of the season was marked by an unusual delay in buyers and sellers coming together, and the market for the great bulk of the new wastes was not properly opened until close on the end of July, although in June one or two speculative forward sales of new ourlies, No. 1, were made by native dealers here at from 96 to 98 Taels per picul, ex. 4 m-s, 2/41 At the end of July the market for the lower wastes was opened on the basis of Tls. 39, ex. 4 m-8, 2/5 9-16, and Fcs. 3.09, but no considerable business was done, and by the beginning of August the market had again fallen very flat, exchange rising and putting a stop to business. About the middle of August a good demand sprang up for all classes of waste, and carlies No. 1 were taken in quantity at Tls. 101- 102, and Szechuan Frisonets 70,20,10, at Tls. 39, exchange however having risen to 2/62 and Fcs. 3,17, 4 m-9. The rise in exchange continuing businees was again brought to a stand- still, the market however keeping very steady, with tael prices unchanged, until the latter half of September, when a large business was done in all available wastes on the basis of Tls. 104-5 for curliss No. 1, Tls. 98 for Woozie pierced cocoons, 68-69 per cent. silk, and Tis 891-394 for Szechuan Frisonets 70.20.10, ex at 2/7, and Fes. 8,26, 4 m-8. At the beginning of October
wastes.
RICE.
.$2.65 to $2.70
HONGKONG, 10th June. The position of the market is the same as when last reported. Saigon, Ordinary
Round, good quality ......... 3.85 to 3.90 Long Siam, Field mill cleaned, No. 2
Garden,
No. 1
"
**
1
34
13
White,
Fine Cargo
SUGAR.
3.95 to 4.00
2,65 to 2.70
3.20 to 3.25
4.05 to 4.10
Hongkong, 10th June.-Some demands having come forward the prices are advancing. Shekloong, No. 1, White......$8.56 to $8.70 pols.
2. White...... 6.70 to 6.75 1, Brown...... 6.05 to 6.10 5.95 2, Brown...... 5.90 to No. 1, White...... 8.50 to
Do.
*
Do.
..
Do.
"
Swatow,
"
22
"
5.55
康
Do.
Dy
Do.
19
2, White...... 7.55 to 1, Brown...... 5.90 to
7.60
5.95
#1
12
Do.
2, Brown...... 5.70 to 5.75 Foochow Sugar Candy .......................12,80- to 12.85 .........10.90 to 10.95 Bhekloong
"
OPIUM.
و.
#3
11th June. Quotations are:-Allowance net to 1 catty.
to $1080 per picul Malwa New
...........................$1040
to $1140 do. Malwa Old Malwa Older ....
Malwa V. Old Persian fine quality....$880 Persian extra fine Patna New
Patna Old Benares New Benares Old
$1200 $1260
to 1240
do.
to 1280
do.
to .$900 to $1195 to
do.
do.
per chest.
to
do.
$1182) *******...........$1175
to
to
G
do.
do.
شر