86
COMMERCIAL.
SILK.
Canton, 18th July, 1904. Third crop.-Only 7,000 bales will be available for export. Rendement of Cocoons is exceedingly poor; and many Filatures are inclined to reduce their pro- duction to some extent. The first silk samples of 3rd crop appear to be of very inferior quality, very hairy and of bad colour. Long-reels. The improved enquiry for Europe, mentioned in our last circular, was maintained during the earlier part of the fortnight. But during the latter part the market was quieter; nevertheless dealers maintain a very firm front. The coarse sizes and Native 11/13-13/15-14/18 are still the favorite sorts; but the prices asked for the latter are out of proportion with those paid for Filatures. Business has been done on the basis of $750 for Chun Sun Hang 18/18, $895 for Miu Lun On 18/22; 8692 for Luen Fat Cheong 20/24, $710 for Soey Wo Cheong 11/13-13/15-14/18. Short- reels. The feature of our market has been the active enquiry from Europe for 8.R. 14/18, chiefly in No. 2 stock of which is rather small. At the same time, the New York market shown signs of revival, and fair transactions have been concluded. Waste Silk Holders are willing to meet the buyers with little easier prices; but the latter do not seem anxious now to operate. Business is practically at a standstill.
SUGAR.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
YARN.
Local Manufacture:---There is no changed in Local Mill quotations which are still maintained at $112 for No. 10s and $114 for No. 128, at which figures sales of about 1,100 bales have transpired. Japanese Yarns-Have continued in good re- quest and prices here and there show a small advance of 50 cents to a Dollar per bale. Salos reported are 575 bales No. 168 at $126 to $127, 940 bales No. 20s at $128 to $132 and 100 bales No. 328 at $189 market closing firm,
[July 30, 1904.
while the New York market has been practically Mr. Eduljee in his report, dated Hongkong, swept of all available supplies of ready goods. July 20th, 2ays:-Shortly after the departure of Manchester has not unnaturally shown some last mail a quiet but steady general enquiry set firmness, but at the same time a good deal of Spot in and close upon,8,000 bales, both spot and to irregularity which is extremely puzzling. The
arrive, changed hands, values showing an apprecia- Cotton, which under the circumstances cannot tion of $1 to $2, per bale on previous quotations. exert much influence over the market, if any,
continues to undergo considerable fluctuation The demand, however, was not of long duration as towards the middle of the fortnight the market after advancing to 6.75d at the end of last week again became quiet in sympathy with the decline it dropped to 6.50d. on the 19th, but a private in raw cotton and at the close business has come telegram to-day quotes it 6.30d. and weak. That is of course for Mid. American; for Egyptain to a complete standstill and the recent small recovery in prices has almost desappeared. Stocks the price is stronger, 74d. on the 19th inst. and are running abnoamally low and under ordinary 7d. to-day. The export is increasing, the ship- circumstances the market would have shown a ments from Manchester during the last fortnight sharp and rapid advance, but heavy shipments of being 10,000,000 yards. The market in New York old contract goods are shortly expected, and in is easier, Pepperell Drills being quoted 11s. 2d., the meanwhile the quantity of yarn in second Suez shipment, and some business has been done Stocks-The half-yearly returns hands, is more than sufficient to meet all possible on that basis.
have been published by the Chamber of Commerce. requirements.
As was to be expected they show a very consider- able decrease and, on the whole, coincide very nearly with the estimates based on the 31st December returns. Grey Shirtings look rather heavier than was expected, but the difference will probably be fully accounted for when the addi- tional cargoes have been declared by the Customs. T. Cloths, 36 inch, are always below the estimates, the local consumption being undoubtedly greater than it is thought to be. English Jeans are un- expectedly short considering the excess of the imports over deliveries, unless the local consump. tion has increased very considerably. American goods generally conform fairly closely to the figures based on the December returns, as do printed and dyed goods. Muslins are somewhat short, but Lenos in excess. With the exception. of Lastings, which are in rather larger supply than anticipated, woollen goods agree pretty accurately with our figures. As regards Cotton Yarn both Indian and Japanese are considerably over the estimates; could the s.s. Chusan's cargo have been included by mistake? That would account for a good part of the difference in the As regards local spinnings the figures former. are obviously wrong, the actual stock, sold and unsold, being something between 25,000 and 30,000 bales, the Native owned mills do not approve of returning their stocks. the analysis of the returns it will be seen that while the higher weights of Grey Shirtings are in much reduced supply the heavier makes are in excess of the stocks at the beginning of the year, and White Shirtings and Irisches have increased
cent. per by nearly 25
HONGKONG,29th July.-The downward tendency continues, market being wenk. Shekloong, No. 1, White. $8.00 to $8.65 pels.
2, White.
Do.
+
Do.
Do.
Swatow,
No. 1, White
7.55 to 7 60 1, Brown...... 6.05 to 6.10 2, Brown.... 5.96 to 8.35 to
"
J
8.00
+
Do.
2, White.
7.45 to
8.40 7.50
J
Do.
1*
1, Brown..... 5.90 to
5.95
11
Da.
5.80
"
→
12.75 to 12.80
21
10.08 to 10.35
2, Brown...... 5.75 to Foochow Sagar Candy Shekloong
M
RICE.
31
HONGKONG, 29th July. No demands having come forward, the prices are declining. Saigon, Ordinary
$2.40 to $2.45
+
=
Round, good quality
Long
Siam, Field mill cleaned, No. 2
Garden,
No. 1
31
"
White,
Vino Cargo
OPIUM.
3,90 to 3.95 4.05 to 4.10 2.80 to 2.85 3.55 to 3.60 4.15 to 4.20 4.30 to 4.85
HONGKONG, 28th July. We beg to continue our advices of the 14th July, since when the movements in our various Opium markets have been as follows:-
Stocks as per circular of
14th July, 1904. July 16th Imports per Simla July 28th
11
Malia, Patna, Benures. Persian
1,008 2,409 198
G. Apear
104 2,358 201 145 838
50 365
Less Exports to Shanghai Less Exports to East and·
West Coast Ports including Local Consumption for the. fortnight..
1,106 3,41 1,43 2,507
71 10
189 526
સર
04
149 153
Estimated Stocks this day
2,805 1,180 2,444 Bengal.-Owing to the accumulation of stocks here and in Shanghai and a falling off in the con- sumption, prices have been declining and we close irregular at about $1,200 for Patna, and $1,180
Benares.
Malwa.-The market has been very active dur- ing the past fortnight but owing to prices having advanced considerably the feeling at the close is rather quiet. Quotations are :---
New
Kaw Cotton:-In sympathy with the decline on the other side holders of Indian descriptions have come down in their ideas of value, and a con- cession of $1 per Picul has induced a fair business, about 000 bales superfine Bengal changing hands at $28 to $30, leaving an unsold stock of 1,000 bales on the market. There is nothing doing in China Cotton. Quotations are $27 to $31 Indian, and $30 to $33 Chinese.
Exchange on India, after alight fluctuations, has continued steady and closes to-day at Rs. 138) for T/T and Rs. 1384 for Post. On Shanghai 711 and on Yokohama 901.
The undernoted business in imported and local spinnings is reported from Shanghai during the fortnight ended the 15th instant, viz:-
Indian:-With a further rise of one to two Taels per bale the market has been active with sales aggregating 9,500 bales, comprising 25 bales No. 68, 6,300 bales No. 10s, 600 bales No. 128, 760 hales No. 16s and 2,815 bales No. 20s and closes strong. Estimated unsold stock about 30,000
bales.
Japanese:-The market has been more active but only a trifle firmer, sales amounting to 3,500 bales on the basis of Tis. 881 to 96 for No. 168 and Tla. 93 to 98 for No. 20e.
Local:-At a decline of half to one Tael per bale there has been some movement in this mar- ket, about 3,500 bales No. 148 and No. 16s chang- ing hands at Tls. 89) and Tls. 91 respectively.
Glancing at
HONGKONG QUOTATIONS.
HONGKONG, 29th July.
Beans....
$1
Borax....
Camphor (China).
.$15 @ 18 .$25
1
1.
(Formosa).
3115
Cassia (Firat quality)
.$22
(Second Oil.
$15
41
$155
.$20 @ 50
"
Cloves..
Fennel Seed Oil. Galangle... Glue... Grapes... Ivory. Kismiss. Olibanum. Rosa Oil... Saltpetre. Sandal wood.
..
Oil..
Senna Leaves..... Sugar Candy. Vermilion... Wax..
.$315
$3 @ 6 .826
$15 @ 17 .$300 (@) 700 ..$9 @ 12
$4 @ 20
.$60 @ 170
$11 @ 12
$28 @ 31
.$350
$4
.$10 @ 11
$86
$381
MISCELLANEOUS IMPORTS.
Shanghai, 21st July. Messrs. Noel, Murray & Co., in their Report on the Shanghai Piece Goods Trade, state :--- The past week has undoubtedly been the busiest importers have had for some time, but it has been chiefly in booking forward contracts for the early Spring arrival. This business is so far confined almost entirely to Manchester makes and com- prises a wide range of goods. Althought rather reluctant at first the local dealers have decided to take some of their forward requirements at present prices, which appear reasonably cheap compared with those lately ruling, and even with those wanted for earlier shipment. It is estimat- ed that fully fifty per cent. of the early orders for the Spring trade have already gone through, the booking commencing much sooner than usual, and ever now some Manufacturers are drawing in their horns. On the other hand there are firms who have received advices to the effect that better terms will be obtainable by waiting. How- ever that may be the country is now so completé. ly bare of stock that any appreciable decline in prices is bound to stimulate the demand to such an extent that it is extremely dubious whether manufacturers will find the necessity for making further concessions. Although it is said the for- ward business done has been on the basis of December Cotton at 54d. a good deal higher than that will have to be paid before that month's purchases can arrive and be available for manu- facture, so that the business will not show the big margin of profit it appears to do at first sight. | HONGKONG, 29th July:-8mall sales at previous Some idea of prices can be obtained from the pre-
sent and forward quotations of standard makes—bales tobacco. Hornby's 8.4-lb. Shirtings quoted now at 68. 9d. 150 bales cassia. have been bought for December-January shipment | cigars. For London or Continent:-1,830 cases merchandize. For London or Goole :-140 bales at 6a. 74d., and Calvert's 10-lb. Shirtings at 88. 6d.
For London or Manchester :----50 against 88. 9d. the current quotation. Although waste silk. business in American makes has not been indulg. bales waste silk. For London or Glasgow:---106 ed in so far ahead a fair amount has gone through, casks ginger, 250 cases ginger.
2
years old
3
"
4-5
J
"
Oldest
$1,040/1,060
$1,080/1,100
31,120/1,140
$1,240/1,260
$1,280/1,295
Persian-Prices are steady at $840/880 but business has been small.
COAL.
The arrivals of coal up to date at Hongkong have been 19,500 tons of Japanese coal, and 1,000 tons of Cardiff coal all sold; and 33,800 tons of Japanese coal are expected to arrive shortly.
COTTON.
rates. Stock about 14,000 bales.
Bombay....
27.00 to 29.00 picul Bengal (New), Rangoon) 27.00 to 31.50
and Dacca...
Shanghai and Japanese, 30.00 to 82.00 Tungchow and Ningpo, 80.00 to 38.00
*
12
3
MISCELLANEOUS EXPORTS.
Per steamer Kintuck, sailed on 21st July, 1904.; For London:--3,602 boxes tea, 3,541 packages' fire crackers, 875 cases cassia, 829 bales canes, 587 bales hemp, 250 csses ginger, 224 cases shells, 180 rolla matting, 165 cases bristles, 130 casks soy, 129 bales hides, 100 casks ginger, 100 bales galangal, 68 cases Chinaware, 50 bales waste silk, 64 bales feathers, 36 packages sundries, 30 cases essential oil. For Amsterdam-100 cases cassia, For Rotterdam:-250 bales 250 bules hemp.
For Antwerp:-100 bales feathers, 33 hemp.
For Fiume:-200 cases cassia.
For Manchester --1
case