THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
American Russian
Borneo Sumatra Langkat... Burmah
since. The slump in cotton, however, has made dealers very anxious, and grave fears are now held for the losses that may have to be faced on the purchases coming forward. Enquiry from the country is practically nil at present. If Cotton had remained in the region of say 5d. to 6d. there would have been a good business passing at the present time, instead of stagna. tion. Shanghai and Japan have taken off con siderable quantities of Drills and Heavy Goods during the last few months, and this has assisted matters somewhat, fair prices being | American... realized. The trade in Mexicans is declining | Russian every year, as the natives manufacture similar | Borneo goods themselves from Bombay and Japanese Sumatra Yarns.
Fancies- Fairly heavy stocks are held by dealers of high priced cargo, and until these go into consumption business is likely to be cur. tailed, particularly under the present conditions of this market. Arbitration for claims seems to be the order of the day, often, it must he said, on account of the wilful or otherwise inatten- tion to details of contracts on the part of suppliers &/or shippers. In good times many of these claims might not have been made, but it is only natural that dealers should try, and cat losses when an opportunity is
afforded them.
Woollens. Prices have been too high S consumption has fallen off, and Cotton goods are taking their place to a great extent. Stocks are small, but notwithstanding this the market is in a bad way, The Japanese appear to be supplying Formosa now with Camlets, Lastings, etc. There has been & very good! business done in blankets, however, chiefly for the North for war purposes doubtless.
METALS.
Pig Iron.--Imports have shown a reduction owing to the troubles in the North, and prices have ruled weak nearly all the year until recently.
Bar Iron & Nail Rods.-The business done shows no increase on that of last year, and has apparently been transacted with little profit to dealers, except perhaps at the beginning of
the year.
Tin Plates.-A large business has been transacted, possibly 50 per cent, more than last year, and good profits have resulted towards the end of the year. Japan has been a good customer lately.
Lead. The consumption has fallen off and prices gradually declined during the best part of the year, but the market is stronger at present.
Yellow Metal-Imports of this have been! reduced by about 50 per cent.. but otherwise the business done has been more or less satis- factory; prices have advanced rerently.
Zine Sheets-A moderate business only has been current, but of a more or less satisfactory
character.
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con-
Wire Nails. A fair increase over last year, and pretty good profits have as a rule re ulted.
Quicksilver.-Demand has fallen off siderably, at least 25 per cent owing to importation of Vermilion, and prices have gradually declined with exception of a scall spurt, which did not last long.
an
Import shows Window Glass.-The appreciable reduction, partly owing to strikes at home, but fair results on business are admitted.
Old & Waste Metals. The consumption has exhibited a considerable decrease, owing to Northern troubles. The war has helped trade in some respects, but has hindered in others.
COAL.
With regard to Japanese Coal, supplies have been more than ample, and prices have con- sequently weakened. Many firms laid in stocks, naturally anticipating difficulty in getting supplies on account of the war, a con- clusion that proved erroneous, and less bunker- ing has been done than usual by vesse's passing through. The price of Cardiff Coal has been maintained at $17/18 ex ship, but the
trade in this quality has been more limited this year. Hongay as a smokeless coal is in greater requisition for industrial purposes.
KEROSENE OIL.
The trade in this staple has shown no great development during the past year, but it has been well maintained, as will be seen by the following table of deliveries :-
---
1903
1904 2,520,000 cases 2,600,000 cases.
200,000 9:0:000 1.300,000 280,000 100,000
30,000 1.920.000
11
14
1,210,000 260,000
99
19
5,240,000 cases 5,430,000 case`. The average prices paid were:-
1904
1903
$3.20 per case $2.60 per case.
2.95
2.42
11
""
2.95
2.20
་་
#
9.95 2.70
2.20
11
$1
+1
+
2.10 Langkat Barmah
1.90 The Burmah oil made its first appearance on this market during 1904, aud, being of a rather poor quality, has not so far made much pro- grass. A great reduction has, it will be seen, taken place in prices all round as compared with those ruling in 1963, when there was a short supply. Now with the opening of the Californian and Texan oil fields there is a much larger production and consequent greater competition, which is likely to be keener in the com ng year, inasmuch as the Californian oil, already being imported into North China. will also be brought into this market. worthy of note that last year's production of oil in California was greater than that of auy State in the Union. Very little Russian oil now comes into the Hongkong market.
RICE.
It is
Prices dropped5c. in the first quarter, and have remained fairly steady since, but the business has been somewhat curtailed. Stocks of Siam
Rice are light, and Saigon nil, owing to
floods in that district.
FLOUR.
This year commenced badly owing to high prices on the Pacific Coast, and heavy stocks locally, and a great falling off in demand generally. The latter part of the year has however, seen an improvement. Stocks have lightene for Portland Flour, but stocks of Californian Flour are rather heary; consump- tion slow.
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+3
19.0
11
1901 1902
$1
The following table shows the comparative imports for the past seven years:-
California. Oreg. & Wash. Total, Quarters Quarters Quarters. July 1897 to July 1898 1,66,39) 2,215,751=3,812,141
1898
1899. 1,692,110 3,5,246=4,742,356 189
19-x) 2,05,356 3,316,791 5,367,150 1001 1,784,310 2,863,620) — 5,647,930 1902 :,349,603 3,157.6155,507,248 190: 2,214,395 3 129,342 = 5.343,767 1904 2008,035 2,456,864 4,461,899 July 19 4 to 8 Dec., 1904 912,000 1,05,000 1,992,000 Although from these returns there is an apparent falling off in the import, there has been none in the local consumption, as most of the large supplies for Vladivostock, Chefoo and Newchwang, formerly all transhipped hence to those ports, have latterly gone direct.
1903
11
SILK.
[January 9, 1905.
ESSENTIAL OILS,
Exports during the past year have decreased, prices being too high owing to the difficulty of getting supplies from Kwangsi.
TONNAGE.
The
The year 1903 closed dull with low rates of freight, only 7 to 8 cents. per peal offering for Saigon, but a marked improvement took place eary in 194. During February the demand for Tonnage increased at rising rates coast- wise and especially for time charters, principally for Japanese account. During the months of May and June rates weakened somewhat, and the decline continued up to the end of July, when it again strengthened, and the improve. ment has continued to the present principal feature in Freights during the past year has been the large number of settlements of steamers on time charters on what may be taken as good paying rates for owners. The bulk of these settlements were for the North, and on Japanese account. A number of steamers hare also found purchasers, mostly in Japan such vessels being usually from fifteen to twenty years old. In the South the chartering on time has been very limited, owing to the high rates obtainable in the North, and the removal bence of much of the Tonnage generaly. available. The closing rata for Saigon are from 16 to 17 cents per pical.
THE CONDITION OF THE CANTON DELTA.
Armed robbery and blackmailing is rampant in the Cauton delta, etc. and this not only can afford affec's travelling-for all that to do so have brought their families to Canton, Macao and Hongkong-but the risks attendant on trans port of goods great, that trade Is partially is NO paralysed thereby. Many rich and influential men, including Hongkong dealers etc. have been held up for heavy ransom, and threatened with death if this is not paid. This state of affairs is disgraceful at this time of day, more especially As the delta and West River districts are being so much opened up by steam traffic, but Chinese official apathy is well known, and the efforts made to repress piracy are singularly ineffective. The present Viceroy apparently has his hands full with rebels in Kwangsi, and another stern and forceful character like Li Hung-chang is wanted to bring order to these districts. administration in Canton was short, but more or less a reign of terror to evildoers, especially these piratical gentry who now carry on their occupation with so much impunity. Cannot the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce take up this matter seriously, and urge on the authorities the desirability of British gunboats with Chinese officials on board being allowed to patrol the waterways again, dealing out sums mary punishment to robbers and criminal caught red handed. A general police service, with Indian constables under the control of the Imperial Maritime ustoms, who already employ Indians for- frontier patrol work, would help matters very materially.
Exporters' losses last season are likely to be made up this, but producers have not made money owing to the poor condition of the silk-in worms. The volume of trade has been smaller than in 1903, but higher prices generally have
been realised.
TEA.
This export has of late years become more or less a negligeable quantity here, and the decline in volume has been continued in 1904, the es- timated total export of Macao and Canton Teas for this season being 1,250,000 lbs. as compared with some 1,437,000 lbs. in 1903.
SUGAR.
This industry has done well throughout the rear. Owing to the shortage in the Beet crop, prices of all grades of Cane Sugar have advanced and the local refineries have been working full time, earning large profits.
PRESERVED GINGER.
The high price of sugar bas adversely affected producers, but competition has kept prices steady all the same. Exports have fallen off considerably.
SOY,
=
Exports have been reduced, owing to the lack of demand abroad.
MATTING.
· C
The demand for Chinese matting is steadily falling off, owing to the superiority of the Japanese manufacture.
MATERIAL IMPROVEMENTS AT CANTON.
His
Considerable improvements are proceeding Canton, which city is beginning to show signs downs are being built on the Honam and Fati of commercial development. Wharves and go- sides, and preparation made for direct trading. The channel of the river is being improved and the Shameen Municipality is altering the drainage system to open surface drains at a cost of $30,000.
مقطم
45
We regret to announce the death of Mr. Daly- leish, a member of the staff of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation,on Jan. 3 Mr. China Dalgleish was the son of a well-known hand" formerly resident in Shanghai, and was respected and esteemed by a wide circle of friends. He had recently been on the Bank's Manila staff and came to Hongkong a few weeks ago to enter the hospital.
Six Indian constables were being sworn in
His
by Mr. F. A. Hazeland at the Police Court on January 5th. The interpreter was asking the usual list of questions. On inquiring of one of the Indians "Are you married?" Worship was surprised to hear the reply —” Yes, small marriage What do you mean hy that ?" he asked, through the interpreter. Engaged," answered the Indian, His Wor- ship smiled.
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