88
the Fonth, also on the coast to the North, never i visited by a fishing fleet. I know the fish in their migration visit our Ilongkong wa'ers but they are like the spipe-here to-day and away to-morrow,
That the fishing question is worth looking | into I am firmly convinced. There is practically
ลด
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
OPIUM,
HONGKONG, January, 31st. Quotations are:-Allowance not to 1 catly. Malw New Malwa Old Malwa Oldør
! Patna Ol
Benares New Benaroz OLA
8010 to
per pieul,
$080 to
da.
$1020 to
do.
to
do.
to
fo
du. iles.
SUK3
to
༤r!༥
.$UNG to .$
to
PIECE GOODS,
unlimited demand for fresh or Ralted Malwa Very Old fish in the Colony and Cauton, and I fre 1 Persian Pine Quality „¿seri sure it woull be worth having the loan of | Persian Extra Fines ..§86) an expert from the Fisheries Board at Patna Now home for a year or two to report on our sea fish, their migration, habitat, and the prospects of introducing new varieties, as has ben done by the Uni'el States aud Avstralia, L bsters, for instance, ought to do well on our rocky coast and, with a nursery in one of our quiet br y*. should be fairly plentiful in a few years.
Fresh water fish cultore after all dos not concern of 20 much as an industry, as we have Do ponds or places suitable for making ponds, although I am informed it is a very profitable industry in China and that lad" noder fish pays better than under rice. I have lately seen during my slooting trip near walow large ponds drained and tons aid tons' of fish captured which were less than a year old. There were a's breeding poids where large fish could be seen jumping
per chest
...
4.
...
From Messrs. Thert & Co.'s Weekly Market Report, dated Shanghai, January 23rd, 1908: – Business will practically be concluded this
week until after the China New Year holidays,
many of the more impartment merchants having already left Shanghai for the country. At the close the market is strong for yarn and low qualities of shirtings, but while the advance here | is gradually drawing our market closer to the basis of Manchester prices, there are few exame in which buyers have not to calculate upon a further material advane» here before they can spa their own money lack at current rates of exchange, In all goods there is a letter feeling, lait de dors hesitate bo pay the rates asked by sellers. Canton has advanced to 651 1.A if very the
That fish culture in China is a large industry there is no doubt, nɔ d it is a subject well worth investigating, perl spot so much for ourselves high level will eventually he reach of
--as our fresh water is so limited-but from the point of view of those clonies blessed with ligoons and large expanse of fresh water.
Should the Colonial Gvernment decide to develop its fishing industry, I suggest that the Ivan of an expert, fresh from the international fishery bard (?) be had to investigats and report on a subject of such great potential value to the Colony. Yours truly.
COMMERCIAL.
A. E. H.
The Kube Market Report, published under the direction of the Kobe Foreign Board of Trad, and dated Kobe, Hiogo, 15th January 19, states :--
IMPORTS.
|
season advaneos
Commen
C
[February 3, 19.8.
Mosara, Nool, Murray & Co.'s Report on the Shanghai Picce Goods Trade, dated Shanghai, 3rd January, 1908, states :-The near approach of China New Year is making itself more and more felt, business being practically at a standstill now, The prospects certainly continue favourable for the future, as home shipments are almost unprece dentedly low for this period of the year and stocks of staple goods are abnormally high, under the circumstances. The great trouble is the financial situation in the North, where the market is flooded with a "ileprociated copper coinage, and until that is remedied it will not be prasible to put trade with the country people on a satisfactory footing again. The proposed reforms in the monetary system of the country seem as far off inception as ever, and it is quite time the pro- crastination China has been displaying over the fulfilment of her Trety obligations, more particularly in this respect, should be brought forcibly to her notice. The Mackay Treaty of 1902 for instance, in which undoubtedly consider- able faith was put by British Firms trading here, and preparations made to trade on the new and improved conditions that Wera expected to eventuate n a matter of entrac, but with the exception of levying new and increased duties nothing whatever his been done in the way of facilitating Foreign trade, One of the chief stipulations in that Treaty was the thorough reform of the mon tary system, but nothing of a prictical nature has ben done, except wild exp ruments on the old lines that benefitted none but the promoters and left confusion worse confounded. This is decidedly the most unfavour- ible feature in the future of the trade and must dways have a very large margin of uncertainty. 1: cort tinly an anomaly, that is not very e editable to the Government of a country, that ench on ormas differences should exist in the exchange values of commodities between one province and an ther The introduction of a * important as the binago je nat institution of Banks under Government auspicion, all over the country, with sufficient reserves of si'. vrts meet the commercial requirements and to handle draft- againe merchandise consigned to different parts of the country on a small com- mission At present it is exceedingly difficult to follow the haphazard system that is in vogue and which often commit - valuable interests into most unsafe channels During the interval dealers in pred growl have been entertained with the sisetale of a vigorous demand for Indian Cotton Yarn for Szechuon and the River Ports, but have only the hope that it may be the precursor of a sim lar demand for the goods in their line Pon for there is little sign of it There are no special advices to hand, but it would seem that Szechuen has struck prosperous times and a good "pring business may b) anticipatel. From the appear ance of clearances other parts of the country The news from Mogor for goods Manchester all points to a very firm market. Meanwhile cotton has shown some little excite. Jent. Mil American in Liverpool steadily rising un'il 6,834 was quoted yesterday for spot, "false" being 6+%d To-day spot comes 6,518, and Egyptian 6121 The market in not so strong for further forward, and there are sellers but no buyers at 6 254 for March and April. The sudden demand for Yarns, Indian moré especially, came quite as a surprise to many interested in the trade, and the more so because it appears to be for numediate consumptive requirements. There tre complaints that many sellers are not showing unch discretion in their transactions, otherwise the market would have a much stronger appear- as to be very lifeless, but Jeans are more in
Un Prices gem to have risen beyond the reach FMC at TIS, 179, and a small parcel of English | of the Northern bugere, Beaver 30 yards at The 3:30 A firmer tone was manifest at the auction, White Shirting Business has leen rather quiet and we have not hoard of any private sales. “Prices at auction were very firm, while here and there advances on last week's prices were established. Drills and Apricot Sheetings.- Dealers from the Outports set to Borax have discontinued operations already, but Cassia certain amount of business of a more or less speculative nature has been transacted locally in ¦ Camphor PMC Drills. Dyod and Fancy Cottons. The mar- Cow Bez-a ket is a little firmer, but as usual there has been no business done beyond resales of old stocks, Black cotton lastings at auctions went with their | Grapes usual irregularity, but on the whole fairly steady | Kismis rates were maintained. Turkey Reds showed a ; tilue slight improvement. Worsteds and Woollens,— ¦ Olibanum The goods are steady to firm in tone, but we have not heard of any private business. YAM.- The market for all Spinnings is firmer and sales have been made on a fair scale at improved prices: the Bombay market appears to be in an excited state and prices have been advanced about Rs 5 per bale during the last few days.
The danger of buying heavily at current values is that by the time goods arrive the Spring demand will have been atisfim, and we shall then be under the shadow of a new cotton crop. It is unlikely that the erop will be a par one two years in suevession, and after Chinese experience last year, it is probable that dealers will operate om conservative lines, in fase of the difficult season before them. Sales of American Gools ar reported to have been made to foreign buyers at priest which evampare favourably with laying down cost if purchased from New York The 'hinese will be as glail to wm the last of their year as foreigners were to sentire close of 1907, there is no prospect of any serious trouble amongst either Chinese merchants or banks, although unsny of them have sulfed severely, if is not improbalde that enforced liquulati n of their liabilities would have disastrais results in a go=1
the better, and those who can carry on hope that many cases, but there are signs of a change for they will be able to reviver lost ground in the New Year. Grey Shirtings There has been very little in the way of actual business during the interval, only a few lots having changed hands on the basis of elearance after thing New Yeat. The ton of the market is, however, devidestly fire. Hb to 71 -We have not heard of any transactions in these weights. A steady tone was shown at the auctions 91 to 11. Values are improving steadily bat sellers 17 prefer to hold on until prices are nearer to replace ingust than they are at present. Sdchive come to our notice in Pghead at T. In m Lion at Tls 3 174. Auction prices fairly sterly 120, 36-in. — A litt inquiry from Szechuan has been the only interesting feature of the work, prices as a rule being well beyond the ideas of layers. Some small salo« have, however, ben
Cotton. American. The year opened with "forward” widdling at Y37.50, but fluctuations during the fortnight have been but slight, closing at Y38. Spinners are maintaining an indepen- dent attitude in view of ample supplies having been secured during the financial crisis in Now York, and in consequence are not prepared to entertain business for the time being unless at comparatively low rates. The absence of fresh transactions is doubtless attributed to that reaso}, There is no change to report in "spot" which remains nominal at Y34 to Y3450. Indian. Business has been difficult owing to high rates ruling as compared with Chinese quotations, "Spot" continues dull due to large arrivals of Chinese cotton, Closing prices are: Broach Y30; Akola Khaingu im Y21: Bengal (new} 1 23. Chinese. Fairly large sales have been put through in both "forward" and "spot "in conse- quence of comparatively low rates ruling. "Best" closes at Y27.25, Medium at 124.75. Shurt-effected in Soldier MMM at Tls. 100 and Tw ings. Cotton Goods and Faucies Worsteds and Woollens. No improvement to record. Metals, Market unchanged. Sugar-Beet.-The firmer tendency is waintained. Cane.—ław, -The mar- ket continues firm. Muscovados basis polarisation 96 per cent. colour average 121 D.S. is quoted | yen 6.25 per picul ex ship. Usaka Refined.- There is a good demand for sugar required for the coming old style New Year, and the market is strong. On the 7th instant the Osaka Refinery sold 22,000 bags, at auction, prices realise t shewing an advance of from 28 to 75 sen on these last recorded. Rice-Market quiet.
-----
EXPORTS.
Copper.-Though London values have advanced recently business locally is impracticable, the ideas of Japanese sellers being still too high Some transactions have taken place for Calcutta, Fish Oil-Market unchanged weak and dull, no transactions reported. Rice-Market firm. Cotton Yarn.—Some business is reported. Veget- able Wax.-Market unchanged weak and dull. Matting.-Deliveries have generally been better. but prices have remained unchanged and the market closes firm. Straw Braid.—A weaker feel- ing prevailed during the period under review and prices were somewhat easier for most descriptions. Chip Braid. Very little enquiry existed for this, and quotations were slightly lower during the past fortnight.
|
Soldiers 01 at Thx 3.95. Prices at auction improved about five to eight candæren T. Cloths and Jeans.-The market for TC10b<
request and we heir of a resale of
24
↑
༣སྐ་
net
Cloves
HONGKONG QUOTATIONS.
Hovagova, 28th January, 1908.
$ 18 to
-
# 161 $22
#1
#
$ 19 88
44
$103 105
$110 150
Fennel Seed Galangal
$ 7
10
2
H
$ 13
$ 15
$ 24
1
2
Oil Sandalwood
Rosa L'ANZ
$250 $ 50
350
$240
re
Raisins Senna Leaves Sandalwood Saltpetro
$ 11
**
$ 7
$ 29
31
*
13
1.8118858
"
$