An illustration of the methods adopted may be interesting and serve to explain more clearly the serious nature of the mischief worked in the betting by time bargains. Some of the operators are reported very wealthy and some have next to nothing and many are adventurers.
I will suppose shares in the Hongkong Bank have to be attacked. The wealthy men by combined operations with the poorer satellites who work for them create a little excitement in the Bank's stock, they make a demand, run the shares up gradually and then steadily sell for delivery at a later date at a proportionately higher price, say in one month.
For the end of June or end of the year are very common expressions as these are the periods when accounts are finished and dividends may be paid. The public naturally conclude that there is special knowledge of good results to be expected from the periodical working of the institution and they are ready to buy; and to accommodate them the operators sell freely for delivery at high prices at a later date.