August 21, 1909.]
FAR EASTERN TELEGRAMS.
THE EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN.
Tokyo, August 16th. The official report confirms the extent and violence of the earthquake shocks in Japan, but being confined to the country districts and owing to the absence of fires there comparatively little loss.
JAPANESE BUSINESS MEN VISITING AMERICA.
was
Tokyo, August 19th. A party of fory Japanese business men. headed by Barou Shibusaws, left on the "Minnesota' ou a visit to America, at the invitation of American Chambers of Com-
merce.
•
[FROM THE CHUNG NGOI SAN PO]
THE ANTUNG-MUKDEN RAILWAY.
Peking, August 17th.
The Viceroy of Manchuria has reported to the Throne that the Antung-Mukden railway question is difficult to solve. He states that several Japanese men-of-war have recently been visiting various ports in Manchuria, and using force in the maintenance of their
unnecessary claim.
The Throne proposes to send Grand Secrteary Na Tung and Tang Shao Yi to Manchuria to make arrangements with Japan.
WINE GROWING AT CHEFOO.
In the Chefoo Trade Report, Mr. F. S. Unwin, Commissioner of Customs, gives the following interesting account of a notable local enter- prise :-
Space may be found here for a brief account of the wine-growing enterprise started in Chefoo in the year 1891 and prosecuted in the face of many difficulties with extraordinary patience and perseverance, at a vast outlay of capital, by the Chang Yu Pioneer Wine Company. The Company, a private one, owned mainly by the well known Kwangtung capitalist Mr. Chang Chen- hsun and under the local direction of his nephew, Mr. Chang Ying-tung, commenced operations in 1895 under a Government charter, issued at the instance of the Grand Secretaries Li Hung. chang and Wang Wen-shao, primarily with the intention of making wine from the excellent native grape grown in large quantities in the Laichow district, as well as elsewhere in the Chihli, Shantung, and Fengtien provinces. It was very soon found, however, that the supply was not only irregular, insufficient, and costly, but that the grape itself was deficient in sugar and produced a wine of poor and thin quality. Some vines were then imported from America and planted in the company's own vineyard near Chefoo. In 1896 under Baron von Babo, the Austrian expert who manages the business, large quantities of different varieties of vines, guaranteed free-but not immune- from disease by the Austrian Govern- ment nurseries, were imported and planted. These flourished at first but after some time be- came infected with phylloxera, the source of which was found to be the first vines imported from America. The company had then to face the prospect of the complete ruin of its enterprise or the costly alternative of gradually replacing every plant by graftings on imported plants of the disease-resisting varieties. The first batch of these was imported from Austria and planted in 1902, since when the process of substitution has gone on steadily, with the result that the bulk of the plants covering the 700 mou (roughly, 120 acres) now under cultivation are immune to the pest. Dur- ing all these years the vintage has been ac- cumulating and maturing in huge casks in the cellars of the company-the actual stock, con- sisting of over 20 varieties of red and white still wines, being about 2,000 hectolitres red and 1.000 white. The wines are pronounced by all who have tasted them, including hot a few connoisseurs, to be excellent; and much pressure has been brought on the company from farious quarters to induce it to sell. Before this is possible, however, the question of casks and bottles, which
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
presents considerable difficulties, has to be solv. ed So far no wood suitable for casks has been obtainable in eastern markets. There is a glass factory at Poshan, on the railway line between Tsinanfu and Wei-hsien, which turns out a very superior description of glass, but up to the present has not been willing or able to under- take the supply of wine bottles. The Chang Yu Wine Company 10W
possesses 1,000 mou of land on the Chefoo hills but experiences many obstacles in adding to it. Though prac. tically worthless for farming, owners of ad- jacent land ask prohibitive prices. The results of many years experience show that the climate though occasionally injuriously damp during July and August--and the soil of the district are on the whole suitable to wine growning, and that a vast amount of hill land, otherwise unprofitable, could be made productive if obtainable at a reasonable price. The enter. prising pioneers of this new industry are en- titled to all the encouragement and support the Government can give it.
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NEW CHINESE STAMP FOR COLLECTORS.
The Imperial Administration has decided to conmemorate the accession to the throne of the new Emperor Hsuan Tung by the issue of three new stamps. which will be oblong, be printed in two colours, and have a yellow border (yellow being the imperial colour), and will have as a central picture the Temple of Heaven.
The values of these stamps will be two cents, three cents, and seven cents, the colours green, blue, and purple, according to the value, and the issue will be limited.
IMPORTO
COMMERCIAL
RICE.
HONGKONG, 20th August: further advareing, holders being firm. Saigon, Ordinary
J
1+
*
The prices are
$5,00 to $5.5 Round, Good quality 5.0} to Long... Field mill cleaned, No. 2..... 520 Garden, Waite. Fine Cargo
tor to No. 1... 5.10 to
5.20 [< 5.30 to
5.6
5.25
11
Siam,
OPIUM
5.03 5.10 6.03
5.15
5.35
HONGKONG, Ang. 19th-We beg to continue our
advice of the 5th inst,, since when the movements in our various Opium markets have been as
follows:-
Malwa, Patna. Beaures. Persian
1.957 SC6 442
Stocks on the 5th Aus., 199—2,123
2,123 2.757 August 6th Imports per d. Apeur –
Borneu Lightning-- Austration- Decanha-
"
13th 14th
+1
17
**
17th 18th Less Exports to Shangbai ..
Less Exports to East and, West Coast Ports including Local Consumption for the fortnight..
1.424
645
240 145
49
200
44
130
10
100
141
70
Bu
ར
115
491 158
TOG
200
1,07
2.196 OVE
439
Estimated Stocks this day ..
Bengal-There has been a further advarce to $1,027 for Patna and $1,040 for Henares, due tut he satisfactory consumption and to the rise in native drug reported from the north
Malwa. The market has ruled steady at pre- vious prices for new and a rise of $10/20 for old drug.
$1,070.
Persian. We quote superior long cakes at
Quotations are:- Malwa New
Malwa Old Malwa Older Malwa Very Old Persian Fine Quality Persiau Extra Fine Patna New
Patna Old Benares New Benares Old
HONGKONG, August 18th.
..$1,140/1,160 per picul,
$1,170/1,200 do. $1,210/1,250 do. $1,260,1,300 do. dv. $1,080/1,110 .$950/1,000
$1,030
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do. per chest.
do.
.$1,045
do
$1,030
do
JAPANESE MARKET.
Yokohama, July 30th, 1909. Goods.-The market is firm,
are light, a8 is transactions
of the year.
st
169
Cotton-Piece and actual
this time
Woollen and Woollen Mixtures. done and the trade generally has assumed a better Some business for Spring arrival has been
rise in America, business is still practically at a tone. Raw Cotton.-Owing to the considerable standstill. Rice. The importation of foreign rice has ceased, and the market is dull. Metals. -Business in Bars is extremely dull, and prices at home seem to have reached bottom, but buy- ers here are unwilling to pay covering prices. Galvanized Sheet.-The break in the combine has caused a big reduction in home prices, but dealers here seem to be of the opinion that there is room for a further decline when compared with the value of black sheets. Window Glass,—Tha market has advanced and there is a little activity Despite fairly large importations; the stocks bed here are thought to be somewhat short, and dealers are placing further orders. Flour.-Since our last report prices have dropped considerably and sales for September shipment have been made, although on a very small scale. Wheat.——— The crop in America, it would seem is likely to be above the average, but, as the outlook in. Europe is poor, it is expected that prices will continue to rule fairly high for some little time pending the outturn of the Argentino and Aus- tralian crops..
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SUGAR.
YOKOHAMA, 30th July, 1909.-Business in refined sugars has been entirely absent during the interval and it is understood there have been no auctions of Japan Refined.
YARN.
HONGKONG-Mr. P. Eduljee, in his Report dated 20th August, states:--The firm feeling alluded to in last report has been not only well maintained, but much strengthened by advices of an active and ri-ing market in Shanghai. A brisk and better inquiry existed throughout the greater part of past fortnight and dealers have, in several instances, advanced on their offers which had previously been refused. Prices of No. 208 show little fluctuation, but an adance of $1 to $2 per ba'e has been established for suitable desirable tickets of Nos. 10s. and 12s, which have been in strong demand for the Northern and East Coast markets. Receipts for the fortnight are much above the average, but as he off-takes also show a considerable increase, our estimate of stocks
shows only a small addition when compared with last figures, and the market closes firm. Bombay is reported quiet but strong, and latest telegrams from that port quote Assur No. 10s 6. annas The and Victoria No. 20s 7 annas per pound. monsoon conditions are so far satisfactory, suf- ficient rain having fallen all: over India. Sales of the interval aggregate 8,353 bales, arrival- amount to 19,009 bales, unsold stock estimated at 2,000 and uncleared yarn in second hands about 36,000 bales. Local Manufacturé :—Siles of about 400 bales Nos. 10s and 12s at $116 and $120 respectively are reported. Japanese Yarn:- Neglected throughout. Raw Cotton-Importa- tions are entirely checked by higher prices ruling in the home markets and there is no stock or transaction. In China kinds a parcel of 190 bales (small) Thoongchow is reported to have changed hands at $364. We quote to-day Indian $29 to $35 and China $32 to $37. Excharge on India closes to-day at Rs. 1301 for T/T and R-131 for Post. On Shanghai 741 and on Japan 84. The under- noted business in imported and local spinnings is reported from Shanghai during the for thight ended the 14th instant, viz. Indian A
strong deinand was experienced during the interval, Nos. 108 and 12s attracting most atten- tion, values showing an advance of 1 to 2 Taels- per tale and market closing strong. Total sales! about 10,000 bales, with an estimated stock of 72,000 bales, Japanese:Continue in good de-. mand and prices have advanced 2 to 3 Theis per bale. Total sales about 4,000 bales at Tls 1034 111) for No. 168 and Tis. 113 to 119 for No. 208. Local-Have been considerably dealt in. and 15,000 bala are reported to have changed hands on the basis of 1ls, 94 fṛr No. 10s, Tis 991 for No. 128, Tls. 97 to 102 for No. 14, and Tls. 104 to 106. for No. 168.
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