COALS.—Only trifling sales have been recorded during the fortnight, but these, as far as the Formosan and Japanese products are concerned have been effected at a decided advance. 'The greater portion of the receipts—2,400 tons—has been to order, and the market shows an improving tendency at the close. Cargo quotations from ships are—Cardiff, Tls. 10.70 per ton'; nominal, English, Tls. 8.26 per ton nominal, American, Tls. 12.90 per ton; Sydney, Tls. 7.75 per ton; nominal, Newcastle, Tis, 8,5 per ton; Japan, Tis, 5 per ton Formosa, Tls. 8.25 per ton; nominal, FREIGHTS.—There is nothing to report to-day. Home rates are unchanged, and no coast charters are announced.
EXCHANGE.—The business of the past fortnight has been on a very small scale, and rates on London are slightly lower, Bank drafts being quoted 5s. 10d, a 5s. 10)d; Credits, ds, 104d. a 5s. 104., and Documentary, 5s. 103d. a 5s. 103d., and but few bills in the market, On India, a fair amount has been sold at 301} @ 303 chiefly by telegraph. On Hongkong, rates remain steady at Tis, 262 Banks on demand, and 27 a 274 Private bills at 15 days' sight, with only a limited business.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.