(From Messrs. Notl, Murray & Ao. Piece Goods Trade Report of 21st January.)
PIHCO® GOODS.—The natural tendency which the trade has to slacken off on the approach of thejnative New Year, accompanied as it is with the annual settling, has been accelerated during the week by the stronger position Exchange has taken up. Ab the somme time many Importers are getting to the end of their available supplies, being sold well forward, while the position of the home markets ich thit fresh baying iv almost out of the question. 'The market is certainly strong, though' quieting off at the close, and from all appearances at present there is every prospect of a, nik trade when busines is estimed after the holidays. were held on the usual terms as to delivery, and consequently prices have suffered somewhat in many The Auctions this week instances as might have been expected. There is no special news from the Outports, the weather keeping very mild in the North, but considerable snow has fallen all up the Yaxorsze Valley, with the exception of th bourhood which is greatly in need of it.
The telegraphic advices from Maxcitrster continue very strong, there being a good enquiry for all markets and prices have an upward tendency. Manufacturers are well engaged forward and quotations in most cases show a substantial advance since last month. Cotton is going up, to-day's quotation coming 3;%d., with market quiet but steady. The Export of Plain Cottons for the firat half of this month was 14,000,000 yards, which is unexpectedly moderate. The New York market is likewise strong and advancing, which has put a stop to further business with this.
The market for Ixptax Yarns is quieter, though fairly steady. Firmer rates could be obtained for extended delivery, but forward Exchange is not acceptable to holders. Jarax Yarns are in steady demand at about previous prices, while Local Spinnivgs are in good request at firm rates, but spinners show a reluctance to sell.
Work is progressing satisfactorily and the luvour question appears to 2 have been successfully solved. It is extremely dificult to get any information regarding the working of the Mills, but xs an indication what can be done here we may mention that one Mill, with 40,000 spindles, produced an average of 107 bales per diem during the last week, the counts averaging 14.5s.
Statisticn—On the page 146 hereof we give the annual comparative figures of the Re-exports to CHEFoo during the last ten years. lis same advance is observable hero in Axtzmicas goods wg to the Northern Ports, Escuisit makes, with few exceptions, showing serious falling off, this being also very noticeable iv T-Cloths and Sheetings,' The increase in Yarn shipments is very marked, especially when it is remembered that considerable quantities are shipped direct from Hoxckox and Jarax, in 1897, for instance, the direct iniportation of Ixprax Yarn was 21,042 piculs and Jaraxese 42,565 picule, Grey Shirtings.—S.4-los.—Business is falling off, the settlements reported this week only amounting to about 20,000 pieces at steady to firm prices, as follows:—Fed Pheasant $2.00 net, Red 2 Lion and Flag $2.02}, Red Wheatear 2.07, Double Eagle ¥2.10, Woman's Head $2.12}, Shoe Chie Shin $2.21. Here and there at Auction fall prices were paid, but the tendency was certainly lower, this will however be counteracted no doubt when the prompts are extended.
Light Weights.—A further sale of 7 Ibs. Red Pheasant at 1.75 is the only private basines reported. five candareens lower at Auction.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.