(From Messrs, Noi, Murray & Ca. Piece Goods Trade Report of 10th May.)
PIBOP Crof busioces done, certsialy in the wetter feeling displayed by the dealers. This ie in nonce of the decidedly better news, BEH GOODS.—The few days that have elapsed since our last have seen a distinct imp cement in our market, if not so much in the at -east from u commercial point of view, that has been received from the ets, abundant rain having fallen and put new life into everything. Coming on top of the improved enquiry, already natived in our last, for Neweu it is ull the more marked, but the effect on our market hi almost nugatory by the course come Importers have recently deemed it advisable to adopt. Prices have been knocked down, wud it is next, to impossible to advance them again. Business fiom first hands has been Chielly in Aatenicas Sheetings, but Drills are being asked for, and from present appearances the demand will soon overtake the supply. Already the dealers are enquirwg about fresh purchases in the States, but the prices they have offered so far have not been rutiiently inducing to lead to any business. As regards Maxcuzstex makes there is " good demand, but prices offered are 80 ridiculously low compared with the cost of replacing that most holders refuse to part, but so long xs there ars-one or two who are Willing to sell it is extremely difficult. to uphold the views of the majority. Nor can the weak holders be altogether blamed for the action they are taking, for they are realising good profits and there is nw telling what the sudden inclination of any one of the Iatgor holders may lead them to do, for the future stability of the market is literally hanging by a thread. The natives say, with come confidence, that if the present demanil holds for another three weeks the dealers will be forced to call on Importers for fresh supplies. This shoud, therefore, encourage those who are holding to remain firm a litel longer, otiverwise with the strong position of the home markets, und every likelihood of a continuance for some months to come, there will be a regular deadlock in the trade, disastrous to all concerned. The more moderate offerings "t Auction the last two weeks have already had a beneficial effect on the market for Cotton Goods, but Woollens appear to he beyond hope.
From Szecncey the welcome news has come to hand that the two Barrisit gunboats, built especially for the Upper Yangtsze, have reached CHUs ately, though somewhat delayed by trifling mishaps. Their Commanders have doubtless made careful surveys of the River, which should be available when the Merchant steamers are ready to start on the line. An unfortunate encounter has taken place between the Brivisit authorities and the Natives at Wer-nat-wet over the question of fixing, the boundaries of the leased territority. This was no doubted incited by the Mandacins, who fear they will lose their lucrative billets, but the firmness displayed. by the British author is likely to have a salutary effect. There are still rumblings of impending troubles in the North, not altogether uncone: ved with the expulsion of Foreigners from Cutsa, but we seem to have heard of these before and but little heed is paid to them by the trade generally. - rie There is little or no change observable in the position of the home markets. Slightly more disposition to trade has been shown by MancuesteR, and merely to keep in touch with that market some offers have been submitted, but when it comes actually to business Manufueturers seem to be ax strong as ever. Cotton is firm at 5d. Spinners do not appear to have anticipated the rise in Cotton asa rile, and are therefore not in a position to lower prices. There has been very little doing for Curva for some week now, to far we can learn, and supplies are coming forward in smaller quantities as regards Plain Cottons, but the enormous shipments of Fancy goods must be causing considerable uneasiness in some quarters. The AMEKIcAS market is very firn still and offers from this, although Slightly over current rates here, have faild to induce business.
There iv a little more movement la-the market for Yarns and a slight adv ince is noticeable in the favourite Spinnings for Treyrstx of INptas, JAPANESE is also firmer but still below replacing cost. Loca, Spinnings are dull and drooping snd several of the Mills Sppear to be ruening into stock. Corzoy is in an unsatisfactory position, the market being too much under the control of speculators, scrauch ce it it almost impossible to give " reliable quotation,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.