COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE, (From Messrs. Nott, Murray d: Ca. Piece Goods Trade Report of 18th July.)
PIECE GOODS.—The continued fal la Exchange has very nearly stopped all for yard business, and the continued fall of rain is stopping all current transactions, As regards the former, the m fore existing between home prices and those ruling here has been increased to three to four per cent, no concession being obtainable as yet in the home markets. The stoppage caused by the excessive rainfall is, however, of much more serious import and is already threatening to be the direst calamity that has befallen the Yangtsze Valley for years. The water in the River is still rising, andi most harrowing accounts are brought down by late steamers of the loss of fife and destruction of property. The damage to the growing Crops will cause the greatest distress, the price of Rice having already risen 25%. All orders from Haxkow have been cancelled and the shipment of goods stopped, and lower down the River much the same condition of things prevails, Locally great anxiety is felt on account of the growing Cotton Crop, which it is feared will be ruined by excessive moisture aad no Sun, The largely increased area that has been devoted to the cultivation of the staple in recent years will cause any such mishap to have disastrous effect ea our trade generally, it being too late to think of resowing, aad the improvident nature of the Natives renders them almost helpless in face of such a catastrophe.
There is a fairly yood enquiry for Treststs still, which is the only cheering feature of our market, and shipments thence are certainly encouraging, though of course very much cannot be expected as yet. The news from Newenw. 1 little more hopeful in inasmuch as Exchange is returning gradually to its normal state, but so far no fresh orders have been received. However, there is after all not very much cause for complaint looking at the fairly free supplies that have been going up. There is still. some buying going on for the CokEaS market and it is expected large shipments will be made from here in a day or two. domaltot the entire business of the week consist of the Auction offering, and the pres realise clearly iwlicate ube-duluess of the lemand. he MacueSTER market for most makes appears to be very strong still, though here and there it is possible to pick up goods at prices that give rather the reverse view of the situation there. Asa rule, however, for ordinary staples prices are fully six to seven. per cent over this market. Cotton is still quoted the same, namely 48¢., though Wwe have heard of private advices giving it a thirty second lower. New Youk is strong and operators seem to think it waste of money telegraphing about The market is very firm for yarns and a good business has again been done in which the local Spinnings have participated to some extent. There is still no quotation for Native Cotton.
Srocks,—One or two important returns have not been sent in and consequently the Stocks are not [published yet. As we hope to take these returns as a basis for our estimated stocks from the Ist inst., we have had to omit several cargoes, both Import and re-export, that have been declared this week, Grey Shirtings.—8.4-Ibs.—We have only heard of one sale, namely, 3,000 pieces Cash Boy at 2.624, and even this we think is not a very recent transaction, The market is depressed and prices at Auction were lower and weak.
Light Weights.—The sale of 1,400 pieces 7-1bs. Blue Uock is published at $1.82}. A drop of four candareens tuvk place at Auction.
Heavy Weights,—The enquiry for Corea is no doubt responsible for most of the business done, small as it is. The sales reported include Five Cock at 3.15, Bue Goose £3.22), Eagle UCC £3.37} and Bugle AFS £2.52}. Although not quite so weak as the lighter weights prices, with few exceptions, went in favour of the buyers at Auctio 412 lbs 36 inch.—There is only one small sale reported privately, namely, 600 pieces cura! at 3.20. Auction prices were lower.
White Shirtings.—Nothing has been reported from private lauds, With one two exceptions in the comniouer goades prices were fairly well maintained at Auction, T. Cloths,—Business has been uninteresting and prices at Auction inclined to weakness.
Drills,—A small sale of an Armitage's cloth under Dolphin and Monkey chop was made at '£3.85. It is"said these goods were taken as Pepperells are unobtainable at present, the few in stock being in the lurids of a Native Banker who is asking 14.00.
Sheetings.—The only movement reported is the sale to arrive of 2,000 pieces Flag on a sterling basis for the Vlalivostock market, In AMERICAN makes nothing is reported.
Fancy Goods.—With the exception of one or two Indents in Prints, of special designs, and Fast Black Cotton Italiane we have not heard of anything doing privately. Fast Blacks at Auction went irregularly.
Woollens.—For Canvets at Auction the tendency was slightly lower. Lexa Ets look weak and a 1g. Lastixes dropped " mace a mace aad a half, In Srasisu Srkires one to two candareens was about the drop at yesterday notion.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.