A considerable amount of business has passed during the week, especially from second hand. White Shirtings have been particularly favoured, and as a consequence of the demand there has been an advance of from 2) to 5 mace. The transactions would have been even larger had holders of stocks been prepared to accede to all proposals: for delivery after China New Year. On these lines, nevertheless, a fair amount has been done in Spring goods, and the anticipation is general that the Spring trade will be of appreciable dimensions. While Whites have advanced to the ex! indicated, Fancies have not bes fited to anything like an equal gree. In view of the volume of purchases this week it is reported that a large number of the merchants are already departing for the interior, and that as a consequence next week will probably be quieter.
All the business reported this week is from stocks held locally, and no mention is heard of fresh orders to the home manufacturers. Latest advices show Manchester quotations as from 10 to 20 per cent. above China values. It is impossible to guess how soon this difference can be bridged over, for although the present week's rates show a better level, indicating still higher quotations: after China New Year, there is no
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.