At the Stary of the week the piece goods market was even duller than has been the case lately. This position is accounted for by the fact that the amaher dealers in the interior are not yet able to dispose of the amount of stocks which they ordinarily handle, owing to the Jdiffeulty of railway transportation jon top of the exactions of the itary scattered over the country who have for the time being spoilt their market. Ax a consequence the big dealers in Shanghai who dispose of their wares to these people find-them left on their hands, and fare thus not in a position to place further orders. The business the week, accordingly, has been confined to a few transactions in well-known chops. A better condition manifested itself atthe close the week, for north China developed more inquiry for White Shirtings, and dealers generally showed themselves more hopeful.
'The week opened badly at the auctions. It is customary to see Full at thie season of the year, following the spurt after China New Year, but at the beginning of the week' there seemed to be a complete apathy, and prices had generally a downward tendency. At the con-eluding auction, there fas a distinct turn for the better, and values generally improved. A speculative demand was noted for Blacks, and as a result there was a useful recovery for all qual Greys finished steady to firm, with a very good tone, and although weather conditions have been against Whites, more orders appeared. These came principally from the the River Ports not yet being pecially interested. Deliveries have on the whole fallen off, this due to the bad weather and also to the speculative interest in dyed goods.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.