Local Cotton.—There has been a sudden rise in local cotton prices, attributed to big purchases by speculators for the express purpose of sending up the quotations. Practically no business has been done and the only quotations given are:—Tungchow, Tls. 34; Hankow, Tis, 31-50.
Yarn.—The week has witnessed a welcome improvement, which was small but sufficient to allow of some business being done. It is rumoured that Chinese mills propose curtailing their production.
PRODUCE, The market this week has taken on a slightly more hopeful tone and any little encouragement is welcome to exporters after the terribly slack times they have experienced. No big business has resulted, but there have been more inquiries. <A little business in buffalo hides has been reported. There are still inquiries for goatskins, but arrivals are very small. There are also inquiries for rhubarb, gallnuts and sundry produce. Sesamum seed and zroundnuts are neglected, the difference in Home and local prices still being too great, in spite of the drop in exchange. No further business in wool has been reported, although the demand is still strong.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.