Only a small general trade in piece goods has been the case dur-Ing the week, and the volume has been so small that it is hardly possible to consider raising tael prices. In the meantime tael prices show a serious loss even against the lower replacement levels now ruling at Home, and it is unlikely that any improvement will be seen until some further confidence in the Situation in China is general. Some quiries, it is true, have gone forward within the past two weeks, but it is generally felt that, these have been rather with a view to testing prices than actually for new business. It is possible, of course, that it would be better to cut losses in some eases and let cargo go now than pay interest until the autumn, vith the prospect of new goods doing better, The inquiry which has been perienced during the week has been pally from the northern ports and Ningpo, the latter centre showing some interest in Greys. Yangtze ports have been disappointing. Local values for Spring Fancies are easier, and it is feared that there may be some carry-over of Lawns and Brocades.
With regard to the Yangtze trade, merchants report that while ascertain amount of business is offering in Hankow itself, the prospeets in the surrounding country are very bad owing to the pretence fof bandits. Inthe circumstances purchases are being kept at a minimum, and its is probable that the same remark applies to Chang~ sha_and it surroundings.
Woollens have been quiet during the week. Orders for June, July and August shipments ate now finished, and it will be some time before inquiry for the end of the year shipments comes forward.
The Auctions Brokers at the Kungping auction on Tuesday apparently had very, few orders in hand. This combined with the fact that speculators did not seem anxious to operate, made dull auction and bidding generally dragged similarly dull condition was manifest at the Yuenfong auction on Thursday, when 185 packages were disposed of, Venetians were 48 mace down, Italians, 2 mace down, Greys 2 down, and Whites jon the average about' 1 mace lover.
as stated, the tone was genly dul, it was noted that there eas possible a slightly stronger demand from Hankow and Changsha for a few qualities of White Shirtings. Korean chops were steady, very little was doing from Tientsin.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.