The stock market for piece goods} has been firm during the week wit tle more inquiry especially for johans and Venetians. At the Came time Home prices are nearer!
those ruling here on account of exchange. Further business _has been done in Poplins, and in view Jof the fact that several other lines ere quite close as regards price a fair amount of wiring has taken lace. Outside of Poplins, however, tual business has not been heard of. The position is, nevertheless, woollens. A certain amount of forward inquiry is proceeding, principally among the Venetians and Gaberdines, and although these offers are at very cut prices a number are being accepted by! Fradford. Within the last two or three weeks it is reported that 400 leases have been booked. Whi some quarters a larger amount is it is impossible to sub-
The offtake in woollens has been good, and it is understood that practically 50 per cent. of the jerrivals during June, July and August have been taken up already.
'A feature of the market at the present time is that it is almost possible to get rid of anything that savours. of bankrupt cargo. Some bankrupt stocks must have Keen in Shanghai for two or three years past, and apparently dealers have made up their minds to have nothing to do with it, or otherwise it" handle it only at utter sacrifice prices.
The Auctions There was a good inquiry at the] Kungping auction on Tuesday. Blacks were about four mace up, while Venetians were from one to yo candareens higher. Whites.
jete steady, while ro Greys were isposed of. the Yuenfong' auction on. Thursday 135 packages were dit posed of. Italians were up half a mace, while Velvets were on the average slightly lower and Venetians were rather weak, being five mace down. One or two qualities of Venetians were up, but heavy ¢eclines in the better grades reduced the average. The trade in Venetians could only be described as uineertain, and from the point of view of the Chinese purchaser they are considered expensive. There, was also a weakness in Korean qualities of White Shirtings which fell 2} mace, but Whites otherwise were quite steady. Kiukiang ard hankow were buying Italians strongly, while the local market was steadier than it was a week ago with very little change in price. Chinkiang remains quiet. 'These particular goods have now reached high levels, and it is not anticipated that much higher values will be seen. At the same time it must be remembered that supplies are very' small, and they might rise on a further demand. The tone generally remains satisfactory and the prospects are more favourable for the coming season.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.