The Sun.
London, England, 1860-09-29 00:00:00

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CALCUTTA, AUGUST 22.
PRODUCE MARKET.—The fortnight has passed with very
little alteration in the spirit of our market; produce does
not arrive in such quantities as to compel holders to accept
lower prices, and trade is generally languid. Sugar firm ;
saltpetre in small demand ; rice, lower ; raw silk firm, but
no sales ; corahs, no sales ; hides, lower ; jute, firm, and no
stocks ; oilseeds, higher ; safflower, lower.
IMPORT MARKET.—We have to report a very quiet and
dull' market for almost all import articles. Piece goods
went on gradually declining, and actually a very heavy fall
of prices has taken place, particularly in some descriptions
of goods. This course of our market produced a similar
effect in the principal up-country markets, wherefrom the
accounts lately have been very discouraging. Prices are
almost nominal; and as long as importers submit to easier
rates, we cannot look for a better feeling in our market.
Yarns have been sold more freely, but also at lower rates.
Metals are very quiet at nominal prices ; sheathing copper
at 43 Rs.

EXCHANGE.—Since the departure of the last mail a large
business has been done in exchange. On London, the Bank
sales have been from 2-0 k to 2.02, chiefly at the latter rate.
American, and other first-class credits have-brought 2-02.
Documentary, V which the supply is limited, has sold at
from 2-0 i tn,2 .IA. On China some small amounts have
sold at from 228 to 230 per 100 dols., but the business in
this market is now extremely limited. Discount on private
bills, 6 per cent.
FREIGHTS.—Dead weight, seeds, and jute, 60s. all
round.

China was released from gaol on the 4th inst., a
subscription having been collected to pay his law

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
HONG KONG, Aug. 10.

Trade here and in Canton is greatly depressed. Cotton
and woollen goods are quite unsaleable, and in metals and
other exports but little is doing. In opium, howevcr, a
large business was done, at advanced rates. At Shanghai,
the demand for manufactured goods was small and uncer-
tain. An extremely limited business has been done in tea.
There were, however, symptoms of approaching activity.
A few chops of Ping Suey tea had reached the settlement,
2in Ningpo, and it was said a few more of new congous
were detained a few miles from market by the cupidity of
local mandarins, and that foreigners were about to proceed
to the spot for the purpose of bringing them in. An addi-
tional transit duty of 11 taels per picul was levied on silk
passing into the settlement. This measure being antici-
pated caused dealers to hurry to market, augmenting the
stock very materially, and causing foreigners to forbear
from operations. A reduction of from 10 to 15 taels on
previous rates was the result.
Exchange.—Hong Kong : for this mail is quoted 4s. 91d.
for bank paper, and 4s. 10d. for first-class credits. Indian
paper tends downwards, say rs. 235 to 234. Bar silver, 7i
per cent. ; and Sycee, 51 to 6 per cent. premium. Gold
leaf, 22.80 dols. per tael. Shanghai : a moderate amount
of business had baen done for the mail, bank rates closing
6s. 'lid.; first-class paper, 6s. 71d. ; Indian paper, 320 to
321, with considerable business.
TONNAGE.—Hong Kong—There is a fair demand for
tonnage, and higher rates have been paid. Rice charters
are in the market, but cannot be placed except at 45 to 50
cents, Coast employ is plentiful but fates are low. Govern-
ment still continues to charter vessels. Shanghai—The
requirements of the war, with a call for coast purposes,
caused tonnage to be in active demand. Rates to London
were £4 to LI 10s. for tea; and £6 to £6 108. for silk, but
very little was doing.