The Sun.
London, England, 1850-03-08 00:00:00

IMPORTS.

The last fortnight shows a decided improvement in
the position of this branch of our trade; and operations,
although not very heavy, are yet on a more liberal scale,
and, in some instances, at better prices. Generally
speaking, however, the market is not charactised by
much animation, and there is much room for improve-
merit.

REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE BOMBAY
MARKETS.
FROM JANUARY 17 TO FEBRUARY 2, INCLUSIVE.

BOMBAY, SATURDAY EVENING, FEB. 2.-Our money-
market still continues iu an uneasy and unsettled state—
nor do we think it likely to be otherwise for some time
to come, Gs:rap:trout §9culitiva paN,cipitto ill the ge-

neral uneasiness alluded to, and there are v ary sew
buyers at the quotations given in our prices current,
Bank Shares maintain their value, and the business done
both in Oriental and Commercial has been very cons&
derable. The former have been selling at 181- to 1.414, and
the latter at 14 to 15 per cent. discount. We hAve
rused with much satisfaction the report receives( by lug
mail from the Oriental Bank board in London;, not that
we have any interest in the concern, but because we think
it likely to dispel much, if not all, of that unwarranted
gloom which hung over the minds of some of the share.
holders here. Doubtless a great deal of the success
which has hitherto attended the operations cf this bank
is due to the management in Bombay, which we believe
to have been characterized by the most consummate
skill and ability.
Our market for imports is in a very unsatisfactory
state at present, with little prospect of any immediate
improvement. The native dealers complain of the total
want of inquiry in the bazaar—in fact, that they cannot
sell even at reduced prices; this is caused by the unfa-
veurable accounts received from the up-country markets,
all of which are stated to be over-supplied; and till these
stocks are reduced, few orders will be sent for further:
supplies. Our only hope is that some demand w',ll
spring up after the ilooley holidays that take place at
the end of the month, but the supply of goods on the
way will effectually prevent any improvement in prices,
which, indeed, are not likely to be imintained. Very
little has been dere in the export market during the
fortnight,oe except in opium, which has been purchased to
m
extent.
There is a report that the Government is
s
about to increase the import duties by 3 per cent., via ,
from 5 per cult. to 8. . _ _

Cotton Piece Goods—Large stocks of all kinds con•
tinue on dealers' and importers' hands, and the demand
continues as dull as at last report. Grey Jacconets are
scarcely inquired for, and we have no sales to report.
Lladapollams are nearly as dull of sale, only 3,000
pieces coarse having been disposed of, at Rs. 2 7i annaa
per piece. Domestics have given way. 628 pieces have
been sold at from Rs. 11i to per piece. Skirtings
have been sold to the extent of 2,250 pieces, at from Its.
5} to Rs. 7 per piece. 60 reed qualities continue steady
in price; while 48 156 reed 40-inch have become Fio dull
that a reduction of a couple of annas per piece must be
submitted to to effect sales, and 45-inch with difficulty
command the rates mentioned in last report. Long
Cloths: Of these, 7,359 pieces have been sold, at from
rupees 4 1-16 to rupees 5/. The qualities sought after
are those usually purchased for the purpose of being dyed
and exported to Sinde and Arabia, but even for these
a reduced rate is offered. Heavy T cloths come under
the same remarks as regards price, while the lighter
makes find no purchasers. Bleached Jacconets
have receded in value, and are in tolerably good
inquiry. Madapollams and Domestics are uninquired
for, with heavy stocks. 150 pieces shirtings have
been disposed of at Rs. 6i per piece. The remarks
made on Grey apply also to Bleached Shirting'. Of
Longcloths we bare no sales to report. Twilled Cloth
has declined, and there is little inquiry for it even at the
reduced rates. Lappets have sold to the extent of 993
pieces, at from Rs. 1 : 13 annas to Rs. 2: 9 annas. For
low Jacconets, Satin Spots, and Stripes, there is some
demand. Dyed Goods: Starched Mulls are in moderate
inquiry, and Twilled Cloths are inquired for to a con-
siderable extent, with small stocks. Prints of suitable
designs continue in active demand. Of Turkey Red
Plain Cloth first hands are bare, but the bazaar dealera
are pretty well supplied.
Cotton Yarns—The sales since our last amount to r.O
more than nine bales Mule, and 110 bales Water Twilit.
Nos. 30 and 50 Mule, and 40 Water, are scarce, and are
those most in demand. Nos. 20 Mule and 20 and 30
Water are uninquired for: indeed the demand for nearly
all descriptions is extremely limited. Turkey Red of
first quality (Scotch) is in good demand, while the rate
for Orange has declined, and Green is not asked for.--
Sales:—

50 bales Water Twist, 200 lbs. eacb, Nos. 20, 22, 24,
2a, 28, at annas 6i• 30, at annas per lb.
60 bales Watcr i'wist 300 lbs. each, No. 20, at annas,
si; 30, at annas 73 per lb.
9 bales Mule Twist, 200 lbs. each, No. 30, at annas
per lb.

10 cases, containing 2,000 lbs., Ball Thread, Nos. 20
an 100, at annas 13 per lb.
Woollens—Flannels still continue scarce and in de-
mend. Cloths have sold to a fair extent.
Metals—Prices of nearly all descriptions of metal have
given way. Copper—Of this metal large stocks exist,
and there is but little demand for any description. Iron
—British Bar, Sheet, Hoop, and Nail Rod, share in the
general decline and want of inquiry. Swedish Bar Iron,
Pig and Sheet Lead, and Swedish Steel, are also in the
same state. Tin Plates are heavy in stock, and sales
cannot be effected.

Saffron—Thepriceof this article has fallen of late.

Cochineal—NUtwithstanding the advance in the price
of this article in England, it has been sold here during
the fortnight at a ruinous rate—viz. 4,0001b5. silver at
Rs. 21-; 3,0001b5. at Rs 2i, and 5001bs. at Rs. 2: 6i as.
per lb.
Beer—Very little doing. The only sales we have
heard of have been 15 hhds. Bass, at Rs. 45, and 15 hhcls.
Sacell (Paisley) arid Co., at Rs. 30, per hhd. Of All•
sopp's the market is completely bare.
Spirits—We have only heard of a sale of 200 fifteen
bottle cases of Gin, at 14 rupees per case. This spirit
is in good demand, while Brandy continues dull and
neglected. A slight inquiry exists for Jamaica Hum.
IVine-10 butts Sherry have been sold at Es. 350
per butt.
_ _

Marine Stores—Sales to a moderate extent in Pitch,
Tar, and Paints, have had effect. A slight improve-
ment has taken place in Cordage, and Canvas is in
moderate request. Spirits of Turpentine are dull of
sate, vk bile Oil of Linseed is in demand. Paints are less
inquired kr.