The Portland daily press., 1882-05-06
DOWN TOWN.
Observation-Disclosures Trade Items.

Tho local money market remained easy yes
terday.I Governments were little stronger
for the long issues, indicating an increasing de-
mand In Boston money was quoted at A per
cent The stock market gained strength, and
an advance in the New York market Is looked
for. Ogdensburg and Lake Champlaln stock
rose to 80.
The wholesale grocery trade of the city has
been quiet the past week, and but few goods,
comparatively have moved forward. While
April was an unusually busy month, the present
one bids fair now TO be scarcely an average.
The dullness is doubtless owing to the backward
season in the interior; where it appears to be at
least month behind that on the seaboard. A
rapid change to spring temperature to dry up
the roads and warm up the traders would make
things merry again and redeem business.
The wholesale millinery trade, on the contra
ry, has been quickened by the few bright days
of this week, and trade is reviying after a Pc
Rod Of stagnation. The dealers are very busy
with their orders One firm say their business
this spring has been at least one-third greater
than ever before at this season, and Thursdays
record is of the heaviest sales of any day in an
experience of several years. The trade think
the prospect is good for long and busy season.
In fancy goods and small wares the general re-
port is of a fair week.
In the produce trade the week has shown an
Improvement. Produce has come forward
more freely. Canned goods have sold better
under easier prices.
In dry goods and woolens We get general
report of basy week. There has been de-
mand for general assortments, and the volume
of trade is greater than that of any previous
year. Woolens have been reasonably brisk.
The stocks in the hands of the Portland deal
ers are large and comprehensive and buyers
are finding here wide field for selections.
The steamer City of Portland from Eastport
brought yesterday very good freight of fish,
embracing fresh halibut, smoked alewives,
herring and dry cod; also twenty barrels OF
live Holsters, the first of the season by that
route Sardines are beginning to come for
ward, and in the lot received yesterday was an
invoice of Russian sardines, sailed in casks,
for Chicago, to be put up in that city.
The market for sugar has been steady. The
stocks of sugars in the four ports yesterday was
over A 900 hogsheads short OF the same time
last year. A decided advance in refined took
place some weeks ago but it was not sustained.
With the advance of the season an improve
ment is looked for. The Forest City Sugar
Refinery is loading sugars for Chicago. The
arrivals of sugar and molasses by sea the past
week comprise 400 hogsheads of the former
and 2151 hogsheads and $50 smaller packages
of the latter.
fVrf.. I. ~. -, so GILL Jualu
The week has been very good one for orders
and shipments are active, and the aggregate
sales appear to equal those of last year. A
good many country buyers have been in town.
The manufacturers still continue to work full
crews and anticipate that the present condition
OF affairs will continue until July. OF the
general state of the trade the Boston Shoe and
Leather Reporter says in its weekly review
that stability and frmness prevail at all
points and permeates all branches OF trade.
The leather traffic is uncommonly active, and
the stocks in the principal marts are becoming
reduced Prices have not changed percepti-
bly,, but for desirable qualities they are hard as
adamant There does not seem to be any dis
position on the part of holders to force an ad-
vance, though for prime heavy it is necessary
to raise quotations If the demand should con.
tinue as importunate as it is now for lew
weeks longer, it would hardly be prudent 10
base sales Of goods for future delivery on the
current prices of materials. The sales OF ieath-
er for the first four months of 1882 largely ex-
coed those of any similar period in any proceed
ing year. In New York the receipts OF hem
lock sole leather show an increase of 30 per
cent. OF oak and union they are just about
the same. These vast supplies have all gone
into consumption. The stocks in the ware
houses were less on the LIST inst. than they
were twelve month previously. The pur-
chases have been in moderate quantities to
multitudes of customers.
We understand that there is considerable
snow yet among the hills in Franklin county,
and hat the ice in Rangeley Lake is two feet
thick A letter received from northern Yer
mont says heavy snow storm prevailed there
on Tuesday last. Quite fall of snow occurred
in Oxford county the same day. Such Incl
dents are chilling to trade.