The Portland daily press., 1882-05-22
DOWN TOWN.
and Miscellaneous

The clearing house figures for the week
ending Saturday were $911,11S.6S. The
Boston money market closed quiet.
There was more activity last week
than the week previous, and the rate in
creased from 81 to Al per cent. Demand loans
to first-class borrowers were. 5 to 81 per cent.
and discounts mainly at to per cent, with
exceptions as low at A in special cases, but ne
gotiations were reported as really slow. Great
satisfaction is expressed with the passage by
the House of the bill to extend the bank
charters, and there is confidence that it will
become law; when that event is reached, the
authorities say the money men will feel easier.
The stock market was stronger in the absence
of large shipments of specie, but there was no
increased activity. Government is and 5s
were higher and extended Is lower.
The dull weather of last week had very
ouieting effect on all sorts of trade. The
workshops and factories 81 gagged on orders or
which produce the necessities OF life continued
there activity, but the amount OF new business
was reported as quite limited. The hope which
we expressed two weeks ago that the present
month would show as good results as last year
has not been realized either at home or in adj
iacent markets The farmers and horticul-
turists have found the damp weather less in
iurious to their interests, but they have prayed
for little more warmth. The earth had be-
come quite dry, and with few days OF sun
shine planting will be fastened, and the grass
the grain and the foliage come forward rapid
ly.
The high price OF meat Is still subject OF
solicitude. Early last week decline was pre-
dicted, under reports of an over supply on the
other side and the falling off OF shipments
certain large exporters having closed their con-
tracts and being unwilling to renew under
present conditions but the Chicago market adj
yanced for cattle and dressed beef, with no
prospect OF an immediate decline. In New
York on Tuesday the market closed at the
highest figures reached for many years, with
good receipts; on Friday there was further
advance of cent. At Albany the same day
the feeling was toward a still stronger market.
The shipments for the week from New YORK
and Boston were about 1900 live cattle and
considerable quaint ty of fresh beef, sheep ana
mutton. American refrigerator beef was sold
in Liverpool on Friday at I'D per pound, gem
orally for sides, an advance of ID. Mutton had
also advanced there during the week. The
latest reports from the West. and Southwest
confirm the statement of week ago that
there will be an increase in number and quar-
itv of animals from west of the Mississippi
The prices were shade easier
The reports concerning fish are of scarcity;
the same influences that have affected the
local market for fresh fish have been felt elss-
where; the supply has been limited and prices
have almost without exception advanced. Inc
principal receipts of split fish at Gloucester
have come from the Western Bank, and good
prices were realized. The reports from the
mackerel feet are that there is large body OF
fish on the coast and good catch IS looked Tor.
The fish are fast working northward. Inc
first fare for the season at Gloucester was on
Thursday, which brought 60 per cent. mere
than the first arrival last year. Business at all
the ports has been active under the circum-
stances, and prices were high.
The Shoe and Leather Reporters review OF
the market at the close of the week says that
trade is progressing satisfactorily, the sales be-
ing large, without any change of values, and
the stocks sufficient but mot excessive. There
is no excitement; neither is there any leta i
gv. The demand for leather just about suttices
to absorb the supply. The season for the sale
of boots and shoes for the autumn traffic has
begun in earnest and the call for suitable
goods is very extensive and general, not IN the
East alone, but at all manufacturing points
throughout the country. 1t is assumed in
every direction that there will be great deal
of business in any event, and in case the har-
vests are full, it must needs be immense.