COMMERCIAL.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7540, 2 May 1890, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

AMERICAN MARKETS. Mkssks Balfoub, Gitthrie and Co., under date San Francisco, April 4th, report as follows:—Our last letter was dated 17th ult. In the interval business has been very Quiet, caused partly by broken weather. The rainfall for the season has now reached 43§in. Wheat bas remained at about 1 dol* 30 per cental Lo.b., without much activity, owing to the dull state of European markets and the disinclination of holders here to part with their grain on lower terms. The prospects meantime for the new crop are tolerably favorable; the excessive rainfall has prevented seeding of much of the heavy lands, but on the other hand light soils generally will yield much heavier crops than they would in an average season. Freights to United Kingdom—Notwithstanding a moderate tonnage, supply on the spot and to arrive within a month or two, have not maintained their position. Moderate sized Iron vessels are nominally worth 85a for orders to the United E3ngdom, Bavre. Os Antwerp, while owners'

ideas ace. somewhat higher. At Portland, Or., there is 1 little doing, and iron vessels on the spot are quotable at 38s 9d for orders. At Tacoma, Washington, there is no tonnage on the spot suitable for wheat loading* .- ---.■ - - . t Salmon continues dull, with no foreign demand. Good Alaskan brands of red salmon can be bought at Idol 5c to Idol 10c per doz, Lo.b. The new season on the Columbia opened a few days ago, but with canners and fishermen apart nothing has been done. With this year's experience before them, the former will not pay a high price for the fish, and the latter will probably have to come to their terms. Coals have further improved, mainly owing to a temporary scarcity of tonnage on the coast, and consequent reduced shipments from Puget Sound. Some steamers are, however, liKely to be placed in the trade, in which case supplies would be materially increased. A sjiot cargo of Greta was sold at 7doi 50c, while for shipment buyers are scarce at 7dol tovdol VQc Exchange —We quote bankers' sixty days sight bills on London, 4dolß4Sc; merchants' do do, 4dol 83ic; merchants do on Sydney, 4dol 67£ c.