THE ENGLISH MARKETS.
WOOL. Mr H. Schwartze, wool-broker, in a report published in the "European Mail" of July 14, writes thus of the prico of wool : —There are several circumstances which help to explain this sudden rise, and which aro worth stating as they enablo tho growers iv some measuro to judge of tho nature of the movement, and of the chances it has of proving lasting. First is the fact of a very large rate of consumption in aU countries; the mills are everywhere fully employed, and manufacturers generally express themselves satisfied with tho condition of their industry. The English clip chows a decrease, variously estimated at from 10 to 20 per cent. In the United States it is said to fall short of tho supply of the preceding year by ever 20 per cenfc; and in Franco, though nothing definite is known en the subject, ifc is probable thafc au immense numbor !
of sheep have beon slaughtered in consequence of the war. Thus in throe great countries, in which sheep-breeding is of tho firsfc importance (the number of animals boing probably between thirty and forty millions in each case), a more or less decided decroaso in the production has taken placo, and the large increase which the markets have for a long time yearly received from the colonies and South America also happens to fail at this juncture. The truth is, that tho proportion of supply to consumption, which sinco 1866 has stood unfavorably to the grower, has this year been reversed and turned in his favor ; there is no moro the stereotyped conviction of " wool enough and to spare," which infused so much indifference into all operations; and hence tho more energetic tone, and more active eufcerpriso, which mark our sales afc this moment.
The nexfc series of sales will be on September 14 and November 23, and will probably contain together aboufc 180,000 balos. With regard to the postponement of the clause in the French tariff in reference to textile fabrics, a correspondent of tho " Mail " says :— v This question has nofc as yefc had any influence upon the wool market. French dealers and manufacturers know ifc must come shortly, and are laying in largely in consequence. The Americans, too, aro buying up all the choice grease wool at very high pricos, and lighfc combing New Zealand, Adelaide, and Porfc Phillip wool are in demand for their market. Now and then some people think they see a little weakness in sale, but if so this has been recovered again the next day, so tlufc on the whole prices have been, and are, well maintained for all wools." Another correspondent Bays:— "l havo just ascertained thafc the tariff (French) does not, nor is not, likely to affect wool. Prices are very firm, and fresh foreign faces put in an appearance thia week."
FLAX,
Messrs G. and J. A. Noblo, of London, report the market as dull since their last, only a small business haviug been gofc through at aboufc previous rates. Afc tho public sales 1,900 bales were brought forward, of which the following only wero disposed of: — 97 bales sound, at £23 10a to £26 10s, 33 bales tow, sound and damaged, at £12 15s, ex Estella, Wellington ; 11 bales tow, sound and damaged £12, ex Electra; 1 bale sound, £24, ex Monarch ; 14 bales sound, £23 10s, ex Loch Leven ; 32 bales sound, £20 to £22, ex Halcione j 55 bales sound, £16 to £22 ss, ex Asterope ; 205 bales sound, £18 10s to £22 15s, 4 bales damaged, £13 10s, ex Lord Warden, Sydney ; 20 bales sound, and sound and damaged, £18 10s, ex Monarch, Lyttelton ; 3 bales sound, £23 5s to £26 10s ; ex Firth of Clydo, Blenheim, and 15 bales sound, £26, 46 bales tow, sound and damaged, £12 10s to £13, by the samo vessel, from Port Underwood ; 29 bales sound, £30, es Countess of Kintore, Auckland j 29 bales sound, £15 15s to £16, ex Phillip Nolson, Canterbury ; 4 bales sound, £12 15s, 1 balo damaged, £12 lie, ex Loch Earn, Melbourne ; and 1 bale sound, at £13, ex Dainascuß. The rest wero bought; in.
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