slightly increased prices. The demand continued .-to improve during 
December for all the better grades, and rather higher rates were 
paid all round. 
East Coast of Africa ( Zanzibar &c.) The supplies of these des- 
criptions have continued to gradually fall off, and to this must be 
ascribed the fact that at the close red hard Rubber is only id. per 
lb. lower, but white and common Ball Rubber declined about 46, 
per lb. Lamu Ball (Mombassa) the arrivals were not important 
although the quality was fair and good clean Rubber sold fairly 
well, prices however, showing a decline of 2 d. for the year. Nyas- 
saland sent us very good Rubber, but the consignment were small, 
and when they reached the market, were bought up readily at fair 
to full prices. Madagascar supplies were again on the decrease, 
and have only been about half of what they were last year, and 
values were consequently well maintained. 
Imports from Ceylon, were again insignificant, but whatever 
small quantity reached this market, if proved very attractive, as the 
quality and condition continued to be excellent, and many buyers 
were anxious to secure e”en the small arrivals, owing to the speci- 
ally clean condition of this Rubber. We confidently expect that if 
larger imports could be arranged a great circle of consumers would 
come in and pay full prices for these grades, especially if the quality 
be kept up. It would be advisable to encourage the planters and 
others interested in this product in giving particular attention to 
this most valuable Rubber. High prices were realized, and $fg'id. 
was recently paid for fine and 2/4^. for the Negroheads. It is of 
course known that this Rubber should practically be of the same 
kind as the one coming from the State of Amazonas, being grown 
from Para Seed. 
Rangoon and Penang has also been in much reduced supply. 
Of the latter description we practically received no further shipments 
this year, but in spite of this, all the old stocks held were most 
difficult of sale, and what was disposed of showed an enormous 
decline and thus Rubber that was quoted at 3s. 2d. a little more 
than a year ago sold at about 2s, 2d. to 2s. 3d. per lb. according 
to quality. If good quality of these descriptions could be imported 
to sell at present rates, it is certainly worth encouraging as with 
scarceness of good Ked, Mozambique Ball, the demand for these 
Red Penang kinds would again grow gradually. 
Small quantities of Assam were shipped, but the quality was 
very poor and sandy, and consequently did not meet with any re- 
quirement or interest. 
Borneo. Of this Rubber the supplies have not been excessive, 
but in sympathy with the general tendency of the market, prices 
declined. These grades are still held for higher prices, and with a 
continuance of the lower quotations all round, we must aflso look 
for much reduced values in these grades before one will be able to 
effect larger sales. Pontianak. Supplies were about the same as 
those of last year and sold readily, prices showing very little change 
at the close of the year. 
Rubber from French Cochin-China and from Lower China have 
