65 
taken regularly at about the standard price at each sale of No. i sheets 
and biscuits. The lower grades of crepe, viz., the brown, mottled and 
dark have been very popular, and the demand has increased enormously 
during the twelve months. The relative prices have not been as good 
as were obtained in 1906. There has been a greater increase in pro- 
duction of this quality, it compares more closely to ordinary Amazon 
Para, and is used by many who are not particular as to colour. Pressed 
crepe has at times been most difficult to sell, and the long free or 
rolled-up ribbons are much more sought after. 
Block. — Very few planters have succeeded in producing line clear 
amber block, which is wanted, and, with the exception of “ Lanadron, 
practically all shipments have been of uneven quality, and realised less 
than if sent home in sheet or crepe form. Quantities of quite black 
block, dull, opaque and sometimes heated and soft have been catalogued 
and only disposed of with difficulty. Some very fine little lots of pressed 
biscuits and sheets have been sold, but only in extremely small 
quantities. Wet block has not been favourably received at all and 
most difficult of sale. 
Worms. — Very high prices have been paid for the best quality,, 
and fancy prices are paid for almost white lots, such as the ‘Gikiyana- 
kande,” but even the produce of this estate shows a tendency to come 
rather darker and mottled. 
Castilloa— Very little sold here during the year, but shipments 
are increasing from the West Indies, Central and South America. The 
preparation has improved, and some lots have been very nearly equal 
to ordinary plantation biscuits. A few lots from Java and Sumatra 
have arrived in a very low heated condition, making them almost un- 
saleable. Supplies from Mexico, which promised a few years ago 
to come in large quantities, have up to now been very small and 
unimportant, and many large estates 10 to 12 years ago so. far seem 
failures, and we hear of many estates being abandoned in certain 
districts. 
Rambqng. — Only small imports, but very fine lots of scrap,, 
and especially fine crepe have been readily taken. 
The closing quotations are: — 
For sheets and biscuits 
„ Crepe 
„ Scrap 
,, Fine Para (Amazon) 
„ Worms 
,, Block 
3/9 a 4/- per lb. 
3/9 a 4 1 - » 
2/3 a 2/6 „ 
3/5 
3/10 a 4/- „ 
3/10 a 4/- „ 
The world’s production of rubber during the past year was 
about 69,000 tons (including 42,000 Para grades), against 65,000 tons 
in 1906, showing an increase in production of 4,000 tons, but the con- 
sumption shows no increase and is about same as in 1906, so tha 
