Commercial.

Press, Volume III, Issue 336, 27 November 1863, Page 2

Commercial.

MELBOURNE.

' Tbe 'Argot , of the 13th iiwtant report* as follows:-» The transactions in the import market during the week have been tolerably extensive, although the bulk of tbe goods purchased for the conutrv still lies st Melbourne, or at one or o:hcr of the railway termini. The unprecedentedly late eeaeun. accompanied as it haa been by heavy rains and flood*, has almost suspended the country traffic The couditiou of the roads lisa naturally kept up the rates of cartage. The wool draye ■re still prevented train coining in. Tue intelligence from the Zealand port* connected with their goldfield* induce* the belief that an increased demand for Sends will ect in thitherward. Should such prove the j£sc, our market mast be bmetitted, independent of tbe

Increased supplies which will be required in the northern island by Hie large arrival** of froo|>s there, and Ihe check given by military operations to local production. Imported butter, newly landed, and in good condition, lias been Iwught up to hold for summer prices; and double-rose Cork lias been placed at 9d. Hams and bacon have also improved in iiujuirv. The belief that a heavy shipping demand will set in wilh the warm w-arher has brought buyers forward, and beet brands of hams bare been placed at from I4d to ujd. and bacon ,ii Miuilar descriptions at about id per 1» under these figure*. American nails have been another object of speculation, and bavin? been purchased up. arc consequently held for an advance in price. Kerosine oil has been more inquired .'or. and best wrts are not procurable under 3s cd per gallon. The late American news lias also imparted still further tirinness to the tobacco market, causing a decided advance in price*, and rendering holders of parcel* of good quaUsies and condition can-lM of effecting sales. In caudles there is no change to report; the market is heavily encumbered, and no early prospect of amended prices appears visible. By auction (almost the only means of disposing of this article) foreign full weights have been placed at lOjd to STir lb Cornsacks and woolpacks remain very steady in prices, and in fair enquiry. Dried apples also, consequent on American new*, have been bought up, aud are now held for s*l to 6d per lb. duty paid. Currants are slightly hrmer, aud, as Christinas approaches, will probably be in better demand; fresh fruits are, however, coming forward, and a short space of fine 1 weather will bring forward an ample supply of cherries, strawberries, gooseberries, and other sprin» fruits. The llour and grain markets have throughout the week been nuitc inactive, aud trade, owing to the state of the country roads, has been confined to town business requirements. With a resumption of trade, however, better prices are anticipated, and rates generally are considered to have seen thi-ir lowest ebb previous to the nevt harvest Beer has continued inactive, without any appearance of improvement on the low rates ruling. Spirits havclteen in rather more actire inquiry, although no improved prices eau lie quoted. Pale brandies, more pariicularlv in bulk, have been in better request. Considerable sales of old vom have also been made, and a rumour wae circulated that the late arrival of geneva (over 18,000 cases) had been placed, hut the report has not been confirmed. A large sale of hops, of Kent anil .Sussex growth of various years, but all old. have been placed by auction at prices' ranging from 3jd to B|d per lb, in bond. Salt continues well held, and firm in price. So transactions of auv moment in rice are reported, but prices are of course'under the arrangement existing quite sustained. The sugar market is improving, aud prices at last assuming an upward inclination. There have not been any important sales of this article during the week, but the few parcels disposed of by auction, in both sound and damaged states, have found ready purchasers at full quotations. Timber shows no improvement. The parcels of deals and ofher diecriptions offered by miction have not found purchasers, the very low rates offered being declined by the holders. Of the tea market, Messrs. J. Everard and Co. furnish the following report:—Our quotations remain as follow-For chests and half-chests very ordinary congou. Iβ sd to lsߣd; ordinary coarse, Iβ sd: good ordinary. Is 9jd to is 9jd; but middling, rather coarse, with strength, is lOd to Is 10$ d; but middling, blackish leaf, ts Ud to is ujd ; but middling, black leaf, strong, Zβ to 2s Id; but middling, black leaf, stroug. with flavor. 2s id to 2s 3d; fine pekoe, souchong flavor to finest Kaison, 2s 4d to 3s ; Tayshan kinds of congou, Iβ 6d to Iβ iod ; boxes, is 10d to 3s 2d: scented orange pekoe, 2s 2d to3s; Canton gunpowder, Iβ 6<l to 2s 4d; country kinds. ■Jβ ed to 38 6d; hysonskin. Is 2d to 25." In other imported goods there are no changes to report. The arrival of the mail is anxiously looked for, and until after the receipt of her advices,'but few transnetions or alterations in the value of merchandise are likely to occur. Flour aud Grain—Flour, ]ier 2.000 lbs.—Tasmauinn, £13 per ton ; Victorian, country and town made, £U ; Adelaide, .€l4 IDs ; Magarcv's and Hart's Adelaide, £14 10s to £15. Wheat, per 6otb— Colonial. 5s Gd to 6s id ; Adelaide, Ts; Californian, 5s 0d to r.s 2d. Oats, per 401b —Irish and Scotch, 4s 6d; colonial. 5s iod to 6s 3d; Danish, r>B. Hurley, per s(ilb.—Cape and Californian. 4s ed to 4s 8(1; feeding, 4s ; malting, 5s od to 6s. Mai/e, per 56 lb.. s*. Grain, licr ton, .€i2 to £12 53. Bran, per 20 lb, is Td. Oatmeal, per ton—Scotch, £23 to £24; colonial, £:(0.

Bags and woolpacks.—Three-bushel corn-sacks, 15s 6d per dozen; woolpacks, full weights, 5s 3d to 5s 6d each ; gunnies, 9s to Sβ Cd per dozen.