TASMANIA.

Press, Volume VII, Issue 685, 9 January 1865, Page 3

TASMANIA.

The Sobarl Town Mercury of the 23rd ult. contains the folio ring report: — In looking lr-ion the transactions of the month, and coin, .«iug them with the business of the same period in previous years, the contrast is decidedly unfavorable, especially in so far as it affects the genuine wholesale trader, who has been accustomed at the Christmas season to be full of business, but this year complains that there is a complete stagnation in trade. Thie state of things is brought about in a great measuae by the large quantities of seasonable goods which have been forced upon the markets at auction, where the retail dealers have supplied their requirements. In monetary matters there is no changejto report, excepting that a greater tightness exists, and greater caution is exercised by the banks, who also evince no desire to extend their business in the face of the very depressing news which reached us by the last mail from all quarters. The importations during the month have comprised the cargo of general merchandise by the Percy, a £ reat deal of which came to order; and two cargoes of eugar, about 800 tone, from the Mauritius; from Melbourne we have also had some consignments of sugar, wheat, and flour. The exports have consisted of timber and fruit to the neighboring colonies, and wool, oil, and bark for London. Owing to the lateness of the shearing in many parts of the colony, the wool has not come forward so readily as usual, and in consequence the loading of the vessels on the berth for London has been much retarded. Many of the clips which have come in hare sold at Is 3d to Is sd, the latter price being only obtainable for superior fleece. The only sale reported in sperm oil has been 60 tuns, ex Flying Childers, at £58. The principal stir perceptible since the 23rd ultimo has been in breadstuffs, in which prices have considerably. At the date of our last summary colonial manufactured flour was worth £24, but in the course of a fortnight it declined to £20, at which it now stands at the mills. Some very considerable transactions have been done in both Chilian and Californian flour and wheat, in the former at from £10 15s to £16, according to condition ; and of wheat at from 7s 6d to 9s 6d. The last sale of Californian wheat, on Wednesday, was made at 7s 6d. These sales leave the market bare in first hands, and with scarcely sufficient stocks in all to keep the millers going until the new crops are ready for the sickle. The auction sales of the month have been considerable, but most things submitted to the hammer, excepting fat stock, have been knocked down at low prices, particularly house properties. The same journal of the 4th instant adds :— The unfavorable weather prevailing has been the cause of a bad day's business. Scarcely any private transactions have taken place, and no auction sales hare been held. A meeting of the creditors of Messrs. Cleve and Co: was held this afternoon, and adjourned to Thursday. The liabilities appear to be about £36,000, against assets amounting to about £27,000. An offer of 10s in the pound has been made, and is under consideration. So far as we can ascertain, there appears little reason to apprehend any further involvements arising from Messrs. Cleve and Co.'s suspension.