Commercial.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1378, 8 April 1867, Page 2

Commercial.

" Press " Oifice, Monday, April 8.

During tho past week business has not resumed that activirv which wa* fully expect, d, seeing that during the first week ol the month business transactions are looked to be brisker than at other times This dulness may parity be attributed to tlie feeling tint the 4: h inst. would not pass easily, and many bills wou'd be returned. We are huppy to say thit the great majority of acceptances were well met, even better than has been the case for severai months past. Merchants, however, are still using the greatest caution in all their dealings, as our commercial prospects are yet none ol the brightest. Stocks held are more than sufficient for our requirements for some time to come, if we except E. I. pale ale, of which the market is bare, the whole of the last shipment being placed in one line. Brandies are overstocked, and the season lor light wines is now over. More sales of port have taken place, but without any change in prices ; hi»h quality wines are difficult to place at the present time. Sugars are firm, higher rates being looked for from the expected deficiency in this season's crop. In breadstuffs, the market is glutted, and prices are, if anything, lower. We may quote first qualify silkdressed flour at £11 per ton; second quality, £10; bran, £4 10s; and sharps, £5. In wheat, only first-class samples find purchasers at 3s per'bushel; but for immeuiate delivery for shipment 3s 3d is paid. Oats cannot be quoted higher than 2s 6d to 2s 9d. Barley is changing hands in small lots at 4s 3d to 4s 61 for best malting samples. Peas and beans are dull of sale at late prices. An enquiry exists for tares at 8s for immediate delivery Potatoes are not turning out so heavy a yield as was at one time expected, and although prices have not advanced holders are not anxious to quit except at an advance ; we quote £3 5s to £3 10s per ton. Hay continues at £4 10s to £5 10s for best meadow, and £3 10s for oaten.

Mr C. J. Hubbard reports as follows :—The samples of all kinds of grain brought forward on Saturday, at the Corn Exchange, new Town Hall, represent large bulks of cereals, either thrashed, or expected soon to be ready for delivery, with an almost stagnant trade therein—at the same time, that vessels frequently leave our port and rivers without obtaining their desired cargoes of grain— induce the thought that, in order to dispose of our surplus stocks, some united action amongst the merchants, millers, maltsters, and dealers is necessary to bring the corn systems and customs into a better state, particularly as regards the loan of sacks and storage at railway and wharf. Fino descriptions of wheat sell at from 2s lOd to 3s 3d, and which should command highes rates while so much thin and blighted corn is offering at from 2s 3d to 2s 6J. But fewer buyers a» present of malting barley and peas, the price of the former ruling at from 4s to 4s 6d, and the latter at from 3s 6d to ss. Oats, 2s 3d to 3s. Potatoes, £2 10 to £3 10s. Hour, £9 to £10 10s. Carrots, £2 to £2 10s. Grass hay, trussed, £4 lOj to £5.

Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather on Saturday, Wilson and Alport yarded and sold several head of milch cows at from £11 15s to £14. Fifty pigs, chiefly good sized stores, brought from 14s to 32s each ; turkeys, 4s to 6s 6d each ; fowls, 3s to 3s 6d per couple ; ducks, 4s 6d to 5s per couple ; inferior cheese, 4d to s£d per lb ; fair quality hams, 6£d to 8d per If); fair quality bacon, fid to 6£d per lb; wheat for fowls, 2s 6d to 2s 9d per bushel ; flour, £8 10s to £9 10s per ton ; onions, OJd per lb.

IMPORT DUTIES

Collected at Port Lyttelton on April 6 : — ugar Joods, per measurement iight dues £31 6 1 0 6 0 0 18 2 Total £32 10 3