HOBART TOWN.

Press, Volume XII, Issue 1587, 7 December 1867, Page 2

HOBART TOWN.

The " Mercury," of the 25th ult., reporta as follows : — The account which we-have to give of the state of trade during the past month is anything but of an encouraging character. Business in all its brandies has been far more depressed than we ha?e had to report it in the corresponding month of any preceding year, and we regret that we cannot record much prospect of immediate improvement. The low prices which have ruled throughout the season have had a very depressing influence upon the agricultural interest; and as it is tq_that interest we have to credit_ our greatest consumption, the effect has been felt throughout every department of trade. We are informed that many farmers have been quite unable by the sale of their crops to meet theft lart; year's engagements, and so to obtain supplies for another season. The fact iß~~now becoming patent to most men wno are engaged in agricultural pursuits that jif they, wish thejr land ,to be remunerative they must turn their attention to some other branch of their business besides grain growirig. That there are many other means of making the land' remunerative there can be no doubt, and we hare heard that some farmers are already turning their attention to these. It is to be hoped,; therefore, that another season will afford better results. The weather during the pact month has been stormy and inclement, and has, thrown back shearing operations, besides doing much damage to the growing crops. Last month we reported the advanced crops as looking extremely well, but we regret that we cannot continue that statement. English barley has suffered considerably, and we are told to-day by a farmer that Rom- of tin , oi'tti lands will not yield one-ti.j-.i ;'f rtjp which they did last year, owiug Lα the damage done by the weather. In one or two instances in the Sorrell district we bear that portions of the crop have been again ploughed up. In other parts of the country, where , there is shelter, the early crope are said to be looking extremely well, and it is expected that a good deal of the produce will reach the market before Christmae. We cannot say much of the prospects of the" market, but we hear that it is the intention of several barley growers to malt and export their grain if they cannot obtain remunerative prices. There has been an outcry during the month among a few of our unemployed labourers, but some of the farmers tell as a very different story respecting the state of the lnbour market. We are informed that it is now difficult jto? obtain really good farm labourers. The: wages demanded and paid range from 8s to 10s per week, with lodgings and rations, and unless the men are sharply looked after it is difficult in many cases to obtain a fair day's work. The wheat market during, the month has been extremely active, a considerable speculative demand for export to England having arisen ; prices have, however, ranged low, the average being about from 4s 3d to 4s 6d per bushel. The ship Ethel/ now loading, will take about 200 tone flour, and from 200 to 250 tons wheat, and we are informed that other vessels on the berth anticipate taking breadstuff's. The wool season has been rather backward, and the clip is coming forward very j slowly. Very little has been shipped as yet, the first stowed being about fifty bales on board the Ethel. This vessel has all her wool engaged, and will have every despatch. As we have reported in previous summaries, the clip will be rather short, but the quality is said to be particularly good. The whole of the ships on the berth will be at once filled up, and it is feared that be a scarcity of tonnage. It is expected that freights will advanqe to Id per lb.. Respecting the pjrices of the season, they will be guided by the reports of the English sales. Loose wool has been sold here at 10a* to Is per lb, being < a decline of about 2|d per lb on the prices of last year, and it is anticipated that the season will show , a falling off up to that average.