MELBOURNE.

Press, Volume XIV, Issue 1863, 5 April 1869, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

Business in the import markets has not been characterised by much animation. In the auction rooms little has transpired of any consequence, and the sales reported privately have not been of much account generally. In breadstuffs, flour is maintained with great firmness at from £14 to £14 5s ; at auction a small lot of Dixon's flour was quitted a- £13 15s. Fine wheat cannot be purchased under 6s 2d to 6s 3d ; and we hear of a parcel of inferior having been placed at 5s lid. Quotations of maize are steady at 4s 5d to 4s 6d, but there is little business to refer to in the way of sales. In sugars, very considerable activity is still experienced. We learn of some 2000 bags, ex Helen, having been got rid of in parcels, thus leaving unsold of the entire cargo only some 1200 bags and 2000 pockets, the greater portion of which was expected to be cleared off to-day or to-morrow. Teas are disposed of in moderate lots ; a line of medium congous, in chests, met with a purchaser at Is 6d. A shipment of Keillor's assorted confections was taken up at lOd per lb. In provisions, eales of Varey's hams are effected at 13d. Kerosene oil is moved off quietly in considerable lines; some 2000 cases were quitted at an extreme figure. Speculative attention has been directed towards tobaccoes, leading to the sale of at least a tl ousand package?, consisting chiefly of fancy aromaticß, twists, half-pounds, and tens, and amounting in value to fully £10,000. Bulk brandies obtain no notice ; there is, however, a brisk enquiry for Hennesay's in case; but as all the importers refuse to name anything under 275, buyers have been unable to operate. The advance required of Is per case is fully expected to be established.—" Argus," March 25. The " Argus " of the 24th says :—We understand that owing to some difficulty with the insurance offices, the Lilly [from Mauritius] cannot go on to New Zealand, as it was the intention of the purchasers she should do when her cargo was bought, but will discharge here. We learn, however, that a hundred tons of the Helen's cargo of sugars will, in the meantime, be sent away to Dunedin instead.