Commercial.

Press, Volume XVI, Issue 2184, 19 April 1870, Page 4

Commercial.

The "Timaru Herald" of Saturday reports :—Trade of all descriptions has been very quiet during the present week, tho bad weather during the early part checking more or less the operations of retail dealers. We have no charge to mark in the price of breadstuff's, wheat, oats, and barley remaining at our former quotations. Melbourne — The " Argus " of April 9 reports —There has been more general activity evinced in the import markets to-day than for some time past. A disposition to entertain transactions of a speculative character has moreover been a prominent feature. Breadstuffs are in good trade request, but we do not hear of any sales beyond. Flour is moved off at prices ranging from £11 5s to £11 15s, according to brand and quantity. We note a very free inquiry for wheat at 4s lid to 6s 2d, and sales are also reported at intervening rates, a considerable parcel having changed hands at 5s id. Good old maize is very scarce, and much wanted. Small lots have been disposed of at 4s 2d to 4s 3d ; new is likewise in short supply, and there is none offering at present. A very brisk demand has sprung up for oats, and transactions are. reported aggregating 1000 bags or so, at 3s sd. j to 3s 7d, while 3s 8d continues to be p»id for small lots. The auction sale of sugar this forenoon attracted a full attendance, and the fact that the entire cargo of the St. Magnus, amounting to 4251 bags, was I entirely cleared off, speaks strongly in favor of the, tone and firmness of the market. Penang sugars, the description sold, being as yet comparatively unknown with us. Rations realised 29s to 30s; fine browns to low yellows, 3ls 6d to 325; good to fine yellow, 34s 3d to 355; and finest yellow, 36s 3d. We understand that the damaged portions of the Sarah's, St. Magnus's, and J£va' Joshua's cargoes — about 1200 bags—will be offered for sale to-morrow, notwithstanding that Saturday is not usually chosen for such sales. The chief feature in the day's trade has been a speculalative movement in kerosene oil, which has led to the disposal of some 19,000 cases, various brands, at up to 2s 6d, the most extreme figure that has jet been obtained this season. Of this quantity, 11,000 cases and 5000 cases were cold in two lines. Sales of D. R. O. candies have been made at 10£ d, in fair parcels. An invoice of American turps has been placed at 2s 4Jd. The auction sate of wines and spirits went off very languidly, j and nearly the whole of what was offered bad to be withdrawn. For the sherry and port very low prices had to be accepted.