COMMERCIAL.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2490, 24 April 1871, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

MESSES MATHESON AITD CO.'S BEPOET. The flax market has for some weeks, wp regret to say, been very dull, as you will see by the accompanying circular. In consequence of the bulk of what has been offered being of an inferior and mixed character, and the demands of the trade being small, prices have been very irregular, and in many instances lower. Good and fine qualities are not however to be considered as depreciated, and any degree of briskness in the market would no doubt retrieve what appears to have been lost in the value of medium and lower sorts. Oar public wool sales, which commenced on the 3rd inst., opened with great strength, and this has been maintained throughout, the result being a general improvement of from to 0/1 per ft, the only exceptions being fine Sydney and Port Philip fleeces, the former of which barely commands the closing rates of last series. New Zealand are nearly 0/1 better than in November. This firmness and buoyancy is owing partly to the circumstance that manufacturers are very bare of stocks, and the quantity brought forward on this occasion being moderate, say 120,000 bales. The almost certainty, too, of peace being on the point of re-establishment, has a beneficial effect. Looking, however, at the large arrivals that will take place in the course of the next few months, we cannot safely rely upon the values now current being maintained. The sales will come to a close on the 27th inst. The market for tallow is quiet, with a drooping tendency. Y. C, on the spot, is now worth only 44/3 cwt., being about 1/ below our last quotations. Feb. 23,1871. Melbouene.—The Argus of April 15 rep.orts : —Business in the import markets has not been animated. The demand to-day has been of a less varied character, and there has not been so much doing in consequence. Breadstuffs maintain a depressed aspect, and no sales of any importance whatever have been made public. Flour is nominal at £14 15s to £15. Wheat is inquired for by millers, but as they do' hot feel inclined to pay the price required by holders, we are unable to report business ; 6/0 is asked for Adelaide,.while.G/3 to 6/4 would do for Port MacDonnell. Oats are very quiet, as, in consequence of late arrivals, buyers generally evince a desire to hold back. Quotations range from 3/4 to 3/7. . Maize is still in a most unsettled condition, and great difficulty is experienced in making sales. Prices are almost irregular, but we believe we are correct in stating that for good samples 3/10 can yet be obtained. The cargo of Java sugar per Stanley was offered for sale this forenoon by auction. This cargo consisted of 5,413 mats, of which 4,3somats were disposed of. Browns realised £29 10s to £29 165., and middling to finest yellow were quitted at £34 5s to £36. There was a fair attendance of the trade, but the biddings were not animated, and the prices realised barely support yesterday's quotations. We learn that the CarPs cargo of Java produce, just arrived, will be placed on the market publicly on Tuesday forenoon. A good Ideal of "activity is ..reported in teas. Further considerable sates of the Galilee's shipment of congous are reported ■to have taken place. Some 450 half-chests, .ex Isabella Brown, fine medium congous have also been taken up at full rates. Superior congous have likewise been placed at 2/1 for trade parcels, and common congous at 0/11 to 1/ have also met a good inquiry. A shipment of slates has been cleared off at a full price. Amongst the arrivals reported this afternoon appear the Corinne, from Mauritius. Her advices have not yet come to hand.. Messrs Tulloch, and Co.. Ballarat, held a second meeting of their creditors this afternoon, with a view to get a modification of the terms of settlement; but the former resolution was re-affirmed, viz., not to accept of less than 20/ per pound— 15s payable three, six,-and nine months, guaranteed, and the balance at twelve and twenty-four months, their own bills.