COMMERCIAL.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4287, 26 April 1879, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Pbsss Office, Friday Evening.

The Customs revenue collected on Thursday, amounted to £1554 I4s as follows : — Tea, £29 15b ; sugar, -32515s 2d; wine, £53 43.10 d; spirits, £291 4s 3d; cigars, £27 10a ; oilman's stores, £98 12a ; drapery, £398 8a; boots, £18 2a ; grindery, £53 16s sd; drugs, £11 4s ; hardware, £144 12a Id; jewellery, £8 16s; saddlery, £30 8s; cement, £47 10s ; musical instruments, £35; furniture, £3218 a ; tobacco, £172 12s 6d ; sundries, £35 5a 7d.

In the import market, since the resumption of business after the Easter holidays, we have little or no change to report. A moderate amount of trade can be noted, but thero ia riot much to point to of a special character. The strain at present felt in the money market is so severe that the purchases made are now more than eTer governed by actual requirements, and buyers wisely hesitate before accepting lines, even at tempting prices. On the other hand, it is to be observed as a hopeful sign that the rather indiscriminate credit given and forcing goods on customers, has received a check, and that holders are exercising more than ordinary caution in the making of sales and the distribution of the amounts. There are a great many rumors floating about the position of many traders here which are perfectly unwarranted, and whose names have been freely canvassed in a manner that is not only unjustifiable but cruel. It ia bad enough to tide over unprecedentedly dull times, and with a terribly restricted Bank accommodation, without having the existing evils intensified by groundless rumors, whose circulation cannot but tend to tbe creation of distrust and the l?r"'ting of credit to risks that are legitimately fair. During the week there have been a few meetings of creditors of minor moment. In one or two casea it is understood that, with time given, all will be well. Bottled Ale-r Business in this line has been moderately active. Bass', by good bottlers, is saleable at 11b 6d to 12s for quarts. Pints are in request, and small parcels of Cameron and Saunders' have been aold at 8a 3d. Bottled stout does not yet show any improvement. Several parcels of Guinness' offered to first hands, but not taken up, have been forced on the trade at prices which interfere with ordinary transactions. Nearly every description of wine is exceedingly dull of sale. The enquiry is almost of a retail character. A few Bales of low to medium sherries can be noted at 6a to 10s in bond. With the approach of winter we may expect to see a better demand for ports. It is significant of tbe times that the sale of champagnes has suddenly fallen off. Thia fact is not applicable to a particular wine, but is true of all brands. Roederer's pints and quarts fetch 90s. In the limited business that has been done, Pommery and Greno'a has been asked for. We observe that Krugg_ Melbourne agents have addressed a circular to all the New Zealand houses in order to ascertain their opinions respecting the advisableness of adopting a red foil covering to the cork instead of dipping the bead in wax as heretofore. We understand the feeling of the local houses is '-fudwcfosing clarets" are Being neglected lii brandy not much has been done. A. V. C. is being offered at 7a; sales of Central and United Vineyards have been made at 7s to 7s 3d; Dennis Mounie's at 8s; Hennessy's case is scarce, and full rates are wanted. Whiskey in case is quiet, aU brands are ful y represented, except Danville's, which at the moment is almost out of firs* hands. Tobacco, is still marked by extreme quietness, and prices for all descriptions have never been so much in favor of buyers. Baw and boiled oil are complete drugs. Castor has met with a little attention, 4s Id in bond being paid for half-cases. Kerosene has been placed at Is 6d to Is 7d for I Devoe's brilliant in 50 to 100 case lots; Boyal oil at 2s 3d. The season for jute goods having I nearly run out, sellers are anxious to clear out. 2f lb Calcutta sacks are being tried at 7s 6d for lines. Nothing has been done in woolpacks beyond a tew lota sold to the fellmongers. Sugars are slightly firmer, and the quantity of whiteß in first hands is not over much. The Bio Loge is expected daily from Batavia with a mixed cargo, a good portion of which consists of sugars. Several entire invoices of American goods are iv the market without yet finding a buyer. New York advices report tbe sailing of the Mabel for this port, with a general cargo and also fourteen railway cars and two locomotives for Lyttelton. The barque Sontag has been chartered to load for Ljttelton, and will bring the atreet railway cars.