WELLINGTON.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2675, 12 February 1866, Page 4

WELLINGTON.

Business during the week has been dull, and no auction sales of any magnitude have been held. Large quantities of wool continue to arrive and the ' Wild Duck ' is rapidly discharging to make room for her return cargo. General complaint respecting the existing dulness is the order of the day, and, although no one seems able to assign a valid reason for it, there cm be no doubt that the past month shows an unfavourable contrast to its predecessor ; much of this may be traced to the particular season of the year, more time being devoted to the working up of old accounts than to the renewing of stocks, and we may look for improvement in the month before us #< when most of the wool having come in, a good country demand is pretty sure to spring up. A fair trade has been done in flour, prices ranging low in comparison with the neighbouring provinces ; parcels of Chilian having been quitted at £20 10s. to £21 10s., at which figure it cannot be expected to remain in the face of diminishing stocks. The ordinary business has been done in spirits, MartelFs brandy at Bs. ; B. P. rum, 3s. 9d. to 4s. ; case gin, 135. ; but we have heard of no Urge sales, and the excessive duty checks the demand for home consumption. In sugars there has been a rise of £2 to £A per ton, and a fair demand exists for the higher sorb. There is little change worth mentioning in other descriptions of goods, which meet with their customary demand at fair paying prices. Butter is still neglected, the demand having ceased for Hokitika, and several large orders having been countermanded in consequence of the high rates asked by the makers. Small lots are quoted ab Is sd. for home consumption, and we are inclined to think that a lower price will have to be taken, as the stock must be accumulating beyond our own requirements. In horse feed our stocks of old grain are cleared out, and as it will be some weeks yet ere the new crops come in prices will rule high. We quote oats Bs., and maize 7s. per bushel, — Independent, February 3.