COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1056, 24 December 1862, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Mr W D Barnard reports, during the last week, more animation in the horse market than for some his weekly sale, held last Saturday, notwithstanding the unfavorable state of the weather, the attendance was very numerous, and the bidding brisk. Ten imported Nelson horses realised from £36 to £70, averaging £49 155.; one three-year-old Ally from Tasmania, £70; one bay mare, £41; one ditto, £36} one ditto, £27; one bay geWmg, £55. rattle—l 6 pairs working bullocks, imported from Nelson: 2 pairs, £39 10s per pair; 14 pairs, £36 per pair; 30 head of store cattle realised £8 17s 6d per hesuL Three cows were also disposed of at £15, £19, and £8 respectively. A gig sold for £28. There is a decided decline in the prices of light hacks, and the demand for store cattle is not so great. The price above quoted may, for ordinary cattle, be considered the present market value. For -heavy draught stock there is still a good demand, at paying Luck & Clark report the following sales, &c.:—A small farm of 42 acres near the Springs Road, just beyond Riccarton, with improvements (exclusive of the crops) sold for £420 cash. At the auction sale at Kaiapoi, half an acre ot land, with dwelling house, &c. (there being no competition) was knocked down for £370. Six plots of unimproved land in Akaroa and Otaki Streets, Kaiapoi, realised fair prices, viz., three lots, of one acre each, fetched £152 10s.; and three lots, of half-an-acre each, produced £69. Two building plots on the Papanui Road, near the Town Belt North, part of Town Reserve Lot 22, let on lease for 21 years, at an avenge rental of 7s. 6d. per foot per annum. Also, one building plot on the Papanui Road, part of section 152 and 153, let on lease for 21 years, at an average rental of 15s. per foot per annum.

AUCKLAND. Trade, during the month of November, has ruled dull." The season accounts for this dulness in part, as does also the unusual interest taken for some time past in political matters. But unquestionably the luge stocks on hand have done more than anything else to bring about a lull in business operations. Since the date of our last summary, stocks of all kinds have come forward freely; and besides the arrivals from England, we have had a large number of arrivals from the Australian colonies. Business engagements are punctually met, so far as we can learn, and the banks have been doing a safe and increasing business. Hie half-yearly meeting of the New Zealand Insurance Company will be held next month, when we understand a favorable balance sheet will be presented. The company sustained several marine losses during the current half-year, from the wreck of the steam ship White Swan, and averages on the Aldinga and Almeda, but except a few risks called in by fires in the south, the losses under the head of fire are trifling. A large sum will be carried to the reserved fund account. The agents for the Fnglish and Australian assurance offices in town have likewise done a steady business during the month. The imports have been large, especially by the William Miles and Ida Ziegler. We have had considerable shipments of general merchandise, machinery, and breadstuffs from the neighbouring colonies, with all of which our mercantile relations are rapidly extending. The estimated value of imports during the past month is £76,461. The estimated value of exports is £2,889, for the same period. A brisk trade is now carried on with Coromandel, where stores and hotels are being opened for the supply and accommodation of sojourners and diggers. The mining population is increasing. The coast trade has likewise revived, and the out settlements on the coast-lines of the province, have shown signs of considerable activity.—Daily Southern Cross, 29th Nov.

SYDNEY. A fair aa#ount 6f business has been transacted during the week, the principal feature being the large clearance sales at auction on account of Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., and Mr. S. A. Joseph, at which an assortment of articles of teas, sugars, wines, spirits, &c., —have changed hands/ We subjoin the latest report of our markets. Flour.—The market is hardly so firm, but no reduction in price can be quoted. Adelaide flour is offered at £14 per ton, and sales are not readily made at this rate. The late arrivals have had a depressing effect on this market, and caused a greater desire on the part of holders to sell, but at the same time they do not appear disposed to reduce prices. Wheat is Ann, Adelaide is quoted at 6s 3d. liquids.—Ale and porter in bulk are in moderate flpnmnfl, and prices are unaltered. Brandy is not so firm, and MartelTs is quoted at lis 9d, at which price sales have been made. Rum is a little firmer. There have been some speculative purchases of strong rums and large sales of 30 o.p. have been made at 3s Id to 3s 2d. Geneva is not so firm, and prices nominal. In wines and spirits there have been some large transactions at reduced rates. Teas are steady. Some large parcels of damaged teas have been quitted at auction during the week, at from £6 to £8 for congous ex Algernon. At Mr. Joseph's sale congous brought from £6 5s to £9 10 per chest. Sugars are dull of sale, but prices rule about the same as last week. Mauritius sugars have changed hands, at auction, at £26 to £32 10s per ton. Manilla N.R., £27 108 per ton. Bice is firm. The cargo of the John Lawson has been purchased by the buyers of the cargo of the Joseph Holmes;, but the price has not transpired. Sales of Patna have been made at £29 per ton, and holders are now quoting at £29 to £30, according to quality. Salt is not so firm, and has again receded in price. Liverpool is quoted at £3 15s to £4 per ton, and large sales have been made at £3 15s per ton. Fine salt is firm, and commands full rates. Oilmen's Stores.—There is no material alteration to notice in the articles under this heading, the prices of which are about the same as last week.— S. M.-Heraid, December 6.

MELBOURNE. The imports for the week ending the 29th November, as taken from the bill of entry, amount to £118,365, and the exports to £409,286. We regret to have to announce the suspension of payment by a house in Queen street, engaged in the colonial wine trade. The liabilities, however, are not heavy, and it is believed that some arrangement will be agreed to which will permit of the business being carried on. At the meeting of creditors of Messrs. Houghton and Williams, held this day, a balance sheet, very fairly stated, was submitted, showing in an estate of £11,000 a balance of about £160 of assets over liabilities. Making every allowance for contingencies, the estate should pay 15s. in the pound, which the creditors present were willing to accept, provided a guarantee could be offered them. To give time to Messrs. Houghton and Williams to obtain a satisfactory guarantee, or to make other arrangements having the same object, the estate was provisionally assigned to M'Culloch and Sichel, who will relinquish the trust as soon as some definite proposal is submitted to them which will embrace the views of the majority of the creditors.

Messrs. R.Goldsbrough and Co. report as follows: -—At our sale held on Wednesday, 5366 bales were catalogued, of which quantity we sold at auction 4244 bales, and by private contract afterwards 820 bales, making our total sales this day 4064 bales. Competition was spirited, and prices obtained very satisfactory,"grease realising 9 Jd. to is. 2fd,; scoured, Is. 5Jd. to 2s. 2d.; and fleece, is. 3d. to Is. lUd. per lb. There has been a lull in the import-market to-day, and the inquiry has been far from active. Operations havefor the most part been of an unimportant character, and quotations remain without alteration. Bulk ale is in good demand, and light sorts are particularly asked for. Bass's No. 4 is readily placed at £10. Both bottled ale and stout are in request at full quotations. There is a better demand for bottled fruits, and jams and dried fruits are also in good request.. Provisions continue to move off in trade parcels at satisfactory rates, and rice is in demand lit £29.—Heraaitd t Dec. 0