COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1086, 8 April 1863, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

DUN EDI N. The fine weather we are at present enjoying suggests the frequently repeated remark, that the Victorians have brought the Australian climate with them. There is no probable chance of any exodus from Otago as long as our gold fields excel those of the other colonies. The following accurate report requires no comment. The exports of gold from the Province of Otago, New Zealand, for the quarter ending the 31st ult., have been as follows:— oz. dwt. January 54,985 3 February 41,363 19 March 85,219 5 Total ... 181,468 7 Or at the rate of between 700,000 and 800,000 oz. per annum, which, at the value of £4 per oz., amounts to upwards of £3,000,000 sterling. We congratulate the province on its prosperity. The comparative facility of getting gold and the chances of individual luck exceed belief, but nevertheless they are indisputable facts. The Star of Tasmania cleared yesterday, with 1,656 bales wool, and 34,538 oz 1 dwt gold. The Aboukir also cleared with 2,529 bales wool, and 30,419 oz 1 dwt gold. The stock of gold, irrespective of the shipments, in the Bank and Treasury, exceeds 48,000 oz—a fact worth recording, proving our gold fields to bear a respectable comparison with those of remoter existence. The arrivals and departures by sea of all ages and sexes for the quarter may be enumerated as follows :— ARRIVALS. January 3,120 February 4,967 March 5,094 Total 13,181 DEPARTURES. January 346 February 542 March 890 Total 1,778 It is satisfactory to notice the large increase to our population, and the disposition to remain. Of the few returning, many are successful men who are likely again to visit the Province. The steamers take back most of those who return. The Joshua Bates, ship, 560 tons, cleared for Melbourne with only one passenger. The market is very firm in all descriptions of goods except drapery. Nothing but very heavy shipments is calculated to affect our last quotations. Large orders have gone direct to Europe, and in future the Province will be more independent of the sister colonies. Some two or three prospecting parties have started for the West Coast. It is to be feared they have selected the wrong season of the year. The deposits of gold on the West Coast Ranges are expected to be large, and the coming spring and summer will certainly develope the mineral and other resources of the yet undiscovered west. Credit is well sustained. —Daily Times, 3rd April. MELBOURNE. The 'Argus' of the 28th has the following report : — " There has not been much doing to-day, either in the import market or in the country trade. Teas of first chop and sugars have fully maintained their recent advance, and flour and wheat have been bought by the trade and by holders at full rates. The London correspondent of the ' Sydney Morning Herald' supplies some information respecting the prospects of tobacco in the Australian markets: 'No exports from America to your colonies since last mail. The Charles Sprague, Carolus Magnus, and Queensland, are on ,the berth at New York, for Melbourne; and the Hibernia and Australia for Sydney, but it is doubtful whether they bring tobacco. Exports from London during the month, 63,095 lbs for Melbourne, and Sydney 27,329 lbs, principally leaf and lump tobacco, purchased at prices beyond your last quotations. The auction sales to-day have not been very extensive. In the stock and share market business has been limited by the small supplies of securities offering. Messrs. Baillie and Butters report sales of Melbourne Railway Debentures (8 per cent), at 101£ ; National Bank of Australasia shares,: at £4 8s ;■ Geelong Gas Company's, at £3 12s 6d; Ballarat Gas Company's, at £6 12s 6d; and Tyson's-Reef, Bendigo, (mining), at 3s 9d per share. The sales effected by the brokers of the Stock Exchange have teen—Colonial Bank of Australasia, £6 17s 6d ; Collingwood Gas, £6 Is 6d: Alliance Insurance, lis 6d; Colonial Insurance, 13s: Hobson's Bay Railway shares, £48 10s. We have received our South Australian files to the 25th instant. We take the folic whig from the ' Register J of that date r " Flour.—Millers are asking higher rates, consequent upon the improvement of price in Melbourne, and the enhanced cost of wheat. " Wheat.—We mentioned in our weekly report of Friday that large sales of wheat had ; been made, but that the prices given had not transpired. We have since learned that about 30,000 bushels changed hands at from 4s 3d to 4s 4£d per bushel. There are still buyeys at about the last mentioned price for parcels, but holders areasking even higher rates. The price in town is still 3s lid to 4s, but it cannot long continue so much below the port price." We take the following from the 'Sydney Morning Herald' of the 21st:— " The amount of gold coin issued by the Sydney branch of the Royal Mint, during the week ended March 20, has been 27,500 sovereigns. " The quantity of gold dust imported into the same establishment during the week for the purpose of coinage has been 16,715 ounces. ,' The western and southern escorts have arrived from our several gold fields, and have delivered at the Sydney Branch of the Royal Mint 6,3090z 4dwt 9gr. " A moderate amount of business has been transacted in the share market this, week, and prices generally have been well maintained. Bank shares are inquired for, and have changed hands at full rates. " Government debentures are firm at quotations. Terminables are inquired for, but none offering. City of Sydney debentures have been sold at 99£ and 100 and interest. " Since our last summary a fair amount of business has been transacted in our several markets; but as stocks of most articles of* consumption are unusually heavy, a decline iu prices has been submitted to where sales are forced. . The news from England per Behar of decreased shipments is regarded with satisfaction, and a, reaction will, doubtless, take place should the news by the next mail be also of the same character..- There has been a good demand during the month for goods for the neighboring colonies of Queensland and New Zealand, and this has materially tended to sustain prices."