COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XX, Issue 1113, 11 July 1863, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

Since ftir last summary trade generally lias been quiet throughout the province as might naturally be expeetcd at this season of the year. The supply of liionev for the moment appears to be quite adequate to "the demand. The desire to invest in Crown lands in large blocks for pastoral or agricultural purposes has in a great measure subsided, the public showing a disposition to watch the results of the investments already made iu that direction. This, coupled with the recent and promised introduction of fresh capital from the United Kingdom, has created a disposition on the part of the public to hold back in the hope of a reduction in the present rates of interest. We have no positive alteration to announce in the value of money, the Bank rates for discount remaining as quoted "in our last. Although 10 per cent, is the nominal rate of interest charged by the original Trust and Loan Company, the imposition of 2£ per cent, in the shape of a procuration fee really brings the first years interest up to the full rates demanded for ordinary loans. The fact of a second company having started, will doubtless do away with a vexatious charge which tends to mislead the public as to the real rate at which they are borrowing. We can understand when, iu ordinary business transactions, it is considered necessary to employ a third party to negotiate a loan, why a commission should be paid, but when the business is transacted between prineiuals, a procuration fee appears to be out of place. If per cent, for the first year is the fair current rate, it would be better that both parties should clearly understand this from the commencement. The recent advices from London of a probable fall in the price of wool have produced no appreciable effect upon the value of stock or station property here. This is owing partly to the fact that the country is not nearly stocked, and to the progressively increased value which has taken place in breeding stock to provide for the demand created by "the large influx of population to the southern gold fields. An additional reason for this firmness in the price of sheep and cattle is to be found in the general disposition shown by runholders to stock their runs as far as possible in order to be in a position to meet the certain demands of the future, and thus take advantage of a range of prices hitherto almost unparalleled in the history of the Australasian colonies. During the past month it has been found desirable to transfer the Chamber of Commerce from Lyttelton to Christchurch, and this step has been attended with a marked increase of working members. It is probable that this useful institution will shortly take a more important part in the discussion and settlement of business questions than hitherto. Among the subjects recently brought under the attention of the members, has been the postal difficulty. On the 7th inst., Mr. Reader Wood, acting Postmaster-General, met the Chamber by appointment, when he announced that he had given notice to determine the Aldinga contract at the earliest possible date. In the meantime he proposed to offer a bonus to any steamer, not the property of Messrs. McMeckan & Co., which should bring the English mail from Melbourne within a given date, in case of its arrival after the sailing of the Aldinga. The question of the existing Customs regulations was then brought under the notice of the Commissioner, and it was arranged that the committee appointed by the Chamber to consider the matter should meet Mr. Reader Wood on his return from Dunedin, when we trust some important modifications in the present system may be introduced.

The land sales for the month have been somewhat slack. A close observation of the purchases shows an absence of speculation and leads to the conclusion that the investments are mostly of a bona fide character for purposes of immediate use and occupation. We cannot refrain from again calling attention to the admirable manner in which our present land regulations work. While in Australia and in other parts of New Zealand the land question seems to be the great bone of contention, it is with us the matter upon which all parties are agreed. The Government receives a steadily increasing income over a given ratio of years, and the public are satisfied with free selection and the " sufficient price." During the past month the contracts for the conveyance of the inland mails for the ensuing year have been let. Although no very marked step in advance has been adopted, we hear that if satisfactory arrangements can be made with the present contractors for the southern service, it is not improbable that the well-known firm of Cobb and Co. would be prepared to run a daily mail between Christchurch and Timaru. We are also glad to hear that Mr. Reader Wood has made such arrangements with the chief Postmaster at Lyttelton as will enable that gentleman considerably to expedite the despatch of the English mail on its arrival in Lyttelton. In the absence of Mr. Sheath, who has gone to . Melbourne and Tasmania for the purpose of purchasing the poles for the southern line of telegraph, no further step of importance has been taken in connection with this necessary work. The demand for town lands is not exempt from the prevailing dulness at this season of the year. Notwithstanding this, great activity exists in the building trade, large stores and business premises being erected in various parts of the town. As a natural consequence the price of building materials is maintained at a very high figure, as will be seen on referring to our price lists. The English April mails were duly received here on 26th June. The intelligence contained the usual varied information, but what relates to us more closely is the proposed establishment of a new Bank, to have its head office in London and chief branch in Otago. The capital is fixed at £500,000, in 5,000 shares of £100 each. The first directors named are all well known men in the mercantile community, and we have no doubt the public will give the new institution, which is to be called the " Bank of Otago," a fair trial, and a due proportion of support. New Zealand securities were quoted at very high rates in the London market. The next wool sales to take place on the 30th April, were not expected to be very favorable to producers. We notice 2,069 bales New Zealand wool in the catalogue, but this does not include the first of this season's clip per Queen of the Mersey, which arrived too late to be catalogued. It is with pleasure we mark the sailing of the I. C. 11. M. Co.'s steamer Auckland, having on hoard new boilers for the Lord Ashley and Airedale. We may daily expect her arrival in the colony, as she has been upwards of 80 days out. We also notice the sailing of the steamer Rangatira, a new boat, intended, we are given to understand, to be offered for sale here. She would prove a valuable addition to the N. Z. S. N. Company's fleet. In addition to the Holyrood, Dona Anita and Epsom, sailed, we notice four vessels loading at London for this Province, besides the British Crown at Liverpool with Lancashire operatives. We remark an increase in the export from London for New Zealand generally, compared with March, 1862, of agricultural implements, apparel and most kinds of drapery, building materials, drugs, earthenware, furniture, glass, gunpowder, hardware and ironmongery, machinery, provisions, saddlery, and spirits; and a decrease in bagging, brushware, cottons, hats, perfumery, silks, tobacco and cigars, and wines.

The importation of stock into this port since our last summary lias only been one vessel from Wellington with 150 head of cattle. The arrivals from ports beyond New Zealand have also been ver} r few. On the 16th June the Metropolis arrived from London with cargo, 9 cabin passengers, and 200 assisted immigrants. The departures, Evening Star and Huntress for Callao, and 3 vessels for New South Wales in ballast. The duty collected at the Custom-house during June amounts to £5,590 2s 7d. The declared value of exports during the same period is £40,215. Tenders for the first issue of debentures under the Canterbury Loan Ordinance Act, 1862, were opened by the proper officers on the Ist July last, but none were accepted, being under the Government minimum price fixed at prem.; and it was therefore resolved that no further action be taken with reference to them until the arrival of the mails from Australia and the Northern Ports of New Zealand.

We have not yet been able to ascertain which steam company have obtained the mail contract between Lyttelton and Otago and intermediate ports.

THE TENDERS FOR THE FIRST ISSUE OF DEBENTURES UNDER THE CANTERBURY i LOAN ORDINANCE, 1862. Oil Wednesday, the Ist July instant, the Superintendent j and (lie members of the Executive Council met at 1 p.m., in the Provincial Council Chamber, at the Government Buildings, for the purpose of opening the tenders for the | first portion of the Canterbury Loan, in compliance with ] the terms of the advertisement which lias appeared in the , public journals. The Provincial Treasurer and the Provincial Auditor were also present. The minimum price fixed by the Government and laid on the table under seal, was £101.V. The following 1 tenders were then opened : — j 1. J. Whitehill Stevens, £4000, at £1 premium. j 2. The Bank of New Zealand, £100,000, at par. I The above tenders not being equal to the price fixed by i the Government were accordingly declined. I A resolution was then passed by the Executive to the ! effect that no further action should be taken with regard j to subsequent offers until the arrival of the mails now shortly expected from Australia and the Northern Ports of New Zealand. "VVe learn that a subsequent offer was received from Messrs. Peacock and Co. for £10,000, at the minimum fixed by the Government. This, we understand, has been declined as coming after the advertised time. CANTERBURY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held at Messrs. Deßourbel and Co.'s rooms, Christchurch, on Thursday last. Present — Messrs. Miles, Ritchie, Deßourbel, Macpherson, Day, Peacock, Turner, Richardson, Buckley, and the Chairman. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confinned. A letter was read from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce on the subject of postal communication with Australia; also the sub-committee's report thereon. Tiie following resolutions were carried: — " That the secretary be requested to communicate with the acting Postmaster-General, pointing out the serious inconvenience which has arisen through the irregular conveyance of the mails of this province from Melbourne, and to request that he will authorise the PostmasterGeneral in Melbourne to subsidise any steamer that may be on the berth in Melbourne to bring down the mail in the event of Messrs. McMeckan, Blackwood & Co., having no steamer ready at the time to take the mail, and drawing the Postmaster's-General's attention to the last part of clause 7 of the mail contract with the above tinn, and that a copy of the letter to the Postmaster-General respecting Australian mail service be forwarded to the Wellington Chamber in reply to their letter on the subject. " That in the opinion of this committee a flagstaff should be erected at Godley Head, and connected by telegraph with the station at Lyttelton, so that vessels and steamers may be signalled approaching and entering the heads, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Provincial Secretary. " That a sub-committee composed of the following members :—Messrs. Ollivier, Day, Maeplierson, Turner, Miles, Hamilton, and Buckley be appointed to take into consideration and report upon the alterations required in the customs business between Lyttelton and Christchurch. "That a special general meeting of the Chamber be summoned for the 30th of July, to take into consideration the report of the Lyttelton Harbor Commission. '•'That Messrs. Buckley, Eceves, Gould, Curtis, Ritchie, Macpherson and Peacock form a sub-committee to draw up the annual report." CHRISTCHURCH LIVE STOCK MARKET. S ESSES. MILES AND CO.'S REPORT.] iles & Co. report an active demand for breeding ewes, with prices well maintained; we have sold several small flocks at full rates, and quote from 32s 6d to 35s as present value of ordinary well bred ewes of mixed ages. Wethers. —The sales of wethers are chiefly limited to the requirements of our own markets; during the ensuing spring we anticipate a brisk demand for Otago, but until then it is not probable that many important sales will be effected. Store Cattle are not so much enquired for as reported in our last, although we have no diminution of prices to record ; good mixed mobs, all over two years old, may be quoted at £9 15s to £10 10s, according to quality. We have sold a mob of 350 provincial bred cattle, all ages, deliverable north of the Waitaki, at £10 per head all round. Fat Cattle.—The market is bare, and, notwithstanding present high rates, few mobs come to hand; there is, no doubt, a great scarcity of fat cattle throughout the province, this we expect will be somewhat remedied during the spring, when the stock recently imported from the neighboring provinces will come in for the butcher. Ewe Lambs are as scarce as ever. We have no transactions to report, but quote from 22s 6d to 25s as about market value of ewe lambs, from 4 to 6 months old. Station Property is without change in value; there are still plenty of buyers but few properties offering. We report the sale of 35,000 acres of country, with about 5000 mixed sheep and few improvements, for £10,000. [messes, aikman and wimon's report.] Cattle.—We have to notice a capital demand for stock of all descriptions. Good mixed herds of cattle sell readily at full prices. There is great enquiry after dairy cows. Beef scarce; shippers of fat stock would realise well upon them in this market. Since our last report we have to note the following among recent sales: —47 head of large framed cattle, £18; 53 young do, £8 10s; 124, ex Tyra, £815; 126, ex Gazelle, £9; 95, ex Tyra, £715; 30 mixed, £9; 47 head large fat cattle, £22. Sheep. —Young ewes are much enquired for, but few of the settlers can be induced to part with ewes, although in some instances extreme rates have been offered. Horses.—We cannot say much for the prices ruling for the last fortnight. It is fully expected that the demand will be good in the spring. Staunch draught, at all times, command their value. Land, &c. —Great enquiries for building sites in good business situations in thfe town, and also for suburban property. We sold five acres on the Ferry road, £200; several sections in Charlestown, Heathcote valley, for £25 each. A leading hotel and fixtures for £2,588 16s. At our sale, Ferryman's Arms, Kaiapoi, we sold milch cows from £10 to £18. At our sale at Melcombe, on Monday last, we sold mangolds at per ton, £3 15s; carrots, per ton, £5 os; 1,000 bushels oats, at from 5s 9d to 5s per bushel; 5 stacks of grass and oaten hay and straw, at good rates. The land advertised was withdrawn at a reserve price. The rams were much admired, but as there was no competition the lot was withdrawn. [me. w. d. Barnard's report.] Mr. Barnard reports his weekly sale of horses and cattle as well attended. The lowness of the average prices must be attributed to the inferior class of horses offered; shipments of good sound draught and saddle horses would well repay importers. Horses. —Saddle and light harness horses from £15 to £43, averaging £2410s per head; seven draught horses from £40 to £62 10s per head. Cattle. —Twenty-seven head store cattle, an inferior mixed mob, at £8 per head; four pairs working bullocks, each £40, £45, £50, and £60. LYTTELTON MARKETS & PRICES CURRENT. In consequence of the long passage of the Holyrood, many articles much wanted here have reached a very high price. Among the first of these we may name : — Ale and Porter in glass, the first brands being entirely out of the market. Beer in bulk is better supplied. Breadstuffs, much the same as last month: fine flour, £16 to £16 10s. Wheat, 5s to 5s 6d. Building Materials come in freely, and meet with ready sale at quoted rates. The principal sales have taken place at the Heathcote. Boots and Shoes, according to assortment. Winter goods still in demand at 25 per cent advance. Candles meet with ready sale at our quotations. The illuminations this week have caused a great consumption of this article. Cigars and Tobacco in fair supply. Prices as per list. Damaged tobacco for sheepwash purposes has, however, risen in price in consequence of the sudden demand. We quote this in bond at Is 2d to Is 3d. Coffee in the bean, plentiful, but prepared coffee in tins is scarce and worth Is 8d to Is 9d per lb. Drugs and Chemicals. —We notice an advance in the price of soda, now worth £32 per ton, with light stocks. Dried Fruits are also in demand, especially raisins, • which continue at quotations. Bottled Fruits, plentiful. In Groceries and Provisions we remark a demand for English split peas and oatmeal. English hams are scarce, and worth Is 4d to Is 6d; bacon, Is for English, colonial, lOd. English cheese and preserved fish, especially salmon, would meet with ready sale. Ground coffee and Jams complete the list of short supplies under this head. Preserved Milk, dull of sale, owing to scarcity of shipping. Salt is overdone both ui fine and coarse. Soap, English, not much in demand; Sydney (best) enquired for at £43 to £45 per ton. Metals generally give a fair return. Just now there is considerable demand for fencing wire at our list prices. Naval Stores are high at the port, but in the absence, at this time of the year, of the usual quantity of shipping, sales are not brisk. Oils are in active demand, and we may place among these spirits of tar, worth 8s per gallon. Paints. —White lead is saleable, but colored paints heavy to move, the place being well supplied.

Paper.—Market overstocked with all kinds, j Powder. —Fine glass not to be had. Blasting very ! dear, but as the Epsom has 10,000 lbs on board prices i must soon give way; the principal consumption being for ! the railway works. ' Spirits.—Martell's and Hennessy's pale brandy meet ; with ready sale at 13s 6d to 14 in bond; other brands, 13s. | Dark more difficult to move. Case brandies of the first marks find ready purchasers at 38s to 40s: good supply. ' Geneva. —Market overstocked; sales in bond have been made of the best brands at 17s 6d to 18s, in small quan- ■ tities.

Old Tom.—Booth's, in bottle, enquired for, and sales made at 18s Gd. This high price rules in consequence of the non-arrival of two English vessels which have a fair quantity of these articles on board. In wood, it is worth 5s to 5s 6d, but moves off slowly. Rum, well stocked; 10 o.p. worth 3s 6d to 4s 6d. Jamaica, fine, 30 0.p., 5s to 5s 6d. Whiskey, well supplied; best worth 6s in bulk, and 16s 6d per dozen. Sugars have somewhat receded in price during the last two months, in consequence of the fining companies at Sydney and Melbourne reducing then- quotations. The market is well suplied. and sales have been made as at rates in our price current. Teas.—Best teas are in good demand; but medium, slow, not much sought after. Owing to the high duty (4d per lb) and the expence of freight from the Australian colonies, prices of tea here are naturally high, but consumers do not grumble at paying a good price for a superior article. Duty paid congous, fine, are £11 per chest; second ditto, £8 10s to £9. Wines.—Fine port, very scarce; good to ordinary, in full supply. The same remark applies to sherries. Good wines bring a high price, but the demand is limited. Coals come in freely; best New South Wales' command £2 os to £2 10s by the cargo alloat; by the single ton, £3. English coals are not so saleable: £2 10s afloat and about £3 10s on shore is the value of these in quantities. Carts and Drays continue to arrive from Sydney in large quantities and meet with ready sale at fair prices to the importer. Saddlery.—Market well supplied; prices nominal. There are many other artices of regular import here, such as drapery, crockery, hardware, &c., that we have not included in this notice, their prices being nominal and quite at the will of the vendors.

LYTTELTON PRICE CURRENT.—JuIy 10,1863. [For Christchurch Prices, add 25s per ton.] SPIRITS.—(IN BOND.) (Duty, 9s gal) s. d. s. d. Eu "'S„T: ::: :::£! ! e,'. 0 1 Brandy, (lark g.l 9 0 to 10 «{ Martell's ditto ... gal 14 0 .... )« . Ditto, Hennessy's ... gal 14 0 ... ) U. V. P gal 13 0 to 13 6 Pale (best brands)... gal 13 6to 14 0 In demand Pale, in case case 36 0 to 40 0 For best Geneva, 4-gal case ... case 17 6tolß 07 H stk _ 2-gal case ...case 14 0 ... ) J Old Tom, in wood ... gal 5 oto 5 6 Ditto Booth's, in bottle ... doz 18 0 to 18 (i 7 o„i„ 0 Other marks doz 17 6 ... ) Whiskey, in wood ... gal 5 oto 6 0 Wellsupld. Best Scotch, bottle ... doz 16 6 to 17 0 WINES.—(in bond.) (Duty 3s gal) Port, in wood gal 10 0 to 15 0) Hunts and in bottle doz 30 0 to 40 0 ) Sandemans Sherry, in wood gal 12 6 to 16 0 7 For good in bottle doz 30 oto 40 0) wine Champagne, Ist brands doz 60 0 to 65 0 2nd ditto ... doz 50 0 to 55 0 ALE AND PORTER. (Duty 25s hhd; 2s doz—paid) Ale, in wood, Ist brands hhd £8 10s to £9 10s 7 p • i Porter, ditto ditto ... hhd £7 10s to £8 10s) * air suppiy j i b i',t. "n f First brands Ale, m bottle doz 12 6to 14 0) d Porter, in bottle doz 12 6to 14 oj^^J TOBACCO AND CIGARS.—(IN bond.) Negrohead (best) ... lb 5 oto 5 9 Cavendish lb 5 Oto 6 0 Cigars, No. 2 Manila... 1000 60 0 to 65 0 Havannah 1000 65 0 to 70 0 Sheepwash (Free) ... Ib 1 6 .. In demand GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS. Tea.—(Duty, 4d lb—paid) Congou, supr chest £11 0s Ditto, 2nd qua!. ...chest £9 0s S. D. 8. D. Souchong Jb 3 0 to 3 6 Pekoe lb 3 0 to 3 6 Coffee.—(Duty, 3d f • lb)— Ground (in tins) ... lb 1 Bto 1 9 Very scarce Plantation lb 1 3 ... Full stocks Chicory Si 0 6 to 0 7 Ditto (Duty, 3s cwt —paid) Candles, Belmont ... ft 1 4to 1 5 Limitedstk Others lb 1 3 ... Good stock Soap, English cwt 50 0 to 52 0 Colonial cwt 42 oto 45 0 (Duty, 4s cubic foot—paid) Bottled fruit doz 20 0 to 21 0 Pickles (best) quarts... doz 20 oto 21 0 Ditto, pints doz 14 6 to 15 0 Sauces, half-pints ... doz 15 oto 15 6 Salad oil, pints doz 19 oto 20 07 Well Ditto, half-pints "... doz 12 oto 12 6) supplied Colman's mustard lbs... doz 18 oto 18 6) Heavy Ditto, i-lbs doz 12 0 to 13 0 J stock Ditto, 7H> tins ib 1 0 to 1 1 Macaroni lb 0 11 to 1 0 Sardines, halves doz 11 0 to 11 6 Ditto, quarters ... .... doz 8 0 to 8 6 Raisins, Muscatel ... lb 1 0 ... Eleme lb 0 7 to 07£ >■ Scarce Sultanas ... lb 0 Bto 0 9j Currants lb 0 7 to 0 8 pigs lb 0 7 to 0 Dried Apples lb 0 7 to 0 8 Jams, English (lbs) ... doz 16 0 to 20 07 g carce HobartTown ... doz 16 0 to 18 0 5 ocarce (Free.) Oatmeal cwt 27 0 to 28 0 Scarce Pearl barley cwt 27 0 to 28 0 Arrowroot lb 0 11 to 1 0 Rice (Englishdrest) ... cwt 35 0 to 37 6 Bluestone lb 0 7 to 0 8 Salt, fine cwt 5 0 to 5 67 Heavy Ditto, coarse cwt 4 0 to 4 6 > stock Ditto, 21b jars doz 8 0 to 8 6 Salmon, lib tins ... doz 18 otol9 07 g Lobsters, ditto doz 17 oto 18 0 5 ° carc ° Kent Hops Hi 1 2 to 2 0 Starch, Colman's ... cwt 56 oto 58 0 Berger's cwt 54 0 to 56 0 Vermicelli ft 0 11 to 1 0 Vinegar gall 1 10 to 2 O Preserved milk doz 1 4to 1 6 No demand Cheese, Colonial ft 1 1 to 1 2} Sma ii st k s . English lb 1 3 to 1 5) Split peas cwt 14 0 to 16 0 Scarce SUGAR.—(Duty, Id lb) Bright Mauritius ... cwt 48 oto 54 01 Dark ditto ... cwt 40 0 to 45 0 Co's Pieces, No. 1 ... cwt 52 oto 54 0 ( Well No. 2 ... cwt 50 oto 52 Of supplied Snowdrop cwt. 60 0 to 63 0 Loaf cwt 65 0 to 67 o__ SUNDRIES. Building MaterialsSlates (Countess) ... m £14 oto £16 0 s. d. s. D. Cement brl 21 0 to 26 0 Deals ... 100 sp. feet 25 0 Flooring boards ditto 27 6 V.D.L. shingles ... m 27 6 Palings, market ... 100 26 0 Canvas yd 1 0 to 1 3 Cora sacks each 1 3 to 1 4 Scarce Coals, English ton 50 0 ... (Afloat N.S.W ton 45 0 ... ) Metals— Galvanized iron ... cwt 45 oto 50 0 Ditto fencing wire... cwt 28 0 to 30 0 Black wire cwt 21 0 to 24 0 Bar iron cwt 17 3 to 18 0 Ewbank's nails ... cwt 45 oto 48 0) jj eav y French nails cwt 50 0 to 55 0) Sheet lead cwt 40 0 to 42 0 1 Tin plates box 50 oto 70 0 Oils— „ „ Linseed gal 6 6 to 7 0 Boiled gal 7 0 to 7 6 Kcrosino gal 4 0 to 5 0 Colza gal 6 6 to 7 0 Spirits of tar gal 7 6 to 8 0 Scarce Paints — _ „ White lead cwt 30 O to 32 6 lied lead cwt 32 0 to 36 0 Black paint cwt 30 O to 35 0 Turpentine (tins) ... gal 12 0 to 14 0 Pitch brl 65 O lo GO 0 Tar brl 35 0 to 40 0 Powder, HF, nominal , , _ Blasting ... lb 1 3to 1 4 Scarcc Sulphur ... .. ... ton £10 to £12 Supplied Soda crystals ton £32 ... Small stks. 8. D. 8. D. Sewing twine ib 1 8 to 2 0 Woolpacks, 10-lb ...each 5 oto 6 3 Supplylim, Window glass—on invoice 25 per cent advance

TARIFF. For the guidance of our readers beyond the colonics we may inform them that although some of our prices appear high as compared with rates current in Australia, there are also much heavier charges on account sales, added to which the New Zealand tariff is a very extraordinary one, especially the package duty, which adds very mucli to the cost of many articles of consumption quoted by us as duty paid. It is thus :— s d Ale porter, cider, perry (in wood), per gall ... 0 6 Ditto (in bottle) ditto... ... ... ... 10 Wine (in woed and bottle) ditto ... ...3 0 Spirits and strong waters, ditto... ... ... 9 0 Cigars and snuff, per lb ... ... ... 3 0 Tobacco, ditto ... ... ... ... 1 6 Tea, ditto ... ... ... ... ... 0 4 Coffee, chicory, cocoa, and chocolate, ditto ... 0 3 Sugars of all kinds ... ... ... ... 0 1 Candles and soap, all kinds, per cwt ... ... 3 0 Cutlery, hardware, platedware, tinware, holloware, ironmongery of all sorts, including galvanized iron buckets and ornamental parts of roofing and rivets (except anchors and chains for ships' use, rod, bolt, bar, sheet, hoop, pig iron, nails and fencing wire) per cwt ... ... ... 3 0 Manufactures of silk, cotton, linen and woollen, and all articles manufactured therefrom, drapery, haberdashery, hosiery, milinery, furs, hats, boots, shoes (except sail-cloth, cordage, twine, cottonyarn, bags, sacks, woolpacks) measuring outside the package, per cubic foot ... ... ... 4 0 Confectionery, bottled fruits, dried fruits (excepting nuts and almonds of all ktnds) jams and preserves, sardinss, mustard, olive oil, pickles, sauces, spices, and oilman's stores of all kinds (excepting those articles that come under the head of "provisions," such as oatmeal, peas, salmon, liams, &c., which are free), per cubic foot 4 0 Gunpowder (not including blasting) per lb ... 0 3 Firearms, each ... ... ... ... 5 0 COMPARATIVE RETURN SHEWING THE AMOUNT OP CUSTOMS' DUTIES COLLECTED AT THE PORT OF LYTTELTON FOB THE QUARTERS ENDED RESPECTIVELY 30th June, 1862 and 1863.

Heads of Revenue. 1862, 1863. £ a. d. £ s. d. Spirits... 4360 6 0 5827 9 11 Cigars 164 11 2 147 1 2 Tobacco 585 17 3 1077 1 6 Wine 923 12 6 1073 9 6 Ale and beer, in bottle 381 9 6 656 17 0 Ditto, in bulk ... 304 11 0 906 14 6 Tea ... 722 6 4 647 5 2 Coffee, cocoa, &c., &c. 306 1 3 331 3 5 Sugar 1592 18 1 1210 5 9 Firearms 6 0 0 3 5 0 Gunpowder 0 4 0 0 2 0 4s. per cubic foot ... 2062 12 0 2755 15 8 3s. per cwt. 221 17 3 410 2 5 Totals 11,586 6 4 15,046 13 0 The following shows the duty collected in each month: £ s. d. £ s. d. April 4050 8 0 ... 4225 16 4 May 2716 5 5 ... 5230 14 1 June 4819 12 11 ... 5590 2 7 11,586 6 4 15,046 13 0 11,586 6 4 Increase on quarter £3,460 6 8 Eevenue for the half-year ended 30th June, 1863 29,013 5 9 Eevenue for the half-year ended 30th June, 1862 23,785 3 8 Increase on half-year ... £5,258 2 1 VALUE OF IMPORTS FOE THE QUABTEBS ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1862 AND 1863. Countries. 1862. 1863. • TJnitoi' Kingdom £34,931 £97,612 New South Wales 55,332 20,965 Victoria 26,156 36,030 South Australia? 2,557 Tasmania 2,656 7566 Boston, U.S.A ... 4322 Mauritius 2,400 124,032 166,495 124,032 £42,463 EXPOBT8. Countries. 1862. 1863. United Kingdom £109,971 £181,280 New South Wales 1864 5831 Victoria 37 1408 Ceylon 30 U.S. America 1992 8898 113,894 197,417 113,894 Increase on quarter ... £83,523 VESSELS INWABDS FOB THE QUABTEBS ENDED BESPECTIVELY 30TH JUNE, 1862 AND 1863. 1862. 1863. From. — 1 No. Tons. Men. No. Tons. Men. United Kingdom 1 1032 32 5 4391. 163 New SouthWales 6 5510 189 9 1888 79 Victoria 2 303 16 3 1011 35 Tasmania 1 436 15 5 747 39 U. S. America ••• 1 296 10 Totals 10 7281 252 23 8333 326 10 7281 252 Increase ... 13 1052 74 li VESSELS OUTWABD3 FOB THE QUABTEBS ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1862 AND 1863. 1862. With Cargoes. In Ballast. Total. Where Bound. Tns _ Men o Tns . Men ° Tons. | U. Kingdom. . 2 2044 62 2 2044 62 N. S. Wales. . 5 1627 61 7 5988 187 12 7615 248 Tasmania 2 303 16 2 303 16 Ceylon 1 525 16 1 625 16 Total ... 8 4196 139 9 6291 20317 10,487 342 1863. With Cargoes. In Ballast. Total. Where Bound. Tng Men No . Tng . Men o Tns . J U. Kingdom. . 2 2824 66 2 2824 66 N.S.Wales. . 2 377 18 8 1444 63 10 1821 81 Victoria .... 1 296 10 1 296 10 Tasmania 4 617 35 4 617 35 Singapore 1 692 21 1 692 21 Callao 2 1587 44 2 1587 44 Guam 2 901 31 2 901 31 U. S. America. 1 573 17 1 17 Total ... 6 4070111 17 5241 194 239311305 Decrease in tonnage of 1176 tons, but it is owing to the White Star having clcarcd out twice in June, 1862. CUSTOMS' DUTIES COLLECTED AT THF POET OF TIMABU, MONTH ENDING- 30TH JUNE, 1863. £ 8 D Spirits ... ... ... 391 9 11 Cigars ... ... ... ... ••• Tobacco ... ... ••• ••• 8 ? „ "Wine ... S3 lo 0 Tea "• ... - ... 31 J o Coffee ... 5 11 9 Sugar ... ... ... ••• 2 q tloods, measurement (4s foot) ... 34 13 8 Ditto, weight (3s cwt) ... ••• 3 4 6 Total 11 10

GOODS REMAINING IN T1IE BONDED STORES. JUNE, 1863. Goods. In "Wood. In Bottle. Brandy gall? G459 220(5 Whiskey galls 3941 1027 Sweetened gin ... ... galls 2417 647 Geneva galls 120 8759 Hum galls 6684 Perfumed spirits ... galls . 123 Ale and beer galls 5292 8099 Wine galls 16,689 1921 Spirits of wine galls 104 Cigars lbs 1577 T » b ™» '» ".m Tea lbs 1100 Coffee, chicory, &c., &c... lbs 9327 Sugar lbs 178,716 Drapery, oilmen's stores, feet 500 Timaru Shipping Returns (Coastwise), inwards. No. | _£& | ?o i Dates. of Crew. | c g g £ "2 Vessels jfg % 'fcSj ft June, qr.-1862 ... 18 206 1827 46 493 Ditto, 1863 ... 27 331 3194 68 698 outwards, No. I g-31 Dates. of Crew, -g g g dO g Vessel. 8 tfE-f £ go June, qr.-1862 ... 18 206 1827 24 185 Ditto, 1863 ... 27 331 3194 41 214 WOOL SHIPPED at timarij. 1861-2 2285 bales. 1862-3 3610 bales. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF CUSTOMS' REVENUE AT TIMARU. Year ending 30th June, 1862:— quarter, 1861 ... ... ... Nil. December quarter, 1861 ... ... ... £433 16 2 March quarter, 1862 621 0 4 June quarter, 1862 672 16 7 Total 1727 13 1 * Timavu was not a port of entry during September quarter 1861. Year ending 30th June, 1863: — September quarter, 1862 £851 6 3 December quarter, 1862 1028 2 4 March quarter, 1863 936 5 4 June quarter, 1863 1311 1 10 Total 4126 15 9