COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1188, 26 January 1864, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Duty collected at the Port of lyttelton for the week ended 16th January, 1864. £ s. d. Spirits 563 9 Wine ... ... ... ••• 63 18 0 Ale and Beer ... ... ••• 173 13 0 Tobacco ... ... ••• 4 271 2 0 Cigars ... ... ... ) A . ~ Other duties ... ... ••• ••• H Total 18 2 Yalue of Imports... ... ••• £19,763 0 0 Mr. W. D. Barnard reports This week the market has been more animated on account of the races. The attendance was unusually numerous, owing to the fact that so many well-known race-horses were offered for public competition. The lots comprised those noted animals, Lady Bird, Golden Cloud, Rattan, Victor Lee, and Opera. The prices fetched by them will be found in another part of our journal. Opera was withdrawn. Upwards of 90 horses were entered for sale, so that it will seem that there was a large supply of horses of every description. The class mostly in demand were medium priced heavy draught stock, horses suitable for general farm work, and first-class saddle and light harness horses. The following quotations may bo taken as ruling ia First-class heavy draught mares and geldings, (market bare and in great demand), from £75 to £90. Medium do, from £50 to £70. Three and four year old unbroken cart colts, from £35 to £50. First-class harness and saddle hacks, from £45 to £60. Second-class do, from £25 to £40. Common hacks, from £20 to £30. Working bullocks are not much in demand, and may be quoted from £30 to £45 per pair. Milch cows in full milk are much enquired for, and sell readily from £15 to £20. O T A G O. Business during the past month has been marked by a continuance of the depression noticed at the time the last English mflil left, and the tendency is to a lower range of prices for almost every commodity. The intervention of the Christmas holidays may no doubt account to a certain extent for this state of things; but there is a reason beyond this to be found in the disappointment which has been felt as regards the extension of our gold fields. Under the impression that this summer would see extensive tracts of new auriferous country opened up, and in consequence a great influx of population from the neighbouring colonies, we have had a large increase to our traders during the past six months, and a proportionate, or even a larger proportionate increase to our imports of merchandise. Instead of their anticipations being realised, we find that up to the present time there has been no material increase to the area of our gold fields, and the expected rush of miners from Victoria and New South Wales has not taken place, in fact as regards those places the balance of arrivals and departures has been rather against us of late. On the other hand, the increase to our stocks and traders remains, and these being far in excess of the necessities of our natural trade demand, dulness and depression are the consequence; and unless we have fresh gold fields opened shortly, so as to attract back and retain the population, thus affording an increased outlet for our heavy stocks, we are likely to see business worse before it is better. The Escort returns from the gold fields this month sum up 32,300 oz. We are now in the midst of our wool season, and so far the clip is expected to show a considerable increase over last year, besides greater care has beenbestowed in getting up the wool, and in consequence it is expected to take a higher place in the home market this year. The Chili aud Star of Tasmania have just completed their loading, and are expected to sail for London about 25th inst., with full cargo, besides gold and passengers. A new feature in connection with our wool trade has just been initiated by Messrs. M'Landress, Hepburn and Co., who have established periodical sales by auction, thus affording the wool grower an opportunity of realising his wool at once, with all the advantages of public competition, instead of taking the risk of sending it home on his own account. The first of these sales was held on the 12th inst., at which there was »'reiy-hrrg&--attendance of merchants and settlers, thus giving evidence bf the favor with wlv'ch the experiment is regarded; about 280 bales were offered, and the whole sold at to lOf per lb for greasy wool, of which this first sale chiefly consisted. DUNEDIN LIVE STOCK MAEKEtf. Messrs. Driver, Mac Lean and Co. report 18th January, 1864:— During the past week reports have reached town that pleuro-pneumonia has made its appearance in several parts of the province; but in instances without the slightest foundation. We, however, regret to say that it is generally believed the disease does exist in Mr. John Jones' paddocks at Waikouaiti. Mr. Jones, finding several of his cattle dead, and others looking suspicious, at once applied to the Government to have his herd examined. Mr. Logic, the chief inspector, at once proceeded to Waikouaiti, and carefully examined those cattle supposed to be infected, and pronounced them, in his opinion, diseased with pleuro-pneumonia, which was confirmed by several gentlemen present at the examination. Acting upon this information, a large deputation of persons more or less interested in the importation of stock, waited upon his Honor the Superintendent, and urged upon him the necessity of treating the cattle as diseased. The Government at once decided to pay Mr. Jones for all cattle that would die, including those already dead, at a rate not less than £6 per head, provided the cattle wore not removed from the paddock they then occupied." At the same time, a small district adjacent to Waikouaiti was proclaimed infected, and an inspector appointed for the district. A proclamation was also issued, prohibiting further importation of cattle from Twofold Bay ; those on ship board before the receipt of the proclamation in that district will be allowed to land under more strict inspection than has formerly been adopted. The cattle referred to were imported from Twofold Bay (about a month since), per ship Jessie Munn, in number 230, and all sold to Mr. Jones. The oattle looked perfectly healthy after landing and greatly improved m a paddock near town, without any dcatlis; nor did they show any symptoms of disease until they had been at. Waikouaiti for some time, and we never heard even a suspicion as to the health of the cattle until after tho examination of them at that place. We understand that Mr. Jones has ordered all the cattle to be destroyed, very generously stating that ho would rather chance getting .compensation fiQifl the Government than be the cause of spreading disease through the district. It is also stated that Mr. Geo. Shand, of tho Taieri, has disease among his dairy herd, originating from a bull imported from Twofold Bay, and that the Government have under consideration the propriety of proclaiming a district around Dunedin, extending to tho Taieri River, as infected. Wo must confess that we cannot see tho utility of this course, #s more than one thousand head of cattle have crossed that river since the landing ot the cattle ex Jessie Muan. Those oattfy? ljave go/ie to various parts of the province; and if it is thought tlw.t they have contracted tho disease by travelling over the same road from Port Chalmers, (which we think impossible, oven admitting that it has since broke out in tho lot per Jessie Munn), xye must consider the whole province infected. The proposed boundary would bo ruinous to holders of cattle within it under any circumstances, while the only benefit those outside would derive, would be to enjoy the monopoly of tho fat cattle market, and leave Dunedin without any supply, as shipments W<?uld ot once serve from the clean districts of Australia.

It far from our intention to deny that pleuro-pneumonia does exist iu the province, as we have the utmost confidence in the* judgment of our chief inspector and other gentlemen who exmjiincd the cattle, but wo would bo glad to have the opinion of those who have had practical experience in Australia, from whence tlfp disease is said to be imported. Jsvery one must admit, that any disease among pur plreg.dy spantv herds would bo injurious; but we are inclined to think tfytit there is more dread in the name of pleuro-pncumonia with us, than any actual damage it has done in the Australian colonies.. We think the stops already taken by the Government are wisp, and that every precaution should be taken to stop the progress j?f lrjfec-

tion, and we have every confidence in stating that we think the present excitement will have an end. We also understand that the Government have determined upon closing tho port of Newcastle; and we would advise the runholders who really have clean herds in the districts of Twofold Bay and Newcastle, to urge upon the Government of New South Wales to inforce stringent regulations for their protection. We have yet the districts of Gipps Land and Mornington, and we are so satisfied that cattle coming from these districts arc free from disease, that we are authorised to give u guarantee to tho purchaser. The following shipments have arrived during tho month:—

Bengal, from Gipps Land, 171 cattle, 280 shoep. Kate Waters, ditto 274 ditto Lady Young, ditto 215 ditto Eclipse, ditto 70 ditto Swordfish, ditto 60 ditto John Temparly, from Twofold Bay... ... ...300 ditto Marion, ditto 193 ditto Hydra, ditto 202 ditto Ashburton, ditto 190 ditto Shah Jehan, ditto 260 ditto, 300 sheep. Juno, ditto 181 ditto Phoebe Dunbar, from Newcastle Lyndsays, from Newcastle, 136 ditto Ocean Bride, from Melbourne, 300 sheep. Hero, ditto 2000 ditto Omeo, ditto 1500 ditto Indiana, di.tto 500 ditto Game Cock, ditto 3500 ditto FrancesHenty, From Portland23oo ditto Fat Stock.—The market for the present is well supplied with beef and mutton, but we anticipate a scarceness, particularly of the former, after the present glut is consumed ; consequently a considerable advance on present rates. We have sold 300 head fat cattle at from £13 to £24 10s, according to quality ; and 1800 sheep at from 27s to 30s; we quote fair quality beef at 50s to 55s per 100 lb ; do do mutton, at 7d per lb. Store Stock. —Referring to our remarks relative to pleuro-pneumonia, we have to report an entire suspension of transactions in store cattle, in fact we are not offering any lots at present, as we believe they will in a few days resume their former value. We cannot however advise further shipments at present. We sold early in the month 550 head at from £9 to £12.

Provincial bred store sheep are in active demand, we have sold 2500 ewes at 305., and 3000 lambs at 17s 6d to 18s. We also have a fair demand for imported sheep, particularly for young ewes, which we quote at 275, ditto wethers, 23s to 255. We have sold 1700 at these prices. Hobses.—(As furnished by Messrs. Milner and Learmonth.)—This market, as we predicted in our last report of the 28th ult., remains still exceedingly flat, and prices are daily receding, owing to a great extent that shippers generally for this market are buying one description of horses, viz., the inferior. light harness and second class hackneys, of which the market is at present glutted; and whilst this state of affairs continues to exist, it is next to an impossibility that speculators can clear themselves, considering the original cost of the horses freight, and current expenses, and at the same time let us not be unmindful of the low rates obtained for the above class or stamp here. As we have so often stated before, great care and judgment is requisite to be exercised in the selection of stock for this market. Let them be young, sound, of good substance, and well bred if hackneys; if draught, thoroughly staunch. Possessing the above qualifications, they must at all times command attention. Prices current :—First-class draught horses, £45 to £55; 2nd do do, £30 to £45; inferior do do, £12 to £28; really firstclass hackneys, £30 to £40; light harness and packers, £15 to £25; inferior do do, £8 to £13.