COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1194, 9 February 1864, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

OTAGO. The disastrous fire of last night is the all-absorbing topic amongst commercial circles to-day, and until merchants have had time to estimate the full extent of the loss and the probable effect on credit, we can't expect to see much business done. Meantime we are glad to learn that the amount of loss is not nearly so much as was at one time supposed, £40,000 or £50,000 may be regarded as a very outside estimate. Had it not been for the occurrence of this sad calamity, it is generally supposed that with the resumption of business after the cricket holidays we would have experienced a little activity in our markets; and even now with a restoration of confidence which may certainty be reckoned upon in a day or two, we still expect to see a little more life as regards several of our leading staples. The effect of overstocked markets had began to tell on English shippers, and we notice a very marked diminution in the shipments now afloat to Otago—we allude more particularly to butter, hams, bacon, beer, spirits, oilmen's stores, &e. The excitement still continues in the English sugar market, the advance being fully equal to 10 per cent. The effect of these advices in the Melbourne market has been to give prices there a further upward impulse.—Otago Daily Times, February 4. AUCKLAND CATTLE MARKET. Messrs. Styak and Hunter's Weekly Report:— Horses. —The show of horses on Saturday was fair though none but one of the heavy draught class was offered. Saddle and light harness horses sold at £11 15s to £13. Hacks at £4 to £10. A very fine heavy draught mare was withdrawn at £95. Fat Cattle.—There was an abundant supply, prices realfsing as on late occasions. We sold bullocks at £12 2s 6d to £16 15s. Cows at £11 15s to £17. Fat Sheep in good demand. Sales 29s to 325. Lambs 13s 9d to 26s 6d. Dairy and Store Cattle are in good demrnd and prices fully sustained. We sold dairy cows at £11 10s to £16 ss. Stores at £9 5s to £10 10s. Steers at £9 5s to £11. Store Sheep.—We sold a lot of ewes at 245, and lambs at 17s. Pigs.—-Very few in the market. Those offering sold high. MELBOURNE. The attention of merchants having been wholly occupied by home correspondence, transactions in the import market have not been numerous; the week, consequently, has opened out quietly. Inquiries for sugar continue; the balance of the cargo of the Dispatch, consisting of 1400 bags of various descriptions has been placed at full rates. The Company's sugar has also been freely purchased at the advanced rates now demanded. Flour is still rising. Sales of Californian have been made at £17, and that figure has been refused for Victorian j made from Californian wheat. We understand moreover, that one of tho principal millers has raised his price to £20.

Trade with Western China.—The Leeds and Halifax Chambers of Commerce have resolved to memorialize the Government in favor of a survey

being made for the- purpose of testing Captain Sprye's schemes for ojiening out n, trade with the south-western provinces of China, by way of Rangoon. The Leeds memorialists suggest that instructions should be sent to the Indian Government to cause a survey to be made through British Pegu, and that endeavours should be made to induce the King of Burmali to make, or permit to be made, a similar survey through that portion of his territory. — Times, Oct. 12.