COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1233, 10 May 1864, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Office, Monday 9th May. There was but a limited attendance at the market on Saturday, and only a small amount of business was transacted. Wheat.—The total yield of the crop is not so great as was anticipated, and dealers seem unwiliing to embark- in any large transactions, reserving their stocks in order to watch the result of any demand which may arise. Good samples fetched 7s. per bushel, but very little was brought into the market. Barley.—The price of this article may be quoted at about ss. per bushel; but so little is doing that this price may be considered as merely nominal. The maltsters are fully stocked, and are consequently unwilling to purchase. Oats.—The supply of oats is still very plentiful; so much so, that although large shipments have taken place, they have made little or no impression upon the market value. The price is about 3s. to 3s. 6d. per bushel. Beans have been rather more active, a slight advance has taken place; the price may be quoted at from 4s 6d to ss.

Peas are more plentiful, and are fetching from 4s 6d to ss. No material change has taken place with regard to, the value of bran and sharps, the quotations being nearly the same as those of last week. Hat.—There has been an abundant supply of hay of excellent quality; it is selling at from £4 to £5 per ton wholesale. Flour is in great demand, large quantities being expected to be required for the Pelorus diggings. The price is (wholesale), from £24 to £24 10s per ton, and about 25s 6d per lOOlbs. Potatoes.—These are of very good quality, and plentiful in quantity, the fine weather enabling the farmers to get them easily out of the ground. The price is from £5 10s to £6 per ton wholesale, and about £8 per ton retail.

Onions.—These have been of very good quality, being very sound and well preserved; the price may be quoted at £21 per ton, and retail at 3d per lb. Carrots are £3 per ton, and parsnips £4 to £4 10s per ton; both these articles are of capital quality. Apples are very abundant. Those now in the market are principally of Tasmanian growth, and consist mainly of those intended for winter use. The stock of provincial grown apples has been consumed, and we have to depend upon imported supplies. The fruiterers are giving 18s per box, of 40lbs. Butter is about Is 6d per lb. Eggs are very scarce, and can scarcely be obtained at 2s 6d, 2s 9d, and even 3s per doz.; an advance upon this price is anticipated. Fowls are scarce at 5s per couple, and although ducks are somewhat more easily procurable, yet from 6s 6d to 7s per couple must be paid for them. We have not the Stigmesv variation to note in tne price of building materials, which rule as per last week's quotations. Although several stores and other buildings are being proceeded with, yet the uncertainty of obtaining an adequate supply of labour at a remunerative rate of wages deters contractors from entering into large undertakings, and they content themselves with finishing those in which they are actually engaged. Fuel, such as coal and firewood, continue without alteration in price; but in all probability, as the season advances, higher rates will have to be submitted to. The supply in the various yards is, however, abundant.

Abstract of the quantity of land sold and granted in the different districts for the month ending April 30, 1864:—Christchurch, 429; Ashley, 509; Timaru, 1551; Lincoln, 872; Mandeville, 1100; Ellesmere, 1956; Banks' Peninsula, 320; Lyttelton, 20; Waipara, 360; Oxford, 947; Malvern. 310; Asliburton, 25; Waitangi, 270. T0ta1,f8,669 acres.

Mr. W. D. Barnard reports a very large attendance at his sale yards on Saturday last. There has been slight improvement in the prices of saddle and light harness horses, required for the overland journey to the diggings. Upwards of 103 horses were entered for sale, consisting of a very useful mob of about 35 brood mares, cart colts and fillies, from the station of Messrs. Harris and Innes, about 17 of which were sold. The remainder consisted of useful saddle and light harness horses, 'just overland from Dunedin, and a medium and inferior lot of hacks and light harness horses. The following is a fair quotation of prices realised: — Medium draught horses from £35 to £45; brood mares, with foals at foot, from £33 to £47 10s; useful saddle and light harness horses, from £30 to £40 (market very bare); inferior ditto (market glutted), from £10 to £18 10s. The entire horse True Mould realised £44 One and two-year old colts and fillies, from £9 to £22. Cows.—A few dairy cows (medium quality), were disposed of at from £9 10s to £16. One pair working bullocks, £22. Sydney drays, £20 each. MELBOURNE. By the Corio we have our Melbourne files to the 30th April. The Argus of the 29th reports:— • The weather to-day rendered business in the import market extremely dull. The only public sale worthy of note was of tobaccos held by Mr. Fox, at which the attendance was good and bidding spirited. Privately some transactions of hops were reported; but no prices transpired. For candles a very good demand continued, and sales were freely made at lOd to 10jd for full weight English and foreign. Sale 3 were also made of light-weight candles; but the prices were not quoted. A parcel of Martell's bulk brandy was sold, to arrive, at full market rates. The flour and grain market presented no new feature. Rice j was inquired for, but the trade deals with caution in tlio face of the late large arrivals.