COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1397, 9 May 1865, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times Office, May 8, 1865. In spite of the continued tightness of money, the fourth of the month passed off very well, very few instances having occurred where bills were not met. Trade during the past week presents few features of interest. Canterbury flour has fallen to £22, in consequence of large importations of Chilian having taken place. Adelaide brands are very scarce, and command rates fully £4 per ton higher. Bulk ale No. 3, Bass or Allsop's, is scarce, and in demand at from £9 10s to £10. The lighter ales are not inquired for, the season having passed. - Bottled stout is scarce. The arrival of the Greyhound with a moderate cargo, from London, will supply some articles which have become low in stock. The grain market shows very little change. Best samples of wheat fetch 8s; oats are quoted, buyers, at 38 ; barley, 4s 6d ; potatoes, £5 10s to £6. Otago.—We have onr papers to the sth inst. The Daily Times of that date reports:— A tolerably active day's business has followed the arrival of the English mail, more, however, in parcels for town and country trade than in operations of a speculative nature induced by the intelligence. The tone of our markets has been rendered much firmer, and prices for all kinds of imported merchandize are certain to be fully maintained, and in some articles an improvement will no doubt take place. It is noted that there is an entire absence of shipments from Great Britain for this port during the month of February, and that a diminution of the amount of shipments to Melbourne has caused an upward tendency in staple importations there. The flour market has been quiet. In Adelaide flour almost nothing doing, and in Chilian, beyond a shipment northwards, almost as little. Prices are without any noticeable variation. Sugars and teas are not brisk. Prices remain without change, but the parcels selling are very small. In the spirit market buyers still refuse to give importers' rates, but there is little doubt that owing to the shortening of stocks, holders' prices will have to be conceded. The scarcity of cartage to the interior still continues a formidable difficulty—in consequence, a largo amount of country orders have to lay over.