COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1485, 14 September 1865, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Lytielton Times Office,

Wednesday Evening.

We hare very little change to notice from last month's transactions, prices remaining much the same as our former quotations. The amount of business done has not been large, the trade buying only just sufficient for their immediate requirements ; there is nothing like any speculative spirit abroad. The auction sales during the month have been numerous, although no large amount has passed under the hammer. Prices at these •ales have, on the whole, been very satisfactory to the seller.

We have had no arrivals from abroad, and even the importations from Australia have been limited this month, and yet we do not find any one article much iu demand, showing that the market is pretty well stocked. The Tudor, from London, now due, will no doubt be welcomed by those who have made sales to arrive.

We regret to report this month the loss, on Sumner bar, of the steamer Mullogh, one of the most useful little steam lighters we had plying between Lyttelton and the Railway Wharf. Her loss will be felt by the shipping unless she is soon got up and repaired, a matter, her owners think, not at all improbable. At present the Gazelle is the only steam lighter we have to attend on the English vessels, and the wool season being near at hand, much inconvenience must follow should no other steamer be available. '

The imports for the month of August amounted to £50,047, and the duty collected at Lyttelton was £8,120. For the previous month the imports were £62,673, and the duty was £6949. ; The following abstract shews the quantity of laud sold and granted in the different districts from 14th Aug. to 13th Sept., 1865, inclusive Christchurch, 296 acres ; Ashley, 180 a lr 8p; Timaru, 575; Lincoln, 84a2r 14p; Mandeville, 80 ; Ellesmere, 523; Banks Peninsula, 21 ; Oxford, 195; Malvern, 1067 ; Ashburton, 40; Waitangi, 40; Upper Christchurch, 266; Upper Waimakariri, 50 ; Rakaia, 275. Total, 3692 a 3r 22p The cash received was £7387 10s 4d. In addition to the above, 541 acres of land were granted as compensation to various persons under clauses 42 and 43 of the Land Regulations. The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce has published its yearly report. It shows an increase of seventeen new members, and the balancc-sheet exhibited is very satisfactory. Among the returns published by the Chamber we find a table exhibiting the value of import! and exports of the province of

Canterbury, from 1860 to 1864. The figures show:—

Further on we find that (in 1860-61) 33 vessels arrived at Port Lyttelton, representing 12,175 tons; and in 1864-65, to 30th June, the number had increased to 93 vessels, of the burthen of 36,169 tons. On the 3lst December, 1864, the official returns shew the total population of Canterbury to have been 32,253 souls; and that the stock comprised 10,868 horses, 62 mules and asses, 45,263 cattle, 1,567,320 sheep, 769 goats, and 18,028 pigs. Under cultivation we have 67,726 acres, and of fenced land 342,416 acres. . . „ j The articles coming principally under notice are: — Ale in Bulk, which commands same prices as last month, the supply being quite equal to the demand. Bottled Porter. — Some brands quite out, and market firm at quotations. Bags, especially three-bushel sacks, shew a decline, there being very large stocks on hand. , . Brkadstcffs and Grain.—Flour market unaltered, but an inprovement shewn in barley and oats. The latter are being bought for speculation, and are difficult of purchase even at 3s 6d to 3s 9d. Building Materials. — Hobart Town timber in ample supply, and prices very low; but for American pine boards, planed, the demand has been brisk. Slates continue in demand, at an advance on last month. Candles are somewhat firmer, and holders will not quit below list prices. Coals we have quoted this month afloat, as being more easily understood by our readers abroad. Groceries and Oilmens Stores have not altered in price since our August summary. Hops of last season, of good sample, are fully worth the price quoted. Ironmongery and Metals.—We have made several corrections from last list under this head. Fencing wire is now declared duty free, which relieves this article of £4 per ton. We have heard of a sale this month at £17, sizes 5 to 8, which is rather low, most of the holders here demanding £19 to £21 for tested wire, guaranteed to stand straining. Provisions are unaltered. Colonial bacon is fast getting into favour, and we have lately tasted some samples quite equal to the imported : as summer approaches there will be a considerable demand for the Hokitika market.

Salt.—Very firm, and stocks only moderate. Soap.—Liverpool, still out of the market; of Australian and London, a fair supply. Spirits.—We have this month quoted brandy a liittle higher. Rum, especially 10 0.p., has been changing hands at 4s 3d t» 4s 9d ; 30 o.p. also commands better prices this month. Whiskey, in wood, has declined, and several sales have been made as low as 3s and 3s 6d.

Sugars require no particular notice. Tobacco shows an improvement, and best brands command list prices. Teas.—Good congous meet ready sale. That sold this week at Mr. U. Macpherson's sale realized very high prices—£B 8s in bond ; equal to £10 13s duty paid. Wines of all kinds well stocked. CHBISTCHUBCH PRICES CUBBENT. September, 1865. Quotations are for first-class articles only, delivered in Christcliurch at a cost of from 20s to 26s per ton, from ship's side in Port Lyttelton; arranged by the last Customs' interpretation of the Tarifl'.

abticles. Per. Price. Ale & Pobtbb, in wood, (Duty £117s 6 d per hhd.) (Duty paid & delivered.) Ale—Bass' No. 3 and pale hhd £9 9s to £9 12s 6d Allsopp's ... „ £9 9s to £9 12s Ind Coope's ••. »> £8 15s to £9 M'Ewan'sNo. 3 ale... „ £8 10s I London and Col. Co.'s „ £7 to £8 Porter, Taylor's stout ... ~ \ ;w ona Whitbread's stout ... „ ) (In glass, Duty 3s per doz., paid) Ale, Allsopp's, by Friend, quarts ... doz. 13s to 14s Ind Coope's ... ~ 13s to 14s Bass', trademark ... „ 13s to 14s Tennant's pale, quarts „ 13a 6djj do, pints ... j> 8s d Pints, first brands ... „ 8s dtoßs 9d Porter—Guinness's ... „ 13s 6d to 14s| Barclay's ... » 13s 6d to 14a Byass' ... » 13s Pints, first brands ... „ 8s )d to 9s Tennant's xxx, qts. ~ 12s 6d| do, pints ... » 8s 9d Victoria Stores (extra) „ 12s 6d to 13» • Bags and Bagging. (Free.) 3-bushel bags ... doz 16s to 18s Gunny bags ... ~ 12s 6d Woolpacks, 10 lbs., guaranteed ... » 5s 6a Breadstuffs & Geain. (Free.) Flour—Adelaide,Hart's... ton £26"t0 £27 do other first brands ... „ £26 Chili and Californian, 100 lb. bags ... „ £22 10s> £23 Canterbury ... „ £21 to £22 Malt, English ... bushel 8s to 8s 6d Wheat ... ~ 7s Barley ... ~ 4s 6d to 6s Oats ... ~ 3s 6d to 4s Building Matebiais. (Free.) Fire-bricks, ... 1000 £10 to £1210s Cement, Portland, best ... barrel 22s to 25s do Roman do ... No^salo*. Slates, Duchesses, 24 x 12, sound ... 1000 £21_to £22 do Countesses, 20 x 10, sound ... a £19 do Ladies, 16 x 8, sound ... » £14 Deals, Baltic, red,*ll x 3 run ft 5d to 6Jd do do, 9x 3 „ 4|d to 6d Hobart Town timber, by the cargo, afloat ... 100 ft 16s to 17sl Boots and Shoes. (Duty, 6a. per cubic foot, paid.) English heavy, best,"new goods invoice 20 to 25 pc adr dolight, best, new goods „ 20 o 25p o adv. do ladies' and children's, 1 new goods ... „ 20to25pcadr. Candles. (Duty, 4s per owt. paid.) Price's No. 1 Belmont's ... lb Is to Is Id ; Hales's ... ~ Is I Stearine, full weights ... „ lid to I German and French light- , weights ... 9£d to lOd (Free) , Canterbury moulds,best... 6d CI GABS. (Duty,is Mper lb.,paid.) ' Manilla, No, 2, Cortados... 1000 £6jlos • do No. 2, Havannah- ; shaped ... £7 1 - Swiss ... to"£6 ; COAtP, r English, afloat ... ton £1 17s 6d to £2 . New South Wales, do ... „ £110s to £116s I Coffee. (Duty, M per lb, paid.) Plantation Ceylon,'fine ... lb lsl dtols id 8 Manilla (clean) ... „ None. Java ... „ None. ® Chtcoet, u (Duty, 3d per lb, paid) e Barry's, in tins ... „") Wallis Drysdale ... "J 7d M d - , e Chocolate,Taylor's orFry's „) tri i. 4,1 e Cocoa do do „) f :do Homeop., Taylor's... „ ls4dtol«6d

Abtiolbs. Per- Price. COHJHCTIONBBr (jDuty, 6s per cubic foot, ( paid.) Wotherspoon's assorted, boat ... »» 1' 5?, ' do lib tins do ... » la 2Jd Candied poel, assorted ... >■ Is 4d to lsoa Coukb. (Froo.) Velvot, wines ... gross 5s to 6s 6d ; Common ••• »» 3s Lcmonado ••• » ? 8 1°, ? a „ Gingorbcor ••• » l fl ®d'° , Dbugs, Chemicals, &o. , (Frco.) Acid, sulphurio ... lb do tartario,jars ... »2s2dto 2s 4d Cream tartar - lb Sulphur flour ... <®n £28 to «b3O Refined saltpetre ... lb ®d to 7d Bluestono ••• » (Duty, 6 s per cubic foot.) Carbonate soda, lewt kegs ton ") Do, in 281b jars ... lb £ Nominal Liquorico (best) ••• lb J Fruits, &c. [Duty, 5s per cubic foot, paid.) Almonds, Jordan good to fine ... - » 2s to 2s 6d Apples, driod, American » 7d Currants, now, fine ... » 6d do inferior ... » 4£d Figs, new fine to do fair to good ... » 6d to 7d Prunes, in bottle, fine (Violott's) ... » la 4d to Is 6d Normandy pippins ... » 10d Raisins, Cape (new) ... » 8d do Elmes ... » 7d to 7£d do Muscatels, in layers ~ Bdtols do Sultanas ... » 7d to 8d (Free.) Almonds, soft shell ... », 9d Nuts, Barcelona ... a 8d Walnuts ...» 10d Glass, & Bottles. (Free.) Plate, Crown, Sheet ... invoice 20 p c advanM Bottles, gingerbeer ... gross IBsto2os do soda water & lemonade „ 33s to 35s Geoceeies, & Oilmen's Stobes. (Duty, 5s p. c. foot.) Arrowroot _ lb la Anchovies, half-pints ... doz 10s to 12s Blacking, Day& Martin's, bot ... Ist prcs 10 p c advanca do do tin ... ~ ~ do do paste... „ „ Blue, Colman's thumb, l-oz ••• Is W Capers, pints ••• doz 12s do half-pints ... » 8s do qr-pints ... » 4b 6d to 4s 9d Curry powder, EI, |lb ... „ 10s to lis Fruits, bottled, Crosse and „ , C «' 8 1 jw-iiop'" " >183 tO 19« do Copland, Hill, &Co s „ f do Whybrow's & others „ J Groats, Robinson's lib tins „ 10s 6d Jams, lib tins, first quality „ 16s to 16s <$d do 21b tins ... ~ 24s to 25s Jellies, lib jars ... „ 14s 6d to 15s Maccaroni and Vermicelli lb lOd to Is Mustard, Colman's lib ... doz 16s to 17s do do |lb ... » Us to 12s do do in 71b tins ... lb lid to ll£d do do lib tins... doz 17s and lis Oatmeal ... cwt 26s to 28s Oil, castor, pints, best brands ••• **oz 15s do a-pints ... » 9s do in wood ... lb 9d Oil, salad, Crosse & Co's, pints ••• ••• 18s do do |-pints „ 12s do Batty's, Morton's, Copland & Co's, and other brands, pints „ 16s to 17s 6d do do |-pints „ 10s to lis Pickles, Crosse & Co's, qts „ 20s to 21s do do pints „ 14s 6d to los Potted meats, in jars ... „ 16s to 17s 6d Pearl barley ••• cwt 25s to 27s 6d Peas, English split ... ~ 22s 6d Starch, Colman's No 1 ... lb 6d do Glenfield's patent... „ 6d Sago, pearl, small grain... „ 5d Tapioca ••• » 10d Vinegar, best brands, qts „ do Hill&Evans's ... C Nominal do Batty's, quarts ... „ f do Champion's N024... , J Fish —Salmon, 1-lb tins, Moir's ••• doz. 20s do do 1-lb tins, Morton's „ 20s Fish —lobsters, 1-lb tins... [doz. 16s do oysters do ... » 18s 8d Sardines do tins ... » lis to 12s doi-lb do ' ... » 7s6d toßs Sauces, assorted, -J-pints 12s 6d to 13i do, Lea and Perrin'S pints ... )> 24s to 24s fid do do ~ 14s to 14s 6d Spices, carraway seeds ... lb 6d do cassia, bright and thin ~ lis 6d to 2s do cloves, good bright ~ lOd to Is do cinnamon do ... ~ 3s to 3s 3d Soda crystals ... ton Nominal, owing to duty Ginger, 'Jamaica, bleached, fine ... !lb Is 4d to Is 6d do middling bold ... » Is 3d to Is 4d Mace, good,bright bold ... ~ Is 6d Nutmegs, good brown bold ... )> 2s to 2s 3d Pepper, black, good heavy shot. ... ~ 9d to 9Jd Pepper, fair medium ... „ 8d do white, good bold ... „ lOd Vinegar, raspberry, doz. 8s to 8s 6d do do pints ~ 12s 6d to 14s do white wine quarts „ 14s to 15s Hops (Free). English, 1864. ... lb 2s 4d to 2s 6d Ibonmongkbt and Metals. (Duty, 4s per cwt., paid.) Shovels, Aymes' American long-handled ... doz. 65s to 70s do English do ... ~ 36s to 45s Spades ... ~ 40s to 50a Axes, handled, Sharp's ... „ 70s to 75s Sheep shears, Sorby 5...i nvoice 33-J- adv. (Free.) Fencing wire, black, Nos 4to 8, tested ... ton £20 to £21 Standards ... „ £28 Galvanized iron, Morewood's sheet, 26 gauge ... „ £42 do Scotch do, g00d... „ £27 10s to £30 Bar and rod iron, assorted, best BBH £16 Hoop iron ... ~ £18 Sheet iron, 10 to 24 e ... ~ £19 Lead, sheet, 4, 5, and 6lbs „ £32 to £34 Tin plates, IC, charcoal... ~ £40 do IX, do ... „ £45 do IXX, do ... „ £45 Zinc, sheet, 8, 9, and 10... „ £36 Steel, blister bars ... „ £60 Matches and Vestas. (Free.) Bell and Black's or Letchford's japans, assorted invoice 10 to 15 p • adv do vestas, plaids ... „ „ Nails. (Free.) Ewbank's, good assortment ... ... list American cut keg 25s to 28s Wire nails, 1£ to 3in ... 100 lbs 30s to 42s Nat ax Stobes. (Free.) Pitch, Stockholm ... barrel 55s to 57s 6d Tar do „ 45s to 47s 6d do, Colonial coal ... hhd. 30s to 82s 6d Oils. (Free.) Colza, in drums ... gallon 6s to 7s do bulk... ... ... „ 6s to6s 6d , . Linseed, in drums, boiled „ 6s do raw ... „ 5s fld Kerosine, tins ... „ 5s to 5s 6d Paints, Vabkish, &c. (Free.) White load, ground, best ton £40 to £42 do second ... » £35 to £3^B Red lead, dry, bost ... „ £35 to £38 ■Mixed paints, in oil ... „ £30 to £35 Turpentine, in drums ... gallon 8s 6d to 0s fld Peovibionb, &c. (Free.) Bacon, English ... lb Is to Is 2d Beef, Irish ... barrel, (10s to 70s Pork, Irish . ... „ 90s to 100s Haras, prime _ ... ~ Is 8d to Is 4d Cheese, English prime, „ N. W. lb Is 2d 3 do Dutch ... i, Is g Fish—herrings, red, 2dozen tin j ... doz. 35s do do 1 dozen tins 20s to 21* do ling, dried ... lb 6d Fresh herrings, doz, lib tins ... doz. 12s 6d (Free.) Brown wrapping ... lb 3|d to 4d Grey do ••• „ 5d : Paper bags, assorted ... „ 5d to 6d Coloured printing Printing f 10 per cent on .Writing paper, enve- I " invoice lopes, J

Abtiolbb. Per Prico. Drapers' paper Rich. (Froo.) Carolina, fine screened ... ton £96 to £38 Pfttna, good clean ... » £30 to £82 Java, fine white » £36 to £38 do ordinary to good ... » £36 Ropb, &o. (Free.) Europe rope ... » £50 to £65 Manilla rope, well assorted >> £05 to £70 Twine, seaming and roping lb Is to la 3d do shop ... » Is 3d to Is 6d Salt, delivered. (Free.) Coarso Liverpool ... ton £5 to £5 10s Fine ... £7 to £710s Tablo, in 21b. jars ... , » 8s 0d to 9s Soap. (Duty, 4s p ctut, paid.) Knight's, London ... £48 Liverpool, doublo crown ton None. Sydney, best, boxod ... » £42 to £43 Melbourno ... » £42 to £43 Shrub, &q. (In bond.) (Duty, 12sper gallon.) Brandy, Martoll's, dark ... gallon 9fl Od to 10s 6d Hennessy's dark ... » 0s 6d to 10s 0d Martoll's or Henriessy's palo, ... >» 9s 6d to 10s 0d Hennessy's ... case 32s 6d to 35s Martell's ... » 27s Od Geneva, J.D.K.Z. ... » 14a to 16s Key ... » 13s to 14s Gin, Booth's or Boord and Co.'s ... doz 10s Pure white, in bulk quarters ... gallon 4s 0d to 6l Bum, best brands ... » "W. 1., 30 o.p. ... » 4s 9d to 6s 3d dolOo.p. ... ii 4s 3d to 4s 9d Whiskey, Scotch, best ... » 3s 6d to 4s Best brands, Scotch doz. 12s 6d to 14* Irish ... gallon 6s to 5s 0d CoRDIALQ. (Duty, 12s per gallon, paid.) Orange bitters ... gallon 50s to 55a Stougnton do ...» 65s to 60s Liquors - » Nominal Sugars. (Duty paid, Id per lb.) Loaf, English, good to fine ton None do Crushed ... « Mauritius crystals, fine white — » i ® ss to do bright, yellow counter » £48 to £49 Melbourne Company's Ist counter ... Tobacco. (In bond.) - (Duty, 2s 6rl per lb.) Barrett's ... 1" ,3s do first quality ... » 3s 3d to 3s 9d Teas. (Duty paid, 6i per lb.) Congou, fine blackish leaf, strong ... H> 2s 8d do good ordinary ... » 2s to 2a 2d Souchong, fine to finest... » 3s to 3s 3d do fair to good ... » 2s 6d to 2s 7d do good to ordinary ... » 2s 2d to 2s 4d Hyson, fine to yery fine... » 2s lOd to 3s do middling to good ... » 2s7dto2s9d Gunpowder, superfine ... » 3s to 3s 3d Pekoe scented orange, good • to fine ... 3s to 3s 3d Wiites. (In bond.) » IDuty per gal., 4s in wood; os in bottle. Port, Hunt's single diamond ... gallon 8s do double do ... » do treble do ... » I® B do four do ... » 12s Sandeman's single grape... »°s „^ do double do ... » 9s 6d do treble do ... » H® do four do ... » 13s Sandeman's, choice ... » I® B to 18s Others ... » Nominal Case, good to fine ... doz. 20s to 40s Sherry, Sandeman's dry Amontillado, choice ... gallon 20s to 22s 6d Gonzalez do do do .... . » 18s to 20s Low to fair ... » 6s to 10» Case, good to fine ... doz. 30s to 45s Champagne, Moet's, Gies- „ ler's, Ruinart's, and Piper's Other good brands ... „ Ordinary quality ... „ I Nominal • Sparkling hock, moselle, ~ &c., fine Do ordinary ... „ Sauterne, good ... ,> Claret, really good ... „ „

AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

Sinca our last, things are looking very much more cheerful, and a good demand has sprung up for all descriptions of farming produce. Stocks of grain in the growers' hands have become very light; there are still a few parcels of wheat left, but the lots are very small. Of barley there is scarce any remaining. Oats, also, have been eagerly sought after these last three weeks, at enhanced prices ; the stocks are now very low. Anything in the way of beef meets a ready sale, at advanced rates ; buyers from the West Coast market are constantly scouring the country for fat cattle, and price does not seem any object so long as good beasts cap be obtained. Our prospects for, pext year's grain crops seem pretty good, a very large acreage of wheat having been put in this year ; but it is a general remark that in rio former season has the wheat ever looked so backward, and a large portion is very foul with chickweed. Many farmers think this of no consequence, as the chickweed dies away before the wheat gets well up in grass. Much of the wheat is also very thin on the ground, caused, in a great measure from sowing the damaged and spirted grain of last season ; still, with the fine rains we have had, and the large breadth sown, the North will have a great deal of wheat to spare. The farmers about the Kowai and Mount Grey Downs will be large growers, and there is almost a new district to come into the market. The Moeraki downs between Rangiora and Oxford &re now tilled to a very great extent, and promise to be fine wheat bearing land, in fact, the best wheat spoken of is growing there. Unfortunately there are no means of knowing the number t)f acres, so that it is impossible to form the slightest estimate of what the yield will be. Every one is busy now preparing for barley and oats, of which, from all the information we gather, there will be extensive sowings. Therecent rains have made the grass to spring, and there will-be abundance of keep, and in all probability the hay crop will be good.

LABOUK MABKET. ["From information supplied by the Immigration Officer.] Since the date of my last report no immigrants have arrived in barracks. The ship Tudor is daily expected with immigrants, classified as follows:—31 families representing 75 adults, 39 single men, and 31 single women, making a total of 145 statute adults. Useful married couples for farms and stations are much wanted, at wages from £00 to £70 per annum and found. There is a fair demand for single men : ordinary labourers, at from £40 to £50; good ploughmen and hill shepherds, at from £60 to £60; boys wlw can milt can obtain situations at wages from £15 to £20, and found. Good domestic servants are constantly inquired after; the demand now being considerably in excoss of thfe number expected per ship Tudor. The rates of wages to servants of all work u-e from £10 to £30; good cooks readily find situations at from £30 to £40. Tradesmen, with the exception of blacksmiths and tailors, are not in demand at present: good blacksmiths can earn 10s per day, and tailors from £3 to £o per week.

MESSRS. AIKMAN AND WIWON'B BBPOBT. CATTLE.-Really good fat stock are scarce, and in demund Bt 60s per 100 lbs. Wo have P several lots at that figure, which wo fuljy R to see firmly maintained, unless wo have lal o portationa iVom Northern ports, winch, ho > wo do not look to receive «t present. Tho re of tho restrictions on tho importation 0 „ from tho Australian colonies to the West C Canterbury will not, we believe, have muc - ilueneo on prices hore for somo time to como, should tho serious obstacles (o safe landing, tho West Coast bars present., bo overcome. Stores aro also in domand, at fair rates; mobs of from 2 to 3 years old and upwards worth from £0 to £10; steers, ia far condition, from £10to £13, according to ago and qua i y, inferior mixed mobs, from £7 to £8. We effected sales at these quotations. Cows.—Good dairy slock in demand at £15 to £23; inferior, at from £8 to £12. At these rates wo have sold, during the month, in o stockyards, between 60 and (10 head by ftuotion. Sukkp.—Fat wedders in demand for immeaiat uso, and are worth from 20s to 225, according o weight. Our sale was at 20s for a lloc averaging something under 55 lb3 each, a nd we look tor prices being maintained,even after suearing, should our roads to tho West Coast bo in a fit state to travel stock upon. In owes we nave

no transact ions. We can sell *t 21s for 2 { 4, 0, and 8-tooth, which price we believe to be a fair average of those ruling m our market. For lambs inquiry is beginning to be made. . ... LAND.-Thore are not many inquiries for other town or suburban, and few sales have been effected during the month; thoprinoipal transacttons have been in properties sold by auction, by order of the mortgagee, which, in most instances, have realised «n advance upon the amount of mortgage money and oxpenses; in some cases, however, tho properties had to k withdrawn, tho upset price not being offered. Notwithstanding the small demand, wo cannot quoto any great fall in tho price ot town or suburban lands; properties at some distance from Christchurcb, however, are obtainable at a lower rate than was ruling hero twelve months ago. . . , Timbre. —Our sale of American timoor, ex Otago, at tho Railway Station, on the 28th ult. was well attended; tho biddings were spirited,and tho whole was cleared off at very satisfactory rates. Wo obtained for shelving from 25s to 30s per 100 superficial feet; tongued and grooyed lumber, 25s to 29b; spruco flooring, 295: spruce deals, 20s to 235; sashes, from 9s to 15s per pair; and doors, from 13s to 265, according to size; shingles, 7s 9d, 89, and 9s per bundle. After the timber, wo cleared off a quantity of slates, which brought, for viscountess, £15; countess, £17; and duchess, £18 per 1000. ... . i Tho demand for provincial timber is good, at an advance upon last month's quotations. Upon the whole, we are able to report a healthier tone in business matters generally than wo have been in a position to do for some months past; the satisfactory state of the stock market, combined with the singuarly good accounts from the goklfields, load us to tho conviction that, by the end of spring, our trade will be in a highly prosperous condition.

Imports. Expobtb. 186 £302,030 I860 £209,454 186 401,843 1801 918,647 1862 692,680 1862 2o8,607 1863 872,050 1863 W08 186 882,906 1864 400,886 And we find in another table a return of yield of gold, produce of Canterbury. Export Value at Gros , 8 duty £3 17b 6d total - collected. per on. Ounces. £ b. d. £ . s. d. To Deo. 31,'04 1537* 192 3 8 6967 12 4 To Junc30,'6o 64179 8022 6 9 248692 9 3 T °Aug! y i865 <1 38973 4871 12 7160920 7 6 Totals 104680 .V13086 3 0405570 9 1