COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2524, 4 February 1869, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Lyiklion Times Office, Wednesday Evening. The Customs rerenue collected to-day amounted to £312 10s 9d. The following were the items;— Wine, 193} gallons, £3B 17s 3d; spirits, 281J gallons, £l6B 17s ; beer (bottled), 200 gallons, £10; tobacco, 240 lbs, £3O; tea, 2062 lbs, £sl 6s; baking powder, 1 case, 3s; glassware, 4 cases, £2 4s 6d; hardware, 2jcwt, 9s; fancy goods, 1 case, 3s 7d ; combs, 2 cases, 12s Id; rice, 20 cwt,, £2; hops, 336 lbs, £1 8s; currants, 672 lbs, £2 7s 8d; almonds, 56 lbs, 14s; light dues; £2lßs 8d; arms fees, 2s.

Timaru.—The Herald of Feb. 3 reports: An improved tone is observed in business generally, and traders are looking forward to further improvement. The market is barely supplied with goods of all kinds, retailers having only purchased for positive requirements since the fire. The .steamers from Dunedin continue to bring large cargoes to hand, the Keera having discharged nearly 100 tons on Monday. There is no alteration in prices to note. Wool comes in steadily from the country, notwithstanding the recent wet weather, and the stores in town are well filled, as the weather has been unfavourable for .shipping it. The Mystery has taken in about 1550 bales for London, Harvesting has commenced very generally, and fine weather is anxiously looked for to gather in the crops. Labour of all kinds is exceedingly scarce, and the rate of wages high. Both in ; town and country an outcry is made for labour. Skilled artizans are also fully employed, at high rates, stonemasonß receiving from 12s to 14s per day. Otauo.—The Sun of Jan 27 reports:—The import markets to-day have been better sustained, and a fair disposition has been apparent to do business. There is still, however, an an excessive carefulness shown by buyers in their purchases, and few can be persuaded to do a good line in general goods, preferring the hand to mouth Btyle of purchasing, that during the last few months has become so general. This is applicable more particular to certain classes of goods, which most of th .' second houses have been in the habit of importing from Australia, but with firmer markets there, we anticipate better results here. We note sales for the day of rum, 10 0.p., at 4s 6d, and bottled stout, (Blood's) at 8s Gd. In oils we hear of one or two lines being cleared, of raw and boiled linseed at 5s and 5s 3d respectively, and for a parcel of boiled in bulk, at 4s 9d per gallon; colza oils have been dealt in at 5s 9d, showing an advance of a penny and a half on late sales.

Groceries, &c., have also been better dealt in, i sales of Colman's superfine mustard, in 71b tins, have been effected at Is and Is Id per lb; Robinson's groats at Bs, 9d; Lea and Perrin's sauce in half-pints at 13s 6d, and pi| ; es at 3s to 3s 3d per gross; colonial butter having changed hands at lid and Is per lb. In sugars only a limited trade been done; crushed loaf having sold in small lots only, at from £45 to £46 in bond, 1 and a small parcel of ration sugar, at £3O. ; Metals have not beer dealt in to any extent/the only line, coming under our notice being a parcel of tin plates, at 41s. Messrs M'Landress, Hepburn, and Co held a large clearing sale of general goods, at the stores of Messrs Dalgety, Rattray, imd Co, at which prices were fairly sustained. Valparaiso.—The following report;is dated Dee. 13: Wheat.—There is a rery little demand for this article on account of holdefs still asking higher prices than purchasers are able to pay for export. We have to mention the following sales: 7000 fanegas at 3 dols 25 e per fan. of 1551bs in stout bags here on board of coasters; 4300 fanegas at 8 dols 27$ c per fan, of 1651bs in bulk in Llico f.ob,, both lots for Peru. 1500 fanegas at 3 dols 18$ c to 3 dols 25c per fan. of 1551bs in stout bags here on board of

coasters for local consumption; 1500 fanegas at 3dols 12jc per fan. of ISolbs in stout bags here on board of coasters for export to thej Cape of Good Hope; 6000 to 7000' fanegia at 2dols 97c per fan. of 1551bs in ; stout bags in Curanipe f,o.b. for export to England. M; Tome 3dols I2£c per hectares of 168lbs iij: bulk f.o.b. is asked, but' only snlall lots for ; Peru obtain this rate. , The' weather con? tinues to be favourable for the next crop, which promises to be abundant, so we presume before long the price of wheat will fall, Flour.-During the past fortnight the following lots have been disposed of: —9000 quintals Santiago brands in warehouse at Bdols and 7dols per 200lbs less 6 per cent,, and 6000 quintals South brands here and on "board of coasters'sold at fidols 'SOc and "6dols 25c for local and coast consumption; 9000 quintals of South brands on board of coasters at sdols 75c less 6 per cent,, and 8000 quintals do. do. at 6dols do. do. for export to Cape Town, The stock of South brands is not large, but of Santiago flour there is a considerable quantity, and if holders wish to sell for export they will have to reduce their price, which probably will take place. San Fiuncisco.—The following is Messrs W, 1\ Robertson and Co.'s circular, dated December sWheat.—There is very little demand for this aiticle on account of holders still asking higher prices than purchasers are able to pay for export. We have to mention the following sales: —7ooo fanegas at 3 dols 25c per fan. of ISfilb ill stout bags here on board of coaster: 3300 fanegas at 2 dols 87Jc per fan of 1551bs in bulk in Llico f.0.b., both lots for Peru 1500 fanegas at 3 dols 25c per fan of ISSlba, in stout bags here on board coasters for local consumption: 1500 fanegas at 3dols 12Jc per fan of 1551b in stout bags here on board of coasters for export to the Cape of Good Hope; 6 to 7000 fanegar at 2dols 97c per fan of 1551b in stout bags in Curanipefob for export to' England. In Tom 6 3dols 12Jc per hectores of 16811)3 in bulk f 0 b is asked, but only, small lots for Peru obtain this rate. The weather continues to be favorable for the next crop, which promises to be abundant, so we presume before jong the price of wheat will fall. Flour —During the past fortnight the following lots have been disposed of:—9000 quintals Santiago brands in warehouse at Bdols and 7dolß per 200lbs less 6 per cent, and 6000 quintals South brands here and on board of coasters at 6dols 50c to 6dols 25c for local and coast consumption; 9000 quintals South brands on board of coasters at Bdols 75c less 6 per cent, and 8000 quintals do do do do at 6dols do do for export to Cape Town. The stock of South brands is not large, but of Santiago flour there is a considerable quantity, and if holders wish to sell for export they will have to reduce their price, which probably will take place. Barley.—This article is very dull, as the bad news from the nitrate ports has stopped any demand, about 5000 fanegas were sold here in stout and thin bags at from 2dols 75c to 2dols 12|c for the coast, and in Los Vilos about 4700 fans were sold to a speculator at Idol 75c in bulk in warehouse, free of storage to the end of this month. Our market closes without purchasers even at these reduced prices.