COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2986, 6 August 1870, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times office, Friday Evening. Business was moderately active in the early part of the week, but during the last few days trade has been completely at a stand-still owing to the heavy rains. Country orders have been coming forward more freely, and town operations, although somewhat limited, may be considered satisfactory. Stocks of general merchandise are quite within limits, very few staple lines being in excess of requirements, so that full values are obtained. The 4th passed over satisfactorily, very few traders requiring assistance to meet their engagements. The Rangitoto and Gothenburg have arrived during the week from Melbourne, both bringing small cargoes for this port. A good enquiry still exists for fine teas; stocks of this description are out of importers’ hands. The demand for medium and the lower classes have slightly improved, but quotations if anything are scarcely so firm. Orange pekoes and gunpowder of really good quality meet with a steady enquiry at fully sustained rates. Sugars are getting scarce, and holders now demand a slight advance on late values! The trade, however, are operating for bare wants, as direct shipments are shortly expected from Mauritius. During the week, few sales of kerosine may be reported, as the late shipments have fully supplied the trade for some time; quotations range from 3s lid to 4s 3d. We note that a considerable fall in price has taken place in Melbourne, and consequently the above quoted rates will be only of short duration. Candles have been placed by auction at lljd to but, privately, holders obtain Is freely. The demand for spirits has improved. Sales in small lines of Hennessy’s and Martell’s pale and dark brandies, in bulk, are reported at 7s 4d to 7s 8d ; C.V.P. ranges from 6s 3d to 6s 6d ; Hennessy’s case is also fairly supported at 29s to 30s. Geneva, owing to heavy supplies, meets with rather a dull sale at 12s 9d to 13s. Bulk wMskys have been working off briskly, at quotations ranging from 5s 3d to 6s 6d. Rum is getting low in stock, and consequently values have slightly improved. Comsacks are somewhat neglected at 13s 6d to 13s 9d, and a further fall is shortly anticipated, as holders are anxious to quit, even at a loss.

Owing to the high prices now demanded for wheat and oats, very little has been exported during the week, as shippers find that no margin is left. We note that the Melbourne market has slightly advanced, but prices ruling there will scarcely induce shipments. There are still a few orders from the North not executed, but the stand that holders have now taken prevents large transactions. Stocks in store are getting reduced, and good dry samples ready for shipment are not over-plentiful, and if the weather continues so unfavourable for threshing purchasers will have to give the rates demanded. Wheat, in store, is held for 3s 8d to 3s lOd; sales have transpired at 3s 9d, but the fair may be quoted at 3s 7d to 3s Bd. The demand for oats is still active; if anything, values are scarcely so firm; large parcels of prime potato have been placed at 2s 6d. Barley remains neglected at 2s 9d to 3s 3d. In provisions, butter continues in good request at 8f dto 9Jd. Cheese is moving off in fair sized parcels at 6jd to 6£d. Bacon and hama are of ready sale at last week’s rates. Potatoes find few purchasers at even 255.

STOCK AND STATION REPORT. Sales during the past week have been principally among fat sheep and store cattle ; for the former considerable enquiry has been made, and for prime quality, with delivery in lots extending over a few months, as high as 10s per head has been given. Holders are even disinclined to sell at this price, and in one or two instances as high as 12s is dtmanded.

Store Cattle—2-year old steers are most in demand, and may be quoted at about £5 10s to £6 per head. Those offered at the Carlton on Wednesday last realised fully these rates, and young stock especially commands the attention of buyers. Notwithstanding the fact that the market is a little unsteady in consequence of arrangements which are said to be in course of preparation on the West Coast for the importation of a considerable number of fat cattle from the North Island, and also the belief that the restrictions imposed on the Otago, cattle will be removed when the Provincial Council assembles, if not at au earlier date. store wethers are enquired for, but the prices offered are not sufficient to tempt sellers. They may be quoted at from 5s to 6s, according to quality, age, and place of delivery. Station Property.—We have no change to report. There are one or two buyers in the province, but they and sellers do not appear to come to terms. We understand the Meat Preserving Company have got through the bulk of the stock entered on their books, and are now prepared to receive fresh applications.

Messrs E. Mitchell and Co. report on live stock, for the week ending August 5, as follows :—Business during the past week has been fairly active, and the markets, generally speaking, are without alteration. Upwards of 300 head of cattle have been yarded during the week, and most of them changed hands. On Wednesday the market was very bare of fat cattle and good sheep. We sold at the White Hart Yards as follows:—one pen of weaners at £3 2s 6d per bead ; one pen of two-year-old heifers at £4 10s ; one pen of two-year-old steers at £5 7s 6d ; milch cows, from £7 10s to £l2 10s. At the Carlton Yards, 25 one and two-year-old steers at £5 7s fid ; one pen of three year-olds at £7 10s ; milch cows, from £7 10s to £8; sheep, one pen of ewes at 4s fid ; one ditto at 4s 9d ; one ditto at Ss, all of inferior quality. We quote beef at last week's prices, viz : 27s 6d per lOOlbs; sheep, merino ewes, Ijd to Ifd ; wethers, 2d to 2jd ; half breds, from 2Jd to 2jd per lb.

The following is Messrs Bird and Bennett’s stock report for the week ending Aug. 6: — The demand for fat stock, both cattle and sheep, still continues to increase, and the market is barely supplied. Fat stock of every description will command a ready sale at first-class prices. We quote prime beef at 30s per 100lbs.,and good mutton at 2,d per lb. Store cattle, well bred and in fair condition, are very saleable. Dairy cows and young stock are in active demand. We have sold a large lot of store wethers this week, and can place others at from 5s to 6s 6d, according to quality and shearing time. Horses, especially young draught, good coaching, and useful hacks, are in demand. Our sales on Saturday last at Tattersall’s Repository were as follows:—Good heavy draught, from £26 to £45; useful farm horses, from £l6 to £22; backs, slight horses, from £5 10s to £l6. At

Mr C. Dyer’s clearing sale on Tuesday last wesoldabout 100 head of stock at the following rales:—Dairy cows, from £8 10s to £l6, and springing heifers from £7 10s to £9; young stock, from £3 12a 6d to £7 6s. At the Calton Yards on Wednesday we sold, 60 head mixed cattle at prices from £3 16s' 6d to £7, and a lot of inferior fat wethers at from 6s 6d to 6s 9d each. At the Repository on Thursday we sold for Messrs G. R. and N. Mcßae a mob of broken and unbroken horses from the Nelson province at prices varying from £4 to £l7, and not in good condition. Those suitable for the plough and farmers’ work would realise well.

The Customs revenue collected at Christchurch and Lyttelton to-day amounted to £306 8s 2d. The following were the items; Spirits, 316 J gals, 1 sample, £2OB Os lOd ; tea, 405 lbs, £lO 2s 6d ; sugar, 2100 lbs, £8 15s j tobacco, 492 lbs, £6l 10s ; drapery, 1 case, 1 pci, £3 6s 3d ; hardware, 3 cwt 2 qrs, 14s ; stationery, 9 cases, £4 13s 4d; composition piping, 6 cwt 2 qrs, 6s 6d ; lamp globes, 3 cases, 15s lid ; 1 revolver, 6s ; curry powder, 6 cases, 2s Id; watermen’s licences £2 2s ; light dues, £1 18s 3d; pilotage, £3 16s 6d.

THE NEW TARIFF. The following import duties came into operation at the Custom-house on June 29, pending the decision of the House of Representatives on the Ministerial proposals

Otago. —The Daily Times of Aug. 4 reports :—Since the departure of the mails there has been but little doing, and the transactions coming under notice have generally been devoid of interest. The markets, however, show some little indication of returning activity, and it is probable that with the advent of finer weather general business will materially improve. The breadstuffs market has during the past day or two sustained an improvement, and the value both pf good wheats and flour sensibly advanced. Good grinding wheats have been in request, and holders of parcels are little disposed to quit; the value is now 4s 3d to 4s sd, and moderate sales at these figures have taken place. Flour is now quoted at the mills at £ll 10s to £l2, which is equivalent to an advance of 20s per ton ; no heavy sales of flours have transpired at these rates, but holders are firm, and a fair current business is going on, with an improving demand. For general imported goods the enquiry has been quite of a miscellaneous character, with nothing of alteration in the markets. Sugars have been in fair demand, and private sales are reported at fair prices. By auction, Messrs M'Landress, Hepburn, and Co. offered yesterday the sugars, ex Annabella, transhipped to this port, quitting, the principal lines at full rates. White crystals realised £4O to £39 10s ; fair yellows, £3510s to £34 17s 6d ; first counters, £35 ; and second do, £33 17s 6d. The small proportion of the sugars not placed were chiefly brown sorts, which are generally in better demand later in the season than at present. Sales of township sections have, within the last few days, taken place in the following townships, with the subjoined results : —27 sections, situated within the township of Havelock, were sold at prices ranging from £2 to £ll, the total: amount realised being £IOB 15s ; 6 sections, within the township of Roxburgh, were sold at £5 each, 1 for £5 10s, 1 for £7, and I for' £l2 10s. A section within the township of Alexandra brought £8 5s ; at Clyde, a section brought £2 15s ; 1 was sold for £2 17s 6d, 1 for £9 7s 6d, 2 for £l2 10s each, and 1 for £2O 13s, 2 sections in the township of Gladstone went for £2 each, and 2 for £6 each.

Melbourne.—The Argus of July 27 reports:—ln the import markets business continues to show little life or activity, and nothing of much importance has, in consequence, come under our notice to-day. The unsettled state of the weather is beginning to affect the market for breadstuffs, more especially as the condition of the roads makes it uncertain when supplies sufficient for re* quiremeuts can come forward, and as a result a further advance on flour must be reported. Sales of country brands in trade parcels have been made at £ll 15s and £l2 has also been paid. Wheat; is very much inquired for, and were parcels now offering, there is no doubt that improved rates would be secured. A line of about 1000 bushels was cleared off by auction at 5s 2Jd. Oats are scarcely so firm. We; note, however, the sale of several parcels at 3s Bd. Quotations range from 3s 7d to 3s 9d. Of maize there is little or nothing offering; for the few trifling parcels disposed of buyers are compelled to give 4s 6d to 4s 7d. Candles still continue to evince heaviness. There is no inquiry privately, and almost the whole of the business transacted goes through the auction mart. About 1900 boxes were cleared off this forenoon at rather lower figures, 9Jd to 9Jd having been accepted for slightly damaged. Malt attracts little attention. We learn, however, of some 2500 bushels haying been placed at about our quotation of 7s. Cornsacks are steadily maintained at the advance lately established ; 76 bales were offered and disposed of by auction at lls 10£d. A shipment of coarse salt has been taken up on terms withheld ; we understand that a full figure was realised. In sugars, not much of any special importance has been made public. Teas are likewise inactive, pending the large public sales coming off shortly. In addition to the sale already referred to as to take place on Thursday forenoon, we observe that the balance of all the fine teas per Dioscuren and Catherine Fullarton, comprising 4404 packages, will be offered on the afternoon of the same day. The sales of timber embrace the cargo of Oregon sawn, per North Star. Three-inch brought £6 to £6 10s per 1000 ft,; 4-in., £6 to £7 ss; 6-in., £6 2s 6d to £7 5s ; 10-in., £6 7s 6d; 12-in,, £6 Iss to £7 15s; and 14-in., £6 7s 6d; 4jft. laths sold at 22s 6d per 1000; and 4ft. to 4Jft. pickets, at £5 2s 6d per 1000. 2645 red deals, 9 x S, ex Childwell Abbey, were cleared off, all faults, at 3jd to 3d 15-16ths. The flooring, ex Eaton Hall, was quitted at 5s 6d to 9s for iin. to IJin. red and white. T. and G. weatherboards, four out, brought 6s 9d to 7s. In liquids there is no business doing. It gives us pleasure, however, to note the demand springing up from outside for our colonial ales. We understand that a parcel of 60 hhds. from the Carlton Brewery has been disposed of at a full price, for shipment to the other colonies, and this is stated to be the fourth parcel of a similar description shipped within a short time.

. s. d. Bacon and hams, per lb 0 n Beef and pork, per cwt 4 0 Butter, per lb .1. 0 3 Cheese, per lb •• 0 2 Biscuits (plain), per cwt 6 0 Meats (potted), per cubic foot 6 0 Jams, jellies, and marmalade, per cubic foot 5 0 Fish (potted and preserved and fish paste), per cubic foot 6 0 Fish (dried, pickled, or salted) per cwt 4 0 Oysters (preserved), per cubic foot 5 0 Rice, per cwt 2 6 Maizena and cornflour, per cubic foot 2 0 Groats (prepared), per cubic foot ... 2 0 Cordage (3 inch and under), per cwt 6 0 Soap (common), per cwt 3 6 Blankets and rugs, per cubic foot ... 5 0 Leather (other than sole), per lb ... 0 2 Saddlery and harness, per cubic foot 4 0 Furniture and cabinetware (of wood), per cubic foot 0 9 Doors (of wood), each 2 0 Sashes (window), per pair 2 0 Timber (sawn), per 100 feet superficial ... 2 0 Shingles and laths, per 1000 2 0 Palings, per 100 2 0 Rails, per 100 4 0 Posts, per 100 Wine (in bottle), per gal 8 0 5 0 Grain (not otherwise described), per 100 lbs 0 9 Flour and meal, per 100 lbs 1 0 Hay and straw, per ton 10 0 Chaff, per ton 20 0 Eggs, per cubic foot ... 1 0