COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5949, 20 March 1880, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times Office. \ Friday Evening. i Tho great revival in trade which it was i anticipated would follow upon the abundant j larveat just gathered has not beou realised, and general disappointment is the result. It ( is, however, satisfactory to note that the improved tone noticed during the past two weeks has been well maintained, and indications are favourable to a continuation of at least a healthy, if not extensive trade, for some time to come. Market reports brought by the mail show how widespread is the revi- j vral in trade at Home, and how general is the advance in ail descriptions of goods. Though this market is always slow in responding to any advance established elsewhere, there can be no doubt that higher rates for both English and American goods must rule here when fresh supplies are in the market. Teas —Good, common, and medium qualities are in good request, leading to the quittance of several parcels during the week at Is Ud to Is lOd d.p. Stocks of teas have rarely been so low as at the present, and as the outside markets are higher than this, it is not improbable that higher rates will role before the new crop arrives. Sugars—The arrival of the Jasper yesterday replenishes stocks to the extent of only about 160 tons. Advices brought by her reach down to Jan. 29, and must prove satisfactory to holders, ns the following extracts from circulars will show: — •“ Geocbby Sugabs—Stocks in all hands are but small, and are lower than they have been at this season for years past. The scarcest sugars are fine to finest whites, aud fine to finest yellows and brewers’.” “ Tho clearances and loadings to Row Zealand to date amount to 4384 tons (1507 to Christchurch), against 6069 tons (2431 to Christchurch), for the corresponding period, last crop.” This market has been fairly active throughout the week, tho demand running chiefly on yellows. A parcel of 25 tons was taken up by one buyer on terms withheld. Ratos rule as last quoted, £4l to £42 10s for good yellows d.p., and £4O to £4l 10a for fine to finest whites in bond. Fair trade sales are reported in all descriptions of grocery and oilmen’s stores at full rates. Mellor’s sauce has been placed in quantify during the week at agent’s quotations. Large re-sales of Champion’s vinegar have been effected at 2s 7d. Currants are hardening under the influence of advices from London; latest quotations are given at 27s to 27s fid for Provincial, 29s to 30s Patras, and up to 32s for very prime, against 17s fid to Ids 9d quoted this time last year. Sales in casks have been effected at s£d to fid, whilst a choice parcel in cases baa been taken up at 62d to arrive. Other dried fruits have not been much noticed. Galvanised iron maintains its firm position notwithstanding but a feeble inquiry. Gospel Oak commands £3l; other brands, £2 to £3 per ton less. Cement continues firm, but ia rather quieter. We have heard of Knight’s . offering at 15s fid ex ship. Kerosene - a good inquiry, supported by transactions, has been experienced. Light of Age has been placed at la lid and 2s. Royal, Nonpareil and other brands are being quitted in smaller

I parcels at 2a 2d lb 2s 3d. Advices hoW been j received of the sailing of the Gemme fo f this 1 port viA Duoodm with 1100 cases, but as she cannot reach hero for about four months it is * t>o carlyto give consideration to 0 her supplies. A shipment of. boiled ml. m drum#, haa been taken up at 4s 3 W& sacks Sales have been effected'at Bi6d in Lyttelton, and at same figure m tJhnetchurch, for ordinary size in quantity. Sales of caustic soda have been effected at equal to £25105. Fencing wire is coming Into notice, bub the price, asked by holders .frighten buvers. A late telegram quotes No. 6at £l4 5s f.o.b. This brings the cost laid down hero to £lB and £l9 for No. 8. and it is evident these prices will have to be paid ere long. Bottled ale and stout have had but feeble business. Bulldog ale has been placed at 12s. Pig stout and Boar’a-head stout at 11s fid. Bass’ ale in bulk has been placed in quantity at £9 ss, smaller parcels at £9 15s. /Wines have seen a slight business after a very long „pcll of inactivity. Sales of sherry an» reported at 8s fid to 13s i.b. Clarets of low quality have been placed at 22s to 24s d.p. Champagnes are totally neglected, and in face of the heavy advance shortly to be established, there is no probability of much improvement. Brandy continues quiet at late rates, viz., 7s Sd to 8s for second brands, and 9s to 12s for; beat quality. The advices from Oharente are of a most doleful character, and reveal the undeniable fact that there is scarcely any crop this season. We have.no improvement to notice in respect of other spirits, which continue almost wholly neglected. GRAIN AND PRODUCE. Business in the grain market during the past week has been tolerably active, notwithstanding that recent telegrams from Home advise a much easier feeling. Wheat for shipment is being pressed forward in every way, and the deliveries at the various railway stations by the growers show a steady accumulation. When this unpleasant fact comes to the surface so early in the season, : what will it be when the sttamers have gone further into threshing work. ; Wheat. —Sales to a large extent have been i made during the week at equal tp-As f.o.b. in Lyttelton. Some parcels have realised Id more. In numerous cases wheat is being shipped on , the joint venture of grower and merchant, and the practice seems to be growing in favour. Transactions for town delivery are reported at 3s lid toAs, according to quality. 1 Oats.— -There has not been much done in . oats, growers being loth to dispose of them ■ at the ruling rates. Feed are quoted at Is 3d to Is sd; milling, Is fid. Babies’.— Considerable sales have been made up to 8s 9d for first class, and one or two parcels have reached 3s. lOd; good malting is saleable at 3s 3d to 3s fid. Gbass Seed. —Eye ’grass is without the slightest enquiry, and to, effect sales, low rates have to be accepted. Fioue is quoted by millers at £loloa to £ll, with a fair enquiry. Daisy Phoducb —Batter 7d to 7id; cheese, 4Jd to sd; hams and bacon scarce at lOd.

THE STOCK MARKET. There was a good attendance at the Addington Yards on "Wednesday last, and more animation was displayed in bidding than had characterised the market for .some time past. The entries for the day comprised 8219 sheep, 426 cattle, and 103 pigs. Sheep.— There was rather a short supply of fat sheep, but a large number of stores. The former were cleared out at improved prices, the rise being from is to Is fid per head. Beat quality mutton realised equal to 2d per lb; medium, Hd to Ifd. Lambs were in large supply, and were cleared with difficulty at from 5s to 7s fid each. Stores were in active demand, especially ewes for breeding purposes. Cattle. —There was a good supply of beef, hub it was not of very fine quality. Most of the lines were cleared at an advance on last week’s prices. Prime quality beef is worth 22s fid per 1001 b; medium and inferior, 18s to 20s. Stores are still dull of sale. There is bo demand for anything hut good forward steers and well-grown heifers. Dairy cows are in demand at from £lO to £l3. Pias were not quite so brisk on Wednesday as at the previous sale. CUSTOMS’ REVENUE. Th« following was the Customs' reupnno collected on Thursday, March 18Wine, £25 JOs; spirits, £223 0s lOd; ale, £l3 ss; stout, £3 12s 6d; tea, £lB 11s 4d; sugar. £lOl 8s . 6d; tobacco, £69 6s; goods by weight, £33 2s 8d; ad valorem, £76 19s; other duties, £i Is; total, £556 11a lOd. Messes A cl and, Campbell, and Co. report on the live stock market for the week ending Thursday, March 18:—On Wednesday, at the Addington Taeds, 8219 sheep were yarded. The supply of fat sheep was rather short, by far the largest proportion of sheep entered being stores, and. as the butchers operated freely, there was no difficulty in effecting sales at an average on last week's rates of Is to la 6d for best quality. We quote best quality ■ heavy weight otoss-breds from 10s to 12s; medium weights, es 6d to 9s 63. A : large supply of fat lambs weio yarded, but the demand was not nearly so good as it has been during the season, and vendors had to submit to a fall of at least Is per head, prices ruling from Ss up to 8s 6d, according i to quality. A large number of store sheep came to hand, but sales were not effected easily, as buyers do not feel inclined to give the prices asked by ■ vendors. Cross-bred etore ewes, 5s 94 to 6s; merino ewes, sound mouths, ■3s 6d to 4s, Cattle—--1 426 head came to hand. There was more anlmai tiou »h.,wj at; he sale of fat cattle yesterday than . has oeen the cuss for some time, but we cannot quote any improvement ia the prices ruling. Best i ueef fetched Irom 18s to 21s per 1001 b. The market for stores was dull, and we can quote no upward i tendency in prices. Abhbueton— On Tuesday, we I held our usual fortnightly sale. There was a very large entry of sheep, principally stores. Wo placed ) fat cross-brads, medium quality and condition, at 7s 4d; merino store' wethers, 3s Sd; merino store ewes, from 2s 9d to 3s 9d; young store cattle, 3 about twelve months old, in good condition, up to Sts; eighteen months old to two years, £4; milch 1 cows, in profit, £4 2s 6d to £5 10s. We. placed pri. l vately during the week between 5900 to 6000 merino ewes and 1500 merino wethers ut satisfactory 1 prices, and we several lots now under offer to a various purchasers, ,

CORN EXCHANGE REPORT. The following is the Com Exchange report for the week ending Friday evening, March 19 : No alteration in values has taken place during the week. The gram trade still continues in a very torpid state. Beoent advices from England give the quotations of New Zealand wheat 52s to 53s per quarter. The Continental and British yields are unprecedently low; but, on the other hand, immensely 1 rge stocks are held in America by speou. lators. The break rp of this ting is anticipated, which will lead to large arrivals from America. The market, however, appears to be steady. Wheat.—Sales ore being effected for good sound milling quality at 4s per bushel, delivered in Christ, church. Exceptionally good quality, particular samples, fit for seed, Id to 143 per bushel over this quotation has been obtained. Chiok wheat Is hot commanding the same as In preceding weeks, the quality moreover varies so much that from 2s 6d to Ss 3d may be quoted as the valne. Babley.—Barley maintains its price. First-class malting quality ia by no means plentiful, while second rate to inferior is in great abundance. ■ For the first mentioned class as high as 4s 2d per bushel has been paid; lair average quality will command from 3a 8d to 3s 9d per bushel, while feed parcels range from 2s 4d to 2s 9d. Oats.—No move is takmg place in the value of this cereal, and the state of the market is precisely what it was three weeks ago. The extremely low prices ruling have stopped a large Influx. Merchants ore not eager, while sellers are in the same mind us to selling. Quotations remain at Is 43 to Is 6d per bushel. Bye Gbass is still difficult of sale, and prices are nominal. Potatoes,—There is a slightly better feeling in this tuber. Prices, however, are still low, with no immediate prospect of an advance. Solos are taking place at from 3Ds to Sss per ton at country stations, if within seven to eight miles of Christchurch. Cheese and Bdttee. —The former Is coming to hand rather freely, and prices are hardly so good. This week’s quotations are 4Jd to 6d per pound; butter, 6 Jd to 7d per lb. COMMERCIAL TELEGRAMS. ; Auckland. March 19. Country trade is a little brisker; but local bust* i nees is dull. Salt commands high prices, coarse, £6, fine, £6 10s; salad oil scarce, half-pints 6s;

fluuerlor £l9 to £2lrttum W hltflior* fjopd to oral hams sold it Od to Is; potatoes 60s per tenibut'oip, sMt, lOd to lid j bone dust (bydnej) is,overstocked, aud sold at £7. Dunedin. March 19. Prime fat beef. 24s per MOlbj j_ utton, 1M per lb r wheat, is to 4s 441 ohlok wheat, 8a tf> Sa 3d; oats, 1“ 44‘to Is 7dj b'rioy, 4a to 4s 6d s feed do, Bs (d to 8s i potatoes, £8 to £3 6s per ton i old bay, £4; new oaten hay, £3 sa; chaff. £3 ,10s } straw, *2 l bran, £t» pollard, £5 i flour, largo sacks, £ll to £ll 10s! oatm*al, £lO 10s j pearl barley, £B3: on I Us, Taper owt: now cheese, 5d to 6d per lb r jiaoon, rolled. lOdjhams, Is Id; sides baoon, lid; hams and bacon nio just now scarce In the market. ■ Bank ot New Zealand shares, 5. C Menial Bank, 41a 6d ! Natlonal Bank. COa ) Rational Insurance Company, 20s | St«n | In*ur. once. 9a to 10s ; Union Inaurauoo. l4# 6d to 15s ; Scottish and W Zealand National. Mortgage. and Investment, 21». Colonial Investment and Agency, 20a | Moßgiel Woollon Factory; COsj Union Steamship. £lB 15a, oum. div.