COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9648, 13 February 1892, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Lyttelton Times Office, Friday evening jhe business of the week has not been particularly active, the late wet and unseasonable weather having acted as a damper on the aspirations of business people generally. The depressing effect has not been confined to the town district, but has. extended in a more acute form to the country. It is no wonder, when the outlock was so exceptionally promising, that the almost continuously broken weather which has resulted in so much damage to the gram should have a discouraging influence for the time being. Fortunately, to-day a desiderable change has taken place, a gentle nor’-wester, accompanied by extreme heat, having prevailed. The delivery of several lines intimately connected with the harvest has been temporarily checked, but will no doubt come to the surface as soon as work is again in full swing. Cables referring to the wool sales do nbt display any recovery in values. Progress is being made in the disposal of the catalogues; but, to the disappointment of farmers and others interested, the market basnet improved. Against this we can set a better feeling, with a slight advance in price, in the frozen mutton market. The depression in this article has been so long current that even the microscopic advance that has been established is h ailed with pleasure. Locally, sheep sales at the Addington yards have been pet. faded by a vigour and keesAesa la, bid?

ding, which must make even the most despondent agriculturist indulge in a quiet chuckle. In the grain market the week has not been fruitful of any development in the situation. Nothing practically has transpired, and what may be called the opening of the season has not yet taken place. The only thing apparent in connection with it is the extreme probability of considerable friction when the bulk comes to the warehouses. The provision made for the over-sea carriage appears to have received studied attention, for the charters completed for this work, for the opening at any rate, are on a liberal scale. It may also be said that the rates asked by charterers are not excessive. For the same service in _ San Francisco they are less by an appreciable amount per ton, but in instituting such a comparison it must be borne in mind that there are exceptional circumstances in California which are non-existent here. Sydney cables of late have been of a decidedly sensational character, and afford a strong contrast to the financial calm enjoyed here. We have passed through a sea of troubles following our land boom, the drop in produce and bad years, but in the reconstruction of our house we have never suffered such an acute experience as has now overtaken our New South Wales neighbours Looking at it as it affeots ourselves, we can only regret that the exigencies of the moment should have forced upon them the adoption of a tariff which so directly touches oor usual exports to that Colony. Business financially w-tb us is in a healthy condition, and even allowing for the partially disastrous events in connection with harvesting operations of the last few days, it will probably continue to present the same satisfactory aspect. Prices may be cut, but sales are made with confidence in freedom from difficulty when payment has to be made. It cannot be said in relation to money that it has got any dearer, for where wanted and undoubted security is tendered it is obtainable at rates which do not exhibit any rise in terms.

In goods, as we have said, the weather is responsible for the curtailed volume of trade. This we look upon as only temporary. A much brisker feeling will doubtless come to the front very shortly. Sugars remain on much the same lines. The market this week has received a small addition to supplies by the arrival of a moderate line of Mauritius. Teas only show a quiet inquiry. Imports from Australia can be noticed. Blends are not quite so muoh in favour with consumers, the public having been dosed to a much greater extent than their appetites appreciate. In the smaller lines of groceries the demand has been of a hand-to-mouth nature. Importers of bluestone are beginning to offer, but the season is yet a trifle too early to chronicle any special business. With the shortening of the days deliveries of kerosene are becoming of larger dimensions. Imports this year it is certain will be largely on charterers or ships* account, as business for a long time past in this article has been simply a piling on of losses. Prices range from la 4d to Is 7d, according to brand. Good Luck and Light of the Age have been rushed. Agents of Royal intimate a reduction in price of 2d _ per gallon. A considerable business in tobaccos, both light and dark, has transpired. Caustic soda has been sold at .616 to .£l6 10s. A slight demand for caustic potash has revealed the bareness of stocks. A quieter tone can be noted in connection with liquors and beers, the distributing houses not having been so busy. Advices from most of the leading champagne houses are confirmatory of the rise in tirices. Locally, several sales, embracing in the aggregate fully one hundred cases of various brands, are reported. Fair sales, considering the season, of wire, chiefly No. 8, have been made. Galvauiaed iron and cement sell at late rates. Sheep dip is now being sent out in daily increasing quantities.

GRAIN AND PRODUCE. Since we last wrote the continuous and heavy wet has been a fruitful source of anxiety to the farmers. Their attention has been so much absorbed in to preserve the gram unfortunately lying out, that it is no wonder market reports should be bare of any special features, and that business should be meagre. Fine weather, with a drying wind, is much desired. As regards quotations the position has not altered, and values are still floating between 3s 6d and 3a 9d. Oats. —The market continues quiet, with an absence of life. Business has been limited in scope. We quote milling Is 9d to Is XOd (of this description there are few lines brought forward at present), stout feed la 8d to Is 9d, other grades Is 7d to la 7id. Barley has not yet attracted much attention, it being too early for matured samples to be brought forward. Bs»ns akd Peas.— Beans not yet offering. Prussian Blues 8a to 3s 3a 3d. Flour.— Millers quote JSII to &\2, the latter for roller. Grass Seed.— Samples of ryegrass continue to appear, for which last week’s quotation is still current, 2s 3d to 3s, according to quality; superior, 3a 3d. Cocksfoot is not yet available in quantity. It is feared the recent rain may have caused, iu a great many instances, discolouration of the seed. Nothing of any importance has transpired as to prices, but we repeat 8d to Bsd as the probable opening rates for bright seed. These, however, may be affected by the late weather. Dairy Produce.—Butter, 6d to 7d; cheese, 3sd to 4Jd,