Commercial Report.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XV, Issue 79, 31 December 1856, Page 2

Commercial Report.

CANTERBURY MARKETS. [From the Lyttelton Times, December 10.]

Flour and Grain. — There has been so little business done of late in farm produce that we have rofrnined from repeating quotations of prices from week to week without alteration. The very fine weather which the country has enjoyed for the past month ha 3 had the effect of improving the appearance of the v. heat crops in every direction, and it is probable that the loss from the floods of early spring will be scarcely observable at harvest time. This fact, taken in connexion with the low prices and fulness of the Australi'in markets, is beginning to induce recent holders of wheat to find a market at once. The price may be quoted at Gd. per bushel, with few transactions. We may add that there arc at present no symptoms of any shortness in the supply for home consumption till iii'xt harvest. Last year's crop of oats, on the contrary, has fallen considerably short of the demand ; J!U consequence, the small quantity in the market f< L-hes readily at least 10s. per bushel. In other farm produce little* is to be said, except that the new cheese \s ill soon bo largely in the market, where the still largo supply of old cheese, very unusual at this period of the year, must cause a reduction in price. Woot-. — The wool clip is forward for the time of year, owing to the fineness of the season, as compared with the last two yeai-s, and not less perhaps to the tiniiotyof Bhcep farmers to be ready for draying to the place of shipment before the days begin to be short and the roads bad. The greater abundance of labour has made a difference in the price of shearing. We may quote the usual rate at 20a. per 100, with rations ; but this may slightly differ in different localities. A small quantity of wool has already i-ome down to the stores, aud occasional cargoes are being landed in Lyttelton. The Mountain Maid took n few bales (in grease) to Sydney, some days ago, which was purchased here at B£d. The late reports of high prices obtained at the July and August London sales, among which were about 1,000 lbs. from this settlement, ex William and Jane, have done much to stimulate sheepfarmers to greater care in the get1 ing up of this year's clip, and much improvement in thU particular may be expected, in spite of many difficulties. The sales nlluded to have also had a beneficial effect upon trade generally in this province, as was to be expected. Retail Mabkets.— Lyttelton, Dec. 9.— Bread, per 41b. loaf, Is. 2d. ; butter, fresh and salt, Is. Gd. per lb, ; eggs, 2s. 6d. per doz. ; cheese, Is. 4d. per lb. ; lard, is. 4d. per lb. ; beef, Bd. per lb. ; mutton, sd. and Gd. per lb. ; veal, 9d. per lb. ; pork, Bd. per lb. ; bacon, Is. ; hams, Is. Cd. per lb. ; candles, homemade, Is. per lb.— Christchurch, Dec. 6 : Bread, per 41b.-loaf, Is. ; butter, Is. 4d. per lb. ; eggs, Is. Gd. per doz. -, beef, 5d., <5d., and ?d. per lb. ; mutton, 4th, 5d., ar>d 6d. per lb. ; cheese, 18. 2d. per lb. ; lard, Is. per 2b. ; butchers' candles, Is. per lb. ; first flour, £22 per ton.