COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 778, 28 September 1853, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Saturday, September, 10th September, 1853. Gold has remained during the week at 31. 16s per ounce, with very little business doing. It is not likely that any rise in the price of gold will take place for some little time, the banks having ceased to purchase, and no great buyers appearing inclined to take the field. The shipments by the next two or three vessels to England are not expected to be large, although the recent splendid passage of the A, S. N. Company’s steam ship Victoria will, no doubt, lead to a preference on the part of shippers for this vessel. The impetus given to trade by the late discoveries at Balaarat is still felt, and its effects everywhere apparent, a week of activity in all business transactions having just closed. The past week has also been marked by some talk of an enterprize of great importance to the mercantile public, and one which we hope to see fairly started and zealously carried on ; for, if ever the construction of good and convenient wet and dry docks were a matter of necessity with any community, itcertainly is so in ours. The bungling and half-finished Government undertakings, the incomplete platform on the wharfs, the big hole westward Raleigh’s Wharf, intended, we believe, for some kind of a dock or basin, are quite enough to show that in matters of this kind our merchants themselves are the only parties to depend upon, and if they prove apathetic, stupid, or indolent, there is very little hope indeed of our shipping accommodation being anything more than a disgrace to the colony of Victoria. We believe that some considerable interest has been felt in this matter, and that the meeting on Tuesday is likely to be well attended ; but what is every man’s business, is proverbially no man’s business, and unless the matter is taken up by some enterprising spirit, and kept continually before the public in every possible way, the proposed docks and canal will terminate like some other grand projects, in the waters of oblivion. Not long ago a company was establishing for fishing on the coasts and in the rivers of the colony. The enterprise seemed a sensible one, and likely to pay; but some fatality seems to rest upon such things in this colony ; and the company is either in a state of coma, or quite defunct; to the detriment of our tables, though probably to the great exbiliration of the fishes. We hope such an end will not await a new company lately started, called the Victoria Freehold Land Society. This society is formed for the purpose of purchasing large quantities of land, to be divided among the shareholders in convenient allotments ; in this way enabling persons of small means to obtain land in such quantities as may suit them, —a striking exemplification of the value of the co-operative principle ; lor in no other way could such persons enter the field against the large capitalist, whose capacious maw really seems large enough to swallow all the land in the province, as a simple reference to our report of the last sales of land will show. We perceive some influential names in the prospectus of the new society, and we heartily wish it success. Edward Gilbert and Co. sold at the Victoria Mart, on Saturday, Goschen butter, Is. 7d. per lb.; Marteli’a brandy, 475. per dozen; composition candles, Is. 4d. per lb.; Elliott and Co.’s stout, 14s. dozen ; Van Diemen’s Land first quality flour, 30/, per ton.

MELBOURNE WHOLESALE PRICE CURRENT. Saturday, lOlh September, 1853. Business generally has decidedly improved during the past week. Prices have not materially altered, although a rise in many articles of general consumption mav be noticed. The present high rates of cartage have the effect of deterring storekeepers at the diggings from making large purchases, and an improvement in the state of the roads is anxiously looked for by all parties interested. We may remark that the rates of lighterage are still falling—los. to 15s. per ton from Hobson’s Bay to the wharves, Melbourne,being the general charge. This branch of business seems likely to be overdone, for everything that could be made to float has lately been in requisition for lightering purposes, and now it appears that several lighters are at the wharves, unable to procure employment. The demand for hardware goods is improving, and prices accordingly have a tendency upward. Scotch iron may he quoted at from 14/. to 1(5/., and sheet lead at from 40/. to 45/. Of the latter article, the market is quite bare, and a supply greatly wanted. Sugars of good quality are much in request. Java Bugar has been sold by auction at 31/. per ton of fine qvality, in baskets ; a rather brown kind fetched about 31/. per ton. The proposed alteration in the duties, and the late news from Singapore, may probably raise the value of certain kinds of sugar ; at present, however, we have no great change to report. Hysonskin tea is not much asked for, but the demand for congou and gunpowder remains good. Oilmans’ stores are neglected, and the market well supplied. Spices remain at last week’s quotations Slates are in great request as usual, and all building materials arc much inquired for, Timber, perhaps,

may bo quoted a little lower, several large sales of V Dieman’s Land having taken placi lately a t wl• l symptoms of a decline showed themselves. w llc “ There is a good demand for cordage and* twine ing twine being very scarce. Provisions of all uj* command good prices. A further rise has taken nl in flour, and as good flour is scarce, there is a urn* 9 of a still further advance. For the best flour th» prices are 3 51. and 381. First Adelaide is worth k ta 351. : Chilian, about 321., although it has been aouT f. auction this week at 301.; Van Diemen’s Land ' ?' sold on Friday for 331.; but it in not improbableT' 1 this parcel was adulterated with American flour * The stock of ale and beer is at present heavv some reduction haj taken place within the days. Burton ale may now be quoted at from!;/ 71. per hhd.; Taylor’s porter, at from 61. to 8/ !> have no particular alteration to notice in wins spirits. 68 !

PRODUCE MARKET. Saturday, 10th September ift,,The market continues to be poorly supply prices remain high. Cabbages and cauliflowers are per dozen; turnips and carrots, 6s. per dozen bundt lettuces, 6s. per dozen ; eggs, 4s. to sa. per dozen •h* ter, 4s. per lb ; onions 6d. per bunch; sea kail 4t U bundle; potatoes, 245. to 80s. per cwt.; Ji P* r 30s.each ; fowls, 14s, per pair; ducks 18s.per'^.* 9 FLOUR AND GRAIN MARKET Saturday, 10th September Dight and Rucker’s Mill,—Fine flour, 331.. . * 1 321.; bran, ss. 6d. ; wheat bought at lla. ’’ WOnfl *» W. Degraveaand Co.’s Mill, —Fine flour, 35;. conds, 331.; bran, 65.; wheat bought at lla* *** HAY MARKET. Saturday, 10th September m,. The market has been fairly supplied. The* n , through the week has been about 351. or 36/. f or hay. Van Diemen's Land and Adelaide btr i« about 251. or 261. per ton. T a MELBOURNE STOCK MARKET. Cattle. — Prime quality [cattle are worth *3oj lOOlbs.; low qualitiea are difficult of sale. bullocks range from 121. to 231. per pair. Sheep.— The market is fairly supplied. p_wethers, 255. to 275. Sheep of inferior description* can hardly be sold. Good lambs are worth about is/ or 16 s.

Horses.— Horse stock has been coming down through the week, and sales have been effected with difficult Great numbers have been offered, about 350 lots ba»in» been put up for sale at Messrs. Bear and Sons. Staunch draught horses, in good condition, have been sold at from 70 1. to 100 guineas. Good saddle horses are scarce, and wont from 50 1, to 7 0 1, j rough hack*, from 15/. to 301, A horse, dray, and harness were sold at Bear’a for 1601. The following are the prices at which horses were sold during the week at E. How, and Co.'s mart, viz.:—Large draught horses— extra, 801. "to 135/.; superior, 50/. to 80Z.; inferior, 23 L to So/.* small rough draught horses—superior 30/. to 60/.;' in’ ferior, 17/. to 30/. ; large up-standing gig and saddle horses, extra, 35/. to 501. ; superior, 20/. to 35/.; inferior, 9/. to 15/.; small rough gig and saddle horses—superior, 17/. to 25/.; inferior, BZ. to 17/.; boner carts, and harness—superior, 70/. to 140/.; inferior* 40/. to 70/.; working bullocks, per pair, 12/. to 2"I, • pole drays, 35/. to 42/. ; wharf drays and box carts, 15L to 351. *

MELBOURNE GOLD CIRCULAR. The downward tendency shown last week has con. tinued, and gold may now be quoted at 765. Little or no demand has been made for it. All the heavy pur. chasers having retired for a season, the market has hj. more than usually flat. The threatening aspect of affairs that was indicated at the gold fields last week has passed over. In this instance, the “ pressure from without” has proved most successful in gaining the object desired, aided also by the want of firmness and decision lately shown by the powers that be. The ostensible cause of complaint, the high license-fee, having been referred to a Committee of the Council, a'very reasonable mode of corn-promise has been arrived at, viz., that 40s. shall be charged for the last quarter of this year. A difficulty arises, however. in this arrangement, viz., how those patties are to be charged who may enter on the second or third months No doubt a scale will have to be adopted to meet the case. Should the above moderate fee not be considered advantageous enough, the sooner those objecting to it leave the gold-fields the better, and apply tbeir abilities to wbat they may think more profitable occupation. We trust that sow the diggers have got so much conceded to them, and that the most suitable season for working is at band, they will find it more to their sdvantage to embrace the opportunity for improving their ’ circumstances, rather than being misled by designing individuals. Number of persons who have arrived in the Colony during the week .. .. ... 695 N umber who have left . • •. • • • • 520 Addition to our population this week .. ... 105 The Government Escort brought from Mount oz. Alexander and Bendigo ... ~ .. 41,681 Ballarat, including Geelong ... ~ 15,257 MTvor ... .. •• .. .. 1,599 Goalburn • • • • •• 1,970 The Private Escort Company . , ... ... 3,098 63,596 Gold shipped from Victoria in 1853 .. 1,522,969 Per Chowringhee, to London .. .« 59,588 1,582,548 Or 65 tons, 8 cwt. 3 qrs. 4 lbs. at 755. £5,934,750 Exchange on London : drafts against gold taken at par. The banks advance from 30s. to 60s. per ounce. Freight of gold delivered at the Bullion Office, London 4*d. per ounce. Insurance 2J guineas per cent. Edward Khull, Bullion Broker. 55, Great Collins-street, west. September 10th, 1853. GEELONG STOCK REPORT. The prices obtained at our yards during this week are as follows; Good staunch draught horses, 90/. to 140/. each; in* .ferior ditto, 60/. to 80/.; good light harness horses and superior backs, 501, to 60/. ; inferior ditto, 20i. to 30/.; good horses, with dray and harness, 100/. to 140L> prime working bullocks, 34/. to 40/. per pair; inferior ditto, 201. to 26/.; team of 6 and 8 bullocks, with dray and mountings, 120/. to 160/. each; first class fet cattle. 11/. 11s. to 12/. 12s. per head ; second class ditto, •and fat cows, 91. to 10/.; quiet milch cows, ISl.toloi.; fat wethers, 16s. 6d. to 18s. 6d.; ewes, 14s. to 16»*®“4 good horse drays, 30/. to 40/. each ; bullock drays, 30. to 40/.; spring carts, 45Z. to 57/. , We have but little alteration to report in the state d this market since last week. Horses have fully to l **'' tained the prices we have quoted above, and hulloc S have slightly advanced on former quotations. , eS i!P* ply is not large, but is fully equal to the demand, quantity of fat stock in the market is but limited, prices are proportionally high ; all that have the market have sold well, and at remunerative price*E. and T. A. Lascilus, Jan. Horse Bazaar, Great Eyrie-street, 10th September, 1853. GEELONG COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. Saturday. lOtb September, 18w. , Gold has declined to 31. J6s. per ounce, wi “5 supplies pouring in. The price, however isnot * by the increased supply, but by the probable es meat of an export duty. • i ticn font In produce and supplies there is no alterati last week’s quotations, except in flour, which t® M . higher. Fine flour, 331. to ’34/.: seconds, SO', t • Bran, 3s. 9d. to 4s. Potatoes, 25/. to 28/. 'V 168 » * 6d. to lls. Oats, 13s. to 13s. 6d. Maize,Bs. W * Three-bushel sucks, 20s. per dozen. Woolpacks, 5 • • each. Twine, Is. 3d. Hysonskin tea, 31. to 5 ■ •» congou, 51. 10s, to 6/. 6s. Sugar, Zebu, 21/. i pangs, 22/. 10s.; Mauritius, SO/. ; Sydney piece®,- . loaf, 70/. Tobacco, Barratt’s, 25.2 d.; Kerr 8, ***_7 keg, lOd. Cigars, No. 2, 4/. 55.; No. 3, d. 10s. t Liverpool, 25/. ; colonial, 34Z. Candles, B P® r ®’ aa( j patent sperm,,ls. 4d, to Is. 5d.; tallow,7d. B® .r n eI’.ams, Is. to 1. 2d. Cheese, colonial, 9d. 10 “*» hj lish, Is. to Is, 2d. Hay, 15/. to 20/. Coals, 5 • * | The stock market continues much the same as ■ week. There has been a slight rise in the p working bullocks. Good draught horses, 901. to • ordinary, 50/. to 65/.; inferior, 301. to 50/. f»°P 30/. to 401.; inferior, 15/. to 25/. Working ° good, 351, to 40/. per pair; inferior, 18/. to 30/. cattle, of good quality and weight, 10/. 10s* Fad wedders, 16s. to 18s. Horse carts and drays, * to 40/.; bullock drays, 35r. to 40/.; spring carts, » i to 50/.