AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL LETTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10032, 20 January 1896, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL LETTER.

Pros* Association. Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Sydney, January 18. The wool sale held on Thursday was the last of the weekly series, as the quantity now arriving warrants fortnightly offerings only. Throughout the week competition was extremely keen, with a strong upward tendency. The sales closed very firm. Scoured wools were specially active, and sold at a farthing to a halfpenny higher. All good greasy was snapped up at full rates. Since the commencement of the sales close upon 400,500 bales were sold, as compared with 405,000 bales offered and 328,000 sold for the corresponding period of last year. This week's import market lias been dull, chiefly due to the intense heat. The fact of the re-adjustment of prices in consequence of the remission of duties not being fully com. pleted has confined business to a retail character. In sympathy with the advance in Melbourne breadstuff's improved. Towards the close of the sale good milling wheat made 43 2d to 4s 3d. and roller flour £9 10s to £10 ss. The produce market closed firm. The hot weather had the effect of greatly reducing stock. Bran advanced to IO.Jd; pollard is scarce at lid; potatoes, £0 lOi to £7 12s 6d. Dairy produce is in good demand. Wheat flour, equal to a million and a-quarter bushels from San Francisco, are now afloat or loading for Now South Wales and Queensland. Californian wheat offering at 3s 4.Jd for the beat j shipping, and 3s 7Jd for tho best milling at the ships' slings in Sydney. Melbourne, January 18. The wool sales were marked by great briskness and buoyancy. There was a general improvement of from a id to id for all the bettor classes, bringing prices level with the liest obtained during the season. The American demand, whioh had fallen off in expectation of the imposition of an import duty, showed a revival. Breadstuff's attracted a largo amount of speculative attention. In the earlier part of the week prices advanced rapidly, but afterwards steadied. Wheat is firm at lis to 53 OJd. There were large sales of roller flour at £12 7s 6d to £12 10s. Fend produce is firm. The half-yearly report of the Victorian Trust Executors Agoncy Company shows the profits for the six months to be £3730. Owing to the depreciation in the value of property, the directors decided to transfer from the reserve to the contingent account the sum of £45,000, which is believed to be sufficient to oover all depreciation, Adklaidk, January 18. Wheat has a strong firming tendency, and is now quoted at 4a OJd. Flour, roller, £9 to £10. Feed and produce lines are steady.