COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4189, 24 August 1874, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

MELBOURNE. The Argus of August 12 reportsln the import markets a moderate amount of business has been transacted. Nothing of special importance has transpired, but for trade purposes a fair demand has been experienced. Breadstuff’s are very firm indeed, and buyers are evidently more inclined to come forward and purchase. Bakers’ lots of flour are moving at £l3 155., bags returned. Under the hammer a small parcel was quitted at £l3 55., but the sales effected privately amount to close on 150 tons, and in most cases our quotation of £l3 ss. was real’sed. Wheat is wanted, and Cs. 4d. could be obtained for prime northern. Oats continue to evince a detided improvement. At auction 1000 bushels Tasmanian realised from 4s. Bd. for low to ss. for fair feedir g. Numerous parcels have also been got rid of privately at prices ranging from 4s. 9d. for very common feeding to ss. 3d. for milling qualities. Maize is still moving off at 4s. lid., the small shipment to hand being readily cleared off at this price. The Melbourne portion of. Bourbon sugars per Regina Coeli, comprising 3398 bags, was cleared off this forenoon, when rations realised £2l 10s. to £23 10s ; middling to good rations, £24 to £25 15s. ; and browns were quitted at £2O ss. At the same time, Mauritius rations brought £22 ss. to £22 155., and yellow counters were sold at £3l. Teas are not much inquired for; sales of fine congous in half-chests, new season’s, are reported, however, at Is. lid.; 2,700 packages new congous, ex Flintshire and Legislator, will be submitted. to competition to-morrow afternoon. Oilmen's stores are still inquired for, and a few sales have been made, chiefly salad oils, which have brought os. 9d. for pints, and ss. 9d. for half-pints. A parcel of 450 cases salmon was disposed of publicly, when 11s. 3d. was accepted for the lib. tins. Kerosene oil does not improve as yet; some 1,600 cases diamond oil were got rid of in the forenoon at Is. BJd. Candles wore not sold, when offered by auction. Offers were made, but holders appear determined to make a stand against a further reduction, and the parcel was withdrawn. The timber sales comprise 60,000 ft, carpenters' clear pine, disposed of at £8 2s. 6d. for lin,, £8 17s. Cd. for l£in., and £8 10s. for 2in. The cargo of cedar, per Adieu, waff quitted at 10s. 6d. ; 2189 doors were placed at 11s. 3d. to 255. ; and laths at 225. to 255. Cd In liquids, we hear of an improving trade demand for brandy. Equal to 60 hhds. Hennessy’sand Martell’a have changed hands at full rates. CHRISTCHURCH. The Times of Saturday reports of the tocal grain and produce market: —The want of animation which has distinguished the grain trade for some time past, still continues. With the exception of the considerable quantity of wheat and flour taken away by the s.s. Atrato, shipments despatched during the week have been‘’confined to small lots of wheat and oats sent coastwise, principally to the Northern Provinces. Oats continue scarce, and inferior and discolored barley is easily saleable for feeding purposes. There is no alteration in millers* prices for floor, bran, and sharps, though the stock of wheat held by the trade is getting low. Quotations: —Wheat, nominal, at 4s. Cd. to 4s. Bd.; oats, 4s. 3d. to 4s. Cd.; barley, 4s. Cd. to 4s. od.; flour £ll 10s., sacks £l2, 100’s £l2 10s., 50’s 10s. extra, f.0.b.: bran, £5 165.; pollard, £5 15s. fine sharps, £6 155., 10s. extra f.o.b. Although the genial weather experienced of late must have had an effect upon the pastures, and have improved the yield of milk, no perceptible increase is yet apparent in the supply of butter, which we continue to quote at 12£d. to Itild. Cheese Is in fair demand at Cd. to C£d*. for good quality. Of hams and bacon, stocks aro low, and a rise is contemplated; but, in the meantime, quotations stand as they were last week, viz., bacon and hams, 84d. in cloth; hams only, lid.; bacon only, 7£d. f.o.b. fn Lyttelton. ' Potatoes continue scarce at £4155., at the Christchurch station. BY TELEGRAPH. AUCKLAND. August 22. Mr. Alexander Saunders reports :—Sales : National Bank, 705.; South British, 535.; Alburnia, contributing ; Caledonian, 1055.; City of London, 28s. Buyers ; South British, 525.; City of London, 28s. Sellers; Caledonian, 1955.