COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4265, 20 November 1874, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

DUNEDIN MARKETS. (From the Times, November 16.) Business continues to improve, and the increased amount done, with the better tone which prevails, has been very evident throughout the past week. Spirits of every kind, however, continue dull. In brandies, though a few transactions have taken place, they show no improvement in valnes, nor any hardening tendency whatever. Whisky continues (if we except the slight enquiry which Is maintained for certain favorites in the market) to be completely inert. Geneva is seldom sought after, and when small parcels are sold, it is at rates thatare not remunerative. Knm exhibits a ■light degree of activity, attributable to the cause formerly assigned, but sales, as in geneva, are only made at very low prices. In bottlod ale* and stout, the market is being gradually eased, although stocks are still heavy. Bulk ale is to a great extent neglected—bnlk stout is altogether so. for the continuance of this languid state of things the old reasons prevail In fall force, viz., that the excellent productions of our numerous local breweries have all but quenched the demand for imported bulk; while for imported bottled, although there is still a market, it is so exceedingly limited that the slightest over importation produces a glut. This has for a time been the condition of things, from which we are just showing some signs of emerging. Tobacco continues firm, and sales have been made at still further advances in price. Stocks in the hands of the trade being sufficient for immediate wants in many cases, there is less forwardness in buying than might be expected. But holders are firm, and on good grounds. In Melbourne it is anticipated " that even all outsldo brands will eventually participate in the general rise of prices;" and it is considered there that advices received by last mall regarding shipments aro decidedly favorable to a further riso in pric«3 of all descriptions of tobaccoes In tea, as wo are still without expected arrivals, the trade continues in the waiting attitude From the length of time that has elapsed since transactions of any consequence In ordinary teas have taken place, we should augur that the trade should now bo open to make fresh purchases. While in from better to medium and good, stocks of last year have been satisfactorily moving off, and ara consequently considerably reduced.. In sugar, the second cargo of the season, ex Ardour, consisting of 0939 pockets and 247 bags, was submitted to the trade, by auction, on Friday last, by Messrs. McLimdress, Hepburn, and Co. There was a full muster, and the assortment was liked, but only some one-fifth of tho cargo was disposed of under the hammer, private sales effected since Increasing rather that proportion. Prices realised were, for from finest white crystals to finest snowdrop crystals, £34 7s. fld to £35; large grain brewing crystals, from £33 to £34. Stocks aro still fair in yelloffs and browns, and it may be that the

knowledge of other cargoes closo at hand together operated in preventing buyers from availing themselves of the disposition which tho importers evinced to moet their wishes. Dried fruits contmuo to firm, and are in good demand, present quotations beingcurrants, 4Jd. : Eleme raisins, 6d. to CJd-; sultanas, 7d.; muscatels, lid. to Is. Butter is coming in more freely. Cheese is pretty firm, but Canterbury quotations require a higher price than is obtainable at present. In hams and bacon (English) sales are reported, and the best brands quoted at Is. 4d. ColoSial is slightly bettered in quantity, the difficulty of obtaining pigs boing the cause assigned for deficient supply. Candles are being placed at reduced rates. Kerosene continues to move at late quotations, the market being by no means plentifully supplied. In basreing, sales are reported of sacks at 12s. 6d. ; woolpacks are altogether neglected. Galvanized iron shows a scarcity in some sizes, and higher prices are being demanded. Cement continues to improve in anticipation of a still further increased consumption, required both for railway and various descriptions of concrete work. Slates are dull—over-stocked. In brcadstuffs and grain, no alteration in quotations has taken place since last week. Flour maintains the advance of 10s. per ton, and is still quoted at £l2 in sacks £l2 10s. in small bags. Wheat, for Southern, from 4s. Cd. to 4s. 9d. ; best Northern to prime Oamaru Tuscan, at from ss. to ss. 3d, Oats still scarce, ss. 6d. --