COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4287, 16 December 1874, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

DUNEDIN MARKET REPORT. The following is the latest market report furnished by the Times :— Business has been moderately good during the week; quotations generally remaining unaltered. Spirits of all kinds are stagnant, importers beginning already to speculate on the anticipated impulse which importations will receive from the contemplated giving up—or rather buying up—of the New Zealand Distillery. Whisky, of the imported descriptions and brands, is quiet, orders limited to trade supply. Geneva moves slowly. In rum, the season is gone. Brandy is more lifeless than ever. Bottled ale and stouts are still in excess, and until stocks are cased prices will continue unsatisfactory. In stouts, considerable business has been done, but subject to this serious drawback. In tobacco, we can only reiterate our report of last week. Descriptions are firmly held, with a clear upward tendency ; but stocks have not declined sufficiently to compel buyers to yield. In tea, the market has been replenished this week with the first cargo of the new season's, viz., that of the George Noble, from Fow-Chow-Fow. This vessel brings two separate shipments, to two separate houses in town - the one branded “ Geo. Noble,” the other “Red Dragon.” And as the market has worn well bare of from medium to fine, deficiencies in these lines the trade will now be enabled to fill up. A growing demand for finer qualities has been steadily on the increase for some time, and a portion of this cargo is in a special sense a response to this demand. It Includes, branded “red dragon.” besides various Kaisow kinds, some Mohning congous, favorably known for their flavours and descriptions, although nearly strange to this market. A certain guarantee in their favor is their arrival in original packages, the half-chests weighing from 521ba. to 541b5., the chests from 1021b5., to lOOlbs. The weights of packages with which the trade arc here still most familiar aro peculiar to the colonics, distinguishing (as merchants are aware) cargoes sent thither from those which are destined for the Home market. But certain marked advantages peculiar to original packages, will render their adoption synonymous with the growth of a larger business. The breaking-up entails considerable additional expense, and exposes the tea to certain risks. The jjtoccss cannot fail to bo detrimental to the flavor : and opportunities are obtained and temptations offered to mixing qualities, which would not otherwise be possible. To the extent of being more reliable, therefore, original packages are deserving of being encouraged. And, coming in answer to the rising tendency of the market, we are inclined to regard the event with interest, as its earliest practical exemplification. In Sugars, Messrs. McLandress, Hepburn and Co. offered at their rooms, on Thursday last, the third shipment of Messrs. Joshua Brothers’ Yarraville Refinery sugars. Only the snowdrops were sold, as was expected, no offers being made for whites and counters. The following were the prices realised, finest snowdrops, 50 bags, £37 55.; 330 bags, £34 7s. 6d.; 500 bags. £34 ss. Of 860 mats finest Whites, a part was sold at £32. AVe have seen advices just received by a house in town from Mauritius, under date 21st October, which are of considerable moment. They are to the effect that purchases had been made principally for Bombay, and at date of advice sscarcely a bag suitable for the colonies was left in the market. Prices still tending upwards. In a P.S. was added, “ Much excitement this afternoon. Stocks completely cleared out of every description at very full prices.” Hops continue in fair demand, selling In trade parcels at paying prices. Jn cornsacks a considerable amount of business has been done, although at a very slight advance (if any) upon cost. 12s. Cd. is quoted for large parcels; 12s, Ocl. is readily got for small lots. In kerosene, Melbourne quotations are unfavorable, and our market remains unchanged. Candles arc dull. Galvanised iron continues to firm • prices improve slightly, and several sizes are notably scarce. Cement remains In good demand ; quotations from 235. to 245. Flour, from the Ist inst., has advanced £1 per ton, and is now quoted at £l3 In sacks, £l3 10s. in small bags, with a fair demand both for shipment and local consumption. AVheat is in fair request at from 4s. 6d. to ss. 3d. Oats are very scarce; sales for export aro reported at Cs. Barley is In improved demand, both for malting and feeding purposes, at from 6s. to ss. Cd., but the supjdy is short. BY TELJsOIiAPII, AUCKLAND, Tuesday. Mr. Alexander Saunders reportsßuyers : Bank of New Zealand, 3005.; Caledonian, 80s.; City of London, 27s,j.Tokatea, 12s. Sellers: National Bank, 705.: Fiji. C2s. Cd.; Tokatea, 18s.; Cure, Cs. od.; Bank of New Zealand. 3C5s.