COMMERCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 207, 7 August 1862, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Daily Times Office, Wednesday Evening1. Export entries were passed at the Custom-house today for 151 ozs. 12 dwts. gold. Customs Revenue collected at the Port of Dunedin, Tuesday, Aug. sth, amounted to £54617s 10d.—-The following are tho principal items :—Whisky, 77 gals. £31 93. lOd : brandy, 209 gals., £94 4s. lid*; geneva, 51 pis., £23 6s. lid.; rum, 30 gals., £14 175.; spirits of wine, 20 gals/, £1^ Bs.; curacoa, 11 gals., £5 2s. 5d.; tobacco, 7131 bs., £53 9s. Gd.; sugar, 54.9091b5., £228 15s. 4d.; chicory, 6721b5., £8 Bs.; gold, lid. The City of Hobart leaves to-morrow with the prior portion of the English mail, and although we can hardly expect to be so fortunate as again to receive despatches in time to reply by the same mail to England, as our Australian neighbours, we anticipate having another opportunity of addressing British readers under this month's date. The arrivals, beyond those from Australasia, during the past mail month, have been— July 29. —Abdul Medjid, from London „ St. M&gnUß, from Mauritius August s.—Geelong, from London Bringing considerable additions to our stocks of imported merchandise. Neighbouring arrivals have been light of all articles. This being the dullest season of the year, we have very little of interest to chronicle. Our market is not overstocked with goods, but the demand, where any exists, is of such an exclusively retail character, that stocks are mora than sufficient for our wants at the present extent of trade for some time to come. The City of Hobart arrived from Melbourne on the Ist instant, and the Aldinga on the 3rd. By last named vessel we have dates to 29th ult. ; the news was not of great importance. Speculation had been checked, and the market there was duller than for the last few weeks. The news from the^mines is of a dull character, but as far as it goes, satisfactory ; the miners are remuneratively employed, but the weather has been ho bad that much of the time operations have been at a standstill; the yield of gold has consequently been lighter, but of the permanence of our gold fields, and their capability of supporting a large mining population, no doubt whatever is felt. Stocks of merchandise at the diggings are very spare, but the state of the roads is so wretched, and cartage consequently high, that none but the most necessary supplies are forwarded, and even then in such driblets as not at all to affect our market. In our money market matters have assumed a more settled nature j and, although dull business has caused several minor traders to call their creditors together, ■we may congratulate ourselves that the difficulties have been of so limited a nature, and thnt to importers, comparatively small losses have resulted. The new jetty was opeaed to traffic on 26th ultimo, and will prove a great accession to our wharf accommodation. Both steamers from Melbourne brought a large number of passengers, and a steady immigration seems likely from that quarter, but it is much too early to expect any rush of passengers, nor until we have more settled weather is suck desirable.

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We notice that the Australian Steam Navigation Company are about to phee a steamer on the berth between Sydney and the Southern ports of New Zealand. This will be a very important addition to our steam traffic, as it will open up direct communication with New South Wales, and give a decided impetus to trade -with that colony. In giving notices of various articles of merchandise under their respective heads, we must premise that quotations when given, are such as sales are made at, when a dealer wants the goods, and at present merchandise is taken in many instances just by a few packages at a time. For any large invoice or really wholesale parcel, we could not venture to ttate a value. Ale and Porter.—Prime quality bulk ale is scarce ; all other malt liquors are very quiet indeed, whether in bulk or bottle. Bags and Bagging.—There is a email demand for corn sacks. Boots and Shoes. —Excepting for American grain boots, there is no demand. A large quantity of coarse, inferior goods, especially waiertights, were sent from Melbourne at the beginning of the season and have been sold very low. Flour.—The demand is very quiet, indeed ; nothing having for the country, and the town trade taking but small parcels. There is but a limited supply of good Adelaide in stock, but supplies of Otago milled, and Victorian qualities are ample for present requirements. Oats of good quality are scarce, but our prices do not cope with advanced Melbourne cost. Slates. —A small stock, but a very limited demand, and only used for exceptional buildings. Timber. —This market is very dull indeed ; most of the yards about town are tolerably stocked with assortments. The .building trade is very quiet, and the roads, even within the town boundary, are in such a heavy condition that cartage becomes a very important item on Mich bulky material. Excepting some enquiry for 1-inch shelving, we cannot note any activity. Candles. —There is a slightly improved demand ; the value for full weights is Is 3d for parcels. Cigars.—A very limited demand, ami market fully supplied. Fish.—Owing to the liberal supply of fresh fish, any demand for this commodity is almost exclusively for country wants; hence, at the present time, it is very quiet. A few sales have been made—lib lobsters, &■> 6il; lib salmon, ISs; lib oysters, 16's. | DniiiD Fruits. —Currants have been scarce, and 7id was given fora prime .sample; but supplies are arriving. Furniture.—A recont auction sale of Scotchmade furniture went offsatisfactorily. For American sorts the demand is slack. Ironmohgkky.—Ames' L. 11. shovels, sloioing forks, and puddling hues are scarce. Axes nnd picks are supplied. American cut nails are in light stock, but no immediate demand. Matting.—Cocoa fibre is wanted. Mktals. —The demand for corrugated iron hns almost ceased, owing to the very limited nature of building operations at present. Oilmkn's Storks. —We cannot nnme any nrticlo as scarce. There has been some dnmaiid for lib jams, at 12s 6d to 14s. Pint pickles aie worth Ift; 01 to 14s. ; fruits, lfe ; salad oils, haifpints, lls ft-1 to 12.5; pints, 20s ; white starch, 81; quarter sardines, Q.-i; sago, Z>h\. Provisions.—Good hams and ba^on are scarce and wanted. Wellington butter is worth 2s for good quality ; ami Tasmanian about the same. Rice. —A very small demand. Spirits.—First brands of pale brandy, in quarters, are saleable; and medium case qualities are also ; inquired for. The demnud-ior other sorts is very dull indeed. Old Tom has advanced in value, and is worth 2fl.s in bond. Sugar.—Market decidedly dull. Tho cargo ex St. Magnus, from Mauritius, must, in tho present state of the inarktt. be stored for a brisker demand. Teas.—A shade letter inquiry. Tobacco.—Retail parcels onfy arc selling. The market is hardly so firm. [. IIiriOTWIIMWIIIMIII IIIIfMTT'TWiUBWI—aiw MMIIJIi