MELBOURNE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 234, 19 September 1862, Page 4

MELBOURNE

~T?ie!Argu* Office,' Saturday Evening, Gth Sept. Notwithstanding the setting in •of fine weather, very little improvement in business has occm-rcd. Transactions, both in thij import and country trade, have been limited. The intelligence received yesterday from Otago, of the discovery of a new gold field, and the many exaggerated rumours which prevailed, put a stop to the little that was ''oiug-. With any copsideraule cxcdu3 s of miners, the country trade must, be affocted ; but as the requisite supplier for moving bodies will be talien hence, the import market is not lifcslyto be affected to any ereat estent. 'In prices -there, is scarcely any alteration to notice this week, and untiL the arrival of advices by the mail, and the extent of the rush to New Zealand is ascertained,, it is difficult to ccc how prices are likely to rule, end buyers mostly keep back. Buik beers aud bottled stout continue in "fair inquiry, the latter at rather easier rates, the in^ikei Ving better suppliiti of late. Bottled ale itill dull of sale, at unchungeil prices. Butter wuiaina of ready sale, and the late arrivals having mostly gone into consumption. prii';« ar« fii-m. and will sontinueat about presenifiguriaj of Is. Bd. to Is. Od.per lb.. Until the supplies of frsth coaia forward more plentifully. Candles are unimproved. Considerable quantities continue to bo placed by auction, more or Jess 'damaged, nnd interfere much with the sale of sound parcels, There has been a steady and improving demand for flour 1 throughout the week, find during yesterday and to-iday. Speculative purchases lave been made to a considerable extent, at very firm prices. What influence on this article nn extern sive rush to "New Zealand would hiave, it is difficult to foresee; but, independent of that event, tnere is a decided upward tendency in prices. Wheat also is in amended inquiry, and large sales have been made, both of Califijrhfan and colonial grown. The latter has been placed at 6?, per bushel. Horse corn continues in brisk demand. . Stocks of oats are fast working low, and prices, although unchanged, are very firm. Malt is ialess inquiry, and dull of sale at unchanged quotations. Tea.—Messrs. Robertson and Everard forward the; subjoined report:•-"The tea market during the week has been well supported. The tlemfdid for the. low kind of congou continues, and Is Id per lb, in bond, has been refused for the only large parcel now in the market, and Is 2^d is wanted. This price-will probably bo realised if a demand springs up for New Zealand, which we now think highly'probable,'in consequence of the discovery of a new gold-field there. The feature of the week has been tie arrival of the first cargo of new tea of season 1802-1853." .'. '.. '