Commercial.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 650, 18 January 1864, Page 4

Commercial.

Daily Times Office, Saturday Evening. The amount of gold entered for export at the Custom House to-day was 490 oz 8 dwts, the duty " being 161 6-\ The amount of Customs Revenue received today on goods cleared for consumption is L 773 7s 2d, which comprise.')—brandy, 314| gals, Ll4l 9s 9dj whiskey, 255 gals, Ll'l4 15-*; geneva. 182 gals, LSI 16 lid; rum, 32 gals, LI4 8s: 25 gals wine, Lsl 17s 7d ; 400 lbs tea, L 613 4; 50,403 lbs sugrr, L 21 0; sundries L 152 63 4d.

Business during the past month has been marked by a continuance of the depression noticed at. the time the last English mnil left, and the tendency is to a lower range of prices for ahnost every commodity. The intervention of the Christmas holidays raay no doubt account to a certain extent for tbisstat? of things; but there is a reason beyond this to be found in the ilisnppoiutment which Ims beeu felt as legards tbe extension of our cold fields. Under the impression that this summer would see extensive tracts of.new aurift rous country opened up, and in- consequence a groat influx of population from ihe neighboring colonies, we have had a large increase to our traders during the past six months, and a proportionate, or even larger proportionate increase to our imports of merchandise. Instead of their anticipations being realised, we find that up to the present time there has been no material increase to the area of our gold fields, and the expected rush of miners from Victoria and JV ew South Wales has not taken place, in fact as regards those places the balance of arrivals and departures has been rather against us of late. Ou the other hand the increase to our stocks and trader* remains, and these being far in excess of the necessities of our natural trade demand, dulness and depresar*> the consequence; anil unless we have fresh gold fields opened shortly, so as to attract back and retain the population, thus affording an increased outlet for our heavy stocks, we are likely to see business worse before it is better. The Escort returns from, the gold fields this month sum up 32,300 oz. We are now in the midst of our wool season, and so far the clip is expected to show a considerable increase over last year, besides greater care has been bestowed ia getting up the wool, and in consequence it is expected to take a hisrher: place in the home market rhis year. The Chili and Star of Tasmania hive just about completed their loading, and are expected to sail for London^ about 25th inst,, with full cargo, besides gold and passengers. A new feature in counecticn with our wool trade has ju=t been initiated by Messrs M'Lan- j dress, Hepburn and Co., who haye established I periodical sales by auction, thus affording the wool grower an opportunity of realising his wool at once, with all the advantages cif public competition, instead of taking the risk of sending it home on his own account. The first of these sales was held on 12th inst., at which there was a very large attendance of merchants and settlers, thus giving cvi lence of the f wor with which the experiment is regarded; ahout 280 bales were offered, and the whole sold at 10Jd to lOfij perlb /!f6r greasy wool, of which thfs first sale chiefly consisted. BREADSTUFFS. (Free.) Adelaide Flour.—The sale by auction of two cargoes recently arrived from Adelaide had the effect of depressing the market for a time, but the whole having now passed into the hands of parties who bou- ht for rfi-sale, the market is likely to rule steadier. We may quote Hart's brand at Ll6 5* to Ll6 10s; Magary's Ll6; other brands, LI 5 10s to LI6. I'asmanian.—Ll 4 10s. Californian.—Ll4. HOUSE PEED. (Free.) Tasmauian Oats.—The simultaneous arrival of several large parcels from Launce^ton and Melbourne has tended to depress the market: in fact it is difficult to give a quotation as, no busiii ess of any importance has been done, since these arrivals to establish a price.—7s is still the .nominal quotation for a fine sample. Scotch and Danish.—ln very large supply and almost unsaleable, except in small retail Jots. Californian.—ftock small, but we are in daily expectation of a parcel of 7000 bushels via Melbourne, which is advertised for (=ale by auction on arrival. A fine simple will bring 6s. BEER, BULK AND BOTTLR. (Duty 25s per hhd, and 2s per doz.) Ale. Bulk. -The sale of this article is almost at a standstill, transactions being confined to the smallest retaiUots. fit is difficult to give wholesale quotations, as w* hear of no business by which to establish a currency. The following quotations may be regarded as nominal:—Bass No; 3, L 7 10s to LB, Allsopp's No. 3, L 7 to L710.-=; London and Colonial, 1.7; Iml, Coop and Co, L 7. . Alb Bottled—ls in good demand, Tennant's being scares brir>g3 readily 11s 6.1, other brands if in good conditioj, 103 6d and Us. Stout, Bulk.—Slow sale at. F.C to 16 10s. Stout, Bottled,—ln fair demand at 10s 6d to 11s, forßyasand Victorian St-res; Dumphy's, White's, and Blood's being 12s 6d to 13?. PROVISIONS. (Free.) Bacon and Hams.—The demand for these ■articles still continues shy, an>i hope so long deferred is beginning to make holders <i little more anxious to sell, still we hear of po transactions uniler 1< 3d for Siv clair's, and Is 2.1 for Coey's, Campbe'Us and Moffat's. Buttfti, j). .K. Cork. —Business in this article is almost, entirely suspended; quotation still continues nominally at 10.1 for prime samples. Cheese. In U\f demand, the free arrival in our market of co'.omsil cneese is beginning to tell nn i?..>;«li-lt, still we quote i:oo:l samples Is Id to 1* 21. Pish. - In moderate demand, stocks increasing, we quote red herrings 1 doz tins, 255; 2 doz tins,

BREADSTUFFS. (Free.)

Adelaide Flour.—The sale by auction of two cargoes recently arrived from Adelaide had the effect of depressing the market for a time, but the whole having now passed into the hands of parties who bou- ht for rfi-sale, the market is likely to rule steadier. We may quote Hart's brand at Ll6 5* to Ll6 10s; Magary's Ll6; other brands, LI 5 10s to LI6.

I'asmanian.—Ll 4 10s. Californian.—Ll4. HOUSE PEED. (Free.)

Tasmauian Oats.—The simultaneous arrival of several large parcels from Launce^ton and Melbourne has tended to depress the market: in fact it is difficult to give a quotation as, no busiii ess of any importance has been done, since these arrivals to establish a price.—7s is still the .nominal quotation for a fine sample.

Scotch and Danish.—ln very large supply and almost unsaleable, except in small retail Jots.

Californian.—ftock small, but we are in daily expectation of a parcel of 7000 bushels via Melbourne, which is advertised for (=ale by auction on arrival. A fine simple will bring 6s.

BEER, BULK AND BOTTLR. (Duty 25s per hhd, and 2* per doz.)

Ale. Bulk. -The sale of this article is almost at a standstill, transactions being confined to the smallest retaiUots. fit is difficult to give wholesale quotations, as w* hear of no business by which to establish a currency. The following quotations may be regarded as nominal:—Bass No; 3, L 7 10* to LB, Allsopp's No. 3, L 7 to L710.-=; London and Colonial, 1.7; Iml, Coop and Co, L 7. .

Alb Bottled—ls in good demand, Tennant's being scares brir>g3 readily 11s 6.1, other brands if in good conditioj, 103 6d and Us. Stout, Bulk.—Slow sale at. F.O to 16 10s. Stout, Bottled, —In fair demand at 10s 6d to 11s, forßyasand Victorian St-res; Dumphy's, White's, and Blood's being 12s 6d to 13?.

PROVISIONS. (Free.)

Bacon and Hams.—The demand for these ■articles still continues shy, an>i hope so long deferred is beginning to make holders <i little more anxious to sell, still we hear of po transactions muler 1< 3d for Si: clair's, and Is 2.1 for Coey's, Campbe'Us and Moffat's. Buttfti, j). .K. Cork. —Business in this article is almost, entirely suspended; quotation still Continues nominally at 10.1 for prime samples. Chee-e. In f*ir demand, the free arrival in our market of co'.omsil cneese is beginning to tell nn i?..>;«li-lt, still we quote i;oo:l samples Is Id to 1* 21.

Pish. - In moderate demand, stocks increasing, we quote red herrings 1 doz tins, 255; 2 doz tins,

33s 6d; salmon, 18s; lobsters, Ilb tins, 8s; oysters, 1 lb tins, 13 ( 6d ; ling 6.^1. oilman's stosis. (Ducy 4s. per cuhic loot.) In moderate demand, at prices which show a loss to importers. We quote Batty's pint pickles 12s 6<i to 13s; Whybrow's, 11s to 11s 6d; capers, 13s; cutv powder, \ lbs, 17s 6 i; sauces, assorted, 11s; bottled fruit.«. 20s; jams, lib tins, 13s 6il; salad oil, £ pints. Us Ql; pints, 17a 6d; castor oil, pints, 163; sardines, quarter tin*, 7s 9d; halves 12s. BUILDING MATERIALS. (Free.) The market for all descriptions of building material has ruled quiet during the past, month, with a tendency to lower prices, arising from the trade being very heavily stocked, and building, both in town and country, nut being quite so lively as was expected it would be at this seasoD. ScoTcn Flooring —There have been no imports this month, aud in consequence no business to report, still we quote 28 1 for 1J in ; 25s for I in ; 23s 6(1 for £ in ; and 21s 6d for J inch. Deals.—The chief business this month has been the careo per Alice Walton from Gothenburg via Melbourne, which was offered by auction and realise las follows: 9x3,5d to s£d; II x 3, 6^d ; 7 x 3, 4^d ; 7 x 2j, 3.W. Tasmahian Hakdwood.—The" imports this month have been on a moderate scale, the last cargo rea'ised-at auction 13s 6d to 16s 6d according to size, and ils 6rl for battens. Galvanised Ir.>n.~Demand limited and stock increasing.' We quote Morewood's, 24 guage, at L 36 ; 26 guage, L 33 10a; Scotch, 24 gunge, L3l 10s : 26 gua?e, L 33 10s. S1 ates.—Countess', 20 x 10, Lls per 1000. Stock- |arge and demand limited. Portland Cement —20i, nominal. SPIEITS. (Duty, 9i per gallon.) Brandt (Bulk)— Stocks heavy, especially of second brandy, and business confine.! to the daily necessity of the trade. We quote Martell's pale, 10s 61 to 10s 9d ; Hennessey's pale, 10s 91 to 11s; Otard and United Vineyard, 9s 6J to 10s. Brandy (Oas-e) —Hennessy being in limited supply brings 31s 6J; Martell's being in larger supply, and not so great a favorite, briog3 29*. For second brandy it is difficult to give quotations ; they are simply unsaleable. i ' Whi?ky (Bulk) - -Stocks continue very heavy, and sales difficult to make in wholesale parcels, even at the low quotations now ruling. For Kirkliston and Saucel we quote 33 6d, and for Camp- - belton, 4s 6d. -.'■■■.. Whisky (Case)— Quotations puraly nominal. Business confined to the merest retail lots. Geneva—Stocks large, but fair demand for J.D.K.Z. at 123 6 > for small contents. The old four gallon cases quite unsaleable. Rum—ln fair request at 3s 91 to 4s for good samples. SUGAR. (Duty, Id per lb.) The market has been very inactive during the past month, but the letters ju?t received from Mauritius to 4th December, advising an advance of L 5 per ton there, and an entire cessation of shipments to all the colonies, may perhaps lead td a little movement here shortly; meantime importers must wait till the trade here have exhausted their present supplies. The whole I stock in first hands consist* of. the cargo per. Amyous, 200 tons, and the cargo just arrived per Laughing Water, 250 tons. There having been no business to establish a currency, the following quotations may be regarded more as what holders expect to get than what buyers feel disposed jusf yet to give:—First white, L 43 per ton, in bond; first, counter, .137; and second counter, L 33; good English loaf, 6|d, duty paid, and crushed loaf, 61 per lb.. I. ": ■';: '' ' TEA. ' " ' ! (Duty, 4d per lb.) Our market for this article has also ruled very dull during the month. Repeated attempts have been made to place at auction large paicels without success. Stocks, particularly of inferior teas, are very heavy, and the trade refuse to buy beyond their immediate wants- We quote from L 7 follow to L 8 103 for fair medium quality, duty paid, inchests, and L3to L 3 15s for half-chests. For; really good tea the demand is increasing, and a i prime sample would bring 23 21 per lb, duty, paid. TOBACCO. : (Duty, la 61 per lb.) : Stocks are large, especially of inferior brands of i Northern manufacture, and sale difficult to make.! The upward tendency in Melbourne has had no, effect on this market. We quote for twist of; good quality, 53 6d to 6<s in bond; half-pound, 3s '■ 6d to 4s; sheepwash, 10J. DRIED FRUITj (Duty, 4s per eulrip foot.) ! Our market.for.dried fruitsj now that the Christmas demand is past, shews signs of weakness ; and we quote currants at 4|d to S A ; muscatels, 9d to. 10J; Elemes, 7.1; Sultanas, 7Jd to 8d; figs, 7£d, and dried apples, 6Jd to 7d. CHEMICALS. (Free.) There exists afar demanl for all articles under this head, which is likely to continue till the approach of winter. We quote carb^of soda, 19s to 20s per "cwt"; tartaric acid, 23 6d per lb ; cream ] of tartar, 13 9d to 2-; per lb; saltpetre, 7d per lb; soda crystals, Lll to bl2 per ton; and saltpetre, 263 per cwt. BOOTS AND SHOES. (Duty, 4s per cubic foot ) Market continues heavily overstocked still; well assorted invoices of seasonable goods meet with a fair sale in retail lots, at 25s to 30s per cent, advance. sundries. . Hops (free. I—Large1 —Large stocks of 1862 hops of doubtful quality, and brewer* having sufficient stock .to carry them on. till arrival of the new crop,' sales are difficult to make, and quotations purely : nominal. Malt (free.) -In fair demand ; last sale of any importance was a parcel of 2000 bushels Malmsley's brand, a very fine.sample, at 10s 9d. Stock . large. ■ . ' .' Candles (duty. 33 per cwt.)—Stocks large, and demand. limited. Belmont No. I, full weights, have been 6old at Is. Soap (duty 3s per cwt.)—Steele's Liverpool Double Crown continues in limited supply, and brings, readily, 36*. Cors Sacks (free.) —No sales of importance yet reported, but holders firm at 295.