COMMERCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 848, 9 September 1864, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Daily Times Office, Thursday Evening,

The Customs duties received to-day on goods cleared for Home consumption, amounted to L 605 2s 3d. The items were -.—Brandy, 381 gals., L1752s 5d ; whisky, 83gals., L 37 13s 2d ; rum, 13 gals.. L 5 17*; geneva, 334 gals., Llsl 9s 2:1; perfumed spirits, 2h gals., LI 2s 6d; wine, 265 gals., L 39 15s; bottiedbeer, 231 prals., Lll lls ; tea, 1,5451b5., L 25 16s; tobacco, 3051b5., L 22 18s 6d; drapery, L7l 2s 8d; sugar, f-41 15* 10d ; ironmongery, Ll9 10s 4d; sundries, LI 8s Bd.

Export duty was received at ths CustomHouse, for 3.2380z5. Itiwt. gf gold to-day— L 404 15s 2d.

Otago Debentures. —Messrs. Baillie and Butters, of Melbourne, quote Otago Local 8 per cent. Debentures, at LlO7,

Business still cout.iuues quiet. The Melbourne advices per Gothenburg, to hand this morning, intimating an advance in susrar and flour, are likely to affect our market favorably for both articles.

Beer (in bottle) still inquired for ; and with a continuance of the present fine weather, we may expect to see a movement in bulk ale shortly.

Tea. —Two small parcels of low congous were sold by auction to day, at Is l£i in bond.

Invercargill.—The Southland Daily News of the sth instant, reports as follows : —

Although transactions have not been of an extensive character, yet we believe that, more orders have been received in tmvn from the country during the week than for some time past. This, no doubt, is to be attributed in some measure to the improved state of ths roads, but it encourages the hooe that, as spring advances, a brisk upcountry trade will revive. In spirits, geneva is scarce and in demand, and stocks are light and in few hands. Good brands are worth 13s 6d, iv bond. The market is well supplied with brancies, and for other spirit' there is but little demand. Beers, both ia bulk and bottle, are dull of sale. The stocks of groceries are large. Good colonial butter iri worth Is 4d ; Cork, Is to Is Id.

The flour market cbn'inues in an unsettled state, and transactions are merely from hand to mouth for present consumption. In the present state of the markat, it is hardly safe to give quo- • tations, but probably from L 29 to L3l is near the mark for Adelaide. We have indeed heard of a sale of Adelaide at L2B, but we believe that it was for cash, and in quantity. Tasmanian may be quoted at from L 25 to L 26, and is rather difficult of safe.

Feed oats are in good supply, with a tolerably steady demand. Good seed oats are quoted at from 5a to 5s 6J.

There is a steady demand for potatoes, but the supply is, if anything, rather in excess of the demand. Potatoes are worth from L 8 to L 9 per ton, and are retailed at from lls to 123 per cwt. Turnips and carrots are also in fair supply. Garden produce i 8 very scarce, and realises high prices. The supply of fruit is of a scanty description. Oranges, apples, and lemons are sold retail at high fieures, as will be seen on reference to our retail price current... The timber market for a long time past has been very much depressed, owing to stocks belonging to insolvent estates having been put up to auction. These sales, however, are now nearly all over, and although building operations are very limited at tbe present time, yet imported timber is now bringing a closer approximation to its cost, than it has done for some previous time. Messrs Mueller and Geisow sold by auction today, at their rooms, Tay street, nine half-acre 'allotments at Inglewood, oa the Dunedin Soad, at the average price of LlO 8s per acre.

' By the Gothenburg we have our Melbourne files to the 31st ult. We take the following commercial report from the Argus:—

There was no animation whatever to-day in the import markets, and business generally was very dull. There was a rather improved demand for flour to supply country orders, but otherwise inquiry was limited, and prices without any actual decline, have an easier tendency. By auction, South Australian flour (Ferguson's brand), realised L2l 15-s per ton; Tasmanian, more or less damaged, Lls per ton; and American flo»r (Boston), with all faults, 34s per barrel, equal to Ll7 per ton. Brandon's candles, full weights, brought 9£d per !b ; Tasmunian oats, 4s per bushel; and Cape raisins, s|d pe"r Ibd.p. The arrivals at the Heas comprise the Regina and Mornington, from London, and the Sarah Ann, from Liverpool. The Lightning, from Liverpool, was telegraphed off the Otway at one •p m., eierhty-three days out. fc*he is reported to have a shipment of wheat on board of some considerable extent. Mauritius. —Through the courtesy of Captain Pender, of the barque Francis Banfield, which arrived to-day, we (Argus) are in receipt of Mauritius papers of the 16th u't. following statement of the shipment of sugar of crop 1863-4 is from the Commercial Gazette of that date :— Ib.

We have our Sydney files to the 27th ulfc. We observe t'aat the amount of gold coin issued by the Sydney branch of the Royal Mint during the week ended August, 26 was 71,000 sovereigns. The quantity of gold dust imported into the same establishment wa3 14,4610z, Of the st^ck and share and import and produce' markets the Herald of the latest date reports as follows:—

There has not bsen much doing in the share market this week, and the transactions that have taken pace have been principally in bank and insurance shares, which maintain their value. The only fluctuation we have to notice is a decline of 20s per share in the Clarence and Richmond River New Steam Navigation shares, and a decline of from 20s to 303 per share in the Hunter River New Steam Navigation shares. A forced sale was made at the lowest price, but they have since partially recovered, and the last sales were made at Ll3 10s and LI 3 13s per share. In coal share 3 the sales have only been to a small amount, and prices are unaltered. Government Debentures are unaltered. Colonial Sugar Company's debentures have changed hands at par an d interest.

We have very little alteration to notice in our markets since the departure of the mail steamer. The low freights rulins: to Queensland, in consequence ot the opposition beoween the two steam

companies, have caused larx'e .shipments to be made to that colony, and have thus relieved the dullness which tins otherwise prevailed. Flour.—The flour market is a shade firmer, in consequence of very little having lately come forward from South Australia. Any unexpected arrivals, however, eiihrr from California or Valparaiso, would at once chaclc any rise, there being very little de«ire to purchase on sppculation. Adelaide flour is quoted at L 22 1o L 23 per ton, and at these rates sales have been made during the week. Wheat is also firmer. A lar°re sale was made in the beginning' of the week at 83 6J, and holders are now asking 9s for Adelaide..

Liquids.—There is very Jittle altera<iori to notice. Brandy is dull of sale; Marteli'sdark is quoted at 9s, but pale is difficult, and is offered afc 8s 3d to 8s 6>\ to arrive. Rum is steady at 3s 4d to 3s 5). Geneva, 10= 6d. There have been some small transactions in light wines at full prices.

Teas are hardly so firm, in consequence, of large shipments from Melbourne of common congnus, and which have been sold at from 16 6s to L 7. Pine -ougous are quoted at L 7 10s to L 8 10s. Very fine a c scarce, and worth L 9 to 110 per chest.

Sugars are a shade firmer, but no transactions of importance have been reported. Mauritius sugars range as follows:— Rations, L3l to 133 ; counters, L 35 to L 39. •

Kice continues dull cf sale, and Patna cannot be quoted higher than L2O to 121 per ton.

Salt »j steady. Liverpool, L 3 5s to-L3 103 per ton.

Candles are not so firm, and prices are inclined to lower. Belmonts are offered at 10£ d per Ib. Oilmen's stores are very dull of sule, and sales to any amount ar» difficult to effect.

Tobacco.—Market unusually dull, and auction sales producing nothing satisfactory to importers. Like all fallen articles', sales are v-ry tardy ; but seeing the small proportion of really consumable tobacco, we can searc-ly anticipate any further depression A -sample of negrohpad from Australian loaf has been sent to our office fvom Mr John Church, tobacco manufacturer, of We>t Maitland, which alth uah highly commendable for quality and make, we do not consider equal to bis Exhibition of 1862. The only observation beyond tbis, in reference to con'inual samples sent to our office, is this—why do not our metropolitan and country manufacturers make an article like this for genera! consumption, and give better encouragement to the grower of ra\v material. These * samples' only show our want of patriotism in not producing sufficient for our own requirement's, nul ifying also the excellent objects of prize essays from Acclimatisation and other colonial societies.

Messrs Mort and Co .sold to-day by auction 39 casks of tnllow. at the following prices :-Beef, 1,27 to L291256d per ton; mutton, L3lss to L 32 5s per ton ; mixed. L2sto L 27 ibous 500 hides were disposed of, at from 8s to 15s 9d each; calfskins, 18d to 22d each. Mr O. B Ebs worth sold 28 casks of tallow, at, from 27s 9J to 29^ 61 per cwt; and 128 heavy hides at 15s each. Mr James Graham sold thirteen casks of tallow, at T2612s 6>l to L 27 5s per ton; also, 372 hides, at lls 9d to 12^ each ; bones brouglit Cs 6d per cwt; and horns, 9s per cwt. Mr Rrewfter sold by private contract 13,000 mixed sheep ia tie Lfiehardt and Port Curtis districts, Queensland at 12s per head. Mr W. Dean offered at auction yesterday, at Gilchrist's Bond, fifty-five halftierces Barrett's and Emu negrohead tobacco, and disposed of the whole at prices raoginff from Is to 35 perlb. Most of tbe t ■bac«o was of indifferent quality, and in defective condition.

We take the following from the Sydney Morning Herald of the 26th instant: —

A meeting of the creditors of Messrs Francis Giles and Co. was held to day. at three o'clock, in the Chamber of Commerce; Mr G. King in the chair. The report of tho committee appointed at the last meeting fr> investigate the affairs of the firm was read by the chairman. The liabilities not secured amount to L 122,185 8s 61; and the assets comprise-stock, L 43.000; book debts, L20'00; bills in hand, L 1750; cash m hand, LI 174 9* 4d ; fixtures, L 50 0; horses, carts, and furniture, L 30 0; total, L 66 Tib 1% 2d. The deficiency is, therefore, L 55.459 10s 4i. The committee have estimated the stock at a considerable reduction on the cost, and have valued it after deducting the expenses for selling it by retail. With regard to tt.-e book debts, the amount due is L 32.00.0. which it h considered will fully realise L 20,0 0. The bills on hind amount to L 2500, ant are put down at LI7SW. It is expected, if the es'ato is wound up under trustee* and inspectors, that a dividend of from 10s to 10s 8d in the pound would be paid ; but if the estate was forced into t!ie Insolvent Court or the stock sold hastl y, a serious los 3 would be incurred by the creditors, and ths dividend would be materially reduced. Th-3 privae property possessed by the partners in the firm is not expected to give any addition to the assets, the whole of. the laatled ami household property belonging; to Mr iiles being mortgaged fir almost thslr lull value. Mr Favene, it is believed, has an interest in a Queensland station, but the particulars are not known. The committee are of opinion that the large sum 3 expaid.d in the improvement of the premises, and which > mounted to about Ll4 000 to £15,00-'), was injudicious. After some examination rf the different documents and papers thatw^re laid before the meetin?, Mr Bulman moved, and Mr S. Thompson seconded, '-That the estate he phiced in the hands of the trustees and inspectors with fu!l power to realise the same as they may think best for the ben<fitof all the creditors, with ell the powers contained in an ordinary • creditor's deed; and the undersigned severally ->gree to execute such deed when prepare.!, and in the meantime to refrain from taking legal proceedings. This motion w.is pat ami carried unanimously. Mr C. Moore, Mr F. Gsard. and Mr GK King1 wsre then appoints:! trustees and inspectors After these resolutions had been agreed to, and before many preterit hvl signed it, it, was stated that at least two or three of the creditors would not sign. This caused some dis:;u=sion; and it whs ultimately stated by tin chairman that unless all the creditors signed by to-morrow, Mr Giles would have no other alternative but to go into the Insolvent Court.

We have Tasmanian papers to the 27th. The Cornioall Chronicle of that date says : — i •

Flour is quoted at L2l to L 22 per ton for parcels for home consumption. No large parcels have changed hands. Wheat remains at 8i 3d to 8s 61. Oats, 3s 6d to 33 8d par bushel. Potatoes about L 5 per tin, baits in.

The National Debts of the Would.— The following table, showing the national debts accumulated by the various nations of the world, together with their respective populations, and the amount of taxation per head, is highly- interesting and suggestive: —

Forming a grand total of £2,673,600,000, raised in advance of what the nations of the world will produce for years and years to come.

Cofal shipped and left to June 30, 1864 232,786 734 July. 1.—Isabella Blyth, for London ... -1.666.6S3 2.—Good Hope, for Table Bay ... 239 793 7.—Lord Palmerston, for Cork ... 1,767 687 7.—Edith Smith, for Adelaide ... 430.135 7.—Vistula, for Bushire 71.435 12.-Lucy, for Adelaide 159,832 14.—Francis Banfield, for Melbourne 1,043 093 :5.—Alcyone, for London 1,045,0+7 5. - Lord of the Isles, for Table Bay 154 593 Dofal shipped and left to 15fch July, 1864 239 365.085 Oo. do., 1863 ... 307,614,762 rESSELS LOADING. WITH QUANTITY ON BOARD. Chatham, for London 1,318,330 'fa, for Tamative... 125 1. B. Coutts, for London 850 1?5 Marie Laure, for Adelaide 492,955 Fairy Kock, for Sydney 463,700 [n the harbour 3.125,235 Shipped and left as above ... ... 239,365,065 Fotal shipnfd to 15th July, 1864 242.490 300 Do. do., 1863 310,339,726

Countries. National Debt. Population. Per head United Kingdom ... United States Netherlands Hamburg France Portugal Spain Austria Belgium Bavaria Hanover Brunswick Snxony Denmark Greece Russia Prussia "Wurtemburg Oldenburg Brazil Chili Norway Sweden £ 790 000,000 600,000.000 83,000.000 4.600,000 400,000,000 30,000,000 107,000,000 224.000,000 iii.200,003 26,000,000 7,000.000 1,500,000 9,500,000 12,000,0.00 4,000,000 231,000,000 42,900.000 5,000^00 600,000 15,500,000 1,500,000 1,500,000 . 1,700,000 29 000,000 23,000,000 3 500,000 222,000 36,500,000 4,000,000 16,000.000 35 000,000 4,000,000 4,600.000 1,300,000 273,000 2.100,000 2,600,000 1.000,000 76,000,000 18,000,000 1,700,000 29i.00O 7.700,000 1,400,030 1,500,000 3,700,000 £ s. d. 27 5 0 26 14 0 26 11 3 20 18 7 11 0 0 7 10 0 6 13 0 6 8 0 5 15 9 5 14 0 3 15 0 5 5 8 4 10 0 4 9 0 3 14 0 3 10 2 7 3 3 19 0 2 0 0 1 19 2 12 2 19 9 0 9 2