COMMERCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1553, 20 December 1866, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Daily Times Office, Wednesday Evening.» The total amount of Customs revenue received today on goods cleared for consumption, was L6BB 12s 8d; the items being— Brandy, 54 gals, L 33 Is 2d; geneva, 111 gals, L 67 2s 6d; whisky, 121 gal-, L 72 18s; wine, 189 gals,L37 16s; beer in bulk, 850 gals, L42 10s; bottled beer, 589 gals, L 36 16s lid; drapery, Lll 9s lid; sugar, 26141b5, LIGB 193 Id; sundries, L 197 16s 10d; tea, lOSOlbs, L 26 10s; tobacco, 3861b5, L4B ss; coffee, 4481b5, 'L 5--123.

Business has maintained a fair amounS of activity through the month, possessing no particular feature of interest, but marked by a steady demand for town and country trade/ and by a full average amount of order?, executed for despatch coastwise. In the.import markets, very little alteration either in value or prospects has been experienced. Sttple goods have been placed at maintained prices; and notwithstan iing that very little of the speculative has been apparent in the operations of traders, sales have been made without much difficulty. Stocks, which have beea replenished by full shipments, are equal to present rtquirements, and only in one or two articles are sufficiently in excess to exercise any depressing effect. Credit has been fairly maintained, and the money market sufficiently easy. Bank rates of discount, without change; and closing exchanges—viz,, on London, at sight,2 per cent, premium; at 30 days' sight i per cent.; at 60 days', £ per cent; on Sydney, 1 per cent.; and on Melbourne, J per cent. ': '■■ breadstuffs (Free). During the whole month no transactions of any moment have transpired. Sales, though not infrequent, being confined to small lots for current requirements. No additions beyond Provincial supplies have been made to stocky and rate 3 have kept steady for some, weeks. At present, South Australian is out of' first hands, but a small shipment has been advised, and is now dnily expected. Present values may be considered: Californian, Ll4 10s to Llss; Chilian, Ll3 to Ll3 10s ; South Australian, Ll6 10s; Provincial, Ll3. horsefbed (Free).. In oata and other descriptions of horsefeed generally, the extent of business done has been moderate, attributable do doubt to the limited exports through the month. Rates show a slight decline ia values: Oats, 4s 6d; bran, Is 9d ; maize, ss; pressed hay, L 6 10s. ALES AND BEEB. (Duty, in wood, Is per gallon; in glas?, Is 3d per gallon.) The market for bulk ales, as regards importers, hos been quiet, some small parcels at a slight concession in price being the only business done from first hands which has come under notice. Traders have, however, been clearing off their stocks; and it may be fairly inferred that little, if: any, beers will be held either by importers or dealers by the time the new brew ales will be to hand. Ales, in glass, have been in demand, but scarcely to the average extent; the price of first class has been maintained, but no other sorts are saleable. The demand for stouts has b:en good. _ A little relaxation perceptible about the middle of the month has been recovered, from, and the now slender stocks warrant the belief that it will be continued so for some time. With very little alteration, last month's quotations are again given, viz., in BondAles— M'Ewan's, L6 to L 6 ss; Dawson's, L 6; Younger's and .Jeffrey's, L 6; Bass's, (none); Marrian's, (none); London and Colonial Company, Lsto L 5 ss. Stouts—in bulk—Dawson's, L 6; London and Colonial Company,'(none). Ales—in glass—Tennent's, 10s; Ind, Coope and Co.'s, 9s; Jeffrey's, 83 6d; Prestonpans, 83 6d ; Arrol's, 9s; Salt's, 7s 6d; Rudgard's, 7s 6d. Stouts in glass—Blood's, 10s ; Guinnesss, Burkes, 9s 6d to 9s 9d; By ass's, 8s 3d to 8s 6d; London and Colonial Company's, 7s. PROVISIONS. (Bacon and hams, butter and cheese, duty Id per lb.) In the leading items of provisions, the market has been active, particularly during the latter part of the month, and importers have succeeded in. clearing off a considerable portion of the heavy stocks for up-country, and export requirements, chiefly, however, for the latter. No very great improvement has resulted, importers being desirous of accepting the first opportunities of clearing away long standing stock; but; an increase of rates is likely to follow shortly, unless checked by intelligence of heavy shipments from Britain. During the month parcels in second rate condition have been sold by auction at low prices, and as much as anything else has prevented the market assuming an improved tone. Butter has come to hand so freely that sales to a commensurate extent have been difficult, and a further and considerable decline has resulted. English cheese, particularly small sizes, is in request; Colonial, in full supply. Current rates, duty paid-Sinclair's and Coey's hams, Is 2d; do,with bacon, is Id to Is ]£d; Colonial butter, lid; English cheese, Is 2d; Colonial ditto, Is Id. oilmen's stores. (Duties, various, included is quotations.) The sale of oilmen's stores has continued

satisfactory in extent throughout the month, but we have not heard of any larger parcels than trade lots having been placed since our last. Prices have been maintained; stocks by late arrivals fully equal to demand. Tho duty paid values of the best brands are as follows:—Pint pickles, 12s 6d ; assorted sauces, 9s j/salud oils, pints, 138 to 13s 6d ; ! do half-pints, 8 j 6d to 9s ; castor oils, pints, Us to lls Od ; do half.pints, 6s 6d; jams. Ub tins, 10s 6d to . 118 ; Coleman's white starch, 5d to s|d ; mustards, lib tins, 123 61; do Jibs, 8s 6d ; sardines, halves, 12s. to 12s 6d ; do quarters, 8s to 8s 3d .; lobsters, 10s 6d ; oysters, 13s ; salmon, 17s 6d ; )iog, 5s to SJ-d. SPIRITS. • (Duty, 12s per gallon.) Soon after the departure of the last homeward mail via Suez, *}>c effect of the largo sales made just previously began to be felt, and the trado having been well supplied, demand n;cessarily btcimg easier. In Martell's and Hennessy's bulk and case brandies, but little has been done except in the re-sale of small parcels by second hous?.s, importers having scarcely made any sales. Though no actual decline in the value of these brands has been established, the market is in a weak state; and with respect to other brands, the quotations of last month: are not obtainable. Iv rums and whiskies, the business done has only been to a moderate extent, and the demand 'or both these liquids is at present very easy. In geneva, the business done has been larger than that of roany preceding months, the full stato of the market leading to a decline1 in value ami to some considerable sa'es. Aslrpmentof 5500 ens s, per Claymore, from Rotterdam, was 6ubmitted to auction on the 11th hist., about one-third of the parcel being placed. In oilier spirits, the transactions have been too inconsiderable to necessitate any special notice. Current quotation? in bond as follows :—MarteU's brandy, pale, 7s 9i per gal, 27s per case; Henneasy's ditto, 7s 91 per gal, 27s per case; Otard's (none in bulk), 25s per case; Champagne Vineyard Propiiotors, 7s to 7s 3d per gal; Renault's, 7s per gal, 23s por case; Marat's, 6s to 69 3d perggayl y 20s per case; mm, W. 1., 10 0.p., 3s 6J per gal; ditto, 30 o.p, 4s 3d per gal ; whisky,"Kirkliston, 4s 31 jaral, 10s 9d per case; Carapbelltown (none); Dunville's, 5s 6d to 53 9*l pev gal, 15s per case; Mehan's, 5s per galjgeneva, JDKZ, 1 Is; VH (unquotable); Key, ditto; old torn, 13s 6d. BUILDING MATERIALS, (Duty, on galvanised iron, 20s per ton; on timber, Is per 100 feet.) ; Privately, an average amount of business has been done. The large stock of timber on hand has, however, rendered sales at maintained prices difficult; and any sales of magnitude which have taken place have been at rates from 5 to 7|- per cent, bolow quotations? of last month, Importers are not holdin? much large timber, but are holding largely of Scotch flooring, &c. Sales of galvanised iron have beeu more frequent than extensive, but prices for all descriptions fully maintained. Fencing wire and bar iron have not suffered any decline, but are difficult to place in any large quantity. , Quofatioos, duty paid viz.:—English corrugated galvanise 1 iron, assorted guages, L34-to L35 ; Scotch ditto, Smith and M'Lean's, L 33; other brands, L 32; bar iron, assorted, Ll4 ; fencing wire, assorted No?., 4!o 8, Ll6 to L2l; Baltic deals, 5f,6d; American lumber,Ll 2; Oregon ditto, Ll2 ;■ Scotch flooring, assorted, 2.3/; slates, countess, Ll3 10s; cement, Portland, L2O. .: ~.: ~ .■ . : ■•:■ WINES. ' (Duty, 4s per gallon.) In wines, sherries of good, common, and middling qualities, have been ia good current demand. Ports have not been in so much enquiry; light wines have b.jen asked for, and a moderate amount of sales marie. On the whole, a satisfactory month's) business has been done. The quotations in bond must be taken with a due allowance for the varying shades of quality. Ports—Fine1 jqjuality/L7O to LBO per pipe; do best medium, LSO to L6O; do fair ordinary, L2BtoL4o. • Sherries—Fine, L6oto LBO per butt; do fair medium, L4O to LSO; do common to middling,- L 25 to L 35; Moselle No. 2, 425; clareb, 17s 6d to 30s. :'< TOBACCOS AND CIGARS. ; (Dufcy on manufactured tobacco, 2s 6d per lb ; duty on sheepwash tobacco, 3d perlb ; duty, on cigars, 5s per lb.) In the tobacco market, we cannot refer to any transactions during the month of larger extent than trade lots, for which there has been a fair current demand, at well sustained prices for good conditioned parcels. The quotations made are without alterations, and mv* t ba understood as the value, of tobaccos iv good order In bond:— Barrett's -anchor twist, 2s 3d to 2s 6d ; good twists, other brands, 2s ; prime 1 aromatic lumps, 2s 6d to 2s 9d; do dark, Is 2d to Is 6d; do tens, Is to Is 6i3. Real Havannab. Cigars, LlO to Lls ; Manillas, No. 2, 80s to 87s 6d ; Ormond's j Swiss, 38s to 40s. I TEAS. o (Duty 6d per lb.) The business done throughout fche month has bean.altogether private, and satisfactory in extent. Values of fair, good, and five congous have been sustained, as have the values of some rather lower teas, strong ration sorts, which have been placed. Quotations exhibit no material alteration. In bond: Low congous, lOd to Is per lb; ordinary do, Is 3d to Is 6d ; fair mediums, Is 7d to Is lid; fine qualities, 2s 2d to 2s lOd; pekoes, 2s 6d to 2s 9d. DRIED PEC ITS. (Duty, Id per lb.) More than the average. bnsiness has been done ; most descriptions have been in fair supply, except ordinary raisins, of which there are extremely few in the market. The present duty paid values are •.—'New currants, s|d ; raisins, Cape, none ; ditto, Mediterranean, none; almonds, JordaD, 2s 6d ; ditto, soft shell, lid to Is • Barcelona nuts, 6d ; figs, lOd ; raisins, Sultanas, 10' d ; dried apples, none ; muscatels, 10d to lO^d. SUGARS. (Duty 9s 4d per cwt.) Shortly after the date of our last, the sugar market assumed a steadier aspect. The Prospector's cargo of Mauritius, which was offered by auction the day after the departure lof last Summary, was almost entirely withdrawn, the prices obtainable not coming up to the importer's limits. The withdrawal of this cargo no doubt imparted a firmer tone to the market. Since that time a fair amount of trade, privately, has been done, chiefly ia fine yellow crystals. At ro time has the market presented a better variety of Mauritius descriptions, the full supply of fine whites narrowing the demand for Victorian rc-fiaed, in which bat little has done. A parcel of-30 tons, Dutch crushed, ex Claymore, was offered by auction on the 11th, but only a small portion was sold. The sale of all kinds of refined is curtailed by the presence in the marketfof so many lots of fine crystal whites. Our rates show in some descriptions an improvement. In bond, current values are—Mauritius fine white crystals, I L4oto L 42; do second whites, L37 to L 39; grey and fine yellow, L 35 to L 37 ; first counters, L34to L 3 5; second do, L3O to L 3 3; browns, L26 to L2B ; Victorian, Ist white, L 46; 2nd do, L 44; first counter, L 42; English loaf, 6<i.; do crushed, 5d to s£d. SUNDKIES. Sperm Candles (duty, Id per lb).—The de-

n and at this season of the year is always so,' limited that it leaves nothing to note bc-yoni the existence of as fair a current trade as might be expected. Importers and second houses are supplied. Present value?, duty paid, are~Belmonts, il-»-i; Ntvas, lljd;----other full weights, I id t i li^ri. Soap (duty, 2s 6d per cwt) —A fair average demand for imported continues. The supply of Dunedin manufacture and of imported is ample for present rcquiromeuts. Current values, duty paid, are—Hobson's Bay, No, 1,. L 47 ; ditto, No. 2, L 45 ; ditto, No. 3, L 43 ; Steele's Liverpool, L 39 to L4os Dunedin, L3B to L4O. Soda crystals (duty, la per cwt).—Stock fully sufficient for the requirements of the market. Rate for last sales, Ll3, duty p »id. Salt (free).—Market supplied. Coarse and fine, either tog-zther or separately, worth L 4 Hops (duty, id per lb).—Last quotations for these goods have been fully maintained. The demaud is not hotvy, nor ia the stock in excess. Sa!c3 at Is 10d to 2s have been reported, which are about the valuo a month since. Malt (duty 6d por bu-hel).—SJes of moderate sized parcels have been made ; but the transactions have not (except within the last day or two) been of sufficient. extent to improve values ; the. market, howover, now wears a firmer aspe -t, and stocks are somewhat reduced and ia few hands. Current rates are—Waltnsley's pale, 11s to Us 6d; Scotch, 93 to 10s. Hemp Goods (Is Cd pn- cubic foot).—Some parcels of cornsacks have changed bauds at prices shewing an improvement upon last givon quotations, and importers aro now holding for a further ad vane?. The demand forwoolp^cks has slackened, and very littlo has been done in the article during the last week or two. Current values are—Woolpacks, 4s 61 to 4s 9d, nominal; cornaacks hold for 16s, duty paid. Kerosene (duty, 6d per gallon). — The soiison of the year is tgainst auy trade being done, except for current) requirements 5 the value is stationary at 4s 61 to 48 9d. Blasting Powder (duty, Id per lb).—Without any improvement; the quantity in the hands of importers is largely in excess of the present demand' ';<;<-largo'sales are not practicable, and the value is nominal.