COMMEECIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3125, 12 February 1872, Page 2

COMMEECIAL.

Daily Times Office, Saturday Evening.

Though telegraphed, the mails via San Francisco have not yet reached our hands, and chiefly to this cause it is owing that the

import markets have not during the last few days possessed a very active look. There has been a fair amount of general business, and up-country orders have been to hand more freely ; and though, few sales of magnitude can be noted, no doubt the coming week will witness the carrying through of various operations which have been postponed. None of the liquids have been marked by any animation. In spirits there have been light trade sales of brandies and genevas, no change in quotations being perceptible. In malt liquors, both bulk and glass, there is quite a disinclination to business, and importers have found it difficult, even with respect to parcels arriving in fair condition, to make quittances. In sugars there has been a steady trade, chiefly, however, for upcountry requirements. Stocks in first hands are again working down, and white samples scarce. The market values of all kinds are well sustained. Teas have been quiet, and pending the offer of the cargo per Iris, holders have not been able to do much. The anticipation of this cargo has kept buyers from stocking themselves, but a better business will now no doubt be practicable. In Dnndee goods there is only the item of cornsacks to note. These have been quitted at 15s 9d to 16s : market closing firm. Some business has been done in kerosene ; but in candles there has been no corresponding enquiry. Of the former, Devoe's has been placed at Is lid ex ship. Oriental is offering at a shade below. The grain market has moved with extreme quietness, and until the new grain is available, very little will be done. There are but few parcels of old wheats offering, and millers are not caring to buy except lightly and for mixing purposes. The value of the best town made flour is maintained at last quotations, but some country brands and second rate lots are reported as having been moved at lower rates. Feeding grains are neglected. Average parcels of oats cannot be quoted higher than Is lid to 2s. Malting barley wanted, but no supplies. Inferior has been placed at Is 9d to Is lOd. Potatoes scarce and high, but not likely to remain long at present extreme rates.

Messrs Weight, Stephenson, and Co. report for the week ending 10th February, as follows:—

Fat Cattle.—37 head were yarded, which sold at prices equal to 17s to 20s per lOOlbs, the latter figure being for prime quality. We sold privately, for forward delivery, 50 head at 20s per lOOlbs.

Fat Sheep.—s7o wethers and ewes were penned, and sold at 5s 9d to 6s 9d for wethers, and 5s 6d for ewes. Lambs were taken readily at 8s 6d to 8s 9d. We quote prime quality mutton 2d per lb; middling do, lgd.

Store Cattle.—No transactions,

Store Sheep. — The demand continues active. We sold 4500 half-bred lambs at 6s each, and hear of sales being made of 5000 wethers at 4s, and of merino weaners at 3s 6d. We quote 2 and 4 tooth half-breds, 6s to 6s 6d ; lambs, 5s to 6s ; merino wethers, 4 and 6 tooth, 4s 3d to 4s 9d ; do ewes, 4 and 6 tooth, 4s 6d j mixed lambs, 3s 6d.

Country Sales.—We held our monthly sale at Mosgiel on the 6th instant. The attendance of buyers was small, mainly owing to harvest operations being in progress. About 30 head fat cattle were quitted at prices equal to 17s 6d per 1001b.

Horses.—We offered a shipment of heavy draught horses from Melbourne, at our yards on Saturday, but there was little competition, and prices obtained were considerably under late rates. Good up-standing coach horses, 4 and 5 years old, are in demand, light and inferior animals scarcely saleable. We shall offer at Oaversham, on Monday, 12th instant, on account of Mr W. Scott, 3 very good teams of heavy draught horses. We quote first class draughts, £40 to £45 ; medium do, £25 to £30; good up-standing saddle and light harness horses, £15 to £18 ; middling do, £10 to £12 j light and inferior, £3 to £6.

Wool.—Two public sales have been held this week, but the quantity sold was small. There continues a great demand for light greasy clips for American account, and full prices would be paid for any suitable lots. Washed wools are also firmer in value, in consequence of the favourable advices received by last mail, We quote greasy fleece lid to 15d; do half-bred, 12d to 16d; washed merino, 17d to 20d ; do half-bred, 18d to 22d per lb. Under date of Ist December, we have received London advices as follows:—"The concluding series of public sales of this year began on the 26th ult., and will be continued until the 6th instant. The quantity arrived comprised 20,058 bales from Sydney and Queensland, 8263 bales from Victoria, 619 bales from Tasmania, 1399 bales from Adelaide, 6233 from New Zealand, 36 bales from Swan River, and 32,205 bales from the Cape. Of the above, a considerable quantity had been sent forward to the manufacturers direct, but a somewhat larger quantity had been received from various sources, induced by the high prices ruling in this market. The total quantity, therefore, to pass the hammer will be about 70,000 bales. There was a very full attendance of buyers at the opening sale, and this has continued up to the present time—the biddings showing much animation and establishing an advance on the average of Id to l£d per lb on the rates of the previous September auctions. The next public sales will begin on Bth February." Grain.—Wheat.—Very few good samples of old wheat offering. Values are—ss to 5s 3d per bushel. Oats are in fair local demand, at 2s 2d to 2s 3d for milling, and 2s to 2s 2d for feed. Barley.—Nothing doing.

Messrs Driver, Stewart, and Co. report for the week ending 10th February:—

■Fat Cattle.—There was again a short supply of cattle forward, only 35 head being yarded, which were all disposed of at about our quotation. We have sold for forward delivery about 50 head. We quote prime beef saleable at 20s per lOOlbs.

Fat Sheep.—67s wethers of medium quality were penned, and sold at from 6s to 6s 9d, and a few old ewes at 5s 9d. Really good quality sheep are not plentiful, and we have been able to effect sales at 2d per lb., which may be taken as present market value. Store Cattle.—We have sold a few head at 40s to 45s for mixed ages and sexes, and 80s for good-conditioned steers. We have no large transactions to report. Store Sheep.—An excellent demand continues for wethers—either 2-tooth, or 2, 4, and 6-tooth —at 4s 6d, or ewes, 4 and 6tooth, at 4s to 4s 3d; also for cross-bred lambs at 4s 6d to 5s 6d, according to quality, and 2-tooth and upwards 6s to 6s 6d. We have sold several small lots at these prices ; but the number offering is but limited, which, however, we expect so see considerably augmented as the season advances.

Station Property.—We have no further sales to report, but there is a healthy enquiry for desirable properties, with one or two transactions pending. Wool.—Two public sale 3 were held during the week. The catalogues comprised about 900 bales, of which about 400 changed hands. For well-conditioned greasy and washed wools in quantity suitable for shipment, the demand was active, and last week the quotations were fully maintained; but for mixed and odd lots competition was less brisk, and the prices offered a shade easier. The public telegrams to hand via San Francisco fully confirm the reports by last mail as to the very sound and healthy position of the home market, and private advices by the same route are of a still more encouraging nature. We shall offer about 700 bales by auction on Monday, 12th inst.

Sheepskins continue in good demand at fully last week's quotations.