COMMERCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4436, 8 May 1876, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

An expert in the habits cf the Dunedin market would have little difficulty, about this quiet period of the year, in predicting to ft shade what particular phases it would present in pursuing its four weekly round in concert with the mail. He might even venture upon a synopsis in a general way without being very far out. Thin last week, taken as an instance, was dull, and we were bound to offer as in part a sufficient explanation of the circumstance that it was the last week of the month. This explanation was quite correct, and not the less so that we have repeated it on the recurrence of the occasion with faithful persistence for years. For why, it is the habit of the Dunedin traders not to buy during the last week of the month. With equal certitude, given the condition of tho market to be about its average normal state, we might have advanced to the week following, and detailed how that, having crossed with safety the rubicon of the 4th, it had the evidence to adduce of elastic good spirits in the parcels that had been made, the lines that had been cleared, with tho confident caution of good marks, The more absolute such regularity, tho stronger is th'i presumption in favour of the market. Trade continues sound upon tho whole, for although failures have not been without occurrence—chiefly scattered about up-country, only one of consequence having place iv town-they have not been extensive and are not further reported. But whatever be the regularity of the market as a whole, the leading articles appear from week to week, to have their exhaustless variations chronicled, a sign of life, sharp and wide awake. The affairs of the Albion Brew ing and Malting Co., which, it will be recollected, succeeded to the New Zealand Distillery Company in the premises, are by no means in a promising condition. At an adjourned meeting which was held, tho Chairman stated that ih "the profit and loss account there_ is a balance of L2BOG 19s 7d upon the wrong Bide— the expenditure for salaries, &c, being L 4978 15s 3d, and the receipts from sale of malt and beer, rent, &c., L 2171 15s Bd." It was then moved that this report be not received, the mover maintaining that instead of ttere being only a deficiency of L2BOG 19s 7d, there was a deficiency of something like LSOOO. _An angry discussion followed, the Chairman taking a more hopeful view of affairs than that which seemed to prevail, in the course of his observations remarking:—" I think you will admit that the first year's transactions in a business like this cannot be taken as a fair test of what the future result may.be. During the current year, the expenditure and receipts will go en concurrently, and at all events it is impossible to say what the result may be at the end of twelve months. At any rate, it is tafe to say that the appearances at the end of the second year will be much better than the Directors have been able to disclose in this report of the first year." It was resolved that a, report should be furnished to a general meet ing of the shareholders at as early a date as possible. Stables's Circular of Values and Clearances from Inme ports, for the four weeks ending 23rd February, is just to hand. Two of the three vessels reported have arrived— the Loch Awe and Caithloeh. The Zulieka cleared on February 12th. Value of cargoes of these three vessels is L 101,300, being an increase of L7G,000 on the first four weeks of the year. ITew Zealand alone, of all the Australasian Colonies, exhibits an increose on this occasion. But the increase on all its ports aggregated is less than tho increase in Otago, since it only amounts to L5t,300. No doubt the cau«e of Otago imports being thus disproportionately large is tne very trifling amount with which she was credited in January—only L25,90D. Drapery is comparatively light, especially when tho still more conspicuous lightness of the former month is considered. The amount then was only L9G32; it is now only L 14.854, or 16-24 per cent, of the entire caigo. The following are the quantities of other goods advised :—Rail and general machinery, L 10.225 (last month, LG781); bar and rod iron, 217 tons; galvanised iron, 119 tons; wool-packs, L 15 5; corn sacks, L 9 3; slates, 42 tons; cement, 45 barrels ; brandy, in bulk, 4834 gallons; do, in case, 4022 gallons ; rum, 1818 gallons; wine, red, 5049 gallons'; do, white, 2273 gallons; beer, in bu'K, 85 barrels; do, in glass, 174 barrels; geneva, in glass, 4000 gallons; malt, nil; hops, 115cwt.; hams and bacon, 107cwt.; assorted oilmen's stores, LIG2I; candles, 844cwt. ; currants, 532cwt,; raisina, 347cwt.; figs, 27cwt.

BREADSTUFI'3 AND GRAIN.

Duty on grain, 9d per lOOlbs ; on flour, Is per

lOOlbs : on rice, 4s 2d per lOOlbs.

Flour has not undergone any alteration, and is atill quoted at Lll, sacks. Wheat is offering freely at rates that have receded slightly from the quotations of two weeks ago. For southern the prices ruling vary from 4s to 4s 3d; for northern, from 4s 3d to 4s 6d. Oats continue very dull—buyers difficult to find. Good feed is quoted at from Is 6d to Is 7d; good milling, at Is 8d to 3.S 9d, Oatmeal is quoted at Ll2. Barley gives general dissatisfaction. The crops of this cereal are not expected this year to meet the necessity of buyers. Brewers require approved samples—they are not forward —and English malt is temptingly at hand. The offal —bran and pollard—are in demand at L 3 15s and LG. On the occasion of our last fourweekly Summary we referred to the abundance of the harvest, which bad by that time been safely and happily ingathered, and to the pro babiiity that it would be chronicled and referred to in the future among tha agriculturists of Otago as the }'ear distinguished for its abundant harvest and poor returns. There is little doubt that this will prove true. Oats are maintaining a better—although a very low— rate than wrs anticipated, but tbsre is no great chance of their so far clearing the cost of their production that the farmer will on the whole find much margin of profit. While as to barley,lathis, luckless .crop has brought him trouble in another way—it is being delivered from the country discoloured and inferior. Whether owing to the bad weather at harvesting or bad management then or since, the quality ia not what it was expected to be, and supplies of really fine malting barley are likely to be scarce. Wheat will, after all, prove his mainstay, and in so far as the demand exists for domestic supply and intercolonial and provincial export, he should be satisfied. The London quotations sinue pur last have been, for wheat, 49a to 525. This was upon the Bth. Three days later the market is reported quiet. Adelaide is quoted as worth 53a for 4961b5. The weather there is favourable to crops.

ALE AND STOUT.

(Duty, Is 3d per gallon in glass: and Is per gal-

lon in wood.)

These liquids depend largely upon the accident of condition, a eircumstauce so important that the state in which they arrive not simply determines the demand for the season, but adds sometimes to already known and favourite brands an additional adventitious impression. In porter, there continues to be good enquiry for Guiness's—Blood's, the Pig brand, and other bottlers' brands of Guiness's stout, having turned out finely-conditioned shipments this year. In ale there were early considerable shipments or consignments of second-rate brands, which changed hands at low prices; and this has not merely lessened the after demand directly but may have had an effect of an adventitious kind, as deleterious in the case of ale, as tiie we\'.-conditioned arrival of porter had a favourable effect upon it. Ale, at all events, is still dull, and where the imported article has to meet in the local breweries so successful an opposition as that which they offer, shippers cannot toocarefully consider the brands Ihey forward and their condition for shipment. Quotations are : —For ale in bulk (in bond) — Bass's No. 3, L 7; No. 4, L7los; Melvin's Edinburgh, Nos. 3 and 4, L 6 lOtj ; Martian's, L 7 ; Colonial, L 4 10s to L 7 10s. Porter—Colonial (in bulk), Lsto L 6 10s. Ales (in glass) —Colonial, 10s all over; Tennant's, quarts (in bond), 12s 6d ; Bass's, 10s ; Younger's, quarts, 7s Cd to Bs. Porter (in glass)—Guinness's, quarts, 13s ; Pig brand, quarts, 11s 9d to 13s 3d ; Blood's, quarts, lls Cd ; Machen's, quarts, 9s Od; Younger's, quarts, 10s to 10s 6d ; Tennant's, lls.

WINES AND SPIKITS.

(Duty—Wine, 4s per gal.; spirits, 12s 'per gal.)

Immediately upon the dato of our last, spirits emerged from the persistent dullness which had remained unbroken for so long. Henaessy, both bulk and case had advanced in Melbourne, and in consequence stiffened here. The spurt, however, has nojt proved of long standing, for although no decline can be said to have taken place, the promise of advance and active enquiry has not been fullfilled. Hennessy has been offered freely, and there have been sales at 30s and 7s 9d. Otard's and Eisquit's have been selling at 6s 6d, Otard's case at 255. There has, besides, been a fair dexand for fane3 r packages of various brands. Whisky continues in fair demand, with no alteration ru values. Sales have been made of Ardbog at Cs, and of Thorn and Cameron at 4s 7{>'\. That old and favourite brand M'Murchie's :s again in the market, sales re ported at 5.s 3d. Mitchell's has been selling freely up to the average quantities th»t are being sold at present, at from us Ocl to Cs for bulk, and lGs GJ for case. Geneva and Old Tom are negketed. Wine exhibits no vigour, Champ'tgue and lighter wines apparently gone out of enquiry with the summer, and ports and sherries not having come into demand, even in the almost impalpable way that enquiry in wine arises. The wine trade is on the whole iv a backward state. It is stated, we notice, in the Home papers that the French vintage is almost b?yond precedent abundant — the greatest that the vino growers have been favoured with since the Comet year. This gives promise, we should judge, of an abundant supply and easier prices noxt year. Quotations ure as follow :—Wines —Port, medium, 2 or 8 diamond, Lll por (jr-ca.-ik ; superior do, L2O. Ohanipu'-me—livst brands per d<>z., in glass, L 4 10s 'to L 5. Brandy — Hcnnessy's, qrcasks, per gallon, 8s Gd; Martell's do, 8s 3d; Eonault's do, Vineyard, 7s Od to Ss;

Otard's, 7n 3d ; Bisquit, Deboucbe, an<J Co.'B, 7a; Hcniiessy's, in case, per dozen, 31s Od; Martell's do, 295. Rum, 10 o.p ,3s 7|d ; do, 30 0.p., 4s per gallon. Whisky in bulk—Kirkliston, at per gallon, 3s Gd to 3s 9d; Islay, Sheriff's, at per gallon, 5s 3d to 5s Gd; Bernard's, at per gallon, 4s fid ; Grant's Glenlivet, Oss 6d ; do, direct from the distillery, 6s 3d to Gs (id; Smith's Glenlivet, Gs 4d to Cs sd; Ardbeg, Gs 3d; Begg's Lochnagar, 9s. Do in case—Campbellton, per dozen, 17s Gd; Greenlees pure malt, 5s 9d to 6s; Glenlass, 4s 6d; Clery, Cork, Gs ; Taylor's do, 17s 6d to 18s: Bernard's Scotch, per doz., 15s to 16s ; Dunville's, at per doz., 17s; Thorn and Cameron's, at per doz., 13s 6d ; Begg's Lochnagar, 17s; Lome, 18s 6d ; Clery, Cork, 18s Gd to 20a. Geneva— JDKZ, 3 gals, per case, 13s 3d. Gin(O.T.)— Booth's and Burnett's, 13s 6d to 13s 9d. Rum in case—Red Heart, 27s Cd; in bulk, Lemon Hart's finest, 4s 4d.

TOBACCO AND CIGARS.

(Duty, manufactured, 2a 6d per Ib. ; sheepwash, 3d per lb.; cigars, o's per lb.) Trade in this staple is steady. No sales of any great extent have, however, come under our notice. Fifty cases of Watson and M'Gill's manufacture, ex Lizzie, were offered by auction, all faults, and passed into various hands p-t full prices. The barque Stillman B. Allen has brought a fan- shipment of Cameron's tobaccos,which, with one more small shipment, will, we hear, close this season's supplies. Tens are much enquired for, especially those of first quality. Twists continue in improved demand, and as there has been no addition to stocks since our last, higher prices will no doubt rule during the rest of the year. A steady demand exists for aromatics and fancy lines. In cigars very little change has taken place; prices remain unaltered. Present quotations are as follow: — Stonewall Jackson twist, from Is Gd to Is 8d; Cameron'3 Raven twist, from Is 8d to la 9d; Cameron's Venus twist, from Is 8d to Is 9^d; Cameron's Cable twist, from Is 7^d to Is 8d; Signet, tens, Is lOd to 2s; New Zealand Joys, twelves, Is s|d to Is 6d; Cameron's Signet, tens, in quarter and half boxes, Is 8d to Is 9d, and Is 7-Jd to Is 8d ; Enchanter, gold bar, Is lOd to 2s; Enchanter, aromatic twist, Is 9d to Is lOd; Enchanter, navjr sixes, 2s; Enchanter, sixteens, Is lOd to 2s ; Orion, tens, Is Gd; best honeydew, Jibs, per lb, Is 4d; do, tens, Is to Is 3id; sheepwash leaf, Calcutta, 3d; Two Worlds, tens, Is 2d to Is 4d. Cigars— cheroots, No. 2, per 1000, L 3; Manillas, No. 2, L 3 7s 6d; Havanas, do, Ll2 to Ll6; Swiss, Ormond's, LI 17s 6d to L 2.

PROVISIONS,

(Duty, hams and bacon, Id per lb: potted fish,

10 per cent, ad val.)

Articles ranging under this head have attracted little attention since our last. The market is in sufficient supplies from the country and neighbouring provinces.' Dairy produce, and hams and hacon, and imported pro visions are reduced to a very minimum, little being heard or known of the quiet colonial trade which is meanwhile going on. We have desiderated sometimes a few Home or American imports tnat by the competition therefrom engendered the domestic products might be kept up to the mark. But traders are not patriots, and to a vary limited extent will consignors risk the consigning of hams and bacon or cheese. We may report that colonial baoon is selling pretty well at lOd, colonial hams at Is. The same articles of provision imported hang heavily, the difference in price proving the usual drawback. Butter has reached winter prices, and is scareo at that. Cheese, prime, i? scarce also. Quotations for Sinclair's and Coey's hams, Is 5d ; for preserved fish as follows : —Ling, 4Ad to 5d ; salmon, 9s Gd per dozen, to 12s Gd; other brands. 10s 6d to 11s 6d; lobsters, lib tins, d.p. per dozen, 9s 6d; oysters, do do, Gs to 6s Gd ; sardines, quarters, 5s 3d to 5s 9d ; do, halves, 9s 3d ; cheese, Colonial, Canterbury, 8d to Bid; hams, Colonial, Is to Is 2d for prime; bacon, Colonial, lid to Is; butter, Is 2d to Is 4d ; rice (Patna), £24; Java, L2(j; salt, L4to L 4 15s; soap (Otago), lGs to 265.

oilmen's stokes and groceries. (Duties chiefly 10 per cent, ad valorem.)

In these diversified descriptions of goods, which form so large an element in general trading, and make a part more or less of ever y general order received from the country, there continues to be done a steady, healthy irade, with prices well maintained. We cannot enter into particulars, but believe that stocks have rarely presented better the mean betwixt over and under; or that imports were ever more exactly regulated t" requirements. The 'prentice hands at importing of some years back have learned their business, and floodings of the market will not in future be ever much helped from this department of it. Current quotations are as follows : —Arrowroot, BJd; jams and jellies, English, 8s 6d to 9s Gd per doz. ; do, Colonial, 7s Gd per doz.; mustard, Colman's, lib tins, at per doz., lls (xl; Alb do, at per doz., 5s 9d to 6s; castor oi]> Morton's, pints, at per doz., 9s 6d ; J-pints d<:, at per doz., 5s 6d; Bain's &-pints do, 5a Gd; do, oil, salad, pints, 12s; Morton's pints, 10s 6d to 10s 9d ; |-pints, at per doz., 7s 6d to 8s; pickles, assorted, Crosse and Blackwell's, pints, at per doz., 13s ; Bain's, pints, 10s 6d ; Morton's do, pints, at per doz., 10s. Sauces, Lea and Perrin's, half-pints, at per doz, 12s 6d; Crosse and Blackwell's do, at per do/, 13s Gd; Batty's Nabob do, at per doz, 10s 6d ; Bain's do, at per doz, 8s; Mdior's pints, 15s; do 9s; other |brands, 7s 6d to 8s; starch, Colman's white, 4Jd'; Glenfield patent do, 7M; vinegar, Champion's, at per gallon, 2s ; Hill Evan's, at per gallon, 2s; do do, in glass, at per doz, 9s Gd to 10s; Morton's do, at per doz, 9s Gd. Matches—Bryant and May's, 250's, at per gross. 20s; plaids, 4s 9d ; fancy boxes, 250's, a\, per gross, 22s ; plaids, 4s 9d ; Bell and Black's, 250's, at per gross, 19s Gd; Palmer's, 250's, at per gross, 19s; Robert Bell and Co.'s, 250's, at per gross, 20s: plaids, ss; Austin'^, 250's, at per gross, 18s 6d; plaids, 5s 9d to 6s; jams and jellies, English, lib tins, Is Gd; do, Colonial, Is.

SUGAR. (Duty, 9s 4d per cwi.)

This staple import has beeu quiet during the month. Stocts are considerably reduced, especially those of finest whites ; but the trade hold supplies to some extent, and show little disposition to buy freely. There have been ship merits from both Sydneyand Melbourne within the last two weeks. The only auction sale which has taken place was that of part of the I cargo of the latest arrival from Mauritius, alluded to in our last month's summary, viz., the Indian Chief, to the order of Messrs James Rattray and Co., at the rooms of Messrs M'Landress, Hepburn, and Co. The attendance, in consequence, no doubt, of the Sophie's sugar having been submitted to auction so shortly before, was indifferent, and the quantity knocked down not by any means commensurate to the beauty of quality and distinctness of assortment which characterised this cargo. There were about 3000 (out of 10,052) pockets sold, the prices realised being:—Finest white crystals, L 35 ; fine white crystals, L 32 10s, L 33 7s 6d, L 33 15a; good white crystals, L 32 5s and L 32 10s ; fine yellow crystals, L3l ar.d L 32. We notice tnat, in Auckland, another parcel of Fiji sugar has bean received, and readily sold at from L 23 to L2B 15s. Honolulu sugar is not coming forward, the Californian market absorbing the whole. The prospects of things at Mauritius are improving, according to latest advices. " The total yield will be more than was recently supposed iikely, and it is generally considered, now, that the quantity of produce of the present crop brought to market will equal 103,000 to 106,000 tons. The cane-fields throughout i the Colony_present a most satisfactory appearance, and if we are spared hurricanes and droughts, it is almost certain the turn out of sugar next crop will very nearly, if not quite, equal the largest ever recorded. Grey vesous have been in autive demand at fuller values than reported last mail, and the small quantities of best white and yellow crystals offering have been eagerly purchased at a rise of from 10 to 20 cents. Finest whites are scarce, and held very firmly. Of finest yellows there are none in first hands, and of second qualities the supply on the market is very restricted. Generally speaking, present quotations must be considered nominal, with an upward tendency. Commerce during the whole year has beeu not only very restricted but the reverse of profitable, A j much larger number than usual of bankruptcies of wholesale and retail dealers have occurred, and in the case of several, proceedings before the Assizes are likely to be instituted. J The indebtedness of the Colony to other couni tries, resulting in high rates of exchange; the comparatively short crop ; and the difficulties attendant on the now discarded currency system, were the chief causes of the smallness of the business transacted. But it is to be anticipated that if the island escapes a hurricane and drought, a full average crop will be realized this year, and with a renewal of confidence and credit the commerce of the Colony will resume its uormr.l condition of progress and prosperity." TEAS. (Duty, 6d per Ib.) Teas have never been particularly lively during- the month, aor are they now, although reported by one fine to be going off freely. The firm referred to had sold out of all classes of cheap boxes. It is the general feeling that with the opening of this month iliey will be found to have taken a start. We referred to e;u:li of the present season's cargoes as they were placed upon the market, antl to the prominence of the finer qualities, or predominance rather, of the higher classed teas, in the shipments of this year. Some of the best samples, best descriptioned, and most delicately flavoured remain, but are being rapidly reduced. Messrs Whitekw and Co held a closing sale some ten days ago for Messrs Dalgety, Nichols, antl Co., of old teas, ex India and W. G. Patton. The result can but little affect the market, but may be state! There was a very limited attendance, and no spirit of competition manifested. About SOO half-cliests, ex India, wove knocked down at prices varying from Sid to Old, and one line, ex W. G. Patton, at Is Id,