COMMERCIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 664, 20 August 1864, Page 9

COMMERCIAL.

London, 27th June. The money market, since the reduction of the Bank rate to six per cent., has been steady, with a tendency to stringency. The'lowest rates for bills in general in the market is six per cent. Short loans in English Government securities four to five per cent. Cousols, for money, 89f to £ ; do for account, 89| to 90. Colonial Government Securities. — Victorian Six per Cents, April and October, 109 to 110, New South Wales Fives, 1866, 100 to 101 ; New Zealand Sixes, 109 to 111; Queensland Sixes, January and July, 108 to 110 ; South Australia, do, 109 to 111.

Exports.— Total exports to Australia show an increase over the previous month of £200,436.

The bulk of increase is to Melbourne.

The exporti to Melbourne for the month, £513,212, against 374,366 in the preceding month; increase, £138,846, principally in fine goods, wrought leather, apparel, and tobacco.

To Sydney and Moreton Bay the total exports only show an increase for the month, of £13,249, advance principally on iron, sheet lead, and beer.

Shipments of candles were unusually small.

The exports to Adelaide show an inincrease of £6,889 over the previous month.

To New Zealand the shipments show a decrease of £15,264 for the month.

Wool Report, June 24 — Sales closed on 9th June. Total number of bales catalogued, 103,763. On reduction of rate of discount to seven per cent, an advance of £d to Id was established. 40,000 bales were bought for France. Choice brands of Port Philip and Sydney wools fetched extremely high rates, and it is anticipated next sales in July and August will maintain present prices.

The Union Bank of Australia, as acting financial agents for the Queensland Government, invite tenders for £100,000 six per cent, bonds, secured on the revennes of the colony.

The South Australian company declared a dividend of seven per cent, per annum on 22nd June.

The London Chartered Bank of Australia's dividend for the half year was four per cent, free of income-tax.

New Zealand Government debentures for one million sterling, bearing interest at 5 per cent., and redeemable in fifty years, are offered to the public by the Crown agents for the colonies.