ENGLISH COMMERCIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 893, 9 January 1869, Page 4

ENGLISH COMMERCIAL.

Messrs F. and C. Bturge's Corn Circular, dated November sth, reports i —

During the past month, the supnly of English grain has been leßs affected by wheat sowing than is often the case, so that instead of the usual October advance, the price has steadily declined, being now 3s per quarter lower than at the b> ginning of last month, though »t present markets are ra-her firmer than a week back. The fall has not yet, as is often the case at this season, lessened farmers' deliveries, indicating that the crop fully equals their expectations. Black Sea wheats have not, however, participated to any material extent in the decline, being barely la per quarter lower, so chat these are now decidedly dearer than English wheats of similar quality. But the large arrivals on the coast during the last week do not meet with a ready sale. The weather for wheat sowing and other agricultural operations continues as favourable as possible, the fall of rain being sufficient and not too great ; the only complaint we hear is that in some cases the young wheat plant is rather too forward. French markets continue about on a par with our own, although the Spanish demand, which has revived, now appears likely to continue until next harvest. Notwithstanding bo much has been said about the large supplies expected from America, but little comes forward, and much more cannot be expected before next spring, except from California, whence large quantities are likely to be shipped thia season. As Australia, New Zealand, and other southern markets are now over supplied, a considerable proportion of the Chilian crop may be sent to this country in the absence of any nearer place of sale. The relative high price of barley and other spring corn may, however, prevent the va ue of wheat from declining so much as it otherwise would do ; in addition to which present prices offer no margin for profit on importation from any producing couutry. The number of grain laden ships onpassagefrom ports east of Gibraltar is about 560, with fewer than for some time p iat on the way from California and Chili. The imports of wheat and flour the last rive weeks were 822,461 quarters, against 541,201 ! for the previous four, and 862,322 quarters for the rive weeks of Octot'er, 1867. Our present prices are— English red, 6s 6d to 7a ; white, 7s to 7s 6d ; iJanzig, 7s to 7s 6d ; Ghirka. 6s 5d to 6s 9d ; per 621bs. From the Irish agricu rural returns recently published, the area under wheat appears to be about 10 per cent more than last year, or about the same as two years ago ; that of oats and barley has aso slightly increastd, whilst the cultivation of flax has diminished 25 per ceat. The total area under wheat in that country is, however, too small for this change to have any material effect on prices. The valuation of live stock has diminished rather over 3 per cent, but this has principally arisen from a reduction of about 25 per cent in the stock of pigs, and from the returns of Great Britain the-e appears to be a considerable decrease on this side of the Channel.

Barley of all kinds, notwithstanding largo arrivals from France, has rather advanced during the month, whilat a further stimulus is given to the trade by a brisk demand for the United States, where this grain has be come scarce and dear ; this, as long as it lists, must lessen our French supplies as shippers will direct their cargoes to the States instead of this country ; whilst the home-grown barley being all, or nearly all, fit to malt, has thrown toe whole consumption for feeding purposes upon foreign. Our piesent prices are — heavy grinding, 36s to 37s ; light, 33s to 34s 6d per 400lba. The arrivals ot oats exclusively from Ireland h&ve been large, and consequently our prices are barely maintained. A few black continue to be shipped to France, and the quantity of Fnglish as yet brought to market is small. Grey sell at 23s to 293 ; black, 27s to 28s ; white, 28s to 30s per 3921bs

Beans continue to come slowly to market, and English bring 49s to 52s ; Egyptan, 46s to 4Ss, per 5231b5, a rise of la to 2s per quarter.

.Peas have also advanced on the previous very high rates ; white feeding now selling at 18s 9d to 19s 3d, per 19b'lbs. The high price of other spring, corn baa caused an improved demand for maize, which has risen, notwithstanding the very large arrivals, being held for 15s 6d to 15s 9d per 1961bs at Gloucester.

The ship Robert Henderson had a most tempestuous passage from hence to Bluff Harbour, The following account was kindly sent to our shipping reporter. The Robert Henderson left Port Cna mers in tow of the steam- tug Geelong to sea on the afternoon of the 23rd ult., and had moderate winds until the evening of the 25th, when she waa within 12 miles of Dog Island, when she encountered a very heavy gale from the weßtward which compelled her to lay -to under a close-reefed maintopsail, and drove her out of the Straita. On Sunday, the 27th, the gale abating, set fore and mizen topsails close-reefed and reefed courses, and stood in for the land. On Monday, the 28th, had moderate bwezea, the j ship under full aaiL At 10 p.m. ahe was otf Slope Point, when the wind again increased to a heavy westerly gale, with a high running Bea. Hove-to under close-reefed maintop: sail for the night. On the 29th the gale partially moderated ; made sail, and stood in =hore. The same weather continued until the Ist inst., when the wind changed to N.E., enabling her to arrive off the Bluff, and anchored for tide at 6.3d a.m. on the 2nd,