THE WEEK'S BUSINESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1417, 18 January 1879, Page 13

THE WEEK'S BUSINESS.

Witness Office, Thursday Morning. Tbe week just clrsed has been a busy 0 .c with importers. The principal Bales are still of tea and sugar, but other lines have also been receiving attention; and the month, as far as it has gone, has seen an active demand for general merchandise, a aemand which we hopetoseo omtinu». 'Jhe sugar market, now that stocks are considerably lightened, shows a disposition to firm, and, for whites especially, holders are disinclined to aocept the rates lately ruling. We quote first whites, £85 10s to £36 ; second do, £34 to £86 j greys, £33 to £34; yellows, £32 to £33, in ordinary parcels. The damaged portion of the Auguate's cargo, consisting of 1160 pockets (all sort"), was offered atauction on Monday last, and realised fair prices. In kerosene, as usual at this season, there is little doing, small lots of tho different brands in tbe market only being taken up to meet requirements. Candles are slow of sale at 9d to 9Jd for De Roubaix's 7jd for Kitchen's stors, and BJd for Petrolines. Ale continues in very brisk demand, and stocks of favourite brands are at present veiy b*re. We quote Tennent's, lls ; Bulldog, lls 3d ; Foster's, 12s 6d ; Jl'Ewan'a, 10s 9d to lie. In wines t litre ir tiood business passing, clarets aud champagnes being in most inquiiy. There is a fair amount of business doing in spirits Hcnnessy's brandy, case especi >lly, is much firmer, and holders are disinclined to sell under 33s 6d. In bulk there is little doing, but its position may be favourably affected by the small stocks of case on hand. Whisky is in improved demand, and rum, of which suppl.e3 are Very moderate, is in good request at 3s 9d ; for Lemon Hart m.d Co's, 10 o.p, 10*; J.D.K.Z. senega moves off at 11s 9d to 13i, according to strength and contents. Old torn is in better inquiry, and commands 13i to 3d Tinned fleh is in ood demand, and prices have an upward tendency. We quote American salmon 83 6d to 8s 9d ; oysters, 43 3d to 4s 6d. Lobsters are quite out of the market, and as they cannot be imported at the prices which thpy have been selling at for some time past, the supp'y is like'y to be very baro for a time. Dried fruits keep selling, but prices rule low. Currants we quote from 4d to 4\ 1 ; sultanas, sd ; muscatels, lOJd to lid. In hop* there is a considerable business doi»g, and a fur quantity of all kinds has been placed during the week. We quote new Kents, ordinary, Is 6d and Is 7d ; do Goldintjs, Is 9d and Is lOd ; Cahforniana, Is and Is ld ; Nelsons, 91. Malt is tcarce and dear ; English has been sold during the week at 13s 9d and 14s, and Colonial at 9* 6J and 10s, but both kinds are difficult to obtain. Galvanised iron and fencing wire are difficult to quit. Cement is scarce and wdntoct. Woolpacks are slow of sale at 3s 3d to 3s 4d. Cornsacks have b-en largely dealt in to at rive, and shipments close at hand are now eagtrly looked for. Butter is somewhat firmer, as supplies are easier ; we quote 9d to lOd per lb. Cheese ia 111 fair demand at 7}d to Bd. Jn the grain market there is little doing, and prices are inclined to give way. We quote prime wheat, 3a 9d to 4s; o«ts (feed), 3s 81 to 3a lOd; mil ing, 3s lid. Wool The first sale of the season was held on Thursday, the 9th instant, by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, who report as follows :—" The attend*nce of buyers was large, representing both local and foreign firms, who competed with great t-pirit, and though prices, as compared with last yew, show a considerable i eduction, yet were fully up to our expeotatiens. Ouly a few lots were passed in. vVo>ls in grease comma-ided most attention, washed and scoured not coming up to our values Merino wools were in very limited supply, nnd comnunued higher relative rates. Creasy cwb-bred, in light condition, brought fr.tm BJI to lOd per lb ; heavier in grease, from 6d to 8 1. Merino in grease sold from 8d to 9-Jd, nothing very light-con-ditioned being offered Washed cross-breds sold at 13£ d, and scoured at l^d. Our catalogue < omprised 64&J bilp.i, 46J bigs, and we sold. 4*)7J- belcs 34J bipr" Arrived during the week : The Norval, from London ; and the Oamaru, from Glasgow.