MELBOURNE COMMERCIAL.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 12, 19 December 1862, Page 2

MELBOURNE COMMERCIAL.

We take the following from the An/us of the 7lh December : — There lias been a fair business doing in the import market throughout the week. For the country trade transactions have been tolerably brisk, until checked in some measure by the intelligence from New Zealand. The news has been rather beneficial to the import market; holders to-day of provisions and articles most likely to be in request for shipment, should another rush hence take place, being indiiferent about selling at anything under the top current rates. Generally prices are sustained, and even for articles in which there is but little disposition to operate, holders are withdrawing their goods for a better market. Bulk ales continue of ready sale, and best brands fully support quotations. Well-conditioned bottled ale is also in good inquiry, and saleable

at 10s. per dozen ; bottled stout is again scarce and wanted, most preferred brands bringing 10s 9d and 11 3rd per dozen, and sales are reported at 11s 6d. Corn sacks continue in inquiry, and are not procurable under 15s per doz. The flour market remains very quiet, although there has been more animation shown to-day, and several parcels of moderate extent have been placed at quotations. In wheat there are no transactions reported, nor arc there likely to be until the harvest has fairly set in. Horse feed has improved in demand, and oats are not only in brisk inquiry, but advancing in price. Sale's of colonial have been made at 7s Gd per bushel ; Scotch at fis Gd ; and the p.ireel ez Helios, from San Francisco, at rather above that price, the exact price not having transpired. Malt remains steady in price, and in fair request; by auction, a parcel of 2,000 bushels of English (a good sample) has been placed at from 10s 3d to 10s od per bushel, duty paid, the bags charged atls each. The near approach of Christmas has caused a much improved inquiry for dried fruits, the greater part of the parcels on hand are naturally, from age, out of condition ; but the best lots procurable are of ready sale at fully quoted rates. By auction, Eletne raisins have'beonsold at O^d; and currants, the latter with all faults, at from 4Jd tosd per lb. Ham and bacon arc in very brisk demand. Sales of the former, of most preferred brands, have been made at lid to Mid and of the latter at 13d. Sales of York hams have also been made at 13d per lb. A large sale of hops has been effected [luring the week by auction, but, from age ('55 and '57), were so far perished as to afford no criterion of the value of late growths. Oilmen's stores generally are without change; but owing to our unfavorable season, bottled fruit, jams, and jellies (ire in a better inquiry. Eicc is bought slowly at current rates — .€2O per ton for Patana, duty paid. Low case brandies have been in inquiry, and sales to considerable amount are reported, but without prices transpiring. Whisky is in rather moro demand. The heavy arrivals of geneva have, as might have been expected, rendered prices easier; but the large consumption of this spirit renders it liighly probable that the price will shortly rail}-, iind in this prospect a considerable parcel is reported to have changed hands; best brands arc quoted 11s for light duties. The sugar market is quiet. ; the parcels offered by auction, with the exception of i small damaged lot, have been withdrawn, the trade not being disposed to operate. The sales of teas by auction have been confined to tlio damaged portion of the cargo of the Aldivulock which Drought fair rates, condition being taken into consideration. Congous brought from Is 7 3 -Id to 2s 5.U1 ; hysonskin, Is7d ; orange peko, 2s 3d per b, dp. The sound portion of the cargo was also iflered in the early part of the week, but withIrawn. The timber market has slightly improved, md prices appear steadier. By auction, the cargo >f red deals ex Australia, from Gefle, was sold at Ibllowing prices: — 2,537 deals, 11x3, at did to V.d; 4.515 do, 9 x 3. at 4 13-lOd to sil; 1.400 do, 7 x 3 at 3 11-lGil; 2,301 do, 7 x 2.V, at 3Jd to 3|d per foot. Tobacco lias been in more stead}' inquiry. By auction about 500 packages tobacco, nave been placed, at the following prices: — Light •olored aromatic, at from 3s to 2s 9d; dark colored, :ens, from is to '2s lOd ; do halt-pounds, from 2s lid to 3s lid pin- lb. in bond; also, cigars, Hay-Dinah-shaped Manilla?, at !)0s ; Havannahs, 110s to 120s per 1,000, duty paid; and private sales are reported of tens (tobacco) at, 3s ; very first-class 10, at 3s 4!d ; and half-pound lumps at from 3s 3d to 3s Gd per \h, in bond.