MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Issue 3315, 4 February 1879, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

The Argus of the 30th ult. reports : — Breadstnffs, as far as regards flour, have had little attention, and the market is scarcely so strong. We quote £10 10s, but we have nothing of importance to refer to in the way of sales. Wheat is still quoted privately at 4s B£d, though the rates obtained at auction for fine do not go beyond 4 s Bd. One line of 690 bags realised this price ; at same time numerous small lots were disposed of at prices ranging, according to quality, from 3s to 3s lOd and 4s 7d. Oats, 'Victorian, are quoted at 3s to 4s. Under the hammer parcels were disposed at 3s to 3s sd. Maize is going off for trade purposes at up to 4s 7d, but there are no inquiries for parcels. Sugars firmly maintain their position, and though few sales have been reported the market is y^t alive. We understand that a large business is pending. A line of 300 bags of brewers, has been placed at 32s lOd. Teas are going off steadily. At auction this afternoon the bidding was free, and in consequence a considerable trade was done. Out of 517G packages „ offered in 'one instance the auctioneers ; succeeded in getting rid of 4500 packages at9dto ls^d'for congous, and Is 2d to Is 6£d for S. O. pekoes, while-1000 half-chests and chests congous were cleared off at lOd to Is 4d. Privately, a line of 450 half-chests low congous were quitted for export at close on 8d per lb. Cornsacks are quieter , again ; holders accept 8s 6d readily enough* for ordinary requirements, and to get rid of anything like parcels a concession on that quotation would have to be made. Candles are very slow, and only the merest trade lots .can be got rid of at 9|d to 9gd. In liquids, nothing of a special character has been reported. A meeting of creditors of Messrs James Oaten and Co., wholesale saddlers, Lonsdale street, was held to-day. The statement submitted showed liabilities amounting to £7031, with assets estimated at about the same amount.

The usual wool Ksale was held /at " Messrs R. Goldsbrough and Co.'s warehouses to-day, and 788 bales were catalogued. As is usually the case towards the close of a season, the lots were chiefly small, and in inferior, to ordinary condition. Competition was well sustained, and 530 bales were sold at late rates, greasy, in inferior to good condition, realising 6^d to lOf d ; and fleece, hand washed, and scoured, up to 18fd' rer lb. .