MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Issue 3342, 7 March 1879, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

/The Argus of the 28th ult. reports for the previous day::— , «' J : ' : A good trade inquiry continues to be reported. Breadstuffs are moving quietly. Flour is very slow, and though trade sales are making at £10 ,to £10 2s 6d, the market is heavy, and to quit parcels, less money would have to be taken. At auction, 375 bags of wheat, comprising the usual assortment, were disposed of at prices rising from 3s to 4s and 4s 6d to 4s Bd. Privately also sales are mentioned at 4s Sd. Adelaide circulars bave^ been received to 24th February. Messrs Morgan and Coy quote wheat at 4s*7d to" 4s 8d at* Port Adelaide^ an'cT4s"6d tb"4s°6£d at Port Pirie. Sales of .cargoes have been made at 45s per quarter^c'ost, freight, insurance, and exchange to the United Kingdom for orders, and one cargo was sold at 39s 6d per 4801 b., cost, insurance, and bags. Exports to date amounted to 882.733 - bushels, wheat and 13,484 tons flour. Feeding grains" have not been much* noticed. " Oats (Victorian) are moving at 3s 3d to 4s for common to fine feeding, and 4s 3d for milling. At auction a small lot was quitted at 3s 4d. Maize is firm at our quotation of 4s to 4s Id for fine old and 4s 2d for fine new. Sugars are moving off at an improvement on late, business. Fine whites have been placed at £35, ' and medium at £34, while sales of yellows are mentioned at £30 os. Teas are' without any special business to advise. Kerosene oil has a very good trade demand, but no large sales have been , effected. About 2000] cases may have been taken up^in parcels, ranging from 200 to 500 cases in a line, at from ll§d to Is. Currants are ttill wanted,but telegrams have been received of a favorable character, which make holders somewhat stiffer in their ideas. We learn, however, of one line of 100 barrels having been placed within a shade of 4M. Raisins have likewise had an inquiry. All", available parcels .of Valencias on the spot and to arrive 'have been taken up, and in some instances an advance on o^d. has been paid. Elemes hav.e likewise risen into notice, and business is reported. Holders now require very extreme rates for prime old, even s|d being talked of, and.a higher price still is requlred'for prime'new to arrive. Shipments advised are not heavy:' Sales of prime ling are 'reported at sd. Half-barrels white herrings are likewise moving,. -, An impr.oved r fe.*eling is noticeable in regard to salt, shipments advised by telegram being extremely moderate. Jenar's candles have been offered at 7^d in bond, without leading to business. Brandies have had a better inquiry though no actual business has been reported. Telegrams have: come to hand _ advising shipments of bulk for two months, from 16th December to 16th February, at the very small quantity of 16,000ga1., and of case at oOOOgal. Shipments ' of rum are also veiy light.