MELBOURNE.

Colonist, Issue 13, 4 December 1857, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

The Age. of the 11th November says:— The dulness of which so much complaint has been lately heard remains yet unrelieved. In some articles of import there are indications of ft very serious decline, as in flour, which can be bought, it is said, in quantity, at 111,, if there were purchasers for it. Tasmanian flour was disposed of at 14Z 15s. at Messrs. Tennant and Co's auction sales. At the same sales considerable lots of Cossipore sugars were offered. It seemed to be assumed by the bidders that the lots were to go at a sacrifice. Accordingly, the prices realised ranged downwards from 61Z. to 56Z. 10s. These prices, however, must be considered decidedly below the market value, notwithstanding the decline which has been submitted to within the last few days. Patna rice brought 142.155.. Bottled fruits, 13s. 3d. per dozen, and other things in proportion. Mr. Clough, in his weekly circular on the Melbourne produce markets, reports :— Wool.—There has been, this week, two public sales, when according to catalogues, nearly 1300 bales were brought forward, a copy of which we give annexed. Both sales were very well attended ; indeed, we do not remember having seen so large a number of buyers at any sale before aa were assembled at our warehouse on Thursday afternoon; notwithstanding this, there was very little disposition evinced to operate and a large quantity of wool was passed or withdrawn. The English mail being hourly expected,.no doubt had some influence on the market, buyers not being anxious to purchase at the present extreme prices without the fullest and most recent information from home. We think it probable that for some time there will be a dulness, and we doubt whether some of the lots on which high limits were placed and withdrawn or passed in consequence, will again obtain the prices offered, as after the departure of the clipper ships now now on the berth, there will be no opportunity of chipping for the, February sales,