Commercial

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 160, 3 May 1859, Page 2

Commercial

Colonist Office, Monday Evening. We are sorry that we are unable to report more favorably this month than the preceding one, which has been characterised by unusual dullness in every branch of importations.

We have been blessed with a prolific crop of cereals, but unfortunately, no adjacent market can be found to export our superabundance to. Oats are quoted at 3s. 6d. to is; in Sydney—barley 3s. to 3s.' 9d. At these prices it will leave. a heavy loss, even at the lowest rates demanded by the farmers, which is 4s. for prime oats, and ss. to ss. 6d. for first class malting barley. Thus the agricultural interest being for the present distressed for a market, throws additional gloom on the mercantile horizon. We trust that a demand may shortly spring up and relieve our markets. Teas.—A small parcel, per Prince Alfred, realised £9 10s. to £9 155., duty paid. Sugars—but few and small transactions have transpired, Company pieces being sold at £52 10s. to £53 10s., a price barely remunerative.

The arrival of another ship from London direct, with some few seasonable goods, has also served to check prices. In short, in all leading articles, perhaps excepting tea and soap (Sydney), the market is most abundantly supplied.

The intelligence received from the mining district,, is cheerful. All are contented, and in the absence of any monster nugget, are nil ■ earning full wages. Many parties having small capital sire awaiting the granting of leases, and will not risk their fortunes without some land of protection. Wlien these leases are granted and in operation, then only can our- goldfields be expected to " go-a-head." The steamers are beginning to open a trade, and when fairly established will do immense good to the provinces generally; but the system that has been adopted of charging extreme rate for freights and passage money has tended somewhat to .diminish their usefulness generally. The following are our quotations :— Brandy—the market is overstocked. Geneva, old torn, rum, and whiskey—market full. Wines—port and sherry—a fair supply. . - Bottled beer—ditto ditto. Tea, half and whole chests—limited. Sugar—market full. Coffee—market overstocked. Colonial candles—wanted. : . Sperm candles—market full ' Oilman's Stores—a fair supply. Soap—market full. Tobacco—small stock—negrohead only wanted'. ri Cigars—market full. American notions—market full. ■ , ' Slops and Drapery Goods—market very much, overdone. ■■■■? Boots and Shoes—ditto ditto. . ■ Our Price List is as follows:— Spirits, in bond: —■ Brandy, Marten's, per gallon—los 6d to 12a'. . ' St Ditto Hennessy's ditto—9s to 9s 6d v' Ditto U. V. C. ditto—9s Ditto other brands ditto—7s to 9s ■* Bum ditto—4s 6d to 6s 6d "' . i Whisky ditto—6s. 6d. >il - \ Old Tom, Pigeon's, per doz—l7s to 17s 6d s | Ditto ditto Booth's ditto—l7s 6d to 19s • j Ditto ditto per gallon—6s to 7s j Wines, in bond, per dozen cases— : I Port— ll. 10sto2Z. 5s Sherry ditto—lZ 4s to 11 15s Port per gallon—los to 12s . , Sherry ditto—Bs to 14s 6d Claret per case—nominal , I Champagne per dozen— ll los to 21 Ale and Porter—bottled, per doz, quarts, 10a 9d to Us 6d, out of bond .'. Ale perhlid, good brands ~&l 10s Stout ditto—7/10s. Tobacco and Cigars, in bond— Negrohead per pound, Is7d to Is 9d Manila, No. 2, per 1000, 21 8s to 21 10s Teas— Congous per chest, 81 to 91 9s Ditto per box, 33s to 36s SUGAES— ! Loaf per ton, 70/ to 7Si Cossipore ditto, 52 1 to 54/ Mauritius Crystals ditto. 52Z to 5&1 j Ditto counters, 49Z to-52? Sydney Company's pieces, 52/ to 54/ Pampagnas, 32Z to 38Z Coffee per pound—lOd to ll£d Sperm candles ditto—ls 5s to Is 6d Sydney moulds ditto—9|d to lo|d. Rice, Patna, per cwt— ll 8s Ditto English dressed ditto—l? 16s to 21 , Salt, Liverpool, per ton, 4Z to 4Z 103 Ditto coarse ditto— Zl 5s to ±1