Commercial Intelligence.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1455, 21 May 1879, Page 2

Commercial Intelligence.

TimaTu. Serald Office, Tuesday Evening. During the past month business lias been depressed, and a> l*rgo number of small failures have occurred. Timaru, however, is not m half so low a state as other centres of trade m the colony, though matters hero are quite bad onough. The fact is that the low price of wool and wheat last year, combined with over speculation m laud, has produced a very undesirable state of affairs; but as the latest English and Australian advices report rising wool and wheat markets, it is to be hoped the tide of prosperity will soon begin to flow again. Asa proof of the elasticity of the labor market, we may say that m the face of the " hard times," wo have not heard a single complaint m this district regarding scarcity of work, nor do we expect to do so. The Breakwater is progressing most favorably, and it now extends fully 300 feet out frvm the beach line, 115 feet being of solid concrete work. There is every probability of its being available for vessels to lie alongside ere next wool season arrives. The export and import trades have been exceptionally brisk. Since our last report three vessels have been despatched direct to London, viz., the Charlwood, Inch Marnock, and Taranaki. The total exports during the month have been :— Wheat, 193,382 bushels j oats, 10,712 bushels; barley, 2276 bushels; wool, GOO bales ; flour, 1077 sacks; malt, 101 sacks i tallow, 146 casks. The current quotations are : — Wheat, 8s to Ss 2d ; oats, la 6d to Is 11s ; and barley, 4s 6d to 5s 3d. Messrs Taylor and Bowie report as follows: — Flour (wholesale) is fetching £8 and £9 per ton ; best oatmeal, £18 ; sharps, £6, f .0.b. ; bran, £4 10s to £5, f.0.b. : potatoes (wholesale), £3 5s to £3 10s per ton. In building material, Mr John Jackson quotes as follows: — Timber — New Zealand white pine, from 16s per 100 feet ; totaraand black pine, 18s to 20s per 100 feet ; do, Van Dieman's Land, 20s per 100 feet; V.D.L. palings (sft), 20s j do (6ft) 24a; V.D.L shingles, 24s per 1000 ; spokes, 42s per 100 ; felloes, from Is 3d each j Gospel Oak galvanised iron, £31 per ton. All kinds of building material and blue^guin timber are m good supply. Coals aro £2 per ton m the yard. Firewood is at from'SOs to 40s per cord. Firewood (cut), 40s b.p. Mr James Bruce reports : — Scantling : Bed and white pine, 16s per 100 feet ; black pine, or totaro, 20s. T. and &. Flooring and Rusticated Boards : kauri, 22s per 100 feet. T. and G. Lining : kauri, 20s per 100 feet. Kauri cut to any size, from 20s to 25s per 100 feet. Galvanised iron, £30 per ton; hardwood, 23s per 100 feet; palings (sft), 235, (6ft), 25s ; firewood, from 35s to 40s per cord ; stakes, 27s 6d per 100 j posts and rails, from £5 to £5 10s per 100. All kinds of building material and kauri timber are m good supply. — Flour (wholesale), £9 ; bran, £4 ; sharps, £5 ; oatmeal, £18 ; pearl barley, £25.