COMMERCIAL.

West Coast Times, Issue 136, 24 February 1866, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Wbst Coast Times Offioe, Friday ovening. The amount of duty upon imports, collected at the Custom House to-day, was L 389 89. 6d. No gold was cleared. There has ' been a marked improvement in business doing in 1 own this week. . Tho auction marts have been better at ten led, and more than an average quantity of goods been placed, principally for shipment coastwise. Flour shows no improvement, it being difficult to realise over L2B to L3O per ton for, Adelaide ; Chilian and Californian, L 24 to L2C. Oats, best colonial, 7s to 7s 6d per bushel ; bran, 3s to 3s 2d ; maize, cracked, 6s to 6s 6d ; chaff, L 22 per ton. Provisions are yet scarce ; first- doss iSama and bacon, 2s per lb, in equal proportions. Cheese, English, Is lOd ; colonial, good, Is6d to Is 7d. Colonial butter is getting scarce, and held for Is lOd. Oilmen's stores in good demavd, and continue scarce. There has been more enquiry for brandy, Hennessy's in bulk has changed bands, at 9s to to 9s 3d per gallon, in bond ; Mar toll's and Otard's at 8s 6d to 9s ; Hennessy's case. 35s to 3Cs, with improved demand ; geneva, 163 to 17s ; old torn (Burnett's) 17s to 18s. Ale and porter remain unaltered, but with prospect of improvement. Sugars maintain their price, with limited demand. Really good teas are scarce, and wanted. Belmont and Neva candies, FW, Is l^d to Is 2d. New potatoes arc scarco, and have realised L 24, but good supplies arc expected. The balance of supply and demand in our market is now pretty well adjusted, and we think we may confidently look forward to a sound and healthy trade. NEW SOUTH WALES. The Sydney Morning Herald of tho 10th inst. roports . — In general business thoro has besn a fair amount done, and v low changes in prices havo O2cuiTed, but in no caso to any important extent. Brandy. — Holders, in consequence of Into advices from homo, havo raised their prices, and there is a general indisposition to sell under 7s per gallon, for Martell's. Wo cannot, howover, quote the presont. obtainable prico higher than fis 9d to Gs lOd. Tho market is dull, and little business dojng. Rum.— Sales of Preston's have beon mado afc 3s 3d. Lowndes' " and Lemon Hart's nro quoted at ftbout 3s 2d to 36 2^d per gallon, in bond. In other spirits wo havo no alterations of importance to notice. Winks.— On Tuesday last about 300 quar-ter-casks of ports aud Bhorries wero disposed of, at prices ranging from 4s Od to 8s por gallon, in bond. Malt Liqtobs. — Thero has been a fair amount of business dono during tho week ; but chiefly in the new brow to arrive Tho old stock is in little request, and in consequence of tho new brow now rtfc hand nnd arriving, sales ore very difficult to offcofc. Tbas." — Tins market has been very dull, and only a vory limited amount of business has been dono. Sugars. — Tho continued pressure of sugars by auction upon tho market has beon productive of a restricted demand and a decided tendency to lower prices. Yellow counters, L 34 10a to L 36 10s ; superior ditto, L37toL 39 ; and white crystals, Ll3 2s 6d por ton. Kioe. — Holders aro firm afc L 27 per ton, nnd wo leant that trade parcels have this week been sold afc the price. Oilmen's Stores aro in good request, and well assorted invoices command full market prices. Sales this week havo been effected at the following rates : — Sardines, qr boxos, 7s 3d j half ditto, 13s 3d j Batty's pint pickles, lls ; other brands, 10s 6d to 10s 9d ; quarts, 14i per dozen j salad oil, half pints, 8s 8d j pints, 13s Gd ; quarts, 23s to 24s per dozon j Colman's white starch, Bjd per lb. Oandi,ks. — Tho market -"s vory firm. Full weights have this wcok been sold afc 1 3 4 1 1 . Robnix and Co.'c aro now quoted at 13ijd per lb. Touacoo axd CIOABS. — Tlio market is very bavo of really good Ainorican twists, which still commands 2s Gd ; southorn 10's 15d to 16d por lb ; Havannnh shaped Manila cigars aro quoted at 555, and cor I ados 50s per 1000.