COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

West Coast Times, Issue 277, 13 August 1866, Page 2 (Supplement)

COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

In our commercial Summary of the 16th ult., we made favorable reference to the transactions of the preceding month, anticipating — should shippers continue to exercise the same caution and discrimination evinced during the past three months — we should be able to report a continuance of the then favorable state of the market. We can do so. Business for the past month cannot but have been most satisfactory to all parties materially concerned. From the close, of last month to date, goods have come forward much more freely than at a prior corresponding period, supplying our market, when getting bare, with many essentials, and preventing the fluctuations in prices which some months ago cast a gloom over our commercial prospects. Our market is now generally speaking fairly supplied, and although several vessels are due from Victoria and Colonial ports, the consuming capabilities of the community are becoming well understood; and with an increasing population (in winter), continued extension and further development of our gold resources, we can see nothing but a bright prospect for the future of the Westland goldfields. Beer in bulk has not been offered, and only good brands of ale continue saleable at L 9 to Lll, d.p. Porter is out of favor. Colonial ale of good brew will always find a market. Beer js glass is somewhat*[out r of season. Good brands only can be placed, and a limited scale; Blood's and Guinness' being 17s to 18s ; Byass', 15s to 15s 6d ; and other less favorable brands quite neglected. Wines have been in more request, and stocks of a good class are light. Some small parcels of fine sherry have changed hands at an improved price, and good port wine, we understand, is enquired for, Low

class wines will not sell here, especially sherry. Good medium is [best suited for this market. \ Brandy has again become scarce, and good brands are freely enquired for. Some hitherto neglected brands have gone into consumption, and found favor at a moderate price. Hennessy's and Marteli's pale, 9s 3d to 10s per gallon ; Otard's, 9s ; central vineyards, 8s 6d to 8s 9d. Case hat been in moderate demand at recent prices. Geneva has participated in the improvement in the Melbourne market, and is now worth here, for JDKZ, 16s to 17s per case,"as per contents ; key, Is lower. Old Tom haa been more enquired for. Stocks are light, but demand limited, at, for Burnett's 15s to 16s per doz. Whißkt remains stationary an to price, with limited demand. Provisions have but slightly altered during the month. Shipments have been light. The high prices ruling for some time back have considerably affected the consumption, combined with the increased facility of distribution of fresh meat on the goldfields. Sinclair's hams may be quoted at Is lOd perlb; bacon, Is 9d ; other brands, a shade lower; colonial hams and bacon, unless well cured and got up, are neglected. Butter continues in fair supply, and for prime parcels of Wellington, 2s 3d to 2a 4d has been realised. As these prices scarcely leave a margin to importers, it is not improbable it may get scarcer. Cheese. — Good colonial having come forward freely and filled the market, cost price has scarcely been obtained. It is now improving, and worth Is 2d to Is 4d. Candles have given way, in sympathy with thej Melbourne market, which has shewn a very marked decline ; as stocks here are light, and quotations Is 5d to Is 7d per lb. Oilmen's Storks are in good supply without alteration. Flour has kept remarkably steady for some time, market keeping moderately supplied, and price 3 ruling satisfactorily to imports. Adelaide — first-class, L 23 to L 24;2 4; Chilian, LlB to Ll9 per ton, are the prices ruling, with moderate^supply and fair demand. Oats continue to improve in value — 7s to 7s 6d can now be obtained for good lots — some are being held for Bs, which scarcely leaves a margin over coit. Bran has come to hand freely, and been placed at 3s 6d to 3s 9d per bushel. Chaff is plentiful," at L2O to L 23 per ton. Potatoes have suddenly become plentiful, and been put freely into the market ; have been sold at L 8 to L 8 10s, and showing a downwards tendency. Messrs. A. R. Emerson and Co., report:—Trade during the current month has been good, and prices of saleable brands have advanced. We quote, in bond, Hennessy's and Marteli's pale at 10s ; Otard's, 9s ; C.V.P., 8s 9d ; inferior brands unsaleable. Dark brandies continue unsaleable ; case are in demand : for Hennessy's, 335 ; Martell's, 303, is obtainable. Geneva is scarce ; for J.D.K.Z., 17s 6d to 18s 6d, as per contents. Old torn, whisky, and rum maintain full rates, and stocks light. In wines good port and sherry are in demand at prices favorable to importers. In ale and porter the market is bare of good brands, and for good brands of the former 17s 6d to 18s is the ruling price and for Blood's or Guinness' porter 18s 6d is obtainable for parcels duty paid. George D. Lockhart's Monthly Report of Live^ Stock and Farm Produce: — The past month has realised the expectations anticipated, and expressed in my last Monthly Report. The cattle market has revived. Much activity and keen competition exist 9 among many desirable purchasers of fat stock. The general complaint of the over-stocked condition of the markets in Westland has, as anticipated, disappeared, and the demand there is brisk, and the prices that are being realised are remunerative, after paying all expenses. I have sold bullocks and fat calves, the latter end of last month, which I consider have averaged nearly <6£d per lb. The supply is certainly not equal to the demand. Prices aro still looking up, and unless we have an early spring, of which j there is every appearance, I fully anticij pate that prime quality beef will be quite as high, if not higher, than it has ever ruled before in Canterbury. Sheep are mo^e enquired for, especially heavy weights. Sales have been effected at 18s to 21s per head, for cash. The market is quite firm, notwithstanding that the demand for Southland and Otago has almost subsided. It is exceedingly difficult to offer any opinion, at present, as to what effect the late disastrous news from home may have on the money market relative to the value of sheep properties, but I may state from very good authority, that unless the home panic far exceeds any expectations, it will not much affect New Zealand properties. Fat Stock — Daily increasing in demand. The eupply is decidedly running short of the demand, and unless we receive importation, beef will certainly, ere long, command high rates* I quote prime quality beef at 565, 58s, and 60s per lOOlbs*. Wethers are more enquired after, and in some instances 4|d per lb is demanded. Fat calves, 60s to 70b per head, and scarce. Calves — Almost always saleable, especially heifer calves. Butchers' calves I quote at 70s. Six months, and up to ten months old quickly bought up at L 5 to L 6 per head, and in constant demand. Fat Sheep — Are daily getting up in value. A Very large number during the last three months have found their way to the West Coast. Really good mutton is readily bought up for town consumption at 4d per lb, with a prospect of maintaining full value, if not some little advance, not a large number being in the market. Store Sheep — The demand not ao good as last month. Tbi», I apprehend, is in

consequence of our neighbors in Otago and Southland being supplied, and runholders being pretty overstocked. Horaes still remain very dull of sale, except really thorough staunch dray horses, which are worth from L4O to LSO. Common hacks very low indeed, with a small supply of sound horses in the market. A shipment of upstanding young horses, fit for light harness, and weigh t-carrying hacks, would meet with a good market. I have sold seasoned carriage horses at L 55 to L 65. Unbroken draught colts arc worth fr»m L2O to L3O each v with frequent inquiries. Christchurch, Ist April, 1866.