WEST COAST TIMES Office,

West Coast Times, Issue 288, 25 August 1866, Page 2

WEST COAST TIMES Office,

Thursday Evening.

The amount of import duty collected at the Custom House to-day was £339 11s 2d. The following list' of merchandise cleared shews its distribution :—: —

An unusually quiet week in the import market bas been experienced since our last report, owing principally to the untoward btate of tbe entrance precluding vessels corning over the bar to discharge ; consequently, no large parcels of any class of goods have clianged hands. Tbe auctioneers have been, comparatively, making holiday. The principal Item offered has

been town property, for which really good prices were named.

The up-country trade continues brisk ; packers and boatmen rejoicing iv full cmploymei t. A continuatipa of the present genial spring weather, and the excellent returns from the goldfields, will doubtless continue to keep our wholesale houses well employed. ■

In prices for staple commodities there is scarcely any change to note. Breadstuffs remain unaltered; stocks are light. Late importations of Adelaide flour arc said to be of superior quality, compared with shipments some short time ago, and meet with ready sale, Chilian is rather neglected. Oats are low in stock ; good parcels could be placed at a decided advance on last quotations. Ilarils and bacon are easier* Cheese, firmer. Butter, firstttlaSs, which has been selling at about cost) will now command a paying price. Candles have not maintained last rates, but slightly yielded to the decline in Mel* bourne ; stocks light. Oilmen's btores are in fair supply, without alteration. For wimis and spirits of good brands there is a good demand on light stocks, and still improving in value.

The opportune arrival of tho Alma, Hector, Cosmopolite, &c, will replenish stocks, and give an impetus to business for the eomin* Week. As stocks are at present, very few articles will come to a bad market ; and it is to be hoped that the caution shown by shippers and importers for some time past, to insure remunerative return^ for their venture^ will to'ntihite to be a not'icea'olo feature in this market.

is randy Geneva 13 19 5 Hum 17 8 0 Sweet gin Spirits of other kinds "Wine in wood 21 3 10 415 8 16 4 0 „ in bottle 51 18 9 Beer in bottle 28 10 0 Tea 29 10 0 Coffeo 15 17 9 Sugar Tobacco .-. 9 6 8 37 15 0 Cigars 26 13 10 Candles 11 3 3 Hardware 7 13 Drapery Oilmen's stores 13 18 4 0 13 9 i"'S3O 11 9.