SYDNEY.

West Coast Times, Issue 908, 20 August 1868, Page 2

SYDNEY.

Wo quote the following from tho Sydney " Empire" of August' theiOth. :— ' n By^the barquo Japan, from San Francisco, we have papers to the 9th June. The "Aim California" of that date reports :—: —

Flour. — The market is entirely inaclivo outside of Hie city jobbing tade. We do not hear of any change iv quotations. Tho Continental, from Oregon, brought about 2700 barrels, of which 1000 barrels were Imperial. Wheat, as with flour, trade has been very quiot, quotations ranging from 2 dollars 50 cent 3to 2 dollars 60 coats, at which price the following sales have been eftected : — 00 tons Oregon at 2 dollars 52^ cents, from wharf; 500 sacks clioico nt 2 >tollr.rs GO cents. Thcro is at tho present time no cmou-o bak.-vs' on the market; we kr.o.v, however, of a Joh coming forward immediately, !ho tali* of which test the market for the outside prites obtainable for strictly extra, The Liverpool and NewYork rate 3 remain at 13-3 9d per cental, and 2 dollars cents to 2 dollars 80 cents respectively. In its monthly commercial report undor date August tho 12th. the Sydney " Empire " j aays :—: — At the cluta of our last summary, the commencement of a second half-year, and a peculiar season of inactivity, combined to produce a stagnation in every br.inc-h of trade. Perhaps the most iuten sting feuturo of the mouth is the s-atisftietory result which, in almost every insianri", ch.iract< rised tho halfyearly meetings of tho various commercial companies of New South Wales. Amongst ihesii, as npporlainiug more particularly lo the manufacturing and producing interests, may be mentioned the meetings of tho Bulli Coiil Company, the Wallsend Coal Company, tho Pjesik Downs Copper Mining Company, the Australian Paper Company,the Western Kerroseno Company, the Hartley Kerosene Company, the Fitzroy Ironworks Company. Each of these companies appear lo bo progressing as favoraby as may be deaired, and somo exhibit upon tho balance-sheets returns of a very encouraging character. Tlio half-yearly meetings of the various bank?, insurance, and steam companies, have also been held, with generally satisfactory results. The progress of sugar plantation and manufacture is also a noticeable fact. An association, callo 1 the Clarence &ugnv Maim- I faclurinj: Associntiou, has- -keen formed during the month at Grafton, with cxcello.l prospects. This association will begin a parser of usefulness with a eapitil of £IGOO already subscribed, and three hundred and thirty shares paid for. It is also stated that a new sugar company has made arrangements to erect a sugar mill at Frederickton, and tliafc tho farmers in that locality are preparing for tho extensive culture of sugar cane. At Port Miicquarrie, tho frost season, it is reported, is over, and lhatupou every plantation tho crops lrtive not only been uninjured, but nro very ' promising Co.- tho Sepio-.iibei- h.irvr-at. * * An - improvement in >:>•» flock and share market lir.-s bern pivlly general in the p:ss»t u;on!h, nml a fd'Hiig of coti'iJcnco in future prospects continue to gain ground. Without nny large tuaoiir.t of business, transactions have left the preponderance of buyers, and prices exhibit an advance. The forj'ilcrnblc fiiil in when' ;m.l Iio:!! 1 , i':o>.i sm; c.'.ib'.iii'liui Mindly, H [i.'^iv.sl li-jt.il !o she en pm unity, sin 1 in union t.in jf.inf, of vies- !.,i~ liie c.'iivi oi" icaiiiiig <• ,;<thil isitj otliiM' r.ttnMi'i.j i. n:l i:i". siim-nis-. Tiii iii-ci'iiiii iloui 1 littili*, in i'.tci, ! a< iit'Cumo for n i-ir.ie a !:iii)fc>--l cm^i ln.:<i:.(-ts, siijipl.es beiny puivha-ed oiily lot inuiscH.iio lvq'iirt'inenl, j ;i;i(l lioldcis bi-i:i;r cor; tin 'fl lo live ban-In I>;irl: dkciNiliis rriii:ii!i :il 5.(5, :.:i 1 7 J'l'i- c-'ii!. Fiji 3. 4,aiiil ovi-r ii.ionili- bill". .m& cxch.t'ijje on London for bunk dpuft<. { pro.niu-i*. Tmc | supply of money exceeds dummd, and the •!• per oi-ut. tlej'Oiit rufoof intirostw! i:;ha opp'-es-t-iTely on \\\o luniks. ijo*wr i :*). > o*it and S« ilncy I Ooi'novstion dcUii'ttrt/s ii-n'j boon in'eliorfc supply, ft» i oomm-:i! I iuil rufces. Tho half- > yearly meeting* of Joiinl co:npanieß liara gem?-

=vally shown favorable results. In banks we 'jfiptT?"an improvement on tlie month — in U.nik of New Suuih Wales, of 30s io £2 ; in ComnieivJ.il, of £:$, taking the dividend into account ; in City Bank, of ss. The Australian Joint Stock Bank lias made a return of £1 per share capital, and paid no dividend for the half-year. In Australasian Steam shares there is an inip-.oveuient of £3, including (he dividend.