MELBOURNE.

West Coast Times, Issue 915, 28 August 1868, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

We take the following from tho " Argiu," of 21st irst. :—

There is no improvement to report iv tho import markets, and business as a rule hus been limited to transactions of tho most triuiug description. Ii breadstuff*, wo Jiavo no sales to rek-v to, die increase 1 firmness evinced by holders of late haying prevented buyers from c-onii .g forward, an 1 checki I .' sales. Snvill lots oi' Hour still continue to bo disposed of tit £13. There arc vo piirelui.'cru fur quantities, however, ov. r ,CJ7, while gcjlei'3 refuse to quit under ,'JI7 10s, several o'Jir? at t!;c former figure having been rejected. WLi'ul is much wanted, and for best sainjilos B.s has frequviilly been offered without being taken. Oais are dispose.l of to the trade at 3s lOd for New Zcul.imi ; and up !o 4s is obtained for Tasmaninn. Piirciiusi^, however, arc made but «>j):iriii»ly. Mnize is moved oii'biowly at 3s lid. A lino of 5000 bushels of brim is suited to have changed hands at Js Gd. Wo hear of n transaction in vesta matchca, about £2000 worth of Palmer's having been tni.en up in o:io lino ; and wo understand that 7s, or close on that figure, will in future bo asked for plaid?. In sugar, sales cf while crystals aro mentioned at £'69, and yellow brewers' crystals havo been quitted at £34<, though, pending tomorrow's auction sale, tho traiin do not evince much o.igorness to operate. A very good inquiry is exporjoncecl for tens. Saks n.re ropqy|edj ut from

Is 3:1 to Is Gl. Attention has been directed tow arete coke, so very long i.cgloeto.l. Th? market hus been entirely cleared of all shipments offering, and the whole stock being now held by one firm, much higher rates will for the future be required than have ruled for a long time past. Pig-iron is in better inquiry also ; we hear of equal to £6 5s having been offered for a shipment to land. A line of twenty half-tierces of twist tobacco was placed at a trifle under Md. Sales of Downer's kerosene oil havo been made on slightly ea3icr terms ; Is lOd was accepted for GSO cases. A 2>arcel of Machen's stout, in stone bottles, was closed for at 9s 4-^cl. A consignment of Fincllatcr's stout wa3 cleared off at 9s 6d for quarts, and 6s 9d for pints.