COMMERCIAL.

Westport Times, Volume 1, Issue 133, 3 January 1868, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The Melbourne Age, of the 16th. ult., report s as follows of the Victorian markets: —The import markets closed for the week without the development of any feature of interest. The excitement in breadstuff's has increased under the influence of the stimulating nature of the public telegrams from the other >colonies, - a,s also of the English news received in Sydney of large purchases of flour being made by France, which movement was considered to indicate a preparation for war. The actual sales transpiring here are not extensive—more, -however, on account of sellers preferring to wait for a further advance in prices, which, at the moment, appears imminent. The market opened with sales of Victorian flour at .£ls, and even £l4 10s was in one instance accepted; all offering at any such figures, however, was quickly taken up; prices then ranged up to £l6 10s on terms, the highest point yet touched. Murray wheat was placed at 6s Gd net cash. In feeding grains wo have no transactions to refer to beyond a sale of 1000 bushels Californian oats of indifferent qualisy at 3s. Maize is quoted at 3s 3d to 3s Gd. Cornsacks have been again quitted at 13s. In teas a line of fine medium congou found a buyer at 2s 2d in bond. We observe that on Monday the cargo of Mauritius sugars, ex St. Marc, will be offered at auction, as also that considerable parcels of tobacco will likewise be submitted to public competition. The Argus of the same date reports : —ld the import market to-day, trade generally has not. been marked by much activity. Very considerable excitement continues, however, to prevail in breadstuff's ; and flour more particularly has been extremely unsettled, sanguine holders demanding extreme and improbable prices when asked for quotations ; but while the town millers quote .£lB, we have heard of no sales of country brands over £l6 10a. The transactions recorded do not exceed luO tons, at prices ranging from £l4 10s, accepted at an early hour in the morning, to £l6 10s, realised at about the close of business hours. Wheat is higher likewise, Gs Gd to 6s 9d being asked. Colonial oats have found buyers at up to 3s Bd. Maize is advancing ;' holders ask 3s 4d to 3s 6d. A parcel of cornsacks was quitted at 13, pond, ing the arrival of the mail. Holders of pre.

pared opium have boon enabled to obtain 2 Is (jd from needy buyers, who have boon obliged to purchase. Sales of iinu medium congou teas have been made at 2s 2d.