COMMERCIAL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIV, Issue 1442, 31 July 1860, Page 5

COMMERCIAL.

Since the date of our last Summary; business ha 3 been exceedingly dull, which may partly be accounted for by the severe weather, the prevalence of influenza, and the uncertainty which the Maori War throws over the fature, but more especially from the operation of the more general causes which have kept this market so long in such an unsatisfactory state. We were hopeful that the signs for the better, which we noticed three months ago, would have led to a permanent improvement, but matters have during the past month relapsed into their former state of depression and the commercial horizon presents at present a gloomy appearance, yet we do not altogether despair of briskness as the spring and summer approaches. Although stocks are not large, and at the auction sales thiifc have been tried of^late, prices have baen realised which offer no inducement to importers, the traders are only purchasing from hand to mouth nor do we expect otherwise while present appearances last. .'" ■•"';•'•

There are still considerable quantities of potatoes leaving for the Australian markets where, for the proper descriptions,.', they are leaving a fair margin. The suipments of timber for the Southern ports have been checked of late by the prevalence of adverse winds. .We.hear of some further cargoes of cattle and other stock about being sent to the South, which we trust will pay the shippers. The Chamber of Commerce have held their annual meeting but nothing of importance requires notice. S ops have been taken to urge the Assembly to legislate with reference to insolvencies, and other matters affecting the mercantile community.

The money market continues tight, and the rate of exchange on London has been reduced, 60 days' bills being now 2j, and 30 days, 3 per cent. The following prices are quoted at the different mills, vie. : Sehultze's mill— flour, fine, £23 to X'2s per ton ; sharps, 83. to 10s. per 100 lbs. ; bran, la. to Is. 3d. per bushel; wheat, 9a. 6d. to 103. do. Britannia mill -flour, £23 to £25 ; sharps, Bs. to 10s. per 100 lbs. ; wheat, 9s. 6d. to 103. per bu?hel ; bran, Is. 3d. do.

Building MATERiALS.-r-Sawn timber, boards, from Us. to 14*. per 100 feet ; kauri pine, 215--dO.; scantling, from 9s. to 12 *. per 100 feet; bricks, £3 10.s. per 1000 ; lime, 2s. (3d. per bshl. The following are the prices at which a few of the leading articles are selling in this market: — Alb and Porter. — Bottled, 9s. Od. to iOi. Od. per doz., duty paid; Burton ale, £8 to £8 10s.per hhd.

Candles. — Bolmonfc 'sperm, la. 6d. to Is. 81. per lb. ; Sydney moulds, 9d. per lb. Coals.— English, £3 to £3 sa. por ton; N.S. Wales do., £2 15s.

Coffee.— Raw, la. to Is. 4d.per lb. Drapery.— Saleable goods from 33 per cent. advance. Market full.

Oilmen's Stores. — Dried fruits, spices, &c.,. prices nominal, from 25 per cent, to one-third advance.

Rice.— Patna, £20 to £22 per ton. Tea.— £9 to £10 per chest. Sugars, — Refined loaves, £3 per cwt. ; No. 1 Co.'d pieces, £55 to £5(5 per ton ; Go.'s crystals £58 to £60 do. ; Mauritius, £48 to £52 do. ; Pampanga,. (none in the market.) Smuts, (in bond.) — Brandy, (Hennessey'd ani Martell's), 135." to 14s. per gall. ; inferior brandy, unsaleable, ancl, market full; Rum, W.1., 4s. OJ. to 4s. "6d. per gall. ; gin, pure white, in draught, •Is. 6d. do. ; case gin, JDKZ, or key brand, 17s. to 18a. do>. . J ■.' ■