COMMERCIAL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1469, 6 November 1860, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Although in the acttial amount of business transacted, we can scarcely say that the past month shews much improvement on the former one, yet we think we may safely assume that the commercial prospects of our port have considerably improved since the date of our la3fc summary. There have been no auction sales of any importance, and importers appear rather inclined to hold than force goods on the market at unsatisfactory prices. The only arrival from England during the month has bean the Hound, now discharged, and the i next vessel for this port will be the Thames City — due in the course of two or three weeks, with a large general cargo. There is by no means a I super-abundance of goods in the market, and good tea, coffee, low priced sugars, tobacco, MarteH's brandy, geneva (in cases), soap, candles, and oil- | men's stores, are all in fair request at remunerative rates. Shearing has commenced and should the weather continue fine, by the end of the month i id will be general, when station supplies will be required, and the country storkeepers, who have for months past been buying nothing except for ! immediate wants, will require to lay in stocks. The great rise in the price of cattle and the demand for potatoes, wheat and oats, have improved the position of the country settlers, while thejpresent and prospective Commissariat expenditure, is beginning to benefit the retail traders in town. The demand for fat cattle for the Auckland market still continues ; the Isabella Hamilton lately left for that port and the Fanny A. Garriques is now loading. The late genial weather has brought on a fine flow of grass, and the crop 3 promise most fa vurably . Where the current of events to take a deeded turn in favour of the Europeans in military operations at Taranaki, there is no doubt that the commercial horizon would very soon brighten. Our exports of timber are increasing although at lower rates. The Hound is advertised to load wool for London, small lots of which are already finding their way into port. The London JulyAugust sales have gone rather flat, chiefly for illwashed and bally sorted descriptions, which we regret, and notice forms a strong objection to a great deal of New Zealand wool. Were the flockowtiera to devote more care in the " getting up " of their clips, they wound find that the extra price obtaine.i would more than reimburse them for the additional trouble and expense incurred in BO doing. The money market, so to speak, may be said to bs easier, — engagements are being met with more regularity, and we beliove there are fewer accommodation Bills afloat at present, than have bean since the commencement of what may be called the commercial crisis, eighteen months ago. The rates of Discount remain at 8 and 9 per cent, for 3 and 4 months' Bills. Exchange on London has been reducad to 1| per csnt. on 60 days' Bills, and next mrmth a further reduction may be calj culated on.