COLONIAL MARKETS.

Wellington Independent, Volume 1671, Issue 1671, 1 October 1861, Page 2

COLONIAL MARKETS.

Wk have Melbourne papers up to the 14th September. The following is from the Age : —

The inactivity which has characterised operations in imported goods for some time past has not been dispelled by the excitement on tho

subject of the Otago gold-fields. The countiy storekeepers will undoubtedly bo great sufferers by the lush, and it remains yet to be, seen if the additional channels for trade, opened 'up iv Neiv Zealand will compensate for the loss whicli we shall sustain by the. removal of so many local consumers. Speculation in flour continues to be maintained, but we see no reason to anticipate any material, advance on this account.

The^import market duiing the whole week has remained quiet and inactive, and save tho sales at auction, scarce any transactions have resulted of any importance. Some small country orders have, however, been received in town, and this has mado second parties somewhat brisker. The arrival of the Pirate , with unfavourable news from New Zealand, tended materially to stop the business which- was taking place upon account of that market, and although parties in smaller numbers continued to leave, still there was. not much fear entertained that the gold-fields would be of such importance as to interfere with this countiy. The intelligence, however, received in town this day by the Oscar may have a different effect, and will doubtless induce Gxtemive shipments to supply the'-ifewiy created demand, in New Zealand. A few articles show an Upward tendency, and there seems a slightly improved feeling in the market. Considerable parcels of flour have been quitted on account of New Zealand, and, there has been a rather better enquiry. ; fov home consumption. There has, however, been no advance in prices, but stocks are firmly held' at former quotations, which remain at .£l4 10s. to .£ls for town made and Adelaide sorts; ancl £16; per ton for Hart's and Magarey'e superfine. The parcel of California, .ex St. Jean was placed at auction at from £i 3 12s. 6d. to £13 15s.

By way of Melbourne, we have Adelaide news io the 4th September. The following isr from the South Australian Register: - '

Flour keeps excessively quiet, and prices showno change, being still £12 lOs. to £13 ss. The business of tho past week beyond the ordinary consumption, has been very trifling, and there is very little inquiry. Wheat, in consequences of the small quantity that has been offering, has slightly improved in price— our .quotations bein* r ss. sd. for parcels at _ the Port, afc which 'rato' several transactions have takeh place. "Whether that rate^vill be maintained remains to be proved.' There are still shipping orders not yet executed; but the limits generally are lower than present rates. In town the price for loads lias ranged from ss. 2d. to ss. 3d., but the latter prices has generally been obtained. Oats, Cape, remain about 3s. to 3s. 3d., and fine white from 4g. 6d. to ss. 6d., accoiding to sample* Barley, Cape, is not m much inquiry, and will not bring more than 4s. 9d. to ss. 3d.; but a really good, .malting sample is saleable. English continues qufee nomi- . nal. Potatoes keep the same price, about £6 to £G 55.; but imported have declined a little,- and are only bringing about _5 15s. Farm andvdairy stuff show little alteration in price*, everything being well supplied. Butter is coming in very fast, and is obliged to be potted. Cheese also is very plentiful, and of very fair quality, but will not bring more than 6d. to 7d. Business generally keeps very flat, and at present shows no sign of change, for the better. Mining matters, also, are very dull, with little or nothing doing in the share market.

The same journal of tho 4th instant says:—

Flour shows no sign of improvement, and rates are still £12 10s. to £1 3 ss. Wheat has not been offering vary freely, and we quote prices about ss. sd. to ss. 6d. at the port, and ss. 3d. in town.

Our Tasmanian papers are' from Hobart Town to the 6th, and from Launceston to the 7ih September. The Hobart Town Mercury quotes as follows : —

The supply of wheat to day has not heen equal to the demand, very little coming in and good samples readily fetching 6s. There has been a brisk demand for flour, several parcels haviDg been shipped to Otago, New Zealand, quotations being to-day to £16, an advance of £1 per ton on yesterday's quotations. Bran is in good demand for local consumption at Is. ld. to Is. 4d. English Barley, 6s. to 6s. 6d. Cape barley, ss. ' Oats, 3s. 6d. to 3s. 9d. Hay is in good local demand, and the demand greater than the supply, but. very little coming in, and prices on!the rise, __ ss. to £4 15s. being the present rate". Potatoes are without any alteration to-day, the quantity coming in being small, and no shipments taking place, our quotation to-day is £& 10s. to £5 10s., with bags in at the latter price.