COMMERCIAL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1698, 7 February 1862, Page 5

COMMERCIAL.

Business during the month has been more active, and large parcels of goods have changed hands. The Wild Duck arrived on the 20th January, with a full cargo of British merchandise. Prices, however, have not much advanced, although trade has been brisk, accounted for by the arrival of three English vessels close upon each other, which has stocked the market with goods, and had a tendency to reduce prices. The;Asterope, being the first wool ship of the season, sailed for London on the 19th ult., with a full cargo of wool and other colonial produce, the estimated value of which was 18s. 7d. Some inconvenience being felt by merchants in consequence of there being no ship ready to take in wool, considerable quantities will be shipped via Sydney. We understand the Frowning Beauty will be a full ship thence. The Albermarle has discharged her inward cargo, and is ballasting for Valparaiso. -The Arabella is proceeding to Napier and will probably load wool from that port for London. The Wild Duck is rapidly discharging her inward cargo, and will be the next wool ship from this port for London direct. Our coasters are actively engaged in bringing in wool from the stations, and taking back supplies. There is a considerable quantity of wool in port awaiting shipment. The cattle and timber trade to Otago during the month had been very brisk ; and we are glad- to observe that large shipments of store and fat cattle, sheep, pigs, and (poultry have been made. Five vessels have sailed for Otago direct, ' conveying between . 300 and 400 head of cattle, 700 Bheep, independent of the fortnightly steamers, ; which have taken both, cattle and horses. The shipments of timber have also been large, between 9Q,00p and 100,000 feet haying, been despatched frpm Wellington * besides the 1 shipments from the mills on tfie coast, whichhave been numerous. The brig Burnett tailed

for Otago on the 31st January, with a full cargo of merchandise and colonial produce. ' •• • The' New Zealand Bank was opened in . this city on the 15ih January. . It has. been doing a fair business for uew beginners, and the deposits made art larger than was anticipated, A more extensive busiueßt would, probably, have been transacted, had the permanent maunder assumed the munagemerit of the ■ bank. The acting manager is much liked ; but it is thought necessary that the intentions of the permanent manager should be known, so as to learn what "accommodation he is prepared to give the' commercial communities, before trAnsfering tlieir business. We understand that the VTarlborough Government havegiven notice to the W.S.N. company, of its intention to withdraw the subsidy which has for some time been paid for the conveyance of the European and Australian Mails to and from Nelson. Thii will leave one of the Company's boats at their disposal, and will, no doubt, lead to iiir creased* communication between Wellington and OtngQ. . . . i The following are the rates of EjccUange at the Banks :— Bills, at 69 days' sight, buying . rate, oce per vent, discount; selliug, one and a half prm, .