NELSON.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1740, 15 July 1862, Page 3

NELSON.

[From the « Examiner," July 12.]

Daring the past month business has been very quiet in all its branches, and, although at this season we look for dulness, yet this year is unusually so, and sales have only been made in small parcels and to supply actual requirements.

At present the market is fairly supplied with most articles, and the few which are now short in stock will be fullysupplied per Knight Bruce, which vessel we look for hourly. Sugars are vow plentiful, and there has been a fall of £l per ton on Company's Pieces ; Crushed Loaf still exceedingly scarce. Coffee has advanced to ls. sd. Tobacco, on account of last advices from Australia, has also risen 6s. 6d. in bond, at which figure there is but a very little doinj; The arrivals since our last Monthly Summary have beeu the brig Lalla Rookh, from Wellington, on 16th June; Wild Wave, from LyL telton, on 24tb June; and I.C.R.M. steamer Airedale from Sydney, on 3rd instant. ' The Dun Mountain Railway has sustained some trifling damage, during a heavy gale, since our last, which put a stop, for a short time, to the traffic between the port and town ; this has been repaired, and the line re-opened. We believe that firewood will now be brought to town by this lino, as well as chrome, several j new seams of which have latterly been dis- 1 covered. It is anticipated that this company will be in a position t<> declare an excellent dividend this year, ai.d the shares are already at a premium, and inquired for, Thc-coal-fields of tiie West Coast have been under survey, as mentioned in our last, and it is reported that lhe praciicability of miking a tramway from the semis to the port is now beyond all doubt. So soon as the weather becomes more favourable the survey will be continued. The gold fields of the province have not beeu much affeeled by the iveaiber. Those of the West Coast are spoken of most favourably by those must competent to judge of their character, and there is liltle doubi that if our Government would give encouragement to diggeis to prospect, these fields would, ere loug, rank

as first in New Zealand. The diggings ;it Collingwood still progress favourably, considering the small number of men actuallyat work on them. The Union Bunk sent, by the Airedale to Sydney, 500 ounces, beinp an amount which

they have steadily sent monthly for the last five months. The shipments of this Bank for the

. last six mouths have been upwards of 6,400 ounces. The Bank of New Zealand also ship about 600 ounces by the outgoing steamer, being their first shipment. The Jane, coaster, has been lost on the West Coast during- the month, this being the only casualty we have had during the late heavy rains. In consequence of heavy imports of wheat and flour, these articles of geueral consumption bave fallen, the latter may be quoted £15 to £16 per tou 0f 2,000 lbs., but very little enquiry. Our farmers are holding back, but with heavy stocks of wheat in other markets there is but • little chance of their realising the prices they ask this season.

The Wild Wave has loaded a cargo of potatoes for Sydney, and the Aquila is now loading another for Moreton Bay. The prices last advised form Sydney were £4 10s. to £6, and this article may now be quoted £3 10s. to £4 f. o. b., at Motueka.