COMMERCIAL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1815, 10 January 1863, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The arrival from London of the Constance and I Wild Duck, since the date of our last Summary, with large general cargoes, has made business 1 somewhat brisk during the last month, notwithstanding tho usual holidays, which interrupt the I ordinary course of trade, both wholesale and retail at this Beason, The weather has been very favorable for discharging the goods, and as a number of articles were in brisk demand, considerable quantities have changed hands at remunerative rates to tho importers. The Elizabeth, from Molbourne, and the mail steamer, from Sydney, bave been the only arrivals from Australia. They had both considerable supplies of sugar and other Eastern produce, but the market is at present pretty well stocked with this description of merchandise. The late fine waather has enabled the flock masters to proceed with their shearing operations, and the wool is now rapidly coming into port. The Asterope will leave in a day or two for London, with over 1900 bales; and the Wild Duck will commence loading immediately after discharging her inward cargo. We understand that the Chrysolite, at present discharging at Lyttelton, will also come on here to load wool, in the course of the present month. The Constance will proceed in a few days to Napier, to discharge a quantity of cargo she has for that port, and afterwards take in wool there for London. |She will probably call in here to fill i up, ifehe^doea not get a full cargo at Napier,

The nou- arrival of tho English mail of October, has caused much disappointment. We hear, however, of its arrival at Otago, and as the steamer from that port may now be expected every hour, our merchants will probably bo able to reply to their most pressing communications before the outward mail closes. The public news from Europe has been anticipated by way of Auckland some time ago, and we are glad to' notice that the I wool market is exhibiting an upward tendency. The demand for timber, cattle, and sheep for the Southern settlements continues brisk, and i large quantities have been shipped since our last Summary, as well .as pigs, poultry, butter; and bacon. The prices of the two last mentioned articles have r.»ther receded of late at Dunedin, but are still bucli as to leave a >cry handsome profit to the producer. The continued demand for all these articles of produce is proving a source of great prosperity to a large number of our country settlers, and has a most beneßcial influj ence on the trade in Town, from the large sums |of money which the sale of such articles sets in I circulation,

[From the Otago Daily Times, January sth.] Wright, Robertson and Co's Report for the week ended Srd January, 1863 :-~ Fat Cattle.— The market has been pretty well supplied with fat cattle during the week, and the trade are well stocked. We sold 3J head, ex Gazelle, from Wellington, at £20 per head. Best quality beef may be quoted at 60s per 100.1 b, second ditto, 50s to 555. Fat Calves in good demand, at £4 to £6 each. Store Cattle.— Very few Provincial cattle have come to hand, but several shipments have arrived from Wellington. We have sold during the week the following lots: 120 head, ex Remark; 190 head, ex Glenshee ; and 76 head, ex Gaz„le ;— all at ,610 per head. There is a good enquiry for mixed mobs of Provincial bred, which are very saleable at from £12 to £15 per head. Working Bullocks — The demand is not so brisk, owing to the fall in the rates of cartage. We have disposed of two teams, ex Storm Bird and Gazelle, at from £50 to £57 per head. Store Sheep.— Are in fair request, and we quote Provincial bred ewes 2, 4, and 6 tooth at 32s ; wethers of similar ages, 26s to 28s. Station Property-. — No transactions. Horses.— The market has been well supplied by the recent arrivals. We have sold several lots ex Torrent, Samuel Appelton, and other vessels, and on Monday next shall offer a splendid lot ex Samuel Appelton, selected by Mr Moses Sarges and Mr George Ward. Our present quotations aro, for — First class Draught Horses.— i7o to £90, second ditto, £45 to £60. Light Harness and Hacks.— First quality, £50 to 60, second ditto, £35 to £40; inferior, £20 to £30. Good Pack Horses.— £3o to £49.