CANTERBURY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1973, 22 October 1863, Page 2

CANTERBURY.

The Lyttelton Times, of the 13th inst, says :— At this season of the year wo expect business to ho dull, ' and the past month has proved no exception to the rale. Stocks, which were previously lioavy, have been increased by several large importations, and the bonded and private stores are more than usually overstocked. Tho commencement of shearing and consequent demand for station supplies will, in a great measure, relieve the stores. We have no particular change to note in tho money market. There is still a fair demand for money to remain at mortgage, but the operations of the loan companies, lately established hero, are beginnjug to be felt. While a few years since capital would readily have found employment on good security, at 15 per cent ; now, 12^ per cent is considered a. full rate. Whether it is owing to the withdrawal of capital from American investments, or whether capitalists at home are becoming alive to tho growing importance of this colony, it is certain that New Zealand is gaining favor in the English money market The wool season is about to commence. As wo mentioned in our last, the Dona Anita, a small ship, has been laid on to leave early, with a portion of the early clip. She will he followed by the White Star ship Annie Wilson, now in Auckland, to which port she conveyed a cargo of emigrants. We estimate the forthcoming clip at about 17,000 bales. ■ The Customs return for the past month shews an increase on last month, the figures being : £3718 for 1862, against £6187 for 18G3. The arrivals from London havo fully supplied this place with almost every article of consumption ; but the delay in landing causes the price of many articles to keep up, and we have heard of enquiries for line salt, eleme raisins, sardines, oatmeal, English hams and cheese ; also sulphur and spirits of tar for sheepwash purposes. Sheepwash tobacco and tanks havo come in freely, but unfortunately the requirements for these continue brisk, many of tho sheep owners having scab among their flocks. I