COMMERCIAL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2653, 26 March 1868, Page 3

COMMERCIAL.

Canteebtjry. — The Lyttelton Times of the 21st reports : — There has been a steady but limited business during the past week, chiefly to supply immediate wants, or to fill up deficiences in the stocks of retailers. Discounts are quiet, and exchanges remain as before quoted. There is a decided improvement in the grain market, bufc the desire lately evinced by speculators to purchase largely has been somewhat checked by the firmness of farmers in holding. By our latest advices from Australia, we notice thafc there had been a gradual and steady rise in the prico of wheat and flour. In Adelaide, on March 6, the corn markefc was reported very firm, with a good inquiry for wheat. The town millers there were asking £22 a ton for flour. , The following are the latest quotations io hand from Australia : — Melbourne — flour, £18 10b to £19 (provincial) ; wheat, 8s 3d, at which figure 6000 bushels were purchased for forward delivery. An advance on oats had been firmly established, 4s 3d having been obtained for good samples. Sydney. — Sales of Adelaide flour were reported afc £24, and wheat; was scarce afc 8s 6d. j Adelaide.— Flour was held for an advance on £22, and wheat very scarce at 8s 2d. Hobart Town. — Flour was quoted afc £16 per ton, and wheat at 6s 6d to 7s. A telegram from Dunedin, dated 11.40, this morning, gives the following quotations: — Adelaide flour, £25, scarce; provincial, £17 ; new wheat, 6s 6d j old wheat;, 7s ; oats, 2s lOd ; barloy, 4b j potatoes, £7 per ton. We quote Christchurch prices the same as lasfc week, except in wheat and oats ; the former is now firm at 5s 6d to 5s 9d. Oats have a decided upward tendenoy, owing to advices from Australia. It is reported thafc one firm in Christchurch were to-day pushing through to Lyttelton about 300 tons of oats, to meet tho Omeo for Melbourne. OTAao.-— The Daily Times of the 18th insfc. reports : — The business of the week has not been marked by any noticeable operations, but a steady trado has been maintained, and second houses have been fairly occupied during the lasfc few days. Staple goods are in general afc maintained quotations j the tteriatione from last given values have been slight, and the markefc retains a considerable degree of firmness. In breadstuffs, the trade dono has nofc exceeded trade parcels. Provincial flour remains at £17 } old wheats,. 6s 9d fco 7s ; new ditto, 6s 6d; oatß, 2s 8d; potatoes, £7. There has been a good demand for sugars, and transactions have been made at a shade bettor rates ; the market is bare of some descriptions, ond no immediate arrivals are expected. Teas nro working off more slowly fchan usual, in consequence of second houses abstaining from any considerable purchases. In the meantime, stocks Bare working off* by shipment and local consumption, and the prospects for holders will speedily improve! Provisions have nofc been much asked for, but' maintain their value in small parcels. The supply, of hams and bacon is oaly moderate ; but English cheese is on hand in excessive quantity, and commands no sale.

"I I ■ I ' ■ ' " I Melbourne. — The Argus of the 11th instant reports : — "In the market for breadstuffs, wo observed loss firmness, and sales of Victorian flour have been mado at a somewhat lower figure than was " expected to be ruling ere this, putting ifc beyond our powor to quote over £19 to £19 10s. At the 1 former price, amongst ofcher sales, fifty tons changed hands in ono line ; and for smaller par--1 eels up to 10s more was obtained. Wheat has been disposed of afc 7s 9d to 8s and 8s Id. Speculation in oats still continues. A line of 10,000 bushels of Tasmanian is reported to have been placed at an extreme figure, over 5s having, ifc is said, beon realised. Some 15,000 bushels of Californian are likewise stated to have been taken up at 4s. Maize is steady at Ss 10_d fco 4s ; bufc we do nofc hear of much business being done in fcho article. Hops are inquired for. A shipment of fifty pockets and other parcels of 1867 Kent, have been taken up for export, afc equal to 2s 6d, duty paid. By auction, candles brought better prices ; some 600 boxes were quitted at ll.d for much to ll£-d for slightly damaged. Sales of teas to a moderate extent are reported at Is 6d to Is 9d ; for one line of about 200 half-chesfcs, close on Is 8d was paid. For fine teas a good deal more inquiry has sprung up, which is likely to lead to business. Sugars, for trade purposes, are moved off at £32 10s for low brown crystals, and up to £38 10s for good greys. About 1,000 bags of Mauritius and Java, sold under the hammer, brought £28 to £29 7s 6d for browns, and £30 10s to £33 10s for yellows. Sydney. — Telegrams dated the 10th say : — The auction sales of sugar show a considerable advance in price. Breadstuffs are dull. Large sates of Allßop'B ale have been made afc from £4 15s to £5 ss. Rum, 5s fco 5s 3d j Martell's brandy, 8a 6d to 8s 9d. Adelaide. — Telegrams of the 10th say : — The corn market very firm. Sales on new wheat havo been made at 9s ; flour £22.