COMMERCIAL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2658, 7 April 1868, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Independent Office, April 6, 1868. BUSINESS during tho last month may be characterised as quiet, with small stocks and advancing prices. Ono or two small failures have taken place, but monetary affairs still continue satisfactory. Tho unsettled state of the wool market operates prejudicially to tho confidence importers have hitherto had in making sales ; and nearly all transactions may bo classed as retail for tho past month. Ale in hhds still continues scarce, and is worth £10 per hhd, duty paid, for new brew only. Ale in bottle, good quality in demand at 10s to 12s. Some of the favorite brands, such as Allsopp's and Bass' have lately proved inferior. Porter in hhds still continues very unsaleable, although a few parcels have been quitted for tho Southern market during the past month. Porter in bottle of first-class brands, such as Blood's Truman's, and Guincss's, is readily saleable at 12s per doz quarts, and 8s 6d pints. Brandy, in qr-casks, MarteH's and Hennessy's. Some slight speculation has taken placo in this article — one line of fifty qr-casks has been placed at 8s 3d, short terms, and since last English advices the price has advanced to 9s, and is firm at this quotation. Cuse brandy is not plentiful. Martcll's is worth 30s, and Hennessy's 335. Rum — Lemon Hart's. and Lowndo's 10 overproof is scarce, and is quoted at 4s 6d, Cut no largo parcel could be had at this figure. Geneva — JDK Z brand scare at 16s for 3 gallon cases. No other brand wanted. Whisky — Dunville's Irish in qr.-casks scarce at 7s 6d ;in case, 18s. Scotch Whisky is not in groat demand, and may bo quoted at 4s 6d per gallon in qr-casks, and 10s 6d in one dozen cases. Old Tom — Very scarce ; good brands 18s in bond. Ginger Wine — Good home brands aro more asked for oi lato, and may be quoted at from 14s to 18s per case in bond. Port Wino — Really good quality brings remunerative prices, while inferior is greatly neglected. Sherry — Pale dry only wanted. Teas — Market overstocked. Sugars — Advancing daily. Tobaccos — Inferior overstocked ; really good scarce and wanted. Cigars — Market well supplied. Oilmen's Stores — Medium supply, very moderate consumption. Corned Butter — Colonial, if very fine quality, 9d per 1b cash, inferior perfectly unsaleable. The barque Albion is now daily expected from London, with largo stocks. Sydney. — The Herald of tho Ist reports busi- j ness quiet. The JEmp ire says : — Wool. — The market is almost bare of any really good parcels, and those remaining aro mostly ends of clips or lots which have passed through the scourers' hands ; prime wools command a slight advance on last months rates. Breadstuffs and Cereals. — groat uncertainty still prevails as to the yield of last harvest, especially that of South Australia. Holders of stock in that colony report that very little remains for export. Tho price of wheat in that market ranges at from 8s 6d to 9s for bett ; flouv from £22 to £23. Agents of Adelaide houses having acted upon instructions to advance their rates, have brought into tho Sydney market a free supply of breadstuffs from the Southern and Western districts. Adelaide silk dressed flour is at present selling at £23 to £24 ; inferior at from 20s to 30s per ton less ; Victorian and Tasmanian at £19 to £21 Sydney mills, £21 ; country, £20 to £21. The itock of wheat i» firmly held at 9s 9d to 10s > for old Adelaide, 9s 3d for good new, and 8s to 8s 9d for other descriptions. Maize is worth 2s 6d to 2s 9d. Colonial outs bring 3s 9d to 4s. Carley, 2s 3d to 3s. Melbourne.— Telegrams, dated 31st March, quote flour at £24 10s the ton. • '•• Adelaide. — Tho corn market is quiet.