COMMEECIAL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 2729, 8 September 1868, Page 4

COMMEECIAL.

Independent Office, Monday evoning. The continuance of unfavorable weather has increased tho depression that wo have been suffering under for some time past, added to which the non-payment of the usual monthlyjjaccounts by the Government, has brought about a scarcity of money that is pressing severely on the retailers, and we fear that our present Bummary will not bo of .a nature to gladden the hearts of those who are interested in the trade of Wellington. Few articles have attracted attention, whilo in many instances, sales, when effected, have either borne but a Bhadow of profit, or have been made — as is too frequently tho caso — at a serious loss. Importers and consignees aro alike dissatisfied and grumble awfully at such a state of affairs which have been unprecedently dull, and were never so bad as they aro at present. Probably, with the advance of spring, we may look for some reaction, but, judging from present nppoaranccs, and the increased burthen of taxation with which wo aro threatened, there does not appear to bo any imniediato chanco of it. We aro far from being overstocked with goods, and we believe that there is a largo amount of unemployed capital in tho place, Booking profitable and secure investment, but there is a total absence of anything like spirit or enterprise in ordinary business channels. It is satisfactory to remark, however, that local mercantile bills aro met with praiseworthy regularity. Flour— Tho intelligence of tho decline in breadBtuifs in the adjacent colonies, owing to the large

importation expected from the west coast of America has but slightly affected this market, our stock being mostly in few hands and not in excess. Prices show no tendency to recede, if we may infer anything from auction sales, which are usually a low standard to estimate from. Adelaide flour, fetched £23 per ton ; Chilian, £21 10s per ton at auction sale September 3. Tho present price at tho mills is £20 10s to £21. Wo have heard of no transactions in wheat, several small shipments have reached ua from the south for the mills. Teas (in bond, duty, 6d per lb) — Tho stock of teas is moderate, and prices remain nominally at last month's quotations. The grocers are in most instances well supplied. Good congous in chests and halves, are from Is 7d to 2s id per lb, but it is impossible to force sales. Sugars (duty paid, Id ncrlb) — Medium stocks, principally of tho Sydney and Melbourne Company's pieces. No. IC. moves off at £50 10s, to £51 per ton ; No. 2 W., £54 per ton ; crushed loaf has been sold at £52 for slightly damaged ; a good sample may be quoted at £56. There is little enquiry for Mauritius. Spirits (in bond, duty, 12s) — All descriptions sell slowly, and prices are somewhat higher. Martell's and Hennessy's brandy in bulk, is quoted at 8s 9d to 9s 3d per gallon. Cnso do, 30s to 31s por case. B.P. rum, 3s 9d to 4s 3d per gallon. Caso geneva i3 scarce at 18s Gd per case. Dunvillo's Irish whisky, 6s 9d per gallon, in bulk. Wines (in bond, duty, 4s per gallon) — Good quality port and sherry command fair rates ; inferior wines are nearly unsaleable, although fifty quarters of a low quality port wine were quitted at auction at prices ranging from 4s 9d to 6s 6d per gallon, in bond. Case port and sherry 28s to 29s por dozen. Beer (duty paid Is per gallon) — Draught ale of New Zealand brew has nearly superseded tho English, and importers have in most cases to submit to a loss to quit their stocks. Burton ale in good sound condition has been sold at £5 15s per hhd, duty paid ; and Marion's alo could obtain no higher price than £6 15s. These prices entail a heavy loss to importers. Draught porter is unsaleable. Bottled beer, (duty paid, 2s 6d per dozen) varies according to brand in away difficult to account for. Blood's stout is worth 12s to 33s per gallon, while other brands are hardly saleable. Ind Coopc's ale fetches 10s 6d per dozen, while equally good ale will not realise more than 6s to 7s Od. The time is, however, fast approaching when English beer, both bottled and draught, will cease to bo imported. Oilmens Stored — Fully supplied. Sardines are quoted at 5s Gd per doz for quarter lbs, and 9s 6d for half lb tins ; lobsters, Bs 'Gd; salmon, Is Id per lb ; pickles, pints 8s 6d per doz ; bottled fruits, 13s ; sauces, 7s 6d per doK ; marmalade, jams, and jellies, in lib tins, 10s 6d per do;; ; calves foot jelly, in quarts, 20s, and pints, 11s per doz ; candied peel, Is Id per lb. Dried fruits aro in good supply with little enquiry. Rice — Moderate slocks. Patna is worth £25 to £26 per ton with few sales. Suit — This staple has ruled higher of late than it has done for some years past. Fine salt is worth £9 per ton ; coarse ditto, £5 10s. Tobacco — L T sual demand at a small advance on Melbourne rates. Cigars — No enquiry. Kerosene — Overstocked. Cosen's kerosene is dull of sale at 2s 6d to 2s 9d por gallon. Candles — Sperm candles are falling in value, owing to the diminished consumption, and aro difficult of sale at Is per lb for Price's Bclmonts, whilo Do Roublaix's have been quitted at 9id. Oats — Continued imports of this grain have completely swamped our market, and it would be difficult, to place a shipment at 2s lOd per bushel ; they are quoted at 3s 3d. Maize — This grain is less in request for horse feed than formerly, and tho low price of oats interferes materially with its value ; recent importations have- obtained 4s per bushel, but the demand is trifling. Butter. — A slight degree of vitality is at length perceptible in this branch of our export trade, and several shipments have been made to the Thames goldfields. Tho large quantity of bad butter that is still in the hands of tho makers and is occasionally forced at auction at rates varying from Id to 5d per lb, necessarily interferes with tho valuo of the good article First quality butter is freely offered at 9d por lb'with 8s 6d for kegs ; but buyers are cautious, and tho quality must bo guaranteed. Tallow of fair quality is worth £32 (o £34 per ton. Stock — The largo influx of population to tho Northern goldfields is already exercising a noticeable influence on tho price of shoe]) and cattle, and holders are looking for advanced rates. Fat bullocks aro quoted at 4idperlb, and fat wethers at 3id per lb. Hides 10s 6d each all round. Timber — The large number of buildings now in progress has caused an increased demand for sawn timber, but owing to tho number of mills at work, prices aro unaltered. Boards and scantling aro worth from 10s to 13s, according to quality and description. Dunedin. — Tho Otago Daily Times September 2nd reports. The aspect of the market for Brcadstuffs is more reassuring and holders' prices aro now firm, but inquiry for flonr is still remarkably light, ai\d consequently searcoly anything has boen done in wheats. The other grains aro dull, with just maintained quotations. A considerable parcel of malt has changed hands at a price withheld, and we can report sales of blasting powder at low rates, actual prices not transpiring. Wo note a considerable parcel of tea at full prices. Fine white crystals have been placed at £40 and £41 respectively ; dried apples at s£d ; whiskies afc 5s 3d ; Hennessy's brandy, small parcels, 30s. Auckland. — Tho JS r ew Zealand Herald of September 1 reports : — Messrs Lewis Brothers held a salo of the following cargo, ex Bella Mary, from Hobartown : — 15,000 feet superior Tasmanian hardwood, 14a ; 4000 posts and rails, 50s to 55s ; 300 sacks superfine silk-dres3cd flour, and 200 bags do, each 100 lbs., £17 15s to £18 ; 10,000 palings (Hobarfc Town) 5 aud 6 feet, 15s.