COMMERCIAL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 2738, 1 October 1868, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Auckland. — Tho New Zealand Herald of Sept. 26 reports : — Trade has been quiet throughout the week, and shipments to the Thames have been less than we remember for some weeks back, but as fine weather appears now to be setting in, and preparations are being made to supply proper machinery for claim holders, we anticipate an improvement in business, coupled with an export of gold more consistent wilh tho importance which is generally attached to the Thames district. Tho influx of population from the southern provinces continues, a considerable number of people having arrived in the Manukau since the date of our last issue. Peddling traders appear to consider this part of New Zealand a peculiarly favorablo field for their operations. We not unfrequently hear apparently new comers remark at a " trade" sale, that whatever may be said against Auckland, the people certainly give a man Avith no capital a chance. Little stores may new bo seen in various parts of the town, in which the stock-in-trade appears mainly to consist of two blankets, a dozen " billies," a few shovels, and the like, of the entire value of perhaps five pounds. Trade sales have lately become such a mockery, owing to the minute sub-division of the lots sold, that these parties can purchaso on tho same terms as established business men who have a position to maintain and are besides often employers of labor to a considerable extent. Wo make no comments on this state of things, importers and auctioneers having a perfect right to do as they like with their own, but it does appear to us that in lending their encouragement to such a multitude of petty dealers for tho purpose of getting slightly higher prices for their goods they are acting like tho old lady who killed tho goose to get the golden eggs at once. Hoki'JJIKA. — The Evening Star of Sept. 22 says: — The improvement" in business, which wo noticed in our previous report, has been well maintained during the past week. It is a noteworthy fact, that notwithstanding recent arrivals with considerable cargoes, there has not been one single salo of merchandise at auction during tho whole week. This we attribute to tho fact that the goods imported have all been required to replenish diminished or exhausted stocks. Prices, however, have not altered much, and on the whole, are decidedly in favor of buyers, with, perhaps, one exception. Flour, though still quoted at £27, for best brands of Adelaide is weak at that figure, and a decline may be looked for if the port can be kept open. Provincial Hour is worth variously from £21 to £23, and as low a figure as £20 has been accepted for Canterbury. Oats have roceded to 4s, at which figure they are firm. The market has not yet been tried in chaff, none having been as yet offered for public ealo ; holders are asking as much as £16, but wo question whether they will not have to submit to a lower figure. Bran is worth 2s. Potatoes, as we stated last week, are varying in price very considerably according to locality where grown. Tho stock of Melbourne grown is getting very scarce, and is principally held by one house. Potatoos from Now Zealand ports are not worth moro than £7 10s, if so much. Buttor of prime quality is scarce, and when any chance parcel comes to hand tho kegs are retailed out at a much higher figure than could be termed a market quotation. Groceries, provisions, and oilmen's stores, have been very dull of sale during the week. In spirits there has been a decline ; in brandy, Honncssy's bulk is scarce, worth 7s 6d, whilo O.V.P. is weak at 7s. Other articles remain unchanged. Melbourne. — The Argus of the 19th insfc. says : — A fair amount of business continues to be done in the import markets. In breadstuffs, the feeling prevalent to-day is less firm, and for trade purposes sales could not bo effected at over £17 for flour, while larger lots havo been quitted at £16 10s. Small parcels of Victorian wheat have found buyers at 7s 9d. Tho arrival at Sydney of tho Don Teodore, from Chili, with a cargo of 500 tons wheat and flour, as telegraphed this afternoon, has not dono the market any good. Oats are quiet, but very firm and steady, 3s lid to 4s Maize meets with a very free sale at 33 lid to 43., and from tho higher rates required in Sydney, it is not likely that to-morrow there will bo any sellers under 4s. A shipment of 1,700 bushels chevalier barley has been got rid of, to arrive, at Gs 6d. At the sale of the Edith Banfleld's cargo of Mauritius sugnrs, the whole lot, within a few hundred bags, met with purchasers at improved prices for the finer sorts. Somo 8,100 bags were offered. 24s 6d was obtained for very low to 27s 6d for good rations, 30s 6d to 31s for browns, 32s 3d to 35s 60 for middling to fine yellows, and 35s 6d to 37s 9d for middling to good whito crystals. A decline on browns and low yellows of 15s to 20s had to be submitted to. Sales of cornsacks are mentioned at 11s 6d. We hear of tho disposal of some 5,000 bags Saigon rice, ex King Oscar, on terras not disclosed.