ENGLISH ITEMS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue XXVI, 27 July 1871, Page 2

ENGLISH ITEMS.

(From the Shippers' Monuily Cieculak.) It is currently reported that the negotiations by tho Duke of Sutherland for the purchase of the Suez Canal have been brought to a successful issue. Notice has been given of tho introduction of a bill into Parliament abolishing tho days of grace on bills of exchange at sight; the general feeling, however, is that it would bo for better to abolish them altogether, telegraphs and railways having rendered the custom unnecessary. The wool sales commenced on the 13th ult, find considerable spirit is reported in the biddings, especially by foreign buyors. Australian wools have generally advanced from £d to Id per lb ; IScw Zealand, Id for greasy and id for fleece and scoured ; Cape fleece, Id, and snow whites, l£d per lb. Stock is said to be light, and trade generally is looked upon as good. In cotton, tallow, flax, and coffee, tho markets have been dull, and most of the sales have been effected at declining rates ; but in hides and sugar there has been a brisk trade done, and prices have been well maintained. The London Stock Exchange is about to be enlarged, the existing space not being sufficient to accommodate tho large number of members and tlicir clerks. THE EXPORT OP BRANDY. One effect of the Prussian occupation of tho Champagne districts has been to increase enormously the exports of brandy to England. The bonded stock of brandy there now amounts to nearly 13,000,000 gals j the bonded stock to the end of last quarter amounted to upward of 4,500,000 gallons more than the previous year, and these enormous imports still continue on the same scale.