COMMERCIAL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3292, 2 September 1871, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Independent Office, Friday evening. We cannot report very favorably of tho trade of the past month. Dulness at this season is expected, and tho bad weather prevailing during tho greater portion of this period has contributed not a little toward increasing it. Still, matters wear a more cheery aspect than we have been able to notice for some time pact ; a better spirit of confidence in tlio future seems to prevail, and the news from England of the increised valuo ol our principal staple export, wool — each penny of wbich adds -630,000 to the income of this province alone, gives a tangible reason for congratulation. Whilo exulting in our good fortune from this source, it is doubtful whether ■we may consider tho rise in value as perma nent and likely to continue until next season's clip goes home, or whether it is the result ofaocidental causes. It has beon suggested that tho prevalence of yellow fever in South Amorica — shutting out of consumption the vast amount of its produce for this season Until subjected to a long quarantine, and the proposed addition to the import duties in France— lias led to a diminished supply on the ono side, and an increased demand on the Other ; and, should such bo tho caso, next season will have lo bear its double crop of South American wool, and a checked demand from high duties, ond forestalled supplies. We merely throw this out as a hint to the Wool farmers not to be over sanguine. With tho exception of our regular colonial steamers from Melbourne, wo have only the Halcione to report, with a full cargo from London for this port ; and it must bo a subject of regret to our mercantile community' fchat so many goods should find their way hero via Melbourne, which should be imported direct from England and distributed from this port among the adjacent provinces. If wo are to maintain our prestige as the central port of New Zealand, we ought not to allow our ■natural trade to be filched from us by the Australian colonies for want of a little enterprise. The Banks charge discount on current bills —7 per cent for 95 days ; 8 per cent for 125 days. For Bank drafts on London — on demand, 2£ per cent premium ; at 30 days' sight, 2 per cent premium • at 60 days' sight, 1$ per cent premium ; and purchase at par to £ por cent. Ale and Beer, duty paid (duty— bulk, Is ; bottle, ls 3d per gallon)— There is no Englishbulk ale or porter in this market, the demand having entirely lapsed in consequence of the prico and quality ofthe colonial brew. Bottled ales, of good brands, have met'with somo enquiry during the month, sales' limited. Bottled stout — Blood's has been very scarce, and a largo parcel on board tho Halcione has, we are informed, beon quitted at full rates mostly * for re-shipment to the outports — llsJOd to 12s 6d is tho present quotation for small parcels. Other brands, with tho exception of G. tuness's, are in no demand. Bags and Woolpacks, duty paid (duty — la 6d per cubic foot)-— Tho demand for cornsacks becomes slack at this season, and presont stocks will have to bo held over. Holders quote 13s 6d to 14s per doz. For woolpacks the demand is beginning to set it, and prices show a tendency to advance, as stocks are extremely'moderate. Full size, 10£dlb, packs,

aro 4s 9d ; and three-quarter packs, 81b, 4s 3d to 4s 6d each. Candles, duty paid (duty, ld per lb)— A fair amount of business has been dono during the month, and most of the parcels by tho Halcione havo been cleared off at ll£d per lb for trade lots. Holders are asking ll£d to I lljd. Stocks moderate. Coals (free)— Soveral cargoes have arrived from Newcastle during the month, and prices are kept down by competition. Coffee, in bond (duty, ld por lb)— Modorate stocks of Plantation, for whioh holders aro ask- J ing lOd per lb. Confectionery (duty, 5s per foot)-— There is yery little sale for imported confectionery, the colonial manufacture having to a great extent superseded it. Keiller's is worth lid por lb, duty paid. Ofcher maker's nominal. Drugs and Chemicals (dufcy, 2s per cwt.)— Saltpetro is in trifling demand, at 44s per cwfc, with limited Bales. Soda Crystals (duty, ls per cwt) —Stocks are light, and holders ask £9 per ton. Sulphur (Is per cwfc) Flour of sulphur has been slightly in demand, and prices havo ranged as high as £23 to £25 per ton. Stocks are now ample for all requirements. Flour (free)— Canterbury flour during tho month has been dull, and attempts to force up quotations fruitless. Tho trade is well supplied, and we do not think thafc first-class brands aro likely to rule highor than £16 per ton for some time at least. Fruits (dried), duty paid (duty ld per lb)— Currants— During tbe montb, and oven afc this moment, our market is perfeotly baro of this fruit, although large parcel's are on board the Halcione, which when landed will supply its wants. Prices aro moderately high, at 6d to 6_d per lb. Raisius— Of Eleme raisins our stock is also bave until landed 5 priceß noi__inally 6d to 6_d. Figs— Small boxes are worth 8d to 9d per lb, little enquiry. MuscatelsDull of .nic, worth lOd to ls per lb, according to condition. Grain (free)— Maize, dull of sale, although there is comparatively no stock in first hands ; quotations vary from 3s 9d to 4s per bushel. Oats— Stocks becoming low; prices do not seem to improve to a proportionate extent, and sales at laat month's quotations are mado with difficulty. Holders aro asking 3s 3d per bushel. I Hops, duty paid (duty, Id per lb)— No I transactions to report ; Btocks of old hops in excess, and unsaleable ; really good samples of prime hops aro scarce, and should realise failprices. Malt, duty, paid (duty, 6d per bushel)— Old stocks of English are clearing off gradually, and as there have been no recent -shipments to any extent, payable rates should be obtained, eßpeoially as the dufcy of 2s per bushel in Victoria should in a measure shut out fcho importation to that colouy. Oils, duty paid (duty, Gd por gallon)—Kerosone — The market has been fully supplied by shipments from Melbourne during the month, and is now quoted at 2s lid to 3s. Colza— Stocks, no great demand, afc 6s 3d to 6s 9d per gallon. Linseed — Raw linseed has been very scarce, and has been quitted as high as 58 6d'per gallon ; Btill in demand. 1 Oilman's Stores (duty, 2b 6d per foot) — Somo few lines in blue, starch, candied peel, &c, havo been in demand during tho month, but our market is now fully suppliod. Trado 1 in this description of goods has been rathor dull, and prices romain unaltered from usual current rates. 1 Rice, dufcy paid (dufcy, 2s por cwfc.)— Good 1 clean Patna in small bags is worth 27s to 28s 1 por cwfc, wifch no demand worth mentioning. Stockß moderate. Salfc (froe) — Fiuo salfc has beon scarce, and is worth 90s per ton ; coarso 75 to 80s per ton. Ample stocks of coarso. Spices, dufcy paid (dufcy, 3d per lb) — Cloves i are worth lid per lb ; other descriptions nominal. Pepper, unground (duty, ld per lb) — Thore is no whits pepper in first hands, and is quoted afc ls per lb. Black — none. Spirits, in bond (dufcy, 12s per gallon) — Brandy — Martell's and Hennessy's in quarters -> iB worth 7s 6d to 7s 9J ; no enquiry for other brands. Tho business of the month has boen unimportant. Case brandy (Martell's) worth 28s to 295 ; Hennessy's, 31s per case. Rum, - b.p , L.H. & Co, 10 per ceut 0.p., 43 ; 30 per cent 0.p., 4s 3d to 4s 6d j other brands, 10 o.p.' 3s 9-1 to 4s per gallon. Geneva— Case goneva, nominal. Stocks aro gradually being reduced, I. bub the consumption is trifling. Whisky — P Dunville's iv qrs, 6s per gallon ; case, 17s ; Kinnahan's, 10.*) 6d in bulk ; othor brands, 4s to 4s 6d ; Scotch whisky — bulk, 4s 6d to 5s 6d; 1 case, lis 6d to 12s. | Sugar, in bond (duty ld per lb) — Tbe , usual shipments from Australia keep fchia ' market in full supply, and prices aro guided by the Melbourne quotations. Present nti s for IC, £49 fco £49 10s per ton * C, £46 per ton ; and V, £41 10s per ton, ab which rates prices have ruled through the month. No Mauritius sorts in stock. Crushed loaf, > moderate stocks, quoted at £57 to £58 per ton. i Tea, in bond (duty 6d per lb). — Really good teas much wanted, although the market is still well eupplied with medium and inferior sorts. [ From Cbina we learn fchafc the Amphifcrite is i loading at Foo Chow for Dunedin, and the i Union for Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland and may be expected to arrive during the i month— we notice also a shipment of 150 P half chosts of English teas on board the Halcione. Tobacco, in bond (duty paid). — Cavendish is quoted afc ls 2d to Is 7c. ; twist, ls to ls 9d ; aromatic, ls 7d per lb. Stocks Venus brand • in (c is, and light urromafci- is just m w in great; demand, stocks being exceedingly light. Other i sorts, usual enquiry, full stocks. ; Cigars, in bond (duty 5s per lb), — Fnir stocks — Manilla are worth 80s to 84s por 1000 ; i Havannh's, £12 to £20 por 1000. Sale dull, i Wines, in bond (duty 4s per gal). — No transactions during the month worth noting. Inferior ports and sherries are iv full stock Good wines meet with slow salo at fair pricos, and we aro glad fco notice a continued improvement in the demand for Australian wines which wo hope will receive fcho consideration of the Assembly during its prosont sittings, and be admitted ufc a lower scale of duty. Butter in kegs continue dull, and although there musfc bo largo stocks in makers hands, fche bulk of it musfc bo old and of questionable quality. Good fresh corned butter finds purchasers at 6d for the West Coast, but the demand is not sufficient to cause increaso in value. Cheese in full supply at Od for Port, Cooper, 7d to 8d for Wellington. Bacon and hams are in good supply afc 6d for prime cure — demand limited. Sheop and cattlo unaltered in value siuce last months quotations. /CLOTHING ! CLOTHINgTcToTHING! KJ AT JAMES SMITH'S, TE ARO HOUSE. Men's tweed trousers, 6s 9d, 7s Gd, 9s 6d, 10s fid Men's tweed sac coats, los 6d to 33s Men's overcoats, with velvet collar, 19s 6d to 53* Gd Men's tweed suits, 25s 6d to OOs Boys' dark fcweed suits, 18s Gd to 42s Boys' Galatea coats, 8s 3d, 8s 6d, and 8s 9d Boys' knickerbocker suits, 10s Od, lis 6d, 13s 6d 1000 men's Crimean shirts, 3s 6d, 4s lid, 5s Gd, 6s 6d, 7s Gd, 8s 6d, 10s 6d Boys' and youth's j. an shirts, good quality, ls BdH Is Hid A choice assortment of tho newost styles in gentlemen's scarfs, ties, &c An extensive stock of superior makes of tweed, really cheap THE NEWEST MUSIC, &c., eenfc to all parts of tho colony — Poat Free. JAMES BERGER, Music Warehouse, Lambton quay. MR RAWSON, Dentist, Bolton streot, Terraco, nexfc to Dr. Kemp's. WAND G. TURNBULL & CO. have . for Sale barrels American Salmon