COMMERCIAL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3308, 2 October 1871, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

CHEiSTcnxjßcn — Ihe " Times" of Saturday reports: — Wheat, if anything, is weaker in Vfllae, although several sales have been made for shipment, per Alice, to Auckland, at 4s 8d to 4>* lOd. The local millers, for the moment, are quite out of tho market, co that shippers have quotations entirely in their own hands. Stocks of flour are Btill ample, but the leading brands are held for £14 ; country do, £13 to £18 10s. Outs are well held, several sales imvirig transpired (in store) nt 2s 7d to 2s 9d, with a firm market. In barley, a few transaotioiJß aro reported of auperioi' malting earn-

oles at 3s to 3s 6&. Potatoes are in active request, and as high as £3 10a has been paid for really good Derwents. Butter, also, js inquired for at 7*a to 7*a. Hams aud bacon are quoted at 6|d to 7R with a dull inquiry. NEW ZEALAND FLAX. • The following is Messrs M'Landross, Hopburn aud Co.'s monthly flax circular, dated London, July 27th :— We have had a very quiet but very firm market for New Zealand flax during the past month, and prices, particularly of the better qualities, have ruled in favor of sellers, lhe import sinco the 29th ult. has been 1200bale8, but the Queen Bee, bringing over 700 bales, which are said to consist of superior quality, has not yet discharged; consequently the supplies in tho market have only been moderate. Tho transactions reported by private contract total up about 1300 bales, and 1253 bales have been offered at auction, ot which 670 bales found buyer?. The following prices being those obtained at the most recent sales, viz. :— For barely three-fourths cleaned £17 10s; three-fourths cleaned of inferior to good quality £18 to £25 10s ; fairly dressed of middling to good color and quality, £24 to £29 5s j and well dressed flax £30 10s to £30 5s per ton. Of 8G bales tow only 2o bales of coarse common quality sold at £11 per ton. There is no doubt that this fibro is looked upon with greater favor by rope makers, aud so long as a wide margin exists between its value and that of Manilla hemp, its consumption will steadily increase ; the latter fibre has beon in improved demand this month, and prices have advanced £1 per ton, £46 to £36 103 being the present value of fanroping. Some improved specimens of New Zealand fhx havo recently come to hand, and we trust that tho exertions being made in the colony to discover a method of preparing the , fibre before shipment that will soften and divide it sufficiently fine to make it suitable for tho manufacture of textile fabrics, will ultimately be crowned with complete success.