COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 315, 9 April 1881, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The English Markets. Messrs Miles Bros, and Co. report, under date London, Feb. 24th Wool. —The first series of sales commenced on the 15th inst., with the following new arrivals :—New South ;Wales and Queensland, 68,371 bales Victoria, 144,978 bales ; South Australia, 42,924 bales; Western Australia, 246 bales; Tasmania,32s bales; New Zealand, 12,138 bales ; Cape of Good Hope, 41,094 ; total; 310,076 bales, of which 17,000 of Australasian and 11,000 of Cape were forwarded direct from ship to Yorkshire and the Cdhtineht, and about 15,000 bales old stock remained on hand.' Although the attendance of both Home and foreign btiybrs oh the opening night was good, prices, t nevertheless, showed a decline W*hijn compared with those ruling at the previous sales. The depression which still exists on the Continent has exercised considerable influence at these sales, and the descriptions of Australian greasy combing wools usually taken for export hah declined Ad to Id per lb. Fine Victorian clips have ■ been selling unsatisfactorily at a decline of say 10 per cent under rates ruling this time last year. New Zealand’s; being scarce, are not affected to the saitne extent, and the prices obtained for merino scoured are quite equal to those of last sales. . Only a limited quantity of crossbred wool has been offered'up to the present time, bnt greasy parcels are Id per Jb; and '.scoured Id to lid per lb lower than in December, the lower parcels being hhavy of sale. The decline in Capes has been for greasy sorts Ad per lbj fleeces Id, aiid scoured and snow whites id to lAd per lb. Rather more animation was experienced at the sale of last evening. Wheat and Flour. — We have no improvement to report in the state of our wheat' market, for although supplies of jEfngliah. wheats to the country markets are now very small, millers continue to exercise? great caution in their purchases, and prices have again declined. Shipments of Californian wheat have been made to this country on a liberal scale, and shippers are anxious to effect sales even at a reduction from late rates. The Continental demand for cargoes still continues, and about thirteen at ports of call have been purchased with 62,600 quarters. There are now sellers of cargoes of new Victorian wheat at 45s Bd, and buyers (Continental) at about 45s (kl per 4801bs. c. f.i. for orders. , Imports of Australian wheat to this market have been larger, and values are somewhat lower, bnt English wheat being scarce, and the supply of New; Zealand full prices have been obtained for really good parcels from the latter colony. We quote on spot, ex granary, Australian wheat, 49s to 50s per 4961bs.,:and.New Zealand, long berried, 4fcj tq 50a/ordinary, 44s to 47s ; and inferior, 39a .to 435. Australian flour, 33s to 35s per 2801b5.; and New Zealand, to 325. New Zealand oats, fine, 28s 6d to 81s per imperial quarter ; and ordinary, 23s to 26s per ditto. New Zealand barley, 30s to 40s per 4481b5. New Zealand beans, 45s to 48s per 5041b5. New Zealand oatmeal, 190 s to 210 s per ton.

Tallow and Hides. —There has been a fair demand for Australian tallow, and th’S’Taltie'to-ciay of good to' fine mutton is 36s 6d to 37s 6d, and fair to fine beef, 32s Cd to 34s 3J, being about the same for the former, bat 3d. per cwt higher for the latter than quoted in our last. Inferior descriptions still sell well, but at somewhat easier 'prices. The imports during the month' have been- large, viz., 8,288 casks', and the stocks in first hands amount to about 8,200 casks. Hides are without attention.