COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 552, 25 March 1876, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The grain market continues very depressed, and owing to the unwillingness of buyers to offer last week’s prices, but comparatively little business has been done during the past week. For wheat there is less demand, most millers having now laid in good stocks, and exporters are not anxious to buy at rates which would leave a certain loss if shipped to England at present prices ruling there. Some prime milling lots have changed hands during the week at 3s 9d, whilst for a very choice lot we hear of 3s lid having been paid for immediate grinding. Oats do not improve in demand, and some large outside orders have lately been cancelled, so that sales are difficult to effect at last week’s prices of is 7d to is 7id. Barley is extremely dull of sale ;in fact there is” no enquiry whatever for anything except best malting, and prices range from 2s 6d to 3s 6d. Millers’ quotations are without alteration at £10f.0.b., in sacks. A fsir demand still exists for grass seed, and sellers ask 4s 9d to-4s lOd, but buyers are disinclined to purchase in any quantity, as lower prices are looked for. There is no alteration in dairy produce, and prime butter still stands at 10d; cheese at 7id to Bd. Hams and bacon meet with good enquiry at lOd f.o.b. Wo have to report an improvement in the import markets during the past week. Tea has been placed in parcels of 25 to 75 half-chests at Is lid to 2s (Id d.p. Boxes move off freely at 2s 2s to 2s 6d d.p. Sugars—The sales made have been mostly for trade requi-ements at satisfactory rates; white crystals command £32 to £34; yellow counters have been quitted freely at £29 to £29 10s l.b. We note from advices to band, two cargoes loading for New Zealand at Mauritius, which will in all probability be for this and the Dunedin market. Bass’s Bast India pale ale has met with good sale at £9 10s to £9 15s per hhd. Bottled ales and stout have sold freely, best brands realising lls to lis 6d ; Coombs’ and Blood Wolfe’s stout have received the most attention at 11s 3d to 11s 6d. Cornsacks are quitted in large lines at 10s 6d to lls, according to quality; Calcutta make fetch the latter price readily. American salmon finds purchasers at 9d per doz d.p. Dutch crushed loaf sugar is in fair request at 52s to 53s d.p. We have a decided improvement to record in the tobacco market. Several sales have taken place in Venus case twist, and best brands in qr tierces, at Is 8d to is BJd i.b. Price’s Belmont candles are sold in large lines at 10Jd. Kerosene is sold in trade parcels at 2s 2d, d.p. Coarse salt is in good request; large parcels have been quitted for curing purposes at £4 2s 6d to £4 5s per ton. Cement is in good demand at 20s 3d. at Christchurch railway station. V.D.L. Timber. &c —The market at present is considerably overstocked; sales are difficult to make at any price ; several importers are holding shipments for better rates. We have very little to report in the spirit line; trade sales have been effected at full rates. Vessels on the berth for l.oudon are making rapid progress with their loading. The Himalaya, Soukar, Jessie Osborne, and Eangltikei are taking in cargo, and will have quick despatch.