COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 572, 19 April 1876, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

ENGLISH COMMERCIAL. WOOL. Messrs Miles Bros and Co. report on April 1 8th as follows : The first series of colonial wool sales for the present year commenced on the 15th, with the following arrivals for disposal : Bales. New South Wales and Queensland... 15,649 Victoria 34,315 South Australia 13,815 Tasmania 259 New Zealand 2,092 Cape of Good Hope 37,368 Total .; 103,498 of which quantity about 7500 bales were forwarded direct from ship to Yorkshire and the Continent. The sale room has been well attended by buyers from all parts; biddings are spirited and according to expecta'ion, in consequence of the very limited supplies to hand. Australian wools have realised firm November rates, and are in some cases Jd per lb dearer. Capes rule about the same as at the last series, with the exception of snow whites, which are rather easier. As there will be a very large quantity of wool for offer, owing to late arrivals, it has been decided to lighten the next sales as much as possible by opening them earlier than usual, and they will therefore commence on the 2Sth of March, but we can scarcely hope for a maintenance of presen t rates, except for line fleece parcels. WHEAT AND ELOUR. Messrs Burrows and Perks state : We have to report a slightly better feeling in the demand for the finest qualities of wheat during the last few days, but there is no improvement whatever in sale of fliinr, our market continuing to be overstocked with all grades of this article. Some considerable sales of fine qualities of Adelaide wheat have been made during the month at 525, and of weevilly lots at 50s, both per 4961 b, ex store, showing considerable losses to importers generally. The present value is 53s per 4961 b, ex store, for selected qualities. Fine samples of New Zealand and Tasmanian are very scarce, and would consequently bring from 52s to 535, and lower sorts 48s to 51s per 4961 b, ex store Flour is still much neglected, and the supply generally in excess of demand. Superfine Adelaide sells slowly at from 36s 6d to 37s ; tine sorts, 3ls to 335; and households, 29s to 30s; all per 2Solb net ex store. There are now 211 wheat cargoes with about l,oso,oooquarters, on passage to the United Kingdom, against 341, with 1,632,000 quarters injthe corresponding week of 1875, and 338, with 1,503,000 quarters in 1874. Messrs Miles Bros and Co report : The wheat market has remained dull, hut there is little alteration to note in prices, which are, if anything, slightly easier. Within the last week rates hardened to the extent of Is per quarter. Millers having purchased more freely in anticipation of a dearer market, several cargoes on passage having brought better prices at ports of call than those ruling in London, but the advance has not been maintained additional supplies having been received from farmers who had holdback stocks in expectation of higher rates. The quantity of wheat afloat at present shows a considerable reduction, and when present cargoes have been cleared oil A r e think that the market may harden. We quote South Australian wheat at 52s to 52s 6d per 496 lb ex store, and flour 34s to 37s per 280 lb. There are no supplies of New Zealand wheat at present, but the price would be from 48s to 51s; flour, 30s to 31s. TALLOW AND HIDES. Messrs Miles and Co report:— Daring the past week the tallow market has been firmer, and the value of Australian lias advanced 6d to Is per cwt; the present quotation for good to fine New Zealand mutton being 44s 6d to 465, and fair to fine beef tallow, 43s to 44s 6d per cwt. The hide market still continues dull, but prices are unchanged, viz, for best heavy New Zealand sid, light hides 4d per lb. - NEW ZEALAND HEMP. Messrs Miles and Co report: The market has been much more animated, and prices have advanced about 20s per ton. Importations have quite ceased. PRESERVED TINNED MEAT. Messrs Miles and Co report There is a fair demand for this article, but stocks are too low to meet requirements, and holders are asking such high prices that dealers are not inclined to purchase. The Australian Meat Agency (Tallerman’s) Company reports:— There lias been but a moderate inquiry since the departure of the last mail for preserved meats. Stocks generally are so bare that it is not possible to supply even the comparatively srinll demand. Holders of mutton are asking 6d per lb for 6-lb tins, and 7ld per lb for 2-lb—prices that remove business transactions outside the reach of ordinary shopkeepers. The arrivals since the commencement of the year have been 8113 cases, all from Australia. According to Messrs John McCall & Co, a steady business has been done during ihe month in meats at previous rates. The arrivals have been—From Sydney, 4089; Melbourne, 1203; Adelaide, 19; Canada and northern ports, 2594; Texas, 2507 — total, 10,412 cases. Of these probably between 3000 and 4000 cases are for reshipraent to the contir nent. 1560 cases of South American beef have been taken .for Spain, leaving the stock in warehouse very light. Stocks of Australian beef and mutton are also materially diminished ; prices, however, have not advanced. Small sizes are scarce, and fresh arrivals of t hese meet with a ready sale. The total declared value of imports during 1875 was £593,054, against £751,709 in 1874.

Melbourne.—The “Argus” of the llth inst reports • Considerable excitement still prevails in commercial circles regarding the Stevenson imbroglio, and the mattor has formed the chief topic of conversation throughout the day. In the import market business has not been characterised by anything like activity, and the sales effected have been of little importance. Flour is steady at £l3 to £l2 ss, but only trade parcels are moving oil'at the latter price. Wheat is very saleable now at 5s Sd, but owing to the small quantity offering, only a very trifling business Is reported. Oats are in request, but the demand is chiefly confined to the disposal of seed parcels. For feeding there is little inquiry; prices remain unaltered, low qualities being quoted at 2s ( Jd to 2s lOd, medium at 3s to 3s 2d, while fine stout realise 3s 3d. Feeding barley commands more attention. A parcel of Oregon was quitted at 3s 4d, and for fine Cape 3s Gd has been obtained. Maize is moderately noticed at 4s sd. Sugars arc quiet, and do not call for much attention, pending (he public sales coming off tomorrow, when we observe that 5000 bags of the Papillon’s shipment will be offered publicly. Teas are moving oil'steadily. Trade parcels of common to medium congou have been disposed of at is 2d to Is Gd. A line of 900 boxes is also stated to have changed hands at from Is 3£dtolssiid. Candles tre steady at our quotation of lOd to A few hundred boxes have been sold, in trade parcels, at full rates. A shipment oi rosin has changed hat ds, on private terms. Corusacks have been slow. About 200 dales will be offered publicly to-morrow. Home advices report a considerable advance on sardines. Brandies are also stated to be very firm, and prices are more likely to improve than recede; of the latter there Is no probability. A parcel of Bisquit Dubouche’s brandy has been placed at 5s 4d, but we understand the agents have since raised the price to r,s 6d. A line of Henncssy’s 1874 has been taken up at 7s 3d. A shipment of 500 cases of this brand lias changed hands in one line at a price sustaining the trade rate of 30s 6d. Sales of Devenish's and Bass’s triangle ale, to a fair extent, have been effected.