COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 796, 10 January 1877, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Melbourne.—The "Argus " of the 28th ult, reports:—ln the import market business has been quite at a standstill all day, little of consequence having been reported in the way of scales, the Christmas and New Year holidays alone, if the closing 1 of the mails for Kurope did not contribute its quota, being an effectual bar to any general inquiry for merchandise. Breadstuff's, though quiet, do not show any increased weakness. Flour is quoted at £l2 to £l2 ss, being more inquired for, though only for trade purposes. Wheat is quoted at 5s 3d to 5s sd. No special sales are mentioned, but at the first-named figure a small parcel of new, not over clean, was sold. Oats are dull, and there is little inquiry; quotations range from 3s to 3s 4d. A private letter fiom Lyttelton to 18th instant reJ>orts the departure of the Alma, for Melbourne, oaded chiefly with oats. Quotations are unaltered, otherwise there is nothing of interest to refer to. Maize is quiet, and we are without any transactions to report, but we observe that a shipment from Fiji will be submitted to competition to-morrow forenoon. Sugars are very firm, and higher prices are likely to be demanded when the market is regularly opened out for business, influenced as they must be by the heavy advance o' £i per ton just advised from Mauritius. The telegraphic advices from Port Louis regardin g shipments coming forward are, moreover, of a most favorable character, and likely to assist materially, if that were necessary, in imparting an improved tone, Two vessels were reported as loading for Melbourne —the Bothwell Castle and the Lucy S. Wills, the latter with refining sorts for the company. The Oleander was also loading for Geelong. One vesse had sailed for Christchurch, and two were loading for Adelaide. The quotation had risen to 8.50d015, tor white, yellows were brought up on speculation and were very scarce, A London telegram, also received to-day, reports the market there as having further advanced, with a strong upward tendency. Tinned fish has been inquired for in consequence of a large parcel of herrings having been lost in the City of Seringapatam. Sales of lobsters, lib tins, are reported at 9s 9d. Telegrams regarding brandy of an important character have also been received from London and France. One of these states that Hennessy's had advanced to 8s 9d in London, speculation was going on, «nd shipments for the colonies for six weeks only amouf.ted to 21,000 gallons. Another reports that there was no quotation yet for MarteH's and Htnne:,sy's '76 brandy, and that 1875 brandy had risen to 200 francs per hectolitre. A later telegram still states that Otard's re-opening price was 200 francs per hectolitre, and leading houses' price was expected to be 215 francs. A very buoyant feeling has in consequence been perceptible here, and owing to the rates demanded for first-class brands, second qualities are coming more to the front. We hear of 200 quarters of Bisquit Dubouche and Co's having been repurchased from second hands at up to 7s 9d, and the agents now are holding for a very considerable advance on that figure. Equal to 80 hhd of Central Vineyard have also changed hands, and now 7s is required for that brand. There are no sellers of Hennessy's in large parcels, and very extreme prices are wanted. We understand that the Seringapatam had a considerable shipment on board, and likewise a shipment of Geneva, which will still further affect the value of the latter spirit also.