COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2061, 1 October 1880, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The Customß dutiea collected at Christchurch on Wednesday, September 29th, were as follows: —Spirits,. .£sl tobacco, .£42 7a; beer, ■£26la ; sugar, .£lßs lid; gooda by weight, .£6l 2a lid ; ad val rem, .£3llßs ; other dutieß, 12slOd; total, .£241 15a iod.

At the usual sitting of the Waste Lands Board, held at Christchurch on Thursday, September 3ith, sales were made as follows: Ordinary, Akaroi, 9a. ; under Public Reserves Sale Act, deferred payment, 11a. lr. 32p.; total acreage sold, 20a. lr. 32p. ; total cash received, .£29 9b Id.

Mr J. L. Fleming reports the sale of Messrs Wakefield and Parker's brick manufactory at St. Martin's. O.nawa, yesterday. The property comprised about 5 acres of land, together with the rubble stune quarry, brick kiln, and brickmaker's plaHt in complote working order, and was knocked down to Mr John Wakefield for £1350 cash.

Although the transactions of the past week in the import market have shown an improved tone, business may still be properly described under the term of qniet. There are signs, however, that we may anticipate a greater briskness shortly, as the approach of summer and also of the shearing seaßon already give indications of -an enquiry, which promises under a favorable continuance of present harvest projects to gather an increased volume, and to have like • -wise the character of permanence. We are glad to learn tint the rumor which gained enrrenoy last week relative to the bnrning of the Ocean Banger on her voyage from New York, ia without foundation. Fiowever, the cause of ier non-appearance is explained by a telegram -from Port Louia, statirg that she had put in there on tLe 16th August, disabled, and that a portion of the cargo had to be discharged to •carry out the require repairß. The cablegram is dated the 18th of September, and the veasel was expected to get away ten days later, viz., on the 28th. The Waitangi has arrived irora London since our last notice, but her cargo is .not an extensive one. The cargo of Queensland sugars by the Fawn were offered at auction on Tuesday in the presence of a numerous attendance. The biddings wpre fairly brisk, and the result of the sale, it is understood, satisfactory to those interested. The sugars as a whole, and particularly of the yellow kinds, are not yet up to the standard of the Mauritius sorts, but they show a marked improvement in the manufacture on the cargo that came to this market from that quirter a few yeara ago. When the enterprise ia placed on a firmer basis, and when the treatment of the cane is better understood, we have no doubt the Queensland article will be brought up to the same standard as the Mauritius. At any rate, the sympathies of our traders lie with the Queenslandera, as that Market paints an outlet for our produce which we can never look to find in the Mauritius. The biddings for whites ranged from £3O to £3l 10s ; light straw yellows fonnd ready buyers at .£2B to .£2B 10s; and ration torts at £2l to .£23 10*. The arrival of the Jasper with a cargo of Mauritius may be looked for at any moment. It is announced by the importers that her cargo will be offered at auction immediately on coming to hand. A fair business has taken place in tea, chiefly in lalf-chesta at Is 7d to Is 9d, and boxes at Is 4d and 1b 9d in bond. Dried fruits are without alteration. Kerosene has been changing hands at 2s for high test oils, and parcels of 130 teat are being offered at Is 9£d to Is lOd. Importers are asking the increased value for tartaric acid, viz , 2s 2d for kegs and 2s 4d to 2s Sd for iars Tobaccos have been selling a little more freely at Is Id to Is 2d, according to brand. Oilmen's sto'es have shown no inquiry outside of the usual trade demand. Sardines are still off<-ring at late rates. Advices from borne point to better prices, which have already been established in Melbourne, a rise of 6d having been noted in that market. Fair sales of galvanised iron are being made at £27 10s to £2B for invoice lines. Broken parcels are .quoted at £3O to £3l. Wire nails are not in over stock, and holders are getting full rates. Fencing wire has been sold more freely of late. A parcel of fifteen tons of No. 6 has been quitted at a price withheld, for shipment to another port. Cement is unaltered. The -timber trade has been exhibiting more life, and -the different yards report business lately as bavißg greatly improved in tone. Jnte Goods— We have nothing new to notice. Holders of both woolpacks and cornjacks maintain a firm attitude.