COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2194, 8 March 1881, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The Cxtßtoma duties collected at Christchuroh on Saturday, March sth, wore aa followß: — Spirits, .£74 6s 2d; tobacco, .£36 lis 6d; wine, £l3 19a 8d; sugar, £9 6s 8d ; tea, £l4 13s 4d ; ad valorem, .823 14s. Total, £172 11a 4d. The week just cloßed has not elicited any new feature, or brought forth a more active feeling. The market is still strongly marked by un absence of enquiry, and an evident indisposition on the part of traders to operate, evon although it ia the opening of a new month. The only dement of consolation ia the fact that engagements for the fourth of the month have passed over satisfactorily. Since onr last report the Customs department have notified a new interpretation of the tariff, which ia satisfactory and intelligible save in one respect. In dealing with Geneva, it aaya twelve small bottles to be charged as two gallons, and fifteen large bottles aa four gallons for case ; but it wholly omita any reference to the size mostly imported and sold in the Middle Island—namely, casea of fifteen small bottles, whose contents range from two 25-32 to three gallons. At present the department assume that all contents between two gallons and four shall pay duty aa full four gallons, but we think if the department adopted the opinion generally entertained by the commercial people, it would be found more satisfactory and equitable. Say cases of fifteen bottles, containing over two gallons, to be charged aa three gallons, and over three gallons as four gallons. Cases of fifteen large bottles in the trade are usually taken as four gallons, and that portion of the no tifi cation ia easily understood, but we think some information should be given as to the treatment of casea of fifteen bottles whoso contents are three gallona and under. We notice that the cargo of augar by the Annabella is to be offered at auction, when the market will be toßted. Teas have been pushed, and some sales of low linos have been recorded from lOd to Is. The agents of Mellor'a Ranee report a good businesa lately. It ia one of the few items that has had any notice. Fine salt and soma other lines of rough goods continue very scarce, and the arrivals of the vessels now dne are eagerly looked for. Business in the timber trade is not reported as being in a very satisfactory condition. The over production and importation has bronght down prices to an exceedingly low level, and that, combined with the many small failures, has produced a depressed state of mattera. Tho market for Borne time has been bare of coal, bnt the arrival of several grain vessels to load has changed the aspect of affairs. We understand that several cargoes to arrive have all been taken up at pricea ranging from 22s to 24a.