COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2215, 1 April 1881, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The Customs duties collected at Christchurch on Wednesday, March 30th. were as followsr— Spirits, .£l2l 9s; wine, .£37 19s ; beer, .£2O 18s 6d ; sugar, £4B 18s sd; tea, .£72 8s Id; goods by weight, .£1 16s lid ; ad valorem, .fill ss. Total, .£314 14s lid.

A fair business can be recorded during tbo past week, but there is calling for special notice. At this period sorting up orders may bo looked for, but the transactions generally have partaken solely of this character, and even then guarded by extreme cautiousness. Sugars in view of the expected arrivals for all classes are being pushed, and rates show a decidedly easier tendency. Crushed loaf has been sold from 43a 6d for Dutch, to 51s 6d for English, of course regulated by quality. Teas have aeon fair business in all grades. Preserved fish has been placed in moderate lots at 8s 3d to 8s Gd for salmon, and 41s to 42a for ling in oases. Elomes are selling at 71 d to 7Jd; currants, 5Jd to fiid for new fruit in casks and cases respectively. The market at the moment is not overstocked with high-test kerosene, 2a Id is now the quotation. Other kinds within the Government standard are quoted at Is lOd to Is lid ; low test, Is 8d to la 9d. The expected arrivals are not so heavy as was anticipated; Van Houten cocoa in Jib and Jib tins has been placed freely at 4s fid. Boiled oil, notwithstanding recent heavy deliveries, for spot lots, commands 4a Bd. Castor, in canes, now realises 4s d.p. Fencing wire has been moved in trade lots at .£ls to JEifi for assorted numbers ; standard iron still remains unquotable in tbs absence of stocks; fnll prices are at present paid for standards. Sheep dipping material has had a shade more attention, Little’s, Gillard’s, and MeLlangald’a all having had inquiry at the trade values. Carbolic acid is almost out of stock, and orders have had to be delayed until shipments come to hand. Iron liquor has been placed with the trade at la 8d to la 9d. The demand for clovers has been met by parcels now landing, although prices are just as firm. Ale and stout (in bottle) do not show any alteration ; stocks are fully equal to the demand. Spirits of all classes continne without much life ; sales are being pushed in some cases at a reduction on the understood quotations. Champagnes, for export, have changed bands freely, hut the local demand is next to nil. Shipments of Heddle’s limojuice cordial, now landing, have been quitted freely at the late rates. GRAIN AND PRODUCE. Notwithstanding the difficulty in procuring adequate tonnage or storage room for the quantity of grain at conntry stations and to come forward, there has been an active business done in wheat since onr last report, bnt the market closes somewhat weaker, owing to the temporary advance in English markets having been lost. Those buyers who a day or two ago were keen purchasers aro now reported to be quite indifferent. Values may he quoted same as last week, say, 3s fid for Hunter's white, 3s 7d to 3a 8d for pearl and velvet chuff, and 3s 9d for good clean tnscan, all f.o.h. Flonr is only in retail demand at jEIO. The price here, compared with that ruling in Victoria, shows a difference which shoald not exist, and in face of which an export trade beyond the colony cannot be looked for. Oats move qnietly at Is 5d to Is 7d, bat the quality of the bulk of this season’s crop is exceedingly poor when placed alongside the average o £ last year’s. Barley maintains the inactivity which has characterised it so far this your, the only relieving feature being the sale of a parcel of extra choice, grown from imported seed, at, it is said, 4s ; ordinary to good ranges from Is 9d to 3e, f.0.h.. according to quality. Grass seed continues in excellent demand at np to 4s for good clean seed The potato season is not fairly opened, bnt second sales are said to have been made at 30s to 35s at conntry stations. The Warnambool market exhibits no new features, as onr readers will see from the following extract from “The Standard” of 15th March :—“The potato market shows no immediate signs of improvement. Large consignments continue to go forward. The Jnlia Percy on Saturday had nearly 2000 bags for Melbourne, and the Dawn went forward last evening with nearly 4000 bags. The Victoria left fur Sydney yesterday with 4000 bags, and the Richmond took a cargo to Adelaide. Prices remain as last qnoted, JBI 10s per ton. At that figure there are plenty offering.” Butter is very inactive, as there is no export enquiry, and prices aro purely nominal. Cheese continues practically unsaleable. We hope the attempt about to bo made by farmers on tho Peninsula to export to London will be crowned with success. Hams and bacon are without alteration.