COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2261, 1 July 1881, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The Customs duties collected at Chriatchurch on Wednesday, June 29th, were as follows : Spirits, .£129 16s 2d; tobacco, .£145 19s; wine, .£24 3s; beer, .£9 4s 6d ; sugar, .£129 13s 8d ; tea, .£3O; good 3 by weight, .£5113a 7d ; ad valorem, .£24 12s; other duties, .£76. Total, .£921 Is lid. The past week has passed over in the import market without any appreciable improvement. Business in nearly every department continues decidedly dull, ana Dales have been confined to a very narrow limit. The arrivals of the week embrace tho Merope, from London, and the Mary Blair with sugar from tho Mauritius. The cargo of the latter vaaael is to be offered by public auction by Messra Matson and Co. on the sth iast., when the market will be tested. In iron goods, galvanised is being forced to arrive at quotations which show fully 20s less than late rates. Fencing wire at the moment, particularly No. 8, is rather scarce, andrateß are Arm. A parcel of fine salt has been placed at a price withheld. In spirits and wines, only a trade business has passed through hands. GEAIN AND PEOBUCfi. During the past week a somewhat better feeling ia noticeable in the wheat market, no doubt owing to the improvement in the home market, and sales have taken place at 3a 8d to 3a lid, according to quality and description. Flour ia firm at £lO, and some fair sales have been made at that figure. Millers are not, however, anxious sellers. Cats continue-to move off freely at from 2s to 2s 2d, according to quality. Barley continues to be a trifle better, but only for the higher grades. The low qualities command but little notice. Shipments of potatoes are going forward p;etty freely, and i» good business has been done during the week at from 30b to 355, according to place of delivery. Dairy produce commands but little notice, and sales are made with difficulty at unsatisfactory prices.