COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2414, 30 December 1881, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The Customs dntiea collected at Christchurch on Wednesday. December 2fith, were ns follows: —Spirits, £122 17. s 3d; tobacco, £62 Jss Id ; vviuo, £-8 19s ; tea, £3 ss; goods by weight, JCI7ISS !d ;ad valorem, £95 4s; other duties, £lO 13s 5d Total. £341 8s 10s.

Business during the past week has been almost suspended on account of the Christmas holidays ond no transactions have occurred worth noticing. The present season for most branches of trade has been unusually dull, and requirements have consequently been on a reduced scale. Stocks appear ample for all purposes, cad there appears no amiety as to short supplies, shipments to this port being well maintalaod. bugars continue depressed, but have r.ow prohab.y seen their lowest, as advices from Mauritius report that shipments to New Zealand to date show a great falling off, being only 1920 tons aeain.t 3J06 tons at corresponding period last year. Dried fruits are now neglected, the late demand having been well supplied at unromuueratlve rates to importers. Dried cpplcs have fair sale at 5Jd. Vinegar is in full EUpply, and tbs low rates asked to work off stocks fad to find buyers. Candles ore offered ct tempting rates without leading to business. Teas of medium quality, in half-chests and boxes, have h«d fair sales at 14d and upwards. Fish of all kinds continue dull. .Kerosene, in small lots, has been quitted at previous rates. Ales in bottle have had fair business; bulk is getting scarce; stocks are light, but buyers prefer awaiting new brew before operating. Tobaccoea continue well held and command full figures. Woolpacks and cornsacks have not eeaa much business; advices from Calcutta report departure of the Phasis and Thurso for fhis Port with full cargo of sacks, 40. Oils, bailed and raw, have been neglected ; machine has been freely quitted at fair rates. Fencing wire to hand is offered at a reduction on previous rates Galvanized iron has not had much business, but continues firm at the advance established. A prospectus appears elsewhere of the Canteronry Frozen Meat ftnd Dairy Produce Kxport Company, which is projected for the providing means, fto , by . refrigeration to export the surplus Btock and dairy produce of this district, phould the company meet with the success it deserves, our markets will shortly acquire such nn importance as to command the leading position of any in New Zealand, the resources of Canterbury for stock, &a. being capable of considerable expansion.