COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2444, 4 February 1882, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The Customs duties collected at Christchurch OB Thursday. February 2nd. were as followsi: - Spirits, £193 13s 5d ; tobacco, X3l 16a 2d; cigars, £; 0 816 d ; wine,£l2 Is ; sugar, £3415* ; tea. £<2 9s; goods by weight, £123 4s lOd ; ad valorem, £24 ; other duties, £l3 10a. Total, £550175. At the usual sitting of the Waste Lands Board, held at Christchurch on Thursday, February 2nd, sales were made as follows: Ordinary : Akaroa, 148 a; Geraldine, 15a lr 15p. Total acreage sold, 163 alr 15p. Total cash received. £326 13s 9d. Eofuuds on aocount of former purchases were made in the amount of £9 18s 9d. Business in most departments of commerce has been during the week unusually dull for the season —this is in a groat measure owing to the absence of country orders, and to harvest operations absorbing a deal of attention, the wouther baa also been most nnpropitious for business purposes. Bates for several leading linos rule low, and leave little margin to importers. Sugars continue easy—sales are noted of fine white crystals at £3l 10s ; yellow crystals are scarce, and readily fetch £33, stocks havo been augmented by tho arrival of the Jasper from Mauritius. Teas have had but little notice, the lower sorts are in excessive supply, the better qualities have more inquiry, and see fair sales up iola 9dperlb. < obaocos continue firm. Twists sell freely at Is 4d for best qualities. Nailrod and fancy sorts now fetch higher rates than what formerly ruled. Little business has been done in liquids. Bottled ale and stout has usual trade sales at 13s, sh’pments, formerly excessive, are now more within requirements. Brandy has noi; find much business ; sales of first class brands are noted at 12a 6d, which price leave_s but little profit to importers. Transactions in whiskey have been for tho better class of Scotch in sma.i lots for home use, while an enquiry for shipment of low quality has been supplied at from 3a 6d to 4a 6d, according to brand ; Dnnville s Irish meets with usual trade sales at previous rates. Geneva is not in excessive supply, and is quitted at 14a 6d to 18a, according to contents. -Champagne in some brands is overstocked; quotations for Krug’s rule low, but excessive oupplies deter buyers from operating except for immediate wants ; the better qualities are firmly held. Cornsacks have had good business, and .several sales are reported at from 9s 3d ;to ila 6d, according to size. Stocks both here and in neighbouring markets are probably not more than equal to requirement, and as there are no shipments afloat, an advance may shortly bo expected Woolpacks are now unnoticed. Seaming twine h s good sales up to Is 3d. Salt is being offered at low rates, but finds few buyers ; stocks are excessive, and shipments afloat for both this and neighboring ports being beyond requirements, speculators are deterred from operating largely, being satisfied that prices cuft rule low for some time. Galvanised iron has seen fair sales St from £24 10a to £25. Wire nails are now in better supply and quoted at lower rates. Fencing ■wire has been quitted at £ls 10a for assorted lots. Oils have not seen much business ; boiled and raw remain at 4s 3d and 4s respectively. Ca«tor in tins, on account of heavy stocks, is only quitted at low rates. Dried fruits are aeglected. Elomo raisins are worth 7 ad, cur--rants s£d. Fish has seen but little business ; Bales of salmon, in small lots, are effected at 6a 3d. . The arrivals during the week comprise the Jasper, from Mauritius ; Bio Logo, from Calcutta, and Sydenham and Firth of Lorn, from London. The Customs revenue amounted to £21,553, against £19,7U at corresponding period of last year, and shows a great falling off in bottled beer, being only £172 against £lO JO.