COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2461, 24 February 1882, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Tha Customs duties collected at Chriatchurch on Wednesday. February 22nd, were as follows: Spirits, £SB 17a 8d; tobacco, .£2O 9a 6d ; wine, JSll 19s ; sugar, .£l4; tea, .£49 3s 4d; goods by weight, £l7 16»6d;ad valorem, .£l9l 7s; other duties, £26 7s. Total, £4Bl. The quietness noticed as prevailing in our market* for some time past still continues, and the few sales effected are either o a clearing out nature or forced to make room for further shipments. The arrival of the Lurline from London, and Loch Ken from Glasgow, have rather augmented stocks, especially the latter vessel, which brings 4931 bags of salt to an overstocked market, and is onlv the forerunner of further shipments afloat. Cornaacks are much easier, and on account of competition to effect sales a lower prise is accepted than covers coat »f importation. Woolpacks are now unnoticed. Seaming twine finds buyers at 14d and upwards, according to quality. Oils are neglected ; kerosene, in face of heavy shipments afloat, only finds buyers at a great reduction on previous rates, A small business haa been done in machine oil for agricultural purposes at 4a 6d ; the fker sorts are too high to find buyers. Ale in bottle has had fair sale for prime brands at 12s. Stout ot good quality is in short supply, especially for pints ; sales are noticed of inferior lots of quarts at 5s b'd. Brandy in bulk has had bat little attention, quotations are now lower than tho.«e previously ruling; Hennessy'scaFO is getting scarce, but holders in face of this are still disposed to execute orders at jmt the cost price, other brands are in good Bupply, and obtainable at low rates. Scotch whisky in bulk has had small snle» of tha finer qualities, which now find mora favsr than formerly ; port wine of medium quality has been quitted at 8s ; sherry is nejl-.ccfd. Candles, though offered at low rates, fail to find buyers except in retail lota. Dried fruitj remain unnoticed. Vinegar has small sales at reduced ratea, stocks being ample. Teas of medium quality are in hotter demand, both for half chests and boxes. Tobaccos meet with usual sale, but, in face of advance established in neighboring markets, present rates are not likely to rule much longer. Bosin has been quitted at £lO 10a for shipments. Caustic soda "Cads buyer* at £l2 10a for low tests. Hops ate Boaroe, and new Kents are now worth 2a 3d. Sugars show no alteration, and are firm at .£32 10s for fine white crystals ; yf-llow and brown still continue scarce, and command fnll rates. Money continues easy, and engagements to be we 1 met; and, taken altogether, trade ia now no contracted as to be well within the moans of those bo engaged. GBAIN AND PBODUCE. The past week has been marked by considerable activity in the grain market, more particularly the earlier portion of it. Wheat has been in active demand, but closes slightly weaker, cwing to the decline in the London and European markets, brought about by increased disposition on the part of Americana to part with their stocks. Values locally range from 4s to 4i 3d, according to quality and place of delivery. Flour remains without alteration at J6lO iOh. a d with only a small demand. Oats are offering slowly, and find ready buyers at up to 2b 3d. The deliveries of this cereal have barely commenced yet. Good malting barley continues in demand at 4s, but lower qualities are negltscted at 3a to 3s 6d. As, however, the former description is in exceedingly limited supply, consumors will ere long have to avail themselves of the lower grades. Grass seeds continue in good request, and several lots have chanced hands at 3s 6d to 3s 9d for rye, and 31d to 4d for cocksfoot. Dairy produce ia in fair request at unaltered rates.