COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2555, 16 June 1882, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Tbs Customs duties collected at Christ ihurch on Wednesday, June 14th, wore as follows: Ppirita, .£275 la 8d ; tobacco, £1 9a 5d ; beer, £34 13s ; tea. £29 18s 4d; goods br weight, £26 19s Ud ; ad vr'orem, £6l 10s. Total, £439 12s 4d.

A dull, depressed feeling has pervaded most channels of commerce during the past week, and sales have been with difScnlty effected owing in a groat measure to many houses curtailing their purchases previous to stocktaking, and being therefore disinclined to mats any fresh engagements before next month. The market for teas has been stagnant, and in spite of tempting offers from large holders the ba-gaius effijrod tail to find purchasers, who prefer waiting arrival of the new crop per steamer Bowen, now advised as having cleared for New Zealand porta via Wellington. Sugars continue easy, and only small sales are noticed, principally of finest white crystals. Reports to hand from Mauritius state that a favorable season so far has been exnarienced for the new crop, and that a large" yield may be expected; prices, therefore, though low here, in faoo ot snob advices are not likely to improve. Kerosene, hitherto at this season freely sold, seems to be neglected, and is only quitted at lower rates than have been previously experienced. This state of affairs is owing to the low quotations ruling in America and to the vast quantity forwarded here on aonsignment, which is to be had at nominal rates. Candles still continue an unprofitable article of importation, and only quitted at cost price, the colonial article having so much improved that, coupled with ox-eeaive duty, tha imported has now no chance of successful competition. Tobaccos, chiefly twists, have had some enquiry for cheap eort-. Fancy kinds are unprocurable, except at prohibitory rotes A few sales are noticed of currants at a fall from previous quotations. Eleme raiwins and .Sultanas also show a decline, while Muscatels are oily obtainable at excessive rates. But email business has been done in tinned fish, Salmon having most attention, which, being in , hort supply, is firm at 8s 6d. S ordines maintain a high figure. Oysters are now quoted at 7s 6d, being a considerable advance on previous prices. Other sorts of fish have not muoh attention Both salt and saltpetre have had laroe sales at improved rates, the demand for the season being very active. The inquiry fer cornsacks has now eub. idad, and no business can now bo expected till now shipments are to hand, and duo at end of October. The demand for spirits previously existing is now chiefly confined to beet quality of Scotch whiskey, which finds ready quittance at good rates. Danville’s Irish whi-key has been brisk, stocks at present feeing sh irt, aud insufficient to supply immediate requirements. Brandy, in case and bulk, chiefly Hennesey’s. has had more sale than formerly, the quotations asked, being lower than usual, have attracted buyers. Clarets continue in furor, aud are as freely quitted as in the summer season, the qualities mostly in request being from low to medium. Other wines are neglected.