COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2659, 14 October 1882, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

st> duties collected siChrisSohiureh on ■J harsi-.v. ’ otober 12lh, wore e# follows s™ Spuica. X 234 13s Id; tobacco, .£154 3a 6d; cigars, .£62 13s 3d; bear, £l3 9s; sugar, J 849 2i lid ; tea, £l6 18s 81goods by weight, £0 ,0a 8i; ad valorem. £IOO 3s 4d; other duties, £2O 18s 41. Total. -S7io 12a 9d.

At tho usual sitting of the Waste Lands Board, held at Christchurch on Thursday, October 12th, sales were made as follows Ordinary : Akaroa, 81a 3r 24p ; Ashburton, 2a; Geraldine, 47s 3r ; Waimate, 39a 2r 2p ; Yincent, 20a. Total acreage sold, 191 aOr 26p. Total cash received, ,£382 6a 6d. Rolands on aeeoin- of former purchases were made in the amount of 6a 6d.

Busings during the past week has been rather flnll, and without the animation usually^noticeable at this season. Sales continue in most instances on a small scale, the only exceptions noted being the .quittance of several lines, principally consignments, at prices which have tempted buyers. Trade, if small, is sound, but the long continued dullness is getting monotonous, and the most sanguine are now beginning to doubt if the present state of trade will improve, except soma change is effected either by development of onr resources, immigration, or which probably would be _ the moat efficacious, more limited imports, as it is evident from the keen competition and low profits that imports are excessive, and that tee capital embarked in commerce is beyond the requirements of the province. Sugars bave_ had good enquiry, and been more freely quitted than formerly; stocks are now in few hands and firmly held. The arrival of the new crop will he later than was expected, owing to the unfavorable weather experienced during crop operations. A fair business continues to be done in fine sorts of teas at satisfactory rates, and the low prices asked for medium kinds have led to a little business. Tobaccos are steady and demand light, chiefly for twist and nailrod. Salt, both coarse and fine, ex recent shipments, fans been placed at low rates. Vinegar is now in request, but sales are with difficulty effected at over 2s, a price which leaves a very slight margin to shippers. Sales ■f candles, previously rather extensive, are now ooxfined to small lots. Woolpacks have some enquiry; quotations range up to 3s 4d, according to quantity. Dried fruits, except currants, are rather dull, sales of the latter being noted at improved figures. The recent shipments to hand of bottled ale and stunt have been freely quitted, stocks of good brands having been in short supply- Stocks of hops are now very limited, and well held for a considerable advance. Sales of spirits have been almost confined to brandy and Scotch whiskey, and these only for actual requirements. Galvanised iron is with difficulty quitted, even at the low rates asked, stocks being excessive. Fencing wire ii without enquiry, and quotations are now much easier. Several sales of cement have been noted at prices in favour of buyers; the demand ia extensive, bat only at low figures. GRAIN ANI> PRODUCE. Very little business has been done in wheat during the week, buyers and sellers being apart In their views of value. Ora or two small lots are said to have changed hands at 4s 4d. Floor is without alteration, and ia variously quoted at from £9 to JBU 10s, according to brand. Botne outside lots have bean on offer, bat we have not heard of business having resulted. The improved state of the Melbourne oat market has reflected its influence here to a slight extent, bat, as a matter of fact, values in this market are relatively higher than th'y are in Melbourne (the charges on oats to Melbourne may be set down as—freight, per bushel; duty. 9 3-sd, sacks, given in. 2d; insurance and exchange, 2-sd, and wharfage and eartage say Id, or a total of Is Sid per bashel). A few parcels have changed hands at 3s at _ country stations. Barley ia very quiet, there being little or none offering. Potatoes continue in good demand at 60s to 55s at inland railway stations. Butter ia still gradually declining, but good cheese is in excellent request at Bd. Hams and bacon move off in trade lota at 7Jd bare, and 8d is cloth.