COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2670, 27 October 1882, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

ih» Ountoma duties collected at Christchurch on Wedesday, October 25th, were as follows ; - Spirits, £lB7 14s; tobacco. .£266 7s; ennff. j 630; wine, £l3 15s j beer, £l3 14s 6d; tea, J 651 ss: goods by weight, £B3 10s 8d; ad valorem, £22 13s ; other duties, £lO Os 2d. Total, £33119s 4d.

Messes Pobd, Tipping and Co. report : At the auction held yesterday, when the property known as Melrose, Opawa, was submitted, the bidding was started at £ 500, and rose to JBIB3O, at which figure it was passed in. The attendance was moderate, and bidding languid.

Businaas during the past week has been rather depressed, an absence of orders being still a leading feature in our markets. Several recent failures have caused some degree of caution to be observed, and in consequence have limited operations to the supplying of immediate requirements. Stocks of sugars are getting rapidly reduced, and at present rate of delivery will not last much longer than till amrival of the new crop, which will probably be fo hand about the end of next month. There has been considerable enquiry for fine sorts, which, being in short snpply, are rather firm. Bottled ole has been fully placed at good rates. Sales of stout have been rather small, bat as stocks are light, holders are not disposed to quit except at paying prices. Bum has a slight enquiry. ard commands improved rates to cover increased cost of importation _ Brandy has only limited sales, chiefly for medium quality in balk Scotch whiskey has only ordinary notice, sbieily for the best brands. Danville’s Irish whiskey has lately had only small sale ; in fact, (he quittance of all sorts of spirits has lately much fallen eft, and it is evident ths consumption is more limited than formerly. The low stocks of fine champagne, especially of brands most in favor, have caused ■ hardening in quotations, and as the season is now at hand when consumption is greatest, business is [likely to ensue at better rates than have formerly ruled, especially as the advance now demanded by sihippera is something considerable. Dried fruits have only small trade sales, currants being quitted at Eid, and Eleme and Sultana raisins at 7-id and 7}d respectively ; muscatels are quite cleared out, and it is impossible to execute orders until arrival of new shipments. Salt, both coatse and fine, have had good business, the low rates asked having tempted buyers. The only enquiry for fish has been for salmon, stocks of which are rather light. Sardines continue at excessive prices without any sign of being lower; demand consequently has been [limited to bare requirements. Teas are in over snpply, and to jwonre sales low rates have to be accepted, especially for common and medium sorts; finer kinds ore more limited, and command better prices. Vbe demand for woolpaoksisccw pretty general; quotations continue at 3s 3d (or parcels, a price which leaves but little, if any, margin over coat. <3orrugated iron being in heavy supply is obtainable at low rates in spite of the increased price demanded by manufacturers ; should ship* merits be confined more within limits a re-action would soon be noticed. Tobaccos have only small sales, chiefly for twist and naiirod of beet brands; fancy aorta have limited business, the high cost of these checking sales.