COMMERCIAL

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2693, 24 November 1882, Page 2

COMMERCIAL

The Customs duties collected at Christchurch on Wednesday, November 22nd, were as follows: —Spirits, .£336 10s 4d; tobacco, £l3l 19s; wine, .£l3B 19s 6d; beer, .£8 12s 6d; sugar, .£94 15s lid ; tea, .£24 ss; goods by weight, £4 9s 3d; ad valorem, £143 7s ; other duties, £2B 5s lOd. Total, £9lO 3s lOd.

Business during the past week has been rather limited, and what little trade has eventuated has been too trifling to deserve any particular notice. Complaints, both here and in the neighboring markets, are pretty general as to the dulness of the times, nor can any improvement be expected while the present anxiety of holders to quit their goods continues, and unless some cessation of imports takes_ place, any idea of better rates than the discouraging ones lately ruling will have to be abandoned. It is satisfactory to learn from latest advices that this province has set an example in the right direction, the imports coming forward being considerably below the average at this period, and the large stocks held by the other provinces -will doubtless cause these to follow suit, in which case some improvement in quotations will speedily be discernible. Bottled ale is in short supply, and good brands find, ready sale at improved rates. Stout has a limited inquiry, and that for the best quality only. Wines, both port and sherry, have been neglected: claret has had trifling sales, but as the season advances will shortly have more notice. Sales of champagne are confined to the fine dry qualities, lower sorts being unsaleable. But little has been done in spirits, Scotch wlnskey of the best old brands being mostly in favor. Sales of brandy have somewhat fallen off, owing to the high rates demanded by the leading shippers. Medium sorts, oh account of their comparatively low quotations, have therefore been brought more into notice. The arrival of the first shipment of new crop sugar's per Bells from Mauritius has given a little life to our markets. Stocks previously were rather light, and sales have therefore been freely effected at improved rates. The demand has been chiefly for finest whites, which have been nearly cleared out of first hands. The next shipment shortly due is per Emile, which on arrival will doubtless be successfully quitted. Woolpacks, owing to reduced stocks, are firmly held for an advance on former prices. Cornsacks have not as yet had any notice, quotations are therefore nominal at Bs. Dried fruits show improved business, currants having been freely quitted at s|d, and eleme and sultana raisins at 71d and 7?d respectively. Muscatels are unobtainable, but if to hand would fetch extreme figures. Boiled and raw oils are in excessive supply, and being pushed off at low rates, though without leading to any extensive business. Kerosene shows no alteration, and appears to be unaffected by the advance established in the States. Fencing wire has had a slight enquiry, ‘and finds buyers at better rates than formerly ruled. Corrugated iron continues in heavy supply, and to effect sales it is necessary to accept low figures. Considerable sales of cement have recently been noted at prices which, though withheld, are supposed to be rather low, as competition in this class is somewhat dose. GEAIN AND PEODUCE. The past. week has been a quiet one in the grain market, and only small transactions have been reported. Wheat is still offering in small lots, and holders appear more disposed to accept buyers’ valuation. A parcel of Tuscan is said to have changed hands at 4s, f.0.b., and 3s 9d is offered for good short sorts. Buyers in neighboring markets appear to have almost completed their requirements. Flour continues dull, and is difficult to sell at over £lO. Oats move off in small lots for town requirements at 3s to 3s sd, according to quality, but for outside t ero_ is nothing doing. Barley is quite nominal. A few small lots of old potatoes are offering at from £5 to £6, but to effect sales they have to be sold almost bag by bag. In dairy produce there is a good business passing. Butter is very freely inquired for, presumably for Australia, and several hundred kegs have been placed at 9d per lb. Buyers are offering to contract for large quantities for delivery up to end of year, so that dairy farming should be profitable this year. Cheese is still scarce, but new made will shortly be in abundant supply. Hams and bacon are in large demand, there being some heavy Australian orders in the market.