COMMERCIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2705, 8 December 1882, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The Customs duties collected at Christchurch on Wednesday, December 6th, were as follows: —Spirits, .£23 8s Id ; tobacco, .£l3l 7s Sd; wine, £9 7s; sugar, £lO7 18s lOd; tea, £27 ; goods by weight, £lB 8s 2d ; ad valorem, £2l 7s ; other duties, £l7 Os 7d; Total, £6ll 8s Id.

More activity has been noticeable in our markets during the past week than has been experienced for some time, but trade is still much below the average at this season. Money continues to be tightly held, which somewhat limits operations, the 4th passed off fairly, though with difficulty. Telegraphic advices from London just to hand, quoting some advance in bottled beers, necessitated through the high price of hops, has caused some firmness to be exhibited by holders, and as stocks are not excessive, improved rates may be looked for. Sugars continue to be quitted freely at good rates, finest whites being most in favor, yellow crystals have a small enquiry, which would result in large sales were quotations not so excessive, browns are almost out of stock, but have very small notice. Teas of all kinds are in excessive supply, and can only be quitted at prices which leave but a small margin to importers. Dried fruits have now more attention, currants finding ready sale at sid and Eleme raisins at 71d; there has also been some enquiry for Valencias, stocks of which, however, are now cleared out. A small shipment of Muscatel raisins just to hand has been quitted on arrival at excessive rates, it having come to a bare market. Tobaccos show no alteration, twist being easy at up to Is sd, and nailrod having slight demand at Is Bd, while fancy sorts have too trifling a sale to be worthy of notice. Recent advices from Manilla report an advance of from 7s to 10s on cheroots, owing to the damage done to the tobacco plantations during the recent hurricanes. Wines and spirits show no alteration, and have but trifling notice. A small demand for dry champagne has been ■experienced; the advanced cost, however, somewhat interferes with sales. Claret of from low to medium quality has lately had some notice, as have also hock and limejuice cordial. Fish of all kinds are somewhat neglected, salmon having most inquiry, and is firmly held for 9s. Sardines continue at too prohibitory a figure to lead to business, but although present quotations may be considered high, recent advices point to a further advance. Kerosene continues difficult to quit; shipments to hand ex Silver Lining, though offered low, fail to find buyers, stocks for the season being ample. Boiled and raw linseed oils are in heavy supply and continue to be obtainable at low figures. The bulk of business in woolpacks is now over, holders are, therefore, now easy in quotations, and for forward delivery some reduction from previous rates would be accepted. Cornsacks, though offered low, have not as yet had any business. There has been no alteration in galvanised iron, quotations for which rule in favour of buyers. GRAIN ANdTkODUCE.

Another quiet week is to be noted in the grain market. Wheat is offering in small lots at 3s 9d to 4s, but buyers are scarce. Mour continues to be but sparingly inquired for, and is nominally .£lO. Oats are not so much asked for, the great abundance of green food having materially reduced consumption. No barley is offering or asked for. Butter still moves off, but not quite so freely as a fortnight ago, late rains in Australia having greatly altered prospects there. Cheese is now coming forward more freely, and buyers are giving 61d. Hams and bacon continue in excellent demand.