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Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 398, 1 August 1868, Page 2

Christchurch. — The Lyttelton Timex of the 25th instant says : — Business through the week just closed has been of a very limited natuie, and only to supply the immediate wants of the dealerß. The inconvenience to the commerce of the province attendant upon the closing of the tunnel, is being more •averoly felt every day ; vessels that have been regularly trading between this port and Australia, after discharging their cargoes of coal, &c, are 11 ow compelled to depart in ballast, or seek freight at other ports, instead of at once receiving a return cargo at a fair paying freight. Large quantities of grain, bought expressly for export, upon which but a small margin of profit could be expected, must remain in store, as the extra cost of transit via Sunnier is heavy, and the risk of loss in damage considerable. The delay may probably lose the only opportunity of relieving our heavy stocks of oats and barley, as the last reports from California speak of a wonderful harvest there, and next month may bring advices of shipments to Australia, The demand for- grain has not been anything like bo active, and prices are not so firm except for prime samples of barley, which are more enquired for. Melbourne. — The Argus of the 24th inst. reports : — Trade generally continues to present a most unsatisfactory aspect, for with one or two exceptions, sales to-day have been trifling. The utmost dullness pervades the market for breadstuff's, and so apathetic haw the larger buyers become that it is almost useless to offer flour at any price. Small parcels have been quitted at up to Ll9 10s ; quantities, however, though offered at less money, can only be disposed of with the utmost difficulty at a considerable concession on the rate named, say LlB 10s, one parcel, however, is reported to have changed hands. No sales of wheat have come under our notice; 8s 6d is looked upon as a top quotation for best Victorian. Maize is quiet, pending tomorrow's auction sale. The Formosa's cargo of Mauritius sugar, comprising 9800 bags, was offered mnler the hammer this afternoon. The biddings proving very slow and spiritless, little or nothing could be sold from the box ; but subsequently, in the room, some 6000 bags were taken up at the following scale of priciS:- -Rations realised 27s to 30s (id ; brown crystals brought 325, and

low yellow crystals 335. Low to middling white crystals realised 37s to 28s — prices which sustain last public sales rates. Sales of candles are reported at lOfJd. Wo note a good inquiry for hops, and business is pending in Tasiuauian, several large parcels being under offer.. In kerosene oil we hear of a Hue of GOO cases of Photolite having met with a purchaser at Is 9d. A parcel of Chinese oil has been placed at 3s 1 Id. Fencing wire, Nor. (5, 7, 8, is quoted at Ll6, Ll7, ami LJB ; we hear of a shipment of 20 tons having been taken up at close on these figures. In provisions some 40 cases of cheese in parcels were quitted up to 12^1. A shipment of candied lemon peel was placed tat 12d. Salt has improved, though attempts have been made to take prices down during the last day or two. Holders have met to-day, and by letters whioh have been sent us, we observe that they have agreed amongst themselves to make a firm stand at L 7 as the lowest rate of parcels A line of fine Southern tens tobacco, 200 paokages, has been placed on terms withheld. Bass' ale in bulk has been disposed of at L 8 to LS ss. A sliip^ ment of Mauhen's stout, in champagne bottles, realised 9s 3d. A decline of nearly Is has been submitted to in Henucssy's oase brandy ; ales are reported at 28s.