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Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 672, 10 May 1870, Page 2

Melbourne.— The Argus of the 2nd inst. reports: — Business in the import markets to-day has not been characterised by much animation. No transactions of any interest have, in consequence, been recorded. Flour is duller, and more difficult to quit ; while, on the other hand, wheat continues to be sparingly supplied : but, in the absence of sales, it is difficult to give more than an approximate quotation, say from 4s lOd to 5s lOd best ; Victorian, and 4s 6d to 4s 7d for New Zea--1 land. Trade parcels of flour are disposed of at Lll 10s, and for larger lines Lll to Lll 5s is obtained. Maize is atill very scarce, only 140 bags having come in by the steamer I , just arrived ; as, however, there is scarcely ] ! any room for prices going higher, we do not '. quote over 4s 9d. Oats aresiirm at 3s 2d to 3s 4d. By the sales recorded from time to i time, it will have been observed that a move- . ment has been taking place in salt, by which the stocks held by importers have been gradually getting into the hands of one or two buyers, and we now learn that in this manner 2000 tons have thus been disposed of in the course of the past month ; and as purchases of floating parcels have also been made, and the arrivals for the next month thus secured by the same buyers, it has now been resolved to advance the price to L 5 for coarse or fine. Portland cement is steady at 15s for outside brands, and 16s to 16s 6d for best brands. We hear of a line of 500 barrels, ex Tornado, having bean cleared off at a very full price. Victorian rope manufacturers have been compelled to raise the price of rope and cordage by L 2 per ton for sizes over one inch, and a halfpenny per lb for sizes under one inch, in consequence of the high rates now required for the raw material.