Markets.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 398, 30 August 1856, Page 3

Markets.

The Zingari's mail brings intelligence from Sydney and Melbourne of a rise of £5 per ton in the price of flour, and from all accounts it would appear that this article of consumption would have an upward tendency for some time. Throughout the Australian colonies, all agricultural produce had either advanced in price, or the then price was maintained with greater firmness. Partly no doubt this is the result that would take place at this season of the year, still the rise, particularly in flour, has been greater than would have occurred from this cause alone. It would appear that the quantities • said to be grown in the colonies of New South Wales and Victoria have been exaggerated ; whether the adjacent colonies can supply the deficiency remains to be proved. The anticipated surplus for . exportation from these parts is evidently a myth. We give below, taken from the Sydney ' Empire' of the 9th mst., quotations from Sydney, Adelaide, and Tasmania. WEEKLY TRADE REPORT. (From the Sydney ' Empire,' Aug. 9.) Friday Evening, August 8, 1856. The trade of the week has exhibited on the whole a favourable aspect, transactions botli privately and atjauction show'an improvement on previous periods. Still, the import markets are not as yet in that state of activity which many have been anticipating as the issue of the gold mining excitement, and the almost daily additions to our population which have.been its immediate effects. Not a few are, however, well content to await the result of the systematic efforts of the hundreds of experienced diggers now working our mines, confidently believing that those efforts wil meet with success. ; The principal topic of conversation in commercial circles is the state of the flour market. In last Saturday's ' Empire ' we published copious extracts .from the Valparaiso papers received by the Comet, referring to the damage snffered by the crops in Chili in March last. As the result of that news, in connection with our limited stocks, and the increase of our consumers, the mills advanced the price of fine flour to jg27 ; and the Chili Flour Couktuuv to £30, It would appear that further and more specific intelligence of the state of the crops has been received by. the Ingeborg, as an [uniform rise of £2 is to-da}' declared by the trade, the mills quoting fine flour at £.30, and the Chilian Company at £33. It is reported that the market has still an upward tendency ; but it is difficult to believe that even the present rates can be maintained while our neighbours are so well prepared to meet our deficiencies.

Prices of some articles of garden produce are still depressed ; potatoes (new), are from 5s to 7s per cwt-, old, from Ss to 4s ; maize, 3s to 3s 6d per bushel. The depression is consequent on excessive cultivation of the produce, combined with very productive crops. . The brandy market continues active, some large orders having been executed. Spiiits generally are firm, although some large shipments have been received. There have been few transactions in the -wool market, but last quotations are firm, and there is a manifest readiness to purchase good samples. Braxdy.—The sales of the week have been numerous, and prices have an upward tendency. Martell's may be quoted at 14s. 3d. ; Hennessy's, i3s. 9d.; United Kingdom, 13s. 6d.; Clozeau's pale brandy, per doz., 265. . Rum.—We have not heard of any alteration ia prices. The following are still the quotations;— Strong mm, from 23 to 35 0.p., ss. 3d. to os. 6d. per gallon; ditto 10 0.p., 4s. 6d.; Su^ar Company's colonial rum, duty paid, 2S 0.p. % 14s. 6d. per gallon , wh.te spirit ditto, 50 0.p., 17s. (3d. GEXEVA.—There is still an active demand for superior brands. Key^brai.d has been sold by auction at 15s. 6d. ; auchor ditto, 17s. 3d. Whisky.—But few sales have been reported, and demand is not active. A slight decline is to be reported, forced sales having been made at os, 3d., but the quotations are from 6s. 9d. to 7s. Wijte.—The sales during the ixeek have not realised, n;i the whole, favorable prices. Sherries have, however, beeu sold as high as 9s. 6d. iv wood, and from 19s. o<d. to S3s. per dozen, in bottle. Prices have varied according to quality, first-class wines fetching remunerative prices. Beer.—There is little to report iv beers, aud the market being languid, former quotations have uot been maintained. The inquiry has been limited to the trade requirements. ~ Sugar.—The market is quiet, but there is a large demand for Vnmpanga. We continue to quote:—loaf,, snowdrop, and crushed loaf, .^32 per ton ; C. crystals. jt'il ditto ; C. 1 crystals, -tio. ditto ; JCo. 1 pieces £S3 ditto; Pampanga, -til 10s. to .£29 10s. ditto; Java, jfS'S ditto ; Tanl and Zt<bu sugars, j5'27 ditto ; yuiiow Manriius, j£*37 to -£-4l ditto. Treacle, J.'2O per io;i. IIiCE. —There have been some movements iv l'ataa rscu, which is now worth 2Ss. Tea.—There has been a slight revival, and some hirjro sales have boon made at improved prices. Congou has beeu sold, inchests, 4/. 12.<. (sd. ; half-chfMs Zl. l >'. ; hysonskiu.che^s, 3/. 7s. to 3/. 10s. Stocks are, lunvvver,. very abimdant. Drapery.—There have been no large sales during the week ; former prices have beeu sustained in most eiu-ca. TOBACCO.—DuII. Barratt's, from Is. 5d- to Is. oJ.. % „ Eagle t Is. 4d.; Kerr's, lid. tu U,