Markets.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 486, 1 July 1857, Page 4

Markets.

We have to report a very favourable state of things in all branches of commerce during the past month. There has been a perceptible relief from the tightness which not long ago prevailed in the money market, and in consequence considerable activity has prevailed among purchasers, and goods which we formerly mentioned as being imported somewhat in excess have been disposed of with freedom. There have been few arrivals during the past month. The only full cargo has been that of the Priina Donna from Melbourne, solely to the consignment of Miles, Kington, and Co. The only arrival from London is that of the Heroes of Alma, by way of Wellington, with a cargo of indifferent amount shipped in December last. The departures have not been many, except to the neighbouring provinces; but these have relieved us of a large quantity of our exportable produce. The Comet for Sydney, and the Prima Donna for Melbourne, are ready to sail, each with a full cargo of grain and potatoes. The latter vessel takes about 2,000 bushels of oats, and 70 tons of potatoes, besides wheat, flour,and wool; an export which is important as being to a market-which has not yet been open to us. The purchases for this market hare had a tendency to render prices firmer, especially in the article of oats, which are now so scarce as to warrant the belief that this year as last we shall not have more than enough remaining for our own consumption. The price has been hitherto from 4s. 6d. to ss. 6d. per bushel, according to sample, but the better qualities are now firm at 6s. It is not likely, according to present advices, that purchasers for export will go above this figure. Wheat is more plentiful and may be quoted at 4s. 6d. for red and ss. for white. Potatoes are freely offered at from £4 to £4 ss. Though the demand is considerable, the supply is by no means exhausted. The above prices are as delivered at the Quay or Ferry, on the Heathcote. One point connected with onr Australian trade we cannot forbear to notice again, though it is one that we well know engages the attention of shippers to this port from Sydney: we mean the rates of insurance. In an advertisement which has caught our eye in a lately received Sydney paper, we observe the rates imposed by the Australian General Assurance Company for all the ports traded with from Sydney; we say imposed, for we understand that with the Company there is no kind of bargain or competition to bring the per-centage to a level with the real risk. Auckland is rated at I|-; Wellington at 2; Nelson and Otago at 2|; and Port Cooper at 3; and the only one place in the catalogue that is changed a similar rate to ours is Torres Straits. To Europe, India, China, and the South American coast, as well as to all places nearer to us, the premium is at least one per cent lower. > 'a:-:-. . . ••■■ ... -. ...: -Now, ikis harbour is always 'allorrecl fco be easy to enter.and to leave, and to vessels lying here it has proved itself perfectly safe. Since the gale in May 1851, when there was still deficiency of information about the. harbour, and when the wreck of some vessels raised the rates of insurance first, there have positively been no losses whatever,and the few cases of dragging anchors, &c, which have always been carefully enquired into, have been referable to pure negligence. We hope to hear that a gentleman now in Sydney, who represents Lloyds'agent in this port, has represented ihe facts of the case so as to command the consideration of the Assurance office. We know that it is customary for the traders who are best acquainted with this port not to insure at all. Can it be business-like in the Company to manage their affairs so as to produce this result ?