Markets.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 504, 2 September 1857, Page 4

Markets.

Late advices from the neighbouring provinces and Australia have caused a rise in wheat in our, market, and this tendency has been encouraged by a feeling gaining ground, that scarcely a sufficient margin is now left for home supply until next harvest. So far as we have been able to gather intelligence from the country districts, we are led to the belief that this period has not yet absolutely arrived, but that it is not far distant; and those best capable of forming ft judgment coincide in this opinion. From various causes the mills have not been able to secure a supply, and the qnantity in private hands is well known to be small. Wheat is now quoted at 7s. 6d. to Bs. for best quality, and flour at £20 and £21 per ton. Bread stands at 14d. the quartern loaf in Lyttelton. It is not improbable that as the Spring advances these quotations will very considerably increase. Several vessels have cleared during the week with cargoes of grain, among which is perhaps the last lot of barley. About 3000 bushels of this grain have been exported during the season, and there has been an extensive consumption by brewers on the spot; the export having been confined to one firm. The Spray takes also a large quantity of potatoes, the market for which continues steady. Oats have also fetched high prices, especially of late. All these circumstances, while they portend a somewhat dearer spring than : perhaps we had cause to expect, give great encouragement to the farmer for the future; and at, the same time enforce the lesson which is being quickly learnt that no one year can prove, the advantages or disadvantages of agriculture, but that the farmer can find a reasonable prospect of success by looking to the average of all. The following is taken from the Wellington papers. WELLINGTON. The symptoms of the "Gold Fever " begin to be daily more distinct- A restless spirit seems creeping through the community; and, as a natural consequence, but little of legitimate business is done. Holders of goods will not attempt to force sales under such circumstances, and buyers do not operate beyond their immediate wants. Messrs. R. J. Duncan & Co. sold a quantity of damaged Calico and Sperm Candles, ex Cossipore,ou Tuesday, which brought quite as much as could be expected; but of course the prices are no criterion of the value of similar articles in proper marketable condition. Mr. Homer sold, a variety of Merchandize, consisting principally of Hardware, for Messrs. Hervey, Smith, and Co., on Wednesday, the prices obtained for which were on the whole .satisfactory. These, with a miscellaneous sale by Mr. Allen, on Monday, comprise, webelieve, all the sales by Auction of the week.— Spectator, August 22nd. The Mills.—A rise of £1 per ton has taken place in the price of flour, at three of the four Mills that we report, in consequence of the intelligence received from Sydney by the "Polly," showing an upward tendency in that market. There is a considerable quantity of wheat in the market, but holders are firm, at current prices, expecting a rise; and from the disastrous floods in New South Wales, and the scarcity at the Cape, we anticipate that this article has not yet reached its culminating point; but must advance in price according to the reduction of Stocks on hand, until the new crop comes to market. The following are the prices quoted: Flour £24 per ton; wheat Bs. 6d. to 9s. per bushel; bran, Is. 6d. per bushel; pollard, 15s. per 100 lbs.— Independent, August 22nd;-> SYDNEY. The arrivals to day have been the Ethereal and Port Jackson from Manila, with cargoes of sugar. Flotje is firm, but there is no alteration in the price. Tha millers quote fine flour at £25 per ton; seconds £23 per ton. Wheat, 10s. 6d. per bushel. Liquids.—The market is a little easier, but holders are not disposed to sell in any quantity except at full rates. Teas.—Stocks in the hands of the trade both of town and country, are becoming so reduced

as to compel many to purchase to meet existing demands; sales of congous to a large extent are reported from £6 12s. 6d. to £6 17s. 6d. with every appearance of a further advance. Yesterday the prices of sugars were as follows: Loaf, £66; Snowdrops, £65 ; Crystals C. £61, C. 1, £59; Pieces, £55; Treacle, £30. — 8. M. Herald, Aug. 7.