AUCKLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 536, 23 December 1857, Page 4

AUCKLAND.

We have commercial advices from this province to the sth insfc. The papei-s°of that and previous dates, gives, the following market intelligence. The languid inactivity, so long prevalent in the Australian Markets, is not less sensibly felt i n our own, wh ere protracted depi-ession still cxi sts. The unprecedented inclemency of a season, unequalled in severity and duration by any that has preceded it, has in all probability aggravated the general dulness. We are now verging towards the close of the first month of summer without having had one week of continuous fine weather for many months, rain and wind having succeeded each other with almost unabated and wintry violence. As we write, the clouds are teeming with moisture; vegetation has been chilled and soured, and unless some early improvement takes place it is impossible i but that the crops must be materially injured. The receipt of produce from the coast is becoming scanty, and until the new harvest shall have^ been gathered we cannot look for any activity in this important branch of trade. Even at_ the Auotion Marts the sales are of bo miscellaneous a character as in general to be scarcely worth reporting. The only trade that evinces anything like activity is the native trade in arms and am: munition, which since the removal or relaxation of the arms importation ordinance has been carried on with the most astounding vigor; immense stocks of powder, shot, and guns (cheifly double-barreled) being imported by every vesßel from Sydney, and most extensively purchased, from licensed retailere, by natives from all parts of the Country. The prudence of such Rales 5r more than questionable.—New Zealander, Nov. 21.

Commercial]}', there is nothing to record, dulness and inactivity prevail, and the intelligence which continues to be received of the depressed condition of the Australian markets cannot fail to exercise a numbing influence upon our.; own. In the Grain and Flour markets quotations continue as before, with a slight downward tendency in wheat.— lbid, Nov. 28 The intelligence by the Gil Bias has had an immediate effect upon our produce markets, flour having declined fully forty shillings per ton, and wheat from a shilling to eighteen pence per bushel. The export season (although there is a considerable quantity of grain yet to be gleaned from the coast), is fast drawing to a close; it therefore remains to be seen what position the Australian markets are likely to assume before we enter upon a new season. For ourselves, from all that we can gather, we incline to augur favourably for the future, and that prices will rule at a rate to yield a fair return to our gvowees.—lbid, Dec. sth.