Markets.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 567, 10 April 1858, Page 4

Markets.

WELLINGTON. Several sales have been held during the week, 'at more than one of which a considerable quantity of wool has been sold, and high prices

I obtained. i Messrs. Bethune and Hunter sold on Monday, 70 cases old torn, at 13s to 13 6d per case; 5 qr.----j casks do, at 4s 9d per gall, in bond; also, 3 cases stays, at fair prices; 1 grand piano (second hand) j for £45; 80 bags sugar (fine) at 6£d to 7£d per i lb"; 10 tons flour, at £16 per ton; and a quantity of sharps at 11s per 100 lbs; and bran at Is Id to Is 2d per bushel. , The next day (Tuesday) the same firm sold the furniture and effects of Major D'Arcy, all of J which, as usual, brought good prices. J On Wednesday, Messrs. Duncan and Verinell sold 17 bales of wool, 3 at Is 4d, 1 at Is Id, 1 at 12|d, 6 at Is, 1 at llfd, 2 at lO^d, 2 at lOd, and 1 at.9Jd per lb~; 8 tons of potatoes at £7 15s to £8 10s; Chilian flour at £14 to £15; Adelaide do (stores) at £17; Hobart Town do at £18 per j ton; onions, Ad to fd per 16; sharps, 12s to 12s 6d per. 100 IBs; "bran (200 bags) at Is per bushel; English cheese, 12£ d per lb; Pampanga sugar, £51 per ton; vinegar, 2s per gallon; coffee, 7d to B^d per 55; butter kegs, os 6d each; 2 medicine chests, 1 at £4 10s and the other at £2, with a quantity of drapery and slops which brought a fair advance bri .invoice.

Yesterday, Mr. J. H. Wallace sold for Messrs. Wm. Bowler, Son, and Co., 23 bales of wool, 18 of which brought Is 4d, and 5 12* d per lb; and Messrs. Bethune and Hunter sold. 70.bales, 5 at Is 6d, 28 at Is s|d, 17 at Is 5Jd, 17 at Is 4d, 2 (lambs) at Is 4J&, and 1 (in grease) at 9£d per S.— Spectator, March 27. MELBOURNE. The latest advices are to the 12th ult. from the 'Weekly Age,' of which date we extract the following commercial report:—

This week cannot be said to hare been a very busy one. A moderate activity has, however, prevailed, and there has been a fair demand for up-country trading. The grain and flour markets have been most active, and prices have again advanced. On the other hand teas have again given way. The large, parcels offered at auction had indisposed purchasers to come up to recent quotations. In the Money Market there is some talk of an alteration in the rates of discount, in order, probably, to secure for the banks a larger share of the exchanges. Mercantile firms have recently found it cheaper to ship gold on their own account to a larger extent than formerly, thus reducing the profits of the banks upon that important department of their business. The 'Journal of Commerce' has the following remarks, in a tone more buoyant and cheerful than has been justified for some time back; but, unquestionably, there have recently been symptoms rof~ar reaction, which warrant the hope of "better times corning:"—

"In the Money Market everything wears a brighter aspect, and it is astonishing that discount keeps up at the advanced rate. Bills are all met with very great punctuality, whilst it is understood that the total amount of paper under discount is not one-half of what it was some time back. This fact scarcely argues a very good, though it is abundant proof of a very sound, state of trade, as the public generally must have brought tlieir engagements into the narrowest possible, limits, and the question arises, if the general indebtedness is so much decreased, to what is the capital being applied that must necessarily have been withdrawn? Probably the banks are doing all they can to fortify their position in London, the more so as money is of greater value there than here. In this there is nothing surprising, as capital, like everything else, will always find the dearest market; but it is a|fjrtunate circumstance that a previous crisis has so much contracted engagements here, that a withdrawal of capital to London can be effected without causing any inconvenience."

Elour and Grain.-—ln both flour and grain a very fair business has been done this week. The inquiry for the former is still large, and we quote £1 per ton as the advance on last week's rates, with a further tendency to being higher. Best Adelaide, £17 to £18; wheat still scarce and dearer, 6s. 9d. to 7s. per bushel; bran lower, with not so good inquiry; in Scotch and Irish oats large transactions have taken place, and prices much iirmer; Colonial scarce and inquired after,toay be quoted at 7s. 6d.; for barley (Cape) there is a good demand for seed; maize, none; gram, scarce and dearer: "good parcels of malt much wanted; in hops no great change. Woo! &c.—Mr. V. N. Walker reports as follows : —Wool:—This week a few parcels have been bought privately at rates about the same as have been current the past fortnight. Buyers are cureless about operating with the present prospi.-ct of the English market unless a further reduction is submitted to. Tallow.—There is a good shipping parcel offering, for which extreme rates are asked. Beef and mixed is worth .£35 to.£3}s ; mutton, JE42. Hides. —A few unimportant parcels have been sold for 2d. to 2»,d. per tt). For shipment, nothing to report.