Markets.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 577, 15 May 1858, Page 5

Markets.

On tho plains wheat hag suffered a slight decline, though farmers) are disposed to hold back their crops. During the past week some orders have been received from Wellington.' ■which may have a reviving effect upon the market. For good white wheat, ss. is readily offered for the mills, but little is brought into market at that figure ; red wheat has been sold at 4s. 6d. Other quotations are pot altered. Our advices from Sydney by the Albion aro fronfthe 7th to tho 21st April, and by the Canterbury we have news from Melbourne from the 27th March to the 23rd of April. There v nothing very important commercially to note. In the grain markets no positive or general change had occurred: on the contrary, while in one place prices were advancing, in another ; the tendency had been downwards ; in most cases of change it is almost impossible to find a sufficient cause assignable. • ■.'.'■ To commonee^with Sydney, we find that throughout the fortnight spoken of the wheat and floor market was firm, and the tendency clearly upwards. Wheat is reported to be extremely scarce. Somo small lots had gone off at Bs. 3d., bat for good samples Bs. 6d. might be obtained. Flour was tirm at j£lß for fine, j^"l6 for tecond quality, per 2000 lbs. These quotations are dated as early as April 18th, but up to the latest advices the market continued very firm and wheat scarce, bat without any actual rise in price.

Turning to Melbourne we find, in, explanation of tho firmness noticed in our last advices, that Victorian farmers were holding back their crops in anticipation of an approaching rise, and very little wheat was offering, there being but small arrivals from Adelaide. At the beginning of the period comprised in our latest, intelligence, the highest quotations are:—Wheat 7s. 6d., flour 10s, oats (colonial feed) Ba., barley Bs., potatoes jC 10 per ton. During tho next fortnight there was no change in prices, but an increase of activity was visible in tho markets ; wheat was coming iii very slowly; oats were mooting with a brisk domand and seemed likely to rise. Tho latest news is to tho 23rd of April, when wo find that without cause aligned wheat, though c till coming in slowly, had dropped 6d. per buahel, being quoted at 6s. 6d. to 7s. for bout uamplos. Flour participated in tho d-clino and good brands of Adelaide sold at £\Q por ton. No other change had occurred >b price*. Oats wore improving; and the demand for

barley wa» very limited. In Hobart Town and Lannecston things were very quiet and uo movement had taken place m grain or flour. ,

Tho latest market reports from Adelaide represent wheat as having rather a downward tondeney. From Sydney wo learn that the market was far from abundantly supplied with wool, and that prices were consoqunntly firmer than usual. From Mfllbourne we have tho following under date April 23; — R. Goldsborough and Co.'s report for ' Bear's Weekly Circular'is as follows :—Wool. There has been more inquiry for scoured'wools, several lots of which we have sold at prices varying from 18Jd. to 20|d. pur Ib. Greasy is also in good demand, but little coming forward. We had intended having a wool sale thin week, but owing to tho non arrival of the mail have postponed it till next, holders not being anxious to sell till further advices are received from England, having in impression that tho newß will bo more favourable.—Hides: not much inquiry for shipment, but for colonial uso there is a better demand, and long prices given for really first-class hides.—Tallow is in fair request, but no largo transactions to note. Beef and mixed, to j#42; mutton, to j£4s per ton.— Sheepskins: butchers' skins, Is 9d to 2s; station skins, 5d to 7dperlb. . '. ; : : •;■

In the timber trade, the latest ncconnte from HobuTt Town report a decline, but no quotations are given by the Melbourne papers. '"■.;: