Markets.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 670, 9 April 1859, Page 6

Markets.

ENGLISH.

The latest London wool report is from the ' Home News'-.:— , '. ■ '

The anticipation of a large demand at the commencement of the past year has been fully confirmed and several good contracts have been, made at an average advance of l|d on the closing rates of : last sales. .

Inquiries for all descriptions are very great, and •should the present rate of consumption continue, it is certain that stocks will be exhausted before our next sales, expected to commence the first week in March. ' • ;

Great caution, however, is exhibited by buyers, and tlie demand at present existing is only for immediate wants, all.parties being diffident of purchasing.except for'aotual requirements. . There can be little doubt that the arrival of new wool, expected to be in time for.March sales, to the ex tent-of some 29,000 bales, will produce its effect on'our market, and tend to cheek the expectation Of 'higher rates. Tlie high price at -which' wool is now ranging has led. many of the dealers to be more willing- sellers, and although during the last few days we have had visits from several buyers from the north, many have gone home, ecarcely making a contract. Although their views are that wools will advance<(in tlie absence of any political disturbance), still they prefer waiting the result; and rather than speculate they will pay. tlie rates that may be established at our next sales. We regret -to hear of the long prices paid in the polonies, as we fear, even looking to a good market throughout the year, that the result will not be satisfactory to purchasers. ■ , , ' sruNEY. ' . ... March 25.—Messrs. jMort and Co. held to-day their weekly produce sale, Tlie number of bales of wool

catalogued was 530,- and of this quantity only 283, ol- not quite one-half, were sold. The news bjrthe Columbian was considered so favourable by holders that they, refused to sell except at higher rates than are warranted by advices. On the other hand, wool buyers are exceedingly cautious in their operations, and are not disposed, in the present uncertain state; of affairs in England and on the. continent, to speculate at-'an-advance on the prices that have been lately ruling. Again, the: rise that has tako.n place in England has been for the most part anticipated, and until we have accounts of the March;wool sales we can hardly expect any material alteration! in the prices of wools. Inferior clips are still dull of sale, and most of the lots passed consisted of low and middling class wools, on which, too high a reserve had been placed by the holders. The highest price obtained to-day was for a lot of 19 bales, marked HA, which brought 22|d. per. lb. The following . were the rates realised for the several lots sold :— Fleece, 17£ d. to 22d.; handwashed,,l6£d. to 17£d.j grease, 7d. t0.13fd.; lambs, 12d. to J6£d.; mixed and broken, .',ll ltd. to, 15£ d.; locks, 7id^ to 13id. (By Electric Telegraph.) '■■ At the wool sales, March 23, three hundred bales sold readily at precisely. the same prices as before the arrival of the Columbian—not a fraction advance or decline. New Zealand wool has not yet been offered. . - . The flour market is in a very unsettled state. Speculators are asking £22 for first Adelaide, but no sales have been effected at that rate. The movement in the market set in from Adelaide. Town ■millers supply bakers at £18 10s. Bntter is very firm at 20d. Candles, belmonts, sold at l'sd. ADELAIDE. ; The following telegrams had been received in Sydney:— . „..-. March 23; : Wheat and "flour declared to be scarce, and holders are asking £19 to buyers. Sugars are sold at a fractional advance on last rates. . ' : Marah 25. ■ Wheat and flour! have exhibited remarkable firmness all the week. On Monday wheat was quoted at 75., little offering; from this it continued to rise until Friday. The present price is Bs. Large par- : eels for-shipment; Bs. 2d. still obtained. At the beginning of the week flour was quoted at £17; country brand's, from £17 10s. to £18; best brands, to-day, £19. The impression prevails, that breadstuff's must go still higher. The small farmers' stocks are out. Large holders can afford to wait higher prices. There is no prospect.of reduction while orders continue to come, at, the present rates from the other colonies, although the markets today are easier. , : A later despatch, dated the, 28th ult., statesthat gi-ain and flour were then advancing..