COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

North Otago Times, Volume III, Issue 46, 5 January 1865, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Oamabtj Times Office, Wednesday Evening. The Christmas and New Year holidays have somewhat retarded the carting of-wool, but a large influx is now expected, as the shearing by this time is almost completed on some stations, and general everywhere. The •tate of the weather has also interfered with the progross of loading. We have now in port the Star of Tasmania, which has loaded over 1,100 bales; and the Malay, which has received over 300 bales of wool. The fact of these vessels being here and in perfect safety, is perhaps a sufficient refutation of the reiterated statements put forth by the " Otago Daily Tunes," as to the safety of ships loading here ; but, in addition, we publish this week, in our leading column, a letter from the masters of tho above-mentioned ships, which proves that the rumors so persistently set afloat, are wholly unfounded. We now publish the Custom-house returns for the quarter ending 31st December, 1864, which are highly favorable. The amount of duties during the past month is nearly equal to the whole of the previous quarter's returns. It should be borne in mind that the largest portion of the goods sent here pay duty in Dunedin, and are not credited at all to this place in the revenue returns; and the free goods are not noticed at all. These returns are under each head quite satisfacfuctory, and show decided progress :— Total Amount of Duties paid on Home Consumption entries at the Custom-house, Oamaru, during the Quarter ended 30th December, 1864 :— Spirits ... ... £525 5 11 Wine 69 18 5 Tobacco ... ... 88 10 O Beer ... ... 15 6 0 Sugar ... ... 92 10 0 Tea 24 1 4 Measurement... ... 9 6 8 Ironmongery... ... 12 2 8 £837 1 0 Total Value of Imports entered at the Custom-house, Oamaru, during the Quarter ended 31st December, J864:~ Spirits £506 0 0 Tobacco ... ... 250 O 0 Wine 124 0 0 Tea 200 C 0 Ironmongery ... ... 261 0 0 Sugar ... ... 586 0 0 Drapery and sundries ... " G35 0 0 £2562 0 0 Total Tonnage of Vessels entered inwards during the Quarter j— October ... ... 754 tons. November ... ... 1261 „ December ... ... 2002 „ Messrs Dalgety, Ratfcray and Co.'* first sale of wool took place va their premises. Tyne-streetj on the 29th nit. The catalogue contained 312 bales, in 9 lots. In consequence of the non-arrival of Dunedin buyers, the competition was limited, and the whole was withdrawn fiom public eale; but five lots, mustering 41 bales, were afterwards disposed of at prices equal to Dunedin rate*. The advantage of buying wool at this port, aa

compared with Dunedin, is that the freight of wool from this to Dunedin is about, or nearly, Id. per lb.—a heavy additional charge being thus saved to tho purchaser, as vessels are ready to load wool at this port.

On Saturday evening, there was a sharp thunderstorm, followed by heavy rain, which continued falling throughout the following day and night, and the weather has since been squally and unsettled, with frequent showers. Crops are looking well, save that in some places the first crops of oats are somewhat short. In several places the oat crop is quite ripe, and cutting is commenced. Hay cutting also has been begun, and would soon be general were the weather settled. The crop is an excellent one.

In the Flour Market, the stock of Adelaide is getting short, and is now quoted at from L3O to L 32 per ton. Oamaru, none in the market. New potatoes have been selling at 2d per lb.

DUNEDIN.—The unfavorable weather prevailing has been the cause of a bad day's business. Scarcely any private transactions have taken place, and no auction sales have been held. A meeting of the creditors of Messrs Oleve and Co. was held this afternoon, and adjourned to Thursday. The liabilities appear to be about £36,000, against assets amounting to about £27,000. An offer of 10s in the pound has been made, and is under consideration. So far as we can ascertain, there appears little reason to apprehend any further involvements arising from Messrs Cleve and Co.'s suspension. Alexander dimming and Co., rtport having sold on account of the Provincial Government, the lease for one year of the Clutha Ferry and Hotel for £585.— Times, 3rd inst.

MELBOURNE.—By the Gothenburg there are advices to the 24th December. The following is from the " Age "of that date :—" The utmost quietitude has pervaded the import markets during the day, for in most instances merchants have been engaged with their home correspondence. A great scarcity of Adelaide flour is experienced in the market, and we hear that as high as £22 10s has been paid for town brands."