SYDNEY COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 800, 14 December 1853, Page 2

SYDNEY COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Herald Office, Friday Evening, November 18. The arrival of the August mail, notwithstanding its news has been so long anticipated, must necessarily prove a source of gratification to our merchants at this particular period, owing to the circumstances of so large a proportion of the duplicates not having yet come to hand. The nature of the advices generally are not sucb, we believe, as are at all calculated to alter, present quotations, or in any way weaken the market. Indeed, unless the interest of the shipper be entirely lost sight of, the contrary must be their effect. Up to the latest dates, which we are in possession of, both material and labour were ruling so excessively high, as to preclude the possibility of replenishing stocks, at the rates now current in this market, without considerable loss to tne importer; so that whatevet may be the extent of sri.'' raents during the next two or three ' months, no 'feclinb m P resent quotations is likely to be experiem ;ed'. The iC 7 ****' of cours '' applies to our more staple articles, ana'. nPt to .°"y f «»cy descrip- " • . ig j*' goods, which latter are . at • < * ll nraes object to s 'fh"e'w*bw« bu* * itll « speculative bigness doing during the past Week ; bu? " le operations for consumption have been Steady and somewhat entente The demand from the country con*" 1 "™ »«p good, and as the weather becomes more settle, will materially increase. t . The only important alterations to notice this *veek are in the articles of tea and hops. The former is novv" in very few hands, and there is apparently but little disposition to sell, even at the recent advices, prior to the arrival of later news from China, which may now be hourly expected. Every pocket of the latter, in shipping condition, has, we believe, been bought up for the Melbourne marker, and, as importations for some time past have been attended with heavy loss, it is not improbable that for the next twelve months we sball experience a great scarcity.

TRADE REPORT. [From the "Empire,'' Nov. 18.] Thursday, Nov. 17In no period of the history of the colony has the general aspect of trade presented a better appearance than it does now. With markets neither very bare nor overstocked, a large and steady trade doing, little or no speculation, and money abundant, there is a sreneral and well grounded confidence among mercantile men. Our arrivals during the week to the present time, exclusive of those from the neighbouring coloni s, are the Alert, from Macao; As;i Thor, from Can!on via Port Phillip, with t"a ; Victoria, from Hamburg; Zeemanschoop and Wi.lii-m Ernst, froui Liverpool; Maidstone, from Plymouth; and Queen Margaret, lioyal Smart, Duchess of Sutherland, Vimeira, Niger, and Epsom, from London, with general merchandise. Brandy.—This market maintains its price better than might have been expected with the heavy stock on hand. We find, from the Custom House record's* a s'.ock on the 11th instant of 168,395 gallons, against 9,232 gallons on the 12th November, 1852. It may be quoted a shade lower than in our last report, but we hear of no transactions to any extent under our quotations. Rum is without alteration, 6ay West India, ss. for 10 to 12 0.P., and os. 3d. for 30 O.P. East India is still very dull, and without enquiry. Gin in cases is in good demand at quotations. The high store rent on this article in bond prevents the trade buying, except for immediate consumption. Tea.—We have no sales to any extent to record. The confirmation of the news of the high prices in China, and the high rat'- of exchange there, have caused many enquiries, but holders are not disposed to do business at anything near the present pi ices. Coffee.—No alteration to note. The market is quite out of Manila, and good samples of Java are bringing 7.} d. to Bd. A report was prevalent of a large parcel having been sold in Melbourne at 3£d., but it has since turned out that the coffee was unsound. The market price at Melbourne for a good article is about the same as our own. Beer. — Bottled of known brands is much enquired for, and our quotations are fully maintained. There has been a heavy demand during the past week, and holders of parcels ready for delivery lefuse to sell at our quotations. Draught has come to hand in considerable quantity! find holders are more, anxious to sell. Oilmen's Stori:s—Continue in active demand, at full rates and, with few exceptions, pay a large profit to importers. Drapery Goods. —Ordeis have come in to considerable extent; but our markets are well supplied with most goods ; and the present is a favourable time for country stores laying in stock. Cordage, Woolpacks, Canvas, Corn Sacks—Are all demand, and an advance anticipated. Boots and Shoes, Saddlery, and Brushware—Are more enquired for, and invoices, of well selected goods bring a large advance. Flouk. —The arrival of a large quantity from Port Phillip bag damped our market. A parcel, said to be " Gallego" and " Hanhull," was brought to auction on Monday, and brought 625. per barrel. The stock of inferior American ill the market is very large. The arrivals for the week, exclusive of our regular traders are—the Royal Stewart, ship, from Southampton, with general cargo; the Queen Margnret, and the Durhess of Sutherland, barques, from London, with merchandise; Viraiera, ship, from Plymouth, with merchandise : Victoria, barque, from Hamburgh, with cargo of German goods; and the Asa Shor, brig, from Melbouane, with part of her original cargo from China, comprising 730 chests 228 half cbests 8208 boxes, and lrjO cases taa, .1600 packages cassia, and a small quantity of coffee, sugar, preserves, &c.

SYDNEY MARKETS.—Fhidat

The Mills.—Messrs. Barker and Co,: Alarge supply of wheat has come to hand during tbe past week than for some previous week*, besides two rather large lots of imported wheat, Seeing, however, that in nnothpr month the new crop will commence to arrive, the millers are not at piesent nnxiou* to purchase extensively and consequently the prices have receded :—from 10a. to Ids. (id. is now the highest figure given. Flour remains at 27/. for fine, and 25f. tor seconds, per ton of 2000 lbs. Bran is 3s. 9d. per bushel, and very scarce Mr. Breillat; there is no deviation from last week's prices, and no desire to speculate. Wheat may be quoted at from 10s. to 12s. per bushel; fine Hour 271. per ton, Stconds 25/.; bran, 3s. 6d. per bushel, with a steady business. Messrs. Furlong and Kennedy: There is no material alteration to note since last report, except, perhaps, that wheat may be considered a shade lower. Fine flour steady at 271. per ton ; bran 3s. o'd. per bushel, with a large demand than can he supplied. Biscuit.— Messrs. Wilkie and Co., qi o'e their steam made biscuit as follows: Cabit,, 38s. pilot 325. and ship, 28s. per cwt. ; meat biscuit, 21s. per tin of 30 lbs. CampbbLl-str'kET Mauukt.—The aiuouDt of produce brought down this week has been of very inconsiderable extent. Tb* following prices have been ob-tained.—-Hay 20/. to SO* straw 71. to 9/. per ton; green food, Is. to 2«"; per dozeu bundles: wheat 9s. to lis. maize, Bs. to 9s.'per bushel; hark, 71. to 91. per ton. . ' . • ;

Cattle.—There is a good supply of cattle on hand, and the average supply of cattle is Isp. per lOOlbs.; the market has however a down tendendy.

SnjßEP.—Sheep are scarce, and.the average price is 2<d. per lb. House Mahket. —Mr. C. Mar'yn reports, that during the past week the Horse Market has been brisker than lor some time past, and parties have been desirous to purchase, hut the market has not been snreplied with the deseiiption of horses in demand. Good heavy wellbroken draughts, light draughts, and good roadsters up to fourteen stone are sought lor; aud he.ivy mares,

well broken, are required for New Zealand. Enquiries have been frequent during the week for good gig and carriage horses. The slight decline in the price of fodder has tended to improve the price of horse stock. The prices during the week hare been, for heavy draughts:, £63 to .light ditto, £3O, upwards; roadsters, £2O to £SO; gig horsep, £S ! i to £6O; carriage none for sale.—-Mr. S. C. Burt reports that the market during the week has Jbeen fairljr supplied. The demands have been large, and prices lave maintained former quotations. Well broken harness horses; meet with immediate sale ; for heavy draught the demand ;s stillin excess of the supply ; first class hacks and powerit'l roads-era are enquired for —poor stock are unsaleable. He anticipates that the demands will increase, and the present (rices will be fully maintained througbe'tit the summer. The week's sales are as follows: —Heavy draught, 40/. to, 601, each; gig find carriage horses, SOL to 451. ; journ°y cobs, 20/. to 40/.; ordinary saddle horses, 12/. to 20/.—Mr. S. Waller, of the Bull's Head Horse Repository, George Street, reports that during the past week the salts have been well attended, and the market for good horses is getting up ; a few good heavy draught horses, warranted, met with ready purchasers. The prices realised during the week are as follows—Heavy draught from 42/. to 58/.; light ditto, 35/. to 45/.; carriage horses, 35/. to 50/.; gig horses, VSZ. to 35/.; hacks, 18/. to 32/ ; inferior ditto, 91. upwards.— Empire, Nov. 19.

Friday, Novfmbeh 18.

The attendance at the different Auction Rooms during the day was thin, and the amount of business transacted was proportionably limited. Mr. Dean's sale of teas, &c, attracted a considerable share of attention from purchasers, the competition amongst whom for the different lots submitted was maintained with spirit throughout. The following are the prices realized:—Boxes of refined gunpowder ten, 31s. 6d. per box; boxes of Souchong, 20s. J boxes of bysonskin, 145.; cases of preserves, 23sv per caa-J cases of ginger, 265. per ditto; cases of cassia, per lb., 9&d. to 9|d.; washing soda, -17/. ppr ton; English crumbed lump sugar, 4|d. per lb. ; Mauritius sugar, per cwt., 1/. 12s. 6d.; currants, Is. 4d. to Is. sd. per lb.; pimento, lOd. per lb.; black pepper, 6d. per lb. j mustard, (1 lb. bottles,), lis. 9d. per dozen; mustard J-lb. bottles), 7s. 6d. per dozen ; Coleman's starch (No. 1), 4£d. per lb.; blue (No. 1), 13Jd. per lb.; English cheese, Is. per lb.; Morton Bay pork, 41. 105. per cask. Messrs. Bowden and Tbrelkeld disposed of" a large quantity of Richmond River cedar, the cargo of the Itboderick Dhu, at the wharf foot of Erakine>street, which realized from 38s to 425. per 100 feet. Messrs. Purkis and Lambert, at the stores of Messrs. How, Walker, and Co., Circular Quay, submitted a quantity of brandies, aha, &c, to pubi:c competition, the annexed are the prices realized: —Case brandy, 21s. P<J. per case ; cbanapagne, SOs. per dozen ; Harrie's bottled al«. 9s. '3d. per dozen ; Tennaut's bottled ale, 9s. 9d. per Tennant's brown stout, 9s. lOd. per dozen; Dunlop cheese, at 7£d. per lb.; Herrings, 3e. Id. per tin ; ling fish, "■*"• W 44/1 per lb.

Empire Office, Monday Morning, Nov. 21. By the Sir John Harvey we have Melbourne advices to the 16th infant, at which date there were no later arrivals from England. The Chusan had not arrived when the 6teamerleft on the following day. In Melbourne the state of business was begim ng to disclose difficulties which m-my have foreseen for some months pa.-t. The Argus of the I4:h says : " While we learn from the most authentic sources that generally mercantile and financial affairs in this colony are sound and stable, a rather uneasy feeling sterna to prevail among a number of small tradeie, which we consider it our duty to notice '1 bey complain very bitterly of the enormous rents which they Lave to pay in atiy eligible position, which are rendered doubly oppressive this year, on account of the greatly increased competition which now exists, and tneir consequently diminished individual sales,, The battle of life has, hence in this gold country, become as severe as in any of the crammed and glutted marts of Europe. There is a most unhealthy of town-bred people from the old countries to crowd in" the cities and towns, and to gain their livelihood by the l.<zy, drivelling occupation of selling miscellaneous small arcicles. And they are content to carry on business in boxes scarcely large enough to hold a rat. Many of these men have strong arms and broad shoulders, and would do much better, both for themselves and the colony, if they acted as legitimate colonists, and assisted to develope the resources of the country." " We quote the following from the Trade report of the same journal:— " Considering that this is the most busy season in the year, the demand in most articles is the reverse of brisk, and there is a tendency to lower prices in almost every description of goods. A few exceptions there are to this general rule, which we shall now proceed to notice. , "There has been some excitement here during the week in reference to tea, in consequence of the recent advices from China, The retailers bold considerable stocks, but there arc only one or two large holders among the importers. Stocks in Sydney have been changing hands, some of the merchants being inclined to speculate for a rise. Congou here is firm at 71. and hyson skin from 51. os. to 5/. 10s. at which prices there have been considerable transactions. '«Burton ale in wood, and bottled ale and porter have slightly advanced. " Hops are very scarce, and the price is steadily advancing ; likewise London glue; and Liverpool coarse salt continues very scarce. Rock salt is alsj in demand at an advanced price. •' In timber the prices are unchanged, but all kinds are held firm at the quotations. " There is no change in flour. Some are of opinion that this article must rise, but the large stocks of American on hand, sud the approach of harvest, must, we think, prevent or check any such tendency. The general impression seems to bear us out in this statement,"

Hobart Town, Nov. 7.—Market somewhat dull, the selling prices bting— Hour 28/. to SO/, per ton ; wheat, lis. to 12s. per Lusbel; potatoes, from 12/. to 15/. per ton ; oats, 10s. to lis. per bushel; hay pressed, 16/; loose, 15/. Launckston, Nov. 5.-—First flour is quoted at 30/. and 31/. but best brands are selling in small parcels at 32/; wheat, 12s. °d. per bushel ; potatoes 18/. per ton oats, 10s. per bushel. Beef 6d. to lid. per lb ; mutton 7d. and Bd. ; pork, Is.; lamb, ss. per quarter; veal, Is. per lb.; ham Is. 6<i.; bacon, Is. 6d.; fresh butter, 2a. 2d.; eggs, 2s. 6d. per dozen ; bread, Bd. per 2lb loaf.