COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealander, Volume 10, Issue 890, 25 October 1854, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Our (Sydney ‘Herald’s’) commercial advices from S&a Francisco are to the 18th July. The commercial report of the ‘ Daily Evening News ' says—- “ Business has been excessively dull this morning. The three vessels which arrived on yesterday baveadded tbtir cargoes to the large stock of merchandise already on hand ; but their appearance has given rise to comparatively few transaction* of importance, and will not, we imagine, influence our market in the slightest degree. Prices of all kinds of goods remain without change, and the market generally is quiet. Jobbers have done but a limited business to-day, and only a small amount of freight goes forward to the interior this afternoon. In flour, a very extensive loss by a fire which broke out in San Fra icisco on the Ilthof July was reported by the jobbers, but subsequent reports state that the value of the flour destroyed did not exceed 5000 dollar s.” The wheat crop in California is stated to be remarkably good. The following is from the ‘Alta California’ of the 11th July,— “ Wheat Crop. —The wheat crop in this country is remarkably fine, and will yield much more than suave* rage crop for several of the past years. Mr. Reed, tf the Puente, has an excellent crop of 80 acres of Australian wheat. We hear of n» smut in the wheal in ibis S‘Ction, aud but little rust.' SYDNEY MARKETS. Trade. — In the ‘Argus’ summary for the Madras, the following observations on the state of trade are made : Referring to soft goods, it says,—For many months past this branch of trade has been*unpro6table; and in some departments of if, particularly in fancy goods, the pi ices at which they have been sold have not reached more than half the English or French value, li.deed, the prices of all description of soft goods are little more than nominal. At auctions and otherwise, goods are sold at rates that would amaxe consignors, and ibis in order to realise store-rent, insurance, and commission. A gr. at deal of mischief has been done by commission meichants and others, who, fiotn ignorance of the market, want of judgment, or other causes, have made grievous and unnecessary sacrifices. There ere, of course, numerous and honourable exceptions —that is, firms who will hold until they feel satisfied that it is the intn.e-t of their correspondents that they should sell; and roercliairs at home will find it their interest to ba caieful in selecting their consignees. Shippers ofgooi a 0 which there is a Lrge consumption will be heavy looser, to con equ-meot the reckless manner in wLijh their shipments have been made, without the slightest r gard to tbs pr. ha le ’equiremeuta of our market, or to the seasons. We repeu here that we have twoseatont for trade—the summer and winter. 1 be former commences about the end of September, and ends in February, For the winter season, shipments from England - should not he later than November. I he heavy rstea 01 storage alone have at times Caused atuinous loss on the ahipmem of unseasonoble goods. It baa ever been found that Manchester men are teo sanguine; aod thi#

is not the first instance of their imprudence to completely swamping themselves by shipping too extensively. At the same time, we believe that su'ficient discretion has not at all times been exercised in the transmission of orders. In arranging their indents, parlies have omitted the very important considerat on that by the speed of the overland route, and the rapidity of passage by clippers, orders are executed in something like half the time that was required some few years

ago. On the general glut of merchandise, the ‘ Argus' ob«erves,—>•“ The severe competition caused by an excessive number of traders, combined with high rents and expenses, has caused very serious embarrassment to all the ‘outsiders’ and weak houses; a considerable number have suspenJed payments, and many minor failures are expected. The process of weeding, which we have long anticipated, is now in progress, and it must go on until the number of houses and quantity of imports are somewhat proportioned to the trade ol the country. We have made diligent inquiry as to whether any commercial crisis is to be expected, and we are happy to be enabled to report that the great bulk of our meicantile community is perfectly sound and stable. There is here a very large proportion ol rich first class bouses. The second class generally have large property, which they cannot readily tealise, and they will get an extension of time if tiiey require it. In the case of the third class, the most of them ought not to huve commenced business, and the sooner they are out of it the belter.” The Liquor maiket is thus described. —“ At this season an improvement might be expected in the value of bottled liquors, but this has been checked by continued largo arrivals, and we have to notice a decline within the last week. The best brands of porter and ale are of equal value, and are not worth more than lls, to |*s. per dozen. The stocks of porter and stout in bulk are still very large, and at our quotations sales would leave the shipper about the cost ot the cask. Some holders however, ate looking forward to a large portion of the stock becoming unsound from the hot winds during our summer season. Ale in bulk maintains its value. In consequence of recent large importations, and the increase of stocks during the last two months, brandy hae fallen since our last circular about 2s. per gallon. It would appear Victoria has such at reputation for drunkenness, that shippers have considered it impossible to glut this market with liquors ; but we have now to report a very great decrease in consumption, chiefly in consequence of improved habits of industry and sobriety, and this goes far to explain the constant increase of stocks. Martell s brandy is sold at 10s, to 10s. fid.; Hennesay s, 9s. fid.; United Vineyard, at Bs. fid.; and inferior brands are offered freely at Bs. to Bs. fid. The tendency downwards in brandy is counteracted by the circumstances that the stocks are chiefly held by parties who med notjforce the market. B. P. rum, 6s. to 6s. 3d. The best brands of Old Tom, in dozen cases, are worth 21s. Scotch malt whiskey is in demand at 6s. to Bs., and in two gallon cases is worth 19s. Wines —Large importations of sherry and port have been lately received. The stocks in second hands are not excessive, but in these dull times the trade are »hy of increasing their liabilities. A demand for light wines is springing up as tbs season advances. We ought to remark that large quantities of false packed wines have come to this market, tending to depreciate the good anicle.

SETTLERS’ WHOLESALE PRICES CURRENTWheat—9a. to 11s., very little offering. Flour —Fine, 281; seconds, 261 at the mills. Country tine flour, 23/ to 261. Maize—7s. to 7s. dd., market well supplied. English Barley—6s. to 6*. dd. . Capa Barley—7s. 3d. to Bs. Hay—Oaten, 51 to 61 ; Lucerne, 91 to 10/. *- Butter—2s. per lb. for Lest samples. Cheese—3d. to 6d. per lb. Bacon and Hams—9d. to lOd. per lb., well cured, —is. to Is. 2d. per dozen, plentiful. Fowls—7s. to 7. dd. per couple, scarce. Potatoes—24l 10s. to 23/ per ton. Fat Figs—3d. to 6d. per lb., supply moderate. Calves —80s. to 355., moderate. Sheep— 10s. to 155., plentiful. v Lambs - 12s. to 145., moderate. Bullocks—s/ to 61, moderate. Tallow—nominal. Hides—ss. to 10s. Tobacco—lid. to Is per lb., inquired for. Ferris and Abilins, 291, Pitt-street, Near the Theatre. Sydney, Gth October, 1854. VAN DIEMEN’S LAND. Launceston, Sept. 23. Grain and Flour.—U nion: First flour, per ton, 311; seconds ditto, 281; bran, 3s dd; wheat, bought at 13s dd per bushel for prime samples. Cataiact; First flour, 301 per ton ; wheat bought at J3s dd per bushel ; bran, 4s. Tamar ; Flour, 321 per ton ; ’wheat bought at 13s per bushel; bran, Is dd per bushel. Garden and Dairy Produce : Fowls per pair 5s to 7s, geese ditto !4s to Ids, turkeys ditto I4n to 18s, ducks from ds to Bs, potatoes 28/ to 30/ per ton, onions 30/. butter 2s 9d per lb,, potted 2s 6d, cheese 2-, eggs 2s 6d per dozen. Butcher’s Meat ; Beet (retail) 4d to la ’per lb., mutton 7d to 9d, pork Is to Is Id, bacon Is dd, ham Is dd to Is 9d. Hobart Town.— Grain and Flour : Flour 34/ to 36 per too, wheal 14s 6d per bushel. Farm Produce: Hay* 131 per ton, straw 10/, oats 10s to 11s per bushel, potatoes 27/ to 30/ per ton.