COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 24, 8 July 1871, Page 10

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Mail Office, Friday evening.

If we cannot report very favorably on the amount of business done during tbepaßt month it must be borne in mind that this is comparatively the dullest season of the year, and if an average amount can be done satisfactorily we should be contented. We cannot, however, disguise the fact that, as regards the trade that should properly belong to this port, we are to a great extent cut out by the more enterprising Melbourne firms, who send their travellers to every town, in the colony, and even supply.this port with goods that* should be imported direct. There must be either a want of energy or capital among our citizens that leaves to a single firm in this city a business that affords ample scope for three or four, and it is a futile boast to say that our port is the first in the colony, from its peculiar advantages and central position, if we cannot avail ourselves of it by turning it to our own account. We ought, at least, to supply all the towns on the coast of our own province with English imported goods j nor can there be any reason why this should not be a central mart for the supply of all the other provinces of articles that run out of stock, and which now (with the single exception to which we have alluded) is done by Melbourne firms, and it is a matter of surprise to see that a branch ot one of their large importing firms has not been established here. There are a few chenges in prices from last months' report which will be noted beneath. The Edinburgh Castlehasbeen our only English arrival, her cargo reaching us very opportunely for several descriptions of goods. Stocks are excessively light; but prices have no upward tendency, as sales are limited to actual requirements, and no speculative feeling is apparent in our quiet community. The financial statement of our new Superintendent appears to have given general satisfaction, and the active and energetic measures proposed by the new Executive have inspiied a feeling of confidence in the future that has not been felt for some time past. Money is said to be tight in many quarters, but current bills are met with regularity, and we may

safely say that our trade, though limited, is in as healthy, if not a more healthy, condition than most of the more flourishing provinces of the colony. Ale and Porter, duty paid—No importations of bulk ale and porter, with little or no demand, owing t© the lower price of colonial. Bottled beers of the more favored brands have become very low in stock, and in some cases are quite run out. Prices, however, seem to vary but little, owing to the extreme dulness of trade, and ales of good brands are quoted at 10s 6d to lis 6d per gallon, with fair enquiry. Stout (Blood's), of which there is none in 6"st hands, 12s per doz; other brands in no demand.

Bags and Woolpacks (Is 6d per cubic foot) —The season being over, corn sacks are depressed, and we hear of no sales either for export or for home consumption. Prices, 12s 6d to 13s per doz. Woolpacks are slightly noticed, at 3s 9d to 4s, it being yet early for station supplies. Stocks of both bags and woolpacks light. Candles, (duty paid Id per lb) —Stocks of sperm candles continue low, and quotations are from ll|d to 12d per lb, but there seems no disposition to speculate. Chemicals —Nothing doing. Sulphur, which was scarce and in demand some few weeks back, is now in good supply from Melbourne, at 25s to 28s j,per cwt. Soda crystals in scant demand at £9 to £lO per ton. Other articles under this head, no enquiry. Coffee, in bond (duty, 3d per lb) —We have no change in value to report. Stocks are ample, and good quality plantation coffee is quoted at lOd per lb. Confectionary (duty, 5s per cubic foot) — Imported goods continue dull and difficult of sale, although a good demand for the colonialmade article continues, and a brisk .trade is being done at remunerative rates. Keiller's appears to be the only saleable brand, and is worth lid per lb, demand limited. Fish (duty, 2s per cubic foot) —Lobsters, of which t*iere have been none in the market for the last few months, have been enquired for, and sales to arrive per Edinburgh Castle have been made at lis 6d. Sardines meet with little enquiry ; halves are worth 12s 6d to 13s ; quarters, 8s per doz. Salmon, lib tins, are quoted at 12s 6d to 13s per doz. Red Herrings, 35s to 36s per doz, for 2 dcz tins ; but in all this class of goods the consumption is very limited, the demand, when any, being mostly for the outports. Flour and Grain—As we intimated last month, the rise in the value of flour has not kept pace with the sanguine expectations of our Canterbury friends, and we still have good reason to think that the stock down South is sufficiently ample to meet all requirements until the next harvest, mor»especially as there ssems to have been a similar miscalculation in Australia as to the 8 mount of damage done to the crops by previous bad weather, and a consequent decline in value. Flour during the past month has ranged from £ls to £l7 per ton for first-class Canterbury brands, and is now moderately firm at the latter figure, with little disposition, however, on the part of buyers to invest. Oats continue in moderate demand, but prices remain stationary at about our last quotations, from 2s lOd to 3s Id, according to quality. Several inferior samples have been brought into this market, to which it is difficult to assign a value, the low price of which necessarily affects the price of the better samples. Stocks are moderate. Fruits (duty, Id per lb, paid)—During the month currants have been much inquired for, ©wing to stocks having become extremely low. The arrival of the Edinburgh Castle with several shipments, most of which have" been sold to arrive at 5| per lb, have fully met our present wants; but, as prices have considerably advanced in the English market and our stocks are light, a large advance in price may be looked for, Eleme raisins are somewhat brisk at 6J per lb. Muscatel dull of sale at lOd to lid, a scording to quality rnd condition. Sultanas : Market bare.

Hops (duty paid, Id per lb)—No demand. Stocks of old hops heavy and difficult of sale —quotations are therefore nominal. 8d to lOd for old ; Is Id to Is 3d new. Malt (duty paid, 6d per bushel) —A better demand is noticeable for this grain, but sales are limited to small parcels, and range from 6s 9d t > 8s 3d per bushel.

Iron (duty paid, Is per cwt)— Inquiry for corrugated iron, 26 gauge, the quantity on hand being small. Scotch iron is worth £26 10s per ton. Best English marks £3O -to £32 per ton. Bar and rod iron unsaleable. Oils (duty paid, 6d per gallon) —Kerosine : Sales have been reported for parcels at 3s per gallon. The market continues to be well supplied by constant arrivals of moderate shipments from the colonies, and large quantities are still to come forward.

Rice (duty paid, 2s per cwt)—Very little business doing in this staple. Clean dressed patra of good sample is worth from £27 to to £27 10s per ton. Stocks moderate. Sugar (duty paid, M per lb)—The usual demand for ordinary trade requirements has been met during the month by moderate supplies from Melbourne at rates which vary little from those quotations adding freight, duty, and commission. Stocks are very scanty, and prices are quoted for O No. 1, £49 10s ; C, £47; and Y, £4llos to £42 per ton. No Mauritius sorts in the market.

Tea (duty, 6d per lb)—Most of the stock of direct shipments are cleared out, and with the-'exception of a few lines of the choicer sorts, have gone into consumption, and our market is now entirely supplied by importations from the adjacent colonies of Australia. There is still a large stock on hand of inferior and old teas quite unsaleable. Tobacco (in bond, duty 2s 6d per lb) —Not much trade doing. Stocks of good quality moderate. Southern twist of esteemed brands is worth Is 5d per lb; irferior, Is Id to Is 3d. Wises and Spirits (m bond, duty 4s and 12s per gallon)—Wines are in no demand;

stocks moderate. Spirits: Martell's and Hennessy's brandy is still quoted at 7s 9d to 8s per gallon for quarters, but we should think that recent advices of the rise in France and the prospect of availing off in the supply, which seems to be r'nevitable so long as the unsettled state of things continues there should lead to much higher value for the stock in hand in the colonies. Holders h6re are not pushing sales as a rule, but we hear of a sale of v 4O quarter casks of Bisquit, Dubouche, and Co's brand at a price withheld. Martell's case is quoted at 28s to 29s ; Hennessy's 318 6d to 325. Whisky : Nothing doing. Geneva: Stocks large. Sale of 3< ) cases at lis per case, various contents. Rum: Ample stocks at 4s 2d to 4s 3d for LH and C, 4s RWP.