COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 26, 22 July 1871, Page 10

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Mail Office, Friday Evening. During the last week the export trade coastwise lias been pretty fair, but we can report no impi'ovement in the local demand, everything in town being as dull as it is possible to be. There have been no arrivals excepting coal vessels, of which we have three barques from Newcastle with full cargoes. Prices are in the main unaltered, although some stocks are becoming unusually low. The market continues bare of dried fruits, and the value has consequently advanced, though not to any great extent ; the quick communication now existing between the various ports in the colony by means of steam and wire serving to equalise prices. Holders are asking 6d per lb for currants, and 6Jd per lb for Eleme raisins.

Oilman's stores are steadily going into consumption, but there is comparatively little demand for town trade.

Sugars are still low in stock, there having been no arrivals of Melbourne Company's pieces. Prices unaltered. Einc salt has been in active enquiry, at 90s to 95s per ton —light stocks. Candles —Sperm candles are worth llfd per lb ; stocks low, most of recent shipments having gone to the outports. Kerosene—Ample stocks for present wants. No alteration in value.

Maize—Over supply from New South Wales and the East Coast, the .latter being a very fine sample, and enjoying, it is said, an immunity from the attack of weevil, which is the great objection to the New South Wales maize.

Oats, low in stock, with no elasticity in price, 3s to 3s Id being the outside figure obtainable for a good sample. Elour —The market for flour continues stationery at last week's quotations, although there is a tendency rather to droop than otherwise. Several parcels have been placed at current rates, but buyers hold back in expectation of better terms. Stocks are moderate. Butter —Heavy stocks, which move off slowly at 6d to 6Jd for prime cure. There is a large quantity of damaged in stock. Bacon—Dull and overstocked. Sixpence per pound is the nominal value ; sales are difficult.

Cheese —Canterbury cheese, of good quality, realises 6d to 6£d per pound ; demand trifling. Wellington make fetches 7d to 9d per pound.

Nelson. —The " Examiner" of the 15th gives the following prices :—Messrs N. Edwards and Co quote £l6 per ton for Rod & Hounsell's superfine flour ; bran, £5 10s per ton ; pollard, £6 10s per ton; sharps, £6 10s per ton. Messrs W. Stavert & Co quote Redwood's superior flour, £l6 a ton. Wheat, per bushel, 6s to 6s 6d ; barley, 3s to 3s 9d j oats, 2s 6d to 2s 9d ; potatoes, £3 to £4 per ton; hay, per ton, £4 10s to £5 ; beer, per hhd, £6; per dozen, 8s; bricks, per 1000, £4; lime, per bushel, 3s 6d; boards and scantling—white pine, per 100 feet, lis ; red pine, 13s ; totara, 15s ; shingles—totara, per 1000, 17s ; kauri, 9by f, 14s; 9by 1,15 s; P.T. and G., 16s 6d ; wide timber, 17a 6d to 25s ; shingles, 15s.

Cheistchuech.—The "Lyttelton Times," of July 15, has the following report:— Holders of good dry wheat maintain a firm aspect, and several sales of this description have come under our notice at 5s 6d to 5s 9d. Inferior wheat ranges from 4«s to 4s 6d, according to quality. Flour cannot be bought at anything under £ls nett cash, and no allowance can even be obtained for a heavy parcel. Oats remain vei'y firm at last week's rates. The parcels that are now being shipped are stored lots ; consequently, our surplus stocks are rapidly reducing, but the low prices now ruling in Otago prevent any immediate improvement. Bright milling oats are saleable at 2s 5d up to 2s 6d; discolored ditto, 2s l£d to 2s 3d ; and for bright Tartars 2s 3d has been given. The demand for prime butter continues active at 6£d to 6|d, as stocks are getting reduced. Cheese is neglected at 4d to 4jd. Hams and bacon find a ready market at 8d to B|d. Messrs Matson & Co. report as follows on the live stock market for the week ending July 14:—We sold, for various owners, 71 head of cattle, viz, 32 eighteen months to two year old steers, from £3 5s to £3 15s per head; 15 two and three-year old steers, in good condition, from £6 7s 6d to £7 15s; dry cows, £3 15s to £3 17s 6d; dairy cows, £5 5a to £6 10s. In sheep, we sold 300 cross-bred lambs at 4s to 4s 6d per head ; Merino wethers, half fat, at 6s per bead. Some prime cross-bred wethers brought 143 each, equal to a shade over 2|d per pound. Oamaetl—The " Times" *>f July 11 reports : —Wheat shows some little retrogression, a line of good quality having changed hands at 4s 9d cash, which is the fullest rate merchants feel disposed to give. Farmers, however, in most cases, decline to accept the reduction. Oats—for really good samples—2s might be obtained, but we can name no price for discolored and inferior. Barley, for malting purposes, of good quality and color, in demand; discolored, unsaleable. Flour (F. 0.8.), £ls; oatmeal, £ls; bran, £3; pollard, £4.