COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 47, 16 December 1871, Page 11

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Mail Office, Friday Evening. Our market generally continues dull, and the business of the past week has been light and unimportant. Stocks are moderate, and holders, in most instances, adhere to extreme quotations with firmness, although some instances has occurred in which a slight concession have been granted to effect sales. Adelaide Flour is still quoted at £l6 per ton, with a depressing tendency in consequence of low rates ruling in Australia. Canterbury Flour meets with less enquiry, and sales are difficultat quotations—£l4 perton for first-class brands. Feeding grain, dull. Oats, nominally 3s 2d to 3s 4d, with trifling demand. Sugars are firm at last week's prices. The advance in Melbourne still continues, and Company's pieces will have to compete with the cargo of the Queen of the South from Mauritius, which is in small bags, in good order, and in every respect a more economic sugar than the colonial make. Crushed loaf is still quoted at £SB per ton. Market bare of sultanas and figs. The stock of currants, which was low, has received an increase by arrival of the Tararua, and are worth s£d. Kerosene (arrivals) is dull of sale at 23 8d to 2s 9d. Teas—no business doing, except for really fine teas, which are inquired for. The grocers a-e mostly stocked. Wool is coming in in quanta ies, and the last news has given a fillip to prices, which continue firm. Butter, in kegs for shipment, first class make, sales at sd.

With regard to certain proposed amendments in the Cußtoms and Tariff Regulations, the committee of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce has submitted the following suggestions : —First: That sections 21 and 22 of the Customs Regulation Act, 1858, and 13, Amendment Act, 1868, be so amended as to provide, that in case of dispute between the collectors and importers as to whether any article is dutiable or not, or as to what rate of duty should be levied upon any article, bucli dispute shall, on the demand of the importer, and at the importer's expense, be referred to two experts—one to be chosen by the Commissioner of Customs, the other by the importer—whose decision shall be final; the importer or his agent to have the right to lay before these experts such evidence, and to offer such arguments in regard to the point in dispute, as he may desire. Second : That coasting vessels carrying goods under bond from one port to another be not allowed to clear out at the port where such goods are discharged, until bond has been given that charges of duty for deficient quantities will be paid by the ship. Third : That drawbacks of duty, when amounting to not less than five pounds sterling, should be allowed on all goods which remain in the original packages, and in regard to which the importation under duty can be verified. At a recent meeting of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, the committee of the Chamber presented the following report with regard to the Bankruptcy Bill introduced during the late session of the General Assembly :—" It is with great regret that the committee have learnt that the Bankruptcy Bill which was before Parliament last session failed to pass. Copies of the Bill as originally introduced were furnished to the committee and carefully examined. A number of recommendations for its amendment were determined upon and submitted to the Select Committee of both Houses to which the Bill was referred' through Mr Bathgate. „ " The committee also recommended that the Accountant in Bankruptcy should be summoned to give evidence in regard to the bill,believing that his experience must render such evidence of the greatest value. '* The committee believe that the bill, with amendments proposed, would have embodied almost everything in the way of improvement upon the existing law that experience has hitherto shown to be desirable. The committee have now to. recommend that their successors should give to the amended bill a careful consideration, aud forward any recommendations that may occur to them for its further improvement, to the Government at an early date."

Wangantti.—The "Herald" of the 9fch has the following report: —Mr W. Finnimore reports having sold at Upper Rangitikei on Thursday, 7th December, cattle and sheep, as under: —Merino ewes, shorn, 4s 6d ; halfbred ditto, 8s 3d ; wethers, 6s ; lambs, 5s 9a ; pigs, from 2s 6d to 18s j'cows, £2 12s 6d to £2 19s ; heifers, £2 12s 6d j steers, two-year-old, £1 17s 6d ; yearlings, £1 9s; calves, six months, 10s j three-year-old steers and cows, £3 7s 6d ; trap and harness, 12s. This was one of the most largely attended sales ever held in the district; the bidding was spirited, and everything passed off in the most satisfactory manner. Mr Finnimore also reports having sold on Friday, December Bth, al Mr Z. Mead's, three and four-year-old steers, in good condition, at £4 cash; cows, £2 9s; steers and heifers, two-years old, £1 18s; steers and . heifers, mixed ages, £2; cows, £3. About 150 head were yarded at the two sales, the whole of which were disposed of. They were in very low condition, with one exception. These were yarded by Mr C. Galpin, being really fine stock. They reflected credit on the breeder.