COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5266, 8 February 1878, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The following are the duties collected at the Customs yesterday:—

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency report, under date Loudon. January 29, that the bank rate then stood at 3 per cent. MELBOURNE WOOL MARKET. Messrs, Goldsbrmgh in their monthly circular dated Melbourne. January 2S, says;—The usual auction sales uf wool have been held during the month, and 10,334 bales have been sold out of 23,775 bales catalogued ; thus making a total- of 142,645 bales offered and 104,654 bales sold since the commencement of th* sales in October. There is a fair quantity remaining in the warehouses to offer tills month, and the arrivals continue, though on a reduced scab*, the season being evidently drawing to a close. Prices are not ,so firm • as they were last month, which is to some extent attributable to the lots now’ offering being principally inferior to ordinary descriptions, as is generally the case towards the end of the clip. The catalogues have included a'large proportion, of low greasy, for which 1 buyers would not give the rates expected, and these have been difficult to sell. The prevailing uncertainty about the Eastern question, and the unsatisfactory state of trade in Yorkshire and the manufacturing districts generally, both combine to depress the market; and buyers are disposed to act with caution in viiw of the possibility of England being involved la the war now going on between Russia and Turkey. The fact of such a large quantity of wool being held over from November sales clearly shows that consumption is not keeping pace with production.; and although there may be spirited competition for good clips in February, we doubt if other descriptions will participate. The shipments from the colony to date show a decrease of 22,305 bales, the total shipped being 220.351 bales as against 242,656 bales at the corresponding period oflusfc year. We are also advised of a diminished export from New South Wales, and it is certain that there must be a deficiency in the yield from Australia generally, but we cannot give a reliable estimate until the season is further advanced. We Itarn that the losses of sheep in South America, also in California, have been very considerable during the past year, consequently the quantity available for consumption will not bo so large as was anticipated. This should exercise a favorable influence on prices, more especially for sound-conditioned dips. Operations for America have been brought to a close, the Ardentlnny having sailed for Boston on the 22nd inst. with 1231 bales, thus making a total of 5071 bales shipped direct to the States from this port during the season. We regret to note that the drought continues over a large extent of New South Wales and this colony, the weather having been intensely hot during most of the month, thus almost neutralising any benefit derived faom the rains that fell at intervals during the earlier portions of the summer. Freights to London continue at Jd for greasy, and §d for washed per sailing vessels ; but In one or two cases, to ensure quick despatch, £d less has been taken. Messrs. Clough and Co’s report of the same date says There was a good attendance at our usual weekly sale on Monday, when we offered a catalogue comprising 750 bales. The biddings were spirited, and last week’s rates were fully maintained ; in some instances a slight advance was obtained. Greasy sold at 7jd to 131-d, the latter price being obtained for 27 bales, branded fl over B, from Bathurst. Scoured realised 13d to and fleece 13£d to 18? d, no superior lots of this latter description being offered. Tallow. —The Market shows no alteration since last week. We have sold as followslnferior, £26 to £27; mixed. £2B to £3l; beef, £3l to £3l 10s; and mutton, £33 to £33 per ton. BY IELEGRAPH. DUNEDIN, Thursday. Mr. Bradshaw reports shares as follows:—Bank of New Zealand, £24; Colonial Bank, 555; National Bank, 745; New Zealand Insurance, 05s; National Insurance, 30s; South British Insurance, 77a Od; Standard Insurance, 225; Union insurance, 13s 6d; Union Steam Ship, £7: New Zealand Shipping, 80s; Mosgiel, 675.

£ s. d. £ s. d. Spirits s 9 Ad valorem . 5 3 11 Tea .. 10 10 0 .. 18 13 4 Weight .. 2 7 1 Total . £42 3 1