COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 533, 30 April 1878, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

The following are the duties collected-at the Customs yesterday:— v i"

Messrs. J. H. Clough'and Company, hi their wool stat!6n and produce' report,- daled Mulbourno lCth Instant, soy Since our report! by last mall this market has continued very dull from want of supplier, as is usual at this period of the year. Three public wool sales have been held, at which and by private contract about 1400 bales have changed hands. The little wool that now comes forward is, with a few exceptions, mostly of •an inferior character; there has, however, been a brisk demand for all offered, and full yalueshave been realised, when the uncertain condl-tlon-of the Home trade, in conjunction .with the unsettled state of European politics, is considered. The telegraphic reports of the closing of tho London ■ Feb-. ruary sales at a reduction bn opening rates of sd, to" Id. per lb have been a cause of'disappointment to shippers,-as it was hoped that the low rate of money in London, and the knowledge that tho production of colonial wool had suffered a considerable falling off, would together have excited sufficient speculative competition to keep the market firm, if not to induce an advance. High-bred clips of greasy fleece-have; been realising high prices, notwithstanding Uie dcpres- : sion in other kinds, and forces on tho conviction, so f often urged, that no pains, however great, can be toomuch in improving the breed, character, and getting-j up of their clips by our wool-growers. Prices remain ns before. There is a considerable Inquiry for eligible investment, but the languid condition of the London wool' market acts as a bar to business being dono at the prices owners have; been looking for.. The magnificent season, however, jiqw openlngouh for pastoral interests—copious rains having fallen throughout the colonies—induces Vendors to hold out for higher expectations. The. abundance of, feed and; water now available has caused’a yery heavy demand,for store stock, to make good the. losses sustained during the late drought, and'priced for' fattening wethers and young breeding ewes may be quoted full 20 to 25 per cent, higher. There are now good prospects of ,an abundant season, stock of all kinds are already showing great improvement, and the ensuing clip of wool bids fair, as far as can at present bo prognosticated, to . be everything that can;budeslred as regards growth : and condition for themext shearing.w Since the dato of our last the market has slightly declined, although wo 4 have not had a. l taifco* supply Present ’ quotations are—for inferior, £26 to £27; mixed, £23 to £32; beef, £3l to £32 10s; and mutton, £33 to £34 per tpn. The' clearances have been 280 casks only.

£ 8. i\. Spirits .. 205 30 4 Wine. C4 17 0 Tobacco . .. no 17 c Tea 48 7 0 Sugar .. .. (i3 5 10 Ooffoe .. .. 11 4 0

S s. d. Ale (bottled) J. 30 13 0 AJoCbuIk)* *. 6 0 0 Good* by weight 51 1 0 Ad valorem 1. 304 •8 11 Total ,. i £031 0 1