COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5735, 16 August 1879, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

Tlio amount of Customs duties collected at this port for the week ending August 14 was as under

In the import trade things are as quiet as can well ho conceived, the coming elections and the prevailing tightness in the money market being the absorbing topics of the day. We report no changes in quotations. prices generally being very low, and sales aro restricted to small lots for cash or short terms of credit. It is supposed that the successful floating of the live million loan will induce a better state of things, but it must bo some time before any appreciative results are felt, and in the meantime dullness and depression prevails throughout the trading community. Stocks of all kinds are on tho increase. In the produce market there is a corresponding state of things, and sales to any extent are onlyeffected at a minimum of profit. Keg butter, if prime, is worth lid to 12cl per lb ; inferior samples having been sold as low as 4d and bd. Cheese is lightlystocked, and firm at 7jd to 8d per lb for Canterbury make. Hams and bacon have been in little demand, .our market being almost bare, and but few parcels of the new season’s cure ns yet to hand. Southern flour has been advanced by the millers 20s per ton, and best brands of Oamaru and Canterbury mills are n 0 w worth £ll to £lllos per ton for sacks, but as stocks in town aro pretty large, and equally so at tho' ports of shipment, we do not look for any further rl* >0 . Oats continue low, with ample stocks in dealers’and importers’ hands. A parcel of 1000 bags wfjre cleared at auction by Messrs. Laery and Campbell at 2s 3d to 2s Gd per bushel, in trade lots. Holder 3 quote 2s 6d to 2s Od for good samples. Make is zither scarce at 4s to 4s 4d; bran dull at 9dto lOd per bushel; pollard, £5 to £5 10s per ton. Then.-is no wheat for fowl feed in slock. Potatoes Market moderately supplied at 100 sto 110 s per ton, but it is doubtful if t h ose rates cou:d be obtained for a shipment, as the season is too far advanced.

1 £ s. rt. Spirits Cigars.. _ 862 10 11 .. 71 5 1 Tobacco .. 243 2 6 Wine .. .. 02 13 10 Beer .. .. 122 10 1 Tea .. 151 0 0 Coffee.. .. 53 9 C Smear.. .. 40 1 8

£ s. d.; "Weight . 301 19 11 ; Ad valorem .. 2331 11 4 Other duties., 122 10 0 Light dues. shipping, &c 161 10 0 Total .. £4371 10 10