COMMERCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 37, 27 December 1861, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

From the general tone of the Australian commercial reports, confidence in the stability of our gold fields is rapidly gaining ground in Victoria, and we may anticipate large shipments from thence. The Melbourne Economist of Dec. 13th states :—" The confidence in the New Zealand gold fields, which to a certain extent was shaken, has been completely restored by the late large arrivals of gold dust. Large orders from Dunedin are freely executed,l^ and the shipments are quite extensive. The value of exports to Otago of general merchandise amounted to £60,450, and business in connection with that market is still very brisk." The revival of the rush hence had materially affected the general country trade of Victoria, the storekeepers manifesting considerable uneasiness at the departure of so many of their customers, and the withdrawing1 of so much of the vital energy of the country. The greatest activity is noticed in the spirit and liquor market, large shipments being made to this port. Brandy manifests an upward tendency, MartelPs dark not being purchaseable under lls.; Hennessey's dark is quoted in qr.-casks at lls., and in hhds.* it is fully worth 10s. to 10s. 6d.; MartelPs bottle is quoted at 285.; Geneva, 12s. 6d. to 13s. for best brands. Large transactions have taken place in whisky for this port, and prices were firm. In galvanised iron considerable orders had been given out from Otago; Hamilton's 24, 26, and 28 guage is quoted at £34 103. Bacon was getting scarce; hams in demand; large sales of Sinclair's hams are reported at lid. Cheese is also being largely shipped hither. Candles of all kinds were firm in price. In our own market we cannot report any alteration, without any absolute fall in prices, yet holders of stock are much more inclined to make easier terms. The market is abundantly supplied with everything, and with the exception of liquors and some few general articles* the demand is not brisk.