COMMERCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 176, 9 June 1862, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Daji/i Times Office, Saturday Evening. The past work has hepn a very busy om in commercial circles. The A!<!iuga was reported cnvly on Monday morning, and was despatched with very littl<* delay on her return voyr.gc. The White Swan lias also' arrived with mails from tlie northern ports, andto-daythe Omeo hsisleft foe tfelbmirnc, taking vrit'x her part of this month's Englishdespatches. The Black Swan tins arrived from London, bringing a general cargo and 104 passengers. Wo also notice the arrival of a small cargo of flour from Adelaide, which comes to a very bare market, and will meet ready sale at current values. A rather unusual impo tatio.i has been that of a RmnH cargo of cattle from Norfolk Island, our tupplies of horned stock 1 ei'g usually limited to arrivals from New Zealand ports, ttie Pleuro Pneumonia Prevention Act prohibiting the receipt of any cattle from Australia. The later news from Melbourne, and also from the northern Provinces, is devoid of any particular mercantile interest. There has been but a very limited demand in the wholesale market. . Articles of general consumption only are taken, and in such lots as to meet a very temporary demand. The impi.rlntions of timber (luring the hist i'ew. weeks have been heavy, especially Van Dienian's Laud hardwood, and some recent sales will barely cover cost and charges. Scotch flooring is also now" fully supplied, and Values for wholesale • parcels nre lower. American timber and shelving remain about same quotations, perhaps a shade easier; but'as Melbourne prices are hardening, and holders here show considerable firmness, we expect to see values maintained. The price of tobacco tuts advanced; indeed, we hear of instructions having been received from Australia, to make purchases at rates which would, a few weeks ago, have been considered extravagant. Teas continue as dull as ever. Stocks of both good and csmrnon teas are large. Sugars are dull, and only go off'in small lots, the country trade being almost of a stand-still. Malt liquors are dull. Pale brandy is inquired for in nited parcels. • 'This week's escort is the smallest yet received. This we can hardly be surprised at when the severe weather recently experienced on the diggings is considered. The spring is still looked forward to as the date of revived mining operations, and it cannot be doubted that the auriferous ground at present opened up is sufficient to support a very much larger population than we have at present iv Otago. Duncdin Customs, June 7th, 1862. The quantity of gold entered to-day amounted to 6Csoz. lOdwta.. upon which the duty levied was £S3 Bs. Bd. The imports realised £195 16s. M.

Loas op Four Livns. —Intelligence hns latelybeen received hy the relations of Mr. W. M'Lteh, recently the lender of ;i Government prospecting party at Sago Hill, of hw death by drowning in the river Wayua, 150 miles from Sydney. The deceased was engaged in forming a breakwater at the river's mouth, and had left in a bout with live men lor town for their week's provisions. In returning, and when aearlv bade to the breakwater, a squall came on, and the boat immediately filled with water. The deceased, and three others, swam some distance, but were drowned. The fifth man, who was unable to swim, stuck to the boat, and was saved. Three of the bodies were recovered, but M'Liesh's body has not been found yet. Sir. M'Liesh was well-known and highly respected on Ballarat, raid, in fact, on almost all the gold fields. He spent all his time and money while Si this colony a period of nearly eight years—-in prospecting for'new gold fields, in which he met with some success. It was always his impression that the deep leads from Ballnrat tended west towards Sago Hill, and he spent a great deal of money in_ endeavoring to develope the resources of that district. — Ballarat Star, May 31