COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 33, 18 May 1863, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

" ISVERCAEGILL TiMEB" OFFICE,

Monday, 18th May,

When the last mail left, we had to report an early commencement of the winter. Wet and equally weather continued with but little interruption for the succeeding three weeks, and greatly checked business, as the roads up-country became all but impassable. A favorable change has since taken place, and brought buyers into the market, but in the meantime stocks have bee n accumulating, which prevents any improvement in prices. The Chamber of Commerce, which we referred to as in course of formation, has fairly come into existence with between forty and fifty members, and promises to assert for itself a position as one of the most active members of our social constitution. .Already it has addressed the Government on the subject of contracts, and will shortly embody Its views in a document that will call for attention. The Government having sent home orders for the plant of the Bluff Railway, without giving our local capitalists and merchants an opportunity of tendering for any portion of the undertaking, has excited a feeling of intense mistrust and indignation; while to crown their unwarrantable proceeding, a printed circular has been issued from the Superintendent's office, touting for business, to the favored shipbrokers _>'-; on whom his Honor intends to bestow that porV tlon of bis patronage. There are men amongst us A , . - • ■ ■

now who know a little of the outs and ins of railway and engineer, contracting.; so we make no doubt that cavalierly as our- local potentate may be disposed to treat his subjects, his proceedings will be. closely watehed v to their conclusion, and .any waste: •of public money will not escape with impunity. [

, ', Other grievances call for, attention, arid will, no doubt, receive .it ; but how far a Government chosen rather from 1 personal considerations, at a time when there was no call for any special energy in its administrative functions, may be able or willing to second the action of the Chamber, which is composed of men of an entirely different stamp, remains to be seen. Fresh firms continue to start up. Every week brings new men from other colonies, and there is now some fear that all will not be «ble to make the adventure profitable, as a New Zealand business absorbs a large amount of capital, and for want of that needful element a few of our new friends may find their task bevond their strength. We learn from the Melbourne papers that a Victorian house having a branch liere has already got into difficulties, and if able to escape annihilation, will have to curtail its operations.

Drayage for the Wakatip ranged as high as £80 during the month, "but has receded to £55, and a few weeks fine weather will bring it down much lower.

Flour— Adelaide is still selling at £18 ; Tasmanian quite neglected.

Gats— Bs 6d. Hay— £l4 to £17. Hams and Bacon — in "better supply, Is 8d to Is9d.

Butter— Cork, Is 7d, Cheese — Is 4d.

Candles — Belmont, la 4d. Tea — slow of sale: Sugars — fair counters, 5d to ssd. Ale and Stout— both in bulk and tattle, neglected, on account of high rates of cartage. Brandy— first brands, 15s for dark ; 15s 6d pale. Whiskey — neglected. Geneva — market overstocked. Tobacco — nepleeted . Soft Goods — demand over for this season.