DUNEDIN COMMERCIAL.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 65, 19 June 1863, Page 2

DUNEDIN COMMERCIAL.

(From the Daily Times, June 15.) The Cilifornian flour, ex Zilla, is being retailed to the trade at from £15 to £15 10s, and pending the realisation of the 350 tons, prices of Colonial cannot advance, indeed the market for breadstuff's is completely paralyzed. The importers refused £14 for the parcel from parties who would have withdrawn it from the market, and thua steadied prices. In horse feed, the parcel of Scotch oats is held out of the market for full rates; this produce will not spoil by keeping, and ia the hands of capitalists, there is no chance of a reduction in prices. At the same time it is proper that foreign exporlers should know that 16,000 bushels Scotch oats, and a very excellent sample, can be thrown upon the market at a moment's notice. The necessity of a more frequent communicatoni between this port and the North Island has receded the attention of the Chamber of Commerce and the Superintendent has recommended a change. The present mail is fortnightly, and is evidently insufficient for the exigencies oi the times. It is desirable a larger trade should be opened up with the North, and it is quite possible the mercantile community may be called on to furnish a variety of supplies ; this will be developed in process of time, and by the proper forethought of our merchants. An initiatory movement is on the tapis towards the construction, at Port Chalmers, of a Graving Dock, and Patent Slip. The scheme has been premeditated the last six months, and has cost the originators both time and money to mature the plans now laid before the Cliamber of Com. n>erce. Great credit is due to the gentlemen who hr.ve voluntarily taken the matter in hand. It j a proposed to form a company, with a capital o e

£30,000, under the sanction of Government, who will be asked to guarantee interest at the rate of 6 per cent. The capacity of the dock will admit, a vessel of 1000 tons, and it will be on the principle of Edwin Clarke's patent, now in operation on the Thames. In connection with this scheme, which is the forerunner of d reet steam communication with Eugland viu Panama, the same gentlemen, at considerable cost of time and money are preparing one of greater magnitude, namely that of a Kailway between this city and Port Chalmers, and we have it on" good authority that half the proposed capital is already forthcoming. It is premature to furnish further particulars, and not fair to the projectors.