MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 39, 30 August 1864, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

Our files, per the s.s, Albion, are to the 20th iust. The Argus, of 19th reports : — Although the weather to-day was of the most depressing character, hard squalls and rain prevailing at intervals, more business was done than for some time past, although no transactions of a speculative character fall to be reported. In the import market, generally, there was a better feeling. For brandies of the best sorts (Hennessy's and others) there was some inquiry, both for home consumption, and for shipment to New Zealand and Sydney. A large quantity of tea, in all -about 60,0001 b. weight, was shippedfor Sydney and Launceston, where the market is somewhat better at present than it is here. Although some 500 bags of sugar oiily were placed by Messrs. Fraser and Co. at their pubhc sale of the cargo, ex Marccllus, from the Mauritius, about 1,200 bags were afterwards disposed of privately, at a price which did not transpire. In flour, also, there is a firmer feeling, the impression gaining ground in tlie trade that, for a time at least, prices have seen their lowest. Hart's Adelaide Hour 'changed hands at £20 10s. for cash, and £21 at short credit: Sales of Chillian, ex Rapido, were made at a price believed to be under £19 10s. For wheat, Ss. 9d. was offered, without leading to business.

The Argus of 20th has the following : — There was a decided improvement to-day in the demand for goods of nearly all descriptions for the country trade, though we have no alteration iv prices in the import market to report. The better feeling in the flour market noticed yesterday continues. In the early part of the day, Hart's Adelaide flour was placed at £20 10s., but at the close of the market, no Adelaide first-class brands could be obtained under £21 per ton. For the entire cargo of the Rapido, £1S 15s cash was refused, £19 being asked. The ofier was made for some country millers. Sales of South Australian wheat were made at Bs. 9d. cash ; 9s. on terms, was refused later in the day. The auction sales were of some importance. The reports furnished will be found beiow. At Messrs. Fraser and Co.'s, twist tobacco brought (at, auction) 3s. Oid. per lb., or from Is. to Is. 6d. per lb. less than the same quality would have fetched three or months ago. Tliis fall in value is attributable to the fact that, a considerable while ago, the best twists were all in one hand, aud were firmly held. Tho shipments since received have been considerable, and have passed into the hands of numerous firms.