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Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 61, 20 October 1864, Page 2

„ >.. Our Melbourne files are to the 13th instant. We extract the following report from the Argus of that date : — The import market has not been fertile of actual operations to-day, but the mail news received by telegraph has produced some stir, and the general effect of the intelligence cay be said to be beneficial. The report of the further decline of shipments to thiß port and Sydney is, in the present state of the market, satisfactory. From a private telegram, we learn that 20,000 bushels of wheat, and 450 tons of flour, comprise the quantity of breadstuff's shipped for. these ports. This includes the 200 tons arrived by the Marco Polo, so that the amount to come in from this quarter is •ome 700 tons. The telegram adds, " chiefly for Auckland." A considerable parcel of first-class Adelaide has been quitted to-day at £23 15s. ; but there are not Wanting sellers of odd lots at from £23 to £23 10s. In foreign flour there have been few operations. A parcel of American, offered at auction, and sold as per bulk, realised only 29e. 6d. per barrel; but we are unable to apeak positively as to its condition. The market for Chilian will be tested to-morrow, at" the auction of the cargo of the Dominiquez Hermanos. Malt is in brisk demand. Early in the day it changed hands at 9s. 3d.,, but subsequently offers of 9s. 6d. were refused, and 10s. and upwards is now asked. Woolpacks and three-bushel bags are still inquired for, and 11 bales of the latter have been disposed of at 21s. Bulk ale is being inquired for, shipments being understood to be light. By the Aldinga, we are in possession of our Otago files up the 18th (yesterday). The Daily Times has the following general remarks on the business of the month, and future prospects: — " Business during the past month has continued to show signs of improvement, and transactions have been on a more extended scale. The fine weather which we have had has imparted greater life to onr town trade ; besides, it has induced upcountry storekeepers to operate rather more freely —and with diminishing stocks of most articles of merchandise, importers have been enabled, in many instances, to obtain rather better prices. This has been most apparent in flour, sugar, tea and provisions. On the other hand, spirits, bulk beer, and oilmen's stores, have continued dull of sale; as also have all classes of building materials, but this later class of merchandise is likely to improve shortly. Gold mining operations continue to show favorably, and confident anticipations are now entertained, that with the advance of spring, we shall hear of much new auriferous country being opened up; already we have had several new fields indicated, and so far as advices have yet come to hand, the promises of a rich yield are very favorable. The escorts for the month show a steady increase over the last two or three months. Money continues high, still credit i 3 well sustained, and we have no failures of importance to note during the month. In another month shearing will he rerv general amongst our wool growers, and so far the promise is fair for a very good clip. The Some News (Aug. 26) gives the following wool report: — After the first few days' sale, the rise in the Bank rate to 8 per cent, caused a decline in our market of about l£d. on the average, but during the last ten days a better feeling has prevailed, and a recovery of about Id. has taken place, mainly caused by the large operations for export which has imparted more confidence to Home buyers. The sales close on the 31st of August, and the number of bales catalogued will probably reach 130,00. It is evidence of the healthy state of the woollen trade, that with the present high rate of money and unprecedented quantity submitted, rates should have been so well .maintained ; aud it augurs well for the remainder of the clip to be submitted for sale about the middle of November.