COMMERCIAL.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 74, 18 November 1864, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

A rcviral in trade has been very manifest during the month. Business in all departments lias been gradually assuming a more healthy aspect than had been seen for some months previous, and transactions now are only made of a character in conformity with the requirements of our population. When last out-going mail was leaving our shores, the people of the Province were celebrating the opening of our first line of railway. Expectations are sanguine, and doubtless well grounded, as to the advantages to be conferred on the settlers and the Province generally by tlio introduction of a system of railway communication. In tho absence of good roads, facilities for traffic are anything but satisfactory, and a railway is justly considered tho first modo of effectually opening up tho interior for successful settlement ; whib ifc is conceded on all hands that tho prosecution of .our Northern line to tho interior must necessarily place our capital in a position to monopolise the extensive and important trade carried on with tho goldfiolds of the Lake Wakatipu and Nokomai districts. An instalment (eight miles) of tlu's lino has boon opened, but great results aro not expected till at least double that length is attained. The accounts from tho goldficlds ha vo been, most encouraging -during tho month, and largo consignments of goods have found their way thither. , A groat hindrance to the development of trado with tho Lakos is still caused by the, unwillingness of oar banks to discount Quboiistown pajjor. So much has this been felt, that in conjunction; with tho ; uußatisfuotofy ' price tliey allow for gpld, 1 Korioua thoughts navtf boon ontertainod. of tho 03» tftbliflhinflw<i of. » local bank,: ;.•".• ;• ,', , -Ooinnjuniqfttiojv during tho, month hft& Voon tjfoll mftinfcfti»(st| vifclj iriwi'.jiwinoiftl'ftMd J»t<nv

have come to hand from Melbourne; Dunedin, and Canterbury, and stocks are now fully equal to meet requirements for a considerable time. Sales by auction have been' comparatively of little moment. One or two provincial stations have changed hands, at -prices which have not transpired. ' :l 'The Otago Government having rescinded the. proclamation hitherto prohibiting the importation of cattle from Southland into: that Province, and an outlet is again afforded for our surplus stock. It has been computed that there'iare 'from 20,000 to 25,000 head of cattle in the: ' Province at the present time. : -' /; '.* k. ,i . > Our wool season will commence shortly., One vessel, the Escape, is .already on J the berth for London. ' : ■■'■ ■ •' -■':■•;* u-r::.- --:; The timber- trade of the Province is rapidly expanding, and promises to assume ■ important | dimensions. Exports to a ' considerable extent I hare been made to several of the Northern Pro- ' vinees from Stewart's Island, and one or two vessels are. now chartered for cargoes to Melbourne and Auckland. The Customs' Revenue has been looking up during the month, and clearances give evidence of a steady demand for goods for home consumption. Quotations have, suffered little change. In flour and sugar a steady and increasing trade has been done. : Best Adelaide brands now command full rates, Jlnd the selling price for the month has ranged from £30 to £32 ; other sorts realise less money. In potatoes, there has been much activity, and good sorts have fetched, in some instances, extremely high rates. In wholesale lots, Victoi'ian kinds have been sold by auction at £10, but for provincial grown, the price paid has been as much as £14 and £15 per ton. Spirits have remained almost entirely without change, and stocks are still heavy. A disastrous fire which occurred on the 31st ulfc., consumed a considerable quantity of this article. Beers and ales are flat and dull of sale ; the market being fully stocked. Good sorts fetch £5 and £6 per hhd., in bond. ; old brew, by auction, has been parted with at very low rates. For a, full statement of prices ruling in our markets, ire refer our readers to our Wholesale Prices Current, as given below. «*.