COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Volume VI, Issue 493, 13 June 1866, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times Office, Tuesday Evening. The following are the Custom Returns for — Moi-tdat, 11th Juno.

Our Canterbury files extend to tlio 4th June. We take the subjoined from the Press of that date : — The following is Mr. G. D. Lockhart's report of the Christchurch live stock and station market for the month of May : — The transactions during the past month have not displayed the same amount of anxiety on the part .of the trade, Westland dealers, and runholders, to avail themselves of the lull in the cattle market evident during the previous month, the .reason of which is entirely attritutable to the fact of the markets on the "West Coast being completely overdone, both with sheep and cattle ; but lam hilly convinced that a month or six weeks will be quite sufficient to admit of the markets there displaying their usual activity. The dealers at the present moment are losing money, and such, is the character of the Wesfcland markets, that whenever stock arrives there it is bound to be sold, no matter at what sacrifice. I quote the best quality beef at 50s per lOOlbs, cash ; if on terms, 53s ; but even at these quotations not so eagerly enquired after. I look upon it that the markets are now at their lowest, and it is a well-known fact that the consumption of animal food upon all goldfields is much greater in winter than in summer. I yarded a considerable number of beasts last month, but the reserves were too high to be realised. Store cattle have changed hands at fair value. Sheep are still enquired after, and prices firm. Our sheep market has been relieved of something like 70,000 head, mixed ages and sexes, which have passed into the provinces of Otago and Southland. Fat Stock — In fair demand. TJie supply of both sheep and cattle is moderate. Nearly all the large herds have' been pretty freely culled during the last four months, and holders of very fine conditioned sheep are inclined to hold back for a slight advance in prices, partly in consequence of the fact that fat sheep may be landed in the Westland markets in good killing condition, and partly in consequence of each passing month bringing the owners neai*er next shearing, and thereby facilitating the means of procuring a supply of money for current expenses. I quote good quality beef at 50s to 53s per 1001 b ; mutton 4d per lb ; calves, 60s to 755, according to condition. Store Cattle — In demand j no change in prices from the previous month. Good average herds, I mixed ages and sexes, may be quoted at £9 to £11 per head ; calves under six months given in. I have no doubt but that two month hence this description of stock will be in very active demand. The paddock (English grass) feeding for this | season is finished, and stores can only be fed in warm, sheltered runs, to advantage. Milch Cows — Much enquired after ; are worth from £1S to £25 per head, and meet with a ready sale, especially cows warranted quiet, and within one . month of calving. The market is badly supplied with this description of stock. Calves — In good condition, always saleable to the trade at fair value, and also in request by nearly all classes of purchasefs, especially quite heifers. They are worth from £4 10s to £'6, ages ranging from seven to twelve months ; any offered are immediately bought up. | Fat Sheep — Keep up fully in value ; a slight | advance in some instances is asked. I quote j really good mutton at 4d per lb, with no prospect of any fall. A large number have gone and ai'e going towards the West Coast, notwithstanding the late discouraging reports from that quarter regarding the overstocked state of the market. Store Sheep — More saleable, and considerable demand coming from the Southern provinces; full-mouthed ewes, 10s : maiden ewes, 16s ; four to six-tooth, 15s to 15s 6d ; lambs, mixed sexes, 10s 6d ; wethers — two, four and six- tooth, 10s to 13s. I can sell large numbers at these prices for cash, or equal to cash, but not many offering. Earns — The season is now advancing, the market quite full. Leicesters (pure bred) much enquired for — few in the market. Southdowns low and neglected, although many are offering ; and remarkably fine sheep are in the market without finding purchasers. Horses (with the exception of well-known thoroughly staunch horses) are nearly unsaleable at anything like a remunerative figure. Common ' hacks are plentiful at from £12 to £17. Superior saddle horses always command fair prices, say from £30 to £40. Unbroken draught colts are worth £20 to £30, and find purchasers. Station Properties — A good many enquiries are being made, but not many sales effecting, and station properties are decidedly enhanced in value by extensions of the leases for a further period of ten years. I have several desirable stations for sale, both in Otago, 2velson, and Canterbury. Wool — The season may be said to be closed. The prices realised by auction last season were so satisfactory that I doubt not that the ensuing season will see the larger portion of the year's clip disposed of in this way. Sheepskins — Always saleable at from 3d to 7d per lb. Tallow — Scarce, and the demand greater than the supply. Farm Produce — The market depressed, and little grain offering, I quote wheat at 4s 6d to 4s 8d ; good oats, a slight improvement, and are worth say 3s 6d to 3s 8d j barley, 5s to 6s 3d, ' according to quality ; flour, £16 to £18 per ton ; bran, £6 10s per ton ; sharps, £8 10s per " ton ; peas, 4s 6d to ss ; potatoes, £2, unsaleable 5 hay, £4 to £5, delivered. Land property — Many valuable properties on hand, which can be bought upon very easy terms. We take the following from the Lyitelton Times of Firday, Bth June : — Our markets during the past week have been exceedingly quiet, with but a limited demand for goods for immediate requirements, and for those that are very bare in stock. The election for Superintentendent has so completely absorbed the attention of the whole province that business has been somewhat neglected. There are etill very many important aiticles of consumption much, wanted, and which will sell readily at liigh rates. Candles continue very low in stock, and are readily saleable at Is 6d to Is 7d per lb ; currants and raisins are very scarce, also salad oils. For hams and bacon, to arrive, Is 9|d per lb has been refused. English cheese is readily saleable at Is 4d to Is 6d per lb to land, but there is none in first hands. Kerosine is rising in value and stocks are low. Really good malt is very scarce, and a parcel in good order, would sell readiiy at high rates. Hops are very lightly held, and good new hops would bring very satisfactory prices. Cornsacks are not so firm, the demand having been less active than was anticipated. Soap is in good demand, and realizes good prices, but the stocks of English are very low. Guinness's stout in bottle has been much inquired for, and Bass's ]N*o. 3 ale in hhds, new brew, has been much in demand. Tobacco has been dull of sale. Teas of good qualityhave been readily saleable. The sugar market remains unchanged. Great complaints liave been icade by the mercantile community, at the way in which the newly interpreted tariff has been enforced in this province. It appears for some time past we have been made to pay duties upon many articles of import which have been admitted iree in Dunedin und other ports. There is so much gross injustice, and want of system in the late new interpretation of the tariff #;afc wa yeully thjufc. the $CYernn}ent

should cause an inquiry to be made, as to its working, as it appears to us that this province is made to bear a much larger share of Customs taxation, than .other, portions of tbo colony of jmw Zealand. As an instanco of the absurdity of the new " interpretation," we may mention the act of fencing wire being admitted free, whilo standards, which are a necessary part of fencing are charged 4s per cwfc duty, but with on mconsistency, to be found alone in the Customs department, the standards, if not drilled with holes, are admitted free. We understand that a petition signed by nearly the whole commercial community is about to be presented to the Government, to retain the services of Mr H. S. M'Kellar, as collector for this port. A better choice could not be made, as this gentleman not only possesses the necessary qualification of a large 'experience in his department, but from his gentlemanly manners, and well-known upright conduct would be most J acceptable to the trading community o f Canterbury. The money market continues tolerably easy and credit sound.

Wino, 25 gals £5 0 0 Sugar, 4450 lbs 18 13 4 Brandy, 56 gals ... ... 33 12 0 Boots, ... 3 6 8 £G0 12 0 Tuesday, 12th June. Bum, 34 gals £20 8 0 Brandy, 27 gab 16 4 0 £36 12 0 «>