COMMERCIL INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 553, 4 September 1866, Page 2

COMMERCIL INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times Office, Monday Evening. The following are the Custom .Returns for — Saturday, Ist September.

We extract the followiu commercial article from the " Lyttelton Times," 2-ith ult, :— In the import markets business' duriug the past week, has been very quiet, the trade still continuing to evince that extreme caution which has now for some time past characterised all transactions. In breadstuff's speculation remains dormant, and quotations for current requirements are unaltered. In liqnids, pale ale is still very scarce, and full rates are asked for any parcels of firstrate brands. Bottled stout is in iair request, wl-ilst, as the warm season advances, we may ook also for some improvement in the demand for bottled ales. Good Scotch whisky commands considerable attention. Rum is also mquired for. In oilmen's stores we notice no particular excitement, although stocks of many articles of general consumption are by no means heavy. Candlis are hardly aO firm as last week.. Currants, figs, and Sultana raisins are in t'rir inquiry ; we notice, however, fe considei aule shipment in a late arrival from* Lonlou. The market is still bare of dried apples. Tbe live stock market is slowly improving. Fat cattle and sheep are in demand, at steadily improving rates. Some small fadures have lately occurred among the : heep-farniers, and we regret t3 hear that a meeting of the creditors of Messrs. Cimniniliam and Manuering, of Rangiora, has b„-en called for next week. We understand that the estate shows a handsome dividend. The following items of commercial news is taken from the '' Daily limes," 29th. August : — ihe import market keeps dull, aud no large transactions are taking place, the trade doing consisting of little more than miscellaneous parcels for town aud country requirements. Xhe flour market is stea.ly at from £15 to £16 for Chilian and Californian, but no parcels of any magnitude have changed hands. South Aus tralian, in couse -uenee of the limited stock. is held rather more firmly. A few parcels of tea have changed hands — rates maintained — bur no improvement. At Messrs M'Landress, Hepburn, aud Co's Rooms, about 2500 bags sugar were oifered, all but a few bags of which fou d purchasers. The priesc s realised were slightly under recent values. The "finest sample of white crystals brought £54 ; for second whites, £52. Yedow crystals and good counters, £50 to £51 10s ; all duty paid. The market for malt liquors and provisions has presented nothing for notice.

Ale, 50 galls £1 17 6 Old torn, 9 galls 5 8 9 Rum, 31 galls 18 12 0 Tea, 610 lbs 15 10 0 £41 8 3 Moitdav, 3rd September. Geneva, 30 galls £18 9 0 Brandy, 51 galls. ... ... 30 15 0 Sundries 4 13 £52 16 3