COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 618, 14 January 1867, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Times Oppice, Saturday Evening. The following are the Custom Returns for the past two days : — FBn>AY,Jan. 11.

We take the following commercial article from the Daily Times, 7th January : — So much more attention ha« been given to amusement than to business, that, as is usual at this holiday season, transaction* have been small, and more for the supply of actual requirements than anything else ; howerer, it mar bo expected that the coming week will open with activity in all branches "f trade. The flour market wears a better appearance, though no heavy operations or alterations in price have taken place. Stocks, owing to the small quantity of imported coming forward, are nece?sar:lly very moderate, and holders are speculating on the probability of an advance. In malt liquors but little has been doing. English bulk ales in condit : on are scarce, and but little, if any, in the hinds of importer?, and probably not a hogshead -win be on hand by the time the new brew arrives. The auction sale of sugars on the 4th prevented any previous private transactions, nor has there been anything of moment doing since. Buyers remain fairly supplied. The demand for teas has been fair, but only for town trade. Enquiry for cornsacka has been checked by advices from Melbourne. We are also advised of a lar:-e increase in the price of malt. In spirits the demand has been, for immediate delivery, small ; but there has been enquiry for parcels of brandies coming forward. Holders, however, consider themselves justified, in the present state of the market, in rejecting anyhing less than 'uli cun-ent rates. The fo'lowing items of commercial is taken from 'he Canterbury Press, Jan. Ist : — As usual &l this season of the year, business has been alrost su^pen^e-l, recreation and amusement lTjoifl- ni" to the Christmas season occupying the time and a-ft-ntion of all classes of society. A sale of choice, lon^wnolled sheep was advertised to be helrl on Boxing-Jay, but so few persons attend d (hat the sale was postponed until after the holidays. The harvest has commenced in the northern districts. an<l the whea 1 " crop is expected to yieM a better average than last season. The prospect of rather better prices ruling for whent next yeaT may be lo>kpd r or, as the Cnlifornian and Chilian crops will he required to supply the Eastern United - tales and Western Europe, both of which hare suffered from a deficient harre?t. Chilian pri'-^B are already considerably higher than here. No business was done in grain on Saturday. A few samples of barley were shown, but not in fit condition. The oneniog of the new Town Hall on Saturday as a Corn Exchange will, we hope, be the means or the farmers disposing of their grain to the best advantage, and will also enable us to know the exact market value A few head of cattle were yarded at Messrs. Aikman and Wilson's ; prices ruled slightly lower than at late sales. Heifers were quitted at an average of £7 10s , stores, at £10; and firstclass milch stock, at £16. Horses do not rise in value. Messrs Jones and M'Grlashan sold several from £9 .to £24- each. There is an absence of really good draught stock in the market, and we believe a shipment of such are shortly expected from Tasmania.

Old Tom. 9 galls ... £ 6 8 9 Brandy, 28 galls ... 16 16 0 Geneva, 122 galls ... 73 R 8 Ale, 100 sails ... 5 0 0 Sugar. 2.24<i lbs ... 9 6 8 Tea,l23 Ib 3 ... 3 1 6 Oil, ... 0 2 6 £113 1 8 Satttbday, Jan. 12. Brandy, 28 galls ... £16 16 0 Genera, 31 galls ... 18 18 9 £35 14 9