Commercial Summary.

Southland Times, Issue 902, 19 February 1868, Page 2

Commercial Summary.

Tikis Oeficb, Tuesday ETening. The slight improvement in our local markets, noticed last month, still continues, but owing to the unsatisfactory state of the wool sales in England, business has not this year acquired the increased activity it usually assnmes during this •eason. The extensive roadworks now being cat ried out by the Provincial Government, have however, helped materially to counteract the depression likely naturally to ineue in consequence of the serious reduction in the value of the staple export. The money expended in these works ha* mostly found its way into the hands of settlers in the immediate vicinity of the town, men who are not in a position either to hoard it up or convey it immediately to distant localities, and the consequence has been a very preceptible increase in country orders, and an upwards inclination in most descriptions of merchandise. In the horse and cattle markets particularly, transactions for the month have been unusually large, and prices still rule high, although later sales would intimate that importers of stock must soon submit to a reduction, Town properties and rural sections are also looking up, betokening returning and increased confidence in the future of the province. In provincial produce prices are likely to be maintained, if not advance. For potatoes we are [ dependent mainly on importation, while we have heard of several sales of cereals, at good prices, delivery after harvest ; butter, cheese, and bacon, also find a ready markdt at improving rates. Mr Wm. Todd, auctioneer, reports great activity in the horse and cattle market. The number that has changed hands within the past month exceeds that of any other for the last three years. Horses, — The shipment of Mr Bryson, sold on the Ist instant, realised — Medium draughts, £28 to £42 ; heavy draughts, £57 to £81. On the following Saturday — the Bth instant— the whole of Mr I. (Sidney's importation were sold at prices ranging from £16 to £55. On the 15th instant Mi> Elliot's importation realised — Medium hacks, £17 to £24 10s. Owing to the very large number of horses imported this month, prices are a little easier. Cattle. — The monthly Wallacetown sale, held at Polling's yards on the 11th instant, brought forward about 80 head, all of which passed under the hammer, with the exception of very few. The prices ranging at this sale were at an advance on the previous one. There was a large attendance of bona fide buyers , and the really spirited biddings show that a good demand exists for dairy stock. The prices obtained for milch cows were £11 to £15 10s ; three-year-old steers, £9 to £10 10s. The importation of Mr J. Elliot, per Hydra, from Victoria, was offered in the yards, Dee-etreet. The sale brought forward a large attendance. About half the shipment of 236 head was quitted at — Heifers, £10 to £12 10s ; milch cowe, £12 to £15. One superior lot of seven head brought £140— others, £20, £21, and £22 respectively. A number of well-bred shorthorn heifers are still on hand, which I hope to dispose of within a few days. This importation, for selection, reflects great credit on the importer — Mr J. Elliot. Notwithstanding the large number sold, buyers are still obtainable, and prices not likely to decline. Properties are in better demand. The sale held in the rooms on Thursday was fairly attended. Winton land (Sec 5, of Block II.), uncultivated, sold at 20s per acre, and an allotmont and cottage inJed-Btreet for £46. There are several other properties I have on hand, where there is but a small difference between the vendors and purchasers. The property known as West's, Bluff Boad, is to be sold in the Booms to-morrow. Produce. — I have to note advance in oats of say 3d to 6d per bushel. Potatoes I have sold at £9 per ton. General merchandise, in the Booms, move off at satisfactory prices. B. Buchanan, Auctioneer, Estate Agent, &o. t reports an improved demand for properties — town, suburban and rural. Desirable sections that have long been hanging for a price are now being picked up at seller's prices. The depressed state of the wool market operates for the present unfavorably on station property and Bheep country now in the market, although this is not expected to be other than temporary. For good sound grazing country there are several enquiries in this market. Th© prospect for agricultral produce this season is decidedly better than it was this time last year. For oats, wheat and potatoes, prices are firm and tending upwards, while for butter, cheese, bacon, &c, remunerative prices are maintained. Oats are firm at 3s; wheat, 5s 6d,j butter, lOdto Is ; cheeße. lOd ; for good quality bacon and h&mi ifwell cured, Is to Is Id.

Mr 11. E. Oaborne, Auctioneer reports.—This month's business generally has shown signs of improvement. The horses sold at the Albion Yards on the sth, suitable for hacks and light harnesß purposes, brought very satisfactory prices, say average £16 12s each. The confiscated property sale at the Police Barrack on the Bth inst., was well attended, and every article sold at good prices. Thirty tons of cast-iron, old rolling stock from the Oreti Railway, was bought at £3 per ton for shipment to Dunedin. The three days sale of drapery (from the lOtk inst.,) on the premises of Messrs Moeller Bros. Dee-street, was well attended, and both vendors and purchasers appeared satisfied with the business done. There is a fair enquiry for N.Z. Bank shares as an investment. Town Property has improved in price, and there is frequent enquiry for sections within the area between Tay, Kelvin, Spey, and Dee-streets. House Property in habitable condition is very scarce. I have to sell on Tuesday next, one of the best villas in the suburbs, the late residence of R. M. Merchant Esq., also several business sites in Bak-street. The following are the Custom Retarnu for— Friday, Feb. 7.

Furniture £0 9 2 Saturday, Feb. 8. Brandy, 19 galls ... £11 16 S Wine, 20gails 4 0 0 £15 16 3 Monday 10th Feb. Brandy, 19 galls ... £1112 6 Whisky, 32 gaUi ... 19 4 0 Geneva, 29 galls ... 17 8 9 Tobacco, 1191bs ... 14 17 6 Sugar, 16801bs ... 6 11 8 £69 14 6 Tuesday, Feb. 11. Tea, 360 lbs £9 0 0 Wednesday, 12th Feb. Brandy, 27 galls ... £16 4 0 Tea, 120 lbs 3 0 0 Sugar, 6122 lbs ... ... 21 610 £40 10 10 Thursday, 13th Feb. Spirits of Wine, 46 galls £27 12 0 Brandy, 30 gaßs" ... 18 0 0 Beer, 100 galls ... 6,00 Stout, 250 galls ... 12 10 0 Malt, 636 busheli ... 13 8 0 Tobacco, 86 lbs ... 10 15 0 Candles, 2,500 lbs ... 10 8 4 Fencing Wire ... 15 0 0 Galvanised Iron ... 10 10 0 I Gold, 128 oz. ... 15 8 4 Sundries ... •••• 31 1 7 £170 3 3 Monday, 17th Feb. Geneva, 112 galls ... £69 0 0 Rum, 59 galls ... 38 8 0 Whisky, 69 galls ... 42 12 0 Brandy, 27 galls ... 16 4 0 Sherry, 27 galls ... 6 8 0 Coffee 13 16 6 Fencing wire 4 0 0 £189 7 6 Tuesday, 18th Feb. Brandy, 55 galls ... £39 0 0 Geneva, 20 galls ... 11 18 11 Tobvsco, 630 lbs ... 79 10 0 Sugar, 6626 lbs ... 27 12 2 Dried Fruit 23 12 6 Fencing wire ... ... 50 0 Sundries 9 2 4 £195 16 0