COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 937, 20 April 1868, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Times Office, Saturday Evening. The following are the Customs Returns for — Friday, April 17.

By the arrival of the Omeo we are in possession of late Australian files. The Argua of the 11th ■ : inst. says : — In the import markets to-day business has been particularly characterised by dulness and want of animation. In breadstuff's we note a fair enquiry for flour at full rates ; bakers' parcels up to twenty tons in a line have been placed at £22, and for larger parcels up to £21 10s net has been realised ; one line of luO tons was quitted, and sales to tbe extent of about 200 tons altogether have come under our notice. Wheat is likewise yery firm ; for one parcel of very fine Murray ■wheat, 9s 3d was refused, the holder requiring 9s 6d ; under the hammer a small parcel of New Zealand wheat was allowed to go af 9s l|d. By auction, some 12,000 bushels of New Z^aLmd oats were offered this forenoon ; only a few hundred bags were sold under the hammer at 3s lid to 4b, but subsequently the balance was got rid of at 3s 10|d- 1000 bushels of New Zealand malting barley, offered at the same time, brought 5s 5d to 5s Bd. Maize is in rather slow sale at 3i 4d to 3s 6d., according to quality. There is little doing in candles, chiefly owing to the disinclination of holders to accept the prices offered ; ll£d was refused for a parcel of 1000 boxes. Currants are decidedly firmer, in consequence of an improving demand. As stocks have become more centred, no shipment of any consequence being held outside of one or two importers, it is not improbable that an advance on 3fd. will be required ere long. Downer's kerosene oil continues to meet with purchasers at Is. 81. Sales of cornsacks are mentioned at 12s. A very much better local as well as country demand is beginning to be experienced for sugars, but though the actual transactions coming under our notice are not large, the tore of the market is assuming a much more promising aspect. Tens are improving and business is now pending which is likely to lead to considerable sales. Repairing canvas has been quitted at 13d. all round. In liquids, business is reported in bottle sLout and ale; Some 500 cases have been got rid or, :i]l faults, at 6s. 9d. to 7s. About 300 cases of Byass's stout have been placed at 7s. 3d. in bond, and Bs. 3d. duty paid ; but as these figures show a heavy loss, importers intend to make a stand for advanced rates. Sales of Hennesty's brandy in case have been made at 28s. 3d. and 28s. 6d. The " Hobart Town Mercury " of the 7th inst. has tbe following : — " The week has opened with considerable dulness in commercial circles, and the news from the colonies has not tended to strengthen the markets. The intelligence from Melbourne as to the stoppage of speculative transactions in wheat a. 1 flour has led some to the belief that the prospects of the Australian markets are not so promising, and consequently prices are not lately to advance hen; at present. The highest price given for wheat to-day, w.-m 7s 9d per buseel j and, although ▼try little i.-. for sale at th ;t rate, we do not think thai more could be obtained. The millers quote flour at £18 per ton firm ; sharps, £8 per ton ; bran, Is per bushel. In other produce transactions have been very slight, and the markets are decidedly dxul. We quote oats from 3s. to 3s. 6d. per bushel; j_nglish barley, 6s. per

bushel ; Capo barley, from 3s. 3d to 3s. 6d. per bushel ; butter Bd. to lOd. per Ib. 5 bacon, 6d. to 9d. per lb ; potatoes, £2 10s. per ton : hay, from £3 ts £3 10b. per ton ; straw, 30s. to 355. per ton. From Adelaide we have our files to the 4th instant. Ot the markets the " Register" says : — "The produce market is very dull, and n business is doing. Nevertheless, holders keep very firm, and there is nothing offering ior sale under former quotations. The quantity of wheat coming forward is very small, and if there were much demand it would npt be easily supplied. Flour. — The prices continue firm at £22 to £23 per ton for town brands, but no sales hive been made, Country brands may be quoted at about £21 per ton. Wheat.— There are no good samples to be procured under 9s. per bushel, but there hare been no large transactions. Bran keeps very firm, and there are no sellers under Is. 4d. per bushel. Oats and barley continue firm at former rates. Copper is quite nominal. Farm and Dairy Produce. Bacon and hams are coming in freely ; all other sorts are saleable at quotations General Merchandise, — In the import market t > day business on the whole shows improvement on the past few dayß, although, taking the week through, trade has been anything but satisfactory. and complaints have been loud on all sides."

Geneva, 20 gals ... ... £1118 11 Beer, 372 pals 23 5 0 Cigars, 74 lbs 18 10 0 Tobacco, 15lbs ... ... 18 17 6 Sugar, 1288 lbs ... ..." 47 0 8 Total £119 12 1 Saturday, April 18. Tea,2oslbs £5 2 6 . Tobacco, 83lbs 10 7 6 Sugar, 7501bs 3 2 6 Gold, 742 bz 92 15 8 Total £111 8 2