COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 986, 15 July 1868, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Times Office, Tuesday Evening. The following are the Customs Returns for —

— ♦ By the arrival of the Alhambra from Melhourne, we are in receipt of English and Victorian files. The following commercial report is token from the " Argus," 7th July : — The very prompt arrival of the mail' steamer, three days before her date, is viewed with much satisfaction in the city. Business throughout the day has been quiet, pending the receipt of home correspondence. We note, however, a very much improved tone in the markets, evidently tha forerunner of increased animation in trade. As to breadstuffs, there is no change to report in flour, and sales have been limited to purchases for immediate wants at up to £21 10s for baker's lots ; for larger parcels there are no buyers over £21, and even at thai price, no transactions of any consequence can be reported. Farmers' parcels of wheat have been disposed of at 9s to 9s 3d. Oats, owing to large arrivals of feeding corn, are dull and heavy, notwithstanding a disposition on the part of holders to meet buyers. Maize is also difficult to move ; parcels on the wharf are offering at 3s 6d, without leading to much business ; smaller sales to the trade are effected at 3s 7d. Candles are moving off more freely ; we hear of abo"t 800 boxes of De Roubaix having been quitted at lOd, in bond. A line of cornsacks has been got rid of at equal to 12s, duty paid. A very brisk demand Las sprung up for sugars, in consequence of the favorable tenor of advices. Operations, however, have been restricted, owing to increased stiffness on the part of importers. A shipment of twenty tons of fencing wire, drawn, Nos. 7 and 8, has been placed at about our quotation of £17 and £18 for such number. Kerosene oil is still looked at with favor ; a line of 2,000 cases of Cozzen's was taken up on terms withheld. Hops are in little request generally, but we hear of a shipment of eighty pockets of Kents closed for on private terms. Some 273 barrels of resin changed hands to lnnd, ex Antelope, at a vety full figure. The sde ofthe Frances Hentj'd Patna rice has been definitely confirmed by the approval of the sample, which, we understand, is of a superior description. Advices from Calcutta regarding shipments are satisfactory. By private telegram, we learn that " no clearances" had been made for the colonies during the month. The Boyne and Arima had been chartered for Melbourne. The price of rice was very firm. In liquids we learn of sales of Hennessy's bulk brandy, pale, in quarter-casks, at 8s 3d. Sales of Hennessy's case are also reported at 29j. Marrian's bulk ale commands £3 2s 6d ; a parcel of twenty hogsheads realised about that figure.

Monday 1 3th July " Brandy, 28 gals £16 16 0 Whisky, 37 gals ... 22 5 2 . Wine, 25 gals ... ... 5 0 0 £44 1 2 Tuesday, 14th July. Whisky, 7 L gals ... £42 15 7 Geneva, 26 gals ... ... 15 12 9 Tobacco, 151 lbs ... 18 17 6 Sugar, 4,480 lbs 18 13 4 Sundries, ... , 11 8 4 £107 7 6