COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 993, 27 July 1868, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Times Office, Saturday Evening. The following are the Customa Returns for— Friday, July, 24. Geneva, 28 gals £16 14 11 Ale, 748 gals 46 Id 0 ; Gunpowder, 16001bs ... 40 0 0 , £103 9 11 j Saturday, July, 85. __Gene^S0 ga l 3 ... ... £lg | 9 £23 6 3 Etjssei.li 4 M'Craio^^^^^been almost -on^bHaag ihfSZtiSif^oi speculation without any alteration in prices. Houses.— Our usual sale last Saturday produced but few buyers. This may be accounted for by requirements being satisfied to a considerable extent by the previous weeks sale of imported stock, by a deficiency of a suitable stamp in the yards, and by the prospect of superior choice at our sale at Woodlands Station this day. Purchasers of draught horses, and mare» (in foal to " Thane of Clyde,") will have an opportunity of supply on the Ist pros., at the clearing out sale of Messrs M'Menamin Bros., the well known contractors, while those who require first-class hacks will be enabled to pick from a superior importation in the " Omeo." Cattle. — We have not yet concluded the sale of heifers on the Otago side, but the transaction is still pending, otherwise we have not operated. Sheep, — It may reasonably be expected that fair rates will be maintained for the Leicester Earns and Ewes, this day at Long Bush, (the result of which will be advised in our next report) a 9 the sheep are known throughout the whole of this and the neighbouring provinces, and have taken prizes at various shows. Pbopebtebs. — Are dull of jale, but well situated Cottages readily find tenants. Merchandize. — In our rooms on Saturday, we offered some miscellaneous parcels, but though there was a fair average attendance the bidding was any thing but brisk. Invercargill, 24th July, 1868. A. J. Smtxth and Co. report : — We have but little change to note in the state of the markets. At our last Saturday's Bale we offered 150 cases Tasmanian appleß, extensively assorted, and a consignment of Tasmanian jams, assorted, Ist quality ; 2 cases Eimmel's perfumery and fancy soaps, and various other goods, which brought "«rery fair rates. Potatoes are very scarce, and in great request — a parcel of good Provincial grown fetched £6 per ton. Hoeses. — The market is well supplied for this season of the year. Young draught mares and fillies are most asked for. Of these we expect a consignment from Melbourne, to arrive shortly. We have disposed of several hacks privately at from £18 to £24. Stobe Cattle. — Good store cattle are in fair demand, and prices show a slight tendency to improve. . We look for a more limited supply, and a consequent increase in value during the remaining winter months. Milch Cows. — Milch cows, with calves at foot, are more and more inquired for. Fat Sheep. — These a^re offering, as is usual at this season, at Blightly easier rates. We do not look for any material alteration for some time to come. Average price, 15s to 17s j weights, 501bs to 551bs. Woeking Bttj&locks. — We have enquiries for a couple of teams of six each, and none on hand. Tows Properties are moving off slowly. We sold the other day three good sections in Harrisville, for £120. Invercargill, July 24, 1868.

The "Daily Times" 22nd July, reports:— Business in all departments keeps quiet, and will probably remain without much activity for the next few days ; there has, however, been some alight improvement in the day's transactions, and after the receipt of the Panama mails, a better inquiry will no doubt be experienced. The tone of the markets continues generally firm. Breadstuff's are still dealt in only fur current wants. The quotations for flour unaltered, but millere averse to any large engagements. Sugars are looked for, and two or three sales of crystals sorts made exhibit very full prices. Some lines of ordinary to good ordinary congous, in chests and haJfs, have been quitted ; and stocks in first hands are now so much reduced that buyers have Tery little to select from. Parcels of corrugated galvanised iron are reported as sold to arrive, the prices not transpiring. Spirits have had no special attention. Malt liquors are scarcely moving at all. In the auction mans no parcels of merchandise have been offering.

The " Lyttelton Times " 18tli July, says :— During the past week business has been very dull, no move having been made in any direction. Spirits are firm, and stocks are getting quite ■within the requirements of the place. There is no change in timber, and very little doing. Tea continues firm, with no variation on last wesk's quotations. The Melbourne advices to hand speak of best Victorian -wheat being worth 93 ; the general run of New Zealand produce would not realise within a shl ing of that amount, unless in the case of very excellent samples. Oats are dull in Melbourne at 3s 8d ; but, notwithstanding we still see large shipments of oats going forward to that market from this place ; the Ben Nevis ia now loading a fnll cargo. Mauritius advices are to May 5. The demand for sugar continues dull, in consequence of the absence of shipping, and prices are barely maintained. The only vessel loading for New Zealand is the Emma for Dunedin. A return has been received up to the 30th April last, showing the quantity of sugar shipped to New Zealand for the periods 1866-67 and 1867-8. During the former period, 7 5 551,5291b5. were exported, and during the latter 4,619,6061b5,, shewing a decrease of 2,931,9231b5. The stoppage of the tunnel still continues to impede business, so far as grain is concerned ; more especially. Mercantile men complain, and . "very justly too, of the great delay which has * occurred in the forwarding of the Stiez mails from : the South. It i 3 not known what effect the English advices will have on our market, and they are very anxiously looked for.