COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 1013, 31 August 1868, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

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

The Otago ' Daily Times 1 26 th inst reports : —

Some improyement has been preceptible in business to-day. Importers operations continue moderate, but we note a belter inquiry for several leading items, and in all probability more extended transactions will take place within a few days. Orders from the interior and coast are now coming forward more freely, and for the moment second houses are fairly occupied in despatching miscellaneous parcels. We have no change to note in the values of breadstuffs. The transactions known of are very small, and for the present likely to continue so. A very dull demand for grain is maintained, to meet which very little is coming forward, and nothing appears to be doing fa wheats. Liquids continue without attention ; there have, however been sales of case and bulk whiskies ; of the latter, a small parcel of Campbelltown has been placed at 5s 6d, Islay at a shade less. No reported transactions in brandies. Kerosene has received an impulse. Several hundred cases of best brands have been taken up at prices ranging from 2s 6id to 2s Bd, which latter price was realised for a small parcel of Cozzens's. The market now possesses considerable firmness. Sugars realise extreme rates ; the parcels held are so few that anless shipments now expected speedily arrive the market will be absolutely deficient of some sorts. Teas have become good stock, and full prices continue to be paid. We hear of medium congous, in boxes, placed at 24s 6d, in bond ; gunpowders at 3s l£d, duty paid, and a small line of common ration teas at Is 3£d. Business in the auction marts has been without interest, and no parcels of general merchandise have, during the last day or two, been offered publicly.

By the arrival of the s.s. Gothenburg, we are in receipt of our Victor^.n files to the 22nd instant, from which we take tne following items of commercial intelligence. The ' Argus' of that date reports : —

"An exceedingly quiet day has been passed in the import markets, and complaints of dulness have been very general among3t the storekeepers especially. The chief feature of interest was the auction sale of sugar. The cargo offered was that of the Lady Agnes, and comprised 6,88*? bags, of which some 4,110 bags found buyers, at price 3 which fully sustain last sale rates. Rations realised from 27s to 27s 6rt ; good to fine browns brought 29s to 3ls 6d ; yellows were quitted at 32s 3d to 32s 6d ; and middling to good whites at 36s to 37s 9d. The cargo of the Crown, from Java, consisting of 5,265 small mats, will be offered for sale on Monday. In breadstuff's, we note a good deal more inquiry for flour; but although buyers have shown a disposition to submit somewhat to the views of sellers, we have no sales to report, £17 10s. •having been offered for parcels without success. We have not heard of small lots having been sold over £18, but a good inquiry has been experienced. Adelaide flour has been sold for export at £19, in bond. Wheat is wanted, but holders show no desire to give way. Oats are disposed of to a moderate extent at 3s lOd for New Zealand, to 4s for Tasmanian. Maize is rather dull of sale at 3s lid. Under the hammer, Brandon's candles have been placed at lOf d for sound. In teas, we heard, amongst other sales, of a line of about one hundred half-chests of good common congou having been quitted at Is sd. In tobaccoes, twists continue to meet with favor. A parcel o! one hundred half-tierces, of various brands, w*s taken up on terms withheld. In liquids, sales of Burnett's old torn are mentioned at 14s. There is no inquiry for brandy, and the market maintains an aspect o£ great heaviness. We observe the sale of a thousand cases of damaged full strength geneva, ex Haamestede, advertised for Monday.

Our Hobart Town files are to the 18th inst. The • Mercury* has the following market report : — The week has opened without particular animation in the produce market, and there have been few transactions worthy of notice. At the

mills flour is quoted, for local consumption, at £17 per ton, with a fair amount of trade doing. We heard of a small parcel of superior wheat having been sold at 6s 9d per bushel, and considerable sales were made at 7s for prime samples. Other produce continues as under : — Sharps, £7 to £8 per ton ; bran, Is per bushel ; barley (English), 4s 6d to 5s 6il per bushel, very dull ; oats, 2s 6d to 2s 9d per bushel, little demand ; peas, 3s to 3s #d,per bushel ; beans, 3s 6d to 3s 9d per bushel 1 ; hay> pressed, £3 10s to £4 per ton ; potatoes, rather in demand, from £4 10s to £5 per ton, including bags ; butter, fresh, Is per 1b — potted, from 6d to IQ6L per lb ; cheese , 6d to 9d per lb. There has been considerable inquiry for onions, and a parcel was sold at £1.0 per ton, including bags.

Friday, August 28. Gin, 29 gals £16 14 II Saturday, August 29. 168,874158 £21 17 0 Sugar,6977lbs 29 1 5 Tobacco; 2431 b3O 7 6 Sundries 14 17 10 £96 3 9