COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 1047, 30 October 1868, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Times Office, Thursday Evening. The following are the Customs Returns for — Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The ' Daily Times,' 26th October reports:— During the greater part of the week just closed there has been a steady business going forward, without, however, much animation being perceptible, or the occurrence of any noticeable operations. Consequent npon traders generally holding full stocks, import houses are at present unable to make large sales, and until a further revival in trade is experienced will be able to jotrit only light parcels of goods coming forward. Tor breadstuffs, the demand has not exceeded trade lots. . In the early part of the week sales of Provincial and Californian were made at £15 10s and £16 10s respectively, which are current rates now ; but during the last day or two purchasers have been few, and even sellers have seemed inclined to wait for the mail. Wheat is not offering '. to any extent ; the value for good samples continues at 6s to 6s 3d. Oats dull at our quotations of 2s 6d to 2s 7d. Barley, but with little coming to hsßd, good parcels worth 4s 3d. Potatoes have been quitted at low rates; for really good £5 10s is quoted, but the price does not appear to have been realised. A good demand _ has existed for sugars ; but owing to the lightness of stocks, transactions are kept small. Full rates have been obtained for all good sorts. In teas, from nearly the same cause, the actual business has been small, and will doubtless continue so until the new crop of teas are to hand. There is nothing to report in ' provisions, Bales of almost retail lots of hams and bacon comprising all the business done. English cheese is still over-supplied ; but Colonial cheese and butter in request at rather high rates. In liquids very httle has been observable; a few hogsheads of bulk ales have left the importers' hands at a low figure ; v but bottled beers are in . iio better inquiry, and with large parcels on hand, which holders are exceedingly ; anxious to quit, it is difficult to make quotations, except for the one brand of Tennenfs, which is maintained at about 9s 6d. Spirits have not had any attention, but it is hoped by the mail just to hand advices permitting the market to gather : more firmness will be received. Some moderate sales of malt, at lis 6d to Us 9d, are reported ; also hops, at Is 9d. Cornsackß have been plaoed at 13s to 13s 3d, according to terms.

The 'Lyttelton Times,' 24th October, says :— The fferieral complaint of want of trade continues j station supplies are being ordered a little more freely ; teas have sold better ; and the stock of sugars, fit for station nse, is getting light. Malt is more enquired for, but lis, for prime English, is all that brewers will give, a price that leaves a loss to the importer. Timber is a little more saleable. Hops are likely to be much dearer in England, and the s applies to the colonies short, on account of the failure of the crops in many of the principal districts; stocks here are fully up to our requirements, and 2s is a full quotation. Cornsacks a-e now 14s 6d per doz. Woolpacks have been sold freely at 4s 3d. Good samples of bottled beer are more enquired for. Oilmen's stores are very dull, and stocks rather large. j Grain has been neglected. Wheat, we. hear, , has been sold as low as ss, but we think under special circumstances. Oats, owing to advices from Melbourne, have not met with buyers at 2s 4d-. Barley is now worth 7s in Melbourne for good malting samples, a price which ought to leave 5s 6d here.

Brandy, 20 gals £11 14 5 Geneva, 28 gals 16 13 9 "Wine, 25 gals 5 0 0 Sugar, 1520 lbs 6 6 8 Hops, 340 lbs 18 4 £41 3 2 Thursday, Oct. 29. Brandy, 50 gals ... ... £29 15 2 Bum, 31 gala ... ... 18 15 7 Wine, 20 gals ... ... 4 0 0 Sugar, 2912 lbs .., ... 12 2 8 Tobacco, 20 lbs ... ... 210 0 - Fencing wire .„. ... 7 0 0 Sundries- ... ... ... 20 14 4 £94 16 9