COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 1073, 14 December 1868, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

m The 'Daily Times,' (Otago) of the 9th inst., reports:— Nothing very special has occurred in the markets to-day, but. a fair amount of briskness has been perceptible in general trade, and second houses have in particular been fairly occupied •with the despatch, of up-country orders. Breadstuffs continue dull and neglected, the business in flour being confined to small current parcels, at just maintained rates. Wheats are Bteady at quotations, but the millers are not looking for any quantity for grinding purposes, and only take up any trifling parcels of really good samples. Teaß and sugars still have attention, but the quittances from first hands have been so considerable as to leave stocks in importers' hands as light as they recently were, coaseqaently transactions just now are not heavy, An improved trade continues to be done in oilmen's stores and dried fruits, amongst which goods there have been placed Morton's bottled fruits at 15s 6d, the same brand of pickles at 11s 6d | new currants, at 4d, for immediate delivery and a parcel to land at the same figure ; raisins, in good condition, at 6d. For temp goods there have been inquiries. Cornsacks have been placed at 13s 3d, and woolpacks at 4s 3d. In these goods there is now a disposition amongst holders to stand out for an advance. Liquids have been moved. Buyers are inclined to give a better rate for Hennessy's brandy ; and though, we cannot report lonafide sales at Bs, we believe this price will be obtained directly. The 'Age' (Melbourne) of the sth December, lays :— „ Business has exhibited but few signs of animation to day ; more speculative feeling, however, has been manifested, which may tend to throw tome life into the markets. Breadstuff's are quiet j Victorian country flour is moved off at £13 Ks to £14. In feeding grains, oat 9do not command the same prices as were ruling a few days since ; New Zealand were moved off at 3s Bdto3sßid. Maize has been disposed of to a good extent at equal to our quotations of 4s 4d to 4s 6d for best samples. Stocks of castor oil having been discovered to have run very low, the market has been cleared by one buyer at prices rising to ss. Prime pale tank malt is quoted at lls 6d; we learn, however, of the , quittance of a line of 2000 bushels at lls 3d. The sugar market having worked itseli into a favorable position, the entire cargo of the Ernes- : tine, 8837 bags Mauritius sugars, was taken by one firm at the full trade rates obtained for the Alexandra's cargo on Monday last; as soon as the sale became known a brisk trade demand arose, and about a thousand bags yellow crystals again changed hands at a good advance. Kerosene , does not present so shaky an appearance as is in ' some quarters represented, sales of Oriental and Downer's having been made' at prices within a shade of those ruling before the arrival of the Panama mail; holders show no disposition to preßß sales, being only open to grant slight concessions to close up shipments. Cornsacks have been again largely operated in by speculators, and prices seem likely to find a still higher range. The parcels changing hands to-day and yesterday are equal to about 350 bales at full prices. Holder* now ask 14s, though some stray parcels may be picked up at less money. Seventy bales bran bags were sold in a line at a concession from the trade rates of 9s to 9s 6d. A parcel of Borthwick'B stout met with a purchaser at 8s 3d.

The Oamaru telegraphic correspondent of the 'Daily Times,' under date Bth Deejays: — "Yesterday, about 3 p.m., a fire broke out in Gain and Munro's premises, at the north end of Timaru, and burned furiously, before a strong north-wester, till half-past six o'clock, destroying *li the principal buildings of the town. Among the rest may be mentioned Munro's furniture warehouse.; Knight, painter j Mr Wood, saddler ; Mr Solomon, draper ; Seymour, watchmaker ; Jacobs, watchmaker ; Erskine, grocer ; Watkina, chemist ; Clarkson and Turn bull ; Beldy, barber ; Butler, chemist; Horton and Belfield, office of •Timaru Herald' ; Bilton, bookseller; Byrne, private residence ; Stubbs and King, butcher's ■hop and residence ; Morgan, baker ; Mountfort, photographer ; Melton, stables and residence ; Fraser, butcher; Pogonouski, barber; M'Bae, Club Hotel ; Stubbs and King, butcher's shop No. 2; Post Office; Telegraph Office; Bank of New Zealand. No lives lost, as far as has yet been ascertained; but very little property •»ved."

Times Office, Saturday Evening. The following are the Customs returns for — IWday, Dec. 11. Genera, 19 gals £1113 8 Wine, 27 gals 5 8 0 Ale, 100 gals 5 0 0 Sundries 7 4 II £29 9 7 Saturday, Dec. 12. Sugar 10,640 lbs ... ... £44 6 8 Tea, 846 lbs 8 13 0 Tobacco, 318 lbs ... ... 39 15 0 Ooffee, 1050 lbs ... „. 13 2 6 Kerosene, 4oo gals... ... 10 0 0 . Sundries , 6 5 10 £125 3 0