COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 1136, 5 April 1869, Page 2

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Times Office, "' Saturday Evening. The following are the Customs returns for — April 2.

Dtjitbdik— The 'Daily Times' of the 31st ult., says : — The business doing to-day has been: more limited than would have been the case had-' the holidays not terminated just at the close of the month ; there has, however been a fair demand experienced for most of the staples, and in some, items, fair sized sales have been made. During the few days succeeding the first prox., there will, no doubt, be a > little life ' In the markets. Bread stuffs and grain are as yet without change, and the p'roßpects of the market not materially altered. Oats are coming forward freely,' but there is little disposition to accept lower rates. Wheats are also coming to hand, but in consequence of recent advices, are kept for fall rates ; a considerable parcel quitted today realised 4s 6d. In liquids, there nave been moderate sales of Hennessy's case brandies at 285, ; Bennett's old torn, at 14s 9d ; Hennessy's pale, in bulk, at 8b; and a parcel of common sherries ajt £24 15s per butt. Brass's extra stout has°be'eh placed at Bs, and Guinness' s at 8s 6d. Cornsacks are still in enquiry ; about 40 bales quitted to-day have witnessed an average price of 15s, under which rate there are now no sellers. Small sales of salt, for instant delivery, hare been made at 80s. Sales ,to arrive, show a lower, figure. Some items in oilmen's stores have been moving rather more readily, but without any alteration in values. Assorted invoices command no better attention ; the market, however, seems to be lesß burdened with this description of goods. In miscellaneous sales we note boiled oils at 5s 3d ; Day and Martin's paste at 5s 6d , Oakum at 425 ; and invoices of Ewbank's nails, Twelve. trees' soap powder, and grass seeds, at prices withheld, By auction, nothing of any moment kasbeen going forward. . Messrs E. De Carle & Co. report having sold at their *ooms, on Monday, the Blackstone Hill Water Race, for £230; a farm at TuaMtoto, subject to a mortgage of £850, for £220 ; a large invoice of Geelorig tweeds, from 4s io 5s 6d, and sundry merchandise, at satisfactory prices. The ' Oamaru Times' of the 30th reports *- Easter holiday-making has somewhat interfered with business, and no transactions of any importance have taken place. There, however, is an improved feeling of confidence in commercial circles, and * the grain market exhibits also a healthier tone. We hear of 4s being offered for new wheat, which is an improvement of 3d upon last' quotations. The ' Timaru Herald,' of the 27th inst, reports j — There has not been much activity ia the grain market for the past few day on account of the indisposition of buyers to operate at last quotatations. One small sample of wheat has fetched 39 7d, but 3s 6d may now be quoted aa the top price for fair samples. Some 4,000 or 5,000 bushels of wheat are now on the beach , awaiting shipment to Auckland. The Ocean Wave ia also loading with barley and oats for Melbourne. There is no alteration in the quotation of oats, firmness being maintained at 2s 6d. For barley 3s 6d is given for good samples, but inferior ranges from 3s to 3s 3d per bushel.

Brandy, 28 gals £17 3 2 Whisky, 36 gala 21 14 6 , Wine, 72.gals 14 7 10 Tea,Blslbs 20 7 6 Sugar, 2100 lbs 8 15 0 Leather ... ... 6 5 10 Sundries 6 17 £93 15 4 Saturday, April 3. Whisky, 35 gals ... ... £21 7 2 Sundries 011 6 £21 18 8