MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Issue 1155, 27 October 1869, Page 4

MELBOURNE.

The Argus of the 20th insfc., reports t — We are unable to refer to any improvement in the import markets to-day. Business throughout has been very dull and full of heaviness, and quite devoid of anything like animation. The nature of the salea affected, eitner privately «r by public auction has likewise borne too much of a retail character to be at all satisfactory. In flour (here has been nothing doing. An attempt to sell at auction this forenoon did not succeed, owing to the circulation of a statement that shipments were advised by the Faraway as coming from San Francisco, which has since been found to be incorrect. There were no vessels loading for Australia when the Faraway left, but a smiill shipment, was being made for New Zealand. In view of this, however, holders have refused to quote under £15 10s to £16 for best brands of Victorian flour; and though the market haß been unsettled for the greater part of the i day, there is no appearance of a decline. Wheat is offering very sparingly ; we l hear of the sale of only small trade parcels of Adelaide, at 7s. 3d. Feeding grains have a steadier appearance, and as trade buyers show less disinclination to supply their wants, 5s is readily obtained for maize. We understand, moreover, that the cargo of the Gem, about 1100 bags, changed hands in a line at a very full figure : a higher rate proportionately is Said to have been paid than our quotation for small lots. Oats are disposed of at 5s 2d to 5s 3d ; we note sales at both figures. Under the hammer a damaged parcel of 2000 bushels was disposed of at 4s lid. Candles are quitted more freely for trade purposes, at lOfd, and rumors are current that a higher figure has been offered to get hold

of parcels; 1500 boxes slightly damaged were I got rid of publicly at lOd to 10£ d. In oilmen's I stores we observe the sale of 1000 cases colonial lib. jams, at 6s. Sugars were placed at £36 15s to £37 for middling to greyish-white crystals, and £35 10s tot middling yellow crystals. Sales to a moderate extent are also reported privately. The Pantaloon, with her entire cargo of Mauritius sugar intact, has been ordered to Sydney. There is little liveliness evinced in teaß ; parcels of new medium congous, in half-chests, are said to have been sold at Is 7d. A shipment of new dried apples has been taken up at 7d. In liquids we note sales of Tennent's bottled ales at 10s.