MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Issue 1185, 20 December 1869, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

The Argtis of the 11th current reports ; — Business in the import markets has not been characterised by much animation ; the bulk of the day's transactions, as has been the case for some time past, went through the auction mart. Breadstuffs continue to be moved off in limited parcels for trade purposes at £12 10s to £13 for best brands of flour. Wheat maintains our quotation of 5s 3d for best Adelaide, but we bear of no sales reported. Maize attracts considerable attention at 3s 9d to 3s lOd for trade lines. We also hear of several thousand bags having changed hands in parcels of 2.000 bags and upwards at 3s 9d. Oats are selling freely at 3s lOd to 3s lid. An attempt to get rid of kerosene oil under the hammer did not succeed, as only 350 cases could be disposed of out of the entire quantity offered, say 3,000 cases. Union realised 2s Id; Oriental, 2s lgdj and Downer's, 2s 2d. A parcel of Chinese oil was likewise sold at 3s s§d duty paid— a figure much below what holders generally would wish to obtain. Cornsacks are wanted, but the demand is trifling. We still quote for small lots up to 12s, but this rate could not be got for quantities. The public sale of teas drew a large attendance of the trade, and although the bidding was anything but free, and the , prices obtained not so satisfactory, a considerable amount changed hands. Of the fancy tea, ex Marquis of Argyleandßlairmore, amounting t07, 435 packages pekoes, capers, and gunpowder, some 3,931 packages were placed at Is 3d to Is 7£d for pekoes and gunpowders, and Is Id to Is 2*d for caper. 1,860 packages, on another account brought Is 5d to Is 8d for S. 0. P., and 12f 2 d for S. caper and gunpowder. 1,100 chests and halfchests old congous, ex Medina, were quitted at same time at 7£d to BAd for sittings, and 9£d to Hid for common congous. The timber sales embraced 419,000 ft. T. and G. Scotch flooring, lining and weatherboards, ex Oriental. The first-named was quitted at 5s 9d to 10s 6d, according to size. The lining sold at 3s lid to ss, and the weatherboards at 4s 8d to 6a 9d, For the shipment ex Ottowa, amounting to 84,000 ft., about similar rates were paid. The spruce deals, ex Stockbridge and Hawarden Castle, were quitted at the very low price of 2|d for 9x3. Fifty-two red and white K.iraka pine logs, ex Prosperity, were sold at 8s 3d per 100 ft. In liquids, we note sales of Blood's stout at 9s 6d ; for a small parcel of '' 20 bottle " JDKZ geneva 16s 6d was obtained, At the wool sales this afternoon the attendance was large, but though the prices obtained were satisfactory, the biddings were less brisk than hitherto ; 1460 bales were offered, but only somewhere about 460 bales were quitted. Greasy brought sfd to 9| ; scoured, ]2*d to 17* ; and fleece, 124 to 17£ per lb«