MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Issue 1541, 23 February 1872, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

The Argus of the 14th inst. reports : — In the import marketß to-day a fair amount of business has been transacted, and sales have been of a more varied character. In breadstuff's we continue to report a good trade demand for town brands of flour, at £12 10s to £12 12s 6d. Parcels have also changed hands- to the extent of 150 tons of country brands, at £12 2s 6d to £12 ss; Wheat is very scarce, and, being much wanted, anything which comes forward is eagerly run after at extreme rates. We hear of 2000 bushels having been placed at up to 5s 4£d to 5s 5d for very prime, while good wheat has commanded 5s 3d. There is nothing doing in oats, and, with the exception of a small lot sold by auction at 3s, ho business has been reported. Maize, however, continues to maintain a very firm position, 3s lid to 4s being now demanded. Sugars^ still meet with considerable favor ; no large jaarcels have, however, been quitted, the trade and for actual requirements being the only purchasers at present. Sales have been made privately at £38 10s for fine grainy yellow brewers, to £41 10s for 'fine whites. Under the hammer this forenoon some 1257 bags China sugars ex Jane Spiers, from Hong Kong, were quitted at £35 5s for light yellow ; and at same time 2000 bags Bourbon sugars were cleared off at £38 15b to £39 5s for fine yellow crystals, £37 15s for white counters, for medium counters £33 15s to £34 10s, for yellow counters £32 to £33, for browns £28 to £29, and £25 15s to £26 10s for rations. The cargo of the Confiance, from Mauritius, will be submitted to competition on Thursday. Sales of 1871 Kent hops are mentioned at 2s sd. Quarters sardines have realised 7s 6d. Trade parcels of Boedhi Rajah rice have been placed at £22 10s. There has been an improved inquiry for cornsacks ; 50 bales were disposed of by auction at 1 2s 3d, and 75 bales more were taken up privately at a similar figure. There is a better demand experienced for teas. Low congous have been got rid of at lOd to lid, and a few hundred half- chests of middling congous have been taken at up to Is 4d. By auction faulty candles have been sold at 10 Ji, and we learn of a good line of De Roubaix and Brandon having been sold privately at HJ-1. Kerosene oil has been in more request ; 1400 cases Diamond oil were cleared out publicly at Is B£d, and sales privately of the same brand have been made at Is B£d. la liquids we hear of sales of 10 per cent. o.p. R.W.P rum at 3s.