MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Issue 1572, 3 May 1872, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

The Argus of the 24th ult. reports : — Business has not been particularly active, and only a moderate trade inquiry has been experienced. A* very good demand for flour for actual requirements is maintained, and sales are effected at £15 5s to £15 10s. No large parcels are reported to have changed hands, but we hear of a considerable line being under treaty. For such quantities we quote up to £14 15s. Wheat has been selling at all prices, 6s 7§d, 6s BJ, and 6s 9d, having been obtained for parcels of up to 1,000 bushels in a line. In oats there is no business to report. Quotations range from 2s 9d to 3s for good feeding. New maize is selling freely at 3s 6d, and we quote up to 3s 7d to 3s ,8d for old. Most extreme rates are demanded for barley, all prices from 6s to 6s 6d being named. One shipment of 7,00 bags English malting was ; taken up on private terms. Sugars are quiet; scarcity .of whites, however, is beginning to be more felt. Inquiries are reported, but no _actual sales. Under the hammer this forenoon 4,118 bags and mats Bourbon were got rid of. Medium counters realised £32 to £33 ; low counters, £30 5s to £31 10s ; browns, £27 5s to £28100; good rations, £26 to £26 ss; and mid- . dling rations, £23 10s to £24 10s. 600 bags yellowgrainy Mauritius were at same lime quitted at .£34155. A.parcel of 1,000 kega patent nails has! been placed at a very full figure. Kerosene oil still mee.ti with a good enquiry, and sales have been made,, we understand, at Is lid ; for DeVoe'a Is 10£d was offered and refused for a considerable parcel. For Oriental Is lOd is obtained. Sound caudles brought lid by auction. »

Teas are improving; fine congous are more wanted, and Is lid was paid this afternoon for a line of halves. In tobaccoes we hear of a shipment of St. Andrew's twist, 25 half and 55 quarter tierces, to arrive, ex John o' Gaunt, having been taken up for shipment to one of the other colonies. An advance on late rates was paid. The timber sales have not been extensive, 114 lous cedar, ex Lookout, were cleared out at 25s to 343 9d per 100ft. 19 logs, ex You Yangs, brought 36s 6d, and 16 logs 36s 3d: 2300 ironbark spokes were quitted afc 19s 9d." We understand that the Isabelle and the Etienne et Laurence are loading colonial produce direct for Bordeaux, on owners' account. The cargoes will consist of tallow chiefly, but wool, preserved meats, and butter, will also be shipped. The circumstance is of interest, as being the first cargoes of the kind that have gone forward to a French port.