MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Issue 1578, 14 May 1872, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

The Argus of the 4th inst. reports— In the import markets a fair amount of business continues to be reported. In breadstuffs, we note a good improving demand. For flour there is a very free inquiry for trade purposes, and numerous sales are effected at £16. There are no parcels offering. Wheat is still much wanted, and anything coming forward is eagerly picked up. "We hear of 1,500 bags Port MacDonnell having changed hands at 7s in two lines. Numerous other parcels up to 1,000 bags, chiefly Western district, have also been taken up st from 6s 6d to 6s 9d. Oats are very quiet, few sales being reported ; we continue to quote 2s 9d to 3s. Supplies are coming forward from New Zealand, and it is likely that more business will be doing ere long. Maize is selling for trade purposes readily enough, but no large sales are mentioned. Quotations in such quantities are steady at 3s 4d for new to 3s 6d for old. Barley is very scarce indeed ; we hear of 600 bushels having been placed at 6s 9d. Sugars are very firm, fine whites more especially. This quality being Very scarce, is held for an advance of 30s to 40s per ton. Sales of lightish colored are reported at £36 10a, being an improvement of 30s on prices realised at the late public sales. Teas are in very good favor, as country orders, onnerly held back, are now coming forward more freely, consequent on recent operations in : 1 market ; a line of boxes was placed at Is . f . Kerosene oil is wanted, and 1b lid can be <I. but holders are careless of pressing sales, ending the mail's arrival. We hear of a line of 200 cases, to arrive, of Palmer's plaid vestas having been taken up at a very full figure. In timber the sales embrace the balances of three cargoes of deals, ex Phineas Pendleton, Eurik, and Arracan, when satisfactory prices were obtained. The cedar per Welcome Home and Pilot was cleared out, 130 logs altogether, at prices ranging from 29s 9d to 38s 3d, thus making the highest average that has been reached for years. Richmond pine sold at 12s 6d to 12s 9d. In h'quids we note the sale of a parcel of 200 cases Hennessy's brandy at 26s 3d, which establishes a further advance . Bum, 10 per cent; o.p:, is in moderate request at 3s l£d for E. N. P., and 3s 3d for Lemon Hart's. A parcel of O'Brien's dagger brand of stout, 300 cases, old shipment, was placed at 9s 9d.