MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Issue 1582, 24 May 1872, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

The Argus of the 16th inst. reports :■ — *$ In the import markets to-day business has been very quiet indeed, and save in one or two exceptional instances, little of special importance has been allowed to come under our special observation. In breadstuffs we notice a more decided tendency to recede in flour, and though trade parcels are still quitted at £15 15s to ±.16, vet we learn of the disposal of a line of 50 tons, a fair brand, at £15 2s 6d. Under the hammer also £15 2s 6d was accepted for a lot sold thus. Prime wheat is still wanted, and up to 7s would be paid for prime ; we do not, however, learn of any business beyond the auction sales, where 500 ba-s were cleared off at 6s to 6s 9d for common to goad, and at 5s for inferior; 6s Id was offered for New Zealand, but refused. Oats are a shade ■ firmer ; sales publicly are reported at 2s 6d to 3sO£d, according to quality. Inferior malting barley was sold at 5s 6d, and good Cape brought 4s Id. Maize is very slow and cannot be quoted over 3s 2d to 3s 3d. In sugar a large business has been reported ; we hear of some 12,000 mats white Java crystals having changed hands, on private terms, and holders will now, it is likely, demand up to 42b for such qualities. The damaged portion of the Kassa's shipment, about 318 bags, realised £29 15s for soft low counters to £38° 10s for fine grey ; 400 bags sound, ex same vessels, were placed at £31 5s to £37 10s. Cornsacks still meet with favor ; we hear of 50 bales having been placed at 13s. Some very wild quotations are also stated to have been obtained, but not having been authenticated, we refrain from giving them. Salt is inquired for freely for trade purposes, and numerous sales are being made at 90s for coarse, 100 a for Liverpool fine, and 110s for fine London stoved. Sales of D.R.O. candles are mentioned at close ou Hid. In liquids, we are informed of the quittance of 100 hhds Bass s ale, ex Essex, 100 hhds ex Dilharree, and 200 hhds to arrive, at a price withheld. An extreme figure is said to have been realised.