MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Issue 1623, 23 August 1872, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

The Argus of the 15th inst. reports :: -r- ' ' In the import markets generally business, continues quiet, although we are given to.understand tbaf since the weather has become more settled, there is a. considerable improvement, country orders coining much more freely forward j there is also a better export trade doing. 'In breadstuffs inquiries have not been confined merely to supplying actual requirements, as in addition to the ordinary trade demand for flour at £16 5i to £16 10s, some 300 tons are stated to have been bought on speculation at £16 10s. At auction, -the bidding fqir country flour did not go beyond £l& 10s j » price, however, which was refused, though we understand that subsequently £16 was accepted for a portion. Under the hammer inferior wheat sold at 5b to 5s 9d, but good was quitted at 6s 9d. Privately we hear of 900 bags New Zealand having been taken up at 6s lOd in a line, while 700 bags of prime New Zealand were placed at 7s. About 370 bags Port MacDonneli wheat changed hands at 7s 4d. Oats maintain a steady quotation of 3s 3d to 3s 6d, but beyond the sales which have reached us through the auction mart, no business has been reported; about 500 bags were cleared off publicly at 3s 2d to 3s sd. Maize is in good request, and sales of parcels are making at 3s 2d. Bran has become very scarce, and as much as Is 6d is now asked.' Sugars are moving off in rather extensive parcels; we learn of a large quantity, of Mauritius having been disposed of for "shipment to Auckland ; the qualities comprised yellowsto good yellows, Ijght yellow to whites, and we are informed that very fall prices were, paid., Some 10,682 mats Java, new season's sugar, ek Bengal, were offered this forenoon, but the * bfddings not proving satisfactory, the importers withdrew, the whola. In tea few transactions have been made public. A good deal of "excitement is, however, beginning to be eYmcea" regarding the first arrival of the new season's crop. One or other of the vessels known to be on the way with cargoes is now expected to be telegraphed every hour. :