MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Issue 1652, 22 October 1872, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

The Argus of the 12th inst. reports : — In the import markets little has been done today, no inclination to entertain any business transactions having been evinced after the despatch of the mails. In breadstuffs we continue to note a very quiet day. No sales of a special character have come under our notice, and much heaviness pervades the market. Flour is disposed of at £14 10s to £15, but only a very moderate trade demand is experienced. Wheat is -wanted, and if anything, prices appear a shade stiffer. Sales of ordinary Adelaide have been made at 6s 6d, and abetter sample realised 6s Bd. For Tasmanian as much as 6s 3d is in some cases j wanted, but there is no business reported at the | price. Feeding oats are disposed of at 3s 4d. Maize is still neglected ; we hear of no inquiry, j bnt there is no change in quotations, which rule at 3s 3d to 3s 4d. In sugars little has been done throughout the day. We observe, however, that no less than three cargoes from Mauritius are reported amongst the arrivals, viz., the Wodonga, the Umgenii (previously supposed to be from Madagascar), and another vessel. In liquids, we learn of the quittance, to land, of about 1,200 barrels, per Ben Nevis, and 500 barrels, per Eurynome, of Tennent's bottled ales, at 10s 6d" The sale of a shipment of common sherry at about £20 has been effected. The following is Messrs J. H. Clough t Co.'s station produce report : — Wool.— Our last monthly report was per Tanjor«,'on the 9th ult., Bince when tlie arrival, on the 20th, of the European mail per Bangalore has put us in possession of later advices of the home wool markets, by which we are informed that the July sales closed at very satisfactory rates, prices having' recovered from their previous ' temporary- depression to nearly the highest rates of the year. This favorable intelligence has been hailed here with great satisfaction by the woolgrowers ; and, as there are large orders out for purchases in this market, the buyers wil] be enabled to operate on a higher basis of prices, which it is expected will result in a larger quantity than usual being submitted to public com- i petition here. The opening sale of the season was held on Wednesday last, when a very nu- I

merous attendance of those interested was present. Very spirited competition was manifested, and prices were realised in excess of those current last season for the few lots sold, while a considerable proportion was he 7 d over for still higher figures. This day (Wednesday) the 3 cr>nd s.iie of tlie ee^on was held to a good j\ttendance of buyers Upwards of 2000 bales were submitted.* Competition was brisk, and prices in advance of those last week were obtained -, one clip in grease, in very superior condition, both as to breed, weight, length, and soundness of staple, realised 15|d per lb. This purchase is understood, as well as some other large lots, to bo on foreign account. Only one clip of washed fleece was offered in fair condition, for which, after spirited bidding, 23£ l was realised. Transactions by private contract have only been limited. We have cleared off a few small lots of handwashed and scoured wool at from 16d to 22£ d per lb. Sheepskins. — During the month we have held our usual sales, three days in each week, at which there have been large attendances of buyers, and good competition has existed. We have sold a large quantity of all sorts at full rates, very little fluctuations in prices having been observable ; throughout. Quotations are, for — Butchers' I green skins, 4s 6d to 8s 9d each ; dry skins, 2s I 6d to 7s do ; station skins, 7d to 9£d per lb. j Hides.— We have sold an average supply at : firm prices, which show an advance upon previous rates^ and there is a good demand for all kinds at the following prices, by the local trade, viz — Ox hides, green, 23s to 35s each ; cow hides, 17s to 23s do ; wet salted hides, 4id to s£d per lb ; calfskins, 6d to 7£d do. Tallow. — We have held four sales by auction during the month, and have sold publicly and privately 340 casks. Prices, however, last week showed a decline, and quotations are now, for — Inferior, £27 to £31 per ton ; beef, £33 to £35 do ; mixed, £34 to £36 10s do j mutton, £37 to £37 10s do. Kangaroo Skins. — We have disposed of several lots at our sales at 3s to 10s for small ; 10s to 21s for medium ; 21a to 36s for large j and up to 45s per dozen for extra large skins. leather. — We have held four sales by auction during the month, and have sold a considerable quantity of various descriptions at the following prices, viz. — For sole, 9£d to ll£d j calf, 3s 4d to 3s 6£d ; harness, 13£ dto 14§d ; kip, Is 8d to 2s ; kangaroo, 2s 4d to 2s 6d ; yearlings, Is lid to 2s 4d ; and runners, 2s 2d per lb ; also kangaroo, 60z., at 31s j and 3oz. at 12s ; and basils, 6s 6d per doz. Melbourne, October 11, 1872.