MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Issue 1764, 8 July 1873, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

The Argus of the 28th ult. reports :— In the import markets business has been without animation throughout the day. The arrival of the mail steamer several days before she was due has given: satisfaction, and it is likely that the tone of advices will act favorably on almost all descriptions of merchandise. A telegram received in the city supplies the information that the Alma, from Mauritius to Melbourne, had put into Western Australia leaky, after having thrown a portion of her cargo overboard. In breadstuff's there has been little done. Flour is very firm at £14 7s 6d to £14 10s for parcels. "We hare not had authentic information of any large sales having been effected, but negotiations are still pending for considerable lines. An improved trade inquiry has been experienced also, and sales have been making more freely at £15. There is very little wheat offering. No transac - tions have consequently come under our notice ;. for pood to prime samples quotations stand at: 6s 7d to 6s 9d. In oats there is nothing to refer to in the way of sales, quotations range buyers at from 4s- lOd to 5s 6d, according to sample ; very, few sellers, however, can be found willing to sell at these rates. The Claud Hamilton, ' which arrived from New Zealand, has 1,700 bags, but as they cost close on 6s to lay down here, the entire shipment will have to be stored for better, prices than can now be got. , Maize is selling at our quotation ; a line of 300 bags was placed at 5s 2d. The Mary Grant has arrived to-day, but her cargo was disposed of afloat, i Hops are without animation. Home advices report a quiet market, with very short supplies of every description of 1872 growth. Prices had not altered, nor was any change expected until reasonable calculation respecting the next crop could be made. Sugars have not been operated in to any extent, and little worth special notice has come before us. Sales of medium congou teas have been effected at 1b 9d. A considerable shipment of galvanised iron, oak brand, has been * placed at about late auction rates. We hear of 60 bales bran bags having changed hands on - private terms. Advices regarding salt are already beginning to affect the market. Of the shipments advised, on which there is a decrease, a great portion has already been sold to arrive; and a further. advance of nearly 20, per cent, on the rates previously ruling has been made public ; this, combined with the gradual buying up and centring of stocks in the hands of one or two holders, which has been going on of late, will, it is aupposed, cause prices here to go much higher before long. A very brisk demand for actual - requirements is experienced, the trade being very lightly stocked. The sales of timber comprise -.the entire . cargo of Oregon per Sparrowhawk, which realised £10 10s to £17 2s 6d per I,oooft super. ; 4ift pickets sold at £13 2s 6d ; and 4}ft; '/laths atf46s 6d. The cargo of; kauri brought 25s to 28s 3d per 100 ft super; and 53 logs cedar per Blackbird realised 29s 6d. , White' - pine shelving fetched £15 7s 6d to £16 ; clear pine, 2in. and 4in.j ,£24 15s, to £25 5s ; Ameri--1 can pickets were quitted at £11 5s to £11 10s, 4ft laths at 455, and 4ft' at 38s 6d, T. & G. red .flooring at 16s 9d, and white at 14s 9d. Sawn, jarrah was placed' at 14a 6d to 18s. In liquids we hear of Bales of Byass's bottled stout at Us 6d. London > advices still continue to report; much | difficulty as being experienced in getting . orders executed. Shipments are expected, in consequence^ to be on a limited scale for some time. The r advices regarding brandy are of a ' ' most exciting character. The' accounts of the' damage done to the vine by the frost in April vary, , bat. all combine in reporting it 'as very; serious indeed. • -Writing from Bordeaux under dates 1 13 th and 16th May, one correspondent "~ etaterthat if there is a quarter of Biraveraga vintage, they shall tie'' very fortunate, and prices; ' : have advanced 25 per cent. London lette ■• s ..advise that the vintage will not turn out : wjthin 50 to 60 per cent, of an average. .Martell and H^messy^hadr refused , jquote, and were noi expected to begin' iellirigbefbre' September. An advance of Is per gallon had also been established.