ENGLISH COMMERCIAL.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 174, 21 June 1859, Page 3

ENGLISH COMMERCIAL.

Lowdon Wool Report.—The subjoined report refers to the condition of the home markets for wool:— ■' ■■' :■r" •• ' /:: ' ' "'■■'''■■ ' '•" 16th April, 1859, The next colonial sales will commence on 28th April, the arrivals to date consisting 0f—2600 bales Australian, 25,698 bales Port Phillip, 3600 bales Van Piemen's Land, 10,718 bales Adelaide, 4996 bales Cape—total, 47,112 bales; and which may probably bo augmented to 75,000 bales. The d ulness observable since the close of last sales has continued, and scarcely any contracts have been made in our market. The few wools held in second hands could have been quitted at last sale rates, but, except for certain descriptions much required for immediate consumption, buyers are indisposed to give any advance. The dissolution of parliament and. serious aspect of political affairs abroad, have thrown a.gloom over our market, the effect of which will, no doubt be felt at the ensuing sales. Buyers will be very cautious in all operations, and dealers will hot purchase except at such a decline as will leave a margin for contingencies; Holders must not expect that the rates of February-March will be obtained in the face of some1150,000 bales being submitted in the course of the next four months, and although discretion may be exercised by some, and the market relieved to a certain extent, still the probability of war-^dear money and bad trade may be productive of such results that merchants will meet the market at the quotations—the aspect of the political horizon being such that with the present high rates for wool of all descriptions there is. a wide'margin for a fall, and it behoves operators on the other side to be exces- \ sively cautious in their purchases. This remark,; we regret, is uiueh needed; the high prices paid! in the colony will this year entail serious loss on many should'only the present distrust continue; if it is aggravated by war, serious indeed will be the losses on the part of those who have been payingthe sauiGrates at Sydney and Port Phillipa«

actually-ranged at our July-Ajjgust sales last year ■ —if to this are added the charges,, how can it be expected that there is any mas-gin for profit. FiiKroiiT Market.—Wo take the following report of tho freight market from Messrs. Seymour and Co.'s circular.— The engagements of tonnage for the Australian ports have been very light during the pust month, the loading houses being unable lo yield to owners' demands in the face of great inactivity in exports and low rates of freight. Tlie clearance of super-abundant tonnage on the berth is the only remedy for the present depression, and as the mail just arrived is believed to have-brought a fair amount of orders, the improvement in rates may soon be established. At present, 40s here, 45s in the colony, are the highest rates obtainable, and for the finest ships £3 10a to. £3 15s per register ton. The number of private emigrants offering continues, limited, the attention of bona-fide emigrants having been more generally directed to New Zealand.