Commercial.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 358, 29 March 1861, Page 2

Commercial.

LONDON WOOL REPORT.-^Tanuarf, 1861. Since the close of the sales our market has been exceedingly inanimate, and, with the exception of a few stray contracts for small parcels, but little is doing, the only exception of moment being the sale of about 150 bales good combing out of second hands for French account.

The opening of the year has not been so satisfactory as might have been anticipated from the eagerness manifested towards the close of the December sales to secure wool, a circumstance partly arising from the rise in the rate of discount and the difficulties rapidly extending in the United States—events that have led many holders to be more willing sellers while buyers have been extremely chary of making any Purchases, except for positive orders and immediate requirments.

The accouuts by the last mail are very satisfactory as to the probable growth and general character of the^clip, and all are looking forward to a large sale of new wool in the February-March sales, more especially of stapled descriptions from Port Philip, of which it is expected fully 20,000 bales may be offered. The consumption of the better sorts of Port Philip combing in the North has not equalled expectations; and several large buyers, whose stock consists of these descriptions bought in May and July, would be free sellers at last auction sales, but find a great difficulty, in quitting, buyers seeming determined to hold aloof so far as possible until the new clip is offered, when, if the present stringency continues in the money market, and affairs in the United States bear as complex a character as at present, wool will not maintain the present high rates, and a reaction may take place, which again will confirm our reiterated opinions that the prices paid on the other side do not allow a fair margin for contingencies, but are generally based on the highest prices established during the year, and therefore a fall of l^d. or 2d. causes a serious loss to merchants. Examples might be given in many cases in which the prices paid for aome of the marks are nearly fully up to the average range established in July sales, and when charges are deducted the operation is a poor one even where the prices paid in this market are high.

NELSON MARKETS.—March 28. The Mills.—Mr. Saunders's flour, new, £20 wheat, best samples, 7s 6d per bushel. Bread. 41b loaf, lid. Butter, fresh, Is 2d per lb., salt, Is. ; Eggs, Is 6dto Is. 6d. per doz. Cheese, Is 4dto Is 6d; Candles— sperm Is. 9d., home-made 10d., ditto Sydney, Is. per lb. Beef, 3d to s&d; Mutton, 5d to 6£d; Veal, 5d to 7d; Pork, 7d; Bacon, Is; Hams, Is 2d per lb. Fowls, per pair, ss; Ducks, 6s; Geese, each, 5s Turkeys, 6s 6d to 7s. Potatoes, per 100 lbs., 7s; Carrots and turnips, 2d per bundle; Cabbages, 3d each ; Onion?, 4d per lb; Grapes, lOd to Is per lb; Apples, 3d to 4d per lb; Vegetable Marrows, 2d to 6d each.

AUCKLAND MARKETS.—March 7th. Fresh butter, Is 9d per tt>; colonial cheese, Is to Is 2d j fowls, per pair, 5s to 6s; bacon, lOd to Is per ft); hams, Is to Is 2d; potatoes, 5s to 6s per cwt ; onions, 2d per 1b ; straw, £4 per ton; beef, mutton and pork, 7d per lb; cabin biscuits, 32s per cwt; bread, 6d per 2-lb loaf. The Mills —Fine flour. 221 ; seconds, 18/ ; sharps, 91 ; bran, Is 6(1; maize nominal; wheat, 8s to 8a 6d. Working bullocks sold for IIZ 15s to 131 10s. Dairy Cows, from 9Z 15s to \6l 2s 6d : pood dairy cows are still enquired for. The pure-bred short-horned cow, iraporte in the Morning Light sold for 46Z. A lot of store cattle sold for 51 to 51 17s 6d. Fat sheep sold well, fetching 19s 6d to 45s 6d each ; lambs, 9s 6d to 17s 6d ; a lot of breeding ewes at 14s; a lot of store wethers at 13s 9d each. Riding Horses, excepting those of good quality, are dull of sale. For working horses that can be depended on there is an improved enquiry Pigs were scarce and sold high.— Southern Cross.

Mr. Thomson reports the following sales during the past month:~2000 ewes, 265, cash; 50 acres at Papanui (in lots, average, 22/ per acre, deferred payments ; 4000 acres at the Taitapu, 2800/, deferred payment; Mr. Potts's run on the Ashburton, 47,000 acres, 21J09 sheep, mixed ages and sexes, SOOOZ; Messrs. Brittan and Stace's nm on the Ashburton 20,000 acres, 500 head of cattle, 7500 Z.