Commercial.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 222, 2 May 1872, Page 5

Commercial.

Dunedin, April 29. The market in grain and breadstuff's has become considerably firmer. For flour there is a brisk demand, and parcels are easily quitted at the quotations below given. In wheat there also appears to be more confidence on the part of buyers, aud prime lots are placed at 4s 6d to 4s 9d. liif..rit-r samples are unsaleable, and the highest value that can be quoted is 3s 6d to 33 9d. Although fowls' wheat will be scarce this season, the price cannot be expected to improve ; parcels are being quoted at 3s. In oats buyers exhibit more shyness ; late advices from Melbourne have damped speculating tendencies, and the farmers are now depen.ling on local wants for the clearing of theii stocks. For regular and well-filled parcels suitable for milling, 2s is the highest price that can be got. Feeding kinds are not worth more than Is 9d, and at this rate trade quantities are supplied. Malting barley is rather easier; this is due to the Dunedin malsters having secured sufficient stocks for present wants ; but from the quantity that will be available during the year, very high rates may be expected. Best parcels are offered at 43 9d to ss. Damaged barley, fit only for feeding, is becoming scarce, and 3s is now the current price. Provincial potatoes are enquired for at L 4 10s ; Australian are not in favor, and are with difficulty c eared at L 3 ss. The town bakers are at present prepared to buy largely in flour ; in this they are not met by the millers, who restrict sales to the supply- ' itig^" ef &ie ordinary trade lots. For good brands the price in sacks is Lll 15s, and Ll2 in bags ; and on these rates a slight advance may be expected almost immediately. lnfeiior flour has again come into request. The wheat from which it is being made is superior in the quality to that of last year, and consequently the flour commands a better price ; buyers are inclined to give LlO for fair samples. The market is clear of bran ; a good deal has been shipped to the West Coast ; parcels are quitted at L 2 10s, and trade lots at L 2 15s. Pollard is scarce, L 3 15s. Oatmeal, Ll3. Pearl barley, L2O. Straw, L 2 ss. Hay, L 3 los. Chaff, L 3 15s.

A. Mercer reports for the week ending April 27 .-—Retail prices only — Fresh butter, in £lb. and lib. prints, best quality, Is per Ib. ; second quality, lOd per lb. ; frtsh butter in lumps, lOd per lb ; powdered and salted butter, lOd per lb; salt butter, in kegs, 9d per lb. The supply of fresh butter this week is rather, if anything, a little more plentiful, but is met by the demand ; and storekeepers, instead of increasing their stocks of salted, are finding a market at previous quotations. There is still an improvement observable in cheese and the quantity held in stock is much lighter. Best quality from 6d to 8d per lb ; second quality, 6d per lb. Side and rolled bacon is very plentiful, and selling from 9d to lOd per lb. In Colonial hams there ia still a brisk trade doing at Is per lb. Eggs are still exceedingly scarce and much enquired after ; storekeepers are unable to meet the demand. This has not been the case for many years at this season ; and the price ranges from 2s 6d to 3s per doz.