Commercial.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 250, 14 November 1872, Page 5

Commercial.

Messrs M'Landreas, Hepburn, and Co., submitted to auction on the sth the cargo of the Cantabre from Mauritius, consisting of 9,039 bags. There was a large attendance, but only a limited disposition to buy was shown. This is accounted for by the fact that a full cargo was submitted to the hammer only a few days ago, when large purchases were made. Fine yellow crystals fetched from L 34 10s to L 34 15s; finest yellow do, L 36 5s toL36 los ; first counters, L362s6dto L 36 10s ; good white crystals, L 37 ss.

The booths at the Volunteers' sports were sold by auction on the 7th. Nos. 4 and 5 •« ere sold for L 7 each to Mr Sanders ; Nop. 6 and 7, L 7 each to Mr Job Wain ; No. 10 to Mr Krull, L 5; the two last mentioned being sold privately. The market, in grain and breadstuff*, continues firm. The business done, however, has been extremely light, and excepting iv flour no sales of moment have taken place. Good lots of milling wheat are offering only in small quantities • for prime parcels, 5a 3d to 5s 4d is the quoted price. Inferior wheat, dull, at 4s 3d. ' Fowl wheat waited at 3s 3d. <»t>od Oats have a" ready sale at 2s §d ;' and fair 'feeding from 2,8 to 2s' 2d. • In barley there' are no transactions ; malting may be quoted at 6s 6d \ Inferior at as 3d. -IWgoott ]$rcsnds in flour tnefe is 1 an active ' enquiry for trade parcels at Ll3, to Ll3 '}0s ; pullers are not desirous of quieting their stocks ; second quality is in fair demand at LlO to Lll. Oatmeal, dull, at Lll 10s ; bran, firm, L 4; p 'Hard, L 5 10s ; potatoes, L 5 10s ; hay, L 3 15s ; chaff, L 3 15s ; straw, L 2 ss. A. Mercer reports for the week ending November 9 :— Ketail prices only. fresh butter in and lib prints, best quality, 9d to lOd per lb ; second quality, 9d ; ■ fresh butter in lumps, 8d to 9d per lb ; powdei m cd and salt butter, 9d to lOd, for old and inferior butter no inquiry exists. The market is completely glutted with fresh butter, and prices are still on the decline. The inquiry for new season salt butter is in a great measure abated, several of the storekeepers are salting down large quantities, and the stocks are accumulating on their hands, for good samples 9d per lb. Cheese is very scarce ; for good qualities, a demand exists. Good samples are worth from 9d to lOd per lb; second quality, 7d to 8d per lb.. Colonial hams, lOd per lb. Side and rolled bacon, 8d to 9d per lb. Eggs are still scarce, aqd selling at Is per dozen,

Promotion.-— Sergeant Mallard, in charge of the Dunedin department has been appointed acting Sub-Inspector of Police.

Fire at Naseby. — We learn by a private telegram from Naseby that a fire occurred there to-day, at the photographic gallery of Mr H. Coxhead, during the proprietor's absence at dinner. Mr Coxhead's loss was total, and he was, we are sorry to learn, uninsured. — Star, 4th.

Newspapers in New Zealand. — In Victoria, with a population of three-quarter* of a million, there are ene hundred and twenty public journals. In New Zealand, with * population of 300,000, there are about fiftv-fivc journals.

Theatrical. — The Loyal troupe of male »n<l female gymnasts, who have been playing with great success in Auckland and other places in the North Island, may be expected to appear in Dunedin in about three weeks or a month's time.

Obituary. — To-day we are called upon to record the death of Mr Geo. Brodie, for many years Accountant in Baukruptcy, which occurred yesterday, after a long and painful illness. The deceased gentleman engaged in politics in Victoria, and on arriving in this Province in 1862 proceeded to the goldfields, where for a time he filled the editorial chair of the Dunstan Times, and for same years was one of the Goldfields representatives in the General Assembly, and M.P.C. for the Dunstan. In February, 1866, Mr Stafford appointed him to the then newly-created office of Accountant in Bankruptcy, which post he held up to the commencement of bis illness, some five months since. — Star, 4th.

Wool. — A Hobarb Town paper of a recent date, says : — Estimating this season's (Tasmania) wool-clips at five million pounds in round numbers, and the increase in the value of wool, as evinced by the increase in the merchants' advance rate, at sixpence per lb., this represents an increase of 5,000,000 sixpences to the year's income of the woolproducers of the Colony, or L 125 ,000, which, if distributed over the Colony, would, taking the population at 100,000, and an average of five individuals to each family, be equivalent to a gift of L 6 5s to every family in the Colony. The effect of such an addition to the wealth of the community, cannot fail to make itself felt in giving new vigor to industries that are now drooping, wbile it should also lead to the introduction of otber enterprizes calculated to benefit the community.

What can be Done in Victoria.— A remarkable proof has just been furnished of the progress of the manufacturing power of Victoria. The Government, a short time ago, sent instructions to our Agent-General to call for tenders for the construction of a number of railway engines, but the local machinists and founders raised such a tempest over it that these instructions were countermanded, and the local manufacturers were allowed the opportunity of tendering. Fifteen engines are wanted, and it was thought that if they could be constructed in the Colony at all, Melbourne alone could compete for the work. It has, however, turned out that the Ballarat founders and machinists can underbid those of Melbourne, and a tender has been accepted by the Government for the building of the fifteen engines by a Ballarat Company, the cost to be L 50.610, and the last of the engines to be delivered within 304 months.

Idle Capital. — The issue of the recent New South Wales loan ia the Colony itself was a measure whose prudence was variously viewed. Some argued that it would be better to import as much capital as possible, leaving the home fund for ordinary commercial and trading purposes. Others pointed out that there was abundance of money in the Colonies ; that those who would invest in Government securities were not likely to embark their funds in trade or Speculation, and that although some of the cash deposited at call, or at fixed periods, with the bankers, might be withdrawn from thejn, that would be no evil, inasmuch as they already suffered, from a want of profit- j able demand for accommodation. The best method of testing the value of these counter assertions was to try the loan, and the New South yPalea Treasurer wisely did so. The fjp?ounfc to he borrowed was under half-a-millipp sterling. The tenders were fpr about thrpe times the sum wanted, and the premium offered ran as high as 6 per cent., and seems in no cage to have been less than one-and-a-half. It follows that there remains about LBOQ.OQO pounds waiting for investment in Government securities. A "WsofcEsoJtE Clearance. — The New Zealand fferald declares that "if the Assembly would only repeal four-fifths of the laws on the Statute Book, it would confer an inestimable benefit on New Zealand." Assaulting a Bailiff. — At Rangiora, Canterbury, a man who assaulted a bailiff while engaged in the execution of his duty, has been fined in the full penalty of L2O, with the alternative of three months' imprisonment in default of payment. Imprisonment fob Debt. — Theim-' prpssjon appears to have got abroad that Mr Gillies' Bill for the abolition of imprisonment for debt became law. It is not the fact. The Bill passed the Lower House, but was included among the measures that did not reach the Council. Strange Death. — A young man named George Seymour, aged -29, son of Captain Seymour, of dockland, struck himself with the lash of a whip whilst driving Stock. The wound gradually got worse, and j symptoms of tetanus set in. Shortly afterwards his jaws set as firm as a vice, and he died on the 30th ult. Not Complimentary. — In one of the debates at the close of the session, Mr Swanson said there was not a Provincial Council in the Colony which did not conduct its business with more dignity and know ledge of the subjects under consideration than the Assembly, and the Wellington correspondent of the Auckland fferald endorses the statement. Immigration. — We are glad to learn that the Government are taking prompt measures to place the matter of immigration on a sound fopting. Instructions have been forwarded by cable to the Agent-General to place the Scotch Agency pn its original efficieat' arrangement, and to take care that the emigrants from Scotland are despatched from. Glasgow. An Irish Agency is tp be immediately opened in Dublin, to secure a fair proportion from t"he Emerald Isle ; and all from any quarter who are suitable are to jte dealt with liberally. Pqst Sessional Utterances. — Mr Steward, M.H.K, for Waitaki, as is his usual custom, sets the'example and addresses his constituents on Friday evening next. Mr Murray, the member for Bruce, in a note to the local paper., apologising fox not meet* ' ing hit constituents at present, says, «* As he ' cpnsiders it to be the doty of all member? of the Assembly to know as much, as they can of the Colony, he purposes t« go round by the North Island, * n<l there: I |ore will not be back in Milton for some weeks." Intropuction op Salmon. — The Otagp Acclimatisation Society being unable to contribute the LIOO promised, by it to aid in the introduction of salmon, ora, Air Sewell, on the Bth inst, instructed the AgentGentr*! tb»t be would bo now only »b[c to

depend upon a sum of L9OO, being the vtoe by the Houre of Representatives of LSOO, L3OO guaranteed by the Acclimatisation Society of Southland, and LIOO by the Acclimatisation Society of Canterbury. Mr Youl, who is to have charge of the experiments, writes, hoping that proper preparations have been made in the Colony for the custody and hatching of the ova when reoeived, but we have no information as to the steps that have been taken in accordance with this suggestion. Mr Youl further states that tho wonderful success which attended the natehing of the salmon and trout in Tasmania, is to be attributed to the beautifully constructed ponds they had readj to receive them, a hint that the authorities in this Colony will do well to pay some attention to. If the r.ext experiment results in failure, the subject will probably be shelved for a considerable period.

The Bishop of Dunedin. — We learn that the ship Lady Jocelyn arrived at Lyttelton on the Brh, having on board Bishop Nevill, and party of twpnty-four, including two clergymen for this Diocese.

A Veritable Elopement. — A telegram from Sydney says :— "An elopement has taken place iv upper circles. The lady is one of the recognised belles of Sidney. The gentleman, holds no position."

A Strange Death. — The Bendigo Advertiser notices the death of Mr Joseph Millinj .caused by cancer in the lip, brought on by smoking a clay pipe.

A Sign of the Times. — The sum of Ll.loo Las been collected in Christchurch in the course of a month, for the purpose of building a new Congregational Church.

Telegraphic. — A Wellington telegram states that Greville has arranged with the Anglo-Australian Telegraph agency for the receipt of cablegrams, and ten days hence expects direct telegrams from the London Times office. With Greville and the Press Association supplying cablegrams, the public should be kept well informed on European topics.

Trade in Auckland. — Trade appears to be in a bad state in Auckland. The Southern Cross says :—": — " The number of bankrupts coming before the Bankruptcy Court in Auckland is greatly nn the increase, and there is likely to be work for his Honor the Chief Justice and the Official Trustee for some three or four months to come, even if there be no more adjudications. The assets in most of the bankruptcies, the schedules of which have been filed, show for very small amounts, and very small percentages of these are oxpectcd to be realised."

Aquatic. — Regarding our . forthcoming International Regatta, "Sampan" writes in the Canterbury Press as follows :— 11 The race bids fair, it we may judge from my correspondent's opinion, to be even more successful than was ours of Itst year. When I say more successful, I mean that more Provinces will be represented 1 believe there is every chance of Otago, Canterbury, Timaru, Nelson, Auckland, and of course Wellington to any extent, being represented. Mr Lennox, who, it will be recollected, was captain and stroke of the Wellington crew at our intercolonial, informs me that he considers the course selected by the committee cannot be surpassed, in New Zealand. The said course is situated at the Hutt end of the harbor, a distance of about eigbt milea from Wellington. The reason of the committee for selecting this course was that the prevailing winds in the summer are from the north-west, and by .making the course at the north-west end of the harbor, the race can be pulled under the lee of the land the whole way. Mr Lennox further tells me that some of' their men went up in a gig the other day when it was blowing stiff, and found the course as smooth as a millpond. He adds, 4 You need be in no fear about the course being a fit one for your Canterbury boats ; besides, the committee have decided that the race will not be rowed unless the day is calm enough to suit all boats entered.' "

Slander. — The following case was heard before Jndge Gresson and a special jury, at the late Canterbury civil sittings : — The plaintiff was named Henry Tish, and the 1 defendant, Samuel Treleaven. 1 lie action was brought to recover LSOO damages by reason of the defendant having made use of the following slanderous expressions towards the plaintiff: — "There is a man (meaning the plaintiff) 1 have a very strong suspicion of for shooting through my window (meaning that he, the defendant, suspected that the plaintiff had feloniously thrown or discharged gunpowder into the dwelling-house of the defendant with intent to destroy or damage the same). You are a vagabond. You did it. You fired a shot through my window." The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, damages LI S. Unpleasant Visitors. — Wild cats and dogs are becoming numerous in unfrequented parts of the goldfields. On the Crown Terrace, about four miles from Arrowtown, a party of miners obtained payable prospects last week, and accordingly removed their residence from the lew country to the neighborhood of the naw discovery. j Their first night's experience was anything but pleasant, for no sooner had they composed themselves to rest than a wild dog made a rush at their stock of meat, and carried it off. The miners were not slow in following, and soon " o'ertook the spoilencumber'd foe," recovered the meat, and again wooed "nature's sweet restorer ;" but j as the tent soon sustained a combined attack by * regiment of wild cats, they were again on the alert, and they had to appoint a sentry for the night, vowing that the most > savage procurable dog should be obtained and placed on guard the following night. A number of sheep have been lost in the locality in question during the past few month** and judging from the circumstances just narrated, it is not to be wondered at. Market Place for Auckland. — Mr Donagher's tender of L 2499 for the construction of a market-place has been accepted by the Auckland City Council. Clutha Railway. — It would appear as if the Government intended to open a portion of this line for traffic as early as possible, as we notice the rails are being carted to convenient distances along the line. Accident. — A serioiis accident occurred at 10 a.m. to-day to the Anderson's Bay coach, which was returning with a wedding party, which had been spending the day at the Bay. On cpmipg round the paint near the quarry the horses became unmanageable, and an upset was the consequence. All the occupants of the coach were more or less hurt, though none, we are glad to say, very seriously. The bride and bridegroom were badly cut about the face ; Mr Cook, one of the Post Office letter carriers, had his foot sprained ; Mr Adams, one oi the Times runners, had his foot broken, and was removed to the Hospital ; and one of Messrs Watson and Gow's men was badly cut in the face. At the time of the accident there were ten ladies inside the coach, and nearly as many gentleman outside.— Star, &h. Insured. — A loving wife, on the decease of her husband, sent the following thrilling telegram to a distant friend :-" Dear John is dead. Lou fully covered by insurance." A baby show was lately held At Dundee. The crush of visitors is said to have been "terrible,':