COMMERCIAL.

West Coast Times, Issue 30, 12 August 1865, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

West Coast Times Oflico, Friday evening. During the greater,, portion of tho present week, our business men havo mostly been engaged on tho salvage of tho unfortunate p.s. Now Zealand. As valuablo a cargo never tried to cross the bar of Hskitika, nor was thero ever on tho West Coast such a dcftructiou of property caused by what seoms the most culpable incapacity or carelessness. Opinion on the mattor is strong in every circle ; and wo hope that an investigation thorough and sonrohing will bo made into the causes of this fresh disaster — accident it cannot be called.

Tho oxciteinent consequent on tho rush to the Grey has now subsided. Tho permanence of the field being established a regular trade is now springing up. A monopoly of 'the carriago will doubtless be carried on by water, ns the steamers Lyttelton and Eleanor, and schooner Cymraes, it will be seen, took their full complement of freight for tho Grey.

There havo been fov alterations on tho oxhauslivo report which appeared in last Saturday's issue. A deal inoro quietness has reigned in staple goods. Flour is easy at L3O to L 32 for Chilian, and L 35 is sought for Adelaido. Bacon still continues in demand, notwithstanding tho largo par* eels ex New Zealand, forced on the market by auction. In candles a rapid dedino is observable — Behnont's F.W, not being muoh more than Is Cd to Is 8d per lb, with tho prospect of lower rate 3. Cheese— so long neglected, is sought after, double Cheddar fetching Is 8d 5 Colonial cheeso

scarce, and would sell at Is Cd. Oats still continue of good sale, although tho reports of soveral vessels having boon laid on direct from Dunedin for the Grey has in a measure stopped tho speculative movement in this article. In several outside goods considerable fluctuations havo taken place. Kerosene oil, a few days ago, sold at 20s por gal. by tho case, but as rapidly fell to 9s— at which it is now stationary. Butter — Wellington, of which over 100 keg 3 was landed this weok in prime condition, is held for 2s Cd and 2s 9d. We learn that almost the whole lino has changed hands at thesa quotations. Sugars aro daily being sought after, and samples of any description would find a gcod market. It is a source of great satisfaction to the community thav a tug has at last been placed on the harbor seiviv, aud it is hoped will do much to regulate this market.